Creative Chics

I came across these amazingly talented women today who together have created a wonderful business. This is a one stop shop for an amazing assortment of handmade items. Does this sound like fun or what? You go girls!

They said, "We are the Creative Chics, a family of women who love to create handmade items for the pleasure of others. Our business has blessed us ten fold by bringing us gals together through our creative endeavors. Let me make introductions: * Freda, mom to the clan, specializes in aprons, pillowcases and purses.* Debbie specializes in purses, journals, gift bags, pet bags and totes. * Julie specializes in handmade, one of a kind jewelry.Follow our blog to hear about our creative adventures, try out our free tutorials, learn about all kinds of craft and hobby subjects like cooking, gardening, photography, sewing and so much more! You can view more of their work at http://www.CreativeChics.com/cchicsblog.

Pesky Cat Design

My daughter Morgan just saw these purses and said, "OH, those purses are CUTE!" Morgan, I agree! I think it's great to empower kids at a young age to discover their talents and be empowered by other women's examples! I'm inspired by this designer.

She says..."I'm a New York City-based artist and designer. I create handbags and accessories that are inspired by nature, color and texture. My creations are all original designs from patterns I draft myself and are sewn with care to be durable and beautiful. Seams are all double or triple stitched and all stress points are reinforced." You can view more of her amazing purses at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28583945.

Caught Red Handed

Simply amazing!! These belt buckles are hand made and interchangeable. Brilliant! I love it and it doesn't stop with that.....you have to check out the rings! I'm going shopping!

She says, "I guess being caught and embarrassed should be my life story. I seem to have the word clutz attached to my name-- and I am always the one who is "caught". When I was thinking of a name for my shop--I could think of nothing more fitting. I have been making and selling jewelry for years and even minored in art in college. I love creating new, interesting, unique items that I hope you will enjoy. Thank you for stopping in!" You can check out more of her designs at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5085508

Pebbles and Poppys

I wish I would have had close connections to inspired women who come up with these beautiful baby designed essentials. These burp cloths are absolutely adorable and I love the fabrics! I'm jelouse of all these adorable babies around with amazingly vibrant fabrics wrapped around them from head to toe!

Tierra says, "I am a wife of 9 years and a stay at home mommy of two adorable kids. They are my inspiration for what I make. I started to make things when my daughter was just a baby. I saw headbands out there that were too expensive, so I started to make them myself out of ribbon. Four years later I have done that and more. I started my business in Aug 2008 and have had success with the people around me. I know a lot of people with babies. I enjoy what I do and love to see people using what I have made. You can view her designs at http://www.pebblesandpoppys.etsy.com. Way to go Tierra, keep up the great work and thank you for inspiring us!

Bean Sprout Studio

Calling all Moms! Okay, Okay....from the looks of my finds these days, I'm feeling a little baby hungry. I think this has got to be the cutest birth announcement I have ever seen. Not to mention the other incredible paper designs including calling cards which seems to be the new craze.

This inspired woman states, " I am a Mom to a gorgeous one year old little girl, who is the inspiration behind everything you see in my shop! I started designing birth announcements and party invitations when my daughter came along. At the same time, my sister was having her second baby, and several of my friends were pregnant as well. I designed my daughters announcements, my nephew's, and the list kept going. I decided to open up a second etsy shop to feature these designs. You can view her designs at www.etsy.com

Chachke Designs

Wow....way to bring a napkin to life! This inspires me to want to entertain and I need someone like this inspired woman to show me the way! She says, "I'm an interior-designer-turned-stay-at-home mom who loves design in all forms. My fondness for graphic arts inspired this foray into the world of paper crafts, which has helped to keep my creative juices flowing. I love this stuff!

You can be inspired by more of her incredible designs at www.etsy.com

A quote to inspire.....

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

Angels Baby Treats

As you know, I'm always browsing and coming across women who inspire me. What's not to love about babies in crochet hats?? Angel of Angels Baby Treats says, "I am a Filipina/American Woman, now newly married to a wonderful Master Seargent in the Marines and stay-at-home Mommy to my 5 year old son, Evan. I finally have some time to be creative! Crochet is my forte, I love to Knit, Scrapbook/Cardmake, and cook everything from scratch! I love all things handmade.

You can be inspired by more of her work at http://www.angel619sd.etsy.com.

Quotes to inspire.....

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.”

Lisa Leonard Designs

A friend of mine shared this with our facebook family. Lisa states, "I have been making jewelry since high school but I decided to get serious after my first son, David, was born. I wanted to start a small business that would enable me to quit my job and stay home with my boys. At the time, I had never taken any formal classes or received special training in jewelry making. I just went for it! I am kind of the 'jump in and learn as you go' type. Creating jewelry not only allowed me to work from home, but has connected me with so many amazing women along the way.

You can learn more about Lisa and her products at http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/

Bee Yourself Designs

What an incredible Idea!! Leave it to our daugthers to inspire us! :) She states, "I have been creative all of my life. There is rarely a moment that I do not have some undergoing project going on. I truly enjoy creating, it is my passion. One day my daughter asked me to make a cover for her laptop. That put me to work, and I did my best to create an unique cover for her. Little did I know, it would receive so many compliments. So, I decided to make a few to sell. In addition, I have put uplifting quotes on some of my items. I hope to encourage YOU to be the best you can be with these inspirational quotes." You can find more of Bee Yourself Designs at http://www.etsy.com/

Cloo Gifts

I came across this amazing and talented woman today. Look at these adorable crocheted hats! She has been crocheting for over 10 years and has sold hundreds of hats on Etsy. I've got to say....I'm inspired! You can check her out at http://www.etsy.com/. Love this!!!

Bliss Soybean Candles and Gifts

Suzanne states, "As with anything in my life, I just couldn't do something minimal -- I made way too many candles and had to give some away to friends! They loved them which led me to make even more and then I realized I better do a craft show to get rid of them all. That was Garfield Park in 2004 and I did wonderful. And that is where it all began. Word of mouth spread like wildfire and I found myself doing about 20-25 shows a year, building a website, making marketing materials, selling in stores and on EBay, and doing fundraisers. All of that while working a very stressful, more than full-time job as a Human Resource Manager. Yes, I am tired but I love my product and I love my customers! Oh...and I have a much better job now:) You can learn more about Suzanne's story and her business at http://www.blisscandles.com/

MiaJoie

I came across this very talented lady today. She says, "I am a part-time writing professor, though Mia Joie is rapidly becoming a full time business. I am a mother of two children: a baby girl and a 3-year-old boy. Mia Joie is named after my daughter: Mia is Italian for “mine,” Joie {pronouced zhwä} is from the French expression joie de vivre, "the joy/zest of life." My husband is a Wine Buyer, and we have traveled to many vineyards, including those in France and Italy. On our travels, I look for interesting fabrics that sometimes make their way into the items listed here.

You can find more of her products at http://www.etsy.com/ or visit her blog at http://miajoie.blogspot.com/

Love This Quote...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?" –Nelson Mandela

My Dream Web Design

"I am a self-taught webdesigner and I love what I do. I look forward to designing something new on a daily basis but the most important aspect for me is ensuring that my clients are satisfied with the service they receive and happy with the website I design for them. Teaching myself how to design websites has been a long process but completely worth the effort as I am now confident in my work and excited to build my business. " You can learn more about Chemeyne and her web design business at http://www.mydreamwebdesign.com/

Salt Apparel

I am inspired by Denise Alves who is a very busy wife and mother of 4. She states, "It is our goal to design products that break the mold of the bubblegum Christian mindset and get attention of non-Christians, thus opening the door for conversation." You can learn more about Salt Apparel on the web at http://www.saltapp.com/

Little Kiwi's Photography

I'm so inspired by Keri who is a wife and mother of 3. She is a truly gifted photographer and states that, "I am always learning and feel that the moment you feel you have nothing left to learn is the moment you stop growing and being creative." To learn more about Keri and her wonderful work, you can visit her on the web at http://www.littlekiwisphotography.com/

Katie Jean Designs

Through her travels to Europe, Indonesia, and Japan, Katie has been inspired by artisans’ handiwork at home and around the world. Her mother taught her the love of fabric and sewing, but her desire to create using vintage materials didn’t blossom until her third child was born, when she stitched her first handkerchief to an onesie to make a baby dress.
Katie’s flair is in taking her beautiful collection of vintage linens found at estate sales and thrift shops from around the country and refashioning these treasured pieces into items that will be enjoyed for generations anew. Each new creation is made with a special vintage touch from the past with a look to the future.
Today, her collection has expanded to include yo-yo shirts, tablecloth dresses and cozy blankets. Look for her new line, baby jean, a fresh collection of organics for the softest skin.

You can visit her on the web at http://www.katiejean.net/