NOW, SHAKE THAT BELLY! (Ombelico del mondo)

I love belly dancing. You don't have to be good at it. It is one of those things a woman can just treat herself to: to embrace and celebrate her own femininity wholeheartedly, with no "if"s or "but"s.

You don't have to be thin: in fact, if you have some extra body fat it actually looks better! The more you shake and wobble, the better.

You don't need to know how to dance: you won't be needing the splits, or any extra talents at all. You'll just gradually discover just how many parts of your body you can isolate and move.

You don't have to be fit: you'll be building your capacity very gradually.

You're never too young, nor too old for it: it's for all ages. My 6-year-old daughter sometimes joins in, and some women in my class are probably over 60.

And soon you'll be freeing yourself from the slavery of our modern-day woman ideal: necessarily tanned, necessarily toned, anonymously and septically perfect.

No no no. Soft is beautiful, shapely is beautiful, pale is beautiful. Female, in all its femininity, is beautiful. We have (somehow?) sort of forgotten that--- haven't we?

Now this below is a video of the Veil Dance we did in June. Not what you typically expect when you think of belly dancing, but one of the things you discover along the way is that there are so many possible variations on the theme. Try it to believe it!

Sakura Pouch Giveaway Winner

... and the winner of my OOAK Sakura Pouch is....

MAIRITALES!

Congratulations, Mairitales :)
You were extracted by my little Winner-Chooser-Fairy!

Thank you so much everyone for participating in my giveaway.

PACMAN'S Ups & Downs

One day not so long ago I had a friend who was sad: she said she was having a bad time and feeling rather down and dejected. So I was inspired to make this pouch, that could express happiness and optimism on one side, and discouragement and worry on the other. It happens to everyone I suppose. There are YES days, and NO days. But remember, you won't ever be stuck "down there" for long, if your outlook is positive.

Pacman used to be my favourite electronic game when I was a little girl. I remembered that because a few days ago it was Pacman's anniversary and Google had it on the frontispiece. So instead of making a smiley-face/sad-face pouch as I had planned, I made a smiley-pacman pouch. So I also got to embroider the dots (they actually turned out to look more like chicken nuggets), and the little blue munchy monsters chasing Pacman.

This is another one of my typical iPouches, or cellphone carrier pouches. Made with 99% recycled materials, from leftover scraps, and old clothes, and vintage fabrics my mother-in-law gave me from her own mother's old closets. I like the inside of the pouch to be a little surprise, so I usually play on colour contrast. In this case, the lining is made of the same fabric as the shoulder strap.

So guess what: cheer up, and continue playing the game!

SPOT THE FABRIC contest: LabSpace pouch GIVEAWAY

WIN the SAKURA pouch by LabSpace

The HOTTEST, most "hearted" item of my Etsy shop!

Don't miss this unique giveaway. It's easy.

Just spot the fabric... tell me... and then hope luck is on your side.

La creazione più "cuorata" del mio Etsy-negozio. Non perdere questa occasione. E' facilissimo.

Individua la stoffa... comunicamelo... e incrocia le dita.

As some you perhaps already know, my little pouches and clutches are made with 99% recycled bits of material, left over from my sewing activities. This gave me an idea for a fun game: it's like a Treasure Hunt. Take a good look at this Fairy Princess outfit from my Etsy Shop:

Come alcuni di voi forse gia' sapete, le mie borsette sono create al 99% con pezzi di stoffa riciclata, avanzata da altri miei progetti di cucito. Da questo e' scaturita l'idea di un gioco divertente, una sorta di Caccia al Tesoro. Date un'occhiata a questo vestitino Fairy Princess (Principessa Fata) del mio negozio Etsy:

and tell me which of my bags you think has recycled some of the leftover fabric from this dress.
e dimmi quali tra le mie borsette, secondo te, contengono pezzetti di stoffa avanzata dalla lavorazione di questo vestito.

CONTEST RULES:
REGOLE DEL GIOCO:

1. Go to my Etsy Shop by clicking right HERE, and look at each item one by one so that you can see it enlarged and better spot the fabric we are looking for.
Vai al mio Etsy Shop cliccando QUI, guardati ogni articolo aiutandoti anche con le foto ingrandite e trova la stoffa che stiamo cercando.

2. Make a note of the name of each pouch you think bears traces of this material. (If you like an item particularly, please give it a heart, that is always greatly appreciated. Of course if you cannot resist and wish to purchase it, feel free, I will not be upset at all, and you will naturally still be entitled to win the Sakura Pouch).
Annota il nome di ogni borsetta che secondo te contiene frammenti di questa stoffa. (Se un articolo ti piace particolarmente, un cuoricino e' sempre gradito. Naturalmente se non puoi resistere ad un acquisto, nessun problema, non mi dispiaccio mica, anzi, e non sarai escluso dai candidati alla vincita per il Sakura Pouch).

3. Come back to this blogpost and post your entry in the Comments:
a) the list of pouches you think are made with pieces of the green fabric from the Fairy Princess dress;
b) an email address where I can contact you if you win (use [at] and [dot] instead of the usual symbols to avoid spam, e.g. lucky[at]winner[dot]com instead of lucky@winner.com)
Ritorna a questo articolo e pubblica il tuo commento, che deve contenere:
a) l'elenco delle borsette che secondo te contengono frammenti di stoffa verde come nel vestito di Fairy Princess;
b) l'indirizzo di posta elettronica dove posso contattarti se sarai il vincitore del giveaway (usa [at] e [dot] invece dei normali simboli per evitare di ricevere spam, ad esempio e.g. lucky[at]winner[dot]com invece che lucky@winner.com)


4. You get extra entries if you
subscribe to my Blog (click on follow top right of this page) or blog about this giveaway
and/or
follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/_LabSpace_ or tweet about this giveaway
and/or
become my Facebook Fan http://www.facebook.com/pages/LabSpace/395589553823?v=wall or post this news and link to your FB wall
and/or
put my shop in your Etsy favourites http://www.labspace.etsy.com
so please also mention that in your comment.
Avrai punti aggiuntivi se ti iscrivi al mio Blog (o se blogghi su questo giveaway), mi segui su Twitter (o Tweeti di questo giveaway), diventi il mio fan su Facebook (o pubblichi la notizia ed il link di questo giveaway) e/o aggiungi il mio negozio tra i tuoi favoriti Etsy, quindi segnalami tutte le azioni che avrai intrapreso.

5. Entries deadline: Tuesday 22nd June 2010, 18:00 Roman time (=GMT+1hour). Winner will be announced Friday 25th June 2010.
Il concorso e' aperto fino al martedi 22 giugno 2010, ore 18 italiane. Il vincitore sara annunciato il venerdi 25 giugno 2010.


ANYONE can enter this contest (the only condition is that your answer must be posted in the comments of this blogpost), so spread the word and tell all your friends about it. Blog about it, Tweet it, FaceBook it, email the news to whom you wish, and anything else you can think of which may not have occurred to me as I write.

CHIUNQUE puo' prendere parte a questo gioco (basta che pubblichi la sua risposta nei commenti di questo blogpost). Passate parola e ditelo a tutti i vostri amici, tramite Blog, Twitter, FaceBook, email, e qualsiasi altra forma di comunicazione vi venisse in mente.

Good luck, and have fun!

In bocca al lupo, e buon divertimento!

HELP!

You don't know how to post a comment on a blog: click HERE

You're new to Etsy and need help with registering? (all you need is a nickname and password--- no hassles) click HERE

Aiuto!

Non sai come si commenta su un blog? clicca QUI

Sei nuovo su Etsy e non sai come registrarti? (servono soltanto un nickname ed una password--- nulla piu') clicca QUI

... AND THE WINNER IS...

... FluxPlay's ROW OF HOUSES NECKLACE

Thank you everyone for your wonderful participation. You can see all the challenge entries again here.

It was excruciatingly difficult to pick the winner. We had several rounds of family voting and discussion, there were many favourites, we each had arguments to support our views, and in the end I was so torn as to want to chicken out and put everything out for a general team vote! But since it is my prerogative to have the last word, well, a choice had to be made.

WELL DONE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. And good luck for next week's Team Challenge, theme to be chosen by FluxPlay.

Betsy's incrediblest Murano Drop Earrings

On the 1st of May I was the happy happy winner of Betsy's PERFECT BREAKFAST GIVEAWAY. We all submitted pictures of our favourite breakfast food, or drink, or setting. I chose our family Sunday Brunch, which you can see here (if you're at all curious).

I was happy and surprised when Betsy wrote me to announce that I had won. I got to chose which colour of Murano glass I preferred, so of course I went over to Betsy's Etsy shop to take a better look. That's when I started to get excited. The colours were all so beautiful, it was quite difficult to chose. I went for the blue, because they looked like giant drops of water. Then I forgot all about them... until a yellow envelope arrived in the post.

It was such a beautiful package, wrapped with such care, and lovely details: the little square thank you card and bonus coupon, the soft burgundy ribbon. A joy to unpack. But then came the moment of absolute awe.


The earrings slid out, attached to yet another beautiful card. And they were just... LUMINOUS: two large drops of pure, blue light.

They were only mine for half an hour, though. Guess what happened? Well, one of my daughters came home from school, and the lovely lovely blue Murano Drops are now on her ears. I guess they were meant for her, because they are the very same colour as her eyes.


(left-side picture: my daughter) (right-side picture: me)

Epilogue #1: good thing that my daughters lend each other their possessions, so that they can take turns wearing the water-blue Betsy drops.

Epilogue #2: since Betsy also sends out discount coupons with her items, I thought, well, might as well treat myself to my very own pair of Murano drops. Green, of course. Can you guess what happened to them?

My other, green-eyed, daughter came home from school and exclaimed: "Wow, precisely my eye colour!" What could I do, I ask you? I guess I will have to be borrowing them. Unless I buy another pair, and HIDE them carefully, out of sight. Or get a red pair, perhaps.

WE FIND FOR YOU

THE PURE SOFTNESS OF COLOUR

clockwise, from top left:
1. Transparent Blue Goccia Earrings by Betsy3
2. Kokeshi Ring by Wakamesalada
3. Elephant Soft Toy by Thumblycraft
4. Ring by Kosmika

Come see all our other wonderful finds for you right here on our Etsy Italia Team blog.

EUROPEAN STREET TEAM CHALLENGE

I am very happy and proud to have won last week's Team Challenge, as proposed by DonauLuft, where the theme was WATTLE--- anything grid-like, braided, wattled,... basket work ...

You can have a look at all the lovely entries by clicking here.

The new theme this week is:
************************
RECYCLE
************************
I am interested in seeing "throwaway" elements turn into something beautiful because we make something of them, instead of throwing them out.


*********************************
Please send me TWO photos: one of your materials BEFORE you begin crafting, and then AFTER your creation is complete,
*********************************

so that we can see the transformation between the potentially reject elements and the magic you have performed! Send me your two photographs in convo, with a very brief description if you wish to explain anything about your idea or process (keep it short, please!).



Deadline: Monday 17th May, 19:00 (GMT+1hour)

Winner will be announced at 22:00 that same evening.

I look forward to seeing your entries and wish you lots of inspiration and fun.

HERE ARE THE CHALLENGE ENTRIES:

1.RETRO ORANGE DAISIES PEASANT DRESS by KajaDesign (Sweden)

Kaja recycled a duvet cover from the DDR, to make this lovely girly summer dress.

2.BOOKMARKS by Nancy van den Boom (Netherlands)

Nancy made bookmarks by recycling an old painting she was no longer fond of, and decorating them with an old earring. (They were sold very shortly after being listed!)

3.STERLING SILVER DANGLE EARRINGS WITH CARNELIAN DISCS by BacaCara (Germany)

BacaCara purchased the broken sterling chain with beads at a flea-market. She used the undamaged sections of the chain to make these earrings.

4.ECO-FRIENDLY NEWS GIFT BAG by CloudberryLand (Finland)

Ioulia made this funky gift bag using an old Norwegian newspaper.

5.POLKA-DOT LOTUS EARRINGS by RelyDesign (Italy)

RelyDesign crafted this pretty pair of flower-shaped earrings by recycling paper. The paper flower is protected and made durable with glue and varnish. Isn't that so clever?

6.LOOSE-MESH CROCHET TUNIC by Joik (Finland)

Joik created this magical blue tunic by re-using old yarn. The main yarn is from a thrift shop, and the lighter blue parts in hem and collar are from her granny's yarn basket.

7.SILVER-BRASS-HOOPS by DonauLuft (Austria)

DonauLuft thought up this very original way of re-purposing the brass-ball endings of worn-out guitar strings. Now that's what I call hoops with a melody to them! Read more about how DonauLuft crafted these astounding hoops on her blog.

8.PINK STAR BROOCH by P8Accessories (Germany)
P8 used a star-shaped, plastic linen-yarn spool and a great amount of fantasy to make this very imaginative decorative brooch. You can find more pictures and a detailed description of the process on her blog.

9.ROW OF HOUSES NECKLACE by FluxPlay (U.K.)
FluxPlay reversed the "recycle at home" concept, recycling into homes reclaimed fragments of tin, thus creating a terrace of exquisite, happy miniature homes.

10.NEW EARRINGS by KirschBits (Germany)
KirschBits crafted these wonderfully delicate new earrings, using the intricate spiral wires of an old pair that was too heavy to wear and that came apart. More detailed information here on her blog.

11.PURPLE FLOWER BROOCH by Alatvian (Latvia)

When the decorative flower on the candle holder that Alatvian received as a gift some time ago came off, she cut some caked glue, sewed on a brooch pin and... voilà! There's a new creation for you. Something with taste, and no waste!

12.SAKURA PENDANT by LucieTales (France)

Lucie started with a piece of aluminum offset sheet which she handformed using 2 techniques: raising and repousse. The sakura flower was then sewn on top of a little cushion made from an antique unbleached linen bed sheet. The center of the flower is part of an old metal snap button. All the other materials are vintage.
You can visit LucieTale's blog here for further information on her crafting.

13.RING-HOLDER CASE by Kosmika (Italy)
Kosmika crafted this jazzy ring holder-case using leftover fabric from the crafting of pot-holder, and the extra tryout antenna she made as part of a ladybird costume for a friend's daughter.

14. PEACOCK BROOCH by KnittingCate (Italy)

KnittingCate crafted this colourful peacock brooch by recycling the pop-tabs from soft drink cans. Would you ever have been able to guess, without the "before" picture?

15.BIB NECKLACE by FlorigamiGirl (France)

Flori used tiny strips of felt that she usually gives to the local playgroup for making collages. The strips were rolled up, sewn to a backing of vintage French linen covered with felt, and finished off with a grosgrain ribbon.

16.SUMMER FLOWER NECKLACE by BijouxDelloStregatto (Italy)
BijouxDelloStregatto recuperated the metal flower from a vintage 70's-80's belt, worked other turquoise beads into the piece and created this totally unique necklace.

17.BLOOM NECKLACE IN IVORY SAGE AND LILAC by FleurFatale (Belgium)
FleurFatale made these exquisite leather flowers by recycling leather from bags found at the thriftmarket. What a transformation! Read more here, on her blog.

18.BOOKMARKS by MatkirschPhotos (Germany)
MatkirschPhotos made these bookmarks by recycling some very old photos he took years ago with his point and shoot camera. Special announcement: he will be giving away these bookmarks for free to the first person who convos him!

19.DRESS by PieceUnique (France)
PieceUnique, who actually specializes in textile creations made from recycled materials, crafted this very hip-trendy woman's dress (size 40) from 5 second hand T-shirts dress using some old clothes.

20.ECOLOGICAL BROOCH PIN by DreamsCorner (Italy)
This wonderfully delicate flower brooch was thus made by DreamsCorner: the bottom of a plastic bottle was cut out and then seared around the edges with a lighter, the edges and petals then painted using old nail varnish, whilst the centre of the flower is decorated with various small elements (buttons, beads, etc.) and the flower then attached to the pin with hot glue.

21.FELTED LETTER "Y" by Viltalakim (Netherlands)
This wondrous letter Y (alas, not for sale!) was created by Viltalakim by patiently piecing tiny bits of cut off felt together. I wonder who will be the lucky recipient of this colorful masterpiece.
Well, if you are curious too, have a look here.

**********************************

THE CHALLENGE IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED.

I am very pleased at the abundance and variety of ideas that have come up in this challenge.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all participants for their entries.

I already know it will be very difficult for me to name the most interesting piece this evening, so I'll be following Nancy's van den Boom's example and calling a Family Council after dinner before announcing the Winner.

And the winner was.... click here.

Rain, rain, go away!

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT: "Into the Fog" by Trotalo
RAINCLOUD: "volcano ash raining cloud" by AtelierPompadour
MURANO GLASS PENDANT: "Angel feather Necklace"by Betsy3
SOFT TOY: "L'aggeggio 02" by Contemori

Come and see all the other special finds brought to you today by EtsyItaliaTeam.

My first INTERVIEW

Sebnem from Shebbo Design (Istanbul, Turkey) has recently launched a series of interviews on her blog, under the name "Travelling Around Europe". I was very honoured and fortunate to be selected by Sebnem to be her interviewee number 3 in this fun series, and was thus able to share details about my life and work, and to hand out some personal tips about Italy!
Click here to read my interview.
Sebnem has a beautiful Etsy Shop full of unique, one of a kind and very original handpainted
stone

rockart

and porcelain


creations.
Click here to have a better look at her Etsy shop.









Read more "Travelling Around Europe" interviews by Sebnem by going here.
So far Sebnem has been to Greece and Malta. Keep checking out her blog, as the list will grow longer yet.

the colours of ITALY

On this oh so desperately grey and rainy day I would like to share with you this wonderful collection of items, so tastefully selected by my friend ScaccoAlleRegine (meaning "CheckmateToTheQueens").
Please click here to browse the full-fledged Treasury in all its glory!

SUNDAY BRUNCH

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day. During the week, mornings are rather a panic: children grabbing cereals and toast at somewhat different times on their way out to school, my husband oh! so Italian-ish-ly sipping just a tiny cup of Espresso, and I burning myself with hot tea and often even forgetting to grab a bite. So there's nothing quite like sitting down quietly (?!) well OK, noisily, with the whole family to a colourful, yummy Sunday brunch.

We find for you

Today I WANT SUN!

EtsyItaliaTeam is a very bubbly and active group of Italian artists, actively and daily discussing style, beauty, and crafting. Come and see our special finds for you today, all chosen with love and care amongst the crème de la crème of Italian, one-of-a-kind handicraft.
clockwise from top let:
1. VERITYUNMONDOAPARTE - handmade flower vases for wall decor
2. SCACCOALLEREGINE - sun ice crystals
3. KNITTINGCATE - Baby girl crocheted yellow bikini
4. BABYCARE - Yellow Booties with Shining Blue Stars

Front Page: yipee!

Thank you so much BacaCara, for taking me "up there" with you: to the Etsy Front Page. Wow, you really made my day!


Thank you so much ScaccoAlleRegine for making FP, and taking me with you!

CHERISH THE WORLD WE HAVE

Coming up on 22nd April is Earth Day: a day of celebration of our amazing Mother Earth, and a way to rekindle our awareness about our environment.

Come see all the lovelies the Italian Team on Etsy has come up with this week to promote Earth Day.


left to right, top to bottom:
NANOFACTORY "water is life" brooch
LABSPACE "down to earth" mini-purse
VALERIATELIER "recycled papier-maché brooch"
SCACCOALLEREGINE "loving the world" necklace

HAPPY LabSpace USERS

Today I would like to share with you what happens to the little LabSpace pouches once they leave my fizzy, simmering Laboratory Space in Rome!

Very glamorous lady, Monica M., used her LabSpace shantung silk pouch on her skiing holiday: "My lovely iPhone pouch is just perfect and very much of use on Chamonix slopes."


London's tip-top hair stylist Charlie C. has his LabSpace handmade leather belt-pouch with him at the restaurant. He also wrote me: "I love my iPhone pouch; it went with me everywhere during london fashion week.... thank you Rachel xx"



Guy H., extensive world-traveller living in the Far-East takes his pinstriped LabSpace belt-pouch on all of his travels. He says: "I really love the sobriety and impeccable finish of this pouch. Very useful because in hot weather conditions I often do not wear a jacket and my trouser pockets can end up stuffed with too many objects. This pouch allows me to wear my iPhone under my floating shirt--- and it's almost a pity it disappears from view!"


Margherita R., sportsy roman biker, keeps her iPhone cosy in her LabSpace iPouch, tucked underneath her leather jacket.


My beautiful friend Sabrina T. waves to us from Switzerland during her sunny Sunday morning walk and says: "This was taken earlier this morning, gorgeous weather but fierce wind, iphone nice 'n snug though..."


Isabella H. from Rome, Italy, loves to use her LabSpace pouch when she takes her dog for a stroll. "It's just the right size to fit my phone, my keys and a few treats for my four-legged friend."


Greta H., who lives in Texas, USA, says: "I love my LabSpace pouches! The colours, the raw silk. Very useful not only for my iPhone, but also as a little hand pouch for lip gloss, comb, tissue, pen, paper, etc.". Greta sent me these pictures on her way home from the NASCAR Race.



"TEA & CHI" Angela J. from Vancouver, Canada, is one of the most amazingly charismatic women I have ever met: she is a Chi-Running and Marathon coach, Iron (wo)Man, musician and businesswoman (she has a business in health-enhancing Rooibos Tea). I am so proud that she finds her LabSpace pouch useful when zapping around on her energy and action-packed days. Read all about her on her personal website.


For beautiful Ilaria R. from Torino, Italy, whether it be work

or "play"
her LabSpace pouch is in her day!

Thank you so much my friends for sending in your pictures. If you are also a "Happy User" and would like to be published on this blog, "send'em on in" by email to rachel.h[at]tin.it