Things I am Loving... Concrete!

On Etsy, I have been very drawn to amazing things made with concrete, really noticing and appreciating the unique properties of the material when used in creating. Simple. Rustic. Awesome. Here are a few of my favorite concrete-based creations on Etsy, followed by a couple of great tutorials on how to make your own "concrete" planters!


Square . Concrete . Pot:


Oak Leaf and Acorn Necklace:



Slim Industrial Rustic Concrete Vase / Holder:



Grassy Pebble: Concrete and Faux Grass Necklace:



Indoor/Outdoor and Awesome Concrete Planter -Circle:



Electric Blue Bib and Gray Bib Necklace:



TUTORIALS

Great DIY projects for your fantastic concrete planters!

Making Hypertufa Pots

How to Make Modern Cement Planters Using Packaging

New Jewels in My Etsy Shop!

I've finally been catching up on listing in my Etsy shop, trying to add all of my inventory that I've been making for shows and haven't gotten online. It feels good! Most of my stuff never makes it to my shop because I sell it at local events before listing.

I haven't really been making the sterling silver jewels I used to spend so much time focusing on, as I have found working with old findings, components, and jewelry so much fun and so rewarding. Not sure when I will return to that, or how much.

You'll see in my new pieces some very unique and colorful vintage (likely antique) enameled pieces- flowers, butterflies, owls, and more. These were an extremely lucky find at the Yart Sale (artisans selling used and/or unwanted supplies) at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts a couple of weekends ago, and are very rare! I have found them incredibly inspiring, which makes me triply excited to be meeting tomorrow with the woman who sold them to me to see what other treasures she has tucked away.

I've also been using a new background for taking my pics- vintage book plates of Art Nouveau images, black on white. Not sure I quite have it down yet, but I'll continue to play until something works. I would love feedback on the new images, whether it be praise or constructive criticism. Please share!

Anyway, here are a few favorites from my new listings (a couple aren't listed quite yet). Feel free to check out the rest in my shop!

Alice in Wonderland-ish, don't ya think? The little butterfly on this vintage locket is one of the enameled pieces I mentioned above. It's so little and sweet!











This is one of the pieces I posted about a couple of weeks ago, made from a mysterious, key-like brass or copper piece I discovered at local used building materials retailer Construction Junction. One of the best things about this necklace is the amazing vintage plaque chain it is hanging on- I love it!














One of my first attempts at upcycled men's accessories! This tie clip also uses a random hardware piece from Construction Junction. I used the silver steel piece as a base for an antique copper bird stamping adorned with an old glass stone. The steel has this cool iridescent coloring that goes really well with the deep-toned copper.



Both the lovely enameled flower and the silver heart came from the local woman from whom I bought at the Yart Sale! The tiny copper butterfly is a vintage stamping that is also very rare, and part of a lot of tiny copper birds, hearts, and leaves from a recent purchase. I adore them!




A very antique brass escutcheon (key hole) forms the centerpiece of this necklace. It's heavy and very beautifully detailed. Over the key hole I added a vintage West German glass cabachon in a fantastic iridescent color called "black iris." The key hole is still visible if you flip the pendant over. This one isn't listed in my shop yet.




This isn't listed yet either, mainly because I am having trouble parting with it! The setting is heavy and solid with a dark patina that has naturally occurred from age. With the vintage glass cab (also West German from the 1960s-early 70s) and unusual vintage copper and brass filigree chain, it is sweet indeed!


I hope you enjoy all of the new stuff! :D

Oh, and before I go I have to mention the awesome new widget I just got for my blog from Craftcult that displays all items in my Etsy shop in a super cool slide show, as well as links directly to my hearts and other shop info. Take a look at the upper right corner of my blog. :)

Yay for Treasuries!

Some fabulous Etsy pals have been kind enough to feature me in their Etsy treasuries! Check out these great collections of awesome handmade & vintage delights. Hugs and huge thanks to Lorraine of DolphinMoonCreations and EtsyVeg teamies Erin of Krug's Eco-Logic, Susmitha of ArtbySusmitha & Veganosaurus, Rebecca of KneeDeepOriginals, and Yajaira of LaViejaTunTun for including me! You all are too cool for school! :D

Wednesdays Bring Savings on ORANGE Goodies!

Today's EtsyVeg "Kickoff to Fall Special": Visit my shop to SAVE 25% on all *ORANGE* items and 10% on all other items, and receive free shipping when you spend over $30! Yay! Just make your purchase and receive an instant refund for the discount amount via PayPal.

Save on jewelry and art like these earrings, just listed in my shop:


Visit the EtsyVeg blog daily from SEPTEMBER 7th-13th to see the current offers of the day and special features at http://etsyveg.blogspot.com.

New Jewels!

I am FINALLY getting around to listing some of the new inventory I have! Visit my Etsy shop for more new goodies (all cruelty-free and natural) in the way of jewels, and don't forget to check out the savings I am offering as part of EtsyVeg's Kickoff to Fall promotion all this week. My sale will change daily with the special color of the day. Today is YELLOW! :)

Tuesday's Kickoff to Fall Sale with EtsyVeg!

Today's EtsyVeg "Kickoff to Fall Special": Visit my shop to SAVE 25% on all *yellow* items and 10% on all other items, and receive free shipping when you spend over $30! Yay! Just make your purchase and receive an instant refund for the discount amount via PayPal.

Visit the EtsyVeg blog daily from SEPTEMBER 7th-13th to see the current offers of the day and special features at http://etsyveg.blogspot.com.

ETSYVEG "KICKOFF TO FALL" SALE!

This week, my shop, SilentLotus Creations, is participating in ETSYVEG’s “KICKOFF TO FALL” SALE celebrating the start of the fall season! Participating EtsyVeg members are offering discounts, free shipping, or a free gift with a purchase on an exciting range of unique handmade goods (many are vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly). Visit our blog daily from SEPTEMBER 7th-13th to see the current specials (they change each day) at http://etsyveg.blogspot.com.

Today's Kickoff to Fall Special: Visit my shop to SAVE 25% on all *green* items and 10% on all other items, and receive free shipping when you spend over $30! Yay! Just make your purchase and receive an instant refund for the discount amount via PayPal.

Check back each day for a sale on items of other fall colors, and a special weekend offer. :)

Bittersweet Harvest Rocks!

Hooray! The fabulous blog about the "emerging Pittsburgh art scene," Bittersweet Harvest, has shown me some love and given my shop, SilentLotus, a shoutout! Thank you bunches! :D

And... EtsyVeg pals Karen of purplecatscorner and Lisa of pandawithcookie for including me in their Etsy treasuries- you rock! Thanks so much!

Featuring... ME!

Wheeee! My Etsy shop, SilentLotus Creations, was featured in two treasuries on Etsy today that showed off EtsyVeg members. Thank you so much to my veggie teammates, Jill of VinMo and Sam of TheAwesomestPossum, for kindly including my jewels. Veggie love to you both!

Handmade Out Loud: Fabulous Items from EtsyVeg Pals, Pt 3

Part three of a collection of gorgeous creations I have purchased/swapped for/won/been gifted from my wonderful veggie pals in EtsyVeg! Thank you so much to all of you... :)

Saucha Yoga Mat Spray

by lizdarcy

Ah- finally some sweet relief from an odorous yoga mat! This stuff rocks!

Set of 4 Photo Greeting Cards--Your Choice

by aguavino

You can't actually see it so well in Lynn's photos, but these cards have incredible detail in how they are made! Besides the wonderful photos, the images have lovely stitching all-around them that make them feel special and luxurious along with appealingly natural and earthy. :)

Orange Truffle Cold Process Soap - VEGAN

by krugsecologic

I've been able to try several of Erin's soaps, and they are the most skin and body luxurious soaps I've ever tried- seriously! My favorites? The Orange Truffle, with a zesty scent that's not too sweet, yet energizes and warms, and feels great on my parched skin! My very favorite is the olive and coconut oil based bar, which made every inch of my skin feel soft and nourished after months of dryness neglect on my part. I really noticed the difference this healthful, natural, and nurturing bar made when I ran out and went back to my old sandalwood soap- after two days I was dry and itchy all over. And to add to their amazing-ness, Erin's products are vegan and earth-friendly- yay! Thank you, Erin, for making such wonderful products and sharing them with me! :)

Circle Circle Dot Dot

by friendlytaco

Meredith makes the cutest chiyogami jewelry in vibrant colors and fun patterns! I have a necklace, ring, and earrings in a beautiful deep blue pattern very similar to these. Eye-catching and unique, not to mention very affordable, friendlytaco's jewelry is stylish, fun, and definitely a standout! Thank you for the set, Meredith- I love it!

Clay Heart

by claynfiber

Everytime I visit claynfiber, I am wowed by Gina's creativity and unique approach to blending with stoneware and fibers. She continuously adds wonderful, earthy, and beautiful forms to her collection that blow me away! I am lucky enough to have held one of Gina's heart ornaments like this one, and the shape and pattern were even lovelier in person. I own a tiny little square shaker box that Gina made, imprinted with awesome, earthy shapes and patterns. It sits among my favorite pieces. :)

Funky Crazy Quilted Pocket Mirror. Limited edition. Find the robot

by SweetWolf

I have a SweetWolf pocket mirror from Cathy almost like this one, only mine has a little bunny on it! :) I carry it in my makeup bag, and it is very well-made and sweet- a pocket mirror I purchased from another shop last year lasted only several months, and this one has lasted far longer with no sign of wear. Visit Cathy's shop to see all of her adorable zippy pouches and darling mirrors like this one. :)

To see more fabulous handmade and vintage creations and supplies from vegan and vegetarian artisans, check out EtsyVeg's Crafty Veggie Marketplace!

I'm Featured on EtsyVeg!

I'm featured in a treasury on the EtsyVeg blog! EtsyVeg is a fabulous group of Etsy artisans who are all vegan or vegetarian. Everyone is super warm and supportive of one another, and there is so much amazing talent. I am so proud to be team leader of such an extraordinary group! Check out the CraftyVeggie Marketplace of member shops.

Heather of aktie9 is one of those wonderfully supportive members who does loads for the team. She has been so kind as to feature me in a treasury! Visit her shop, 3Am Art Productions for beautiful photography, amazing digital art, and unique polymer clay creations. She donates 10% of all sales to charities of the customer's choice!

Thank you, Heather! Yay! :D

Yay for Treasuries!

Hooray- I've been featured in an Etsy treasury by Carmen of CaramelDiezel, a fellow EtsyVeg member! Thanks so much, Carmen! :)

Handmade Out Loud: Pittsburgh Crafter Vintage Hotcakes

I met Dawn, known via her Etsy shop and at craft shows in the Pittsburgh area as Vintage Hotcakes, a couple of years ago through our local Etsy street team, Etsy Pittsburgh. I immediately adored Dawn and fell in love with her darling bags! She makes more than bags though, crafting quirky, one-of-a-kind handsewn potholders, decorative pillow covers, and baby bibs in addition to uber sweet wallets, wristlets, and purses. What makes Dawn's eco-friendly designs stand out, besides quality workwomanship and hip styles, is that all of them are made from awesome vintage and repurposed fabrics!


Some of my favorite sources of upcycled material that she uses are these nifty vintage linen tea towels with calendars or wild birds printed on them. She has quite an eye for other fabrics, too, many of which she finds at estate sales. The coolest are these fun, loud fabrics from the 1960s and 70s in crazy huge patterns and colors. Dawn also upcycles vintage accessories like handkerchiefs and men's ties, incorporating them into things like wristlet straps and decorative patches (see pics of my bags below).


I have been lucky enough to pair up side-by-side or share a table with Dawn to vend our wares in the local crafty scene, which means I often get to see her freshest new products. As a result, I own three of Dawn's bags, one each of a wallet, wristlet, and shoulder bag (thanks for trading, Dawn)! lol They never fail to stand out in a crowd and garner compliments and curiosity. Check out Vintage Hotcakes on Etsy to get your own- she does custom work, too!


My own Vintage Hotcakes collection:

Vegan Etsy Treasury

Some cruelty-free, handmade fabulosity from my teamies on Vegan Etsy!

Soy, wonderful Soy - Felt Inari, Edamame, Tofu

by LittlePixieShoppe

Rose Vine Bracelet

by StarrlightJewelry

Cherry Bomb 6oz Wild Cherry Scented Soy Candle in Tin

by MrsTattooedGeek

Buster Kitty

by sassandperil

And then there were four...PRINT

by myzoetrope

Muah Muah Caterpillars

by veganosaurus

Raspberry and Cacao Chip Headband

by eatyourgreens

Vegan Necklace

by JennyStench

Rockin' Red Velvet Cupcakes

by KTsKitchen

Red Apple - Vegan Lip Sauce with Hemp Oil, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E

by kennycoop

Dia de los Muertos Skull and Rose Necklace - handcut sterling

by Sparklynn

Rose 2005, 8 X 10

by LemonStPhotography

Vegan cozy cereal bowl in red with stars

by VeganDish

To see more fabulous handmade and vintage creations and supplies from our vegan and vegetarian artisans, check out our teams's Crafty Veggie Marketplace!