Friday, May 29, 2009

April Team Challenge Winner GladRaggz

The theme for the team challenge for the month of April was FUZZY. All the members of FEST are given the opportunity to vote for their favorite submission and it's my fun job to announce the winner! And the winner is, drum roll please..... are you doing it??.... GladRaggz with this work or art, her one of a kind designer inspired crochet handbag:
Listen to the detail that went into this bag - This is a one-of-a-kind work and extremely fun piece of crochet artwork done in a variety of yarns in shades of red with jeweltone highlighs. Embellishments include a gold tone filigree and rhinestone brooch as well as a single row of red fabric that I've sewn into ribbon to get the perfect color match. Lightweight gold toned chains make this a shoulder bag. The interior is lined with sapphire toned satin, and the small interior pocket is edged with machine embroidered silver holographic thread.

As I was looking through GladRaggz' shop I kept thinking her bags and jewelry look like wearable pieces of art. Case and point, this amazing necklace
This large Swarovski AB Crystal Pendant is just gorgeous! It hangs from ropes of ivory cord, gold fabric tape, and teal colored "Italian Mesh", which is a finely braided wire mesh that can be fluffed and shaped any way the wearer wishes. The Italian Mesh is strung with 4 AB Swarovski crystals.

I also really love how descriptive and captivating her listings read, like this one for these clear glass earings.

These desinger inspired earrings remind me of several things - seashells, flowers, and feminine curves with their swirls and faint AB, (Aurora Borealis) coating. Both the swirled beads and the round Czech glass spheres reflect a delicate rainbow when they catch the light at just the right angle. There is also a faint swirl of white glass on the edges of the clear bead. These earrings would be especially nice for bridal wear, but they can also be dressed up for evening, or down for a "casual chic" look. Either way, they are extremely feminine and sexy, and can't be missed!

Stop by this talented FEST members shop and add a little art to your wardrobe!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

BeckySinn Interview

Meet Becky of BeckySinn.etsy.com
Carnivale Creations

Who are you?

My given name is Rebecca Dee Hudson. Becky Sinn is my alter ego stage name! I am a statuesque red-headed native Floridian.
What do you create?
I create my own chaos, jointed soft-sculpture dolls, resin photo jewelry, charm bracelets, and other up-cycled art.
How did you get started?

My Mother is an artist. By the time I was five, I was helping her stuff her dolls. She sold crafts all over the world and I've always aspired to be like her. My Daddy was a wood working artist and a musician, also a huge inspiration! My brothers are also amazing artists as well. I come from
pretty creative stock.
What is unique about your art?

I must say I am most proud of my dolls. I have never really seen any quite like mine, if I do say so myself. Also, I really make an effort to communicate with my customers. I am still in touch with some of my very first clients.


What is your biggest challenge?

Discipline

What do you love about Etsy?
The Uber cheap listing fees and the Six month long listing activation. Etsy actually makes it easy and affordable to have your own little slice of the e-commerce pie. YAY!
What other interests do you have?

Music! (I play guitar and sing!) Antiques! History! Anything Vintage! All things Victorian!
Where are you in Florida?

I've lived in Ocala my whole life, I am obsessed with historic photos of Ocala and surrounding areas such as Micanopy and Gainesville, and any local history. I am also in love with the amazing Springs and parks that are everywhere in central Florida. Ooh! and our sunsets too!
Where else can we find you?

What disasters have you had?

I have crafting disasters all the time. I am often jabbing my poor fingers with huge needles. Even though that hurts, the worst disaster is a batch of resin that doesn't cure properly.
What animal would you like to be?

I would like to be a dolphin for a day. That probably has something to do with the Sega Genesis game: Echo the dolphin, which I would play till I got blisters and could play no longer.

What SUPER POWER would you like to have?

The power of flight, or mind bullets...because that's telekinesis Holmes.

Where would you go with a Time Machine?

First I'd go to Victorian England, then I'd go to Paris for the Bohemian Revolution and lots of absinthe, then Coney island in the roaring Twenties. These are all places and eras that are extremely fascinating and romantic to me!
What crazy things do you like to do?

The extent of my craziness is poking around abandoned buildings and old cemeteries looking for ghosts and signs of people that have long since passed. For reasons that are NOT supernatural, this pass time can get pretty hairy!

Favorite person?

My brother Mack. We always get each others' warped sense of humor. Love you!!!
Favorite Quote?
Ricky Fitz in American Beauty says, "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in." I feel you Ricky.




Visit Becky's shop it's a wonderful collection of beautiful art!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

May Team Challenge

Each month FEST challenges its members to create and post an item fitting a specific theme. May's theme was BLOOM. FESTers will vote for their favorite item and the winner will be featured here on the blog in the coming month. To cast your vote, check out each item and make note of the number next to your favorite one. Log into the Yahoo Group account (there's a link to it on the left margin), click on "Polls", and select the number that corresponds with your favorite entry. Good luck!

1. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24631681
2. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23789122
3. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16673591
4. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21962979
5. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24576432
6. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24706234
7. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24776951
8. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22128158
9. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24797381
10. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=23733918
11. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11477139
12. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24855954
13. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23313461
14. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24628063
15. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24869785
16. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24489436
17. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25020485
18. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24947114
19. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25039101
20. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25039880
21. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24832776
22. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13426304
23. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25101813
24. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25108337

Saturday, May 2, 2009

May Etsy FEST Blog Giveaway!!



Can I just tell you how much I love this handpainted box from Christina from Purplesmurple! It makes me kind of sad that I am in charge of the blog giveaways and cannot enter. Good news is, you can though! I'll just sit here and pout.

Maybe I'll have to buy the one in her shop: Little Jewel Box

Handpainted, one of a kind jewelry box. Lovely blue green color, with gold accents, and finished inside and out. It measures 8 inches wide, 5 inches deep, and 3 1/2 inches tall. It features and asian inspired scrolled design, incorporating tons of little detail. This has been lovingly handpainted by Christina, and triple sealed for durability.



How to Enter:

If you would like to enter to win this beautiful handpainted box, just visit the Purplesmurple shop or any of the other fabulous FEST shops from the list at the left. Add a note about the favorite item you've found and what you love about it in the comments section of this post. Be sure to leave me an email so I can contact you if you are our winner! Winner will be chosen on may 20th.