Monday's Feature -- New Hope Beading

Its been a looooong time, hasn't it?  When I first started this blog I thought it would be so easy to keep everything in balance and get everything done in a day that I wanted to get done.  That included making new crochet items, managing my Etsy shop, updating my business Facebook page and keep up with blogging three times per week.  And that doesn't include taking care of three small children, with a newborn included in that list, homeschool my oldest child, keep up on the huge piles of dirty dishes and clothes, plan meals, shop for food and cook the meals.  What was I thinking?!  I am NOT Superwoman and I CAN'T do it all!  I'm not exactly sure what that means, but you can be certain that is DOESN'T mean that I will stop blogging!  Maybe it just means that I won't stress out if I don't blog three times each week, create a new treasury each and every week and post a new feature every Monday.

But, enough about me!  I want to introduce you to an amazing shop from my Busy Mom's of Etsy Team -- New Hope Beading!  Join with me and get to know Caroline a little bit better.  And check out her amazing jewelry along the way!

1)How did you get into crafting?  How did your Etsy shop come to be?  Tell me about your shop name.

I actually tell this story in my Etsy shop profile.  I started shortly after my daughter was diagnosed with Epilepsy... you can read they whole story in my profile. :)

2)What is your favorite part about being creative?

I like to finish things LOL My husband teases me about this. I like to start a project and complete it. Honestly that is one of my favorite things about making things... the closure. At the end of the day I feel like I "did" something.

3)Are you a full-time crafter or do you have a "day job"?

My Etsy shop is my full-time job. Being the Mother of a special needs child I need a job that offers me the flexibility to be there on a moments notice if she needs me. My Etsy shops affords me that.

4)If someone were to buy you a birthday gift on Etsy, what 3 words would they use in their search?

Wool, felted (not sure of 3rd term). I am fascinated by felted bowls and the cute little animals and acorns... I want some! A friend offered to teach me how to make these but I have no time so I may have to treat myself soon!

5)How do you create your items?

PMC (precious metal clay) is amazing to work with. It is pure clay pulverized and suspended in a clay binder. So all those years playing play dough and air dry clay with the kids really paid off LOL. In its clay form, I can mold and stamp PMC in to anything I like. Once dry I sand it then fire it with a torch at about 1600F. The clay catches fire and burns off, leaving me with a piece of fine silver which is purer than sterling (fine silver is .999 silver and sterling is only .925 silver)

From there I burnish it by hand to make the silver molecules "lay down" and be shiny. Then it is into the tumbler for more shining to achieve a mirror finish. From there I oxidize the piece 'til it looks jet black.... and then re polish it so that the black is only in the groves and the rest is shiny.

This is why each pieces takes several days to make!

6)What is your inspiration?

Honestly, I make what I would like to wear lol... and have been know to make "prototypes" for myself to keep. Shhh this is what I tell my husband ... don't blow my cover! I will often make things at the request of buyers. They may ask, "Do you have an owl in the shop? " and if enough people ask for something I will add that item if I can.

7)If you had to choose 1 item in your shop as a signature piece, what would it be and why?

I would say either my peapods or my initials because that is what people buy most often. Also name/phrase jewelry.

8)What is your favorite item to create and why?

I like making the initials best.  They are very "me".

9)Do you have a blog of your own where people can get to know you better? A Facebook or Twitter account?

I am on Facebook and often run fan only coupons so definitely pop by... the more the merrier! www.facebook.com/NewHopeBeading

 Thank you so much for taking the time to let us get to you know better, Caroline!  I just have to say that I love jewelry and your work is incredible!

I'm not going to make any promises as to when the next feature will be up, but hopefully it will be soon!  I'll see you then!  =)

Monday's Feature -- Pixiekids Toys and Gifts

For my first feature, I wanted to feature a shop from someone in my Busy Moms on Etsy Team.  Today I chose Pixiekids Toys and Gifts.



Screenshot of msmagpiegirl's shop on Etsy

 I absolutely adore this shop!  It is filled with hours of imaginative play for children.  Seriously, my kids (ages 4 and 2) would be entertained for HOURS and the quiet time that would give me would be worth its weight in gold!  This shop offers different sets of felt play food, from sushi, to breakfast in bed, to a princess tea party and everything in between.  The play food is "handmade out of Eco-felt, which is felt manufactured from recycled plastic bottles".  So, your kids get super fun toys and you get to know that you are helping the environment.  The sets are also very well priced.
The shop's mission is "to inspire the imagination, promote healthy eating habits, and encourage language development through creative and dramatic play!"  What more could you ask for?

If your kids aren't into playing with their food, then Pixiekids Toys and Gifts also offers fun little felt animal plush toys.  These things are adorable!

screen shot of a listing for one of the animal plush toys

I can't tell you how much I enjoy looking at this shop!  I just want to buy ALL of the items because I know my kids would love them!  Everything looks expertly made and the quality looks fantastic.  Plus, I like to know that I am supporting a small family business.  So, I encourage you to check out this wonderful shop and see for yourselves just how awesome it is!  And stick around because next week's feature just might be you!