Some days I have a hard time picking a shop to feature. Other times, there is no question at all. The quality of the work, the amazing photo's, everything about the shop just screams "pick me!".


SewGracious is one of those shops. I mean, how could you not want to buy from her? Look at these purses. Have you ever seen such amazing workmanship and quality? You can tell by looking at this Ribbons and Linen Market Bag that you are getting a well crafted bag.

And if that weren't enough, why not pick up a Business Card holder to go along with it? You know we all need one of these!


So, because it was such an easy choice, I sent along my interview questions. What did she have to say? I wonder..........

Tell me a little bit about you, your art and your store:

I've working with a needle & thread since I was 4 years old; thanks to my sweet grandmother. I've done all kinds of needlework through the years including needlepoint, cross stitch (owned a cross stitch shop back in the day), smocking, heirloom sewing, clothing construction, etc. I sold on eBay for many years before establishing my website and finding Etsy. Now I sell most of my items on Etsy and sell monogrammed accessories on my website at http://www.sewgracious.com I truly ♥ Etsy. It's been a wonderful outlet for my handmade items.

What is your favourite piece and why? :

This is one of my all-time favorite bags. I entered it in the Journal Modiste Modie Awards and it won the bag category! http://journalmodiste.com/index.cfm?page=modie_winner_photos&nid=277



I loved the bag even before it won the award, but that made it really special to me.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by many different elements. Most all of my bags are one of a kind now. I don't like to make the same thing over & over. I find that my creativity flows if I can just sew without having to be confined to certain specifications. Sometimes I'm inspired by the newest fabric from the latest designer. Sometimes I get ideas after making a bag. I think of a way to change it up for the next time. Many times, I'm inspired from a variety of fabrics on my sewing table. I can have fabric stacked up and discover a combination that looks great together.


If the world could only know one thing about you, what would you want that to be?

I love my family. They are the most important part of my life. I've been blessed and am thankful each day for those who love me most. They are my biggest supporters & the best encouragers I have.


What did you have for breakfast?

Today, it coffee with hazelnut creamer and Greek yogurt with honey & granola

What is the strangest pet you've ever had?

They aren't MY pets, per se, but right now we have a pair of millipedes, Milli & Peedi, that came home from a school project. Luckily, they live at my husband's office. ;-)

If you were a colour, what colour would you be?

Pink

Be sure to click on SewGracious' banner or any of the items pictured here to visit her shop and spread some Etsy love. You won't be disappointed, I promise!

Deon

Today's Featured Seller - Half an Acre!!

Well, it's certainly been a while since I've worked on this blog! Once Etsy admin so kindly reactivated my Banner Queen shop, I thought it would be a great idea to get it up and running again. So, I went to the forums to find someone to feature.

9 pages! Now that's a lot to choose from!!

It was really tough to choose a shop from all of the wonderful submissions. But this one stood out and bit me right on the end of the nose.

I absolutely adore the colours and textures of these little creatures! Just look at this little Salamander crawling his way up the tree. Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen?


Or this bucket of Pointy Fabulous Fish? Just look at the detail in them!


So, as always, I sent Half and Acre, my list of interview questions.

Tell me a little bit about you, your art and your store.

well, my name is Anna! Half-an-Acre is named after a quote from a 1950's gardening programme heard on the radio not long ago. A VERY British 'gentleman' offered this advice .."However small one's garden one should always set aside at least half an acre for wildflowers...". It made up giggle - and still does! The "we" is me and my old pal Ruth .... she is the other half of Half-an-Acre ... together we are an acre! We started making stuff because everything in the shops was so boring and samey. The British can tend towards convention when thinking about decorating their homes - we want to offer some bright, fabulous and funky things to cheer up these homes. We met at art college nearly 20 years ago and share a love of quirky and unique things. We are both passionate about colour. The Half-an-Acre Etsy shop contains all our handmade, painted, wooden items. Soon Ruth is opening another shop - "The Other Half-an-Acre" - selling other gorgeous handmade items including felted slippers socks and other lovelinesses!

What is your favourite piece and why?

My favourite piece is the Hagstone wreath decoration.



Why? Because I never intended to make it! It just happened! I spent many happy days on a beach on the Isle of Wight looking for them The stones were warm and lumpy in my pockets, the sun was shining and all was right with the world! I only made one. I loved working with the stones. They have such an organic feel to them. My husband loves it so much that he doesn't want anyone to buy it and wants me to price it so high so that no-one does! But I haven't!

What inspires you?

Colour inspires me. It always has. I grew up with my mother constantly exclaiming "LOOK! Look at that lovely shade of blue!". Colour excites me. I find patterning very soothing. I doodle constantly and some of the patterns on our wooden items are direct results of doodles.

If the world could only know one thing about you, what would you want that to be?

I'll prove you all wrong ..... there's more to me that you will ever know.......

What did you have for breakfast?

Ummmmm ........... two bits of toast and marmite! Lots of coffee!

What is the strangest pet you've ever had?

Stick Insects...

If you were a colour, what colour would you be?

I would wish to be seen as a pale turquoise but I think I am really and orangy-red!

Now, you have to agree with me. Aren't those pieces gorgeous? Be sure to click on them or the banner (not made by me!) to go to Half an Acre's shop and spread the Etsy love!

Stop by soon for another featured Etsy shop.

Deon