Browsing On Etsy

Today I decided to just browse some of my favorite shops on etsy. My first shop was JanEleven and I was amazed at how many new and beautiful items she has! These are a few that caught my eye


This is what she says about the bracelet: Fabulous is the only word for this gorgeous heavy silver bracelet with matching brooch. What a masterpiece of the silversmithing art! This is one of the nicest bracelets it has ever been my privilege to offer. If you'd like to check it out Click Here



I love these beautiful earrings. This is what she has to say about them:
These are most unusual earrings - they are a pair of Taxco Aztec heads in a fabulous and unusual Mid Century Modernist design. The heads are accented with inlaid turquoise and black etching. Each head is wearing it's own earring! They are in wonderful shiny condition. These earrings will definately make an impression - beautiful art you can wear as well as an investment in collectible Taxco silver. If you'd like to take a look for yourself, Click Here

She even has some recommedations for what to pair these gorgeous earrings with! So head on over to JanEleven and take a look at her other beautiful peices

Halloween Shopping On Etsy

Happy Friday everyone! These are some fabulous Halloween finds on etsy:



1. Halloween Doll by LuLusApple
2. Halloween Favor Digital Collage by AmeliaLuneDigital
3. Boo Halloween Card Holder by BloomAndBarnacle
4. Pumpkin Head Soap by PinkParchmentsoaps (that's us)
5. Trick or Treat Bag by BaffinBags
6. Halloween Candy Box by PoshBox

Happy Shopping!

ShoppeVonShultz

Happy Thursday Everyone!
Today I am highlighting the wonderful photography shop of ShoppeVonShultz

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in taking photos?
When I was going through a hard time, I would take drives because driving was cathartic for me. I started taking my camera along and realized I loved taking photos. I never took any classes, but kept upgrading my equipment and pushing myself to learn more and get better.

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
Of course I take my own photos, but I am also looking at other artists' work for inspiration. I would never want to recreate what they do, but there are definitely artists I admire and draw ideas from.

3. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?
Mission II is my favorite photo. I love it because it is the epitome of simple grace. I grew up in central Phoenix and was always able to find beauty in urban environments. Urban fragments are one of my favorite things to capture with the camera. I love the city and the lights and the conglomeration of buildings, adobe, modern, bank and business towers next to old missions. Mission II is a moment of peace and grace in a city where nothing stops and very little stays the same for long.



I love the peaceful colors in this photo!

Here are some of her other favorites:



I love both of these peices as well! And she also makes ACEO's, this is one of my favorites:



She beleives that photography is an extremely powerful record of our lives and what is important to us. If there is something you feel is important, capture it. If you've been putting off that family photo, schedule it!

If you'd like to see more of her work, or purchase any of these, just go to ShoppeVonShultz
If you'd like to see what she is upto, Check out her facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Valerie-Shultz-Photography/139798856055476

And take a look at her blog: thepowerinthestory.wordpress.com

Raedawn

I'm so happy it's Friday! Today I am featuring another etsian, Raedawn

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in making your products?
I started doing art when I was a little girl, mostly drawing, and then when I was a bit older painting. I always loved art. I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I also loved to crack rocks open, an activity that I link to my later love of making jewelry. I went to Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a BFA in painting. Since then I have show all over the U.S., as far as Oregon and New Mexico and as close as Massachusetts and New York.

2. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?
My favorite piece so far is a tryptich, "Linking to the Three Worlds." I love it because when I did it I felt most connected to the spiritual realm and to myself. My most recent favorite is a colored pencil drawing, "Last Day at the Beach." And my favorite necklace is the Goddess necklace.


Here are some examples of her unique work:




This one absolutely fascinates me and this is what she has to say about it: "Shamans transverse the worlds, bringing back healing and other resources for their communities. They not only pass back and forth between the worlds, but they help to connect them, so that their communities are familiar with the lower world (a place of objective healing resources, such as herbs), the middle world (ordinary reality, Earth), the upper world (a place of energetic healing and knowledge). This assemblage symbolically reflects this process."



This one is sold, but I love all the colors and details!



This is what she has to say about this necklace, "The Goddess reaches up in joy, toward a turquoise sky, which is set off by the quiet inner fire of the copper."

4. Do you do craft shows?
I used to do lots of craft fairs, but since my illness, Fibromyalgia, has gotten worse, I can no longer do them. This was one of the factors in my coming to Etsy.

This is what she has to say about her work:
In my work I strive to stay connected to both the spiritual realm and to the world of people. Both are of utmost importance to me. I believe I was given a gift, and a part of that gift was to share it with others.

I too beleive she was giving a gift and love all the different mediums she works in.

If you'd like to see more of her gorgeous work, stop by her etsy shop Raedawn
You can also keep track of what she is up to by following her blog: www.dreamsandechoes.blogspot.com

Rhody

Happy Thursday Everyone!
Today I am featuring another awesome etsy shop - Rhody

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

I started crocheting when I was a young girl. As time went on I want to make bigger and better things so I started to buy pattern books and made everything I could get my hands on. Crocheting is my "out". Its so relaxing for me and I love starting out with just yarn and then like magic you have a productive item in your hand!

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

I make everything myself. If I use a pattern I always put my own twist to it somewhere in that pattern so I make it mine. I did design and make a thread crochet Christening blanket that is in my shop now. But I make my own items.

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

I have to say the Christening gowns. I made one that sold and it had the gown, bonnet and booties to go with it. The girl who bought it sent me a picture of her baby on her Christening Day with my outfit on her. That meant so much to me to actually see it on her.

Here are some examples of her gorgeous work:





I love all her different peices! Wouldn't that wreath be stunning on your door? And guess what? She takes custom orders on her wreaths and if you would like something else, she'd be glad to work on it with you so you can get exactly what you want!

If you'd like to see more of her shop, check her out here on etsy: Rhody
You can also follower her on twitter here
Check out her blog here
And like her on facebook here

Honey Willow Bloom Room

Sure Happy Its Thursday!
A while back, I featured Marie from Honey Willow Designs. Well, Marie has been a busy woman and has now opened a second Etsy Shop called HoneyWIllowBloomRoom. Well, I just had to ask her a few questions.

1. What was your motivation to open another shop?
My motivation to open another shop hit at about 2am when I was ordering supplies. I was ordering some lovely flowers and came up with about a millions ideas at once to specialize in flower. It is very different from what I want to concentrate on in my original shop hence the new shop.

2. What kinds of products are you offering in your new shop?
My tagline is Flower Central for Hair, Body, and Home - that about sums up the items I will be offering - just about anything you can think of that is floral related.



3. Who are these products be for?
My items will be for women and children mainly, but could include men too. Basically anyone who likes flowers!


I took a look at her new shop and all I have to say is WOW. Everything she offers will make fabulous gifts for all occasions for the flower enthusiast.

Here are some of the wonderful pieces she has to offer:

You can see more of her wonderful creations on her etsy shops: HoneyWillowBloomRoom and www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyWillowDesigns.com

And you can save 10% both of her shops by using coupon code: ppsblog10

SkileyKnits

Happy Hump Day!!! Today our featured Michigan Artist is......
SkileyKnits

1. Why and/or how did you get interested in making your products?
I have been knitting and crocheting for almost 20 years. Growing up in an artistic family with crafters and a muralist as my inspiration, I was encouraged to create from a very young age. DJ started making Jewelry just this summer in response to a custom request to make one of his flies into a pair of earrings, and it took off from there and has become a passion.

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
Everything we do is collabrative. He and I run design ideas by each other all the time, but the actual construction/stitching is done by only one or the other.

3. What is the favorite piece you have made and why?
My favorite piece is a work in progress. I'm using a pattern my late father designed to make an updated blanket for our bedroom. DJ's favorite is the dreamcatcher earrings he made for me using traditional Mohawk techniques taught to him by a pipe carrier.

Here are some of their beautiful work:


If you'd like to see more of their beautiful work, you can find SkileyKnits at the Nature's Best Farmer's Market in Fairview every Friday Morning. They will also be in Beaverton August 20th and 21st, and at the Curran Black Bear Festival September 24

You can find their blog here: http://www.skileyknits.blogspot.com/
And of course, you can stop by their etsy shop: SkileyKnits

GaryTheCarpenter

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today our featured Michigan Artist is GaryTheCarpenter

GaryTheCarpenter is a retired carpenter who thought that retirement was going to give him the time to do all the things he never had time for when he was working.. His list wasn’t as large as he thought and he found that he needed a way to make his income stretch just a bit further. One day his three grandsons asked hin to make them a large truck that they could climb on. That got him started on making birdhouses, and feeders. According to GaryTheCarpenter his three grandsons are his biggest fans, and he enjoys making them a little something for birthdays, christmas, and well, just because. He thinks that making things out of wood, is pure pleasure, his greatest pleasure comes form the look in his grandsons eyes, when he hands them a new item.

His Donkey birdfeeder and birdhouse always makes him laugh, and I have to admit, they make me laugh as well.



And just look at this mailbox and birdhouse!



To see some more unique and fun Toys, Bird houses, and feeders, take a look at GaryTheCarpenters etsy shop: GaryTheCarpenter

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

Clover Pottery

Woo Hoo it's friday!
Today our featured artist is Clover Pottery

My first experience with clay/pottery making was a rather inept attempt to rescue my friend's brother from certain "summer ruining" punishment. He'd used his grandmother's dishes as target practice for his BB gun. Lame-O! Anyway, I dug up a bunch of clay from the creek behind their house and used a paper plate asa pattern for the clay replacement dishes. We put them out in the sun until they were dry, then "cooked" them in the oven. When the "plates" were cooled off, we used model car paints to color them. NOT EVEN CLOSE!

They broke apart as we tried to stack them in the cupboard - and her brother was busted - just like the plates... but at least I tried.

Because I've always been a "wallower" and love the feel, smell and everything else to do with clay, I'm too selfish to let anyone help me make my pottery... I work alone and have been seriously making my pots since 1969. Thankfully, my family and friends basically leave me alone when I'm making my pottery. I meditate while I work. I believe that clay is NOT static, but dynamic. What I am feeling while I work is what someone else will take home with them when they choose one of my pots. I've very careful about what kind of energy I put into my art.

My inspiration comes from nature, whether it's in the making of my horse hair pottery or the more functional pieces.

My favorite pieces are my horse hair pots. The hair comes from my own horses and I love them, (my horses) more than life itself. Each piece is special in that they not only contain my own energy, but also the spirit of my horses. I'm part Sioux and find this combination of pottery and horses quite natural for me.

Here are some of her beautiful pieces:



I haven't been doing shows of late, however, I'm happy to say that I will be at Ferndale's new venue - The Rust Belt Market- August 13th (Saturday 11:00am - 7:00pm). You can't believe how hip that place is... sort of like Ann Arbor back in the 60's. Come on and check it out! I bet you'll feel right at home.

You can find more of her pottery at:
http://www.cloverpottery.com/
And
http://www.cloverypottery.etsy.com/
And go check out her blog:
http://www.cloverpottery.blogspot.com/

Sally Manke

Happy Thursday!

Today our featured Michigan Artist is SallyManke. Sally is a retired home economics/art teacher. Her passion is fiber, color, texture and design so she just sort of evolved into a fiber artist. She makes and designs each piece that she creates, getting her inspiration from travel, quilt shows....well just everywhere.

This is one of her favorite piece. It is the Hollyhock Cottage Art Quilt. The inspiration was from a trip to France, it's filled with flowers and old buildings and it is in her two favorite colors from the red and blue pallet. It will be featured in the PBS Quilt Expo in Wisconsin next month.




And here are a couple of her other favorites:



I love and am absolutely amazed at all the details in these!

Sally does not do craft shows however she has had quilts selected and shown at International Quilt Shows.

Sally beleives that there is that one career for everyone that you enjoy so much and are so passionate about you'd almost pay to be able to do it. Creating fiber art is that career for her. She enjoys creating commission confetti quilts of your favorite landscape, seashore or architecture. Feel free to contact her!

You can find Sally on facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Sally-Manke/172413662787146

You can also find her at the Pleasant Valley Resort Hotel located in Arcadia, Michigan. Sally and Patrick have owned the resort since 1985 and offer motel rooms and cottages in a quaint, small town atmosphere from early spring through the crisp fall season. They can help you find the quietest beach spot, the most challenging hike or the tastiest local dining.

I might just have to take a trip to check it out and hope you do too!

If you would like to see more of Sallys beautiful work or shop online, you can find her here:
SallyManke

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

Celtic Cat Photos

Yesterday I forgot to let you all know that Honey Willow Designs is offering 10% off when you use the coupon code: ppsblog10

Today we are featuring the talented photographer Celtic Cat Photos

1. How did you get interested in making your products?
I drew and painted as a child. When I learned about photography I loved the creativeness of it and switched over to taking photos. I also have written a book that I will be adding to shops.

2. Do you make/design the product or do other people help you?
I do all the graphics, sizing and creative styles. Then I run everything by my husband for additional input, but I make the final yes or no.

This is one of her favorite peices:


It was taken in 1985 at the Kylemore Abbey in Ireland. I love how she captured the feeling of the place and I would love to go Ireland and visit!

These are some of her other favorite photos

Aren't these beautiful?

You can see more of Celtic Cat Photos at the 39th Annual Algonac Rotary Art Fair
Date: September 3 & 4, 2011
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday - Notice change in time.
Place: Algonac City Riverfront Park, St. Clair River Drive, Algonac, Mi (Rain or Shine)

Stop by and say hello!

You can also find Celtic Cat on:
www.facebook.com/home.php/celticcatphotos.blogspot.com

And you can buy her amazing work online at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Celticcatphotos

Happy Tuesday everyone!