Purrfectly Devine? Must Have a Cat Somewhere?

"My full-time job is a special education teacher and I work in a grocery store deli part-time. My husband and I have one daughter who is pretty much on her own and planning to get married in 2009. We share our smoke-free home with 3 cats and one grandpuppy who are banned from the bead room," says the York, PA owner of Etsy shop, Purrfectlydevine.

Yes! There was a cat somewhere. I just knew it.

While the cats are in the other room, look what's happening (above). It's a beautiful necklace called Purple and Teal Sensation.

Reading her blog entitled Life As I Experience It, I gather it's been an awful winter in Pennsylvania this year. Now that it's March, soon the snow will end. That's the way it's written anyway. March is the threshold to Spring.


Shown on the right are the Jadite Earrings which have a matching bracelet in her shop.

Attention to the left ,where you will find the Victorian Inspired Necklace and Bracelet ebtw Spring Bouquet. Says the owner, "The lampwork beads with the flower design serve as the focal for both pieces. There are rose Sworovski crystal in 2 sizes, small green pearls, and larger mauve pearls. All metal is sterling silver." This piece is a part of the EtsyBead collection which is done to theme.

Be sure to look up Purrfectly Devine at these locations:

http://purrfectlydevine.etsy.com/
http://purrfectlydevine.blogspot.com/

Lucky Girl Trading Company - Make Every Day Your Lucky Day!

From Morrisville, North Carolina, to you comes Lucky Girl Trading Company. There are bounteous choices in this Etsy Shop. At left you see the Streaky Blue Gold Flower Pendant.

This pretty streaky blue fused glass pendant features a bright 22K gold flower fused onto the glass. But, should this one not catch your eye, there are 84 other Art Glass pendants in the shop!!!! And then, there are the Dichroic Glass pendants, of which there are 112 to choose from.

Shown on the right is Lucky Girl's Celery and Aqua Patchwork Pendant, an example of Dichroic Glass Pendants.

But should you fear buying a pendant and not knowing what to do with it, there are also 63 chains offered in different metals and leathers, etc., such as this one, the Sterling Silver Twisted Serpentine Chain of the 24 inch variety shown below.

Besides all of these things, one also has the ability to join the Jewelry of the Month Club for a period of six to twelve months and receive a piece of jewelry each month from Lucky Girl.

You can find Lucky Girl Trading Company at these locations:

http://luckygirltrading.etsy.com/

http://luckygirltrading.blogspot.com/

Berry Beads Brings Badge Bling

The owner of Berry Beads on Etsy, Rosi, a native of Long Island, NY, says "I have always enjoyed crafts and was encouraged as a child to make gifts and things by hand whether it was crochet, embroidery, drawing, what have you. My latest passion has been designing jewelry, specifically Badge Lanyards. They are fun to make and also functional. My other hobbies are drawing, digital art, photography to name a few."

Shown on the right is the Wearing of the Green Badge Lanyard. The term lanyard sounded familiar to me, but I had no idea what it was; however, I have seen people wearing cords and such with keys and badges hanging from them. I just didn't know they had a name. I've learned a new word today. This is such an attractive lanyard, as lanyards go. (There now I've used it three times. That's supposed to mean "It's mine," as in "Use a word three times and it's yours." Or so "they" say.

Here are some really cute and different earrings. They are called, Fishy Earrings. Rosi says, "They are totally formed by hand using silver artistic wire so each one is slightly different. But that adds to the primitive look."

This item is a zipper pull which is a very attractive way of dressing up your zip-up sweaters, hoodies and things. It is called, Butterly Bling Zipper Pull Charm.


To find Rosie and her bling and things go to:

http://berrybeads.etsy.com/
http://blog.berrybeady.com/

Katrin Lerman Jewelry

Katrin Lerman is originally from Germany but has lived in Massachusetts now for about 10 years. She graduated from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University in Boston with a Degree of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

She describes her creative process in making jewelry as, "Naturally, I have lots more time thinking than creating and so my sketch book is filling up with ideas for years to come. I can’t wait to get working on all those ideas and designs!!!" It has been said that you should plan like a turtle and paint like a rabbit (Edgar Whitney), and I can well imagine that in jewelry design, the planning process is paramount also.

Fanciful --- Necklace with Silver and faceted Citrines (shown below)

Green Fortune --- Earrings with Silver, Peridot Roundels, and Faceted Lemon Smoky Quartz Heart Briolettes (at right)

The following describes how Katrin makes her jewelry; "All of my pieces are entirely hand made by me using sterling silver wire and high quality genuine gemstones. First, I create the desired shape/shell for a piece out of thick sterling silver wire. Then I string on the gemstones and wrap the entire piece with feet upon feet of thin sterling silver wire to give it a finished look. I add tiny sterling silver beads to the frame during wrapping to give it more dimension."



Philosophy--- Earrings with Silver, Rhodochrosite, and Faceted Labradorite Roundels (shown at left)

Please visit Katrin at these locations:

http://katrinlermanjewelry.etsy.com/ http://katrinlermanjewelry.blogspot.com/

and at this new Etsy shop she and her sister share:

http://kaleidoscopestyle.etsy.com/

Autumn Leah Re-invented, Finds Better Way of Keeping Baby's Legs Warm

Autumn Leah, a jewelry maker on Etsy, lives in Dallas, Texas, and has opened a second Etsy shop which has now become her main focus. She is now clearing out her jewelry inventory in the Autumn Leah shop, and offering Free Shipping on purchases of any two items over $15.

Says Autumn, "I still love making jewelry, but with soooo many jewelry sellers on etsy, I needed another outlet for my creativity:) Wangly Legs has definitely been that for me and I am excited to see where it goes!"

Enter, Felicity's Boutique

As the mom of an active baby girl, Autumn has found creating things for her is not only special, but also gives her creative insight to what other items are needed in baby wear. She says, "When my little girl started crawling, I got her a couple pairs of leg warmers to protect her knees when she was wearing onesies. I loved them!" She discovered, however, the price tag of ready mades was high, and the handmade leg warmers all had big seams on the inside that rubbed her daughters legs. So after searching unsuccessfully online for a pattern with no seams she created her own pattern!

Autumn says, "The cuff along the bottom allows the seams to be hidden away without rubbing baby or leaving nasty marks and they look SUPER CUTE too! Next, I needed a name. My husband and I sat down and he came up with "Wangly Legs" and I knew right away that it was perfect! I don't know why I just knew. I remember being a little girl and my parents telling me that I had "wangly legs" so I decided it would be the name of my new cozy leg warmers."

She says that since Felicity's Boutique has opened, the Wangly Legs are selling quite well. Great thinking! Find a need and fill that need: Always the recipe for success.

Visit Autumn at these sites:
http://autumnleah.etsy.com/

http://felicitysboutique.etsy.com/

http://autumnleahdesigns.blogspot.com/

Citrus Tree

Today's featured Etsy shop is Citrus Tree.

Featured photo at left is "Stormy Swamp." Says Stacy Beck, the owner of Citrus Tree, "This is a 'Through the Viewfinder' photo. The scratches, flecks, black border,etc will be visible on the print. These artifacts lend to the beauty and charm of each print.

I have used an old 'Brownie' camera along with my trusty Canon digital...this is actually a picture of what is seen in the viewfinder of the Brownie. ...using this method contibutes to the vintage look & feel of the photo. "

To learn more about TtV Photography go to:
http://jennycisney.1000words.kodak.com/default.asp?item=273519

Into the Light - Original Photograph - Card (right)



















BOARDWALK TO PEACE - Original Photography Fine Art Print (left)

Look for Citrus Tree Designs at:
http://citrustree.etsy.com/
http://citrustreedesigns.blogspot.com/

MyCatLulu Wanders In, "Meow."

Welcome to my feature on a shop named after a cat whose name is Lulu. This cat is said to be one of the cutest cats out there. It's hard to say, after I discovered the Mean Kitty videos and the Kitten and His Box video on YouTube. Does this cat have her own videos? Anyway, she looks pretty cute, and does have interesting eyes. But, I digress, this feature is about her "people" Becca's shop, My Cat Lulu.

Here are a couple of card sets from MyCatLulu's new charity section. A percentage of sales from these items goes to either one of two places: to Amnesty International or to Etsy For Animals Charity of the month. Check it out, and get nice gocco card sets while you help some good causes.

Becca has a BA in Art. Her day job is as a Desktop Publisher. She has trained in Photoshop, Indesign, gocco, her medium format camera, black and white darkroom, and the color darkroom. She says, "Currently I am working with my husband to set up a photography Etsy shop where will have prints for sale and services like wedding/ engagement portraits. "

Here are some very nice Custom Gocco Silk Screened Note Cards which you can order and have personalized and made to use as thank you notes or another individual need.

To see more of MyCatLulu and Becca go to:

http://mycatlulu.etsy.com http://mycatlulu.blogspot.com

Cigarbox Beads

Marilyn G is the beadweaver/owner of Cigarbox Beads. Interesting facts behind her shop name are that she once found and bought some cigarboxes at a flea market over 20 years ago that were full of vintage beads. Says Marilyn, "It was the beginning of an addiction! Now I have almost a room full of beads---no exaggeration--when I need something- I go 'shopping' in my bead room! ;>) I do get carried away and buy more beads when something catches my eye---or I don't have it in my humongous supply! ;>)

Can anyone reading this, identify with the art and crafters hoarding syndrome described here? Oh, my! Just keep me away from the art supply, the paper supply, the superstore disguised as a fabric shop, and those big box crafting stores; because I will be in there for hours on end, drooling!
Paterkillars brings a smile to my face. "What's that you say?" Paterkillars is what Marilyn's grandchildren made of the word, "caterpillars." Reminds me of "gotfor," "sissen"and "cacaboose" which were my kids' talk for "forgot," "kitchen" and "caboose."

Anyway, Paterkillar Beaded Beads Necklace is eight of these paterkiller beaded beads strung together on a leather string. A totally interesting necklace!

In real life, Marilyn is a retired home-ec teacher whose hubby is recouperating from a stroke. I wish them the best and hope the rehab goes well and the recovery is amazing.

Twisted Garden Path Choker shown at right.

Marilyn says, "Beadweaving is my joy, along with knitting, crocheting, sewing AND being with our twin grand daughters. Not at the same time though, they love to 'help'! We do have 'crafting time' every day that I watch them, so I hope I'm instilling the love of creating in them."


Oceana Blue Amulet shown at left.

Be sure to visit Marilyn at Cigarbox beads shop and blog and at her new shop suchandsort---which came from an acquaintance of Marilyn's, who instead of saying etcetera--she said-- 'suchandsort'!

http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com/
http://suchandsort.etsy.com/
http://cigarboxbeads.blogspot.com/

Glory2727

Gloria Wilson from Etsy Shop, Glory2727 is my featured artist today.

The painting on the right, Field of Daises, is a good example of the containment, contraction and expansion design format using traditional subject matter.

Gloria, like myself, has learned a lot of new skills since joining Etsy. It sounds like, from what I read, that From My Brush is Gloria's second blog and that she learned everything she needed to know about setting up her Etsy shop afterwards. It was the other way around for me. Etsy was my first solo foray setting up anything other than a mailbox on the internet. I have worked with computers for a long time unlike Gloria whose daughter got her started by buying her a computer within the last 5-10 years. Both of us can see the benefits of new learning experiences and challenges.

Says Gloria, "My learning experiences with etsy began immediately. My writing skills began to improve by writing my profile, descriptions of my items for sell, and store policies. I found many useful tips in the forum posted by different shop owners on making your shop inviting. Next I went on-line with Hewlett Packard's free classes. I took a course on using my digital camera beyond pointing and shooting. Next I learned how to download the pictures from my camera. Sizing the picturesbecame another lesson. Templates are used when uploading and require the proper setting in pixels in order to upload.

Shipping was the next lesson. Many vendors again posted to threads in our Etsy forums. It is there and Etsy's How To's that pointed my way to shipping. Also we learn from one another the best and reasonable suppliers for packaging and commercial supplies needed.My computer skills have grown. From the Etsy forums I gained short cuts and knowledge fromsplit screens to cut and paste to designing a banner.

The one thing I am most proud of is the fact that I have joined a wonderful community of shop owners, who can share problems and solutions in a forum They share ideas, and information."

This cute little guy on the right is entitled King of the Garden and is available as an ACEO in her shop.


Little Pink Flower Pot is the title of this piece, useful as well as pretty.








Go visit Gloria at:
http://glory2727.etsy.com/
http://frommybrush.blogspot.com/

On A Thousand Hills . . .

She comes from Colton Hollow, somewhere in New England. She's a mom of 2 teenagers, and wife of a trucker. She loves God! She is hoping to hike the Appalachian Trail in a few years. She is also hoping to be able to supplement my husband's income by selling beadwork and other creative art pieces. And supports buying Handmade in the USA! Her name is Cheryl, and she is the owner of Etsy shop, On A Thousand Hills.

Sleeping Gypsy Bead Tapestry Wall Hanging (above)

This beauty contains over 30,000 beads. That equals an incredible commitment to a project. Cheryl says that she had been inspired by Sleeping Gypsy, painted by Henri Rousseau in 1897 for two reasons: "The first was that I go by the screen-name Gypsy Heart, because I have always been attracted to the nomadic ways of the gypsies. The second was that I just found this picture to be representative of Jesus watching over us in the night as we sleep."

Shimmering Heart bead embroidered cuff bracelet (below)
Cheryl uses this description. "This cuff bracelet really shimmers in the light, due to the finishing process they used on the Delica seed beads I used to stitch the majority of this bracelet. I stitched the bottom portion in a mellow "wave" pattern and the top in straight up and down columns. The shimmery effect of the beads really show the pattern nicely. You will definitely get noticed in this one!"


"This necklace starts off with a porcelain cabochon, featuring a beautiful blue and yellow butterfly. I stitched a bezel around it in peyote stitch, using complementary colors. The cabochon is also backed with ultra-suede in a black and white check/plaid. The neckstrap is done in a tubular Ndbele herringbone stitch, with small spaces done in tubular brickstitch as well. A base-metal toggle is used for a clasp. The pieces were then strung on Accuflex wire for durability. "

Cheryl says she will be entering this piece in the Etsy Beadweavers Challenge "Spring Break". They will be giving anyone who visits their blog site the chance to vote. Their address is http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Find Cheryl and On A Thousand Hills at these locations:

http://onathousandhills.etsy.com/
http://onathousandhills.blogspot.com/
http://onathousandhills-etsyfeaturedartists.blogspot.com/

Allyon67, 90 Day Challenge Feature

Artist's Statement by Pamela Miller:

"I feel that creating art is a way of sharing your soul with others. As you will see in my artwork: sometimes I am very flamboyant and always colorful, sometimes confidant and peaceful, other times angry or chaotic. I think all of my emotions; passions come out in my works. Sometimes I layer it on thick (paint and words) and other times I flirt with the canvas with light feathery strokes. My art reflects my beliefs in love, warmth, generosity, loyalty, and honesty. I’m inspired by science, fantasy, martial arts, architecture, and nature (especially water)."

Red Tulips by P. Miller

Pamela Miller is the Etsy shop owner of Allyon67 who operates out of Maryland.



Medusa by P. Miller














Saki Sun by P. Miller


Art by Pamela Miller can be found at:

http://allyon67.etsy.com/
http://pmillerabstractart.blogspot.com/

Aromatic Body Oils

Today's feature is Aromatic Body Oils also known as Zaja Natural Body Confections. Zaja is an anagram for Zestfully Ambrosial - Joyfully Aromatic, Owner, Zaidat (which means born into wealth, beauty, intelligence and prosperity) lives in the Cleveland area, where she is a graduate student. All of that hard work and education should certainly boost the prosperity quotient.

Here is a shop with answers to aid common skin problems such as psoriasis, exzema, acne, sensitive skin etc., with which many people have or have had at least, temporary issues. I have loved reading about Fitoderm Squalane, because it seems like a wonderful ingredient to put into a skin-care product. Click on the picture at right to go and read for yourself. The product is Dead Sea Mud Scrub - Skin Clarifying Charcoal Soap- and Fitoderm Squalane Pack all in one.

And here is another product, Neem Balm Neem Balm Topical Skin Treatment , that aims to help those with Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, Itchy Skin and Other Skin Ailments.

In addition there are soaps made from unrefined Shea butter, deodorants, whipped body souffles, foaming whipped body washes. . . Oh, it all sounds like yummy pampering to me.

At right is a sugar scrub containing cocoa and shea butter to use to finish off your bath routine and make your skin feel soft enough so that you won't even need lotion. Sounds amazing! Where can I get some? Oh, right here:

http://aromaticbodyoils.etsy.com/

http://www.zaidat.com/blog

Purple Snowpeas

Kathryn Short, the force behind Purple Snowpeas, is a photographer and all-around artist. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art where she was a photography major. Kathryn now teaches art and photography at the high school level.

Kathryn loves to knit and crochet, take photographs while walking outdoors, craft small books for collecting thoughts, and anything else that keeps her hands busy.

She is super busy right now gearing up for the Savage Snowdrop Art and Craft Fair at the Carroll Baldwin Hall Saturday, February 16th. For all of you in the Baltimore/DC area, it runs from 9am -3pm. Kathryn says she will have more items listed in her Etsy shop after the craft fair. She is focusing on her hats after which she creates wristwarmers to match the hats. She also knits scarves to fit the season. The cute hat shown above is the Hand Knit Hat with I-Cord Loops, in Turquoise.

These Pink striped wristwarmers will keep your wrists and palms warm while your fingers are free to get things done!

-chilly office?

-cold steering wheel?

-jacket sleeves are a tad too short?

-need an accessory to go with that cute 3-quarter sleeve top?

I would be remiss if I did not include one of Kathryn's lovely photographs which depicts why she needs to knit warm hats and wristwarmers. Makes me want to go for a walk in these woods. It is entitled Wandering In The Woods.

You may find Purple Snowpeas here:

http://purplesnowpeas.etsy.com/
http://purple-snowpeas-shop.blogspot.com/

Regal Beads - Seed Beads with Elegance

Soapbox :
James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

"My husband came up with my shop name-wonderful man that he is!! I was sitting staring at all kinds of bead related words trying to come up with something and it just came to him!"

Passion (shown above)

"Get a second glance this Valentines by donning this stunning piece of Russian art! A LOT of time and love went into this quality piece (this pattern takes 5-9 hours to make)!! It was woven with a needle and thread and thousands of tiny beads by hand (my hands ;) )."

These last two quotes come from the owner of Regal Beads who is from Canada.



Russian Royalty (at right)

Green Elegance (shown at left)

Visit Regal Beads:






http://regalbeads.etsy.com/
http://regalbeads.blogspot.com/

Deabus Amor

OK, I've been curious about the meaning of this shop name since I first started seeing it. So, Good Marketing to you! Sheika Lugtu says, "Roughly translated, Deabus Amor means 'Goddess of Love' in Latin. Though I am by no means a deity, I believe in sharing love and good-will through each item I create."

The bracelet on the right is made from polymer clay beads made to resemble fingerprints (as well as some translucent blood-red beads in between) and is named Smooth Criminal. Pretty funny, I think???

Sheika states, "Everything in my shop is handmade with the exception of prints. The paintings and photographs are original by me but I send a .pdf file to my printer for the prints."

Purple Tako Heart Sugar (at left)
"A strange name for a strange pendant, this purple endeavor features a crackled coil, bubbles and spotted swirls. Perfect for that indie/kitschy/
geeky fashionista in your life who would be delighted by a unique crowd-stopper."

She says she is friendly, and a little too loud, sometimes hyper and mostly crazy. Sounds like the definition of a fairly regular artist to me.


You will find Deabus Amor in these locations:









http://Deabusamor.etsy.com
http://omgcow.blogspot.com/

CSerpent Comes Into The Blog!

Susan Estrada, from San Diego, is the owner of cserpent Designs where you can find uniquely designed and created watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and other beaded items like bookmarks, cell phone straps, sun catchers, spiders and as she says, "whatever else looks interesting." Susan has some of her jewelry available at Gili Anna, a brick and mortar shop in La Jolla, CA.

The photo above is of a gorgeous bracelet that looks good enough to eat and is named Hot Cha Cha.
The photo below is a Blue Raku and Gold Letter Opener. (As in Miss Scarlett did it in the Library with the Blue Raku and Gold letter opener.) However I must say I don't think anyone would want to do any sort of nasty deed with this attractive piece. It's hard to imagine using it for anything but decorating a desktop that I am also imagining has beautiful stationery sitting on it in attractive boxes. I will have to imagine that desktop, because in the real world, mine has an assortment of piles, phone, monitor and keyboard, and stuff -- lots of stuff!


Susan says that the name for her business and Etsy shop came about because, "my husband nicknamed me Sea Serpent during our scuba diving days (picture a tall person in a purple and black drysuit with a pink flotation vest coming out of the water with big black fins on her feet ... yep sea serpent fits!). He even got me a sea serpent stamp to use for my "signature" on my hand made cards. Since I couldn't fit seaserpent on a license plate I changed it to cserpent and I've been using that for my business name ever since."

That brings us to "Tilly" the multi-purpose turquoise spider shown in the next photo. Apparently she can be worn in various manners. Susan says, "I will attach her to either the barrette or pin or will add a split ring so you can hang her from a chain as a pendant. . . Let me know how you want to wear her and I'll fix her up before shipping."


Living on a lake, I can vouch for the realism involved, as the real ones seem to propagate really fast, and webs mask things which were actually vehicles the evening before. The little culprits are there waiting in the morning just hanging out, smiling as if to say, "Look what I just did." I wish our arachnids were pretty and turquoise, then I would have to admire them, bless their little hearts.


Please visit Susan to see more of her beautiful jewelry and unique items at:

http://cserpent.etsy.com
http://cserpentDesigns.blogspot.com

Witty Workshop

Valérie Parizeault, a Canadian Illustrator and designer from Montreal, is the owner of the Etsy shop named Witty Workshop. She is a graphic designer and an art teacher at times, and she also has another internet business known as Rose Flash which spotlights her playfully-spirited jewelry.

Valerie states, "I am truly living my dream life as an artist with my husband-cherie by my side and my black cat Tokyo (nicknamed minou)." She describes herself as a treehugger, a chocolate passionate, a coffee conoisseur, a French Canadian, a daydreamer, a wannabe yoga wiz and a good cook.

The Best Friend Series, her latest, features limited edition paints of her childhood pal, Merguez the Doxie, and is printed on 11 x 8 1/2-inch Archival quality Hanemüle FineArt paper with a white border included for perfect framing. Other pets in the series are a ferret, a bunny, koi fish, and the above-named cat whose name is Tokyo. Below is the Tea Party Postcard Set.

Here are some of the things Valerie loves followed by those she has a strong dislike for: She loves Feist & Coral Egan (singers), reading really late, antiques of all sorts(she collects them), all things graphic design-related, especially typo, shoes, graphic patterns, blogging and taking pictures. She dislikes the word hate, electronic cords, talking on the phone, the smell of celery, waiting in line, beer, over talkers and drama queens.

I am definitely with you on the love for shoes (but mine would be the kind you wear on your beautiful feet) and I also have a distaste for waiting (in line, in the doctor's office, for a table, for whatever. I say, "Why not be late! (Oh, just a little late). Then you never have to wait."

This illustration shown below is entitled "Cutting Rain" is an ACEO.

To find Witty Workshop go to:

http://wittyworkshop.etsy.com
http://pot-aux-roses.blogspot.com