Transformation From Beads To Textile

Russian Royalty - $100
Just under 19.5" long (approx 49 cm) from end of clasp to end of clasp; woven from purple, clear, pearly white and gold Czech seed beads.

Now this is the kind of work I love to see! What this artist does with beads is refined, extraordinary, and every bit Fine Jewelry. The piece at the top could be in a museum for all its precision, intricacy and sheer artistry!

RegalBeads, an Etsy store out of Thunder Bay, Canada is an apt name for this operation, combining traditional bead-weaving stitches with rich color and pattern reminiscent of old world fine fabrics worn by Kings and Queens. Stately argyles, and lacy almost Victorian details are the signature of this line.

The artist belongs to Etsy Bead Weavers Street Team. The piece, Russian Royalty was her November contest entry. The stitch she uses on the piece above is absolutely gorgeous! It reminds me of tatting and is a different look than most of the other bead-weaving I’ve seen before.

The next piece is woven in a classic Russian pattern know as the Karmen. It is extremely elegant and signifies class and royalty.

Princess Anastasia - $85.00
This lovely necklace was created with Black, Smokey grey and pink Czech seed beads, and is approximately 19.5(approx. 49 cm) in length from end of clasp, to end of clasp.

And this piece is exquisite with its sunburst pattern in bright yellow, tipped with royal blue!

Sunny Skies - $80.00
Made with "African Net" stitch in size 11 bright yellow and blue Czech seed beads. This piece is not quite 19" long (approx 48.5 cm) from end of clasp to end of clasp.

The artist completely encases all her toggles in beaded mesh so if you are allergic to metal you need not worry, none will touch your skin.

For more lovely jewelry, go to;
http://RegalBeads.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist and her activities, read her blog;
http://regalbeads.blogspot.com/

Beauty is Universal

San Juan de Ortega, Spain, Color Photograph - $35.00
9-1/2" x 9-7/8" (lxw) color photograph taken on Fuji film in Northern Spain in the area just outside of Burgos, along the Camino de Santiago. (Part of a series of photos taken in Spain on a vacation).

PurpleSnowpeas is owned by Kathryn Short who lives in Baltimore, Maryland (same place where I grew up). She works in several mediums, including knitting, crocheting, photography, and bookmaking. Whatever she makes her skill and eye for design transfers seamlessly from one form of art to another. Kathryn attended the Maryland Institute College of Art where she majored in photography.

Her "day job" currently is teaching art to high school students.

Kathryn's photographs have a very fine art feel about them. I especially love the ones with trees in them. She will combine shipping if you purchase multiple photographs, so why not get several to display in your livingroom, hallway, and bedrooms. These are great conversation pieces for when you have people over for dinner or coming to your house for a visit.

Wandering in the Woods, Color Photograph - $15.00
This color photograph was printed in the traditional color darkroom – no digital manipulation. It is printed on Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper with a semi-gloss surface. The photo measures 8-3/4" x 6-5/8".

This hat has the precision of a machine-made product, but the uniqueness of the handmade item that it is! That corded tie at the top of it is really cute! You won't find that in a department store.


Hand Knit Hat with i-Cord Loops - $30.00
The brim measures 19" unstretched; fitting a medium sized adult head easily, made of wool, acrylic, nylon, and wool mix.

Look at what her customers have said about her work:

“Thank you so much, the hat is beautiful and super well-made in soft, warm yarn. Love it!”

“Beautiful! The photograph arrived very quickly and looks even better in person than I had hoped it would. Thank you Kathryn!”

“Fast shipping. Beautifully handmade!”

“I love this book! Very carefully made.”

To see other beautiful work go to Kathryn’s Etsy store at;
http://PurpleSnowpeas.etsy.com

To read more about the artist and her activities, take a look at her blog;
http://purple-snowpeas-shop.blogspot.com

(After a short hiatus to wait for more 90 Features in 90 Days Challenge participants to join we now have a few more to feature. If you have not joined yet and are an artist who would like to sell more please scroll down and check out the link to your right so that you can sign up and get started! We currently have 60 actively participating and need 31 more still to meet our goal of 90 features for all!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Message of Love

Message in a Bottle -- OOAK Polymer clay pendant -12.00
Inspired by Van Gogh's 'Paesaggio Marino', Sealed with a layer of Modge Podge, this polymer clay pendant comes with a black lace cord.

Deabusamor means 'Goddess of Love' in Latin. The artist chose this as her business name because she is showing her love by offering her jewelry and art. The artist describes her style as kitschy and funky, and says she has a high energy personality; loud but friendly.

The print at at the bottom shows a little of her dark humor and you will see a little of that in her Etsy profile as well. In her jewelry she works mostly in polymer clay, creating fascinating shapes and textures in her beads and pendants. One of these is this heart pendant above in blue and white, and the one below in shades of purple with rows of shapes on top of a base sheet. In addition to these two already made, she is open to doing custom orders and allows you to choose your colors, and will also make components for other jewelry artists to use in your own designs upon request.

Purple Tako Heart Sugar -- OOAK Polymer clay pendant - $15.00
Approximately 1.5", this lightweight polymer clay pendant is sealed with a thin layer of Modge Podge and strung on a black satin cord with a lobster clasp.

Her prints are first made as originals and then sent of to a printer to be reproduced. She has both photographic prints as well as her own illustrated/painted ones.

Watermelon Wally and the Terrible Accident - $12.00
8x10 print on acid-free archival paper

For more jewelry and art prints go to;
http://Deabusamor.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist go to;
http://omgcow.blogspot.com/

See More cserpent!

Green Gurty Beaded Spider - $13.50
Made as a pendant or pin, she measures 2" (5.1 cm) by 2 1/4" (5.7 cm). She'll be flattened when she ships so you'll have to shape her up when she arrives. The large bead on her hind end may possibly be 100 years old and is definitely Vintage.

Susan of cserpent makes artisan jewelry and other beaded items using sterling silver, lampwork, gold-filled and some other varieties of beads. Her Etsy store carries interesting things such as cell phone charms, beaded pens (like the one you see above), bookmarks, and wine charms.

Red Clay Bangle Bracelet - Artisan Lampwork, Poppy Jasper and Sterling Silver - $45.00
A lampwork focal bead by Carol Colgan, red with ivory swirls, sterling silver beads, faceted poppy jasper beads, and stamped sterling silver tubes. It measures 6 1/4" (15.9 cm) on a bracelet sizer and should fit a 5 3/4" (14.6 cm) wrist.

The name of her Etsy online store came from when she and her husband went on a scuba diving trip and he nicknamed her sea serpent because that’s what she reminded her of, as she was tall and thin.

Both husband and mother contribute in some way to her jewelry-making and share her interest in it. Her mother also collects beads, and her husband bought her the stamp she uses for all her cards with her business name on it.

Susan started making jewelry when she was on a soccer team and a teammate invited her to take a wire-wrapping class with her. She made a bracelet and then went on to make a watchband from an idea sparked by one she saw in a magazine, and from then on she began to get more and more interested in making jewelry. As her work drew the interest of friends and family, she soon decided to start selling it to the public.

Pink Parade - Artisan Lampwork and Sterling Silver Bracelet - $111.00
Made with pink lampwork beads by UK glass artist sarahb119, large white freshwater pearls, Czech glass leaves, flowers, faceted rounds and rondelles, ruby round beads, crystal quartz pumpkins and LOTS of sterling silver. 7 1/2" (19 cm) on a bracelet sizer and should fit a 7" (17.8 cm) wrist, but can adjust size if needed.


Wild Pen - Lime/Orange/Blue Lampwork Beaded Pen - $41.00
Pen with Pewter, Silver, (and Lampwork beads made by Geoff Porter) on the upper part. The dangles include Czech glass, murano, cats’ eye, green aventurine, blue quartz, seed and other miscellaneous beads. It measures 6.25" (15.9 cm) in length.

Susan belongs to several Etsy Street Teams; CCCOE (California Crafters Club on Etsy), JET (Jewelry on Etsy), etsyBEAD (bead lovers of all sorts), BeadHive (started on Ebay and has now joined Etsy a group of jewelry artisans who all use high quality components to create artisan quality jewelry) and TBO (Tranquil Beading Oasis).

If you put JET or JHS in the comments section when you buy an item your shipping is FREE!!!

To see more cserpent, go to:
http://cserpent.etsy.com

To read more about the artist and her activities, go to her blog:
http://cserpentDesigns.blogspot.com

Capturing Play

Alice’s flower - $20.00
Signed and numbered (This is 2/50 (first edition) 6.5” x 9” print of one of artist’s ink illustration done on watercolor paper with digital enhancements, printed on 11” x 8.5” Archival quality paper.

wittyworkshop is owned by Valérie Parizeault, a Canadian Illustrator & designer from Montreal. She also owns Rose Flash, another online store where she sells her “playfully spirited Jewelry”. At wittyworkshop you can find illustrations and prints, greeting cards, buttons, and a little bit of jewelry. Valerie is inspired by whimsical moments, children’s universe and storytelling. As an artist she is living her dream life with her husband and black cat Tokyo by her side. Environmentally conscious with a passionate interest in business, she blogs both in French and English about Eco-friendly causes, Indie designers and her daily life and about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship through her business tip blog called Bite.

The humor and whimsy of her illustration style is uplifting and fun. Valerie effectively captures all that is good about childhood, youth, and play.

If you love her work why not get a print for each month of the year with this calendar?

2008 Witty Calendar - $22.00
Twelve 5” x 5.5” calendar pages of Valerie’s illustrations printed on laser paper and a plastic case that doubles as a desk holder.

Here is a sweet image of a girl holding a bird in a cage that would be great to hang in your kitchen, bedroom or hallway.

Night Bird Print (Very limited edition) - $30.00
6.5” x 9” print of one of the artist’s ink illustrations with digital enhancements printed on 11” x 8.5” Archival quality Hanemüle FineArt paper. This is 1/30.

This one is humorous and has a little wishful thinking for those of you who are having too many rainy days and just wish it would end.

Cutting Rain - $20.00
6.5” x 7” print of one of the artist’s ink illustrations with digital enhancements printed on 11” x 8.5” Archival quality Hanemüle FineArt paper.

To get great gifts, go to:
http://wittyworkshop.etsy.com

or if you’re specifically looking for jewelry:
www.roseflash.ca

Read more about the artist’s activities on her blog:
http://pot-aux-roses.blogspot.com

Read her business tips blog here:
www.bitethebusiness.blogspot.com

Something Really Cool Just Popped Up!

Say it with Flowers - $5.00
Card is 6.5”x5” and has layers of cardstock flowers cut out and glued on

QuirkynBerkley located in Berkeley California is owned by an artist who makes handmade cards and other paper products. One of the interesting techniques she uses is origami which makes these cards extra special! The artist loves to experiment and works at her craft for hours engineering new and creative ways to bring you enjoyment that will last the test of time. Her handmade paper items are both aesthetically pleasing and well-constructed.

Tiny Origami Boxes - $10.00
Five cute little boxes, measuring approximately 1.25x1.25x3/4 inches and made of beautiful, luxurious, textured yuzen chiyogami paper. They're the perfect size for rings or earrings. The artist glued the inside tabs to make them sturdier, although the paper is a good, substantial weight. Lids are printed, boxes are coordinating solid colors.

"I started making cards for friends several years ago, and in December, 2004,”the artist says. “Idle words became action when I sold holiday cards to the florist down the street. Almost all of my cards are one of a kind.”

Butterflies (set of 4) - $12.00
These one-of-a-kind cards are 6.5x5”, hand stamped then heat embossed in gold, both the image and the lower edge of the cards. Then they were watercolored by hand. Inside is blank so you can inscribe a personal message.


Pink Iris No. 3 – $4.00
This is a 6.5”x5” Iris-fold card, so-called because the folds of paper in the center of the card resemble the lens of a camera's iris. Each small folded strip of paper is laid down at a very precise angle to create the effect. (There are three cards made in this series, labeled Pink Iris No. 1 through No. 3). Inside is blank so you can inscribe your own message.

If you think you would be interesting in learning some of these techniques yourself, you may want to purchase this book which goes into a number of fascinating ways of using paper. (The artist liked it so much she bought it twice under different titles).

Book - Artistry in Paper – $10.00
Marked down from $18.95, is a soft-cover instructional book by Paul Jackson. This one is brand new and covers topics including: using molds, assembly, layering paper strips, papermaking, decorative ideas, folded surfaces, representational, pop-ups, paper Mache, paper sculpture and modular origami. All of the concepts are well illustrated and instructions are one step at a time; filled with gorgeous photographs.

See more of her work at:
QuirkynBerkeley.etsy.com

To see custom samples, go to:
http://www.picturetrail.com/photos/quirkynberkeley

Read her blog at:
http://quirkynberkeley.blogspot.com

Buy Art Originals or Prints- All Items 10% Off Today!

Sunflowers - $35.00
This is a Linoleum Cut Print with added hand coloring with watercolor paint, 11" x 15", on acid free artist paper. This image is also available in other colors.

George McKim lives in Raleigh, North Carolina where he creates Fine Art Paintings, Collage, Lino Prints & Note Cards. Many of his works utilize line in a variety of ways, some more like gesture drawings, others almost pointillist. His linoleum cut, Sunflowers (pictured above) uses short, wavy lines throughout to create movement much like Van Gogh did in many of his paintings. The closeness or distance at which he places those lines changes the feel of the art. At the top right the lines get further apart to create the feeling of vast space, and further down they are denser giving off a sense of vibration and vitality as they get closer to the earth.

He sells his note cards for $3.00 each (or set of 5 for $12.00) and will mix and match the ones you would like.


Red Circle - $20.00
14” X 17” collage (with image size 9” X 12”) using acrylic paint on acid free paper (unframed)

Splashes of Spring - $65.00
Splattered and dripped paint vibrate and dazzle the viewer with an explosion of color and form and all of this is inspired by nature. The acid-free paper size is 14" x 17" and the image size is 9" x 12" (unframed)

The WayBack Machine - $150.00
Acrylic on acid-free artist’s paper; paper size: 22 inches x 30 inches, image size: 18 inches x 24 inches

George is represented in 6 galleries throughout the country and has exhibited his art numerous times, displays his paintings in the PPD World Corporate Headquarters collection in Wilmington, NC, and in June 1998 was published in New American Paintings – Southeastern United States Region.

He received a Master of Fine Arts in 1986 from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, in Painting and Drawing, and did a postgraduate study in painting at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan, Maine.

George has also received several grants and awards for his work.

To see and purchase great gifts:
http://georgemckim.etsy.com

To read more about the artist, see his blog:
http://georgemckim.blogspot.com/

Beauty and the Bead

Exceptional Lampwork bracelet - $60.00
Measures 7 ½” without the clasp. The bracelet includes one sterling silver prayer charm and another sterling charm with kanji on it.

Judy Richards of Cat’s Paw Artifacts is a lampworker and she also does bead-weaving and incorporates her own handcrafted beads into her jewelry. She belongs to the Portland (Oregon) Bead Society, and the International Society of Glass Beadmakers.

Probably one of her best figurative pieces yet, the shape of the horse bead above reminds me of the elegant prancing glass horse in the movie the Glass Menagerie. In addition to its flowing and regal movement, it is also a glowing transparent amber color! This will make an impressive focal piece for a necklace.

Lampwork horse Pendant- $20.00
38 by 38 mm - stands up on its own, but made to hang as a pendant with Swarovski crystals. Carefully kiln annealed.

This bracelet filled with dotty, textured lampwork beads looks like the supple segments of a caterpillar with its variations on a theme transitioning from bead to bead while the composition works together as a cohesive unit.

Below is a tribal design using a variety of materials and combining stamping, beadwork, lampwork, and PMC to create a very rich but earthy feeling. The disk is quite substantial and contrasts well against the blue-green and the brown of the stones.

Mayan Look Pendant with Jasper necklace - $40.00
This necklace has a 19 inch strand with Jasper, Turquoise, and a smaller lampwork bead with precious metal clay (fine silver) detail.

I have always been partial to Ocean Jasper and this necklace combines that with a lovely circular peyote stitch cord, bead-woven setting, and bail; a lovely combination of texture, color, and techniques. I know from experience just how long it takes to create a tube of mesh this length. You are getting quite a bargain at this price!

Ocean Jasper Cabochon Bead-woven Necklace - $65.00
21 inch bead-woven rope with a lovely bead encased ocean jasper cabochon.

If you will be in the Portland area don’t miss the STUDIO SALE at the artist’s homeDecember 8 - 2 to 5 p.m. Please convo her on Etsy for directions and her address, or you can also call 503-621-4942. There will be refreshments. (Let her know if you saw her feature in one of these 90 Day Challenge blog posts).

To see what else this artist has available online keep an eye glued to her shop:
http://catldy99.etsy.com

To learn more about her and what she’s doing, read her blog:

http://www.catldy99.wordpress.com

Celebrate!

Holiday Delight Ivy Earrings – $11.00
Approx. 2 ½” long, Czech glass beads with gold foil and Swarovski Crystal beads

Signature Sterling features Ohio State Buckeye jewelry as this artist, an Ohio native, is a big fan of college ball. She uses mostly Sterling Silver in her pieces but occasionally sterling plate. Also included in her designs is Swarovski Austrian Crystal and Swarovski glass pearls, lampwork, and life-like Buckeye lampwork beads. She is a self-representing jewelry artist (#1111) and is committed to high standards of quality and design.

These festive designs will warm your heart and make all your gift recipients happy!

Buckeye Nation Sterling and Swarovski Crystal Necklace -
Features Sterling cubes with lettering which says “Go Bucks”



Buckeye Bling - $20.00
Ohio State Lampwork, Sterling Silver and Leather Cord Necklace (features special Buckeye bead as focal).


Peppermint Stick Earrings – $12.00
Red and white Czech Glass beads and Swarovski Crystal; 1 ¾” long


Frosty Earrings – $27.99
Focal beads, created by lampwork artist, Crystal Hunt, are "snow-capped" with sterling silver rounds and Swarovski crystals in crystal moonlight. Approx.1 3/8” long. Be sure to see the necklace that matches these!

See more of her work at:
http://signaturesterling.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist, read her blog:
http://signature-sterling.blogspot.com

Quenching Your Thirst For Color

Lemon cream BUTTON BRACELET - $5.00
made with 5 yellow and 4 white plastic buttons and measures about 7.25" with the clasp.

Amanda, owner of Ulixis and a Biology and Pharmacology Student at McMaster University is currently working on her thesis at Janssen lab doing video microscopy on smooth muscle cell-migration.

She has enjoyed art in a variety of forms all her life; drawing, wreaths, doll-making, and currently makes books and jewelry. Perhaps her interest in science on a cellular level is what spurred her to create these button bracelets which are her specialty. There is something very biological-looking about these components linked together in a long chain, but equally notable are the colors she chooses, reminiscent of juicy and luscious fruits and deserts. One can imagine while looking at these, bright and tangy lemon, tart lime, exquisitely sweet and mellow cataloup, crisp white coconut, and the deep succulent cherry.

Using both round and triangular buttons Amanda creates simple yet attractive geometric designs. The proportionally large metal jump rings really add interest to her pieces, standing up in contrast to the flat discs and making them more three dimensional.

Her prices are an excellent bargain; all button bracelets only $5.00 each!

Lime Sorbet BUTTON BRACELET - $5.00
Approx. 8" long. Made of 5 light green and 4 creamy yellow plastic buttons. The dangle consists of: various green glass seed beads; a faceted green bead; and a square faceted green bead flanked by creamy yellow seed beads.


Raving Red BUTTON BRACELET - $5.00
About 7" long. Made with 3 large cherry red, 2 orange-red and 2 red triangle buttons. The dangle consists of: a bow-tie shaped red plastic bead; two pearls separated by a red seed bead; and various red and pearl seed beads.


Fruit Salad BUTTON BRACELET - $5.00
About 7" long. Made with 2 lemon yellow triangles, 2 lime green triangles, 2 cantaloupe orange large round and 1 red triangle buttons. The dangle consists of: a large yellow plastic bicone; a green plastic bicone with a green glass seed bead; and various red and orange seed beads.

Her bracelets can be re-sized if needed, and she is willing to do custom orders. She does not give refunds, but should a piece need repair she'll repair it at no charge.

The artist is also offering free Gift-wrapping for the holidays. If this is to be a gift just let her know. In addition to contacting her through Etsy, Amanda can also be reached at ulixis.crafts@gmail.com with questions or comments. Please let her know where you heard about her.

Check out the rest of her creations on Etsy:
http://Ulixis.etsy.com

And read her blog: http://ulixis.blogspot.com

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

Egmont Surprise Notecards (6) - $15.00
Accessible only by boat, Egmont Key Lighthouse sits on Tampa Bay in Florida. Lighthouses are a vanishing breed.
4 1/4" x 5 1/2" on white card stock, blank inside, offered together with white envelopes size A2. There is a white 5/8" border around the image.

Dream on is aptly named, a tropical paradise of rich watercolor paintings with an impressionistic style and a somewhat surrealist twist. My very favorite of these paintings is the one above. It reminds me of when I used to go to Woods Hole Massachusetts during the summer as a child and see the sandy beaches and old fashioned lighthouses, their foghorns sounding in the distance. The pink flower in the foreground is a nice touch, and her use of color and texture is warm and inviting, capturing the essence of the location in a way which makes you feel like you’re there.

The artist, Mary Hamilton, a former business computer programmer and owner of a word processing and resume writing business first painted in oils, but after she tried watercolor, she much preferred it and acrylics and felt it challenged her in a way that oils never did.

Mary’s paintings are filled with images from Florida where she lives most of the year; the remaining months of which she lives in the mountains of Colorado.

I love Snowy Egrets. She captures the grace of these beautifully.

Egret With Attitude Note Cards (6) - $15.00
This particular group of birds lived in the Everglades.
4 1/4" x 5 1/2" on white card stock, blank inside, offered together with white envelopes size A2. There is a white 5/8" border around the image.

This painting below, mostly done in shades of orange and a mossy green has a beautiful glow to it, and the reflection of the sailboat in the water is rendered very well. I also love how she has made the sky transition into the horizon line, making the painting dreamy, yet still believeable. Also, notice the palm tree at the upper left of the sailboat with its leaves backlit by the setting sun!

Florida Visions Note Cards (6) - $15.00
Florida Visions, a set of six different notecards which are reproductions of my original watercolor paintings. There will be one of each card. Offered together in this set are birds, memories from beaches and the Everglades.

Mary’s process is very interesting in that she takes hundreds of photos and then compiles images from several within the same picture, for the fun ones her subject matter comes entirely from her imagination, and in others she uses live scenes to paint from.

She most enjoys painting the ones that come out of her imagination and finds that they paint themselves, but dislikes painting architectural things.“My paintings are not symbolic as a rule” she says, “but I have painted a few which are. I am a Christian, and know that everything I am and everything I do is because the Lord provided it to me and has chosen for it to be.”A few galleries, restaurants, and office buildings display her work, and she also enters art shows. Her most successful venue was a hotel where she had a few paintings. Located by the front door everything sold.

“As I continue to show, the prices tend to go up slowly on the more serious work. Artists struggle to find what is satisfying for them to paint vs. what sells. What sells much of the time, especially locally, is what is a deal for the buyer. Hence: starving artists. I read somewhere that only 10 percent of people buy original art. That's a really small market to split with many, many other competent artists, so my biggest successes would be my most recent sales at annual art shows that have been in existence for years and years, where I show and sell my best pieces.”

Mary’s most expensive piece ever sold was a watercolor, floral painting with deep red, gold and white poppies with deep shadows and lots of contrast.

Speaking about an artist she particularly admires, Mary becomes nostalgic. “I once took a workshop with Bridget Austin (from Wisconsin) who is an absolute master of negative painting (painting technique, not bad painting) that helped me sooooo much. I love her work, and if mine has been influenced by hers, then I'm honored. Negative painting refers to painting around an object instead of painting the object. For example if I were going to paint a tree on white paper, I would paint all around the tree with a light color (green maybe). What would remain would be a white tree. This can be done in multiple layers in a painting. The next layer I would paint around my white tree and a new tree with a darker color (perhaps brown). Then I would have a white tree and a light green tree surrounded by brown. Etc.”

Here her use of light and shadow is wonderful as well as her rendering of the clouds. Clouds are not easy to paint and she has managed to illustrate that type of lighting one finds sometimes at the beach which is somewhat ominous from one direction and at the same time, sun-drenched.

Gulf Shores note cards - $15.00
a reproduction of artists’ original watercolor painting with snow white sand dunes with sea oats gently blowing overlook the Gulf that is that special color. 6 cards on white cardstock and the folded size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" with a 5/8" white border around the image. White envelopes size A2 are provided for each card.

Note: The artist is offering an Etsy special for the holidays. Her greeting card packs will be marked down to $10.00 (from $15.00).


Here Kitty Kitty note cards - $15.00
“There is a shop in Holmes Beach, Florida, next to the Artists Guild Gallery, where there are birds in large cages out on the sidewalk in nice weather. Passersby talk to the birds. One of them says, "Here Kitty, Kitty" and also "Meow."

Mary's long-term goals are to be represented in one of the galleries on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM, and to be featured in Artist's Magazine.

To purchase these wonderful works of art as originals or prints, go to:
http://DreamON.etsy.com
To learn more about the artist, read her blog;
http://DreamsAboutArt.blogspot.com

Gifts That Make You Feel Good!

Woodstock Felted (Fulled) Wool Purse - $65.00
Hand crocheted from 100% wool yarn, the Woodstock measures 10 1/2 x 14 inches

LazyCat Gifts is the brainchild of three friends, Kelly, Allison, and Stasia who decided to go into business together in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Kelly now lives in Philadelphia, but because of the internet and Etsy the three are still able to maintain their business together and list their creations long-distance as a cohesive internet presence!

The variety in their online store keeps customers interested, and the three partners do some interesting things with crochet. They use wire as well as yarn and are always looking for new ideas to make creative use of this skill.

Kelly has had the most experience, although the other two were raised learning how to crochet as well.

There is just something about these items that makes you feel warm and fuzzy (and it's not just the beautiful blue and green striped felted purse above). You can tell that the connection between these friends is really something special and that comes across through their art in what they offer for sale. It is certainly a feat to be seperated by miles and still remain close in spirit. These women communicate daily and continue to pull together to make this work when many others would be pulled away by other priorities and might have grown apart.

...

This elegant necklace in wire really would make a nice gift for a woman to wear for her wedding or just to dress up for fine dining, parties, and maybe to an office in a job where she needs to look the part. It reminds me of floating champaigne bubbles. Ring in the New Year on that very special date with your honey wearing this! Or better yet, present it to her on that special evening. When she opens the box you will be number one in her book for sure!

Philadelphia Necklace--Swarovski Crystals - $90.00
This necklace measures 18 inches (princess length), crocheted with Austrian crystal and pearlized glass on sterling wire.

If you know somebody who just recently had a baby, this would make a thoughtful and treasured gift. I remember when my son was little he could never have enough clothes. New mothers really enjoy dressing up their young ones!

Warm and Fuzzy Baby Booties - $15.00
Booties are sized for 0-6 months (4 inch sole). Ties on booties are functional. Booties are hand-crocheted with acrylic/nylon/rayon blend yarn and are machine-washable.

Here is a unique scarf with rounded corners. Very stylish, and it will do the job too!

Chamonix Scarf - $35.00
Hand crocheted from an acrylic blend and a ribbon yarn. Scarf measures 4.5 x 52 inches.

Some of their items can also be found at a local boutique called Suwanee Springs at 306 S. Main St. (in Ann Arbor, MI). Please stop in to see these exclusive pieces!

And be sure to go to their Etsy store to see what’s new and exciting for the holidays:
http://lazycat.etsy.com

To keep up with what’s going on with their lives and activities, see their blog:

http://lazycatgifts.blogspot.com

Full of Surprises!

Southwest Heirloom Santa - $25.00
Santa sculpture doll measures approximately 18" tall including the stand to which he is permanently attached. Instead of a traditional Christmas tree he has with him a stuffed felt cactus! Embellished with bugle beads, a variety of fabrics, tiny lights, and faux fur.

Won't your holiday guests be surprised and thrilled when they walk in and see Santa greeting them just inside the front door! Quite a conversation piece, your parties will be THE latest hotspot once the word spreads about your clever home decor.

Debbie, owner of Craftymoose is a self-taught mixed-media artist who makes a wide variety of things but specializes in French beading and mixed-media art dolls most of which include beads and wire. The work has a folk-art feel to it, and all pieces are one-of-a-kind. I just love her beaded french flowers! Absolutely gorgeous work!

French Beaded Ring of Beaded Roses - $40.00
Made with Czech glass seed beads, some of which are vintage, about 60 years old. Each component was completed and then attached to a 7 inch ring. There is a loop attached to the back of the ring so this may be hung on a wall or in a window.

This hummingbird is also very pretty and would be splendid to hang in the window or above your bed or over your desk. This piece caught my eye because I am currently exploring creative ways of filling in wire frames. She has done a great job here of rendering this little creature and even has the markings and shading down!

Beaded Hummingbird Suncatcher – 14.00
Hummingbird hand-formed with 20 gauge black wire. His wingspan is 5" and he is a little over 5" long. Czech glass seed and bugle beads in different finishes were used to bead the body & wings. The head is beaded in metallic green & ruby transparent and the chest in peach with a pearl finish. The wings are done in crystal clear, topaz & copper.

Go check out her Etsy store. You never know what you might find...or what you might miss if you don't.

To see more by this artist go to:
http://craftymoose.etsy.com/

To read more about her and her activities, read her blog:
http://craftymoosecrafts.blogspot.com/