Hodgepodge

The theme for my post this month...

(Themes are for people who weren't up before the crack of dawn and didn't leave writing their blog post until the last possible minute. As that leaves me out, let's just call this what it is. Cheating.)  

...is about seeing what newbies our teammies have posted in the March 2013 "Show Us Your Creations" discussion thread...  

(Which is a great place to see some great new finds.)  

I love the great spring colors on these earrings:  

Chandelier Earrings by Sparkles-a-lot 2

I'm a sucker for bags. This one is too cute:

Backpack by Three Sisters Harvest

I love the rough-hewn quality of this men's bracelet:

Copper Bracelet by Texturz

What a stunning necklace: 

Raw Quartz Necklace by 443Jewelry

Another bright, fresh color in earrings: 

Polymer Clay Earrings by BobblesByCarol

A nice, understated choker:  

Saffron Henna Choker by Our Folk Life

And a subtle bracelet: 

Marina Sea Glass Leather Wrap Bracelet by GoldenPlumeJewelry

There's always a great mix in the new creations thread. Make sure to check it out.  

This post was contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs. Happy spring!  

Crafted Wedding Season

I don't know about you, but I am already in the midst of wedding season! I went to a wedding a week ago, I am attending one this Friday, I am in a wedding in May, my husband is in a wedding in June, he is marrying a couple in July and my brother is getting married in November!!!

No this is not normal for us! But it got me thinking...weddings are a lot different these days. Thankfully, for us crafters, more brides are adopting the look and feel of homemade for their wedding day.

For my cousin's wedding in May... we have been making brooch bouquets! I am also taking on 2 flower girl dresses, 2 ring bearer bow ties  6 fascinators, a birdcage veil, a garter and I am helping dream up some very cool centerpieces! Ok...now that I am seeing it all written out...I may have bitten off more than I chew:/ But I work well under pressure:)

I'll post pictures next week!

I have made up a treasury (of course in support of our team), consisting of a few items that represent a more homemade look to a wedding a day!

Wedding Treasury

Click on some items in the treasury, comment on it, share it and favorite it:)

In the comments below, tell us about some Etsy-fied or Pinterest induced weddings, that you have attended or created!

Garden Gifts For Mom

Yikes! Can you believe it's almost Mother's Day? Nothing seems more perfect for spring time gift-giving than gardeny things. Take a peek at some of my CCCOE favorites (click on any item and it will take you directly to the listing):

Spring Trends for Handcrafted in California

Contributed by Melissa Kojima - Artist in LA LA Land

Green and butterflies and kids clothing are the spring trends for handcrafted in California.  Here's a few of the handcrafted offerings from our talented CCCOE members.

Leather Wristlet

Porcelain Mini Bowls

Chevron Necklace

Green Butterfly Ring

Green and Red Felt Butterfly Hair Clip

Green Kitchen Towel, Set of 2

Girls Peasant Blouse

Love Bliss Shirt, Long Sleeve

Girls Birthday Tutu

Don't these handcrafted items make you want to get up and enjoy SPRING!

Wedding Paper!

I'm obsessed with both weddings and with lovely paper goods.  When I searched for both among CCCOE member shops, I was enthralled by the offerings, so I elected to share my findings!

Are you hosting a destination wedding?  Or perhaps your theme is travel-related?  

Hand-calligraphy envelopes for your big day!

I think these "Save the Date" vintage map stickers are just delightful!

Adorable personalized map + compass necklaces are perfect bridesmaids gifts!

Beach wedding?  Look no further.

Rustic, beachy-themed favor boxes with tags.

"Wish tree" tags in a lovely seashore theme.

Elegant seashell wedding invitations

Hmm, where can I find some good wedding banners...

Simple and sophisticated "Mr. & Mrs." chair banners

Okay, not paper, but a close cousin: a super sweet FABRIC banner!

"Photo Booth" banner sign

Or, you just need a good old-fashioned paper greeting.

GORGEOUS hand-embroidered card for your soon-to-be-wed friend.

"My HEART belongs to you."  Get it?!  ;)

Simply stunning vintage-style paper wedding scrapbook!

Whatever your theme or color scheme, you're covered in the wedding paper department with CCCOE!

Contributed by Emily of Anna Delores Photography, who is neither planning a wedding nor gifted in the crafts of calligraphy or letterpress.  :)

Carnival & Mardi Gras Inspiring CCCOE Creations

Contributed by Melissa Kojima of Artist in LA LA Land Shop

February 17th - 21st is carnival and Mardi Gras, so I thought I'd showcase some of the fun items that CCCOE members have created that draw inspiration from this wild and fun time of the year.  There were many to chose from.  Of course, green, purple and yellow are the colors for this festivity so I found fun products in those colors.  Enjoy!

Carnival Gloves & Collar by ohmay

Night at the Fun Fair Photograph by sonja

Colorful circus cupcake flags by Shasta Creations

Mardi Gras Masks Photograph by Barbara Gordon

Mardi Gras Bustle by TiarasTutus

Green & Purple Chandelier Earrings by An Astrid Endeavor

Purple Superhero Mask by Ravenwood Masks

Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers by Earth Cookie Creations

Spring Knits

It's spring. The weather has warmed up. It's time to put away all that winter gear. All those lovely knits. Wait a minute...

Just because it's gotten warmer doesn't mean that the knits have to go away. There are lovely knits that are perfect for this time of year.

Head-to-toe knits are a bit different for spring. For the head, a headband by Murielle Knitwear. And for the "toe" a pair of spats by EfiaFair.

Sweaters aren't out of the question either, as long as they are light and sleeveless. (These also transition into summer.) Like the mini dress from Peacefu1 or sleeveless knit top from Raghouse International.  

Knits don't have to mean clothing, though. You can find knit jewelry as well such as earrings from Zizi Rho Designs or a bangle bracelet (crocheted, but we are talking yarn and stitches, and crochet is basically a sister craft of knit anyway) by hooray4lala.

Knits can also house your necessary electronics. What better way to house your cell phone or mp3 player than in some knits such as those from Ohmay or susanneedlehands.  

Speaking of houses, spring is time for spring cleaning and...some decorating? How about a couple pillows like these from The Red Bungalow and Stitchy Impressions. (Yes, the second one is crocheted. But crochet is cool, too.)  

It's spring. It's time to pull out the knits. 

This post contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs. All pictures link back to their shops on etsy.com.