Handmade Cats from CreativeCritters

Recently I got Christi Friesen's book on sculpting Cats Big and Small in polymer clay and I've been inspired to sculpt several new kitty creations.  I started with these cute orange and white cat earrings. They have surgical steel posts and are lightweight and comfortable to wear.   I love cats, and I know I'm not the only one!  I plan on making more cat earrings in different colors and breeds in the near future.

I've also been making polymer clay covered pens topped with cat head sculptures.  I currently have  two listed right now, and I'll be listing more of these as well.

Not only are these pens cute, but they're comfortable to write with as well.  I make sure they're well balanced and not too top heavy as I'm sculpting them.  They also have replaceable ink cartridges, so they can be used for years.  You can find all sorts of cat items in my shop- everything from sculptures, to jewelry, to stuffed animals.

I have so much fun creating cats, and sharing them with other cat lovers like myself!  Stop in to CreativeCritters to see all my new creations!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

On Pens and Needles artisan studio

On Pens and Needles on ArtFire.com offers a variety of handmade wood and acrylic pens, wood jewelry as well as embroidered and sewn items for baby and the home.  They've  recently added scrapbooking embellishments, gift tags and pre-cut quilt pieces to their shop as well.  Their Bio reads  "After over 30 years in the Navy, my husband retired and I recently followed after more than 30 years in nursing. We started to focus on relaxing and finally being able to spend time on our hobbies. My husband's hobby of making pens and other wood items and my embroidery and sewing turned into a couple of craft shows and then into On Pens and Needles."  On Pens and Needles can also be found online at http://jan-dononpensandneedles.blogspot.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/On-Pens-and-Needles/102854064745.  Below is a small sample of the great items available from this talented couple.  Be sure to check out everything they offer!  And from 5/11 through 5/13 just use coupon code CRAZYTRAIN and receive 15% off your total purchase.
  
 
  
And there's so much more where these came from!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

The Polymer Clay Smooshers Buds and Blossoms Challenge

The theme for the Polymer Clay Smooshers Challenge this time was Buds and Blossoms, which worked out really well for me.  I've been sculpting lots of new floral themed items, and coming up with ideas for this challenge was no problem!  My first entry was my miniature Flower Garden sculpture.
 
This incredibly detailed piece took quite a while to complete, and I did Work in Progress posts on my blog as I created it.  Every tiny little petal and leaf was cut out and individually shaped.  This garden is also a tribute to Gramma, who passed away last May.  It contains some of her favorite flowers, including roses, hydrangeas, daffodils, tulips, Irises, and hyacinths.
My second entry is a floral wall hanging incorporating vintage jewelry bits, metal charms, and beads along with the polymer clay.
 
I made pink polymer clay roses, flowers in shades of pink and blue, and leaves and vines surrounding the piece.  Three little hummingbirds and two purple butterflies (painted metal charms) are spaced evenly among the flowers.
Both these pieces were a lot of fun to make, and tested my skills and creativity as a sculptor.  The rest of the entries for this challenge are just beautiful!  This guild has so many very talented members!  Be sure to check out all the entries in the Buds and Blossoms Challenge, and while you're there, vote for the theme for our next challenge.  I voted for Sci Fi because I've got some new ideas I'd like to try out ;-)
Thanks for stopping by!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

ViaDellaRosa- jewelry, rosaries, pendants, and more

ViaDellaRosa on ArtFire.com offers handmade jewelry, rosaries and catholic jewelry, glass and wood tile pendants and more.  It is a family-run business, located in Westborough, Massachusetts.  They provide items that are fresh, modern and inspirational.  Myrna says "I started by designing and crafting rosaries, chaplets and other jewelry since 2006. Throughout my life, I have always had a connection with the rosary, from watching my mother pray the rosary during times of trouble, through the receipt of beautiful and special gifts of the rosary through her life. One day I decided to give creating them a try and I haven't looked back since.  Brandon is my fulfillment master, ensuring that every package that leaves our studio is a beautiful treasure just for you.  Counting beads is quite enough for me; so I leave the abacus and calculators to Luis, my husband, the numbers-cruncher behind the scenes.  And last, but certainly not least, there is Olivia, the family's Tiny Dancer, who brings smiles and inspiration to us all, and reminds us that everything is all good."

ViaDellaRosa can also be found online at  http://www.wix.com/viadellarosa/viadellarosa, http://viadellarosa.livejournal.com/, http://viadellarosa.blogspot.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/viadellarosa/, http://www.facebook.com/3Shops1Heart, http://twitter.com/#!/viadellarosas,  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viadellarosa/213700835322313, and http://www.youtube.com/user/theviadellarosa.  Below is a small sample sample of the beautiful and meaningful items in her shop.

   

And there is so much more where these wonderful pieces come from!  Be sure to check out everything in this shop!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Baby's Nest Boutique on ArtFire

Tracy, of BabyNestBoutique on ArtFire loves to coil baskets and has been making them for over 25 years. She uses Natural Jute as a base material.  It's not only a natural and fast growing material but it also smells good.  She wraps and coils them with the brightest of yarns in one of a kind designs and adorns some with gemstones and other beads.  She also makes coaster sets with this medium.  Her other passion is the Victorian art of Crochet and Tunisian Crochet.  You will find many crocheted fashions for ladies and babies, and even toys. She says, "Working with yarn on a daily bases keeps me grounded and keeps my sense of home and warmth in my heart."  You can follow Tracy's blog at http://babynestsblog.blogspot.com/.
Below is a small sample of some of the wonderful items available from Baby's Nest Boutique.  Click on any of the pictures to go directly to the listing.

 
 
 
And there are plenty more beautiful handcrafted items in this shop!  Be sure to stop by and see everything this talented artist has to offer!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Put more vegetables out in the garden

My eggplants and bell peppers  have been out in the garden for a few weeks now and are doing well in their protective Wall 'O Waters and Cozy Coats.  In spite of all the rain we've been having, along with colder than normal temperatures, the plants have survived and even grown a bit.  Right about now I am SO thankful I made raised beds when I started this garden!  There's been at least an inch (and up to 4 inches) of water between the beds for the last few weeks.  I got a few decent days though and I was able to harden off my yellow bush beans, green beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  This year I'm planting the tomatoes between the peppers and eggplants, which means they'll also benefit from the warmth of the Wall 'O Waters.
 
Because it's been so cold and windy this spring I also wrapped a long sheet of plastic around the entire row for added protection. 

 
So far the little guys look pretty good.  The beans are planted in the middle row.  I set up a wire fence for them to climb before I planted them.  I was going to wait on nicer weather, but beans get so big, so fast!  I could practically watch them grow under the light!  They seem to be doing pretty good too, and have even started climbing their support after only a few days. 
 
That's my garlic that you see behind the beans.  It looks really good this year, and by midsummer I should be able to dig my first bulbs.  The onions I planted earlier this spring are getting bigger too.  I use onions and garlic in almost everything I cook, so it only makes sense to grow my own.
The cucumbers also have a fence to climb up for support.  I just used my old garden fence and cut it into the lengths I needed, then used stakes shoved deep into the dirt to secure it.  Another good thing about allowing the vegetables to climb is that they stay off the ground, which means fewer bugs and animals (like voles, my worst garden pest!) can get at them.  Air can circulate around the veggies better and that means less chance of rotting.  Plus they're easier to harvest and monitor when they're not on the ground, covered in leaves (and probably weeds).
 
I still have to put out my summer squash and zucchini, but I'm going to let them stay inside for a little longer.  I also started a second batch of beans so I'll have a longer harvest time.  Hopefully I can come back in a month or so and show you pictures of much larger plants, and maybe even a few veggies ;-)
Thanks for visiting my garden and watching it grow with me!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Tom Roche Woodworking Designs

Tom Roche, of TRoche Wood Designs on ArtFire creates beautiful and fun wooden cutting boards and coasters.  He says "I am a young Old Guy who retired at 62 and have not looked backward even 1 day, and find that there are still not enough hours in the day to get the things done that I want to."  I can certainly relate to not having enough hours in a day!   Tom takes great pleasure creating something useful from a piece of wood that will last for years. The most rewarding thing for him is seeing a "happy person" with something he created.  He creates unique cutting boards/cheese boards that come in a variety of fun shapes including apples, moose, wine bottles, sailboats, and owls.  He also makes mini cutting boards and coasters as well.   You can also find Tom on Facebook and Twitter.  Of course I love anything having to do with animals, and these owl coasters are just adorable!
 
And how cute is this set of kitty cutting boards?
 
He also makes beautiful items like this dresser top vanity.
 
Be sure to stop by his shop and see everything he has to offer- you won't be disappointed!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters