We Have a Winner. Drum Roll, Please

NYC has so many awesome artists but last week one of the artists features won our hearts. Congratulations to Luis Fernando Quintero of Fernando Jewelry. I am looking forward to the interview. I love his work!

 Pink Pearl Glamour Ring

Remember to check out the GoofingOff Shops on Etsy and Artfire to get 40% off all toy, handbag, and crafty patterns and kits. Just use the coupon code CRAFTY during checkout to get the discount. I still have lots of patterns but they’re selling so check them out before all the good ones are gone.

MV Treasures: Handmade Treasures from Martha’s Vineyard

The winner of the blog interview from 11/18 was Laura Hearn Caruso of MV Treasures. Her beautiful Howlite and Silver Button Cuff Bracelet the stole hearts of many. Here is her story.

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

My name is Laura Hearn Caruso and I split my time between Billerica, Massachusetts and Martha's Vineyard Island (hence the name MV Treasures). I am a busy mom to a wonderful, energetic, spontaneous 4 year old daughter. I am also a professional dog trainer and columnist for our local paper.  "All About Pets" is also featured on Galtime.com .

              Chan luu inspired double wrapped pearl bracelet

What are your favorite materials?

My favorite materials are made by or altered by nature; wampum, leather, turquoise, hemp and sea glass.              Howlite and Silver Button Cuff Bracelet

What is your favorite color combination?

My favorite color combination is the beautiful bright blue of turquoise and the hard steely gray of hematite. Gorgeous!

           Sea foam green wrap bracelet

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

My favorite memory of crafting was making Christmas ornaments with my Dad and sister. We used round, flat, white shells we had collected and painted holiday scenes on them. Dad drilled holes in the top and we strung ribbon through to hang on the trees. I still have one that I hang on our tree each year.

                Vivid Ocean Blue Beaded Wrap Bracelet  

What inspires you?

I am inspired by the colors of nature, sky, ocean, sand, shells and of course the antics of my daughter.

                  Chan luu inspired double wrap bracelet

Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas are often inspired by my daughter’s sense of "style." We make jewelry together to give to her friends and our family. Sometimes seeing what she does sparks my creative side. I am also inspired by other jewelry designers; I love to see their new creations as well.

               23" Hand knotted triple strand hemp necklace

What are your greatest challenges? How do you overcome them?

My greatest challenge is time management. Fortunately my daughter is in school a few hours each week and still naps most days ;)

           Clear glassworks beads with swirling navy blue throughout

Why should people buy handmade? Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items?

People should purchase handmade goods to support small local businesses. One of the greatest American dreams is to own your own small business and be able to support yourself by doing so. In the tough economic times we are currently facing, it is nice for our dollars to stay close to home. As far as wisdom, create what you love, begin by what you are good at, think out of the box and do not sell yourself short.

           Triple wrapped leather bracelet-Chan luu style

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

As for things I enjoy, exploring the great outdoors with my daughter, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and gardening are top of the list.

What are the Web addresses for your work? Are you offering my readers any specials?

My site is www.mvtreasures.etsy.com and your fabulous readers can enjoy 15% off with coupon code MissEileen15 (Good through 12/31/11)
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Laura Hearn Caruso
MV Treasures

Thank you, Laura, for your beautiful creations.

Post by Eileen Patterson

MissEileen Vintage fun

Goofingoff Etsy  Judaic fabric, sewing patterns, sewing supplies

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, lots of plus sizes

Metal Woods N Water Scrap metal art, oddities

NY on My Mind Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks from NYC

I’m up in NYC visiting family, checking out the shows, and eating good eats. You just can’t find bagels as good as the ones up here. Lots of good food but there’s a lot more to NY than food. Art and fashion live strong up here, too. Lets check out some  talented Etsians from the NYC area.

                 Cozy Tote Bag with Flowers by WhyNot Love the  easy-going look of this handmade bag.

 

                   Echino Bonbon Black Wristlet by 144 Collection Cute little bag with colors that pop!

      Scarlet Silk Hand Gathered Bustier Gown by Red Doll Glamorous red gown, great for that special night.

     Collection of 3 Brooklyn NY Subway Sign Prints by Flying Junction The subway’s the way to get around up here.

         Pink Pearl Glamour Ring by Fernando Jewelry This ring is simply divine! Rose gold and pink pearl, fantastic!

         Baby Headband Red and Zebra Print with Rhinestones by Whisper Bug Boutique The little one will look gorgeous in the family holidays photos. Simply marvelous, dahling!

                   Felt Ball Christmas Tree Ornament by Kitty Jones Cute and colorful, won’t break when they hit the floor.

  Scrap Metal No. 53 Fringe by Fort Edgy, unusual, attention getting.

OK, those are my picks. Got a favorite? Vote for the item you like the most. Winning shop gets an interview with me, Miss Eileen.

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks are dedicated to new and upcoming shops. I receive no gifts or money in exchange for inclusion on the “Picks.” If you know of a shop that you think is overlooked and has awesome finds, leave me a comment and I will take a look.

Post by Eileen Patterson

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus sizes

Metal Woods N Water unusual, metal work

Beautiful Soaps from Hawaii: Shaka Soap

Beautiful soaps make a wonderful gift anytime. They look good, smell good, and make a guest feel special. Here’s  Jessica and her shop Shaka Soap, the winner of the 11/11 blog contest.

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

Mahalo for even choosing me in your list!
My name is Jessica and I am a stay at home mom of two little girls who are 1 and 3. We live on the Big Island in Hawaii and love every minute of it, even when it is rainy and windy. I recently started making soaps in August of this year and haven't been able to stop! It is a blast to create such a unique and functional product that it is always exciting for me.

What are your favorite materials?

My favorite materials are natural oils and natural colorants. I find that knowing what is going on my body and my family's body, makes me feel great! Especially knowing that I made it as well.

What is your favorite color combination?

My favorite color combination is dark tan, ice blue, and ivory white. It reminds me of the sea so that is the color scheme for my company, Shaka Soap, as well.

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

The first thing I remember making by hand was a Valentine for my mom. I was very young, so the details are fuzzy, but I do remember that she said her favorite color was pink, so it must've been pink.

What inspires you?

Many things inspire me: sunsets, emotions, other people, and items of nature. Lately I have been inspired by the colors of an abalone shell and would love to try to capture that in a soap!

Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas come from soaping communities I am involved in online and from my family. I am finding that soap is a very versatile medium.

What are your greatest challenges? How do you overcome them?

My greatest challenges are when I have a particular idea in my mind, but I can't quite bring it to fruition. It can be very frustrating, especially being a perfectionist! ;) I overcome them by constantly reminding myself that there is little perfection to handmade items and that is what makes them unique and special.

Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration is my very supportive husband. He is very helpful with ideas and designs, and is my 'assistant' when I am making a recipe that requires help.

What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity?

My favorite thing to do with my creativity is to express myself artistically. I also am finding that I need to research more deeply so that I may create even further.

Why should people buy handmade? Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items?

People should buy handmade for many reasons: they know who is making their product, they know what went into the product, they are able to ask questions directly, and they are supporting a community rather than a corporation. I am pretty new at selling handmade items, but one tip I can give is to put your whole passion into what you do. If you aren't passionate about what you create, no one else will be either.

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

I have learned from other artists that every experience is a learning one, whether good or bad. Not only is this true when creating a handmade product, but in life as well.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

When I am not creating things, I am rounding up my girls or doing laundry! ;)

What are the Web addresses for your work?

My shop can be found at www.etsy.com/shop/shakasoap. I have a blog I update periodically with my new creations www.shakasoap.blogspot.com.

Are you offering any specials for my readers?

I am offering your readers 10% off their purchase at my Etsy store. Use code MISSEILEEN on Etsy to receive it. Mahalo for this interview. I have enjoyed your questions. HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Jessica Taylor
Shaka Soap
"Created Simply"

Have a happy holiday, too, Jessica. Readers, check out her shop and don’t forget to use the code for your discount.

Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.Etsy (sewing supplies), GoofingOff.Artfire (more sewing supplies) and MissEileen (vintage fun)

Gift Ideas

There are some people ready for the holidays. They have all their gift shopping done, cookies baked, and home decorated. Then there are people like me. Shopping, not a clue. Cookies, not yet. Decorate? I made a couple of stockings and the wreath is half done. So, if you are like me, you need a few ideas, a list, and a nudge. OK, a push. Here's a few ideas from my friends at Etsy.  My Snowflake Pyrex casserole dish is in this one. Beautiful collection.

 

'let it be beach christmas!' by EJbutik

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Winter Photo-Christmas photo... Maddenphotogra... $15.00	Crochet snowflake - Christma... maricatimonsin... $12.00	Santa dreams of a blue Chris... KClarkPhotogra... $7.00
RESERVED FOR LM Last One Chr... CaptainCat $28.00	Porcelain Sea Urchin Bud Vas... blueroompotter... $28.00	CARD "Ho Ho Ho" Or... PhotographyByA... $6.50
Unique Christmas Gift - Canv... MedBeachStones $24.00	Turquoise Stoneware Bell Wit... MyClayDay $20.00	CARD "Starfish Christma... PhotographyByA... $6.50
RESERVED for Sonia - Friends... winkcreations $30.00	Leather medium size cross b... rinarts $36.00	At the Beach Tissue Paper Po... PrettywithSpri... $25.00
CARD "Christmas Breeze&... PhotographyByA... $6.50	Large Beach hut doorstop martinasmith $40.00	Vintage Pyrex Snowflake Turq... misseileen $18.00
Light Sand Color Adjustable ... beliz82 $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

  Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.Etsy (sewing supplies), GoofingOff.Artfire (more sewing supplies) and MissEileen (vintage fun)