Time To Vote!

Tweet Here comes our February challenge contest!!! Our theme was "SWEET"

and the entries were ..........

SWEETER & FANTASTIC!

Lil Red Lady Bug

Bailey's His & Hers Cups

Fairy Wine Tote

Sweets Pendant

Candy Necklace

Wonderful You Photo frame

Emmeline Reversible Apron

Neapolitan Stocking Cap

Molassess Cookie Soap

Love Bead Bangle

Greeting Card

All entries are Sweeeeeeeeeeeet but you can only vote for ONE!!!!!!!!!

Interview with Handmade3D

Tweet Meet Ellen of Handmade3D

Who are you?
I am Ellen Ault. I am an educator and plush designer. I teach computer animation at the Art Institute of Tampa, I also teach online for the Art Institutes, and I try to get some sort of sewing into every day if possible! I am married to a wonderful husband and we have two cats and one dog. I love watching cartoons. The good old stuff from the 30’s and 40’s, not the flash/flat/anime stuff of today. Yuck! Give me classic Bugs Bunny or Mickey any day!

What do you create?

I create plush designs for kids and adults. I like to create stuffed critters that anyone can hug and get a smile from. I try to incorporate bright colors and fun patterns and prints to create a character that you can cherish and tell secrets to.

How did you come about your store name?

My entire life is on the computer. After teaching all day, grading projects, writing lesson plans, I love to make something with my hands. So I decided to incorporate my 3D knowledge into handiwork! Alas, Handmade3D.

What is the crafting utensil you cannot live without?

It’s a pretty big utensil, but my sewing machine! I just had it upgraded last fall, an early Christmas present from my mom. I have a Pfaff Creative Vision 5.5. I can sew, I can do embroidery, I can do anything!

What is your favorite material to work with?

Polka dot fabric, you should see the new quilt I’m working on. All polka dots!

What do you enjoy "window shopping" on Etsy on your free time?

It’s so easy to just get lost on etsy. I love looking at other plush designer’s work for inspiration.

Where in Florida do you live and for how long?

For the past two years I have lived in Tampa, Fl. We used to live in Palm Beach Fl, where I went to graduate school and had my first teaching position. The west coast of Florida is so much better than the east! Better climate, better people, a whole different lifestyle.

Could you recommend a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy?

We try to do things that require no money, so a favorite of ours is biking or walking on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. It’s only a mile from where we live.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?

Blog: http://handmade3d.blogspot.com/

Professional work: http://www.3doodle.com/

I also tweet and facebook, just search Handmade3D!

Where would you go if you had a time machine and why?

1928 to California. I would become an ink and paint girl in Walt Disney’s animation studio. I love fanning over Disney memorabilia, reading Disney history and art, and watching every back story possible on him.

Choose a movie title to sum up your life’s story

Enchanted

What famous person would you like to meet?

Walt Disney. Well, that won’t work. John Lasseter, the head of Pixar Animation and now story of Disney. To be able to pick his brain, hear his passion first hand. That would be a wonderful day.

If you were a dessert what would it be?

Bananas Foster. I just melt every time.

Handmade Crafts For Sale....Don't Miss It!

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In Orlando

At the Audobon Park Community Market

Wednesday Febuary 10th

7:00p-10:00p (aprox.)

At the Stardust and Bold Hype Parking lot,

corner of Corrine and Virgina in Colonial Town.

Look for our own bluebirdknits

with all her gorgeous scarves!

Interview with Knitted Wave Studio

Tweet Meet Lindsay of Knitted Wave Studio:

Who are you?
I'm a knitting and crocheting fiend who LOVES yarn and designing new things everyday!

What do you create?
I create wearable pieces of art, items that are scintillating. I love color and texture, especially texture. I also love mixing mediums to see what new things can be created from that. I'm inspired by seeing things in an atypical way sometimes, whether its photo collaging on paper and fabric and adding a little paint or using different color and texture in a knitted piece that takes it outside of what it is, putting it in a totally different light.

How did you come about your store name?
I wish it had just come to me in a dream, but the truth of the matter is that I wanted something to incorporate things about me and be catchy, and that took a lot of thinking. I wanted something to do with waves because they are an untamed force of nature and I feel a connection to them. Studio-so I didn't have to limit myself to one medium. Knitted-well that was to make the name unique, and because I love knitting.

What is your favorite material to work with?
My favorite material has to be yarn. I am an open yarn-a-holic. My stash is ridiculously huge, I could probably open up a small yarn shop just with what I have in my cabinets. I know it would be easier to have a small stash and buy for a project but having all those colors and textures there at my fingertips allows my creativity to go wherever it wants and a pretty neat piece sometimes comes from it.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I would have to say the Treasury and Treasury West. I love going through them and looking at all the stuff people pick. I have taken to making them now too. Its free publicity and you can have fun making them too.
What other interests do you have?
I love to jump in the car with my husband and just drive up and down the old state roads. My camera and knitting are always brought along. We stop to take pictures of the sights that you don't normally see and sometimes just to stop and crawl up into a tree and start knitting. I also enjoy surfing and reading even though I don't get to do them that often anymore. I'm not that good at reading while I surf anyway.

Where in Florida do you live?
Well I have lived in Tampa my entire life, except for a quick jaunt in Paris and Louisville, KY for a few months. I like that I am centrally located if I go 30 minutes in any direction I am in a different type of place be it a swamp, beach, forest, or flatlands.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
My blog http://www.bearfootkitty.blogspot.com/ for updates on treasuries, and deals in my shop or anything I think up.
My twitter www.twitter.com/knittedwave for new items and deals.
My websites for my photography http://www.lindsayenglish.webs.com/ and http://www.bygonephotography.etsy.com/ for purchasing photographs.

Where would you go if you had a time machine and why?
I would probably bounce between times maybe start with 1900 and watch my grandparents grow up so I can see all the stuff I never got to ask them about their lives. I might stay in the 40's for a while that's when my dad was born and the time period that everyone says I should have been born in...that also might have to do with the fact that I was raised mostly by my dad when I was little because he stayed at home.

What “super” power would you like to have and why?
I would want the ability to fly because in all my dreams I always get excited when I realize I can fly and then when I try I end up doing this retarded floating walk kind of thing, every time.

Get Read for the DOUBLE FUN FEST Blog GIVEAWAY

Tweet To celebrate the month of Love, this February we're hosting a DOUBLE Blog Giveaway featuring two wonderful items from our Florida FEST Shops.

The first from Barb of fishbonesilver - Melbourne - her gorgeous sterling silver earrings are made using the mold of a real sea shell. Perfect for any occasion, these lovely and elegant earrings bring a little bit of sunshine and beach to your life.



The second from Stacy of ellebelleonetsy - St Petersburg - her wonderful and unique no break, no roll crayons are easy for little fingers to hold and made from quality non toxic crayons. Just perfect for your child's play and art work.



Visit Barb and Stacy at their respective Shops to see more of their fabulous wares!

HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win these great GIVEAWAYS by visiting both or either
fishbonesilver and ellebelleonetsy at their Etsy Shops or any of the FEST Team members listed to the left of this page. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email or contact info so we can get back to you if you are the lucky Winner! Winner picked on 02/27/10. Simple and Easy!

Handmade Challenge News!

Tweet The January Challenge was won by Julzbooks with 60 votes! I loved her silver origami ball,
AND I see she makes them in various colors too!
Her prize .............................Her Etsy Mini on the blog for a month!!!

How COOL is that?...................VERY COOL !!!



The February Challenge has begun. See link to the right------------->
Theme........SWEETS!
Entries accepted until February 15th.

FEST admin. Team reminds you that:
You must mention in your shop announcement that your item is in the FEST month's challenge
and the item must have a "team fest"" tag.

Our Administration Team has imposed a new requirement to compete in a challenge.
Members may enter a challenge every month. Once a member wins a challenge, their entries the next two months, will be listed in the post, but excluded from the voting poll.
In other words, join in every month to share your art, but you may only win once every 3 months. This new rule simply allows more shops to win and enjoy the prizes!


Good Luck to everyone and lets see your SWEETS!

January FEST Blog Giveaway Unicorn Stained Glass Pendant

Tweet Drum Roll Please .... Sarah of Armillata Designs is our January winner of the fabulous Unicorn Pendant from Keith of Rapier Glass. Thanks for all the entries and check back soon for our February Blog Giveaway.

A Valentine's Special Delivery Project

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Etsy is hosting a really fun project, called Special Delivery, to bring some happiness to New York seniors, through the Meals on Wheels program. This began last year and is going to be an annual tradition!

Make or buy Valentine cards that are "cheerful" for a senior adult. Mail them to etsy.

They MUST arrive by FEB. 9th so they can be sent out with the meals on Valentine's Day.

How Sweet is This!
Follow the links for all the details.......
and if you participate, send me some pics of your cards and I will blog about them!

Support Denise and Shriner's Childrens Hospital

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Denise of RiverCityArtWorks is in a show TONIGHT - Jan 22 Friday!

A Red Carpet Affair 7pm
Morocco Shrine Auditorium
3800 Saint Johns Bluff Rd S
Jacksonville, FL 32224

A semi-formal event at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium. Tickets at the door will be $20 per person. All tickets include one free drink. Cash bar and appetizers will be provided. All proceeds will benefit the Shriner's Childrens Hospital. Come enjoy dancing, food and fun ... all for a good cause!

There will be vendors who will be selling and donating a percentage of their profits to Shriner's Childrens Hospital

Interview with Fishbonesilver

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Meet Barb of Fishbonesilver:


Who are you?
My name is Barbara Gurlek, I'm a mom to a grown daughter, 3 Golden Retrievers, 4 horses, and 2 donkeys! I have a wonderful marriage. I love making jewelry, scuba diving (although I don't do much of that anymore) and shopping. I also like interior decorating and some other crafty things.
What do you create?
I make jewelry mostly, out of precious metal clay. It's unique because I use objects in nature, such as a sea grape leaf, a starfish, a sea biscuit, shells, make a mold of them, then after they're baked in a kiln, voila, pure silver! I also do some silversmithing and I'm going to be taking some more classes soon so I'm really looking forward to learning new skills.

How did you come about your store name?
The first thing I ever made with pmc looks like a fish bone, so I used that for my store name.

What is your favorite material to work with?
Precious metal clay and sterling.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I love the treasuries! I love the different color themes and subjects that people come up with.

What do you enjoy "window shopping" on Etsy on your free time?
Oh yeah! I enjoy doing more than just window shopping too! Where in Florida do you live?
I live in Melbourne and have lived here a very long time. I love the water and the weather the most. There's nothing like walking on the causeway and seeing dolphins and manatees, how many people get to see that while exercising?

Could you recommend a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy?
The Kennedy Space Center and Sebastian Inlet if you are into surfing and/or diving.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?http://fishbonesilver.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.fishbonesilver.com/ and please join me on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/fishbone-silver/106693297068?ref=ts

What animal would you like to be for one day and why?
I'd like to be one of my Golden Retrievers because I would get a lot of petting and attention not to mention a doorman also!

What “super” power would you like to have and why?
I'd love to be a medium and talk to ghosts. My grandparents passed when I was very young, I'd love to talk with them.

Where would you go if you had a time machine and why?
Into the future, since we know what has happened in the past, I'd like to see what happens in the future.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Probably diving in the Atlantic ocean in zero visibility. Another fun thing I did was fly out to Austin Texas for a pajama party, that was a blast!

Choose a movie title to sum up your life’s story
Gone with the wind

If you were a dessert what would it be?
Some form of chocolate.

Time to Vote for your Favorite "Icy" Handmade Craft

Tweet Our Winner is..........
julzbooks**************** Kusudama Origami "Flower Ball"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well the "Icy" theme was a huge draw for wonderful handmade arts from our FEST members!!

Feast your eyes on these beautiful crafts that relect our recent "chilling" weather,
.......... thank goodness it's warm here again !



RecreationalArt *************** " Icy Snowflakes" Ring

Armillatadesigns***************** "Victorian Rose Ice" Necklace

phbeads ************************** "Ice Ice Baby" Ring

WonderfulWire********** "Crystal Ice" Seahorse Suncatcher Sculpture

Seaphemera ******************* Winter Beach Earrings

KathleenMarieKelly ***** "Winter Thunderstorm" mixed media painting

RaFiDesigns******** Ice Blue Mother of Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Bracelet

KnittedWaveStudio ********Turquoise and Cream Granny Square Scarf

lazydayz*************** "Sterling Icicles" Earrings

AudreyGardenLady*************** " Crystal Tempest" Necklace

ohbabydotcom **************Sweet Valentine Pink Knit Party Hat

AquarianBath- Lavender Flax Neck Wrap in Icy Royal Blue Chinese Silk

julzbooks**************** Kusudama Origami "Flower Ball"

Creationsbyjdb**************** Frozen Fuffalump

GlimpsesandRemains **************Icy Photo Greeting Card

IWunder ***************** "Ice Princess" Scarf

JeniLuScraps ******************* Zipster Pouch "Blue Ice"

All I can say is "Wowee Ki Zoweee" How can I pick JUST ONE?????????????

A Felted Calendar Cover Tutorial

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Felt is the oldest fabric know to man and "Felting" is an old fabric making process that has recently become popular again. Felting can be done with wool and a special felting needle that snags and blends the wool. The technique is an art to practice and learn. The felted projects on etsy, mainly animals, are adorable.

Kim of Sassycrafter has a tutorial on her blog, to make this cute pocket calendar cover, from a old sweater that is "felted" with your washing machine and dryer!
Upcycling and repurposing - going green - we all love it!


Here's step one:
1. Find a wool or wool-blend sweater and felt it by machine washing it with hot water and a small amount of detergent. Include an old pair of jeans or a towel to help the felting process. Let dry, either at room temperature or in a dryer set to medium or high.

The whole history of felt & felting for you really curious types - like me.

And another felting project with info here.

Thanks Kim for the tute and How CUTE is this purse she made that's in her etsy shop, Sassycrafter right now!

Interview with our December Challenge Winner

Tweet Meet Audrey of AudreyGardenLady:

Who are you?
I am Audrey, a Wife, a Mom, a "professional" Volunteer, an Artist, a Jewelry designer, a Genealogist, a Gardener, a crafter, an avid reader, chief cook and bottle washer, a bookkeeper, a Scout supporter, a former Banker. Loving every minute of being a stay at home Mom ----who is hardly ever home.

What do you create?

I create Paper Sculpture, Jewelry, cards and figurines. I also do some sewing and other needle work. Nature, gardening and History inspire me greatly and I like to reflect these inspirations in my designs.

How did you come about your store name?
For the last three plus years, I ran an organic vegetable gardening program at my son's elementary school as a volunteer. Each school year, I had about 200 children from Kindergarten through Fifth grade in my program. Sometimes the smaller children had trouble pronouncing my last name so they started calling me Garden Lady. I like that title. Even now, I run into some of them in the grocery store and they still call me Garden Lady. My son moved up to middle school this year, so I consult on the program at elementary school but don't run it everyday anymore. I really enjoyed teaching children how to grow fresh food organically and am thrilled at having taught many of them to try new veggies. I also published a monthly Victory Garden newsletter for them. Each class would have a couple of Garden reporters who would write about their experiences in the garden. I published their articles and pictures and gave each reporter a garden spade of their own to keep. Many encouraged their parents to help them start their own gardens at home. The program was a real blessing for me.

What is the crafting utensil you cannot live without?
My CutterBee non-stick scissors

What is your favorite material to work with?
Natural papers, fibers, gemstones and clay

What is your life like outside of Etsy?
Oh my goodness! Where do I start? Besides being married to my best friend almost 15 years now, I have a very active wonderful son. My husband is an architect. We are very involved in our church and Boy Scouts. I volunteer at my son's school, in Scouts and at church. I have been working on genealogy for 11 years now....my own and others. I love to craft, design, read, explore, garden, cook....not enough hours in the day!

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I really like the Teams. It's fun to get to know people with common interests and to promote and support each other.

What do you enjoy "window shopping" on Etsy on your free time?
Free Time? When there is any of that available, I like to explore Southwestern art. I love Native American art, folklore and culture.

Is there an online "tool" that you like to use? (a website, whether it be Etsy or not, or something that you consider useful in your selling and communicating or advertising and research)
Etsy, of course, but I also use Facebook and Twitter.
You can fan me at http://tinyurl.com/yfoyl8x
and follow me atwww.twitter.com/AudreyGarden

What other interests do you have?
History. I frequently volunteer to transcribe old deeds, wills and records for a genealogy society I belong too.

Where in Florida do you live?
We have lived in Orlando almost 14 years now. We lived in Tampa prior to moving here. We love how vibrant, active and growing Orlando is. Lots of families. Lots to do here.

Could you recommend a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy?
All of the major theme parks are here, but we don't go much. We like to explore the natural parks here and around the state and country. We love to do the "Florida on a tankful" kinds of trips. East coast and west coast Florida beaches are an easy drive from here. Not long ago, we went to Cedar Key. What a fabulous place!!

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
Facebook and Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/44095967@N03/

Where would you go if you had a time machine and why?
I would go back to 1766 in South Carolina so I could meet two of my ancestors and solve a genealogy mystery that has had me at a brick wall for years. Actually there are a few of these kinds of places I go to, if I could!

December and January Handmade Craft Challenges

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We had an exciting challenge vote in December! Did you follow it?

CreativeArtCenter's Baby Jesus and AudreyGardenLady's -In His Honor- necklace were really chasing each other for several weeks. They each must have been campaigning night and day!

It was very close several times but Audreys' necklace won with 71 votes!

Sarah's Jesus had 62 votes!

It worked out well because Sarah won a challenge recently and her mini is up on the left sidebar for January already!

Audrey will have the choice of an interview OR her mini on the blog also!

The January challenge is in progress now - check out the link on the left side bar - follow it to etsy and ENTER the fun competition.

Don't worry about being judged or embarrassed. Hey, I won a challenge last JULY,.......

AND then I got a whopping 2 votes for my entry in December! LOL!

Interview with Bululu Studio

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Meet Marilo of Bululu Studio:
Who are you?
I’m here to make your life and my life colorful, fun, interesting, funky, hip and help you to create a place that brings you pleasure; and that is called Bululu Studio. This is a family business, yes all the family collaborate. The hubby do the sanding, the mailing orders, and makes Bululu (me) happy :D The kids behave so mommy can work in peace. Everyone is involved.
What? You want to know about me? I’m an Interior Designer, 31 years old (shh don’t tell anybody). I’m a mom. Married, I have three beautiful girls, a Rock Star husband that he thinks he can fly (He likes Superman).
Of course, I’m a crafter since I remember. I remember selling some knotted bracelets made by me and my cousin; I used to sell them at school when I was just 9 years old.
What inspires me? Nature inspires me, organic shapes, flowers, birds, owls, leaves, I also enjoy vintage patterns. Clean lines, contemporary designs. Bauhaus. I don’t like busy patterns or antique styles, sorry that’s just me.

What do you create?
Most of my goodies are ecofriendly home décor. How did you come about your store name?

First of all, Bululu is a colloquial word from my hometown which means generally noisy and disordered agglomeration of people. A Tumult of joyful individuals.

What is your favorite material to work with?
I have a lot of favorites I love wood, paper, beads and paint.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I enjoy making treasuries, it’s really fun.

What do you enjoy "window shopping" on Etsy on your free time?
Home décor it’s my passion I rather buying a picture framed than a pair of shoes.

What other interests do you have?
I love a good concert, a great movie and a Swiss bar of chocolate.

Where in Florida do you live?
I live in Melbourne, it’s close to the beach and Cape Canaveral I love seeing the Shuttle Launch. How the flames reflects on the water at night. It’s a gorgeous scene.

Could you recommend a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy?
Every second Friday of the Month we have a special event at the Downtown of Melbourne, where you can walk, live music, drink and eat a lot of recreational activities.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
You can also visit these sites:
blog http://bululustudio.blogspot.com/
twitter http://twitter.com/bululustudio
web http://bululustudio.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BululuStudio/

Where would you go if you had a time machine and why?
I would have liked to know Leonardo Da Vinci. Cause he was a master artist and amazing inventor.

If you were a dessert what would it be?
A Key Lime Pie. Yum!

It’s Time for the FEST Team January BLOG GIVEAWAY!

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This Giveaway has been awarded - watch for the next one in early February

This month our Giveaway is sponsored by Keith of RapierGlass from Davenport, Florida. Keith carefully combines glass and metals to bring beautiful designs to life.

He’s offering a beautiful Black and Silver Unicorn Pendant Necklace with an embossed brass stamping which has been carefully finished to a brightly polished silver and attached to a 1 ½ by 1 ¾ inch piece of premium art glass. Opaque black glass, a silver bail for attaching to a necklace and an 18 inch cord with a 3 inch chain for adjusting the length.

You can visit Keith at his Etsy Store to see more of his fabulous glass and metal designs at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RapierGlass .

HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win this fabulous Pendant Necklace by visiting RapierGlass at his Etsy 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 01/27/10. Simple and Easy!