Handspun Fun

Autumn Leaves Merino Bamboo Handpainted Yarn 620 yards by TerrificCreations

Undiscovered Gold

Toys have gotten out of control. So many bells and whistles, kids usually just end up playing with the box. It is a pleasure when someone reminds us of the simple joys an old fashioned toy can bring.

Dignav is an expert with the paper doll. Not only can you get some of the cutest dolls I have ever seen, complete with their paper wardrobe, you can get them a paper home or host a paper wedding.

Need a last minute play idea. Dignav has that covered too. All of her paper dolls and houses are PDF downloads! Just print off of your home computer, cut out and you are ready to play. 

Check out the shop, download your dolls and get in some good old fashioned playtime.

I Love This

Vegan Peanut Buttercream Icing by TheCupcakeMint

Handspun Fun

The Mist - Cherub Lace (Alpaca Silk Cashmere) by TurtlePurl

Undiscovered Gold

If you are reading this you have an appreciation of words. I love an interesting font placed just so on a page to give a dramatic effect. Even better is a subtle visual joke. Maybe it is all those years working in graphic design, maybe it is just because it is so different from what I do day to day.

SwellCrafts is filled with such "swell" cards. Even if she took a pen and wrote these sayings on a piece of cardstock, it would be enough. The added bonus of these greeting cards is her font choices and clever little icons added to give that sense of humor.

Lauren, creator of SwellCrafts, is a graphic designer by trade, working in print, web and video. She even has published photographer in her resume! She lives in Arkansas where all of these cards are made by hand and can be customized by request.

The cards are reasonably priced and are made on textured white cardstock. They come with a matching envelope and are tied together with a piece of organic hemp.

Want more? You can find her full design portfolio online, read her blog, and follow her on twitter.  

I Love This

Star Trek Wine Glasses from ImpulsiveCreativity

Handspun Fun

Experimental multicolored Chris Sock Yarn from FiberCharmer

Kiwi's Blogger Follower Swap

What is a blog swap? Just another way to meet new people and make friends. This blog swap is hosted by kiwivandal on swap-bot.

should be an interesting experience if nothing else. Thanks to berrysweettreats for introducing me to it.

Undiscovered Gold

It must be party time, because I knew right away when I pounced on this shop that it was the one for this week!

Little Party Boutique has sweet little items, or so it says in their shop banner. I could not agree more. I was immediately attracted to the bright color choices and her use of pattern in daring ways. Who would have thought that a cupcake to have over sized pink flowers?

I especially love the die-cut butterflies on gift tags and birthday banners. They are placed as if they landed there on their own.

Stacy, a full time mom, just opened the shop in September from Jacksonville. She has begun to fill it with customizable items that are ready to ship the next day. If you have a party coming up for that special someone, it is definitely worth a look!

In a Past Life

I realize that most people who read this blog know very little about me. You might think of me as that chick who knits sporty stuff, or the one who gets a kick out of promoting other handmade shops. Well I am much more then that as you can imagine.

I am a stay at home mom, for one thing. Etsy is my second job, as it is for most of us. One that you may have guessed is that I am a total geek, seeing as my number one selling item in my shop is based on Star Wars. What you would never have dreamed is that I was in the NYC Rocky Horror Picture Show cast for 3 years. Performing in my underwear in front of strangers on a weekly basis. Dont bother looking online for pictures, I am almost 100% sure none exist.

Anyway, it is almost halloween, and as usual television is taking full advantage of this staple. Much like Scrooge at Christmas time, Rocky fills that void of programming with a song and a dance. If this is your first time watching it, I highly recommend you get out and see the real thing on the big screen with a full cast. It is still performed weekly in most parts of the country. Check the Official Fansite for the show nearest to you.

Handspun Fun

Handspun Wool Yarn by KnoxFarmFiber

Undiscovered Gold

Maybe I am just being sentimental, or maybe I am a sucker for bright colors. Whatever the reason, this week's shop really caught my eye.

GreenwichSt is great for so many reasons. First, they have a shop filled with the most beautiful, colorful photographs. Each "bouquet" is more beautiful then the next. Secondly, they are designed to last forever; no drying of flowers necessary!

Most importantly, reduce-recycle-reuse. Buttons can be taken from this bouquet and used on cuff links for the groom, closures on a christening dress, or just placed in a jar on your sideboard to add color in your kitchen.

GreenwichSt is an interesting shop for other reasons as well. The ladies who run it live thousands of miles apart, one in New York City, the other in Houston, Texas. You can check out all the most recent creations on their facebook fanpage and follow them on twitter as well.

I Love This

Sterling Silver Acorn Pendent, Medium

Handspun Fun

Faux Cashmere by StonyCreek

Undiscovered Gold

Maybe I am just in the mood for some halloween mischief, or maybe it was the gloomy skies covering the east coast the last few days, but this weeks shop will put you right in the mood for a scary movie.

Strangetastic haunts the town of Austin, Texas with his otherworldly curiosities. The shop opened in August of 2010 with a collection of small bottles. The glass vessels are spooky enough with wax dripping over their foggy surface, then we are treated to the story behind the item:

According to the old tales, the citizens of the town of River Derbane would trap ghosts within the very small confines of these bottles to prevent them from haunting the living.

Sealed with wax and cork, the tiny bottle also contains soil (perhaps from the grave of the deceased) and a scrawled note purported to reveal the last mortal thought of the spirit trapped within. Alas, the words cannot be read without releasing the trapped haunt.

Whether the artifact is genuine or a replica, haunted or a hoax, is for you to decide. But buyer beware, we offer no warranty for lingering spirits.

Want more? You can find stories on their website Strangetastic.com.