WINNER of the GREAT PILLOW GIVEAWAY: Jacquie!

Thanks to all who entered the GREAT PILLOW GIVEAWAY. Our winner, chosen at random is Jacquie. Congratulations!

Send me your shipping address Jacquie and the pillow will be on its way to you. Stay tuned for more giveaways!

Want Free Fabric? Join a Fabric Swap. Here's How.

If you love fabrics and have a huge stash sitting in your craft room, why not get involved in a Fabric Swap? You get rid of your oldies but goodies and get to wait expectantly for a package full of new fabrics to arrive in the mail. Felicity Quilts has a great article on how to do it. http://felicityquilts.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-fabric-swapping-101.html

Happy Swapping!

Not Selling Enough? Think like an Artist and a Crafter

Today I got to thinking that crafters are such awesome people, but most don't like to think of their craft as a business. Some people think that they can either make art (craft) or they can be a business person. The truth is that you can do both.

You don't have to have an Accounting degree to thrive as a crafty business person. I found these books that really helped me (I dont' get anything for recommending them, so you can believe I really loved them). They are written in easy to read formats for people like us who like to do our crafts but not so much the marketing end.

Check these out at the store next time you're in a big bookstore and flip through for good ideas. We have to think of ourselves as business people and not only artists. We can do it! Sell something today that you made!

Decorate your Home with Cartooney Creations: Take 10% off too!

I admit that I am a sucker for anything with cartoon dogs in it. I've been drawing cartoon dogs all my life. I fell in love with the paintings at

Andralynn Creative Designs at http://www.etsy.com/shop/andralynn.

I think you will too. They're exactly the kind of things you want to add to your home office or home decor so you don't take yourself too seriously while you're working. Love every painting here! 

Just in time for Easter: Plushie Bunnies from Knitting Cat

Look at how adorable this bunny is! 21 year old Katharina of The Knitting Cat makes these as well as adorable knit hats on Etsy. May give you some ideas for your own creations. 


Katharina is from Israel and she says, "Hey there! So happy you found my little shop! I am a 21 year old german/danish girl, living in Israel since February 2011. I learned knitting and sewing in school but did not really use these skills until some years ago. I try to use natural materials or recycle. as stuffing i am using scrap cloth form a local designer (www.luli.co.il).
If you want one of my items in a different colour, material, size or whatever let my know, i will be happy to set up a custom order for you! Meanwhile have a look at my blog
http://wrappedtroubles.blogspot.com/"

Win $100 worth of Fabric: Everything Etsy Giveaway

JoJo's Quilt and Gift Shop is giving away a chubby bunch of fat quaters in spring colors. You could win by entering at http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/03/sweetwater-fat-quarter-bundle-giveaway-jo-jos-quilt-gift-shoppe/. They're perfect for spring projects.

Ends March 28, 2011, so hurry on over!

Needle Felting: Chicks for Easter with Jenn Docherty

If you love cute and plush, you have to visit Jenn Docherty's site. I found her on the Martha Stewart site making these adorable hand felted chicks. You can watch the video from her blog at http://www.jenndocherty.typepad.com/. I can't stand the cuteness factor on these. I have to go make some today.

And this is her book that's just too darling to pass up! Check her out. I'm jealous!!

New Fabric You'll Want to Check Out: Creative Thursday Shop on Etsy

Proceeds from this sale go to Japanese relief

Today is only Monday,  but you'll want to check out Creative Thursday's shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativethursday. You will find the cutest fabric ever for making softies or pillows or just about anything.


When you sign up for the Creative Thursday newsletter, you'll get a burst of inspiration once each week in the form of a lovely painting. The artwork is done by  Marisa Haedike who says, "Passionate about following your heart and your dreams, while living creatively - my hope is that even a little bit of this passion comes through in my art and encourages you to go and live your dreams." Now you can buy her artwork in the form of adorable fabric. 


There's also a painting whose proceeds will go to Japanese relief efforts. So check it out.

FREE Pillow Giveaway: Subscribe and Enter to Win by March 31, 2011

Pillow Front

Become a subscriber (just enter your email at right) today and enter for a chance to win a home decor pillow made by Clara's Closet's own Mary Ann! You get this exact pillow featured here. It's made of lush fabrics that will last and includes a soft pillow insert. I will pick the winner at random on March 31, 2011.

The pillow is currently listed on my Etsy Shop (#109) http://www.etsy.com/listing/67939919/109-pillows-with-a-purpose-alzheimers for $35. But you get a chance to win it for free! And if you visit the shop, which I hope you will, please note that we do give a percentage of every sale to Alzheimer's research.

Pillow Back

How to Enter: Leave a comment here with your contact email. Then subscribe to the right by entering that same email (so I can find you!).

That's it. I'l notify the winner March 31, 2011 via email and ask you where to ship it. USA only. Thanks. Happy winning!

Calling all Sock Monkey Fans! Leave a Comment

Are you a sock monkey maker? Do you love all things about this monkey that was first created by pioneering moms on a shoestring who wanted to make dolls for their kids? Do you collect sock monkeys?

If you have a special variation of the sock monkey or an innovative way to use or dress him or her, let's hear about it! Send your sock monkey friends over too and don't forget to subscribe if you enjoy this blog.

Clara's Closet Gets a Makeover: Let me know what you think

So, after consulting with some wonderful people (Judy at Catseyewriter.com and Carol at makealivingwriting.com) I have revamped my blog. It's actually a "makeunder" as I took away much of the busy design and made it simpler.

I'd love if you'd leave a comment and tell me what you think. Also, I am open to suggestions for featuring your craft product or ideas with a link back to your blog. Free publicity!

Sallianne

Nouveaux Portmanteau: Giveaway REVEALED!!!!

Check out this giveaway too! Nouveaux Portmanteau: Giveaway REVEALED!!!!: "AND THE PRIZE IS...... OK....after the break... hahaha.. well a girl's gotton eat!! just kidding... Here it is!!! OK!! Nope it's not that ei..."

Win some Cool Crafting Stuff: Vintage Street Market

Everyone loves a good giveaway. Here's one for some fresh and fun crafting supplies. Head on over to Vintage Street Market to enter http://giveaways.vintagestreetmarket.com/?p=63

Know How to Quilt? Help Hospitalized Kids Through Downy

With all the sadness in Japan, it's hard to think about much else. We are praying for them daily. While this charity doesn't go to Japan, it will help kids in America who are hospitalized. In the giving mood? Make a quilt for a hospitalized kid. Downy will send you a free quilt kit, or you can use your own materials. All the details are here: http://www.quiltsforkids.org/about/

Help New Zealand Quake Victims one Plushie At A Time: A Whim of Mine Shop on Etsy

Visit A Whim of Mine on Etsy and Help Quake Victims


Has a plushie ever captured your heart like this guy has mine? Amy is one of my newest members at Team

We Love Softies: Dolls, Animals and Cuties. Here's what she has to say about her efforts to make cute plushies pay off for charity:

"Hi all, my name's Amy, I am 24 and I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. I make vintage and tea-time inspired plush toys that are cute and a little bit odd. Since our big earthquake I have lost my sewing machine so my plushies have changed to ones that I can sew by hand, and $5 from each sale goes to the city to help people who are suffering more than I from the quake. If you'd like to know more about me or my dolls, you can come and read at awhimofmine.blogspot.com.
xox
Amy"


Head on over to her shop on Etsy and support the mission if you can. 

Good with Names? : Enter Funky Junk's Contest for Home Decor Book Name

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors is hosting a contest. She needs your help naming her new home decor book that is currently in production. Win a cool autographed copy of Flea Market Style where she was featued recently.Plus, her site is just really fun. If you want to be inspired by home decor ideas that are easy to do with materials that are easy to find, you'll enjoy this kindred spirit's blog. 

Head on over to 

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/03/play-name-that-book-and-youre-entered.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/KCcu+(Funky+Junk+Interiors) to enter a cool name for her new book. 

Plus, her site is just really fun. If you want to be inspired by home decor ideas that are easy to do with materials that are easy to find, you'll enjoy this kindred spirit's site. Cheer Donna on!

Needle-Felted Lamb is Inspiration for your own Spring crafts!

Ok, get ready for spring with the most adorable felted lamb you've ever seen.

He's a needle-felted lamb pin cushion and he's pulling an egg-shaped cart. 


Sure, she's adorable, but I think she'll get you started working on your own Spring crafts. Just looking at her happy, pastel colors makes me want to bring out the Easter supplies and get crafty.


She is made by Paper Rosie and you can find her at http://www.primnest.com/artist/30/Paper+Rosie/. 


His description on the site says, "This is a cute little needle felted Lamb who is nearly 6" tall on a base that is bout 8" long. She has been needled felted with Scottish Lambswool with stitched facial features and glass bead eyes, Wooden and paper mache' legs. She is topped with two tuffet style cushions for pins and needles, behind her is an egg shaped paper mache' cart attached by ribbon, the cart has dimensional polka dots and is covered in very fine clear glitter, it can be used for haberdashery items or left empty. She is a one of a kind with no pattern used , she'll come to you signed and dated. She would make a lovely Easter gift to yourself!"


Rush on over there because there's only one! Get him by contacting paper.rosies@yahoo.com

RUSTY THIMBLE SWEET GIVEAWAY FOR MARCH

Brenda at The Rusty Thimble has a fab giveaway for March. Hurry over there to http://therustythimble.blogspot.com/ and see her adorable site.

She's giving away the dolly to the left (you'll get one like it, not this exact one).

The reason I love her stuff is that it's so authentic. Check her out. You're sure to become a follower.

Art By Jacy: 20% Off at Her Etsy Shop

  I found a fellow Connecticut artist whose aim is also to promote the work of other hand crafters. Her shop is Art By Jacy and she does original paintings, prints, bookmarks, notecards, magnets and more.According to shop owner, Jacy, the shop's goal is to "Provide great handmade products that reflect individuality, creativity and fun for all ages."  And since this blog is all about cheering other artists on,  let's give a big shout out to Jacy!


Find her at 

	http://www.artbyjacy.com http://thiswayupshop.blogspot.com/ http://www.etsy.com/shop/thiswayup1

Love Cat Crafts? You'll Meow for MeekaMew

MeekaMew makes darling handcrafted cats

If you are crazy for anything to do with those miniature lions who live in our homes, aka house cats, you will want to check out the crafting work of Michaela at Meekamew. She makes the sweetest looking cats. They just have the most simple but expressive faces. I think they're just perfect. You will too. Go on over and cheer Michaela on at her Etsy shop meekamew.etsy.com. 

"My name is Michaela and my shop on Etsy is called MeekaMew.  Unique, original handmade plush animals are the largest portion of my shop; but I also sell some vintage Holly Hobbie.  My love for my real life Kitties has inspired me to make the crafts that I share with you on Etsy. I take my time to make each one original and unique. I don't name them until after they are finished then I can get a good look into their eyes and personality. I hope you fall in love with them like I have.  When I am not making crafts I am either working as a librarian clerk or writing poetry."

Michaela TheArtist Behind MeekaMew



Search Amazon.com for cat crafts

Here are all the places you can find Michaela:


Etsy -meekamew.etsy.com

BLOG: http://meekamew.blogspot.com/


Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meekamew

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/meekamewetsycom/142574335798273

Not Selling Enough Crafts? Start Selling on ArtFire!

I came across a link during one of my marathon craft blog reading sessions (you know how you can end up miles away from where you started on the web) and I found this amazing site Art Fire. You can sell your crafts easily AND import your Etsy shop with a few clicks so you don't have to reenter every item.

Become an ArtFire Pro with this link and get your 3rd month free!

You can sign up for just a few dollars a month to sell your handmade handicrafts online. It's only for handmade, which is what makes it so fabulous.

Anyone can figure it out easily and it requires no tech skills. It's not some rinky dink operation either. The site is gorgeous! You'll definitely want to be included among these high end crafters. Check it out. What have you got to lose?

Also, sign up for their beautiful handmade blog newsletter at http://www.handmadenews.org/home/index.php. I love this site and am so glad I happened across it! You will love it too.

Are You Creative? Why not win Publication in a Cool Book? Contest Here....

Contest deadline March 25, 2011! Get Your Submission In

You're a creative kind of person of you wouldn't be reading this. You love color, wacky ideas, and making things look pretty. Why not get your creativity into print?

There's a really cool contest going on right now at Heart Made: Empowering Creative Hearts' (which I love!) blog at http://www.heartmadeblog.com/blog/it-s-a-creative-approach-to-biz-planning-contest. They're asking for submissions of your inspiration board. Anything you use to get your projects going. Do you pin them up on a cork board? Draw the ideas on napkins? Anything and everything you do to get the juices flowing is fair material. (keep it G rated, of course! lol)


You can submit to the contest by March 25, 2011 and winners will be announced just in time for spring on April 1, 2011. And the best part is that you'll be published in this cool book the contest hosts are printing. And there are other nifty prizes as well.

Get your photos together and submit them. What are you waiting for?

Enter to win a free Delia doll from Little Dirt Lane! Too Cute!

Enter to win this cute doll!

Up for a little cute today? Visit Little Dirt Lane's blog at http://littledirtlanedolls.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-doll-another-day-sunbathing.html for a chance to win this darling Delia doll! What could be sweeter? While you're there, check out all the inspiring doll creations. Colorful and whimsical!

Indie Crafter Site Giveaway: A sugary whiff of goodness

Image owned by Sugar Sugar Scrubs.

As indie crafters, we love to see what others are doing. I have to share this lovely site I found. Sugar Sugar Scrub is a darling Etsy shop that makes natural scrubs and whipped soaps. They shop is at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sugarsugarscrub. The products are whimsical and fun, but what I really love is that they are inspiring in their color palate as well. I am always looking for inspiration to brighten and freshen my artwork. I think you might find some real pop here for your own work.

I found Sugar Sugar Scrub on this cool site Indie Spotting. This site features new independent crafters all the time. It's a feast for the eyes. I fell in love with it immediately. I love colorful, clean, fresh designs and this site has it. It really makes you want to go grab your crafting items and get busy. Love that! You might want to see if you can get your business featured. But even if you don't, you'll still love visiting and seeing what other crafty minds are turning out.