Friday Feature: Zachaliz!

Teddy Bear Leg Warmers by Zachaliz

As promised, here is a fabulous feature of artist Zacha, of Zachaliz on Etsy. Read on to learn more about her beautiful art...

My name is Zacha and although I had a difficult time choosing a name for my shop, intially selling vintage items only, when I decided to offer my own designs I changed it to my name.www.etsy.com/shop/zachaliz It was easier than trying to figure out something cute and quirky, I'm not very good at it :)
Right now I'm working on accessories. That includes hair accessories, bags and a line of leg warmers I did for kids this winter. But I enjoy offering pretty things for the home as well. 

Aged Muslin Scroll for Art and Craft Projects by Zachaliz

I've always been a creative soul, I think we all know this at a young age but how that translates into the rest of your life could be very different. For me I neglected it and tried to fight it. Eventhough I was encouraged in high school to go to art school I went to state college instead and graduated with a degree in Anthropology. It wasn't until I lost my job last year that I was able to reconnect with this part of myself. Since then I've studied costume design and taught myself how to sew. I couldn't be happier with where this new route has taken me. I'm enrolled in some fine art courses now, drawing and painting and working as a freelance costume designer. I'm always looking to expand what I know and continue to draw inspiration from other mediums. 
My favorite item in my shop right now... hmm... I love my chevron tote bag because I have one myself and use it everyday but I would have to say the muslin scrolls. Its something so simple but I was able to play with fabric in a way that wasn't constructing a wearable product. But I have found that my teddy bear leg warmers are a favorite of customers. These were sold at a local boutique and is the only other place I have sold my items other than my Etsy shop. 

Large Canvas Tote with Chevron by Zachaliz

I like to communicate with others mainly through my facebook page at :www.facebook.com/pages/Zachaliz/147745055328613February 3, 2012 I held my first game/contest. I think its a great way to interact with others. 
Supporting handmade and local businesses is very important to me. I hope that as my duaghter grows up and I continue to work on my craft that she is able to walk away knowing that was a big aspect of what I what I offer. I would love to some day be able to offer what I have learned and what I make in a boutique/studio in my little upstate NY town. 
Thanks so much for this opportunity!

There you have it, a great artist, with amazing items and great ideals. Please visit Zachaliz on Etsy today for beautiful handcrafted items.

Fabulous Friday: Special Deals for This Weekend Only!

This Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, join me in my Etsy store for great deals on your holiday shopping:

Buy 2 items - get 20% off
buy 3 items - get 30% off
buy 4 items - get 40% off

The more you buy, the more you save! As always, all purchases are gift wrapped and come with a free blank gift card. Purchases over $10 get a FREE surprise gift!
Hope to see you soon!

Fabulous Friday Feature: She's Batty Designs!

This week's Fabulous Friday Feature is a surprise...at least to the seller! This week I am featuring the fabulous gift card designer She's Batty Designs. You can find her on Etsy and ArtFire, and she has a great blog as well. See below for some more great items in her shops. This is the perfect way to make any gift (or just a card!) stand out from the sea of mass-produced, rather soulless cards. All of her cards are hand made by her and are very intelligently designed.
I love these snowmen cards, the pop up 'snow' really makes them stand out from the crowd. It is also great that they come in different colors - you could give the same card to 3 different people and they'll still look different!
These are just the cutest pumpkins ever! I thought about buying them just to put up in my office as art. Of course, they'll also make great little thank-you's or even place settings!
If gingerbread cookies had to look like cards, hands-down, they would choose to look like these. Aren't these the most delicious and cute-looking cards ever?? Genius, that's all I have to say.
This beautiful, dainty card is also a pop up! You'll have to visit her stores to see the rest of this very pretty card.

Please visit her and tell her I sent you! She is a great artist, so don't forget about her cards when you are doing your shopping :-)
She's Batty Designs on Etsy
She's Batty Designs on Artfire
She's Batty Designs Blog

That's all for now, tune in tomorrow for Sweet Saturday :-)

Melodious Monday: I Always Wanted a Horse...

~Hmmmm....This smells good...~

As a kid I rode horses and wanted one so badly - I even tried to say it would reduce my dad's grass cutting time by having it eat the grass. They said no. However, fast forward about 10 years (okay, maybe more) and hear I am, with a horse-dog.

~Oh Yeah! The perfect piece of Grass! Yummmm!~

She delights in eating grass. Oh sure, she eats it if she gets an upset stomach, but those are the long, old blades of grass. For every day eating, she prefers to walk carefully up and down the yard, hoping to find just "the right" piece of succulent fresh grass, which she will promptly devour. I find it hilarious. She finds it delicious. I should mention that I asked the vet about it, concerned that the incredibly expensive ($50+ per month!) food wasn't enough for her. The vet smiled and said no, she just likes to supplement her diet and finds it tasty and fun. I still find it hilarious.

~A Dragonfly after eating a mosquito - thanks Mr. Dragonfly!~

Here's a dragonfly resting on my deck. After one of the rainiest summers on record (I'm sorry Texas), the mosquitoes are going crazy, and that means (thank goodness!!) dragonflies!! We have thousands of them - big blue ones, little brown ones, grey ones, black ones, so many, all munching like crazy on the mosquitoes...thank you dragonflies!!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF MY 20% OFF SALE!! GET IN HERE WHILE YOU CAN!!

and Arwen