Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Worktable Wednesday- Sher Hastings Design

Worktable Wednesday features something new happening with the BBA members or something of interest we spy online.


Today I'm featuring Sher of Sher Hastings Designs.  Sher creates printable PDF patterns to help organize your life & just for fun.


Weekly Planner

I really love this weekly meal planner.  If only I was this organized every week!  How nice to have a place next to the days to add in needed grocery items or recipe ideas!


High Tea Bag Envelopes


Aren't these tea bag envelopes adorable?  What a lovely personalized packaging idea for a care box or little gift.


The Latte Cart Graphic and Clipart set
Continuing on our food theme (I wonder what's on my mind!), Sher also creates clip art & graphic packages for digital scrap booking.  This set would be perfect for recipe cards!


I hope you will check out the other lovely listings Sher has in her shop!



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Today's post was written by Nancy of N. Fallon Design Studio.  Established in 2008, the shop houses a whimsical line of knit purses, wallets, and knitwear.  An artist at heart, Nancy also dabbles in watercolors, mixed media sculpture, and poetry.  You can read more about her life and work on her blog One Loopy Knitter.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tuesday Treasuries

Treasuries on etsy are gallery collections of items for sale grouped under a theme chosen by the curator.  This is a fun way to showcase the talents and work of creative shop owners.
Blogging Business Artisans requires its members to curate one treasury per month.  Each week we will feature one of the past week's treasuries here on our team blog.

Judy of JN Originals curated this fun whimsical treasury called Just plain cute!

Here are a couple items featured in this treasury:
 
 Speaking of cute, how fun is this 10 piece set of crocheted potted flowers by Sarah of Magnolia Surprise?!  (Your child can plant a seed, watch it sprout, and then see the flower bloom with this fun play set!)  Check out her shop to see all the wonderful items she makes--play food, toys and afghans for the kids; fun coasters and pin cushions for your home.  Besides coming up with new surprises for her shop, Sarah cross-stitches for Love Quilts, a charity group that assembles cross-stitch squares into beautiful quilts for children with long-term or life threatening illnesses.





Here's another cute item from this treasury--a Button Bunting Necklace by Jenny of A Bird in the Hand Art.  Jenny is inspired by the beauty of birds  Not surprisingly, she has a background in biology, specifically animal behavior.  She loves learning new arty techniques and lets inspiration be her guide.  Her shop features colorful jewelry and home decor.    Jenny loves to read and bake and spend time with her orange tabby Milo (who likes to try and help with her creations).



Our teammates have made some awesome treasuries!  I highly urge you to visit them if you have not yet seen them.


Be sure to check back here every week for more Tuesday Treasuries!
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Today's guest blogger is Margaret.  She is the artist/owner of Splendid Little Stars, a shop filled with cotton and silk clothing and accessories for children and adults.  She loves many crafts and has been dyeing and painting fabric for more than 20 years.  Find her blog Splendid Little Stars HERE.

photos by the individual artists © 2011-2012   all rights reserved

Monday, June 25, 2012

Monthly Challenge Link Party

Link up with your post on how you were inspired by June's Monthly Challenge of "Under the Sea." When I created that theme last year, I was envisioning summer vacations, water, and the Little Mermaid.

I look forward to seeing everyone's creations!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday Features- Gorgeous Greens

We all know we need more greens in our diet.  But who says we can't also fill our wardrobes and houses with greens as well?

Green Button Bracelet by Random Creative
Mr. Broccoli by iHartFelt
Green Roving by LileesGramKnits
Two Peas in a Pod by MagnoliaSuprise
Silk Scarf by SplendidLittleStars
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Today's post was brought to you by Jenny of A Bird In The Hand Art.  As the artist and owner behind A Bird In The Hand Art, Jenny spends her time creating unique jewelry and one-of-a-kind home decor pieces.  See her work in her shop or read some of her craft tutorials on her blog.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Worktable Wednesday - Trending Lately

Worktable Wednesday features something new happening with the BBA members or something of interest we spy online.
This week I want to share a trend I've noticed lately. It's not really a new trend, but it's one that's sure caught my eye recently.

Banners, buntings, garlands...whatever you call them...they're hot! And our teammates and blog friends have taken notice!

LeAnn of Pasque Flower just listed this Patriotic Mini Bunting in her shop this week! 4th of July is just around the corner and this bunting will add flair to your get-togethers!

Duni  of Duni's Studio posted this pretty bunting on her blog this week! She gave three great ways to use up fabric scraps and this bunting is by far my favorite idea!

I've also had the pleasure of working with buntings recently...only in a different way. I had a special request to add a heart bunting to an engraved wedding invitation. This was such a fun invitation to design!

Have you created any buntings lately? Share a link in the comments!


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Edi is the creative mind behind Memories for Life Scrapbooks (and Laser Engraving). She has been paper crafting for over 15 years and recently purchased a laser engraver that is keeping her creativity at an all time high! And she recently quit her job to run Memories for Life full-time!!!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tuesday Treasuries

Treasuries on etsy are gallery collections of items for sale grouped under a theme chosen by the curator.  This is a fun way to showcase the talents and work of creative shop owners.
Blogging Business Artisans requires its members to curate one treasury per month.  Each week we will feature one of the past week's treasuries here on our team blog.

Rose of Random Creative curated this lovely treasury, Summer Whimsy, choosing "a few of her favorite picks for Summer" in one of her favorite color combinations--turquoise and red.

Here are a couple items featured in this treasury:
 

Edi of Memories For Life has quit her day job!  Her scrapbook albums like the one HERE and her engraved items have become so popular.  Because Edi can engrave most anything, you'll be sure to find a keepsake treasure in her shop!











Margaret of Splendid Little Stars creates lovely dyed items like this silk scrunchie.  Besides her dyed silk scarves and scrunchies, Margaret offers fun tie dyed and dye painted items like T shirts, wash cloths, hats, and dresses.






Our teammates have made some awesome treasuries!  I highly urge you to visit them if you have not yet seen them.

Be sure to check back here every week for more Tuesday Treasuries!
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Today's guest blogger is Margaret.  She is the artist/owner of Splendid Little Stars, a shop filled with cotton and silk clothing and accessories for children and adults.  She loves many crafts and has been dyeing and painting fabric for more than 20 years.  Find her blog Splendid Little Stars HERE.

photos by the individual artists © 2011-2012   all rights reserved

Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday Member Mini -- A Bird in the Hand Art

Today's Member Mini features Jenny Chang of A Bird in the Hand Art!

Jenny creates lovely jewelry and home decor items using a variety of techniques. Inspired by the beautiful colors of birds, Jenny uses them quite often in her items -- her shop is filled with birds! Much of her jewelry begins with a wood shape and then pops with color from beautiful fabrics artistically arranged onto the wood. 

Jenny is also an artist and you will find different birds painted on her cute wallet clutches, wooden boxes, and original acrylics on canvas. My personal favorites are her cardinals!

Milo, Jenny's orange tabby, likes to help her while she's creating -- probably because of all the birds flying about her shop!!




To visit Jenny's shop, just click on the Bird in Hand mini!

Be sure to check back here for more Monday Member Minis for a little sneak peek into our members' shops! 


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Sarah is the owner of Magnolia Surprise where you can find crochet toys and play food for the kids, as well as fun coasters, potholders and other items for the home. In addition to crochet, she loves needlework of all types, especially cross-stitch and embroidery, and also enjoys painting on wood and found objects.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Fairytale Friday Features

This week's Friday Features has been inspired by member, Teresa, of LileesGramKnits and her Fairytale stitch markers.

Use your imagination and Enjoy!


Castle Wedding Tags by ifiwerecards

Polymer clay Castle by UraniaArt

enchanted forest print by slightclutter


Everything Princess by arudduck

And they lived happily everafter!

Today's post brought to you by BBA member, Linda of PruittCreations.


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Worktable Wednesday- My Purpose, My World.

Worktable Wednesday features something new happening with the BBA members or something of interest we spy online.  I know Edi just wrote about Erika of Artful Rising a few weeks ago, but this girl has so many new things on the table that she needs another post!  Last week Edi focused on Erika's inspirational journals in her etsy shop Artful Rising.  






Since then, Erika has launched a new project, My Purpose, My world.  This blog serves as so many things: it is a forum for women to come together to discuss "their hopes, dreams, & fears in a safe place."  It is an outlet for Erika to use her experiences to encourage readers to live their dreams and change their world.  Additionally, Erika offers workshops wherein participants can use art journaling & thinking/ writing prompts to discover their purpose and challenge their current notions. 


Her mantra proclaims, "When you were a little girl you had big dreams.  Start living them today."




Provoked to start this project by a small mistake leading to the loss of her former blog & project Artful Rising, Erika chose to keep her head held high and dig deeply within herself to uncover her own true desires and reinvent her brand.  Erika is a truly motivational person living her life to the fullest which is why she has so much to teach others. 


I encourage you to visit My Purpose, My World, and see if you can't find something that begs you to open your ears & your heart!




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Today's post was written by Nancy of N. Fallon Design Studio.  Established in 2008, the shop houses a whimsical line of knit purses, wallets, and knitwear.  An artist at heart, Nancy also dabbles in watercolors, mixed media sculpture, and poetry.  You can read more about her life and work on her blog One Loopy Knitter.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tuesday Treasuries

Treasuries on etsy are gallery collections of items for sale grouped under a theme chosen by the curator.  This is a fun way to showcase the talents and work of creative shop owners.
Blogging Business Artisans requires its members to curate one treasury per month.  Each week we will feature one of the past week's treasuries here on our team blog.

Our very first team treasury for June was curated by Linda of Pruitt Design.  This treasury Flutters thru Orange, features lovely shades of orange in such unique creations.

 Here are a couple items featured in that treasury:

Judy of  Mister PenQuin created this wonderful post-it-note/mini clipboard.  Her shop features unique paper-crafted gifts, accents and accessories that encourage self-expression, or help you get organized so that you'll have more time to be creative!  In Mister PenQuin you will find note cards, photo albums, brag books, clipboards, blank books, and journals.







Look at these cute owl ornaments created by Heather of  i Hart Felt!  Her shop is filled with the cutest plushies, baby mobiles, ornaments, party favors, and more!  Heather's designs are so charming and original!  You'll find them a wonderful alternative to mass produced dime-a-dozen gifts.






Our teammates have curated some awesome treasuries!  I highly urge you to visit them if you have not yet seen them.
Owl Take One of Each by Edi of Memories For Life SB
How Do You Spend Your Summer Days? by Nancy of N Fallon Design Studio
XOXOXO by Heather of i Hart Felt
Waiting for Something to Happen by Janet of Honey from the Bee

Be sure to check back here every week for more Tuesday Treasuries!
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Today's guest blogger is Margaret.  She is the artist/owner of Splendid Little Stars, a shop filled with cotton and silk clothing and accessories for children and adults.  She loves many crafts and has been dyeing and painting fabric for more than 20 years.  Find her blog Splendid Little Stars HERE.

photos by the individual artists © 2011-2012   all rights reserved

Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday Member Mini -- Beaded Tail

It's time for another Monday Member Mini and today we are featuring Sharla of Beaded Tail!

Sharla creates lovely jewelry, most with an animal design -- particularly cats and dogs! She has recently introduced a line of journals, also with the animal theme -- these have clever titles like "Paws for Thought" which is my personal favorite!

Because of her love of animals, Sharla supports organizations that help animals with special needs or disabilities. Through her shop sales she has steadily increased the amount of her donations over the last several years. Her own pets (two lovely cats and a sweet dog) were all rescued and adopted from the humane society.

Be sure to have a look at all the lovely items in Beaded Tail -- you might even catch a glimpse of Angel, Isabella and Sadie! As Sharla says, "We're making tails wag, one bead at a time!"


To visit Sharla's shop, just click on the Beaded Tail mini!

Be sure to check back here for more Monday Member Minis for a little sneak peek into our members' shops! 


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Sarah is the owner of Magnolia Surprise where you can find crochet toys and play food for the kids, as well as fun coasters, potholders and other items for the home. In addition to crochet, she loves needlework of all types, especially cross-stitch and embroidery, and also enjoys painting on wood and found objects.



Friday, June 8, 2012

Cobalt Blue Friday Features

Team member Janet of HoneyFromTheBee was the inspiration for this Friday Feature post with her Filigree and Blue Pendant Necklace.  Cobalt blue is so striking it often catches the attention of Etsyians for treasuries. I love this deep color and wanted to use it for today's features.  Enjoy!


Filigree Necklace by HoneyFromTheBee


Cobalt Juicer from VintageHomeChic



Quilt by ColorquiltsbyCarolyn


Wine Bottle Wall Flower Vases by GreatBottlesofFire


Sea Glass Pendant by seaglassin


Friday Features is brought to you today by BBA member Linda of PruittCreations.  She loves all kinds of art mediums, but currently specializes in fabric: Fun with Fabric!  

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Artisan Spotlight -- Pasque Flower Creations

7 questions is our spotlight on our favorite artisans. Please welcome... 


1.  What do you sell in your shop?
My Etsy shop, Pasque Flower Creations, is an eclectic mix of fun and functional handcrafted fabric items.  My current best sellers are boutique oven mitts:
I also welcome custom orders.

2.  What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
I love the sense of community --- a person-to-person connection between Buyers and Sellers and within teams.

3.  What is your least favorite thing about Etsy?
SEO.  I still struggle to find the best titles and tags to get my items found.  But I'm learning!

4.  What does your studio / workspace look like?
I converted stepson Jon's bedroom (he's 37 and happily married with three kids -- he's not moving home) into a Girl Cave to house my fabrics, supplies, sewing machine, serger, and inventory closet.  I like to keep my stash fabrics in rainbow color order.  (It's messier now than when the photo was taken.)


5.  What do you do to relax?
Ironically, I sew to relax!  (My hubby says I am always calmer when I'm touching fabric.)  I love to quilt and I am a member the Lincoln Quilters Guild and a small quilt group. I'm currently working on a full-sized English paper pieced quilt.  I've finished 100 large blocks.  It's been in the works for well over a year: http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com/2011/06/ugliest-quilt-in-world.html   I'm also working on a hand-appliqued graduation quilt for our oldest granddaughter (Class of 2013).  I also like to bike, read, and spend time with my children and 9 grandchildren.

6.  What accomplishments are you the most proud of?
I am most proud of my children.
In my former professional life as an attorney I helped blaze some trails for women in the legal profession in South Dakota in the late 1970s and 1980s.  I was SD Woman Attorney of the Year in 1985, and I was the first woman appointed to the SD Board of Pardons & Paroles.  I received an award from former Attorney General Janet Reno -- that photo and my parole gavel (which I now use to hammer metal capped snaps)  is in my Girl Cave.  (That's a much younger me in the yellow silk suit.)



 7.  What are some of your goals for the next year?
My goals are to maintain 100+ listings in my Etsy shop (I'm not quite there yet) and to double my 2011 sales total in 2012 (I'm ahead of target on that one!)  I'm also working on developing new product lines that will utilize my ever-growing pile of scraps (too pretty to throw away).

You can out more about LeAnn here:
Pasque Flower Creations (LeAnn): boutique clothing and more
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower
Blog: http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com
Twitter: @lfrobom
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pasqueflower
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/pasqueflower/

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Worktable Wednesday- Lilee's Gram Knits


Worktable Wednesday features something new happening with the BBA members or something of interest we spy online.

Teresa has been busy as a bee lately dying, beading, and creating loads of new items for her etsy shop, Lilee's Gram Knits.  I spied this blog post where she reveals all of her gorgeous newbies.  Be sure to check out the post for all of the details, but here are a few of my favorites:

Mardi Gras Roving
Bonus photo:  I am fascinated with her dying process!
Mushroom Yarn Markers
Pattern Place Marks




Don't you just love her color sense?  The brighter the better, I say.  Keep up with the artist, Teresa, on her blog Lilee's Gram Knits


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Today's post was written by Nancy of N. Fallon Design Studio.  Established in 2008, the shop houses a whimsical line of knit purses, wallets, and knitwear.  An artist at heart, Nancy also dabbles in watercolors, mixed media sculpture, and poetry.  You can read more about her life and work on her blog One Loopy Knitter.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tuesday Treasuries

Treasuries on etsy are gallery collections of items for sale grouped under a theme chosen by the curator.  This is a fun way to showcase the talents and work of creative shop owners.
Blogging Business Artisans requires its members to curate one treasury per month.  Each week we will feature one of the past week's treasuries here on our team blog.

This very fun Treasury, Black and White and Pink All Over, was curated by Sarah of Magnolia Surprise.  These colors are quite stunning together!

Here are a couple items featured in that treasury:




Erika of Artful Rising offers this lovely print of gorgeous pink roses.  Erika's shop is filled with a selection of art journals and home decor--"gifts for your spirit."  She urges you to tell your story.  "Create. Inspire. Change Your World."










Look at the fun fabric of these oven mitts--Metro CafĂ© line by Monaluna for Robert Kaufman!  They'd be perfect for the man in your life--or you, too!  LeAnn has such wonderful fabric creations in her shop Pasque Flower Creations.  Her pretty yet practical items include baby bibs and quilts, bags and totes, children's clothing, kitchen items, and even very cool bags for your walker! 







Our teammates have made some awesome treasuries!  I highly urge you to visit them if you have not yet seen them.

Be sure to check back here every week for more Tuesday Treasuries!
************************************************************* 
Today's guest blogger is Margaret.  She is the artist/owner of Splendid Little Stars, a shop filled with cotton and silk clothing and accessories for children and adults.  She loves many crafts and has been dyeing and painting fabric for more than 20 years.  Find her blog Splendid Little Stars HERE.

photos by the individual artists © 2011-2012   all rights reserved