Featured Etsy Artist ~ SparklyStrandz

Bare with me the next few weeks as I am going to try to get back into the routine of posting everyday. I have been SWAMPED with orders (which is a blessing) but that and the normal day to day life, and well honestly I don't HAVE the time to blog!

So tonight I am featuring an etsy shop called Sparkly Strandz. This shop is awesome, where the artist crochets and makes jewelry. There is all kinds of cool things, even some AWESOME nursing necklace!

Here is a bit taken from her profile:
I've had a love for crafts, especially crochet for over 25 years ever since my grandmother taught me at age 5. It was probably the best thing she could have done for my parents because it would keep me busy for hours. During college, I developed a love for beads--not just because they're sparkly, but because beads have such a rich history to them from around the world, and can be made from almost anything imaginable. Also, as an occupational therapist, I am able to use a variety of crafts and activities in my therapy to make it more fun!

I combined my love for crochet and beads and began making jewelry, baby onesies, hats, and all sorts of gift items about 10 years ago. "Sparkly Strandz" is an online store that you can visit and create your own jewelry by choosing the right color bead, wire, and length you want for that perfect piece!!

You can visit her etsy shop and also her blog to get a feel for this artist and her work. As usual I have some of my favorites listed. Thanks!

Featured HC Mama ~ MamaStone

Ok...I've finally gotten around to featuring another HC Mama and later on today will also be doing an etsy artisian! So my HC mama for the day is MamaStone. She sounds so much like me in the sense that she enjoys "dipping her fingers" in all sorts of projects!
She has a HC shop, an Etsy shop and a Blog too.

Here is a bit taken from her profile:

Mom of 2, craft junkie, Proud Vancouverite.

My kids are the light of my life, a 3 year old boy and a baby girl. They are so sweet, they'd rot your teeth! :P

My current crafts are knitting, felting and beading. I've been known to sew, paint and crochet. I am constantly picking up new crafts. Spinning is next on the horizon.

So she does a beautiful job knitting, but also offers jewelry and it looks like computer things as well (like banners and such). Showing are some of my favorites!

Please swing by and check this mama out!

Featured HC Mama ~ Lautzy Soap

Today I am featuring another Hyena Cart Mama! This shop is SO yummy it is going to take ALL my will power NOT to fall off the wagon!
She is another WAHM making soaps, lotions, lip balms and other treasures! To see her entire shop please click here. You can also check out her blog here. All of her soaps and sundries are made from scratch by her in her kitchen. She does not use any mixes or bases, only high quality oils and butters. Everything is 100% mineral oil, paraben and formaldehyde free. She even has a soap of the month club! How cool is that???

I have pictured a few of my favorites from her shop...and trust me it was VERY hard to choose! Please stop by and visit this WAHM! I know I'm going to have to hop off that wagon VERY soon!

Featured Etsy Artist ~ Tiffany Teske

Today I am featuring TiffanyTeske from Etsy. What a unique shop to stubble upon! I'm really lovin' this artist!

Here is a bit taken from her profile :
" I have loved photography since I was given a 110 camera at the age of 7, to capture memories on a family trip. I studied ballet, creative writing, and art in high school but did not take photography classes. Instead, I was "the after school photography club" and was taught by a science teacher how to use the darkroom. The chemicals got into my blood, and after roaming the US for 5 years (Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, & New York) I settled in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, population 200, and home to Sugarloaf USA, and decided to go to University for.... nursing? Well, yes, I did start the pre req courses, but fate stepped in, and after one summer colour printing course and some credit mishaps on the school's part, I switched my major to photography. I graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta with both an Associate of Arts in Photography (Magna cum Laude) in 2000 and a Bachelor of Arts Joint BA in Art and Photography (Magna cum Laude) in 2002. Did I mention that I drove 3 hours round trip to school, 2-3 times a week, for 5 years? If it weren’t for computer courses I would have driven even more… oh, and I met my future husband during this time, who was from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, a 12 hour round trip drive the other direction. I drove back and forth for three years before we married. Now, we live in Banff, Alberta, Canada, with our toddler, Quinlyn, and I WALK EVERYWHERE ;)

It has been a fun ride all along. If you want to know more, feel free to check out the About Tiffany section on my website at www.oldesage.com.

My Favorite Materials are... (I can't seem to get this to show up below)
TMAX and HP5 black and white film; Polaroid peel apart films for transfers and emulsion lifts; all kinds of paper; fiber based prints made in the darkroom; hand colouring markers; archival mats I cut myself; black metal frames for sleekness and gold gilded frames for romance; silver and copper jewelry components; gel medium; bamboo tiles; poker chips; bottle caps; watercolour paper"

As usual I chose just a few of my favorites, but be sure to stop by her etsy shop to see all the awesome things this artist has to offer. You can view her blog too! Thanks!

Featured Etsy Artist ~ StudioMarcy

What a cool shop this is! ESPECIALLY if you are into beads and glass lampwork! And Marcy seems like such a happy soul, it gives her shop a VERY nice feel!

Here is a bit taken from her profile:
"Hi, I'm Marcy Lamberson, a glass artist who loves making people smile through my whimsical beads and sculptures.

I use a 2000 degree torch and most of my glass comes from Murano, Italy. Every piece is kiln annealed for durability.

I teach private and group lessons and enjoy taking on custom commissions. While working out of my sunroom studio overlooking my garden and birds, squirrels, chipmunks and occasional wandering possums, sometimes I just made them into beads too! . I make them wear clothes and jewelry when turning them into little fun glass pieces."

I have a few of my favorites showing, but be sure to check out her shop for all the awesomeness she offers. You can also see her blog for more info.

Thanks!

Featured Etsy Artist ~ Elements By Dawn

Today my featured etsy artist is Elements By Dawn. You can view her shop and also check out her blog.

This shop is filled with some fine jewelry. Most of the silver/metal work looks as if it was done by hand (and I believe it was!). So if you are a jewelry lover, you really need to mosey on over and take a peep in this lovely little shop.

Here is a bit taken from her profile :

"Dawn is particularly drawn to creating pattern and texture in her pieces. Through pattern and texture, her designs take on movement, visual and tactile interest. Through the use of color and form, she communicates emotion and energy. Dawn's pieces range from simplistic shapes and lines, evoking a sense of calm; to heavily textured with bold colors and lines, suggesting passion.

Her obsession with circles, spheres, disks, and symmetry is expressed throughout her designs.

Dawn is constantly learning new techniques, as well as perfecting traditional methods of metalworking and design.

Additionally, she is a full-time student, wife, and mother of two boys. She enjoys listening to music of all types, especially industrial, techno, a little ska, and classical. Dawn is a self-diagnosed coffee and cheese addict."

I have chosen a few of my favorites to highlight. :D

Featured HC Mama ~ Laines Magnifiques

So here is my first featured Hyena Cart Mama and her beautiful shop Laines Magnifiques. You can take a peek at her shop here and also a peek at her blog here.

This WAHM makes lots of cool things, from toys and play things to clothing and beautifully dyed yarns. Here work is amazing.

Here is a bit taken from her about me section :

"I'm Nicole, a WAHM to Ryan, 4 years old and Sarah who is 1 years old. I'm wife to my amazing and supportive husband Richard; we've been married for 10 years and together for almost 16 years!

For four years I was unaware of cloth diapering, and all the wonderful things that go along with it. I decided that with my second and last baby I would try it! Well we did and we love it! At that time I rediscovered my love of beautiful yarns and knitting! In my need to rediscover my creative side I began hand dyeing fabulous wool yarn.

It has also allowed me to stay home with my beautiful children and enjoy them, while maintaining my professional self by owning my own business, who could ask for anything more!"

I have highlighted a few of my favorites from her gallery, but please be sure to check out this great shop yourself!

New Year

I'm feeling so VERY positive about the new year ahead. As some of you know, '07 was a bit rough for us. So we are looking wide eyed at the wonder awaiting us in '08. I just know some awesome things are in store.

One of the things I am going to continue to do will be to update my blog with new items AND continue featuring the etsy artists, but I will also be adding a featured hyena cart mama about once a week.

So, what's new with KreativeMindz? Well, I have added a cool thing to my goddess wraps. Now not only do they come with instructions, but they now come with a pamphlet of 3 to 4 ways of wrapping your hair (depending on type of wrap). This is an exciting addition, that I believe will help make the goddess wrap even more versatile! I have also been busy sketching out and making mock play foods for kids, along with some clothing and bags of sorts.

Here's to a wonderful New Year filled with glorious possibilities!

Bless!