B.Inspired by... Housework?!

I know, I know... I bet you never thought one could be inspired by housework! I spent all day doing it, and I only feel tired. But check out these Etsy artists who find inspiration in the strangest place!




Top Left: Crusty Pans ACEO Original Collage by Dadadreams Mixed Media Elixirs
Top Right: Domestic Goddess Necklace by Pretty Girl Things
Bottom Left: Breakfast Dishes at Tiffany's Gloves by Pixilated Sisters
Bottom Right: A Clean House Checkbook Cover by My Heart 2 Yours

Designing Swanky Mom: Cozy Moments

Designing Swanky Moms is a group (support group per se) of moms who share one simple thing: the love of all things crafts! Just plug "DSM" into your Etsy search and you'll see their amazing creativity. For more info or to join to group, visit them at http://swankymoms.ning.com/. Now, let me get back into my weekly routine (after a short hiatus) of featuring just one of those hard-working, swanky mammas.

Name: Michelle

Etsy Shop: Cozy Moments

Blog: http://cozymomentsblog.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.cozymoments.com/

Q: Tell us about your shop.

A: We make products that will pamper you and soothe your senses - moisture-rich bars of Soap, creamy, pampering Bath & Body Products, and richly scented Natural Soy Wax Candles/Tarts.

Q: What or who inspires you?

A: People who feel the fear and do it anyway.

Q: What powerful/creative woman do you love?

A: Helen Keller. She always inspired me even as a child. She was so amazingly strong to be both deaf and blind yet become the inspiration to many that she was. Helen's own approach to life can be summed up by her advice to a five-year-old blind child in 1932: "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face."

Q: Any tips on juggling motherhood and a business?

A: Remember what is most important. Prioritize. Try to involve your children in your craft (age permitting of course).

Thanks, Michelle! In appreciation, you are welcome to take 10% off anything in my shop, even my new line of personalized notecards!

Q: What Inspires YOU?

I haven't posted in some time because I have been out of town visiting those who inspire me: my family. I have returned rested, refreshed and brimming with new creative imaginings!

Now, to get back on my blogging track, here are five etsy sellers telling of what inspires them.

Q: What inspires YOU?

A: I'm inspired by color, texture and waste. I love the colors and textures of all fabrics and yarn. I am amazed at the waste of textiles, fabric and yarn. I'm constantly thinking of ways to recycle good fabric and yarn into other items. Black Cat Boutique

A: All of nature!!! I love flowers and leaves and all the colors of every season. Then I make flowers because I can't grow them. Zuda Gay

A: I'm inspired by nature and my pets!I also am inspired by seeing other artists latest pieces.....that makes me want to head off to the studio. Karen Demarte Art

A: A beautiful color. Something that is deep, has varied tones. A hue that conjures an emotion, a place, a time. A color that inspires me to create something that uses the color or captures the emotion it evokes. Elegant Musings

A: I am inspired by so many things, but most seem to relate back to color. I love to go to a yarn or fabric shop and stand in front of the selection and soak in the creativity. I am inspired by colorful sunsets, flowers, and paintings or photographs. I love the pink palette. I call colors in the pink family my "power colors" and I think everyone has that range of colors that stirs their creative side. Gwendolyn's Gifts

Q: What Inspires YOU?

The diversity of creative work on Etsy is just incredible! I can spend hours and hours browsing and hearting items and shops. Often I come across an item or shop and wonder... "now what inspired that?" Here are 10 more Etsians answering just that: "What inspires you?"


Q: What Inspires YOU?

A: The expression of wonder on a little girl's face when she receives a pretty gift just for her! I have the cutest pic of such a moment and I'm going to blow it up poster-size and hang it in my office. PBDesign (Work pictured at right.)

A: I am inspired by urban (and not so urban) wildlife and Japanese textiles. I just love the Japanese fabrics. Also I am generally inspired by just sitting down and taking a look at the huge piles of fabrics piled in my "studio". And friends, books, music, moods, and food. Idealbunny

A: Everything inspires me. If I had to pick a favorite I'd say the beauty and cultures of Asia. Dharma Designs


A: I am inspired by the sheer joy of creating and all the wonderful rewards it gives me:using my hands,heart and imagination and the priceless feeling I get when I get happy responses from people receiving my creations! Beenadolls


A: Have a look at my shop. It is to raise funds for an arts school bursary in memory of my daughter Brynn. Info. in store announcement and profile. Brynnalex (Work pictured at right.)


A: My soaps are inspired by food, mainly desserts. I love the colors and smells. Sprinkled toppings, drizzled sauces make me wobbly at the knees......YUMMMMM! Morgan Street

A: The thing that inspires me the most are children and nature...there is so much innocents in both... Bonghi Vestiti

A: Japan...yes I think Japan. Terryann



A: Nature is my inspiration. It's obvious in my photography but I love the organic lines in my jewelry too. Wire Tree (Work pictured at right.)

A: When it comes to my Darklings, it's the wounded, dark part of me, and that I see in others, that inspires me most. I think I need to find the light in darkness and the happy kid in a wounded soul. Each of them has a bright spirit all their own when they're done. That's when I know who they are and what to name them. Gypsycaster


In appreciation, all 10 participating Etsians may take 10% off of any keepsake in my shop (http://www.binspiredboutique.etsy.com/)! That includes my Custom Photo Crazy Quilt (pictured below)! Check back next Monday for 10 more sellers (and 10 more inspirations)!

Q: What Inspires YOU?

As you can see from my shop's name, I'm fascinated (maybe even obsessed) with what inspires people. My entire business is based around this; creating beautiful, unique keepsakes that are specifically taylored to your inspirations: your interests, your family, your favorite colors, even your child's name. Now that you know what inspires me, I've decided to poll other Etsy sellers and artists about what inspires them!

Q: What Inspires YOU?

A: My drive to do what I love inspires me to create all the fun items I make!! I just love seeing the finished product! LucyMae

A: Beads. Simple as that...I love the different shapes, textures, colors. I feel like a kid in a candy store when shopping for new stones! Also, poking around Etsy doesn't hurt. :-) Kenton Beadworks

A: The historical past and the natural world are the inspirations for Natural Historie. Natural Historie

A: The desire to create something that someone else just has to have! DBrown Designs

A: My daughter! Pryncess Lia

A: The colors of the sea, the colors of the sky, the green hills and fall trees, and everything that I see looking out my window! Blue Lagoon Beads

A: What inspires me is well constructed clothing. In a society that has embraced "disposable fashion", I try and make each garment the old fashioned way to avoid leaving too big a footprint on our Earth. Peta Pledger

A: My best inspirations always come from nature whether it's a walk through the woods, or a visit to the beach, I always come back to my workshop refreshed and full of new ideas. I also find inspiration in the materials I work with. Sometimes all I need to do is spread out some gemstones and I start to envision new designs, it's as if some pieces actually design themselves. Crystalvisions

A: I love mixing old and new together as well as using tools to form brass into different shapes! The Brass Hussy

A: The main thing that inspires me is searching for new embellishments to use for my barrettes. Anytime I find something new and cute and colorful, the ideas start rolling in! Also, looking at others' handiwork has inspired me to be better, try new things, and get my act together on my etsy page. Barrettes by Commotion

What wonderfully diverse answers. In appreciation, all 10 participating sellers may take 10% off of any keepsake in my shop (http://www.binspiredboutique.etsy.com/)! That's what makes the topic of inspiration so interesting. Check back next Monday for 10 more sellers (and 10 more inspirations)!

Changing Inspirations

It's funny how life changes. The biggest change of all has been becoming a mom; and more recently becoming a stay at home mom. My creative life has changed as well. As an artist in college, I found inspiration through studying ancient art, reading feminist literature, and even travelling with girlfriends to New Mexico for Meinrad Craighead's Women's Creative Retreat. Then my creative work included hours upon hours of researching ancient feminine symbolism, planning and sketching, and finally bringing emotionally charged images to life through righ and colorful oil paint. Now I find myself enthralled with watching my son learn how to stick out his tongue, reading Goodnight Moon over and over again, and going to our weekly playdate to Gymboree. Now my creative work consists of grabbing a few minutes here and there, between diaper changes, bottles, reading Goodnight Moon (again...), and playdates at Gymboree, to make something to capture all of these precious memories of my son's baby years. Sometimes I miss that earlier version of myself, but mostly I'm just glad I had those experiences that make me the person, the mother, that I am today.

Get one of these great Explosion Photo Books custom made with your child's name from my Etsy Shop!