Sweet Kitties

I have a kindred spirit at Etsy: at this very moment, as I attempt to type these words, I have the sweetest, but most obnoxious kitty kneading me and telling me how much she would love some loving, but I've got this blog to write! My kindred spirit is the artist behind Sweet Irie - named for her kitten, Irie. The kitten's name means "supreme joy": quite fitting because she is the light of the life and the inspiration for the jewelry in Sweet Irie's shop, as the cat also likes to help her in her work just like my Stella is trying to help me right now! Although we both have to admit, neither cat is much help! At one time her kitty loved to play with the jewelry and balls of hemp that Sweet Irie once used in her craft; stringing it all over the house. Needless to say, she now has had her own stash of 'toys' provided to lie around. Just as well, as Sweet Irie has since moved on from making hemp jewelry and now creates the beautiful handmade beaded designs you see here and throughout her store.

Sweet Irie is an art student going to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. When not doing school work, she spends time with her family, many animals, church, and making jewelry. Once she graduates, Disney better watch out, 'cuz here comes Sweet Irie! Click on any image in the montage above, visit Sweet Irie's shop, where she is having a great sale by the way, or check out her blog. Now, Stella - let me get some work done!

Hope for Whirled Peas Update

I'm so happy - two of my pieces in the Hope for Whirled Peas Collection (see this post to get the whole scoop) I have dedicated to raising funds for the Fisher House Foundation have sold! Actually, one necklace was a special request as gift for a mom expecting twins - what a sweet idea! I hope that this is the beginning of a successful charity opportunity. Thanks to my two buyers so far - your purchases are greatly appreciated!

For the Love of Moose

I met Craftymoose back in August 2006 on Etsy when I joined a fun group of Etsians who met weekly in the Forums for one of JewelStreet's Creative Challenges. Now, I haven't participated in a Creative Challenge for some time - working too much, moving across country, excuses all around - but I was very glad to see her join up with us 90 Feature Folk in the blog challenge we're doing. Glad because she now has company because of the challenge, - haha, I think Craftymoose was the only reader other than family I ever had for my blog - thanks Crafty! Also more doubly glad because she has such fun and imaginative pieces in her shop - items you are not going to find just anywhere for sure, and that I'm very glad to write a feature for. Her beaded creatures/suncatchers have always been favorites of mine, and her French flowers blow me away - how do people work with those tiny little beads????


Craftymoose claims to have been crafting for as long as she can remember, is self-taught and has enjoyed painting, needlework, quilting, polymer clay and jewelry making. Most recently drawn to beads, she has returned to the art of french-beaded flowers. She also has one-of-a-kind beaded art dolls and suncatchers as shown here in this post. Custom requests are welcomed by Craftymoose, so if there is something you would like to see created with her singular type of craft, give her a contact either through her shop or her blog.

And if you're wondering, the name Craftymoose came about because of her love of crafts and her husband's love of moose. Her avatar is the head of a 4'+ tall moose she made for her husband one Christmas - now there's a loving wife!

A Paper DemiGod

Our (the "90 Feature Folk" as Phyllis from PersonalTreasures has dubbed us) resident DemiGod is Michael Gresh, and he is a man of many trades. Designer of hotels by day, craft inventor and schemer by night, a self-proclaimed "paper nut", he is the force behind the Etsy shop Darjeeling Paper.



He is also the co-owner of DemiGod Studio, an ecclectic duo of craft & art show afficionados. When he's not working on plans to open his own shop for DemiGod Studio, he bides his time coming up with new and inventive ways to use up the stockpile of paper he's accumulated over the years. That must be some stash considering the wonderful paper eye-candy he's got listed in his shop. His plans for Darjeeling Paper, Ltd. include a showcase for these paper goods, and to distinguish his works as a new product division of DemiGod. A man with a business plan - his offerings are so lovely and practical, I'm sure he'll be a quite successful DemiGod.

Spend some time checking out Michael's shop, and find out more about his processes on his website and blog, where there are even plans for tutorials in the near future.

O Tannenbaum

a musing following Lesley's post concerning her quest for her perfect pagan symbol.....

Conventional wisdom has the Christmas tree as being co-opted from pagan practices, but not being Druid, I really don't know how it was/is used in pagan celebrations.

I do find it ironic that for something as pervasive in our culture as the tree, that controversy comes in from all sides. Fundamentalist Christians chafe at its pagan roots, non-Christians chafe at the civil display of what they see as a uniquely Christian symbol and therefore inappropriate, and non-believers adopt it as a festive decoration for a holiday that can be celebrated completely stripped of any religious content, back to chafing the believers. And again, I confess ignorance to what the actual pagans are doing or thinking about trees at the Winter Solstice. Maybe they're chafed about all this, too.

How do I as a Christian see my tree?

It is an evergreen to symbolize God's everlasting love for me.

It is chopped down by human hands just as my actions separate me from the love of God.

It is a tree because it was upon a tree that my redemption came through the power of Christ's crucifixion. My church took this symbol further by allowing the trees used at Christmas-time to completely dry out, then they stripped the trunks of their branches and fashioned crucifixes to be used during our Lenten and Easter services. Understanding that those were in fact our Christmas trees enriched the meaning immensely for me - connecting the hope and joy of the promise of the Baby felt back at Christmas with what happened to bring about that hope on Good Friday. That was a powerful message.

It is decorated in lights to symbolize both the stars that shone on the night of Christ's birth, and that Christ is a light to my world.

On the top? A star for the star of Bethlehem that led the magi to the Child, or perhaps an angel to represent the heralds that proclaimed His birth to the shepherds.

Under the tree are gifts to those I love and hold most dear, consecrated at the foot of this symbol just as sacrifices are laid upon an altar. Because God loved me first, I can love others.

And yes, we co-opted the Winter Solstice, too. I heard stories that the reasoning behind the choice of date for Christmas was to specifically supplant the pagan rituals of the Solstice (Hey, the people need a good party in the dead of winter, so let's give 'em a Christian reason to celebrate!), and I have no doubt that was part of the reasoning, but I'm also sure there were probably lots of other pagan rituals they could have wanted to replace. So I think the Solstice was chosen deliberately as the perfect time to celebrate Christ's birth. Just as the earth begins to turn to the sun with the assured promise of the abundance of the coming summer, so, too, can we turn to the Baby born to bring abundant love to us all. These feelings of hope were part of the collective consciousness of people (in December in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway) - what better time to celebrate the hope of salvation?

Even with its "roots" somewhere not connected to Christ's birth, my Christmas Tree is a rich and meaningful symbol to me as a Christian. Do I chafe if someone else has a tree that is used in a secular or pagan manner? Of course not. It's just a pretty tree. But for me, our family tree will be an integral part of my meditations, celebration and joy this coming Season. May your holidays, however you see fit to celebrate them, be filled with hope and joy, too.

Down to Earth

Maybe it's the season, maybe the lack of rain leaving all the grasses tinder-box brown, maybe even my mood....but I found myself drawn to the lovely earth-shades of jewelry in the shops that belong to Etsy artist formerly-known-as-Berry Patch Designs, now becoming Silver Shadow (a change prompted by a name conflict with another e-seller on that OTHER e-site). She also maintains an "alternate reality" shop at Undercurrent. A member of Etsy's EarthPath Artisans Street Team, Berry Patch/Silver Shadow loves life but not drama, animals, people-watching, and keeping an individualistic approach. Here is how she describes her approach to design: "I love to combine the varying colors and textures of the natural world. There are so many feelings and places to love about our world!"


Her materials remind her of those places and feelings: turquoise, jasper and agate in their infinite varieties, other semiprecious gems, like amazonite's soft greens, garnet's rich wine colors, bronzite's gold-flecked chocolate depths. High quality man-made glass and metal beads join in the visual symphony; they have their own brightness and feelings to contribute to her designs.

What does she love most designing jewelry? Hearing and seeing that people enjoy wearing her jewelry. I bet she hears that a lot.


Her "mad ramblings" about jewelry design can be found at her Strains Asylum, and her designs at Berry Patch Designs, Silver Shadow, and Undercurrent.

Feed your Head

and your eyes! I found the work of Etsy jewelry artist Alternate Bliss to have all the aspects of desirable accessories (for me, anyway) - clean style, beautiful materials, and something to spark the mind. Tanya Brumett, a mixed media artist who includes jewelry in her offerings (as well as ACEOs, original art and art prints), works a lot in fine silver clay to create little pure silver masterpieces like the White Rabbit.


I especially love pieces that incorporate words to pique your interest, or reflect your attitude, or focus your daily walk. For many, the word "Imagine" is just that kind of word, even a call to action as it evokes the utopian words of John Lennon.

And speaking of music, an apparent source of inspiration for Alternate Bliss, these "99 Red Balloons" earrings recall the anti-war protest song of Nena's from the '80s, as well as the movie, “Le Ballon Rouge,” a short film directed by French film-maker Albert Lamorisse in 1956. This film follows the adventures of a young boy who finds a large, red balloon throughout the streets of Paris. In their wanderings around Paris, the young boy and the balloon encounter a gang of bullies, but tragedy is replaced by a magically happy ending.

So feed your head with evocative and beautiful jewelry from Alternate Bliss, check out her art while you're there, and find out her musings on life through her blog.

Mommas Know Best

About how to be a chic momma and to pamper their babies! A group of moms, all friends, started making things for their own children and realized that even though they each only had one or two things they each specialized in, collaborating would be more fun and would make for a shop full of things moms all over absolutely couldn't live without. Elle Belle on Etsy was born! They specialize in handmade (of course!) boutique-quality items that make being a Mom easier and more fun!


Take for example their crinkle corner lovey-blankets with the sleeping baby above, or their tag blankets like this cute duckie pattern: both are designed to engage your little one in visual and tactile exploration. Soft fleece and satin combine to make the ducky blanket a potentially favorite cuddly companion. Elle Belle goes the extra mile to make the 12 tags on each blanket unique in texture, size, and color, and they make sure to keep Mom in mind by keeping them a perfectly portable size of 14 x 14 inches so baby can easily play with them in their car seat and they also fit nicely in a diaper bag. They're thinking of everything!



Chic baby fashion is also the name of the game. I can't imagine many things more precious than these crocheted toddler ballet slippers, and their "pillow case" dresses are so versatile they can be proportioned to fit from newborns all the way to size 4. Perfect for any season, they can be worn alone on warm days or with a shirt underneath when it's cooler. Great for matching sister dresses!


Drop by Elle Belle on Etsy, and pay them a visit on their blog to learn more about what Mommas know best.

Company is Coming!

The holiday season is upon us. In fact next week is Thanksgiving - are you ready yet? Ack, I'm not! It's so early this year. But it's not too late to add those special touches to your activities that will make memories of the season last for a lifetime. There's an artist on Etsy that has items that fit that bill nicely, I would think, for those interested in making the season special. At Mommy and Me Boutique the specialty is adult and toddler aprons; fun, funky, traditional, vintage. Just perfect for those holiday baking and cooking activities, and turning what could be a mundane chore into an "event" and a memory cherished for a lifetime - "when Mommy and me made cookies together." These aprons are designed for today's mother and child to show off their own sense of style; you can be sure "these are not your mother "s aprons."


Other passions at Mommy and Me involve creating toddler skirts and baby items and she enjoy sworking with designer fabric and ribbons. Loving care and personal expression are put into each one. All work is done in a pet free and smoke free environment, so you can be assured your fabric items will arrive allergen-free, and ready for making memories.

See more of her lovelies, as "every little girl likes something special" at her Etsy shop and her blog. Now, back to planning for next week!

Spark your creativity

One of the neat things about Etsy is the number of vendors on the site that cater to the new crafters' love of vintage and repurposing of old into new. There are many artists that use the vintage items as part of their new art, and others just love to have the vintage items in their environment. Being of a certain "vintage" myself, sometimes I find things for sale from my own childhood - LOL! Creative Sundries has a shop just chock-full of vintage ephemera, cookbooks, sewing patterns, jewelry, and collage art and repurposed items - all of that certain "age."

This fun little plastic tray from American Airlines has been altered through decoupage and the addition of an authentic Mexican loteria card - perfect for your keys, don't you think? Or maybe change you're saving for a "rainy" day?















Vintage on Etsy is about taking the old and making the new.....what could you do with this funky image from a newspaper ad for a pharmacy? Insert it into a collage perhaps? But you should see what's on back of this original newspaper ad - perhaps an even more compelling image to work with. But you'll have to click on the pic to get to the listing to see for yourself!

So Etsy is not only your one-stop-shop for all things handmade, but also a treasure trove for materials and inspiration. Come check out what the Minnesota mother-daughter team of Creative Sundries is doing with vintage, and read more on their blog.

Fired up for Wired Up

I got the opportunity to e-interview Etsy jewelry artist Alicia Weeks from Wyred On Wire - an artist who loves to work in wire and semi-precious gemstones as much as I do.

So Alicia, how did you get into your craft? When I was 8 years old my grandparent bought me a huge beading kit for Christmas. I fell in love with beads and jewelry that day. I loved putting the different colors combinations together from there it grew.


What inspires you? I'm inspired by life in general. There isn't much that doesn't inspire me: friends, family other artist, media. I can go for a walk and be inspired or a trying to sleep.

What challenges you in your art? Pictures, Pictures, Pictures. I definitely need to work on my photography skills in the new year. I will be getting a new camera and getting some lessons.

How long have you had your shop? I joined Etsy in March; however, it was awhile afterwards that I started posting items for sale.

Do you consider your shop a job or a hobby? I don't consider making my jewelry a job. I love making my jewelry. However, the paperwork, the photography, web presence, etc., does sometimes turn it into a job.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? I don't think I have really been here long enough to give advice for Etsy shop owners, but some good advice to anyone: be true to yourself.

And lastly, what is your favorite fun fact about yourself? It's not really a fun fact, I think it's rather sad and slightly ironic. I love earrings; however, I am allergic to them. I still wear them. I just make sure that when I am home I take them out. Yes, a jewelry designer who is allergic to earrings.


Thanks, Alicia, for sharing about yourself and your work. So sorry about that earring allergy! The lovely items featured here are available at Wyred on Wire, and you can find out more about Alicia at Blogger and on her gallery website.

Game On!

Lauren, the Etsy artist behind Lost Mitten, is a self-proclaimed, major video game addict, from prehistoric Nintendo to present-day Wii. Living in Brantford, Ontario, Canada she has been creating handcrafted items for her Etsy shop since September 2006.


In addition to her love of video games, Lauren's talents are so diverse that she includes in her loves knitting and crochet! She also loves to create journals and other paper goods, as well as needlepoint, acrylic felt creations, pinback buttons, and jewelry. There seriously has to be something for literally everybody in her shop. Especially those looking to appease their inner geek. And who doesn't have an inner geek? Okay, maybe those with outer geeks, but you know who you are. Check out Lost Mitten, and her blog, and get your game on.

Ready, Get "Set", Go!

Pulling together a "look" can be as simple as classic clothes with an added pop of accessory adornments. Coordinated sets of jewelry are the specialty of Etsy shop Adornments by BJ, a jewelry artist with an exceptional eye for beautiful stones and well-balanced compositions (just check out the lead picture - what gorgeous larimar!). Her passion for her art is evident in all her creations, to amazing and striking results. She has designs to fit all budgets and styles, from casual to elegant, from bold to demure, and you'll never have to worry about what earrings to wear with the stunning necklace you've chosen - BJ has made the set for you!


I'm especially in love with this gold/purple combo of amethyst and yellow jasper - yum yum!









So, ready, set, go grab an eyeful at Adornments by BJ, and check out her blog, too! I'm sure you'll find a load of goodies.

A Hope for Whirled Peas

Next week, Americans mark a day we call "Veterans Day" - a day to commemorate all those who have served our country in military service, most notably those still living, acknowledging the sacrifices they have made as they carried out their duties for our national security. Beginning this week and continuing as a permanent section in my Etsy shop, I will be dedicating a limited edition series of jewelry pieces specifically to honor veterans by donating proceeds from the sales of these pieces to the Fisher House™ Foundation.

What are Fisher Houses™ and why did I choose to make fund-raising efforts in support of them?

Glad you asked.

The Fisher House™ Foundation program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. The program began in 1990, and has offered nearly 2-1/2 million days of lodging to more than 110,000 families. This lodging is made available free of charge to these families in need. Regardless of the politics of war, our wounded soldiers and their families need our support, and support of the Fisher Houses™ is one way we can lend a hand.

These Houses are a significant presence here in my hometown of San Antonio, as it has become the nation's center for medical treatment for amputees, and has seven Fisher Houses™ in operation to support these families. So as a charity, this is doubly attractive to me, living with a veteran and also living in San Antonio.


The other amazing thing about this organization is their stellar reputation as a charity organization. Major supporters include Newman's Own, and Gary Trudeau of "Doonesbury" fame. They have received a 4-star rating for three consecutive years from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities; the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence , certifying that they meet the highest standards of public accountability and program and cost effectiveness; and an A+ rating from Charity Watch. I feel that I can not only support an awesome cause, but also give with confidence, knowing that the funds will go exactly to where they were intended.


This holiday make a purchase count for more than the joy of the item itself - have a gift give back. Do it here with That's Headley! Hope for Whirled Peas Collection purchases, or another purchase from someone with charity-targeted proceeds, but do it - you'll like it, I'm sure.

For more information about the Fisher House™ Foundation, please see www.fisherhouse.org. This fundraising effort is undertaken personally by that’s Headley! Jewelry Designs, and does not imply that the Fisher House™ Foundation in any way supports or endorses my jewelry. Also, I am not a spokesperson for the Fisher House™ Foundation, so any inquiries regarding the Foundation should be directed to them via their contact information provided at www.fisherhouse.org.

Kuddly Warmth for Your Babes

Toni Anderson from Fairbanks, Alaska, is a new Etsy shop owner, joining only this September, but is already up and running with 21 sales! She heard about Etsy from her college roommate, who is a photographer in Minneapolis. Overall, Toni has been creating her items for one year, and when she was deciding on a name for her shop, she wanted to pick a name that would reflect both what she makes and had a personal meaning to her. Kuddle Bugz Threadz is inspired from her 16-month-old twins, Tori and Trista, her true “KuddleBugz”. With the need in Fairbanks for warm baby items, she felt a tug at her heart to use her talents to help other mom's keep their "kuddle bugz" warm, too!


Toni works in fleece and flannel, and her first project was last year for Christmas when she made her boyfriend a Washington Huskies fleece blanket. Her favorite item in her shop is this Purple Paisley Infant Car Seat Cover. Mine, of course, is the cute burp cloth at the end of this post. Although she considers her first job is to be a "Mommy to two beautiful little twin girls," she promotes her business by handing out business cards, putting up flyers around town, word of mouth referrals, emailing family/friends, and participating in forums on Etsy. Her advice to other indie craft artists is "Don’t give up! Keep giving it 110% because it will pay off!"


Her future plans include to continue making sales, adding new items each week. Toni hopes that it will make enough profit so that she will be able to say at home with her girls! So for keeping your little ones warm and cozy this winter, check out Kuddle Bugz Threadz shop, and find out more about Toni and her cute little Kuddle Bugz on her blog.

Dreamweaver in Art

Like many other artists, Etsy artist Paulette Insall from Portland, Oregon has been creative from a very young age. From making knotted bracelets and hair accessories as a child to taking photos for her high school year book when she was older. She never thought of herself as an artist until a few years ago. For many years she dreamed of painting, but could never bring herself to pick up a paint brush until October of 2006. That's when her love of creating stories with paint and paper began.

Paulette's art is reflective mixed media, and is available as original art, fine art prints and note cards - something for every budget level - for anyone drawn to her beautiful, dreamy images.

These days when she’s not busy entertaining her very busy four year old son, you will find her stealing any moment she can in her home studio pouring her thoughts and emotions out into the visual stories she creates through her art. She gives us the opportunity to share in her art through her Etsy shop, her blogs - one on Blogger, and a brand new one, where she also is participating in the 90-day blog challenge - and on her website and on Ebay.

Dundas Down Under

Etsy glass artist, Anne Dundas from Sydney, Australia discovered beading in 2004, and the discovery sparked her imagination and began a passion in her life. From beading she moved into the wonderfully colorful and magical world of lampworking, and now makes luminous glass creations to make you drool. As you may remember from my features on Ginger Black and Studio Marcy, I have nothing but awe and admiration for those who wield the torch on molten glass. How DO they DO that?!?!

When not creating lampwork beads or crafting jewelry ("jewellery" Down Under), she is the caregiver for her mother who has MS and designs business cards for other jewelry artists. She professes the view that beading and the beading community she has found since beginning her journey in 2004 to have truly enriched her life. I feel fortunate that I, too, have been introduced to Anne Dundas Handcrafted Jewellery and Lampwork Beads, and all the wonderful pretties that can found therein. Check out her shop for yourself, and take some time to visit her blog where she shares her creative process.

Always Good to Stick with the Classics

Dina Cuomo of New York, the Etsy jewelry artist behind Elektra Jewelry Design, became entranced with jewelry and jewelry design following a trip to Greece at the age of 15. The classical pieces in 18K and 24K gold she found there fascinated her, and she brought many pieces back with her to enjoy for many years. The seeds that were planted after that influential trip sprouted and grew into an indie business after a chance escape from the cold on a ski vacation led her to take a jewelry-making class. Love of design and love of process came together, and in March 2007, she opened her Etsy shop.



Her designs are gracious and elegant compositions of semiprecious gemstones, sterling silver and top quality gold vermeil. Her design goal is to create pieces that are timeless and well-made so that they can be worn for years to come, just as she enjoyed those classical pieces from Greece.







For elegant, classic design in jewelry, you would do well to spend some time at Elektra Jewelry Design and find out more about Dina on her blog.