Go Under the Sea with Noadi's Art -

EtsyTwitter Team's Shop Of The Week


"Merry Squidmas" Everyone! Noadi's Art under the sea and scientific creations are unique and have a sense of whimsy - they always make me SMILE - proving even geeky things can be artsy and chic. I really love Sheryl's specimens in a jar. This brain in a jar necklace is the perfect keepsake to commemorate my seven years of working "BRAINSTORMS" Advertising [really] and the good old days...we actually made Christmas Cards with brains. We had a photo shoot with a shelf of brains in Jars and another with a large gelatin brain that we photoshopped into a string of christmas lights [back when photoshop was a baby and didn't have all the bells and whistles it has today, or layers for that matter]. Those were the days...

And if all Noadi's swimming and science stuff has worked up an appetite, Noadi can also fill your appetite with the "Culinary Cuttlefish" - a blog about Sheryl's passion for cooking. With all things culinary to feed your mind and stomach - AND - homestyle recipes, in a quirky, step-by-step experimental fashion. YES, I am a fan. For the new year, I am preparing my first roast beef following her recipe ; )

There's a genuine love and passion behind the sculpture and jewelry that you find swimming at Noadi's. Cephalopods, fossils, crabs, and other denizens of the sea fill this shop and artist Sheryl Westleigh wouldn't have it any other way. A 27 year old Maine native, Sheryl's love for science and these unique and intelligent creatures inspires every one of her original, polymer clay creations.

From intricately tentacled steampunk cephalopods bristling with gears to quirky specimen jar pendants and platypus ornaments, you can find the perfect gift for the science lover in your life, or for yourself, in this unique shop.

Sheryl says, " I really do love the subjects I base my creations on.It's really wonderful that I've found an outlet for it that sells, and that allows me to bring in my other interests."


In addition to the Etsy Twitter Team, Sheryl is also a member of Seller Helping Sellers on Etsy, and has plenty of tips for those wanting to use Twitter as a means of promoting work and building your business.
"Make strategic use of autoposting of new items and deals. No more than 3 new items at a time. When I have deals that are scheduled to autopost, I do it no more than once every 4 hours. That seems to be a frequency that gets enough attention from my followers without becoming annoying. I also network with others who share my interests in science, etc, outside of the Etsy community, and that has led to sales. "

Sheryl's favorite thing about her art? "That I can do it for a living. And working with polymer clay is a joy, too. I love the stuff! Its so versatile." But marine animals and polymer clay aren't her only loves- she has a beautiful llama named Lauren, as well.

Noadi ships internationally to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and all of Europe. Visit Noadi's Art at http://noadi.etsy.com/ or find her on:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/noadi
Blog: http://noadi.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.noadi.net/

Free stamped octopus cards with every order, no code needed.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade noadi.etsy.com

12 Crafts of Christmas - Simple Elegance

Every year for the past 6 or 7 now, I make a batch of crafty goodness for my Grandmother in Chicago. She is 86 this year and teaches painting classes. She has dozens of students and I make her two dozen ornaments to give to her students.

These vellum quilled paper snowflakes are this year's creation. They are actually what I started to do way back when, for my very first batch of ornaments, but there was so much paper piecing, I wasn't able to finish them in time. I was looking around my studio for something else and came across these that were halfway completed. Forgetting what I went upstairs for in the first place, I grabbed the bag and went to work finishing these "Simply Elegant" beauties...it took two nights of quilling to finish them off.

The package was received yesterday afternoon and my Grandmother loves them. She gives them out a luncheon this week : )

Stay tuned, I have more crafty Christmas goodness to share....

12 Crafts of Christmas is here!!!

Every other Christmas my husband and I travel to Chicago to spend the holiday with my Grandmother. There is nothing like experiencing Christmas in Chicago (ok maybe Paris may win out, but I've only been to Paris in April). I sort of know what I'm talking about living in South Florida where just two days ago it was 92! Yes 92 yuk!!! We do have a very nice annual Winterfest boat parade, but it's not the Festival of Trees at the MOSI in Chi-town...

For these travel holidays, I have my Holiday Tree to bring the holiday cheer to my house, without dragging out all the trimmings. Fashioned from wood dowels, and square of wooden fence post is lavishly embellished just like a regular tree - adorned with keepsakes, family photos, paper snowflakes, Scrapbooking embellishments, ribbon and garland. This is just the one side, and there is more to be added yet, but I snapped this photo before I junked it up too much - less is more...

This makes a beautiful centerpiece on the table and keeps the family busy reminiscing on all the photos I cherish on this tree. Best of all, I can change it for any season.

This tree is approx 26" tall and longest limb is 14". If you are interested in a naked tree form, base, various size hooks & star for the top ready to assemble and decorate - I'm happy to produce as custom orders for $15 each plus shipping. Please E-mail me at mail { at } sbartist dot com.

Check back tomorrow for the next installment of my 12 Crafts of Christmas ; )

A Candy Cane Christmas

With Love, From the EtsyTwitter Team

Thanks to Lois at foxygknits for this awesome post on her blog "Foxy G's Den of i-KNIT-quity"
and for featuring one of our Paper Lanterns in this...

When a chill hits the air, acageebee digs out her cozy winter gear and is reminded of the warmth her old friends bring. This candy cane striped scarf always makes her smile:

Candy Cane Scarf Painting by acageebee

Here is a welcome that is fit enough for Candy Land itself:

Peppermint Welcome Ornament by FromNancysHeart

This is one-of-a-kind ornament is reminiscent of peppermint swirl candies:

CHRISTMAS Vintage Candy Cane Swirl Large Origami Paper Lantern by SalonDArte

A Candy Cane Red peppermint candle that will burn for 40-60 hours:

Candy Cane Candle by DavesHomemade

How about a peppermint mocha latte festively wrapped in this peppermint stick coffee cozy?

Peppermint Stick Coffee Cozy by HandmadebySandi

Wouldn’t this taste delish in your hot chocolate or cocoa? Or just by themselves - simple & minty sweet...oooh in vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate hershey's syrup...mmmmm

Candy Cane Marshmallows by VintageConfections

And when you write to Santa, you’ll need to give him your return address:

Medium Candy Cane Holiday Address Stamp by purplelemondesigns

A darling little tissue cozy for a purse or schoolbag – just the right size to fill a stocking:

Peppermint Tissue Cozy by AmieVoltaire

You can decorate your tree or a gift package with this altered domino:

Glitter Candy Cane by inmyheadstudios

Merry Christmas to all – And to all a good night!

Big Announcement!!!

SalonD'Arte has been selected as one of the Holiday Sampler artisans. I am so excited to be part of this. Also one of my EtsyTwitter Team members ACageyBee is part of the Holiday Sampler, too.

I've been working my fingertips to the bone folding hundreds - LITERALLY... hundreds of paper squares making ornaments to prepare for my submission for the Holiday Sampler.



For those of you who are subscribers, I hope you enjoy a my gift of a Handmade Holiday to you, with a paper origami ornament, that is not only beautiful, but easy to make and I've included instructions to begin a new Handmade Holiday tradition with your family and friends.

I'll begin a special "12 Crafts of Christmas" post beginning this weekend...so check back to see what I've been up to in elf land : )

Getting to know JusShar Designs...

EtsyTwitter Team Shop Of The Week

Brr! Winter's chill is in the air even here in Atlanta, and that means getting out the warm toasty goodness of my fav pair of fingerless gloves. It also means its time to pay a visit to Jusshar Designs. This snuggly Etsy shop is brimful of hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, shrugs and more, all designed with enough flair to keep winter's worst at bay in style.

Owner Beth Newbern-Hallam loves the satisfaction of taking a "skein or two of yarn and creating something from it. I'm also really beginning to appreciate the process of making yarn. I've been slowly starting to take raw fleece and spin it into yarn. I haven't done enough to actually make something with it because there is so much involved. I have a new respect for spinners!"

Beth gathers inspiration from everywhere. "Every time I see a show, movie, or commercial with fiber creations in it, I think to myself...."bookmark that idea for later". Sometimes I can't sit back and enjoy the movie for all the fiber seeking I'm doing.
Mainly, though, I knit and crochet because I absolutely love to do it. It's almost like I HAVE to do it to feel right with the world."

A growing fondness for the warm beauty of Icelandic wool is fueling Beth's newest interest in working with raw fleece.

"Icelandic sheep are gorgeous animals, and their wool is so incredibly soft. I haven't dyed any of it yet, because I really like the earthy tones ...reds, browns, and blacks are my favorites."

Jusshar Designs is happy to ship internationally as well as create custom items. "I absolutely adore making the sweater shrugs that I have listed as a custom item in my shop! I was surprised at how popular they are with brides."

Beautiful handknits and crocheted pieces make fabulous gifts, so now's the time to take advantage of the discount below:

10% off For Fans of Jusshar on Facebook, With

Free Shipping in the US and Discounted Rates for Those Outside

The US.

Visit JusShar Designs: http://jusshar.etsy.com/

Follow Jusshar on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jusShar

Fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jusshardesigns

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade jusshar.etsy.com

Yarn Coture - EtsyTwitter Team's

Shop Of the Week!

Exquisitely knitted creations take center stage in YarnCoture. The shop is filled with amazing pieces that will have you looking forward to weather cold enough to wear them!

Owner Maryum Karim says, "I try to offer a wide variety of designs to appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. I love to create custom designs as well as OOAK (one-of-a-kind) items in order to provide a personal shopping experience for my customers. Every item is made with great care and will not bear the Yarncoture name until I feel that it's just right. I am constantly educating myself on new knitting and crocheting techniques to improve my craft. "

In addition to scarves, shawls, and fingerless gloves, Maryum also offers vintage inspired designs. "My favorite pieces that I make are my Vintage Inspired Ascot neckties... I just love the simplicity of the design! "

Maryum admits that inspirations for her stylish creations come from everywhere. "I can have a dream about a design and then wake up and create it that same day. On the other hand, a set of beautiful vintage buttons or really funky novelty yarn may inspire me to make something new. A medley of my vintage patterns collection or just a simple knit or crochet pattern coupled with my special touch will sometimes do the trick. It all depends on what mood I'm in!"

A self-taught knitter, Maryum's passion for her craft is another source of inspiration. "there's always a new technique, stitch pattern, a new yarn fiber, or design to try or learn. I love the way the yarn feels as it glides off my knitting needles or how quickly I can crochet a beautiful flower. I also love the fact that I have been teaching my 2 daughters to knit and crochet, and have even featured some of their finished pieces in my shop! Being able to pass these ancient crafts down to my daughers has truly been a joy! "

Maryum admits that its sometimes difficult to balance all the areas of her busy life, so her favorite twitter trick is using her shop Facebook Page to update twitter as well. " I love to tweet, however lately I have been swamped preparing for an upcoming craft show as well as custom orders. Tweeting through my Facebook fan page saves me a lot of time and enables me to allow my fans as well as fellow "Twitteroos" to sneak a first peek at new items in my shop. I usually tweet about my day and sometimes ask fellow Twitterers about theirs. Watching what others are saying also helps me to get a feel for my audience and what a potential buyer may be looking for. "

YarnCoture offers unique gift ideas for everyone on your gift list, including great accessories for those hard-to buy-for men on your list, and ships both domestic and international.

Free standard worldwide shipping for every item in my shop. This special offer will be available through December. Priority Mail and Express mail services will be available for an additional charge.

Follow YarnCoture:

http://www.facebook.com/yarncoture

http://www.twitter.com/yarncoture

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade yarncoture.etsy.com

Today's the Big Day!

Today is Black Friday - the official launch of the Holiday season. I am in the studio working on ornaments and other "Handmade Holiday" goodies.

As part of the huge Etsy event, SalonDArte is offering FREE worldwide shipping* and gift wrapping on all purchases through Cyber Monday. To see other participating shops in this event check out my friends with the EtsyTwitter Team and IndieSmiles.com for beautifully handcrafted items and great sales for the Black Friday Extravaganza.

Shipping will be via USPS first class parcel post. Due to the fragile nature of handmade paper ornaments - this tends to make the shipping a little costly. I am an artist and I want to put my handmade originals in as many happy hands as possible this holiday season : )

I am offering shipping upgrades - and these can be purchased additionally. Please convo for cost upgrades for Priority mail or overnight shipping upgrades. I be happy to bundle shipping costs on multiple items. I do not profit from nor markup shipping costs.

I hope everyone has a great Black Friday weekend! I'm going to get back to working on my "Handmade Holiday" creations and this year's ornament creation for my Grandmother's 2 dozen painting students...SMb

Happy Thanksgiving

I am a turkey baby, my first meal was Thanksgiving dinner. My mother had me at 3:05am after a big family Thanksgiving dinner 38 years ago today. This is my favorite holiday and my birthday all wrapped up in pumpkin pie.

So, I celebrated by cooking a feast for my husband, myself, and my best girlfriend who is from Louisiana. Born and raised on turkey feasts, this is my cooking specialty. This year, I made an Emeril's CAJUN turkey. I highly recommend this recipe, this spicy version is sure to please. My guest "Cajun" was raging with delight. It is roasted like traditional turkey, but with a cayanne "Kick" and stripes of spicy goodness in the meat. Mouth-watering isn't it...this needs smell-a-vision...



Emeril's "Pepper Stuffed Turkey" Recipe [also in "Real and Rustic" cookbook by Emeril Lagasse].

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter cut into 1/4-inch slices
• Salt and cayenne pepper
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 8 to 10 pickled peppers (recommended: Cajun Chef Brand Sport Peppers)
• 3 tablespoons pickle juice from the pepper jar
• 1 small turkey, about 10 to 12 pounds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the butter with salt and cayenne pepper. Freeze the butter for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the onions, peppers, garlic, sport peppers and pickle juice together. Season the mixture with salt and cayenne pepper.

Place a large towel on a cutting board. Place the turkey directly on top of the cloth. This will prevent the turkey from sliding. Remove the neck, gizzards and livers from the cavity of the turkey. Rinse the turkey under cool water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey, breast side up, on the work surface with the cavity facing you. Using a sharp knife, make three slits on either side of the breast bone, without breaking through the skin. Insert 2 to 3 slices of the frozen butter into each slit. Season each slit with salt and cayenne pepper. Insert about a teaspoon of the vegetable mixture into each slit, pushing with your fingers. Gently pull the drumstick forward and outward to expose the inner thigh Pull the skin away from the meat. Make a slit following the bone line from the top of each leg. Using your index finger, make a path and stuff with the butter and vegetables. Season the skin which has been loosened around the inner thigh with salt and cayenne pepper. With the neck opening facing you, lift the skin flap and make a slit down each wing from the shoulder, again following the bone lines. Stuff each wing with butter and vegetables. Season the outside of the turkey with salt and cayenne pepper. Stuff the cavity with any leftover butter and vegetables. Secure the wings by folding the lower half back over the top of the wing. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Place the turkey in a large deep roasting pan.

Roast the turkey for 15 to 20 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F. Cover the turkey with a lid and bake for about 3 to 3 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear. Remove from the pan and let cool for 10 minutes. Lift the turkey out of the pan and carve. Serve with the pan juices.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. We all have much to be thankful - family and friends, our health, good home cooking... and pumpkin pie! SMb

My Friend Linda B and our

Friends at EtsyChai Team Are Having A Sale!

EtsyChai and Etsy Israel Hanukkah Contest & Sale

Several of our Etsy Twitter Team members are on the EtsyChai and EtsyIsrael Teams. So we’re helping to promote their sale and contest because they were kind enough to blog and tweet our Trunk Show. I love working with other teams to make promotions a success!

The details: Many of their team shops are offering discounts until November 22nd. A list of participating shops is on the blog at http://etsychai.blogspot.com

The contest: Shops have hidden an image of a Menorah. The people who find the most Menorah images will win prizes. Prize winners will win a prize bundle (1 per winner). And, while you're looking for images, you will see some great discounts on handmade Hanukkah and other handcrafted items.

So go check their blog out at http://etsychai.blogspot.com for some great deals and a chance to win neat prizes! Happy shopping!

Journey of Love Designs:

EtsyTwitter Team's Shop of the Week

Denise Kung, of JourneyofLoveDesigns.etsy.com, is a woman after my own heart. Most of her work is made with fascinating papers, many of them Japanese papers. I absolutely love paper! I want to buy everything in her shop!

She specializes in stationary, paper gifts, magnets, and even related products like invitations, escort cards, and table numbers.

Denise also has a second Etsy shop called SeashellBaby.etsy.com. She lists products made by her mother. Her mother had to retire early due to her poor health. Now she knits and crochets to pass the time. She loves to come up with new products to make. What a nice mother-daughter story!

Denise is currently working with Japanese chiyogami paper (chiyogami is a type of Japanese paper decorated with brightly colored, woodblock-printed patterns) for her products. “I recently returned from a trip to Japan. I bought a few sheets of chiyogami paper and will be using them for my new products. I would love to buy the whole store of paper! The colors and textures are so beautiful and delicate. I am inspired by the colors and patterns of the papers I work with and find. I am a visual person so my eyes get tickled when I see certain papers,” says Denise about her adoration of paper. Her work reflects an interest in Asian design like in this Chinese New Year Paper Orb Ornament.

“I have always loved creating things. My craft allows me to come up with ideas and carry them out to put together materials and create something new from them. Also, when I get an event related order, I enlist the help of my mother and we bond over our work.”

Follow her on Twitter: @journeyoflove
Read her blog: http://journeyoflovedesigns.blogspot.com
Fan her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Journey-of-Love-Designs

Special for This Week Only:

Free set of 6 gift tags with any order
from Journey of Love Designs.

Free set of 2 scrubbies/coasters with any order
from Seashell Baby.

Use code: "Etsytwitterteam"

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade journeyoflovedesigns.etsy.com

Gifts & Goodies for One of a Kind Celebrations

Custom Event Graphic designed by SMBdesign

Ah, the holiday season...chestnuts roasting on an open fire, frothy cocoa with melted marshmallows, the deep woodsy smell of fresh pine in the cool, crisp air, bumper to bumper traffic, crowded shopping malls, endless gift lists...

If the last three things on that list didn't exactly make you think "winter wonderland", the EtsyTwitter Team has a solution for you this year! We want to help you get a jumpstart on your holidays this week, with some great gift ideas, awesome recipes, and creative ways to wrap gifts that will leave you with more time to sit by the fire (and more money in your pocket!) Click here to visit our team's crafty and homemade goodness to give the gift of a Handmade Holiday... Sb

Visiting with Jenco13: EtsyTwitter Team's

Shop Of The Week...

Jen is one of my new pals in the EtsyTwitter Team. She is always answering questions and giving INVALUABLE advice to her fellow Etsians and I have learned so much from her insight. Also, I made a special "New York Yankees" themed handmade wedding card enclosure for her friends that just got married. They got the "ultimate gift" the Yankees won the World Series...



Anyway, Jen's takes her work to heart - her work is perfection, with unique & bright color combinations - I just love this jazzy red furry scarf! She also cares about others as she uses 10% of her shop sales for care packages to send to the troops overseas - an effort I will soon be joining as my sister ships off to Iraq later this year. I am expecting to receive my very own Jenco13 original cup cozy any day now...I am all for the go-green effort. Please take a few moments to get cuddled up with a cup of cocoa, a good book and one of Jenco13's "crocheted from the heart" creations.

Visiting Jenco13 is a sure way to feel a serious need for something warm. Multi-colored shawls, scarves (with pockets!), cup cozies, cuddly baby blankets and more fill this Etsy store.

Jen freely admits that most of her items narrowly miss being kept. "I love each item I make and sometimes find them very hard to part with! I spend anywhere between 6-8 hours on a scarf to make sure my stitches are even and consistent. If it's not up to my standards, I rip out the stitches until I'm satisfied. I only sell things that I would use myself. When I'm done making things, my husband, Joe, normally has to remind me I already have a million scarves and cup cozies of my own!"

Jen credits her mom, a graphic designer and artist herself, with inspiring her. "She is amazing with colors! We try to get together at least once every 6 months to do an art day for the girls."

Husband Joe is also supportive. "He is an amazing supporter of my art work and never says to me, 'You're crocheting again?' He helps me pick out what my next projects are going to be."

Jen ships her work internationally and is happy to do custom items. "I love to take custom orders from people when they see something new that I have not thought about making before."

As head of the Etsy Twitter Team's PR Committee, Jen is an avid user of Twitter and has a few tricks of the trade to share.


"Each month I go on to friendorfollow.com to see who has been following me, who are my friends, and who is not following me. I first figure out who is no longer using their accounts and get rid of those friends, so that I have room to add those who are following me. I only spend about 30 minutes or so, because you can really get caught up doing things on Twitter!"

She also makes it a point to respond. "I ALWAYS respond to those who RT my information, recommend me for #followfridays or DM me. I feel its important to make those connections on Twitter."

Jen credits persistence and determination for helping her get her store going. "I am the little engine that could! I never give up on things. When times are tough, I stick to my goal and keep on trucking."

Become a fan of Jen on Facebook : http://tinyurl.com/ygnf96e or Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jenco13

Jenco13 is offering a two deals this week:

CUP COZIES ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
SCARVES ARE BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 PRICED!
USE THE COUPON CODE -ETTROCKS!

Please note these deals are for the the lesser or equal amount of the second item chosen. Custom orders are welcome. It will be refunded through paypal within 24 hours of purchase. Buyer is responsible for shipping and handling of all items purchased (please see special rates for second items). Priority mail rates are available for US customers only.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade Jenco13.etsy.com

Getting to know Linda B's Beaded Jewelry

EtsyTwitter Team Shop Of The Week:

Since I've been a member of the ETT, Linda has been very active with the group, as well as very active with getting the word out on her fellow artisans - on top of running her own Etsy shop of beautiful creations. I for one as a newbie, have been featured in one of her weekly top 10 lists on her blog and I as well as many other are grateful for her time an generosity to the EtsyTwitter Team! Thanks for everything you do for us Linda, oh & BTW, hope you have a great Birthday this week, too : )

Take a virtual step into Linda Blatchford's Etsy shop and you will find yourself surrounded by fun, fresh, beaded creations. Gemstones and Swarovski crystals pair up with sterling silver and unexpected found objects in these one-of-a-kind designs that reflect Linda's love of color and symbolism.

Her initial inspiration often comes from the colors or shapes of her ever-expanding bead collection. "I see an image in my mind and as I create it, I may have to tweak it. I love it when it turns out better than my imagination. If it’s not spiffy, I start over. Now, I’m looking for more recycled items to work with: bottlecaps, pine cones, etc."

In addition to bracelets, earrings, and pendants, Linda also makes wire Kippahs and gorgeous Judaica themed creations that she is happy to customize with favorite colors or gemstones.

An avid Twitter user and dedicated Etsy Twitter Team member, Linda has a few Twitter tricks up her artistic sleeves. " I “converse” on Twitter, in addition to using it as a promotional tool. I use TweetDeck and have several columns tracking my teams and topics of interest. I follow other people’s followers to connect with more people and use bitly.com to see how many people click on my tweets."

Linda recently became the new team leader for the EtsyChai Team and also features fellow artisans weekly on her busy blog, http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/ , but never lets the weight of a big to-do list weigh down her creativity.

"I am passionate about beading, and find it relaxing and fun! My favorite thing about it is that I can have different projects going on at the same time. Beaded earrings can take about an hour, while other pieces have different components and steps. "

With gift giving just around the corner ( 54 shopping days!), Linda's fabulous designs are sure to please friends and family on your list, as well as brighten up your own holiday mood!

In honor of her November 1 birthday, Linda is offering a week long discount:

20% off purchases totaling $10, excluding shipping

November 2 - November 8

Where to find Linda:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lindab142

Blog: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/linorstore

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade lindab142.etsy.com

Holly Berry Altered Holiday Notebook

New in the SalonD'Arte shoppe Holly Berry Altered Notebook

With the holidays fast approaching, this charming altered notebook in traditional Christmas red and holly green is sure to make planning a snap. This would also make a great stocking stuffer or a place to enclose a gift card.

Hallo-weenie Pups...a New Venture???

I have to say I had an out of artists' mind day in the studios yesterday - on "Halloween". But it was a fun day. I spent the whole day creating...YES I SAID CREATING - not working. At first, I admit, I was not looking forward to the task at hand - my boss at the printshop I work at volunteered me to dress up his 7, seven-week old cockapoodle puppies. I repeat, SEVEN. OK, no big deal - I had been messing around with my oranments and shipping at work to get them out - with no complaints from him, so I obliged. So I did a little searching on Etsy for inspiration, but I didn't want to make bandanas or converted baby bibs. These pups have personality! This is what I came up with and we laced them to the puppies with white satin ribbon which disappeared in their curly locks.

A little secret I'll never let my boss know... I had the most FUN making these!!!! And I think I have found my new calling...Puppy Costume designer extrordinare. Next Halloween, I will have these for sale at SalonD'Arte.

Here are my seven little fashionistas...








And last but not least...My personal Favorite...



This was not my normal Saturday, but it being Halloween, it was a perfect day off. I hope you all had an equally awesome Halloween!
; ) Sb

A Halloween Goodie...

Whoa - this month has passed me by. I have been so busy working on my first wholesale order for a gift shop near Atlanta, Georgia called Legacy Too. I had so many Halloween Treats to make for my Etsy Shop... but this big order came in and I needed to get that out before the after Halloween pre-holiday mad dash. I've been quite the little elf and been making ornaments, tassels and even little boxes to house my little and big babies.

This is the one large origami lantern I did make for Halloween & since it was getting so close to the big haunted day, I sent it with my order as a thank you gift. I love this tassel I made for it - so grungy...but girlie : )

Happy Halloween Everybody - I'm off to make seven spooky puppy bibs for my boss and his 7 six-week old cock-a-poo pups...Sb

Cape Cod Jewels and Things

EtsyTwitter Team Shop Of The Week...

Here FISHIE-FISHIE... Get your funky fresh fish earrings, before Mr. Gull gets'um! Twirling, whirling, coming and going, these cute little fish earrings will make you do a double-take! I love those little glass fish! They remind me of the good old days when my Dad took me and my sister to fish with bamboo fishing poles...telling us "you'll only catch one if you smile..." These darling earrings make me SMILE -- and I just caught them in my Etsy shopping net...

Cape Cod Jewels and Things overflows with shiny, glittery, happy creations.

Vintage and new jewels wink back at you from rings, funky puzzle piece earrings, spooky Halloweeen-ready amber chandelier pendants and more. Owner Linda Stranger embraces both her inner magpie, and her sense of fun in her one-of-a kind designs.

"My best inspiration comes when I sit at my work desk and play with my beads and wire and findings... I love it when a piece of jewelry just seems to make itself while I'm playing!"

A perfectionist, Linda takes great care over each piece she creates,

and admits that some pieces never make it to the shop. "It takes me a long time to pick out components and assemble my jewelry. I want everything to be just perfect, and sometimes I have to just let something be, 'cause I'm never going to be happy with it. You should see all the stuff I DON'T list... ; )"

In addition to her jewelry, Linda recently debuted a line of adorable handcrafted paper products in her shop and loves giving customers a little something extra with each order. Jewelry purchases come in a box ready for gifting, and she strives to be as "green" as possible by reusing packaging.

As a member of the Etsy Twitter Team as well as Unique Women in Business, Linda shares new creations on Twitter, as well as satisfying her window shopping urge following the links of others.

"I just tweet my stuff, re-tweet or reply to interesting tweets... I have fun with it. :) I've gotten to know more about my fellow etsytwitter'ers, and I think they're getting to know more about me... and I LOVE to follow their links and check out their newest creations and finds. I'm a professional window shopper and twitter has been a great outlet for that!"

Visit Cape Cod Jewels and Things at http://capecodjewel.etsy.com/ or follow Linda on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/capecodjewel

All Halloween Items at Cape Cod Jewel

Are Marked Down to $6.66 This Week!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade capecodjewel.etsy.com

Recycled Bling from EtsyTwitter Team's

Shop of The Week: Threepeats

The best thing about the fun and eclectic jewelry at Threepeats is that you can wear it AND feel good about doing something for the planet at the same time! Everything from recycled vintage beads, ribbons and lace to recycled tshirt yarn and felted wool beads find their way into truly unique designs that are easy to wear, comfortable, and one of a kind.

Suzanne, the creative brain behind the Etsy store, finds her muse in "the vintage materials I work with, the places I have been and by my students who have an uncanny, instinctive sense of style." Her necklaces and earrings have a mod, bohemian vibe and a simplicity that makes them intriguing as well as versatile, and make great for gifts for yourself or a friend.

While she still considers herself a Twitter novice, Suzanne has found it a great way to connect with the handmade community. "I have learned that the equivalent of being a good listener (which on twitter means being a good reader) is appreciated. I try to respond as if someone had just said to me what they tweeted and not censor my response." She also starts tweeting each day with a quote, "something clever or funny or motivational," as a way of sharing a little of herself with her followers.

Suzanne ships internationally and will create custom necklaces for those who want to put their own stamp on Threepeats design.

Suzanne sums up her creations, "My favorite thing about my craft is the pleasure it gives me; first designing the piece, then putting it together and the realization that I have taken broken, unused things and turned them into something people want to wear and admire."

visit Threepeats at http://threepeats.etsy.com/, follow along at www.twitter.com/threepeats or get to know the artist behind the designs at http://threepeats.blogspot.com/.

SHOP OF THE WEEK SPECIAL:

20% off all orders (not including S/H) Enter ETT in the “notes to seller” section. Refunds will be sent to buyers’ Paypal accounts.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade threepeats.etsy.com

Visiting with EtsyTwitter Team

Shop of the Week: MindyG Jewelry Boutique

Visiting MindyG's Jewelry Boutique is like getting a glimpse into Aladdin's treasure cave! Glowing freshwater pearls, colorful gemstones, gold, and sterling silver are all hallmarks of this shop's exquisitely designed jewelry.

Owner Mindy Greenville finds inspiration for her work in nature, fashion, music, and traveling with her family. "Its a great outlet for my creative side," she says." In addition to her online boutique, Mindy also designs custom bridal/bridesmaids jewelry locally in the San Diego area.

Introduced to Twitter when she joined the Etsy Twitter Team, she discovered a whole new way to connect. "I started using Twitter as a way to help promote my business and other artists that have amazing products to offer to the public. The power of online networking is a huge tool and a great way to meet others of like mind, those in the same trade who can offer advice, or just find some neat art!"

The shop happily offers flat rate domestic and international shipping as well as custom designs. "I offer something for just about everyone-birthdays, anniversarys, for moms, sisters, and teacher gifts. "

You can discover Mindy's many treasures in her etsy shop: http://mindyg.etsy.com/ or on her blog. On Twitter, www.twitter.com/mindyg.

One free “surprise gift with each purchase” 10/12/09-10/18/09. At checkout please type “ETT Gift” in the message to seller notes.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade MindyG.etsy.com