Interview with ABC4 Airs Tonight!

The interview I had with ABC4 will be airing on the ten o'clock news tonight, for those of you in Utah.

I'm not going to pretend that I am not extremely nervous about this whole thing, because I am!  I don't have any idea what parts of the interview were used.  Also, I know that there were at least three other Etsy sellers interviewed, so how much time can I really get in a segment that only lasts a few minutes?

Anyway, tune in if you get a minute.  I know I will!

Feature: Ana White

 I recently discovered an awesome website that I thought might interest some of you: Ana White.  I can't believe it took me so long to find a site like this!  Ana makes homemade furniture and shares all the plans with us, for free.  She also tries to use simple tools that most of us already have.  I don't know about you, but as much as I'd love to have a wood shop, I don't have a table saw or any of the other woodworking tools I am used to building furniture with.  Even if you have never built furniture before, her plans are simple and easy to follow, with diagrams and detailed instructions.  Other builders can also make and submit plans, and there are some great ones on there!

I am so excited to make a Farmhouse bed or a Reclaimed Wood headboard for our master bedroom.  Ana's plan catalog has hundreds of plans, all for under $200, and most for under $50.  I seriously cannot get over how awesome this website is!!  The possibilities are so super endless.  I have never considered making some of these bigger furniture pieces, but after shopping around for beds recently, it seems like a better idea to build something I love rather than settle for what's cheap in the store.

Some of my other favorites are:

The Apothecary Console

The Preschool Picnic Table

Salsa Buffet

Simple Outdoor Bench

I could go on.  Seriously, can you get over this awesomeness?  I submit that I cannot.  Look for some of these projects in the future!

P.S. I am in no way affiliated with or compensated by Ana White.  I truly just think she's awesome.

Interview with ABC4

Today I had an awesome opportunity to do an interview with Brent Hunsaker from ABC4 News in Utah.  I got to show how I do my screen printing and talk a little bit about Etsy.  I was pretty nervous, but I think it went really well.  It's always so interesting to meet people from the news in real life.  It almost seems like you already know them.  Weird.

Even though I do Etsy mostly as a hobby, it was nice to do be able to share a little bit of my creative side.  Plus, in the process of getting ready for the interview, I got my craft room set up!  The closet it still a mess, but I have a great creative work area. 

I also made a new screen design!  I am having some trouble with a new emulsion I am using, so I've blown out two screens trying to get it done.  A blown-out screen means that part of the stencil that I wanted to stay got washed off, which means I have to start completely over.  Once I get things worked out, I think you will be as excited as I am to see the new design.  Hint: It's a completely new type of product for me.

The Etsy story should air sometime in May, but the date isn't completely set yet.  My friends and neighbors Amie and Tanya will also featured.  What fun!

 

Radio Feature on Classical 89

As I mentioned on Monday, my friend Cami and I were on the radio on Classical 89 talking about our neighborhood craft collective, the Domestic Science Club.  This first clip is Cami talking about the inspiration for the group:

Origins of the Domestic Science Club

And next we have my clip where I talk more about what we do:

The Domestic Science Club in General

What a fun opportunity this was! Thanks to Tom Brinton for doing the interviews, editing the pieces, and putting the whole thing together. We really had a great time and are proud to have been included in Classical 89's program.

Also, thanks to ICT U Can for the help embedding the audio files.

Things to look forward to in the near future: Crackle glaze tutorial, Bathroom mirror frame, DIY magnetic knife rack, spring wreath, more hand-stenciled baby onesies, and branch hair clip organizer. Stay tuned!

Domestic Science Club

Since it's been a while since I posted something, and since all three of my current projects (bathroom mirror frame, DIY magnetic knife rack, and spring wreath) are still in the works, I thought I would post about a subject near and dear to my heart.

The Domestic Science Club!

My friend Cami had the idea to start a club where we get together and teach each other the crafts we each know. She got the idea from a homesteading skills group her grandmother was a part of about a century ago, called the Domestic Science Club.

In January 2010, we started things off with an Interior Design Seminar/Demonstration. We talked about design fundamentals, picking colors, and furniture arrangement, among other things. Beforehand, we did a room makeover with only things on hand and did the reveal that night. We had a huge turnout from our great neighborhood gals and had a lot of fun. In the months since, some of the other things we have learned to do are garden, make jewelry, make sushi, sew girls' skirts, make homemade chocolates, and can chicken. A couple of our future meetings will be about presentation and staging, and how to do the crackle glaze that I used on the boxwood topiary and the birdcage redo.

This week, Cami and I will be on the radio on Classical 89.1(89.5 in Cache Valley) for those of you readers in Utah. We were interviewed about our club and its roots a couple of weeks ago, and there will be two thirty-second spots that will each air once on Wednesday and once on Thursday. I do have the audio files that I will try to figure out how to post once they have aired.

We are super excited about this opportunity! My sister has started her own chapter of the Domestic Science Club in North Carolina. If you are interested in starting your own group, send me an email with any questions to audzipan(at)gmail(dot)com and I will help get you started. Together we can save the dying arts!

Feature: Clothed Much

I was recently introduced to Elaine from a blog called Clothed Much. Elaine describes herself as follows:

"Hi. I am Elaine. I am LDS. I am a poor, married college student. I like clothes, but don't have much...as you can see from my closet. So this blog is here to help me be more creative with what I already have."

Elaine shows us how she pairs the unexpected, then she tells us where she got it all!



I really like reading blogs that inspire me. This is one of those kinds of blogs. Great photos, great writing, and a great gal behind it all.

I loved her blog so much that I decided to advertise with her on Clothed Much. Look for my button on the right-hand side of her blog near the top.

Feature: Branch and Twig Chandelier by Jessedirk

I have had my eye on this chandelier from Jessedirk for a while. My entry really needs something above the stairs to the basement, and this is the only chandelier of its kind that I have seen. It's one of the only chandeliers that my husband actually likes!

I will most likely end up making my own, considering that it costs $525. It's definitely still going to be a huge source of inspiration during the project.

I'll have to find an old chandelier, and I will probably go without the cotton. I might add something else in its place, because I like the spiral line the cotton has.

Feature: Valentine's Day Party

3 x 4 Half Doodler, Half Dozen Jotters, Valentine Pink by CrownBindery

Do you ever see something that just makes you feel all happy and festive?
I love holidays, so this happens to me quite frequently. Today's feature will be a few of my favorite festive Valentine's Day items. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Key to My Heart Valentine Owl by TheCupcakeGirls
She Drives Me Crazy Valentine Soap by SoStinkingSweet

Pink Berry 7 Piece Party Set by PartyPoms
Fuchsia Flapper Headwrap by FlapperFashions
Lenora by FriedOkra
Tussie Mussie Cone Hearts in Pink and Red by LittlePumpkinPapers
Valentine Sugar Cookie Animals by TSCookies

Feature: Love Birds Bowl

I found this sweet personalized bowl at ElmStudiosOnline on Etsy. What a perfect Valentine's Day gift this would be! And even if you don't have time to order on for Valentine's, there's always Mother's Day, Father's Day, or your anniversary.

My usual gripes about personalized stuff are that is looks mass-produced, takes forever, and costs a fortune.

Luckily, this piece is completely different! Because it is handmade, this bowl looks, well, handmade. Also, it only takes 5-10 days for your bowl to be made, and (this is my favorite part) it is only EIGHTEEN dollars!

Here's what Elm Studios says about it: "This adorable clean cut bowl is hand etched with the couples names imprinted above the two love birds and a special date imprinted below. Perfect for any romantic out there to hold rings or any other little treasures."

I am really considering getting one of these cute bowls. Really. I think you should, too.

Look at all these other great options:

Feature: Reese's Cremes

Ok, I know, this is not really creative or anything. BUT! I have a small disclaimer. We are in the final throes of finishing part of the basement ourselves, and I have been a bit tied up with finish work. I originally intended the Tuesday Treat to be a recipe or kitchen-related post.

However.

Today's Tuesday Treat is a new kind of candy that I recently had the opportunity to try: Reese's Peanut Butter Cremes. These bad boys are everything you would expect from Reese's: chocolatey-peanut-buttery goodness. The twist on these is that the peanut butter inside is creamy instead of crumbly.

Verdict?

They reminded me of the peanut butter Treasures. Very similar, in fact. Also, I am already a lover of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures, and in turn I am quite partial to the crumbly PB.

So, in other words, I would definitely eat them if they were around. Would I buy them specifically? Nope.

Here's where you come in. . . Have you tried them? What do you think? If not, would you go buy some just to try them? Or would you just do what I did, and wait for someone to share with you?

Feature: FallenPeach on Etsy

Today's feature is FallenPeach on Etsy. I fell in love with this shop the second I saw the red phone booths from London, and it didn't stop there.

I love that this shop makes it easy(and affordable!) to enjoy great photography.These would make great "I'm-thinking-of-you" gifts that won't break the bank!

I just love these photos! Why not grab a few photo bookmarks to go with books you are giving as gifts?

Get a few blank cards for any occasion, because these photos are perfect for saying anything.

Visit the FallenPeach shop today!

Feature: Sky and Snow Icicle Tiara from WhichGoose on Etsy

I absolutely love this tiara from WhichGoose! I wish I had fancier functions to attend, so I would have an excuse to wear it.

Maybe one day I will get it anyway. Just for fun.

Share one of the treasures from your Etsy favorites in the comments!

Feature: Field Bag from Cargo Pants

My friend Cami emailed me this tutorial for a messenger bag from cargo pants on Noodlehead. It looks more like a field bag to me.

But I still want it!

I am not the best pattern seamstress, but as soon as I find a pair of pants I can cut up, I am going to give it a try. It looks like she's got a few other tutorials that may warrant a bit of my time, like the zippy wallet and the 30-minute modern bed skirt.

Well, what do you think? Do you want to try them, too?

Feature: MyLovies on Etsy

Today's feature is a shop on Etsy called MyLovies. Mandi creates the kind of jewelry that speaks to me- simple, elegant, and feminine without going over the top. Skeleton key necklaces are one of my favorite new trends. I love that the key on this piece speaks for itself instead of being covered up by a ton of other dangling beads and charms:
I have acquired a recent fascination with lockets as well, and I always love to see filigree This would be a great gift for Valentine's Day with a little love note inside:
I love the way these pearls are clustered. So simple! So elegant!
I love that all these necklaces are long. I am always looking for a good long necklace. Check out MyLovies! As a special promotion, Mandi is offering a deal to my readers:

10% off to anyone who mentions the Audzipan Anthology at checkout!

Don't pass this deal up! Here is the shop: MyLovies.

Feature: Willow Creek Signs on KidSteals

Happy Wednesday!

Did you remember about bohoLUXE's sale (today only)? Plaid bobbies are 40% off!

Also, today only, you can get vinyl growth charts for less than half price from my friend at Willow Creek Signs on KidSteals.com.

These durable charts are only $26 today(normally $55), while supplies last! Get yours while you can! I know that there were only 200 available as of 9AM this morning.

Feature: bohoLUXEAccessories on Etsy

Today's feature is bohoLUXE Accessories, a great new shop on Etsy. Poppy flowers are super hot right now, and it seems like every day you see more and more. The thing that I love about bohoLUXE is that these poppies have a lot of flair and make use of some new materials, like tulle, feathers, and plaids!

And, of course, they have a little touch of bling!

(Click on the photos to go to each individual item's listing.)
Loving plaid right now!
I love the idea of the poppies on a headband, and that olive color is definitely one of the staples of my wardrobe.
I just love the feather and tulle together. That centerpiece really adds the final touch and makes it look so elegant.
The colors of this poppy really make me happy. Brighten up your day just by looking at it!
Here's how they describe their own products:
"Boho Luxe signature look – bohemian, sexy and wrapped up in laidback glamour. The twist is a line of modern démodé design intended to make you feel like a million dollars at a portion of the price."

Now you're talking! That sums it up better than I ever could have described it.
Here is the current promo info for bohoLUXE:

***** HUMP DAY SALES *****
Every Wednesday (hump day) select
surprise items will be on SALE!!!!

30-50% percent off!

That is sweet! Be sure to bookmark this shop.

Visit this shop: bohoLUXE Accessories

Feature: Anthro Latte Bowls!

For today's post, I thought I'd share a wonderfully delicious find!

Do you love Anthropologie's Latte Bowls?


Do you love a great deal?

Then you are in major luck today, my friend.

By a chance occurrence (read: my baby pulling one off the table this morning and shattering it to bits), I was looking for some more bowls today and discovered this great deal:

Anthro's seasonal colors are on sale for $11.95/set of SIX. That's right SIX BOWLS FOR 12 BUCKS! You cannot beat that. Even with $5.95 shipping and tax, it is still a screaming deal.

You're welcome. Now go spread the good news.

Feature: HandmadebyAnnePotter on Etsy

Today's feature is a shop on Etsy called HandmadebyAnnePotter. I saw these papier mache snowballs and instantly fell in love. What a glorious idea! Never-melting snowballs! This is truly a creative twist on the process of papier mache.

I already love decorating with balls, but to have a bunch of lumpy, sparkly snowballs around that never melt would add such a unique touch to traditional Christmas and winter decor. This is the kind of snow that I can get used to! I was also glad to read that they are fairly child-proof, even if your kids really shouldn't be playing with them.

Other lovely holiday items to check out at Handmade by Anne Potter:

-Naughty Lumps of Coal

-Snowflake Fascinator Headband

Check back for more great Etsy shops and other finds every Tuesday and Friday.