featured: AuntiFranni

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My featured artist this week is AuntiFranni. You can find Fran's shops on both Artfire and Etsy.

Fran makes some great embroidered things including lip balm cases, patches, bibs, and more! You can see some of her great items above. Her designs are not only handmade, but also just plan adorable and awesome! If you'd like some great, original embroidery, Fran is your lady! She does custom orders, so if you see an item you like, Fran will work with you to make it your own with custom designs, colors, text, etc. She also has some very cute holiday stuff on sale in her shop so you can get a super early head start on your Christmas shopping at a great price for handmade.

I can't say enough good things about Fran and her items so be sure to check her out and let her know Brandy sent you!

If you'd like to be next week's featured artist, just let me know. It's an easy way to get more exposure for your shop and items.

spotlight: st. patty's

I'm a little, teensy bit late on getting this up, but it's still Friday so for this Friday spotlight I'm focusing on some great St. Patrick's Day items I found on Artfire. Enjoy - just in time for St. Patty's next Tuesday.

features & awards

Sterling Silver has awarded me with the Kreativ Blogger. The rules following this reward are: 1. I have to list 7 things I like and 2. I have to give the award to 7 other bloggers. So here we go:

7 Things I like:

1. Yarn

2. Puppies

3. Gardening

4. Baking cookies

5. Wildflowers

6. Freshly made beds

7. Movies

And I give this award to: Tracy at Pink Purl, 3zArt, Michelle at Pegasus Soaps, Modern Classics, Felicia at Fluffy Flowers, Kathleen at Waiting for Baby, Soapylove! Enjoy, gals.

Also, I've been featured in a blog: HeyIFoundThis.com has spotlighted me, so head on over and check it out. 

spring has come.

I woke up one morning and realized spring had finally come! The days are marked by warm humidity, the nurseries are full of colorful flowers, and even wildflowers have started to peak up from the side of the highway.  If there's anything I'll miss about Texas when I move in August, it'll be the wildflowers that mark the coming of spring.

The pictures above are from the flowers I planted this past weekend including some strawberries and blueberry bush. 

a cozy for your chapstick.

brokenhallelujah

Buy Handmade

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Available again in the shop after a long disappearance are my keychain lip balm cases! These handmade cozies are the perfect size for a regular Chapstick sized lip balm of your choosing. No more rummaging around in the bottom of your purse or make-up bag, because now your favorite lip balm is right at your fingertips on your keyring. Or, if you're a fan of those longer, skinnier tinted lip balms I'd be happy to make you a custom keychain in the color of your choosing.

These keychains are not only handy for lip balm, but also are the perfect size for lighters and USB thumbdrives. Gotta love things that have multiple uses!!

At $9 a pop, they are a steal. So check them out in my Artfire shop today in a rainbow of colors.

featured: 3zArt

A few wonderful items from 3zArt:

Click on an item above to learn more about it!

3zArt is a wonderful shop run by a newly made friend of mine. She offers great home accessories like unique light and outlet plates along with beautifully designed mouse pads, coasters, and lamp shades. Although you're sure to love most of the designs available, should you desire an item in a different style or color you simply have to ask!

Above is just a sampling of the many beautiful and colorful items available now in her Artfire shop and for the month of March a special is being offered as part of the Artfire Stimulus package where you can find items for as low as $2 with only $1 shipping to the US. It's practically a steal. So be sure to check 3zArt out on Artfire, Etsy, or 1000Markets today! You can also check out her blog where she posts about new items at 3zart.blogspot.com. Let her know Brandy sent ya!

Every week I'll be featuring a new artist. If you'd like to be featured, let me know!

friday spotlight.

Byhand.me has a great feature that allows you to create spotlights with items from Etsy, Artfire, Dawanda, 1000Markets, and many more! This way you can feature all your favorite items no matter what vendor they are selling from. It's a great way to highlight handmade items; all you have to do is click on an item to learn more about it. 

This afternoon I created this spotlight highlighting some of the beautiful lamp work beads I found on Artfire. I can't think of a single thing not to love about lamp work beads - they are colorful, unique, and full of character. If I was an even halfway decent jewelry designer I would be all over these gorgeous beads. 

zoo & aquarium - San Diego

These are just some of my favorite shots from my visit to the San Diego Zoo and Birch Aquarium. It was such a great visit, and I can't wait to go back someday soon!

wear it in style.

I've added another new headband to the shop. This one is one of my classic crochet headbands except it's made with a chunky wool-blend yarn that gives it a unique look of it's own! It's available now along with my other crochet headbands in the artfire shop (or etsy, if you prefer). Or you can go ahead and buy right now, no sign up required!

brokenhallelujah

Buy Handmade

downtown san diego.

Our first day in San Diego, Andy and I spent the whole afternoon by ourselves wandering around downtown - the Gaslamp district, Harbor Side, and wherever our feet took us (until our feet gave up). The above pictures our just a sampling of those I shot on our journey. I also have more pictures to come of our time at Torrey Pines, the zoo, and more! They'll  be posted over the next couple of days.