Cyber Monday Sale at Reef Botanicals!

Did you brave the mad fray to go shopping yesterday on Black Friday? Uggg! I guess some people like the excitement of it, but not me. I don't like crowds, anyway, and if I had my choice I would probably just avoid retail shopping of any kind for the whole month between Thanksgiving and Christmas! And driving, too, for that matter....

For those of you that agree and don't like the mob scene of retail shopping this time of year, Cyber Monday is your answer! I love online shopping, anyway, and you can get a lot of great deals online and your purchases will be delivered directly to your door instead of the ordeal of:

1. Driving in crazy traffic (and crazy weather, too, in some parts of the country)
2. Getting elbowed, shoved and stepped on by strangers
3. Walking for hours from store to store in search of the perfect item(s)

Cyber Monday is the perfect time to shop online and save on great holiday gift items. Reef Botanicals has something for everyone on your list - no kidding! From beautiful candles to shaving kits for men.

The husband and wife team of Larissa and Eric make every batch of soap, every candle, and every other item they sell by hand. They use only natural ingredients; no synthetic oils or colorants. Many of their products are also suitable for vegans and/or vegetarians.

On Monday, November 29, you can save 10% on every order from Reef Botanicals. Also, shipping is free on every order over $30! Check out their wonderful items - you won't be able to resist!

Happy Cyber Shopping!

This Week's Featured Artist: Audrey of Retrograndma A Blast From the Past!

Welcome to our series on handmade artists. This is my first interview in a while! I think everyone was on vacation for the summer, but this week we are back in business with Audrey of Retrograndma!

I regularly feature artists or artisans of handmade items to help promote the handmade industry. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Hi, Audrey! Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing a bit about your creative work!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

- Audrey from Sunny Saskatchewan in Canada!


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

- I recycle books and records and create unique handbags, wallets, clocks, earring holders, hollow book safes and containers. I've been crafting for many years now...I used to do A LOT of sewing, crocheting, and plastic canvas crafts and decided I needed a change.


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

- I started my Etsy shop, Retrograndma in 2007


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

- I would love it to be my main source of income. I can call it a hobby as I love creating these items - I never tire of it as each piece is unique - it's my relaxation therapy away from my daytime job. I dream of retiring soon, crafting all day and making many sales :-)


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

- I think it's unique to be able to recycle books and records and create handbags and other accessories.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

- I mostly love making the book handbags - especially out of vintage books.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

- I enjoy creating my product and then mailing it away for someone to use and enjoy. I feel good that someone is carrying my purse and leaves me awesome feedback of my craftsmanship. I do a lot of custom work and that also is a good feeling. One sale was creating custom handbags for a bride's bridesmaids !
The least thing I enjoy? I don't think there's anything that I like the least about creating and selling my products.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

- When I show my family and friends - they just are amazed at what I can create out of a book or record.

Audrey, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Audrey or her work visit her shop, Retrograndma or her blog.

This Week's Featured Artist: Christina of Natural Indulgence

Welcome to our weekly series on Holly&Sage. Each week we feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Today we are talking with Christina of Natural Indulgence Bath & Body.


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

- Christina, from California


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

- I'm not sure it counts as an art. :-) I create handcrafted, all natural, vegan, spa quality bath and body products, under the label "Natural Indulgence".


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

- I sell my products on HyenaCart, and through a local spa. I also trade them on SwapMamas!


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

- At the moment, it's more of a hobby, but I'd like to work from home and have it be a supplemental income for my family.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

- My products are always all natural, vegan, and organic where possible. They don't contain any ingredients known to be harmful (many spa products do - check your labels, folks!). I only use essential oils, not fragrance oils, so there are always added benefits - emotional and physical!


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

- Right now I'm working on creating both a body butter and an aftershave... so I guess you could say whatever I'm developing is my favorite!


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

- Developing and testing something new is my favorite part. Least?... Hm. Labeling. Ensuring that my labels meet federal guidelines, actually printing and cutting and applying... I have to deal with it, but it's just a chore.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

- My husband and I have one child, who is just over a year. My husband's take on it is, "Just make sure you make as much as you spend." He likes to try the new products, though :-) My son loves to smell the new scents, and he tries out baby bath products for me!

Christina, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Christina, visit her shop, Natural Indulgence or her Facebook page.

A Unique Baby Shower Gift Idea

A really unique idea for a baby shower gift is a nursing necklace. Whether the new mom is planning on nursing or not, she will be holding the baby a lot, and babies like to grab things! A nursing necklace is made stronger than a regular necklace with no little parts that can easily pull off or break - perfect for a mom or anyone that holds a baby a lot!

I have an extensive selection for sale at my Etsy shop (all under $20.) There is also going to be one given away on Girly Girl Giveaways later this week! Be sure to watch for it and enter to win this reversible turquoise and lavender one:




Or visit Holly&Sage to see many more!

This Week's Featured Artist: Amanda of Amanda Sews!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Amanda, AZ


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I sew. My business mostly started by accident. My mom liked sewing things for me when I was a child, and I learned to sew from her and some of her friends and family members.

As an adult, I’ve often sewn things for myself and even made a few things for friends. After I had my daughter, I started making things for her. I had people approach me about some of the things I’d made for her, so I decided to open an Etsy shop selling some of my creations.

Through local boutiques, I’ve had the opportunity to make some custom adult things too. There are always more projects than there is time for and I always seem to have at least half a dozen projects in various stages of completion (not counting the list of ideas I haven’t even started yet).


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

I’ve been a seller on Etsy for just over 2 years. I also have shops on CosaVerde, Artfire, and ShopHandmade, as well as participating in local boutiques.



4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

At the moment, it is mainly a hobby and I would love for it to grow to being a greater source of income.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

I often design my own patterns, so you will not find the exact same item anywhere else. I work hard to make beautiful, well-crafted things, but also keep them affordable for the average person.



6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

I’ve really gotten to love eco-friendly fabrics over the last few years. I especially love bamboo
fabrics. I just love the way they feel, as well as knowing that they’re from a sustainable source.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

I love seeing the finished product (especially when it’s something new that I’m trying for the first time). I also really love seeing my things in action - I love it when my customers send me photos.

My least favorite part is when I run into problems – whether it’s problems with my machine or problems with my pattern, they can really make me grumpy. I also not fond of the shoulder/neck aches that I sometimes get when I’ve been working too hard.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

My husband has always been very supportive. He never complains about my sewing area slowly taking over our master bedroom or when I order or come home with yet more fabric to add to my stash.

My mother has also been a great support – she’s always willing to help me brainstorm, give me feedback, and listen to me rant or gush about my projects.

I am a wife and mother first and a seamstress second, so I do most of my sewing while my daughter takes her daily nap (along with everything else we moms have to do during naps). When I get really busy, I also end up sewing at night after she’s gone to bed or on Saturdays when my husband is home.


You can find Amanda and her work at:

Etsy shop: http://www.amandasews.etsy.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-Sews/120165531334304

Online portfolio: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandasews



THANK YOU AMANDA!

This Week's Featured Artist: Caroline of Creations for Amalie!

This is the first of a new weekly series on Holly&Sage. Each week we will feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Our first featured artisan is Caroline of Creations for Amalie!


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Hello, my name is Caroline, and I am from Northern California!

2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I love to sew, and I am currently making "Pillowcase" Dresses, shopping cart covers, and Mei Tai wraps. I got started with this when my husband and I ran up on hard times, and having a little one in diapers was tough! So, I decided to save some money, and make her cloth diapers! Now I am making her everything. It is a great way to be green, and save money for my family. :)

3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

I have tried to sell my work on Facebook, Craigslist, and even an ad in my local paper. The only one I got a few hits from, was Craigslist. I have sooo many mamas interested in my work on Swap Mamas as well, but as we all know the rules there, you cannot sell. But it is an amazing site to get my name out there! ;-)

4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

I would like to make some money from this, but it's not something that is a must. My dream for this, is that I can help mamas save some money, and make their daughters be different from their friends, because they have something unique.

5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

My items are different because I put love into every stitch, and I pay attention to detail. Most others just whip out their products, and don't sit back and think, "how would this look on me/my child?" I want everyone to be happy and satified with their orders.

6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

My absolute favorite item I make would be my Pillowcase Dresses. When I first got a request to make one, I wasn't looking forward to making it. I thought it was going to look frumpy or not so cute. So I practiced making a few before I made her order, and when I tried them on my daughter, I fell in love! She looked so cute in it, and she got so many compliments when I took her to the store later that day. So I have been hooked on them ever since. I have since then modified and improved my dresses to make them even more precious than my original design.

7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

My favorite part about creating/selling my designs is knowing that I am going to make other little Princesses happy, and I am keeping them safe and healthy (shopping cart covers). Also, that I can help families save money instead of buying boutique items at high boutique prices. The part I like least about my work, is when I am finished working on them, and have to send them to the customer. But, then I think about how cute they are going to look, or how many compliments they are going to get, and that makes me happy again! :)

8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

My family is VERY supportive of my work! My grandmother is the one who taught me how to sew, so I have to give a bunch of credit to her. My husband loves that I am saving us money by making our daughter her clothes, diapers, blankets, and some toys on my own. We do save a lot of money, so we can go have some family adventures together. My whole family tries to promote my name, and help my business grow. Everytime they see a little one, they tell the parents about me and my work, and send them to my site.

Caroline, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Caroline, visit her blog, Creations For Amalie!

Check it out - I'm a celebrity!

My interview on Cecil Bobby's blog is airing today! Don't miss it!

Cecil Bobby's blog "Live, Love, Laugh, Be Indie" features a different Etsy artisan each Monday to help promote handmade items and fellow 'Etsyians'. My interview is running today, and I feel so special!

If you are interested in being featured on the blog you can find details on the interview page. You may also be interested in being featured on this blog. For details on that, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist. These interviews will begin airing on Thursday of this week (June 3).

Handmade Artists Forum

I have just joined the Handmade Artists Forum! - Supporting Handmade Artists

Handmade Artists’ Forum encourages all creative people that work with their hands to make decorative, functional, and FUN items to join. Everyone learns from everyone else and we all help to promote each other's work!

This is the place to:
- Share creations
- Seek advice
- Learn how to make your creations better
- Take better pictures
- Offer help to others
- Support other artists and crafters
- Have fun
- Share our love for art
- Make friends

Come and join us!

I have decided to formally promote the handmade and artisan items of my friends and fans of Holly&Sage! This decision was influenced partly by Heather of Studio FM and partly by the weekly FEATURED FELLOW ETSIAN feature on Cecil Bobby's blog.

Heather's generosity to all of her friends that sell handmade products inspired me to do more sharing of my own resources with my friends. It can only help all of us if we spread the word about each others work! I am all for buying everything I can from a cottage industry rather than a mega corporation!

Cecil Bobby's blog gave me an example to follow. She features a fellow Etsy seller each week and in order to be included you only have to have an Etsy shop and answer a few simple "interview" questions. She only asks that each participant links back to her site and that they "spread the word among any Etsians [they] feel may be interested in a bit of free advertising and promotion." (If you have an Etsy shop you can find the information for being featured on her blog at )

I am going to do a similar feature here on my blog. This blog started out as just a place for me to ramble on occasionally about things that were on my mind (like whether buying sweat pants at Walmart was a good deal... ( )

Anyway, I am working on improving it and using it to promote my handmade products as well as those of my friends (including my Facebook friends and fans of Holly&Sage). I reserve the right to publish the occasional rant about Walmart, but I will try to keep it professional! ;- D

This is the plan: I will make a list of questions and anyone wishing to participate can send the answered questions to me and I will schedule a date for their 'interview' on my blog. I will, of course, link to your site or Etsy shop (I don't require that you have an Etsy shop, only that you make a handcrafted product that you sell). In return I ask that you link back to the blog - from Facebook, Twitter, your site, I don't care where! The idea is to get incoming links. That will make the whole endeavor work. The more people that see the blog, the more it will help YOU, ME, and EVERYONE else! I think it is a win-win situation!

I will come up with the questions and post them in a day or two. I welcome any advice or suggestions, and please spread the word!!

Thank you!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

holly&sagewelcomepage
Originally uploaded by Steve & Holly2008

I am spending the day updating Holly&Sage fan page on Facebook! (I was expecting to spend an hour or two on it, not all day! But alas... I guess I am more tech-impaired than I realized!)

This is my Welcome page to new fans, what do you think?