My Etsy Favorites! :)

I joined Etsy in October 2006. Until this morning, I hadn't realized it had been that long.

While updating my profile, I decided to take a look at some of the sellers I added as a favorite soon after I joined.

Talent is everywhere. I have added over 1,200 sellers. Wow!

I'd like to share a few of my favorites with you here. Enjoy!

From left to right:

(1) CatholicGuilt

(2) honeybee

(3) Jennifer Gardner Designs

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

To help celebrate the opening of our new online community, we're having a giveaway!

For a chance to win, all you have to do is join and invite at least one person to join too. The person(s) invited must join by May 20, 2008 in order for your name to be included in the "pool". The more people you invite gives you a better chance to win. (Up to 10 entries per person.)

Names will be drawn on May 23, 2008 and the winners will be announced on the site by May 27, 2008.

An official list of wonderful prizes to be given away will be posted on the site on April 29, 2008.

(Have something you would like included in the giveaway, contact us at nolestyleandbeauty@gmail.com)

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COMMUNITY:

http://nolestyleandbeautyindulgence.ning.com

Etsy Colors

We have a new category called Etsy Colors. In this category, we will find items that have similar colors either in the items or in the photographs. Check out our first set of items.

On The Spot : Meeting Street Designs

Shop: Meeting Street Designs

Owner: MaryMarsh

1. Who do you think your creations are perfect for?

Because I create a wide variety of handmade items, I think my creations are perfect women and children of all ages. I sell mostly hair accessories, keychains, magnets, jewelry, and bookmarks.

2. What inspired you to start your own business?

I have always loved making crafts. Being creative is one of the simple joys in life for me. It's the "creating something from nothing" that I enjoy. Starting my own business was something I've always wanted to do. I'd have to say that my inspiration came from my father who also owns his own business. I've seen the dedication and hard work it takes, but I am always willing to accept and take on any challenges. So far, it's been a dream come true!

3. Where do you get the ideas for your designs?

Most of my ideas come from lots of careful brainstorming. It seems as though the "wheels" are always turning in my head trying to think of what new product I can come up with next. My latest creation... one of a kind button keychains!

4. When you aren't creating awesome stuff, what are you doing?

Besides thinking of new projects to work on, I am usually out shopping or on walks with my husband and our dog. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my close friends.

5. Why do you think people love/would love your work?

I take great pride in my work and what I do. I design products that are not only useful but fun and unique as well. Best of all, all of my products are handmade by me. Knowing that something is handmade makes it that much more special. Buy handmade!

Artful Saturdays : Cindy Thornton

Cindy Thornton, a well-traveled self-representing artist, currently lives in Florida where she creates very interesting designs.

She loves epic skies and magestic trees. You certainly can tell from the pieces featured on her website.

The pieces below are some of my favorites, but there is so much more to see at www.CindyThornton.com. She even offers her original artwork reproduced and hand-pressed into cute pocket mirrors in her Etsy shop.

If you particularly favor abstract art, you will certainly become a fan of Cindy's work!

Pretties from Blend Creations

Love pretty things? Of course you do!

That's why I know you'll fall for these lovely pretties from Blend Creations. The design-team, husband (Eric) and wife (Vivian), create a variety of "candy" for your neck. My favorites are their Round "Washi" necklaces.

I had a hard time trying to choose one to feature, so I added a screencap of some of my favs on the site.

Blendcreations.com should be your next destination. Go on...buy some pretties and make your neck feel loved. :)

On The Spot: Robin Dalmiras Jewelry

Shop: Robin Dalmiras Jewelry

Owner: Robin

1. Who do you think your creations are perfect for?

I believe my creations will be perfect for women who love fashion. My jewelry is fresh modern and can transform from day to evening. Either running errands, working, playing or an intimate evening out, you can wear each piece and feel great!

2. What inspired you to start your own business?

My family and friends inspired me to do so and gave me the push I needed. I also like having a bit more freedom in dictating my day instead of it being dictated for me. Being able to have a bit more time for family is nice as well. More flexibility is so very nice. Lastly, I love to create jewelry!

3. Where do you get the ideas for your designs?

My ideas most of the time just come to me. I am also inspired by other artists. Art jewelry magazines, books also help with my ideas. Seeing other jewelry artists inspire me all the time. Seeing something I like and making some changes to make it my own piece also inspires me.

4. When you aren't creating awesome stuff, what are you doing?

When I am not creating jewelry, I am always looking for resources online either in forums or books for new techniques in metal-smithing. Looking around on Etsy and managing my listings. Sketching a new idea for a piece of jewelry. I love spending time with my family and friends. Taking good care of my husband and kids. I work part-time as a hairstylist and have been for 25 years.

5. Why do you think people love/would love your work?

I think most will love my jewelry because it is modern, fresh and can be worn everyday. For the fashion forward woman who wants to accessorize and feel good about putting an outfit together. Simplistic but cool jewelry!

Introducing: CYDWOQ

While I was wandering around the World Wide Web, I came across this site that sells handcrafted shoes, bags, and belts.

Old-World Craftsmanship for Modern Feet - Those are the words that you are greeted with when first visiting CYDWOQ.com. Founder, Rafi Balouzian, loves to walk. In fact, the website states that he routinely walks 50 blocks to business meetings. (Wow!) Prior to CYDWOQ, Rafi's shoes were not helping his epic strolls. He decided to build a company that believes in making beautiful, functional products and now we all have access to nature-inspired footwear.

I looked around the online shop for a while - pondering whether I'd wear a certain boot or carry a particular bag. I must admit, I enjoyed my visit. The very user-friendly website was a big help too!

While there were many other items I found myself in awe of, the Vintage-Inspired boots below stole my heart!

Beautiful - Yes!

CYDWOQ.com - Shop online now

District Thirty Loves You

Today's featured Etsy Treasury was chosen by : District Thirty

1st Row:

1. Sicura - Sterling and Copper Cuff

2. Free Form x Three Earrings

3. The Claudia

2nd Row:

1. Anemone Ring

2. Stamping - earrings

3. MIXMASTER sterling silver necklace

3rd Row:

1. Mini Silver Sphere Earrings

2. Apple Of My Eye Sterling Ring

3. Open Rectangle Wide Ring

4th Row:

1. Leaping Rabbit Necklace

2. Meek giraffe necklace

3. silver whale hoop earrings

Artful Saturdays : AIXADO

Today, I searched...and searched...and searched for the perfect artist to feature for this week's Artful Saturdays feature. I found plenty of great artists, really, but AIXADO had what I was looking for...Beautiful, Expressive Art!

I found Pilar Ahijado del Fresno (AIXADO) on a website called DEVIANTART. (I learned about the many awesome and wonderful artists there some years ago.)

While these few pieces give you some idea of her talent, seeing her gallery on DEVIANTART is a MUST! Yes, you HAVE to see it. She can easily become a favorite of yours!

Axiado's Deviantart Profile: http://aixado.deviantart.com/

Her main website: http://www.aixadoarte.com/

On The Spot: Nicholas and Felice

Shop: Nicholas and Felice

Owner(s): Nick and Felice

1. Who do you think your creations are perfect for?

We have a big range of products form big chunky funky aluminum earrings to tiny delicate pieces with pearls. We also have a geeky /science related line of jewelry. We've been amazed by all the different types of people who have been drawn to our work from ministers to high school urban kids to 80 year old women, stay at home moms and scientists all around the world.

2. What inspired you to start your own business?

My father is an artist and has always been self employed except for when he was a high school art teacher. He gave me the confidence to believe that I could make anything I wanted and people would buy it. I never really had the right temperament to be a good employee for someone else. Nick and I have been self employed since the day we met 21 years ago in Guatemala when I was there buying clothing to import and he was traveling. We've never stopped working together and being together since then.

3. Where do you get the ideas for your designs?

Our fist inspiration was South American and Central American jewelry back in the 80's. There were a lot of amazing imports of wirework from Peru back then. We started cutting grooves around stones for wirewrapping. Since then our designs have evolved from all sorts of influences. Nick is always reading and teaching himself new jewelry techniques and has an amazing machine shop now so that any idea he comes up with is possible to create. I often lay in bed late at night thinking about design ideas and then get up and play with my wire and hammer and beads. Our customers also come up with some great ideas for us to work on.



4. When you aren't creating awesome stuff, what are you doing?

Playing and taking care of our 3 and 5 year very active and busy little boys and doing all the million little things that need to get done in between.

5. Why do you think people love/would love your work?

We have so many different designs and ideas that there's bound to be something you like. Besides making a quality affordable product we work hard to give great customer service. We always respond to emails and let you know exactly when your order will be shipped (usually within a day),package it nicely and make sure you know that we really appreciate you taking the time to look at our work.

Shep Korvin: Spring has Sprung...

...and - in the traditional season of creativity - I've been inspired with a rather neat idea for a brand new Lucky Designs attraction. As usual, it's a little bit more ambitious than preceding Lucky productions ... this time involving some off-world server-based gubbins to keep everything ticking over (which should be entirely transparent to owners/end-users, so don't worry!). The challenge of remembering how to write php scripts and SQL back-ends has been keeping me busy/amused (delete as appropriate) for most of this week. Just as well, really, considering how awful the server stability in everybody's-favourite-virtual-world has been for the last fortnight or so - at least I've had *something* stable to work on :P

* * * * * * *

Also - continuing the "spring" theme - I promised I'd pimp my new favourite stalker's spring fashion show here on my blog. So, without further ado:

(Just in case you can't make it out, that landmark is Plush Rho 61,146 - but I'm sure you'll be able to search for the location via "VR Designs").

If you're at a loose end tomorrow, I'd definitely suggest giving this show a look ... and that's *not* because VictoriaRose seems to be single-handedly keeping the BidBox market afloat *cough* ... but rather because I had a sneak preview of some of the outfits earlier this week... and her leopardprint minidress ("Daria"?) is definitely one to watch out for! ;)

(Not to mention the fact that the show is going to be presented on one of the most subconsciously Freudian catwalks that I've seen in a *long* time... )

sf design of secondlife: New Paisley with guest model - Daeden Jessop

"70s fashion began where the 60s left off. Mini skirts were still popular and the flower power influence was everywhere. 60s trends first adopted by the beautiful people filtered into mainstream wear. Trousers became flared and shirts had big collars. For men, the kipper tie was soon standard wear with a suit."(http://www.retrowow.co.uk/retro_britain/70s/70s_fashion.html)
Take a trip back to the early 70s with SF Designs new releases
Paisley GoGo outfits for the girls with pvc GoGo boots and Paisley shirts with kipper ties for the guys.
SFD Paisley GoGo comes in 4 colours , multi, greens, blues or muaves. Each outfit has a catsuit with flared cuffs and bellbottoms, and a mini dress with matching panties.

The GoGo boots can be bought separately and have optional sound script and sexy walk included.

SFD Paisley shirts come in the same 4 colours and both open neck and buttoned shirts are included with a matching kipper flexi tie. The lower part of the shirt is on the underpant layer to meet low rise hipster pants.

Im also releasing a 3 pack of the sfd hipster peace pants for 100 lindens included are black, brown and blue pants lowrise and belted.

Fabulously Free in SL: Fab Cherlindrea

Myria Boa dropped me off a notecard about Nasluck’s location in world at the Token sim. There are many freebies to be had, mostly for women and cartoon avatars but there is a doorman costume for men. The area is build in a circle and in front of each building is a sign of an avatar, click on the sign and you get that outfit. Each outfit comes with shoes and a pose as well. There are 10 signs in the inner ring and 10 sings in the outer ring.

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