Where's the Map? - *Faves*

Decoupage map of london coffee table

Isn't this the coolest coffee table?!

Chrystie from NotAPotato has this shop as one of her favorites. It's a bummer that the seller, Bombus, is located in the UK. I need a coffee table for our family room, and I thought how neat it would be to decoupage one with maps of of places we have been and lived. It could even be places where we want to go!

That got me doing an Etsy "map" search. There are really neat map things out there. I wish I would have thought of it earlier, because some of them would have been great graduation gifts.

Tunisia Map Pendant by XOHandwork

I have always admired XOHandwork's map pendants. My thoughts about travel places for the coffee table led me to think of how neat it would be to have a travel charm bracelet of places you have been.

Vintage Map Necklace. Custom Location by sherrytruitt

Small Wooden Map Bowl one of four by MoontooandCo

Vintage 1962 Brazil...Map Lovers' EcoBangle(TM) by EcoBangle

For kids going off the college, something with a map on it of their hometown could be really special. (Whether they admit it or not, I think most get a little homesick.) I also know of some friends who have sent packages to their kids at school over finals week to give them a boost. The map magnets, buttons, or pendants are relatively inexpensive and would be easy to mail.

Mixed Tape Custom Vintage Map Case by russian forest

Store the CD of your summer vacation pictures in a custom CD case from russianforest.

United States Travel Journal by PrairiePeasant

Rocky Mountain Topographic Map Checkbook Cover by tattered tapestry

Travelers? A journals would be awesome for any age. The one with a US map on it from PrairiePeasant reminds me of a book I had as a child, where you could circle the states you had visited.

I pictured a checkbook cover above from tatteredtapestry, but they also have passport covers.

Glass Map Magnet - Guatemala by DosBesitos

The Glass Map Magnet of Guatemala comes from the DosBesitos shop. DosBesitos specializes in adoption related pendants, paperweights, and magnets specific to different countries and languages throughout the world. This is a beautiful little shop!

China Journal by kristincrane

My parents lived in China for a time, and I kept all my mom's email correspondences to me. I am going to ask kristincrane if she will make a journal for me to put the printed emails in.

I am sure that many of these Etsy sellers would be willing to custom make something with a specific map on it.

Happy Travels Card by kristincrane

Don't forget these great "Happy Travel Cards" from kristencrane!

Fun Friday Finds

by Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition

Blues & Yellows

Etsy Buy Handmade HandmadeMN

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left to Right): LieblingDesigns, greensquirrel, magickalrealism, nearlysurfacing
Second Row (Left to Right): retrovertigo, musicalkitten, notapotato, JulieMeyer
Third Row (Left to Right): JustAnotherDay, waternymph, StephaniesStitchings, StarglowStudio
Forth Row (Left to Right): SweetGracies, soduel, MaryAnnCleary, miltonandmargies

June 2009 Challenge - Turquoise

By Toni of Wild Dog Studio

This month's challenge theme was "Turquoise". Check out all the fabulous entries below, then scroll all the way to the bottom to vote for your favorite! The winner will recieve a two week advertising spot on our blog.

Voting ends at midnight on July 17.



Turquoise Ring

Submitted by:
Kellybot










Turquoise Dream

Submitted by:
Glass Garden Designs







Turquoise Dream Illusion Mirrored Mobile

Submitted by:
Catch A Star Creations
















The Wavy Collection-Gold and Turquoise Necklace

Submitted by:
Suz and Roo








Wristlet Key Fob

Submitted by:
not a potato






Turquoise and Black Fused Glass Pendant

Submitted by:
Wild Dog Studio








Handpainted Peony Silk Paddle Fan

Submitted by:
Palettepassion

Vote for your favorite now!

Weekly Craft:AMIGURUMI

Written by Meredith of Mtart & Stormtrooper1

(above) "Esther" by Fuzfrenzy

You have heard people say, "awwww, those are SO cute!" No, they aren't talking about human babies this time, but just as adorable Amigurumi dolls! The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. The simplest designs are worked in spirals. Amigurumi are usually worked in sections and then joined, except for some amigurumi which have no limbs, only a head and torso which are worked as one piece. The extremities are sometimes stuffed with plastic pellets to give them a life-like weight, while the rest of the body is stuffed with fiber stuffing. Typical amigurumi animals have an over-sized spherical head on a cylindrical body with undersized extremities.

One of the most popular questions concerning Amigurumi is, "how do you say that!?" Amigurumi is pronounced ah-mee-goo-roo-mee.

I learned some great things from the only HandmadeMN member (thus far) who creates Amigurumi by way of crochet; Jennifer of fuzfrenzy

As far as I'm aware you are the only one on HandmadeMN that creates amigurumi, right?
I think that's true, but I hope to share my craft with anyone who wishes to learn it.

How long have you been creating it?
I have been making amigurumi for about three and a half years now, though I have been crocheting for about nine.

Why did you start?
I started making amigurumi creatures at the end of 2005 when there was a contest on Etsy and I haven't stopped making them since.

You are a crocheter not a knitter, correct?
I started out with knitting about ten years ago and switched to crocheting soon after that. I like the sculptural aspects of crocheting. It's also nice not to have to worry about dropped knitting stitches. So, yes I am a crocheter, not a knitter, though I can knit.

What is your favorite thing about amigurumi?
I enjoy making creatures that other people can enjoy. As an artist I also like to have something that I can create that I can take anywhere.

What is your all time favorite amigurumi piece?
Froderick the Gremlin is probably my favorite. He's the largest monster I've created, aside from a giant octopus I crocheted from yarn that I made from t-shirts.

Are there benefits to a crocheted amigurumi piece over knitted one?
I think it's more of a preference. Crochet fabric is about three times as thick as its knitted counterpart. With amigurumi it means that you get a sturdier creature.

Are amigurumi stronger than a standard "Stuffed" plush?
One of the neat things about crocheting is that you are making the fabric that you are making your plush with. The strength, as with any fabric, would depend on the density of the stitches.

Are they machine washable?
Yes, but even acrylic yarn has a tendency to felt, so it is advisable to only machine wash when absolutely necessary and spot clean when possible.

I hope this article has inspired you to appreciate the Amigurumi craft and even perhaps want to try creating one! I've included a youtube tutorial for a "simple" Amigurumi creation. It is split into two videos:

Amigurmi tutorial "Part 1"

Amigurmi tutorial "Part 2"

Local Scene - Music in Mears

By Wild Dog Studio

There's nothing like live music in the park on a warm summer's night. Especially when the music is free and the park is beautiful Mears Park in downtown St Paul.

Every Thursday during the summer, from 6 to 9pm, June through August, the Music in Mears organizers bring us a free concert in the heart of downtown. Featuring great local bands, such as Hookers and Blow and The Hopefuls, the concerts bring the community together for some good old fashioned fun. Each week a different local restaurant offers up some yummy food and drink to keep the party going.


In addition to the live bands, Music in Mears also features six weeks of full length movies beginning the end of July. This year the movies kick off on July 23, with The School of Rock. You can find the full schedule of music and movies on their website.


When you come, bring a lawn chair or blanket to make yourself more comfortable. Mears Park is a beautiful setting to relax with some great music, movies and people watching!

~Toni

Featured Shop - Stephanie's Stitchings

Written By: Sara Werzel of Auntie B Online

Stephanie Troutner has a cute little shop on Etsy where she sells her embroidery art and fabric-covered boxes. I've always liked the idea of hanging needlework from an embroidery hoop, and these pieces are just that.

Stephanie's Stitchings displays a variety of Stephanie's own designs. She has captured a retro feel to her work, with which I'm totally in love. I also think the idea of doing embroidery on patterned fabric is lively and unique. Stephanie's work can also be grouped for an interesting and colorful addition to a blank piece of wall.

For one or more great pieces of art that provide wonderful colors and texture, visit Stephanie's Stitchings.

Pictured above are: Purple Lollypop Swirls, Jamaican Pearls, and the ever so fun Flying Peanuts.

Fun Friday Finds

by cholula jewelry

Beachy Keen
(Click on the image to enlarge)

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left to Right): TCWitchcraftFactory, ArtisticEdition, palettepassion, thesnuggery
Second Row (Left to Right): saffronsparrow, PlushroomSoup, notapotato, XOHandworks
Third Row (Left to Right): Crafterall, SweetGracies, ModernMeetsWhimsy, fuzfrenzy
Forth Row (Left to Right): musicalkitten, FennelStudio, NikkyLeeDesigns, cholulajewelry

Creative Spaces: Crazy Busy

By Kat Arcand

Welcome to Winona, Minnesota home to Stena Lieb and her store, Crazy Busy and her creative upcycled bags, prints, paintings and sculpture.

Stena creates her treasures in the basement of her home, but also likes to take her work outdoors to watch her boys play while laundry dries in the sun on warm summer days. When the weather is less than cooperative, she claims the kitchen table as her work space, since working in the basement can get quite cold.

“I have slowly been taking over a little bit more of the basement as I can,” Stena says. So far so good -- her husband hasn’t even noticed!

Inspiration comes in many forms for Crazy Busy. Pages from magazines that hang from the vents in the basement, trinkets and treasures and art books all help in the creative process.

Stena keeps her space open and friendly to visitors. “I love talking to people while I work. It’s also great for getting input on things,” she says. When she has her kiln going, the basement is off limits to her boys, and rightly so! That kind of heat can be dangerous to those who aren’t experienced. Any other time, her boys are welcome to join her in the creative process. “My three year old will sit for hours with paint, stickers, crayons or markers it he is not bothered by either of his brothers. My six year old … collects piles of string … off of the floor and makes potions,” she explains. “I just have to make sure he doesn't snag stuff I can still use.”


A table set up for the majority of her work along with a work counter and storage cabinets fill her space. “My kiln tucked in the corner,” she says. “I keep all of the items that are for generally the same purpose together.” A lot of her crafting space is somewhat mobile, including her sewing machine. “I move around a lot when I work, so my space is small enough that I don't mind going back and forth to find things.”

Keeping tidy and organized can be a challenge for Stena. “Because my space is so small, I try not to collect too many random things, but that is a battle I have yet to win.” She would like to have a larger space to paint and sculpt, but at the moment there is no room for her to branch out. Stena even has a little help from her twin sister, who sometimes comes to organize while she works.

Stena’s basement has a story of its own. “Our house used to be a huge college party house for years before we moved in.” While cleaning up, empty bottles and even a ACDC tape have been found. “My basement has seen a lot…”


Finding time to work with three kids at home can be tricky, but Stena devotes every Tuesday night to her work. Also, Stena has created a crafting group amonst her friends that meets to create together and work on their own projects in a friendly and supportive environment. “We relax, work, laugh, and sometimes drink some wine…”

One change Stena would like to see in her space is more natural light. “I am stuck in a basement, and I have almost no natural light in the daytime.” Even still, Stena receives load of support from her loved ones. “My husband does not understand my thought process when I create stuff, but he will make me things I need to be able to create more easily.” He has so far created her a work bench and is working on more shelves for her items to keep them from boxes stored on the floor. He even had her father-in-law re-wire and re-light her work area and kiln (what a sweetheart!). “If he wasn't suppostive of me and my work, I would not have a work space at all.”

Find Crazy Busy on Etsy: http://crazybusy.etsy.com

Eight Questions with...Sharon Schneider

Meet Handmade MN member Sharon Schneider of St. Paul, MN. Sharon is married and the mother of three teenagers. On top of all that she runs her store Shaggy Baggy. You can also find Sharon of her Shaggy Baggy website.
1. What types of items do you sell in your store?

I sell totes -- and handbags. Right now I am focused on recycled coffee totes.

2. Where do you get your inspiration?

I like to repurpose. I am inspired to make items functional yet unique and original.
3. Do you have a specific space where you do most of your work?

I have a purple sewing room . . . and the kitchen table

4. When did you first start crafting?

I took every sewing class my high school offered. I've been crafting with my kids for 15 years.

5. Do you do any crafts or art beyond what you sell?

I am pretty busy sewing now. We will make an occasional Christmas ornament or gift.
6. What are your favorite places to buy supplies?

Ikea, Ahkwok buckles. On ETSY: Vintagehomestyle, JennifersJewels does my labels, I got a great ironing board cover from CityChicCountryMouse.

7. What is the best thing you've ever done to promote your etsy store?

I stay visible with new listings and renewing often.

8. What other etsy store(s) do you really like?

Tamaralines -- great jewelry, Pursecution - great leather, Katherynmd - great coffee, motleymutton - great critters

If you are a member of HandmadeMN & would like to be featured in Eight Questions email me at katbaro at yahoo dot com.

Sales Tax Increase

A silly photo for a serious subject

They say death and taxes are the only sure things in life. Seems kind of cynical, but I don't think we'll see either end anytime soon.

Actually, beginning July 1st, the statewide Sales and Use Tax rate will increase to 6.875%. Many communities also have local Sales and Use Tax that would go on top of this new rate, as well as the .25% Transit Improvement Tax for the Metro Area that was put in place Spring, 2008.

All these different Sales, Use, Transit and Local Taxes can be confusing when it comes to doing shows. What's the best way to know what you should be collecting?

Well the Minnesota Department of Revenue has a way to help. Their website has a very useful tool where you can enter the zip code of show or your home for that matter and it will tell you the correct amount to collect for any size sale. Click here to visit this Sales Tax Rate Calculator. It's just one way our State is helping to make paying taxes easier for us. Thoughtful huh?