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

Meet Monday with Clever Fig Studios

Let's meet Lana and her Etsy shop Clever Fig Studios



Original paintings and drawings that will bring a blend of color and style into your world!

Now let's discover Lana and her creations in her Etsy shop, Clever Fig Studios

What is the first creative memory you have?

I remember sitting in the plastic playhouse writing and illustrating my first book. It was about the world and how big it was, I used my Crayola markers and some computer paper from the office. I even laminated all the pages and stapled them together. To me, that little book was truly a work of art. I remember extremely proud and showing it off to everyone I could. I think that was the first moment realized how extremely rewarding creating was to me.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I heard about Etsy from a girlfriend of mine who makes and sells beautiful journals there. When I checked it out for myself I was amazed by all the handmade items that were out there. There is something about handmade that really makes me smile so I decided to bring my art to Etsy.



How did you come up with your shop name?

It may sound funny but I came up with my shop name by using a random band name generator. Clever Fig was one of the combinations that it came up with and I couldn't pass it up. Well, I guess I could have chosen Viking Nosebleed... but I just didn't think that had the right vibe for what I was selling.


Describe what creations you have in your shop

My creations are original paintings in both watercolor and acrylic. I have larger pieces that would look really lovely framed. I have teeny tiny framed paintings that are really quite adorable and I have itsy bitsy original paintings that you can wear around your neck, those are my art pendant necklaces. My art has a bit of whimsy and a lot of personality, I paint people and nature primarily but I do love abstract as well. I am also working on branching out by selling prints of my work both new and old so I'm very excited about that!

What insprires you?

I am inspired by nature. I am amazed and intrigued by the world around me. In nature, everything has a purpose. In nature, even the smallest creature has a job to do. I really like to ponder the world around me and I think my work has a quiet calmness to it because of that. Some of my best memories were made in the quiet of nature with my sketch pad and paints, just observing.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I really like to listen to calm, soothing music. Even now I'm listening to an amazing piano solo. Music relaxes me and helps me to reach my creative place that it's sometimes hard to get to when I'm distracted by life.

Please share a favorite recipe

Okay I love bread. I'll tell you right now. Me and bread are really great friends. This recipe for banana bread is so easy and so delicious. I know you'll love it!

Amazing Banana Bread
1 C. Mashed Banana
2 C. Flour
1 1/3 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
1/4 C. Margarine, melted
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 C. Sour Cream
1 tsp. Baking Soda
3/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 C. Walnuts or Chocolate chips (optional)
*mix all ingredients together until smooth, scoop into two lightly greased bread pans. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.
Enjoy!



Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Twitter

Please go check out all of Lana's beautiful, original artwork in her Etsy shop and come back and tell us what your favorite piece(s) are :)

Salutations Sunday with Creative Designs by DiReichertsArts

Shout out your salutations for Diann and her Etsy shop Creative Designs by DiReichertsArt

Original artwork to fill your home, Diann's creations are amazing in detail and skill and would also make great gifts!

Now let's discover Diann and her Creative Designs

What is your first creative memory?

My first creative memory is drawing horses as a pre-teen. I thought they were the most glorious creatures! The long, flowing manes, the graceful movements! I breezed though art classes without having to work hard, something that I struggled to change in my professional life, in college and in my designer's job.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I began on Etsy.com when 50% of the art galleries in Michigan closed due to the economy of the state. I thought this figure would change as things slowly improved, but this has not happened, Michigan is still 'dead in the water' and will be for a long time.

How did you come up with your shop name?

Shop name is Creative Designs, which describes what I do. DiReichertsArt is my business name. Creative ideas are what keeps me painting, inspiration is important to an artist, if nothing inspires you, if you admire nothing you cannot be creative.

Describe what creations you have in your shop

I paint in watercolors and oils. Birds have always been a favorite. A friend pointed out all the beautiful colors many years ago, he bought a bird feeder and began to name the birds and my eyes were opened. My mentor, artist Ken Freed, taught his class how to paint outdoors, how to take all the informantion and edit, focus, paint just one thing at a time. In this way others inspired me.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by light, the natural light from our sun that illuminates our planet. the artificial light that we human's have made, light that reflects and bounces back. It's awesome when eveything 'clicks' and I capture that light.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I listen to nothing when I am working, I try to empty my brain completely and focus on the work. I ask myself questions constantly. Is it the right color? Is that line correct? Compare with model, measure, double-check.

Please share a favorite recipe

Mango Parfait: make mango puree out of ripe mangos, sugar to taste, one tablespoon of water. Blend and puree' til smooth. Keeps one week in refrig. To make parfait:2 T. mango puree, layer 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt, repeat layers and top with coconut.

Where else can we find you?

I go to art shows around West Michigan. These are held in museums and churches. I am currently exhibiting in a library, an art festival, and in a art co-op in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Twitter

Now please visit her Etsy shop to see all of her wonderful and beautiful creations...I had a hard time just picking a few for her feature!

Welcome Wednesday with Glass Paradox

Please welcome Amy and her Etsy shop Glass Paradox

Bright, colorful and unique...Amy offers great houseware gifts that are wonderful conversation pieces.

Now let's discover Glass Paradox

What is your first creative memory?

I have no idea what my 1st creative memory is! If I ask my mom, she says, I have always been creative. I can remember using scraps of fabric to make tents and such for my Barbie dolls...In jr high school, I made a "life size' latch hook gnome!

Glass Paradox, painting on glass came about when a friend mentioned a pair of wineglasses she had seen in a magazine but didn't want to pay that much for. She said something to the effect of "you're artsy, you could do this" so, I looked into glass painting. The design she had looked at, never came to be but, wine glasses looked like tulips to me and so, it began!

Who are what started your journey on Etsy?

Several people suggested Etsy to me as another means of marketing my artware. I tried it first about a year ago with no real results but, this year, I decided to give it another go, discovered teams and am enjoying the experience!

How did you come up with your shop name?

Glass Paradox came about, almost 20 years ago when art and function were not commonly combined. Glass Paradox is functional artware for everyday use.

Describe what you have in your shop

MY Etsy shop features hand-painted functional artware. Stemware, vases and candleholders.

What inspires you?

Colors and function are an inspiration to me. I enjoy creating items that people can enjoy and use daily.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Usually, there's music playing at my studio. Anything from classic rock to jazz and blues. Depending on my mood. I don't like silence when I work.

Please share a favorite recipe

My favorite recipe?
That's a tough one! It really depends on what I am doing....
I enjoy salad when dining alone. My favorite is probably taco salad.
I start with a plate of leafy greens, add cukes, salsa, browned ground beef, sour cream and tortilla chips. And lots of cheese! Sometimes, I'll have refried beans on the side too.
And a margarita :)

Where else can we find you?

Website
Facebook
I can also be found at:
mainemade.com, artsyhome.com and the Maine Craft Association's website.
Wholesale at www.wholesalecrafts.com and at several gift shops across the country.

Now please show Amy some love and check out her Etsy shop and website...and please come back and tell us what your favorite creation is! I love the unique hanging tea candle holders.

Salutations Sunday with Tennessee Craft Company

Please shout out your salutations for Michelle and her Etsy shop Tennessee Craft Company

With quaint, country living decor; Tennessee Craft Company has great items to complete your simple living look that will also make great gifts!

Michelle has offered a drawing for one lucky winner! Please read about the details at the end of this interview. Now let's discover Tennesse Craft Company.

What is the first creative memory you have?

I guess that would have to be coloring with my mom. I always loved to color when I was small. After that I would have to say making my first quilt. My grandmother showed me how to hand piece it, and when I finished that she quilted it, so that quilt is very special to me and I have it hanging in my bedroom.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I had heard of Etsy through friends and on the Internet. I went and checked it out one day and I knew I wanted to open my own shop.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I wanted my shop name to be a true reflection of me, but also say something about my shop. I chose Tennessee Craft Company. The Tennessee part is of course because I live in TN and always have and am very proud of my heritage. The Craft Company part covers all the things I like to do and thought I might want to list in my shop at some point. I love all things crafty, so this was a good fit for me.

Describe what items you have in your shop

I sell Mason jar soap dispensers in various sizes and lid options, and Mason jar pin cushions. I love Mason jars and the look it brings to a room. These dispensers can be used for soap, hand sanitizer, lotions, and anything else that needs a pump dispenser.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by my heritage. I remember Mason jars growing up used for canning and drinking glass, and I like to think that my soap dispensers are a little part of the past that I can bring into something we can use today.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I listen to the television going in the other room. Actually it just provides some background noise as I really don't know what the show is about. I just like to have a low noise going on around me since I am so used to noise all the time.

Please share a favorite recipe.

That would hands down be crock pot roast, carrots, and potatoes. Just throw them all in the crock pot with a seasoning pack and let it cook. It is so delicious and reheated seconds only get better.

Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Blog

For anyone who orders from Tennessee Craft Company through the end of April; Michelle will be putting their name in for a drawing to win a free pint size soap dispenser with a white pump and galvanized metal lid. The drawing will take place on May 1st, 2012.

Now please show Michelle some love and tell us which is your favorite item in her Etsy shop...while browsing her great creations; why not favorite her shop and a couple of her items too? Thanks for following and I hope you enjoyed learning about Tennessee Craft Company!

***Tennessee Craft Company has offered one of her items on my facebook page for my "fAveritte creations appreciations 1000 Facebook fans GIVEAWAY!!!" Check it out here...and have fun and good luck :)

Salutations Sunday with Bundle Baby Nursery

Please welcome Jessica and her Etsy shop Bundle Baby Nursery for our first Salutations Sunday shop feature!

Contemporary art all with a touch of whimsy...you are sure to find a unique piece of art just fit for your nursery ideas from Bundle Baby Nursery. Jessica offers many themes and is constantly adding more...so make sure you continue to check back.

You can receive 20% off of any single prints from her shop with coupon code: 20BBABYBLOGYE

Now lets discover Jessica and her shop Bundle Baby Nursery!

What is the first creative memory you have?

One of our fun family stories is when I was 5 years old my mother and I were drawing together. On the page was the standard strip of green grass with a tree on one side. She began drawing a pond with fish in it but because of the 'strip of grass' the pond ended up looking like it was in the sky. I turned to my mother and said "It's okay mommy, you don't have to help me draw anymore". I proceeded to draw another picture with the pond in the right place. We still laugh at how I could draw better than my mom at 5 years old!

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

As a member of the Virginia National Guard I was deployed to Iraq and filled my downtime with researching baby nurseries. (My husband and I were going to start trying when I got back) I remember seeing a simple contemporary wooden toy with wheels at a baby expo and thought "I could do that! They probably charge $20 or $30 for it." In my research Etsy kept coming up as the place where mothers went for that one-of-a-kind item, which got the wheels turning.

I also loved the idea of trying something new every year. Be it learning to play the piano, mastering French cuisine, or starting an online business. Just think where you would be in 5, 10, or even 20 years! So for 2012 I'm learning all about having a business online.

How did you come up with your shop name?

When I first started my sketches the bay animals were falling into two categories. Ones without legs, that looked like they were 'bundled up', and ones with rounded legs, like a baby deer, which I called 'teeter animals'. I thought about calling the shop 'Bundle and Teeter' but I couldn't design the logo in any way that didn't look like the name of a law office, so the name "Bundle Baby" was born.

Describe what creations you have in your shop

Right now I am offering Nursery decor in the way of digital prints. I design and perfect my artwork using Inkscape, a digital art program. From there the sky is the limit! I try to offer different styles from whimsical to modern or anything else that tickles my fancy and satisfies the creative urges!


What inspires you?

Anything fun! Most times it'll be a theme that will get me started, like jungle animals, cute monsters, or pirates. I start to brainstorm and come up with some fun ideas and characters.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Each day is different. Sometimes it'll be a playlist I created on the NPR website. I'll listen to anything that strikes my interest, anything from the history of concrete (from the Roman era!) to the seasons on Pluto.

Other times I listen to bands on 'I Heart Radio' like Paramore, Mumford and Sons, or Katy Perry.

Please share a favorite recipe

These are my husband's favorites and are always a hit at any potluck they are called Ranger Cookies

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter softened
2 eggs
cream above together till creamy
Sift together:
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
add to creamed mixture, blend till just mixed in/add
2 cups rice crispies
1 cup dry old fashioned oatmeal-not quick
1 cup shredded coconut
Stir to combine
bake at 350 till light brown. yum!!!!

Now please go show Jessica some love and share some of your favorite creations from her shop. I personally love the monsters because my sons room is currently decorated with fun and silly monsters and primary colors! Leave us a blog post with your favorite...also heart her shop and a few of her items. Thanks for stopping by :)

Mommy Monday with Uses for Fruit Rinds

At our house...my kids eat a lot of fruit, I mean A LOT! Fruit for every meal plus for snack time. We fortunately live out in the country with birds and squirrels so I usually throw the cut up rinds out to them to enjoy for a snack. It got me thinking...what other uses are there for fruit rinds? So I did some lookin' and this is what I found...some of these ideas are very interesting and I will be trying them! Happy Monday ya'll :)

USES FOR WATERMELON RINDS

Here are a few uses for the rind instead of just tossing it out in the trash.

- using the rind for Thai Gaeng Leang Soup, the rind is one of the main ingredients, recipe here
- candying the rind to make a sweet treat with granulated sugar, recipe here from watermelonrind.com
- pickling the rind...such as you would pickle cucumbers, recipe here
- mmmmmmmmmm...watermelon rind preserves from Amazon
- cut up the rind and toss it in a salad

DIY PUMPKIN AND LEMON CANDLES from momtastic

CITRUS VOTIVE CANDLES from Divine Party Concepts

MAKE A CLEMENTINE CANDLE from Apartment Therapy

I would love to hear any of your ideas for uses of left over rinds...I didn't even get to uses for apple and pear rinds or banana peels...another post for me in the future!

Mommy Monday with Easy Tips Around the Home

Today's Mommy Monday will be a handful of ideas for some easy tips around the home to take care of some everyday household problems or chores.

I love this weekly calendar idea from Next to Heavan with a $10 frame from Walmart. It could also be a great decoration for the different holidays and seasons by changing out the paper. Here is a link to the frame.

This next idea I love! Add a few drops of scented oil to the cardboard roll of a new roll of toilet paper. Now with every use and spin from toddlers or cats will release the fragrance...from ekwetzel.com(which is great site with many green ideas for your home.)

Now my trash can is not hidden under a cupboard or in a pantry in my kitchen. It just hangs out stark white naked...and I will be doing this makeover(when I get a minute to breathe)...I love it! A garbage can makeover from kimboscrafts/girl and a glue gun. Oh the endless possibilities!

Let's face it...every one's refridgerator's get dirty! This is such an ingenious idea...so clever from The Virtious Wife. Simply line your shelves with saran wrap or Press'n Seal, and when a spill occurs simply peel it up! So simple and easy...and again if you felt festive enough, you could change it to match the current holiday or season.

So there are a few helpful tips for your home this week...and they could even be fun too! Especially that garbage can makeover!