Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Talkin' Etsy Tuesdays with TheBeehive

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programing:
This week I got to interview the ever so cool Queen Bee Owner of TheBeehive on Etsy.  TheBeehive is your one stop place for scrapbooking items and more.  Her shop is almost like the scrapbook store for the non-scrapbooker.  When you want to preserve your precious memories, shes got the right thing for you!
TheBeehive has now been selling on Etsy for two years.  She started as a freelance graphic designer and has even done some illustration work.  Before opening up her shop she had never even attempted to sell her crafts or scrapbooks. 

Like so many of us, work from home moms, TheBeehive missed having a creative outlet.  She started selling her items because she was searching for a way to reconnect with her artistic identity.  Although her boys are always top on her list of priorities, working from home is a bonus.  She enjoys being able to stay at home, not working the traditional 9 to 5 job, and still help the family financially.


When asked what her craft of choice is she said "I'm a paperaholic. I enjoy using paper particularly making scrapbooks, but any paper craft will do. I love paper! I never thought I'd find myself a scrapbooker but alas, after some years as a graphic designer for a greeting card company and two adorable little boys to keep memories for, here I am!"  Alas, being a yarnaholic, I can so appreciate any type of craft addiction.  Indulge and keep at it!

Her shop houses many unique items, not just scrapbook supplies.  She has fun "Upcycled Paper Bead and Safety Pin Bracelets":

You will also find exquisite Memory Catchers which "are perfect for those who want to keep their memories out of the shoe box but don't have time to scrapbook."  The top silhouette picture is one of my favorite items in her shop.  They are custom order Silhouettes.  Just send her a profile picture of your child, dog, husband...and she'll take care of the rest.  TheBeehive says they are her favorite because "They make me extra happy to see in my shop because they feature my favorite boys and my puggie!"  I would just adore to have one made of my boys.

She finds her inspiration in her customers.  She really enjoys working together with each person, fulfilling their specific needs.  Each person has an idea of how they would want to preserve their precious memories and TheBeehive is there to help them achive that vision. 

As for her shop name, TheBeehive, and it's origin, she admitted "When I started my shop I wasn't completely sure what it was I was going to make and sell. There was one thing I did know, I was making a lot, I'm a long time sufferer of crafting ADD, and I was doing a lot between the boys, our pets, our church, my husband is a youth director...we were some busy bees! As my shop grows, and develops it's own identity, I have been mulling over the possibility of a name change that would better reflect what I do but that will be a tough decision."

Following her on Facebook, you may see the shop name is soon changing...you will have to check out to see what TheBeehive evolves into.  You can find her on:
Facebook: http://facebook.com/thebeehivecrafts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thebeehivestore
Blog:  http://thebeehivecrafts.blogspot.com/
Etsy Shop: http://thebeehive.etsy.com/

My favorite question to ask Etsy Sellers is what is their favorite color combination.  TheBeehive's favorite is a deep rich velvety red with a bright cobalt blue.  Gorgeous!

Lastly, TheBeehive would like to give a special big thanks to her husband "who wholeheartedly supports me in everything I do. He's done everything from helping with housework, to attaching paper beads to safety pins, to helping me man craft show booths, to listening to me stress! He's my personal super hero!"


Be sure to check out TheBeehive etsy shop and keep an eye out for her new name!

Please help support your local crafters and artist by looking to Etsy for your needs before you run out and get some kind of impersonal mass produced item. Thanks and Happy New Year! ♥

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year


From my family to yours, Merry Merry Christmas!

Here's to making 2010 the year we finish all our crafting projects, love on our family, and make new memories.  And of course start lots of new projects to finish in 2011.

Merry Christmas to you ♥

Friday, December 18, 2009

Merry Christmas Scarf Giveaway Winner Announcement



The winner is.......Tammy!  She was the 88th entry into the contest.  She also is a Facebook Fan!

There were 198 entries into the contest.  Thank you all so very much for entering the Giveaway.  I truly appreciate all the kind words about my work.  Each and every comment made my day!  One of the comments was made into a poem and it's just too cute not to share:

Elsie said...


Let it snow,
Let the winds blow,
I'll have my candy cane,
To keep me warm!

A candy cane, people wonder,
What magic can this be?
Why it's this scarf,
For everyone to see!



Thank you Elsie! 
Just to let you know, I will be hosting another giveaway soon, so keep an eye out.

Bleh, do I need to say it?  Only 7 Crafting Days left until Christmas!  Ahhhhhhh!  Best of luck with all your shopping, finishing of handmade presents, and yarn consumption.  If your stash is getting low, you know where to go.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas Gifts...Christmas Crafts...Christmas Cheer...

Looking up at my calendar and realizing there are only 11 crafting days left until Christmas is a bit overwhelming.  I still have four weaved scarves to make, two stockings, and a pair of socks (or four).  AND to top it all off, I still need to spin the yarn for a few of my projects.  Oh no!



I did finish a stocking.  It's a bit funkier than I had originally planned and a bit smaller.  The yarn was bumpy and it hides the cable pattern that runs throughout it more than I planned.  I think I will add a little embellishment to the top or weave a bit throughout to make the cables more pronounced.  Gauge, is something I just don't like to listen to.  I know, some of you out there just cringed.  I just like planning and starting projects, if indeed I finish it, which is oh so rare, I will love it regardless of if it will only fit a giant one legged man.  My socks tend to be too big, so I figured I'd rock a stocking...well it's a bit too small!  Go figure!


If you have thrown the idea of making things for those on your shopping list out the window already and you are still looking for a one of a kind gift, I have a few things that may help.  I still have one Yarn of the Month Club subscription left in each 1, 3, or 6 month subscription.  If they do not knit or crochet, I have plenty of Felted Soap and a couple Weaved Scarves left in my Etsy Shop.



Our Merry Christmas Hand Weaved Scarf Giveaway is still happening as well.  All you have to do is post a comment on the above linked blog post to be entered to win.


I got an early Christmas present!  One hot summer day, Chris Massingill and I were trying to entertain ourselves at the Argenta Farmers Market.  I told her I wanted her to make me sheep.  She happened to have clay in the car and my sheep were born that day.  Chris is an amazing art teacher.  When I first met her, she was my oldest sons teacher.  After a year off, she is now back in the school and teaches at my other two boy's elementary school.  So, a big thank you to Chris, for my sweet Salt & Pepper Shaking Sheep.

Hope you all have fun finishing all those craft projects and checking off your list for all the special people in your lives.  I'm quite certain I will be throwing in the towel soon! 

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Ins and Outs of Felted Soap: It's Good Clean Fun

~♥~Felted Soap 101~♥~
What is Felted Soap?  Why use Felted Soap?  How can I make Felted Soap?
One of our best selling items has always been our Felted Soaps.  It's fun and funky, unique and spectacular.  Simply put Felted Soap is "Good Clean Fun".  It makes a fantastic gift.  It is so cool even Martha Stewart talked about it.  The Twisted Purl's Felted Soaps are now in stores nationwide.  I'm frequently asked a lot of questions about the soap.  So here are my frequent answers: 
~♥~
So, what the heck is Felted Soap???
Felted Soap is really soap.  It's a bar of soap with wool wrapped around it.  Then the wool goes through a felting process.  Once felted the wool is smoothly matted and totally adhered to the surface of the soap.

~♥~

Okay, great!  But why would I want to use Felted Soap?
First and foremost...it's pretty.  We all want something pretty in our lives right?  Felted Soap is also practical.  The wool gently exfoliates your skin.  So that eliminates the need for a loofah or washcloth.  The covering around the soap helps prolong the life of the bar of soap.  So, it lasts longer!  Felted Soap is also a lot easier to hold onto than a slippery bar of soap, so it's also great for kids. (seriously, it's the only way I can get my three boys to use soap)


~♥~


How do I make Felted Soap?
Mostly, lots of rubbing and patience.  Take the bar of soap and carefully wrap the wool in all directions until the entire bar is covered and no surface areas are showing through.  Next is off to the sink.  Gently soak the covered bar in steaming hot water (as hot as your hands can handle) and then start patting and very carefully rubbing the wool.  This is the most tedious part of the process.  I find if I am irritated, or my kids are having a wrestling match in the living room, felting soap is not an option.  If you rub too hard it will make the wool slip right off the bar of soap and then you have to start all over.  If you rub one area too much it can expose part of the bar of soap, which is no good.
Once the wool feels like it is more secure in its position, then you can start being more rough with the wool.  Put the bar into alternating hot and cold water to help the felting process.  Eventually, you have a completed bar of felted soap.  Over the years, I've perfected my wrapping and felting techniques and now am able to make bars of Felted Soap fairly quickly (even if there's a wrestling match happening in the living room).  So, practice makes perfect!



~♥~
That sounds like a lot of work...can I just buy Felted Soap?
Why yes you can!  CLICK HERE to go to our website. 
The Twisted Purl website has a page dedicated to Felted Soap, it's http://www.feltedsoap.com/

The Twisted Purl now offers Felted Soaps wholesale to stores nationwide.  If you have found our soaps in a store, let us know!  We'd love to hear what you think.  If you are a store interested in ordering, please go to  Our website for more information about wholesale and bulk felted soap orders.
 
If you have anymore questions, please feel free to leave a comment! 
Remember Felted Soap is 'Good Clean Fun' and makes a great, unique gift. 

~♥~
(PLEASE NOTE: we no longer use raffia as pictured in blog post link. Each bar is individually labeled with The Twisted Purl Sheep Logo & Felted Soap Bands made from recycled kraft paper with product information on back.)
~♥~

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Merry Christmas Giveaway: Handwoven Scarf for You

Candy Cane Christmas Handwoven Scarf

'Tis the Season to be Jolly and to have a Giveaway!  I have been very blessed this year with wonderful customers and very supportive friends and family.  In return, I want to host a Giveaway that anyone and everyone can enjoy.  This Christmas, I am giving away one of my exclusive Hand Weaved Scarves to one very lucky person.

The above pictured scarf, Candy Cane Christmas, is what you can win.  It is all natural, 100% handspun yarn, made by The Twisted Purl.  The yarn is made from super soft Merino Wool.  Then handwoven throughout a red grid/mesh.   

This exclusive Hand Weaved Scarf is a one of a kind creation. Even the yarn used in the scarf is made by hand so this creation will never be found anywhere else.  This scarf would normally sell for $50!

 
So, how do you win?  Quite simple...post a comment.  I will be allowing Facebook Fans two entries!  So, if you're currently not a fan, best CLICK HERE to join.  Facebook Fans can post a comment on this blog post and on the Facebook Fan Page Giveaway Post.  Each post will count for one entry.  I will then use a online Random Number Generator to select a winner.  Post must have a name (can not be anonymous...or I can't contact you).

The contest will start as soon as this post goes live and will go until Thursday, December 17th, 2009.  At 12:00 Midnight, central time zone, the giveaway will close.  I will announce the winner on December 18th, on my blog and also on Facebook.  If I can get in contact with the winner fast enough, the scarf will be mailed out on Friday, December 18th, in plenty of time to give as a Christmas Gift or to show off during the Holidays.

Quick Breakdown:
Starts: 12/09/09
Ends: 12/17/09 @ 12:00 PM CST
Winner Announced: 12/18/09
Leave a Comment on this Post or on the Facebook Post

So, let the Giveaway begin!  Good luck to all who enter!  ♥