Monday Morning Mosaics

Creativity comes in a wide variety of talents and is spurred on by the imagination of the creator. Today's Monday Mosaic explores a variety of wonderful artists with an abundance of imagination and the talent to share the fantasies in their minds with everyone else!

Blue Dog Rose - The Rabbit Tarot, Animal Paintings, Sculptures & More!

Nakisha Elsje VanderHoeven from Seattle, Washington

Little White Rabbit paintings, bunny art and watercolors, the Rabbit Tarot, original animal sculptures and more abound in this beautiful and fanciful shop filled with wonderful ideas for home decor, nursery decoration and more. Not only can you find original artworks but also calendars, cards, books and lots more to browse through.

Nancy Adams Clay Artist - Flora and Fauna Ceramic Art and Vessels

Nancy Yturriaga Adams from Applegate, Oregon

Hand carved and hand modeled vessels and boxes inspired by the flora and fauna of nature. Each piece is breath-taking with beautiful detail and a quality that can't be matched. This talented artist's work has been included in the Spencer Davis collection which is held by the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA.

Dark and Twisty Dolls - OOAK Art Dolls & Creations

Lacey Michelle from Gilbert, Arizona

Art dolls, mini dolls and photography prints combine in this shop with an original flair and a dark and gothic flavor. Whether looking for art to hang on the wall or tuck on a shelf, if you like creepy or are shopping for someone who does this holiday season, this shop is one you won't want to miss stopping by to take a look around.

The Little Clay House - Cute Clay Animals, Spirit Guides & Sculpture

Denise Ferragamo from Navarre, Florida

Adorable hand-built clay sculpture and vessels that are made with love to be one of a kind pieces that speak to the heart. Pieces are influenced by fairy tales and story books to a variety of historical and modern influences. Ornaments, clay animals and sculpture sit beside wall art, jars and vessels, plates, bowls, jewelry and more in this shop filled with sweet ideas and creativity to make you smile.

The handmade marketplace and the talented artisans you'll find there are a terrific alternative to commercial products and with the added bonus of personalized care and an attention to detail and quality that commercial products lack.

With holidays just around the corner and the shopping season gearing up into full swing, don't forget to browse through artisan works and see what you can find, you'll be surprised at just how much creativity, originality and quality is out there!

Prints and Charms Inspired by Vintage Books

I've always loved children's books and I have quite a collection that I've gathered over the years. Most of my books are vintage, because I have a love for the hand drawn artwork and watercolor prints found among their pages.

In today's feature shop, JBling on Etsy, you'll find not just vintage storybooks of times gone by, but also contemporary prints and artwork inspired by many of the vintage storybooks from bygone years.

Lots of adorable artwork is scattered through the shop, offered in the form of both prints and note cards. And in the "Reading List" section you'll find a large section of vintage children's books as well!

Paul Bunyan and Christopher Robin sit side by side with other old favorites from Tom Sawyer to vintage Mickey Mouse!

If you're like me and love the whimsical artwork that was popular in decades past, or even if you just want to take a walk down memory lane, be sure to stop by and take a browse around!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT JBLING ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!

If you like what you see in JBling's shop, you may also enjoy visiting the shop owner's blog or stopping by to say hi on Twitter!

[This blog post is a "BESTeam Feature" for the Boosting Etsy Shops Team. The BESTeam is dedicated to helping its members promote their shops and assisting each other in marketing, advertising and sharing the tips and tricks of running an online business. If you are a seller on Etsy and are interested in becoming a member of the BESTeam, the team is accepting new members and you can find more information about the team as well as apply to become a member HERE.]

The Art of Nidhi Chanani

Today's shop is filled with beautiful artwork depicting loving moments in life with family and other loved ones.

Nidhi Chanani on Etsy is a California-raised Indian-American artist who loves creating art for the pure and simple reason that it makes her happy.

Many of Nidhi's works have been displayed on very well known blogs such as CNN, DailyCandy, Nesting Newbies, Sepia Mutiny, Illustration Pages, Gori Girl, BollyInstyle, Design Wali, Green Eyed Monster, The New Indian Bride and more. Quite a list right?!

I love browsing through this shop because the shop itself is imbibed with a warm glow of love perpetuated by every piece that's shared there.

These pieces, with their emphasis on love and family values would make wonderful Mothers Day gifts (Don't forget! Mothers Day is just around the corner!) as well as gifts for family or used as inspiring pieces of art to hang on the walls of anyone's home.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURES ABOVE TO VISIT NIDHI CHANANION ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE!

If you like what you see in Nidhi's shop, you may also enjoy visiting Nidhi's blog or website or stopping by to say hi to the artist on Facebook or Twitter!

Artwork for Hope and Charity

Today I'd like the opportunity to introduce you to a shop ran by a small woman with an especially big heart.

Although Kate, the artisan behind OnBehalfOf on Etsy, proclaims herself not to be a professional artist, her artwork is truly beautiful.

Kate believes in using beauty to fight back against the ugliness in our world. She uses her artwork and creations to help fight back against forces of injustice through selfless love. Ninety percent of the proceeds from each item that's sold in Kate's shop are donated to organizations that help to provide clean water in developing countries, free modern day slaves, care for orphans and provide medical help to those with HIV. Her shop and her efforts towards it were created on behalf of these people that need our help.

Through her art, Kate has started a mission to spread hope and help throughout the world and her artwork is a glowing beacon of that hope shared with everyone who sees it. Filled with vibrant colors and an ethnic style, these pieces are sure to catch the attention and inspiration of all who see them.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT THE ONBEHALFOF SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT KATE ON HER "ART ON BEHALF OF BLOG"!

[This blog post is a "BESTeam Feature" for the Boosting Etsy Shops Team. The BESTeam is dedicated to helping its members promote their shops and assisting each other in marketing, advertising and sharing the tips and tricks of running an online business. If you are a seller on Etsy and are interested in becoming a member of the BESTeam, the team is accepting new members and you can find more information about the team as well as apply to become a member HERE.]

Licoricewits - I'm glad you're weird...

Do you have that one friend that marches to a different drummer and is almost impossible to shop for because their... well, just a little weird or even slightly odd?

Okay well I have more than one of those. I have a barrage of them! And all year round, I hunt for "the perfect gift" for each of these individuals on my list. Something little, something cute, something perfect and just for them.

Today's shop is filled with just these perfect gifts! And I wanted to make sure I introduced you to them just in time for the beginning of the holiday shopping season too, so maybe you can find that perfect something for someone on your list (or, let's admit it, maybe a little something for yourself too!)

Licoricewits on Etsy is filled with zombies, monsters, aliens and other things cute for the "slightly odd" in life. They have aliens and robots, Sasquatch and goblins mixed along side perfect little cake toppers and nerd girl gifts. I am in love with their little wooden Kokeshi dolls, but they also have bookmarks and art prints, magnets and even original paintings!

Terry, the artist behind Licoricewits, is based in Vancouver, BC and has a love for horror, sci-fi and most things cute and has done an amazing job of incorporating all of that together into a terrific shop filled with wonderful items to tempt you with.

This extremely talented artist also does animal artwork in their second shop, SavageArtwork on Etsy, which is filled with owls, penguins and a variety of bunnies, ducks, wolves and other animals on prints, magnets and more.

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT LICORICEWITS OR SAVAGEARTWORK ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT HERE FOR LICORICEWITS... OR RIGHT HERE FOR SAVAGEARTWORK!

HazyDaisy - Original photography by Lesley McLelland

I used to love taking pictures of remarkable bits of nature that most people never notice. I have boxes and boxes of photos of vistas and views, flowers and leaves, moss and fungi, etc. Reams on reams of photo negatives.

Nature has always held a special place in my heart, and I have always enjoyed sharing that love with others.

I ran into a shop the other day on Etsy with an artist who appears to feel much the same. An artist who is much more talented with a camera than I and has managed to capture breathtaking visions on film and in print to share with others.

HazyDaisy on Etsy is filled with gorgeous photographs that show a true appreciation for color and nature, both. The photographer of these amazing photos and prints is Lesley McLelland, a resident of a little area just west of Glasgow, Scotland.

She's just about 30 minutes from the sea and only an hour from the mountains which gives her a huge spectrum of wonderful subjects to work with from sea to forest to her own garden!

Like me, Lesley has always loved nature and the outdoors and sees photography as an opportunity to capture and share this love with others.

She is, bar none, one of the most inspiring nature photographers I've seen on Etsy and, with that in mind, you really need to stop by and see her work for yourself!

TO VISIT HAZYDAISY PHOTOGRAPHY ON ETSY YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURES ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

You can also visit Lesley on her blog at HazyDaisy Photography on blogspot!

Emotive, Imaginative and Breathtaking Photography

I first discovered today's shop on the front page of Etsy. A rare occurrence for me since I very rarely visit the front page. I think I stop by there maybe once or twice a week at most. Most of the time, I end up entering the site through my own shop because I'm working.

I'm glad I managed to stop by on the day that JenniPenni on Etsy was up there though, because I was able to be introduced to a young photographer from Finland with a great deal of not just talent but imagination as well!

The pieces in JenniPenni's shop are emotive, imaginative and many make a clear statement at the same time! They're also offered in a variety of sizes.

I especially love browsing through JenniPenni's sold items, because there's a huge variety of past works in there that you'd otherwise miss. And, I have to admit, I've sat and imagined more than once using a number of her works together to create a collage as a focal point on one of my walls.

TO VISIT JENNIPENNI ON ETSY YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURES ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

You can see even more of this talented artist's photography on Flickr as well!

Photographer of Peace - Anne at the October 54 Gallery

I have a great admiration for photographers. Not only do you have to have a very special kind of vision, creativity and "eye" for beauty to do this kind of artisan craft well. You must also have the technical know-how to get a camera to work properly and cooperate with your vision.

I've done a great deal of photography. I've even sold a few pieces for some pretty hefty prices. That said? When the world of digital photography came about, my interests changed and I wandered away from the art.

Now, returning to it years later in order to produce product photography for my own Etsy shop, I'm reminded just how challenging this art form actually is. Not only that, but there's a great deal of difference between landscape photography and close-up/macro photography, from focus to aperture and lighting and so much more.

Today's shop has managed to combine both of these types of photography into their repertoire with beautiful results.

October 54 Gallery on Etsy is a small print gallery filled with a combination of macro and landscape photography with peaceful lines and beautiful colors and textures.

The photographer, Anne, has traveled (and lived) all over the nation and has been influenced by her travels and creative endeavors all of her life. She has a talent for capturing peacefulness into her prints and she has some very stunning pieces you will love browsing through.

TO VISIT THE OCTOBER 54 GALLERY ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

An Appreciation for Nature

When I was young, my family did a LOT of camping in the summer. Almost every weekend, in fact, and usually at least one week-long camping trip.

I used to love it. I grew up in western Washington, which is full of rain forests and cedar forests, darkly shaded paths and hiking trails, rivers, waterfalls and lakes. Camping was always an adventure. Not only did I get to spend as much time as I wanted barefoot, wild and free and enjoying nature... but I also got to play with fire.

When I came across today's feature shop, it brought me back and made me smile all at the same time.

Nathaniel Luckhurst's photography is beautiful. Gorgeous, actually. And he has a lot of pieces in his shop that make it very easy for me to reminisce about my camping and hiking adventures.

In fact, l like the picture posted just to the left in this blogpost, many of them are perfect resurrections of my memories as many, many of my camping trips and hiking paths looked just like many of the forest land photographs he has to share in his shop.

Since moving to Canada, I haven't really gone camping. I suppose I could blame it on growing up, but I think the fact of the matter is that I never actually realized how much work was involved in all those camping trips back when I was a kid. The preparation (and supplies) needed is phenomenal!

Still, with spring soon slipping into summer and memories stirred by Nathaniel Luckhurst's beautiful prints, I feel the urge. I might just have to take a weekend to enjoy a much-missed-and-longed-for taste of nature again.

TO VISIT LUCKHURST PHOTOGRAPHY ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURES ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Earthy and Whimsical Artwork and Sculpture

Today's shop is very diverse with an earthy, whimsical flare for fantasy that really caught my attention.

I first saw today's artist's work when I was browsing through some of the treasuries on Etsy, and I was immediately drawn to the sculptured pieces like the one that I saw featured. I followed the link and found myself transported to an earthy realm of whimsy that I was immediately enchanted by.

Besedina is filled with wonderful sculptures that are rich in detail and personality. Little miniature pieces of art, cup holders for pens, pencils, crayons and more as well as fairy art prints, little magnets featuring more of the artist's sculpture talent and other bits and pieces such as jewelry boxes, jars, pendants and more.

It's a wonderful shop and one you shouldn't miss, so be sure to stop by and take a look around!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT BESEDINA'S SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Graphic Design, Illustration, Typography and More

Today I'm featuring an artist named Christen Strang who is a 23 year old graphic designer and runs the shop Letter Happy on Etsy.

I adore this shop. There's some of the most amazing prints, cards, tees and more there and so beautiful!

The shop is filled with items that have been printed with graphic designs, illustrations and typography quotes. So many beautiful sentiments expressed in creative ways in this shop, they're just amazing. They even have a couple of screen printed jersey scarves that are absolutely beautiful. I'm especially fond of the one in lavender with the ginkgo print.

She also has some adorable baby art prints that would be perfect for a nursery or to give as a gift at a baby shower. I'm sure you'll love this shop as much as I do, so be sure to stop by and take a look around.

TO VISIT CHRISTEN STRANG'S LETTER HAPPY SHOP ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Something Bunny this Way Comes - Illustrations and Art Prints

Okay, today we're wandering into the land of cute. And, when I mean cute? I mean super-duper-absolutely-totally-100% UBER-cute. The kind of cute that makes you smile instantly even as your heart melts.

Yep, I found a shop that sells stuff that cute.

Because today's shop is Something Bunny by Lea which is filled with cute, sweet and silly art prints. As you can tell from the shop's name, there are bunnies involved. But that's not the only cute factor she has going for her. There's big eyed pouting Bigfoot, smiling little girls and adorable bears, dinosaurs and more!

I fell for this shop the first time I saw it, and I'm positive that you will too. Even if you're not looking for an art print, you really should stop in and check out Something Bunny. They have plenty of other gift ideas and "I want" temptations to offer including bookmarks, book plates, ACEOs, card sets, notepads and more!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT LEA'S SOMETHINGBUNNY SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Southern Exposures - Snapshots In and Around Memphis

I first "met" today's artist on Twitter. Actually.... I very first met her when she featured one of my pieces in a treasury collage on Etsy but I first started talking to her on Twitter. And you can't imagine the size of my smile when I took a look in her shop for the first time!

Jennifer Dickerson's shop is filled with a gallery of beautiful photographs and prints and I have to tell you, I'm a huge fan of her flower photography in particular! It's some of the best I've ever seen. Clear, crisp and just absolutely beautiful.

The other day, she was featured on the front page of Etsy with the picture I used in this post. It's one of my favorites in her shop. The picture is just so bright and vibrant that when I see it I can't help but smile. To me, it's a beautiful celebration of spring's first steps towards summer, bursting with color and cheer.

Jennifer Dickerson's photography is often cheerful, mysterious, mystical and romantic, portraying a wide variety emotional themes through her portrayal of nature with an artist's eye. You won't want to miss a single one of her prints, so be sure to stop by and check her out!

TO VISIT JENNIFER DICKERSON'S PHOTOGRAPHY SHOP ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

This week had a Theme, you know

I must tout about spring again! Yes! I have to. Because I just spent the whole day yesterday outside playing in the dirt, you see. And I feel so rejuvenated by the experience!

Gardening is hard work. Hard, sweaty, dirty work. But you know? It's always so worth it. The fresh air and feel of soil between your fingers is just so recuperating. Like a mini vacation.

That's what I thought of, too, when I first saw Karen Faulkner's watercolor paintings and prints. That wonderful, vibrant feeling of rejuvenation that comes with being outside and bursting feeling of joy as the first flowers begin to bud and bloom.

All of Karen's paintings speak to me so strongly of emotion and joy and a true love for color and nature that it was no surprise to me at all that she paints with her emotions. It's all right there in the artwork.

She uses only professional artist quality pigments too, and acid free, 100% cotton water color paper, so you can be sure that with proper loving care, these pieces are going to last forever.

TO VISIT KARENFAULKNERART'S SHOP ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURES ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Bright, Big-Eyed Art

Yep, we're back to the big-eyed art for a revisit! Mostly? Because I came across this wonderful artist on Etsy that I just have to share with you.

She combines two of my favorite things, you see. Bright, beautiful colors and that big, wide-eyed artwork design that you first saw come about decades ago depicting kittens and little kids and was just recently brought back into style via Shrek's absolutely adorable Puss-n-Boots character.

The Dreamy Giraffe Collection by Kathy R Jeffords is my fascination for today. It's a shop on Etsy that's filled with beautiful prints and original art that celebrates color just as much as I do!

Kathy Jeffords is a wonderful artist who loves to both draw as well as write, and many of her pieces have stories that go along with them. Her work is beautiful and enchanting, and so is her story! So be sure when you stop by her shop to check out her profile as well as her artwork.

Also, she has a sale going on right now that's very innovative too! She started out by dropping all of her prints to $10 and she's now gradually raising them $1 a week until they're back up to their regular price of $18. So the sooner you check her out, the better deal you'll get!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT THE KATHY JEFFORDS' THEDREAMYGIRAFFE SHOP AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Erica Takes Pictures

Today's shop is a newbie on Etsy. And when I mean newbie, I mean she hasn't even been on Etsy a month yet. From what I've seen of her work so far though, there's a bright future ahead for this budding entrepreneur.

Erica Jakes is the artist behind the shop in question, and as the shop name professes... she takes pictures! Absolutely beautiful, vibrant pictures.

I'm particularly fond of the Winter Bird series, one of which you can see here in this post. I find the contrast between the warm colors of the bird and the icy shimmer on the branches particularly eye-catching.

To see the entire series as well as some other beautiful pieces she has to offer, you really need to check out her shop. She offers her prints in a veriety of sizes and with customizable options too.

TO VISIT ERICATAKESPICTURES' SHOP YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Breathtaking and Beautiful... And that is just the Beginning

Yesterday was time to rest, today we're back in business, and we're starting back off with a big bang. At least, he is in my opinion.

I love men with talent. Women with talent too but today we're focusing on men. One man in particular.

Today's feature is an extremely talented and diversely intelligent award winning Australian photographer based out of Sydney by the name of Michael Garbutt. (He's also pretty darned -fine- too, but shhhhhhh don't tell him I said so.)

I ran across Michael Garbutt on the Etsy forums, where he often hangs out in the Business Topics section giving out excellent advice based on his own experiences both on and off Etsy.

His shop, Michael Garbutt Fine Art Photography, is filled some of the most beautiful prints I've ever seen. And let me tell you, that's saying a lot because I've seen a LOT of prints.

And, as if I wasn't tempted enough by his photographs alone... he also offers product photography tutorials! I haven't bought one yet, but you can bet my temptation meter is rating way up at its max. The only thing holding me back is the fact that I might just buy out his entire shop if I get started clicking "buy" on all those "I want" items in there!

So be sure to give this talented and intelligent guy the attention he richly deserves. Take a visit to his Etsy shop, browse through the gallery he's set up there of his works or stop in at the Etsy forums to give him a warm hello and take a peek at some of his advice!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT MICHAEL GARBUTT'S SHOP OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Darkness, Melancholy and Whimsy

Rustic Goth offers original dark, sad, and surreal paintings, prints, wearable art and art dolls.

The artist's works are a rather sad and surreal and often have a touch of whimsical and weird mixed in. She only sells originals on Etsy, which makes her Etsy shop a terrific find!

I personally find her artwork dreamy and dark and I loved the browse through her shop where she has many different prints to wander through and enjoy. Rustic Goth's work is beautiful and fascinating and I can't stress enough that you should go take a peek for yourself.

She also has a blog where you can keep up to date on current events concerning her art, so be sure to stop by there too!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT RUSTICGOTH'S SHOP OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Familiar Beauty, A Breath of Fresh Air for the Soul

It took me a while to figure out why this picture reminds me so much of home. Of course, if I'd read the description, I wouldn't have spent so long staring at the picture, which I definitely didn't mind.

I've probably walked by this exact spot myself on a hundred occasions! No wonder it's so familiar. Of course, I've never seen it dusted with snow but the beauty of Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC is nothing to scoff at, no matter the time of year.

This photograph made me smile and brought a warm glow to my heart. I love the outdoors and I love hiking. I'm a big fan of nature and especially rain-forests. This photograph fills all of this and combines it together with a sensation of familiarity that really touched my heart.

Lynann Colligan's shop is filled with beautiful pieces like this. Many of which touched my inner spirit in the same way, and all of which have a unique beauty that makes visiting her shop (and website) a great pleasure that shouldn't be missed.

TO VISIT LYNANN'S SHOP YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!