Pixe’s Picks for February 18, 2009

Good Morning everyone!  Welcome to this weeks’ Pixe’s Picks!  This is the place to find out about the coolest shops on Etsy!!  Grab your fave beverage, settle in with us, and read about Keirning, and NicoleHill!   To view a larger pic, just click on the thumbnail!  Remember to leave a comment for them here, and to visit their shops!  Etsy artists thrive on getting luv and giving luv!!

Shana Bag Lions

Meet Kelly, from Keirning!  Kelly sews bags, and right now, her shop is a work in progress!! 

This is what Kelly tells us about her crafting life:  Well, I started crafting at sewing at a very young age. My great grandmother, grandma and my mom were all talented at sewing and made a lot of their own clothes. We are just a creative bunch. I’m inspired by the things I can’t find. I am very picky when it comes to material things and can’t see spending a lot on something I could make myself. I would have to say the most difficult thing is finding time to sew and create. I am a full time graphic designer and only find time at night to sew. My Shana Bags are named after my sister. She owns more make-up than anyone I know and always needs something to put it all in. I came up with pattern by trial and error and with help of a plastic container lid for the curve of the flap.

This is why Kelly chose Etsy as her selling platform:   I found etsy through a friend only a few months ago and have enjoyed seeing all the great ideas out there. For the new year I hope to design and create more bags. I already have ideas from my other sisters, as they want a bag named after them too!

Shana Bag Pink and Green

PIXE’S PICKS:  I really love Kelly’s little bags, and can’t wait to see what other bags she comes up with !  She also has some Christmas stuff in her shop, including some really cute ornaments.  This is my favorite from her shop, the Shana Bag Pink and Green.  I just love the flowers on it, and pink and green is one of my favorite color combos, for it reminds me of my Grammy, who was a major influence in my life, crafting,  and otherwise!

 

European Square Chainmaille Bracelet

Now let’s welcome Nicole, of nicolehill! 

Nicole only recently started making jewelry, but you would never know it from looking at her designs!  This is how she tells me she got her start in jewelry making:  I started making jewellery in May 2008; I’d been buying handmade artisan jewellery before then, and loved it, and wondered if I could make similar things (my budget for jewellery buying was sadly rapidly shrinking; my love for shiny things, not so much!) and then I found my local craft store. A bit of encouragement from friends, and I was away!

Nicole chose Etsy as her marketplace because:  Etsy was the first place I found that let people set up shop to sell their handmade crafts; it was cheap (given that I didn’t have much confidence that anyone would buy my things to start with, that was important!) and it had an established community – I learnt a lot from other artisans by reading the forums before I set up shop and continue to do so, that’s something I really value about Etsy!

This is Nicole’s fave item from her shop:  My favourite thing in my shop is probably my chainmaille; I love all the pieces I make, but I particularly like the square-wire maille I’ve made – European Square Chainmail Bracelet is one of my favourite pieces, because it’s just so shiny! (Can you see the magpie tendancies in me yet?) I also really like “Huntress Moon”   The idea came to me on the train back from work one evening, and I had to make it as soon as I got home; something about the larvikite and sterling spirals combination really appeals to me – it was a tough choice to put it up for sale rather than keep it!

Secret Garden Pendant

PIXE’S PICKS: Nicole makes some really fabulous chainmaille!   I really had a difficult finding a favorite…until I saw this wonderful pendant, The Secret Garden Pendant!   I love the freeform work of the wire, and it reminds me of one of my favorite books as a child….we all have a secret garden that we go to….

That’s all folks!  Be sure to leave a comment here for these fantastic artisans, and visit their shops!  They really have some wonderful offerings for you!!!

Wishing you all a peaceful, safe, and creative week!       

Mich

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