We ♥ Handmade

I made a tag for my "Sam I Am" hat! Yay!

2012-02-25T16:01:00.000-06:00

So the other day I shared this great tutorial I found on this awesome blog Hi Tree ... She had some great tips for making your own sew in fabric tags. I have been thinking about getting some tags for my hats and slippers and maybe even my sachets. So after reading her tutorial, I was so excited to learn how easily I could do it myself! I love to do it myself, for many reasons, of course it is cheaper, I don't have to rely on anyone, and I can get it just the way I want it. I didn't have any rubber stamps like she used, so I had to improvise. I had the ink pad, but nothing to stamp it with. So I started thinking about other ways I could get my name on my tag, I really wanted to use my logo font, and I knew that wouldn't happen with generic stamp letters, anyway. So I finally decided to use my fabric markers and trace the logo from business cards! It worked like a charm. I used the bias tape like she suggested and sealed the raw edges with Fray Check. Then I ironed over it to heat set it. I think it turned out awesome, it only took about 1 minute to do and didn't cost me anything, because I already had everything I needed!

Spring Treasury

2012-02-21T16:49:00.002-06:00

Spring Finds on Etsy

2012-02-16T10:47:00.000-06:00

Some fun Spring Finds from The Treasury Supreme Team on Etsy

Bright orange necklace and earrings

From Rozibuz

Handmade Women's Slippers in Purple Flowers

By MoJo's Cozy Toes

Sea Pottery Ring

By CStarStudio

Hand Painted Mirror compact Purple

By PearlesPainting

Turquoise necklace

By NatureLook

Rainbow necklace

By visska

Vintage Bicycle Photography Waterfront Sailboat 8 x 10 Print

By EyeCaptureArt

Spring Decor // Mint Green // Doily // Hand crocheted

By TableTopJewels

Green shrug/shawl

By Accessorise

Coffee Cup Mug Painted pottery

By CraftUnikat

Chalkboard Gift Tags // Spring Decor

By Newfinitee

Beaded crochet necklace

By SuddenlyYou

Stepping out of the Fog

2012-02-16T10:13:00.001-06:00

This is the way I felt this past week, today is a better day! Yay!MoJo's Free Spirit

New Wedding Collection

2012-02-16T10:12:00.001-06:00

Hello all you lovely people! I have been working in a million directions for the past couple of months. I want to introduce my new line of wedding accessories that I've added to my shop. I wanted to incorporate feathers with my barefoot sandals and make them elegant and pretty.They are created with hand cut fabric flowers made from bridal satin and lovely organza and adorned with glass pearls.

I have created them in many different colors and can do whatever colors you choose for your special day. They are perfect for your entire bridal party.

I have also created matching accessories...

Hemp Floral Crowns

A Floral Wristlet or Choker...

This comes attached to a pretty lacy ribbon, long enough for you to wear however you like

Matching Feather Fascinators

Discounts available on large orders. Please contact me through Etsy.

More Treasuries!

2012-01-30T16:00:00.001-06:00

I have to share a few more fabulous Treasuries with you today!

Tutorial: Adding a Clasp to your Hemp Barefoot Sandals

2012-01-30T15:47:00.001-06:00

Here you will find a quick tutorial showing you how to add a lobster clasp to your hemp barefoot sandals. Recently, I have added this clasp set up to all my barefoot sandal listings. Here is an example of what you will receive when you order your sandals.

In addition to this clasp set up, you will also need some strong craft glue, like E6000, and a pair of pliers. A toothpick is also really handy for applying the glue.

If you already have a pair of my hemp barefoot sandals and would like to add the clasp, you can easily find these pieces at your local craft store. You will need a lobster clasp and the ring it connects to, 2 jump rings (one for each side) and 2 ribbon cord crimps... for each sandal.

First you need to put on your barefoot sandals and tie them in a bow at the back of your ankle. Make sure that they are tied comfortably, yet snug so that they won't fall down in an awkward position.

Now you will take one of the clasp set ups, and position it across the hemp so that the lobster clasp is in the middle near the knot of the bow. Once you get it in place, you will take a small drop of glue on the tip of a tooth pick, I use E6000 glue. You only need a small drop about the size of a pin head. Put the glue inside the first ribbon cord crimp and place the 2 strands of hemp inside.

Crimp both ends closed with your pliers. You may choose to leave it slightly loose until you are done, just in case you need to re-adjust.

Now you are ready for the other side - you will do the same thing. Don't forget the glue. :)

When you get the second side secure, you can untie the bow.

At this point, make sure your sandals feel comfortable, you may want to stand up and adjust the hemp if necessary. If they feel good, you can cut the strings, close to the ribbon cord clamp. (If the sandals end up being too tight, you can always add another jump ring to your links.) Be sure to go back and tighten your cord clamps and you are ready to do the other sandal. :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! :)

Do you want to share a review?

2012-01-30T09:20:00.004-06:00

I am looking for a few guest bloggers to share a review of a handmade product that you love? If you are interested in writing a guest post on my blog, please use the contact form to let me know. I will give any guest bloggers a permanent advertising spot under lifetime sponsors. The shop you review will also get a button posted under recently reviewed, and it will stay up for a month. You will get an introduction interview, including back links to your shop or website.

If interested, contact me here

Pin of the Day

2012-01-30T07:43:00.003-06:00

I was browsing through Pinterest and I found this awesome picture that caught my eye...

When I clicked on it to find the source, it linked me to this blog... Coffee Lovin' Mom
There I found so many more pictures, just as fabulous as this one! You have to go check it out!

Treasury Of the Day

2012-01-30T07:30:00.000-06:00

I love blue! I picked this Treasury by the lovely Ingrid of SuddenlyYou, this morning to share with you.

Eco Chic Soap Review

2012-01-25T17:35:00.000-06:00

Yummy! :) This picture looks good enough to eat and the scent is just as good!

This is Raspberry Delights - Handmade Yogurt Soap, by EcoChicSoaps. The owner of this shop, Connie, is as delightful to work with as her soap. She packages her soap with care and detail. The aroma from inside the package will make you want to tear it open and eat it, although it is not recommended! lol This soap is not only great smelling, but is also fabulous on your skin. I have tried many scents and love them all. They are full of fragrance and true to their name. You will not be disappointed with anything from this shop.

Dragonpop Handmade Jewelry Review

2012-01-23T21:19:00.000-06:00

Dragonpop

I am the proud owner of this lovely fashionable ring from Dragonpop, as well as many others. I have

to tell you, everything I have ever purchased from this shop has been solid quality. Christy, takes the time to finish the details with every piece she creates. I was drawn to the colors in the piece and I love the dragonfly. Her ideas are unique and one of a kind.

She takes just as much care with packaging every order. A beautiful shop owner, with fun and unique jewelry and gifts, Christy will not disappoint you.

Here is my daughter, sporting this fabulous art. :)

Tips for Shopping Safely on Etsy

2012-01-19T08:20:00.000-06:00

Etsy is a wonderful, community based website full of brilliant and talented artists, sharing their love for handmade. Unfortunately, like all good things, occasionally it may have a bad apple or two. It is really sad for the honest artists trying to share their artwork. Any time you make a purchase, you rightfully expect to receive the merchandise you paid for. Sadly, all to often, I hear of shoppers who have made a purchase, only to come back a few days later to find the shop they bought from is no longer there. This leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth, and makes it more challenging for the good sellers.

There are a couple of things you can do as a shopper to protect yourself from these scammers.

*Take a good look at the shop and the profile.

How long has it been open? It is hard to build a reputation on Etsy and get sales when you are just starting out. New shops may have to wait weeks or months before they get their first sale. Just because the shop has not yet had a sale, does not mean they are not legitimate, but if they just opened today, you may want to add them to your favorites and come back to see how they are doing in a couple of weeks.

*Read the profile and policies.

Make sure you understand the shop's policies and agree to them before purchasing. Does the profile look friendly? Established shops will for sure add a photo to their profile. They should also fill out their profile and give you a little information about their shop. Check to see if they have anything else in their profile... Does the shop belong to any teams? Have they made any treasuries? Do they have any items or shops in their favorites or circle?
These are great tools to see if there is a "real" person behind the shop.

*Read the Feedback.

Feedback is an important tool for both shoppers and sellers. Always check the feedback. At the top of the feedback page, you will see how many positive, negative, or neutral feedbacks have been left for the seller. If I notice a shop has any negative or neutral feedbacks, I always scroll through the feedback comments until I find the negative or neutral post to see what was wrong. I understand that sometimes shoppers may be unreasonable, and there are some people that no matter what, you just can't please. However, I don't think that is what Etsy is really about. Most shops will try to do everything they can to please their customers, and they take pride in keeping 100% positive feedback.

*Send the shop a convo with a general question about the item you are interested in.

Did they respond to you in a timely fashion and are they friendly? Remember that most shop owners have normal lives outside of Etsy, they may have commitments to their family and only work during the day, when their kids are at school, or they may have other jobs. However, they should respond to you within 24 hours, this is good practice and will let you know that they intend to stay on top of their business.

*Pay with Paypal.

Paypal is the most common payment method accepted on Etsy. You do not have to have a paypal account to use a credit card through paypal. Paypal has policies in place to protect buyers from fraudulent sellers. Make sure that you stay on top of your purchases, if you do have a problem and have not received your purchase, you only have 45 days to file a claim.

*Make a small purchase to test the waters.

If you really want to buy something from the shop with no feedback, make a small purchase if possible. If everything works out, then you can go back and order more. At least your initial investment will be small.

*Trust your Gut.

If you are getting bad vibes from the shop, or if the deal just seems to good to be true, it probably is. It may be better to go with your instincts and hold off on the purchase until the shop builds a reputation.

Overall, most shops on Etsy are owned by legitimate, hard working artists, trying to make an honest living. Shopping in the handmade community can be a rewarding experience. Lasting relationships and friendship can made. There is great satisfaction in knowing you are supporting the everyday, average person trying to pursue their passions. I highly recommend getting involved in this handmade community, just take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself.
Happy Shopping!

*All opinions and advice is that of my own and is in no way affiliated with any advice or opinions of Etsy.

Clip art images are from:
Image: chanpipat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CraftUnikat: Hand Painted Ceramics Review

2012-01-18T06:26:00.000-06:00

This little shop on Etsy has certainly caught my attention! The hand painted details that go into this art are truly magnificent. Sanja from Craft Unikat is an amazing free spirited artist. She has the creative imagination of a fun loving child and it is portrayed through her art. As I admire her work, she makes me feel young again. I came across this mug in her Etsy shop, CraftUnikat and I had to have it. I loved the color of blue, and I felt like it was made for me. I started saving up my money and hoping nobody else would buy it before I had a chance to get it. I was a little hesitant, because it had to ship all the way from Croatia and it looked very fragile. (I had just been dealing with one of my own shipments, that got damaged by UPS and it was only going a couple of hundred miles) I certainly didn't want anything to happen to this beautiful piece, I had fallen in love with. After expressing my concerns to Sanja, she assured me that she would package it with extra care and of course she would make it right if the package was damaged. So I took my chances and I ordered it. I eagerly anticipated it's arrival and within a few weeks, it was here! It arrived safe and sound. She did take extra care in packaging the mug and it arrived perfectly! It is even more beautiful in person and I am so proud to own a little piece of Sanja's art. I use my coffee mug often, it is the perfect size for my coffee, I like it hot and this mug is smaller than my other one's, which allows me to finish the cup before it gets too cold. I hand wash it and avoid the dishwasher as Sanja suggested, although it doesn't seem like the art would wear off, but I want to ensure that it lasts forever. I highly recommend this cute little shop the next time you are looking for a one of a kind treasure.

The Promotion Peacock: ~FREE ADVERTISEMENT GIVEAWAY~

2012-01-16T21:16:00.000-06:00

Everyone can use some advertisement! Check out this site!

The Promotion Peacock: ~FREE ADVERTISEMENT GIVEAWAY~: The first person to refer 7 friends to follow my fb and/or blog will get one week of FREE advertisement for their shop from The Promotion P...

Soap For Your Soul

2012-01-16T20:10:00.000-06:00

A few months ago, I was having a terrible itchiness all over my body every time I laid down in my bed. I started freaking out because it was driving me crazy. I obsessed over my mattress, searching for bed bugs after researching how to check, didn't find anything. Then throughout my searching, I stumbled across how many chemicals are in our laundry detergent and fabric softeners that are bad for your skin. That is when I decided to try a new detergent. I tried the detergent from Soap For The Soul and was so happy I did! All the itching finally stopped. I love the detergent. It has a very mild fragrance and it is nice to know that it is not only good for your skin, but also good for the environment. It does a very effective job with cleaning the clothes too! I use it in my front load washer and I have had no issues with it. The detergent was shipped quickly and packaged very securely. Mike and Emily are beautiful souls to work with. I would recommend this shop to anyone who is searching for an alternative to store brand detergents.

Give Away!

2012-01-16T11:53:00.000-06:00

Feather Earrings Give Away!!

To launch my new blog I am having a give away!

10 Lucky winners will receive a gift certificate for a pair of feather earrings from my Etsy shop! MoJo's Free Spirit

Please enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Natural Earth Oils

2012-01-16T10:22:00.000-06:00

My first review is that of the lavender and chamomile I use for my sachets. I purchase these dried herbs from Natural Earth Oils on Etsy. Owner Charles Clark, is very friendly, professional and a pleasure to do business with. I always receive my order very quickly. I wish I had a button for you to push so you could smell the fragrant herbs. My customers are always very happy when they get their sachets. I always wonder if the postman is sleepy on the day he delivers my package, because when I open the mail box, it is blossoming with the lovely fragrance. The packaging of my order is always very secure, the herbs are double wrapped in plastic bags and then sent in a tough mailer, I have never had an issue of a torn up package.
If you are looking for a place to get dried herbs and oils, I highly recommend Natural Earth Oils.

I always mix my lavender and chamomile together... here it is...

Welcome

2012-01-14T14:32:00.000-06:00

Welcome to We ♥ Handmade!
Here you will find honest reviews of handmade products. I love the handmade world, I also know how hard it is to get started selling. It takes a lot of marketing and advertising to get someone to try your products. I am here to help! I want to try your product and offer a review, a non-bias opinion about products made by crafters and artists. If you are looking for someone to give you a feedback, you are in the right place!