My Little Proposal!

Google I was filled with joy this past Wednesday while I was working my normal 9-5. Let me tell you why! I check my phone quite frequently while I'm at work because it is the only connection I have to my shop while I am away from my computers and I always like to keep an eye on things, check my stats, or have a pleasant surprise if I sold an item. I still get all giddy as if every sale were my first sale. Well I checked my email inbox and found that I had an Etsy conversation, someone had sent me a message on there. So I opened it up. Now at first I was dreading it was an issue with a past sale, that an item had to be replaced or never made it to it's final destination or new home. I haven't had an issue like this yet and I hope not to! But if you read the subject line below, you can see how I might think that! As I read this I became ecstatic!

Now you can see why I was so excited! One of the items that I handmade was used in a marriage proposal! I thought that it was so adorable! I sent a message back to Kate congratulating her and asking for a full story with details and pictures! Hopefully she will get back to me soon so we can hear more about her story! Here is the ring she referenced:

Esty Finds of the Week by Lorena! The Lotus!

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This post was written by Lorena Balea-Raitz of BaleaRaitzART.

Today in my Etsy finds of the week it's all about the Lotus! 

On Loving Lotus ( Ancient China) 

Lotus on four sides and willows on three,

Half a pool of autumn water reflects a hill.

Distant fragrance is all the more delicate and fresh.

Zhou Dunyi, Song Dynasty 

If you would like to decorate your room with such a wonderful calming image, all you need to do is purchase the photography in the shop below! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLotusGarden

If you are like me and love the lotus flower scent, I found a great shop on Etsy for you! 

Don't forget to pop in and discover exiting perfumes, oils, skin care, etc...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SacredEscentuals

For the jewelry lover who just love the shape of the lotus, I found a wonderful piece! 

You can find this piece in the shop below!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/netexchange

I was creating  a set of two cards- perfect for a cute invitation, thank you card, note, etc...

It's available in my shop! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BaleaRaitzART

Enjoy the peaceful lotus! 

Stay Vogue! 

Featured Artist: GotMaille? By Christy

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Shop Name: GOT Maille? by Christy

What you like to go by: Christy

When did you start your shop? Jan 2011

Is this your only job? Yes. I "retired" from nearly 20 years in front line hospitality & tourism to move to the USA after marrying a fabulous Texan. I'm now a house wife with a "self supporting hobby" now and I LOVE it! I finally have the time to focus on creating and my dreams of one day having my own line.

When did you realize you had this talent? Would you believe when it came to me in a dream about a year & a half ago? I had been trying to learn the art of chainmaille for years and just couldn't seem to grasp it. After several years of picking it up my pliers and rings just to pack them away in in frustration I decided I was simply never going to figure it out and would sell/throw away my supplies. That very I went to bed and had the most amazing dream. I was shown exactly what I was doing wrong and was guided in how to proceed. When I woke that morning I grabbed my pliers & rings, followed the "dream tutorial" and everything just..."clicked". I've been mailling ever since.

Where do you find your inspiration? Everywhere! Chainmaille is an ancient art, tied to centuries of influence and diversity. Today's modern touch makes it that much more interesting and fun to create.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My husband. He is not only my rock but my biggest fan! He makes me blush by pulling out his stash of GMBC (my short hand for GOT Maille? by Christy) business cards to give one to anyone who shows an interest and he is known for physically pulling me over to show someone whatever chainmaille I happen to be wearing at the time. He's the best!

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? Craft fairs, festivals.. boutiques. I haven't branched out into the booth world yet and I am just dying to get out there and get involved with the community.

What are your other hobbies? Hmmm other than a little online RPG gaming & reading I can't think of anything! I'm totally obsessed with weaving those little rings. I am taking a leather craft class in the near future & plan to incorporate that knowledge into some new designs. I already have pages of design ideas sketched out.. very excited!!

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Words of wisdom once give to me by my father: "Try to live your life without regret. If you're faced with a life decision, ask yourself.. in five years, 10 years.. 20 years.. will you regret having NOT tried? If you think the answer will be yes, choose to try."

Where is the farthest you have traveled? England. Many years ago now & I would love to return! We toured for three weeks and it was amazing. I think it may have been seeing the Crown Jewels in person that lit my fire for fabulous bling!!

Misanthropy Creations Blog Team April Treasury Contest Winners!

Google To join the misanthropy creations blog team and take part in the treasury contest click here then when you create a treasury be sure to add the tag MCBT to enter the contest!

Without further ado here are the winners for the April Treasury Contest! Please be sure to click on the pictures to take you to the original treasury to show some love and leave a comment!

xo Michelle

First Place Winner:

 Second Place Winner:

 Third Place Winner:

I've been treasured! Color Splash!

My Rainbow Earrings where listed in this beautiful treasury! Click the picture above to view the listing for these earrings!

I've been Treasured!

Check out my horse ring by clicking on the image of this treasury!

Featured Artist: TheCityFolklore

Shop name: thecityfolklore

What you like to go by: Mary Rose (although this is just the name I use to make it more memorable for an international crowd. My actual name is Maria do Rosário and my friends & colleagues all call me Rosarinho. That’s very Portuguese, though! As am often called by Rosy and Mary Rose by friends as well I opted to sign with Mary Rose.)

When did you start your shop: I opened my etsy shop on October the 15th. I’m obviously still fairly new and it’s been a bit of a bumpy road but I think am finally on the right track. I definitely haven’t figured out everything and am still learning, but I think I now have the basics down.

Is this your only job: It isn’t. Actually, I didn’t realize how many people were doing this for a living before joining. It’s hard to understand the amount of work that goes into having an online shop – even if it is something as tiny as something solely on etsy and with few items. However, I do it mostly for fun and as an attempt to raise my income a bit. I work full time at a non-profit organization trying to get business to act in a more sustainable way. I have a master’s degree in global environmental governance and I really like what I work on so quitting on behalf of an online venture is really not an option. Am still young and with plenty to figure out and I could never afford to take such a risk. Still, am quite happy with having both things to work on, despite the very little time that leaves me for other hobbies and interests.

When did you realize you had this talent: Well... more than having a talent, I have a passion! Influenced by my grandmothers and their exquisite tastes, I’ve always loved jewelry and accessories. I’ve also always enjoyed giving my unique take on everything I owe and have always tried to make things my own and as different as possible from everyone else’s. Everything we do is a reflection of who we are and that also applies to clothing and accessories. Am a very critical person and always have something to add or alter, being that a written document, a new recipe or jewelry. Additionally, and maybe because of that, I’ve always known what I want/need and looked for exactly that stuff. If there’s something I cannot find I will do it myself. That’s how, looking for African fabrics online for some patchwork curtains, I eventually found very unique recycled glass beads and developed a serious addiction to jewelry making! At some point, joining etsy was the obvious step: I had unique beads and original pieces which I could not find on other etsy shops and I did need to somehow finance this new hobby and give a boost to a new found talent!

Where do you find your inspiration: My items have a very folksy vibe. I like being my own person and buying as much handcrafted and organic stuff as possible; things that I can name the artisan or the place they come from. Growing up in a less conscious environment (although full of other equally important concerns), I guess am drown to what can still be improved, which in this case is to become more aware of the life cycle of the products we use. It’s so much more interesting to be able to tell the story or the inspiration of a certain item than it is to have it just because.
As for each item, I have to say the inspiration comes from everywhere! Seriously! Sometimes am getting on the metro on my way to work and I notice a cute outfit which I think is just missing some xy earrings and on my mind am coming up with something new. Other times am browsing through the internet and realize there’s a certain material that has yet to be explored and so I try to come up with ways to introduce it in new items. And, of course, the list is immense when you decide to let yourself be inspired by what surrounds you.

Who has been the most supportive of your work: My parents are always my greater supporters when it comes to having and concretizing ideas. I will always look for their approval and invaluable advice! For this particular adventure, my mother has been the outmost supporter. From telling everyone about my recent items to insisting on buying all Christmas gifts from me, my mother has been absolutely amazing and a heartwarming boost of confidence.

What is the one thing you’d like to accomplish that you haven’t? I’d like to be successful and able to continue this hobby/work/passion for a while. So far it’s been hard to properly introduce myself in the etsy community (it’s hard because am doing something that has the greatest amount of artisans and really amazing ones). Am afraid I won’t be able to keep investing time and money if I cannot, at least, compensate the costs. We’ll see. Am keeping my fingers crossed it will happen for me!
What are your words to live by or your favorite quote? Bob Dylan (advised by Liam Clancy).
3
"No fear, no envy, no meanness"
Lisbon, Portugal December 2011

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I've been Treasured!

Check out my Two Bridled Horses Ring in this Treasury! Yey I love being Treasured!

New Items!

Here are the new items I just updated to the shop today! Again, they are all rings because I went on such a big ring kick lately but they are all really gorgeous! Seems like I'm almost gearing up for Halloween 7 months early! That's okay though because I usually make things that I would like or want to wear, so my personality really comes out as far as taste goes with the items in my shop! Anywho, I'm going to keep working on more items and put them up later next week!

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Featured Artist: sadieolive

  Sara has a most lovely home and collection of items in her shop. Her talent exudes into her living space and her shop making them both very wondered things to lay your eyes upon. Learn more about Sara, her shop and her website by reading the interview below!

Shop Name: Antiquity, by Sadie Olive.

What you like to go by: Sara

When did you start your shop? Our main boutique, sadieolive.com was opened in early 2007. I started the vintage only Etsy shop in September 2009.

Is this your only job? I do web design, photography, and am a boutique owner (all of which fall under my shop name Sadie Olive).

When did you realize you had this talent? I sort of took a leap of faith in 2007 when I opened my online shop, and when my blog and shop were well received, it gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my other passions, design and photography. By the end of 2007 I was doing it full time.

Where do you find your inspiration? All over really. Flea markets, other shop owners, magazines.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My husband. It was a struggle financially in the beginning, and still is at times, but he has never lost confidence in me or asked me to pursue other options. He supports my work completely.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I would love to be a regular contributor to a magazine. I adore photography, and love to write, so it would give me great satisfaction to get paid to do both!

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? I think the words I live by are "put yourself out there". Believe it or not, it was my blog and my very personal journey I shared on it that opened so many doors for me. I don't believe I would be where I am today had I not shared myself so openly and honestly.

Related articles

• Definition: Boutique (fabsugar.com)
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Featured Artist: Sweet Treats Jewelry

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This talented artist has the cutest hand made charm bracelets you can find on Etsy with a little bit of nerd charm!

Shop Name: Sweet Treats Jewelry
What you like to go by: Rebecca When did you start your shop? 2007

Is this your only job? Ha ha No I'm a Mom too!! :)
When did you realize you had this talent? 1991 when I first started playing with clay!
Where do you find your inspiration? My overall love for art and jewelry!
Who has been the most supportive of your work? My Family and Friends!
What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? World peace!
What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

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Featured Artist: Crimson Presence Jewelry

 Tamara sure does have some one of a kind pieces in her shop! As well as an eye for design! Check out some of them here and read about her story!

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Shop Name: Crimson Presence Jewelry

What you like to go by: Tamara

When did you start your shop? July 14, 2010

Is this your only job? Yes, morning, noon and night. Like being a mom except in some ways harder. As a mother you work to take care of your child and see them happy. As a jewelry designer, maker and shop owner you work not only to support your child and self but to see that every person that comes into your shop walks away and happy.

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When did you realize you had this talent? Back in high school. I loved how jewelry could make you feel beautiful and good about yourself. I used to make simple jewelry for myself. Just beads on stretch cord. One day a class mate asked me to make her something. I saw the way her eyes lit up when I gave it to her and knew from then on I had some talent and wanted to make it grow and see what else I could do.

Where do you find your inspiration? Every and anywhere. A building gives me the structure and a painting gives me the colors. Most times I am just in the store looking at a wall of beads and something sparks in my mind. I look like a mad person going from one isle to the next grabbing other items and laying them out. Mind slowly building the idea and design as I see the pieces come together.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? Friends and family. My son who says he wants to make jewelry with me when he grows up. Two dear friends especially. James who I have known for 4 years and Danielle who I have known for 1. When everyone else is saying to give up and get a 9 to 5 job, I hear them and I know I am on the right path.

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What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? Turning my online shop and jewelry hobby, as some call it, into a full time and life long career. My own physical shop in town , where I can have a workshop and sell my jewelry.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? It may sound a little crude but :
Success or death ; And I'm not ready to die just yet!