shop review CASSIE STEPHENS BELTMAKER

We're so pleased to have been asked to review the shop of Cassie Stephens, beltmaker. We have had the pleasure of getting to know Cassie and becoming friends with her. The work she 
does is astounding and we can't rave about her more. 

Many of you have seen her on our blog a couple times; she sponsored part of our A Blogtastic Giveaway and we featured her bunny belt in our We're Diggin' series. Actually, we stumbled upon her Etsy shop when looking for awesome bunny and rabbit goodies to celebrate the Lunar New Year. From the moment we found her shop, we were obsessed. Her drool worthy reversible belts are, simply, incredible. 


Cassie sent us 3 of her reversible belts...

We were already HUGE fans of hers but when we saw her art in person, we were floored. GORGEOUS! The pictures at her shop are great but definitely do not do her pieces justice. She creates such beauty with her hand crafted, ceramic, belt buckles that have the most wondrous patterns and the colors are incredible. Cassie even included our favorite that we were swooning over, the seahorse belt! The fabrics she chooses are so indulgent and are sewn to perfection. We really can't say enough about her belts. 

Cassie's belts are also found in locally owned shops in Nashville, where she lives. How lucky are they?! Read a little more about Cassie in her own words...

"I'm not a native Nashvillian. I moved here almost 15 years ago after finishing up my student teaching experience in County Kildare, Ireland. And, no, I'm not Irish, I just wanted to try my hand at international teaching after finishing my studies at Indiana University. I currently teach art to elementary aged kids. We have a great time creating, laughing and making huge messes that we usually neglect to clean up.

After teaching, I spend much of my time working on my belts. I began creating them on a whim a couple of years ago and haven't been able to stop since. I absolutely love the process. There are so many different steps that it allows me to create in a variety ways. I begin with a piece of clay that I emboss with a texture such as vintage lace, stamps, burlap, etc. From there, I hand cut the shape of the buckle from a design that I have created. My most popular designs seem to be the bird and the bunny buckle. At this point, the buckle must dry out for several days until it has become what ceramic artists call "greenware". 

The buckles are then fired, at which point they are called bisqueware, and ready to be glazed. I love experimenting with glaze. I've found metallic glazes, glass crackle glazes and satin finish earth toned glazes to be my favorite. Often the glazing process can take up to two additional firings to achieve the right finish.

Once the buckles are complete, I can begin pairing them with fabric to create a belt. I have found velvets to be fun to work with this winter as they look very warm and rich. I also love working with satins and lace. But my favorite is vintage fabric. 

Another love of mine is creating customized belts. I've had so many great customers that have just the right buckle idea in mind. There is no extra charge for this, so if anyone has something in mind, all they have to do is ask."


You totally dig Cassie too now, we know! How could you not?! Well, go visit her shop now...

* review * & :::giveaway::: gaddy nipper crayons CLOSED

We were thrilled to be asked to review Gaddy Nipper Crayons. We have seen their goodies on etsy and loved the colorfulness and creativity of their recycled and upcycled crayons! We've all melted down crayons for candles in elementary school and/or summer camp, but Nichole (owner and designer over at gaddy nipper crayons) has amped it up to the umpteenth degree!

She sent us a swirled set of crayons that spelled out ANAMARIA. Yeah, a beautiful crayon for each letter! Within each letter was an imprinted image that represents the letter; an apple for A, a ring for R, etc. They were packaged super cute too! Unfortunately, our camera pooped out on us during the holidays so we couldn't take any pictures. BUT, her pictures on etsy do not do them justice. They were bigger than we expected too! What a great value. We can't wait to order these for all of the kids we know. ALL of them! Okay, we totally want them for ourselves.

We also think these would make excellent wedding favors. How about your initials or your new last name's initial. They would even make awesome escort cards! Get them in the initial of your guest, put them in a clear bag, and tie their table number onto the string! Wow, we're getting so many ideas now for these cute little buggers! Honestly, with all of the amazing crayons they have over there, you can find one that fits ANY situation. Mustache and robot crayons, anyone?! Right?! Too much awesomeness! We have a new obsession.

WINNER!!!

Win It!

Our new friends at Gaddy Nipper Crayons are being super generous and want to give a lucky reader of our's - Your Name in Crayons (up to 10 letters)! You can pick solid or swirled letters too. The giveaway is open to US residents. For a chance to win, you must do the following...

Required: (you must do #1 in order to qualify for the giveaway. we verify every entry.)

1. Follow our blog publicly, visit Gaddy Nipper Crayons, come back here and leave a comment telling us about your favorite item.

Optional/Additional Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry with an email address so we can contact you if you win. ex. I liked you on facebook! info [at] kocoandviking [dot] com)

2. Buy something from Gaddy Nipper Crayons and let us know what you bought(2 entries)

3. Sign up for the koco & viking newsletter here. Email must match what you enter with (1 entry)

4. Like koco & viking on facebook. Current followers count! Leave your name.(1 entry)

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7. Follow Gaddy Nipper Crayons on twitter. Leave your @handle(1 entry)

8. Buy something from koco & viking. Let us know what you bought (2 entries)

9. Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post on this blog. let us know which post (1 entry- per post)

10. Post the koco & viking blog button on your blog. just copy and paste the code in the sidebar. leave the link to your blog (2 entries)

11. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link(2 entries)

12. Tweet about this giveaway and tag @kocoandviking and leave the link(2 entries)

The fine print: Do this by January 22, 2010 and you are in! 1 winner will be picked randomly using random.org. Please make sure that you leave a way for us to contact you or we won't be able to get this fabulous prize to you. Winners who I am unable to contact and who don't respond within 48 hours of being sent their winning email notification will forfeit their prize and I will draw another name. I was not financially compensated for this review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com and sponsored by Favorite Wigs Shop Name Brand Wigs at Low Prices! Large Wig Selection of Estetica Wigs, Quality Wigs. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

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