Bizz Buzz - Handmadeology

There are so many great resources for handmade sellers online. Handmadeology I think is one of the best. OK so maybe they are linked with Etsy at the hip, and as many know, I have issues with Etsy, big issues. But as you also know, I love my Etsy friends. I actually even buy from Etsy sellers.

Back to Handmadeology. Even though the site is primarily designed to give information to Etsy sellers, most of the advice can be used by any handmade sellers, for that matter, artists and vintage sellers can benefit from many of the tips on Handmadeology.

Not only will you find selling tips, but craft tip, creative ideas, packaging, socializing and the list goes on. The information is all inclusive and resulting from guest bloggers who are able to get more exposure for their shops by posting.

Stop in and take a peek. If you have something to say, you might want to consider guest blogging yourself. Get your shop a little extra exposure too.

Sharing Time - Easy DIY Decor

I've been hunting for some more great ideas to spruce up your house while you're housebound. I found some more great ideas.


Here are some Great no sew fabric decor from curbly.com

Start thinking about Summer with some New Uses for Old Things at Real Simple

I love this side table made from old shutters.

And another tip I love, chalkboard paint anything. Paint it on hard lampshades, tabletops, framed boards, a taped off wall section, inside cupboard doors, outside cupboard doors, kids headboards, bathroom cabinets.

Sharing Time - DIY Home

I think that Winter is such a Great time to spruce up your home. January can be such a drag, holidays over, taxes to do. Ugh! When I worked outside of the net, I used to schedule work in Mexico in January. No snow and bright colors. What fun. But no Mexico now, so I thought I'd give you some brilliant home fix up links.

I love the idea of ceramic paint on things around the house, from Better Homes and Gardens

And Wall Crates How cute over at Apartment Therapy

Have a nasty old dresser? How about repainting? From diyhomedecoratingideas.com

And I just love the idea of Painted bottles and Jars Wouldn't this be a great idea to do with the hand painting in the picture? You could make lamps out of big glass jars or bottles. Or silk flower vases. I love the idea.

Sharing - Keeping Busy Crafts

I've recently become obsessed with crochet. I made the cutest cupcake hat for Luna and learned a new stitch. I have loads of yarn sitting around an loads of time, so as long as I don't get distracted trying to watch videos and crochet, Luna will have lots of sweaters/booties this winter.

How about you? Have some time on your hands and want to try something new?

Try these cute DIY Rope Bracelets from honestlywtf.com - cute.

Ever want to try those Rolled Fabric Flowers? jonesdesigncompany.com has a tutorial for you. Gonna have to try these myself.

How about sprucing your house up a little. I love these Vintage Wall Art Shelves found at Better Homes and Gardens, sooo much. I think I'm hunting in the room next door for some.

Hope you have a wonderful New Year and I'll bring you more ideas to spruce up your home next week.

Sharing Time - Holiday Gifts 2011 Part 3

Country Living Decorations

Hope your gifts are almost all "wrapped up" Here are a few more gifts and decorations to make.

Had to share this one - Rolo Turtles - CANDY - So good I'll let you know how they turned out.

How about these awesome Hand Carved Rubber Stamps? I used to make them. I might have to dig out my tools.

Here is a group of DIY Christmas Decorations from Country Living. I love the Wrapping Paper in little picture frames. I might come up with some cute wrapping paper ornaments too.

This one is the most awesome thing ever. You have to click to see this wonderful Waterless Snowglobe. I'm definitely making this one. With maybe a felt or polymer cover for the base.

Sharing Time - Holiday Gifts 2011 Part 2

Another round of DIY gift ideas for you today.

Well I made my Treat Stand. What do you think. I found some inexpensive Snowman Themed plates at a discount store and $1 candlesticks at the Dollar store. Total cost without the E-6000 that I already had? $4

I'm making one for a friend and another for family. Shhhhh! Don't tell them.

Here is another one I'm dying to make for our house. It's a recycled T- Shirt Rag Rug Great blog and tutorial.

Here is a list of 10 Gifts to Make But my favorite is the Photo Wreath. Too cute.

Do they have a Fireplace or Camp out a lot. How about these Great Eco friendly Fire Starters? What a great use for all that darn dryer lint.

And finally the cutest little marble Magnets. I think I'm going to have to make these too.

Sharing Time - Holiday Gifts 2011 Part 1

I was trying to get volunteers to post their craft tutorials here, but silly me, it's so busy this time of year. So to help you with your holiday making, I'm linking to some of my favorites.

Oversized Beach Tote - at MaidenJane blog This HUGE tote is not only perfect for the Beach, but also for hauling around those great piles of gifts and goodies for family Holiday parties. Don't want to make it yourself? You can buy it at MaidenJane.etsy.com

Jane also has more wonderful Tutorials, check out her blog.




OliveBites is another great Blog. Cat, of Polarity and Uncorked loves to upcycle. This tutorial is for a Upcycled Ruler Picture Frame. Too cute! Comb through her blog for more great ideas.

I found this Great Doily Lamp Shade tutorial on Pinterest I want to make it so bad.

How about a delicious Sugar Scrub? Find the recipe here. I love to make homemade Bath and Cosmetic gifts, they are so appreciated.

I absolutely Adore Adore Adore this Treat Stand, and plan to make one for us and for gifts this year.

Pinterest is a GREAT place to find tutorials. Search DIY, but please click through to see if they are really tutorials or pins of Handmade Seller items.

I'll bring you more next week too. Happy Crafting

Sharing Time - DIY Painted Shoe Rug

Thanks so much Maiden Jane for sharing your tutorial

DIY - Painted Shoe Rug

Does your mud room or entrance way look like this?  Do your kids use the "kick and flick" method of taking off their shoes?

Do you want it to look neat and orderly like this?

Then paint up this fun, whimsical shoe rug!

This rug can be customized to the shoe sizes that your kids wear.  It can be a gentle reminder to your guests to remove their shoes or boots.  It can be placed in front of the door to remind your guests to step on the rug and not your clean tile floor!



However you wish to use the rug, you will need less than an hour to make it.



Supplies

• Rug.  I selected a rug that is washable.  I would recommend a rug that does not have a high nap.  This rug has a boucle yarn, but is fairly dense.  I think a jute rug would work well.
• Fabric paint.  I used Tulip Soft fabric paint.
• Various size paint brushes
• Washable marker
• Shoes

1.   Layout shoes on the rug and trace using a washable marker.

2. Using a thin paint brush, paint along the outline of the shoes.

3. Fill in the space using a wider paint brush.

4. Allow paint to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Enjoy!

Thanks, akaCinders for letting me share on your blog!  Come join the fun:



on Twitter

on Facebook

on Etsy

on my blog.



Don't feel like painting a rug?  I'll paint one for you - here!

Sharing Time - Why Tutorials?

I made a tutorial for my Felt Poppy Flowers last Week and I bet many of you were wondering why she would give away instructions on how to make her flowers.

I did "invent" the process I use and no one out there is making felt flowers the way I do. The process is also really only successful for handmade. The flowers couldn't be mass produced on a conveyor belt, but they could be handmade in a third world country by craftspeople. I have seen this kind of work done by hand in Asia.

So why would I share my "secret"? Sellers who are afraid to post tutorials assume that the population that read your posts are even capable of making what you make. The non crafting population of the world, wouldn't even begin to know how, or is capable of recreating what we make. You are more talented than that.

I saw some gift tags on Pinterest that were labeled DIY salt dough.  I clicked through to the blog. It was a seller who makes earthenware clay tags. She was flattered by the popularity, but irked at the constant contact questions on how hers turn out so nice and theirs didn't. See Marley and Lockyer

I guess my point is that giving instructions to a non crafter, will only show them why they need to buy from us, and anyone who really crafts will be able to just look at what you sell and make it themselves without a tutorial. There are very few things on Artfire, Etsy or other sites that I can't look at and figure out the materials and processes and reproduce them for myself. I often do this for gifts, but never for resale. I try to be original, and at least use my own patterns on my fabric shop.

If any of you artists or crafters have tutorials you want to share. Contact me and I will post them here. Even older ones. Lets help our friends make gifts and our potential customers find their way to our shops.

Sharing Time - DIY Flame Sculpted Poppy

This is my first experiment with Hosting a PDF. Because the economy is not so great, I thought it would be nice to offer a free PDF for you to get a leg up on Holiday gifts. I will also be hosting another tutorial soon by Maiden Jane an Etsy seller and blogger at MaidenJane.blogspot.com

Flame Sculpted Poppy Tutorial

Just click on the image or the link above to take you to the FREE printable PDF tutorial. The site is a teeny bit spammy, because it is free. But there are few sites out there that aren't. I'm referring to Facebook in particular.

You can use this to make jewelry like the one pictured, or use your imagination. You must use the eco felt, because that is made out of plastic that can be formed. Don't use any other material, or hold the flame too long on the felt, or you will have a hot flaming mess.

If you feel brave enough to try it, you can make some pretty wonderful gifts for your loved ones. And remember, the pattern is copyrighted, so it's just for you and your friends and family, not to resell.