Today`s Treasury: Fall Favorites

First off I just want to say I know were not quite into fall yet but definitely on the cusp of fall the past weekend I was in the mountains and it really felt like fall. I can`t believe the summer is over
and there are already hints of the season to come. Good bye Summer Hello fall! I pick a few this out I thought
were great fall must haves. Enjoy!

‘Fall Favorites! ‘ by margopage

Everyone please check out this treasury posted on margopage.comEnjoy!

Hand knit unique mu… LizSox $50.00	Fall Canopy – origi… ColourAndPassi… $900.00	Fall Country Farmho… theflowerpatch $19.95
Dozen Holiday Pie C… halfbakedco $24.00	Paper Mache Bowl Wh… etco $10.00	7 XL felted acorn f… ronc3m $12.00
Long Cable Cardigan… knitsbyjessie $220.00	Special Listing for… stevenjameskea… $100.00	Rosette Gold Metal … inbarshahak $78.00
Log Candle Holders,… naturallyaspen $15.00	Fall fashion .Winte… Ayca $47.00	Ceramic White Pumpk… HurricanePotte… $15.00
SAMPLE SALE Lovely … finchdesignsf $55.00	Beadwoven peyote ri… IzabelDesigns $21.00	fall houndstooth bl… nicolecarey $72.00
FALL Bridesmaid Gif… shopsomethingb… $108.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Today`s Treasury : Makeup Face

I dont know about all you other ladies out there. But sometimes I just LOVE makeup! I love to
play its one of my most favorite things about being a girl. I found some really great stuff on
etsy. Please check it! Have a lovely day!

‘Makeup Face’ by margopage

French Lavender – … MadisonStreetB… $1.99	Grapefruit – Vegan … nakedelements $10.00	Wood COSMETIC ORGAN… lessandmore $75.00
Toner anti aging Or… CrushedBotanic… $9.50	Tangerine Scream, C… AniloracCosmet… $5.00	Make-up Remover Pad… softandscrubby $5.00
Blue Quandong – Veg… nakedelements $12.00	sequin multi colore… exposedorganic… $7.99	Liquid Foundation, … CrushedBotanic… $16.00
Vegan pure mineral … anaisantiaging $6.50	Face Loofah Aromath… healingmuse $3.50	Organic Mineral Lip… BotanicalLabs $1.90
Lip Plumper – Organ… anaisantiaging $39.00	All Natural Eye Mak… aunaturelle $9.00	XXL 12pc Mineral ma… SobeBotanicals $52.99
Aruba Vegan Lipstic… justpureminera… $9.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

spotlight: Karolin Schnoor

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Now that it`s Monday time for some inspiration. Her name is Karolin Schnoor. She makes the most fabulous prints. When ever I look at them I get inspired to keep going with what ever I am working on. Some of her stuff will totally be on my wish list. Have a great day and enjoy!

1.What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Karolin Schnoor, I am originally from Berlin, Germany but I now live in London working as a freelance illustrator and designer.

2. Tell us a little more about yourself?

I don’t think I always saw myself working in the arts as I liked all my subjects at school and was really quite obsessed with books actually. But as high-school went on I found myself really enjoying art class the most as it was somehow different from everything else. Looking back there was some really horrific adolescent work going on, fashion magazine collages and crying eyes, angry girls etc. Thankfully I feel my work has evolved away from that!

3.How did you acquire your craft/art?

I moved to London for a foundation course to see what direction to go into and I ended up staying for a degree course in Illustration and started working after graduating from that. I have always been a freelancer and although it requires a lot of self-discipline it’s pretty great most of the time. I do think that most of my professional development came after University because I just ended up working more and for different clients. I think the best way to learn is to just do as much as possible and sometimes the freedom of a course can mean that you spend too much time thinking and procrastinating. You can’t do that with a deadline so pressure can be a good thing!

4. What inspires you?

I always find it hard to answer that question because I approach most of my work with a goal in mind. Either it’s to fulfill the brief given by the client or if it’s personal work I want it to be a viable product for my online shop or a development away from what I usually do which is the hardest thing of all. All of my work is done in quite a structured way so I find it difficult to start with an inspiration and follow it to where it takes me. I need to learn to do this more as I do think it can lead to interesting results. Saying that I do sometime see colour combinations, patterns or photographs that inspire an illustration from a purely aesthetic point of view.

5. What is your creative process?

Definitely quite controlled! Most commercial jobs begin with size and printing specifications and they have a deadline. So the idea comes first and then it’s implementation within the constraints of the job. When it comes down to actually producing the work I will do a pencil sketch and then a line drawing which I scan in and colour digitally. I’ve started screenprinting again which is something I got into at university and when I prepare images for print there is a little more planning involved and the last step is the print room which I enjoy a lot. One of the best things about printing work yourself is being able to chose scale and surface, making choices about the paper and texture and how you print something is very satisfying when you spend most of your time working on the computer.

6. What do you find to be the secret to your success?

Mhh…I’m not sure I am qualified to answer that because I don’t feel that I am successful in the way I’d eventually like to be just yet! I think the most important thing is to work as much as you can and when you work for someone specific to try and understand what needs to be done. This also goes for understanding your industry and your own place in it. Producing good work is one thing but devoting yourself to finding jobs and editing your own work is a whole other part of being creative that I never really thought about before going freelance. I still feel very much that I am learning and that there is still a lot for me to do before I feel established but I think that’s a good thing.

7.Where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

At the moment I am working on a lot of different things, I’m designing identities and websites, I design for print but I also illustrate and run my online shop where I stock things that I screenprint. This works well for me because I never get bored but on the other hand it makes it harder to devote enough time to one thing to really get good at that. So ideally I would like to improve in a range of areas but most of all I’d like to draw more and work on gaining more commercial illustration exposure. It’s a very competitive field and it’s hard to get a foot in the door but it would be great to spend more time in the future drawing.

8.Any words of wisdom to share with fellow artist/crafters?

That’s tricky. I suppose I wish someone had told me sooner that procrastinating will just make things worse and if you don’t want to work on a project that’s the one you should get to right away. It’s good to do things you’re scared of because you will get a lot out of it. I also underestimated the amount of self-discipline it takes to motivate yourself when you work freelance so I wish I had been more prepared! Other than that I think it’s fairly simple, just keep working!

9.What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

That’s an interesting question. It’s strange, I don’t feel very precious about my work. Perhaps it’s also because I’m quite impatient so I don’t have many final pieces that have had hours and hours of work put into them. I threw away all my sketchbooks except for my degree work ones because I preferred having the space. I find it quite cathartic to get rid of old work. That being said, when I left Uni I had a little stash of business cards that had been hand printed. My supply began to dwindle fairly quickly and I was suddenly very protective of them and unwilling to hand them out.

10. Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?

I think I just feel that out of all the possible things I could have done it was in some ways the most challenging. Art was one of the few subjects at school I struggled with and to this day I’m not sure I wouldn’t perhaps be better at something else. Despite how hard and frustrating it can be I like that each project is different and I’ve never been bored yet.

11. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

www.karolinschnoor.co.uk
HYPERLINK “http://www.etsy.com/shop/KarolinSchnoor”www.etsy.com/shop/KarolinSchnoor

HYPERLINK “http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Karolin-Schnoor-Illustration/100000906673430″http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Karolin-Schnoor-Illustration/100000906673430

‘KAROLINSCHNOOR’ by margopage

Hello Please check out this featured treasury at margopage.com!

Girl with Flowers KarolinSchnoor $45.00	Hands KarolinSchnoor $30.00	Sweater KarolinSchnoor $25.00
Make a Fox KarolinSchnoor $5.00	Botanical Postcard … KarolinSchnoor $13.00	Congratulations KarolinSchnoor $4.50
Happy Birthday KarolinSchnoor $4.50	Moths KarolinSchnoor $20.00	Make an Owl KarolinSchnoor $5.00
Friends Forever KarolinSchnoor $4.50	Wreath KarolinSchnoor $30.00	Make a Rabbit KarolinSchnoor $5.00
Flower Girl KarolinSchnoor $30.00	All You Need Is Lov… KarolinSchnoor $4.50	Cityscape Screenpri… KarolinSchnoor $40.00
Dove Postcard KarolinSchnoor $3.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Indie Spotlight: Depeapa

This artist comes to us all the way from Spain she makes the most lovely things! Those broaches would be a fabulous whimsy element
to add to a fall or winter jacket! The drawstring bags would be great for a bike ride or lunch bag. Enjoy the post!

1.What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Verónica de Arriba. I’m an illustrator and crafter from Spain.

2. Tell us a little more about yourself?

The Spanish words for ‘from start to finish’ is de pe a pa. In my world, it is written ‘Depeapa’, and I think that it’s the perfect name for my venture because all is a handmade process.

3.How did you acquire your craft/art?

Since I was a child, I liked to draw. I studied Fine Arts, after finishing my studies I had worked as graphic designer. One sunny day in late 2007, I have the idea that I could give a new life to my illustrations by utilizing the drawings to create more things than only on paper.
At first I didn’t intend to sell anything; this was simply a project of love. However, as soon as I posted images of my pieces on the internet, I began to receive requests from individuals and shops. This was the beginning of a small craft business.

4.What inspires you?

I don’t know. It’s a difficult question. I like many different things that are inspiring!

5. What is your creative process?

I don’t have a specific process. Sometimes I only draw and other times I have a very clear idea of ​​the final product and then I draw.

6. What do you find to be the secret to your success?

I don’t consider myself in those terms of success.
I feel successful because I am doing something I love.

7.Where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

I’m in a sweet moment, I dont have a very rigid idea about the future. 

8.Any words of wisdom to share with fellow artist/crafters?

Be yourself and do what you like without thinking in it is commercial or not.

9.What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

Now I have improved the technique but I love my first felt brooches.

10. Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?

I love my work, draw, work in new products… and I love waking up in the morning and decide then how to plan my day.

11. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

Ok, here it goes:

Blog: HYPERLINK “http://www.depeapa.com” www.depeapa.com
Etsy Shop: HYPERLINK “http://www.etsy.com/shop/depeapa” http://www.etsy.com/shop/depeapa
Envelop Shop: HYPERLINK “http://www.envelop.eu/shop/designers/p/detail/depeapa” http://www.envelop.eu/shop/designers/p/detail/depeapa
Facebook: HYPERLINK “http://www.facebook.com/pages/Depeapa/129862833738004” http://www.facebook.com/pages/Depeapa/129862833738004

‘Depeapa’ by margopage

Check this treasury and more fromDepeapa margopage.com!!

cat with flower – c… depeapa $18.00	Girl with braid – P… depeapa $7.00	Girl and house – il… depeapa $18.00
3D Tshirt depeapa $34.00	Shoes – illustrated… depeapa $20.00	Bearded – screen pr… depeapa $21.00
Parisian girl – b&w… depeapa $18.00	Girl – Pocket mirro… depeapa $7.00	Dog – color handcra… depeapa $18.00
Dog flying – b&w ha… depeapa $18.00	Circles – illustrat… depeapa $18.00	Geometric mountain-… depeapa $21.00
Mustache – illustra… depeapa $18.00	Bear – screen print… depeapa $21.00	Bear – color handcr… depeapa $18.00
Flowers – screen pr… depeapa $21.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Indie Spotlight: ROK CANDY of NYC

Hello all! ROK CANDY of NYC is so much fun I love the colorful jewelry, It would go nicely with a plain tee and a pair of jeans on the weekend to add just a pop of color. I like that Rok Candy is setting a great example for independent businesses big and small as well as individuals. They give back 5% to women for women international what is a program! If you don`t know anything about it you can check it out at the link below. 2% goes to the planet, I herd a great quote the other day (I think Rok Candy might agree) it was: Activism is my rent for living on this planet.” -Alice Walker Have a great day and enjoy the post!

1. What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

ROK Candy of NYC®, a privately held company is a jewelry brand founded by designer Alecia Angele. As the logo suggests, ROK Candy of NYC’s foundation is based on transformation, peace and freedom; the brand, like each of its individual pieces, is built on respect for individuals and their cultures. The collections are inspired by love and world peace, and driven by a vision that molds vintage, modern, organic and global sentiments. Unique to the company, is Alecia’s commitment to up-cycling materials, a portion of profits are given to Women for Women International providing women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, there by promoting viable civil societies, changing the world one woman at a time. ROK Candy of NYC ® designer Alecia Angele was born and raised in the United States. Alecia had dreams of being an artist for as long as she can remember; influenced by a love of nature, art, fashion, world cultures and history. After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma, with degrees in International Affairs, and Fashion Marketing, she pursued her passion for design, and began her career as a Fashion Illustrator for Dillards Corporation. She later moved to New York City, freelancing for various major corporations; having studied fashion, art, and merchandising, she expanded her portfolio, working for Liz Claiborne, and Sara Max (Wal-Mart, JCP, Target, Khols), as well as creating and selling collections in the SOHO district in NYC, online, and to private clients. A love for the earth is also present in ROK Candy’s business practices. All products are made in the USA. The company is committed to helping create a more sustainable future. Merchandise tags are printed on recycled paper. Thank you for joining us in our effort to create a greener planet.

Ethically Produced
5% to Women for Women International www.womenforwomen.org/
2% for the Planet
Made in USA
etsy.com/shop/rokcandyofnyc
rokcandyofnyc.blogspot.com

Much L-O-V-E
ROK Candy of NYC♥

2.What is your creative process?

The collections are inspired by love and world peace, and driven by a vision that molds vintage, modern, organic and global sentiments. Researching current trends and always keeping in mind what we want ROK Candy to convey to the public, are a vital part of making our business successful, and evaluating what designs and price points, will work best for our target customers.

3.What do you find to be the secret to your success?

Having studied Fashion Marketing in college, and an ongoing passion for art, fashion, and other cultures, has influenced me, most importantly being able to adapt and be flexible with the ongoing changes in the economies and fashion world!

4. Where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

Hopefully ROK Candy of NYC will be blessed with repeat buyers and new clients.

5.What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

All my works are my favorites; I only create what I would enjoy wearing, so I guess everything!

6.Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?

Creating pieces that I enjoy and love, and being able to sell them, for someone else to enjoy, fuels my fire!

7. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

*Currently available at:
select Nordstrom stores
etsy.com/shop/rokcandyofnyc
rokcandyofnyc.blogspot.com/

8. This last one is not really a question but rather a space for you to share anything else with us that we have not covered.

A portion of our profits are given to Women for Women International providing women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, there by promoting viable civil societies, changing the world one woman at a time. All of our products are ethically produced and made in the USA.

A love for the earth is also present in ROK Candy’s business practices. All products are made in the USA. The company is committed to helping create a more sustainable future. Merchandise tags are printed on recycled paper. Thank you for joining us in our effort to create a greener planet.

‘ROK CANDY of NYC’ by margopage

Check out ROK CANDY of NYC on indie artist spotlight at margopage.com

R O K A M E R I C … rokcandyofnyc $35.00	O N T H E R O K S rokcandyofnyc $28.00	W O R L D P E A C … rokcandyofnyc $24.00
R O K for A F R I… rokcandyofnyc $38.00	R O K C A N D Y rokcandyofnyc $20.00	L O V E R O K S rokcandyofnyc $16.00
R O K n L E A T H E… rokcandyofnyc $18.00	R O K for A F R I … rokcandyofnyc $18.00	R O K C A N D Y rokcandyofnyc $14.00
R O K for P E A C E rokcandyofnyc $14.00	R O K S T A R rokcandyofnyc $19.00	P E A C E to A F R … rokcandyofnyc $24.00
R O K S T A R rokcandyofnyc $19.00	N Y C R O K C A N D… rokcandyofnyc $14.00	R O K P A R T Y rokcandyofnyc $20.00
R OK for A F R I … rokcandyofnyc $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Today`s Treasury: Yummy Office Eye Candy

It is back to school time! Weather you are a returning student, teacher or parent
who is looking to revamp your work space check out these fun picks! Enjoy your
Tuesday!

‘Yummy Office Eye Candy ‘ by margopage

Wood & Steel French… KristenWilkens… $1000.00	Nebula – Decorative… SeaconnetLoft $12.00	The Green Office Ch… mendetc $400.00
3 piece White Birch… NHWoodscreatio… $19.50	MAGNETIC BOARD Fram… EleganceFarmHo… $119.00	colored wooden penc… Hulnara $22.00
Circles DRY ERASE C… decalsmurals $34.99	happytape. 12inch j… happytape $42.00	Suitcase Cat Bed teenytinytable… $50.00
Office magnets, kit… ASecondLife $12.00	Driftwood Mirror, I… benforgeydotco… $295.00	Handmade ‘Bent … svelteobjects $180.00
Storage Basket from… polkadotsandbl… $36.00	Globe Wernicke 15 D… LAKEWAYCANDLES $400.00	Super-Sophisticated… thecountschin $9.99
Dandelion Field – … WallSticks $69.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Indie Spotlight: Szostak

I am in love with this artist! As I have looked at Witold Szostak`s creations it is not hard to see he come from an architectural background. Each of his items are handcrafted with love, creativity, and a refined attention to detail! To me these pieces are as grand as a fine piece of art one would covet in a private art collection! I do believe his name will go down in history as the likes of theose as Eames and Nelson. I want to let everyone know my birthday is in April and I would graciously except any item from Szostak!!! PS- Witold I also so product reviews I you would like to send an item to me! 🙂 Enjoy!!!

1. What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Witold Szostak. I live and work in Cracow, Poland, Europe. I have studied architecture at Cracow University of Technology. This is also where I live now with my three gorgeous girls: my partner and two daughters almost teenager and little one. I’ve been designing wide range of home furniture for two years now.

2. Tell us a little more about yourself?

I felt like my existing job of designing various types of buildings (architecture itself, perhaps) wasn’t satisfactory enough, and the moment when I discovered that I can take my thoughts and ideas to a completely different dimension and materialize them in a real world that was IT. I quit my job and decided to follow it in a serious way.

3. How did you acquire your craft/art?

It was when we were renovating our flat. I’ve decided to make some of the furniture and lights myself. It was crazy, as at that time I had to move my small mobile workshop from one room to another. It took me 4 years, but I have to say: it did work!

4. What inspires you?

Work of lots of great artists inspires me, however it was when I saw the Paweł Althamer’s model in Tate Modern in London, I felt for the very first time what Art is.
My work is also inspired by: Secession and Bauhaus – 1920’s in Germany and the
Architecture of 1930’s and 1950’s in United States, Japanese minimalism and industrial revolution of the XIX century;
Need to mention the work/art of Santiago Calatrava and Zaha Hadid and Besson’s ‘The Fifth Element’.
Not to forget the Albert Einstein who I would happily swap places with 

5. What is your creative process?

The feeling of enormous relief fills me every time I finish the project, especially if it’s a big and complex like ‘Big Fan’ .Work with hard materials can be very exhausting (especially when using hand tools and innovative techniques), however the thought of the award: seeing the final effect and how that compares to the very early thoughts/plans, how that evaluated from that very first stage of a simple idea, is what’s takes me through.
I don’t draw sketches. I imagine everything in a finish models and technical drawings. With stainless steel elements for example, I know what’s available on the market, what I’ve got in stock, what possibly need to be ordered etc. On the other hand, wood is a bit different story, much simpler and more pleasurable to work with.
When all basic components are prepared, I start to draw missing elements using CAD technique; then the drawings are sent to the laser plotter; they come back with different shapes, thickness, but still ‘raw’ plates which I start to work with, giving them unique identity.
I constantly think about new projects, it’s like never ending and wonderful process in my head.

6. What do you find to be the secret to your success?

The most important to me is high standard and quality of my designs.
In my opinion, the key to commercial success is the combination of high quality materials and high standards craftsmanship.
I also find essential the faith and confidence that my work has got a deeper sense.

I’m currently working on smaller and more affordable projects, which I revile soon; however it’s the big ones which require more time and investment is what I would like to focus in the future.

7. Where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

I’ve started making beautiful things, things which is wonderful to be surrounded by, things to enjoy, smell and touch…
I planned six stages, scenes almost like, for my business, for myself. First, I already forgot all about, jumped into a Second one- where I am now. Third will be the happiest one; Fourth –the one in a million-this could be the lethal for me; Fifth I dare to mention; Sixth – will know about sitting in a rocky chair on my porch with a glass of the finest bourbon, watching grandchildren playing…. This will be the time when I stop imagine things, I will know it all and feel deep inside me. I could then just drift in ocean of peace…

8. Any words of wisdom to share with fellow artist/crafters?

Ladies and Gentlemen! Let’s do it!

9. What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

It’s got to be ‘Big Fan’. It took me a lot of energy and time to complete this giant beauty, but I’ve enjoyed every single moment working on this project. It’s unique and awesome piece of furniture with a soul of its own.

10. Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?

It is all taking me to the Sixth stage and the journey is equally exciting as the destination.

11. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

http://www.witoldszostak.com.pl
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SZOSTAK?ref=pr_shop_more
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SZOSTAK/163193133733982

‘SZOSTAK’ by margopage

big fan SZOSTAK $7800.00	calm tuna SZOSTAK $120.00	wild tuna & calm tuna c… SZOSTAK $230.00
pendant lamp (D10) SZOSTAK $460.00	007 vacation & 008 cell… SZOSTAK $150.00	bread box SZOSTAK $5000.00
pendant lamp (D11) SZOSTAK $490.00	THE WHOLE SHOP SZOSTAK $100000.00	007 & wild tuna cellar … SZOSTAK $260.00
thing SZOSTAK $6000.00	special wall sconce SZOSTAK $5000.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Indie Spotlight: Happy Kathy

Hello everyone! I am so sorry it has been some time since my last post, But you will be hearing soon enough what I have in the works!!!

So! Sarah Brown is the brain behind Happy Kathy. I have to tell you I am always looking for a non leather wallet!! I have found some great ones here at Happy Kathy. Sarah has so many different prints to choose from. You could even get one to mach each hand bag you carry!! Enjoy the spotlight ladies!!!

1. What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Sarah Brown, I am originally from Florida but now live in Oregon. Specifically Astoria, which is on the coast and very rainy! I am a part time teacher, part time sewist and full time mother of three.

2. Tell us a little more about yourself?

I have three children that are my life! Isaac is 7, Hannah is 6 and Scarlett is 4. They fill up all the extra time in the day and I can’t imagine life without them. I went to school for public relations and then changed to Education. I have my master’s in elementary education but there are no jobs for teachers in the area I live in, so I had to find something else to do to make money. I started to sew bags and my sister in law introduced me to Etsy, I decided to start selling there and then, viola! I am a seller of mostly wallets right now.

3. How did you acquire your craft/art?

Well, I picked up sewing little by little from my mother when I was younger and then in middle school I took a home economics course where I learned more sewing skills. Mostly I have learned a lot from self-teaching, using books, and videos, and of course just lots of trial and error. I am still learning and perfecting!

4. What inspires you?

New fabric always inspires me and seeing what is new in fashion. I am a fabric-a-holic so I have lots of different fabrics and holding them and matching up colors is very fun for me. I am also inspired by other people who are creating and selling their creations on Etsy, they always amaze me by their creativity and ingenuity.

5. What is your creative process?

I usually start with creating a pattern, I make a mock up and then end up using the item for myself to see how well it works, and then I make some for sale. With my wallets it is all pretty much a set process, I find a great fabric, match up some complimentary interior colors and then create! I find that I need something to listen to while I create and listening to books on my ipod touch has been a life saver, I get to listen to great books, and sew at the same time. For me that gives me motivation to get in my sewing room and get going!

6. What do you find to be the secret to your success?

Probably that would be having great support around me. My family is very supportive of my Etsy shop. My husband takes care of the house and kids so I can sew and create. My sister has bought lots of things from me to help support my business as well. I also have a bit of a background in photography, so I find that the photo part of the shop is easy for me. And I guess I have a pretty good eye for fabrics, I just buy what I would like, and then go from there.

7. where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

I am at an okay place with my business currently, but I would love to be able to create more things for the shop. I always struggle with finding the time to create enough new things. I have been making my wallets now for over a year, and they are down to a science, so it takes me a lot of work to want to create a new pattern and make new things! I need to make sure I don’t get stuck in a rut, but at the same time, you gotta do what works!

8. Any words of wisdom to share with fellow artist/crafters?

Be willing to change what you are doing if it isn’t working. If I wasn’t selling my wallets, I would have to stop making them and start making something else. Find something that you love to do and then it will be easy!

9. What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

That’s easy, it was a cute little purse I made and my sister bought, I loved it and I think I broke like four sewing machine needles making it!  I loved that bag! But I am so happy that it is still in the family!

10. Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?

I think I love it so much because it is fun and always changing, and really there is no better feeling in the world than knowing that something you made is in the world somewhere being used by someone you have never met! That is one of the coolest things to me! I also love it because I set my own hours, I have no boss, I have no one telling me that I have to do something right now, I can do it when I want to do it and when I feel like it! Love being my own boss! 

11. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

I am Happy Kathy, on Etsy. I named my shop after my mom who passed away in 1999. She was and is my inspiration, and I love to remember her smiling face, so that is why I named the shop Happy Kathy. If you want to buy a wallet or a bag, please visit my site at www.etsy.com/shop/happykathy

‘Happy Kathy’ by margopage

Handmade Wallets, handbags, totes and gadget bags

Perfect wallet handmade… happykathy $43.00	Handmade perfect wallet… happykathy $43.00	Handmade wallet japanes… happykathy $43.00
Handmade wallet white w… happykathy $43.00	Mio Caro Perfect wallet… happykathy $43.00	Handmade wallet japanes… happykathy $43.00
Handmade wallet in yell… happykathy $43.00	Perfect Wallet Red Leav… happykathy $43.00	Perfect wallet handmade… happykathy $43.00
Lorelei perfect handmad… happykathy $43.00	Caribbean Dream wallet … happykathy $43.00	Handmade wallet Yellow … happykathy $43.00
Handmade wallet beautif… happykathy $43.00	Handmade wallet in past… happykathy $43.00	Handmade wallet japanes… happykathy $43.00
Handmade wallet vintage… happykathy $43.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Indie Spotlight: Tuckoo and Moocow

I Love this jewelry. The necklace with the velveteen rabbit is my favorite!! What a clever way to display water color art! LOVE IT!! Also please check out Sarah`s blog what is awesome! link is located under question 11.

1.What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?


My name is Sarah-Lambert Cook and I am a full-time artist living in beautiful Asheville, NC making miniature watercolors into jewelry and other accessories. I haven’t been here for very long, though. My husband and I just moved to North Carolina from Atlanta, GA about four weeks ago.

2. Tell us a little more about yourself?

Life has been all over for me: I was born in the Shendoah Valley in Virginia and lived there until I was 10, moved to Dothan, AL for a year, Greensboro, NC for another year, moved to a small town in Kansas where I spent junior high through college and met my husband (he was my neighbor from the time I was 13), moved to Atlanta, GA for a few months and am finally back in the Blue Ridge. I sing wherever I go, skip and dance whenever I feel, read voraciously, watch old movies almost every night and love to have my hands busy creating something (or pwning in Halo).

The oldest of 6 children, I find myself to be a fairly loud outgoing person who tends to try and lead the group and take over whatever I am part of. My mother likes to remind me of a time when she came to get me from preschool to find me standing telling all the other little children what to do as they sat around me in a circle. I don’t consciously have bossy tendencies, it’s just come naturally.

3.How did you acquire your craft/art?

Art has always been in my life. My dad is an artist and an art history professor while my mother is a musian with an MBA, so my entire life has been saturated in the arts. I got my start making hand painted jewelry when I was working in the museum gift shop at KU and noticed some bottle-cap jewelry we were selling there. The girl was making tiny collages, setting them in bottle-caps and then coating them with resin to make some very cool brooches. I remember telling my husband (then boyfriend) about how I figured I could do that with paintings.

4. What inspires you?

I am so inspired by everything around me that it is hard to pin-point what gets me going the most: good books, movies, nature, music, an interesting conversation—you name it, they pretty much all inspire me. Specifically, I am constantly inspired by my faith, John Donne’s writings and The Corries, a Scottish folk duo from a few decades ago.

5. What is your creative process?

I am a crazy list maker and I find myself constantly jotting down little ideas for new pieces all the time. When an idea sticks, I sketch it out, paint it, decide whether I hate it or love it, and then cut it out and set it into the pendant, charm or whatever and seal it permanently to sell to you!

6. What do you find to be the secret to your success?

Ready for it? It’s an extremely potent secret: being friendly and communicative. I believe in empathy and enthusiasm in all interactions with others. I try to be pleasant and kind to everyone I encounter both online and off. If someone says, “Send me an e-mail sometime,” I will follow up with them. When someone asks me about a package of theirs, custom piece they would like, or any number of questions, I always try to respond to the best of my knowledge. It gets harder as I get busier to keep up with everyone, but I make a serious effort to keep it up and it has been well worth the effort. Putting myself out there and just trying to start up conversation with people who interest me has always been a help, both as a tiny-business owner and as a person.

7.where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

Right now I am recently a full-time creator. This was a major amount of work. When I began selling hand painted jewelry in May 2010 on Etsy I was the assistant manager at a local store in Lawrence, KS. The business wasn’t the greatest model and ended up closing a few months later. I knew that I really wanted to make a go of being self-employed, so I put 110% of my time into making it work over the next few months. By the end of October I had just hit 100 sales. In early November I made some major adjustments and added a lot more inventor. All of this was just in time for the Christmas season and I have been rolling along steadily since.

My hope is always to find more ways to make working for myself in a creative business sustainable, to research ways to grow and expand without killing myself from exhaustion and to generally enjoy myself on the journey.

8.Any words of wisdom to share with fellow artist/crafters?

Budget your time wisely and set goals for yourself. Running a business like this can be an enormous challenge with great pay-off if you make sure to pace yourself wisely. Don’t take on more than you can handle, but don’t limit yourself either. Make sure you challenge yourself without over-doing it. This is different for every person, but it is vital to the growth of your business and yourself as an artist to know what you are capable of and what you are not.

9. What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

While I love and am connected with all of my work, I’m never really sad to see it go. It’s not because I don’t want it, but more because I love when someone else has had a special connection with something I’ve created and I couldn’t be more happy to know that it’s being cared about by someone else and that I have touched someone else (maybe corny, but it’s true).

10. Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?

I really love being in charge of my success or failure. The worst part about working for someone else is that no matter what, your job and the direction it takes is ultimately in their hands. Sure, there’s a lot you can do to encourage where that direction goes, but when working for myself I am in completely control. I also just love being able to paint all the time and wear my comfy pants around the house all day. It’s nice being able to wear what I want and not have to worry about drying my hair in the morning (it’s healthier than ever, haha).

11. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

You can find me chattering away on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tuckooandmoocow spewing out nonsense on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tuckooandmoocow and writing my life and business on my blog: http://tuckooandmoocow.blogspot.com/

‘tuckoo and moocow’ by margopage

Hand Painted Necklaces, Earrings, Charms and Mini Art

Hand Painted Pendant, O… tuckooandmooco… $34.00	Hand Painted Charm Brac… tuckooandmooco… $58.00	Original Hand Painted W… tuckooandmooco… $32.00
Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $30.00	Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $30.00	Custom Pet Portrait Han… tuckooandmooco… $42.00
Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $30.00	Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $36.00	Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $30.00
Hand Painted Charm, Min… tuckooandmooco… $16.00	Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $36.00	Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $30.00
Hand Painted Earrings,O… tuckooandmooco… $34.00	Hand Painted Pendant, O… tuckooandmooco… $34.00	Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $48.00
Hand Painted Necklace, … tuckooandmooco… $34.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Indie Spotlight: Couch Guitar Straps

OMG!! I LOVE this next indie artist. I’m not sure if it is because Daniel can sew (a guy learning how to sew so cute!) or because he had a dream and followed the creative path to make a product that was up to his standards! I will be ordering a few things soon and stashing then for christmas!! Enjoy this great spotlight and have a fantastic day!

1. What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My Name is Daniel Perkins and I play in the band The New Fidelity and design and make vegan vinyl accessories at Couch Guitar Straps.

2. Tell us a little more about yourself?

Years ago I bought an old Fender Telecaster guitar and wanted a cool looking guitar strap for it, to my surprise I couldn’t find one I liked so I decided to make my own. The only thing was, I didn’t sew, craft or design, so it was pretty hard to get started. I originally had straps made for me by contractors in and around Los Angeles, but I hated the quality, and really wished I had the equipment and skills to do them myself. That way I could feel great about every strap that someone bought from our website.

3. How did you acquire your craft/art?

I learned a lot about sourcing and materials by hoofing it for years around the garment district in the bowels of Los Angeles: South Central, East LA, Vernon, Downtown, Compton etc. Over time I was able to figure out how to make our straps and what to make them with, but I was still unsatisfied with the quality when other people made our straps so it was time to learn how to sew. I bought a walking foot upholstery machine on ebay and had it delivered to the door of my friend Nancy, a master sewer who has a line called Jack Blue Handbags. I quit my job and just worked with her all day helping her make her handbags until I really learned the craft. From then on, most of the strap making process has been done by me, or by my friends who now work with me at our Couch Guitar Straps headquarters in Signal Hill, near Long Beach, CA. We have some talented people here now and work as a team to make and ship stuff all over the world every day!

4. What inspires you?

Vintage materials definitely inspire me. I love old 80’s Mercedes “MB Tex” vinyl on our 80’s Mercedes Guitar Straps and Wallets, or the plaid pattern on a Vintage 60’s GTO Trunk Liner Guitar Straps. When I find old rolls of vinyl I get so excited to turn them into modern day useful items. The way stitching goes into vinyl for some reason also really gets me excited, it’s when a piece seems to come to life!

5. What is your creative process?

It’s different every time. Sometimes I find and old 30 year old roll of vinyl and just have to do something with it. Other times I see an object in the world and work to reinterpret it as an industrial object like a guitar strap- I’ve reinterpreted and old 60’s desk of mine into our Racer X White with Orange Stripe Guitar Strap, and Ilse here helped me conceive an entire line of guitar straps based on the patterns and stylings of the old vintage Samsonite luggage bags you see in a lot of vintage stores that we call our Vintage Luggage Straps.

6. What do you find to be the secret to your success?

I feel sticking with it for sure has been the key, I’ve been doing this since around 2000. Also a lot of crafters are afraid to risk putting in a lot of their money to do it right, but that’s the secret to me, when you save up $500 hard earned dollars and spend it on materials for your craft instead of a vacation with your friends, your creations fare so much better and you often learn and progress faster. You get out what you put in, this means time and money.

7. where are you now in your creative business and where will you be in the future?

We are making new things and having a blast! Wallets, camera straps, passport holders, we are working on upcycling even our smallest scraps and in sourcing new vintage materials and making new friends around the world who we ship our stuff to.
Also right now I’m personally into organizing Couch to be a really efficient operation and provide secure jobs and freedom for everyone that works here including me. We’d like to be a model for a new era of USA production where the designers work at the factory and the factory sells direct to, and communicates with the customers.

8. Any words of wisdom to share with fellow artist/crafters?

Ask yourself what you can do that’s new, not just what will help you fit in with the scene. Ask yourself “what’s next” with what you’re interested in and really try to make that.

9. What is your most favorite handmade item you have had to part with?

We did these original Deadstock Flowers Guitar Straps that were made of the most amazing vintage vinyl I’d ever seen. We did a couple hundred and now they’re gone forever. I should have kept one for myself.

10. Why do you love doing what you do (what fuels the fire)?
Making things is fun! There’s nothing like making a song or a guitar strap, at the beginning of the day it didn’t exist and now it does.

11. Shameless advertising, go for it babe? We want all your info!

Visit us at http://www.Couchguitarstraps.com or if you prefer our esty page http://www.etsy.com/people/couchguitarstraps?ref=si_pr

We make your item here at Couch and often ship it within 24 to 48 hours.
We make everything vegan, a lot of it from vintage found materials, and even upcycle our own materials into things like killer camera straps. Come by!

12. This last one is not really a question but rather a space for you to share anything else with us that we have not covered.

I just love the indie craft movement and I love how with craft shows and sites like etsy the designer gets to communicate directly with the person who wants what you make. Goodbye middle man, goodbye China, hello new craft-scene-friend, pleased to meet you!

Picture links
GTO Guitar Strap http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/the-vintage-blue-gto-trunk-liner-guitar-strap-p-145.html

Vintage VW Guitar Strap
http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/the-vintage-volkswagen-guitar-strap-p-116.html

Oldmobile Station Wagon wallet
http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/oldsmobile-station-wagon-wallet-p-113.html

Blue Green Seatbelt Camera Strap
http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/the-recycled-bluegreen-seatbelt-camera-strap-p-122.html

‘couch guitar straps ‘ by margopage

Grey w/ Yellow Racer X … couchguitarstr… $34.95	80’s Mercedes Guita… couchguitarstr… $49.95	Vintage GTO Reversible … couchguitarstr… $26.95
Brown and Aqua Racer X … couchguitarstr… $34.95	Dark Red 80’s Merce… couchguitarstr… $26.95	Army Green Recycled Sea… couchguitarstr… $21.95
Black Vegan Belt – Othe… couchguitarstr… $17.00	Mustang Trunk Liner Cam… couchguitarstr… $26.95	Black Byloos Victorian … couchguitarstr… $44.95
GTO Billfold Wallet – M… couchguitarstr… $26.95	Red and White Racer X G… couchguitarstr… $34.95	Social Studies Brown Bi… couchguitarstr… $39.95
Blue 80’s Mercedes … couchguitarstr… $49.95	Timber Guitar Strap – C… couchguitarstr… $44.95	Jet Age Upcylced Passpo… couchguitarstr… $22.95
I am 8-bit Guitar Strap… couchguitarstr… $39.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.