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Some fun handmade discoveries...

4/15/2015

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I logged into Etsy today to start adding my new scarves into my shop there once again, and thought I'd share some fun handmade things I discovered. Enjoy! :)

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I love the colorway and the coils in this fabulous handspun, handdyed, art yarn!

Handmade by FeltStudioUK





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I love the design and wonderful color variation of these handmade ceramic plant markers... sure to add a little fun to herb gardening!

Handmade by fromArtisanHands



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What more can I say about these two adorable ostriches, except that they are amazing, fun, whimsical, cute, and playful? A fantastic piece of watercolor art that makes me smile! :)

Artwork and print by LaBerge




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Two beautiful new scarves - a knit version and a crochet version.

4/14/2015

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These beautiful handmade scarves feature wonderful texture and drape in a gorgeous colorway.

While they are both made with the same merino wool blend yarn, they differ in that one is knit and one is crocheted, in differing yet similar designs.


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Mountain Ridges Hand Crocheted Scarf
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Mountain Valley Sunset Hand Knit Scarf


Each is sure to add the beauty and warmth of handmade to your life.

Click the photos for more details and photos, and to purchase your favorite as a gift for yourself or someone you love.





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Vintage Spoon Garden Markers

3/22/2015

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I love these little hand-stamped spoon plant markers! They would make an especially lovely gift to someone with a kitchen herb garden!

You can find these handmade by Elisa in her Etsy shop: DazzlingDesignz4U.
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Re-finding my attitude in a trying situation...

3/8/2015

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A new day has dawned with a fresh new attitude. Well it was a new night really. I'll try to make this long story short. (Is that possible with me? I don't know... probably not.) So here goes...


Last night I said goodbye to my little pity party. But before I get into that, here's a little peek into my last week for those who don't already know... 

Last weekend I injured both of my knees on a backcountry ski trip in the mountains. It took everything within me, along with God's help after a bit of praying, to get me back down on my own two feet. The long trip back down (on foot instead of skis) was probably not the best thing to do on my injured knees (one being worse than the other), but given the situation, it's what I chose to do and what's done is done. Anyway... I started my recovery process with the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation) along with ibuprofen, and began my bedrest. I started making some progress after a few days, but then reversed that progress after trying to do too much too soon. My family cautioned me, but I persisted, saying, "I need to work my way back into doing some things."


So what about the pity party? Keep reading... it's coming...

Now as many of you know, I am usually a pretty positive person that always (well, usually) focuses on the bright side of things. You know, being grateful for my blessings and all. This attitude does carry through to my latest situation with seeing how things could have been worse and being thankful that they weren't, along with being grateful for my very helpful husband and children, etc. But I've also been focusing on what I can't do right now that I want to do right now (hiking in the mountains where I love to be, taking our almost-daily walks on the backcountry roads, bicycling on these nice sunny days, getting stuff done that needs to be done, working on several things for my shop, and the list goes on). I am normally a patient person in most regards and situations, but bedrest really tries my soul! I feel so trapped by my body's incapacitation, and every part of my being wants to get up and move around. And it's looking like it may be a while for me before things get back to “normal”. Pity party has arrived. I can deal with such things for a short time, but long term gives me problems.


So... where is the new attitude? (Or more correctly... my re-found attitude?) Yep, keep reading... it's coming too...

Last night I was finishing up the book I'd been reading, Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for the Rest of Your Life, which is not really anything new to me at this stage in my life, but rather more of an encouragement to keep going on the path I am on in life. But last night as I was finishing, I read something that just happened to hit home with where I've been at this last week. One of the authors of the book was in Africa when his friend there asked him, “So, Dick, what kind of good life are these people traveling with you seeking? The more people you bring to my village, the clearer it becomes that most are seeking something. At the start of your treks, all these people, all these successful people, seem to be struggling with some heavy weight. So I ask you, why must success weigh so much?” After Dick replies, he then asks Koyie what he thinks... to which Koyie answers in his Maasai language: “Meetay oidpa, oitumura ake-etay”, which he then explains means something like, “living passionately for today and purposefully for tomorrow”. 

At first this didn't really strike me as anything new, because it is already what I have been doing in life. Like I said, this book has been more of a confirmation of things for me, rather than a new direction. But as I let those words turn over and over in my mind for a bit and let them fully sink in, I realized something. Although those words reflect my life direction in general, I haven't been living it for the past week. I've been abiding, but not really living... as I've been waiting to heal so I can get back to my life. But life shouldn't be put on hold. It's far too precious, and I know better than to do that. So I decided right then and there last night, that it was time to stop focusing on what I can't do, and start focusing on what I can do. I made my list of things I've been wanting to do that are things I can be doing, and I woke up today ready to get started on them. I can make progress while I am recovering. I just need to consciously choose what I am going to focus on.


When I told my family today that my pity party was over, they questioned with a surprised tone in their voices, "Were you having a pity party?" -- So I guess it's been more of an inward struggle that hasn't been very apparent to those around me. But all the same, it was time to let it go and get back to moving forward once again. My family helped me get outside to enjoy sitting in the sunshine a bit on this nice spring day in Montana. I really soaked it in. :)


Wherever you are at (both in location and in circumstance), I hope you enjoy this wonderful day, too. I wanted to share this in hopes that it may help someone else out there. How about you? Are you currently “living passionately for today and purposefully for tomorrow"? If not, why not? Dwell on those words for a time and see if that doesn't change for you. If this is a new concept to you, take some time to read the book. I can't say that I recommend 100% of the book, but I think you will get a lot out of it. 
Repacking Your Bags by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro


Thanks for reading my long story short... well not really short, but shorter. :) Leave your comments if you'd like. I don't always have time to respond to them all, but I do enjoy reading them. :) --Nikki

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Handmade Owl Mugs in Fun Color Combos

2/26/2015

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Okay... I normally wouldn't feature ceramic type items back to back, but I just couldn't help myself with these irresistibly adorable mugs! The owls are just oh-so-cute and I love the fun color combos! :)

Handmade by Miss Pottery
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Handmade ring holder dishes...

2/17/2015

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Need a spot to hold your rings while doing dishes or messy work? These pretty little ring holder dishes are just the thing! These are a few of my favorites.


Handmade by Springwood Porcelain

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Who can resist these adorable little owls?!
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A pretty little purple one with textured flowers!
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A lovely alternative to the wedding ring pillow!
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Featured on a small business blog today...

2/12/2015

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I'm always honored when someone likes my handmade things enough to feature them on their blog. Michelle from Polkadot Orchid Embroidery has a small business blog and has featured a few of my items in her post today.

Product Selection, Keywords, and What to Offer: Some Suggestions for Sellers
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These are the items that were featured today. They are currently available for purchase in my shop.

If you have a small internet business, or you are in the process of starting one, stop by and take a look for some of Michelle's tips in today's post and the rest of her blog as well.

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Fun with crochet hooks...

2/5/2015

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A variety of crochet hooks with fun, colorful handles from The Spotted Hook.

What crocheter doesn't have a lot of fun with her crochet hooks? As many of you already know, I absolutely love to crochet and knit every chance I get! I enjoy making beautiful things for myself... for my family and friends... and for my customers.

My crocheting journey began with my grandma when I was a little girl around the age of 10. I loved to do whatever my grandma was doing, and since she was crocheting much of the time in her grandma years, I begged her to teach me. I have been crocheting ever since and will continue to carry on my grandmother's legacy as long as I am able.


I came across these crochet hooks with handmade polymer clay handles in bright colors with fun polkadots in a shop based in Australia called The Spotted Hook.

I do prefer to make, buy, and use handmade things whenever I can, but unfortunately I am not able to use these because I hold my crochet hooks like a pencil when I crochet. However, for those who grip their crochet hooks like a knife, these are a great option for adding more comfort as well as fun.

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Apple Green
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Raspberry Pink
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Peppermint Blue

Donna has a wide array of color options available in her shop, as well as the ability to customize. These are a few of my favorites... take a peek at her shop to see more. :)

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Western Art by Virgil C. Stephens

1/20/2015

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I came across the amazing artwork of Virgil C. Stephens recently and thought I would share it with all of you. With various mediums and subjects, I find his work to be absolutely fascinating, and I think you will, too.

Although the artist does not live in Montana, much of his work looks like he could, as the subjects depicted in much of his art (North American wildlife, cowboys and cowgirls, Native American Indians, cattle and horses, etc.) fit right in with Montana life, both past and present.

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Whether through pencil drawings or paintings, the renderings of this accomplished artist capture the realism of both his subjects and the activities they are involved in. Here my commentary ends, as I will let the photos of his work speak for themselves.

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I hope you enjoyed viewing this mini gallery of artwork by Virgil C. Stephens.

You can view more art by this talented artist at http://notevena.com.
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- All artwork photos have been used with written permission from the artist's wife, Em. -

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Fabulous Handmade Aprons

1/19/2015

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I generally like to wear an apron to protect my clothes while cooking, and I love to buy handmade whenever it is reasonable for me to do so.

I bought my current handmade apron at a local show several years ago, and I absolutely love the style, fabric, and quality of it.

I'm too practical to buy another apron until my current one is in need of replacing, but I can't help but admire other wonderful handmade aprons I come across in my internet travels.



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I discovered MadebyDacia aprons quite a while back, and I love the combination of fabrics she chooses.

I also like the simplicity of her sassy style and waitress style aprons. These are a few of the aprons that catch my eye in Dacia's Etsy shop.


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    Nikki - creative expressionist and
    artisan/entrepreneur
    @myMountainStudio


    Welcome to my world ... where I combine my love of nature and handmade.

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Montana Handmade by Nikki Weiss in the Northern Rockies.
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