MEiC+ViLLENEUVE

MEiC+ViLLENEUVE creates cards that turn what is old into something that is once again new. Their new line contains 110 greeting cards and 15 note cards with vintage and victorian themes. You will find beautiful cards perfect for birthdays, Christmas, newborn babies, and much more and they are available with glitter and without. It is apparent that this line of greeting cards is a labor of love and each piece is a little work of art. MEiC+ViLLENEUVE also offers custom invitation & stationery design.

Reborn Glass

Reborn Glass is a small family operation based in Cape Coral, Florida. According to their bio, the focus of the company has been set on ecological awareness which has brought about dramatic changes in the operation of the studio & the artists' lives. It is hard to believe that the captivating pendants, such as the Happy Hour pendant, are created using recycled bottle glass. The colorful Hangover pendant is another fabulous accessory. Each piece is born of the lengthy process of collecting, washing, and preparing the bottles before beginning the creative process. The Bombay Sapphire night light is another wonderful example of their detailed work. Reborn Glass will also create custom pieces using your bottle glass creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake. And each piece is packaged in hand-stamped, recycled gift boxes or hand-stamped cotton draw string bags coupled with original keepsake conservation themed poems making Reborn Glass a truly inspirational company.

*Don't forget to enter the Terri Ventura jewelry giveaway!

Crafters for Critters

I was so saddened to hear the recent announcement that Crafters for Critters will be temporarily closing up shop as of July 1. In order to clear out the store, CFC is offering 75% off everything in stock. Simply type BUYSTUFF in the voucher box of the shopping cart and click "recalculate." This is a great opportunity to do a little early Christmas shopping or to purchase something from yourself. This wonderful organization is going on hiatus in order to rethink and reorganize CFC to help it become a more effective fund raiser. The group has raised & donated over $17,000+ to animal rescue during the last four years and is looking to reopen sometime next year. Their motto, "Shop Independent, Help Animals in Need," is one we should never forget.

Etsy Dallas Beer-B-Q Recap

1. Regina of Little Cookie 2. Annie of Houndmade fame 3. Garret Heinrichs Band
4. Jen of Houndmade 5. Etsy Dallas Beer-B-Q 6. Make 'n Take
7. Free food & drinks 8. Tefi Designs 9. Randi-Sue of Designing Diva

Joe and I had a blast at the Etsy Dallas Beer-B-Q held in Dallas on Sunday, May 18. We love attending these events & having the opportunity to visit with the vendors. It's always fun introducing them to Funky Finds, as well as our online directory OrbisPages & music site ZooTAP. The Beer-B-Q was unique in that it was held at Etsy Dallas member Larry Pile's home. Also, the group provided free hamburgers, hot dogs, veggies, sodas, beer, and more. And despite the fact that there was alcohol available, this was most definitely a fun family event. Lots of families were in attendance with children enjoying the free Make-n-Take booth and live music. Many shoppers also had their furry kids (ie: dogs) with them, as well. We even got to meet Annie, the inspirational pooch behind Houndmade! I was also very happy to meet several new Etsy Dallas members who were participating in their first trunk show with the group. The Leadership Team did a fabulously funky job of organizing & running this event. Below is a run-down of new Etsy Dallas members I had the opportunity to visit with.

The Carpenter Collection features jewelry & crafts designed by Rachel Carpenter (pictured), a native Texan & newlywed. I loved all of Rachel's pieces, especially the unique stone pendants. She is on vacation this week, but check back for a shop update next week.

Alicia Colina-Ashby creates home dècor & accessories by recycling cigar boxes. She had a great set up & display and was enthusiastic all day despite her spot in the blazing sun!

Hannah Miller (pictured) is the busy mother of four who runs not only one business, but two! Honeydew Baby showcases fresh & unique clothing for girls, while E.L.M. Playclothes is geared towards boys. Hannah also makes the cutest hair bows for little girls.

Jen Rose, the artist behind HipHazel, creates cool ceramic dishware featuring images that are made with glaze and then fired to almost 2000 degrees so they are permanent. We thought the smoking hand and fish trophy were hilarious. On June 8, Jen will be teaching a bookbinding course at the Janette Kennedy Gallery at South Side on Lamar in Dallas. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, you can call Jen at 214-544-5577.

Anne Lawrence was seated next to Jen & was also a pleasure to meet. Anne's Etsy shop, Modest Ambition, showcases her beautiful crocheted items. I loved all the colorful button pins, as well as the lovely capelets & shawls. Anne had her hook at the ready & was working the whole time!

Stephanie Longoria (pictured) creates rockin' apparel for everyone in your family. XY Factory is the place to find hip clothing & gift items. I especially loved the humorous El Chiquito Gift Burrito which Stephanie says is the Mexican version of the diaper cake.

Kara Lennox of Memo-Pause is another new Etsy Dallas member I had the chance to visit with. These decorative notepads are the handiest accessory for those of us who tend to be very forgetful. I am one who makes list upon list, but then I spend all my time looking for the lists I made. Memo-Pause is a notepad you wear around your neck, complete with pen, so that you never misplace or forget your list again.

Patricia is the self-proclaimed compulsive knitter and crocheter behind Karma Crochet. Her handmade treats range from handy lip balm holders to beautiful afghans. I also loved the adorable crocheted coaster sets.

I also wanted to mention a charity project of Tamara Peterson's (pictured), the photographer & artist who is TP Design. Tamara has recently released a limited edition print of her painting Rich in God's Love. 50% of the proceeds will go to the Vanessa Whitwell Scholarship Fund that will afford many students and young women the opportunity to attend various camps, retreats and events.

Kate Grenier Designs

Kate Grenier is constantly exploring new ways for art to become useful & for useful objects to become art. She transforms recycled bottle caps into magnets sold as six-packs, singles, duos & trios. The collection features over fifty different six-pack themes & hundreds of single magnets. Kate generously sent me several magnet packs for upcoming giveaways & review and it's easy to see why her work can be found in over 200 galleries & boutiques world wide. I was immediately impressed with the great attention to packaging. The six packs of magnets come in custom printed metal tins & are decoratively labeled. The bliss collection is one that includes many positive words that are sure to inspire each time you see them in passing. These packs make great gifts for new parents, wine lovers, and more. Kate also creates the coolest aluminum clocks that can be customized with pictures of your choice. The clock featuring the Italian proverb finche' c'e vita would make a lovely wedding or anniversary present (hint, hint). Check out all of Kate Grenier's uniquely fabulous designs today!

Terri Ventura - Giveaway

Terri Ventura is a talented artist & designer who recently began selling her wares online. Terri incorporates antique found objects dating from the 1890s to the 1970s. Her mantra “Never throw anything away; you just never know when you’ll need it” is evident in the unique pieces she creates. In addition to Terri's website, Vintage Treasures, you can also purchase her goods at ABC Carpet & Home in New York, NY, and online at Glitter and Grunge. Another exciting facet of Terri's career is the fact that she teaches various classes at Tinsel Trading, a craft store in New York often frequented by Martha Stewart. Learn more about Terri Ventura via her blog Dime Store Daze.

*Giveaway: Enter for your chance to win a pair of Terri Ventura's collage earrings*. Visit her website and leave a comment on this post noting one of your favorite products. Contest ends at midnight on Thursday, May 22nd.
*Earrings created using Terri's original collages, jade beads & Swarovski Crystals on silver plated lever back wires. 1 3/4" dangle

Artworks Jewelry

Artworks Jewelry is an on-line boutique that carries contemporary handcrafted jewelry created by some of today's most talented independent jewelry artists and designers. All the handcrafted accessories are handmade from natural and unique materials including sterling silver, gold vermeil, industrial metals, resin, and more. Many of the works are inspired by the natural world as seen in the clean, simple lines, the natural materials, and the colors, shapes, and textures that the artists use to create their jewelry. The unique 4-bead beaded earrings look to be nature-inspired. You will find pieces that are equally organic and stylish, such as the sideways sterling silver ovals necklace. The sterling silver leaf bracelet is another piece that really appeals to me. Artworks Jewelry also has a great collection of handbags & purses available.

Tanis Alexis

Tanis Alexis Laird is an independent artist who creates affordable limited edition & one of a kind works. And today marks the one year Etsy-versary of the Tanis Alexis shop! Today through the remainder of May, Tanis will be having a sale to celebrate this personal milestone. This includes a special sale section and additional discount/shipping bargains throughout the shop. Bird in the Green is a lovely pen and stamped illustration created on handmade and natural paper. And Wishes Come From Very Small Ideas is absolutely fantastic! Tanis also creates one-of-a-kind neck wraps utilizing various leftover & neglected materials found in her studio. Check out all the unique, eco-friendly items this shop has to offer.

Joan Theodore

Joan Theodore is a full-time working artist living in South Florida. Her Etsy shop TTGART features her fabulous art pendants and earrings created from her original paintings and drawings. I love the abstract blue circles pendant that is made using wood with a decoupaged mini print of one of Joan's original works of art. The abstract white squares pendant is another eye-catching piece. Joan's other Etsy shop, Simply Modern, showcases more art pendants & earrings. See sneak peeks and learn more via Joan's blog, Artful Escapes.

Claire Laraine

Claire Laraine is a new accessory label featuring items created following the mantra of renew and reuse. Claire, who began her line in February, creates each purse from a special remnant of fabric, bead or piece of ribbon sh