favorite finds on Etsy

today I thought I would share some of my finds on Etsy!  I realize that when people post their finds (or I stalk their favorites on Etsy, whichever) I am usually inclined to purchase one of them.  people have  an eye for greatness or search out items that I may never find on my own- it's like a treasure hunt, only they've done all the work!  yesterday I was stalking someone's favorites that marked our shop as a favorite and I bought this painting.  I know, right?  I absolutely LOVE Watercolor and more importantly, adore cute little bunnies!  getREALE is featuring a "20 Bunnies" series in their Etsy shop right now.

here are my great finds on Etsy today:

 Diclonius Horns Lucy Nyuu Nana from Elfen Lied by FeralWorks

 I'm trying to figure out what I can be for Halloween this year using these ears.  I already have a pink wig, so I'm half way there!

Pirate Robot by sleepyrobot13

um, hi- a Pirate AND A Robot combined into one tiny mass of adorable?!  yes please!

Headless Horseman Macbook Vinyl Decal by suzieautomatic

GENIUS.  (I'm pretty sure we need this.)

and lastly,

 XL Mens Pink Narwhal vs Zombies shirt by tinaseamonster

I have a little bit of jealousy that I didn't think of this first.

new use for inanimate objects

 YAY!  new project idea!  my mother in law gave me these flooring samples because she thought I could do little drawings or paintings on them.   what sort of genius is she, really?!

my first rule was that I would work from top to bottom and try a different picture on each one.  then I thought I would do one a day...  which sounds great.  and ambitious.  but even I know myself better than that and there's no way I could make that happen.  so I figure, we'll just ride this wave out and when I have an inkling in me to drawing a tiny little...  something, I will do it.

here's what I did:  (oh!  tip: these little tiles have a great tooth on them- think Bristol paper for drawing- so it takes to color pencils, charcoal and oil pastels easily.  I will get to paints, eventually.)

step one: sketch your drawing.  I used a white charcoal pencil, since the tile I was using is dark.

hello baby mushroom and tiny clouds...

step 2: apply color.  I use Prismacolor color pencils.  believe it or not, there are 14 different pencils used in this piece!  Prismacolors are my favorite pencils to use because you can layer the colors so easily.

it's really hard to photograph your strong hand with your weak hand.  sheesh.

step 3: step back and admire your work!

CUTE is pretty much the only word I can find to describe this.

front:

                      back.                     

Blog Giveaway for boxhounds on Etsy!

in an effort to bring some traffic to my husband's new shop on Etsy, I thought we could do a Blog Giveaway! (this is my first one so bear with me!!!)

what we make: Lego Minifig key chains! we love creating characters that you know and love. we use pieces from our private collection, but also purchase new parts when necessary to create a special character.

future upcoming key chains: Inspector Gadget, Penny & Brain, Terminator, the Ghostbusters, Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow (GI Joe) and Master Chief from Halo.

what you will win: one of our Lego Toilet key chains:



what you need to do: Take a look around boxhounds Etsy shop, come back and post a comment telling us what you loved and give us a suggestion to what you'd like to see. be sure to leave a valid email address so we can contact you, if you win!

earn extra entries by: (Leave a comment for each extra entry)
1. following my blog (or let me know you are already a follower)
2. following my Twitter (or let me know you already follow)
3. retweet my post on Twitter (once per day, please make sure you include the @mention, so you get credit!)
4. Blog about this giveaway (post the link in a comment, once per day)
5. becoming a fan on Facebook

6. recruit your friends and friends of friends... just kidding! I think that's enough "rules"!!


The winner will be picked on February 19th @ 3 p.m. PST. I will notify the winner via email and will also post it in a comment on the Blog. Please make sure your email address is accurate. The winner will have 48 hours to provide us with their choice of item and shipping information or another name will be picked.

where have you been? hiding under a rock?!

I'm sad to say that I have been extremely neglectful to my Blog. there is much to update! so I hope to get all of it and not leave anything out!

first: I got a new puppy! she is a whippet/rat terrier mix, we
named her LeeLoo after our favorite heroine in the Fifth Element. she has great big bat ears, which leads me to think I should've named her Radar (as it would've been more appropriate). truth be told, she picked her name. I tried 4 or 5 of them on her and LeeLoo is the only one she responded to. and her head will cock from side-to-side if you say, "LeeLoo Dallas, mult-i pass" to her. she was a rescue from the Seattle Humane Society, and of course, had a hard knock life before moving into our home and driving us crazy! this is our new girl:

LeeLoo

second: I went thru and started raiding my husband's Lego stash (one he has had going since he was 5 years old). I love the little minifigs and thought it would be a good idea to try to make key chains out some of them and sell them on Etsy. thing is, I wanted to do something different. something I hadn't seen on there yet. so we came up with Zombie characters, the Beatles, Amelia Earhart, the Lone Ranger, etc. so far sales have been outstanding and has definitely been a more positive selling experience for me. you can check out his shop here. stop by and let me know what your favorite character is (or suggest something that you'd like to see!)

third: I started putting my applique's onto baby onesies and children's t-shirts. I really loved the idea of this and am super happy with the outcome thus far! I have conceptualize mushrooms, cupcakes, ties, and hippos onto the clothing and can't wait to try out more ideas. I am also have a SALE on laptop cozies that have been in the shop for a year. 50% off all of them, I need to move them out of inventory. there is nothing wrong with them, other than the fact that they are taking up space in my "craft room."

fourth: I just recently got into the children's fantasy series called Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. I recommend all of you go out and read it. I am running a book club that has 14 members in it. it's challenging me to read new books, or ones I wouldn't otherwise read because I tend to stick with what I'm comfortable with. this months book is Till We Have Faces by CS Lewis, I still haven't started it. I am also a part of a book club that is run by my "day job" we are currently reading 3 Cups of Tea... which I also haven't broken open. I averaged about 1 book a week in January and I feel as though my eyes are tired.

that's all I got for now. be back soon!