fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

Women don't need glittering jewels to let their inner goddesses shine outward - but it helps. Especially if they're wearing an amazing accessory by Natascha of Purple Peacock Jewels . Her fancy bindi to the right is even named after Sarasvati, the Indian goddess of wisdom and erudition. Bindis are traditionally placed in a spot on the forehead that corresponds to the Sixth Chakra or Third Eye. Some believe that bindis strengthen intelligence and concentration - while others just wear them as a fashion statement. Beautiful bindis are a unique way to add glam to a wedding dress, belly dance costume or date night outfit. After my eyes danced longingly through Natascha's Etsy shop, it was hard to believe that she only recently discovered her love for making jewelry. She didn't even like crafts as a kid or teen! Now she happily handcrafts designs using aged-metal components and sparkly rhinestones galore. Disclaimer: My blog sponsors pay me for advertising space and...

Words are powerful, whether they be written in chalk or carved in stone. Or better yet, hand stamped into metal jewelry by Dzign by Jamie . And, oh my stars and garters, does she get the word out about her craft - she has FOUR online stores to share her unique gift ideas with potential customers! And you guessed it by her dog tag design to the right, TheCraftStar is her favorite venue. I had to check the handmade boutique site out after she told me, "TheCraftStar is new, fresh and fun! The owner is amazing and they have a great group of people networking to get our items out there on the www." Jamie has always been a rock star at crafting - from sewing to macrame to leather work to needlework to knitting. Making stained glass with her mom led to lampwork beads with a friend. The overabundance of beads motivated her to try her hand at jewelry. But living in the cold northern reaches of Wisconsin made it hard to make beads during the winter so it was time for a change! And th...

Warmer weather is coming in waves and people are already flocking to the beach. Even if you're miles from the ocean, you can keep its essence close - Theresa Rose Designs offers beautiful beach jewelry, such as the blue Swarovski starfish pendant and white pearl necklace to the right. Theresa's simply elegant designs focus on earthy, natural elements. She attributes her beachy inspiration to being born and raised in San Diego, California. Jewelry-making started out as a hobby, but she turned to selling on Etsy to support her jewelry supply habit that was crashing out of control. She thought if she could sell one piece of jewelry per week, it'd justify buying more materials. She confides, "What I didn't expect was how much enjoyment and satisfaction I would get out of running the business side of things. I really love being the owner of my own business, making all the decisions and personally interacting with all my customers on a daily basis. So, my 'hobby...

If you want to transform into a fairy without the gummy mess of prosthetic ears, let Sigyn of Kunoichi Creations be your magic wand. She crafts elf ear cuffs in several stunning shapes, including the fantastic filigree leaf earring cuff to the right. All designs twist around the ear gracefully without any adhesive - or piercings - required! A variety of enameled copper wire colors are available to match any fantasy costume. She'll even hunt down a different wire material for those with allergies, just ask! Although Sigyn has been designing jewelry since she was very young, she didn't start creating items inspired by her favorite myths and fantasy/science fiction games until 2011. She confides, "I discovered a passion for transforming the fantastical into reality through my products, and after many attempts, I'm finally finding ways to get that enthusiasm out there to share it with more people." Now that she's selling on Etsy, craft shows and Renaissance Fai...

I didn't doodle classmate or movie star names in hearts across my high school notebooks, oh no. Instead I read Anne Rice novels and daydreamed about Louis de Pointe du Lac appearing to save me from an awkward teen life of being single. I'm eternally glad Ogre eventually found me instead, but I still like to celebrate Valentine's Day with vampires. And this year I'm not alone! This holiday weekend, February 14 - 16, 2013, dark fantasy fans can feast upon a free vampire eBook for Kindle by Ian Hall and April L. Miller. Behind the Masque is a short story of murder, love and revenge. In 1851, a wedding takes place in a small church in the lowland moors of Scotland. Withered from a childhood illness, and banned from the ceremony, Arabella reluctantly watches her mother marry a local businessman. As Arabella settles into her new household, trampled underfoot by her new stepfather and misused by her two stepsisters, she seems destined to a life of drudgery. But then a newly ...

Did you know the average lifespan of an adult butterfly is less than 40 days? Fortunately, Rebecca of Winged Art by Athenianaire captures their ephemeral beauty indefinitely. Don't worry, she doesn't kill butterflies to make her unique jewelry. All exotic insects are purchased after natural life from legal conservation farms in their native lands, as was the Pink Clearwing Butterfly from Costa Rica in the bottle necklace to the right. The farms use the revenue to conserve land and breed local species to help dying populations thrive. In addition to supporting the farms, her shop funds projects in her local NH community that allow children access to butterflies, moths, and other insects. In 2012, Rebecca created and donated a 3' x 5' display of over 70 species to a children's museum. She also began a program of rearing and releasing local moths (4 species including cercopia and luna moths) and Monarch Butterflies. Children get to work with the lepidoptera from egg...

While some people are tracking birds that are flying south for the winter, Milena of 7PM Boutique is tracking her handcrafted jewelry. One of her dreams is to travel around the world, but she unfortunately can't afford those trip costs yet. Instead she is living vicariously through her customers. Every time a piece ships to another country, she marks a map that hangs in her workroom and daydreams about the adventures it'll have. I wonder if her beautiful butterfly necklace to the right will migrate across the sea? I also wondered how Milena chose the name for her Etsy shop, so she told me. "First of all, the number seven is very sacred to many traditions. In some cultures, it is thought to combine the four magical elements on the planet (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) and the three points that represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Apart from that, there are seven colors in a rainbow, seven chakras of the body, the seven days of the week. And last, but not l...

Cameos have had a special place in my heart ever since I inherited my grandmother's vintage cameo woman necklace as a little girl, so it's not a surprise that I'm a fan of the My Sweet November shop. Jewelry artist Candy enjoys putting a modern twist on a classic piece of jewelry. She's been working with the popular skeleton lady cameos since 2009 and they are by far her best seller. However, she also uses cute cameo designs of living creatures, like the adorable owl cameo pendant to the right. Candy is as sweet as her name. Running her own business has its ups and downs like a silly straw, but just knowing that her creations have the potential to make someone's day better makes it all worthwhile. I have a coworker that chants "I love my job, I love my job" when her clients are being particularly rotten - but Candy really does love her job and customers! Disclaimer: My blog sponsors pay me for advertising space and monthly feature posts. But I on...

If Michelle of Wirequeen ruled the world, every woman would own a wire-wrapped piece. She strives to create designs that make people smile and hold their heads a little higher when wearing them. Life, from the music of a child's laughter to the wisdom in an elder's gray hair, and the beauty of nature (as shown in the cowrie shell ring to the right) inspires her. Many times the color of a stone or the shape of a wire can trigger fond memories which also translates into her art. Michelle began working in international trade more than 20 years ago. The beads and gemstones she imported from West Africa encouraged her to make her own jewelry. Later she picked up wire and fell in love with the technique. She sadly stopped when her body betrayed her and twisted up like a pretzel. Her physical therapist encouraged her to continue wire work to improve movement in her hands. When the disability got so bad that she could no longer sell at craft shows, she turned to Etsy, even though s...

If reading art blogs makes you glow, flit on over to Pencils and Fireflies . The beautiful blogger behind it, Amalia, is a full time independent illustrator and crafts enthusiast. She began the blog during a dark time, when life had stolen away her dreams. Just when the nights were at their blackest, she started doodling again and drew hope back into her heart. Art is her haven, one she invites her readers to take refuge in whenever they feel worn down to the end of an eraser nub. Amalia's made it her personal project to show us that art heals and makes us better people at the end. Her blog focuses on art in all forms. She writes about her life, work, inspirations and passion for art. And although the images from other artists she finds are amazing, my favorite posts are from her In The Studio category. Reading how pieces evolve from daydreams into reality always fascinates me. For example, the charming pair to the left. I wouldn't have guessed Amalia was an insectophobic ...

Storybooks still fill my mind with childlike wonder. A stroll around Faerie Moon Creations does the same. The Little Red Riding Hood necklace to the right is only one of seven iconic fairy tale characters that Theresa MacNaughton painted into an enchanting collection. She certainly accomplishes her goal to craft whimsical handmade jewelry and original art that makes your heart sing and has you feeling forever young at heart. When asked what inspires her to create, Theresa replied, "Deer in the woods ... butterflies on flowers ... leaves floating through the air ... the sun shining in the sky, and the stars glowing in the night ... faerie whispers on the wind ... in other words - magic. And it is through this natural magic that I wish to inspire YOU." And to motivate you to give her works a loving home, she's offering Etsy coupon code FAERIE10 to save 10% off your entire purchase, before shipping fees. Most of her jewelry is one-of-a-kind. However, if the Big Bad Wolf...

Count the grains in a handful of sand and you may come close to how many times I watched The Little Mermaid movie as a child. My best friend and I knew every song by heart. Years later, when reading the Life is the Bubbles! shop name for the first time, Sebastian swam out of the dark abyss of my memory, enthusiastically singing the lyric from "Under the Sea." I coasted into the shop while searching for Pirates of the Caribbean jewelry , such as the Mermaid Tears necklace to the right, but dropped anchor when I saw the abundance of Disney-inspired treasure. Life is the Bubbles! is bursting with magic, from fairy tale necklaces to cartoon earrings to fashion scarves. Mother-daughter team, Brandy and Kathy, see their creations as tangible connections to the magical possibilities we all desire. When asked about their muse, they replied, "Walt Disney, the master of believing the impossible, has been our inspiration. Bringing happiness to others is our aspiration!" ...

The last time I attempted tie dye, I was at girl scout camp. Although I was silly proud of my simple swirly shirt and sock set at the time, it doesn't even compare to what Lila and Jason of Four20moon Tie Dye Shop can do with good vibes and bright dyes. The patterns they create by hand tying then dying are awesome. The skull and crossbones design commandeered my attention first, but other images range from bats to butterflies to even a cupcake! Traditional spirals, peace signs and smiley faces are also available. The cool couple met while drywall taping at the same company back in 2004. Being surrounded by so much white at their job motivated them to start tie dying work clothes to brighten up their lives. The colorful hobby quickly became a passion. Now they not only sell their wearable art on Etsy, they also donate it! 100% of the profit from every purchase in their Grateful Heads Charity section helps fund donations of colorful tie dye bandannas and caps to area cancer patie...

Sometimes I go weeks without touching colored pencils, my art medium of choice. But not Chel of Viridian Muse Designs - she creates something artistic everyday, whether it be a whimsical painting, fairy doll or plush toy. All of her cute creations are filled with light and laughter. She designs them with the intention of making someone's day a little brighter. I certainly smile every time I visit her Etsy shop, and not just because I know what a sweet soul dwells behind the storefront. Chel enjoys working one on one with people to create thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. Her fairy dolls can be customized, from the hair and clothing colors to the tip of a wand or accessory. She also personalizes paintings with names and colors, which makes unique presents for baby showers and little girls' birthdays. Although Chel is inspired daily by her life, she confides, "Doing specified art, whether for a customer or a friend, just brings out the best in my creative muse."...

Does anyone else embrace the tradition to add a handmade Christmas ornament to their collection each year? Ruth and Deborah Nash, the mother and daughter team at Gingerly Spice have gently folded dozens of ribbon pine cone ornaments (like the silver and green striped one to the right) in a range of colors and glittery goodness to match any Christmas tree. Their holiday decorations would also make unique hostess gifts, especially to embellish a table centerpiece or tie as a bow on a present. The designing duo has always loved creating beautiful works of art and crafts to decorate their home and surroundings. 40 years of sewing experience and a lot of heart helps to make creations that enhance and enrich any decor with a touch of class. They purchase quality supplies from local craft and fabric stores and strive to make each work one of a kind, so no two items are exactly alike. Ruth and Deborah would like their customers to know that "We put it all together with love and care, tru...

While most shops are bustling to prepare for their busiest season, Andrea of Beadmask is recovering from hers. Her unique leather masks are a monster hit for Halloween costumes. This year she rewarded her customers with a virtual costume contest . People were encouraged to submit a photo of them wearing an item handmade by her. The picture with the most facebook likes received a $50 gift card to her Etsy shop! As much fun as she has crafting masks for fabulous souls, she just can't maintain that pace for longer than a couple of months. Her hands (and mind) need a rest from mask making, so she's fallen into focusing on autumn inspired hair accessories. The burgundy oak leaf barrette leather clip with bronze spiral veins above is just one enchanting example. She also confided, "In addition to making hair toys, I’m excited to play with my beads again. Beadwork is such a meditative art form. It is slow and reflective – perfect for the transition to winter!" Disclaimer: ...

I'm a big fan of referral programs. Getting rewarded for recommending a product I'd suggest to friends free of charge anyway is like the added bonus of cream cheese icing on a carrot cake. Now that Anafore has created the Anafore Ignite App for Etsy shops that makes it easy for sellers to conduct their own customer referral programs, I hope to take advantage of many more. Participating sellers no longer have to send out discount coupons by hand. With some technical wizardry, Anafore has made it nearly effortless for small businesses to boost their sales by offering referral bonuses. The hassle of sending out emails, tracking forwards and rewarding referrals is done automatically. The seller has full control over the discounts offered and can customize the emails. The app also provides a link that customers can share on Facebook and Twitter and tells the shop owner where the links have been shared. I haven't bought from a shop that uses the app yet, but here are testimonia...

Roanne is the creative hands behind Ms. Veronica's , an Etsy shop named after her grandmother. Her store is stacked with simply lovely silkscreen printed cards and hand-sewn books. She just released flour sack towels decorated with a mums illustration for Mother's Day and hopes to expand her fabric products soon. Roanne says that she tries "to have a timeless quality to my items because, like fashion, a well designed, classic piece is always ‘in style.’ I've always done handmade, crafty presents for my friends and as a Graphic Designer and Fine Arts student, my life is immersed in art and design. I see my shop as a great opportunity to introduce others to what I enjoy so much; to the quality and love in a handmade piece. There's no easier or cost effective way to do that than with a greeting card." Traveling is one of Roanne's favorite things to do, but her cards cover even more ground! For every card she sells, she donates one to Operation Write Home , a ...

Scamper through the Little Gray Boutique and you're bound to find cute and eco-friendly items for you AND your feline friend. The owner, Kasandra Griffith, is an interior decorator that wanted a fashionable cat bed to match her living room. After searching high and low with no luck, she decided to design her own. Since her cats love the sound of tissue paper and and grocery bags, she created a Crinkle Cat Mat from recycled plastics with catnip wrapped around warm fuzzy fleece. Her two cats adore their stylish beds, and so will yours! The mats are available in Kitten Size, Single Size & Double Size. Kasandra also sews makeup bags and totes using upcycled Sunbrella material. That fabric is made for outdoor use, so her bags are water resistant and mold proof. They're also very affordable, as she prides herself in making quality, one of a kind creations that don't cost an entire day's worth of pay. Want to advertise your shop and help support my blog at the same time? ...

Tiffany Rainey, the freelance writer behind Will Write 4 Food , not only uses her talents to support her own appetite - she helps her clients put dinner on their tables, too. She uses a strategic method designed to get customers to a business's website through SEO, catch their attention, and buy the product. She incorporates creative writing and personality into modern marketing techniques and copywriting to achieve superior results. But why am I still writing? Tiffany's the connoisseur of words! I'll let her explain her approach: "SEO, great photography, and eye-catching graphic design are just the icing on the cake. You still have to convince your customer that what they think is really pretty will also taste delicious. That is where I come in! I write to increase your traffic and close more sales!" Her new service is catching on a lot quicker than expected, and her project slots are filling up fast. If you're interested in improving your business through th...