WiP Wednesday #24

Hello, all! I've spent most of a week down with the flu, so I've got a lot of catching up to do.

I finished the current batch of catnip kitty quilts! Check it out.





And in further news, I'm using up my scraps, oh yes I am. All these scraps have been pieced. Now I need to iron and trim them to size so I can make them into log cabins.



Last week Gabrielle shared her work in progress, which was nothing less than building an entire blog. Holy cow, Gabrielle! Great job! Check it out:



You can click on the image above to visit her lovely website or here to visit her Etsy shop.

Ok, ready to join in and show off all your work? Link up any time between now and Monday. Let's see what you've got!

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

WiP Wednesday #23

Friends, Romans, Craftspersons, lend me your pepto! No, really. Lend me your pepto. I've been flattened by a nasty case of the flu, so this week's entry is going to be necessarily short. My husband is giving me the stink-eye as I type this, because I should really be in bed. Luckily, you can't catch the flu through a website, so you should be safe.

So below is the button you should click to share your lovely works in progress. I hope to hear from you!

Wishing you love, laughter, and a complete lack of the flu,
~Jerimi

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

WiP Wednesday #22

Is it Wednesday again? Yay! That means it's time for *da*da*da*DUM* "Work In Progress Wednesday!" Ok, maybe that was a little over the top. Anyhow... it's me again, Jerimi.

I have a few irons in the fire this week, so to speak (not literally, because it's way too hot to have a fire right now). Still finishing up the last of this batch of catnip mini quilts:



If you click on the one below, you can see it in my shop. :)



I'm restocking my catnip samples, which means spending some up close and personal time with a sharpie. See all these tiny bags that I've written on?



I still need to draw kitties on them, like so:



So that's what I'm working away on. Last week we had two people step up to share their projects.

Lizbeth from Lizbeth's Garden and Barb from Mountain Quilt Works.

Lizbeth is working on a batch of Potpourri, which how cool is that? That's honestly something it's never crossed my mind to make, and that's saying something! I just don't have the skillset for it. Lizbeth sure does, though. She's also got quite a gift for photos. Check it out.



Beautiful, right? You can click on the image above to visit her blog, or here to visit her Etsy shop.

Barb shared some absolutely stunning batiks, as well as some interesting industry facts about shipping fabric.

I tell you what, I am loving that lime green. You can click on the image above to read more at Barb's blog, or visit her Etsy shop here.

Ready to join in? You can add a link to your own work any time between now and Monday evening. Thanks for dropping by. :)

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

Featured Seller - Bee Wise Goods

Say hello to the Idaho Etsy Team's featured seller of the week, Bee Wise Goods! Read on to learn more about Gabrielle and get a sneak peak into her shop!

(click on any photo to take you directly to the listing so you can learn more about the item!)

What is your shop name and what is the significance?

Bee Wise Goods, we made a really long list of potential names and kept crossing things off until we decided on Bee Wise. When we decided on Bee Wise, the tagline became bee wise...shop wise to inspire people to consider every purchase and the way it would fit into their life. When I was young I would never by anything used because I had this notion that it was dirty or old fashioned but as I have become more wiise in my spending habits the treasure I have found over the years are far superior to anything I can find at a big box store. Etsy and small local boutiques are just better!

What do you love about Idaho?

The pace. I am originally from here but only came back to live 10 years ago, it's definitely my favorite home. When we first returned to Idaho in 1998 after living on every coast, in Canada, Alaska, the south, southwest, east and everywhere in between, I had a hard time at first settling down. I wanted to move again within a few years. I wanted more restaurants or shops, theater events... just more. Then Boise really started growing into a wonderful little (big) town. I friend of mine started the First Thursday thing after living in a large city that had a similar event, then shops started popping up and terrific restaurants. Now when I travel, I LOVE coming home to my city and I truly appreciate everything Idaho has to offer.

Name one thing you would suggest people do when they come to visit the state?

Hike at Bogus Basin or Stack Rock. We also love to take people around the North End for shopping and local flavor. McCall is another destination that doesn't take long to get to and it has so much beauty to share. 

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I love bubble gum. 

What do you do to relax?

I like to garden. Although gardening my main pass time, I also read a lot. It is the only way I can turn off the meandering of my brain and settle into a peaceful state. I'm not known as a relaxed person, I am always doing something, while doing something else. :) I knit and watch TV, I sew while listening to audio books or documentaries, I garden and teach school, I make bread while cleaning the pantry. I'm definitely going to be tired when I die. :)

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

India. I have a special place in my heart for India, we sponsor several children that live there and as we exchange letters with them and grow to understand the culture they live in, I would really like to take my kids there and meet them and help in improving their lives by doing maintenance on the orphanage and school they are at. 

Currently, what is your favorite shop item?

The cutie owl, but the woolie mittens I make in the winter run a close second. :)

How did you become interested in your craft?

I've been artistic always...went to school to be an artist...became one going on 20 years professionally...I am ever consummed by making functional and beautiful things. I grew up in a very hippie make everything from scratch environment. When my truck broke as a teenager or my jeans ripped, I was expected to figure it out and fix it. With help at first but soon, on my own. My mom owned an outfitter company in Alaska and I made dog booties by the thousands through high school. I went to college to become an industrial designer but stopped at fine artist. Then I built sets, made costumes, painted murals, simply repaired clothing, then made clothing and finally started Bee Wise with a reusable bag. We now have over 65 items in our line and I'm sure I will just keep coming up with more stuff as time goes on. Many things are custom oriented and sell slowly but I have personally made over 1200 grocery bags and 300 cutie owls, 250 pairs of mittens and so on. I love my craft, I love that I can make whatever I want and there are not limits to what can be imagined. 

What do you enjoy about the creative process?

The idea... I love making everything once, it's the production that is work. Mass production is not my favorite part of making and selling things but when I went to a manufacturer a few years ago and crunched numbers, I realized that unless I was supplying a store much larger than mine, I would give away my profit to not make it myself. I realized at that point that I want to be in charge of my quality control and just keep making everything until I can't keep up, then I would hire a couple of local sewists to help me rather than go the manufacturing route. Mary Jane Butters gave me that inspiration since that's what she does for many of her personal touched on her line of products. Rural women work for her to embroider etc. It keeps the work right in our own communities. 

Any suggestions for those interested in selling their handmade items or vintage finds?

Don't give up! Usually creative people are going to keep being creative whether they sell their things or give them away. If you know your product has a buyer, that you are filling a need and can get the price to make it worthwhile, then go for it until it runs out, then be willing to change with the consumer to make the next thing that you love. 

 

Thank you Gabrielle for taking the time to let us get to know you a bit better! I highly encourage you to check out Gabrielle's shop HERE to see more!

This post was created by Sara (I Felt Fuzzy).

WiP Wednesday #21

Hi! Ready to share your work, this week? It's me again, Jerimi. I hope your summer is going great!

What a week. We celebrated my stepson's 14th birthday. Good lord. How did that happen? I won't lie - I'm feeling a little old, right now. Ok, a lot old. He's growing into a wonderful young man. Saying that just made me feel even more ancient. OK, changing the subject, now. :P

In other, less traumatic news, I completely finished 10 catnip blankets. That leaves 12 to go.



I was going to use velcro on the pockets, but it wound up making them really bulky. I think an open pocket looks much better.



Last week we were joined by Bonnie, from STUFFellaneous. She shared an Andy Warhol quote that inspired some of her work. Love it. Here's a shot of the postcards she's currently designing.



Aren't those materials fun? I can't wait to see what she makes it into. You can visit Bonnie's blog to read more (and see the quote!) by clicking on the photo above. You can also visit her Etsy shop.

Ready to join the linky party? It will be open from today through next Monday. You can join up at any time between now and then.

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>

WiP Wednesday #20

Welcome back to another installment of "Work In Progress Wednesday." I'm your host, Jerimi.

I don't know about you, but I haven't gotten done nearly what I would have liked to. We got a letter in the mail that we're going to have to endure yet another inspection by the property manager. So we've spent a lot of time getting things tidied up this week. It's been hard to make this place our home, since I feel constantly under the microscope. I will be very grateful when we're finally able to buy a home.

On the plus side, my garden is going like gangbusters. Thank you, little bee buddies!





I finished a few small gusseted bags with velcro closures. I think they're adorable, and I LOVE making them. I see making another 20 or so of them in my near future. I'm obsessive like that, I guess. ;)



You can click on the photo above to see it in my Etsy shop.

Last week we were joined by two brave souls.

Amanda, from Stitch To Stitch and Bonnie from STUFFellaneous.

Amanda shared some super cute little flowergirl sundresses. The colors, the eyelet, the ribbon... they're so sweet!



I can only imagine how cute these would be for a wedding. Her Etsy shop is just full of adorable items.

Bonnie celebrated the sale of her first handmade book (way to go!) and shared a book that was in progress. I love her scrappy approach!



She's got several fun items in her shop, too. LOVE the postcards! I'm on a real letter writing kick, and her cards look like too much fun.

Ready to join the linky party? It will be open from today through next Monday. You can join up at any time between now and then.

<a href=" http://idahoetsyteam.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Idaho Etsy Team" src=" http://sunflowermuse.com/files/2012/03/idaho-etsy-team-button.png "/></a>