Etsy Craft Party 2016

There is a great tradition invented by Etsy to celebrate creativity, an annual Etsy Craft Party. This summer it is going to be on June 17th through 19th. This is a great event to connect and share ideas with your community and we at Russian Artists Team love to do it.

Since our team members are scattered around the world, we decided to hold a virtual party this year. So next weekend we will publish some tutorials and giveaways on our blog to celebrate handmade spirit. 

We will also share them on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Visit us to see what we have:

Russian Artists Team blog

Russian Artists Team Pinterest

Russian Artists Team Facebook Page

Nautical style decoupage box DIY

Handmade is always a great gift from the heart. Today Stella from ShimmerPlace will show us how to turn an ordinary unfinished wooden box into something special. The box Stella is decorating is ocean themed but you can always use some other image to suit your  occasion.

Materials:

* Unfinished wooden box with a lock

* Scissors

* Brushes

* Glue

* Hair spray

* Sponge

* Acrylic paints of different shades of blue

* Glitters (optional)

* Varnish

* Printed picture that you will put on your box. A picture can be cut from the decoupage cards or downloaded from the Internet and printed.

 

How to do it:

Step 1: Remove the lock from the box and place aside to keep it clean.

Step 2: Paint your box using brushes, sponge and acrylic paints. Stella also created a waved texture looks on her box by using some paint and sponge.

Let it dry.

Step 3: Cut out your picture and glue it to the lid. If you use the image printed on your home printer, spray it with a hair spray and let it dry.

Step 4: If you'd like, decorate your box some more. Use some colorful glitters to add  some details or draw some more images on your box. Stella drew some star fishes on the sides and the bottom of the box to match the top. Let the glitter dry completely.

Step 5: Paint your box inside in the color of your choice and let it dry completely.

Step 6:  Apply a thin layer of varnish on the box. Let it dry and attach the lock.

 

Stella's cute ocean theme box is ready! A lovely piece to decorate a house or to give as a gift.

If you like this box but don't want to make it yourself stop by by the Stella's shop, there are so many pretty boxes to see! Or ask her for a custom order!

The long awaited spring

The spring we waited for all winter long, is here!

The birds are singing, the trees are blooming and there is so much more of these nice sunshiny days!

Spring is a great time to create.

Inspiration is waiting for you on every corner! Don't fight it, just grab your favorite tools and find some time just for your hobby! It is going to be so much fun!

Our team members are also enthused. We live all over the planet but we all are happy to welcome spring no matter where we live!

Please stop by our shops to see if you find anything you like or need. We created it for you with spring in our hearts!

A Leap Year

What will you do with the extra day?

The year of 2012 is a leap year, which means that this February contains one additional day. It only comes around once in four years so make sure you spend it well!

Would you enjoy this day out in nature?

Spending this day with friends is another good alternative.

Or maybe you would prefer to spend it playing with your kids?

Or maybe you are a dog lover and would finally get to the animal shelter to adopt a puppy?

It might be nice to use the extra day to go through old family pictures.

I know my friends from Russian Artists Etsy team will probably enjoy the extra day for their crafts.

What are your plans for February 29?

By Yana (WineCountryLife)

Interview with a Star, Nataliia Grimme

If you are looking for an unusual box to put your holiday gift in take a look at Grimme shop. You will find one of a kind very special items that someone might cherish for a years to come. Nataliia, the owner of this shop is giving us her vision on creativity today.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself
I'm Ukrainian and live in Kyiv since my birth. Several years ago I moved to a house not far from the city - and I think my way to crafting started right at that time

For a really long time I lived a kind of "ordinary" life - but about 3 years ago I understood that I always loved to do something with my own hands. My husband is my greatest support - and my most severe critic :) 

And as I have never studied drawing or any art-related stuff I have the whole world opening in front of me now. I gave up job in a big international corporation and now work in a small shop of art materials. Thus I have time and opportunity to develop my skills.

I mostly use the technique of decoupage - but always try to invent new effects, color combinations and technique mixes. I think such mix of traditional and new is what making my items unique and interesting to people - so I keep moving this way. Items I do are appreciated by people, because they may feel sweet nostalgia and great harmonic balance, holding the item in their hands - or giving it as a gift. That's the best award for me - when people really appreciate the item.

As every creative person sometimes I feel like having no inspiration . But every time I feel that way, I discover that inspiration is always near us - we just need to be attentive enough to see it. Just let yourself relax, get free of conventional standards - and here it comes.
Now I cannot imagine my life without inspiration and love. One of my life credos is "Don't follow me - I won’t go before you. Don't go ahead - I won’t follow you. Go by my side - and we'll be as one."

How I spent my summer

Today I noticed that some leaves on trees and grapevines are changing color and all of a sudden the typical autumn feeling hit me. I wouldn’t say that I got sad but rather nostalgic.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

It’s that time of the year when I think of the past summer, sort out my vacation photographs, and organize them into scrapbooks. It almost feels like I am back at school writing an essay about how I spent my summer.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

There are many great ways to preserve summer memories and summer happiness. I really like hand painted jewelry pieces and home décor items that can be enjoyed year around. It seems they bring the summer sunshine with them.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Painting and photography are not the only ways to extend summer. I also love summer inspired accessories. Here are some great ones made by the members of the Russian Artists Team.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Summer 2011 was wonderful. I had a great time and made amazing memories. Now I’m ready to enjoy gorgeous colors of the coming fall. No matter how nostalgic we are of summer, the truth is that every season has its beauty and we should enjoy any time of a year the most we can.

Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)

Happy Indepedence Day, Ukraine!

24th of August is the big holiday in Ukraine, it's Independents Day!

This year is the 20th anniversary of independence of Ukraine, the young country with ages of traditions and culture legacy.

HoneyCase2


Ukrainian people were always known as good craftsmen.

The most known Ukrainian traditional art is embroidery. At present time embroidered clothing became even more popular. It is a festive wear and it's called "vyshyvanka". Take a look at this beautiful embroidered jewelry made by our team member Skrynka. It will fit your clothing perfectly!

Skrynka

But embroidery is not the only popular craft in Ukraine. Some of our team members are making amazing felted accessories:

1. Jezek. 2. Baymut. 3. YanArt. 4. SubshineFelt

Woodwork and painting on wood are also well known Ukrainian art.

1. Grimme. 2. Lovelytrifles.

Take a look at this wonderful handcrafted items from Ukraine! You can always find something you like:

1. 2kolory. 2. MariaSiyanko. 3. Muza. 4. Moloco.

These beautiful jewelry items are made in Ukraine also:

1. Smafactory. 2. Dariami. 3. Beautyspot. 4. AlexMOS.

Happy Independence Day to all Ukrainians!

Story by Natasha Skrynka

Inspired by Lavender

People have appreciated lavender since ancient times. The fragrant, pale purple flowers have a calming and soothing scent for which they are famous. Lavender buds are often used in potpourris or are made into sachets to be placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and to deter moths. Dried lavender flowers have become recently popular for wedding confetti. Lavender is also great in scented waters and other organic cosmetic products.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The wonderful fragrance of lavender is not the only inspiring aspect of these unpretentious flowers. Many artists are inspired by the old romantic feel that lavender brings with it. We instantly think of peaceful countryside when we see lavender.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The beautiful color of lavender has also inspired many crafters to replicate it in jewelry and accessories. Isn’t it hard to resist?

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Lavender is a great source of inspiration - whether it’s the beautiful color, the wonderful fragrance, or the romantic feel of these ancient flowers. So plant some in your back yard or buy a pot of lavender for your window sill – and get inspired!

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)

Some tips to escape depression in creativity

We used to think that our everyday job is something we do unwillingly waiting for the end of working day. I have good news – there exist lucky individuals who are interested in what they are busy with and moreover everyday full time job inspire to create fantastic items and sell them on Etsy.

Arctida’s interest in natural science (she is a Cancer researcher) is one of main inspiration sources for her art.


berezki’s love for combination of the industrial, geometric and organic, as she told me, was the influence of her background in architecture.


Being a musician rumosaic07 conceives by images. “I take the key of F major like royal blue and D flat minor like dark brown. Create my artworks I hear the harmonic equivalent of them– inlaying mosaic or crocheting I am in the music sphere”.


allmadewithlove often visits antique markets, where one can find timeless beautiful things, they inspire her for making the vintage style creations with a new look.


“Fashion is my passion and my profession –allmadewithlove explained me - Everything retro and antique, such as books, historical movies, fashion magazines, are my inspirations”.
Oh! Don’t miss here another tip how to get inspiration – look through masterpieces of talented brilliant artists!

yelenalamm always finds a great source of energy in connections with other artists - whether communicating on personal level, visiting an art gallery or a museum, browsing through online portfolios including many amazing talents on Etsy, or in her favorite art books.


marina826 is also inspired by artist of different times, nations, schools that she enjoys in museums, art galleries, books and in the I-net and take a positive supply of creativeness.


I should agree with CityCrochet’s words - All these beautiful things created by artisans of Etsy inspires to create something by yourself!


Two years ago Lulya found a website Etsy, and a Jewelry section. “I saw a lot of the most beautiful jewelry in different stores and just lit up the idea of learning to do the jewelry by myself . And I continue to learn to this day”.


Another great idea told me WineCountryLife: “ I'm inspired by my customers - people who choose handmade over mass produced, value personal warmth and individual attention, and appreciate the love and energy that I put in my products. They give me motivation, provide feedback, and generate new ideas. When I create, I think of a person who’ll wear my jewelry or I imagine a person who’ll receive the card I'm making.


And MamaTita’s inspiration was from the clients. The customer ordered her butterflies for the wedding and she decided to start to make decors and stationary for weddings


But sometimes we have no need to seek for inspiration because it’s inside us – It’s called FEELINGS! alvant wouldn’t sound strange saying “I can create only when I feel abundance of love and happiness...”


“My inspirations are not only my dreams, but my future, love, breath, tears, feelings, hopes...But my main inspiration is love.” – shared with me serdomania –


“When you look at my drawings,you can not see the faces. Because I am searching for the real love in my drawings.”

So, if you feel lack of creativity may be you should change your work, or communicate with creative people (from Russian Artists team, for example) and the most helpful remedy – TO FALL IN LOVE!))

Stay open hearted!

Lily (heartygift)