Hey, Lyn – it’s Friday, so where’s the Freebie??

Ok, OK, it’s been a busy week – but, never fear, I do have a Friday Freebie for a lucky SHARDS subscriber whose name will be drawn Sunday night. One of the things that’s kept me busy is getting ready for the Trinity University Alumni Artistans Showcase tomorrow. It’s an event that I dearly love (I’m a Trinity grad as well as faculty member) and I try to participate in it every year. This year, I’m showing Milagro Journals. I love making these.

Milagro Journals

Milagro Journals

On the inside, there is a library card pocket (boy, do I miss those old-fashioned book checkouts) with a quote about the little miracles (milagros) in our lives. Yay! minside

So if you’re a SHARDS subscriber, old or new, by Sunday night, you’re in the drawing for one of these Milagro Journals. And if you’re a Trinity grad, like me, c’mon by the Artisan Showcase at the Holt Center tomorrow from 11:30-1:30.  Happy weekend, everyone – and expect a miracle (like that cold front that’s finally supposed to make it on Saturday :).

My (right-this-minute) Etsy Favorite 5

You know Etsy, right? If not, I’m gonna get you in a lot of trouble, cause it’s an amazing online global marketplace of creative delights. Look at some of the things you can find today on Etsy. These are my current favorite shops (but it may change with every new discovery :)):

etsy1Tomyres Boutique – Ugur Daskan’s art-to-wear collection. Ugur is from Turkey and has a wonderfully creative way with paper and fiber. This is her Wire Statement Necklace w/ Blooming Flowers. The lovely white cocoon necklace that I showed in my last post came from Ugur. She featured the post on her FB page. 

 

 

 

 

etsy2Casa de Charms Shop from McAllen, Texas is where I order milagros for my own artwork. Amador, the owner, is easy to work with and has fair prices and quick shipping. He also has larger milagros and really funny Day-of-the-Dead shopping bags.

 

 

 

 

 

etsy3House of Ceramics – despite its generic name, this studio site has some beautifully designed work like these fired and glazed apples. Una, the artist/owner, is from Fresno, California.

 

 

 

etsy4Buster Bean Knows – this Etsy shop is pretty unique. Here you can find natural stuff, rusty stuff, kitschy stuff – here’s what the owner says about herself – “I live near Sedona about midway between the Grand Canyon and Phoenix with my 3 dogs, Buster (the namesake of my shop), Duncan & Paloma. Buster knows the meaning of life… be creative and enjoy every moment you can.”  Pretty cool.

 

 

 

etsy5Hoooked Soap, form Peralta, NM. I think I like this shop as much for the names and the colors and textures as I do for the soaps themselves. This one is called Dragon’s Blood Exfoliating Soap with Poppy Seeds. Talk about power to the shower – but I think there is something so appealing about artisan-made personal goods, and this shop has that kind of appeal.

It’s easy to get mesmerized while looking around on Etsy – when I was putting this post together, I went down a lot of rabbit holes checking out other stuff and got lots of ideas an inspiration! But now I need to get to work finishing some faces for my own Etsy shop, EarthShards (sneaky segue). Have a great weekend, everyone!