Weekly BESTeam FEature

wayfaringmagnolia

Hey there! This week's feature is a fellow Michigander or is it Michiganian?  Wayfaringmagnolia just opened her latest Etsy shop and she's busy making sales! That means shes got cute things at great prices.

Her shop has some very interesting things. I really like this vintage brooch:

If you like browsing thru vintage items, or are interested in some hand made prints, head on over to  to Wayfaringmagnolia's shop. Amanda's a crafty person, I love her description of being a professional musician/gypsy...that sounds like a great life!

I'm a big supporter of buying from and supporting fellow Michigan shops. So I hope you will stop by her shop and browse around., Oh yeah, don't forgot to put a couple of items in your shopping cart!

Have a great week everyone.

Weekly BESTeam Feature

Loveelycia

What does an engineer do when she decides she does not want to work as an engineer? She gives in to her lifelong love of all things creative and makes some cute stuff.It's been a while since I last visited Loveelycia, but I see that she still up to creating all sorts of very cute items!

 
Whether you're looking for something vintage, like the orange creamsicle dress or something very cute like one of her series of Every Girl has a Story drawings, there is something new and refreshing to explore in her shop.
 
I hope you get a chance to stop by and visit-you'll never know what you might find, but I bet you will have a great time exploring!
 
Do be sure to let her know how you found her. You can also find out more:
 
blog: http://www.loveelycia.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/loveelycia
twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/loveelycia

Weekly BESTeam feature

Waterwaif

I hope you'll agree with me that this weeks featured shop was worth the wait. I was sooo happy when I found out that I was going to feature Waterwaif this week. I just love her shop. Her photos are outstanding. Maybe she will share her secrets with us about how to take such wonderful pictures!

It's been so hot and muggy in Michigan this week, I'm looking forward to the crisp cool days of autumn. They'll be here before you know it.Couldn't you just imagine wearing several of these beauties this fall? I'd hurry over to her shop, because before you know it you'll be wanting them to wear. Just imagine going to pick apples and having a cup of fresh apple cider and doughnuts wearing these jonquil yellow earrings?

Can't quite give up your summer days yet? Add these orange shell chandelier earrings to your wardrobe!

You also need to be sure to check out her blog:
http://www.waterwaif.blogspot.com
And I love being a follower of her facebook page-It's full of links to her latest features and giveaways!

http://www.facebook.com/waterwaifYou can also follow her on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/thewaterwaif


I want to leave you with a few words from her shop,
“for whatever we lose
(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves
we find in the sea”
~e.e. cummings

Enjoy your week, go find yourself a treasure.

Weekly BESTeam Feature

TurquoiseAngel

I've really been seeing blue lately, must be that I've been hanging around the shop of  TurquoiseAngel! I'm visiting my favorite 3 year old this week-and we've been looking at all the wonderful tutus in this shop! It's enough to make a young girls head swoon! Good thing I got a few sales so far this week, looks like I'm going to be making some purchases myself

What little girl wouldn't be thrilled with one of these beautiful creations? You know I'm partial to this one, The Dream Angel Tutu, in Turquoise-of course!

But there are plenty of things in this shop besides tutus. Go see for yourself!  

Weekly BESTeam Feature

Lightkeeping

One of the things I most admire is lampwork beads. I love watching them being made. There was a little gallery on Jay Street in Schenectady, New York that I would stop in everytime I was in the area-just to watch one of the artisans there make lampwork beads. The gallery was set up so that you could watch her thru a window-literally inches away from her work bench.  Sometimes I wondered if they didn't have to clean the windows from my nose smudges after I left... I was that mesemerized.

I've got that same feeling looking at lightkeepings work... but this time I'm smudging up my computer screen!
I absolutely love the bright beads Anastasija uses in her designs. One of the hardest things for me as an artisan is to find just "exactly" the combination of colors that I want to put together. I sometimes spend hours looking thru my bead stash looking for that "perfect" combination. In the Hop on the Rainbow Bracelet take a look at the choice of colors...spot on in my view!

I also really love the combinations of turquoise in the Day on the Beach Set it's that turquoise color again-one of my favorites!

I hope you check out  Lightkeepings shop, it's full of delightful finds!

You can also keep up with her here..and do me a favor let her know how you found her.

http://lightkeeping.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/lightkeeping

Thanks so much!

Weekly BESTeam feature

cksilver

There are times when you just feel a certain  connection to another Etsy shop. This is how I feel about cksilver. Everything about this shop I like. From the time you step into the door of  their shop, Marilyn and Cindy, a mother-daughter team, set the tone of their shop. Classic, Balanced, Elegant.

From a simple swirl ring, to a beautiful lapis and silver bracelet,  their creations are exquisite. Can't decide on just one thing or want a gift that keeps giving? How about trying out their Jewelry of the Month Club! What a great idea. Can't decide on something right now? They offer gift certificates too!



I really think you'll enjoy browsing through their shop. The style and tone really speaks to me, why don't you let me know what treasures you have found.

Weekly BESTeam feature

ShopSealedWithAKiss

 

This weeks features shop is shopsealedwithakiss. From adorable felted hair clips, word magnet strips, to sassy childrens's hats, Zoe makes a variety of cute things! I think she gets her creativity from her genes...

~ My sister's store: ComeShopPinkLemonade.Etsy.com
~ My grandmother's store: ComeShopOnTheFringe.Etsy.com
~ My mom's store: TrueLoveHomeDecor.Etsy.com
~ My dad's store: MarketplacePrints.Etsy.com

You can follow her blog at:

www.ShopSealedWithAKiss.blogspot.com
By the way, why don't you wish her a "Happy Birthday!" in the comments...she just celebrated another birthday on July 11th!

Weekly BESTeam Feature

Nevita

One of the hot color trends for 2010 is turquoise. In the BESTeam members shop, Nevita I found some beautiful things in turquoise! I love the Summer Tunic, the three piece set comes complete with a matching head scarf and belt! Great for a loose summer cover-up on the beach. And how amazing would it look over a summery white dress? On the same theme, if a tunic is a bit too much for you, how about adding a  little turquoise into your wardrobe with a beautiful scarf or this fun fiber necklace?  There is plenty more to be found in her shop, including these cute crocheted earrings.

Coming from Sofia, Bulgaria these creations do have a european flair for design! There are many more colors and choices in her well stocked shop. Also, take a minute to check out her hand knit and crocheted items.

Want to know more about Nevita? You can follow her at these spots:
http://www.boutiqueaholic.blogspot.com/

http://www.twitter.com/handknitbynevita

https://www.twitter.com/handknitbynev

http://www.youtube.com/handknitbynevita

Hope all of you are enjoying all the new shops I've been featuring weekly. It's been a great learning experience for me and I hope it opens your eyes to some new talents. I'd love to hear your feedback, so leave me a comment when you stop by! If there's is something you like to find out more about I'd love to hear what you're thinking about!

Weekly BESTeam Feature

moonanglenay

I wish I had a photographer's eye. But I don't.  I really appreciate how those that have this sense can capture images that absolutely stir ones soul. This weeks feature is on moonangelnay, a very talented artist, digital artist and photographer.

Look at the way she captures the image in the archival print "Beyond Boundaries." It just beckons us to look beyond the gate and wonder what lies thru the door. I love images of door and gates, I don't know why, but they always fascinate me.

But is just isn't prints that you will find in her shop, Naomi also sells collage sheets such as the Bamboo Tile Collage Sheet Urban Nature Abstract . If you are into making your own pendants, or using these in other ways, you should check out the series of collage sheets she has! Don't want to make your own pendant? Moonangelnay has ready made options for you, such as this one called "Twilight Rose."


One of the things you have to check out is her blog. She has pages of great photography tips. I've bookmarked her Product Photography 101 tutorials. They are some of the most comprehensive, well written and easy to follow tutorials I have seen. You owe it to yourself, and your products, to check out these tutorials!

You can also follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/moonangelnay

Have a wonderful week.

Weekly BESTeam Feature

mysticwynd

"An awareness of peace and love rose anew, As the spirit found truth and the Mystic Wynd blew..."

And so goes the creations of this weeks featured team member mysticwynd. Peaceful and lovely would be just a few of the words I would use to describe her jewelry.  Karens work just has a great appeal to me.

I picked just a few examples of her work that really caught my eye. The first piece, Tidal Pool Necklace in Blues and Greens, is a breath taking collection of  blue, green, and white lampwork, foil glass, and luster glass beads with cultured freshwater pearls across a length of silver chain. The design is finished off with a matching blue-green acrylic go-go pendant adorned with cute seahorse and starfish charms, as well as seashells and a cultured freshwater pearl tangled in a mass of fine silver wire coils.
 
Another piece that caught my eye was the Paua Shell Business Card or Money Clip, I really like paua shell jewelry, I think I hearted this piece for me! Keeping with the ocean theme, my eye caught this fabulous Aqua Shell and Silver Fish Charm Jewelry Set. Perfect for a fishprincess!
 
But it isn't just beachy themed items she has in her shop, just check out the Spirit of the Sonoran Brass Copper Necklace. Clean modern lines in this necklace would make it a perfect accessory.
 
Here are some of the places you can follow her shop:
Blog: http://www.mysticwynd.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mysticwynd
and become a facebook fan at: http://www.facebook.com/MysticWynd

I hope you are enjoying my team members features. If you have taken the time to read them, I'd appreciate a comment from you! Tell me what you have found.

Weekly BESTeam Feature

CROCHETIZE

Sometimes it's as easy as black and white, or is it?

Look at the workmanship in these gloves. Now, I like to crochet simple things for myself, but I don't have nearly the skill that it takes to make something as beautiful as these gloves. Can you imagine a bride wearing the white ones or as I was looking at them, wouldn't they make a stathement peeking out from under the jacket of your business suit? Wow.

All the way from Lithuania, crochetize does hypnotize us with the beauty of her work.  Although the numbers of items in her shop are small, I think you should check it out. She would be happy to do custom orders! She is also trade friendly!

You can follow her at flickr and twitter as crochetize and be sure to check out her blog at http://www.blogspot.crochetize.com/.

Happy looking!

And Greetings to all from Cape May, New Jersey. We've been on the road and the beach was beautiful!

Weekly BESTeam feature

Gilliauna

Bits n Beads is an online store ran by Gilliauna that specializes in unique bead and gemstone jewelry and accessories from necklaces and chokers to earrings and bracelets, charms, lanyards, eyeglass chains and more. With 250 items for sale it was hard for me to limit myself to just a few items to feature!

 Whether you're shopping for a shimmering champagne key chain charm, a special rosary,  a fresh charm bracelet,  a handmade mother of pearl and coral bracelet, you can't go wrong checking out all the bits and beads of Gilliauna.

And, if one shop isn't enough-then check out her destash shop BitsnBeads.

 It's full of all sorts of bits of treasures-maybe just something you might need for a project!

You also want to check out her two wonderful blogs:
http://www.handmadeshoppingguide.com
and

http://www.colorfulartisanjewelry.com/

There's some much to find here-be sure to take a look and leave me a comment about what you find!

 

LotusMira

I'm a little late posting my weekly team feature-but I think this shop is worth the wait. LotusMiraGe Ephemera has an electic mix of items featuring  vintage imagery, found items, and ephemera. She thinks there is a lot of value both in the artistic chaos of collage, as well as in the simple beauty of something classic.

I find her two sided pendants and bracelets fascinating. I love the imagery.

One of the things many artisans struggle with is placing a value on their work. While wanting to be affordable, we often undervalue our work. I like the piece that she has about this in her shop profile:

As Mary Ann Williams writes:


"I believe that many artists don't put a high enough value on what they do. Many work for pennies. Some do it 'just to earn enough to buy more supplies.' Unfortunately, in doing so, they are educating the public not to appreciate what they do, or at least not the time they have spent on it.

"We have educated the public in thinking that most artists are hobbyists and this is something 'extra' that they do to earn a few bucks. I have seen some beautiful work done by excellent craftsmen and have heard the buying public say 'can you believe what they want for that????' Most times, the prices compared to the hours spent have meant the artist is working for less than minimum wage. Many talented artists are discouraged from continuing their craft because they can't make a living at it and we are thus deprived of the beauty they could create and we could enjoy. Many people think nothing of spending $100 on a dinner out but wouldn't spend $100 on a piece of art that they could have forever. It's because they don't value it the same. It's not because they can't afford it."

http://www.thebeads.com/articles/pricing.phtml
 
How often have you felt that you have to price your items "cheaply" to sell them. Pricing should take into account your supplies, overhead-things like utilities, rent, insurance, advertising as well as wages and a fair profit for yourself.
 
I am slowly raising my prices, realizing that I have not been taking all this into account. When potential customers come into your shop, what perception do they have? Are you an artisan that values your own work?
 
Thanks LotusMira, for reminding us about this.
 
To find out more about LotusMira:
http://LotusMira.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/LotusMira
http://www.lotusmira.com/

... and search for "Lotus MiraGe Ephemera" on Facebook!

Weekly BESTeam feature

Lightkeeping

I love lampwork beads, I've always admired artisans who have the talent and patience to work with tiny rods and bits of glass and turn them into beautiful creations. I remember staring thru the glass of a gallery in New York just mesmerized by the beauty and skill of the artist as I watched her work. Now I feel like I'm peeking into another shop of a fabulously talented artisan,  Anastasjia, from Ireland.

Aqua blue artisan lampwork bracelet and earrings set Step into my Garden

There were flowers: delphiniums, sweat peas, bunches of lilac; and carnations, masses of carnations. There were roses; there were irises. Ah yes!

Isn't this a delightful bouquet of flowers to be wearing! It takes my breathe away at the intricate lampwork of the flowers on the beads of the bracelet. 

Why don't you check out all the other beautiful creations at Lightkeeping.

If you would like to follow her here's some places to find her:
http://www.lightkeeping.blogspot.com/
http://www.twitter.com/lightkeeping

Weekly BESTeam feature

yourtrulydear

ok, i admit it, im a sucker for cute kids pictures. ive got to get me a couple to model some of my things. how can you resist these faces modelling your items. miss jess has a couple of cuties working for her.

You've got to like a girl who like to do things her way. On her blog it says it's the mundane adventures of miss jess-well I find her adventures anything but mundane! You'll have to pop on over to her site to find out what she's been up to lately, but let's just say you'll be be having something common with her when you read this post if i were a boy!


But I digress, what I really want you to do is take a look at her shop. With a cute array of items, ranging from  all sorts of headbands to this adorable boy's bib, you owe it to yourself to take a look her shop.

Here's where you can find her:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/yourstrulydear
http://yourstrulydear.blogspot.com/

Happy Wednesday!

Weekly BESTeam feature

darlingDandeDesigns

Whether you're looking for something darling to buy, or fabric to create your own darling design, this shop is one you should check out!

Take a look at this adorable necktie onesie! With Fathers Day fast approaching, couldn't you just imagine the great father son pictures that could be had with this outfit! How cute.

And for the little girl in your life...

These bloomers could be customized in colors and fonts for any little darling!

Being a fellow accountant, I can appreciate how busy life gets-especially in tax season. Creating gives us a way to channel our energies into other venues. You will have to check out her shop to see all the other darling designs she has for everyone.

You can find out more about darlingDanDeDesigns on her blog:
http://www.darlingdande.blogspot.com

Have a great day! Leave me a comment, and let me know what great items you have found.

Weekly BESTeam Feature

TAYLORHOUSE

This weeks BEST team member I'm featuring is the Etsy shop of Taylor House Designs. I admire those people who have an eye for style and are savvy shoppers who share their finds with us. Chaucee is one of those people!

Take a look at this Vintage Harve Benard Belt. Classic, absolutely stunning.

 

Here's another great example of some of the wonderful accessories  found in her shop. A beautiful, classic, Vintage Green Purse.

If you want to find out more about Taylor House Designs, I suggest you check out her blog. Full of gift guides and give aways, It's a blog I recommend following. I'm going to follow and I can't wait to see more of her recommendations and finds!

Weekly BESTeam Feature

When I first looked into this shop, I wondered what was all the fuss about these vinyl decals, then I couldn't stop imagining all the creative uses for them-DUH!

The artful staging of products is something we can all learn to improve upon. OffTheWallExpressions does it in a fabulous way! I urge you to take a look at how they present their items for sale-each one gives you an example of how you could use it in your home or business.

espresso-yourself-vinyl-decal-wall-art
Take this image for example, if you sold coffees or coffee related products you could use this to create a display for your products.

Now take a look at this example, how fun would this be at a wedding:

Chalkboard decals  Can you imagine having your guests write up their thoughts, having them photographed and compiled into an album-what a great way to preserve memories of any special day. If you are the photographer, this would be a great addition to your repetoire of items! I could imagine this set up being used at birthdays, anniverseries,  just about any get togethers. If you're planning a family reunion or graduation this may be a great thing to do!

Their Vintage Style Chalkboard Square has been featured on "Good Morning America"! http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JobClub/tory-johnsons-cheap-chic-gifts-coworkers/story?id=9264584

How exciting! I can see why they have been "discovered."

Do you want to know more about OffTheWall Expressions?

You can follow them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Off-the-Wall-Expressions/50599134212

or at their blog: http://www.offthewallexpressions.blogspot.com/


The more I looked at this show the more my creative juices started flowing! Go take a look for yourself-and please let me know what you think! I'd love to hear more creative ways you would use their products.

I really hope that you are enjoying being introduced to my new BESTeam members. I am enjoying exploring their shops and bring them you!

Weekly BESTeam Feature

loveelycia

Don't you love peeking into other peoples shops? It's like opening up a door and finding all sorts of new treasures and ideas. You have to drop by loveelycia's shop on Etsy! It's so fresh and exciting. How she  photographs her items are absolutely fun!

Here's some of the places you can find her:

blog:  http://www.loveelycia.com/

facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/loveelycia
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/loveelycia

In describing her work she says, "I keep thinking of so many cute things to make, i can't keep them all for myself. I am an only child so I'm not very good at sharing, but I will try my best."

I love this Pick Me Guitar Purse that I found in her shop:

So, go take a look...and be prepared to have some fun!

Weekly BESTeam feature

SugarPineBoutique


This week I'm featuring the shop SugarPineBoutique. Haven't you just opened the door to a shop and just stopped in the doorway and taken a deep breathe. Hmmmmm.....I can just smell the wonderful scents that I find here!

Take a look at this lovely Soap Gift Set.

Two soaps have been combined to create a neat gift pack for your favorite friend or relative. Not only are you getting 2 hand-crafted soaps, but also a bath accessory made of aloo. Aloo comes from a nettle-like plant in the Himalayan Mountains that is harvested and spun into yarn. It is eco-friendly, sustainable and makes an excellent exfoliatant. The gift 'box' is constructed from soft flannel and recycled vinyl or remnants.

Soaps in this pack:

Calm Citrus
Ingredients: coconut, palm, canola and almond oils, lye, water and orange, lemon, tangerine and grapefruit essential oil.

Banana Bread
Ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, cottonseed oil,soybean oil, sunflower oil, lye, water, oatmeal, honey and fragrance oil.

Don't they sound good enough to eat! And, these come tucked inside a washcloth.  Wouldn't this make a lovely gift for mom-or yourself!

Who wouldn't want this Lavender Eye Pillow? Filled with lavender and lentils, you just pop this into the fridge to get it nice and cool. This will help calm and soothe those tired eyes, great for this time of year with all the pollen in the air! What a pretty pouch this comes in!

You can also follow her blog here.

I hope you'll visit these shops, and let me know what you find!

Until later,

Tight Lines!
Felicia