Monday, 19 July 2010

BESTeam weekly feature: SandT Creations on Etsy



This week I'm delighted to feature SandT Creations, run by Teri Baskett from Jefferson, IN.  Teri is in senior IT management during the day and designs jewelry and runs wine tasting in her spare time.  Her Etsy shop features gemstone and crystal jewelry, wire wrapping and vintaj supplies, so there's something here for crafters and jewelry magpies too!

I've chosen to feature this sterling chain maille bracelet as I love the skill involved in maille work and it's always stunning in its simplicity when done in plain white metal.


These sterling silver earrings would be great with the bracelet, I think, and they have a lovely handmade, wasi-sabi feel to them.

SandTCreations is also a member of Etsy eSmarts team, a group of store keepers who regularly donate items to support other Etsians in financial need.  You can check out the shop here and check back regularly to support this worthy cause.





Here's some color for a contrast - in fact every color under the sun is reflected in this Summer Capiz Rainbow necklace, with each dangle individually hand-knotted.  Wouldn't this be great with one of this seasons patterned maxi-dresses?





This compass ring is a really unusual item.  It is a functional compass, so you'll always know what direction you're going in when you're wearing it!

Fellow crafters should definitely check out the supplies section, where there are a great range of vintaj brass findings and charms.  Be careful when you're there, because there is a serious temptation to purchase all of the supplies ;-)


You can find out more about SandT Creations by checking out the Etsy store, visiting the blog,
or by finding Teri on Facebook

Sunday, 18 July 2010

Etsy treasury love

I'm so lucky to have pieces of my jewellery featured in no fewer than 5 Etsy treasuries in the last week!  To pass on my thanks to those who've taken the time to compile these beautiful collections, I've done some mini-features of their Etsy stores in the 'News' section

http://blueforestjewellery.blogspot.com/p/news.html

Links to the treasuries are also there.

And here's my own compilation - 'Have a colorful Christmas in July', which you can find here

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c40a71d57e06d9134b63e71/have-a-colorful-christmas-in-july?index=0

Happy Christmas in July everyone!

Have a colorful Christmas in July

Friday, 16 July 2010

Folksy Friday: Funky Wedding




Little Bird Too Alexandra Tiarafraggierocks
nappycakebakeryI do take U! Accidental Vix


It's the ideal time for summer weddings, isn't it? My own, 20 years ago this summer, wasn't exactly a traditional white affair! So I thought I'd feature some alternative creations from talented Folksy sellers today.

Click on any of the pictures to be taken directly to these lovely shops.

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

My recent handmade lovelies...

..I had this lovely bag bought for me as a birthday present.

Looks like a lovely bag with a great print, perfect for the summer, doesn't it?

All that is true, but as well, this clever creation is a work-out for your creativity and knotting skills.  You can make a whole variety of bags in different shapes just by tying the fabric in different ways.

It's called furoshiki and Mich, who runs myfuroshiki stores on Dreamaid, Folksy, Etsy and Coriander produces them in a variety of fabrics. There are also other materials for wrapping gifts and presents available too.  Visit the shop and the blog to see the many styles you can make.  Such a great idea and an original gift for someone too.

Once you've got a furoshiki you never need buy another bag.  However, that doesn't stop me.  I'm a bag-a-holic.

I saw this lovely creation on Folksy from jentwinkle while I was taking part in the June loons challenge (listing one item every day for the whole of June - phew!)  I like cross-body bags because of my back problems, and Jen was kind enough to adapt this one with a longer strap for me.  It's really beautiful with the buttons and embroidery, and the first time I used it it was admired straight away - there's a dental receptionist with great taste!  Take a look round Jen's Folksy store for a variety of items all equally careful crafted and pretty.

So no bags for a while now.  The OH keeps saying no more bags until we have a bigger house.  But he makes an exception for special occasions.  So with the dog's birthday and our wedding anniversary coming up, I should be OK for the next couple of months ;-)

A blue and brown paisley print hobo style bag is next on my list....

Monday, 12 July 2010

BESTeam weekly feature: CutesyBootsie on Etsy


It's official - CutesyBootsie on Etsy is a knitter's paradise!  These hand knitted items are made by Brook in South Florida but will keep you warm whatever climate your inhabit.  In a great variety of lovely colours, this shop's owner is the servant of one dog, George Bailey, and two cats, Opie and Jewels, and uses knitting as a stress reliever after a heavy day teaching at the chalk face.
 
Here are a few of my favourite items.  Click directly on any picture to be taken to this lovely store.





CutesyBootsie CutesyBootsieCutesyBootsie
CutesyBootsieCutesyBootsie CutesyBootsie



I love the different stitches and colour combinations in these scarves.  Those chunky knits make you long for cooler weather so you can cosy up and get your autumn wardrobe out!  And if you like the style, but want a different colour, Brook is quite happy to knit you a custom item.

Want pictures of the pets? George Bailey appears as Brook's Etsy avatar, and you can see him and the lovely Opie on Brook's blog.  George Bailey is described as '11 pounds of bad ass Chihuahua-terrier' so even from four thousand miles away I know that my lovely Labrador Lucca dog would absolutely go mad to have him as a playmate - he loves the feisty ones! Lucca is about 70 pounds but he'd be real gentle with him...:-)

Want another reason to stock up now?  Well, Cutesy is offering free international shipping all summer.  So just go for it!

You can find out more about CutesyBootsie
on her Blog,
by following her on Twitter,
or on Facebook.

Wednesday, 7 July 2010

BESTeam weekly feature: Ardent Reverie

This week I'm delighted to feature Ardent Reverie, a shop with hair accessories, scarves, hats and original painting galore!  The original artwork on Etsy is so interesting, I've chosen to focus on Ardent's paintings in the mosaic as well as two beautiful hairclips with peacock feathers and a lovely shade of amazonite blue-green.  These paintings have beautiful clean lines, I think, and a great use of colour.

Click on any of the images to be taken directly to the shop.


Ardent Reverie Ardent ReverieArdent Reverie
Ardent ReverieArdent Reverie Ardent Reverie


Ardent Reverie describe themselves as two crazy sisters, Melanie and Meghan Mina, working out of San Diego.  They must both have similar taste, because it's really hard to see a creative difference in the shop!

And I had to include this personalised message in a bottle pendant in my feature.  It's such a lovely and original idea!  Who would you buy it for and what would you write on the message?

You can find out more about the sisters at
their Etsy store,
their blog
and on Facebook

Click here to tweet: Ardent Reverie a beautiful Etsy store

Friday, 2 July 2010

First blog giveaway is live!



 So exciting - you could win these lovely earrings in my first blog giveaway.  Find details here

You don't have to answer any difficult questions - just pick the item you like most from my Etsy shop and post the link on the Clever Crafter blog.  So simple!





Then there are other ways to get an entry, like becoming a blog follower.  That's easy too and you get to eavesdrop on my witterings regularly too.


Buying an item from my shop or the Clever Crafters store gets you the most entries!


You can enter up to 15 times.  So why not have a go?

The winner will find out next Thursday, so not long to wait.  Here's the link again...

Good luck everyone :-)

Click here to tweet: A great Blog giveaway from Blue Forest Jewellery
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