Fun Friday Finds ~ A Moment Captured in Time by Minnesota Photographers
By Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition
A Moment Captured in Time
by Minnesota Photographers

Second Row (Left to Right): timelmphoto, emapalm, Costellos, NikkyLeeDesigns
By Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition
Posted by ArtisticEdition at 8:00 AM 4 comments
Labels: A MOMENT CAPTURED IN TIME, Fun Friday Finds, Minnesota, photographs, photography, pictures, wall art
Posted by Cheri at 7:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: Glorious Hats, inspiration, Inspire Me
Row 1:
Red Button Bracelet by XOHandworks
The Little Red Duck by The Green Squirrel
Row 2:
Brooch - Mega Flower from upcycled wool and felt by Glorious Hats
Royal Blue Button Bobby Pins by Wynzia
Row 3:
Vintage Button Pendant by Kellybot
Multicolor Button Bracelet by Pattys Designs and Treasures
Posted by kat at 7:00 AM 0 comments
We are happy to bring you even more Minnesota handmade goodness for the holiday season! Between now and Christmas, we will be holding WEEKLY giveaways. Make sure to check back every Sunday to see what's new.
Today we bring you this fabulous coffee cozy and matching wristlet key fob, from Chrystie of Notapotato. Check out her shop for more fabulous treasures!
This cute, reusable coffee cozy is reversible, so you can pick whichever side suits your mood in the morning! One side features brightly colored floral shapes on a black background, while the other shows small leopard pattern in green. Sandwiched in between is a layer of terry cloth for insulation (and catching drips!). The sleeve closes with two snaps, meaning that it can be washed and stored flat if you like. Also included in the giveaway is a handy wristlet key fob featuring the same two fabrics. Eco-friendly and stylish...what more can you ask for?
How to Enter:
Visit Chrystie's shop on Etsy, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments, or just click here.)
Both US and International residents are eligible!
Please make sure we have a way to contact you!
For Bonus Entries:
Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).
1. Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.
2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).
4. Follow our blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.
5. Follow HandmadeMN on Twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.
6. Become a HandmadeMN Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.
7. Become Chrystie's Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your facebook name here.
8. Follow Chrystie on Twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.
Contest ends Saturday, November 7, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.
Good luck!
HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.
Posted by Jess at 7:00 AM 124 comments
Labels: coffee cozy, free, key fob, Monthly Giveaway, notapotato, wristlet
By Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition
Posted by ArtisticEdition at 8:00 AM 2 comments
Labels: Fun Friday Finds, OCTOBER BIRTHSTONE SHADES OF ROSE, pink, rose
Here's one that is just cute as a button. Ha! Get it? It's called Buttons and Beads Straw Hat. So summery, and what a beautiful trim around the brim.
Here's one for the upcoming cooler months. This Wool Beret would give a touch of class and sass to an autumn outfit. My favorite part of this hat is the small splash of orange, the happiest color in the world.
This one is so very cool I can't even find words to express it. The Pagoda Percher is a lovely shade of lavender and so unique. It even comes with a hat pin! Jane sure knows the millinery business, and if you have questions about how to wear a hat with a hat pin I'm sure she'll be happy to enlighten you.
Posted by Sara at 7:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: etsy, Featured Shop, Glorious Hats, Hats, Jane Carlstrom
By Toni of Wild Dog Studio
Thanks to all who participated in this month's challenge, and stay tuned for some great "Thankful For" entries in our next challenge!
Posted by Toni at 7:00 AM 2 comments
Congratulations to our latest giveaway winner, Mishia! Thanks to all who entered and we wish you good luck with this weeks giveaway!
Today we bring you this beautiful Zuni Bear Pendant, from Sarah of SB Design. Check out her shop!
This great little Zuni bear measures approx. 22mm x 18mm, and is made from precious metal clay ( .999 fine silver once fired). It has been hand stamped, tumbled, and hand polished. It is lightly oxidized to bring out the detail of the design. It comes on an 18" or 20" sterling silver snake chain, and is packaged in an organza bag decorated with stars and moons. It would make an excellent gift!, and is perfect for any occasion.
How to Enter:
Visit Sarah's shop on Etsy, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments, or just click here.)
Both US and International residents are eligible!
Please make sure we have a way to contact you!
For Bonus Entries:
Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).
1. Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.
2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).
4. Follow our blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.
5. Follow HandmadeMN on Twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.
6. Become a Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.
7. Become Sarah's Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your facebook name here.
Contest ends Saturday, October 31, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.
Good luck!
HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.
Posted by Jess at 7:00 AM 82 comments
Labels: etsy giveaway, free jewelry, jewelry, Monthly Giveaway, Necklaces, SBDesign, Team Giveaway
Maria Thomas, CEO of Etsy, visits HandmadeMN at Nye’s Bar in Minneapolis, MN
By Corrin of Athena’s Little Owl
As soon as I entered the banquet room in the basement of Nye’s, I was immediately greeted by a friendly and casually dressed woman. At first thought I was meeting one of the HandmadeMN team leaders. However, as soon as she said, “Hi, I’m Maria,” I knew the woman in the black hoodie and German “I heart Etsy” vintage style tee was indeed the brains behind the Etsy empire. Her down-to-earth style and clear intelligence surprised us at first, and then held us captive the entire night.
Very soon after, a great showing of the HandmadeMN team filled the banquet room at Nye’s. The community of the HandmadeMN team was apparent as people who had only met briefly at shows, or through online discussions, were suddenly immersed in conversations centered around the opportunity of having a chance to not only hear Maria speak, but be able to open a forum to discuss the site that brought us all together.
Posted by Toni at 7:00 AM 10 comments
Labels: etsy, maria thomas, minneapolis, Minnesota, Nye's Polonaise
By Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition
Posted by ArtisticEdition at 8:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: bark, Fun Friday Finds, leaf, Leaves, tree, WAYWARD TREE
Posted by Cheri at 7:00 AM 2 comments
Labels: kathy lewinski, minnesota hot dish, recipe, the snuggery
Posted by Harvest Moon by Hand at 7:00 AM 1 comments
Labels: book review, flowers, fruits, harvestmoonbyhand, herbs, nature, nature printing
Heads up, Twin Cities! Etsy's CEO Maria Thomas is coming to town. All the details are in this Storque article.
When: Thursday, October 15th, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Nye's Polonaise, 112 E. Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
The HandmadeMN street team is really excited to be hosting Etsy in one of Minnesota's great cities. See you there!
Posted by Kellybot at 7:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: etsy, HandmadeMN, maria thomas, Nye's Polonaise
By Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition
Posted by ArtisticEdition at 8:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: art, bags, Blue, business cards, Cozy, Earrings, Fun Friday Finds, invitations, Necklaces, Ode to Etsy HandmadeMN Style, Orange, photography, supplies
by prayer bedes
If you are familiar with yoga practices, you are probably also familiar with the metaphor of the monkey mind. The monkey mind flits from tree to tree in a constant state of chatter. I have a theory that creative people are particularly prone to this state of mind as they find new ideas frequently emerging.
Maybe that is why I, and my own monkey mind, am drawn to contemplative practices to create balance in my life. I have also found that those practices can be applied to many repetitive actions.
I have always wished I was a "knitter." Yes, I have tried on a few occasions throughout my life to master the craft, but have only managed to accomplish creating long, narrow, inconsistent strips that were supposed to be scarves.
Whenever fall rolls around, I have thoughts that this might be the season I learn to knit. Somehow, fall creates a sense of nostalgia in me and I tend to be drawn to activities that are reminiscent of days gone by. I also tend to make to-do lists and attempt to return to more structure in my life after the free-form days of summer. I think I actually tend to make more resolutions in the fall than at the new year.
Okay, time to reign in the monkeys. I have somehow managed to flit to trees further away than I intended.
Knitting is a repetitive action, and many have found it a way in which to enter a state of meditation and contemplation. Google blogger, Wonderland Knits, reflects on a book called Zen and the Art of Knitting: Exploring the links between Knitting, Spirituality, and Creativity by Bernadette Murphy. She describes this state of contemplation as "'the zone' - that mental place where time looses structure, and the task at hand becomes the whole world." She goes on to say, "As a form of meditation, knitting can decrease one's heart rate, slow breathing, and have lasting positive effects on the body."
When I ran across this blog, Knitting &, I considered that for all these years I just might have been missing the point of knitting. My expectations were always to create something "useful", yet maybe it is just the process that is "useful" for me.
Posted by prayer bedes at 7:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: calming, knitting, meditation, monkey mind
By Kat of The Musical Kitten
Meet Cindy Lindgren, owner of the store CindyLindgren on Etsy.
Tucked away near the beautiful landscapes of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Cindy creates her illustrations in her 10x12 room on the second story of her home.
Cindy keeps much on hand for inspiration. “I have many garden books, art books, art prints by friends and items I collect while traveling or shopping,” she says. “Someday I'd like to have a print by my favorite artist Charley Harper to hang in my studio.”
This space is sometimes full of other creators, including her black cat, son and husband, the graphic designer.
Set up in her studio with the drawing table and supplies across the room from her laptop, Cindy keeps her business organized between bins, file folders and notebooks. Bookcases hug the room and remnants of her days as an airbrush artist peek out from time to time.“I'm in the studio every day either working on freelance illustration projects, art projects for my Etsy shop or general art projects,” she says – like the mosaics she creates just for fun. Her projects range from logos, to patterns, to illustrations drawn by hand and then scanned into her computer for digital editing. Her greeting cards are drawn from flower samples she buys or photographs, and are then made into digital files for printing.
Inspired by a piece of her own art her husband had framed for her one year, Cindy also keeps a secret stash of chocolates in her art taboret among a bin of Lake Superior rocks she has collected – we all need that chocolatey bliss to keep us going once in awhile!
Find Cindy at her Etsy shop: www.cindylindgren.etsy.com
View Cindy’s illustrations online: www.cindylindgren.com
If you are interested in being featured in a Creative Spaces article, please email Kat at themusicalkitten@gmail.com for details!
Posted by Kat at 8:00 AM 1 comments
Congratulations to our latest giveaway winner, Meg of LittleAngelbyMeg! Thanks to all who entered and we wish you good luck with this week's giveaway!
Today we bring you these adorable hair accessories from Jenna Halek at Artistic Edition. Almost everyone has heard of, or has played the game Barrel of Monkeys right? Well, Jenna has taken this fun game to a whole new level of play and turned them in to fun hair snap accessories. Jenna is giving away 4 miniature (1" x 3/4") Red Barrel of Monkey Hair Snaps PLUS a cute little blue barrel to put them in. They are the perfect hair accessory for the kid at heart!
A quick bit of info about Artistic Edition hair snaps...they are very versatile and can be placed (snapped) pretty much anywhere in your hair. They lie flush against your hair and offer a wider range of placement options than traditional hair accessories! They are incredibly easy to use. If you can work metal snaps on a shirt you can put these little babes in your hair! Your hair can be up, down, curly or straight - it will look fabulous with Artistic Edition hair snaps.
How to Enter:
Visit Jenna's shop on Etsy , pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments, or just click here.)
Both US and International residents are eligible!
Please make sure we have a way to contact you!
For Bonus Entries:
Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).
1. Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.
2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).
4. Follow our blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.
5. Follow HandmadeMN on Twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.
6. Become a Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.
7. Follow Artistic Edition on Twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.
8. Become an Artistic Edition Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.
Contest ends Saturday, October 17th at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.
Good luck!
HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.
Posted by Jess at 8:00 AM 112 comments
Labels: free, hair accessories, hair snaps, Team Giveaway
By Jenna Halek ~ Artistic Edition