Commander of Earth, Wind, and Fire…And Water?

Posted on November 8, 2009 by cdonaghy

Congratulations to this month’s challenge winners!!

First place goes to COWGIRL JEWELS!!

Peace on Earth

Second goes to  SEEDLINGS JEWELRY!!

sunstoneembrace5

Bringing in the rear…SMOOSHY DESIGNS!

Green Goddess 1

Congratulations to everyone!  And speaking of winning…

Two lucky guests were randomly picked to win the super cool, super special prize packs put together by Team NorGA artisans!

And the winners are…..

AMANDA SIMMONS and SARAH HENSLEY!

Thank you to all who participated in the challenge, as well as the contest!  Please check back between the 1st and 7th of December to vote again, when the challenge will be…Black and White…

Earlier it was posted there was a tie between Cowgirl Jewels and Seedlings.  I miscounted (SORRY!!), and have corrected my mistake.  Again, my apologies to the team members who participated.  Sorry for the confusion.

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An Elemental Challenge…

Posted on November 1, 2009 by cdonaghy

Autumn brings some amazing elemental changes.  The wind picks up, chilling the air.  The leaves turn fiery colors, like crimson and orange.  Rain showers help to strip the trees of leaves. The dark, rich earth is tilled and readied after providing the last of the season’s harvest.  Yes, autumn brings wonderful changes–the grand finale before Mother Nature turns in for a gray and cold sleep.  In honor of this vivid spectacle, the members of team NorGA pay homage Gaia, offering art depicting each of the four elements:  Earth, Wind, Water and Fire.

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

IMG_2181

Pumpkin Applique Shirt 4T from CelloRaisen, Autumn Bird Card from GnageyGallery, Glow In The Dark Ghost Earrings & Pumpkin Pin from KellysClayCreations, Pumpkin Souffle Scented Soy Candle from WorthySoyCandles, & Crystal Clear Bracelet from CElizabethDesigns.

IMG_2184
Autumn Bird Card from GnageyGallery, Chamomile & Lavender Soap from PamperPantry, Peace Bracelet from PeaceByDesign, Pumpkin Earring & Pumpkin Pin from KellysClayCreations, & Flower Bobby Pins from ElephunksTrunk.

Below is our collection of Elemental challenge entries. To view the entries close-up, you can click on the links below the mosaic. That will take you to the Etsy listing for the item where you can see more pictures, get more details & even purchase the item if you like! You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on November 8th, 2009.

Elements Challenge

1. Embrace by Seedlings: Jewelry Because

2. Peace on Earth by Cowgirl Jewels

3. Green Goddess by Smooshy

4. Elemental Rainbow Scarf by Worthy Soy Candles and Crochet

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST November 7th, 2009.

*** Search “Team NorGA Oct” on Etsy.com for more great Elemental items ***

Be sure to check back between the 1st & the 7th of next month when the Challenge will be Black and White

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Filed under: Challenge Contest | Tagged: , , , , , , | 26 Comments »

Trash or Treasure? Upcycling is the new trend!

Posted on October 29, 2009 by cowgirljewels

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What is upcycling? Isn’t it just a fancy word for recycling? Having recently engaged in this discussion with my daughter and a few of my fellow Etsy North Georgia team members, I decided to do a little research on the subject. I design bottle cap pendants for my Etsy store (http://cowgirljewels.etsy.com) and our discussion centered on trying to decide if the pendants are recycled, upcycled, repurposed or something else. I had been marketing them as upcycled because I thought it sounded cooler, but were they truly an upcycled item?il_fullxfull.93611387

Turns out that upcycling is more than just recycling in high heels. Upcycling refers to reusing an object (in my case, a bottle cap) in a new way (a pendant) without degrading the material it is made from. Recycling generally involves breaking down the original material and making it into something else – recycling also requires more energy than upcycling, making upcycling even greener than recycling because you eliminate the need for the energy used to break down the recycled materials. Who knew?il_fullxfull.87090706

Contrary to what we artists would like to believe, the art community is not where upcycling originated. People in developing countries have been upcycling for years, using old packaging and clothing in new ways – more out of necessity than for the environment. Upcycling has now gone global and continues to grow in popularity as interest in eco-friendly products increases.il_fullxfull.94406805

Upcycling is used in a wide range of products, including jewelry, furniture and fashion items. Bracelets made of retired flip flops, lamps made from blenders, furniture from skateboards…the combinations are creative and seemingly endless. Upcycled jewelry can be made from pretty much anything – and everything! Currently, there is a significant problem with plastics that stay in our landfills for an estimated 500 – 1000 years and metals that take years to rust away. While it is true that upcycling a bottle cap isn’t going to keep tons of trash out of landfills, that isn’t the sole purpose of upcycling. Upcycling is also about an idea – the idea that we are connected to the resources we use and that we can make those resources more useful instead of just getting rid of them. Plus, upcycled items are great conversation starters! il_fullxfull.98593556

It’s easy – spend a little time, create a few pieces of upcycled jewelry or anything else out of upcycled materials. Impress your friends with how “green” you truly are!

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This week’s article courtesy of Julie Schieffelin from Cow Girl Jewels.

Filed under: General Information | Tagged: , , , , | 9 Comments »

Congratulations StockAnnette!

Posted on October 25, 2009 by cdonaghy

You are the lucky winner of a custom hat from Elephunk’s trunk!  :)

Much thanks to everyone who took the time to comment–keep checking back for more contests and giveaways!

Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Seller Bio: Elephunks Trunk

Posted on October 19, 2009 by cdonaghy

3974289289_783ab85e40

Tell us a Little about yourself?

I’m currently working on my PhD in Women’s Studies at Emory University, with a graduate certificate in human rights. I study gender-based violence and human rights violations, specifically the ways we talk about acts of violence differently depending on where they happen. I I like to walk barefoot, and I can say “This is my Nose” in about a dozen languages.

How Did you get Started Doing What you Do?

I first became interested in sewing and hats through costuming–Halloween has long been my favorite holiday and ever since high school my costumes have been more abstract art pieces than anything else. They usually center on a piece of head sculpture made by making a plaster mold of my head and then building off of it. The same interest in the dramatic has led to an interest in the fashion of the first half of the 20th Century and especially to the beautiful, elegant hats of that period.  Unfortunately I have a very small head, so every hat I’ve ever found slides right down my forehead to sit on the tip of my nose. Finally I decided that if I couldn’t buy hats I would just have to learn how to make them! And I had so much fun, I figured I should make them for other people too!

How Did you Pick Your Shop Name?

I’m actually really terrible with that sort of thing. I was sitting around talking with my husband trying to come up with a shop name that would capture my sense of aesthetics without being too specific to any one kind of item. I wanted to be able to expand into new kinds of items without making my shop name outdated. My personal goal has always been to strive for a funky elegance. My husband suggested combining those two words. I blinked at him and said “Elefunky?” He smiled and suggested “Elephunk’s Trunk.” I like it because it speaks to my aesthetic and my love of elephants!

What makes your items special/unique?

Many of the items in ElephunksTrunk are one of a kind. I like to look for fun, unusual fabrics. Some of my hats are made from upcycled saris I got while studying in India and Bangladesh, others are made from designer cottons, still others from vintage scarves. Whenever I see anything, my first thought is “how could I make a hat out of that?”

Is there anything else we should know?

If you are interested in learning more about ElephunksTrunk, feel free to follow me on twitter (twitter.com/ElephunksTrunk) and become my fan on Facebook (facebook.com/elephunkstrunk). I also have a blog where you can learn about my current projects and read interviews with other creative people whom I admire. (elephunkstrunk.blogspot.com)

Want to win a custom beret or sun hat?  Visit Elephunks Trunk and pick your favorite item, and then leave a comment here.  The winner will be randomly chosen, and they will receive a custom beret or sun hat–their choice! Contest ends on Saturday, October 24th & winner will be chosen at random & announced on Sunday, October 25th.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 16 Comments »

And The Winner is….

Posted on October 18, 2009 by cdonaghy

The winner of C Elizabeth’s Giveaway is Celeste from Elephunk’s Trunk!  Congratulations!

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

How To Make a Rag Garland – No Sew

Posted on October 15, 2009 by worthysoycandles

Tutorial donated by CelloRaisen.Etsy.com

A “Rag Garland” is just that – a garland made out of bits of tied rags or fabric remnants.  There are lots of decorator uses for it – It can be a window treatment for any room, a holiday decoration for a mantle or Christmas tree, or you can hang it over a doorway!  “Remnants” are usually less than 1 yard (36″ or less) and will be marked 50% off of the full by-the-yard price.  I stick to the “fashion” department because the decorator fabric can still be pricey even with the discount.  (a little note about me – I never miss the remnant bin when I go into Joann’s or any other fabric store – last time I was there I scored a really cute fish print in flame-retardant fabric and made my son a pair of sleep shorts to wear now and there is plenty left over for pants in a larger size later!  Now back to our regularly scheduled blog article.)

What you need -

  • Scissors, pinking shears, or rotary cutter & cutting mat
  • Fabric remnants in the color scheme of your choice – go straight to the remnant bin at Joann’s and get lots of different kinds of fabric – fleece, cotton, chiffon, georgette, poly blends, charmeuse, etc.  Different textures make a really interesting garland.  I don’t recommend using heavy velvet, minky, or chenille (they shed and get little fuzzies EVERYWHERE) or materials that have a metallic thread in them because of the mess it makes when cutting and tying.  If you don’t mind the mess then get whatever you want!
  • String or yarn in length of your choice – it does not matter what color since you won’t see it anyway so if you have some leftover yarn at home I would use that before buying any.

Now it’s time to get started!
1.  Lay out your fabrics and decide what order you will tie it.


2.  Decide how long and wide you want to cut your strips.  I cut them about 5-6 inches long by about 1.5 inches wide but please experiment with different lengths.  You might want to iron the fabric – it will be easier to cut straight if it’s ironed.
3.  Get cutting!  This is where a rotary cutter comes in really handy because after a while your hand will get tired using scissors.


4.  Now tie the fabric around the yarn.  Push the ties tightly together so that you can’t see the string or yarn.  This step is good to do while catching up on Project Runway episodes on your DVR.


5.  Keep tying the fabric strips around the yarn or string until your desired length is reached and then you’re done!  Tie loops on each end of the yarn if desired.

Tips -

  • Get some narrow tulle (sold by the roll) to add some nice texture.
  • Use different kinds of ribbon instead of the fabric strips (if you want to spend a lot of money).
  • Get the kids involved in the tying.

In the end you will have a unique item to decorate with or a fun and inexpensive gift for a friend.  Happy Crafting!

Filed under: Tutorials | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Seller Bio: C Elizabeth Designs

Posted on October 12, 2009 by worthysoycandles

CElizabethDesigns.Etsy.com

Tell us a Little about yourself?
My name is Claire and I just moved to Atlanta from Gainesville, Florida! I’ve gone through a lot of major changes in my life recently- graduation from College (GO GATORS!!), a huge wedding to the love of my life and best friend, and a big move for my new husband and me. I have a degree in Public Relations, but haven’t been able to find a job yet. Nevertheless I am completely busy starting an Atlanta based synchronized swimming team for girls ages 5-18 and beginning my career as an Etsy artist. I have two adorable, yet overweight cats that keep me company while I craft.


How Did you get Started Doing What you Do?
I’ve always been very into creating things and crafting in general. I started selling my jewelry to friends in college as a way to make some extra spending cash. When I found out about Etsy, I was in my senior year, interning at a health planning non-profit, planning my wedding and WAY too busy to think about working on a business! Now that I have a little free time I’m having a blast thinking up new things to make and designing custom orders for wonderful people.


How Did you Pick Your Shop Name?

Pretty boring- first initial + middle name = c elizabeth designs


What makes your items special/unique?
My lovable letters are my shop’s bestsellers! They are super cute and can be custom ordered to match just about everything. I love the look of painted letters- but can’t keep a steady paintbrush to save my life. After failing to create a good painted letter for my niece’s first birthday, I tried to decoupage one with scrapbook paper. It turned out adorable and on a whim I took pictures and posted it on Etsy. Now I take orders for baby showers, office decorations, wedding centerpieces, children’s rooms, etc.


Is there anything else we should know?
I am so happy to have found a spot with the Etsy North Georgia team. This team is made up of wonderful crafters who have been very helpful in helping me learn the ins and outs of Etsy!

Also, through the end of October I’m honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month in my shop. For every purchase I make a donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation and send a free Pink and Pearl bracelet to the buyer. To find out more, visit my shop: www.celizabethdesigns.com

CONTEST INFO

Leave a comment below telling us what’s your favorite item from CElizabethDesigns.Etsy.com! This will enter you in a contest for a Black and Silver Filigree Necklace with Freshwater Pearls. Contest ends on Saturday, October 17th & winner will be chosen at random & announced on Sunday, October 18th.

Filed under: Seller Bios, contest | Tagged: , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Fairy Tale Winners

Posted on October 8, 2009 by worthysoycandles

Our fantasy filled Fairy Tale Winners are…

1st Place: ElephunksTrunk.Etsy.com

1st Place: ElephunksTrunk.Etsy.com

2nd Place: FARStudios.Etsy.com

2nd Place: FARStudios.Etsy.com

3rd Place: CowGirlJewels.Etsy.com

3rd Place: CowGirlJewels.Etsy.com

Our fabulous voter winners this month were Bill & Peggy. A big North Georgia congratulations goes out to both of you!

Be sure to keep checking this blog for more chances to win all month long! Our next challenge voting will begin on November 1st with the theme “Elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water)”.

Filed under: Challenge Contest | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Fairy Tales Challenge

Posted on October 1, 2009 by worthysoycandles

Fall & Halloween always reminds me of my childhood. So this October the North Georgia Street Team is presenting to you a truly magical collection of Fairy Tale items!

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

Fairy Tales Prize Pack #1

Fairy Tales Prize Pack #1

Cinderella Dress Ornament from Smooshy, Wine Stopper from KellysClayCreations, Aire de Provence Scented Soap from Pamper Pantry, & T-Shirt Tucker Inner from CelloRaisen.

Fairy Tales Prize Pack #2

Robot Time Watcher Card from SmellyRhino, Religious Piece from KismaeGrimes, Dragon’s Blood Scented Soy Candle from WorthySoyCandles, Good Morning Sugar Body Scrub from PamperPantry, T-Shirt Tucker Inner from CelloRaisen.

Below is our collection of Fairy Tales challenge entries. To view the entries close-up, you can click on the links below the mosaic. That will take you to the Etsy listing for the item where you can see more pictures, get more details & even purchase the item if you like! You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Wednesday, October 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on October 8th, 2009.

1. Alice In Wonderland Rummikub Tile Pendant OOAK by RoseHips

2. Fantasy Checkers Fairy Tree House of Paper Mache by FARStudios

3. Forest Fairy Shrug/Scarf by WorthySoyCandles

4. Drink Me Alice In Wonderland Bottle Cap Pendant by CowGirlJewels

5. Goddess Shawl Wrap- Scheherazade by FoxyGKnits

6. Little Mermaid Fascinator by ElephunksTrunk

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST October 7th, 2009.

*** Search “Team NorGA Sept” on Etsy.com for more great Fairy Tale items ***

Be sure to check back between the 1st & the 7th of next month when the Challenge will be Elements – Earth, Wind, Fire & Water!

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Filed under: Challenge Contest, contest | Tagged: , , , , , | 59 Comments »

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