Sunday, December 28, 2008

christmas crafts from the past


I'm visiting my parents for a week at the old homestead, and this year my mom unearthed a holiday decoration I haven't seen in quite a while - this ceramic Santa diorama I made when I was eleven (!), back in the mid eighties.

That was back in the ceramics craze, when my mom, my Aunt Lee and I used to go to a local ceramics store/studio to paint every week. I loved going with them for a solid evening of brothers-free quality time, and we made many masterpieces over the years.


This might be one of my favorite surviving relics, though. The elves and the tree are a music box - wind them up, and they spin in circles as The Christmas Song plays. Also, there's a blazing fire, and a little mouse hiding in the background. I think it's not bad for an eleven year old!

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

xoxo,
MCR

Thursday, December 4, 2008

live shopping success

I had so much fun doing the Etsy Shop Live event last night! It was super cool and unlike anything I've ever done. Basically, Christina from Etsy and I sat together in front of a web cam, which was broadcasting us live on Etsy.com. Lots of people logged in to watch the broadcast, and they were able to post live comments in response to what we were saying. As soon as someone would type a question or comment, we could respond verbally over the web. Crazy!

I shared about 25 or so knitted and crocheted items from Etsy that I love. There are so many talented stitchers on that site, it blows my mind. In case you missed the broadcast, here are some of my picks. I think they are all just so inspiring, I want to bury myself in a giant pile of yarn and never come out till I make one of each of these:




What an amazingly clever idea - a tiny crochet terrarium inside a glass jar! Designed by the always fabulous Pepperberry. On her Etsy site, you can buy the completed terrarium, or the pattern to make it yourself. I want a whole series of these on the windowsill at home, which would be just perfect because we don't have enough light for real plants to live. (I know... sad.)



I'm a sucker for anything custom-made for my girl Blythe. Etsy seller maebug has loads of tiny, fashion-forward clothes for my favorite little style icon.



I think this is just hilarious - seller CraftyAnna does patterns for over-the-top crochet food, like this PB&J set. She's also got more crazy things like a pattern for a turkey dinner with all the fixins. I think these would be great gifts for wacky grown-ups or for kids to use when playing house.



Seller AmyGaines created a pattern to make these fabulously roly-poly russian nesting dolls. Her shop is chock-full of equally cute sculptural crochet toys - you don't want to miss it.

Remember - buy handmade gifts this holiday season!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

handmade gifts aplenty!



Is holiday gift anxiety starting to rear its ugly head?

Worry not, because awesome, affordable gifts abound on Etsy.com!

What's more, tonight at 7pm eastern time, I'll be live via the internet on Etsy.com's Shop Live series to share my picks for best crocheted and knitted gifts on Etsy. (Plus, gifts crocheters and knitters would like to receive, so get ready to make your wish list!)

To watch the live webcast, visit this link tonight at 7pm

Thanks for checking it out, and remember: SUPPORT HANDMADE GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!

cheers!

Monday, December 1, 2008

i've been hacked

Wow, I'm super excited that my restyled Ikea wardrobe is featured today on one of my favorite web sites, Ikea Hacker. It's a blog dedicated to personalizing Ikea pieces to make them your own.

Thanks for the mention, Hackers!