Meet Beth from Green Cricket Salvage

Beth from Green Cricket Salvage is one of the most creative and inspiring artists that I know. A self proclaimed "consummate salvager," Beth gives new life to unwanted thrift and curbside castoffs. Colorful chairs, classic kitsch, LP trays, filmstrip earrings, fisher price people necklaces... you never know what you'll discover at Green Cricket Salvage. Beth will surprise and delight you each and every time you visit her shop. And she's as sweet as pie to boot!

Enjoy learning about Beth and her salvage art and be sure to enter the GIVE AWAY below for the opportunity to win a nostalgic handmade treasure.

What is your craft and what led to you to take it up?

I take what others have cast off to their curbs and turn them into eco-treasures for your home, as well as seeking out unique salvage and vintage.

A strong, reoccurring desire to have a creative outlet, while doing something to help our growing landfills. That and I was sick of being laid off one too many times.

What part of your work do you enjoy the most?

Finding the inspiration piece and scheming on what to do with it

What part of your work is the hardest?

Finishing and marketing things. I have lots of 85% finished projects

A top ten list of your favorites –

...handmade possession...
a bar napkin I gave to my now husband, the night we met, with my number on it

...item in your shop...

Filmstrip earrings. My grandfather was on the development team for Kodak, and I love that I found a way to recycle old film.

...item you’ve sold...

The Madison & Soho chairs. One of my first big sales and I loved the way they turned out.

...item in your favorites list...

UK flag chair by Andrea Ford Restyle

...Etsy purchase...

Erin Tyner photo. There is something so magical about macro art. This picture just makes me smile.

...Etsy shop...

Hello Victory. Kate has the greatest finds and print worthy photos to match.

...blog or website...

Red Otter. Julia captures the most captivating images to fit every mood, feeling or moment she describes.

...source of inspiration...

flea markets, junk stores, outsider art and always....nature

...piece of advice...

'creativity is everywhere, it just must find you working' - Picasso

...rule to break...
focus on one or two things at a time.....I break it almost daily.



Now you love Beth's style too, right?! And you need something special from her shop, right?! The lucky winner of Beth's generous giveaway gets to CHOOSE between a pair of filmstrip earrings or a Fisher Price person necklace - yipppee!



Leave a comment here to be entered to win one of these groovy prizes from Green Cricket Salvage.

For additional entries...

* Become a FAN of a Green Cricket Salvage on Facebook

* Follow the Green Cricket Salvage blog

* Share this GIVEAWAY using a Facebook link or on Twitter

* BLOG about this giveaway

Be sure an leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 2nd! Good luck!

XOXO Molly

Back from Vacation...

I'm back! Our vacation last week was wonderful. We went to Northern Wisconsin to share a week of relaxation, gluttony and memories with my two best friends from collage and our families. Sigh. I wish I could go back! We stay in two cabins on a tiny lake that, except for the occasional fish, eagle or frog, we have all to ourselves. Perfection in a laid back family vacation.

The kiddos gearing up for a water gun fight that turned into buckets of water because little girls simply can't beat the big brother in such a game!

Lavender Dryer Sachets from Whimsy House

So, I'm about to peek my head up from under the mountain of laundry soon and get back into the summer routine.

Watch for a new interview with Beth from Green Cricket later this week... there will be a giveaway involved - yippee!

XOXO Molly

Vacation!!

vintage carry on from glamtownvintage on etsy

It's that time of year again... VACATION! I should be headed to bed but I'm a bit wired, just like my girls, excited for tomorrow when we head to Northern Wisconsin for a week with my best friends and their families. I hope you too are blessed with time off too ~ sunshine, happy times, relaxation, good food and the finest of company. Cheers! See you next week...

XOXO Molly

PS - My BIG before-vacation goal was to finish my website... it went LIVE today - excited!! You can check it our here.

Whimsy House Sale!

"ruffle garden" leather cuff

IT'S HERE! Happy 4th of July! Enjoy 25% off sitewide this holiday weekend... a rare discount at Whimsy House! Simply mention "fireworks" in the "notes to seller" box at check out and your discount will be refunded through paypal. Sale runs through 7/4/10 at Midnight CST. Enjoy!

XOXO Molly

And the winner is...

Johnna from Artfully Said is the lucky winner of Mary Ann's garden charm giveaway! Yeah!

Many thanks to all who entered and enjoyed my interview with Mary Ann. Thank you to Mary Ann for her generous custom giveaway as well.

I love give away day... watch for another one soon!

XOXO Molly

Meet Mary Ann from A Very Mary Design & Magpie Mary

Mary Ann, Mary Ann... what can I say? This delightful gal has two of the most darling shops on Etsy filled with vintage treasures galore. She has a keen eye for the kitshy cool and unique vintage fashions AND she's also a talented seamstress and mixed media artist. And the best part? She is a treasure of a friend as well! We met about a year ago on Etsy through a series of fun trades and she has been a lovely addition to my life ever since. Thank you, dear Mary Ann, for being a constant source of inspiration and cheer. You make this world a better place ~ you are loved!

Enjoy learning more about merry Mary Ann and her charming shops and be sure to enter the GIVE AWAY below for the opportunity to win a darling handmade treat!

Tell us about your shop and what lead you to open it.
I started http://www.averymarydesign.etsy.com/ with a goal of selling handmade wares, but quickly realized that my love of vintage needed an outlet, so I opened a second etsy shop: www.magpiemary.etsy.com. Both shops are home to quirky, kitschy and classic vintage goods with a few handmade items tossed into the mix.

What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
Searching for yummy vintage treasures is, hands-down, the *best* part of etsying! I love choosing items that I hope others will adore!

What part of your work is the hardest?
The hardest aspect? Sometimes it's really hard to part with the loveliest of treasures!

A top ten list of your favorites...

... handmade possession...

When I was about 10, my father's mother gave me a giant bag of pre-cut quilt squares that had belonged to my great-grandmother. At 10, I couldn't really appreciate them, so I passed them on to my mother's mother. When I was about 20, my grandmother gifted me with an amazing queen-sized quilt made from those squares. Quite simply, it is my most prized handmade possession.

...item in your shop...

sweet strawberries ~ vintage ceramic pitcher at magpiemary

The Darling Feminine Hair Wrap at verymary

...item you’ve sold...

The Daylight Katy Shoes at verymary

Wild Poppies at magpiemary

...item in your favorites list...

Apak Shop
Murdock Design
Freshline Illustration

...Etsy purchase...

"we go together" handstamped sterling silver necklace by Punky Jane

...Etsy shop...

dulcet on Etsy

...blog or website...

Giver's Log

The Idea Room

...source of inspiration...

Being in my studio is the most inspirational place on the planet for me! It's bright and airy with bold colors, boxes & jars & containers full of delicious supplies, and an entirely creative space.

...piece of advice...

This old quilter's adage is a favorite motto and also very good advice: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." In other words, we don't need to spend a lot of money to make art!

...rule to break...

On the other hand, I love to thrift shop, visit yard sales, and scour rummage sales for fun "stuff" that I really don't need! If it's a good deal, get it (or you'll regret it!)

Now you love Mary Ann just like me, right?! And you need something special from her shop, right?! The lucky winner of Mary Ann's generous giveaway will receive 10 customized garden charms...



Adorable and perfect for summer! Leave a comment here to be entered to win this fun prize from Mary Ann.

For additional entries...

* Become a FAN of a very mary design on Facebook

*Become a FAN of magpie mary on Facebook

* Follow the i am very mary blog

* Follow the very mary made it blog

* Follow a very mary design on Twitter

* Share this GIVEAWAY using a Facebook link or on Twitter

* BLOG about this giveaway

Be sure an leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th! Good luck!

XOXO Molly