Spotted Cow Soaps

Affectionally known as Mrs Moo, Spotted Cow makes her goodies in the heart of Vermont USA.  A quick look at her shop will give you an idea of the variety of items she produces for her well stocked shop.

How about Candy Cane Soap, a limited edition for Christmas 2008.

The description certainly makes it sound good enough to eat!  'Cool Peppermint Fragrance reminiscent of Candy Canes. Fresh, Crisp and Sticky Sweet. Who doesn't love a Candy Cane? YUM! Please don't mistake this one by eating it. This is a limited edition soap, once it is gone, we won't be making any more this Holiday season.'  Actually, it sounds wonderful.  The description continues:  'This superfatted soap formula is my own signature formula. It will leave your skin feeling extra pampered and loved.'  You know it's going to be a good product when you read in the shop heading 'All of our soaps are manufactured with Fragrance & Essential Oils that are phthalate free'.

 

Maybe you would prefer a Bath Fizzie in a Lemongrass perfume.

'Plop one or two in your bath water to unleash an explosion of fizzie goodness and aroma. After the fizzie has finished its fizzing around the tub, climb in and enjoy the experience of skin loving softness and nourishment'.  If you didn't want one before, I bet you do after reading that description!

 Can you do without a made to order Bright Lime Green Cotton Bath Puff?

Lastly I want to show you this Feet Loofah Soap in Rosemary and Mint.

With all the Christmas shopping still be to be finished I'm wishing that I had one waiting in the bathroom!

As an afterthought - sadly too late for this Christmas - Mrs Moo L♥VES custom requests!  So if you EVER Need a gift basket putting together, gift wrapping, or an order sent directly to recipient just get in touch via her shop

MockingBirdDesigns

The owner of MockingBirdDesigns is probably better known for her other shop, however, it seemed a good idea to show you some examples of what you might find if you delve a little deeper into profiles and shop announcements!  If you don't already know the name of the other shop I'll tell you at the end!

MockingBirdDesigns features a range of 'Re-Purposed On-Purpose. Greenwise. Upcycled. Recycled. Vintage. Antique. Collectible' bits and pieces.  The selection is mixed, and hence the name!  Mocking Bird: Its scientific name, Mimuspolyglottos, means "many-tongued mimic," and the Indians called it Cencontlatolly, which means "four hundred tongues." Although the Indian name may exaggerate the bird's talents, the mocker not only has a beautiful song of its own, but also can imitate the songs of dozens of other birds. I'm not suggesting that this shop is an imitation, but that it's stock is varied enough to be considered 'many-tongued.

 

This Candy Necklace certainly looks good enough to eat, but as it is made of shells it probably isn't a good idea!

 

The bird actually sings at great lengths in musical phrases that are pure mockingbird song. As the bird sings, it repeats each phrase three to six times, and it can change its tune as often as eighty-seven times in seven minutes. This repetition and the sudden changes of song help distinguish the mockingbird's sounds from those of other birds.  How about this collection, all the same, but different, it too fits into the mocking bird theme.  These totes are ideal, especially for those amongst us who are 'green'.

More upcycling for this lovely handbag.  It is a good size with a pocket on the front and a button tab.

 

Another Upcycled, Repurposed Handbag.  Have a look here to find out more. 

And the other shop?  Check here

Pluggers United

Are you an Etsy seller?

Do you get enough exposure?

There is a new team working on your behalf, but if it doesn't know about you it can't help!

It is free to join, and the members are friendly and equally devoted to Etsy and to your sales.

Pluggers United are artisans for artisans....working together they can gain more
exposure for team members and their shops. This is done through radio shows, blogs,
advertising, guerrilla marketing, entrecard generator, website, etc. and there will also be charity events.

The first step in being part of this new venture is to join the Yahoo Group and they you can add your info to the databases.  Don't expect it to happen without a little bit of work!  Being part of a team involves participation, but it is so worthwhile.

Pop along now and join this fun and friendly team. We are all here to support each other.

All Publicity is Good, But Free Publicity is Best

The title isn't original, and what I'm about to tell you may not be free - but that's your choice.  Read on to find out about today's special feature.

Reading the Etsy profile of agoodwitchtoo begins:  'Things I can’t do: eat fire, bathe a cat, leap tall buildings in a single bound, word problems (ex If train A is traveling at 85 mph…), bake homemade cookies, swallow swords, ice skate, charm a snake, or give up chocolate. The list is actually longer than this but really, there’s no need to put all my faults out there for everyone to read. Not that I’ve tried all of these things but it’s best not to ask me to attempt any of these endeavors as doing so may cause me to self implode.'  As soon as I read these words I knew I had made a friend because, apart from the bit about cookies and chocolate, I can't do any of those things either!  However as you read on you will find that there are many things that she can do but there is one enterprise on which she is about to embark that has no mention.


If you have been browsing in the Etsy Forums you may have come across this thread?  Started by none other than agoodwitchtoo it reveals new ways to promote Etsy shops? Yes, a FREE way to get your shop’s sales or new items out there.

Blockhead Radio is starting another NEW show this coming Saturday, 6th December.  If you tune in at 5pm EST then and every Saturday for “The Witching Hours”…the hostess with the mostest will be plugging shops with “Wicked Good Sales”!

If you have never heard about Blockhead Radio you need to know that it is 'Artisan for Artisan' and they enjoy nothing more than free, shameless promoting!  To listen to any of the shows live one need only sign up for an account through www.blogtalkradio.com (no spam). Everyone is encouraged to listen in, join the chat, throw up links, and have fun promoting other artisans.

Further details can be found by clicking on any of the links above or by popping over to this blogpost for a little more information.

StoryBeader

story beader admits to being a frustrated writer who likes to put words and colors together to make wearable art.

 

Yellow Flowered Glass Earrings

Each of her necklaces comes with a poem written specifically for the piece.

 Hearted Treasure Necklace

'I love looking in dictionaries and thesauruses, playing with my dog, watching turtles, digging in the garden, and having salt spray in my face (that last one's a memory.)'

 

fancy jasper cabochon

 Colorful Disk Necklace

Have fun visiting HER SHOP.  As she llikes to write more than talk why don't you drop her a line and say hello.

bfbeads

Baby Friendly Beads are beautifully functional nursing necklaces and bracelets. Breastfeeding jewelry gives baby something else to focus on and play with, instead of pulling mom's hair or pinching her skin. Reminder bracelets track nursing sessions.

Sturdy and stylish, Baby Friendly Beads are perfect for anybody who spends time with kids.

Baby Friendly Beads are the original, adjustable-length, one-piece design for nursing necklaces. Because there is only one, continuous piece of cord used in my necklaces, there is no risk of the pendant breaking off and scattering beads everywhere

These innovative, adjustable-length designs are created so that they do not require a clasp, because the clasp is often the weakest part of a necklace. All of the necklaces and bracelets are one of a kind.

Attractive enough to wear every day, the necklaces also effectively occupy a baby at the breast. The beads slide easily on the cord, delighting a baby's curious eyes, and the pendant is the perfect size for little hands to grasp, and some of the necklaces include jingle bells to add to the fun!

ButtonHole

Welcome to The Button Hole where you will find mostly vintage buttons and things that have been made using buttons and other bits and pieces

Sweet Confections Vintage Button Bouquet

Rainbow Shimmers Button Bracelet

Shining Silver Pinwheels Hair Slides

9 Pretty Vintage Plastic Buttons With Shanks

Dena lives out in the country with husband, Jack Russell terrier, Maggie Mae, and burmese cat, Black Magic. A quiet life in eastern Tennessee, only an hour's drive from Dollywood and the Great Smokey Mts. Spare time is enjoyed browsing in antique malls looking for additions to various collections. Specifically, Dena loves vintage and antique buttons, old quilts, art glass, and blue & white salt glaze pottery. It is also worth having a look at her other shop: http://GoodOldDays.etsy.com

lizplummer

I have known Liz for a number of years both on and off Etsy. As you will see from the examples I have chosen below she is a very talented artist with skills in a number of fields. Here is what she has to say about herself:

'I make fabric postcards, small quilts and silk scarves using dyeing, painting and screen printing. I got into art in about 2001 when I took a City & Guilds course in patchwork and quilting and we learnt about design, dyeing and all sorts of different things besides stitching.

Most of my work uses fabric which I have dyed, painted or otherwise altered myself. I use a variety of fibres depending on the effect I want to achieve, including cotton and silk.'

'Rushing hither and thither in our daily lives, there are so many little details we miss. The glistening raindrop on a branch, the way a leaf hangs, sparkling streets after rain. I try and capture some of those moments in my artwork: the wonder of the beautiful world all around us, little vignettes into eternity.....'

'I love working with layers: layers of fabric, paint, dye, adding colours, taking away colours, building up those layers to create depth and meaning in each piece of art I make.'

For more information and to view her work visit Liz's shop on Etsy

alisclair

I have admired the work of alisclair for some time. I especially like the colours in which she works.

Sunset is one of my personal favourites

'Living on the North Devon coast I have inspiration all around me in the colours and textures that I see everyday.'

Symbols 6. Canvas

'I enjoy playing with all sorts of materials - fabric, paper, beads and anything else I find in my stash!'

Hearts and Swirls. Mini Cushion

'I try to make sure that all my pieces have the attention to detail necessary to make them special.'

.

Fly Away

'I also hope my love bright colours and textures shines through in my work'

Visit her shop and enjoy!

makeyourpresentsfelt

Chrissie of 'makeyourpresentsfelt' calls herself 'a time-served Scots crafter'. Now living in England she has, for the last 30 years or so, lovingly made gifts for friends and family, or to decorate her home. 'I was always getting told off for "skiddling" when I was little (that's 'making a mess with water' to anyone who isn't Scottish!) so I'm in my element wet-felting.'

Inspired by heart shapes and the tactile finish of a hand-felted item Chrissie puts as much care as possible into everything she creates for sale. I can testify to this as I own some of her work. It is beautifully presented too. She truly makes it feel as it is was a gift for a special friend.






'My inspirations are usually drawn from wild country places, or from the vivid colours found in sunny Mediterranean countries, or dramatic city architecture. A particular inspiration is Ronel Jordaan, who designed pebbles for the women of the South African townships to make as part of a work-creation programme.'

Chrissie is also an artist with a heart: 'Because wet-felting uses a fair amount of water in the process, I make a monthly donation to the charity Wateraid, which helps provide clean and healthy water to people in the developing world. I also make sure I use eco-friendly soap in the felting process.' All her work is worth investigating, so rather than post links to individual items I want to direct you to her shop on Etsy where I'm sure you will find something to interest you.

cathycullis

Sometimes things happen by 'happy accident'. It was such an accident that led me to find the shop of cathycullis and these delightful miniatures.

Reading from her profile I find :
'I enjoy working with mixed media and stitch, found materials such as printed words from old novels, yellowed papers, scraps of linen and cotton, threads and vintage buttons. My works are 'visual poems' and are improvised, carefully constructed, considered. Artists who have inspired me include: Madge Gill, Louise Bourgeois, Marlene Dumas, Aubrey Beardsley and Alice Kettle.'

Click on the above link to find more of her work, or go directly to the ones below, or catch up with more of her work on her blog.

expected to believe - original mixed media collage embroidery art

she realized her heart - mixed media long thread brooch - embroidery art

mixed media brooch - embroidery art - delighted heart

Timeless - mixed media collage art

hairtiesgalorenmore

It's surprising what you find when you look around the wonderful place that is Etsy. Here's a shop I found yesterday, and I thought it was worth a feature.

The shop announcement begins: 'I have been making hairties for a few years now and have tried my hand at a few other crafts as well. Check out my shop for some great gift ideas!!' . It continues with a special offer that runs for the month of September.

But reading further on, this is what you will see: 'September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month & the 13th is Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. I am donating a portion of the sales of these items in the Autism/Cancer section to the American Cancer Society as my 6 year old niece is a Cancer Survivor!!' With all that in mind, here are four items from her shop.

Owie Bags

Glass Bead Stretchy Bracelets

Hot n Cold Eye Comforts

Autism and Cancer Awareness

Pop along to her shop and see what else is there.

Six Sisters

Do you like to travel ? See scenes of tranquility and peace ?
My art work will take you there !
My watercolors , aceo's and collages will make any space a place of refuge and delight

So says the introduction to SixSisters shop.

If you would like to be transported to another place

take a look at her shop.

Artmixter

Welcome to Artmixter. Read her Etsy introduction and it says:

Add colour and energy to your home or workplace with my beautiful, one-of-a-kind artworks and quilts! Discover a little treasure, like my mixed media pieces and mini artworks (ACEOs), or even create your own magic with my hand-dyed cloth cards, made to order!

This is just a small sample of pieces showing her various skills. Pop along HERE to see More. How can you refuse?

J N Originals

'You'll seldom see me with empty hands. If I'm not crocheting or stitching, I'm hunched over my sewing machine as I steer fabric over the feed dogs! I'm passionate about playing with color, texture and pattern--and you'll see that love reflected in my shop as you browse through my felted wool bags, crocheted scarves, coffee cup jackets, coasters, napkin rings and more.'

So says the introduction to J N Originals, and I think you will agree that the items she creates are worth more than a quick glance.

Is that a button in the middle? It's the perfect embellishment.

I love the contrasting colours of the flower

And this is lovely too. Now, where did I leave my needle?

To find out more about her, and to see a wonderful collection of goods for sale, pop along to:
J N Originals