22 posts tagged “crafts”
Etsy has been doing a series of articles on their blog, "The Storque" called "Handmade Kids". As part of that special emphasis, I was contacted about submitting an article on the CafeMom Etsy Moms Street Team because I'm one of the leaders of that team. So, I compared notes with the founder of our group, rockerchic and we thought about who we are and why we are and what we do and then put it all in an article we submitted. Our article became part of the Etsy article and you can read it for yourself, here:
Handmade Kids: An Insider's Review of CafeMom.com
If you want to take a closer look at the CafeMom Etsy Moms, check out our CafeMom profile or our CafeMom Etsy Moms blog. You can also check my sidebar for a scrolling list of CafeMom Etsy Mom's blogs. And if you'd like to see what all these talented moms do, just go to Etsy.com and search "Cafemom team".
All this week you can join in on the Etsymom Fall Y'all Giveaway. I donated an item for the giveaway for yesterday.
Go here to read all about it. And then go here to see what the whole Fall Y'all Giveaway is all about.
Here's a picture of what I donated to the giveaway, a set of 1 inch button magnets featuring my original photographs of flowers from my mother-in-law's backyard:
I'm featured in Etsy Treasuries again! My buttons were chosen for two treasuries with an "Office" theme and one that's called "Happy Birthday, Sputnik!". Here they are, with the links below each image:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=10595
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=10522
I haven't made a new Teddy Bear in a while, so I figured it was about time. This one is made of soft, chocolate brown microsuede. I haven't sewed a face on it yet, but if a customer wants one I can certainly do that. The yellow ribbon can be changed for another color, also. This teddy bear is about 11 inches from the top of its ears to the tips of its toes, like all my Teddy Bears.
Available now in my Etsy shop, here is my Chocolate Brown Teddy Bear:
I want to introduce you all to a new feature in my Etsy shop.
Meet Brother Blotz:
Brother Blotz was born the same year I was, another product of Doug Dillard's creativity, I guess you could say. Yes, my father is Doug Dillard. Throughout my childhood, Bro. Blotz was featured in numerous Baptist publications, as illustrations in books, and starred in a series of cartoon books of his own. To quote my father's website: "Brother Blotz cartoons use humor to poke holes in our pomposity, chide us for our inconsistencies, and hopefully make us want to do better. He first appeared in print in 1961."
Brother Blotz, one of my favorite pastors, taught us all that even in church, we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously.
When I got my first button machine I realized I could finally do something I'd always wanted to do...put Brother Blotz's image on a button.
So I scanned some pages from the first book, "Meet Brother Blotz" and the cover and made the buttons pictured above. My father loved them! A few months later I attended a conference where I knew I would encounter several of my father's old friends and I took a few of the buttons to give to them. Usually, when I attend these events, my dad says "If you see anybody I know, tell them hello", so I thought the buttons would be a nice touch.
Then I recalled the sweatshirts my father had made for the family when I was a kid and decided to duplicate the design on 2 1/4 inch buttons:
When I sent them to my dad he got the idea that I should make these available in my Etsy shop and he would link to it from his website, http://www.brotherblotz.com. And that's what we're going to do.
Brother Blotz now has his own section in my Etsy shop, with buttons, keychains and magnets available for purchase. So, if any of Brother Blotz's friends and family are looking for unique gifts, they'll know where to find them!
Here's to you, Brother Blotz...and thanks, Dad!
I'm currently featured in three different Etsy Treasuries!! My orange Etsymom buttons, my blue striped teddy bear, and my "2 Girls for Every Boy" buttons! Take a look
Click on those links and go take a closer look! I've also recently posted more of my pocket mirrors made from recycled vintage images....
I've got another blog where I've posted a few photos I don't have uploaded here yet, and a very interesting story to go with them. I hope you'll take a minute to check it out:
http://ddpool.blogspot.com
I've got some new pocket mirrors available in my Etsy shop, and I'll still more posted soon:
I love vintage cameras! I think I've mentioned that before....
Over the weekend I sold 4 sets of 1 inch buttons that I made using images recycled from vintage photography magazines. These showed pictures of darkroom equipment...enlargers, film cannisters, even the beloved old Gra-lab 300 timer! I loved printing my own black & white prints back when I had access to a darkroom. The first time I tried it I felt like I'd found my paintbrush! And I had a feeling there might be some others out there who felt the same way, so I made these buttons. And I'm glad to know they did indeed mean somthing to someone out there! I have lots more where they came from, too. I have some copies of the same ads in different magazines, but each button is a little different...each one is one of a kind. So check my shop again if something like that suits your needs.
I also sold a couple of 2 1/4 inch keychains I made, also using recycled images from vintage magazines. The two I sold showed a Pentax Spotmatic and an Olympus OM4-T. I have more with other cameras and will continue to post similar keychains that showcase those classic oldies. Maybe they're the cameras you started out with, or maybe the ones you remember your dad or grandpa using. Hey, these would make a great stocking-stuffer for your favorite photographer. Now there's an idea!
I started a new Mini-Puzzle Ball a couple of days ago (trying to get a lot made before the real Christmas buying season starts). I've had lots of comments from people about how I manage to sew these tiny things, so I thought I'd humble myself and show you what it looks like when it doesn't work.
I sewed this section together just fine, but when I trimmed the seams I apparently trimmed them too much. After turning the section inside out, as I was pushing the corners out, which I do with the pointed end of a small pair of scissors...I had a blow out! There just were enough threads left there at the corner to hold it together anymore! See what I mean?....
Nothing left to do but cut out a couple more pieces and start over. This time it worked!
My pocket mirrors are currently featured in two different Etsy Treasuries!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=5227
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=5433
You should really click on those links and check out the other cool stuff made by the EtsyMoms featured in these two treasuries! Great stuff!
