Inspired by a Splash of Red

Last week, we had our first snow storm of the winter season. The next day while playing in the snow we saw a beautiful red cardinal admidst all the white. What a lovely, inspiring site. So inspiring that I decided to create a treasury of Etsy items featuring the male cardinal.


One thing I think the cardinal can teach us is to not be afraid to stand out, or to be afraid to create things that stand out. While most animals try to hide and blend in with their environment, the bright red cardinal is bold and is more concerned with attracting a mate than hiding from predators. So take some time this week to take a cue from the male cardinal. Create something bold, be courageous and step out of your comfort zone (strut your stuff!), create something inspired by love (or lust) and of course create something with a splash of red! Here are some words inspired by the cardinal which will hopefully help to inspire you :


Here are a few more inspiring items that I feel embrace the spirit of the cardinal, that offer a splash of red, or convey one of the inspiring words.





































Click on each photo to be taken directly to the Etsy listing and to see more of each artists work!

1. Lust by Mikiye.etsy.com
2. Striking Holiday Cards by Blakeswork.etsy.com
3. Sweet Stripe Earrings by Clevergirl.etsy.com
4. Pop Art Heart Necklace by zencreations04.etsy.com

Here's my little homage to the cardinal. It is a birdhouse I painted for my father in memory of the cardinals who lived in our yard when I was a kid. the female is on the other side of the entrance.

Hand Made Gift Guide - The Man in your life

My man works hard, is a great father and husband, so this year I plan to spoil him with some handmade goodies. While he is not what I would call artsy or crafty, I am sure he would appreciate any of the fabulous handmade items I found on Etsy. Check out my mini gift guide for some ideas of your own for a husband, brother, father, son, uncle,etc.. but please leave a few things for me to buy! Just click the photo to be taken to my Etsy favorites, where you can navigate to the Etsy shops featured.





I also want to wish my oldest son, Trey, a Happy Birthday today. He's the best 8 year old a Mom could ever ask for! A belated birthday wish to Kyle (the best 5 year old a Mom could ask for)too who turned 5 this past Sunday. The birthdays, coupled with holiday orders, the PCAGOE challenge, preparing for the show on the 15th (see my side bar for more info) and preparing for the holidays are what have kept me from blogging all week. Updates will probably continue to be spotty for the next 2 weeks, so please be patient with me!!

Inspired by A New Technique

I'm taking a short break from the gift guides to promote the PCAGOE November Challenge. This month's theme was a polymer clay technique called Mokume gane. Mokume gane is originally a Japanese metalworking technique that was adapted as a polymer clay technique. Mokume gane is created by layering very thin sheets of polymer clay and then distorting the stack with any number of tools and then shaving off thin slices to show off the colors, layers and patterns created within the stack. You can also add inclusions such as metal leaf and inks to create further variations or use stamps and texture plates to create interesting imagery. This technique offers up a ton of possibilities. I did a fairly simple one this month. I used metallic (or pearl) and translucent polymer clay and stacked them to create layers. I then impressed circles into the clay with a couple circle cutters and then back filled some of them with more clay. I rolled the stack until everything was smushed together. I took some slices off the top until I got the look that I wanted. I then rolled it smooth and cut the shape of the brooch. I liked the simple shape, because it didn't detract from the mokume gane design. The thing I love most about mokume gane is that you cannot always predict how it will turn out. It's like opening a present every time. I also love how you can make something non-organic like polymer clay and make it look very organic.

Here are all the entries:



Vote for your favorite entry at pcagoe.com by November 28th at midnight (EST). You will automatically be entered to win a prize pack valued at over $150.

Take some time this week to explore a new technique or even a new craft all together. Is there something you have wanted to try, but just haven't? Well there's no time like the present. Many of the PCAGOE members had not tried Mokume Gane, but found that it was a wonderful technique that they planned to use again and again. Get out of your crafting rut and challenge yourself to try something new and I can guarantee that you will be inspired, and who knows the new technique may take your work in a whole new fantastic direction!

Here are some more of my Mokume Gane pieces. This is in my entryway:


Here are a couple ACEO's:

Be Inspired to Spoil the Lady in your Life

Did you brave the malls today? Were you one of the folks who woke up at 3AM to get some of the 4AM specials at retailers? Why???????? You could be sitting at home with a warm cup of coffee (still in your pajamas), shopping on the internet for handmade goodness that everyone on your list would love. Imagine buying direct from an artist who puts their heart and soul into every piece. Then imagine your items arriving to your door already wrapped with coupons and extra goodies for you. This is the type of experience you can have. Why stress yourself fighting the crowds at big box retailers? So save your precious gas and buy handmade this holiday season, and you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it is and how much more time you have to actually enjoy the holiday the people you love!

Ok, I just jumped off my handmade soapbox ( and yes I did make it myself), so here is today's gift guide. Why not spoil that special lady this year? Here are some fabulous handmade items that your female significant other (or any other women in your life for that matter) would love to receive this holiday season (I know I hope my man is checking my blog today and gets the hint!).



Happy handmade holiday shopping!! Stay tuned for the next gift guide featuring gifts for the man in your life!

Be Inspired to Mail Handmade

Well, so far I have covered some of the immediate family, holiday decorating and stocking stuffers. Since the holidays are fast approaching, many people are getting their Holidays cards together to mail out, so I thought I would share some great handmade holiday cards with you. If you can, try to make your own because it's a lot of fun. These days there are plenty of kits and embellishments out there to help you create the perfect holiday card. If you're not so crafty, or don't have the time to create a bunch of cards on your own, you can still impress your friends and family with a unique handmade card by purchasing direct from the artist on Etsy. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, and/or Kwanzaa, you can find a great handmade card for the occasion. Here are some of my favorites that I found. Just click on each picture to be taken directly to the cards listing where you can make a purchase, or browse through the artists other items! Send a little handmade holiday cheer this year with a handmade card.


The mailbox photo at the top of the post was taken by bellajean and can also be purchase on Etsy!!

Be Inspired to Stuff Those Stockings - Handmade Gift Guide Part 3

One of my favorite Christmas memories is opening up my stocking to find all the little treasures Santa stuffed inside. Somehow even the orange and the apple at the bottom seemed like a treat. I think traditions can be a great way to create memories. I know my kids look forward to the same traditions every year and have now come to expect them, even reminding me if I forget. They always open their stockings first, and there is almost always a Hotwheels car or 2 inside. I suspect Santa will continue to include one of those even up through their teenage years since it has now become a little tradition too. I also think coming up with all the goodies to add to the stocking is one of my favorite jobs as "Santa". Remembering the feeling I had at seeing all the little goodies stuffed inside, I love finding things that I know they will love. Stockings are not just for kids either. A stocking is a great way to treat your Significant Other and/or your pets, so don't leave them out of the fun. Here are some great handmade stocking stuffers that anyone would be excited to find in their stocking on Christmas morning. Now get to work stuffing those stockings and remember to Buy Handmade!

Be Inspired to Decorate - Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

This is the 2nd installment of my Holiday Handmade Gift Guide focusing on holiday decorations. No matter which holiday you celebrate, decorating your home can be a fun way to bring in the holiday spirit. Here are some great handmade items for your home that would also make great gifts for all kinds of people on your list! Want more information about the items listed, or want to start buying handmade right now? Just click on the picture below to be taken to Etsy.com . Buy Handmade and be inspired to be creative with your decorations this year. Make things with your family and of course buy handmade!!