rachelmaydesigns: Handmade Paper Garland

Check out my site for new products like Handmade Paper Garland! I'm adding items weekly, so make sure to check back:)




You can use paper garland for decorating a room, wrapping a gift-anything you want! I'm able to make different quantities than what is available, so let me know if you need more and we can set up a custom listing!

Handmade paper garland is made using paper that I handmade myself, then punched out different shapes. The shapes are then sewn together to make a garland.


Enjoy!


Rachel May

rachelmaydesigns featured on Etsy Treasury!

My Yellow EcoBook Journal was featured on a treasury today! You can check it out here.





Or check out my shop for other awesome items!


Enjoy!



Rachel May

rachelmaydesigns Featured on Etsy Treasury

My brown and blue EcoBook Listmaker was featured on a treasury today! You can check it out here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c4b931bea126d914f9f1400/recycled-reduce-reuse-regift-all-about

Enjoy!

Rachel May

New Etsy Line: Handmade Cards!

Check out this new line I've created for Etsy! I wanted to create a product that was fun and used up scraps of handmade paper (reduce, reuse, recycle) and to serve as an idea for the use of handmade paper that you can get in my shop (if you want to buy colored handmade paper, go here).

Use these cards to brighten up a friend's day or to tell that special someone how much you love them.

Each card is made using either card stock or kraft paper (recycled), adorned with a stamped element with handmade paper scraps sewn to the front. The handmade paper gives the cards great dimension! You also receive an envelope with each card, as shown in the images.

Stay tuned! Tomorrow will be the first post of Our New Place: The Pantry!

Enjoy!

Rachel May

Why is my name Butter? Cuz I'm on a roll...

I'm doing good. I'm staying on track, producing lots of items for Etsy, and keeping the apartment at some level of clean. A few days ago I made a beautiful batch of blue handmade paper and couldn't wait to start creating EcoBooks with it last night.

It seems that when I feel on track, I have good momentum for a few days, then I crash..so I'm trying to keep going by preparing for that "crash" moment.
What do you do to stay on track? Tips are always welcome.

On another note, I may have a new home. Yep, rachelmay designs will be moving. Currently, the boy and I live in a decent one-bedroom apartment in Denver. It's not downtown, or close to school, or near work for me---so it isn't all that convenient. My job however, has perks-and one is that I'm really close to a property management company. They are going to rent me a HOUSE! for a steal, and I'm taking it. It's four blocks from work, close to the light rail to get downtown/to school, etc....so all is looking good. Keep your fingers crossed that this goes through...I'm ready for a change of scenery:)

On another note-hasn't this just been a fabulous summer?! I sure think so!

Rachel May

Handmade Militia Recap

I just have to say that I had a total blast at the Handmade Militia Spring Market. I met a ton of cool people, sold a few EcoBooks, and just had a blast. The environment was wonderful, as were the other crafters and the customers. I really like and enjoy the Fort Collins demographic. I'm attaching a picture of the booth, which Cynthia (pictured) from http://www.fishyfishy.etsy.com/ and I shared, we are starting to do some of our marketing together. It was the first event together, but it went so smoothly!

I also bought some plants at the event from a local non-profit called the Grow Project. It seemed like a great cause, teaching people to be more self sustaining by learning how to grow plants, and they were giving plants out and asking for donation in return-which is absolutely wonderful. I got a cherokee purple heirloom tomato plant and a wild lettuce plant. I am happy to report that both plants are still alive and the boy and I are discussing planting a garden on the balcony this year-yay!

More later,

Rachel May

www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com

Handmade Valentine's Day

So, I was thinking about Valentine's Day, which makes sense, but I was thinking that I have no clue what I'm doing for the boy! I feel bad because he deserves a lot, but I don't have a lot to give. However, I have a strong opinion that handmade is the way to go, and I know he likes that anyways.

So I'm trying to think....I will surely make him a card, and I must make it extra special. Then what? He's not much for candy, and he's one of those "purpose" people. He likes for things to serve a function or have a use. I'm pretty sure we were going to make lasagna (may not be a romantic food to most, but it's like our anniversary dish...I made it the first Valentine's Day we were together, couldn't cook well then...not much better now)

Here's the list so far:
card
lasagna

hmm...needs something else. But what? I have some ideas brewing, but nothing amazing yet. If you think of any, let me know:)

What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Rachel May

Lookin' Good

I'm so proud of this.

Investments

Doing some interesting stuff for Etsy today, besides the stuff I posted earlier. Part of me thinks that I like all aspects of crafts and want my Etsy site to reflect that, and part of me thinks that will confuse people. And be hard to restock.

I think I'm going to narrow my focus, besides requests if people have them. Soon I will be working on a baby blanket for a baby shower gift, should be interesting. But I think Etsy is going to be aimed towards papergoods.

That's going to be my store. Love the jewelry, but there's a lot of intense jewelry competition on Etsy and I keep teaching people how to make it, so the demand for jewelry made by me is diminishing-lol.

I feel good about this-more focused. And soon you will see what I've cooked up today. Once I get it in the mail:)

Something to think about.

Enjoy!
Rachel May

New and Improved!

So, I got to thinking about the EcoBooks, because they have consumed my life (I love, love, love them). I was thinking about the eco-friendliness and the users, and I have made large improvements to the EcoBooks.

I started a new line: EcoBooks SkEtCh. The new and improved part comes in probably in one of those places that nobody thinks about, but I'll explain that element in a minute. The cool thing (for users) about the EcoBook SkEtCh line is that it is a super heavy paper, so you can write in ink or pencil or whatever and it shouldn't bleed through. It also makes a good weight of notepad, feeling more durable and substantial without being bulky.

The OTHER improvement:
I changed the glue. I'm now using a water-based non-toxic glue. I was really excited, because I know that adhesive is one of the tricky parts to making stuff green and eco-friendly. Now what's great about this glue is that it seals in the handmade paper cover and back so that you don't have to worry about durability, and it keeps everything together. It also offers endless design possibilities as now I can create patterns on the handmade paper if I want to.

I felt as though this was a great move and hope the EcoBooks catch on soon. It's a great product if I do say so myself.

http://www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com/

Enjoy!

Rachel May

Eco-Crazy!

I'm getting really excited about this new line for my Etsy site. http://www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com/ (warning-plugging for the website will be throughout this post, at least I warned ya!)

Process:

I recently got into making my own paper. I take things like junk mail and old bills and such and shred them in my paper shredder (partially for function later, partially because who doesn't like shredding things, and partially because I would like to keep my identity). After it's all shredded up, I have a white paper mulch-which is fun all in itself.

You can make an interesting handmade paper with just white shreddings, because the ink on the paper adds a purply-blue tone to it, but I usually choose to add color. I take scraps of cardstock from cardmaking and shred them up too. I then dump the white and colored shreddings into my blender(used only for papermaking) and add water. I blend the concoction and ta da! I have a weird pulp.

Taking the pulp and the handmade paper kit I got from another seller on Etsy (http://www.basicingredients.etsy.com/), I make the paper by sifting and drying the pulp (it's much more confusing than that, but no fun to read-lots of fun to do, though).

Drying is the worst part...it takes forever. I hate waiting, but the paper looks amazing when it's finished.

After all of this labor, I've made one component of the EcoBook. I then take the handmade paper and some paperboard(100% recycled and saved from food boxes and such) and back it for strength. I then cut some paper to go into the book for writing and doodling on, and bind it...all myself.

This has been one of the most satisfying craft things I have done in a long time, and I feel really proud because I truly feel like it's unique to me. I like that it's environmentally conscious-you know how it's made, where stuff comes from, it uses responsible materials, and when you are finished, you can rip off the binding and recycle the paper! What more could you want?

I hope everyone likes the EcoBooks. It's a new craft product that I really stand behind and I'm so proud of it. If you would like to purchase one, check out my Etsy site: http://www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com/

I have three versions available: Journal (6x8), Listmaker (3x7), and Reporter (3x5).

Enjoy!

Rachel May

Back to work!

Now that school is pretty much done (besides the graduation ceremony), I'm finally getting back to work on the website. The website that has nothing to do with my degree, but I digress.

I love crafts. I hope that is apparent from my website, lifestyle, and respect for others' crafts. Feel free to check out my website, I've added a TON of earrings today!

http://www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com/

Enjoy!

Rachel May

Apartment Therapy

So, I haven't been around very often because I've been busy working on The Cure. I've recenly gotten really into Apartment Therapy, and I'm trying to do the cure in my own apartment. If you want to check out their blog, it's http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ It's a really cool blog with great ideas.

I'm on week two of the Cure and I'm getting really into it. However, this all will have to change soon because I really need to be focusing on my grad project. I have a lot to do, but then I will be finished.

I have had the time to shop on the internet, though! Check out dennisanderson's soap on etsy, it's amazing! My new love is handmade soap.

Anyhow, I've been cleaning, organizing, and assessing my apartment situation. Now I am cooking, which is no easy task...at all. It aint easy, folks. Last night, I made chicken cordon bleu, and it turned out amazing! I made it with some mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. See the picture for the yumminess (oh, and ignore the stray green bean that fell on the table...lol).

On the craft front, I haven't been doing too much except for starting my graduation announcements. Those really need to get finished soon too.

Hope all is well with everyone!
Rachel May
check out my etsy site! http://www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com/

Ambitious Fool

Okay, now I'm on to recording my crafts and WIPs (Works in Progress). I'm hoping that by sharing these, it will force me to finish a project and to be held responsible for my ambitious crafting goals.



For this Christmas, I really want to pledge handmade. I've always tried to make handmade items for my family members, but I'm going to try to make things that are extra special this year.


In the picture, you will see something that I fear will be a really long WIP. I intend to do an interpretation of the Log Cabin Blanket and design that the ladies at Mason Dixon Knitting do. I read a great story about it on the Vegetarian Knitter's blog (http://www.vegetarianknitter.wordpress.com/). She talks about having the blanket as a comfort item through many moves and about adding to it when she feels like it. I like the idea behind that. I have started with Cascade 220 (I'm pretty sure, the labels are long gone though) and I've crocheted a square and I will just keep adding to each side.


Other than that, many new and some crafty things have been happening in our apartment. I have started recycling, which I am really excited about. But I wanted to take it a step further. I understand that our landfills are filling up, so recycling is a good step towards avoiding that, however, there are three parts: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. I want to work more on the reuse part of that equation.


So far, I am thinking of ideas for reusing the soup cans that we have set aside to be recycled. Right now, I use them to hold pens, pencils, and paintbrushes. They also work good for mini-pails. Last year, I painted them orange with black faces and filled them with candy for halloween coworker gifts. I will try to think of some sort of Christmas application for them.


Other than that, I have purchased a handmade papermaking kit by http://www.basicingredients.etsy.com/ and I have started to reuse my paper. I take scraps of paper from my cardmaking for color, and other papers (like credit card offers and old school junk) that have print on both sides, shred them up together, and make paper. For paper that only has one side used, I'm setting it aside for later endeavors (I will let you know when it progresses).


Anyone have new craft/recycling ideas? Let me know!

Rachel May

First Post

I just started this blog today to help advertising for my website on Etsy.

www.rachelmaydesigns.etsy.com

The goal of my website on Etsy is to provide affordable handmade gift options that everyone can enjoy. I currently have card and jewelry items on the website, and hopefully soon I will be expanding.

You should check it out!

Thanks for reading,
Rachel May