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.

Spring Tours Here!

It's been so beautiful here in Minnesota, I just couldn't help myself to take a tour of my own garden! Enjoy!

Spring Greening

A few of my Friday Favorites. Spring is here, and I'm celebrating the color green and the smell of spring.

At sixty miles per hour - flariat

Laura at flariat not only is a talented photographer, she is a wonderful writer! Here is a bit I took from her profile.

"The prairies are my muse and my soul. I cannot imagine a more veritable expression of who I am. The prairie is life giving for me and I identify with it – my spirit, like the prairie landscape, is at once fragile and sturdy." -Laura, flariat

Her shop images are dreamy and a visual treat. Be sure to visit, because flariat just opened her shop this month! WELCOME!

•

Green Wrap Bracelet by pufflunaJulie at puffluna has this whimsical bracelet listed in her etsy shop that just made me gasp! It's simple, elegant, fun and a wonderful reminder that spring is here! Puffluna has a unique collection of jewelry with czech glass, vintage glass beads, Swarovski crystals and more surprises. Be sure to check her shop out because she also has Mother's Day Gift ideas!

•

Radiant Daffodil Earrings - ShopClementineIn Cassie's jewelry from ShopClementine, metals and gemstones flirt and combine, emphasizing the feminine and the dramatic. Beauty in form and comfortable wearability are hallmarks of Clementine design. ShopClementine has the most alluring and graceful collection, all are limited editions and one-of-a-kind pieces. Be sure to check out her extensive earring collection!

Cutest PEAR Trivia

The pear is an edible pomaceous fruit, which means the pear is a type of fruit produced by flowering plants. And... the top 3 producers of pears is China, Italy and then the United States. Interesting trivia, but I just like to eat them!

I wanted to introduce you to some of the cutest Etsy pears out there!

First is PetitPlat. Stéphanie makes the most adorable and very edible looking, jewelry and miniatures made from polymer clay. You really must take a look at her store, because it's deliciously adorable. If you don't purchase something, I can guarantee you will leave hungry!
A Pear of Pairs eeehm... a Pair of Pears - Dangle Earrings

Welcome pinpinn! Rebekah just opened her store in January and in her etsy shop she offers unique and quirky pincushion, just like the pear pincushion here. How delicious are these? Not only could I see these in my studio, but I can see them used as a stylish home decoration. Be sure to check her brilliant selection of pincushion, including one that looks like a Rubix Cube!

The Perfect Pear Pincushion

For the love of pears! I just can't stop making them. You can also check Whimsy Wire & Wool for more pear decorations.

The Wooly PearOH! And I got all of my fascinating trivia from wikipedia, the cyber-encyclopedia of the universe.

DON'T FORGET. matchy matchy

Did you forget something?

Perhaps you need a subtle reminder?
Why not wear something stylish to the outsider,
but to you, it's just a cute cover up....

DON'T FORGET. sterling silver wire bow ring

DON'T FORGET. sterling silver bow wire earrings

I finally did it, and now you can get a matching set!
Here are the earrings and a ring of my DON'T FORGET, series. Whimsy Wire & Wool.

Copper Pretties

I just realized that it's been a WHOLE week since I've posted. Oops, but I still wanted to share my new copper pretties I've been working on. I will soon have these listed at my etsy shop Whimsy Wire & Wool.
GARDEN PANSY. copper necklace with charms and crystal

PEAR ME UP. copper pear pendant and glass beads

DON'T FORGET. copper bow pendant double necklace

Bragday

I just had to pop in some of my garden photos for selfish reasons. I just love to look at them! Pictures like this keep me going, knowing MY earth will be filled once again with nature's gifts of beauty.

Concrete butterfly from estate sale. To me there's nothing better that reusing.

My Buddha frog. He watches out for my family in one of my front urns. I received him 14 years ago as a housewarming gift from a dear friend I've known since kindergarten. In many religions the frog also symbolizes creativity and forward thinking. Hmmm, I just thought he was kinda cute, but if he can help me with creativity and forward thinking maybe I should get him a mate?
The sign below says "Welcome". I made it (recycled) from an old beautiful pine cabinet door from a friend who ripped it out her basement. You can see the top hinge at the top. The bucket is my great grandmothers.

The Egg Hunt

Happy Easter from LUCKEY!
All members of the family had a great time egg hunting this morning! NO chocolate for you Ms. Luckey!

Yoga Wire

When I first started practicing Ashtanga yoga about 3 years ago, I was so moved by the process, I created a series of mini wire sculptures. 'Vrksasana' (tree pose) was the first of the series.

To me, wire and Ashtanga yoga are very similar; Each movement is fluid and strong yet vulnerable. The movement is a beautiful dance. The philosophy of how my thoughts and actions in the the universe affect ALL has been the most life-changing aspect for me.

What was so profound for you to NEED to create?

'Vrksasana'

If live or are ever in the Minneapolis area, check out OmMotion Yoga Studio for a practice.

Anxious Garden

My garden is starting to wake up from winter, yawning it's stems towards the sun. I'm all giddy and ready to welcome my dormant friends. It's not much of a presence, but it's enough for me to know spring is really here, and soon, summer will follow.

♥ Saturday's Feature

On a Roll - Handmade Accessories and Organizers

Etsy no doubt has some of the most talented artisans! Many of them really think about "Where there's a need, FILL IT"! Literally! OnaRoll.etsy.com designs and creates these sweet, adorable yet functional knit accessories to "cozy" up your electronics and even your morning cup of coffee! Check out On a Roll's etsy shop. She also have a wonderful blog where many artists with a unique eye for design are featured.

Robin Egg Blue iPod Cozy

Hot Pink Cup Cozy

Go to On a Roll at etsy.com to find more Handmade Accessories and Organizers!

Punchy Earrings

My love for copper just gets stronger the more I work with it. I love the fluidity of movement, the color and yes, even the tangy smell. Here I combined copper disks and sterling silver to make these 'Punchy' elegant yet rustic earrings. Quite possibly one of my most favorite designs yet. Keep checking my shop for more similar styles at Whimsy Wire and Wool at etsy.