New Year & New Look

Hello Everyone!
Happy 2011

As you may have noticed, our Etsy Studios Blog has a brand new look. It is a pleasure to share all of the wonderful creative spaces, places and handcrafted art of the many talented Etsy artists and I am happy to continue to provide these features. I am always amazed at all of the wonderful people I meet through this blog. Enjoy reading about their personal stories and getting a glimpse into their creative lives.

In addition to my regular Etsy features, I will also now have special studio space tips and tricks. Look for Giveaways that you can win, just by reading and becoming a follower of the blog.
Lots of treats!

Best wishes for a very happy and healthy 2011.
May all of your wishes come true!

Surround yourself with your favourite things in your studio space. A favourite candle, some favourite art or piece of home decor or maybe even your softest and most cuddly blanket to keep you warm while you work.Your creative space is a special place that should make you feel happy and take the stresses of the day away.

What are some of your favoutite things in your space?

Gift Designs is owned by Rebecca, a mother of 3 who lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia.
Enjoy a visit to Rebecca's beautiful Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/giftdesigns where you will find gorgeous jewellery, bookmarks and scrapbooking gifts!

by Gift Designs
"I currently work full time and enjoy creating gorgeous gifts to share on the weekends or whenever else time permits. I find I can easily lose myself in a pile of beads for hours on end, but on the plus side it is an interest that I can share with my two girls who really enjoy getting in and creating along side me.

I can't really remember how I came about making jewellery, it was something I casually stumbled upon but fell in love with once I did. I really love that people buy the items I make and get a lot of enjoyment from the fact that people all over the world have a piece of my jewellery!

I don't really have an organised, set plan or style for the making of my jewellery, for me it is mostly created on the spot and inspired usually by a colour theme.

I also enjoy making treasuries and featuring Etsy sellers on my blog http://www.allthingsgifts.blogspot.com/

Thanks Rebecca!



Where The Grass is Greener

 Visit Renee's lovely Etsy Shops http://www.etsy.com/shop/WheretheGrassisGreen and http://www.etsy.com/shop/Countrytagsale where you are sure to find charming one-of-a-kind gifts.

Find vintage items that were altered or embellished to create an elegant country cottage chic look.

By Renee Houston Zemanski

I am a writer and an artist (I’ve waited a long time to add that artist title, but I feel that I have finally earned it). I am passionate about creating one-of-a-kind art, antiquing, writing, photography and my family. My little Etsy shop, “Where the Grass is Greener,” is where I sell my art. I take ordinary objects, purchased at antique stores, flea markets and tag sales to create unique works of art for people’s homes. I also have an Etsy vintage shop called “Country Tag Sale.” That’s where I sell the vintage findings that I can’t bear to take apart and repurpose.

I love the thrill of the hunt for old things that can be recycled or upcycled. Basically, I see potential in other people's junk. The best part of finding vintage items is researching the history behind each item; I learn something every day and I love to share those stories when I can.

I began my business refurbishing and hand-painting furniture when I had a large studio to work in and store things. I recently lost my studio space, so now I’m concentrating on much smaller works of art (much easier to ship, too). While I have an office for writing, the back of my (very long) closet/laundry room serves as my little art studio – this tends to spread out to the rest of the house, though. The absolute best part of working on my own is the flexibility it allows me so I can spend time with my kids when they need me.

I’ve always been creative (or at least that’s what my friends and family tell me). My dad is very handy and my mom and sister are both artistic – my sis has a jewelry shop on Etsy, staciejewelry.

I have two Etsy stores, a blog and a website for my furniture (furniture that I am trying to sell so I can park my car this winter). Stop by my blog and say “hello.”

Blog at: http://wherethegrassisgreener-rz.blogspot.com/

Website: http://web.me.com/rzemanski/Where_The_Grass_is_Greener/Welcome.html


Etsy shops:
Where The Grass is Greener: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wherethegrassisgreen
Country Tag Sale: http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrytagsale

Fun and Fresh Ideas

Be sure to visit Zemphira's lovely Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/zemphira

where you are sure to find a variety of handcrafted pieces including one of a kind art dolls, aprons, zipper pouches, owls, art quilts, coffee sleeves, snappy purses and other fabric art.

I just love her creative space! Enjoy.

by Zemphira
I am lucky to have a space in my house just for creating. I have 4 kids, and every time I was pregnant people would say "So, does this mean you are going to have to loose your craft room?." The answer, every time, "No! I need that room." And I do need that room. I now have it set up so my kids can come in and create too, its a fun place to be.

When I get stuck, and I'm not really sure what to make next I just go in The Craft Room and pace, clean up a little and before I know it I have 20 ideas floating around in my head that need to get out. I have a few items in my Etsy shop I designed just for a studio. I have "wall pockets" I have one that I just to keep my scissors in. I also just started creating fabric storage bins. I wrap each of my packages with a strand of scrap fabric, and I keep those in a hanging storage bin! They are just fun ways to decorate my space with some of my favorite fabrics!

 

I have several objects in my studio that I cherish to keep me going. I love to work standing up (or crouched down on the floor like a monkey) and I had my grandfather put together a table - just the right height. My dad crafted up a storage space for some of my rubber stamps. I have a lot of special items from my sister's travels around the world. And now the room is being flooded with my kids' art - which I love. Their ideas are so fun a fresh, I might be the only one to get it and appreciate it, but that is what makes it special.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Picasso

http://www.facebook.com/ZemphiraCreations

http://zemphira.blogspot.com/

A Passion For Fashion & Accessories

I loved hearing about the story behind the name of Valerie's lovely Etsy shop "My Little Bow"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mylittlebow. She shares her story...

 Why mylittlebow?

"The name came naturally to me one day while I was sewing a bow tie for my fiancé (now husband), so as to acessorize his “costume” for our photoshoot and I thought, wouldn’t everybody need something like a bow, a piece of something that can spice up your wardrobe or clothes! So mylittlebow was born, offering you apparel to spruce up your closet and accessories to add some zest to your clothes!"

by My Little Bow

Hi Everyone!
I am Valerie from the small sunny island of Singapore! Always passionate about fashion and accessories, I started making things since I was a teen! I love colours, flowers, birds and nature, thus much of them are reflected in the accessories I make! Of course, they are all made with premium materials and handmade with love!

I started out making accessories for fun, but eventually, with the encouragement of family and friends, decided to offer them to the public! I also love fashion, thus my online store http://mylittlebow.com carries apparel as well. However, I have decided to place a small collection of accessories on Etsy, hoping that someone out in other parts of the world would also love my art!

I believe that the love for pretty things is found in every girl and I hope to share my passion and creation with the rest of the world!

Thanks for the opportunity to share thereddoor!!!
 
My Blog: http://mylittlebow.com/blog
My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Singapore-Singapore/mylittlebow/198104227596
My Twitter: http://twitter.com/mylittlebow
My Mailing List: http://mylittlebow.com/mailing-list

Obsessed With Lumps & Bumps

Enjoy a visit to Fiberpuppy Designs http://www.etsy.com/shop/fiberpuppy/ ,

 a wonderful etsy shop where they specialize in unique handmade natural fiber items. Fiberpuppy Designs carry a number of different felted and non-felted wool accessories that would be sure to keep you warm on those cold winter days, or even spice up that special outfit.

Fiberpuppy is currently donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the black cat hat to Doctors without Borders to help the earthquake victims in Haiti.

by fiberpuppy

I seem to be obsessed with texture lately, lumps and bumps or smooth clean surfaces. Most of my pieces are created by first knitting then fulling (or creating felt) using hot water and agitation in the washing machine. One of the ways that I can create texture is by tying a small object into the knitted piece before it’s fulled. This method among others is known as shibori felting.

Because of my love of shibori, I seem to have turned into a pack rat collecting all kinds of small objects of various shapes and sizes. I use nuts, bottle caps even hair curlers. This combined with the fact that I usually have between 30-50 balls of yarn and finished products floating around has created a bit of a storage nightmare for my one room office/guest room/studio.

One of the solutions I’ve found is to use one of those back of a door clear shoe holders. I can see all the little bits and pieces I might use without digging. Then I can close the door et voila it’s gone.

My actual work space is made up of two tables. One for the sewing and one for needlefelting or drawing or whatever else I might need. I guess I should also count the garage as part of my workspace. We actually have 2 washing machines there; one for regular washing and one for felting. I do spend a bit of time in there as well.

Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay

If you are looking for something a little bit "Rock" you have come to the right place. Stoic offers a variety of unique
"rock" inspired pendants and loves to make custom orders just for you. Check out her shop and be sure to come back often as we feature new handmade shops on the Etsy Studios Blog...where you are sure to find something you love!

by Stoic

I have been running my little Etsy shop Stoic for about a year and a half, and it has proved to be the perfect outlet for my creative energy. I have been lucky enough to make sales, and have had the pleasure of spending my fair share of money on other peoples handmade goods. Now that I have a son its so hard to find time to craft, but I try to sneak in at least a half hour or so each day. Lucky for me my day job is easy enough that I can spend time blogging and listing items while I'm supposed to be working! Its sometimes hard to find inspiration in dreary southern Indiana, but my husband and I love to watch movies, and I find a lot of inspiration there. I love doing the scrabble tile pendants, because you can put any image on them.

I especially love doing custom orders, people come up with such neat ideas! Its such an amazing feeling to be able to create art, and even more amazing to have people want to buy that art! I have been blessed to have several stores want to sell my jewelry (check them out on my blog) and I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for me!

Etsy store: http://www.stoic.etsy.com/

Blog: stoictia.blogspot.com

Design In A Bottle

Zo-Be Designs and her wonderful organizational tips are fantastic. I love that she uses bottles and mason jars to store her items. They are neatly organized, look great and the clear see through bottles easily display what is inside. I will definately use this tip in my space.

Zo-Be Designs found at http://www.caelum.etsy.com/

shows us what amazing organization and imagination can look like. I am inspired by her creative space. I can imagine walking into this room and being so excited to create that I could hardly contain myself~like a child in a candy store.

Zo-Be Designs shares some of her tips and tricks with us:

As for my craft room, well I'm extremely lucky to have a whole room to myself. It wasn't always that way, I used to have everything stuffed in one cabinet and under the dining room table! The shelves in my room were already built in, they almost made me cry the first time I saw them.

I love using mason jars, as you can tell. It's great to be able to see all my embellishments and I think they look really pretty. I bought a case of them at Walmart and I've used them all. Baby food jars and spaghetti sauce jars are also great.

I keep all the things I use most often right on my table, like buttons and ribbon. I'm using a spice rack as storage for brads and other small embellishments. I find it really helps my creativity to be able to see what I have. I built my paper racks out of the wire cube racks you can buy at Target or Walmart. Up next is building some kind of ribbon rack on the back of the door. I have to recruit my hubby for that project!

Visit her blog at http://zobedesigns.blogspot.com/