Purses and Wallet

 

Blue toned fabric purse

     I think that this blue toned purse is really cute and cheerful.  I am biased though because this is one of my creations. It is lined with a dark tan color, and has two interior pockets as well as two outer pockets to store all sorts of things.  I made it using a McCalls pattern that I really like.  I want to make another one in black and white!  Visit me at: AgapeLiving  Or find this purse at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59389034/blue-fabric-purse-uniquely-you-from-the

cute fabric wallet

     I found this wallet by MidnightFly at http://www.etsy.com/listing/50555267/soft-wallet  I like the simple look of the wallet that holds whatever cards and cash you need to take with you.  

Black up-cycled purse

   Because I like recycling, reducing and reusing (as any true Oregonian does) I chose to include this up-cycled black purse from OregonLynne in this posting.   I just love the creativity of turning a leather jacket into this purse.  Find it here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/73204295/clearance-priced-handmade-from-a-black

Hats for Baby Girls

I am a new auntie as of last week, and it has made me very excited both to make things for baby and to buy things for baby.  I found tons of really cute hats to both keep baby warm but also make her fashionable! 

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/71140539/soft-sweet-bow-hat-choose-your-colors

I love that you can get any color you want from MadeWithHeartbyEmily.  This shop is based in Portland, OR. 

Plus who doesn't love a gorgeous baby in the picture!

This is a gorgeous scalloped hat with an adorable double layer pink flower.  In the listing it comes with a matching diaper cover!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71406906/diaper-cover-and-hat-for-newborn-to-12

This shop is also based in Portland, OR.  Shop title is lilianda

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62519338/3-piece-design-your-own-baby-gown-set 

This set is made by mamarunswithscissors also in Portland, OR

I love the idea of leggings!  And this stripy set matches leggings to hat.  There are lots of other hats and leggings from this shop for both boys and girls.

Waldorf Dolls

I was exploring around Etsy and noticed several people selling Waldorf dolls.  Now, I've heard of Waldorf school's but didn't know what a Waldorf doll was.  According to Wikipedia, a Waldorf doll is a very simplistic doll, also called a Steiner doll. They have eyes and a very small mouth with a hint of a nose. 

After looking at a lot of people's descriptions and wikipedia I've come to realize that they are designed to be simplistic to enhance imagination, rather than simply going back to a simpler time.  They are very floppy so that they can be held in a pose or change their posture very easily.  The minimalized facial features allow children to project every kind of emotion onto the doll rather than trying to pretend the doll is sad when there is a huge smile plastered on the dolls face (like a barbie doll).  With all of the TV children watch these days, and the very sexualized dolls you can buy in the stores I believe that the Waldorf dolls are a very good idea.  

Below are two sellers of Waldorf dolls in Oregon, I'm sure that there are many more, but I didn't want this post to go on forever!

In Corvallis, Oregon
http://www.etsy.com/shop/peglee?ref=seller_info
I like this shop because of the varieties of age and ethnicities included in the dolls sold at the shop.  A mixture of these dolls will teach kids about equality. 

In Oregon, city unspecified
http://www.etsy.com/shop/reggiesdolls?ref=seller_info
I like the variety of clothing that is made for Waldorf dolls in this shop, the seller has lots of costumes and every day clothing sold separately from the dolls to use in everyday play.

Lions, Hedgehogs and Beavers? Oh my!

Leo the Lion

Mommy and Baby Hedgehogs

Benny Beaver

So, I have to say that I am in love with amigurumi critters.  These are just a few that I have made.  

I made Leo out of left over yarn from other projects! The pattern for Leo came from an inexpensive book ($4.95) by Lion Yarns.  Vanna's Choice: Easy Crochet Critters






The hedghogs I made from a pattern from Ana Paula Rimoli's book "Amigurumi World, Seriously Cute Crochet."  I love this book because it has the critters in multiple sizes that are, just as the title promises, seriously cute!





Benny Beaver I adapted from the book "Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy"  which I checked out from the public library!  I used a really soft alpaca wool blend yarn, I was going to sell him, but I might just keep this adorable little beaver for myself.   


Leo and the Hedgehogs can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AgapeLiving

Zillow Pillows

I love this Zillow Pillow.  It was made in Corvallis, Oregon by an Etsy seller with my same name so I had to start here.  I love the tree design adding some of Oregon's nature into home decorating in a creative way.  This pillow makes me want to sew and redecorate my own living space!

More of Mandy's work can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/zillows

Welcome

Crafting in Oregon is an exciting thing.   There are so many creative people in our state and I would like to share what I've seen.   I would also like to share what I've been doing and making in my own life.

I want to say that I have loved crafting for as long as I can remember. My mother started me sewing when I was seven or eight.  Then my grandmother taught me to crochet.  I picked up knitting, stamping and scrap booking somewhere along the way.  As I grew up, I thought I was alone in my love for crafting but as I progressed through college I found that many more people enjoyed the simple pleasures of crafting as well. 

About a year ago I discovered Etsy, I know that lots of people have a lot to say about Etsy, but I like that it has given me an outlet to sell what I've made for fun.  My goal is to make enough money to support my crafting habits.  My goal of this blog is to share what I've made but also to share cool things that I've seen made in Oregon.  I hope you enjoy.  Please feel free to add information, or to post comments.  Thank You