By Hand Boutique: November 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

Featuring: Blackflipflops Designs (Virginia Tillery)

This is Virginia's fourth year participating at By Hand Boutique. She looks forward to it all year long!

Here is a sampling of a few of her items she'll have for sale:

Each morning when you wake up, the first thing you should do is sit on your front porch

and enjoy the quiet, for the day will be full of noise!

While creating your masterpieces, you should listen to your favorite playlist! This is my current favorite one: My "introvert" playlist! (Or sometimes I listen to my favorite shows on Hulu.)

To get your creative juices flowing, you should read a good book. Look at the beauty of the world God created. Listen to some good music. Notice the little things and take joy in them.

Make sure you take regular breaks to take a hot bubble bath or get on Pinterest to be inspired!

You will know you have succeeded when your creation invokes a sense of happiness and satisfaction.

Featuring: Hopeful Creations

This is Jennifer's first year participating in our show and we are so excited to have her! You can see more of her beautiful handmade items on her facebook page!

How long have you been creating your art?

I have loved making things by hand since I was a young girl. Now I enjoy working with my young daughter on some projects as well.

What are you favorite colors to work with?

I'm a fan of warm tones, but really just love colorful projects in general.

How do you find inspiration?

The beauty in God's creation is my main source of inspiration. My love for family and friends and knowing their personal taste encourages me to create with them in mind. Making beautiful things that are also useful keeps me motivated.

What time of day do your creative juices get going?

I ponder ideas throughout the day usually, but end up working at night when my four children are sleeping.

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet?

I enjoy music and many times work with an eclectic mix of fun tunes varying from Christian praise music or acoustic favorites or southern rock.

Is there a special meaning behind your work?

This past year and a half, I've created items mainly with the goal of donating a portion of the profit to a precious family's foundation named in honor of their two year old who was killed in a back-over accident. Abigail's Legacy of Hope aids others in giving life to orphans who desperately need the hope of a family. Our name "Hopeful Creations" is inspired by the legacy of this child and her impact on so many of us.

Has your work been featured anywhere?

In other local craft shows and charity events

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Featuring: Shelley Burkett Jewelry

This is Shelley's second year at By Hand Boutique! Her jewelry was a big hit last year!

How long have you been creating your art?

I have always been crafty and artistic,
and over the years my various hobbies have included scrapbooking,
paper crafts, stamping, and most recently, jewelry-making.
I have been creating and selling jewelry for a little over a year now.

What are you favorite colors to work with?

I love working with antique brass, because of it's vintage look.
I also love natural gemstones, especially turquoise and agate.

What time of day do your creative juices get going?

I am more of a morning person, but I can *force* myself to be creative any time of day :)

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet?

My ideal working conditions: A quiet house, early in the morning while my family
still sleeps,with Christy Nockels or Hillsongs playing on Pandora Radio.

Has your work been featured anywhere?

You can find me and my jewelry on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=1191511559

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Featuring: Wizzel's Whimsies

I'm creating hand-made ornaments and pumpkin rolls. Sadly, there are no pictures of the pumpkin rolls.

How long have you been creating your art? I began my adventures in crafting with my mom and grandma. My first memories of crafting would be coloring Easter eggs each year with my grandma. I always enjoyed designing and coloring Easter eggs. I've done other crafting in bits and pieces.

What are your favorite colors to work with? I love color! Usually what inspires me is the color involved in the craft. I'm also not ashamed to admit that at 29 years old I still enjoy a new coloring book and a box of new Crayolas.

How do you find inspiration? Typically with the colors or patterns involved in the craft. The ornaments this year were inspired by the individual fabric patterns. Each component of the ornament works together to create the finished product.

Do you listen to anything while you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? I listen to all kinds of music, it depends on my mood.

Is there any special meaning behind your work? Sometimes. This year's crafting is inspired by my mother. It is something she made when I was in elementary school for my teachers. I've added my own twist to the idea.

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where the creativity leads? I create with an end product in mind. In order to create I need to have an idea in mind. For the boutique I was mindful of the fact that I wanted to create something shoppers would purchase and enjoy.

My crafty work hasn't been featured anywhere, but my pumpkin rolls have made appearances at a local Friday night gathering. I recently tested a gluten free recipe. After receiving rave reviews I have decided to include a few gluten free pumpkin rolls. Pumpkin rolls will be sold by the slice on Saturday only.

Bivins (Dave): Bivins Bottles "Let there be light..." Gen. 1:3

Bivins' Rules for Creating: "Since when do they put rules on creating?"

Bivins has been re-purposing bottle into lamps for about a month now. There are several bottle designs that will be available for sale at the boutique. Bivins will be taking custom orders throughout the boutique, but you will need to supply the bottle. At this time we do not have access to a bottle surplus. Please feel free to stop by our table with your bottle to talk to the man himself to see what he can create for you.

Featuring: Newton's Law of Creativity

This will be Jill's first year at By Hand Boutique! Make sure to stop by and see her wonderful personalized gift items!

You can also see more on her facebook page, here!

Featuring: Badge Clips!

How long have you been creating your art? I've been creating name badge clips since this past summer, and jewelry for about 5 years. I started making jewelry when an artist friend taught me a few techniques, and it just sorta took off from there. Then this summer, while working at a hospital, I saw some cute name badges the nurses were wearing, and became inspired to create my own designs.

What are you favorite colors to work with? I like to work with all colors, and my personal fav color is blue, so I always wind up with more blue pieces..

How do you find inspiration? My inspiration comes from many different places...scrapbooking websites, jewelry, bead websites...mostly the internet; but also in life around me: nature, my surroundings, people--I am always having ideas run through my head...

What time of day do your creative juices get going? My creative juices are flowing all the time! Sometimes I can't get them to stop--I always have WAY more ideas in my head than time to get them all out into actual creations...

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? Sometimes I like to listen to music while I'm crafting; other times I prefer peace and quiet. Right now I am really liking the new Coldplay album. But crafting is therapeutic for me and a good outlet when I need to get away and just be for a while.

Is there a special meaning behind your work? Crafting is therapeutic to me and I try to make time for it; helps me decompress. There is also joy in creating something beautiful, fun, interesting, etc; and watching someone else like/enjoy your work. A little piece of me goes with every piece of jewelry or name badge clip I sell. And a lot of times it is fun if I create a specific piece, and then a friend or acquaintance picks the piece and I feel like they picked the one I made just for them!

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads? I like to go with the flow; you never know where it will lead you...

Has your work been featured anywhere? You can find some of my jewelry pieces at The Antique Mall in Springville, AL on Hwy 11. Also, my name badge clips are featured on just about all the employees at St. Vincent's East Hospital, where I work. My co-workers have been very supportive in my endeavors to reach the health care community with cute name badge clips!

Featuring: Handmade Gifts by Misty

This is Misty's second year of attending By Hand Boutique! Make sure to stop by her booth to check out her adorable gift items!

How long have you been creating your art? I have done various crafts as long as I can remember. I started with rag quilts as Christmas gifts about 5 years ago. Then 2 years ago began making the paci clips, some hair bows, etc. Things have progressed over time as I have added more products to my work.

What are you favorite colors to work with? I enjoy earth tones a lot. Though since a lot of my stuff is girly I tend to use a lot of pinks, purples, etc.

How do you find inspiration? Most of my ideas to start making a product have been either an idea for a gift for a child in my life OR something that would be nice to have for my own children.

What time of day do your creative juices get going? I typically work whenever i can squeeze time in around raising 3 children. For this reason much of my work is doing fairly late at night.

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? I typically watch a movie/show with my husband while working, unless it's a rare opportunity to work while they are awake then I listen to the sounds of little ones playing. :)

Is there a special meaning behind your work? Just to be fun and/or useful for little ones and their moms. Some of my items I feel I have been able to keep more affordable than similar ones out there so I like the idea of being able to offer fun items to those who couldn't get them at higher prices.

Has your work been featured anywhere? Just my facebook page, Handmade Gifts by Misty.

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads? Usually have an end in mind, on occasion though I will actually meet an end that looks a little different than I thought.

Featuring: Michelle Quinn

Michelle Quinn has been a vendor at By Hand Boutique for 4 years- we are so blessed to have her return every year with her wonderful mixed media art.

We asked Michelle a few questions and here are her answers!

1. Each morning as soon as you wake up the first thing you should do is be grateful for the day.

2. While creating your masterpieces, you should listen to the sound of rain if possible (create a playlist for back up).

3. To get your creative juices flowing try lighting some candles and writing in your journal.

4. Make sure you take regular breaks to make some hot tea.

5. You will know you have succeeded when your creation invokes a sense of satisfaction.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Featuring: Lou's Handiwork

This will be Lindsey of Lou's Handiwork's second year of participating in By Hand Boutique! Read below more about her artwork. All items featured will be available for purchase this weekend!

(bath sets: washcloth, face scrubbie, soap saver - will also have dishcloths & hotpads)

How long have you been creating your art? I learned how to knit when I was little from my Grandma Rose, but I was very impatient and always had lots of holes! About 5 years ago on a business trip with Jonathan to Tennessee for a week (which meant a lot of time in a hotel room!), I decided to pick up a crochet book and materials. It didn't click immediately. A friend, Kim Moore, showed me where to put the hook to get started and everything made sense after that!

(fingerless gloves)

(hats)

Is there a special meaning behind your work? My other grandmother, Darlene, was an amazing crocheter. She made snowflakes, wonderful dolls and stuffed animals, and lace angels. She didn't read patterns, but she would see something and figure out how to make it. She passed away before I began crocheting. I would love to share the craft together with her.

(Lindsey of Lou's Handiwork)

(scarves)

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? It's never quiet in this house with a 3 1/2 year old, a 2 year old, and a 4 month old! Crochet is portable and easy to set down. I crochet anywhere with all the noise!

McClain of Hodge Podge

McClain will be participating this year in our Junior Market. Please make sure to come by and check out these fresh young artists! She'll be sharing a booth with her sisters... we'll be featuring them later this week!

How long have you been creating your art? I feel like I've been creating art all my life. I love learning new crafts!

What are you favorite colors to work with? Pastels

How do you find inspiration? I find a lot of inspiration from my Mom and Grandma. They always teach me new crafts. I also surf the internet and get ideas from other creative people.

What time of day do your creative juices get going? It's random times that I get creative. When I'm bored I usually find a craft to do to avoid my mom finding me something to do (like cleaning).