Free US shipping thru August 31st!!!

I've just gotten some wonderful news and I thought I would pass on this greatness to all my wonderful customers. So I decided to continue my free US shipping on all may handmade items thru August 31st!!! Yes I said free US shipping on all my Halloween cloaks, art, metal work, paintings and more. Everything in my shop now has free shipping! So instead of changing 121 listings, just wait for me to send you an adjusted invoice. I can also just refund your shipping price if you want to pay right away. So head on over to my shop for this great deal. http://www.mwestdesigns.etsy.com.

Attaching the hood on a cloak

Attaching a hood to a cloak is actually quite easy. After the two hood pieces have been sewn together and the body of the cloak has been sewn together, then you are ready to attach the hood. Take the body of the cloak and find the center and then pin the center of the hood to it. Pin each end and then you just have to take little tucks in the hood to align it with the body. After that has all been pinned together then you just sew a strait stitch. And VOILA your hood is attached. Check out the finished cloak at http://www.etsy.com/listing/54696085/dark-green-hooded-handmade-cloak-cape

Garnet Red Velveteen Cloak

I fell in love with this velveteen the second I saw it. It is a beautiful deep garnet red color. And it is a soft and heavy fabric, plus it's all cotton. I had some issues with this fabric because I needed to use the serger on the edges so they wouldn't fray. I had been putting off buying new blades for my Singer serger, but I ended up finding them on line. It was so much easier once I received the new blades. I had to use a size 16 needle because the fabric was so thick. I imagine someone wearing this cloak to be crowned for Homecoming or over their wedding dress for a winter wedding. Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/listing/54605484/garnet-red-hooded-velveteen-cloak-cape

I found this beautiful purple fabric the other day at the fabric store. It is a gorgeous shade of regal purple.

After cutting the whole thing out I started sewing. I used black thread on both the sewing machine and the serger. I folded both sides under on the tie to finish the edges. After sewing all the seams, I then serged everything to give it a nice finished look. Then I sewed the hem and put the tie on. After ironing everything, I have a beautiful purple cloak. Check it out at http://www.mwestdesigns.etsy.com

Spring in the Sandhills

I am desperate for Spring. It seems like it's been an extra cold and snowy winter. I know it's only February, but I can't wait for spring. In the Sandhills, spring just kinda jumps up on you. One day there's a late spring blizzard and the next day the sun comes out and the hills are so green that it almost hurts you eyes. Then the wildflowers start to bloom and spring is officially here. That is the inspiration for this painting. Come on spring, I know your just around the corner. Check out this painting on my webpage at http://www.mwestdesigns.etsy.com

Antique tin hearts from reclaimed barn roof

Continuing on my making art every day, I have been working on these tin hearts. The tin came from the barn that my Great Grandfather built almost 100 years ago. Sadly the barn is no more, but I wanted to create something out of the huge amount of beautiful tin. Each heart is different because the tin has been weathered in such unique ways. The colors are white, black, rust, browns, and greys. To see more check out my store on Etsy http:www.mwestdesigns.etsy.com

Blue handwoven rag rug

This rug is 30 x 30 with black cotton warp. Most of the fabric was recycled from an old comforter. A friend had washed this comforter and it had gotten lumpy. She was just going to throw it away and my Mom saved it. It was a king size so there was tons of fabric. I just cut the seams open and took out the batting and then cut the fabric into strips. My Mom was making some blankets at the time so she used the batting for those. So we only ended up with about a handful of stuff to throw away. You can find this rug listed on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28133634

Gusav Klimt

I just created a treasury with some of the amazing artists from Etsy. It is titled " Exquisite Dreams of Gustav Klimt". The artists I included are sixsisters, designercushions, babastudioprague, yafimo, ladybugdesigns, uniqueartpendants, misfitgirl, kalisto, antinomy, peacockfairy, sistah, and jeweliansum. These are all talented artists with a love of Gustav. Check out my treasury at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=44879

I was featured on a Blog

I am so excited to be featured on a blog!! It is http://etsy365.blogspot.com/. She is doing a Valentine's giveaway and I sent her one of my handmade heart cards. So then she blogged about everyone's Etsy site who sent her stuff. She had some very nice things to say about me. So Check it out.

How to get a treasury on Etsy

I started trying to get a treasury last week, and now I'm on my second and I am hooked. Basically it's like being a curator at a museum or gallery and you get to pick all the items. What I do is think up a theme. This week it was purple and teal what a deal. Then I scour Etsy for twelve items plus four alternates. I keep track of all those item number and then the waiting starts. The treasury has to hit 332, so you just look at what number it is at now and then count backwards to see when it will hit the magic number. Then you sit and wait. And don't refresh your screen. When it hits 332 a little box will open at the bottom for your title. Then you just need to enter all the item number and viola your done. It's quite fun. Go to http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=26487 to see mine for this week.

New Paintings

I have finished two new paintings and listed them on ETSY. Both with my new technique using the card to apply the oil paint. I like the texture and the ability to apply a lot of paint at once. They are completely abstract and are painted on the sides so that they are ready to hang. Abstract is my favorite subject because I can just let my my wander and it is amazing the stuff that appears on the canvas.

Christmas Cloak

I just made the most beautiful cloak for Christmas. It is reversible garnet red and fir green velvet. It is so soft and warm and makes me want to go caroling or to a Christmas party. It's so great because it is easily turned around. One day you can wear red on the outside and the other day green.

I listed it on my Etsy site today. www.mwestdesigns.etsy.com

Advertising my etsy site

I have been looking for ways to advertise my Etsy site and I have found some great ideas. First is business cards. I put several in every package I send, and give them out to everyone. I also made flyers on my computer that say buy handmade and list my site with pictures. These go out in every package I mail also. Plus I ordered a return address label and stamp every letter and package several times. Stickers are good too. They can go on every piece of outgoing mail. Even bills I mail get stamped or stickered or business cards. I figure that lots of people handle the mail so why not do some advertising. I bought a bumper sticker for my car. If someone behind me then they will see it. I want to make t-shirts with beautiful pictures on them and my etsy site. The latest thing I learned about was the showcase on Etsy. Basically it's advertising in the different categories on Etsy. Some of them are hard to get, and you have to check back often. I did get one on the Storque page and I am going to list more blank books and get a spot on the books and zines. I'm sure there are lots more ideas, but this is what I've found so far.

Halloween Sale

In honor of Halloween (my favorite holiday), I am having a sale in my shop. www.mwestdesigns.etsy.com Free shipping in the US through Monday november 3rd. Just let me know you read my blog and I will refund the shipping price. Plus today I am finally going to list more handwoven rag rugs. Have a great Halloween!!

Sale on my etsy site

I am having a sale this week on my Etsy site. 10% off any item purchased from 9/11/08 thru 9/18/08. Just mention that you read my blog and I will take 10% off.

BUY HANDMADE!!! etsy.com

Have you checked out etsy.com??? It is a site devoted to handmade items. I love this site. You can buy jewelry, clothes, rugs, hats, blankets and the list goes on and on.

I have my polaroid transfers, paintings, rag rugs, and renaissance cloaks listed on my site mwestdesigns.etsy.com.

You might ask what is a polaroid transfer? It is basically where you take a 669 polaroid apart before it has completely developed and print the negative side. Then you can texture, scratch and hand tint it.

I listed some new ones today. Several windmills, sunflower, and some Italy pictures.

I like the idea of listing something new there everyday. It is a goal of mine to list 1 to 2 new items a day. Because being creative everyday is the best thing in the world.