Today's Featured Shop -- My Stitches To Treasure

Today's featured shop is My Stitches To Treasure.    You will find some adorable handmade treasures here.   These are some of my favorites.



Prim Mice Couple
 

Prim Fabric Bunny

 Primitive Pin Keep, Mannequin Pin Keep

Prim Fabric Bunny, Spring Decor, Bunny Doll

Be sure and visit Deb's shop to see all her handmades.   https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyStitchesToTreasure

Today's Featured Artist - Motherload Toad Factory

Today's featured artist is Robyn Martin of Motherload Toad Factory

How long have you been in business?

Most of my life, which has been long and full. I have three grown children and eight beautiful grandchildren. Next year, I will have been married (YES! To the same patient man!) 50 Years!! I come from a long line of very eccentric, creative women, who are born blessed with the ability to create almost anything. Having no formal training I am not restricted to as to how to make things I just follow my own "inner-artist."


I have owned two Gift Stores, taught an children's extended learning class "Letting your Inner-Artist Out," and professionally painted several murals.


This is part of a 25'X8' wall:



This is me working on a mural in a local Country Club Restaurant, and faux painting their walls. I rarely paint murals now...ladders and I do not get along!

I have been known to paint on almost anything.......Yes, it's a potty!

How did you get started?

I really got inspired in first grade when my teacher entered a finger painting of mine in the County Fair and it not only won first prize but was sold.

What is involved in making your craft?

 Not much thought just a "glimmer" of an idea. Generally, I have several things in the process of being created. Because most of my creations require extensive drying time...I just move on to the next item...Unfortunately, I sometimes forget to get back to some of these things and they have to wait a while for completion. I draft the pattern, sew, sculpt and paint my soft-sculpture items. Some have an inner armature to allow them to stand.  I now am fascinated with soft sculpture mainly crows and other birds, who knows what next week will bring? Several dolls have been waiting to get completed. 

This is the latest: Malachite and Magenta Magpie

AND the Crow Family Pineapple Luau

What is your favorite thing to make?

My real love is paper mache. I have always loved this medium. I make my own paper mach pulp from scratch using my "secret formula." The largest project was a float for a local parade. I paper mached my husbands entire pick-up truck into a blue-eyed, giant green  dinosaur...and then rode on top holding reins made of ribbon. The next year the truck became a covered wagon pulled by a giant Monarch Butterfly...the following year my husband sold his truck!! Now, I mainly create smaller, decorative items like pumpkins and pineapples but I am tempted whenever I see a pick-up truck!

Do you have set hours to work?

No! I am inclined to be a night-owl.....I do work? (what's that?) in my studio several hours every day.

What are your future plans for your business?

I rarely plan anything....wonderful things just happen!

What does handcrafting mean to you?

I am an Artist, always have been and always will be---handcrafting IS me!

Where do you sell your crafts at?

www.motherlodetoad.etsy.com
www.toadsonghollow.etsy.com
www.patternmart.com
And also a boutique I help organize and run every year locally.
The Gold Dust Boutique at the Mace Meadow Golf and Country Club in Pioneer,CA-- Nov. 5th-6th


Some of Robyn's adorable animal patterns.