Monday, December 22, 2008

Last Blog Post and Amy Feature of 2008!

Christmas shopping done - check!
Christmas sewing done - check!
Christmas wrapping done - almost!
Last blog post of 2008 written - you're reading it!
Last Amy teammate to feature this year - read on!

Amy Sews

Fellow Amy and fellow sewer, Amy of Amy Sews can sew anything! She amazes me with her skills. In her shop you'll find colorful, quilted blankets, cuddly bears, super cute bags and darling hair poppers, but she also makes clothing for women and girls, and bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses and costumes. I am in awe! You can see more of her sewing talents at her myspace page.

Amy is a stay at home mom of 2, and right now is doing it all on her own as her husband is deployed and serving our country (thank you!!!).

I love this Mama Bear in her shop. I'm getting the hang of girly things now that I have a daughter, and I think this adorably sweet pink and green bear would make any little girl smile.

While you are checking out Amy's shop, grab up some halloween hair poppers for next year - they are on sale now!

Ready for a relaxing two week break - check! See you in the new year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Many blessings in 2009! Amy

Another Amys Treasury

Wow! Another fab Amys treasury. This one from AlsoAmy.


Happy clicking!!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Amys in the Arts Exposed!

Check out the beautiful treasury by VickiDianeDesigns exposing the Amys in the Arts Team!!!



Go click while you can!!!

Happy Sunday! Amy

Friday, December 19, 2008

A New Featured Amy

PetiteAmi: Everyday Whimsy!

This week I'm featuring incredible artist Amy Mottola from Petite Ami. She's a multi-talented lady, and you'll see that in her shop. Amy is student teaching right now, and in all that spare time we know teachers have, she is still able to create these beautiful pieces. Her latest series of work has centered around the Saints, but the renderings are populated by animals rather than humans - like this one - quite interesting and inspiring. Amy lives in NY, and is also a member of the NY Hudson Valley Street Team. In her shop you'll find anything from etchings and deeply colored paintings to knit and crocheted items.


My favorite item in her shop is this Sleeping Wolf charcoal drawing! Right now I could use a little more sleep in my life, and this guy looks so peaceful and rested. I love that his fur looks so soft in 2D - such beauty!

Amy's artwork would bring holiday joy to any art lover this season - check out her shop!

Find Amy and her work at: petiteami.etsy.com and art = life

Happy Friday! Amy

Meet Team Leader Krystal Saturday Afternoon

My fearless CAB Team leader, Krystal of Sol Sisters, will be interviewed live tomorrow on Blockhead Radio Artisan Teams and Groups Show! Please come listen and chat during the interview.

When: Sat. Dec. 20, 1pm EST
Where: blockheadradio.com

You'll need to set up a username with the site - this is free.

Monday, December 15, 2008

SewArtsy Bags 25% Off This Week!

Thank you to all my wonderful customers for supporting SewArtsy this year!!!

In appreciation to you, and to new end-of-year customers, I'm offering 25% off any item in the bag category of my etsy shop, December 15-20, 2008! Hope you'll take advantage! Free shipping also still in effect through the 20th.

Take a look, and pick your favorite!

















Happy Monday! Amy

Friday, December 12, 2008

This Week's Featured Amy

amybean: comfy AND cozy


You've got to check out Amy's shop to believe it - incredible plush items for the adventurous in spirit! Wonderfully detailed plush robots inhabit Amy's shop. Showing the softer side of the robot nation, her new series finds them in their pajamas of all things! I am partcularly drawn to the beefy bods of the Lucha Robots, myself. This talented artist displays her love of lucha, her fasination with cryptozoology, and her skill at all things plush. I love the way she turns her "seemingly" everyday iems into artistic presentations in the way she presents her scarves and hats in her shop. It's like a gift right there on the screen!


I always love to hear the latest stories about mysterious cryptid sightings, so my favorite items in her store are the BigfootZ(tm) Doll and the Bigfoot Sighting Onsie!






















Find Amy and her work at: amybean.etsy.com, cozy rampage, cozy robot, and the needle. Check her out!

Happy Friday! Amy

Help Save Handmade Toys and the Artists Who Make Them

Due to the stringent regulations put on all manufacturers of any items for children 12 and under (including toys, clothing, accessories, room decor, etc) by the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, artists and small business owners who make handmade products for that age group in the US will be going out of business early next year.

Check out a great post on what's happening at Cool Mom Picks.

If you'd like to help out, send this letter to both your Congressman and Senator. You can also send the same letter directly to the CPSC.

Also, don't forget to sign the petition to save handmade kids items!!

Please help spread the word, and do your part to save small businesses of handmade kids items. Together we can make a change!

Happy Friday! Amy

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Thinking of Others at Christmastime

Want to do something with a huge impact this Christmastime? How about helping out those in need!

Recently I received an incredible catalog of new ways I could help out Bethany Christian Services, those affected by crisis pregnancies, orphans, and families in need around the world. In this catalog there are descriptions of ways you can help out the birthparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and counselors and administration of this fabulous ministry in the US. There are also opportunities to give to their international services, as well as to a fabulous sponsorship program called the Extra Mile Fund. You can see the entire catalog online, here.

Some other ways to help out brothers and sisters around the world:
Heifer.org: donate an animal to a family as a means of agricultural learning and self-reliance.

IRC: choose to give a gift basket and help refugees realize the journey "from harm to home" with good health practices, educational resources, safety supplies, items for the home and vocational training.

Free Rice: The easiest thing in the world to do on a daily basis, and work on your vocabulary skills at the same time! Keep clicking to keep feeding!

Your small gift will make a big difference in the lives of others!

Happy Thursday! Amy

Monday, December 8, 2008

SewArtsy Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Jingle for winning the Life is Like Champagne SewArtsy Giveaway. She won a free zip top pouch from SewArtsy!

She has a great blog of her own - check it out here!

Happy Monday! Amy

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Thursday's Featured Amy - Amy Singley

Another feature of my Amy teammates this week!

Adorn By Amy Singley: custom aritsan jewelry

Oh, what fun and gorgeous jewelry! And what an amazing lady! Adorn By Amy Singley's shop is saturated with incredible color and unique detail. It's just like a candy shop where you want to grab up every last morsel! Each beautiful bead full of color. Each design exquisitely unique.

Amy lives in Tennessee, and is a breast cancer survivor. It was during her period of surgery and chemo 5 years ago that she learned to love beading. Her first design was called "Survivor" as a reminder of strength, courage and hope! My favorite item of Amy's is the pair of Kyoto earrings. I love the curve of the hook and the beauty of the bead. They are darling, and understatedly glamorous! In her shop you'll find necklaces, earrings and bracelets. She also has a selection of sale items you won't want to miss.

Check out Amy's store today! AdornByAmySingley.Etsy.com

Happy Thursday! Amy

Monday, December 1, 2008

Monday's Featured Amy

ARE Jewellery, handmade bead accessories

We all need a little sparkle, no matter what time of year it is. I love the sophisticated, yet textrual and artsy look of Amy's pieces. I'd wear her unique designs from day to evening, and always feel I was wearing the right stuff. Her mixture of bead sizes, shapes and hues add interest and flair, and are pieces you will sparkle in!

Amy hails from Leicestershire England. She strives to find beautiful beads of glass, semi-precious stones and crystals to make thoroughly wearable items. Amy is a fellow Amy in the Arts, and also participates in the Etsy Midlanders Street Team.

My favorite item is the Pretty in Purple Necklace. My birthstone is the amathyst, so I'm always drawn to purple jewelry. I love the smoky quality of the beads, and the mixture of the different shades - and, of course, that gorgeous tear drop commands my attention! Check out Amy's shop today! She's offering free shipping until the end of Monday, December 1 - you won't want to miss it!

AREJewellery.Etsy.com and AREHandmadejewellery.Blogspot.com

Happy Monday! Amy

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Happy Advent!

In an effort to keep the family Christ-centered this Advent season, I want to make sure each day until Christmas is filled with fun, meaningful things to do with the kids - activities that will remind us of the true Christmas story, and keep us all others-focused.

Finding ideas to do this I had to look no further than other Etsians and Bloggers! My two favorites were:

We Are That Family Blog

CopyCrafts Advent Calendar



I'll be taking it day by day, and if I come up with any ideas that work incredibly well, I'll post about it!

May you be blessed this Advent season! Amy

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

I hope your Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of family and friendships this year!

If you are planning on shopping online this weekend, don't forget Holiday EtsyFest 2008.

Personally, I will be offering free shipping on all purchases, and 10% off your entire order when you order 3 or more items (at both SewArtsy and SewArtsyBethany!) starting Thursday, November 27 - that's Thanksgiving Day - through Monday, December 1.

Check out other wonderful Etsy shops participating in this sale at http://heatherknitzgiveaways.blogspot.com

The shops are categorized for easier browsing depending on who's on your list this year!

Take some time to consider handmade items this holiday season,

Happy Thanksgiving! Amy

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thursday's Featured Amy

This week I feature a new Amy teammate:

AmyLiz of A Main Collection and A Market Collection!

Holiday happiness, here we come!

Are you looking for just the right holiday accents for your home? Are you ready for the turkey, snowman and Santa invasion! Take a gander at what AmyLiz has to offer you. This creative lady has made some fabulous items that are just waiting to deck your halls, your tree, your gifts - you name it! You'll find lots of felt candle mats and ornaments meticulously embellished in all sorts of designs to tickle your fancy, paper items to adorn your gifts, and stitched items you're just sure to want to grab up!

Amy's been in business almost 20 years, and has been crafting in some fashion since she was a child. She's a stay at home mom of two teenagers, has a very supportive husband, and two Etsy shops - her favorite place to sell online!

My favorite item right now has to be A Glimpse of Autumn Gift Tags. I adore brown and blue together, and the felt flowers attached to the gift tags are a sweet and unexpected detail. AmyLiz is having a sale this week, so make sure you grab what you want while you can, and then keep checking back to see what's in store!

AmyLiz.Etsy.com
AMarketCollection.Etsy.com
AMainCollection.com

Happy Thursday! Amy

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Holiday EtsyFest Participants

Want to find out who's participating in Holiday EtsyFest? You can find all of the vendors here. If you're looking for just bags and totes, click here. That's where you'll find SewArtsy and SewArtsyBethany! Please check out all of the wonderful vendors excited about offering you fabulous deals from Thanksgiving Thursday through the first of December!

Happy Wednesday! Amy

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Kreative Blogger Award

I received an award from fellow blogger Happy at Home from Life is Like Champagne! It is my first:


I'm passing on the love to those listed below. Here are the rules for this one:
1. Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you’ve posted your award.
2. Publish these rules.
3. Share 6 values that are important to you and 6 things you do not support.
4. Grant the prize to 6 people.

Here are mine:
Six important values/beliefs:
1. to show Christ in all I do
2. to serve my family
3. to be a loving and loyal friend
4. to treat everyone with respect
5. to always show kindness
6. to not judge others based on race, gender, social or economic circumstances
Six values/beliefs I do not support:
1. Arrogance
2. Talking over one another
3. Hateful words
4. Not keeping ones word
5. Impatience
6. Lack of respect for the human race

And here are the Six (OK I did 7!) bloggers I pass it on to, all from Amys in the Arts!
1. Amy Lucid Jewelry Designs
2. Amy Rehnae
3. ARE Handmade Jewellery
4. art=life
5. Handmade Shop Talk by AlwaysAmy
6. In the Night Kitchen
7. The Recycled Jeans Co

Have fun checking out their blogs!

Happy Tuesday! Amy

Monday, November 17, 2008

SewArtsy Giveaway!

Please head over to Life Is Like Champagne, and check out the SewArtsy giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment stating which SewArtsy product is your favorite to enter. [Comment at lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com, not here]

If you'd like more chances to win, subscribe to Robin's blog, and/or post on your blog about the giveaway - it's that easy!!

Happy Monday! Amy

Friday, November 14, 2008

Holiday EtsyFest!


Can't find the time to hit your local craft shows? Want to get great deals from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday, but don't want to leave your home?

Check out Holiday EtsyFest (Nov. 27 through Dec. 1) where you'll find participating shops with the tag "Thanksgiving_Sale". Each shop will have their own sales and discounts, so read their shop announcements to find your savings! My shops, SewArtsy and SewArtsyBethany, will boast continued free shipping (through Dec. 20) as well as 10% off your entire order when you buy 3 or more items!

If you have an Etsy shop and would like to be a part of Holiday EtsyFest, sign up here!

Happy Friday! Amy

PS - graphic above graciously designed by the fabulous artist softpencil!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Carried Away: "Promote a Sister"




Today my Carried Away Team members are promoting each other, and I couldn't miss this opportunity to sing a team member's praises!

Just check out Rebecca Accessories over at Etsy! She has not only fabulous bags, but also eco-friendly Scotty Dogs, key chains, and holiday pillows, that are way cute. Her Sea Moss Green Lambskin leather Overgrown Clutch is glamorous and rich, and so expertly made. You can't beat the hand cut floral detail. Hop on over and check out her store today!

Check out other team member's blogs for other promotions here.

Happy Thursday! Amy

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Election Day Baby!

We are so excited! Our birthmom gave birth yesterday! So we have an election day baby, and we'll be bringing her home from the hospital tomorrow.

Baby "Shiny", as our oldest son nicknamed her long before we knew she even existed, will meet her big brothers, and one overly-loving lab/chow, as well as two of her grandparents, and whoever else pops over to the house tomorrow. What a day it will be! We can't wait!

More on baby "Shiny" as the days go on...

Happy Wednesday! Amy

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Go Vote!

Please don't forget to get out and vote today!

Don't know where your polling place is? Find out here.

Happy Election Day! Amy

Monday, November 3, 2008

Honoring My Kids' Birthmoms

It's November, and in honor of my kids' birthmoms this is the time of year I start preparing to write letters and send photos that will hopefully be received by them in time for the holidays. These amazing women have given me and my husband the most amazing gifts, and we try to do everything we can to let them know that the boys are healthy, happy, thriving, and barrelling toward the potential they hoped for these babies as they released their little ones into our arms.

In honor of my kiddos, and November being National Adoption Awareness Month, I have opened a new shop on Etsy: SABethany. Until now I have been using my SewArtsy shop to sell Hair Clippy Caddies, Baby Burpee Sets, and Baby Bundles alongside of the purses and fashion accessories. From these sales I have donated 10% of their price to Bethany Christian Services. Now I've opened SABethany to sell these items, as well as others that are baby- and kid-related, and have decided to bump up my donation to 25%. This new shop will allow me to sew more items that may not be so "fashion" oriented, but still have the great quality and style that you expect from SewArtsy products!

Please check out both of my shops regularly to see what new items pop up!

Happy Monday! Amy

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Back Into the Amy Swing!

Back into the swing of things, I offer you the next featured Amy:

Think kitsch and harajuku, think fabulous and unique - think Wonderland Boutique

Looking for colorful fabulousness this season? Take a journey through the Etsy looking glass into Wonderland Boutique! Bold, vivid prints meet ribbons and bows. There's flair in every detail on Amy's totes and coin purses - you'll love 'em!

Amy is a new member of the Amys in the Arts Team, and has been on Etsy for only a few months. She adds a bit of love to each handcrafted accessory. I love her mixture of color and print, and the little additions like buttons and charms that make her items so eyecatching. Each piece has a truly original look. Check out her shop, and browse through the lush images of bags and accessories you'll definitely want to use day after day to bring yourself a bit of sunshine. Amy looks forward to making uniquely-yours, custom totes in whatever size, style and look you're going for - contact her today! And keep an eye on this talented seamstress in the future to see what else she brings to the world!

Personally, I adore the Liquorice Delish Mini Tote. I love allsorts, and carrying this tote would just make me smile from ear to ear. Having one of Amy's matching coin purses to accompany it would keep me very happy! If you're looking for an outstanding, stand-out bag, then this is your shop.

WonderlandBoutique.Etsy.Com - Spread the Wonderland word.

Happy Thursday! Amy

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Great Blog to Check Out Daily

I was recently contacted by Robin of Life Is Like Champagne to participate in a giveaway. After checking out her blog, I immediately agreed to the giveaway, and was also immediately hooked on her blog! Everyday you'll find some new, great product and shop to explore, as well as a special nugget from her daily life.

On her blog today, you can enter to win a Teensy Case from Cascade Lemonade! And check out Life Is Like Champagne on November 17th for your chance to win your choice of one of my zip top bags or drawstring handbags!

I know once you start entering Robin's giveaways you won't be able to stop! Check it out today!

Happy Wednesday! Amy

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Button Zipper Pull

I thought I'd share something new with you today. For months I've been trying to come up with a good-looking and durable, but inexpensive zipper pull I can use on my purses with zipper closures. In the past I have attached a split ring and a charm. This worked great, but I couldn't decide on one particular charm that I could use repeatedly that would be identifiable with SewArtsy. I tried beaded zipper pulls, but I'm terrible at beading, and I don't want to spend the money outsourcing zipper pulls.

I noticed a couple of days ago that the covered buttons I was making fit perfectly between thumb and finger (I mostly use the 3/4 and 7/8 inch size, but they come in a variety of sizes), and if I could figure out a way to attach them securely to the zipper they would always coordinate perfectly with the purse I was working on. Here's what I came up with, and lo and behold it worked!

What you'll need:
*fabric
*covered-button assembly in desired size
*coordinating cording in desired length, 1/8" width fits through the hole in a Coats and Clark zipper

Step 1: Cut fabric twice the size of the finished button.







Step 2: Place fabric right side down over the button maker and then put the button face down on top of that. Push both pieces into button maker using the "pusher" (blue part). I trimmed my fabric just a tad to reduce a bit of the bulk.

Step 3: Cut cording to desired length and slip through hole in zipper - long enough to fit into button housing, but not so long that it has too much give once the button is done. Play with it and find the best length to suit you. (Mine was just over 2")

Step 4: Gather the two ends of the cording and lay them on top of the button maker. Place button backing on top.




Step 5: Press down firmly with the "pusher". Push as hard as you can until you clearly hear it go into the back of the button (the cording adds bulk to the back of the button, so you really need to push hard to make sure the back goes all the way in and the back won't pop off after removing the button).


Step 6: Pop the finished button out of the button maker, and voila, your perfectly coordinated zipper pull.






You can do this step before or after sewing in your zipper. And it will work on any zipper - try adding one to your child's windbreaker - it will make zipping up a jacket easier and much more fun! Have fun trying it out!

Happy Tuesday! Amy