Sapti: Winner of Miss Eileen's Etsy Picks, A Lifetime of Beauty Through Knitting

When I first saw the white belt I was captivated by its beauty. It is amazing, to say the least. Later, though, I read Etty's story and I am truly amazed. Her work is a testament that beauty and creativity do not know age. She inspires me and will inspire others, too. Here is her interview and a glimpse into her fabulous shops.



Crocheted Flower Wedding Belt

 ME: Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff)
EG: My name is Etty Geller, I’m 68 years old, married, a mother of 2 children and a grandmother of 5 adorable grandchildren. I live in Israel in a small town near Tel Aviv.

ME: Apart from creating things, what do you do?
EG: I retired 3 years ago, I was working for over 40 years for a governmental institution. Today I enjoy the joyous moments of life, especially when I spend time with my grandchildren. I love to cook, bake, and spending a lot of time in the kitchen re-inventing recopies.

ME: Where does your inspiration come from?
EG: I get inspired by the beauty surrounding us, I always loved flowers, I enjoy create and work with flowers on my arts, whether it’s a bride bouquet, wedding accessories, fashion accessories or knitted jewelry.


Vintage OOAK Bridal Bouquet


ME: Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration?
EG: It all started when my mom thought me the basics of knitting. I was 6 years old and fell for this creative process immediately.  The rest is history… My mother was, and still is, my inspiration.

ME: What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
EG: When I was about 6 years old, I remember knitting a white big sweater made of 100% wool. The sweater had a pattern of bubbles. I couldn’t stop knitting since then. Looking back, I realize that knitting was the first love of my life. I like to combine different and contrasted materials, especially on the bride's bouquet where I use old and new, vintage brooches along knitted flowers.


Bridal Bouquet with Brooches, Satin, flowers, Pearls , beads, jewel , ribbon


ME: What are your favorite materials? Your favorite color combination?
EG: It is fun to work with the enormous variety of colors, from light pastel to strong happy colors.



White Love Rabbits Wedding Cake Topper


ME: How do you get out of your creative ruts? Describe your creative process.
EG: 20 years ago I had a factory of 100 women who knitted by hand based on my instructions. I used to knit the first one and they would copy it. These items were sold by many channels all over Israel. As I was doing it in parallel to my job on the governmental institution, I couldn’t carry on and had to maintain it as a hobby.  24 hours a day weren’t enough…


Rustic Crocheted Wrap with Fur Accent

 I like to create unique items, I can think of something in the middle of the night, get out of bad, draw a scheme, and have it completely done the day after, I have no tolerance for knitting mistakes, I knit fast and precisely.


White Knitted Necklace with Brown and Turquoise Ceramic Pendant

 In the past I mainly made sweaters, today I also do brides bouquets with knitted flowers, Silk, beads, brooches and more. I use several pastel colors, everything I do is made with lots of love.
I am most flattered when a bride chooses one of my creations for her big day, I am very thrilled to be a small fraction of this special day.

ME: What are the Web addresses for your work?

EG: I have 3 Etsy shops:
Wedding accessories – Brides & Bridesmaids Bouquets and accessories. www.etsy.com/shop/sapti

Fashion – Shawls, Scarves, gloves, fingerless gloves, hats, belts, knitted jewelry and more. www.etsy.com/shop/ettygeller

Knitted miniatures that make everyone happy – animals, fruits, vegetables, cakes and more, www.etsy.com/shop/etty2504

Amigurumi Crocheted Turtle PDF Pattern

ME: What advice would you give to other artists?

EG: Every day I get excited when I see pretty things, I don’t like artists copying others items; we can learn and get inspired from each other but still be original.


ME: Where would you like to be in ten years?
EG: My goal for the next 10 years is to keep the joy of creating.

ME: Are you offering my readers any specials?
EG: I would be happy to give a 25% off for all my stores items for the next 10 days, please contact me for a coupon.

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Simply Elegant: Miss Eileen's Etsy Picks 2.24.12

Sometimes I feel like a bit of elegance is in order. True, there are days that need a pair a jeans and a sweatshirt but then there are those days that nothing will do but elegance. Something sleek and fantastic, done to perfection, something that stands on its on. Not that's how I am, far from it. Maybe all that Oscar talk is getting to me. Anyway, here are my picks for the week.



Silversmith's Ring by Mark Kaplan



Handmade Leather Black Envelope Clutch by Lou Collection



Black Ostrich Feather Evening Bag Clutch Purses with Rhinestone Trim by SherriWeeseDesigns



Retro A-line Dress by MGD Clothing



Celtic Woven Kumihimo Pearl Necklace by PearlWeaver

 


Falling Leaves Watercolor Print by TheJoyOfColor



Pale Yellow Porcelain Vase with Burnt Orange Roses by RoberaPolfus

 Well, those are my faves. Which ones are yours? As always, vote for your favorite. The choices are on the upper right.




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Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns



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Sew a Dress for Summer: Butterick 4974

Got a special affair coming up this summer? Maybe a wedding? If you are anything like me, special occasions sort of creep up on me and take me by surprise. Special occasions call for something special to wear, something that says “Look at me. I look so good!” Even not so special occasions can become special. Having the right dress ready to can turn a quick bite into date night.

Butterick 4974 is a pattern for a cute halter dress that is just lovely. Highly recommended on Sewing Pattern Review, it is one of Butterick’s  Fast & Easy patterns. The dress is described as “Close-fitting, above knee, lined halter dress has straps to back with purchased rings, side seam zipper and back slit.”

This pattern is available in GoofingOff Etsy and Artfire shops in size 14-20, bust 36-42.

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Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

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Knitting Fashion: A Hook in Each Hand

Ever see a shop on Etsy that just takes your breath away, leaves you so inspired you want to make everything but know you can’t, leaves you hungry for more? Well, that’s how I feel about Knitting Fashion. After seeing her shop I just had to see more and share all I found out with the world. Here is her interview.

                        Carmen Romantic and Elegant Bolero in Bridal White

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff)

My name is Albena Petrova and I live in small beautiful Bulgaria, in my pretty house with my lovely family .

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Knitting and crocheting take most of my time yet in my free time I enjoy experimenting, meeting new people, and visiting familiar and unfamiliar places. Over the past year a group of friends and I started a community http://www.flickr.com/photos/threadsthatconnectus/ with the purpose of acquiring new skills in weaving. We are going to make an international exhibition this May.

                Fashion White Candy Shrug

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration has never left me. I am usually inspired by colors, shapes and feelings. I think I am an “yarnholic.” Can’t live without yarn in my hands. My inspiration comes from books, net culture, and magazines, too. I am a people watcher.

                                           Cowl Neck Warmer Scarf

Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration?

ETSY! I’m in love in ETSY. It took me more than an year to find it but I‘m happy to be a part of this amazing community!

ETSY is my life, my passion, my greatest inspiration. I love these friendly and creative people. I have so many friends all over the world!

               Fashion White Shrug Bolero

What are your favorite materials? Your favorite color combination?

I love  yarns, fabrics, felt, and wood. My favorite colors are orange and green but I love every color.

                                     Crocheted Freeform Brooch

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

To be honest  I can’t really remember my very first creation yet I can clearly remember my first experience with sewing. When I was thirteen I found a big piece of fabric and I decided to make a dress. Later I found out that the very same piece of fabric was enough to make more than four dresses yet I made only one. With the professional advice of my grandmother the dress was repaired and I enjoyed wearing it more than two years.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

I enjoy doing yoga, jogging, going out with my  friends and surfing the Internet, reading books, and knitting….knitting.

                       Summer Fashion Accessory Headband

Describe your creative process.

Knitting is a lonely occupation. Usually some ideas come up the moment I touch the yarn but others take months. I often work on several projects at the same time because ideas come up unexpectedly. The color combinations inspire me. I like to mold colors. Usually I buy yarn for the colors and texture, then I decide what form of knitting will be made. I have found many ways to give a different form of a right piece of fabric.

                                      Yin Yang Crochet Scarf

What is your most cherished handmade possession?

Personally I cherish everything that comes out of my hands because it is created with much passion and love.

What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?

To be yourself – unique, colorful and special.

                              Fashion Ruffle Lace Jersey Scarf

Where would you like to be in ten years?

On Planet Earth with two hooks in my hands.

What are the Web addresses for your work?

You can find me here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/knittingFashion - my fashion hand knitted and crocheted clothes and accessories

http://www.etsy.com/shop/albenaben- my unique collection handmade textile jewelry

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35468850@N06/

Are you offering my readers any specials?

All your readers are welcome to visit my shop. There is a special offer for them – 10% discount  for all my items .

They have to use Etsy coupon code – GOOF2012 .

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

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Congratulations to Sapti, Winner of Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks

What can I say? This belt is absolutely wonderful. Can’t wait to see the interview and get to show off her fabulous work.

 

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Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

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Paying It Forward

While posting patterns today I ran across a pattern that was missing a couple of pieces. The pattern is mostly there but instead of selling it cheap or throwing it away I decided to pay it forward. Send it on to someone who can use it for the cost of the listing and the shipping. They might even be able to use it. Here it is:

There will probably be a few more PIF’s coming up so watch for them.

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

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And Now the Floor….

The living room drywall is done (Hooray!) but all that dust that was created left me sick. Damn. Oh well, got to keep thinking about how everything will look once it is all done, especially since we will be doing the floor. Yup, floors. Hardwood. When we (the ex and I) built the house we put down red oak tongue and groove. He sanded and put down a coat of polyurethane….then stopped. Why didn’t he put down 3 coats like he said he would and should have done? Don’t know. Can’t tell you but I kind of wonder if he thought he had more important things to do. Hmmmm…. In any case, we’ll (or really the hubby) will be sanding the floor and putting down 3 coats of poly. It’s going to look so darned good.

Why the rush? you ask. Because nothing gets done during hunting season, at least nothing that isn’t life threatening. You football widows know what I am talking about.

I have until the end of August.

Got a long list.

Flower Power Handbag

This gorgeous shoulder bag finally found a home. Yup, I sold it. About broke my heart, too. All leather, just like the one I used to carry when I was in nursing school. That was me with my long hair, hiking boots, and shoulder bag heading to school. Just a little bit hippie (OK, more than a little bit but I didn’t move to a commune). Totally rocked the 70’s. May the new owner have many years of happiness. It was fun just to hold it a little while.

I guess that’s why I like vintage. Some vintage brings back good memories and feelings. Leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy all over. Like a glass of wine without pieces of cork floating on top.

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 2.10.12

It was a hundred years ago (give or take a decade or three),  that the Mr. asked me to marry him (feels like that sometimes). Two days before Valentine’s Day he surprised me with a ring from a Cracker Jack box and told me to close my eyes while he put it on my finger. I was laughing so hard that I didn’t noticed he switched the ring and placed a diamond ring on me instead. I still have the Cracker Jack ring and still laugh about it. Don’t wear it, though…..  Anyway, Valentine’s is approaching and this is the time for romance. It is also the time for the wedding plans to begin. A wedding is so much more than the dress. It is the details, the little things, that make a wedding special. Here’s some ideas for weddings from the wonderful artists at Etsy.

BTW, there are lots of fantastic artists at Etsy however I try to find new and overlooked artists who just need a little more exposure because their work is fantastique (didn’t know I could speak French? Me, either, lol). So take a look at what I found. I think you’ll be seeing these artists again in the future, maybe on the front page.

A touch of handmade elegance to cinch the waist. Beautiful!                       Crocheted Flower Wedding Dress Belt by Sapti

These little guys are so cute!                   Black and White Birds Wedding Cake Topper by Indigo Twin Weddings

 

Here’s an alternative to the traditional pillow for the ring bearer to carry, a custom made plate to carry the rings. Later, the plate can be used or displayed. It’s lovely!                        Porcelain Engagement or Wedding Ring Bowl by Sumiko2

                          Wedding Mailbox Card Holder by One Hip Sticker Chick

 

For those of us who love the country, or rustic look, check out this ring pillow. Fabulous!                           Woodland Burlap Ring Pillow by Glowing Girl

Beach weddings are so popular, especially down here in FL. This candle would fit right in.

                      Beach Wedding Starfish Candle Vase by Pink Pelican Designs

Finding new and original ways to number the tables is always a challenge. Here’s a wonderful way using wine bottles from Homes and Weddings.

           Wine Bottle Number Holder by Homes and Weddings

 

And, last but not least, a sign to make sure the guests find the right place.

                                   Wedding Sign by Splendid Events

 

Well, that’s some of the things I’ve found on Etsy this week. These eight are wonderful and would make a wedding all that much more special. Do you have a favorite amongst the eight? Vote!

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

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Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

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Still Kicking Up Dust

So, as I watch the SuperBowl I wonder if anyone else noticed the quarterback calling plays (I think that's who it is) sounds like Pink Floyd at the beginning of "Another Brick in the Wall." Does my lack of football knowledge show?
We took a breather today (literally) from the drywall dust. Good chance to clean up a little bit and move furniture. While most of the furniture is out of the way we decided to refinish the floors and paint. Not paint the floors but get the walls painted before we tackle the floors. The living room is now empty enough to make echos in. What started as a repair job is turning into a total redo...well not total, no new furniture. The spare rooms are so full of stuff that it will take me a month of Sundays to find anything. Ugh! I'm committed now so there's no turning back.
I'm working on crocheted flowers for barrettes so I will look like I am sort of paying attention to the game. It is a close game. I think I will be covered with posies.
Stop by the shop sometime. Lots of patterns and fabrics.
Post by Eileen Patterson....forever GoofingOff.

Mummy in the Attic

While driving into work the other morning I heard about a mummified cat that fell out of the ceiling of a house in England that was being renovated. I am not into mummification and would never think of doing that to my or anyone else’s cat but since my hubby and a friend are doing some work on my house, the story kind of stuck with me.

For those who didn’t read my last post, let me bring you up to date. We are drywalling, fixing the seams and cracks that didn’t look good to me before we take on repainting. I don’t know about anyone else but it has been my experience that whenever you start a project to fix something you always find unexpected things that need fixing, too. It’s like one project begets other projects, you know, like biblical proportions. In our case, a simple bucket of mud also requires 2x4’s, lots of screws, and climbing into the attic to add dead wood (the other name for bracing). While at work I got a call from the hubby (very good hubby and handy man if just a little messy) to inform me that he climbed into the attic to put in dead wood and almost couldn’t get out. Took me a minute to catch that one. “Like you couldn’t find your way out or got stuck?”  “No, my back started to go out on me and I had to have someone else to go up and put in the wood.” 

When I hung up the phone, I remembered the cat. All I could do is shake my head. Glad the hubby got out of the attic. Got to admit, my marriage is an adventure. Don’t need to watch Jersey Shore or those Housewives shows. Got enough crazy around here…..free, without commercials.

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Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

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Pardon the Drywall Dust

I once heard on the radio that owning a house can be a burden as well as a blessing. House ownership is a wonderful thing. For most people, it is the most valuable thing they own. It is the roof over their head, the safe haven they go to for refuge, the place they go to when all is crazy in the world that they can have some control over (at least that is the plan). Home ownership is the American Dream. The ultimate is building one yourself (or at least having one built for you). Then reality sets in, otherwise known as the Burden.

I live in a house built about 20 years ago. Houses, like people, need upkeep. Think paint, floors, walls, you know, EVERYTHING. I am living among drywall dust right now. Did I know the drywall seams along the ceiling were cracking? Yup. That’s why I hired someone to fix it. Did I know the drywall wasn’t screwed down like it was supposed to be? Well….no. Am I surprised? Not really. Can we just fix it right and not go on about it? What color do you want to paint? Paint? Can we finish the drywall first?

That’s how the conversations, and my week has been going. Dusty. Messy. All the furniture sitting in the middle of the poor house (my poor house!!) covered with drop cloths. Piles of stuff in every room for me to bounce off of in the dark like a pinball in an arcade game. The disorder makes me want to wear blinders like a draft horse pulling a cart. Ugh!

I’m skipping Miss Eileen’s Picks this week. Will start again next week….once the dust settles.

Oh, BTW, Congrats to WearTheyAreNow, the winner of last week’s picks and their beautiful red and blue brocade dress.

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work