Thank you!

I am so very, very thankful for all the support of the shoppers, the creativity of the vendors, and the hard work of the team that made this event such a beautiful success.

Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart.

To Him goes all the glory! May we remember how we reflect the amazing creativity of our Creator!

*Please keep our blog & facebook page bookmarked for future events!

Meet the Artist: Michelle DeLoach

Meet Michelle DeLoach!

Michelle specializes in creative glass etching.

You can see more of her work on her Facebook Page.

Michelle also has an Etsy shop  www.WhiteIceEtchings.etsy.com . However, there are no items for sale at this time because she will be bringing her work to By Hand Boutique. 

"Most of my items are customized or one of a kind, so I don't keep a large inventory."

 We asked the vendors to fill out a madlib so that we could learn a little more about them. Here is what Michelle said:

 

MICHELLE'S RULES FOR CREATING:

1. Each morning as soon as you wake up the first thing you should do is start your day with a tall, nonfat, white chocolate mocha and a reduced-fat turkey bacon sandwich. In a pinch, a banana and cup of hot tea will do.
2. While creating your masterpieces, you should listen to the rushing waters of your fish tank, cats purring, or the traditional Cd's such as Casting Crowns, Third Day, Tobi Mac and Michael W Smith, but make sure to throw in some 80's and early 90's music.
3. To get your creative juices flowing try talking with family and friends, riding your Harley with your main squeeze (I LOVE being a back rest), reading a good book (or THE good book), walking outside or even a stroll through Hobby Lobby.
4. Make sure you take regular breaks to hug your daughters, tell your husband you love him, call your Mom for the daily update-- do not use this time to pull your hair out in frustration.  However, kicking and mumbling under your breath at inanimate objects may help with the creative juices mentioned above.
5. You will know you have succeeded when your creation invokes a sense of amazement and a need to just pause and stare.  You have done exceptionally good if you look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Did I really do that?"  Note:  If you say "we" instead of "I" in that statement, and you don't have a mouse in your pocket, you may be a little too creative...

 

 

Please stop by and say hello to Michelle!

Meet the artists: Elise and Skye Bartz

Meet Elise and Skye Bartz!

Elise Bartz is 13 and Skye is 11. They both enjoy creating things. 

Elise can be found in the kitchen often creating scrumptious treats for her family or others.  She has enjoyed cooking from a very early age.  She has raised money for missionaries as well as for people devastated last year by the Haitian disaster.  Recently she has begun to crochet hats.  She plans to donate her proceeds to Dana and Scott Jennings; missionaries in England.

Skye loves creating also.  She loves mixing and making things blow up.  Since this did not seem the place for that talent, she decided to just MIX.  She has made home made hot chocolate that is sure to be a hit as a gift or for yourself.  It has been a family favorite for years.  She has this coupled with cute mugs sure to be just the right gift this holiday season.  She has also spent months creating custom cards that can be used for any occasion.  They are cute and whimsical. Part of her proceeds will be given to Michael and Michelle Davis as they head off to Seminary.

Please be sure to stop by and say hello to Elise and Skye Bartz!

Meet the Artist: Deanna Misner

Meet Deanna Misner!

"I started scrapbooking around 2001 right after my husband and I got married. Since then I've learned to carry over my love for scrapping into other types of mixed media artwork. It all boils down to I really love to create stuff no matter what it is. Recently, I've also started a small photography business, and so I sell photo cards as well. They're the combination of my love for photography and simple card making."

Deanna finds inspiration all over the place! In magazine ads, kids clothing, from inspiration online. She said, "Inspiration is everywhere!"

We asked Deanna what time of day her creative juices usually get going. she responded, "Usually LATE at night only because the house is finally quiet and I can think better." She likes to listen to music or just enjoy a quiet house.

"Most of my work is necessity driven or stuff I want to decorate with. For example, my girls needed some headbands, so I thought I'd try and make some. I needed thank you notes after the baby arrived, so I made them. But also, I wanted a home-y Christmas calendar to countdown the days til Christmas, and wanted a homemade feel to it, so I just made one."

"I usually have a rough idea of what I want the end product to look like, but if creativity takes me to a different place, then I'm okay with that too. Usually."

"I love color and brights are my favorite. Right now my favorite color combo is red and teal."

Deanna has had some altered mailboxes featured in Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbooks Etc. magazine and a handful of scrapbook layouts featured in that same publication as well as Creating Keepsakes.

  You will definitely want to stop by and say hello to Deanna Misner!

Meet the Artist: Pam Caldwell

Meet Pam Caldwell of Pam Caldwell Pottery!

  

Pam makes beautiful hand built stoneware pottery. She specializes primarily in entertaining pieces such as trays and bowls. She also makes a variety of crosses with Lily and dogwood flower embellishments.

"When I grew old, I always wanted to learn clay art. So that is just what I did, seven years ago or so."

"The inspiration for my hand-built creations comes from nature, and my colors of choice are earthy tones like gold, green, and turquoise."

"Many of my pieces are intended for entertaining: appetizer trays, salsa bowls, and finger-food plates."

"Some of my crosses feature the dogwood blossom, whose petals themselves are in the form of a cross with a crown of thorns in the center."

  People love to buy the small crosses for baby shower and baptism presents.

You will not want to miss Pam Caldwell at By Hand Boutique. Please be sure to stop by and say hello!

Meet the Artist: Deborah Kelly

Meet Deborah Kelly!

Deborah creates art out of driftwood.

Her work is featured at O'Fells Family Restaurant.

She is inspired by nature and loves to use it in her work.

Make sure to stop by and say hello to Deborah Kelly!

Boutique Bucks Winners!!!!!!!!!

Wow!

I was BLOWN away by the tremendous response for our Boutique Bucks contest! Thank you so much for your awesome support in helping spread the word!

Now- to the winners!

Each eligible entry was put into the drawing, and the two winners who will each receive $25 Boutique Bucks are............

Ginger

and

Misty

Congrats ladies! I know you will have so much fun spending your Boutique Bucks at By Hand Boutique! Please email us at Byhandboutique@gmail.com for instructions on how to receive your prize!
See you next weekend!

Meet the Artist: Misty Tipton

Meet Misty Tipton!

Misty makes handmade children's items including tutus, small hair bows and clips, head bands, hair bow holders, paci clips, bib creators, crayon rolls, taggie blankets, rag bags, decorated flip flops and more.

"I began making most of the items I am selling now within the last year or so, with the exception of the rage quilts/rag tag blankies, which I have been working on here and there for about 3 years."

"A majority of my items are for little girls so there is obviously a lot of pinks, but I like working in other colors as well. I really like greens and other earth tones in general. Though I think purple and teal are also a good break from the usual pinks for little girls."

"Having been interested in making things with my hands most of my life, the majority of my products now have been inspired through being a mom and looking at things that are useful or just plain fun to have for little ones."

"I enjoy working anytime my three little ones are content enough for me to have some time. This usually ends up being during nap/quite time or after bed time."

You can also check out Misty's work at her Facebook page, Handmade Gifts by Misty.

Please come come on out to By Hand Boutique and say hello to Misty Tipton!

Meet the Artist: Kim Jennings

Meet Kim Jennings!

Kim makes unique dried florals, wreaths, and hand pressed floral cards and pictures.

She also does fresh flowers for weddings.

In fact, Kim's work has been featured on Birmingham's Perfect Wedding Guide!

 Kim has always been artistic but she said she never thought floral work would end up being her medium.

We asked if there was a special meaning behind her work. She said, "Its just doing something I love and knowing that God gave me these natural talents that makes it spiritual to me."

She said she usually has a hard time getting started because daily life gets in the way but that once she gets started she doesn't want to stop. 

"I love putting on a Mercy Me CD to get started and then any other Christian music will keep me inspired."

She said she especially likes to work with a monochromatic scheme.

 "With floral work, you usually have an end product in mind and you are very limited by the amount someone can spend but by being creative and using the natural products in your own back yard that God provides, you can create something greater than the customer expected for the same price."

"I usually begin with an idea and it just evolves from there and often the finished project is not what I started with."

Please stop by and say hello to the very talented Kim Jennings.

Boutique Bucks Contest Extended!

You guys know this awesome contest we're having? The one to win $25 Boutique Bucks? You know, this one?

We have had a few requests to extend it, and we've decided to let you guys have a few more days for entries! It has been so exciting to see the word spread!

You now have until Thursday, November 4th at midnight to get your final entries in! We will do the drawing on Friday. This is the last chance to win some Boutique Bucks! :) Good luck!

More details here.