handmade louisiana pick of the week

from Tigers and Tiaras

Wizard of Oz Machine Embroidery Applique patch!

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

Louisiana Love from NOLA Tawk.

HML's Pick of the Week

from The Cottage Store

HML's Pick of the Week

Chocolate Chai from Spicelicious.http://www.etsy.com/shop/Spicelicious?ref=seller_info

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

from SherryDoleArt

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

Robot Love Hand Carved Rubber Stamp from doodlebugdesign.

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

This week's pick is from CreoleSha. Check out her shop for lots of unique items!

Winner of the October Craft A Long is....

Dusty Oak Ornaments! We had to choose the winner with a run off voting this month but Dusty, you are the winner! :) Congrats!! Thanks to everyone who entered and voted and check back in a week or two for our November Craft a Long Challenge!

~Amy

Time to Vote in the August Craft a Long!!

This month's theme is "Southern Living"....which item do YOU feel most captures that theme?

*Bayou Bracelet from Etco

Bracelet made with a fabulous verdigris patina Fleur De Lis, chocolate Seed Beads and Antique Brass components

*Southern Celebrations by BayouMoon

In the South we LOVE parties, and we love details!!

*Coffee Cup Cozy by Girls Love Bows

*Love Louisiana Magnet from Mama's Little Monkeys

Cardstock La state and heart magnet

*NOLA Dish Cloth Bouquet from Baby Deary

Add a little Southern Charm to your kitchen... Use as decorations until you need a towel! :-)

*LSU Tiger Dress by Sheila Mallard

*Eye of the Tiger from Dusty Oak Ornaments

So cast your vote in your fave!! Thanks so much and keep an eye out for next month's theme!

Cards4Cancer Update

First off, let me apologize to everyone for taking so long to update this!! When I began working full time I expected my time would be pinched, but didn't realize to what extent! 


All through March, we told you about Cards4Cancer, an awesome program from the people at Spirit Jump who many of our members are connected with. Spirit Jump is all about making the lives of those with cancer a little bit brighter. So they planned one entire day called Cards4Cancer for April 15th, 2010. One of our founders, Merry, was integral in making sure Handmade Louisiana's part in C4C happened!


On Monday, April 12, Merry dropped off 81 cards to the Mary Bird Perkins  
Cancer Center in Covington.  They offer radiation therapy to cancer patients in 5 
locations in Louisiana. Mike Miranda received the cards and sent a letter of thank you to us afterwards.

Jackie with Primo's Pawtourage/2 Virgos Designs also sent two nice  bars of 
handmade soap.

Natalie with Scriveners Retreat sent a wonderful cardinal plushie to give  
to a patient with Multiple Myleoma in honor of her Dad.

Merry donated 9 hand knit hats.

Cards were sent by Amy of Mama's Little Monkeys, Merry of CheeseandChocolate as well as by Yamarilet of Etco, Lora of Precious Metals, and by Cadette Girl Scout Troop 31224 in Mandeville.



We were very pleased to be a part of Cards4Cancer, even on a small scale. I hope Spirit Jump continues to do Cards4Cancer and even if one card can bring a smile to someone's face then our job is done.


Thanks to all who participated, it means more than you'll ever know!


~~Amy and Merry

Time to Vote for our January Craft a Long!

Every month the Handmade Louisiana team has a "Craft a Long" in which we all submit items we've made based on a theme. This month's theme was "New Beginnings". The following are our members interpretations of that theme. Please vote on your favorite item that fits that theme.

1. "New Love" Wedding Photography by Mama's Little Monkeys

"Although not for sale, this is a photograph I took the day my niece got married. A wedding is always a fabulous new beginning!"

  

2. Colorful Lotus Blossom Necklace by Chloe Boutique

The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the water's surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower. The color green is also closely linked to the Old English word, "growan" which means "to grow". 

   

3. Tent Revival by Southern Heart Gallery

 New beginnings have started at many Tent Revivals! (but I think that little girl trying to sneak out will wait for another day!) ps...that was me when I was little :-)

 

 5. Mardi Gras Collar

Knitted button-up collar or cowl, see more at www.knitzy.com. This was the first of a series of new collars (new beginnings) (sold)

6. Organic Oh Baby! Soap by Herbfriend 

 

A special castille soap made with organic olive oil with a touch of organic castor to help enhance the bubbles and a light touch of organic lavender essential oil to help relax and pamper the body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Red Beans & Rice Clock w/ baby Oysters by Art on the Half Shell

 

Art On The Half Shell. Hand-crafted Oyster Shell Wall Clock featuring a dozen BABY Oyster Shells set like the hours with accents of amber & green sea glass. The 12 o'clock hour is embellished with a real 7mm pearl. 

 

8.  Fleur De Lis Ceiling Tile by Embellished Bayou

 

Antique Tin Ceiling Tile Handpainted Black & Stamped with a Gold Fleur De Lis; A new beginning for an old rusty piece of tin, symbolizing a new beginning for the city of New Orleans. Who Dat!!

 

9. Ceramic Crazy Leg Wall Vases  by Jodie Flowers

New Beginings - One leg at a time!

 

 

 

 

10. Sacred Heart by DebiDeauxDesigns

11. Reminiscing Faerie by Rue Design 

 

12. New Beginnings Flower Bow by Quibby's Bows

 

This flower is the beginning of my business...maybe it bloom ALL year. 

 

 

13.  Rainbow Hand Dyed Velvet Scarf from Splendiferous Fibers

 

Rainbows happen when you have rain and sun at the same time. Both Rain and Sun are needed to grow seeds and plants, and turn our grass green again! 

 

 

 

 14. Antique Flower Impression by Precious Metals 

A beautiful 99.9% pure silver ring! I made this ring by taking an impression from an antique silver sugar bowl my grandmother gave me. The ring is 9mm wide and fits a size 8.

15. Baby Boy Blue Booties by Gar Sticks and Strings

 

This year start a new begging in your family by having a new edition to it! Get hats and booties for your new edition at www.garsticksandstring.etsy.com

16. Valentine Special Edition Paper Bowl by Etco

New Romance...New Love…New Beginning

Don't let your favorite artisan lose! Get your votes in on the sidebar poll now!! :)

 

 

Handmade Louisiana November Craft a Long Voting!

This month's theme was "Be Thankful!" And our fabulous artisans came up with some great work!! Please be sure to read the meaning behind each piece if one is provided and vote for the one you feel most fits the theme "Be Thankful." Vote for your favorite in the poll on the sidebar.

With Gratitude by Hurricane Pottery
The curves of this little pot remind me of cupped hands making an offering to give thanks.

In Memoriam by AmazingArtPhotos

Rustic Pumpkins by ChloeBoutique

Nutcracker Santa Stripe Bag by Splendiferous Fiber
I've made many friends over the years working backstage at the ballet company. After 10 years, my daughter moved on to dance at the college/ pro level, but I still go help out and hang out with the other parents and volunteers. We work ourselves half to death, but always have fun. It's so worthwhile to not only help the dancers have a performance venue, but to present the ballet to the public and school classes that come to watch. I love seeing the dancers grow and improve every year.

Fleur De Lis Pendant by Gaudet's Gems
Thankful that the Saints are thus far UNDEFEATED!

Andrew and Matthew's Beau Beau Bags by Mama's Little Monkeys
I am thankful to do this charity for Matthew Akin. Baby brother Andrew may be gone but will never be forgotten. I am thankful for healthy kids and that I can help this one family even a little.

Black Lotus Bracelet by Etco
Lotus flowers symbolize ….how people should live…with purity of speech, mind and body.

Crochet Child's Hat by Stitches in Cotton
I am thankful for the ability to crochet and 100% cotton yarn, without these my children's heads would be cold during the winter.

So be sure to get your votes in, check out these great shops and more from our lovely team members!! :)

~~Amy

Member Artisan Profile: Black Dog Studio

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Black Dog Studio, I encourage you to do so. This shop features pen and ink, &/or colored pencil drawings, some painting, a little handmade polymer clay jewelry. Artist Leah has been drawing since early childhood and it’s in her blood. “My first memory is at three years old my Mom gave me a pen to draw on the paper on the exam table in the doctor's office to calm me down,” she explains. Her grandmother, mother and sister are all very creative. Art is “just what we did,” said Leah.

When asked about her favorite piece, she has a hard time choosing but prefers colored pencil drawings on black Stonehenge paper, featuring a metaphorical image. Leah’s biggest challenge is one to which we can all relate: not having enough time! And yet, it’s important for her to carve out the time necessary to tap into her creative energies. “If I don't do it, I start getting coo-coo, so it is kind of like having to eat or breathe for me,” she says.


She offers the following advice to other artists/sellers: “Focus on what you love to do, don't spend lots of time on something just to sell it (easier said than done if you are really trying to get some sales going to continue your craft). Another thing...don't feel like you need to do art in one particular category. Artsy minds are eclectic! Feel free to experiment with different media and not feel pinned in to one medium.”


Leah’s connection to Louisiana is strong: she was born and raised in Baton Rouge. “I love the natural environment,” she says, “we are so very lucky to have such a beautiful place to live.” In fact, she draws much of her inspiration from nature, as well as ancient art and “peeps like Matisse, Van Gogh, and my fave Walter Anderson.”

One skill she’d like to learn is “PATIENCE! And silk painting.”

Perfect for the holidays, be sure to check out Leah's line of ornaments.

To learn more about Leah’s art, visit the following sites:

http://blackdogstudio.etsy.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackdogstudio

Member Artisan Profile: 2 Virgos Designs

There’s a saying that when one door closes, another door opens, and Jackie, owner/creator of 2 Virgo Designs, embodies that. Looking for a creative outlet after discovering that damaged nerves prevented her from drawing like she used to, Jackie discovered soap making and fell passionately in love with it.

She’s been creating handmade soaps for two years. When asked what appeals to her about soap making, Jackie explains, “It is math, science, art, creativity, marketing, solitary and social all at once!”

Chocolate & Vanilla Soap

She draws much of inspiration from nature and life. Her favorite items are her hand milled soaps, offered in her Etsy shop. Her shop announcement states that, “2 Virgos Designs indulges my love for creativity, healthy living, and how wonderful lovely scented bath and beauty products and fragrances make us feel.”

Her biggest challenge as an artisan is hand painting her soaps, using a dry brush to paint accents. An example is pictured below in the adorable shar pei soap, part of her Primo’s Pawtourage dog themed soap line.

Shar Pei Handpainted Soap

A skill she’d like to learn is cold process soap making. Jackie says, “I value integrity and kindness above all!” This credo undoubtedly accounts for much of her success in art and business.

When asked to give one piece of advice to other sellers, Jackie offers this: “Do your research, make the best product you can, strive to excel at it!”

Oatmeal, Honey & Goat Milk Soap

Having relocated to Louisiana in 1992, Jackie calls the Bayou State home and her mother also lives here.

You can find Jackie’s scrumptious soaps here:
http://2VirgosDesigns.etsy.com
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/tygerhart
http://2virgosdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/2VirgosDesigns
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=33532

Vote for the October Craft a Long Winner HERE!

This month's theme was "Happy Fall Ya'll!" And our fabulous artisans came up with some great work!! Please check these out and vote for your favorite in the poll on the sidebar.

Neon Orange SLS Free Soap in Cranberry Apple from Mama's Little Monkeys

Crochet Scarf and Hat from BarbsMacrameandMore

Autumn Spice Soap from HerbFriend

Farmer 2 by BlackDogStudio

Autumn Glory Handpainted Silk Scarf from Splendiferous Fiber

Canaima Earrings from Etco

Thanksgiving Aline Dress With Pumpkin from Georgannaandcompany

Nuts for Fall Handpainted FloorCloth by RueDesign

Autumn Leaves Flamework Glass Necklace by DebiDeaux

Graffiti Painted Canvas Placemats by CTStudios

Please get your votes in and pick your fave!! The winner will be announced in a few days and meanwhile our artisans are cooking up the next Craft a Long!!!
~~~Thanks~~~
Amy/Mama