Etsy Front Page

I was so thrilled the day one of my recycled guitar string bracelets was featured on the front page of etsy. The treasury list was made by boots2183 and featured on the front page at 6:00pm EST Fri Oct 21 2011.

I didn't even see it when it was on the front page. So disappointing. I found out about it later when I was checking my google analytics and saw that it had blown up!

Athens County Quilt Squares in Seed beads

These are a few photos of one of the ongoing art projects I have been working on for the past few years. It is a series of quilt squares located on barns around Athens County, Ohio that I have re-created in seed beads. The original pieces are eight feet square while mine are eight inches square. I started this project when I was living in The Plains, located between Athens and Nelsonville, Ohio.

There is a quilt barn tour that I would suggest although not all quilt squares are on the tour. Here is a link to the quilt barn tour
http://www.athensohio.com/whattodo/historic-sites-attractions/quilt-barn-tour

I have displayed these in the library at Hocking College. It is so cool to see young people interact with these because they always want to touch them. And of course it is fine to touch them, they are protected by a few layers of epoxy so touch away!!!

Each one took weeks to finish. Each bead is put in place and glued down. Some people find tedious things frustrating while I find them relaxing. The first one I did was the Nelsonville Star Brick Square, it is also the most complicated. The way the beads fit and lined up was amazing; I could never do it again if I tried. The second one I did was the State of Ohio block. I like how the square images are easy to deal with. The third one I did was the circle shaped Dairy Barn square. The newest one was the Jacob's Ladder square. I can't say which one is my favorite; I have so much time invested in each one. I guess my favorite is the one I haven't finished yet. Still trying to decide which one to do next?

Modern man gift guide by Teri Bildstein from TideTogether on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI3ODMyMDZ8MTUzNDA4MTQ4Mw/modern-men-gift-guide



Check out this link to an awesome treasury of gifts for the modern man in your life. It features one of my new recycled piano string bracelets, more on those later.

I can see my boyfriend enjoying so many of these items; the Beatles shirt (of course) the hat, and the ring too. What I am cracking up about is the absinthe lip balm. Why didn't I think of flavoring lip balm like liquor? This is a lip balm that he WOULD wear! I gotta check to see of they make Jameson flavored....wait, I had better not....that idea might back-fire on me.

I have also seen those clogs in other treasuries; popular!!! There are a few other items I recognize as being on the front page several times. I hope to be one of those someday. I think a new camera might be in order?

Etsy treasury game round 8

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI0OTI3NDh8MTA2OTY1OTYyOQ/global-gifts-for-the-world-traveler-in

Found a new thing, etsy treasury games. Since being invited to be in the top treasury team, on Etsy, I have been on the front page and have participated in their treasury games. Well this is my second. I loved it so much, I am playing again.

More about the front page in a later post.

Even though nobody has voted yet, and I still need to make my treasuries, this one is the best so far
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTUwNDk3NnwxMDcxODI2ODA0/riding-through-the-storm?index=1

Of course all of the music inspired ones are my next faves
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjY3NTA4MnwxMDY1MjU3NjEw/piano-man?index=1
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTk1MzAyMXwxMDY4ODU5NDU1/music-is-the-food-of-love?index=1

New toy and final Fridays in Nelsonville

Got a new toy! I am looking for tools to help me be more productive and organized so hopefully this iPad will be what I need. I don't know what I'm doing yet but this auto correct is cracking me up!

I did the final Fridays with Luke last month. It was so fun! I will definitely be back. We will be inside McFadden insurance on the square in Nelsonville next final Friday so come see us!!!

jeannie's new etsy store!

My friend Jeannie makes hand turned wood bowls and has opened an etsy store! We went to the Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Assoc. meeting this week. Good things going to happen!

http://www.etsy.com/people/TheRuggedEdge

Trip Dog

Here is a video of my favorite band, Trip Dog, that I get used guitar strings from to make recycled guitar string jewelry. It would still be my favorite band even if I weren't in a relationship with the lead guitar player! They are amazing musicians and I am so glad they got together this year.

The bass and banjo player is the owner of Insea Sound Shop http://www.insea.biz/ and a major source of used guitar strings. I wish I had pictures of his place and the other unique shops I get used guitar strings from.

I get new ideas constantly. I think it is because of the constant flow of guitar strings going through my corner of the kitchen/workshop. Right now, I am really in love with these steel flat wrapped guitar strings, black tape wound bass strings, and mandolin strings. I haven't made anything out of them yet because I don't want to cut them yet. I think I am going to start a OOAK (one of a kind) section of guitar string bracelets that are custom sized and sterling wrapped.

One of these days when I get this place straightened up, I am going to take pictures of me and my work area. I have been reading some of the artist blogs from etsy, and love seeing pictures of the artists in their natural habitat.

I am having problems with too many ideas and not enough time to put them to use! I guess that's what holiday weekends are for! Have a fun Labor Day Weekend everyone!tgis