EtsyNY Team Members in Action: Design Your Own Silk Scarf with Rekha Krishnamurthi

Ever wanted to design your own silk scarf? Curious about dyes and patterns? Would you love to be able to tell someone "I designed this!" when they compliment you on your accessory piece? Well, we have a workshop for you!

Join fellow ETSY New York team member, Rekha Krishnamurthi of DivineNYCo as she joins SideTour.com to host a series of fun silk painting workshops.  *Please note these workshops are not an EtsyNY Team event, they are independently run by Rekha, a fellow Team member.

In her 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to design your own silk scarf using silk dyes, eyedroppers, resists and other tools.  Once the scarf steam sets for 15-20 minutes, you’ll have a beautiful creation to take home!

All tools and dyes will be supplied.   Participants are encouraged to dress casually and bring their creativity and design ideas with them!  Sample designs will be provided to help inspire you.

More information can be found on the Sidetours website: www.sidetours.com.  Workshops cost $60.00 and are taking place at Pearl Studios, 500 8th Avenue, New York, NY. Workshop dates are as follows:

Sep 9, 2014 - 6:30 – 8:30pm

Sep 13, 2014 - 2:00 – 4:00pm

Sep 16, 2014 - 6:30 – 8:30pm

Sep 23, 2014 - 6:30 – 8:30pm

Sep 25, 2014 - 6:30 – 8:30pm

Sep 27, 2014 - 2:00 – 4:00pm

This promises to be a great workshop. If you do attend, please feel free to leave a comment and a photo of your newly designed scarf in the comments.

Floral and Cacti Color Palettes

Recently I made a trip to Los Angeles for a family wedding.  I have not been to the City of Angels in about 15 years.  The last time I was there was for work, a design research trip.  So my experience and exposure was specific.  This recent trip I stayed in the Brentwood section.  We didn't have a car so we walked or took a cab.  We were there for 5 nights and each morning my 15 month old daughter and I would walk for coffee.  The walk was about a mile, which for us living in NYC is not a big deal.  We would pass many beautiful houses but what I was more in love with was the landscaping.  Living in the northeast we can't really have a cactus garden.  Our growing season is not that long and we have 4 seasons.  I fell in love with the bamboo, the varieties of cacti and the large beautiful blooming flowers.  And what I find most interesting is as a designer, this time of year I start thinking about fall color palettes.  I can create my palette from these floral landscapes.  Inspiration. 

I couldn't believe how thick the bamboo can get and how full and large the lavender shrubs can grow.  

This rose with dew, above, is like a photo from a book.  I couldn't believe my eyes that this was so natural and perfect.  Crimson red, deep pink, purple tips surrounded by shades of green.  My favorite is the green cacti with orange at the top of the post.  Below is the palette I created from it; fern green, blue sage, dusty white peach,  faded carrot and burnt red.  A beautiful end of summer, beginning of fall palette.  Look around you and create some color. 

Enjoy the rest of our summer days and I look forward to Indian Summer.

Tracey

https://www.etsy.com/shop/traceytoole

http://traceytoole.blogspot.com/

Fab Find Friday: Back to School

School house needlepoint by Harp and Thistle

We are heading back to school, or work.  It's that time of year, can you smell it in the air.  Already we are having crisp mornings and warm afternoons.  If you are studying abroad you don't need to travel the globe to get your school supplies.  Shop local!  Visit the Etsy NY Team on Etsy.  

NYC Pencils from Amber Lee Isabella Home

Once you have your NYC pencils you will need a pencil pouch that is as stylish as you are.  Fritz and Fraulein can provide you with a waxed canvas pouch. 

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Fritz and Fraulein

Don't sleep in on your new 440 thread count pillow cases.  Type in dorm decor on etsy.com and you will find a campus size listing of cute and functional items.  Check out these cute pillowcases from Hook and Matter.   Wake up tired? Just have the cases point to the door. 

Hook and Matter

Did your phone die overnight and you slept in? What time is it? Can't see without your contacts in or glasses on? This is what happens to me in the morning.  Fear no more, SimplyNu's slate clock with extra large numbers will turn your day around!

Simply Nu slate clock

If you have a little one headed off to school pick up some head bands from Brooklyn Owl.  Keep the hair pulled back so she or he can concentrate on their studies! Annie of Brooklyn Owl will even customize it for you. 

Headbands from Brooklyn Owl

Something for everyone's back to school needs from your Etsy Ny Team!

Have a great weekend!

Tracey

https://www.etsy.com/shop/traceytoole

HEALTH & BEAUTY: Healthy Summertime Smoothie Recipes

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During the Summer, do smoothies make up the majority of your meals? They do for us. Especially when it gets too hot in the kitchen to cook. And, as our days get busier and we prefer to spend every minute soaking in the extra daylight hours, what do we do? We pull out the Vitamix! The ice-crushing, vegetable- and fruit-pulverizing machine that transforms solid foods into pulpy, liquid beverages. 

While cold-pressed beverages are generally best for the body since the heat generated from blending can affect the nutritional content of the juices, we enjoy blending to retain the fiber from the skins and pulp that help cleanse and remove toxins from the body.

The inclusion of antioxidant- and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach, apples, and berries in the beverages help to maintain a balanced system and healthy, glowing skin. Over the years, we've tried numerous blends and have adapted some to our tastes. Here are some of our favorite fruit and vegetable blends:

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Green Smoothie:

water (purified)

3 kale leaves

2 apples

1 pear

1 celery stalk

handful of spinach

1/2 a cucumber

1/2 a lemon

ginger

Detox:

water (purified)

1 lemon or lime

1 tablespoon of raw honey

ginger

(Mostly :)) Fruit Smoothie:

water (purified)

2 carrots

1 apple

1 banana

1 cup of mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

1 celery stalk

1/2 a lemon

Remember to alternate the variety of foods that you consume, since eating too much of a good thing can build up in your body as well. And, remember to use organic and chemical-free produce when making your blends. 

We hope you enjoy these recipes and let us know your favorites. Have a wonderful and healthy Summer!

Published by Susan Ng // www.NaturallySusans.Etsy.com // www.NaturalllySusans.com

Celebrate Brooklyn Festival Ends this Weekend

This weekend will be the end of Celebrate Brooklyn in the Prospect Bandshell.  Another season coming to a close! Tonight will be the Asian Dub Foundation and tomorrow St.Vincent will end the season.  Seventeen artists have participated in this year's festival.  If you haven't had a chance to swing by be sure not to miss tonight or tomorrow night's free shows. 

Tonight, Asian Dub Foundation, a free show, and doors open at 6:30.

On Saturday, August 9th, will be St. Vincent/, San Fermin.  If you can't make it to the show, enjoy the performance at home on WFUV.org 90.7 FM

We hope to see you at the shows and be sure to swing by the EtsyNY Merchandise tent!

Tracey Toole

http://traceytoole.etsy.com/

MEET the ARTISAN: Featuring Divine NY & Co. + GIVEAWAY

"MEET the ARTISAN" is a blog series that spotlights Etsy New York Team artisans and their craft. In this feature, we learn more about Rekha, the creator of Divine NY & Co. 

Q: What is Divine NY & Co.? Can you briefly describe your business for us?

A: Divine NY & Co. is a design studio that specializes in textile design, home accessories, custom designed wedding table linens and e-decorating services. 

Q: Some artisans develop their products to meet consumer needs, while others craft products based on things and/or experiences that inspire them. What is the inspiration behind your business?

A: My inspiration and design philosophy is to look for creative ways to up-cycle, repurpose and enhance fabrics by adding interesting design elements through the use of bold color & pattern.

Q: Oftentimes, each artisan has a different strategy and objective for their business. What are the next steps for you and your business?

A:  My next step for my business is to expand and explore the world of print licensing.  In addition to my ETSY shop, my goal is to build a portfolio of prints (both hand-painted as well as digital prints) and sell/license my prints either through an agent or directly to manufacturers or designers.

Q: As many artisans look to grow and further develop their businesses, do you have some advice that you can share with fellow artisans?

A:  When I first started my business, I was launching products in a random way and my results were random too!  But now that I have specific strategies in place about product designs, pricing, online marketing, social media, blogging etc., I see a difference.  It is a lot to do when you are a solopreneur, but I think taking the time to write out goals, strategies and implementation plans will help to keep your business on track and foster growth.

Special thanks to Rekha for sharing with us. You can find her products showcased on her Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/DivineNYCo. And, details of her special product GIVEAWAY are below. Please enter for your chance to win one of her burlap coaster sets!

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Summer barbecues, outdoor dinner gatherings...these Rustic Burlap Coasters with Silk Borders (Set of 4) by Divine by Rekha will add a beautiful touch to every table setting! 

The perfect blend of “East-meets-West”, our rustic burlap coaster sets are framed with a silk border and feature our signature block print. 

Our signature prints are inspired by henna artistry and are hand-carved onto linoleum blocks. Designed and handcrafted in New York City. 

-Natural burlap (100% jute)
-Set of 4 (packaged in a burlap draw-string bag)
-5” x 5”
-Spot clean
-Made in USA

Note: Please take into consideration that this item is hand crafted. We strive to maintain a consistent design & printing process however, there may be slight variations in fabric and design.

Like Divine by Rekha on Facebook and enter to WIN here! 

Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Monday, August 18, 2014!

Published by Susan // www.NaturallySusans.Etsy.com // www.NaturallySusans.com