Etsy Treasure: 8-24-09

Isn't this the cutest little trinket box? I'm a fool for blue and brown together, plus the bling. Absolutely adorable!



http://www.funwallart.etsy.com

Twi-Treasure: Week of 8-24-09

Since I have lots of Twi-stuff favorites and non-Twi-stuff favorites, I decided to split them up: Each Monday I'll post a favorite Twilight-related Etsy item. I'll continue to post my Etsy Treasure on a daily basis. I realize not everyone is as obsessed with Twilight as me - so hopefully this gives a wider appeal to my blog sweet blog.

This week's Twi-Treasure is likely no mystery to my fellow Etsy Twilighters but I adore it so very much that I must give it some love.

Essence of Twilight creates the most divine-smelling body products on earth. I'm sold hook, line and sinker. Of course, my sentimental favorite is the "Edward" scent (honey, lilac and sun) - but in reality I'm addicted to all their scents. "Jacob" is my second favorite and has this amazing woodsy/musky fragrance but yet also a hint of sweetness.

I have the larger size lotion and body spray in "Edward" and the smaller size lotions in "Bella", "Jacob", "Alice", "Nessie" and "Promise". I also own the "Edward" and "Bella" lip glosses and they taste as delicious as they smell!

Essence of Twilight also makes room/linen sprays. I have the "Isle Esme" scent and it really does take you to a lovely, tropical place in spirit. I use it on our bed sheets and also a spritz here and there all over the house. The scent is obviously concentrated as a little goes a long way.

As you've no doubt noticed, I could rave about Essence of Twilight forever! Check them out at:

http://www.essenceoftwilight.etsy.com

Etsy Treasures: 8-23-09

Today's pick comes from the truly talented lady behind www.twimom.etsy.com - I actually have two items to rave on:

I purchased this beautiful Isle Esme/Breaking Dawn inspired handpainted rock, and was also "Cullenized".

For privacy reasons, I have edited out my son's face, but he was also given the Cullen treatment. I must say it's a real hoot and she did a fabulous job! And look at the background. Gorgeous! Turnaround time on the photo was no longer than one hour.

Another thing Twi-hards will LOVE is her party kits. Planning a Twilight-themed party for Halloween or to celebrate the upcoming New Moon movie release? This kit is a must-have!

Again, this fabulous shop is at www.twimom.etsy.com

Craft Fair, Here I Come....I Think

My first-ever craft fair is in mid-October and suddenly I find myself a bit frantic from time to time. After all, I'm a complete newbie at this. Will I have enough inventory? Will I even NEED any inventory? My BFF Fe has very graciously offered to lend me a hand, or two, or ten, but I still lay awake on the occassional evening thinking about booth layout, or pricing, or what not.

Tell me: What's your best piece of advice for craft fairs, either as a buyer or a seller?

Looking forward to your advice.

Etsy Treasure Of The Day: 8-22-09

I am a fool for great beauty products. My latest obsession is BareMinerals makeup from QVC. So, once a girl buys twelve different brushes and as many little jars of makeup, where does she stash it all?

Answer: This adorable, hip little makeup bag and brush roll set. I simply can't wait to purchase this and have a neat, organized system for my makeup and brushes. One big bonus: According to the seller's description, both pieces can be laundered. You know how quickly makeup bags get caked with powders, mascara smears, etc. Finally, something easily washable!

At $25, I think it's a small price to pay for neat, organized products. After all, when you purchase a good product, you want to take good care of it!

This item is from Etsy shop wwww.asoftblackstar.etsy.com

Etsy Treasure of The Day: 8-20-09

Today I tempt your tastebuds with this amazing deal on the best chocolate I've ever had!

Nicole's Homemade Treats has recently added a Gift Sampler to their Etsy shop. This listing puts one pound of scrumptious chocolate delicacies on your front doorstep once a month for six months.

I have tasted a variety of Nicole's treats and everything has been delicious! I was very impressed with the quality of her chocolate.

What a perfect Christmas gift! Santa, are you listening, because I'd love this!

http://www.nikid.etsy.com

Sparkly & Dazzly...New Item

..Okay, so "dazzly" isn't really a word. But doesn't it sound good with "sparkly"?

Posted here is my newest item in my shop. You can read the standard shop description at the bottom.

I really love how the photograph turned out. First, I printed on white cardstock a random screenshot of Edward and Bella laying in the meadow, black and white print setting. Then, I tore the focal point away from the rest of the paper, laid it down and sprayed it with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Leather. This is a new product I discovered at Archiver's over the weekend. It's really been fun to work with, gives a glittery sheen with color. There are at least 20 different Glimmer Mist colors to choose from. They also have coordinating stencils, which is what I used on the back of this book.


This is a standard size composition book with a very luxe Twilight twist.

Themed "Meadow", the book is covered in front and back with high-quality cardstock featuring lots of texture and sparkle.

Relive the scene that started it all with the gorgeous front cover of this book. A photo of Bella and Edward laying in the meadow is sprayed with brown glimmer mist for an extra-etheral shine. (You can never have too much sparkle, especially where Edward is concerned!)

The outer edge of the photo is sprinkled with a translucent glitter which reminds me exactly of how Edward's skin must have looked in the sun on that day in the meadow.

Adding to the dazzle is rows of both clear and topaz-colored gems.

I have handwritten a passage from Twilight on a tag which is also attached to the front cover. Green organdy ribbon provides the perfect finishing touch.

Insides of book are left as is for reference to the measurement, etc tables listed there.

Edges of both covers are distressed with scissor blades and inked with chocolate in order to give the book a hip vintage feel.

This is your chance to carry a beautiful, sparkly vampire with you on a daily basis - a perfect book for jotting down ideas, dreams and fantasies. Or - simply add a little more dazzle to your everyday to-do lists with this gorgeous book!

Etsy Treasure of The Day 8-18-09

Those of you who frequent Etsy know it's a GOLDMINE for amazing, unique items that you won't find anywhere else in the world. One of my favorite OCD activities is to maintain a fabulous Favorites list on Etsy and continually update it with beautiful things.

Each day, I'll post a different Etsy "Treasure Of The Day".

Today's treasure is this stunning buffalo abstract by Bella Cosa Art. Below is the description from the artist herself, which I copied and pasted from her Etsy shop at BELLACOSAART.etsy.com:

"This is my boldest abstract yet and I love the style and will be doing more. The effect is accomplished by using a spray bottle and salt and letting the paint take on a life of it's own.
It is an acrylic painting on gallery wrap canvas, it is varnished and wired, it comes to you ready to hang or frame, depending on your preference.
This painting was taken from my own photograph, from a trip to Yellowstone National Park.
This painting will not fail to make a statement. You can almost taste the dust and feel the heat coming off it."


This piece would definitely be a showstopper on your wall! (I'd prefer that to be MY wall...)

Vampin' It Up Some More

It was like Christmas when I got home tonight! All kinds of packages at my door - including three amazing Twi-items that I'd been waiting for very anxiously.

First: This amazingly gorgeous bag from Stitch n Swash on Etsy. It is the bag that Bella carries in the movie. This is the actual designer that made the actual bag. The photos don't do it justice, it was worth every penny!

The next two items are 12" x 12" paintings made by Dagimi Creations on Etsy. They will look stunning in our bedroom once we get it repainted and re-decorated. I'm going with browns and light blues. Crazy talent.

Alright, that's enough babbling for me tonight. I have a Twi-themed "Meadow" large composition book in the works that I'll be finishing and posting tomorrow.

Vampin' It Up

I finally watched an episode of True Blood tonight after Lil' Nib went to sleep. I've had the show set to DVR for the past two weeks but could never find the time to watch it. That will be changing! Loved it.

Definitely a little creepy, but fascinating nonetheless.

Doubt I can get Big Nib (my husband) to watch it with me, though. Twilight was a stretch for him...and True Blood makes Twilight look like Candy Land. It's a pretty cool show, and I'll watch it weekly, but I still much prefer my "Candy Land" vamps...

Blog Opening Sale

Pictures for today: An example of my custom shadow boxes (face blurred for privacy), and a lovely damask-style chipboard album. Both available at my shop www.trickybugpaperart.etsy.com

Hmm...how do I start this?..

Well, this is it. Blog sweet blog. I'm really looking forward to sharing all the latest from my shop, including sweet deals and great sales! Oh yeah, and don't forget to visit my shop: TrickyBugPaperArt.etsy.com

First, a bit about me. I'm a mommy to a sweet-pea two and a half year old son who shall be called Lil' Nib for all intents and purposes here. I work three days a week and spend the other days at home with Lil' Nib. It's a perfect balance of mommy time and adult world time. Don't get me wrong, I love to sling mac n' cheese and change dirty diapers - but sometimes one just craves a little conversation other than the merits of Steve vs. Joe on Blue's Clues. Those are the days I love going to work outside the home.

As you've no doubt already noticed, I tend to inject a little snark here and there. Seriously, I love being a mommy and I wouldn't trade one minute of said mac-slinging for anything else in the world.

I became interested in scrapbooking about eight years ago and the bug has never gone away. When Lil' Nib was about a year old, I finally started on his baby scrapbook, materials very generously supplied by Grandma S. I was still in the bleary-eyed and dazed mommy stage, but I became obsessively consumed with preserving Lil' Nib's precious babyhoood for posterity, and the story goes on from there...

...About four months ago I opened Tricky Bug Paper Art on Etsy. Even though my first love is scrapbooking, I sell mostly handmade greeting cards, with a few ACEOs, shadow boxes, treasure boxes, composition books and other little doo-dads thrown in for good measure.

Anyhoo, enough about boring old me. I hope you have an opportunity to check out my shop. I heart custom orders so just drop me a line any time if you'd like to work with me on a one of a kind piece.

Pictured is the first piece in my brand new "Bella's Heart" collection..the Isle Esme treasure box. (listed in my shop). And yes, I have OCD (Obsessive Cullen Disorder). All the best men are sparkly and undead, no??

I'll be working on the next box - "The Wedding" - soon.