Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly (day after) Friday!!!

Hey, I'm only one day off this time. I'm getting closer!

You have to kiss a lot of toads...

This week I'm featuring Jen of Doodle Designs. She's another Swanky mom friend of mine. She's a busy lady, not only does she have an Etsy shop, but she also has a website and blog to keep up with, too. Although she juggles her life like all working moms, she finds that intentionally setting aside time for love ones is the best way to keep things in perspective.

Surf's Up- SALE

She came up with her shop name because doodling is what she does! A self-professed Post It note junkie, she's always collecting ideas for new projects from those around her, and in her "nooks and crannies" of free time cranking out the adorable things you can find in her shops. She puts little bits of her family and friends into every piece.

Collegiate Signature Apron- Your Choice

She's been drawing since she could hold a crayon, and her mother gave her a great crafting start by surrounding her with projects during her childhood. She started selling her pieces to friends, and the rest came naturally.
Check out her Etsy shop, website and blog for all her adorable things, and buy something, would 'ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade doodledesigns

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!!! (sort of)

I know, I know, I'm a slacker. This isn't news, okay?

Here Be Dragon

This time around I'm featuring Cindy of Cindy's Creative Crochet. She's another one of my Fabulous and Swanky friends. I've actually bought two anklets from her (as opposed to wishing I had some of her things), and I love the one I kept. My sister loves the one I gave her, too.
Cindy came up with her shop name because she liked the "triple C thing." Her shop is mostly crocheted wire jewelry, but she also works in yarn. Unfortunately her cats add their own fiber, so she can't sell her yarn creations online.

Rose Bead Wine Charms

Cindy got her crocheting start after a friend taught her how to chain, and she managed to figure the rest out on her own. The wire came later after she saw a necklace in a magazine and decided to give it a shot. She loves being able to make jewelry to fit her (most jewelry is too small for her hands). Finding she'd made more than she could use gave her a craft fair start, and a friend pointed her in Etsy's direction.

Clearly Blue and White

As a stay-at-home mom of five, her time is limited, but she squeezes in creating when she can. Luckily, her projects are small enough to travel. She loves collaborating with other artists like ClayChicks and really appreciates the online support from her other Fabulous and Swanky Moms!

Check out her shop, and buy something, would ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade CindysCreativeCrochet

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!!!

It's Friday!!! After my little vacation, it was really hard getting motivated until I realized who I was promo-ing today! I love this shop!

Mod Blue Little Lovie

It's Able Mabel! This Swanky and Fabulous group of sisters each bring their own creative edge to their shop. They came up with their shop name from the children's rhyme.

"Mabel, Mabel set the table,
just as fast as you are able.
Don't forget the sugar, salt, vinegar
and don't forget the red hot peppers!"

The rhyme describes them perfectly and all the different personalities they bring, sweet, salty, zippy, and even spicy! They wouldn't fess up to me who was who, though.

Oscar the Owl

They get their inspiration from everywhere, new supplies, fabrics, other artists, magazines, and old books. They really enjoy using those inspirations to make over boring things into something new and fabulous.

Like most work at home Moms, these ladies live for naptime. While babies sleep and preschoolers play, it's a free for all until school is out, and then it's a mad rush back to their own homes to get dinner ready. Of course, dad's night out turns into mom's night crafting, and all late meetings are used as an excuse to pull out the supplies as well!

Green, Pink, and Brown Necklace

Check out their shop and blog to get a peek into the crafty genius that is Able Mabel, oh, and buy something, would ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade ablemabel

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

Happy Friday!!! I only appear to have my act together this week. I've got so much stuff going on that it's scary!

Boutique-style Ribbon Flower Jeans

This week I'm featuring Jen (Swanky friend, yet again!) from Jen's Craft Corner. She carried her name over from another online store, and her kids' clothing line CutiePie came from the comments her daughter received in outfits Jen made for her.

Flame Necktie Onesie

Jen finds her inspiration from her children and necessity. She started decorating her home with handmade items because of thrift, embellishing onesies and hairbows because her daughter was born, and appliquéing shirts because her two older boys wanted something "cool", too.

Ribbon Flower Clippies-Sherbet

She squeezes in crafting time when she can, and loves making ornaments for Christmas, frilly little girl things, cute boy things, and beautiful home decor items to fill her shop. She's a great multi-tasker, but what mom isn't? Not only is she a crafty mama, but Jen is also a military wife, completely supporting her husband in the Air Force.

Visit her shop to check out all her adorable items, and buy something, would ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade JensCraftCorner

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

Quick someone congratulate me, it's actually Friday!!!! And I'll have you know that I had this post done Thursday night. Ha! But only because The Office was a rerun.

Purple Glass and Silver Beaded Bracelet

This week, I'm featuring Melissa of Made by Melissa (another Swanky friend). She chose her shop name because, well, her name is Melissa and she makes things.
Melissa finds her inspiration from everything around her; she's even admitted to hearing her stash calling to her.

Classic Ripple Baby Blanket -Unisex

She got her crafting start as a child. When summertime rolled around, her mother would take her and her sister to the craft store and stock up with enough supplies to keep them both busy all season. Her grandmother taught her how to knit, and she taught herself how to crochet.

Eenie Meanie Meinie Moe Bottle Cap Magnets

Even with a full time job, an infant son, and a husband, she manages to squeeze in crafting time. She takes her crochet with her where ever she goes, and spends a lot of time crafting on the floor with her son.
Check out her shop full of goodies for moms and little ones, her blog full of sneak peeks and updates, and buy something would ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade madebymelissa

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly (day after)Friday!

It's another Fab day-after Friday!!! You'd figure I could get this together after how many weeks? But no, not me, I'm special like that. I have to warn you before you go any further- I'm a little wired on caffeine right now. Proceed at your own risk.

So Silly Sock Monkey Baby Set

This week I'm featuring Katie and Anna (more Swanky friends!) of the adorable Doodlesprouts shop. Yup, it's a double feature (kind of) this week! They both give input to each item and manage to share duties even though they don't live together. I can barely share input on a weekly dinner menu with Hubby and we share the same bed!

DoodleScarf for Dudes

They both got their knitting know-how from Katie's mom and grandma, and with the birth of their first babies, they got their crafting start. They wanted something cute, different and well-made, so Doodlesprouts was born!
Their shop name came after much thought, giggles, and a little help from a thesaurus. Really, they couldn't have come up with a better name.

CORNtastic Hat for Baby Boys

While it's hard to find a balance, Katie and Anna stay in constant phone contact, set up weekly play dates, and use every available moment to craft on items for their shop. Check out their shop and blog to get a glimpse into their crafting genius. Oh, and buy something, will ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade doodlesprouts

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly (day after)Friday!

It's kind of Friday! So that means...

Violet Nights Shrug

This week I'm featuring Dassk, who's another Swanky Mama friend. We've got quite a few members, ya know. She's combined the first inital of each of her five kids' names to get her shop name. Yeah, you heard that right, five kids!
She learned to crochet from a friend whose whole family made items to sell. While visiting one day, her friend's mother offered to teach her how to crochet, and she taught herself how to knit from books. She finds most of her yarn time on the subway to and from work or while her youngest is sleeping.

Flora n Fauna Hat

She gets her inspiration from her children, and loves hearing them brag about her homemade goodies. She loves making things for them even though it means acting like a tightrope walker sometimes.

Knick Knack Pouch

Please check out her shop to see all of her handmade things, and spend some money while you're there, too!

Etsy Buy Handmade DASSK

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

I know, I know, I'm way off! It's been a rough weekend, okay? Sheesh, cut a girl a break already...

Snoopy St. Patrick's Day Purse

This week I'm featuring Miss Bea of Bags Plus by Miss Bea. She's another Swanky friend of mine who got hooked on Etsy by her lovely daughter Pretty Bowtique.
Her crafting start came from her mother who was always crafting and passed her knowledge on to Miss Bea.

Lime Green Frogs Purse

She's a retired preschool teacher who loves spending her free time crafting. She has been known to make bibs, potholders, and blankets, but got started into bags after a gentle shove from her daughter. Her husband is very supportive as well.

Colorful, Colorful, and Colorful Purse

While she loves all her bags, her sports themed bags hold a special place in her heart. Check out her shop to see all her lovely bags.

Etsy Buy Handmade beanhank

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

It's Friday!!!

Green Apples Custom Boutique 6 piece outfit

This week I'm featuring Angie (yet another Swanky friend) from Ambrosia Delights and Rio Oso Designs. She chose Ambrosia Delights because it started with the letter "A" and coincided with Psalms 37:4, "Delight yourself also in the Lord..." Rio Oso Designs came from the nickname her Mother-in-law gave her husband.

OsoBaby Fluffy Chenille and Flannel Baby Blanket

She gets most of her inspiration from God, and also her desire to stay home with her son. She divides her time between family, church, making girly things (to balance out the testosterone in her household) for one shop, and coming up with digital designs for the other shop. She finds that keeping a list helps her keep on track.

Custom Family Heirloom Photo

She has always crafted, learning early from her mother, and enjoys using her God-given talents to earn money while doing something she loves.
She also spends time keeping her blogs updated, Rio Oso Designs and The Downtown Boutique.

Etsy Buy Handmade ambrosiadelights

Etsy Buy Handmade rioosodesigns

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

It's Friday, and you know what that means...

Ladybug Woven Headband

This week I'm featuring Angie (a fellow Swanky Mom) of Cute & Sweet. She decided on her shop name after spotting her one year-old sitting in her four year-old's lap reading. How very cute and sweet! Not only did her daughters inspire her shop name, but she gets crafting inspiration from them as well. While she enjoys making things for them, we all get to benefit from her shop full of pretties.

True Love Hair Bows

Although she got her crafting start from a scrapbook kit given to her by a friend, after learning to sew her focus turned toward ribbon.
Her family and household take first place, but her ribbons and crafts follow a close second. She takes any opportunity to craft throughout the day, and the bulk of her craft time takes place during naptime and after bed time.

Sunflower All-in-One Accessory Holder

Take a tour of her Cute & Sweet shop on Etsy, and you'll be sure to find pretty things for girls of all ages. She also has a blog to keep you updated on all things Cute & Sweet.

Etsy Buy Handmade cuteandsweet

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

It's Friday!!!

This week I'm featuring Shelley (another Swanky friend) from Nahia Creations. Her shop name means "desire" in Basque, which is a nod to her husband's ancestry. In fact, all the products she makes and sells are different translations of "desire." She chooses the translation based on the ingredients representative of that country or culture. She is inspired by different cultures, and her shop is her way of sharing cultures from around the world with her customers.

Although she started her college career in Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising, she switched her major to accounting and discovered she actually liked it! This background comes in handy while running her shop.
Skin troubles gave her a reason to start making her soaps, and staying home after the birth of her twins gave her the time to start her business. Most people would find it difficult to run a business with twins, but she takes full advantage of naptimes and bedtimes.

Check out her shop to see all her great products, including her favorite bath salt, Makemake. She also has a website with a blog attached to keep her customers updated.

Etsy Buy Handmade nahiacreations

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

Hey, look at that, it's Friday and I'm doing a friendly Friday post!

This week I'm featuring Kelly, another Swanky Mama friend, from Klymyshyn Designs. Her shop name is actually her husband's true Ukranian last name. There are no more males to carry down the name, so this is her way of keeping that beautiful name going.

She is inspired by her precious girls, who model pieces in her shop. She also has a need for everything to be perfect, and often thinks she can do better than products being sold in stores (sound familiar?).
She picked up her knitting needles again when her now two year-old was an infant who only slept while being held. She learned she could juggle needles and a baby with no problem. In fact, her favorite pieces to make are newborn items.

She designs all her own patterns, and is looking forward to having them published as well as finishing a knitting book herself.
Visit her shop at Etsy to see all her cozy pieces, and buy some would you?

Etsy Buy Handmade klymyshyndesign

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly (day after)Friday!

Maybe I should just make it a Swanky Saturday post, and give up on the whole Friday thing...

This week I'm featuring the Swanky Beth of Tada Designs. Her shop name came out of the joy of showing off new creations. "Ta Da! What do you think?" accompanied every new item showing. She got her crafting start from her mother and grandmother who taught her how to sew, but she found her passion in painting.

She has always loved lettering, even though her handwriting is terrible (her words not mine!) She practiced her writing and drawing, and dabbled in calligraphy while decorating her room in Coca-cola and word collages in high school. She's still not sure why she never became a graphic designer.

Visit her shop at Etsy to see her lovely pieces and to be inspired with beautiful home decor items.

http://tadadesigns.etsy.com
http://tadadesigns.blogspot.com

Etsy Buy Handmade tadadesigns

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly (day after)Friday!

It's a little late, but a lovely sinus headache prevented yesterday's post, sorry!

This week I'm featuring Michelle from Cozy Moments. I should insert a warning here not from the Surgeon General, but from me. Her products can be addictive. I personally know many addicts... many, many addicts. That being said, her shop contains many special treasures all for treating the special people in your life. She carries luxurious bath products gentle enough for everyday use.

She named her shop Cozy Moments because those special moments are what we look forward to, those "cozy moments."

Michelle started making her products out of personal need. As a lady with dry skin, she found most products weren't rich enough, so she started experimenting. Her candle line began as her love of candles left her with headaches. All the store bought candles she burned seemed to have the same result. She researched soy candles that burn much more cleanly, and as a result, don't have the same effect.

She loves to create her products, especially soaps, whenever she can during the day, but most of her creative time is at night, after everyone else is asleep (a true crafty mama!). Taking care of her family is, of course, first priority, but a need for nurturing her creative side is what drives her business.

Check out her shop at Etsy for more wonderful products, and be prepared to get addicted!

Etsy Buy Handmade CozyMoments

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

It's Friday!!! And you know what that means!

This week I'm featuring Tanie from Tamily. She chose her shop name from a blend of her name, her husband's name, her son's name, and the word "family." In fact, she got her crafting start from her family. Crafting, as well as crochet and knitting, runs in her genes, and like she said it was only a matter of time before she picked it up.

She loves custom orders, but her favorite pieces in her shop are her Tuscan scarflettes (shown above). The colors are beautiful, and they are extremely soft and warm. She is inspired by the beauty she sees around her, and her items are very organic in color and design.

Visit her shop to see more of the beautiful pieces she manages to make with a toddler running loose! Just browsing through her items makes you feel warm and fuzzy, like a hug from grandma.

Etsy Buy Handmade Tamily