.:: 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