Kitsch!

These owls warm my heart, they're so dang retro looking and they turned out exactly how I wanted them to!

Sock Monkey!

So little, so cute - so socky!

I'm having far too much fun coming up with new block prints and little stamps - here's my latest, a sock monkey.

Pandas!

Baby pandas, to be exact. You will definately see these in the store soon - so keep an eye out!

Item of the Day!

One of my favorite "time wasters" is to punch in random words to search on Etsy. Tonight I tried the combination: Moose Booger, but alas, nothing came up. So the second item that popped into my head was Caviar - and on page 2 of the search results, these beautiful earrings appeared by LoopsDesigns.

Very nice!

Current Craft Challenges!

This month features some interesting craft challenges around the net!

Crafster is featuring a "Super Ugly to Super Awesome" challenge that involves revamping a thrift store/flea market item and taking it from awful to brilliant! The prizes are great and the scope is pretty broad - just about anyone could think of a good entry for this one.
Entries are due December 1st through 5th, so there's plenty of time!

The EtsyMN Street Team is challenging members to submit an entry for their December challenge with a snow/ice theme. I've gotten my entry in, can't wait to see the others!
Posted items are due by November 30th - the details aren't posted on the blog yet, but their on the Yahoo Group pages.

New holiday/winter cards are in, after a long night of carving this stamp, I inked it with a delicate mixed blue and printed up a batch of lovely cards.

I've actually posted a tutorial or "how-to" on Crafster.org if you're interested in viewing the process.

I also used it as my December, 2007 challenge entry with my Street Team group!

Am I all swallowed out yet?

Apparently not!

I'm bordering on mass production here, but in the meantime, my brain is working overtime trying to develop a truly unique set of holiday cards. Some of the ideas I'm tossing around are a block cut snowflake or animal in the snow, or perhaps a leaf print, I don't know.

I'd welcome your creative suggestions - and if I pick one of them, you'll get a set of holiday cards of your very own as a thank-you gift!

Quinessential Minnesotan Imagery

I pine for a wonderful camera, but I do what I can with the little Canon PowerShot I do have.

I've been working hard on new cards, and I've been filling orders at the rate of a couple per day for a few days now, it's nothing short of wonderful. I've also got submissions to The Sampler Project under way, pending acceptance of my inquiry.

Be sure and click the cattail to see my Flickr account in action - lots of detail of new items mingle with my everyday life. Enjoy!

Hey! Guys! Add RustedDesigns on Flickr - you won't regret it. :)

Washi Paper Swallows are BACK!

The hand-cramping pays off in the end... each swallow, painstakingly cut by hand and applied to bright white cardstock. I love these suckers!

Sea Turtles are HERE!

The newest edition of cards is here and features a hand-carved, hand-inked sea turtle in a luscious green color.

I'm really having a blast creating the carvings, so there will be many new ones forthcoming.

A Fabulous New Journey!

I've really set the wheels in motion for a large-scale stationery project. I've invested in three whole cases of stationery packaging and have created my first block-cut design and transferred them to note cards.
I did them in the off-kilter style of my Un-Sappy Valentine Stuffies and I'm really super proud of how they turned out, the design reflects my love of the inner-workings of the human body, and they're kooky enough to call my own. Click on the picture to see the listing or check them out in my Etsy store.

I've made some extras to include in a marketing push for The Sampler Project, and I'm also crazy-excited about that!

In family news, I would like to take a moment to mention my best(est) friend, who has been embarking on an entrepreneurial project of her own. Studio 422 is the sexy brainchild of Ginger Curry-Richmond of Richmond, VA - if you know anyone in that area who wants some pin-up photography done for an insanely great price, check her out. She's amazing!

Whoa! Long time no update, eh?

A lot has been happening at RustedDesigns, so much so, that I haven't had a chance to update this blog or get out the inaugural issue of my e-newsletter! (Thanks so all of you who signed up already!)

Hey, if you're interested, send me a note at Rusted_Designs@yahoo.com to be added. It's bi-weekly and will include special offers, new items and craft contest alerts!

So what is new at RustedDesigns?

HANDBAGS!, PINCUSHIONS! and HANDBAG ACCESSORIES!

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes to us from Lissa! Her cloth balls for babies and children are vibrant, beautiful and a refreshing alternative to hard plastic/electronic noise-making toys that plague most households with children.
Priced so low, she's sure to sell out - so grab yours while you can!

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes from CleverGirl, an Etsian who pairs handcrafted sterling silver settings with vintage plastics.
I love this necklace because, while she calls it "Optimist" and describes it as a "sun eclipsing a cloud" - I think it could double as an egg, and that, is awesome. Sun and Cloud, or Sunny-Side Up!

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes to us from Neile, a talented Etsy store owner with an eye for the incredible.
Her pieces have mesmorized me ever since I came across one while browsing Treasurys one day.
She also makes little boxes and stained glass items. The butterflies just fascinate me though...

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes to us from fellow Minnesotan, JennaLou06. I came across this item in her blog yesterday and fell in love.
Wood block printing is something I had just picked up the supplies for last weekend, and it's a new craft for Jenna as well. I'm amazed at how well her first attempt turned out and can't wait to see what else she comes up with!

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes to us from Etsy seller PrinceTeddyBear, a very "unicorn-centric" store with this fabulous bumper sticker.
Not quite the conventional bumper sticker size, rather long and slender instead, it fits perfectly on a bike as well as on a car!
Mine is located on my fridge, but one of these days I'm going to relocate to the minivan when my husband's not looking...
Bargain basement price of $1.01, plus shipping of $0.22, brings you to an adorable total of $1.23, teehee!

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes from my favorite Etsy store for children's clothing: DressMe.
Their clothing is made from meticulously selected recycled items and they're located in that mecca of "cool" - Amsterdam! Current shop listings have items from 0-3 months through 6-12 months.

Craft Tutorial Contest - through May 2nd, 2007

Upload a video of you performing a tutorial of a craft to YouTube and submit if for this contest on CraftyPlaces by May 2nd - I know that's not a lot of time, but dude, go for it!

CraftZine Contest - through May 31st, 2007

Into baseball? CraftZine is holding a contest for needleart interpretations of any aspect of baseball in conjunction with TNNA's Stitch N' Pitch baseball games, scheduled for 23 major league games across the country starting in May.

For details, visit the contest information page on CraftZine's website.

From the site: Your work must be of an original design in the needlearts areas of knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, needlepoint, or embroidery and must center on the theme of baseball.

Have fun!

Craft Challenge Alert! May 1st - May 6th, 2007

If you're a Craftster member, you may have already heard of this - if you're not, and you enjoy pre-made felt and all of it's potential, you may be interested in joining (free) just for this Challenge occasion!
Craftster.org has challenged crafters to re-create any inanimate object using only felt (and of course, anything you need to sew it together) - so basically, anything non-animal/person that you want, out of FELT!
Oh man, my ideas are running wild, I love felt and I have a ton of it. This challenge is going to rock. Seriously - JOIN the FELT CHALLENGE!

Item of the Day!

Today's item is a unique polymer clay Taiko drum from Etsy seller:
Tatsuko! I purchased a similar item from her last year for my son's birthday and he just loved it. There's so much detail in these little pieces and would make a perfect gift for any Taiko enthusiast/performer.

Item of the Day!

Today's item is one of the sleekest and most well-designed bags I've seen on Etsy in a long time. I don't really look for bags on Etsy, I have an entire CASE of bags I never use in my basement, but I can appreciate a great one when I see it.
The detailing here is superb, and I can only imagine the complements you'd get wearing this around town. Visit the creator:
zakiyaa for more great items!

Ax-Man

Ok, so Ax-Man is a surplus store like you've never seen before in your life. I can get inspired to make new and amazing things just by walking up and down the aisles there. Today's haul amounted to about $33.00, but check out the crap I got!
- 3 black note-pads (for use with gel pens, completely ridiculous)
- 3 plastic trays from airline meals
- 2 mini salt/pepper shaker sets from airline meals (1st class, natch)
- 1 Batman patch (for my 4-year-old)
- 1 complete woodcarving tool kit
- 200 ziploc baggies for shipping/item storage
- 12 photo/document mailers, perfect for shipping cards
- 2 rolls of colored duct tape
- 10 large washers (think: hardware)
- 2 swivel snap clasps
- 4 metal rings: 2 large, 2 small
- 2 mousepads for reincarnation
- 1 picture frame for reincarnation

Aren't I the luckiest girl EVER?? My husband thinks I'm crazy, some people will never understand...

Item of the Day!

I've always loved the art of
KendraBinney on Etsy, but this print in particular is my favorite. Limited edition and ready to hang - only $25.00! One of these days, I'll be able to decorate each room in my house with the fabulous prints of Etsy artists. Until then, you should!

Late in the evening...

last night - I posted some more destashing items on Etsy. If you're interested on picking up other seller's spring-cleaning supplies and leftovers, just type in the word "destash" in the searchbar at the top of any Etsy page and select "Tags" from the dropdown search. You'll find all manner of cheap supplies on Etsy from sellers who need to clean out their craft corner, or De-Stash!

Item of the Day!

Today's item comes to us from FoldedPigs. I came across this marvel of ceramics while I was searching for unique items to bestow upon my almost-12-year-old on his upcoming birthday. This will be a complete hit, and if you're looking for the perfect gift for your little science nut, consider the merits of the Super Yummy Brain Bowl! A total steal at $18.00 (plus shipping).

Item of the Day!

Today's item of the day is a sarcastic little gem you can wear on your lapel. Coming to us from MellowBeing!

I love the sentiment, I would love this as a bumper sticker.

ACEO - the latest in my craft ADD

"Well Traveled" is one of four new ACEOs that you can find at RustedDesigns:
ACEO Department!

And for a short time, you can see a selection of ACEOs from other Etsians in a Treasury Gallery I compiled this morning: Pop the Cherry!

RustedDesigns joins blogger!

The post that breaks the ice here at RustedDesigns new Blogger "blog"!

RustedDesigns is an Etsy shop with more variety than it's creator, Rusty, can wrap her brain around at times. As a member of the Minnesota Street Team, I'm hereby branching out with a blog devoted entirely to my store!

Check it out at
RustedDesigns online!