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Archive for the ‘Etsy’ Category

The Vines Are Blooming

Posted in Craft Business, Etsy, tagged , , , , , on May 17, 2012| 8 Comments »

After an especially aggravating day I sat on my little corner of the couch, wishing for a vacation.  I don’t think I’ll be taking a true vacation any time soon, as craft show season is sneaking up faster that I imagined it would.  With that thought a small smile came to my face.  Craft show season ~ it’s like lots of mini vacations for Husby and me.

I usually get antsy around March and April having been away from the circuit for several months.  This year March and April were occupied with the care and vigil of Husby’s dad so the ants in my pants were kept at bay, my mind on more pressing matters.  Now that the dust has settled and things are returning to normal the eagerness to get out to these en plein air shows and festivals is overwhelming me.  I’m totally ready to get on the road again.

The first show I do is the Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard Fete Des Fleurs ~ a festival celebrating the blooming of the grape vines.  Husby and I have returned to this event for several years as it has become one of our favorite venues.

The winery inspired my grape-themed bottle cap magnets.  They’re available at the show and in my Etsy shop.  Each is charming in its own way and depict delicious wine at its infancy.

Bottle Cap Magnet ~ Grapes

Bottle Cap Magnet ~ Artsy Grapes

Bottle Cap Magnet ~ Juicy Grapes

Bottle Cap Magnet ~ Vintage Grapes

No, I don’t see a typical vacation in my near future, but I sure am looking forward to spending some time meeting festival goers and revisiting old friends.  A working vacation, as it were.  But  like they say, it isn’t work if you love it.  Bring on the shows…I’m ready.

If you’d like to visit some of the great events and festivals on my summer route you can find information on the 2012 Events tab at the top of this page.  The page will be updated as shows are added to my schedule. 

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Springy Things

Posted in Etsy, Holidays, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 6, 2012| 1 Comment »

After selling my wares on Etsy for all these years I’ve finally created my first Treasury. I call it Springy Things, which is sort of a round-about reference to an inside joke between me and Diggy. That actual phrase was “icky things,” but this treasury is far from icky.

With Easter this weekend and springtime officially here I found some really nice items in Etsy that depict my visions of both. 

Enjoy, and have a Happy Easter!

Top Row:  Cathedral Window Pillow by mayesathome, Sprintime Floral Frame Pendant by wordmermaid1, Birch Tree Painting by SGArtandFashion, Fleece Kids Rainboot Liners by katelyb

Second Row: Little Duckling by imagerybykimberly, Spring Tree-Red Birds by sebvanb, Ring Bowl by DariellesClayArt, Belle Princess Spring Tutu Dress by SoleilCreations

Third Row: Spring Rain Photo by DovieMoon, Beaded Handbag by thejoanandlucyshow, Spring Wooded Photograph by JCooleyStudios, Vintage Beaded Bracelet by trappedintheattic

Bottom Row: Spring Cupcake Easter Soap by ButtersandBubbles, Easter Apron with Pink Bunnies by sjcnace4, Whimsy-ariuim Mushroom Garden by succu, Easter Eggs by SweetAmbs

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Featured Shop ~ paulpresnail

Posted in Artists and Shops, Etsy, tagged , , , , on April 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I’m excited to tell you about the Etsy shop of a talented Minnesota artist. I was browsing recently and found the beautiful photography of Paul Presnail.

Benchmark

Paul’s shop has everything from vividly-colored photographs to black and white, from a barn in Iowa to the Eiffel Tower in France, from nature to architecture.  He says he doesn’t Photoshop his creations, so what you see in the photos is a result of his great eye for subject matters and an amazing ability with the camera.

Portals

I really like what Paul says in his shop introduction:  “What we see through our eyes is never just light and shapes. Every image is painted with personal perspectives based on feelings and experiences. So while we all may look at the same things, how we interpret what we see is uniquely our own.”  

Step by Step

Wander through Paul’s shop and discover your interpretations of his subjects. Some may be familiar, some a dream, but I know for sure you’ll enjoy soaking up what Paul Presnail and his camera have to offer.

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Pals

Posted in Etsy, Everyday, tagged , on March 15, 2012| 2 Comments »

Everyone should have a pal.  A pal is different than a friend.  I can’t really explain how it’s different, it just is.

You know how you might have one friend you can tell some things to, and another friend you can tell other things to, but you’d never dream of telling the first thing to the second friend or the second thing to the first friend?  You can tell anything to a pal.  Anything.  No filters, just complete trust.

Everyone needs a pal, even if it is a different species.

A pal is faithful. A pal is loyal. A pal will tell you when you have spinach in your teeth or if your skirt is tucked into your pantyhose. A pal will act foolish around you, and you can be foolish too.

The best thing? A pal is a pal for life. Who’s your pal?

 

The adorable bottle cap magnet is available in my shop. Give it to a pal.

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Featured Shop ~ Gingham Life

Posted in Artists and Shops, Etsy, tagged , , , , , , on March 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »

If there’s one thing that inspires me it’s nostalgia.  I usually romanticize the past, thinking how marvelous it would have been to live in those times.  OK, so I don’t know if I could ever live without some of today’s conveniences, but there is definitely a comfort in “the good old days,” even if those days were before my time.

I’m so glad I found the Etsy shop of one of my fellow HandmadeMN members; it takes me back to those good old days in the form of textiles.  Gingham Life caught my attention and my admiration.  I’m completely in love with the aprons!  (Click on the pictures – they’re direct links to your purchasing pleasure!)

Handmade Smocked Apron, 1960s Pattern and Vintage Gingham

How much do I love the smocking?  Much!  And smocking paired with gingham has got to be the cutest thing there is.  Such fanciness for such a useful accessory!  Gingham Life is contributing to the rebirth of American-made aprons and clothes and uses vintage and repurposed textiles.

Floating Hostess Hand-Smocked Half Apron, Vintage Gingham and Hankie

This next apron is cute enough to be a dress!  (Except don’t do it because the back is completely open and you’d embarrass yourself terribly in front of your guests.)  How wonderful, the pink and brown, the buttons and pockets ~ I think it’s just adorable.

Handmade Apron, 1960s “Country Calico” A-Line Pattern, OOAK, Vintage Fabric

Not only does Gingham Life offer aprons, there are vintage linens and patterns, clothes, and other accessories made from repurposed fabrics.

The things at Gingham Life make me feel nostalgic, and even inspire me to do the vacuuming in one of these great aprons and high-heeled shoes, just like June Cleaver would.

This article will soon be published on the HandmadeMN blog, a blog I’m sure you will enjoy. Not only do they publish my Featured Shop articles, there are lots of giveaways and interesting articles presented by many Minnesota artisans like me.

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