Christmas Season

Christmas is approaching quickly, are you ready? Thankfully I'm finished shopping for my kids and almost done with hubby's. What is keeping me the busiest, is Etsy! Trying to come up with Christmas ideas and keeping up with the Christmas stocking ornament orders is challenging! Here's the link to them: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17530978 They are reasonably priced at $3 each. I've sold 8 since they were first featured on the contest on Etsy. Since then, they were added to the Gift Guide! I feel famous. :) I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Update on Competition!

An update on the Ornament Competition that my stocking ornament was involved in recently on Etsy.... I've found out through my friend http://cardwear.etsy.com/ that my stocking ornament was chosen for the gift guide! Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/holiday-parties-and-decorating/78

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17530978 This is the listing.

I'm so happy and excited to find this out! YAY!

The Ornament Competition

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=22 Thanks for VOTING for me in the ornament competition! I did really well ~ I came in 5th! I'm really happy with that :D

Which also made it to the storque! Look: http://www.etsy.com/storque/etc/holiday-2008-our-favorite-ornaments-2953/ Maybe I'll get some sales from it? You never know.

TeamCAC First Annual Christmas Contest

TeamCAC (Christian Artists and Crafters) found here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5886240 is having our First Annual Christmas Contest. The dates will be as follows: December 7, 2008 through December 14, 2008. You'll have chances to win LOTS of cool prizes. Stay tuned for more details!

I'm in an Etsy Competition!

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=22 Etsy is having a Holiday Ornaments Competition! I was chosen by Etsy administration to be included with my Victorian Stocking Ornament. I've been asking all my friends to vote for me. I don't think I will WIN but just being included made my day. Go to this room and vote for me too please! Someone told me too that even if I didn't win, if I got a lot of votes they might include me in a gift guide. That would be such wonderful exposure for my shop. I already got an Alchemy request because of it, a very nice lady ordered 3 of the stocking ornaments, one for each of her children. Each stocking will have the child's initial on it. What fun! This is my first time using Alchemy, so it's really a learning experience.

Anyway, please go to the link above and vote for my Victorian Christmas Stocking Ornament!

Custom Order

My latest custom order was for http://julscrafts.etsy.com/. She just had a brand new grandbaby come into the world and wanted a special sweater set for him for a Christmas present. She gave me total freedom in it, and I had such fun picking what color and what style to do. I chose a handsome tan color in a soft and silky acrylic yarn. The edging is a ribbed-look on the bottom of the sweater and the cuff of the arms, then used on the bottom of the hat as well.

Since I am VERY done having babies, I love making things for other people's babies! I'm so honored that she wanted me to make this for her grandson. If you like it, leave me a comment. If you want one of your own for a special baby, contact me on etsy http://mattscraftywife.etsy.com/. and I'll make a custom order listing just for you!

BURGUNDY

The Stocking that started it all!

I started another promo thread and got a good response again. It's such fun for me to get to know other Etsians. I loved some of these gorgeous burgundy items that were shared with me, so I thought I'd show them off. I love the talent on Etsy, You ask for a specific colored item, and you get such a variety of things from crocheted hats, to jewelry to purses. Here is the thread...

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5907844

The above pictures are:

Scarlet earrings by http://VariedTreasures.etsy.com

Pendant by http://TaylorsEclectic.etsy.com

Pocket Mirror by http://lilflower.etsy.com

Bag by http://hmmmbymel.etsy.com

I hope you like these selections as much as I do! Check out their shops and see more from these talented folks!

KNITBLITZ feature!

Kathleen of http://KNITBLITZ.etsy.com is a wonderful Christian lady that I've had the joy to get to know on CASTTEAM and TeamCAC (both Christian teams). She has wonderful hand knitted items that she makes with love and care. There are also paintings in her shop that are really cute. She has the sweetest spirit and personality! I hope you'll go to her shop and give it a heart, or a sale. Here's part of her bio on Etsy.

"Hi! Welcome to my shop! I've been doing art of one kind or another since I was little. It's evolved slowly to include 3-D work. Knitting is ideal for me because I love color and texture so much. I LOVE yarn and love turning it into things that people can wear. This process is so special to me that I've vowed to never make any two creations the same! I DO have pets, however, I knit in a room where they don't go, when I am home, but mostly I knit at work, where there are no pets. :) Hence, knitted in a pet-hair free environment."

Please also check out her YUMMY shop where she sells blondies, brownies, cookies, breads, muffins... all the delicious baked goods you could ever dream of. They are well.. yummy!

http://www.MmmMmmYummy.etsy.com/

Green Scarf, Thread I started on Etsy

The Scarf that started it all!

I started a thread on Etsy yesterday asking for everyone to show me what they had in their shop in shades of green. I can't believe the response I got. I have started threads before but never had this much success! http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5898860 This is the thread, and it has 228 posts in it now! I saw all kinds of cool green things, from more scarves, to jewelry to art. Such wonderful talent is on Etsy, I love to see what people are creating.

Seen above are apple soap by http://smokeymountainscents.etsy.com

Mint green blanket by http://sewmelody.etsy.com

Cross with green by http://totallycrosses.etsy.com

Leather satchel by http://easilysuede.etsy.com

Green necklace by http://bijouxdesignsforyou.etsy.com

I just wanted to share a few of my favorites with all of you! I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. Check out the thread for more gorgeous greens.

Abbasgirl Feature

Catherine of http://abbasgirl.etsy.com/ is such a sweet person and a talented artist as well. She does everything from pendants to coasters to wall art and paperweights. Everything in her shop is so beautiful! Take a peek and I think you'll agree! We are on CAST team together on Etsy (Christian Artists Street Team) and she is such fun to chat with. Give her some love, hearts or sales!

Here is her profile on Etsy:

Hi, my name is Catherine. I am a Christain decorative artist living in the Pacific NW.Even though my page says I "joined" Etsy in july of 2007, I only began listing my work for sale here in June 2008.I live with my hard working husband who indulges my artistic needs, a spoiled cat, and a big scruffy dog (also spoiled).I also have two gorgeous grown sons living nearby.

I specialize in affordable handmade gift items,and quite often (but not always) incorporate scripture into my work. My images are vintage reproductions many of which are rarely seen elsewhere. In fact I have nearly 5000 images in my collection so chances are I have just what you are looking for! I also offer custom work such as favorite scripture, saying, photos, colors etc...talk to me and let's see what we can do to make you smile.My work has been sold at various venues locally and in the Portland area for several years. Thanks for visiting, come back soon, and I will be adding more items as I am able.God bless you!

Featuring MaticStudio

Featuring MaticStudio today!

My friend Leah is the owner of http://MaticStudio.etsy.com and hand crochets every piece with love and care. I love meeting fellow crocheters, and sharing ideas together. We recently had a nice long chat and realized we have so much in common. Etsy is a great place to make new friends, I've found out! Leah and I are members of 2 Christian teams on Etsy (CAST and TeamCAC) and share a love for God and family.

Here's some of her profile:

"I am an oil painter turned crocheter. I have painted for over 20 years as a passion, sewn and quilted creations of every shape and size for 5 years, and recently picked up the art of crochet....and haven't put my hook and yarn down SINCE!It helps (well, not my bank account) that I am an absolute yarn junkie and own at least one skein of every yarn known to man! I can't possibly pick up something soft and unique without taking it home to create with...it is an addiction, I know.I love to be comfortable, and I love all things soft and snuggly. A good yarn with beautiful tones and lines can create that perfect gift for everyone I know!I hope you love what I have made just as much as I have loved creating it for you! I am trade and convo- friendly.... just try me!"

Please check out her shop and see how talented she is, and give her some love.