Bowlicious Bag

Back in June 2011, I received an email from the editor of the Australia's No 1 craft magazine, Australian Homespun asking me if I could design and make a project bag exclusively for the magazine. At first I thought it was a joke! Why would the editor of a popular magazine invite an unknown designer to create a project for her magazine? Turned out, she saw one of my bags at madeit.com.au and she really liked my style and my use of bright and fun colours. The issue is finally out!

Off to See the World

Here's my first ever attempt of creating an Etsy Treasury. I didn't realized it will take up so much of my time but I had fun. Please enjoy!

'Off to See the World' by mytinda

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.~ St. Augustine

This treasury is a collection of beautiful things that relate to travel and the things that you find from places that I want to visit one day! Enjoy!

MEXICO TRAVEL POSTE... karenlaneart $12.99	Personalised luggag... CestSuperbeLab... $33.95	Travelgirl (doodlem... artsyville $5.00	Ethnic Tribal Silve... EastEmpire $45.00
SLR/DSLR Camera Len... TracyJoy $16.00	bucket list journal... BlueToad $	Postcard, Camera an... thevelvetheart $23.00	Special Edition Lea... julieboyles $54.00
FREE SHIPPING - Mor... countingstitch... $24.00	Iconic Red Camera C... mediumcontrol $46.00	PERU - Leather Trav... leathermaps $29.90	Travel Guide kimhambricart $40.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Handmade Sightings

Last year I started a blog called Handmade Sightings that features beautiful art and handmade creations from indie artists around the world. But due to commitments, I was unable to update it regularly. Just recently, I have resurrected this blog and I hope to post one featured product daily. 

If you are an indie artist and wish to be featured, just leave a comment with a link to the product you wish to show. 

Check out Handmade Sightings and admire beautiful art and handmade creations just like the one below. 

Featured Artist - Kizz Designs

She's bright and funny, super friendly, so creative and very  talented! Read all about Crystal, the artist behind Kizz Designs.

Tell me something about yourself.

My name is Crystal. I have been married for...oh it feels like forever....in a good way...LOL and am a mom of 3 boys....10, 12 & 14. Yikes! Yes, I am a busy girl most days. My background is in social work, but took time off to have kids...and well....am still taking that time off.

 

My husband & I used to farm cattle and about 4 years ago decided to follow a dream....and move from Alberta, Canada to British Columbia, Canada. We wanted to be closer to the mountains, water and sun. Here in the Okanagan, BC is where we wanted to raise our boys. I left my family behind and that is quite hard at times but love the time spent when they come to visit. At about the same time as we moved, I also battled breast cancer... and won. I feel very lucky today and actually believe I am a better person for it all...

  

 

Along side all of that, I started a hobby about 7 years ago that turned into an obsession...a passion. My jewelry designs have evolved over the years from simple beads on stretch cord to semiprecious gemstones and metals. I am always learning about beads, gems and metals and in my next path in design I want to work more with metals. I think the design possibilities are endless when you involve other mediums. I have had the nickname KIZZ since way back when (a teenage thing... LOL), and that's where KIZZ designs came from.

  

Last year I discovered the "handmade" movement online and have not turned back. I am luvin being part of such a world of talent. My goal is to design jewelry that you will want to have and love to wear! I strive to

gain the respect of my fellow artisans.
 

 

What are your sources of inspiration?

Inspiration.....hhhmmmm. Everything! LOL....The materials themselves are really where my inspiration comes from. I see materials and whoosh....my brain starts going and designs appear in my head. I love to

shop for beads and stones...always buying and spending more than....well you know.....make.
 

 

Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?

I have taught myself everything I know...8) I read and watch videos and ask questions of fellow artisans....Always experimenting and trying new things. With metals though, I am going to learn more formally.

  

Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?

Besides making jewelry...What else is there? LOL I luv people! As a family we spend much time skiing in the winter and boating in the summer. I enjoy my boys and watching the sports they play. Ppsstt...I do have a hard time watching them mountain & dirt bike though....yikes! Sitting on our deck on warm evenings, talking with my hubby is also time well spent. Nothing too elaborate, just the simple things in life.

 

What piece of advise can you give to other artists?

   

Advice to other artisans? Well not sure I am one qualified to hand out advice, but if you're listening...do what you need and want to do in life. If you feel creative inside then let it out! Life is short and you owe it to yourself.

 

Finally....Get someone qualified to do your books and paperwork! Hahaha. Thank God for my mother-in-law for helping me in that department. Office organization is not one of my talents....

I hope you enjoy my handmade designs. They come from within to share with you - Crystal from KIZZ

Check out funky jewelry handmade by Crystal at:
 

  

http://www.kizzdesigns.com
  

Http://www.kizzdesigns.artfire.com
  

Become a fan of Kizz Designs at http://www.facebook.com/kizzdesigns

Featured Artist - Roxy

This week's indie artist is Roxy. She makes really nice jewelry. Read more about her ...



1. Tell me something about yourself.
I am a 55 year mom of 5, 3 girls and 2 boys, and grandma to 5, 1 girl and 4 boys. I have a "day job" as a customer service, internet, agent at a higher end women's clothing retailer. I am trying to establish my presence as a jewelry artisan online and I hope to eventually make a living making and selling handmade jewelry so I can work from home and maybe only part time at my "day job" only because I like to do what I do there and because right now, my coworkers are my best customers.

2. What are your sources of inspiration?
My sources of inspiration are mostly from customers placing orders with me. Another source is online on websites I will see some component and think ooohh, I have that and I can do this or that with that bead or component, and when I decide what color I want use I will go look at all the beads that I have in that color and start running my hands through the beads and a picture will pop into my head. I also have quite a few books that I look through.
I consider myself a hardcore jewelry artist because I even dream about beads and jewelry. Lol. I also love to make pendants and beads from polymer clay. I have been dabbling in the poly clay and now I have stepped up my involvement so I can have more unique jewelry so I can have a bigger presence online.



3. Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?
I started making jewelry about 3-4 years ago when I was still only dabbling in poly clay and I would see something on tv about poly clay and jewelry. Where I work we sell fashion jewelry as well and I got started selling my trinkets at work because I saw a bracelet that we sell and I said to a coworker that I could make that bracelet. She said you should and sell it. I made one and it sold and I got lots of orders for those and the rest, they say is history. I am a self taught jewelry artist.

4. Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?
Other than making jewelry, I like to garden my flower beds, read, surf the web, hang out with my granddaughter. She is 6 and loves to watch me make my pretties.




5. What piece of advise can you give to other artists?

I think, so far, the best piece of advice that I can give other artists is take the best pictures of your items, one for online pictures and also so you can keep a picture diary of your work. Also have an edge over other artists, for example, I love my poly clay and I also want to learn more about chainmaille.

Persistance and practice!! I have only sold one item from my shops but I keep listing items and wait patiently. One day I will sell some more.

Last but not least, don't join so many sites to promote your items than you cannot be able to make the items because you are trying to maintain your pages. It will consume you and you will run out of time to make anything.

ooopps! I'm think I'm guilty with Roxy's last advice and I admire her patience and dedication. Go Roxy!


Check out Roxy's shop at Artfire and Made It Myself.

Featured Artist - Snug-n-Luv

This talented artist makes beautiful things for babies and children. Learn more about her and her creations ...

Tell me something about yourself

My name is Stacey White and am Canadian. I have two daughters, a three year old and one year old. Paris, Ontario is where I live with my husband, our girls, and Ralph (our Pug). I've been a teacher for ten years and have focused on special education and advocacy for people with disabilities. I started my business while on maternity leave from my teaching job.

Snug-n-luv sells quilt kits, sewing patterns, knitting patterns, and other useful items for babies and children.

What are your sources of inspiration?

I find inspiration in many places. The first time I laid eyes on Amy Butler fabric, I was smitten. I decided to create one of a kind items from her fabrics with a focus on babies and children. I started creating unsual and unique baby quilts with funky fabric. I'm also inspired by other handmade artisans.

Handmade is the best. Every time you buy handmade you are getting a unique piece of art. Usually items are one of a kind and created with care. The craftmanship is at a level that mass producers can’t possibly achieve. It is also more environmentally friendly and community based, which I love.

Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?

I learned to knit from my grandmother at the age of six. We still write most of our knitting patterns collaboratively! I remember being stuck for a show and tell item in grade five. As I frantically looked around the room searching for something, I noticed that I had knitted the sweater I was wearing. That was my show and tell and after that I never looked back.

Six years ago I taught my entire grade five class to knit. I learned to sew a few years ago. My mother in law is an avid quilter and she would come over with tips and advice to help me along the way. I also learned by trial and error.

Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?

I love music. My husband is a professional musician/music teacher and he has been teaching me to play the guitar. I hope it helps when I return to teach Junior and Senior Kindergarten in the Fall. :)

I've also been trying to learn crochet. It's not as easy as it looks. I admire the skills some people have with a crochet hook.

What piece of advise can you give to other artists?

Don't give up. Be confident in your art, there is always someone who will absolutely love it!

... and I totally agree with Stacey!

Please visit Stacey's shop at www.snugnluv.etsy.com

or follow her blog at www.snug-n-luv.blogspot.com

To get in touch with her, send her an email at snugnluv@gmail.com

Featured Artist - Gallerie Marie

Meet Marie, the multi talented artist behind 'Gallerie Marie'. She can make the most perfect soy candles, luscious handmade goatmilk soaps, cute Raggedy Ann dolls, trendy Bags, yummy Cakes and more ... now that's what we call 'Jill of all trades'!


Tell me something about yourself?


I am a mother first of all to a 28 year old girl and a 15 year old boy who’s turning 16 in August next month. My husband is so understanding with the things I love to do that oftentimes I love it when he sits in the corner of my studio, just reading a book while I’m sewing. Then when I ask his opinion, he would just make any nice comment for the sake of it, I love that!



Some of us Moms would just love to sit in front of the tv or maybe read a book to relax after a hard day’s work, but not me. When I’m not sewing, I pour candles, when I’m not pouring candles I make soaps! I can’t imagine myself not doing anything other than my craft.



What are your sources of inspiration?

I really don’t have any sources of inspiration with my creations, but what I do have is my imagination. I just keep going as I create, they are all unplanned.



Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?

I consider myself as a self-taught crafter or shall I say artist? If there was something that I don’t understand, I relentlessly do my own research and find the answers. I’m very perfectionist and I’m glad I have the patience to be able to accomplished something perfect!


I guessed every family home has a sewing machine, and when I was little, my Mom’s sewing machine was always open. It was so inviting, I couldn’t help myself but sat down on it and started sewing just for fun! I made my first handbag when I was 12 using a recycled denim fabric. That was my first accomplishment and no one even showed me how, not even my Mom! But I thank her for her sewing machine!



Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy baking cakes, experimenting with recipes until my cake is perfect! If you don’t see me in my studio, you know where to find me!



What piece of advise can you give to other artists?

Be very patient with whatever you do, if you think you’re going nowhere with your current project, just leave it for awhile. There is no need to concentrate any more than what you’re doing, it will just frustrate you even more. Turn off the lights and go to bed!

As for those aspiring artists and crafters, my advise is to believe in yourself that you can do anything. I believe that each one of us has our own talent, we just have to find it.
Vincent Van Gogh quotes – "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint', then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced".



What are you plans for the future?

I hope I will still be able to do what I love doing now, sewing and more crafting!

Check out Gallerie Marie at Dawanda and follow her Blog.

Featured Artist - Over the Top

Check out Corline, a talented artist who makes groovy aprons. It's so OTT!


Tell me something about yourself


I refer to myself as a Grandmaprenuer ... an 'over70', young at heart and attitude, married for 51 years, 2 grown sons, 4 grandchildren. I have a love for fashion, color, design, and style. I appreciate everyones God given talent and am amazed and greatly admire the creativity of other women. My designs are a new twist on the aprons of the past, designs that are new and fresh for the 21st Century woman and toddler. They are pretty, romantic, classic, elegant, fun and a bit funky - all the while being functional and practical (they are all washable and tumble dry). Any woman can feel pretty and look pretty in the kitchen whether she is preparing family meals or entertaining her favorite guests, she will always look just a little 'over the top!'




What are your sources of inspiration?


I am inspired by everything around me; God's beautiful color combinations in flowers, animals, sky, water, all that surrounds us. I love keeping up with the latest fashion trends and reintreperate them in my apron designs. It is fun to see how the young people put their eveyday looks together.




Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?


In a sense I am self taught. But I must give credit to my mother who was a very talented woman, beautiful seamstress, china painter,decorator, loved the arts. I think I picked up things from her just seeing her express her own creativity and love for fashion.



Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?


Friends, working 2x a week in a very nice boutique and being involved with our church. My husband teaches the College/Career class - we love being around young people.


What piece of advise can you give to other artists?


Go with your passions - you may not always get the encouragement you may desire from others but trust your self from within. Tomorrow comes quickly and you really only have today which turns into another day ... go with your instincts, enjoy your talents, express who you are and the results will come.


Check out Corline's aprons at: www.overthetopaprons.com

Follow her blog: http://overthetopaprons.blogspot.com

Featured Artist - Made for Me by Oaklie

This week's featured artist is Anne. She's the designer behind 'Made for Me by Oaklie'.

Tell me something about yourself.

I was born in Schweinfurt, Germany and adopted by a loving couple here in the US. I grew up in Palo Alto, CA and had an excellent life! I have 1 sister and 1 brother. My husband and I now live in St. George, UT with our 5 "Babies" (Abbie, Skipper, Baby, Zazoo and Daisy). We weren't blessed with children so we have the "4-legged" variety.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Very often I just get an idea in my head.... no idea where it comes from; but, suddenly have the urge "I need to make that!". A lot of my other creations are inspired by color or texture. I picture the color in an item and begin to create! Craft stores are a "Danger Zone" for me... I can spend hours looking and getting inspired for great craft ideas!

Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?

My Grandmother taught me to crochet and embroider. I taught myself to knit with a book I had bought as I thought how wonderful it would be to knit too! I also paint... oils and pastels are the mediums I have used in the past.

Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?

I love to play the piano and am a big "kid" at heart as I also love computer games.

What piece of advise can you give to other artists?

Follow your dreams! Use the gift God has given you! What I love most about my different crafts and abilities is that I express who I am through them and bring enjoyment to others. My hope is to get my painting studio replenished and set up again so I can begin painting. I have ignored this passion far to long and need to get it going again.

Visit Anne's shop at Made for Me by Oaklie or drop by her Blog!

Featured Artist - Passion for Beads

Do you like this bracelet? This is a creation of Sally, the designer behind 'Passion for Beads'.

Tell me something about yourself?

My name is Sally and I am originally from Hong Kong, and lived in Canada since 2001. I am a stay at home mom with two gorgeous boys, 6 and 3 years old! I have been beading for about 6 years. When I first started beading, I was doing it for fun until one day a friend of mine asked me to make her a choker and a pair of matching earrings. I started having orders for bracelets, chokers, necklaces and earrings thereafter. My journey of crystal jewelry business has also officially started and Passion For Beads is my very first online shop which established in March 2009.

What are your sources of inspiration?

My inspiration and ideas mainly come from craft books. I read a lot of craft books on beading to get ideas. Once a find a pattern that I like, I start working with the beads. To create a piece of work can be just a few hours or it can be days! Sometimes it is hard, but I enjoy the whole process. Other sources of inspiration are from those promotional flyers from local jewelry shops, inputs from my customers and other artists.

Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?

It was about 6 years ago, a good friend of mine taught me the basics of beading and then I started to learn from books. However, the way I do beading slightly different, I do not use needles. Therefore, when I see a pattern I like, I start to create it in my own way! I think I am also a self- taught jewelry designer.
Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing? Any advice to fellow crafters?

Aside from jewelry making, I enjoy cooking! I always look for good recipes to try. I also enjoy listening to music and spending time with my family. Spending quality time with my family is a little bit of challenge for me after starting my online shops! I guess this is also my advice to other artists. Besides creating your own masterpieces, do not forget to spend time with your family and friends!

Check out Sally's creations at:

Passion for Beads at Artfire

Passion for Beads at Made it Myself

Also, follow her Blog - My Daily Living