Gift Makin' Time!

I like to make stuff…I like to make stuff for other people even more.

When it came time for me to figure out the gifts for my side of the bridal party I knew I was never going to find what I wanted to give them. So, just like everything else I do, I came up with an idea and I’d just figure it out along the way. Now 3 bracelets and 8 necklaces later, I’m sharing the results.

Of course I make jewelry for my hobby, but I’ve never not used feathers or assembled findings. I wanted something unique to each person, asymmetrical and birds. After a little research and finding an AWESOME Etsy seller (Below 14th Designs) and having a mini panic attack at Michaels I got everything done, just the way I wanted.

For Bridesmaids:

18” asymmetrical necklace, sparrow connector from eebeads.com and The Solamente Pendant from Below 14^th Designs personalized with first initial and birthstone charm.

For Flower Girls:

Sparrow chain with toggle closure and The Solamente Pendant from Below 14^th Designs personalized with first initial and birthstone charm.

I'm so happy with the way they turned out that I've made a set for myself. Who knows, maybe something like this is something that I'll be able to pursue as a jewelry maker when I get some more free time...only 3 months to go!

Giveaway!

I promised and now I’m delivering. I have officially hit over 200 followers on Twitter so now it’s time to give away my favorite pair of earrings from Flock Together Crafts.

One lucky winner will get my “Tail Feather Earrings”! They're a beautiful pair of all natural, hand picked pheasant feather earrings. I’ll be sad to part with them, but can’t wait till someone else can rock them!

Thank you all for the support, I truly love the handmade community and it’s supporters!

Here’s the details on how you can win!

• Visit FlockTogetherCrafts on Etsy and let me know your favorite item
• Follow this blog
• Become a fan of my Facebook page
• Follow Flock_Together on Twitter
• Blog or tweet about the giveaway and provide me with the link
• Purchase something from FlockTogetherCrafts on Etsy and provide me the transaction link (5 extra entries)

Lots of ways to enter and win! I wish you all good luck.

**Already a fan or follower? Just leave an additional comment with your info.

Make a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway will end Sunday November 15, 2009 at midnight. Winner will be picked by random. This contest is open to EVERYONE!

Please leave a way for me to contact you in each comment.

What A Pheasant Surprise!

After a fun filled day of exploring an amazing handmade and ethnic craft store and making our way through miles of corn maze, we came home to a welcome surprise. I had my first Etsy sale! I’ve sold things to friends and at craftshows, but this was my first “official” online transaction. I sold the pictured pheasant feather headband. I just wanted to share the good news, and I’m hoping that this will be a new trend!

Also, this morning I won a random drawing for Twitter followers from welovecolors.com. It’s an awesome place to find any kind of tights and leggings. I’m so excited to get my mystery tights. I’ll be sure to post pics of them when I receive them!

I'll be posting a lot more this week, I have a lot to share!

~FT

Can You Tell Me How To Get, How To Get To Emerson Street?

It’s very rare that someone can say they actually get to experience a true artist’s work. To see someone who has creativity and raw talent radiating at all times is quite the treat. What’s even better is when you can call an artist a very good friend…who is this glorious, artistic wonder that I’m obviously in awe of? You may know her as Emerson Street Stamps, Traveling Painter, or what I know her as; Molly Carlson.

Much to my surprise she’s never been featured on a blog, so I figured this would be a perfect opportunity for me to introduce you to her. Born in North Carolina, raised between home and a horse farm. She now lives in the chilly Chicago ‘burbs (yep, took that right from her blog bio…because I can!). She has a genuine love of creating, sharing, horses and her family (including a very sweet ball of fuzz, Kaya). From a personal standpoint she’s my (almost) weekly crafting buddy, craft fair partner in crime, and over all amazing friend. We drink coffee, gossip, vent and of course craft and create. From a fellow artist standpoint, she’s great at what she does and I have the utmost respect for her talent.

Right now she has 2 stores of her work online, Emerson Street on Artfire and Traveling Painter on Etsy. Both of which are very impressive. They showcase two completely different styles but are barely the tip of her iceberg of talent. Emerson Street is a great place to find just about any kind of hand carved stamp imaginable, and then some. Molly has an amazing talent to create anything you’d want as a custom order (I saw her do it at our last craft show). Her Etsy store Traveling Painter, is a shop full of absolutely beautiful fine art prints, original paintings, and illustrations. You can find anything from hand drawn greeting cards to mixed media painting. I am lucky enough to display some of her work in my home.

So….straight to my point, check out her stores or blog to get to know an amazing artist and crafter. She is epitome of sweet. If you’re looking for a little love and plenty of Southern hospitality drop her a line…she loves to chat (stole that little line from her bio too!).