Spring Cleaning

It's a pottery sale this time...no reports on our closet situation. Spring cleaning in the Etsy shop is much better anyway : ) We're making room for new summer pieces so enjoy shopping!

All sale items ship free with any other item (including other sale items). And we can just about guarantee delivery by Mother's Day if anyone needs a last minute gift idea. Contact us for details.

Happy shopping!

A few lovelies on sale...

falling leaf necklace

shell earrings

cobalt oxide geometric

New Colors

I'm in a yellow mood lately....warm spring weather, beautiful spring flowers blooming, lots of sunshine, and apparently I look good wearing the color....who knew? (thanks Ginger!)

So when I sat down to post a few new items to the shop, I went for our yellows first. More to come later, but let this tide you over for now....

Spring Lovelies...

Here are the latest additons to the shop...

tea dust

cobalt


pinwheel

And here is a preview of what will be listed soon...(not sure why the pictures are so tiny : )

zinfandel bowl

kiwi leaf plate

I'm also expecting a package from mom on Friday, so there will be more spring additions later this weekend....Mother's Day is right around the corner!!!

Etsy Gallery View

I may be the last one to discover this, but I just found out the best way to view shops on Etsy. You know how cool the front page gallery always looks? Well, you can make every shop look that great. Once in a shop, choose "gallery" instead of "list" for viewing shop items. You can find the buttons just underneath the shop announcement section, to the right of the page numbers.

I love the new view....the pictures are bigger and you can appreciate the artistic look of it all! Enjoy!

A Handmade Spring: Buying Local

This last idea for your handmade spring isn't exactly handmade. It's more about buying local and finding unique gift ideas that encourage business owners in your own community. I've often heard of folks who prefer to give gifts that encourage "experiences" rather than gifts that sit on a shelf. (Although when done right, hopefully your gift would never go unused : )

Several ideas come to mind and the first is obvious to those of you who know where I work. It's a great idea for Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries, and weddings. Find a local bed & breakfast or an inn and treat your mom, dad, or spouse to a fabulous romantic getaway. Almost any area of the country has B&Bs. Some are downtown or in historic districts near attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Others are off the beaten path and encourage you to leave your electronic distractions at home for a true respite in the country. Whichever your style, know that B&Bs have come a long way in the last 20 years. While some don't, the vast majority offer major conveniences like TVs, DVD players, and even Wi-Fi. And I promise you will not have to walk down a hall and share a bathroom with strangers as you make small talk while brushing your teeth. They are not like a European hostel. Many are quite luxurious and offer you plenty of personal space and lots of ammenities to make you feel pampered.

Other great local ideas include restaurant gift certificates (locally owned, not the big box kind if you're wanting to support small businesses, of course). Or tickets to a play or concert. Or even simply buying your gifts from local shops and small boutiques. The husband and I always talk about how we wish more local restaurants and shops would move into some areas of our town, but it has to be one of the hardest ways to earn a living. You don't have the buying power of the big boys, the financial cushion of a nationwide franchise, or a tried and tested business plan to get you started. Locally owned restaurants and shops are the bread and butter of any community, but it's a hard row to hoe so to speak. So if making gifts isn't your cup of tea or you haven't become an Etsy addict yet, go for buying local instead.

So get out there and give your town a little love.

A Handmade Spring: The Spring Scarf

Those who know me, know I'm not terribly trendy. Mildly style conscious, yes. Trendy, no. But do correct me if I'm wrong....I think there is a spring scarf trend this year and I think it's fabulous. What a great way to spice up a simple knit tee and jeans. And they also make lovely gifts for the fashion conscious among us, as well as those with timeless style. There's something for everyone.

First up is a "ruffle scarf." If you crochet, let me know, I have a great pattern for this one. I've made more than my fair share this past Christmas and just love it (I'm entertaining taking custom orders if you're interested). Some use a heavier yarn like this one by beautiful bridget on Etsy. But there are so many yummy lightweight cashmere, silk and even bamboo yarns out there, that I could see this one all year long. Love. Love. Love. it.

girly girl by beautifulbridget

rose lariat by gsakowskidesigns

citrine silkscreen by toybreaker

raw silk wrap by bonzie

queen anne's lace by redprairiepress

Weekend Additions

A few new bowls added to the shop this weekend...

I am also expecting a special delivery of new pieces Easter weekend....Mom's been busy this spring. Check back with us to see the latest. A few new jewelry items coming along as well!

Red and Shiga Angled Rim Bowl

Coyote Blue Lace Dish
Mocha Shino Bowl

A Handmade Spring: Paper Expressions

Spring and early summer are definitely wedding season and I know there are plenty of you out there with weddings on the calendar or your own anniversaries to celebrate. (Okay, so fall is popular, too, so just bookmark this and come back then : ) But I can't resist sharing a few sweet "paper expressions" from Etsy.

Most of these items or sellers can be found in my favorites on Etsy, which by the way, is a great way to find new shops. Etsy can be quite overwhelming for those of you venturing out there for the first few times. So many artists and so much to see. So sometimes I just find a shop or seller that I like and click on their Favorites (in the righthand side bar on their shop page) and see what they like. It's great fun!

I have a soft spot for this first one since my father-in-law custom ordered our rehearsal dinner/groom's cake is this same theme.

4-Ever Print by SilhouetteBlue

Also a stationery set.

The Way I Am by colorflystudio

Draw Your Own Heart by hijirik

Live What You Love by hijirik

A Handmade Spring: Children's Art

I shared a few ideas about children's artwork here during our Handmade Christmas series. Plenty of those ideas would make great Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts this time of year as well. We touched on framing artwork brought home from school (which I still love), but what about creating some of your own?

Grab a blank canvas, some finger paints, and let the little ones go to town! Or if you're looking for something more structured, check this out. With a blank stretched canvas and one color of acrylic paint, let the kids cover the canvas entirely (no doubt, themselves in the process, but what are baths for?) While the paint is still wet, grab those little hands or feet for a quick imprint. I love the simple statement and possibilities with this. A series, one for each family member, one for each child....go have fun!

And to make this project even more special, Amy shared this poem with me....

Sometimes you get discouraged

because I am so small

And leave my little fingerprints

On furniture and walls.

But everyday I'm growing

And soon will be so tall

That all these little fingerprints

Will be difficult to recall.

So here's a little handprint

That you can put away

So you will know how my fingers looked

On this special day.