Friday Finds 4/15- Weddings Month 1

Planning a Vermont wedding? Are you a native Vermonter wishing for a touch of home on your big day?

Friday Finds Weddings is meant for you!

As a bride who planned her Vermont wedding from way down in Maryland, I know the challenge of finding local, handmade items perfect for your unique event. This is the first of 3 monthly installments of Friday Finds Weddings, each showcasing a particular theme and/or setting and featuring the items of the Made in Vermont Etsy Street Team.

Month 1 showcases Nature Theme/Outdoor Setting

Blue and Green Enameled Earrings by Kristen Varian

For the Bride, these teardrop shaped earrings have been enameled in a lovely blue with green glass "lumps" fired on top. Perfect colors to compliment a background of green mountains & blue sky.

Bobby Pins - Strawberry Mint - Set of Three by Sweet Avenue Jewelry

For your Bridesmaids, this sweet set of three bobby pins includes a mint green bird, a watermelon pink chrysanthemum, and an angelskin pink rose, all set on brass toned bobby pins.

Sweet Strawberry Kanzashi Hair Clip Set by Louleeluv

For your Flower Girl, a set of 4 adorable red, pink and white clips. This particular color combination would be a lovely compliment to your wedding flowers, especially peonies & roses. Be sure to check out Louleeluv's MIVEST Giveaway!

Personalized Wedding Mailbox - Card Holder by One Hip Sticker Chic

For your Gift Table, a premium steel mailbox that is US Postmaster approved so you can use this as a mailbox at your new home~ how cool is that?! This item can be personalized with your wedding colors and will keep your cards safe & sound in the event of windy conditions.

Natural Rustic Personalized Branch Sign for Weddings by Vermont Branch Company

For your Reception, a hand lettered and then wood burned sign, finished with homemade beeswax finish. This sign is selectively harvested birch. Vermont Branch Company loves custom orders can make signs according to your specifications.

What themes and settings would you like to see featured in future Friday Finds Weddings? Leave a comment and let me know! Here is one of my favorite moments captured from my own wedding at the wonderful Mountaintop Inn & Resort.

Margaret Belanger Photography

Cloud Mobile Giveaway WINNER!

I am thrilled to announce that the winner of Cozy Noggin's first MIVEST giveaway is "T". The winner was chosen using Random.Org's True Random Number Generator. YAY! My birdies are so excited to fly away to their new home.

A special thank you to all who entered, I loved learning your favorite items from the shop. I look forward to keeping you all in the loop via Cozy Noggin's facebook page!

Don't forget to enter in for Louleelov's giveaway!

ENJOY your day,

Anne from Cozy Noggin

Canary Yellow Kanzashi Headband- Giveaway from Lou Lee Luv

Hello this is Lily from Lou Lee Luv doing a special April Giveaway! The Lou Lee Luv Etsy Shop features handmade accessories for Newborn, Toddlers, Children, Teens and Adults from original design crochet hats to hand sewn fabric flower headbands.

This giveaway is for a one of a kind silk canary colored Kanzashi inspired flower headband. It is adorned with green petal leaves with a glittering crystal accenting the center. This green satin ribbon wrapped 5mm is perfect for the little princess who prefers her locks away from her face or the lady who wants a touch of Spring added to her look for the day.

To enter follow these 3 easy steps:
(1) Go to the Lou Lee Luv Facebook Fan Page and become a fan by "liking" Lou Lee Luv. Or, if you are already a fan of LouLeeLuv onFacebook, share the Lou Lee Luv Facebook page by posting it in your status
(2) Go to the Made in Vermont Etsy Street Team Facebook Page and become a fan by "liking" Made in Vermont Etsy Street Team. If you are already a fan of share the Made in Vermont Etsy Street Team Facebook page by posting it in your status
(3) After doing steps 1 and 2, leave your name (as it appears on Facebook) and email in a comment on this post

The winner will be posted on this blog Sunday, April 17, and will be contacted by email the same day. Winner will be chosen at random using True Random Number Generator. Best of luck to everyone!!

Cloud Mobile Giveaway- Cozy Noggin

Cozy Noggin is thrilled to offer a Vintage Fabric Cloud Nursery Mobile with Knitted Birds for an early spring giveaway. Cozy Noggin is a line of warm notions by me, Anne Parent. A scientist (geo-nerd) by nature, I love the evolution from fabric and/or animal fiber to finished product. I am constantly amazed at how many paths there are to completion. Cozy Noggin will appeal to people who love to give unique, quirky and fun gifts to the wonderful people in their life. It is my intention that you can find something for just about anyone you are looking for, whether it be an expectant mom, your honey bunny, an excellent host/hostess, or maybe, just maybe, you!

This cloud is a vintage fabric pillow with a funky purple & orange floral. One spring blend zebra and two classic white birdies are suspended from the cloud. The contrast of the colors & white is perfect to catch baby's attention, while the zebra-bird stripes add a fun element. Each bird has sparkely gold glass bead eyes and is securely attached to the cloud with monofilament. To hang, simply adjust the cloud's pink ribbon to the desired height and re-tie the bow.

Cloud Mobiles make excellent baby shower gifts and are also at home in offices, kitchen windows and classrooms. I envision this mobile in a baby girl or boy's airy, earthy nursery, adding a bright pop of color.

To enter the giveaway please do at least one of the following:

1. Visit the Cozy Noggin Etsy Shop and leave a comment here with your favorite item.

2. Visit the Cozy Noggin Facebook Page and leave a comment here that you have become a fan.

3. If you haven't already, become a follower the Made in Vermont Etsy Street Team Blog, and fan of the Vermont Etsy Street Team Facebook page. Leave a comment here telling me that you have done so.

While it is not required it is highly recommended to do all three to increase your chances, each comment will be a separate entry into the giveaway and you will be in the loop with both Cozy Noggin & the Vermont Etsy Street Team!

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on this blog at midnight on Sunday, April 10th! Best of Luck!

Friday Finds 2/4: My Funky Valentine

Here are some fun and funky ways to treat yourself and your loved ones this Valentine's day!

This set of 8 funky magnets are attached to Valentine's cards that let your Valentine know they are "GR8" or that they make you :). There are 2 of each color: pink, blue, green, and red and all of them are neat-o! Perfect for giving out as treats to your child's friends...or child-at-heart friends!

By: Funky Dreams Studio
http://www.etsy.com/shop/funkydreamsartstudio

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65162298/valentines-robot-handmade-glass-magnets

Be a hip cat and send your Valentines in these handmade cat envelopes. Meow!
Size of envelopes : Approx 3.25 in length x 3.25 in width
Quantity : 4 pcs
Size of seals : 1 in diameter
Quantity : 8 pcs

By: Upcycle Recycle Reuse
http://www.etsy.com/shop/UpcycleRecycleReuse

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56668084/classic-cat-handmade-envelopes-black-and?ref=v1_other_2

Show your cat some love with a fabulously-funky toy filled with organic catnip! This heart is made from pink, light teal and white fleece. It is stuffed with potent organic catnip, two bells encased in fleece, and fiberfill. It measures approximately 4" high and 3 3/4" wide at the widest point. Your purring pal is sure to be pleased!

By: All About Cats
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllAboutCats
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66373398/valentines-day-heart-organic-catnip-cat

Instead of flowers, give something lasting and just as beautiful: this Barnacle Plant Basket! Hand crocheted with surgical stainless steel and jewel tones of blue copper, this plant basket makes a unique and fabulous gift that will last forever!
measures approx. 3" ( 7.62 cm) wide X 3.5" (8.89 cm) tall.

By: Two Beans
http://www.etsy.com/shop/twobeans
http://www.etsy.com/listing/34411898/barnacle-plant-basket

Show your love with some gorgeous and snuggly handpainted yarn! There is 178 yards of beautiful wool to give as a gift to your favorite knitter, or to knit a gift for your favorite Valentine! This is Falkland wool handpainted with Greener Shades natural dyes, so not only is it beautiful but it is humane and natural too!

By: The Spun Monkey
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thespunmonkey
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64826003/winterberry-handspun-yarn

Let someone know they are the Queen of Hearts with this unique handcrafted pendant! Approximately 1" x 3" in size, it hangs from a small gage ball chain which can be worn or hung on a wall as a reminder of who rules the castle! Comes in a sweet handsewn linen bag with tie strings, perfect for gifting!

By: Roots Of Glass
http://www.etsy.com/shop/rootsofglass
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65312598/betwixt-the-glass?ref=v1_other_2

Featured Shop - Amanda May

I am really happy to show off fellow MIVEST member Amanda May of Burlington. I first met Amanda two years ago at Studio STK--and was amazed at how many little pots she had her fingers in! Here's a quick bio--in her own words: "A practicing artist all my life, I enjoy working with fiber, with many varieties of paint, with soft and hard sculpture, and in graphics - from papermaking and pen and ink to web site design and digital editing." Yikes! I'm amazed she has time to go grocery shopping!

Not only will you find original paintings in Amanda's etsy shop, but also needle-felted dolls (with handmade clothes!) and prints of her sweet illustrations. A few of my favorites are below:

This painting--Pearls Abstraction--might be a bit out of my price range for holiday gift-giving, but is absolutely something that could hand with ease in my super-casual thrift store chic living room, or my grandfather's serious art-collector den. Ahh, someday...

This little one just jumped right out at me...or maybe won her way into my thoughts with those big blue eyes. Little Country Girl has a bit of soul, I think.


Alright, I admit it. I have a thing for paper. The only reason these cuties are not in my hands yet? No money in the paypal account. Amanda's Paper Doll Postcards are a great (and super-affordable!) way to bring original art into your home--or mail them to your friends!

But seriously, if you haven't seen Amanda's shop yet, go now! It's truly inspiring that one person can make so much--and in so many mediums--with only two hands. Amanda says that she updates her shop regularly, so don't forget to check back. And in the meantime, read her blog to find out more about her process!

Vermont Honeybee ~ MIVEST Buzzing With Excitement Challenge

I'm posting this a day early as a reminder that it is now time to start posting your MIVEST May Challenge. Remember to put "Vermont Honeybee" in your tags when you post them on Etsy. If you are not comfortable with posting the item on the group blog just simply send me a private message with the link to your entry and any details you would like to have shared on the blog about the listing and I'll be happy to post it for you. As soon as I have 12 entries I will snag a treasury to show off our Vermont talent.

I actually cheated and posted my Vermont Honeybee entry last week while I was on vacation.

Let the fun begin!

Farming for baby booties

Ok, so you cannot exactly grow baby booties from that ground like a farmer, but don't these look oh so warm, soft and adorable? Then check out moonlightllamas on Etsy! She has been a proud llama owner and creator of llama products, to support my llama habit, since 1990.

The fiber for these booties came from a llama named Java Jack (there is even a picture of him listed with these baby booties). The cuffs are hand knit from Frog Tree alpaca in dark pink. Warm and soft, kids just love to have them on their feet and look into those eyes. These are 3 and 1/2 inches long, generally new born to 6 months, and cost $26. She can make larger ones for 6-18 mos. for $30 and has many different color options for the cuffs. The felt is always natural colored llama fiber.

You can also my llama felting fiber, make your own felted hat kits and the most adorable little teddy bears made out of an old mink stole. Not to mention the fabulous felted soap bars that are a freshener and loofah all in one!

craftyinVT Offers Ocean Jasper Necklace

This Ocean Jasper Necklace is just one of the beautiful pieces of jewelry offered in the craftyinVT Etsy store. They also offer knit items and knitting supplies.

Opened in September of 2007, craftynVT is run by a busy lady who works on crafts in her spare time. Heather has a firm belief in small businesses and entrepreneurs. Because of this strong conviction, most of the materials used in her craft are purchased at local craft stores throughout Vermont or other Etsy members. In spite of her busy schedule, she is willing to accomodate custom order requests.

Heather, if you wouldn't mind doing a short write up about another artist from our group within a week that would great!


written by
Linda W.
Spotted Cow Soaps

Fuglies

"So Freakishly Ugly...You Can't Help But Love Them"
This Cupcake Hat is for all those cupcake lovers out there. It is just one of the great items available from Fuglies and claims to be the best kind of cupcake to have because it is fun and they contain no calories. Each hat is custom made to order so you can pick your own colors. If you think this hat is cute you really must check out their Hostess Cupcake Hat.

The owner of Fuglies states in her store "My items are intended to be "ugly" and make a definite "fashion statement". These pieces are all handmade, and sturdy enough to wear. I enjoy finding inventive and unique ways to make them look one of a kind and adorably "ugly".
So, go ahead....Get ugly!"

Kerri, if you wouldn't mind doing a short write up about another artist from our group within a week that would great!

Linda W.
Spotted Cow Soaps

Snowy Love from Twin Birch Bath & Body

Like everyone else in Vermont, I woke up to the shocking sight of a late March snowfall in progress! It's hard to imagine that we'll be enjoying green grass and warm breezes anytime soon, but we will!
In spite of the snow, this week's favorite pick is our Tingle Pedicure Kit. Tingle is the name because of the cooling, soothing properties that these treats bring to the party! It's made up of 3 great products to get your peds back in the groove. Enjoy 4 oz each of Tingle Fabulous Foot Soak and Tingle Fabulous Foot Scrub and 2 oz of Tingle Fabulous Foot Lotion! Your kit also includes adorable Pedi Flip Flops, a cute Foot Brush, and even Toe Spacers so you can polish up!
This is perfect for Bridesmaids, a Bride to be, Moms, Sisters, Nieces, Girlfriends! It's a great treat for their feet! Click here to view on Etsy.

So let's all get ready for Spring, Sun & Flip Flops! Those days are coming!