Etsy Shop Update!

Happy November friends! 

The holiday season will soon be upon us and there are TWO, yes TWO DIFFERENT 2014 Calendar Digital Download Calendars in the shop today! Back by popular demand is the painting series from last year's calendars in an updated format, as well as the brand new line! 

Both available as Instant Digital Downloads, these are great gifts for friends, coworkers and hostesses alike!

2014 Calendar Version One

2014 Calendar Version 2

Also in the shop are Digital Downloadable Paper Dolls! Their look has been updated and they are a great gift for the kiddos in your life or anyone who appreciates sweet paper doll art!

Olive & Henry Paper Dolls

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

2014 Calendar Preview!

Hello friends!

 I have to apologize for my severe lack of updating over the past year, we have had a crazy 12 months! Last November my husband and I purchased a house, and immediately set about renovating and revitalizing it. That process consumed several months and is still ongoing, we've made great strides but as we are doing much of the work on our own it is pretty slow going!

In April Kyle and I had the happy news that we were expecting a baby! Much of the spring and summer has seen me nannying through first trimester exhaustion, and seeing that family move on to Boston, and trying to revitalize our front yard as a novice gardener. Since then I have been resting from years of nannying and busy growing our baby BOY, and trying to make new work for this holiday season! 

I am happy to announce that I will have a booth at T.C. Williams' Handmade Holiday again this year on November 16th, with a fresh line of calendars and note cards. I'm sinking now back into 3rd trimester fatigue, but am plowing through to prepare goodies for the show and for baby's arrival in December!

Here's a special preview of the artwork I've done for the new line, and I hope if you are in the area you will come out and support me and other local handmade artists at the fair on November 16th!

As you can see I have also updated my blog design and am rebranding the product line slightly, there will be lots of goodies to choose from at the fair, including special DIY gift wrapping kits, grab bags, and artwork from last year!

Thanks for reading and hope to see you all there!

Shop Update!

Instant Digital Download Paper Dolls in the shop today! 

Paper Dolls on Etsy

Check them out and spread the word! Happy Spring!

Shop Update! Digital Download - Illustrated Gift Tags

A new Digital Download is available in the shop! Get your copy of my illustrated gift tags\on Etsy for $3.74 and print them as many times as you like! Ready for all your wrapping needs this holiday season!

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

Esty and Other News!

Hey friends!! My Etsy shop is now partially re-stocked with paper goodies and a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of my illustrated calendar that you can print at home!! Check it out!

Mari Makes on Etsy!

For followers in Virginia, Mari Makes will be selling at the upcoming 3rd Annual  T.C. Williams Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, on November 17th from 10am-3pm! come do your Christmas shopping and support a great cause! Proceeds from the fair will benefit Joining Hearts & Hands LLC, and school clubs and athletic teams. Last year, the craft fair raised $1300, which helped build a form four (fourth grade) classroom in Tanzania.

Thanks for reading and supporting handmade businesses!!

Project - Gingham Curtains and Knitting Needles

[Sorry it's been so long since my last post, I've been on vacation visiting my family/sister in TX and MO!]

 Kyle and I are switching apartments twice between now and September, so I needed to finally round up all my loose knitting needles (there are quite a few... I ordered a ton of new ones in the fall for my failed sweater knitting attempt which I may or may not share at a later date.) SO! My latest project - in the midst of packing up our apartment!

From red gingham curtains and a big mess of knitting needles.... to this!

Using a tutorial I saw originally on Design* Sponge, this sweet, easy case took me about an hour to make from half an old gingham curtain.

{BBB Craft Knitting Needle Case Tutorial}

Thanks for reading!

Etsy - Mari's Friends Make too!

I wanted to put out a post with a list of several of my friends who are also creative and many of whom have shops on Etsy, so you should check them out and see their beautiful work!

Mary Earley

Mary knits beautiful chunky cowl scarves and takes lovely photographs, both of which she sells in her shop!

Handmade by Hannah

Sweet Hannah has recently opened her shop with the most adorable felt hairbands for women and children! 

A Color Story

Emily knits these awesome tubular scarves in various colors, they are seriously fun and squashy!

Clarissa B Designs

Claire makes really pretty, feminine jewelry with bows and ribbons all over the place! She also knits and makes super cute cards!

Wendy Horton

My Aunt Wendy makes the most beautifully crafted prayer shawls/ afghans, they make great gifts and are so cozy!

Duncan Robertson

Duncan is a super talented illustrator, so far he has these gorgeous hand printed Mother's Day cards in his shop, get em while they're hot!

Ashley Lewis

Ashley makes these adorable adorable little bags, in addition to wallets from reclaimed coffee sacks and other cool materials! This lady is churning out some awesome and practical stuff!

Meg J. Roberts Jewelry

Meg and I graduated from the same Jewelry program and she is making these amazing animal necklaces! Check out her work, she's sure to have one of your fave critters in her shop!

Baby By Danish

Rachel makes fantastic, organic and all natural baby products like burp rags, wet wipe bags and more! She uses the sweetest fabrics and she's sure to have something to spruce up your baby care supplies!

If you are one of my friends and you have a shop I didn't know about, leave the link! I want to know about your stuff!! Thanks for reading!

Etsy - Shop Update!

Just in time for Valentine's day! Need a sweet gift for your lady? Check out these lovely aprons made from vintage sheets! 3 new fabrics options, 6 new aprons are now available in the shop!

Mari Makes on Etsy

What do you think?

Thanks for reading!

Etsy - Sneak Peak!

It's been a while since I last posted, but I have some new projects to write about in the next few days! Meanwhile, Kyle and I did a shoot with the next mini batch of aprons for the shop! Enjoy these lovely shots by my hubby (Kyle Foster Photography)  and look out for the aprons to be up the shop by the end of the week!

Etsy - Shop Update!!

This has been an awesome week! Kyle's birthday was a success, I have sold 3 aprons in the last week, a custom order, reorganized my entire workstation, AND updated my Etsy Shop!

I have added these little ornaments to the shop! I know its getting close to Christmas, but I keep these on hand all year round to give as wedding and hostess gifts, they are always a big hit! Get yours today!

  

  

Etsy - Mari Makes now on Etsy!

It's official! I have opened my shop on Etsy with my first batch of upcycled sheet aprons! Check it out for beautiful aprons for the ladies in your life, or all for yourself! Get them now while the gettin's good! Also, some apron photoshoot goodies for your viewing pleasure.

 Mari Makes on Etsy

Etsy - Coming up...

I've started working on a collection of aprons, dishcloths and other lovely things to sell on Etsy, made primarily of vintage and up-cycled fabrics like sheets, bed skirts and curtains sourced from thrift stores and estate sales. here's a sneak peak at styles and fabrics you will be seeing these lovelies made of in the near future!