Through My Eyes - A Mixed Bag

Well, I have had a wild weekend. I was lucky enough to be chosen Etsy's featured seller this weekend, and I have had a great time! Thanks so much to everyone who sent me well wishes! They have honestly been the best part ! Seriously, the sales are great, don't get me wrong, but the money will eventually be gone. The warm feeling I got from those many messages will stay with me for a long time! So thanks!!

I really should have been prepared with an exciting post since I linked to my blog, but I had a crazy week last week with a birthday, school events, being sick and Thanksgiving. So I thought for the last day I would post a little something quick so people might be enticed to actually return to my blog. So here are some of the mixed bag of things that inspired me this week:



I just loved the shape and shine of the eye pins on my work table. Individually they aren't much to look at, but together they become something very interesting.



We had our first snow last week! It was just a dusting, but nothing is more inspiring that that first snow. Especially when it lands on a bright green and red bush!



I just love these walnut shells (I think they're walnuts). The have a great texture and of course the little heart on the inside is just precious. We find them whenever we go to the park and we have quite a stash. While we were all sick and stuck in the house, I decided to get them out for a little photo shoot. Check my Flickr page for the full photo shoot.



Still being inspired by pinecones!



Who new birthday candles could be so cool? I just loved the bright colors and they way they looked when I had them piled together on my counter.



Making multiple birthday cakes makes you look at beaters in a whole new light!



A sweet little bunny from my childhood. I just loved how it looked against the pink paper. I think it has inspired a new bunny obsession.

So that's what inspired me this week. I hope one of them inspires you too!

BEST Supports the Maryland Food Bank

With the holidays fast approaching, the members of BEST want to take the time to give a little something back to our community. Several members will be donating money from the sale of the their items to the Maryland Food Bank.

The Maryland Food Bank provides nearly 14 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 Network Partners - including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, low-income day care centers, after-school programs, senior centers, rehabilitation centers, and other feeding programs. They supply food for over 50,000 Marylanders each week who otherwise would go hungry or not eat enough, including families with children, the elderly, the homeless, the homebound, low-income workers, the recently unemployed, and people with AIDS and other health problems. For every $1 contributed to the Maryland Food Bank, they are able to provide 3 meals to Maryland’s needy families and individuals.

From November 27^th through December 11^th, the following participating BEST members will be donating the following:

1. jenmenkhaus.etsy.com - 10% from entire store

2. jennyjen42.etsy.com - 10% from entire store

3. blockpartypress.etsy.com - 10% from entire store

4. RobotZ.etsy.com - 10% from the entire store

5. yonpli.etsy.com - 10% from the entire store

6. yummyandcompany.etsy.com-10% from entire store

7. spatherapyworks.etsy.com- 15% from all soap sales

8. threewheelsdesign.etsy.com - 10% from entire store

9. bennyandheidi.etsy.com- 10% from entire store

10. vwstudios.etsy.com - 10% from entire store

11. lulaandme.etsy.com- 2% of all sales from store and shows

12. elisasherejewelry.etsy.com - 10% of all earring sales

13. thebrokenplate.etsy.com - $5 from each sale of Holiday Theme Plates

Take some time to visit these fantastic Etsy shops, support handmade and know that when you make a purchase between Nov. 27- Dec. 11^th, you will be helping to provide food and services to someone in need this holiday season. Here are some other ways to support the MD Food Bank:

• Make a direct monetary donation to the here:

• Purchase and donate food through the Food Bank's “Virtual Food Drive”

• Deliver the food directly to the Maryland Food Bank at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road. Please call 410-737-8282 to arrange your delivery.
  

• Volunteer Opportunities

Happy 6th Birthday Kyle!!!!

My crazy little artist turned six years old today. Happy Birthday!




Here is his latest painting/crayon drawing:



Maybe it will inspire you to create a fish or to use some bright colors or to even break out that pack of 64 crayons you haven't used since you were a kid!

Through My Eyes - Pinecones

While on a walk this week, we found an inspiring little pinecone attached to a small branch, so of course I had to take some pictures. I tried to get a picture from every angle to really see the pinecone in all it's glory. The overall design is interesting from all angles. I love the almost floral look of it if you look straight down on it. There is also a great pattern if you look at the bottom where the Scales (this is the proper term according to Wikipedia) are tightly packed. Weven the scale itself has a interesting pattern on it which enhances the beauty when they are all toegther. I think the pattern of an individual scale would make a for a lovely earring. Keep an eye out for the different varietes of pinecones. Each offers a unique color, shape and texture. Here are some items I found on Etsy that were inspired by a pinecone.


















These Winter Pinecone Cards by kaiku.etsy.com look like they could have been drawn directly from my photos.

















Pinecone Brooch by Txalteredart.etsy.com create with an actual pinecone.














I love how the pinecone is interpreted in this pendant by zippandesigns.etsy.com


















Beautiful Beeswax Pinecone Candle by berdandbee.etsy.com


















I love this Earthy Pine Cone Wrap Scarf by circularaccessories.etsy.com. This sweet design can also be found in her shop featured on a long sleeve t-shirt and a tie-neck blouse.

Click here to find more pinecone creations on Etsy.
Here are some fun instructions for crafts you can make with an actual pinecone. Some of them could make a great handmade holiday gift:

Bird feeder
Pinecone Thanksgiving Turkey
Glittered Pinecone Holiday Ornament
Pinecone Corsage
Pinecone Wreath

Take a little time this week to get outside and collect some pinecones and then take little time to create something fun. Feel free to leave a comment telling me about your favorite pinecone craft, or link to instructions for or pictures of a great pinecone craft.

Holiday Heap

Come see me and a bunch of the lovely ladies of BEST and pick up some of the best handmade holiday gifts in Baltimore. Your friends and family will love you for it! Mention my blog and receive 10% off your purchase tomorrow! I'll try to post some sneak peaks today of some new things I will be selling!

Virtual Trunk Show - Be Inspired to Shop!!!!

BEST will be part of this virtual trunk show, tonight, November 13th, starting at 7 pm. Stop in and check it out! Participating members will be offering 10% off purchases in their shops from 7 - 9pm EST, and anyone who makes a purchase during this time will be entered in a drawing for a goody bag by BEST members.

You must have an Etsy account to participate/purchase, but it's easy and free to sign up, and really, you should have one anyway!

A No-brainer....Be Inspired by Fall Leaves

This is a rather obvious inspiration for those of us in the throes of Fall. The bright colors, the texture of the leaves as they dry, the interesting patterns and color combinations created by the transformation and decay of the leaves. Even the sound of them crackling under your feet is inspiring. Watching them blow in the wind is enough to take you breath away and jumping into them can bring out the kid in just about everyone! Here is a post from last Fall where I go into more detail about the inspiration from leaves:
http://blockpartypress.blogspot.com/search/label/leaves

Here are some recent pictures and my most recent treasury list to help with a little visual inspiration.













































































All pictures taken by me (can you tell I've been a bit obsessed with the leaves?)
Check these flickr groups for some more gorgeous leaves:
Fall Leaves
One Leaf
Nature's Fall Canvas

See more Fall leaf items on Etsy here! And finally, don't forget to take some time to jump in the leaves!!

Through My Eyes - This Week's Inspiration : Fall, Nature, Texture

Here's a little visual inspiration. These are some of the little treasures I found this week. They inspired me to think about rich, warm colors, subtle tones, bright sunshine and blue skies, texture and organic shapes. I hope they bring you inspiration too!

Be Inspired to Vote!!!!!!

I voted (And I've got the sticker to prove it!) Did you? Here are some fun election items I found on Etsy to help you get in the mood to brave the lines:










Presidential Poster from Elloh.etsy. She will even include the winner of this election!














There is demographic that I think both candidates missed this time around and it's definitely the Tofu vote. I first saw this little guy at the Crafty Bastards show in June when a little boy proudly showed it off to me. Brilliantly created by ChrisCreatures.etsy.com















Rep voting and look good while you do it with this great necklace from metalsgirl.etsy.com.













In case you forgot what time it is.......


















Thanks handcrankedUSA.etsy.com for making it that simple ! It's your right, it's your duty, it's time to VOTE!!