Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! MissMaisy's Treasury full of HOSTies (Helping Others Street Team members) creations made it to the front page on Etsy today! This is quite an achievement as not every treasury makes it to the front page. Here is MissMaisy's treasury.

Not all HOST members can be featured in any one treasury as there are alot of us. MissMaisy did a great job on this treasury, it is very pretty.

Thanks go out to all the HOST members for their constant support and best wishes for a happy holiday season!

Tonya

More new Items LIsted Today

Good evening all, I have had a busy day sleeping most of it away! Here are a few items I had already photographed so I listed them today. Just click on the picture to go to the listing.
You can always check out My Etsy Shop for more vintage buttons too.





I have a near limitless supply of buttons and will be listing them off and on until they are all gone!

Oh, and we had 7 or 8 inches of snow fall today!
Ciao!

Tonya

New Items Listed and More snow too!

I've listed a few new sets of vintage buttons today and will be listing more over the weekend too, so keep checking my Etsy shop for new listings. I will also be listing some new vintage patterns sometime this next week.

Pearl Vintage Buttons

Vintage Abolone Buttons

Plastic Vintage Shank with 'Snake Eyes'

More will be listed today too! Especially since a set sold while I was typing this post...

Best wishes to you all,
Ciao!

Tonya

New Buttons Added to Etsy

Good morning everyone!

I've added new buttons to my Etsy shop in the last couple of days. There are a few cards of Germany-US Zone made glass or ceramic buttons, a couple of lots of buttons for valentines crafting too. Here are a few pics of the new additions:

I will be posting more buttons over the next several days.

Have a great day!

Tonya

We've Got Snow!

Well, it snowed! It looks like we'll get more tomorrow too and more later this week...I think this is the longest snow has been on the ground here before Christmas since I can remember.

Here are some pics from my house:

picture from my deck showing the rail and trees

The thermostat on the top of our Deck fence, note it says 60+ degrees!
Note to self: replace that!

The hedge and trees out front.

These were taken while it was lightly snowing, we ended up with a little more snow and still have it! Such a dork, but I love snow, especially unspoiled, not walked in snow!

Will post more photos when/if it snows again.
Tonya

My etsy - Prices Reduced and New coming

I have reduced prices on alot of stuff so come check out my etsy shop
I will be listing new vintage buttons soon as I've recently acquired quite alot. Please come check out my shop.

Oh, and we're still waiting for that snow :)

Tonya

Searching...and Snow?

In between doctor appointments today, I was out searching for new (vintage) buttons. Decided tomorrow would be a better day, estate sales and auctions and all start going then. I still have quite a lot to list, but I'm not inspired by my selection so I put a moratorium on listing until I find more to inspire me. That brings me to my topic of SNOW!

My particular location in the Pacific Northwest is not especially prone to alot of snow, nor is it at all usual for us to receive snow before the new year. Well, it looks like it's all about to change! Snow is in the forcast for this weekend and early next week. Yeah for us! Ok, I know you experienced snow folks are thinking what is up with her? Well, I LOVE snow! I have always loved snow and rarely get it at my house. I love when everything is twinkly and shiny and winter-looking. It makes me feel like a kid again. I also secretely hope we loose power for awhile! That way we can have family fun without the normal interruptions of TV, video games, and so forth. I would love to play Scrabble by the fire and some candle light.

If it does snow, I will post some pics so you all can laugh at the paltry inch or so that we do get :)

Take care and snowy dreams,

Tonya

I;m still alive...

Sorry folks, been busy crashed out on the couch. Wore myself out or something and have had to rest for a week or two. Will work on my Etsy shop and blog in the next couple of days.

I am always looking for vintage buttons. I am obsessed. If you know of any good sources, let me know so I can check them out.

Thanks! Have a good one!

Tonya

It sure has been awhile, Black Friday and such

Wow, it's amazing how fast time goes by when you are out of commission and sleeping most of the time! Now I'm partly back but still not up to my usual self. Fibromyalgia makes recovering that much more difficult.

So, I did sell a couple of items over the ''Black Friday' weekend. Not like I had expected though. I spent more time changing all of my verbiage that it wasn't even worthwhile to participate in the 'sale'. I just hope it brings more business... The sad thing about this sale is that I tried to shop for family presents and every thing that I wanted to buy was at a shop that was NOT having a sale!? What's up with that? I felt cheated, hey, I spent all that time to participate and I couldn't find anyone to buy from that had done the same. Almost, but not quite, wish I had gone out into the madness! Actually this was the first year I didn't go out into the human cattle call of Black Friday, in nearly 12 years! What a relief it was to sit at home, cozy and warm and not elbowed or otherwise trampled (poor Walmart workers). At the same time I was jonesing for a shopping coo and none was to be found :( Well, I do have to admit I did not try overly hard to find one, being half asleep for several days does that to you! But still, I thought Etsy would have done a better job of advertising...

Now off to try to clean up, a few minutes at a time as to not wear myself out...pacing, a term I am trying to become familiar with.

Happy non-commercial shopping!

Tonya

Weekend Sale

Hi all, I'm having a weekend sale at my Etsy shop
Please come check it out!

Thanks all

Tonya

Etsy Black Friday Sale!

Nearly everyone on Etsy is having a 'Black Friday Sale' which is the day after Thanksgiving and most are running through the following Monday (Cyber MOnday) which is when the largest amount of internet sales are made for the year, or something like that.

I will be participating in the sale too, and will be adding dozens more items, some handmade as well as vintage. Come and check it out at Ellesbelle.etsy.com. I am also part of HOST which is Helping Others Street Team which is completely run and funded by people on Etsy to help others on Etsy who are in financial need. We offer help depending on the circumstances and our recourses at the time. The HOST store (which is entirely stocked by donations from HOST members, can be found at HOST.etsy.com

Please come check us out! It is less frustrating that the mall, less claustrophobic, less expensive, and less commercialized too. Please support independent artists this holiday season and buy handmade! Done with shameless advertisement.

That's all for now.

Tonya

Pajama Day

Did you ever have one of those days when you felt kind of blah and didn't want to do anything except lay around and nap and watch movies? That was me today. Don't know why, but it was actually a productive pajama day. I finished a needle case that has been laying unfinished for sometime now, I finished a felt flower that I've wanted to get done for a week and I listed a few sets of buttons on Etsy early this morning and later this afternoon. I'm currently working on a pin cushion and have recently finished a needle holder and pot holder out of recycled sweaters that I recycled/upcycled by turning them into wool felt.

I'm also experimenting with beading and felt to see what I can come up with. I will post some pics tomorrow as I'm too tired tonight.

Until next time...
Tonya

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Fall

What a gorgeous weekend we had here in Oregon! Clear skies, almost warm, very little wind and just like a summer day except for the fallen leaves and lower temperature. Perfect weekend for outdoor activities, walks, shopping, yard work, etc....My family? We slept. That's right, we slept the weekend away. We were all so exhausted, daughter and husband from work, me from lack of good sleep, so against our will and no matter that we wanted to play and enjoy the weather, we slept. Saturday was a total loss, nearly the entire day was a sleepfest. Sunday was a little more lively, husband raked one tree's worth of leaves, there was a small shopping trip to be had, and we slept some more! One good thing to come of our sleepfest was that daughter's cold/allergy/general malaise is much better, my serious sleep debt is partially paid back, and husband was able to relax for first time in months.

I guess it's not so bad to stay in on a lovely day after all.

Tonya

A Whole Lotta Nothin

I've been feeling exhausted the last few days so I've been laying around like a sloth! I've essentially ignored my Etsy account except for the sale I had Thursday which I shipped Friday. Other than that I've been a couch potato!

So tonight I am trying to decide what I want to make for my Etsy site. I want to have some handmade items as well as my vintage buttons and patterns. I just have so many interests and 'hobbies' that I can't decide which one to pursue... So I probably will dabble for a while in all except jewelry as there is so much gorgeous jewelry out there that is far superior to anything I could make in a timely manner. I will let you all know what I decide when it happens. In the mean time, I would like to leave you some personal favorites on Etsy (see sidebar)

That's all for now,

Tonya (Ellesbelle)

Lunch with old friend

Today I will be having lunch with an old friend, my old best friend from high school. We reconnected after too many years (not telling how many!) and I'm nervous and excited! Thinking about this lunch has my mind playing back all the fun and crazy times we had together. We were innocent then, 14 when we met. I remember sitting in her parents hot tub on New Years Eve and getting out, making a skinny, pathetic snowman, and running back into the hot tub! It was a very sad snow man since there wasn't alot of snow on the ground and we were freezing, but it was a blast! We liked the same guy at the same time, he liked her and they dated for several years, we were 15 or 16 then. We rode our bikes every where since we couldn't drive. A 5 mile bike ride was nothing to us, as long as there was a reward at the end...like shopping! Or a milkshake :)
I was so skinny in High School due to an over active metabolism, I could eat an entire large pizza with no problem, no weight gain, no sick feelings...now I smell pizza and 5 pounds jump onto my body...Her dad nick named me Tonya Toothpick, or TTP. Now I probably would be known as, well never mind ;) I am so excited to see her, but scared at the same time. Will she still like me with all my disabilities? Even if I can't do shopping marathons, or drive very far, or accidentally let out that I hurt? I am hoping I don't talk about those things, that our lunch is a fun, light conversation, re-introduction with the hope of many more to come.
But, knowing me, I'll turn it into a 'OMG, can you believe how huge I am? How many pills I take? How many docs I have? How many chronic pain issues I have? Woe is me....' Ok, hopefully THAT is out of my system! She was so important to me so long ago, I don't want to lose the chance that she could be important to me again. So I promise to be on my best behavior, not too much sarcasm, swallow the dumb jokes, and choke back the pity party so I am a pleasant lunch guest.

Now, please don't let her come to my house ..... AAAAAAAHHHH hehe

Until later, when my rational self has returned...
Tata for now
Tonya (currently crazed kooky crafty and nervous!)

Overdue Post - New Items on Etsy

Sorry, I am very overdue for a post! I've been so sleepy the last few days that I totally forgot!

Here are my latest items on EtsyThese are my favorite buttons to date. They are Mother of Pearl, dyed blue, and are gears or flowers, depending on how you look at them. Since I used to be a Mechanical Engineer, they are gears to me. Beautiful blue, smooth and shiny. You can find them here

These are doily pattern magazines from the 60's. Patterns include crocheting, knitting, and tatting. They are in great vintage shape and have great doily patterns. You can see the listing here.

I am also working on some handmade items for my shop including items made from felted unwanted wool sweaters (upcycled). Some other sewing items, possibly some potholders and dishcloths. There are a few other items I am working on but not sure if the details will be worked out in time.

I also have hundreds of other vintage buttons and sewing patterns, also some more sewing items, magazines and vintage kitchen items I may put up.

Well, that's all for tonight. I am wiped out and need to some rest .

Until next time,
Tonya

Early morning post

Good morning everyone! I am still up due to a very late nap. I just listed some buttons on Etsy. They are beautiful, wish I had more space and money to keep all of these lovelies! Here are links to myEtsy.
If you have a chance, you should take a peek. I am having a special that is only through my blog. If you purchase 2 items and mention my blog, I will pay for the shipping....that's right, free shipping! (sorry, this is only to the USA so I will deduct that much from international shipping for a discount)

Here are a couple of other great items I found:

This is what you can do with some vintage earrings like shelialk did


These beautiful earrings are post earrings made from vintage buttons, not sure how though. You'll have to ask Shelialk!

Now here is an eco friendly version of a swiffer mop pad!

This is a great idea and is designed by Tiffanysdesigns

Ok, I know I already featured jewelry a few days ago, but today is pretty random and this next one is eco-friendly too! This is a fabulous necklace by MaZiaH.

It's hemp and a blue sea shell! All I want for Christmas is...... :)

There is so much talent on Etsy, you have to see it for yourself!

Tata for now.....
Tonya

Short post today

Today has been busy with doctor appointments, and I haven't had a chance to search for any goodies between them and not feeling wel. I am working on some different ideas for handmade items to add to my shop.

If you are in the market for anything handmade, please check out Etsy.

Warmth

Today it's cold outside and many people are standing in the cold waiting to vote. This has made me think of all things warm and cozy. Herbal tea, blankets, hats, and more. So today I will feature artists and crafters who are in need of sales and who have great items in these categories.

LAVENDERDRAGONHERBS.etsy.com has a great variety of herbal teas, incense, bath items, along with other herbal based items. Her spicy pixie tea blend sounds warm and delicious!

Check out her shop at LAVENDERDRAGONHERBS.etsy.com

An interesting afghan can be found at debs1967 shop. Shown below is her 12 point round ripple afghan

Check out her shop at debs1967shop

This shop has some crocheted hats with a touch of wimsy in the form of a flower attached at the side. Very cute! Her Sparkling Champagne Hat with Zinnia Flower and Vintage Flower Button - One of a Kind is shown below and is just one of the many styles she has.

Check out her shop at Flower'sandMore

With all of these, you will be nice and warm and stylish too all winter long!

Thats all for today, remember to support the environment, buy handmade! Shop Etsy.com

Jewelry , every girls best friend

These are some of my current favorite jewelry pieces on Etsy, home of all things handmade and some vintage too! Go check these out, they are all original designs, you will be the only one wearing them!


I love this beautiful pendant (purple of course!)

designed by designsbyericakortz.etsy.com
check out her Etsy site!

These ruby drop earrings are gorgeous

designed by SilverStreak
Check out her Etsy shop!

These earrings combine both my love of rubies and amythest - gorgeous

Designed by Sebabejewelry
Go check out her Etsy shop!

These make great gifts for the holidays or for yourself!

Best wishes to you all,
ElleseBelle

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog! This blog will serve many purposes. I have many loves and collect many things. I am a crafter, I sew, knit, crochet, felt, and scrapbook on occasion too. I sell some of my vintage collection on Etsy and plan on selling some handmade items there as well.

On this blog, I plan on featuring an Etsy shop every day or so of a fellow Etsian whose work I admire. If you haven't heard of Etsy, you have to check it out! It is a great place to buy all things handmade. This is not your run of the mill craft bazaar either. There are items from $1 to several hundred dollars. Fine art original paintings by new artists, photography, items for the home from potholders to furniture, original designs in clothing, scarves, amazing quantities of jewelry for all tastes and budgets, baby items, quilts, bags, music, needlework, edibles, really ANYTHING you can imagine that can be handmade/handcrafted can be found on Etsy. They also have many vintage vendors who sell items that are at least 20 years old, most items are much older. Vintage items range from buttons to clothes to housewares and more.

I also plan on sharing aspects of my 'addiction' to all things vintage, especially sewing items. Other interests in my life and last but not least, my beautiful cat Elle (pronounced Ellie) whom this blog and my Etsy name are named for.

Elle loves to lay on her back and show off her belly (or belle as I spell it here and on Etsy). She will tease you, make you think you can just walk up and pet that irresistible fluffy belly. Oh what a trickster she is! The minute you try to pet her belly, even when she is asleep, she will try to play! We love her and she is a continuous source of laughter in our house. Here is a pic of the sweet Elle Of course, not on her back, but in another favorite location:
That is all for now. Have a great evening!
Tonya

Check out my Etsy shop at www.ellesbelle.etsy.com