Transformed

Today I am featuring TruBlue who runs shop at www.trublue.etsy.com

They say:
I'm a grad student in art school, as well as an avid crafter, so my life is constantly immersed in the creative process. My materials and projects change frequently depending on my mood and what is inspiring me at the moment. Generally, my crafts are based around transforming old unwanted items into new favorites.



http://trubluecrafts.blogspot.com



Celeste says:
I like the collage on the mirror. I haven't exactly made a secret of the fact that I love things that are transformed from old things. It is the artist way of recycling!

Give Us Green Space

Today I am featuring Green Space Goods at http://greenspacegoods.etsy.com


They say:
GreenSpaceGoods is a two person venture made up of Michael Ayers and Lani Mathis. We strive to create pieces that touch the heart and tickle the funny bone. Most of our pieces are created from recycled materials, and each one is a collaborative effort. We even take turns drawing on the same illustration. The result, we feel, is spontaneous, fun, and full of whimsy.



http://greenspacegoods.blogspot.com



Celeste says:
I know I've said it before, but I am a huge fan of those who upcycle, recycle, and the like. Besides all of that, I have really liked the look of all the products I have seen in the greenspacegoods shop. They are creative, inspiring, and many are functional, too.

Dara Briar

Today I am featuring Dara Briar who runs shop at Moon Mystic.

She says: Ever since I was a little girl, my Mom would take my brother and I to the shores of Lake Superior and we would come home with our pockets full of rocks and beach glass. I was always fascinated with the beauty of the agates and the other stones I would find. I still am fascinated by that beauty and now I enjoy creating jewelry using mother nature's treasures.



Celeste says: What wonderfully unique pieces! Being a lover of the shore myself, I can totally relate to these.


http://moonmystic-buriedinbeads.blogspot.com

Crafty Cards

Today I am featuring Megan of megangoodell.



She says:
Hello, I am a 23 year old crafter
since age 3. I still remember glueing dyed macaroni to construction
paper....ahhh, memories. Now, I like to do a little of everything. I can't
seem to stick with one project for too long. RIght now I am making
note cards, so that is what is in my shop. I get inspriation from all
sorts of places, my pictures, animals, everyday life...

Tagged!

Apparently I have been "tagged" by tatsuko at tatsukocraft.blogspot.com

According to the rules of the tagging game, I have to share 7 random facts about myself. Um, well here we go... the random and the very random.

1. I married my high school sweetheart... five years after gradation and after we had both spent a couple years out of town.

2. When I prayed when I was little I would identify myself to God as "girl Harmon." I couldn't grasp the concept that God knows us by name, but I thought for sure He would know my parents.

3. After many years of college I have concluded that I cannot sit in the middle of a classroom... it drives me crazy! I have to sit at one side... even the front row is better... I just get so distracted.

4. My husband and I were both blond as children, but our son is a redhead. (My coworker told me I should tell everyone that it was the UPS guy, since my husband works for UPS!)

5. I have worked as a part time grocery store bakery baker, clerk, and or decorator for the past five years. My son seems happy with the cookies I send with him to preschool.

6. I just asked my husband what is a random fact about me and he said, "You're hot." Well, so apparently I am hot.

7. The other fact that my husband just gave me was that I like Jane Austen ALOT. ALOT. Yes, he repeated that word twice. I did ask him for Jane Austen videos for my birthday, and he got me the whole BBC collection, which I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Here's the part where I put links to seven blogs that I have tagged. If you are an artist looking for the blogs of fellow artists, you don't want to miss out on numbers 1,4,5,6, or 7!
1. http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com
2. http://dizzychicken.blogspot.com
3. http://nutterstuff.blogspot.com
4. http://dancingmonkeyjewelry.com
5. http://nataliemalan.blogspot.com
6. http://newfoundlandnews.blogspot.com
7. http://athenaworkman.blogspot.com

Beehive Bazaar

I am so excited because I have been accepted into my first craft fair. YAY!

http://beehivebazaar.blogspot.com

It is a very local show, too, so no traveling. It is also craft mall style, so no sitting around behind a table for 2 days. This show just has a great rep, so I'm way excited! I will have to share the fair products here in between features.

Thanks for sharing my post and have a great day fellow artists!!

Martha Hughes

Today I am featuring jewelry artist Martha Hughes of dancing monkey jewelry.



How would I describe my jewelry? I could do it in two words: Funky Elegance. I love the jewelry in the Sundance Catalog - to me it's the epitome of funky, artistic, sophisticated jewelry.
Many times I've looked at their jewelry and have fallen in love with a particular piece and then looked at the price - most of it was prohibitively expensive. Then I took a few jewelry classes, learned some simple wire-wrapping techniques and the next time I looked in the Sundance Catalog I noticed that those artists were using the same techniques that I had learned to do. So, now when I look at the catalog I always think "I can do that."

While Sundance was a source of inspiration of mine at one time, I've gone on to find my own style. One that is simple, with uncomplicated lines, but elegant and organic.

The materials I like to work with are sterling or fine silver, Precious Metal Clay (totally awesome stuff), semi-precious stones (Chalcedony, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Peridot, Citrine and Poppy Jasper are some of my favorites), and freshwater pearls.

I would describe myself as partly trained and mostly self-taught. I've taken all of my classes at The Bead Factory, in Tacoma WA. They are such an awesome business I don't mind putting their name on my blog. You should check them out www.thebeadfactory.com.





www.dancingmonkeyjewelry.com

Valerie Galloway

Today I am featuring artist Valerie Galloway of valeriegalloway.



She says:
I love watercolor painting, my subject matter is women. I'm influenced by New Wave films of the 1960's, old family photos of my mother and her sister with their cool hairdos and shoes. My images of women are like film stills, evoking a sense of
anticipation of what has happened before and what will happen next, women caught somewhere between naughtiness and innocence.



Celeste says:
This artist also does photography. Don't forget to stop by her shop and see the nice reminiscent feel of them. She is not joking when she says she is influenced by the old pictures. Just look at her "Black Queen." Everything from her short cropped hair to her cigarette makes her the "mysterious temptress" actress part. What an interesting film still!

Calling All Moms

Today I am featuring Kelly Cowan of the etsy shop, kjcowan.
This seller features Modern Baby and Toddler Items.

Kelly Says:
I am a graphic designer by day and a seamstress on weeknights and weekends. I love to create baby and toddler items and can't wait for the day when I can do that full time!



kjcowan.blogspot.com



Celeste Says:
Being a mom I can for sure appreciate these quality handmade items. The burp cloth and blanket featured here are unique and look cuddly!

DinnerTimeChimes

Today I am featuring Erin and Gavin of dinnertimechimes.

They say:
We create windchimes from discarded silverplate silverware, hence the shop name, in addition to other silverware creations. We have recently added other recycled items for your home as well (birdhouses and bird feeders).



About Us:
I (Erin) have been crafting for as long as I can remember. My dad helped me get started with making windchimes when I was in middle school. Shortly after our wedding, I convinced Gavin that it would be a good idea to get a drill press for his new workshop, and since then he's been helping make the windchimes too!
We work on the crafts occasionally in the evenings and usually on
Saturdays, after we have finished the work for our full-time jobs and our
honey-do list around the house.



Celeste says:
This dynamic duo are members of the etsy street team, Eco Etsy. It is well deserved. I applaud those who make a difference for the earth by recycling, especially in such wonderfully artistic ways as this.


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Trunkt.org

If you all haven't seen the trunkt website, it is fabulous! See my new badge on the right. That is correct, I have been accepted by trunkt and I now have a little portfolio there. This website features lots of really great artists, it is really easy to navigate, and I just love it.

Little Bunny

Today I am featuring JessChambers' shop,littlebunny.etsy.com

JessChambers says:
I am a fan of pancakes/cupcakes/cakes of any kind, the creatures of the abyss, dancing, bright colors and patterns,and sending and receiving letters.
I want my work to reflect who I am.



seaparty.blogspot.com



Celeste says:
I love the whimsical quality of the illustrations on these greeting cards. The squid at the bus stop is for sure my favorite!
Don't forget to visit this excellent seller's shop to see more!