Today's featured artist is MarmeeCraft!

I'm in a good mood today! I'm knitting, I cleaned my jewelry bench, I've broken my 5 wk dry spell on Etsy......and now I'm looking at this most fun, cute, whimsical shop called Marmee Craft! Bright, colorful and delightful all come to mind when I see items like these:

"All of my little lovelies are handmade with much love and attention"

How would you describe your shop? A whimsical storehouse for 21st century Victorians. There you shall encounter circus girls, dapper bunnies, felted fauna, and much wonderment for the eyes and soul!

How long have you been crafting? I have been doing crafty-good things for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is having drawing sessions with my Dad. He would draw me, then I would draw him…..he always drew me so much better!!

Where does your inspiration come from? I am inspired by so many things: Nature, Victorian fashion and culture, My Husband and two sweet cats, Russian Animation (specifically Yuriy Norshteyn), Great Films, anything whimsical and existentially thoughtful (and both together are even better!)

What is your favorite piece? This is very hard, as I love all my little lovelies! If I had to choose one work that I am currently most in love with it would be my little Newsprint Bunny. I love the way he emerged from the newsprint covered canvas, even when I had specific designs for making that particular canvas into something entirely different…this little guy was in there and he made himself known!!

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? When I am not working on my little whimsy factory I spend my time sewing reproduction 18th and 19th century ladies attire, watching movies, baking, sewing (oops, I already said that!), and, of course, spending time with my darling husband and our two sweet cats.

What is the best advice you have received? I think the best advice I have received is to live life to the fullest and not wait until tomorrow to do anything that you feel is important today...life is too short and precious to spend it waiting around for something you want! And as for who gave me this advice, I would have to go through an astoundingly long list of philosophers, artists, writers, filmmakers and other wise souls to give proper credit!

Final comments? Thank You ever so much for featuring my little shop!! I love to be able to share my picture of the world with you! You can read more about my work and whimsy world at my blog: http://www.MarmeeCraft.typepad.com

Thank you for participating. You have a wonderful shop and I urge everybody to stop by and take a peek at Marmee Craft...you won't be disappointed!! http://www.marmeecraft.etsy.com

Pea Soup?

I started working on a wrap yesterday. Well, I should say that I started working on what I intended to be a wrap.....it's going to be a scarf though! How off could I have been? A bit.

I didn't make it wide enough but it actually worked out because the sides are rolling under and it's now the perfect shape for a scarf. It's pea soup green (I'm sure I could call it something more appetizing but it's the first thing I thought of when I saw it) some mustard, orange and a really nice yarn I got in Italy that has a bunch of warm toned colors in it.

Also, if you remember, I set up a booth at the local grill/craft shop up the road from me middle of June - and I sold stuff!! YAY! I sold a bunch of notecard sets and singles and a pair of earrings. Basically, I've made my July booth $ back!!! I was doing the happy dance.....Go Sandy, Go Sandy, Go Sandy. Okay, I'll stop now!! :)

Huge Sale, BOGO 50% off

Today I have launched a huge sale......BOGO 50% off all Notecards!!!

Each set has 6 cards so that's 12 cards for $13.50 (plus shipping). Don't miss out - go check out my Notecards Section NOW!!!!

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

Perfect as Baby Shower, Bridal Shower and Wedding Thank You's, Birthday Cards, or a card to send to somebody special to just say "HI".

Sale valid until midnight (EST) on 7/15!!!

Today's featured artist is Inkyspider!

It has been a while since I have featured an Etsy artist so who better to start off the new series of features than Morgen of Inkyspider Designs. Talk about starting off with a bang! Her shop is fun, bright, eclectic and unique. She has a wide range of items, i.e. clothing, housewares, scarves and more.

"I use dye, shibori, screen printing, painting, sewing and piecing to transform the cloth into garments, wall pieces and cushions."

How would you describe your shop? The first thing you’ll notice about my shop, Inkyspider Designs, are the colours. I love bright and earthy colours as well as contrast and pattern. I am a textile artist working in a mixed media of surface design techniques. Many of my designs are on t-shirts for all ages, including the sweetest little baby tees. I also have clothing, scarves, and cushion covers. All images are original, designed by me and applied to fabric with techniques such as dyeing, screen printing, painting, shibori, discharge dye, appliqué and sewing.

How long have you been crafting? I began as a mixed media painter and printmaker, receiving my arts education in Southern Africa where I was born and raised. I have been working with textiles for 18 years doing mostly t-shirts for markets and fairs. In 2005 I decided to really make the switch from painting to fibre art and I am loving it!

Where does your inspiration come from? My early inspiration comes from first memories: the red dirt, bold patterns and vibrancy of Africa. I now live in the mountainous Kootenay region of British Columbia. Nature always astounds and inspires me. I find the little teeny-weeny hidden treasures in the natural world a never-ending source of patterns and ideas.

What is your favorite piece? One of my favorite designs is my ‘Flying Lizard’ because he’s been with me the longest. He started out years ago as a dragonfly that I used to draw in the natural history section of the museum across from the art school I went to. He’s morphed so many times through different media that he really knows me quite well. Also, he’s buzzy and I find him amusing.

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? Other things that I have going on in my life are yoga, music, gardening, being involved in my community, teaching art, being outdoors and I am presently doing a course in pattern drafting and clothing design.

What is the best advice you have received? Best advice I ever got: “If you want to know something, ask”, from my Dad.

Thank you so much Morgen for participating on my blog!

Please make sure you visit Inkyspider Designs at http://www.inkyspider.etsy.com/ to see unique & fun handmade creations!

YAY - I'm in my first ever Craft Shop!

So, let me preface this story by saying that there use to be this grill up the road from us....all the locals went there for some good "grill" food! Well, they had to close because they couldn't get enough hired help.

Last night, we're eating dinner and my SIL calls to tell me that the new grill opened up and they also have crafts. What? Food and Crafts? Can it be? So, I got myself all professional looking and grabbed a cross-section of my "stuff" and off I went to check this place out.

The place is great...you can go sit and eat, take out - stop by just for an ice cream cone.....AND SHOP! I think it is such a great concept. Plus, it's on the main road to the state park near us which attracts lots of tourists! Plus (again) all the locals are already use to going there for food so they'll definitely be coming in!

If I can take a moment to brag...just one little brag.....they loved my stuff! Loved the knits, cards, jewelry and glass...everything!

Tomorrow I set up my booth (3x6). I should be getting all my stuff together...but I'm not. I'm just so excited that I can't even focus on one thing at a time. My mind is all over the place.

Wish me luck my friends!

Today's great find!

So, call me crazy...but I have officially started Christmas shopping....CRAZY! I know!


I just bought this necklace for my 12 yr old niece..I think she will love it (her name is Kerri though)! It is all sterling silver AND, the best part is that it was on Sale. Please stop by Polly's shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=97151 AKA Polly's Handmade Treasure's!

Life and Death

My father-in-law has lost his battle and passed away on June 3rd...exactly 3 months to the date since he entered the hospital. He was admitted on 3/3 for a heartattack. A triple bypass surgery was done on the 9th. He never left the ICU. He battled and fought and hung on as long as he possibly could. It was simply terrible.

This has been a whirlwind of a week and needless-to-say I have not done anything with Etsy - today has been my first day back. I look forward to featuring a new Etsy artist tomorrow!