La Femme Monkita

Crafty Craziness!

2010-11-19T15:21:00.002-05:00

I thought I would post the mass-mailing I just sent out to my e-mail list. Check out the two great fairs I'm lucky enough to be in this year! Come check them out -- you won't be sorry! Oh, and you can do all your Christmas shopping* in one place -- you can't beat that.

*Fairs also are a great place to buy yourself a little gift, I find.

Here it is:

Somehow (though I'm pretty sure it works this way every year...) we've found ourselves only a week away from Thanksgiving and holiday craft fair season is upon us! I have had the good fortune to be accepted to two great craft fairs this year. Thus, the late notice of this e-mail -- I've been so busy knitting! Among the usual scarves, scarflettes and cowls (lots of those this year) I've been making lavender sachets, tooth fairy pockets, hand-dyed yarn and much more. I might have a few special holiday items up my sleeve if I'm extra productive this weekend too!

My regular partner in crime, Jay, of Jennifer Joy Creative and Noonday Textiles, will be joining me at both. We decided to enter two in the hopes we would get into at least one and now we're working overtime to make sure we can have not only enough items for two shows, but hopefully a few new/extra items specific to each one so it's not total overlap.

The first up is Handmade Detroit's Detroit Urban Craft Fair, on Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5. It returns this year to The Fillmore, where it was in 2008. We're excited to be a part of it for the third year in a row and watch it grow to a two-day event. A great group of crafty ladies is behind this fair and we always have a blast.

There is much to see and do in Detroit, so even you out-of-towners could make a really fun day of it if you decided to come down! (I'm looking at you, family!) You could head up the road to Good Girls Go to Paris for some savory and sweet crepes. Then you could stop over, a couple of doors down, to the awesome independent book store, Leopold's. Go a few blocks over to the great indie store City Bird, owned by a great brother-sister team, where you'll also find my knitted goods (and tons of great other things!) Then stop next door for a quick beer at Motor City Brewing Works before hitting the road. (Wait, maybe you should do the beer first, then hit City Bird...) City Bird also is one of the shuttle bus stops for the fair, along with Slows BBQ, if you don't care to look for a parking spot.

Then the NEXT weekend, you can come see us a few miles up the road in my current place of residence, Ferndale. Organized by the crafty Shannon, who put on the Spring Fling we did a couple years back, Winter Fling...A Craft Thing will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at AJ's Cafe in Ferndale. This will be a bit smaller, but many amazing artists and crafters will be packed into AJ's's, which also has good munchies and great coffee drinks.

Especially since it's in the heart of my town, I'd encourage anyone who comes to see what else the quaint downtown has to offer. Obviously there are tons of stores, restaurants, etc. to see. Some of my favorites are: Naka, a great independently-owned store with all kinds of crafty things, as well as jewelry, paper goods, baby stuff and more (including a furry mascot); Anita's Kitchen for great Mediterranean food (you can't go wrong with either lentil soup, baked falafel or the Mediterranean salad...); The Emory or Dino's for good better-than-bar food and a cocktail; or stop by Ferndale's brand new library that sits behind Dino's.

Thanks for your continued support of La Femme Monkita and we hope to see you out at some of the fairs!

Kirsten

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Warren

2010-08-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Heaven Sent

I'm back! Well, kind of...

2010-08-20T12:11:00.003-04:00

Hi, all! I've been busy, busy, busy with several things in recent months, totally slacking (and in some cases purposely avoiding) when it comes to knitting, posting, etc. But I'm happily knitting again and excited to be posting some new things!

I posted a few new coffee cozies this week and have some other fun and affordable home accessories coming in the next week or so!

I also want to finally finish the alphabet in my shops of the day! There are more and more great Michigan shops out there every day and I want to at least make it through the end of the alphabet once. So, more to come there finally.

You can check out the coffee cozies and my new stuff that I hope to post by the end of the weekend HERE.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Walled Lake

2010-05-18T10:00:00.000-04:00

Billa Vera

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Village of Clarkston

2010-05-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Sand Hill Studio

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Vassar

2010-05-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ink Boutique

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Utica

2010-05-13T10:00:00.002-04:00

Designs by Erika L. Rathka

Michigan Etsy Shops of the Day: Troy

2010-05-12T10:00:00.003-04:00

Of the many shops in Troy, I couldn't decide on just one. One shop, I'm just amazed that someone can put such detail on something so small. The other, I just want to eat! And it reminds me of the candy my Grandma makes each December. So, here are two Shops of the Day for Troy!

Christine's Ceramics

Crave Candy Company

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Trenton

2010-05-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

Altered by West

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Traverse City

2010-05-07T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Art of Tim Sebright

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Three Rivers

2010-05-06T14:00:00.002-04:00

River Studio

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Tecumseh

2010-05-05T14:00:00.001-04:00

Miss Mossy

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Taylor

2010-05-04T14:00:00.000-04:00

Lily Mo Bows

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Sterling Heights

2010-05-03T14:00:00.000-04:00

Blossom Stamps

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Southgate

2010-05-02T21:13:00.006-04:00

So... clearly I'm having a tough time keeping up with the Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day.
I've decided I'm going to get through the end of the alphabet and then hang it up for now. I might replace it with a "Shop of the Week" every Sunday -- in no particular order, and maybe not from any particular state.

Between work(s), family, knitting, and attempting to focus on cooking and my vegetarian cooking blog I Eat Veg, I've found I just don't have enough time. I do love exploring Michigan shops, though, so I'm sure I'll continue wading through shops and posting from time to time.

With that, here's the current Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Southgate.

Bee's Knees Knitting

Zen Hammock featured in an Etsy treasury!

2010-04-25T20:03:00.002-04:00

The La Femme Monkita Zen Hammock is featured in a treasury on Etsy right now, called "I love my iPhone."

There's some pretty cute stuff! You can check it out HERE.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Southfield

2010-04-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

The CraftFanatic

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: South Lyon

2010-04-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

Mani Rae

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: South Haven

2010-04-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

Noah Grace's Sock Hop

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Sault Ste. Marie

2010-04-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

Metal Reyce Studio

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Saugatuck

2010-04-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

Fairytale Incorporated

Speaking in Okemos Wednesday!

2010-04-06T20:54:00.001-04:00

Looking forward to meeting and speaking with some Okemos-area knitters tomorrow!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Saline

2010-04-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

B. Ellen Designs

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: St. Joseph

2010-04-05T22:06:00.000-04:00

Pretzelmania

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Saginaw

2010-03-23T16:14:00.002-04:00

B & K Crafters

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Saginaw

2010-03-19T12:00:00.001-04:00

The Extra Detail

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Royal Oak

2010-03-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Whiskey Point Pottery

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Romulus

2010-03-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

2OddDucks

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Rockford

2010-03-16T12:00:00.002-04:00

The Wooden Owl

And...we're back!

2010-03-15T12:14:00.005-04:00

Due to a trip to Central America and the craziness leading up to it, I've been a major Monkita Knits slacker!

The Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day will return tomorrow! I'm nearing the end of the alphabet and I'm unsure what I will do after that. I might just randomly choose a Michigan shop to highlight, as there have been certain challenges being tied to a certain city at a time.

In the meantime, check out this miniature hammock I found at a craft market in Nicaragua -- (at aout 1/10 of the price...but you have to pay for a trip to Nicaragua to get it!)

Also, I've finally created an honest-to-goodness e-mail list! You can subscribe here (and always via a form to your left below the blog's followers).

Stay tuned for new Shops of the Day and much more!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Rochester

2010-03-13T11:54:00.002-05:00

Pretty Things By Meg

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Riverview

2010-02-26T22:00:00.001-05:00

T.J. Toubeaux

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Richmond

2010-02-25T23:15:00.002-05:00

Holly and Ivy Designs

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Portage

2010-02-18T00:41:00.000-05:00

Houndstooth Handiwork

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Port Huron

2010-02-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

Anthony Essmaker Photography

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Pontiac

2010-02-15T12:00:00.001-05:00

Radical Fringe

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Plymouth

2010-02-12T11:34:00.002-05:00

Theresa Hawk Designs

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Petoskey

2010-02-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Audespero Designs

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Owosso

2010-02-09T14:37:00.003-05:00

Jewelry by JB

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Olivet

2010-02-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Emmy's Boos and Rawrs

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Oak Park

2010-02-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

Tilt Creations

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Novi

2010-02-04T12:00:00.003-05:00

Christine's Beadworks

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Norway

2010-02-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

Thumb Bunnies

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Northville

2010-02-02T12:00:00.000-05:00

One Girl Circus

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Niles

2010-02-01T22:07:00.001-05:00

Carla's Custom Creations

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Newaygo

2010-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Empty Nest

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Negaunee

2010-01-27T12:00:00.001-05:00

I hate to do two pottery shops in a row, but of the two shops in Negaunee, MI, I choose this one. What cute banks!

Boulderwood Studios

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Muskegon

2010-01-26T12:00:00.003-05:00

JJ Pottery

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Mt. Pleasant

2010-01-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

Knifty Knittings

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Morenci

2010-01-22T12:00:00.001-05:00

Beakers and Needles

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Montague

2010-01-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

Studio M

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Monroe

2010-01-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Lakehouse Loft

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Milan

2010-01-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Divine Ms Di

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Midland

2010-01-18T12:00:00.003-05:00

Ruth and Art

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Menominee

2010-01-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

Jody Lacanne Abstract Sculpture

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Mason

2010-01-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

Simply Sea Jay Boutique

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Marshall

2010-01-13T20:41:00.003-05:00

You'll notice my last Shop of the Day post was Oct. 26 -- the week my Zen Hammocks were featured on Etsy and my downtime and social life went out the window. :)

But I'm back and excited to finish going through Michigan cities in alphabetical order -- I'm pretty sure I'll just keep going and going until future notice. Here's to a new year and a new commitment to keeping up my blogs!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: The Star Box

New Hand-Dyed Yarn!

2009-11-06T14:10:00.004-05:00

I spent a whole day (no, really, like 13 hours) dyeing and dyeing and dyeing and dyeing.

I love the results! I purchased some new dyes and I have to admit, I love some of the combos I put together. I may have to knit some of this up if it doesn't get purchased right away.

Here are a few of the dozen skeins I did...

Michigan Etsy Shops of the Day: Marquette

2009-10-26T00:00:00.002-04:00

Searching through Marquette shops I found everything from amazing vintage to -- ahem -- handcrafted wooden adult items. It came down to these two shops, though, and I just can't pick. So here are a couple of items from both...

Revisions Design Studio

Woodstoppers

New items in my shop!

2009-10-25T11:56:00.003-04:00

I uploaded a few new items to my shop yesterday!

I've got a couple dozen hammock orders to fill after the Etsy love I got last week, but I'm trying to make a few new items in the meantime so I have SOMETHING to sell (in less than a month!) at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair.

I uploaded a few new items to my shop yesterday. I can attest that everything really does keep you warm! I was out there in a jean jacket and my neck was the only thing warm.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Manistee

2009-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Teaspoon Creek

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Ludington

2009-10-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: jberry art

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Lowell

2009-10-22T20:41:00.003-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Simply Said Ink Designs

Zen Hammock madness!

2009-10-20T22:17:00.002-04:00

In the last 24 hours, thanks to being featured on Etsy's Facebook page page and in a Storque article, I'm knee deep in hammock orders and lovin' it!

Thanks to everyone who has offered kind words and to everyone who placed orders. Very exciting stuff!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Livonia

2009-10-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Tottoo Baby Gear

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Litchfield

2009-10-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Kissing Frog Woodworks

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Linden

2009-10-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Southern Girl at Heart

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Lincoln Park

2009-10-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Wei-Wei's Babies

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Lapeer

2009-10-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Ink Boutique

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Lansing

2009-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

So many great shops in Lansing, but I decided just to choose one -- I'm sure there will be more from Lansing in round two in this series! Lansing was a city I called home for about 8 years, and -- though I was ready to leave all those years ago -- I now appreciate so many of the wonderful things happening in and around Lansing.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Hello, Brown Eyes

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Kingsford

2009-09-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Simply Stated

Slacker!!

2009-09-22T14:05:00.002-04:00

It's been almost two weeks since a Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day post -- I'm bad!

I was very busy getting ready for the amazing DIY Street Fair in Ferndale (photos to come soon).

Look for some new shops of the day in the coming weeks! And remember -- I can't find you if your city isn't listed on your shop!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Kentwood

2009-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Beading Princess

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Kalamazoo

2009-09-10T09:36:00.002-04:00

Not to condone smoking or anything, but these pipes are kind of awesome.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Henderson Pipes

Etsy front page!

2009-09-09T23:08:00.003-04:00

I was on the front page of Etsy tonight! Top row, middle picture.

My first time (that I know of) -- very exciting!

Thanks to Taryn over at Talking Squid for the heads up!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Jackson

2009-09-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Shane Gorski Photography

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Ironwood

2009-09-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Blessings

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Ionia

2009-09-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Some fancy diapers out of my hometown!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Alliquay.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Inkster

2009-09-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Center of the Circle.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Hudsonville

2009-08-31T12:02:00.004-04:00

Shady Side Farm.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Howell

2009-08-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Blythe Closet.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Houghton

2009-08-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artistic Gifts.

This shop only is two days old, so I imagine we can look for more exciting things from it soon!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Holland

2009-08-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Anne Overbeek Designs.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Hazel Park

2009-08-19T00:00:00.002-04:00

In Your Hands.

Bags made of plastic bags!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Hartford

2009-08-18T11:23:00.004-04:00

Two shops today, since they are the same person (and the only ones in Hartford, so they get double love I guess.

One with clay stuff YOU can make things out of: Artmakers Worlds Alpha.

And one with things already made out of clay: Artmakers Worlds.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Harrisville

2009-08-17T12:53:00.002-04:00

2 Munkeez.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Harrison

2009-08-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Kelly's Gifts.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Harper Woods

2009-08-13T15:06:00.003-04:00

Designs by Julie.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Hamtramck

2009-08-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

Doll Disaster Design.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Grosse Pointe

2009-08-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Jenine's Jewels.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Greenville

2009-08-09T23:50:00.002-04:00

Yarn 2 Spin.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Grant

2009-08-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Marileejane Designs.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Grandville

2009-08-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

Color Me Cute.

Michigan Etsy Shops of the Day: Grand Rapids

2009-08-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

There are dozens and dozens of shops in GR so it was impossible to go through ALL of them, or to pick just one. Here are a couple of shops featuring jewelry that caught my eye.

Sealed With A Kiss.

J6R6.

CLAMORED.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Grand Ledge

2009-08-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: The Clever Crafter.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Grand Haven

2009-08-03T20:50:00.002-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Naturally Adorable.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Grand Blanc

2009-07-29T10:40:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: ...in my spare time.

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Gaylord

2009-07-26T23:55:00.000-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Alley Cat Bead Co..

Sorry for the delay!

2009-07-23T09:15:00.002-04:00

A trip out of town followed by a nasty bout with the stomach flu has set me back a few days.

Look for a new Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day at some point today!

And just a reminder -- La Femme Monkita, joined by Jennifer Joy Creative/Noonday Textiles will be at the I aRt Festival in downtown Redford all day Saturday and Sunday.

Tons of workshops -- from jewelry making and sewing to drumming -- as well as live performances and all kinds of things for kids to do. Be sure and come by. Fingers crossed that the rain goes away. Hope to see you there!

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Garden City

2009-07-15T11:09:00.002-04:00

Michigan Etsy Shop of the Day: Uncanny Stencils.