Featured Artist - Jesirose!!

So, when I first opened my shop on Etsy I kept reading about ACEO's and I had no idea what they were. Until recently!! ACEO's are always 2.5" x 3.5" Art Cards, Editions and Originals. From what I understand, they are completely addictive and after seeing my next featured artist I can understand why.

I am pleased to introduce Jessica of Jesirose. This is just one of her many ACEO's:

and I love this painting which is acrylic on canvas board, 5 x7"


How would you describe your shop? My shop features basically whatever I'm interested in at the moment! I love to try new ideas and medium, so right now it's acrylic paintings and prints, but next week I might add some plush toys, I just enjoy crafting anything I can!

How long have you been crafting? My mom got me interested in painting and cross-stitch when I was pretty young, and ever since then I've enjoyed it.

Where does your inspiration come from? Mostly from other people, I really enjoy seeing techniques that other artists use and letting them inspire me. I also turn to my husband or two kittens when I need ideas.

What is your favorite piece? and why? My favorite at the moment is "Reach", an ACEO I did based on my first painting that sold on Etsy. It's acrylic on glossy cardstock.

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? I'm a full-time student and a web developer, so I am pretty much stuck in front of the computer! I am also training for a triathlon, getting out in the sun and water a bit!

What is the best advice you have received? and from whom? My grandma always told me I can do anything, and I have always tried to live up to that. Another quote I like to remember is "Anything worth having is worth working for", which inspires me when I am getting down, to remember that I just need to keep trying!

Final comments Thanks for featuring me!


Please visit Jessica at her Etsy Shop and see all of the wonder pieces she creates!

http://www.jesirose.etsy.com

Featured Artist - Halodesigns!!

Today is so exciting.....today I have my first ever featured Etsy artist! It is my intention to not only give these artists exposure, but also let you, the reader, learn of such wonderfully talented people!

I am thrilled to introduce today's featured artist Malaika of Halodesigns. I have come to the conclusion that I can learn a few things from Malaika. In addition to home schooling her three children and, well, being a mom...she has TWO Etsy shops....Halodesigns and Heavenlybodies. I can barely handle one child and one shop! So, I applaud you Malaika- as crazy as times may get, she creates such beautiful jewelry, cards, crocheted gloves and a whole shop of bath and beauty products. Check out these earrings...I love the structure and design:

and this soap sounds divine

How would you describe your shop? My shop is a colorful mix of whatever mood my brain is in on any given day. My first love is jewelry but everything else comes in at a close second. Right now I am on a cardmaking binge. I love bright colors and trying to make things that no one else has.

I also have a bath and body shop, heavenlybodies.etsy.com, that has a yummy variety of skin loving products made with the best ingredients that I can find.

How long have you been crafting? I have been crafting pretty much all of my life. Growing up with not much money and a creative mother, I had to rely on crafting when I couldn't afford what I wanted and often times I ended up with something everybody else wanted.

Where does your inspiration come from? I have to say that at this moment my inspiration comes from seeing all of the other Etsy artists that I share this extraordinary site with. The talent here is unbelievable and I am proud to belong to it and I work harder everyday to measure up.

What is your favorite piece? This could change at any moment but today my favorite piece is this pair of earrings. I love the color purple and these just look like a fun summer day.

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? I have three kids and when I am not huddled over my desk in my hobby room I am coloring with them or doing a puzzle or playing baseball or soccer. Other than that, I am on the super addicting Etsy forums.

What is the best advice you have received? and from whom?
Always wear clean underwear, you never know when you are going to get into an accident. From my mom. She is a smart lady. Thanks to her my bra and panties always match.

Final comments? Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my funky little shop.

....and Thank You, Malaika, for letting me feature you! Please visit her stores to see her wonderful creations:

http://www.halodesigns.etsy.com

http://www.heavenlybodies.etsy.com

FLOWERS

I really do love flowers.....especially when the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the birds are chirpping..............

Alright, alright....I'll stop!

But, what I won't stop doing is showing you these beautiful flower notecards I just listed on Etsy. I am very pleased with them!!

http://www.theEclecticstudio.etsy.com

Other than that, everything is hectic..working on baby themed wine charms for a custom order, repairing some jewelry for somebody else, oh, and doing the laundry, cleaning, taking care of child..I know, I know WAH, WAH, WAH! I might bitch-n-complain - but ya know I love it!

2 BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS

this is HUGE....spectacular.....mouth-dropping news.........no, I'm not pregnant!!

Today the wonderful Street Team I'm involved with, EtsyGreetings, has begun our 20% off sale!!! How perfect for right before Easter....you must come by our blog and check out what shops are participating (just click SALE )! Yours truly is a participating shop so come and see what I have in my shop!!

http://www.EtsyGreetings.blogspot.com

And as if that wasn't enough excitement for one day.....I will begin - on Monday, March 26th, featuring two Etsy artists a week! "What? Are you kidding me", you say? No, I am not kidding you! I so far have 43 artists of different crafting backgrounds to introduce to you and I think you will love them all! Opening ones eyes to Etsy and all that is available is one reason why I created a blog, so this venture is really important to me!

So, check out the EtsyGreetings website AND make sure to visit here often so you can be introduced to some fabulous artists!

I'm addicted to Etsy!!!

Hi. My name is Sandy. And I'm addicted to Etsy!

If I could eat, breathe and live Etsy...I would. So sad, I know. BUT, if you looked around and saw the fabulous creations people make...you would be too! Gauranteed!

Speaking of fabulous creations (wink, wink) here are my latest listings. A pink and black choker - I love this color combination! Very sexy in my opinion ....and....baby themed wine charms - how fab as a little something extra with a baby shower gift!

Both items are in my Etsy store (http://www.theEclecticstudio.etsy.com) so come on buy and visit my studio!!! At least, shop around Etsy....don't be afraid of becoming addicted..you will be in very good company!

Where's the Warm Weather????

Well, it's cold again. For a couple of days we were in the high 70's and even went into the 80's on one day.....now I have my scarf and gloves back on. What's that about?? So, since it's not nice spring time weather outside, I've decided to bring it to me and create spring items. Here are the earrings that I made the other day...I just listed them on Etsy today:

I just realized this morning that the May craft show is only 7 weeks away...I'm late!!! It's a 3 day event so I'm going to have to bring ALOT of stuff. Too much to think about!

My next challenge....take these wooden beads and make jewelry!

Make sure to come back to see what I create!!

SSSHHH.....Creating In Process

The desk is cleaned and the workbench is cleared and I have begun creating! I'm really enjoying working with pastel swarovski crystals I purchased the other day. I've so far have made some earrings, a choker and baby-themed wine charms. Right now, I'm working on another choker which will be Spring themed! The pictures are a heads-up of what will be listed on Etsy over the weekend. I would list them now but I like to use natural sunlight for my pictures and, well, it's raining today! So, that will have to wait one more day!

Also, before I forget, I'm having a Happy Hour special for tonight only until midnight (EST)....buy one note card set, get one at 1/2 off!!! Pretty good I think...so for $12 you'll get 12 cards....and there are some great cards that will be perfect for Easter. You'll definitely spend more than that during a trip to your Hallmark store! Come by and check them out! (just put "HappyHour" in notes to seller and I will send you a revised invoice)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5006972&section_id=5039678

The Task At Hand

Is your work area as messy as mine? Well, I'm the type of person that I can't create in an area that is not clean..this holds true for my kitchen too! I can't cook dinner in a messy kitchen so I have to clean it first just to messy it up again! Take a look at my work area and you can tell I haven't been creating very much!

So, the task at hand is to clean, clean, clean and then create, create create (hopefully that's how it will work).

Tax Time

So, just got back from getting our taxes done...not too bad...we've done better but we're not greedy!!! I have to look for a bunch of ppwk that I had no idea they would need (regarding my business) so that's what I'll be doing today.

I did want to let you all know that I am having a scarf sale. I took 20% off the original price and I'll pay the shipping!! Take a look...it's not to early to prepare for fall, is it? :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5006972&section_id=5063464

Well, off to search for paperwork! Good luck with your taxes!!!

My mind is going 1000 miles/hr!!!

Ever feel like you have a million things to do but can't seem to complete one of them? That's how I feel....my mind is racing! Well, the dishwasher is going, the laundry is going...now I just have to get my creative juices going so I can prepare for Easter and Mother's Day and my first craft fair for the year - which is also my first craft fair in NC! Way excited about it! I have a bunch of ideas that I just need to jot down on paper and then CREATE!

The race has begun....I'll post some items I'm working on so ya'll come back now!!!

My first Blog Post

So, this is exciting! I just set up my blog...and, well...here we go! Please have patience with me as I stumble my way around the site!

In the meantime, I'll show you a bit of what I create!