tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18789725566975282222024-03-13T19:29:01.852-07:00Natura Pluma DesignsElizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-32542010739704571462013-11-29T19:15:00.000-08:002013-11-29T19:17:26.804-08:00Another Handmade Holiday!I just wanted to quickly note that another holiday season is upon us, and I am running a sale in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>! When you make a purchase, enter the coupon code HOLIDAY25 to receive 25% off your total purchase before shipping! I also just relisted some great holiday themed accessories, and a few new items as well. A little picture preview:<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-6283712911707107842013-11-06T19:50:00.000-08:002013-11-06T19:50:46.074-08:00Dia de los Muertos Painted MasksWell, so much for doing a post a week. Good news is, I now have a full-time job and it's going pretty well! Bad news, well, time is hard to come by, as it usually is. But, I want to take a moment to share a project with you that was great fun for me and turned out so well, I can't wait to do more.<br />
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A couple blog posts ago, I mentioned painting a Day of the Dead style mask and having so much fun, I was going to do more. Well, I did, and they were so much fun that when offered, I jumped on a commission to make them part of a set of five. Here are the pictures of the finished set!<br />
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(<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">My Etsy shop)</a></div>
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This was an amazing set to work on, and I definitely want to create more. Next time, though, I plan on making my paper mache masks from scratch, creating unique face shapes and textures. I want lots more designs as well! I did experiment with a henna-style design, which was time consuming but very beautiful.<br />
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(Available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163026412/henna-inspired-hand-painted-gold-and?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">here</a>.)</div>
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I really want to devote more and more of my crafting time to masks. I enjoy the accessories and the like, but masks are where I really find my creative juices flow best. I'm finishing another custom project as we speak, this one a simple collection of knit goods, and when that is done... oh so many more masks.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-47113868965299825172013-10-03T16:50:00.000-07:002013-10-03T16:51:53.537-07:00Oh, Etsy... Reblogged from MarlaBeeMissMarlaBee of MarlaBeeDesigns recently created a blog that sums up completely how I feel about Etsy and the problem of selling handmade goods in a mass marketplace. Selling handmade can already be difficult; I price my items in such a way that I am covering my materials and fees, and not the time and effort I put into the item. Seriously!<br />
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Say I make a leaf mask. I spend about $6 for the materials. I spend a good 6-8 hours on a mask, doing the designing, gluing, sewing, attaching, perfecting, what have you. Add a couple hours for setting up an area for pictures, taking pictures, editing pictures, uploading and listing pictures, and sharing that listing on social media. If I paid myself minimum wage, in my area $8.50, I would have to charge $68-$85 for that mask. Currently, the artificial leaf masks in my shop are $15.<br />
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I price things in a way that I could afford to buy them if it were myself shopping for them. I've been told many times to raise my prices, and over the years with the quality of work going up as I get more experienced at it, I have raised it a few dollars. But I feel painfully aware that with the marketplace issue going on with Etsy right now, raising prices even a few dollars more to reflect the hard work I put into them will almost automatically drive buyers away from my shop, because Etsy is pushing hard for mass-market factory-made items to join its marketplace. I can't compete with the prices of factory goods. And Etsy has a reputation for being a handmade marketplace, and there is no required obvious sign on an individual listing to let a customer know that the item they are thinking of purchasing is not handmade. Yes, a customer who has a vested interest in only purchasing handmade items can do the research into the seller, but many impulse shoppers will not. Impulse and casual shoppers will search for an item, refine the search by price, and possibly never even see my item since it the search will be flooded with cheaper items.<br />
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Let me just link MarlaBee's blog and include an excerpt, since she says beautifully what is on my mind when it comes to this issue.<br />
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<a href="http://missmarlabee.tumblr.com/post/62832900817/oh-etsy" target="_blank">http://missmarlabee.tumblr.com/post/62832900817/oh-etsy</a><br />
"This would include any and all <i><b>mass produced items. </b></i>This way nobody is left out, nobody is offended, all the small businesses win, and Etsy still gets to make their money.<br />
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"BUT the thing with Etsy, as usual, is always <i><b>deceit</b></i>. Etsy still wants comsumers to go there under the belief that they are buying items that are handmade and unique. <i><b>The
real reason Etsy won’t disclose right out in the open that not every
seller is going to be making items by their own hand, is that they don’t
want to lose their roots in the handmade buyers</b></i> and they
don’t want to lose the money making mass producing sellers by forcing
them to disclose what they do in an immediately noticeable place.<br />
Yes, Etsy has said that those particular sellers would need to disclose how their items are made on their about page, <i><b>but how many people actually read a shop’s about page before purchasing something on a whim?</b></i><br />
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"The biggest issue concerning sellers with this, however, is that Etsy is practically <i><b>inviting designers with established brands and factories into the market place</b></i>. (Think Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, Dulce and Gabbana etc.) <br />
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"Now, we all think it is great that <i><b>Etsy is allowing the small businesses to expand</b></i>, <a href="http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2012/01/etsy_closes_azreals_accomplice.php">as in the past, they have closed shops for getting “too large”</a>, <i><b>but doing so is very hard and expensive</b></i>.
Unless a small seller has a financial backer, a rich family member, an
amazing side job, a Kickstarter that goes viral, or some super duper
awesome credit, the chances of Etsy’s small sellers expanding is pretty
small.<br />
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<i><b>"The biggest problem is that</b></i> <i><b>r</b><b>elevancy
for who shows up in search terms on Etsy is based on how many items are
listed in a shop and how many times the items are bought</b></i>.<br />
If everything is lumped together as “handmade”, the
seller who makes one of a kind items and can only produce and upload ≤ 6
to 10 pieces a day is going to be completely slammed away by the seller
who has outside workers producing, relisting, and uploading 100+ items a
day."Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-19103100014106019132013-08-16T00:45:00.000-07:002013-08-16T00:45:31.131-07:00Painted Paper Mache Masks - Submit your ideas!A few months ago, I had a blast painting a paper mache mask in the style of Day of the Dead sugar skulls. It was tricky work to get everything even and come out exactly as I envisioned it, but I love the result. It <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/131439364?" target="_blank">sold</a> within days of being listed, and I knew I should definitely make more. I got caught up in other projects though, so I put off painting more.<br />
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Well, now is the time! I plan on painting at least two more in Day of the Dead style, in different colors and designs of course. I may paint a few others with something a little different, but I'm not sure what. What springs to mind first is leaves and flowers, because of course I love them and I can't seem to stop putting them on masks, whether in synthetic, preserved natural, or painted form!<br />
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So what I'm asking from YOU is to submit your ideas! Especially if you'd like to order one for yourself. Remember, there's only 76 more days til Halloween! The paper mache masks are pre-made, but I can alter the eye shape, edge shape, and ribbon color, and I prefer to line the back in a soft-to-the-touch felt. If you'd like, I can even add a lace trim to the edges, or add a cluster of hanging ribbons/rhinestones/beaded chain on one side. The possibilities are endless! I only have five pre-made masks but I have so many fun ideas for them that I may have to get more!<br />
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If you'd like to make a custom order, visit <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">my Etsy store</a> and send me a message! On the left side of the screen, under my Shop Owner picture, there are two buttons you can click to send me a message; doesn't matter which. Or, if you just have an idea you'd like to share, leave a comment here on the blog or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NaturaPlumaDesigns" target="_blank">my Facebook page</a>, or you can even <a href="https://twitter.com/NaturaPluma" target="_blank">send me a tweet</a>.<br />
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When I get more painted, I will definitely be sharing them here. Look for more updates soon! :)Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-62869666874320527312013-08-11T00:41:00.000-07:002013-08-11T00:41:14.356-07:00Tiny Top HatsSince there was such a large gap in between posts, I'd like to try to catch you up on my activities over the past few months. The <a href="http://naturapluma.blogspot.com/2013/08/mothman-larp-masks.html" target="_blank">Mothman LARP masks</a> featured in my last post have definitely taken up a good chunk of my time, but of course there are always other projects to keep my hands and mind busy.<br />
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Today I'm featuring my tiny top hats. I love tiny top hats - they are so very Victorian, and the possibilities for adornment are endless. Here are a few I've put together, some recent and some not so much.<br />
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5871641/il_570xN.333540021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5871641/il_570xN.333540021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/98887889/ivory-rose-and-tulle-tiny-top-hat?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Ivory Rose and Tulle</a> - a simple yet elegant clip on hat with a beautiful fabric rose, a twist of tulle, and ivory peacock herl feathers.<br />
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<a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5871641/il_570xN.333680458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5871641/il_570xN.333680458.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/98889319/white-lace-and-feather-tiny-top-hat?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">White Lace and Feather</a> - a beautiful applique wrapped around the clip on hat, featuring a fluffy white feather. <br />
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/016/0/5871641/il_570xN.462664431_gozw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/016/0/5871641/il_570xN.462664431_gozw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/152158647/dogwood-flower-ivy-and-peacock-herl-tiny?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Dogwood Flower and Ivy</a> - the clip on hat is a subtle dark green, featuring a dogwood flower, ivy leaves, and a few natural and dyed bright green peacock herl feathers.<br />
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/012/0/5871641/il_570xN.460403431_1qzx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/012/0/5871641/il_570xN.460403431_1qzx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/132242757?" target="_blank">White Lace and Black Rose</a> - the clip on hat features a band of white lace and a matching white lace bow, and a black glittery rose with black leaves. (This item is sold.)<br />
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/009/0/5871641/il_570xN.421769121_lhnz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/009/0/5871641/il_570xN.421769121_lhnz.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/122066378/tiny-top-hat-with-deer-antlers-and-ivy?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Deer Antler and Ivy</a> - the plastic clip-on hat features ceramic deer horns broken off an ornament, with ivy leaves at the base of the horns. This is my favorite, and I will be sad to see it go!<br />
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I hope you enjoyed a peek at one of my favorite things to make. I hope to be making more extravagant tiny top hats in time for Halloween, to suit your costuming needs! As always, check out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">my Etsy store</a> for more interesting pieces, and message me if you'd like custom work!<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-38586388498195392332013-08-10T00:36:00.000-07:002013-08-10T00:36:16.350-07:00Mothman LARP MasksWow, no new post since February. Oops! Well, let's just get right back into the swing of things. I'd like to start updating this at least once a week, so watch for lots more!<br />
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I am super excited to show you my latest project: Mothman Masks.<br />
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This is (again) for a LARP, this one themed around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothman" target="_blank">legendary Mothman</a>.<br />
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This project has definitely put me through my paces. It took me some trial and error to find just the right materials. I am pretty proud of the result, and I think the LARP group will look pretty badass when they add these masks to their matching winged and furry costumes. If I get pictures of it, I will definitely share!<br />
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This is the moth we based the idea off:<br />
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<a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/images/album/photo/3681584814f83037818d86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/images/album/photo/3681584814f83037818d86.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=320354" target="_blank">Anish Kirtane</a><br />
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This is the result:<br />
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I hope you enjoy taking a look at them. If you're interested in more, check out my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy Store</a>, and drop me a message for custom work.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-35110785406479069092013-02-14T17:12:00.000-08:002013-02-14T17:19:24.271-08:00Nature, Spirituality, and Masquerade - An Origin StoryI recently completed a set of natural birch bark masks. It was a lovely experience to make them, and it really took me back to the very first mask I ever made. So I thought I would share a bit on how this whole thing got started. This is a long post, be prepared!<br />
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I'm a Pagan in a pretty loose sense of the word. I have trouble nailing a label to myself or putting myself in a box. I don't believe in a specific pantheon or practice, nor do I take my time setting up and following through with complicated rituals. What I can easily say in all honesty though, is that I believe in nature. I believe that nature is powerful and wild, tempered and kind, inexplicable and amazing. Nature is everything! I am passionate about science, and what is science but the study of nature? I've been asked before how I reconcile my scientific views and my spiritual ones; I guess the answer is that they're so interconnected that there is no conflict. Yes, there's things that science tries to prove or disprove, and yes, some people feel it takes the magic out of things. I'd say yes and no to that. Nature is still amazing, no matter how far we break down DNA, no matter how many theories and discoveries we make. Nature will always throw something new at us.<br />
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Most of all, nothing beats the spiritual feeling I get when I walk in nature. Nothing compares to the sun on my skin, the wind in my hair, the sound of the rolling ocean and the sand between my toes, or the sound of birds in the forest and tree branches scratching at my arms, ferns at my feet; the sight of a mountain or a rock formation or an endless beach or a tree so tall I can't even see the top.<br />
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When I started my crafting business ages ago, it was all based on a strange idea. I wanted to make masks. I have always loved masquerade balls, and my wedding reception was masquerade themed. I wanted to take that idea and put a natural spin on it. I wanted to take tree bark, leaves, and feathers, and make masks. My husband and I went up to his father's Northern Wisconsin property and collected all sorts of bark and natural materials, all things that had already fallen to the ground. I wouldn't let him peel any bark off the trees. I wanted it naturally shed, to cause no harm to the trees.<br />
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We took our materials home and were excited to get to work. However, we quickly realized our mistake. The bark that we had was moist, as it had recently rained; it crumbled under our hands and was generally useless. However, the single birch bark piece I had was bendy and easy to work with. With a little bit of work, I created my first birch bark mask.<br />
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I was so excited when I put it up on Etsy, which at the time was under the username Crysiira, a screen name I've been using since high school. Up until then I just had a few paintings listed but no sales. The birch bark mask was my first sale, to a fellow Pagan Team member. I was thrilled to pieces!<br />
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I wanted to create more and more, but I didn't have another birch tree handy and I couldn't always get to the property up north for more. I really wanted to make an entire mask of leaves, but worried about how to preserve it. I made the decision to switch from natural to synthetic materials, and my signature leaf masks were born.<br />
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From masks spawned the idea for matching accessories, so I started making leafy hair clips and headbands. This soon turned to feathers, since feathers are both natural and very in style. I changed my business name to Natura Pluma, Latin for Nature and Feather, to reflect my new niche. The synthetic material withstood the durability test, and the popularity test, and I was so consumed with making them that it was a very long time before I turned back to natural materials for another birch bark mask.<br />
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Whenever I need inspiration, I take a walk through nature. Even if there aren't any hiking trails or nature paths available, a walk through the park or the cemetery or any neighborhood with a lot of trees will do. I just need that time with nature to clear my head and fill it with peace and new ideas. In fact, my good old friend Science <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100603172219.htm" target="_blank">backs this up</a>, showing that being outside in nature for just 20 minutes a day does wonders to boost energy and vitality. I don't always get the requisite 20 minutes a day, but I try to make up for it by overloading and taking an hour or two at a time at least once a week.<br />
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In my new home, I'm closer to nature than ever. My town is quite small, and surrounded by fruit and nut orchards on all sides. In fact, not three blocks from my house is a road that has an orchard on either side, and connects to a longer country road with never-ending trees. Granted, it is February, and there are no leaves on the trees; but the weather is warmish and sunny, and the birds are active and noisy, and taking a walk down that orchard road is something I try to do at least a few times a week. There are no birch trees here, but when I was packing up my craft things to move, I realized that I had an entire drawer of natural materials, including some very nice pieces of bark awaiting my hands. So when I was looking for a project to keep my mind off the distance between my friends and family and I, I dived into that drawer of nature.<br />
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I took walks down the orchard road. I watched movies that inspire me like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Neighbor-Totoro-Mark-Henley/dp/B002ZTQV8Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360889183&sr=8-1&keywords=my+neighbor+totoro" target="_blank">My Neighbor Totoro</a> (an anime kid's movie about two girls who move into a new home and discover that the woods they live next to is filled with earth spirits), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MirrorMask-Jason-Barry/dp/B000BT97AO/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1360889306&sr=1-1&keywords=mirrormask" target="_blank">Mirrormask</a> (a movie based on a Neil Gaiman story about a girl who enters a world in which every single person always wears a mask), and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pans-Labyrinth-Sergi-Lopez/dp/B000O76ZQC/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1360889374&sr=1-2&keywords=pan%27s+labyrinth" target="_blank">Pan's Labyrinth</a> (a not-for-kids fairytale about Spain's civil war in 1944 and a girl who must complete tasks set to her by a faun to become a princess of a faerie world). And I listened to music by <a href="http://www.qntal.de/english/" target="_blank">Qntal</a>, a band that effortlessly combines medieval style music with modern electronica. In fact, they have a wonderful video with art by <a href="http://www.worldoffroud.com/" target="_blank">Brian Froud</a> (Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, lots more awesomeness) that has always been insanely inspirational to me.<br />
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So that's the story behind my birch bark masks. I like to make them because it reminds me of my roots; because the natural materials coming together under my hands feels like magic; because if you must hide yourself behind a mask, what better mask than nature?<br />
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Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-27662798808908174602013-02-06T15:49:00.001-08:002013-02-06T15:51:15.449-08:00New Location - California!I haven't been very active with the blog lately, but if you're on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natura-Pluma-Designs/116655225018375?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, you know that I recently relocated. I'm no longer in snowy Wisconsin, I'm in sunny California! The move was a long time coming; we've been planning it for the better part of a year. It was so lovely to finally set a date on it. Things were so busy I closed down shop for a bit.<br />
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Now that I'm here and fairly settled in, I'm back to work! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">My Etsy shop</a> is fully stocked and ready for a sale - 10% off when you use the coupon code BUYHANDMADE. Despite having a major sale just before the holidays, I still have almost 200 items in stock, and I'd love to clear them out and make room for new!<br />
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It is so beautiful here. The weather is so warm and the sky so clear and blue. I feel so much inspiration that I've been shifting focus from accessories to painting. If my ideas go well, I might end up putting a few paintings in the shop; we'll see. I'm currently not working so I have plenty of time to work on art! I am also trying to get in better shape while I'm at it. My schedule has been 1/2 hour to 1 & 1/2 hours of exercise in the morning, housework and/or walks and exploring my new surroundings for a good chunk of the day, and then working on projects for as many hours as I can stay awake for in the evening. Currently I'm working on a tattoo design for a friend, two paintings, and a couple other little projects to keep my hands busy.<br />
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I will post more when I have more pictures of ART to show you! I better get to work so I can finish them! :DElizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-86959450416656983282012-09-01T13:04:00.000-07:002012-09-01T13:04:10.572-07:00Cthulhu LARP MasksSo I have finally finished a two-month-long major project: Creating eight original masks for a Cthulhu-themed Live Action Role Playing event. It was a challenge, but I enjoyed almost every minute of it!<br />
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The tentacles were made from polyfill fiber stuffed into plastic cones,
with a wire center to create the twists and curls. The mask itself was
cut from a piece of vinyl, then a layer of fusible webbing was added to
the back, then a layer of felt for the wearer's comfort. The front was
layered in small sequins. The entire mask was then painted with liquid
latex. The paint job is entirely done by hand. Then a clear coat to seal
everything completed the piece!<br />
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I couldn't believe how long it took me. I set them up assembly-line style, so they were all completed right around the same time. I think much of the time was waiting for the glue to dry, and of course those damn tentacles. If I were to make just one, I think it would take me a week... times that by eight... yeah, two months! I'm glad I got started nice and early...<br />
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Each mask is different, but they all look like something crawled up from the deep ocean... with the sole purpose of driving me completely insane. I read H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu for inspiration, along with an entire book of other Lovecraft stories of the weird. I can't believe I never read them before; they were perfectly to my strange tastes. Cthulhu fhtagn! :D<br />
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This project was a blast, but I need a break after all the hectic insanity. No rest for the wicked though; I have a bridal party that needs hair clips!<br />
Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-45936057969225714152012-07-16T17:07:00.000-07:002012-07-16T17:07:13.716-07:00Review for Country Soaps by Marlene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This review is for an order from Country Soaps by Marlene, an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrysoapsbymarlen" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> selling handmade goat's milk soaps, shampoos, and other body products. I happen to be on the same Etsy team as her, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5566/wisconsin-street-team-wist-the-moo-crew" target="_blank">WIST Moo Crew</a> - all Wisconsinites! In fact she is based a mere 40 miles from me. I am also a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CountrySoapsbyMarlene" target="_blank">Facebook</a> fan of hers!<br />
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I ordered her natural deodorant in the Satsuma scent, which was on sale since the label was misspelled. I also ordered her goat's milk soap in Tangerine Twist. As a bonus, I received a thank-you gift of a small portion of Cucumber Melon scented shampoo bar. Here are my thoughts on these products.<br />
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<b>Tangerine Twist Goat's Milk Soap</b></div>
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Upon opening the box and smelling the soap, I was at first disappointed. The tangerine was overpowered by a soapy smell. However, when I took it in the shower and lathered it up in my loofah, the tangerine smell was really let loose. It was very pleasant! This is the official description of the scent: "A refreshing blend of fresh, juicy tangerines, mandarin, and lemon, balanced with soft florals, mint, and sweet green herbs." The citrus was definitely the top note, with just a hint of herbs underneath. Because there are no sulfates, there wasn't a huge amount of lather, but it still did a wonderful job cleaning, and my skin felt lovely afterward. With some bar soaps, there seems to be a residue on the skin - this bar did not leave me with any unpleasant residue. Just a bit of rubbing into the loofah lasted for my entire body, and the soap washed out of my loofah easily.</div>
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All in all, I recommend this greatly!</div>
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<b>Cucumber Melon Shampoo Bar</b></div>
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I have to admit something here - I am a professional shampoo and conditioner junkie. I love Paul Mitchell and Bedhead, Sexy Hair and Kenra. I worked in a salon for many years and thus received many many free samples. I'm finally running out of my stash, and I've been thinking about trying something more natural for a long time anyway. So finding this little thank-you gift was a nice surprise! However, because I am so used to my professional brands, I was totally at a loss as to how to use this. I tried to lather it in my hands without success. (Once again, the smell really came out when wet, and it was a pleasant, unobtrusive cucumber melon scent.) I did some quick googling and found a description of how to use shampoo bars: <a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/getting-most-shampoo-bar-10741343.html" target="_blank">Getting the Most from a Shampoo Bar</a>. </div>
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As the article states, shampoo bars are better for those who are used to washing their hair less often. I am a daily shampooer, though I've been trying to cut that down to every other day. It's better for the hair and better on your wallet! How to apply the shampoo bar? Basically you will be pretending to comb your hair from front to back with the bar. Then lather it up. The article recommends to rinse and repeat. The bar does have conditioners built in, so the second time around leave the lather sit in the hair for a bit before rinsing. As the article points out, your hair will need an adjustment period to get used to this new routine!</div>
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The first time I used the bar, since I didn't know what I was doing, I didn't realize it had conditioners built in and so I conditioned it again. My hair felt very heavy and greasy that day. The second time, it seemed too dry afterwards, so I used some spray conditioner at the ends and was mostly pleased. I think I would like to try it a few more times before deciding if I would recommend this one or not. It is definitely an acquired taste, but if you have used bars before, I'm sure it's wonderful. I will have to practice with it some more and get back to you!</div>
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<b>Satsuma All Natural Deodorant</b></div>
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This was on sale due to a printing error, but the product itself is just fine! This is the description of the smell: "The Japanese Satsuma is a unique, aromatic citrus fruit. Satsuma
fragrance is a wonderful blend of orange, mandarin, mango, peach, lime,
jasmine, and orange flowers. Energizing and intoxicating! This was not
made with an essential oil but a Phthalate-Free & Nitro Musk Free
Fragrance oil" I have to say I am absolutely in LOVE with the scent! Intoxicating is a correct assessment. Even my husband, who was skeptical of the whole idea of a "natural deodorant," admitted the scent was attractive.<br />
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I, too, was a little skeptical of natural deodorant, though I dearly wanted it to work. I've been looking for natural alternatives to my normal bath and body routine for awhile. I tried Secret Natural Mineral antiperspirant, but as you can see from <a href="http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&productId=717912" target="_blank">this website</a>, the ingredient list is pretty much the same as normal deodorant/antiperspirants. The ingredients of Marlene's natural deodorant are as follows: "natural bees wax, natural cocoa butter, coconut oil, castor oil, fragrance and corn starch." Seems to me like a much better definition of natural!<br />
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I put it on after my shower in the morning, and did a vigorous workout immediately after. The scent held up quite well, and there was minimal wetness. I did notice it starting to fail in the wetness department by the end of the day, but in the heat of the summer, I'd say it did a pretty good job. The scent was still there as well, though not as strong. It wasn't until I woke up the next morning that I could really tell it had all worn off.<br />
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All in all I strongly recommend this product as well, and in general I'm impressed with Marlene's work! I will definitely be purchasing from her again, and I hope you consider doing so as well!<br />
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<br /></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-73738253044487417122012-05-15T17:55:00.001-07:002012-05-15T17:57:19.637-07:00Finally, an Update!Yikes! It's been nearly five months since my last blog post! I apologize. It was a vicious circle - I got too busy to blog, then I realized there was a lot I wanted to blog about, so the list of things I wanted to include in my post got longer, then I realized I didn't have time for it, then I got to busy to blog; repeat. Eeek! I won't let that happen again. Lol.<br />
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Let's see, where did I leave off? Pics of the autumn LARP and some fun wedding hair clips. What have I been up to since then, you ask? Well, the two major projects that I am most proud of are:<br />
*Another set of LARP masks, with an alien monster theme this time!<br />
*A set of 18 headbands and 12 clips for a dance troupe in Italy!<br />
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So of course, here are the pictures!<br />
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My husband is modeling one of the masks in the first two photos. The last one is of the entire set - as you can see, they are each unique and one of a kind. I spent a long time hand painting them so the snakeskin fabric stood out, so each wrinkle was accentuated, and every mandible had the right texture. It was my first experience using this kind of medium, and I have to say I'm proud of how they turned out! I hope for the chance to do more in the future!<br />
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Now for the dance troupe's accessories.<br />
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Each autumn leaf clip was unique, and most of the headbands were unique as well, with just a few repeats; but even the repeats were set up slightly different from each other. The summer berry theme was my favorite to work with!<br />
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If I get any photos of these pieces in action from my customers, I will be sure to share! In the meantime, check out my newest store: <a href="https://www.wepay.com/stores/natura-pluma-designs" target="_blank">WePay Store: Natura Pluma Designs</a>. Using WePay, there are less fees, and you don't have to be a member to make a purchase. I am looking at setting up an <a href="http://www.artfire.com/" target="_blank">Artfire</a> store as well. I feel it will help to have options other than Etsy; though as of right now, you can still check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">my Etsy store, Natura Pluma Designs</a> for some great clearance-priced deals! I am still looking to clear out my inventory in preparation for a move, so help me out and get a great deal at the same time! :)<br />
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Just for fun, check out the other blog I created: a recipe blog called <a href="http://veggiesvsbacon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Veggies vs Bacon</a> where I show you step by step some tasty, healthy recipes of my own design, and heart-cloggingly delicious recipes my husband has tried out.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and I will definitely be back with updates much sooner!<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://unwoman.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Unwoman</a><br />
Pics: A few new products!<br />
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<br />Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-37459640361217623122012-01-21T10:40:00.000-08:002012-01-21T10:40:45.307-08:00New Year, New Projects, New SalesOnce again I waited way too long in between blogs. But that's ok, because I have so much to share with you, it will make up for the past month of silence!<br />
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It looks like I have yet to show you the LARP pictures I promised, so here they are:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h3rBTM9J5SfNwn5Bz9aWd62QGdL72zPHofZ0qjsQbVDTj9Fm3Li-N5E7ld3y8alWmC_XynjMSdYraNjzQTAYPypmFCYW4zEDrbvstU7HH_aIb_BcD1_3WAXeOtjP9Dozq87TQhkyRzY/s1600/Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h3rBTM9J5SfNwn5Bz9aWd62QGdL72zPHofZ0qjsQbVDTj9Fm3Li-N5E7ld3y8alWmC_XynjMSdYraNjzQTAYPypmFCYW4zEDrbvstU7HH_aIb_BcD1_3WAXeOtjP9Dozq87TQhkyRzY/s320/Group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Aren't these photos amazing? I love the high quality, and I think the guys look pretty badass! All I can say is that it must have been tons of fun, and I hope to one day participate in something like this for myself!<br />
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It would be impossible to list all the treasuries I've been in since the last Treasury Love blog post, so I'll just include the ones I've been in so far this year.<br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/xVHt9q">Victorian Romance</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/xrlUd1">Hazy Shade of Winter</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/AdWaFY">Lord of the Forest</a><br />
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The latest project I've just finished is a set of hair clips for a friend of a friend's wedding. She wanted gerber daisies, and each of her bridesmaids is wearing a different color dress, so each hair clip needed to be different to match the dresses. For the bride's hair clip, she wanted white daisies with pink middles. This was absolutely impossible to find, so what I did was take apart white and pink daisies and put them together to look exactly how she wanted them. She also wanted them to have a few sparkly rhinestones, and to include a bit of her sister's veil. (Her sister tragically passed away far too young.) So here are the pictures of what I came up with. She cried a little bit upon seeing them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXIFZQ02kaIFpOv_mo096yAMgaUgVPZcDJhL13ocid0DMQMkFAThmL2qGzi8Fr0bjt43mGn19QKNoL4rJrQUUn_KT2xzWyeRDD-2gk090snRqB33DDNXH8AEjncmWv-6WFX2iByKJykI/s1600/2012-01-19+23.29.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXIFZQ02kaIFpOv_mo096yAMgaUgVPZcDJhL13ocid0DMQMkFAThmL2qGzi8Fr0bjt43mGn19QKNoL4rJrQUUn_KT2xzWyeRDD-2gk090snRqB33DDNXH8AEjncmWv-6WFX2iByKJykI/s320/2012-01-19+23.29.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeA3oY7RANJdINqm2467SpbG7vfmAUybzK9-tMfB8nUChKY5zmMoWL6UrSLzPvv8wTFYPyw-Asv96R28CvpYm7oWEDLKgSzkHRJBe7oHkb8FmA-BFiMb6U4-CdS92cttflv3HEhtUB7o/s1600/2012-01-19+23.29.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeA3oY7RANJdINqm2467SpbG7vfmAUybzK9-tMfB8nUChKY5zmMoWL6UrSLzPvv8wTFYPyw-Asv96R28CvpYm7oWEDLKgSzkHRJBe7oHkb8FmA-BFiMb6U4-CdS92cttflv3HEhtUB7o/s320/2012-01-19+23.29.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was so honored to be a part of her wedding day by making these for her. I love to make brides happy, because I know from experience that in the stress of organizing your own wedding, having something turn out just the way you wanted it to is incredibly important. I'm glad I was able to do that for her.<br />
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I also have another wedding for a coworker coming up in late summer, for which I'm creating some lily hair clips. I will share those with you when I complete them!<br />
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Speaking of big projects, I have the biggest project I've ever had coming up. I've been requested by a customer who is in charge of costuming at a dance theatre in Italy to make 30 custom clips for a performance. The dance is about the seasons, and I will be creating 12 autumn leaf clips for the adult women, and 18 summer berry headbands for the little girls. I am thrilled to pieces to be a part of this project, and I will definitely be sharing pictures of the finished project with you! I'm crossing my fingers I get some pictures of the actual dance troupe as well, and that they will be great photography like of my LARP group.<br />
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SALE ALERT: <br />
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The last thing I want to share with you today is a major sale I'm having in <a href="http://etsy.me/dIFblg">my Etsy shop</a> right now. I'd like to clear some room in my inventory for some new projects, and make my load a little lighter to take to the upcoming craft fairs this season. Therefore, I've marked down some of my leaf clips and a lot of my feather clips, in some cases more than half off. This is a great deal and I will only be doing it for a little while, so get them before they're gone! Also, I will be giving free shipping on any purchase of $25 or more. The shipping will be refunded to your PayPal account. This goes for any of my pieces, sale and non-sale. I hope this helps you get the pieces you've been thinking about! :)<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHKhcOq1arc">Nebelhexe</a>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-18893867910664398582011-12-11T12:00:00.000-08:002011-12-11T12:00:20.496-08:00Handmade Holiday Gifts and Coupon Code!In every blog post, I promise not to let such a long time pass before blogging again... and it has been almost a month since my last blog. I won't make any promises I can't keep this time. You may have to wait a month for my next blog, but I promise it will be worth your wait! :)<br />
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The holiday season has kept me very busy. That's my excuse for the long break between blogs. I have been busy knitting presents for everyone I know, which keeps my hands a bit too busy for typing. In the last blog, I said my last craft fairs were coming up. That was a lie, apparently. A week after those craft fairs, I got invited to one more - the Bizarre Bazaar at the goth/industrial music club in Milwaukee, <a href="http://www.clubanything.us/">Club Anything</a>. I was thrilled to pieces to be invited to this event, and I spent two weeks working on projects aimed specifically at this crowd. Once there, I was pretty surprised at the pieces people did buy - they were colorful, simple, not what I expected. I appreciated every sale though, of course! There were other very interesting local vendors there as well, such as <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/elsie717?ref=ss_profile#">Elsie717</a>, specializing in Victorian style spats, collars, and capelets; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Milwaukee-Alt/157022164367416">Milwaukee Alt</a>, a very fun alternative photographer, and Frankenstein Valentines, handmade cards with unique style - pin up girls, Halloween, steampunk, and more. (She has no website but her email is frankensteinvalentines@gmailcom)<br />
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So now that I'm for sure done with craft fairs for the year, I can again concentrate on those Christmas presents! There are a few people I don't have time to craft something for, in which case I'm turning to other (mostly) local crafters for some help. On my shopping list:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chic-Boutique/186747344737822?sk=wall">The Chic Boutique</a> - opening soon in Watertown, she specializes in fun purses, scarves, and more.<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilykaydesigns">Lily Kay Designs</a> - gorgeous handmade jewelry.<br />
<a href="http://www.talk2thetrees.blogspot.com/">Talk 2 the Trees</a> - her shop is on vacation mode until the 20th due to her home flooding. She is a fantastic painter and knitter, so please support her to get her back on her feet when her shop re-opens.<br />
<a href="http://www.burniesrockshop.com/">Burnie's Rock Shop</a> - a fantastic store in Madison; everything to do with rocks, stones, precious and semiprecious, fine jewelry, jewelry making supplies, and much more!<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/seamariecreations">Sea Marie Creations</a> - great handmade soaps. She is almost sold out!<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/knotageek">KnotAGeek</a> - knit and crocheted hats, cowls, scarves, and more.<br />
<a href="http://www.stoney-river.com/frame.htm">Stoney River Soaps</a> - delicious handmade natural soaps, lotions, lip balms, shampoos, and much more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/rainsews">Rain's Obsessive Stitchery</a> - unique embroidered towels, pillows, suncatchers, even shirts!<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapgarden">The Soap Garden</a> - even more fantastic soaps. Some of her bars are like tiny soapy landscapes! Beautiful!<br />
<a href="http://www.dipsnmore.com/">Dips 'N' More</a> - yummy dips. I especially love her "Merry Christmas Dip Shit" holiday package! Lol :)<br />
<a href="http://www.luxurylanesoap.com/">Luxury Lane Soap</a> - yes, more soap! Kylee adds a unique geeky touch to her handmade soaps. Know someone into Dr. Who, Star Wars, gaming, and/or other geeky ventures? Tell them to clean up with her fantastic soaps! (Unfortunately, she is on back order and may not get your order in time for Christmas, but her soaps make great gifts at all times of the year!)<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen">For Strange Women</a> - handmade all natural perfumery, lip balms, bath salts, and more. I love her forest and Victorian - inspired scents. My favorite lip balm is the Absinthe Lips, and my favorite perfume is Winter Kitty. (Now through the end of December, $20 of each Winter Kitty sale is going to the Heartland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Heartland SPCA is Kansas City’s most comprehensive animal welfare organization.)<br />
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I'm sure there are many more artisans out there I missed this time around, but please check these out when doing your Christmas Shopping! Also, now through the end of the year, enter the coupon code HANDMADE HOLIDAY to get 10% off everything in my shop! (Excludes gift certificates)<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.reginaspektor.com/">Regina Spektor</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g9s06uqjp_Z8QVkgUBp36lN2L8UcZi1jildDEVnW6rilkblBXXAMyWB_cvfVhrfrLxG44VJ-2uCty_mdamdWdTq2Idjars6_BO8FimUK1c_BA8H2J2kUPTqrnBer4SFzSGl64Jd_rFI/s1600/307433_237094976339460_100001168790076_587079_673236247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g9s06uqjp_Z8QVkgUBp36lN2L8UcZi1jildDEVnW6rilkblBXXAMyWB_cvfVhrfrLxG44VJ-2uCty_mdamdWdTq2Idjars6_BO8FimUK1c_BA8H2J2kUPTqrnBer4SFzSGl64Jd_rFI/s320/307433_237094976339460_100001168790076_587079_673236247_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-26036468196473218462011-11-14T10:24:00.000-08:002011-11-14T10:24:50.212-08:00The Impossible Green WomanI've been failing miserably at keeping up on blogging lately, but I really wanted to stop in and show you this picture:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUuv0tguxRs9jnsONCl0gqziMz2xzaZiR0Nj8h1lFCVHYbbk2i0xpftfA3G-Rxj1GeQBdXVL1-_AS6bis4mPh6qO5ynZ52TA6diGK4cYKYd6FJ79bn20ZkmQAcqO2W08kP0DR1clqC90/s1600/Kim+Boekbinder+Leaf+Mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUuv0tguxRs9jnsONCl0gqziMz2xzaZiR0Nj8h1lFCVHYbbk2i0xpftfA3G-Rxj1GeQBdXVL1-_AS6bis4mPh6qO5ynZ52TA6diGK4cYKYd6FJ79bn20ZkmQAcqO2W08kP0DR1clqC90/s320/Kim+Boekbinder+Leaf+Mask.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Yes, that is the lovely <a href="http://www.kimboekbinder.com/">Kim Boekbinder</a> wearing one of my leaf masks. I've <a href="http://naturapluma.blogspot.com/2011/08/kim-boekbinders-impossible-tour.html">blogged about her</a> before, about her tour and amazing ideas and personality. I sent her a care package with a few lovely items and she graciously modeled one for me and tweeted a picture. She also sent me a thankful email which warmed my heart. I love artists that have such a great connection with their fans.<br />
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Halloween was a busy time for me. In my last blog, I told you about some custom orders I did. My favorite one was an order of eight autumn leaf masks for a LARP. They were a joy to make, and I've been promised pictures, which I will share with you as soon as I receive them. I wore a leaf mask as I handed out candy to the trick or treaters. Hopefully I didn't scare them too much. Lol.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq0VRzagnYuql5JU7zjSgXBLLCu_F4loWuh5j87P4E9SIDeXjIDe_U8BuBSXrvO18PxSmvti-LzwZBTqVGQkMs6I3f4IcNfo24jaJOZ2onymzWTvPCYwsHsqOdnSApsjQ4LIpKV6e0jA/s1600/374572_10150516577979692_657029691_11480629_1174218353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq0VRzagnYuql5JU7zjSgXBLLCu_F4loWuh5j87P4E9SIDeXjIDe_U8BuBSXrvO18PxSmvti-LzwZBTqVGQkMs6I3f4IcNfo24jaJOZ2onymzWTvPCYwsHsqOdnSApsjQ4LIpKV6e0jA/s320/374572_10150516577979692_657029691_11480629_1174218353_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For Halloween events, I decided to go as a sugar skull girl. I had helped make accessories for so many other people's costumes, I didn't have much time for my own. So I found a thrift store skirt, paired it with a matching top, had a friend do my hair in victory rolls, and painted my face all pretty. (The second picture was taken on a different day, thus no victory rolls. Sadness.)<br />
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I have my last craft fairs of the year coming up this weekend. I'll be spending this week preparing. They are just some small local ones, but still pretty fun. Because of the upcoming holidays, I'll be taking a little break from crafting so that I can concentrate on the handmade gifts I love to give. I will still be taking custom orders, just not making very many new items. In the meantime, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop">my Etsy shop</a> is all decked out for Christmas/Solstice. The front page is loaded with holiday items and warm knitted goods, and as always, the rest of my shop is loaded with goodies for all year round. Check it out!<br />
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I promise to blog sooner rather than later this time, and I'll be including some treasury love. I was in a LOT of Halloween treasuries so it will take me some time to compile the list. I'll be including the LARP photos and more fun news and info. Happy November!<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://music.amandapalmer.net/track/ukulele-anthem">Amanda Palmer's Ukulele Anthem</a>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-82336926899656865062011-10-03T12:19:00.000-07:002011-10-03T12:19:13.965-07:00Camping Trip, Giveaway Winner, and More NewsWow, the last couple weeks have been crazy. The two craft fairs I was in went very well, so thank you to everyone who stopped by! I loved doing the feather hair extensions. They're not exactly a very "creative" endeavor, but I enjoyed the look on girls' faces when they looked in the mirror after the extensions were in. That's why I enjoyed working in a salon; sometimes just the simple act of helping someone feel pretty can really light up your day. I'd love to work in a salon again. I'm not a cosmetologist, I just did the receptionist work, but it was a great experience.<br />
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I also took some time to go camping the week after I wrote the last blog. We went to Kettle Moraine State Park, only half an hour from us. It was so gorgeous out there. Our campsite was nice, with plenty of trees between us and the other campers, which is the way I like it. The only downside was because it was at the edge of the campground, it was close to the highway, so we were stuck with highway sounds all night. Oh well. During the day we did some hiking. Our favorite trails were the Nordic Trail loops. There were several different loops of varying difficulties and lengths. We chose a moderate one; it took us about an hour to do the 3 mile loop. It had some very gorgeous scenery and we stopped for a few photos. Our dog enjoyed it too!<br />
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I took these pics with my Retrocam app:<br />
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Last week, I did a very fun giveaway contest with Rachael of <a href="http://talk2thetrees.blogspot.com/">Talk 2 the Trees</a>. She makes wonderful art herself, and hosts giveaways every Monday. The contests last for a week. You can enter right up until the following Monday morning. I decided to do a giveaway of this cute little item here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiLSlCASo64XbGGlrjn65uDikNix9rT5uKDazxVwGEJyrV-9guRBIs0eUr9IgC2Ynicpc4ZdYZa_5QyfMZFbR22g3LJH94MhEKsXiFGJ2zgjt9DeqM6EKD8FQZhmUGkkmGUNAY_u-SLg/s1600/Skull+Clip+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiLSlCASo64XbGGlrjn65uDikNix9rT5uKDazxVwGEJyrV-9guRBIs0eUr9IgC2Ynicpc4ZdYZa_5QyfMZFbR22g3LJH94MhEKsXiFGJ2zgjt9DeqM6EKD8FQZhmUGkkmGUNAY_u-SLg/s320/Skull+Clip+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was a great experience, and brought many new friends and fans my way. Hello to all my new followers and thank you! And congratulations to Lillian Link, who was the winner of this giveaway! Check out Rachael's <a href="http://talk2thetrees.blogspot.com/2011/10/preserving-memories-and-giveaway.html">latest blog</a> to enter in her next giveaway, and if you're an artist, I would definitely recommend contacting her about hosting a giveaway in the future! :)<br />
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I have a few more Halloween projects I'm sharing with you (pics below). I've kept very busy in between working on a few custom mask orders. If you want any custom orders for Halloween, please contact me soon; it looks like I'll be so busy I may not get my own costume done. Lol. For those of you who missed out on the giveaway, I have a few more skull clips available, as well as a couple new masks, new jewelry, and some knit items. I am still working on listing them all, so if they're not available at <a href="http://etsy.me/q5LcmR">my Etsy shop</a> yet, they will be shortly!<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.reginaspektor.com/">Regina Spektor</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEibf7dVuIuJYdAfsE-6iGsCFQYVpr-4XLfCMkCVVEJI8yAZ5IB4YEOaW43TXP0BxFlnECBYnghxXioJj10a9Op0pqEv6RvqhG5kxfjYcK9l-w3PYqHhOut-Lvd7YrtQMRjq2WvkRE3BU/s1600/Pink+Peacock+Earrings+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEibf7dVuIuJYdAfsE-6iGsCFQYVpr-4XLfCMkCVVEJI8yAZ5IB4YEOaW43TXP0BxFlnECBYnghxXioJj10a9Op0pqEv6RvqhG5kxfjYcK9l-w3PYqHhOut-Lvd7YrtQMRjq2WvkRE3BU/s320/Pink+Peacock+Earrings+1.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-59172180400221029512011-09-15T09:23:00.000-07:002011-09-15T09:23:19.438-07:00Busiest Time of the Year!So many things to blog about today! Let's start off with some treasury love:<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE5MzExNTV8NjEyODUzMjM0/the-perfect-pause-between-summer-and">The Perfect Pause Between Summer and Winter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE5MzExNTV8NjE3MzQ4NDMx/also-peacocks">Also, Peacocks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI0ODgxODR8NjMxODA4Njg1/i-aint-no-girlie-girl">I Ain't No GIRLIE GIRL</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTQ2Nzk2OHw2MzEzODE3MTM/last-of-the-summer-blooms">Last of the Summer Blooms</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzMwMDYwOXw2MzQwNjMzODM/dont-flame-me-for-this-but">Don't Flame Me For This, But....</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTUyNjQ3MDh8NjM2MDAxMjQz/fallin-victorian">Fallin Victorian</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODA2Mjc4Mnw2NDAzMDYzNDA/hey-heat-make-like-a-tree-and-leave">Hey Heat! Make Like a Tree and Leave</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU4MTE1MzZ8NjY0NTUzMjA5/birds-of-a-feather-flock-together">Birds of a Feather Flock Together</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc5NjkxM3w2NjY1MjM5MjI/a-burnt-autumn">A Burnt Autumn</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU1Mzg2ODR8NjE3MDI2MTIw/no-match-for-kate-winslet">No Match for Kate Winslet</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODc4MjU2MHw2Njg2NTk0Mjg/crimson-and-brown">Crimson and Brown</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjQ4ODE5NXw2Njk1NDM2NTk/mmmmm-pumpkin">Mmmmm... Pumpkin!</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTExODA2OTh8Njc1NDUxOTI5/fun-for-girls-fun-for-boys">Fun for Girls, Fun for Boys</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU3MjkzNzZ8Njc2NTYwOTU1/fall-into-love">Fall into Love</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTAzODM0OHw2ODI0ODAxNDI/the-colors-of-fall">The Colors of Fall</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTkxMzE4MXw2ODgwMzY3ODE/falling-leaves-2011">Falling Leaves 2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTg2MjE1NHw3MTQ2NTkwNzE/faeries-of-etsy">Faeries of Etsy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIyMjk3NjR8Njk5Nzg0NDAw/orange-and-black">Orange and Black</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODA2Mjc4Mnw3MTc0OTc1NzM/in-the-light-of-the-halloween-moon">In the Light of the Halloween Moon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTgwMzE3Nnw3MjI0OTA1NTI/autumn-colors">Autumn Colors</a><br />
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Thank you to everyone who featured me! Autumn and Halloween are definitely favorites for treasury-makers, and many of my items do fit right in.<br />
<br />
Next on the list of things to blog about, a very fun announcement! I will now be doing FEATHER EXTENSIONS at my craft fairs! Feather extensions seemed a perfect fit with my love of feathers and hair accessories. I also have some hair "bling" (basically tinsel) for some extra fun. My feather extensions are just like the ones you see in salons. They can be washed, curled, or flat-ironed. They last a very long time in your hair. You will probably get bored of them before they start to look faded. The hair bling only lasts a few days; it comes out with a couple of washes and cannot be curled or flat-ironed. They're fun for festivals and one-day events.<br />
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Speaking of events, just a reminder of my upcoming events. Autumn is a very popular time, especially for my masks and costume pieces, so if you plan on coming to the events, try to get there early! If you are shopping online and are putting off that purchase, make sure you get it before the event, because things will be going fast! To see my events, please check my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natura-Pluma-Designs/116655225018375">Facebook page</a> or my <a href="http://naturaplumadesigns.webs.com/">Webs page</a>.<br />
<br />
Speaking of costuming, custom orders, and Halloween, if you plan on getting any custom costume pieces for Halloween, contact me soon! My time slots are already filling up! Yikes! Message me on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns?ref=si_shop">my Etsy shop</a>, the above links for my web page or Facebook page, or just comment right here! I'll see what I can do! :)<br />
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I have tons more things to talk about, but I also have tons more things on my to-do list today, so I better get to work! I promise more updates soon! I have several new projects to show off!<br />
<br />
Listening to: <a href="http://orionrigeldommisse.bandcamp.com/album/what-i-want-from-you-is-sweet">Orion Rigel Domisse</a><br />
Pics: more new autumn items!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZT8SG2vWHopslQZs2B0-BSyaiQ27jqpVGb36oakW6vOwv0ze-0GaHeraXBqqQ5Oc1RuziQ_CBndpflJ4dud9fqYS5wI160dAEocS95MBH3FCObfKSX2tc9kIc6-qVsr46qIF4YLkw6M/s1600/Sparkle+Halloween+HB+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZT8SG2vWHopslQZs2B0-BSyaiQ27jqpVGb36oakW6vOwv0ze-0GaHeraXBqqQ5Oc1RuziQ_CBndpflJ4dud9fqYS5wI160dAEocS95MBH3FCObfKSX2tc9kIc6-qVsr46qIF4YLkw6M/s320/Sparkle+Halloween+HB+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxNlOXpvu9GLPVWOUMPJDxrKDRUqF8-uF9Y1sEaCtcZEzAquYeBsPfek0CNfTpFHYK67pMwmqIoFwt2s3dYMngcZyYadsy6DWcJlvkbv8Zbl45SNU8gUiMVnJ9taLYvsQGJPVwsVwDmU/s1600/White+Autumn+HB+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxNlOXpvu9GLPVWOUMPJDxrKDRUqF8-uF9Y1sEaCtcZEzAquYeBsPfek0CNfTpFHYK67pMwmqIoFwt2s3dYMngcZyYadsy6DWcJlvkbv8Zbl45SNU8gUiMVnJ9taLYvsQGJPVwsVwDmU/s320/White+Autumn+HB+1.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-40181115850234721312011-09-02T10:44:00.000-07:002011-09-02T10:44:27.628-07:00Autumn Products and Craft FairsI have two imminent craft fairs:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142275562534119">Autumn Art on the Marsh</a> on September 25th in Horicon,<br />
<br />
and<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151180268301898">Watertown Fall Festival</a> on October 1st in Watertown.<br />
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Those are the Facebook event links. If you aren't a fan of Facebook, you can look at <a href="http://naturaplumadesigns.webs.com/apps/calendar/">my Webs page</a> for more information on the events. (My Webs page doesn't have much else going for it right now; I am frustrated with its lack of photo storage. Anyone have suggestions for free web page hosting sites, or should I suck it up and pay for a website?)<br />
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I am really excited for autumn. It took me a little while to let go of summer; sometimes I feel like we rush to the next holiday way too soon around here. Halloween stuff was up at the beginning of August, and Christmas stuff is already being put out. We see holiday items for so long, that by the time we get to the actual holiday, we're already sick of it!<br />
<br />
But Halloween is something I don't ever think I could be sick of, even if it lasted all year. I love the creepy decorations and horror movies and haunted houses and most of all, the costumes. I wish we had excuses to wear costumes all the time. If I could throw a theme party to get people dressed up in costumes at least once a month, I'd be a happy happy girl.<br />
<br />
So as you can guess, I'm really focusing on costume pieces right now. Of course there are the faerie wings; I'm even working on a pair with a matching mask and headband all made specifically for each other. I have many other ideas for matching costume pieces as well, which I'll hopefully be able to finish before Halloween. In addition to those, I'm working on several more masks. Leaf masks seem to be more popular at this time of year, but I'm also working on a super-secret project relating to masks that I'm not ready to talk about until I successfully finish a few.<br />
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In addition to all these projects, I'm also working on a few personal projects (as always). I am experimenting with terrariums, and when I complete my first one, I'll post a picture. I'm knitting like crazy as well. I decided that to be smart, I should start planning my Christmas gifts NOW since I like to make my gifts and I often don't finish all the gifts in time. If I start four months early, maybe I'll have a chance this year! As you can guess, with all the projects I'm working on, my sketch-of-the-day series has taken what seems to be a permanent vacation. I really do hope to get back into it, but with the projects plus work plus networking online plus an actual personal/social life, time is lacking. I will probably do some on-and-off sketching, and maybe I'll pick the habit up again during the slow winter months. (Ugh, I can't believe I just said the w-word... I'm so not ready for that one yet!)<br />
<br />
As another personal side note, <a href="http://www.kimboekbinder.com/">Kim Boekbinder</a> of my <a href="http://naturapluma.blogspot.com/2011/08/kim-boekbinders-impossible-tour.html">earlier blog</a> sent me a thank-you package! True to her unique style, I opened an envelope made from folded paper to find a handmade fabric envelope with a bright yellow flower, and I opened the fabric envelope to find a thank-you card with a cut-out picture of Kim that appears to be drawn by the talented <a href="http://mollycrabapple.com/">Molly Crabapple</a>. Inside is my name on sparkly paper and Kim's signature. Also inside the fabric envelope: a handdrawn notecard with a tree bearing golden leaves, small blue and white silk flowers, random buttons, and fabric scraps with extra-sparkly sequins. Let me just say that Kim is amazing. She is so personable with her fans, and her style, once again, is so unique and fun. In fact, here's a pic:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva35NzAlMwI8bQ55Bkpsvg6jxfbhA8e9uc_E2gsuR3sfhggr-rszp3vdfZ7ntBuqmaiQn7JJ9Fy-1gIPeMhhg7DBivlMxF1wuWEYzczAFpgLgjY0DsI4ZAUmcRHBydRUywh7rpf3y7tk/s1600/The+Impossible+Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva35NzAlMwI8bQ55Bkpsvg6jxfbhA8e9uc_E2gsuR3sfhggr-rszp3vdfZ7ntBuqmaiQn7JJ9Fy-1gIPeMhhg7DBivlMxF1wuWEYzczAFpgLgjY0DsI4ZAUmcRHBydRUywh7rpf3y7tk/s320/The+Impossible+Gift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ok, I'm done geeking out, I swear!<br />
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Here, to make up for my geeklove, have some photos of some of my new products! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuF1nRz0_allnwO58A7Qr_4pTwiS142wuWtZcy2f1vEEL2IiSUjSOF3xqJZKDgxhiwL0c_z7QEJpPn6qS5ygGW3gpnEus_pKkNaEcaDb6fT_KVM0CYJLu_tg6pKLVhHfGuUVswcQDi7k/s1600/Blue+Flower+Leaf+Mask+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuF1nRz0_allnwO58A7Qr_4pTwiS142wuWtZcy2f1vEEL2IiSUjSOF3xqJZKDgxhiwL0c_z7QEJpPn6qS5ygGW3gpnEus_pKkNaEcaDb6fT_KVM0CYJLu_tg6pKLVhHfGuUVswcQDi7k/s320/Blue+Flower+Leaf+Mask+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-7251967628256052732011-08-29T10:05:00.000-07:002011-08-29T10:11:17.464-07:00Kim Boekbinder's Impossible TourKim Boekbinder is one of my favorite artists. I know I've mentioned her at least once in the "Listening to" section I like to put at the bottom of my blogs. Kim is unique, both fashionably and in her style of music.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqz9DX2bEicS2d_0LKTBub80BV-Phbv12t2aRrlG_f1mrChsqhmHmrQQSis3mBRbh2frEUFv0ogpF4_q1eCyLenkEcX0tKlHw9sIWTFoItQaPqfmdm-YTWv8oPQx-ysAWH_XK5RU-JAI/s1600/Photo+on+2011-08-29+at+10.41+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqz9DX2bEicS2d_0LKTBub80BV-Phbv12t2aRrlG_f1mrChsqhmHmrQQSis3mBRbh2frEUFv0ogpF4_q1eCyLenkEcX0tKlHw9sIWTFoItQaPqfmdm-YTWv8oPQx-ysAWH_XK5RU-JAI/s320/Photo+on+2011-08-29+at+10.41+%25234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcdKLRqD2K2ZOBbkFFHHKWvsH9nxrlEzkGQiT8msIGeJvQ-nSJyg33hpZ2MGHh7vRWNSyMeuywSimaSzBkbjO8kWyM0JOa5DuTBqazDvBbGEIV0byP5IvILBxL65ngSDF7wWgkpKiJg8/s1600/kim1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcdKLRqD2K2ZOBbkFFHHKWvsH9nxrlEzkGQiT8msIGeJvQ-nSJyg33hpZ2MGHh7vRWNSyMeuywSimaSzBkbjO8kWyM0JOa5DuTBqazDvBbGEIV0byP5IvILBxL65ngSDF7wWgkpKiJg8/s320/kim1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Every song on her album, <a href="http://music.kimboekbinder.com/album/the-impossible-girl">The Impossible Girl</a>, is unique and different from each other. Every song expresses a different emotion. There are some that make you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KimBoekbinder#p/u/16/uR_5qpwz0rE">laugh</a>, some make you <a href="http://music.kimboekbinder.com/track/song-for-my-father-2">cry</a>. Some are a bit <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KimBoekbinder#p/c/FF5A80DC1E92C712/0/oaoub0EL_YE">creepy</a>, some are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo-T5gGrs9I&feature=related">sparkly bits of fun</a>, and some are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsDhI2BuQ00&feature=related">simply beautiful</a>. Most of the links in this paragraph are to her videos, because her videos, no matter the content of the song, are visually stunning and magical. Kim Boekbinder is, in a word, amazing.<br />
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I could gush about simply this album for the entire blog, but I'll move on.<br />
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Kim has started a tour, named of course the Impossible Tour, and like her, it is unique and original. Let me borrow a bit from her press release to explain why this tour is so different:<br />
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"Iconoclastic New York musician, Kim Boekbinder, has set the internet abuzz with her passionate rant about the state of the music industry and how she’s decided to circumvent the broken system by using her vibrant social media presence to pre-sell her shows BEFORE they are even booked. Kim’s first test run of the idea was launched on Kickstarter and she got her funding for a show in New York City in under 24 hours.<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/profiles/KimBoekbinder/projects/created">Now she's doing a 10 date US tour.</a><br />
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Here's a fun video of Kim explaining her tour:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="410px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/KimBoekbinder/the-impossible-tour-boston/widget/video.html" width="480px">&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;t&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</iframe><br />
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What's best about Kim? Her connection to her fans. I've been waiting to do this, even though it's so silly, but.... *SQUEE!!* I got an email from Kim Boekbinder! To help promote bloggers to blog about her tour, she promised to answer three questions. I could only think of one. Here it is:<br />
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1) You have such a unique sense of fashion. What inspires you?<br />
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</div><div>"I am inspired by shiny things, old rusty things, nature, decay, and the blueness of the sky. I love handmade things and things that are falling apart. Things with a story." </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you, Kim. You and I have that in common. I am actually working on a package for Kim, of hair clips and masks personalized to her sparkly tastes. I hope she likes them, and I hope you like this blog. Thank you for listening, and please, look into this tour. If you are anywhere close to her shows, please buy a ticket. I promise you won't be disappointed. If, like me, the shows are too far away, at least give her music a listen and watch some of her videos. Again, you won't be disappointed. Thank you!</div><br />
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Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-61588358699890254592011-08-18T11:21:00.000-07:002011-08-18T11:21:48.033-07:00Introducing: Faerie Wings!I have been a busy bee since that last post. I went camping for a week and spent the rest of the time working on that "mysterious project" of mine. Well, I unveiled them at the Riverfest craft fair, and since then I've put the ones that didn't sell on my Etsy site. So here they are: Faerie Wings!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26SG1KrDlkK_RKdjfRsXteEP-uEriswBOhE4n1F5fgsS0y0zkpDaWqPJn0G4XFXPxU25rdT4P1pbFpP5qL21ABMzN_zjV0LLewMkX5sRff5juDo0IR23AqM7u-ZfT-QXTj17Iy1t5k2A/s1600/Water+Wings+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26SG1KrDlkK_RKdjfRsXteEP-uEriswBOhE4n1F5fgsS0y0zkpDaWqPJn0G4XFXPxU25rdT4P1pbFpP5qL21ABMzN_zjV0LLewMkX5sRff5juDo0IR23AqM7u-ZfT-QXTj17Iy1t5k2A/s320/Water+Wings+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have really enjoyed putting these together, and this is just the first batch. I have plans for many more. I am trying to make some that match some of the masks I have available, for stunning Halloween costumes and more. In my Etsy listings, I've already suggested matching masks and accessories right in the descriptions. It is such a joy for me to see people get excited about them. I love all of my accessories, but I think costuming is my absolute favorite. I've always loved Halloween, Mardi Gras, masquerades (hell, my wedding was a masquerade party) so this is definitely the way I love to do things.<br />
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<a href="http://etsy.me/otPFXc">Faerie Wings section of my Etsy shop</a><br />
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In other news, I made it about two weeks with my sketch-a-day commitment until I kind of took a break. (read: I haven't done a sketch in about a week.) This is mainly because of the stress of the craft fair, but it's been almost a week since the fair and I haven't really made an attempt to get back into it, so I need a kick in the butt. I finally have a full day off that I'm not spending cleaning or re-organizing or listing Etsy items, so I have no excuse not to get one done today. Keep an eye on my <a href="http://twitpic.com/photos/NaturaPluma">Twitpic feed</a> to see my sketches, my new products, and more. I promise I'll get back to it!<br />
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I have two fairs coming up in September, so I'm looking at another busy month. Speaking of things I haven't been keeping up on... Remember the walk I vividly described in the last post? I haven't taken one since, unfortunately. I've been suffering with knee pain for awhile, but lately, it has gotten much worse. I've been managing it with a knee brace and naproxen, and I made it through camping and hiking just fine, but I haven't braved a nice long walk in awhile. I want to do more walking before the weather gets too cold. I love autumn very much, but it is a bit of a depressive season as we head into the frigid winter months.<br />
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~Segue~ Speaking of autumn (lol) I have been listed in a few more treasuries, and made one of my own. Here are the links:<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjEzNzE3Nnw1MTE4MDcwMzY/deep-in-the-forest?index=0">Deep in the Forest</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODYyNzkyMnw1Njc0ODg4NDg/what-do-you-mean-that-was-poison-ivy">What do you MEAN that was POISON ivy???</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTA4MzAwOHw1ODAxNTE1OTY/autumn">Autumn</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODAzMTgzOHw1ODUzNzI4ODU/fall-is-comming">Fall is Comming [sic]</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTkzODQ3Nnw1ODYyNzU0Mzc/all-hallows-eve">All Hallows Eve</a><br />
And the one I made: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTY1NTgzOXw1ODgyMzM4NDA/new-england-beach">New England Beach</a><br />
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That is it for today. I will tell you more details of how the Riverfest craft fair was and all about the upcoming craft fairs next time!<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apvr-Particularly-Vicious-Rumor/dp/B000JJS1GW">A Particularly Vicious Rumor</a><br />
Pics: I was going to post a few more autumn-themed items, but Blogger is being stupid at the moment, so I'll add them next time! :)<br />
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Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-19671991882432554562011-07-29T00:44:00.000-07:002011-07-29T00:44:51.976-07:00Night WalkingI just got back from a late night hour-long walk. I am guzzling water, and my legs are making those tiny muscle twitches that remind me of how a car engine makes ticking sounds when it's cooling down. The temperature was nice, but the humidity was brutal. It was so humid a visible mist hung in the air, and there was heat lightning in the distance. The grass was wet, and windows and my glasses were fogged up. It was worth it though. I hardly ever walk alone these days. It's nice to walk with my husband or my best friend, but walking alone is wonderful in its own way.<br />
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I love walking late at night like this. The world is a different place by the light of streetlamps and a sliver of a moon passing in and out of clouds. Everything is more mysterious and darkly beautiful. It's a little scary sometimes, too. An unexpected shadow or unexplained noise can easily make my mind jump to zombies or drunken rapists or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bunnicula-Rabbit-Tale-Mystery-Deborah-Howe/dp/0689806590">vampire rabbits</a>. My mind is a little too imaginative. I'm sure this town doesn't have any rapists, and only a few zombies. It does have a lot of drunks, though, so I avoid Main Street where all the bars are. I like to walk near the river. There aren't any roads that specifically run next to the river; it criss-crosses all over town, and you have to make sure the road you're on is one with a bridge or you may end up walking an extra three blocks to get to one. My favorite spot is the park, but I can't walk in the park at night, especially with my dog, lest I get hassled by the fine police force. A small part of the sidewalk is just close enough that I can see the reflections in the water, making everything look a little more romantic and fantastical; and hear the ducks splashing in the water.<br />
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Night walking is the perfect time to think. I don't have to exchange niceties with other walkers, I don't have to hold my dog back from trying to join a group of kids playing in their yard, I don't have to worry about what the people driving by think of my not-so-thin physique jiggling along the sidewalk. (Ok, that last one is probably all in my head. I hope.) I can just let my mind wander. Sometimes I try to think up new ideas for projects, sometimes I think about life and financial problems, and sometimes I just let my mind make up stories. The humidity tonight had me thinking about last week's heat wave. My house doesn't have central air, or even any window air conditioners, except one in the bedroom that we only run for a few hours at night to sleep comfortably. The days were mind-meltingly hot. The beauty products in my bathroom melted. I sat on the couch in next to nothing, with two fans blasting on me, and even then I was still sweating, and couldn't work up the energy to work on a single project. It's similar even in the winter. We have heat, of course, but to save on the bill, we keep the temp in between 60 and 64 at the most. The beauty products in my bathroom freeze, and I sit on the couch huddled in blankets, sometimes with a hat and gloves on, too cold to bring my hands out from under the blanket to work on a project. (I know, I know, I should get a Snuggie. lol NOT)<br />
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It's weird how something as simple as temperature can dominate your life. When you're uncomfortable, one way or the other, it's all you can think about. Even at work, which is air conditioned, my mind just kept repeating, "I'm so comfy now. I don't want to go home. Too hot. Ugh." Of the two options, though, I think I prefer the cold. I'm not a huge fan of winter, because I hate driving in the snow and I miss green growing things, but it's a lot easier to add layers to get warm. There's only so many layers you can take off to cool down. My favorite seasons are spring and fall. I love it when the temperature is crisp; you could put on a jacket to warm up a little, but you don't really need to. Fingerless gloves are more of a fashion statement than a necessity, but they don't cause you to overheat either.<br />
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As a side note, I spent today getting a lot of work done. I've been inspired by <a href="http://www.katvond.net/">Kat Von D</a>'s recent twittering to start doing a sketch every day. Any artist should do a lot of sketching anyway, but I've noticed that since starting a business that doesn't require me to draw out my ideas before working on them, I've fallen out of the habit. It's been too long since I've done any painting, and I want to get back into that too, but I should at least be sketching to keep my talents sharp. My first sketch for today turned into a full-color drawing. I just couldn't resist. I'm going to try to keep it to quick pencil sketches after this, though. I'll never commit to a sketch a day if they all end up turning into two-hour detailed projects. Here is my <a href="http://twitpic.com/photos/NaturaPluma">Twitpic</a> feed, where I'll be posting the daily updates.<br />
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The other project I hinted at is coming along pretty well so far. When I said my house was filling up with glitter, I meant it. I found glitter on the dog's nose that didn't want to come off. I still want to do some more work before I show you, though. In the meantime, here's another fun treasury I'm included in, all about Trilobites! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjM3MzE2OHw1MDEwMTEzMDc/who-says-trilobite-is-extinct">Who says Trilobite is extinct?????</a><br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.jilltracy.com/">Jill Tracy</a> (great night-walking music)<br />
Pic: Day 1's sketch<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3Iz3UxO1O95uO1aZGRyaSl2HxMZwTGes_ltAwnh2TnOz-RP8abcgLFrKZxNCM8vrQjXN1-9Qc02A52Jfl4A7SGDugq_-Hj69vz3X1aHpVh07ZwA0YcomP0oKrGYMqRXnTrbucnov6wA/s1600/Day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3Iz3UxO1O95uO1aZGRyaSl2HxMZwTGes_ltAwnh2TnOz-RP8abcgLFrKZxNCM8vrQjXN1-9Qc02A52Jfl4A7SGDugq_-Hj69vz3X1aHpVh07ZwA0YcomP0oKrGYMqRXnTrbucnov6wA/s320/Day1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-33056742688159019532011-07-26T09:04:00.000-07:002011-07-26T09:04:22.550-07:00Rainy UpdatesOne of my favorite craft fairs of the year is coming up in a few short weeks. I'm keeping very busy with preparing and creating more products. All of my usual products will be there; feathers and flowers for your hair, masks for your face, and my latest adventure, jewelry with its roots in natural materials. I am also rolling out a new product for this craft fair, and for many others after if it goes well. I don't want to give too much away just yet; I'll show pictures when I have a few more finished, but for now I'll tell you my house is quickly filling up with glitter.<br />
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For information about the coming craft fair, please see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natura-Pluma-Designs/116655225018375?sk=events">my Facebook page</a> or <a href="http://naturaplumadesigns.webs.com/apps/calendar/">my Webs page</a>. (By the way, if anyone has suggestions for a different web hosting site, please let me know, as Webs is frustrating me with its lack of storage. I had to take down a lot of pictures just to put in a few new ones.) The Riverfest craft fair is a two-day event, with plenty of other things to do, including a carnival, live music, and more. The only frustrating thing about that weekend is that I could not manage to get off work for Saturday. I'll be there for a short time in the morning to set up and get started, but my lovely sister will be manning my booth for the rest of the day. I will be there all day Sunday, though. Stop by and check out what my glittery new project is! ;)<br />
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Oh, and I promised to tell you about my last craft fair, Oshkosh's Faire on the Green, but there's not much to tell. We got rained out <i>again</i> and left way too early. I wish we could have stayed; things were going very well until the rain. We were next to a goat milk soap vendor I bought soap from at the last craft fair, very good stuff! They have a local farm and do everything by hand; from raising the goats to making the soap, which they mixed with other great natural ingredients. My lime soap had lime peels in it, my cedar soap had actual ceder needles in it (great for exfoliating, lol) and my coffee soap had coffee grounds in it. Great stuff! If I would have stayed longer at the craft fair, I probably would have bought more. I had some great customers in the morning as well.<br />
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The main reason we keep getting rained out is that our tent is not very waterproof. We are using a tent that my brother-in-law saved from the garbage, which was being thrown away because a few of the clips were broken. He fixed the clips and gave us the tent to use, and we discovered its other shortfalls quickly. Despite being much easier than our old tent to set up, the seams inside the tent leak at any rain harder than a mist, and it only comes with half-sides, no full sides. The wind blows right through us and the rain comes right in. For most fairs, this isn't even a problem if the weather's fine; we have just had some bad luck in Oshkosh, with each fair happening on a stormy day.<br />
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Our first experience at Riverfest (which was our first fair ever three years ago) was a stormy one. We set up in the rain and expected a very bad day. We were successful way beyond our expectations, despite the rain. With the liberal use of tarps and umbrellas, we made it through that weekend just fine. We thought we could do anything. However, apparently that tent, though not as sturdy and not as big, was a lot more waterproof than this one. None of our products got wet that entire weekend. At the last couple craft fairs, though, our products got soaked. Certain products can handle it and be fine; my feathers and fabric masks did not fare so well in the rain. Besides the products, our business cards and display cards can only handle so much rain before becoming unusable. I'm hoping to make enough money to purchase a brand-new tent, with proper waterproofing and large sides. They are expensive, though, so I have a lot of sales to make.<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.amandapalmer.net/">Amanda Palmer</a><br />
Pics: More of my latest products!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCecHmZvcE_JkG9gN-3YmHkQg7t-A9vKSSadd2r5OwXP5cSygrj6ht1_Toyc8zkMxI0wAA8bzvyJ8RDgH1zIL4onJ8bFcMUZHKhffT2mkoGuPVdIpFrCKsCkwiqKDmm0ofDkGSPQ_wYc/s1600/Spiral+Shell+on+Bamboo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCecHmZvcE_JkG9gN-3YmHkQg7t-A9vKSSadd2r5OwXP5cSygrj6ht1_Toyc8zkMxI0wAA8bzvyJ8RDgH1zIL4onJ8bFcMUZHKhffT2mkoGuPVdIpFrCKsCkwiqKDmm0ofDkGSPQ_wYc/s320/Spiral+Shell+on+Bamboo+3.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-87568684412144768762011-07-22T11:04:00.000-07:002011-07-22T11:04:33.996-07:00Treasury LoveSince the last time I posted links to treasuries that I've made and been in, way too much time has passed. So here's a quick compilation of what's been going on since ... April. Oh em gee, where has the time gone??<br />
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Treasuries I have made:<br />
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<a href="http://etsy.me/qSD0Wu">Grey Cabaret</a> ~ "Smokey and emotional, misty and mysterious, filled with the soulful music of the blues, these artistic pieces bring to mind the cabaret of years past."<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTY1NTgzOXwzODU4NDA2MjE/mystical-moonday?index=2">Mystical Moonday</a> ~ "To add a touch of mystique to an otherwise ordinary Monday, I present this enchanting treasury of unique items."<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTY1NTgzOXw0NDAwMzE1Mjg/absinthe-amour?index=1">Absinthe Amour</a> ~ "Also known as the Green Faerie, Absinthe brings to mind the dark decadence of times past." <br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTY1NTgzOXw0Nzg3NTA3MjQ/a-day-in-the-tropics?index=0">A Day in the Tropics</a> ~ "The heat wave in my area makes it easy for me to create a 'staycation'... Just lay out on my back porch with a fruity drink in a coconut and pretend the ocean is nearby. Enjoy :)"<br />
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Treasuries I am featured in:<br />
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<a href="http://etsy.me/j0zwWR">(Or at Least it Should Be)</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/lBqE3f">Please, come back when I grow up!</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQwMTY4Mzd8MzA5MDMyMzQz/weddings-team-april-style">Weddings Team April Style</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjY4ODQzM3wzMDk0NTQxNjg/pearlescent-radiance">Pearlescent Radiance</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTM4OTk5MXwzMTA4Njg4MzM/who-is-that-lady">Who is that lady?</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/jj7QZw%20">I never promised you a rose garden...</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/mCh8bt">Slice of Summer!!</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/kcHZta">Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/kcI0di">A Living Fairytale</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/mhBdbD">Blue Jewels</a><br />
<a href="http://etsy.me/j1XqgO">Yellow Ochre Briars</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEzMzkyMTF8MzYzNDUyMTEw/lifes-a-bowl-of-cherries">Life's a bowl of cherries</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTkzODQ3NnwzNzcxOTM5NDA/wedded-bliss">Wedded Bliss</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzQyNDM4N3wzOTI0NzgzMDc/summer-bliss">Summer Bliss</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTkzODQ3NnwzOTcwOTg2MjE/colors-of-summer">Colors of Summer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODk0MjI5MXwzOTc5NjI1MTA/bloomin-brilliant">Bloomin' Brilliant</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODI3MDN8NDIxOTE0NDAz/inspired-by-the-ocean">Inspired by the Ocean</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEzMjM2MTR8NDY1ODc0NzMw/blissful-i-do">Blissful I Do</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE1Mjc5ODF8NDY2MzM0MDAx/still-thinking-of-hp7-bns">still thinking of HP7 -BNS</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc5OTUxNHw0NTk1MjIxNTI/naturally-im-yours">Naturally, I'm Yours!</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEzMzkyMTF8NDU4ODU2MTMx/hes-so-cocky">He's so cocky!</a><br />
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Thank you to everyone who has included me in their treasuries! They are fun, beautiful, classy, whimsical, and all in all an honor to be a part of. I hope you enjoy my treasuries as well. I love making them; they are a great way to help your fellow crafters get some attention and showcase beautiful items. Much love!Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-53295742475233990832011-07-09T06:51:00.000-07:002011-07-09T06:51:27.287-07:00Craft Fairs, New Products, and More UpdatesIt's been too too long since I've written what I'm up to here. The last time I wrote was May, just before my first craft fair. Of course I have been busy busy busy, but also just a little lazy lazy lazy. I suppose it happens to the best of us once in awhile.<br />
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The Festival of Spring craft fair in May went very well. That one always does. I appreciate the beautiful surroundings of the Paine Art Center and Gardens; it makes for a very good backdrop to showcase some beautiful art. Our booth was next to a guy who made wooden frogs which, when you ran a stick across their back, made a noise quite similar to a croaking frog. Of course, I totally had to buy one. The noise was annoying to my booth partner, but I loved it. On the other side of us was a seller of Pampered Chef. Don't get me wrong; I support your right to make money however you choose, but there's always something about resellers at a craft fair that rubs me the wrong way. Just two booths down from us was someone selling bulk cheap jewelry for as low as $1. It was flying off his table, but it was plastic and shoddy and I just don't understand how you can bring such a low-end mass-produced product to a craft fair.<br />
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The last craft fair was the Taste of the Dells in Wisconsin Dells. Being a high-tourist area, I was really expecting that one to be very busy. The crafters around us, for the most part, were very talented and there seemed to be much less in the way of resellers. I was thrilled to get started. A two-day craft fair, and the booth fee was pretty cheap for such a huge event, I thought. Well, I soon understood why. I did passably fair, my booth partner unfortunately did a little less than fair, and all in all it felt disappointing. The actual "Taste" festival was over three blocks away from our little craft fair, which was not on the main drag of the Dells like I had thought, but just off of it. It felt like two different festivals with not much traffic between them. I'm always grateful for the customers I did have, though, and for the people we meet around us. The booth next to us had unique vinyl records (scratched) which had been partially melted under high heat and bent to form bowls which could be used for pots or just decorative bowls around the house. They also had purses made from "garbage" like Capri Sun wrappers, and bracelets woven from other wrappers. It was very fun. The vender who really caught our attention made fantastic candles and lotions from soy, with really unique scents like Ceder and Sage, White Zinfandel, Macintosh Apple, and more. In fact, here's her website: <a href="http://www.makennadel.com/">Makenna Del</a> (I would share the website of the frog guy from the first craft fair, but he doesn't have one :P)<br />
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Our next craft fair is the Faire on the Green in Oshkosh at the Paine Art Center again. I hope it goes as well as the first, and I'm looking forward to seeing what unique venders will be joining us this time. Here's the info on Facebook: <a href="http://on.fb.me/n6VE95">Faire on the Green</a> and on my website, in case you're not a Facebook fan: <a href="http://bit.ly/n9eD8u">Faire on the Green</a>. That said, I'd like to introduce a new product that I've been working on for about a month or so now: Jewelry! I will include some pictures at the bottom, as always. Of course, I encourage you to check out my booth partner's jewelry as well, seen here: <a href="http://on.fb.me/reMCYq">Lily Kay Designs</a> I think our jewelry has a very different style. My friend's jewelry is trendy and fun, good for a night out or dressing up at the office or a lot of different things. She showcases several styles, with some hemp jewelry, a lot of sterling silver, large pendants, and several themes.<br />
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For my jewelry, I prefer to use as much natural material as possible. I use bamboo or cotton string, sterling silver when I can, natural stones and shells, polished stones, cameos, feathers, and more. My jewelry is more for people who have a sense of style similar to mine, I suppose. My friend likes to call me a goth hippie, and I suppose it's kind of true. I love my natural materials, but I also love the dark glamour of skulls and Victorian style cameos and other things. My jewelry is a perfect example of that. One thing I started doing which I really love is making hoop earrings that fit through gauged tunnel earrings. Finally, I can wear dangley feather earrings like all the cool kids, I just have to attach them to a hoop through my tunnels! Lol. I don't have pics of those yet; I'll post those later, but I do have pics of the rest.<br />
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Ok, that's a long enough post for this time. I promise to stay more up to date in the future! I won't let another two months go by before I update this again. I'll let you know what fun and interesting vendors and customers I have at the next craft fair. <br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://www.hungrylucy.com/">Hungry Lucy</a><br />
Pics: New jewelry :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkyrGjlpSuYaMAdFQQf3upWWM8c06ECU5V74xjL8-9H60AnzGmCcnOj0ZBqFVT26LkK3ED5nkrS-qgoKxpL0YVLcSzdPpgRi7VznX2zFS9gZQ7qwOVVQ_U9vZLlVLW6yRIAuDkZOxYSk/s1600/Wood+Beads+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkyrGjlpSuYaMAdFQQf3upWWM8c06ECU5V74xjL8-9H60AnzGmCcnOj0ZBqFVT26LkK3ED5nkrS-qgoKxpL0YVLcSzdPpgRi7VznX2zFS9gZQ7qwOVVQ_U9vZLlVLW6yRIAuDkZOxYSk/s320/Wood+Beads+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-81030139621458013052011-05-15T07:46:00.000-07:002011-05-15T07:46:01.856-07:00Wisconsin Weather and Gardening AdventuresA day like this calls for piping hot tea first thing in the morning.<br />
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Wisconsin can't seem to make up its mind on the weather, which is not at all unusual for Wisconsin, I suppose. Last month we had an amazingly warm week. Flowers bloomed, people put away their winter coats; it was lovely. Then we spent a week being rained, snowed, and hailed on. Really, weather? Fine, it's April, sometimes things like that happen. The next couple weeks were actually quite springlike. The weather was cool, but not unbearably so, and we had warmer days. It rained, but no more snow and hail. Then last week we apparently jumped into summer a bit early. The humidity was terrible, but it was followed by some pretty epic storms with thunder that rattled the windows. (The storms are my favorite part of summer, by the way.) This week, we are apparently back to cold again. The temperature wouldn't be so bad by itself if it weren't for the icy, strong winds.<br />
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Getting any gardening done has been next to impossible. The nicest days always seem to be when I'm working, especially when I'm working a long shift. I have flowers planted in my front garden, and I even did some weeding, which for me is impressive. Usually the weeds and the flowers grow next to each other all season long. In the backyard, I did a bit of weeding and planting in the flowerbeds, and my husband and I installed some new bushes around the patio. We even went to the city's free yard site and collected a few bags of mulch to put around the bushes. I still need to tackle weeding and mulching the blueberry bushes, but the rest of the flowerbeds look quite professional right now. The poor vegetable garden, on the other hand, looks atrocious. I haven't been able to find a nice day that my husband and I are both actually home to till up the vegetable garden and re-fence it. Thus, no vegetables have been planted back there yet. I have some rhubarb growing from last season, and some seedling veggies from the farmer's market on the front porch just waiting to go in the ground, but no time to actually get them back there.<br />
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Last year, I will freely admit, I didn't put any time or effort into gardening and just let whatever happen happen. Surprisingly, I did get a few blueberries from the bushes, but the birds had free reign of most of them. I also had a few perennials sprout on their own and take care of themselves pretty well. I even had pumpkins in the veggie garden. They must have sprouted from the rotted Halloween pumpkins we put back there the autumn before. This year I intend to put as much effort into gardening as I tried to the first year I lived in this house. The first year, I planted tomatoes and herbs and pumpkins and gourds and flowers and peas and so many other things.... and almost nothing came to fruition. Perhaps that's why I was so lackadaisical last summer. Why bother, I said. But even without bothering, I did manage to have some results, so if I actually put in some effort this year, maybe my results will be even better now that I've learned a little.<br />
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Today is windy and chilly, but also sunny. I have a lot on my to-do list. I have to start getting ready for the first craft fair of the season coming up this Saturday. That means packing up my tote full of displays, taking inventory of everything I've made and/or sold since the last craft fair in November, pricing everything and getting it onto cards to hang on the displays, organizing everything into more totes without crushing anything, deciding what to bring and what to leave behind, and packing an emergency fix-it kit. Don't get me wrong; I LOVE doing craft fairs. They are my bread and butter all summer long, and it's really rewarding when you have a good fair where your items sell at a decent pace, or even better, sell like hotcakes. But the effort is exhausting sometimes. I only have a couple days off this week to use to get ready. Whenever I look outside, though, despite the chilly wind, the sun beckons to me. Nature is what I take my inspiration from. I can't resist the chance to go outside and revel in it.<br />
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I think I'll try to do a little of both today. I'll work inside and see if the wind calms down, and if it stays sunny out, and maybe I'll spend a couple hours outside before I come back in to finish the task at hand. I suppose I'd better finish my tea and get to work.<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://rasputina.greedbag.com/buy/great-american-gingerbread/">Rasputina's latest album, Great American Gingerbread</a><br />
Pics: Some of my flowers :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUduikE6xK9YwM00dJ6nWW8D3ZraChvIhvNX_q_q0AaDKDvFOZDBRMwrPZBWier5uPDlJAWMZ0OhizSf1cH-MB1jLyInyUQzK-lITku9yHFt4liW0kCW3RHggiT5fDsbNSuzYN-4FT1cw/s1600/Tulips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUduikE6xK9YwM00dJ6nWW8D3ZraChvIhvNX_q_q0AaDKDvFOZDBRMwrPZBWier5uPDlJAWMZ0OhizSf1cH-MB1jLyInyUQzK-lITku9yHFt4liW0kCW3RHggiT5fDsbNSuzYN-4FT1cw/s320/Tulips.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Elizabeth Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920532450939764700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878972556697528222.post-11806879144827115952011-04-28T08:35:00.000-07:002011-04-28T08:36:02.094-07:00Spring EventsHello all! It's been awhile since I've updated things. It's been a relatively slow month; just crafting and waiting for spring to arrive. In Wisconsin, that's really hit-or-miss. We had some beautiful summer style weather mixed in with snowstorms and hail. Things seem to be evening out though; it's raining but the kind of wonderful spring rain that you don't mind getting caught in; the thunderstorms that help you sleep at night because they're so gentle, the lightning that my dad used to tell me turns the grass green in the spring.<br />
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It has been a wonderful time for treasuries on Etsy. I made a few of my own and got featured in several as well. Links here: <a href="http://etsy.me/hhu3f5">A Nightmare Before Mother's Day</a>, <a href="http://etsy.me/i2C361">Spring has Sprung</a>, <a href="http://etsy.me/i8PPxn">I'm in a Purple Funk</a>, <a href="http://etsy.me/k8K6iX">Hair Do's</a>, <a href="http://etsy.me/kh7Yjk">Member Treasury</a>, and made by me, <a href="http://etsy.me/dFciBU">Earth Day Natural Beauty</a>, <a href="http://etsy.me/kjC4r1">Mardi Gras Magic</a>, <a href="http://etsy.me/kd04fx">Cure for a Snowy Day</a>, and <a href="http://etsy.me/kP6zCw">A Few of my Favorite Things</a>. Treasuries are really a fun way to get noticed and find many other beautiful crafters.<br />
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As spring quickly becomes summer, the craft fair season begins! I'm excited to tell you about a few craft fairs I'll be in this year. For now, I'm only telling you about the ones I've been confirmed to be in. I'm sure more will follow quickly. The first confirmed date is May 21st, where I will be at the Festival of Spring at The Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. For more details, visit <a href="http://on.fb.me/kANfQx">my Facebook events</a>. If you don't have Facebook, check out <a href="http://bit.ly/lbht28">my Webpage events</a>. The next confirmed fair isn't until July, so I'll wait and update you about that one when the rest of my events for the coming months are confirmed. Looks to be a lot of fun though!<br />
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The wedding season is also starting! I'm thrilled to be working on several bridal party accessories. I'm hoping to get lots of pics to share the finished projects with you. I'm honored to contribute my work to someone's special day!<br />
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So with all the exciting things on the horizons, things are definitely looking up. I really needed this spring breeze to shake the winter doldrums away. Now I'd better quit typing and get to work...<br />
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Listening to: <a href="http://beatsantique.com/">Beats Antique</a>, <a href="http://www.sundaydriver.co.uk/">Sunday Driver</a>, and <a href="http://www.niyazmusic.com/">Niyaz</a><br />
Pics: Latest projects!<br />
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