Christmas In July Sale

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

The Beehive is participating in a AREtsy team-wide Christmas in July sale. July 6th-19th I will be offering $5 off scrapbooks, memory catchers, framed silhouettes and premade page layouts (includes custom orders), free shipping on all other items not mentioned above. Also, every order receives a $5 off future purchases coupon. Just enter "Christmas in July" in notes to seller at time of checkout to receive the discount.

This sale a part of an AREtsy team wide event and there are a lot of other shops having fantastic sales, deals and giveaways. To see other Arkansas Artists on Etsy who are participating in the sale please visit the team blog here. Merry Christmas in July!

I Heart Swapping

Me in my new Idyll Hands necklace

I've only participated in 3 swaps but it is so much fun and this last one was by far my fave, to make and to receive! It was called Spring Tweets and the challenge was anything with birds. I was thrilled when I learned my fellow swapper would be Erin of Idyll Hands on Etsy, since I had long admired her delicious jewelry. Now I get to strut about in an Idyll Hands creation of my very own! My taking a photo of myself photo just doesn't do her work justice so be sure to head over to her shop, you won't be disappointed! I was so excited when it arrived yesterday and have been wearing it all day today, it's perfection!


I wanted to break away from scrapping a bit with this challenge so I made a shadow box. Erin has another shop on Etsy called Wooly Hands where she sells her hand spun yarns and roving. So I thought it would be appropriate to make her a little knitting birdie, the idea is that the bird is stealing a knitter's yarn to cozy up its nest. I didn't stray far, I used a pattern scrapbook paper background,diecut tree trunks and branch shadow out of black paper and mounted those flat. Then diecut a brown branch that I raised off the surface. When I put the shadow box on my new bookcase to try and get a good photo of it I almost kept it for myself! I will definitely be making one of these I can keep.

A Treasury Kind Of Morning

What a beautiful way to wake up, I'm in 2 team treasuries this morning!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

My Cherry Blossom memory catcher is in this all AREtsy team treasury by the always wonderful Oakleaf Hollow called AREtsy! The Heat Is On!

My Rainbow Brite appreciation box is in this all Twitter team treasury by Huayruro Peru called Twitter Friends.

Hot Of The Press: At Home In Arkansas Magazine

I like to enjoy all of The Beehive's latest press while riding my wooden rocking horse.

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Well, not so hot off the press now, I can't believe it's taken me so long to blog about this momentous occasion. That's what happens when a gal's computer dies. Anywho, my Framed Custom Silhouette is featured in this month's At Home In Arkansas magazine in a great little spotlight on cottage industry. You'll find me alongside other fantastic Arkansas artists and crafters who sell their wares on Etsy.

Custom Frames Silhouette by The Beehive

See the online article by clicking here

A Pleasant Good Morning

Finding I'm in a treasury is always a nice way to start the day! My Apple 'O My Eye appreciation box is in an AREtsy team treasury by Katzetsy, thank you!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Hey, That's Me!

Me "working" in my studio

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I am so incredibly honored. My lovely AREtsy: Arkansas Artists on Etsy team has given me a special feature on the team blog. To see the feature and read my stirring interview click here, the AREtsy team blog. If you're an Arkansas crafter on Etsy who would like to join the team, or you'd like to see a full list of all AREtsy team member shops see this link. Special thanks to our fearless leader Erin of IdyllHands and WoolyHands on etsy for running the group so beautifully!

For the interview I had to have a picture taken of me in my studio. Here are some that didn't make the cut! (along with the first shot in this post!) P.S. Check out my cool new craft organizers! They're the white storage to the left of my work table. Thanks to my folks for those!

Mr. Cash helping me select the right embellishment.

Post Pug kiss, blech. I love my Pug but I've never been a fan of letting an animal lick on my face!

Have you hugged your Pug today?

AREtsy Team Seein' Red in '09

A big thank you to Katzetsy for including my Rockabilly glass chip magnets (top row right) in her all red ARETsy team treasury titled AREtsy Team Seein' Red in '09!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Secret Santa

click image to enlarge

Arkansas Artists On Etsy (AREtsy) held a Secret Santa swap. I've only done two swaps but I've decided I love them! Here is what I came up with for Punkinhead (of punkinhead.etsy.com).

I received this great organic cotton Christmas tote bag fromVickie (of vhsfree.etsy.com). Click here or on the image to purchase your own Christmas tote!

Autumn In Arkansas

I was very honored this afternoon to find that I was in a treasury! It's called AREtsy, Autumn In Arkansas and was created by glassbead, a fellow member of the AREtsy group for artists and crafters of Arkansas. Glassbead makes, by hand, from scratch, the most beautiful glass beads. I don't know how she does it, it must be magic in her hands but you should definitely check out her shop! My featured item is my Year In The Life scrapbook seen in the third row down, far left. Thanks glass!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

AREtsy Autumn

I've been honored in a beautiful fall treasury by katzetsy called AREtsy Autumn. My Fall Flowers clothespin magnets are on the second row down, far right. Thanks for the honor katzetsy! Stop by her shop and check out her design work, she does it all!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Omorfos

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I'm late with the news so I can't post a link since treasuries expire, but I was honored in another beautiful all AREtsy treasury, Omorfus, by SnappyBibs. My baby congrats card is bottom row left. Snappy not only makes the most adorable bibs but also nursing pads and absolutely to die for gorgeous, retro style aprons designed with a noble purpose. She's definitely worth checking out. Thanks Snappy!

4th of July bib by SnappyBibs

Apron by SnappyBibs

It's Just Natural...

I'm in a treasury! No I'm not conceited, the title of the treasury is It's Just Natural. That there are fabulous items from the natural state! It's curated by dogwoodlane, a fellow AREtsian that you may remember as my first Weekend Feature and my first etsy purchase. Thanks Sally! Be sure to check out the beauties currently in her etsy shop, She has brand new bicycle seat bags! Oh, my Contemporary Asian mini album is what was featured, top left. It has left my shop for the moment but when I get relocated I'll start giving my shop the attention it needs and it'll be back.

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Promos Promos Everywhere

I have finally finished making my promos! I didn't make my goal of 200 but did manage almost 100. That will be 100 new people who will be exposed to my shop and I still have the supplies to make the rest to use later. Thanks to Cyndi at TheTwistedPurl for putting together promo bags to hand out at a local craft fair.

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.


They turned out really cute! I made glass chip flower pins and attached them to my business cards. I like my cards too. I make them out of scrapbooking cardstocks that are printed on both sides. All in all a very appropriate promo for a scrapbooker! I'm pleased.

AREtsy The Natural State: Where Nature Bites, But The Human Spirit Fights Back!

Last night I was reading the AREtsy thread and learned that SnappyBibs, a fellow AREtsian, managed to snag a treasury and dedicated it solely to Arkansas crafters and I'm in it! I'm so honored, thanks Snappy! My item is the Little Princess Album, second row down, far right. Snappy makes all kinds of embroidered goodies and even does custom embroidery so stop by her shop SnappyBibs.etsy.com!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

AREtsy The Natural State: Where Nature Bites, But The Human Spirit Fights Back!

Magical Origami Jumping Frogs

When I received my AREtsy recycled swap gift (a very cute apron made by Julie Anne of Diamondmeenuh with one of her husband's button up shirts) there was an extra surprise for the boys, a ton of brightly colored origami jumping frogs complete with diorama frog habitat! She told me this little concoction had saved her many times in her daycare job by entertaining little ones forever. I got the gift and immediately went out of town so the magic toy was set aside for later. This turned out to be a wonderful turn of events because about a week later we were all back home and I was getting sick. With no hubby I was wondering what the heck I was going to do with my wild children when (picture heavenly ahhhing and soft inexplicable lighting) I remembered Julie Anne's gift! It was a life saver and entertained the boys long enough for me to get a good rest and the second wind I needed to be able to feed them and put them to bed. Thanks Julie Anne!

The boys show off their favorite frogs.

Lil' Spitfire is trying to figure out what the heck a diorama is and how to get in on the action.

Mr. Golden Curls tells little bro all about frogs.

One AREtsian Gal's Trash is Another's Treasure

I hope it is anyway! I recently joined a swap, my first one ever, and it was alot of fun. The rules for this swap were to make something, a nice something, by recycling, reusing, and repurposing. I was so pleased with what I made I was tempted to keep it for myself.

The low down: This is a mini album made with paper lunch bag pages bound with an old shoelace and a cardboard cover upholstered with my old belt and beloved cords. Inside are bottle cap flowers and can tab embellishments and my favorite feature, tags made of old postcards! I was so excited about this simple idea, postcards are the original journaling spot. I also threw in a few can tab snakes for her kiddos.

Weekend Feature: dogwoodlane

I’ve been wanting to start featuring a new etsian each week and now I’ve finally gotten around to it. My first victim, Sally from dogwoodlane.etsy.com. She makes all kinds of bags and her signature item, the Super Organized Wallet. All of them are made of the most fantastically stylish fabrics. One of her babies is coming to live with me soon! In this post you can view some of her products and read her interview.

Try not to be jelous guys, this mod bag is MINE! Besides, if you saw the state of my current bag

you would buy it for me. Don't worry, Sally has other lovely things in her shop and does special

orders too.

This is one of dogwoodlane's superfantastic Super Organized Wallets in Atomic Circles. Click the pics to see the etsy listing.

all product photos were used with the permission of dogwoodlane.etsy.com

What do you do for a living in the daytime?

Well, I'm a stay at home mama to a little girl who just turned 4. So I mostly play games that she's made up and sew during the day.

Tell us a little about your etsy self.

So, dogwoodlane is my shop and it's my place to connect to the crafty world and other people who really appreciate handmade. I've really come to love the etsy community (especially my AREtsy gals) so much! Having so many people who have a love for handmade items in one place is pretty incredible. I also really love the relationships that I've made with many of my customers. It's really fantastic to get to know the people who enjoy the things I make. And well, OK, and the shopping is fantastic, too!

Tell us a little about your non-etsy self.

I'm pretty boring really. I have a cute little family of three (my husband, the little one, and me). I like to ride my bicycle, and I like books and movies.

What do you make and why did you start making it

I make various types of bags and purses, but my signature item is my super organized wallet. I started making wallets because I really like them, and I was having a hard time finding one for myself that I was really happy with. I like wallets that I can shove full of all kinds of stuff and not have to worry about carrying a bag if I don't want to. And, I really was tired of all the plain leather mass produced stuff that I was finding in stores. So, after lots of trial and error, I came up with the super organized wallet.

How did you discover etsy and how long have you been selling on etsy?

I found etsy when I was browsing the internet for artwork for my home. At the time, I hadn't even really considered selling the things I made online or anywhere else for that matter. But, I was hooked on the site and, after alot of encouragement, started a shop of my own in Jan. 2007.

What inspires you?

Oh, I guess I get inspiration from lots of places. Usually, if I'm in a bit of a slump, just getting away from sewing and playing with my little one and marveling at her creativity gets me going again. And sometimes it's just the fabrics that do it....sometimes they just call out to be made into something.

What advice do you have for people trying to sell their crafts?

I'm certainly no expert, but I really think you just gotta find your niche (especially on etsy) and roll with it. You have to find what makes your work unique and really focus on that and let people know what makes you so stinkin' cool. And...I think you have to love whatever it is that you do (a big ol’ cliche, I know).

AREtsy

I am in the process of discovering the joys of Etsy Teams. These are groups of Etsians who have banded together under commonalities of beliefs, artistic style, medium or location. I'm so excited to have found a group for my fellow inhabitants of Arkansas, AREtsy! They sound like a fun bunch and it's wonderful to think that I might meet up with like-minded people in person and have buddies to join in craft fairs with. I discovered them just barely too late to make their first meet and greet but look forward to the next. Etsy is just a world unto itself!