Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

The lovely Mairi of Trapped in Time Designs.

Gorgeous handmade costumes, dresses, clothing and more! Beautiful craftmanship!

HML Pick of the Week

Pintuck Collar Dress from BayouSalvage

Time to Vote for the May Craft a Long!!

Whoops, we haven't posted in awhile!! Spring has sprung, is over and it's hot and sweaty here!
Our thoughts and prayers are with our Louisiana residents affected by the flooding from the rising Mississippi River. Our members are considering donating a % of our charity funds from our Etsy shop to help those affected by the floods. We'll let you know what we decide.

~~ For now it's time to vote in the Craft a Long! This month...despite the lack of rain, our theme is Flowers and Greenery! Here's what lovely work our members have!
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Forest Floor Handpainted Silk Scarf from Splendiferous Fiber.

13 x 70, 100% silk scarf is handpainted, sunprinted, and hand overprinted with pearlized blue and turquoise leaves, and speckled with metallic gold. Large size perfect for neck, waist or as a light wrap. One of a Kind.
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Garden Earrings from etco

Pretty Czech Glass Rose Bell Flowers hang from an antiqued brass flower connectors. They dangle from an antiqued brass leverback ear wires.
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Raggy Flower Applique Ruffle T Shirt Set from Embellished Bayou

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From CuteLootnFood2Boot
My take on "flour and greenery" with a recipe for Seafood Fettuccini and folder made of recycled card stock. A little all-purpose flour, green onions, green parsley. Well you get the idea!

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Foxglove Art Print from DitsyGypsy.

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Topiary Custom Throw 60"x90" from Pamela's Custom Creations

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Blue Ceramic Wall Vase from Hurricane Pottery
Handbuilt, ceramic vase in royal blue with copper wire wrapped to form a hanger and, in front, a bow

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Spring Dresses with Yo Yo Flowers from Vivy's Closet

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Floral Pincushion with Fabric Covered Button from Destash City
Keep your pins and needles in one place and in style with this cute pincushion!

Thanks for voting!!!

HML's Pick of the Week

custom boutique lemonaide top from M2MBoutique

Member Artisan Feature: Bellabugs

  

Meet Grechen, owner/operator of Bellabugs, specializing in children’s clothing and accessories. Louisiana born and raised, Grechen has been creating handcrafted baby items since the birth of her daughter, and she continues to be inspired by her children.

She enjoys mixing and matching fabrics and offers boutique quality items at affordable prices. Her favorite creations include her pillowcase dresses (above), but be sure to check out her adorable onesies: “Little Dive High Heel Shoe Onesie” and “Little Dude Tie Onesie.”

When asked about her biggest challenge as designer/artist/business owner, she cites a common one: managing her time. Grechen offers the following advice for other artist/sellers: “Constantly look for new and creative ways of drawing buyers in.”

To learn more about Bellabugs, visit:

Her Etsy shop: http://www.bellabug08.etsy.com/

Her blog: http://www.bellabug08.blogspot.com/

May's Craft a Long Winner is................

This beautiful bustier from Trapped in Time Designs.

Congratulations to Trapped in Time Designs for winning with this beautiful piece and thanks to all who entered!!

~~Amy

Member Artisan Profile: Butterflies & Rainbows

Butterflies and Rainbows features handmade custom clothing for babies and toddlers (even adults too). Artist and owner Candice has been creating for years, but was really inspired by the birth of her first child five years ago. She now has two children and loves dressing them in her incredible, one-of-a-kind outfits. “I love creating new outfits for my children and I love when they are excited about wearing them,” she explains.

Candice’s favorite materials include cotton and cotton blends, but “any beautiful fabric will do and I probably have most of them,” she says. Candice jokes, “buying fabric is a sickness for me.”

She cites her family’s support as a key component to her success. “I have a great husband that supports me greatly in this endeavor of my life and two wonderful children that make me so proud to be their mother,” she says.

Her biggest obstacle, however, are time constraints. “Being a stay at home mom to a beautiful girl and a rambunctious little boy, it is hard to find time to fill orders and make new things to offer,” she explains. Occasionally, Candice will put her Etsy and Artfire shops on a brief hiatus while she fulfills orders and develops new product lines.

One of the favorite aspects of her craft is the time alone that she needs to release her creative juices and make extra income for her family. Candice is currently working a new fall line, in addition to creating items for adults to enjoy as well as children.

Her favorite piece of advice for other sellers is: “Do your best and you will shine!” When asked what skill she’d like to learn, Candice replied that she’d like to design her own patterns.

Although she moved to Birmingham, Alabama two years ago because of her husband’s employment, Candice’s local connections run deep: she’s originally from Lafayette. “Louisiana is dear to my heart,” she explains, “because it is where I grew up and it is such a diverse place.”

Candice’s creations can be found on Etsy (http://www.brkids.etsy.com/) and on Artfire (http://www.brkids.artfire.com/). She also sells offline to friends and family or by word of mouth. Most of her items are custom made, so if you see something you like, she invites you to ask. She can make almost anything!

To learn more about Butterflies and Rainbows, visit her ...
on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cdoucet1
on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cdoucet1229
on her blog: http://www.brkidsonetsy.blogspot.com/
and on: http://picasaweb.google.com/candice.doucet