Article about Etsy and Children Artists!

My son was featured in an article called, "Oh Boy! William, the Nine Year Old, Jewelry Artist and Aspiring Inventor". You can find the article at http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=2873.We were thrilled to be a part of this!
Anklet - wood beads with fishing lure
Fellow Etsy artisan Robin Hartman, wrote the article for handmadenews.org which featured my son. Check out Hellen's adorable and unique shop called helenapuck where she makes handmade, hand-stitched jewelry, cards and custom cross stitch patterns!

Cross Stitch Ladybug Scrabble Tile Pendant

Packaging by Whimsy Wire and Wool

Every time I package up a purchase from my shop, I dream about who I'm sending my little creations to. I really do adore my customers and I love to dazzle them! I've been told over and over to share what my packaging looks like (a general idea of how packaging looks), however I was a bit hesitant, because I really LOVE to surprise, but here I go....
I re-use packaging and other handsome boxes if possible. Look how great this Brie box with with a bit of twine is? So chic!

Some POP, some Jazz some Ooos and Ahhhs!

I've been very conscience about having items under $10 dollars, because face it, if I can buy something I need that's handmade, I will! Sure it may take a bit more time to arrive in my impatient hands, but I know if I buy from an artist, I can be sure it will arrive with some jazz, some POP, some oooos and ahhhhs but most of all QUALITY! Etsy is one place you can be sure to buy handmade and MANY items under $10 & $20 dollars!

UNDER $10
TRESS GARDEN. copper bobby pins $8.
GLASS TOMOATOES. vintage red buttons on sterling $8.SHINY COTTON CANDY. pink vintage button with rhinstone $8.
VINTAGE GLEE. pink vintage plastic flower on bobby pins $5.

TWILIGHT - LAUREN'S BITE giveaway...MY STUFF!

GATED HEART - bella's
My favorite Twilight blog Lauren's Bite is having a give-away... it's one of my pieces, Gated Heart!!!

All you have to do is go Lauren's Bite blog, make a comment to her '100th Post Week' and you'll get a chance to win one of my necklaces FREE! How much easier can that be?! So check out her fabulous, informative and funny blog about Twilight's Edward and Bella. You won't leave disappointed, in fact, perhaps a faster beating heart by getting glimpses of the spicy photos and information before the release of New Moon!

You have until June, 14th 9:00pm AZ time to enter!

About the pendant...

"GATED HEART"
In book 2 of the Twilight series, "Breaking Dawn" Edward has left Bella. Bella describes many times as she deals with her loss that she has a hole in her heart.

This copper heart has many layers, just like the relationship Bella has with herself during Edwards departure. The bottom is a black empty heart, the middle is a heart with a soft oval hole that reveals the emptiness of Bella's heart. Then on top is a wire scrolling gate to keep Bella's emotions relatively in check, just as Bella does with her arms. For a final touch is the faceted glass bead...the many facets of Edward and Bella's uber complicated relationship.

My Minnesota, My Etsy Friends

The amazing journey of Etsy and some of my Etsy Minnesotan relationships!
Snack Bag and Sandwich Bag Set - Oilcloth

The first of four Minnesotan artists is Julie at her etsy shop, Julie Meyer. Julie loves making practical items look nice and that she does!! She sells the cutest 'Clean in Style Gloves' (ummm, cleaning might actually be 'fun'), lunch bags and so much more! All pieces are detailed and the workwomanship is top notch!

Topo in Brown - set of 4 Art Cards

What words can't describe, pictures will! This is an artist that really found a nitch and made it work! Marnie at Crafterall, designs the most magnificent cards, prints and fibers. Not to mention, we live in the same town (met through etsy:) and finally met at a local coffee shop in the beautiful lake town of Excelsior, MN. Marnie and I talked for THREE hours...oops, we had no idea we had gabbed and gushed that long.
Wire Bird Table Lamp

Jen, etsy store owner of Bird from a Wire is another artisan I found out is just minutes from my home that we met through etys. Look at this unique and wonderful lamp; You must go to her shop and see her whimsical wire sculptures and home decor. We also decided to meet at a coffee shop! Jen and I are both avid sketchers and writers and we laughed how both of us had our tattered sketchbnooks to 'take notes' as we chatted along. One amazing woman, and amazing work!!

4''x4'' Mini Masterpiece

Stephanie of One Gift One World is a dear friend. We met 3 years ago because our sons are in traveling soccer together. Little did we know each of us were artists and began our Etsy journey together. Stephanie is truly a gifted and creative individual and we learn so much from each other. Check Stephanie's shop out as she also does amazing pet portraits!!!

Monday Surprise!

It's a wonderful life knowing even though I'm fast asleep, the world around me is still working just as it did when I was awake. This morning I woke up to a lovely message from Allegra, author of Awesome as a One blog spot notifying me I was featured in her 'Awesome Item of the Day' article!! What an honor. Go check it out:)
PUNCHY BIRCH. birch bark disk earrings with sterling silver wire

TWILIGHT C R A Z E

TOO many of the moms at my kids school were talking NON-stop about the Twilight series: "It sucks you in!", "You can't stop!", "It's an addiction!!", so I decided to go to Target and get the book. I was slightly reluctant because I have mild case of dyslexia and reading is...well...not easy, and I hadn't read a novel since college. A day later the novel was devoured, and I was back to Target to get the next book in the series.

So as many artists do, they create from inspiration. I'm introducing BREAK DAWNING a vampire inspired necklace in brass, copper and a vintage red marble shank button.

Because I've been seduced by the Twilight series, I need MORE information about my new Twilight pals. Frequently, I go to one of my favorite blogs appropriately called, Laruen's Bite! Her style of writing is fun, informative and humorous and you just keep coming back for more! Check her out for the latest and most up-to-date news on our Vamp and Wolf family.