Glitzy Things

Glitzy Things is a wonderful shop that has been on Etsy since Oct. 2008! Rosella resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. Only 65 miles north of me!! Rosella also has a beautiful web store with vintage jewelry! You will find the link below.

1. How did you decide on your shop name?

I have a webstore that is called Glitzy Jewels which features some of the same kinds of items that are in my Etsy store. So when someone pointed Etsy out to me, I decided to use a similar name, ergo, Glitzythings. My web adress is http://www.glitzyjewels.com/ if you would like to look at my webstore. It also features some of my hand crafted items, as well as vintage jewelry.

2. When did you start crafting?

I started crafting a long time ago, probably in the early 70's. When I started having children (and not having much money) I started making toys, quiet books, dolls, and clothing for them. One thing lead to another and I began doing all kinds of sewing, crafting and painting. One of the things I am thankful for is that, even though I didn't know it at the time, I had talents that allowed me to do many things that helped my family and also allowed me to make a little money at craft fairs.

3. What or who inspires you?

Well, I guess it is that way I can see something beautiful developing before my eyes as I craft an item, or paint a picture, etc. Just to be able to use my hands and the talents I have been given, to create something wonderful!!

4. Do you have a day job?

I have a part time job that is nothing like what I do in my spare time. I have been a "support specialist" or in other words, office manager, secretary-clerk, for around twenty-six years.

5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

The newest craft for me is the hand made purses and bags, and it is probably the most enjoyable I have done - after making children's clothes, which I did for years. I really love being able to take fantastic fabric (I love, love, love, fabric!!!) and craft it into a useful item that is also beautiful. I think my "chopsticks" purse it the cutest! ( I used chopsticks for the handles).

Audrey's Accolades:

I love this shop!! Rosella has such amazing vintage items. The bags are amazing, and the jewelry is stunning!! I love this bracelet and earring set!!

Unique engraved cuff bracelet with a flower and leaf pattern in champagne color over black on top of copper. The cuff will fit a 7 1/2" wrist, is 1 1/2" wide and is somewhat adjustable because of the style. The earrings are 1 1/2" long, made of the same materials and are for pierced ears. These are probably from the 70's.

Look What I Made!!

I've actually been crafting this week. Have to make presents (give away gifts), and gifts for the "Craft it Forward" I posted last week, or was it the week before? Purple and Pink seem to be popular colors. They aren't something I would usually craft with, but if that's their favorite color ...

So here is a pick of a gift one person is getting, she like purple:

I've been doing quite a few blank note cards w/envelopes for people as extras in an order or part of a give away. They are quite a bit of fun actually. Should have taken pics of the ones I sent last week. Oh well.

It felt like Christmas today!! This is what I got in the mail - all from Bovine Bubbles and Hog Wash. Got to love her products. I am going to be so soft and smell so good!!!

Soaps:

*Almond Coconut Smoothie

*Rice Flower & Shea

*Creamy Coconut

*Earth Child

*Vanilla Spice Bar

*Bamboo Charcoal Bath & Body Bar (son uses it to control acne - works really well)

*Cherry Almond Buff Bar (have it in the bathroom, helps clean the men's hand after working in the shop)

*Pillow Fights & Slumber Parties (isn't in the picture. It's a lovely light pink color and smells amazing. I bought it to add to a swap I'm doing and promptly put it with the rest of the swap, forgetting it when I took the picture.)

Butter Creams:

Creamy Cocobanana

Fresh Picked Apple

Honey Bee Sweet

Lemon Lush

Mulberry Hand & Body Lotion (for Sister-on-law's bday)

Please check out Bovine Bubbles, she also has wonderful jellies & jams, and is making new soap weekly.

TWITTER: Does anyone twitter? I just signed up today (audreyscrafts). Not quite sure what to do now. Any suggestions?

So She Sews

So She Sews is an amazing store that opened on Etsy in November 2006. Brooke lives in Atlanta Georgia. She also has a Blog where she posts about things that interest her . . . tutorials, crafting advice, love life, etc.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

The name just kind of came to me one day. I was actually mulling over a tongue twister in my head while I was driving in the car… “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” I accidentally said “She sews sea shells…” I toyed with it for a few days with some variations and finally came up with SoSheSews. I thought it had a nice ring to it.

#2. When did you start crafting?

Basically, I’ve been “crafting” all my life. My mom taught me how to use the sewing machine when I was very young. I attended a Fine Arts Magnet School for middle school and high school, so arts and crafts have played a major role in my life. I officially decided I’d like to do it (as a business and as my dream) about four years ago. My best friend and I at the time would get together every Tuesday night and sew together. After a little while, we thought it might be fun to try to sell some of the things we were making. SoSheSews came out of that. So, it started as a joint-venture. But, when our schedules became too different to cohesively keep it “together”, she graciously allowed me to take over. It’s been my baby ever since.

#3. What or who inspires you?

Right now I’m really inspired by European style and street fashion. Specifically, some of the design-styles that are coming out of Norway and Finland. I absolutely adore hel-looks.com! I look to things like that for inspiration, then I add a dash of practicality, and infuse it with my desire to keep things eco-friendly. Also, I am constantly inspired by my frequent trips to the thrift store. I’ll find some vintage linens or a gaudy sweater and envision it reconstructed into something more fashionable, more practical.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Yes, I do. I work as an administrator/assistant in the health insurance industry. I like it because I work from home most of the time and I can multitask between that “day job” and my Etsy store. It’s nice to be able to call the shots on what I can do with my time. I’d like to make SoSheSews my full-time job within the next year or so, and I’m very grateful to have a day job that allows me to build by business up before I finally take the plunge into being completely self-sustaining.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I would have to say my Textile Fleurs. I was just so proud of myself for coming up with the design idea. Plus, the resulting product struck me as much more stunning and functional that I thought it would be. Making pretty-smelling flowers also appeals to my really girlie side (which I secretly long to embrace).

Audrey's Accolades:

Brooke has a truly lovely shop. There is a wide variety of items, definitely something for everyone. Everything from dresses, to bracelets, hair clips, clutches & wallets, felted products and flowers that will never die! This wallets is so cute and made from recycled materials! My favorite item.

This adorable, practical wallet was made from a special fusing process using plastic bags. The plastic is sturdy and pliable- sure to stand the test of time! The process I use results in this wonderful eco-textile which both looks and feels like wrinkly plastic leather!

Something New

I'm going to try something different for 2 listings in my Etsy Shop, and I'll also have links on the sidebar too. The listings are "Surprise Packages"!! The prices on the listings are:

1) $2.50 plus $1.50 shipping, for a package worth $5.00 or more

2) $5.00 plus $1.50 shipping, for a package worth $10.00 or more

Here is what could be in the package:

*blank note cards/envelopes
*or coasters
*or an upcycled bag
*or a hand painted ornament
*or scrap booking supplies
*or something I haven't tried yet.
*or any combination of the above.

Please state your favorite color at checkout.
You can make requests, if I have it or can make it - it's yours.
Items will not be like those in the pictures, these are examples only.

Our youngest son had some excitement this week. Logan was taking Diesel Mechanics as a vocational course in school. He is in Grade 11 this year, but has gone as far as he can with the mechanics courses, and is now a Diesel Mechanic Apprentice. That means that he now has to buy a tool box and his own tools. So on Tues. Brad and Logan met the local Snap On dealer to check out tool boxes and Logan bought one!! Very exciting stuff. He had the Snap On dealer deliver it to work, so we went to town today to take some pics of it. I haven't seen it yet and Luke wanted to see some pics of it too.

I think I'm hooked on the auther Kay Hooper. Almost finished the third book in this trilogy she wrote. It's as good as the first two. Still reading the "Stephanie Plum" series too. They are so different I don't have to worry about forgetting what is happening in which book.

Did you have anything exciting happen during the week? Tell us about it.

Please check out the give away on my other blog. The link is on the right at the top.  If anyone is interested in having a give away - I'm looking for items for May and June.

Hope everyone has an awesome Sunday!!