Handmade Gifts are the BEST gifts!

So... the holiday season is stealthily creeping up on us! Time to start thinking about the gifts which we'll all be giving to our loved ones! This season, let us remember the true spirit of giving... it's not about running to the mall last minute to grab whatever you can find to put under the tree... it's about giving gifts from the heart, which you know the recipient will truly love and enjoy. I am definitely a "handmade gifts" sort of person, and virtually all the gifts I give are either made with LOVE by me, or are purchased gifts made by another artist or craftsperson. I do lots of shopping on Etsy, at local art and craft shows and at boutiques which carry things made by local artists. I love supporting other artists, and I love knowing that the special gift I am giving was made with loving care by someone's own two hands.

I recently discovered this website... check it out:

http://www.buyhandmade.org


So... This year, will YOU pledge to give Handmade?

Busy Busy!

It's been a very busy week week over here! Lots of sales, and lots of NEW creations! I sometimes find it a challenge to juggle the "business" stuff and the creative stuff, but for this week, anyway, it seems to all be blending together nicely!
Sooo.... I've got a new canvas which is calling to me, and several crochet projects in the works! I'm also planning on getting my Holiday stuff up onto Etsy by sometime next week... can you believe it's almost November already?

Two new collages...

Two new ones! Both 5x7 on matte board.

When art finds a new home...

To solve the problem of where to store some of my larger collage canvases while they are waiting to be bought, I sometimes hang them on my own walls until someone decides to give them a new home. It keeps them safe, and serves as a little at-home gallery of my work. There is a downside to this arrangement, however...

Today I sold this piece, my "I Feel Pretty" collage. I'm very happy to have sold it, but my daughter is sad, because it turns out that she really liked it, and said she is going to miss seeing it hanging in it's place on our family room wall. So we said goodbye to our pretty bride, and we hope that she will be as loved in her new home as she was here :)

New Catalogue!

Up until now, my Renegade Stitches stuff has only been available online in my Etsy shop, or directly through me... But with any luck, that will soon change! The past few days I've been putting together a Renegade Stitches wholesale catalogue, so that boutique and shop owners can spread the Renegade Love in their very own shops!

In other news, I've been making stuff like crazy, gearing up for what I HOPE will be a nice, busy holiday season! I hate having to think about The Holidays when it's only October, but I do love having an excuse to spend way too much time playing with my art supplies and yarn!

functional art

Looking for a unique, one of a kind gift for a wedding, birthday or other special occasion? How about a Collaged Photo Frame... pretty AND functional!


Here are a couple of mine, which are available at www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

I also welcome custom orders... creating a special frame that reflects your loved one interests or to commemorate a special occasion!

Autumn Love

"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life." --P.D. James

Mixed media shadowbox collage, 15 inches square, made of wood, paint, fabric, paper, twigs, faux leaves, colored pencil, button, charm and ink.

Elegance

For the elegant lady in you... A purple chenille Victorian/Gothic choker...
This was fun to make... I'm sure I'll be seeking out other big beautiful buttons and making more! You'll find it (and more, soon!) at http://www.renegadestitches.etsy.com

TAG!

I just finished listing a new batch of tags on Etsy! I love making tags! Each one is created individually, and so no two are ever exactly alike! I also love hearing what people do with them once they buy them... some people use them as gift tags, or for scrapbooks, altered art... one customer even used them as price tags for her handmade bags. It's neat to think that something I've made has gone on to be featured in another person's art, the tag I thought was complete being given new life. Take a look at these tags, and get inspired! These tags, and more, are available for sale in my Pink Kitty Designs Etsy Shop (link over on the right)

Yarn Addict!

I just returned from my THIRD visit in less than two weeks to my favorite little local yarn shop (Butterfly Yarns in Wakefield, MA... check them out if you live in the area!) Like a squirrel hordes acorns, I find that Autumn makes me want to gather up as much yarn as possible to take me through the winter months! I've been collecting some really lovely yarns! Last trip I bought some beautiful green wool and a gorgeous pumpkin-colored hemp yarn. Today I found some breathtaking hand-dyed cotton and some silky soft bamboo fiber yarn. Keep your eye on the Luxe section of my Renegade Stitches shop ... these extra special yarns are being turned into extra special accessories to keep you and your loved ones cozy and stylish!