Friday Features: Milusha Design

Children's Animal Nursery Art by MilushaDesign

Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Features, where today we meet wonderful artist Milusha, of Milusha Design on Etsy. Read on to discover more of this wonderful artists works and a great discount coupon code that you can use in her shop!

My name is Milusha and my shops name is MilushaDesign.  www.milushadesign.etsy.com  I am a graphic designer and illustrator and a mother of a wonderful 2.5 year old. I realized that I had a new desire to illustrate fun, bright and colourful art prints for children's nurseries using my obsession of patterns, specifically wallpaper patterns. Also, I illustrate and design unique prints for adults and their homes which are available in my shop. There are a million other creative ideas I have brewing…

Being brought up in a very artistic family, it seemed only natural that I'd fall into that profession/career. Both my maternal grandparents were "commercial artists" (designers) and my grandfather had a very successful design agency. I drew from the time I was 2 and it was more than just doing arts and crafts with my mother. It was something I truly enjoyed doing and my parents and teachers realized that it was a natural talent and encouraged me along the way. I went to school to be a designer and have been creating for 10 years now! It's great to finally be a part of the Etsy family. 

My sister is a pretty awesome crocheter and knitter and has taught me a bit. I do occasionally sit down and knit or crochet, albeit not very well. I greatly admire all those who can; but I am a very energetic "I want it done now" person and cannot seem to sit still to complete a knitting/crocheting project! I do draw (on paper) a lot. 

Giclee Blue Mountain Print by MilushaDesign

Since I have a very unique name, I decided to brand my shop after me. I realized that people would recognize it and most likely remember the name if they saw it again. It works very well.

My bestselling item is in the "Ode to India" series and is the Ganesh Limited Edition art print. I started out as selling children's art with a few adult pieces and they seem to be doing really well. I will continue exploring this.

I sell my work locally at a Children's Boutique in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada as well as on Etsy.

Owl ABC Children's Wall Print by MilushaDesign

I don't necessarily blog, however, I do a few posts weekly on my tumblr account. For those interested: www.milushadesign.tumblr.com  Here's my facebook fan page www.facebook.com/MilushaDesign If you really dig my work and would like to support me…  

My work is my passion. I take great love, care and thought into each piece that I create from scratch. I do it because I love it and I hope that people can see that. My pieces are uniquely me and I'd love to see more and more people support me and my work. My goal is to leave a mark and become a successful designer and entrepreneur. I'd also like to say thank you to all those wonderful people that do and will support me! There is nothing like encouragement! 

Also I'd like to offer the readers 15% off ALL ITEMS in http://www.etsy.com/shop/milushadesign . Use the coupon code COMPLIMENTS15 at checkout. 

What a great story, and fabulous art! Be sure to visit Milusha's shop on Etsy to see more delightful and affordable art for every room in your home, and make sure to use that great coupon as well:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/milushadesign 

Would you like to be featured? Leave a comment below with a way to contact you and I'll send you the details!

See you soon!

Friday Feature: Butternut Baby™

Sleep 'n Cuddle Wrap in a Carseat by Butternut Baby

Hello and thank you for joining us in the latest Friday Feature, where a new artist is showcased each week. Today is mommy-duo extraordinaire of Butternut Baby™. Read on for more adorable photos of their beautiful item!

We are Genevieve and Mireille and we are the owners and designers behind Butternut Baby™. We are both moms of baby boys and actually met in prenatal class. We never imagined we’d be crafting and selling baby items together! Our shop can be found at www.butternutbaby.com

We created the Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap, a unique and versatile baby blanket that will keep your little ones cozy and warm during the day, at night and on the go! 

The Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap’s revolutionary design replaces both a sleep sack that can be confining for older, active babies and blankets that seem to constantly come off in the middle of the night leaving our little ones chilly. The wrap is great for keeping your baby warm during the day while playing or relaxing because it is designed to allow babies to crawl, walk, or stand. Also, it fits perfectly in car seats, strollers and shopping carts to keep your little ones warm while on the go.

We make the Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap in a variety of colours to reflect the diverse and fun personalities of babies. They are intended for babies 12+ months.

It is the classic story of a mom (or, in our case, two moms!) that could not find what she was looking for on the market. We brainstormed ideas together and eventually developed the pattern for the Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap by cutting and folding the Thursday morning flyers into various shapes. Genevieve still has the cutouts! 

Sleep 'n Cuddle Wrap in a Stroller by Butternut Baby

Our focus right now is on our Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap but we have plenty of other ideas we’d like to explore in the future. Stay tuned!

Finding a unique and meaningful name for our shop must have been one of the most difficult decisions we had to make in the very beginning. So many great ones were already taken! The name Butternut Baby™ was inspired by Genevieve's childhood country home, which boasts a squash patch in the front yard. After spending days going through hundreds of names, Genevieve glanced over to one of the recently picked butternut squashes and the name came to her. She often thought that the butternut squashes lying in the patch looked like swaddled babies cozy amongst the leaves. The fresh and fun name had both of us excited and so Butternut Baby™ was born.

Sleep 'n Cuddle Wrap on Babies by Butternut Baby

We currently sell our work through our website (www.butternutbaby.com), our Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/butternutbabydesigns), Baby Bean (www.babybean.ca/sleepytime/sleep-sacks/butternut-baby.htm) and the Valley Plaza Pharmasave in Greater Sudbury. We are also planning on attending Ottawa valley events, such as the Spring 2012 Handmade Harvest Craft Show (www.handmadeharvest.com).  

You can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. We will keep you posted on what is new, contests & giveaways and any other information you might find interesting. http://www.facebook.com/butternutbaby@ButternutBabyCo 

What a fantastic invention! Please visit their shops for more colors and cuteness! www.butternutbaby.com

Friday Features: Ball Creative Designs

White Pearl Necklace by Ball Creative Designs

Welcome to this week's installment of Friday Features, where this week we meet multi-talented artist Betty of Ball Creative Designs. Read on to see more of her beautiful work...

Hi, I'm Betty of Ball Creative Designs, www.ballcreativedesigns.com.  I create a little bit of everything it seems, though if I had to define myself I would call myself a fiber crafter above all else. Really though, I'm a Jane of all trades it seems. I've been known to do some painting (badly), and I design jewelry and stitch markers, which, let's face it, are really jewelry for your knitting.

I got started because from a young age I seemed to attract everyone's grandma and they ALL wanted to teach me something. I learned to crochet when I was in 4th grade, so I think I was 9 at the time. Then I had a history teacher teach me how to spin in 7th grade (Thanks so much Mrs Smith!!), and another teacher introduced me to knitting when I was 16. I picked up needlepointing in there somewhere from an uncle and beadwork from my mum. Crafting has always been a way for me to relax and unwind, which is even more important now then it ever has been. I joke that I should get a perscription from the doctor for the yarn I buy, since knitting and crochet has proven to be the best pain relief I've found yet.

I also weave, tat (it's a form of lace making), have been known to play with chainmaille, pottery and polymer clays, and I'm an amazing chef.

Jet Drop Stitch Markers by Ball Creative Designs

Is there a story behind my shop name? Not really. For a while I sold on etsy under 2 separate stores, Sheeps of Egyptian Cotton and iMaille and finally I just decided to combine them under one roof, so to speak.

My favorite piece would be my brecciated jasper necklace (http://ballcreativedesigns.com/braciated%20jasper3.jpg) because of the colors of the stone (see her jewelry page for purchasing here: http://www.ballcreativedesigns.com/jewelry%20main%20page.html). That's one of the pieces I've promised if it's not swept up by someone in a certain amount of time will become mine for good. Is it wrong to make deals with yourself like that? Best selling thing in my shop would be the Isis and Nile lines of yarn. These are yarns exclusive to my shop and I've converted more than one person who has sworn off of cotton yarns forever. Isis is soft, and squishy, and perfect for heirloom or baby items. Nile is shiny and strong and makes your knitting and crochet stitches pop.

I sell my work online for now, both on etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/BallCreativeDesigns) and on the site I designed (http://ballcreativedesigns.com/index.html). I'm hoping to start selling in the farmer's market this summer, and of course the craft shows in the fall.

2 Ply Fingering Yarn by Ball Creative Design

I blog for the shop at http://ballcreativedesigns.com/blog. Also, I'm on plurk all the time as fiber_yoda and on facebook http://www.facebook.com/BallCreativeDesigns 

I never saw myself doing this when I was growing up. From an early age I knew I wanted to be a chef, and I went to school to do just that. But life interrupted and then moved on. I got sick and working in a kitchen wasn't gonna happen for me anymore. For a while my crafts are what kept me from just giving up totally. Now I wouldn't have it any other way, I love being able to do something that's been a part of my life almost as long as I can remember. I donate a portion of all sales to MS research, since I know just how horrible it can be to live with and a portion of all sales also goes to my "corruption" fund. I have a 9 year old niece who has been helping me with spinning and stitch marker making for the last 3 years, and she decided she wants her own wheel. Now she gets paid for her help, and it all goes into her spinning wheel fund. I'm considering going back to college myself, and getting the credentials to do art therapy with people who are recovering from an illness or injury. I've been known to give lessons in knitting and crochet to people in craft stores, and have given many a spontaneous demonstration as well. 

What a great woman with overwhelming talent! Please see her shops for more gorgeous and drool-worthy items here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BallCreativeDesigns and here: http://ballcreativedesigns.com/index.html

Friday Feature: Maxies Knitwear

Luxurious Soft Pink Scarf by MaxiesKnitwear

Welcome to another edition of Friday Features, where a new artist from the wonderful world of the internet is featured. This week takes us to New Zealand, where we meet Julie. Read on to discover more about this fantastic fiber artist from Etsy...

Hi, my name is Julie and my shop’s name is Maxies Knitwear www.etsy.com/shop/maxiesknitwear I mainly create knitted accessories for women. Such things as scarves, cowls, fingerless gloves, hats, headbands. I also enjoy knitting coffee cozies and little matching bags … they look so cute together and make wonderful gifts if you fill the bags with yummy chocolates or other goodies! I plan at a later stage to start selling cute childrens knit accessories as well.

My mum taught me how to knit when I was really little and she's a fantastic knitter. I was truly inspired while growing up; watching her create the most gorgeous jumpers and accessories for my brothers, myself and whoever she wanted to bless.

In terms of doing other crafts...I have attempted at times to create greeting cards … lol unfortunately not very successfully! 

Blue Fingerless Gloves with Buttons by MaxiesKnitwear

Is there a story behind my shop name?  Yes … it’s named after my beautiful cat Max! Max is a tortoiseshell, and she has the most gorgeous colourful coat. I love yarn that is colourful, soft and beautiful and the name just seemed to fit.  

With only 10 sales so far, there doesn’t seem to be an item that stands out as a best-seller. At present these fingerless mittens are really popularwww.etsy.com/listing/91145371/blue-fingerless-gloves-mittens-with  (seen above) 

At present my artwork is sold on Etsy, Zibbet and via my Facebook page. Late last year I attended a couple of local markets and plan to attend some over the next few months. 

Knit Drawstring Bag with Buttons by MaxiesKnitwear

Do I blog?  Yes I do! My blog address is www.maxiesknitwear.blogspot.com and I mainly share about what’s happening with Maxies Knitwear or introduce other amazing artists I find (there are some really talented artists out there)  

Here are the other social networks I'm on:  Twitter: www.twitter.com/maxiesknitwearFacebook: www.facebook.com/maxiesknitwearBlog: www.maxiesknitwear.blogspot.comTumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/maxiesknitwearGoogle+: plus.google.com/u/0/b/110704225387323282927/   

 I have one charity that I support – my husband and I are passionate about helping Orphans in need in Asia, so 25% of all our profits go to help the most adorable special needs children. You can read the full story in the ‘About me ’ section of my blog.  

What a great shop, and for a great cause too! Please visit Julie's shop, MaxiesKnitwear to see more beautiful hand crafted items:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maxiesknitwear 

...Would you like to be featured too? Leave a comment below with your website address and I'll either email or convo you :)