Well, I’ve been up to it again! Applications for The Big Chill arts, crafts and vintage sale are now up at The Big Thaw website. Is that confusing? I just didn’t want to make a whole new site to re-name the winter fair. It will be held on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am-4pm (9-5 for vendor set up, break down, etc.) at Mayo Street Arts Center at 10 Mayo St. in Portland, ME. Applications are $45 for upstairs spaces and $35 for downstairs spaces – and spots are limited! So send in your applications! 🙂
Tag Archives: crafts
Just Listed
Chicken Barrette, $6 from littleeyedesigns on Etsy
‘Ello! If you haven’t peeked in to my Etsy shop lately (click there), you’ll be blown away at all the new items. I’ve been hemming and hawing about new listings and I realized that when you sell tiny, little specialty objects it really is a numbers game: the more I pack in there, the more chance there will be someone who connects with the artwork featured in the bottle cap! Many new listings still to come, but I especially like that chicken barrette.
I’m also offering FREE SHIPPING on any order over $10, all you need to do is enter “ISPENT10” (all caps, no spaces) at checkout and the shipping charge will be removed. That’s neat!
Pickles, Picnic, End of a Season
Good afternoon. I’ve been curating again! So much fun to make treasuries when you’ve got the time… Click on each image to be taken to a selection of 16 items by awesome artists and vintage superstars.
Design Your Own Embroidery Hoop by merriweathercouncil.
Picnic! Treasury – featuring items by vendors who will be at this weekend’s Picnic festival.
Chilled Dill Pickles Print by hartart13
pickle people Treasury – featuring delicious, pickled perfection.
2 Bicycle Etched Pint Glasses by phoenixfirestudios.
end of the summer Treasury – featuring all those good, Autumn-y thingies.
I Spy With My Little Eye: The Herbal Revolution
Looking back, maybe that last entry was a little pessimistic. Maybe I just needed to complain a bit so that I could complete all of the following yesterday: grocery shopping (twice), living room tidying, cooking dinner, finishing a book and updating The BIG THAW website. Now that the steam’s let off, I’ve got some energy for a really positive shout-out to Kathi Langelier at The Herbal Revolution.
I first met Kathi at the Handmade Holiday Fair in Biddeford in December. We joked about how it’s always so expensive to travel in state and have to stay in a hotel if you want to be somewhere longer than just a day trip. Then we volunteered each other our ‘spare spaces’ in our houses whenever one was longing for a change of scenery.
While I’m a ‘city girl,’ The Herbal Revolution quite naturally has its home in Lincolnville, ME, where excellent things grow in gardens and forests. Kathi harvests and forages the herbs and plants needed for her products and makes good use of them without gross chemicals or stuff that makes my skin all red.
I am so excited! Click to buy this Halloween Costume for yourself!
The first product I bought from Kathi was the Better Than Botox clay mask ($9) which is more than a bang for your buck. The jar itself is pretty sizable, but the contents are powder, not pre-mixed, so by adding your own water (or yogurt, lemon juice, tomato juice or whatever else works for you) you can get the consistency and longevity out of BTB that you’d like. Above is a picture of me looking so excited for how great my skin would feel in a little bit. The kelp powder tingles as there is mint and rosemary mixed in the clay and it has a very light, pleasant smell. The mask also includes nutritional yeast for acne prone skin (that’s me!) When I wash it off my face feels younger, fresher, and definitely more firm. Yay to 10 minute, natural face lifts.
After making some Etsy sales last week and a Paypal balance burning a hole in my pocket I revisited The Herbal Revolution as a repeat customer. I bought a St. John’s Wort oil (for pain relief in my bum! Sciatica boo, herbal remedies yay) and a small pot of Rose Lotion.
A lotion by any other name wouldn't smell as sweet!
The Rose Lotion ($8) is light and smells exactly like you want it to. Feminine, breezy and subtle. The lotion itself is not pink, but a buttery yellow and that’s super refreshing. Not all roses are pink, people! And I don’t need any dye in my product to make me more convinced it has roses in it. Kathi done good. This little pot is portable and a tiny bit goes a long way (like a pea size for my whole face or two pea sizes for my leathery old man hands).
Pinched nerves don't stand a chance!
Kathi recommends using the St. John’s Wort oil ($12) with her St. John’s Wort tincture ($11)which (Thanks, Kathi!) she sent me as a special gift in my package. Although it tastes herb-y I mix the tincture (20-30 drops) in green tea and apply the St. John’s Wort Oil to my rear end which, for any of you who know me, is constantly ache-y. I’ve recently begun massage therapy and am retraining myself to sleep in a proper position but the St. John’s Wort battery combining forces with a heating pad don’t hurt, either!
St. John's Wort Tincture, $11
St. John’s Wort is also indicated for depression. Mainers, I’m looking at you. It’s been freezing cold for near three months now, fresh snowfall has lost its nostalgic charm and we’re playing the ‘can we make it to April with that much heating oil?’ game. So: you’re depressed. Even if you don’t admit it I know you’re climbing in to bed with a book at 7pm and snoozing by 8. I know you’re ordering delivery for the second time this week and it isn’t even Wednesday. Depression has many relievers – this just happens to be my favorite one right now! Also look at my awesome teacup in that picture up there.
Look at my awesome teacup. And that tincture for $11.
The St. John’s Wort Oil is distinctly herby but the odor is only apparent when you stick the vial up your nose (don’t do that). Plus, after a few days the aroma is actually growing on me!
Babies and Springtime are the best.
I’m really quite psyched to have found something natural (and effective) right here in our home state. Kathi’s products leave my skin feeling great and my derriere comfortably soothed. I’ve got my eye on Calendula Oil next because I don’t think there is much of anything in this world that is more soothing than calendula. Maybe it’s because all our Mommies used it on us as babies. Maybe it’s because it smells distinctly and undeniably like Spring. Either way you slice it, you’ll be hearing from me soon, lady.
A Heap o’ Accomplishments
Oooh-la, what a week. About Wednesday (blizzard day) I got hit with the winter doldrums, big time. Really honestly for the last four days it’s all I can do to get out of bed before noon and make food for myself. I’ve been infected by Kate’s love of cheesy lifetime movies and it’s really not helping my case at all. In fact, I’m watching one now.
While I learn the real life story of Andrew Luster, MAX Factor Heir (and sex criminal) I thought I’d jot down my progress this week… to remind me that no matter how lazy I am I’m still pretty darn productive!
Weddings! Oh, I’d like to book some more 2011 dates – if you know anyone getting hitched, send ’em my way — here’s what I’ve been working on this week:
Boutonierre Fastening
Newly Married!
All About the Details
I’ve been working on prints, framed pieces and albums from orders from a wedding I shot last year. Fun! It’s like reliving the day and all its touching moments — I’m not afraid to admit I am the wedding photographer that cries every time (every.time.) the bride walks down the aisle. Hormones or just naturally sensitive – who knows? 🙂
New things. For awhile now I’ve been thinking about (and talking about) trying something new with the jewelry. I love my bottle caps, and I’m going to be churning them out in magnets and pins to no end… but I wanted to class up the necklaces and rings a bit… and also try out earrings! Here are some pictures from the first run:
- Birches and Blue Sky Ring and Earring set – $18 by Little Eye Designs on Etsy.
- Dill Shadows – The Herbalist’s Ring $9 by Little Eye Designs on Etsy.
- Lights and Lines Filigree Pendant and Drop Earrings Set – $25 by Little Eye Designs on Etsy.
Craft fair. Super sweet! The BIG THAW applications keep showing up on my doorstep and it’s amazing to see all the talented people who want to spend a whole day with me! Click here for The BIG THAW website.
Also… I’m guilty more than anyone of keeping to myself in the winter time. No matter how good your intentions of ‘finally taking up snowshoeing’ or ‘getting out more this year’ at the beginning of December you will always, always be holed up in your second-story apartment waiting, just waiting for the cold to go away. This weekend I overcame! It was Kate Sullivan-Jones‘ birthday and we had lots of fun (and whiskey) at her apartment. Here’s a pic of me there with friends and wearing an awesome t-shirt (that got lots of compliments) that I traded a photograph for with Repurposeful Punk.
- Click for Carmenmerie of Repurposeful Punk’s Shop.
Oh! And here is a shot of my photograph in her living room. Looks great, Carmenmerie!
Brighton Lights in Winter - $25 Framed Print by Little Eye Designs.
OK, everyone, back to work for me tomorrow morning so time to hit the hay. What have you all been working on this week? Leave links below, if you’d like!
Love. Coffee.
Coffee love for your locks. Only available at Coffee By Design by Little Eye.
Ooh-ee! Valentine’s Day is just two weeks away and lucky you, there’s no need to stress about what to get your loved one. If you’re anything like me and my boyfriend, holidays that make people extra lonely or feel like they need to propose give you the creeps… but you still want to make a little gesture to show that special someone that you really, really like them – hey! Maybe you even LOVE them, and you’ve been listening. You know what makes them tick. Caffeine.
Coffee By Design and Little Eye partnered in June of 2010 to create a line of unique, handmade Java Jewelry pins, magnets and jewelry. These little gems are available at all four retail locations in Portland and Freeport and, for you cyber-folk who are joining me far from the North East, they are available at their website, as well.
Java Jewelry designs come in six unique images: latte rosetta, latte heart, CBD logo, coffee cherries, coffee flowers and coffee beans (some of which contain real beans in the epoxy!). Each image comes in the following: magnet, pin, hair clip, ring and necklace.
Little Eye has a long, loving relationship with Coffee By Design having slung lattes for three years as a barista and manager before venturing elsewhere. Next time you’re in for a fix pick up something sweet for the one you love!
Latte Love. Like looking in to your mug for the first sip. Only available at Coffee By Design by Little Eye.
I’m Going in to the Woods…
"Little Elf" figure $6.50 from monkeyjunction on Etsy
…namely, the woods in and around the Green Mountains of Northern Vermont. I’ve worked hard for a year taking minimal time for myself and now relaxation at Grammie’s house in the woods for SIX DAYS is my reward! And, all of them paid for. Score.
Before I load up the school bus (my dad drives a big, yellow Pontiac Aztek) and jump in with father, brother and niece, I thought I’d poke around on Etsy to check out what the folks in the farm-friendly, rustic and rural state of Vermont are up to.
Monkey Finger Puppet $6.00 from monkeyjunction on Etsy
The first of my finds comes from a woman named Meredith out of Burlington. Her Etsy store, monkeyjunction, features creations that are self-proclaimed ‘super-wonky’ which I automatically like. Preschool-friendly finger puppets, mini dolls and bean bags are on the menu and Aunt Audrey likes. Likes a lot. They’re very reasonably priced and with puppet duos like bird and worm or trios of three blind mice, they are great educational tools for wee ones! Marked as favorite for when K. gets a little older… Check out a nice site from Meredith at The Sharing Preschool Blog.
- Bobby Pin Trio – Retro Chic $16.00 from SweetAvenueJewelry
Just down the road, Martha in Colchester from SweetAvenueJewelry creates colorful, vintage inspired jewelry and hair pieces. I like the selection above because it reminds me of July 4th…which is about as far away on the thermostat as you can get from what we’ve got right now (not that I don’t love that, too). Martha is a Renaissance woman, in that she creates jewelry and crafts while simultaneously holding down a 9-5 and playing in a band. Although my pastimes are a bit different, I can totally relate. Clear vision and sweet execution – I hope I end up in a local shop that carries her work! And if none do, yet, then they better start lining up. 🙂
Vermont wouldn’t be Vermont if it weren’t for all the farms we pass on the way to Underhill. From slanted and decaying photo ops to bustling and vibrant active farms the countryside is carved based on an agrarian way of life. This is slowly changing, which breaks my heart, but for the time being let’s enjoy.
Buy 3 and Save Trio of Rustic Farm Fresh Soaps $8 from oldgatesfarm on Etsy
Old Gates Farm sells on Etsy a wide selection of soaps, knitted work, dyed bags, note cards, fabric-covered buttons and more. Of all the items in her shop, though, these rustic soaps caught my eye. I might be a sucker for a beautiful photograph, or maybe it’s because I’ve been itching to learn to make soaps. OR it could be just that I need to shower more! Whatever the reason, these beautiful soaps are made with homegrown herbs and that’s a-okay with me.
Fine Silver Earrings $50 by courtneyreckord on Etsy
Finally, all things can’t be cute or squeaky clean: these silver, industrial-style earrings from courtneyreckord are huge and amazing. The rough-hewn shapes are just screaming to be worn by someone with amazing, long, curly hair. My VT cousin has amazing curly hair – maybe I should get them for her!
In addition to some much needed rest and relaxation I plan on scooting around Chittenden county to find some shops and artists from the Great North. Blog entries may be sporadic over the next few days, but I’ll be sure to fill you all in when I get back!
End of Year Clearance SALE!
Our own little Cyndi Lou Who surveys the surprise-decorated living room!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Ours was full of excitement and noisy toys, what with the advent of our newest, youngest family member. Quiet Christmases are a thing of the past for the next dozen or so years…thank goodness!
To clear room in my studio and start 2011 fresh, I am having a clearance sale at my Etsy store. Also feel free to get in touch to visit the studio and select items in person. Here’s how it works:
"Mint" necklace and casino lights pin set, soon to be listed. $11 (before discount)
Go to my Little Eye Designs shop at http://littleeyedesigns.etsy.com .
Choose one or two or twenty listings from my Etsy store. When you are ready to checkout, enter the coupon code “GETITGONE” during the purchasing process. 40% will automatically be deducted from your total.
Each shipment will contain a special gift for your helping me to clean out my studio space! Sale runs from Sunday, December 26th through Monday, January 3rd. Shipments will go out beginning Tuesday, Jan. 4th when I return from vacation.
Bare Branches Set of 3 pins $7.00. Click for listing.
Happy shopping, everyone!
Visit: http://littleeyedesigns.etsy.com to shop!
I F%#&ed Up, But Don’t Sweat It
Tonight I had a turn around in my ‘business strategy.’ (If you can call sitting on the man chair in the living room watching The Wire DVDs while endlessly editing images and posting listings on Etsy a ‘strategy’) It’s cool. I’ve spent the last two months really pushing my ‘online presence’ following instructions to leave thoughtful comments on other blogs, ‘favorite’ other sellers on Etsy, etc. etc. But really – the #1 reason I started doing all this bonkers bottle-cap-and-photograph stuff was because it was fun! And when I go to a blog I like to see content! Not to mention my entries with the highest hits are the ones where I tell funny stories that have nothing to do with jewelry. SO! I thought tonight I’d revisit other times I’d fucked up and my forgiving and understanding nature got me right through it with a smile.
This article had advice in it that made me smart again...
#1 – The time I dropped my camera at a wedding. Not only is this horrifying, but the wedding was just teeming with photographers. OK, RIT alum, what the heck are you doing in Blue Hill, ME, anyways?! The bride’s photography I’d seen before the wedding was beautiful. Her friends had super snazzy cameras that put my Mamiya TLR to shame. Then, just as the sun set and the guests made their way to the reception tent, ahh…I dropped my frigging camera on the ground and broke the flash mount! Cool, Audrey, real cool. I spent the next hour trying to figure out a new camera (fail), borrow someone else’s camera (fail) and eventually settled on Macgyver-ing the damn thing and not being able to let go of my flash for the entire night. Here are some pictures from that night:
Melting Cake Topper
Sweet Vintage-y Dancing Shot with my metallic flash thing I made
#2 – I drop things at Craft Fairs. The first time was at the end of the fair, so that was really no big deal. But last summer when Kate and I were rolling our wares to Lincoln Park for PICNIC we lifted this dumb little thing we’d rigged up to carry a bunch of stuff at once, tipped it right, and smash! All my candles that I’d been testing out crashed on to the pavement. Some were spared. Most were dangerous to touch. We just laughed a lot, though, because it was so silly. And besides later on I learned a better way to get the soy wax not to pull away from the vessel. So it’s a good thing I didn’t sell them, anyways.
At this particular fair I DIDN'T drop anything. Phew!
#3 – I’ve probably ruined three huge batches of bottle caps in the last year. Due to impatience and improper measuring. The weird thing about epoxy resin is that if you eyeball it, you’re probably in good shape. But if you eyeball it and haven’t slept much or maybe have been in a small attic with too much paint, epoxy and mod podge fumes for too long then maybe that won’t be so good. Botched epoxy pours are obnoxious because they’re kind of like melted saltwater taffy, in texture. You go to touch one to see if it’s ‘ready’ and then BAM your finger is covered in sticky junk. Then it kind of ends up on everything as you try to get all the bottle caps safely in the rubbish bin. Then you get it on your shirt as you’re trying to wash it off your hands and you think to yourself “God Damn it, that’s the third shirt I’ve gotten epoxy on this month, now I need to go to Goodwill.” (Another silver lining!) In any case I’ve wasted probably 20 hours of my life fucking up something that I should be relatively good at doing by now. Oh well! Just crack open the windows next time…
A lot of man-hours to be screwin' around with, Audrey
That’s all you get for now, this has been embarrassing (but enlightening!) enough. For the record, though, all of my posts up until now have been sincere and well-thought out. But my redirection leads me more to a self-centered place that’s less about telling and more about doing. I’ll leave comments when they matter, ‘tweet’ thoughts that are thoughtful or pertain to the business, and let Facebook be the conduit of these things. Off to bake a pie, take a bubble bath or knit a sweater. Ahh, much better already!
Part of the Team
Wellity, wellity, wellity! I’ve never been one for team sports…but team crafts are a totally different thing. Marking the reinvention and invigoration of my ol’ Etsy site, I decided once I had 20 or so items in there that belonging to the Etsy Maine Team was not an ‘if’ but a ‘when.’ So throwing caution to the wind I said ‘now’ and this is turning out to be really, really fun!
Everyone knows people from Maine have great taste. If you search the keyword “maineteam” on Etsy this will become very obvious to you, too.
Here are some picks from my first week of connecting across the counties to my brothers and sisters in craftiness (P.S. This was hard choosing just a few, and I plan on doing this often so stay tuned!):
Uhhh…how long have these earrings been on my wish list?! (1 month, I’m such a miser!) Uhhh how many times have I told my Dad I want these for my birthday? (2 times). If the weekend is up without this gift wrapped from him, Judy, you can plan on wrapping those up because they’re mine!
JudyB
Believe me, when it comes to impulses I am one tough cookie. But when I read the description for the Midnight Lotus Skin Cream the cookie crumbled and I gave in. “This particular 4.5oz jar is scented with midnight lotus fragrance oil, which is a super clean, sexy scent. Think of a brand of dryer sheets that’s only for use on little black dresses.” Plus, this fabulous stuff comes from a yurt! Wallet spontaneously opened last week. Tonight I smell like fresh cotton and a little (woah!) like the soap from my pediatrician’s office when I was a kid. The doctor’s office was in a barn. These are all great things.
Long Winter Farms
Alert! Lucky lady is preggers so if you need to take advantage of her awesome prices you need to do it before October 20th. You have a couple days to peruse the lush colors and honest knits that she has in her shop until Mama takes a break. The headband below is my favorite.
urbanknitfit
In Other News: Holiday Craft Fairs are COMING!!
What are everyone’s favorites to attend and why? I’m putting my joint application with Kate to PICNIC on the top of the pile (because of local awesome easyness, excellent jurying, and monies potential!!), and then a sweet little temptation from a start up called Creatorium is enticing me, too, but I need to find the link again on Roots and Tendrils‘ Facebook page. Oh, P.S. PICNIC is two days this year. Yes!
What fairs will you be applying to?
Little Eye Designs 