Kellibeans - Art, Crochet Hats, Artfire, Etsy Finds

Artfire Finds - Cranberry Tart

2010-08-20T13:25:00.000-05:00

Red is one of my many favorite colors. I love the warmth and passion that emanates from it. I hope you enjoy gazing at this absolutely opulent collection in succulent cranberry tones.

Cranberry Tart

Curated By: Kellibeans

ArtFire.com

Kellibeans Included in Spiral Themed Artfire Collection!

2010-08-17T16:53:00.000-05:00

Wow, to see one of my original crocheted hypno beanies included in this absolutely fantastic spiral themed collection on Artfire is so flattering! I love the feeling that spirals give, as if they are drawing me inward. How do spirals make you feel when you see them?

Artfire Finds - Plugging into the Zeitgeist of Fashion: Blues and Grays

2010-08-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes designers and artisans subconsciously plug into the zeitgeist of fashion. I love being able to spot color trends and rising styles. When you marry the two, you get an elegant and striking collection that is uniquely original while still retaining the "trend factor". I hope you enjoy this visual assemblage of beautiful items in gentle blues and blustery grays.

Zeitgeist - Blue and Gray

Curated By: Kellibeans

ArtFire.com

Craft Tutorials

Bluegrass Etsy Street Team: Our August Giveaway - A Party Package!

2010-08-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Bluegrass Etsy Street Team: Our August Giveaway - A Party Package!: "We are so excited to announce our Bluegrass Etsy team giveaway for the month of August! This month we are giving away a fun 'Party Package' ..."

The Scribbler's Closet Artfire Finds Journal Gift Guide

2010-08-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

The Scribblers Closet

Curated By: Kellibeans

ArtFire.com

Support Handmade

Bundle Up - Kellibeans in Artfire Collection Feature

2010-08-10T08:52:00.002-05:00

My Blueberry Cobbler crochet beanie was featured in an Artfire Collection! Woo hoo! Also featured in this collection is one of my fellow Kentucky Handmade (TeamBluegrass)artisans, Sweetbrier. Those are her lovely Mary Jane slippers! This is a super fun collection and I am flattered to be a part of it.

Bundle Up

Curated By: Drunkenmimes

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Chocolate Orange Artfire Collection - Autumn Orange & Brown Gift Guide

2010-08-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Inspired by the luscious flavors of bittersweet chocolate and juicy oranges.

Chocolate Oranges

Curated By: Kellibeans

ArtFire.com

Indie Crochet

High Contrast Kisses Artfire Collection - Red Black and White Gift Guide

2010-08-09T12:22:00.001-05:00

Recently Artfire unrolled their Collections feature out to the general public, and along with it, they gave us idiot proof widget-ability for easy blog sharing! I absolutely love the idea of picking a collection as I browse the site, and instantly being able to link to the store and seller without me having to code or insert everything in manually on my blog. This is definitely motivation to create more collections from Artfire (which I am 1000% sure was their intention in the first place!) Here is my first collection of high contrast black & white items with kisses of passionate red.

High Contrast Kisses

Curated By: Kellibeans

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Teambluegrass Tuesday: Cupcakes!

2010-08-03T08:00:00.033-05:00

Look at all these beautiful cupcakes created
and offered by some of Kentucky's finest artisans!

Pink Glass Cupcake Earrings

from CreativeEyeStudio

Wizard of Oz cupcake toppers (set of 12)

from DevinPrather

Set of 3 Amy Butler Cupcake Washcloths

from PeanutBearys

First Birthday Personalized Cupcake Bib

from TheVelvetPatch

Cupcake Onesie or Shirt

from SpoolOfPlenty

Miscellany Monday: Kawaii Food Revisited!

2010-08-02T14:33:00.002-05:00

If you are a fan of my first Kawaii food feature, you'll absolutely love this! The kawaii food handmade trend is sweeping the world at a lightning pace, with makers and crafters creating a virtual buffet of deliciously cute confections and culinary wonders to delight the eyes and tickle the senses. Check out these talented shops!

Mushroom Trio - Crochet Pattern PDF

from Syppah

Bonjour - Monsieur Le Bun card

from askingfortrouble

Cute Happy Bread Charms

from FreshSugar

Sundae - Crochet Pattern

from StripeyBlue

Learn How to Crochet a Pentagon

2010-08-02T11:21:00.000-05:00

Are you a beginning crocheter looking for step by step tutorials? Have you ever tried to crochet a pentagon but couldn't get your proportions even? Never fear, it has all been done for you in: Learn How to Crochet A Pentagon. This free crochet pattern will help you create your own five sided pentagon shapes and motifs for use in your own crochet projects! With quick and easy to follow instructions, you can crochet along with simple steps and clear, detailed photographs. Go on over to HandmadeNews and check it out!

Lovable Locks

2010-07-28T15:31:00.002-05:00

I have decided to grow my hair long again. Last time I was able to donate over 14 inches of my hair to Locks of Love. Knowing that I've helped a kid feel good about themselves at a scary time in their life gives me the warm and fuzzies (and some karma points too, I'm sure).

So, considering I'm only "borrowing" the use of my hair for a while, I need to make sure I take extra good care of it for it's next owner. To celebrate, I've ordered myself some all natural shampoo bars from Libby Goldsmith at Maylees Garden Vegan Soaps. Libby makes the hand-formed artisan shampoo bars from her own hot process soap using olive, soybean, and coconut oils, and then scents them with essential and fragrance oils like Patchouli, Lemon, Nag Champa and Lavender. We're Patchouli & Nag Champa nuts in this house, so that's what I ordered. Libby niche markets her shampoo bars for dreadlocks, but they're perfect for use in any other hair type. If you are a fan of her Facebook page, she gives you a coupon code to her Artfire shop for free shipping for any order over $10. She also sends out samples of her other products with every order, and with that combination, you can't beat that deal for a quality liquid shampoo at even a big box store. And if that weren't enough, this wonder mama also sells her own natural eco friendly laundry soaps in more scents than you can shake a stick at! Zoom on over to Maylee's Garden and support a stay at home mama who is living the handmade life while supporting her family. Tell her Kellibeans "scent" you!

Photograph Copyright 2010 Maylees Garden Soaps

About Mo & Me: My Crochet Inspiration Hero of the Day

2010-07-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

I just had to pop over here and blog about this magical crochet upholstered chair that I spotted online from the About Mo & Me Blog. It's covered with granny square style crocheted hexagon motifs and it was so fantagical (fyi, my own word blend of 'fantastic' and 'magical' that is used way more often than is appropriate) that my jaw hit the floor from sheer whimsicality overload. I was so mesmerized I think I saw a cricket in a hot air balloon, couple of dancing goldfish waving ribbon streamers and a box turtle wearing a top hat and monocle while eating a cupcake on a mushroom. Scoot on over to About Mo & Me and look at all the other fabulous treats there for you to enjoy.

Photo Copyright 2010 About Mo & Me

Kellibeans at Jack N Jill Boutique

2010-07-16T12:32:00.004-05:00

Hello my fantastic friends! I was pleasantly surprised to wake up on Saturday morning to see that 5 sets of my yoyo button hairpins were scooped up by Laura at the Jack N Jill boutique in Helena, Montana. Stop by their page page and give them some love! Or, if you are in the Helena area, drop on by 109 E. 6th Avenue and show your support for the handmade revolution!

Kellibeans Featured at Nicole's Homemade Treats!

2010-07-16T11:30:00.021-05:00

I was ever so happy to learn that my Watercolor Pear ACEO was featured as part of the Favorite Friday Feature over at Nicole's Homemade Treats! Swing on over there and check out this page, it's totally worth the trip for all the mouth watering eye (and tummy) candy!

Kellibeans Featured TWICE on MyHandmadeRegistry.com!

2010-07-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled to discover that on July 7th, my Contemporary Abstract Quilt ACEO was featured on the front page of MyHandmadeRegistry

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my Watercolor Pear ACEO was featured on the front page in a totally different collection on the 8th!

How about that?

How to create your own gingham patterns

2010-03-26T23:50:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wondered how to create your own Gingham backgrounds in Photoshop or another graphics editing program? The article, "How to Make Your Own Gingham Backgrounds in Photoshop" gives you a step by step tutorial on how to create them.

Bella Dia's Cereal Box House Tutorial

2009-12-15T07:51:00.000-06:00

I found this fantastic tutorial on how to create little houses from cereal boxes and thought I'd share the link. How cute are these things?!? I especially love the ones she covered in paper. I could easily find myself in a mixed media artisan's nirvana if I got caught up making these absolutely adorable little things!

Kellibeans Featured!

2009-10-20T14:25:00.003-05:00

Hi all, ImagineMDD on Etsy gave me a heads up that my little Aunt Bee Matryoshka Softie doll made it into a blog collection for the Andy Griffith Show on their site. Check it out here, there are some interesting trivia bits in this post if you're a fan of Andy.

Hope your crafting adventures are taking you places! Right now, mine is taking me to bed, no amounts of Vitamin C and Zinc I've been ingesting for 3 days are fending off what I fear is turning into the flu.

How to prepare for a television appearance

2009-10-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

If you have never appeared on television before, the article "Ready for Your Closeup?" gives you some tips and tricks for men and women on how to prepare your makeup and dress for a television appearance.

How to Guerrilla Marketing with Sales & Samples

2009-09-13T11:20:00.003-05:00

The first part of this article, Guerrilla Marketing & You #2 - Give It Away Now covers how to use samples and sales to market your business.

Part two, Guerrilla Marketing & You #2 - Give It Away Now (2 of 2) covers contests and gives you tips on how to have a successful giveaway.

MoMo's Bows "Bow of the Month Giveaway"

2009-08-20T03:53:00.007-05:00

A fellow member of TeamBluegrass is having a mindblowing blog giveaway, and I just had to share it with you. MoMo's Bows & Flip Flops is giving away a Bow of the Month Prize Package worth over $100 (yes, I said it!).

The little princess in your life will receive one bow in the mail every month, and an extra super duper mega special one in her birth month. I couldn't believe this giveaway when I saw it!

I'm entering for my little niece Chloe B, the Divalicious Bow Wearing Fiend (LOL).

I can just see her in those wonderful MoMo's Bows
now...*daydream sequence wavy fingers* doodly-doot doodly-doot doodly-doot doodly-doot doodly----What?!? There's nothing wrong with visualization! Oprah does it! LOL

So get on over to MoMo's Bows & Flip Flops and get yourself an entry.

Spread the Word! Buy Handmade!

2009-08-19T16:56:00.005-05:00

Never in my experience in handmade society have I read a more touching personal account of going into the handmade life as I found in Libby's article on Handmade News about spreading the word to buy handmade. Libby did a wonderful job, you folks should check it out.

Teambluegrass Tuesday - Tree Hugger

2009-08-18T07:46:00.004-05:00

I hug trees, so should you!
(Clicking picture takes you directly to the listing)

Wists 101 article on Handmade News

2009-08-15T10:57:00.006-05:00

My article, "Wists101: Building a Social Shopping Network" is now live over at Handmade News. It covers the Wists phenomena and how handmade business owners can utilize it to their marketing advantage within the web 2.0 social shopping network. Check it out.

Movin' On Up

2009-08-11T00:53:00.004-05:00

As some of you who know me on a personal level, I have hum-hawed for years with my writing, dabbling with getting something small published here and there, but I never really did try to take off with it, mostly because I always felt I wasn't good enough to compete with the "big dogs".

However, after being coaxed (a lot) by a friend (You know who you are Miss Goddess), I applied for a really awesome opportunity to write for one of the largest crafting/handmade communities on the net. I didn't REALLY think I'd get it or else I wouldn't have applied. Weeks and weeks went by and being the pessimist I am, I knew I had been right in thinking I wouldn't get it.

Imagine my surprise when I get hired on as the newest writer in the Marketing Department at www.HandmadeNews.org. I have my own column!

I am a "real" writer now...for real. LOL
Wow, the validation really DOES feel awesome.
I should have jumped on something like this years ago.

And to make things even more awesome, KentuckyHandmade.com was kind enough to post on their blog and share the news and make me blush a lot.

My first article, Guerrilla Marketing and You - Part 1: Traditional vs. Non-traditional Marketing went live on the site this past Sunday.

I'll be publishing two articles a week (maybe more if the marketing muses prove cooperative), and I will be having one feature article per month on the site. If you are a handmade artisan or own a small business, there are a literal TON of articles already on there to help you enhance and attract buyers to your business.

Here's a link to my columnist bio page, I have my default Kellibeans pic up until I can get a more "professional" looking one done. From there you will have a link to every article I will write/have written.

RIP Mamaw Dawn

2009-08-10T16:01:00.002-05:00

It's been a rough 10 months for my family, especially my Mother. I've been putting this post off because it hurts to talk about it. My Grandma passed away from lung cancer on July 29th. She was a petite woman with a personality that was anything but small. She raised 7 children on a hope and a prayer, and was married to my Grandpa for 56 years. They grew up next to each other, and she once told me that she couldn't remember a time when he wasn't in her life. She was a mother to so many children who weren't even her own.

This fine woman is where my mother and I got our crafty gene from. She taught me how to crochet and loom when I was very young and every time I pick up a hook these days memories of her keep flooding back in. ...Like this old box of buttons she used to have. She would go through that box ever so often and would tell me exactly where almost every single button came from. The ones from an army uniform, the bubbled buttons she took off an old wool coat she once owned, a sweater here and there. ...Her old convertible and her saying there was nothing better than some wind in your hair. ...She made the best cornbread on the planet. ...Her smile.

She's buried at my brother's feet. She was so comforted knowing she had him close to her in death (as she had in life), she loved him so.

I loved my Grandma so much. The world is less of a wonder without her.

Using Custom Stickers to Enhance Your Brand

2009-08-06T11:12:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wondered about using stickers in your promotional efforts for your website? This article, "Say it With Stickers" covers the basics about how to go about acquiring your own custom stickers for your handmade business. Check it out.

Features on hold for a bit

2009-07-27T04:33:00.002-05:00

Hello folks, I know a lot of you regular readers have been returning here only to find that I haven't updated the daily themed Etsy features here for at least a week. I don't want to keep you hanging, so I am posting to let you know that I have put everything on hold for a couple weeks because my family is going through a very trying time, my grandmother is very ill.

If you are the praying type, please keep us in your prayers; if you aren't, please keep us in your thoughts. Thanks for being patient and understanding while we go through this.

Much love and peace to you all.
~Kelli

Thrifty Thursday: I'll Fly Away

2009-07-16T05:34:00.009-05:00

Here are some beautiful examples of bird-themed artwork. All items are priced under $25. (Clicking picture takes you to the item's individual page, clicking text takes you to the Maker's shop)

This print of a mixed media illustration on an antique book page is simply beautiful and eloquent.
$18.00 from carambatack

This fantastic 9x12" original painting is so fun. Any wall would be fortunate to display it.
$16.00 from erikajones

This adorable little miniature original painting would be perfect to brighten up a small nook in your home or studio.
$20.00 from intheforest

I can totally see this ACEO (Art Card/Edition/Original)framed up in a shadowbox with other trinkety goodness.
$7.50 from InspirationAvenue

Seeing these loveable little birdhouse miniatures are made from vintage fabrics and other findings always make me smile. (These would look marvelous in a shadowbox setting too...that is, if you're into shadowboxes)
$24.00 from RobinsEggBlue

I saw this exceptional art print and couldn't help but imagine this little fella was saying "Take a picture, it'll last longer".
$16.00 from MechelleDesigns

Wonky Wednesday: Doubletake!

2009-07-15T12:30:00.008-05:00

All the items below were found searching the tag "weird" on Etsy. Most of the stuff people list under that tag is quite mild on there (for me, at least, and I have been known on occassion to be a little "weird" myself so I might just have a high tolerance for strange), but indeed there were some items in those search results that caught me off guard and made me click them instantly. Mostly because they were so frickin' awesome.

(Clicking pic takes you to item's page, clicking link takes you to the shop it came from)

I can't tell you how much I have always wanted a brain in a jar. I remember the summer after I turned eighteen and I was invited to dinner at my boss's house. Her partner's grandfather was a doctor and he had inherited an interesting curio of a brain preserved in a tall wooden case that you looked down into. At first the case looked like an old radio, and worked like one of those antique movie viewers, but boy were I and my 3 other co-worker companions fooled when we finally looked down inside. It was one of the most awesome things I'd ever come across in all of my 18 years...(I didn't get out much as a kid) so yeah, this brain in a jar brought back memories.

from YourOrganGrinder

Don't let the picture scale fool you, this baby is huge! It stands over 2 feet tall!This wormbaby sculpture is on a whole new plane of awesome that few folks are brave enough to venture into. I just love seeing the creativity that comes out of the Etsy community.

from ArtAkimbo

I have a thing for things that look back at me. I just can't help myself. This lucky eye pendant is pretty sleek.

from cherryhilldesigns

These are baby booties---CAN you believe it?!? I think these little creations are jaw-droppingly wonderful! How awesome would they be to pair up with a little outfit for either gender made from that Kaufman "Chopsticks Please!" fabric? The possiblities for cute are endless!

from sushibooties

Yes. This is indeed a zombie Christmas ornament. Here's an equation for you: Zombies + Christmas = Awesome freakin' ornament. I mean, zombies are awesome as a rule...but then you add Christmas?!? That's one of the most rad days for awesome on the calendar (tied with Chanukah for our Jewish pals) but behind Halloween, of course, because Halloween produces a WHOLE LOT of awesome. This combines awesome things from both holidays! That's like getting a surprise onion ring in your frybox!

from RW2Gallery

TeamBluegrass Tuesday: It's Hip to Be Square

2009-07-14T04:23:00.004-05:00

...or, a little rectangular. HAH!
(Clicking pics take you to that item's page, clicking text links take you to the page of the shop they belong to)

Sugar Scrub in your choice of scent
from MayleesGarden

Little Note Cards
from FacesAreFunny

Birds of a Feather Collaged Clipboard
from Smackinart

2 Vintage Smoky Glass Panes
from Gypsywoman

First Aid Zipper Pouch
from peanutbearys

The Molten Olive Mosaic Frame
from domosaics

Pink Shell earrings
from dentedhalo

Custom Business Cards
from WickedSisterDesigns

Flower Box Pendant
from BijouterieEdith

Miscellany Monday: Kawaii Food!

2009-07-13T14:06:00.005-05:00

Oh how I love little food with faces...
(Clicking picture leads to the item's page, clicking the shop's name leads to shop page.)

Hunter the Cheese Toast Plush
from Pumpkinpye517

The Angry Pickle
from Bittersweeets

Mini Marshmallow
from ScrumptiousDelight

Fried Egg Charm
from Komodokat

Rudy the Turnip Pal
from Flowerhead

Support Handmade!

Navigating Etsy: Acronyms & Terms

2009-07-13T12:04:00.009-05:00

I have heard from a few visitors to this blog that they had never heard of Etsy before running across my site. Instantly a lot of them were interested. So, I thought it would be a great idea to start a series of posts that will help you get to know Etsy a little better. Today's post is about a few of the Acronyms and terms you might come across in casual browsing of items or shops on the site. I've tried to divide them into groups as to where you might encounter them. (I will also be adding to this list as I see fit, so you might want to bookmark the page for this post and check back sporadically)I hope you find these helpful!

Terms you might see in a listing description or listing title:

AOP - Artist's own pattern. The shop owner created the pattern for an item instead of using a commercial pattern bought in a store.
BOGO - Buy one, get one (second item is usually free or half off)
Destash – This is used to describe term used when one is selling items from their supply stash in effort to make room for more supplies or to get organized. Kind of like Spring Cleaning your craft studio and then having a garage sale…online.
NSFW - Not safe for work. This is used as a flag to let users know there is adult content ahead. It is used when there is nudity or otherwise risque content that would not be pleasant to be caught viewing if somebody just happened to look over your shoulder.
OOAK - One of a kind. This is probably one of the most common acronyms seen in the titles of an item listing. It is used to denote the item being sold is not a reproduction and shall not be reproduced. (But I must admit, I’ve seen this term abused just a teensy bit from sellers)
OSWOA - original small work of art. Artwork that is small in nature. Also known as an OM (Original Miniature)
PIF - pay it forward. This term is when someone offers an item in their shop for only the cost of the item listing (.20 cents on Etsy) and whatever the shipping costs are, in exchange for you doing an act of kindness for another person or offering an item in your shop under the same premise. (Buyer Beware: Some shops are falsely using PIF as a marketing ploy to unload some of their goods to some kinds hearts in the community. They are marking up the shipping costs to ridiculous amounts to recover the original retail price of their items. Use caution: “True” PIF listings only ask for the .20cent listing fee and a REASONABLE shipping fee, it does not cost 6 dollars to ship a pair of earrings) I should really do an article on this in the future. *Gets my investigative reporter hat out of the hallway closet.*

Terms you might see in someone’s profile or shop policies (and occasionally in an item’s description):

B&M - This stands for "Brick and Mortar", meaning a shop with a physical location.
Convo – This refers to Etsy's private messaging system. You start a conversation by clicking on "contact this seller" on seller's shop page.
SAHM - Stay at home mom
SRA - Self-representing artist, someone who doesn't have an agent/advocate
SRAJD - Self-representing artist jewelry designer
WAHM - Work at home mom

Terms you might see elsewhere on Etsy:

BNR - Buy and replace. Buy an item in a treasury or forum thread and replace it with one of your own.
Etsians/Etsyans – Members of the Etsy community. It is used to describe buyers and shop owners alike.
Heart - This is the term used when you put a shop or item into your Etsy favorites. So if you are in the forum and someone refers to having “50 hearts”, no need to call the Men in Black, they’re not an alien, just someone who is well-liked.
Treasury – A treasury is an item collection of someone’s favorites on Etsy (that someone is called the ‘curator) a list of favorites, and they can be organized by color, theme, location, or even just a miscellaneous collection that someone wants to share with others. After a few days (usually 3), the treasury disappears off the Etsy site, to be enjoyed no more. *single tear streaming down cheek*
The Storque - Etsy's official super-blog. There are TONS of information on the Storque, not to mention a lot of groovy shopping and gift guides. Every Etsian should check this on a regular basis.

Wonky Wednesday!

2009-07-08T07:04:00.004-05:00

Today I woke up in a surreal mood...
(Clicking picture takes you to the individual item's listing, clicking link takes you to entire shop)

I love it when a collage sets a scene in a whole new dimension.
Starlite Nite print from LoveDogCardCompany

One of the masters of the surreal...Salvador Dali Tee
from vortextradingcompany.

This melting clock hat, titled "Watch" is so flippin' great I could look at it all day. from tomokotahara

Check out this Adelaide Gazelling print from GrandOleBestiary. In fact, check out this whole shop because everything in there is A-Mazing.

In the spirit of Rene Magritte, (one of my favorite artists) this pendant is not a pipe. Check out TillyBloom's shop, it's chock full of awesome.

This print, titled "I Remember Falling" just stands out to me. Talk about another shop that is pretty awesome, check out the rest of the eye candy over at lightleaks

How I Spent My Summer Vacation with Chloe B

2009-07-07T15:13:00.008-05:00

I have the most interesting 3 month old niece...She's a total diaper-clad drama queen who can go through 15 different emotions in 60 seconds flat (literally!)---and I can't get enough of her.

The photography studios in town were closed for the holidays, so my Mother and I makeshifted a session in the light tent I use to take my Etsy product photographs (it's HUGE and the perfect size to fit anyone under 3 feet tall inside. I still need to adjust the depth of field focus and do some color correcting in Photoshop, but I just couldn't resist sharing this little tyke. I made everything you see in these photos below (with the exception of the starry tiara, and well...Chloe. HAH!)

Favorite shots of the day:

She had never worn tulle before, so her reception of her Independence Day dress wasn't exactly received in the best of spirits. This is still my fave pic of the whole day, even if the misery is clearly apparent on her adorable little face.

Here are some shots of her in her little Punker Baby outfit. She went from this:

To this:

And back to this:

in less than two minutes. Man alive, she is a child after my own heart. I love this kid! LOL

TeamBluegrass Tuesday: Ceramics!

2009-07-07T11:25:00.005-05:00

(Once again, clicking the item's photo takes you directly to the individual listing, the link to the shops' names take you to the owner's shop.)

I love this Small Ceramic Pod Pendant
from Tabmade

I saw the craftsmanship in this Black Oak Leaf Tray and my jaw literally dropped and I proclaimed to the skies that it couldn't be real!
from HarmonArt2

I would totally follow this little bunny down the rabbit hole.
from MissDaisyW

Check out the deep glazing on this curve mug
from CampanaCeramics

I really dig the backstory behind this little Wood Fired Friendship Vase
from VeskoMom

And I ran across these two little non-ceramic-themed gems:

I just can't get enough of the eye candy that keeps coming out of Shemake's Studio.

I don't know what this says about me (you know, being a responsibly stuffy grownup with no sense of humor and copius amounts of decorum, know-how and what-for ---can you can tell I'm lying yet?) but I stalk FacesAreFunny's Shop regularly, and I regularly find myself chuckling like Beavis & Butthead because I love every item in this shop. It's the REAL gems like these that keep me coming back.

Thrifty Thursday: $10.00 or less!

2009-06-24T19:22:00.008-05:00

I know a lot of folks are having to pinch pennies, and I know that a lot of you really want to support handmade but just don't have the bread to pass out all willy nilly, so without further adieu----It's Thrifty Thursday!!! Here are some interesting finds on Etsy that are clearance items or are in an affordable price range that I dug up. All are less than $10.00 (U.S) AFTER shipping! WHAAAAT?!? Yes, I said it!

I thought of a super-duper person who talks funny (you know who you are!) when I saw this set of 7 note cards with a nude woman riding a hippo. I love these! $6.75 after shipping.
from APDesignz

Anybody who knows me, knows I have a thing for gnomes. I also have a thing for rescuing and repurposing children's books. I have a growing collection of much-loved books that I've rescued from the trash and from the local library that will be given a new life in the form of something else. These hair barrettes are definitely in that spirit! $6.50 after shipping
from Glitterworkshop

I am a HUGE fan of PaperSparrow on Etsy. (-!HUGE!-) So huge a fan I've been secretly lurking this shop for almost a year. Really, one of the best illustration shops on Etsy, in my opinion. This stationery pack is $10 including shipping!
from PaperSparrow

Here is an awesome journal that caught my eye. At $4.50 AFTER shipping this is a steal!
from Jenerick

I fell in love with this wooden chicken puzzle. $9.50 after shipping. Everything in this shop is really affordable. Be sure to check out the amigurumi toys in this shop as well, I fell in love with the little octopus!
from TerrisCrafts

Wonky Wednesday!

2009-06-24T12:13:00.009-05:00

I've decided to declare this the first official "Wonky Wednesday" here at Kellibeans! All the listings featured below were found with the search term "Wonky" on Etsy! (Note: The pictures link back directly to the shop they came from, so feel free to click them, buy something and support handmade!)

I adore everything in this shop, and this wonky diamond pendant/fiber millefiori jewelry is to DIE FOR!
from MegHannan

There is just something about concentric circles that draw me in. These awesome lampwork beads are addictive to look at!
from Rosebud101

The fabrics in this amazing little log cabin lap quilt just sucked me in.
from BecauseImMe

I literally squealed when I saw this patterned stoneware bowl.
from AlisonBergman

I wish I had a little wonky bunny like this when I was a kid.
from Spidercamp

I have such a soft spot for adorable kids, pointy hats, and hedgehogs. This combines all three!
from TrickyKnits

TeamBluegrass Tuesday: Flowers!

2009-06-23T08:17:00.008-05:00

I adore the flower on this crocheted cloche from Sweetbriars.

The Savvystitcher combined two of my favorite themes together in this cup cozy: owls and flowers.

I am a huge fan of VolcanoBlue's origami hairpieces.

Smackinart's Paintings evoke the same bold love of color that I utilize in my own artwork. There is so much fluid movement in the paint in this floral, seems like it's alive.

I really dig these adorable Polymer Clay Flower Pendants from Gracieluv's Shop.

And we have a winner! Or WINNERS, I Should Say!

2009-06-20T09:59:00.009-05:00

There were over 30 total entries for my first "What's in the Box?!?" giveaway (I think that's an awesome number for a first giveaway!) We placed everyone's names into the Magic Goldfish Bowl of Plenty and pulled out a winner:

Congrats to Aurora's Garden! (Please email me with your mailing address so I can send it to you!)

(Sorry for the shoddy photography but I didn't have time to get the light tent out because we have family over this weekend.)

I also decided to have a surprise secondary drawing from the entries, and Congrats to Bee Perkins and @cutoutcollect for each winning a coupon for $5.00 off your total order from my Etsy shop!

I'll be contacting each of you for your mailing addresses soon!

Again, thanks to all who entered! I will be having another "What's in the Box?!?" drawing with a different prize starting July 4th! Spread the word, you never know WHAT you might win!

Rock Out With Your Smock Out Friday! Supergrass Version!

2009-06-19T08:18:00.006-05:00

I have been in love with Supergrass for years! If you want to learn more about them, please visit their official page.

Teambluegrass Tuesday: Magnificent Medley

2009-06-16T02:47:00.010-05:00

Library Stroll Print

from Memoir

Cornflower Blues Headband
from LittleLeaves

Lung Love - Organic Fruits

from SaysYou

Descent of the Sun Painting

from LaDonnaE

May Day Pole

from WhimsyByMari

From the Woods

polymer clay brooch

from Tabmade

The Kristi Pleated Purse
from ThePinkNeedle

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!? Blog Giveaway

2009-06-13T06:39:00.015-05:00

Yes ladies and gents, I have decided to hold my very first blog giveaway!

So, tell me, who doesn't love free stuff? I know someone who liked winning things so much that once she entered a contest for a year's supply of free denture cream and she had perfect (real) teeth!

So in the spirit of people who love to win things, you can win this lovely handmade box (origami'd by yours truly) and of course, the handmade contents in it.

So, what's in the box?!?

*Ahem*
I know some of you have been waiting to see what was inside the box before you entered. Without further adieu.... Drumroll Please...

It's an Original Kellibeans Fortune Kit!

The Fortune Kit is my newest product, a totally original gift set (some are themed!), and they'll be available in my Etsy shop starting next week! You can't get these anywhere else, folks!

Inside the winning kit, you will find:

Your very own Fairy Beans mini doll,
purveyor of all things awesome and mascot of mojo magnificence.

And a Set of 7 Handmade fabric fortune cookies,
complete with fortunes divined from the genius that belongs to yours truly.

So here is how you enter to win:

Go to my Etsy Shop
Come back here and comment under this post as to which of my listings you like best and why.

(You MUST enter this way first, unless you are having technical difficulties with Blogger, and if you are, you can contact me via an Etsy convo/private message to enter.)

The contest ends on Saturday, June 20th. Everyone's entries will go into the Magic Goldfish Bowl of Plenty here in the studio, and Mr. Beans will be the one to draw out the winning ticket. I will post the winner here at 12pm (Central Time) Saturday morning, and will also tweet the results to my Twitter followers.

BUT WAIT---THERE'S MORE!

You can earn one extra entry for doing each of these things, each time you complete a task, come back here and drop me a comment to let me know you have completed them.

(Remember to leave a comment first or else I don't know whom to give extra credit to!)

So on to the deets for extra entries. You can:

1. Buy an item from my Etsy shop.
2. Follow my blog. (applies to new followers only)
3. Post about & link this giveaway on your blog.
4. ReTweet a link to this blog post on Twitter, using @kellibeans so I can find you.

Again, good luck to everyone and get to entering!

Rock Out With Your Smock Out Friday!

2009-06-12T08:22:00.005-05:00

Today's inspiration:

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness

(Oh, and P.S. - You never have to tune an air guitar, kids.)

Things Cooking in the Studio

2009-06-10T16:10:00.007-05:00

I've been cooking up some new stuff , and I will admit there has been some fiendish glee ruminating in my studio for days. Here are a few little teasers:

Is the suspense killing you yet?

First Batch of Dumpling Dolls!

2009-06-10T15:36:00.013-05:00

Well look who we have here! Clockwise from the top: Charlie Crackman, Betsy, Frannie, and Emmaline. I'll be putting them up for sale in my Etsy shop at various times starting tonight. Catch these little babies while they're hot!

TB Tea Party Etsy Treasury

2009-06-09T04:44:00.003-05:00

I snapped up another treasury spot this morning on Etsy. It has a Tea Party theme and features some great handmade and vintage finds from TeamBluegrass shops in the Bluegrass State.

Check it out!
It expires Friday, June 12th @ 2am.

TeamBluegrass Tuesday - Black and White

2009-06-09T00:18:00.008-05:00

Indoor Cat Dreams Pointillist Drawing Print. 5 x 7 inches

from PurrPrints

Lace weight wool yarn 700 yards - Black

from LunaBudKnits

Withered v2 black and white 8x10

from TheUnderstory

Panda Earrings

from JulibeeKitsch

Diamond Choker
from DentedHalo

Black Pebble Road Pin Cushion

from SpoolofPlenty

Perfect little pouch, free ship

from PeanutBearys

For the White Witch of Narnia

from ThesePreciousThings

Fine Art Greeting Card - Blank Inside (Free Shipping)

from MommieDawn

Darling Dinky Dumpling

2009-06-04T17:26:00.006-05:00

Darling Dinky Dumpling,
Boil 'im in a pot
Give 'im sugar,
Cover 'im in butter
An' eat 'im while e's hot!

Something I picked up from a great grandparent when I was a child, but the reason for this post is that I have been working on some of my dumpling softies to put up in my Etsy shop.

They were named for my Brother, whom I gave the superhero moniker "Mr. Dumpling" as a child when he was in his kindergarten karate phase (the phase he never got out of, he had the trophies to prove it). They all share his wonderful spirit, his sense of humor in some, and I like to think that with each one I make, some little part of his memory lives on.

Hopefully I can get a few pics taken and get them up here to show off in the next few days!

TeamBluegrass Tuesday!

2009-06-02T04:55:00.005-05:00

It's that time again folks, so let's get on with our showcase of awesome handiwork from some very talented Kentucky people! Today's secret word is: Rainbow!

NATURE SONG Tweet Tweet Birdie Text Pendant from Whimsicality4U

Geisha Embroidered Tote from CowgirlRosie

Yellow Lotus & Paisley Origami Barrette (3") from VolcanoBlue

Mosaic Happy Gecko from domosaics

Art Collage Skirt Plus Size with Bustle from AurorasGarden

Baby Mary Janes in Berry from thepinkneedle

Snagged a Treasury for TeamBluegrass! WooT!

2009-06-01T03:45:00.005-05:00

Some of that insomnia paid off! I was able to catch a treasury on Etsy to showcase some of the floral/flower-themed items of my fellow TeamBluegrass teammates!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=61906

Check it out!
Support the arts!
Support Kentucky handmade!

Teambluegrass Tuesday! Etsy Finds

2009-05-26T15:08:00.012-05:00

It's TeamBluegrass Tuesday! Here are items in the theme of 'Yellow' from some of Kentucky's very best artists, photographers, and craftisans. Search TeamBluegrass in Etsy's Handmade search and find some beauties of your own. There are so many wonderful things, the eye candy is endless! Support the arts! Support Handmade! Support Kentuckians!

Honeysuckle Laundry Soap Vegan Eco Friendly

from MayleesGarden

We are Flowers Too dandelion study n4 8x10

from TheUnderstory

Wipe Your Mouth Napkins

from Facesarefunny

Drop of Sunshine Melody June Summer Clutch
from MelodyJune

Podular Botanical Necklace

from Tabmade

Fabric Collection Review: Moda Sultry by Basicgrey

2009-05-20T18:30:00.000-05:00

Basicgrey is traditionally a paper design company that branched out and introduced their Sultry paper line into fabric for Moda. I ordered a charm pack that consisted of all 40 selections in this particular line, and frankly, I feel most of these designs translated very well for use in the sewing room.

Check out the entire collection online HERE at the Fat Quarter Shop.

In this collection you will find botanical prints and smooth geometrics that have a wonderful range that can please the palates of fans of shabby chic to whimsy to contemporary sleek. The color palette of Raspberry, Vanilla, Chocolate and Pistachio hues mesh very well with current trends. The only snag I had, however, was that I was left wanting in the chocolate-hued category. There were very few selections that were of a predominantly brown design. To someone who blends and harmonizes fabrics in projects such as me, (and those millions of quilters out there especially) the lack of a few more balancing darks in this fabric family does leave me wanting (just a tad). But overall, this truly is an interesting collection.

Moda Sultry by Basicgrey : 4.5 out of 5

Kellibeans is now a member of the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team (TeamBluegrass)

2009-05-18T15:53:00.000-05:00

I am now a member of the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team (TeamBluegrass)! I'm so excited to be included among so many other talented Kentucky Artists and Craftisans! To find Team Bluegrass items for sale on Etsy, search "teambluegrass" in the Etsy search box.

Other places to find Team Bluegrass on the web:

The TeamBluegrass Blog
TeamBluegrass on Facebook
TeamBluegrass on Twitter

If you are an Etsy seller or know someone who is, and live in the great state of Kentucky, do join!

I'm in Fabric Heaven!

2009-05-18T15:28:00.000-05:00

Much to the behest of my poor, dear, little husband, I had a fabric addict relapse moment and splurged on 7 (Yes, I said SEVEN) various Moda Charm Pack collections from CharmPacksPlus on Friday night and received them in the afternoon post today. CharmPacksPlus is having a FREE SHIPPING special during the month of May, so plop on down over there and get your fix.

I believe I am going to have one of those moments like you see in those drug-mogul movies where they dump their looty booty out on a table and roll around in it...but in fabric.

*Oh yessss, it feels so luscious on my skinnn*

I plan on reviewing each collection in depth here on the blog.

Pretties on Etsy

2009-05-15T04:27:00.001-05:00

Here are some of the wonderful handmade and vintage things I saw

this morning on Etsy, turned into an ensemble:

Empire dress - shoc king/ electric yellow

from JustVic

ENAMEL ETCHED BLUE GLASS FRINGE BIB ART DECO NECKLACE

from Boylerpf

Nesting Pearl Double Hoops

from Parkerlewislost

Little Garden Bracelet - Vintaj Amazonite Leaf Toggle

from BeadsByEvelyn

STUNNING BIG PEACOCK CAMEO AND CRYSTALS ADJUSTABLE RING

from DaliaDaliak

Vintage Mod 60s Womens Sequin Sandals Sz 7 7 1/2 8 Wood Seafoam Silver Teal Glitter Glam Twiggy Wood Wedge 50s

from foxandhisfriends

New Softie in Shop!

2009-05-15T04:05:00.000-05:00

Kitty and Mr. Chow Indie Goddess Matryoshka Softie Doll

I really enjoyed making this little beauty.
Kitty has been the most fun to make so far in my little matryoshka goddess series.

New Pendants in shop!

2009-05-15T02:38:00.000-05:00

(Get a load of them.) Mixed Media Art Collage Necklace Pendant

(Books That Didn't Make it No. 1) Mixed Media Art Collage Necklace Pendant

Special thanks to Rodrigo the wooden mannequin for his displaying talents!

Dumplings and such.

2009-05-01T06:07:00.001-05:00

I've been working on a new and more affordable style of softie to put in my shop and yesterday I believe I may have found a decent match, because it is hellaciously cute but not so cute that it will cause me to lose some of my street cred, (because you know, street cred is tres important and we can't be flitting about without any in our pockets, now, can we?). Okay, maybe they are that cute and I never had said cred in the first place.

They remind me of a mix between onigiri (rice balls) and awesome.

My Choco-gasm Chip Cookies Recipe

2009-04-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

These are the best cookies on the planet. You'll say "Mmmm" with every bite. Cinnamon adds an unexpected touch to what would normally be a plain cookie recipe.

Yield: Around 2.5 dozen +/-

1 cup butter, softened(1c. = 2 sticks, not margarine)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed down
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract(use the real stuff, imitation doesn't cut it with this recipe)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp hot water
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips(2 cups = 1 bag, use any variety of chip you like. I used Hershey's Special Dark because I loooove dark chocolate.)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional...however, pecans work really well in this recipe)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
Cream together the butter, white sugar, cinnamon and brown sugar until smooth. (think runny peanut butter consistency)
Beat in the eggs one at a time and drop in the vanilla.
Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the 2 teaspoons of hot water. Stir and add to batter.
Stir in flour, one cup at a time, until combined. Pour in your chocolate chips and nuts if you choose to include them. Drop golfball sized spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
Bake between 9 and 15 minutes, or until sides of cookies are golden brown.

Make things exciting by changing up your "chip" ingredients. Try crushed candy bar pieces like Butterfinger, Skor, Whoppers, etc., OR Substitute 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs for 1/2 cup of the flour and change the chip ratio to 1 cup marshmallows and 1 cup chips for out of this world s'mores cookies.If you try this recipe, lemme know what you think about it.

Kellibeans Featured on Cuteable

2009-04-29T10:24:00.000-05:00

Lynsey (SwirlyArts @ Etsy) spotted me in the Virtual Labs over at Etsy and decided to feature my Ruby Kate Pirate fabric ACEO on Cuteable.com today. Woot!

Woot!

2009-04-23T19:27:00.001-05:00

Wooo hooo! Etsy picked my Aunt Bee doll in my shop to be in a handpicked treasury for the front page!

Click here to see it archived on craftcult.com

Matroyshka!

2009-04-18T12:28:00.000-05:00

Meet Myra Matryoshka, my newest fabric ACEO. She is the standard size for an ACEO (which stands for Art Cards, Editions, & Originals), which is 2.5 x 3.5 inches, the same size as most any other trading card, and they're meant to be traded and displayed by artists, art lovers and fans of the ATC/ACEO movement alike (just like any other trading card!)

Myra is number one in a set of 10 Matryoshka cards in this style. I will design each card using different fabrics, with each one's face and hairstyle being unique. Though she may resemble her sisters in this little Matryoshka family, Myra truly IS one of a kind! See her in all her original, undistorted glory in my Etsy shop!

She is available for $6.00 (US) plus shipping, details in my Shop.
Buy small artwork with a big heart!

My Etsy shop is now open!

2009-04-15T21:33:00.001-05:00

Kellibeans is now an Etsy shop!
I'll be updating it with new items every few days so keep checking back for updates!

http://www.kellibeans.etsy.com/

I've also gotten sucked into Twitter. You can follow me and see what I'm up to.
http://www.twitter.com/kellibeans

Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot

2009-04-07T16:27:00.001-05:00

Here's a set themed for little boys that includes a bib, burp cloth, and set of 3 weenie beanies. It can be altered for a girl by substituting a headband in lieu of the beanies.

Fresh from the sewing table

2009-04-07T15:46:00.000-05:00

It's a summer garden themed set for baby girls! I'm seriously considering making a little skirt out of the red polka dot fabric (and maybe a set of booties...?)

If I make those up, conceivably, all a parent would need is a onesie in a solid color and they'd have a ready-made ensemble!

University of Kentucky Gift Set (Boys)

2009-04-06T17:06:00.000-05:00

I made this University of Kentucky gift set this weekend. It is for an infant boy and includes one bib, one Burpy Beans burp cloth, and one set of (2) Weenie Beanies. (This set can be altered for a girl by exchanging the beanies for a stretchy headband with bow made of the bib fabric).

Here are some pictures of each item:

Bib Front(100% cotton)

Bib Reverse (Cotton Flannel)

Bib folded to show both sides

Burp Cloth folded to show both sides

Set of 2 Weenie Beanies (Cotton Flannel)

Custom Order: Megan's John Deere Gift Set

2009-04-06T16:31:00.001-05:00

Here are the first two items in a gift set (split into two orders) ordered by a young woman named Megan for her nephew. (My apologies in advance for the low-quality indoor pictures with flash, but we haven't had any good sunny days here to allow me to work in natural light for a week or so).

The first, a crib sized blanket in the John Deere theme. The blanket is backed with a solid cotton flannel in a coordinating green. I sewed along the squares in the fabric with my machine to quilt the two sides together. Detail shot below.

The second item is a set of John Deere-themed weenie beanies, a diapering accessory for little boys.

The Original Kellibeans Baby: Chloe Bella Cecilia

2009-04-06T15:53:00.001-05:00

Albeit a week late (fashionably so!) and after a heck of a hard time for her (ruptured blood vessels in her eyes and a broken collar bone during delivery) and her poor mother(post-delivery complications), little Chloe has made her appearance as the first grandbaby/diva in my family, and we couldn't be happier. Ten fingers, ten toes, healthy & happy!

Here she is at one week old in one of her Kellibeans bibs and diva-esque bows. From the look on her face and the way she's holding her hand, I believe she is just about ready to tell us she is in dire need of a manicure that is about 9 months overdue. Watch out for this one, she is going to be S-P-I-C-Y!

Custom Order: Kylee's Strawberry Shortcake Bib

2009-04-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

Kylee's mother sent me a swatch of the fabric being used to make another boutique-style outfit for her. I feel this bib was a great example of coordinating a bib to an outfit that allows the clothing to stand out with a bib that has a personality of its own instead of simply being "matchy-matchy".

Instead of going out and buying an identical measure of yardage of the same fabric, I pulled colors from the fabric and based my bib design on elements in the swatch.

Here is the front side of the bib. If you notice, I chose a green gingham print for the main background that would mimic the square elements in the swatch, and pulled the strawberry design from the fabric and replicated it in applique, as shown in the detail shot below.

I then embroidered around the strawberry top with a darker shade of green to add texture and make the image stand out from the gingham background.

The reverse is raspberry dots on a bubble gum pink background, which matches the dark pink on pink elements in the swatch. I am able to enhance the look of the ensemble and make it more visually appealing by harmonizing the bib with the fabric instead of making a carbon copy (which in a lot of cases with children's clothing, a carbon copy is perfectly fine, but with a very busy fabric like that found in this swatch, it is my opinion that the bib can actually take away from the outfit's look if it matches because it will camouflage the outfit's design).

Custom Order: Kylee's Ladybugs

2009-04-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

This is another bib from Kylee's custom order, made to match an outfit with ladybugs on it.

Here is the picture of the outfit her mother sent me:

And here are both sides of the finished bib:

Quite a nice match, don't you agree?

Custom Bib Order: Kylee's Bee-utiful Bib

2009-04-02T13:39:00.000-05:00

This bib were ordered for an adorable little 1 year old named Kylee to match or coordinate with existing boutique outfits she owned. More posts to come!

Bumble (front)

Bumble (Reverse)

Detail of the hand stitching over an existing design in the fabric.

Kellibeans are @ the Coffee Mine!

2009-03-21T11:42:00.000-05:00

Beginning this Saturday, March 21st, my designer bibs and Weenie Beanies will be available for purchase at the Coffee Mine Cafe in Madisonville, Kentucky. I *L-O-V-E* their coffee. If you're in the Hopkins County area and you HAVEN'T stopped by, you need to get your rear over to 913 North Main Street (across from the bowling alley) and plop your fanny down in one of their many comfortable seats and enjoy what has truly become one of the gems of Madisonville.

All Kellibeans designs sold at the Coffee Mine will be 100% exclusive to their establishment, and will be available in limited editions. This IS baby couture, and you can't get these anywhere else, folks, so get on it!

In other news, I will be opening an Etsy shop online beginning April 15th. I will be selling my Babybeans dresses, other bib designs and unique gift items that are both original, AND affordable. I believe babies should be fashionable, but I feel that such items should be accessible and affordable to parents and caregivers, and Kellibeans serves that purpose.

Fresh from the sewing table

2009-03-20T15:27:00.000-05:00

Bibs!

These bibs are reversible, and have magnetic closures sewn up inside the bib so little fingers (and mouths) can't get to them. It's like getting two bibs in one!

Worky-Work, Busy Bee!

2009-03-16T12:57:00.000-05:00

Apparently, I've had a case of 2 month long Blogitis.

Mostly, it is due to the fact that I've been frantically trying to prepare gifts for the birth of my niece. Since the tragic loss of my brother in September, I have immersed myself in trying to make certain his daughter will have everything she needs to make a fashionable arrival into this world (and for the sake of her Mama's ribs, let's just hope she doesn't choose to arrive fashionably late!)

Now that the baby shower has passed, I've been able to get back into the swing of making other people's children things. I'll get some pictures up soon of the reversible binky bibs and weenie beanies (also known as pee-pee teepees, anybody who has a little boy knows what happens when you're changing their diapers, and these little things come in SO handy!) I've been working like a madlady.

Paint Chip Swatch Needle Book

2009-01-13T02:31:00.000-06:00

I love those handy little matchbook notebooks you can make from cardstock, they seem to do the trick when you're out and need to write a teensy note (or to substitute these for business cards to promote your blog or something...tee hee). So while doing my usual "sift through the art supply closet" at three in the morning for a doll needle I came across some old paint chip swatches (I couldn't toss those out either, and no, Mom, not the kind of paint chips kids eat...LOL) in a basket. Crafty gears started turning...

Ding! We have a winner!

I think this made the cutest little needle book. It took me all of five minutes to make (three if my inner voice hadn't insisted on using one of my fancy cut rotary blades on the felt).

I think if one were distracted by the paint info on the reverse side of the chip these little books would also look great with some decorative paper slapped on there with some glue. Take that one step further and add a tiny card of thread and tack in a couple buttons and you have yourself a purse-friendly (or pocket!) emergency sewing kit!

Bug Bites: Meet Suki and Baby Wasabi!

2009-01-12T04:20:00.001-06:00

I have been bitten by the Matroyshka bug ever since running across a blank set of wooden nesting dolls at Hobby Lobby on a supply hunting excursion. On the hour-ish drive home, I started developing the idea of my own series of little stuffed matroyshkas in my head, went home, did a quick little sketch in my idea sketchbook, and waited nearly two months to act on it.

Like most of my creations, my inspiration comes from the simplest thing and continues to evolve. Which came first? The chicken or the egg? In Suki's case, Wasabi came first. I am notorious for saving components of my crochet projects gone awry. I was cleaning out a box of said components when I came across the dismembered thumb of a glove (too many increases too soon, I blame the radio) that had the proportions out of whack. It looked to me like a little baby all wrapped up --- boom.

There went those gears churning out another idea. I started tinkering with a small Robert Kaufman "Chopsticks please!" fabric scrap (because I'm notorious for saving those too) and a piece of felt and shortly after we had a little baby whom looked like a little pea pod...in a sushi-themed fabric. My inner voice kept referring to him as Wasabi, so thus he was named. He looked lonely and needed his mama.

The next day, after working up a few muslin prototypes, being satisfied with the proportions and making out a pattern, I set to work on giving little Wasabi a Mommy. I machine-stitched her body in the same Kaufman fabric, got her stuffed and started the handstitching and embroidering of her details (face, hair) and props (apron). All in all, I was very pleased with the way she turned out. More of Suki's cousins are crawling out of the woodwork and they'll be making appearances soon!

Why Kellibeans?

2009-01-12T02:52:00.000-06:00

The misfortune of being born with a name that rhymes with belly, jelly, smelly, and swelly is that one is limited on including said name in a catchy, rhyming way without infringing upon the senses of genteel company, and therefore must turn to alternative labeling methods.

Simply put, among the name-related nicknames given to me by very close friends and family, Kellibean was the one that seemed most appropriate to brand my little non-painting creations with. Thus, witness the birth of Kellibeans!

Kellibeans - Art, Crochet Hats, Artfire, Etsy Finds

Artfire Finds - Cranberry Tart

Kellibeans Included in Spiral Themed Artfire Collection!

Artfire Finds - Plugging into the Zeitgeist of Fashion: Blues and Grays

Bluegrass Etsy Street Team: Our August Giveaway - A Party Package!

The Scribbler's Closet Artfire Finds Journal Gift Guide

Bundle Up - Kellibeans in Artfire Collection Feature

Chocolate Orange Artfire Collection - Autumn Orange & Brown Gift Guide

High Contrast Kisses Artfire Collection - Red Black and White Gift Guide

Teambluegrass Tuesday: Cupcakes!

Look at all these beautiful cupcakes createdand offered by some of Kentucky's finest artisans!

from CreativeEyeStudio

from DevinPrather

from PeanutBearys

from TheVelvetPatch

from SpoolOfPlenty

Miscellany Monday: Kawaii Food Revisited!

from Syppah

from askingfortrouble

from FreshSugar

from Cuddlebugeeshi

from RibbonCandyHairbows

from Versusdie

from Beachbunny

from Sweees

Learn How to Crochet a Pentagon

Lovable Locks

About Mo & Me: My Crochet Inspiration Hero of the Day

Kellibeans at Jack N Jill Boutique

Kellibeans Featured at Nicole's Homemade Treats!

Kellibeans Featured TWICE on MyHandmadeRegistry.com!

How to create your own gingham patterns

Bella Dia's Cereal Box House Tutorial

Kellibeans Featured!

How to prepare for a television appearance

How to Guerrilla Marketing with Sales & Samples

MoMo's Bows "Bow of the Month Giveaway"

Spread the Word! Buy Handmade!

Teambluegrass Tuesday - Tree Hugger

Wists 101 article on Handmade News

Movin' On Up

RIP Mamaw Dawn

Using Custom Stickers to Enhance Your Brand

Features on hold for a bit

Thrifty Thursday: I'll Fly Away

Wonky Wednesday: Doubletake!

TeamBluegrass Tuesday: It's Hip to Be Square

Miscellany Monday: Kawaii Food!

Navigating Etsy: Acronyms & Terms

Wonky Wednesday!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation with Chloe B

TeamBluegrass Tuesday: Ceramics!

Thrifty Thursday: $10.00 or less!

Wonky Wednesday!

TeamBluegrass Tuesday: Flowers!

And we have a winner! Or WINNERS, I Should Say!

Rock Out With Your Smock Out Friday! Supergrass Version!

Teambluegrass Tuesday: Magnificent Medley

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!? Blog Giveaway

Rock Out With Your Smock Out Friday!

Things Cooking in the Studio

First Batch of Dumpling Dolls!

TB Tea Party Etsy Treasury

TeamBluegrass Tuesday - Black and White

Darling Dinky Dumpling

TeamBluegrass Tuesday!

Snagged a Treasury for TeamBluegrass! WooT!

Teambluegrass Tuesday! Etsy Finds

Fabric Collection Review: Moda Sultry by Basicgrey

Kellibeans is now a member of the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team (TeamBluegrass)

I'm in Fabric Heaven!

Pretties on Etsy

New Softie in Shop!

New Pendants in shop!

Dumplings and such.

My Choco-gasm Chip Cookies Recipe

Kellibeans Featured on Cuteable

Woot!

Matroyshka!

My Etsy shop is now open!

Look at all these beautiful cupcakes created
and offered by some of Kentucky's finest artisans!