Jane Walker - the artist behind the finished product.

I want to share more about my Penny's new collars, (previous post), which is really a fascinating story all by itself. So many times, even though a creation is handmade, we forget about the artist behind the necessary raw materials. 

Jane Walker, artist and Greyhound lover, derives the most satisfaction in creating the basic materials for artisans to use in their own finished product. In this case, athough they're "basic", the materials are far from plain! As the former maker of glass eyes for miniature doll sculptors, Jane will always love seeing "her" eyes in the amazing tiny figures!

She's now moved from glass eyes to other mediums, including paper ornament kits, Greyhound and non Greyhound designed fabrics, cat, floral, mandala, bird, and other colorful artwork and photography.

All designs are availble through her website, where she has a very nice selection that includes non-greyhound themed designs.  Just contact her and let her know what you want the design on (card, mug, fabric, clothing, etc).

Besides her printed collar material and other artwork, Jane is preparing the release of a new yard goods line. The new design collection, which consists of Greyhound geometrics designs, (seen here and at the very top), will be available as yardage, 5" quilting squares, and for those who don't sew, specially designed bandanas, handkerchiefs. Because she' not fond of sewing herself, Jane says that she looks forward to seeing what her customers will fashion from her fabric.

Jane's fabrics are printed-on-demand for her by Spoonflower, a tiny business with a huge client-base of artisans, located in South Carolina. She's excited by the fact that she has an available palette of 965 colors, which allows her to offer fabrics in virtually any color imaginable. All a customer has to do is send her samples of the colors they want, and she'll create a custom color for them!

In addition to the collar fabric, Jane's Etsy shop has non-greyhound fabric, and even kits for making pretty mandala designed Passover and Easter ornaments.

And, for Greyhound lovers who want to know, Jane proudly shares that her own 9 year young Greyhound, Greta, is the model used for her artwork silhouettes.

Happily, Greta is still as peppy and spry as she was when coming to Jane 6 years ago!

So, if you have a Greyhound, know someone who does, or love to sew, please watch for the release of Jane's new product line!

You can see samples of all of Jane's artwork, including the new Greyhound fabrics on Jane's website:
http://jane.walkerillustration.com/

Jane's Etsy shop:
http://www.artbyjanewalker.etsy.com/

Hounds Closet - fabulous canine collars!

As you all know, I really love dogs - especially my Greyhounds. Every March, our GPA, (Greyhound Pets of America), has a weekend long celebration called the "Howlidays". Our family always attends the Sunday event, where there is food, lots of things for sale, games, raffles, and just the feeling of joy being surrounded by a sea of retired racing Greyhounds.

This year, among the goodies offered for raffle were 2 of the most gorgeous Martingale collars I've ever seen! Martingale collars are special collars designed to keep the dogs, (particularly sight hounds), from slipping out of his or her collar when on lead.

Greyhounds and sight hounds have thick, strong necks, wider than their long, streamlined heads, and without a special collar, they can wiggle free and be out of site in an instant. This photo shows how the collar looks as it's being worn:

Anyway, these collars were made by Jan, a very talented lady, and were raffled for a handsome sum. I managed to trace the collars to the HOUNDS CLOSET Etsy site, and promptly purchased two of these precious collars! Here are our Penny (and her former foster brother, "Charlie"), modeling Penny's newest additions to her wardrobe!

I found Jan's shop to be loaded with a lovely assortment of colorful and tasteful collars I've seen in a long time. She has a great eye for color and design when she chooses her fabrics. I especially like the fabric of these particular collars, which is made by a very talented artist, Jane Walker.

Here are just a few samples of what else is for sale - aren't they adorable?!

Jan sells 3 styles of collars - regular Martingale, Martingales with buckle and regular buckle collars.

I might add that the workmanship is top notch - these collars will last several lifetimes, and are a bargain at their competitive price. If you have sight hounds or just like pretty and special dog collars, this is the shop for you! Please stop by!

http://www.houndscloset.etsy.com/

"Wedding Wednesday"

Etsy shop merchant, Jenn, surprised me with the announcement that she has featured my pink biwa pearl necklace and earring set on her blog. Forgive me for the wonky screen shots - it changes form when I import it into Blogger...

The feature is entitled "Wedding Wednesday, and can be seen here:
http://amodern-housewife.blogspot.com/

Also, please be sure to stop by Jenn's lovely blog and shop to see more precious wedding ideas, and her shop, where you'll find a nice selection of beaded jewelry, and even some nice knitting!
Jenn's Etsy shop:
http://www.likealilyamongthorns.etsy.com/

Have a nice weekend, everyone!

Thank you Etsy Finds!

For the first time ever, Etsy Finds featured one of my creations - my multi-purposed tote that can be used as a market bag, picnic tote, crafts, or any kind of tote bag you wish.

It sold just a few hours after hitting the mailing list. 

After a long dry spell of no sales, I can only say THANK YOU SO MUCH, Etsy!

Greyhound updates - new foster, Charlie, and Penny

Our Blaze has gone to a new home, and as of Sunday we have a new foster, racing name "AHK Call me Dad". Now, neither "Dad", "Daddy", "Pops", or anything else for that matter is one that canine and humans and dog care for, so finally in frustration, we started calling him "Charlie". He seems to answer to it, and the name suits him.

The other night we were outside photographing a low flying blimp, and I was lucky to get some really nice photos of the dogs. The guy with the "black eyes" is Charlie, and the other, with the sweet face, is our Penny.

Penny is white with Brindle, and is actually "two dogs", with a large brindle patch on one side, and white with pretty ticking on the other. Before we got her, we saw a photo of her, (taken from one side), and thought she was mostly white. But, weren't we surprised to greet a dog with a huge brindle patch on her other side?! You can see a tiny bit of her large brindle patch, (on her right side), if you look closely at her front view photograph above).

Also, take a good look at that "sit" of Charlie's. Anatomically speaking, a Greyhound isn't built to sit. Their bone structure makes it mechanically impossible and painful to try to do so. Charlie is one of the few "hounds" who can come as close as possible to sitting.


Have a good weekend, everyone!

Thank you to Batzy's etsy shop!

A huge thanks to the Batzy Etsy shop, who has been so very kind to feature several items from my shop on her blog!

The Batzy blog:

http://batzyshop.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-art-and-etsy-finds.html

If you like all kinds of items from custom drawings to prints, please visit her site. Here's a sample of a cute print.

The Batzy Etsy shop:
http://www.batzy.etsy.com/

Visit my shops:
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.1000markets.com/
http://www.gladraggz.etsy.com/
www.gladraggz.shophandmade.com
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.artfire.com/

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

Merci beaucoups to Etsy in French!

I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Etsy in French Blog for featuring my winter Fuchsia handbag!! Merci Beaucoups!!!

I just love the look of this blog, and for those of you who speak or read French, a visit there will be a double treat!!

Please stop by the blog to see the feature and much, much more!!

Etsy in French blog:
http://etsyinfrench.blogspot.com/

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Yummy new summer purse - "watermelon" colors of green and pink.

I'm happy to share my latest purse made up in awesome colors of neon green and hot pink.

The outside fabrics consist of fine quality batik prints aptly named "watermelon". I think this bag would make a cool and attractive summer accessory to any outfit!

I love the jumbo rick rack trim that's actually grosgrain ribbon. It goes all the way around the purse, and is anchored in the front by a pretty fabric flower.

This purse is not too large or too small, and quite efficient in its roominess.

The inside is done in a fabulous designer green cotton dotted with several shades of pink. There are 2 good sized open pockets, (one has double rows of decorative machine stitching).

A third pocket is very large and lined with candy pink taffeta. I've listened to what people want when purchasing a purse, so I've installed not one but 2 zippers in this one. The large inside pocket is zipped, and the purse closes with a recessed top zipper! 

I've also attached pretty beads, (in the same pink and green colors as the fabric), and chains to serve as a handy zipper pull!

Thanks for looking - please stop by my shops to see more.

http://www.carpetbaggercreations.1000markets.com/
http://www.gladraggz.etsy.com/
http://www.gladraggz.shophandmade.com/
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.artfire.com/

Greyhounds Mr. Blaze and Miss Vicky

The foster Greyhound turnover has been quicker than usual these days. By the time I was able to get a good photo of our foster, Blaze, he was scheduled for a transport north, where he's been requested by another Greyhound group.

For the last 2 months, we've had Blaze...











...and 3 weeks ago, an adorable little brindle girl, Vicky, (racing name Vicky Rumble), joined us. Vicky looks like a mini version of our dear former foster, Willie, but more feminine. With Blaze preparing to embark on his long journey, we are now down to 2 dogs - our Penny and Miss Vicky.

Blaze is a big, strapping big red fawn boy who is ALL boy...

...and sweet little Vicky - sweet, petite, and all girl! She reminds me of a little fawn with her doe-like eyes and her demure manner. 

Blaze, on the other hand, is a very friendly, joyful, goofy guy, who can become so enthusiastic that he easily forgets himself and gets carried away. Even his ears seem out of control.  Aren't they wild?!

Tomorrow Vicky will go to a Greyhound "Meet and Greet", to meet people who might be interested in adopting her. I kind of hope she's not too interesting and tempting, because as always, I want them to stay as long as possible!

Safe travels, Blaze - a good and loving home awaits!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

The last of the peacock bags - "Pretty in Pink".

I've used up the last of my peacock fabric, saving the pink for last. I call these "Pretty in Pink".

As always, in striving for "One-Of-A-Kind", these pink bags are slightly different. Look closely at the pockets - the styles are different.

I've used green trim on one, and the other has no trim and a pocket flap and button.

Also, the linings are different, with pocket room in each.

And, notice that one has tied handles and the other doesn't.

I'm curious to know how you all feel about my handle treatments - do you prefer your  handles "tied", or "loose"?

Thanks for looking, everyone!

See more on my shop sites:

http://www.carpetbaggercreations.1000markets.com/
http://www.gladraggz.etsy.com/
http://www.gladraggz.shophandmade.com/
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.artfire.com/

Penny the lounge lizzard?!

I just wanted to share one of my weekend projects - sewing new jammies for our Penny. Even though she has lived her whole life in the south, she seems to be a *cold* dog, shrinking from the first hint of any kind of chill. Greyhounds don't have a lot of extra body fat, (nor are they supposed to), and I guess Penny is a little more "lean" in this respect...

She already has one pair, but with cool temps still in the forecast, Penny needed her jammies that also were due for a spin in the wash. I really like to have an alternate pair, anyway, so seized the opportunity when I found a cute fleece remnant printed with all the things she loves - birds, butterflies, trees, flowers, and all things "nature".

Anyway, as soon as she slipped into her new outfit, her tail wagged and wagged with joy!! She'll wear jammies day and night until warmer weather arrives. It'll see funny seeing her "naked" with just her own gorgous fur coat!