KuddleBugz...

Toni lives in Alaska where it gets VERY cold in the winter...-50 degrees F Toni is most famous for being "Mommy" to my 15 month of twin daughters! They are her inspiration for KuddleBugz Threadz! With the need in Fairbanks for warm baby items, she felt a tug at her heart to use her talents to help other mom's! Her daughters were also the inspiration for the shop name! "They are truly my little kuddlebugz!"

Keep your little ones warm and cozy this winter with a beautiful Infant Car Seat Cover! For those tiny toes pick up a pair of warm and cozy booties! Don't have a NEW Baby? How about new hat or pair of mittens for that Toddler in your life?

Looking for something special? Toni is happy to do custom orders! You can visit Toni's shop at http://KuddleBugzThreadz.etsy.com.

alilsumptinsumptin

Today's featured shop, alilsumptinsumptin, offers original, handmade bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Etsy artist, Eva, creates one-of-a-kind pieces that often incorporate two of her favorite things: flower gardens and dogs. She finds that, "Whimsy brings me great joy and touches that little girl within me. Most of my creations reflect this aesthetic..." Self-described as a "Jill of all trades, master of none," she has been involved in some form of art since childhood; receiving formal training as a Fashion Designer, Illustrator and Calligrapher. Eva has been designing jewelry for about 3 years.

Especially admirable, this Etsy artist even uses her talent to give something back to a favorite cause. In honor of her two golden retrievers, she started PAWS FOR A GOOD CAUSE so the sale of her jewelry and accessories could benefit charitable organizations like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Below are some of the pieces which 100% of the sale proceeds are donated.

NITTI GRAFFITI - This leather choker features an edgy black and white "graffiti" bone torched by favorite glass artist, Janet Crosby. Each side is decorated differently with random swirly scribbles, giving it a spontaneous and energetic vibe.

AMORES PERROS - This Y style necklace features a lovely heart bead by favorite Lampwork Glass Artist, Janet Crosby. The heart is made of opaque black glass with white paw prints and is etched for a matte finish and a soft velvety feel.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful, unique pieces at this shop - there's alilsumptinsumptin for everyone!

Artisan Jewelry by Phyllis Mufson

I try to always write some of my own thought and perspective on each of the Etsy artists that I feature in this blog, but I found Phyllis’ profile to be a nice read and thought I’d just share it with you in her own words:

Hi, I’m Phyllis Mufson, a jewelry artisan and a creative career and small business coach. I started making jewelry while directing the Locks Career Center at Moore College of Art & Design, an inspiring environment where I worked with wonderfully creative people. Now I work in my sunny living room where I talk with clients and have all of my jewelry equipment close at hand. My design inspiration is my 23-story “bead condo” – clear, stacking sectioned boxes brimming with color-coordinated gold and silver, gemstones and pearls.Earlier in my life I was a textile artist and that sensibility influences my designs. I'm concerned with how the jewelry drapes and moves with the body. I'm also inspired by my customers. In addition to my ETSY stores I sell through private jewelry shows so I get to see how women respond to the jewelry. I talk with them about what interests them, and find out which designs are particularly flattering to wear.If you like Personal Treasures but are looking for something more simple or casual please visit my Mufi Jewels store at http://mufi.etsy.com.You can learn more about my coaching practice at http://phyllismufson.interfaceias.com I also have a blog where I write about creativity and creative people – http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com.

Go take a closer look at these carved Amethyst earrings and other beautiful pieces like them at http://personaltreasures.etsy.com/

Etsy Artist - A Rose by Name

Today's featured Etsy artist is a wife and mom to two teenage daughters. She and her daughters enjoyed learning to bead together. Over the years her daughters have moved on to other crafts, but she continues to develope her designs into more intricate, complex, works of art that are usually crafted with small beads.

This artist's skill and creativity is apparent in this wave design beaded tealight holder. It's created using over 4,000 Japanese Delica beads in three shades of green, one set with an aurora borealis wash. It's big enough to hold a votive candle, but just imagine how beautiful the twinkling light of a tea light set low in the holder would be.

This would make a unique gift that's sure to please anyone on your list.

Check out A Rose by Name's Etsy shop for lots of amazing bead work from jewelry to business card cases.

Silver Dragon...

Silver Dragon has always been an artist and one of her earliest art memories is also one of the influences that has stayed with her from the very start. She was four years old and her nursery class had a field trip to a local museum in Rochester NY. She was completely mesmerized by the textiles and beadwork of the native Americans. She doesn't know how long she stood there just gazing at the work and absorbing all that the creator had to say. Her path as an artist, however, was a duet of both fine and performing arts. She is a (retired) ballerina as well as a published artist, having done illustrations for a CD picture book, "Papa Cardinal Finds Breakfast" by Sandra Wellborn. One of her paintings accompanied and essay she wrote for an Astronomy textbook. She also holds a Masters Degree in Astrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY and has worked as an astronomer and still teaches astronomy as an adjunct professor for University of Maryland University College. Her work has continued to grow and expand and she now also count herself as a mistress of the art of beadweaving. All of her work is one of a kind (with occasional limited editions -- She has a hard time doing things more than once!). She likes to play with color and texture, experiment with shape and drape and form. Please check out Silver Dragon's shop at http://SilverDragon.etsy.com.

Beautiful in Beads

Anne Dundas beads are each a treasure for the eye as can be seen on http://annedundas.etsy.com. Living in Australia, caring for her mom, Anne seems to have found her niche in each of her unique bits of art. Her shop carries all types of uses for her beads. My favorites are her bookmarks. I'm an avid reader and there's just something special about setting down a book with a beautiful bookmark saving your place until you get back.

Darjeeling Paper...

Michael Gresh is a man of many trades. Designer of hotels by day, craft inventor and schemer by night. He is a self-proclaimed "paper nut", and his work shows just that. Michael is co-owner of DemiGod Studio, an ecclectic duo of craft & art show afficionados. When he's not working on plans to open his very own shop, he bides his time coming up with new and inventive ways to use up the stockpile of paper he has accumulated over the years. Michael started Darjeeling Paper, Ltd. as a way to showcase his paper goods, and to distinguish his works! You can check out Michael's shop at http://darjeelingpaper.etsy.com/.

Fantasy for Kids

Visit My Fairy Babies for a custom designed fairy for your little one. These sweet little dolls would look adorable sitting under the tree on Christmas morning, or peeking out from a stocking. This is a picture of Candi - she's just 8 inches tall, and she loves Cotton Candy and Coney Island hot dogs! Candi is just one example of the precious fairies you can bring home for your child to love.

This Etsy artist puts a lot of love and time into her creations, and states that she would love for them to get a new home where they can be appreciated. Don't see exactly what you want? Customize your child's fairy by picking any combination of color or pattern.

Another great feature is that these fairies are safe for children of ALL ages - made with no lead, and offering no choking hazards.

Unique Jewelry Designs & Creations

The Sweet Irie Etsy shop has lots of beautiful jewelry to choose from. I particularly like this wire wrapped pearl ring! She's got it right when she says: Pearls ooze elegance and sophistication and make you feel beautiful each time you wear them. Perfect for any season, this ring is unique!

I've said it before, simple jewelry is just my style. I love pieces that look great with anything you wear.

Bet you're wondering about the name Sweet Irie right? Irie is this Etsy artist's sweet little cat. Irie likes to participate in the design process as much as possible, which is often just serving as a source of creative inspiration. Take a peek!

What do you say?!

If you have a two year old like I do, you may utter those words an inumberable number of times in a day. Always the answer is the same... THANK YOU!


Here's the perfect way to say it... to your customers, to that thoughtful friend, to your always there for you family, to anyone deserving of those two sweet words.



Katie of FromMyHeart2Yours is the creative mind behind these adorable note cards. She admits that she has a not so secret addiction to decorative paper and she obviously uses it for good.

Check out Katie's lovely corner of Etsy to find more creative uses for her favorite medium... paper of course. Her embellished letters would be a great detail in a nursery or childrens room, or even just leaning on a shelf in your office or studio!