Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Welcome Wednesday with Handmade by Cheryl and a GIVEAWAY

Please welcome Cheryl and her Etsy shop Handmade by Cheryl




Upcycling and repurposing with her original artwork to bring you home decor with an old fashioned flair.

Cheryl has offered a great giveaway...please see the details after the interview.

Now let's learn about Cheryl's story

What is your first creative memory?

When I was just a young kid of maybe 9 or 10, I remember having an obsession of drawing horses. I guess it came about when my dad purchased to mares for my mother and he to ride. The creative desire then continued when I joined 4-H. I learned to sew there and also from my mother who could sew or make anything almost without a pattern. I guess I got some of her good creative genes and some from my dad.. MyHe was a farmer and was able to weld anything to create something he needed or to fix machinery. On a farm, you learn to be resourceful.

What or whom started your creative journey on Etsy?

Several years ago, I just stumbled onto Etsy. I had been selling my crafts for at least 25 years and thought Etsy was are pretty neat way to get your stuff out there for a lot more people to see without a high cost. I had just begun to make my canvas candle mats which I began because I had leftover canvas from my floorcloths I was making for my home. The candle mats seemed to be a good way to make some money out of the leftovers. I was raised to waste not- want not.The mats were easy to ship, and lo and behold they sold pretty easily when listed in the shop. I got several special orders and several repeat customers. It was about that time that we decided to start a home show here in addition to our other shows. I didn't list for quite some time since I really needed a lot of inventory to do a home show. ( I have to mention that I had two children and a full time teaching job for 33 years so I had many irons in the fire,)





How did you come up with your shop name?

My Etsy shop from the beginning was just called Cherylweaver. I wasn't too creative with that. I never really thought about having a name till a few years ago. I had always sold only handpainted items, but recently, with the help of a good friend, I began making some prints of my work. Now, since I wasn't painting everything, I began calling myself Handmade by Cheryl. I had a website for awhile by that name, but I had little traffic, and finally gave it up. When I started up my Etsy again, I added Handmade by Cheryl to the original Cheryl Weaver.



Describe what creations you have in your shop

My shop includes mostly handpainted canvas candle mats which are made in the same way as the old time floorcloths. I also have other handpainted items which vary with the season. There are laser prints of my work and a few other popular sayings are laser prints. These can be framed or decoupaged.

What inspires you?

My inspiration comes from what I see as popular at the time. For a long time I used other people's patterns. It was when I saw others painting some of the same designs that I had chosen that I decided that I would start drawing and creating my own designs. That is when I began to see my style developing. When others started to tell me how much they loved my style, I finally realized that I had one. LOL! I keep an eye on what the current trends are and what seems to be sellling well for me, and since I repurpose a lot of things, they speak to me as to what they need to come back to life.

What do you watch or listen to while you are creating?

While I am working, I usually have noise in the background. It could be the TV or a cd. I enjoy movies and don't mind watching them more than once which is good because sometimes I become so engrossed in what I am doing that I don't pay attention to the movie. I have two dogs who love going out to play ball so I get a lot of breaks during good weather.


Please share a favorite recipe

As for favorite recipes, one of my favorite is my altered version of The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook's Applesauce Cake. It is a little healthier than the original one.

Apple Cake
1/2 cup light olive oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1 and 1/2 tsps. of baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 and 1/ 2 tsp of cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
14 tsp ground allspice
2 cups of finely chopped apples with the peeling
1//2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Mix the olive oil, brown sugar, and eggs well, then add the chopped apples, raisins, and nuts, mixing well after each is added.
Mix the dry ingredients and add that next to the wet mixture. Stir till all dry ingredients are mixed thoroughly.

Spoon the mixture into a 9 by 13 pan that has been oiled.

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or till a toothpick comes out dry.

I sometimes add a drizzle of white icing made with powdered sugar if I am having company. This cake is better the second day.

Where else can we find you?

Facebook

NOW WHAT YOU COULD WIN!!!

*****Handmade by Cheryl will be giving one lucky winner their choice of one of her prints priced EITHER $6 or $8. SEE ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS HERE IN HER SHOP...but please remember. ONLY the ones priced at $6 or $8.

****SHIPPING WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ALL ENTRANTS

****Your print will not have the watermark "handmade by Cheryl" on it

Here are just a few...










REMEMBER...these are only a few. Please see all of your options here in her shop.

NOW TO ENTER:

You do not have to do all of the entries, but the more you do the more chances you have at winning!

a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tribute Tuesday with The Tempest Stone

Call out your tributes for Denise and her Etsy shop The Tempest Stone





One of a kind pieces for one of a kind individuals! Jewelry made with natural semi-precious stones that have been wire wrapped in solid argentium silver.

Receive 15% off from your purchase with coupon code: JULY2012 It will remain in effect until the end of July.

Now let's discover The Tempest Stone

What is the first creative memory you have?

I remember having a very large orange walled play room in my house when I was about 5 years old. I remember just before Halloween thinking it would be an excellent idea to have a mural on the wall. So I convinced my little friend Nicky that it would be a great idea to do one...with those big black permanent markers. I did pumpkins and cats and witches and such, with my lovely 5 year old drawing skills. I even got a chair so I could do the tops of the walls too. I thought it was lovely. Then my parents came to find us. They, on the other hand, did not appreciate the beauty of my artistic endeavor, nor the black permanent marker medium we had chosen to use. Nicky got sent home that day and I believe I received my very first grounding. Still one of my fondest childhood memories.



What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I found Etsy by chance while surfing the internet one day. I originally made my pendants for myself and gifts for friends and family only. I am always wearing a stone and they tend to catch people's attention , so I started getting requests from people asking if I had a website where they could see my pendants. Being that I am not very technically inclined (I did purchase a domain name and hosting, but to date, still no web site!!!), Etsy seemed like a very nice, easy choice for someone like me. I have to say, I love the community that Etsy is. The talent on there is amazing, and I definitely spend more than I make!!



How did you come up with your shop name?

The shop name was a bit of a challenge for me. I had everybody I know trying to come up with something. A lot of them were revolving around the "D" in my name, as many friends just call me D. Then one afternoon I was wrapping a beautiful Pietersite stone, one of my favorites. It was a beautiful dark blue, black and brown swirly stone. It reminded me of the ocean on stormy day. I thought of how perfectly the stone reflected the nickname of Pietersite, The Tempest Stone. And my shop, The Tempest Stone, was born at that very moment. I knew it could never be anything but that.

Describe what creations you have in your shop

Currently I have silver, wire wrapped pendants. They are all made by hand, using just simple tools. Many people have a hard time believing that the entire pendant is set without the use of a blow torch or heat of any kind. It is simply many separate pieces of wire, manipulated to form the setting, this results in a piece of jewelry that can as strong as a soldered piece and will be with you for years and years if properly cared for. The majority of my pieces are semi precious stones, but I will occasionally wrap other things such as beautiful glass or shell. The silver I use is called Argentium silver (.930), which I love. It is a brighter silver, that is more tarnish resistant than the Sterling. While my true loves are pendants, I have plans to expand the selection in my shop to include other wire wrapped items, such as earrings and bracelets very soon. I have also recently started working with copper and love the look of it antiqued. For fun, I just made a fabulous copper and stone cuff bracelet for myself that people seem to love, so who knows, maybe it will make it onto the site too at some point.


What inspires you?

I am not sure if its so much that I am inspired as it is that I seem to have an almost intrinsic need to just always be creating something. In thinking about it, perhaps that is a part of what "inspires" means. Its just something internal for me I guess. I say that my hobby really is trying out new hobbies, of which I have had a lot. I have tried drawing, painting, glass etching, cake decorating, soap making, beading, wood burning, and the list goes on...and on....and on. There is always something to make. With my pendants, I can say that each stone inspires me. I never have a set idea of what it will turn out like until I am done. I might sketch a design for something, and in the end, it looks completely different. The stone has to choose its own design I figure. While I am capable of doing some of the more intricate or "curly" designs, I tend to make most of my pieces quite simple so that the stone is the overall centerpiece.


What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Quite honestly, not a lot. I find that all my attention is on the stone when I work. I block out everything else around me. Each piece takes me a total of anywhere from 2 to 6 hours and I am usually pretty focused. There could be music or a tv in the background, but I wouldn't even be aware of it.




Please share a favorite recipe

Ok, I have to admit it, I am not one that is capable of following a recipe. I have the best of intentions when I start, but somewhere around the middle I lose interest and start to ad lib. Every time I make the same dish it tastes different!

That said, growing up in Newfoundland, my Nan and my Mom used to make "Snowballs" and they were one of my favorite things in the world. My Mom and Dad came to visit recently and my son called to specifically tell Grandma to bring her recipe for snowballs so she could make them for him. I might be sharing a old family secret here now for all I know (but I doubt it), but these are too good and easy not to share.

Snow Balls
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
Coconut to roll balls in

Combine butter, milk, sugar and vanilla in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add cocoa. Stir until cocoa is completely dissolved. Stir in coconut and rolled oats. Let cool. Form into balls and roll in coconut. Store in fridge until set.

Simple, totally calorie free no doubt, and simply yummy!

Where else can we find you?

E-mail at thetempeststone@gmail.com
Facebook
Twitter

Now off to show Denise and her beautiful creations some love in her Etsy shop, The Tempest Stone

Monday, June 25, 2012

Meet Monday with Royal Regards

Please meet Sara and her Etsy shop Royal Regards



Handmade with love, Sara provides handmade cards for a birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, new baby or set of blank cards.

Now let's discover Royal Regards

What is your first creative memory?

The first creative memory I have is of coloring all the outfits in character coloring books as a young child. It drove my Mom crazy that I would only color the clothes and nothing else in the pictures. I have always loved fashion!

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

 A friend of mine introduced me to Etsy a few years ago and I thought it was such a neat place to shop. I have only been making cards for a couple years but I knew as soon as I fell in love with the craft that I eventually wanted to open up my own Etsy shop.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I wanted something catchy for my shop name and I knew I wanted "Regards" in there somewhere because I sell cards. My husband suggested Regal Regards but there is already a business with that name. Finally, I thought of Royal Regards and it was perfect. I love crowns because Sara means princess so marketing with crown images really appealed to me.





Describe the items in your shop

I have many different types of cards in my shop from all the different holidays, to birthdays, weddings, thank you cards, etc. I also make place cards for weddings and baby showers and really enjoy making those and coordinating thank you cards. It makes me happy to make something that is going to be used on someone's big day. My favorite cards to make are embossed cards. I love the different textures and think they are very elegant looking.


What inspires you?

I draw inspiration from many things. I love color, especially pastels. All 4 seasons here in Michigan inspire me as well and I absolutely love the beach! I have some starfish decor in my card studio to draw inspiration from on a daily basis.




What do you watch or listen to while you are creating?

I usually listen to a mixture of music from iTunes playlists when I create. I love a little bit of everything from country and classic rock to rap. I also often watch t.v. shows or movies on my iPad while i'm working in my studio. I love watching shows like Felicity, Dawson's Creek, Melrose Place, The Wonder Years, etc. that I watched when I was younger. 

Please share a favorite recipe

One of our favorite recipes this summer is for homemade pico de gallo.

-Dice 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
-Dice 1/2 red onion
-Dice 1/4 cup cilantro
-Dice 1 ripe avocado
-Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix everything together really well.
We eat this on tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and nachos. It's a really fresh and tasty recipe!



Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Wanelo

Now please go Sara some love and visit her Etsy shop Royal Regards and come back and tell us your favorite handmade card!


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Salutations Sunday with i HartFelt and a GIVEAWAY

Please shout out your salutations for Heather and her Etsy shop i HartFelt




Full of whimsy and creativity...Heather offers unique gifts that are sure to charm your "hart."

Receive 10% off of your purchase by entering coupon code: SUMMER at checkout. HartFelt has also offered a great GIVEAWAY...please find all of the details at the end of the interview.

Now we are off to discover i HartFelt

What is the first creative memory you have?

My earliest memory would have to be my mom and I sitting in our craft shop preparing for a holiday bazaar one year. We had a garden where she grew tons of amazing flowers that she would dry in our shop and make gorgeous flower arrangements and I made birdhouses out of recycled cardboard from cereal boxes. I wish I had kept one of these treasures. I am a lucky girl in the fact that I have two very special crafty grandmas.

 One grandma (my dad’s mom) taught me to embroidery and knit! It has stuck with me to this day. I can still envision us sitting on the couch like it was yesterday, she patiently teaching me the ins and outs of embroidering and knitting. Embroidery is still my most favorite. My other grandma (my mom’s mom) had a wood shop and a craft room. I remember she had supplies galore that she collected from garage sales & she then stored everything so neatly and organized in her craft room. She had any supply in any color you could think of. In her wood shop I once used a piece of her scrap wood to make a cat ornament by painting, nailing, and wood gluing. I still have it to this day and use it on my tree at Christmas time.

I hope to provide my children and grandchildren creative memories too! I think it is too important not to share these artistic handmade qualities with the next generations.




What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

Lots of support from my husband who believed in me and is inspired by my driven, motivated personality to get things done! I first heard about Etsy from a dear friend who is like a sister to me, and the most creative lady I know. We met in Kindergarten but became friends around 4th grade, and still remain friends to this day even though we reside in different states. Check out her amazing art & coasters in her shop: Art by Julia: www.skerry.etsy.com

How did you come up with your shop name?

I knew right away I wanted to come up with something that meant ‘from the heart.’ I believe that anything handmade comes from the heart (&soul). My husband and I together late one night came up with HartFelt by iHart. HartFelt means ‘from the Hart’ and iHart means ‘I love.’ I also wanted to incorporate the word ‘Felt’ in my shop name because that is what all my softies are made from. Hart‘Felt’ it became. I shortened the name to ihartfelt for Etsy so it would be easier to remember and find. I also intentionally misspelled Hart to be as unique as possible.



All my original softies come with a handmade felt tag with an ‘i’ and a ‘hart’. This has become my most unique feature found consistently on all my softies. I have heard the most inspiring comments on how cute the tags are.





Describe what creations you have in your shop

I specialize in all things felt: ornaments, baby mobiles, softies, and party favors for special occasions and home decor.

My designs reflect originality, charm, special attention to detail, and creativity - my intention is to offer a great alternative to mass produced dime a dozen gifts.

I create everything by hand, the patterns, cutting out the felt, and stitching all the pieces by hand.

What insprires you?

My inspiration comes from my toddler son who is now three years old, my supportive husband, nature- birds are my favorite, seasons- I love the fall, holidays – Valentines, Halloween and Christmas being my favorites, & love. I am truly blessed!!


What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I am almost always watching a movie with my husband in the evening while I do a lot of my sewing, cutting, and stuffing. I love action, drama, and comedy the most. I do like to listen to music too.

Please share a favorite recipe

Pear Nutella Muffins

2 C. stoneground whole wheat self-rising flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ C. brown sugar
1 egg
¾ C. reduced fat milk
2 T. canola oil
2 large pears, peeled and grated
¼ C. Nutella

1.Preheat oven to 375* and lightly grease 12 muffin tray

2.Sift flour and cinnamon into a large bowl and add in the husks. Add the sugar, combine, and make a well in the center.

3.Place the egg, milk, and oil in a jug or bowl and whisk with a fork until combined. Add to the dry ingredients and fold in with a large metal spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Do not over beat. Gently fold in the grated pear.

4.Spoon half the mixture into the bases of each muffin tin, then place 1 tsp. of Nutella in the center of each. Top with the remaining mixture. Bake for 20 minutes, until risen, golden and firm to a light touch. Leave in the tins for about 3 minutes, then lift out onto a wire rack to cool.

MAKES 12 – To freeze muffins, cool them completely then wrap individually in aluminum foil. Place them in a large airtight bag, and seal. Allow to thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.





Where else can we find you?

Blog
Facebook
Pinterest
E-mail: ihartfelt@yahoo.com


NOW LET'S SEE WHAT ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE!!!



 
HartFelt Fourth of July Stuffed Hanging Owl Party Favors by iHart - Set of 3

***SHIPPING IS INCLUDED TO ALL ENTRANTS

These sweet owls are a perfect touch to your baby shower or birthday party decorations, can be used as a party favor for your special party, or hung in your baby nursery or toddler room.

Party Favor Owl was designed with LOVE & careful attention to detail: hand drawn, hand cut, handstitched, some smaller pieces hot glued, & stuffed with 100% polyfil.

Mr. Party Favor Owl measures approx. 2" by 2" wide.

NOW TO ENTER...please remember you do not have to to do all of the entries...but keep in mind the more you do the more chance you have to win!!! Good luck

a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, June 22, 2012

Fun Friday with BUBBLES for Bane

My toddler son loves bubbles...so much that when it is time to put them away a tantrum occurs! So today's Fun Friday is dedicated to my son and features fun ways to play and create BUBBLES!!!

Bouncing Bubbles that don't pop!!! from Play At Home Mom LLC




Water Bottle Bubble Fun from projectsforpreschoolers.com




Make your own bubble wands from pipe cleaners and cookie cutters from babyparenting.com




Tape straws together...so simple yet so genious!!! from familyfun.go.com





Bubble refill station from La-La's Home Daycare




Really large giant bubbles from tater tots & jello





HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Welcome Wednesday with Loopy Bird's Boutique

Please welcome Louisa and her Etsy shop Loopy Bird's Boutique




Based in London, Loopy Bird's Boutique's aim is to create bright, fun and unique handmade accessories at an affordable price, guaranteed to put a smile on your little one’s face.

Now let's discover Louisa and her creations

What is the first creative memory you have?

Watching films and cross stitching with my mum when I was a little girl.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

My biggest inspiration has to be my mum, she’s always supporting me and keeps me going, she suggested I started to sell my work back in 2009 then I came across Etsy and that’s where it began!

How did you come up with your shop name?

At the time I set up my shop, I had another hobby – bird watching and obsessing over my new SLR camera, I used to go and take hundreds of photos of birds at nature reserves, which is where the ‘bird’ came from and the ‘loopy’ refers to the loops made by the stitches when I am sewing, crocheting and knitting.  Also the Loopy part of my name describes my personality - forgot to mention that!

Describe what creations you have in your shop

I sell handmade hair accessories using bright and colourful fabrics and buttons, I also crochet flower headbands and brooches. But in the future you may see something very different from me!



What inspires you?

Anything bright and colourful, I have taken to using Pinterest for inspiration.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Harry Potter! They put me in the zone, and once I start, I cannot stop!

Please share a favorite recipe

It involves a good Yorkshire Tea Bag, 1 teaspoon of sugar, some boiling water and a little semi-skimmed milk! Yes, a good cuppa! - My all time favourite recipe!




Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Blog
Ravelery






Now please go show Loopy Bird's Boutique some love and come back and tell us what your favorite item(s) are!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tribute Tuesday with Nola Bead Art

Please shout out your tributes for Katie and her Etsy shop Nola Bead Art



Expressing the spirit of Mardi Gras through mosaics, art and household items, Katie offers unique home decor items.

Now let's discover Nola Bead Art



What is the first creative memory you have?

The first creative memory I have is sitting in art class in second grade and the teacher telling me that I couldn't use an eraser. For some reason that stuck with me. I will have to say though, I do use an eraser. I'm too much of a perfectionist not to.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

Sitting in my apartment after the last Mardi Gras parade, I was staring at the massive pile of beads that was in the middle of my living room. Being a crafter at heart, I grabbed a piece of cardboard and started gluing. I didn't really know what I was making, I just glued until I liked it. It became and still is one of my favorite pieces. I literally glued myself to this medium of art.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I wanted something simple. NOLA is a common nickname for New Orleans and bead art is what I do. It doesn't limit me to what kind of bead art, just that beads are involved.



Describe what creations you have in your shop

I recycle Mardi Gras beads and make them into art and household items.


What inspires you?

New Orleans inspires me, how could it not. It has a pulse and a history. Its dirty, its grimy and it is beautiful.

What do you watch or listen to while creating?

Sadly, I watch reality TV and the news while beading. I don't have to actually watch those programs to know what's going on. I can listen and be entertained.

Now off you go to discover more goodies from Nola Bead Art! Please come back and tell us what is your favorite creation.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Meet Monday with Timeless Avenue and a GIVEAWAY

Please meet Ger from Dublin, Ireland and her Etsy shop Timeless Avenue



Bringing you inspired creations by the speculative, steampunk, fantasy, and all things vintage, Timeless Avenue creates one of a kind, single, original pieces that all are given individual quirky names.

Ger is also offering one of her creations as a giveaway...please see all of the details after the interview.

Now let's discover Timeless Avenue

What is the first creative memory you have?

I've always been creative and it has manifested itself in so many ways over the years, through my creative writing, my graphic design, and now my jewelry. I've always known I was creative and theres a certain buzz I get when I make something I'm especially proud of.

But it all started years ago when my mum said to me “ah sure, just write a little story,” when I was eight years old and bored. I hung out of her as she folded the ironing one Saturday morning when the eighties had just ended and Irelands then recession still bit at the ankles. I twisted in between her legs and bounded around the Hoover as she got on with the week’s housework. I was a nimble child, too young to know to help and pick up a duster and too youthful to think of what to do to pass the long Saturdays before school would eventually take the weekends away with homework, studying, exams and thoughts of prospects.



So, I wrote a short story about a talking telephone. It was an old rotary dial telephone in glorious pink. It sang Kylie Minogues I should be so lucky when it rang. I was after all, a true child of the eighties. I lay on the brown linoleum floor in our extended front hall, with a cushion under my elbow, my legs kicking the air behind me as I wrote with a red pen on a wad of old computer paper with the sides punched and corrugated. That story was the first of many. By the time I was twelve, they had ended up in a shoebox tied into mini scrolls with multicoloured ribbons keeping them in place. But it didn’t stop there.



What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I was looking for a particular type of necklace which I couldn’t find in any of the shops, so randomly one day I decided to make it myself. I found myself scrolling through the thousands of suppliers items on Etsy and instantly fell in love with the idea of creating my own jewelry. I began this journey with just a few ideas, which has just exploded! I almost made it to 100 items and suddenly I was back down to 90 again because of sales.

It’s an amazing feeling to have someone else wear one of your creations and love it as much as you do.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I struggled with my shop name for quite a while. I wanted it to have importance and meaning, to stand out and be remembered by my customers. In the end I chose the title of a poem I wrote about 15 years ago. Timeless Avenue is a short poem about the future and about friendship and I felt it was quite apt as my shop name since I love nothing more than to pass on my work to friends as gifts.



Describe what creations you have in your shop

I make steampunk and vintage inspired jewelry and I’m learning something new and wonderful about my style and craft every day. I love nothing more than to order a batch of vintage watch movements and create beautiful intriguing jewelry with them, from necklaces to earrings and cuff links (which all sold out so quickly!)

It’s all a little bit kitsch and a whole lot of me!

Everything I make in my shop I make for myself. If I won’t wear it, I won’t make it. There’s definitely a little bit of me in every piece. The majority of my pieces are one of a kind because I like to make something different every time. And I especially love when someone asks me to change an element of a piece I’ve created because it’s what they’d prefer or like. Putting the personal element into my jewelry is what I’m all about. I want someone to wear a piece of my jewelry for their friends to say, “oh that is so you”! I want my customers to know that the piece they have bought was made especially for them.

What insprires you?

So many things!



Inspiration is incredible because it literally can come from anywhere. I could see a color and long to use it in a bracelet or necklace. I love looking at old movie posters, and love trying to incorporate the imagery I see. Anything dystopian, futuristic and steampunk is obviously a huge influence on me and I love the intricacies of the inner workings of machinary. Watch parts are a big element of steampunk jewelry. I spend ages just looking at them before I decide on how I’ll magic them into a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Essentially, I try to combine something hard with something soft and beautiful. So a rough metal watch piece matches perfectly with a sepia tone ballerina!

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I’ve recently developed a Netflix addiction! I prop my iPad on the side of my craft table and watch series after series. So far I’ve watched, or rather listened to!, entire series’ of Heroes, 4400, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and I’ve just started on Lost again from the very very beginning!

Making jewelry and watching tv has to be one of the most relaxing things I do!



Please share a favorite recipe

My favourite recipe is Chocolate Banana Bread. Its a tradition in our house to make atleast four loafs of banana bread every Christmas, and my husband is always asking me to make some more. Its simply beautiful, tastes great and the best thing, is that it is so quick and easy to make! My problem is that every time I make it I change the ingredients ever so slightly, and believe it or not my husband knows! He always knows when I've done something different. This epicurious recipe is one I've been sticking to for a while, and it passes his taste test.

Chocolate Banana Bread with Walnuts

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 9x5x2 1/2-inch metal loaf pan. Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Combine chocolate chips and walnuts in small bowl; add 1 tablespoon flour mixture and toss to coat.
Beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in mashed bananas, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Beat in flour mixture. Spoon 1/3 of batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of nut mixture. Spoon 1/3 of batter over. Sprinkle with remaining nut mixture. Cover with remaining batter. Run knife through batter in zigzag pattern.
Bake bread until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 5 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool.

Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Pinterest

Now let's see what one lucky winner will win!!!



Bird Cage Summer Bird Pendant Dangle Earrings vintage inspired with crystal beads - Birds of a Feather

*****SHIPPING INCLUDED FOR ALL ENTRANTS!!!

These dangle earrings are so light and comfortable to wear. They are simply adorable and eye catching. These bird cage earrings dangle at approximately 2 inches in length.

NOW TO ENTER...please remember you do not have to do all of the entries, but the more you do the more chances you have at winning.

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