Team Member Profile: Bandit Queen

Coming off the success of our holiday giveaway, we are resuming our team member profiles. This week's featured Artsy Danger Lady is Bandit Queen.



Tell us a bit about yourself.
When I’m not being Queen, I go by Claire and live in a cozy house in Columbus, Ohio with my husband and mad pack of critters. We have too much fun which leaves little time for all the home improvement projects I scheme up.

What first made you want to become an artist and/or crafter?
Without art, life would be so dull. As Neil Gaiman says, "The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before." I'm a lifetime crafter. Ever since I can remember, I've been busily and enthusiastically participating in my mother's crafting schemes.

What are your favorite products to make?
Accessories. I love the idea of someone wearing my stuff out in public and brightening the day up.



Where does your shop name come from?
A Decemberists song. Its perfectly irreverant

What inspires you?
Sunshine, good music, unexpected turns of phrases, carefree folks, genius friends, pretty colors, graffiti, just about anything really.

How do you describe your design style?
The more color, the better! Neutrals may be more sophisticated, but I like the exuberance of the bright.


What are your business goals and vision?
To have fun and make a few things that never were before. I have a job in the nonprofit world so this shop is more too make money to spend on the wide range of etsy items I can't seem to do without.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
I love the hairpins cause they make it so easy to add fun and whimsy to an outfit. I also adore the felt bouquets cause I really adore fresh flowers but can’t afford to have them throughout the house all the time. They are a great way to keep my favorite vases out and a bit of color here and there.


Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I’m a complete book worm. I have to have three going at once and a mountain of books by my bedside so I can start a new one as soon as I finish the one in my hands. I’m a mean baker and a very curious girl. My real job is fundraising for a charity that feeds people in need. It's wonderfully rewarding. I get to be the bridge between those who want to help and those who need it.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
A quilt my mum made me when I turned 16. Its all kinds of beautiful golds, midnight blues, and tans with stars throughout. Its getting a bit shabby around the edges now, but I really adore it and refuse to stop using it. If the house was burning down and all my loved ones and critters were already safe, I’d be grabbing that quilt on my way out.

In ten years I'd like to be...
Just as happy as I am now.

And cause I cannot resist adding a bit of whimsy to end this, can I also share a much-loved poem?

CASSEL ROAD by Sandra Maddux-Creech

Look…
the rabbits actually danced
on their hind legs
in the smoky moonlight
all about the black fields
and gray gravel road
staring us down
in the trail of our headlights
How dare we come there?

I swear
we drove backward
for two miles


To see more of Bandit Queen's fun, flirty felt creations, visit her Etsy shop here.

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Day 12 - Kei and Co.

Welcome to the final day of the 12 Days of Holidays Giveaway here on our site. It's been quite a ride but we've seen a lot of great comments and followers to our blogs, not to mention 12 different winners each day. Who is today's winner going to be? Let's see what you can win first.
:)

The final day is brought to you by Kei Co.
Were you naughty when someone else was nice? She's giving away a 2-pack of apology cards to make things right (perhaps as a New Year's Resolution?)

This set of two 4-Bar sized flat cards (measuring 3 1/2" x 4 7/8") has been hand-stamped with the message I'm Wrong, You're Right in a cool celadon, then embossed to create a lovely raised image with a little bit of shine. Each card is accompanied by a "pool" blue 4-Bar sized envelope (measuring 3 5/8" x 5 1/8") which has been hand-lined with some very cool mosaic-design paper in rich rose tones. The camera phone photo does not do these cards justice.

Kei Co. focuses on small but delightful paper projects... petite cards and hand-lined envelopes, origami with luscious papers, and embossed stamp work.


Want to win these fabulous cards? Just leave a comment telling us what else you fancy in Kei Co's shop along with a valid email address or Etsy address so we can contact you. Winner will be drawn at 12 midnight EST by a random number generator. Good luck!

Day 11 - Peaches & Juleps

Day 11 is here and brought to you by Peaches and Juleps. Peaches and Juleps is a small photography shop with a concentration on vintage cars, abandoned houses, and other unusually pretty things.

Today's offering is a sepia toned digital photograph of a baby's hands holding cracked robin's eggs. Neither child labor laws nor animal rights protections were violated in the making of this photograph.

The final print is 5x7 printed on professional grade Kodak paper with lustre coating.


So how can you win this lovely photograph? Just leave a comment with your name, e-mail and/or Etsy address so we can contact you. Be sure to tell us what else you love in Peaches and Juleps shop in your comment. Winner will be chosen at 12 midnight EST by a random number generator and posted here. Good luck!

Day 10 - Bandit Queen

Day 10! Almost to the end! But before we wrap up this giveaway for the holidays, there are still more lovely items to win! Today's item is brought to you by Bandit Queen. Bandit Queen's shop is chock full of felt accessories and decor. These felt flowers are a darling way to light up any space. The bendable wire stems makes their height adjustable.


Want to bring spring into your home during these cold winter months? Just leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is from Bandit Queen's shop along with a valid e-mail or Etsy address so we can contact you. Winner will be drawn at 12 midnight EST by a random number generator and posted here. Good luck!

Day 9 - Niknod

It's time for Day 9! Today you could win this pair of star ornaments from Niknod Handmade Hats & Whatnot. Hand-crocheted of 100% cotton yarn in snazzy hues of red and lime green, these stars would look great on your tree, or tied onto a special gift or two.

Niknod's shop features fun, retro-inspired hats for babies, kids, and grown-ups. She spends a long time developing her patterns, making sure her hats are stylish, comfortable, and sturdy. But some days, when she’s feeling a little silly, animals fly from her hook instead of hats!


How do you win this holiday cheer? Just leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is in Niknod's shop along with an e-mail or Etsy address so we can contact you. Winner will be drawn at 12 midnight EST via a random number generator. No other comments will be accepted after the winner is drawn. Good luck!

Day 8 - Calabaza

Day 8 is great! On day 8 you could win a custom name or monogram drawn in ink and digitally colored by Calabaza.

When you win, you will be contacted by calabaza to discuss the details and will get to choose your colors and what name you would like to have drawn. Once the drawing is finished and colored, you will receive a jpeg file that you will have rights to print as you wish! Great for cards, using on your blog, or even on your etsy site!

(Note: image pictured is just an example of the style of lettering used to create your personalized image)

So how can you be the lucky person to get this awesome personalized image? Just leave a comment telling us what other item you like in calabaza's shop along with a valid e-mail address or Etsy shop. Winner will be picked at 12 midnight EST by a random number picker and posted here. No other comments will be eligible after the winner is picked. Good luck! :)

Day 7 - Flashframe

Welcome to Day 7 of our 12 Days of Giveaways. The participation has been impressive, the products have been fabulous and today is no exception. Today's giveaway features a robot keychain from Flashframe. Her shop features photography prints, notecards and fun accessories.



One lucky winner can win this awesome keychain. This glass tile pendant turns the original "Robots Rule" photograph into a fun accessory! Is this little guy friendly or planning to destroy you? The jury's still out. This robot photo keychain is perfect for kids or kids at heart, and fans of robots, geek chic, or retro kitsch.

So, want to be that lucky winner? Just leave a comment detailing another item you found in Flashframe's shop that you really like and decent contact info like an e-mail or an Etsy shop address so Flashframe can contact you. Winner will be drawn at 12 midnight EST via a random number picker and posted here. No other comments will be counted after the winner is drawn.
Good luck!

Day 6 - Petite Legume

Day 6 is brought to you by Petite Legume, a shop that features kids' clothes in adorable prints. Currently in the shop are cotton pants in several fabulous fabrics, including penguins and holiday patterns, for sizes 0-2T. Today's featured item is your choice of a handknit hat sized to fit a large toddler. The blue basketweave hat is knit in Italian wool with a white fun fur trim; the pink roll-brim hat is 100% cotton with blue trim and topknot.


How adorable are these hats? Winner has the pick of one of these hats. All you have to do is leave a comment saying what your favorite item is in Petite Legume's shop and including a valid e-mail or Etsy address. Winner will be picked at midnight EST by a random number generator. Good luck! :)

Day 5 - Woodmouse Loves Wood

Day 5 is here! Today you could win this festive red and green pair of house ornaments from Woodmouse. You can visit her shop here.


They are handcut from sustainably harvested pine, woodburnt and then painted with AP Certified non-toxic waterbased paints. Finally, they are handsanded until smooth and sealed with beeswax and organic jojoba oil.

These ornaments are lightweight yet sturdy, perfect for lower branches on a tree where children or pets might knock them off.

They also arrive in a natural cotton gift pouch - perfect for gift giving!

Made in the USA by a craft at home mama!

Want to win these? Just leave a comment below telling us what your favorite item is from Woodmouse's shop. Make sure you leave an Etsy shop address or e-mail address so we can contact you if you win. Winner will be drawn at midnight EST by a random number generator and posted here so check back to see if you're the lucky winner. Good luck! :)

Day 4 - Our Side of The Mountain Crafts

Day 4 of our giveaway is brought to you by Debbie of Our Side of the Mountain Crafts. She is a fabric adict who makes a variety of items for women and children, including tote bags, infant gift sets, notebooks, and items for the home. Today she is giving away a colorful sleep mask featuring Moda's Fall Back in Time fabric. The orange dots are backed with a bright green flannel that's soft on the eyes. An elastic band makes it easy to pull on and off. A sleep mask is a great gift for a new mom, traveler or anyone else who needs to catch some winks anytime of day.


Visit Oursideofthemountains's shop, find something you like, and comment about it here. Make sure to leave your contact information either via an Etsy address if you have a shop or an e-mail. The winner will be drawn at midnight EST via a random number program. If you have already won something from this giveaway you are welcome to comment still but you can only win once. If you haven't won, keep commenting, it could be you next! :)

Day 3 - Rainfeather13

Day 3 of our giveaway is brought to you by Rainfeather13 of Rainfeather's Obsessive Stitchery. Her specialty is embroidery and she utilizes it beautifully to create beautiful towels, wallhangings and designs on clothing. The item you could win today is this embroidered towel with a tree design.



This is a 100% cotton huck towel, which has a lovely texture similar to aida cloth. It's wonderfully absorbent, and great for drying dishes because it won't leave lint all over them. It measures 17" x 24" inches.

Love this towel? Here's how you could get it. Just visit Rainfeather's shop, find something you like, and comment about it here. Make sure to leave your contact information either via an Etsy address if you have a shop or an e-mail. The winner will be drawn at midnight EST via a random number program. If you have already won something from this giveaway you are welcome to comment still but you can only win once. If you haven't won, keep commenting, it could be you next! :)

Day 2 - Rabbit Patch

Welcome to Day 2 of our 12 Days of Holidays Giveaways! Day 1 was an awesome blast and here's hoping everyone has as much fun today.

Day 2 is brought to you by Rabbit Patch, a shop filled with all sorts of great toys for children and correspondence for adults. Today's featured item in the giveaway is a 2 card set with envelopes.


To be eligible to win this fabulous 2 card set, please post a comment below with a link to your favorite item in Rabbit Patch's shop. Also leave some way to contact you, whether it is through an Etsy address or an e-mail so we can contact you if you win. :) Winner will be drawn at 12am EST. Good luck!

Giveaway Day 1 - Jangie

Happy December everyone! As we all know, the holidays are just weeks away and what better time to have a holiday giveaway than right now. So let's get started!

Day 1 of our giveaway is brought to you by Jangie. One lucky person today will get 2 crocheted dishcloths and 1 small crocheted towel. All are made out of 100% cotton yarn and coordinate to match. The dishcloths have a small loop on one corner so you can hang them up when not in use. Dishcloths measure 7 inches square and the towel measures 10.5 inches wide by 18.5 inches tall. These would make a great stocking stuffer and all-around practical gift.




So how can you become that lucky person who gets this for free? Visit Jangie's Etsy shop and leave a comment here about something else you really like in her shop. Make sure to leave contact information or your Etsy shop address so we can contact you if you win. Winner is drawn midnight EST tonight. Be sure to check back to see what other items we'll be giving away in the next 11 days. Good luck!