Featured Guild Member for August - Storybook Artifact!

The Etsy Recyclers Guild Member of the month for August is our very devoted Team Leader (and twin sister to our Team Captain Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles) Andrea of Storybook Artifact! Here is her intriguing interview full of inspiration to commemorate Andrea's hard work and dedication to the Etsy Recyclers Guild! Andrea has helped the guild so very much with writing team blog articles, organizing/promoting team treasuries, as well as being a motivating voice in our team discussions! Thank you Andrea!

Andrea of Storybook Artifact is pictured above wearing her Vintage Indian Princess Charm Bracelet and Earrings Set that is for sale in her Etsy Shop!

1.Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff).

Hello my name is Andrea. I live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in cozy house with two men: my darling husband and little boy, Bobby. I am full-time “Momma”, and humble house wife with many projects and aspirations on bringing a loving and warm environment to our home. In my free time, I love visiting my twin sister, Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles (she is the new team captain of the Etsy Recyclers Guild); my baby boy, her little nephew Bobby, loves to spend time with his Aunt Jessy also. Jessica and I love getting together and bumping ideas off of one another on what we can do to make both of our Etsy shops better ... we work so well together.

Pictured above is Andrea's Homemade Rumpelstiltskin Cookies...Jessica's (Eco-Friendly Freckles, Team Captain of the Etsy Recycler's Guild) FAVORITE cookies!!! These delectable cookies are for sale in Andrea's Etsy Shop Storybook Artifact.

2. How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?

I like how the initials of my name “Andrea Scott” matches those of “Storybook Artifact” ... I also like to think that this name for my shop is more of an achievement of mine, and also goal for me to work towards. I want each item in my shop to symbolize that special artifact thought only to be found in storybooks or fairytales. :-)

I was introduced to Etsy by my twin sister, Jessica, who also has a shop: Eco-Friendly Freckles.

3. What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your products/shop?

Storybook/Fairytale, Victorian, Romantic, Tea Parties, Bed and Breakfast

"Is He the Man of My Dreams" original oil painting by Andrea of Storybook Artifact.

4. What or who inspires you?

My goals for myself and my shop are to be everything I hope to be: giving, thankful, playful, adventurous, kind-hearted, friendly, fun, imaginative, creative, and unique.

5. What are your best marketing tips?

I can’t say it enough: TAKE FABULOUS PHOTOS!!! Taking bright, clear, breath-taking/eye-catching photos insures visitors and treasury features. :-) It is the best and most logical promotion your shop will ever get.

6. In ten years I'd like to be…

Seeing my baby boy grow up into a generous and responsible young man; I hope my encouragement helps him. I look forward to returning to school and would like to think that I could excel in biology to become a professor of human physiology/health. I look at Etsy as a means of funding my son’s early education programs/private schooling.

"Victorian Literature Collection" Antique Little Leather Library by Storybook Artifact

7. Why should people buy handmade and vintage items?

It is the thought that counts. Handmade and/or vintage items are unique, thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones to treasure through generations.

8. What do you enjoy most about the Etsy Recycler's Guild Team?

I am a big recycler here at home with my family’s trash, repurposing things/getting crafty, etc.; plus I use cloth diapers on my son. I’d like to think that my pet-pevish efforts have reduced my family’s household carbon footprint to below average. I also enjoy purchasing eco-friendly and organic products and foods.

"Woman Behind the Curtain" Original Painting by Storybook Artifact

9. What have been the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from other artists or Etsyians?

Get involved, make treasuries, be a good team member, pay it forward, be a blog author, offer to help, communicate, and be friendly!

10. What are the web addresses where people can find you? (website, etsy, blog, facebook fan page, flickr, etc.)

My Etsy Shop

My Blog

My Facebook

"Victorian Glazed Porcelain Carriage" by Storybook Artifact

Celebrating American Artists Appreciation Month!

"Painter's Easel" by Woodcraft Queen

In celebration of this American Artists Appreciation Month of August, I would like to share with you all some of the great American artists and the Etsy Recyclers Guild Member American Artists with similar, complementary artistic styles of the classics! Let's take a moment to sit back and admire some great American art!Mary Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker. She lived much of her adult life in France, where she first befriended Edgar Degas and later exhibited among the Impressionists. Cassatt often created images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children.

Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Leader Andrea of Storybook Artifact has a similar artistic style and she also loves to capture feminine beauty like Mary Cassatt. Above Andrea's oil painting bookmark "Princess StoryBookmark" is featured.

Roy Lichtenstein (October 27, 1923 – September 29, 1997) was a prominent American pop artists. His work defined the basic premise of pop art better than any other through parody. Favoring the old-fashioned comic strip as subject matter, Lichtenstein produced hard-edged, precise compositions that documented while it parodied often in a tongue-in-cheek humorous manner. His work was heavily influenced by both popular advertising and the comic book style. He himself described Pop Art as, "not 'American' painting but actually industrial painting". The Lichtenstein painting above is titled "Kiss V".
Etsy Recycler's Guild Team Captain, Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles introduces Lichtenstein/Pop Art influences into her hand-painted upcycled decoupage canisters; this style is particularly seen in her one-of-a-kind piece featured above titled "Paulie's Confession".

Ed Paschke was a Polish American painter. His childhood interest in animation and cartoons, as well as his father's creativity in wood carving and construction, led him toward a career in art. As a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago he was influenced by many artists featured in the Museum's special exhibitions, in particular the work of Gauguin, Picasso and Seurat. Above Paschke's painting "Espiritule" is featured.

Etsy Recyclers Guild Member Into the Trees has a similar since of style as Paschke; with radiantly eye-catching colors that pop and abstract influences; below is Blue Lady Palm Frond Mask Decor.

Georgia O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887 – March 6, 1986) was an American artist. She had distinguished herself as one of America's most important modern artists, a position she maintained throughout her life. As a result, O’Keeffe not only carved out a significant place for women painters in an area of the American art community that had been exclusive to and is still dominated by men, but also she had become one of America’s most celebrated cultural icons well before her death at age 98 in 1986. O'Keeffe's painting pictured below is titled "Red Cann"...this painting has always been one of my favorites. ;-) Although the artistic styles may be different, Etsy Recyclers Guild Member ColleenAttaraStudio has similar vibrantly colored floral paintings that catch your eye and warm your heart as do Georgia O'Keeffe's masterpieces.Above is Colleen's painting "Window filled with Flowers and Vases".

Edward Hopper (July 22, 1882 – May 15, 1967) was a prominent American realist painter and printmaker; he was most popularly known for his oil paintings. In both his urban and rural scenes, his spare and finely calculated renderings reflected his personal vision of modern American life. Above his painting titled "Morning in a City" is displayed.

Below is an original oil painting titled "Balancing Forces of the Universe" from our Etsy Recyclers Guild member Adrien Art; who I think has very similar artistic styles as American artist Edward Hopper.This blog article was contributed by Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.

What's NOT in Mother Nature's Cup of Tea: The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Splenda & Truvia) and Natural, Healthy Alternatives

The breathtakingly beautiful handcrafted teapot featured above is a one-of-a-kind creation from fellow guild member Adrien Art.

Scientific research has shown that artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, Splenda, and Truvia are very hazardous to our health. Aspartame, the common zero calorie synthetic sweetner, in diet sodas, sports drinks, flavored waters & teas, nearly ALL chewing gum (and I am not just talking about the "diet" ones), children's drinks, etc...is discovered to be a dangerous neurotoxin; and scientific evidence suggests that it may lead to neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. With my mother and twin sister both having Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I am very cautious about this synthetic ingredient. Although, my sister (who has MS yet is in very healthy shape right now) and I avoid Aspartame completely; our mother at the youthful age of 48, however, is completely paralyzed from the neck down and is living in a nursing home where she has been living for 12 years because of the debilitating effects Multiple Sclerosis has had on her body. Now, what is the one thing that our mother has been consuming daily for all of this time? Aspartame; in her diet soda and in the form of "Sweeten Low" in her iced tea...everyday. Now, I am not saying that Aspartame caused her disease, I just have a sense of concerned intuition about the safety of this ingredient. My mother strongly opposes leaving Aspartame out of her diet because she "loves it" and refuses to believe that it could be harmful to her body. I personally think that she is physically addicted to Aspartame.

There is a very informative documentary that I think everyone should watch called "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" that talks about the effects of Aspartame by doctors, scientists, and victims of this very common additive in our food supply. I strongly advise that everyone sit down and watch this film and show it to your friends and family. Here is a link to the full film:

Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World


Now, I know that many people believe that Splenda is a healthy sugar substitute; however it is over-processed and thus transformed into a chlorocarbon, with a molecular structure closely resembling chlorine-based DDT, the banned pesticide. Please look at this article on the Women to Women Website and these short video clips by Dr. Mercola about the dangers of Splenda:

"Sugar Substitutes and the Potential Danger of Splenda" by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

"Scientific Basis for Splenda Toxicity" by Dr. Mercola

"Is Splenda Really As Safe As They Say It Is" by Dr. Mercola

Unfortunately "Truvia" is now being advertised as a "healthy and natural" alternative to sugar; however, like Splenda, it too is overly-processed and has posed concern to scientists and doctors about it's safety. Please check out these links about the health concerns of "Truvia"...and please do your own research:

"Truvia: New Low Calorie Sweetener (Toxin)"

"Truvia Side Effects"

"Queen Bee Honey" by the Etsy Shop Queen Bee Honey!!!

You may now be asking..."What is the answer to the sugar substitute madness?!" Well, there are several NATURAL and HEALTHY choices out there for you to try. First of all, local, all-natural honey is a great and very medicinal sugar alternative (I even use honey in baking); pure maple syrup and molasses are also natural, healthy choices.

"Antique Run Away Spoons" by fellow Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Leader Andrea of Storybook Artifact.

Stevia products that you can find at your local health food stores are extracts from the Stevia plant and are very healthy for you. These places shouldn't carry Truvia I assure you...I know because I work at Akins Natural Foods Market and we don't carry it. Also, something that my husband Joe and I love to use is the actual Stevia leaf; we make our own herbal tea blends and add just a few pinches of Stevia leaf to our herbal tea blend (our favorite right now is Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Peppermint, Star Anise, Stevia leaf, and a hint of Cinnamon...mmm, divine)! You can find Stevia Leaf in this charming herb shop on Etsy it is called Mistical Acscents; here is their link to their Stevia Leaf listing:

"Stevia ORGANIC Natural Sweetener"Now, there is also another healthy and natural sugar substitute that I am very curious about...coconut sugar! Please check out this fascinating article about Coconut Sugar from Natural News:

"Coconut Sugar: Enjoy the New Star Among Low Glycemic Sweeteners"

My husband, Joe and I actually buy this delicious and surprisingly NUTRITIOUS (naturally contains trace minerals) Coconut Sugar by Natural News!!!

This blog article was contributed by Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.