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

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.  (I don’t blog that much, so you don’t have to worry about too much to read everyday.)

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 followed me 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 you hearted 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 do that 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.html and 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 is anonymous so, if you don’t let me know here that you went there, I won’t be able 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

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

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

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

Crystal? Clear! Wear your Sunglasses!

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 Widget The 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

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!

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

Anyone that knows me and follows my antics, knows that I never stick to the same mediums when creating and that I eventually wish to try every type of creative activity known to man.  Well, almost every one.  Lately there 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 a couple of years ago and finally got around to trying to create on them.  Well, when I finally got the hang of the loom, 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 my stitches were so much more even that I just had to share this awesome piece in which I call Glamoflage.  I combined camouflage (that was the description on the label) eyelash yarn with bright olive green Fun Fur and 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 pictures of this beauty fast.  Tee Hee.)

 

 OK friends and followers, I know that you have all been 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.  (I don’t blog that much, so you don’t have to worry about too much to read everyday.)

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 followed me 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 you hearted 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 do that 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.html and 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 is anonymous so, if you don’t let me know here that you went there, I won’t be able 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.

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 pick the lucky and deserving winner.  At that time I will announce the 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 a worldwide contest; I just hope the shipping doesn’t break either one of us. Your privacy is guaranteed. 

Enter as many times as you want, but remember, each entry must have a separate 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, just comment here, on this blog. I will be watching closely and I will also count it as another entry to the contest.  Have fun and tell everyone.  I really want to see this wonderfully fuzzy scarf go to some awesome person out there. 

Until October 30^th then…

LDG