Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2009

I'm the WINNER!

Hello all! I just wanted to show my readers some awesome things that I have won when entering into some GREAT give a ways! I don't have a large habit of entering into blog give a ways because frankly , foolish as I am, I don''t believe that most of the time I have a very large chance of winning and plus I end up feeling pretty guilty that I am getting something that I haven't paid for. These artists work hard on their items...and out of the goodness of their hearts just give them to the name that is picked out of everyone that tries for them! I'm one that feels guilty during holidays because I am in the position to get and give but feel bad for the ones that are not in that position....so would it be any wonder that give a ways bring out the same feelings? I don't know where the guilt came from...I had a very happy childhood..but just know that this has been a feeling that I have gotten every holiday! I guess it is time to work in a soup kitchen during the holidays so that I know that people less fortunate than myself are having a wonderful holiday too!

I am writing this post to tell the creators of the items I HAVE won ,in the few give a ways I have entered, ....thank you! I am such a fortunate person to have won items from two wonderful artists and am here to share with you, my readers, what they are and show you what I did with the both of them. They have added such warmth and beauty to my home and have these two very talented craft experts to thank!

The first winning was from Bev of Heartland Creations. Bev is a dear friend that I met in the Olde Primitive Sister's Group in Ebay! I had asked Bev if she could make a replica of a dog that my boy owns. I sent her pictures of him and wasn't sure if it was even possible to make anything like Hendrix. Brandon has asked me many times to do it...but I just don't have the know how to put a dog like he has together. He has a puggle dog named Hendrix and is our first attempt at trying to be grandparents to something that is living. We call him our grandpuppy and love him as if he were our grandchild!

Bev took about a week and then contacted me back that she would give it a try and sure enough in just a couple weeks she contacted me back and I was just blown out of my chair! If you look a few posts ahead you will see a picture of Hendrix and what she created! IT WAS A DEAD RINGER! I was so happy and when Brandon and Nicole saw what she had made we all were in disbelief of what talent this gal has! I have been keeping my eyes on Bev's work and she has grown even more with her talents...if that is even possible...she was sooo talented before! Her Halloween doll is FANTASTIC and has a drawn on face that is beyond compare! I'm just a fan of ALL of her work!

Well on the Kindred Sisters site I saw a butterfly doll that was up for a give a way and I saw that Bev was the person who made this awesome doll and, since I LOVE everything that Bev does, I thought I'd try my hand at winnning her! I put my name in to be one of the people to be entered into the give a way thinking that I'd never win her but just loved knowing that ...well it was possible.

A few weeks went past and I forgot about this great doll that I put my name in for and sure enough I got a e-message from Bev saying that my name was picked to be the winner of this beautiful butterfly doll! WOW a second creation from one of my favorite doll artists! What luck! I was so excited and felt so honored for this doll was only a dream if it could be hanging in MY home!

The day arrived and the butterfly doll was on my doorstep! The box was all decorated with beautiful drawings and done with care. That was even a creation I never wanted to part with! It was the present before the present! When I opened the box inside was a perfectly done doll that has a round head, perfectly sewn on facial features and a very feminine lacy top , wings and a pretty little skirt. Her shoes were so dainty and framed with eyelash yarn that just added to her whispy, feminine look and feel! You can tell when a person has put their heart and soul into a creation and this is one of just many dolls that Bev and done that with! I LOVE HER and found a great place to hang her. She is in my back livingroom right next to a lamp to keep the focus on her even when it is dark out! She has added love and beauty to that corner of my home and will always just stand and admire her for she is the greatest butterfly gal I will ever own! Plus my good friend Bev put her together and she is one of the most talented crafters I know!

If you want to see more of Bev's work go to her site to see more and while you their take a trip to her blog and read about her work and learn about her and her craft! These two links will get you there:

BEV'S BLOG LINK:
http://www.heartlandcreations.blogspot.com


BEV'S SHOP:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/heartland-creations*

If it wasn't for the Kindred Sister's I wouldn't be the lucky recipient of this wonderful doll. Thank you Kindred Sister's for picking my name to win this awesome give a way! Visit the Kindred Sister's Gathering Post by going to the following link and read more about them and the other artists that are part of this very talented group!

KINDRED SISTER'S GATHERING POST LINK ;
http://kindredsisterssellingblog.blogspot.com

Here are some pictures of the Butterfly Doll and where she is residing today! You'll see that she is a vision of beauty and adds so much to a place in my home where she is always viewed and admired!





















I have just won in my second give a way and am absolutely thrilled with my second win also! This I won from someone that is a fantastic crafter, creator and friend! I have looked at these in Primitive Amish type stores in my area but NEVER thought I would own one! It is called a Primitive Dough bowl, Dough rolling pin holder and adds so much to a home when you are crazy about primitives! Not only did I get my winnings ..she threw in a candle holder as well! Can you believe that? This gals name is Carol and owns the shop Firecracker Kid in Etsy! I got to know about her and her work through the Olde Farmhouse Gathering Team and am quite a fan. She is also one of the members that I wrote a post about in my Monday Featured Shops For OFG! If you look ahead on my posts you will find a post that shows what Carol makes and other items in her shop. Just look for Firecracker Kid!

Carol's work is fantastic! She has made a business that involves her husband's talents along with her own and together they have created a perfect harmony of creation and finished work! Her shop holds other items as well like wall hangings, dolls and stitcheries. You really should go in to her shop today for she is having an unbelievable sale !!HOLIDAY SHOPPING SALE!!
20% OFF ALL ONE-OF-A-KIND WOODCRAFTS ONLY
10% OFF ALL PRIMITIVE BOWL RACKS
SALES RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30!

I have one of her Dough Bowl/ Rolling Pin holders and had a choice of colors and accessorized it with a Vintage dough bowl and rolling pin,(ok it is really about 1980's but it works!), and FINALLY found a place that it would look perfect! My kitchen has a theme of roosters and I bought a large wooden bowl with two roosters painted on the front and I am using the this very attractive holder to display this bowl and rolling pin to combine the rooster theme with the rooster bowls I have displayed on a top shelf, the rooster place mats, and the rooster clocks that I have in the room! It is so quaint now and looks like this space was waiting for this great display forever to help bring the primitive look into the mix!(I was a antique dealer a number of years and refurbished old furniture for store sales, myself and for individuals in town and kept many primitive items in the process. There is a primitive shelf in the corner of this room and added a second feeling of antiques along with the roosters!)

Having worked with wood items I could see right away that Carol and her husband have a great talent with all of their wooden items! The wood is so smooth, their finish is flawless and the sturdiness of this item is beyond compare! A little creativity from any of the buyers of their items can make a room complete and add so much to your home decor. I can't even tell you! Wooden bowls and wooden rolling pins can be purchased in Etsy or Ebay. They can be used for combining themes in a room, bring out a theme or just to work on your love for pure primitive! There are so many ideas of what you can put in them and how decorate them! It is fun experimenting and seeing it when it is finished! I was thrilled to see it all together when I had everything on mine! It was the tie to combine all that I wanted for my kitchen...primitives and roosters just like an old fashion kitchen nook!


Isn't the candle holder cute? It has a rusty nail down below to hang those primitiive candles that hang by a rope. One candle to another ...I don't currently have one of those but plan on getting one soon! They have thought of everything to make the most of EVERY primtiive item they make! On top I had a large 22 oz jar candle so it holds a good amount of weight. This also is flawless and is well constructed! I'll be finishing off the look of this item soon and also is being used in my kitchen for an accent piece!

I thought with these winnings I certainly have been won the jackpot! I just love the look of my kitchen with the use of the well designed, awesomely crafted and superbly finished Primitive Dough bowl /Rolling pin holder and candle display! You have helped me create a kitchen that I could have only wished for and am so proud of now! It is amazing how this can change the feel of a room and help it become more welcoming and warm just by adding your items in the right places! Thank you Carol/hubby for your great addition to my home! Here are some pictures of how I have displayed both and plan to accessorize the candle holder soon! It looks great even when there is nothing on it ...but am planning to accessorize it so that it draws more attention! Now this is one of my favorite rooms of my home! I just wish I was a better photographer! It even looks better in person!




















Come in to Etsy and see Carol's store and take advantage of her gracious sale! Her items are absolutely done with the utmost care and can add so much to your home. It is quality that you can't get just anywhere! I know....for I am now a new owner of some of her wonderful work and would never steer someone the wrong way when you are about to purchase something from a shop! I give FirecrackerKid Shop all thumbs up ..plus a few toes!

Come see her items today and read about her art in her blog!


FIRECRACKERKID SHOP LINK:
http://www.firecrackerkid.etsy.com

FIRECRACKERKID BLOG LINK ;
http://www.firecrackerkid.blogspot.com

Friday, October 9, 2009

NEW Marketplace Friday Shop Features!

Good morning all! I hope you are all awake this morning! Again, I have another couple shops that I will feature on today's post and invite all of you to come and see what these shops contain and to meet the artists! Today's features are Sugar Creek Hollow and Painted Kreations. I hope you enjoy!

The first person I will be featuring is Kimberly of Sugar Creek Hollow:


Here is a shop where I'm sure you will find something that will help you with your home decor. This crafter does so many different crafts it makes you wonder how some people get all the talent! She makes soy candles with awesome fragrances such as crunch pumpkin cake...yummmmy, to beautiful crochet doilies to knitted kitchen towels, to absolutely ..must have afghans! She creates beautiful blog banners and templates and has quite a variety to pick from..and even makes canned goodies , like grandma used to make, such as peach and tomato jam. Kimberly is talented beyond belief and can make you home a cozy, warm, primitive paradise from its look , to its fragrance and to even the canned foods that her shop contains...not to mention has the skill to create a blog that looks and feels like you have always wanted! All of this variety that she has in her shop and will keep you coming back for days just to make up your mind what you want first from her shop collection! Take a look at a few of my favorites!









































I've never seen so many wonderful things all in one shop before! She has talents that I could ONLY WISH I had. Take some time and meet this awesome artist and see what her answers are to some questions that she had answered and will give you a little insight to the mind of the multi talented crafter!

What is the name of your Etsy shop? And why did you choose this name?
Sugar Creek Hollow. One of my favorite places to visit here in Ohio is in fact,
Sugar Creek, Ohio. Often referred to as “Little Switzerland”, it’s in the midst of Amish Country. And I’m very fond of Amish crafts and a simpler way of life, which I try to bring to my own shoppe.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I’ve been on Etsy for about a year now, but Sugar Creek Hollow has only been open for about a month now.

What type of items do you offer?
Hand-poured Soy Candles, crocheted lace doilies, cotton dishcloths, an occasional crocheted afghan when I have the time, graphics, and I just recently added items from the kitchen such as jams and relishes.

How long have you been crafting?
Well over 25 years now
Who or What inspires you?

Probably my greatest inspiration has been my grandmother who passed on several years ago. She taught me at an early to crochet and sew, as well as how to make jams and butters. But when it comes to our candles, my youngest son is the true inspiration. He has mild Autism, and an obsession for smells. Making candles has become a family event that even he can take part in.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I would have to say it’s my lace doilies. Creating these has taught me a great deal about patience. And I like to think that when one is purchased, it becomes that person’s next family heirloom.

Other places where you can be found?
Etsy Shoppe: SugarCreekHollow.etsy.com
Blog: Sugarcreek hollow.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SugrCreekHollow
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=100000132453870&
ref=profile

You can see that her grandmother had a BIG part in planting the seed for creating as she had done during her lifetime and taught her some much respected talents such as making jams , crocheting and sewing which is one of the best gifts as grandmother/mother can pass onto her children/grandchildren! Her son's involvement of candle making is a noteworthy reason to add this into her crafting selection due to the benefits to her son! Bravo to your son to pickout some pretty yummy sounding fragrances! He knows what the public likes and has some pretty good tastes!

Be sure to checkout this shop the next time you are in Etsy ...it will be well worth your time!

SUGARCREEKHOLLOW LINK:
http://wwwwsugarcreekhollow.etsy.com


The second shop I was going to feature is Painted Kreations:



This creator has temporarily taken the things out of her shop to do a craft fair. Not to worry she will be back and her shop will be filled once again once she is done. She said that it will be around October 5th. Please be patient for everything takes time and craft fairs are very time consuming and take time to recover from and to get reoriented to what can go back in. I have seen her work and it is well worth your time to take a look at what this artist holds in her shop...so keep going back until things are back. Her painting ability is so worth seeing you will truly be missing out if you don't stop in when her items can be seen! I will leave her infomation to make this possible!

PAINTED KREATIONS LINK:
http://www.paintedkreations.etsy.com

Kris I hope you had a GREAT craft fair and did well! I'm sure that is a given for you items are so wonderful and just know you must have made a hit!


Well I hope you have enjoyed the two shops that I was able to make note of today! I welcome you back this coming Monday for I will be posting two more shops from artists from the OFG TEAM! I would hate to see you miss it! See you then!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NEW Marketplace Wednesday for OFG Team !

Good morning readers! I am up and at 'em early and looking over our two new featured artist shops that I will be posting today! These are two super picks and are ladies with tons of talent! They are multi-talented and show it in the variety they have in their shops. Everything they do is a passion for them and you will see in what they create! Today's featured shops are Prairie Rose and Privies & Prims.

The first featured shop is Prairie Rose.



Prairie Rose is the leader of this wonderful team of artisians , that together, make up the Olde Farmhousegathering Team! She has shown her great skill in organizing, keeping the juices flowing through the veins of its members and always keeping the ideas coming to make a stronger and innovative group of people! She is AMAZING!

Not only is she outstanding as a leader... her talents are many and has a beautiful Etsy shop that showcases all of her talents! She has remarkable painting skills along with sewing skills and you can see that she must have done this awhile for her work says experience! She is a seasoned artist! Now take a look at a few of my favorites and see for yourself what I've been talking about!





































Isn't that something? From her painting on old windows to a pumpkin nodder that has a homemade fragrance inside...her items make me smile! I'm sure they did for you too.

Now take some time and learn about this wonderfully talented woman that is the owner of these "gotta have" creations and " Head Rockin' Mama of OFG Team!

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
The name of my shop is "PrairieRose". It has been my business name for a couple of decades now, I chose it because of all the wild roses that grow on the old farmsteads from years of yore.They are not only beautiful, but very hardy year after year.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

I have been on etsy for app 1.5 years now.

3. What type of items do you offer?

I sew and do decorative painting both. I offer a mixed bag of goodies in my shop. I love everything from Shabby to Folk and Primitive. I have combined my craft on many items. I seldom create the same item more than once. I love the uniqueness of each piece.

4. How long have you been crafting?

I have been making dolls for 35 yrs. now, and painting for almost 30 yrs.

5. Who or What inspires you?

I find inspiration everywhere. I am most fond of antique pieces. I love the Trash to Treasure items too. Each and every one presents a different perspective. I love painting on all the curves and corners rather than a flat piece. I love the challenge of it all.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

Each new piece is my favorite. I have learned something new in the process of making it. I always try to learn something new on each piece I make.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

Right now etsy is the only place I am selling online. I have recently moved and have scaled back while I get the house in order. I am selling in three brick and mortar stores too.
I am the list Mama of the Old Farmhouse Gathering Team on etsy,and also do the OFG Blog.



There is plenty more to see in Prairie Rose's Shop! Take some time and take a look ...you deserve a treat and this would definitely be something nice to do for yourself!

PRAIRIE ROSE'S LINK:

Http://www.prairierose.etsy.com


The second Shop I am featuring today is Privies & Prim




Here is another multi-talented member that has such a variety in her shop that you will not believe! From doll creation to needle punching, stitcheries to penny rugs ..this creator goes over and above the call of duty when it comes to serious crafting! All of her items ...are clearly made with love in her heart and make the experience of going to her shop a total delight! Here are a few examples of what she has...but be warned...there is soo much more! You will really need to take a look at her shop to see it all!









































Isn't this eye candy for a soul? I just love it all! Take some time and read what this, very talented artist had to say to some very revealing questions about her crafting!

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name? Privies & Prims has been my business name for about a year. I started out in a shed at my home on Blue Rock Rd., so I named my little shop Blue Rock Country Crafts. I had my first storefront in Burnsville, NC in 2000 and named the store Privies & Perches. I was making lots of outhouse bathroom decorations and my dad was making lots of prim birdhouses, so I changed the name. Inspired by God is all I can say. It just popped into my little brain!

2. How long have you been on Etsy? Had to go look at my profile for this question.  Seems I started in February 2008.

3. What type of items do you offer? Penny rugs, prim stitcheries, primitive & folk art dolls, punch needle embroidery & patterns, outhouse stuff, candlemats, prim wreaths, Americana prim t-shirts, wood signs, ornaments, & photographs of old barns and outhouses. I think that’s it. 

4. How long have you been crafting? As long as I can remember. I used to sit at the kitchen table and trace the designs on the napkins. In high school, I made a macramé hanging large enough to cover a window! We also did pottery and leather working. My special leather project was a framed image of a Michelob beer bottle ad. We used wood carving tools and I stuffed the “bottle” from the back with sawdust to give it dimension. At the time, it was my boyfriend’s favorite brand. Personally, I can’t stand the taste of any kind of alcohol. Just give me my McDonald’s sweet tea!

5. Who or What inspires you? First, I must give God the credit for my talents. He puts ideas into my head as I go along. I start out making a doll like the pattern photo, then God gives me ideas to make it my own. Sometimes, I think it’s a curse.  I’m always seeing stuff and thinking, “I can make that!” So, that’s why the list of things I make is so long. I just recently added punch needle embroidery to my list and I’m “hooked”. I’m designing patterns that I will sell as kits and will soon be designing prim doll patterns also that will be modeled after the mountain folk where I live.
I get inspired by PatternMart.com’s monthly newsletters, looking at others creations online, visiting prim shops, looking through catalogs, and the list goes on and on. Gosh, everything I see inspires me! I look at people in restaurants and think of making a doll to look like them!

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why? My favorite creations are my primitive dolls cause I love giving each one their own personality. The favorite ones I’ve made are 46” dolls from a Prim & Proper folks pattern.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog) I don’t sell on ebay too often. Seems I just pay them money and don’t have much luck there anymore. For Privies & Prims, my main website is www.PriviesAndPrims.com, my etsy shoppe is www.PriviesAndPrims.etsy.com, blog- www.PriviesAndPrimsBlog.blogspot.com, and at my brick & mortar store located at 110 West Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714.
I also do wedding photography, www.AffordableMemoriesNC.com, and sell photographs of old barns and houses that I find here in the mountains. www.ThenAndNowArtPhotos.etsy.com. My pattern blog is www.SimplyPrimPatterns.blogspot.com, and I’ll soon be teaching classes in my store, so I have a blog for that. www.StitchersPunchersAndHookers.blogspot.com
And yes, I do find time to sleep.

My name is Doreen Brannan and you can contact me at PriviesAndPrims@yahoo.com

Have a blessed one!


Do yourself a favor today and take a look at all this shop holds! You will thank yourself later!

PRIVIES & PRIMS LINK:

Http://www.prims&prims.etsy.com

(Copy and paste this link into your taskbar and enjoy!)

Come back tomorrow for I will feature two more craftier than crafty talented artists from the OFG Team! See you then....