First Treasury Challenge Winner

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 !

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!

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...

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

Faunfare

ForStrangeWomen

scodioli

PoisonApplePotions

meadowmuffin2010

Enjoy some of the scents from folk reveries~

Yule-Tide is approaching !

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.

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

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