Handmade Costumes are the Best!

Happy Halloween!
In our humble opinion, handmade costumes are the best!  Anyone can slap down some money to buy a store-bought costume...but it takes great creativity and ingenuity to make a great homemade costume!  Here are some pictures of costumes that RNEST members have worn for past Halloweens!

John of Jackbear Stamps wearing his sycamore tree costume!

Kira of KiraArts in her Star Wars Queen Amidala costume that was handmade by her mom!

Betsy of Sunshine on Water and her kids with homemade pirate costumes!

Did you make your (or your kids') Halloween costumes this year?

October Team Challenge: "Spooky"

The theme for October's Team Challenge was "Spooky"!

Take a look at all the contestants below and then cast your vote in the "Spooky" October Team Challenge album at our Facebook Page (be sure you look at ALL the entries before casting your vote!)

 The deadline to vote is by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 12th! The artist whose item receives the most votes gets their Etsy Mini on the top spot on the blog!

"Scary Spooky Halloween Goth Skull Skeleton With or Without Bat Fine Art Photography Original Print" 

by JWPhoto

"Goth Skull Candlelight Crystal & Silver Candelabra Skullabra Candle Flames Original Fine Art Photography Print" 

by JWPhoto

"Teal Eyes Skull Bead - Lampwork glass bead" 

by FrancescaDeCaire

"Green Halloween Zombie Stitchy Heart Nubbin" 

by KiraArts

"Halloween Clothespins, Mini Memo Clips, Chunky Clothespegs, Orange and Black" 

by MakingTheNestOfIt

 "Crochet Halloween hats" 

by AngelHeartCrochet

"Jack-O-Lantern Stamp - Hand Carved Rubber Stamp" 

by Jackbear Stamps

"Vampdexter "Monster Doll": handmade with repurposed/vintage materials" 

by TheCraftyWolf

"OOAK felt Halloween monster with Rainbow ribbon" 

by MoyaLazyFactory

Go to our Facebook album and "like" the photo of your favorite "Spooky" themed item to cast your vote! Share the album and spread the word to your friends, family and fans! (The winner will be announced on October 13th.)

October Team Challenge: "In Disguise"

Welcome to RNEST's October Team Challenge! The theme for this month was 

"In Disguise" 

Let's take a look at the contestants...

Pig Disguise In Fish by MoyaLazyFactory

Spectre Inspired Stamp by Jackbear

Ghostface Stamp by Jackbear

Jason Inspired Stamp by Jackbear

Ski Mask Disguise by MFCrafts

Dapper Moustache Disguise Nubbin by KiraArts

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

(Deadline to vote is by midnight on Monday, October 21st)

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

October Team Challenge: In Disguise

Welcome to RNEST's October Team Challenge! The theme for this month was 
"In Disguise"

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

Keep Calm and Stache On Print by kaseyAjohnson

Candy Corn Owl Bead by FrancescaDeCaire

Lucha Libre Rubber Stamp by Jackbear

Ninja Bunny Nubbin Plush by KiraArts

Pumpkins in Disguise Jack O'Meow Meow Mini Quilt by TheQuiltedHouse

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

(Deadline to vote is by midnight on Wednesday, October 10th)

Treasury Tuesday: Halloween Treasury

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

Halloween Treasury featuring Jackbear

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

Featuring RNEST Members:

• 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

* 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!

Make-It Mondays: Groovy Retro Pumpkins

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



You'll need:

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

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


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


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


4. Continue until the whole piece is covered.


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


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

Wednesday Wellspring: a Different View

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

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

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

Treasury Tuesday: Purple, Orange, and Black

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

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

Wednesday Wellspring: Team Challenge: Scaredy Cat

Welcome one and all to this month's team challenge: scaredy cat. We have three scary, Halloween-themed contenders vying for your vote this month!

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

And the first contender, here from the great beyond, or at least from the Black Lagoon:

Creature Black Lagoon Stamp by
JackBear Stamps

And next up, an artist renowned for doing fearsome things with needles:

Reverse Halloween Hat by

Duncan Creative

And the final contender, possibly the scariest of all (children hide your eyes!):

Scary Jack Quilted Card by

The Quilted House

Cast your vote if you dare!! Bwuahahahahahahahah!!!

Trash & Treasures Tuesday: It's Halloween time!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love it all: dressing up, handing out candy and mostly, decorating! Here are some Etsy finds to help you get in the Halloween spirit...

Photo and item from vintagescrapshop

This upcycled dictionary page would be the perfect understated touch to any home decor. I bet it would look cute framed, too!

Photo and item from loda

Cut from a pop can, this little pumpkin pin is too cute.

Photo and item from petitefabrique

If you give Halloween gifts, these spiderweb tags would be a nice finishing touch!

Photo and item from 42things

I bet you could make a super cute fall banner from these upcycled leaves.

Have any good Halloween decorating tips? Find some good items on Etsy? Share 'em in the comments!

Peace & thanks,
Kaitlin

Jack's Pick: KirArts Skeleton Nubbin

Each Friday I select an item created by a member of the Rochester NY Etsy Street Team(RNEST). What criteria do I use? I look for great looking items that I think are well made offered for a great price!

I'm going to make this quick and dirty, because you should be looking out our amazing giveaway this week where you can win a ton of stuff.

This week I LOVE Kira from KiraArts special edition skeleton nubbin. Her handcrafted monsters are just so damn awesome, I can't seem to get enough of them, and I'm a huge skull fan. This one is perfect for that skull lover or as a Halloween gift! COOL!

Also I want to say a big big thank you to Kira who has designed some amazing logos and avatars for our RNEST group over the last couple of months. We can finally leave our mark! Thanks for your great talent Kira.

Make-it Mondays: A Halloween Treat

Here at RNEST we obviously love to make art and craft. We also love Halloween. Just search "rnest halloween" on Etsy and check back for our upcoming Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt this Wednesday. So in that spirit, here is a list of the Top 10 horror films that somehow (ok very loosely) involve art and craft. Make-it spooky this season:

10. The Wicker Man...A giant sculpture woven from branches and used for sacrifice!
9. Texas Chainsaw Massacre...Fashionable human skin suits tailored by a madman!
8. House of Wax...An artist duo consisting of two brothers with a gift for making VERY realistic figures in wax!
7. Shutter...Spirit photos just in time for Halloween decorating!
6. One Hour Photo...Where those photos can be developed!
5. Dorian Gray... Tale of vain man and his possessed painting!
4. Children of the Corn...Beautiful primitive, religious folk art made from corn. Eco friendly!
3. Blood and Lace...Sounds like a treasury to me!
2. The Shining...savant boy paints conceptual word puzzles on mirrors. REDRUM!
1. and of course...dun, dun,dun...The Craft!