Inspiration Station

I found this cute little shop, valentinadesign, in my perusings of "inspirational" and fell for the lusty colors and whimsical designs :)

And look!!





It's a Peach Tree!!

*FEATURED ARTIST of the week* ~~3FUN~~

3FUN





1. What is your craft?

I make felt jewelry. I have always liked to experiment with various materials, but felting was love at first touch.


2. What led you to take it up?

I needed a creative outlet that would counter the affects of being the center of our young son's universe 24/7.


3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?

I get the most joy from the process itself, taking a handful of wool and transforming into something that can be worn.






4. Which part do you find hardest?

The most difficult part of this is the marketing and sales end of things. That is the part that actually seems like work to me.


5. Where do you get your inspiration?

I draw my inspiration from the world around me and the colors and materials in front of me.


6. Do you participate in any etsy groups, and if so, which ones?

I plan to in the very near future. If they will have me!


7. What's one material your shop can't live without?

Pure, soft 100% Merino wool! Sooooooooooooo sooooooooooffffftttttttt!


8. What is your favorite item that you have purchased off of Etsy?

A necklace I bought a while back from Filzlaus,



who ultimately inspired me to drop the polymer and pick up the wool!


9. If I could sell one item from my shop today, it would be...

I would love to sell my Manic Organic necklace



I would like to hear the comments that it would get when the buyer wears it out on the town!


10. If I had enough money to pick one item on my wish list from any shop on etsy to buy, it would be...

I would love to have the money to buy the AASIA mahogany bed from attiladesign:



It looks so warm and comfortable to lounge around in. It also would go nicely with a crazy wall unit that my husband made from left over wood that our house's previous owner's left behind.


11. What are the top three favorite items currently listed in your store?

Lush Line Abstract Flower Necklace



Green Multi Strand Felt Necklace



Ethnic Style Felt Necklace




12. What undiscovered artisans would you recommend the world to know?

KadinelaJewelry




and KatherineJewelry



I have seen their jewelry in person and am impressed with the high quality of their work. Online photos do not do them justice.


13. What is the best advice you have ever received?

My husband always says “I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.” which is a quote by his favorite author Kurt Vonnegut.



He also mentions Vonnegut as saying “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”

Peach Picks: Spring Fling

from AnthologiE


Sometimes there's simply nothing like feeling a wee bit smashing :) Be that, dressing up on a warm early spring evening, wearing that something special that always makes you feel saucy with a side of spice.

A force to be reckoned with!

Today's Picks are dedicated to you, ladies (gentlemen, you'll get your own day)! Revel!



from karenmeyers



from southpawstudios



from tortillagirl



from KnitKnit



from dianereafsnyder



from margaretmarieny



from kellyisnice

Via Twitter

I caught this great Vintage shop on Twitter today and couldn't resist sharing! Junkculture has a perfectly kitschy, straightforward Shop announcement. Part being:

"WHAT THIS SHOP ISN'T:
A catalog of yuppie paraphernalia
Sugary crafty fun
Appropriate for children(neither emotionally nor chronologically)"





I love a shop that knows just what it is.... or isn't!

It's way too easy to miss great Vintage finds and collections on Etsy! Just be sure to switch the search bar to "All Items" and BAM!, a whole lovely mix of handmade and blasts from the past flood into view :)





Happy Wednesday!

Never Fear....

from dailyode

Hehe :)

Water for Life

larimeloom


Yesterday was World Water Day! I'm a bit ashamed to find that I hadn't yet known of this event (that's been in effect since 1993) taking place each year:

"The UN PARTY its member nations to devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Day for Water."

It's so easy to get caught up in our daily backs and forths that we forget that we, the entire world, are a living, breathing community :)



moop

*FEATURED ARTIST of the week* ~~MusetteMade~~

Musette Made

1. What is your craft?

I am mainly a jewelry designer at this point but I still love to paint.


2. What led you to take it up?

I walked into a bead store one day about 10 years ago and was hooked from that moment on. All the colors, textures and possibilities really spoke to me!


3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?

I love to hole up in my studio with some good music playing and just create. When you get into that groove (you know what I'm talking about!) it really is magical, as cheesy as that sounds! It's the whole reason I chose to pursue this as a business.






4. Which part do you find hardest?

I find the marketing/networking part the hardest. It doesn't come naturally to me so I really have to work hard at it.


5. Where do you get your inspiration?

I get a lot of my inspiration from the beads themselves. Colors, shapes, and textures all start to form ideas in my head - I really enjoy listening to that and seeing what works and what doesn't. I also love to see other artists out there just doing what they do - it doesn't matter what medium, it's all inspiring to me!


6. Do you participate in any etsy groups, and if so, which ones?

I'm part of the Hornet's Nest Chapter of the North Carolina team.



7. What's one material your shop can't live without?

Vintage beads! I love them...


8. What is your favorite item that you have purchased off of Etsy?

I buy lots of stuff on etsy so it's hard to pick just one! I will say yummy lip gloss and handmade soap from Haunt.



I love to use handmade soap - it is one of my indulgences -
and her's are sooooo good!


9. If I could sell one item from my shop today, it would be...

That would be the Katia necklace.



It is one of my favorite new designs - the Japanese tensha beads are so pretty!


10. If I had enough money to pick one item on my wish list from any shop on etsy to buy, it would be...

The Vintage Martian chair from sprucehome would so be in my living room right now if I could afford it!



The shape is cool and the fabric choice is just beautiful.

*Editor's note: I couldn't locate the exact chair mentioned so I included another of their amazing pieces!*


11. What are the top three favorite items currently listed in your store?

Katia




Heart You




and Sara



I feel like I'm cheating on all the others!


12. What undiscovered artisans would you recommend the world to know?

There are so many! I love my friend Janice Tucker's paintings, and my friend Randon makes amazing prayer beads. I'm still trying to convince them to start etsy shops! I also love ValerieJoan's illustations here on etsy!




13. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Always wear clean underwear. Just kidding! My friend Timmy taught me to be open to what the universe puts in my path. Look around, smile, and be ready to find what you need.





And always wear clean underwear! That one came from mom!