Deadbeat Blogger :)

... YEP!...that would be ME... heh, heh...

I would like to pretend that I was injured by a crazed wombat, or maybe abducted by aliens, but in actuality, I have been a total slacker! ... I have come back outta hybernation, and will try to do better :) I am going back into production this weekend with GIANT THANKS to alittlebarofsoap supplies!!!!

In the meantime, feast your eyes on my constant companion (well, when I am HOME, that is!), Ms. Flava!!!

.:: ItsNotGold ::.

This Etsy shop is IRRESISTABLE!!!!

Luscious floral creations that are sooooo fun and eclectic... some wonderfully creative jewelry with the seamstress in mind, and a wonderful selection to chose from!

Susana's shop description  decribes it perfectly ---
"Where all the colours, textures and shapes are allowed"...

Hurry!! I that some goodies have disappeared from yesterday!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ItsNotGold

.:: I made it to the front page of ETSY ::.

...thanks to ShelleAnne http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShelleAnne who added my "C is for Clean Linen" soap to her beautiful treasury!!

Check our her shop as she has any type of hair acoutrement that you could ever dream of.... they are top notch!

.:: New Soapies !!! ::.

Yep!.. I was able to piddle around in the soap lab ( aka my kitchen counter..hehe) and was able to rustle up some new soapies.

Check 'em out!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ljctree

Here are few pics ... :)

.:: Seryna's Creations ::.

First, you must imagine a time when things were genteel and very, very proper :)

That is what Seryna's Creations is all about...but, wait! here's the spin...

The unbelievable silk ribbon embroidered items are elegant in a victorian theme, yet very contemporary in the color themes and items that she creates so expertly!

Jeweled creations are yet another wonderful surprise! I am sure that you will be visiting her Etsy store again and again, as her creations are irresistable!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Serynanne

..:: Hotel Helix ::.

...just ONE of those Kimpton  hotels!!!

GOSH! My fella and I decided to take my daughter to D.C. on one her trips back home from the Middle East ( she is in the Air Force and I am totally in awe of!) and this is where we stayed when we got to Washington, DC....Planet Hotel Helix!!!

check out their site if you are in the area: http://www.kimptonhotels.com/hotels/hotels-washingtondc.aspx

.:: ArtisticDetour ::.

...one of my mostest favoritest Etsians!

Below is their Etsy profile ( which i copied verbatim!)  ---
it is a wonderful description of two wonderfully balanced and gifted artisans...

"We are a husband and wife team. Robin is the creative force behind our endeavor. She has many years of arts and crafts experience; she began at a very young age sewing, crafting, making jewelry and moving on to ceramics including custom hand painted kiln fired tile work with a sister. She has a unique eye for the abstract beauty found in many mediums. I, John, am along for the ride. My contribution is the written word describing her art the best I can, I share her vision of the art.


I also bake, yes I am a Danish baker classically trained by my father. I hope to offer my products at some future date here on Etsy.
Robin is from Southern California I am from the Northern part, who says a mixed marriage doesn’t work? We have lived many places, from Hawaii to Colorado to Massachusetts and all the way to Thailand and Denmark.

But now we found the end of the rainbow here on our Island. We have 5 children between us, who all have their own artistic detour ahead.

Robin works for a major airline, and I for a aerospace company. Although we have our head in the clouds at work, we get down to earth for our natural and organic designs.

When we open the kiln we eagerly await with child like anticipation of what awaits us. Will it be like we hoped, or something that totally surprises us. You never know. That is what keeps it fun. The pleasant surprises.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and visiting our store. Any questions or comments please convo us.

All poetry by John inspired by Robins work.

Robin and John

The “Artistic Detour” duo."

.:: Cupcake Social ::.

Who DOESN'T love cupcakes??? Etsy seller, Cupcake Social has got a monopoly on cute and YUMMY!!! 

check 'em out!!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/CupcakeSocial

.:: NEW SOAPS POSTED ::.

...yes, yet another case of shameless self-promotion...hehe!

Check out my newest soaps that are featured in my Etsy shop ---
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ljctree

I am hoping to make more next week after I order more supplies from my friends at A Little Bar of Soap ....
http://www.etsy.com/shop/alittlebarofsoap

I am absolutely smitten with their products and customer service!

.:: andybartosjr ::.

As a bona fide, dyed-in-the-cat-hair, crazy cat woman, I feel uniquely qualified to applaude a fellow Etsian,  andybartosjr, for the wonderful prints he offers (yesssss, there are a few non-cat prints for those you who DON'T have cat-mania...hehe)... here are a few words by, and about Andy ---

"I'm an architectural draftsman and aspiring artist living in Southeastern Pennsylvania. My work reflects a variety of interests ranging from architecture to animals. I am always experimenting with new materials and techniques. And when these experiments work out (as they sometimes do) they can be found here - http://www.etsy.com/shop/andybartosjr , and also my website, website: http://andrewbartosjr.artspan.com/ "

Be sure to check his sites out - his ability to capture the MOMENT is extraordinary!!!!

.:: kav122 ::.

....another wonderful mother/daughter Etsian team!

here is the store profile:

"Hello! I am listing my mom's handmade items here because she does not have a computer. She lives in Tennessee and has been a self-employed artist almost her whole life. With my encouragement, she has started to make items that I can list here on Etsy. I'm sure you will love them as much as I do. She puts an incredible amount of time and skill into each item. Also, she would be willing to make custom items for you if you have certain colors that you want."

here is the link to their Etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kav122

have fun shopping!!!

.:: grandbabies ::.

Grandson Ian and Grandgirlie Ella!

.:: TheNeedleNerd::.

All the pieces in my store are handmade by me, in beautiful Ohio. I live in a relatively rural part of Ohio with my 2 children and my beautiful wife Unavee. I'm a Graphic Designer by trade, but I have branched my artisticness ;o) Lending my hands to crochet & knitting needles.


I love to crochet. If I'm sitting, I'm crocheting. My grandmother taught me to crochet and I've found love in it.


I have big crochet dreams and I've never loved anything the same way I love creating with yarn and color and patterns. I'm always excited to see what I'll create next. Sharing with others completes the fulfillment. I hope you enjoy my products as much as I do!

.:: Florida's Educational Technology Clearinghouse of Clipart ::.

...I love this site!

I just got lost there AGAIN for about 2 hours...hehe....!!!

It is a great place to find amazing black and white graphics to use for crafting and such. Loads of victorian era graphics and flora and fauna.... check it out:

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/sitemap/sitemap.php

:)

.:: No Stone Unturned ::.

.....this young lady, Aletha Tjaden, is one of the first Etsians that I purchased from, and I have a "NoStoneUnturned" fix at least once a month ... hehehe...yeah, I am stoned ( I made a funny! ok, ok, so I am Queen of the Groaners).


I snagged this from her Etsy profile:"I love rocks, and rock collecting. I have piles of self collected fossils and minerals around my house and yard. That's how it started...I needed a way to bring these local fossils and minerals to the people in this area, so they can see what wonderful things can be found in this amazing area. I needed to make it more interesting, to catch people's attention without it being a boring geology lesson. So I started with pendants made out of fossils and minerals from Pennsylvania's coal fields. Something beautiful to wear and with a fascinating story.


I hesitate to call what I do "jewelry making" I think of it as a way to carry these beautiful and fascinating stones with me."

Be sure to check out her store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/NoStoneLeftUnturned

:)

.:: SOAP!!! ::.

...yippie....!!!! I got to make soap! I started last night ( thanks soooo much to my supplier A Little Bar of Soap! ) and finished up this morning... I need more coconut oil, and then I can make about 5 more batches!! I made Sandalwood Vanilla, Got Milk?, Sweet Pea, Doublemint, Mjaksha, and my favorite, Shaman!!

take a peek... :)

.: halibuvalley :.

This Etsian is so gifted (check out her creations --- http://www.etsy.com/shop/halibuvalley  )and is loaded with insight and wisdom beyond her years! She amazes me :) The pendant I featured on my blog, Pearl the Cat, used some of halibuvalley's recycled paper creations as a base.

.....be sure to check out her shop ( and buy!!)...

.: Pine Weaver :.

I am honored indeed to know Lynn Crain.... here is her self-described intro from her Etsy Shop -

"My "STYLE" of Baskets/Wall Art is PURE me. Only a DNA test can tell me if I have any Native American blood, MY BASKETS REFLECT THE HERITAGE OF MY HEART...I have lived in a lot of States & Countries, and I love Color in my Baskets/Wall Art. There are NO set patterns or designs written down somewhere...my mind and heart START the Baskets...the Baskets always FINISH themselves. So I do not claim any particular style, but my own...however I am not sure exactly how MY STYLE would be defined. I like to think it is as Unique as I am. "

You will never be able to just want "one" of her creations.... :)

....go shop with her! http://www.etsy.com/shop/PineWeaver

flour bag totes

I was dinkin' around in the craft cave today and found some vintage flour bags offered by one of my sister Etsians, http://www.reginasstudio.etsy.com/ , and decided to play around with them! ....here are a couple of pictures of what became of the bags!! be sure to check out Regina's goodies, as she has something for everyone!

sighhhhhhhh...... :) the hackensaw boys

i could go on and on about these guys, but the intro on their website says it all.... they are my favorites EVER!!

"

You see them in the early hours of the morning walking hotel corridors, or boldly traversing rush hour streets. They are sincere, polite but talkative men with instrument cases. They admire the local scenery and appear unfed. By day they seem incapable of action but at night they step onto a stage and with taut fiddle bows, worn cutlery and dirty strings bring you a focused, vibrant and joyful sound. They are the Hackensaw Boys — and they are in your town.



After seven years of relentless touring throughout the United States, Europe and the U.K., the Hackensaw Boys are being recognized as one of the most exciting groups on the diverse Americana music scene. The group’s second release for Nettwerk Records, (Look Out) represents the recorded culmination of the Hackensaw’s unique vision: A celebratory but defiant sound culled from old-time mountains, backstage doorways and punishing drives through the evolving American landscape. Nine of the album’s 12 songs were written from within the group and sometime Modest Mouse/sometime Hackensaw, Tom Peloso, contributed two tracks. A pounding rendition of the traditional “Gospel Plow” rounds out the package.



The Hackensaw Boys have survived departures and arrivals, tribulations, blessings and, most importantly, each other. Add to this, thousands of nights in hundreds of clubs from Nashville to Bangor, from Los Angeles to Rotterdam and you begin to get an idea of the dedication and sheer mule-like tenacity that is the Hackensaw Boy ethic. So, whether you catch these guys on the road or pick them up in a store, be sure to check out the Hackensaw Boys — the perfect anodyne for the aches and pains of modern life. "

http://hackensawboys.com/index.php

run!!! don't walk to a venue near you!! you won't be sorry!!!

.: ReginasStudio :.

Oh, my word..... once you enter the realm of Etsy's "reginasstudio" you may never be able to stay away!!!! This Etsian has more irresistible ephemera than you could ever shake a stick at!! ...and, to beat all, she is the funniest and most accomodating seller I know of!

Check her out ~
http://www.etsy.com/shop/reginasstudio

you'll thank me for it!!!

.: Carolina Chocolate Drops :.

... a couple of summers ago, my fella and I had a bit of the wanderlust, and decided to try out Floydfest7 ... and were ever so glad we did!

here is the link to this years venue!
http://atwproductions.com/index.php?pr=ffperformers


We had spent a whole day at the extravaganza, and I was able to see my "favs" :) As we were heading to the bus area to be trucked out to the gi-normous parking lots (aka pastures!), we had about 15 minutes to burn and saw a small folk/bluegrass group setting up in a small theatre setting... from that small three member band came a BIG sound. We were totally smitten and followed their performances over the next two days!! This was the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and incredibly musically diverse team of three.
To learn more about them, I have some clips at the bottom of my blog, and of course, here is the link to their site

http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/#/

they are amazin'.....

Indigo Twin redux

...forgot the cotton pickin' addy!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/indigotwin

NOW, go shop!!

indigotwin

...i can't say enough about these two fine artisan's work!! they contiue to amaze me with the skill, and whimsy of their art.

here is a bit from their Etsy profile: "Indigo twin hails from small town Maine. We are Kirsten and Cortney, identical twin sisters who have always enjoyed creating art together. From crayon rubbings as small children to works of art as adults, we have always given each other inspiration."

...now go shop with them!!!

Yee Haw

..actually, that is one of my most favorite exclaimations...and, as a matter of fact, is also a favorite Etsy store... !!!

Who wouldn't love calenders advertising "Double Strength Loser Cream" and "Pink Careless Love Carnival", hmmm????

If you love the South, or just witty, and impeccably word pressed images, run (!!!), don't walk to http://www.etsy.com/shop/YeeHaw

yeeehawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Ms. Mindy Banta....

MindyBanta is one of those rare totally balanced artisans - let me give you an example. After a few purchases of some of Mindybanta's adorable baby clothing for my soon to be born grand-daughter, I decided that I would love to gift a good friend of mine. Now, this was no easy task, and I knew it would take some saavy to pull this off --- this friend is notorious for having really  light sensitive eyes, and had been dubbed (by myself, of course)... Molina :)

When I asked MindyBanta if she could create something like this, shesconfidently produced the most adorable depiction of a "Mole Girl" on the go, donning a stylish pair of cat-eye sunglasses!!! Both myself and "Molina" were over the moon ...

The moral of this story, is that you will always be more than pleased with whatever you get from this wonderful artisan!!!

Ms. Cotton-eyed Jo

....has arrived for the party.....! Ms. Jo abso-tootly is at the head of the table when it comes to detail and scrutiny when hookin' and strippin'.....awww!! now it ain't like that! Better yet, go see for yourself! http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottoneyedjo

Black Mountain Candles

...on ETSY are absolutely the model of what a candle should be!!

Wendy, the Candleista Par Excellente, is the one who plans, designs, and creates these long lasting, wonderfully scented candles!!! My daughter, who is a candle maniac, is one of Wendy's biggest groupies - let me tell you how accomodating Wendy is --- my daughter is active duty military and Wendy packages up orders for Amy, my brave (and gorgeous!) daughter overseas several times a year. You will not be disapointed --- I guarantee!!! Wendy has a lavender/vanilla tart that is ohhhhhhhhhh soooooo fine!!!
We both share the same birthday so we are to peas in a pod...oops, I forgot Albert is in that pod with us!!
check out her store on etsy...

www.etsy.com/shop/blackmountaincandle

My new friend, Betty...

...has the most fabu coffee bags ever at www.etsy.com/shop/DonkeeHouse !!! Have you seen the purses and totes that are made with them? ...and the other acoutrements, like at http//:www.greatgreengoods.com/index.php?s=burlap ?

Check it out!!!

Lucky ME!!!

I have always whined around that that there was no one around within a bazillion miles that sold the soapmaking supplies that I use frequently.  The Savonier Fairy must have finally cleaned her ears out and granted my fondest wish - alittlebarofsoap!!!
These wonderful Etsians - www.etsy/shop/alittlebarofsoap
have the most luscious butters and soapmaking oils. To add even more fun, they have a "cold Processing Soapmaking Kit", and some fun, fun, fun ( did i say FUN???!) goodies, to include: Make your own Love Potion kit, Massage candles (rarrr)...and so much more.
Go checkout their goodies!

GIANT thanks!!!

...to Miss Wendy, the Good Witch of the North ( you know... the real pretty nice one) for tolerating my million and one questions about how to set up my blog...

be sure to visit her etsy store - blackmountaincandle.etsy.com....her candles are scrumptious!

Pearl the Kitty Cat

....she is adorable isn't she?  i had fun creating her :)
i have to thank a couple of Etsians - halibuvalley, for the wonderful folded paper finding and weiwenhaitun for the tiny coral blossom and of course, Miss pearl the Kitty Cat!