Holiday Shopping

Well it's Friday and a Holiday Weekend!
I'm going to try to get a head start on my holiday shopping this year - wish me luck! I'm also going to try to buy as much as possible handmade and local. If you have a favorite gift or a hard to buy for person, let me know.



This beautiful necklace was made by JanEleven on Etsy. It's a Rose Pink Rhinestone Crystal Cross that she made with a gorgeous rose and light pink rhinestone cross. She used the light pink to really make the cross stand out. It's perfect for church or to show your faith anytime. JanEleven makes a wide range of beautiful necklaces and also some gorgeous vintage peices for sale as well.



These shoes are not only fun, but I have it on good authority that Inkwear99s shoes are comfortable. These would make a perfect gift for the Kool aid lover! You can find other awesome shoes, t-shirts, tote bags in her shop.



Now this adorable baby shower corsage isn't really a holiday gift, but sometimes we all need a great idea for a baby shower. You can find this and many other Baby Shower Corsages, Bridal Bachelorette Shower Corsages, and Vintage Treasures at CrazyCraftFrog

Happy Shopping!

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

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.