Presents in the Mail

On Thursday of this past week, I had to go to the hospital to get an epidural shot in my neck for a problem that I'm having with my cervical spine. So, back home later that afternoon, I was laying in bed with an ice pack on my neck (because really, they tell you to resume light activities and to use an ice pack for the pain but how can you walk around doing regular activities and hold the ice pack on at the same time??? I've never figured it out).

Anyhoo, my DH brought in the mail and it just so happens that I had gotten 2 packages I ordered from lovely sellers on etsy.

And I just have to say, even though I had bought and paid for these items, I still felt like the sellers had sent me a gift. They were just awesome. Both were wrapped like presents and both included little freebies that were so sweet I just wanted to cry.

First up was the reclaimed wool ivory flower brooch that I ordered from sumpnsassy for my new black wool coat - that I've unfortunately had to wear ALOT this winter. OMG, it is adorable! The brooch, not my coat. LOL Nancy at sumpnsassy really put alot of time and effort into each petal and it was finished off with about a million buttons. Even my husband commented on the great craftsmanship and how detailed it was. She wrapped it in tissue and included a sweet felted hair clip and handmade thank you card.

Then I opened the package that I ordered from ThePinkDillo. They are rhinestone and hearts gift tags that I bought for my son's teachers for Valentine's Day. I bought some little glass vases at Michaels that I will put about 3-4 fresh tulips in, tie with a ribbon and one of these sweet little tags. (I swear I'll take pics and post it here when I do this - not like at Christmas when I totally forgot to take pics of the awesome handmade gifts I gave his teachers then.)

Angela at ThePinkDillo did a great job on these tags. They are so sweet and perfect. She wrappped them in a little craft box with her logo and even included 3 little freebie tags.

So I just wanted to say thanks to these great ladies, crafters, and etsians. You really made my day on Thursday and I SOOOO appreciate it.

Featured Etsy Artist - AnnasTrunk

My blog feature for this week is Christine at AnnasTrunk.

I love romance and romantic things, which is why Annastrunk really caught my eye. AnnasTrunk is full of "romantic little treasures" such as historical reproduction accessories, stationary, and an entire line of items based on Jane Austen.

When asked about her design process, Christine says, "I get inspiration for my designs from any and everywhere! I do some pencil/paper sketching but I mostly use my computer to create graphics for my sachets and mini pillows. I'll go through my stash of vintage illustrations and ponder for a while until I come up with an idea. Many of my ideas hit me at weird times! The middle of the night, grocery shopping, etc. so I always carry a little notebook with me so I don't forget anything!"

Christine has been sewing since she was a child. She also loves to construct and design historical clothing, do needlework, painting, sketching, sewing, quilting, and creating memory books. Christine says that because of her passion for historical fashion and love of classic movies and music, she feels like she should have lived during another era. "I mean, I love things about 2009 (indoor plumbing springs to mind) but I really feel drawn to life in other time periods. I think that's why I create what I create-it allows me to experience some of the nostalgia and romance of those long ago eras." She currently lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Thank you Christine and Annastrunk, for allowing me to feature you in my blog!!

Wednesday's Featured Etsy Artist

This weeks featured etsy artist is Valerie from AdditionsStyle (http://additionsstyle.etsy.com/)
Valerie creates jewelry and accessories from items found in the hardware stores, for women, men, and teens.

I think her jewelry is really cool. What a creative idea - using nuts and bolts to make fun jewelry!

I asked Valerie about her design process and this is what she had to say. "The hardware itself is very inspirational for me. I find myself thinking ahead about experimenting with new combinations, adding texture, and using color. I spend hours in hardware stores searching for my next new piece of metal. I may not know the intended uses for each new discovery, but I can envision its future."

Valerie has been making jewelry for about 10 years and has a line of sterling silver art jewelry that she sells to shops and galleries. The Additions line was started about a year ago. Valerie says her teenage daughter helps her to keep the line young and fresh.

Valerie says, "I love to create! Discovering new material and finding new ways to use it, really excites me. I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love!"

Thanks so much, Valerie, for allowing me to feature you in my blog!!

You can also find Valerie here:

http://additionsstyle.1000markets.com

http://additionsstyle.blogspot.com

Wednesday's Featured Etsy Artist!

My Weekly Featured Etsy artist for this week is Kristi from KitchenStitchen (http://kitchenstitchen.etsy.com).

When I came across Kristi’s shop, I knew I had to feature her because I immediately fell in love with her kitchen towels and potholders. She uses really beautiful, fun, and modern fabric. Kristi says "I am currently selling hand sewn potholders and embellished waffle weave towels. I plan to expand to other kitchen type linens. I'm currently working on making casserole carriers to add next. I also have a design concept in my head for placemats."

Kristi grew up with a mom and grandma who sewed and who taught her most of her sewing skills. She has been selling her bags on etsy since mid 2007 in her other store, SunnyKristi.

Here’s a little something about Kristi’s design process: "First, I try to make sure that I am creating a unique design in relation to other sellers with similar products. Then I make it my goal to produce the highest caliber product possible. I use basic designs and materials that I find most functional, durable and comfortable. I'm not out to just make beautiful products, I want to make highly functional beautiful products. I shop around for the best quality materials I can find and then the really enjoyable part is shopping for the designer fabrics. I try to stay within color schemes that I believe and my friends tell me are in real people's kitchens. Finally, I make test products and discover tools and techiniques needed to get exactly the look I want."

Kristi is from Grayslake, Illinois on the north side of Chicago. She enjoys sewing for her two children and also making paper crafts. You can follow Kristi and her creative life on her blog: http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com.

Thanks Kristi!! Your shop is beautiful!