Patterns

Mother Nature presents us with patterns and as we look around ourselves we can find them repeated in our daily lives. Here is a collection of patterns from the shops of the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any item for a better view. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

The Interplay of Light and Dark

In-between the light and the dark are treasures to be found. Here is a collection of dark and light finds from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any picture for a better view. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

Sunshine in the Woods

Like a walk thru the woods with the sun peeking thru the tall trees, here is a treasure trove of finds from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any picture for a better look. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

Shop Profile - MudBugCreations

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MudbugCreations

To me there is something quite magical about taking raw materials such as clay and turning them into works of art and functional pieces. Pieces just seem to emerge under the skilled hands of the artisan. Our shop profile is about one such artisan, Mari from MudBugCreations. I decided to find out a bit more about Mari and her creations. I’m sure you will enjoy your visit with her as much as I did.

How would you describe what you create and sell? What makes it unique or special?  

In my opinion, I create functional pieces of ceramic art. Every piece is different; I rarely make the same piece twice. This creation process for me is more about expressing what I feel at the moment rather than what sells or what other people think I should be doing. The clay knows what it wants to be and I don’t force anything from it. I love creating functional pieces because then I can appreciate the beauty of practicality and every day use.  


Nesting Heart Bowls



How did you find your way to Etsy and how long have you been here? 

I opened up shop on Etsy in November of 2011 after I stumbled across it while searching for a gift for my sorority sister. I floundered for a while, too hesitant to really put my heart and soul into the shop. After a while, I truly made an effort to maintain my shop. It became less terrifying and I enjoy updating and searching every single day. I love the feedback from my team, the support I have received there and am always pleased to chat with anyone on Etsy.  

A Beauty of a Bean Pot

Tell me a bit about how you create – do you work with music, silence, in a special room?  

I just recently managed to solidify my own studio. Before, I worked in a school studio. Now, I work in my own little corner of heaven, simply a basement with tools of the trade and happiness in every corner. As I throw pottery on the wheel, I listen to classic rock, ranging from Pink Floyd to Journey. As I do follow up work, like detailing and carving, I will usually listen to classical music. Vivaldi is my favorite and usually puts me in a perfect mood to work.  

Decanter and glass set in Seafoam

 What inspires you to create? Where do your ideas come from?  

As cheesy as it sounds, most of my design ideas come while I am sleeping. I wake up at 3 am or so, scribble the idea on a notepad next to my bed and go back to sleep. I also brainstorm in terms of practicality; what hasn’t been done? What might be clever and useful?    

Teal sushi set with lace design  

Tell us a bit about yourself  

 I live in Springfield, Missouri with two roommates who are quite funny and clever. My family also lives in the city with me. I am actually a student in Missouri State University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. It takes up 90% of my time. The other 10% is work and clay. It keeps me happy and pleasant.

Thanks Mari, this was quite interesting.

Tan and Blue Cups

Casserole Dish in Orange and White



Blue Sprial Vase

So, there you have it – the wonderful world of Mari at MudBugCreations. Here’s how to find and stay connected to MudBugCreations around the Internet

Facebook

Pinterest

MudBug's Blog

www.etsy.com/shop/MudbugCreations/about/

mudbugcreations.com/

www.tumblr.com/blog/mudbugcreations
https://twitter.com/MudbugCreations

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MudbugCreations

A Refreshing Walk in the Woods

Nature’s beauty presented in green and brown in this collection of treasures from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any image for a better look. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

Forget Winter Spring Will Be Here Soon

Banish thoughts of cold, snow and ice and think spring. Here is a collection to inspire those spring thoughts from the shops of the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any image for a better view. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

It's a GREEN Thing

Bright cheerful greens speak of spring to me. Here is a spring like collection of green shades from the FMNDDteam on Etsy. Click any pictures for a better view. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

Woodland Whimsy

Join us for a whimsical walk in the woods with treasures from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any pictures for a better view. We look forward to welcoming you to our shops.

The Colors of Nature

Nature’s palette of greens and browns with hints of blue are on display in this lovely collection of finds from the FMNDDTEAM on Etsy. Click any pictures for a better view.

My Blue Heaven

Okay, I know you are singing that song! While you sing, enjoy these heavenly blues from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy; they are sure to capture your heart. Click any image for a better view.

ICE

That simple word, ICE, conjures up feelings, scents and emotions. It also conjures up these lovely finds from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Click any image for a better view.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Charming pastel finds in blue and green ~ like a breath of fresh air. Can spring be far behind? Click any image for a better look

Passion For Purple

Purple is royal and regal and can be full of passion. Check out this collection of purples that we are passionate about. Click any image for a better view.

For My Valentine

Some of our favorite selections for your favorite Valentine from our team. Click any image for a better view

Red plus White Makes Pink

Take a little red, add a little white and you get pink. Lovely white, pink and red treasures from the FMNDDTEAM

Click any image for a better look

You RED My Mind

Red is passion, Red is energy, Red is really beautiful. A selection of radiant reds from the FMNDDTEAM.

Click any image for a better view.

Etsy Shop Profile - PracticallyFrivolous

http://www.etsy.com/shop/practicallyfrivolous

Like opening a jewelry box to reveal hidden treasures, you are greeted upon arrival at this shop with treasures of color and quality.  If earrings are your weakness, you will find an abundant selection of styles; rounded out by charming necklaces and dazzling bracelets. And, even a few handknit surprises.

We sat down with Candice, the shop owner of PracticallyFrivolous to find out more about her and her creations and share her story with you.   

How would you describe what you create and sell? What makes it unique or special?

I sell snake scarves, colorful handmade jewelry and knitwear. I would describe my items as colorful, unique and quirky.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71358690/golden-green-earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71416729/valentine-bracelet-gothic-rosary-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109580389/silver-starfish-necklace-handmade-by

How did you find your way to Etsy and how long have you been selling here?

I've been an Etsy shopper for many years. I have always enjoyed beading and jewelry making and had dabbled in knitting and crocheting. I had made some snake scarves for my nieces and nephews, and a local yarn shop owner asked me to create 12 of them for a window display during the towns "pet parade". In February of 2011, with a small inventory of those snake scarves and some handmade jewelry pieces I decided to open up my own etsy shop. I am in awe of the vast array of talent on Etsy and am so honored to be a part of it.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85425176/ringmaster-necklace-black-white-stripe

Tell us a bit about how you create – do you work with music, in silence, in a special room?

I have my own workspace with a wonderful workstation that my husband had built for me. It's so nice to have everything organized and easy to find. I absolutely love music, so to me music is essential to the creative process. It both soothes and energizes me and it really lets me get lost in what I'm working on.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89221712/queen-of-hearts-earrings-red-valentine

What inspires you to create? Where do your ideas come from?

Ideas come from everywhere. I carry a sketch book with me at all times and I keep one by the bed. I never know when that next idea is going to pop into my head and I want to make sure that I remember it when I have time to create. I find inspiration in the shops and suppliers on Etsy. Sometimes I'll fall in love with a particular bead or charm and know immediately what I want to make with it.

Other times I'll hang onto the item for awhile until I have that "aha" moment and decide what I want to make. I love antique stores and even hardware stores for inspiration. Sometimes a photograph, a toy or an antique piece of jewelry will fuel that creative fire for me. I also take inspiration from nature. My favorite of my snake scarves are the ones modeled after real snakes. I try to get the colors and patterns as close as possible to the real snakes and I always include little bits of information about that particular snake’s habits and habitats within the product description. Of course the fictitious snakes are great too. I can make them as colorful as I'd like and can take a lot of liberty with the description of their habits and habitats which is fun!

Anything else we should know about you?

I'm married to a great guy. We live in a small artsy town in the Mid-Willamette Valley in Oregon with our four-legged "children".

Take a moment to wander thru Candice’s shop, you are in for a lovely visit.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/practicallyfrivolous

Natural Beauty

Selections of Beauty from Nature courtesy of the FMNDDTeam Click any image for a better look. We are waiting to welcome you to our shops.

Love Tokens For Your Lady

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to show that lady in your life just how special she is. Here are a selection of Love Tokens from the FMNDDTeam, worthy of presentation to your lady. Click any image for a better look.

Classic Romance in Red and Black

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it and we have put together a collection of treasures from the FMNDDTeam that feature Classic Romance in red and black.

Sweet Valentine Treats

Gentlemen, treat your ladies. Ladies, treat yourself! Here is a collection of wonderful sweet finds from the FMNDDTeam in ravishing red.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Many of us are in a deep winter freeze at the moment however these lovely frosty treasures from the FMNDDTEAM are sure to warm you up. Treasury is courtesy of Judy at PiecesOfMePaperCrafts

Pretty Pastels

It is only the beginning of January and somehow many of us long for spring already. Nothing says spring quite like pastels. Here is a lovely collection of pastel treasures from the FMNDDTEAM. Treasury collection is courtesy of Susan at SNLCreations

Gray Skies Are Gonna Clear Up

A bright and sun shiny welcome to 2013.from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Treasury is courtesy of PookieandJack

Happy New Year to our Friends

Ring in 2013 in style with these wonderful selections from the FMNDDTeam on Etsy. Selected by VintageNutsInc