Another FEST Winner!

Tweet "Of Things Seen and Unseen"

We have a star on our team again!
Fest artist Robin Maria Pedrero was a winner at the Gallery at Avalon Island 5th annual Artists Registry.com Members Juried Exhibit.
Her entry was her oil painting "Of Things Seen and Unseen",sponsored by XOXO Media Group/Donna Dowless.

She won an "Honorable Mention" - including a $50 cash prize!!!
More than 90 artists participated, and the exhibit is open December 17th through January 15th, 2010. The Gallery at Avalon Island is located at 39 S. Magnolia Ave. , in downtown Orlando at the corner of Magnolia and Pine.


Robin Maria Pedrero
A Visual Journey
Pocketful of Colors my blog
My website - http://www.gallery523.com/

Congratulations Robin!!! FEST is proud of your accomplishment!

Zesty Butterfly Pendant Giveaway

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Drum roll please.....................................

Kristen Laudick won the FEST December Blog giveaway!!!

thanks for all the entries!

Happy Holidays !!!!!!!

Sheppard Bloggers

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Florida Fun Spot - See St. Augustine

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Looking for a Weekend Getaway?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

....and St. Augustine is a beautiful place to be this time of the year! You can book a romantic bed and breakfast in our historical downtown district (or a hotel within walking distance of downtown), park your car and never use it again until you are ready to leave! On your first evening you can enjoy a yummy dinner at one of the many restaurants that are in the downtown area, then take a walk to the Plaza de la Constitucion where our world renowned Christmas Lights are unforgettable! ( up until the end of January)Take a walk down along the bay front and enjoy the sea breeze and the beautifully lighted and decorated historic buildings, have a cocktail at one of the taverns, some sangria at the Tapas bar, or something special at the Tini Martini bar...

In the morning after breakfast there are many choices available for your day downtown: take a Ferryboat to attend a tour of our famous Fort Matanzas,

visit the Spanish Colony market and the Oldest Wooden school house, and enjoy some holiday shopping along the cobble stone streets. Take a jolly trolley ride through town, visit the Lightner's Museum

and our GORGEOUS Flagler College for a tour.

How about the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum?

Staying another night? Don't miss out on one of the many ghost tours that are available in the evenings or take a ride on our famous Pirate Ship! arrrgggghh!

This Florida Fun Spot was shared by Rose of RecreationalArt.

Look what's new in her shop this week!

Sky Dazzle Ring ........with a silver adjustable band. Very Pretty!

Craft Shows this Weekend!

Tweet Our FEST Team Mate RapierGlass (as BK Crafts) will be here:
Artpool ART/CRAFT/VINTAGE HOLIDAY OUTDOOR SALE!
ST. Petersburg Florida.
12/19/09 10 AM to 4 PM
ArtPool
919 1st Ave N
St Petersburg, FL 33705



AND Seaphemera will be here:

Cedar Key Christmas Craft Show
12/19 10-5
City Park,FL


AND ONE MORE: RiverCityArtworks will be at

Riverside Arts Market
Saturday Dec 19 10-4
Riverside Ave
Jacksonville, FL

Support your team mates and lets pray the rain stops!

Interview with BDoodles

Tweet Meet Brandi of
B Doodles







Who are you?
I'm Brandi, I get to do all the fun things, such as fabric & supply purchasing, pre washing, cutting...ect. Dorothy is my mother(or is it I'm her daughter, hehe) she has the 35 years experience as a seamstress and can put together the 'things' we come up with. I'm always telling her 'think outside the box'.

What do you create?
We make aprons,with a retro feel,totes and bags. The blackberry pouch and the beer bottle/water bottle cozy are our most unique items and are also quickly becoming our most popular items. The blackberry pouch with key fob is the most practical pouch/purse I've ever used!

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I like the shop local feature, also the forums.

What other interests do you have?
Horses! Quilting has also caught my fancy. Look for some quilts at B Doodles in the future.

Where in Florida do you live?
I live in Crystal River (Citrus County). I have lived here my entire life. The diverse outdoor activities is without a doubt why I love 'home', swimming with the manatees, air boating in the saw grass flats, hiking in the Withlacoochee State Forest, or biking the Rails to Trails, there is so much to do! (I don't remember there being so much to do here when I was a teenager, LOL).


What animal would you like to be for one day and why?
dolphin- they are so free



What “super” power would you like to have and why?
one that can get things done lightening fast!












Is there someplace near your home you wold recommend to your readers?
Canoeing the Withlacochee River

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art? http://www.facebook.com/BDoodles

December Challenge - Cast Your Vote!

Tweet We are an AMAZING Team, with some MAD Crafting Skills!!!!
Can you guess the artist or shop BEFORE you follow the picture link?
Vote for your favorite in the poll on the left side bar.
Remember the winner gets her mini on the blog and a feature article in February!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar

Tweet Saturday 5p to 11:30 p
Sunday 12p to 6pm

This Weekend is the Amazing
Atomic Holiday Bazaar
in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

FEST Shops participating:
CraftyHag
Sassycrafter
OpulentOddities
&
PerpetualPickles

NINE BOGO sales this Week End!!!!!!!

Tweet Nine FEST shops with BOGO sales Saturday and Sunday this weekend
Don't miss these DEALS
50% off - It doesn't get any better than that!!!!

ArtsyCharmed&Quirky

Angeleco

GreenHeathTreasures

FeedYourSoulThreads

Glimpsesand Remains

Pinky'sPetGear

PlastiqueRecreations

lazydayz

Acenal

Creative Art Center

Tweet Boo! Are you still in the Halloween spirit? NO?! Okay so Christmas is exactly 2 weeks away and we're just now celebrating our October Team Challenge winner, Creative Art Center... I'm not afraid to admit I'm totally overwhelmed during this time of year!

The Creative Art Center won the challenge with a super spooooky Halloween hat sculpted from clay. During this holiday season, the Creative Art Center has adorable Christmas decorations and jewelry that would be the perfect gift for the women on your list! Sarah, the talent behind this FEST shop, is experienced in working with lots of different mediums, but is focusing on polymer clay for her current collection.



Congratulations Sarah on a well deserved win!

You Have To Watch this FEST Artist

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Jennifer is a new FEST member and I found this when I went to see her blog.
Fifty hours of work ...so unique!

I love her fuffalumps too! Click and go see...I know you want to :)

FESTettes in Handmade Festivals This Weekend

Tweet Come out and support and meet our FEST artists this Sunday!
Five Handmade Artists at one show in Palm Harbor on Sunday



KellyLoveDesigns

CraftyHag

DevineDesigns

AND Boogiebead


will all be at.....

Horse of a Different Color

Winter Craft Market

Sunday 12/6 10a-3p

315 Orange Street

Palm Harbor, FL

At anothaer show on Sunday in St. Augustine.....

Angeloco will be at : Every Woman's Art & Craft

Holiday Festival

Sunday 12/6 11a-5p

St. Augustine Beach Pier

Florida

Six Shop BOGO Sale Friday & Saturday

Tweet It's our first team BOGO weekend here at FEST!
Six shops have jumped in with a free or 50% off item,
after you purchase a regular priced item.
Fantastic handmade crafts that will make wonderful
Holiday Gifts!!!!
Visit each shop and discover the deals....

Boogiebead - Funky Fun Jewelry

MMToadz - Custom crochet

Pinkys Pet Gear--Doll Up Your Doggy

Plastique Recreations - Plarn-aPalooza

Artsy Charmed & Quirky - FUN pendants

Acenal - Chic wristlets and pendants

Interview with Radiance Art

Tweet Meet Amy of Radiance Art:

Who are you?
--I'm Amy (AKA RadianceArt). I'm an Air Force wife with a small business making custom stained glass of all sizes. I also have an unnatural addiction to gooey mac n cheese, and want to someday write a novel and learn Chinese.
The big news right now: we expecting our first baby (a girl!) very soon!

What do you create?
--Mostly I do stained glass. I love to experiment with different techniques and approaches, and, through my subject matter, breathe new life into this old art form. Stained glass isn't just for churches anymore!
Although my ideas tend to bounce around, I consider most of my work to have a 'fantasy surf art' vibe to it, with a few wacky items here and there. I love using color!

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
--Being an information junkie, I love that the answer to almost any question I have is just a few clicks away. There are so many seasoned folks and are more than happy to share their knowledge and experiences and help you out.



What other interests do you have?
--In addition to glasswork, I love to work with all mediums of art. (Incidentally, my college major was in wheel-thrown pottery and sculpture. Getting into stained glass was an accident!)
I also love to read, cook, crochet, swim, and play geeky games with my husband.

Where in Florida do you live, and what do you love about it?
--I moved to the Cocoa Beach area just 2 weeks before the first hurricane in 2004. I love all the little things about living in a tropical area (palm trees still make me smile), but I think my favorite thing is living by the ocean again and seeing all of Nature's moods in the waves.

What would you recommend as a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy.
--Surfing, of course! You don't even have to be good at it to have fun (trust me)!

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
BLOG: Craftifish.Blogspot
WEBSITE: RadianceArt.com
FACEBOOK: Radiance Art on Facebook
TWITTER: Craftifish.twitter
FLICKR: Radiance Art on Flickr

What animal would you like to be for one day and why?
--Totally would be a crocodile, because they are awesome creatures. Don't mind me, I'm just a log floating in the water...

What “super” power would you like to have and why?
--I like the super photographic memory power. To be able to see or read something, then instantly be able to do it. I'd learn every language on the planet, then start reading the operations manuals to everything.


Where would you go if you had a time machine and why?
--So many ideas for this one, but I think I'd be too scared of messing up some space/time continuum to do much. Doc Brown and Captain Picard taught me well.
Maybe I could get away with going back and inventing the bendy straw or something. Would having a million dollars really destroy the fabric of the universe that much?

December FEST BLOG Giveway IS HERE!

Tweet This month our Blog Giveaway is sponsored by Terry of
ArtsyCharmed&Quirky
of Coral Springs, Florida. Terry makes fabulous eclectic jewelry, handmade pendants, quirky charms and unique and wonderful Pincushion dolls.
Her giveaway is a "Zesty Butterfly" Domino Pendant. A splash of "Hot" jewel tones is complimented with a "charming" silver butterfly and matching beads. This is a 1 x 2 inch handmade domino pendant that is 18 inches long and secures with a lobster claw clasp.

Perfect for Holiday giving or to pamper YOURSELF!

Enter to win this fabulous Pendant by visiting the ArstyCharmed&Quirky Shop or any of the FEST Team members listed to the left on this page. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address so we can contact you if you are the Winner!

Winner picked on 12/27/09. Simple and Easy!

November FEST Blog Giveaway Winner!

Tweet Congratulations, Jessica, of Funky Finds, the winner of the November Blog FEST Giveaway sponsored by Cory of AquarianBath

Jessica will receive one of Cory's fabulous and yummy “Yin Ylang Scented Soaps”.

December Handmade Challenge Starts NOW!

Tweet Business is slow again this year but don't be caught napping and miss the December Challenge!

This month's theme is an easy one - "Holidays" -

I know everyone is making some Christmas, Hannukah or New Years crafts so pick out a special favorite and submit it to the competition. Link is in the left side bar.

I have upped the ante for winning a challenge to either

* A feature article about you and your art

OR

*Your etsy mini on our blog for a month!!!!

Now your listening HUH? We etsians love to see our minis posted everywhere we can! So enter the challenge right away. We have lots of newbies in the group - Don't be shy!

November Challenge Winner!

Tweet The winner of the "FEAST" challenge was Cory of AquarianBath with her Pumpkin Poppy Seed Soap - sounds so Yummy! Probably not very effective to wash out the mouths of fresh children! Just kidding....
Cory recently had a feature article about her here on the blog so she wins, instead,............her etsy mini on the blog for a month!!!
Very cool right?
Well Cory is a winner in more ways than one. She is newly pregnant - so congrats to her about that excitement .....AND
she created a FEST grab a badge for us which can be found on the right side bar. Paste the code into a java widget on your blog or website and you have a link to our Fabulous FEST Blog!!!
Thanks so much Cory!

An Excellent Etsy Photography Tutorial

Tweet If you have a Digital SLR camera and need some pointers on how to get the best photos for etsy?....you are in luck!

Our FEST member, Heather, of GreenHeathTreasures has written an excellent tutorial -

Etsy Photography.

Her guide focuses on white balance, ISO speed, lighting and editing. She even explains how to adjust sizing so etsy's auto crop won't change the effect you have created.



The diagrams and detailed instructions provide an in depth method to getting fantastic views of your artwork.

If you are a novice photographer like me with a very basic camera and a magical "macro" setting that makes me appear to have some photo skills, Heather's tutorial may seem daunting at first. Read it through a few times and you will pick up a few tips.

If you have a SLR camera you can really benefit from her instructions!



Thanks Heather for your hard work putting this tutorial together.

Enjoy a new listing from Heather's shop.


Owl Disk Necklace

There is a STAR on our Team!

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Our own Kelly of RedMarionette is the Holiday Decor Winner on etsy!!!

Her Green Holiday Wreath with "Cutie Hooties" Pierce and Timothy stole the hearts of the voters. I'm sure many of these votes were cast by all the Festettes - So thanks to everyone who voted for her adorable Wreath! Be sure to visit her shop to see all the other critters she has designed. The moose is my favorite!

The next contest is for high-end holiday gifts. Lets go FEST members- submit and lets win another round!

Shows This Weekend

Tweet Two shows this weekend with FEST members attending to share their arts with the world!



Our "Sassycrafter" will be at:

GLAM Gainesville Local Art Mart

November 22
Sunday 2p-6p
Thelma Bolton Center

The second show is:

Mrs. Claus' Craft Corner

Saturday 9a-8p

Sunday 11a- 5p

4450 N. University Dr.

Lauderhill, Fl.

Our Festette Michelle of MikicatDesigns will be there selling her beautiful Jewelry. If your in the area come and meet these two talented, lovely artists.

Time to VOTE!

Tweet It's time to cast your vote for our November challenge. The theme is "FEAST", since Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Look over our entries and before you rush off to get a snack, click on your favorite in the poll in the left sidebar. Get ready "Gobble", get set "Gobble-Gobble", Go "Gobble- Gobble-Gobble.......

Pumpkin Poppy Seed Soap by AquarianBath

A Feast for the Eyes Charm Bracelet by AudreyGardenLady

Vintage Thanksgiving Turkey Necklace by ChickadeeLane

Vintage Corn Cob Gravy Pitcher by iWunderVintage

Baby Gator Feast by MMToadz

Monster Messenger Bag by Pinka

Autumn Pear Print by RobinMariaPedrero