10 Things You (don't necessarily) Need (want?) To Know About Me :)

1. I'm a big chicken who loves stories about the supernatural (the tv show Supernatural gets my full attention every Thursday at 9pm).

2. I used to think vanilla was stinky.

3. I do not like the smell of cinnamon.

4. I have a very very small keloid on my neck from the chicken pox when I was a kid.

5. I can't swim but can't stay away from water.

6. I stay up late and get up early.

7. I don't have a favorite anything. My mood dictates what I like at any given moment, be it colors, food, music. I may say this or that is a favorite, or one of my favorites, but that's just to simplify the conversation.

8. I've broken my baby toe 3 times and jammed all of my fingers at some point in my life. (I was a tomboy lol)

9. Even the slightest headache keeps me from functioning normally.

10. Lobster, crab, crawfish all creep me out (and yet I don't miss an epi of Deadliest Catch lol).

OK a bonus:
It has taken me 45 minutes to come up with this list. Pitiful lol.

Back To Business

Well I spent the last few weeks posting features on indie artists and crafters. Now I must get back to business. I have essential oils and absolutes, ordered and received, that I haven't touched yet , with more on the way. I really enjoy blending and maybe the reason I'm in such a mood lately is because I haven't taken the time to get back to "creating". I consider blending/crafting/mixing "me time" and well, let's face it, we all need that every now and then.

My website needs tending to, my shops (Etsy, Silkfare, DaWanda, eCrater) are empty and my soap molds have been neglected.

So....
this is my official kick in the rear! My goal is to have my products listed by June 1 and more blogging on my aromatic adventures. I have to share my new love for tonka bean. :)

My New Logos

Thanks to Michelle Raine I have a new product logo. Michelle was such a charm to work with. Check out her Etsy shop MichelleRaine.etsy.com .

You can also see Michelle's work by visiting her portfolio at http://web.mac.com/michelle.raine.

While I was on the search for a new logo I decided to put in an Alchemy request on Etsy. I received many bids, and although Michelle's bid was accepted I also requested separate work from another bidder, Swieky Siggies. When I saw the sample Erin submitted I thought it would be perfect for my line of perfume. Keep an eye out for this logo in the near future. OK, OK, maybe a year or two from now. These things take time. But I had to have this graphic now! :D

Let's Go...AroundTheWorld

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 26 years old. A person who loves to travel. A person who loves crafting. And collecting beads around the world.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
Since I was in elementary. I started selling when I realized that there actually is a market for handmade products.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
Blog and Etsy. http://aroundtheworld.etsy.com

What inspires you to create?
After traveling I seem to be more inspired to create more beautiful products.

How do you organize your time?
Basically I'm on the internet these days. But usually I ship in the morning, promote and fix website in the afternoon. Create something at night.

What is your favorite item that you create?
Necklaces.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
Really make this supply shop a full blast.

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
yes, http://primnproperonline.blogspot.com

Let The Games Begin...ancientgamecupboard

I'm really excited about this feature. The first time I visited this shop on Etsy it instantly became a favorite.



Tell us a little about yourself.
Antiquity Gamecrafters is a team effort. Our names are Brian and Jennifer Kooshian. We make reproductions of historic board games from throughout history and over several continents.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
Brian started making games as Christmas presents for the kids. We homeschool our children and would learn about games from the period of history we were studying and Brian would make one for them. They were so nice that I (Jennifer) encouraged him to try to sell them at a local "everything" sale one year ago. They sold so well there that we decided to try to sell them seriously. We did several craft shows and then started seeing sales on etsy.com around Christmas and have had a steady stream of orders there ever since.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
Most of our promotion is on etsy.com. We are currently upgrading our own website, antiquitygamecrafters.com, so we are having that address re-directed to our etsy shop http://ancientgamecupboard.etsy.com.

What inspires you to create?
We both have a love for games, for history and for beauty. These three things inspire us to make beautiful, reproductions of historic board games. We also love to discover wood that we can 'reclaim' to make the games really unique.

How do you organize your time?
Brian created a spreadsheet for our reference with checklists for each stage of game creation and a built-in deadline for each order. It has made our time management much more efficient.

What is your favorite item that you create?
My favorite is The Royal Game of Ur and Brian's favorite is Senet.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
We plan to attend a few well-attended venue possibilities to decide whether we could be ready to rent booths for the 2009 season. We also have one craft show scheduled for November. We have taken part in advertising on an indie artist radio program and are considering doing so again. Our main goal this year is to develop a 5-year and 10-year plan for how to turn our love for historic games into a full-time career.

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
Our blog is located at http://antiquitygamecrafters.blogspot.com

If Shakespeare Took A Bath

If you're a reader of Shakespeare you have no doubt come across some of the many herbs and botanicals mentioned in his plays. Many of these herbs and botanicals are used not only for their culinary value, but also for their value in bath and body products. The members of Etsy's Soaper Stars street team make use of these plants in their beautiful artisan soaps. Here are just a few of my favorites.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Rose Handmade Soap

"Lay her i' th' earth, and from her fair and unpolluted flesh may violets spring!"
Sweet Violet and Sassafras Handmade Soap

"The armipotent Mars, of lances the almighty, Gave Hector a gift,--
A gilt nutmeg. A lemon. Stuck with cloves. No, cloven."
Lemon Zen Layered Soap

"The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well; but civil count, civil as an orange, and something of that jealous complexion."
Satsuma Luxury Cold-Processed Soap with Shea and Cocoa Butters

"Here's flowers for you; hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram; the marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun and with him rises weeping: these are flowers of middle summer, and I think they are given to men of middle age."
True Lavender Goat's Milk Soap

"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember"
Rosemary, Mint and Lavender Limited Edition Soap with Shea


For more in soaping artistry search Etsy tag soaper star team

Greetings...maicen

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 25-year old Norwegian girl that loves to draw and paint. I am currently working part time as a teacher (its really fun, I have first-graders) and in my spare-time I just draw and draw:)

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I have been crafting since I was about 15-years old. I started selling in a local store when I was 20, and I still LOVE when I get sales!!!

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
You can find my work here: www.maicen.etsy.com and here:www.flickr.com/maicen/photos . I promote myself mainly thru friends and family, and I think Flickr is a great promo-tool!!

What inspires you to create?
Everything!

How do you organize your time?
Well..... I draw when I am in the mood for it, I have learned the hard way by trying when not inspired at all. The brain works in mysterious ways...

What is your favorite item that you create?
Probably this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11353357

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
I want to start making t-shirts and baby-clothes with my drawings printed on them. I think it would look really good and I hope the puplic agree?!

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
I dont have a blog, but my Flickr-page shows all I do creatively.

Tisa's Creations Cards and Stationary

Etsy Buy Handmade tisascreations

My name is Tisa, mother of 2, and wife to an awesome, supportive hubby! I have a twin sister, my number 1 fan and supporter (well she and my husband are tied as #1) I love anything to do with paper, I create hand stamped cards and personalized stationary. I describe myself as fun, honest, sassy, classy and one of a kind!

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I purchased my first scrapbook 20 years ago (man, that makes me feel old). I've made candles and I've completed several oil paintings. Every paining in my house - I've created! But,I've always loved all kinds of paper. About 5 years ago I started to make my own cards by rubber stamping. My friends and family then started asking me to create cards and invitations for them- so I did. With the support of my husband and sister, I decided to sell. I never thought I could sell any of my items. Currently my customers are mostly local.

What inspires you to create?
I get inspired by everything...fabrics,nature, kids - I can get ideas from almost anything.

How do you organize your time?
Organize my time? Is that really something that can be done? Just kidding. My time is very limited. I'm currently working full time, serve on a PTA Executive Board and starting this business. So I create whenever I get a free moment. I'm always carrying my computer or my sketch book - EVERYWHERE!

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
I promote my work by signing up for craft fairs, word of mouth and of course etsy. You can find me at:
website: www.tisascreations.etsy.com
blog: www.tisasspot.blogspot.com

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
Business plan for the rest of the year...I plan to network as much as possible. I would like to out source all my printing as well as start to offer letter pressed cards and stationary.

Do you have a blog for people to keep in touch with you?
www.tisasspot.blogspot.com

Bella Rhys Designs

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a SAHM of 6 year old Chloe and 20 mo old Gabe and am expecting #3 in 4 weeks which is going to be another boy. I've been married to my amazing husband for almost 12 yrs and are remodeling our 2cd historic house together. I've been a hairstylist for 16 yrs and have had a salon in our home for the past 10 yrs-which has been wonderful! Being my own boss and making my own hours fits perfectly into our lives w/ small children and has afforded me the time to dabble in anything creative that strikes me at the moment.


How long have you been crafting?
I've always been into something artsy in one way or another. I painted alot when I was younger and in middle/high school was in many competitions. I recall doing simple beading for funky necklaces,etc in high school but it wasn't until 2003 that I took my first lampworking class and instantly was hooked! It took awhile to convince my husband it wasn't going to be a little fly by night hobby as it certianly isn't a CHEAP hobby and last summer I finally had my very own studio built and created just for me!!! I devote as much time as possible to making beads and coming up w/ new designs.

What made you decide to sell?
Probably from salon clients so would see some of my things and would say "have you ever thought of doing art fairs?" or would ask me to make them something. ..When I found out about ETSY I thought-Hey what a great opportunity to take it a step further!

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
I sell on Etsy-my site is http://www.bellarhysdesigns.etsy.com/
I have a blog about art and everyday life-that site is http://bellarhysdesigns.blogspot.com/
I am on Indiepublic, Blog Catalog, Myspace and Facebook.

What inspires you to create?
Dreams usually. I wake up all the times w/ new designs and have to get up in the middle of the night and sketch them out. I do get a lot of inspriation from reading with my daughter-the colors and shapes in the artwork in children's books sometimes triggers ideas for me as well as some of her own artwork. Sunny days help set the mood for me to feel more creative as well-I've got to have sun!

How do you organize your time?
HA! I wish I could say my time is organized but it really isn't. Everything in my life right now rotates around a 20 mo old's nap schedule...I try to get as much beadmaking done as possible while he's sleeping since it's not safe for him to be underfoot during torch sessions-If I had to break up my day I would say household duties in the morning, torching during his nap when I'm lucky, any other spare time before getting his sister from school is spent playing, taking walks or trying to pound out a few earring wires or laying out beads w/ a sketch so I won't forget to experiment with later.

What is your favorite item that you create?
hmmmmm. I've got so many ideas still in my sketchbook...I've got some pretty cool ideas that are going to be more time consuming.....for now I'd have to say my dangly disk earrings-which I unfortunately don't have any listed (there is a picture in my blog though) since my neighbor swooped in and bought the ones I just made for Mother's Day. I have some beads made for a few pair and hopefully in the next week will be listing them-check back!

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
Well, I was approached by a gift store out of state for consigning my jewelry but I think just decided now with the baby coming is not a good time to start that and possibly shoot for that this fall/winter. I'd love to possibly check into wholesaling later this year. -depending on what time allows. I"m open to the possibility I should say :)I also plan to start collecting what I need for participating in art fairs-I'd love to try a couple of those next spring/summer.

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
Yes! Come visit me!
http://bellarhysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Stacy M Smith Photography

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a stay at home mom, though I do have race horses that my husband trains and drives. Other than that, I have my prints for sale on Etsy as a way to make ends meet when the horses aren't at their best. I have a degree in Graphic Art, and have spent several years doing custom framing as well.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I've been taking pictures since I got my first camera at age 8. My mother gave me the push that I needed to get my prints up for sale. Her walls are starting to become covered in my work, but she never turns down another print if she can find a place to hang it!

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
My work is available in my online store at StacyMSmith.etsy.com. I don't do too much promoting just yet because my shop is fairly new, and I am still trying to get the hang of the online marketplace. However, shortly I will be running an ad on Majaba.

What inspires you to create?
I love antiques, rustic rural scenes, and I'm fascinated by "urban decay" and old buildings. I also love architecture, and seem to have some strange affinity for doors and windows. Beyond that, I just put together a still life if the mood strikes me, visualizing the picture I'd like in my mind, and then arranging it with the objects at hand.

How do you organize your time?
That's not as difficult for me as it is for most, because I don't have a "day job" so to speak. I stay home with my little one all day, and try to sneak in photos wherever I can. There's a camera with me everywhere I go, and when she's napping I use that time to edit my photos and list them in my shop.

What is your favorite item that you create?
Currently, my favorite prints are the Apothocary Bottles series, because I have a whole collection of the little buggers all over my house. It changes by the day though, and it seems like I discover places all the time that make me swoon. I hope that I can accurately capture the essence of the places I've been.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
I want to spend a good part of the summer traveling to some of my favorite local spots to take a zillion photos. I am also hoping to sneak in a trip to North Carolina, and possibly to Maine. That way, I'll have more than enough work to keep me busy well into the end of the year. Also, I am about to start work on a series of greeting cards, which I am hoping will be a little different from the standard cards available at your local drug stores. Keep an eye on my shop!

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
Despite a concerted effort, I have not solidly kept up with blogging. Life seems to run me all over the place. However, I am considering starting a blog here on IndiePublic for those really interested in what life is like from MY side of the camera...

Say Hello To...RepsychoedArtist

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I have been crafting since I was about 10 years old. I decided to sell my crafts and art when I found out other people liked my items. I used to sell friendship bracelets and buy my candy with my earnings. I as got older, candy was replaced with shoes LOL.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
I promote on the web on free classifieds like craigslist. I also have business cards. I wear my jewelry and give cards to interested clients. I also go to local festivals and sell my items there. Word of mouth is also how people find me.

What inspires you to create?
My feelings are my motivation. I can go days without doing any work at all. Then I suddenly get a burst of creative energy and can't stop! I never know what I am going to make, it just comes to me.

How do you organize your time?
My time is organized around my childrens schoolings and extra curricular activities. Whatever time I have left is spent on the fly. I am spontaneous and love the freedom I have right now with that.

What is your favorite item that you create?
My favorite thing to make is tiny food. It is cute and funky! I get tons of positive comments when I wear them and I have even had offeres to have my picture on the local pizzeria wall wearing my pizza earings!

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
My plans are to keep making polymer clay jewelry. I found it this year and I love it! I am going to do more local festivals and I am going to have fun. Fun is my goal. Money is a bonus :O)

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
I do have a blog here on Indie. Find me here: http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/RepsychoedArtist

Thanks and check me out on Etsy! RepsychoedArtist.ETSY.com

Introducing...Cerapersa

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm Italian and graduate in history of art after that I decide to learn how to make jewelry.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
During university period I met an artisan that started to teach me what he knews about jewelry making. After university I decided to attend a school to learn all about wax casting and started selling my jewells after about 3 months during my first exhibition.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
Usually I organized personal exhibitions in jazz clubs and particular places in Rome. From November 2007 I opened a website www.fuscogioielli.com where you can find a virtual shop and from about a month I opened an Etsy account www.cerapersa.etsy.com.

How do you organize your time?
Like every artists I don't have a particular part of my days that is completely dedicated to my work. But usually I prefer the afternoon and the evening.

What is your favorite item that you create?
I love different pieces of my collections especially the little dancers sculptures and a bracelet that is called Hide & seek where two little figures play the game hidden the corners of a square bracelet.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
I would like to promote my art by internet hope to find foreign people interested on my work and I'm going to organized my next exhibition for the summer time in Rome during a jazz festival.

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?
www.fuscogioielli.blogspot.com

Don't Shoot The Messenger

I love bags! Totes, clutches, market...but my favorite is the messenger. I did a little window shopping on Etsy and found these fab messengers. Now the hard part is deciding which one to buy. :)


xcessrize has lots of gorgeous bags. Check out how cute the Delux Hobo Style Diaper Bag (Book Tote/Gym Bag) is. What mom wants an old drab diaper bag when mommy & baby can strut around in style!



BlackBags has a variety of messengers, so many beautiful bags that I can't pick just one as a favorite.

Other shops to check out:

Infusion carries two bags that I love. They are extra large
for the times when you need more room. One is the Hemp Messenger and
the other is the Chocolate Hemp Messenger.

Callidora has a Black Messenger with a pink and white polka dot trim. I have been eye-balling this bag since I first saw it.

Bluemango has this fab Eiffel Tower Upcycled bag.

Minus is chock full of gorgeous bags. Check out the whole shop.


Now do you see my dilemma? Hmmm..................... :)

A Great Big Thank You!

I received 3 referrals through the RME button I have posted either here or on Ning. I don't know who clicked on the link but I did receive $10 for each one. So to the people that used my referral link...THANK YOU!!! And I hope that you get many referrals through your links as well.

A Warm Welcome To...Peglegdeer

Tell us a little about yourself.

Well, I’m an artist working in the Los Angeles area. In 2006 I graduated with an art degree and have since been developing the concepts and style that drives my work. I have also been learning the art of screen printing for 2+ years now and have been incorporating this into my work. My artistic influences are primarily those of street/urban art, and much of the counterculture art that is emerging today. To tell you “a little about me” would really be to tell you about what I am working on artistically at the moment, because right now, that is the all encompassing force in my life. (see my website for a detailed breakdown: www.peglegdeer.com). But you know, I also like movies, reading, the color green…

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?

I have been crafting for a very short time! (2 months?) My form of crafting, buttons, developed as a reconstruction of my artwork. I wanted to use characters from my work as graphics for the buttons and as a way to get my designs to people in a more practical and affordable way. Also, some of my designs feature small portions of actual pieces I’ve done. My intent here was to spread the work much farther and to many more people than I could with just one framed piece in a gallery.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?

I really don’t do much promoting. Don’t really have the money or the time. You can find it here though: http://peglegdeer.etsy.com/

What inspires you to create?

Contemporary society.

How do you organize your time?

Quite haphazardly.

What is your favorite item that you create?

Of my buttons, my favorite right now is the “Septopus (the 7 tentacled octopus) Button, however tomorrow it could be the “Hook Hand Squirrel Button”, who knows.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?

I would like to find some more time and know how to market the online store a bit more, a lot more really.

Do you have a blog so that others can keep in touch with you?

No, but I have a myspace that has relevant content that you can check out:http://www.myspace.com/peglegdeer

Camias Jewelry Designs by Kelly Graham

Tell us a little about yourself.

Jewelry, as an art form, has the power to create moods, provoke opinions, and produce a myriad of personal and spiritual reactions. In my studio, this is the design philosophy that I endeavor in creating and developing a unique collection of jewelry designs. My ultimate goal is evoking whimsy through the use of my imagination with earthly and magical inventive designs in each of my pieces, to which inspired this signature and personal collection. I've been behind the helm of my own business for nearly 12 years, so I'm dedicated about what I make, and have the expertise and skill to do it well.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I've been creating my line of designs for over 12 years now. I didn't sell, in the beginning, as I didn't have the slightest idea of how to get myself seen in theworld. When the internet rolled around, I jumped on the bandwagon and have had mypersonal website since that time. With the push and confidence of other people's remarks and delights in the pieces they bought, it helped edge me forward to keep making a quality product and always giving more than they expected.

What inspires you to create?
I'm inspired by all things mystical and magical. A gentle rain, a foggy, misty morning, the fall leaves of autumn, and lilting Celtic music. This feeds the creative muse within.

How do you organize your time?
I work well under pressure. It's then that I'm very organized and streamlined.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
I promote my website at www.camiasdesigns.com as this is my main site to be seen. I also have a blog at http://camiasdesigns.blogspot.com/

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
I plan to keep striving for a productive year and maintain a creative line for all those who desire inspiration in their jewelry pieces!

Greetings...pattiflynn

Tell us a little about yourself
i am a professional soapmaker who has settled in the beautiful, pristine wet tropics of australia.i have a wonderful husband who works with me, and four demanding cats who do not work with anyone.soapmaking is our life and we share a passion for travel and motorcycles and good food and good books.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
i started making soap in january 01, out of a life-long love affair with essential oils.in december of that year, i unexpectedly became unemployed and was prodded into taking my soap to the market (by my husband and old friend).after two weeks, i gave in to the pressure and went along to our local farmer's market.and that was that!

What inspires you to create?
quite simply: everything.i might see a painting. or a landscape. hear a piece of music. hear a word in another language. eat something new. smell a plant. see a cloud. it all inspires me.

How do you organize your time?
i am sorry, i don't understand the question exactly? hehehe.i live my business. this IS my hobby, my relaxation and my way of earning a living. it's all very integrated and it's a lifestyle thing. of course, if we decide to take a month off, which we do each year, we have to be quite serious about making an enormous amount of soap to cover our absence.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
i have an etsy shop: http://www.pattiflynn.etsy.com and i sell via http://pattiflynn.blogspot.com/ you can find me at the main market in cairns every friday!and the yungaburra market, once a month.plus we wholesale to many wonderful spas/resorts/boutiques throughout australia.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
to keep on keeping on!

Keep up with Patti and other Soaper Stars at:
http://www.soaperstars.blogspot.com

Say Hello To...Anhoki

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Anhoki, a creative soul. Mom to Camryn and Katie. Wife to John. Daughter, "councelor to many" but friend to so many more. When "real" life is a little much I escape and create. Be it soaps, jewelry, stuffed animals, clothes, handbags...whatever. I love to create. I also love to cook. A military brat through and through. I'd love to get back into traveling the world.

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I have been "crafting" all of my life. I made my first jewelry at age 8. I used to make my own clothes and even for a few friends. Stuffed animals for the kids and extended family, handbags.. quilts..you name it. Candles were the "real" beginning for me. Longing to be back in California I set out to make the perfect candle to reflect our life there. I began making soap as a necessity in summer of '03. I decided to sell when I realized I did have a good product. When folks would email or call with orders because they would not buy from anyone else. And I did have help and inpsiration from my two little cheerleaders too. 8o)

What inspires you to create?
Life inspires me. different seasons bring different inspirations. Moods. My children, my husband. An afternoon of feeding the ducks with my girls. Coffee with my mom on a Spring day. Dinner with my husband.

How do you organize your time?
I don't. My time organizes me. When you live, eat, drink, and dream what you love IT organizes you. My family and my craft are pretty compatible so it works very well. I have a lot of input from everyone in my life and that helps immensely.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?http://www.bunniesworkshop.com/ is my domain.
I currently have two Etsy shops. One for the b&b http://www.anhoki.etsy.com/ and the other is for jewelry and the like. http://www.anhoki1.etsy.com/ You can find me just about anywhere.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
My business plans for 2008 are to continue doing what I love and hold on to the passion of what makes me...me.

Stay in touch with Anhoki by visiting:
http://anhoki.blogspot.com/

Meet...Callidora

Tell us a little about yourself
I am a homeschooling mom of 4. I am very active in my local homeschooling community. Crafting is my therapy and helps me cope with all the craziness in my life. I have been crafting most of my life. While I lived in Arizona, I had my own tailoring business. Some of my creations included wedding gowns and evening wear, as well as business casual or Sunday dress. Along with sewing, I love to knit! I crochet a bit, but I love knitting more or something that combines both. I also dabble in jewelry a bit. I have to many pokers in the fire for sure!

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell?
I've been sewing since I was 13; crocheting since I was 5; knitting and jewelry making for the last couple of years. I also used to do tole painting, but my husband said it was too much and that I'd better give something up!

What inspires you to create?
Colors! I see colors of fabric or yarn and I think "that would look great as a skirt! Or a purse!" Also, a need - if a birthday or holiday is coming up, I try to create based on that theme.

How do you organize your time?
I sometimes feel like I don't! 3 days a week, I dedicate the full day to crafting. I check my emails and shop morning, noon, and night. In between, I homeschool or work on new designs.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it?
I promote my work through giveaways on my blog and other people's blogs. I blog :) I have my info in my email signature and I participate in Etsy Teams. Right now, you can find my work on Etsy and you can custom order through my blog as well.

What are your business plans for the remainder of 2008?
I am actually in the process of opening my own online store. I plan to do some local craft fairs and I am starting a line of modest clothing for women and girls.

Keep up with Callidora by visiting:
http://tlcsays.blogspot.com

Shall We Play A Game?

Who says game are just for kids? These crafters have turned games into works of art. I don't know the first thing about playing chess but what I do know is that these chess sets, handcrafted from soapstone, are absolutely beautiful! Find them at the Etsy shop of AdegaCreations .

Another shop with games I find fascinating is ancientgamecupboard . These games are handcrafted using reclaimed wood and are based on those played in ancient civilizations. You will find games from Africa, Asia, Europe and The Middle East.