Go grab a cuppa and let's catch up....

So much has happened over the last month, I though I would take a couple of moments to catch up.

Firstly, congrats to Verity of Joie de Tea for winning my giveaway.  Her vintage book choice was The Philosophers Notebook and here is how it looks as a journal.

I think it turned out great and Verity was very happy too!!  I must say thank you to everyone who entered and especially those who now follow, like and twitter re:deem.

There was a mutual admiration week with Blog features, mine being on the lovely Samara from Maddabling you can read about her here.  And she in turn did a feature on me!!!  What an honour to be considered and as always Samara is very generous and kind.   You can find it here why not give Samara a little blog love while you're there.

re:deem has now expanded into a new line since I got my act together and put the discarded pages from my vintage books into use.  Even though most of my books have been rescued from becoming landfill or  from their 'sick book' status, I still could not bring myself to throw out the pages once they had been converted into journals.    There are so many lovely pieces that I have put together vintage ephemera packs and with the text and music started making layered paper posies.  There is nothing quite like the look and texture of vintage paper. I'm secretly obsessed with the posies they are going everywhere cards, parcels. Verity confided to me that she copied the one I gave her and used them as table decorations for her 'Christmas in July' party....wonderful!

I'm also investigating opening a new store....what????  The ethic behind re:deem is to use recycled, upcycled, and vintage elements. However, there are so any other things I want to explore that don't quite fit with this ethos. So, filled with enthusiasim and the confidence and knowledge I've picked up in my year on Etsy I've begun dreaming of a new store...somebody slap me....please. :)

On a personal note, I've completed and sent off all my documentation to apply for R.P.L. (recognised prior learning) on my course, fingers crossed it knocks off a big chunk.  Knuckling down to study this month has been hard I really did need to take a break between finishing work and starting study.

Our youngest turned 16...yikes.  I guess that makes me positively middle aged now that I have 3 adult children and only 1 child.  He only wanted XBox related gear but I did some window shopping on Etsy ...as you do, looking for what they have to offer a teenage boy.  Here's a few items I found....in case you have a teenage male that isn't XBox obsessed to buy for.

Need  I say more??? from queensspoof

And this tshirt for my mexican food loving son (It was his birthday meal request)

From the TheShirtDudes

And since he spends most of his time killing zombies i though he might need one of these.

from CraftieRobot

Virtual shopping is so much fun!!.  

Well enough chatting about me, what's going on in your world???

Crafters with Heart - Maddo (Maddabling)

Crafters with Heart is going to be a regular feature. The idea behind it is to spotlight crafters, their philanthropic passions and what that looks like in their world......<3

When it comes to spreading the love there's none better than Samara from Maddo - Maddabling.  I am starting this new feature on my Blog with Samara because not only did she kick me off with my first sale on Etsy but she has consistently gone out of her way to encourage fellow crafters with either her mad shopping skills or her enthusiastic promotional campaigns.  

Samara has a colourful and eclectic style with a touch of whimsy and romance.  You can feel the passion oozing out of every piece she makes from the arty photos the 'made with love' tag in the titles or the carefully selected song lyrics underscoring her descriptions.

This is Samara's story.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself

I work full time – creating is my sanity. I have a loving husband, creative friends and am “mum” to the sweetest pair of scallywags Keshi dog and Neko cat.

I love to cook, create, garden, read, adore listening to music, watching indie or foreign films and participate in the DUST team forum whenever I can.

2. What words would you use to describe your craft style

Eclectic, Unusual, Bold, Made with Love

 

3. What do you enjoy most about the creative process

Having an idea that consumes you, that you just have to make it right now because you are so impatient that you can’t wait to see how it turns out !

Oh and creating a lovely big mess hehehe !

4 How did Maddabling come to be?


Honestly, it just kind of happened. One day a friend said to me – you should do a market stall, so I did. Then I encouraged Del at DELiciousDesignz to open an ETSY store and she encouraged me to join the DUST team and to open my own store. I have many supportive and creative friends – I am self taught and found that people like what I create. I love being able to bring a little bit of joy in this crazy world through my creations.

5. Are there any causes, aid projects that you are passionate about and why

RSPCA - I feel very strongly about the work that the RSPCA do as they look after those creatures that are neglected, abused or abandoned that don’t have a voice of their own. They provide a second chance and new hope for all creatures great and small – a cliché I know but a fitting one. The job the RSPCA does not always have a happy ending and I have a great deal of respect for those involved as it must be absolutely heartbreaking at times.

6. Have you been involved in any causes/aid projects lately. And how were you involved

Around 12 months ago, we adopted a kitten from the RSPCA. He is very much a part of our family, spoiled rotten and well loved !

I have also been involved in a facebook charity auction for the Slammers Online Relay for Life Page which was raising funds for Cancer. I donated a custom pink themed kilt pin brooch and encouraged many others to donate/bid as well through my fanpage. 

7 If you could give 1 piece of advice to someone wanting to sell their craft what would it be.

Never ever give up ! Believe in yourself and what you do, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, be ready to learn new techniques and be ever evolving in your creative pursuits. Remember that you are unique and that each piece you create has a little piece of you in it – figuratively of course, not literally !

8 Ok this is Samara's top 5

Favourite music/band/singer

I really really love music – so it’s really really hard to narrow this down to just

One artist etc.

Music – anything from Trip Hop to Johnny Cash to Indie to World Music to

Hip Hop to Blues & Roots and everything in between

Band - currently – The Drums, Doves, Pink Floyd, Bank Holidays, The Pixies

Singer – currently Camille, Sally Seltman, Nick Cave,  Dave Mann, Sia

Favourite movie – currently it’s a split between My Lovely Bones, Whip It or Cashback. Of all time – Breakfast at Tiffanys or Donny Darko or Life of Brian

Favourite item in you wardrobe – any of my several pairs of I Love Billy Shoes or boots and anything that I have sourced from ETSY – there are sooooooh many things !

Favourite Blog

http://innocentgirl.wordpress.com/

http://totusmelswunderkammer.blogspot.com/

Favourite Etsy/craft shop.

My current favourites would have to be these etsy shops :

Juror2, redeemdesigns, LAGlass, DELiciousDesignz, Attiladesign, InnerEarthSoaps and NewEarthSoaps, LittleGallery

There are so so many more but I can’t list them all here !

I want to thank Samara for being my 1st Crafter with Heart I hope you have learned a little more about this lovely lady.  You can connect with Samara here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maddabling/235398891655

http://maddabling.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/maddo