Saturday, March 30, 2013

Styled for Spring

Hello Ingenuity!

Here's a fashion set for spring from our Ingenuity team shops.  I chose earthy tones for this set because after all Earth Day is only a few weeks away.

What better way to support Earth Day than buying vintage, the set includes a vintage tan suede dress in Girl Scout style, a vintage brown puff sleeved jacket, and  vintage brown suede Oxford loafers. The vintage outfit is accessorized with an old world geography tapestry tote bag, woven bead earrings, and a resin encased butterfly pendant.  Also included in the fashion set, lovely blush 3D butterflies stickers.

I 'd like to extend my thanks to the following shops for the lovely items included in this set:

Vintage Edition
BeautifulBagsEtc
ERYCOLLECTION
BethsMelange
My Butterfly Heaven

Please stop by their shops and see all of their lovely items.  Val





Spring 2013

Spring 2013 by theingenuityteam 

A shopping list just for you

Friday, March 29, 2013

Blogs We Follow

Hello everyone,

I have six craft blogs I follow due to my passion for quilting, sewing; turquoise, red, aqua and pink in combination, pastels colors in general, lovely creative spaces and everything Etsy.  Many of these ladies have Etsy shops, one in particular, Sew Deerly Loved, has lovely Japanese Lecien fabrics.  I've added those links to the Blogs We Follow side bar on our blog.

If you have favorite craft blogs that you follow let us know and we'll add them.

Thanks and have a great day!!

Val Robichaud


Welcome Home- Ideas for your Home's Awesome Entrance

"Welcome Home"
Ideas For Your Home's Awesome Entrance
by Elizabeth


The Ingenuity Team is fresh, new and full of ideas for your home!  As we are a new team, what better way to start our "home" blog section then by visualizing a stunning new look for your home's entrance.  After all, first impressions are important...
 
Imagine walking up to a front door graced with a gorgeous stained glass house number. Wow!  Take a look at this lovely piece hand made by Tara Sawchuk.
 
House Numbers in Stained Glass by TaraSawchuk on Etsy
 
Creating beautiful hues of reds and oranges must keep Tara warm during a Winnipeg winter!  Stop by and check out her other pieces!

Every good entrance should have an eye catching piece of artwork that helps draw their visitor in.  I chose to feature one of Tammy Olson's mixed media artworks. Besides the perfect array of colors, this warm "homey" watercolor print is darling!
 
"Happy Little Houses" Mixed media houses by TammyOlson on Etsy
 
Pick the right large deep frame for Tammy's little neighborhood and you have an instant showpiece!

Amy Laroux has made something really unique!  Take a look at this inside door just ready to receive your guests jackets, purses or even an umbrella.

Red Porcelain & Glass Door Knob Wall Art by AmyLaroux on Etsy
 
Wonderful use of vintage door hardware and knobs!  Amy's creativity would leave a lasting impression!

Continuing with the vibrant colors your foyer deserves a terrific little chair adorned with one of Megan Alason Pear's neat throws!  Make sure your chair is usable because you never know when Aunt so and so might pop in and you know she needs to sit and put her slippers on!
 
Vintage Soft Throw by CloudHunterCo on Etsy

CloudHunterCo offers fabulous finds for your home totally worth a visit!

A really nifty idea is to have a waist height shelf or ledge that can be used as a purse, parcel and key holder spot.  Adorn it with your favorite vase, pitcher, candle or cute accent pillow like this one made by Janina of Prairie Quilts.
 
Rainbow Half Moon Pillow

Cheerful rainbow colors always work!  Janina's creations help towards her education. There is a little ingenuity for us.

Well I could do several more features on foyer and entrances as our Ingenuity Team is full of decorating ideas and styles!  So glad we stepped into this little home together, isn't it just grand?  Regardless of colors you choose, make it yours!  Select items that you love and make you feel good.  After all, the best compliment you can receive is..."Where did you get that?"

Until the next room...

    ~ MamaD~
Mama Dupuis on Etsy
 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Meet Inese Liepina of Wrapture by Inese

We all love getting to know the people behind the work, what inspires them and what drives their business.  Today we hear from Inese Liepina of Wrapture by Inese.

1. Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and what drew you to your chosen craft?
I have always made things, studying art was my only choice.  After graduating from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a degree in Fine Art, and no idea how to get a job, a friend suggested that since I knit anyway I should buy a knitting machine.  Off and on its been the way I earn a living, whether knitting for myself, or working as a knitwear designer for other companies.



2: Who taught you how to do your craft, and how long have you been creating?
My mom knit after work to relax.  The first thing I knit at the age of 5 or 6 started out as a blue angora headband, but ended up a one shoulder Barbie dress after I kept dropping stitches.  I figured out that I could design a dress from the failed headband, so I guess my streak of optimistic designing started then.



3: How would you describe your style? Are there any crafters/artists/designers that you particularly look up to?
I paint with yarn.  Its all about blending multiple thin strands of yarns to invent new colors and gradations.  My knitwear style is very sculptural, with rolled edges and a true feel for how the body looks and works.  You become part of the sculpture, and there usually are options where you can make it your own.

4: Where do you seek inspiration from?
Nature inspires me.  The colors you find on hikes, bike rides or even in a city looking at architecture, or just two random brightly dressed people passing each other on the street.  My wraps and sweaters are named after the inspiration: Spice Market, Yosemite Falls, Hummingbird, Tide pool, boysenberry tart. Ok, so the last inspiration comes from the coffee shop, but you get the picture.


5: What are you focused on right now?
I am trying to decide how much to invest in knitting more infinity wraps, I've been knitting them for 4 or 5 years, and now I need to move on, they are everywhere.  I have to decide if I go toward more menswear since there seems to be so little competition. I am also starting a new project with a friend making eco market and mushroom hunting baskets and bags.


6: What are your can't-live-without craft-room essentials?
Sunlight, it's so hard to see colors without it, and a vacuum cleaner. It lives under my knitting table.


7: How do you combat creative blocks?
I think best horizontal, so I lay down in bed with a notepad, or now iphone next to me so I can write down the ideas as they come.  The best restart is to go to the mountains (where I lived in San Francisco).  Now I go for 70 kilometer bike rides or 5 hour cross country ski treks through the Latvian woods just outside of Riga where I live.

8: Why should people buy handmade?
When you make something by hand a little bit of your soul goes into it, and the buyer can feel that.  It takes longer to make, so you can think and rethink along the way.  These little tweaks are what makes it unique and why the buyer feels special owning it.

9: Anything else you would like to share and where can we find you?
I walked through Old Town Riga last Xmas, and looking at all my friends and fellow crafters freezing in their outdoor craft stalls between the snow drifts, I just thought - thank you Internet, thank you Etsy thant I don't have to be out here freezing any more. The world is changing so fast.  I have sold to 23 countries last count. I can live and work anywhere I want, all I need is internet access and a post office. Wow, who would have thought!


You can find Inese Liepina and her wonderful makes at:
inesedesign.com/Home.html

I would like to thank Inese Liepina for taking the time to write this wonderful interview and give us an insight into her world!
Clare Martin - DreamDifferently

Monday, March 25, 2013

Treasury Spotlight

Hi everyone!

First I'd like to welcome everyone to the Ingenuity Team's blog.  We are a brand new team on Etsy and so excited to get everything up and running thanks to the hard work and dedication of our captain, Valerie.

We already have our genius treasury makers hard at work promoting Ingenuity Team members' shop items so I'd like to share some of the wonderful treasuries they've created so far.

Let's start off with this lovely treasury titled "Ingenuity!" by Caroline:


'Ingenuity! ' by sunshine728

All of the items are from the team Ingenuity!

3 Pink Valentines B...
$9
Mint Earrings Gold ...
$32
Licorice, Green and...
$60
Doe a Deer Wooden B...
$7.5
Sea green seafoam m...
$24.99
Sock monkey small b...
$35
Light grey leather ...
$17
Very Early Vintage ...
$95
Tree of Life Neckla...
$22.5
Wedding sash. Brida...
$140
8" x 10" ...
$10
Vintage Dark Aqua G...
$12
Starfish charm and ...
$15.5
St. Patrick's D...
$15
M&M: Bright Multi C...
$19.99
Michigan Petoskey S...
$50


Such pretty pops of color, it really feels like spring!

How about some "Beautiful Blues" to start off your week from Dottie?


'Beautiful Blues' by dottiedesignsxx

A collection of blues in different beautiful shades.

Handsome vintage sm...
$12
Ruffled Teal Pillow...
$22
Kanzashi Fabric Flo...
$15
Blue Scarf Navy Blu...
$13
Light Blue Bowl wit...
$30
Seahorse beaded cha...
$18
Turquoise Earrings ...
$22
Blue Metal Storage ...
$12
Butterfly Jewelry -...
$15
Blue Berry Hat for ...
$16
Heart Brooch Blue R...
$8
Silve Bee Earrings ...
$26
Larimar and Gold Pl...
$679
Kitten Collar Blue ...
$4
Raw silk turquoise,...
$28
Blue and gold flowe...
$80


Gorgeous blue selections from the Ingenuity Team- thanks for sharing Dottie!

Here's a fresh reminder from mamadupuis that it is time to "Spring Forward":


'~Spring Forward~' by mamadupuis

The Ingenuity Team...fresh new look!

Real Yellow and Bla...
$10
Pearl shark tooth c...
$19.95
Messenger Style Bag...
$60
Fused Glass Flower ...
$22
Cable knit leg warm...
$34
Original Watercolor...
$8
Vintage Full Slip B...
$22
Brown Seed bead sou...
$38
Vintage Black Lace ...
$40
grand salon petit P...
$17.5
Ecru leather bracel...
$17
8" x 10" ...
$10
Whirling Dervish -S...
$45
Uzbek ikat great qu...
$27
Vintage Ian St. Gie...
$245
Long Pale Yellow Av...
$49.99

I love the black and yellow color combo in this one, so sunny!  

Last but certainly not least, Diane is sharing a case of "Spring Fever" with us in her treasury full of flowery finds and gifts for mom:  


'Spring Fever' by muddywaterscc


MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE...
$24.99
Crochet Necklace Sc...
$15
Multi-colored Sapph...
$588
Transparent Butter...
$72
Flower: Lemon Jade ...
$59.99
8 x 10 Art Print of...
$10
Vintage Pedestal Ca...
$30
Light Green and Pin...
$10
Ikat Cosmetic Pouch...
$20
Silk flower brooch:...
$19
Original painting. ...
$12
BEADED TURQUOISE NE...
$15
Strawberry Dish Scr...
$5
20 x 20 Silk cotton...
$27.99
Ladybug Jewelry - R...
$30
Collage art, bees, ...
$20


Beautiful!  Thank you to all our treasury creators!  Don't forget if you want to view any treasury in more detail, just click on it and you will be directed to the treasury page on Etsy.  We would love it if you would click, comment and favorite the team treasuries to get them noticed!

Thanks for stopping by the Ingenuity Team blog.  We have big plans and can't wait to share more with you!   

Jennifer Hawkins
Ingenuity Team Leader