This Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, I have been invited to be a vendor at the NC Secretaries’ Conference. Above are just a few of the items that I will be selling there. (silverware windchimes, silverware ornaments, cupcake/candle saucers, magazine/map envelopes, etc.)
What is your real name?
Patti Morgan
What is the name of your shop/business/company?
With which branch of the military are you affiliated?
Army (wife).
Where are you from or where are you stationed?
We hail from the Metro Atlanta area of Georgia, and are currently stationed at Fort Bragg.
What type of crafts do you create?
For my shop I make various styles of jewelry. I have always favored hemp, but I also make chainmaille jewelry and beaded earrings and bracelets.
I typically sew Halloween costumes for my son (and, if time permits, myself) and I have started recreating some of the costume accessories for my shop.
Outside of my shop, I dabble in crochet, knitting, quilting, needlepoint, and cross stitching… though I do not proclaim expertise in any of these.
How did you get started in crafting?
My mother always encouraged my sister and me to try new things until we found something we liked. She taught me to sew on her machine, and showed me her old macramé books when I was amazed at the plant hanger she showed me she had made. She taught me the basics of macramé, crochet, sewing, and cross stitch.
What do you do when you aren’t creating?
I’ve got my 4 year old son keeping me on my toes, a yard that keeps growing and old cars that need fixing. We enjoy geocaching when we need something to get us out of the house and on an adventure!
Besides that, if I’m not making something I know how to make, I’m learning how to make something completely different! I crave a challenge, and “new” is always a challenge!
What is your work space like?
My current “official” work space occupies the informal family room; centrally located in our house, it opens to the kitchen, both hallways (to the front door and bedrooms) and the sliding glass door opening to the back yard. I rarely stay there for long unless I’m sewing, since most projects I can move around the house with me to simultaneously craft and entertain my son.
Who or what inspires you in either life or in your business?
My husband, of course, inspires me in life. He is unfailingly supportive of all I do, no matter what it is.
My new friends (Lauren from The Crochet Lady and Jewel from Strawberry Jude HandGrown in particular) have been an excellent support group and source of inspiration; their drive and focus within their own work makes me strive to improve my shop every day.
What are your personal and/or business goals?
I hope to move out to a farm before I’m too old to enjoy it! Horses, goats, chickens, a big garden… that is my dream.
As far as my business goes, I would love to be able to pay the mortgage out of what I earn! Or, at the very least, make the car payments.
Can your work be found/bought in other locations than on Etsy?
I hope to be at more craft shows in the future (like the one I will be at on October 6 in Southern Pines, NC), but currently Etsy.com is my primary shop host.
Etsy Shop, The Feisty Dragon
Facebook Page: The Feisty Dragon
Head on over to The Feisty Dragon and tell her Twice As Loved Sent you!!
Making this upcycled gravy boat windchime at White Lake, NC made me think about all the “boat” rides I have gone on there or somewhere else. Many days in my youth were spent on a boat in either Jordan Lake, NC or Badin Lake, NC. Days were spent fishing, tubing, tanning, and relaxing.
Yes a gravy boat is quite different than a fishing or sports boat. But still the same the memories come back.
This windchime can be found and purchased at https://www.etsy.com/listing/102362816/silverware-windchime-upcycled-gravy-boat
This windchime was made with love by using upcycled silverware and gravy boat.
There are two forks and two knives attached by fishing line. The line is adorned with red and teal blue beads. The tines of the forks have been bent for additional attraction.
The flower molds on the handles of the knives make this a great piece of art to hang in a garden. This windchime could be hung up inside or outside.
This would make a great gift for any occasion.
-Wedding
-Engagement
-Graduation
-Mother’s Day
-Father’s Day
-Birthday
-Grandparents’ Day
If you like this item, please visit the rest of my shop. http://www.twiceasloved.etsy.com
Find out more about Twice As Loved Artist http://www.etsy.com/people/twiceasloved?ref=owner_profile_leftnav
For other handmade items on Etsy search: teamhandmade
For other military wife owned shops on Etsy search: Etsy Military Wives
I enjoyed making this Silverware Windchime {Silver Platter Green Beads} at White Lake, NC on vacation this week at our family’s house. I was inspired to use the green beads because of the greenish tent glimmering in the lake water. This windchime was so soothing to listen to as we swam nearby or sat on the pier at the Murray Lake House. I imagine a buyer placing this on a pier by the water. (Though it could be placed elsewhere as well.) Enjoy the slideshow. If you are interested in purchasing this windchime please visit Twice As Loved on Etsy. (https://www.etsy.com/listing/102241003/silverware-windchime-silver-platter)
I was recently asked about being featured in a blog for one of my Etsy Teams. This is very similar to my response. I might start featuring other artist on my blog as well.
Who are you?
Hi, My name is April Murray. I am the owner and creator of Twice As Loved www.twiceasloved.etsy.com. I live in Asheboro, NC. I up-cycle old things to create new, one of a kind, pieces such as Silverware & Tool Wind Chimes, Cheese Grater Earring Stands, Fork Ornaments, and Fork Business Card/Recipe Holders.
Where is your favorite place to visit?
My favorite place to visit is in the extended “triangle.” I love to visit the NC Zoological Park. We have a family membership and we love to take our daughter there to run around and explore. We go there often to check out any new animals or exhibits. I could sit all day and just watch the chimps if my daughter would let me.
How did you get started in your business / craft?
I started creating silverware wind chimes in September, 2011. I was looking for a creative item for my sister’s birthday. I saw something similar in a local craft store and thought “I can do that!” I had so much fun making the one for my sister that I just couldn’t stop thinking about how I could make different ones.
What is your most cherished handmade item?
My most cherished handmade item is probably the one that I made for a give-a-way that a friend in Pheonix, AZ won. It was around Valentine’s Day, so at the top is a heart shaped cookie cutter. Hanging from it are measuring spoons decorated with red beads. It was the smallest I had made but so special. My three year old was very fond of it and told me how beautiful it was.
What kind of items do you create?
I chose to up-cycle items to create new and unique items for couple reasons. I believe we all have so much “stuff” already on this earth. Stuff that we don’t use anymore. So, why not create something new out of it and give it a new “life” instead of just letting it sit around not being used or have it be laying in landfill somewhere.
Who or what inspires you most of all?
My aunt, Becky inspires me to be creative. She is the most creative person I know. Not only is she creative but she is a teacher just like I am. While I was growing up she was always teaching me something new whether it be about manners, history, math or a craft. Over the years I have spent much time in her kitchen where we have talked about cooking, baking, and even just about life in general. Therefore, making wind chimes and other unique gifts using items related to the kitchen remind me of her.
Where do you create?
I create in my kitchen, den, office, mudroom, outside, really wherever I can find a quite space sit and focus.
How did you choose your shop/business name?
I chose the name “Twice As Loved” because all the items I make have been loved once, and will be loved again (just in a different fashion). Therefore, they are getting twice as loved compared to other things that get thrown away when they are finished being used.
When you are creating what do you do?
I am a mom, wife, youth leader at my church, and teacher. When I am not creating (or teaching) I am playing with my three year old daughter. She keeps me on my toes and loves to be adventurous.
What are your goals in life and business?
My personal goal is to be successful enough in my business to not have to teach anymore. My goal in my business is to be able to open up a Craft Consignment Shop. In this shop I would rent out space to other vendors as well. All items would be created out of something that has already be loved once. My hope is to be able to open up a shop like this in the next couple years.
Where can we find your work?
My work can be found at:
www.twiceasloved.wordpress.com
My work can also be found at a local shop in my hometown
Vintage Cottage
118 Sunset Ave.
Asheboro, NC 27203
Twice As Loved: Wind Chimes and More 