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