Local Featured Seller: Dandelions and Ladybugs

Who are you? Amanda Hall; Dandelions and Ladybugs

Where are you located? Clayton, NC

What do you create? A lot! My shop has hair accessories, knit items, crocheted items, and handmade stitch markers, but I'm currently transitioning to a focus on hand knit and crocheted items, knitting stitch markers, and knitting patterns.

What is your favorite place to visit in the "triangle"? Oh, this is a tough question, lots of fun places around here! For average day trips the Farmer's market is always fun. My boys also love when we can get in trips to Pullen Park, the Museum of Natural Science downtown or Marbles. I'm also a fan of a trip to any of the great local yarn stores- Great Yarns, Downtown Knits and Warm n' Fuzzy.

Swarovski Crystal Rainbow Stitch Markers

 When did you start creating? I don't even know! I've always enjoyed doing crafts and my mom is the same way. She always had projects and crafts going for us when we were kids. My Oma (grandmother) taught me to crochet when I was 8 and then taught me knitting about 3 years ago.

What is your most cherished handmade item? I actually have a few. I have a blanket my great-grandmother crocheted for me. I also have blankets that my Oma crocheted for my boys and my uncle cross-stitched each boy a blanket as well. Our Christmas tree decorations also include handmade ornaments from my great-grandmother. Apparently crafting runs in my genes!

Why did you choose your medium? I just love fiber. When I pick up yarn and needles it just makes me happy. That's a good reason to love a medium I believe.

I started the stitch markers because I had the tools from jewelry making ventures and I needed stitch markers. My friends started asking about them and then placing orders. It too is a very fun creative process to me, but in a different way than working with fiber and I love the finished result...pretty stitch markers decorating my knitting as I work makes me smile, and my customers tell me the same thing!

My hair accessories section...well making hair bows is fun! They are cute and colorful. I even use some of my products like my hair ties myself :)

Newborn Owl Hat

  Where do you create? Everywhere...sometimes to my poor husband's dismay, lol. My yarn crafts are moved from room to room in our house, as I try to sneak in time to work on them all day. My other crafts are largely completed at the kitchen table...but I have been known to take over the living room as I watch a movie and craft.

Why did you choose your shop name? My son actually. One of his favorite activities when I was working on a name was going out to pick dandelions for me and hunt for ladybugs. My husband suggested it and I liked the idea of associating my shop with an enjoyment of the beauty available to us in the every day things.

What are your goals? I would love for my Etsy shop to generate enough income to replace a part-time job. I'm working towards that goal on a daily basis!

Lace Brim Beret

What do you do when you are not creating? Spending time with my two boys and my husband. They are my favorite people in the world. 

Don't forget after finding Dandelions and Ladybugs on etsy, you can stay up to date with the faceook page and find Amanda Hall's current and upcoming patterns on ravelry!

NCTriangle Team members who'd like to be featured, please contact ShoreDebris.

Local Featured Seller: Amy Jo Art and Jewelry

Who are you? Amy Jo Art and Jewelry

Where are you located? Durham, NC

What do you create? Custom paintings and handmade jewelry of all kinds.

What is your favorite place to visit in the "triangle?" I love Ornamentea. They have wonderful classes and great technique projects available. The staff is helpful and friendly. I also love to go to Marbles Museum. I have three kids and they love it there!
When did you start creating? Since as long as I can remember. I've been painting and making jewelry most of my life.

What is your most cherished handmade item? A pair of earrings my daughter made for me when she was 8 years old. They are silver plated with dangly glass pearls.

Why did you choose your medium? The body is a work of art. I love to make jewelry that will compliment the body and to help the wearer express themselves with more art. I chose to paint because I love it. I like to incorporate symbolism and hide small features in my paintings that only myself and the buyer know about. I love to paint trees. Trees are special in many ways.

What inspires you? I get inspired by nature. As I said before, I love trees. Flowers and insects are beautiful, too. I love color and style and organic shapes.

Where do you create? My "studio" is currently my dining room table. I hope someday to be able to use a spare bedroom in my house so that I can dedicate a space and not worry about having to clean up for guests!

Why did you choose your shop name? Well, it's my name and what I sell. I'm not a very creative writer. I suppose I could have come up with something a bit more original and expressive, but I was lazy and this was the best I could come up with at the time. :)

What are your goals? Personally, my goals are to raise my children to be creative people. All three of them are creative in their own ways. Professionally, I'd love to be able to paint and make jewelry full-time. Unfortunately, right now I work part time to pay the bills and make my jewelry in my free time.
What do you do when you are not creating? I love to play with my kids. I also love to be lazy and vegetate on the sofa with a good book. I should be ashamed to admit that, but I'm not. I hate cleaning.

So once you've perused the beautiful creations available at Amy Jo Art and Jewelry, don't forget to stop by her facebook page.

NCTriangle Team members who would like to be featured on the blog, please contact shoredebris.