Anna Kay Creations

New! Red Romantic Fabric Flower Ring, Bridesmaid Jewelry

2012-01-17T14:32:00.000-05:00

Handmade vibrant deep red fabric flower with a small white pearl glued to the center. Fabric Flower rests on a silver plated adjustable ring. Flower measures approximately 2 inches in diameter. Because of the nature of the handmade process, no 2 items are exactly alike.

Great gift for the bridesmaid . Multiple listings available upon request.

Handmade by Anna Kay Creations.

New! Pink Fabric Flower Ring!

2012-01-16T16:48:00.000-05:00

Handmade pink fabric flower with a small white pearl glued to the center. Fabric Flower rests on a silver plated adjustable ring. Flower measures approximately 2 inches in diameter. Because of the nature of the handmade process, no 2 items are exactly alike.

Great gift for the bridesmaid . Multiple listings available upon request.

Handmade by Anna Kay Creations.

New! Carolina Blue Fabric Flower Ring, Fabric Flower Fashion Ring!

2012-01-16T15:54:00.001-05:00

Carolina Blue Fabric Flower Ring

Delicate romantic ring is handmade with a handmade Carolina Blue Fabric flower and a small white pearl glued to the center. Fabric Flower rests on a silver plated adjustable ring. Fits most hands, starts at 6 inches.

Flower measures approximately 2 inches in diameter. Because of the nature of the handmade process, no 2 items are exactly alike.

Great gift for the bridesmaid . Multiple listings available upon request.

Handmade by Anna Kay Creations

Anna Kay Creations is featured at Artistic Expressions By Elisabeth's Blog!

2012-01-09T14:25:00.002-05:00

Necklace by AnnaKayCreations

Thanks to the lovely Libby of Artistic Expressions by Elizabeth, she has been kind enough to feature me on her blog. Check out the feature here and be sure to take advantage of the discount that is being offered. Have a great Monday!

Featured Artisans/Sellers 2011 at Anna Kay Creations Blog

2012-01-03T22:26:00.007-05:00

Below you'll find a list of handmade artisans/sellers featured by AnnaKayCreations in 2011. Be sure to read their interviews here or click the links below to visit their blogs or websites.

Have an awesome 2012!

P.S. If you don't already have one of my blog buttons for your blog or website, please grab one here.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T16:31:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Ivory Cream Flower, Vintage Necklace, Ivory Pearl Necklace, Bridal Gifts

2011-12-21T20:25:00.002-05:00

This lovely cream Ivory vintage necklace features a handmade cream ivory fabric flower with a ivory glass pearl glued to the center of the flower. The fabric flower is attached to 12 (10mm) ivory glass pearls hand linked with antique brass wire, and finished with a antique brass chain and lobster clasp.

Necklace measures approx 20 inches long. Flower measures between 3.5-4 inches.

Contact me for multiple listings or if you are shopping for your bridal party. All items will be shipped and packed, ready for gift giving.

LIMITED TIME ONLY: Free pair of matching pearl earrings included with purchase!

Handmade Jewelry by AnnaKayCreations.

Holiday Sale: 20% off plus free shipping on AnnaKayCreations Jewelry 11/24-11/30

2011-11-23T17:38:00.001-05:00

Take advantage of 20% off plus free shipping on all Anna Kay Creations Jewelry at Storenvy from Thanksgiving Day, Nov 24th until Nov 30th, 2011. Free shipping will automatically be applied at checkout. Use coupon code HOLIDAYSALE to receive the 20% discount.

Wishing you a Happy and safe holiday weekend!

New! Cream Ivory Fabric Flower Vintage Necklace, Bridesmaids Necklace

2011-11-19T11:55:00.002-05:00

Handmade by AnnakayCreations.

This beautiful necklace features a handmade cream/ivory fabric flower with a decorative crystal bead glued to the center of the flower.

The flower is attached to 10 (10mm) hand linked glass pearls on antique brass wire.

The end pearls are capped with antique brass flower bead caps, finished with a antique brass chain, and a lobster clasp.

Necklace is approx 18 inches and flower is approx 3 inches.

(Source: annakaycreations.storenvy.com)

New! Deep Red Flower Rose Vintage Necklace, Bridesmaids Necklace

2011-11-17T18:23:00.006-05:00

Handmade by AnnaKayCreations.

This romantic vintage style necklace features a deep red fabric flower handmade with 100% cotton with a decorative crystal bead glued to the center of the flower.

The fabric flower is attached to 10 (10mm) hand linked glass pearls.

End glass pearls are capped with antiqued brass flower bead caps and finished with antique brass chain and lobster clasp.

The necklace is approx 18 inches. Fabric flower is approx 3 inches. Other colors and custom orders available, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.

Handmade Jewelry by AnnaKayCreations (via Deep Red Flower Rose Vintage Necklace, Bridesmaids Jewelry by Anna Kay Creations on Storenvy)

Sneak peak at Anna Kay Creations new Jewelry!

2011-11-08T20:36:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a sneak peak of what I have been working on. I don't have a name for this beautiful necklace yet, ideas anyone?? Once I get that part figured out, I will be adding it to my new shop here.

Ever since I figured out how to make fabric flowers, I have not stopped making them, so you will be seeing more of them in my jewelry designs. (I absolutely love flowers).

Unfortunately, this picture is not all that great, because I took it at night and could not wait to share it with you!! Hope you like :-)

This and more coming soon at http://www.annakaycreations.storenvy.com

Are you using Pinterest?

2011-11-08T12:31:00.000-05:00

Pinterest is a virtual board that allows you to share all the beautiful things around the web. You can use it for gift ideas, planning, making a wish list, inspiration and pretty much anything. If you have not joined it yet, you must check it out.

I joined Pinterest a few months back and have been using it to save pretty pictures of fashion, jewelry, home decor, words of inspiration and the like. I absolutely LOVE it! I have to warn you though, it can be addictive. ;)

Below is a sample screen shot of my pin boards. If you would like to see more, you can follow me here.

Source

If you follow me, let me know and I will do the same. Happy pinning!

Featured Artisan: Kelly Lowe Glass

2011-11-04T11:00:00.001-04:00

Hello! Today's featured Artisan is Kelly of Kelly Lowe Glass.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

Well, my name is Kelly Lowe, and I’m a full time professional glassblower out of my single artist studio, which I’ve imaginatively named “Kelly Lowe Glass”. I know, I know, I could’ve went for something a little more esoteric or interesting, but I thought this name would very simply describe what I do… and if you’re wondering how THAT panned out, well, you can talk to my disappointed would-be customers over the years who have phoned to see if I can fix their windshield. I guess if I were writing a book on business, I could probably use that as an anecdote or something on “communicating effectively”, but I’m still happy with the name since it’s mine... it’s my business, and I’m proud of it.

I’m primarily a local artist, working for businesses and individuals around Hamilton, Ontario, making awards, fine art, ornaments and pretty much anything else, it’s possible to make by slogging hot molten glass around my workshop. I don’t use molds, so everything is fully handmade – usually blown or sculpted – which is important to me, and to my customers.

There’s a certain special feeling I think, buying from an artisan who is either handmade or local, in that you know your purchase keeps a unique spark alive in the world rather than everything being generic and mass produced. I’m very grateful to my customers for keeping my spark alive, since I get to do what I love full time, but I’m also grateful to anyone who chooses to buy non-generic.

Oh yeah, I’m also in my early thirties, have black hair and my favorite color is blue. I play way too much Plants vs. Zombies, am a lifelong vegetarian, and a lackluster dancer at best.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

I started by going to school for it. Yeah, there was a glassblowing program – I remember meeting other students in the cafeteria and them laughing and saying stuff like: “yeah right, and I’m in the basket weaving program” before they realized I was serious. It was a great time, and I learned a lot. So that was three years, after which I apprenticed under/assisted some very talented artists throughout the Southern Ontario region.

Basically, anyone who would let me work around glass and who I could learn from while earning a living, I was there. Finally, I had the opportunity to strike out for myself, which I did – excited yet terrified, I’ll confess. There’s no safety net under artists if we fall, and I’d put all my eggs in this basket – and was amazed when things went really well, and continues to do so. We’re all our own harshest critic, I know, and on bad days I’m still confused as to how this has all worked out. But I’m also confident in my work: I believe that if I give it my all, the customer is going to be very happy with the result. I think we have to think that way, as artists, or we won’t last very long before doubt drags us down.

For the second part of the question: I’ve been a full time glassblower for 13 years, including my time at school.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I know it’ll probably sound trite to say “everywhere”, but it’s the truth. I like to hike in the woods around Hamilton, and nothing is a greater inspiration than nature.
My family, for sure: they all see the world so differently that talking to them I’m constantly having to tie my mind in knots, in a good way, realizing that: “oh, that’s a different viewpoint… and totally valid.” They’re unique, strong people, who leave such a mark on me that I can’t help but bring that influence to my art. My boyfriend, who is a photographer, makes me want to try to see the world differently: we’ll be somewhere and out will come his camera and he’ll take a shot – and I won’t have a clue what he saw until I see the picture on his screen, and even then I often scratch my head and wonder if we were in the same place. Actually let me just say “people” influence me. How can they not? They’re the most impactful things we encounter in our day to day lives, and they each leave such a mark.

But inspiration can also come from negative places too, of course. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a suffering artist by any means – I’m quite happy, honestly. But some of my work was my way of dealing with something negative in my life. My Kritters (http://www.kellyloweglass.com/Glass/Kritters/) for example were my own response to something really hurtful that happened to me.

Well, Porkutort was, the rest have been pure joy to make since they make me laugh so hard. Today Porkutort is nothing but a positive thing as well, and that’s the great thing about focusing negatives into your art: what you make will eventually seem so much more important than whatever negative is happening to you right then. Troubles have a way of passing, work you’re happy with and proud of stays with you.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Haha... is there any more space? I think I’ll just finish this off with a thank you to Anna for featuring me. If there’s one way independent artists are going to continue making our work available to the world, it’s going to be through exposure and the support of each other. Thank you, and good luck with your jewelry!

Extras:

Kelly Lowe Glass Website/Online Portfolio: http://www.kellyloweglass.com

Artfire Online Shop: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/KLGlass

Google+: https://profiles.google.com/105057743041374553915

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kelly-lowe/40/398/6a4

Thank for the lovely interview Kelly!

Featured Artisan: Bellissimore Jewelry

2011-09-23T12:00:00.007-04:00

Hello, please welcome today's Featured Artisan, Janice of Bellissimore Jewelry

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I am from Houston, Texas and I am an interior designer that also loves to create beautiful jewelry. I have 2 boys and a wonderful husband. My oldest son just left for college and the other is a Sophomore in High School. Both are very active in sports. I love the outdoors including gardening and fishing.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

A Friend got me into jewelry design about 10 years ago as something fun to do. I have been doing it ever since.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get some of my inspiration from Fashion magazines, but for the most part, my inspiration is pretty much free-flowing. I sit down in my studio with my supplies in front of me and the ideas just come to me.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

All things home design, gardening, running, and fishing.

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellissimojewelry

Blog: http://www.artisancrafted.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @bellissimojewel

Thanks for the lovely interview, Janice.

Featured Artisan: Ajsdesigns

2011-09-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

Please welcome today's featured artisan, Aletha Jane Williams of Ajsdesigns.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Aletha Jane Williams and I live in Oklahoma, or better known as “tornado alley.” I am a self-taught artist and am still in the process of learning. I have been in the graphic arts/print production industry for many years. When I started in the industry we created everything manually, no computers involved.

I live with my husband (he’s a writer/editor and telecommutes), one cat (Lucyfur), and one dog (Watson the Dachshund). We have two grown married children and two teenage grandsons.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

My 15 year experience in the “crafting/art” world is rubber stamp art, mixed media, and collage. In 2009 I became disabled and cannot work outside the home. Now I can concentrate on my health and my art. My creations will always involve rubber or digi stamps. I am an obsessive collector of stamps. I feel like I am collecting little pieces of art that I can turn into my own art.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

get my inspiration from many things, but mostly from magazines, books, and online blogs and galleries. There are so many talented people out in our world. Cyber space has opened up a whole new world for me.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

Other activities that I am involved with are reading, cross-stitching, watching television with my husband, and spending time with our family. I am also on the treadmill everyday as part of my rehab. What takes up most of my time is running a small online business and keeping up with my group on The Crafter’s Café called Get Hippity with {ippity}. Here’s the link: http://thestampingboutique.ning.com/group/gethippitywithippityjointheunitycommunity.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

My small business is selling {ippity} stamps by Unity. Right now I am the only “Unity Endorsed {ippity} Chick in Oklahoma. My {ippity} sales blog link is http://alethajanesgotippity.blogspot.com. This month (September) we, me and my Design Team, are opening our blog up for challenges twice a month. That link for our Get Hippity with Ippity challenge blog is http://hippitywithippity.blogspot.com.

I am on two other design teams. They are The Stamping Boutique ( http://thestampingboutique.com ) and The Crafter’s Café (http://thestampingboutique.ning.com )

My personal blog, AJ’s Designs, link is http://ajsdesigns.blogspot.com.

I also have an online Etsy shop: http://ajsdesigns.blogspot.com.

Thanks for the lovely interview, Aletha.

Featured Artisan: BeadLightning

2011-09-09T11:00:00.003-04:00

Please welcome today's Featured artisan, Amanda of BeadLightning Jewelry.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

Greetings all! My name is Amanda the owner and designer behind BeadLightning Jewelry. Jewelry is my life, I have been known to drive my friends and family a bit mad with my constant talk of jewelry, beads, and designs that are floating in my head.

I share my house with my sweetheart, Ben, and a pair of delightfully crazy cats, Tao and Espeon. I grew up in Atlanta but have spent the last ten years living in Pennsylvania. Since I met Ben I have been on some amazing adventures, like spending a month exploring the Twin Cities and working as a Naturalist for a Summer Camp in the North Woods of Minnesota.

I love reading and absorbing as much knowledge as I can stuff into my mind, especially if it has to do with Mythology and foreign cultures, when I am not sponging knowledge I am getting lost in a good fantasy novel.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

I started creating jewelry about ten years ago, it started as a gift from my mother and just exploded into an obsession that has taken over my life.

For my 16th birthday my mother (who was always looking for artsy gifts to give me in hopes to help me with my creative impulse but lack of interest in my conventional art forms) bought me a very basic jewelry making kit. It was full of seed beads, plastic beads, and finding, I was enchanted...I had always thought that jewelry making was a sacred art that only a select few had access to learn...and here was the opportunity for me to make that most sacred of thing. I had finally found my creative outlet and it has been a wonderful journey.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I find inspiration everywhere! I constantly find myself reading Mythology books or hiking in the woods and thinking, 'wow, this would make a really interesting piece of jewelry' I have a large portfolio filled with ideas for future jewelry pieces that have been inspired by everything from nature to interesting sounding words.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

When I am not surrounded by beads I spend my time working on my favorite hobby: Nature Photography! I love hiking, hunting for mushrooms, stalking thunderstorms, following wildlife, and ogling bugs for the perfect photo. I am also a huge fan of video games and RPGs. Yes, I am a giant nerd :) There is also my interest in Feng Shui that keeps me occupied, but luckily that does not take up as much time as my other hobbies.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

All of the items in BeadLighting are completely One of a Kind.
Each piece has its own unique story behind it, won't you come discover one that speaks to you?

LINKS:

Thanks for the lovely interview, Amanda!

Featured Artisan: SamCas

2011-09-02T11:00:00.007-04:00

Hello! Please welcome today's featured artisan, Samantha of SamCas Jewelry.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

Hello! I'm Sam and I'm a Fashion Design graduate from FIDM in San Francisco. I also intern and take couture classes with couture designer Colleen Quen. At the moment, I am working on my brand called SamCas, starting out with its first jewelry collection entitled "Free Philosophy".

I love the mixing elements that normally wouldn't go together; I love the juxtaposition of it. I would describe my style to be classically glamorous with a little bit of androgyny and edge. I believe in creating timeless and versatile pieces without sacrificing style and comfort.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

Well, as I mentioned above, I went to school for Fashion Design, but the jewelry making came after that. After I graduated, I sort of went on this quest to find myself and to find out what I really want to do in life. So I began exploring different types of fashion and learning and experimenting. During this quest, I actually didn't even consider making jewelry.

My fascination with jewelry was sort of an accident. A lot of my old jewelry pieces needed to be repaired, so I looked online (mostly youtube) for quick and easy guides on how to fix them, and one link lead to another, until I was already watching and following step-by-step instructions on how to create jewelry from scratch! Also, repairing my own jewelry gave me the time to really study them, and their structure and design. I noticed how similar yet different jewelry making is to making clothes, and it was seriously love at first sight!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Sometimes it's the process, when I make mistakes or when I run into problems, that's when I come up with some of my (personal) favorite pieces. But of course like any other artist, I get my inspiration from almost anything, but majority of it comes from different cultures, especially my own. I grew up in the Philippines and I always try to incorporate my culture and roots into my art. I also get really inspired by the past, whether it's 3 years ago or 300 years ago, I think there's always a trend or an idea that we can bring back and either incorporate or improve to be contemporary.

Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

I'm a hard core rock climber actually! I love climbing, it's my first love! So is theater! I love to act, sing, and dance! I've been doing both since the 2nd grade, and to me, both are such huge stress relievers for me. It's actually funny because people get really surprised when they find out that I'm a climber since they usually perceive rock climbers to have super big, toned bodies, which is true, but I'm a "static climber", which means I climb "slowly" so that I can conserve energy, and static climbers usually use more of their legs than their arms.

Aside from those two, I enjoy different kinds of sports (usually extreme sports like snowboarding and wake boarding), and I'm also a photographer and graphic designer.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

At the moment you can purchase my items at Etsy, but I'm working on my personal website right now, and to celebrate, I will be hosting a giveaway at my blog in September! So be sure to follow me on twitter or my blog so you can be updated about it!

LINKS:

Blog
Etsy
Twitter

Thanks for the lovely interview, Sam!

Featured Artisan: Creations By Sierra

2011-08-26T11:00:00.002-04:00

Today's featured artisan is Allyson of Creations By Sierra. Allyson makes uniquely crafted hand-crocheted bracelets, and necklaces.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I am 36 years old and a nurse by profession, I have 2 beautiful children Sierra who is 6 and Savannah that is 3 months. I also have a loving and supportive husband and we all live in Hershey Pa.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

I started making jewelry in 2009 after seeing our next doors neighbors daughters jewelry. I went to the craft store picked up what I needed along with a couple of books and over the years I have gone from simple beaded jewelry to the crocheted jewelry that I sell today. It's funny it was never my intention to sell the jewelry I made but after numerous peoples compliments I started to selling the items right off of me.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from many areas but the majority of my creative ideas comes from my children's toys. The bright colors give me the color combinations that make my jewelry unique and fun.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

Outside of my crafting I love playing with my daughters and our dogs. I also like to travel and sometimes just sit and read a good book.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I would just like to say that too anyone who makes specially handcrafted products. Do not be afraid to show your work and be proud of your accomplishments, because not everyone can do what we do. "Let know one stand between you and your own success"

Links:

www.creationsbysierra.artfire.com

www.creationsbysierra.blogspot.com

www.indiepublic/profile/allysoncook

Thanks for the lovely interview, Allyson!

Featured Artisan: Mother's Love on Artfire

2011-08-19T11:00:00.003-04:00

Today's Featured Artisan is Natasha of Mother's Love on Artfire.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I work full time at a retail store. I love clothes and keeping up with trends.
I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible. Whether it's going to the zoo, or swimming, I just love hanging out with my family. We're a tight nit and like exploring new places together.

I didn't move out to the US until I was 9 years old. I'm originally from Spain. So my love of bright colors probably stems from there. I've been to a lot of places so far, and have every intention of traveling more. So far, I've seen the likes of Amsterdam, Iceland, and Spain. I still have a long list of places to see in the future. We're just waiting for the little guy to be old enough to remember them too.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

My love for fashion combined with the wish to spend more time with my family inspired me to begin my journey into handmade jewelry.

I took a break from working full time after my son was born. I wanted to devote all my attention to him and be the main person in his life. After realizing he wasn't much for conversation quite yet, I took some classes and started making my own jewelry just for fun. He slept a lot so it was easy to practice. Someone suggested selling my creations, so here I am.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I love antiques, so a lot of my more romantic pieces are inspired by vintage jewelry. My love for the outdoors can probably be seen as well, with my choices in colors and textures. My goal in general is to capture beauty. I hope that can be seen.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

I love to read. I have a ton of books in my collection and I don't see it getting any smaller. I keep telling my husband that he's going to have to build me a library.

Going out to karaoke is fun too. But just being able to let loose and forget my worries for a little while is great. It's important, you know?

So everyday there is an escape rule in the house. At one point of the day, everyone does something silly to let it all out.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

All our creations are made by hand in a smoke free, albeit not pet free home. We love our fur-babies and try our best to keep them away from the work space. But sometimes, it's just inevitable.

Links:

Artfire
Facebook
Twitter

Thanks for the lovely interview, Natasha.

Featured Artisan: Tippystockton

2011-08-12T11:00:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone! Please welcome today's Featured artisan, Patricia of TippyStockton. Enjoy!

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I am a wife and a mother to an amazing almost 24 year old son, named Kellan. He is a recent college graduate and back at home for the first time in 5 years. I am so happy to have him back with me, albeit for just a short time I'm sure. I live in a small town on Puget Sound in Washington State, just about 15 miles north of Seattle. We live in a small cottage surrounded by Cedar trees and English Country gardens. My sweet Studio sits beneath a huge spruce tree and overlooks the lilacs, hydrangea's, and peonies. Truly a lovely spot to be.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

I have always loved making things; crocheted scarfs and blankets, needlepoint, rubber stamped cards. And I had dabbled a bit with beads, making things for myself or friends. For me, the creating began after both of my Parents passed away within months of each other. My Dad passed away first - I had stepped away from my job realizing that I needed to concentrate on my Mom.

Within weeks of my Dad's passing, my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer. After her passing just 7 days from her diagnosis, I found myself in the depths of depression; the lowest I have ever felt. My biggest fans were gone and I really had no idea what I was going to do with myself. I just wanted to be alone. So one day I opened my Mom's jewelry box and found a treasure trove of things that I had never seen. Vintage pins and brooches, pearl necklaces, jeweled bracelets. I really feel that I was meant to open that jewelry box that day. That was the beginning. I just started creating.

I loaded up an ETSY shop and soon the orders were rolling in. Feeling the need to have a bigger space, my sweet husband and neighbor built me a small Studio in our back yard. Now Tippy Stockton could spread her wings. In October of 2009, my Barcelona Earrings were a Lucky Magazine Fall Pick. That really got my business going, and I was off and running.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I truly am inspired by all things Vintage. But I really have a love for gorgeous gemstones. I suppose in a way, that I get a lot of inspiration from my Mom. She was the creative soul in our home growing up. She could make something out of nothing.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

I absolutely love to garden, read a good book, and troll through magazines. I do have a thing for magazines. Having worked in the design field for many years, I also love interior design. We have lived in our home for 21 years, and I know that the interior has been painted at least 10 times. I'm just finishing up my Sunroom - cheery gray/aqua walls, white painted furniture, and lots of lush plants. My happy room.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Out of sadness, I really feel that I have finally found what God had in store for me. My little company has grown beyond my belief. Surrounding myself with people who have the same goals and aspirations has been a Godsend. Last Summer I hosted a "girls night out" barbeque here at my home.

Two weeks later I received a call that the folks over at Where Women Cook wanted to feature my story and photos from the party in a new book called, "Where Women Cook - CELEBRATE". The book debuts in September as part of The Creative Connection in Minneapolis. So good things have definitely happened along the way. I am truly blessed in so many ways. On August 1, I really took the plunge and launched my own "dot.com". www.tippystockton.com opened for business . . .

Patricia wanted me to mention that she is having a CELEBRATION SALE at her new website right now. Everything is 25% off. Prices are reflected on site.

SHOP

www.tippystockton.com

Thank you for the lovely interview Patricia.

Anna Kay Creations on Zibbet!

2011-08-09T20:09:00.001-04:00

Anna Kay Creations is having a storewide sale! 25% off all jewelry now through 8/16. Shop: Zibbet.com/annakaycreations

Call for Handmade Artisans!

2011-08-03T11:00:00.006-04:00

I am looking for handmade artisans that would like to be featured or interviewed at my blog (AnnaKayCreations). I have open slots for August and September. Interested? please email me directly at annakaycreations(@)yahoo(dot)com or go here for details.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Featured Artisan: Personally Charmed

2011-07-29T11:00:00.076-04:00

It's yet another Friday! Today, Anna Kay Creations is interviewing Heather Brown of Personally Charmed.

First Off, tell us a little about yourself!

I gave up my career as a high school teacher when my daughter was born. I always intended to go back when she entered pre-school but the economy tanked, the teaching jobs became scarce, and my hearing loss progressed.

When I finally made the decision to make my hobby and art into a fulltime business and gave up teaching, I felt like a heavy weight had lifted from my shoulders, that I was free to create without any feelings of guilt about how I should be searching for a job instead of wasting time and money making pretty things. It was then, that my creativity took off, my business bloomed, and everything just felt right.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

I loved staying at home with my daughter and in the beginning, she kept me pretty challenged. But I am one of those people who thrives from a creative challenge; I can't survive very long without making something or solving some kind of problem.

I love to make things and to work with my hands. So one year I wanted to make Christmas gifts for all of my sisters-in-law, and I had seen glass tile pendants before and decided to try making some. After countless hours of research and trial and error experimentation and enough money to buy a hundred that somebody else had already made, I finally had a decent product. I ended up making over a hundred of them to give out as party favors at a Christmas party that year. And at that party, one of the guests asked if I could make one with a photo of her children on it.

Back to work I went and my business was born. By the next summer, I had opened an Etsy shop because so many people were requesting the photo pendants. Over time my products evolved and I no longer make glass tile pendants. The work began to be redundant and the creative itch was throbbing.

I wanted to keep improving the products, make them different from other photo jewelry products and allow a little more creativity into the designs so I took up silver smithing and am now adding hand fabricated photo jewelry and other metal pieces to the Personally Charmed brand. With these new pieces, I feel like my work has finally evolved from a craft into a skilled art.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I think that I am mostly inspired by nature. A lot of my silver work has organic lines and rough textures that are patterns found in the natural world around us. I love the feeling of taking something that comes from the Earth and molding and forging it with my own hands into something beautiful that can be carried with us on our bodies and shared with the people around us.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

There is nothing tastier than homegrown veggies and herbs! I garden all year round. Even in December, I'm pulling up carrots to make room for planting the onions in January. I also like to sew, make fancy cakes, and am studying American Sign Language. I've been writing a novel for about five years, hopefully someday, I will finish it. I also blog both on my business website and on my personal blog about my journey with progressive hearing loss.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I work hard to keep my studio as green as possible. I only use reclaimed metals rather than newly mined metals because of the destruction caused from mining. I also reuse packaging and recycle.

Links:

www.personallycharmed.com
www.charmedbyheather.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/charmedbyheather
http://twitter.com/CharmedbyH
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charmedbyheather/

Heather thank you for the lovely interview :)

Featured Artisan: The Dancing Brick

2011-07-22T11:00:00.023-04:00

Hello everyone, please welcome today's featured artisan, Rachel of The Dancing Brick.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I am a teacher, currently teaching at an International school in Germany. My German is not great, but I can get around, and my students love to teach me how to say things in German. They are very supportive!

I have always loved making all kinds of art and have tried all kinds of painting, drawing, and jewelry making over the years. I usually have several projects going at once and go back and forth between them.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?

I first started using Fimo to try and make beads when I was probably around 10 years old. But I got very frustrated because I couldn't make it look like the picture I had in my head, so I gave up on it and went back to drawing. Now, about 20 years later, I was encouraged to try it again by a friend of mine who used it to making some cufflinks. So I bought a variety of colors and just started playing around with it. I was much happier with my results this time!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from colors. In my drawing and in my jewelry making I love to play with different colors and see which ones go together and which ones really pop out at you. So I can be inspired by someone's garden or a colorful ad in a magazine or just looking at my box of colored pencils. But I usually start out with colors in mind, rather than an idea of what object or shape I want to create.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

I love cooking! I have gotten enough confidence to buy a German cookbook and I have been trying some recipes from that. I also really love teaching. It is really amazing to work with young children and see them make so much progress over a year. It is rewarding, sometimes frustrating, and usually lots of fun!

Links:

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDancingBrick

and Blog: thedancingbrick.blogspot.com.

Rachel, thanks for the lovely interview!

Featured Artisan: Endexus Creations

2011-07-15T12:38:00.006-04:00

Today, I am interviewing a lovely friend and talented fashion designer, Edna of Endexus Creations. Today, she will showcase her latest designs at the Africa Fashion Week in New York (AFWNY). Endexus Creations is all about "Ethnic African Heritage Fused with modern designing to give a dimension of aesthic apparels."

First off, tell us a little about yourself!
Edna Ndebele is my name. Proudly Zimbabwean. I come from a family of 6 although of all I am the artist..I love art. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and a wonderful daughter TANATSWA. I love fashion designing.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been in the industry for almost 6years now and I have enjoyed each year that passes by because every year comes with new ideas that make me grow as a designer. I believe being a designer is something that I was born with. For me being a designer comes natural; so I cannot specify excactly when I started because it has always been a part of me.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I am inspired by nature. I am inspired by everything that surrounds me. My background, my Zimbabwean culture. All these play an important role in bringing out my designs.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?
I love singing and acting..

Is there anything else you would like to share?
word of advise, it is always good to try, never be afraid to try.

More of Edna's work can be found on her website

www.endexuscreations.com

Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/endexus

Thanks for the interview Edna, all the best at the Fashion Show!