Totally Unique Treasures

Woo Hoo I Have Made it to Two (hundred that is)

2011-04-08T14:56:00.002-05:00

Yeah for all the awesome people that have purchased from my shop. I have been dying to give this latest goody away and now that I have reached 200 sales, I can.
I actually did not realize what I was making until I started using the smallest knitting loom that I have ever seen. I had seen these awesome infinity scarves but had absolutely no idea how they were made until I accidentally made one because I wanted to try the knitting loom. So now that I have hit 200 sales, this baby could be yours.
I see many of these on Etsy but never one this color combination or material. Plus, I also came up with a bunch of other ways in which this beauty can be worn or utilized, in which only 5 photos does not give this option.
This is supposedly, according to the label on the skein, recycled cotton jersey or t-shirt type material. I just thought it was neat looking because to me it looked like tiny knitted ribbon or decorated linguine. And yes I am including the scarf ring too. It seems to be cloisonne' or enamel of some type, and it is so pretty. The sticker is still on it and says made in Taiwan Republic of China, which was used in the 80's or before, I do believe. You can wear the item with or without the scarf ring.I hope you like it.

This beauty is cream and brown and is over 16 feet around which means anyone can wear it in just about any way you see here and of course is only limited by your imagination. I liked this one so much, I made myself one, but not in the same color, of course.
Ok gang, here is how you can win this beauty.

Four, count them, 4 ways to enter (actually 6 but read on):

1) Follow me here, on this blog, of course, and comment,here, on this blog that you joined me. (Idon’t blog that much, so you don’t have to worry about too much to readeveryday.)

Let me know if you are already a follower, and I will count that too.

2) Follow or “Like” my Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Totally-Unique-Treasures-by-Laura-Da-Goddess/130107065419?ref=sgm and comment here, on this blog, that you followedme on Facebook.

Let me know if you are already a liker, and I will count that too.

3) Heart my Etsy store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/TUTreasures and comment, here on the blog, that youhearted my store. Let me know if you are already a heart, and I will count that too.

4) And of course if you don’t already follow me on Twitter, http://twitter.com/QTQUAKERPARROT dothat too and comment here on this blog that you followed me on Twitter too.

Let me know if you are already a follower, and I will count that too.

*Bonus Entry: Go here http://handmadeartistsshop.com/tutreasures.htmland check out my newest wearable art, on line, store, then post a comment here,on this blog, that you visited my newest store, too. You can rate me there if you like but that isanonymous so, if you don’t let me know here that you went there, I won’t beable to count that as an entry.

You may even want to join the HAF forum too http://handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php

**Bonus Bonus Entries: Let me know, as a comment, on this blog, of any other places you find me on the net. There may be some that I don't even know about. Please be sure to include the link. I will also count that as an entry.

For each entry to count, you need a separate comment for each entry. Don't short yourself by entering one comment that has details for every entry you made. Sorry, but that can only count as one.

In two weeks, how appropriate, at Midnight or as close to, depending on if I am home and how well my internet connection is working, I will give each entry a number and let random.com choose the winner, at which time I will contact you for your address and such. Good luck to you all and thanks again so much for helping me reach my 200th sale. Until next time I have something important to write about or something to give away.
LDG

These are the cutest things. Duck Tape Flower Accessories Using Recycled Goodies

2011-03-16T19:29:00.001-05:00

I just adore situations and ideas that allow me to recycle, reclaim, repurpose, and upcycle while making awesome and cute creations. A couple of days ago, someone twittered a blog link about Duct Tape Flowers, that I just happened to click, being that I have always had an affinity for duct tape, and it gave me my latest quick and inexpensive product for this year's set of craft shows.

I had seen that some people were creating cool things from duct tape but never anything so cute as this, and with so much recycling and accessory potential, too.

On the blog Ms. Helen tells you to buy a bunch of things that I, in other forms, already had on hand. I have had, for a long time now, a huge box full of stick pins or large lapel pins and a bunch of single earrings, broken pins, and other such odds and ends, that I didn't think I could ever use or sell, but when I saw this blog entry, the ideas started flowing.

I had already bought some cool colored Duck Tape, as they call it now, to fix an office chair arm so, I got to work right away and I just am so tickled with the results that I want to build on this craft.

My Favorite so far.

Damask to Die For


Vintage Single Earring

Broken Vintage Pins

Obsolete Lapel Pins

Click on the images for larger views.

I had been trying to come up with a new, simple, and inexpensive product idea, as I usually do every new year of craft shows that I will be attending, and of course staying with my recyclist mantra, but this idea, literally killed three birds with one stone and they are so fun to make. They are easy but they do take some practice. I also do not use hot glue (can't stand the stuff) or most of the other ingredients that the Ms. Helen's blog tells you to use.
I use a waterproof epoxy that takes a few more seconds to dry than the hot glue, but is more durable and will make the piece last a bit longer, and of course instead of brand new bought buttons, and double sided pin backs, I use reclaimed pins and buttons and earrings and goodies.
I also love the idea of using Duct Tape, the name synonymous with repairing and reusing, being a part of my reuse of old, odd, and broken goodies to repair and make new goodies, especially ones that are just soooooo cute and there will still never be two alike, unless someone special orders it of course, but then it will be their unique set.

I am going to be introducing these Duck Tape accessories at my first craft show of the year, and if all goes well, unless I get a raving review from here and my friends that I show before the show, I will be listing some of these yummy upcycled goodies on my Etsy store.
The show is April 29th and 30th. If you are in the Houston Area you may want to check it out. In Spring, Tx at Papa's Ice House. Bill Nash and his band always play a heck of a cool show on Friday night, and then Saturday there is food, fun and vendors, like me. For a very good cause as well. See Link at end.

I have a lot of plans for these cuties including bigger ones and maybe smaller ones, and I can even make school colors, provided the colors are available from Duck. I will also be happy to make kits that will include just about everything you need to make like 5 or so flowers. You can choose the colors and type of button or goodies you want in the center.
Please let me know what you think. I love suggestions too! I would appreciate your feedback.
Here is the site that I got the idea from:
http://www.blumenthallansing.com/blog/helen/post/DUCT-TAPE-BUTTON-FLOWERS.aspx
And here is the site for the Charity that I work for my first craft show each year:
http://championskidscamp.org/index.html
Until my next wild share<<Hehe, get it? Wild hair. Hehe!
LDG Totally Unique Treasures

P.S. One of the best things about Duck Tape, besides what all you can do with it, is that it is made right here in the USA! Go Duck Tape!

I Was Blue so I Added Red to Make Purple Treasury

2011-02-22T14:59:00.000-06:00

This treasury made it to the front page the other day. Sorry, I am just getting around to posting it here. But I never promised to be much of a blogger. Enjoy anyway.

All the Roses By Jewelry by NaLa

2011-01-31T18:51:00.000-06:00

Beautiful red treasury by friend and team mate NaLaPlease check it out. Click, click, comment, share, enjoy. Thanks NaLa!Until next post.LDG

Crystal? Clear! Wear your Sunglasses!

2011-01-30T19:46:00.000-06:00

I have found this cool new way to feature treasuries in my blog. Hope you enjoy them.

If you have an Etsy store and you want to try this too, go here: http://www.craftcult.com/treasury_widget.php

Very easy Step by step instructions:
1 Enter your user ID or someone Else's user ID that you may want to feature on Etsy.

2 Choose where you want your treasury to come from.
Treasuries you made or treasuries in which you are featured.

3 Choose which size you want.
May I suggest the medium size because it will show your entire treasury. The larger ones sometimes cut items off some of your treasury items.

4 Choose if you just want a snapshot of the treasury or if you would like a live version.
Live means any changes will reflect on the blog version of the treasury as well.
I choose live so that people can go right to the treasury from your blog post. Lot's of people like to keep up with treasuries in which they have been featured.

5 Click Get WidgetThe site will then produce your chosen Treasury code.

6 Copy code.
Highlight code and either right click and choose copy from the dropdown menu, or control c from the keyboard.

7 Paste code to the editing area of your blog post. If you so desire, you can add HTML to your copied and pasted code to manipulate the position of your treasury within your post, but this is the simple way to post your favorite treasuries.

8 Post your blog post.

9 Share with the world, or your world, and enjoy.

Adding live treasuries to your blog posts really is simple and the more you do it, the better and faster you will get. I find it quite addicting now so stay tuned, because there will definitely be more from me.
Until next time or next treasury, thanks for sharing with me and happy creating and selling.
LDG

Musically Inspired Creation Contest

2010-11-17T17:34:00.002-06:00

Just a quick post to let you all know about this fantabulous contest going on, that I entered, of course, why else would I blog about it, where the winners are those who vote for the contestants.

You could win a cute repurposed teddy bear and $25.00 in cash. Click here for all the details and to vote. Don't forget to leave a comment so you can be eligible to win.Please vote for me of course. I was born for this challenge (you know, with me being in music and all). My entry is inspired by the Dire Straits song Sultan of Swing and listed under none other than "Totally Unique Treasures"

But seriously, all the entries are fantastic and thoroughly unique. Check out the whole forum while you are at it. Just click any of the links above the contest title.
I will be having another contest of my own, but it won't be until after this one is over so, stay tuned and until then.
Peace and Love y'all.
LDG

This contest is for you, in celebration of my 100th Sale!

2010-09-22T15:02:00.001-05:00

Hello again from TUTville. Well, as promised here is my contest celebrating my 100^th sale and my 400^th shop hearton my Etsy Store. It took me over twoyears and an inventory change to get there, but I did it. And guess what! You get the rewards for allmy hard work and persistence.

Anyone that knows me and follows my antics, knows that Inever stick to the same mediums when creating and that I eventually wish to tryevery type of creative activity known to man. Well, almost every one. Latelythere have been some that frankly, I wish I didn’t know about. Don’t we all love Regretsy?

Anyway, I found some cool knitting looms at a garage sale acouple of years ago and finally got around to trying to create on them. Well, when I finally got the hang of theloom, I absolutely loved doing the knitting. I may never go back to needles again. One stitch at time, pfft.

Anyway, my finished product was so much nicer and mystitches were so much more even that I just had to share this awesome piece inwhich I call Glamoflage. I combined camouflage(that was the description on the label) eyelash yarn with bright olive green Fun Furand this is how the adorable scarf turned out. Gorgeous and Snuggly but not too heavy.The technique that I used, according to the directions for the loom, is called a double knit. (Please excuse the model, she just works here and I needed some picturesof this beauty fast. Tee Hee.)

OK friends and followers, I know that you have allbeen through this before. So you pretty much know the drill. I know I know cliche', everyone has done this, send me to Regretsy or Epic Fail or whatever, but I know you all still want to win this beauty.

Four, count them, 4 ways to enter (actually 6 but read on):

1) Follow me here, on this blog, of course, and comment,here, on this blog that you joined me. (Idon’t blog that much, so you don’t have to worry about too much to readeveryday.)

Let me know if you are already a follower, and I will count that too.

Let me know if you are already a liker, and I will count that too.

3) Heart my Etsy store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/TUTreasures and comment, here on the blog, that youhearted my store. Let me know if you are already a heart, and I will count that too.

4) And of course if you don’t already follow me on Twitter, http://twitter.com/QTQUAKERPARROT dothat too and comment here on this blog that you followed me on Twitter too.

Let me know if you are already a follower, and I will count that too.

You may even want to join the HAF forum too http://handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php

For each entry to count, you need a separate comment for each entry. Don't short yourself by entering one comment that has details for every entry you made. Sorry, but that can only count as one.

On October 30, 2010, 12:01 a.m. or as close to that time that I can get, depending on how my internet is working at the time, etc., I will use Random.org to randomly pickthe lucky and deserving winner. At that time I will announcethe winner via all the venues above, and the lucky winner can relay all their information to me, I will give you my designated email at that time,so that I can send their wonderful prize to them. This is aworldwide contest; I just hope the shipping doesn’t break either one ofus. Your privacy is guaranteed.

Enter as many times as you want, but remember, each entry must have aseparate comment for your entries to count as separate entries. Don't worry if they are not all squential, just have fun with this. Be funny if you can. I love funny comments, too.

I hope you like the scarf and good luck to all of you.

Also, if I missed something or you have a question, justcomment here, on this blog. I will be watching closely and I will also count it as anotherentry to the contest. Have fun and telleveryone. I really want to see this wonderfullyfuzzy scarf go to some awesome person out there.

Until October 30^th then…

LDG

Another Way for Very Inexpensive Yet Effective Advertising & Exposure for Your Handmade Business.

2010-09-14T18:11:00.000-05:00

I am not claiming to have thought of this idea, but the idea seems to be pretty effective for other companies who do it, and I thought I would take it a bit farther or make the same method work better.
We hate it when we have about 5 sheets of paper to toss in the oval file under T or G sometimes W, when we get our credit card bills. Most people don't even look at them, because they usually offer something that the credit card customer is not in the least bit interested in buying. (I am one of those, I don't do credit myself, unless absolutely necessary.) However, I would imagine that there are some people that do go for these offers and ads while they are paying their bills, which makes this type of direct marketing approach to advertising somewhat successful.

Then it hit me and I said to myself, I said self, "since my shipments go to people who are already buying handmade, wouldn't it just make sense to trade advertising press with other handmade artisans or suppliers and then include some of their information to people that already want their information, because they have just bought the same type of product?" (I never really answered myself I just kept thinking of all the benefits of the idea that just conked me over the head.) Logically, that tells me that the success rate of my advertising would be much more effective than that of those pesky CC insert ads because that customer is already interested in what they are being offered.

The farther part? Well, how about instead of inserts, which will work, but keep up with me here, why not put the ads on the outsides of the packages in the form of small, address sized, stickers. That way, not only are you hitting the people who already want that information, but one can also cover the cold sale as well. Logically, that should increase your ad's effectiveness even further. (I don't know how many times I have seen a small ad somewhere and gone directly to the site for a look, especially now that I have a new iPhone.) Sometimes to my surprise I find some of the best stuff I have ever seen.

Why can't that be all of us, or at least those of us who read this post or are in our forum. The post office and such don't really care what is on a package, as long as it does not obstruct any of the important parts of the letter, and as long as there are no extraneous bar codes anywhere on the package. I put mine all over the back of my packages, because that is the first place that a person is going to look when they open the package.

This brings me to my proposal to the members of HAF and anyone actually. I proposed this originally here, but I will copy and paste so you don't have to go to the post unless you want to join the forum, which is highly recommended, by the way, or see the comments and responses so far.
My original post to my forum mates.

I am sorry if this copies anyone else's idea but there is just so much on the forum to read that I can't get thru it all. I know someone will point me in the right direction to join something like this if, someone has already offered to do this. I also hope that I am posting in the right place too. Again if not, some one please direct me otherwise.
Since I have changed my Etsy store format, my sales have increased by about 30-40 percent. I find myself sending 3-5 items out a week now, rather than 3-5 items per year. Anyway, with all my extra traffic, I thought I would offer some extra traffic to my friends here at HAF.
It is as simple as this.
First a question.
Do you have or use in your own shipments, small mailing sized stickers or tiny tags that has your logo or website or information about your handmade business?
If so, send me a bunch of them and I will plaster them all over my shipments, or in the case of tiny tags, I will put them inside a shipment, along with my own press, of course.
This is actually an idea that i got from my last CC bill. They always have some kind of ads along with the bill, from other companies that accept their credit cards, trying to get you to spend more money. Problem with those, is that they are like cold calls, and over 80% or more of the people that get those, will toss them, because it doesn't interest them.
In our case, we are sending the same information to people that are already buying and looking for the type of things we create and sell, because that is what they just bought. They call that a captive market.
Anyway, That way, when my clients get my products, they can also get your information, as well.
It really does not take that long to do and anyone can offer to do this.
In fact I have a shipping area in my house that I have all that kind of stuff ready to get slipped into or onto any shipment I make.
For a small amount of effort and cost on your part, your creations get exposed to someone that might not have seen it otherwise and it does work.
Does this make any sense to anyone or am I just creating again?
Well let me know or just send me some of your small (no bigger than a regular mailing address labels, preferably a return address) labels. You can make them your self or have them made, it does not matter.
One of the good things about this kind of thing, especially the stickers, is that while they are being delivered, quite a few people see the stickers and use the information on them, too. I know you wouldn't think so, but you know how curious people get. Heck, sometimes when I drop my stuff off at the post office, I catch the clerk turning my packages over and over and looking at all the stuff on them. So anyway, let me know what you think and or just send me some of your smaller press.
My address is TUT P.O. Box 1760 New Waverly, TX 77358 I will stick them onto or into my shipments.
Thanks for reading anyway. If anyone else would like to do this too, just give us a place we can send our smaller press to and help out too, if that is ok with our leaders. This can also be done for anyone on the forum, not just the Etsians.
Happy Creating everyone.
LDG
One thing I wanted to explain also about the fact that I would prefer stickers, is that with the most common types of hand made goodies, the packaging is not that large. Therefore, putting cards and such into a package will cause the package to weigh more. With much smaller stickers, you won't have that problem. Believe it or not, the weight of a card or even an extra piece of paper, weighs much more than a small sticker or label. Our ultimate goal is to do this as inexpensively as possible for all parties involved. Adding unnecessary postage, would defeat that purpose.

There you have it. So if any of my followers (Handmade artisans or suppliers of those handmade artisan only please. I am not going to be advertising for John Deere or Amway or some other big business or pyramid scheme. This for the furtherance of the handmade movement.) are interested in trading labels with me either make sure you include your return address when you send me your stickers, or let me know your address here in comments. That way you can do the same with my followers, and so on and so on, etc etc.
Happy Creating everyone until I come up with my next brainstorm.

On another note, just in case I don't get to compose again until I do this, I have this holiday contest I am planning. I just have to finish making the prize. So stay tuned for that. It will be fun and might make you think just a tiny bit. Not much though.

Love and Peace Ya'll
LDG

Some Things From Etsy For My Latest Musical Endeavors

2010-02-23T23:32:00.003-06:00

I know that I haven't been around as much as many of my followers and fellow bloggers. I have had the notion to get back into the music business (which I am becoming successful in quite quickly) and in turn have decided to make and buy a few things for myself. First off, I decided that vintage fingerless gloves would be a good addition to my stage costumes. So, I shopped, and shopped, and shopped, on Etsy of course, and shopped some more (there were over like 300 pages of fingerless gloves, made from felt to old re-purposed t-shirts I might add, and I was bound and determined to click on every one until I found the pair I wanted) until I came across these awesome 1940's filet crocheted fingerless gloves.
Turns out, these beauties were merely a pattern and I had to make them myself. Thanks goodness I can crochet. After I paid for the pattern, I searched my area for hours in order to find the correct size of crochet thread. One place had it but not in the right color and most places didn't have it at all. I knew that I could have substituted another size but I also knew that I would have to make adjustments to the pattern on the fly and I had to have these gloves in less than a week for my first show with my new band. When I got back, unsuccessful on my crochet thread safari, the pattern and a note from April Carter of patternsalacarte thanking me for my purchase was on my email list. I wrote back thanking April with tales of my failed thread excursion and she wrote me back within hours letting me know that there was an appropriate substitution for the listed thread on the pattern.
To make a long story short, April was there for me every step of the way and ready to help me better understand and be able to work with her pattern. You don't find that in any of the big name stores. Once again I want to thank her for helping me out and for being there for me and all her clients. Make sure to check out her store and tell her I sent you. If I need to make myself anything else for my shows or even as a gift. I will definitely be back to her store in a New York minute. I also got an extra bonus, which I think April does for any of her customers that send her pictures of their finished products; she used some of my photos for her listing and gave me credit and a mention of my store on Etsy. You can't get better service than that. She even gives permission to sell your finished products from her patterns, but not the patterns themselves. Go check out April and make yourself or someone else something awesome and vintage.

This next item that I just had to have for myself was some really cool and unique platform shoes. I call them Ho shoes, but only because I am a lazy speaker sometimes. These would generally be known as high heeled wedge platform slides, but my husband likes my idiom for them too. Anyway, I just had to have them. I am thankful they are in my size. I liked them so much I made a treasury (I put a pic of the treasury below because this will be expired in about 24 hours and I would like to remember it well afterward as well) with them too. I haven't gotten them yet, but I sure am excited about getting them. I just hope they fit like my last pair similar to these did. I will update you when I get them, but for now, you should check out KickFlips. They will customize theirs or your shoes and quite well, I might add. I would love your comments and by the way, My new band is here The Tone Kings. I am not on the site yet, as I have only been a member for a mere two weeks, but that is coming along with more gigs and so will more unique costume items. Even if you can't come to my shows, at least you can check out what I will be wearing on stage. So stay tuned for the next exploits of Laura "Da Goddess" now the Queen of The Tone Kings and as always Saving the Planet, One Accessory at a Time. See you next time.

I just cannot keep this to myself. Awesome Bead Giveaway by Gemalicious

2010-01-16T14:52:00.000-06:00

I cannot think of a better way to arouse attention to one's store than to have a huge giveaway. The folks at Gemalicious have come up with one of the best and biggest bead and gem giveaways that I have ever encountered, and I just had to share it with all of you. Of course, this also gets me another entry into the contest, but I would probably write about this even if I did not get an entry, as it is one of the biggest I have ever seen in the DIY circuit. I wish I could afford to give away so many goodies. Perhaps then, I too, would get a bunch more attention to my store.
Anyway, I highly recommend that you click here and try for a chance at over 500 beads and stones.There are many ways to enter and you will be amazed at the beauties they have available for sale in their Etsy store as well.
My hats off to you ladies of Gemalicious and good luck to the entrants of this awesome contest. I got so excited about this contest I even posted it in CraigsList as a worldwide event. Their goodies definitely look good enough to eat.
Thanks as always for reading my blog. Hugs and blessing to you all.

Staying Warm

2010-01-05T21:51:00.001-06:00

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I am pretty versatile when crafts and creating are involved. I can never seem to stay with the same medium all the time. Of course, I know that anyone that has visited my store or read my bio, knows that is true. Anyway, you would also know that I just cannot resist the yarns that I see in the stores, especially the discount stores. They seem to be some of the most fun. I always wonder, as I am picking them up, not having a clue what to do with them, but knowing something really cool will come from these colorful skeins, "now what happened to make these goodies unwanted". I try very hard not to buy too much, because, I would probably find out why, no one bought them all. Anyway, I just wanted to share my latest additions to my shop. Unlike jewelry that can warm your heart, my knitted scarves can warm your body. I hear that it is only going to get colder out there.

And now for some other cool news. I also want to give a plug to a new on line venue especially for us starving artists. There is a new and affordable store site for handmade artists to sell your wonderful products. Introducing the Handmade Artists Shop. Only $5.oo per month to sell unlimited items, with no listing fees or sales fees. There are also a bunch of benefits, such as an entire forum that can help you with any needs including store critiques, FAQ's, and help setting up your store. There are also benefits such as sales and page visit reports, automatic shipping price and tax configuration.

I have yet to actually play with all the options in my store at HAF, but there are a bunch. You can use html in your descriptions for greater personalization, and your listings can show original and sales prices so your customers can see their immediate savings when you are having a sale. You can also choose whether or not you want your item featured on the front page of the store and you can mark your items as Hot Deals. Even in the short time that I have been selling in this new venue, I can tell that this is going to be the next generation of DIY sales, and soon going to be one of the hottest handmade sales sites on the net. When you become a member, your input can even help to build and grow the site. Even if you do not choose to sell with us, which I cannot see why not, at least check this great new site out. Heck check out all the HAF sites.

I went to the Bayou City Fine Arts Festival Downtown Houston, Texas

2009-10-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adore art festivals, large or small it does not matter. They are places that I feel like I fit in, whether I be vending or a patron. I also have not walked around downtown Houston for a very long time. The irony of walking around between very tall skyscraper buildings while enjoying the fruits of so many very talented hand made goodies was just the greatest feeling of accomplishment; Not only for myself as a handmade artist, but for mankind, in knowing that our primal needs and instincts to build and create with our own hands, are still in existence. Fortunately, the weather held out. The skies were overcast but the rain did not come, at least while I was there. I overheard that the days previous were rainy and in some hours a complete rain out. The weather also made our surroundings cool enough to enjoy the show, while not having to worry about wiping sweat every ten seconds.
The show consisted of over 300 artists and vendors and there was some really wonderful and creative art and creations. There was also a lot of dancers, singers and orchestras, plus places for children to participate in creating art, and get their faces painted for free. I could write an entire book about the entire experience(we spent the entire day out there just walking and enjoying), but I don't have that kind of time and I don't think you do either. Besides a picture is worth a thousand words, so I grabbed some snapshots of some of my favorites.
These first few are of the featured artist: Kimber Fiebiger, who creates bronze sculpture and is famous for her Humpty Dumpty line. However, she creates other beautiful work as well. Love the name of her website. http://www.joanofart.com/

This next artist's work is close to my heart; another recycle artistextraordinaire. He even used old letters from a drive in theater for hissign. How clever. Sorry no website for this one. (There actually might be, but I do not know what the site may be.) I am not sure but I think that is him on the right sitting on the big reed chair. Awesome work with bottle caps.

I do believe this is another recycle artist. All his literature was gone by time I got there so I do not really know who this is. I just loved the stainless steel sculptures he created from different machine parts and tools. Check these out. (The man in the second one is my ever lovin'. This was one of his favorites as well. Grunt grunt.)

I loved the giant stained glass. The pieces of glass in these were about 2 inches thick. Wow! The three toned face looks like some kind of home made glass made with shards of tempered glass. They were quite sharp when I lightly touched the piece. (I know, I know, I had to know though. To me, texture and color is sometimes the most awesome thing about art.)

I was so swept up with these next creations that I forgot entirely to look for the artist. These are simply amazing. Reminded me of the type of things you might see in Jules Vern's workshop. Of course you cannot get the full benefit of these pieces without seeing them in motion. By the way, the brightly colored wind catching cups are made of stained glass. These were made of different metals, some enameled some not and stained glass, along with gears and ball bearings, etc. They are just fascinating machines. I could have looked at these all day and not seen everything on them. In the bottom photo, my ever lovin' is making it move for me so you can see this piece in motion. It really is awesome.

These were just a few of my favorites. Like I said before, there were over three hundred artist there and each one had beautiful and different creations. If anyone knows who these artists are, I would appreciate a link or name or something so that I can edit this post with their websites and such. If not just enjoy them. I am sure that I will see some of them again in the spring when they have the Fine Arts Fest in Memorial Park. Hopefully, some of my readers can join me there next year. Thanks for reading and sharing my artful experiences. Until next time. Oh and don't forget that I still have free shipping on my GLAZZ TATTZ in my Etsy Store until October 31st with the mention of my blog.

You Just Never Know What Will Sell Your Art

2009-09-28T23:30:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I did my first craft show of this year at the Coldspring Trades day, which I just found out that I will be doing again on the 4th Saturday of every month through November. I did not do too badly considering the small crowd throughout the day. I did not sell what I thought I was going to sell and I was really surprised that one of my bracelets sold. Even though I created this bracelet, I did not feel that this particular piece was my best work. I was even more surprised at the reason why my customer bought the bracelet. She claimed that she could not pass the bracelet up because of the clasp. The piece happened to match the shirt she was wearing but I really do not think she was aware of that fact. Maybe she was, but she seemed very passionate about the bracelet, so I figured that the color of her blouse may have been an afterthought. She probably passed a mirror later and realized that she bought a bracelet that matched her shirt. That actually sounds more like something I might do.
I guess the moral of this quip for me is to trust myself and create what comes to my mind and not try to guess or worry about what people will or will not buy. Anyway, here is a couple of photos of the bracelet. I made this piece with sterling silver wire, turquoise Swarovski crystals and rare blue pectolite beads. She snatched this one so fast, I was not even able to name the bracelet.

I made myself into a robot.

2009-09-17T20:21:00.000-05:00

I love it when I find creative toys on the internet. I realize that with as busy as I am, I need not be wasting time on other things but I just could not resist the two you see here. I not only turned myself into a robot but I also made my blog talk to you. Unfortunately, I could not upload a picture of myself on the talking toy, so I tried to make my avatar look like me, but well, I tried. Perhaps they will improve that. But these are pretty cool. Check me out. You can poke parts of my robot body and make me move. This is strictly for entertainment purposes only. I am not advertising nor do I distribute for either of these companies. Enjoy.

I made my own Treasury. So There!

2009-09-12T15:38:00.005-05:00

I like to make things happen. I also like to do treasuries on Etsy. I get so frustrated when I wait and refresh, and wait and refresh, and wait and refresh, and wait and refresh, and the treasury count, in a flash, goes from 333 up to 700 and I have missed, somehow, getting to do another treasury.
I have but once been able to curate a treasury (at 4 in the morning, I might add) in my entire year of vending on Etsy. I am not complaining, but merely setting you up for my latest idea. Thought it would be great for my latest blog.
My favorited items in my Etsy store is filled with pieces from my favorites stores (mostly my HAF and HAFTeam mates), that I earmarked with the intention and ideas of great Etsy Treasuries. So since I cannot ever seem to catch my own treasury on Etsy, regular or Twest, I am going to make my own treasury, one with a few more bennies than the ones on Etsy. So there!

Featured artists include.
CalcedoniaDesign
mikicatdesigns
AmongTheRuins
pamstudio
The Grand Design
jewelrybyjanelle50
kathiestamou
trusk4u
IrynaHamilton
beadsforever
TheChainmailleLady
riorita
heathershaven
Thanks for checking out my friends at Etsy HAFTeam and don't forget about the free shipping offer that I am offering at my store with the mention of my blog until November 1, 2009.
Free shipping for any GLAZZ TATTZ© purchase with the mention of this blog. Convo me before your purchase and I will send you an invoice with your discount. This offer ends November 1st, 2009 when another will take its place. Until my next idea.
Laura "Da Goddess" "TUT" http://tutreasures.etsy.com

Halloween and other goodies some with free shipping.

2009-09-08T19:45:00.004-05:00

Growing up I was always taught that Halloween was not only the one time a year that you could dress up and act like anything but yourself, but that Halloween is supposed to be scary. A time for ghosts, goblins, monsters, vampires, and witches to roam the earth and scare the pee out of everyone. That is the fun of it. There were many times when I was a kid that all Halloween week long, our whole family would walk around and play scare games with each other. I remember one time coming home from school, not being able to find my mom and just when I turned a corner, there she was wearing her entire Halloween ensemble, which almost always included scary make-up and fangs. Had to swallow my heart that time.
I am now in process of listing some handmade Halloween decorations in my Etsy shop. Click on over and check them out. I have created some for all types of Halloween Celebrators, but I want to let you know that the scary ones are my favorites. Hope you all have a safe, fun, and happy Halloween.

Visit my store Totally Unique Treasures
Free shipping for any GLAZZ TATTZ© purchase with the mention of this blog. Convo me before your purchase and I will send you an invoice with your discount. This offer ends November 1st, 2009 when another will take its place.

I love my Etsy Mini. Enjoy.

2009-09-06T22:45:00.001-05:00