Treasury west seems to like me lately. I've managed to snag 3 or 4 treasuries in the last week or so. It's definitely less popular, harder to get to, and less visited for sure. But, quite a few front pages seem to be coming from the West, recently. Plus I'll take a treasury any time, any where. Today I made an all white list, my favorite to create and look at, I think. So clean and crisp.
I love to log in to Etsy and find my treasury on the front page. I love it even better when I remember to take a screen shot. This was one I made in Treasury West, which usually doesn't get much action or visitors. So I feel lucky that someone found it and decided it was front page worthy.
Oooh how I love Basic Grey. Every one of the paper lines that they have put out is worth buying. They are so unique and unlike any other. I just learned that they have introduced some new lovelies for winter 2008. There are oodles of new papers, so I'll share my favorites from each line.
Whatever, is all I can say. I don't do scrapbooks. I do, however loooove the products, especially the paper. So, I can definitely appreciate the supplies some scrappers accumulate . I also tend to drool over meticulously organized studios , craft rooms, or any room for that matter, as mine is certainly not. So, I stumbled across these "scrap rooms" of some 2 peas members, a bit ago, and my jaw actually fell to the floor. These ladies have scrap rooms that put most of my favorite shops to shame, let alone any studio space I've ever seen. And these are just ladies who scrap as a hobby. They don't use these spaces for working, or making any kind of living. Like I said, WHATEVER.
Room 1 - filled with more supplies than any one person could possibly even consider using in 10 life times. And this is just a section of what she's got.
Room 2 - my favorite of them all. Almost as many supplies as the room above. But, the organization in this room just blows me away. She designed this room just for scrapping. Picking out the shelving units and everything else for every little supply, down to a drawer for each letter of the alphabet with chipboards, just chipboards. See the "K" drawer? And that cabinet full of paper, color coordinated, of course.
Room 3 - i love how colorful this room is. How can you not be inspired in a space like this?
I checked and all of these ladies are married. So they must have a magic spell they put their husbands under, that makes this all possible. Not to mention, a few extra bucks to support their habits. Another member of 2 peas mentioned how she was bookmarking one of these photos to show her husband any time he complained that she had too much stuff. Seriously, this is all a bit over the top, excessive, and even a bit absurd. But, I want one too. waaaaaahhh.
see more detailed photos of these rooms and others here.
Oh how I wished I could sew. I just saw Amy Butler's latest fabrics which will be available in April. Take a look at her Midwest Modern line:
I see a lot of similarities from her previous patterns. But I like the new colors and always like what she comes out with. Since I don't sew, I am still holding out for the paper that will hopefully soon follow. (fingers crossed.)
I mentioned in an earlier post that I was having a new logo made by the fabulous bennyandroo. She did a fabulous job, as I knew she would. I had like 8 options to choose from, which was great, but difficult. She has a knack for understanding people's style and I was very happy with the outcome. Here it is:
So far, it has become my new avatar and I added it to my business cards. I haven't change my banner yet, because I think they still work together. I may incorporate it into my banner, eventually. For now, I'm just so glad to have a new logo, one that is easier to include on all my business forms. I am sooooo glad to be gone of the lily flower that was my avatar for so long. It just didn't go with my shop.
One of the first purchases I made on Etsy was my shop banner. It's the one on the top of this blog. I feel so lucky to have found Briana of bennyandroo, who created it. It was a premade banner she had listed in her shop, but I swear it was meant just for me. I've had it since, May, and I still absolutely love it whenever I look at it., which is so rare for me. The only problem I have had with it, is trying to use it as a logo. Because of it's shape, (bannerish) I have a hard time trying create a square logo or avatar from it, without cutting off most of it. I made due, as this was a minor issue, especially since I was so happy with it. However, I knew that one of these days I was going to commission Briana to create a custom logo for me, one that I can use to brand my shop completely. I wanted to have something that would work as my banner, my avatar, and for all of my business forms, easily. Her fees were quite reasonable, worth every penny. Now that my PayPal account had a few extra bucks in it, I am able to have her create one for me. So, I've contacted her, paid her, and she is working, this week, on my brand new logo! I can't tell you how excited I am to see what she comes up with. I'm a little sad to give up my current banner, but I just know whatever she creates will be just as fabulous, if not more. So, stay tuned for the "brand" new branding of my shop.
I highly recommend Briana of bennyandroo if you are in need of any graphic design work.
This great shot is from Non Photography (No Rules Street Photography). I love the colors and the lines. Very nice.
Oooh such loveliness is being created at PaPaYa, made up of 2 uberly talented artists, Anahata & Gina Katkin. Everything is so vibrant and yummy. Rather than ruining it by trying to describe this beautiful work, just take a look:
There is lot's to see like gift cards, magnets, art prints, postcards, and more, at PaPaYa. It's just a beautiful site filled with gorgeous things. Check it out.
Time for another photo of the day. This time it's "Wedding Day" by Elliot Erwitt. See more of his work here. Erwitt has taken many historical media photos you may recognize. Enjoy.
Wedding Day. New York, 1955 Elliot Erwitt
Yesterday I found this great jewelry shop on etsy, gorgeousredhead. I loved just about everything in her shop. I couldn't resist buying something. Here is what I decided on:
giver her shop a visit, there are lot's of lovely things left. You'll be glad you stopped in.
I discovered this great blank book by ALEXANDRE BETTLER . He created this "envelope book" from paper recycled from a college. It was part of a recycling workshop he organized. I love how it looks. I would definitely enjoy keeping my notes in one of these.
I have always liked the look and the idea of blank books made from various "scrap" papers. Like the way Tyler Bender does his blank books, or like the great "sew useful" contest entry by donovanbeeson, where she made a book from envelopes. I think they look great, are very useful and practical, and of course, it's always a good thing to do right by the environment.
So I discovered this guy, Mister Rob Ryan, who does these gorgeous paper cut works. As I was admiring all of his work, I stumbled upon his Etsy shop, which I wasn't aware of before. But, of course why wouldn't he, his work is amazing. Here, just look for yourself...
After browsing around his site and his blog, I discovered lot's of work he's done including book covers, posters, records, magazines, etc..... It's no wonder, he's so talented. Love it.
If you haven't heard of Hambly Screen Prints, then take a moment to pay them a visit. Their products are geared towards scrapbooking. But, then again most of my favorite paper/supply sources are and I am definitely not a scrapbooker. You don't have to be a scrapper to appreciate their super products. Though the company has been in business for 35 years, they have a very fresh and hip line of papers, overlays, rub-ons, stickers, and other great stuff. I purchased a set of their awesome chandelier rub-ons a while back, and have yet to use them. They are one of those things that I love so much that I'm afraid to use them. ( I know that is silly). But, I think today, I have come up with a great idea, which if I follow through with, I'll post here. So, look at some of the delicious designs they offer below, and then go pay them a visit. You'll be glad you did.
This first one is an overlay they offer. But this design is available in rub-ons, 12x12 paper, and other screen printed products they offer. Isn't it great?
I just love this disco ball paper.
Their rub-ons are great quality, and they have some great designs.
My first, of hopefully many, artist interviews is with the wonderful Kathryn of Smashing. Her jewelry is just as lovely as she is. I love the colors she uses in her pieces and the milky glass beads she chooses. She is a prime example of the great artist that the Etsy community is made up of. Take a look at some of her great work, then read below to learn more about why smashing is so darn smashing.
1. Share a little about yourself and what you create.
i am a ex-art major/ex-banker/stay-at-home-mom/full time babysitter/puppy wrangler.
i love to make jewelry with glass and stone and silver. i don't really like to string beads. i don't think each bead gets enough attention that way, so, i wire them up on silver. plus, i hate when a string breaks and your beads scatter all over :)
i want to create things that are beautiful now and that are sturdy enough for your kids to inherit.
2. What are your favorite materials?
i really really really love opaque glass, any and every color and of course milky white. anything that reminds me of after dinner mints :)
the best part of jewelry making is going bead shopping. i'm lucky to have a great store nearby where the buyer loves the same sort of beads i do. my brain just glows when i get to look at all the different colors and shapes, racing through possibilities. that's the best :)
3. How did you discover Etsy?
when etsy first started, i heard about it on npr. i remember going to the site and shopping by color for hours. the worst thing is that i forgot about it! then about a year ago, i was looking for cool baby announcements and rediscovered etsy through a google search. yay!
4. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
etsy is like having a million friends that are all really talented and that make amazing things. without etsy, i wouldn't own some of the coolest things i own.
and people are usually really supportive of each other, even when they are your competition.
5. What are the most important things you have learned about selling?
i'm still pretty new, so, mostly i know what i like to buy :) these things make it easier for me to buy from a shop:
good photography of items. if a customer can't pick it up and check it out in real life, photos are the only way to experience them.
it takes a lot of practice (for me anyway :) and every time i do a "photo shoot" with my jewelry, i learn a little bit more.
quick and friendly communication with your buyer. don't give anyone time or a reason to change their mind about buying something :)
6. If money and resources were not an issue, what would you be doing?
i would try to house and feed everyone that wants to be housed or fed. then i would buy everything in my favorites. then i would build a super sweet modern house on a giant plot of land. then open a free art school for all ages. oh and get another dog maybe :)
7. Share something most people don’t know about you.
i am an extroverted recluse :)
thank you Kathryn!
I'm not sure how others feel about this, but I love to see how people decorate there homes. Especially people with money, like well known celebrities. Amy Butler might not live in Hollywood, but I think she's somewhat of a celebrity to those that love her fabric. Today I came across an article showing her home in Granville, Ohio and thought I'd share. See more here.
My latest Etsy purchase. I've had my eye on this little beauty since it was listed. Since I have so many "favorite" items bookmarked, this one got lost in the mix. I'm glad I found it again today, and that it was still available. It's made by Lola of TheLolaCollection, who creates the loveliest pendants with flat back gems and polymer clay. The way she combines the glass rounds with polymer clay, to me is genius. The results are just lovely. Go take a look at what else she has to offer here.
I'm so excited about my new bag I just found last night on Etsy. Take a look...
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