The Spooky Season

Halloween is just two weeks away. Are you ready?

Check out this creepy doll from Olde Tyme Notions. Wouldn't it be perfect with your spooky decor?

20s Zombie French boudoir doll

Want to spookify your wardrobe? How about this spider necklace from Whimsicals?  

Halloween Spiders Lair Necklace

If you're more of a do-it-yourself-er, you could start with this inspiration kit from haileys bobbins...

Halloween---Inspiration Kit

This treat basket from such and sort altered would go perfectly on your mantle or as a centerpiece on your dining room table.

Rusty Shabby Halloweeny Treat Basket

Maybe you need a little pick-me-up just for yourself. I bet this soap from savor doesn't smell wicked (or maybe it does 😉)...

Whipped Soap Wicked

What's Halloween without some classic monsters? Frankenstein's monster from Indy & Cleo is sure to add a little something to your day.

FRANKENSTEIN Handmade Scrabble Tile Pendant

And what's more Halloween than a pirate skeleton from Salty Seas Studios? Not much, I'd wager.

Pirate Mason Jar Snowglobe

And make sure to check out the other Halloween offerings from the members of the team. There's sure to be something else to spook you. 

Much thanks to Annie from annie k designs for curating most of the items in this post.

MEET MISHELE OWNER OF INDY AND CLEO

Mishele Owner of Indy And Cleo

EST. April 2009

Located in Coto de Caza, California

The story of IndyAndCleo . . .

When I was a little girl, a handmade sock monkey was given to me as a gift. I fell in love. ❤

Many decades later, my beloved childhood friend sits, still smiling that sock monkey smile, and I am reminded of all the fun and delight we shared. 

Today my love continues. I have been inspired to follow my bliss, handcrafting my own lovable and quite huggable sock monkeys. Each sock monkey I create is truly a personal work of art, and colorful decorative stitching is part of my very own "signature sock monkey style". I enjoy creatively writing the mini bio for each monkey, which is included on the Adoption Certificate. Really now, who doesn’t love a sock monkey? Here's hoping they will provide a lifetime of hugs and happiness!

My husband John, is a Graphic Designer & Illustrator, with an avid interest in fine art, especially oils and watercolors. I have featured some of his art prints (my very personal favorites) here in the shop.

Visit his Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/LostCactusComicStrip and read his About page for details on the new book! Discover even more info at http://www.lostcactus.com ...this website is seriously outstanding!

By the way, the shop name (IndyAndCleo) is inspired by our love for two of the most loved dogs EVER! . . . Indiana Jones and Cleopatra. ❤ View and purchase their "pawsome" portraits here in the shop!

Indy ~ http://etsy.me/1U6cXkF Cleo ~ http://etsy.me/1sGcyyY

Of course, IndyAndCleo is filled with many delightful and charming handmade creations, therefore—

❝ All kinds of cool stuff... ❞ 

I hope to make you smile! 

Sock monkey hugs,

~ Mishele

Challenge Second Week Tallies, Continued

Who's been participating in the August Challenge? There's still time to join. The tallies for last week and the rules are here. This post is to show off all the newbies...

Petersite Statement Choker Necklace by Bead Fashion Designs

Labradorite Silver Earrings by Bead Fashion Designs

Green malachite lavender lampwork copper earrings by cserpent Designs

Quilted Rescue Dog Zippered Pouch by anniekdesigns

Quilted Rescue/Adopt Dog Zippered Pouch by anniekdesigns

Teal Sea Foam Sterling Earrings by NansGlam

Bluebird of Happiness Scrabble Pendant by IndyAndCleo

Challenge First Week Tallies

Have you joined the August Challenge? 

A few who undertook the challenge last week...

Winston the Sock Monkey by IndyAndCleo

Magenta and Orchid Floral Silk Scarf by OceanHandDyed

Hand Painted Silk Scarf in Turquoise and Burgundy by OceanAvenueSilks

Beaded Cuff by NansGlam

Friday vibes. #sockmonkey #photoshoot. Meet Winston. https://t.co/02B3WLewoU #etsy #handmade #smile #CCCOEchallenge pic.twitter.com/rHch3ZuxE6

— IndyAndCleo (@IndyAndCleo) July 30, 2016

So, current tallies:

• AnnieKDesigns: 50 points
• (shown in last week's post)
• IndyAndCleo: 50 points
• OceanAvenueSilks: 100 points
• NansGlam: 50 points

Are you participating and not represented in the tallies? Let us know you're playing. Post your link in the comments. Or tag your new item or your promotion of fellow teammies with #CCCOEchallenge.

Hellooo Out There

In an effort to find different shops to feature here, I thought I'd check the Team Check In thread to see who's still saying hello. And I found only eight of us have checked in for March.

via GIPHY

Hmmm...

Right, so that makes this really, really easy.

I do love the bling, and this necklace caught my eye...

Heliotrope Crystal Rivoli Necklace by Love Your Bling

As did this one. Pretty.

Brown Boulder Opal and Sterling Silver Necklace by cserpent designs

I don't wear too many bracelets, but this one just might need a second look...

Lapis Lazuli Freshwater Pearls Iolite Sterling Silver Bracelet by Falling Star Lane

If you're looking for a little art, look no further...

Lady B by Crystal Mist Cottages

Or how about a colorful sock monkey?

Handmade Sock Monkey Doll by Indy and Cleo

And since summer-type temperatures keep popping up, perhaps it's time for the summer-type attire...

Crochet Bikini Top by Chewsy By Design

That'll do it for me this week. Did you remember to check in? 

Sharing our Shops this Season

Etsy has a new social media tool called Share Your Shop. And some of us have started to do so. On Facebook...

Paper Bead wrap bracelets are ready to ship! #etsygifts #cccoe
Posted by Deep Blue Notion on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

On Instagram...

For your BFF...because they really truly are the best! 💖 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: #abmlifeiscolorful #abmhappylife #creativityfound #etsygifts #etsyusa #etsylove #etsyshop #etsyfinds #giftideas #handmade #handcrafted #homeinthestudio #loves_handmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #shopsmall #sockmonkey #socksofinstagram #calledtobecreative #craftsposure #etsyhandmade #etsyhunter #etsyfavorites #sockmonkeylove #colorful #bff #gift #smile #meetMaybel #cccoe 🐒 ...Link in profile... IndyAndCleo.etsy.com ✨

A photo posted by indyandcleo (@indyandcleo) on Dec 5, 2015 at 9:31am PST

And on Twitter...

Everybody's got their thing. Shop #EtsyGifts in my Etsy shop https://t.co/xRicDM0XMP @ZiziRho.

— Kim Depenbrok (@KD_Bridal) December 9, 2015

I've enjoyed playing with it myself...

Join us. And make sure to use the tag #CCCOE (and tag me too: @ZiziRho on both Twitter and Instagram).

The Dog Days of Summer

While trying to come up with a theme for this week's post, I Googled "dog days of summer". From Fact Monster, I got this answer:

Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun.

Which means they're just about over. So, to celebrate their end, I asked for dog-themed items from the team. (If you wish to be featured in one of these posts, keep an eye out for my announcements on the team message board.)

Victorian DOGS on sterling silver by Allie's Adornments

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Brooch Set by Indy & Cleo

Paw Print Pendant by Vision Quest

Love My Dog Squiggle Bookmark by cserpent designs

Ceramic Mug by Maid of Clay

Set of 3 Dog Potholders by annie k designs

Purple Pug Wallet by Emo Seal Creations

Designer Chihuahua dog bamboo knitting needles by Designs by Tami

Handmade Knit Wrist Cuff by ohmay

Modern orange and Wiener dog print toddler dress by 100 Acre Co

Break Out the Purple

February's birthstone...

Amethyst Bead Square Heishi Rondelle from Yay Beads!

...is amethyst. So, it's the perfect time to break out the purple...

Allie's Adornments says:

I used a large antique button from the 1890s to make this ring. It's called a "Gay 90's" button & was probably used as dramatic coat button.

1890s Antique BUTTON ring

Express Yourself says:

I used Faceted Amethyst and sparkle purple Swarovski is hand wrapped with fine silver wire and dangle from a lovely sterling silver heart.

Heart Earrings

Sparkles-a-lot2 says:

I used Chevron Amethyst Beads to as an enhancement to the lavender/green dyed pearls that tie together the green hand carved shell flower pendants!

Lariat Floating Bead Necklace

Indy & Cleo says:

This tiny brooch was created with an upcycled wood Scrabble tile, and artwork from an original oil painting of a beautiful Maui sunset. The artist? ...Painted by my very talented husband! ❤

Maui Sunset

Vintage Formal 1960s Dress from Kmalinka Vintage

And finally, from me, Zizi Rho Designs:

This is one of the first pattern stitches I ever learned, taught to me by the woman who taught me to knit, my great-grandmother. It's an easy stitch, but it makes a beautiful scarf...

Purple Openwork Scarf

 Do you like purple?

Stocking Stuffers

We've all heard it. Christmas is coming. And I know we all want to find that perfect gift. But we also like to find those cute little extras--the stocking stuffers...

Knit Christmas Trees by ohmay designs

Santa Claus Scrabble Tile by Indy & Cleo

Pink Polka Dotted Fingerless Gloves by annie k designs

Copper Spiral Wire-Wrapped Necklace by Poppy Johal Jewelry

Pearl Studs by NansGlam

Church Button Bookmark by Allie's Adornments

Ring Dish by BobblesByCarol

If none of these catch your fancy, make sure to check out the whole collection...

Stocking Stuffers curated by California Crafters Club Of Etsy - CCCOE on Etsy