I am excited to tell you that Knitted For Ewe is being featured on a blog today. It was kind of weird being featured as I am usually the one doing the interview.
Just click on the link if you would like to read my interview.
Thank you so much to Life Point Images for featuring my shop. While your reading the article dont forget to check out this amazing Etsy shop that you will find a link to just to the right of the interview. She makes these amazing pictures just using dots.
http://lifepointimages.blogspot.com/2010/05/mom-shop-monday-with-knitted-for-ewe.html
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Favourite Etsy Shop Friday
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Considering the huge number of these little autobiographical blurbs I've had to write about myself in the recent past, I don't seem to be getting any better at them. Hi. My name is Anya. I'm a yoga teacher, a graduate student in South Asian religious traditions, and apparently a small business owner. Along with my partner, Scott, I'm responsible for bringing the wonders of Bunny Butt to the world. I like sushi.
2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
I'd been shopping on Etsy since it's nascent stages back in 2005 so it seemed like a natural step to open up a shop there. I'd been experimenting with handmade cosmetics for quite some time (I went through an "all natural" hippie phase back in the day) and, seeing all the great shops on Etsy, I thought, "Hey, I can totally do that!" Quite frankly, Bunny Butt itself was born as a result of my need to do something other than write my undergraduate honors thesis--a creative outlet of sorts--and it was as much a whimsical experiment in marketing technique as it was a genuine business venture. From this perspective, Etsy was the perfect venue since it pretty much guaranteed a certain amount of traffic. Also, handmade stuff rocks.
3. Do you sell your bath and body products anywhere else?
Aside from Etsy, we split our efforts mostly between out own website and seasonal craft shows with a smattering of wholesale on the side.
4. How did you choose your shop name?
Well, we've got bunnies and they've got butts...it was a logical progression, really. Basically, in trying to think of a nifty business name and coming up with nothing, I looked down at the fluffy creatures scampering along our floor, threw my hands up in the air and exclaimed, "Geez...we might as well call it, like, Bunny Butt Apothecary or something." And so, Bunny Butt was born.
5. What are your favourite things to do?
When I'm not whipping up smelly concoctions or pouring over my PhD work, I enjoy yoga and a good (non-academic) book.
6. What inspires you?
An innumerable number of things. Sunny days, loud music, the smell of flowers on a warm night, cute fuzzy creatures, good food...the list goes on...
7. What is your most popular item?
The Complexion Zen cream, by far. Along with the soap, this is the stuff I hear miracle stories about...I'm flattered every time!
8. If you could learn one new craft, what would it be?
Pottery, for sure. It might cut down on the ludicrous amounts of money I spend on mugs at every craft show, though not by much.
9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
Oh, there are so many! I think my current favorite is a little ceramic sculpture by
Pretty Random Objects of a bunny hiding inside an apple.
10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
Population One (I actually made my very first Etsy purchase from her)
Tara Robertson Pottery
Elizabeth Scott Jewelry
A big thank you to Bunny Butt Apothecary for being my feature this week. I know you have been really busy so I appreciate the time you took to do my interview. When you look at this shop how could you not love it. Not only do they have fabulous bath and body products but you get to giggle a little every time you use them for their wonderful little names and slogans. I for one was most interested to hear what their answer would be for how they chose their shop name. Check out this shop and you will fall in love with these quirky and fun handmade soaps and such. It will brighten your day.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A Trip To The Shack
On the weekend we took our first trip of the sunny season to the The Valley Shack a very tasty burger and ice cream place just up the road from our house. When my sister was visiting from Australia last summer she fell in love with the burgers here. I thought I would take some pictures to bring back some memories and maybe make her drool a little hehe.
I think we need this sign in our house because we are all ice cream lovers especially Victoria who says that ice cream cures everything.
Most people come for the ice cream but this is why we love to come, the burgers.
Had to take a picture of the sign. Just a little advertising for The Valley Shack which you will find right next to Route 60 in Sinclairville NY.
You've gotta love the handmade lemonade. So much better than the store bought stuff. How do they get the ice cube like that? Kylie says they cant get good lemonade like this in Australia. You could probably make it yourself and it taste just as good.
Ahhh now this is what its all about. I like the hamburgers while the rest of the family like cheeseburgers. They taste like you grilled them yourself and the buns are toasted and buttered on the inside to make them a little crispy.
Here it is all put together and ready to eat. I think Im going to have to have another one because on this day I was really stuffy and sneezy from all the pollen flying around and my taste buds were suffering. I couldnt get the full flavour.
What better way to finish off this tasty meal than with some ice cream. This is suppose to be 2 scoops and I had already eaten some before I remember to take a picture. I cant imagine what 3 scoops looks like. This is ice cream is coffee ice cream with fudge swirls and dark chocolate chunks. So yummy.
Have I made you hungry yet?
Friday, May 21, 2010
Favourite Etsy Shop Friday
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
We are a husband and wife team, working from our home office and studio. Shawn has been working with recycled glass for six years and Brenda caught on nearly three years ago when they got married. We are based out of Sedona, Arizona. Shawn is in charge of sourcing, production and shipping, while Brenda is in charge of business administration and taking care of our sixteen-month-old son.
2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
A friend of ours recommended that we check out Etsy about a year and a half ago and we were really happy with the customer response we received.
3. Do you sell your recycled glass anywhere else?
We sell mostly on Etsy, however, we also have our products in select boutiques across the country.
4. How did you choose your shop name?
It comes from "Yavapai", the Arizona county in which we live.
5. What are your favourite things to do?
We love to spend time with our son.
6. What inspires you?
We are fortunate to live in a really beautiful location, so we are inspired every day when we step outside.
7. What gave you the idea to turn beverage bottles into every day useful items?
A few years ago, Shawn met a retired scientific glassblower, who wanted to pass his skills on to someone who also loved glass.
8. Which is your most popular glassware?
Our variety set of four recycled Boylan's glasses.
9. Which handmade possession given to you do you most cherish?
Shawn's mentor made several pieces of custom equipment by hand, which he uses every day.
10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
KnittedForEwe, of course : ), as well as the sites of other glassmakers.
A big thank you to YAVA Glass for being my featured Etsy seller this week. Etsy did a feature on this shop recently and I just thought this concept was so cool. What a wonderful way to recycle all those bottles into something useful and pretty. I didnt even realize you could do this. Now that you have seen some of the glassware (these are just the tip of the iceberg) you absolutely have to check out this shop because they use every part of the bottle in their products. There are coasters, spoon rests, nightlights and even jewelry made from the top of the bottle. Their motto is 'We give glass new life' and I think it is so true. What an amazing shop!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Steggy The Stegosaurus
Miss Victoria has been on a dinosaur kick for quite a few months now. We have read all sorts of dinosaur books and watched all sorts of dinosaur shows and pretty much immersed ourselves into dinosaurs. She kept asking me to make her a dinosaur, specifically her very favourite, a Stegosaurus. She had a vision in her head of what it was to look like and even drew pictures indicating what was to be each colour. This is what happens when your mum makes toys hehe. Well I found this pattern on Ravelry and thought I would give it a try. I thought I would go one step further, be brave and make him felted as well. This was all to be a surprise so everything had to be kept a secret. I found this Patons Classic Wool that had most of the colours she had described in her drawing. He was knit, seamed and felted when she wasnt around and then secretly he was drying in the laundry.
I was a little nervous when I popped him into the pillowcase to be felted in the washing machine. I had no idea what he would come out like. I found out that he should be seamed and then a gap left open so that he could be stuffed afterward. I left his feet and scales off while felting to sew on with some matching embroidery thread after he was all dry. When he came out of the washing machine he looked pretty good. I stuffed him with the polyester fiberfill so he would dry in the shape that I wanted him to be, I even stuffed his little feet. I took all the stuffing out to make sure he was dry and then restuffed him not forgetting to put his eyes in as well. I really like how solid he feels with the felting. It can be kind of tricky stuffing knitted toys but felted ones are so much easier. I seamed up the gap, sewed on his feet and scales and he was all ready for some hugs.
Victoria just loves him. She took him absolutely everywhere and they played dinosaurs together for many an afternoon. She was very surprised that he kind of appeared from nowhere as she didnt see any part of him being made. I would love to make another Stegosaurus but this time using two solid colours. I think that would look really cute.
The funny thing I have noticed since Victoria has gotten into dinosaurs is you talk to other people about it and every one seems to have a favourite dinosaur. Megan loves dinosaurs as well and her favourite is the old T Rex. I love a Brontosaurus. I found out my sister loves Stegosaurus' as well. There were so many other people who came up with a favourite and loved to reminisce about their days of loving dinosaurs. Do you have a favourite dinosaur or a favourite dinosaur memory? I would love to hear it.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Favourite Etsy Shop Friday
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live in Ontario Canada, with my amazing husband and children - a 4 year old girl and 2 year old boy. I drive my husband a bit nuts with the 'mess' in our playroom which is our craft area. My kids and I are always making something, and I can't seem to stop at one craft project at a time! The kids and I love fort building, cloud gazing, cookie baking and playing make believe. When I'm not crafting, I am busy volunteering at my church or a summer camp I'm very involved in or playing outside.
2. What made you open you shop and why Etsy?
My daughter is a bit puppet-crazy, and after looking for cute puppets for her I realized I'd have to spend a fortune to get a decent collection going! So I tried stitching up my own. We loved how they turned out, and so did our friends! After showing them to a few people, I had orders and people telling me I needed to be on Etsy. I hadn't really considered any other craft venue, because Etsy is where I had shopped in the past and I loved the vibe there. I listed my first 6 sets last May, and had sold three of them within the first 24 hours! I took that as a good sign to stick with it. :) The money I make from Etsy lets me buy things for my family, from other Etsians, and support causes I feel strongly about. :)
3. Do you sell your puppets anywhere else?
Just Etsy for now!
4. How did you choose your shop name?
I think staying awake and full of wonder in this world is one of the most important things we can do! We live in an incredible world. Having children kind of reawakened my sense of all that is amazing and beautiful and I wanted to 'stay awake'. My kids, on the other hand, always want to 'stay awake and play' with me at night. It seemed to work. :) One of my favourite movies is a strange little film called "Joe Vs. The Volcano" and it’s a little bit ridiculous, romantic, spiritual, lighthearted and deep at the same time. It is in truth about a man who sets off to find his soul, and discovers something far greater. It involves a shipwreck, volcano, orange soda and some very tenacious luggage. Anyway, there is a quote in the movie that has always stuck with me…
“My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.”
5. What are your favourite things to do?
Craft, Sing, Be outside, Camp, Cook (especially finding new gluten-free recipes for my celiac son) and spend time with my family!
6. What inspires you?
Nature, my children's imaginations, I'm a big blog reader, browsing Etsy and Ohdeedoh, reading good books.
7. If you could learn one new craft, what would it be?
I wish I could use a sewing machine without fear! I would love to be able to quilt. It's just a big undertaking. I have the attention span for small projects. :)
8. Which puppets are the most popular?
Far and away my most popular sets are the forest animal ones. I've sold the most of those - and they were some of the first in my shop! But the space sets are slowly catching up. :)
9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
A quilt my grandmother made. I remember her making it, and was even with her when she chose the colours. It was on her bed for a few years, and now I have it. It's beautiful, and one of the things I cherish most.
10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
These are three shops I love the feel of, and love to just go browse through! :)
handmade pretties
Lulu Bug Jewelry
Imagination Kids
Thank you so much to Stay Awake And Play for being my featured seller this week. This shop is a recent discovery. I dont know how it took me this long to find it but Im so glad I did. Aren't these finger puppets just amazing. I could see us playing with them for hours. I could just picture adults who dont even have any kids around finding them irresistible not to put on their finger and play like nobody is watching hehe. I love how there are so many different sets that cover both girls and boys. Something for everybody. These pictures are just the tip of the iceberg. Take a look and you will find a shop filled with the possibility of hours of fun.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Two New Etsy Shop Items
I was finally able to add some new items to Knitted For Ewe this week which it feels like it has been forever since I have done that. The first newly listed thing is this little lamb with his cardigan. I have made this lamb several times out of different colours and different yarn and each one seems to have a different personality. Each one is just as cute at the other though.
Here is a close up of his sweet face. He doesnt have a name although I feel like he is a little sad about that. If you think of a good name let me know.
The other listing is for this pair of blue birds. They are being sold together because they just dont want to be separated. As you can see they fit nicely in the palm of your hand. This was a new pattern from Fuzzy Mitten who also design the lamb pattern. She makes such adorable things, I only wish I had more of her patterns.
Right now I just finished up the four toys that I am sending off to a shop in New York city. I have some things selling there and they requested more after a couple got sold. I hope they like the new items I am sending them. There is a Marcel Mouse to replace the one that got sold, a lamb just like the one above because a customer requested one with a blue cardigan, a puppy in a blanket and just today I finished a blue and green robot. Hopefully they will be on their journey by the end of the week.
I just started working on a pig that I have tried to make for the shop twice now and my girls have taken each one. Hopefully this one wont get high jacked. I also have my fingers crossed that I have enough yarn left over to finish her. I am using a pink cotton yarn that I got from unraveling a kids cardigan. The only trouble with using yarn that is from an unraveled item is once its gone, its gone, you cant get any more of it. This is also the appeal because you can get unusual yarns and colours that you cant buy in the stores. I have a good feeling that I will have enough but Im keeping my fingers crossed. When I made this pig for Victoria she hung onto that piggy for a very long time. It no longer has stuffing left in its front feet from being played with so much. It is just the right size to tuck under your arm and the cotton feels so good to touch. Hopefully this piggy will be as well received when its added to the shop. I will definitely post pictures when its done.
I havent blogged anything other that Etsy features for quite a while. I think this post will get me back into the habit of posting more often.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Favourite Etsy Shop Friday
My name is LeAnn Larson and I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Happily married for 41 years, an empty nester and currently a stay at home mom to a very spoiled little white poodle named SuzyQ. After having a stained glass business for over 20 plus years that was bought out by Kokomo art glass a couple of years ago. We employed 13 people and sold gifts and suncatchers both retail and wholesale and did many art fairs under the name Pane In The Glass.
After selling my business I still had ideas left undone that I decided to pursue. One of those ideas was to create a line of permanent glass casting molds for the glass fusers I market online under E-Pane In The Glass and also on my website - www.mosaicstuff.com
I have been a crafter my entire life dabbling in ceramics, stained glass, glass blowing, sewing, knitting and crocheting, just to name a few. I have been working with clay my whole life. As a child growing up in a small town we had a clay shack in the parking lot of the municipal swimming pool. I can remember paying my 50 cents to go there and staying for hours to play in the clay.
One day I decided I needed a great unusual button for a sweater I made and couldn't find one that I really liked so I decided to make my own. The one I made was a large fused art glass button made is a mold I also made. That was my the start of the buttons. You can see some of my buttons at www.uniquebuttons.etsy.com and www.unique_buttons.com
What inspires me is the beauty around us in every day, in nature. I love birds, flowers, leaves, pinecones, acorns, trees, rocks, fossils and animals and you will see this in my work.
Currently my favorite thing to do is Raku fired pottery. It is an ancient process that combines fire and smoke to produce one of a kind glaze colors and texture. It is a very hands on process where you heat the pieces up very quickly and when they are at maximum temperature (about 2000 degrees) they are pulled out of the kiln and placed in a container with combustibles to create fire and smoke and left to cool. This is an outside activity and thanks to my very supportive hubby for building me a kiln in my backyard, I have been able to create beautiful buttons and jewelry in. Its a bit like Christmas morning when you open the pots you just never can predict the results.
I have a 10 year old grandson that I adore and have tried to inspire him with my art and this year for Christmas, much to my delight and surprise he made me a tied fleece blanket that he was very proud of! Needless to say I was thrilled and will cherish it forever. My children have not followed me in my sometimes strange pursuits, but all my family have been very supportive. They never blink an eye when they find leaves and pinecones in the freezer, clay drying in the oven or glaze all over the table!
I chose to market my pieces on Etsy because it is known for handmade art and it has been a perfect fit for my work. I have many wonderful buyers who appreciate one of a kind buttons and pendants. I plan to stay on Etsy for many years. It is my great customers who keep me inspired and creative.
There are so many wonderful Etsy artists that it is touch to choose just a few as my favorites. Anyone doing creative crafts or art of any kind has my admiration. I am always amazed at all the talent in the world. How wonderful to fill our days with creative pursuits.
Thank you so much to Unique Buttons for being my featured Etsy shop this week. I just love handmade ceramic buttons. They really make a project special. I just love the natural images and the colours of these buttons. When you stop by this shop you will find more than just buttons. There are pendants, shawl pins, wedding charms and earrings. I would call it wearable art. Once you've tried handmade ceramic buttons you will want to use them all the time.
