Love, Death and The Flintstones

I had the hardest time choosing only three items from today's featured artisan to post here. Kim at My World's A Stage has the coolest embroidered items in her Etsy shop. Apart from the three items here she has aprons, neckties, magnets, machine embroidery and pillows.

I love the look of this first shirt. I am a real fan of white, button down shirts but the embroidered roses here add a real touch of the unique to this shirt.


Then going from lightness and love to darkness and daring, you have this skulls and roses embroidered, black button down shirt.


And to add a touch of whimsy, she has this really cool Flintstones purse made from a silk necktie. Ahhhh... Fred screaming for Wilma... Happy sounds of my childhood!


You can also contact Kim at the following places:
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/myworldsastage
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/myworldsastage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/myworldsastage

SueStitches: A Collection of Bags

Susan, of SueStitches on Etsy, sews the most gorgeous bags you can imagine. They each come with a reversible cover that is held to the bag with eight vintage buttons. The versatility of these bags is amazing because you can interchange the covers as often as you like.





Susan made a sling for me and my son when he was small and I can tell you her workmanship is impeccable! You won't go wrong purchasing from her.



Along with these gorgeous bags, Susan sews many other styles of bags, pillows and slipcovers and hair accessories.

Check out her store, SueStitches, today!

Featured Artist: Banana Showcase

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

I am Kelly Van Voltenburg. I have been sewing since I received a refurbished sewing machine for my 14th birthday. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas suburbs and have lived in Texas most of my life. I live with my husband, my 20 year old daughter and her 3 month old daughter. I babysit my granddaughter during the day while her mom works so that means that a good portion of my sewing gets done after everyone else is in bed. Oh and I am a VERY young grandmother! LOL

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

When I was about 4 or 5 my mom would make homemade dough for me. I would create little dolls and pets for them out of the dough. After that my mom would bake the dough so the dolls, cats, dogs, and bunnies would get hard. I would play with all of them until they broke into pieces and then the cycle would start all over again.

3. What is the best thing about your products?

I feel like I make a quality product that is both stylish and durable.

4. Why should people buy your product?

I design all of my own patterns so you will not see anything just like it anywhere else. Also I don't purchase a ton of each fabric that I get and I don't usually purchase the same fabric again. So there will be a limited amount of each item I make. And let's face it, buying handmade just rocks!

5. Who is your dream buyer?

I know lots of people dream of seeing their products being used by celebrities. I would rather tons of just everyday folks buy my products so that they become something recognizeable at a glance. I would love for someone to see me walking down the street and say "Oh I love that Banana Showcase purse that you are carrying."

Etsy Shop: http://BananaShowcase.etsy.com
Blog: http://kellyvanvoltenburg.typepad.com/bananashowcase/