From My Brush

From My Brush is a Florida artist who loves to paint in acrylics, water color, and pen and ink with watercolor wash. "I got started as an artist when I retired from my second career, my husband had passed away and my daughter was through college and well on her way to a bright future.I always had a little artistic creative flair so I decided I wanted to learn to paint.I entered the school of Folk Art in Daytona Beach," she says.

For 11 years she has enjoyed painting with the same intructor and same group of friends. She paints two hours daily. Everything around her is inspirational. "I love the trees, birds, ocean but oh, epescially the flowers. Somewhere I read that flowers were God's artwork, and I use that as my slogan. I found Etsy (where she is known as glory2727) and now I can enjoy my art and share it with others."

Her canvases are large 16x20 art renderings, candles, glass bud vases, wine glasses,wood, note cards and bookmarks. She also hand-paints designs on small letters for name boards. Visit her web site and her blog.

Pampering Beki

Beki H. of Pampering Beki, began making custom, handmade jewelry in 2003. Since that time, she has been featured in such online publications as Journal Modiste and has sold items to local upscale boutiques and internationally.

Her designs feature the best of timeless elegance and trendy looks, with the end result being quality jewelry that will look as new and fresh years from now as it does today. Each piece is made on professional grade beading wire and always finished with a sterling silver clasp.

Beki employs a lot of natural stones in her designs. The use of such stones gives each piece a totally unique look, as nature never repeats itself. Thus, each piece with natural stones is truly one of a kind.

Beki lives in Kansas with her husband, and her three children, a daughter, aged 7, and two sons ages 6 and 1. A former flight attendant, Beki is truly enjoying being home with her children. Making beautiful jewelry is, she says, the best way for her to remain home with her family and still have a creative outlet. Stop by to visit her blog, too.

Featured by that's Headley

What a nice idea -- a New Year's Resolution to ban e-cards. That's what that's Headley suggested as an entree to a feature on her blog about my cards. Greatly appreciated.

Lazy Cat Gifts

Lazy Cat Gifts was created by three friends, Kelly, Stasia, and Allison, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Two of them were in medical school at the University of Michigan and the third worked in a laboratory there. All of them had grandmothers who crocheted.

They started making scarves, etc. from unusual yarns, and from there moved into wire and beads, because they like to push what they can do with crochet.

The three create pieces that they would like to wear. "That means a lot of our inspiriation comes from current fashions that we see in stores and magazines. We combine crochet with modern styles. Additionally, we have really mastered the art of crocheting with wire and beads in a way that is unique."

After honing their skills for several years making many gifts for many family members and friends, they decided to try to sell some of their creations! We had a good start at a local craft show and found Etsy.com while searching for a gentle way to beginning selling online. ("Plus, they say, Etsy comes with the bonus of a great community of artists!") Etsy is also great for them because Kelly has moved to Philadelphia, while Allison and Stasia still live in Ann Arbor. However, they keep in touch daily!

The team enjoys using the skills from their grandmothers to create wonderfully hip and modern pieces. They crochet in both yarn and wire, creating artisan crochet bead jewelry, scarves, hats, etc. They are constantly looking for ways to expand crochet, and they love making custom items!

They are updating their store all the time, so please check back often to see what new goodies have appeared!

Additionally, our Boutique line of jewelry is currently available at Suwanee Springs at 306 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor, MI. They invite you to stop in to see these exclusive pieces! And make it a point to visit their blog, too.

Purple Hug

Nadine started PurpleHug because of the bibs she makes that have a waterproof/breathable liner inside -- "I wanted to help other mommies who have big droolers," she says. A a mother of two, it makes her happy to think she's creating beautiful things for others to enjoy while doing her part to help support my family.

She chose the name of her shop knowing that she would be selling a little bit of everything. "I also wanted a name that would stick out in people's minds when they heard it. My favorite color is purple and my son is always giving me hugs. So PurpleHug popped into my mind," she says.

A charity close to her heart is New Hope Community Life Ministry, a local charity providing counseling/social services to the local community from a Christian perspective. She serves on the board and donates time and funds to this organization. Your purchase from her shop helps her to continue to do so.

Peg Grady Art

Peg Grady likes to make stuff. She loves searching out witty quotes, which she often uses in her art. She enjoys the whole creative process (except the cleaning up afterwards part).

Born in 1950, she grew up in Queens, New York. "I was the typical city kid," she says. "I travelled on the subways into Manhattan, went to the museums, although when was a kid I appreciated the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History much more than the Renoirs at the Metropolitan. Went to the New York City public schools, hung out in Greenwich Village, dropped in and out of NYU and City University of NY, taking classes I wanted and skipping (and flunking) required courses"

When she was 25, she left New York for California, where she held some very interesting jobs: "I've been a secretary, written horoscopes, sold advertising, waited tables, written commercials, typed police reports and been a prison guard. And all the while, I dabbled in art."

Like many of us, at age 40 Peg decided it was time to stop messing around and do what she wanted to do. "I dropped back into college and finally got it together. I painted. An artist friend advised me to 'paint as if it was your last gig.' And that's what I do when I'm making something...experimenting, revising, testing out different ideas, exploring color, shape and textures, playing with my materials until I'm either satisfied that I've got a good piece, or so disgusted with the whole mess I throw it out, leave the studio and go home."

Peg lives with her partner, Don. They have a tiny house on 13 acres, covered with oaks and pines, two seasonal ponds, inhabited by blue jays and herons and woodpeckers, eight cats, deer, bobcats and wild turkeys that will eat out of her hand. "Sometimes I walk outside and wonder how a girl from New York City ended up here. I paint. I embroider. I sew. Life is good."

You can see more of her work at peggradyart.com.

CD Childs

CDChilds does stained glass by trade, but currently has been into recycling and re-purposing vintage items, as well as working with fused glass, mixed media, and gemstones to create fashion jewelry. "I get a sense of satisfaction of taking something old and giving it new meaning," she says. Etsy is a family affair for her, since her daughter also has an Etsy shop.

Childs' motto? "I live to create. If I'm not creating then I'm not living".

Creative Sundries

Sarah and Carol of Creative Sundries are a mother-daughter/friend-friend team. They find inspiration for their note cards and paper items in many places -- foreign texts, Mexican loteria game cards, vintage game pieces, and children's book illustrations. "Sometimes it's hard to part with some of those images," they say, "but we do!"

The shop also offers jewelry, and here, some of their favorite materials are sterling silver and silver plate; old school plastic charms; antiqued brass; opalite; sea glass; amethyst; citrine; peridot, and repurposed items like old fuses!

Sarah and Carol love Etsy. "Everyone we've met is so awesome. Being involved with Etsy and all things handmade has also changed our thinking a lot. We've always been supportive of the arts, but now we're even more aware of buying handmade things whenever possible -- from tea towels to journals and everything in between!

The team has some fun new projects in the works for their Etsy shop. "We're going to be adding more of our glycerine soaps in cool shapes, as well as needle-felted items such as tiny purses (we have one in our shop now), coin purses, and little critters; and more of our collage work and assemblages. We love coming up with new ideas, so stay tuned!" And be sure to visit their blog.

DeLavande

DeLevande hails from Tennessee. She began making necklaces as a way of getting away from stress -- she would simply sit back on the couch, pop in a movie and bead necklaces. "To me this was heaven," she says. In the beginning, most of the necklaces were for her and her mom, but friends began to ask if she would make them something special for them. "Thats when it started -- so many people, some I didn't know -- were asking if I had any necklaces they could buy for a gift for a loved one."

Each necklace takes three to four hours to finish, and she has recently begun to make bracelets and earrings as well. The process involves design as well as beading itself -- going through all her beads to find the perfect ones. "I take my time and great care so that the necklace is a one of a kind with all the finest beads. I love working with lampwork beads and with natural stone and tend to keep with an earthy touch. I look out the window and in my own way try to recreate my favorite things from nature -- woods, lakes, caves, and gardens."

Stop by and visit her Etsy shop as well as her web site and her blog.

Deckled Edge Bindery

Jen of Deckled Edge Bindery can't remember a time when she was not busy creating something. "As a child I always had papers, markers, glitter, etc. -- my love of creating has grown from there, she says.

"My obsession with beautiful papers first lead me to try book binding and I fell in love with it. I have been creating books for about a year now and the ideas keep coming so I keep creating. I am inspired everyday by the things I see and by my children who, without knowing it, bring me wonderful new ideas. My books are made with great care to be beautiful to look at and to touch. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them. Their uses are limitless. Enjoy," she encourages her customers.

On the personal side, Jen grew up in Chicago and then lived in Saudi Arabia for two years. When she came back to the States her family moved to St. Louis where she lived before going to college in Columbia, Missouri. There, she majored in art history, which only furthered her love of "all thing art." She worked in an art museum for five years putting together exhibitions ("I actually got to touch the art. It was great," she says.)

Jen is a stay-at-home mom with two daughters -- her partners in crime. "Life is at its best when the three of us are all working together in the art room." She is happy to do custom orders, including guest books for weddings and scrapbooks for special events, and will work with you to develop a book to your liking

Etsy has permitted her to do something more public with her creativity -- "it's a perfect fit," she says."It has been one of the best things I have ever done. It does get a bit overwhelming at times but I enjoy it even at those times. It has been a real challenge and I'm thrilled to be here."

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forensic by amy v.

Amy of forensic does work that we think you'll agree is absolutely inspired. She has sold her bags in eight stores in California. "For a awhile I was a bag-making crazy person. I love working with fabric and am constantly trying to find new cool things to make. No absolute favorite yet," she reports.

She has always loved creating, which, she says, "kinda includes a lot of things. "I love to venture into places that allow me to be creative and to use my imagination. i don't really think that i have one craft -- I enjoy doing alot of things and am always looking for new things to learn."

What inspires her? When she's painting, it's music: "I can paint stories to the music, and will never paint without music on." If, on the other hand, you're talking about crafty sewing-type things, she's inspired by the fabric that she's working with.
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Grafik Expressions

Lori of Grafik Expressions finds her inspiration in life, a loving family, treasured friends, loyal companions, beautiful thoughts, special memories, nature and color. Her designs are expressions of art from her heart and reflect her vision of the world as it should be. The Grafik Expressions product line offers imaginative photographic and digital designs reflecting the joys and true meaning of life, designed to tug at your heartstrings and melt your heart.

Lori believes that letters and notes, written lovingly by hand, create an intimacy between the writer and the recipient. "Your written sentiments and priceless words truly become treasures to be preserved and read over and over and over again. The handwritten word is a simple yet amazingly timeless gift to be passed on from generation to generation," she says. Her blog features her latest designs as well as those of other wonderful indie artists.

Ten percent of the sale of any of her animal-related cards will be donated to a local animal shelter. She will also donate a portion of the sale of her baby-related items to Safe Passage, a local organization established to assist victims of domestic violence. Both are organizations very near and dear to her heart. Lori is a member of Etsy for Animals (EFA) Street Team: Artists Helping Animals, and she donates her products to them as well.

Lori welcomes and encourages custom orders for personal or corporate use. If you are a not-for-profit organization, contact her to find out how to sell her cards as a fundraiser. Almost any of her cards can be personalized with your favorite photo, or she'll create a design just for you. You can reach her by email at grafik-expressions@hvc.rr.com.

Featured by Creative Sundries

Creative Sundries did a lovely write-up about my shop in their blog today.

Featured by Oh the Craftiness of Me

Oh the Craftiness of Me, did a very nice feature of my shop on Dec. 10 that I just discovered.

Mudd

Detroit-based Mud sells skateboard decks and t-shirts featuring original, one-of-a-kind handpainted artwork. "I have always drawn pictures of kinda weird stuff and I have loved skateboarding since before I was in my teens," he said. "It seemed like a good idea to take the two things and bring them together." You can see more of the results, most of which are sold internationally and in the U.S.,, at his flickr site. Keep an eye on his shop for new boards in 2008.

That's Headley

That's Headley! Jewelry Designs is about a journey in wearable art in semiprecious gemstones, wire, and glass. Color, texture, balance, and richness are her design goals. She has been "beading" since junior high, and over the last couple of years has expanded her use of wire wrapping. She's also added silversmithing to her techniques.

This San Antonio-based artist rarely make two pieces alike, although sometimes, when something comes out especially wonderful, she might make just a few to share the fun. She loves to do custom work, too, so if you have something inspirational you would like to have a custom piece to wear with or to, send her a picture or description of what you would like.

Visit her blog, where she puts her newest creations and comments on life, the creative process, and other fabulous Etsy artists. She is a self-representing artist jewelry designer (SRAJD) #231, and a member of Art Jewelry Collective and Etsy Texas Crafters.

Featured by Backwoods Creations

My shop was featured on the blog of Backwoods Creations, who did a lovely write-up. Please visit them at their Etsy shop.

Rio Oso Designs

Rio Oso Designs specializes in graphic design -- banners and promotional materials for other Etsy sellers.
She lives with her family in the Bay Area of California. "Although we live in the city, we are truly country folk at heart," she says. "We love to fish, camp, swim in the lake, just be outdoors in general. She runs her two etsy shops, rioosodesigns and ambrosiadelights as a way to be able to stay at home and "take care of my family."

Featured shop on Magic Stones blog today

Blogging is an amazing thing -- once you start, you become connected to an amazing number of other people. I'm still new enough that it still surprises me. Today my shop was featured by the Magic Stones blog. It's a beautifully designed blog, and a really nice feature. Hope you'll go by and visit, and also visit her shop, CryztalVisions.

Macaroni and Glitter

Steven James inspires students, clients and the occassional stranger with a unique approach to creative living, "Always nurture the creative spirit, it's existed in each of us since birth, but goes MIA as our lives fill with rules and responsibilities."

He educates the masses on the D.I.Y. approach to living with his appearances on the HGTV and the DIY networks. Each class is designed to nurture the creative spirit and spark the imagination of students. He provides most tools for classes and all classes include informational handouts, thoughtful demonstrations, hands-on experience and the completion of a project students can be proud of. For more information about classes, including formal proposals and class fees contact Steven at stevenjames@macaroniandglitter.com.

He also works as freelance project designer for Lark Books and his independent work has appeared in several publications including ReadyMade, BeadStyle, BeadUnique and Budget Living, as well as various newspapers and websites around the country.

A former university educator, Steven has a B.A. in Art and Public Relations, as well as an M.A. in Organizational Leadership. He resides in San Francisco where he operates macaroni & glitter, a website devoted to creative living.

Right now, he is working to help stamp out hunger through semi-postal stamps. see his Etsy store announcement or click here for more details.