congratulations to SEASANDSEASONS!

the response to our last design challenge was more than we could have ever asked for! thank you to everyone who entered - seriously, you guys are so talented! however, as with all design challenges, the tribe has spoken (so to speak!) and the wonderful seasandseasons is this month's winner!

Seas And Seasons features a new creative outlet for CK, who recently retired from the fast paced world of advertising. The collection of beautiful seaside-inspired jewelry that fills her shop is the result of combining her love for hand craftsmanship with a stockpile of treasures gleaned from beachcombing since childhood. Some of the most stunning fine art photography is also offered here. Beach glass, seashells, and breathtaking views of the coast make CK’s shop irresistible. A newbie to trading, Seas And Seasons is definitely one of our favorite new members!

Email: seasandseasons@hotmail.com

Blog: etsyseasandseasons.blogspot.com/

because she is our winner this time around, CK has chosen "Let's Go Outside and Play" as the theme for May's design challenge. More details will follow! We are hoping to be able to streamline the design challenge process more this time around - the avalanche of entries has made us realize that we probably need someone to run the challenges ... so if you're interested, please don't hesitate to convo muffintop or raevyn if you think you're up to the job! Hopefully, we'll make the entries a little more accessible for everyone who visits the blog to vote - either here on blogger or through the new treasury features on etsy. 

thank you to everyone again who voted - and a resounding THANK YOU to everyone who entered! we love you guys!

xoxoox muffin & raevyn

happy holidays! and we heart firstlightglass!

seriously, i owe firstlightglass a HUGE apology. not only have i slacked on writing up this feature since she was crowned the hands-down winner of october's design challenge, but because she and i have NEVER traded. her shop is GORGEOUS. and having worked alongside several lampworkers/fused glass artists, i know how much work goes into what she does!

mama by day, glass artist by night (or whenever she can squeeze it in), Dawn makes gorgeous dichroic fused glass pendants, fused glass artworks such as candle holders and fabulous plates and nightlights - and my favorites - slumped glass bottle spoonrests and cheese boards! she has a wonderful sense of color and design which is reflected in the photographs of her work in her etsy shop. with a background in architecture, fine art and city planning, Dawn definitely redefines "renaissance woman".

working from her home studio in jacksonville, FLA, Dawn continues to make awesome creations that delight all of us tradeaholics! thank you, Dawn, for sharing your amazing work with us!!!

now, the details for february's design challenge! Dawn has chosen the theme "It's COLD Outside!" as inspiration this time around.

the rules are simple:

- entries will be accepted until february 17th, 2011.

- only one entry per shop

- all entries MUST be handmade and listed for sale/trade in your Etsy shop. (no supplies or destash please!)

- all entries must reflect in some way the current theme "it's cold outside!"

- tag your item with this month's challenge tag "tradefebruary11" so that people can find your item!

- starting on february 10th, CONVO muffintopdesigns with a photo of your entry (it's easier to post on blogspot that way - plus it keeps me better organized)

Feel free to promote the challenge - and yourself! - via facebook, twitter, etsy, your blog or hot air balloon! the voting will start on february 19th and go till the 26th!

thanks to you all - especially firstlightglass! - for being so awesome! happy holidays and as always - TRADE ON!

xoxoox muffin & raevyn

February's Design Challenge Entries!!!

pendant by glassredefined

without further ado, here are the entries to the february design challenge - "a cloudy sky"!!!! so please vote for your favorite - AND PLEASE ONLY VOTE ONCE! the winner will be announced on february 26th and featured here on the blog! SO GO VOTE!!!!

abespoketouch

angiehandmade

brightcircle

cappysueclay

chainflower

cleanb

countrywindows

createdbythe3maries

creationsbycori

designedbyginalouise

householdwords

jerseymaids

julieellyndesigns

kelsilove

mrssmeow

nikkisuniques

onestopclothingshop

paperleaves

rachelherzog

sharonkaydesigns

SWeetiepooh

tessacotton

theodapore

thegirlyplace

triplestitch