Sunday, November 30, 2008

Great Gifts from www.DesignStyleGuide.net

Just a few items from new Design Style Guide new website




















Garden Bouquet
From: BettsQuilts
See Product Details
Sellers Portfolio
Sellers Website






















Poinsettia - Stained Glass (G1232)
From: Sierra Creations
See Product Details
Sellers Portfolio
Sellers Website






















Highland Holliday Table Runner
From: Cranberry
See Product Details
Sellers Portfolio
Sellers Website


And to see some of my newest listings on Design Style Guide....




















Blue Candle #820 oil painting
From: Paint with Barb Oil Paintings
See Product Details
Sellers Portfolio
Sellers Website

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Just Stay Home and Shop!

Why get out in all the hustle and bustle of the mall when you can find such lovely gifts from Design Style Guide? If I don't have you convinced yet, just put down your purse and keys and continue reading. You will have no need to get in that car and drive toward the mall when we are done here!
This Happy Birds - Retro Birdcage Pillow Cover brings out a smile immediately upon seeing it! This lovely creation would make a perfect gift for anyone as it's style and color would match just about any decor. I found it over at Sun2Create's shop, but you can find it by clicking right here:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17728610 .

Have you ever seen such a cool way to store your keys/jewelry/scarves/etc? Well, I haven't and I bet your friends and family members have not either! This rack is available from Shauneil,http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17217932. Truthfully, it was very hard for me to pick my favorite one, because there are so many cool ways to organize in her shop! Whether you need a gift for your friend, coworker, child to give them a cute reason to get organized, whatever your motivation, you will find a perfect gift at Shauneil's shop! For any of you out there with a pup living in your home, I don't have to remind you that they deserve a Christmas present as well! What better way to pamper your pooch than this awesome bed from Jakey BB. You can check out this bed and others like it at: http://www.jakeybb.com/Dog_Beds/Home.html.

I hope by showing you just a small gathering of gifts it will keep you on the internet checking out gifts on Design Style Guide. Anyone who gets a gift that is handmade will no doubt love the originality and hard work that comes along with it!

Christmas is coming...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

For more Christmas decorating ideas please visit our website www.designstyleguide.net.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Create Ambiance with Candles

Soy Candle - Handcrafted Ceramic - Wild Berry Musk Scented by Madhatterspottery


When you think candles, many images come to mind. Warmth, romance, scent, glowing decor. Candles can add a richness to any room, especially during the holiday season. They also make wonderful gifts, for friends, hair stylists, teachers or housewarmings. Spectacular candles and candle holders can be found from our DesignStyleGuide members and here are just a few.
Enchanting Amazon Candle Holder by vsilcoxdesigns

Purple Votive Candle Holder- Stained Glass- With Black Antique Patina by DianasStainedGlass

Lantern for Tealight by ArzuMusa

So when you are trying to get the perfect touches when adding to your home's decor, don't forget to add some beautiful candles.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

una ciudad dorada

I have a warm cup of café con leche in my hand, which I’m taking sips from while composing sentences. It’s cool in Mexico City these days but golden too, because every day there’s a full sun, unabbreviated by clouds. Today is no exception. Through the open window in my apartment, squares of yellow light spill onto the floor, where they lie like mosaics when the shadows of olmos trees tessellate the ceramic tiles. One by one, the leaves stir in a chill breeze that brings faint traces of sulfur up from Versalles, where peseros trundle loudly over potholes, hauling passengers to Reforma or Insurgentes.

On a Wednesday morning, the street corners of my neighborhood are crowded with torta vendors, each one frying eggs on smooth oiled griddles in their portable carts. So the sidewalks around intersections are crowded with clusters of salary people in suits, clutching quick breakfasts to eat rapidly before work. A little bit further up the block, there’s a woman that sells big Styrofoam cups of jugo, made from oranges and grapefruits that she squeezes by hand on an old metal press. Sometimes, the fragrance is so strong that you can taste citrus on the tongue as you pass by.

This is a city with a special vibrancy: with flavors that are potent, colors that are diverse, and sounds that are utterly memorable. One could find endless creative insight here, I suspect. So, in honor of the inspirational nature of the Distrito Federal, I want to bring you some images from a particularly brilliant Etsy artist who happens to call Mexico City her home. It’s rosiemusic.








Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanksgiving Style Guide

With the holidays upon us I thought it would be nice to share a few ideas for serving the holidays up in style. Making a great impression during holiday meals involves more than just good cooking. Presentation is as much a part of the equation as the cooking. Creating mouth watering food, and presenting it on unique tableware will make a lasting impression on your guests.


A trick to making a great gravy is to mix the flour with lukewarm water prior to adding it to the pan. Use a container with a tight fitting lid to shake the flour water mixture until the flour is dissolved and no lumps remain. Then add it to the pan drippings. Watch the heat. If gravy gets too hot or starts to boil, lumps will result.


Serving trays are not utilized often enough on the table. What a great way to serve drinks, appetizers, dessert, or several smaller dishes.


Don't forget to have an attractive center piece for the table. Something that contrasts with the colors or the theme of your table can provide a whimsical touch that will help put your guests at ease.


There are many great recipes to be found online. Just do a search and you will find thousands of ideas for something different for the holidays. I blogged a recipe for my sweet potato tartlets several weeks ago. They would look great served on this plate, as would any other type of tart. How about lemon tarts?


Providing real table linens just makes sense anymore. It is classy and it is good for the environment. And what a great way to feature coordinating colors at your table too.



When preparing your meals try to use the freshest ingredients possible. If you have guests that you don't know closely it is courteous to inquire if they have any food allergies or sensitivities prior to planning your meal. This can help avoid awkward situations when the guest arrives and you find out they can't eat a lot of what your prepared.


A little libation during the holidays is okay, but don't overdo it. There is nothing that can ruin the holidays faster than a drunk host. And please, don't let your guests drink and drive. Make the holidays a festive, but safe, event for everyone.

Monday, November 24, 2008

The Glorious Peacock

It's always fun to indulge in a bit of trend spotting and notice the design and style trends that proliferate the Etsy experience, one of those that caught my eye recently is that of Peacocks, so I thought I would share with you, a few of the perfect peacocks created by the OH-SO-TALENTED Etsy Interior Design Team .

Native - 8.5x11 Print by Pinupbrenda



ShaNickers Wall Decal/Sticker-Peacock on Branch by shanon1972



Handpainted Copper Peacock Box by wallexpress




Peacock Feather Bottle Raku Pottery by webbpottery



Art Deco Peacock Peace Crane Origami Ornament by localcolorist



Le Paon - 8 x 8 inch Fine Art Photographic Print by Green Island Studios



And to finish, a line from W B Yeats....

"What is riches to him
That has made a great peacock...
...Adding feather to feather
For the pride of his eye"

Please visit my Etsy store for original photographic artwork priced from $30.00

Check out my blog and see more of my work and get sneak previews of new artworks.

Thank you!
Jo Bradford

Saturday, November 22, 2008

5 Holiday Treats (but not for your tummy)

Enjoy!


First up is a beautiful poinsettia mosaic tray from Catnip Studio Too. The tray itself is a vintage piece measuring approximately 12 inches across and turns atop a lazy-susan. I can't imagine covering up the terrific design with anything, but it would make a gorgeous centerpiece.



Decorating with dishes is fun and easy with this line of decorative handmade ceramic plates from Blue Sky Pottery. This one is a playful green and yellow glazed design with pink and white accents, but there's also an subtler ice blue plate with a white Christmas Tree that is just as wonderful!



I spotted this jolly rendition in a treasury several days ago. The Painted Palm Frond Santa from Suzanne Rall-Smith measures 25 inches high and comes with a leather strap for hanging. I've never seen anything quite like this and I think it may just replace the Wreath as my front door decor of choice....


...That is, if it weren't for this shimmering beauty from Dancing Circle. The Golden Ring Preserved Christmas Wreath is made from Oregon copper salal leaves with a golden sheen (and may just unseat the painted palm frond santa on my front door),



Next up, I discovered this sweet scene from Catbird Studio, which I thought would make a perfect gift and would not even need a frame. It is an orginal painting of a wintry scene, measures approximately 4 x 6 inches and is painted on a sturdy slide mailer.



It dawns on me that prints make a perfect holiday decoration. All they need is a space on the wall or on the book shelf and they store easily the rest of the year (not that they wouldn't be just as beautiful all year round)! Winter Solstice by Gentry Art.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Getting ready for the Holidays

Are we ready for the Holidays? I wonder how the time goes so fast, this month is almost gone....in less than a week Thanksgiving will be here and then less than a month later Christmas. I know many of you are thinking what to buy to give to others. More than any time people are thinking more handcrafted than ever before. So what do a person do, I like to make a simple list of just everyones names and write down my ideas for them and then when I do get the gift or gifts I like to write it down as at a age of even 51 I can never remember when I got a person. So lets find so great gifts tonight.....

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER, glass, BLUE, with dichroic Dragonflies from GloriousGlassGarden http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17603559 My husband just loves anything of hummingbirds....and this is price fair at $29.00 plus shipping...next....

Many of you know that I paint oil paintings, myself but I was writing this up tonight and Scott was here, the 6 year old nephew, and he saw this painting and it just spoke to him with the mountain and the hillside and the cabin... Solitude - Painting by SageWest http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=10596886

Check out this item, Monster Wooden Treasure Hunt I Spy Box NO NEED TO READ, from cookiedough, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_6&listing_id=17604543

Sorry this post was more hurried as I thought I would have all day to get it done but then I had family issues come up again but I hope you will enjoy....
I hope you will visit these artists at etsy or at least search for your favorite artists with using the team tag of interiordesignteam the next time you visit etsy. Well I had better get back to Scott......you may visit my etsy shop at http://paintwithbarb.etsy.com/ or my main site, http://www.paintwithbarb.com/ for all types of oil paintings.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tea, Anyone?

If anyone on your Holiday gift list loves tea, or collects teapots, you can get some of your shopping done right here and now! There are some very talented potters on the DSG team, as you can see from the items below --- these are not your Grandma's teapots! Click on any photo to access the Etsy.com listing for that item, or on the shop name to view more offerings from each potter. Who knew shopping could be this easy?

"Elegant Swan" by DBabcock


"Large Porcelain Teapot" by Page Pottery


"Donut Teapot and Cup" by Pat's Pottery


"Sprout the Teapot" by Alina Hayes


"Perky Teapot" by Glynt Pottery

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

A Spanish Influence!


Whilst my vactation in Spain is coming to a close I have had a wonderful time exploring small mountain villages with their whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. This against a vivid blue sky and green pines graduating up the mountain where truly idyllic.

So, I decided to see what wonderful items this team had produced that included a Spanish theme!

Firstly I came across this colourful mounted print entitled Spanish Nights by Jennysporch. You can just feel the atmosphere of swirling flamenco and the excitement of the bull fights!

Looking further I noticed this image of an old Spanish door. So many of the houses, even the must humble, often had great wooden doors at the entrance to the homes.

This image entitled Spanish Door 02 by Tiffany Teske gives us a feel of that rustic charm found in so many places in Spain.

Whilst walking in the mountains I came across so many lovely smells of the different fauna I encountered. Especially, wild thyme, pine and cedar the smells of which wafted across in the breeze on the pleasantly warm days.

Spanish Cedar has been wonderfully captured by Blisscandles as a soya candle. Presented in a 10 oz jar with a metal handle this would make an ideal present for you to give or just to keep in your own home to remind you of warmer times.



Obviously, whilst in the country my husband and I had to try to many and varied fish dishes offered by the numerous Spanish restaurants. Our landlord, who often frequents Spanish markets, picked up a fabulous old book in English describing Spanish cooking for me. Wasn't that sweet?


Spanish housewives are immensely houseproud and very jealous of their own local recipes. It is amazing how one dish can vary so much between villages! So, La Cocina (Spanish for kitchen) is a very important place in the hearts of all of us.



Shabbytown has created this wonderfully shabby Spanish look with her reclaimed sign with the words La Cocina. Isn't it romantic?

Well, I only have a few more days left to enjoy the gentle sunny warm weather before returning to a cold wet England. With views down to the coast where the sea shimmers whilst sailing boats drift along the horizon I shall leave you to meet up with you another time, in another country!

Adios!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Our Interview with RagRugs

Who are you?
Ron and Donna Bell. We have two married daughters and 5
beautiful grandchildren.
Where are you located? We live in Central Texas – Buda is about 15 miles South of Austin.
What do you create? We make rag rugs, table runners, place mats, totes, and purses out of previously use fabrics. Ron likes to make the denim rugs and Donna works with the other fabrics.
Where do you sell your creations? www.ragrugs.etsy.com and at craft shows around Central Texas. We always take one of the floor looms to the shows and demonstrate rug weaving. We enjoy doing shows in historical settings and always love talking to the people, many of whom tell us of their memories of someone they knew weaving.Country Denim Woven Rag Rug
Where do you create? We have our looms in our home. Since we use two floor looms and two table looms all the time, it takes up a couple of rooms of the house..

What inspires you? We love taking something which is worn or no longer of use in its original state and giving it new life as something beautiful and useful.

Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby? It is combination hobby and part-time job.

What type of marketing is the most effective for you? ETSY and the team have been a great help.

What are your goals? We would like to grow our business to the point where it can be a good part-time job after retirement.Americana Woven Rug 719

How do you envision your creations being used by your customers? We want to think that our customers take our rugs and other items home and really use and enjoy them in their homes. They are made to be used and loved.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us? One of the floor looms we use is about 100 years old, and the other was handmade by Ron’s dad. Since both of his parents weave, it is really a family affair.

Online store:
www.ragrugs.etsy.com