BESTeam Feature: Turquoise Angels

This week's feature is tutu cute. (I know, bad pun.) But it is a cute shop. Meet the mother-daughter team of Turquoise Angels. If you know a little girl, you probably know a little girl who enjoys twirling around in a tutu. It is the perfect princess accessory, or, if your little girl is like I was, it can double as "long hair" when worn on your head, a fort ceiling when stretched between two chairs, or "the lake" when set on the living room floor.

The colors are as sunny as the smiles, like this Morning Glory Hand Tied Tutu, $26.00, shown above. It makes a great pair with the Chicken Little Petti Tutu, $26.00, shown below.
This picture below is as cute as the Dream Angel Tutu Flower Girl Dress, $60.00, that is offered in the shop.
You know what they say, "If you give a mouse a tutu, she'll want a hair ribbon to go with it."

Above: Hair Bow Girls Candy Corn Hand Made French Clip, $5.85.

Turquoise Angels will be back in the shop on January 4!

In the meantime, you can follow the blog.

BESTeam Feature: m.sartin design

It's cold at my parents' this week, and the feature this week is a cozy retreat from the icy winds. Meet Mindy Sartin of m.sartin design, a native of the west coast and crochet extraordinaire. She has a natural knack for color and texture and an arts degree to back up her talent. Everything in her shop is functional and beautiful, and if you don't see what you want, she does custom orders as well. Buying for a friend but don't know what to get? Give a gift certificate!

I adore the colors in the shop. This grass green appears in a few items, such as this Cowl, pictured above, currents on sale for $55.00. For those of you looking for a less conventional item to keep your neck warm in the colder weather, check out the Cream Neck Cuff, $25.00, shown below.
I keep returning to look at the Grass Green Fingerless Mittens, $45.00, shown below. They are super soft, and super stylish.
I didn't even know there was such a thing as bamboo yarn, but Mindy's Chocolate Bamboo Scarf, $70.00, is a one-of-a-kind example of all the different uses for natural materials.
New parents are always in need of new items to keep baby warm in the winter. How about the Yummy Baby Hat, $40.00, pictured below? You can order a custom fit for your little one, and it is sure to be soft and warm for the holidays and beyond.
Winter is here! Visit m.sartin design to stay warm!

For more, follow Mindy on her blog.

A short note and brief reminder:

I cannot believe people are still ordering Christmas gifts!  Of course, I say that as I load my family's gifts into the kiln to be fired.

Those of you still planning to order from me, Monday is your deadline!

Happy crafting!

BESTeam Feature: Our Home to Yours

This week's feature is a mother and daughter team from North Carolina: Our Home to Yours.  The talented pair have a family history with the arts, pursuing arts education as well as using crafts as a stress reliever in a house full of children.  It is clear from browsing their shop that they are passionate about many different art forms.

Many of the pieces currently in the shop are knitted scarves and hats for the colder season, and for a limited time, they are offering the Child Size Scarf and Mitten Set pictured above for $18.75.  But they don't stop at yarn.  Quilling is all the rage in the crafting world right now, and the White Quilled Wedding Invitation Border, $25.00, shown below, would make an elegant finish for a keepsake for any new bride and groom.
With classic design comes a nod to the originals, and the shop has many vintage pieces to choose from as well such as the Vintage Crochet Collar, $10.00, pictured below.
I have yet to work with leather, but Our Home to Yours has a tempting selection of swatches reasonable prices.  Ten 4x5 Dark Burgundy Leather Swatches are only $5.50.
Whether you are looking to buy handmade or make your own this holiday season, Our Home to Yours has quite a selection to choose from!

For more, check out their blog.

A little holiday craziness...

I have been working hard on a custom planner (thus I have neglected my blog and all things non-order related, not that I'm making excuses), and I finished it last night!  I promise to post pictures, but considering how little sleep I've had (why am I awake right now?!), I'll save them for later.

I thought I was all caught up, and then I got two more orders.  Which is wonderful!  But slightly nutty.

Happy holidays!

BESTeam Feature: Gilliauna

A northern neighbor, Bits 'n Beads by Gilliauna is based in Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  I was overwhelmed by how many beautiful pieces in the shop!  The items are made primarily with beading, but they are by no means a one-note shop.  You name it, they've made it in a variety of colors and designs.  And for those of you just developing your own shops, check out the great product photography here!

Many of the pieces are made with reclaimed or vintage beads as well.  Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?  Be environmentally responsible and support recyclers this new year!  The shop also has a layaway payment plan option for those of you who find yourself a little lighter in your pockets this holiday season.

I love the beaded bookmarks, like this Beaded Shopaholic Bookmark - Black Purse with Red Beads for $16.00 shown below.  It's perfect for the avid reader or avid book buyer.

I see earrings all over etsy, but a good pair of beaded hoops, like these Beaded Handmade Hoop Earrings - Whisper, $24.00, are hard to find.  
Necklaces and chokers are available in all colors of the rainbow.  This Summer Blooms Choker, $20.00, will warm any cold day and bring a smile to your face.
Nowadays we are all bogged down by ID badges and bus passes, so why not wear those cumbersome tags in style with this Mustard Yellow Handmade Beaded Lanyard, $37.00.  If you don't like yellow, there are many other colors and styles to choose from.
This Holy Rosary Handcrafted in Blue Ceramic and Pearls, $150.00, is absolutely beautiful.

Spend a while browsing the shop!

Can't get enough?  You can follow Gilliauna's blog, facebook, twitter, flickr, deviantArt, or tumblr accounts.

NEW for 2011

Now that November has settled down considerably, I'm filling orders for the holidays.  Custom orders will be on a case-by-case basis after December 15th, and all orders need to be placed before December 20 to be shipped before Christmas.  I will be out of town from the 22nd until the 29th, and then covering the pottery studio through January 2, so my business will essentially be closed for the duration of those two weeks.

I am sitting down with some serious business plans and goals for 2011, now that I have been open a few months and am starting to get a hang of this whole "owning a business" thing.  I am excited about starting some new projects, and I am feeling more organized and ready for a clean slate for my bookkeeping.

Maybe it's still a little early for New Year's resolutions, but here are a few things to look forward to in the coming weeks:

A 2011 WEEKLY PLANNER  

What began as a project for a custom order is turning into an item I would like very much to have in my shop.  The down side is that I may not finish publication before the first of the year.  I may be able to adapt it to be a fill-in-the-date planner for those of you who still would like to order one after January.

A NEW LINE OF PENCIL CUPS

That's all I'm going to say, except that I am REALLY excited.

PICTURE FRAMES

I really enjoy painting picture frames, and I am finally in a financial position to buy the supplies to make them.

I hope you are as excited about the new year as I am!

BESTeam Feature: Ardent Reverie

This week's shop is run by two sisters in San Diego.  Ardent Reverie has a wide collection of accessories for every occasion.  And I assure you, Melanie and Meghan are not afraid of color!

You will stand out in the crowd in this L'amour Beanie, $8.00, pictured above.  Chic, rich, and practical, it is a great way to add a splash of color to your wardrobe.  For those feeling bold, give a nod to the Jazz Age by donning this Bella Moss Feather Clip, $13.00, shown below.
I am crazy about stripes, personally, and the Wrap Around Me Scarf, $18.00, shown below does not disappoint.  It will go with any ensemble, giving that extra punch to any outfit.  It is wide enough and long enough to be worn many different ways, changing your look throughout the day with just one piece.
Emilie's Garden Flower Clip, $17.00, pictured below, is an elegant touch to a night on the town.  Purple is "in" this season, and you can be ahead of the trend in style with flowers in your hair.
For something a little more personal, use the design of this Off With Her Head Necklace, $18.00, shown below, and request a customized pendant.
Accessorize your holiday season!

For more, check out their website.  It's one of my favorites that I have seen!  You might even recognize someone on their blog this week...