Wicked Wednesday: Creepy Crochet

Okay, so it's not really creepy, per se. I just like alliteration. And all of these crocheted creations do have a certain gothic flair. And you thought crochet was just for Granny's afghans! You didn't really, did you?!

Oh, no, my friends. It's also for... jewelry? You bet! Just check out this gorgeous crocheted choker from FlowersbyIrene:



Isn't it amazing? Great for any elegant occasion, but it would truly be the perfect Gothic wedding accessory. There's also a white version for the more traditional bride, as well as lots of other beautiful crocheted accessories. Check it out!

You know what would go great with that choker? These gloves from crochetize:



I know I said the same thing about the last item, but aren't these amazing? So detailed! So elegant! So fantastically well-made! Go pay crochetize a visit. She has a few other pairs of gloves in her shop, and each one is just as gorgeous as these.

I always like to see something for the wee baby gothlings of the world, and these have to be one of the cutest items of that description I've ever seen:



I love these. I love the little skulls. I love that they look like Crocs. And I love that they take the tradition of crocheted baby booties to a new, modern, goth-ish level. Awesome!

Nahvrianna has these in other colors, as well, if you're not of the "drab is fab" mindset. And if you're not really gothly at all I don't know why you're reading this she has lots of other adorable booties too, as well as patterns, if you'd like to make your own.

Now, then. On to today's bonus item! This one isn't actually crocheted itself, but it is crochet-related. And it's so cool I just couldn't resist.



This puts my nice-but-kinda-boring-maroon-pleather-came-with-the-hooks case to shame! Aren't those little button-eyed skulls and scissor-crossbones just the greatest? And the best part? This is just one of many awesome designs Slipped Stitch Studios has to offer. There are plenty of other cool needle/hook wraps as well as project bags and oodles of other accessories for we knitters and hookers.

All right, my fiendish friends. That's it from me today. Have you got a cool, creepy crocheted item to share? Leave me a comment. I'd love to see it!

Tutorial Tuesday: Make Your Own Etsy Banner

Happy Tuesday, folks! I've been thinking of trying my own video tutorial for a while now, and I finally got around to doing it last week. As my greatest expertise lies with graphics, I decided to do a simple banner tutorial (This also was something I could do with one hand, leaving me with a free hand to operate the camera. Handy. =P).

Overall, I'm quite happy with it. I got a bit ramble-y in places, trying to fill the silence while I did things, and my phone decided to honk at me in the middle of things. But hey, this is an amateur tutorial video, not fine cinema.

So. Watch, enjoy, and let me know what you think! If there's interest, I'm willing to do this in text and images, as well. I know that would be easier to follow for some...

Make Your Own Etsy Banner with GIMP: Part 1 from The Ash Grove on Vimeo.

Make Your Own Etsy Banner with GIMP: Part 2 from The Ash Grove on Vimeo.

Thursday Threads: NicoDesigns

I suppose it could be argued that handbags don't technically fall under the category of apparel, but the title of this feature is Thursday Threads, and threads and fabric are most certainly involved here.  Also, it's my blog.  =P

So.  Without further ado, let me introduce you to today's featured Etsian, NicoDesigns, who makes some truly awesome totes and handbags, the most adorable baby shoes, and pretty pincushions and pillows, as well. 

Here are a few of my favorites:



Isn't this pretty? I love the colors (I've discovered I have a big thing for blue and brown together...), and the size would be perfect for all sorts of things. It's listed as a diaper bag--and a very stylish one it would be--but it would also be a great school bag or for my fellow knitters/crocheters, I think it would be great for those on-the-go projects.



Things like this make me wish I had a baby to dress. Aren't these just the cutest? And they're eco-friendly too! They're made with a recycled felt product and 100% cotton flannel. Oooh, flannel. Gosh, I wouldn't mind having some flannel-lined slippers for myself... Hey, Nico! Any plans for adult sizes? =P



How cute are these? And versatile. They have ribbon loops, so you could hang them as ornaments. They'd look lovely just sitting on a shelf. Or you could use them as pin cushions! I personally think a whole set of pin cushions would be a very handy thing to have. Then I could have one for every room, which would totally eliminate the "oh darn I left my pincushion in the other room guess I'll just stick these pins in the arm of the couch" syndrome.

But I digress. There are many, many more adorable items to be found in Nico's shop, so go take a look! And be sure to check out her blog, as well! NicoDesigns is this month's featured Etsy Blogger!

Looking Forward

If you've been following my blog, you may have noticed a few changes--such as the addition of a second sidebar (Finally figured that out!  Yay!) and some new graphics related to the Etsy Bloggers Team.  Yup, I have officially joined my very first Etsy team, and I am all kinds of excited!

So I'm deviating from my normal schedule today to write my first Blog Carnival entry, answering the question: "Now that 2010 is here, what do you have planned/look forward to/hope to accomplish this year?"

The first answer that springs to mind is, "So very much!"  I have so many ideas bouncing around I could probably ramble for pages.  Which, might be interesting, but also time-consuming.  So I'll narrow it down to a nice, neat list...


Plans for 2010

• Experiment with quilting.  I've always loved quilts.  My great grandma made the most fantastic patchwork quilts out of old clothes that she cut into little squares and sewed entirely by hand.  They were the warmest, coziest things in the world.  I used to watch quilting shows on PBS almost every day, and came to know quite a bit about how quilts are constructed.  But for some reason, I've just never gotten around to trying it out for myself.  But the crafty muses recently gifted me with what I think is an awesome and rather unique idea for a series of quilts, and I intend to get to work just as soon as I compile all of the necessary materials...
  

• Play with polymer clay.  There's a necklace design that's been sitting in my sketchbook for a few months now waiting for me to get the beads and decide how to make the pendant.  I finally decided to use polymer clay and, coincidentally, not long thereafter, I was given a book about stamping polymer clay, which gave me all sorts of other ideas.  I fell in love with poly-clay a few years ago when I started costuming (it's great for all sorts of small props and such), and I've always wanted to experiment with it in other contexts but, like quilting, I've just never gotten around to it.  Apparently, this is to be the year of "Things I Never Got Around To Before."
  

• Make some dolls.  I've recently developed a fascination with sock dolls, plushies, amigurumi, and other such forms of "soft" dolls.  I actually made a small stuffed moose back in my junior high home ec. class.  It was a rather frustrating experience, but the teacher and I did not get on well, so the atmosphere was probably more to blame for that than the moose itself.  So I am not deterred.  Though, I do believe some sort of amigurumi will be my first venture.  I also must add that I am utterly in love with sock dolls.  If I can work out a way to make myself a sock squirrel, my life will be complete.
  

• Make some soap!  I started fiddling with soap-making a few years ago, and made some lovely melt-and-pour glycerin soaps that I gave as Christmas presents to all the ladies in my family.  They were quite easy and lots of fun, but what I really wanted to try--what started that whole venture, to begin with--was cold process soap-making (the real deal, with lye and all that jazz).  I always did enjoy chemistry...  I think the whole process appeals to my inner mad scientist.  Regardless, I never got around to it back then, and I haven't thus far mostly because of all the equipment I needed to compile (being broke does not make that easy =P).  But I recently came across something that offers the best of both worlds:  soap shreds!  Basically, these are cold process soap that's been shredded and can thus be melted, dyed, scented, and poured into molds, much like glycerin.  How cool is that?  I already have ideas for a few different "scent collections," and I'd love to add a bath and body line to my shop this year (or maybe start a second shop--I'm debating). 
  

Well, look at that.  I rambled anyway.  Ah, well.  Those are my major crafty plans for this year.  I have many other, less-interesting-to-write-about business/marketing plans and goals, as well.  All in all, it's going to be a busy year!

Tutorial Tuesday: Jeweled Mini Boxes

Howdy, folks!  In case you hadn't already guessed, we were having computer troubles again yesterday.  But I'm back today with a great tutorial by ellesbeads.  If you're looking for a fun, stylish way to store your findings, seed beads, all those tiny little odds and ends, check out her video tutorial and learn how to make some adorable jeweled boxes.  They'd make great gift boxes for smaller items as well, methinks...

Follower Feature Friday: Eco Creations

Happy Friday, Folks!  Hope you're all enjoying yours.  We're having a snowy one here, but that's okay.  I view it as a great excuse to stay inside and drink lots of hot chocolate! 

And, of course, catch up on things like my blogging.  It feels like it's been ages since I did a Follower Feature...  But I'm jumping back in the saddle with this post, featuring the lovely EcoCreations!

If you're into eco-friendly, nature-inspired designs, you simply must check out Eco Creations.  While they're focus is on hemp and beaded jewelry, they also feature other accessories and home decor (there aren't any listed at the moment, but they do some awesome hemp rugs).  And the best part?  Not only is everything in the shop beautiful, but it's all made with vegan, domestically-made, and/or recycled materials. And they offer free shipping in the US!  Here's just a sample of what they have to offer...

Unique Hemp Jewelry

I don't think I've ever seen hemp combined with sterling silver before, but isn't gorgeous?  If you don't think hemp jewelry can be elegant, take another look at this picture.  And then go check out the rest of the shop, because this is just one example.

Elegant Earrings

Maybe hemp just really isn't your thing.  No worries.  Eco Creations has lots of not-hemp-but-still-eco-friendly jewelry too.  Like these beautiful, graceful earrings, featuring mother-of-pearl coins that were not harvested from live oysters.  No need for your earrings to fight with your ethics!

Beautiful Beaded Bracelets

Eco Creations has all sorts of beautiful bracelets of both the hemp and beaded variety, ranging from austere and elegant to fun and funky.  So choosing one was difficult, but the name of this one caught my eye.  Sugarplum.  What a perfect name!  It really does remind me of a bunch of sugarplums all strung together.  It's one part Serious Plum Business, two parts Sugary Dancing Fun.  I love it!

And all that talk of sugarplums has made me hungry...  I'm off to raid the after-Christmas candy stash.  You go pay a visit to Eco Creations!

Want a chance to be featured here?  Come follow me!

A bit of gushing

Well, folks, my blogging vacation turned out to be a bit longer than I had intended...  Our internet has been flaky all week, so I haven't been able to get online to post.  My apologies.  Hope you haven't missed me too much. ;)

Of course, I haven't been able to do my usual browsing around Etsy either, so I'm going to skip today's feature and do a bit of gushing instead.  All of these folks not only have great shops; they're also just awesome people.

Like ellesbeads.  Elle makes jewelry that's very beautiful and very affordable.  Like these gorgeous earrings.  Aren't they amazing?  And she's just a sweet person, to boot. 

So is christinemarieford.  Christine specializes in jewelry, quilting, and fiber art.  And I must say, I'm just in love with her work.  All of her pieces are truly unique and utterly beautiful.  It's hard to choose a favorite, but if I absolutely had to, I think I'd have to go with this choker.  It's just stunning!

And while we're on the subject of jewelry, you should be seeing some new pieces from me soon.  Kitty was kind enough to buy me some gorgeous pearls and jade from BeadsAndPearls and I just can't wait to do something with them.  If I manage to make something half as beautiful as the necklace she bought from them, I'll be happy.

But for now, I'm off to catch up on some other things and throw some dishes in the dishwasher before our pipes decide to freeze.  It's cold.  *shivers*