Snow Day

So this snow storm has me thinking back to my childhood. I can remember going out to play in the snow as a child with my little brother. We did not have the snow gear that our kids are so blessed with these days. Snowpants consisted of layering as many pair of pants you could get on and still walk. Maybe even an under coating of your pajama pants to substitute for long underwear. Your Mittens were not of the waterproof thinsulate type material. No, if you were lucky you found a matching set of mittens in the closet, and they were usually of the "Knit" type that would get so covered with snow that the layer closest to your hand would start to melt and re-freeze and make it near impossible to keep them from from falling off. Like the pants you would build layer upon layer of t-shirt, sweatshirt and sweater under your winter coat until zipping it up made you feel like a stuffed sausage. A knit hat and scarf and you were almost there! But don't forget the bread bags to line the boots!!.

Now we would stay out there as long as the folks would let us. Paying, building forts, tunnels and small cities. By the time we got the call to "come in" we were exhausted, scarfs plastered with what was once inside our noses ( yuk but you know it's true!). By now our pants were true SNOWpants as they were covered ever inch in it and frozen like stiff board. We'd Frankenstein walk up the front steps and into the house and start the thaw.

Some how I can't remember being cold.. only having fun! :)
But today.. I walk from the house to the car and I am freezing!

Color Color Everywhere!

Oh it is Autumn in the Midwest and it is beautiful!

So with that here are some of the wonderful handcrafted items to relish in this lovely time of year. Enjoy!

How about topping off your favorite bottle of Havest wine with this Beautiful

Tulipwood Acorn Style Wine Bottle Stopper . Here is a description from MapleSeedGallery on Etsy "Tulipwood Bottle Stopper, with acorn textured design. Made with high quality natural cork. A great gift for the wine enthusiast (or for yourself). Also great for most salad dressing cruets, or other standard sized bottles.Hand rubbed french polish style finish. Handcrafted (woodturned) in Canada by Irwin Seidman.About the wood: Tulipwood is a pinkish-yellow colour with very prominent stripes ranging from pink to dark red. The species is found on the Eastern side of North America and also in some parts of China. In the United States, it is commonly known as tulip poplar or yellow poplar, even though the tree is not related to the poplars. In fact, the reference to poplar is thought to be as a result of the tree's height, which can exceed 100 feet."

Here are some beautiful note cards with signs of the Season. By RabbitWiskers on Etsy From the listing "
The "package" consists of five blank white notecards and envelopes, measuring 5.25" x 7.25", allowing lots of room for note writing. Centered on the cover of each notecard is a beautiful glossy, 4" x 6" photo of one of my scenes. Each pack will contain 5 different photos,the first 4 you see pictured & a fifth of my choice; a free surprise! I have tried to group them as being in some way related, so if desired, they can be framed and hung on a wall, rather than used for note writing"

This one is a Hoot! yeah... I went there. I sweet dish towel to hang out for the season. They make great Hostess gifts too! Woodland Owls Dishtowel Dress

by Klosti on Etsy. From shop

"This cutie has an off-white plush terry towel skirt printed with a whimsical tree and two owls on its branches. Her coordinating cotton top is a rust and gold window pane check. This dish towel dress has the same design on the front and back- one side for every day and flip for a clean and fresh look for company. She measures 9” at the shoulders, 18 1/2” long, and has velcro closures at the waist that make it easy to hang over your oven handle, dishwasher handle or even your bathroom towel bar. She's good looking and practical!"

I hope to have some more coming soon!

Enjoy!

School's Back in Session!

Whew, what a Summer! Too busy to post. Now that school is back in session I just might be able to get my ducks in a row and get back to promoting the great artists on Etsy and Artfire.

So check back in the next week for some great finds!

I love the Christmas Holiday

I just love the Christmas Holiday. I am in love with the "retro" style and the truely vintage items found on Etsy.

Here are some of my favorites!

Vintage Mercury Glass Ornaments from absolutelyriveting

"One dozen pristine vintage, mercury glass Christmas Ornaments! These are from the late 40s to early 50s I would guess. There are 12 ornaments here for your vintage Christms tree."

What tree would not benifit from these?!

Or these Beautiful and Stunning 4 Vintage Italian Blown Glass Christmas Ornaments - Hand Painted found in RobertaGroves Shop. " 4 beautiful vintage blown glass Christmas tree ornaments - all hand painted and all made in Italy." These just leave me in awe!

I will post more soon, but have to run!

Could it Get Any Cuter?!

I was lucky to stumble upon a truly unique and cute shop! Variation makes some of the sweetest bead dolls I've seen. Wonderful colors and styles that bring a bit of nostalgia and whimsy to these little beings. Best of all they are her original design! I love that.

Wonderfully photographed as well. Giving each life and character.

I love the vintage feel to her studio. What a great keepsake these would make. Pack one up in some retro gift wrap and voila!

In addition to bead work, she also knits, crochets, embroiders, sews, dabbles in bookbinding, letterpress, metalsmithing, collage, and digital graphics and animation. She think the dolls will ultimately transition into jewelry (coming soon!). Hmmm.. now we know that Variation name has merit!

Here are some of my favorites from her shop. Click the picture to be taken to the item in her Etsy shop.Like a little ballerina isn't she precious.

These two look like Snow Queens from the Nutcracker!

Here's a great way to makes someones day special. Send them this sweet postcard!

Please Visit here Etsy shop here
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5270145

and see more wonderful work here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-critter/

I hope you enjoy!

An Awesome Find

There are a few shops on Etsy that just never cease to amaze me. One of them is from Timothy Adams shop TimothyAdamsDesigns. He is a wonderful metal artist. Along with being great at his craft he is also known for helping others in the crafting community.

Here is one of his latest creations the Les Paul Guitar Table. Wow this is a true find! Weather you are a musician or someone who loves music this piece of functional art could make fabulous centerpiece to your room. Also this piece is very timely with the recent passing of the legendary Les Paul. I live just a stones throw from the birth place of the legend so the table really struck me to find it.

More finds in his shop.

How many rings can a tree have? As many as you can put on this sweetheart of a ring holder

You can say "Cheese", but this Copper Rivet Camera Necklace is anything but cheesy

Turn over a new leaf with this Beautiful Maple Leaf necklace.

Timothy also spends time to help other learn the process of promoting their craft and shop. His site Handmadeology can walk you through many of the nuances of Etsy and Artfire. Every Monday he has an Etsy top 10 where he promotes Etsy sellers by getting them to see and promote other sellers. A good feeling all around.

Etsy 101: Everything Etsy

Artfire 101: All About Artfire

Traffic 101: Back to Basics

Other sites to see Timothy Adam

Twitter

http://twitter.com/timothyadam

Portfolio:

http://www.timothyadamdesigns.com/

blog:

http://www.timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.handmadeology.com/

Facebook

Timothy Adam Designs

A Great Cup of Coffee

Jens Blasen Pottery made this mug

Well if you ask me, the self proclaimed "coffee snob" there are a few things you need to make a great cup of coffee.






This mug from dbabcock

First the coffee itself. I prefer something dark and bold. Not too much acidity, but with some character. My coffee of choice comes from a local roaster Alterra. My usual brew is French Roast or Georges Burly Blend. If you have not heard of Alterra Coffee yet I am sure that will change soon. They are a local roaster here in the Milwaukee area. Specializing in a variety of Fair Trade and Organic Coffees.

these cups are from JD Wolfe Pottery

Okay now you have your favorite grind in hand. Time to brew. I swear by the French Press. It gives you all the flavor, oils and aroma! I truly hate to make coffee any other way. Unless I treat myself to a cup of espresso made on my stove top. But that take time, which I rarely have. My French Press only take a few minutes and is so satisfying.

this cup from Twisted River Clay

Now... For the cup! My coffee always taste better when I drink from a beautiful mug or cup. So I thought I would take this opportunity to show off some of the wonderful work I found on Etsy. Some Handmade pottery mugs and cups.

this set is from Darielles Clay Art

Wouldn't you love to drink your coffee from one of these?