Etsy :: The Storque :: This Handmade Life

Open Studio Tour: CookieTherapy

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!Today I knocked on the studio door of cookietherapy. She makes cute themed cookies …

Handmade Portraits: Elizaveta

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes [music by Barry London] Canadian artist Elizaveta makes giant, playful, handmade necklaces using an odd assortment of items. From My Little Pony to hair rollers to Bubblicious bubble gum, her outrageous designs take people by surprise. Combining influences of …

The Collectors: Weird Vintage Figurines

Thank you to ScribbleNation for sharing your weird and wonderful collection of W. R. Berries with us! I've been obsessed with ceramic figurines myself lately (see my personal Top 10 here). You can find lots of good stuff in the vintage category (which you can now search directly through the new drop-down menu …

Break the Shackles of Robotic Slavery: Crankbunny's Handmade Video

Crankbunny made this video explaining why she makes handmade things. Here's the link to a high resolution file: MP4 Link. This is a really special video so I asked Crankbunny some questions about being an animator. What kind of software do you use to make your animations?I use alot of Photoshop and …

Etsy World Tour: Hungary, Where Traditional and Contemporary Crafts Meet

In this edition of Etsy World Tour, vadjutka highlights a few of Hungary's diverse crafting traditions, both traditional and contemporary. Enjoy! Gömör Pottery Once upon a time, a few hundred years ago, peasants of a county called Gömör (which is now part of Slovakia) started to make a special kind of ceramic that …

Mothers Galore

Together, Marianne and her daughter Adrianne run Bellebeads (also known as Family Flame Artisan Beads). Carole Brender of brenderart is mother to Marianne and grandmother to Adrianne — three generations on Etsy! Carole says that she heard about Etsy through her daughter and granddaughter. "My daughter …

Mother-Daughter Shops: CaptureCapeMay

Mothers and their daughters and/or sons can often be creative forces to reckon with: keeping it all in the family and playing off of each other's deep understanding of strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes frought, sometimes breezy, these duos bring something special to the handmade experience. …

Cinco de Mayo!

Apparently, Cinco de Mayo in Mexico is not such a big deal; it commemorates a Mexican victory over French colonial rule, but it's not the biggest holiday for Mexicans. However, in the US, people of Mexican descent and Mexicans living the States celebrate their heritage, and the 5th of May is known for being …

Etsy Pets: Euthanasia to Etsy – Mulligans Story

Mulligan is my 3 legged golden retriever rescue puppy. She was born the runt of the litter, with a deformed front leg. Her birth mom rejected her, and her breeder didn’t think she'd live or have much of a life so he brought her to the animal hospital to be put down at two days old.Lucky for Mulligan (and for me) the …

The Dog Made Me Do It!

That’s what I tell people when they ask me how I came to the wonderful land of Etsy. Now granted, I wasn’t tied and held at paw point, but without my two canine companions, I wouldn’t be here.In 2003, I had the wonderful experience of becoming a doggie mom to my Siberian Husky mix, Anakin. As a first time puppy parent, I …

The Very First Alchemy Request

While Etsy engineer Jorge Lopez coded Alchemy, he was daydreaming of the his ultimate Alchemy request. As soon as we released the new site feature on Etsy, he was the first one to post a request! He ended up choosing artist Emily Balivet's bid and getting the most amazing painting. Watch the video to learn …

Portland Custom Bike Culture

Bike culture in Portland is maybe the awesomest in the country! (Care to debate? Let it be known in the comments below!)We found this video on Youtube about a custom bike exhibit at the Portland airport and we were really excited to learn about Sweetpea Bikes, one of the only two female-run custom bike shops …

Open Studio Tours: FrucciDesign Snoops on Deelind

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!Today I knocked on the studio door of painter Denise aka Deelind. She has just recently …

Personal Passover Traditions: Matzah Ball Soup

To me, Passover is a time for family, traditions, and of course, food. Oh, the food. My personal favorite Passover delicacy is Matzah Ball Soup. My mom's recipe for Matzah Ball Soup calls to add some club soda to the sticky matzah mixture before forming the balls and dropping them into the boiling broth to cook …

ThimbleScratch's Handmade Story: Video about her Eco-Approach to Making

Thimble Scratch makes clothing from old clothes, vintage fabrics and industrial remnants that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Each unique clothing item is created through experimentation and creativity (from my own drafted patterns and designs) - not mass-produced in a sweatshop. Made from eco …

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