March of the Dead Theme & Zombie Pin (and then some) GIVEAWAY!

The Etsy Dark Team holds a monthly theme Exhibition of art, fashion and more online. This month's theme is March of the Dead!

New items are added to the Exhibition throughout the month, every month so please check back often! Past months Exhibitions can be seen here.

And while you're at it sign up for our public team site to stay on top of new items, discounts, contests and, best of all, interact with the members of the Etsy Dark Team!

 

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THE GIVEAWAY:

Go check out this month's Exhibition , then leave me a comment here about  your favorite item and what you like about it.

That's it! Your comment here enters you into the giveaway. At the end of the month I'll randomly choose a name from my e-hat.

Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you're not a Blogspot user (Myspace, email, Etsy shop, etc)!

 

The lucky winner will get their very own:

♦ OOAK hand stitched 4" tall Not-So-Fresh Zombie Pin from Static White's Stitchery (yours truly). It'll even arrive in it's own little body bag that doubles as a tissue holder when unoccupied.

♦ Debut CD from the up and coming Rock band The Redding Shift.

♦ And sample goodies from members of the Etsy Dark Team!

 

Update: Notice the new photo?? The purple boxes are an awesome mystery gift from GypsyEye!! I, of course, know what's in there and I promise it is lovely gift for a lucky lady. Don't fret guys! If a guy is chosen as the winner I have a secondary, just as mysterious gift for you, if you prefer.

Does this mean there is a second prize? *Gasp* Maybe. Maybe ;) You'll just have to enter and find out.

 

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Update #2: More of the goodies previously mentioned have arrived! Click the pic to go to my Flickr if you'd like a closer look and check the notes for details.

 

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Update #3: I just got the goodies from AgonysDecay... wow. Can I enter my own giveaway? So many great items! From everyone!

 

♥ Extra special thanks to LushPUNK for the CD artwork and KitCameo, GypsyEye, SacredOak, HandmadeHorrors, TheTinyTragedies, BellaLili, AgonysDecay (more may be added, you never know!) for all their goodies ♥

Enjoy and good luck!

xx ~Static, The Redding Shift & the EtsyDarkTeam

March Giveaway Update 2!

I have yet another pic for you, my darklings! Click it if you'd like a closer look & more detail as to what is there, I added notes on Flickr.

The last day to enter is tomorrow so if you're going to enter do it now!

Details here:

http://staticwhite.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-of-dead-theme-zombie-pin-and-then.html

A Feature & The March Giveaway

The InCrowdteam interviews their members on a regular basis, Lauren Murray of ToterTots being the latest happens to have mentioned me as one of her favorite shops! *Blush*

Check it out here:

http://indianaetsy.blogspot.com/2009/03/incrowdteam-interview-lauren-murray-aka.html

Thank you, ToterTots! ♥

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And don't forget, my darklings, the March Giveaway will be ending in 2 days! Don't pass up a chance at these goodies (samples & gifts from HandmadeHorrors & SacredOak not shown but believe me they're excellent!):

xx ~Static

Etsy Dark Side Finds: March of the Dead

Welcome to the Etsy Dark Side. We are the roaming fox fires in the darkness, the sparkling mist in the ever shifting shadows, faerie rings flow in our wake. Come join us!

 

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Our online Exhibition is busting at the seams! It's gotten so big that I to change the format of the EDS Finds. Here's a sneak peek, but be sure to check out the entire Exhibition for more great items!

Row 1: GraveWorld, DLMarian, BeanBun, VooDooWilly, GypsyEye
Row 2: BlackThorneRose, AgonysDecay, TheTinyTragedies, WickedFascinations, HandmadeHorrors
Row 3: ChenilleMacabre, MrsEvils, TragicStitches, SWStitchery, CreamTart
Row 4: SavageLucy42, Fugsly, AbyssalGems, SpookyMama, CarpeNoctem
Row 5: KitCameo, PerfidiousBeadworks, DreadfulDesigns, TatteredRags, BellaLili

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 Not signed up with Etsy yet? For shame!Signing up is free and easy. Just click here & begin enjoying all the hand made, unique wonders Etsy has to offer.Don't forget to search the keyword "EtsyDarkTeam". The Etsy Dark Team now has a public forum where you can stay on top of the latest items & deals from EDT members, or peruse the Member Directory, view the latest additions to the monthly Exhibitions (items are added throughout the month) and more. Come play on dark side. xx ~Static 

March Giveaway Update!

 

Notice the new photo?? The purple boxes are an awesome mystery gift from GypsyEye!! I, of course, know what's in there and I promise it is lovely gift for a lucky lady. Don't fret guys! If a guy is chosen as the winner I have a secondary, just as mysterious yet awesome gift for you, if you prefer.

Does this mean there is a second prize? *Gasp* Maybe. Maybe ;) You'll just have to enter and find out.

 

Hurry, the lucky winner(s?) will be drawn at the end of March!! Read & comment here: http://staticwhite.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-of-dead-theme-zombie-pin-and-then.html

 

Good luck!

The Etsy Dark Team & Bat World Sanctuary

Did you know that of the over 1100 species of bat only 3 are vampire bats? All other species of bat eat insects, fruit, nectar and pollen with a handful that eat fish and frogs. And, they all play a large part in our ecosystems. Insect-eating bats consume billions of tons of crunchy critters every summer which protects crops, and us since they are more than happy to help with trimming down the mosquito populations. Fruit bats help pollinate and seed an amazing 95% of rainforest regrowth which is thanks to their daily feeding habits. Also bat guano is a great organic fertilizer being very high in nitrogen. It was so highly prized by the Incans that there was the penalty of death for killing bats!

You can find more great info on the Myth & Facts of Bats here.

 

Due to ailments like White Nose Syndrome (which is affecting defenseless hibernating bats in the NE U.S. every winter) plus old myths, superstition and plain old fear, places like Bat World Sanctuary are needed now more than ever. This is where the Etsy Dark Team comes in. We try to make donations as often as possible to the Bat World Sanctuary and we even have a Bat World section in our team shop here! All items in this section are generously donated by members of the Etsy Dark Team and all proceeds go to the bats. So please stop by and help us help the bats help our environment!

 

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If I were a bat I would be...a Vampire Bat! Find out more about this bat or take the quiz to see what kind of bat you are most like.

Go figure, I'm a vampire bat! ;) ~Static

Zombie Clutch Tote Toiletry Bag w- Disembodied Eyeball Tissue Holder

This large clutch is perfect for the Zombie on the go. You'll be the Zombelle of the Undead ball!

It also makes a great toiletry bag and will just plain creep the hell out of those nosey airport security when you, yet again, get chosen for a "random" search.

This ghoulish bag has a 100% Cotton Black & White striped outer, inner pockets panel, and 100% bright Red Cotton Canvas lining. The Zombie Head Silhouette on the front of the bag is hand & machine stitched Felt (no Zombie sheep were used). Each Zombie Head is cut, in detail, by hand making each bag quite unique!

♦ Dimensions: 12"W x 8"H x 4"D

AND, it comes with a matching Black & White striped Tissue Holder with Red Canvas accents! (Also known as a Misc Small Loose Body Parts Holder. No one likes lint on their snacks, you know?) On the front of the "Tissue Holder" is a completely hand stitched Felt Disembodied Zombie Eye.

 

Accessorize! The Freshly Dead Zombie Pin or Not-So-Fresh Zombie Pin go great with this bag!

Zombies Love You For Your Brains 2

Not-So-Fresh Zombie Pin

The Not-So-Fresh Zombie is pissed. You would be too if you had gone through the shock, denial, sadness and fear of being turned. On the up side, being undead he doesn't have the capacity to worry over the guilt part, right? Unless of course someone comes up with the cure for zombie-ism, then he's screwed. But we all know that won't happen anytime soon. So grab your shotgun and watch out for the teeth! Although you don't have to worry about these little guys... too much.

I'm not responsible for any hypothetical zombie outbreaks!

♦ apx 4" tall
♦ cut in detail, layered, sewn & painted all by hand
♦ they are made one at a time, each one is unique

♦ Comes in it's very own Black Cotton Body Bag which can double as a tissue pouch when not occupied by the zombie, of course.

 

If you'd like a Zombie with a little less angst check out the Freshly Dead Zombie Pin here.

Zombies Love You For Your Brains 1

Freshly Dead Zombie Pin

The Freshly Dead may be confused, as you can see from this guys face, but don't fooled. They can get you just as good as a Not-So-Fresh one! As this guy apparently learned the hard way. Just because they're only a *little* green around the edges doesn't mean they're any less of a Zombie.

Remember, head shots are the way to go. Although you don't really have to worry about these little guys... too much.

I'm not responsible for any hypothetical zombie outbreaks!

♦ apx 4" tall
♦ cut in detail, layered, sewn & painted all by hand
♦ they are made one at a time, each one is unique

♦ Comes in it's very own Black Cotton Body Bag which can double as a tissue pouch when not occupied by the zombie, of course.

 

If you'd like a more hardcore Zombie stay on the alert for the Not-So-Fresh Zombie Pin (coming soon)!

More Mini Menagerie

I finished the rest of the custom ordered Mini Menagerie awhile ago and finally have some time to share them with you. Here there are in all their kewtness.

Mini Sleepy Olifont, who carries around a pillow to rest his sleepy head on, is 7"L from tush to trunk and about 6"H. His sleepy little eyelids are machine embroidered on the edges and then hand stitched over his button eyes.

 

Mini Panda is about 5"H not including the height of her ears. Her fancy bamboo snack is about 10" untwisted & about 8" in it's curly state. The bamboo and her sweet face are completely hand stitched!

 

Click the pics for larger views!

How-to: Get More Out of Upholstery Samples

I love recycling/upcycling upholstery samples but I hate wasting the edges because of the inch or more strips of paper glued to them! Well, it really all depends on the type of glue used. Usually the samples are glued with a non-water-soluble glue, but sometimes you get lucky and the glue is either old or water-soluble. It doesn't hurt to test a piece since you could possible gain inches more on those precious samples!

You can try:

Dampening the paper edge - If it is water-soluble glue, or the glue is old and crumbly, the paper will slide right off. Test on your least favor sample. Use a wet sponge to saturate the paper, but not to the point of dripping wet. Let it sit for a minute or so and then see if the paper will slide or peel off easily. If it does you've got it easy! Dampen and slide/peel away all the paper. Wipe off excess glue left on the fabric with clean sponge. Let it dry flat on newspaper or something you would mind getting color on. Upholstery fabric is usually not color fast.

Steam iron - Use a steam iron on the highest setting you feel safe with. Be careful! I'm not responsible for you getting steam burns or burning the fabric. If you have those handy dandy heat resistant gloves or finger covers now is the time to use them. Place some paper towel, brown paper or an old rag between your upholstery sample and the ironing board. A lot of steam can make the dyes run and stain your ironing board. Steam the paper, in effect melting the glue, and quickly and carefully peel away the paper. I suggest working in small sections because you want to try and get all of the paper off in one go. If little bits are left they will be very hard to get off later. Little bits of paper will have to be scrubbed or picked off, you don't want to gum up your iron, but this could damage the fabric so be patient (not so easy for me!).

Soak & scrub - I have not tried this but I know others have used this method on the tougher glues. Again use your least favorite sample so you're not up set if the color runs or there is any sort of damage to the fabric. Soak the piece of fabric in a bit of cold water in the sink. I've seen that a couple drops of dish soap or detergent will help the process. Then scrub in small circles using an old toothbrush or something similar.

I personally would only use the "soak & scrub" as a last resort since you don't know how the fabric will react and if it's a delicate fabric like a velvet or chenille it could be shredded by the scrubbing. The least amount of distress to the fabric the better! Unless of course that's the look you're going for ;)