Handmade to Help HAITI and CHILE

SANTIAGO, CHILE - Feb. 27, 2010 A monstrous

8.8 earthquake roiled Chile early Saturday, toppling

homes, hospitals, bridges and highways and spawning

a tsunami that rolled menacingly across the Pacific.

HAITI - Jan. 12, 2010 A massive earthquake struck Haiti,

reducing much of its capital to rubble. It was the worst

earthquake in the region in more than 200 years.

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It is so hard to imagine that two major earthquakes have struck

and destroyed Haiti and Chile within a period of two months.

It's unreal to wrap your head around so much destruction, pain,

and human loss. But there are things that we can do to help the

people of Haiti and Chili through our handmade contributions.

Our support is needed to provide the crucial medicines, doctors,
food, water, shelter, and supplies for these earthquake victims.
We can donate our proceeds to wonderful organizations like the

RED CROSS, Doctors Without Borders, Habitat For Humanity,
and so many other amazing charities. They are working very hard
to provide help and services to the people of Haiti and Chile.
Please join our group of Etsy shops donating their proceeds
to help Haiti and Chile through their handmade efforts:

HANDMADE for HAITI and CHILE

Etsy Feature: Dutch Felt Art

Dutch Felt Art

Etsy Feature: Dutch Felt Art

Art comes in so many wonderful and creative forms.

One of my favorite types of textile art forms comes in the 

realm of felt art. Felt is the first textile known in the history

of mankind...dating from the 7th - 2nd centuries B.C.

Archaeologists have unearthed fragments of felt dating back

to the Bronze Age. Throughout central Asia, where some of

the oldest felts have been found, Turkman nomads made their

tents, clothes, and floor coverings from the material and it

consequently became a significant part of many religious rituals.

People learned to make felt before they could spin, weave or knit.

Today, felt is a way of molding fibres into modern works of art. 

~*~

I am delighted to feature a very special Etsy shop Dutch Felt Art.

This wonderful and talented felt artist is name Monique. Her gorgeous

felt creations will inspire you. I adore her fabulous designs and brilliant

use of bold colors. Each one of her designs are like wearable pieces of

modern art. She uses natural materials made from mother nature. Her

fabulous felt creations are made with love and her greatest inspiration

is her beautiful daughter.

~*~ 

Monique is also the founder of WWES (World Wide Etsy Sellers).

She has created this site to help organize and support other Etsy

artists from around the world. I am so proud to be a part of this

wonderful group of amazing and talented artists. They are very

supportive and truly special people. You can discover more of

these fantastic artists and their Etsy shops on the WWES blog:  

 http://worldwideetsysellers.blogspot.com/ 

Etsy Feature: Susan Williams Designs

Susan Williams Designs

I have met so many wonderful and giving people on Etsy

during these past few months since the earthquake that had

destroyed Haiti on January 12, 2010.

This is a special Etsy feature to celebrate the amazing heart of

a very sweet friend that I have met on Etsy...her name is Susan.

We have bonded over our commitments to help the people of

Haiti. Susan was one of the first people to step up to show her

support by donating proceeds from her Etsy shop

SusanWilliamsDesigns 

to help Haiti. She has continued to help promote our cause every

single day since then with her amazing commitment. Her loving

heart and giving soul have truly inspired me each and everyday. 

Together, we will continue to update our Handmade For Haiti

list of Etsy shops who are donating their proceeds to help Haiti:

Handmade For Haiti

~*~

 With the love and support from these amazing Etsians, we now

have a list of 149 Etsy shops donating to the people of Haiti.

My faith in humanity and our capacity to help each other have

been reinforced by all of these amazing and gifted people.   

Fashion Icon: Alexander McQueen

A Star That Shined So Brightly...It Quickly Faded Into The Heavens

       

 

      

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

1969-2010

The true mark of genius is the way a person can evoke their

truth and impact the world with their vision through originality

and innovation.

Alexander McQueen was one such genius and so much more.

He brought the fashion world to their knees and created a whole

new level that others could not even imagine or surpass.

Alexander McQueen was the fashion icon that other fashion

designers looked up to to find wonder and awe at the sheer 

talent of such a gifted young man. Admiration and respect are

such quaint words that barely describe my feelings and

adoration for Alexander McQueen's talent, passion, creativity,

originality, and amazing body of work. I love his fearless raw

take on fashion, his impeccable designs and craftsmanship, 

and his vision of what beauty could be. The true mark of his 

genius was what he was able to capture, create, and bring to

life with such detail and perfection. With great abilities to

envision and create, comes profound emotions that enables

one to see and feel on a deeper level...which can make life

feel extremely unbearable at times. In that sense, he was not
able to overcome life's journey of truth and sorrow. 

We have lost an incredible and truly gifted young designer,
but he was much more than just another fashion designer.

Alexander McQueen showed the world what true genius,
dedication, hard work, and passion could accomplish. His
incredible body of work will inspire others to strive for a
higher level of creation and designs. Alexander's light shined
so brightly that it burned out too soon like the brightest
stars in the sky...they are the first to fade into the heavens.  

Tribute to: Alexander McQueen

Etsy Feature: Enve Designs & Daily Dose

http://www.etsy.com/shop/envejewelry
http://www.etsy.com/shop/envejewelry
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DailyDose
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DailyDose

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Etsy Feature: ENVE DESIGNS & DAILY DOSE

*
I came across a tweet on Twitter the other day for a

Surprise Valentine contest by Enve Designs. I knew I

had to nominate my sweet friend Rhonda because she

was in need of a special Valentine. Rhonda was going

through a tough time and I was hoping this would bring

her a little cheer for Valentine's Day.

*

Enve Designs Giveaway Time: Surprise Valentine

http://envedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-time-surprise-valentine.html

*

Today, I received a convo from Enve Designs saying

"that someone else was the winner of the necklace,

but because she only had 4 nominations

(all equally heart-breaking and heart-warming),

she decided to send all nominees a little surprise!"

*

omg!! How sweet is that to send everyone a special

Valetine gift to cheer them up!! I had to feature her

in my blog for her wonderful and generous act of

love and kindness.

*

The wonderful gal behind this thoughtful contest is

name Ngan. She has two fabulous jewelry shops on

Etsy: Enve Designs and Daily Dose

Both of these Etsy shops carry her beautifully

handmade jewelry. Each piece is handcrafted with

love and care. You can see why I think she is very

special and not only for her talent, but for her act

of kindness and generousity. She is giving a little

bit of her love to those in need of a Valentine hug

and I think that is fabulous! :)

*

People like Ngan are the reasons why I love Etsy.

Not only are they talented and creative...they are

artists who love what they do and enjoy sharing their

gifts with others. It takes a very big heart to look

beyond yourself and share a piece of your art to

make someone else happy. I hope you will be

inspired by Ngan's act of kindness and spread a

little joy of your own.

Have a wonderful day! xoxo

ETSY Treasury Feature by Happylake

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34332227

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34996749

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10623449

Treasury by Happylake

http://www.happylake.etsy.com/

A Little Bird Told Me

http://http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=111170

~*~

This is a wonderful Treasury that I was lucky enough to be

included in by my dear friend Elizabeth...aka HappyLake.

Her work is amazing and truly special. She has the eye and

creative talent to turn clay into beautiful pieces of artwork.

I would like to thank her for my feature by showing you

some of her gorgeous artwork. She creates these wonderful

pieces with special glazes from her own studio. These pieces

are great for any art lover or collectors of fine clay sculptures

and handmade pottery. You can find more of her work at:

HAPPYLAKE

http://www.happylake.etsy.com/

Etsy Treasury Feature

Etsy Treasury Feature by Fabled Charm Designs:

LOVIN LAVENDER

by Fabled Charm Designs

What a great way to start off my Monday!...I was lucky

enough to be featured by a very special fellow Etsian

Fabledcharmdesigns.

I adore lavender with shades of browns, pink, and slate.

Her beautiful treasury features lovely visions of lavender 

from many Etsy artists. It is a wonderful collection of

gorgeous jewelry, handmade knits, creams, and a sweet

little fairy. I must add that the curator of this special

treasury has a fabulous jewelry shop on Etsy as well.

     Let me show you some of her wonderful jewelry. You

will be delighted by her use of color, material and flare

for design. Please visit her Etsy shop: 

Fabledcharmdesigns

Copper with Flowers Art Nouveau Earrings

Vintage Spider Button Earrings OOAK

Brass Filigree with Purple Flower Drop Earrings