sir richard in space?

just a REMINDER

m&t will be at 103 bellevue ave (college st. @ bellevue)
"st. stephen-in-the-fields" this SATURDAY DECEMBER 5th 2009 from 11am to 6pm.

major christmas sale folks!

hope to see you there!

cheers

the new m&t online portfolio

20% off HOLIDAY SALE nov.27th//nov.30th

visit here: http://www.thehouseofhemp.etsy.com/

all items ready to ship! :: don't miss out on our only sale this year!

CRAFT OFF THE LOT exhibition // toronto

visit murano & tagua // thehouseofhemp.etsy.com this weekend nov. 13//15th @ the corner of toronto's king and shaw, LG fashion weeks 2009 venue, for gift ideas, winter wear and more!

http://www.thehouseofhemp.etsy.com/

for you, for java, for CILANTRO... new colour...

the coffee house cowl in cilantro//here.

now it's on to get orders mailed out to you and items ready for the winter fling craft show in toronto on december 5th//09 [[http://www.acraftthing.com/]

jpg. of the week...

labokoff, a photographer and artist from paris has a unique eye and amazing ability to portray emotion in an abstract, nature inspired manner: many beautiful, almost dream like images to choose from, labokoff is offering a limited time promotion on until oct. 25th//09.

jaune 8.5 x 8.5 //here.

things in my near-ish future...

vintage aviators//here.

lynx bag in slate//here.

geb silver cuff//here.

the coolest umbrella i've ever seen//here.

this is a small wishlist... there are so many things...
cheers!

new... for java...

the coffee house cowl in taupe//here.

my favorite little man

the biggest little guy i know // love you. xoxo.

i'm suffering from major deja vu.

new new items... for you...

the soopah cowl deluxe version // here.

delicate skeleton leaf earrings 16k gold plated // here.

the coffee house cowl in fisherman // here.

front page happens...

m&t treasury for etsy...

jpg. of the week...

i'm first made aware of this artist/designer on etsy's style blog - and at the risk of being redundant i'm really moved to share his works as well...

Anthony Roussel

amazing. anthony "works towards creating a perfect synthesis of jewellery and art" - and has mastered the use of many tools (including 3D modeling software and digital production) on his way to becoming a widely recognized artist.

http://www.anthonyroussel.co.uk/

jpg. of the week

the work of sharon montrose is currently being featured on etsy through their "featured seller" interview. judging by her sales, her work which consists of animal photography strikes a cord with many. it's simple, it's clean, it's beautiful - and in case you're wondering, yes the animals are real... crazy, i know.

baby deer, 7x8 fine art print

kicking off the season...

i'd like to extend a warm thanks to all of those who have contributed to a good '09/10 fall and winter season "kick off". cheers to etsy and all of you are putting us in your treasuries and blog posts.

we'd love to get better acquainted: "i'm" the one writing to you, making for you, "modeling", mailing and maintaining everything :) "us" is in reference to number 2 and 3, my sig. other and beautiful son who can cut a serious rug and is currently completely infatuated with cars and is very patient with his mom for all the post office runs he accompanies.

my feeling is, as etsy grows with over 100,000 new members a month (and an impressive $15,000,000+ in sales for august... !!!) it's going to be a busy winter.

keep up the good work and good luck!

xoxo.

off the handmade path :: m&t recommends...

veering off the etsy/handmade movement but in keeping with our occasional product reviews and recommendations we (my husband and i) just bought the wii console along with the new ea sports active (personal trainer in a box). hmmm. amazing! :) not only are we dazzled by the futuristic interactive aspect of it but as everyone is saying, it really does provide a workout customized to the user.

intensity levels are adjustable, the tutorial videos make everything pretty clear, and being a long time lover of track and field i can now run a track in my living room, or relieve frustrations by knocking out a few punching targets (you really get into it, it's pretty funny to watch).

just started the 30-day challenge, so i know there's lots more to come, like for instance basketball which i'm stoked about - definetly worth the money! definetly worth grabbing an extra set of controls (or nunchuks... ) take the chance on it! you won't be dissapointed.

addons and upgrades are being released for the winter holiday season '09/'10.

the accidental cowl :: new item

so i was trying to make this sort of like batwing sweater with a deep V and the project protested. half way through it's creation it morphed into this amazing cowl which i am so delighted with. here are a couple of photos.

i'm thinking it'll be great in camel, sage, maybe even a mustard yellow and grass green. we'll see.

http://www.thehouseofhemp.etsy.com/

http://www.muranoandtagua.com/

jpg. of the week...

check this out - i was looking for a better to way to fill some showbox frames and i thought about pop ups. so i searched google. check out this etsy shop full of DIY easy cut pop up cards that are really more like small works of art -->

kirigami pop up panda @ www.popupcardmaking.etsy.com

suggestions for jpg. of the week are always welcome, just leave a comment below!

new collection for summer

here to share some photos with you of the beginnings of a new collection for m&t. these pieces are all unique, originals that offer a lighter feel and incorporate a number of materials - from organic to manmade.

tagua and glass necklace in FLING @ $27.00USD

tagua and glass necklace in SUMMER NIGHTS @ $27.00USD

tagua and glass necklace in DRAGONFLY JARDIN @ $27.00USD

we also have some new pieces using resin and organic seeds/nuts - check it out!

the winner is...

congratulations!

new stuff! cowls and more...

this is the architect cowl in colour block II. it's without the moto stripe down the middle, but it features a crocheted tube at the bottom that houses a functional drawstring. it's also a bit larger, so if you like a more drapey look this one could be for you!

see more photos of this piece here: architect cowl II in colour block: GRAPE

long eco-friendly necklace made with a variety of nuts and seed beads which are most commonly found in south america. this piece features a very large kongolo bead which are picked up off the beaches. if you like a chunky and more bohemian look this necklace could be for you, at an affordable price. will ship immediately.

visit: http://www.thehouseofhemp.etsy.com/ for more updates and new listings! :)

jpg. of the week - calling all fans of RH...

calling all fans of radiohead - go here for some ok computer artwork.

etsy's front page this morning

thank you! gracias! merci mille fois!

and they say nothing is free...

it won't be monthly but every once in a while, or more so when i feel like it -- the necklace pictured below is up for grabs in a free giveaway, which includes the shipping costs (within north america only) - all YOU have to do is leave a comment below along with your contact information (preferably an email address or shop URL if you're directed here through etsy) and the winner will be randomly selected in exactly two weeks from today on FRIDAY, JUNE 5th, 2009.

:: eco friendly tagua slice necklace in white ::

good luck!

do you know barbara kruger?

on a trip to new york i happened across an exhibition at the whitney museum by one barbara kruger which truly and forever influenced my standards as far as thought provoking and social commentary go in form of imagery. it is said that her artwork is so direct that it evokes an immediate response or reaction, and this is no exageration.

in this exhibition, the first and second doors on the left hand side were two installations that mirror this photo almost exactly. she'd set up a dark and tiny room with a lot of large, loud words and phrases which when projected had the power to just about knock you over... or have you slowly back out of the room feeling no more than 2 feet tall - which was more likely than not the point of this installation as words can often be used like a loaded gun.

kruger likes to use black and white and red, it's a common theme among most of her pieces, as in the above photo - it's stark, but effective. she photographs people, places and situations that depict human emotion, and feeling, no matter how twisted and strange, because it's all of us, it's a reflection of everything that society tries to hide. it's brave and it's genius, and i just happened across it, how lucky.

see more of her work here: http://www.barbarakruger.com

an extreme cowl for extreme folks

another new addition for fall and winter 2009, an extreme cowl, super large with natural/eco friendly ojos de buey button details and a hidden pocket for ipods/mp3 players/mobiles etc. this piece was crocheted double strand with an acrylic yarn making it great for people with wool allergies or sensitivities - this also makes it an option for vegans and gives it a super soft feel.

priced at an appropriate $45.00USD this is also a very affordable price for a great winter style, but i have to reiterate! you gotta love big! because this is an extreme cowl, super comfy, very warm, machine washable.

shop online at: http://www.thehouseofhemp.etsy.com/

feed your soul free art project

a peaceful, thought-provoking way to share with others, indiefixx.com has started the 'feed your soul' free art project where artists are invited to share their work in an open/free download forum. artists include successful etsy sellers mandy sutcliffe of belle&boo and jo askey of littlerobot, who also designs for moo.com.

feed your soul: http://indiefixx.com/Feed_your_soul/downloads.html

new addition

the architect colour block cowl in: PEA GREEN

this is a new design for winter 2009, with many colour block combinations to come - i'm creating winter wear in spring/summer and it feels a bit ridiculous at times, but i know it will be beneficial in the long run: more time to experiment! it's over 20" tall, three balls of yarn or 510yrds used - it's not a quick piece but it is simple, and the outcome is fantastic.

shop online at: www.thehouseofhemp.etsy.com

welcome to blogspot...

murano & tagua aka: thehouseofhemp on etsy.com will be posting here in an attempt to reach a larger audience/following of like minded people who have interests in many venues and opinions on many current world/political and creative issues and projects.
the vision is this: to get people motivated, interacting, creating and expressing.
love to hear from you, comments are welcome as are inquiries about any items available in the shop.
here's to getting to know you!
*cheers*
m&t