Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

Monday Magic...Wool!

keret	bluebirdknits	RaindropBoutique
mauidragonfly	LotusDragonDesigns	FaStores
CandyVillage	MyDoubleCrochet	thegreenstitches
craftscafe	KarinSF	EightCrows

Introducing my 15th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!


I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Winter! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... MilkwoodDesign

Friday Finds... MilkwoodDesign


This is my eleventh interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

Today I am posting an interview with a resin jewelry maker known on Etsy as MilkwoodDesign! I just love the vibrance and abstract nature of some of her pieces... you all know what I'm like! i think they're just gorgeous so I asked the shop owner if she would like an interview and so glad when she agreed :)


(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)








- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is Amelia, I'm 30, I live in Melbourne, Australia with my darling husband and two angel children (4 years and 3 months). Well, the 3 month old is an angel... Random fact? All porcupines float in water (thanks Libra!)

-- What is your business about then? I create organic, natural shaped resin jewellery. My aim is to make pieces that are smooth and tactile that you just want to reach out and feel - I love the mix of natural organic shapes and textures, with the endless variety of colours - and the translucent ones really glow beautifully. I create models out of clay or found objects, pour over silicone to create a flexible mould, then fill the mould with resin, pigment, papers, fabric etc. When mixing colours, it is always a surprise to see what will come out at the end, as you can't really see what is happening within the mould. The 24 hour wait while it cures is a killer! Then there is the drilling, sanding and finishing. It is a labour of love... but the end result is an amazing, unique piece of jewellery.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I read an interview about some crafters over here who sold on Etsy, and it was so easy to set up and get going. I kept getting more ideas for new pieces, but my jewellery drawer was getting crowded. This way I still get to create daily, and explore a bigger range of techniques and colours.

-- Are you working a day job too? I wish! It would be easier than keeping a 4 year old entertained all day...but we can lose hours with the scrap box and a bottle of glue.

-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I studied Textile Design (knitwear) at university, then worked in costumes before getting all corporate - but I always found a way to sneak some creative work into my roles.

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I'm inspired by natural forms and colours, and working with my hands to create something beautiful from quite basic raw materials.

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Touchable. Smooth. Bold.

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk?

Wake up waaaaay too early and feed baby. Snuggle with 4 year old, then the breakfast / dressing etc routine starts. We'll potter around at home or the park unless we have kinder/swimming/playdates etc. I try and sneak onto the computer to edit photos sometime during the morning, and my 4 year old and I will often get together and do some clay modelling in the afternoon while bubs sleeps. End of the day, dinner, kids in bed, glass of wine, then out to the studio (glamourous name for my shed) where I'll work until it is time to wake the baby for her last feed of the night.

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? Resin! Also love fabrics, knitting, threads... anything with colour.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? To be fabulously rich and successful would be nice. I'd settle for just having some more time to create though.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? Drink. Hmmm, that doesn't sound like a responsible mother. So I'll say, at the moment just loving the warmer weather and picnics with friends.

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? Gifts, items for kids and babies, homewares and art.

-- Any last words? I make custom items and almost everything is available in another colour, so feel free to contact me about creating your own unique piece! And a massive thanks for the opportunity - been great to discover the broader Etsy community, and all those who take the time to help out others! Love to all!

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

Monday Magic...Stars!

BurtonsBoutique	MamaMayborneDesigns	MrsSupply
chicchamber	vee41dmb	WinterGirl0206
psychotropicart	mybabybee	starletcreations
NoniBam	signofthefishjewelry	DOGAART

Introducing my 14th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!


I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Wool! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... IvyKeep!

Friday Finds... IvyKeep


This is my tenth interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

Today I am posting an interview with a lovely teamaker known on Etsy as Ivykeep! It's probably in my veins being a Brit but I just LOVE tea and was very excited to find such gorgeous looking blends from someone who seems as equally passionate about tea variety. I will certainly be giving some of her blends a go at some point, especially the gorgeous pressed green tea hearts, how cute! So feeling very inspired by her store I just had to ask for an interview of course, and so pleased that she took the time out to complete my questionnaire. So here is Ivykeep on Etsy!


(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)








-- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is Krystyne and I live in wine country - the Niagara Region - in Ontario. I moved here while attending Brock University. After graduation, I stayed. Then I met my husband and settled here.

-- What is your business about then? Tea. All kinds of tea. Here in Niagara we have a culinary school, fine restaurants and we have wineries, but if I made it about food and wine, I'd be eating and tipsy all day. *grin* With tea, I can enjoy all the great flavours with which this region inspires me, without the guilt. Besides - I love tea.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I was doing a search one day for a present for a friend. Following the links, I found etsy, was intrigued and stayed to buy things. In fact, it's my first stop now. Recently, I decided to open my shop here.

-- Are you working a day job too? Yes. I work in ecommerce. I set up people's on-online stores and shopping carts and help them get going. I love that job too.

-- How long has the artist inside been 'unleashed' for? For as long as I can remember. However, the materials kept changing. I used to draw. Then I moved to computer graphics. I also make jewellery, cards, bookmarks, and occasionally sew (mostly historic costumes).

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I think I mentioned earlier that I am in wine country and surrounded by great food due to the culinary school, fabulous bed and breakfasts and incredible restaurants in the area. The tastes of the Niagara Region definitely inspire me.

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Fresh. Affordable. Quality.

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? Morning - check email and orders.
Mid-morning - go to the day job.
Supper time - return home. Check email and orders again. Print orders. Pack orders.
Evening - try out new blends in the kitchen. When I find one I like, it will go to the blending kitchen and be packaged. I also use the evenings to work on the website, create new labels, and work on newsletters and marketing ideas.


-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I have a little "flavour rack" in my kitchen that has core teas in it and mixing ingredients - the same idea as a "perfumer's organ". This allows me to go wherever the muse takes me. I love working with all the teas, but my current favourite (which will change once winter has come and gone) is chocolate flavourings.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I always joke that this is my retirement plan, but the truth of the matter is, I'd rather be doing this than pretty much anything else. I'd like to see it take off so that I can hire someone for the more mundane aspects and leave me to be creative. There is never enough time for creative pursuits when you wear all the hats in a business.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I curl up with my latest tea blend of choice and a good book.

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? I love searching etsy for vintage teaware and I have had some wonderful tags and cards and packaging done up by artists on etsy. I also met my photographer there.

-- Any last words? Etsy is a great community, full of wonderful handmade items. It is also a great place to sell. I have met tons of great people - all of which I'd love to have to tea sometime!

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

Monday Magic...Animals!

brownsco	fiberpuppy	SSJewellery
LisaDorsey	Conflagration	DianeChallenger
DancingBird	saramontour	josasser
jrbaileydesigns	puppazzi	TheClayStore

Introducing my 13th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!


I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Stars! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

Sunday - Coffee and Cake
weekly musings, articles and mostly babble...






Reflection on Inadequacy
Ahhhh, to think it was only a week ago that I was having the panic of the century over losing the internet... I have been thinking about it and to be fair as much as my Etsy work and Blog had come to a standstill, the fact I was pretty ill that weekend with the Rotavirus came at a good time as believe me there was absolutely no way I was going to get anything done whilst living in the bathroom for a few days! Yet it left me feeling insecure which is something I have spent the week trying to reflect upon. That tech guy was right about one thing throughout his non-discreet sexist insults. People do heavily rely on the internet, whether it be for work in my case or just for fun in many cases. Being a stay at home mum I really do find that my escape only comes in the form of doing my own thing, and being busy about it... and I do get that from trying to get my business working as I am passionate about being an artist, and also about the handmade community. I guess being the drama queen that I am, the loss over that weekend left me feeling helpless and ordinary which was amplified by having a nasty bug to contend with! But it's funny how I really did feel a bit insecure without that little bit of independance I rarely get in other forms. Shows how much I love what I do!
But it got me thinking like I say about the lessons being laid out for me. I spent one of the mornings this week, having being blessed with a lie in! chatting to the other half about it. For as long as I can remember I have felt pretty inadequate and small in such a big world... events as they do, happened to make it worse... Like never knowing my dad, going through puberty before I reached 9, having relationships that stripped me of my self esteem are but a few examples which could have been worse, but did unfortunately leave me feeling fearful of losing things that DID give me confidence in myself. Then god bless my fortune, I met my current partner and have lived a very happy life ever since. Surely I should just feel better about everything now! I guess it doesn't work as easily as that... However I do know that I really sould be feeling good about things now, and reached an epiphany when I finally said to myself that I was actually being an absolute retard thinking in any other way! The past is the past come on woman! Seriously, I think it is so easy to fall into the trap of inadequacy you forget to remember that when good things are around, you ARE actually allowed to recognise it and reflect it within! I see so many sad stories in the news about people taking their own lives, or murdering other people due to their own feeling of self loathing and it goes to show the extremes that can come out of true fear. I feel I have learnt a valuble lesson having my partner and son as my guides this week, that true blessings really are disguised if you're the one throwing walls up at every possibility. I think the reason I am an artist and developed an interest in photography in recent years is not just the idea of my soul trying to project the beauty I see in the world, but mirroring the beauty I have been desperate to see in myself for so many years. It makes me more grateful to be doing what I am, whether business can be slow like all of us handmade lot know and experience daily. I understand why i felt lost this weekend, and it has only made me fall deeper in love with art, nature and who I am.

Moonangelnay x