Introducing Natacha Lee {sewing}

New Zealand artist, Natacha Lee draws her inspiration for her handmade baby and toddler clothing from her surroundings, fashion and art. "I love bird watching, which inspired me to sew various birds in an "ombre chinoise" style. I sew free handed, so each and every piece won't be the same. I have a love of detail and simple things." Her love for nature has caused her to re-use and compost as much as possible for her business. "I endeavor to mainly use pre-loved clothing and fabric remnants, I buy thread from an company that has been certified for its outstanding environmental management and so far all the packaging has been made from re-used packaging's and plastic wrappings (without compromising the safety of what's inside)."

The A line dress pictured above has an outer layer of merino wool (fabric remnant), lined with cotton (from a bed sheet). It is a perfect dress for cooler days and looks great over a long sleeve tee or just on its own. The pair of pants designed below are especially for the practice of Natural Infant Hygiene, and can also be used when potty training. The ones pictured were custom made following the instruction "make them whacky". Natacha has nicknamed them the "custo" style pants (from the Spanish brand of the same name). More of this style may be coming soon in her Etsy shop, as well as EC FlipFlap pants. Keep visiting her shop, pioupioukids to see her new items.

Introducing Michelle DeFillipo Stewart {mixed media}

Mixed media artist, Michelle DeFillipo Stewart is full of inspiration in her work and her journey of making a living through art. Her design above is titled "change". She says, "It was a new beginning for me. I had to start all over again after having my third child and this was a jump start design for me to happy new beginnings." You can find more about her motivational story in Touched Creatively's first issue. View several more of her designs which are available in prints, posters, notecards and magnets on her website or in her Etsy shop.

Introducing Christine Tenenholtz {pottery}

Pottery with fresh colors and organic qualities is handmade by Christine Tenenholtz. She is making a successful living creating beautiful and functional clay forms. Her creative journey has really evolved from when she was younger. Christine never had an interest in ceramics until after college. Little experiences can have such a great impact on our lives! If your interested in reading the story of how she became interested in pottery and her success story you can find out in Touched Creatively's first issue. Don't miss seeing more of Christine's lovely work in her Etsy shop!

Introducing Grace Hester {graphic design}

Grace Hester combines global elements with modern visual art for a unique take on wall prints and posters. She is inspired by her multicultural upbringing in Singapore (she is of Chinese descent, lived in an Indian household in her early years, and studied French in high school) and her wish is to provide that experience to her two daughters. She blogs about her journey of blending her Corporate America employee persona with her closet-design-fan-tactile-crafter tendencies on her blog titled "Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester". Her designs are available in her Etsy shop and they can all be customized to suit your needs.

Designs pictured from top to bottom include: 1. Ani-3-Set. Choose 3 modern animal prints 2. Modern Alphabet Print 11x14 3. "My Daddy is" Print To see more pictures and details of these items and more of Grace's designs visit her on-line shop.

Introducing Carolyn Moran {jewelry}

Find beautiful nature inspired jewelry made by Carolyn Moran of Alaska. Her Star Attraction pendant pictured above is a 55 carat handcrafted lapis lazuli created with swirling and shaping sterling silver filled wire and adding lapis lazuli chips and silver toned beads to enhance the natural beauty and shape of the stone. This indigo blue stone has beautiful shiny specs of gold and silver throughout. It measures 1" across and 2" top to tip including bail. This particular pendant is no longer available.

The good news is you can find your very own unique pendant made by Carolyn in her Etsy shop. You can also read more about her, her amazing surroundings of Alaska, and where she finds her unique treasures in the first issue of Touched Creatively. Don't miss seeing the rest of her work!

Introducing Sam Hirst {fabric designs and block printing}

Talented block print artist Sam Hirst finds inspiration in her own backyard, in the everyday things she uses, and in her children's artwork and imaginations. Here is what she has to say about her creations: "Even though I am a print artist, I am drawn to simple beauty. When I found this heavy linen with great texture, I knew it was time to make a new bag, something simple, easy to carry, store, and use. It is sturdy enough to take to the library, yet soft enough to fill with everything you need to take to the beach. And just to add a bit of happiness to your day, it is lined with a lovely spring green. Everything in my simplicity line is finished with grommets because I love to see the strength of the grommets next to the softness of the fabrics."

"I've always loved the idea of keeping a growth chart on a doorway, but I don't like the idea of leaving it behind when/if we ever move, so I decided to create a modern growth chart that can move with us. This natural canvas growth chart is block printed by hand with antique wood block numbers. I also block printed the inch markings every two inches to help you keep track of just how fast your kids are growing. The prints have been cured to set the ink, so this chart is washable! The chart measures about 9.5" X 58" and is packaged in a keepsake metal box. It is finished with two grommets for hanging. I've also included a fabric pen, twill tape which can be used to hang the chart, and two dowels which slip inside the top and bottom to help the chart hang flat and straight.This beautifully simple chart will be a keepsake that you and your kids are sure to love."

To find out more about Sam and to see her line of home decor and accessories please visit her website and blog. To view more photos of her simplicity tote and 1-2-3 grow with me growth chart from above, visit Sam's Etsy shop. Enjoy!

Introducing Lotta Helleberg {textile art and design}

The simple beauty found in nature is often overlooked. Lotta Helleberg from Charlottesville, Virginia has taken the time to examine her surroundings and create beautiful lasting textile creations. A bold fig leaf was screen printed on the tea towel above. Made from a linen/cotton blend fabric, this towel measures 18"x24" and is priced at only $24. Japanese maple leaves fall along the side of the pillow below. For this creation, real maple leaves were used as printing plates. The pillow measures 16"x12" and comes with your choice of wool or down artisan made insert for $115.

Please visit Lotta's website or her Etsy shop to see more amazing nature inspired creations that are available for purchase. More about Lotta and her printing technique can be found in Touched Creatively's first issue.

Introducing Scott Boris {woodworking}

I can't help but picture one of Scott Boris's beautifully turned bowls placed in the center of a table with a bunch of fresh fruit. What a centerpiece that would be and one full of so much meaning! Scott lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin and has been woodworking since early on in his teaching career (13 years). He says, "I have found the more saw dust I make, the more relaxed I feel. I bought a lathe in the fall of 2002 and have been playing on it ever since. Being in a profession that is 99.999% female, I have had a lot of fun making sure everyone knows that I am NOT female."

Scott has two favorite styles of turned bowls. One being natural edge like the one pictured above that shows the bark on the edges. The above Natural Bark Edge Locust Bowl is listed at $85. Crotch bowls are his other favorite. Crotches come from the area between the trunk and a main branch and give an interesting grain design. To read more about Scott's process and meaning behind his creations be sure to read about him in Touched Creatively's first issue. Don't miss his on-line shop at http://www.borisbadinov.etsy.com/ to see more of his amazing creations.

Introducing Karen Thurman {felt designs}

Talented Karen Thurman lives and works in Portland, Oregon. I love that her felt designs are full of organic shapes and lively colors. Her work would definitely add a cheerful feeling to any room. The photo above is a black eyed susan oval table runner for $80. The pussy willow pillows below sell for $90. To read more information about Karen and to see more of her work, check out her featured spread in Touched Creatively's first issue. More of Karen's beautiful felt designs can be found in her on-line shop. Be sure to check it out!