Photos by the Birthday Girl

For my birthday, my friend John lent me his favorite camera to take photos of our excursion to Eastern State Penitentiary... Maybe that seems like a strange place to visit on your birthday, but that's the kind of gal I am. I just really wish I'd caught some apparitions with the camera! In a few of the photos, you'll see the incredible ghost cats, created by artist Linda Brenner...

Naming Names: Zwzzy

It's Jen from Zwzzy! Jen runs an incredible vintage shop on Etsy + does most of the modeling herself. After getting to know her a bit more, I think the name suits her personality, flair for style + charm, all the more! It's fun, sort of quirky and totally memorable!

Here's how she came about name her shop:

"Oh sure, I'd be into explaining my name! :D It's actually quite silly. My dad is a designer engineer (Silicon Valley, woot!) so I got to have my first AOL account when I was like 10. I actually had Prodigy before that too. Anyway, I was trying to think of a good screen name, and everything with gymnast or dancer was taken (my big passions/hobbies at the time). So just for the hell of it, my dad typed in Zwzzy, and I was born! When I started selling online I wanted something that was quirky, made no sense, and would stand out. It works! Although people always want to stick an "I" in there. ;) Oh, and it's pronounced ZW-IZZ-EE!"

That's ZW-IZZ-EE everyone! She's a fascinating person+ we share the same intense love for cats! You can read more about her on this blog!

Next Up: calloohcallay !

Naming Names: Ottoman

Ottoman quickly became one of my first Etsy crushes, when I came across her work in early 2008. Her creations are magical, whimsical and her love of nature is clearly apparent (make sure to take a stroll through her shop). Therefore, I had to ask- why the name "Ottoman"?

Here's what Summer said:

"It's not in my profile (and I've often wondered if it's a good name for a shop...what do you think?), but (and I only give partial disclosure - he he) I HATE recliners (ha), I wanted a name that's easy to remember and spell and I have an art degree, and with a history of women artists signing men's names, I like that it's androgynous. :) "

For even more insight into Ottoman, she explains how the Moss Collection first began:

"what inspired the Moss Collection (and therefore the shop) was the Moss Ottoman Slipcover that is not longer available in the shop...that also helped seal the deal with the shop name! http://ottoman.typepad.com/ottoman/2008/11/i-decided-to-keep-it-for-myself.html?cid=138343656
"

Next Up: Zwzzy!

(photo: by Summer, of her Moss ring)

Naming Names: Fricdementol

Another of my favorite Etsy artists reveals the story behind her name! An amazing Portuguese artist named Ana, who runs the shop called fricdementol!

"Fric de Mentol evolved as a nickname on a forum, after that i started my artistic productions and i opened a flickr account using the same nickname. When i realize that people liked my work was late to change the name or to pick one better. Now i think it's perfect!

I like to play with words, like in some of my works in which i try to give them some graphic meaning, not just 'word meaning'. So fric in Portuguese doesn't have any meaning, in French it's money (i discover it some days ago) but for you sounds like 'freak' eheheheh. I consider it like a drop or confetti. Mentol is menthol :)) because it's fresh..."

The second I saw her gorgeous artwork, I had to find out what "fricdementol" meant. It's a pretty magical made up word, if you ask me!

(photo is a close-up of the embroidered mixed media piece, "Ugly Face VII")

Next Week: Ottoman

Naming Names: Chakra Pennywhistle

This is a new series where each week, the truth behind shop names on Etsy will be revealed!

First up, Rikkianne from Chakra Pennywhistle explains about how she decided on her shop name!

“My husband and I met and and married in NYC. We both went to school there. Me for dramatic arts and Dave for film. Dave actually made a couple of independent films that have never quite made it to the editing stage:) Chakra Pennywhistle was a character that I played in one of those films. We both developed the character. I based her off of Patsy on the British television show, Absolutely Fabulous.”


I think the name she chose is intriguing & flows so beautifully- just perfect for her creations!

You can visit her Etsy shop here: chakrapennywhistle.etsy.com


Next Week: Fricdementol

Snakeskin Paper on Etsy

One of the things about being such a fanatical Treasury maker, is discovering the most fantastic treasures, from around the world! Today I found this handmade paper made by a woman from Athens, Georgia who has a shop on Etsy, called Pica Pica Press. I am smitten! She uses real skin shed by snakes & incorporates them into her paper. The organic forms that follow are remarkable!

last year...

Just comforting to know they can grow this well, after this year's sorrowful bounty!

3-D Glasses Dress on Etsy

by Nicole Lindner - here's her Etsy shop.

VOTE for Nathalie!

The race is SO close, I had to blog about it in hopes of keeping Nathalie at #1! Please click on the image or on this link http://www.crocs.eu/crocsfan/picture1249998235/ & vote for her! You don't have to register, just click the "vote" button!

Thank you!

Labor Day Sale!

LABOR DAY SALE! --► 15% off* everything in the shop!

From Sept. 3rd through Sept. 7th - take 15% off* everything in the shop!
You must mention the coupon CODE -[ WEEKEND DEALS ]- when you checkout, in the "message to seller" box. You can also convo me the code, if you forget to mention it when you checkout!

When you use the coupon code, I will issue you a refund, a revised invoice, or set up a 'reserved listing', depending on your preference. Just let me know!

*Sale applicable to any non-sale items -- cannot be combined with any other offers...

50% OFF SALE at Bailey Doesn't Bark!

Wow! 50% off everything in the Bailey Doesn't Bark shop until it's gone, up until August 28th! Make sure to use coupon code BDB50OFF (to be entered at checkout)

* Discount coupon 1 use per customer.

** All orders placed on 8/12 - 8/28 will be shipped on or after 8/29. Regular shipping schedule will resume on 8/29.

Xenotees Website Launched!

It's a pretty bare bones site as I have yet to add the e-commerce, but I'm happy to have accomplished it nonetheless! Hopefully everyone will join my mailing list!

My Top 5 Books for Natural Kitty Cures

• Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs: Small Doses for Small Animals by Don Hamilton
  

• The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat by Martin Goldstein D.V.M.

• Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn D.V.M. & Susan Hubble Pitcairn

• Whole Health for Happy Cats: A Guide to Keeping Your Cat Naturally Healthy, Happy, and Well-Fed (The book I use for my Raw Cat Food Recipe.) by Sandy Arora
  

• The Natural Cat: The Comprehensive Guide to Optimum Care by Anitra Frazier
  

NEWtral @ Xenotees

a. French Pet Lobster Tote Bag
b. Too Much Party on a heather gray summer style shirt (also in kelly green)
c. Too Much Party on a slate mens t-shirt (also in cranberry & asphalt)
d. Animal Wheel Tote Bag (lots of new ones added!)

From my garden

Chocolate Mousse on a stick?!

Yes, but how?

All you need is a hot fire & these incredibly gourmet, tasty marshmallows by Whimsy & Spice (available on Etsy), and some sticks of course! Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

The Strangely Exotic Mind of Xenotees

I was blown away by this detailed, insightful review of my t-shirts! Thank you so much Buy-tees.net!

Xenotees Review by Live Our Art

A lovely review of Xenotees by a customer of mine: Live Our Art She also has an Etsy shop! Thank you Tania, for your support & wonderful article about my tees!

Etsy Item of the Day Blog

Check it out, my Pet Lobster Tee Design has been chosen as "Etsy Item of the Day" for a Father's Day gift! This is a fabulous blog full of an incredible mix of Etsy finds. I encourage you visit her blog & follow her on Twitter to keep track of all of her picks! Thank you Jackie!

Soundtracks in our Lives

I'm constantly listening to all sorts of different kinds of music, but lately I've been thinking about how much I love soundtracks. Here are a few of my favorites- in no particular order... What are yours?

• Repo Man
• The Big Lebowski
• The Hunger
• Xanadu (Should I be embarrassed? Hmm...)
• Breaking Glass* - really mostly for the song "Will you?" & the memories of Night Flight

I know there are more- but these popped in to my head 1st!
*a soundtrack produced by Dodi Fayed - weird right?