Nature's Medicine Chest

Magickal Prosperity and Abundance Loose Herbal Incense Blend - $4.95
Contains Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense resin, and other herbs for balance and manifestation

It has been said that most all of today's medicines are derived from natural sources before being processed, treated, and translated into something synthetic. It never made logical sense to me that the good natural ingredients be seperated out, watered down, then put back in the form of lab created substitutes, when the "real thing" in its full strength is there for the taking and it's as accessible as your back yard.

Tracy "W", owner of SummerSea Herbs is a certified medical herbalist with 10 years’ experience, and a practicing Green Witch. She handcrafts her herbal products with the finest organically grown and ethically wild-crafted ingredients available, in a pet-free/smoke-free environment separate from her home.

The prosperity and abundance blend above is an example of some of her work. Now who couldn’t use that!

All her ingredients are organic because she believes products that are not irradiated or treated with pesticides or sprays are better for your body a well as your spirit. Taking this extra care to provide you with pristine, unadulterated products costs a little more, but Tracy believes it's worth it! As a sole proprietor, she personally makes each concoction in small batches the old fashioned way in order to maintain high quality control standards and to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Her love of nature clearly shows in her reverent preparation of natural growing things to be of benefit to her customers. She has a healthy respect for the herbs that come out of the ground, and all of her medicinal and magickal preparations were developed as a direct response to those she serves in her community. Tracy takes great pride and satisfaction in knowing that her herbal products are helping others and doing so as naturally as possible.

I have grown sage in my garden along with other herbs, and in addition to being healthy it tastes great in salads and in pasta sauces too! Native Americans have historically used this herb in rituals for ages.

Organic White Sage Leaves for Smudging - Native, Wiccan, Pagan, Witch - $2.95
One full ounce of loose white sage leaves to help keep your space clear of negativity or to set the stage for ritual work.

This next item is listed for a cause. (I know it looks like dirt, but it’s not). What better use of the money than to donate directly to two women’s medical fund so that they can continue the life-saving treatment they need.

In today’s lacking healthcare system such funding can be hard to find and when it is available it gets tied up in agencies’ red tape, is extremely limited, and many who become seriously ill are blindsided by the astronomical costs, insurance claim denials, and limits, and ultimately find themselves out of luck, but here the solution is so simple and direct! What a caring and proactive thing to do! I hope more people take Tracy's example and follow suit to do something like this for someone close to them when a catastrophic problem arises. It would be a much more compassionate world if everyone took this kind of initiative! I have always been a believer that one must put love into action rather than merely passing on distant and removed well-wishes, and feeling helpless to do anything, as so often happens when one is stricken by illness. Most every problem has a solution if each one of us determines to think outside the box and takes stewardship of a piece of it. Those who receive this blend benefit as well, so it’s a win/win for everybody involved.

Throat and Cough Soother Organic Loose Tea Blend - $14.95
contains: Licorice root, Sage, Slippery Elm bark powder, Coltsfoot leaves & flowers, Hyssop, Marshmallow root, Mullien leaves, Ginger powder and Cinnamon powder.
(Product comes with free reusable muslin tea brewing bag). Proceeds go to Breast Cancer survivors for medical costs not covered by insurance.

And this is an interesting incense blend to enhance good luck, and to fortify wishes;

Lucky Stars Organic Loose Herbal Incense Blend - $4.95
Re-usable filled tin holds 1/4 ounce; 100% organic herbs and resin, this blend contains Star Anise, Rosemary, Copal and others.

Tracy is the founder of EarthPaths Artisans Street Team (E.A.S.T.)

To partake in these unique and beneficial items for you or as a gift for friend or relative, go to her Etsy store:
http://summersea.etsy.com/
Read more about her and informational material she offers in her blog:
http://summerseaherbs.blogspot.com/

Branding, Brazilian Style

Isa Style Pastel Necklace - $334.00
Triple-strand with more than 180 carefully chosen beads: Jablonex glass beads,Vintage crystal, mother of pearl, murano style glass beads, swarovski rondelles and bicone beads, Cloissones, Venetian square silver beads, gold-plated clasp. Measures:
1st strand- 42 cm2nd strand- 45 cm3rd strand- 50 cm

Contasbrasil, a multi-pronged network of online stores, and a more recently added boutique, is owned by two sisters from the city of Curbita, capital of the state of PARANÁ, in the south of Brazil. Suzy Wortberg and Bebê de Soares, and a third artist, Suzy’s best friend Ana Paula Vilas Boas (creator of The Waterfall Necklaces) make jewelry for the enterprise. The most recent addition to the close-knit group was Sandra Fukelmann with her unique doll bags after Suzy shared a stand with her at the fair CPD in Düsseldorf.

Suzy makes the following, just to name a few: Santinha-Pastel Colour, Beads Allerei, Chanel Lovers, Isa Style Pastel, BlacknBlack, Green/Lavender Fields. Bebê's makes Shades of (all of them), Onyx and Nude, and Volcano.

Bebê made the necklace called I Love Pearls.

On November, 15th, 2007 Suzy opened their new brick and mortar store in Cologne. While she was taking care of the renovation of the shop, her sister Bebê was busily promoting it on the web. To make her new shop a "must visit" when tourists come to Cologne, Suzy decorated the walls with coconut shells and the fabric that they use as a bag for their necklaces (called chita). Now that the majority of the preliminary work is completed Suzy hopes to have more time to network.

Currently the new store sells only ContasBrasil jewelry and Doll bags, and until now has been the only store in Germany to carry them.

It all happened a bit more than two years ago” says Suzy. “I was already living in Germany for 13 years with my husband and daughter, and had finished my ballet Dancing career. As a Christmas present, I got a beautiful necklace from my best friend Ana Vilas Boas, who lives in Brazil. She is an Architect and we’d danced ballet together. It was a piece made by her. She had never done jewelry before, but just for fun, started to make some and give them to her friends. I was fascinated by her talent! I asked her to make 4 other pieces so maybe I could show them to my friends in Germany.”

Back home in Germany Suzy looked at her jewelry box, took some pieces that were broken and some others that she was a bit tired of wearing, carefully chose some of the beads, and decided to give it a try herself. She created her first necklace and once she started she was captivated by this new excitement she felt as the beads were strung onto the nylon thread (the only thread she knew to use at that time.That very first necklace she made was similar to the necklace Beads Allerei, and the very first one she ever sold! After that, she began selling Ana Paula's work with hers.

Then came the name of the shop, Contas, which is an old Portuguese name for all kinds of beads, and the logo. She described how she wanted it to look and her husband drew it. Bebê was then an actress, living in Sao Paulo at that time (actually she was in Germany before Suzy moved there, and then moved with her German husband and kids for 6 years in Brazil). After 4 months of selling very well but mostly to friends and family, someone told Suzy she should try a fashion fair.

“Bebê, who was then moving back to Cologne helped me a lot” said Suzy, “ because she could buy beads and Brazilian stones for the collection in Brazil and also look for someone that could make our folders, banners, etc for the fair. Here in Germany it can be immensely expensive!” Bebê got so involved with everything that even she began to make some necklaces. A bit embarrassed, she told Suzy she would like to send some pictures of her work. “I couldn't believe my eyes” Suzy exclaimed, “especially when I saw them (come to) life! And that's how everything happened...”

Bebê and Suzy currently live in Cologne but they fly once or twice a year to Brazil where their large family lives.

ContasBrasil became a full time job for Suzy. Bebê started rehearsing for a new theater play a month ago, but still manages to make wonderful pieces for the new shop. She is continuing to promote the shop on the web, and plans to keep making jewelry for Contas.

Ana Paula still works as an Architect in Brazil but never stopped creating her beauties for the business.

After the fair, Bebê’ and Suzy placed work in 15 shops in Germany. After that Suzy set her sights on opening her own shop. “Four shops are still selling our work, and now that my big dream became reality, I can plan the fairs again.”

Suzy remembers an early experience with a particularly promising and interested customer.

“My very first client at the fair was someone from Japan. I was very impressed by that. In the end we never managed to make big business with them because we make everything ourselves and the pieces are unique. So it became impossible to fulfill the expectations of the Japanese...But this shop now is my big success! I have to say thanks to Bebê’s perseverance; whenever some technical problem would appear, she was immediately looking on (the) internet for a solution, better material, new methods; our work improved a lot!

I think my mother's perfectionism in her work (she has a ballet school in Brazil) and my father's great communication talent to people (he is an Ophthalmologist) were somehow a big influence to the quality of work we are delivering. We experience a great amount of positive feedback not only because of the beauty of our jewelry, but also the way we transmit what is behind this work; our Brazilian identity.”

The most expensive piece they’ve sold was one of Bebê's necklaces, a very exquisite design, with a big yellow Agate, Brazilian seeds, Lapis Lazuli, and Swarovski crystal. The buyer was so enchanted by the piece that price was no object!

Although up until now ContasBrasil has only produced beaded jewelry, Suzy and Bebê plan to learn soldering to expand their repertoire of techniques.

In preparation for the coming holiday season Bebê is making X-Large necklaces, Ana Paula, the Pernambuco Collection (Pernambuco is a State in Northeast Brazil, very warm and colorful, where she spent her last Holidays), and Suzy is busy working with metals and stones.


BluesnBlues Waterfall - $58.00
A lovely Murano style Millifiori central bead and different blue beads, tons of wood, glass, acrylic and crystal beads.


Murano Style Bead 24mm X 14mm - $8.00
Turquoise color with large holes that run through the middle, top to bottom. 35% OFF


FLOR DOLL BAG- $218.00
Tall: 20cm/7.90 inches Wide: 27 cm/10.60 inches

ContasBrasil has done a great job of selling its exotic cultual image, a growing practice in business once frowned-upon but now recognized as a very savvy and effective marketing practice. It is a beautiful example of how diversity can be an assett rather than a liability, a perfect way to celebrate a heritage and a means through which to educate the public on the value of preserving culture in modern society.

Be sure to check out both of their online Etsy stores:
http://contasbrasil.etsy.com
http://contascoeln.etsy.com/

Their other website:
www.contasbrasil.de

and to learn more about what they’re doing, take a look at her blog:
http://contaskoeln.blogspot.com/

Creating from the Ground Up

Phunky Purple Capris - $40.00
Triple-stitched 100% cotton new fabric; waist: 37" completely out (can be "cinched" to as small as needed), length: 33" and inseam 18".

KreativeMindz located in Wordsville, Ohio is the brainchild of Aly and Beau Stacy. It includes a variety of sewn items and woodwork.

Interestingly the couple has both been in lines of work that involved making things with their hands. Aly used to work in the in set building and design for commercials (and sometimes still does), but mostly stays home now with her children. Beau is a carpenter who builds Timber Frame homes.

Aly’s style was first influenced at age 15 when she was planning to go see the Grateful Dead. She admired the gypsy style shirts and skirts she saw on other concert-goers, so she decided to sew a patchwork skirt so she’d have something “cool” to wear. At the time not many of these types of clothes were available commercially or at least they weren’t readily available, so this got her thinking about beautiful fabrics and what she could do with them. Her husband grew up learning woodworking from his father, so the handmade wooden boxes were natural for him to make.

The skills both brought with them complemented each other and were probably what brought them together and what makes them a good fit to this day.

The work of the two has a decidedly spiritual feel to it drawing from African symbolism and a natural, earthy quality, almost pioneer-like.

This husband and wife team belongs to Etsy EarthPath Artisans Street Team.

When asked how her spirituality impacts on her art, Aly responded, “I do not practice any set "religion", but I am a VERY spiritual person and feel very connected to the earth and the universe. When I am creating a piece, I will only do it if I'm in the right "space". NEVER do I sew if I am unhappy or angry, or any "negative" emotion. When I sew I am thinking good things and putting good intentions into what I am making. If it is a custom piece I think of that person and what the item will be for them. I believe that my intentions go into the piece. May sound fruity, but this is what I believe and have even been told that others could "feel" these intentions.”

Having her son at the tender age of 20 all naturally was a life-changing experience for her and an opportunity for personal growth. It was empowering and enlightening and quite a learning experience.

They are not currently selling their work in any stores but plan to start doing so in the New Year.

Aly used to sell her clothing at shows and festivals many years ago and she has found that her handmade pants seem to sell the best; lined patchwork pants back then, and her Capri pants with appliqué on Etsy.

Aly would like to expand her skills to include felting and batik, and Beau would like to start making bowls and cooking utensils.

Mineral Elemental Cloth - $45.00
Derived from African culture, the mandala in the center is original artwork by the artist’s mother, Judith Bajus Davis (you can check out some of her work at http://www.egads-it.com/). printed on fabric and then appliqued on by the artist with different colored threads to represent all five elements. cloth is 31" long and 21 3/4" wide. It includes handmade bamboo hanging rod (pictured) made by Beau.

The Tribal Tree Sunburst Handcrafted Box - $22.00
OOAK, Douglas Fir Box with narrow brass hinges.12" long, 6" wide and 4 3/8" tall, Inside: 10 5/8" long, 4 1/2" wide and 3" tall.


Healing Herbal Hot Pack with Removable Cover - $20.00
Filled with herbs; Eucalyptus Leaf and Calendula. The essential oils used are Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Lime, Bergamont, Rosemary, Tangerine, White Camphor, Chamomile, Cedarwood, and Sweet Orange. Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes.

When asked about their goals for their business Aly says “Honestly, I would like our business to be our main source of income. It is our dream and our goal...to be able to work at home and raise our children...all at the same time. The kids really get in to our projects now.”

Be on the lookout for more hotpacks, keepsake boxes, and some stockings for the holidays. Buy a special gift for a loved one.

Go to their online store for more great gifts:
http://KreativeMindz.etsy.com

and to their blog to keep up with what’s going on with the artists: http://kreativemindzthreadz.blogspot.com/

Bitterseweet Chocolate for the Soul

White Queen Fishnet and Scarf Set - $40.00
Made of 3ply 100% acrylic white yarn with a sparkly metallic thread; approximately 15 inches in length. These should fit arms up to 14 inches wide at the widest point of the forearm.

From Greenville, NC., Liz Staley of Lizstaley’s Realm of Nerdiness combines a tongue-in-cheek wry whit with unusual handmade products. You can see by her choice of materials that she has a love of role-playing games and other techy pastimes.

Many of her buttons convey a sort of angst and comedic cynicism that only experience can give you, such as this Cleric button which says: Just Because I Heal You Doesn’t Mean I Like You. (I can think of someone I’d like to give that one to, LOL, but he "healed" me and then kicked me out of his life).

Cleric Button - $2.00
1.25 inch metal Dungeons and Dragons button with plastic overcoat.

If you continue to look through her store you will find keyboard wallets, keyboard key jewelry, fingerless/fishnet gloves, scarves, and one-of-a-kind pins.

PDF - Amigurumi Plushie Pattern - $7.00
Make dolls from Spider-man to Harry Potter characters and even cat-girls with tails and big ears from this versatile base pattern!

I really like this small scarf; big and thick enough to really keep you warm but without all the unwieldy length you have in most scarves. Very clever and quite pretty too!

Funky Blue Scarflette with Wood Fish Button - $18.00
Blue yarn is 100% acrylic, 4ply yarn. Fancy Fur trim is 55% Polyamide and 45% Polyester. Measures 25.5 inches (64 cm) long and 2 inches (6 cm) wide. Fish button is 1 inches (3 cm) across.

The artist belongs to Etsy Earth Paths Artisans Street Team.

Liz Staley welcomes custom orders, so if you have something in mind contact her with your special requests.

Go to her Etsy shop:
http://lizstaley.etsy.com

and to read more about the artist:
http://livewirechick.blogspot.com/

It's Your Bag! Can You Dig It?

Messenger Bag in Pink and Gray - $40.00
Amy Butler fabric with cotton lining
12.5 inches wide (this measurement is taken from side seam to side seam)10.5 inches tall3.75 inches deepStrap is 50 inches long and just slightly over 1 inch wide.

Kelly VanVoltenburg, proprietor of Banana Showcase located in Duncanville, Texas offers lively floral prints and repeating patters in her cloth items. Handbags, Kleenex holders, and Keychains are her specialty. Some of the fabrics she uses are vintage and others current. All items are made in a pet-free and smoke-free environment.

You can tell by her descriptions that the bags she makes are built to last. Many have multiple layers and are triple-stitched. And if that's not enoough to convince you to snap one up, her prices are fabulous!

This one below is a steal (marked down from $22.00)!

Smaller Basic Bag in Pink and Green - $13.25
100% cotton; discontinued Amy Butler print


Messenger Bag in Camo Hearts - $40.00
black baby wale corduroy, and Khaki cotton

This Tissue Holder is really pretty. I just love the intensity of the yellow and red design! She manages to make something utilitarian exciting and that is quite an accomplishment!

Tissue Holder in Yellow Flowers - $4.00
Cotton, measures approx. 5.75 inches long X 3.25 inches wide

Kelly’s customers are raving about her work.

Below are just a few of the many glowing endorsements from those who have received her creations;

“So wonderful! This was exactly what I was looking for; thank you so much for making it.”

“A wonderful seller - extremely responsive to personal requests.”

“GORGEOUS purse! Kelly went waaaay above and beyond to make sure the purse would be exactly what I was looking for. Definitely a favorite seller!”

"Super awesome craftsmanship! I am so happy with these purses, that I have bought several and have been telling everyone who will listen to buy one - they are that well made!"

Go to her Etsy store to get one of these for yourself or to give as a gift:
http://BananaShowcase.etsy.com

and to learn more about the artist, see her blog: http://kellyvanvoltenburg.typepad.com/bananashowcase/

Doing the Twist

Fruity Anklet- $25.00
Pastel colored pearls, and faceted Czech rondelles, 9 ½” with 1 inch extender

Sweetirie was started in 2005 and the name came from the artist’s cat’s name which means Supreme Joy.

Bursting with pearls of all kinds, the passion for this kind of work is evident and many of the pieces incorporate various dangles painstakingly wrapped with sterling silver wire.

The ring below has wire that wraps around a large central pearl in a flowing way that creates the look of movement, swirling around it like waves following the contours of the beach.

Pearlized Ring- $9.00
8mm cream pearl, ring 6.5" but can be made to custom size

This design uses an interesting way of wrapping seven pearls together. This simple but very artsy shape creates a subtle taper which gets very gradually larger at the bottom. This slight shift away from the outline of the pearls adds extra interest to the piece and the whirlwind of wrapping at the top adds contrasting texture to the smooth lines of the rest of the piece

Teresa Silver Earrings- $22.00
Wire-wrapped pearls with non-tarnish sterling silver

Her Saturday Nite earrings use the same kind of simplicity and cleverness with a minimum of lost motion.

Saturday Nite Earrings- $22.00
Wire-wrapped Peacock Pearls

The artist is a member of FEST (Florida Etsy Street Team), and Etsybead.

If you don’t see exactly what you want she will take custom orders.

To see more of this jewelry artist’s work, go to:
http://sweetirie.etsy.com

Or check out her blog;
http://www.sweetirieoriginals.blogspot.com

Do You Speak Geek?

Keepsake Box - $14.00
Question Mark Block;
Nintendo Super Mario Bros, made of Perler Beads

If the answer is yes, you will not want to miss this!
Lauren Yakiwchuk of Lostmitten was inspired for many of her creations by her love of video games. She also loves to knit and crochet, to create journals and other paper goods, does needlepoint, acrylic felt creations, pinback buttons, and jewelry.

She lives in Brantford, Ontario, Canada with her finance Paul (who is also really into video games).

Lauren is excited at the prospect of just about any materials that are available.

"I always wanted to learn how to knit and crochet" says Lauren. " I taught myself how to knit over five years ago, and just learned how to crochet this past year. I love to create with many different mediums, so basically I work with whatever I can get my hands on - whether it be fabric, paper, plastic, beads, buttons - I like to be creative with whatever I can find!"

Her most successful products are her video game themed items. "thankfully, there are lots of other people out there who share my geeky passions for crafting and video games!" Lauren remarks.

This piece is really unusual and the colors are very bright. It’s amazing what the artist can do with these perler beads to create precise patterns!

Question Mark Block - Nintendo Super Mario Bros Perler Bead Decoration -$12.00 3-D plastic block made of Perler beads, measures approximately 3" by 3" by 3", comes with hanging hook


Button Bracelet - $10.00
Chiyogami Yuzen and Japanese Washi Paper - Pink Crane and Sakura Blossom
patterns, 8” long, buttons each 1” in diameter

"I share meaningful experiences with customers all the time - it has been wonderful to meet so many people through my crafting. Lately, I have met a wonderful group of people who are also participating in the "90 Features in 90 Days", so it has been great!"

Lauren tends to keep her most elaborate pieces for herself, not wanting to part with her biggest masterpieces. "One of my pieces is a completely needlepoint scene from the video game, Mario 1 for the NES - and with a fully stitched background and the piece measuring slightly over 8" by 10" - it took at least 30 hours to complete."

Hooded Poncho- $60.00
Beige / Taupe Knitted V-Neck Sweater for Women - New Zealand Wool - Size Medium / Large


Sakura Blossom Ring- $5.00
Design on Japanese Washi / Chiyogami (Yuzen) paper on 1” button. Adjustable and sturdy, the ring has a nickel finish (silver-toned)

The artist is interested in learning more advanced work on the sewing machine, and would also love to get into silk creening.

For the holidays Lostmitten will have video game related crafts, knitted wear, things for the home, pinback buttons, and more.

" I'd love to keep doing this" Lauren says. "It is a second income for me, and more of a fun hobby, and I'd love to keep it like that! I love to continue to challenge myself to create new, one-of-a-kind, and creative items that no one has thought of making before.

Get something for the gamer in your life, or something a little more traditional for the Japanese art enthusiast at Lauren’s online store this holiday season:
http://lostmitten.etsy.com

Keep an eye out for her new website coming soon:
www.lostmitten.org
To learn more about the artist and her current works go to her blog:
http://blog.lostmitten.org

It’s Beginning to Smell A lot Like Christmas!

Zoe Stewart of Zoestewartuk lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and sews a variety of things including aprons, stuffed creatures made from Scottish Tartan with hypoallergenic stuffing, T-shirts, and occasionally vintage items.

Her specialty is these really unusual elongated hanging hearts that go on a hook for decoration and to make the room smell good. Stuffed with either Lavender or Heather, these create a nice ambiance throughout your home. It has been known for a long time that scent evokes emotion, and Lavender in particular tends to make people feel comforted.

Pink and Green Polkadotted Heart- $24.00
Measures approx 42cm in length and approx 15cm across

Pretty in Polkas- $30.00
Made of 100% cotton, for ages 4-7

This huggable creature just might make little ones no longer afraid of “monsters under the bed”. He’s friendly and doesn’t bite, and he can even be used as a pillow.

Henry- $24.00
Made from Scottish Tartan, and measures 25cm tall by 25cm wide
These will make great feel-good gifts around the holidays.

Check out what else she’s got at:
http://zoestewartuk.etsy.com

and to learn more about the artist see her blog:
http://zoestewart.blogspot.com

Flirting with Wire

Flirting Around- $28.00
Hand-wrapped links of Sterling Silver and Amazonite, approx 8.5 inches, with a handmade clasp

Alicia Weeks of WyredOnWire does some very interesting wire-wrapping, for instance take a look at the construction of the piece above, Flirting Around which has several circles joined to a figure-8 link on either side of an Amazonite bead. There is a lot of activity in this bracelet.

The necklace below, Trijeweled makes a cage around several elongated oval beads, Citrine, Garnet, and Blue Topaz. It almost reminds me of pupae wrapped in an egg case or cocoon of some type.

Trijeweled-$32.00
Sterling silver, Citrine, Garnet and Blue Topaz. The pendant is aprox. 1.5" and the beaded chain is approx 18" in length

Sun Goddess-$14.00
Sterling silver chain and small Sunstone rhondelles, measures approx 7"

Entrapment uses an unusual link that almost looks like chickenwire bent in an upside-down V.

Entrapment- $15.00
Copper and silver links, approx 2.5" from the top of the ear wire to the longest point.

To see what else Alicia has available go to:
http://wyredonwire.etsy.com

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

Working Together To Meet A Need

Ring Sling - $59.00

Tested to hold up to 200 lbs, and set of instructions included on how to use the sling to carry your baby in 5 different positions.

Ellebelleonetsy is an online Etsy store located in St. Petersburg specializing in baby and children’s items. Very rarely does one see a microenterprise business arrangement here in the US in which 5 people come together, agree consistently enough to stay organized, and work so well as a team to create and market their work. This group of mothers is an excellent example in which people unselfishly threw their best skills into the common pot to tackle a need, put their heads together to meet it, and as a result, share in the rewards.

Stacey whose day job 3 days a week is in Human Resources creates slings, tag blankets, and the embroidered objects, her mother, Tressie, a realtor in Illinois who crochets, and friends; Ann, who is employed part-time at target and sews quilts, Karie, who works part-time for her father’s mortgage company, and makes chalkboard placemats, chubbies, and nursing covers, and Jennifer who works full-time for a large financial company and makes dresses. Interestingly they all work outside their craft in very traditional jobs.

Etsy Widower Embroidered Tshirt - $25.00
American Apparrel 50% cotton, 50% polyester, choice of colors

All 5 of these women started out making things for their own children and even though each only had one or two unique specialties, collaborating, they found, was more fun than doing it as solitary proprietors, and in no time their Etsy shop was full of useful and clever items.

Complete profiles on each of these partners are on the website http://ellebelleonline.com in the artist profile pages.

Cherries with Lime Pillowcase Dress -$36.00
Choice of sizes; 0-6 13”-4T 25"

“I've always loved all kinds of crafts” says Stacey, “but I've found that I get a greater sense of accomplishment from creating things that are useful as well as aesthetically pleasing. For me, the vast array of already beautifully designed fabric choices makes creating something half as difficult.”

Pink Polka Pillowcase Dress -$27.00
On Sale! Custom-made in sizes 0-6 13" - 4T 25

Ellebelle sells some of their products in stores... ironically none of them local because people have contacted them via Etsy to sell in their brick and mortars (stores). “We've had the most success selling at local upscale malls when they host craft events. We've tried traditional craft shows, edgier urban shows, as well as Family and Baby Expos and although they've been fun and profitable in their own ways, we do the best over all at malls.”

Rainbow Chubbies - $6.00
Interesting handmade crayons in unusual shapes

Because each collaborator brings different skills and experience to the table there is a lot of learning inside the circle that takes place. They tend to draw more from others inside the small group than from other artists in the field. “Working with each other brings "Ah-Ha" moments all the time” she says.

Stacey also admits that their children are a big motivator and inspiration. “We've all crafted at some level prior to having our children, but they bring purpose to what we do. I started Elle Belle because I received a sling as a gift and it made being a first time Mom so much easier for me and being a baby easier for my little one. She loved it and so did I. I wanted to share the experience we had with other Moms and I also knew I could make a sling better than the ones I used. My heart skips a beat when I see a Mom in the mall carrying their baby in one of my slings. I feel like I actually made a difference.”

The cooperative’s biggest ticket item sold was a quilt made of T-shirts commissioned by a woman for $450 while set up in a mall. “We had displayed a quilt made from baby clothes and she asked if we could make one from T-shirts she had collected from rock concerts.” It was an unusual request compared to the items they were used to making but the women were up to the challenge.

When asked which new techniques Stacey is interested in learning she said, “I would really love to learn to felt! We had a pumpkin decorating contest at work for Halloween and I wanted to felt my little pumpkin so bad! Can you even do that? I didn't have time to try it out because I was getting ready for an event, but next year I plan to have a field of felted pumpkins for sure!”

Coming soon is a super cute line of Christmas pillowcase dresses ready to debut at a show the 5 are doing this weekend, to be listed on Etsy afterwards (what’s left of them anyway). They'll also have the perfect stocking stuffers - Christmas themed Chubbies, and crocheted slippers. “We have a few more local events planned for the rest of the year, so we'll likely just post more of what sells well at those in the Etsy shop.”

Long term, Stacey hopes that their Etsy shop will be the primary source of income for Elle Belle. As much as she really loves doing local events, she’d prefer to have them be supplemental income for the shop instead of the primary.

These friends/business partners have an ideal situation; a blending of meaningful work and social interaction all rolled into one. “We're already accomplishing what I want most out of this business which is to spend time with friends doing something we love and sharing the resulting creations with as many people as we can.” It all goes to show that when you enter into a common vision with others what you gain is way more than you ever imagine.

Find that special gift that you will really use at:
http://ellebelleonetsy.etsy.com

and read more about this inspiring business on their blog:http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com

Marketing the Maternal Bond

Mother/Daughter Aprons - $43.00
Floral pattern on a blue background, Adult size fits most. Child size 3 to 6,machine washable, cool, tumble dry.

Corline of Mommyandmeboutique based in California started making her sewn items only 2 years ago in her 70s and they are in great demand. There is something about this kind of product that just seems to sell itself. Perhaps part of it is that it's functional, but the other part seems to be an insatiable desire on the part of parents to dress up their children. I can remember this phenomenon from when my son was a toddler (he is now almost 23) but I used to find it irresistable to buy him clothes, and if there had been matching outfits I probably would have bought them too.

Corline works with designer fabrics, beautiful trims, and ribbons to create aprons, dressed, and other accessories for adults and children. Aprons are her specialty. Wear these for entertaining
or for fun activities for mother and child to do together.

This little girl below is the perfect model for the array of dresses and aprons created for this business. If she doesn't make you want to buy I'd be very surprised!


The matching bib and burp cloth below is very unusual with very realistic airplanes on the material; much more interesting to look at than the typical teddy bears and bland baby related symbols you see so much of on the commercial market.

Little Pilot Bib and Burpcloth - $12.00
Vintage print; fits baby to toddler.

This little girl, this time dressed in a black and white dress, could easily be a flower girl or ring bearer for a wedding, or this could be an outfit she wears to church or to a party.

Black and White Polkadot toddler dess - $29.00
100% cotton; fits size 4 to 5 toddler.

This outfit is more casual and may be something she wears to school or around the house.

Retro Style Toddler Dress Michael Miller Fabric - $29.00
Michael Miller's 1960’s Retro print of Dick and Jane.

Aside from selling these on Etsy Corline sells her work at a boutique called Twigs.

To see more of these gift items go to;
http://mommyandmeboutique.etsy.com
and read her blog here;
http://themommyandmeboutique.blogspot.com

Celebration!

Image en miroir- Set of 3 mirror Eiffel Tower Tags PARIS -$3.95
Delicate pink parchment cardstock with chocolate brown ink
And ribbons with a little mirror at the bottom with a word on each.

Katie Lyn Sherry of myheart2yours located in Kansas City, Missouri, uses paper in a variety of ways to make her statement. Her other job is working as
a professional math tutor, teaching all levels from Jr. High through college.

"Paper was easily accessible when I was a child" says Katie Lyn. "I remember saving my money or begging my mom to get a new pad of construction paper... You remember? The one with the green cover that had two or three sheets of each color. It was so hard to decide which to use first. I think I always used the ugly ones first.

She embellishes her paper items using a wide variety of decorative parts and different techniques.
"Now that I have advanced onto more spendy papers, I have learned that you can ink, sand, stain, doodle, bend, tear, soak, alter, or otherwise mutilate paper and it still looks fabulous!"

The captions in many of her handmade cards and gift tags show a whit as sharp as the paper's edge. Katie Lyn made her mother a retro card for Mother’s Day and she proudly took it to work and showed everyone. Her somewhat dark humor shows in this tag below;

Humor Me MOMMYS DIET 4x6 inches LARGE Retro Tag - $2.55
Made with Basic Grey Papers or Bazzil Textured Cardstock and finished with Prima Flowers and sequins.

"I have an ebay store that is not yet stocked with products," says Katie Lyn, "but I mainly sell through Etsy.com or through private consignments from personal friends or acquaintances. Person to person is very successful. My items tend to be very full of embellishment. It needs to be touched to be appreciated, no picture in the world can take the place of holding a cool art item in your hand."

12 Itsy Bitsy Etsy Thank You Mini Notes - $4.00
(Set number 2), 3 x 2.5". Each note comes
with a crisp sealable cellophane bag.

Katie Lyn has learned to be sure to charge enough for shipping to cover all the costs you might not think of are involved in mailing the item. "Most department stores or catalog ordering companies charge a minimum of $6.00 to ship even the smallest item," she points out. "There is a reason for this. Of course I don't charge that much! But packaging, pay pal fees, extra goodies, listing fees and everything else included as costs of a sold item can actually make the difference between breaking even or losing money." Her advice to other artists is that they need to "value themselves and their products! Don't be afraid to ask for what it will take to mail your items."

Techniques Katie Lyn is interested in learning are how to solder with copper and Microscope slides.

To prepare for holiday shoppers she has listed with a few Independent artists gift guides as well as promoting on her blog and on etsy.

This scrapbook below has lots of bright colors and can be used as a baby book or for a little girl to put pictures in and precious things she wants to save

Oh Baby Girl 4x4 Wire bound scrapbook— $12.00
One of a kind, thick, and with lots of ribbons, tags, pockets, and other stuff


BLOB ART Gust- $5.00
Measures 4x6, hand drawn, and One-Of-A-Kind, drawn with marker on thick art board. Signed, titled, and dated on the back.


Doodle Blob Art PSYCHOTIC 80s- $5.00
Measures 4x6, hand drawn, and One-Of-A-Kind, drawn with marker on thick art board. Signed, titled, and dated on the back

Long-term, her goal for her business will be to streamline her products listed on Etsy focusing on what has sold the most, and to continue to be unique. "I am also planning on developing a website where customers can purchase supplies, kits and finished art directly from me."

"I sold a custom scrapbook for $250.00. It was worth every penny to the buyer! She was a busy new mom and didn't have the time to do justice to her pictures that she treasured. She gave them to me all sorted by subject and I made a complete baby book for her."

Katie Lyn welcomes special orders and wants to make your dreams in paper come true!

To see more paper creations go to:

http://myheart2yours.etsy.com
http://katiepaper.blogspot.com/