If you missed this

It was only the awesomest treasury EVER!

When I was a small artist

I will always remember my childhood
So here you can read it... list style

8 of my current childhood memories, which have no relevance to anything particular at this very moment or anytime in the upcoming future.

1. Taking painting lessons with oil pastels
2. Going camping and eating fudge and pasties
3. Campfires and smores
   
4. Riding my bike everywhere
5. Walking barefoot all summer long
6. Eating the baseball glove ice creams with the bubble gum in the middle
7. Walking to the coney stand
8. Watching Darkwing Duck, Bonkers, Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers, DuckTales, Gargoyles, & Tale Spin

WEEK OF FEATURES #five TulipsTreasureBox

This seller is actually a fellow EtsyBlogger teamate. She is August's featured blogger and I am happy to feature here her on my blog! TulipsTreasureBox

Isn't her jewelry really pretty? I love those earrings, I think they would make a nicec edition to any outfit on your girls night out!
"I am proud to create and present unique works of art. Thank you for allowing my joy to become yours. ♥ "
Member: etsyBloggers Street
TeamBlog: http://tulipstalking.blogspot.com/
So head on over to her store today!

WEEK OF FEATURES #four ARTerusaru

I found this artist in chat, and I think she does absolutely amazing work. I wanted to feature her because I don't think a lot of people have seen her shop and I think everyone should hop over and check it out!
ARTerusaru
Abstract painter, photographer, graphic artist.
Teruyo Horikawa, a Japanese artist who mainly focuses on artworks of abstract.
Below are some of my favorite things from her shop!

WEEK OF FEATURES #three Stephasaurus2themax

I wanted to feature my fellow craft (and button) friend on etsy Stephasaurus2themax. She is super awesome and has super awesome items in her store!
instead of doing my usual feature style I am doing
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INTERVIEW STYLE!

If you could be a robot, what kind of robot would you be?

I would be a dinobot. Seriously, a dinosaur robot would be pretty dang cute right??

What is a tool you are craving to own right now?

OOOH, that's easy!! A semi-auto button machine! I'm so sick of handpressing every single button with my badgeaminit... ugh.. yes, that's right! Every single one by hand. I have the blister in the middle of my palm to prove it! :) It's worth it though, I've had a love for buttons since the first time I saw Empire Records.

What is your favorite thing to make?

Right now I'm stuck on those zippy pouches! I have an obsession with funky fabrics... a very very big obsession! And those little pouches give me a chance to use lots, and be a bit creative pairing silly fabrics together. I'm branching out now and putting little pockets inside and adding wrist straps and stuff too! ;)

So what is up with your shop name?

:D All of my friends have called me Stephasaurus for years!! And I went through a strange phase where I said "to the max!" at the end of every sentence... My email address is stephasaurus_2themax so I figured I would use that for Etsy too so I wouldn't confuse myself!

Do you have a crafty area? Or just a box of stuff?

I have a HUGE crafty area. And it is FULL of boxes of craft stuff!! It's a 10' x 16' bedroom.. (I like to call it my office ;)) and it looks like a ginormous craft barfed all over it. I have a sewing table, a button makin' table, two dressers full of fabric and boxes all over the floor full of different papers, paints, markers, pastels.. you name it, it's there...

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

Be patient! Don't be discouraged if you aren't selling everything immediately.. the sales will come! Until they do, hop in the chat and meet some fellow crafters.. you'll meet some great people, and I bet they'll have great advice for you too :)

How do you promote your work?

Here on Etsy I try to go in the chat at least once a night or post in the forums. I recently started a facebook group called "stephasaurus" which has already lead to a few custom requests and also I have given a lot of business cards out to friends and family, which helps spread the word! OH and when I go out, I always make sure I'm wearing a sweet button or carrying a kickass purse I've made to strike up interest in others, and guess what? It works everytime! ;)

If you bought your own island what would you name it?

Shagwunkfgwaniggle

If you had to choose to only make one crafty item the rest of your life what&why?

Definately bags/purses!! Mostly because of the fabric obsession I mentioned earlier, and also because I really do love to sew! I'll admit I get frustrated with it a wee bit sometimes, but it's very satisfying once you're finished and you have the final product in your hand :)

Lastly, how much ya love me? Be honest and open, I am not modest LOL

LOL, Tons! Seriously.. It's been a slice chattin' and helping each other out with silly things, and you were the first person I met on here.. even thought we've never technically "met". I'd like to take this chance thank you for the constant promoting of my things too!! You've made my stay here at Etsy a pleasure! :)

I DEMAND YOU CHECK HER OUT :D

WEEK OF FEATURES #two Steppie

Number two feature is my recent ACEO purchase from Steppie, I bought the I heart Whale! Is it not super cute???

Steppie is also a super cute seller with some super awesome and unique art in her store. She also sent me some goodies and a nice note of appreciation! Always nice to be appreciated!Here is what Steppie has to say about her work :

En Rouge Designs was once a dream that has now come to life. It is spearheaded by yours truly and my beautiful sister (and business partner!). While my sister deals with the business & financial department, I contribute my love for marketing, innovative ideas, and creativity.

This shop, however, is an extension of my love for arts & crafts. To be honest, I have an embarrassing obsession with projects, creativity, and the process of making pretty things that will make people smile! While this shop expresses my passion for color and canvas painting, my love for arts & crafts doesn't stop there... as DIY projects and decor can also be found on my list of things I love to do on my free time.And here is what some people have said about Steppie's art!

"AMAZING seller. Great communication, I knew what was going on the whole time, great art, thanks for all the goodies, I recommend checking out this sellers art, Great stuff in her store. Thanks so much!"

"I’d encourage you to check out this delightful up-and-coming artist, and to support her work if you like her style as much as I do!"

"beautiful ACEO! a wonderful addition to my collection!"

So check out the store, be inspired by the love this artist has for her work, and the color and detail that surrounds each piece.

OR To look a little deeper into her life & projects: http://enrougedesigns.blogspot.com/

I know where I am headed right now!

WEEK OF FEATURES #one Bethtastic

I am doing a week of fun funky fantastic features of etsy sellers. You will see people and items that will make you happy and drool, and maybe shop!
My first is Bethtastic (same name as me, Beth!)
Here is what she says
"As always, all of my resin pieces are sanded, buffed, polished, and finished off with a specialized resin high gloss coating.
I spend a lot of time on all of my jewelry, and feel like my prices are very reasonable, and the quality is either on par or better than many other resin shops on etsy.
Please feel free to convo me for custom pieces. I've done many custom pieces already, and so far, everyone has been more than happy with the outcome. "

HERE is what others say
"It's gorgeous, thank you so much! And for the extra sparkly pendant too :) "
"Super cool pendant! Too bad it's a gift so I have to part with it, but the recipient is definitely going to dig it. "
"Thanks for the awesome pendants, truly unique artist!!!"(I left this feedback)

So seriously check out this etsy artist, I cannot tell you how many comments I get when I wear the pieces from Beth, they are extremely unique and easy to wear!

Tools of my trade

As of recently I have been very much into art journals, and keeping mine up, and selling kits in my store, which if you are an artist/writer art journaling is amazing and awesome.

First what is an art journal??

Art journals generally combine visual journaling and writing. Every imaginable style, media and technique is used by art journalists. There are no rules!
An art journal is a visual diary, a place to play, experiment, imagine, remember, try new techniques, and to document your daily life, your ambitions, and your dreams. It is also a place to scream cry to lament to fantasize and to get in touch with your innermost self.

It is like journaling scrapbooking painting and college combined into one fantastic playful messy experience!

OK
Now my tool that I use every time I journal?
Paint and paint brushes! I love love love paint, I love the messy feeling and the paint on my hands. Sometimes I find paint splotches in random places after I am done, I always laugh.
So my favorite tool right now, is my brushes, foam, small, big, wet, dry, new, old, BRUSHES.

This is just a tool that as an artist, I cannot do without. I buy them whenever they are on sale i just love having new brushes to use with all my paints.