BRAT-TY BLOGGER

Military Brats Street Team
http://www.creationsanew.blogspot.com/


1. What is your name, your etsy shop(s) name?

Robin Hall - photographer and designer of Creations Anew Photography and Design

2. What is your blog address?

http://www.creationsanew.blogspot.com/

3. Why did you start blogging?

This is actually my 3rd blog.  Last year I was working on a 100 photo project and each week I would highlight that week's photo from the project.  I'm still trying to get a "handle" on what I'm doing this year.  It is already (past) July - IKES!...still no direction.

4. Does your blog have a theme?
*** What do you usually write about on your blog?

Yes, it has a Photography and Design Theme, but sometimes I like to mix it up and throw in other things that I'm doing or into...for instance, it is garden season so I may throw in some pictures of our garden and talk about what I'm growing...etc.

5. Would you like more “followers” on your blog?

Oh sure!

6. Do you promote your etsy shop or anyone elses etsy shop on your blog?

If I'm having a sale or special event in my etsy shop, I'll promote it on my blog.  Previously, I have spotlighted other photography artists on my blog.

7. Where else can we find you online?

FaceBook: I'm on FB which I really enjoy doing.  It can be addicting.
            http://www.facebook.com/CreationsAnewPhotography

Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/creationsanew

Other: Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/creationsanew/

All of my photos have some kind of thought or meaning behind them. They were taken during a trip, or a walk, or event, etc.  They all have a story.  One of my favorite items in my shop would have to be my photographs titled "Expressions".  These pieces of art let me incorporate my two favorite elements, photography and design. (Find the "Expressions" photos in Robin's etsy shop by looking for any of the photos with quotes.)

Please support Robin by following her on twitter and tweeting her etsy shop items, connect with her on  FaceBook, visit her blog and leave a comment, follow her blog, visit her etsy shop and add her to your circle, visit her Flickr site and leave a comment.
(Note:  to leave a comment on blogger, click on comment, write your comment, a new window will pop up asking you to sign in - sign in but do not check the "stay signed in" box.  Also, our "followers" lists have disappeared on blogger but sometimes they reappear so look for it if you want to follow a blog.  There is a new feature where you can follow through email.)
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Thank you, Robin, for participating in this blog feature and for being so active in our team activities.
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NEW BRAT ON THE BLOG

A big brat-ty welcome to one of the new members of our etsy Military Brats Street Team:

http://www.julenas1oak.etsy.com/

1.What is your first name & where are you originally from?

I'm Elena J. Abella,from the Philippines.

2.What branch of service was your parent in?

My father is a Master Sergeant from the Philippine Air Force.



3.Where did you live while growing up?

I lived inside a military base called Edwin Andrews Air Base,from birth through college and until I was called to active duty.

4.How did growing up as a military dependent affect you?

Growing up as a military dependent greatly influenced my choice of work after passing the Nurse Licensure Exam.  Instead of working abroad,which was the trend then, I opted to enter the Armed Forces thru its Nurse Corps.  I guessed I have always wanted to be a Lieutenant and the pride that it will give my father who was still in the service that time.

As a nurse, I genuinely would have loved to serve the men in uniform who were fighting insurgency and insurrectionist (sad to say, the Philippines has them all) but that was not the case for me, as I was assigned to the Presidential Security Group.


5.Where do you live now?

It has been 3 years since we moved out from a military camp.With my husband and our 3 very young kids.  We now live in a residential community in the suburbs. It is a middle-class subdivision. I still haven't gained the peace of mind like I had while living inside a military base.Maybe because my entire childhood and most of my adult life I lived inside a peaceful, secured community,where almost everybody is like a family. It's so different now, I miss living in a camp already!

6.Tell us a little about your life now?

So far,I think this is the most challenging and rewarding stage of my life- being a full-time mom! You have to be on your feet even if you don't want to! My goodness, I wasn't warned! After a decade of working as a professional nurse, I thought it's just right that I focus on looking after my brood. I love and cherish everyday I spend with these 3 little angels! It could be chaotic sometimes, but knowing you're making an impact to their lives is enough motivation to be a good person whom they can look up to. Now that we have kids, being a wife is only secondary to being a mom, and in between I have a 'non-profit' business(according to my hubby) to attend to.


7.What is the name of your etsy shop & what is your specialty?

My etsy shop is named Julenas1oak(julena's one of a kind).I make jewelleries such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and a few hair accessories. What makes them different from other jewelries you see is that most of the materials are rare, hard to find vintage components, and reproductions from old toolings sourced from reliable online suppliers. Some of these components are not being made anymore and are very limited so that I only make 1 per design.  As they say, "the possibilities are limitless", which is so very true.

It's tedious as most of my materials comes from outside of the country. Most of the time materials requires 2-3 sources to come up with a single piece like a necklace, not that they aren't available in one supplier, but thats just how I want it to be. As much as possible I use natural stone beads and very few glass beads just to add sparkle to a piece.

8.Where else can we find you online?

I maintain a blog at http://www.julena14.blogspot.com and a new twitter account http://twitter.com/#!/VintajjulEna


Okay Brats, let's all go follow Elen on twitter, visit her blog and comment, your circle on etsy.

Thank you Elen, for participating in this new blog feature!

BRAT-TY BLOGGER

Welcome to our Brat-ty Blogger Feature!
http://karencaseysmith.com/blog/

♥1. What is your name, and your etsy shop(s) name?


My name is Karen Casey-Smith, and my Etsy shop is under the same name, http://www.karencaseysmith.etsy.com/ I'm a fine art photographer who also makes spiritual Flower Mandalas, used to bring uplifting, positive energy into your living space, or work environment.

True - Flower Mandala

♥2. What is your blog address?

Title: photo energy - art that captures you ... http://karencaseysmith.com/blog/

♥3. Why did you start blogging?

Initially I began blogging to show my work, to make connections with people, introduce myself, and tell about what I do. I have to say though, that writing is good for me. Organizing my thoughts enough to write a post really does bring me a lot more clarity, and it's fun to be actively participating.

Presence - Flower Mandala

♥4. Does your blog have a theme? *** What do you usually write about on your blog?

Blogging allows me to make a bit deeper connection with others by telling the story behind an image, insights it has brought me, or by sharing a quote that conveys the feeling of the image. I love sharing things (images, quotes, music, and videos) that are uplifting, spark my enthusiasm, and have been helpful in my life. Sometimes, through my photographs, I enjoy simply showing beautiful, cool, or fun things I see.

Emissary of Light

♥5. Would you like more “followers” on your blog?

For sure, I'd love to have more followers! You can follow through RSS, or sign up by email. Look for the sign up directly under my blog banner, on the right hand side of the page.

Always, My Love

♥6. Do you promote your Etsy shop or anyone elses Etsy shop on your blog?

My Etsy mini is there in the left column, and links to the Etsy shops of some of my friends are on the right column.

Gentle One

♥7. Where else can we find you online?

You can find me at:

        ArtFire _ http://www.artfire.com/users/KarenCaseySmith

        Zibbet_ http://www.zibbet.com/KarenCaseySmith

        Facebook _ http://artist.to/karencaseysmith

        Twitter_ http://twitter.com/karencaseysmith


♥8. Let’s see your favorite item from your shop and tell us something about it.

It's hard to pick a favorite, though one image that continues to have a special place in my heart is Dandelion Clock. The dandelion is just at the right stage to blow for a wish. The colors are a warm memory. It has a lot of significance as well, since dandelions are the official flower for Brats, and the pocket watch you see was my great-grandfather's. I was fortunate to have him around until I was twelve. He was truly the perfect grandfather.

Dandelion Clock

END

FEATURED ARTIST

Our Featured Artist:     

http://www.elephantdreams.etsy.com/

Military Brats FEATURED ARTIST questionaire




1. Your name and where you live now.

Ruth Hill Radcliffe, living in the great state of Texas



2. What branch of the service was your parent(s) in?

My dad was a pilot in the Air Force



3. Where did you live while you were a military dependant?

We lived in Laredo, Texas three times, San Antonio, Texas, Caracas, Venezuela, and Colorado Springs

4. How did being a military dependant affect you?

Being a military brat was a little difficult for me. Our first major posting was when I was 6 years old. We were living in Venezuela at that time and there were 3 revolutions during our three years there. As a very shy and sensitive little girl this was very traumatic, not really knowing what was happening yet seeing violence on the TV and listening to gunfire. I wish that had made me braver, but it didn't.

5. What is your primary art form on Etsy?

At this moment I'm really concentrating on photography, although I am enjoying jewelry making....alas my painting desk is feeling a little neglected.

6. Do you have more than one Etsy shop? Please list your other shops.

1. rhradcliffedesigns.etsy.com

elephantdreams.etsy.com

earwingsandthings.etsy.com



7. Where else can we find you online?

RHRadcliffedesigns.blogspot.com

RuthHillRadcliffe@facebook.com

Visit Ruth's shops on etsy:

http://www.rhradcliffedesigns.etsy.com/
http://www.elephantdreams.etsy.com/
http://www.earwingsandthings.etsy.com/

BRAT-TY BLOGGER FEATURE

BRAT-TY BLOGGER
http://www.angieart.blogspot.com/
        This is a new feature on our team blog.  I hope you enjoy it!

♥1. What is your name, your etsy shop(s) name?

My name is Angee Chase and here are my shops.

AngeeArt.etsy.com ~ Vintage and handmade larger sculptures  http://www.angeeart.etsy.com/

WonderWorks.etsy.com ~ Dollhouse Miniatures and Jewelry http://www.wonderworks.etsy.com/

Visualicious.etsy.com ~ Soon to be a How-To DIY shop selling , kits, supplies and .pdf directions for making my edible candy and jewelry "Fruity Cuties." See my sold items for examples.
http://www.visualicious.etsy.com/
HeadlineDesign.etsy.com [letting all the listings run their course to close down. no sales]

 ********SALE ********I will give a 30% discount to any "Military Brat" who purchases from any of my shops. Before purchasing, convo me with " I'm a Military Brat " in the subject line and let me know what item you want to purchase. I will reduce the price of the item's listing and convo you right back. :D



♥2. What is your blog address?

Title: I N S P I R E D ... A Handmade Production Journal ... http://www.angeeart.blogspot.com/



♥3. Why did you start blogging?

I initially began my main blog to consolidate all of my venues and internet interests in one place. Since I regularly work in multiple mediums, I wanted a place to display everything; new ideas, custom commissions, items not listed in my shops, contest entries, etc. I've used it as a glorified portfolio. This blog stores everything ...so if I go into the archives I can literally see how productive I've been. It keeps track of all my links and most images so if my puter dies...what I have posted online stays alive.



♥4. Does your blog have a theme? *** What do you usually write about on your blog?

I guess the theme would be... Angee's Grand Central Station for everything I'm doing and everywhere I am online. Lately I have been using it (not all that often) to list my newest miniature work. But whenever I come up with something new in any of my shops or on any websites... I report on it to my followers. It affords me the opportunity to share with the visitors "Feedjit" (an app I use that shows visits in realtime) reveals from all over the world!



♥5. Would you like more “followers” on your blog?

I would LOVE more followers if blogger would get on the ball and fix the follower thingie so people could see that I have followers!



♥6. Do you promote your etsy shop or anyone elses etsy shop on your blog?

This blog is all about my creations and what inspires me. Mostly I promote my own items and shop venues. However, when entering contests or other such stuff I usually wind up promoting other blogs & websites.

I also have two other blogs that are primarily intented to feature other shops and artisans. (somewhat in disrepair)

DreamMakerMall.blogspot.com

An idea I had using Etsy minis but after I got it rolling realized you can't make multiple pages that way. They all have to stay on every page. So now it is a very elite venue that features rotating Etsy minis. [Hey this idea would work great to rotate featured weekly/monthly Brat team shops.]

..and this one

Title: Creative-Class ~ ac-Class.blogspot.com

Designed to feature only the best and most awesome artisans, their work, and creative processes. There are some awesome artisans there from last year. I got 5 artisans for free features the first of the year, and none of them ever submitted their info so... there it sits, last post was Dec. of last year! :-)



♥7. Where else can we find you online?

I have a NEW Pro Studio on ArtFire where I have all my eggs in one basket... or carry all of my mediums:

www.artfire.com/users/WonderWorks

and, a new Facebook Fan Page for WonderWorks with an ArtFire landing page Kiosk. This page is geared toward my line of handmade dollhouse miniatures from Etsy and ArtFire.

facebook.com/pages/WonderWorks/130996286980194



My main Facebook Fan Page soon to be mostly about my fine art and sculpture.

facebook.com/AngeeArt


I just recently broke down and signed up on Twitter: twitter.com/AngeeArt


♥8. Let’s see your favorite item from your shop and tell us something about it. You can also share anything you are working on.


Well...I just love miniatures (of course) so, if I had to choose a favorite thing from my shops it would be from my WonderWorks Shop... www.etsy.com/listing/54128796/tiny-gingerbread-house-hand-sculpted

This is the first Whimsy House I made in the series and it's been my best seller. It's great fun making all the tiny candies and parts for it. Thought it was the right size for a dollhouse gingerbread house to sit on a mini dining table, but alas, no! Team MIDS (Miniatures in Dollhouse Scale) informed me it was too big for 1:12" scale. So, it inspired a series of tiny collectibles in their own collector cases. It's still very small... 2" in diameter and stands 2" tall. (looks much bigger in photos than it is in realtime)

I just finished three shrunken heads to go in a miniature witch's house for a customer in Australia, and am currently finishing up some miniature books, a dollhouse world globe, a new design for some tiny flamingo earrings, and adding a gazillion things to my new ArtFire Shop.



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Go visit Angie's blog and don't forget to leave her a comment!
****note:  To leave a comment, sign in but do not hit the "stay signed in" button.  Blogger has not fixed this problem yet. 

FEATURED ARTIST

http://www.spiderwoodhollow.etsy.com/

Military Brats FEATURED ARTIST questionnaire


1. Your name and where you live now.

       My name is Ellen Nagel. I now live in Washington with   my husband and three cats.

2. What branch of the service was your parent(s) in?

    My father was in the Canadian Air Force for twenty five years. He was an Aircraft Mechanic with the rank of Sargeant.

3. Where did you live while you were a military dependent?

    I lived in many different places while my dad was in the military. We started in Calgary, Alberta then moved to Greenwood, British Columbia then to Penhold, Alberta.

My dad was then stationed overseas for a year. (England, Germany and France) He took our mother and the youngest of the five kids. Two of us were left with relatives in London,Ontario and two in Lousana, Alberta. When they got back from overseas, dad was stationed in Edmonton, Alberta. From there it was Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan then to Namao, Alberta.

I got married to another air force brat the year before Dad retired in 1968.

4. How did being a military dependent affect you?

    As we were always moving, it was hard to make friends so being a large family, all eight of us girls became very close and were friends as well as siblings.

5. What is your primary art form on Etsy?

    My primary art form for over thirty years was stained glass. Two of those years were on Etsy under the name of Lyons Creations. Now, I make spiders, spiders webs and dragonflies in a shop called Spiderwood Hollow which I opened January 2010.

6. Do you have more than one Etsy shop? Please list your other shops.

    I only have the one shop now on Etsy.

These are some photos of Ellen's work:

Visit Ellen's Etsy Shop:
http://www.spiderwoodhollow.etsy.com/

Military Life from a Spouse's Perspective

The Homefront Team and the Brats are combining efforts to share our experiences with the military lifestyle so that others can fully understand the sense of community, sacrifices, benefits, and expectations we all share as members of a truly unique group of people. Each month we will feature a story shared by a Military Brat Team member, and a story shared by a Homefront Team member.

Military Life…. From a Spouse’s Perspective
Leslie Jeannet of Heart Adrift

Growing up in south Louisiana, I was constantly surrounded by family and friends – you see, southern living has a certain magnetism to it that keeps its natives near and never seems to let them drift far. When my heart became drawn to a “Navy Boy,” as my friends called him, red flags started flying. No one could understand why on earth I’d ever want to be involved with someone outside the city limits, let-alone someone who was in the military!

Fast forward over 4 years later and here I am: far from the family and friends I love dearly, but happier than I could have ever imagined because I married the man who captured my heart. Being a Navy Wife is one of the hardest yet most rewarding aspects of my life. In these short years I’ve learned what it is to trust someone more than I trust myself, gained a love and respect for my country that I’ve only ever heard my grandfather speak of, and realized that communication truly is the key to a successful marriage. Though only partially through his very first deployment, I can tell you one thing: strength finds you when you least expect it.

Thanks Leslie for sharing your story with us! Please visit Leslie's Shop, "Heart Adrift" and her blog, "The Jeanetts"

Also friend her on FB

If you would like to submit a story for this series please contact Jen at Brats of Etsy. You can also find us on Facebook.

The Homefront Team and the Brats are combining efforts to share our experiences with the military lifestyle so that others can fully understand the sense of community, sacrifices, benefits, and expectations we all share as members of a truly unique group of people. Each month we will feature a story shared by a Military Brat Team member, and a story shared by a Homefront Team member.

Military Life…. From a Spouse’s Perspective

Milleth Soliza of Fully Hooked

Sometimes someone will say to you “oh you poor dear, deployments must be very hard on you, especially with kids”. Sometimes, they’ll say “thank you for your service”. And then sometimes, they’ll simply give you a look of mixed animosity and pity. And I would respond “yes ma’am, it sure is hard” or “thank you, sir, and you’re welcome”, or simply just smile kindly. Everyone seems to have a premeditated view on military life, and I agree that it’s not the life for everyone. I may sit hours on end, making jewelry and burning the midnight oil, waiting for that phone call to come through from some remote location in the desert, and I may celebrate birthdays, holidays and anniversaries without my other half, but I don’t despair--because this life has allowed me to fall in love with my husband many times over. This life has reinforced every promise we’ve ever made to each other, and truly, I am happy.

Every deployment or separation creates that gut-wrenching anxiety that starts at the pit of your stomach and spreads all over you and seem to settle deep within you, making it hard to breathe… but every return brings with it the euphoria of first love: the butterflies, the tingles, the perpetual pull and gravity of a steadfast commitment made between husband and wife—and I’m okay once more. We knew from the onset that this was going to be hard, but the rewards are great as long as you are committed to making the most of everything. So, hard as military life might be, my smile never wavers.

Thanks Milleth for sharing your story with us! Please stop by visit Milleth's Shop.

If you would like to submit a story for this series please contact Jen at Brats of Etsy You can also find us on FB

Military Life from a Spouse Perspective

The Homefront Team and the Brats are combining efforts to share our experiences with the military lifestyle so that others can fully understand the sense of community, sacrifices, benefits, and expectations we all share as members of a truly unique group of people. Each month we will feature a story shared by a Military Brat Team member, and a story shared by a Homefront Team member.

Military Life….
From a spouse’s perspective
Sara of Sara Rubendall Design Studio.

Sarah modeling as "Barbie"

I never in a million years thought I would be a Navy wife. Never. I met my husband when we were in college and shortly after we started dating he told me he had joined the Navy. I was absolutely devastated. The word Navy to me meant that I would never see him. I was a hot mess when he left for bootcamp and I cried until there were no more tears to cry. I thought at the time that nothing good would come of this, but boy was I wrong.

We got married when he took leave from A-school in December of 2004. I was still unsure of this whole Navy thing because we were still apart and I dreamed of the time when we could finally be together. In April I rode a bus down to St. Mary's Georgia where my husband was stationed on his first boat. I was in heaven. I am from a small town in Illinois and to say I hadn't been much of anywhere was an understatement. Now here I was in Georgia where I never thought I would be. Heck, this was the first time I had even seen the ocean! The Navy was turning out to be not so bad after all!

Winning First Kiss

After I survived my first deployment we were transferred to Washington and I was pretty excited. We packed up our stuff and got driving. Once we got to Washington my mouth hung wide open. Never had I seen a mountain either. It was amazing and absolutely beautiful.

Premade Basic Etsy Shop Set

In my experience as a Navy wife I will say that I have gotten to see and do some pretty cool things. How many people can say that they have been on a submarine? I am so lucky to have had these experiences and I thank the Navy for every last one of them :)

Thanks Sara for sharing your story with us!

Please visit Sara's Shop and her blog.

If you would like to submit a story for this series

please contact Jen at Brats of Etsy
You can also find us on FB

Military LIfe From a Spouse Perspective

The Homefront Team and the Brats are combining efforts to share our experiences with the military lifestyle so that others can fully understand the sense of community, sacrifices, benefits, and expectations we all share as members of a truly unique group of people. Each month we will feature a story shared by a Military Brat Team member, and a story shared by a Homefront Team member.

Military Life….
From a spouse’s perspective

Crystal of Crystal's Treasures

First off, I’m an AF Wife and proud! My husband was in the military when we met, and we have been together for over 10 years.

One of the hardest things to do is say goodbye to your spouse never knowing if they are coming back, and having to see the heartbreak on your children’s faces as the spouse walks out the door.

I become a single parent each time my spouse deploys. The kids in school and their sports practices, working a regular job, and crafting all take time. Then there is the home life of cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, clothes and necessity shopping, etc. Sometimes it’s so hard, but then you get to talk to your spouse by phone, or Skype, and it all just washes away. Nothing I have to do can be harder than what my spouse does.

Our spouses work every day to give us our freedom, and for that, I thank each and every spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc. One of the hardest jobs is to be a military wife, and we are STRONG!

Making jewelry for me has been a large outlet of energy for me. I love it, and it’s not considered a job to me, but a vision of fun. I love creating!

Thank you so much Crystal for sharing your story!

If you would like to submit a story for this series please contact Jen at Brats of Etsy
You can also find us on FB