Handmade Pick of the Week

Ahh, spring is just around the corner! I'm thinking about flowers, green grass, and the Easter bunny today! What a great time to feature Auntie Jill. I just adore her shop! My girls now own three of her stuffed lovelies! My youngest daughter has the snuggle bunny pictured above. She loves her rabbit and drags it everywhere she goes! Jill uses minky fabric for most of her creations so they are super soft and perfect for snuggle time!


Here are some of her smaller snuggle bunnies. I think these would make a great baby shower gift. She makes these in both minky fabric and fleece.


I love this enchanted unicorn too. Her horn is made of brocade fabric and she has a small rosebud above her tail made of ribbon. She's perfect for all sorts of magical adventures!

Here is a very sweet elephant that Jill created for a special boy named Jacob. Jacob, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma on 12/31/09, loves elephants. This elephant is helping to raise funds for Jacob's extensive medical costs. I have no doubt that this elephant has given Jacob lots of comfort!
I really like the colorful mane on this lion. He looks like he's ready for some fun, and for spring too!
It's obvious that all of Jill's animals are made with love. They are soft, cuddly, and very well made! You can find Auntie Jill on Etsy www.auntiejill.etsy.com or at http://www.auntiejillshop.com/

Also check out her facebook fan page! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Madison-WI/Auntie-Jill/80718076500?ref=ts

Leprechaun Hat Giveaway!

Wow, I just reached 500 facebook fans! That is so amazing! I want to celebrate by giving away one of my Leprechaun Hats! I love spring and I love my fans! I can't think of a better way to usher spring in and say thank you to everyone who supports my work.

If you would like to be entered just leave a comment below with your email address or shop name so that I know how to contact you.

I'll draw a name by noon tomorrow. Sorry, that doesn't leave much time, but I want to make sure that the prize makes it to the winner in time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Thank you everyone! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Handmade Pick of the Week

My Handmade pick of the week is Twist21. I think her jewelry is fantastic. She creates quality pieces including hand painted, sand painted and fabric pendants.






She has a whole series of hand painted trees that are just incredible. I am amazed at the amount of detail she is able to render on such a small surface!






Check out the tiny hearts on this tree.









Here is an example of one of her fabric pendants.




She designs rings and earrings as well including many created from lampwork beads.

I love this sandpainting of a blue bird, but how could I not?

You can find Twist21 on Etsy at www.twist21.etsy.com and
www.twist21trinkets.etsy.com

And be sure to follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/twist21

Handmade Pick of the Week

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I have a bit of an obsession with all things handmade! Just when I think I couldn't possibly discover another amazing artist or crafter, I stumble upon a new one and I am once again amazed. So, I'd like to start featuring and sharing some of my favorite handmade finds.



Today, I'd like to share a great Etsy shop with you that I discovered just in the past month. Monica with Mo and Ozzy Creative Crochet Hats makes the cutest crochet hats! Her creations are truly creative and unique. I love both the colors and the designs of her hats. They are bright and cheerful, and just plain fun!



And Monica doesn't just make hats! You can also check out her Etsy shop to see her other creations including hair accessories and purses. www.etsy.com/shop/moandozzy



She is hosting a giveaway on her blog right now. Be sure to check it out! Oh, and wish her a Happy Birthday while you are there!
http://moandozzycrochet.blogspot.com/2010/02/great-birthday-giveaway.htm

400 Facebook Fans Giveaway!!

It amazes me that I have 400 facebook fans! To celebrate I will be hosting my very first giveaway. One lucky fan will receive a $5 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. It will be good on anything in my shop including custom orders! Just be a facebook fan and leave a comment below and I will enter your name into the drawing. I'll draw the winning name this Friday morning (February 26th). It's just that easy!

I am so grateful to all of you for following my work and providing support and encouragement. You inspire me every day to continue to create. Thank you!

Monkey Business?

Somehow I've fallen in love with monkeys! I can't say that I was ever a huge monkey fan before I created this crown, but something happened the moment I put the finishing touches on this little guy. Pure monkey magic. And now I have a bit of an obsession with all thing monkey. Which means that there are more monkeys to come. Don't worry, if you aren't a monkey fan this obsession will pass and I'll be on to another one. Maybe next it will be puppies, or elephants, or who knows? That's the beauty of this "job", I go where it takes me!

In case you are curious, this monkey is entirely hand cut. I start out with a drawing, and then I create a pattern for each felt piece that must be cut. Some pieces don't require a pattern at all, but if I want to be able to reproduce a design I'd better have a pattern for the complicated components! Then I set out (painstakingly sometimes) cutting out all of the pieces. It's a labor of love from beginning to end, but I love what I do! Who knew life would take me on this path. Right now I am enjoying the ride! Now, back to more monkeys!

A Little Bit of Irony

I was at a dollar store one day last week with my youngest daughter trying to kill a little time while my oldest daughter was in preschool. As my daughter entertained herself rummaging through the toy bins I happened to notice a book for sale across the aisle. The topic of the book centered around the global impact of cheaply made Chinese goods. Of course the book was only a dollar, and although I didn't check I am very confident that the book was publish in China too. I couldn't help but notice the irony of my discovery. It also made me even more appreciative of my obsession with handmade goods. Not only do I make them, but I buy them whenever possible. I feel good knowing that I am helping to support a mom in Illinois or a student in Ireland. I know that they are paying themselves a fair wage (or so I hope) and that they truly enjoy what they are making. Buying handmade makes me happy! So, shop handmade this holiday season and fill your life with beautiful things made by fantastic people.

Have a wonderful Holiday!