Let's Get it Started!

Hard to believe that after being such an avid blogger that over the course of of 18 months I only managed six posts. Truthfully I took time off to just be a mom and enjoy my kiddos. With learning some time management, I am back to blogging!

For 2012, I am ready to get back to my roots. I loved promoting fellow artists, vintage lovers and crafters on my blog and writing about my own creative adventures. The goal is to feature 2-3 each week.

If you would like to be featured, let me know!

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What inspires you?

What inspires you? What gets your creative juices flowing. For me it is my family.

My husband is one of my biggest supporters . My little ones get me going just by those sweet little smiles. My two year old is quite creative herself!

After having our little boy in November, I have been slow to get back into the creative process. It is back now! I am painting and taking photographs galore. I can't wait to share them with you all. Feel free to share your new work too!

If you would like to share your creations/shop , let me know! I would love to feature you on my blog!

A Time for Thanksgiving...

I sit here so amazed at all that I have to be thankful for. I am blessed with a great husband and two awesome children. Children that we weren't sure we would ever have. As my husband and I were up with our two week old son and our two year old daughter with both crying at midnight last night, I had a thought " I am truly thankful to hear these cries" Hearing those cries means that I have the blessing of these little miracles in my life. I don't know if dealing with infertility makes one that more grateful for these angels. I just can't be more thankful for my family.

I also am thankful for blessing others have been given. My best friend is holding twins (a baby boy and girl) in her arms this Thanksgiving. Her husband (my husbands best friend) and she are going to be awesome parents. They have waited along time for this and am so happy that they have this joy in their lives now:)

Thank goodness for our family and friends. You all bless our lives in way you don't even know. Even if we don't see each other every day, the blessings are still there.

Thank goodness for our soldiers. Without them, we wouldn't be experiencing this wonderful freedom and all the good things that come with it.

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and are able to share it with some of the special people in your lives.

BIG SALE WEEKEND!

SPECIAL WEEKEND SALE!! SATURDAY AUGUST 14 AND SUNDAY AUGUST 15.
All photographic prints are Buy One, Get One Free. Checkout with you first choice and include your second choice in notes to seller. HAPPY SHOPPING!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreatedByThe3Maries

an even bigger sale in my vintage shop!!!!!

Special weekend sale! All items currently priced $8 or more are 50% off! Convo me for an adjusted listing or checkout and I will refund the difference via paypal. If you have been eyeing a vintage goodie in this shop, now is the time to grab it!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/the3maries

See shop announcement in either shop for complete details:)

Funretro

Looking for quality vintage items? Funretro is the shop for you! There are so many wonderful treasures to be discovered in this wonderful shop!

Here is my interview with Natalie, the wonderful person behind this shop:)
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What got you started selling Vintage?

I began selling vintage items back in 1998 on ebay. By that point, I had already been buying vintage items for myself for years. I was finding more items than I could possibly ever need, but couldn't resist passing up. I would see things and think, "someone would really love this", and it really just started there. I knew I had a knack for finding the beauty in otherwise forgotten items. So funretro was born! When I discovered Etsy, well, that was a whole new experience for me. I now had the ability to become part of something that felt so different. So communal. I always knew that one day I would have a big shop. I guess I always thought that there would be a physical space to go along with it. Etsy completely changed my mind about that!

What are your hobbies?

Going to estate sales has been a long time hobby of mine, probably for over 15 years now. I also love photography (my own and others), going on long drives anywhere (and sometimes nowhere in particular), and gardening. Of course, all of this is trumped by a long, lazy afternoon in bed with my two dogs, Casey and Brodie!

Favorite items from your shop?

This is the hardest question because I often like (and want!) many of the things I add to my shop! I am a diehard lover of industrial items (as most can tell). One of my favorites at the moment is the Wooden and Metal Plane http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41591018. That plane is to die for, in my opinion! The Wooden Apothecary Box is also a favorite http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41071323 and I am secretly hoping it doesn't sell so I don't feel guilty about keeping it for myself!

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My personal favorite is the blue glass pedestal bowl http://www.etsy.com/listing/52776240/deep-blue-glass-pedestal-bowl. The color is stunning and it is top quality! To have a great time looking at truly terrific vintage items visit http://funretro.etsy.com.

It's Been Far Too Long!

It is so hard to believe it has been five months since my last post! Where has time gone? I guess I should get you caught up.


First of all there is a new development in my life pictured to the left:)

He is due to arrive by November 8th. We are very excited as is the rest of our family and friends. This is truly a blessing from God.

During the first few months of my pregnancy I haven't been as active online. So that explains the largest part of my absence.

Speaking of the baby...we haven't settled on a name yet. I welcome any suggestions from my readers!

Stay tuned for new posts, contests, and much more!

Acrylic and Steel

In their shop announcement it states:

"This is Adam and Erica's hodgepodgity of eclectic goodness. :)"

This is so true! There is such a variety of hand created items in this shop. From art, to baby items, to hand forged knives.

First lets get to know our wonderful artists in their own words:

"We are a husband and wife team. I am an artist, fashion designer and general crafter. Adam makes hand forged knives and beautiful jewelry. I have been drawing and painting as long as I can remember and I have a degree in fashion design. You may not know that by looking at our shop since we do not have much in the way of clothing, but I do custom clothing orders. Adam took a knife making class and that is when he started forging knives, he does really beautiful work. We started selling on etsy shortly after my daughter autumn was born (she is 15 mo now) . I thought about it for a very long time before we opened our shop. Selling on etsy has been an excellent experience. I have made some great friends, and I am always surprised that we actually sell things!

I also play Roller Derby and Adam is a referee. We also enjoy rock climbing and hiking. I also love biking.








I love this painting, and it is a great price:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28806445
This is my favorite knife:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35144538
and I also love these:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37047283
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36377502
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35908067
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21485268

Thank you so much for your interest in our store!"

As I browsed around, I was in awe of what I found! Erica's paintings and art are fantastic. Then one discovers all the cute baby items she makes. Every page of their shop displays a new treasure to discover! Adam's knives are truly works of art! Some people might not think of these as art, but you must see these!

My words can't do this couple's work justice. You just have to see it!

http://AcrylicAndSteel.etsy.com