Friday Feature with Threepetals

Tell us a little about yourself..

I am an artist....seeing that sentence written out like that still "gets me"! It's taken such a long time to allow my hand to write it! But it is easier now to accept it and squirm a bit under its weight, than to continue to justify why I could never use that label. I may never be a great artist, (and some days, not even a GOOD one), but I have to own up to it---artist....I'm an artist.

What do you make? How long have you been crafting?
I have been creating, for the sake of creation, my entire life, really. I was a quiet child, drawn to creative people, and effervescing with creative energy. And fortunately, although I was rather "odd" as a child, the people who loved me continued to encourage me to create----write poetry and short stories, paint, sketch, sew, build, and recreate! Since my most astounding creation to date (3 amazing children: Edie, Owen, and Liam) I have focused most of my creative energy on them---homeschooling, loving, living and creating with, for and around them!


What inspires your creations? What started you working with fiber and fabrics? How long have you been on Etsy? Most of their toys are made with "natural" materials, and I have so loved the relationships my kids have developed with these toys, that I began making many of their toys myself. I love finding new fibers and fabrics to work with! But wool and cotton are still my favorites, by far!
Such warmth goes into and is exuded from these fibers! And I see in the way my children play with toys made from these fibers, just how drawn to nature they really are, and how much they get out of playing with elements of nature. Magical, really!
After I'd been making little gnomes and fairies, and pouches and what not for my kids and for their friends' birthdays etc, I had a few people ask me where they could buy more items similar in nature. This eventually led to a few conversations with other moms who had started their own Etsy shops.....And , after MUCH mulling over and hesitation, I finally decided to give it a shot! And while it still feels a bit strange to sell an item rather than just give it as a gift, I have to say I am loving Etsy! I opened my shop in September 2008, and have learned and grown a great deal as an artist and as an entrepreneur since then!


Do you have any advice for fellow Etsians?
My greatest advice where Etsy is concerned is "Go for it!!" The cost is minimal, the effort is as great or as little as you want to or can exert, the experience is informative, and the reward can truly be great! If you're wondering if your items are "good enough", go ahead and try anyway! You just may sell something while you're trying to figure that out!



What do you hope to learn/gain from the Naturals Kids Group?
I am so excited to be part of this group! How wonderful to feel such kinship with so many other artists! I have wanted my kids and myself to be part of a "community" like this since I first started having them!

Where can your items be found?
Aside from a couple of local craft shows I do with my home school co-op, I only sell items on Etsy at this time. My husband and I are currently renovating his grandfather's old jewelry making shop in West Virginia, however, and are hoping to open a small retail establishment in the next year.





You can view some of Carrie's creations at http://www.threepetals.etsy.com






Interview by Ecoleeko

Making an I-spy Jar.

Hello to all you magically creative minds. I'm Donni, from Fairyfolk. My blog is The Magic Onions.

Have you ever made an I-spy Jar?

It's great fun and a fabulous thing for your little ones to take with them in the car. It'll keep them occupied for ages!

Here is my 2-year old searching for a marble.

You'll need a glass or clear plastic jar, rice and various TINY treasures.

These are what we found at first... we have been adding to our I-spy Jar all day... the more little items you have, the merrier your little ones will be.
Put the rice and treasures in the jar, making sure to leave an inch or so of space between the top of the rice and the lid as you want the rice to be able to move freely inside the jar.
As your children (to be honest, I hogged it for quite some time today too... it's rather addictive!) turns the jar, the rice falls over itself in the jar, revealing and then covering the hidden treasures.
We play I-spy Jar with K, my 5-year old, in the car too. As I know what's inside the jar, I say... 'Find me an acorn hat.' She LOVES it!
The coins are the hardest to find, so be sure to add a couple. They hide out in the middle of the rice and it is a 'Great Achievement' to spot one!

I love to watch my children playing with a toy we have made together, knowing that they are learning that they can make precious things with their very own hands. And I love that they are learning that toys don't only come from stores but are even more abundant in creative minds.

Fairyfolk blessings and Magic to you!

Treasury Tuesday

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 items?! a delightful treasury by viltalakim was so much fun!

Gnomes Galore!!!!! was a delightful treasury from Fairyfolk that surely brought many smiles! Though both treasuries have expired, search "NaturalKids team" on etsy for these and other natural treasures.

Wishing you a magical week!

Mini Monday - Wren Willow

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade WrenWillow.etsy.com

Meet Marla of Wren Willow:

My name is Marla and I'm a first time mom who has always been artistic and creative. I went to art school in NYC and stayed there for about ten years before moving upstate.

Wren Willow is the name of my daughter and I began this online venture with her in mind. While pregnant I had trouble finding things which fit the aesthetic I was looking for, so like many on Etsy I began making my own onesies for her to wear.

All work from sketching the design, dyeing the garment and hand screening the art and logo is done by me. I use water based inks and no harsh chemicals. There are many steps I take in each shirt I make.

I hand dye the shirt with Procion dyes. They bond to the fabric on a molecular level and will not bleed or fade in the wash. I screen the front as well as the back logo, heat set the ink and then sew in a care label. I put a lot of care into my work and welcome any questions or comments.

Another book review..

My daughter turned 5 last June and one of my dear friends gifted us this great book called "Fanny" by Holly Hobbie.  It was truly the perfect book for us and has quickly became most requested.  We LOVE this book!

There are many reasons why I love making dolls for my kids but the main one is giving them age appropriate dolls to play with.  I have made a decision to not have certain 'dolls' (rhymes with smartie!) in our house.  My girly has discovered them at friends houses and of course thinks they are pretty fascinating!  I have explained to her that I don't like those dolls with reasons such as too much make-up, too grown-up, etc.  This is just me, I totally respect other peoples decisions but this is what works for us.  

This book was so appropriate I couldn't believe it and neither could my daughter.  As we read it together the first time, she looked at me in amazement as certain parts were actual conversations we have had, including the wee sewing machine I gave to her for her birthday!  

The little girl, Fanny, really wants a 'Connie' doll but her mom doesn't like them.  So Fanny decides to make her own doll.  I don't want to spoil it for you but it really is a wonderful story with great pictures and deals well with issues such as individuality and imagination.  We really love this book and my daughter was totally fine with finding a new home for the plastic doll she was given for her birthday.  Amazing!  The wonderful part about this book is it doesn't come across all preachy like it could.  It really is a sweet story, enjoy!

Treasury Tuesday

alll natural! by viltalakim featuring beautiful creations from the NaturalKids team! Love the colors and textures!


Wonderland on earth by oritdotandolls. So beautiful and inviting!!! Thank you, Orit, for creating another wonderful treasury!

A warm thank you, also, to cozycottagecreations for posting the Treasury Tuesdays these past months! Blessings for a wonderful week!

Mini Monday - Softearthart

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade softeartart.etsy.com

Meet Softeartart

Hi! My needle felting creations are all made with 100% pure New Zealand Wool, dyed in beautiful rainbow colors. My wish is to warm peoples hearts.

I live on a 25 year old organic homestead, surrounded by gardens and beautiful trees. My life is very calm and peaceful and this just suits me fine.

and another one...

For the past 6 months or so Lynne of cozy cottage has been collecting the treasuries and posting them for us and we'd like to thank her for doing so!  Thanks Lynne!  Kim from Hues of Nature will be taking over our weekly posting of  treasuries.  Once again, thanks to all the volunteers for helping out.

Our star treasury maker Orit sent me this treasury that we dare not miss!  Orit, you are amazing with all your treasuries!!  

Tuesday Treasuries

Hello again friends! I have for you several treasuries created by our NaturalKids team members over the past several weeks. Enjoy!


First, viltalakim invites us to fly.....























theenchantedcupboard brings us lots of sweet and natural bunnies.....























Then, TheNatureTable wows us with brilliant orange goodies.....























Here's a dreamy treasury from oritdotandolls .....
























mrsbeccijo shows off the best dressed kids.....























merrydaledolls invites us to play....
























huesofnature brings us a collection of fun farm items.....
























On the road this summer? harvestmoonbyhand inspires us with some great natural items for travel and home....























Here are some luscious reds collected by fairyring3 ....
























BeneathTheRowanTree invites us to hang with the NaturalKids Gnomies!























Thanks for looking!
brought to you by Lynne from Cozy Cottage Creations.

Mini Monday- Blumenkind

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade blumenkind.etsy.com Meet Silke of Blumenkind Hi, my name is Silke. I used to make dolls for my three children, but to my regret, they are getting older... Anyway, I'd like to continue making dolls, elves and dwarfs and share them with you in this shop.

Saturday Giveaway - from Muddy Feet!

A giveaway from Kelly at Muddy Feet - A set of 10 Hemp Bracelets and 10 Adorable Mushrooms.

First a little bit about Muddy Feet and Kelly ~

I make the toys that I would have wanted to have when I was a kid. I love little miniature worlds, fantasy and nature. I create with materials that are good to the earth and provide the most natural, tactile experiences possible for children. Some of my favorites are hemp, wool and wood. I believe that there is no job more important to children than playing; and I love that as a toymaker, I get to be a part of something so wonderful!

Kelly is offering -

A set of 10 Hemp Bracelets

Feel good about the party favors you give out! Sustainably grown and cotton soft, these brightly colored bracelets are a perfect choice for birthday parties, pep rallies, school stores and even weddings!

This is a fine, long fibered hemp that has been sustainably grown in Romania. This hemp is much softer than the usual craft store hemp, and will only get softer with wear! The hemp has been dyed with low-impact dyes, some of it at the factory, and some of it by hand by me.

You'll get a set of 10 bracelets in bright bold colors, randomly selected from the current colors I have available. The main band of each bracelet is either 6, 7 or 8 inches long with "tails" at both ends to tie it on. Most colors are suitable for either girls or boys, but if you would like to keep it "girly-girl" or "boys only," just let me know and I will select appropriately.

And

Ten little mushrooms, so many possibilities. Give them out as party favors or keep them all for yourself. Line them up on a window sill or hide them in corners with little notes attached for your loved ones. Add a little magic to a dinner (or tea) party by tucking between dishes or use them to hold down simple place cards.

You'll get 10 of these fun mushrooms to do whatever you please with. They measure about 3/4 of an inch tall and 1 inch wide. They may or may not have a hole in the bottom. Stamped with non-toxic, waterproof inks using a hand carved stamp, then colored with more ink (also non-toxic). They'll come in a little cotton pouch.

Due to the small size, these could pose a choking hazard. For children and adults ages 5 and up.

To enter, please leave a comment below after you visit Kelly's shop, Muddy Feet, and let us know what else you like from her shop.

To be entered a second time, blog about this giveaway and enter another comment.

The drawing will be Monday morning at 7:00 am EST.

New folks to welcome!

Hello new members!  Welcome to our team.  This month we have 8 new members to welcome so grab a cup of and enjoy browsing our latest editions.  

dayofrest.etsy.com

blumenkind.etsy.com

birdysboutique.etsy.com

littleredcaboose.etsy.com

willowbaus.etsy.com

softearthart.etsy.com

fairyfolk.etsy.com

youreinspired.etsy.com

So some may have noticed today is not in fact Wednesday nor is it the first Wednesday of the month!  I think we are finding it best to welcome our new members a little further into the month to give us volunteers a chance to compile lists and place people on the right lists, etc. 

 Anyhoo, we are happy to have you, please take a look around this blog, the google groups, promo threads and don't be shy to introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have.  welcome welcome!