Rochester NY Etsy Street Team

Hearts & Crafts MidWinter Market Reviews

2012-02-09T23:15:00.000-05:00

Check out blog posts from FrancescaDeCaire and KiraArts for pictures of RNEST members who displayed their wares at the Hearts & Crafts Indie Market at Java's Cafe this past Sunday!

Wednesday Wellspring: Sunshyne Silverwear

2012-02-08T09:00:00.006-05:00

Congratoulations to #14 (Selma ) for winning Amanda's earrings!

Bubbling up from the well this week, upcycled finery from Sunshyne Silverwear!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a repurposed spoon-handle pendant. This beautiful piece is made from the handle of a spoon. Hand painted a deep red, perfect for your valentines day ensemble, this pendant boasts a plethora of delicate Queen Anne's Lace blooms as the focal point. A generous coat of resin coats the pendant giving it a lustrous look that also protects.
This pendant comes with a complimentary 18 inch ribbon cord necklace with a lobster clasp closure.

You can find Sunshyne Silverwear locally this weekend:
Feb 11th at Perinton Square Mall

6720 Pittsford-Palmyra road, Fairport,NY
10am-4pm

For more of Sunshyne Silverwear's lovely accessories, take a moment and visit her website!

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

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Sunshyne Silverwear, 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" Sunshyne Silverwear on Facebook
3. Follow Sunshyne Silverwear's artistic blog
4. Follow Sunshyne Silverwear 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, February 14th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: Love, RNEST

2012-02-07T12:10:00.000-05:00

Yes, Valentine's Day is coming! And Turtlefly has put together a lovely treasury with items from fellow RNESTers! Consider it an early Valentine from us!

Love, RNEST by Turtlefly

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:

Great Makes By The Great Lakes featuring KiraArts, BeadworkByAmanda, Turtlefly, TheQuiltedHouse, and Jackbear
Compliments featuring KiraArts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Fresh Water Friday by Turtlefly, featuring BeadworkByAmanda, Missrie, PeachesProducts, HeatherVitticore, KelleysBeading, FrancescaDeCaire, KarenSwimmer, and SunshyneSilverwear
Blue Happiness by KiraArts, featuring FrecklesAndFrizz, PeachesProducts, SunshyneSilverwear, LoveAndWhiskers, AzureSeas, InMyHeadStudios, ShShhShot, and FrancescaDeCaire
Recent Favorites by KiraArts, featuring FrancescaDeCaire, SunshyneSilverwear, and OldFamiliarWay

Curated by RNEST Members:

Fancy Some Tea? by KiraArts
Happy Birthday Mr President by HeatherVitticore

* 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!

Meet the Members Monday

2012-02-04T18:56:00.007-05:00

To mix it up a bit between tutorials, we thought it would be nice if you had a chance to meet more of our members. (Besides, learning a new crafty project every week is tough).
Without further ado, I like to introduce the first RNEST member of this interview installment :

Francesca DeCaire, of Francesca DeCaire

Tell us about your craft

My lampworking fascination began in 2005 when I learned to make blown vessels from borosilicate glass rods and tubes. My first torch was a National. Today I use a GTT Lynx and soft glass. I typically use Effetre glass, but I'm loving the unique colors that CIM has brought to the table. I enjoy making beads, cabochons and rings. Occasionally I'll break out with a marble or small vessel.

What inspired you to start an Etsy shop?

Etsy seemed to have the best online store presence and reputation. I felt my work was maturing, that it was time to offer it for sale via the internet.

What is your favorite item from your shop?

My current favorite item in my shop is my Baby Penguin Bead. It fits on those cool charm bead bracelets that everyone digs.

What art/craft tool you simply could not live without?

My tungsten pick is great for poking and dragging glass, although I couldn't live without my brass paddle or my mashers.

What craft or skill you've always wanted to learn?

Working from a furnace with a huge gather of molten soft glass would be amazing.

What artist/craftsperson/designer inspires you?

Dora Schubert, she is a glass goddess.

What's you favorite color?

Green is what I would have said as a child. I'm not sure anymore. My mind is much more complicated and I think about it too hard.

How long have you lived in the Rochester area?:

All my life, aside from being born in Michigan. My family moved to Rochester before I was even a toddler.

What attracted you to RNEST, and what would you like to bring to table?

When I first looked into RNEST I knew it was perfect for me. I saw a happy team of artists and craftsmen that were motivated. Helping the team network comes natural to me. Our team promotes one another like wildfire! I follow my teammates closely, they are a powerful source of inspiration. Anytime I meet someone who is artistic I speak of RNEST.

What do you do when you're not crafting?

I play with my handsome son Lucas. He’s big into pots and pans.

Any pets?

Dondi (AKA Big Dumb Dumb) and I haven't been too active together since Lucas came into the world. We used to hike Tryon at least 4 times a week. Hopefully in the spring we will pick up where we left off. There are also two cats, the brown one (bad cat) and the gray one (good cat). They are OK, they came with Jason, my computer dork better half.

Anything else cool you'd like to tell us about yourself?

I'll be moving my all over the place crazy set up into my new studio at the Hungerford Building, 1115 E Main street, suite 216. Come visit me during First Friday (first Friday of every month, 6pm - 9pm). You may also schedule an appointment with me, call (585) 789-1761 or inquire at francesca@francescadecaire.com. Stability, at last!

Make sure you check out Francesca's Etsy Shop, Blog, Facebook page, and Twitter to find learn more about her work!

January 2012 Team Challenge Winner!

2012-02-02T22:55:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to RNEST's January Team challenge winner...

Francesca DeCaire, with her "Large Hole Lampwork Glass Baby Penguin Bead"!

Thanks to everyone who voted!

Be sure to check back on February 23rd for our next Team Challenge! (the theme will be "It's Personal"!)

Wednesday Wellspring: Beadwork by Amanda

2012-02-01T11:09:00.007-05:00

Bubbling up from the well this week, turquoise treasures from Beadwork by Amanda!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a lovely set of earrings. Glass turquoise beads with a picasso finish dangle gracefully from brass earwires, accompanied by pacific opal crystals and a pretty bead cap.

Amanda is currently offering a deal on Heartsy! Follow this link and save on your next purchase!

And now for the rules:

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Beadwork by Amanda, 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. Visit Azure Seas (Amanda's second Etsy shop), 'heart' her, and leave a comment with your favorite item
3. Tweet and blog about Amanda's Heartsy Deal, and comment here with the link
4. 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, February 7th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Make-it Mondays : Handmade Envelope

2012-01-29T22:50:00.006-05:00

If you have even the slightest flair for crafting and creative endeavors, you (like the rest of the RNESTers) probably have a tendency to hoard cool objects for unknown future projects. In this case, here's an idea for all that sweet paper you have sitting in a drawer.
And it's fast! This took me about 5 minutes.

Handmade Envelope

What you need :
-envelope to use as a template
-decorative / recycled paper
-pen (or pencil)
-scissors
-double sided clear tape (or a glue stick)

1) Open by your store bought envelope by carefully seperating the adhered edges and trace the shape on the envelope onto you decorative paper.

2) Cut out the form of the envelope.

3) Fold the side wing in and use double stick tape to adhere it. Fold to opening flap down as well. And, ta da, a fancy envelope!

Fresh Fridays: Seeing Green

2012-01-27T09:53:00.006-05:00

It appears that everybody on our Etsy Street Team is feeling green, perhaps it is the lack of white outside. Who would imagine that in January we would be seeing green in Rochester, where is all the white stuff anyway?

So, the turtle notecard isn't green but could be. All of these fresh finds and many more beautifully handcrafted items can be found on Etsy.

Thanks to Karen, Heather, Marie, and Amanda

Keep on the look out for the latest and greatest from the RNEST Etsy Stret Team every Friday!

January Team Challenge: New Beginnings

2012-01-26T21:34:00.000-05:00

Welcome to RNEST's January Team challenge!

The theme for this month was "New Beginnings"!

Earlier this month, we asked our RNEST members to get creative and make items representing an interpretation of the theme...whether it be a new line of items in their shop or the item itself represents "New Beginnings"

...and now YOU, our loyal blog readers, get to pick the winner!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the

upper, right corner of the blog!

Large Hole Lampwork Glass Baby Penguin Bead by FrancescaDeCaire

Scrabble Tile Wine Charms by k5art

Scrabble Tile Wooden Box Mini Red White Brown Blue Stripes by k5art

Digital Photography Nature 5x7 Photograph New Beginnings by k5art

6x6 Memory Journal - Live the Life You've Dreamed by SingingBirdDesigns

Midnight in Eden -- Natural Floral Stained Glass Art Panel by aDifferentView

Turtle Greeting Card by HeatherVitticore

Pink Flowers - Lampwork Glass Earrings by KelleysBeading

Lissie Fashion Scarf by HerbanLiving

Lady In Blue Rose Pins by HerbanLiving

2T Spring Pinafore & Bow Tie Combination by TurtleFly

2012-01-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to #4 (jhitomi) for winning K5 Art's scrabble tile pendant.

Stay tuned for more giveaways to be posted!

Treasury Tuesday: May Your Bobbin Always Be Full

2012-01-24T23:54:00.000-05:00

I'm loving both the vintage sewing room theme of this week's featured treasury, as well as the title. There is nothing more annoying to a person who sews than your bobbin running out in the middle of a line of stitches (except for maybe the needle breaking!) May your bobbin always be full! :)

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full featuring PeachesPictures

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:

Animals Need Valentines Too! featuring PeachesProducts
Rhythm Of Pink featuring FaerieTails
Sunshine For my Valentine featuring k5art
Will You Be My Valentine? featuring k5art
Vibrant! featuring k5art

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

More "Happy Hearts" by SculptressLink, featuring k5art, SunshyneSilverwear, BeadworkByAmanda, and TheQuiltedHouse
Winter Warmth by Shshhshop, featuring OldFamilliarWay
Blythe Field by Shshhshop, featuring AlisonTyne

Curated by RNEST Members:

Brick By Boring Brick by k5art

Make it Mondays : Single Shot Screenprinting

2012-01-22T12:56:00.016-05:00

You're probably starting to see a trend here, so alright, I admit it : I'm pretty into T-shirts.

This Single Shot Screenprinting method (aka, 'ghetto screenprinting', as we called it in college) is a great way to transform a boring, blank shirt into a far more awesome one. This was also my key method of having shirts sporting my favorite bands on them when I too poor to buy them. Over the years, I've made countless shirts using this method and have been thrilled with how long the print has lasted with minimal or no fading I have a few that are over 3 years old and the print is still looking great!

What you need :

-blank T-shirt
-acrylic paint (I'm currently using house paint, which also works just fine)
-plastic coated freezer paper
-print out of a design your choosing
-Exacto knife
-cutting mat (cardboard also works)
-pencil
-iron
-small paint roller and tray (tray not pictured)
-cardboard (not pictured)
-hair dyer (optional)

1. First things first : Choose your design. It can be just about anything, but I'd recommend keeping it simple. Big, bold forms and minimal text works best. But, depending of your level of patience and skill with an Exacto knife, you can get as crazy as you'd like. The sky's the limit.
After brainstorming and searching Google Images for a while, I decided to go back to the routes of my ancestral homeland and make a New Jersey Turnpike shirt (don't judge me).

2. Now that your have your design printed, trace it onto your freezer paper. Make sure that you trace it papery side up, plastic-y side down.

3. Using the Exacto knife, carefully cutting out your forms. You can either discard cut outs, or save them to create an inverse print of your design (kinda fun if you have the time and something else to print onto).
PS--Turn the iron on.

Here's a good trick that will help anytime you have text or a time you have a shape with another shape in the middle of it. Create a bridge, basically a thick line, that connects the form in the middle with the space outside of your design. We'll cut this bridge away later.

4. Now that your stencil is made, it's time to adhere it to your shirt. First, slip some cardboard inside the shirt to prevent paint from seeping through the back of the shirt. Line up your stencil on the shirt, plastic side down, and iron the stencil onto the shirt. The freezer paper should adhere very easily; you'll only have to iron for about a minute.

Let's go back to that bridge we made earlier. Now that the stencil is ironed on, you can carefully using your Exacto knife to cut away and remove the bridge.
PS--Turn the iron off.

5. Time for my favorite part : the paint!

As a side note, you can get these mini rollers at any hardware store for about $2 and they come with a little plastic tray. However, I've done this some many times and forgotten to wash just as many trays that I am using the back of an old canvas instead. You can use tin fold, a paper plate, or whatever you have around; the principle is the same.

Pour the paint onto the tray and roll your roller in the paint. Try to pick up a fairly liberal amount of paint, but not so much that it will splatter. It also usually takes a decent amount of paint to cover your design, as the fabric just soaks it right up. Roll the paint over your stencil, and be careful to not get paint on the exposed part of the shirt.

6. Hooray! You're almost there! Now you can either wait for the paint to dry or use a hair dyer to speed up the process.

7. Once the paint is completely dry, carefully peel off the freezer paper from the shirt. It should come off very easily. In some cases, you can even get another use or 2 out of your stencil. Otherwise, just discard it.

Congrats! Now you have a totally sweet t-shirt! You can wear it right away, but I like to wash mine first. I find the first wash can help to set the paint into the shirt and loosen up the painted fabric a bit. I'd also recommend washing inside out, especially for the first wash!

Happy DIY-ing and see ya next time!

Friday Freebie!: SunshyneSilverwear's Pin It To Win It Contest!

2012-01-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

While this isn't an official RNEST giveaway, we like to promote our members' endeavors! (especially when they're this creative!) RNEST member, Erin of SunshyneSilverwear is having a "Pin It To Win It" contest that begins today!

The prize is a $25 gift certificate good towards any of the beautiful, handmade, recycled spoon pendants in her shop!

To enter the contest, all you have to do is create an imaginative Pinterest board using any product image found on www.sunshynesilverwear.com. Then post a link to your boards either on the SunshyneSilverwear blog, or on the SunshyneSilverwear Facebook Fanpage.* Be sure to check her blog post for additional details.

*(This contest is NOT an official RNEST giveaway. Please don't post contest entry links on the RNEST blog or Facebook page. You must post them on SunshyneSilverwear's blog/Facebook page in order for your entry to be valid)

Haven't heard of Pinterest? Really? It's awesome! (and for the record, neither I, nor RNEST have been sponsored to say that!) Pinterest is a virtual pinboard where you can "pin" your favorite items, links, and images from the web. It sounds simple enough, but it can be addicting, so you I'll give you fair warning! But it is a wonderful way to collect all the cool stuff you like from the web into one place. You can also follow other people's pinboards and other people can follow yours. People use pin boards for their home decorating, style/fashion, recipes they want to try, products they like, and wedding planning. I, personally, have created my own Pinterest boards for fun craft projects, kids' crafts for the homeschool art class I teach, and handmade gift ideas, just to name a few. The possibilities are endless!

To read a little more about Pinterest's possibilities, read their official 'About' page here.

One last thing...As of right now, creating Pinterest accounts are by invitation only. If you do not currently have a Pinterest account, e-mail Erin at sunshyne_silverwear(at)hotmail(dot)com and she will send you an invite so you can take part in the contest! Happy Pinning!

Wedge Me In

2012-01-19T08:42:00.004-05:00

by: John Ballou - Jackbear Stamps

I love the South Wedge. It has some of my favorite iconic Rochester locations in it. It has real local businesses with home grown entrepreneurs. And it has an amazing community association.

This Friday night the South Wedge Planning Committee is having an Silent Art Auction as part of it's Open House and Fundraising Drive called "Wedge Me In". Art from South Wedge artisans, and art inspired by the South Wedge, will be up for grabs. The event begins at 6 pm on Friday, January 20th at 224 Mt. Hope Avenue. There will be a raffle as well, and a chance to purchase some vintage South Wedge posters as well. Food is available, and a meet and greet with the new Executive Director John Page.

RNEST is involved because a few of our members have donated artwork that will be available in the Silent Art Auction. I have created a print titled "Corner of Gregory and Heaven" in honor of one of my favorite businesses in the South Wedge, the Tap & Mallet bar. Sorry this is kind of lousy picture, but you get the idea. I first hand carved a rubber stamp, then created this print from the block. Size is slightly under 6"x6".

Hope you can make it Friday night to learn about the Wedge, and get your hands on some local art.

Wednesday Wellspring: K5 Art

2012-01-18T10:00:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to # 7 (Mitchie ) for winning Francesca's Cupcake bead.

And bubbling up from the well this week, a tiny treasure from K5 art!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a 1"x1" mini Scrabble Tile box! A brand new design from this shop, this little trinket box is made out of recycled Scrabble tiles and sealed with a hard glaze for a beautiful protective shine. What a perfect way to say "I love you" by giving this little box to someone special. You can roll up a small message and place it inside, fill it with fun confetti or gemstones, or even pop "the question" by hiding your ring inside! Whatever you can imagine! These would also make a great party favors. If you are interested in ordering a large quantity, I do have wholesale pricing that comes with a special bonus!

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to US only):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to K5 Art, 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" K5 Art on Facebook
4. Follow K5 Art's artistic blog
3. 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, January 24th, and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: Four Years of Pantone

2012-01-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

There's a lot of buzz on the craft blogosphere and Pinterest about "Tangerine Tango", Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012. I've seen pin boards on Pinterest, like this one, dedicated to pinning images with the color, including the tag #PinPantone. With all this Pantone buzz, I had the inspiration to make an Etsy Treasury of the Pantone Colors of the Year for the past 4 years (one color for each row). This treasury includes 5 RNEST members as well!

Pantone Colors of the Year:

2009 - Mimosa

2010 - Turquoise

2011 - Honeysuckle

2012 - Tangerine Tango

Four Years of Pantone

by KiraArts, featuring aDifferentView, BeadWorkByAmanda, k5art, FrecklesAnd Frizz, and TheQuiltedHouse

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:

Retro Rust featuring InMyHeadStudios
Red And Yellow Make Orange featuring FaerieTails
A Burst Of Light featuring FaerieTails
My Garden Blooms In Lilacs featuring PeachesPictures
Beneath Winter Blue Skies & Oceans featuring PeachesProducts
A Bird In The Hand featuring HeatherVitticore
From The South featuring HeatherVitticore
What Should We Name This Treasury? featuring HeatherVitticore

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

RNEST in Green by FaerieTails, featuring an all-RNEST cast!
Colors On White by KiraArts, featuring SunshyneSilverWear, FrancescaDeCaire, and BeadworkByAmanda

Curated by RNEST Members:

The Last Remaining Light by PeachesProducts
Curiouser and Curiouser by aDifferentView

Wednesday Wellspring: Francesca DeCaire

2012-01-11T10:00:00.001-05:00

Bubbling up from the well this week, a sweet treat from Francesca DeCaire!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a Pistacio Cupcake Pendant. Glass Artist Francesca DeCaire's cupcake pendants are made from fine glass made in Murano Italy. She uses a technique called lampworking to make her beads. Every bead is formed carefully one at a time and then inspected for quality. Her cupcake pendants come in many styles. Today's giveaway features her Pistacho cupcake pendant which comes with a black flat cord necklace. Francesca will consider custom orders at your request at francesca@francescadecaire.com. You can learn more about the artist at her website francescadecaire.com. Her work will also be available for sale at Bead Breakout in Rochester, NY throughout May and June of 2012.

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to US, Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Francesca DeCaire, 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. 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, January 17th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: Naturally, Turquoise & Mint, and Nests For RNEST

2012-01-10T21:47:00.001-05:00

There were so many great treasuries this week! I couldn't choose just one to picture, so I chose three...one treasury for each category! 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:

Naturally featuring PeachesPictures

Cool Beans featuring HeatherVitticore
Banish Ye Head Pain! featuring HeatherVitticore
Penguins Have More Fun... featuring HeatherVitticore
Some Bunny Loves You featuring HeatherVitticore
Amethyst Amore featuring HeatherVitticore
Brown is Beautiful! featuring k5art
Art from the Heart featuring k5art
Flames featuring k5art
Vanilla Chai Tea Latte featuring k5art
Sew Perfect featuring TheStitchingStudio
Happy New Year Santa's Elves featuring PeachesProducts
Love Feels Like Heaven But It Can Hurt Like Hell featuring LoveAndWhiskers
The Lovely Ginkgo featuring LoveAndWhiskers
For The Fair Maiden featuring aDifferentView
A Rose For You featuring KiraArts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Turquoise & Mint

by KiraArts, featuring SunshyneSilverWear, FrancescaDeCaire, InMyHeadStudios, & TheQuiltedHouse

The Number Game by k5art, featuring KarenSwimmer
Scarlet Dreams by k5art, featuring Kurpisz

Curated by RNEST Members:

Nests for RNEST
by FrancescaDeCaire

Make-it Mondays : T-Shirt Tote

2012-01-08T22:03:00.007-05:00

This is a great way to reuse one of those old, crumby t-shirts sitting in the back of your closet. And it could not be easier. This project took me less than 15 minutes (including time to dig out materials) and, frankly, I'm pretty clumsy on the sewing machine.

Materials:

-old t-shirt
-fabric scissors
-pen or pencil (or white charcoal in my case, since my shirt is such a dark color)
-dinner plate
-3-6 straight pins
-sewing machine (and thread, of course)

Step 1 : Cut the sleeves off the shirt, leaving the seams in tack.

Step 2: Lay the dinner plate on top of the shirt such that about half the plate is covering the shirt. Trace the edge of the plate with you pen(cil) and cut out that piece. This will be the opening of the bag.

Step 3: Turn the shirt inside out and, using your straight pins, line up the bottom of the shirt. Run the bottom of the shirt through the sewing machine.

Step 4: Turn the shirt right side in and start toting things around!

Treasury Tuesday: Upcycled Treasures

2012-01-03T21:47:00.000-05:00

Repurposed, recycled, upcycled...all these terms used for describing new things made from old. Just as the new year comes from the old, these new things came from old things!

Upcycled Treasures featuring k5art

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:

Winter Whites featuring HeatherVitticore
Shades of Gray featuring HeatherVitticore
Screenshots of Dreams featuring HeatherVitticore
Penguins Why Not? featuring HeatherVitticore
After Midnight in the Meadow featuring HeatherVitticore
Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits featuring HeatherVitticore
Feather Your Nest in 2012 featuring aDifferentView
Just to Say Hello To... featuring aDifferentView
Blue Willow featuring TheStitchingStudio
Gifts Especially For Her featuring TheStitchingStudio
Lavender, Plum, Purple, and Lilac featuring KarenSwimmer
Canadian, Eh! featuring KarenSwimmer
Love Day is Coming featuring k5art
Once Upon A Time featuring MFcrafts
What's Black and White and Red All Over? featuring PeachesProducts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Valentines Day by k5art featuring an all RNEST cast
Blast From the Past by k5art, featuring MFvintage
Ode To Coffee by k5art, featuring TheQuiltedHouse

Curated by RNEST Members:

Tree Song by k5art
The Bubbly by k5art
Scrap of Paper by k5art
I Love Scarves! by PeachesProducts

Make-it Mondays : 2012 and the 365 Project

2012-01-02T20:59:00.011-05:00

Happy 2012 everyone! With the new year, I'll also take the opportunity to introduce myself as the new Make-it Mondays RNEST-er. Hi there, I'm Allie of Soft Shell Crafts, taking over the for the wonderful Carol of Buenahelena who will (sadly) be leaving Rochester to (happily) start a new chapter of her life.

But you'll still have some wonderful craft projects (and maybe more) to start your week!

This Make-it Monday is a tad more abstract than the usual tutorial, but is a great way to get your creative juices following each day of the new year:

Start of 365 Project

(Okay, so maybe a 364 project at this point. Do a few extra to get yourself warmed up)

I believe the 365 project began as a photo assignment (see 365project.org/) : take a photo for each day of your life for the year. However, you can expand it as far as your imagination will take you! It can be as simple or as complex as your want to make it. Take this dude, for instance. He made 1 skull a day for a year made from a plethora of materials. As you can see, some of them are pretty intense (like the pumpkin) while others are far simpler (like the ketchup). But as you can see, this was a basic idea with unlimited possibilities.

For some more inspiration, take a gander at Make Something 365 & Get Unstuck. It's a great blog that features 365 projects from people all over the world via submission.

Of course, you can start a 365 project at any point in the year, but what better a time to start than the beginning of a new one?

Oh yea, and what's my 365 project, you ask?

Haikus, one each day

Simple and noncommittal

My kind of project

December 2011 Team Challenge Winner!

2011-12-29T12:08:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to RNEST's December Team challenge winner...

Francesca DeCaire, with her "Happiness is a Cupcake Lampwork Pendant"!

Happiness is a Cupcake Lampwork Pendant, New Style
by FrancescaDeCaire

Thanks to everyone who voted!

Be sure to check back on January 25th for our next Team Challenge! (the theme will be "New Beginnings"!)

Treasury Tuesday: Advice For 2012

2011-12-27T21:21:00.000-05:00

2012 is coming in just a few days! Here is a treasury of items with positive, inspiring words for the new year!

Advice for 2012 by k5art, featuring BMeg, InMyHeadStudios, and k5art

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:

A Merry Berry Holiday featuring SoftShellCrafts
Orange and Lime From Another Time featuring Buenahelena
Something To Smile About featuring k5art
Let's Talk Chai featuring k5art
Fat Love featuring OldFamiliarWay

December Team Challenge: Culinary Trends & Sweet Treats

2011-12-21T18:54:00.000-05:00

Welcome to RNEST's December Team challenge!

The theme for this month was "Culinary Trends and Sweet Treats"!

The theme was chosen from the trends listed on December's Etsy Merchandising Desk.

Earlier this month, we asked our RNEST members to get creative and make items representing the theme...and now YOU, our loyal blog readers, get to pick the winner!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the

upper, right corner of the blog!

Scrabble Tile Charm - Cupcakes by k5art

Chocolate Creme Pie Earrings by SculptressLink

SMBS Cupcake Chocolate Pumpkin Pin by SculptressLink

Cold Hors d'oeuvres : Recipe Book by SoftShellCrafts

American Cheese Fondue: Recipe Books by SoftShellCrafts

Happiness is a Cupcake Lampwork Pendant, New Style by FrancescaDeCaire

Gingerbread Men Charm With Coral Earrings by Missrie

Cupcake Nubbin by KiraArts

Cast your vote for your favorite on the upper right of the sidebar!
The poll will close at midnight on Wednesday, December 28th, and the winner will be announced!

2011-12-21T07:42:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to #4 (Sarah O) for winning the cards from Heather Vitticore!

Treasury Tuesday: Yetis and RNEST Cuties

2011-12-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

Featuring RNEST Members:

Yeti, Big Foot, Sasquatch, Abominable Snowman Gift Guide featuring FlyRabbitPress

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String featuring HeatherVitticore
Woodland Friends featuring HeatherVitticore
I Love Goldfish! featuring HeatherVitticore
Delightful Greetings featuring HeatherVitticore
Hibernation featuring HeatherVitticore
A Peak into Santa's Workshop5! A Santa's Elves Team Treasury featuring PeachesProducts
All of nature begins to whisper its secrets to us through its sounds featuring PeachesPicures
chickpea winter - jewelry, clothes, and accessories featuring OldFamilliarWay
Happy Mid Century Modern in 2012...The Tiki Lounge is Open featuring Buenahelena

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

SQUEE!! - RNEST Cuties featuring an all-RNEST cast!

Rainbow Colored Items featuring PoetCharms, BeadworkByAmanda, & KiraArts

Curated by RNEST Members:

Something Sweet by SunshyneSilverwear
Dreaming of a White Christmas by TatteredPearls
Pick Me! by TatteredPearls
Paper or Plastic?...Canvas Please! by KiraArts

Wednesday Wellspring: Heather Vitticore

2011-12-14T10:00:00.009-05:00

Congratulations to #29 (Bee W Bedard) for winning Missrie's earrings.

Bubbling up from the well this week, a lovely collection from Heather Vitticore!

Today, one lucky winner will receive their choice of 5 small greeting cards! Each greeting card is a print of my original india ink illustration. The illustration is printed on a standard 3.5"X5" high quality 80lb white Strathmore watercolor paper card with a deckled edge. They are blank inside, with HeatherVitticore.etsy.com printed on the back, and come with a matching envelope. Your cards will be placed in plastic sleeves for safe travels. Check out the shop for several different illustrations to choose from! If you're the winner, Heather will contact you about which 5 cards you would like.

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

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Heather Vitticore, 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" Heather Vitticore on Facebook
3. 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, December 20th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: Creatures & Christmas

2011-12-13T17:08:00.004-05:00

Sorry I missed Treasury Tuesday last week. I was feeling a bit under the weather. To make up for it, I'm featuring 2 treasuries this week! Both treasuries both feature and are curated by RNEST members.

Black Red and White Christmas

by k5art, featuring Buenahelena, Missrie, aDifferentView, SunshyneSilverwear, PoetCharms, & KiraArts

RNEST Creatures

by SoftShellCrafts, 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:

Wonderful pieces from Rochester, NY featuring OldFamilliarWay & PeachesProducts
Enchanting featuring HeatherVitticore
Zoological featuring HeatherVitticore
Rested and Ready featuring HeatherVitticore
Watt Are You Talking About? featuring k5art
12 Days of Christmas featuring k5art
The Geek In Me featuring k5art
Gifts Under $30 featuring k5art
For Kids 1-92 featuring MFcrafts
From Russia With Love featuring MFvintage
I Am the Walrus featuring SoftShellCrafts
Christmas Cocktail Party featuring FlyRabbitPress
Geschenke für Judith -1 featuring FlyRabbitpress
Mad For Plaid. Red Plaid Is Rad featuring FrecklesAndFrizz
Clean Burning Fun! featuring Buenahelena
Cocktail Party featuring Buenahelena
On The Fourth Day of Christmas featuring LoveAndWhiskers
A Burst Of Light featuring FaerieTails
FabUlOuS FaUx's to MuSt HaVe!...or just so cool! featuring PeachesProducts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

I'll Have a Blue Christmas Without You featuring an all RNEST cast!
Crazy Cat Lady by k5art, featuring Buenahelena, GocksFrocks, & FrancescaDeCaire
We Are An Ocean by k5art featuring PeachesProducts, Missrie, SoftShellCrafts, Kurpisz, BMegDesigns
Bluebird Holiday by k5art, featuring PinLady, SunshyneSilverwear, and MervAndDelores

Curated by RNEST Members:

Sneak Attack! 11/28/2011 by k5art

I think one of our newest members, k5art, wins the prize this week for making the most treasuries! (the prize is extra "coolness points"!) ;)

Creative Play Session Tonight!

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Children are naturally creative. By the time we hit 18 though, half of that creativity and imagination has fizzled. Get your creative juices flowing tonight at our Creative Play Session. We'll experience a variety of brain exercises designed to get you past your current blocks. Plus there's fun snacks ;)

November 2011 Team Challenge Winner!

2011-12-08T11:27:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to RNEST's November Team challenge winner...

Francesca DeCaire, with her "Fat Cat Mustache Style" bead!

Fat Cat Mustache Style

by FrancescaDeCaire

Thanks to everyone who voted!

Be sure to check back on December 22nd for our Team Challenge for December! (the theme will be "Culinary Trends & Sweet Treats"!)

Wednesday Wellspring: Missrie

2011-12-07T10:00:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to # 17 (Allie) for winning the stocking from Woolhead Works.

Bubbling up from the well this week, an elegant design from Missrie!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a pair of antique style earrings. These earrings feature purple lucite flower beads, that have a rich plum color. Wrapped around the beads are antiqued bronze filigree cones, which give the pair a vintage look. The earrings are finished off with antique bronze kidney earwires. They are about 2" in length.

You can find Missrie locally Sunday December 11 at The Holiday Festival of Crafts and Gifts; Monroe County Fairgrounds / Minette Hall.

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

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Missrie, 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" R N EST on Facebook .
2. "Like" Missrie on Facebook
3. Follow Missrie on Twitter ( @MissrieDesigns )
4. 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, December 13th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Craftmas Clothing Swap Tonight!

2011-12-05T14:18:00.001-05:00

Don't forget!...

Need directions?...Check the Facebook Event!

This weekend was a whirlwind with the First Friday (and Saturday) Craftmas Show at the Hungerford, but it was a blast! We'll post a review with pictures soon!

RNEST Original Garbage Plate Extraordinaire!

2011-12-01T11:59:00.000-05:00

We're so excited to announce a chance for our local fans to win a Rochester favorite: a Garbage Plate. This isn't just any garbage plate, though. It's a hand-crafted original created by RNEST artisans. You'll find needle-felted tater tots, hand-stamped macaroni salad, beaded hot sauce, a crocheted burger, a cuddly cute hotdog, and so much more, all resting on a quilted platter.

And how can you win this divine tribute to Rochester's most famous meal? Come to the Hungerford's Miracle on East Main Street this weekend and participate in our scavenger hunt. First, stop by RNEST's Craftmas Art Show to check out the finished product in all it's splendor, then visit the other artists throughout the Hungerford to find the scavenger items and earn your chance to own this masterpiece!

Hungerford Building,

1115 E. Main St., Rochester, NY

Door 8

TWO DAYS!

Friday, December 2: 5PM - 9PM

Saturday, December 3: Noon - 4PM

Make sure to check out our other Hungerford events throughout December for some craftilicious fun!

November Team Challenge: Movember/No-Shave-November

2011-11-30T23:10:00.000-05:00

Welcome to RNEST's November Team challenge!

The theme for this month was "Movember/No-Shave-November"!

Movember is "an annual month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November. Charitable events are held to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues." (Etsy Merchandising Desk) "A related event, No Shave November, has participants not shaving at all for the month, for the same cause. Generally one is to shave on the night of October 31st to participate. Both men and women participate in the month-long event, with men abstaining from shaving their beards, and women their armpits or legs." (from Wikipedia)

We asked out RNEST members to get creative and make items representing the theme...

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the

upper, right corner of the blog!

Pin Ups With Pit Hair, Art Cards, ACEO Set

by Buenahelena

Mustache and Glasses Applique Yellow T Shirt size 12 mnth.

by FrecklesAndFrizz

Fuzzy Red and White Strip Christmas Ornament

by SculptressLink

Candy Cane Twist Hair Falls Set of Two

by SculptressLink

Mini Domino Charm - Mr. Stache

by k5art

Fat Cat Mustache Style

by FrancescaDeCaire

Mini Moustache and Beard Rubber Stamp

by Jackbear

Moustached Movember Edition Nubbin

by KiraArts

Cast your vote for your favorite on

the upper right of the sidebar!

Wednesday Wellspring: Woolhead Works

2011-11-30T10:00:00.002-05:00

Bubbling up from the well this week is a holiday original from Woolhead Works!

The artist knit this stocking with 100% wool yarn in a cozy looking, natural white. She chose moss stitch for the body of the stocking to emphasize the woolly texture. Because of its charming simplicity, this stocking has the flexibility to coordinate with a variety of decor schemes. To jazz it up and suit your style, you might add a ribbon, pom poms, or some holly to the loop on the cuff, if you like. Or you could put some stocking stuffers inside, and give it away to a lucky recipient.

This stocking is 12" long from cuff to toe, and 3.5" wide at the leg.

Don't throw this stocking in the washer/drier: it will felt right up (100% wool)! If you need to clean it, it is recommended to hand wash in cool water with mild soap, and laying flat to dry.

You can see Woolhead Works this Friday at RNEST's Craftmas event at The Hungerford Building. Stop by for a meet and greet with the artist!

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

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Woolhead Works, 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" Woolhead Works on Facebook
3. Follow Woolhead Works' artistic blog
4. Follow Woolhead Works 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, December 6th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: A Woodsy Handmade Christmas

2011-11-29T15:26:00.012-05:00

Woodland themes have been big this year! Owls, woodland creatures, trees, faux bois, natural colors/materials and mossy green tones... this treasury features items from a number of RNESTers!

A Woodsy Handmade Christmas

by KiraArts, featuring PeachesProducts, JustIceJewelry, TheQuiltedHouse, Buenahelena, HeatherVitticore, and aDifferentView

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:

It's all Rosie, It's all rosy, It's all rosey! featuring FlyRabbitPress
Robin's Egg Blue featuring MFcrafts
Fun and Games featuring MFcrafts
This Is How I Feel Sometimes! featuring MFcrafts
For Sarah featuring SarahGOrtiz
Gifts For Travelers featuring SoftShellCrafts
Match Made In Heaven featuring Buenahelena
Once Upon A Time featuring HeatherVitticore
Sandy featuring k5art
Sneak Attack 11/21/11 featuring k5art
Sloths Need Love Too! featuring PeachesProducts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Memories of Aunt Grandma by KiraArts, featuring TheStitchingStudio
Grandma Johnson by KiraArts featuring InMyHeadStudios
Crazy Cat Lady by k5art, featuring Buenahelena, GocksFrocks, and FrancescaDeCaire

Curated by RNEST Members:

The Cheese Stands Alone by SoftShellCrafts

2011-11-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to #6 (Zoma) for winning the Owl ACEO from Jackbear Stamps.
Check back 11/30 for our next giveaway.

Happy Thanksgiving from RNEST!

Treasury Tuesday: Eat Your Greens!

2011-11-22T19:36:00.003-05:00

Just a few days until Thanksgiving! Check out this crisp color treasury featuring a few RNEST members and don't forget to eat your greens on Thursday!

Eat Your Greens by K5art featuring PeachesProducts, SunshyneSilverwear, Buenahelena, LaurensLovelies, WoolheadWorks, Kurpisz, BMegDesigns, FrancescaDeCaire, and BeadworkByAmanda

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:

A Berry Beary Christmas featuring SoftShellCrafts
BO-HO-HO! Merry Christmas, My Bohemian Baby! featuring aDifferentView
Just a Few Gift Ideas featuring KarenSwimmer
What Has 8 Arms? Or Are They Legs? featuring PeachesProducts
Going To The Forest featuring PeachesProducts
Frosty and Friends! featuring MFcrafts
Stocking Stuffers $10 and Under featuring MFcrafts
Chunky Cosy Knits! featuring MFcrafts
Christmas featuring MFcrafts
Some New Finds - More Gift Ideas featuring Buenahelena
He Handed Her The Key And Said... featuring Buenahelena
My Christmas is Mint featuring Buenahelena
Orange Bunnies featuring HeatherVitticore
Hamster Dance featuring HeatherVitticore
I Spy featuring HeatherVitticore

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

"For the Seamstress" Gift Guide by KiraArts, featuring PeachesPictures, TheStitchingStudio, and AllisonTyne
To Grandmother's House We Go by KiraArts, featuring FuzzyBunny

Craftmas Events are on Facebook!

2011-11-17T12:14:00.010-05:00

Craftmas Events are now on Facebook! Click the links below to RSVP, then share with your friends!

Craftmas: Etsy Style! First Friday Holiday Craft Sale
(Friday, December 2nd, 5pm-9pm & Saturday, December 3rd, noon-4pm)
A Handmade Holiday hits the Hungerford Building! Come shop from a selection of quality items made by local artists. Give the gift of handmade this holiday season!
Clothing Swap
(Monday, December 5th, 7pm-9pm)
It’s time to clean out that closet! Bring in your unwanted clothing and take home some new-to-you pieces for your wardrobe...all for free! RNEST artists will also be available to teach demos with techniques for altering and upcycling your clothes into fun, new items!
*Any clothing left over at the end of the night will be donated. Nothing will go to waste!
Creative Play Session
(Saturday, December 10th, 7pm-8:30pm)
Creativity boosting activities and exercises to spark your artistic inspiration and get out of a rut. Come with an open mind and leave with ideas for new projects! (For ages teen and up)

Open Craft Night: Etsy Style!
(Thursday, December 15th, 6pm-9pm)
Demos: glass pendant soldering, knitting, bead weaving and MORE! Everyone is invited for a handmade, fun-filled evening of simple planned projects and unstructured time with RNEST artists. Bring your crafty works-in-progress, share our supplies, experiment with our tools, and ask us about tips and techniques. A small sampling of our works will also be available for sale.

We hope you can make it to at least one of these events! They should be a lot of fun!

Wednesday Wellspring: Jackbear Stamps

2011-11-16T10:00:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to #13( Lynda) for winning Kelley's lampworked pendant.

Bubbling up from the well this week, is an original from Jackbear Stamps!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a Saw Whet Owl ACEO. The "pocket owl" as it is sometimes called. A little tiny owl you could put in your shirt pocket. Very tame when approached. Cute as a button, but also haunting in appearance.

Casey of Peaches Products led the artist and his father-in-law (photographer of 3 Oaks Enhancements) to a tree that is a migratory resting spot for Saw Whet owls. Here a photo was captured, which was turned into two rubber stamps. One stamp for the "brown" print, and another for the "black" print, to created this two layered stamp image.

This is an ACEO (Artist Card/Edition/Original). The card measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to anyone!):
Be SURE to include your EMAIL ADDRESS in every comment so I can contact you if you've won!

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Jackbear, 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" Jackbear on Facebook
3. Follow Jackbear's artistic blog
4. Follow Jackbear 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 22nd and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: Crisp Autumn Afternoon

2011-11-15T09:40:00.002-05:00

On dreary autumn mornings...let us think of crisp autumn afternoons!

Crisp Autumn Afternoon by ShShhshop, featuring PeachesProducts, BeadworkByAmanda, SarahGOrtiz, & Buenahelena

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:

In The Vintage Sewing Room featuring PeachesPictures
Pet Holiday Gift Guide featuring LoveAndWhiskers
Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground featuring SoftShellCrafts
Summer Christmas featuring MFcrafts
Owls featuring Jackbear
BO-HO-HO! Merry Christmas, My Bohemian Baby! featuring aDifferentView

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Art For The Masses - Under $20 by HeatherVitticore, featuring SarahGOrtiz, InMyHeadStudios, AllisonTyne, & LoveNaturePhotos
Dragonfly Dreams by K5Art, featuring PinLady, TurtleFly, JustIceJewelry, LaurensLovlies, & BeadHaven2
A Cozy November by KiraArts, featuring FlyRabbitPress, KarenSwimmer, & PeachesProducts

Curated by RNEST Members:

Winter Kitty by KiraArts

Wednesday Wellspring: Kelley Allen Beads

2011-11-09T12:00:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to #63 ( Armada) for winning Francesca's Cupcake bead.

Bubbling up from the well this week, is a treasure from Kelley Allen Beads!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a Lampworked Glass Pendant.

If you can't eat it, wear it! This scrumptious caramel-swirl pendant reminds the artist of ice cream nights with dad. Lightweight borosilicate glass has a beautiful mother-of-pearl sheen in indoors, then seems to emit its own glow when touched by sunlight. Pendant measures 1 inch tall (hangs 11/4 inches from your chain) and 3/4 of an inch wide. The loop will fit over a 1/8 inch clasp.

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

Be sure to include your email address for all entries so you can be notified if you've won!
MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Kelley Allen Beads, 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" Kelley Allen on Facebook
3. 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 15th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman

2011-11-08T17:46:00.001-05:00

My apologies for there not being a Treasury Tuesday post last week! A lot of us were super busy with gearing up for one of the biggest indie craft shows in Rochester, Mayday Underground! (and it was a blast!) This week's treasury actually features work from one of the fabulous Mayday organizers, Casey from PeachesPictures and PeachesProducts...

You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman featuring PeachesPictures

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:

In The Sewing Room featuring PeachesPictures
Peas In The Pod featuring PeachesPictures
Violet Autumn featuring PeachesProducts
Bats featuring PeachesProducts
Gifts Meant For Giving featuring HeatherVitticore
Horses featuring HeatherVitticore
Accessorize With A Flower! featuring InMyHeadStudios
Bountiful featuring Buenahelena
Gather Round The Fire featuring MFcrafts
Mountains featuring SoftShellCrafts
They Call Me Mellow Yellow featuring GoldhawkPottery
Let's Just Stay In Bed featuring GoldhawkPottery
Bowled Over featuring GoldhawkPottery
Cinnamon-y featuring GoldhawkPottery
Happy Kitchen featuring GoldhawkPottery
Gift Guide In Yellow For Her featuring GoldhawkPottery
Butter-Mint-Creamy featuring GoldhawkPottery
From The Beginning To The End, And All Along The Way featuring GoldhawkPottery

Make-It Mondays: Grant Update

2011-11-07T22:20:00.001-05:00

As we posted a couple months ago, our local Etsy team received a grant from Etsy to rent space in Rochester for a month to sell handmade items from our team members and host community art events. Much hard work, grant crafting, and meeting attending was done by Jackbear Stamps and Goldhawk Pottery (you guys rock) and despite a couple road blocks we are on our way to an awesome December for our team.

Here's a look at our upcoming events. Thank you to KiraArts for designing our flyers :)

Hope you can join us! :)

Wednesday Wellspring: Francesca DeCaire

2011-11-02T08:28:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to #5 (Francesca) for winning Soft Shell Craft's sketchbook!

Bubbling up from the well this week, is a touch of sweetness from Francesca DeCaire!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a made-to-order lampwork glass cupcake bead. All beads are made by hand one at a time.The glass used is Effetre Pastel Periwinkle, pink, & sky blue. Finished on SSR 925 metal bail accented with a Swarovski Tanzanite AB Bicone crystal.

You can find Francesca at Mayday Underground, Sat. November 5th at the Main Street Armory 10-5, and at Holidays at the Market; Sundays December 4, 11, and 18, 9am - 3pm
280 North Union Street Rochester, New York 14609

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to the everyone):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Francesca DeCaire , 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" Francesca DeCaire on Facebook
3. Follow Francesca on twitter
4. 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 8th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

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

2011-10-27T09:21:00.002-04:00

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

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the

upper, right corner of the blog!

Small Snowy Owl
by Kira Arts

Tomato Soup Owl Bead
by Francesca DeCaire

Green and Black Magic Poison Jewel Halloween Shot Glasses
by Love and Whiskers

Magic the Gathering Mana Notebook
by Soft Shell Crafts

Cast your vote for your favorite on

the upper right of the sidebar!

Wednesday Wellspring: Soft Shell Crafts

2011-10-26T08:00:00.005-04:00

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.

Treasury Tuesday: Halloween Treasury

2011-10-25T21:11:00.000-04:00

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:

Nevermore, Nevermore featuring Jackbear
Fire Walk With Me featuring Jackbear
Keep Calm and Zombie On featuring Jackbear
Happy Fall Day featuring GoldhawkPottery
Flax N Fall featuring GoldhawkPottery
Fireside in December featuring GoldhawkPottery
Cosy Neautrals featuring GoldhawkPottery
All The Pretty Little Horses featuring HeatherVitticore
Cool featuring HeatherVitticore
Woodland Favorites featuring HeatherVitticore
Cute Little Owl featuring PeachesProducts
The Bear Essentials featuring PeachesProducts
A Little Bear Told Me featuring PeachesProducts
Glamour For A Romantic Holiday Evening featuring KelleysBeading
Gypsy Autumn featuring aDifferentView
Bird Crap featuring FlyRabbitPress
Turquoise Here and There featuring InMyHeadStudios
Mystical Powers featuring KiraArts

Curated by RNEST Members:

Around the Corner by KarenSwimmer

Make-It Mondays: Wood Block PhotoTransfers

2011-10-24T19:08:00.015-04:00

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.

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 :)

2011-10-19T08:31:00.001-04:00

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

Treasury Tuesday: Autumnal Aura

2011-10-18T11:10:00.002-04:00

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:

Aubergine Autumn featuring MaticStudio
The Suspense Is Killing Me! featuring PeachesPictures
Haunted Fines...Vol 1 featuring PeachesProducts
I'm Going Gawth featuring SarahGOrtiz
Last Leaf featuring GoldhawkPottery
Fall Colors featuring GoldhawkPottery
In the Garden With Happy and Friends featuring HeatherVitticore
This Place Is A Zoo featuring HeatherVitticore
Oh Sweet Garden! How I Love Thee featuring HeatherVitticore

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Itchin' To Go Apple Pickin' by KiraArts, featuring PeachesPictures, FuzzyBunny, and KarenSwimmer
Cozy Festive Fall by KiraArts, featuring GocksFrocks

Curated by RNEST Members:

The Etsy Arts & Crafts Movement by SoftShellCrafts
Cute & Creepy Halloween Monsters! by KiraArts
The Colors of Autumn by ManicMetals
Fear by ManicMetals
Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities by ManicMetals

Make-It Mondays: Groovy Retro Pumpkins

2011-10-17T23:00:00.002-04:00

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 Wellspring: a Different View

2011-10-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

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.

Treasury Tuesday: Purple, Orange, and Black

2011-10-11T14:10:00.000-04:00

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

Purple, Orange, and Black by 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:

In Honor Of Edgar Allen Poe featuring Jackbear
A Letterboxing We Will Go! Part I featuring Jackbear
Autumn Harvest featuring TheQuiltedHouse
Do Something featuring SoftShellCrafts
Autumn Ablaze! featuring FlyRabbitPress
My Mellow Mind featuring GoldhawkPottery
Peas Please?????? featuring PeachesPictures
Can I Haz a You? featuring PeachesPictures
Everything Owls! featuring PeachesProducts
Bubo the Owl featuring PeachesProducts
Feathers & Flowers featuring aDifferentView
Green Cats featuring aDifferentView
Gray and Yellow Gift Ideas For Him featuring HeatherVitticore
Serenity featuring HeatherVitticore
Rabbits gone BUNNANAS featuring HeatherVitticore
About Blue featuring MFcrafts
Remember Freedom! featuring MFcrafts
Black and Brown featuring MFvintage

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Grown Up Halloween by FaerieTails, featuring InMyHeadStudios

Wednesday Wellspring: In My Head Studios

2011-10-05T10:00:00.003-04:00

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.

Treasury Tuesday: Most Beautiful Stripes

2011-10-04T12:35:00.000-04:00

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:

Baby Blue featuring Buenahelena
Ice featuring GoldhawkPottery
Pale Yellow featuring Goldhawk Pottery
Something Wicked (Cute) This Way Comes! featuring KarenSwimmer & TheQuiltedHouse

Curated by RNEST Members:

Dreaming In Kelly Green by MaticStudio

Treasury Tuesday: Blue Skies and Sunshine

2011-09-27T18:39:00.004-04:00

We usually think of all Red, Orange, and Yellow when it comes to fall colors, but I think this treasury (featuring GoldhawkPottery), with its muted blue and yellow color scheme, is perfect for those sunny, blue sky fall days. It just makes me want to jump into a pile of yellow leaves!

Blue Skies and Sunshine featuring GoldhawkPottery

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:

A Halloween Wedding featuring LoveAnd Whiskers
Cuddle Me Panda featuring PeachesProducts
Shades of Gray featuring HeatherVitticore

Curated by RNEST Members:

Bread by SoftShellCrafts

Make-it Mondays: Pets of Etsy

2011-09-26T22:35:00.006-04:00

Finally...one of you has a dog! Thank you Susan, of sculptresslink, for sharing our latest studio creature, Smokey. Susan adopted Smokey from the the Humane Society while she lived in Arizona, procuring her Masters degree in Art Education. She is a worldy assistant who has traveled with her studio boss from Arizona, to Arkansas and now to Rochester, New York. Check her out!

At sixteen, this pooch is still working it, as a model for Susan's creations. In this case, a cupcake barrette.

Sitting expectantly, in the hopes that some polymer clay will drop from Susan's hands and onto the floor. (She thinks it's food.)

Thank the craft lords that the cat spell has been broken! Keep your pets coming, by sending images and a lil' story to buenahelena@hotmail.com.

September Team Challenge: Vampires

2011-09-22T15:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome to RNEST's September Team challenge: Vampires. Check out RNEST's fierce competitors for this challenge!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the

upper, right corner of the blog!

Bat Focal Bead
by FrancescaDeCaire

Mixed Media Vampire Pendant
by Sculptress Link

Dracula Rubber Stamp Hand Carved
by Jackbear Stamps

Cast your vote for your favorite on

the upper right of the sidebar!

2011-09-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to #74 (hofken) for winning Designs By Missrie's giveaway!

Treasury Tuesday:Autumn in Rochester

2011-09-20T23:45:00.006-04:00

Enjoy more thoughts of fall brought on by all the items in this treasury, featuring an all-RNEST cast!

Autumn In Rochester by SoftShellCrafts

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:

Pale Yellow featuring GoldhawkPottery
Orange and Black Halloween Fabulousness featuring MFcrafts
Noir et Blanc featuring InMyHeadStudios
Something Borrowed, Something Blue featuring LoveAnd Whiskers
Ahhhh! Not so Real Monsters! featuring KiraArts
Some Owls Are Purple featuring PeachesProducts
Hedgehogs, Why Don't They Just Share The Hedge? featuring PeachesProducts
I Love Crochet! featuring KarenSwimmer
Halloween With A Touch Of Geekery featuring KarenSwimmer
We Gather To Honor Thanksgiving featuring KarenSwimmer
Just A Little Bit Of Quirk featuring HeatherVitticore
Cozying Up featuring HeatherVitticore
We Live Around The Tree featuring HeatherVitticore
FALL in Love With Nature featuring HeatherVitticore
We Don't All Live In A Yellow Submarine! featuring HeatherVitticore

Curated by RNEST Members:

Itching For Halloween by PeachesProducts

Wednesday Wellspring: Designs by Missrie

2011-09-14T07:42:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to #95 (JC) for winning The Quilted House's giveaway.

Bubbling up from the well this week, a touch of elegance by the talented Missrie!
Today, one lucky winner will receive a pair of Blue Green Faceted Clover Earrings.

This festive pair just might bring you a little luck! These beautiful faceted beads are green with a little touch of blue. The wire wrapped design looks like an upside down three leaf clover. These earring are about an inch and a half in length and finished off with silver plated wires.

You can next see Missrie's work in person at Loveapalooza festival, Saturday September 17. The festival is hosted by Lovin' Cup, and will take place at Park Point plaza. For more details, visit the Lovin' Cup website or Facebook event page.

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to everyone):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Missrie, 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" RNE ST on Facebook.
2. "Like" Miss rie on Facebook.3. 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, September 20th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: It's Beginning To look A Lot Like Fall

2011-09-13T12:31:00.005-04:00

Fall still isn't "officially" here yet, but we are looking forward to it and many of the RNESTers are gearing up for fall/harvest craft shows! And the subtle autumn colors in this treasury are making us look forward to fall even more!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Fall featuring MereWare and SarahGOrtiz

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

Featuring RNEST Members:

Funky Skunky featuring PeachesProducts
Can I Be A Kid A Bit Longer? featuring PeachesProducts
Channeling featuring aDifferentView
Take A Look featuring JiBabu
Undiscovered featuring JiBabu
Sapphires Are A Girl's Best Friend featuring InMyHeadStudios
Pushing the Boundery Between Art and Craft featuring InMyHeadStudios
Blue Sunday featuring GoldhawkPottery
Ocean Breeze featuring GoldhawkPottery
Making My Eyes Smile featuring SoftShellCrafts
Sweet Favorites featuring SoftShellCrafts
Thank You Treasury featuring HeatherVitticore
Tuesday Favorites featuring HeatherVitticore
Awe Nuts! featuring HeatherVitticore
Squirrels! featuring HeatherVitticore
Grey Hair featuring HeatherVitticore
Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes featuring MFcrafts
Warm Up With Etsy Kids! featuring MFcrafts
It's Fuzzy Around Here featuring MFcrafts
Mr. Green Jeans featuring MFcrafts
A Touch of Turquoise featuring MFcrafts
Pum-pum...Pumpkin! featuring MFcrafts

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Feather 'R nest with Etsy Birds by MFCrafts featuring an all RNEST cast!

Make-it Mondays: Pets (or seriously just cats) of Etsy

2011-09-12T18:24:00.005-04:00

Hello Team! I'm back again with more feline studio assistants. These two hooligans belong to Carisa of Love and Whiskers (how apt!), along with a slew of other camera shy creatures, including two Shih-tzus, two tortoises and three lizards. Carisa, if you can get the tortoises involved somehow, next time I would love to do an expose called Teenage Mutant Crafting Turtles. Enjoy!

Critiques are best given while sitting on the product.

Pausing to choose the best words of advice...

All Etsy work needs an overnight bodygaurd...even if he sleeps on the job.

Thanks you for sending in your kit-tay shots Carisa. Keep sending me your pets as well team, to buenahelena@hotmail.com. In the coming weeks I will be back with some tutorials so stay tuned! :)

Wednesday Wellspring : The Quilted House

2011-09-07T10:00:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to #18 (jc) for winning Turtlefly's "The Molly Purse".

Bubbling up from the well this week, a touch of functional style from The Quilted House!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a choice of Gettin' Down to Business Card Wallet. Gettin' Down to Business Card Holders are perfect for carrying business cards or for when you want to jet out with just a little cash, ID, and credit card! Made with 100% quilt-quality cotton fabric in a variety of colors and patterns.

And as an exciting announcement, there will soon be a new baby in The Quilted House! The rest of the house is being purged, so why not the studio!?! Help make room for baby by checking out the new CLEARANCE SECTION! Hot pads, coasters, bowls, and more all at sharply reduced prices! PLUS, use coupon code MAKEROOM4BABY to get 20% throughout the shop - including clearance!!

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to everyone):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to The Quilted House, 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. "LikeThe Quilted House on Facebook3. Follow The Quilted House's artistic blog
4. Follow The Quilted House 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, September 13, and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: You Don't Have To Be Sonic

2011-09-06T15:15:00.003-04:00

Summer is coming to its end. Fall isn't "officially" here yet, but the last couple days have been delightfully cooler. Not sure how to explain how this correlates, but cooler weather and fall makes me think of cuddly woodland creatures. maybe because you see them all around this time of year, making that last dash before hibernating. And the prince of woodland creatures lately?...the humble hedgehog. Not since the time that Sega reigned with a blue spikey critter named Sonic have hedgehogs been so popular! This week, our own HeatherVitticore has been featured in a hedgehog-themed treasury.

You Don't Have To Be Sonic

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:

Sweet Bunnies! featuring HeatherVitticore
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit featuring HeatherVitticore
Yogaween featuring HeatherVitticore
They Also Call Me Owly Woods featuring KarenSwimmer
Twisted...Under Sideways Down featuring KarenSwimmer
An ALL ORANGE Sale featuring MFvintage
Cheeese! featuring MFvintage
Remembering Summer Sunshine featuring GoldhawkPottery
Cocoa and Cream featuring GoldhawkPottery
Remnants of a Dream featuring GoldhawkPottery
Wonderfully Wicked featuring aDifferentView
Felted Fall Fun featuring PeachesProducts
Miles Away featuring Buenahelena

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Labor Day Blues by PeachesProducts, featuring TheQuiltedHouse and BeadworkByAmanda
The End of Summer by FlyRabbitPress, featuring Buenahelena, TheQuiltedHouse, Interwingle, PeachesProducts, and Bmeg
Home Is Where Your Heart Is by LoveNaturePhotos featuring an all-RNEST cast!

Curated by RNEST Members:

For The Love of Poly(fil) by HeatherVitticore
Orange and Black For Kids by MFcrafts

Make-it Mondays: Early Fall's Pets of Etsy

2011-09-05T19:40:00.006-04:00

It's getting to be that time of year when you really want a pet to keep you cozy in the studio! I know I didn't mind my cat hanging out on my lap on this chilly rainy day. I think we can pretty much confirm from this (and past) Pets of Etsy posts that we are, for the most part, a bunch of cat ladies ;) This week's creature feature, Caesar, belongs to Marie of Designs by Missrie. He is, according to Marie, " ... a curious young boy and really likes to oversee everything."

"Caesar reigns over the studio :)"

" I think these green beads would go great with those brown beads, Mom."

"All this supervising is hard work!!"

Thanks Marie and Caesar! If you would like your pet featured on the next Pets of Etsy send info and photos to Buenahelena at buenahelena@hotmail.com.

Wednesday Wellspring: Turtlefly

2011-08-31T11:00:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Marija (#2) for winning Buenahelena's giveaway!

Bubbling up from the well this week, Turtlefly offers up some colorful whimsy to brighten your day! Today, one lucky winner will receive "The Molly Purse". This is an adorable little purse made of 100% cotton fabrics and western snap closure. Fully lined in purple on white polka dot fabric and has a small yellow and multi color polka dot 1/2” ruffle.

Perfect size for a little change purse, tissues, special little toys or small notebook and pen or crayons to have on the go.

Excellent party favor option and can be custom made to suit your party theme (discount given for a party orders). You can see more of the artist's lovely creations at her website.

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to everyone):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Turtlefly, 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" RNE ST o n Facebook.
2. "Like" Turtlefly on F acebook. 3. 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, September 7th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: School Bus Yellow

2011-08-30T18:29:00.010-04:00

It's the last Tuesday in August! And what color treasury would be more appropriate than this one celebrating "back to school" by HeatherVitticore! (BTW: this treasury got featured on the front page of Etsy this week!)

School Bus Yellow by HeatherVitticore

featuring TheQuiltedHouse & BeadworkByAmanda

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:

Little Mary Sunshine featuring GoldhawkPottery
My, What Large Eyes You Have featuring KiraArts
Warmth and Charmth featuring InMyHeadStudios

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Yummmmm Marmalade! by aDifferentView, featuring FuzzyBunny

Curated by RNEST Members:

Autumn Feel by KarenSwimmer
You're Getting Sleepy...Have More Coffee! by PeachesProducts
For Wayward Victorian Girls by aDifferentView
On Hooks and Needles by HeatherVitticore

August Team Challenge: Trending Colors

2011-08-24T10:34:00.002-04:00

Welcome to RNEST's first color-themed Team challenge: Trending Colors. According to Etsy's marketing team, the most popular colors this month are deep jewel tones, fluorescents, classic reds and kelly greens. Check out RNESTer's favorite items in these colors!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the

upper, right corner of the blog!

Esmerelda
by A Different View

Circuit Board Keychain in Vivid Red
by Beadwork by Amanda

Pick Your Own Dishcloth Set of Three
by MF Crafts

Earring Wire Wrapped Siam and Ruby
by Designs by Missrie

Sapphire Arrowheads Lace Scarf
by Woolhead Works

Small Blue Owl
by Kira Arts

Upcycled Quilted Denim Bowl Bold Black and Red
by The Quilted House

Red Fuzzy Mittens
by MF Crafts

Hand knit cowl in rosy pinks
by Woolhead Works

Iggy the Sweater Monster
by Kira Arts

Big Fat Hi Card in Scarlet
by The Quilted House

Purple Fuzzy Mittens for Child
by MF Crafts

Fabric Rose Hair Clip Red
by Kira Arts

Cast your vote for your favorite on

the upper right of the sidebar!

Treasury Tuesday: Our Love is On Fire

2011-08-23T11:42:00.005-04:00

"Our Love is On Fire"? Our RNEST members are on fire! We were in SO many treasuries this week! And SO many good ones! Once again, I was having a hard time picking the pictured one! My August criteria of featuring color treasuries reigned me in and narrowed it down a little....but not much! I ultimately picked Our Love Is On Fire (featuring Buenahelena's matchstick painting) because the firey color scheme was just so gorgeously vibrant.

Our Love Is on Fire... featuring Buenahelena

There are still a bunch of beautiful treasuries! Be sure to click through the links to see them, and leave a comment telling us your favorite!

Featuring RNEST Members:

Crazy For Stripes! featuring Buenahelena
Our Love Is on Fire... featuring Buenahelena
Etsy's Rainbow of Color featuring GoldhawkPottery
Blue & Lemon Country Kitchen featuring GoldhawkPottery
Something To Talk About featuring GoldhawkPottery
Vacation Time Is Coming To An End featuring aDifferentView
Ray Bradbury - Author Birthday - Aug. 22, 1920 featuring aDifferentView
Bring Me To Life Of Halloween Night featuring aDifferentView
Summer Tomatoes featuring KarenSwimmer
Just Plain Awesome featuring KarenSwimmer
A Striking Duo featuring MFcrafts
Grey With A Hint Of Sun featuring MFcrafts
Fall Crazy Style! featuring MFcrafts
Jack and Jill Went Treasure Hunting featuring MFvintage
Lumiere featuring MFvintage
Layers of Sarah featuring SarahGOrtiz

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

MayDay Preview by BeadworkByAmanda, featuring Buenahelena, TurtleFly, InMyHeadStudios, FuzzyBunny, JiBabu, The StitchingStudio, and KiraArts

Make-It Mondays: We Made-it on Etsy!!!

2011-08-22T08:51:00.001-04:00

The Rochester NY Etsy Street Team, has been making small waves in the community over the past two years, from newspaper articles, to TV spots and proud representation at many festivals and art markets. In recent months our team has been working on a bigger idea. We wanted to build a sense of creative community in Rochester beyond our group while making our presence known. This led to some grant writing (thanks VERY much to Sarah Goldhawk) and a plan to join forces with the Hungerford for one month.

And.....(drumroll)..... we made it happen! Here is the article on Etsy announcing August's Etsy Team Grant winners.

We are planning lots of fun including: a First Friday market, swap meet, after market, workshops and even a Halloween shindig.

GO TEAM!!!!!!

Wednesday Wellspring - Buenahelena

2011-08-20T13:40:00.007-04:00

Bubbling up from the well this week, is the fun and funky Buenahelena!

Today, one lucky winner will receive Two "Vintage Fun" Button Magnets. Each one is made with collage cut outs from vintage, 1960's McCalls Magazines. They have strong magnets on the back. This artist keeps her shop eco-friendly with a wide variety of recycled and re-purposed items. Take a look around and get inspired! You may just find a creative new use of one of your own vintage treasures!

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

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Buenahelena, 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" Buenahelena on Facebook
3. Follow Buenahelena's artistic blog
4. Tweet and blog about this giveaway and leave a coment here with the link.
5. Write a comment here saying what the people in the pictures might be thinking!

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, August 30th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Treasury Tuesday: Shades of Ocean Blue

2011-08-16T22:06:00.000-04:00

This week's pictured treasury features a piece from GoldhawkPottery. Doesn't looking at this treasury make you want to take one last trip to the beach before summer s over?

Shades of Ocean Blue featuring GoldhawkPottery

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:

Smell The Autumn featuring InMyHeadStudios
Oh For The Love Of Analogue! featuring InMyHeadStudios
Seeing Spots featuring InMyHeadStudios
I Think You Are Going To Dig This featuring JiBabu
Into The Woods featuring JiBabu
Back To School featuring KarenSwimmer
SUNFLOWER! featuring KarenSwimmer
Sunflowers featuring KarenSwimmer
Oh Baby Baby Baby Oh featuring KarenSwimmer
Darling It's Better Down Where It's Wetter featuring KarenSwimmer

Curated by RNEST Members:

Dreamy Sunday by LoveAndWhiskers
Winds of Change by KarenSwimmer

Make-It Mondays: Still More Pets of Etsy

2011-08-15T12:33:00.001-04:00

Having done this Pet series several times now, I don't think anyone on our team is petless. It's a fact: we need fuzzy creatures in order to make it as crafters and artisans. This week's pets belong to Kira of KiraArts. Enjoy!

Kira: "I have two pets, Luna my dog (a dachshund/miniature pinscher mix) and Terra my cat (the offspring of a friend's barn cat)."

Luna and Terra taking their afternoon nap in Kira's craft room.

Terra "helping" with some yarn when she was a kitten.

Terra is in the craft room a lot. Maybe it's because she was in there a lot when she was a kitten. She is often curious as to what Kira's doing and decides to hop up on her desk to investigate.

Luna is often just content to lay down near her.

"What is this thing, Mom?"

"Mommy, can you stop sewing and please let me outside?"

If you would like your cat to become an instant RNEST celebrity, contact Buenahelena (buenahelena@hotmail.com) with pictures and fun tails (pun intended).

Treasury Tuesday: Peculiar Plum

2011-08-09T22:05:00.000-04:00

Once again, it's been a hard week to decide which treasury to picture. There are so many good ones RNESTers made and/or were featured in this week. But seeing as our Team Challenge for the month of August has a theme of "Trending Colors", I'm going to stick with color-themed treasuries to feature this month! Here is a lovely one featuring TheQuiltedHouse!

Peculiar Plum featuring TheQuiltedHouse

Keep those treasuries coming! As hard as it is to choose when there's a lot of great treasuries, I enjoy seeing a wide selection and the different themes people come up with! And, of course, I enjoy seeing the wonderful handmade items as well! As always, be sure you click on the links below and go see the other treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

On the Brink Of Autumn featuring Buenahelena
Pur-py featuring KarenSwimmer
Looks So Cool featuring TheStitchingStudio
Beautiful Beaded Jewelry featuring InMyHeadStudios
Turquoise, A Lovely Shade of Blue featuring InMyHeadStudios
Labyrinth Boutique featuring aDifferentView
Back to the future - Timeless Travel - N°1 featuring aDifferentView
Fantasy and Legends featuring aDifferentView
Getting Lost In The Labyrinth featuring aDifferentView
A Labyrinth You Won't Want To Escape From featuring aDifferentView
Night Terrors featuring aDifferentView
The Labyrinth Is A Jewel Box featuring aDifferentView
Hung On The Walls Of The Labyrinth featuring aDifferentView

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Dreams of Fall by TheQuiltedHouse featuring InMyHeadStudios, SunshyneSilverwear, PeachesProducts, FuzzyBunny, and KarenSwimmer
RNEST Under The Pink by Missrie featuring an all-RNEST cast!

Curated by RNEST Members:

Through the Portal by KiraArts
Urban Farm Girl by KarenSwimmer

Make-It Mondays: More Pets of Etsy

2011-08-08T12:52:00.005-04:00

Many of our Etsy team members have a special creature helping them out in the studio. We simply can't make it without them (or at least that's what they want us to believe!) This week Heather Vitticore's feline assistant, Kidden, is helping her make items you'll find in her two shops: Merv and Dolores and Heather Vitticore.

Don't worry. Heather says the iron isn't on. You don't need one when there's a warm body around anyways right? If you would like to have your pet featured in the next Pets of Etsy, contact : buenahelena@hotmail.com

Treasury Tuesday: Teal & Chocolate

2011-08-02T11:25:00.006-04:00

So many awesome treasuries this week! It was so hard to pick just one to feature! I ultimately chose BeadworkByAmanda's beautiful Teal and Chocolate color treasury, since I am a sucker for teal/turquoise...especially when it's paired with a chocolate brown. Somehow, I am in the mood for some brownies with teal frosting now. ;)

Teal and Chocolate by BeadworkByAmanda

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:

Little Boys and Girls Go To School featuring sarahgortiz
Phoney Fantasy featuring sarahgortiz
Vintage Back To School featuring MFvintage
Pigtails and Marching Band featuring MFvintage
Our House is a Very, Very Fine House featuring MFvintage
A touch of gothic...red and black for fall featuring MFvintage
Vintage Treasures for $10 or less featuring MFvintage
Darling creations all ready for Christmas in July!! featuring MFcrafts
Cover Up by the Homefront Team featuring MFcrafts
Pistachio and Copper featuring KarenSwimmer
Back To School (already?) featuring KarenSwimmer
Please Feed The Ducks featuring KarenSwimmer
Yarning For You featuring KarenSwimmer
Are You Ready For Some Football? featuring KarenSwimmer

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

Grey Skies by JiBabu, featuring Buenahelena, PeachesProducts, and SunshyneSilverwear

Curated by RNEST Members:

Teal and Chocolate by BeadworkByAmanda
Fusion by BeadworkByAmanda
Bubbles by BeadworkByAmanda
For the Boys! Happy Birthday, Declan! by MFCrafts
Dog Days of Summer - Vintage Style by MFvintage
Baby It's Cold Outside by MFvintage
Into The Wild by SoftShellCrafts