Meet Monday with Tre Sun Designs

It is Meet Monday...so let's all meet Lauren and her Etsy shop Tre Sun Designs

Beautiful handcrafted wearable artisan creations inspired from the past. Let's discover Lauren and her creative story.

What is your first creative memory?

I have always been a creative soul. One of my first creative memories involves miniature stuffed Koala Bears. I created cities with houses, roads and even miniature signs for my collection of small Koala Bears to play within. I made everything out of discarded cardboard or paper. I was into recycling before I even knew what it meant to reuse!


What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?


A few years ago my good friend purchased a beautiful pair of earrings for me as a birthday gift. I found out she purchased them from an Etsy shop. I had never heard of Etsy up until that point and once I checked it out I knew Etsy was a community of artists I wanted to be part of. I had been creating jewelry and selling my designs at a few local boutiques and creating an Etsy shop was just another avenue in which to sell my designs.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I wanted to create a shop name that would somehow incorporate my love for my three children so that is how the name Tre Sun Designs was developed. “Tre” in Italian means 3 and in my Etsy shop banner and on my business cards I have 3 suns, each sun representing one of my sons. 

Describe what creations you have in your shop

My Etsy shop offers vintage inspired, upcycled jewelry and gemstone designs. I have many different types of jewelry including earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings but all of my designs have a vintage vibe. My jewelry is made from high quality natural brass which is nickel and lead free, sterling silver or upcycled vintage metals.

What inspires you?

My inspiration for my jewelry designs comes from the beads and stones I purchase and the vintage pieces that I find. I love creating new jewelry designs from vintage finds!

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Music is a huge part of my design process. It really motivates me and helps to get my creative juices flowing. I listen to my IPod or Sirius Radio and really enjoy Indie Rock and 80’s new wave music. 

Please share a favorite recipe

Lasagna Cupcakes. These are a great appetizer.
Ingredients
• 1/3 pound ground beef
• salt and pepper
• 24 wonton wrappers
• 1 3/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese (7 oz)
• 1 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (7 oz)
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese (3 oz)
• 1 cup pasta sauce
• (optional) basil for garnish
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Brown beef, and season with salt and pepper. Drain.
3. Cut wonton wrappers into circle shapes (about 2 1/4- inches) using a biscuit cutter or using the top of a drinking glass. You can cut several at a time. Note: For a more rustic look, no cutting necessary!
4. Reserve 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese for the top of your cupcakes. Start layering your lasagna cupcakes. Begin with a wonton wrapper and press it into the bottom of each muffin tin. Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese in each. Top with a little meat and pasta sauce.
5. Repeat layers, ending with pasta sauce. Top with reserved Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. To remove, use a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out.
7. Garnish with basil and serve.

Where else can we find you?

Pinterest: pinterest.com/tresundesigns/

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

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet Monday with An Astrid Endeavor

Let's meet Astrid and her Etsy shop An Astrid Endeavor

Colorful textiles and embroidery art with her passion for Ethiopia in every stitch; Astrid's creations are interesting and beautiful statement pieces and perfect unique gifts!

Please enjoy 10% off of your purchase from her shop using coupon code: BLOGLOVE10

Now let's discover An Astrid Endeavor!

What is the first creative memory you have?

I've been crafting for as long as I can remember- that, I get from my moms side of the family. One of my first memories is going to a weaving class with my mom, I was defiantly the only kid there- which, of course, makes a kid feel very special and "grown up". We did weavings on a round frame. I remember it was really funky and abstract and I loved it! I also created a series of Teddy Bear paper dolls, they were very intricate and detailed. I was really intent on selling this idea, so I sent them off to a designer who made teddy bear stuff at the time- God, teddy bears! The 80's!!

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I had been toying with the idea of trying to get my Etsy shop up and running for awhile. Finally I was inspired by my coworker who helps her mom manage her shop. She convinced me! I am so happy I did- it's been great to connect with fellow Etsians and creative people. I love it!

How did you come up with your shop name?

An Astrid Endeavor, which I've used for awhile now, seemed like the perfect name since I'm always embarking on a different project or art medium. Jewelry is always the constant, but I didn't want my name to somehow "trap" me into just one art form. I've worked with clay, glass, weaving, paper, paint, fabric, wood- you name it!

Describe what creations you have in your shop

I am making primarily jewelry at the moment- bright, unique, fun pieces that are mostly hand embroidered. It's easy to work with textiles and embroidery when you have a little one and need to keep it quiet at night. That's when I get all of my work done!

I also have embroidered ornaments that honor the birth continent of my little one, as well as cards and treats that celebrate Ethiopia and adoption.

What insprires you?

People and the natural world- jeez- everything! I just got hooked on Pinterest and it's been so addicting- the images are like candy for my eyes! I have also been so inspired by so much beauty being created on Etsy, in my community, and across the world that I've been able to experience in person and right on the web!

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

That's hilarious, because I just finished going through "The Office" on Netlix. I was laughing constantly, and now find myself singing the theme song when I get going with my crafting! I managed to also get through all the episodes of "Mad Men" and "Arrested Development" that way. If I don't want the added distraction of Netflix I like to listen to NPR and my favorite radio show called Radio Lab. It's awesome- you learn so much and the commentators are so witty!
www.radiolab.org/

Please share a favorite recipe

Here's one I found on Pinterest that I really want to try since I love beets so much!
Beet pasta with ricotta!

Ingredients

1 pound red beets, trimmed, scrubbed
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Coarse salt
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
1 tablespoon chopped tomatoes
Red-pepper flakes
12 ounces farro spaghetti
1/2 cup fresh ricotta

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle beets with oil and season with salt. Wrap tightly in foil and roast until tender, 1 hour. Peel and chop once cool.

2. Pulse beets, walnuts, and tomatoes in a food processor. Season with salt and red-pepper flakes.

3. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup water, and return to pot.

4. Toss with beet mixture, adding pasta water until creamy. Serve with ricotta, a drizzle of oil, and red-pepper flakes.

Where else can we find you?

Pinterest
Facebook

Check out all of Astrid's creations in her Etsy shop and please come back and tell us which piece(s) you LOVE! I do adore these earrings!

Salutations Sunday with MoKeKuMiLei Creations

Shout out your salutations for Mohala and her Etsy shop MoKeKuMiLei Creations

A shop filled with mixed media creations handcrafted by the Johnson family sisters! They offer a wonderful array of whimsical gifts.

Now let's discover MoKeKuMiLei Creations...sister Mohala answered the questions for the feature

What is the first creative memory you have?

My dad was the store manager of “The Hobby Company” it’s not really around anymore but it’s a hobby store, with supplies and kits and what not. I was visiting him at work, probably about 3-4 years old, and he said I could pick a project to work on to be the display for that item. I picked this really simple yet colorful sand art kit. You had a picture with a bunch of numbered spots on it, like a paint by numbers thing, except you peeled off the numbers and under it was a sort of sticky thing and then you poured your colored sand on top. Needless to say I was hooked, I ended up doing those sand art things until like the fourth grade. Mixing the colors and making my own patterns. Of course I managed to get into other types of crafts, but that was probably the first one I remember.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I tried to find a site to share my work with others. Etsy was nicely layed out and they had clean prices (seller fees). The kinds of products that were already being offered by the other stellers were things that my potential buyer would be looking for, so it really wasn’t that difficult a choice. I just came to where all the other crafty people had come.

How did you come up with your shop name?

Mokekumilei, I know it’s kind of a weird name, it’s a collection of mines and my sister’s names. There are five of us, and we decided to try and share our creativity with others.

Describe what creations you have in your shop?

Currently I have paintings in my shop, All created by me, My sisters are part of my shop and keep telling me they will “get me something to list soon” but life happens so it’s just me and my paintings. I’m really big on the whole mixed media 3d painting kick right now, and there are a few of them in my shop. I like being able to make the art more than just paint on canvas, adding 3d objects makes them seem more expressive.

What insprires you?

I find inspiration in almost everything, mostly it depends on what kind of a mood I am in. Colors and sounds are the biggest though, usually when I create something I’m either watching a movie or listening to some music.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Anything from a crazy action packed martial arts movie to a black and white musical. It really depends on my mood, if I’m feeling like I have ants in my pants then I will pull out the dancy booty shaking music, or watch a movie like Hairspray, something I can dance and sing along with.






Please share a favorite recipe

Haupia is a sort of custard pudding jelloy mix, well the consistency anyway, its really good and a lot of places serve it at luaus and such back home. Here is an easy to follow recipe:
Yield:1 regular baking pan
Ingredients
Coconut Milk, 2 each 16 oz cans
Water, 3 cups
Cornstarch, 16 oz
Sugar, 1 cup
Instructions
1.Mix 2 cups water with cornstarch. Set aside.
2.Bring coconut milk, sugar and remaining water to a rolling boil on high heat.
3.Pour cornstarch mixture into boiling coconut milk and cook till mixture thickens, blending with a whip.
4.When mixture is smooth and thick pour into a clean baking tray.
5.Cool to room temperature, then chill until cold.
6.Cut into 1-inch squares.

Where else can we find you?

Blog
Artmajeur
Facebook

Now please go and discover the array of mixed media creations in MoKeKuMiLei's Etsy shop!

Salutations Sunday with Infinity Designs TN and a Giveaway

Shout out your salutations for Erin and her Etsy shop Infinity Designs TN

Through the art of macrame (or tying knots), Erin offers a great variety of unique creations.

Get 10% off of your order with coupon code: TENOFF

Erin is also offering one of her macrame creations as a giveaway...read all of the details at the end of her interview. Now let's discover Infinity Designs TN!

What is the first creative memory you have?

The first creative memory I have is of drawing a horse when I was probably 5 or so. I probably still have the drawing. Growing up, I was a very artistic person. I was involved in community theatre, choirs, art, dance, and anything else I put my mind to. I still am artistic, I just express it in different ways.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

My friend, Josh (also my mentor), suggested I put my macrame on Etsy. He said it would be much better than selling locally because I would get a wider audience. He was very right! Etsy has been a great resource for me. I have gotten a lot of exposure of my products!

How did you come up with your shop name?

I have always found the infinity sign to be a powerful thing. I even have a tattoo of an embellished infinity symbol. I took this personal symbol to represent myself, “designs” speaks for itself, and I added the TN for Tennessee (where I’m from). Thus, Infinity Designs TN.

Describe what creations you have in your shop.

I offer many different hemp macrame designs in my shop. These include jewelry, owl wall hangings, key chains, pet accessories, hand-dyed twine, and custom pieces.

My jewelry includes macrame owl necklaces made with lampwork beads, necklaces with glass beads, and lampwork bracelets.

My owl wall hangings are reminiscent of the macrame owls from the 70s. The ones that are colored are hand dyed by me.

I have a variety of owl keychains and marble cage keychains.

My pet accessories include leashes and collars.

The hemp twine is hand dyed by me. I sell 2 mm twine and 3mm twine. I can dye this size hemp practically any color, even white!

I offer custom items in my shop. I can work with you to make what you want. For instance, I offer custom lighter leashes that fit Zippo brand lighters. You can hang it around your neck and never lose your lighter!

What inspires you?

My fans on Etsy really inspire me. Whenever I log on and see views for my products, I feel excited to make more pieces and get more views. It’s nice to have a way to track what is being looked at and who is looking. It keeps me going and creating. My friends and family keep me going, too. They love my work and support me in everything I do.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

Most of the time, I watch television while I’m doing my macrame. Right now it’s New Girl, Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time, Raising Hope, and South Park. (I’m into a wide variety of shows, as you can probably tell.) Sometimes, however, I prefer to sit out on my back porch to do macrame. It’s nice to watch the birds at my feeders, and hear the various sounds of nature and suburbia.

Please share a favorite recipe.

One of my favorite recipes is from my mom. We use it to spice up steamed white rice. (These are approximations because it’s a homemade recipe. Add or subtract where needed)

1/3 cup of red wine vinegar
2/3 cup of canola oil
3 (heaping) tsp. of sugar
1/8 tsp. of salt
Heaping tsp of minced garlic
Grind black pepper on the top till it drops

Mix in a blender. Refrigerate after use.

Where else can we find you?

Twitter
Facebook
Blog

Now see what one lucky winner will win!

"Like" Infinity Designs TN on Facebook, and get a chance to win a large natural hemp owl when fans reach 100! A random drawing will be held to determine the winner out of JUST her first 100 fans!

Now please share Erin some love and visit her Etsy shop and favorite it and a few of her items. Come back and tell us which of her creations you love!

Welcome Wednesday with Royale Couture Jewels

Please welcome Royale Couture Jewels on Etsy

Looking for a little bling for a great gift? Then let's discover Royale Couture Jewels

What is your first creative memory?

The first creative memory I have was when I went to a local craft store and was looking through all of their gorgeoous beads and started to piece everything together! It was amazing!


Who or what began your creative journey on Etsy?

My wonderful and inspiring grandmother began my journey. She was so into crafts that I decided to follow her foot steps and start making bracelets myself. Everytime I come up with a new design, she is first to be shown. We have a great "crafty" bond.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I came up with my shop name because I wanted to have an elegant title for my jewels to be known by. I want my customers to love it too and before the name was finalized they helped give there opinions. They thought it was a great name that reflected me and my bracelets.

Please describe the items in your shop

In my shop we sell "Sideways Cross Bracelets" they are comfortable, stretchy bracelets that can be made with a variety of beads. The bracelets are made for women, men, children, and babies. They are great as gifts and for a bride along with her bridesmaids. We also sell "Rhinestone Love Bracelets" which are also stretchy and can be made with a variety of beads. They are grat for any occasion and add a gorgeous look to any outfit.

What inspires you?

What inspires me is my Grandmother. She would always make jewelry when I was younger and I always wanted to be like her. I took a plunge and started making bracelets which I love to do. My grandmother gives the stamp of approval on each bracelet.

What do you watch or listen to while creating?

While creating, I watch any show on the BRAVO! Network , I absolutely love their shows and each person on every show has a distinct jewelry style which inspires me to create bracelets!


Please share a favorite recipe

A favorite recipe of mine is low calorie chocolate cake which I saw on Hungry Girl. You need chocolate cake mix, club soda, and low fat hot chocolate packets. You mix it All together and add it into a cake pan, heat it up for 350 degrees and wait 20-30 minutes! I do it a bit different then the actual recipe but it still comes out great.

Where else can we find you?

Facebook

Now please show Royale Couture Jewels some Etsy love and visit her shop!

Welcome Wednesday with Sarah Bella's Boutique

Please welcome Chan Tell and her Etsy shop Sarah Bella's Boutique

If you are looking for beautiful jewelry plentiful with bling...then you will love Sarah Bella's Boutique! Offering trendy accessories for all styles and ages that are all handmade by her and full of personality!

Currently her shop is all on sale for 15% off...what a fantastic deal!

Now let's meet Chan Tell and discover her shop Sarah Bella's Boutique!

What is the first creative memory you have?

I have always been a creative kid...I come from a crafty family. My first memories were being in my Granny's basement working with her on floral arrangements that she made and sold. We also made floral straw hats that people would buy and hang on their doors for spring.

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

My Granny always worked on crafty projects and I guess I got it from her that I always needed a project to do. I started helping

her with her crafts then got into painting, then started quilting, then tried to sew, then tried scrapbooking, then jewelry making. Of all those projects I had finally found MY THING. I started making jewelry for family members and they told me I should take my talent further. So I researched Etsy and began a shop in May 2011. It took off very fast and I am glad I did it because I love what I do.

How did you come up with your shop name?

My Great Grandmother was my best friend and she passed away when I was 13. I always said if I had a daughter I would name her Sarah after her. When I started my business it was a no brainer that it needed to be Sarah something. Then I added Bella because it means beautiful...which I thought my pieces were. Sarah Bella's Boutique was born.

Describe what creations you have in your shop?

I make trendy and fun jewelry that everyone can love. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, you name it. I realized people love to follow trends so I kind of went with that...even though I have a few things that I make with one of a kind in mind. Later I got into hair bows for little girls. Instead of opening a separate shop I sell them all under the same name.

What inspires you?

Everything inspires me. Fashion, Photography, People, etc. I can just see something and my mind takes off.

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I listen to music. It does not matter what kind...music has always been an important part of my life and it really soothes me while I work on my creations.

Please share a favorite recipe

Cheddar Bay Biscuits
(tastes just like Red Lobster's)

Biscuits:
2 1/2 cups Bisquick
4 Tbsp cold butter
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Butter Glaze:
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp dried parsley flakes

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease or line one cookie sheet with parchment; set aside.

Combine Bisquick with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter (I just used 2 forks). Don't worry about mixing too thoroughly; there will be small chunks of butter in the mix about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese, milk, and garlic powder. Mix by hand until combined, but don't over mix.

Drop 1/4 cup portions of the dough onto the lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes in preheated oven until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.

While the biscuits are baking, melt butter is a small bowl in the microwave. Stir in garlic powder and dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread the garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Sprinkle a little kosher salt on the freshly coated biscuits. (Optional...I didn't add salt to mine) Makes one dozen.

Where else can we find you?

Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest

Now please follow Chan Tell at all of the previous links, heart her shop and a few of her items and come back and tell us which ones you love!