New in the Shop!

Here are a few new items I added to the shop today, and a few I will be listing later tonight or tomorrow. All are one of a kind or limited run and you can click the photos to take you to the listings.

Fiber Flower Necklace $25

Canary Bangle Bracelets $17

Vintage Tulip Earrings $16

Climbing Rose Earrings $16

Rosa Creeper Earrings $15 (will be listed tomorrow)

Rose Bowl Bracelet $22

Seven Seas Bangle Bracelets $18

Birdsong Earrings in blue $15

Birdsong Earrings in brown $15

Peach Spray Earrings $14 (will be listed tomorrow)

If you'd like one of the items shown here that is not currently for sale, just send me a message and I'll setup a listing for you - nicole@lillyella.com.

Be sure to check out this week's Spotlight on Flying Bird Botanicals below. Enter to win a gift certificate to the shop!

Spotlight: Flying Bird Botanicals

What a fabulous shop I have to share with you today! Flying Bird Botanicals is is a family run business focused on the health of our bodies and the health of our planet. Scout founded the company about 4 years ago and it has since been an evolution of ideas and products. You'll find everything from organic teas and wellness packages to medicinals and therapeutic body care products. They believe you can have wonderful, amazing, beautiful things and still care for the earth which is why all of their products are 100% natural, organic and they buy locally and fair trade whenever possible.

Read on to learn more about the talented woman behind this company, how she got her start and what she wants to learn next. You can also enter to win a Gift Certificate to her shop and find a discount offer to stock up on some holiday gifts!

Where are you from and currently reside?
I was born in Northern California and I now live with my family in Bellingham, Washington.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I started selling on Etsy in May of 2008... thanks to my sister (FreedomRainbow).

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
Flying Bird Botanicals is what I spend most of my time doing along with raising my son and soon, our new baby. I also teach classes and work with other mamas through midwifery. Outside of etsy you can find flying bird at local coffee shops and restaurants and in little shops locally around the country.

What, if any, formal training have you had in your craft?
I graduated from college with a B.S. in pre-med and health sciences which helps a lot in understanding what is going on in the body and how to relate to the body with herbs. I also apprenticed with local herbalists and specifically with linda quintana who owns a local store in town. I take courses in herbal studies when ever I can and love attending herbal conferences. I also just resently graduated from program studing midwifery.

Where did your shop name come from?
That could be a very long answer... lets just say I love birds and love to draw them as well.

What inspires you?
My family... Women becoming mothers... The natural world around me... Everything beautiful and everything not so beautiful :)

What do you like least about your craft?
Following recipes : ). Before I was an official business I could do things how ever I wanted. I have customers now who expect a specific product and I want to make sure they get what they are expecting... Although I do play a little too :)

Do you have any advice for other sellers on etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
Re-list often :) ... Also keep doing what you love. Don’t worry about what other people are doing in your related field. Just do what you want to do... People will find you.

Five Etsy Shops you love
FreedomRainbow
TwigandVine
DiscoMedusa

Littlesaplingtoys
paintingpixie

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
I have been a lot of cool places... That is really tough. I guess I would say the ruins in Mexico and Guatemala, as well as in Peru.

What is your favorite leisure time activity?
Hmmm... Cuddling with my babies. Walking in the woods and gardening.

What is the stupidest thing you have ever done?
That would be way to much for this interview :)

Share some of your favorite music
I just saw Ani Defranco last month... It was an amazing show!

What makes you angry?
Our government

What would you like to learn to do?
Everything! But I would like to get better at playing guitar.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you?
Actually I would say almost a 10... I’m getting there :)

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I am doing what I love and plan on doing for a long time. I have gotten some pretty big wholesale offers but I like just keeping it real with other small businesses... I would like to make a living but not a killing :). I enjoy teaching and would like to continue with that as well. I also love working with mothers and families and am excited to be working in the realms of childbirth.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Scout is offering one lucky winner a $15 Gift Certificate to Flying Bird Botanicals!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment with your favorite item from the shop and also what new products you would like to see from Flying Bird Botanicals.

You can enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:

Follow or subscribe to my blog

Twitter/Facebook/Blog about the giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

You have until Sunday, December 6 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner on Monday morning. Good luck!

SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

With such a variety of products in the shop, you're bound to find something for almost everyone on your gift list and Scout is offering $5 off any purchase of $25 or more when you mention 'lillyella' at checkout. Go stock up and cross a few names off that list!

Replicca Giveaway Winner!

A big thanks to Rebecca for being in the Spotlight last week and to all who stopped by to check out her interview and enter the giveaway!

Just a reminder, Rebecca is offering a special discount of 15% off on any one item in her shop now through December 5 when you mention 'lillyella' at checkout! How's that for a great Cyber Monday deal!

Now onto the giveaway winner!

Congratulations to ERIKA H! She loves the Cowl Top and would like to see a little pink in Rebecca's shop (me too, Erika!).

You can keep up with all the Replicca happenings by following Rebecca on Twitter and Facebook or joining her mailing list by emailing repliccaclothing@gmail.com.

Another awesome new Spotlight starts this afternoon - see you then!

Couture du Jour

Felted Wool Sweater sandmaiden $90

Reversible Bag annyandme $52

Gabriella Rocha Ginger Zappos $65

Womens Plus Low Rise Jeans Old Navy $36.50

Todays ensemble was created by Christina of Coffee and Cream ~

Click here to submit an outfit of your own for Couture de Jour!

Shop The Creative Gallery Today!

Hey local friends! I'm back at The Creative Gallery at First & Main in Hudson today. Stop out to say hello and pick up some handmade holiday gifts! Here are a few pics of my display and just a small sampling of other goodies you can find here today.

Here are the details:

The Creative Gallery

November 27 & 28, 9am - 6pm

First & Main

45 Village Way

Hudson, Ohio 44236

In the former Shoe Gallery

Free admission, free parking and lots of handmade goodness!

Couture du Jour: Fancy Friday

Ruched Satin Dress Spiegel $119

Gold Emma Earrings lotusjewelrystudio $45

Fahs Sandal Aldo $35

Sofia Clutch (Brown) Lord and Taylor $88

Today's ensemble was created by Sydney S., who is an awesome supporter of this blog and all things handmade!

Click here to submit an outfit of your own for Couture de Jour!

Six Things: Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Pumpkin Casserole baumanstoneware $74

2. Make a Wish Necklace crumpetcake $18

3. Silver and Snow Platter cottagefarm $34

4. Woodland Gravy Boat whitecatvintage $8

5. Pumpkin Pie Soy Candle miltonandmargies $7

6. Embroidered Towel atworkoncompanytime $10

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Slow Food in a Modern Kitchen

Hello again! Shawna of Pinkkiss Pottery here with a new edition of Slow Food in a Modern Kitchen. The last leaf is just about to flutter to the frosty ground and it’s now officially that time of year when the invites to holiday gatherings, work place celebrations and family dinners are starting to pile up.

Being a self-proclaimed cookie monster, my favorite part of this season is the parade of sugary, frosty little biscuits that parade themselves shamelessly around until January 1st when we replace all thought of these lovely buttery treats with leafy greens and shiny new gym memberships. Until then my friends, lets bask in the beautiful glow of a warm oven gently baking a golden brown crust on the first batch of sweet, gooey cookies.

Bake your own…



1. Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book. That’s right, they took the book you remember Mom using year after year and re-issued it so you can relive those tasty classics right in your very own kitchen. Complete with the original illustrations and 70’s style photography!
2. The Ultimate Cookie Book. This one has a whole chapter devoted to Chocolate Cookies!
3. Martha Stewart’s Cookies. My favorite by far with beautiful photography and a delicious range of simple classics and classy new favorites.

Serve in Style!

Clockwise from upper left

1. Santa’s Cookie Plate by jenny blasen pottery
2. Winding Branch Small Plate by me pottery
3. Beautiful Avocado depression glass celery tray by Remark
4. Grey Stripe Painted Serving Tray by afabulousfete

The next time you are invited to a gathering why not bring your hostess a plate of cookies on a lovely handmade or vintage tray for her to keep? What a great way to build a collection of lovely pottery or vintage milk glass plates. Or, surprise your child’s teachers with a lovely little ceramic dish like the ones above by Me Pottery filled with yummy cookies and the recipe card!

Don’t have time to bake?

Clockwise from upper left
1. Cinnamon and Sugar Pinwheel Snicker doodles by BlissCandies
2. Pumpkin Ginger Sandwich Cookies by whimsyandspice
3. Snowflakes Gift Box by cakeboxcookies
4. Organic Lemon-Ginger Macaroons by Emmys organics

If you don’t have time to bake, don’t let that stop you from splurging on some homemade goodies… even if they were made in another home! Thanks to the magic of the Internet and postal service you can have freshly baked cookies delivered right to your door. I tried the Pumpkin Sandwich cookies from Whimsy and Spice at a craft fair this fall, yum!

From my kitchen to yours…

I can’t seem to get enough of these sweet yet savory cookies this season. The bonus is that you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already, making them a snap to whip up!

Rosemary Walnut Shortbread Cookies with Lemony Glaze
Yield: about 2 dozen small cookies

Cookies:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp fine grain sea salt
1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup of sugar
Zest of one lemon
1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts
3 Tbs finely chopped fresh rosemary

Lemony Glaze:
1 cup of confectioner’s sugar
1-2 Tbs fresh lemon juice (from the zested lemon)
1/2 tsp Real Vanilla extract

Whisk flour and salt together in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl or stand mixer cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and zest, mix again. Add the flour mixture, nuts and rosemary and mix until combined.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into two disks, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour or until you need to make the cookies. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick slab using a floured rolling pin. Use a cookie cutter to cut various shapes from the dough and a thin spatula to transfer the cookies to a lined cookie sheet leaving about 1/2 inch between the cookies. This is delicate dough so if it gets hard to work with, just place it back in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes or until it’s easier to handle.

Bake the cookies in a 350° oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms just start to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to cool completely on a wire rack.

For the Glaze:
Whisk all ingredients together to form a thin glaze. Dip just the tops of the cooled cookie into the glaze and return to the wire rack until the glaze is dry and set. Store in an airtight container.

Variation: If you don’t have time to roll and cut cookies you can shape the dough into a log instead of disks and slice off cookies.

This recipe is adapted from one found on 101 Cookbooks, one of my favorite food blogs!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope I've inspired some holiday baking!

~ Shawna of Pinkkiss Pottery

Couture du Jour

Pierette Tunic Kcoline $499

Travel Bag valhallabrooklyn $295

Orchid Ring masaoms $100

Vintage Tall Boots renouveauclothing $49

Todays ensemble was created by Evelyn of Sumiko Shop ~

Click here to submit an outfit of your own for Couture de Jour!

My First Show!

For all of you in Northeast Ohio (or those who feel like driving to Northeast Ohio!), I'm doing my first show this Friday at First and Main in Hudson. If you are in the area, I hope you'll stop by to say hello and see my pieces in person! I'll have lots of new designs and one of a kind pieces with me as well.

Here's the details:

The Creative Gallery

November 27, 9am - 6pm

First & Main

45 Village Way

Hudson, Ohio 44236

In the former Shoe Gallery

Having only sold online thus far, I'm anxious to see how the show goes. Wish me luck! I'll fill you in next week on all the details and also share some photos of my table setup and the displays we crafted. I can't wait to meet some of you local friends!

Crafting: A Jewelry Display with Genevieve Gail

Hello Lillyella Readers! I'm Genevieve and I'll be helping out today since Nicole's computer has been less than cooperative lately! I thought I would share a quick and easy before/after for all of you jewelry makers out there needing display ideas for craft shows.

I found this metal tissue paper display a while back on clearance for around $20. I sprayed it with turquoise Krylon spray paint to brighten it up a bit. Then I measured the sign space on the front and created a new sign in Photoshop with my logo on it. After printing out the sign I covered it with contact paper to protect it from the elements (at outdoor craft shows you never know what the weather is going to be like and you don't want it to get ruined if it rains). There are little slits on the sides of the sign area so you can just slide it right in, and it comes out very easy for when you want to change it to something else.

So there you have it, easy peasy! I really like this display piece because it folds up flat for storage and the bars slant at an angle allowing the earrings to lay nicely and be viewed from far away.

I did some research online for you guys in case you want to make your own. Unfortunately I couldn't find any on clearance, but it looks like The Packaging Source and ULINE both carry tissue paper racks. Just keep your crafty eyes and mind open when you're out and about as you never know when you'll come across a hidden gem just begging to be repurposed!

Happy Crafting! ~ Genevieve