Crafty Shopping List

It is officially Cyber Monday!!  Start your online shopping right here.  Since our launch a couple of months ago, we've been thrilled to introduce you to some crafty people with unique ideas in our Artist Spotlight blogs.  These entries always get a lot of attention...and the giveaways are as much fun for us as they are for you.  If you are looking for one of a kind gifts for someone in your life...we've compiled a short list of the artists we have featured so far...and those we are introducing you to in the weeks leading up to the holidays, along with links where you can find their crafts.  Happy Holidays!!

1-Abishai:  Fatima Bey makes beautiful shoe bags, popular on the ballroom dance scene.  People can visit www.AbishaiStore.com, where they can purchase the Shoe Bags and see the other products that are available.  A portion of every sale goes toward Warm Blankets Orphan Care International.  For those who would like to see where Abishai will be next and want to see the products in person, there is a link titled "Calendar" on the home page.

2-The Clock Keeper:  Deanna Pawlenko Hubbard makes brooches with clips you can pull down to reveal hidden clocks. Go to http://www.clipclocks.com/ to see clips in stock.  If you don't see anything there, she can turn any piece of jewelry into a ClipClock. Your Grandmother's, Mom's, Aunt's or a favorite gift from a friend can have a new life.  Just mail it to her and Deanna will come up with some designs, photograph them, and email them to you for approval. Crafty Life and Style readers get free first class shipping through the holidays!!!

3-Loretta Fontaine Jewelry:  You can keep the people you love most close to your heart with a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, or brooch featuring pictures of your sweeties the size of your finger nail.  Loretta takes your loving photos, crops them to size and inserts them into beautiful jewelry that she creates, including her own metalwork.  Find her goods on her website:  http://www.lorettafontaine.com

4-Ragged Edge Print Studio:  Kathy Klompas uses a unique printmaking to build designs for silk scarves.  She'll even host a class for 3 to 6.  You can contact her directly at The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, The Textile Studio in Saratoga, and The Artisan's Gallery in Middleburgh.  At Boght Art Center in Cohoes, a portion of sales supports their programs.  Visit http://www.raggededgeprintstudio.com/ or schedule classes at http://www.kathy.klompas.com/

5-Barclay Fine Woodworking:  David Barclay makes everything from headboards to bowls, clocks, rolling pins, and cutting boards.  For 27 years he was an engineer for Eastman Kodak.  He turned a passion for woodworking into a full-time job five years ago.  http://www.barclayfinewoodworking.com/ has not only many of my items for sale but the list of Fine Craft Shows David will be at as well.

6-Tammy Lee Bradley is a familiar face and talent to our readers.  Tammy shares her fabulous photo tips with us on select Shutterbug Sundays.  She even offered up four custom greeting cards for a special giveaway last week in her I Heart Bokeh blog.  Now, you can order her beautiful pictures online.  Tammy recently launched a sale site.  You can buy orders of her prints and some great vintage pieces!!  Log onto:  http://www.tammyleebradley.bigcartel.com/ and scroll through the blog to find several of Tammy's posts.

7-Sharon Bottle Souva Fabric Handworks:  The pictures of her work are visually stunning.  Imagine seeing them in person or hanging one on your wall!!  Sharon is inspired by nature, incorporating it often in her quilts and other handsewn creations.  Her work is in several galleries: Grovewood Gallery in Ashville, NC; Haven Gallery in Austin, TX; Painted Fish Gallery in Dunedin, FL; Eureka Crafts  in Syracuse, NY; Gallery 54 in Skaneateles, NY; Sea Hag Soaps and Art Mercantile in Brackney, PA;  She has pieces on display throughout her home AND on her web site  http://www.sharonbottlesouva.com/

8-Captured Moments:  What started out as a scrapbooking business venture by two sisters has evolved into a full-fledged artistic outlet.  Tiffany Reutter and Tara Burtt hold themed workshops every month, inviting locals in New York's capital region to come in and create for the day.  They have games, contests, and incredible homemade food.  If you love to scrapbook or create in general, their site is worth a look.  We will be shining the spotlight on these artists later this week.  For now, find their work online at:  http://www.capturedmomentsstore.com/  But, we hope you come back here to find our interview with them.  We are big fans of their creations.

We Have a Winner!!

Congratulations to our blog follower, the Wench...Ms. Wench to us.  She has won our latest giveaway of a fairy ClipClock, made by last week's artist in the spotlight, Deanna Pawlenko Hubbard. 

All our little Wench had to do to qualify for the giveaway was follow this blog and make a comment.  Deanna has a big following in the Renaissance Festival circuit, which frankly is full of wenches.  But, only one could win.  Thanks to everyone who tried.  We're very proud to see every new follower.  Thanks to Deanna, The Clock Keeper, for introducing us to her followers.  We hope you've read our interview with her and if you haven't, click here to find it.  Most of all, congratulations Wench!!

Fairy Giveaway Deadline

You have one more day to qualify for our GIVEAWAY!!  The artist we recently spotlighted, Deanna Pawlenko Hubbard (The Clock Keeper) offered this lovely fairy brooch to one of our lucky followers.  It is free...you have nothing to lose...and a beautiful gift to gain.  BUT, you have to follow a few simple rules to win.

1-You must COMMENT below the artist spotlight post on the blog featuring the Clock Keeper.  Find it here.  ALSO, you must register to FOLLOW this blog.

***OR***

2-You can find Crafty Life and Style on Facebook here.  Make sure you click LIKE.  Plus, be sure to COMMENT on the wall below the link to the Clock Keeper interview.

3-The deadline is Wednesday, October 13th at Noon, EST.  We'll announce the winner Thursday.

Finally, if you just aren't sure if you're eligible, you can always drop us a line at craftycatMDI@gmail.com  OR  craftygirlMDI@gmail.com   Many thanks for following us and good luck!!

Artist Spotlight: The Clock Keeper

Deanna Pawlenko Hubbard comes from a family in which music and art were part of the fabric of life.  Her dad, Andy Pawlenko, became a well known singer in Central New York, celebrated for his bluegrass tunes.  Part of Deanna's business website is dedicated to his memory and fighting the disease that claimed Andy's life.  But, it was Deanna's mother who inspired the crafty side of her we are shining the spotlight on today.

Q: The story about the first ClipClock you made is so sweet and shows how you can be inspired, even by accidents.  Tell our readers the story.

In 2004 my Mother passed away. As I was going through her jewelry and making various piles to give to family and friends who supported me as I cared for her, I decided to make a new pile for any broken pieces I found.  I tossed a broken brooch and a broken necklace watch to one side of me.  They ended up landing with the clock inside the back of the brooch.  I stopped what I was doing and pulled out all my instruments of "construction", soldering iron, glue, pins, wire, and so on, then created the first "ClipClock".  I truly believe that my Mother helped those two pieces land together so I would have something to help me through her passing.  So now with every sale I see my Mother smiling at me.

What made you decide to actually make a business out of this idea?

I have been a part of the Sterling Renaissance Faire since 1992.  You are not allowed to wear a watch because they weren't invented yet, it would not be anachronistically correct for the time period.  When I made the first clock my intent was to FINALLY be able to see what time it was to get on stage on time without trying to pull out my wrist watch from my pouch.  Throughout the day as I would check it, other performers would come up and ask me, "What the heck are you looking at?".  By the end of the day, I had 15 orders and no idea how to repeat what I had made!  I then came up with the name ClipClock and off I went into the business world.

You started with basic pins and clocks...how have you grown and evolved since the first creation?

I had never really soldered metal before, so the backs of my first clocks look terrible but they stay together!  I have found a Company that has, what I lovingly call,  "Rennie-proofed" my ClipClocks.  Meaning they have shown me that they can solder even BETTER than my current company and I am very excited to have just ordered new soldered pieces from them for the coming year.  Most recently I came up with 5 designs for Medical Professionals.  Since they wash their hands hundreds of times a day, I know that a ClipClock will be a great choice for them! Five vendors now carry my product as part of their own small businesses.  I also was able to secure a Trademark name for my product.  Clock Keeper™  is the same great product with a new great name!

How have you successfully gotten the word out about yourself?

My biggest promoters are the performers and "Family of Faire" Folk from the Sterling Renaissance Faire.  They are my testers AND my best advertisers. Many travel all over the country to different Festivals and show off their timepieces.  I was approached by the Renaissance Magazine, Pyratesway Magazine and other Reenactor publications to advertise.  I now advertise on Facebook and in programs at Faires across the Country.  But my BEST advertising is from satisfied customers.  Everyone that falls in love with their ClipClock shares their excitement.

How can people find your crafts and order?

http://www.clipclocks.com/  is the best place for individual sales.   If you don't see anything there, I can turn any piece of jewelry into a ClipClock. Your Grandmother's, Mom's, Aunt's or a favorite gift from a friend can have a new life.  Just mail it to me and I'll come up with some designs, photograph them, email them to you and you pick which style you want! I then work my magic.

http://www.clockkeeper.net/ is the best place for Retailers looking to have them as part of their Store offerings.  Many designs to choose from. Mix and match from pages of Contemporary, Whimsical, Piratical, Victorian, Rhinestone or Medical Clock Keepers ™.

Plus, the ClipClock Fan Page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/ClipClocks/102136930790, always announces new Designs, Shows and Vendors!

Our thanks to Deanne for sharing her inspiration and one of her creations!!  Yes, we have another giveaway!!  Yeah!  Now, here is your chance to win a ClipClock by our featured artist.  Deanne has offered this lovely fairy brooch for one of our readers.  To become eligible for our giveaway, comment below AND make sure you are a follower of this blog or "like" us on the facebook page and comment there.  You double your chances if you follow us and comment on both outlets.  You have until noon EST next Wednesday, October 13th to qualify.  We will announce a winner the next day.  We're looking forward to your comments.  Good luck and scroll down for a big announcement about our last giveaway.....