A Vacation For Mom!

This Week I am writing about my mission to raise money via my shop at www.tamuidbeo.etsy.com to send my Mom and Dad on a camping trip to Klamath Ca to the Tree's of Mystery. All sales 100% goes towards their camping trip and in addition I am offering a 15% discount coupon available in my shop announcement.

Now why give my parents a vacation, well because they haven't had one since 2002. And since that time my father has suffered a major stroke and my mother has been injured to the point of disability at work supporting my disabled father.

Like many people today in this recession the thought of any sort of simple brake away from all the stresses of life is the only happy thought many people may have all day or all week. The daily struggle to keep your home and pay the bills can eat you up and before you know it you can't remember the last time you smiled, let alone enjoyed yourself or time with your loved ones. And lets face it our parents did allot for us growing up and its only natural we want to return the favor later in life when they are unable to achieve it themselves.

So lets look at the destination, Klamath Ca, home of the Tree's of Mystery Redwood forests and some of the most beautiful beaches California has to offer. For many treks through the trees, breathing the fresh forest air, this is a must see destination. If you have never walked amongst the giant redwoods feeling like a spec of dust in comparison then you are missing out, the sheer size and grandeur of these amazing giants is overwhelming and yet peaceful at the same time. To think something has taken 100's of years to reach this point and is still so undisturbed. So I am hopeful that all you who read this latest addition of my blog head on over to www.tamuidbeo.etsy.com and check out all the cool things!

Thanks For Reading

A Crafty-er Way to Craft!

Organization of a craft room is hard work, and yet crucial to efficient crafting! This week I was inspired by pictures in a magazine showing the most Orginized Craft Room's I have ever seen, inspirational and yet unrealistic. Unlike a magazine spread most of us real life crafters enjoy a little clutter since it shows us that we are working and creating something, our craft rooms are never going to be like a magazine sperad, since we live and work in ours. So a perfectly organized and tidy craft room would never last realistically since not everyone has that kind of time to replace everything in its perfect proper hidden place. Our cutting mats will always have lines cut in from our hard work cutting fabric, they will have glue spots from our jewelery making, a trophy of our hard labor.

But not denying that at some point all of our craft rooms get out of hand and we are tripping over things and cant find a pair of scissors to save our life. Where is my pink thred you might say as you pick up a pile of fabric and patterns, and find the ribbon you were looking for last week stuck to the superglue bottle that you lost the week before that!

So with the chaos of my own craft room before me, I looked at the magazine pictures and thought, well realistically mines never going to look like this, unlike Martha Stewart I don't have a huge team of minion's at my beckon call to create the craft room that angels dream of. And if I did work my hiney off for a week or so, and get this gorgeous example of a craft room how long would I be able to maintain it. So sorry Martha its wonderful you got yet another spread in a magazine but us real crafters are going to look but not repeat the over done! It's just not Realistic.

So Over the weekend I took all my tubs of fabric out of the craft room and vaccumed, then taking all the fabric out of the tubs and folding it i found once folded I had more room in the tubs. This took along time let me warn you, but I found allot of stuff I didn't know I had, and was able to arrange the most likely fabric I would use to the top of the tubs. After the tubs were done and returned under my craft table, I took my attention to the shelving and practical items I use all the time, keeping them handy. Useing an old decorative pitcher for my knitting needles and crochet hooks, and the shelving for my balls of yarn. And it's amazing how far an old wood tray will go when folding fabric and having it handy and on display, even an old wood cutlery tray, with internal sections removed could be used for this purpose, for that matter it could be any kinds of square tray. This method repeated could be used to stack the trays of fabric, allowing for easy finding and replacement. Then lastly organization of threads and bobbins, a thread rack made for a viewable and decorative function on the wall, so I can always see what Colors of thread I have, and is within reach of my sewing machine for easy access and return so my thread will never be lost. So really not a huge overhaul of the craft room but small things that can make life easier for the busy crafter I am, and possibly you to!

Thanks For Reading and Please Leave a Comment Below...

And A Special Thanks to www.stitchyimpressions.etsy.com for the top picture of her messy craft room.

& Visit my shop at www.tamuidbeo.etsy.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/TaMuidBeo

Simply By Bex

Back this week to look at my newest favorite shop on etsy. The positively NOT simple, Simplybybex shop www.simplybybex.etsy.com . Blown away by the breath taking detail in every flower right down to the pollen, will be your thoughts exactly. And impressive they wouldn't be, if they were plastic, however they aren't plastic! Petal by petal they are hand made out of clay by hand no molding here.
Looking through Bex's Shop you wont just see hair pins like the one in the picture to the left, but whole floral arrangement center pieces. Perfect for weddings, anniversary's, gifts, or just something to have on hand for the holidays and dinner party's. Flowers that wont die or wilt, never loose their color, and are unique to you since they are custom orders. Perhaps you live in California like me and would love to have a floral display of Poppy's at your table or in your china cabinet, perhaps some Peony's , Iris's, or Roses. As always in my blog pieces about fellow etsyain shops I like to add a few words from the shop owners, who always have insightful words about their love for their crafts.
"My name is Rebecca aka "Bex." I named my shop SimplyByBex because I figure "Bex" will be easier to remember and more catchy. I specialized in custom floral arrangement and accessories for special occasion. What's different about my shop is that all of the flowers you see are all made out of air dry clay. No molds were used. Instead, all of the flowers are created one petal at a time and arrangement in such a way to capture the beauty of real flowers. Once they are dried the flowers are very light, yet durable. These types of flowers make great keepsake and gifts for yourself or others!"
My first visit to Bex Shop was through the etsy forums where I was once again looking for an amazing shop to write about in my blog, Bex was my first post, but after looking at her shop I couldn't get the images of flowers out of my head. So I knew nobody else would do, I had to write about the amazing floral displays. The detail of the flowers and realistic look as if they had been plunked from a rose bush minutes ago, grabbed me. So if your looking for something special this season for your dinner table or to decoration in your house, SimplyByBex should be your first stop. I am just crazy for these flora displays and accessories, and I know you will be to once you stroll through Bex's shop. Thanks Bex for introducing me to your amazing shop.
This Shop will also be featured in my upcoming news letter, so join my mailing list. And while your at it follow Bex's on facebook and her blog.


www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-By-Bex/123712867679140
www.simplybybex.blogspot.com

"Spiraling into the Land of Magic Myths and Fairy tale's"

This week on my weekly blog I have the pleasure of visiting the Land of Magic Myths and Fairy tale's, a land where the old Celtic Fairy tale's are told and represented in the simplest of ways. Or in more simple terms I visited TheSpiralgodess shop on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/spiralgodess. Where you can purchase anything from a Celtic heart pendant to a vial of Jack the rippers blood, anything and everything mystical and fairytale you can find on Ellen (the owner of spiralgodess) shop.

Whats Ellen's inspiration? Well for that I had to go to Ellen. "Having always been a crafter, whether it’s making jewelery, baking or jam making, I always have new ideas popping into my head. I Love Fairy tale's and Magical stories, ever since I was a child and my Father gathered us around to tell us the ancient Irish Legends they have fueled my imagination. Now with my own children I get to relive them. So it seemed natural to me to include some of their elements in my creations. Vampires, Angels, Fairies, Dragons, Witches, Wizards (evil or good) fascinate me. I remember the first time I heard the Snow White Fairytale, I wanted to know exactly how the Queen made her Magical Potions. So now I make my own and put them in my Magical Vials".

TheSpiralgodess shop is so whimsical you instantly love it, for its charm, for its Fantasy, after all who among us lovers of all things fairytale and fantasy don't love the whole idea of the Celtic past, the fairy tale's told of the magical thistles which would not be trod upon and would alert the Celts to the coming of the vikings. To the beautiful meaning behind the Celtic Knot, of endless love with no beginning or end. And lets hope like the grand Celtic knot that TheSpiralGodess never ends.

Thanks for Reading

Visit TheSpiralGodess shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/spiralgodess

A Stitch to pick with you!

If you're like me, and enjoy going to antique shops, browsing the hidden treasures in every nook and cranny, then I have a online version for you. Its the Etsy shop Stitchy Impressions www.etsy.com/shop/StitchyImpressions. You think you can tell what kind of things you may see in Stitchy's shop, well guess again, anything from the adorable spool dolls that come complete with box and certificate of authenticity to having a cute little birthday written on the bottoms along with there individual names. To antique finds like vintage horseshoes in their original box. And even to the incredibly adorable knit and crochet items, this shop is a treasure trove of goodies popping out at you. Its just like being in a well laid out antique store with crafts and all kids of handmade items as a bonus.

In Stitchy's shop you will see all kinds of reclaimed items turned into useful everyday necessity's. I personally love the corks, turned into name place holders, but who doesn't love the typewriter keys made into jewelery or the atlas pages made into tiny envelopes. But while your in Stitchy's shop which you MUST visit if its the only online shop you visit this week, take a look at the Crochet pillows and handbags, which I actually have one of the handbags, and I love it.

Lastly just when you think you have seen everything, there is the hilarious aspect thrown into Stitchy's shop, vintage Kotex's from 1950's still in the original packaging. Personally I loved seeing these, it made me laugh out loud and think wow they would be perfect for a menopause party as party favors what a hoot that would be as you sip your Margarita. This shop is so cute and Becky the owner really loves what she dose, and enjoying your work is a amazing thing these days. I love this shop and it will always remain on my favorites list. And should be on yours too.

Visit Stitchy's shop at www.etsy.com/shop/StitchyImpressions
and follow her blog at www.stitchysimpressions.blogspot.com

Thanks for Reading

“It must be Decouverre”

This week I scaled back my endeavor for blogging about Etsy shops, picking only ONE to devote my time to. And Decouverre it is, www.etsy.com/shop/decouverre if the name wasn’t intriguing enough take a look inside the world of stunning design in hand painted glass wear. Immediately the Art Deco & Art Nouveau influences are prominent, and capturing. As a former Student of Art myself both periods are my favorite, who amongst us all dose not marvel at the simplicity of beauty of Art Nouveau art pieces, the natural line of the flower or leaf captured in its whole.

Looking through Decouverre’s shop every Wine & Champagne glass has a uniqueness, and with hand painted items you can always be assured each one is one of a kind, never can a brush stroke be repeated each one unique in its own right. Taking inspiration from the above art moments was not Stephanie’s (the owner of Decouverre) only muse, taking her art from her love of Gardening all things stained glass, mosaic and her talented background in Fashion Design, she set off creating these fine works of art.

Stephanie: “I Just love making things. It is so satisfying to see something grow from rough sketch & scattered ideas to tangible object!. It is a true passion of mine. I do love Etsy. So much inspiration here from artisans all over the world!”

After taking a casual stroll around Decovurre’s shop I can guarantee you will feel any wine or champagne glass is inferior unless it’s a Decovurre one, I found myself unable to pick a favorite, so many gorgeous representations of nature. Although any would adorn a table with grace and beauty adding the extra sparkle most tables are lacking these days, true charm and beauty. A Perfect gift or indulgence for yourself.

Please Follow Decovurre on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Decouverre-Glassware/123578377662774?ref=sgm

And visit Decovurre at etsy online shopping place at www.etsy.com/shop/decouverre

Thanks for Reading Everyone.

***Amazingly Amathyst ***

Amethyst have so many stages of beauty, weather it be a rough stone pulled from the ground sparkling lilac color, polished up chips, rounded into a bead or cut exquisitely and set in a pendant the amethyst is always stunning.

My love of the amethyst started at an early age, when I was given a rough amethyst stone about 60 carats, by a elderly gemologist who was a dear family friend. Treasuring this rough rock until this very day, as it sits nicely in my jewelry Armour.

So it was no shock when I found this lovely vintage 29+ carat amethyst pendant set in sterling silver, I had to have it. To take something vintage and add a touch of your own style is quite the task, where to start, and certainly you don't want to take the focus off the focal point being the pendant. So as my mind spun around the room I suddenly thought the 3 stages of an amethyst, the roughest stage I could put on a necklace would be amethyst chips, then work my way to polished beads and there in the center is cut polished and set in silver exquisite beauty, the focal point. So look at my finished product, and please leave your comments on what you think of it.

Thanks for reading.

www.etsy.com/shop/tamuidbeo