Friday Finds Hand Hooked Tapestry and Snow Fashion

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme was “Snow Fashion” and we selected a lovey treasury curated by Vanessa Turnbull from “HeartWishezStudio. In her Etsy shop, Vanessa offers unique hand hooked tapestry wall art, needle felted gifts and souls searching acrylic paintings.
If you are looking for a unique gift, stop by her shop.



Here is one of her creations, a hooked rug tapestry wall hanging:

 Hand Hooked Rug Tapestry Wall Hanging, “Winter Moonlit Treetops”

Treasury by Vanessa: "Snow Fashion" We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Christmas 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… Zoica

Artist Showcase - Simply French Market

Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase.  I know I am a day late, but better late than never, right?

Because of my love for all things French,  I have chosen the shop Simply French Market.  The owners are a husband and wife team, Terri and Andy.  Their shop consists of rustic, cottage, and French home décor.  They design beautiful burlap pillows, artwork, and shower curtains.  If you love shabby chic, you are sure to love their items.

Here are some of their beautiful designs.

Personalized Family Tree Pillow

 

Personalized Rooster Burlap Wall Hanging

 

Mr & Mrs Burlap Pillows

 

Burlap Shower Curtain

 

French Country Rooster Pillow

 

Follow Simple French Market on Facebook

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few of Terri's lovely designs.   Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to showcase.  If you would like to be featured, just drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

 Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

 

 

Friday Finds: Unique Gift to Yourself :)

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme was “Unique Gifts” and we selected a lovey treasury curated by Lisa Carmichael from “CLEARSKINMinerals”.
In her Etsy shop, Lisa offers organic mineral makeup and acne safe makeup. She also accepts custom orders.
 You can find her shop here.

You can also visit her website and her blog 

If you are not sure what to start with ( like me) pick a sample of her makeup. It contains foundation and blush of ypur choice as well as Soothing Rice Powder veil. This week is in sale too!

SALE Sample the Basics | Mineral Makeup | MakeupSample Kit

Treasury: Unique Holiday Gifts We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Snow Fashion”. 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… Zoica

Unique Bride and Groom or Anniversay Gifts

If you are looking for a unique gift to a new married couple that moved into their first home, or a gift for your parents who are celebrating many years of marriage, here is an idea: A custom hand drawing of their house with a custom message, ready to frame.
This is something that would be cherished and last for years to come.
It could be a special Christmas gift for the couple who is celebrating the Holidays in their first home, too.
 The drawing could also have the couple's names, wedding date and address, and a special message like:
 "Our First Home"
"And They Lived happily Ever After"

You can find these drawing examples in my Zoia shop.

 Here is an example of my popular hand drawings:

Custom House Portrait, Anniversary Gift, Custom House Drawing

Here is a watercolor house drawing decorated for Christmas:

  

Custom House Portrait, Christmas Custom House Drawing

I hope you like my gift idea. If your loved one is a young girl, teen or tween I have multiple custom illustrations in my shop, and remember that your idea can be brought to reality too!

Until next time...

Zoica

   

Visit Zoica's profile on Pinterest.

Artist Showcase - Aralia Designs

Welcome to this week's Artist Showcase. This week's artist is Cherie from Aralia Designs. Aralia Designs has beautiful unique handcrafted jewelry.

Sterling Silver Rope Chain & Faceted Bezel Set Turquoise Stone Necklace

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I am part of an entrepreneurial family - small business just seems to be part of our DNA. Helping my father start a company 30 years ago was a great learning experience. One of my daughters has a growing pet photography business and the other is just beginning a baby layette business.

Aralia Designs is a dream come true for me as I can work at home around family needs and during the hours that I’m most creative and productive. My husband appreciates this and is very supportive. Yet, many of my projects are portable and technology is such that my business is with me wherever I go.

Coordinating Blue Agate and Cloisonne Bracelets

How did you get your start?

Really, it started when I first began buying retail jewelry. I would get it home and examine it thinking if I changed this and added that I would like it better. Before I knew it I was repairing jewelry for family members and taking classes at my local bead shops. My daughters actually suggested Etsy as a great venue. I had never heard of it and now I can’t imagine life without it!

Bright Silver Wire Wrapped Crystal Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

It’s everywhere. Nature is a great source of inspiration for color and shape. Surprisingly, so is fresh food! I watch closely what people are wearing in person and on television. I also read whatever I can in newspapers and magazines about upcoming color and style trends in clothing, jewelry and even home goods and furniture.

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

Probably that first review – it was positive! This is a customer oriented business. Pleasing the people that shop with me is my greatest success!

Sparkling Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Necklace

Elephant Jasper, Picture Jasper, and Bronzite Jasper Simple Stone Bracelet 

What challenges do you face selling online?

Well, trying to present your pieces accurately. Size, scale, quality, color, texture.....these are all difficult to convey in print. I try to use a model as often as I can. It helps to give the shopper perspective and hopefully to imagine what the piece would look like on her.

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

Put your heart into it. And while initially you may feel that everyone is your competitor, it isn’t really so. Etsy is a very welcoming community offering tremendous support and learning resources. Use them and remember to give back through treasuries showcasing other’s work and through the many teams. You probably won’t get rich but you’ll meet a lot of wonderful people! 

 

Iridescent Green Czech Bead, Silver Pearl and Natural Leather Bohemian Bracelet

 

Thank you Cherie for sharing your story with us.  If you would like to see more of Cherie's beautiful designs, follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to showcase.  If you would like to be considered, please drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

Friday Finds Autumn Romance

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme was “Autumn Romance” and we selected a lovey treasury curated by Cherie, from “AraliaDesigns”.
 Cherie has unique handcrafted jewelry in her shop, and her Sea Velvet Collection is one of a kind. You can check it out here.

Here is one of her beautiful designs:

 Crimson Red Sea Velvet And Wire Wrapped Bracelet

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Unique Gifts”. 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… Zoica

How to Think Outside the Box and Free Printable

What does it mean to "think outside the box?" Next time you have a project, try and find a new way to do it.  Here is a free printable to help get you in the mood.

Right click on image and save to your computer. 

1. Learn to listen. Stay quiet and listen to what other people are saying.

2. Ask a Child. Children are known to have great imaginations.  Try to view things through their eyes.

3. Brainstorm. List and counter list and then list again.  Let your mind go free.

4. Use both sides of your brain.  First think in analytical terms only. Then think about it from an emotional point of view.  Which works better?

5. Sleep on it.  Allow your mind to daydream.  Who knows you might come up with something when you least expect it.

6. Surround yourself with creative people.  Their creativity might just rub off on you.  You'll be inspired when other people are inspired.

7. Work backwards.  Start with the end goal - what you want to accomplish and work backwards.  What is it going to take for you to get there?

8. Ask questions.  Being creative requires an inquisitive mind.  Ask yourself why, how, when, etc.

9. Get out of your comfort zone.  Try something different; gain new insights.  Who knows you may find something you really love.

10. Don't be afraid to try something new. Look for unconventional solutions.  Be willing to change.

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,