Take a look at the CAST Shop of the Week, BlueBayCrochet. I don't know about where you are, but freezing temperatures hit us this past week and hats and mittens and other cold weather wear came out of hiding.  If you are in the same boat and are taking inventory of what you have already and what you'd like for your winter wear wardrobe this year, you'll enjoy browsing Rose's shop for hats, headbands, boot cuffs, scarfs, and more. 

Grey Boot Socks , Crochet Boot Cuffs

Welcome Jackie of NorthernCottageGifts in Alaska.  Jackie's charming shop is stocked with crocheted items--including many that are great for summer wear. Look for boot cuffs, flower pins, chokers, scarfs hats and more.  Grab a cup of tea and enjoy a browse through NorthernCottageGifts. 

Lady Elizabeth Fuchsia Pink English Rose Crochet Flower Brooch Pin

You know how they say you can't have a shop with too many different types of items in it and still maintain a cohesive look?  Well, Nikki is here to prove them wrong, wrong, wrong with LittleMe123, a beautifully put together shop you'll enjoy browsing.

SALE - Autumn HARVEST Wood Sign - Hand Cut Letters - Ready to SHIP - on Etsy

Shannon of baruchslullaby has been a CAST Team member for a long time. She knits and crochets beautiful items in Wasilla, Alaska. I have one of these scarves in honeysuckle pink and it's lovely and soft and light enough to still work even though I've moved to the warmer weather of Florida.

Shannon and her family are in the process of adopting two children internationally and bringing them from an orphanage to a loving Christian home and family.  She's been having an auction of handmade items on her facebook page to help with the expenses of the adoption. There are still some late entries that are up until Monday (check the last few items in the album). Or you can donate from the button on Shannon's blog or do a little Christmas shopping from her shop if you'd like to help out.

romantic crochet lace scarf for women and teens, cotton and merino wool - pale sky blue, soft, all natural fibers, ready to ship

Kim is hosting a giveaway. A beautiful folded rose brooch (pictured to the right) will be awarded to the winner of Kim's giveaway.  To be entered to win, visit Kim's shop (ButterflyKissCrochet) and then come back HERE and leave a comment with your favorite item in her shop.  Please include your email so we can contact you if you are the winner. The winner will be announced on next Wednesday's Featured Artist post.

Introduction
My Grandma Vi made a crochet hat for my daughter right before she passed away in October 2008. She taught me how to crochet at age 10. I had only learned how to make crochet blankets. I was really missing her and having a hard time not having my grammy to talk to. In January it was very cold outside and my daughter pulled out Grandma Vi's hat from the closet and put it on. I had stored it away as a treasure, but my daughter wanted to wear it. God must have put the idea in my head....I thought I wonder if I could make a crochet hat? So I bought a hat book and purchased some patterns online. It looked overwhelming, but my husband told me I could do it. So I tried and the first hat in a round came out better than I thought. So I tried more, bought more colorful yarn and before I could blink I made over 50 hats. I gave some away, but I still had sooooo many, but my husband had an idea. He mentioned trying to sell them online. So I looked and looked. I tried a few websites, but they did not feel like a "good fit". So one day in Feburary of 2009 I stumbled upon Etsy! I fell in love with the website and started to get customers. Since then I just knew this would be a great artistic hobby. I think back about Grandma Vi from time to time, I wish she could be here with me and see what I created. Thanks to a combo of her teaching me and God blessing me with this artistic talent. My Aunt Diane said it best... "Mom (Grandma Vi) would have been so very proud of you and she would have been tickled pink she left you with this legacy to create."
 A typical day starts out with worshiping the Lord. I love to sing for my morning Bible study to get the day started off right. I work with my father and mother in a natural health care and sports clinic. What a blessing to be with both of them and use my heart of mercy to help get other's back on their feet. My hours differ, so I come home and crochet and create before my husband leaves for work. We homeschool our daughter (well my husband mostly) so I hope in the future to be able to be a stay at home full time mom and Artist on Etsy. So we do have an interesting schedule. I supply our local Homeschool Group with hats every winter, and thinner open stitch hats in the summer. I also am a Client Advocate for our local Pregnacy Care Center (PCC) so I have openings in my schedule. I am able to help save lives in many way's including witnessing to the mother's in need. I have just started featuring Keepsake booties and baby hats that I give away at the PCC.