Most Expensive Handmade Card Ever!

I Want It - Housewares

I haven't done a "want it" post in a while and this morning the lure of a lazy, leisurely Etsy browse was just too much to resist.

I'm really feeling housewares right now, possibly due to the stuck-inside weather and impending holiday entertaining. Here are a few of my favorite finds:


PopWall


DishfulsOfDoodles


JaneJoss


MaryLittfin


OliveandRuby


DimmalimmHome

Healthy Tacos in Five Minutes Flat

I know - this sort of a random post for a mostly crafty blog. But I do like to blog about work-at-home mom stuff now and then, and what's more important to work-at-home moms than healthy meals that don't require hours in the kitchen?

I've been meaning to share this recipe for a while now because a) it's entirely of my own creation, and b) it's really really good. These tacos have become a weekly staple at our house. And for die-hard Mexican food fans like my husband and me, that's really saying something.

This recipe really couldn't be easier. All you need is five minutes, taco shells, some cheese and a few things you probably already have around the house. Or, at least, things we always have around the house.

Five-minute Chicken Tacos

1 t. vegetable oil
1 can chunk white chicken, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup (or to taste) chunky salsa
Taco shells
Taco toppings - shredded lettuce, guacamole, tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream or whatever your family likes

Warm taco shells according to package directions. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add chicken. Add beans. Add salsa. Combine, shredding the chicken with a fork or spatula. Cook until excess liquid has been absorbed and mixture begins to bubble (about 5 minutes). Serve chicken mixture in taco shells with shredded lettuce, cheese or other toppings.

Serve with a fruit salad or one of those microwave Spanish rice-in-a-bag thingies (yes, they work) and you're good to go! The chicken mixture is also equally delicious served in soft tacos or, if you're feeling really fancy, in enchiladas.

Enjoy!

Great Gift Ideas for Her

Check out the LJ Design & Photo blog today for some great gift ideas for the ladies in your life - all handmade by fellow Etsy moms!


While you're at it, take a peak at the LJ Design & Photo shop on Etsy for some more gift ideas of the photographic variety. I'm a proud owner of these two:

Check Us Out at The Creative JAR!

Many thanks to The Creative Jar for including our Thank You mini cards in today's Thanksgiving post. Happy Thanksgiving, all!

http://www.thecreativejar.com/2009/11/full-of-thanks.html

Artisan Feature - elpy [Handcrafted]

This week's featured artisan is Rebecca of elpy [Handcrafted]. A twitter buddy and fellow blogger, Rebecca stocks her Etsy shop with an eclectic blend of unique jewelry and super cute housewares.

Tell me a little about yourself and what you do
I'm Rebecca, a child of the 90's and new college student (after a long break). My family and I live in Connecticut. I make jewelry - some knotted, some beaded, some chainmaille, some a mix of the three - and small woodburned housewares. Magnets and coasters, with ornaments and wall art coming soon.

What 3 words best describe your work?
Hmm, this is a little tricky. I'll go with colorful, shapely, and natural.

What inspires you?
Words, letters and numbers. Shapes, colors and patterns. Kind of elementary things, the bits and pieces that make up the world around us. I like to incorporate them, mimic what I see, when I can.

What drives you to create what you do?
I've been a crafty entrepreneur at some level or other since I was in third grade. It's who I am...I'm starting to accept that. Seeing a void of an item type or technique makes me want to learn how to fill it.


What makes your work unique?
Me! hehe. Ok, more seriously, I like to reinvent things, tweak techniques and try to create the unexpected.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
It's currently a full-time hobby. It is my outlet and I've met tons of super-talented and friendly artists and designers as well. I'm inspired and humbled by them daily. Can't believe I'm part of such a community. I would like for it to be a full-time job, to make my living making things maybe teaching sometimes, too. I definitely have an inborn entrepreneurial spirit. Working for myself suits me.


How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
My ideal would be to have a brick and mortar shop of my own, selling my items and those of some of the artists I love. It's something lacking in my area. That's probably farther down the road than 5 years.

So I'd like get my work in some shops. I'd like to firm up my product line, decide for sure which of the ideas I've had for a while I'll actually add to my brand. I want to always be learning, trying to get better.


Where can we find you on the web?
Blog: http://not-rachel.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/notrachel
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_lp_flickr
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/elpy-Handcrafted/20893912192

Artisan Feature - Andrea Baker

This week's featured artisan is Andrea Baker. One of my first Etsy friends and a fellow work-at-home mama, Andrea creates ingenious little handsewn creations, from business card cozies to adorable little clutches.

Tell me a little about yourself and what you do.
I am a mom of two beautiful girls. I truly enjoy taking my creativity and crafting it into something that can be held. Crafting for me is also a great way to unwind and relax.

What 3 words best describe your work?

Classy, Functional and Affordable


What inspires you?
The colors around me, nature, my children, my husband, really anything and everything is inspiring.

What drives you to create what you do?
Creating give me a way to make something that can be held and potentially passed down from generation to generation.


What makes your work unique? My work is unique because each piece is something that I’ve envisioned and there for has a bit of me in it.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play? Work plays a major role in my life. It gives me an opportunity to express myself and to also teach my children a way to express themselves as well.

How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
I would love to have my work be shown in magazines and perhaps be available in gift shops. In five years I’d love to move my current studio into a room all its own.

Where can we find you on the web?
Handmade by Andrea Baker http://www.andreabaker.etsy.com
Blog This Mom’s Life {Andrea Baker} – http://andreabakerdesigns.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/AndreaBaker
Plurk – http://www.plurk.com/AndreaBaker


Are you an artist or craftsperson? Would you like to be featured here? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here with a link to your shop, and I'll be in touch about future opportunities.