OkEtsy Featured Seller: BearyCreative

BearyCreative, please introduce yourself.
Jeri Hall, Tulsa, Whimsically-Dark Artist

What is/was your inspiration?
I have been inspired by the work of: Tim Burton and Edward Gorey. There is also a woman on Etsy I have purchased from who makes amazing art dolls (which I now have 4 of :) who's work has really inspired me to grow and be a better artist.

What is your favorite media and why?
My favorite media is painting (with acrylics). I love to paint. It's very theraputic and relaxing.

What has been your favorite project?
My favorite project would be when I was preparing for the 2011 BlueDome Arts Festival in Tulsa. I decided I wanted to showcase my art there within 3 weeks of the Festival and had to make like 20 paintings in that time. It was crazy, but I did it and think it has been some of my best work!

Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project?
I'd still like to be taking part in local shows- but have grown as an Artist and become better and have had a billion sales :)

Do you have any keys of success to share?
Network!

What has been your biggest challenge in developing your shop?
Getting people to know about your shop. There's sooo many wonderful and talented Artist on Etsy that sometimes it's hard to stand out! So, the way I get noticed is to carry business cards everywhere I go and I wear my artwork on t-shirts just about everyday :)

Tell us one thing crazy about yourself.
This is gonna sound weird, but it's true... I have 2 toes the same size on my left foot ha :) TMI

What is something you would love to learn how to do?
Make art dolls out of paper mache. I admire those on Etsy who make beautiful dolls. I've tried, and it's harder than what you'd think!

What is one thing you love about Oklahoma?
My family is all in Oklahoma.

Check out this week's featured seller, BearyCreative, at the following places:
etsy: bearycreative.etsy.com
blog: bearycreativeart.blogspot.com
fb: "bearycreative"
personal site: zhibit.org/jerihall

Thanks, Jeri!

OkEtsy Featured Seller: BrittaniFlowers

Name- Oh, honey child
Location- Elk City, Oklahoma
Type of craft- Plush, Embroidery, and Accessories


1. What is/was your inspiration?
I get inspired by vintage material, when I go to the thrift store and find a piece of fabric I instantly know what I want to make with it.

2. What is your favorite media and why?
Embroidery thread, or at the moment I am using pretty punch, I like to draw something and then bring it to life stitch by stitch.

3. What has been your favorite project?
One day I was doodling and I drew a picture of my bearded husband, I took that picture and stitched onto a pillow and added "Beards are Sexy", apparently I am not the only one that thinks so! Every time I sell one or make one it makes me giggle knowing its all because of my hairy man.

4. Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project?
I want to open a handmade store sooooooo bad, so I hope thats going down.

5. Do you have any keys of success to share?
Be persistent.

6. What has been your biggest challenge in developing your shop?
Keeping my Etsy updated! I do shows and I sell items in several shops, so keeping fresh items up is a challenge, but I have made it a priority.

7. Tell us one thing crazy about yourself.
hmmmmm crazy? I shaved my head once, just because...

8. What is something you would love to learn how to do?
I would love to learn how to throw pottery, or do screen printing, or wood work, or welding, or glass blowing, or.....

9. What is one thing you love about Oklahoma?
The support handmade artist get and give.

www.facebook.com/ohhoneychild
ohhoneychildblog.blogspot.com/
www.etsy.com/shop/brittiniflowers

Tutorial: Easy Peasy Rosette Headband

You know all of those cool flowery headbands you see little girls wearing anymore? I'm sure you have especially if you frequent any craft blogs that feature children's items. And I'm sure you've noticed that there are about 6,000 different ways to make all of those flowers. While the thought of making one doesn't frighten me at all I just haven't gotten around to it. Until I saw a way to cheat with rosette ribbon (by the yard) at Hobby Lobby. It was so great. A satin row of rosettes stitched onto tulle. And they had it in multiple colors. So, my brain went to work and I took my kids all over Hobby Lobby gathering supplies.

Supplies: Rosette ribbon (I got 1/2 yd. = 18 in., but didn't use all of it. To use all of it would cover the entire headband if you want to go that route), a headband, thread that matches your rosettes, beads (I bought green tear drop shaped ones for leaves and crystal ones to add a little pizzazz), needle, and hot glue gun/sticks

Begin by taking a single strand of thread and knotting it at one end. Then pass your needle and thread through the tulle and grab a bit of the satin as well, to anchor it, a few times. Make sure to keep all of your knot at the back of the ribbon.

Once you have your thread anchored decide how frequently you want your green "leafy" gems and stitch them on. I did mine at the top right and bottom left of each flower. Make sure to anchor your gems on with a few stitches so that they don't come off easily and become a choking hazard for your little one if they should pull it off. If you will notice this ribbon is all stretched out and in-between each rosette there is some extra satin (it's in the shape of a heart but you can't really tell that). I wanted more fullness so...

I gathered the rosettes together on the back by stitching a few times from the top of one flower to the next and pulling tightly to make it gather. I did this at the top of each rosette pair and at the bottom.

Now when you flip it over it looks like this. Much fuller and more attractive don't you think?

I went back and added a bit more bling since this is basically a photo prop. Use the same technique as you did for the tear drop "petals" to secure each bead. I grouped mine in threes but each bead is secured individually.

After you have your beads all secured and everything as you like it secure the ribbon to the headband using hot glue. And then once it has cooled off try it on your kiddo to see how it looks:

Pardon the drool. She's teething. lol I would change the headband to a light pink if I could do it again. Just so it blended more. But, the outfit she will be wearing this with is a dirndl from Germany that her Grandparents bought her, and it is pink, green, and white. Hence the creamy white headband. And while she looks all rosey posey above...

Yeah...little miss teether didn't think it was all fun and games like mom did.

Happy crafting!

-Amanda-