Mapano

Enjoy a visit to our featured Etsy shop Mapano http://www.etsy.com/shop/mapano. You will find amazing handcrafted 3D fabric flower wall art and fiber art creations!

"My name is Alessandra. I live in Italy, near Turin and I am a happy wife and a busy mom of two little girls tempted daily to stay in yoga pants. I'm crafter and creative and I like everything is original and unique.



Last year I opened my little shop on Etsy, MAPANO', with some creations entirely designed and assembled by me. I create 3D framed wall ornaments, home decorations, baby dummy keepers, hairbands and fiber jewelry decorated with delicate fabric flowers, copper spirals, beads and pearls.
Cotton, linen, silk and lace, but also twine and burlap are my favorite materials.

What's Mapanò?

MA, for MAMMA in Italian (mom in English)
PA, for PAPA' in Italian (dad in English)
NO, for NONNO in Italian (grandfather in English)
Mapanò is a project that includes ideas and skills of all three!
A beautiful way to live my family and create something unique with people I love!



Above all I love handmade because is free expression of own imagination and creativity. No one is able to handmake something like another one. All handmade creations are always unique and unrepeatable.

When I was just a little child, I started looking at my mother sew and it looked so funny! She taught me to use needle and thread and to create something new using only fantasy and my creativity.
My mother has been a big source of inspiration for me. Simple and always present, she taught me to be honest and to work hard and properly. She died 8 years ago after a long illness but she's always with me and in every smile of my daughters.

When I sew I lose my head and my imagination runs away in a romantic French cottage where I find my inspiration.I love everything is country style and rustic but elegant and chic likewise.

When I'm not creating fabric flowers, I love listen to music (Broadway musical soundtracks, in particular), eat and cook (maybe too much!!) and dance like a crazy with my little two daughters.

At this moment I not know exactly what the future holds for me.
I'll probably have to leave soon my full time job to follow my daughters (very very hard if your husband works far away all week long...), so it's possible that Mapanò, started like a creative hobby, will become a real job.I'm thrilled and scared at the same time!
I'd like to be a mom that reads a story to her daughters before to go to bed and then works until midnight sewing in the silence of the night! Wow!

Ways to contact me:
My Etsy shop www.mapano.etsy.com
E-mail geninatti.sandra@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Mapanò/115077835271835
Twitter: @MapanoGeninatti
Pinterest: pinterest.com/mapano
Wanelo: wanelo.com/mapano

Thank you for letting me share my creations with you!"

Recycled Goodies

Be sure to drop by Creations by Ingrid http://www.etsy.com/shop/creationsbyingrid where you will find one of a kind items made specially from recycled materials.  She is offering a special Promotion...Fashion Magazine Wallet Clutch ( randomly picked ) on certain items. Please read her item description for the promotion!

by creationsbyingrid
I use as much recycled materials, such as denim, vintage ties etc, as possible in my work to create that ONE OF A KIND item.

I love to knit, crochet and sew. I have designed an adorable crochet Fox Scarf, knit scarves, chain link scarves which are listed in my shop.

I also love to sew - purses, bags and Fashion Magazine Wallets/Clutches.
I also have a second shop on etsy - creationsbyingrid1 filled with jewelry and Soda Pop Can Letter collages.

Isabelles Attic, A Grandmother's Inspiration

Be sure to stop by and visit Isabelles Attic http://www.isabellesattic.etsy.com/ where you will find  "new family heirlooms for you from my sewing basket". Isabel shares the story of her shop and her Grandmother's inspirations..."My greatest inspiration to sew is my grandmother Isabel. She was a homemaker and sewed for a living. It always amazed me how she could turn one of her drawings and a simple piece of fabric into such beautiful creations, such as dolies, dresses, curtains etc... I always looked forward to seeing her finished product. I hope that you will enjoy my creations as much as I enjoyed my grandmother’s".

by Isabelles Attic
Hi my name is Liseth and I my store is http://www.isabellesattic.etsy.com/  . I have named it after my greatest inspiration, my grandmother Isabelle. She had a natural talent for crafts and clothes making, which I always admired. As Isabelle did, when I am home, I like to create a variety of items such as vintage style, fun beanies, purse and more.

Crafting and sewing takes me to a different level of relaxation and lets my imagination go free, the best outcome from this is it makes me proud when I know my items have found a new home to bring a smile to their face. My motto, when I’m creating a new craft or having a bad day I try to remember this quote: “The only time you fail is when you don’t try”.

For great deals and updates on new items or just to chat with me you can also find me on twitter: www.twitter.com/IsabellesAttic  or stop by in the etsy forums it's a great way to meet other etsy memebers and learn from them too.

 
 

Scrapbooking Forever

Scrapbooking Forever's specialty is making scrapbook calendars to give as gifts. Visit her blog at www.scrapbookingforevermore.blogspot.com and her team blog at theeagleteamshops.blogspot.com to see some of her work. Visit her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrapbookingforever/.

by Scrapbooking Forever
Box after box of photographs. Vacations, holidays, weddings, birthdays and just because pictures. What is one to do with all those pictures? I scrap them. Over the years I have made calendars for my family to give as gifts at Christmas. The joy and laughter is so rewarding. These pictures will be cherished forever. I add some journaling, but most of the journaling is completed by the recipient. At the end of the year, family members return the calendars to me and I then scrap them into a 12 x 12 memory album and add more embellishments and papers. These albums are then returned as another gift for birthdays or Mother’s Day.

I have been a member of Etsy since November, 2009. I wanted to offer supplies that I use to create with to other creative artists. You can find stickers, ribbons, brads, buttons, rub-ons, stencils, punches, tools and many other crafting supplies. These supplies can be used for memory albums, cards, invitations, sewing, and many other crafting projects. You will also find craft supplies for children. They need to be creative too.

My work area is still under construction, but I moved in anyway. I guess you could say I had ants in my pants.

I also do plastic canvassing to relax in the evenings when time allows.I am also a member of Eagle Team in Eagle, Wisconsin, USA. Enter the words ' shop team eagle ' in search when you shop in Advanced Search & the offerings from my fellow Team Eagle members will pop up! Shop local! Information on members of The Eagle Team is easily found on our blog theeagleteamshops.blogspot.com

Stitching New Beginnings from the Past

Enjoy a visit to Kim's wonderful Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeedlesAndKims

 where you are sure to find something you love. In today's feature Kim shares "since I was old enough to sew on a button, I’ve always dabbled in some kind of needle arts—crewel embroidery, cross stitch, sewing for the home, smocking, piecing quilts, needle felting or knitting. I’ve been working exclusively with felted wool for the past year." Enjoy reading about Kim's lovely Etsy shop and having a peek into her creative space.

by Needles and Kims

My name is Kim and I live in Louisville, Kentucky with my husband. Although Kentucky is my home state, my husband, my three sons and I have lived in many states over the years, coming back to Kentucky thirteen years ago. It was so good to finally come home!

My purses and home accessories are created from repurposed wool sweaters that I first felt in hot water in the washing machine. I embellish my items with vintage buttons, yarn, fibers, beads, repurposed and vintage jewelry—just about anything that jumps out and wants to be used! I especially like to reuse things that have already served another purpose. I also use every part of each sweater that I can. I come from generations of women who didn’t waste a thing, so naturally my thinking is similar. I use the biggest pieces for purses or larger bags, smaller pieces for baskets and other small items. Even the little scraps get used for making dryer balls. My creations are all one of a kind. I don’t use patterns, I just let the amount and shape of the wool determine how a bag or other item will be constructed.

Since I was old enough to sew on a button, I’ve always dabbled in some kind of needle arts—crewel embroidery, cross stitch, sewing for the home, smocking, piecing quilts, needle felting and knitting. My husband bought my current Bernina sewing machine for me in 1983 after our second son was born. I wanted a sturdy, dependable machine that was capable of mending boys’ jeans and also up to other heavy duty tasks. It continues to serve me well in stitching together several thickness of felt, handles or trims. I started working almost exclusively with felted wool in January 2009 and opened my Etsy shop in October 2009. My shop motto is “Stitching New Beginnings from the Past”.

I love nature and the outdoors, and spend a lot of time gardening and walking. I’m continually inspired by movement, shapes, shadows, light, and the juxtaposition of objects. Many of these inspirations come from nature. However, I can even be sitting in traffic, just looking around and come up with a new design from the interplay between objects.

Sew Upscale

Sew Upscale on Etsy designs and creates original handmade fabric postcard art quilts. Her specialty is landscape and nature post cards. The cards are made by layering fabric to create the design and then stitching each layer. Enjoy a visit to her fabulous shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewUpscale.

by Sew Upscale

Since I was a small child, I have loved to sew. Starting with making and designing doll clothes, I have tried all forms of sewing from making a full sized quilt to making pocketbooks, children's clothes and I even made a suit for my husband one time. I am now obsessed with making the quilted fabric postcard art quilts. Landscape postcards are my speciality and I especially am drawn to the mountains. I have tons of fabric and thread but still love to buy more! Other than two quilting classes, I am self taught. My art is also featured in a small gallery in Old Fort, N.C.called The Appalachian Artisan Society Gallery. I was born in Asheville, NC and still live in western NC.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewUpscale

OwlyBaby

Take a peek at this little cutie, Lucy. Mom enjoys creating handmade adorable outfits and other gorgeous items. Enjoy a visit to her wonderful Etsy shop www.owlybaby.etsy.com.

by OwlyBaby

Hello! My name is Becky and I’m a new stay-at-home mom to my lovely daughter Lucy. I started Owly Baby when she was 2 months old because I was bored of sitting at home while she napped. I was used to working 70+ hours a week, so the stay-at-home lifestyle has been quite a change for me and my family. My husband is a professional baseball player and soon-to-be Lutheran pastor (ELCA). We are *almost* in transition between his two professions and a move to a nearby town. Just like most of the readers out there…I love to create. I’ve been a lifelong crafter, drifting in and out of painting, scrapbooking, jewelry making and sewing. Our apartment in very “cozy” (i.e. small) and my workspace is our kitchen table. This means that to eat dinner, I’ve got to put away the sewing machine and tools! It really forces me to be organized. I am very lucky to get a sewing room in our new home later this month. YAY!One of my best organizational tips is to put all small, related items together in a plastic or net bag. I then hang the bags in my closet for easy storage. Because the bags are see-through, it’s very easy to grab what you need! As a sewing tip, I love to use masking tape to take out a whole row of stitches at once or to clean up stray threads. What I enjoy most about sewing is making my own patterns and trying out new ideas, so I tend to have a lot of one-of-a-kind items. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I have so many new ideas I *try* to write them all down. I’d guess that only 70% of my ideas make it to paper and only 10% of those ever see the sewing machine. The thing I love about ETSY is that I can make 30 one of a kind items and still be in business!!!Thanks for looking at my shop and a special thanks to Etsy Studios for this opportunity to share!Become a Facebook Fan of OwlyBaby and get in on special deals! Search OwlyBaby on Facebook!

FreakyKeen

I just love this adorable plush kitty. FreakyKeen makes some lovely handmade gifts and items that you are sure to enjoy. In her feature she offers some amazing how-to organizing tips. Enjoy a visit to her shop http://www.freakykeen.etsy.com/

by FreakyKeen

I’m almost 25 years old, but I don’t look it, and I’ve been crafting my whole life. If I could go back in time and change something about how I started my shop, it would be to start sooner. I set up in November last year, and I think that’s just too close to the holiday season to start out all brand new. I had to compete with all these seasoned veterans at their prime. I should have just sat back and watch. As least I got started and I’m glad I did too because it’s been great for me. I think I’ve gotten much more creative and confident about my work.

Now about my work. I’m mostly into sewing, mainly tote bags, wallets, hankies, and plushies and dolls. I also tend to dabble a bit with other crafts, and I think this is reflected in my shop. Lately I’ve been into painting things to make them “pretty”, mainly notebooks and pencils. I do make jewelry on occasion, and in the near future I hope to add more jewelry pieces. I do most of my work in a corner of my bedroom on an old castoff computer desk. I’ve managed to cram most of my craft stuff on, under or next to my desk with the help of plastic drawers, closet helpers, and several container and other odds and ends. My desk lamp is quite handy because it holds my paintbrushes while it shines more light on the situation. My pencil holder is made from an old food can cover with a book cover I used in 9th grade. I just couldn’t throw it away. My sewing machine is a Brother and very basic, but it’s the first and only machine I’ve ever had. I didn’t really do much machine sewing until last winter, always by hand. I keep my “works in progress” in a cardboard box I decorated with bus passes and rickrack , and most my completed work goes in bags that I‘ve hung on the walls to save space. I also hang my fiberfill and other items on a plushie hammock I crocheted. My crocheting sucks which is why you will never see crocheted item in my shop. My leopard print lunchbox is where I mostly keep receipts. I got it thrifting which is how I got most of the containers I use to organize, if you can really call it organizing. I guess all that matters for organizing is that you can find what you’re looking for and the container it’s in reflects your personality. One out of two isn’t too bad. The most organized thing I have is my binder, isn‘t it cute? I keep tons of stuff in it like patterns, my inventory, budget stuff, even my goals and log. The log is more of a diary about my progress, strictly private. Everything else I do for the shop I do at the library on my netbook, it’s name is Paul. The netbook, not the library. From there I update my shop and my blog regularly.

Although lately I’ve been spending more time on my blog than my shop. If you’re interested it’s at http://freakykeen.blogspot.com/ . Come say hello sometime.

Do What You Love!

Simple Stitches has been sewing since she was a little girl. Whether your passion has been life long or a new pursuit...it is probably something you love to do and couldn't live without. People ask me all of the time where do I find the time to create as a busy mom, teacher and coach. I respond that I find the time for myself and it is what I Love to do! If you take care of yourself first and do what you love ,you will happily have time for others. Now go and have fun doing what you love!
Simple Stitches 101

I've been sewing since I was a little girl. I haven't always had a sewing room, but I always seem to take over a section of the house and make it my "creative cocoon". I love the fact that I am able to see all of my fabrics while I work. It allows me to be more creative, and try new combinations. I also love wool and woolfelt, and have an extensive collection of those as well. When I'm not at my full time job, you can find me creating in my favorite room ! Come and see what I've made....http://www.simplestitches101.etsy.com/