Creative small online businesses, and babies

I was invited to write a short article about selling on Etsy, Etsy teams and being a new mom for SavvyMom.ca. You can read it here:

Why Community is Crucial to Your Success

Shortlisted! for the Handmade Olympics

So, remember the Handmade Olympics hosted by the lovely k. of the rikrak studio blog? Well, the shortlists are finally in! And TWO of my items have made the shortlists!

In event 2 Our Favorite Handmade Goodie for Kids" my Malayan Tapir Stuffies Set (mushrooms and butterflies flavour) is in the running:



In event 6 Our Favorite Handmade or Vintage Item That's Fun" my Oh nuts - Chipmunk linocut is in the running:


I hope you'll check out the lovely items shortlisted (& vote for me!); you can see everything here (and by following the links to each event

I was happy to see that some of the other handmakers I notimated made their respective shortlists, including the D.A.D. project for Event 5 (niceness through handmaking). You'll recall Emily and Serena sell art (theirs, and donated) to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. They are awesome and got my vote.

Do check out all the lovely items and blogs and be sure to cast your votes before Friday April 27th at 11:59 EST.

Chipmunk

He really did make this gesture, covering his face with his tiny paws. I couldn't resist adding the thought caption. This is based on a photo RJH took of one of the chipmunk gang at my step-mother's cottage. She feeds them, of course, so chipmunk hijinks are a common sight. They even knew where to find the bird seed tin and how to open it themselves. Once RJH had to chase one out of the cottage with his hat.

I carved the chipmunk's portrait, and the letters, in reverse, and printed an edition of 10 linoleum block prints in bronze and black on Japanese kozo (or mulberry) paper. Each print is 7.25 by 12.5 inches (or 18.5 by 31.5 cm). The colour varies slightly from print to print.