Say hello to Kottage Kreations

     This week closes out a record hot July. One of the warmest in history. From coast to coast, the thermometer soared to new heights. Staying cool remains on the top of everyones list. On the top of mine tho is a shop I'd like you all to take a look at, Kottage Kreations.

This shop has been around since 2010. She makes jewelry by hand and gets her inspiration everywhere, from magazines to nature itself.
She never knows when an idea will strike and has been awakened from sleep with thoughts that simply had to be addressed--NOW!

Maybe this pair of cranberry freshwater pearl earrings on sterling silver earwires, woke her up one night. They are scumptous! And at only $14.00 they rival anything you can purchase in a store. Better yet you know who made them.

This pair of leaf inspired earrings are just as exquisite. The mint leaves are 18K gold plated and made in Italy. The french hook ear wires are 14K gold filled. Also only $14.00. They are so lady-like. Perfect for anyone.

You may visit all of her websites below.

On Artfire:

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/KottageKreations.

On Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kottagekreations.

On Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/kottagekreations.

On Twitter:

http://twitter.com/kottagekreation.

And her blogspot here:

http://kottagecreations.blogspot.com/.

Have a great week and stay cool.

Catherine

A flowerchild that's good to know.

     We often hear the word hippie and associate it with the 60's thru the 70's, rock and roll, Vietnam, drugs and the ever popular lifestyle known as "living in a commune".  But it's more than that. It's is a life-style. But a long-life-style one chooses. Hippiescreations is just that.

     I'd like to showcase a mother of three boys who works out of her home in Virginia. Currently 1 is in the military, 1 resides with his father, and 1 remains with her and has special needs. Among her many accomplishments are a Bachelors in Accounting and a Master's in Mental Health Counseling.

     She grew up in cities around Frankfurt,Germany and was raised in foster care. Around the age of 17 she picked up a crochet hook and has been crocheting ever since. She has opened up a shop and has a very nice selection of items ranging from baby up to adults. You can see them here: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/gallery/Hippiescreations.

      She also does woodburning, which is available on her website. I really like her rose bloom necklace which you can view here:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/Hippiescreations/4325748/
Rose_Tagua_Nut_Pendant_Necklace/Jewelry/Pendants

and at only $20.70, shipping included, that's a good deal. You can also get the cord to your own neck measurements. How's that for pearsonalization? No extra charge either.

     She certainly keeps herself busy. Did I mention that she wrote a book too? Betrayal: The Journey: Childhood Memories And The Adult Awakening. So please, stop by her shop and take a look. You'll be glad you did.

We all have hopes and dreams

Today I would like to introduce you to a fellow handmade artisan. She actually has two shops on Artfire. However, today we will be featuring her shop, Hopes and Dreams Studio. As if that were not enough to keep her plate full, she is a wife and mother of two.

She has a lot of hobbies and interest. Jewelry is but one of them. She makes it for girls (yes we are still girls no matter what age we are!) of all ages. From little baby's first bracelets to anklets to earrings. She has some wonderful necklace and earing sets also. Please stop by her shop and take a look. She is having a Christmas in July sale, 25% off going on right now. It's never too early to get that started! Here's the link to her shop:http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/HopesandDreamsStudio.

I'm going over to get a bracelet I just have to have!
Till next week, stay safe and happy shopping.

Catherine
custard pudding dreams

Meet a fellow artist

     Today I'd like to introduce a fellow artisan. Her name is Karen, she lives in Mesa,AZ and has been crafting for a very long time. Her shop is called Sew Klassic.

     Like most of us she learned her craft from a loving generation before her.  As I have said before, quite fortunate to have learned the things we did, when we did - but she actually learned how to knit. She makes the cutest elephant booties. You can see them on her website here:https://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/bio/SewKlassic.

     She works long hours and it shows. Yet the reward is not in the sales. It is in the smiles we receive when we get a note back that says how adorable Little Bobby or Cindy looked wearing those booties with an outfit. That it gave them something to playwith. That it put a smile on the child's face, while they were being photographed.

     I'd like you to visit her own blog to she what she has to say about herself:http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/SewKlassic.

     While you are over on the ARTFIRE site check out the venue. You can choose a wide variety of ways to view items. The obly hting we ask is that you remember:

                           IT'S BETTER HANDMADE

Until next time,Custard Pudding Dreams

    

My first blog

                 Hello and welcome to my little slice of heaven,
                      CUSTARD PUDDING DREAMS.

     I started sewing when I was a girl scout and have been sewing ever since. My Nana, (my mom's mom) made me outfits and stuffed animals. My grandma (my dad's mom) embroidered and crossstitched. Both taught me what they knew. I am so happy I learned what I did - when I did! I trully hope these forms of art do not become lost.

     Back in 1975 I made doll's for my neices and nephews. Now mind you, I had never in my life made a doll before. Let alone 4. But I was going to sew them and give them as Christmas presents that year. I started in November, from a pattern that had been in our local paper. That's how I got the idea. Needless to say it was quite an endeavor. I made mistakes. Sewed the legs on backwards - start that one over! Dang! But eventually I got it right and on Christmas day there were 4 happy neices and nephews playing with their new dolls. Dressing and undressing them and exchanging the clothes for the ones they really wanted. They still have them to this day and their children have been known to play with them along with their own. Over the years a few friends of the family have been lucky enough to be the receipients as well.

     Now we come almost to the present day. I was dispatching for the state police, for the last 17 years. Then my lungs gave out after one too many bouts of pneumonia. So I had to resign, wish my troopers a safe drive home, and figure out what I was going to do now. Well after thinking about it I decided to sew. So here we are.

     My little corner of the world. A world where you child's imagination can grow as he does. I believe that every child needs to let their imagination run wild. It's how they learn to "think outside the box". To interact with their brain. To tell stories. To learn. To be a child. To be safe. I think that is the most important thing. To be secure in their surroundings and feel loved.

     I make my stuffed animals from vintage chenille bedspreads that I have purchased for repurposing. They come from many sources, but all were in "cutter" condition. I soak them in "oxixlean", then launder them in my front-load washer with regular detergent, fabric softner and then place the bedspread into the dryer, medium heat. I then take it outside for a "shake-out"., before deciding what to make from it.

      I hope you find something that makes you smile and fondly remember your childhood.

    
Visit a bygone era. Quality handmade items are getting harder to find, but look no further. Visit http://www.custardpuddingdreams.artfire.com/
today to see what you can find for your child. I am having a sale, $5.00 off all orders over $25.00 good until July 10, 2012.

Thanks for stopping by,

Catherine