Friday Shop Props!!!

Here we are....it's Friday again and as promised I would make up for the brain fart I had last week and forgot to post my weekly shop props. It's been a busy day, and it's only getting busier.

This week I would like to focus on painters. Whether it be painting on canvas or glass, this week I am featuring those who use brush strokes in their creative expressions.

First up is Art to Art Colorado (http://www.art2artcolorado.etsy.com/). I stumbled across this artist by freak accident and fell in love with the colors that are used in the work. The texture of the paintings was also something that pulled me in. The way everything looks all soft and fuzzy and so very inviting. Here are some of my faves from the shop.

Second comes from an artist that I discovered on Etsy some time ago. I was looking for hand painted wine glasses at around 1:00am and stumbled into her work. V Silcox Designs (http://www.vsilcoxdesigns.etsy.com/) has the most wonderfully beautiful and yet highly functional wine glasses, vases, bowls, etc. and each pieces looks like wonderfully leaded stained glass. However, each piece is lead free, dishwasher and microwave safe and every other fabulous perk you could imagine in hand painted glasses. Here are some of my faves from her shop.

Next artist is Mandala Arts (http://www.mandalaarts.etsy.com/). The use of color in these works is exquisite! This man creates these window stickers that all have the theme of peace and well being built right into them. One of the images of a Pegasus brings me right back to my childhood when I was obsessed with all things fantastical and imaginary. Truly stunning works and inexpensive too.....only $3.00 per sticker. I may just indulge in a few. Here are some of my picks from his shop.

The next artist is Dana Marie Art (http://www.danamarieart.etsy.com/). She makes the most wonderful little pendants. She takes little squares of Strathmore linen paper and then creates one of a kind paintings that can then be worn around your neck. Her work has been featured worldwide and she just LOVES what she does. Her little masterpieces as well as her bigger masterpieces are a true delight for the eyes. What I love is her style and technique....it reminds me of one of my favorite artists, Van Gogh. Take a look.

I know I promised six artists to be featured this week, but when it comes to art that uses brush stokes, these four are my all time favorite right now. Once I find more that I like, I will post them. All of these artists have one very obvious thing in common.....they love color and are not afraid to use it. Just love it!

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Friday Shop Props

Happy Friday Everyone!!!! It's been a rainy day here today in Norwalk, CT, but I'm making the most of it by getting lots of business work done....and neglecting my house chores. The laundry and floors can wait until just a little later.

This week I've chosen to focus on Etsy shops that make one feel good about buying their products whether it's because it's a product that's made from sustainable materials or because it simply smells nice. Here are my three picks for this week......

The first one is Gudonya Too (http://www.gudonyatoo.etsy.com/). I have purchased their products in the past and let me just say that if the pictures of their products alone don't make you want to buy their stuff, you are simply a hard sell. C'mon people, you know a great looking cleanser or scrub just by looking at it......and they show you what it looks like....and the quality is obvious from the pictures alone. When I purchased from them, I asked if they could make a custom scented Whipped Clean(c) for me in Pink Grapefruit......they were perfectly willing to oblige and the body wash is HEAVENLY! Check them out!



My second pick of the week comes from Econica (http://www.econica.etsy.com/). I just stumbled across this Etsy shop today and absolutely LOVE the designs and the fact that the materials used are all organic and sustainable fabrics like cotton and bamboo. And the prices are very affordable as well. These days, lots of shops that sell clothing made from organic fabrics are hiking up their prices to cash in on the new wave of earth conscious people. This shop is keeping it realistic for anyone who would like to do better by our Mother Earth! Check out these items from Econica's shop:

My third and final pick of the week comes from Darrielle's Clay Art (http://www.darriellesclayart.etsy.com/). I've always loved pottery and the process that goes into making the individual pieces. Each piece is unmistakably crafted by hand and by doing so is also crafted with love. Her pieces are simple and yet varied and her prices are so incredibly reasonable that anyone who would like to own a piece certainly can and not feel the least bit guilty about it. Here are some of the pieces I adore from her shop.

All these shops have one thing in common, you can feel good on so many levels by owning a piece of their creations. Check back next week for my next three picks and see who I give shop props to. Keep up the good work!

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!
Kristen

Friday Shop Props

Here it is Friday again! It seems like Friday is coming quicker and quicker these days. I suppose that's a great thing, so no need to complain.

In any case, here are my Friday Shop Props for this week from Etsy. My favorite shops of the week are as follows:

I have a thing for paper products. I'm not sure why, but something about paper just does something to me.....I have to have it so I can create with it, write on it and in the case of Peculiar Parchment (http://www.peculiarparchment.etsy.com/), I just have to have her mini note cards!!! They are so sweet....and come on, let's face it, when do you NOT need thank you notes???? Her note cards are great quality and her shop is so fabulous and well stocked and so inexpensive. How can you say 'no' to that? Check her out! Here are some things I like from her shop.

My next fave is Pink Lemonade Bags (http://www.pinklemonadebags.etsy.com/). I have a weakness for handbags that are THIS cute!!! These bags are so wonderful! They are fun, trendy, stylish and classy. You must check them out! They are constructed so well. What's not to love? Here are some of my faves fom her shop.

My third and final Shop Prop of the week goes to (drum roll please).....Lauren Rose (http://www.laurenrose.etsy.com/). This shop carries the things that make women drool over jewelry in the first place.....the BLING! Okay, so it's art glass, but it's cut into those shapes we all know with the light catching facets. The colors she features these gems in are surreal, but so very beautiful. Her service is great and her prices can't be beat. What a "gem" of a find! Take a look.

These are the amazing picks for this week. Check back next week to see which shops get my props.

Until next time.....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Friday Shop Props!!!!

Here I am again, posting my favorite Etsy shops for the week and giving props to those shops who offer something truly unique.

My first fave of the week is http://www.strungoutdesigns.etsy.com/. Strung Out Designs makes fabulous jewelry using medium gauge sterling silver wire. Her designs are so fluid and poetic.....but then again, I'm a HUGE fan of swirlies. I just love her pieces. They are so simple, graceful and delicate. Here are a few of my faves from her shop.....
My second fave of the week comes from http://www.thehouseofmouse.etsy.com/. The House Of Mouse has the most adorable little mice figurines. I guess I gravitate towards these cuties because I used to play with something similar as a little girl. The ones from my childhood were made with rabbit fur.....not very animal friendly, but still cute. The House Of Mouse creates these mice with felt and ribbon....a painstaking, detail oriented process with tons of love poured into each character created. Check out The House Of Mouse!
My third and final fave of the week is from http://www.kreativlink.etsy.com/. Kreativlink makes the most awesome handmade journals. Each one is unique with a personality all its own. She uses materials including leather, suede and fabrics that paints take well to. Her work is just beautiful especially since she is inspired by a time when books were full of wonder and secrets. I just love the old world charm her books possess. You must check them out!

Well that's all for now. Check back next week for more Etsy Faves. Maybe I'll give Shop Props to you....

Until next time....
Thanks for reading!
Kristen

Giving Props To My Fave Etsy Shops

When I discovered Etsy, I was amazed by all the fabulous handmade treasures that were to be found there. I just want to take this moment to give props to the shops I go back to time and again for supplies, unique gifts or to just see what unique treasure has been created lately.

The first shop is Jenn Gee (http://www.jenngee.etsy.com/) and she makes the these awesome coffee corsets. Yeah, I know, "What's so great about coffee corsets?" Well, hers look like corsets. They are laced up with ribbon and have a cute button on top and a perfect little bow on the bottom. She makes them with all sorts of fabric and could probably make one custom for you if you had a particular fabric in mind. I've given these coffee corsets as gifts to friends and family and I of course have one too and LOVE it! Here are some pics of her corsets. They are so sweet! These are only 2 of her stock of 127! Take a look if you like what you see. The next shop I frequent is called Sliding Along (http://www.slidingalong.etsy.com/) and this is where I find many of my unique slides for making jewelry. I go back to this shop because her selection is so varied and STUNNING! The service is great too and she ships lightening FAST! Lots of sparkly stuff here that's fun to work with and her prices are very reasonable! Here are some of the nearly 260 items from her shop!
Another shop I will check in on from time to time simply for some great laughs is called Maybe You Should Die (http://www.maybeyoushoulddie.etsy.com/). The name says it all. It's an Etsy shop that puts a mean (yet very funny) twist on the everyday. Instead of bean bags, they have things called MEAN bags which they embroider obscenities onto. I had one made for my husband for Valentine's Day one year as a joke and had it say DUMBASS. It's pink fabric with brown embroidery floss. LOL! We still get a kick out of it. Their cards are hysterical. You must check them out! I can't post them though.....they are a little racy and tend to used profanity....and I don't want to offend anyone reading my blog, but if that kind of thing doesn't bother you, check out this shop.

For my gemstone bead fix, I tend to visit an Etsy shop called Stoned (http://www.stoned.ety.com/). She has a great assortment of gemstone beads both large and small with a great color palette to choose from as well. If you need something unique, here's where you can find it!

The final shop I will give props to today is Ling Glass (http://www.lingglass.etsy.com/). I have one of her pieces and it's beautiful! She crafts stunning stained glass jewelry. Her use of color is exquisite and her prices are incredibly reasonable considering the amount of work that must go into making one piece of jewelry. Here are some of my faves:
Well, that's it for this week. I'll give more props to more Etsy shops next Friday. Have a great weekend and happy browsing!

Until next time...

Thanks for reading!
Kristen