Featured in a Treasury!

I just love this collection by LizardSkins titled "Put it On" an Etsy treasury. My Salsa necklace is featured as well as other great items from other Etsy sellers. Nice subtle color arrangement in the treasury as well with a hint of yellow. Click on the photo below to be taken to the treasury:

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Shop Of The Week: Glitzy Events

Shop Of The Week: Glitzy Events

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Kimberley Williams, of Glitzy Events has one mission: to provide high quality products and personalized service to her clients. Whether working with brides-to-be, or those planning graduation, anniversary or other celebrations, Glitzy Events is a one-stop source for everything from gorgeous, fully customized invitations to products such as unity & memorial candles, place cards, menus, programs, etc. Read more on the EtsyTwitter Team blog! Or go directly to Kimberley's shop Glitzy Events on Etsy!

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Fun Fest Balloon Glow 2009

This was Michael's first Fun Fest. This turned out to be his favorite event. I must admit, I love it too. Quinn was amazed, until they started the fire blowing.... Okay, forgive me, I don't know the "proper" term in ballooning. It was loud, and Quinn did NOT like it. Even today, he saw these pictures on my computer, and he held his ears. Poor little guy. He loves to see them from a distance, or in the air, but not up close where they are too loud. Enjoy our family picks below. I haven't been able to do a "personal" post in a bit, the business has been busy. I guess that is a good thing!

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Other EtsyTwitter Team Treasuries

Go to the EtsyTwitter Team's blog to see screenshots of other treasuries recently curated. You may also follow the links to Etsy to see more. Don't forget, it is the final days of the EtsyTwitter Team's GO GREEN Event. Lots of shops have specials and sales going on! Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I'll be back blogging on Tuesday!

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I Got a Treasury! Following

I am so excited! I snagged my first REAL Treasury today! I had a Treasury West the other day, and I think I am now addicted. I waited online for quite some time today to get into the main Treasury. Here is a picture. Click on it and you will be taken to the Treasury on Etsy--for the next three days only. Then it expires. It is full of my new "tweeps" (friends on twitter).


I tried re-snagging the Treasury West today, with no luck. I missed it. Maybe later tonight? Who knows... I am working on the layout for two different ones. One about storage ideas and one themed "urban." Stay tuned to my blog, of course I will share them here if I get one!

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Recycled Jewelry? Adorn Yourself the GREEN Way!

These 2" long pair of unique earrings have been added to my "must have" list as well. They are fashioned from vintage plastic and glass beads. The pieces are assembled by hand, without soldering, to create a light, free-moving feel. Threepeats has LOTS of cool jewelry pieces made from vintage items. See for yourself!

This fine silver [.999] pendant is made from an actual leaf with precious metal clay. DID YOU KNOW THAT PMC (precious metal clay) IS ACTUALLY A RECYCLED PRODUCT? During photo processing, silver is recovered. That silver is mixed in with a binder making a clay-like material that can be worked, rolled, formed, stamped, etc. and then fired to create beautiful, fine silver pieces. Made by Punky Jane.

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More Amazing GREEN Finds!

I must, just MUST have one of these pendants. The red is my favorite! Being a wanna be geek, I just think these repurposed circuit boards are too cool! Red circuitry with shiny surface detail was hand cut and ground by Amanda from a recycled circuit board. It rests in a round bezel and is covered in clear resin. Amanda takes custom orders and can turn the pendant into a key chain.

Elephant poo paper? Well, this is a beautiful card, none the less. It's very earth-friendly paper. Don't worry, it's cleaned and sterilized, and it does not smell. To learn about this poo paper and find out why it's such a great way to Go Green, please follow this link: http://www.mrelliepooh.com/aboutus.html Above information was copied from NestOfOwl's shop.

Going Green with the EtsyTwitter Team continues! Check out their blog here: http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com

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Some GREEN Items from the EtsyTwitter Team

Browsing team member's shops, I was looking for vintage, repurposed, or recycled items. This is what I found for today's post.

This lovely pillow was once a wild vintage sweater made of a thick, soft 100% shetland wool in a pattern of turquoise, charcoal grey, pinks, yellows, and a darker blue! FirebirdHouse Designs felted and recycled it to make this perfect pocket journal pillow. FirebirdHouse Designs created the design, which features a 4.5 x 7.5 in pocket on the back of the pillow, made of 100% wool turquoise felt, and decorated with upcycled felted flowers, leaves, and embroidery. Purchasing something like this for your home supports artists, handmade, and the green movement.

Jenco13 makes this item, an eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper coffee cup sleeves. It makes a great gift for a family members, teachers, bus drivers, friends, others, and yourself!!! Better, yet, I recommend checking with your local coffee shop about a discount if you bring in your OWN coffee mug with a crochet coffee cup sleeve. Where we get our morning coffee, we are able to fill our own mug for just $1... For GOURMET coffee! Yum! This saves money and saves our environment. Remember the little things like these. They add up!

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It's Time To Go GREEN

EtsyTwitter Team's Going Green week long event is underway. If you use Twitter, search #etsytwitter to see related tweets, or go to the team's web site http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com

These are our green items made from recycled/repurposed wood:

We also use recycled packaging whenever possible. We reuse bubble wrap, boxes, etc. The finish Michael uses is 100% natural, food safe, exotic nut oil by Master's Blend called Preserve(TM). We give away our wood shavings/sawdust to those who garden or find other uses for it. We implement eco-friendly practices whenever possible, at home and at the studio/gallery.

Each day for the rest of the promotion, I will feature other green items from Etsy and the EtsyTwitter Team, so keep checking back!

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EtsyTwitter Team's Shop of the Week

I had not been to this shop before! Lots of fun stuff! This is my favorite button/saying thus far: I am logged in, therefore I am

Eh. Truth be known, I guess I am really just a geek wannabe. Regardless of who or what you are, you are bound to find something fun in geekdetails shop.

Read the EtsyTwitter Team's blog post about this shop here: http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/2009/07/shop-of-week-geek-details.html

Happy Monday to all!

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I'm a Curator

Of my first Etsy treasury! Woo hoo! I was online for hours waiting for this spot to open up. I am so excited I snatched a treasury! Finally! I'm officially an Etsy Treasury Curator! See screen shot below. Click and leave a comment, too!

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Etsy Twitter Team

We are excited to be a part of the VERY active Etsy Twitter Team. I am taking the time to post about a fellow Etsian who also tweets... Peanut and Tommy fun handmade gifts.

This is the first item that caught my eye. Product description includes, "Cafe Kitchen is a fluffy, 100% acrylic yarn that has been blended with positive silver ions, which makes it more resistant to mildew and bacteria than regular acrylic yarn. The acrylic yarn holds it's shape well and scrubs like a breeze. The Japanese call these scrubbies "Magic Scrubbers." They use them to clean without detergent in the kitchen and bath. Do they work? You'll have to try one to find out!" Click on the picture to see more. This one caught my eye too. Love the colors!

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Loft Online!

Urban Synergy has been doing some updating and marketing for their Sterchi's Lofts. This is where we live. As a family, we have had fun looking through the pictures on the web site finding "our sink" or "our bedroom." They have even posted a video on YouTube. We've had just as much fun watching it and pointing things out.

We wanted to share with you! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kADCc4J0yQ

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Another ETSY Feature!

Wednesday evening, I found that we are featured in Etsy's Gift Guides. The category: Rustic Redux Currently we are on page 3, but I think it rotates. So, if you don't see us, below is a screenshot.

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Working in the Studio

Working in the Studio
Originally uploaded by talinaripperarts

Jacob staining foot rests with Michael. "Yep, put 'em to work!" That is what we say. No, really, it has always been our dream to create with children underfoot, and look... We are living our dream!

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Biking with Baby

I don't even own a bike yet, but I am already shopping for baby seats. I can't go riding without Quinn, so I have to consider having him in tow before buying a bike myself. I am considering the iBert, Topeak's BabySeat, and the type my sister has WeeRide Kangaroo. All three are mounted differently. The iBert is mounted essentially to the handlebar. From what I can tell (see and read), it will turn when you turn the handlebar. The web site has a video you can watch. What I like about it is the height, Quinn could see really well. The BabySeat by Topeak is a rear-mounted seat. Again, from what I have read, there is complaints of the rear-mounted seats making your bike harder to balance. I don't know that I like the thought of Quinn behind me where I can't see him. Lastly, the Kangaroo has my favorite mount. It mounts to the center bar of your bike, therefore, it will not turn with you as the iBert does. Some complaints of this mount, though, is that your knees hit the carrier while pedaling. I am not tall, short actually, and I don't know that this will be a problem for me. What I do not like is the height of the seat (it sits low) and the padded thing-y that seems to impeed the view for the child. I wonder if it is a mandatory part of installation. Why is it there anyway? If the child is secure in the harness, I wouldn't think you would need to protect them from the handlebars. Crazy. Makes me wonder if Michael could BUILD me something... lol.

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Treasury Feature

Treasury features are so much fun! When in a treasury, we have the chance at a front page feature, we meet other fantastic Etsians, and we see an increase in our shop traffice, increasing the possibility of a sale! Mistflower Photo featured us in a treasury of lovely reds today. She featured my crochet necklace which is on clearance. The favorite print of mine in Mistflower Photo's shop is this Daisy Tunnel, because dasies are my favorite flower.

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Sneak Peek at the Loft

We have been in almost two weeks now. It is so hard to believe. It has been a whirlwind, a flurry of activity, a ... okay, no more cliches. Let me just say that, running the gallery, filling orders from our Etsy shop, Michael getting studio time, taking care of Quinn, visiting daycares/preschools, working my "nurse" job full time, etc., has made it VERY difficult to get settled. We have continuously had workers in the loft as well, after we moved in, for problems with the master shower, both with the tile and the plumbing, building custom storage doors, painting, hanging mirrors, moving towel rods, hanging glass in the second bathroom, cleaning windows, etc., and that has left the loft a mess--a dusty, dirty MESS! We had the "final" walk-through today, more issues were addressed, so I don't think that the dusty work-boot-prints across the hardwood floors are going anywhere... BUT, Urban Synergy has been fantastic to work with! John, Angela, Stephen, and John Z., have done their absolute best to pull it all together (oops, another cliche) and make things just right for us. It is amazing... They are amazing. The loft is amazing. Obviously, thoughwe will be relieved when things are truly FINISHED throughout the building, so we can have a clean, relaxing home, a block away from the studio/gallery, and not be woke up every morning at 0700 to construction noise. I will show you one photo. A sneak peek at the kitchen, still a work in progress (as we still are missing our island), and mind you, you can't see the boxes on the floor or paintings leaning against the wall due to selective cropping of the photo. By the way, photography hanging above sink is by a fellow Etsian, Everyday Eros.

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Summer Celebrations

Today marks the beginning of Fun Fest in Kingsport, TN. I actually took a week's vacation from my "nurse" job to spend Fun Fest with my/our boys. Although we will still have the gallery to run, we can enjoy some of the events of Fun Fest. Last weekend, we celebrated the Fourth of July in Downtown Kingsport. Below are some photos. Don't you just LOVE Summer? We do!

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Do You Wear Your Baby?

This is excellent information for new, or fairly new, mommies! From bronwenhandcrafted.etsy.com:

Babywearing is an ancient idea that is still practiced around the world. Most cultures acknowledge that the most comfortable, safe, natural place for a new baby to be is snuggled next to its mother. Here the warmth and noises of the womb continue. Snuggled up high, a baby has a great view of the world, more opportunities to interact with people, and much more ability to communicate. This actually leads to happier babies. Babies who are carried in this fashion are much less fussy. It can be the only thing that comforts some colicky babies. Wearing your baby, as opposed to carrying your baby, gives you back the use of your hands for your daily activities. It also saves strain on your arms and back. Slings and other baby carriers are much more portable and easy to store than strollers and plastic seat style infant carriers. Dr. Sears, a renowned baby expert believes that babywearing has 5 main benefits: 1. Sling babies cry less. 2. Sling babies learn more. 3. Sling babies are more organized. 4. Sling babies get humanized sooner. 5. Sling babies are smarter.

Michael got a ring sling for me (and Quinn) at Christmas. I love it! I kick myself for not using it more often! I wanted to share with you the Etsy seller who we have purchased from: Bronwen Handcrafted. Go straight to their web site here and they have great wearing instructions here. I have this ring sling. The picture here of me and Quinn doesn't do the ring sling justice, but it is the only photo I have. I was walking with Michael and the boys while they played Frisbee golf. Consider this handmade gift for a mom-to-be!

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Fake Flowers

I share my distain for fake flowers with a friend and co-worker, Cheryl. Let me explain. I don't like fake, or better yet imitation flowers that are trying to look real, but are obviously FAKE. One of my biggest pet peeves, people who put FAKE flowers OUTDOORS!!! I mean, gimme a break! Plant some REAL flowers! Sorry for the rant...

Obviously, I do like REAL flowers, fresh flowers. I belong to my local florist's Friday Flower Club, getting a bouquet of fresh cut flowers weekly. I like dried flowers as well. I try to dry my fresh flowers. I like unique fake flowers, not immitation flowers, but fake flowers that aren't trying to look real. Maybe some pictures will help me clarify. These are some of my Etsy favorites:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27278601

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27101663

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23932977

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21062627

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27261324

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22077258

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21963546

I hope to make these above items an addition to our new downtown loft someday. I am also crocheting some flowers for Cheryl now, I hope to be able to crochet some for myself as well. When I do, I will share some more pictures with you.

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Etsy Front Page

Etsy Front Page 7/5/09 uncorked
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers

We made it!!!! This front page treasury was by uncorked. Check out uncorked's Etsy shop here: http://uncorked.etsy.comThis is our first ever front page feature. I am going to Google Analytics now to see how/if this boosted our page views. We've been doing very well on Etsy as of late. Michael has 10 custom cutting boards to make this week! We really need the orders to keep on coming in order to LIVE OUR ART!!!

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Angel D'Amico

Meet Angel, artist and illustrator http://www.angeldamico.com/ She is (you've probably guessed it) a fellow Etsian! I was very happy to have the opportunity to work with her and purchase this shirt. She, in turn, got a couple of crochet chokers.

Again, I am impressed by the friendliness and quality of work on Etsy. See Angel's Etsy shop HERE. Pictured is my newest favorite in her shop! I love the wood grain design (in honor of my hubby). And, of course, brown is my favorite color!

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Where is Your Sense of Humor?

Okay, I figure some of you on facebook will recognize this web site, http://www.faceinhole.com/ It is terribly addicting, especially if you love photos! You can put your face, or any one's face you have a photo of, onto any body in any scenario, without having to spend hours in photoshop! It is a time waster for sure, but so much fun! My favorite thus far, Jacob as Luke Skywalker. Check it out if you have a few minutes (or hours) to spare.

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A Very Nice Giveaway by AO Designs

First, a very happy Fourth of July to everyone in the great United States of America! Today I wanted to let everyone know about this great blog and Etsy shop I stumbled upon. AO Designs! She is giving away this handmade necklace! Go to her blog to read the details!

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I Am Totally Copying Another Blogger

I came across this blogger (Jessica Marie) who had a great idea. She featured a poem and correlating Etsy products. So, here I go copying her idea! My poem pick:

Nothing Gold Can Stay
Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.

My GOLD Etsy picks:

Being that I copied Jessica, I thought I could at least feature her cute golden bag!



This is a REAL Birch leaf! How cool is that?!? By Laurali Designs



I am a repeat/frequent customer of Crafty Yarn. I love that her products are 100% recycled material!



A previous (and soon repeat) customer of Xenotees as well, I had to feature the "French Pet Lobster Shirt."



Another personal favorite Etsy seller, I bought some of her prints for our loft.



I love Clare Stoker's Handcrafted Jewelry!




And finally, one of Michael's maple cutting boards.

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