Friday, January 29, 2010
Giveaway!!
Jack be quick, Jack be nimble, Jack and Jill better hurry to the ihearthandmade site to enter a giveaway with one of my Valentine Journals! And then the same journal is featured in a Treasury!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Haiti Relief Efforts in 2 Etsy Stores!!
As I was perusing etsy stores and the forums I ran into to 2 stores who are offering a portion of their sales to go to the Haiti Relief effort. Please read their inspiring stories, visit and buy from them to help the Haitian people in the process. Fiberpuppy and Angelpupscreations are 2 very special stores!
Fiberpuppy is the first store.
Tell me something about yourself.
I live in Northern California with my husband and elderly dog. I tend to think outside the box. I am of the firm opinion that almost anything can be fixed with duct tape. Too bad my husband doesn't share this sentiment.
How did you start with your current craft?
At age 33, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. With Chemo and hairloss impending I did what all crazy people do. I had a party and had my friends dye my hair blue. (my mom even bought the dye). At the party, my friend gave me a hat that she had knit. Since it was looking like I was going to have a lot of stressful time on my hands I asked her to teach me to knit.I had so little to do and so little energy, I began to pass time in rows, feeling proud that I had at least something to show for my time. Then I discovered my local yarn store. They offered free drop in knitting classes every day. The woman who ran the classes was known (behind her back) as the knitting nazi. She was very proper and I think I sent her into heart failure when I presented my half knit socks which were knit inside out. But who can be too angry with someone so obviously going through cancer so I got a pass. I did not go out much but I pretty much went to the yarn store every day.Then I discovered felting and I was hooked. It was like a blow up version of shrinky dinks.
What do you like about your craft?
There's something magical about felt. It always comes out a little different than you thought. Perhaps the yarn dye makes it shrink a little less or a little more. It's always a surprise (hopefully a good one) when you open the washing machine.
Why did I choose to help with the Haiti Relief effort?
I guess I'm human and it is so hard to see the suffering going on in Haiti. I chose Doctors without Borders because they already had people on the ground and I thought the money would be well spent.
The next store is angelpupscreations.
Tell me something about yourself
I have three wonderful children aged 19, 21, and 23. Since they've grown, I've acquired two more children, my "angel pups" Big Mac and Molly, beautiful light-colored cockapoos. You can see them in my Etsy avatar ;-) Being winter in Massachusetts, we don't get out as much, but in the nicer weather we like to walk and hike in the area woods and parks. I also volunteer for a ministry at my church called "AngelFoodMinistries" (angelfoodministries.com) which I truly enjoy. It allows me to meet many wonderful people.
How did you start your current craft?
I have been drawing and painting since I was a kid. Years ago I owned a house with a slate roof which had stacks of slate in the backyard. That's when I discovered painting on slate. For years I painted Christmas, birthday, and odds and ends gifts, but never considered selling them. I have been out of work for a bit and although I painted quite a bit over the holidays and colder months, during the summer I wanted to be outside instead of inside painting. That is when I started making simple jewelry items while sitting out on the deck! In November I saw an article about Etsy in a magazine and by then had plenty of "stock". So, I decided to give it a shot!
What do you like about your craft?
I really enjoy painting and find it relaxing and very satisfying to start with a blank gray piece of slate and work with it until it is a meaningful piece of art or something that brings a smile to someone's face. I find doing custom paintings very rewarding. It is wonderful to have someone ask you to paint a pet, or an image that is important to them and then experience their joy when they receive it.
Why did you choose to help with Haiti Relief Effort?
I am a regular supporter of the Samaritan's Purse organization, as well as other charities who provide relief around the world. On the morning of the earthquake, I logged onto the computer and read the headline about the event. I immediately said a prayer, saying "I don't know how I could help in this tragedy, but if there is a way, God please show me what it is." Then I opened my email and the first one was from Samaritan's Purse stating they had already dispatched emergency relief teams and asking for emergency donations.
Please help these 2 etsy stores help Haiti get much needed relief.
Fiberpuppy is the first store.
Tell me something about yourself.
I live in Northern California with my husband and elderly dog. I tend to think outside the box. I am of the firm opinion that almost anything can be fixed with duct tape. Too bad my husband doesn't share this sentiment.
How did you start with your current craft?
At age 33, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. With Chemo and hairloss impending I did what all crazy people do. I had a party and had my friends dye my hair blue. (my mom even bought the dye). At the party, my friend gave me a hat that she had knit. Since it was looking like I was going to have a lot of stressful time on my hands I asked her to teach me to knit.I had so little to do and so little energy, I began to pass time in rows, feeling proud that I had at least something to show for my time. Then I discovered my local yarn store. They offered free drop in knitting classes every day. The woman who ran the classes was known (behind her back) as the knitting nazi. She was very proper and I think I sent her into heart failure when I presented my half knit socks which were knit inside out. But who can be too angry with someone so obviously going through cancer so I got a pass. I did not go out much but I pretty much went to the yarn store every day.Then I discovered felting and I was hooked. It was like a blow up version of shrinky dinks.
What do you like about your craft?
There's something magical about felt. It always comes out a little different than you thought. Perhaps the yarn dye makes it shrink a little less or a little more. It's always a surprise (hopefully a good one) when you open the washing machine.
Why did I choose to help with the Haiti Relief effort?
I guess I'm human and it is so hard to see the suffering going on in Haiti. I chose Doctors without Borders because they already had people on the ground and I thought the money would be well spent.
The next store is angelpupscreations.
Tell me something about yourself
I have three wonderful children aged 19, 21, and 23. Since they've grown, I've acquired two more children, my "angel pups" Big Mac and Molly, beautiful light-colored cockapoos. You can see them in my Etsy avatar ;-) Being winter in Massachusetts, we don't get out as much, but in the nicer weather we like to walk and hike in the area woods and parks. I also volunteer for a ministry at my church called "AngelFoodMinistries" (angelfoodministries.com) which I truly enjoy. It allows me to meet many wonderful people.
How did you start your current craft?
I have been drawing and painting since I was a kid. Years ago I owned a house with a slate roof which had stacks of slate in the backyard. That's when I discovered painting on slate. For years I painted Christmas, birthday, and odds and ends gifts, but never considered selling them. I have been out of work for a bit and although I painted quite a bit over the holidays and colder months, during the summer I wanted to be outside instead of inside painting. That is when I started making simple jewelry items while sitting out on the deck! In November I saw an article about Etsy in a magazine and by then had plenty of "stock". So, I decided to give it a shot!
What do you like about your craft?
I really enjoy painting and find it relaxing and very satisfying to start with a blank gray piece of slate and work with it until it is a meaningful piece of art or something that brings a smile to someone's face. I find doing custom paintings very rewarding. It is wonderful to have someone ask you to paint a pet, or an image that is important to them and then experience their joy when they receive it.
Why did you choose to help with Haiti Relief Effort?
I am a regular supporter of the Samaritan's Purse organization, as well as other charities who provide relief around the world. On the morning of the earthquake, I logged onto the computer and read the headline about the event. I immediately said a prayer, saying "I don't know how I could help in this tragedy, but if there is a way, God please show me what it is." Then I opened my email and the first one was from Samaritan's Purse stating they had already dispatched emergency relief teams and asking for emergency donations.
Please help these 2 etsy stores help Haiti get much needed relief.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Learning Photography!!
I will be learning to make my product photography better this afternoon with my good friend, Bruce. He's going to help me using my camera, tripod, light box and my desk lamps. I'm excited to learn THE tricks of the trade. I'll share with my blog friends later in the week.
In the meantime, check out my featured artist--DiamondIsis. She has wonderful photographs of nature and wildlife. The two above photos are samples of her work.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Featured Artist--DiamondIsis
I am pleased to feature a brand new artist/photographer on etsy. Lena of DiamondIsis is a fabulous photographer with a humorous take on life with shore birds, tender moments with horses and classic black and white photography. She has full color prints as well.
When I was chatting with her, she gave me interesting information.
Tell me something about yourself.
I am excited to be a part of the Etsy community and plan to keep adding onto my storefront! I live in a town outside of Richmond, VA with my Fiancee' and our four legged daughter, Isis Diamond (my store name is her name backwards).
How did you start with your current craft?
Photography is my passion and what started as a hobby when I was a teenager became a staple in my life! I would visit wildlife refuges with my parents and I got to where I would always take my camera. Then I went to school at the Academy of Art to study photography for two years; it was nice to learn formally as I had been self taught up to that point.
Do you have a full time job? If yes, what is it? Would you like to be full time at crafting?
I would love to be able to pursue photography full time; but for now I work full time as an Accounts Receivable Specialist for a local company in Richmond, VA. But I keep up with my photography in all the spare time I can spare, lol.
What do you like about your craft?
What I love about photography is being able to capture a moment that is beautiful; and being able to share that for everyone to enjoy! My hope is that people will enjoy my work as much as I enjoy going out and finding those moments to share! :)
Let's welcome Lena to the world of online sales and encourage her. Check out her etsy store, DiamondIsis. PS I also hyperlinked my favorite photos from her store.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I'll be finishing up some new paper bowls tonight by applying the glue coat to harden the surface for everyday wear. I'm letting you see a bowl that I have not listed yet on etsy. What do you think about it? Thanks for any input.
I am the yearbook editor for my elementary school. It is always amazing how the teachers react when you ask them for 2 photos of their class. 80% are just great, 10% are forgetful, 5% are slow and 1% are rude.(I don't think that they mean to be, but they don't understand my deadline.) The remaining 4% are clueless. Oh, well, it will be finished by Friday.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
And the Winner is ......
And the winner of the $25 gift Certificate is...................(drum roll, please)
WINDY CINDY!!!! Congratulations!! I'll be contacting you with information about your gift certificate!!
I want to thank you all for the valuable suggestions. I am working on each and every one. Keep checking back to watch for the improvements.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Busy as a Bee
Hi, blog friends!
I'm as busy as a bee!! I have a couple of new things going on. The music being played right now is on the music player to your right. Now You See Them is a great local group trying for national exposure and much needed money as you know musicians and artists always need! Click on this link to vote for them by downloading their new song--"Growing Older". You need to have a facebook account and friend Windows 7.
Next, I've finished setting up a shop with I Heart Handmade. The shop will be live on Saturday!! I'l post the link for that over the weekend.
And finally, don't forget to enter my BIG giveaway--$25.00 in my store. This will be ending on January 17 th at 8:00pm eastern standard time.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Corn Starch
Hi, I found these boxes of corn starch in my mom's house several years ago. HOw many of you used corn starch over the holidays? The Cream Corn Starch box fascinated me as it looked really old, so I did some research on both brands. Hope you enjoy the comparision. (Check out the price on the Cream Corn Starch box top)
The A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company (referred to henceforth as "Staley") was the first major company existing today to begin crushing soybeans to yield oil and meal; they started in 1922. Indeed Mr. A.E. Staley was one of the first Americans to see the great potential of the soybean as a source of oil, meal, and flour.
Augustus Eugene (Gene) Staley was born on 25 February 1867 in a log cabin in Randolph County near Julian, North Carolina, on his father's 265-acre red clay farm.
Busy with farm work, Gene dropped out of primary school after a few years. At age 14 he successfully sold a wagon load of his father's produce in the nearest town. Soon he decided he liked selling better than farming, so he left the farm in 1883 (at age 16) and went on the road selling food products, including starch, for various companies. In 1898 he founded his own company, A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company?? in Baltimore, Maryland, and began packaging and selling "Cream" corn starch.
In 1906 he incorporated the company in Baltimore. In 1909, wanting to manufacture his own corn starch, he bought a plant in Decatur, Illinois.
Augustus Eugene (Gene) Staley was born on 25 February 1867 in a log cabin in Randolph County near Julian, North Carolina, on his father's 265-acre red clay farm.
Busy with farm work, Gene dropped out of primary school after a few years. At age 14 he successfully sold a wagon load of his father's produce in the nearest town. Soon he decided he liked selling better than farming, so he left the farm in 1883 (at age 16) and went on the road selling food products, including starch, for various companies. In 1898 he founded his own company, A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company?? in Baltimore, Maryland, and began packaging and selling "Cream" corn starch.
In 1906 he incorporated the company in Baltimore. In 1909, wanting to manufacture his own corn starch, he bought a plant in Decatur, Illinois.
1892--Argo corn starch is launched. The name, Argo, continues to be a source of much conjecture even to the present. It may have derived from the fact that customer price lists were printed in alphabetical order, and the name Argo would appear above then-competitor Kingsford's.
1899--Argo, Kingsford's and two other starch companies merge to form the United Starch Company, a forerunner of The Corn Products Refining Co.
1940’s--A 1940s Argo Corn Starch label features a recipe for corn-starch based Creative Clay, a homemade moldable material that children can use to fashion ornaments and gifts.
1964--A new corn maiden appears on the Argo corn starch package.
Information from http://www.soyinfocenter.com/HSS/ae_staley_manufacturing.php and http://cornstarch.com/about_us.htmlFriday, January 1, 2010
Giveaway--Giveaway--Giveaway
I am starting the new year off with a super dooper giveaway to celebrate one year of blogging!! On January 17, 2009 I came into this world of blogging. I will be giving a $25 gift certificate to my store to one lucky person who posts here on my blog.
The Rules:
Go to my store. Find your favorite product. Post the link in a comment. (1 entry)
Post a suggestion for me to improve my store. (1 entry)
Follow my blog--tell me in a separate entry. (1 entry)
I will use a random number generator to select the winner on January 17, 2010 at 8 pm. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in your entries.
This is open to all participants on etsy and my blog.
The Rules:
Go to my store. Find your favorite product. Post the link in a comment. (1 entry)
Post a suggestion for me to improve my store. (1 entry)
Follow my blog--tell me in a separate entry. (1 entry)
I will use a random number generator to select the winner on January 17, 2010 at 8 pm. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in your entries.
This is open to all participants on etsy and my blog.
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