Cnewcomb Woodwork & Designs

Monday Marvels: The Gemmed Giraffe

2012-01-23T07:26:00.000-06:00

Recently I had the chance to sit down with Maria of TheGemmedGiraffe on Artfire, The Gemmed Giraffe on Facebook. We had a very nice chat here is what came out of it.

How did you come up with the name of your shop?
It was a two day event for me. I started with the idea that I wanted something with rocks in the title. So I wrote down a number of names with rocks in it and searched the web for any possible conflicts with people who might already have a website with that name. My main component at the time in jewelry was semi-precious gemstones. So after many frustrating searches and realizing I couldn't use MJ (my initials, because of Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan affiliations) and "rock" or "crystal" was used in multiple ways, my husband said how about gemmed. I liked that word and I truly love giraffes and so the name was born, "The Gemmed Giraffe".

What Kind of items do you sell?
I design and make handcrafted jewelry from semi-precious gemstones, crystals, glass and precious metals. I have a variety of techniques I use when making jewelry. I started with stringing beads, moved on to wire-wrapping and most recently learned how to do a beadwork technique called right angle weave. My studio is located on Artfire.com http://www.thegemmedgiraffe.artfire.com My website is located at http://www.thegemmedgiraffe.com My blog is located here

What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from many sources. I use natures color palette from my gardens. Flowers gardening is a real challenge in Texas but if you choose native Texas plants you can find a number of hardy plants that will survive winter and summer and with some beautiful colors. I also subscribe to several magazines like Bead and Button as well as visit local bookstores to browse through some of their textbook. Sharilyn Miller and Irina Miech both have several texts that provide wonderful skill development projects as well as some very pretty designs.

I really like the items you make, how did you learn to make them?
I was self taught at the beginning. I used a lot of textbooks, read a lot of forums, joined several website groups and continue to build my skills using these same venues. However, I enrolled in The Sheffield School in February of this year and will continue to learn more about jewelry making through the course I am taking.

You have so many gorgeous pieces do you have a favorite?
I have to say my favority piece is a Teal Freshwater Pearl Bracelet I made and sold.

Do you have a special place you get to work on your items?

I worked from home for several years when I was working fulltime. I have a desk in the office that is now converted to a jewelry design and making center. All my stuff is laid out on top of the desk. I have several drawers to store my supplies and there is plenty of light in the room.

Why did you choose this type of craft?
I chose the craft because it is something that I like to do. I enjoy creating and designing new things and this fits the bill. As a young child, I sewed, crocheted and knitted. As a young adult I moved into needlecraft and jewelry making has just been the next step in my creative journey.

Is there anything else we should know about you?
I play doubles tennis. I've played tennis for many years and enjoy the challenge and competition of league tennis. I love to travel and prefer traveling in the United States above international travel. I've married to my wonderful husband for 28 years. He is very supportive of any endeavor I chose to take on. We have a great home and a 15 year old Bichon Frise, who is the love our lives.

These are some of my favorite items that Maria has made

Turquoise and Gold Collection

Sun Spots Collection

Getting Back to Normal and a Call to Action

2012-01-18T07:35:00.002-06:00

I'm back, starting Monday all normal posts will return to normal schedule I stopped posting for the holidays to stay on top of orders and cleaning up my studio.

On a side note I implore you to contact your congress critter and tell them you want them to vote AGAINST SOPA and/or PIPA for more information check out the EFF

Black Friday Cyber Monday at Cnewcomb Woodworking

2011-11-24T10:37:00.001-06:00

Make sure you check out our great items at Cnewcomb Woodworking to see our items, everything is 15% off from now until Tuesday November 29th. Just use BLACKCYBER2011.

If your order is over $50.00 you can get free shipping just use FREESHIP2011!

Monday Marvels: Nightmaiden Designs

2011-11-21T07:05:00.000-06:00

Recently I had the chance to sit down with Diana of Nightmaiden on Artfire, Nightmaiden Designs on Facebook. We had a very nice chat here is what came out of it.

How did you come up with the name of your shop?
I am a true night owl. I love the night and at the time that I started the shop, I was engaged so technically still a "maiden". So it kind of just fell into place.
What Kind of items do you sell?
I sell jewelry (chainmaille and beaded) and photography.
What inspires you?
I can pick up inspiration from anything around me. It can be a feeling I will have on that day or it can be from something I see in nature. I get a lot of inspiration from nature and it does drive my designs a lot.
I really like the items you make, how did you learn to make them?
I used to make jewelry in high school just to play around with it so when I was planning my wedding, I decided to make the jewelry for my girls. It turned into a business and I kept learning, mostly from trial and error and some from online tutorials, like with my chainmaille.
Photography has been a natural for me. I just knew how ever since I was little. I honestly, do not remember exactly how I learned it since I was shooting and winning contests for my photography in elementary school.
You have so many gorgeous pieces do you have a favorite?
I have to say that I love my "Flowers and Byzantine" necklace. It is so bright and I just love how the links are in it. I actually considered not listing it and keeping it for myself after I saw how it turned out. It was one of the first chainmaille pieces I made to list in my studio.

Do you have a special place you get to work on your items?

I do not have a full blown studio right now. So I work where ever I have space enough to spread out.

Why did you choose this type of craft?
It was something I already had a background in and I could pick it back up pretty quickly and it just took off. The photography has been in my blood since I was little. I used to win contests for my school. So it only seemed like a natural progression that I would pick that back up and share my love and passion with everyone else.

Is there anything else we should know about you?
I craft for charities a lot. I love to contribute and will make things for certain causes to help raise awareness. I am trying to get to the point that I will have enough to have special items for each month of awareness.
These are some of my favorite items that Diana has made

Get 15% off with code "AFFEATURE15" during Checkout

Collection Wednesday: Wooden it be nice - to give one of these?

2011-11-16T08:17:00.000-06:00

Wooden it be nice - to give one of these?

Curated By: Jansart

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Collection: Urban Joy

2011-11-15T08:15:00.001-06:00

Urban Joy

Curated By: AccentsandPet...

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Monday Marvels: Smiss00

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

Recently I had the chance to sit down with Jennifer aka Smiss of Simply Smiss on Artfire, Simply Smiss on Facebook. We had a very nice chat here is what came out of it.
How did you come up with the name of your shop?
I am Smiss, and I just do what I enjoy.
What Kind of items do you sell?
Hair accessories and Curious Cross Stitch
What inspires you?
My friends, Sci-fi, Comics, Video Games
I really like the items you make, how did you learn to make them?
I learned the hair accessories through tutorials. My Aunt Dorothy taught me how to cross stitch in 5th grade.
You make all these great pieces, it must be hard to pick a favorite, do you have an all time favorite?
I could not possibly choose one item that is my favorite, do you have a favorite?

I do have a favorite, it is one that you made for me. It is this one

Why did you choose this type of craft?
I like the whimsy of the hair clips, and being able to make just about whatever kind that I want. And I like the structure of Cross Stitch.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I am an avid fan of animal and I donate a portion of my sales to help animal rescue groups.
These are some of my favorite items that Smiss has made
Curious George Oversize Clips
You Cant Make Me Snark Stitch TM
Java Junkie Hair Ties
Get 10% off with code "MondayMarvels" during Checkout

Monday Marvels: Mothers Love

2011-11-07T08:10:00.001-06:00

Recently I had the chance to sit down with Natasha of Mother's Love Jewelery. We had a very nice chat here is what came out of it.

How did you come up with the name of your shop?
I started the studio as a way to spend more time with my little man. I had decided to stay home from work and as a ways of keeping myself busy, I thought I'd start my own shop.
What Kind of items do you sell?
Earrings, Rings, Necklaces, pendants, custom items
What inspires you?
Nature is a big inspiration. I love the way a season's colors can be represented in a certain piece. Love is another big inspiration. Romantic jewelry is my favorite. The way a certain pair of earrings can make you feel beautiful....that's what I aim for.
I really like the items you make, how did you learn to make them?
I fiddled around until I figured out what I was doing. You-Tube videos and tutorials were and still are a big help when I'm trying something new.
You make all these great pieces, it must be hard to pick a favorite, do you have an all time favorite?
I have a lot of favorite pieces. I fall a little in love with all of them. Marie Antoinette was my all time favorite though.

Why did you choose this type of craft?
I've always had a love for fashion. Accessorizing my outfits were and still are my favorite part of getting ready to go out. So it was no surprise when the epiphany to make my own jewelry came to me.
These are some of my favorite items that Natasha has made:
Lily of the Sea Earrings
Sea Blue Escape Ring
Temperance: Amethyst and Chalcedony wire-wrapped pendant necklace

Free Shipping on orders over $25.00, Use code FreeShipping during Checkout

Update on Why it has been so quiet here

2011-10-05T07:37:00.000-05:00

Good Day to you. I am sure you are wondering why I haven’t been lax on updating you here on the blog. It isn’t because I don’t love my readers; it is very simple I have a craft show that I have been preparing for. Let me show you some of what I’ve been working on.

Bats and Butterfly's

Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Ornaments

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Details on the Craft Show:
What: K.C. Ladies Auxiliary's 19th Annual Arts, Craft Show
When: Sat October 29, 2011
Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 6646 Addicks Satsuma Rd Houston, TX

Hope you can attend. If you are able to make it stop by my booth, and let me know you heard about the show on my blog.

Monday Marvels: Auntifranni

2011-08-15T07:51:00.000-05:00

This week for Monday Marvels I chose auntifranni

Great Items from auntifranni

Curated By: cnewcomb

ArtFire.com

Handmade Woodworking

I have ordered several things from auntifranni and they are always a hit with the recipient.

Monday Marvels: Coltpixy

2011-07-11T10:12:00.000-05:00

I love the work that Coltpixy does, she has some of the cutest things. Do you need good luck? Look no further then coltpixy's studio, she has lucky bunny butts. This is just one of many of the cute bunny butts she has in her studio.

Dark Green Lucky Bunny key chain

Monday Marvels: BippityBoppityGlue

2011-06-13T05:20:00.015-05:00

My friend over here at BippityBoppityGlue has some of the most amazing scrapbook stuff. You should check her out. Here are some Fathers day inspired items. She has her own Brick and Mortar Store so if you are in her area swing buy and tell her Chris sent you.

Premade Scrapbook Page for men 12 x 12

Dad Necktie Clothespin Magnets Set of 3

Do you dream of selling online?

2011-06-02T13:45:00.000-05:00

If you do dream of selling stuff online, I'd like you to take a moment and think about using Artfire. I'll help you with some reasons why I love artfire.

No per listing or commission fees like some of the other sites such as etsy, or ebay.
Your 3rd month is free.
Your items are feed to Google Shopping, Bing Shopping, and thefind.com
Items never expire like with etsy.
You get tons of help from both the artfire team, and the community that uses artfire.

You really can sell stuff with artfire it is really easy. This is a really great place to sell your stuff. What are you waiting for go check it out.

Gifts for Dad

2011-06-01T07:40:00.000-05:00

Gifts for Dad

Curated By: MyKnottyShop

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Law and Order

2011-05-31T03:38:00.002-05:00

Law And Order

Curated By: SomebodyStopM...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Monday Marvels: TheBeadedBranch

2011-05-30T07:45:00.002-05:00

I have known Theresa Landow of The Beaded Branch for about 2 years now. She is very talented when it comes to her designs. For more about her check out her bio.

For this Memorial Day edition of Monday Marvels, I have chosen this item:

Sunshine Days Earrings

Do You Need a Fathers Day Gift?

2011-05-26T10:57:00.001-05:00

If you were born and not hatched you will indeed have a father. Are you in need of a fathers day gift? If you do, why not go handmade this year. Not only is it better quality your father will love it even more than some cheap necktie you quickly picked up at the store that dozens of other fathers will be receiving for fathers day.

Jack Daniels Barrel Wood Pen/Pencil set with Copper Accents

Handmade Orange & Black Acrylester Mach3/Venus Razor w/ Copper Accents

Handmade Dark Walnut Wooden Handle Pizza Cutter

If these don't suit you, why not check out some of my other items?
Handmade Fountain Pens
Handmade Ballpoint Pens
Handmade Razors
Chess Sets
Handmade Clocks

Will You Join?

2011-05-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

We now have a mailing list available for you to sign up for. I promise you I won't spam you. I can promise such because for my day job, I work for an ISP in the group that fights spammers, so I hate spam. Occasionally I will send you an email letting you know when I am going to be at shows, and when I am having a sale.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Monday Marvels: Bewitching Dreams

2011-05-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

I am finally back with Monday marvels. This week I chose BewitchingDreams.

She creates some of the cutest things. My favorites are her hermit crabs.

Please stop by and see the rest of her hermit crabs, and her other cute items.

Monday Marvels: JewelledTrellis

2011-03-28T07:21:00.000-05:00

Today's Monday Marvel is JewelledTrellis

In December I had a similar necklace to this one made for my wife. It is amazing, and well made. The only problem which isn't anyones fault, I have to send it back to her because I had ordered with the future date of my son's birth, and he is being born in March instead of April.

Blue Skies Sparrow Necklace

Dragon Fire Opal Art Glass Solitaire Necklace

Monday Marvels: popnicute

2011-03-21T05:00:00.004-05:00

Today's Monday marvel is

I especially like these she calls them Handmade Angry Birds in A Cup Copper Argentium Silver Artisan Earrings

Please Write!! A Collection We were included in

2011-03-10T07:26:00.000-06:00

Please Write!!

Curated By: luvncrafts

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Monday Marvels: essenu

2011-03-07T01:59:00.002-06:00

Aromatherapy Body Wash in Citrus Splash by essensu - 9 oz No Paraben

Be sure to go and check out essenu I'm sure you will love what she has in her studio.

Monday Marvels: rickderwitsch

2011-02-28T19:50:00.001-06:00

Giclee Print of Parker Hill Farm

I'm starting off something new. It's going to be called Monday Marvels. This week i'm showing rickderwitsch. His work is amazing.

Redecoration Sale

2011-02-22T07:37:00.000-06:00

We have redesigned our studio and for the next 14 days we are having a sale. Use coupon code RD10PERCENT. I want to thank DeGiness for the wonderful graphics that she has provided us.

SAVE 10.00 % On
All Items

Use Coupon Code:

RD10PERCENT

during checkout.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments