What a (Cruelty Free) Treat!

Can you believe that the gorgeous collection of cruelty free (vegan) items put all together at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36781 by DaisyWares.etsy.com is her very first treasury?? She makes it look like she's been doing this for years!

Well, one thing she has been doing for years is spreading the vegan message--Roni's been vegan for 24 years! Way to go, DaisyWares! I couldn't decide which fun and inviting piece of Roni's to show here, so I picked both her Copper Swarovski Crystal Wire Wrapped Ring and her Delicate Chandelier Earrings. Go ahead and shop for anything at DaisyWares.etsy.com, guilt-free--not only are her products cruelty free, she donates 10% of proceeds to a nonprofit called the Animal Place in Vacaville, CA!

Please come check her shop out today, and her treasury (which includes my Cotton Candy Buttered Popcorn Pink n Golden Yellow Handknit Scarf at the Movies, shown below) is viewable through Thursday!

Roni, thanks for thinking of me for your very first treasury--it looks fantastic!

Simone So Sweet!

I really wish I was savvy enough to figure out how to curate a treasury! Treasuries are pages filled with 12 items that the curator selects to feature. It's quite tricky to even get that chance, and then complicated from there! You can see all the treasuries at http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php, and Simone of SandAndSkyCreations.etsy.com has mastered the technique, it seems! I'm always blown away whenever she puts me in one of her gorgeous treasuries. I wish I could do more in return! The hat pictured above is soooo soft and decadently luxurious, and Simone is donating 20% of sales to help free Tibet! I think it would go nicely with my Booster Gold Baby Yellow Gold and Baby Navy Blue Handknit Scarf (below) that she chose for her latest treasury, viewable through Monday at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36436. See you there!

Afton's Jewelry is Rock Solid!

Have you seen Afton's perfect-for-anytime jewelry shop at aftonee.etsy.com? With names like Dripping Tahiti, Daiquiri and the beautiful Grassy Green Chalk Turquoise Necklace (above), her work is a sure winner! Afton's online shop is new, and she's already giving back (from her profile):

"5% of each sale is donated to Kots for Kids of Journey Missions, a relief project in Honduras, Central America. This project provides beds to Honduran children who have been sleeping on dirt floors. Many of these children have parasites which leads to many other health problems. Please help with this work!"

And Afton's generosity includes featuring other artists' work, too! She just chose my Spring Moss Green Soft n Light Handknit Scarf scarf for her most recent treasury, viewable through Monday at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36604

Afton, if what comes around goes around, you're in for a lot of fun and success on Etsy.com!
Celeste (Crickets)

Fuzzy Bunny Knits, Yes She Does!

Have you had a chance to visit FuzzyBunnyKnits.etsy.com, bringing sassy, happenin' knits to you from Portland, Maine??

Whether you're a knitter or knitwear connoisseur, you're sure to find something irresistible, such as a pattern to make this fantastic bag shown below:

She even hosts a weekly "knitaholics" meeting with 87 members! To add to her coolness, she's included my Deep Night Indigo Blue Purple Black Handknit Incredible Ribbon Scarf (below) in her treasury of deep blue items for sale on Etsy--get a peek through Wednesday at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=35531 or check out her blog at http://fuzzybunnyknits.blogspot.com

The Hottest Librarian...Ever!

Moxiedoll at Moxiedoll.etsy.com is the most stylish, trendy, hip, happenin' librarian around! Case in point, I absolutely adore her "Reading is a Hoot" collage print, shown below.

Here's what she has to say in her profile, "I like breathing new life into others' discarded books by cutting them apart and pasting them together in creative ways. It's my means of storytelling." And how! :)

I had a happy surprise today when I was trolling through Etsy's treasuries (collections of handmade goods for sale) today and found that Moxiedoll had included my Purple Golden Yellow Pink Luxury Handknit Scarf in her treasury! Hurry and view her striking collection, it's available for one more day at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=35123.
Thanks a bunch, you've sure got some Moxie!
Celeste (Crickets)

When you admire someone...

I admire LAOriginals.etsy.com so much! Her work is stellar and her profile starts out, "Hello, my name is Leigh-Anne (L.A.) and I'm a Knit-a-Holic!!" What's not to love!? And talk about creative! Check out her fantastic design work in her Seventies Revisited Harlequin Scarf, below:

You've got to go to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9593183 to get the full effect, but this is actually 5 scarves, held together with a detachable flower. You can mix and match!
So, anyway, yeah, I've been admiring Leigh-Anne's work and then today I'm trolling through the treasuries and see that she's featured my Purple Golden Yellow Pink Luxury Handknit Scarf (shown below) in her beautiful collection of items that contain orange!

Thank you so much, Leigh-Anne, from a true admirer!
Celeste (Crickets)

Meatout for Style Mavens!

Today (March 20) is MEATOUT day (http://www.meatout.org/)! That's cause for celebration, and a group of us who belong to Vegan Etsy (http://www.veganetsy.blogspot.com) honored the occasion by offering sales in our stores or donating a portion of our proceeds to animal-friendly causes.

Well, ThisIsBexx.etsy.com has gone above and beyond by promoting participating Vegan Etsyians in a cohesive & stunning treasury at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=4769 (viewable through Sunday)!

Books by Bexx is "Handcrafted Books, Journals & Albums Made from 100% Vegan Materials!" You can see just one example in the picture above, this is a fun collection of How I Get My Protein Mini Book for Vegetarians / Vegans (Broccoli) PAPERBACK. Here's where you can read more:

Indiepublic: http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/Bexx
Indieluv: http://www.indieluv.com/profile/Bexx

Thanks for making a special day even more special with your rockin' treasury!

Moue Mag Makes Crickets Featured Indie Seller!

You can read the whole story at http://mouemagazine.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/indie-retailer-of-the-day-crickets-creations/! Moue Magazine is, "Progressive Politics. Independent Media. Stuff" and is run by Will & Brandy, two incredibly generous and forward thinking folks. I'm completely thrilled to be on their pages, please take a look and comment!

In other sweet news, Meri of merigreenleaf.etsy.com, crafter extraordinaire (that's her awesome shop icon, above) has put together yet another fun treasury of fiber art inspired by fairy tales. You can view it through Friday at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=34727 and it includes my Snow White, Pure White, All White Lacey Handknit Scarf, shown below.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has helped promote my little scarf endeavor!
Celeste (Crickets)

Vegan Etsy's Fearless Leader Roots for the Team!

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one: there are plenty of other folks who have a shop on Etsy who are vegan and only sell vegan products. We recently formed a team to celebrate Vegan Etsy and help fellow vegans support vegan business. You can find out more at http://veganetsy.blogspot.com and http://www.myspace.com/veganetsy

One of the ways that we promote one another is by curating "treasuries" of items offered for sale on Etsy by fellow Vegan Etsy members. Our leader, Molly, who makes mouth-watering (and I'm a HUMAN!) dog treats and sells them at EmmasK9kitchen.etsy.com, just created a new treasury for Vegan Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=34208. Molly, many thanks for featuring my Oranges n Browns Classy Handknit Scarf front and center!

Folks, you've got to check out her cool shop because them treats look so good, I wanna order some to eat myself, especially the Mint Carob Glazed Treats in the picture above. MMMMMmmmm......

Thanks, everyone, for your support!
Celeste (Crickets)

Vaivanat, your taste & kindness are stunning!

vaivanant.etsy.com is one of the most tasteful and gorgeous shops on Etsy.com! I just got an unexpected note from a friend on Etsy letting me know that the gorgeous collection of orange, handmade items vaivanat pulled together at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=33697 has made the front page of Etsy.com! It will be there for a few hours and the best part is, she chose my Orange to Red Unisex Handknit Scarf for Men or Women as one of the twelve images (see picture below).

I'm so happy, first I hadn't been on the front page EVER and now twice in a week!!
Thrilled,
Celeste (Crickets)

Holy Wow, Holy Wow, Think I'm Gonna Have a Cow!!

There's good news coming up everywhere on Etsy today! My head is spinning...

First, MosaicAndoCreations' treasury which I wrote about yesterday made the front page of Etsy.com!!! I'm super excited because even though it happened at 4:30 in the morning, this was the first time EVER that one of my designs has been on Etsy home page. Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay! :) Thanks again, Eva, for making a treasury that's worthy to be picked (a different treasury is picked every couple of hours to be on Etsy home, it's a great honor and only the very best treasuries are chosen)!

Then, I checked my messages from my fellow EtsyFAST (Fiber Arts Street Team at http://www.etsyfast.com/) members...and found out I am featured in TWO beautiful & unique treasuries which are themselves worthy of making the frong page (fingers crossed--they've got until Saturday to be chosen):

Merigreenleaf.etsy.com made a collection of green items (including my Green Apple n Black Unisex Handknit Scarf for Wicked Elphie Elphaba Fans!), viewable at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=33599. Now, I just have to say a word about Meri. She's so cool! You've got to visit her at Merigreenleaf.etsy.com to see just how cool. Check out her profile--her avatar (picture icon) says it all! And how 'bout her Triquetra Celtic Knot fingerless gloves, below?? Huh? Pretty neat, right? ;P

And then, OhioCrochetLady.etsy.com's done it again with one of the sweetest treasuries I've ever seen: Strawberries & Cream! It's at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=33515 and you'll just love it. She included my Pale Cream Ecru Lacey Handknit Scarf for All Seasons Year Round Wear for the "Cream!" Someone's got "taste," if you'll excuse the pun! ;)

Okay, but wait...the good news isn't over...just minutes ago, as I was writing this...someone bought one of my Blue Copper Teal Aqua Turquoise Handknit Ribbon Scarves for Year Round Wear (see below for pic). Can this day get any better??

Walking on Clouds,
Celeste (Crickets)

I've tried mosaic work. I used to volunteer at Recycled Gardens, the resale plant nursery at www.POPPAinc.org to benefit animals. Other volunteers would make lovely, mosaic outdoor tabletops. Not me. I guess I'm a one-trick knittin' pony.

As a result of trying my hand at mosaic and failing, I have a deep appreciation for the planning, the artistic discretion and the creativity that go into mosaic art. Today, I'd like to bring your attention to an outstanding mosaic artist who hails all the way from sunny, beautiful, Northern Italy: MosaicAndoCreations. Look at all those tiny, perfectly placed pieces in "Mii," the piece above! It must have taken a week or more to create such precision, and each glistening piece hand-cut by Eva herself (Eva is classically trained in mosaics)!

I'm utterly flabbergasted that someone so amazingly talented would think my handknit scarves are anything special, so it is with a bit of disbelief that I announce that Eva has included me in a gorgeous treasury of Green & Violet spring items, dedicated to her friends!! I'm almost speechless. She chose my Violet Purple, Teal Aqua Turquoise, Blue-Green Handknit Boa Scarf, below. To see the full collection of Greens & Violets, please visit http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=33387 through Saturday, March 15, 2008

Multi grazie, Eva!

RainbowMom: A Full Spectrum of Creativity

I tried. I really, really tried to choose just one image from Tammy (RainbowMom) Fairbrother's incredible online shop at RainbowMom.Etsy.com. Please don't fault me if I just couldn't decide. I love her jewelry (What colors! What fun!). I love her prints (What mystery! What magic!) How could one person have so much talent?

She also has an inviting and endearing blog at http://overtherainbowmom.blogspot.com/

Tammy and I have gotten to know one another a bit on Etsy, and it's always a pleasure to see her pictures & words full of joy & kindness. And as if that weren't enough, she's now included me in a treasury (an online collection of favorite items) called Air, Fire, Water, Earth. Are you curious which scarf she chose?? Well, there's just not enough room here for another pic, so please visit http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=33143 through Thursday to find out! ;)

Tammy, I hope to make a rainbow colored scarf in your honor tonight, I'll let you know when it's completed.

Celeste (Crickets)

The Sunshine of My Life!

OhioCrochetLady is a "sunny" person. She's always positive and a really nice addition to our EtsyFAST (Fiber Arts Street Team) group...find out more about EtsyFAST at http://www.etsyfast.com/

You can tell how fun and upbeat she is just by checking out the hat she created, in the picture above (for details, please visit OhioCrochetLady.etsy.com). Personally, I am Soooo ready for warm weather and this hat says it all!

In fact, OhioCrochetLady's gone so far as to create a collection of "Sunshine" from her fellow EtsyFAST members. You can see what I'm talking about through Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at OhioCrochetLady.etsy.com The best part is, she was kind enough to once again include one of my scarves! This time, she chose my Purple Golden Yellow Pink Luxury Handknit Scarf (see picture below)!

OhioCrochetLady, thanks again for being a positive force on Etsy!
Sincerely,
Celeste (Crickets)

Big, Blue"Thank you!" to Samantha17

Yes, that rhymes! ;) I love Samantha's shop at Samantha17.etsy.com. And her fun blog is at http://audreybeads.blogspot.com/ It would be so exciting to buy from her and have your beautiful, new jewelry arrive all the way from romantic Scotland!

Samantha has been kind enough to include blue items from other etsy shops in her new treasury (viewable through Tuesday at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=3700). Thanks, Samantha, for including my Rainbow Blue Octopus Boa Handknit Scarf - For Belly Dancers, Kids n Everyone in your treasury (pictured here, too)!

Appreciatively,
Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves)

The Capital "T" in EtsyFAST

EtsyFAST stands for "Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team" (http://www.etsyfast.com/). EtsyFAST is a group of fiber artists (spinners, weavers, knitters, etc) who have online shops at Etsy.com, "Your place to buy & sell all things handmade," have joined together to promote our handiwork.

One way we help others find us is by tagging "EtsyFAST" when we list items for sale on Etsy (go to Etsy.com, do a tag search for "EtsyFAST" and prepare to be amazed!). Then, members of EtsyFAST create "Treasuries" of items that have the EtsyFAST tag. It's a large group, so it feels pretty special to be chosen for a treasury (only 12 items are allowed per treasury, and only a few hundred treasuries are allowed at a time).

Today, Simone of SandAndSkyCreations.etsy.com included my Green Apple n Black Unisex Handknit Scarf for Wicked Elphie Elphaba Fans in her EtsyFAST treasury at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32459! Simone is an extremely talented and creative fiber artist who makes sumptious, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) items (including the incredibly crafted and photographed hat above), so I'm especially flattered that she would even consider my humble scarves for her treasury, which is only viewable through Saturday.

Simone, you're a class act! Thank you again for your kindness and for bringing your skill and energy to EtsyFAST.

Celeste (Crickets)

Plaidfuzz, You're so Fun!

Plaidfuzz (Plaidfuzz.etsy.com) is new to Etsy (she just joined in January!), but she's already busy making a name for herself as a friendly, positive, successful person. Please check out her cheery, fun shop at Plaidfuzz.etsy.com (the "friends" card shown here is just one example of her neat cards, hats & more).

And she's so generous, too! I haven't even figured out how to curate treasuries (collections of other sellers' items) at http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php yet, and I've been at http://cricketscreations.etsy.com for over 3 months now. Plaidfuzz just joined in January and she's already got a very nice treasury, at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=31734

Thank you, Plaidfuzz, for including my Deep Night Indigo Blue Purple Black Handknit Incredible Ribbon Scarf (pictured above, and available at http://cricketscreations.etsy.com) in your treasury, I'm truly honored & flattered!

Celeste (Crickets)