Meet Phyllis of Personal Treasures and Mufi Jewels

Meet Phyllis Mufson of Personal Treasures: http://personaltreasures.etsy.com, http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com and Mufi Jewels: http://mufi.etsy.com
Is there a little story about how you got that name?

"Personal Treasures says to me that these pieces are intimate and mean something special to the people who buy them. I love hearing from someone that what she bought is a favorite or that she wears it all the time.
Mufi is my nickname. What everyone, including teachers called me growing up. Now I'm only Mufi to my husband and childhood friends."

What are the major influences in your style?

"I had a career as a textile artist before picking up a bead. My background in textiles influences how I design. I'm very concerned with drape and how the jewelry moves with the body. I'm also inspired by the stones, I love stones, and by my customers. In addition to ETSY I sell through trunk shows so I see women interact with the jewelry; talk with them about what interests them, and which designs are particularly flattering to wear."

Phyllis also would like everyone to know that almost all of the work is one of a kind. In a few cases she has limited editions, and an edition of 5 is the largest she has made.

Phyllis mentioned, "They're made carefully with love. If I'm not satisfied with a piece I'll keep making it over until I am." The materials are sterling silver, gold-filled and vermeil, gemstones and pearls. (Some additional materials at the Mufi store.) She is working with outstanding stones for special pieces for the holidays, so please check out both stores.

Both of the photos come from Personal Treasures. I think this charm necklace is to die for. Wow! It just seems like it fits the store title of Personal Treasures. Also I chose these earrings, because they looked perfect for so many occasions, lovely quality, (as everything is in her stores), and would sparkle just the right amount for a holiday party. Here are the descriptions, straight from the shop for each photo.

Turquoise and Coral Charming Necklace

Turquoise and Coral Charming Necklace - Three styles of turquoise, red coral and vermeil charms dangle charmingly on a gold-filled long/short chain. Vermeil and coral stations attach the necklace to the vermeil hook clasp and add interest to the back.

The necklace measures approximately 17 inches including the clasp

Bold Smokey Quartz Earrings

Bold Smokey Quartz Earrings - Beautiful, dark, sparkling, faceted Smokey Quartz nuggets are wrapped with gold-filled wire onto clean, modern arc-shaped ear wires. Lighter than they look, the nuggets are a comfortable weight.

The earrings measure 1 3/4 inches from top of arc to bottom of dangling nugget.

Meet Jodi of Alaska Hot Doggies

Meet Jodi Hughes of Alaska Hot Doggies from Anchorage, Alaska who is also a Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team member.

Jodi said, "By day, I masquerade as Application Analyst for a large corporation. I take conference calls in my jammies and analyze code without even stepping out of the house! But in order to bring some originality into my world, away from the logical rules, I sneak away from the phone and emails to play in marbling goop! It calms my nerves and helps me feel creative. I get to color outside the lines, unlike my day job!

I enjoy marbling the most. This last month, I’ve started moving away from regular clothes and moving towards unconvential textiles and other materials. I’ve been experimenting with wood, plastic & glass which have proved to be challenging. I’ve also started marbling different paper items. I recently marbled business card stock that turned out wonderful and really make my business card standout from most."

I love the way Jodi expresses her love of marbling through so many mediums. Her shop is a delight to view. Lots of gorgeous colors and I'm sure many more to come. The pink purse in the photo really is gorgeous. Below are the descriptions that Jodi wrote about the items featured. It's fun to read her thoughts.

Report Seattle brand sandals - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6670207
"I stumbled on this great pair of Report brand sandals (size 9) but felt they just needed something....sooo...I marbled them! Colored in blue, green and just a little black, these are so fun and I'm so happy with how they turned out. The shoes have been sprayed with a protective coating so all you need to do it put them on & go! Enjoy this one-of-a-kind wearable art!"

Silk Purse - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6606569
Beautifully made 12.5mm charmeuse bag, lined in silk habotai with a braided silk ball and loop closure. Item measures 4.5" x 6.25" with a 41" strap. Purse was hand dyed bright pink then marbled with blue & purple


Here are other places to find Alaska Hot Doggies/ Jodi
http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/AkHotDoggies
www.myspace.akhotdoggies.com.
http://akhotdoggies.blogspot.com

Meet Gina of ModaDesigns, CheapBoutique and JourneyInJewellery

Meet Gina of multiple shops on etsy...ModaDesigns, CheapBoutique and JourneyInJewellery
Web Address: all of the above with .etsy.com added

Gina gets a great deal of inspiration by seeing the amazing designs put up on Etsy. One just recently solved her quandry for making rings! She sees how others make ear wires so she doesn't have to purchase them, she sees how people have soldered something so it encourages her to learn to solder!

Gina has had her shops almost two years on Etsy and it's her only source of income.

Gina offers the following advice for other etsy shop owners, "Promote, promote, promote! Put your shop addy in your email's Signature file so it follows every email you send. Join interest groups and drop your shop name frequently. I found Etsy through just such an interest group-the woman had her shop name in her signature which followed her posting! Wear your own designs and tell people who compliment you on them that they are for sale! Stay active in the Forums and Chats! Many of my customers come to me from reading my posts in the forums!"

Anything you would like to add?" Research every potential market. If it looks good, try it for a while. If it doesn't produce, drop it. Selling jewellery on Etsy has slowed to a non-existant crawl for me, so I spend my time looking for local outlets! I also sell supplies to support my jewellery shops!"

I've featured two items from Gina's Moda Design shop and included her description too.

Peach Pearl & Sterling Silver Necklace With Coin Pearl REDUCED
"(15.5" NL, 3x4.2mm FWP,11x6mm SS clasp,2mm SS beads, 12x4mm coin FWP)
This necklace has the illusion of being knotted between the pearls and has the ever-popular coin pearl at the center!"

Pink Tourmaline and Sterling Silver Bali Beads Charm-Style Bracelet (bxR)
"Pink Tourmaline Raw Chunks and Tumbled Pebbles Bracelet with Sterling Silver Bali Beads Will Make Your Arm an Art Gallery!
This piece is absolutly stunning, you have to see it to believe it! I took unworked, raw Pink Tourmaline from a private collector's collection from which I've chosen other fine raw stones such as Sapphire and Labradorite, and combined the best ones with sterling silver Bali beads in various shapes, and hand-linked them together to create this work of art!"

Please visit my supplies shop here on Etsy; http://cheapboutique.etsy.com

Meet Valerie of Wanderlust & Pixiedust

Meet Valerie of Wanderlust & Pixiedust on etsy. (http://www.wanderlustNpixiedust.etsy.com)
Valerie told me, " My name is more an expression of me that of what I sell. That's probably mistake number #! in the business world but it feels right to me. I chose "Wanderlust" because of my love and passion for travel, flying and the rest of the big, wide world. "Pixiedust" was chosen because I've never stopped loving fairly tales and other magical tales. It is also a constant reminder to myself to never give up. To continue to dream and to believe in the impossible."

She said major influences in her shop would be the aforementioned travel, vintage and/or antique religious images and her love and obsession with all things old and interesting. She's hoping to offer additional vintage influenced jewelry soon along with a bigger selection of vintage collectibles.

I've added two photos of items offered in her shop, along with their description as Valerie has written it.

Beautiful Silver and Blue Magic Crafting Crown
"I made my first crown and put it on my melon without thinking, every time I went into my crafting room to play. Seemed to work wonders. Hmm...perhaps others might wish for a Magic Crafting Crown of their very own? This first crown I offer for sale, I decided to do in blue & sparkling silver. That silver metal flower like piece in the center is a vintage, Japanese, Christmas, ornament reflector. I found a wonderous stash of these recently at an estate sale and didn't quite know what to do with them. This seemed like the thing to do. I think it came out appearing kind of art nouveau style. You know the lovely image of the art nouveau lady with the bright orange poppies on either side of her head? Well now you can pretend to be your very own vision of loveliness while hanging out in your studio."


Rosary Style Necklace with Vintage Crucifix.
"This is a necklace that I am calling "Rosary" style. I have been hoping to create handmade rosaries but do not have all the necessary parts just yet. The necessary part in this case being a traditonal center. Instead I've used a lovely copper piece. This necklace was created using man made fresh water style pearls in a color that I would best describe as being a beautiful aquamarine. I've used copper for the "Our Father" beads. There are a total of 53 "Ave" beads. Starting off this piece is a vintage crucifix. If you are looking for a unique gift for that special someone, you've come to the right place..."

One other thing, Valerie offers glitter and mica flakes. If you love sparkles the way I do, she has some beautiful colors and a little bit goes so far. You might want to check that out too.

So stop by WanderlustNPixiedust for some vintage, altered art supplies, and andmade jewelry.

Meet Sarah and Carol of Creative Sundries

Meet Sarah and Carol Eshelman of Creative Sundries - http://creativesundries.etsy.com

I asked Sarah to explain how they chose their shop name, and this is what she said, "We were playing around with names, came up with CreativeSundries, and my little hedgehog, Bob, expressed his approval with a little hedgie noise. We've been CreativeSundries ever since!"

Don't you just love a hedgehog choosing your name? Where was he when I was doing it?

They love to make things that are fun, unique, and sometimes silly, as you will seein the items I've featured.


Photos:
Fuse Earrings SS Sterling Silver Ear Wires
These are real fuses!

2A 250V automotive fuses are attached to sterling silver ear wires.
The fuses measure about 1 inch, or 2.5 cm. long.

Ballerina Necklace

La da dee, la da dah

Dancing is so fun.
This necklace features a ballerina in a fancy pink tutu.
A bail is adhered to her headpiece and attached it to a silver-plated ball chain necklace.

The ballerina is about 2 inches (5 cm.) tall. The necklace is approximately 24 inches (60 cm.) long.

Meet Kellie from Mineral Magic

Meet Kellie Peterson of Mineral Magic, www.mineralmagiccosmetics.com and www.mineralmagic.etsy.com.
Kellie is married with one child and lives in Pennsylvania. Kellie has sensitive skin and wanted to make a product for herself that would be soothing.

Kellie tells me that she takes great pride in her makeup line and guarantee 100% satisfaction. Mineral makeup is pure, crushed minerals from the earth, that improves your skin condition. It provides an SPF (sun protection factor) of up to 20, depending on how much you apply. It is an anti-inflamatory for your skin, as well. She mentioned that her makeup does NOT contain bismuth oxychloride, which is kin to arsenic, and is most likely the reason for skin discomfort and bad skin reaction.

Since these minerals are 100% pure, bacteria cannot be supported and there is no expiration date. There is also virtually no allergy risk. It won't clog your pores and is used as a mineral supplement for your skin.

And as a Mom, I like the way it's a family business, too. Kellie said, "I have recently added my nine-year-old son in my store. He is autistic and makes smelly jelly, aroma beads and room spray. I am teaching him business and how to manage his money." Wow, that's great!

I'm featuring two items from her shop and their description.

VEGAN Sale Fall Color Kit Nunber 2 By Mineral Magic Plus BONUSES

Tis the season. It is time to get out your Fall colors!
I've taken the guess work out for you! Vegan makeup.

5 gram jar of Brown
5 gram jar of Burgundy Rose (Shimmer)
5 Gram Jar of Terra Cotta-Matte (no shimmer)
10 gram jar of terra Cotta a warm peachy color

6 Piece brush COMPACT plus a carrying case - made of pony and goat hair
Mini baby buki brush
Instruction magnet
Instruction brochure
BONUS------Hand and body lotion 2 ounces
BONUS------Lip BALM

AND...

Sugar Body Scrub by Mineral Magic Choose Scented or Unscented

You will receive one 2 Ounce jar of sugar scrub. This weighs 3.6 Ounces!
Handmade with love. Just mix and apply once you receive it. Blend together upon opening because sometimes the scrub ingredients might separate a little during shipment.
Sugar, grape seed oil,a vocado oils, glycerine, and scent.

SCENTED SCRUBS ARE:
Almond-very lightly scented.
Almond & Vanilla-light scent.
Anise-just the faintest scent.
Peppermint-barely there hint of mint.
Lemon-just the faintest scent.
Tea Tree & Mint-Very lightly scented.
Vanilla-Light scent
**Unscented-for the person who cannot tolerate fragrance**
I wanted to get you clean and exfoliated, not dunked in a vat of lingering, repelling fragrance.
More scents to come, all barely scented, not perfumed.

Meet Adrienne and Charlotte of Personality Plus Boutique on etsy

Meet Adrienne Nielsen and her mom, Charlotte of Personality Plus Boutique
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5326355

Adrienne told me, "When trying to find a name that wasn't already taken for our main website I kept thinking about the personality our products take on when they are customized. I just went off of this and had to add the boutique part because somebody already had Personality Plus."

They do commercial embroidery and are trying to fill a niche in the embroidery business that seems to be left empty. Commercial embroidery (which means top quality machines...not just a small home machine) tends to do mostly big businesses or team sports. They wanted to do commercial embroidery on personal items. Adrienne said they love finding unique designs for people and they feel like they are meeting people's expectations for uniqueness.

When asked what do they want the customer to know, Adrienne replied, "The quality embroidery of course! We only use top quality products to embroider on, and then we add top quality embroidery...Sometimes on small home machines you will get unraveling thread or fading of colors. you will NOT get that on our work! I also want people to notice how much they can personalize their product. They get to choose the product, choose the color of the product, the image or name and the colors of the image or name! The possibilities are limitless!"

I was impressed. I love having a resource for good quality custom work. And with the holidays coming up, personalizing gifts means so much to the recipient.

Here are two items Daughter of God tote bag and Child of God tote bag from their shop. Both come in many colors and many options for personalization. They make great church bags too. I counted 17 color options and the Hyacinth color was my favorite.

Please stop by their shop.

Meet Joanne of Coconut Palm Designs

Meet Joanne Abrahams of CoconutPalmDesigns,( http://www.coconutpalmdesigns.etsy.com)
Joanne chose her shop name because she lives in Belize and the planted over 500 coconut trees last year, so coconuts were in her head. Also she wanted something to signify that she lives in a tropical country but that it doesn't relate specifically to one type of craft or another.

Because Joanne, a Canadian, is a graphic designer who loves woodworking and sign design and as always, loves art.

Here are two of the great signs in Joanne's shop. They're handmade, carved and painted beautifully. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Zig Zag Welcome Sign
his Welcome sign is hand painted blue. All the details are carved out using a dremel and the zig zag border is painted back in in green, carmel and red.

Butterfly Welcome Sign - Custom Design
This Welcome sign is hand painted in purple. The words, butterflies and fish on the main part are carved out using a dremel and then the butterflies and fish are painted back in.

Sign measures 10" x 3.5" with the butterfly measuring almost 3" x 3".

It is hung with ribbon braided with wire for durability and sealed against the elements with an acrylic spray finish

Elves Everywhere

Help, elves are invading my shop. ( http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com ) First there were Santas and Snow Folk, and now there are elves too. I thought Christmas was pretty far away still, but the requests have been coming in and I'm listening.

By the way, I'm still making all my other styles too. If you don't see something you've been wanting, please convo (email) me and let me know, so I can add it to my list.

take care,
Marcy

Meet Becki from entyqua on etsy

Meet Becki Rasmussen of Becki's Designs and here's how to find her: http://entyqua.etsy.com

Becki said there's a little story about her shop's name. "My shop name is me my url name however has a story It is a character of a story I wrote when I was younger and won a school literacy prize for also was published in a young writers book", she explained.

She mentioned that she has a lot of different influences on her style. " I think the major players are those great glass boxes at thrift stores with the old jewelry in it. Nature: Trees, seasons, fish (my aquarium) water, rocks and wood. "

Please notice the uniqueness of each piece and the high quality materials used. I know they look great online, but can only imagine how stunning they are in person.

Pearl in the Water
Pearl in the water is a Lariat style necklace handmade, with large gray Mother of Pearl faceted ovals measuring 25x18mm. Adorned with beautiful amazonite nuggets measuring 16x12mm. Dangling at the bottom is a larger gray Mother of Pearl flat oval adorning one last amazonite and sterling silver round bead. The clasp is Sterling silver Hook and Eye clasp right at the pendant for a lovely Lariat style Necklace.

Dresden Bells
The Dresden Bells are made with Cobalt colored glass flower bells wire wrapped on copper wire with one gorgeous faux pearl tube. The have a lever back ear wire.

Meet Shoozles, My Buddy from Etsy

Meet Michelle Strader from Shoozles url- http://shoozles.etsy.com

Michelle told me, "Shoozles is a nick name I got from my cousin when I was 10 and I was wrestling my brother in the front yard so it is now my Business name- Thought it made a much better jewelry business name then a wrestling name LOL".

Michele likes nature and color that is what influences her style more than any thing. But she also said, " I love response, I am a response junkie- What does that mean? It means I listen to people talk about what they like and it means anything that makes me feel an emotion gets me motivated to make glass."

Shoozles would like you to notice that her work is artistic. It isn't just layers of stacked glass. My opinion is that I love it. It has style and is so different that lots of the fused glass that is out there. Personally, I have bought from her and love my pieces.

I have a few items from her shop along with Michele's descriptions.

"The Painted Twig - Enamel Painted Fused Glass Pendant

This is a scenic focal pendant with a little lovely leafy twig. A Silver plated bail is securely attached. All my pendants are annealed (cooled slowly) for durability. You can wear this with a cord, chain or bead this cool pendant with your own beads. The chain in this photo is for display, I have snake chains and cords available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Graffiti Talk- Painted Fused Glass Pendant

So much to say I think, lots of detail great colors and surface texture that adds to the interestingness of this piece. Deep reds and brown under layers with black and white accents. This pendant has a silver plated bail. All my pendants are annealed (cooled slowly) for durability. You can wear this with a cord, chain I have snake chains and cords available for purchase in my Etsy shop. The chain is for photo display."

Please visit this fun shop. She posts lots of new work very often and has great customer communication. Besides that, she's really fun and nice. http://shoozles.etsy.com

Meet Dina of Elektra Jewelry on Etsy

Meet Dina Cuomo of elektra jewelry on etsy... www.elektrajewelry.etsy.com
She chose her shop name Elektra, because it means bright and shining.

Dina said she was greatly influenced by her love for the unique and creative jewelry designs she saw in Greece as a young girl. "I especially love the color of 24k and 18k gold that is commonly used in Greek jewelry design", she added.

Dina explained her jewelry making style,"I make just one of each piece of jewelry that I design and only use quality gemstones,sterling silver and gold filled or vermeil findings. Lampwork beads and Murano glass are also favorite materials of mine".

I've featured two items from Elektra Jewelry's shop.

Turquoise Treasure bracelet

Dina said she was inspired to create this 7 and 3/4 inch bracelet by some of the gorgeous jewelry designs she saw this summer in Greece. The sterling silver flower spacer was a find in an Athens bead shop. The turquoise enamel beads, Swarovski topaz crystals and the sterling silver balls give it a very unique look. The chain and other metal parts of this bracelet are sterling silver.

Summer Seas necklace ~ Dina describes it this way...

The color of this faceted aqua glass and luscious Murano bead necklace is reminiscent of the Caribbean Sea on a perfect summer day. It measures 16 and 1/4 ". The lovely center disc,gold squares and round beads are handmade in Venice, Italy and lined in gold foil. The clasp is gold vermeil.(24k gold over sterling silver)

What a lovely shop. I hope you take a few minutes and head over to it. The jewelry is gorgeous and so pretty.

Meet Anne Dundas of Sydney, Australia and Etsy, Too!

Meet: Anne Dundas of Anne Dundas, Handcrafted Jewellery and Lampwork Beads
http://annedundas.etsy.com.

Anne is my lampwork buddy from Etsy Glass Artists Street Team. She's from Sydney, Australia, which means she must talk really cool.

Anne says that color is the major influence on her style. She added, "how the same colour can look completely different when against other colours. I also love swirls, there's just something about them that I love."

" Well with my jewellery, I'm very fussy with my finishing, making sure it's all neat, the coils on my loops are all tight, etc. I really want people to notice that I take care in what I do, that I put alot of love into each of my pieces," she continued.

I've included two photos of pieces from her etsy shop. I love them both and they show a little of her great versatility.

Seasons Change
The pendant drop of this necklace uses a beautiful mix of gemstones, from ocean jasper, nephrite jade and green aventurine; to Czech fire polish beads, Swarovski crystals and Bali sterling silver. The necklace section is a simple cord, which does not make this piece overpowering, but suits it perfectly, also making it comfortable to wear.

Cherry Charms, which are the perfect size to use as really cute charms on a charm bracelet.
Size, hole to hole: 7-8mm
Size, side to side: 10-11mm
10 total.

Visit Anne and her shop http://www.annedundas.etsy.com

Meet Today's Featured Etsy Shop: Adornments by BJ

Meet Bonnie J Rounds of Adornments by BJ; who can be found at http://www.adornmentsbybj.etsy.com
She grew up being called BJ and still is BJ to those relatives still living.

Nature is her major influence ~ the colors, texture, materials she uses all reflect nature. And obviously, she sees nature as something really beautiful. I love this collection of jewelry. It's diverse and fits any style, taste and different people.

I'm featuring two pieces from Bonnie's shop.

"Purple and Mustard In Style for this Fall Season"
According to style magazines, purple and mustard are the 'in' coiors this fall.

This is a beautiful, chic necklace with gorgeous Amethyst oblong points in trios, separated by unique Bali twisted sterling silver spacer beads, Yellow Jasper 8mm round beads ~ continuing in sequence until two more Jasper beads with Bali spacers are joined by different Bali spacer beads, trios of 6mm round Amethyst round beads and then attached to a Sterling Silver toggle clasp to finish the necklace. The earrings are stunning with Yellow Jasper and Amethyst beads capped top and bottom with Bali sterling silver bead caps and dropping from sterling silver post earrings.
.................
"Splendor of Swarovski and Pearls"
A single Swarovski Peridot 18mm cosmic crystal takes center stage in this lovely necklace/earring set. The rest of the necklace has, on both sides, 6mm cultured freshwater natural pearls, each separated by 4mm Swarovski bicone crystals. There are two fancy Bali Beads on each side and a sterling silver toggle clasp to finish the necklace.

I truly love the jewelry in Bonnie's shop. It's fresh, interesting and one of a kind. Visit http://www.adornmentsbybj.etsy.com

Meet Yasmin of Yaslani.etsy.com

Meet Yasmin of Yaslani.Etsy.Com.

I asked Yasmin how she got her shop name, and she replied, "My name is Yasmin and my daughter is Leilani…hence the Yaslani!". Yasmin also told me that she grew up in the 80's and some of her influence was the pop culture of the time.

She also said, " I’m just having a good time. My job as an artist is to make art I love. When someone looks at my artwork I want them to find their own story. The pendants that I make are to make people look cool and pretty."

I've included two photos from Yasmin's shop.
" Citywalk" (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6809254)
Is a 4x6 mixed media canvas made with hand painted wooden giraffe and elephant along with paint, paper and all sprayed with a non-yellowing varnish. It's fun and cool. I love how the different patterns were all incorporated and are fun.

"Conversation" (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6809354)
This is a 4x6 mixed media canvas is made with hand painted wooden giraffes and layers of paint and paper.
The colors are warm and inviting and would look wonderful combined with Citywalk also.

Visit her shop at http://www.yaslani.etsy.com

Meet A Rose By Name - Featured Artist

Meet Anna of A Rose By Name who has a shop on etsy...http://www.arosebyname.etsy.com.

When I asked Anna how she chose her shop name, she replied poignantly, "My shop's name is derived from two things, the Shakespearean quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." and it's also in remembrance of my mom whom I lost far too soon. Roses were her favorite."

Anna said she is addicted to the tiny Delica beads and loves to weave them especially using the peyote beadweaving technique. I am amazed at the intricacy of her work and the detail. It's so gorgeous.

The viewer also notices the quality of each piece. Anna told me that she will not sell a piece that she thinks is inferior in quality. "There will not be any threads sticking out or knots visible if at all possible. I always try to use quality findings as well, " she continued.

"Linked to the Sea" Anna used this as part of her description:
This gorgeous necklace was created by stitching individual links using the peyote beadweaving technique and then meticulously linking them together. The colors are a range of sea colors from deep blue green to stormy gray Delicas. Each link consists of 64 beads woven together and there are 110 links for a total of 7,040 beads!

"Geometric Gemtones" This is part of the description listed:
We have Japanese Delicas in wine, cherry, topaz, green, moss, eletric blue, midnight blue, dark violet and blue-magenta and all surrounded in metallic silver. I've opted to finish this piece off with a square of beads for a toggle.

All I can say is "WOW!" to each of these and so much more in her shop. I am so impressed and love her work. Please stop by and visit A Rose by Name and tell her Marcy sent you.

Meet Linda Chandler of lchandler on etsy

Meet Linda Chandler of Jewelry by Linda and here's where to find her: http://www.lchandler.etsy.com
http://www. jewelrybylinda.com, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelrybylinda/

Linda Chandler began making jewelry even as a child and grew up designing and handcrafting one of a kind pieces. She is inspired from designs of nature to basic functional pieces and combines the two into literal works of art. Linda is a master craftsman in many facets of jewelry making. Whether it be silversmithing intricate filigree designs, weaving wire into almost impossible patterns or stone setting, her foremost enjoyment comes from the design to finish of her amazing pieces.
Linda has been a vendor on Etsy for well over a year and finds it a welcome change from The traditional Art Show scene that she spent many years taking part in. She feels that Etsy is a wonderful and lucritive avenue in which to share your designs, meet fellow artisans, and share tips and techniques. Watch for her latest designs on Etsy as she is continually adding them to share with her following of buyers that enjoy her amazing work.

I chose these two items from her shop to feature:
Braided Croc Bracelet 3
Each bend and twist is made by hand and is finely handcrafted of Argentium Silver. This silver is the latest alloy on the market and has a very slow tarnish rate, cleans up easily with mild soap and water.Argentium has the same amount of silver content as sterling, but uses a less copper alloy metal than sterling. I think the combination of its complexity and simplicity is just gorgeous.

And the other is her Turquoise Filgree Ring
A 10mm X 12mm stabilized turquoise cab (green matrix) was set in fine silver for this one. Very comfortable to wear and lays close to the finger. The top measures 3/4" X 1 1/4" and is a size 7. I just wish it were my size!

I sure loved visiting this shop and know I'll be going back again. Her work is exquisite and such high quality for very reasonable prices. I've found a new place to "heart".

Meet So and Sew Crafty

Meet Karen Copeland of So and Sew Crafty on etsy who says she "makes things she likes or that other's have expressed and interest in". Well I have to say, I like her taste.

I have included three photos of items in her shop. Karen prides herself in making well constructed items with style.
The first one is the Autograph Dog, which reminds me of when I was a kid. "This adorable little puppy is made from 100% cotton and stuffed with fiberfill. There is plenty of writing space on his all white body. The ears are made from a fabric with a black background covered with brightly colored ABC’s!" It's fun for kids, teachers, birthday presents and so many occaisions.

The second one is something that I have my eye on. It's the Green Leaves Shoulder Bag. I love the color, pattern and style.
It looks like it's just the right size for carrying the important things and a little bit more and the mossy green faux suede makes it look so nice. I hearted this one!

And finally, the Photo Memory Quilt is a great item for loved ones. How sweet is having a quilt with your important photos screened onto cotton and sewn into the quilt. I can picture it being a beloved present for any recipient.

So visit Karen's shop http://www.soandsewcrafty.etsy.com with a lovely variety of items, fine craftsmanship and so personal.

I've Been Tagged for 7 Random Facts About Myself

I've been tagged by Mommyandmeboutique to write 7 Random Facts About Myself, so here I go....
1. I can write with both hands at once
2. Some of my lampwork glass jewelry was exhibited at the Heinz Museum in Pittsburgh
3. I've carved rain tires as a race car pit crew member at 24 Hours at Daytona
4. I'm easily amused...especially by little children
5. I own two 3-foot garden gnomes
6. I am a book-a-holic and sometimes hide my enjoyment of romance novels.
7. I write for our International Society of Glass Beadmakers' quarterly magazine

They're random all right. Please add your comments of some random fact about yourself that we wouldn't know. I'd love to hear them.
thanks,
Marcy
ps That's Hildegarde who is a Viking chick. She's in my etsy shop, http://www.studiomarcy.etsy.com

Meet Guest Artist Photographer Tiffany Teske

Meet Tiffany Teske of tiffanyteske.etsy.com.

When asked about inspiration for her photography, Tiffany responded, "For my fine art
photography I am often influenced by the past... I love collecting vintage and histotical images. I love to look at photographs made using collodion and other antique photography processes. Each style of photography interests me but I am very drawn to the pictoralists and to early women photographers like Julia Margaret Cameron and Chansonetta Stanley Emmons. I love romantic, dream like images, as well as broken, forgotten, and decaying subject matter. I try to preserve old things, through photography. I work mostly with Polaroid processes like Polaroid transfer and emulsion lifts. They suit my subject matter and sensibilities."

She likes the viewer to tell me what moves them about my work. "I feel everyone sees something different and I am fascinated by which person picks which images. As for my Polaroid transfers, some people don't quite understand what it is."

Tiffany sent me the following information explaining it. "This unique photographic art begins when Tiffany captures an image on slide film. The slide is then projected onto Polaroid pack film which is peeled prematurely. The “waste” side of the film pack, which contains processing chemicals, is then placed face down onto wet watercolour paper and brayed. The result is a one-of-a-kind hand-pulled photographic transfer of the original slide image. The original image can be transferred an unlimited number of times but the resulting transfer will always vary from the last. Each transfer is approximately 3 ½” by 4” in size and is hand signed by Tiffany."

When some people see the texture of the watercolour paper showing through the image, especially on the computer, they think I am showing a bad quality (pixelated) digital image, not a hand printed photograph on paper. I want them to understand that each image is an original, not a print, that I have hand printed using this process."

Featured above are two photos that use the process described above. Tiffany's shop has many pieces in it with a variety of styles. This is your chance to get some lovely original photography that is different and beautiful.

The titles of the two pieces are:
Second Hand
Heart (Haiti)
Both can be found in her shop, "http://www.tiffanyteske.etsy.com

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Meet Guest Artist Ginger Black

Meet Ginger Black, lampwork artist and person whose style is "try everything! I love bright color, natural tones, sculpture, dot formations, etc. The wide variety of what is possible with glass seems endless, and every time I sit down at my torch it's a new adventure, she explained."

Ginger's lovely lampwork can be found at http://www.GingerBlack.etsy.com

When asked about her shop name, she replied, " I chose to use my real name as my shop name because people are always so kind to give me compliments on it in person. This is the closest I've got it to being up in lights! All the credit goes to my parents for the first part and to my husband for the second.

I hope the pure joy I have creating glass beads is evident when people look at my work. I love when someone sees a piece and says, "This reminds me of..." The observer completes the art by connecting with it."

I chose two items from her shop to showcase. Their title, url and a brief description are below:

Blossom http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6851740
Bright colors, fun movelment all wrapped up into one big focal bead.

Get Happy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7108416
Red, yellow, orange, bright green and blue with layered dots and all around fun colors.

Stop by Ginger Black's etsy shop for fun, and diverse lampwork beads. You'll be glad you did.

Meet Silver Dragon Creations by Patricia C. Vener

Here's a chance to get to know Patricia C Vener of Silver Dragon Creations by Patricia C Vener. HerEtsy Shop name is Silver Dragon Creations.

Here are two ways to find her on the web:
1) http://SilverDragon.etsy.com/
2) http://vener-art.com/

"Grapes and Hyacinth Beaded Earrings that define Panache and Pizazzzzz"

Besides being downright gorgeous, this pair of yummy purple-y earrings uses both SlipLess sterling silver French earwires and a plastic earnut counterweight for balance.

Patricia explains in her description that the "technique here is a looped variation of the branched fringe technique also known as coraling. The focal beads are blue Czech firepolished crystal beads with an aurora borealis finish, there are also Indicolite Swarovski bicone with the AB finish, grape purple seed beads, lavendar gilt lined beads and etched cylinder beads for the main work." I love them!

The other photo is "Recycled Beauty Beaded Necklace with Vintage Brooch"
More delicious colors melded together. pale lavender with fuschsia lined amber beads and a recycled, wonderful brooch used in a new and wonderful way. The rhinestones are all replacement Swarovski rhinestones in aurora borealis and colors. How can you not love it?

Here are a few more questions that Patricia was kind enough to answer....

M: What do you find most challenging as an artist?

Getting all my ideas out of head and into the real world. I have so many ideas that I just don't have time to realize them. Not just jewelry but also paintings and sculptures. I really want to work on the "envelope pushers" but find myself doing other things that might be more "saleable." I wonder if that's a mistake, though.

M: What do you find most challenging as an artist trying to do business?

Selling. At first I thought it was marketing but then a converation of an online artists group made me realize that it's the selling aspect - actually looking for places to carry my work - that terrifies me.

M: Do you have a favorite medium or technique?

A single favorite, no. A great many favorites, yes! I love oils for painting but at the moment can't afford them so I work in other media and enjoy them just the same. I love the tiny seed beads but even the larger 6/0s are fun and anything that sparkles gets me excited. At the moment I have some thoughts for highly wrapped wire, gemstones and beads. I design in my head and it's going to be elaborate. So much so that it's well on its way to being ready for sketching. I guess my favorite thing is to try new things!

M: What do you love most about being an artist?

My freedom from being a work slave. Hahahaha!

M: What words of advice would you offer to other artists?

Do what you love. Don't let other people's fears hold you back (and this is a hard one!).

My thanks to Patricia Vener and please do visit her shop. http://silverdragoncreations.etsy.com

Etsy Featured Shop: Plastic Pumpkin

Meet Ren of Plastic Pumpkin on etsy.
shop name: plastic pumpkin designs

It really grabbed me when I read Ren's general artistic philosophy and how it melds with her life.

She said, "Chinese brush painting is an important part of my spiritual development and meditation (I'm a Taoist). It's fun, serious, wild, controlled, crazy, sane, and an irreplaceable part of my life."

Marcy: How did you get your shop name?

Ren replied, "Why “Plastic Pumpkin”? Isn’t that kind of a dumb name?
Someone once told us our name was dumb. It didn’t make any sense to them. They mentioned we might want to change the name to something that made sense to them.

We said: why not? Pumpkins are cool. They’re weird and impossibly orange. People like to carve ‘em up. People like to smash ‘em. Heck, some people even EAT pumpkin. From a designer’s perspective, they’re a wonderfully smooth creation with lots of character and a pleasant shape.

We like pumpkins. And for all you English majors out there, “Plastic Pumpkin” rates “excellent” on the Alliteration Meter."


Marcy: What are the major influences in your style?

"The Chinese masters, dating back over 5,000 years. I do traditional Chinese brush painting, with age-old techniques (and some modern twists). I highly respect the elders who created this style of painting.

I draw influence for my brush paintings (and my other art) from the masters, as I mentioned above, as well as Taoism, philosophy, current artistic trends, every day objects, nature, rocks, minerals, masks, costumes, the ocean, and mythology."

Marcy: What do you want the reader to notice about your work?

"I hope the reader can view each piece and bring part of themselves to it. They will see what they are meant to see."

I have chosen two items from Plastic Pumpkins' etsy shop, and included a bit of each shop description of the items. I love these two pieces. Both are more of her "traditional" style of Chinese brush painting, but please visit her shop for a lovely selection of old school and some more modern style pieces of art. Aceos, greeting cards, prints and orginals all can be found here.(http://www.plasticpumpkin.com)

The Cat Blank Greeting Card Original Painting Striped Cat in the Sun

"A playful cat pauses to contemplate the universe (or lunch). He's entirely hand-painted by me, using traditional Chinese hand-ground inks on rice paper."

Goldfish Original Chinese Brush Painting with Tea Wash Matted

"This painting is done on soft, flexible white rice paper with traditional Chinese inks. It captures a large-tailed fancy goldfish as he swims between swaying fronds.

I gave the back of the painting a traditional tea wash, using reddish Puh-Er tea. That's why the painting has a watery, antiqued look to it."

My Fairy Babies on etsy

Hyla Waldron of MyFairyBabies and Faewood Creations can be found on etsy at
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5184529 and http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5297187. Hyla has had her shop since June 2007.

I've included two photos of items from her shop.
Here's a Fairy Shirt http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7211107
and Carlie Strawberry Fairy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7248892

When asked about her inspiration, she replied, "My children inspire me, artists that can draw fairies inspire me, and nature is a also a huge inspiration!
It is something that makes me feel like I am my own person outside of being a mom. What I wouldnt give to turn this into a successful business though and be able to have my husband stay home with me and our children."

How did you get into your craft? "When I was pregnant with my third child, Guinevere-who is now 9 weeks old, I was looking for fairy items to buy for her and came up empty handed every where I looked. So I decided to make my own fairy items for her."

She has this advice for other etsy shop owners: "Dont count on Etsy to make you successful, you really have to market your work everywhere and tell everyone. Make sure you always have business cards on hand."

Anything you would like to add? "I will keep making my fantasy items for kids and one day this will be huge!"

Featured Etsy Shop: Plastic Pumpkin

"Meet Ren of Plastic Pumpkin on etsy.
shop name: plastic pumpkin designs

It really grabbed me when I read Ren's general artistic philosophy and how it melds with her life.

She said, "Chinese brush painting is an important part of my spiritual development and meditation (I'm a Taoist). It's fun, serious, wild, controlled, crazy, sane, and an irreplaceable part of my life."

Marcy: How did you get your shop name?

Ren replied, "Why “Plastic Pumpkin”? Isn’t that kind of a dumb name?
Someone once told us our name was dumb. It didn’t make any sense to them. They mentioned we might want to change the name to something that made sense to them.

We said: why not? Pumpkins are cool. They’re weird and impossibly orange. People like to carve ‘em up. People like to smash ‘em. Heck, some people even EAT pumpkin. From a designer’s perspective, they’re a wonderfully smooth creation with lots of character and a pleasant shape.

We like pumpkins. And for all you English majors out there, “Plastic Pumpkin” rates “excellent” on the Alliteration Meter."


Marcy: What are the major influences in your style?

"The Chinese masters, dating back over 5,000 years. I do traditional Chinese brush painting, with age-old techniques (and some modern twists). I highly respect the elders who created this style of painting.

I draw influence for my brush paintings (and my other art) from the masters, as I mentioned above, as well as Taoism, philosophy, current artistic trends, every day objects, nature, rocks, minerals, masks, costumes, the ocean, and mythology."

Marcy: What do you want the reader to notice about your work?

"I hope the reader can view each piece and bring part of themselves to it. They will see what they are meant to see."

I have chosen two items from Plastic Pumpkin's etsy shop, and included a bit of each shop description of the items. I love these two pieces. Both are more of her "traditional" style of Chinese brush painting, but please visit her shop for a lovely selection of old school and some more modern style pieces of art. Aceos, greeting cards, prints and orginals all can be found here.(http://www.plasticpumpkin.com)

The Cat Blank Greeting Card Original Painting Striped Cat in the Sun

"A playful cat pauses to contemplate the universe (or lunch). He's entirely hand-painted by me, using traditional Chinese hand-ground inks on rice paper."

Goldfish Original Chinese Brush Painting with Tea Wash Matted

"This painting is done on soft, flexible white rice paper with traditional Chinese inks. It captures a large-tailed fancy goldfish as he swims between swaying fronds.

I gave the back of the painting a traditional tea wash, using reddish Puh-Er tea. That's why the painting has a watery, antiqued look to it."

Sparklystrandz' name comes from a movie

Meet Jamie Hinson of sparklystrandz who sells at www.sparklystrandz.etsy.com.

Jamie explains how her shop got it's name. "Since my name is "Jamie", everyone thought I would naturally go with something like "Jamie's Jewelry" or something with "jewels"....i had to tell them politely that's lame, and that in no way let my personality come through. One of my favorite movies growing up was The Secret of Nimh, and the crow in the movie always calls the ruby-thingy a "sparkly", and that was always a joke of me and my sister.......so anyway, jewelry is sparkly and beads come in strands usually, so "Sparkly Strandz" came about. I know I 'm a dork for naming my business after a cartoon movie, but it is what it is!! :)"

She said she's very left-brained, so most of her work is symmetrical. "It's kinda hard for me to do assymetrical things, altough I think they are very beautiful.", she said. I personally think symmetrical is soothing and very lovely too.

Please notice that her work is for the most part very classic. "I have a few items that are very personal--the awareness earrings are a cause dear to me--I lost my mother 2 years ago to breast cancer and making sure women are mindful of their health is important to me; and the Revelation bracelet I wear often because it's a great subtle way to witness to others if they ask about it", Jamie explains.

Here are photos of the earrings that Jamie described and the bracelet too. They can be found in her shop: http://www.sparklystrandz.etsy.com