BESTeam Weekly Feature - Poison Garden

This week’s BESTeam featured Etsy shop is Poison Garden.

Poison Garden is a collaboration of three artists charmingly eccentric and impressively crafty ladies who share a love for the romantic with a bit of an edge; Suzette the butterfly queen, Crystal the pumpkin tender, and Melissa the toad catcher.

Having never grown up at all, no decision was ever made between them as to whether they would like to be Victorian ladies, swashbuckling pirates, playful fairies, bloodsucking vampires, steampunk captains, or feathered Indians. As a result of this indecision, their outfits are quite colorful, resulting in endless commentary from the disapproving neighbors.

The Ladies spend most of their time creating the fantastical adornments of their vivid imaginations. They offer many handmade, vintage and revamped vintage items in several styles including Victorian, Neo-Victorian, Steampunk, Gothic and whimsical. Using found material, vintage jewelry, ribbons, beads, feathers, bones, crystals and more to bring you original jewelry, accessories, decor and artworks.

Much of Poison Garden’s ribbon jewelry and accessories have been lovingly stitched by hand. When ordering a handmade or vintage item, keep in mind that the stitching will not be factory perfect and vintage items will show signs of wear. Poison Garden strives to offer only the best they can produce or discover, and it is their belief that these little imperfections are what make the items special.

Neo Victorian cracked glass Necklace

Just the thing for a midnight stroll through the garden. This cracked glass tassel necklace drapes comfortably enough for a picnic, but would certainly be welcome at a formal dinner. made with icy cracked glass beads, accented by glowing blue crystals this vintage inspired piece is very cool and classy.

Garden Fairy Pink Lemonade Sun Catcher

Drink in the refreshment! You'll feel instantly renewed with this cheerful sparkly hanging in your window. Pink and white beaded strand with detachable glass drop.

 

Queen of Hearts choker

 

This listing is for a whimsical, Gothic, black ribbon choker with black and white striped trim. It is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, specifically the red queen. Choker comes to a point in the center and has a heart lock and red button center piece. Button and beaded hoop fastener, black button, red hoop. 

 

Eudora Whimsical Neo Gothic Necklace

 

This lovely Gothic butterfly necklace sparkles like moonlight dancing across inky waters. The detailed scrollwork of the wings is reminicent of old wrought iron gates. This all black piece even has gunmetal toned hardware. The centerpeice is the focal point, supported by a simple, elegant sinlge strand of highly light reflecteive, jet black beads.

These are just a few of the wonderful items in this shop’s collection, so make sure you stop by the Poison Garden Etsy shop for more. Don’t forget to check out the Poison Garden blog for great features, product reviews, and articles.

The Creativity Bugs love the opportunity to promote other artisans including the fellow Estians but especially the BESTeam group. These friendly, talented, and very hardworking individuals work together to promote their shops and help others with marketing, advertising, and tips and tricks for running an online business. If you are a seller on Etsy, have a blog, and either FB or twitter, then you might be interested in joinging the BESTeam. You can find information about the team, as well as apply for membership HERE!

Happy Shopping!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue 

Big Pictures Idea Festival

You are invited to a FREE festival packed full of big ideas at Big Picture Classes this August!

Come join in for 12 fun-filled days featuring 12 of our talented instructors. Each instructor will be giving you a word of the day, which will inspire you, along with a downloadable template (in both printable and digital format) so that you can create a mini layout about that day’s word and how you applied it in your life. Finally, each teacher will leave you with an inspirational video message and a preview of the page they created with their word.

More fun with daily challenges and giveaways provided! Registration is completely FREE, and you’ll have forever access to the materials in class!  Click HERE to sign up for this amazing opportunity!

Happy Crafting!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Snickerdoodle Dreams Design Team Call

Are you interested in becoming a part of a design team creating cards, paper crafts, and scrapbook layouts? Snickerdoodle Dreams is looking for a wonderful design team of five (5) Creative Artists to create paper, card, or scrapping magic with their range of Snickerdoodle Dreams Digital Stamps.

The Snickerdoodle Dreams online store brings lots of new items and goodies to delight not only the graphic and digital crafters, but they also offer a complete range of brand new patchwork and quilting patterns to tempt you!

REQUIREMENTS
=> Design 2 ~ 4 projects per month using our Digital Stamps
=> Post your finished projects to your Blog, FB, etc
=> Be an active part of our team
=> Use your CREATIVITY & have FUN

You will have complete free access to all the Snickerdoodle Dreams Digital Stamps

HOW TO APPLY
1. Download the free SD Digital Stamp (add the free image to the shopping cart)
2. Using your creativity and the free SD Digital Stamp send a photo of your finished project to admin@snickerdoodledreams.com

don’t forget to include...

3. Your Name and Email
4. Link to your gallery/blog or You Tube (bonus)
5. Would you like to make video's of your work/projects using our stamps?
6. What's your favourite medium when using Digital Stamps? Copics, Paints, Prisma Pencils, Distress Inks, Digital Colouring, etc

Call Closes:: July 30

Good Luck!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Featured Freebies for the Week of July 25th

Good morning and a Happy Monday to everyone.

Here are this week’s freebies of digital stamps and images from websites, blogs, or shared by friends and followers:

May Brit’s hobbyblog is sharing a few new creations; beach bear,  bear with kitties, and skateboarding bear

Altered Scrap is sharing a brand new free digital stamp called Lucy the Dolphin

MelonHeadz Illustrating has two new sentiments to share; I miss you and dog gone it

Foxycrafts shares with us an adorable frog and a hot air balloon

GTC Crafty Corner shares a freaky critter pig , a freaky critter owl, and dragonflies

Beyond the Fringe shares a variety of vintage sewing images

The Crafty Pad shares a purse, shooting star,  Christmas teddy bear, and heart flower in pot

That’s it for this week. Stop on by next Monday for more digital freebies.

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

SEI Design Team Call

It's that time again! Time to begin selecting the new SEI design team. SEI is accepting applicants July 20-August 5. 

Here are the details:

Should you apply?
1. Applicants will be accepted from the Continental US and Canada. 
2. Selected design team members will be sent SEI products to create projects.
3. SEI encourages all crafters: 3D projects makers, scrap bookers, card makers, any creative individual to apply. So show them your best work!
4. SEI expects a 6 month or 1 year commitment.
5. Design team members will have at least one feature on the SEI blog per month.
6. Design team member's first project will be due September 20th.

How do you apply?
1. Send an e-mail with subject line "Your Name -- DT Call" to seiblog{at}shopsei{dot}com. Copy and paste the survey below into your e-mail document. Type your response next to each item. Please do not add any additional information. 
2. Attach 5 images (no larger than 800 x 800 pixels each). These images should represent your style and best creative work. Photos do matter. The SEI design team members not only have nice projects but also scan or photograph their projects in a professional manner.
3. You do not have to use SEI product in your application projects.

APPLICATION SURVEY:
(copy & paste this into your e-mail)
1. My name is: First & Last name
2. I live in: State or Province
3. My blog is: Blog address (optional)
4. I can commit to a: 6 or 12 month commitment
5. I have been published: Not yet or list magazines

You applied, now what?
1. You should receive an e-mail containing details on the design team within 2 full business days.
2. Do not respond to this e-mail, unless you want to withdraw your application.
3. If you do not receive an e-mail containing details within 2 full business days after applying, contact us at seiblog{at}shopsei{dot}com.
4. Applicants will find out whether they have been accepted on or before August 20th.

Arts and Crafts Examiner: Weekly Wrap-up July 24, 2011

This week at the Arlington Heights Arts and Crafts Examiner, I focused more on what events where happening in the area rather than making crafts.

Here is the week in review:

Lake County Discovery Museum: Quilt Treasures

CraftFancy: July 2011 Classes and Events

 Decorating for Less: Dried Bean and Seed Frames

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Snickerdoodle Dreams Design Team Call

CHA Summer 2011 Highlights

Hope you enjoyed a look at this week’s articles and will check again next week for more arts, crafts, and events!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Flank Steak Beef with Vegetable Kebobs

I love making dinners that are easy to put together, taste delicious, and looks great on your plate. Today’s recipe is for flank steak marinated in a spice rub that has been skewered with summertime vegetables and grilled to perfection. Serve it with BBQ sauce for an added kick to your palate.

Flank Steak and Vegetable Kebobs

Ingredients:

2 lb beef flank steak, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces

8 button mushrooms

8 cherry tomatoes

1 small zucchini or yellow squash, cut into ¾ inch pieces

1 small sweet red onion, cut into wedges

1 small green, orange, or red sweet pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 Tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

Spice Rub (see recipe below)

BBQ Sauce (from the bottle or see recipe below)

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine Spice Rub and steak pieces. Stir to coat steak.
• Brush mushrooms and vegetables with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• On eight long metal skewers, alternately thread steak, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and sweet pepper.
• For a charcoal grill, grill skewers on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 8 to 12 minutes or until desired doneness, turning occasionally.
• For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place skewers on grill rack over heat. Cover; grill as above.
• Serve meat and vegetables with BBQ Sauce. Makes 8 servings.

Spice Rub:

In a small bowl, stir together 4 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; and 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper.

BBQ Sauce:

In a 2-quart saucepan, stir together 5 cloves roasted garlic or 2 teaspoons bottled minced roasted garlic, 1 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup finely chopped celery, 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. Transfer to a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Makes about 1-3/4 cups.

This dish is great served with rice and a garden fresh salad.

Enjoy this simply easy and tasty meal!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue