December 2012 Team Challenge Winner!

Congratulations to RNEST's Team Challenge winner for 
December's "Woodland Winter" theme...

PeachesProducts with her Arctic Fox Grey Batik Stuffed Animal!

Thanks to all the artists who participated 
and to everyone who voted!

Be sure to check back on January 10th for our next Monthly Team Challenge!

(January's theme will be "A Visit To Middle Earth"!)

Treasury Tuesday: A Little Dose Of Happy

When the rest of the internet seems depressing, you can always count on Etsy to help give you a little dose of happy!

Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic events of this past weekend.

A Little Dose of Happy
by KiraArts, featuring PeachesProducts

Be sure you click on the links below to see more treasuries! 

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Visions Of Sugar Plums featuring MFcrafts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

• Woodland Winter: December Team Challenge by KiraArts, featuring an all-RNEST cast!

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

First Friday Shop Hop Winner

Congratulations to #4, Tiffany, for winning the First Friday Shop Hop giveaway from Jackbear Stamps!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

December Team Challenge: "Woodland Winter"

Welcome to RNEST's December Team Challenge! The theme for this month was 
"Woodland Winter"

December Team Challenge: Woodland Winter
(An Etsy Treasury with all the submitted items!)

Earlier this month, we asked our RNEST members to get creative and make items representing an interpretation of "Woodland Winter"...and now YOU, our loyal blog readers, get to pick the winner!  Here's the list of our contestants!

Woodland Wedding Invitation Set by kaseyAjohnson

Holiday Yeti Letterpress Printed Postcard 5x7 by FlyRabbitPress

Custom Lumbering Lumberjack Hat by KarenSwimmer

Humphrey Hedgehog Ring Holder Dish by LoveAndWhiskers

Elegance-Beadwoven Earrings-Gold by KelleysBeading

Evergreen Pine Tree Applique Embroidery Hoop Art 8" by FrecklesAndFrizz

Baby Bears Ready For Hibernating by MoyaLazyFactory

Yeti the Mr Kim by MoyaLazyFactory

Snowflake Recycled Bottlecap Pincushion by MoyaLazyFactory

Votive Candle Holder by FrancescaDeCaire

Arctic Fox Grey Batik Stuffed Animal by PeachesProducts

Japanese Maple Leaf Copper Enamel Earrings by kurpiz

Decorative Tree Handmade Copper Ornament by ManicMetals

Harvest Pixie Scarf by KeenTied

Small Snowy Owl by KiraArts

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the upper, right corner of the blog! 

(Deadline to vote is by midnight on Wednesday, December 19th)

Treasury Tuesday: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

The title says it all!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!
by KiraArts, featuring SewIndieShop and MFcrafts

Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! (I can't picture them all so you have to click on them to see!  If you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Enjoy featuring FrecklesAndFrizz
• Romantic Gifts For Her featuring KelleysBeading
• Small Business Saturday featuring PandaWear
• In The Frosty Air featuring MFcrafts
• Blue, Blue, Blue Christmas featuring MFccrafts
• Wintery Holiday Fun featuring MFcrafts
• Purple, No Rain featuring MFccrafts
• On A Pink Cloud - Pink Gifts Under 50 featuring MFcrafts

Curated by RNEST Members:

• Feeling Girly by BeadworkByAmanda
• Recent Favorites of December by KiraArts

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

First Friday Shop Hop featuring Jackbear Stamps

Welcome to the December First Friday Shop Hop featuring John from Jackbear Stamps!

During the monthly shop hops, you'll get a blog's eye view into the shop, get to know the artist, and get a chance to win something awesome!
 

A blog's eye view of Jackbear Stamps:

Meet the Artist:

RNEST: Tell us a little about yourself.

John: My name is John Ballou, but I also go by Jack. I hand carve rubber stamps. I have been carving stamps since 2003. I have lost count, but have carved many hundreds of rubber stamps. I specialize in portraits, logos, bookplates, and monograms.

RNEST: What's your favorite part of being an artist?

John: The act of creation. I just love creating something from nothing. Chef's do this with food, Carpenters with wood, but I love to create with rubber. Taking a blank slate, and turning it into a functional item that can print an image. It is amazing to me still, and the process of trying something new each time keeps it interesting for me.

RNEST: You've been at this for a while. Any advise for someone just starting out?

John: Be patient, it takes time. It takes time to set yourself up as a business. It takes time to get good at your craft. Work at it a little each day. Take risks when you can. Find other like minded people to get ideas from.

RNEST: How about shows coming up? Where can we find you locally?

John: I have two more shows before Christmas. The first one a Holiday Shopping Fair at the University of Rochester on Friday, December 7th (THAT'S TODAY!!! from 11am to 4 pm. The second one is the Advent Holiday Arts and Crafts show at the East Rochester High School on Saturday, December 8th, from 9 am to 3 pm.

RNEST: So, tell us about your giveaway item.

John: This item is really special to me. It is an ACEO/ATC (Artist Trading Card) so it is the same size of a poker card. It is a little piece of artwork that is inexpensive and easy to trade/buy/collect. The subject is a Saw Whet Owl that my father-in-law Dick Beery of 3 Oaks Photography took. Our tour guide for the morning we found the owl was Casey Wright of Peach Products. I did two carvings from the photograph, one that creates the brown layer, and one that creates the black layer. I love the three dimensional look it gives the image.

 

The Giveaway - Open worldwide:

Saw Whet ACEO/ATC Card

To enter:

MANDATORY ENTRIES:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Stop by Jackbear Stamps and give it a heart.

If you're already a fan, just say so in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. Pick a favorite** piece in Jackbear Stamps and:

Tweet it using the Twitter button on the listing. (one entry)

Like it using the Facebook button on the listing. (one entry)

Pin it using the Pinterest button on the listing. (one entry)

**{multiple favorites = multiple entries!!}

2. Tweet the contest using the Twitter button at the bottom of the post.

3. Share this contest on Facebook using the Facebook button on the bottom of the post.

4. Like Jackbear's Facebook page.

5. Like the RNEST Facebook page.

This contest will run until December 13th.

The winner will be selected using a random number generator so anyone can win!

Good Luck!

* Please post all entries below and remember to comment for each entry so that your multiple entries are counted.

December Team Challenge Deadline Extended!

The deadline for the Team Challenge has been extended to next week!  

Voting will start next Thursday, December 13th.

Treasury Tuesday: A Warm Woodland Winter

This week's treasury was inspired by the "Woodland Winter" theme for December's upcoming Team Challenge.

A Warm Woodland Winter by KiraArts, featuring PeachesProducts, SunshyneSilverwear, and HeatherVitticore

Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! (I can't picture them all so you have to click on them to see!  If you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Pretty Patchwork - The Perfect Gift! featuring PeachesProducts
• Multi Color Fun Holiday Shopping featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Green With Love (& Maybe A Little Envy) featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Brown Sugar Magic featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Feeling Blue featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Be Strong, This Life Ain't No Fairytale featuring MakingTheNest OfIt
• We Wish You A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year featuring MakingTheNestOf It

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

Treasury THURSDAY: November Catch-Up

Apologies for being SO behind on Treasury Tuesdays!  This week's is a Treasury Thursday instead!  The major Holiday Craft Show Season is upon us, and November was a busy month for many!  To try and make up for it, I will feature a treasury from each category this week.  Enjoy! (and don't forget to click the links for the other treasuries!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

Woodland Fairy Tale - Nutcracker Inspired Gifts featuring MFcrafts

• Hoot If You're Cute! featuring PeachesProducts
• Christmas featuring MFcrafts
• Stocking Stuffers Under $16 featuring MFcrafts
• Berry Christmas featuring MFcrafts
• Christmas and More featuring Swurme
• Little Red Etsy Hood featuring HeatherVitticore
• Paper Artistry- The Bright Collection featuring InMyHeadStudios
• Geeky Chic featuring BeadworkByAmanda

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Needle Felted Menagerie by ManicMetals, featuring PeachesProducts

• Put A Bird On It! November Team Challenge by KiraArts, featuring an all-RNEST cast!

Curated by RNEST Members:

Punchy by BeadworkByAmanda

• Greyscale Nerd by BeadworkByamanda
• Red and Blue by ManicMetals
• Typewriter Love by ManicMetals

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

November 2012 Team Challenge Winner!

Congratulations to RNEST's Team Challenge winner for 
November's "Put A Bird On It!" theme...

FlyRabbitPress with her November Bird 11x9.5 Print!

Thanks to all the artists who participated 
and to everyone who voted!

Be sure to check back on December 6th for our next Monthly Team Challenge!

(December's theme will be "Woodland Winter"!)

Monthly Meeting! (November 2012)

Monday was our Monthly Meeting for November!

Here is Casey (PeachesProducts) modeling one of the hats made by one of our newest members, Mary-Anne of The TaylorShop.

This was Mary-Anne's first meeting with us! And she got to do the honors of picking the "Featured Member" for November. 

(we also used one of her handmade hats to place the slips in!) 

Jina (MoyaLazyFacory) was the winner this month!  So her shop gets to be featured in the nifty little CraftCult widget at the top of the blog sidebar!

At the end of the meeting, we did some "secret critiques" on some items...including this big plaid barn owl made by Kira of KiraArts (which she had brought in for John of JackBear Stamps as a trade for one of his hand-carved stamps)

They way we do the "secret critiques" is, the artist asks a question about their item, then everyone at the meeting writes their answer on a piece of paper anonymously, and puts it in a hat.  Then all the slips are given to the person whose item is being critiqued.  And they can either keep the results to themselves or share them with the group (which is more fun!).

We also did a critique of this lovely 3-color, letterpress-printed bicycle poster by Chris of FlyRabbitPress.
Usually the question is about the price of the item..."What would you pay for this?" or "What would you expect it to cost?".  It is hard for an artist to price their work.  It's a constant battle for an artist between what the work is really worth and what people will pay for it.  These critiques are a way we gain some insight into how much people are willing to pay for an item...which is sometimes more than we realize!  

Of course, our group has a unique appreciation for the amount of work it takes to produce handmade items!  But one of our goals is to spread that appreciation and knowledge to others!

First Friday Shop Hop Winner

Congratulations to #26, Francesca DeCaire for winning the First Friday Shop Hop giveaway from Beadwork by Amanda!!

Thanks to everyone who entered! Check back in December for the First Friday Shop Hop featuring Jackbear Stamps!!

November Team Challenge: Put A Bird On It!

Welcome to RNEST's November Team Challenge! The theme for this month was 
"Put A Bird On It!"

The idea of "Put a Bird On It" has become something of a tongue-in-cheek joke this year in the craft community, due to a sketch on the IFC comedy show "Portlandia".  But, come on!  Putting a bird on something can sometimes make it prettier!  (If you don't understand the joke because you haven't seen the sketch, click here to watch the video on YouTube and get a laugh.)
Earlier this month, we asked our RNEST members to get creative and make items representing an interpretation of "Put A Bird On it"...and now YOU, our loyal blog readers, get to pick the winner!  Here's the list of our contestants!

Lampwork Bead Miniature Glass Bird by FrancescaDeCaire

Put A Bird On It Cross-Stitched Towels by MFcrafts

November Bird 11x9.5 Print by FlyRabbitPress

Killdeer Rubber Stamp - Hand Carved by Jackbear

Love Birds Card Set by kaseyAjohnson

The Party Bird Domino Pendant by InMyHeadStudios

Blue and Green Hair Clip by TribalTrends

Love Birds Embroidery Hoop Home Decor by FrecklesAndFrizz

Oliver The Owl Pillow by HeatherVitticore

Turquoise Blue Bird Silver Viking Knit Necklace by Kurpisz

Put A Bird On It Special Edition Nubbin by KiraArts

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the upper, right corner of the blog! 

(Deadline to vote is by midnight on Wednesday, November 14th)

First Friday Shop Hop featuring Beadwork by Amanda

Welcome to the November First Friday Shop Hop featuring Amanda from Beadwork by Amanda and Azure Seas!

During the monthly shop hops, you'll get a blog's eye view into the shop, get to know the artist, and get a chance to win something awesome!
 

A blog's eye view of Beadwork by Amanda and Azure Seas:

Meet the Artist:

RNEST: Tell us a little about yourself.

Amanda: I’m also a chemistry graduate student, which is likely the most improbable occupation people think of when they meet me. I’ve always been split between art and science, so I choose to do both! A lot of chemistry deals with boring clear solutions or white powders, so it’s pretty exciting that the crystals I synthesize and characterize change color based on their size.

RNEST: What's your favorite part of being an artist?

Amanda: I love having the ability to transform ideas into tangible items.

RNEST: You've been at this for a while. Any advise for someone just starting out?

Amanda: Treat your Etsy shop more like a real craft show; if you want sales, you need to have a decent amount of stock available for the shopper to choose from. Likewise, have at least several pages of items in your Etsy shop to give shoppers something to browse through. Another point- keep thinks fresh! Constantly add new items and get rid of the old stuff.

RNEST: Any coupons or promotions at your shops?

Amanda: Use code RNEST15 for 15% off your entire order in either shop!

RNEST: How about shows coming up? Where can we find you locally?

Amanda: I only have a couple of shows that are local: Mayday Underground on November 3 (TOMORROW!!) at the Rochester Main Street Armory and Second Storie on November 24 at the Visual Studies Workshop on Price St.

RNEST: So, tell us about your giveaway item.

Amanda: I'm giving away any round circuit board necklace in my shop.

 

The Giveaway - Open worldwide:

Winner's choice of any round circuit board necklace.

To enter:

MANDATORY ENTRIES:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Stop by Beadwork by Amanda and/or Azure Seas and give it a heart.

If you're already a fan, just say so in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. Pick a favorite** piece in Beadwork by Amanda and/or Azure Seas and:

Tweet it using the Twitter button on the listing. (one entry)

Like it using the Facebook button on the listing. (one entry)

Pin it using the Pinterest button on the listing. (one entry)

**{multiple favorites = multiple entries!!}

2. Tweet the contest using the Twitter button at the bottom of the post.

3. Share this contest on Facebook using the Facebook button on the bottom of the post.

4. Like Beadwork by Amanda's Facebook page.

5. Like the RNEST Facebook page.

This contest will run until November 8th.

The winner will be selected using a random number generator so anyone can win!

Good Luck!

* Please post all entries below and remember to comment for each entry so that your multiple entries are counted.

Treasury Tuesday: Batten Down The Hatches!

"Sandy" has been the talk of the town this week.   John of Jackbear Stamps was inspired by the absurdity of the nickname "Frankenstorm" and made a "Frankenstom Survivor" ACEO, which has been in 3 treasuries (one pictured below) as well as mentioned in a BusinessWeek.com article!

Batten Down the Hatches featuring Jackbear


Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by the storm.  I think John said it best in his blog post:
"I am truly grieved by the agony and loss Hurricane Sandy has brought upon our feeble human experience. My thoughts to out to those who have lost loved ones, have lost homes, have had property destroyed, and whose lives have changed because of this meteorological event. I mean no disrespect. 
 That said, I do believe there is room in our grieving process to smile. How often are we cheered in a dark hour by an off-color crack? I originally made these cards to mock the absurdity of the word "Frankenstorm". I mean how do we take this perfect storm seriously with a name like that! However, after going through the wind and rain of the storm (and by no means was it the worst the storm would dish out here in Rochester) I think these cards also have a deeper meaning now. I think they can be sent to a loved one to say, "Hey, I know times were tough, but you have a friend thinking about you." I think part of the healing process is the acknowledgement that you are still alive, and that its OK to smile again."

More Treasuries...

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Frankenstorm featuring Jackbear
• Waiting For Sandy featuring Jackbear
• Engagement featuring LoveAndWhiskers
• Animal Inspired Gift Ideas featuring LoveAndWhiskers
• Putting Pen To Paper featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Treasury List From Team Christian Etsians featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Baby It's Getting Cold Outside featuring MakingTheNestOfIt
• Kiwi Amore featuring PeachesProducts
• Penguin Love featuring HeatherVitticore
• In The Forest featuring KiraArts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

• Mayday! Underground Treasury of Awesomeness by PeachesProducts, featuring FrecklesAndFrizz, Jackbear, PapersaurusCreative, MoyaLazyFactory, SoftshellCrafts, KiraArts, FlyRabbitPress, SunshyneSilverwear, SewIndieShop, and KarenSwimmer

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

Treasury Tuesday: Mayday Underground Preview (Fall 2012)

Mayday Underground is coming up soon! (November 3rd)
Here's a treasury with a preview of some of the artists who will be there...many of which are RNESTers!

Mayday! Underground Preview by BeadworkByAmanda, 

Featuring KiraArts, MoyaLazyFactory, TheQuiltedHouse, Kurpisz, KarenSwimmer, InMyHeadStudios, FrecklesAndFrizz, SewIndieShow, KaseyAJohnson, SunshyneSilverwear 

Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! (I can't picture them all so you have to click on them to see!  If you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Happy People featuring MFcrafts
• Blending Soft Thoughts featuring MFcrafts
• Hey You! featuring TheQuiltedHouse
• Cranberry Cream featuring TheQuiltedHouse
• Stepping Into Fall featuring InMyHeadStudios
• Witch's Brew featuring HeatherVitticore
• ::Foxy:: featuring KiraArts
• Mayday! Coming Soon featuring SewIndieShop, KiraArts, MoyaLazyFactory, Interwingle, Sunshyne Silverwear, KarenSwimmer, and Kurpisz

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

First Friday Shop Hop Winner

Congratulations to #5, Hana's Clay for winning the First Friday Shop Hop giveaway from The Quilted House!!

Thanks to everyone who entered! Check back in November for the First Friday Shop Hop featuring Beadwork by Amanda!!

October 2012 Team Challenge Winner!

Congratulations to RNEST's Team Challenge winner for 
October's "In Disguise" theme...

Jackbear Stamps with his Lucha Libre Rubber Stamp!

Thanks to all the artists who participated 
and to everyone who voted!

Be sure to check back on November 1st for our next Monthly Team Challenge!

(November's theme will be "Put A Bird On It"!)

Pics from October's Meeting

Here are some pictures from our October meeting!

Choosing a name out of the hat for this month's "featured member".

Cara from SewIndieShop is our winner this month!

After we finished some official business, John (Jackbear Stamps) wanted to test out some new "temporary tattoo" ink he had just bought.

A beer mug temporary tattoo using one of John's stamps.

Show off those guns, John!

Then more people had "Tattoos" done!

This was the other stamp design John had with him...a zombie! (fitting for October!)

A rare picture of Kira, who takes most of the photos at the meeting.