BESTeam Weekly Feature: Fluttering Flowers

This week's featured shop is Fluttering Flowers, which sells critters and decorations made of FIMO and Sculpey Polymer clay. These miniatures would make great stocking stuffers, and the plant sticks (available in many shades) will give some color to your houseplants if, like mine, they don't spend much time in bloom.
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 Here are a few items from the Fluttering Flowers shop:

Eight Roses and Four Ladybug  Plant Sticks:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52022509/8-roses-and-4-ladybug-plant-sticks-for?ref=v1_other_2

 

 

4 Silly Penguins:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63945059/4-silly-penguins-fimo-and-sculpey?ref=pr_shop

 

Small Shimmery Square Swirly Mirror:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63971222/small-shimmery-square-swirly-mirror-fimo?ref=pr_shop

 

You can find more at the Fluttering Flowers Etsy Shop, on Twitter, and on the Fluttering Flowers blog.

'Tis The Season: Holiday Gift Ideas by Rae of Light Photography

Rae of Light is a photography shop based in Joplin, MO. For those of us in the midst of holiday shopping, this shop is a great find, and there are options for everyone on your list: you can buy  a fine art photography print for a sophisticated art lover on your list, a calendar for your boss, or you can stuff your stockings with magnets and puzzles.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48730030/fall-butterfly-fine-art-calendar

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48792506/blue-butterfly-fine-art-puzzle

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61083111/red-flowers-in-teal-bowl-5x7-etsy-art

You can view all Rae of Light items on Etsy. Don't forget to check out their blog, too!

Happy Thanksgiving Sale! 5% off in my shop!

Just type in the coupon code HOLIDAY5OFF when you check out to receive 5% off in my shop.

http://dicarlos.etsy.com

This Week's Featured Crafter: Elizabeth MD Jewery Designs

Shop owner Elizabeth, of Elizabeth MD Jewelry Designs, is a self-proclaimed fashion lover who started designing her own jewelry when she wasn't finding pieces that make her excited about wearing them. Her shop features handmade earrings, necklaces, and sets that are designed and constructed from beads and wire. In the spirit of individuality and uniqueness, her shop announcement proclaims: "You're one of a kind, so why shouldn't your jewelry be?"
 

Fuschia Pink Adjustable Pearl Nugget Bangle

Winter Moon Necklace and Matching Earrings

If you like these unique pieces, and would like to see more, visit ElizabethMD's Etsy shop at: http://elizabethmd.etsy.com. You can also find out more on her blog: http://elizabethmdesigns.blogspot.com.

Staying Sane and Chasing the Nuns

This week's featured artist is Sarah, creater of Chasing the Nuns (Cerlandia). Sarah is a stay-at-home mom from Illinois, who "crafts instead of going crazy," and her shop is full of lovely and fun handmade items. Since I spent yesterday morning doing some baby visiting, I was smitten with this adorable butterfly bib..

Butterfly Bib

Sarah also crafts beautiful crocheted necklaces. This pink one can be worn long or short.

Crocheted Coral Necklace

And the crocheted zigzag with a sterling silver chain is such a fun and unique idea!

Black zigzag Crochet Necklace

Since shopping season is coming up, this "Good in the Hood" Mr. Rogers tote bag is a fun way to carry your purchases.

Mr. Rogers Recycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

You can check out all of Sarah's items in her Etsy shop. She also has a blog, and facebook page.

As always, leave Sarah some love in the comments section, and take a few minutes to stop by her shop!

Sister Act: Handmade Accessories by Ardent Reverie

The leaves are down, bulbs are in the ground, the geraniums have found new homes in sunny first floor windows, and we'll all get to sleep an extra hour tonight after we turn back our clocks. There's not much left to do this fall, except stock up on cozy accessories. Need shopping inspiration? Sisters Melanie and Meghan Mina can help you out. Melanie and Mina are a creative duo who sell their hair clips, headbands, hats, scarves, necklaces and even original paintings in their Etsy shop, Ardent Reverie.

With temperatures dropping, these knitted accessories can help keep out the chill:

L'Amour Beanie

Frill Scarf

 

The hair accessories at Ardent Reverie include beautiful headbands and fun feathery clips:

Lotus and Potpourri Feather Headband

Midnight Symphony Feather Headband

If you're more into decorating your pad than your hair, Ardent Reverie's art department is a must-see:

Aurora Glow-in-the-Dark Painting

DIY Mending (Mixed Media)

Want More? Visit:
Webpage and Blog: http://ardentreverie.com
Shop: http://www.ardentreverie.etsy.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ArdentReverie
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArdentReverie1
Sign up for Ardent Reverie's Sales, Promotions, and Events! Email: ArdentReverie1@gmail.com

Steampunk Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! Today's inspiration is brought to you by Lola, an Oregon-based designer and crafter whose Victorian-inspired accessories are available in her Etsy shop, Inkstrand. Lola creates beautiful pendants, purses, and rings that are handcrafted from new, recycled and found materials. Lola is a self-proclaimed history and sci-fi lover, and thinks of Inkstrand as an opportunity to infuse her "nostalgic nerdiness" into her work.

Take a peek at the stunning photographs of the pieces available from Inkstrand:

Steampunk Brass Two Gears Resin Pendant Necklace

Vintage-Inspired Light Bulb Illustration -- Brass Pendant

Pale Violet Red Victorian Embellishment -- Brass Pendant

For more about Lola and her crafts, take a minute to stop by her facebook page. I highly recommend her blog, especially since she wrote a lovely feature on my shops this week! And as always, leave some comment love!

BESTeam Weekly Feature: Mya Bruce Designs

While I won't be planning any kiddie parties for a while (since I don't have any!), this week's post is for those of you who wake up to the sound of pitter-patter feet every day. Mya Bruce is now offering her design service to customize super fun invitations so you can throw a fabulous party for your little one. Not a birthday? Not a problem! Mya can design a card or invitation for any occasion you can think of! How about a Candyland tournament chez toi? Or perhaps a neighborhood haunted house? Even better, you could be the founder and host of the local chapter of the kindergarten literary society. Just send Mya your ideas, some pictures, and party details, and before you know it, you'll have every nose miner and ankle biter on the block lining up to get in.

Invitations, Announcements, and cards by Mya Bruce Designs can be ordered through her Etsy site. you can also find out more at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mya-Bruce-Designs/113429518702303

Can't Buy Me Love! (Or Can You?)

It's been a week of ups and downs. The long weekend turned out to be great, and I had an awesome time Oktoberfesting, hiking, and spending time with friends and family, but it didn't start out so hot when I had to deal with my engine dying, and being stranded at school on Friday afternoon. Luckily, I have an awesome husband who took some time out of his Columbus Day to help me push my car down the hill to the tech program's garage (thanks, honey). As of today, Carr is back on the road, having been fixed by my very own students (thanks Auto Tech class) and I don't have to borrow a vehicle anymore (thanks, Mom). I'm back on the road for nothing more than the cost of a re-manufactured starter (thanks Autozone)! Even though dealing with car troubles is a drag, I gotta say that I really felt the love from everyone who helped me out. That's something you just can't buy.

Or can you?

Maybe love is something you can purchase, at least if you ask Toronto-based jewelry designer Kristina, who runs the Etsy shop Buy Some Love with her husband (and occasional help from the couple's toddler). This adorable shop features the sweetest necklace and earring sets that are most definitely made with love. Check these lovebirds out:

And here are a few other things I just LOVE in this shop:

Buy Some Love is all about showing some love too, and uses supplies and materials that are all purchased from other sellers on Etsy. Leave a little love in the comments section if you like what you see, and don't forget to check out Buy Some Love's blog and facebook page.

This week's BESTeam featured seller is Danizabeth, who works as a graphic designer for a local newspaper. She is a passionate photographer who "love[s] being able to look at something and capturing its beauty in unexpected ways."

This is precisely what she does in her Red Truck Series, available as 8 x 10 matte prints on Etsy. Though the series is titled after a rusting truck that Danizabeth found in a salvage yard, the photos seem to be more about the details than about the truck itself: these photos tell the story of the texture of cracked paint juxtaposed with the blistered metal of the door handle; the persistance of the foliage that is growing into the cab; an acoustic guitar leaning out the window; a hood ornament with a shadow etched in orange rust.

The automobiles of yesteryear comprise the subject matter in many of Danizabeth's photographs, and titles like "Pink Lady," and "Happy Car" highlight the distinct personality of each model.

My very favorite image in Danizabeth's shop is "Tagged." This image deconstructs the car into its components by revealing divided shelves stacked with labeled car parts. I love the repetition of the shapes and the textures of scuffed wood, worn metal, and frayed rope.

Danizabeth's images are available for sale in her Etsy Shop. You can also follow her blog and become a fan of her facebook page.

If you like what you see, show Danizabeth some love in the comments section!

The Best of BESTeam: New Treasury

I just made this fall-themed treasury that features the beautiful work of BESTeam members:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ca8db1c63448eef8ca0f8c7/october-sunday

Glass Wall Hangings and Watercolor Prints by Elizabeth O'Hara

This week's featured artist, Elizabeth O'Hara, is the creative force behind not one, but two Etsy shops: Elizabeth O'Hara and Elizabeth O'Hara Glass. Elizabeth lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, and is "inspired every day by the patterns, sounds, colors, and textures of this ever changing landscape and city on the Chesapeake Bay."

In her art shop,  Elizabeth sells watercolor prints, and mixed media paintings that take inspiration from everything from feathers to tapestries.

Watercolor Archival Print, "Bird"

Watercolor Archival Print, "Dreaming of Kilm"

Elizabeth's love for working with glass stems from a childhood experience when she found a treasure on the beach in Captain's Cove in Alaska: dozens of Japanese fishing net floats that had washed up on the shore. Elizabeth O'Hara Glass offers wall hangings that combine fused and/or cast glass with a variety of materials including hand made paper clay, waxes, mason stains, colored pencil and gold or other metal leaf.

Fused Glass Wall Art, Multicolored Green

 

 

 

 

Fused Glass Wall Art, Bronze Orange

Find out more about Elizabeth by reading her blog, checking her tweets on Twitter, or becoming a fan of her Facebook page.

If you like what you see, show Elizabeth some love by leaving a comment below. 

Who Doesn't Love a Great Sale? (50% off at Wayfaring Magnolia!)

I'll be the first to admit it. I'm a sucker for a good sale. What luck that Amanda Esch, the creator of the Etsy shop Wayfaring Magnolia, is offering 50% back via Paypal on any order placed by Friday!

Amanda is a recent college graduate, who currently resides in Nashville. She's a self-proclaimed gypsy, who serenades the masses with her beautiful music, and also expresses her creativity through artwork and her latest endeavor in fashion design.

While browsing Etsy, I came across a few absolute gems on her site:

How could you not adore this simple acrylic Lovebirds painting?

Amanda also creates picture frames out of lovely paper, like this Wildflower Picture Frame.

These handmade Blue Flower Fabric Buttons are a last reminder of summer, and so pretty with the contrasting blue petals and orange centers.

I saved the best for last. When I was a kid, we had a blue plastic cowboy boot milk cup that used to belong to my dad. Of course, despite the fact that everyone fought over the cowboy (cowgirl) cup for years, it doesn't get much use these days. This Vintage Glass Cowboy Boot Bottle, however, is made for big girls. Perfume bottle? Maybe. But I'd probably rinse it out, fill it with whiskey, and pop it into my saddlebag while I rode off into the sunset.

If you like what you see, make some noise! Then stop by Amanda's new facebook page, her Etsy shop, or her blog to check out her stuff. (Since her birthday was last Tuesday, you can even leave her a message with some belated birthday wishes.)

Yay Storque!

I just checked my google analytics for my Etsy page, and got a big shocker when I noticed that my shop got over 500 hits yesterday. I felt a little weird googling myself (doesn't that sound dirty?), but I just found out that my Green is for Girls Notebook was in the Storque!

Click here for the link for emilybidwell's handmade blog entry, "Etsy Finds: Don't You Forget About Me." (You have to scroll down a bit -- I'm in the "Teacher's Pet" section, of course.)

How-To Make a Spanish Tile Wooden Mailbox, Step-by-Step Guide

PART 1

While honeymooning in Spain, my husband and I purchased a set of beautiful tiles that spelled our last name. We were living in an apartment then, but now that we've got our own place, we decided to use the tiles to make a personalized wooden letter box for our front porch. Here is a step-by-step guide for making the mailbox. You can leave the front plain or embellish it with your own name tiles or design.

Before we start, a few words about shop safety. My man Norm Abram says it best: "Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these — safety glasses."

My safety glasses.

Seriously. Wear safety glasses. Fashion police are not allowed in wood shops anyway.

Materials:

* 1/2" x 6" x 6' hardwood plank, for sides, lid, and top plate
* 1/2" plywood (we purchased a 2'x4' sheet and had plenty leftover)
* Piano hinge, cut to 16" long
* Weather-resistant wood glue
* Brads for tacking joints together (2-3 per joint)

* Optional: Name tiles

Tools:
* Table saw (We used a table saw for all cuts, but you could certainly use a miter saw for the cross cuts and angles.) Make sure you have or make a jig for cutting angles if you're doing that on the table saw.
* Router
* Brad nailer (A hammer would work just fine too.)

Okay, let's go.

First, cut the side pieces out of your hardwood.

Use your miter gauge to push board through table saw at an angle.















Using a set of dado blades, cut 1/2" rabbet on longest edge (9 1/2" side), and 1/2" dado on the 7 1/2" side

Please do not cut off your fingers!
The saw wasn't actually running here!

Use the router to make a 1/2 " rabbet on the bottom edge between the dado and rabbet you already cut.

Cut plywood in three 16" long sections, and cross cut to match heights of mailbox back, front, and bottom. You will have to angle your saw blade when you cut the bottom and front pieces to make the plywood  flush with your dado and rabbet cuts.

Fit pieces together, and use waterproof glue and brads to secure everything.
















Hope you have lots of clamps! Clamp everything together until the glue dries.

To be continued...