Papavier

2012-01-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

found.

2012-01-04T22:38:00.001-08:00

found. idaho.

2012-01-04T15:03:00.001-08:00

Starting a lovely batch of home brewed kombucha from a fresh baby scoby from my sister.
Trying rishi's lemongrass black tea and I think it's going to be delicious

Bea Nettles

2011-12-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

Bea Nettles created the first photographic interpretation of the tarot deck in 1975.
There is literally almost nothing more beautiful

Lassie Hoile

2011-12-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

In Love

2011-12-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

Beneath pain, self doubt, and the effects of human ego
there is magnificent energy
ethereal body
and in the most primitive sense:
Happiness

I could whisk myself away to this place. write things. read things. and play music.

2011-11-22T13:39:00.000-08:00

To sustain one's self is to develop and listen to your own sense of
Morals, Beliefs, Ethics, and Needs without
Labels, Descriptions, or Prerequisites
To do this is to describe and compare by way of language which is to partake in the material plant.
Feel the light.
See. Listen. Feel.
and go where your Spirit Guide leads you

2011-08-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

I've spent the summer intricately searching and hunting for the perfect pieces and inspirations for my fall work. Finally it is starting to come together.

My primitive, tribal, rustic love meets simple geometric brass and metals

plenty of bones, crystals, and metal work to come.
Shop updates are happening now
Papavier

2011-08-05T13:26:00.001-07:00

With a pretty full house of strays I do my best to maintain a sense of sanctuary and peace. Ive been spending many nights peacefully reading and listening to music and making the room more than just a place to sleep and hide the stuff we dont know what to do with.
These arw a few things.

2011-08-05T07:58:00.001-07:00

Ive had this lovely lavender dryimg for one years. This morning I thought it was time for a lottle sweet smudging.

Some Recent Faves

2011-08-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

Becca Stadtlander must be reading my mind. Her shop is filled with wonderfully illustrated foxes, poppies, queen annes lace, snakes, and prairie like homes.
Buffalo are so in my soul right now. I can't get enough

I have a recycled barnwood frame this print would look mighty fine in.
Just. absolutely. Gorgeous

Im just drooling over some of Prairie Oats beautiful necklaces. She has some of the most gorgeous stones for her bullets and amazing quill jewelry like this one

2011-07-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

made a couple of new bags

2011-06-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Finding new inspirations. I did a test run of several more tribal-esque designs while in Brooklyn and completely sold out. So I patiently awaited more supplies to arrive on a very tight budget and gather the will power to sit my butt at a work table rather than bask in coffee shop patios and beaches but alas some new things emerge

I get all excited about new paths of creativity and unfortunately most of the time i run into some sort of discouragement or the feeling of being walked all over but, optimistically, i find another niche to call my own.

http://papavier.etsy.com

2011-06-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

My house has been referred to some what of a green house as the succulents and cacti slowly overtake the house.

My newest succulent garden arranged by me, plants from Tiger Lily.
I am IN LOVE with this design by EarthSeaWarrior

because when you run out of table space the only way to go is up!
Our Garden is that of a small farm and I'm beginning to reap in the bounty.
Every day I go out and grab a few Kale leaves for my juice and have quite the dip spread and of course, round of mojito's, with the herbs.

2011-06-21T20:12:00.001-07:00

You are immortal
Your body is here for only a short time
You are a child of creator
And the mother earth
A miracle
A walking rainbow of colors
Vibrations
As children of earth and sky
It is our challenge to bring love and light to the earth
Aho

2011-06-21T13:08:00.001-07:00

I finally have the chance to wade through the pile of cards I grabbed while browsing Renegade Brooklyn.
Some of my favorites:

Biata Roytburd

I love the concept behind her work. At her booth she had life size Head Planters I really wanted to buy.

CONCRETE POLISH STUDIO

Theres a special place in my heart for metal work. Especially metalwork involving serpents and crystals

SHELTER PROTECTS YOU

It makes me want to climb some hills and have a picnic.

2011-06-19T17:48:00.001-07:00

The Tower

2011-06-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

It was 80 degrees.
The sky full of sun.
We were driving through the Pocono mountains with all the windows down.
The car was full of owl feathers and birch bark and of course
a snake

I pulled out the tower
"A defensive crown once isolated me from the world.
A cork of old words covered my mind and clouds of crystallized,mummified, sclerotic feelings
cast a shadow over my heartbeats
and prevented the light from emerging.
A thick cloak of desires transformed my appetite for life into a jailer
I was flesh without God
consuming itself in the flames of its own existence
My ego converted into a prison
Despising myself, isolating myself, believing I was defending an inner territoty belonging only to me
who was I in the darkness of this tower?
Master of what?
What was my appearance, what false identity?
I was nothing but the rarefied air of an egotistical obscurity.
And suddenly from both inside and outside, a nameless force emerged
the love that sustains all matter
My top opened as well ad my inmost depths
The combined energies of Heaven and matter crossed through me like a hurricane.
I knew the burning of the center of the Earth
the light from the center of the universe.
I received the vibrating universal axis
I was no longer a tower but a channel

Like a queen Bee, I began to engender joyful beings.
I knew that I could burst, that each of my bricks would travel through infinity like a bird.

I was the central pillar of a cosmic dance.

I was quite simply the human body in full reception of its original energy"

Native LOVE

2011-05-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

I've always been in love with Native American style and influence in fashion and culture. I have a bit in my blood that has been dominating the European heritage for generations (hence my thick black wiry hair). Now that's its a strong trend in fashion design its even easier to find AMAZING stuff.
Some of my favorite today
DIRDYBIRDY

This is an extremely popular design that tons of people are doing but I particularly like DirdyBirdy's Color combo here. Mustard always wins my heart.
BARKDECOR

She has some wonderful totem themed designs. I love black line design and the wolf is one of my personal totems.

I am in the process of placing an order with her for Sparrow.

Love it

2011-05-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

I am so in love with Rejoice the Hands's Etsy Store. I wish I could buy everything! I particularly Love this Tribal Quill Necklace.

2011-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

Sparrow has been feeling utterly empty and stale since the holiday season. Maybe it's just because I sit here looking at it several days a week, either way we need new wonderful work and that's hard to find surprisingly. I spend a good hour or so every work day re-arranging. organizing. spreading out after a week of shoppers.
today I put together this treasury list. The Hyperlink won't work on it so here's an ugly copy/paste link to it:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc9a79c891e8eef6cc041db/summer-woods
A few of my favorites making me feel warm and optimistic.
Citrine Drop Necklace

Sneak Preview of what's coming....

COYOTE

Theres also a rabbit pelt involved.
All this because I am going to Brooklyn Renegade in a few weeks. Im having trouble concentrating on getting much done at night. Ive been distracted by feeling uncomfortable at my work table and the house in general. I spent all of last night doing house stuff. I hung a few spiritual mementos on the mantle and I think this usually wasted room has some warmth to it. perhaps something will come of it tonight.

Green Mountains

2011-04-19T11:14:00.001-07:00

I've been doing what I can to deal with city life; And as I become more self aware, deal with this city's life in particular.
I have to remind myself that while I may lead the life of someone much older, I am still young in the relevant nature of human life. There is time, and eventually Ill be basking in rustic country life. Remind myself that these beauties aren't so far away.

Everyday during yoga, during Savasana I imagine meditating on those green mountains. With sun and air and so few people. It's grounding, and extremely optimistic.
Equally what I've been doing is reading John Muir's writings. Right now I'm working on The Mountains of California. I read a bit, clear my head with visions of the Sierras. Then I write a few pages. It brings about clearer focus and inspiration for making new jewelry.
But mostly, I think what many people lose touch of with the pressures of our culture is though you might feel like the biggest alien freak. somewhere. Sometime. There are people just like you

2011-04-06T14:08:00.001-07:00

We've been sprouting lots of mung beans. I got a great recipefor raw mung bean burgers off of some fellow blogs. I think next time ill use some different spices but other tha that they were pretty tasty. I let them do their thing in the dehydrator over night.

Amethyst

2011-02-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

Forrester has been really interested in taking lots of pictures lately. Here's a sampling of what I find in the midst of my photos after uploading.

My work day started with dealing with a guy making rather big and difficult deal about his necklace that didn't arrive. First, he opened a paypal dispute after 7 days of not receiving the package.
1. I think 7 days is a reasonably amount of time to not have received a package. It happens to me most of the time. just chill.
2. Shouldn't the dispute be within etsy, since that's where the shopping is being done?
3. You should probably contact the person and ask before making a big deal and involving paypal.
I email him, he says he tried calling the phone number on the paypal receipt and it being incorrect, he "panicked". Again, try asking the designer first. Its probably ok.
I respond to the dispute explaining i got the package out with upgraded shipping and he probably received it the day after opening this dispute.
Turns out, the package never arrived. Did he email me and tell me this? No he continues to complain to paypal about it. I granted him the freaking refund and told him to return the necklace should it show up.
Im pretty bummed. This amethyst is expensive. And in high demand.

Luckily, I located a wholesale exporter of the stuff in Uruguay. Just have to drill it myself.

2011-02-21T16:45:00.001-08:00

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Nutrient packed "spaghetti"

2011-02-21T16:43:00.001-08:00

Tonight for dinner I really needed something light. This type of dish has become an easy protein packed favorite.
One can diced tomatoed not drained
1 small can of tomato paste
Minced garlic to tast (i like tons of garlic!)
1\2 diced onion
Add your favorite veggies. I usually do broccoli, corn etc., tonight I finely chopped a few leaves of kale.
Salt, pepper. Add herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
Let this all steam and simmer until the veggies are cooked and flavorful.
Put it over noodles, tonight I used spinach tofu "noodles" for a starch free light dinner.
Paired with a bit of cultured purple cabbage and a glass of dandelion tea. Yum!

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Tofu lemon pie Recipe below.

2011-02-14T19:31:00.001-08:00

The chilled pie. I think the tofu needs to be pre mashed or run through a food processor otherwise it isnt totally smooth.

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Valentine's with the kiddos

2011-02-14T19:21:00.001-08:00

Today I made a gluten free and vegan mushroom lentil loaf. Rosemary potatoes with a shitake gravy For the pair.
Mushroom lentil loaf
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup cooked lentils
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tblspn minced garlic
1 cup breadcrumbs (i shred 2 gf bread slices)
Replacement for 2 eggs mine: 2 tblspn flax meal 6 tblspn water heat or let sit until it turns gel like)
Salt, pepper, paprika, other herbs to taste.
Put into oiled bread pan and bake at 350° for 30 to 45 mins. I would suggest covering with foil for a bit as the top tends to get rather crispy.
This is packed full of protein, fiber, and good grain!

For desert I finally got around to preparing this lemon tofu pie. I bought a gluten free pie crust at the grocery store, im not a fan of preparing my own crusts.
3/4 lb silken tofu
1/2 cup sweetener. I used a vegan cane sugar, agave nectar would be a good choice too.
1/2 cup cornstarch or arrow root powder
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tblspn lemon zest
1/2 tspn nutmeg
Heat starch, water, and sweetener until thick and smooth
Add lemon juice and zest, tofu, nutmeg
Heat until hot but not boiling. Pour into prepared crust. Chill!

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2010-10-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

2010-07-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

I wish summer lasted as long as it seemed to as a kid. I am a much happier person getting to walk into the woods and walk and see hear nothing but cicadas buzzing in the trees. It further presents my extreme desire to live in a cabin in the woods or mountains. someday that will be feasible.
Adeleine helped me beautifully arrange this basket from our perennial garden and a few peppers from the vegetable garden. We are drying lots of Yarrow and Lavender to make dried bouquets for the wedding in october.

Yesterday we went on a light hiking adventure. I found lots of great birch I am using for the wedding. We talked to the kids about some trees and cicadas and picked wild rasberries. We found these beautiful blue striped feathers on a trail. I didnt really feel like carrying them back though.

summer

2010-07-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

I finally filled the remaining space in my garden that the cucumbers had been slowly creeping upon with some organic Lemongrass and garlic chives from the South Shore Farmer's Market.

I wish summer would slow down. My favorite thing these days is spending hours upon hours at south shore park with my kids. playing in the sand. swinging. and throwing rocks in the surprisingly warm lake water. It's so quiet and peaceful with dozens of sailboats quietly floating in the bay.

garden season

2010-06-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

last weekend my children returned from their 2 week stint with the grandparents in new york. We had intended on hopping over to the city for Renegade Brooklyn but a 6 hour drive for a day trip ended up not being our top priority.
I use those two weeks to reground myself, inspire, and reset. I was crazy busy with work but luckily I love my work.
We utilized our awesome back yard during a tremendously relaxing fathers day. I whipped this amazing Quinoa salad out of a great salad recipe book I picked up for $5.

full of sun dried tomatoes, olives, scallions, feta and chock full of basil and cilantro from my garden.
and a homemade dressing to match made with lemon juice, sun dried tomato oil left overs, garlic, and a few scrapings of the herbs.

If I could live in my backyard I would.

2010-04-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

I finally have a functioning drill press unfortunately set up in my dark muddy basement. Ive done some things with it.
I drill Metal

I drill Wood

Id like to do some cutting with it and explore all the snazzy stuff you can do with a drill press.
It immensely expands the possibilities of jewelry design.

2010-03-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

I'm currently really into bold solid twill. I love the bold base with a bold ink screenprint over top. So crisp and clean. I wish i could find more brighter colors, joann fabrics selection of twill is unsurprisingly bland. but i picked out a few colors.

I've also started a little project of screenprinting an outline and hand painting lovely colors into it. this was my first go with it.

2010-03-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Im making a point to be more organized. I hope it helps me feel less stressed and overwhelmed. There are days i feel so overwhelmed and stressed and then I stop and think and can't even assess what it is that makes me feel this way.
I need to do things as they are presented to me, not push them off because it is overwhelming. this makes it more overwhelming.
Today I opened a bank account, packed a box and mailed it to EniThing in San Jose, CA, I assessed the stores value (!?) and paid some taxes.
Our dumbass landlord is making us find, hire, and buy a new water heater, have it installed and find a plumber to deal with the issues the place is having and hell "pay us back". thanks. because we need something else to deal with while he sits in his highrise condo on the lakefront yet somehow can't pay the mortgage on this house.

Spring 2010

2010-03-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

Ive still been lagging behind from christmas. On my trip I gained such a feeling of refreshment, a clean slate and an urge to start creating lots again.
The sights, the culture, the walks, and everything in between brought me some great inspirations for my Spring 2010 lines.

For my jewelry I pulled themes of native american culture, both from the things I saw and a reconnection with that part of my family. Motifs of leather fringe, primitive beads, hand woven dreamcatchers and feathers

see http://woodenbirdhouse.etsy.com for the complete line to come.

For my textiles, I've pulled themes of wildlife and woodland culture for bold prints on bright jersey and corduroy . see htttp://papavier.etsy.com for new listings

2010-03-01T18:51:00.001-08:00

Finding a bit more order to my screen printing studio in the basement. Come spring tons of garbage and donations will be cleaned out of the basement. For now, here is where I work.

We got a large order of great tees for great wholesale prices from Alternative Apparel.
I've been slowly introducing my line of wildlife prints both small and large for pouches, totes, and tees. I'm also feeling a little more caught up with my jewelry.
We're also about set to introduce Jerod's line of tees using orignal digital collage and old clip art images, the line of tees will be known as "Brother Donkey"
A sneak peak

2010-02-28T15:21:00.000-08:00

Back from my trip to Humboldt County California. I had an awesome amazingly peaceful week full of long walks at the bay, bus rides, hiking in a forest of sequoias, and driving all over the redwood parks.

I shot some great photos in a little town called Trinidad. We stopped in a few shops.
Here i got a handful of wonderful asian and african hand cast copper and brass beads.

We took a day long cruise south through the redwood parks

I greatly enjoyed taking early morning strolls through old town, Eureka. One morning i stopped at a bead and talisman shop, got some great beads and chain. When I got home to my suprise they dropped a big stuffed bag of great glass beads for free in my bag!
I also love this shop called Shipwreck. Fusion of handmade items, vintage items, and handspun yarn!

weddings and sorts

2010-02-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

The idea of getting married has been such a far off in the distance event for so long its hard to crack down and get moving on it! The dates just 8 months away and I have only ideas in my mind and brief browsing through etsy for the things I want to do.
I have at least notified the people Id like to be involved, Three of my closest ladies. We have a place in mind out in the country side in Saukville, WI with lots of room for eating, dancing, and a field of pitched tents.
Its hard to want to make everything yourself but find that just as daunting as spending a bunch of money.
One of my favorite things Ive found so far are these mossy lanterns by AprilHilerDesigns

Bottom line is it will resemble that of the sort of celebration one might stumble upon in a shire of hobbits.

the abode

2010-02-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

my mom is officially moving to her boyfriends when she gets back so that means I can finally take the house by the reins and make it my own without fearing the repurcussions of my mothers unjust feeling of being moved aside.
First I redecorated the bathroom. I cleaned it out, threw away a good heaping box of strange body products and such I'd been holding onto for years.
I painted the walls a warm cappucino color. Bought a beautiful new fabric shower curtain with a rich brown print on it.
Hung a new brushed bronze towel rack, brought in a brushed bronze bamboo shelving unit.
I found this rad amazing candle holder out thrifting the other day

Then I got to finally hang these vintage pictures I found thrifting a few years ago but never had the right frame for due to their square nature. I found a perfect one at a thrift store but alas, only one! so the other hangs in an unfavorable cheap one for the meantime.
.

"pan's legs were like a goat but he played such music that the nymphs would have no one else to play for their dancing"
I also have gotten to hang the art and prints that have been hiding in my bedroom. One of my favorites called "Look" a linocut print by milwaukee artist Jenny James, who i run into on occasion and swap goodies with.

Maple Love

2010-01-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to putting together a chain for the awesome christmas gift from my sister.

Its a baby maple seed pair cast in gold!
and she bought it for me not even knowing I had just had the same thing inked onto my wrists. Unfortunately I can't provide the artist, but nonetheless its probably the most awesome necklace I own now.

2010-01-26T12:28:00.001-08:00

Ive been trying to come up with the perfect zipper pull to put on all the zipper pouches. Ive gone through some different kinds of things such as beads on coiled wire, stamping shrink plastic but i think i now have the one im happy with!

I had some leftover leather cord from a previous project. It just barely fits through the hole of the zipper so i couldnt just tie it and i didnt have any beads with a hole big enough. I took apart some unwanted chain links and used pliers to tightly wind it around the leather.

2010-01-20T13:41:00.001-08:00

My Sewing Machine is finally back from the shop!
So $150 and a new bobbin case later I'm back in business! I greatly enjoyed the break and am flowing with new ideas and designs. Check my Papavier Etsy page for my new 2010 stuff!

and my friends had their baby boy at 7am this morning! The most beautiful little boy with a head full of dark hair. I love babies.

2010-01-14T12:03:00.000-08:00

Next month Im taking a trip to Humboldt County California by myself.
Ive never traveled alone and i think its going to be the best time of my life.

getting on the plane back to wisconsin will probably be the hardest thing i ever do.

2010-01-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

A sweet thrifting find!
At goodwill the other day, in the jewelry case i found a necklace made of nothing but chunky brass tree trunks linked together!
they easily came apart and are making some awesome pendant and earring pieces.

2009-12-16T14:24:00.001-08:00

I have a hard time doing anything without some sort of applique work. I dont know what it is. I just love applique. This is my new hat project, and ive gotten a good response to them. My sewing machine does not like them however. That is why it broke :(

Holiday Seasons

2009-12-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

I finally feel like ive surfaced through the craziness of holiday shoppers and am finally caught up and done with shows!
Sadly I broke my sewing machine and can't fix it for a while, but it gives me a chance to just focus on some other projects without feeling pressure to sew too.
Now I can focus on christmas presents of my own!

2009-04-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Good Grief, its been forever since I was in the gift guides! At last, I've made another appearance!

http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/classic-gifts-for-mom/142

2009-03-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I bought a YUDU screen printer. I did screenprinting at school and I've been trying to do it at home but my emulsion never works and its such a mess and so space consuming, so when I found this thing it was pretty much a must. Its this little unit which the screen anchors on to. beneath it is a light box which also exposes the screen and beneath that is a dark box with a fan with two slots to slide screens into. It comes with easy applicable emulsion sheets, no goo to squegee on! everything you need to do all compacted into this little thing. I did it all sitting on my dining room floor. no mess.

2009-03-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

So, I'm not sure why but all of a sudden a whole handful of people requested wholesale orders and several consignment requests. It's good, but also overwhelming! Luckily I had a huge inventory building through the winter, now im wiped out :( So last night i buckled down and organized all my fabric and got rid of some supplies via destash on etsy, and just mailed off all the packages. Now I feel a little more organized and ready to work my butt off to catch up

Some of my favorites and friends :)

2009-03-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd take a minute and show of some of my favorites and friends this lovely wednesday afternoon.
My sister: Lovely herbal organic soy candles by Terra Viridis

the lovely little ocean

Gorgeous porcelain jewelry by the lovely Sofia Masri

the duo at spitting image

2009-03-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

I finally Found a good use for this olive green vinyl I have. I never like the things i make with it really, but these are super cute. I am pleased.

Wedding Rings

2009-02-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

I found these rings that are so perfect for us. They go so perfectly with our personalities and lifestyle and are pretty inexpensive as far as handmade metalsmithing goes. And how proud can you be knowing your wedding rings were handmade?!?!

By Silver Garden
http://silvergarden.etsy.com

2009-02-04T08:33:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was entirely productive. I made four little zipper pouches with some new corduroy i found in the discount fabric, score. I also finished another card case.

This is where I work. I would appreciate more space, but It could be worse i suppose. Things got a little akward when i got my serger.

2009-02-02T07:41:00.001-08:00

Well, with forrester off in california this is a little vacation for me. adeleine busies herself most of the day so i get to do lots of stuff. I got a new brayer and some inks this weekend and also some high quality paper so I will be doing some printing!
When forrester isn't beating up his sister, theyre pretty cute together!

Valentine's Day

2009-01-26T08:59:00.001-08:00

On valentine's day Jerod and I are travelling to Chicago to attend and participate in the Chicago Handmade Market. We're excited and have been working very hard to make lots of things. Its at a bar and has a fairly large reputation and following. Plus my mom is babysitting so we get to go childless and spend the night in a hotel! Fun Fun Fun
http://www.handmadechicago.com

2009-01-23T11:47:00.000-08:00

I made some pretty cute new brooches, a whole ton of them. These are my favorites right now. And a real sweet coin purse.

2009-01-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

I carved a new stamp last night, a sweet cardinal, and made some cute valentines day cards

2009-01-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

I went to value village last night and hit the jackpot! maybe it's too cold for people to go shopping? i don't know but it was sweet for me! I found this awesome vintage owl lamp! and a rusty birdhouse and a whole lot of plain t-shirts in good shape each for 50 cents! I am going to take some to fasten for printing but keep some for myself for reconstruction and printing!
I also had a custom request for a wallet which involved ordering a specific color, which i happily did because I'll use it myself. I got it today and boy do I love these new colors! Cute pastels for thinking spring!

2009-01-15T08:40:00.000-08:00

I like to buy supplies from etsy sellers because, one, its usually cheaper than michaels or joanns, and two, it feels better supporting independant business people. Today, I found an excellent etsy supply seller! She ahs some GREAT stuff for really good deals!
check her out at http://halolo.etsy.com

Google Analytics

2009-01-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

I started using the google analytics on my etsy page right away but hadn't really had a chance to explore the report. So I finally clicked "view report" and explored and Wow! so much information. How fun is it to clikc on traffic overview and be able to see work for work how people got to your site?! 56 people got to me by searching for somethign in google. thats pretty sweet i must say. I found myself on several blogs and websites I've never heard of. So If you haven't started using this yet, I deffiantely recommend it. Its so easy. If you don't know how yet, there are several tutorials in the etsy forums, but like I said, it's so easy, you dont have to do anything!

2009-01-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

Jerod made me these little journals to sell with my artwork (and his) on the covers. they're pretty cute. Some pages are just lined, some have little bubbles for doodling and some are blank. I think they'll be a hit :)

2009-01-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

I am really really loving my serger. I have a lot to do trying to beef up my inventory for a show in chicago on valentine's day So I haven't had time to play around with things i can serge but i have been using it on the inner seams of the zipper pouches, then i dont have to trim. pretty sweet.

2009-01-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

So if you go take a look at http://www.indieparade.com today you'll see one of my owl's right there on the front page :) Never even been to that site before but they sent me a message telling me they'd featured me today. so thats pretty cool.

2009-01-05T08:20:00.001-08:00

I recently started doing some cross promotion with fellow etsian and wisconsinite Rana muck of http://ranamuck.blogspot.com/ She sent me her cards and i sent her some postcards and bookmark promotional items. We send them out in each other's packages and get some free advertising and promotion, pretty sweet. Would you like to join in on this? Give me a hoot on etsy or here and lets do it!

2009-01-04T13:20:00.001-08:00

I worked for about 4 hourse today cutting out pieces and sewing until my back and shoulders could take no more. It's fun when a new shipment of felt comes in but then I'm overwhelmed with how much i want to make and can't physically accomplish all at once! Here's what I have done today, workin like hell to keep up with the owl demand.

Journals

2009-01-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

I started making these little journals to try and utilize all the upholstery fabric we've got around here from my mom's old job. They look cool in the end but they're a realy bitch to bind and whatnot.

2009-01-01T20:35:00.003-08:00

We bought a new camera today! Its a pretty sweet deal. Super fancy fujifilm. takes crystal clear amazing pictures. these are some right out of the box testers. Unfortunately theyre all yellow frmo the no flash. but theyre still sweet

2009-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

I really suck at this. I try to be better. I got a serger after christmas, a gift to myself. So I'm going to try out some new things. I cant seem to make enough owl wallets. I got new felt yesterday so ill have some fresh new things!

2008-07-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

I had to take both kids to the market with me on thursdat which was terrifying but it endede up being great Forrester had a blast AND I made a hundred bucks. Pretty glad i didn't skip!

2008-07-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

So I'm horrible and havnt posted in a month. I spent 5 days over the 4th of July in the hospital AGAIN for my kidneys. I'm ok now. but I missed the 4th. Sales have been soooo slow but I'm still creating. I made a sketch for a treasury, maybe i'll get a treasury soon. Here's what I picked

2008-06-13T06:08:00.000-07:00

It's been an incredibly long time because I have been so busy! Baby was born on May 1st! Her name is Adeleine Sophia and she was 8lbs 3 oz. 2 children is busy hard work! So not a ton of time for sewing but I still get a out a few things every week :)

2008-04-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

Still no baby. Believe me, I'm going crazy.
But I did start making some cute booties!

2008-04-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Two new favorite things I'm on right now
1. Vinyl
2. Orchids!
They're looking good, I'm building a good line of them for all my different places and for the market this summer.

2008-04-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

I've had sales two days in a row! We're only two weeks into the month and i've three etsy sales, and it couldnt have come at a better time! I was feeling so discouraged lately, bad about the things I was producing, having shop owners contact me in interst and then blow me off, so now I feel better. Now if I could just have this baby maybe i'd get back some of my nightly producing energy!

check out my awesome new labels! (down there on the right side coin pocket)

2008-04-14T18:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I was in labor all day today, so I havn't done any more experimenting yet!
~~~~~~
I love mushrooms and these are just the most adorable earrings ever that I found on etsy browsing through adorable mushroom stuff. The unforunate thing about guaged ears is that post earrings dont work unless the post is super super long and that requires custom work, but I find so many cute post earrings!
These are by BellaJean at http://bellajean.etsy.com

Different Wallets

2008-04-13T14:00:00.001-07:00

I started experimenting with a new style wallet. Trying the vertical approach using a zipper to make a zip close coin pocket with cash pocket behind it. The only problems I've had is leaving enough seam allowance, they keep coming out smaller than i intended and I discovered I should stick to a felt inside, cotton stretches around too much and warps the inside. Plus! i got a bunch of free vinyl strips so i've been trying to use those, and that has been tough also because the part with the vinyl ends up wider that the rest, i think it looks messy but everyone else likes it.
here's the inside of one, this one looks good, i used felt inside.

this one i didnt use felt inside, and the left side got funky

Another Boutique!

2008-04-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yay! I had yet another boutique owner contact me with an interest in my designs and creations this time in San Francisco! She owns a indie art and craft gallery/boutique and wants to carry some of my things! I love it all but i think I need to start a sweatshop just to keep up with the inventory!
the shop is http://www.needles-pens.com/
In addition to that, earlier this week the manager of a summer outdoor market tracked me down really wanting me to apply to the market and sell my things there. I think I need a babysitter.

The grand opening of Nourish, the boutique in Athens, GA was this past week where I also have things. I hear it went well and there is a lot of buzz about the shop around the city!
http://www.nourishathens.blogspot.com/