All Things Jewelry and Then Some

Pantone's® 2009 Fall Color Forecast--Nomad

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:47:00 +0000

The fourth color up in this series is Nomad:

"Crème Brûlée, a grayed-down beige, and Nomad, which bridges the gap between beige and light gray, also speak to the need for timeless neutrals." From the PANTONE^® Fashion Color Report Fall 2009

I have no pieces that feature this color, but I'd love to see what you've got. Please post the link to your item in the comments section.

Pantone's® 2009 Fall Color Forecast--Honey Yellow

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:14:00 +0000

I realized today that I had completely forgotten about this series, so here I am with the third color, which is Honey Yellow.

"A warmer, more subdued Honey Yellow carries the 2009 color of the year, PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa, through to fall and winter with its golden tones. Pairing Honey Yellow with its color wheel opposite, Purple Heart, will surely add a surprising flair. Or, for a more typical fall combination, group Honey Yellow with Burnt Sienna and Iron." From the PANTONE^® Fashion Color Report Fall 2009.

This piece is currently not listed in my shop, but I'm going to show it off anyway:

So what goodies do you have in Honey Yellow? Post the links to your items in the comments section.

The Heroes of Handmade--Lesley Baize of PinkPerch

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:18:00 +0000

I discovered Lesley's shop recently through the Front Page of Etsy. She makes mobiles and wall art for babies and children, but you don't have to be a young'un to love her work. Those of us grown-ups with whimsy in our souls can get a kick out of Lesley's creations too.

1. How long have you been doing this?

I grew up in a craft-filled environment, because my mom was an artist. You can say it’s in my genes and for as long as I can remember I’ve been in a creative/inventive mode. I found my love for sewing when I started college in 2001. However, I only started making mobiles and selling my crafts in June, 2009.

2. What inspired you to get started?

I love the look of a clean, fresh style with a whimsical twist. When I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for while decorating a guest room, I decided to make it. I then thought maybe other people out there would like my creations and my line grew from there. Pretty, shiny things, nature, fairy tales, animals, and my nieces and nephew all inspire me.

3. What motivates you to keep going when things are low?

I love all the things I create and I think that is the key to staying motivated. It’s hard to have a low when you are doing what you love to do!

4. What's your philosophy behind your work?

My philosophy behind my work is to always enjoy what I’m creating. Before creating any design I ask myself these simple questions. "Would I have wanted this in my room as a child?" and "Would I want this in my own home today?"

Also, I think customer service is of the utmost importance when it comes to business and I strive to make my shop very friendly and welcoming.

5. What do you find the most rewarding about what you do?

Watching my designs come to life and then having someone appreciate my work is the most rewarding thing of all. I love hearing from parents who tell me they’ve searched high and low for the perfect mobile and they found it in my shop! It’s also very heartwarming to know that a new life will be enjoying my creations.

6. What do you find the most frustrating/most difficult about what you do?

I love what I create, so I find nothing frustrating about the creative process. It does get frustrating when I can’t find exactly what I need to make a design but I always figure something out.

7. What are your plans for the future of your business?

I would like to expand my collection to include cards, toys and other home goods. My own website may lie in the future, as well as having my creations in stores!

Monkey See Monkey Do Felt Mobile

Life's a Hoot Owl and Tree Felt Mobile - Custom Colors

This was the piece on the Front Page that caught my eye.

Paige Crystal and Pearl Dreamcatcher

Pink and Green Leaf Crystal Spiral Mobile Chandelier w/ Perched Bird

Beautiful Bold Butterflies - Pattern Paper Wall Art

U2 Live at the Rose Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:49:00 +0000

I just finished listening to the concert U2 gave at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena two nights ago. If you're a U2 fan this is a must see.

U2 at the Rose Bowl

Note: the link will open in a new window.

Pantone's® 2009 Fall Color Forecast--Purple Heart

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:09:00 +0000

The second color up in my series on the 2009 fall color forecast from Pantone^® is Purple Heart.

"Purple Heart connotes a sense of refinement and sensuality, adding an air of creativity and excitement to the top 10, especially when paired with American Beauty." From the PANTONE^® Fashion Color Report Fall 2009.

Given that I'm a purple freak I of course have several items in that color in my shop. This necklace is my favorite:

Purple Four-in-One Ribbon Necklace

OK, your turn, show me your purple goodies.

My Jewelry is Going to the Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:10:00 +0000

And I mean that literally.

I recently had a commission from a friend of mine to make a necklace for her dog. She's a teacup chihuahua, and her name is Tinker or Tink. She's the most adorable critter you could ever hope to lay eyes on. Here are a few pics of Tink wearing her bauble:

Isn't she too cute for words? Gotta love those ears, eh?

Pantone's® 2009 Fall Color Forecast--American Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

This post marks the first in my series on the 2009 fall color forecast from Pantone^®. Along with posting about each of the colors individually I'll be inviting y'all to post links to any of your listings for items that contain the color in question. The item can be a piece of jewelry, clothing, or home decor article.

For those who haven't heard of the Pantone^® color-matching system, it's the foremost system of its kind in the world. Originally developed to help graphic designers produce accurate color matches, it has since been expanded to other industries, such as the fashion industry, the home decor industry, and the paint industry, to name a few.

Here is the full color palette, so you can see all the colors together:

The first color up is American Beauty:

"A natural choice during uncertain times, patriotic American Beauty, a wonderfully balanced true red, speaks to the need for cohesiveness. Perfect for all skin tones, American Beauty is a feel-good color." From the PANTONE^® Fashion Color Report Fall 2009

Currently, I have nothing listed in my shop that has this color in it, but I do have this piece, which I'll be listing again once I unveil my new artistic direction:

So now it's your turn. Show me what you got, everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving to My Canadian Friends

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:48:00 +0000

It's Thanksgiving in Canada today, so I'm wishing all my fellow Canucks a very happy day.

Of Interest to Jewelry Artisans Who Sell Online

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:12:00 +0000

A few days ago, I found out about a project being run by Christine Gierer of How to Make Jewelry. Christine is offering a free lesson series in which she builds two online jewelry businesses from the ground up. One will be built with a WordPress blog, and the other will be built using SBI (SiteBuildIt). I've signed up, and am looking forward to seeing what Christine has to show us.

I'm particularly interested in seeing how she builds the SBI site. I had a subscription to SBI quite a few years back for a site on women's strength training I wanted to set up. It never got off the ground, but I was very impressed with what I saw in SBI. I plan to get another subscription when the day comes for me to set up my own jewelry website.

If you're interested in signing up for the lessons you'll find the sign-up link on Rena Klingenberg's jewelry business blog.

Promotional Opportunity for Indie Artisans

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:23:00 +0000

I just found out about a great promotional opportunity for indie artisans. Angie Ledbetter, the owner of Gumbo Writer is looking for artisans to promote. So is Kathryn Magendie, the owner of Virginia Kate Sagas...

Hop on over to their blogs if you you'd like to add the link to your shop in the comments sections, or if you'd like to add the links of the shops of any family or friends.

Announcing Another Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:53:00 +0000

And it's not my own yet again.

Fellow jewelry artisan Lorelei Eurto is hosting a series of giveaways on her blog. The prizes are beads from Green Girl Studios. Green Girl Studios is owned and operated by artist, jewelry artisan, and bead artisan Cynthia Thornton and her husband Greg Ogden. Cynthia makes gorgeous beads, clasps, pendants, and other types of components in various types of metal. Sometimes her brother, Andrew Thornton, himself an artist and jewelry artisan, helps out with the making of the beads.

Be sure to drop by Lorelei's blog to enter the giveaway. She has a shop at Etsy, but it's closed this week while she revamps it. Until next week, you can browse her sold listings to get a look-see at her beautiful jewelry.

You can also check out Andrew's shop at Big Cartel to see some of his stunning creations.

My Big Clearance Sale--Everything Must Go

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:52:00 +0000

My shop is now ready to go for my big clearance sale. The prices on most of the items have been reduced by a whopping 50%. This is your chance to get some gorgeous handcrafted jewelry at rock bottom prices, so run, don't walk to check out the goodies.

Here are a few of the offerings:

Amethyst Cloisonne Earrings

Sale price: 5.00 U.S.

Plus-Size Green and Blue Bracelet with Matching Earrings

Sale price: 20.00 U.S.

Gothic Colors Greek Ceramic Beads Necklace

Sale price: 11.00 U.S.

There's no time limit to the sale, and everything must go.

I have a few more pieces to list, which I'll be doing from now until the weekend. Happy shopping, y'all.

My New Model

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Those of you who follow my personal blog will recognize Baby Bo, the cute little fella in the pic below. He discovered yesterday that he loves to wear jewelry, and donned a whole bunch of my lovely creations today. Since I have to wait for the owner of Winkelf to make a change to my shop before I announce my big clearance sale I snapped a pic of Baby Bo all decked out to delight and entertain you all.

Please give a warm welcome to Libearace, Baby Bo's alter ego:

Jewelry Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:48:00 +0000

If you've been following the indie artisan scene for a while you've no doubt heard of jewelry artist Sherry Truitt. Sherry is a silversmith whose work is wonderfully unconventional. You can visit her Etsy shop here.

Sherry's currently celebrating her 1000^th sale at Etsy, and to commemorate the occasion she's holding a giveaway on her blog. The prize is a custom map necklace portraying the destination of your choice. Be sure to drop by to enter the draw.

I'm Back

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:52:00 +0000

The time has finally come for my return. I've just posted about what I've been up to on my personal blog, so I'm not going to risk making myself sound redundant by posting about it here too.

I'm going to be making a change in direction in regards to the jewelry I make, which I'll be getting into in more detail at a later date. In the meantime, I'm going to be preparing my Winkelf shop for the clearance sale I'm planning to have. I want to try and move out most of my stock, since it doesn't fit in with the new direction in which I'm planning to go. I'll be announcing the sale once my shop is ready.

At this point I'm not sure what direction this blog will be going in, so I guess I'll just have to make it up as I go along.

So I Lied

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:22:00 +0000

I know I said in my previous post I was putting this blog on hold until September, but there's something I just have to post about. LOL

A few weeks ago, Tiffany, of Second Hand News Handmade, whom I profiled in my most recent installment of The Heroes of Handmade, told me she was making me a gift.

I got it today. It's a totebag, which I couldn't be more delighted with. I love the color of the material, and it's exactly what I need to help me stay organized while I'm out and about right now.

Tiffany, thank you very much. I plan to use this baby well.

Taking the Rest of the Summer Off

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:46:00 +0000

I've decided to put this blog on hold for the rest of the summer, since I'm very busy right now with everything that's happening with my mom. One of the things I'm busy with is the huge cleanup I have to do in the house. I've just posted about it on my personal blog if you're interested in knowing more.

Because of everything that's going on in my personal life I don't feel I can do this blog justice at this time, and I don't want to put pressure on myself to keep it up to date. Besides, my jewelry making is non-existent right now, as my creative juices are shot.

I foresee being back in September, but I don't know exactly when.

Finally Listed Something in My Shop

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:06:00 +0000

I've pretty much been neglecting my jewelry and my shop for the past few months, given everything that's happening with my mom right now. But I decided to make it a point to list something tonight:

These earrings are made with glass pearls and silverplated metal.

Auction for Larry Hamm

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Larry Hamm is an artisan, an announcer on Blockhead Radio, and a disabled diabetic. His health insurance has recently run out, but his disability benefits haven't been approved yet. He also needs gastric bypass surgery, and his doctors are giving him 18 months to live if he doesn't get it ASAP.

In order to raise funds for his medication and surgery Blockhead Radio is holding an auction for him. They're inviting artisans to donate items for the auction. I've signed up, and will be donating a pair of earrings.

The Heroes of Handmade--Tiffany Martin of Second Hand News Handmade (SHN)

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:31:00 +0000

You may recall that Tiffany Martin was the first artist I featured when I started this series. At that time she was running Organidog. Her interview for OD is here. Tiffany has since closed Organidog, and started Second Hand News Handmade. She is now selling sewn accessories, such as ponytail holders, clutches, and coffee cup cozies. She's still selling dog collars as well. The designs on the fabrics she uses range from bold and colorful, to whimsical, to subdued and understated. You're sure to find something you like among her offerings.

Tiffany sent me sent me the answers to a different set of questions for this interview. I'm glad she did, because I didn't realize when I asked her if she wanted to be featured again that she would be answering the same questions had she used my interview questions. LOL

1. Tell me about yourself.

My name is Tiffany Martin, and I'm the woman behind Second Hand News Handmade. I live in the mountains of Northern Virginia, and enjoy good Mexican food, NY style pizza, watching King of The Hill, and good music.

2. What is your earliest or fondest crafting memory?

When I was a child, I spent many an evening at the kitchen table stringing beads with my late grandmother.

3. Do you work from your home, or do you have a separate workspace?

Right now, I’m in between places so my “studio” is actually my spare bedroom. I have fabric from wall to wall, a cutting table, storage bins, and a sewing machine.

4. How many hours a day do you work at your business? What are your most productive times?

I spend at least an hour a day working at my business. I’m most productive in the evenings and the weekends.

5. If you could have lunch with and pick the brain of any artist living or dead, whom would you choose and why?

Stevie Nicks. Besides having that unique husky voice, she radiates such a peaceful aura. She seems like someone you can shoot the shit with for hours while drinking good coffee. I’ve always been a big fan of her music, both solo and with Fleetwood Mac.

6. What do you like most about being your own boss?

Being able to work in my jammies.

7. What is the hardest part of being your own boss?

Keeping myself disciplined and motivated.

8. Where can your products be found, both online and offline?

Currently, you can find me online at Artfire, and I’m in the process of opening up my standalone website. I also sell my goods around Northern Virginia at various craft shows and markets.

9. How do you finance your business?

I’m a full-circle operation. Every cent that comes in goes back out in the form of supplies or marketing goods. If I’m not selling I’m not replenishing.

10. What do you do when you get a creative block?

I walk away and focus on something other than piecing together fabric.

11. What do you do outside of your craft (career, hobbies or both)?

I teach part time at a local college and am a columnist for the Green Wise department of handmadenews.org.

12. What advice would you give to a crafter wanting to turn his or her hobby into a business?

Start small, do your research, and don’t skimp on the important stuff.

13. What’s your supply addiction? Is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?

I have a weak spot for Alexander Henry fabrics.

14. What is your favorite tool and why?

My Viking sewing machine, because I can do almost everything I need to with it.

15. What is your favorite type of handmade item to buy for yourself?

I love vegan soaps.

The items pictured below are from Tiffany's ArtFire shop. Her website is here, and her blog is here.

French Fries Ponytail Holders

Snappy Wallet Biz Card Holder Maui

Coffee Cup Cozy Green Sleeve Madagascar

Coin Purse Morello

Reusable Eco Friendly Fabric Lunch Bag London

I'm a Chosen One

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:56:00 +0000

I've just discovered that one of my necklaces is an editor's pick at Winkelf:

This comes as a very nice surprise.

I Hate When This Happens

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:07:00 +0000

I just finished tying off the awesome bracelet pictured below:

Unfortunately, when I draped it over my wrist to check out the fit I noticed the jewelry wire was showing in a few places (click to enlarge):

I freakin' hate when that happens, because it means I have to start over and figure out how to make sure the wire doesn't show anymore.

New in the Shop

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Here we have a pair of earrings made with royal blue cloisonne beads, and pink and blue glass beads. The lovely model is Isis, the ancient Egyptian goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic.

I've Won the One Lovely Blog Award Again

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:55:00 +0000

It looks like I'm on a winning streak these days, because I've been awarded the One Lovely Blog Award again. This time the gracious bestower is Tina Holden. Tina is a polymer clay artist who makes fabulous beads and pendants of sea creatures, and sells them in her Etsy and Artfire shops. She sells other kinds of jewelry, and various tutorials as well. You can check out her blog to see pics of more of her creations. I've just become one of her followers.

Once again, I won't be participating in passing the award along because of everything that's going on in my life right now. But I wish to thank Tina for thinking enough of my blog to include me on her list of awardees.

My Messy Studio

noreply@blogger.com (jeweledrabbit) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:31:00 +0000

This is what my studio area looks like right now. I didn't tidy up a darned thing before I snapped these pics. LOL