Holiday Goodness, Pt. 1

I've been toiling away, making my last-minute holiday cards and handmade gifts for anyone that I will be seeing this week.


Holiday Wishes card:


Snowman Joy card:


Winter Plaid card:


I got the Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Crafts book for the Holiday, and I am swimming in crafty inspiration!


Ninnyboy and I are making homemade gift baskets for our families: We just finished bottling our own beers!


(FYI: Martha doesn't teach you how to make beer. In her book, B is for beading.)

The finished baskets will be posted soon!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Things We Love: Etsy's Gift Guide

As an absolute foodie (and self-proclaimed fattygirl), I was so excited to see that Etsy created a gift guide dedicated to the aesthetic, and way of life, of slow food.

Besitos,
Vanessa

"Slow Food" On Etsy Gift Guide, December 2009
Slow Food, the global, grassroots movement that connects the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment, is right at home on Etsy. The vision of a "slow planet" is rooted in appreciating local farmers, gathering friends, telling stories, and taking some time out of our day to express our gratitude. These values, applicable to a wide range of consumer goods, is what Etsy is all about. Create a meaningful food experience from garden to table with each of the selections below. For more tips and inspiration, shop the Plants and Edibles Category and check out Slow Food articles on Etsy's blog.

Meet Your Maker: Maggie Mudd Photography

The DC Craft Mafia would like to send a big Thank You to Maggie Mudd Photography for working the room during our Holiday Heist Craft Show!


Her work is beautiful and she almost effortlessly brings a warm and inviting atmosphere to her subjects.


Talent for Hire
"I've designed my blog as a way to network with anyone living in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia in search of a budget friendly photographer. I photograph people, simply put. I come from a journalistic approach, paired with a background in choreography.


"This allows me to give direction to my clients, and lead my photo sessions in a way that creates unique images whlie keeping the photographs honest and natural.


"I photograph family, maternity, infant, engagement, "Love Birds", and senior portrait sessions. My focus is in wedding photography. I love to surround myself with joy and romance... photographing weddings is the best way for me to do that."


Jane of All Trades
"I have my degree in modern dance from Point Park University and I have been many things in my life; a dancer, a teacher, an FBI agent. I have always secretly been a photographer as well, and now I’m putting that passion before all the rest."


Why we love her
"Life is too short not to enjoy every second of it. My intention for my photography is for it to serve as a way to preserve these fleeting moments. I’ve made it my job to archive monumental occasions as well as any other wonderful, ordinary day you want to hold on to with a photograph."

Contact Maggie if you need a great (and affordable!) photographer for you and your family! She's still looking for weddings to photograph at reduced rates. "My wedding portfolio is growing, but is still small. I am searching for couples who are willing to trust me with the honor of photographing the most important day of their lives."

Email Maggie directly at maggiemuddphotography@gmail.com, and find more of her beautiful work on her website, and on her Facebook page!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Meet Your Maker: Pear & Peacock

Erin McCloskey of Pear & Peacock is one of our fave Eco-crafters! Pear and Peacock is handcrafted precious metal jewelry.


Why the Earth loves her
"I strive to reduce environmental impact by using recycled precious metals and vintage beads," say Erin. "Sometimes throwing in a few hints of enamel for color here and there."


Why we love her
"I want my jewelry to inspire confidence in anyone who wears them. Pear & Peacock pieces are simple with a unique modern edge."

Find Pear & Peacock at Holiday Heist tomorrow!

Meet Your Maker: Palace of Varied Industries & Great Sock

A Crafty Double Feature
Sisters Joanna (The Palace of Varied Industries) and Isabel (Great Sock) Church have been both artsy and crafty for most of their lives, and are bringing the family busiess to Holiday Heist!


Joanna Church, of Palace of Varied Industries, makes novelty pictures and other "small art," including animal silhouettes, shadow box scenes, and children's illustrations, using found frames, objects, and images to combine into one-of-a-kind decorations with a sense of humor.


Isabel Church, of Great Sock, makes stuffed toys out of socks (new and used-but-well-washed!) and other random scraps of material, turning them into frogs, cats, monsters and many more.


Toys are stuffed with bamboo fiberfill and average between four inches and ten inches or so and depend on the size, shape, and stretchiness of the sock.


(See Akimbo, above, my personal favourite!)

Why we love them
"Thanks to a steady diet of Muppet movies, Smothers Brothers albums, and similar family favorites, we love creating slightly odd things for others to enjoy. Happily, we are capable of sharing a booth: no sibling rivalry in our crafty world!"

Muppets and crafting? You're preaching to the choir, ladies :)

Besitos,
Vanessa