Niza Handbags introduces our bucket bags

 These are made from recycled clothes with some new fabrics mixed in. They do some pretty cool tricks.

1. Keys clip to a key ring fastened to the top of the bag either inside or out.
2. Cell phone pocket is on the outside, so no more digging that out of the mire in the bottom.
3. Lots of pockets
4. Beautiful trims, buttons and details
5. They open up nice and large, so you can see what the heck is in there.
   

Custom ones are available.We have lots of styles & colors to purchase in our store.

(Links disabled here, see NizaHandbags.etsy.com  for Niza Handbags and Accessories)

SPIN THE COLOR WHEEL, FIND A GREAT QUILT

I love the graphic quality of the quilts in the bibliophile store! She uses blocks of colors that play off each other well, and juxtaposes them against white. So they have a very clean, modern look. Her table runner in shades of orange would go amazingly well with our orange slice clock....oops....a shameless plug! This artist works out of HOLYOKE, MA. She says she started quilting in middle school with a nine patch pillow in home ec, and ended up finishing it in the first weekend instead of it taking the quarter as the teacher had planned. I know....sounds like something I would do. She quilts and does photography as stress relief while she completes her masters.
She has a second etsy store also, ParalaxPhoto. Click on the quilt to go to her etsy store to see more beautiful quilts. Really nice stuff, keep it up !

I CAN HOOK YOU UP WITH A CROCHET CLASS

I may be teaching a crochet wall art class at the Shaker Gifts Gallery. People keep asking to see some of my projects, so I said I would post them here. There is a tree in one of the first blog entries, way back when. The top houseplant one, is regular yarn. They are all about 2 feet tall and not flimsy at all. If you are interested in taking the class, let me know. The blue one, is just an abstract sampler of sorts.

JENNY LILAC CAPTURES HOLYOKE

If you've ever been to Holyoke, Massachusetts, you have probably noticed that there are a LOT of industrial, brick buildings there. Jenny Lilac captures them in their best light, with paint, making what might be considered mundane by some people, into beautiful works of art.
Jenny is a mom, who lives in Holyoke. She shares her studio with her 6 year old daughter and husband, who writes music and plays guitar. She likes to collage and scrapbook. Some of her pages have been published in Memory Makers and Leisure Arts books.
I have chosen her painting called 90 Race Street. I just love it !
Just click on the painting to visit her shop.

FEBRUARY BY THE SEA, WITH A BEAUTIFUL HEART PENDANT

I can almost feel the salty, cold air on my face when I see this photo. The lines of the pendant are a stroke of genius ! This comes to us from Liliana Designs, of Scituate, Massachusetts. The creator, Susan Wilson - Martin, kayaks aroound Boston Harbor and Cape Cod islands hunting beautiful and historic sea glass, which she has a substantial collection of. She then crafts beautiful jewelry like this amazing piece at left from the glass and combining it with sterling silver. Absolutely stunning, Susan !

A LITTLE PIECE OF NOHO IN OUR OWN BACKYARD !

We have something REALLY exciting right here in Westfield, Mass.....brand new, just opened this week with a soft opening. A new art gallery just opened next to Pilgrim Candle right in the midst of the new bridge mess, called Shaker Gifts. Just go to the double door entrance where the black dog used to be.
(You can park on the north side of the building, and then when you leave go around the back and between the two buildings so the traffic light will help you get out easily should you need to head south.)
Despite what the name may lead you to believe, the art is quite bright and colorful and very etsy-like. There is a good range of repurposed and recycled goods. Everything is created by local artists. The owner of the gallery, Karen Novak, makes beautiful Nantucket baskets. Karen is a bright and fun person with a good heart and lots of know-how.
I have watched the transformation from drab space to colorful and gleaming gallery, and I have to say this: You HAVE to go. It's just so much fun! The gallery is not just a gallery either. There will be classes taught by local artists and other assorted functions. So if you are looking to learn how to sew, make a fishing rod or attend a stitch'n'bitch, you really must stop in. You can sign up to get onto the mailing list for classes while you're there. The space is much larger than this of course. I just snapped a couple of pics for you to whet your appetite.

Finally....Our first modern wall sculpture for 2009

It's very hard to do the clocks, crochet, and manage to get some wood projects done also, but my husband has been home recovering from a herniated disc, and he is finally well enough to get some woodworking done.....so my idea, his time and talent.
If you know me, you know I love modern. This one is done in turquoise blue faux stone. It measures 19x25x2.75 and is available on our site. We have very similar ones available in tropical tan, faux gray granite, faux oxidized steel and acid wash hot pink.
Click on the picture for more info.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL......FOR REAL

You know how T-shirts sometimes claim one size fits all, and the claim is just plain silly? Well I think this time the claim could be made. I love this great recycled necklace EnviroMental made from a t-shirt. She has them in quite a few colors, and also makes jewelry from maps. She also has a second store on etsy where she sells her baby items called OliBear. She makes pacifier clips that do not contain chemicals. DD is from Nashua, NH, so pretty close to Mass. She likes to crochet, knit, paint and is learning to sew too. I love this necklace both for the form and because it's recyceled material. Great job, DD.

Announcing....our Bouncing Baby Website......YAY !!!!!

It arrived this week. I hadn't even realized I was expecting. It's just adorable, keeps me up till one am, requires round the clock changing. On the upside, in 16 years, it won't be backing my car into a phone pole. Check it out.
BearlyArtDesigns.com

(Site has since been changed to NizaHandbags.com)

FROM THE HAPPY TRAIL.....TO YOUR NECK

This adorable pendant, available in many colorways, is a cairn pendant, a memorial or marker done from a series of stones seen along hiking trails. jeniferglagowski's etsy store has these wonderful pendants, paintings and note cards. All her items are "made with happiness".
I read her profile, and you can too by visiting her shop. She sounds like the kind of totally fun person that you and I would love to hang out with.
Jennifer is in Northbridge, Ma. She teaches snowboarding and skiing and loves to hike. When she has a minute to sit down, she creates some really fun jewelry. Great stuff, Jenifer.

There's no place like home

Check out the wonderful colors in the photo and of course the main attraction, the house pin. This is a polymer clay creation sold in aktie9's etsy store, 3 AM art productions. Heather is a massachusetts artist living in West Boylston, who lives to DIY. She is formerly from Wilbraham. She takes great photos, and makes adorable polymer clay creations. Great work Heather.

BEARLY ART CROCHET SHOPPE NOW OPEN

Sorry it's been a while since I've added anything. Clock sales have been absolutely nuts, and I opened a second Etsy store called bearlyarttreasures. That store features my own design of pigtail crochet hats for adults and children, my necketbooks, which are freeform crochet necklaces that are also purses for your cell phone, license & cash, keeping your hands free while shopping. Of course they also go great with sweaters. There are also vintage items there.

Stop in and check it out.

WOLLYBITS FOR YOU AND YOUR POOCH

Gosh, I wish I could knit like this ! The matching handbag and doggie sweater are the creations of Maura from SPRINGFIELD, MA. She learned Aran cable knitting as a young mother in Ireland. Now that her children are grown, she makes these wonderful bags and doggie sweaters. She also enjoys completing custom projects, so if you are looking for a talented knitter, here you are. You can contact Maura through her etsy shop by clicking on the link. Very nice work, Maura.

Nantucket Basket Purses, but with a new twist !

Durable and cherished Nantucket baskets are on many vacationers' wish lists when visiting the Massachusetts shoreline. Now you don't have to drive out to the coast. Upmysleeve makes wonderful basket purses, but not the same old, same old. Sarah's basket purses have new twists, like gold seashells against blue....really nice, huh? Sarah is located in HAMILTON, MA. She was a workaholic involved in investments, and now makes these great basket purses and beautiful jewelry instead. This would be something you don't see so often anymore....a corporate story with a happy ending. Congratulations, Sarah, beautiful work.

BEAUTIFUL SPRING PODS PRINT by Poetry

What amazingly green color. Can't you just picture how great this would look in your kitchen? You'd be thinking spring even in the dead of winter. This print, and others like it can be found in Poetry's Etsy shop, which you can get to by clicking on the photo link. Poetry, aka Maria Lewis, works out of CONCORD, MA., where she lives with her husband and her dog. Her photos have been featured in art shows. Check out her store. She has some very cool photos.

TOO PRETTY TO SLOBBER ON

I have been telling my friend Jenn, who lives right here in WESTFIELD, MA., that she should open an etsy store for quite a while. She upholsters, sews, does alterations and has one of those nifty embroidery machines that you just throw the fabric at it, and it makes you something nice. Not really... it actually does require some real studying to get it to do what you want.
She has put together a pretty good collection of really awesome hostess aprons that are made from formal dresses or day dresses, and she manages to maintain the style of the dress as she embellishes and comes up with these REALLY awesome aprons. If you have a favorite dress that is now too tight, and you've finally come to terms with never being that small again, maybe having it made into a hostess apron will be a great way to have it come out of the closet now and then. Check out Jenn's shop, and contact her. She LOVES crazy custom projects.
UPDATE:  Jenn is selling her aprons in my BearlyArt shop on Etsy, so the photo-link has been adjusted.  (She had issues getting her products listed).

What's more magical than woven ribbon?

Feast your eyes on this vibrant handbag made of woven ribbon. It was made by cactusheadstudios of WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA. The bags bright colors make you think of sun and water and fun. The creator of this wonderful bag is a puppeteer. She says she loves all things silly and whimiscal.....Sounds like my kind of girl.

TREE AND BUTTERFLY MITTENS FROM SNOWFAERIE

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! These great mittens are my first find of the new year. You KNOW I have to love these, right? They have that not both the same thing going for them....and matching is SO over-rated ! They are exactly the magical mittens I would expect a snowfaerie to make. Snowfaerie of SPRINGFIELD, MA., creates with "thought, joy and happiness" and it sure does show in this wonderful pair of wool mittens.

CONGRATULATIONS NANCI !!!

Congratulations to Nanci Konsavage of Boiling Springs, South Carolina. She won a free labrador retreiver wall clock in our first clock giveaway which ended December 15. Thanks so much to all who entered.... better luck next time. We will do this again. It was fun.

Meghan Burch creates fabric works of art

Aren't these coasters just adorable? I love the pop of the light green on the dark green. The frosty cold drink looks pretty chill too. Meghan is from CHICOPEE, MA, just a little northeast from here. This is what she has to say about her designs.

“My work is about playing with simple, two dimensional materials, images, shapes and patterns and transforming them into objects that are comfortable, useful and beautiful. I’m inspired by nature, the intersections of natural and man-made materials, creative non-artists, patterns of light, sound, food and architecture. My work with young children continually reminds me of how I think creation should be approached: as both play and work.”

Very well put, and very nice product.

Care to see what's around the bend?

Some really pretty jewelry designs, that's what. Meet Becky of ATBcreations (around the bend). Becky started making jewelry because she needed a holder for her badge for her day job. That was 3 years ago, and she has been having a blast making her whimsical creations ever since. She lives in TOLLAND, MA., selling her wonderful creations through Etsy and soon her own web site. She even teaches beadwork in Southwick. Becky is a very busy girl. Keep up the good work, Becky.

Get Hammered with Style

Hammeronsteel is a blacksmith. He makes these very cool church keys. Located in beautiful NORTHAMPTON, MA., he does stair rails, lighting and more, but those things aren't easily shippable, so he makes these nifty bottle openers so people who dont live in this area can also own some of his art. If you do live here, and have a larger project in mind, you can contact him by clicking on the photo, and then clicking on the contact link. If I drank beer, I would use one of these even for the twist-off bottles :)

Stars & Stripes American Flag Baby Hat with a Message

I wanted to post an american flag here, but instead, I found this adorable hand knitted baby hat made by BUTTERFLY DESIGN of BOSTON, MA. Butterfly Design makes these baby hats for newborns through Large child sizes on circular needles so that the hat will be comfortable. Click on the hat to go to see more.

I would like to take a moment to say how important it is to buy AMERICAN MADE whenever possible. Folks, we are SELLING our future buying imported stuff. We may save a few bucks if we buy at Walmart, but as our jobs evaporate, only to be done by someone who will work for peanuts in a foreign country how can we act surprised when unemployment numbers rise?
I can't help but think that if we ALL got together, and said enough is enough, we won't buy foreign stuff anymore, suddenly factories would be adding on, and American people would need to be hired to man those factories....here....in the good old USA. The government has been selling us out for years, giving big corporations tax loopholes so that not only do they make HUGE profits by taking formerly American jobs overseas, but if they spend the money there, they don't even have to pay taxes on it. So we get to pay more taxes to make up for that. You may think you're saving money buying that cheap china stuff....but are you REALLY ? Every time we open our wallets, we make a choice. Choose AMERICAN !

FaithP3 Cozy Country Painting and Cross Stitch

Say Hi to FaithP3, a WESTFIELD, MA. artist with an Etsy shop. She paints slates, cards, ornaments and more with a cozy country flavor. She is a twin mom of twins that also loves to cross-stitch. She recently completed a portrait in cross stitch. Shown is my personal favorite from her store, her Summer Heart Welcome Slate.

PICK A HAND PAINTED CLOCK WESTERN MASS ARTISTS BLOG GIVEAWAY

To celebrate this brand new blog, I will be giving away one clock of choice to a winning email address on December 15. You must choose a clock and send your choice and email address to dancindawn125@yahoo.com. To choose your favorite clock, just visit my online store by clicking on the picture link at left. (The only clock NOT INCLUDED is the custom pet portrait clock.) On December 15, just in time to ship for Christmas, I will get together with at least 1 of the artists mentioned here, and we will draw one email address from a hat. That person will win the clock of their choice.

THERE WERE ALSO OTHER POSTS IN THIS BLOG ADVERTISING UPCOMING CLOCK GIVEAWAYS, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF MAKING THE BLOG EASIER TO VIEW, AND HAVE IT NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS JUST ABOUT MY CLOCKS, I CHOSE TO REMOVE THOSE POSTS AND JUST LEFT THE WINNERS NAME POSTS.

Meet Krystal of Krystalswallaccents.etsy.com

Krystal lives in PITTSFIELD, MA., she takes really cool digital nature photographs mainly of animals, insects, and flowers here in New England, but there are also some scenic photographs of Arizona. She also does some very neat celebrity portrait drawings. Her photos are very reasonably priced, I own a couple myself including the Koi fish shown. I liked this photo so much, that I created a clock from it. Check out her store at www.krystalswallaccents.etsy.com
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Murals

Yes, it's my ad in the Westfield Evening News and Pennysaver. I give the address of my etsy store and advertise murals and activity tables, which I will come paint in your home. If you want a mural, you need to either contact me about it very soon, or be prepared to wait till after Christmas. The period of time leading up to Christmas is very busy. You can email me at dancindawn125@yahoo.com and I can send you some photos of murals I have done. You can also let me know what you have in mind.
I only work in Westfield or very close to it. I love interior design and have a knack for dealing with problem spaces. If you rent, sometimes murals can be painted onto sheets of luan, and then attached with a few screws so you can take your mural with you when you go. Shown at left is a basement mural. of a path leading out to a beach.

Met a really nice Etsy seller yesterday

If you need vinyl graphics for your car, go here: fleanine.etsy.com
He gave me a great deal on some graphics for my vehicle. I liked them so much I ordered more ....BIG ones ! If you live close to WESTFIELD, MA., he can put some on for you too.
He put them on for me, and for a very reasonable price. To the left is one of the decals offered in his store, click on it to check him out.

Knit/Crochet

What a beautiful day ! Just like yesterday I hope. It's great to have a break from the heat and humidity. It was feeling like new England is the new rain forest. Maybe soon I will even get out and tame the yard. The plants and trees LOVED the daily rain storms. The bleeding hearts all look like somebody sprayed them with plant killer, but everything else looks good and two feet taller. Fall seems to be coming soon to a backyard near you.

I crochet like crazy. I have knitted some, but I'm not good at it, and don't do well learning from books. Is there anybody in town that would trade some crochet instruction for some knitting instruction?

Have you heard about Etsy?

Etsy is like having Ebay for artists... except the fees are much more palatable. You can put your art, and by that I mean ANY handmade items on for 4 full months for just .20 cents !
The community at Etsy, judging from those I have dealt with or spoken to seems to be very thoughtful, generous and well educated. People that go shopping at Etsy realize that there is time involved in art and don't seem to mind paying for it. You too, may be shocked to find that your crafts or art actually has value that someone besides your friends and family will pay to procure.

I have been selling my hand painted clocks on Etsy since April of this year. I work out of my home-based studio in Westfield, Mass. I know there are a few other etsy artists in town, and I'm sure there are scores of artists in Western Massachusetts wishing they knew where they could market their crafts or paintings.

Check Etsy out just as soon as you can. If you want to check out my stuff in particular here is my Etsy store address: http//bearlyart.etsy.com