Wood Like To Meet...Getting to Know You #22

 Hi! Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here with this month's Getting To Know You post.

 The idea is to introduce the Etsy Ireland Team to another Etsy team via a 50-50, cross-team treasury. 

Handcarved birch wood drinking vessel by The Wood N Stuf, (Etsy Ireland)

I was admiring wood crafted art and wooden items by team members this month so went in search of a team devoted to working with this beautiful material.

Hand carved driftwood snail by Driftwood Art, Greece (Wood Art Team)

The Wood Art team boasts 378 members. It is open to artisans who works with this natural resource. Members hail from all over the globe. In fact, I'm pretty sure at least one Irish shop is a member. To join you simply have to work with wood (and have an Etsy store.)

'Wood Like To Meet...' by byAMOR

Etsy Ireland Says Hello to Wood Art Team. Getting to Know You SeriesThis will be feautured on the Etsy Ireland blog on Sundayhttp://etsyireland.blogspot.ie/index.html

Native American Art... TWWoodcraft $28	Ancient Irish Bog O... KeldurWoodcraf... $31	Simple necklace ebo... AnetaMajzner $90	Antler mount Yellowbubbling $200
OOAK Wood Inlay &qu... CMGArte $24	Celtic styled table... jackdolanwoodc... $199	Wooden cufflinks 6 ... 9design $35	BIRCH CASSETTE CLOC... cklocmaker $40
Bead Board Coat Rac... barbwireandbar... $78	Small bolson tortoi... AnimaliaWoodca... $46	Uncle Sam meets V f... FireWoodCrafts $12	Art Wood Carving Yo... MariyaArts $450
iPhone Stand - Bamb... SmartwoodGalle... $19	Wedding Memory Box WhisperingWood... $495	Lamp with Salt Shad... NTBDesignStudi... $299.99	Irish Spinngwheel M... HandsSeries $29.99

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

I knew Ireland was once covered mainly in Oaklands, but I got curious as to what trees are indigenous to Ireland.

4000 year-old bog oak keychain by Mayfly Etsy Shop

By the time man settled here about 9000 years ago, much of the land was covered in trees, principally oak in the valleys and lowlands. Mountains and other areas of poor soil were mainly covered with pine with small populations of birch. Alder took another century to really take hold and ash did not become common for a further 2000 years.

Forest Figure by Grey Sea Studio

Native trees are those which had already taken root before sea levels rose and Ireland became an island. Besides these mentioned, other native trees include willow, hazel and rowan.  After we were separated from Great Britain and mainland Europe by rising oceans, non-native specimens of tree continued to arrive, brought here by seafaring humans.

The Druidess of the YewGrove by Eye of a Druidess

Yew once grew very abundantly and seemingly, this was the one much used by carpenters and wood turners through the centuries, especially for domestic vessels. It is apparently, one of the more difficult woods to work with, requiring great skill and fine tools.

Let's wish every success to the Wood Art Team and our own, native carpenters, wood turners and woodworking artisans who keep this ancient craft alive.

Crafty Inspirations for the New Year

2013 art calendar by Makissima

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all team members and craft lovers. Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here. I'd like to share a few inspirational ideas for the start of 2013.

A NOD TO 'THE GATHERING'

One of the most significant happenings in Ireland this year is of course The Gathering, a year-long celebration of Ireland, homecoming events and the Irish Welcome. Perhaps we can come up with small ways we can individually, and/or as a team, celebrate with Irish Etsy people abroad?

Claddagh ring Irish language card by Irish Elements

For instance, I came across this team ‘Auld Irish Artisans’ on Etsy. They are a group of Irish and non-Irish Etsians who love all things about Ireland. A simple idea would be to make cross-team treasuries under the theme and tag of 'The Gathering' to extend a greeting to them. Anyone could do this as an individual member of the team at any time during the year. The more who do it, the merrier! (Don’t know how to make a treasury? See links below for help). 

seaglass fairy born from a crafty exchange across the ocean

Another idea might be to team up with Irish Etsians abroad for mini projects. In 2012 I have been fortunate to make ‘cyber friendships’ with Irish descendants abroad via treasuries, as customers and also through lucky encounters such as with American Irish girl, Joy of Seaglass Lass.  Joy sought some Irish seaglass and I got the chance to experiment with drilled pieces she sent me in exchange. To read about our crafty swap please see link at end of article. Perhaps it will spark ideas for swaps and projects between us and Irish Etsians around the world. Please do post any further ideas that may occur to you in the comments below!

Silver Celtic knot torc pendant by Claddagh Design

In terms of creativity, The Gathering may also provide inspiration for friendship bracelets, mementos, Irish gifts, greeting cards and so on. The possibilities abound.

NETWORKING

Having tentatively networked through the team forums, making treasuries, contributing to this blog, and via the few team meetings I have been able to attend, I have been lucky to find some crafty friends. On a  few occasions I have extended open invites for inspirational/cultural outings for a more relaxed, social meet-up with local team members. Born out of this, I have made two very supportive friends in Mo of Huggleknits and Heli of Heli Creations  and we continue to meet up ourselves on a regular basis for a crafty chat and a day out.

Mo & Heli at the National Botanic Gardens

We’ve had fun beach combing, hill walking, taking photos at the National Botanical Gardens and visiting places of cultural interest such as the Chester Beatty Library. We always come away with fresh inspirations, feedback on our newest creations and a helpful tip or two.  We also promote each other's shops when we post photos of our trips on our blogs or on Facebook. Hopefully in 2013 we will get to go a little further afield and meet other Etsy friends for a day out.

Hello Necklace by Fiore Jewellery

Sticking your neck out to network and meet up can be daunting but I've found it very rewarding.
Why not use the team forums and/or this blog to make contact with team members in your town or area in a similar way?  It's always good to make new crafty friends - and to promote each other too!

GET INVOLVED

On a larger scale, why not make 2013 the year to be more active in the Crafty Ireland team?  Please read the post below from our Team Captain, Sue, calling for volunteers. The roles are filling up fast so don't hesitate! Getting involved is a great way to network and to give something back. According to Etsy Admin, team members who are more active within a team tend to do better saleswise too!

Fleece for hand spinning or needle felting by FEONORcrafts

 JANUARY SPECIFIC

 January is the month for new beginnings, new hobbies, resolutions and early Spring Cleaning. It’s a good time to sell de-stash or set up that supply shop you’ve been thinking about. Why not match your needs to clear out overstock of supplies with someone else’s new hobby and sell your de-stash at a fair, but tempting price?

Garnet & Pearl bracelet by The Crystal Cavern

 The birthstone for January is the garnet, while amethyst is the birthday gem for February. 

Be Mine signed print by Amelie Gagne

Now is also the time to be listing and tagging for Valentines Day and St. Patrick’s Day will be hot on its heels.

Lastly, 2013 is the Chinese year of the snake. Let's hope it's not a slippery one, but a crafty one!!

Free your imagination brooch by Shiny Jane

Wishing you all the best for 2013. May it be a year filled with inspiration, imagination, fortunate encounters and crafty goodness!

RELATED LINKS
TREASURIES, ETSY HELP
SUPPLY SWAP ACROSS THE OCEAN
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
TEAM FORUMS

The Difference is in the Detail

Hello again. Anne-Marie  of Handmade by Amo'r here with one last look at those unique little details that are special to handmade and original artwork or craftsmanship. This series is now over, at least for  now.

I'm afraid I haven't posted on the team blog in a few weeks as I've been busy with Christmas orders. Hope you all are having a great season! For those of you still with markets to do this month: Best of Luck xxx

 Lets zoom in on those little details one last time....

 

Felt birdhouse clock by Betty Octopus

  

Silver Wave Hat by Karen Flannery Art 

  Quilled fish bookmark by ElPetitTaller

 

Child's Pink Fleece Dress by Bee Free Kids Clothing 

  

& if you want to customise something by adding detail yourself.....

  

shabby roses patterned paper doilies by Vixyvixy

 

Grey houndstooth buttons by The Woollen Mills 

  

Fob Watch Cotton Ribbon by The Thistle Patch

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 

(& A CRAFTY NEW YEAR) 

The Difference is in the Detail 5

Hello again. Anne-Marie  of Handmade by Amo'r here with the fortnightly focus on those unique details that are special to handmade and original artwork or craftsmanship.

This time round I thought to hone in on our feathered friends as they are always very popular on Etsy:

 

Early Bird Espresso Set, hand illustrated by Per Dozen Design

Bird Beret by By A Thread

Linen Place mats by Sima Prints

 Love Bird Cushion by Sophie Belle Designs

And if you want to get crafty or upcycle something with a  wee birdie or two these may help:

Antique Bronze Bird Spacer Beads by Amazing Beads

Antiques Silver WG Celtic Bird Hook Clasp by Balanced Destash

 For previous posts in the series click HERE

The Difference is in the Detail 2

Anne-Marie here, focusing in again on those little details that make handmade all the more special. Feast your eyes....

Unusual, Celtic spiral eyes on Sterling Silver Owl by Celtic Twilight

Realistic bite marks on Red Apple Fruit Gift Soap by Scent Cosmetics

Painstaking detail on hand stitched card by BottleHeads Crafts

Enchanting wee flowers on Gwanwyn Spring Fairy by Lively Sheep

And let's not ignore our vintage and supplies stores among the Crafty Ireland Team:

Gorgeous lace collar on 1930s Dress from A Retro Life

Why not add your own detail with these pretty Lace Flowers by Little Snippets

If you want more,

click here for The Difference is in the Detail 1

click her for the original series on my own blog