Today I introduce you to ViolaStudio. She specializes in the creation of original handcrafted items that are made from reproduced premium materials, vintage or recycled paper and fabrics, 100% wools, natural suede and leather. 

Incase you see something in the shop that you just HAVE TO HAVE... it's good to know that a handmade card and gift bag is included with each toy.

Her creatures are just too cute so do pop in to her shop and take a look for yourself and let me know which one was your favourite - I must say I just love the red Pugy Goat!!

To visite her shop just follow this link: 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27068575

I was browsing around looking at some jewelery and stumbled upon this Etsy store. If you love jewelery and anything artsy then you'll love these! The designer loves texture, patterns, contrast and colour and for fun she enjoys creating art with recycled items. These beauties are created using hand carved stamps on polymer clay (this creates the stunning textures) and each piece is then finished off by bringing the textures out using acrylic paints.

Do pop in and see all of the other jewelery that is for sale in her store - it really is worth a visit!
http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=85582

If you're into nursery art or looking for kids wall decor and cute prints then look no further than at barkingbirdart. There are loads of little creatures to meet including birds, hedgehogs, bunnies, turtles and many more! Rebecca lives in Portland - Oregon - with her family that includes 2 nice cats, a "really stubborn dog" (as she puts it), a baby, a teenager a her husband. She likes illustrating, cute things as well as a strong cup of tea -AMEN TO THAT!

Do pop into her Etsy store and browse around, you'll enjoy meeting the cute critters!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5406479

If ever I've seen something truly beautiful and unique it has to be the ceramic products created by Natalyasots! If I had to win the lotto I'd by one of each of her products for sale in her Etsy Shop.

All of her work is in earthenware clay and gets bisque fired and glazed. Most of all it's all hand made so every peace is unique and special! Upon looking at her dotted tea pot I'm whisked away to a fairy tale world and can imagion having tea with the Mad Hatter before going down the rabbit hole.

Do yourself a huge favor... MAKE THE TIME & go and check out her store at this link: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5259638

So up next in my list of favourites is a shop called "Stitchface" by Danielle Wright. Danielle lives in Toronto, Ontario with - as she puts it - "my handsome partner Mike and a whole bunch of stuffed animals." As her shops states... each item is made with lots of love (as is evident from the cute products on sale in her shop) and what I love about her shop is that the aim is to make more ecofriendly products.

If you've got some time do check out the all of the cute characters in her shop on http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5729852

or if you'd like to read a little more about her then check out an interview of her on http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=5729852

If you love anything hand made then you will most probably be a local on Etsy... If however you've not visited the sight you should drop what you're doing right now and make sure you go and have a look at all of the AWESOME stuff available at the click of a mouse!

I have many favourite shops so I was thinking to myself... why not share these shops with you guys!lovelia's shop is really just to cute! It is "A place where you will find cute, fun and magic pieces ♥ " Her name is Ana Isabel and she is a Spanish illustrator and designer. I just love her little characters so do pop into her shop and take a look - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7212734

Just in case you are tempted...all work is copyrighted - Artwork and design: © 2009 Ana Isabel Franco Mansilla

Great Product

I love the packaging & hand generate feel of this product. It is clear that the hand drawn style is trendy right now with everything from sketches and hand generated type making its way into design and when you look at products like these you have to say "GREAT - I LOVE IT". "This Water" tastes great and it's by far the best tasting drink I've had here in the UK!

Cool Characters

I love this T-shirt design by "Pride & Honour"! Thought I must share....

more cupcake-ing

I couldn't stop... so here is a card I drew for a friend's 

30th birthday on Saturday!

Cake Tins

Here are those cake tins & was talking about... 

the ones from Morrisons

Cupcake Crazy...

Seeing as the world has gone cupcake crazy I thought to myself... why not join in on all the commotion and so... I went down to Morisson's, bought myself these beautiful cake tins (with cupcake design of course!) and some fairy cupcakes (I know it's cheating) & had some fun icing them. What fun! 

I think I'm going to enjoy eating them! That reminds me... I need a tea break : )

insturctables is awesome

A real must visit site if you're craft crazy... Instructables is an 

AWESOME website that will teach you everything and anything

form making a sleeping bag suit to creating a custom plush easy button. 

I'm sure there is something you'll find that you will just HAVE to make! 

I'd love to know what you were interested in making so DO LET ME KNOW!!!! Follow the link below to start your "making expedition".

Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY

lillie has a shop!

I'm happy to announce the launch of my Etsy shop where I sell hand made items. There are cards for all occasions and much much more! New items are always being added so do pop around and see what it's about. I'd appreciate any feedback and comments so hope you enjoy taking a look at my shop! Follow the link below to get to the shop... HAVE FUN!!!!!

http://lillieventer.etsy.com

If you love illustration and short films or movies, then you MUST take a look at a group known as the Blackheart Gang. The above image is a still of their short film titled "The Tale of How" and in my opinion is a real must see. Learn more about them and take a look at their latest work on their website - www.theblackheargang.com

There is no better feeling than setting off on a day of "antique exploring" and finding something beautiful. I found this little gem in Long Street Cape Town, at the Antique Arcade and bought it for a mere 50c! People used to bye this to thread/string pearls way back before we could buy sliced bread! The design is just gorgeous & I LOVE IT! It is amazing what things may inspire a person and by looking at this I must say, I feel inspired!

And so it began...

With the start of a new year and a mind full of plans I start this journey of experience. What lies ahead is unknown, scary and yet strangely exciting! I challenge anyone reading this to do something out of the ordinary this year, to be less of a control freak and a planner and to enjoy the simple things that cross your path. Take note of the happy, pretty things in life and never let them pass bye unnoticed! Just take your shoes off and walking on the grass (Smile)

I will try my utmost to keep my blog up-to-date and hopefully it might just become somewhere to go when you're needing some inspiration or just wanting to spend some time looking through stuff!