Travelling Again!

I will be traveling tomorrow to the East Coast!  I'm going with my momma to visit my Uncle and Aunt who live in Asheville, NC.  My Uncle (mom's brudda) is an artist who recently got back from a voluntary job in Iraq.  He paints mostly narative paintings and has a website where you can see all of his amazing work and a blog (where you can see his latest - a Star Wars Mural!!)

I will try to blog during the week, but if I don't, at least you know why :)

Here are some amazing Etsy Artists who live in the Asheville area:

1) Only One Rule by ragamuffinpress
2) Tree House in the Sky by thelindentree
3) Take A Hike by TheWheatField
4) Noodle stoneware Serving Bowl by OneClayBead
5) Taquito the Cat by ALTdesigns19
6) Baby Sparrow Ring by caitiesellers

Another Collaboration!

I am so excited to announce to you all that I am in the works of another collaboration with another Etsy seller!  This time, the wonderful yarnie is lylianmae, a yarn and fiber dyer, spinner and knitter.

(This picture sssoooo does not do the yarn justice)*

I will keep you all abreast of the collaboration and let you know how the pattern is coming, in the mean time, check out her shop and don't forget that you can request for fiber to be spun into yarn if you love the colorway but don't spin yourself ;)

 Evergreen - 400 yds

Gobstopper 4.1 oz SW Merino

*My camera has died and I'm in the process of upgrading, more on this to come!

Interview and Giveaway with Seababe!

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, I know I did, and I wish it didn't have to end. But alas, it does. To make this week back a tad more bearable, we are hosting another giveaway! This week's giveaway is sponsored by seababe, creators of fine, casual, beachy jewelry :)

Kristin and David run both Seababe and Seababejewelry on Etsy and the two shops, although both offering jewelry, offer very different styles and price ranges. Between the two shops, you are sure to find something that fits your needs.

Read on to learn more about the amazing couple behind this fantastic shop:

What prompted you to start a second shop? How is this new one different than the other?

We were prompted to start a new shop when Kristin started working with new materials like leather and glass. The new style was a little more casual than our Sea Babe Jewelry shop, so we thought it was a good time to expand. The second shop has turned into a more casual and inexpensive shop, while the original shop has all our gold pieces, and some items that have a higher ticket price.

Who started the jewelry making, Kristen or David? How did it begin?

We started making jewelry together. It all began as a hobby and escalated to more.

Where do you find your inspiration for your pieces?

We are inspired for our pieces by the ocean, surf culture, history, traveling, current fashion trends, and even our customers! We get our inspiration from many different sources.

What is the most valuable advice you have ever been given? About the shop, life, whatever?

One piece of advice that sticks out in our minds is to "mind your business." Meaning that we need to be aware of what's going in in all aspects of your business.


Seababe has offered one of my lucky readers a chance to win a pair of their Pink Posie Earrings:

To Enter:

-First and foremost, you must visit seababe and leave a comment on which item is your favorite from the shop

-to gain another entry, follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying you are!

-to gain another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a separate comment so we can all see

with every comment, please leave a way for me to get a hold of you so I can notify the winner as soon as possible :)

That gives you 4 ways to enter this giveaway!

The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, December 6, a winner will be chosen by random number generator and notified on the 7th. What are you waiting for? Get started!

You know I studied too much when...

the first thing I think when I see this picture is "What is the tension factor in the first rope given that the rabbit has a mass of X and the chick has a mass of Y with a kinetic friction coefficient of A and the little girl is pulling at a constant velocity of W..."Yea. I had a physics test today. Couldn't you tell?

But seriously, the prints in naokosstoop are seriously cute and I think they would be perfect in just about anyone's home, no matter your age :)

Good NightFeels Like Yesterday

Feature Friday - Downey Fibers

This shop has been in my Favorites for a very long time and I have to wipe the drool every time I pass by it.

The yarns are so wonderfully colorful and fun...

Each skein just speaks volumes!

The amazingly talented woman behind Downeyfibers is a mother of FIVE! and washes, dyes and spins all of her own yarn. Even those who don't knit or crochet would find something they simply must have from this shop :)

Friday Feature - MyWayToSay

For this installment of my Friday Feature series I decided to go through the Pounce feature on Etsy and find someone who has yet to have had any sales, and whilst browsing, I found this little gem of a store! MyWayToSay offers some very cool wire-wrapped rings, chic earrings and the occasional necklace.


She wraps her jewelry in velvet gift boxes and she is happy to include a special note if the item purchased is a gift!

Head on over to her store and see what cool new jewelry you can find :) And, as always, if you click on one of the above pictures, it will take you directly to that listing in the shop

BerkleyIllustration

If you ever just browse Etsy for the sake of browsing, you’ve probably run across a piece or two from berkleyillustration. Their work is very memorable and identifiable, not to mention unique and fun! As an animal lover I am always drawn to their pieces, quirky “person”-alities topped with the head of some wild creature or another

Giraffe Print

Earth Hat

Rat Print

Friday Feature - IckyDogCreations!

Just yesterday I received in the mail my new friend Winston. I had entered a giveaway on IckyDogCreation's Blog and was the lucky winner! It definitely made my otherwise not-so-great day. He sat right next to me and dutifully protected my laptop whilst at work typing away.

IckyDogCreations is a shop stocked with icky, creepy, awesome plushies of the vermin variety and a watch sculpture here and there. The owner is an RN in her other life working in my favorite state in the world. She is also a wife and mother and creator of many different mediums. Check out her shop, follow her on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, stalk this shop!

Friday Feature - maxsworld

I sort of stumbled upon this shop the other day just browsing Etsy and procrastinating and I haven't been so amazed by a knitting accessories shop in ages! I asked maxsworld if she would be willing to answer a few questions for me and she very graciously accepted. Here are her answers to some of my random thoughts:

How long have you been knitting?

About 3 and a half years. I started when my mum got me a pair of needles and some wool for my 20th birthday and then a good friend gave me a copy of 'Stitch N Bitch' and I haven't looked back! Pretty much everything I do is yarn related now.

Do you have any advice for beginning knitters?

Once you've learned the basics don't be afraid to go off road! Once I realised I didn't HAVE to have a pattern the fun really began and I started knitting all sorts of crazy sculptures...!

If you were to be transformed into a knitted creature, what would you be?

I'd like to be Tiny Clanger so I could hang out on the moon with and have soup from the soup dragon! (If you don't know it - The Clangers is a British animated tv series from the 1970s with knitted characters) http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/clangers/


Were you able to travel the entire world, where would you go?

That's a tough one. My travel wish list is a bit epic... I actually really want to go to the Maker Faire in San Francisco one year, I've not been to the USA before. But I want to get to Japan and also India at some point. I'm sure they'd be amazing! I guess I need to start saving up my pennies...

Tell us something random about you that we otherwise might not know.

name is Max... Ok, you knew that but it's not short for anything, not even Maxine :-D I get asked that all the time so now you know!

Check out her other website where you can read her blog and see what kinds of sculptures she has been knitting lately :)

*Sigh*

I'm not one of those people who wants kids. I have never really wanted to get pregnant and pop out a few munchkins. I figured if I ever do want little ones, they would either be of the furry variety, or adopted.

Every time this blogger (and wonderful Etsy seller and friend) writes about her little one it makes me want one. She makes it seem like the amazing adventure that everyone says it is.

Friday Feature - weeones

This Friday I would like to show off the adorable little shop weeones. I had been coveting her stitch markers since I joined Etsy more than a year ago and last Christmas I just had to order some custom collie stitch markers (she wasn't making them yet) for my mom and get myself the little elephant ones. Since then her shop has expanded, offering so many different designs, creatures, colors, and characters I love checking up on it and seeing the new items.

Friday Feature: Nutmegclick

If you spend any time at all in the Etsy Etc Forum, you probably know Miss Nutmeg. She is always offering up advice and stories that you can sit there and read all day (not just because she is so verbose, but funny, insightful, helpful) I asked Miss Nutmeg if she would be kind enough to do an interview for my dear readers and she did. The following are her answers :)

Why don’t you start off by telling us where you are now (geographically) and how you got there?

I've always been enamoured of India's aesthetic, ever since I was a wee lass renting every Indian film I could from the local library. The colours, the smells, the way of living...all of these resonated deeply with me. As such, I didn't want India to be the first place to which I travelled - that would be like eating one's dessert before one's greens!

Traveling must be somewhere in my genes, since my papa was one of the original punk rockers and he often brought me with him to scamper around various parts of Europe with his band. I also travelled around somewhat in my teens, but first went abroad as an expatriate two months after my daughter was born. Mr.Nutmeg and I decided it was exigent that our wee one be exposed to as many cultures as possible, and we were also looking for further ways to expand our artistic endeavours.

Our first stop was to spend eight glorious months in Turkey, where we helped the production of a documentary about the world's first sedentary gypsy camp. Next was a brief spell in China to visit our dear friends there, and then on to the much-awaited land of India! We lived for six months on the southern tip restoring a traditional-style house which had sat abandoned for years, and then were snagged by the beautiful city of Hyderabad when we passed through it on an excursion. We decided on a whim to move our household here, and have yet to uncover all the wondrous sights and sounds the city has to offer.

What is your favorite meal?

It depends upon what country I'm in! In Turkey, it was ayran (a thin, watery preparation of yogurt) with the freshly-baked pretzels that old men would peddle from their brightly-painted carts...and maybe a persimmon or two. Here in India I love to experiment with all manner of curries, and in China it's momo, a steamed, vegetable-filled dumpling.

I'm also fond of seeing how various countries interpret the food of my homeland. I've eaten a lot of rice-based pancakes (with chocolate syrup, no less), but my favourite international muddle was when I was brought a dainty little plate containing four French Fries, all neatly lined up in a row with knife and fork.


Do you have any strange talents or gifts that others may not know about?

I can make up absurd little songs about anything under the sun at a moment's notice! They're usually fairly short ditties replete with grandiose hand motions. Our present favourite (which we burst into at sporadic moments throughout the day) is a droll little piece entitled 'Oysters and Snails'. I can also make stellar poetry by pushing words through internet-translation devices, and used to perform in the Atlanta Opera.

What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

Of course I've a soft spot for that ol' punk rock, but over the last few years I've been increasingly enamoured of classical music. Mr.Nutmeg is a classical organist, so I've been falling in love over and over again with Dietrich Buxtehude and Scarlatti, and also delight in Bach. Another of my passions is experimental music, having made assorted noises in various ensembles over the years, and I'll soon be composing a book which documents the socio-political connotations of Shanghai's noise music scene.

Where in the world haven’t you been that you would like to visit?

After we fulfill our goal of living in each Asian country, we've set our sights upon Romania. A fellow Etsian has told me they have really good propaganda posters there, and it seems like quite the fascinating place all-around. I also used to have a running joke in which I was married to a Romanian count, so who knows...perhaps I can reclaim my long-lost throne!

Friday Feature: Interview with ASenseOfPlacePhotogr

I haven't done an interview in a very long time so after I found ASenseofPlacePhotogr on Etsy I decided to start back up with my interview session with her. Read on to find out how she got started in her craft and a few other tidbits you might not find out otherwise :)

How did you get your start in photography?

I guess trips to visit family. I'd always want pictures. Then I realized which ones I would throw out over the years, and tried to tune into what really made a picture unique. Nowadays I just feel the entire process is really cathartic for me to have an objective stance on the world and improvisational attitude! The story of my very first "good" picture (Taken when I was 12) can be found here http://www.theyouandmeshow.com/search?q=the+old+tree and my photography manifesto can be found on my website (http://www.asenseofplacephotography.blogspot.com)

You have two other shops, would you mind talking some about these?

Sure. GoldenMustard is a Store which I originally wanted to transfer everything to (I actually sell a whole lot more than photography, I'm starting a comic strip, have a poetry book coming out, a children book....etc. But since I have connections on this one I continued to keep it. Asenseofplacephotogr.etsy.com is hard to remember also. GoldenMustard is my series satellite shop where I sell some of my cards at. Wackadoodles (my mom's shop) is a beginning store featuring her incredibly wacky and creative introspective drawings which she does using paint! I'm always so impressed by her and how different we are.

Can you tell us some about your music?

Sure. My husband and I write folk music, we sing together, and are looking for a band :) Some of our stuff can be found on youtube under broadcastkings4life and also on famecast.com/katbking. It's all in it's very beginning stages :) I'm also a Soprano attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy right here in New York City presently and plan to pursue musical theatre professionally:) My very favorite musician is Paleo who can be found on paleo.ws. He's a major inspiration for me.

Tell us three interesting things about yourself that your customer may not know:

1. I got married to the love of my life when I was 20 years old and couldn't be happier. You can learn more about our love story at http://www.theyouandmeshow.com. Our wedding was just featured on offbeatbride.com last week!)
2. I attended a Swiss boarding school (tasis.ch) when I was 16 years old. It was a life dream of mine based on the book Bloomability, by Sharon Creech.
3. I write under a man's pen name.

If you could travel to any one place in the world, where would you go?

Husband and I really want to go to Norway for Christmas? Why? The gorgeous photographs of course :)

Anatomy of a Skirt

I heard about Anatomy of a Skirt long ago in a magazine that I still receive. One of her bags was featured in it (a yarn ball skull and cross needles design) and I just had to have it. I was lucky enough to get it as a birthday present and I have had it for three years now and still use it, actually I used it today, and yesterday, and the day before to carry my books to class along with my latest knitting project. Her wares are very durable (I speak from experience, I have put mine through quite enough), animal friendly, and with a sustainable mind.

She has since had a robot invasion and they have completely taken over her shop, alas, I may not be able to find a replacement bag when mine bites the dust (in another ten years or so *crosses fingers*) but her robots sure are cute!

Friday Feature: twistedSheep

twistedSheep is another Etsy New Mexican and she has been in my favorites for a LOONNGG time. Her yarns and fibers are drool-worthy and she is even offering free shipping to the Continental US!

I love supporting other New Mexicans and she makes it so easy to do, I so wish I could grab up all of her yarns and keep them myself, but my stash is way to large at this point and I have to use some of it up so I can make room for more :)

Woohoo!

So some time ago I entered a contest on lolitarose's blog for a chance to win some super cool earrings and for the first time ever I actually won!

I decided to choose these super cool hoops, very simple, very chic, and unlike a lot of the earrings I already have in my collection. The wonderful woman behind this shop, Miss Traci, was very generous, very cheerful and is very talented! Run on over to her shop to pick up your favorite new accessory!

Better Late Than Never...

So I know everyone else has already posted about their Easter festivities and what not, but better late than never right?

Well I didn't really have any big plans for this Easter. Actually, the only plans I had were to complete a whole bunch of homework assignments and work some, try and get some things knitted up for the show, nothing exciting. When my friend Matt heard that I hadn't gotten an Easter basket or even candy in any remote sense (except from the wonderful EllaLuna, my Ravelry Swap Partner) he took it upon himself to make sure that I got one. He put the whole thing together himself, didn't even buy one of those store assembled ones. I got some delicious Starburst jelly beans, peanut butter and chocolate eggs, a chocolate bunny and a super soft stuffed puppy I have named Persephone :)

Also, we decided to make tortillas from scratch! It was pretty fun, a new experience for me and they turned out so wonderfully tasty :D

Buttons!

So the other day I received my order of 100 custom buttons from Etsy's very own TagsAndButtons! I have already put each of them in their own separate baggies (included with the purchase) and they are ready to go out with all my orders via Etsy and at the show in May, I am so excited about these!

TagsAndButtons is a wonderful Etsy seller, quick and thorough communication, top-notch products and a super cute mascot that my wonderful Hammie Delilah just drools over :)

If you are ever in the market for super cute custom buttons, magnets, earrings, matchbooks and a plethora of other creative promotional tools, I highly recommend her shop.

Etsy Artist Feature: 99Lollipop

Today's feature is of one of my Etsyknitters Team members, a fantastic knitter who is always trying to learn as much as she can about improving her shop and her trade, read on to find out more about this fantastic woman! Here is my interview with 99Lollipop:

How did you first learn to knit?

I was first shown how to knit when I was about 7, but couldn't get the gist of it. I kept losing stitches and quickly lost interest. I think part of the problem was that the yarn was horrible, the needles were super large and my teacher was less than patient! However, I have been crocheting for about 20 years and for many of them wished I had persevered with the knitting. There's something so soothing and meditative about the click of two needles that has always called me. It's just a different mood and also compliments crocheting quite nicely. Well, a couple of years ago, while trying to relieve the stress of studying for my psychology state board exams, I took up knitting. Funny thing is I took one class out of a 4 class series at a community college and then just taught myself with tons of questions to a friend of mine who walked me through the really confusing parts. All the sudden, knitting became like breathing to me. I found it when the time was right, I guess.

What is your favorite yarn to knit with?

I love to work with natural fiber and my absolute favorite is Alpaca. It's just so soft and knits up like a dream. Ive also gotten quite fond of bamboo as well. It feels and handles like strong silk. And I really love the fact that it comes from such a rambunctious plant!

What are some of your favorite projects or techniques to knit?

My favorite thing is to do custom work because it feels like such an honor to help bring to life someone's idea, longing and desire. I love to feel the yarn and needles in my hands and just put my passion into it. I also love to knit things for new babies because that stuff becomes extra precious (just think of your first blankie). I love thinking about how my loving work is going to help welcome a new being into this life.
In terms of knitting for myself, which I don't often get around to doing, I've recently really gotten obcessed with knitting capes in all types of styles and yarn varieties.
In terms of techniques, I don't have a favorite. If Im not using a pattern, I love to hold the yarn and let it guide me into its creation. I have made some of my best items that way.