Featured by mooretaste

Lovely feature here today on this blog.

CCCOE February Challenge Entries - LUCKY CHARMS

23. abstract lucky charm 4 leaf clover pendant by jenniferreadington






22. Luck of the Irish by anniek






21. She has an Irish Brogue by Onyx of Treslocas






20. Lucky Minx Scarf by phydeaux






19. Feeling Centered and Lucky Necklace by AmandaKLockrowJewels






18. Silk Drawstring Tarot Card Bag by Oceanavesilks






17. February Birthstone Pendant by Marie Julie






16. Broadway Cricket Struts Her Stuff Down 42nd Street by peggradyart






15. Gilbert and George's Lucky Origami Peace Cranes by Nancy McNally aka localcolorist






14. Jinx the Lucky Cat by buttercupbloom






Lucky number 13!! Lucky Charms by CalyxAnn






12. Lucky in love!! by mycatlulu






11. Elephants for luck by QuirkynBerkeley






10. Larry the Lucky Llama by visionquest






9. Lucky Little Snot Mens Handkerchiefs Set by Knittergirl






8. Shamrock is the new Black by Tresijas






7. Chinese Animal Lucky Charms by Wumpus






6. Super lucky button horseshoe earrings by AlliesAdornments






5. Land of the Leprechauns by RedBessBonney






4. Lucky Fish Necklace by luchi






3. Good Karma charm bracelet by ElenaMary






2. Lucky Charm Magic Wand by NeedleWorks






1. Spirit Charm - OOAK by PalleikoDesigns

Deirdre Ryan Photography

Deirdre Ryan is originally from the small, historic town of Bordentown, New Jersey. She graduated in 1996 with a BFA in photography from Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA. During college, she came to the conclusion that her purpose was photography when she found herself spending so much time in the darkroom.

But she has always loved photography. "Cameras were always a presence in my family. I love to shoot pictures, although it is hard work, and not always financially rewarding. Telling a story through my imagery and preserving images are passions of mine. I cannot remember a time when I said, 'I give up, I hate this, it's not for me.' Even in tough lean times I just couldn't give it up and work in an office."

She loves creating fine art, photo journalistic and funny images. Her current obsession is creating cards. She also has been going back to using film with her Holga camera as well as her Lomo -- a plastic Russian camera with a glass lens. She's excited to have a new archival printer that will allow her to create panoramic prints that are 13 inches wide and "however long she chooses."

Her inspirations come from her life and "odd" sense of humor. "I have a beautiful family that makes me want to get stuff done," she says with a big grin. Deirdre donates portions of her sales to benefit multiple schlerosis research and maintains a blog on positive thinking. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, Jayden, and the family dog. Deirdre is a proud member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers and the Stock Artist Alliance, both of which help photographers understand the business of photography and how to maintain their copyrights.

Did It Myself/happi commi press

Erin, named after the Walton on "The Waltons" TV series, runs Did It Myself/happi commi press on Etsy when she's not busy working as an extra and stand-in on TV and in the movies. It's a great job, she says, because there is a lot of down time when she gets to craft at work. Her shop is an imaginative, charming nod to the 40s, 50s and 60s with a funky flare, while remaining unique. There is a little something for the whole family, she says.

Says Erin, "I was born in a building in Hollywood, CA that is currently occupied by an infamous coo-coo cult and still reside in the Los Angeles area. I'm one of the very few people who can claim they are a native of Los Angeles." Her interests include wallpaper design, photography, screen-printing, knitting, making jewelry, graphic design, cross-stitch, Chairman Mao and collecting odd things. "I try to incorporated at least one of these things in in my daily life."

Her first recollection of creative crafting goes back to when she was only seven, when she found violin parts discarded by her father's friend and promptly made a necklace of them. The thing she's most proud of making, however, is a purse made of chopsticks and kitchen twine. She doesn't need anything special to be inspired -- "I see things that I like and go 'ooo, I can make that.'" Erin likes creating things since the process itself makes her happy. "It also makes me happy to see somebody else enjoying something that I have created," she says. So what are you waiting for? Go visit her shop.

Featured by onathousandhills

Onathousandhills wrote the loveliest profile of my shop today. Please stop by and visit her blog and see the other wonderful artists she's featured. And don't miss a chance to look at her beautiful beadwork, either.

Red Bess Bonney

Susan of RedBessBonney has been crafting all her life. She started early in life with crossstich, but jewelry really caught her attention a few years ago. Her inspiration comes from years of being involved with renaissance festivals ("I'm mostly just attending these days," she says). She also draws on her heritage (Scottish), and that of her husband (Irish), so you will find many items with Celtic influence in her shop. Making jewelry led to her to beading in general, but she's recently diversified recently with picture frame cards.

Susan found out about Etsy in 2007, and thought it would be a great way to pay for her son's pre-school tuition and still be able to stay at home with him.

Amanda K. Lockrow Jewels

Amanda K. Lockrow is a born artist and her mother always knew it. But it took Amanda a while to realize her destiny as a metalsmith and jewelry designer. "I have always loved art and making since I was a young girl. My mother always knew I would be an artist in some way, while others pushed me to be more realistic and to 'use my brain.' I went to Syracuse University originally for communications. I bounced from there to fashion to art education to finally metalsmithing. All of this was prompted by a meeting with my faculty advisor. She asked me why was I not in the Visual Arts Program. Since I really had no answer I started working on my portfolio and taking drawing and painting classes."

Her passion for metalsmithing began when she took her first elective in college." I had no idea you could get a BFA in this and instantly fell in love. My college experience was amazing and strongly influences my designs now. I was able to explore fibers, sculpture, glass, painting, and photography along with my major." She utilizes techniques and materials from all of these when she creates her jewelry. "I do not think anyone should ever feel trapped in one material or technique so I consciously choose to not focus on one thing. I design a variety of lines within my line and believe this gives me great versatility. I am constantly inspired by the world around me. It may be a flower petal formation, the ocean waves, a piece of candy, a button, or a piece of discarded trash, all of it inspires a shape, color, or technique."

Amanda also believes in keeping an element of play in her studio and so an experiment will later inspire a finished piece. She makes all types of jewelry but focuses on rings and necklaces. Her jewelry is designed to be loved by the wearer. Amanda K Lockrow Jewelry is available in galleries and boutiques across the country and in Canada. Drop by and visit her blog

Allie's Adornments

Alyssa of Allie's Adornments began her craft after inheriting some gorgeous buttons. "I found them too pretty not to want to look at over and over again so I started making jewelry as a way for me to wear and enjoy them as miniature pieces of art. That something as small and simple as a button can be so detailed with wonderful craftsmanship never ceases to amaze me."

Alyssa has always had a fondness and love of art. "My favorite places are galleries and museums and I am inspired by the craftsmanship of items that are well made and endure. I’ve been heavily influenced by antiques, especially those that down through my family, and find that a well made piece of furniture can be just as beautiful as a painting or piece of sculpture."

She subscribes to publisher William Randolph Hearst’s belief that in order to properly appreciate beautiful things, they must be utilized for the purpose that they were created. Eat off of the good china and silver, use the good crystal, and let them bring you joy every day instead of the once a year that they are brought out of the cabinet.

She also makes some "funkier" styles of jewelry with elements not always thought of as jewelry in the traditional sense -- things such as elongated pennies, taxidermy eyeballs, and foreign coins. However, her fascination remains with antiques, especially the tiny buttons because of their history.

And history is important to Alyssa. You will see many old family photos in the displays of her jewelry. Her avatar is one of her great-grandfather's cousins from the late 1800s or early 1900s. And she frequently uses several photos of three sisters Allie, Louise and Grace at various age; the two little girls in the photo of her hair pins are Allie (for whom the jewelry line is named), and her sister Louise, while the younger, pouty girl in the pram is Alyssa's great-grandmother, Grace.

This man is missing in the Seattle-Tacoma area

For more information click this link,

Mommy and Me Boutique

Corline of MommyandMeBoutique loves to work with the designer fabrics, beautiful trims and ribbons that she uses to create her specialty, aprons designed for mothers and children who want to show off their sense of style. She works hard to make items that you can be proud to purchase and enjoy using. "Loving care and personal expression are put into each one. Whether it be cooking or entertaining, you can be sure "these are not your mother"s aprons," she says.

Corline is a member of the California Crafters Club of Etsy and has a blog that I encourage you to visit.

Simply Susan

Susan, proprietress of SimplySusan started scrapbooking almost ten years ago, which is how she found her path to cardmaking. "All the pretty things I buy tend to inspire me and guide my designs in one direction or another," she says. "Cards and paper crafts are my favorite projects to work on. With such a wide variety of fun designs and high quality paper and scrapbooking supplies out there, there is SO much to choose from and I really have fun shopping for supplies for my next project."

Susan is a stay at home mom and loves to craft almost anything. Her aim is to create fun and useful things at affordable prices. "You'll see a little bit of everything here. Cards, jewelry, who knows what else." Visit her shop and be sure to stop by and read her blog.

Penny Hall

"I love working with leather. It is unpredictable, much like our journey through life," says artist Penny Hall. "Attempts to force the leather into a specific shape can take lots of time and energy producing less than desirable results. If allowed to take on its own form the result is magnificent." These are her favorite pieces to make. "I love discovering the unexpected shapes hidden in the flat piece of leather. I also find all the character marks to be interesting. I include them in most of my pieces. Rough edges, brands, and scars add visual interest."

Over time, Penny has found that applications of identical colors and finishes react differently with each piece of leather creating delightful surprises. That is why each piece is one-of-a-kind. Her first leather bowl was crafted as a therapy project after eye surgery "to prove I was not blind. The journey through surgeries and ever changing sight brought many lessons. It was as if the leather bowls were reflections of life. I began seeing them as containers to hold all the good and positive things in life. They represented a willingness on my part to receive blessings, and became my 'blessing bowls.'"

The most asked question when someone sees the leather bowls for the first time is "What can you put in them?" Much like a basket, they hold anything that is not wet. "No matter what you choose to place in your bowl I trust you will add some of your own blessings as well," she says.

MIZombie

David of MIZombie is based in Lansing, Michigan, which is home to the greatest car brand in the world the Oldsmobile, he points out. Keeping him company as he works his craft are three cats -- Darkness, Eight Ball (son of Darkness) and Dice. You can often find him in one of the Etsy chat rooms or working on his blog, listen to '80s music (he also maintains an '80s Web site).

David, a smoker for 23 years before he quit, tried using incense to try to cover up the smell of stale cigarettes. After trying some premade sticks that he describes as horrid, he started making his own sticks and cones and started selling on Etsy and on his own site. This busy man also maintains an online stop-smoking support group

His goal is to have a better way of life and to be self-sufficient without the need for working for a corporation. "Once I can really get going I plan to use some of the income to fix up my house and get new appliances and furniture. I had a decent first year for 2007 but I am ready to get to that next level. I have sold over 500 items (by Etsy's measure) and had nearly 300 total orders. I have now sold hundreds of items on my own site and now about 60 orders there."

Creative Curves

Michelle of CreativeCurves was one of those children who made endless pasta necklaces, fascinated with the shapes and the designs they made, loving jewelry but never expecting that it would be the start of a career. In fact, though she pondered going to art school after high school, she chose college and one degree in sociology, followed by a master's in special education and early childhood education. She taught for several years, all the while making jewelry in her spare time. Finally, she stopped teaching full-time to focus on her love of glass and jewelry-making instead.

Michelle is self-taught in metals, and fell in love with making glass beads in a class she took. She has been making them off and on for the last three years. She found Etsy "almost by accident" while looking for an online outlet for her crafts. "It was the best find on the internet as I have not only met some wonderful artists and purchased some great work, I have made some great customers in the process." Her Etsy shop has one-of-a-kind pieces with her wire work and lampwork glass beads. As she describes it, "It has jewelry of all sorts that is vibrant and unusual and made for the individualistic woman. I strive for different and unique and let my mind run wild in the creation process."

Orion Stars

Bredette of OrionStars has been blending oils for at least ten years, and she never tires of new scents/blends. "I love being able to combine the essence of plants together to help with certain ailments or just to excite that olfactory system!" She uses Pure Natural essential oils as opposed to fragrance/perfume oils, in part because her own nose is not equipped to deal with artificial ingredients. "I must use only the purest ingredients," she says emphatically. "Essential oils are the immunity to the plant it exists in. Wouldn't you want that immunity boost?"

Her favorite blend is Bitch Away (which helps with menstrual cramps/migraines and sore muscles). "It's helped so many people (as well as myself) and my feedback is always so wonderful! I love all my oils and I love to see how the world responds to them."

Bredette finds inspiration in every new day, whether it's from other herbalists, art, sewing, or even an interesting recipe. She also can't go without saying her son inspires her to the fullest. "Inspiration makes my world go 'round!"

Southern Scraps

Fonda of SouthernScraps has always loved crafts -- of all kinds. But it's been paper crafts and scrapbooking that have held her heart since 2001. " I originally wanted to make cards. That led me to scrapbooks. Now I'm back to card making, which I like the best." Fonda also likes to make items digitally with digital art and templates and then print and embellish, "sort of like hybrid items." She finds herself inspired by magazines and sketches, and by surfing through art galleries. "I am most inspired by colors and love to play with cool color combinations," she says. When she's not crafting, she's running. "I will be running the Breast Cancer Marathon in Jacksonville, Florida on February 17. I've done 5k, 10k, 15k, and a 1/2 marathon already but this is the first full marathon." We wish her luck.

Crafty Moose

The name Craftymoose came about because of Debbie's love of crafts and her husband's love of all things moose. Her avatar is the head of a four-foot moose she made him one Christmas.

Debbie has been crafting for as long as she can remember. "I am self-taught and have enjoyed painting, needlework, quilting, polymer clay and jewelry making. I have tried most crafts at least once. I always return to my first love, beads, and have returned to the art of making french beaded flowers.

Her beaded art dolls and suncatchers were born out a need to do something else with beads. Some are "people," some animal-themed, all have a personality and a heart, she says.

Be sure to visit her blog.

Featured today by Catldy99

I was pleasantly surprised to find a feature of my shop this morning. Check it out here.

Sweet Memory

Sweet Memory is a shop that is inspired by a desire to help others preserve their memories. "They're only young once," says the proprietress. Sheri is a stay at home mother of a two-year-old boy, so she draws from her own experience to create special items for other mothers.

Elektra Jewelry

At Elektra Jewelry you can find jewelry to suit your personality and moods.

Elektra, a self-described "sparkle freak" has loved things that shimmer and shine since childhood, when she "glittered everything I could get my hands on and always left a trail of glitter behind me." Her love of sparkle only intensified when she started to wear and admire jewelry. "My exposure to Greek artisan jewelers from a very young age and my Greek background have influenced my love of 18k and 24k gold and my choice to work with gold vermeil, which is 24k gold layered over sterling silver."

The name of her shop means bright and shining. "I make one of a kind jewelry pieces to accommodate many different styles and fashion trends. My time and energy is devoted to creating pieces that can be worn and enjoyed for years to come. I love to work with gold vermeil, Bali sterling silver, semi-precious stones and vintage glass beads. Lampwork beads and Venetian Murano glass have become some of my favorite materials. The colors of these beautful Venetian beads are so exceptional, they add another dimension to my jewelry." She selects top quality findings and stones to create her unique pieces which I do not duplicate. Each piece is yours alone.

Elektra is happy to customize pieces for her customers -- if you would like a piece lenghtened or shortened, she'll be happy to accommodate your request. All of her lovely jewelry pieces are wrapped in soft organza pouches or lovely handprinted paper packages ready to enjoy or give as a gift. Be sure and stop by to read her blog.