Blog Poll -Votes are In!

Hey Family;-)

The votes are in from last weeks blog poll: With 85 percent vote rank. my blog is now open to more of the suggested features!

Snag a Saturday Hosted Giveaways:

If you would like me to host your first,fifth or 50th giveaway;-)-email me at nyblaque@yahoo.com with the subject title 'Host My Giveaway' and answer the following information:

*Your name and store or company's name

*What you would like to giveaway

*Information regarding your the item(s)-please include a description, pics,Extra details such as sales, or upcoming events for your store, etc.
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Product Review:
Would you like to send me a sample of your handmade product to be reviewed? Email me for instructions on what to do next.
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DIY project Challenge

I LOVE DIY PROJECTS! Do you have a DIY you want to share?? Saw a cool DIY project here and want to show off how you made YOURS? Email me with pics/video url or embed code and your DIY instructions. DIY contests coming this summer! woo!
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Workout Wednesday- Fitness Share

Are you trying to lose weight like me? Do you have a successful routine/schedule or workout regime you want to share to help other loss or maintain there goal weight?Email me!
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Manly Mondays

wha??did you say men? Yes dad, proud papa,fabulous father -you don't have to wait till Father's Day;-) We want to here from you! Share something with us dad related- a family photo-a home video or parenting tip.

Are you a crafty dad?Single/divorced/sole custody dad? I want to feature you!! or you can email me with a blog post or feature of something you make or do with the kids.

Hey if you cook share a recipe made by "the man" - Ladies, if you have a hubby/partner who fits any of these bills please share him with us..we need to see more dads out here-we get all the attention LOL!

Ok family, I asked, you voted, I posted;-) So, let's get this party started!!!!

Let forward to seeing the ideas rolling in. PS. SCAMMERS _DON"T GET ANT FUN IDEAS!-my email is not for YOU.

Talk to you next month--March(tee hee)

The Hearts behind Etsy's HeartsforHaiti

Hey Family, I just wanted to share with you all the currently listed Etsians who have made the HFH possible and going strong.

The Dedicated Volunteers

Main Shopkeep

Victoria van der Laan of exlibrishandmade

Other Shop Volunteers

Andria of shagpile
Vicki of Lilley
Nora of transienttreasures
Lucinda of DesignedByLucinda
Colleen of FiveSparrows
Andrea of andreadesigns
Astrid of Runzwithscissors
Linda of mamapainter
Angie of timesandchimes
Molly of SimplyPictures
Cindy of cindylouwho2
Jessie of jbguess
Sandy of Midnightcreations
Marilyn of TheRoyalist
Caroline of graycat26
Dee of 4GetMeNotTreasures
Andrea of Nyblaque

You can learn all about us at our amazing blog: http://etsyforhaiti.blogspot.com/

Holiday & Heritage Month P.1- Etsy Interview With NorthernLodge

I had the honour of catching a great interview with Etsy Artist Patti Allen from NorthernLodge for Native American Heritage Month

Aaniin niiji (hello friend) and Welcome Patti!

Bozhoo-(Hello )My name is Patti Allen-

Nation: Annishinaabee-not tribally registered, I'm located in Black Forest Colorado-but originally from Canada. My Etsy shops are : http://www.northernlodge.etsy.com/ and http://www.cabinwindows.etsy.com/

So what inspired you to start crafting, what are your favorite materials to work with?

What got me started creating?-Initially my ADHD-and Canadian winters, but later in life it also gives me a way to supplement our income. From my father,I got my love of nature, science and my spiritual reference point. From my mom-her artistic talent, sewing and knitting lessons. As a child I LOVED to draw.

 

I probably am most amazed by just the process of creating...lately I've tried to become more creatively responsible by upcycling wool fabrics, and using eco-friendly yarns.

 
 
Tell us a little bit about the Annishinaabee nation. Are there any special events/festivals with the nation that are coming up this Fall? Do you have a special family tradition(s) celebrated during this time?

I was taught from an early age to respect the earth, and all of the animals with whom we share our planet. I grew up in the North woods, where my heart will always live.

I am helping with a Native American heritage luncheon this month. My daughter belongs to a Native American dance group, and powwow dances, so we participate in that way as well. My daughter and I also help provide food, clothing and propane to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation throughout the year-partially funded with money we make here on etsy!

How did you come to find about Etsy? What made you decide to sell your wares

My neighbour has an etsy shop, and we've done craft shows together for years-so she introduced me to etsy.

I decided to sell on etsy, because I think I have a unique product, and I like interacting with people. I've met some wonderful people here.

What are your favorite piece(s) from your shop?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33756640

because it uses upcycled wool and it reflects Native history


or

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25853824


because each is unique and I learn about the child they will be for while I am making them, plus they will help keep the children connected to their mother the earth. The beadwork holds a LOT of my energy too-more so than the other things I create.

What have you found to be the most difficult or challenging about selling your wares online?

Most difficult-well I've learned so much--learning the necessary computer skills, the amount of time required to promote your shop, and the thrill of being organized enough to try to keep up with demand-while working full time as a Biologist too.

Why do you think people should learn more about Native American history and culture?

Native spiritual ways teach respect and humility. They also help keep us connected to our planet, and our ancestors. I think it is shameful that we ignore the history of indigenous peoples in the education of our students.

Finally, Why do you think poeple should buy/support handmade?

Buying handmade brings the energy of one person to another and in that way we are all connected.

Miigwech (thanks)- Oh yes, one more thing-please read the story of the Twice Loved Bears-ALL money from the sale of these special upcycled bears supports families on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation-I will list some more soon.


All my relations

Patti

Miigwech (thanks for sharing your craft your experiences and educating us. I'll get those pictures up I promise;-)

Be Well,

Ny

Welcome to Holiday and Heritage Month Blog Series

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. - Blackfoot"

On October 30,2009 President Barack H.Ohama Proclaimed November NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. You can view the entire Proclaimation here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-native-american-heritage-month

To begin to describe the contributions that native American have done for this country alone would take forever to count and record- from Sacagawea, the  Shoshone who aided Lewis and Clark in early America to John Bennett- Herrington Lieutenant Commander, USN: 1st American Indian Astronaut

There have been many little known celebrations of Native American History going on for quite a while..but I will blog about the ones I have found in the coming weeks.

 

This GORGEOUS treasury "Native Nations" - celebrating the first poeple was created by Etsy Artist

NorthernLodge.etsy.com. I will be posting a special feature with NorthernLodge to kick off my "Holiday and Heritage Month Series for the entire month of november.

These will be a weekly series featuring awesome international Etsy artists who will share how/what holidays events celebrated in their home country and featured interviews with Native American aartists in honour of Native American Heritage Month (U.S.)

Stay tuned to read my interview with NorthernLodge tomorrow. If YOU would like to be feature for the Holiday and Heritage Month Series send me a conversation at my Etsy Shop

Thanks for visiting,

Be Well,

Ny