Happy 4th of July!

Celebrate the red, white and blue with fireworks, great food and our one of a kind creations. 

 Just type rusteam in your search box on Etsy to see what new items we made for you!

Have fun browsing!

By Tanya (Socksandmittens) 

Photo source: 1.TomBjornDesigns 2. yuliaphotography 3. bysiki
4. HappyEmotions 5. YollaKlea 6. thecupcakekid 7. GerberaHandmade

Ranunculus ring giveaway results

We are happy to announce the winner of this gorgeous ranunculus ring giveaway!

  Comment #16 by France Irish was chosen as a winner, congratulations!

 Mariia (Mariia Rykhlinska) will contact you to verify your address, then your new ring will be packed and sent to your address!

Congratulations to the winner and thank you for participation, everyone!

Holiday gift tags giveaway, November 8 through 18th

A new giveaway today, Holiday gift tags!

It is not just very practical but also a generous gift since it is not one but two sets of tags!

First set of 30 tags you can see on this photo (you will receive the ties too):

The second set of tags you will choose yourself when you visit the ZaraBezbazara shop.

Only one person will be selected so please follow these rules to be a winner:

1. To choose the second part of your gift visit ZaraBezbazbara`s shop, browse around, and leave a comment here on what your favorite item is. (1 entry).
2. Follow / subscribe our blog (an entry).
3. Grab Etsy Russian Team's button and place it on your blog (1 entry).
4. Share this giveaway on your blog / facebook / twitter (1 entry).
5. Follow ZaraBezbazbara`s livejournal - Russian language only (1 entry).
6. Follow ZaraBezbazbara`s facebook / twitter (1 entry each).
7. Purchase anything from ZaraBezbazbara`s shop and come back letting know what you purchased! (5 entries)

Please leave a separate comment on each entry and don't forget to leave us your email address so that Tanya could contact you!

The winner will be announced on November 19, so have fun and good luck everyone!

Please note: there is a BOGO (buy one get one free) sale going on at ZaraBezbazara shop! Worldwide shipping is $3 only.

Leather pendant how-to

You can make a beautiful and stylish pendant with your own hands. It's easy if you'll follow this tutorial from Katrinshine

You will need:
a.. A piece of genuine leather 1/32" to 1/16" thick
b..A thick needle or an awl
c. Scissors
d. A drafting compass
e. Flat nose pliers
f. A charm
g. A ring 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter
h. A chain with lobster clasp closure (or a cord)

1. Draw 2 identical circles on the back side of the leather, cut them out. It has to look like this:

2. Join the edges as shown. Sew circles together keeping the distance of 1/8" from the edge. If the edge of one of the circles overhangs, trim it with scissors.

3. Pierce circles once with a thick needle a little more than 1/8" from the edge, a little further in than the seam. Pass the ring through the opening.

4. Take a charm and put it on the ring. Close the ring with flat nose pliers.

5. Pass the chain (or cord) through the ring.

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."

FREE digital collage sheet with printable Halloween wine glass tags

Halloween is coming soon! It's time for fun and great parties. Bring some cute final decoration touch for your party. Today, Irina from GraphicLand shop is sharing adorable wine glass printable tags that you can print at home printer.


If you are going to have a party in your home, you'll definitely need to decorate a table with decors that fit the theme of Halloween. So, these glass tags... or paper charms... are especially perfect for standing dinner where people moving around socializing and can forget where they put their glasses. Having the tags will help them do not loose their wine glasses :)

You need just print them and cut off. I recommend to print the tags on laser printer on 100 lb card stock. It's 8.5x11inch digital file which is standard letter size with resolution 300 dpi.

The free digital collage sheet is available there. If there is something wrong with the link, please leave a comment and we'll fix it. And don't forget to come back to download it :)

Please, keep in mind, that the collage is for personal use only. It's not for sale in printed or digital form.

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

Fall fashion

What will be popular this year?

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

I don't need to see the fashion magazines to know this. It will include the warm and pretty things you will feel comfortable in!

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

Length: whatever you like

Colors: whatever suits you.

Shapes: your favorites!

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

Search for the best items online to find the ones you like. 

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

Our wonderful crafters are creating many beautiful items just for you, so just sit back, relax and enjoy your virtual shopping!

With warmest wishes,
Tanya from SocksAndMittens

Halloween earrings tutorial with crochet beads

Get in Halloween spirit with this pretty and stylish earrings! You can make them yourself in no time with this easy to follow tutorial from Katrin Katrinshine!

 You will need:

2 black earrings hooks, 

2 black round head pins, 

4 black beads, 

2 pre-made orange crochet beads*,

Wire cutters,

Round nose pliers

* We are not providing a pattern to crochet beads in this tutorial but it is easy to find one online.

  

1. Thread one black bead on the pin, then thread the crochet orange one and the second black bead.

2. If your pin is too long then cut it about 1 cm/0.4" from the second bead and coil the wire end using the round nose pliers. Make 1 or 2 coils.

 3. Attach the ear hook. Your first earring is ready.

 Repeat for the second earring steps 1through 3.

  Your new earrings are ready! Enjoy!

Interview with a Star - Tanya at SocksAndMittens

If you are looking for the cozy hand knit gifts for your friends and family, SocksAndMittens is the right place to visit. Tanya, the co-owner of the shop is telling us more about her shop today.

- Please tell us a little bit about your shop.

We are a mother and daughter team shop. My mother, Valentyna is a self taught knitter with more than 50 years experience. While my mother is doing all the hard jobs, like working on a technical part of a design and knits the items, I am working on communication with our patrons, advertising, photography, shopping for supplies and of course, I am always thinking of new ideas. 

- Why did you decide on SocksAndMittens as the name of your business?

I love simplicity and I love vintage. When we just opened shop we were thinking of selling just some warm and cozy accessories for the colder times of the year. So I was thinking of the good old times when people were naming their businesses after their products and that is how it came to me. Now we are offering more than just these but we are still happy with our name.

- What is so special about your works and why will people love your items?

We keep our quality high and prices fair. It's hard to keep prices down when everything is going up from the cost of gas, services and supplies. But we are trying hard to keep our customers happy.

- Do you take custom orders?

We love to do custom orders! When your order your item you get to choose the colors and material it's made from, contingent on availability of yarns. In our shop we try to keep on hand the most popular models and colors so custom orders give you more choice.

 Our customers are also a source of our inspirations. They often let us know what they would like to have in their garment and we keep track of desires and trends and often adding this to some in stock items.   

  - What handmade item that you own do you cherish most?

I love my natural hand spun wool ornament mittens my mother made for me in the 80's. We lived in a very cold place at that time and these were life savers. I spent a lot of time outdoors and they kept my hands warm. I live in a desert now and really don't need them but I pull them out every winter hoping to wear them this year. Well, it has not been cold enough for the last 10 years to wear them. :) Maybe, this year? they are gorgeous, well made and still look like new.

 - Where would we see your new products?

I am using Facebook and twitter to advertise our new items as soon as I list them. Also, if you would like to know more about us please visit my blog. I am not the most organized blogger but I am working on it :) 

Halloween fun

This month we are all waiting impatiently for a fun time to come. Halloween is approaching, with it's fun activities and decorations.

 What will you do this Halloween? Are you planning on a party? Then it's time to think of costumes and accessories.

 If you have time you can make it yourself, there are so many great ideas you can find online to make one of a kind costumes. 

If you are busy and don't have time to sew, then it is best to purchase something you like really soon. Handmade items are often unique and are not made in large quantities. 

 

Jewelry? Home decor? You are in a right place!

We have all of these, just relax for a minute and browse our selection of Halloween items. 

Please type in your search window on Etsy, these two keywords: rusteam, halloween.

Have fun shopping!

16 ways to greet Autumn

Fall is a beautiful and cozy season. The colors of nature are changing, you can see the yellow, orange and brown everywhere.

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

Let's say hello to Autumn by changing the decor in our homes. You don't have to paint the walls in cheerful colors, all you need is some fall decorations.

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

I like to buy new items for my wardrobe every season, it feels like you have changed too. Just a couple of new things will make you feel this way!

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

Don't forget the accessories, the easiest way to transform your look and be ready for the season!

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

Have a great Fall!

By Tanya (Socksandmittens)

Interview with a Star - Svitlana (VitalTemptation)

Please, welcome our team member Svitlana who runs VitalTemptation shop on Etsy.


Please tell us a little bit about yourself
Hi everyone! My name is Svitlana. I live in New York, but I was born in Ukraine. My home town is Simferopol located in the peninsula of Crimea. Crimea is well-known for its spectacular landscapes, beautiful Black sea, and many historical places.
Now I live in the Big Apple with my family, my husband and my son, and two very important members of my family Chubby and Buster, my dogs.


How long have you been creating? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?
I was creating since I was a toddler. I used to annoy my parents, this week I wanted to learn how to make pots, next I wanted them to buy me wood curving instruments, the week after I wanted to do embroidery. I always had thousands of hobbies. Even now my parents in Ukraine have many of my creations around the house. I remember how I was fascinated by watching shows about glass-blowing and pottery.

I always had that unexplained draft to fiber art. A few years ago I was browsing the Internet and one felted piece caught my eye. Wow, I said to myself, I want to know how it’s made. That was a start of lifelong romance. I realized there is nothing more unexpected, intriguing, magical than felt!
Besides felting I always liked to knit and to make crocheted pieces.

What items in your shop do you most enjoy making and why?
Of course the most enjoyable time for me is when I spend hours while making Nuno Collage pieces. By using Nuno techniques I can achieve very interesting texture and amazing color combinations. Nuno collage in many ways reminds me painting and painting was my obsession when I was a child.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?
You can ask me the same question a week or a month from now and I will have the same answer: “My last item” :)

What are your best marketing tips?
Believe in yourself and never think that achieved is the peak of the mountain!

Why did you decide on VitalTemptation name for your business?
Oh, that name has a little story behind it. Before opening my shop I did a serious research about Etsy. I realized then that the name of your business is just as important as the quality of your items. I remember I had a few sample names for my shop and I went to my husband to ask his opinion on them. It happened that he was watching a TV show with a name Vital Temptation on the History Channel … and he just: this is the perfect name for your shop! That was true the name was sharp and it reflected my vision on what I was going make.

What would you say makes your shop unique?
I think every artist is unique. Our work is not just a bunch of wool, fabric , beads … our work is a reflection of our feelings, emotions, experiences… we all are different, we all are unique in our own way.

Tomorrow is Svitlana's Birthday. We wish her well and we are very happy to have her in our group.

Happy Birthday, Svitlana!

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