Featured Shop: LazyTcrochet

LazyTcrochet has wonderful handmade clothing, accessories and more! As a novice to crocheting I can really appreciate the creativity and hard work that went into her beautiful products!

I picked this Blue Skies and Puffy Clouds scarf as my favorite item in her shop. I love the design and the colors. Just dreamy!

Be sure to check out www.LazyTcrochet.blogspot.com for more Etsy-related goodness, team features, recipes and more

I've put together a sampling of LazyTcrochet items to make a Spotlight on ByHand.me. Below are just a few. Go to this Spotlight to see the whole selection and to leave a comment.

Two Shops - One Amazing Mother!

I recently talked to Brenda, mother of five, about her two Etsy shops Lazy Butt Pants and Step by Step. Brenda makes such comfortable clothing in fun designs for kids and adults! Below are some examples of the items available. (Just click on the pictures for more info.) Brenda also shares a little about her craft and her inspiration for each shop.

So check out both of these great shops and see the great deals she has on right now!

Lazy Butt Pants

"Lazy Butt Pants was started by myself to fit the need people have for comfortable yet fun garments to wear around their homes. They aren't always wore around the homes. Some wear them out and about as well. The pants are made in many fabric choices including cotton knit, flannel, fleece, and woven cottons. With fun print on many of the pairs, you can really express your personality! All the pants are handmade by me in my home and care is put into each pair. I have standard stock sizes and I am always open for a custom order in a size and/or fabric to suit you! Just drop me a line and I will work with you to create exactly what your butt needs to be comfy weather your butt is lazy or busy! For a limited time, all pants (and shorts) in this shop are buy one pair, get one pair 50% off! All slipper socks are buy one get one pair free! Just check out and wait for me to send you an invoice for the correct amount due. Confused? Just contact me and I will happily help you through the process!"

Step by Step

"Step by Step (bstep401) was begun over two years ago out of my desire to make little girl's clothing. Since I am the mother of five sons, I was happy to have an outlet for all the frills that I can't put on my children! All items in this store are handmade by me with great attention to detail. I take custom orders in this shop as well. You need only ask! My desire is that all little girls have a chance to be dressed in pretty clothing without the need to wear tiny adult fashions. Little girls are only little once! I am more than happy to work with you to create exactly what you envision your little sweetheart wearing for every day or for a special event. In addition to the little girl clothing, I also specialize in making layette sets for newborns, baby wipes that are washable and reusable, and nursing pads. You will find a variety of items in this shop. For a limited time, all items in this shop are 50% off. Please wait for me to send you a bill after you check out so that you will only pay the sale price. The listed prices are the full price. Any questions? Just drop me a line and I will be happy to walk you through!"

Links to Brenda's shops:
http://bstep401.etsy.com
http://lazybuttpants.etsy.com

Featured Shop: Susan Itkin Batik

Susan of Susan Itkin Batik has a wonderful shop selling a great variety of batik items. She's got pillows, clothing, cards and more!

What is "batik"? Susan explains:

"The batik process: A design in melted wax is applied to the fabric, which resists the dye. After successive waxings and different colored dye baths, the wax cracks, creating the characteristic batik crackle. When the wax is removed, a unique work of art is revealed."

Even though I love playing with wax I think I'll leave batik to the experts like Susan!

Here are a few of my favorite items from her shop.


Batik Scarf Top


Batik Pillow



Batik Card

Susan explains here a little about her shop and her art:

"I am a batik artist and create batik paintings, wall hangings, prints, home decor (pillows, napkins, runners) and clothing. I also use prints of my batiks, which I decoratively mount, to make into cards for all occasions.

"Much like the flora that inspires my work, batik is an imperfect perfect art. As no two leaves are alike, no two batiks are alike. Just like the colors on a flower's petal, the dyes on a piece of fabric blend a little differently each time. My anticipation and delight in each blossoming flower reflects my hope and joy each time I remove the wax from a completed batik. Through practicing the art of batik, I have found that, to me, there is perfection in the astounding range of colors in the world. The beautiful imperfections in the batik process have taught me to value the unique and enjoy the unexpected.

"I live in northern NJ with my husband and two children. I have exhibited and sold my batiks in the New York metropolitan area since 2003. Most recently I exhibited at the Belskie Museum of Art and Science in Closter, NJ, participating in their second fine crafts show. My cards are for sale year-round at the Belskie.

"And, of course, my work can be purchased at my Etsy shop!"

Etsy shop: http://SusanItkinBatik.etsy.com
Website: http://www.susanitkin.com

Featured Shop: The Spinning Hand

Today's featured artist is Kari from The Spinning Hand. Kari has a great selection of knit items as well as vintage items. She has some wonderful, unique designs of clothing, scarves, and other fun items like these Gingees.



These cuties are hand-knit and stuffed with plastic grocery bags. Adorable!

Another of my favorites is this sexy Keyhole Top (shown front and back).





Here's what Kari has to say about her art and her shop:

"I am trying to knit as much as is humanly possible, when I'm not at my day job or taking care of my cutie-pie son. Knitting is the way I meditate; it's my chosen form of creative expression; it's my little way of bringing beauty into the world. My favorite place to knit is at a coffee shop. The very act of knitting seems to draw people in and make them feel comfortable approaching me. It's a conversation starter!

"Lately I have begun to sell vintage items and supplies in my shop. In this way, etsy is the virtual edition of my dream bricks-and-mortar store; too, it reflects more accurately the diversity of my interests. If I could serve you a nice cup of tea while you're browsing thespinninghand, I would!

"What's in the works at thespinninghand: a focus on all-natural fibers and green living. I'm also increasingly interested in plushies and knitted amigurumi."

So sit back and enjoy browsing through this great shop. And remember ... she takes custom orders!