folk reveries

Mary's Granddaughter Cindy

2011-12-26T14:25:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been some time since I updated our team blog, but what can I say - it's a busy time of year to be a maker! But I'm making it all up to you with an interview with one of my favourite team members, Cindy Steiler of Mary's Granddaughter. I was a longtime fan of her work, and then she and I started chatting earlier this year about the direction of our team. I was struck by her dedication to our team and her ideas about it, and thought that asking her to share more widely would help us begin a dialogue about our team. So she kindly allowed me to interview her in this season of busy-ness.

Cindy is a longtime member of Folk Reveries, and a successful multi-media artist. Her work has been shown in galleries and in books and magazines (and was just featured today in Etsy Gifts newsletter!) The women she depicts move among media, from embroideries to dioramas to paper goods. She has much to teach us, Etsy-ers, so gather round!!

Mama and her Girls

Dru: How long have you been a working artist? (or, how did you begin?)

Cindy: I've been making art for my entire life though I have only been selling my own personal work for about three years. I studied art and theater in college and worked for years as a set designer/builder and scenic painter.

The Mender Diorama

Dru: I know that you collect antique photographs. How do your collections (this one and others) intersect with or inspire your art work?

Cindy: I do have a rather large collection of Victorian photos. I am not even sure how I started collecting them. I think I stumbled upon some tintypes at an estate sale years ago and was hooked. I find it a little sad that these photos are homeless and not being cherished. I also collect Victorian clothing, old hangers, buttons, doll parts, found feathers, and odd little things I find at flea markets, thrift stores and estate sales.

I draw inspiration from my collections. They feel like a connection to the past. Sometimes they make their way into my work like the little antique bisque doll arms from Germany or feathers I find. I've modeled some of my dolls from women in my photographs.

(Note: Cindy's vintage shop is Happy Steiler).

Victorian Photographic Garland

Dru: What are you currently focused on, and what are your near-term goals?

Cindy: My near-term goal is to survive the next five months. I have 5 shows between January and April so there is much to do. I feel fortunate to have been awarded a residency through the Brush Creek Arts Foundation in Wyoming. I'll be there for a few weeks next month and the uninterrupted studio time is a blessing.

The new pieces I'm working on are a departure from what I've been doing. I am excited to see where they go. I have also been working in clay which has been a lot of fun.

Dru: Tell us about your typical work day.

Cindy: I wish it was more disciplined and routine! It always starts with coffee and answering emails and ends with my pencil and sketchbook in bed. The in between time is always different. My resolution for the coming year is to foster a more disciplined and organized working environment. I just rented a studio space outside of my home with this goal in mind.

Little Bird in charcoal grey and sky blue

Dru: Your project, "I Learned From My Mother Who Learned From Her Mother", sounds amazing. what inspired it and what are your plans for the stories?

Cindy: My great-grandmother Mary Steiler taught me to crochet, knit, embroider and sew when I was a child. Through her patient lessons I found great joy and satisfaction in creating by hand. While we worked she would share stories from her life. Through these stories I developed an appreciation for the past, tradition and family.

Through my work I hope to capture the essence of my relationship with my grandmother while exploring and celebrating all women and girls; our relationships, our daily lives, and our traditions. I want to use my work to preserve and continue the traditions of both craft and story in a way that honors these lineages.

From this sprang a new project called 'I Learned from My Mother, Who Learned from Her Mother'. Through this project I plan to explore and document traditions and traditional craft passed from generation to generation within families through storytelling and art. This will be achieved through a mix of traditional needlecraft and sculpture and will also employ my background as a set designer to create small installations. The images of the pieces and stories will be assembled into limited edition hand bound books.

If you'd like to contribute here's a link: www.marysgranddaughter.blogspot.com

You Reap What You Sew No. 2
Dru: What advice would you give to new artists who are selling on Etsy?

Cindy: Etsy is a great platform to sell our work. It comes with a fabulous customer base and it's nearly free to get started. Take the time to learn about tagging, titles and SEO. These are important to be found in searches and not always intuitive.

Stay true to yourself and take all advice you receive, including mine,with a grain of salt. It's easy to get wrapped up in Etsy's merchandising reports and the latest trends. You will hear you must tweet, Facebook, blog in order to be successful. You will have to call orange 'pumpkin' in autumn and 'tangerine' in spring. You will be told you have to make tons of treasuries and join numerous teams. I see many artists spending more time with the above that actually creating. To me that's sad. My advice is to keep Etsy in perspective. It is a selling venue not a lifestyle choice. Stay open and explore other opportunities to exhibit and sell your work as well.

Don't forget why you make art in the first place. Explore, grow and have fun! I ran into the pitfall where my work started to feel like production work. I was constantly and still am asked to remake pieces that have sold. While it's flattering and comfortable it is also boring. It was preventing me from working on new pieces and exploring new directions. I felt stagnant as an artist. Now I'm am working on a new body of work and it feels so good.

Sketchbook No. 2 - Victorian Woman

Dru: What attracted you to the Folk Reveries team, and what are your hopes for it?

Cindy: I was attracted to the Folk Reveries team for a few reasons. First of all so many of my favorite artists who sell on Etsy are members and also aesthetically it was a good fit. I also liked that it didn't seem all about promoting one's self.

I think when you do business in the virtual world connecting with others is important. I would love to see a shift to more meaningful discussions on process, inspiration, opportunities, etc. on the discussion boards. I think we have much to offer each other both creatively and professionally.

Connection No. 4 in yellow and aqua

Thanks so much, Cindy! This is just the kind of looking back and forward that we need to begin the new year.

Be sure to check out Cindy's shop and her blog, and consider participating in her projects (I am!)!

Happy holidays to all of our team members!

Sweet Basil Fibre Works

2011-10-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

Genevieve of Sweet Basil Fibre Works won the last treasury challenge by a landslide with her home sweet home treasury.

I have admired Genevieve's lovely hand-dyed yarns for quite some time, and wanted to get to know her, so I thought I'd use this as an occasion to see if she would be interviewed for our team blog. She agreed and here are my questions and her lovely words, photos and creations...

Celebrating Autumn

D: When did you begin working with fibre? and what led you to focus on dyeing?

G: I learned to knit when I was a child from my nana. Knitting led me to spinning and eventually to dyeing yarn. My first job as a teenager was dyeing t shirts for a silk screening company. I guess it's not too much of a stretch that 16 years later I am dyeing yarn. Being able to combine my love of colour & with beautiful fibre is my dream job.

Godric's Hollow

D: Tell us about the name of your shop.

G: I have a hard time choosing names. It took me 3.5 weeks to decide on a name for my daughter after she was born. For my shop name I choose the meaning of my daughter's name, sweet basil. I keep a notebook nearby to jot down names when inspiration stikes, that way I always have names for new colourways.

Tarnished

D: How would you describe a typical day?

G: I like to wake up early because I love the quiet stillness. I make hot tea & gather my thoughts for the day. On week days I get my daughter ready for school. Once she leaves I check emails & the shop then make another hot cup of tea. If I am dyeing or have orders to package I head out to the studio & get to work. If I am listing items then I stay on the computer. I walk into town in the afternoon to mail orders & run errands etc.

I am starting another job outside the home soon so things are going to get shaken up a bit.

Lemon Grass

D: What are your goals for the future?

G: I would like to be more self sufficient & to become financially independent through my business.

Maple Rose

D: Do you have any advice for new etsy-ers or team members?

G: I would say to always stay true to your beliefs & don't give up. And I know it's simple but manners & communication are everything.

Ode to Blue Faced Leicester

I would love to curl up by the fire this winter with some of these gorgeous colours on my needles. Thanks so much for this glimpse into your life, Genevieve! Please visit her blog here and her shop here.

Also, the new treasury challenge begins tomorrow (Nov. 1) along with voting on the current treasuries which feature listings from Sweet Basil Fibre Works. Check the team forum and join in!

Last day day to vote!

2011-10-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

Team Treasury Challenges, and Open Membership! Happy Fall!

2011-09-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

After a summer hiatus, we're baaack... first, our bi-weekly treasury challenges have started again! Our first challenge started yesterday, Sept. 16th and will run through Friday, Sept. 30th. Plenty of time to find your team members and make some beautiful, inspiring treasuries. ChYMieRa has all the details here on our team forum, and that's where you should link your entry. All the rules for participation are here.

October, by ChYMieRa.

Also, the team is back open for membership applications! Over the summer, it was by invitation only, but we are ready to expand our team, so if you'd like to join, please apply!

Our ChYMieRa speaks!!

2011-07-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

If you've been on our team forum (which you should be!) I'm sure you've met ChYMieRa, our team leader who has been creating our treasury challenges and generously donating some of her handmade jewelry pieces to the winners. I hope you've treated yourself to a visit to her shop! ChYMieRa is also the name of her own brand of handmade, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. Her pieces incorporate a wide range of techniques and materials, from vintage to found objects to gemstones and raw materials such as teeth and bone.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

ChY has been such a team player, stepping in as a leader and working hard on team business, all the while managing her own very successful Etsy shop, a family with four boys (!), as well as another full-time job! She has that elusive mix of skills we all need - both a talented artist and tireless promoter. And ChY is *always* there to answer a question or lend a hand. I'm in awe of this lovely woman!!!

Of Purple Skies

It's high time we got to know more about her and her secrets, don't you think??? Here we go...

Dru: tell us about yourself, the mysterious force of nature known as ChYMieRa!

ChY: ~ I have never considered myself to be mysterious. Weird is more like it, and passionate. Passionate about anything that I care about, but able to turn a blind eye on things that bother me, because really, life is just too short.

Whenever someone would look down upon or judge me, it makes me rise above & be better, better than me, better than them.

I am unselfish & very giving, and I love to prove a point.

My husband calls me righteous, he tells me I have a fire within me.

To me, its more like passion or compassion. I hate bullies and I stick up for the underdog- always.

And I'm not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if I stand alone.

I generally play well with others, and when I make a friend they will be a friend for life.

Memento Mori

Dru: how did you get your start making jewelry?

ChY: ~ I started making jewelry a few years after I started making teeth [aside: this is ChY's day job!] -- making gold teeth or a gold ring is the exact same process. There were so many experiments, I was like a mad scientist! So, even though I had schooling for teeth making, I learned how to make jewelry & set stones all on my own.

I had been doing that for several years for family & friends. One day, my neighbor told me about Etsy, it was love at first click. I knew this could be a wonderful place for me to sell my "hobby".

My art inspirations:

~ In my younger years, I was drawn to horror, vampire and macabre flicks. They evoked in me & still do, some primal force.

It's that odd, dark energy that inspires me to create macabre & creepy items.

I am also a huge fan of nature. I could be driving down the road and see a gorgeous sunset behind a weeping willow tree and be inspired to make some jewelry representing that.

Brethren of the Woods

My life inspirations:

~ First and foremost, my children (4 boys) are my biggest inspirations.

I always wanted them to have the best, so that meant a lot of sacrificing & hard work for me. Whenever something gets me down, all I need to think about are my kids, and then it's all good.

They are my world.

I'm also inspired to be better when a curve ball gets thrown my way.

There is always a silver lining behind every black cloud!

Drops of Saturn and Honey

Dru: what's a typical day like for you? (and how does Etsy fit into your life?)

ChY: Anywhere between 8 and 11 a.m., I will get out of bed. My day will always start with a good cup of Joe. When I'm fully awake and dressed, I check my stocks. Then I check Etsy, then my email. I cut checking facebook out, too easy to get sucked in. If I made jewelry the night before, I try to take photos in the morning light.

If I have sold something on Etsy, I will print the order, package it, stick it in my handy dandy mailing bag ( One large sturdy brown paper bag with handles, courtesy of American Eagle) and put the bag at the 'bus stop' so I can grab it on the way out. The 'bus stop' is a bench I built several years ago. It's long, wide & opens for storage. This is where coats, purses, keys, backpacks, mail, you name it gets thrown on their way out or in. Then I head to work. That could be anywhere from a 2 to 10 hour day. During sports seasons, I have to leave work early. 4 boys? Yeah you know we play sports! Then night rolls around and I check emails, etsy, etc... , by 11 p.m. my husband is telling me to go get some rest. I end up getting to sleep around 2 or 3 a.m. because something inspired me to make a piece of jewelry.

Wanted: Dead or Alive

Dru: do you have any goals in mind for your Etsy business, or the Folk Reveries team?

ChY: ~ I try not to set goals. I tend to roll with the punches and take whatever life hands out to me - good or bad. To be honest, I am quite surprised at how lucrative creativity can be. When I first opened my shop on Etsy, I would go "squeee!" if I had a sale a week. Those days are over. Without divulging any stats, let's just say, doing this well with my art, makes me keep wanting to do.

When and if I decide to retire from the teeth business, Etsy could definitely be an after retirement income. As far as the Folk Reveries team, like I said before, I am very giving and I enjoy being part of something. I think it is a fabulous team with many diverse talents. I would love someday to maybe see a Folk Reveries gathering. A collective, if you will where all the active team shops come together and offer a wide array of products. Not necessarily an actual brick & mortar, but somewhat a virtual one.

Bite the Bullet

Dru: Love that idea! What first attracted you to Folk Reveries?

ChY: ~ I had been invited to them team about a year ago, before the teams became self supportive & active. But during the transition from the Etsy admin control, I somehow got lost. It took me a few months to realize it , and when I did, I asked to come back aboard. What still attracts me to the team is the personalization between everyone. There is a good number of members, but as far as the continuously active member ie: those who post in the forums, promote or make treasuries, we began to recognize each other by name. Then from there we begin to know each others lives, what we did that day, what our kids did and so on. And I love that personal feel. I'm not a clingy person at all, it's just that when I really like or respect someone they truly will know it.

I Am Coming To You

Dru: what advice would you give to new artists and team members?

ChY: When I first started the ChYMieRa shop, it took a while for me to get some sales. It is very hard to sell handmade products when you are new and have little to no feedback, so I started with selling things that I knew would sell -- antiques.

It built up some good feedback for me. Once I started listing handmade jewelry, I still occasionally listed antiques to keep views coming to the shop.

I also promoted all my handmade things. Networked to friends, family and so on. I still have to promote, but on a different level. I now pay for advertising, because the shop revenue allows for it.

My best advice for any anyone wanting to be on a team is- as a team member, become involved. Lots of times I sell things to my team mates when I am having a sale, because they are really the first ones to know of it if you post it in the forums. Start a facebook page and list one or two items a day. Connect with other local artists or actual shops to see if they do consignment. But most of all, do not give up. Starting a business is so hard, and sometimes it seems like it will just never grow. Keep your chin up, promote & when and if you have a sale, send a card with a certain percent off for their next order. You will often have repeat customers when doing this.

Lucian's Castle

What a fierce and cheeky perspective she has, wouldn't you agree?! Please join me in thanking ChY for this interview, and everything she does for us!!

interview with cathy cullis!

2011-07-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

I've long been a follower of artist and team member Cathy Cullis. Cathy is a prolific and established artist who moves (seemingly effortlessly) among a myriad of media, including painting, embroidery, pottery and even poetry, and maintains her own style unique throughout. Her work has a quietness, a playfulness, and yet also a haunting quality. The juxtaposition is profound, and also I find her blog quite addictive. She is also currently Etsy's featured seller. She has much to teach us, and she kindly agreed to an interview just for folk reveries.

Dru: how long have you been a (full-time, or mostly full-time?) artist?

Cathy: I have worked creatively for many years, but 'officially speaking' I became a self-employed art person in 2005. Prior to that I was a full-time mother to two small children and prior to that an editor of a literary magazine, and prior to that a student! Looking back it all merges, because as a young mum I was making things, I had little projects always starting and my creative life revolved around nap times.

Dru: you are so unique in how many media you work in! how do you choose and manage so many talents, and sets of tools and materials? what kinds of synergies does mixing media open up for you artistically?

Cathy: Possibly, there are many contemporary artists who like to try different tactile materials and ways of speaking. I find I need to shift, I like the rhythm of working from one thing to the next. The ideas continue to evolve but you are holding different materials in your hand.... one day a needle and thread, the next a paint brush maybe, but the voice is the same.... or the thumbprint is the same.... And the happy overlaps begin, I might pull something out from a time before and marry ideas or actually merge materials....

As for organising my work, I have really reduced the 'stuff' I have around me in recent times. I have become far interested in clutter than I used to be. So I have a bureau with drawers for materials and when I am not working on a particular media that all gets packed away into a box, put into the garage or elsewhere. I make plans and projects but I don't necessarily stick to them too rigidly.

Dru: in one interview, you mentioned creativity as a way of building up self-worth and finding one's voice. this is part of my journey and i was hoping you could you say more about this process?

Cathy: I know it has been said before by many artists, of all kinds, but creativity is never to be undervalued, especially when moving through difficult periods and changes in life.... I have told before of how I went through an emotionally challenging period, beginning six, seven years ago - and really, quite simply just 'making things' helped me keep my chin above water.

The process of creating, anything from the heart, can be part of a healing..... sharing work is another dimension to that and of course selling gives an exact opportunity to feel some personal success in all of it..... When I was really low and bleak-thinking, I had a few scraps of fabric and I started to make things, and encouraged by a few good friends, I continued to make things....

Of course finding a voice that is authentic - that may be a hit and miss, or twisted journey process.... start by making what you like and then discover what it is you are saying that is your own.... that is how it happened for me.... now I make things that are 'mine' without worrying about influences and strategies, but it has been a journey of finding out how to do just that....

Dru: what does a usual day look like for you? (also, do you have a typical schedule for your studio practice?)

Cathy: I have a busy family life, with school age children, but this is also a great advantage - as the school day gives me a structure to work around. And my working does not stop when the children are home. Infact I sometimes find my best ideas and work coming through when they are right by, and they are my best critics. I plan my week, but only tentatively, because I never know what will really happen in life or creatively.

I like to work early in the mornings and then I find my creative momentum tends to return just as I am cooking our evening meal! I don't like cooking, so the art wins....

Dru: many of our team members are young artists and new etsy-ers. what would your "letters to a young artist" say?

Cathy: Expect to work and work before you feel you are making something authentically your own - but don't see that as a mountain to climb, see it as a really exciting journey. Perhaps from the start of things you have always felt you are making 'your own mark', and that is good. Continue on and don't be surprised by change.

As for practical ways of marketing your work and so on - there are great resources on Etsy etc... of course.

There can be a 'mystique' around making art and making things that are a bit different. Enjoy this. Live an artistic life all the way through, from how you decorate your home to how you talk to others and just go for it - enjoy.

Don't you just love this advice? I for one am going to take this advice to heart! Thanks so much Cathy!

For a wonderful sampling of Cathy's work, check out the zine that she's created of prose-poetry and art. It's called Violet Goodenough... check it out!

We have our Team treasury Challenge Winners

2011-07-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here ye, Here ye! We have our team treasury challenge winners! For 1st place~ www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ2MTQ2MjJ8MzcyMTU1NTM0/the-end-of-the-gemini by folklure You have won a $10 credit to either one of Drucilla's shops here on etsy and you won the ' Folk Reverie' necklace from Chymiera, just come and pick it up and when it asks for form of payment, just click "other" I will mark as paid & ship to you!! Congrats!

And for 2nd place~ www.etsy.com/treasury/OTc4NjI5OHwzNDU2NTkzNjk/women-of-the-sea by poppywomen You have won the Peppermint pixie earrings form Chymiera, just come & pick it up, go thru checkout and when it asks for form of payment, just click "other" and I will mark as paid & ship to you. Congrats!

Drucilla & I have decided that due to everybody's busy summer, we will take a small vacation too from doing the treasury challenges. We hope to resume them sometime in August or September, and will post on the discussion board and on this blog.

Be well, Have a happy & safe summer! xo ~ Chy

2011-06-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

Time to make some treasuries!!!

Some congrats are in order. Thanks to all who participated in the

treasury challenge from 5/23 to 6/4 !! The winning treasury of the votes that came into 1st place is this

treasury ~ curated by WaddleandMoo

www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk1NTAwMnwzMDYxNzk5NTY/arsenic-old-lace

You have won a $10 gift certificate to ChYMieRa and a $10 gift certificate to either one of Drucilla Pettibone's shops You will be featured on the team blog, and also, for the next Folk Reveries Team Challenge, curators must include at least one of your items per treasury!

The winning treasury of votes that came into 2nd place is this treasury ~ curated by mimiMatelot

www.etsy.com/treasury/ODExMTk0MXwzMDQ4OTM5NDM/midspring-nights-dream As the runner-up, you will be featured on the team blog & you will receive a $5 gift certificate to ChYMieRa Congrats to both of you for having such a clever eye for treasury-making!

*********************************************************************************************

As mentioned previously, our treasury challenge will now run every fortnight. (Bi-weekly), so everyone has 2 weeks to make fabulous treasuries to promote our fabulous team. And then an additional week for voting.

Remember, you must use one item from WaddleandMoo's shop in any treasury that you make, along with at least 7 other members of the team for this challenge. {Though, we do love seeing treasuries comprised of all Folk Reveries members } Here is WaddleandMoo's shop : www.etsy.com/shop/WaddleandMoo

New treasuries may commence as of 6/13 and will end on 6/25. Voting will begin on 6/26 and end on 7/2 to give everyone ample time to vote. We will tally the votes again in 1st and 2nd choice format. Donations for this challenge would be helpful & might inspire more participation.

Any donated prizes will be announced.

Here is a peak at what we have so far for the next first & 2nd place winners.

Next Treasury Challenge first place winner will receive this necklace~

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75933138/folk-reverie-reserved-for-the-folk

Next Treasury Challenge Second place winner will receive these earrings~

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76042881/reserved-peppermint-pixies

Spook Sister

2011-06-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

One of the artists on our team who I find incredibly inspiring is Gillian, miss quite contrary on Etsy. Her shop features an eclectic mix of media, from her original photography to embroidery to vintage objects, but her work defies category. Her photos mix her own images with still life and antique book pages, peek at us from inside and outside windows, and hide in other objects such as brooches and pocket mirrors. All of these media mix, seemingly effortlessly, around themes of women, loss and fairy tales. Even when her photos aren't the subject of her listings, I want them anyway!

I was hoping to get some insight into her unique and compelling work by asking her just one open-ended interview question. Thankfully, she obliged:

When I was approached to write a reply to the one question interview inquiry 'What is your favourite photograph?', I must admit I was truly and completely stumped.

I'm drawn to the faded, crackled and misty mysterious atmosphere of the very earliest photography, but something about the subject matter is a just little too twee, overly pondered and academic for me.

'Ghost Convent' by miss quite contrary

I realized the artists who have the most influence on me and my art, who excite my too often complacent brain and who speak to my sad little heart are not photographers at all, but Margaret MacDonald and Frances McNair, 19th century artists and sisters known together as the 'Spook School' but connected with the 'Glasgow School' and the Arts and Crafts Movement, which promoted folk inspired arts and the handmade in reaction to the advent of Industrialisation.

'Castle Timber' by miss quite contrary

Margaret MacDonald and Frances McNair combined the influences of folk art, of nature and reaction to the Industrial Revolution - their work is like viewing forests through the London fog - a misty, half finished looking style that really is very similar in atmosphere to those earliest photographs, peeling and blurred.

'I Know There's No Such Thing as Ghosts' by miss quite contrary

Their colours were pale and drab and dark all at the same time, their lines bold and geometric yet soft and organic and meandering. Their work was calming to look at, but with an underlying mystery and sense of impending doom, something dangerous lurking at the edges of the forest.

'Stand Like a Dead Tree' by miss quite contrary

Working in pencil, ink, watercolour and oil, on wood, plaster, glass, metal panels, hessian and plain old brown paper, they used beads, embroidery, inset shells and gold paint, their work is at once lowly and populist and otherworldly; and though they designed furniture, stained glass windows and even advertisments, they never strayed in the bourgeois, with even their most embellished works appearing not glamorous or moneyed but twinkling with ethereal riches that have nothing to do with our mortal world.

'Woodcutter's Daughter' by miss quite contrary

They are my inspiration for rejecting artistic conventions and being dark, rebellious, revolutionary, tragic Victorian women, for managing to eke out a living from art while never betraying their radical sensibilities, for rejecting expectations and the old fashioned confines mastering one media, but, instead, for wandering and dabbling (and, indeed, mastering) as they pleased, and, most of all, for making haunting, touching, emotional art unlike anything I've ever seen before, and guiding my fingers a little bit with everything I make.

'Grey Dawn Ghost' by miss quite contrary

My favourite photograph isn't even a photograph. My favourite photograph isn't even a single piece of art. My favourite photograph is the works, the minds, the hearts, of Margaret MacDonald and Frances McNair.

'Deutsche Kunst...', by Margaret MacDonald

'Ill Omen' by Frances McNair

Thank you so much, Gillian, for this fabulous interview.

Let's Get Some Votes!

2011-06-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the official list of treasuries that were curated for our most recent Folk Reveries treasury Challenge:

www.etsy.com/treasury/4dddafeb435f8eefd65d32da/midspring-nights-dream
by mimiMatelot

www.etsy.com/treasury/4dddf2ac79c88eef2426fffa/a-lady-ivory-white-a...
by Chymiera

www.etsy.com/treasury/4dde496b1d988eefc1cf75cc/a-little-bird-and-hi...
by DesdemonaLovesMoon

www.etsy.com/treasury/4de122b5490b8eefbd04adb8/arsenic-old-lace
by WaddleandMoo

www.etsy.com/treasury/4de878360cc76d91511b7f1e/romantic-like
by hunterandmoon

www.etsy.com/treasury/4de90d9d62228eef58978655/brightlight
by DearOhDeer

www.etsy.com/treasury/4de931a7dd298eef7e7b9e9f/flight-of-the-heart?...
by poppywomen

Anyone can vote! Please vote in #1 and #2 format on our Etsy team discussion page found here:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7627971/page/2

Voting will end on 6/11.

xoxo

i dream of blue...

2011-06-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Amanda of Blue LaReve recently won our team treasury challenge with her entry "a little folk for the soul.". I just want to live in her world of fresh breezes and cool colours - perfect for this hot weather!

Her shop is a carefully curated blend of her own handmade creations with complementary vintage items. Check out these beauties...

Head on over to her shop, or visit her at her lovely blog, here! Congrats Amanda, from a fellow cancer girl!

Winners & New Team Treasury Challenge 5/23 - 6/4

2011-05-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Some congrats are in order.

Thanks to all who participated in the treasury challenge from 5/2 to 5/15 !! The winning treasury of the votes that came into 1st place is this treasury ~ curated by BlueLaReve

a little folk for the soul

You have won a $10 gift certificate to ChYMieRa ( I will be in touch) and a 10% off coupon to poppywomen. You will be featured on the team blog, and also, for the next Folk Reveries Team Challenge, curators must include at least one of your items per treasury!

The winning treasury of votes that came into 2nd place is this treasury~ created by hunterandmoon

the anatomy of sixteen

As the runner-up, you will be featured on the team blog & you will receive a $5 gift certificate to ChYMieRa. ( I will be in touch)

Congrats to both of you for having such a clever eye for treasury-making!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As mentioned previously, our treasury challenge will now run every fortnight. (Bi-weekly), so everyone has 2 weeks to make fabulous treasuries to promote our fabulous team. And then an additional week for voting.

All of the rules for making a treasury for this challenge can be found on our blog here.

Remember, you must use one item from BlueLaReve's shop in any treasury that you make, along with at least 7 other members of the team for this challenge. {Though, we love seeing treasuries comprised of all Folk Reveries members }
Here is BlueLaReve's shop: www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLaReve

Please post all your new treasuries in this thread and remember to use the tags "folkreveries" and/or "folkreverieschallenge" in your treasuries.

New treasuries may commence as of 5/23 and will end on 6/4. Voting will begin on 6/4 and end on 6/11 to give everyone ample time to vote. We will tally the votes again in 1st and 2nd choice format.

We would love to see everyone create just one treasury for each challenge, but , we also know that people are very busy in their daily lives. I would suggest that you at least take a gander at each treasury posted, it helps with clicks (and you know on Etsy it is all about clicks) and the more clicks & comments, the more likely a treasury is to hit the front page! And that is awesome exposure for any team!

Donations for this challenge would be helpful & might inspire more participation. Any donated prizes will be announced. If you would like to donate, you can either convo me or post in this thread.

As of now, we have the following donated prizes:
A $10 gift certificate to ChYMieRa
A $10 gift certificate to either Drucilla Pettibone or petit bones.

Good Luck to All! And Happy Treasury-making!
xo, ~ Chy

p.s. please post your treasuries in this thread on our team forum!

voting on the treasury challenge

2011-05-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

♥

♥Hi folks!♥

We had a team treasury challenge from 5/2 to 5/15 where members were asked to make treasuries comprised of at least 8 members of this team.
Starting today 5/16 we will be voting on these treasuries.

Everyone will have 2 votes. Submit your votes here in this format #1 (being your favorite) and #2 (your next favorite).

~The first place winner will receive the following prizes:
A $10 gift certificate to ChYMieRa
and 10% off coupon to poppywomen
and will be featured at least one time in each treasury in the next coming challenge.

♥The second place winner will receive a $5 gift certificate to ChYMieRa♥

♥Both the first and second place winners will be featured on the team blog!♥

Here is the list of treasuries that were submitted for the challenge.
Remember to vote in #1, #2 format.

♥

♥♥
Let the Voting Begin~

♥

♥♥please post your votes on this forum thread http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7603948/ ♥♥

Treasury Challenge Inspiration

2011-05-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some lovelies from the treasury challenge winner CorvidDelights to inspire your treasuries!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CorvidDelights?ref=seller_info

Winners & New Team Treasury Challenge 5/2 thru 5/15

2011-05-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

The winning treasury is Straw Boater on the Seine by CorvidDelights. I love the golden sunlit tones and delicate turqoises. It really feels like a lovely French summer afternoon spent by a river!!

The runner up is Mathyld of underthepyramids. I love the elegance of her treasury It's in the darkest corners..... and the subtle sense of darkness and mystery.

I am going to be doing features on the two winners in the blog over the next two weeks as treasury making and voting takes place.

Please, please, please support the team treasuries by clicking and commenting even if you don't have time to make one yourself. Chymiera has generously offered another $10 gift voucher to the next winner. If anyone can offer prizes for future challenges please contact Chy.

here is the link to the post on the team forum http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7546274/

♥ ♥ ♥ Sammi

To celebrate Beltane:.... flower themed picks from the ♥team♥

2011-04-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Beltane is a very special and magical Celtic festival. It marks the start of Summer and is a really beautiful time of the year...with longer hours of sunshine, warmer weather, an abundance of new life (especially baby rabbits... soooooo cute!). Loveliest of all is the blooming of the hawthorn (May) and countless wild flowers. Traditionally hawthorn boughs and posies of wild flowers were gathered and used to decorate homes. I always think of lovely posies of wild-flowers when I think of Beltane and this is what has inspired these very pretty flower themed picks from the ♥team♥

Woodland Nymph - Deer Antler and Sequin Necklace

♥prairieoats♥

♥

Gathering Flowers, print

♥throughtheforest♥

♥

floral crown
♥scarletmaiden♥

♥

watercolour floral dress
♥violetfolklore♥
♥

violet night victorian romantic lace earrings
♥CorvidDelights♥
♥

recycled vintage crochet lace cape with liberty flowers
♥bayousalvage♥
♥

vintage 1930s apron with flowers and beads
♥laboheme♥
♥

Lady of Wildflowers
♥ElizabethFrank♥
♥

These are just a few of the very beautiful flower-themed items in ♥Folk Reveries♥ members' shops.

ps: if anyone is interested in finding out more about ♥Beltane♥ I have more detailed info on my blog http://woodlanddiary.blogspot.com_beltane-festival-of-fire-and-flowers

New and exciting changes to Team Treasury Challenge

2011-04-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

I am copying over Chy's inspirational post from the forum:

Hear ye, Hear ye! Important News about our Team Treasury Challenge:

The Leaders have decided to change the weekly treasury challenge to a bi-weekly treasury challenge.
Starting a new challenge every 2 weeks will allow more time for more team members to participate and give everyone ample time to vote.
Voting will be posted on the thread of each challenge and we ask that even if you do not have time to make a treasury, please at least vote on the treasuries made.
Everyone will be allowed 2 votes, but please correspond #1 with your first choice and #2 for your second choice.
I know that seems obvious, but I want to make certain we don't tally the votes wrong.
Also, donated prizes will be announced and given to the 1st place winner, but the 2nd place winner will also receive a little something.
We would love to see everyone create just one treasury for each challenge, but , we also know that people are very busy in their daily lives.
I would suggest that you at least take a gander at each treasury posted, it helps with clicks (and you know on Etsy it is all about clicks) and the more clicks & comments, the more likely a treasury is to hit the front page! And that is awesome exposure for any team!!

So, to re-iterate the treasuries already posted by the lovely Mathyld, for you to vote on, I will relist them here and remember to keep it to just 2 votes ~pretty please? ;}

www.etsy.com/treasury/4da32c17f4778eef1551e912/new-life
www.etsy.com/treasury/4da67044fe9d6d913e3e1ace/forest-dweller
www.etsy.com/treasury/4da3cbebb5608eef24fc02b2/a-l-c-h-e-m-y
www.etsy.com/treasury/4dae2b55cd456d9116d09f36/its-in-the-darkest-c...
www.etsy.com/treasury/4db378057a9d8eef9b0957b8/by-star-or-by-stream
www.etsy.com/treasury/4daef0a734038eef2bd7d12f/of-elements-and-lace
www.etsy.com/treasury/4dacc219b1058eef1982a3f0/touch-of-grey
www.etsy.com/treasury/4db226238a1d8eeff5337861/purple-jupiter
www.etsy.com/treasury/4dad3700e41a6d9103a64eab/expectation
www.etsy.com/treasury/4dae0818b5796d9129a64e3d/here-is-the-key-to-u...
www.etsy.com/treasury/4db3a88dc54b6d9156d9cbe7/relic
www.etsy.com/treasury/4db25b56d9d36d918480f385/straw-boater-on-the-...

The voting for this will be closed on Saturday, April 30th and a new treasury challenge will commence on Monday, May 2. -a new thread will be posted.

Good Luck to all!
xoxox

.......Also....... as you know the the winner gets featured in all of the next week's treasuries......I am going to interview the runner-up and feature their shop on the team blog as a runner-up prize.

All the more reasons to join in the fun

yay!!!!!!!!....

here is the link so you can vote: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/6860835/page/1

Sammi♥

Easter interview with SomethingHorse

2011-04-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

I can't think a better way to celebrate easter than by spending time with Sammi of SomethingHorse. She is a new-ish leader on our Folk Reveries team and has been such a help and a unifying force on our team already. I just love following her Woodland Diary, and want to live in the magical landscapes she creates. I'm treating myself to one of Sammi's adorable bunny scuptures today too ... :)

Here are my questions and her answers...

What is your background?

Joe and I both grew up in Southern Africa. Joe grew up in Zambia and I grew up on a sheep farm in a semi-desert area of South Africa called the little Karoo. Joe and I met because he was my painting lecturer at Art college. Because of our opposition to Apartheid it became dangerous for us to live in South Africa, so soon after we met we moved to Ireland where we spent 12 years before moving to London about 9 years ago.

How long have you been working in clay and on paper?

I only began working with clay 4 or 5 years ago, so it is still very new to me, but I have been making drawings and paintings on paper since I was a child. I have been officially working as a painter and illustrator for about 20 years.

Do you work in any other media?

My other favourite medium, which also involves paper, is collage. I also love working with wood, taking photographs and creating collections of found objects.

How does your observance of nature influence your work?

The world of nature is a great source of inspiration for me. I think that the organic shapes, forms, textures and colours that I see find their way into my work. I also love animals and my experiences of watching wild and tame animals has created the basis for many of the animal characters I paint or make out of clay. I also love looking at films, documentaries and artwork which capture the beauty of nature.

Nature is not just a visual source of imagery for me... in a very real way I think that the energy I need in order to create is replenished and renewed through my contact with nature. I could not really keep going without it.

What is the connection with paganism in your life and work?

I connect to Pagan myths and festivals because of the reverence for nature and the close connection with the rhythms and seasons of the earth throughout the year. This is something I try to hold on to and remain aware of.

What is a typical day like for you?

My days tend to vary quite a lot as I am more creative at some times of the month than others - I find that the time before and after the full moon is my most creative time. I often work quite late into the night, so usually I get up quite late, make a to-do list for the day and get to work. Often the early part of the day is spent on loading the kiln, taking photographs, checking mail etc. An hour or so before sunset Joe and I will always take a walk to the wood, forest or fields. This is the most important and most enjoyable part of my day. After cooking dinner I usually get to work on colouring and glazing, or making new pieces out of clay. At the moment I am doing some collage which is a lovely change. I don't paint as much as I used to, but sometimes I will paint or write. I also have to try to squeeze in some time online working on my blog or Etsy shop. Always too much to do and not enough hours to fit it all in!! We always end the day with watching a nice film or documentary or listening to an audio book.

Can you tell us more about your creative partnership?

When Joe and I work together he tends to make things on a large scale and I produce the teeny details. We are working on a gnome house at the moment, it is made in a section of a hollow oak log. Joe has carved stairs and a fireplace and is busy installing the upper storey. I am going to make the gnome family and gnome crockery etc out of clay. He will make some wooden furniture as well.

We are also writing a children's book about a family of beetles. Joe has done most of the illustrations and I have done most of the writing, but we worked out the story together.

We love to work together in this way, but also have our own individual projects... sometimes we need to give one another a lot of space, at other times we offer one another advice and encouragement.

What are your hopes and goals for the future of your creative work?

I have been thinking about learning to crochet so that I can make clothes for my little clay figures... I am waiting till I am less busy, but this is a little dream I really hope to realise one day.

I want to finish the many children's books I have begun writing and illustrating.

And finally in the very near future Joe and I are determined that we are finally going to use the enamels and enamelling equipment we bought a few years ago and make some enamelled jewellery in our kiln.

Thanks so much, Sammi, for sharing your world with us <3 We're so lucky to have you as a team leader!

Treasury Challenge : something new

2011-04-19T16:30:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd give a heads-up to those who, just like me, are too lazy to go and check the team discussions on Etsy.
ChYMiera had a super generous idea to motivate the troops !

⁂

Here's what she wrote

I am starting this thread to help the lovely Drucilla. I hope is this week is better for you, love!
That being said, please use this thread to post your treasury challenge for this week.
Since there was not enough participants for the last challenge, no winner was declared.
So, we are starting fresh!

And to get you all motivated- I will donate a $10 gift certificate to my shop to the Treasury Challenge winner. How do you like them apples? Other donations would be great!

All of the rules for making a treasury for this challenge can be found here:
http://folkreveries.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-weekly-treasury-challenges.html

To include your treasury in this week's challenge and to make it easily findable for all team mates, you will need to post your treasury link in this thread.

Good luck to all !!
Hugs!!

⁂

Isn't that incredibly generous of her ?
I think that the least we could do is to include one of her items to all this week treasuries ...

And there are many more where these beauties come from !

Good luck, everyone !

x x x
-mathyld-

An Interview with Lauren Small (gingerkellydesigns)

2011-04-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have been really amazed by the depth of visual imagery in your work. It really feels like walking into a magical dreamworld and it is so obvious how much your imagination is steeped in folklore, myth and fairy tale. I was wondering if you have any particular favourite books, myths, fairy-stories or folk-tales. ….. Also, is there any one particular story or book you remember reading as a child that first drew you into this enchanted world?

Oh, where to begin? I LOVE books. Over the past few years I became really hooked on the fantasy novels of Cecilia Dart Thornton, particularly The Bitterbynde Trilogy. Her stories are filled with references to traditional folklore from all over the world and the descriptions of characters and places seem to match my imagination exactly... I always have the most vivid dreams after reading these books. My love of fantasy stories began when I was very young after reading 'Faeries' by Brian Froud and Alan Lee. It wasn’t until last year that I actually bought myself a copy and I fell in love all over again with the amazing illustrations and the slightly creepy stories about water nymphs and kelpies.

Another influence which is very obvious in your work is a strong connection with nature........ What is your favourite wild place or landscape? … and what are the qualities and feature you love about it most?

Do I have to choose just one place? The first place that immediately springs to mind is Ireland. I went on a solo backpacking trip around Ireland (without the backpack) about 4 years ago. I was wandering around in the forests of Glendalough and Killarney in autumn... absolutely the most magical places I've ever seen. The thick forest trees, beautiful streams, waterfalls and the plush carpet of moss on everything was so inspiring, For some reason it’s the smell of those places that is the clearest memory for me. The wet earth and the gentle sound of the rain filtering through the branches above before it plops onto the ground.

As I'm writing this it’s raining here at home and the sound is making me very nostalgic...I would go back to Ireland in a heartbeat.

As your home is in Australia, this landscape may be very different from the Northern hemisphere landscapes which surround many of the myths and fairy-stories which inspire your work. Do you ever feel that you are bridging two sides of the earth that are experiencing opposite seasons... do you feel there is harmony or conflict in this?

Yes. I always feel that I'm partway between two continents, two seasons. Part of me is very much attached to my home in Australia, the other part is trying to stretch itself across the ocean... My head and heart want to go on adventures, while my bottom doesn't want to leave my comfy home ;)

There's a little conflict... and there's a little part of me waiting to see what will happen when the stronger part wins.

… and talking about the seasons... it may be Spring here, but in Australia you have just celebrated the Autumnal Equinox... going into the darker side of the year. What does Autumn feel like for you and what sort of changes to you notice in the natural environment around you at this time of year?

Autumn is my favourite time of year here in Australia. I live in a very wet region where it’s fairly green all year round but autumn is usually drier and it brings out a complete change in the feel of the air and the smell of the earth. The sound of Currawongs (native birds that are a bit like magpies crossed with crows) is the first thing that I notice when the season changes. Then there's the wind in the evening... I love standing out under the stars when it’s a windy night. There's something in the air... I can’t explain it.

In what ways do you feel that living in Australia has shaped and contributed to the very special qualities of your work?

This is a difficult question... I'm not sure if it’s something that can really be defined because my experience of Australia is likely to be very different from the way many people imagine Australia to be. When you think of Australia do you think of red dirt & kangaroos? I think of the silver smooth bark of blue gums, round river stones and playing in the creek when it floods... the bright feathers of kingfishers and satin bowerbirds and the soft grey fuzzy fur of the orphaned baby wallabies that my grandmother hand raises. My childhood was very free, close to nature and I spent most of my time playing outside, or escaping into my own imagination at times when I had to go to school (I hated school).... So I think it’s more the feeling and the 'spirit' of the way I grew up that inspires the artwork I create.

I am so interested in your creative process..... how you go about creating your digital pieces...... the way your ideas and inspirations are worked out..... what your experience of this process is like and how it fits in with the rest of your life.....

Usually an artwork starts off in a dream or daydream. If I cannot immediately sit down and start creating the scene I've imagined then I do a really quick sketch or write a few notes in my sketchbook for later on. Most of the time I simply abandon what I was doing when I get a new idea in my head and then get lost in my imagination for a few hours until daily needs start calling... I have gone through an entire day of painting before realising that its 6pm and I haven’t even had breakfast yet! That’s not a good way to treat my body so I now try to eat something and maybe do a few daily chores before my creative side gets carried away...

How does being an artist fit into your life?...... As a child, did you know you were going to be an artist when you grew up? Have you ever considered another career in life? And do you have other interests, work, hobbies or commitments that also play an important part in your life?

As a child I had no idea of what I wanted to do when I was older. I was completely absorbed with what I was doing at that precise moment. And I am still quite a bit like that today... absorbed in today and not really thinking about tomorrow. There was a time when I was forced to think about what I wanted to do/be when I 'grew up'. When I finished school, aged 17, I decided to go to uni and learn more about caring for and training horses as I've owned and ridden horses since I was a toddler. I'd always wanted to have more knowledge for myself, regardless of whether there was a career in it. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I really didn’t want to do any more formal education so I finished my first year then went travelling around Australia, drawing and painting every day while I travelled and realised that this is what I wanted to do. Art. I'd always loved drawing and my family and friends seemed to think I was good at it, so I kept teaching myself by experimenting and constantly practicing. I did end up finishing my university course but I did the final two years by distance education so that I could study at my own pace and do the things I really wanted to do each day... which was ride horses and paint ~ though not at the same time. Easels and paintbrushes are a little unwieldy on the back of a horse I can tell you.

It was incredibly dificult to choose just a few of Lauren's paintings and drawings to include with this interview.... to see more visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/gingerkellydesigns and her extremely magical website at www.gingerkellystudio.com

the swan princess lives on

2011-04-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

for last week's team challenge challenge, we couldn't help but choose this amazing treasury by one of our new members, renee of poppywomen:

the swan princess

i love that this treasury isn't just visually compelling, but it's also based on russian folk tales that inspired the ballet "swan lake," as well as the black swan and many other interpretations. it's interesting that so much of the imagery and concepts expressed by our team members in their art have such long histories and deep resonances.

for this week, remember to use one of renee's listings to inspire our treasuries. show us your treasuries by posting links on the thread on the team forum here.

beautiful job renee, congrats!!

Spirit Birds

2011-04-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

What is your Spirit Animal?
This is a question I had never really thought about before.... and when I did, I first went through my favourite animals, the ones that inspire my work or that I find particularly beautiful....

Rabbits, hares, horses..... tigers, elephants......
But I knew it was none of these... it was.... a bird
At first I did not know which one...
only that it was a secret ghostly presence in the night that I had only been aware of in my dreams....
like an owl... but gentler and even more strange..... eventually it came to me...
it was a nightjar... not quite sure why... they just make me feel all shivery!

I love all birds anyway, they are so inspiratory, symbolic, magical, shy and otherworldly. These are some of the amazing birds I have found in other team members' shops

One Bird victorian dressed bird print

lindanorton

Spirit Animals Stationery set

marisolspoon

Bleu - Hand Sculpted Ceramic Vase

by

Jennymendes

Little White-Eye - A5 Print

by

bibliographica

Bird in Hand Necklace

mamaslittlebabies

Woodland owl

robinandthesage

Our fabulous team Captain, Dru has started a discussion on the team forum and suggested that we all create a piece of work representing our spirit animal. Perhaps they could all be featured in a blog post or treasury?... a pretty inspiring idea, I think... I'm off to make my nightjar!! Here's a link to the discussion http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/6837786/

♥Sammi

we love our spirit animals!

2011-03-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

the winner of last week's challenge is lauren of gingerkellydesigns! her shop has a wonderful assortment of items, all photographed in soft, lush colours, just like her winning treasury (click to biggify!)

spirit animal of copper and blue

we on the folk reveries team love our spirit animals. mine is most definitely a deer. what is yours?

congrats to lauren, and thanks to all who participated this week!

sláinte, gypsy moon!

2011-03-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

The winner of last week's team treasury challenge is gypsymoonart!

Into the Woods

There were some gorgeous treasuries this week, but gypsy's was irresistible. I hope our challenge winners are finding increased traffic from the next week's team treasuries! How's it going, team? Any ideas for how we can all support each other in this treasury-making?

The Spring Equinox

2011-03-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

The Spring equinox takes place at 11.21pm on Sunday the 20th of March. It is the festival of the Saxon Goddess Eostre (also called Ostara) – the Goddess of fertility and of the Dawn.

Her familiar was the the rabbit or hare. Hares are moon-gazers and are said to have powers of transformation. They were believed to lay coloured eggs in nests on the ground. (hares do make grass-lined nests on the ground for their little leverets, but they don't usually lay eggs in them!)

Rituals performed in celebration of the equinox included painting eggs with rich bright colours, or painting them with beautiful detailed patterns. Sometimes they were buried in the ground. Eggs are a symbol of new life and of the hopes we cherish for the coming year.

I have chosen some items by team members that pick up on equinox-related themes. I know that we have recently had a rabbit blog and a bunny blog, but I'm afraid the equinox just wouldn't be the equinox without a few hares!!!

Vintage GREET THE DAWN 50s/60s Neutral Floral Day Dress
by AstralBoutique

Sun Goddess
by art4sol

Mystical, white hare art print

by earthangelsarts

The Starlight Hare
by karen Davis

Little Inhabitants (woodland nest ring)
by LambCandy

Amethyst Magic and Agate Dreams by ParrishRelics

2011-03-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

The winner of last week's team treasury challenge is Jen of ParrishRelics. Her combination of purples and greens is so romantic, timeless and yet timely:

Amethyst & Agate, Magic & Dreams Congrats, Jen!

To all our little treasury-making elves, let's use Jen's pretties this week in your team treasuries! Remember to post links to your finished treasuries on our team forum here!

wake up, team!!

2011-03-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

congrats to Catalina, scarlet maiden, last week's treasury challenge winner! who could resist?

"wake me when it's spring"

be sure to use one of her lovelies in your treasuries this week! link yours here.

the other garden..

2011-02-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

congrats to giovanna of tirabaralla! she won last week's treasury challenge with her luminous garden...

so this week's treasuries should all feature something in her shop... remember to support your team members by clicking and sharing widely! and link your treasuries to our team thread for next week!

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

I know that Heather just did a bunnies post but I wanted to make one too.
So let's say that mine will be different because it will be a rabbit post :)

Hunger's Demand by Fernbeds

Vintage white distressed plastic rabbit earrings by BlackStar

Torchon Lapin by Bloomsong

Little Maple, articulated paper doll by WoolAndWater

Vintage silk quilted baby jacket & bonnet by DrucillaPettibone

Mr Rabbit Long Ears by PrettyDreamer

Hare papercut print by MonPetitFantome

Happy Year of the Rabbit, everyone !
-mathyld-

Treasury Challenge Winner (Week of 2/14) is ThePaperButterfly

2011-02-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Caitlin of ThePaperButterfly, winner of last week's treasury challenge!

There were a number of stunning treasuries, this week (notably, the Keys to the Dark Garden treasury by Tirabaralla, and also this one by Veronika of Snowberry & Lime). Caitlin's treasury was exceptional in her use of a coherent theme, and fresh colour. So please look to ThePaperButterfly to inspire your treasuries for this upcoming week!

The team's leaders have been having a bit of trouble choosing among the treasuries, so we would like to begin putting it to a team vote every week. It's been suggested that the leaders select the top three treasuries made during the week on Friday, let the team vote over the weekend, with the winner to be announced on Monday. We could start this coming week. What do you all think?

Bunny Besotted

2011-02-15T18:23:00.001-08:00

Many of us have a certain animal that we're drawn to, one that makes us melt or smile or a little bit of both. For me, that animal is the rabbit.

Every artist sees the world through their own lens. I thought it would be interesting to take my favorite little furry friend and see how some of the fine artists here at Folk Reveries view the rabbit. And I was pleased to see some really amazing and unique pieces. Here are a few of my personal favorites that I found in our member shops, ready to purchase today:

SHOP: Native Vermont

Rabbit Etching Collage on Canvas

SHOP: Lamb Candy

Between You and Me bookplates

SHOP: Elizabeth Frank

Blue Bunny Monster

Shop: Dear oh Deer

Mon Petite Lapin

SHOP: Botanical Theatre

White and Brown Bunny Wooden Necklace

Shop: A Rabbit Girl

Heavenly Harmony

First Treasury Challenge Winner

2011-02-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

is... teri of terraworks! here is the beautiful treasury she made last week for our team's first challenge:

the team leaders voted and chose the simple lines and warm colours of teri's selections. so this means that terraworks is the featured seller for this week's treasury challenge! this challenge runs from today (2/14) through sunday (2/20) everyone should use an item from teri's shop as part of a new team treasury. remember the other rules too! And remember to post your treasuries to this week's forum thread.

honorable mentions to go SomethingHorse for her striking monochrome moods treasury, and Elizabeth Frank's intriguing through the looking glass.

we are off to a good start! thanks to all who participated. we had a number beautiful treasuries from last week, and many hundreds of views. and finally, many of us are starting to use the team tag "folkreveries" in our listings. look forward to see what we can do this coming week!

Last-minute Valentine !

2011-02-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
For those of you who, just like me, are last-minute shoppers ...

Here is something you could get at the very last minute !
Folk-Reveries Gift Certificates.

by thesocialcellar

by miniaturerhino

by bayousalvage

by underthepyramids

by somestrangewomen
(no printable version for this one)

by petitbones

by cloven

♥

If you are part of the team and have some certificates in your shop, feel free to link them in the comments.

Reminder : it took a long time to put these together ...
If you're part of the team and would like to see you items featured in the blog, but also pop-up in treasuries, here's a little advice : don't forget to add the tag folkreveries to your items !

Moonlight & Magick from Paris,
- mathyld -

Introducing Weekly Treasury Challenges!

2011-02-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

Starting Monday, the Folk Reveries team will have weekly treasury challenges! Here are the Rules (and some general guidelines, too!):

The challenges will run from Monday to the following Sunday of each week, with the winner of the previous week to be announced early in the following week.
The team leaders will select the most beautiful and inspiring team treasury made during each week.
The winner's shop will then be featured in the following weeks' treasury challenge! That means lots of views for the winners.
To make your listings easy to find for treasury curators, include the team tag "folkreveries" in your listings!
Tag your treasuries "folkreveries" AND "folkreverieschallenge".
Use at least 8 folk reveries shops in your treasury. Try and include some of our new and "undiscovered" members!
Post the link to your treasury in our team discussion forum (I'll start a new thread each month).
Spread the links all around! Blog, facebook and tweet our team treasuries as widely as possible!
The more variety of items you include in your treasury, the better your chances of making the front page.
Clicking on each item in your team treasuries increases the views!
When tagging your treasuries, look for the latest "buzz" words - they are often listed in the Storque and I will try to post them on our team page.

We'll announce the winners right here, along with the challenges for the next week!

For this first challenge, let's all start with the work of one of our most talented team members, Nicomi "Nix" Turner. She is designing a blog banner for us, and all need to thank her!! If you aren't familiar with her work yet, you'll enjoy getting to know her through her illustrations and her jewellery creations. So ... begin your treasuries for next week with an item from one of her lovely shops, Fernbeds and Specimen Jars. Here are just a few examples...

Hunger's Demands Original Framed Illustration

The Art of Nicomi "Nix" Turner

Fernbeds Illustration Collection Set Greeting Cards

Mildred Mouse and The Thousand Pages Necklace

The Weberly Woods Necklace

Ok - let's get to curating!! And just comment here or on our team page, or convo me if you have questions!

toodles!

drucilla

saying goodbye and saying hello...

2011-01-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

Hello All Folk Reveries Members and Friends,
Welcome to a New Year of wonderful possibilities! The first month has not yet ended but it already has brought upon me new things and some changes as well. With that said, I formally announce to all that I have resigned as the Folk Reveries Leader and resigned from the group for personal reasons. This has been (and still is!) a great group filled with very creative and talented people and I want to thank each and every one of you who have made it so! I am so proud on how the group has grown in the two years from when I first began the group.

I have worked things out with the team's remaining leaders so that this transition will not majorly affect the team or it's members. So without further ado, I would love to introduce you all to your new Team Leader, our very own, Miss Drucilla Pettibone! I couldn't be more happy or honored with such an amazing successor! She is hugely talented and her works truly never cease to amaze me. I know that the group will be in great hands and I want you all to get to know her a bit more...

What first interested you about embroidery and how did you come about learning it?

I was lucky in that like so many crafters, I had a crafty mum and sister. Mum taught me to embroider when I was little. I burned out doing needlepoint at the hospital when my gran was ill, but then about ten years ago I got the crafty bug again. I learned to spin, re-learned to knit, and then re-discovered embroidery and cross-stitch.

You have some truly beautiful and intricate designs, what inspires your imagination?

That's so sweet of you! I'm mainly inspired by other artists. There is so much exciting fiber art being done right now. I'm also very much influenced by vintage patterns, especially from the Victorian era.

How would you describe your work?

I saw the term "sloppy craft" in one of the last issues of FiberArts and I loved that. Arlee Barr also described my work as part of a "making do aesthetic" which I was super flattered by and I also thought fit with what I'm trying to do.

Besides your own one of kind creations, what else do you sell in your shop?

I'm actually in the process of moving my handmade goods to a new Etsy shop called petit bones, at the urging of my dear friend and mentor, Mathyld. My other shop has been completely overtaken by vintage!

When finding vintage items, what do you look for in an item?

I only buy what I would want for myself, if I find it at a good price. Then, if I can't find a spot for it in our tiny farmhouse, I list it on Etsy.

I know you like many bygone eras like myself. What intrigues you about them and how do you use your affinity for them in what you do?

For me, it's all about the aesthetics, the art and the clothes. I wouldn't want to be a woman living in these eras, *but* the quality of the materials is so much more beautiful than all the synthetic stuff we're surrounded with today. Then there is the intricacy of the handwork. It's generally not economically feasible to produce these kinds of things now, although we can try! I also love the idea of having fewer material possessions, and only things that are precious and meaningful.

When you need a creative lift, what helps you get your 'groove' back?

Looking at fabrics, perusing beautiful blogs, and learning new skills.

Share with us five current things that have influenced your creativity:

Let's see, there are so many!

-The animals on our little farm

-Memories and family histories
-I'm obsessed right now with old quilts and learning to quilt

-That haunted sort of Southern Gothic motif, especially when it's done in new and interesting ways

-The natural dye and design work of India Flint

What hopes and aspir-ations do you have for the Folk Reveries team?

First I just hope to keep it going strong and continue your wonderful work in creating and growing this team! It would be great too if we could all dialogue more about our inspirations. We are surrounded by so many gorgeous visuals on Etsy, but I'm still very attached to words, and I'd like to learn more about the work of the artists on our team.

What would you like to say to the team members?

I'm amazed at the talented artists on our team, and thrilled to be among you. On a practical level, it is looking like the team forums are going to become the main place people communicate and help each other on Etsy. So I would ask everyone to join our team discussion forum at http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/ - even if you've never been active on the Etsy forums. The more we get to know each other, the more we can help promote each other! Please get involved, and let me know if I can help.

Drucilla Pettibone (vintage etsy)
petit bones (craft etsy)
Drucilla Pettibone (blog)

It has been such an honor being the Team Leader and meeting some amazing individuals because of it. I hope to see this group continue to grow, to become more involved and to meet and go beyond everyone's potential here. Though I will no longer be a part of the group, please come visit me if any one feels so inclined. I am still super friendly and love making acquaintances!

I will miss being here but again, I am so very happy knowing that this team will be taking care of. Thank you so much Drucilla!

Andrea, littlebighead

folk reveries friday finds

2011-01-07T04:26:00.000-08:00

Faunfare

ForStrangeWomen

scodioli

PoisonApplePotions

meadowmuffin2010

Enjoy some of the scents from folk reveries~

Yule-Tide is approaching !

2010-12-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

Yule-Tide is approaching !

Here, some magick inspired gift ideas from Under the Pyramids!

Sanctify Cleansing Kit- Purify, Protect, Cleanse by Anathemum

And They Spoke To Me - papercut print by Mon Petit Fantôme

Spectre Necklace.....Eunice by Katinka Pinka

Three Lavender-Scented Ravens by The Diggingest Girl

Birch bark in round black frame by Bettula

Grey Dawn Ghost - 8x10 Fine Art Photograph Print by Miss Quite Contrary

Set of vintage black tins by Every Eskimo
>> I want these so bad !

La Petite Bibliotheque de Deux by Bibliographica

All the Magic I need, bracelet - wooden skull and sterling bead by Under the Pyramids

La Cachette by Felicula

Custom Mojo Cuff from the Big Easy your choice of components

by Bayou Salvage

Medium Antique German crackly pouch, worn leather journal necklace

by Black Spot Books

Happy Yule-Tide !

Δ Δ Δ

-mathyld-

A Folk Reveries Interview with Featherheart Trading Co.

2010-12-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

I have met some truly amazing people on Etsy which have turned into wonderful friendships. Shannon Smith of Featherheart Trading Co. is one of those folks. Very approachable and sweet, she is filled with heart and tremendous knowledge of the herbs and plants around her. She's awesome to work with (I did her new labels, thanks Shannon!) and her natural products are heavenly. Here now, a Folk Reveries interview with Featherheart Trading Co.!

What do you make/sell:

Herbal organic body products and teas, nature inspired jewelry

When did you first begin studying herbs and plants and what inspired you to begin crafting your own herbal products?
My study of herbs and plants really did begin with my fascination with dandelions at the age of 5. I thought it was such a marvelous plant, yet everyone seemed to want it out of their yard. I could not understand this. Later in my mid twenties I started doing yoga and got pulled into a deep discovery and began my study of the movement as asana. I eventually became a yoga teacher and it was during that time that I started to realize that once a person starts moving and feeling really good physically, they begin to look for other avenues to nourish and support their body. Naturally one of those avenues is nutrition. I realized that there is so much conflicting information about what to put into your body. . . what is healthy and what is not. It's really enough to make you crazy. One day fat is bad, the next it's not. And what's this business with trans fats and saturated and unsaturated oils and is eliminating carbs good for you and on and on and on. So I decided to go back to school for the study of Nutrition so that I could perhaps make sense of it all and impart my knowledge unto others who were curious and confused. I attended Bauman College of Nutrition in Berkeley California. I loved it. It was such an eye opener and I learned so much. They taught first and foremost that we should all strive to get our nutrition from real, whole foods, but we also explored the world of supplements and ailments and of course I used myself as the biggest guinea pig! I diagnosed myself with gluten intolerance, food sensitivities, candida and so on. I took supplement after supplement and ate crazy restrictive diets and looked at all the reasons my body was failing rather than how my body was thriving, and then I began to look at myself and say, "This is ridiculous!" What we must remember is that the supplement industry including the doctors, naturopaths, nutrition consultants and others that subscribe these alternative health therapies are in the business to make money just like everyone else and that perhaps this is not always in our best interest. At that point, I just knew there was a better way. I knew there was a way to feel good without sinking hundreds of dollars into products and without seeking and reading books by professionals who told me I was sick and I knew I could do this on my own using natural resources and intuition. I remembered the dandelion and how she inspired me at a young age. Somehow I inherently knew then that the dandelion was not something to pull out of the yard. She was there for a reason just like all the other plants in your yard. The message was loud and clear. My next step was to study plants as medicine. I knew the fundamentals and body science of what I learned at Bauman College had put me on the right track. Nutrition should come from whole food. But taking that a step further, it was and is my strong feeling that should our bodies get sick, the answer is not necessarily to look to allopathic medicine or alternative supplement pills, but perhaps to look at what's growing around us and to use that as not only food, but medicine. It's the most natural and most pure way I can think of. I have to think this is what Mother Earth, God or whomever inspires you as the Creator intended. In fact there is a great quote from Rudolph Steiner, "For every illness, somewhere in the world there exists a plant which is the cure.” For me, it was important that as I embarked on my journey into the study of herbs, that I learn about what is native and what is around me. Yes there is a study of herbs that exists and is highly effective in China, India and other parts of the world, but I also knew and understood that Native Americans right here in this country had been using what was around them to heal and cure themselves for a very long time and that this was my path. With globalization, it is possible to import plants from all over the world, but what if -- just what if some day this is not possible? I wanted to know my land's traditions and possibilities. And thus began my in depth study into the world of herbal medicine. My first teacher was Kami McBride in Northern California. She was an incredible first teacher and she taught me how to make all kinds of herbal salves, lotions, teas, tinctures and medicines. As I learned from her, my connection to the Earth grew. Once this happens -- once you begin to deepen your connection, plants begin to speak to you. Thus, in essence what inspires me to create the herbal products I create is the plants themselves along with the long line of traditional recipes that are the folklore both written and spoken from plants who spoke to our ancestors.
What is your creative process when creating a new product and where do you get your inspirations from?
My process is to clear myself of the world around me and to simply sit and listen. I find that if I stop and focus on the intention of making something for myself or others, the recipes and ideas just begin to flow. I guess I'm lucky in this way. I've never had any sort of herbal "writers block." But when you're dealing with material as vast and explorative as herbs, I think the inspirations are endless. If you study just one plant, what you'll quickly notice that it probably has anywhere from 5 to 100 different medicinal uses. If you combine that with the flavor and scent profiles of each and every plant, you find that you have a potential and power to create some really amazing, organic and healthful things.

What are your top five favorite herbs/plants are and why:

Nettle because she's so incredibly dense with nutrients. She's rich in chlorophyll which is one molecule away from hemoglobin, which tells me she's a very generous blood builder. When the blood is happy and healthy, then all the organs in your body benefit. Nettle makes an amazing tea infusion. I feel like if there is one herb only that you consider for heath and wellness, this is it!

St John's Wort because she has so many different layers. Used on the skin as an oil, you have an excellent dermal healer. Used internally you have a strong antiviral and deeply restorative muscle/nerve builder and then you've got this whole other level of anti-depression actions.

Oatstraw because I think of her as my calmer. She's considered a powerful nervine and therefore has the ability to promote a strong nervous system. She makes a wonderful and delicious infusion that can lower cholesterol, improve bone density, coordination and clarity just to name a few!

Lavender because just the smell creates an instantaneous relaxation and because she is the key ingredient in my Lavender face and body oil. I've been using this oil on my face for about 6 years. I'd rather not say how old I am (haha), but let's just say I'm at an age where I should be getting noticeable wrinkles and I don't have any!

Elderberry because she is a powerful antiviral and I turn to her when I feel a sniffle coming on. She usually saves me from a full blown cold. And because she is just so majestic and wise!

And this only scratches the surface of why these herbs are my favorite. I encourage you to do your own explorations. As my first teacher once said to me, "Start by getting to know a few herbs really well and go from there.

Now that it is wintertime, what do you like to do to keep your skin pampered and feeling good?

Well winter can certainly be harsh on your skin -- especially if you live somewhere with snow and COLD like I do now (Michigan). I've noticed I have to pull out all the stops. My usual routine begins with exiting the shower and slathering my lavender face and body lotion all over my face, neck and shoulders. Then I moisturize the rest of my body with one of my lotions (the nag champa, sandalwood or orange depending on my mood) and then I carry my patchouli salve in my purse and hit my hands and elbows as needed throughout the day. This seems to do the trick! and I can't tell you how many people stop me and ask me why I smell so good!

What do you like about selling not only your herbal products, but your handmade jewelry & accessories and vintage items on Etsy?

Well it's like having your own mini store without the worry of the overhead of running an actual retail location. I can fail miserably and not have the extreme stress of all of my financial wealth and future on the line like you do if you own a store. I think this allows me to be creative and try just about anything. It's interesting though because some of the things that are great sellers when I do craft shows just sit on Etsy with only a handful of views and then expire... and vice versa. So in a sense, Etsy is like this wonderful mystery. You never quite know what is going to resonate or how people will even find what you have to offer. This makes for such a fun, but challenging place to be. I also love the friends and lasting connections you make on Etsy.

Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?

My mind is constantly on overload with all that I want to do in my Etsy shop. I have pages and pages in a notebook of things I want to make and do. I also have lots of stuff that I've already made that has yet to make its way into my Etsy listings. The trick is finding the time!!! My goal for 2011 is to really make something special out of Featherheart Trading Co, which includes expanding my online Etsy shop and getting into retail stores. My body and tea products are natural and organic when possible. I know that there is a demand for this. I've been coming up with new scents and I'm trying to make my skin care line more accessible. I don't want the general public to think my line is just for hippies and tree huggers. I want people to understand that what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. Why on earth would you put Petrolatum Sorbitol Triethanolamine Stearate Ethylparaben on your body??? So education is big for me. And teas, I have lots of new ideas for teas. Why not drink something that nourishes your body and tastes good rather than soda? And jewelry -- I am so inspired by native jewelry customs and feel like this is such a beautiful way to decorate your body. I do use a lot of leathers in my jewelry and I understand that this may not make my vegan friends too happy, but I want people to know that this comes from a place of native tradition -- of using what Mother Nature provides and of using it in a way that is respectful. No matter what I am making whether it is body products or jewelry, I am always sourcing from the best possible places and ingredients.

What do you like about being a member of Folk Reveries?

Well I am so honored to be part of it! I never in million years thought that listing a few items I make in my basement workshop on Etsy could lead to such community. I feel like I haven't even begun to explore the amazingness of my Folk Reveries partners and I'm looking forward to connecting to even more of you. I think what I like best is that what Andrea looks for in Folk Reveries members is that kinship to folklore and tradition. That just so resonates with me.

What are you top five product suggestions for winter:

I'd say you've just gotta have some Harold and Maude tea (so warming and delicious), Lavender Face and Body Oil, Patchouli Salve, Sandalwood lotion and The Ass Kicker Tea (for when you feel a cold coming on)!

FeatherHeart Trading Co. Shop

Blog

Twitter

folk reveries friday finds

2010-12-10T05:06:00.000-08:00

thank you for submitting these pieces from your shops for this week's friday finds!

click on the photos and take a journey into the creative world of some of our team members.

Deck the Halls for the Wintry Holidays

2010-12-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

I gathered some ideas from varied Folk Reveries shops to prepare your home for the wintry holidays ...

SALE 12 large vintage christmas balls by Drucilla Pettibone

Wind at the Window Ornament - Rosemary by Swanbones

snowglobe brooch - puppeteer - embroidery artwork by Cathy Cullis

Medium Paper Tree Silhouette by Jenny Lee Fowler

Deer Fawn Silhouette, cushion cover (charcoal) by under the pyramids

lavender moon sachet by Kindly Owl Herbs

Voices in the Woods - A Limited Edition Print and Paper doll set by
Mon Petit Fantome & Wool and Water

Fernbeds Illustration Collection Set Greeting Cards by Fernbeds

Eggnog, Winter Brew Spice Rack made of Reclaimed Wood by Peg and Awl

Fox Tags by Oh My Cavalier

Now, I hope you feel inspired to deck the halls, the Folk Reveries way :)

Δ Δ Δ
-mathyld-

folk reveries friday finds

2010-11-19T05:14:00.000-08:00

A few finds that I discovered on our new team page on Etsy. These are all new members. Welcome to folk reveries! Click on the pictures to see who they are.

If you haven't been to our new homepage, stop on by.

A Folk Reveries Interview with Allyson Mellberg

2010-11-15T20:14:00.000-08:00

I was so glad to be able to interview Allyson Mellberg recently. Allyson is a member of our Folk Reveries team, and an incredibly talented artist in many media. I've been an admirer of her work for ages now, and soon I'll have my very own dottie!

How did you come to be an artist?
My Mom and Dad are both artists (mom was a sculptor/painter and dad is an industrial designer) so I was raised in an environment with working artists around. My brother also made art. It seemed very natural to be creative and make things.

Your dottie softies are much-loved! One wonders if they just popped off your canvas into 3D... What and who are these creatures?
Thank you! My husband and I had been making large scale soft sculptures together & I had always been interested in miniatures... so I pulled the dotties from my drawings as the first experiment with that. The dotties are a kind of amalgamation of rodents, (hamsters/ground hogs) and cats... They are passive, curious, and friendly. In my drawings they serve as mediators between humans and the mysterious natural world. Humans can often be seen trying to communicate with them (successfully and unsuccessfully) and occasionally feeding them the wrong food... like rocks. They like to eat plants & popcorn. They are named 'dotties" for their spots (not all of them are spotted though) and in memory of my husband Jeremy's grandma Dorothy (Dot) who I loved dearly.

You work in so many different media, including the beautiful new papercuts in your Etsy shop, and yet your work is very cohesive. Like your dotties, do other characters travel with you from one media to another? What is your approach to choosing a particular media for a new project or series?
Thank you! That is a huge compliment. I definitely don't see my ideas as exclusive to one media and I find it really exciting to experiment and learn how to do new things. Usually a new series begins in the sketchbook as small drawings and then travels to larger works on paper... from there I start experimenting and occasionally, like this summer when I got the itch to start wood carving for my show at Cinders, I will just try something totally new. Sometimes it works out... other times it doesn't! The new papercuts come from a while back when I was doing more collograph printing and used a ton of cut paper/mylar stencils. I found that way of making images really fascinating... I am such a line oriented drawer/printmaker... that moving over to just using shapes, and no lines, is really fun and a good challenge.

Would you describe your studio practice?
I am a teacher, so I am in the art studio all of the time. At home, I work in my sketchbook first, then move to the studio, or the kitchen table... I like to listen to music & movies. Often Jeremy and I work together, which is really nice.

Are you still teaching? What is your feeling on the relationship between being an artist in academia and pursuing one's own art?
Yup. I am actually on the tenure track (3 years in) so I am a full time professor. It is a strange relationship and while I love teaching and working with young artists I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't quit teaching in a heartbeat if I could sustain myself & have health insurance on my artwork alone. Teaching itself is awesome, its the academic politics and administrative work that is not so great. I always say that I have two full time jobs, being an artist and being a teacher. Being an artist is the most important one. It is a dream to be able to retire early and just make art, but teaching is a really great job, having the summer off and flexible hours (and the fact that exhibitions count as career development) is really great for an artist.

What do you like about being on Etsy, and what are its challenges? Do you find that it is compatible with a fine arts practice?
Etsy is great because its very easy to use, and the community of people is really friendly and vast. I have met some amazing artists, some of whom have become my friends. As far as challenges, I think the only thing is its easy to get lost in how many people/how much stuff is posted on Etsy everyday. I see it as adjunct to my fine art practice. I sell smaller goods in my shop that I could afford to buy myself. Things like my larger sculptures, prints, and original works are handled by my gallery, so Etsy is a way for me to connect with people on a smaller basis. This may sound kind of goofy, but I also just see Etsy as being really friendly and sweet. I like the whole "convo" thing and how willing people are to just send you a message to tell you that they are stoked on what you are making. I know I have written people before just to say, "hey, I really love what you are doing" even if I couldn't afford to buy something at that moment.

I noticed that you and your partner, Jeremy, now have a new handmade and vintage shop! What are other future plans do you have for your work in general?
Oh yes! And we need to get going on that! I have a whole bunch of stuff to post. (presently lighting fire under fanny...) Future plans include the wonderful, bug-free (almost) fall/winter garden that we have just planted... Fall is so great for gardening here in Virginia because it stays warm enough for along time to grow all kinds of greens and cabbages. We have several group shows coming up, one in Cincinnati, Japan, New Orleans, and then work going out to pop-up shops in Milwaukee, Richmond and here in Charlottesville. I am also working on my solo show in Paris at Galerie LJ which I will go over for in April. And I am speaking at Pictoplasma in Berlin in April too!

Why were you drawn to the Folk Reveries team?
Well, I think the profile description on Etsy says it all, Sharing a group with other artists who are inspired by the natural world and the magic that belongs to it! Very nice.

*Thank you so much, Allyson! Readers, do pop over to Allyson's shop and blog. She is very friendly so don't hesitate to send her a convo. And be sure to comment here and let us know what you think of the interview!

** All images copyright and courtesy of Allyson Mellberg.

november brings a gathering...

2010-11-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

...of wonders to explore...

folk reveries friday finds

2010-11-12T04:35:00.000-08:00

A beautiful treasury curated by GwydionsGarden. For a closer look, click on the treasury.

If you curate a treasury, make sure you stop by our new team page and add it to the treasury thread.

folk reveries friday finds

2010-11-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

the other day, while on twitter, i came across a tweet from one of our teammies,
margeaux kent, from peg and awl & the black spot books.

click on the necklace to see where i found her.

congrats margeaux!

folk reveries friday finds

2010-10-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

Click on the photos to take you to the shops of these fab team members.

Happy Halloween~

folk reveries friday finds

2010-10-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

the holidays are quickly approaching. one of the keys to being found on etsy is to use your tags wisely. one of the ways that admins searches for items for storque articles and etsy finds is by searching for key words.

if you don’t already know this, the storque publishes a monthly blog post entitled "from etsy’s merchandising desk". in it you’ll find what the coming month’s trends will be. search through the article and look for the key words that they’ll be hunting for.

treasury makers will also be looking for those key words and trends.
i also use tags when searching for items for our friday finds.

to get a bird's eye view of the keys included in this post, just click on the pictures.

Shops waiting for approval...

2010-10-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

For shops waiting for member approval, I am waiting on Etsy to let me know if we can begin updating member lists. Etsy is currently working on a Group Beta that will enable leaders to update members list without the assistance of Etsy. Since they are still working on it, they have held off on accepting new memberships. Thank you all for your patience and understanding while we wait for the changes to come into effect.

Andrea of littlebighead
Team Leader

folk reveries friday finds

2010-10-15T04:59:00.001-07:00

this friday we take a peak into the shops of the folks that contribute to our blog. above is andrea, our team leader, also known as littlebighead.

helena runs faunfare.

this would be me, katie. i run 2 etsy shops. this one, blackstar, is on the team.

drucilla runs drucillapettibone.

heather's shop is audreyeclectic.

mathyld's shop is underthepyramids.

nevermore....a treasury, of sorts...

2010-10-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

handmade fabric bird, blue terracotta

kereru print, bibliographica

fork footed crow doll, cart before the horse

feather and quartz earrings, dinosaur toes

raven heart screen print, diana sudyka

mystic crow print, earth angels

the fearless bird print, creative therapy

raven feather layered necklace, gather jewelry

magpie print, karen davis

crow's home media media and beeswax art, lia's beeswaxed

one bird print, linda norton

keeper of the seas original, littlebighead

black leather earrings, little paper crane

crow silhouette necklace, mama's little babies

halloween sketches print (raven, owl, ghost) set, marmee craft

the raven pendant necklace, middle earths

black crows 'i'll share my heart with you' print, native vermont

the raven king print, old wives tale

silver arrowhead hair barrette, ricochet waves

ruffled bird silhouette print, sea belly

feed me baby birds in nest mixed media, she rides the lion

all at once print, swan bones

quoth the raven nevermore original painting, tamara garvey

the illness apprentice II print, the black spot books

raven mass original painting, the diggingest girl

raven print, the haunted hollow tree

crow feather photo print, the paper butterfly

acid ranger feather earrings, the social cellar

crow pendant, stellanova

apsaalooke (crow) talisman necklace, under the pyramids

A Folk Reveries Interview with Audrey Eclectic...

2010-10-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

Your name: Heather

Shop name: Audrey Eclectic

Country: USA

What do you make/sell: Folk art paintings and art dolls

Website and/or blog: www.audreyeclectic.com and www.reverieart.blogspot.com

How long have you been an artist/crafter?

I was always an artistic child and student, but it wasn't until 2007 after the birth of my daughter (Audrey) that I started making whimsical folk art. What began as a little hobby at my kitchen table soon became a little cottage career, and within a year I was doing indie craft shows and gallery events. It has been more fun that I even dared imagine!

What is the meaning behind your shop name?

I named my shop and business "Audrey Eclectic" because I love the name Audrey--- it is my daughter's name and she sort of sparked the initial creativity of the whole thing. And when I think of "Audreys" I think of creative, quirky and artistic girls, which I love to paint! I tacked on "Eclectic" to give the name a little dazzle and nuance without being overly descriptive, I wanted to give myself the ability to change focus and follow my inspiration and not be tied down to a description in a name.

How would you describe your work?

A little dark and a little sweet. I love history, stories, folk lore. I like my paintings to be own little spin on these things. Many of my peices are gritty, crackled, and have the appearance of being tucked away in an attic for decades. Its a look I adore, and I hope others do too!~

Name five specific things that inspire your art?

vintage photographs--- I am an avid collector; history--- anywhere from the 1700s to the 1930s! My muse has a wide range ; folklore and ghost stories; family and faith; the spirit of adventure.

What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?

Luckily I can be inspired just about anywhere, but I do find that I am extremely sensitive to my environment. A trip this summer to Arizona had me totally in love with desert paintings and cowgirls. I also love to look at art and decorating books, nature, and of course good movies and good music!

What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?

Well, I finally learned to be comfortable in the knowledge that creativity has its own ebb and flow. Sometimes I am just anxious to paint all day every day, and some times the well is just dry. I've learned that getting out and doing little day trips, or reading a good book helps me get a sudden creative spark. I think creativity comes from living, so the best way to keep it going is to keep on living and doing interesting things.

What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?

I love that people can just happen upon your shop and suddenly someone has found something they love! I am a fan of the group promotion atmosphere, and always love when someone includes me in a treasury!

Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?

I'd love to someday illustrate a book. And I would like to do more local/regional shows to promote my art. I think, as great as etsy selling is, it is a whole other world to be selling your wares face-to-face with your customer. It leaves you all warm and fuzzy!

What do you think about trades/swaps?

I think they are ever so handy! I've gotten some lovely things from doing trades!

What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?

I love that this group is such a high quality and eclectic group. Every shop featured here has a sort of magic to it and is unique in its own right. I am so pleased to be a part of it, and one of the moderators too!~

folk reveries friday finds

2010-10-08T06:40:00.001-07:00

yesterday morning i sat down to make a treasury centered around one of my fave colors ~ black. i had a few pieces in mind from members of our team. i was surprised when i received a convo from a friend to let me know that we made it to the front page yesterday evening.

congrats to everyone that made it to the front page. hope it brought you views, hearts and sales.

can you pick out our team mates? you can click on the treasury to get a better look.

skelly love giveaway!!

2010-10-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Come on over to Cart Before The Horse and enter in their Skelly Love Giveaway!!

Leave a comment on their blog and spread the word for more chances to win!! Good Luck!

Also from Cart Before The Horse:

folk reveries friday finds

2010-10-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

this week's friday finds features swanbones.
what a lovely surprise to log onto etsy on the 27th and see that swanbones was the new featured seller! if you missed the news, you can read it here:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/featured-seller-swanbones-10209/

congrats kelly!

folk reveries friday finds

2010-09-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

celebrating the autumnal equinox with one of the first signs that fall has arrived ~ the mighty acorn.
above: harvest print from MarmeeCraft.

acorn pendants from robinandthesage.

acrylic on wood block by tamaragarvey.

woodland harvest charm necklace by gypsymoonart.

enjoy the harvest season.

and for those of you that are welcoming spring, enjoy the sights, sounds and scents that are awakening around you.

A Folk Reveries Interview: Sparrow Salvage!

2010-09-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Your name: Penny
Shop name: Sparrow Salvage
Country: Australia

What do you make/sell: Bohemian style jewelry from salvage and vintage elements

Website and/or blog:
Etsy shop- sparrowsalvage.blogspot.com
blog- sparrowsalvage.etsy.com

How long have you been an artist/crafter?

All my life! I've been on Etsy for 2 years but previous to that I was a commission artist and graphic designer.

What is the meaning behind your shop name?

Sparrow is a nickname I've had for years because my mother saw one on her window sill the day I was born (share these stories with friends and nicknames quickly develop). As well as that sparrows are a scavenger bird, so the salvage element comes both from the bird I share my nickname with and the fact that alot of my materials are salvaged.

How would you describe your work?

Feral fairy bohemian with a touch of Victorian opulence! There's a rustic quality to it that's an important factor- I've always tried to communicate a kind of cobbled together look, as if the pieces were made by someone who made things out of what they came across in their nomadic travels.

Name five specific things that inspire your art?

Fantasy films from the 70s and 80s, war game miniatures (really), Art Nouveau, urbex photography and archeological finds from the British Isles, especially the 15th to 18th century. I love the way things looks after they've been hiding in the earth for 400 years.

What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?

I really like being by myself, that's all I need. In the thrift shop or the museum or even shut away in my bedroom, being able to give things my full attention means I can soak up ideas in an abstract way and not miss little tricks. The best inspiration comes from solitary moments- staring out the window on the train, waiting in line at the PO, moments when you drift off into your own mind.

What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?

There's a little town in the mountains here that's surrounded by forest, with a raging river that runs down the side- I love going there! The clean air, the rushing water, the little shop where I can buy authentic antique folk pieces, the bakery that makes perfectly moist orange muffins...it all refills the tank. I also like making treauries
on Etsy or flickr mosiacs- finding ways to link seemingly unrelated images helps to think outside the square.

What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?

Etsy enables you to really feel like you run your own shop; on other e-commerce sites you can feel squashed in with so much other stuff, a bit like part of the furniture, but Etsy gives a shop it's unique identity. I also love the community- I discover amazing new shops everyday and the interaction with other artists has been invaluable.

Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?
Too many! I have endless projects and 'to do' lists going on, including books, short films, photography and a real life junk shop slash gallery, where I sell beat-up vintage bits to artists and hang artwork all over the walls.

What do you think about trades/swaps?

I think they're wonderful! Artists have always traded between each other- not just materials, but work as well. I was able to have a good revolving art collection when I was in university.

What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?

I was looking to join a team and wanted something that echoes with my sense of elegant mystery with a heavy nature-based aesthetic. I'm not serious enough about my spirituality to be in the Pagan team and my work isn't quite of the dragons/fairies/wizards realm, so this team gave me the perfect in-between. I also have quite a Victorian aesthetic at times, and that also fits. The best thing about this team would have to be the high-quality of work that our members produce, there really is such beautiful, professional pieces in every shop.

From Etsy: Announcing Etsy Groups in Beta!

2010-09-14T12:32:00.000-07:00


Story by neonmorgan, Vanessa Published on September 7, 2010 in Etsy News	Photo by itsastitch

We are thrilled to announce that the eagerly anticipated Etsy Groups is becoming a reality. Currently undergoing an invite-only beta testing process, this site feature will provide a way for our members to organize, interact and communicate on Etsy.
This first phase of Groups offers the bare minimum abilities to edit and moderate a collection of members on Etsy. It's basically a replacement for ye olde Teams pages. Down the road we will be adding Group discussion forums, Group marketplaces, communication features, and much, much more. Much-much, oh so much, much more!

An enormous amount of the strength of our community comes from our extensive and vibrant Etsy Teams program. Once upon a time, when Etsy first began, Street Teams were created to enable community members who lived nearby to one another to get together in the real world. The idea was to provide people with a networked way to meet-up in person and have a trunk show, or collaborate on a group project. We very quickly saw Street Team activity outgrow its original purpose as people started creating global, or interest-based teams, whose members were spread out all over the world and would meet in the Virtual Labs, on Forum threads, or via blogs. This was so exciting that we dropped the "Street" part of the name so that we weren't limiting the kinds of activities that the Teams program supported.
For years now, the Etsy Teams community has grown and grown. Currently, there are 39,337 members in 796 teams and we receive applications to create more almost everyday! We have teams from all over the world, and for almost every persuasion (though, there is always room for more...). Unfortunately, while our teams activity and participation has been flourishing, the tools that leaders have to manage their teams hasn't kept up. With the current system, team leaders must email any changes to their membership roster or profile to Etsy on a monthly basis, and yours truly updates the Teams pages manually. At long last, we have built a tool that makes it easy and straightforward for leaders to run their own teams. Etsy Groups is what we are calling this site feature whereby it will be easier to create, maintain and promote an organization on Etsy, whether it is called a Team or goes by another name.

Ken and Sam working hard on coding Etsy Groups.

Etsy Groups currently exists in a limited, invitation-only, beta version. We are going to move beyond this first iteration of Etsy Groups quickly. Soon this will be an open site feature for everyone in the community. Here's the plan:

Step One
Earlier this summer we sent out a survey for team leaders who were interested in volunteering as beta testers to help us kick the tires of the first version of Groups. We analyzed the survey data and selected a number of leaders from a variety of teams — some large, some small, some international, some with very casual requirements and some with strict membership codes of conduct.
Shortly, Etsy Groups will be open (by invitation) to this initial sample gang of beta testers. Once these first leaders start migrating their members over to Etsy Groups, more and more people will become part of the beta testing process. The reasoning behind keeping Etsy Groups as invite-only for a brief period of time is to limit the amount of initial traffic on Groups so that we can quickly focus on any problems that might arise and tackle them right away.
Step Two
Etsy Groups will open for all current team leaders to come activate their current teams and set up their new profile pages. The Groups site feature will give all current team leaders the long overdue ability to administrate, edit, and update their team's homepage on Etsy.

The advent of Etsy Groups will not make any changes that require team members to re-tag any items. With Groups, we intend to fix the somewhat flawed system of team tagging in the near future. In the meantime, teams are welcome to keep their current tags. Everything that current team members and leaders have done hitherto in establishing and building your teams (including coming up with a name and fostering a brand to go along with your online presence) will be completely transferable into the Groups feature.

Photo of the Western Mass Street Team by lousupcycles

Step Three
Groups will become live for everyone! At this point, anyone on Etsy will have the ability to create a group, write a description and create membership guidelines (a.k.a. the charter). You'll be able to create groups that are open to all, or ones that are moderated — meaning people will have to request permission and be accepted in order to join. More information about how all of this works will be coming soon.

The crowd at Etsy Dallas' Etsy Craft Party on June 18.

What's in store for the future...
The Groups feature on Etsy will continue to grow, and we'll add new features to it!

Folk Reveries on Flickr...

2010-09-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

If you are not yet in the Folk Reveries Flickr Group, c'mon in! We're waiting for ya!

September's newest members!

2010-09-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

Vintage Coal Owls at White Owl Vintage (our first vintage shop!)

From the heart mixed media collage by Jenny Davies-Reazor

Patina Butterly Hippie Key Necklace by Violet Bella

American Honey Crown by Royal Menagerie

Unexpected Autumn Wind by Luce Interpretations

Chestnut Oak Acorns Earrings by BlackStar

Pale Moon Porcupine Quills Necklace by Vinca Vere

Icy Lace Leaves Earrings by Ashes of Roses Design

Busy Bee Creeper by Gnome Goods (MindyBanta)

Autumn Goddess Harvest Headband by First Kiss Designs

Flotsam Honeycomb Tassel Necklace by Corvid Delights

Mauve Lace Headband by Annika Leatherwood

Early Settler Art Dolls by Mystic Hills Ngaroma

Days Gone By Necklace by Chymiera

Reveries of Autumn

2010-09-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ah, it is September! I feel like I can breath a sigh of relief. My favorite season is soon to be upon us...with its cool brisk breezes, bright harvest moons, and the rich colors of this most lovely of times.

With fall in mind, I peeked in at some of our team members pages and chose to share with you a few perfect little trinkets and tokens to treat yourself with--- or treat someone you love...

Like this decadent steampunk necklace made with gorgeous fabrics and lace from Autumn Ray....

And in Jenny Lee Fowler's shop you can find this beautiful hand-cut witch silhouette, perfect for my favorite season of all--- Halloween!

Of course in a season fraught with beautiful boots, sweaters, jackets and hats, accessories are important! I think some beautiful jewels that would look perfect with any fall attire are these ear rings by Mama's Little Babies.....
And it's always good to have some wisdom on your side, or in this case, a wise embroidered owl on your lapel! I am positively in love with this gorgeous trinket from Yarn Soup....
Of course these are just a few of the gorgeous pieces inspired by autumn now available in team member's shops. Do go traipsing through our sidebar to discover what other treasures lay in wait!~.....

~Heather (Audrey Eclectic)

Ragtime ! Giveaway Time !

2010-08-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

Being mutual admirers of one another Drucilla & Mathyld came up with the idea that maybe other people might want to learn all their little secrets, skills and tricks.

That is how Ragtime started.
Together they will teach you sewing and embroidery !

Ragtime is a six week e-course during which we will create a Flapper-inspired sleep set !

- with Mathyld aka under the pyramids, we will learn to sew while realising a camisole and a pair of shorts.
&
- with Drucilla aka Drucilla Pettibone, we will then embellish this set anda pillow case, while learning how to embroider and do appliqué.

x – x – x

- Class begins September 27 and runs through November 7.

x – x – x

And visit us to win one of these handmade goodies !
Visit our Giveaway

{ Drucilla's embroidered hankie }

{ Mathyld's Juggler Girl's headband }

Mathyld & Drucilla

let's get squirrely!

2010-08-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

squirrel's tea time by lamb candy

squirrel silhouette by under the pyramids

woodland squirrel necklace by mamas little babies

mr. and mrs. squirrel wood waldorf toys by pretty dreamer

the secret desires of squirrel irg alice's flight to india by nesting emily

harvest come print by marmee craft

greta print somerset velvet by marisol spoon

a squirrel from the woods by in the forest

chocolate squirrel by cloth moth

A Folk Reveries Interview with Mon Petit Fantome!

2010-08-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

Your name: Chad Merritt
Shop name: Mon Petit Fantome

Country: USA/Louisiana

What do you make/sell: Prints, and sometimes originals, of my papercuts

Website and/or blog: http://monpetitfantome.etsy.com and http://monpetitfantome.blogspot.com

How long have you been an artist/crafter?

Well, I went to art school, and shortly after I left, concentrated on music. I let my art making fall to the wayside until about three years ago. My Dad has untrained drawing talent, and I guess I inherited it from him. Ever since I was a kid I always had a pencil or paintbush in my hand. Or making up songs and singing them into my Fisher-Price cassette recorder! I was an only child for eight years, was definitely able to occupy my own time.

What is the meaning behind your shop name?

I got it from the film, "La Vie En Rose". The scene where Edith Piaf is on her deathbed. She is remembering her daughter, who passed away, and she begins saying, "Mon petite fantôme!". It really resonated with me, and I still haven't grown tired of the name :)

How would you describe your work?

Sweetly haunting maybe? I love mixing the sweet and touching with a bit of a spookyness or, for lack of a better word, darkness. I have absolutely no interest in making straight up macabre art...there has to be an element to balance it out. Whether it's with a rabbit, humor, or sentimentality.

Name five specific things that inspire your art?

Fairy tales, myths, nature, memories, and children

What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?

Ideas usually pop up when I'm driving or at my day job (secretary). I like to sketch, at night, in bed. The actual creation of the pieces happen at my lovely black desk. A self-healing cutting mat and an x-acto knife (and many extra blades) are my chosen tools.

What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?

Oh lots of things! Books mainly...I love all kinds of Fairy tales. Hans Christian Andersen, Grimms, Swedish, Russian. I also love mythology books. I am from Irish and Native American (as well as French) descent, so the myths and stories from those cultures factor in. I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan, and "His Dark Materials" is probably my favorite book! I also get inspired from movies, music (a lot of my titles come from my own song lyrics or lyrics from friends' songs), my talented friends, and just life really. My life's bad times are no more special than anyone elses, but I guess they linger in my heart, and pop up in my work. I grow from the sadness and appreciate the happiness!

What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?

Besides how easy it is to set up a shop, my favorite thing would be the community aspect. I've met so many lovely people and have made truly lovely friends through Etsy. Some I've got to collaborate with, which is a fantastic thing.

Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?

Just keep making art! I did get to realize one of my dreams this year. I released a book of my papercuts thus far. That was quite an exciting thing. Making more books is definitely something I want to do. I'd love to marry a book with a soundtrack of my music. That is something that I'm slowly working on. I'd love to make more silhouette dolls and make videos incorporating them with papercut scenery...like Lotte Reiniger! I am in the process of making my third full-length record with my band, St. Mary's, at the moment.

What do you think about trades/swaps?

I LOVE trading and swaping! Sometimes it doesn't work out, or the other person says no, and that's ok too. It's never to be taken personally. But I have made some wonderful trades with some really talented folks. I can be shy at times, so it can take me a bit to work up the courage to ask :)

What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?
We all seem to have a love of animals, nature, and/or fairy tales/stories. It's so lovely to share a mindset with different people, yet our styles and way of processing our work is different.

August welcomes....

2010-08-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome new Folk Reveries Members!!

Follow me to the Forest ...

2010-07-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I decided to finally make an Etsy Treasury for the first time.

Of course, it had to include most of my favourite Etsyers ...
Who all happen to be friends of mine !

Then I realised that most of them also happen to be fellow members of Folk-Reveries !
So I thought I would share it with you :

Follow me to the Magic Forest !
In this forest you can meet animals, but also a sleepwalking Witch who brews potions and plays with bones & shells, hidden in her little wooden hut.

Δ Δ Δ
-mathyld-

- click the image to see it bigger, and visit the Etsy shops -

folk reveries

Mary's Granddaughter Cindy

Sweet Basil Fibre Works

Last day day to vote!

Team Treasury Challenges, and Open Membership! Happy Fall!

Our ChYMieRa speaks!!

interview with cathy cullis!

We have our Team treasury Challenge Winners

Spook Sister

Let's Get Some Votes!

i dream of blue...

Winners & New Team Treasury Challenge 5/23 - 6/4

voting on the treasury challenge

Treasury Challenge Inspiration

Winners & New Team Treasury Challenge 5/2 thru 5/15

To celebrate Beltane:.... flower themed picks from the ♥team♥

New and exciting changes to Team Treasury Challenge

Easter interview with SomethingHorse

Treasury Challenge : something new

An Interview with Lauren Small (gingerkellydesigns)

the swan princess lives on

Spirit Birds

lindanorton

Bleu - Hand Sculpted Ceramic Vase

by

Jennymendes

by

we love our spirit animals!

sláinte, gypsy moon!

The Spring Equinox

Amethyst Magic and Agate Dreams by ParrishRelics

wake up, team!!

the other garden..

Year of the Rabbit

Treasury Challenge Winner (Week of 2/14) is ThePaperButterfly

Bunny Besotted

First Treasury Challenge Winner

Last-minute Valentine !

Introducing Weekly Treasury Challenges!

saying goodbye and saying hello...

folk reveries friday finds

Yule-Tide is approaching !

Sanctify Cleansing Kit- Purify, Protect, Cleanse by Anathemum

And They Spoke To Me - papercut print by Mon Petit Fantôme

Spectre Necklace.....Eunice by Katinka Pinka

Three Lavender-Scented Ravens by The Diggingest Girl

Birch bark in round black frame by Bettula

Grey Dawn Ghost - 8x10 Fine Art Photograph Print by Miss Quite Contrary

Set of vintage black tins by Every Eskimo>> I want these so bad !

La Petite Bibliotheque de Deux by Bibliographica

All the Magic I need, bracelet - wooden skull and sterling bead by Under the Pyramids

A Folk Reveries Interview with Featherheart Trading Co.

folk reveries friday finds

Deck the Halls for the Wintry Holidays

folk reveries friday finds

A Folk Reveries Interview with Allyson Mellberg

november brings a gathering...

folk reveries friday finds

folk reveries friday finds

folk reveries friday finds

folk reveries friday finds

Shops waiting for approval...

folk reveries friday finds

nevermore....a treasury, of sorts...

A Folk Reveries Interview with Audrey Eclectic...

folk reveries friday finds

skelly love giveaway!!

folk reveries friday finds

folk reveries friday finds

A Folk Reveries Interview: Sparrow Salvage!

From Etsy: Announcing Etsy Groups in Beta!

Folk Reveries on Flickr...

September's newest members!

Reveries of Autumn

Ragtime ! Giveaway Time !

let's get squirrely!

A Folk Reveries Interview with Mon Petit Fantome!

August welcomes....

Follow me to the Forest ...

Set of vintage black tins by Every Eskimo
>> I want these so bad !