Featured EtsyBlogger - Create A Thought

Congrats to this month's featured EtsyBlogger, Create A Thought. Located in Saginaw, Michigan, Create A Thought is one super cute Etsy shop filled with whimsical jewelry, fun and fancy journals, and other bright, artsy handcrafted goodness. From her profile:

Everyday you are creating thoughts. Thoughts that are interesting and beautiful, profound and deep, silly and funny. Whatever your thought style is, they should be recorded. CREATEaTHOUGHT's mission is to help you do just that.

Check out the Create A Thought blog to learn more about this cool and quirky artisan. Hope she's enjoyed her month of EtsyBloggers fame!

Dear Kid Saturday

Welcome to this week's installment of "Dear Kid." As always, full credit to Christina of Cutest Kid Ever for the fabulous idea. Want to write a "Dear Kid" letter of your very own? Learn more about how to participate here.

My little chickadee,

Pretty big week, huh? Preschool is over for the year, and we had your end-of-year party and Splash Day this week! Daddy and I absolutely loved seeing you with your classmates Tuesday night at your class picnic. You've grown up so much this year. And the songs you guys did for us were awesome! You were so proud to show off your classroom and your teachers. And you couldn't get over the fact that you guys got to do your little program in the lecture hall at the high school. A real stage!

On Wednesday I went to school with you for Splash Day. Boy, your teacher is really on top of it - all of you were incredibly well-behaved and great listeners. I was so impressed! The teacher assistants had set up a bunch of crazy water games and pools all over the playground. You parked yourself in the biggest pool and absolutely cracked me up by putting a floaty ring on and keeping it on all day. You silly - you're not afraid of water! We're going to have to work on swimming this summer. I think you were more brave before you started lessons! Now you seem to have decided that adults are going to trick you into putting your head underwater, and you're determined not to let that happen.

We implemented some new TV rules around here, and I've gotta hand it to you - you're handling it like a champ. In fact, you're starting to prefer shows like Sesame Street over Dora and Disney, and I love it. I like watching together and then talking about what we learned afterward. I'm amazed at how much you pick up!

Since we didn't have preschool, we had lots of time together. Lately you're always asking questions and saying "tell me more about that." You were asking lots of questions about calendars and clocks on Thursday, so it occurred to me to get some worksheets out and see what we could do. You loved it! You were matching the time on the clock face to the written time within just a few minutes. Very cool. And we made a calendar together that will help you figure out what day it is and what's on the schedule without having to ask.

You also taught me, accurately, how to do addition and subtraction on my fingers this week. You seem to really like anything related to numbers, especially if it's related to something tangible in your life. And you love talking about science, just like Daddy. You like to pose complicated scenarios and then change up the variables to see "what would happen if..." You're really inspiring me to find creative ways to help you learn this summer. You just can't seem to get enough!

I love you, sweet girl. Can't wait to see what you have in store for me next week.

Sincerely,
Mommy

Featured Creative Blogger - Carol of The Blue Cat

This week's featured Creative Blogger is Carol of The Blue Cat. Carol is an artist who loves vibrant colors and whimsical subjects. A fellow stay-at-home mom, Carol loves the Blue Ridge mountains and her "most curious" cat!

You can get your very own Blue Cat original at Carol's Etsy shop.

Are you a creative blogger? The Creative Bloggers Blog Ring is all about paying it forward - supporting other creative people through blogging. You can get involved here.

Wordless Wednesday

Featured Artisan and Giveaway! -- AbbaDabba Bags

This week's featured artisan is Monica of AbbaDabba Bags. I'm a huge fan of Monica's bags and the proud owner of two of her wristlets. Not only does she have an amazing eye for gorgeous prints and unique color schemes, her construction is flawless and her bags are virtually indestructible.

Leave a comment here and be entered to win a Deluxe Clutch in Amy Butler Coriander Pine! The winner will be notified by June 1st. Good luck!


Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
My name is Monica and I am a mom, a wife and a bag maker. I made my first diaper bag in 2004 when I couldn't find anything stylish to carry. I was soon making them for friends and selling them by word of mouth. I now sell a whole line of bags online and have hundreds of satisfied customers across the country and around the world. I have been sewing since I was a pre-teen and officially started AbbaDabba Bags in 2007.


What 3 words best describe your work?
Bags, Fabric, Quality

What inspires you?
Fabric and colors inspire me. Sometimes I see a new fabric and instantly know which style bag will make it shine. Other times I find a fabric and design a new style to show it off. Getting a shipment of new fabric in the mail always makes me excited to sew!

What drives you to create what you do?
I have a love of purses and bags. I enjoy shopping for them, buying them and of course making them. I really love the creative process of designing new styles. It is good to have an outlet for your creative juices.


What makes your work unique?
I design my own patterns and try to be creative. I don't try to follow the latest shape or size of other sellers but instead focus on what I like. So far my customers like them too so it seems to be a good strategy. I also like to combine fabrics in new ways. It is not unusual for me to have stacks of fabric on my design table trying to find a new combination. The bigger my fabric collection grows the more fun I have with this process.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
AbbaDabba Bags gives me the opportunity to do something non-mom related. As a stay-at-home mom I give most of my time and energy to my kids. I think it is also important to have something that is separate from all that. An online business gives me the perfect flexibility to work around my family responsibilities. As my kids get older and enter school I would like to expand the business and the role it plays in my life.


How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
In the next 5 years I would like to broaden my own website and offer my bags directly to my customers. I'd also like to have my bags in a few local boutiques.

Where can we find you on the web?
My Website: www.AbbaDabbaBags.com
My Etsy Shop: http://AbbaDabbaBags.Etsy.com
My Artfire Shop: http://AbbaDabbaBags.Artfire.com


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.

Dear Kid Monday

Welcome to this week's installment of "Dear Kid." As always, full credit to Christina of Cutest Kid Ever for the fabulous idea. Want to write a "Dear Kid" letter of your very own? Learn more about how to participate here.

Dear Missy Moo,

You went to one super fancy party on Saturday for your friend L. Your favorite part was definitely the karaoke. You took to that microphone like a duck to water. We sing a lot at home, but this was different - there were lots of other girls and mommies watching and you were very serious about the whole thing. You sang "Do-Re-Mi" and it was awesome. I was very proud of you! A couple of the other moms even told me what a nice job you'd done. I know it was a big deal to you too. Nice job, kiddo.

Last week was your final week of preschool before the summer break, and you are really excited about the end-of-year picnic and "Splash Day" next week. Apparently the class is going to be singing a song for the parents and you've been doing a LOT of practicing around the house. You've also been in a pretty silly mood lately. On Monday, you came up to me and said, "Hey, Mom, you're a cutie pie!... No, actually, you're a nailhead!" Huh??

You're also in the process of making up your own version of sign language, which often involves very long and elaborate silent stories, which you're quite annoyed that I can't understand. I've tried to get you interested in learning real sign language, but you're put off by the idea that there's an actual vocabulary involved. Apparently you think it should be all about using your hands creatively and being expressive with your face. We did manage to learn the "Happy Birthday" song... we'll just keep working on it.

This week we had no fewer than ten conversations about your birthday (which isn't until August!). Apparently you're very concerned that I'm not going to get your party right. You went from telling me you wanted to have a mushroom party (which you said is a party where "they throw mushrooms all over the birthday girl"...hmmmmm...) to insisting that only a tea party would do. This year should be interesting. Now you have friends from preschool that you'll want to invite, so I probably can't get away with planning a party for families again. We'll just have to get creative, I guess!

Friday morning, we used our pre-gymnastics time to do some serious playing. We made a "boat" for your puppies out of the ottoman, a belt and a box, and we took them on a great trip to "Antarctica" to see the icebergs and penguins. You even asked if there were Inuit people in Antarctica. Goodness!

This weekend has been super fun. Dad has a three-day weekend, and we've been doing lots of stuff together. We've played soccer and football, and lots of your favorite games. We had a family meeting to talk about the furniture in your room on Saturday. You wouldn't attend until you'd put on a princess dress and your little high heels - apparently it's your version of a power suit.

I'm looking forward to your picnic this week! We've got some time before summer camp starts, so we'll be able to go to the pool several times this week. Yay!

I love you, sweet girl.

Sincerely,
Mommy

Memorial Day Deals and Biz Plans for the Summer

Summer's finally here! Cap off your holiday weekend with a visit to Artiste on Monday night at 9:000 PM for our last stocking in May. My fellow WAHMs and I are putting together a lovely collection of eco-friendly handmade goodness - a little of everything and something for everyone. In honor of Memorial Day, I'll be offering some deep discounts on in-stock items from both my Retrocrafted and Freshly Crafted lines, a couple of freebies, an auction or two, and the first of my Father's Day cards.


In the coming days, look for more Father's Day options to show up in my Freshly Crafted shop.

The beginning of this summer also marks the completion of my 2009 "go green" campaign. With the exception of just a couple of specialty items on metallic cardstock, my entire stationery line is now printed on 100% post-consumer waste papers, and accompanied by invitation-weight recycled envelopes. Over the past year, I tested a number of different cardstocks and am thrilled to have found a solution that is eco-friendly, beautifully textured, takes ink like a dream, and is nice and heavy for that luxe look and feel I'm so fond of. Thank you to the many customers who've given me such positive feedback on the new papers and our print quality - you've been incredibly helpful!


Also on tap for the summer is the continued development of relationships with my awesome retailers. Look for the launch of Orange & Blossom in the coming months. I'm so excited to be part of this adorable, Anthropologie-esque wedding boutique. Not only will the site offer several of my stationery sets, I'm also in the process of creating an Orange & Blossom exclusive item. At Orange & Blossom, "It's going to be a beautiful day..."


I'm also planning to expand the number of our products available at Flourish Boutique (Check out the owners on CNN!) This adorable boutique is moving to a new space and doubling in size soon. You go with your bad self, Vanessa!

Have a great weekend, everybody. Don't forget to check out Artiste Monday night - the best stuff goes fast, so be on time!

I Want It

I'm fascinated by chainmaille in the same way I'm fascinated by optical illusions - I look and look, never quite able to make my brain understand what my eyes are seeing. Appealingly simple and impossibly complex at the same time, this gorgeous sterling silver roundmaille bracelet by Chainmaille By MBOI catches the eye and keeps it dancing from one glittering ring to the next. The look is rich, minimalist, and just a teensy bit goth. In two words - very cool.

Get it here. And check out the Chainmaille By MBOI blog here.

Wordless Wednesday

Featured Artisan -- My Beautiful Girl

This week's featured artisan is Samantha of My Beautiful Girl. A fellow member of Artiste Congo and all-around super fabulous gal, Sam makes gorgeous, high quality handmade cloth diapering items and boutique clothing for every member of the family.

Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
My name is Samantha and I own My Beautiful Girl. I am the mother of 3 and currently TTC. I have been married to Trent for almost 14 years! Wow, the time sure does fly. I have always enjoyed crafts, but didn't specialize my skills until I was in my 20's. Now I enjoy sewing boutique clothing, wetbags, cloth diapers and many other miscellaneous items.


What 3 words best describe your work?
functional, cute, affordable

What inspires you?
My children are a huge inspiration. I also love vintage chic items and trying to put a modern spin on them.

What drives you to create what you do?
My families needs are my biggest drive. My daughter and niece needed rompers for the summer, so I created them. I needed comfy shorts and great fitting yoga pants, so I made them!



What makes your work unique?
My work is unique because I create each and every piece by hand, one at a time. I rarely make duplicates and everything has a function.

What role does your work play in your life?
My work keeps me sane; it gets crazy with 3 kids, 2 businesses, a husband, a house and pets. I schedule my day just like any other working Mom and the stability makes getting it all done, much easier.

What role would you like your work to play in your life?
My future goals are that my business will be an even bigger financial contributor to the family income. But with more income, comes more time. Its a hard act to balance.


How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
I see the business thriving and focusing more on clothing and less on cloth diapering items.

Where can we find you on the web?
All of my information and locations to buy can be found at www.mybeautifulgirldesigns.com.


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.

Dear Kid Saturday

Welcome to this week's installment of "Dear Kid." As always, full credit to Christina of Cutest Kid Ever for the fabulous idea. Want to write a "Dear Kid" letter of your very own? Learn more about how to participate here.

Dear pretty princess,

You had a tough Monday, huh? There we were having a great time playing ball (OK, yeah…maybe we should have gone outside) when all the sudden you ran straight into the corner of the kitchen table. I didn’t see you at first, and there was a long pause… and then you started screaming. When I looked over, you were REALLY bloody, and you were pretty freaked out about it. I confess—I was too! Luckily, Daddy saved us from ourselves and got you all cleaned up. I was worried that you might be really hurt, but when you told me you were crying because there was blood all over your princess dress, I knew you were OK.

I picked up a new Wii game this week (My Fitness Coach) and you think it’s pretty great. Just like I’m always telling you, it’s important to get your body moving every day, and Mommy decided to follow her own advice and get a little more serious about fitness. You worked out with me almost every day this week. And I’ve gotta tell you—you’re a pretty tough coach. You’re the first to tell me when my form isn’t perfect (you watch the virtual trainer like a hawk) or if I start going slower than the game says I should. With you in my corner, I’ll be ripped in no time! We had a little difference of opinion in terms of workout wear—you think princess attire is required for step aerobics. But it was fun to be active together, and you definitely kept me giggling all the way through our workouts.

You were particularly concerned about the bunny at preschool this week. You wouldn’t say whether something had happened, but when I asked you what the bunny likes to eat, you said (very seriously, I might add), “Wine and people!” Hmmm…

You had a grumpy day on Wednesday—just really didn’t want to be told what to do. It didn’t much bother me—a little time-out now and then in a mom’s life is just part of the job—so once we’d gotten things “worked out,” we hung out in my room working on puzzles and reading books. I’m loving your attention span these days. You’ll sit still and concentrate on a book or a word/number game for a really long time. Since that kind of stuff is fun for me too, I really love spending that kind of time together. You’re getting very close to putting letter sounds together to read words, and you already know some words by sight. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together over the summer!

I’d promised you a new princess dress since the pink one had been “bleeded all over.” We had a super fun time picking one out. You’re very very good about not whining and begging for things at the store, so it was a huge treat for you to be able to check out the toy and the dress-up aisles. Your eyes were like saucers, and when you found the one you wanted, you were soooo excited! We had to play princess and queen for a long time Thursday afternoon.

We got a fun surprise on Friday. I had a meeting with a client and you got to go along. He brought his little boy and we all got to go for a carousel ride at the mall! Since it’s one of your VERY favorite things in the world to do, I was a little worried that you might give me a hard time about only going once. But you were super polite and didn’t whine or cry one bit when we had to leave. You’re such a grown up girl these days!

I love you so much, sweet girl. And I’m so proud of you always.

Sincerely,
Mommy

P.S. Thank you for my Mother’s Day present—I love it! Now if only you’d let me keep it in my room instead of yours…

Advice for Artsy Bloggers

This week's featured Creative Blogger is Jill of Liv'nGood Jewelry. Jill is a chainmaille artist, lover of steampunk, and a dedicated, relevant blogger. I stumbled across a recent post with lots of meaty tips for successful blogging and wanted to share it with you. This post on checking the tone of your marketing message is also worth a read.

You can get your very own piece of Liv'nGood Jewelry at Jill's Etsy shop, her 1000 Markets shop, or her ArtFire studio.

Are you a creative blogger? The Creative Bloggers Blog Ring is all about paying it forward - supporting other creative people through blogging. You can get involved here.

Wordless Wednesday -- Cooooooooool!

Dominoes Everywhere from Jared Lyon on Vimeo.

Featured Artisan -- LoChristine

This week's featured artisan is Lori of LoChristine on Etsy. A fellow Fabulous Artistic Mom, Lori creates fun and funky jewelry with lots of personality.

Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
My name is Lori Hadley and I design jewelry! My etsy store, LoChristine, has a sampling of earrings, bracelets, and rings that I’ve created. I began creating jewelry many years ago but just recently opened my etsy store and began selling items to the public. I love playing with different color and shape combinations of beads and forming metal. Designing and creating is both comforting and exhilarating at the same time!


What 3 words best describe your work?
earthy, funky, free-spirited

What inspires you?
Most often, I am inspired by nature and the beauty in the world around me. However, I cannot work without some of my folk tunes blasting in the background! The music itself provides an inspiration for my designs.

What drives you to create what you do?
My head is filled with ideas and designing jewelry has provided the perfect outlet. It’s a great way to express myself and reach out to others.


What makes your work unique?
I use numerous elements common to other artists, but assemble them in a way that is unique to me.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
I’m currently a stay-at-home mom to my 5-year-old step-daughter. I try to do most of my crafting while she is at preschool. However, after she enters kindergarten this fall, I plan to devote more time to both creating and promoting my work. Creating jewelry at home also allows me the freedom to travel with my husband (a fairly well-known tattoo artist) and pursue other interests.



How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
I definitely have big dreams for myself, but know that it takes time. Initially, I plan to get involved in craft shows and network around my community to consign my wares at various places. I just recently landed my first consignment at a local coffee house.

Where can we find you on the web?
Etsy - http://lochristine.etsy.com
Blog – http://lochristine.blogspot.com
Flickr – http://flickr.com/photos/lochristine/

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.

Shiny Objects

Yeah, I'm distracted by them. I also appreciate a really beautiful color scheme, which is what struck me about this piece by Mademoiselle M. It reminds me of something I can't quite place... something warm and sunny... a favorite piece of clothing from a particularly nice summer in my past perhaps? Anyway, I think it's pretty.

Get it here. And don't forget to check out the Mademoiselle M blog to learn more about the artisan.

Wordless Wednesday -- Pizza Fail

See more at failblog.org

New Stuff and Great Savings Tonight at 9:00!

Join me tonight at 9:00 PM for Artiste's first May stocking! My fellow WAHMs and I have put together a lovely collection of eco-friendly handmade goodness - a little of everything and something for everyone. I'll be offering big discounts on some new pieces from my Retrocrafted Paper Goods line. Here's a sneak peek:




If you're new to Artiste or to HyenaCart, you're in for a treat. All of our listings go live at 9:00 PM sharp, so be sure to scope out your favorites in advance and be there on time to pounce. Fair warning - the best stuff goes fast!

Featured Artisan -- Menacing Pickle

This week's featured artisan is Sarah of Menacing Pickle. A long-time Twitter buddy, Sarah (who has been incredibly patient when it comes to this feature - thank you!) creates super fun, bright, creative and playful kids' outerwear.

Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
I was trained as a costume designer for stage and film and worked in the field until the schedule became too difficult due to my having Lupus. I apply those skills to making outerwear for kids in entertaining fabrics that requires effortless care. When I am not designing I am either talking about food, reading about it, or stuffing it in my face.


What 3 words best describe your work?
tasty
amusing
expressive

What inspires you?
Hunger, and the desire to let kids dress in fun and unique creations.

What drives you to create what you do?
People do. I love hearing about creative themes people wish for in children's clothing. I think the clothes we dress them in are like little billboards for our lives and there is no better way to say "I love this hobby, food, sport!" As adults there are so many factors that restrict our being able to dress ourselves with such freedom; dress codes, social expectations. etc. But kids can pretty much wear whatever they want, so let's have some fun with it and express ourselves at the same time!


What makes your work unique?
I didn't want to make little versions of grown-up clothes. I dislike seeing that. I wanted items that are fun and comical while still being functional and safe.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
Everything in my life inspires my work. I like that my job is fun and creative. I love meeting with other kid's product designers and working on collaborative projects so we can expand our customer base and have a great time doing it. I would love to have more opportunity for these collaborations.



How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
My business took a big hit because of CPSIA. My plan involved promoting and selling my items through stores. Now I am working on improving my online presence. Since I no longer am concerned about pricing for retail, I look forward to reaching parents of all economic levels and being able to offer them unique products they desire and can easily afford while still offering a self manufactured (hand made) item.

Where can we find you on the web?
BLOG: menacingpickle.blogspot.com
WEBSITE: menacingpickle.com
ETSY SHOP: menacingpickle.etsy.com

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.

Dear Kid Saturday

Welcome to this week's installment of "Dear Kid." As always, full credit to Christina of Cutest Kid Ever for the fabulous idea. Want to write a "Dear Kid" letter of your very own? Learn more about how to participate here.

Dear chickadee,

You, my friend, are awfully funny these days. This week in particular you were filled with lots of jokes and riddles, as well as your usual hilarious proclamations. The statement of the week was definitely "Mom, your work is so great, you give the whole town a hug with your talent."

We had storms all week. You know what that means… not much napping, lots of concern and heavy discussion about the weather, and some very serious displays of bravery in the face of thunder and lightning. You’re much better able to deal with it this year, though, than you were last year, which is a good thing. ‘Cause storm season is just getting underway, and there are most certainly going to be some tornado sirens in our near future. Hopefully you still think it’s funny for our entire family to hide in the closet in the middle of the night.

Aside from the storms this week was pretty good. Daddy went on a business trip Monday through Wednesday, and you were more concerned about it than I would have expected. You didn’t ask to sleep with me (I was surprised), but you did refuse to talk to Dad on the phone… you’re sort of like the dog that way—punishing people for not being around. We made the best of it, though. Monday night we had one very long Uno tournament (man, you’re really getting good!), and spent a little extra time on stories before bedtime. Lately you like for me to make up stories rather than read our usual books, so we work together on funny adventures for your stuffed puppies. You usually act them out as I tell them. I love it!

Three days this week you insisted that you were absolutely NOT tired at naptime, and then promptly fell asleep on the couch next to me—one time for two hours! When you woke up you insisted that you “weren’t sleeping, just pretending.” Mmmmmmhmmmm… I can’t figure out if your naps are phasing out or if you were just thrown off by Daddy being gone and the weather being weird. I guess time will tell. When the dog came over to give you a little wake-up kiss after one of your couch naps, you started giggling hysterically and said, “I guess she thought I was dead!” My goodness!

You’ve been pretty much in love with Dad since he got back. He hid a stuffed kitty in his suitcase for you, and when he got home, he told you he heard something meowing in there. Another little stuffed friend for your entourage. What’re we up to? Let’s see… there’s Alex, Alex Mae, Mother, Kerf, Perm, Duckhead, Bearhead, Puppy, Other Puppy… and now you’ve decided to name the new kitty “Love.” Excellent choice. It’s kind of funny—you don’t really have any interest at all in dolls that look like people (except sometimes Barbie). You dress up your animals, push them in strollers, put them to bed… they’re always your first choice for playing “family.” And of course, also for playing “pirate.”

By the way, you also did one very amazing straddle roll at gymnastics class yesterday, and I was so excited for you! Yet one more thing you couldn’t do at all just a few weeks ago.

You rock, girlie girl. I’m so proud of you.

Love,
Mommy