Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday Finds- Beautiful Mint Wall Decor

Welcome to this week's Friday Finds! The theme was "Wall Decor" and we picked a spring infused treasury curated with a mint color theme. It was created by Anna from Inmyc ( In my closet). We hope it will inspire you to decorate! Anna is from Greece, and she creates beautiful woven printed pillows. The process requires a labor of love. The original illustrations are woven by her loom at the family weaving mill and then sewn by hand.
 Here is one of her beautiful designs:

                                    French Vintage Bike at Eiffel Tower



    Mint For Wall Decor by Anna from Inmyc

Handpainted mint houses wood rack, key, scarf , hat holder, spring summer home decor - LinaECreations
Handpainted mint ho...
$27
Typography poster, 40cm x 50cm, wall art decor, story telling, true story, housewarming gift, funny valentine poster, inspirational poster - MessProject
Typography poster, ...
$17
Wooden Bake Sign in Mint Pine Wood Sign Wall Decor Rustic Americana Cottage Country Chic Kitchen Decor - ThePineNuts
Wooden Bake Sign in...
$46
Mint In The Morning Signed Print, White Baby's Breath Photo, Mint Green Shabby Chic Decor, Color Fine Art Photography Wall Print - MySweetReveries
Mint In The Morning...
$30
Large Mint Green Flower Wall Hanging -Flower Wall Decor- Chevron Home Decor -NEW COLOR- - bedbuggs
Large Mint Green Fl...
$34
Hot Air Balloon Mint Peel & Stick Fabric Wallpaper Repositionable - AccentuWall
Hot Air Balloon Min...
$40
Wall Decal - Laundry Room with Bubbles - TweetHeartWallArt
Wall Decal - Laundr...
$15
3 Vintage Wooden Plaid Fabric Covered Hangers. Mid Century Slim and Funky Retro Finds - ProjectSarafan
3 Vintage Wooden Pl...
$19
Mint polka dots garland, mint pastel circles garland, mint coral party decor, mint baby shower, birthday mint garland, nursery decor garland - HoopsyDaisies
Mint polka dots gar...
$11
paris photograph, mint, paris bicycle photograph, bicycle photograph, turquoise, teal, wanderlust, color photograph, paris decor, bike - oohprettyshiny
paris photograph, m...
$35
Metal frame, shabby chic, acryl painted, mint, home decor, wedding decor, oval - deeeco
Metal frame, shabby...
$10
Mint Green Birdie Wall Hanging Clock - joom
Mint Green Birdie W...
$40
starburst mid century wall decal pattern set, vinyl art - beepart
starburst mid centu...
$26
Mirror - Just a little Granny Chic Mirror - stained glass mirror  blue and green - MADE TO ORDER - PamelaAngus
Mirror - Just a lit...
$39
Garland Dodecahedron Emerald and Mint . Cardboard Wall Decoration . Mobile Geometric Paper Dodecahedron . Wall Decoration Mint and Emerald - submicrocosm
Garland Dodecahedro...
$30.5
3D Wall Butterflies: Butterfly Wall Art for Nursery, Girl's Room, Classroom or Home Decor in Honeydew, Mint & Chamoisee - hipandclavicle
3D Wall Butterflies...
$23
We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be "Spring Trends". If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by!
 Until next time…




Monday, January 27, 2014

Artist Spotlight - Kim Rose Colored Glass

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight, our regular Monday blog.  This week’s artist is Kim Rose. Kim is the designer and owner of Kim Rose Colored Glass. Kim creates beautiful hand Crafted stained glass style art.  Here is one of Kim’s gorgeous pieces.


Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I live in a quaint little town on the Grand River in Ontario, Canada with my husband and two of our three children. Life is a little slower here, which really helps with allowing the creativity to flow. I enjoy creating new, one of a kind pieces of art in my studio. Glass paint is definitely my favorite medium. I love how it looks just like stained glass without the possibility of breaking it, because I paint on plexiglass, which is great for kids décor as well. I`ve been using this medium for almost ten years now, but only registered by business in 2006, and shortly after ( 2009 ) opened my Etsy shop.


how did you got your start?

It all began when I moved into my present home. There was a large window in the front door that I wanted to cover for privacy. Since I don't do anything in the conventional way, I wanted something other than curtains. I had seen this cool glass paint in a magazine and thought, "what a great idea.” I painted an exact replica of a stained glass window in my home. It turned out so well, I just had to create more. I gave my creations to family and friends as gifts. It was suggested I try a craft show, so I did...and wow, I was thrilled at how fun, and successful it was, so, for several years I did weekly craft shows and markets. I love the face to face interactions I experienced when selling at shows, but wanted to try selling online as well. I've tried everything from, ads, well known selling venues, to creating, and maintaining my own websites. They have been valuable tools in helping me to get where I am today, a shop owner here on Etsy (my favorite yet) I love the atmosphere here. There is always someone nearby to give advice or lend a sympathetic ear. It feels like family here.


Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired daily by so many different things, such as, a song, a commercial or t.v. program, a color, a piece of clothing, or even a dream.  I have been known to get up in the middle of the night to write down my ideas, because they won't let me sleep until I do, he he!


What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I think my proudest moment in nearly 10 years of business was surprisingly, not when I received 2 awards, or when I was featured in a local magazine, or the entire front page of a local paper (although, I am proud of these accomplishments) but rather, when I was told that the private lessons I was giving to a young autistic student had helped to bring him out of his shell more, he was very proud and happy with his artistic accomplishments during these classes, and was able to communicate, and express that to his family. I was so deeply touched, that it literally brought me to tears. My proudest moment to this day!


What challenges do you face selling online?

Anyone who sells online, knows firsthand, the challenges we face on a daily basis. It's hard to stand out in a crowded market. It can be difficult trying to be different from everyone else.


What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

My advice...don't be afraid to “toot your own horn." Tell everyone and anyone that will listen about your business. I use every opportunity to tell people about my Etsy shop.......while standing in line at the grocery store, sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s or dentist, or shopping at the mall. I've handed out thousands of business cards over the years, it's a great way to get yourself out there.  As difficult as it can be, by the same token, it can be amazing. I wouldn't give it up for the world......Etsy, I'm here for life!

Thank you Kim for sharing your story with us.  Want to see more of Kim?  You can visit Kim here:




Well that wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight.  We try and run this column every Monday and we’re always looking for artists to spotlight.  So if you are interested or know someone that we’d enjoy reading about please pass on the information.

Thanks for stopping by,

Until next time…
 
 
 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Friday Finds- Love is in the Air

Welcome to this week’s Friday’s Finds! This week’s theme was “Love is in the Air” and we had a hard task in choosing from many treasuries sent. Thank you Etsy artists! We settled on the treasury curated by Fieke from HandmadebyFieke. 

Fieke is from Belgium and she makes beautiful crochet items for kids. Here is one of her booties:

                                                              Crochet Baby Booties

Love is in the Air by Fieke:

Chalkboard Valentine Printable Art Print, Instant Download, Home Decor, Calligraphy Decor, Love is in the Air - RosieAndViolets
Chalkboard Valentin...
$5
hot air balloon necklace - love is in the air - Up Up and Away - pastel beads - cute necklace, kawaii jewelry - JewelMango
hot air balloon nec...
$19
Best Valentine's Day Photo Booth Props - Love is in the Air Collection - PAPERandPANCAKES
Best Valentine'...
$25
Love Keeps Her In The Air When She Ought To Fall Down  - Quote Firefly Browncoat Serenity Dictionary Page Book Art Print - DPQU120 - WhiskerPrints
Love Keeps Her In T...
$8.99
Pigs Can Fly with Love Balloons - printed on Recycled Vintage Dictionary Paper - 8x10.5 - Dictionary Art Print on dictionary paper - VintageDictionaryArt
Pigs Can Fly with L...
$10
Ladies Tshirt, Women T Shirt, Love Notes Paper Airplane Tee Shirt, Powder Blue Cotton Crewneck - CausticThreads
Ladies Tshirt, Wome...
$20
Love birds, You make my heart sing, 8 x 10 image art print, love print, bird illustration - TriciaODesign
Love birds, You mak...
$18
Long Distance Love Ornament - HBLH
Long Distance Love ...
$12
Love Is In the Air - 11x14 Fine Art Flower Photography Print - Pink Bleeding Hearts, Jade and Grass Green Garden Home Decor Photo - KatieLloydPhoto
Love Is In the Air ...
$45
Love Is In The Air 8x10 Wall Art Fine Art Photography Colorful Heart Home Decor Valentine Card Idea Heart Hands - STILphotography
Love Is In The Air ...
$25
Valentine Card, Love Is In The Air Valentine Card, Airplane Valentine Card, Cute Valentine Card - ThePaperMenagerie
Valentine Card, Lov...
$4
Love is in the air - bath bomb with rose petals & Chanel 5 like scent - Bohemiq
Love is in the air ...
$2.5
Valentine Love Lace (12cookies) - SugarySweetCookies
Valentine Love Lace...
$40
I love you a bushel & a peck - spunkyfluff
I love you a bushel...
$42.5
8X8 Square Mini Print Piglets Pigs in Love - povphotoart
8X8 Square Mini Pri...
$22
Hearts mask in red leather Valentine - TomBanwell
Hearts mask in red ...
$39
Treasury tool by StylishHome
.
 


 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167653609/love-typgography-print-heart-shaped-word?

 

 
 
 


Next week’s theme is “Wall décor”. You are more than welcome to submit a treasury and if your treasury is selected we will feature an item from your shop. Just convo Susan or myself. We’ll let you know if your treasury is selected. Also feel free to pin any of the items on our blog and follow our blog with bloglovin’.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time…

Monday, January 20, 2014

Artist Spotlight - Shulamit Raanan

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight.  This week's aretist is Shulamit Raanan.  Shulamit lives in Israel.  Her shop is called Shuli Designs.  Shulamit makes uniques handmade beads, artistic gifts, home décor, accessories, and jewelry using polymer clay.  Here is one of shulamit's beautiful items.



Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I live in a small country community named Timrat in the lower Galilee in Israel with my husband and three wonderful kids.

I am a creative artist in nature since I can remember myself in the fields of painting, ceramics, paper works and graphic design. In the last few years I am fascinated with Polymer clay endless options to combine colors, shapes, designs and products using mainly the Millefiori technique that combines different surface textures. You might say I'm addicted.

I teach Art and Technology. I have a B.ed degree in Technology, Drama and Art and a Master's degree in Humanities.

I have an Etsy shop in which I display a variety of my original designs, products and supplies. Among them you can find Wall décor (love birds, owls, HAMSAs…), unique colorful spinning tops, rich variety of beads and more…


How did you get your start?

For many years I had been working with materials as an art teacher and always had the urge to prove to myself that I can promote my artistic ideas and capabilities to a professional and commercial level.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Living along the Mediterranean Sea and especially in the Middle East is very inspiring.

The colors of the sun and the sea, the green of the mountains and valleys alongside the yellow desert, the taste of wine, the smell of local spices, the cultural variation and the rich history of the region are all rooted in me.

Since I remember myself, I was inspired by our beautiful nature. I always had the passion to create with my hands and to experiment different crafts and materials. I am very optimistic by nature - That's why I have chosen to concentrate in Polymer clay designs which allow endless colors and shape combinations.


What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

 I have many big moments when I sale internationally on Etsy. I have customers all over the world most of them from the USA and Israel. My favorite customers are the returning customers that are happy with what they got and come back again to buy another piece. These customers give me a good feeling about myself and my art. Usually they feedback and tell me about the complements they get when wearing my necklaces, earrings and so on.  

What challenges do you face selling online?

Marketing and maintaining my business is the most difficult part of my work. It consumes a lot of time at the expanse of creating new designs. Promoting my designs in the social networks and on line requires time in front of the computer and in photographing and editing it for the media. 


What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

My best advice is persistence and consistency together with renewing the sources of inspiration from different art fields. To learn from one own mistakes which may lead to new ideas.  Never give up when things get tough and frustrating and believe in yourself. 


Thank you Shulamit for sharing your story with us today.  Want to see more of Shulamit?  You can visit Shulamit here:



Wanelo:

Twitter:

Well that wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight.  We try and run this column every Monday and we’re always looking for artists to spotlight.  So if you are interested or know someone that we’d enjoy reading about please pass on the information.
Thanks for stopping by,
Until next time…