Excitement

I have too many hobbies, I know!  But I love them all - and I love when I can combine them.

I had an idea for combining crochet with digital painting, and I am so excited.

I don't think I've posted any digital paintings here, and to be honest, I rarely share them.

Here is one for a commission that didn't pan out, just so I can post something.

Painted in ArtRage, one of my favorite programs of all time.   It used to be extremely cheap, and even with the raised price it is an incredible value.   No, I'm not some sort of paid sponsor, I just love it.

My Latest Loot, October/November edition

One of the reasons that I loved Halloween as a child (and adult!) was the loot.

Ahh....loot.

New Ponyville ponies for me! Showing off some fall fashions...

I finally bought the Toys R' Us tube of Ponyville ponies. I tried to convince myself that I could just live with an itty bitty Triple Treat, but I was so wrong. I needed a Flippity Flop in my life. And a Breezie Dreams! Oh and a... well, you get the idea.

Now they can get together, have some fancy dress cocktail parties, and talk about how aggravating it is when President Nixon knocks them to the floor and chews their heads. I gotta say, it is more fun with (small, plastic, pony) company.

There's a lot of collectors out there who just don't like Ponyville ponies, and in some ways I can see why. Their hair doesn't move. They are mostly just repeats of big ponies, except with much better playsets. Lately, there doesn't seem to be much attention paid to decent NEW ponies...

But, look at how CUTE they are!

Kaylazilla demands cute!

Well, Kayla was more of a planned purchase. I have failed in Mission Convince-Hubby-That-Tiny-BJDs-Are-NOT-Creepy. However, for some reason he thinks Kelly dolls are cute. And I think spiders are cute. So, say 'hello' to Kayla! I can't wait to have time to crochet her some little outfits. And, as far as I know her dresses will fit Felix Brownies and Pukis, so maybe she will help spread the BJD love, after all. Er, to DOA and Etsy, if not to my hubby.


Speaking of crochet....

I am happy to be working on yet ANOTHER crochet project. I did finish the previous choker and it just didn't suit me as well as I hoped. So, try, try again.

I think this necklace will be more of a lariat...but I'm not sure.

But gosh darn it, it is soft and it has an itty bitty President Nixon-esque cat, so it's bound to be loved by my neck!

And yes, I'm pretty sure it counts as loot, even if it has taken many hours of work to crochet up that lacy pattern so far.

No, I don't think Collette hunted down any ostriches...it's the colorway!
Etsy: Epicurus

Speaking of soft... here's the heavenly extra fine lace weight yarn in question. If I wasn't already married, I'd give this yarn some serious consideration. It's creamy, but with still enough natural texture that it doesn't give me the heeby jeebies.

I fell in love with it as soon as I opened the envelope, because the colors were exactly what I was hoping for. And then of course immediately wrapped the silky, opulent hank into a ball, because I'm neurotic like that.

I still love cotton thread, but I gotta say... silk blends are looking (and feeling) like an excellent choice for jewelry...

Newton, Armando (who is actually blue gray), and Aleen
Etsy: TeriPersing

CATS! FatCats, to be exact.

Before Etsy, I had never heard of Lampwork beads, now I can't get enough of them. Oooohhh...Etsy, you frisky thing, you!

I just love these beads, they are so freakin' adorable in person. I would still have bought heaps and heaps of them except maaaaaaybe I should see if I can make nice jewelry with them.

I'm planning on keeping Armando, because President Nixon is a blue cat (though not at all fat) and using Newton for a gift. So that leaves Aleen for my Etsy shop. Unless I keep her, too.

And, finally, because all that looting and pillaging and purchasing can lead to the body stink...

The closest to "foody" I can get without fearing land sharks
Etsy shop: naturallyamy

Mmm...violet. One of my favorite scents. And soap that doesn't make my skin rashy? That is also high on the list of "Nice Things."

I'd never really tried hand crafted soap before, and I think I should have invested much much sooner! It's creamy, and of course it stinks real pretty.

I had expected a subtle woodsy anise and violet scent, but it's really Violet Mints and Allsorts. Which sounds like a blast to the face, and maybe it is, but it's still clean and refreshing. And nostalgic. So nostalgic, in fact, that I find I can't really use it every day.

Violet Mints and Allsorts were very much "special event" candies, and obviously I enjoyed them because I keep a small stash in the house for pick-me up emergencies.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up keeping a stash of this soap around, too!

Etsy Interview: Enyaeire

Enyaeire is a very familiar name on the Etsy forums. She is the founder of the A cup of Tea and a Chat while you promote????????????? thread. At the time of this post that thread has 16399 posts!

She was gracious enough to share an interview with us. Thank you Enyaeire!

Please, tell us a little about yourself.
I am Irish and was born and raised in Co. Dublin Ireland. I go by the name enyaeire but my real name is Amanda. Enya is an Irish singer and Eire is Gaelic for Ireland so I put them both together and come up with the name enyaeire. I have many interests and of course crochet being one of them. I also like to etch glass and knit. I love everything to do with Celtic Art. I forgot to mention that I am known to be very witty yet there again most Irish people are.



How did you decide to start the A cup of Tea and a Chat while you promote????????????? thread? What are some of your favorite things about that thread?
I decided to begin this thread because often people just post their listings and run. I thought by making a thread where people can share their items and hang around to get to know other etsians it would be cool.


You also often help others promote their items, that's great! How often do you do that? And do you have any tips for self-promotion, or for promoting others?
I always encourage people who come to chat in the thread because I feel like is not always about oneself but about helping others. I love it and I do it willingly.

Now, about you on Etsy...how long have you been selling on Etsy?
I joined etsy on April 4th 2008 and now I am addicted *laughing^.

What is your shop filled with?
My shop is filled with many different items like crocheted hats, scarves, wraps, bags, bandanas and many other different creations etc.

Are there any materials or tools you find yourself wanting to use most often?
I love wool and crochet. whenever I see a ball of wool just by looking at it, I get a vision of the next project that I want to do.

What about themes or projects?
I love celtic art and all of my items are my own creations. I have never used a pattern as it all comes naturally. My next project is a little different but before I can say what it is, I must get Etsy's permssion first. Keep your fingers crossed for me that they do give it to me.


And, finally, are there any links you want to share?
Yes, these are a couple of etsyiers that I really admire for them as people but also their wonderful stores.
http://wallexpress.etsy.com/
http://katscratchbeadworks.etsy.com/
http://magnolyadesigns.etsy.com/
http://monkeythreads.etsy.com/


thank you for checking them out