SPECTACULAR FINDS OF 2007

As the year comes to a close, I have been fortunate enough to be introduced to some wonderful products, artists and crafters over the year. I will share them with you!

1. Natures Corridor is a Wisconsin artist who creates warm and wonderful watercolor and acrylic paintings. I absolutely love the colors she uses, the hint of whimsy in her watercolors, and the movement she creates in the trees and landscapes are mesmerizing!


2. Natalya Sots is a ceramics artist from Schaumburg, Illinois. She makes teapots, cups, plates, bowls and bells too! Her creations are fun and pack a colorful punch! My favorite piece is the Mad Hatter Teapot.


3. sjDESIGNS is an exquisite greeting card crafter from Omaha, Nebraska. I have been purchasing cards from Stephanie (sjDESIGNS) for over a year, and every card is perfection. If you are looking for unique and very well-made greeting cards, look no further!


4. Block Party Press is no ordinary polymer clay artist! Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, she creates all of her designs by first making a hand-carved stamp, then using the stamp in the clay. Thus all of her designs are uniquely hers! Additionally, she uses a special distressing technique on her items too, which further creates a unique yet distinguished look.


5. Soapylove is the creator of bright, cheerful, and perfectly scented glycerin soaps and soapsicles. They make great gifts, especially for kids and the kid-at-heart! Debbie (Soapylove) hails from San Diego, California, and her soaps can be found around the globe and on Etsy.


6. KimonoMomo is obsessed with vintage Japanese textiles. Carol is the creative genius behind Kimono Momo where she reconstructs vintage kimono and obi into one-of-a-kind works of art, namely scarves and handbags. Each piece is uniquely beautiful...and if you are looking for vintage fabrics, Carol also has some available in her Etsy shop!
7. Precious Meshes is a wire and jewelry artist. Emily Conroy crochets fine gauge wire to create masterful works of art! Some of my favorite pieces are her Anemone Hoop Earrings. Emily is also co-owner of VIX Emporium in West Philadelphia, which features independent artists and crafters from around the world.
8. Purusha creates "All Natural Handmade Soaps" and is based out of New York City. I have been an avid handmade soap user for over three years for two main reasons: Handmade natural soaps are better for the environment (no nasty chemicals being washed down the drain) and handmade natural soaps have done wonders for my skin.
   

Of course, these are in no particular order and I'm almost certain I have neglected a few talented artists and crafters...but the best thing about a blog...I can edit and update the list! :) So watch for additional 2007 Spectacular Finds over the next week or so.

Again, I would like to wish everyone a warm and joyful New Year! Oh, and be on the lookout for a special sales announcement in your mailbox (hint-hint)!

Artist Feature - REGAL BEADS

Kim has been crafting for as long as she can remember, though for the past five years beadweaving has been her main focus. Kim revels in the challenge of weaving a new pattern and the satisfaction felt by completing a piece of woven art.

The necklace featured above is titled, "Sunny Skies" and is available in her Etsy shop for $80 USD. The piece measures about 19" in length and was created using thousands of tiny seed beads. Each piece takes several hours to weave!

If you are looking for a custom piece of wearable art or are looking for a particular color, just contact Kim through her Etsy shop! She enjoys custom orders. Kim is a member of the Etsy Beadweaver Street Team.

Artist Feature - GEORGE MCKIM

Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, George studied art in college and has a Masters Degree in Painting and Drawing. His artwork has been shown in galleries and museums in the Mid-Atlantic region. George's day job is working as a pre-press graphic artist for a printing company and he makes art in his "spare time."

Featured above is an original collage painting is based on the image of a flower. It is titled, "Springtime Explosion." The painting is available in George's Etsy shop for $75 USD.

Other works include: Sunflowers, 5isms, and other abstract artwork.

Non-handmade Confession

Prompted by this article in the Etsy Storque: "Confess, Cheaters", I too must confess my mass-produced buying sins....

While I'm not overly crafty, (I don't sew, paint, draw, or do well with a glue gun) I can cook. So to fill the Handmade Pledge order, I made POUNDS and POUNDS of Spiced Pecans! They were a big hit. Woohoo, I was off to a great start! But then the realization that some items I just couldn't make and I didn't know how to fill their Holiday Wish without buying something mass-produced. Grandma wanted a certain perfume and my husband wanted a certain band's CD. So, there you have it...I bought perfume and TWO CDs. Oh, and I received an awesome set of non-handmade knives (so I can cook!).

I will try to do better next year and throughout the year during other gift-giving holidays and birthdays too.

Time for a Little Rest and Relaxation

The kids are performing their End of the Year Winter Concerts this week. My Husband is starting his Christmas vacation tomorrow. I have shipped all my holiday orders.

Now, finally, it is time to relax. Maybe start on some new designs? Plan a menu for Christmas Dinner? Maybe, just maybe...get ready for tax time. Nah!!!

I wish all my readers and customers a happy, safe and joyful holiday!

Peace and Joy to ALL!

Artist Feature - DARJEELING PAPER, LTD.

Situated in Largo, Florida, Michael Gresh is the co-founder of DemiGod Studio and started Darjeeling Paper, Ltd. as a way for him to hone his skills and try out new techniques, all while presenting his works to the world.

A sample of Michael's work can be seen above in this four-pack of blank-inside notecards which feature four distinct patterns and come in four vibrant colors. The cards are approximately 4" x 5 1/2" and are packaged together in a resealable cellophane pouch, along with four blank white envelopes. The set is available in his Etsy shop for $6.00 USD.

Feed your inner paper addict! Or maybe that's just me ;)

Artist Feature - ULIXIS CRAFTS

Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Amanda Giesler is the creative force behind Ulixis Crafts. Amanda has been crafty her whole life and enjoys making a variety of things. When she was younger, she was into drawing, making wreathes, dolls and even beading. Today, her focus has switched to notebooks and jewelry. Amanda also states that she also enjoys cooking, reading, writing and problem solving.

Amanda's "Lemon Cream Button Bracelet", featured above, can be purchased in her Etsy shop for only $5.00 USD. In fact, she has quite an assortment of button-themed jewelry in a variety of great colors!

Wait a minute. Did she say, "Problem solving?" Well, Amanda is a 5th year honors Biology and Pharmacology co-op student at McMaster University! She is also working in the Janssen lab on her thesis. She concurrently does real-time videomicroscopy of smooth muscle cell migration. Fascinating!

To learn more about Amanda, her craft, and other Etsy crafters, go here: http://ulixis.blogspot.com/

The day AFTER

Yesterday was the ART vs. CRAFT event in Milwaukee, and despite freezing temperatures, the show was outstanding!

I was able to meet a few new crafters and briefly catch-up with familiar faces too. At this event I was next to two wonderful upcyclers, Holly and Alex of GroveCraft. The duo is from Minnesota and create wonderfully warm and soft embellished mittens and hats from upcycled wool and cashmere sweaters. Toasty!

Also near me was Becky of MyMishMosh. Becky is from the Milwaukee area and specializes in making creations from bicycle parts (jewelry, collage and assemblages) and duct tape wallets and purses. Ingenious!

I was also pleased to meet fellow WIST (Wisconsin Street Team) member, Bobbi of KittyGrrls, Knits and Spins. She makes wonderfully soft and colorful hand-dyed yarns. Yum! Even Cari from MudandMint stopped by to say "hi."

A familiar face, or should I say faces, were Emily Frances and her husband, Pat. If you recall, they were my booth neighbors during the Summer version of Art vs. Craft. I am proud to announce they have joined Etsy and will be selling their silkscreened shirts, oil cloth aprons (my favorite!) and her wonderful capes. Visit their soon-to-be-open shop on Etsy.

I also must give some much-deserved praise to the promoters, Faythe Levine and Kim Kisiolek! They have always done a superb job of organizing and advertising the event. Thank you, ladies!

Artist Feature - MINERAL MAGIC COSMETICS

Kelly Peterson is the driving force behind Mineral Magic Cosmetics, a thriving business headquartered in Pennsylvania.

Admittedly, I don't know much about mineral make-up! This is what Kelly has to say about her products, "I take great pride in my makeup line and guarantee 100% satisfaction. Mineral makeup is pure, crushed minerals from the earth, that improves your skin condition. It provides an SPF (sun protection factor) of up to 20, depending on how much you apply. It is an anti-inflammatory for your skin, as well. My makeup does NOT contain bismuth oxychloride, which is kin to arsenic, and is most likely the reason for skin discomfort and bad skin reaction.Since these minerals are 100% pure, bacteria cannot be supported and there is no expiration date. There is also virtually no allergy risk. It won't clog your pores and is used as a mineral supplement for your skin."

The set featured above, "Vegan Mineral Makeup Kit", is available for $30 USD in her Etsy shop (http://mineralmagic.etsy.com/) and contains foundation, blush, eye, makeup brushes, a carrying case and mineral veil. This set is a great way to introduce yourself to Minreal Magic or be given as a gift (hint-hint).

It's officially WINTER now!

Well, maybe not on the calendar, but in my mind it is! We had our first taste of snow on Thanksgiving day. Not too significant, maybe an inch or two and it lingered on the ground for a few days. But today was a different story!

I had a local crafts show I was participating in and couldn't see what was going on outside, which is fairly typical of most shows. I knew the weather was slated to get nasty later in the evening, but the snow began to fall around noon today. By 2:oopm a few inches had fallen and the show I was attending was void of customers (I wouldn't want to go out either!). I told the promoters I would be packing-up and heading out before the snow got much deeper. It was then they announced the show would be closing early!

After slipping and sliding home on the yet-to-be-plowed streets, I got home and enjoyed the rest of the day with my family. My son entertained us with Christmas tunes on his violin and we put up a few holiday decorations. The only thing missing was some hot cider and cocoa.

Most of the time I curse winter weather, but today it allowed me to spend some time with the family, which is always appreciated!

Tomorrow's forecast doesn't look much better than today's. Perhaps I'll be able to catch up on some Artist Features and start gearing up for Art vs. Craft show coming up next weekend. It will be my last show of the year!