In Honor of Design - Valentine Paperie Giveaway!

Looking for a little eye candy and a chance to win some delicious handmade paper goods? In Honor of Design is hosting a Valentine-themed giveaway featuring Retrocrafted Paper Goods and several other Etsy paper artisans. Many thanks to Anna for the opportunity to participate. You can enter here. And be sure to take a few minutes to look around. Fellow Etsy shop owners just may find themselves particularly inspired by these pretty packaging ideas. Enjoy!

Eco-Friendly Handmade Valentines - It's That Time Again!

'Tis time to shout your love from the rooftops! Or, at least, to shower your kids' classmates in candy hearts, right?

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Retrocrafted Paper Goods has added just a few special greeting cards and minis to make your loved ones feel special.

Here's a peek at what's in the store:


Be Mine


I Adore You

Want something special for your child's classmates this year? These 100% recycled, handmade minis are perfect!


Just For You


Be My Valentine

Go handmade this Valentine's Day!

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

It's Christmas in July!

Ho ho ho! It may be 100 degrees outside here in Texas, but the Etsy Bloggers street team is bringing you a little bit of Christmas cheer... in July!

This year, make sure you have enough handmade goodies under the tree for everyone on your list. Stock up now and save big on some amazing artisan goods.

In my Freshly Crafted and Retrocrafted shops, take 20% off your entire order for the rest of the month!

Here's a peek at what a few of my fellow Etsy Bloggers have to offer:

Luscious pine-scented soap by spottedcowsoaps

Stunning Southwestern earrings by beadedtail

Super cute clutch by TiLTcreations

Adorable little girl's apron by veryverdant

Pretty hobo bag by nicodesigns

Check out this thread to discover all the super talented artisans participating in this sale. Happy shopping!

Super Cute Kitschy Notecards Giveaway!

It's a giveaway! Why? Just 'cause. Last week's AbbaDabba Bags giveaway reminded me that I haven't done one of my own in a loooooooong time. And so, because I like you and I'm grateful to you for reading my silliness and supporting my fellow artisans, I'm giving away a set of Kitschy Kitschy Coo blank notes from my Retrocrafted Paper Goods collection. These notecards feature super cute restored vintage artwork printed on 100% post-consumer recycled cardstock, and are accompanied by invitation-weight recycled bright white envelopes.

Leave a comment here to enter! I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, June 16th. Good luck!

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 -- White Mouse Design/Turnaround Design

This week's featured artisan is Shannon Whealy of White Mouse Designs (printables) and Turnaround Designs (greeting cards). A fellow EtsyGreetings member, Shannon creates wonderfully whimsical printable paper goods and recycled greeting cards.

Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
For the past 12 years, I've been a freelance graphic designer. I've been a stay at home mom to two boys for seven of those years as well. It has been a journey to arrive at White Mouse Design on Etsy, but I'm so glad to be here! I've been creating my own personal cards for years, and I'm finally able to focus my graphics business on it. It's a dream come true!

Printable cards and stationery are uniquely thrifty. They are designed by me and sent to the customer in a digital file. Then, the customer supplies the paper and ink, and prints them out on his/her own desktop printer. This way, there is no limit to the number that can be created.


What 3 words best describe your work?
simple, modern, whimsical

What inspires you?
Currently, I'm really inspired by the 70's. I was a little girl during that time, and I find that in these hectic and uncertain times, it's comforting to think about the simplicity of that era, and also the carefreeness of childhood.

What drives you to create what you do?
I was born with a passion to create! It runs in my family. I am also feeling the effects of this economy, and being able to offer a card or gift to have in a pinch at a low cost is important to me.

What makes your work unique?
It is a way for the customer to actively participate in the handmade movement. Also, there aren’t many products you can buy at an unlimited quantity.


What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
My work gives me something that's just mine. In a busy family, as a working and sometimes overworked mom, this is so important. I want it to continue to fill my cup, so to speak.



How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
In the next five years, I plan to grow my business into a full-time job. Currently, I have plans to expand my printables into invitations, party favors, wall art and calling cards, with a focus on children’s items. Being self-employed allows me be available for my kids, and I feel very fortunate to be in this business!

Where can we find you on the web?
PRINTABLES SHOP: www.whitemousedesign.etsy.com
CARD SHOP: www.turnarounddesign.etsy.com
BLOG: www.turnarounddesign.blogspot.com
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/turnaroundart
WEB: www.turnarounddesign.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.

Great Gift Idea for Mom, Grads and Teachers!

Just in time for those spring gift-giving occasions, I present a few new personalized blank note sets from my Freshly Crafted line. These boxed sets are perfect for Mom, for the graduate headed off to school, or to show your appreciation to a special teacher. Take a peek:


The "Susan" Note - $12 per boxed set of eight


The "Linda" Note - $12 per boxed set of eight


The "Kelly" Note - $12 per boxed set of eight

These styles, plus three of my greeting cards for Mother's Day will be available at special prices tomorrow night at Artiste's last stocking for April.

If you're new to Artiste or to HyenaCart, you're in for a treat. Artiste brings you a wide variety of gorgeous, eco-friendly, handcrafted goodness, all made for you with love by a work-at-home mama. 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!

EtsyGreetings Mother's Day Promo

Mother's Day is May 10th! This year, show your mom that you care enough to send handmade. The EtsyGreetings Etsy team is offering FREE SHIPPING on Mother's Day cards from April 13th through May 5th. To find them, search Etsy for the tag "EGMOM."

This year, my Freshly Crafted shop is the place to find that special handmade card for your one-of-a-kind mom. Here's a peek:






Get free shipping on any Mother's Day card in my shop through May 5th. And don't forget to check out my Retrocrafted shop for some great gift ideas for Mom, from personalized stationery to pretty blank note sets.

Stuff I Love - Green Edition

April 22nd is Earth Day, and this week's EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival is dedicated to all things green. As you may know, I went green for 2009 with the introduction of 100% post-consumer cardstocks and envelopes for both my Retrocrafted and Freshly Crafted paper goods lines. I also make every effort to work with eco-friendly suppliers, primarily The Paper Mill Store, which uses 100% wind power in all of its facilities.

In celebration of Earth Day, today I'm showcasing some of my (literally!) green Etsy faves.


3 Trees Dish by the brick kiln


Longevity terrarium by Warm Country Meadows


Absinthe photo charm bracelet by poetsummer


Green tea loofah soap by fresh & clean soaps


Earth spirals linocut by Studio 27


Woodlands earrings by Polished

Stocking with Artiste Tonight -- 9 PM EST!

Join me tonight, Thursday the 5th, at 9:00 PM for Artiste's first March stocking. This round is devoted entirely to moms and babies! I'm offering some brand new shower invitations (complete with matching thank you notes), a couple of new photo birth announcements, and some super cute blank notes, all from my Freshly Crafted line. Here's a sneak peek:

If you're new to Artiste or to HyenaCart, you're in for a treat. Artiste brings you a wide variety of gorgeous, eco-friendly, handcrafted goodness, all made for you with love by a work-at-home mama. 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!

Stocking with Artiste Tomorrow Night -- 9 PM EST!

Join me tomorrow night, Wednesday the 25th, at 9:00 PM for Artiste's final February stocking. I'll be bringing you lots of brand new stuff from the Freshly Crafted line (yes, I've been a busy girl!), and a couple of Retrocrafted surprises. Here's a sneak peek:



If you're new to Artiste or to HyenaCart, you're in for a treat. Artiste brings you a wide variety of gorgeous, eco-friendly, handcrafted goodness, all made for you with love by a work-at-home mama. 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!

Super Cute Handmade Valentines in a Snap

As a card-maker, it's rare for me to find myself without an occasion-appropriate papercraft on hand, but earlier this week I realized, at about 8 PM, that my daughter needed 28 valentines for her preschool class the next morning. Given that I had nothing pre-made, and simply didn't have the energy to put together anything too terribly elaborate, I was thrilled to find these super cute printables on the Secret Agent Josephine blog. I was able to create these adorable "valenpops" in four easy steps:


1. Print 'em on fancy schmancy textured card stock (or don't - I just happened to have it).
2. Trim 'em up.
3. Attach a flat lollipop (we used Jolly Rancher heart-shaped pops and attached them with Zots, but I'm sure any old double-sided tape would do).
4. Sign 'em.

And voila! 28 cute, creative, and preschool-appropriate valentines in under 30 minutes. Frankly, my kid loved them more than anything Mommy's ever made, so I didn't even have to feel guilty for not planning ahead. Many, many thanks, Josephine (if that's your real name) for saving my sanity, my pocketbook, and my little girlie's reputation!

Stocking with Artiste Tonight -- 9 PM EST!

Join me tonight at 9 PM when Artiste goes live with our first listings for February. As always, I'll be stocking new OOAK and limited-edition items, as well as offering some great deals exclusive to HyenaCart shoppers, like a 15-piece sampler for only $10, a Buy 2/Get 1 special on one of my best-sellers, and an auction starting at $1 for a set of these super cute minis:



Here's a peek at a few of my other Artiste-exclusive offerings:





If it's your first visit to Artiste, be prepared for some irresistible offerings from this great group of super talented work-at-home mamas. Fair warning - the best stuff gets snapped up fast, so be sure to scope out the scene in advance and be ready to pounce at 9:00. Best of luck!

Our Press

3/12/2008 ~ Wickedly Chic
Wickedly Chic Daily Ditties - Vintage Schoolgirl Notecards

4/21/2008 ~ WFAA TV Style Insider
Saying Thanks in Style

4/26/2008 ~ Keepsake Couture
Take 5 - Macaroni and Glue

10/13/2008 ~ This Mom's Life
EtsyFAME checkout Macaroni and Glue

10/20/2008 ~ Etsy Featured Artist
Macaroni and Glue

12/27/2008 ~ Mom Fuse
Etsy: Meet the Maker of Macaroni & Glue

01/01/2009 ~ The Bride and Bloom
Spring 2009 Issue - Gina and Sadler

04/09/09 ~ Maternal Spark
Featured Creative Mom - Kelly of Macaroni & Glue

06/06/2009 ~ Cafe Handmade
Mommaprenuer: Kelly Drill, Macaroni & Glue Handmade

10/15/2009 ~ The Bad Cat
Mmmmm.... Pasta and Paste

11/26/2009 ~ The Creative JAR
Full of Thanks

EtsyGreetings December Design Challenge

Since I'm always up for a contest, I was more than happy to participate in the EtsyGreetings December Design Challenge. This month's theme is "snow," and the challenge was to design a card, holiday-related or otherwise, around the designated theme. You can check out all the great entries and vote for your favorite here. My "Wonderful Time" card is #5. You can vote for as many cards as you like and one lucky voter will receive the winning submission. As of this writing, this adorable (moving!) snow angel card by CornerstoneLAE is in the lead:


Too cute, right?!

If you're new the the EtsyGreetings blog and you're the stationery-loving type, be sure to check back often for lots of awesome giveaways, tutorials, eye candy and great team promotions. In fact, join us in January for our "thank you" card promotion. Sneak peek here.