Cozy Cat Crochet

This artist captivated me with the photography of her endearing cat pillows. Ralitza at zolayka on etsy will crochet a pillow to remind you of your beloved kitty. All she needs is a few photos of your furry friend and her hook and yarn will start flying. Her crafty cat crochet is just the tip of the talent truck. More crochet treasures await; lace wrist cuffs and socks, hats, baskets, and doilies. Her wide range of emoticons is sure to bring a smile, and those amigurumi owls are show stoppers for any owl collector!

When Raliza is not wielding a hook she works with knitting needles or a needle and thread. Embroidery hoop wall art, accent pillows, and so much more is waiting to be discovered in her shops. Be sure to see her line of french macaron coin purses. They make wonderful little zippered treasure boxes and would be perfect bridesmaid gifts.

Ralitza creatively crochets her cats in Bulgaria, ships internationally, and is found on Facebook. You will find more of her work on her website, and she keeps a second etsy shop, Bubabuba, with her creative overflow. Special orders are no problems for this artist, just contact her. How does this actress, musician, mommy, shop owner find the time to be so creative?

A Tisket A Tasket

A satin corded basket is what you will find in this crochet artist's etsy shop, LissaBee Creations. And yes, if you are thinking of the nursery rhyme, you can order a green and yellow basket. There are so many designs, shapes, and lid or no lid to choose from. Melissa gives her baskets a felt bottom as an elegant finishing touch. Satin cording is shiny and feels so smooth, yet rigid enough to give baskets their shape.

Melissa also makes the cutest little acorn shaped baskets with squirrel charms on the lids out of hemp twine. She has a wide range of hanging decorations that would be perfect on a Christmas tree or can bring cheer to a room year round in your favorite color. As Christmas ornaments, they can be packed away year after year with no worries of breakage. She turns her satin color pallet to unique necklace and pendant designs as well. 

Melissa artistically crochets in Virginia, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook. Satin cording comes in so many beautiful colors, and she is happy to create the perfect basket for you. If you have a basket design and colors in mind, be sure to contact her for a custom order. Think of a basket with a lid as a very special gift box for a small treasure – a double gift for your loved one!

Petting Zoo

Make you smile cuteness on every page; that's what you will find at MelodysMiniArt on ArtFire. The captivating eyes of mice, bunnies, kittens, and puppies among other endearing animals will ensnare you as you travel through this delightful petting zoo. Prints of her original art works are available as bookmarks, blank note cards, and ACEOs (Art Cards Editions and Originals) at very affordable prices. The serious art collector can choose from her originals to grace their wall.

Melody's artistic abilities are matched with her deep passion for the protection of animals, and a portion of every sale is donated to an animal charity. I laugh at the fantasy cat with wings. My boys are mischievous now. I would never be able to put anything out of reach if they had wings. Some of her works are available as wearable pendant art. I do like the tuxedo cat necklace. It reminds me of my beloved cat Chris, who we lost last year.

Melody draws her furry friends in Massachusetts, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook. A greater selection of her work is found on etsy. Explore her website ,where you can find hanging ornaments and order signed copies of the children's books she illustrated. My girls are quite artistic with a pencil, and I am in awe at even the mindless doodlings, which could be framed, of such talented individuals. My drawing skills are limited to a game of hangman.

Turkey Feathers

I'm always on the prowl for a painter with a unique canvas, and KentuckyWildThings on etsy does not disappoint. Rodger specializes in hand painting turkey feathers, which can range in size from a few inches to over a foot long. I have stroked the vanes and attempted to realign the barbs on many a feather over the years, so I can appreciate the delicate nature of this painter's canvas. His striking works are mounted in wooden frames between Plexiglas for a floating effect, and will impress any exclusive art enthusiast with their one-of-a kind beauty. What do you think of the turkey on a turkey feather?

Rodger retired from a career at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, where he probably reminded visitors 'Don't Feed The Bears' on numerous occasions. An avid outdoorsman, he continues a love of the great outdoors with his incredible animal art feathers, and also paints this treasured wildlife on Christmas ornaments. The deer decorations bring to mind the prize that eluded my dad and brothers for many years.

Rodger ruffles the feathers in Kentucky, sends his art internationally, and can be found on ebay as featherman10. Be sure to contact Rodger if you are interested in a custom piece. His exceptional works of art are sure to astonish anyone on your gift list. What a unique way to immortalize a family member, friend, or beloved pet. This creative soul also plays the guitar and continues to amaze. Sportsman's Delight is a professionally produced CD with 10 songs written and sung by Rodger!

Box it Up

I have a wooden treasure box I picked up in Calgary many, many years ago, and it still smells of cedar. Beautiful keepsake boxes to last several lifetimes are found at BoxTower on ArtFire. Alexandra has a love of huskies and an eye for the intrigue of Celtic knots, incorporating them in many of her works of art. She uses wood burning (pyrography) skills to create amazing designs then expertly colors them in with oil pencils and wood stains. Her unique boxes are then sealed for an enduring finish, protecting the color and design.

Alexandra's delightful boxes come in a range of shapes and sizes; hearts, flowers, triangles, and stars among the traditional squares and rectangles. More shapes will be coming soon. She recently introduced a line of bookmarks, which are the perfectly affordable way to own a little piece of her incredible talent. The Siberian Husky is charmingly simple in its design and sure to delight any lover of the breed.

Alexandra heats it up in Illinois, sends internationally, and can be found on Facebook. If you have a shape, color, and design in mind, be sure to contact her. An elegant wedding day, anniversary, or precious memories box for a newborn will be treasured a lifetime. Surprise dad this Father's Day with an exceptional box for his deck of cards or checkers!

Taming Temari

The traditional art of Japanese thread balls has its modest beginning as an ancient recycling project. Not wanting to waste precious kimono remnants, Japanese women fashioned balls for their children to play with. Over the centuries these toys evolved into prized possessions given to commemorate important events. We enjoy this incredible art form today at suzik on etsy, where you will find an impressive collection of colorfully decorated temari balls.

Susan creates her balls in the time-honored tradition, not relying on Styrofoam forms, making each of her handmade creations a true one-of-a-kind treasure. Some of her balls even have rattles, although these decorative pieces are not intended for children’s play. Whether hanging from a Christmas tree or proudly displayed in a curio cabinet, these beautiful works will captivate onlookers for many years.

Susan wraps her wonders in Louisiana and ships internationally. If you see a design you like, but prefer a different color scheme, please contact her. She is also very familiar with Feng Shui and can coordinate the perfect colors for your living space. This unique art form is still on my list of things to try one day!

The Artful Gourd

Amazing – Simply amazing! Pyroengraved gourds are found at JRAGourdArt, a museum quality gourd art shop on etsy. I know pyrography or pyroengraving as wood burning. Jennifer has chosen to enhance the simple beauty and natural wonder of ordinary gourds with her intricate freehand designs, many of which feature Celtic symbols. She works with several gourd varieties transforming them into one-of-a-kind works of art. I had never seen canteen gourds before, from which she fashions exquisite hard shell purses.

When I showed this incredible artist to a daughter, she commented on how erasing must be difficult. Jenn’s Tree of Life bowl featuring her backyard friends, a squirrel and a number of birds, in a tree framed with beautiful Celtic weaves is a pyrography must see. She labored on this treasure for months.








The process of growing a gourd and preparing it as a usable canvas takes over a year. When properly dried, gourds can be worked on just like wood. Smaller artworks are available as precious Christmas tree ornaments made from egg gourds. If you shake one of these, you will hear the seeds inside!

Jenn patiently burns her wonders in Pennsylvania and ships internationally if possible. Find more of her unique work on her website. She is glad to take custom orders and will personalize a prized family heirloom just for you. If you live nearby, consider taking one of her gourd classes!

Quilted Christmas Balls

Here is a new Etsy shop that sprang up just in time for Christmas, HolidayOrnaments (shop appears closed). Leanne is a stay-at-home mom who has found a very charming creative outlet. In her shop, you will discover many fabulous ornaments for your tree in a vast array of colors and designs. These elegant decorations will become treasured family heirlooms and are sure to be enjoyed for many years to come. If you would like to order a quilted Christmas ball in your favorite colors, please contact Leanne. If this year slips past to quickly, order your ornaments ahead for next year. These eye-catching delights would make perfect birthday presents for anyone throughout the year, and your thoughtfulness will be remembered each year as they decorate their tree.

Leanne works her Christmas magic in Florida. I thought about making these one year and got as far as the Styrofoam balls, but time got the better of me and I never got started. It takes several hours to put one of these gems together, after you know what you are doing. These will also make stunning Easter decorations.

The Joy of Quilling

This Discovered Treasure introduces us to another ancient art form sometimes called paper twirling. Have you ever rolled up your straw wrapper at a restaurant while waiting for your order to arrive? Quilling is the art of rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper then arranging them artistically. You probably weren't very impressed with your straw wrapper, but joanscrafts on etsy has definitely been rolling and shaping up a creative storm with impressive results.

After nearly 30 years of quilling experience, Joan still loves what she does, and this joy is apparent in the wide range of colorful creations available in her shop. There are eye-catching greeting cards and a line of masterfully crafted shadow boxes that ensure her striking art pieces will be proudly displayed for many years to come. A love of birds and butterflies has inspired her to create colorful and delicately winged creatures, each individually boxed and ready to be given as charming gifts. Her exceptionally crafted Christmas ornaments include a line of fabulous snowflakes.

Joan twirls her paper arts in Pennsylvania and ships internationally. If you have an idea for a special piece, please contact her. She will be very happy to work with you on a custom order. Joan will be creatively quilling for many years to come. What will she quill up next?

Look at the Bears!

Delightful, handmade, collectible bear ornaments to mark the years or accomplishments. Here is a keepsake treasure to uniquely celebrate and remember the milestones of life. Your very own special crocheted bear is made to last and be passed down. These bears will be enjoyed for many years, and would make thoughtful gifts.

These special Christmas ornaments become a family's oral history as you lovingly place them on the tree each year and recall their significance to friends and family.

This exciting shop, Heirloomables, opened on etsy in March 2010, (and now appears to have closed, but you may be able to contact them through etsy). The banner says it all with those cute little beady-eyed bear faces looking back at you. You will want to drop a heart on this shop!