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.

Post by Miss 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

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

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work