Fabulous Crochet and Knit Handbag Patterns

Get your Knitting Needles and Hooks ready!
To my husband and children I am known as the Bag Lady. Every week or so I cruise the Internet trying to find a fabulous bag to admire. I look around a lot and often find myself back on Etsy.
This week I was looking for knitted bag patterns and came across these. What wonderful bags for everyday and she has them in knit and crochet versions!

Whip them up in white, gray or black for a more formal version then embellish to your heart’s content.

Jo, the owner of Little Projects on Etsy has more delightful patterns for bags, hats, shawls and and scarves...go check her out!

I have purchased the knit version and will be back to let you know the experience level later today!

Dog Loving Bag Lady

My kids and husband call me the bag lady. I have bags in closets all over the house. I have leather bags, canvas bags, and wool bags; crochet bags, knit bags…You get the idea.
I also have 2 dogs; both rescue who are my constant companions.
I was on Etsy recently doing a search for yet another bag when I came across the Shop ‘Bee By The Sea, LTD’ Not only does she have bags, beautiful bags, she also has a line entitled ‘Pet Couture’. This includes charming fashions for your canine pal (just look at Charlie in his Sunday Coat!) she also creates high fashion collars, leashes and beds.

There’s more! For Charlie’s human friends Bee makes not only bags but also cozy blankets. These are wrap yourself in delight, and cozy up with your Hot Cocoa and good book blankets. Ah, what a great way to spend a cold Maine winter’s afternoon! For Charlie too, he has his own Bumble Bedzzz.

Now it is time to cozy down…

Peace Through Pampering does it again!

"There is nothing more soothing and relaxing than a hot bath, unless you're sitting in a stew of alcohols, polymers and artificial colors. Then you dry off and slather on lotions, usually also full of alcohols etc. And somehow this is supposed to be good for us?! After my daughter got a UTI from using bath salts, I chucked them all and formulated a natural solution.I start with coarse dead sea salts; world renowned for it's high concentration of minerals and healing elements. Solar evaporated atlantic sea salts give the base of the softening properties. Dendritic salts are quick dissolving and help hold the fragrance of the essential oils. Epsom salts are added to help relieve and ease aches and pains. Lavender is one of the most soothing and relaxing scents available. Chamomile flowers add a minor sedative effect. An excellent combination for getting ready for a fantastic night's sleep.This 4 ounce glass jar is sealed and securely wrapped for shipping. There are no chemicals or colors, only natural salts and essential oils. The glass jar is recyclable or reusable, please be kind to the environment :)
Using the enclosed wooden scoop, pour a scoop full into running warm (or hot) bath water, sink in and enjoy. "
Also in Sandlewood!

Great Find on Etsy!

Can’t you just see how scrumptious her sugar scrubs are?! I was one of the Guinea Pigs she refers to in her product description She will be listing her bath salts tomorrow so stay tuned for more all-natural, non-toxic, healing, soothing products from Barbara.
"I loved the sugar scrub I purchased from a major retail outlet, until I read the ingredients. A whole list of chemicals that I couldn't pronounce and didn't want. So began my first 'mad science' experiments to make a product that is good for the body, soul and environment.So I began with a list of ingredients that nourish your skin. Organic sugars that naturally exfoliate. Sweet almond oil to moisturize and soothe skin. Apricot kernel oil for it's high vitamin E content and skin softening. Grape seed oil for toning and healing. Scented with sandalwood and lavender essential oils, forming a synergy of scents to boost confidence and relax the mind.Then I sent a batch out to my 'guinea pigs', family and friends that were willing to give me honest feedback. They overwhelmingly love it and want more. However, as with any product with natural carrier oils, this will make your bathtub or shower slippery; so please use caution and common sense when using.This large 8-ounce jar is sealed and securely wrapped for shipping. Please note that I do not use emulsifiers, preservatives or artificial colors in this; this is a full jar of high quality oil and organic sugars. The heavy walled jar is labeled for recycling, so please recycle!
Simply smooth on skin and rinse with hot water. It will literally leave your skin as smooth as a baby's bare bottom"
Look for more scents to come!
The jars are dishwasher safe and because I re-use a lot rather than recycle so I use mine for beads and other small trinkets.

Peace Through Pampering

Most of us try hard to pay attention to what goes into our bodies, especially with the increase of genetically modified and engineered foods and cloned meats coming slamming the market.
We have long known that pesticides and herbicides collect in our bodies making us suffer innumerable illnesses and diseases. We don’t want to feed these things to our families, we know that ingesting harmful chemicals is bad for us. We scrutinize labels attempting to sound out the ingredients so we can at least pronounce them although most of us don’t know what they are, never mind the effects they are having on us. We do all this for what goes into our bodies, sometimes forgetting that what we put on our bodies is equally important.
How much attention do we pay to our bath products? The soaps and lotions, salves and ointments we put on our skin can contain harmful ingredients, which then pass through the skin into our bloodstream.
I have come across a new line of products created by a North Carolina mom that you will want to try. I had actually received some as a gift and wanted more.
Here is what Barbara says about her journey:
"As a mother of 3 I have learned that life is full of movement, noise, homework, chores, cooking, dishes, laundry and a general hectic pace. I can't count how many times I've heard a mom say "If only I had one more hour to a day!" Bathtime, grooming time, my ME time has become critical to my mental well being. After trying hard to feed us all a balanced diet with natural ingredients, I started to read the ingredients on our bath products. Lots of cetyl alcohol, polymers, disodium EDTA and other unpronounceable ingredients. Skin is the largest organ on the body; it readily absorbs what's on it into our bloodstream. So began what my husband refers to as my 'mad scientist' mode; blending and creating natural products that benefit our bodies. After rave reviews and encouragement from family and friends, I am hoping to help others achieve "Peace Through Pampering".
What she leaves out is that she has been painstakingly researching every detail for 3 years now. Even the delightful packaging was thoughtfully considered in order to give her family and now the rest of us an all natural, aromatically pleasing peaceful alternative to commercially prepared, chemically saturated bath products on the market.
Her shop will be opening this week so make it a point to stop by and see what she has to offer. A couple of things you won’t want to be without this winter are the lip balm and sugar scrubs…delightful!
Peace Through Pampering is a name you’ll want to remember and after you try her products it is one you won’t forget!
　

Beautiful 1920s Felted Hats

I have been having a really good time this year making my hats and hat and scarf sets and have loved all the wonderful comments on both my ETSY feedback page and my Divella Delights website guestbook. The hat that is drying now however takes the cake. While I was twisting up the yarn this idea came into my head so I gave it a try. I wanted something a little more chic and elegant and to my delight, it worked. White I am waiting for it to dry I am working up a Turquoise necklace in the same style as my last post. It is coming a long very nicely. I just can't wait for that hat! All I can tell you now is that it is red, a color I usually tend to stay away from. Check back in Sunday or Monday for the necklace and mid-week for the hat!

Java Junkie

In addition to lots of cups, cozies, bags and yes, even jewelry with a coffee theme that can be found on Etsy.com I have discovered yet a new addition to my favorite addiction...coffee soap! This one is Mocha Java Coffee Soap-Vanilla almond Latte. It is made by Mountain Meadows Bath and Body Boutique. Made with luxury ingredients and freshly ground coffee, you will be back to order this soap time and time again. Handmade and all natural, old fashioned soap. This can be seen and ordered at http://mmbathbodyboutique.etsy.com/ for just $4.00. There are many other interesting items to choose from in this shop that makes this a one stop for that perfect gift. How about an Olivewood Pen or some beaded jewelry. If gifts for Fifi is what brings you then how about some all natural Shampoodle Doggie soap. If she was really good in her bath you could give her some Organic Peanut Butter and Banana Doggie Cookies. Just don't leave these on the counter. The kids and Hubbie will never believe they aren't for people. Cruise by and see the folks at Mountain Meadows... See ya, I am off to the bath and I may never come out!

Websites, Webhosting and Photography, OH MY

Do you want your own website? Are you confused about what came first the chicken or the egg? Me too!! It took me a year of digging so here are the steps I took to be able to open my own store cheap but with all the features I needed.
I have been designing and producing jewelry and fiber products for a few years now and had a shop on Etsy.com. That experience gave me the opportunity to break into the Internet marketing plane, something I was a little shy about for a while. I had some wholesale accounts but wanted to make this a full item occupation rather than burning the midnight oil in addition to a full time job. So I opened a little shop there. It took me 2 years to get up the courage to plunge into my own website. I am pretty much computer hostile so it took me some time to see that it might just have some benefits. I am science minded and have to analyze everything so first of course I had to do some research.
First I had to have the thing designed. I looked at other sites and came to a decision on the basic design I wanted. Something simple, not garish or trendy and I knew I did NOT want anything to dance or sing on my pages. My taste in music is not for everyone and I have left many sites because of the music or some dancing woman, flashing stuff, glitter all that stuff distracts me and makes me dizzy. I am 50, not 12; this is jewelry not dolls; so I don’t want cartoons on my pages. I love earth tones, despise neon, etc… So I had the basic concept, what next?
The next logical step is to find someone to do it for me because although I said I was computer hostile, I am really just inept! So I had to find someone to do it for me…

Fall Specials from Maine

There are lots of new and exciting works by Maine Artisans and you can get a glimpse at Etsy.com When you get there put in Mainefall in the search bar. The items pictured here are from 4 different artisans and do little to represent the variety of works you can peruse. There are clothing items, paintings, jewelry, dolls, toys, children's wear, ceramics and there are even items for your pet! So go to http://www.etsy.com/ and type in mainefall in the search bar. For even more of a treat you can type in Maineteam to so what they are all up to!

Felted Furry Friends

Do you have a furry friend that you adore? If so you can't miss this shop owned by Amelia Santiago. These "pets" are needle felted to the likeness of your own beloved buddy and the likeness is amazing. Amelia lives in Portland, Oregon and has a degree from Pacific Northwest College of Art in painting but finds herself almost entirely consumed in making her needle felted dog sculptures at the moment. While this seems to be her passion she also enjoys animals, records, drag shows, recycling, gallery strolls, going out to breakfast, roller skating to disco, Leonard Cohen, vegan cooking. Quite the lady! Be sure and cruise by her shop at http://www.ameliamakesart.etsy.com/

She also makes these wonderful felt soaps, a super gift. They are made from saponified oils of palm and coconut:fat obtained from the fruit or seed of the palm tree or kernels of coconut which lathers readily and cleanses skin glycerin: humectant, mild emulsifier, and emollient used to hold moisture. Available with or without fragrance and/or color some soaps contain Organic cornmeal & polenta or Oats. She says "Felted soap eliminates the need for a cloth or bath sponge. The felt is a built in soft cloth that shrinks with the soap as you use it and keeps it from slipping out of your hand. When the soap is gone, you are left with a tiny little scrubby . The soap will also last longer than an unfelted bar, just store it in a drainable soap dish. Buy some a s a gift or to treat yourself!

PASSION FOR ART,SILVER AND SCISSORS

Gergana lives in Portland, Maine and works in graphic design. Although Gergana has a "day" job her art is not simply a hobby to work away those cold Maine winters. It is a passion for her and a major part of her life that began as a child and has taken many forms throughout the years.
As a young girl Gergana was often seen with scissors in one hand and crayons in the other. Trading in her childhood supplies she has graduated to more sophisticated tools but is still bent on cutting things up and putting them back together and does just that in a style that is all her own. You an see the items pictured here and many more exquisite and fascinating pieces at http://www.bg2770.etsy.com/

When she is not working Gergana enjoys the bountiful beauty in nature in Maine by going on a hike or riding her bike. She also enjoy movies and music and loves to travel.

Gergana states that one of her biggest challenges is "too many ideas and mediums to play with and not enough time to explore them all." With her talent and interest in all forms of art I would keep my eye on this talented lady, who knows what comes next?!

STAINED GLASS AND OTHER WONDERS

Let the sunshine in! These fabulous works of art are done by Coco of Maine. Coco grew up in New Orleans, was a military wife for over 30 years and is a mother of 5 children. She has traveled extensively within the U.S. and abroad discovering and absorbing the native values and artistic expressions indigenous to each location. In addition to her beautiful glass works she has talents in many other areas such as decorative folk painting , carved candles, soap, clay, needlework, fountains, basic carpentry and refinishing, various types of sewing, and jelly making...whew! Remember now I told you she is also a mother of 5.

These original paintings in the traditional Austrian Alpbach style double as Shaker style boxes and are extra strong and durable so they are as functional as they are enchanting.

Treat yourself and maybe a friend and visit her shop. There is so much more to see and you can find out a lot more about this wonderful Artisan and her family on her profile bu going to http://www.ByCoco.etsy.com

Encaustic and Other Art

Jamie has been working very hard on her new line of encaustic paint and it is now available! Pictured here her handmade paint makes me want to take up the ancient art just to buy the supplies they look so yummy! About her paint she says "My paint is made from only the finest ingredients and with a recipe favored by old masters-- rest assured that you will be receiving artist quality paint that is archival and will last you through the ages! I wouldn't use or sell any other kind." In addition to making her own paint (wow) she also paints herself. At her site you can see watercolor, oil, drawings, photographs and of course more paint! Run by and check out this amazing woman at http://www.jamieribisi.etsy.com. Now all that said I have to tell you she is also the part owner of Sweetland Retreat located in Manchester Maine. It is "a unique Bed & Breakfast offering private and shared artist studios and various workshops in a rural relaxing setting. Stay with us and experience the way life should be! " You can visit their site at http://www.sweetlandretreat.com/. Wow, I wonder what comes next with this talented woman?!

ETSY SHOP SALE, CLOSING

OK, so lots of folks have shops on ETSY and they do very well. I have tried everything I can think of and I just can't get the sales so I am closing the shops. Before I do I want to liquidate my inventory so I am having a huge sale on all hats and bags ..If you are looking for a bargain with Christmas coming up, check out my shops at http://www.divellasfibers.etsy.com/ and http://divelladelights.etsy.com/ Luckily I have some wholesale accounts for my gemstone lines and crocheted bracelets so things are not so bad. I just can't see paying for a site that does not pay for itself. I will be opening my own shop on line and will bring more details as they unfold. Meanwhile, save some money and shop early for Christmas!

TAG, You're it!

The writing on the wall could not begin to describe the beautiful reflection of this lighting. Done by a gal in Brooklyn, NY and shown at http://www.resurface.etsy.com/ and she has this to say "The "Brooklyn Light Siding" Collection, inspired by the city's dilapidated building facades and the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, transforms the multi-layered surfaces of urban decay into beautiful and unique interior designs." A must see...my fave is the last one but there are many to choose from including table lamps, candle shades, pendant lamps and more.

Wonderful handmade Books

Another great Etsy find! Check out this wonderful book! These are made by a gal in Atlanta and here is a blurb from her profile: "I have been sewing, drawing, and painting ever since I was a little girl spending summers with my grandmother in Indiana. She instilled in me a love of the handmade, passing on quilts, as well as stories, of the beautiful clothes her mother, my great grandmother, had made. I cherish these stories and items, they have largely shaped my life and interests." You can check out all her wonderful handcrafted items and read more about her in her profile at http://www.indianablue.etsy.com/ These little books are a great size for recipes, journaling on the go and plenty more, just the beauty of them will inspire you!

French beading beginings

My daughter wanted my to bead some flowers for her so I began small and just did some leaves for this necklace. It's kind of fun. I think I will enjoy it in between my "real work". I did find some very useful tips and instructions, here are a couple of links : http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/bfbasic.html
http://www.crafts4everyone.com/crafts/needlecrafts/french_beaded_flowers/.
And of course because I love the folks on Etsy, here is a link to a shop I found that specializes in this technique http://www.foreverflowers.etsy.com/. She does gorgeous work, check it out!
I think this little center made this necklace really cute. When I put the clasp on it just looked to plain in the front so I added another flower and the leaves, just a little touch of something...what do you think? Does it work? I am off now to a new design, new adventure...I sure do love this work! I have a great set on sale in my Etsy shop at http://www.divelladelights.etsy.com/
Have a GREAT day!