Thursday, October 27, 2011

October Team Challenge: Wizardry, Owls, Magic, and Mysticism

Welcome to RNEST's October Team challenge: Wizardry, Owls, Magic, and Mysticism!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the
Cast your vote for your favorite on
the upper right of the sidebar! 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wednesday Wellspring: Soft Shell Crafts

Bubbling up from the well this week, an original from Soft Shell Crafts!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a hand-made sketch book. The cover is made from salvaged foam core and is covered with painted canvas. Representing the flag of Japan, the cover is hand painted with water based, acrylic painted. The pages are 80 lb. Strathmore Drawing paper, perfect for drawing or sketching with dry media or ink. The paper is acid free and has been hand torn and folded to size. The book is hand bound with black waxed thread using the coptic stitching method. The classic exposed spine allows the book to lay open flat.

You can find Soft Shell Crafts locally at the following shows:
- Mayday! Underground at the Main Street Armory on Nov. 5th
- Art Garage Sale at Lovin' Cup on Nov. 13th





Please take a moment and vote for Soft Shell Crafts Mt 6 : Drawing (Item #18) at the Handmade Gift Guide poll this week. Voting closes at 11:59pm on 10/30.






And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to the US & Canada residents only.):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Soft Shell Crafts , heart the shop, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.

MANDATORY ENTRY #2: Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know- or if you are already, leave a comment saying you're a loyal follower.

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

1. "Like"
RNEST on Facebook .
2. "Like" Soft Shell Crafts on Facebook
3. Follow Soft Shell Crafts' artistic blog
4. Follow Soft Shell Crafts on Twitter
5. Tweet and blog about this giveaway and leave a coment here with the link.

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, November 1st and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Treasury Tuesday: Halloween Treasury

Only 6 more days until Halloween! Get into the spirit by checking out this spooky treasury , which features a handcarved "Wolfman" stamp from Jackbear Stamps!

Halloween Treasury featuring Jackbear

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:
Curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Make-It Mondays: Wood Block PhotoTransfers


This project is so simple and fun! You can do it on the cheap by knabbing leftover scraps of wood from hardware stores and sneaking in a couple photo copies at the office. They make great small gifts and decorations. I chose images with sayings as well as photographic images. When using text make sure to flip the image before you print it or it will come out backward. Other than that, go wild.


YOU'LL NEED:

Blocks of wood in various sizes, Photo Copies (use copy machine or laser prints), Liquitex Gel Medium, Mod Podge, Large Bristle Brush, Sponge or cloth.

Link
STEPS:

1. Paint a thin layer of gel medium over the surface where you plan to place the photo. Make sure your wood blocks are sanded. No one likes splinters full of glue!


2. Lay the photo copy face down onto the gelled block and smooth it out to remove any air bubble.

3. Let the block(s) dry overnight.

4. Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the paper. The black ink from the photo copy should remain. ( Use the soft side of a sponge. The rougher side will scrape the image away if you're not careful.)

5. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge over the surface of the transferred image to seal it in.

These make fun paper weights, desk or shelf decorations and gifts. Once the image is sealed, you can finish off the block by painting, staining or varnishing the other sides. If you liked this project you might also be interested in making packing tape stickers. Until next time :)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Congratulations to #45 (Armada) for winning the Feathered Hair Extension from a Different View!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Treasury Tuesday: Autumnal Aura

Oh Fall...Fall!...how I love Fall! (or "Autumn" if you will). The colors, the falling leaves, the scent of woodsmoke in the crisp, cool air...ahhh...bliss. One of my favorite fall treasuries from this week is this one, made by a fellow RNESTer, featuring a number of other RNESTers!

Autumnal Aura by Turtlefly
featuring PeachesProducts, KarenSwimmer, GoldhawkPottery, TheQuiltedHouse, and SarahGOrtiz

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:
Curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Make-It Mondays: Groovy Retro Pumpkins

It's my favorite time of year, Halloween! Each year I try to find sweet vintage pieces for costumes, so why not make a sweet vintage get up for your pumpkin?



You'll need:

- 1 (or many!) pumpkin(s)
- Yardage and scraps of vintage fabric
- Scissors
- Mod Podge (my personal favorite is the glossy)
- A medium size, (preferably bristle) paintbrush

1. Prepare your pumpkin. Wash and dry the pumpkin. Do not carve of gut it.


2. Decide on a pattern. You can lay this out on the pumpkin in sharpie. You may want to lay tracing paper over the pumpkin to create a pattern, especially if you want to completely cover the pumpkin. Some options are to cover it randomly with strips or shapes. You can also make and exact pattern to cover the entire surface with one fabric.


3. Lay on one piece of fabric at a time. While you hold the piece from one end brush on a layer of Mod Podge. Brush over the entire surface until the Mod Podge soaks through and sticks the whole piece to it.


4. Continue until the whole piece is covered.


5. Let it dry and then do one more outer coat of Mod Podge for extra measure.


Afterthoughts: Different fabric styles can be used for specifically themed parties. And watch out! Pumpkins sealed in Mod Podge look deceptively awesome for a long time, until you pick it up in January and watch the fabric implode on the rotted pumpkin inside...Yum! You may want to purchase a fake pumpkin to use yearly.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wednesday Wellspring: a Different View

Congratulations to #24 (Bee W Bedard) for winning the Domino Pendant from In My Head Studios.



Bubbling up from the well this week is some Halloween fun from a Different View!

This week, one lucky winner will receive a Spooky-Skull Hair Extension. Just in time for Halloween, add some flair to your hair with this one-of-a-kind barrette! Natural, ethically sourced pigeon feathers are wire wrapped and accented with wooden skull beads. Finished on black satin ribbons attached to a small, black snap barrette. Medium-length to be versatile for both long and short hairstyles.

Shop Announcement: All orders placed between now (started 10/10) thru Halloween will get a bonus "trick or treat" gift included! Sorry - it spoils the surprise if we tell what the treat is!



Find a Different View at these local events:
Munn Schools Vendor fair - Saturday October 15,
2333 Manitou Road, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.


Mayday Underground - Saturday November 5th at
the Main Street Armory, 10a.m.-5p.m.


And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to the US & Canada residents only.):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to a Different View, heart the shop, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.

MANDATORY ENTRY #2: Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know- or if you are already, leave a comment saying you're a loyal follower.

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

1. "Like" RNEST on Facebook.
2. "Like" a Different View on Facebook
3. Tweet and blog about this giveaway and leave a coment here with the link.
4. Add a comment here with a story, joke, trivia, or any other festive thoughts to get us all in the spirit for Halloween!

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, October 18 and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Treasury Tuesday: Purple, Orange, and Black

We're gearing up for Halloween! Here's a collection of spooky items featuring an all RNEST cast!



Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wednesday Wellspring: In My Head Studios

Bubbling up from the well this week, comes a Tiny Work of Awesome from In My Head Studios!




Today, one lucky winner will receive a one-of a kind domino pendant. Created from hand-painted and hand-cut papers, these bright and cheerful blooms seem to pop right off this lively domino pendant. Shiny little purple sparklies add a bit of twinkle to what is already a very glossy finish on this pendant. The edges of some of the paper is distressed to add more dimension. The pips (dots) on the back of the domino are 2 and 3.

It truly is a Tiny Work of Awesome from In My Head Studios!

As the winner, you get your choice of length in either black waxed cotton cord or silver-colored base-metal ball chain (pictures shown with black waxed cotton cord).


You can find In My Head Studios locally at the following events:

- Saturday, October 22nd: 27th Annual St. Rita School Craft Sale, 9 AM to 3:15 PM, 1008 Maple Drive, Webster, NY 14580

- Saturday, November 5th: Mayday Underground, The Main Street Armory, 10 AM to 5 PM

- Thursday, November 10th: “HOLIDAY IN THE VINEYARD” Arts & Craft Show, Casa Larga, 10 AM to 7 PM, 2287 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, NY 14450

- Saturday, November 26th: 35th Annual Irondequoit High School Art & Craft Show, 10 AM to 4 PM, 260 Cooper Rd, Irondequoit, NY 14617






And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to the US and Canada residents only.):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to
In My Head Studios, heart the shop, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.




MANDATORY ENTRY #2: Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know; or if you are already, leave a comment saying you're a loyal follower.

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

1. "Like" RNEST on Facebook
2. "Like" In My Head Studios on Facebook
3. Follow In My Head Studios' artistic blog

4. Follow In My Head Studio on Twitter
5. Tweet and blog about this giveaway and leave a comment here with the link.

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, October 11th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.




Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Treasury Tuesday: Most Beautiful Stripes

I often feel weird making the featured treasury one that features my own work, but this treasury is beautiful and well-put-together even without my item in it! Plus, it reminds me of the recent hulabaloo and brouhaha a few weeks ago over the Missoni line coming to Target. Pfft! Don't go crazy waiting in line at the store! If you want mod, stripey, multicolored items, this treasury proves that you just have to check out Etsy! And you support independent artists instead of a mega-corporation! (Not that I have anything against shopping at Target...) ;)

Most Beautiful Stripes featuring KiraArts

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!) We seemed to have a nice color theme going on this week!

Featuring RNEST Members:
Curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!