DIYpsi

I feel compelled to spread the word about DIYpsi, a handmade holiday show, which is happening this Saturday!
The event will be held at Woodruffs, in Depot Town. Not only will the show have over 30 of the best indie crafters in Michigan, there will also be a full bar, live bands, and irresistible eats available.

Vendors include:

Courtney Fischer Jewelry

Tin Angry Men

Four Chamber Forge

The Kitsch Lab

Great Lake Shirts

My Marigold

Fly Childrens Art Center

Sparklepants Industries

Sweet Pea Designs

Bettula

enamor

All Things Grow

Burnt Desserts

Phantom Limb

Kristin Perkins

Mark Gjukich Photography

Kill Taupe

Junkmail Greetings

Emi Slade

Amepix

Dang Argyle

Ion(a)rt

Wholly Mammoth Designs

Glass Action!

Reware Vintage

Hip To Piece Squares

My Vintage Kitschen

Wee Revolution

Chicaloo Kate

FOUND

By Deets

See? Aren’t they all awesome? If you have some holiday shopping left to do, make sure to stop by from 11am-7pm. Check out DIYpsi.com for more info. See you there!

How To: Color Swatch Board

I am debuting my new enamor Wedding Line this weekend and I wanted a way to easily show possible clients a list of colors available for my products. I’m one of those people who think its easier to point at something rather than describe what I want, “oooh, oooh, I like that one!”

So I came up with the idea of making a color swatch board. I got my inspiration from the 2011 Color Trends from A Wedding Sketchbook by Michelle Mospens. I liked the layout and simplicity.

If you want to make a color swatch board, here’s what you need!
- 11X14 piece of foam core board
- Paint Chips from the hardware store that match paints you already have
- Scrapbook glue runner
- Paper trimmer or scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil

First gather your paint chips and arrange them in the order you want them to appear on the board. Depending on how many colors you want on your board, you have to do a little math and measuring to figure out how to fit them on. I had 35 different colors. I divided my board into 10X14, as the extra inch wasn’t needed. Trim each paint chip to be 2 inches square with a paper trimmer or scissors, giving 5 rows of 7 chips.

Once you have all of the paint chips trimmed, arrange them on your board how you would like the colors to flow. You can go from darkest to lightest, or in color order. I went in color order, from darkest to lightest.

Next, remove the paint chips from the board, making sure to keep them in the order you want them to appear. Apply glue or double sided tape to the back of each paint chip. Then apply to your board, starting from the upper left corner. Make sure and line up both edges of your chip with the edges of the board to make it straight. Continue your rows until all chips are applied.

There will be a 1 inch strip of foam core board left at the bottom that you can trim off if you want.
If you make one, I’d love to see your results. Happy Crafting!

Blue House Ann Arbor

Hello! Today I will be taking you on a little virtual tour of Blue House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Blue House is a handmade consignment studio and workshop that opened in March 2010 that is located just down the street from my favorite landmark in Ann Arbor, The Big House (Michigan Stadium).

Once you step inside this two story house, you will find yourself surrounded by a creative atmosphere. Each nook and cranny is meant to inspire, even the ceiling!

Blue House not only is a unique place to do holiday shopping, you can also try your hand at sewing, knitting, photography and painting in workshops led by local artists. Siobhan Lyle, the creator of Blue House, wanted to bring the indie-craft movement to a more localized setting and provide opportunities for everyone to learn a new skill.

I am proud to have some items at Blue House and be part of the awesome showcase of local talent in the consignment shop. Right now artists are bringing in new wares just for the holiday shopping season. I would highly recommend skipping the over-produced and busy shopping mall and big-box stores on Black Friday and stopping here instead! In fact, you can find unique items from 24 Michigan indie artists. Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm at MakersMeet, artists come together to work on projects, socialize and share a tasty treat or two.

Artists at Blue House include:

All Things Grow
Applesauce Crafts
Chicaloo Kate Photography
Courtney Fischer Jewelry
Deid Goods
Dang Argyle
Enamor
J. Adams Designs
Little Sister Designs
LJLH Designs
Mains De Fees
Miss Monet Photography
Mitten Made
Nancy Bulkey
Next Door Designs
Sloe Gin Fizz
Sparklepants Industries
Sporck Tileart
Stephen Kinnard Photography
Sweet Sugar Beet
The June Bride
Tinker Dot Designs
Virtuosew
Whitney Crutchfield Designs

For you crafty types, MakersMARK takes place every month at the studio, where a guest speaker shares knowledge and tips at surviving and thriving in the handmade community. This month features Michelle Schaefer, director of programs and outreach for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. She will be speaking about the art of selling handmade, the importance of displaying your items, and how to package and price your items. Sign-up for a spot via the Blue House Facebook group under links. A $5 donation is all that is required at the door to attend! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 7, from 6:30-8:30pm.

On Sunday, November 28 from 1-4pm, there is a special holiday workshop where you can learn to make handmade ornaments for yourself or for gifts. Supplies and help are provided for just 10 bucks! Wow! email for signup information at bluehouseannarbor@gmail.com

Looking for a one-stop event for holiday shopping? On Saturday, December 18, from 11-6, Blue House will be hosting MittenMade, a handmade craft show featuring
lots of local artists. For more information about the show, events, or classes, check out www.bluehouseannarbor.com.

Holiday Time!

So many good things have been happening these past couple of weeks! Must be the rush of the holidays that are now upon us.

I have been working on so many new projects, its hard to pick a starting point. My studio (and my kitchen table!) have been busy with activity. I have been working on a new art print featuring my Foxie design, but have brought her back to a time of kitsch and baked goods. She looks quite retro in her teal apron! I haven’t finished the entire drawing yet, but here’s a sneak preview:

I’m working on creating more of these squirrel frames for upcoming holiday shows. This one I made for Sarah (hiptopiecesqaures) as a thank you gift for being my maid of honor at my wedding. Luckily, i have three more frames to make.

Upcoming craft shows means I have to go out hunting at antique and thrift stores for some supplies. Anyone who thrift shows knows what a thrill it is to find something you are looking for. The planters I use for my pincushions are my favorite things to look for, and I especially get excited when I find deer and squirrels! My last trip to Ohio proved to be a good one for planters. Another fun part of this craft is picking out coordinating fabric for the planter to make the pincushion, and in turn the pins that go with them. My kitchen table quickly became an assembly line full of thread, fabric and stuffing!

I’m so pleased at how this little deer turned out! Isn’t she adorable?

Lots of painting projects have been going on too. I’ve been making stock for shows and for Blue House in Ann Arbor:
Just Resting mini painting and stand, too cute!

New Design! Tweetie coin purse. So excited to do more with this design! What do you think?

Babushka makeup bag, perfect for those holiday travel essentials.

I also helped out my dear friend Sarah of hiptopiecesqaures make a new sign for her booth for Art in the Park in Ypsilanti, which happened last Saturday. We worked out of Sarah’s studio, and amid a lot of laughter, we did manage to actually get some work done! Sarah sewed the squares and I painted the words. We joked that we have been meaning to do a collaborative piece for awhile, and well, here’s the first of many I’m sure. I think it turned out great.

At Art in the Park, I picked up some lovely new art pieces for my apartment.
The first is a darling deer photo print from Lori of baclori:

I also got this amazing print of Ann Arbor from Nicole of SloeGinFizz. My husband and I are super huge University of Michigan football fans, and I couldnt wait to put it in my living room. Once Paul got home from work, he saw it hanging above the sofa and quickly exclaimed, “That’s awesome!”

Mark your calendars for DIYpsi holiday craft market- I have said this a couple times, but I’m serious people…this show has the MVP’s of the local craft scene as vendors and a not miss opportunity to get your holiday shopping done. Check out the amazing vendor lineup on their website- I haven’t been this excited to be part of a show in a long time!

Check out my Etsy shop, newly updated with items you’ve just read about!

Enamor Studio Space

I have finally finished unpacking all of my boxes and organizing my workspace!
Here are some pictures from my new studio!

First, here is where all the painting magic happens. I have LOTS of paint and brushes. My craft books are always within reach. I am an avid collector of all things vintage and cute animals for inspiration. I love deer, squirrels, foxes, owls and retro designs.

Here’s a closeup of my board: Can you spot some locally made items here? BarrelofMonkeys, EKRA, alwaystheforest, Betz White (not from MI, but love her stuff), Teresa Peterson, and OutYourBackDoor.

Lastly, here’s my sewing area. I have lots of vintage fabrics! My stepdad saved this industrial Singer sewing machine from being thrown away, it works like a dream! I’m starting an art collection for my walls. So far I have a screen printed poster from the first DUCF I vended in, a locally made water color painting by Amanda Simmons, and a screen printed Andrew Bird (fave musician!) poster from Etsy artist dsudyka.

Whats your favorite thing in your workspace?

This Weekend

Flint City Handmade Spring Market is this weekend!

I will be vending, along with all of these lovelies:

beautiful JUNK
Made With Luv
Stick Nymph
Gizmodgery
Amanda’s Creations
Rug Wear
Always the Forest
Lunch Lady Land
Sandra Fielder
International Robot
Jewelry Storm/Radically Random
Aisle 3
Wei’s Open Secret
The Yarntoad Collective
ZAKARANAS
Becklesbobbles
The Living Thread
Ms.Christa’s Accessories
SEEDS Studio
Barrel of Monkeys
Creative Alliance
UGHB
Motown Bound
Whimsical Works by Jen Sikora
art by amandaNsimons.com
Art by Gary Sierdarski
It’s A Scream Productions
FIRED UP!
Cradle of Critters
relishdress
Alexandria’s Soap Garden
Crochet Science
Stone Sheep
fourchamberforge, LLC
CLKcreative
Empress Wears…
Wistful Fancy
Otra Vez
Tilt Creations
Chicaloo Photography & More
Runaway Fashion House
Kenny Corbin
TheHeatherMonsterCreations

Also, there is an awesome raffle table with items donated from all the vendors.

Hope you can make it!

Jiffy Mix

Once in a while, I get in a baking mood, and I have to make something. Last week, while I was off, I decided on making some muffins for breakfast. I always keep on hand, a couple different varieties of Jiffy Mix. Not only do they make yummy mixes which are 58 cents a box (crazy!), it’s a Michigan based company. I remember touring the production plant when I was in the fourth grade, donned with a paper “chef’s hat”, shoe protectors (like doctors wear in the OR) and a hair net!

I decided on baking Raspberry muffins, mmm…

Muffins are fairly easy to make in general, but the mix is fool proof!
Even if you lack skill in the baking department, these are easy to make. I couldn’t wait until they cooled down to eat them.

Also, with every box of Jiffy Mix, they include another recipe on the box for another use for the mix. The muffin mix had a recipe for Raspberry Bars, which I made for an Easter brunch with my family, and they were AWESOME! Here is the recipe:

1 package Jiffy Raspberry Muffin Mix
5 Tbsp. margarine or butter, softened
1/4 cup of quick oats
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup of raspberry jam or preserves (filling)
Makes 12-16 bars

Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8 inch square pan. Combine first four ingredients. Mix with a fork until crumbly. Reserve and set aside 1/4 cup of crumb mixture. Press remaining crumb mixture on bottom of pan. Spread 1/2 cup of filling on top of crumb mixture to 1/2 inch from the edge of the pan. Bake 24-28 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool and cut.

I used almost an entire pint sized jar of my mom’s homemade raspberry jam in mine (more than a 1/2 cup), and baked mine for 22 minutes.

Yum! Hope you give the recipe a try.

New For Spring

Spring is about new beginnings, so I thought I would post about a few!

Handmade Detroit has a new swanky website. User friendly and jam-packed with tips, links, and local shows. Check it out!

Gazelle’s House of Handmades now has an online shop, just in case you want to shop in your PJs. This is my favorite room at Gazelle’s- The Pink Room!

I have lots of new items in my Etsy Shop. I have spring fever when it comes to crafting lately.

What are your new things for spring?

Last Day to Enter!

The deadline to enter the Tiny Turtle Photo Contest is today! I will accept email submissions and Flickr submissions up to midnight tonight (12:00am EST). I will post the winners tomorrow here and by email.

You can email me your pictures enamor_etsy@yahoo.com or you can tag your photo on Flickr with tinyturtlephotocontest

I also have listed a couple new painting in my shop

In the Meadow

Whale Migration

Still Time to Enter

Have you printed your Tiny Turtle yet? Don’t worry, there is still time to enter your creative photos in my contest.

You can email me your photos at enamor_etsy@yahoo.com, just make sure and put, “Tiny Turtle” in the subject line.

Or, if you have a Flickr account, you can upload your photos and tag them with tinyturtlephotocontest.

Deadline is March 5th. I will announce the winners here and by email on March 6th.