Etsy at the Maker Faire

OMG! Next year I want to go to the Maker Faire!

Felt Club apps!

Tomorrow, May 18th is the last day to apply for the July 15th Felt Club!! Better get your groove on!!

Opening Reception at {OPEN}

{open}
{open}ing reception Saturday, April 28
6 to 8 pm
light refreshments :: live dj

Link to directions: Map of 2226 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA

Nothing wrong with a little self promotion!

Etsy seller of the week

Urban Dogfitters


Now even Fido has something on Etsy to swoon over! Filling the void of stylish collars for your four-legged best friend, Urban Dogfitters offers up cool and stylish collars designed to make both you and your pooch smile~

The Next Big Thing!!

Better hurry!

Threadbanger.com

I caught wind of this viedo on the Etsy Blog. It is a colorful and fun explanation of Etsy and the new Labs! I want to go . . . NOW!~

Courtesy of ThreadBanger.com!

Etsy seller of the week

Snug-A-Bug Blankets

Most expectant parents are generally inundated with long lists of items they must stock up on before the arrival of their little ones! These creative, colorful and awesome baby blankets from Snug-A-Bug Blankets are a great way to cross at least one item from the list! Made from vintage inspired fabrics these blankets are totally unique! What a great way to keep baby warm. Don't be surprised if all the other babies are green with envy!

(All images courtesy of Snug-A-Bug Blankets)

Etsy seller of the week

Fosterweld


Chris Foster is a metal artist from Arizona, but based in Indianapolis. His Etsy shop Fosterweld features a selection of mens belt buckles that are all hand crafted. His designs are nicely worn in and rugged. Each is perfect for casual everyday wear. In Chris's shop you can also find a variety of belts to go with your buckle!

(All images courtesy of Fosterweld)

The Perfect Knot

Heather Bailey is by far one of the most talented ladies I have encountered on the web. Her blog is GORGEOUS. Her fabric, sinful! And, she is generous with her knowledge! In this great tutorial, Heather teaches us how to tie the Perfect Knot. With my newfound sewing obsession, nothing could be cooler!

Softie Awards

Voting has begun in the very first annual Softie Awards!! There have been over 2800 entries, and all of the fabulous judges have selected the finalists. You have until March 30th. Now is your chance to VOTE!


Here are a couple of my faves:

This gorgeous tea cozy by Bella Dia.

This Walrus is too much fun! Made by Dawn from Look What I Can Do.

This pin cushion made by Rock-Paper-Scissors just makes me smile!

And lastly, Mr. Owls House is the pure definition of WOW! So cool! Well done Floresita!!

You can see all of the amazing entries at the Softie Awards Flickr group!

Back by popular demand: Etsy seller of the week

Operation Papercut

I am so excited to be re-introducing the Etsy Seller of the Week Feature here on Creative Swoon. I started this blog so that I could share the wares of other artists and crafters who inspire me. Etsy sellers go above and beyond just creating. We create to survive, emotionally, financially and spiritually. The community grows everyday by leaps and bounds, and the best way I know how to give back is to gab about the shops I find and love. Be sure to check back every Friday to meet the next talented Etsy seller!!


To kick it all off, this week I am excited to bring you Operation Papercut. From the talented hands of Erin Scissorhands, {OP} is filled with handmade journals, art, and paper goods.

Lucky for us, Erin is having a sale to celebrate the first year anniversary of her shop! All items are 15% off. To receive the discount, you MUST enter "BDAY" in the message to seller and wait for an adjusted invoice. The sale runs today-March 31.

(All images courtesy of Operation Papercut)

Felt Club Auctions!

Right now, stop what you are doing, and click over to the Felt Club Auctions!! Vendors and friends of Felt Club have donated their wares to help raise money to pay fines that were levied against the So. Cal. Craft Fair for posting flyers last year. Only 4 flyers, so far, have received violations, and the total is already up to $600.00!! Yowser! So this is your chance to do help out an awesome group, while making your friends extremely jealous when they see the cool stuff you scored! But you had better hurry! The auctions end Sunday March 18th at 6pm pacific! So what are you waiting for??

Lot# 1

Lot# 2

Lot# 3
The 2007 schedule for this years Felt Club events is also now available! Be sure to check their website for all news and updates! Happy bidding!

(All images courtesy of Felt Club)

Kristyn Dors

Roaming around the Bazaar Bizarre in December I came across the fabulous portraits of Kristyn Dors. I was stopped in my tracks! I love her small scale portraits!!! They are so fantastic and just captivating! I now have one hanging in my kitchen! She is gorgeous! Go check out Kristyns work!

Etsy Labs

If you are an East Coast crafter, or just someone who wants to cultivate your crafty side, are you in for a treat!! The Etsy Labs are now open for everyone and anyone who wants to explore the craft world.

The genius guys and gals over at Etsy have put together a place to learn and share your talents. The facilities are available to all members of Etsy.com and Patron of the Labs (PAL). To become a member of PAL all you need to do is show up during Lab hours (11am to 6pm every day) and pay your dues. Right now, February is totally free! In exchange for using the space the guys are asking that you show up with a "donation, a smile and an eagerness to help".

Starting in March there will be a basic $20/month membership fee and superlow $5 hourly fee for use of equipment. Membership includes unlimited wi-fi, heat, good conversation and a clean toilet. The monthly fee is applicable towards your first two hours of equipment use.

This is a great opportunity for those of us who work out of our homes to get out of the house, creatively interact with many, many talented people and gain help and inspiration from each other! I really wish that I was less that 3000 miles away! I'd be there in a heartbeat!

Click here to get the full scoop!

Queenthings Interview

Jenny Vorwaller is an amazing jewelry designer and the brains behind Queenthings. Her website showcases her stunning pieces as well as shares her photos and adventures in her new home in South America. In this interview of sorts she tells us all about her new line of jewelry! Chapter One was recently released only to find HUGE success! Jenny was kind enough to answer some questions about her ideas, inspirations, and vision for her new lines!!



Your photos are all so beautiful, and the flow of your first Chapter in the collection is sublime! Please tell us more about telling stories.

With my own personal jewelry collection, I found that each piece I owned told a story; from travels, gifts that I had received from special people in my life, heirlooms, and so on. I wanted my work to have the same meaning and I also wanted to create some room for me to grow as a designer. So the whole idea for creating chapters and stories for my collections came to me as a way to help me focus. Though I've seen artists create wonders being fed with just one source, I felt too confined to limit myself with one genre. Being an avid reader, somehow the idea of each collection that I put out being a story made sense. It has a beginning (the concept) a middle (the creating) and a happy ending (others enjoying what I put out there.) With painting, most ideas seem to communicate more strongly when worked as a series, and I see "stories" being told in fashion all the time, why not in jewelry?



You recently made a huge move to South America. Can you tell us a little bit more about your new surroundings?

I step out of my home here and into a new world. Everyday I am in awe at this beautiful world, the places yet undiscovered, how people live and their way of life. Travel truly transforms. Picture old ornate architecture, lively fruit and vegetable stands, panaderias (tasty bakeries), antique cars, miles and miles of beautiful beaches, a rich political past that is deeply sad at times, wonderful artisan feiras, the most tranquil people on earth, the breeze cooling the summer from the rio de la plata...


Are you a full time artist, or do you have a day job? If so, how does one effect the other?

I am a full time artist, though I don't work full hour days at the moment. When I am not working directly at my studio desk, I am usually out exploring and immersing myself in other creative activities and recharging. I'm so grateful to be doing what I love, after having worked uninspiring jobs, I can't take this for granted!


Are there other artists, musicians, actors (creatives in general) that are really influencing you right now?

Oh! There are so many, too many to list! Also, I kind of like to keep my influences for the next collection to myself until it is launched, it just seems more exciting to me that way.


What's next?

Well, I don't have a very scheduled timetable for putting out each collection, I think they will come as I can fit them between current travels. This allows me to carve out time to really go inside myself and see what I feel like exploring. I love researching, and I feel the next set of jewelry will be a total departure from the first secret garden pieces. I'm sensing something more modern. Contemporary studio jewelry is fascinating to me, with the way it crosses boundaries. Maybe I'm leaning more to this style because I just returned from viewing Calatrava's beautiful bridge here in Buenos Aires. Architecture has always always inspired me immensely, ever since my art history class in college, I've been enchanted. So I would love to incorporate that into jewelry. Right now i have a special collaboration piece that is completely inspired by one of my favorite gothic cathedrals. I'm really excited to see it progress, and I'm working with an amazing designer.


What about the photos on your site? Are there prints for sale?

The photos I created on my site were there to support my idea, to have both worlds collide. I hadn't even thought of making them available for purchase! But I'm so glad that you ask, because when i finally decided to *gulp* buckle down and choose a medium to express myself in (I'm what you would call a multidisciplinary artist you see) I had a lot of fear that I wouldn't be able to ignore photography, painting, everything else! But I realized that they all work together, beautifully. So there may be some original artwork with the next jewelry story...stay tuned.

Where can we purchase your work?

You can see each story unfold at my website, www.queenthings.com and by clicking on any image in the series, you will be led to my etsy shop. If you would like to be in the know about future projects, collaborations, and the like, please subscribe to my mailing list! Just send me a little note to my email, which you can also find on my website.

(All images courtesy of Jenny Vorwaller)

Build a Nest Trunk Show

I am so excited to share this news with you! The brilliant Vanessa De Vargas of Turquoise LA is hosting a trunk show for Nest, a fabulous website with an even better mission.

Because no one could explain Nests mission statement better, here is a clipping from their website: Nest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries. The mission of Nest is to support women artists and artisans in the developing world by helping them create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses. To do this, Nest provides micro-credit loans to be used for the purchase of the supplies and materials necessary to begin and/or maintain art or craft-based businesses.

If you are in the LA area be sure to stop by for great finds for a more than worthy cause!!!

Lisa Congdon at ReForm School!

This Saturday is the opening of Lisa Congdons newest works at ReForm School in Silverlake, CA. I am super excited to meet Lisa! Her work is so amazing and inspiring! Although we have only ever exchanged emails, I can tell you Lisa is one of the nicest women on Earth! If you are in the area, make a date to swing by for the artists reception Saturday, February 10th, 7-10pm. 4014 Santa Monica Blvd. (At Sunset Blvd. in SilverLake), Los Angeles, CA 90029, (323)906-8660

Stiletto Heights

Jennifer Gordon is the talent behind Stiletto Heights. Her collages are reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. All are vibrant and entrancing. Her bold color choices are all so much fun! If you havent seen her shop, you should really check it out. I am always scanning it for fun inspiration and to help me gain the courage to use more color!

Now through February 14th you can receive 20% any purchase of art made from Stiletto Heights Etsy Shop. Please just write Valentines07 in the Message to Buyer Section and wait for an adjusted invoice from Paypal before paying. This discount offer does not apply to commissions.

(All images courtesy of Jennifer Gordon)

Happy Birthday Whip Up!

Can you believe it! Whip Up is turning 1! To celebrate this extremely special occasion the site has launched a competition asking all of us to design a new banner!! There are awesome prizes from Princeton Architectural Press, publishers of some of the coolest deisgn books out there! The contest runs through March 1st, so you have plenty of time to get those design wheels turning!

Kim Family Benefit

Was one of your New Years resolutions to give more? Well, I have a perfect solution that allows you to give to a very worthy cause, while bidding on some very cool items!

A website has lauched to help The James Kim Memorial Fund benefit the family of James Kim, the SF husband and father who died in a brave attempt to save his wife and daughters when they got lost and ended up stranded in the mountains coming home from a Thanksgiving road trip in Oregon. We all heard about the Kims on the news, and now we have an opportunity to help! Some of my favorite designers and artists have donated items to be auctioned off on eBay. 100% of all proceeds will go to the The James Kim Memorial Fund. Here is a quick sampling of what the over 40 artists have donated:

An intricate Machine Patwork Pillow from Lisa Congdon.


A fabulous plush Owl and the Pussycat from stephanie barnes.


Such a cool large Travel Wallet from Oh Bara.


A Stuffed Donkey from Myra Masuda


An awesome Sweet Horse Chestnut Necklace from Abigail Percy

All auctions end January 7th. You can go directly to the listings by clicking here!

(All images courtesy of each artist.)