Lala Dangerous

Today our Featured Artist is LalaDangerous

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in making your products?
I got into this last year, when my sister in law showed me the website etsy.com. I was so intrigued by the idea of an eBay for handmade and vintage items!!! I had been making ornaments for Christmas presents that year because we were short on money!
My sister liked them she suggested I start an Etsy store and so I did!

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
All of my items, and ideas are mine. I have taken a suggestion or two from my husband and friends but most of the items are my own original ideas. I am inspired by the 19th century early and late...I love all of the looks, textures and designs from that era!


3. What is your favorite piece and why?
My most favorite piece so far is the pirate ornament I just recently did. It's fantasy, Victorian and one of my absolute favorites!



Here are some of her other beautiful ornaments:



I have to say, these are the most stunning and unique ornaments I have ever seen!

LalaDangerous is doing a craft and sales expo at Pine Grove Church in Howard City. The expo is from 10:30a-3p and is open to the public. Stop by, say hello and see these beautiful ornaments in person.

LalaDangerous is also open to custom orders, so if you see one of her designs and would like it in another color she would be happy to do that for you!!! Keep in mind that not all items are exactly alike due to the materials she has on hand and constantly changing stock, however they will be very similar.

You can also keep up with her on facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Modern-style-ornaments-wreaths-and-floral-arrange...

And if you would like to buy one of these on line, or see her other beautiful creations, check out her etsy store: www.laladangerous.etsy.com

Sew Sweet Peanut

Today I am featuring another wonderful Michigan artist, Sew Sweet Peanut who makes adorable childrens clothing. She is offering Free Shipping (woot) if you enter the coupon code pinkparchment. You can also check out her blog and Check for a chance to win a $25 credit here in her shop!! http://www.sewsweetpeanutboutique.blogspot.com/

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in making your products?
I actually don’t remember for sure how I started making clothing. My mom and I decided that we would like to learn how to sew so we bought a cheap machine and made some cushion covers and pillow cases. I guess I decided that clothes for my two girls would be more fun, found Etsy and then it just got out of control. :)

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
I sew all of the items myself.

3. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?
My favorite piece may be the My Little Pony knot dress I made for my youngest daughter. I really don’t sew much for my own girls now that I have the Etsy shop and she is huge in to all things ponies. This was also the first knot dress I made and it came together perfectly. My daughter’s face was the best though; it was great making something specifically for her.



Here are some of her favorite pieces:





This is what she has to say about this peice. I usually stick pretty close to the pattern I am working with but I really wanted something different when I started this dress working with a knot dress pattern. I think the modifications, the fabrics, the photos and my adorable model/daughter came together really well and I am proud of myself for branching out a little from the pattern. Isn't this just adorable?


She really loves this one because it is the only boy item in her shop (She thinks she needs to work on that). And she feels so lucky to have customers who send her amazing photos of their little men in her ties to use for promotion.


She just loves this outfit (and so do I). It turned out just like she had imagined, and she loves everything about it; the style, the colors and how it fit on her little one. She had a mom buy this outfit for her daughter to wear in a pageant and it won best casual wear, she was so excited.

5. Do you do craft shows?
I did a couple of small local craft shows last fall but am not planning on any this year. They are a lot of work and take up more time than I have right now. I would love to do some in the future though because I really like the atmosphere and the immediate feedback on my work. I do create items for a local children’s boutique though and that has been a great opportunity to get my items out locally.

6. Do you have facebook, twitter, blogs? If so please give me the links
I do not have a facebook or twitter account. Gasp, I know. :) I know I am in the vast minority but I don’t like what the social networking phenomenon is doing to families, marriages, children, and computers. I do have a blog (http://www.sewsweetpeanutboutique.blogspot.com/) and website (http://www.sewsweetpeanut.com/) though.

The Hickory Tree

Today our featured Artist is Linda from The Hickory Tree

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in making your products?

I first started making Wooden Tree Branch Buttons about 10 years ago. I am a sewing fanatic and I love to make clothes for dolls and stuffed animals. I was up north at my parent’s cabin in Michigan and my daughter and I were making clothes for a big stuffed bear that sat in my mom’s front room. I made the bear some suspenders but didn’t have any buttons to sew onto the straps. Town was 25 miles away so my mom made a comment that her dad; my grandpa use to make buttons out of tree limb slices way back when she was little, and so I decided to give it a try. The first buttons I made were crooked and way too thick, but still looked kind of cool. I made quite a few more buttons over the years for friends and family but never thought of making them to sell. In 2006 I opened an Etsy shop and I sold shoulder bags, totes and dog beds under SleepyDogDesigns. Well sales were pretty slow so I put a wooden tree branch button on one of my shoulder bags and I got 5 emails that day asking where I’d bought the button from. It didn’t take long or a lot of thought to realize I was selling the wrong art. So I changed direction and now I specialize in Wooden Tree Branch Creations.

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?

Everything I make and in my wood shop is designed and created by me. My specialty is Wooden Tree Branch Buttons, Wood Gift Tags, Rustic Wedding Decor and Natural Tree Branch Jewelry. I always have new designs and styles I’m either working on or thinking about at any given moment. Many of my wonderful buyers on Etsy have given me fantastic ideas too. My only obstacle is time, or lack of it. I work full time so my wood shop creations are made after work and on the weekends. My husband helps behind the scenes. He is my chief equipment mechanic and head of the wooden gift tag twine tying station. When my saws, drill presses or sanders breakdown he orders parts and gets them up and running again. He also built this wonderful Pole Barn for me. Likewise when I have gift tag orders, he ties the twine on them to save me time.

3. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?
One of my favorite pieces was a business card holder I made out one of my Dad’s favorite trees, a Black Walnut. The wooden tree branch car is a roadster and I made the original one for my son because he’s Forestry major at Michigan Tech University and will be graduating soon.

These are some of Lindas other favorite peices:

Aren't these unique?

4. Do you do craft shows? If so what shows will you be doing in the next few months?
I wanted to try and attend Castle Farms Fiber Festival in Charlevoix, Michigan in July. But my daughter got married this July so I was busy preparing all her wedding decor and made a decision not to any more until after the wedding. I am planning on showing at the Sheep and Wool Festival at Mt. Bruce Station in Romeo, Michigan on September 24th And 25th, 2011.

Make sure to stop by and say Hi to Linda!

4. Can you tell us what your favorite part of your business is?
My favorite aspect of my business is the hunt in the woods to find that perfect tree branch. Your adrenaline gets going and it is so much fun finding a hidden jewel among the trees. One of my favorite finds is Spalted Maple and Oak wood. Spalting is an aging process a tree limb goes through as it ages affecting the color of the wood. Tree branches must be thoroughly dried before they are used as a button or gift tag. If they aren’t they can crack and or shrink when they are drying. So the best kind of limb is one that has already fallen off the tree usually due to a storm or advanced age of the tree or a limb that has been cut and dried by utility companies or tree trimming crews then aged for a year or two.

If you would like to see what other goodies Linda has, you can shop one line at her etsy shop:The Hickory Tree
You can also follow Linda on her blog:
thehickorytree.blogspot.com

Pics Petals Scents

Just in case you forgot, this week is Buy Michigan Week, so I am featuring Michigan Artists all week. Todays artist is Pics Petals Scents

1. How did you get interested in making your products?

I have always loved crafting, ever since I was little I have always made some sort of craft. I started doing what I am now because I got laid off from my job after 12 years and I also become a grandma. Since I was home I became her sole babysitter to my grandaughter and now I do not want to leave her so I want ed to from home . I started with my love of photography and my husband made frames for my pictures. They were slow sellers so I decided to try something that people use more often. I love candles, but not just plain ordinary candles. I started with underwater gel candles & drink candles, then food candles and kept experimenting with more until I got the variety I have today. I love trying and adding new things. I now have added wax teddy bears, aroma beads, soap and more. Eventually I want to add soft soap, hand sanitizers, lotion, bubble bath, spray air fresheners and bubble bath. I also do some woodcrafts and flower arrangements.

2 Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
I do everything myself. I do not sleep much.
Maybe we should all stop by her shop and make sure she doesn't get any sleep this month!

3. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?

That is tough to choose one. I will have to go with what I call my “scentalicious” candles. I like them because they are different, I have fun decorating them, they look and smell good just sitting in the room, and they burn nice too.



Aren't these adorable?


Here are a couple of her other favorites:


Do you do craft shows? If so what shows will you be doing in the next few months?

Yes I do craft shows 1-3 times a month. I have put on 2 myself and I have 2 more I have planned for this year. The next one is in Beaverton in 3 weeks. I also have West Branch, Houghton Lake, Dearborn Heights, Freeland, Bay City, Caseville, Westland and Beaverton again. I still have to schedule a few more In there.

6. If there is anything else you would like the readers to know, let me know

I aim to please the customers. I am open to any new ideas for improvements or additional products. I can make custom orders or get any fragrance someone would like that I do not have. I have recently been asked for chocolate covered cherries, pizza, pine and bacon and wow the bacon and pizza really smell like the real thing. If they would like a special candle with someone’s name on the label I can do that or anything else they may be wanting. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean I cannot do it. I also love to throw in free samples with every order. I love what I do and I love to give!


If you'd like to come and meet her in person, stop by one of these shows:
August 13 -14
The Victorian Art Fair West Branch
Irons Park
West Branch, MI 48661
Event Website: www.victorianartfair.com/ Event Contact: fourthst@giftsandgallery.com
989-345-3856

Saturday August 20
Beaverton Bowling Alley
3325 M 18
Beaverton, MI
10am – 4 pm
Contact Marcy
Marcy0725@yahoo.com
989-435-9479

Sept 2- 3
Clare Quilt, crafts & flea market
10885 N Leaton Rd
Clare, MI 48617
Event Contact: John Henry Yoder
989-386-2872

Sept 10
Apple Country Art & Craft Show
7475 S. River Rd - I-75 to I-675
Freeland, MI 48623
Contact: Jaye Reisinger
jayealan@tm.net
989-239-1820

Saturday Sept 17
St Mels Church
Inkster Road
Dearborn Heights,
stmelscraftfair@yahoo.com
313-274-0864.

Saturday Nov 5
9 am – 3 pm
St Anne’s Church
M-30
Beaverton MI
Contact: Anne Stube

And don't forget to stop by her lovely etsy shop
Pics Petals Scents

Honey Willow Designs

In celebration of Buy Michigan Week, I’ll be highlighting some extremely talented Michigan Artists. Today is Marie from Honey Willow Designs.

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in making your products?
I have always had my hands in something creative since I was a child from drawing to handmade Christmas ornaments. Around the age of 20 I turned my creative eye to jewelry for stress relief. I began to sell on Etsy in 2006 under mlkpdesigns, but later became too busy with a full-time job, grad school, and planning a wedding. After getting married and graduating from grad school in 2010 things quieted back down and Honey Willow Designs was born in October. I felt I was a different person hence the creation of a new business for my wares.

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
I make and design all jewelry and hair accessories with the exception of some metal-work that is the brainchild of my husband, Mark. He is given credit in any listing he had a had in. Home and garden decor (coming soon) is a combined effort between Mark and I.

3. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?
My favorite piece are my raindrop earrings:



I just love the way they sparkle and remind me of rain cascading down which I find so relaxing.

Arent't these gorgeous earrings? And I really like her photo of them as well.

4. What are your other favorite Pieces?
My favorite pieces besides the raindrop earrings are:

These and many other wonderful peices are all available for purchase in her etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyWillowDesigns

Marie will be at the following craft shows, so stop by and see her wonderful work!

August 13 4pm-9pm- Avenue for the Arts Market in Grand Rapids 100 block of south division
September 10-11 - The Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival in Paw Paw

You can also find Marie Here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoneyWillowDesigns
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/HoneyWillowDsgn
Blog: honeywillowdesigns.blogspot.com/

Marie is also opening another etsy shop, stay tuned to find out more!

Have a great Monday everyone.

Buy Michigan Week

Did you know that next week is *Buy Michigan Week*? From August 1-7, a lot of Michigan businesses and Artists will be having sales and events to celebrate. Stop by the Yellow Door Art Market to share in some of the fun. If you know of other stores or artists who will be having sales or events, let me know!

We will be having a sale in our Etsy shop, www.PinkParchmentSoaps.etsy.com, to celebrate.