Something wicked this way comes..

I know it's a little early, but the spirit of Halloween is already around us, and October is only two days away. To celebrate here are a few early Halloween treasuries we've been featured in.

This treasury from Bijoux Libellule has a purple theme for spooky goods.

Another collection from Creations of True Fairy has more of the classic orange and black.

Last but not least this gathering by 2Sophisticated is delightfully wicked.

PAX Prime 2014 Cosplay

We spent the last four months creating our cosplay of Bittersweet Lulu and Wicked Lulue from Lague of Legends to attend PAX Prime this year in style. Since Cami and I were both in full costume, we didn't get many pictures of other cosplayers, but here are the few pictures we did get.

Our Wicked Lulu and Bittersweet Lulu with another Classic Lulu.

A view of the League of Legends 2014 NA LCS Summer Playoffs.

We loved this cross-play of Classic Thresh.

League of Legends 2014 NA LCS Summer Playoffs

This amazing Blackthorne Morgana is by Tiger Tessa Cosplay

A crochet Yoshi from SmallRiniLady being ridden by Luigi.

Incredible Nidalee cosplay in human and cougar form by Puppichu Cosplay

We'll be posting about the making of our costumes over the next couple weeks. We had a blast! If anyone has pictures of our cosplay feel free to email them to DrapesOfWrathAprons@gmail.com and if you know someone in the pictures above that isn't credited please let us know!

Artist Spotlight: Upton Elm

Where can we find you online? (Facebook, twitter, shop etc.)
My main outlet for sales is on Etsy which is a great website for finding unique and beautiful creations. Follow this link to find my shop which is called UptonElm.

I can also be found on Facebook. I have just begun working on this site.


Please introduce yourself, what lead you to begin creating?
My name is Mary Fitch. I am a transplanted Canadian, married and living in Auburn WA. I wear a "few different hats" every day. I have been a Pharmacy Technician for 18 years, Mama of 3 kids beginning eight years ago and business owner for 4 months. Since childhood I have watched my Mum sew and knit and I quickly learned from her. I have made my signature item, the "Barley Buddy" for almost 20 years now. Many, many times I was encouraged by friends and family to market my work as they loved it and figured it would sell. I have never had the courage to try until recently. Once I found a name for my shop (Upton was my Grandma's maiden name and Elm is my street) then I began in earnest to produce and sell. I find sewing pretty relaxing and jokingly call it my "therapy" after a long day doing other work. Since it's not my main income I am grateful to be able to donate portions of my profits to charity.


Who in your life has been the biggest inspiration to your work?
My Mum. She will soon be 83 and she still spends many hours at her sewing machine. She also donates her time and sewing projects that she has created to a small non-profit shop in her local town. May she continue to have the energy and the eyesight to keep it up!!

What is your favorite medium to work with/favorite technique to use?
I use fabrics of all types. I have also done some painting and ceramics in the past but my current favorite is
fabric. Transforming something from a flat piece of fabric is great fun!

What do you hope to accomplish through your work? 
I opened my business with a specific goal. Since I love to sew and create I wanted to use my talents to create items that I can sell and to use the profits from the sales to donate to charities of my choice.

Which item currently listed in your shop/in your collection is your favorite and why?

Seahawks Barley Buddy

My favorite is the Seahawks Barley Buddy. For a Seattleite that is a pretty clear choice at this point!!! GO HAWKS! Of course.
However all the Barley Buddies are my favorites as they have been what got me going in this business. Another favorite is this Original Barley Buddy in the Diamond pattern. I love it.



What fellow artist(s) have you been impressed by recently?
I have a friend, Emily, who is really into knitting. I like to knit but I know only the basics and I haven’t been able to learn the detailed work that she and her mom Laurie can do. Maybe one day I will learn it too. She has a site on Etsy that she has just begun and she sells the Cowl Scarves that are known from the Hunger Games movies. She can be found at KreativCrafts on Etsy.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given as an artist?

Barley Buddy in Diamond Pattern

“Work to make it nice and what people will like but be sure to make it yours." Don’t be afraid to make something different.

What are you plans for the future of your shop/work?
We are working on getting our items onto Amazon.com to sell. I am excited about that venture as it will hopefully bring us more customers and also a broader group of people to sell to. Etsy.com is great but a lot of people don’t even know that it exists. We want to grow but of course still keep it handmade!!

Artist Spotlight: Om Is Where The Heart Is + Giveaway!

To kick off my return to the active blogging world I figured I'd start out with a new Artist Spotlight feature, complete with giveaway (details below). This feature is of a friend and colleague of mine Lauren Belleza. She runs an Etsy shop called Om Is Where the Heart Is and you like her shop on Facebook.

Please introduce yourself, what lead you to begin creating?

Lauren and her son Orion

My name is Lauren Belleza. I have always enjoyed working with my hands. When my son was born five years ago I decided to open an Etsy shop and begin creating! I put the proceeds into his college fund. Then I realized I could also use half to fund whatever charity I felt like donating to at the time! I get to save, create and help others all at the same time!!  


Who in your life has been the biggest inspiration to your work?
My husband since he has been completely supportive since day one. No matter how many times he trips over my sewing machine cord or picks up extra beads off the floor he always is excited for every order I get:)  

Custom Hand Stamped Necklace

What is your favorite medium to work with/favorite technique to use?
I love metal stamping. It's so fun to create one of a kind works.  

What do you hope to accomplish through your work?
I hope to save a little for my son and at the same time be able to contribute to charities close to my heart.  


Which item currently listed in your shop/in your collection is your favorite and why?

Handcuff-ed

I love all of my items. Each and every one is made with love, truly. Each piece has a little part of my heart in it. If I had to pick I think I'd say the "50 shades" pendants. They are so risqué but at the same time so sweet and such a great layering piece.  

What fellow artist(s) have you been impressed by recently?
I love several Etsy artists. I love that they create for individuals. A few of my faves is Karina Grace, Zenned Out and Drapes of Wrath. :)  

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given as an artist?
Create what you would actually use or wear.  

One of Lauren's recent charity causes
 is building of an indoor skate ramp
 at the local YMCA.

What are you plans for the future of your shop/work?
Just keep busy and remember to create things that I love. I'd like to always stay busy. I have a day job but my passion is with my creations. I'd love to do craft fairs in the future in the Seattle area.

Lauren's shop doesn't only feature jewelry either, she also crafts comfy tank tops from up-cycled tee-shirts and infinity scarves with bright pops of color. Here in the Pacific Northwest we need all the pops of color we can get in all that grey weather.

Not only is she giving away a necklace to one lucky reader, she's giving away the one-on-one experience of crafting a one of a kind custom designed piece just for you. Instructions on how to enter the giveaway are below the break.

May Fabric Preview

We spent Cinco de Mayo thrift store hopping for fun new fabrics for the end of spring. Here are a couple previews of what you can expect to see in our shop.

This is a fun vintage floral cotton in bright orange, mint green and lavender, paired with a remnant of lavender polka dot cotton.

Another great vintage print, forest green with white, red and yellow tulips paired with up-cycled royal blue and navy cotton.