Pretty In Pink

(Unfortunately, my favorite magazine, Domino has gone out of business, therefore the pictures I found there are no longer available. What's next Vogue? Geez.)
When it comes to decorating, pink isn't always the most popular color choice. But these 3 rooms show how pink can work and I just love them! Check them out!
"Using various shades of one hue  is an easy way to ensure unity while also offering enough interest to keep a room from looking contrived or monochromatic."-DominoMag.com

"Bands of a darker complementary tone around windows, ceiling and floor introduce a warmer shade while also faking a bit of architectural detail. Here, the accent shade is repeated throughout the décor—on furniture and in the paisley pattern, which ties the space together."-DominoMag.com

Old Hollywood

Geez! These weekends go by way to fast. I was featured in my first Etsy treasury this past week, that was nice. Unfortunately it already expired so I don't have a picture to share. Oh well, it was a pretty treasury though! I finally learned how to do one, everyone seemed to be giving me complicated explanations then someone just said it so simply that now I get it.

Anyway, I totally love old Hollywood, especially anything that has to do with Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly. They're so classic! I bought these two cards before Christmas to go along with gifts for two of my friends, but I ended up liking them so much I kept them for myself...ya well....The seller is super nice and has some really unique vintage looking designs.

Peacock Feathers Galore!

I can't help it, I'm addicted to PeAcOcK feathers. 

They are so fun and trendy right now! 

Speaking of trends...which trends do you wish were still popular and which ones not so much? I'd have to say for me I couldn't stand the t-shirt trend with the stupid sayings on them like "as if" or "whatever". That was so annoying to me, lol. Whats yours?!?!

Featured Blogger: CAPow!

Hi everyone! For my second featured blogger I have chosen CAPow aka Crystal. She has a great blog as well as great inventory in her Etsy shop. Everything from clutches to some great graphic prints. Here is an interview with Crystal and make sure you show her blog and shop some love!

A Little About Yourself?:
My name is Crystal A Powell, currently I'm based out of Albany NY, but have spent several years living in both Boston MA, and Brooklyn NY. I helped start a very active local etsy team called Capital Region Etsy Whizzes (or CREW).



Other than creating things for Etsy, what do you do?
I have both a full time office job, and I work in the grooming salon at a local pet store part time. When I'm not working at either job, I am constantly working on creative things. Sometimes I feel like a crafting shark: if I don't keep constantly working on something creative, I will die. And on the rare occasion that I'm not working on things, I'm either at the gym or on the couch cuddling with my 2 cats, Styles and Miyagi.

What first made you want to become an artist?
My mother. She grew up on a farm and learned to sew, knit, crochet, & embroider from my grandmother. She's made things her entire life, in addition to all of those things she's also a painter. So that's probably where I get my varied interests from. When I was in elementary school, she taught me how to crochet and sew, and I would make things while watching TV with my siblings. She also enrolled me in 4-H, where I learned even more creative skills. When I reached high school, I asked her to teach me how to knit, but it never caught my attention.





Describe your creative process and the materials you use:
That despends on what I'm making, let me break it down into 3 major catagories.
When I sew, I basically have a few patterns memorized that I use to make wallets. I almost exclusively use cotton fabrics, and fusable interfacing is my best friend.
When I paint, I usually draw out my painting on the canvas first, then paint in strictly acrylics.
When I photograph, I have previously been using either kodak or sony point and shoot digital cameras, every once in a while shooting 35mm black and white film with my vintage SLR. But thanks to a great night at the casino a few weeks ago, I recently bought my first Canon manual control digital SLR, and I am SUPER psyched to start shooting with that!

What handmade possession to you prize the most?
When I was ver young, so young I can't even remember how old I was, I really liked Curious George, so my mom found a pattern, and crocheted me a monkey doll. I still have it to this day, and I love it.


Top 5 websites you visit besides Etsy?
www.alloveralbany.com
www.yelp.com
www.craftster.org
www.demonbaby.com
www.pitchfork.com

Any advice you have for new Etsy users:
I think you should stick to making things that YOU love, not things that are trendy. If you stay true to the things that you love to make, there will be people out there who have similar taste, and it might take a little work, but they will find you eventually.
Other than that, post in forums, keep a blog, get social with your fellow etsy users, they will always be your best customers, and your biggest supporters!

What are your favorite features of Etsy, and what new features would you like to see?
I think the treasury is a genius idea, but what I would really like is a better notification system. It would be nice to automatically get an email if your item is in a treasury, or featured on the front page, or in the realted items in a storque article.


How do you promote your shop/work?
I have a blog (http://capow1981.blogspot.com), I twitter (http://twitter.com/capowcapow), I post images on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/crystalcakes), I post in etsy forums, I post on craftster.org. I also promote through being a member of a few etsy teams. I also have items in locally owned small businesses and galleries.

In ten years, where would you like to be?
I would like to be making a living solely off my art, whether that be through galleries and etsy, and a freelancer, or working as a designer for a company. As long as I am able to spend my days being creative, that is what will keep me happy.

Wanna Be Featured Like CAPow!? Shoot me a convo on Etsy!

Happy St. Pattys Day Everyone!

Hello! Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone. I thought it was only appropriate to post some of my favorite items on Etsy, that show love for the green! Check them out!

Blue Disk Earrings

Going Green Bracelet

Paper Turtles

Mixed Media Art

Monday, Monday...

Don't the weekends go by so fast? I can't handle it. Who invented the weekend? And why didn't they give us an extra day? Well, on that note, I hope everyone had a good one! 

I've been browsing on Etsy this evening and I can't get over how creative people are. So many ideas, I find myself having crafter A.D.D. (Crafter Attention Deficit Disorder). I'll be all about one craft one day and then jumping to the next best thing the week after. Don't get me wrong, I'm lovin' my headbands, but I'm always inspired by something else. Anyone feel the same way?

New Listings!

I thought I would share these new listing. I had a slow day yesterday, so I thought why not get some stuff done, right? I just sold a PeAcOcK headband today (very exciting)! This new peacock piece is a clip, The Butterfly one is a clip as well, and the Pink one I made with possibly a little girl in mind. Maybe for that special Easter dress? Let me know what you think! Everyone have a great weekend! Happy Friday!

Check It Out Here!

Check It Out Here!

Check It Out Here!

Todays Featured Blogger: Trendy Cards

For some reason, my featured blogger post isn't showing as the most recent post. Scroll down after my Frisco post and show my featured blogger Trendy Cards some love!

What a Trip!

Well as I blogged about before I made a weekend trip to the great city of San Francisco with my mom, sister & best friend. I hadn't been since I was younger and to go back was such a great treat. I felt like such the tourist from trolly rides to taking pictures of everything possible. As I like to say, you can never have enough pictures right? We visited Alamo Square, which is the home to the beautiful and famous "Painted Ladies", you know those houses you see in any picture describing San Francisco? We visted Fisherman's Wharf, and took a ferry ride into Salsalito, a small town along the bay with some cute shops. I'm all about the shopping. However, after a long day of shopping it was time to go out and have a good time. One too many drinks kind of good time. After taking over the stage at a local karaoke bar and singing everything from I Love Rock & Roll to Sweet Caroline I was exhausted. (The videos are too embarrassing to post...lol) But, its times like those you'll always remember.

Todays Featured Blogger: Trendy Cards

I asked Trendy Cards if she would be interested in being a featured blogger because her cards are too cute! With reasonable prices and a great selection, her blog and cards are Simply Fabulous! Be sure to read her interview below and be sure to check out her shop on Etsy, as well as her blog! Congrats Trendy!

How did you get started making cards?:

I'm a graphic designer and I used to work for a Greeting Card company here in town, and when I stopped working there, I decided to start creating cards by myself and try to sell them online, that's when in 2006 I decided to open an eBay store & Trendy Cards was born, specializing in personalized note cards, invitations & labels. On June last year I discovered Etsy, and thought that it was a better match for me than eBay, but didn't have the time to create a shop there until January this year, so I'm fairly new at Etsy still. I'm currently keeping both shops but I'm putting all of my effort & energy on my Etsy shop right now.

Check It Out Here!


Check It Out Here!


Your favorite cards to make are?:

I love making cards (any), but maybe my favorites to create are the ones that have patterns, I love creating new patterns. I've always loved Stationery (I collected them when I was little, cards, envelopes, stickers, etc) so for me it's a lot of fun creating them now.


How long does it take you to make a card?:

The designing process takes time, I do different tryouts, and several printouts, to pick a final design. Sometimes I can create just one in one day, and other times I could do 5, it all depends on the designs. And from the moment somebody orders to the moment it ships out, it usually takes 2 to 3 business days: first I have to create the proof and email it, then, revisions (if any), printing, trimming, folding & finally packaging.


Check It Out Here!


Check It Out Here!


If you weren't making cards, what else would you be interested in making?:

Maybe handbags & diaper bags that look like cards, matching different patterns together, or cool hair accessories, using the same concept, I've always liked that too.


Want to be featured like Trendy Cards? Post a comment or convo me at Etsy for details!

Kreative Blog Award

Well how nice is this!
Thank you Jacaranda Designs!
So now I must:
List 7 things you love and then pass the award on to 7 people..tagging them and letting them know they won!
You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KReATIV!
(7 is my favorite number, so this is perfect!)

1.) I love being with my family
2.) Having a good time with my friends
3.) Weekend get a ways somewhere fun
4.) My dog Bing and all animals of coarse!
5.) I love being crafty and bouncing around Etsy
6.) Singing in the car
7.) I love my boyfriend
8.) I love country music and country concerts!
9.) Going to the beach
10.) Watching old movies too!


Now for the seven people I have chosen:

Trendy Cards

Dragonfly Key

She's Batty Designs

The Silver Dog

We Blog Artists

My Lily Den

Mustardseed

What's Playing On Your iPod?

I wish I could say the reason I have had a leave of absence from blogging was something intriguing such as I have been traveling the world in search of new medicines or helping the homeless go from home-less to home-owners. But I can't. The truth is, I was on a 4 month African safari, got stranded and saved myself and 24 others. Ya, well, thats a lie too. The only thing that matters is I'm back right? So what have I really been up to you ask? Well, still working the same dead end job, being addicted to Red Bulls and Starbucks (Grande, Ice, Carmel Macchiato, Upside Down With Soy Please!) and getting excited for a weekend trip to San Francisco. Finally, a weekend to get away and just be. In preparation for this trip to San Fran I have accumulated a playlist to keep my mind occupied for the plane flight. The playlist includes:

You Make My Dreams Come True-Hall & Oates
-Just an all around feel good song, makes you wanna bob that head and dance like a dork for some reason.

Benny & The Jets-Elton John
-Oh Elton, what do your lyrics mean my friend? Who is Benny and who are the Jets? Benny sounds like a great guy.

Sweet Thing-Keith Urban
"The moon is high and the night is young come and meet me in the backyard under the cottonwood tree..."

Is This Love-Bob Marley
Mr. Reggae himself.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered-Stevie Wonder
Gotta have Stevie on the playlist and this ones a classic.

Here Comes The Sun-The Beatles
Another feel good song, because thats what this trip is gonna be all about, just feelin' good!

I find that my iPod is a melting pot of all genres and eras. So now I ask, what's on your iPod?