Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Treasury Tuesday: Nectarine

Mmmmm...I don't know about you, but this treasury makes me want to go find some kind of juicy orange fruit to bite into!


Nectarine featuring BeadworkByAmanda


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:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

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

RNEST Craft Table Round-Up

Recently many RNEST members were set up at the ever popular Mayday Underground Art + Craft show on April 27th, 2013 at the Village Gate in Rochester, NY.  This is not a comprehensive round-up of the RNESTers present (as a vendor myself, I had a scant couple minutes to run around and try to catch everyone I could find in the 60+ vendors).  My apologies to those I missed (send me a picture though and I will add you in!)

If you were not at Mayday to shop, no problem! You can visit their Etsy shop by clicking on the shop name below the picture and it will link you there.  Read: VIRTUAL MAYDAY (haha)

In no particular order...














Photographs by: John Ballou, Jackear Stamps

Thursday, April 11, 2013

April 2013 Team Challenge Winner!


Congratulations to RNEST's Team Challenge winner for 
April's "Pantone Color Of The Year: Emerald" theme...


PandaWear with her Seeds of Kambaba Pendant



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

Be sure to check back on May 2nd for our next Monthly Team Challenge!
(May's theme will be "Internet Memes".)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Treasury Tuesday: Emerald

This Tuesday's featured Treasury is just a reminder to vote (if you haven't already!) for your favorite "Emerald" item for the Team Challenge!


Emerald - Pantone Color Of The Year from RNEST by KiraArts, featuring all RNESTers


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:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:
  • April Showers by KiraArts, featuring PandaWear
  • Teas and Spring by PandaWear, featuring PapersaurusCreative, PeachesProducts, Kurpisz, and JustIceJewelry

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

Friday, April 5, 2013

April's First Friday Freebie



Welcome to April's First Friday Freebie featuring Kira from KiraArts!  During the monthly First Friday Freebies, 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 KiraArts:

Meet the Artist
Kira Sinclair


RNEST: Tell us a little about yourself.
Kira:
I'm 30 years old and live with my husband and our dog and cat. I've always considered myself an artist. I did a lot of drawing and painting in high school and went to college for graphic design. But it wasn't until 2006, after discovering the book Stupid Sock Creatures by John Murphy, that I discovered the art of making plush. In the beginning, I made the stuffed "sock monsters" purely for my own amusement. I didn't have a sewing machine, so the monsters were completely hand-stitched at first. I would often hand sew the monsters during church (since keeping my hands busy helped me pay attention). Many times, I would give the finished monsters away to the church kids. The kids’ moms all encouraged me to start selling my monsters, and one day one of them told me about Etsy. My husband bought me a sewing machine for Valentine's Day in 2008, and that summer, I finally built up the nerve to start an Etsy shop. I participated in my first craft show that December, and prior to that show I created the "Nubbin" design. The Nubbins came from of a necessity to have some items that were simple and I could crank out assembly-line style so I could sell them at a lower price point. I understand that not everyone can afford what I charge for the one-of-a-kind sock/sweater monsters. And the Nubbins have now become one of my best-sellers!


RNEST: What's your favorite part of being an artist?
Kira:
I just love to create. And I love to create things that make people happy! Plus I find a happiness in taking something old and making it into something new, delightful, and fun!

RNEST: Tell us about your creations or techniques.
Kira:
I've borrowed techniques from the Stupid Sock Creatures book that initially inspired me (as well as its sequel Return of the Stupid Sock Creatures), but I have never directly copied any of the patterns. The technique I get the most use out of is for the big lips, but I alter it slightly to fit my needs. I primarily use sweaters now instead of socks, since there is more usable fabric and I can make bigger monsters. I can get about 3 monsters from a single sweater...one from each arm and one from the body where I make the neck hole into a mouth. I machine-sew the main body of the monster and then hand-sew the stuffing hole and the details like the lips, eyes, and heart. The Nubbins are made from new anti-pill fleece I get from the remnant bin at Joann Fabrics, with felt for the details. The Nubbins also have "safety eyes" that are child/baby safe. For stuffing, I use polyester fiberfill...which I buy by the 10 lb box!


RNEST: You've been at this for a while. Any advise for someone just starting out?
Kira:
At the risk of sounding cliché…practice makes perfect! I look back on photos of some of my very first monsters and realize how far I've come since then. And speaking of photos...when selling on Etsy, decent photography is key! You don't need super fancy equipment. A simple point-and-shoot digital camera will do fine. But make sure you have a simple background, good lighting (natural lighting is the best) and that your items are in focus. A great item can go unappreciated (and therefore unpurchased) due to bad photography.


RNEST: Any coupons or promotions at KiraArts?
Kira:
I have a secret coupon code for free shipping that I give to people who are local (Rochester or Medina, NY) so we can meet up and I can deliver their order in person. Interested parties can send me an Etsy convo before making a purchase.

RNEST: How about shows coming up? Where can we find you locally?
Kira:
I will be at Mayday Underground at the Village Gate in Rochester NY on April 27th.


RNEST: So, tell us about your giveaway item.
Kira:
I have been yearning for spring, so I've made a Bunny Nubbin with floral-print ears. It's made from white anti-pill fleece, with floral-print flannel lining the inner-ears, and a white pom-pom for the tail. It has black, child-safe "safety eyes", the nose/mouth is hand-embroidered with pink embroidery floss, and is stuffed with 100% new polyester fiberfill. (This item is made-to-order. Finished product may differ slightly from the picture shown. Finished size is approx. 6.5-7 inches tall and 3-4 inches wide.)




The Giveaway - Open to the US only
Floral Print Ears Bunny Nubbin

To enter
MANDATORY ENTRIES

1. Follow this blog.

2. Stop by KiraArts 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 KiraArts 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 the RNEST Facebook page.

5. Subscribe to KiraArts blog.



This contest will run until April 12.
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.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

April Team Challenge: "Pantone Color Of The Year: Emerald"


Welcome to RNEST's April Team Challenge! The theme for this month was 
"Pantone Color Of The Year: Emerald" 

Each year, Pantone chooses a new, hot, trending color to be named "Color Of The Year".  For 2013, they chose "Emerald". 

Earlier this month, we asked our RNEST members to get creative and submit items they've made that represent an interpretation of "Emerald"...and now YOU, our loyal blog readers, get to pick the winner!  Here's the list of our contestants!

Circuit Board Necklace by BeadworkByAmanda



Petunia The Rabbit Pillow by HeatherVitticore
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, April 10th)

The artist whose item receives the most votes gets their Etsy Mini on the top spot on the blog!



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Treasury Tuesday: Splendor In The Grass

We got an April Fool's prank pulled on us by Mother Nature yesterday with snow flurries in the sky!  But Spring IS coming soon! We are looking forward to seeing green grass again!  


Splendor In The Grass featuring PandaWear

Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! There's a lot this week, since I haven't gotten to do the Treasury Tuesday posts in a few weeks!
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:

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:
  • Taste Of Mayday by BeadworkByAmanda, featuring SunshineOnWater, SoftShellCrafts, KiraArts, MoyaLazyFactory, SewIndieShop
  • In The Woods by PandaWear, featuring Jackbear, PeachesProducts, KiraArts, SunshineOnWater, Kurpisz, & KelleysBeading
  • Blue and Flowers by PandaWear, featuring  KelleysBeading, PeachesProducts, & TatteredPearls

Curated by RNEST Members:

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