Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Why Everyone Should Know Brynnalex.

Who is Brynnalex you ask and why is it so important to me?

I opened my shop on Etsy about 2 months ago and have since been stalking the forums to find a great place to hang out. I have mentioned before in a previous blog about a great thread with awesome people in it, but one Etsy shop in particular caught my eye. (Brynnalex)

Brynnalex (Elaine) is a woman I admire on so many levels; her strength, heart, kindness and perseverance are just a few of her qualities.

Elaine's Etsy shop Brynnalex was not started as a way to make money off of the crafts she has made. It was started in remembrance of her only daughter. Brynn was a bright creative child who was taken too soon.

Brynnalex's Etsy shop is a donation store where other artist and fellow Etsians' have gathered our talents together in memory of Brynn Proctor Suddes and donated items to be sold to raise money for the annual bursary which is given to a student involved and excelling in either Fashion Design, Journalism or the Arts.

Brynn said "Follow your Dreams" and now that she is an angel we can all do are part to help her help others Follow their Dreams.

Please everyone who reads this take the time to visit the Etsy shop and tribute site listed below.


Sometimes in life we can get lost and feel so small and insignificant in this world and then someone comes along and we are touched and changed forever.
Today you are being given the opportunity to reach out and change someone else’s life forever.
I know that times our tuff but even the smallest ripple can become a huge wave.
Help keep Brynn's wishes going.

Let's change our children’s world for the better.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Great Etsy Shop terrasecrets

I found a great thread on Etsy. With lots of wonderful insightful people all coming together to help each other out. I was very happy to join this online community started by Enyaeire. Who is an upbeat wonderful crafter on Etsy. She opens a new thread in the forum each morning and works with a great team to update and add new shops to the list throughout the day. Even smileymoo who I have bloged about in a previous Great Etsy Shop feature is a list manager. So if you are a shop on Etsy or you just like to shop on Etsy than please take the time and come see what this great thread is all about.


While I was visiting the shops on her list I came across terrasecrets who specialize in spa and beauty items. I poked around in terrasecrets shop for a while and was happy to find a few treats I could purchase.

I decided to buy her peppermint foot soak and a strawberry smoothie lip balm. I am so happy that I did.

When the package arrived it was wrapped in tissue, tied with a thank you note and contained not only my purchase but a sample pack as well. I love the lip balm and foot soak by the way. The scents contained with in the package smelled so great and filled the room.



I am happy to report that if you are looking for spa and beauty gifts then look no further and click on terrasecrets highlighted name anywhere in this post to and pick up one of these fantastic items from her shop. You won’t be disappointed.

Monday, October 12, 2009

New Moon (Twilight) Giveaway

I am very excited about the New Moon movie coming out November 20, 2009. So I wanted to do something to celebrate. So this is the first time I am having a giveaway on my blog. If the results are what I am hoping for I will have lots more with a large variety of items to giveaway.


This give away is for the pillow shown below. You will win 1 New Moon pillow made with black suede a center strip of black and white stars and swirls and a photo of Bella, Edward and Jacob on the front. It has a design stitch in red leaves around the photo. The pillow is boarderd with a blood red frill.

This pillow will look great on your couch or bed. (This is most likely the closest any of us will come to sleeping with Rob Pattinson.) So take up this opportunity and get in on my New Moon giveaway.








Okay so here are the rules for my New Moon Giveaway.


Giveaway starts 10/12/2009 and ends 11/13/2009
(I would like to have the pillow sent before the movie comes out)

There are Three ways to enter. I will need you to leave your email address or some way for me to contact you should you be randomly chosen as the winner.

1. Become a follower of this blog and leave me a comment to let me know. You will then get 1 entry to win.
(If you are already a follower of my blog, leave me a comment and let me know so you can be entered.)


2. Visit my Etsy shop and heart me as you favorite then come back here and leave me a comment. You will then get 1 entry to win.
(if you have already hearted me then leave me a comment here so you can be entered.)


3. If you visit my Etsy shop or Artfire studio and make a purchase you will be entered into the giveaway.
please come back here to my blog and leave a comment with the transaction receipt for your purchase to count.
(note that any one who makes a purchase from my shop and post the transaction here will earn 2 entries for this giveaway.)


So there are up to 4 entries for every person. This giveaway will end on 11/13/2009.
I will then randomly choose the winner.

Once the winner has been chosen you will then have up to 48 hrs to respond, in which if you do not respond I will choose another winner.



Thank you for entering my giveaway. This item will be shipped the following business day using usps first class shipping.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Great Etsy Shop MaritimeArts

Here is a fantastic find. This shop is most definitely on my top 10 list. I personally love historical clothing. Being able to become a different character and get lost in a whole other era in time can be such a joy. If you do anything today make sure you add taking a look at MaritimeArts shop to the top of your list. It will be well worth it.

Here is a bio sent to me from MaritimeArts: "MaritimeArts is a shop that sells costuming and clothing for the historical reenactor. I am a reenactor myself and in attending events I noticed a real lack of ingenuity in the clothing people were wearing. And the clothing that did spark an interest in me was so expensive I certainly couldn't afford it.


This is a hobby for most people and people do it because they enjoy it. Believe it or not, dressing up in these beautiful outfits is a lot of fun. So, I decided to take up sewing historical clothing. I have sold at local Rennaissance Faires and SCA events over the years. I then got interested in the Victorian/cowboy era and loved taking on a new era to learn about. I actually do research the outfits and draft my patterns using these historical guidelines I research about. It's important when you are reenacting to promote an accurate image of the time period. But equally as important is affordability. You can use modern sewing techniques and modern fabrics and trims and make them look historically accurate. Yes, the fabric may have a bit of polyester in the blend, that will keep it affordable. But the fabric will "look" like it was something they might have worn and the pattern lines are historically accurate. I love the challenge of looking at a Godey's Fashion Book for the 1800's and trying to find a modern fabric that looks similar to the descriptions.

I decided to open an Etsy store about 1 year ago and try and sell my items online. I was working a 9 to 5 job in a place I absolutely hated. My children were growing up in daycare and I was not spending any time with them. So, that is basically why I decided to open an Etsy shop.

I mostly do custom orders. My pictures are of garments I have made for myself or for other people. I have listed them and in the description I lay out what the sale will provide. This outfit in these colors and this fabric. I find that people can be creative that way and can come up with their "dream outfit"."

The fallowing photos are MaritimeArts favorite picks that are listed in her Etsy shop.










These are just astonishing. I am taken away by the detail in MaritimeArts work

How people can find MaritimeArts:


Or you can click on the highlighted name of MaritimeArts anywhere in this post and be taken straight to her Etsy shop.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Great Etsy Shop Experience

This featured Etsy shop of the day designs darling jewelry. Experience's pieces are flashy and eye catching. Her jewelry is versatile and can be worn by all ages. My favorite is the star pendant necklace and I love how her tear drop earrings sparkle. Every thing in her shop just pops. Go see Experience's unique design quality for your self.


Experience has sent me a bio of her self to feature here on my blog. Take a look into this talented artisan’s life. "My name is Whitney and I live in Athens, Georgia with my boyfriend, two roommates, and two awesome cats, Milo and Luna. I'm currently a college student on hiatus... I'm just not sure what I want to pursue. I know that I would like to be able to make a living with my art. It's a hard road, but perhaps I can make it through. Currently I pay my rent by working at a daycare. Between work and rest I try to get as much art done as possible, and my Etsy shop is probably where you can best see the results of my hard work. I've been making jewelry for about 3-4 years on and off now; I started working with resin about a year ago and it was so enjoyable that I continued with it and it became my most-used medium for jewelry. However, in the very near future, I will be releasing several brand new designs, so keep your eyes peeled"

Hmm her cat’s names remind me of one of my husband’s favorite video games Lunar. I love the choice in names :).

These are some of Experience's favorite picks up for sale in her shop.

Starry Night Necklace



Pink n' Black Earrings


Lime Sparkle Studs



You can find Experience on the web at

Or you can click on Experience's highlighted name throughout this post to be taken straight to her Etsy shop.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Great Etsy Shop ParamiPanda

Today’s Etsy shop is ParamiPanda. I absolutely love (did I say love) I mean love her little crochet animals. I'm not sure if she works off patterns or if she comes up with her own, but her little animals are adorable. Once you take a look at her shop your going to want one of every item she has.




I have asked ParamiPanda to send me a small bio about her and this is what she had to say. “My name is Alix and I am in the process of surrounding myself with bunnies and pandas and sheep of varying shapes and sizes. My dream is to own a miniature schnauzer, a standard schnauzer and a giant schnauzer all at the same time, and my life goal is to breed dogs that look like baby pandas (I have a plan!). I have been crafty all my life, making little creatures out of old clothes and buttons starting when I was about seven. When I discovered crochet about a year and half ago, my need to bring kawaii plushies into the world resurfaced, and Parami Panda was born. I am currently in the process of creating a line of 100% organic/eco-friendly/naturally dyed critters, and I am also dabbling a little bit in doll making. You can read about what's going on with Parami Panda and my crazy life at http://paramipanda.blogspot.com/"

Featured below are ParamiPanda's favorite items that she has listed for sell right now in her Etsy shop.

Halloween Vampire Bunny



Green Crochet Octopus



Rocky the Baby Crochet Bunny




Blue Heart Panda Bear




Baby Winter Bunny




These little guys would make perfect stocking stuffers for the holidays. So get ahead start on your check list for people to buy for and drop in to this great Etsy shop.

If you click on the highlighted ParamiPanda anywhere in this post you will be taken directly to her Etsy shop.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Great Etsy Shop MarketingandMore

Have you prepared yourself and your business for the frantic Holiday season? Well get on it and travel over to MarketingandMore. This Etsy shop is full of fantastic finds for your busy holiday season. MarketingandMore has the cutest designs for labels, thank you cards and much more. It is an incredible find and I am pleased to present this diamond in the rough to you.


This is a bio sent to me from MarketingandMore so you could learn a little about her shop and what she does.

"Tiffany Designs & Prints started with the ideas of having anything printable made available, but with the added touch of custom design work. It became so hugely popular that we spun off a specialty division, Neoteric Expressions. Neoteric Expressions is a new element to the graphic design industry with a twist on classy and elegant designs. We love to help people create that perfect piece of art that they would be proud to show off. We realize the industry right now is inundated with graphic designers who want to make a quick buck - we're here to design for those who want something that looks so awesome, they will want to share with their friends and family. We're here to stay.

Neoteric Expressions and Tiffany Designs & Prints have a lot to offer, and just by taking a look at our designs, you'll get a feel for where we're going."

Below are some of MarketingandMore's favorite items listed in her Etsy shop.

(MarketingandMore)"This season, we're starting off with some awesome thank you cards so you can show appreciation to your customers and clients in the spirit of Fall. These come in a variety of colors, as shown, but of course you can request any color you like! We're always happy to oblige to ensure they're perfect for you. "




(MarketingandMore) "Next, we have our inspirational fall themed birth announcements. These are personally crafted in the art of making sure your newborn is welcomed into the world by the friends and family who love him/her."




(MarketingandMore) "We are also ramping up our Christmas line up early! Right now, we offer address labels in various styles and quantities, with extremely cute designs so everyone can take advantage and still be personable and unique."


Green, Red, Black:



Blue, Aqua, Cream:


(MarketingandMore) "We're pretty flexible. We also run specials and sales often on our most popular items, which will always be posted on our welcome page as well as on our fan page and blog. As you can see, we are gearing up to take off with classic yet modern themed element to suit a variety of needs. No request goes ignored. We invite your fans to share in our excitement of being the #1 place to go for personally crafted items."
Please stop by MarketingandMore's new etsy shop for a sneek peak at their new wedding design line. http://neotericexpressions.etsy.com/
You can MarketingandMore at:


on Etsy: http://marketingandmore.etsy.com/ and http://neotericexpressions.etsy.com/

on Blog: http://tiffanydesignsandprints.blogspot.com/ and http://neotericexpressions.blogspot.com/

on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neoteric-Expressions/138717392054

on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NeotericArt

on the WWW:http://www.tiffanydesignsandprints.com/
 If you click on any of these links above you will be connected to one of MarketingandMore's various web sites. I have also highlighted MarketingandMore's name through out this post and if you click on the highlighted name you will be taken directly to the Etsy shop.