Entries from February 2007 ↓

Above: Aquamarine earrings. Click on the photo to go to the listing for these earrings.

The latest news at Lava Jewelry: I’ve temporarily moved all of my jewelry to my Etsy shop, while I completely revamp the Lava Jewelry web site. The web site will be back soon, bigger and better than ever before!

Lava Jewelry is prepared for those March birthdays, with pretty light blue aquamarine jewelry in stock.

Aquamarine is the light blue variety of the mineral beryl. It is closely related to emerald, which is the green variety of beryl. The blue color is caused by iron impurities in the mineral. Beryl forms in granitic pegmatites. Now for the definition of granitic pegmatites – these are bodies of silica-rich magma that cool very slowly deep in the earth, and form large crystals.

From mineralminers.com:

“Traditionally, aquamarine has been used as a charm by sailors for protection while at sea. It also is believed to preserve and enhance mutual love and to maintain a good marriage, and to ensure truth in relationships and business dealings.”

“Aquamarine is said to release anger and negativity replacing them with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and mental balance. It is also said to aid in meditation, and to give courage and to assist in self-expression.

Aquamarine is said to help reduce dependence on drugs, to aid in digestion, as a remedy for swollen glands and to maintain the health of the jaws and teeth. ”

Above: Necklace with fancy sterling silver pendant and aquamarine stones. Click on photo to go to the listing for this necklace.

Today’s featured Etsy shop is Artglassfusion, a shop featuring “cool things made out of fused glass.” Artglassfusion offers accessories (barettes, ponytail holders, and jewelry) and and a wide array of home decor items.

Here is what the owner of Artglassfusion had to say about herself and about her work…

I’m married, no kids, but I do have three very bad kitties that I love more than almost anything. I have a degree in accounting and my day job is being the bookkeeper for a golf club,and even though I like my job (well, I don’t hate it,lol) my passion is glass. I have always been fascinated with glass blowing… actually molten glass (and lava) in general have always fascinated me. There’s something about it that just mesmerizes me. We are lucky enough to live in a city that had a glass blowing school that was open to the public. (Steinert’s Glass School) But the classes weren’t cheap, and something about standing in front of a furnace of molten glass scared the crap out of me… but it was always in the back on my mind that this was something I wanted to be involved with.

As time went on, the glass school grew and they began offering classes in other areas of glass and inexpensive workshops, so I took a fused glass workshop, (even though at the time I didn’t know anything about fused glass), and I was hooked! I absolutely fell in love with fused glass, and I realized that this was the piece of the puzzle that had been missing… that working with glass is what I was meant to do. So I took as many classes as I could and just absorbed what I could from the amazing artist and instructors at the school. Unfortunately the school closed. The closing however created the push I needed to make up my mind and decide if this was something I was going to give up or get serious about. So we bought a small kiln and some other equipment and just jumped in with both feet.

Working with glass is a source of such tremendous joy for me, I can’t imagine my life without it… and I will be forever grateful to John and Char Steinert for following their dream, and helping me to discover mine.

Artglassfusion’s work is available for sale exclusively at http://artglassfusion.etsy.com

It seems that I can’t let a jewelry contest go by without entering. The pieces shown in this post are for yet another contest I’m entering. All three pieces are made of copper, pyrite, and black stone. They’ll be available for sale once the contest ends. Contact me if you’re interested in purchasing any of them.

Please check out this interview of me in DiYDivas. I’m really happy with how it come out, and you’re certain to learn a thing or two about me by reading it!

Question of the Day: Who has been watching season 3 BSG? I still haven’t found the time to download it and catch up. No spoilers, please, but I am curious if it’s worth watching.

Today’s featured Etsy shop is SimoneWalsh, a shop featuring primarily handmade jewelry, in addition to some non-wearable objects.

“I’m a metalsmith and … I primarily work with sterling silver, but I also create with copper, gemstones, some vintage glass beads, silk – and anything else which takes my fancy!”

Do you have any formal training?
Yes. Initially I studied Visual Arts at a technical college with a major in Jewellery. After then disappearing to live in London for a few years, I returned to Australia to complete a Degree in Visual Arts, majoring in Jewellery & Object Design. This means I tend to come at my work from more of a visual arts perspective – particularly when making one off pieces for exhibitions. I’m hoping that perhaps in 2008 I can return for another year at University, again with a Jewellery focus.

What inspires you in your work?
I seem to have lots of things inspire me! However, I’ve always been particularly inspired by the way that jewelry in particular can create a strong sentimental attachment, which is something I’ve explored in my work for a long time and plan to focus more on again in future.

In recent years I’ve developed a fascination with the links and contrasts between nature and culture, especially in the way that the Japanese in particular view nature within their culture and how that differs to the way that Western cultures generally do. Perhaps as a result of this I’ve also developed a bit of an obsession with pattern and ornamentation, which has most recently led me to doing a lot of very detailed saw-piercing work in order to reproduce some of these patterns.

What advice would you give someone thinking of starting a craft
business?
I think the best advice is that you need to treat it as a serious business if you want to succeed and go about it in a business-like manner. It’s a good idea to constantly educate yourself about not just your field, but also marketing, running a small business, tax issues, web developments, the economy, photography, copywriting, etc.. You need to try to be a master of many things – especially if you plan to sell you work online.

The other major piece of advice I can offer is that you need to be prepared to work extremely hard to make a success of your business and to learn from the periods when you are less successful.

Simone Walsh’s work is available for sale in her Etsy shop http://simonewalsh.etsy.com, and a gallery of her work can be found on her web site http://www.simonewalsh.com, where she plans to start selling a higher-end jewelry line later this year.

Above: Beautiful quilted bag donated by naturescorner.etsy.com. Click on the photo to go to the listing.

Today’s featured Etsy shop is Eyes on Darfur, a shop that donates all of its proceeds to Doctors without Borders in Darfur. Eyes on Darfur offers a large variety of items donated by some wonderful Etsy sellers.

1) All money (beyond fees and shipping costs) are donated to Doctors Without Borders to help them help the people of Darfur.
2) Check out www.doctorswithoutborders.com or any of the other links in the Bio, learn more about the conflict and talk to others about it.
Check out SavingDarfur.etsy.com, another store dedicated to this cause!
MONEY RAISED SO FAR: $421.63 (updated 2-10-07)

Here is an alphabetical list of the stores who have donated so far:
abbeychristine aliceofkansas AzureGrackle beebuttons canarycollective Chicalookate cornflakegirl courtneyrs cubicleboutique divinitydesigns elenamary exboyfriend janedean kibblesnknits kidcompassion lavajewelry marigoldtree modadesigns moxierings naturescorner needlequeen NotablyGifted Ohsoretro OriginalJewels PrairieBird PreciousPups SacredPathways SandFibers soap soljewels sunsetgirl sweetestpea tcbeads

Thank them by visiting their shops!

Etsy sellers from all over have joined together to sell their creations to raise money for the people of Darfur and Doctors Without Borders.
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/sudan.cfm
Find out more information and about other organizations:
http://www.genocideintervention.net/advocate/tenthings.php
Sign a petition: www.savedarfur.org

Above: Adorable fairy donated by cornflakegirl.etsy.com. Click on the photo to go to the listing.

Today’s featured Etsy shop is Jen Claire, a shop featuring Bohemian style clothing.

I asked Jen Claire a couple of questions about herself…

Tell me about yourself.
I’m a sculpture and painter primarily with a business in painted finishes for the home which I’ve been doing for the last 10 years. I have an intense love for textiles and cultures and enjoy sewing and making clothes that reflect and inspire beauty of the artistic kind. Comfort, ease and beauty I suppose sums it up!

Which artists or works of art inspire you?
Eduard Vuillard, a French Impressionist, has been my inspiration for all my business ventures. Firstly home decor and then the clothing. I suppose I’m trying to make life into an impressionistic dream.

Jen Claire styles are available exclusively at Etsy http://jenclaire.etsy.com. I was completely blown away when I saw this shop, and I’m sure you will be too.

Above: Necklace made of handmade copper links and green jasper ovals.

A friend of mine got me hooked on cinnamon dolce lattes, which I promptly renamed “snickerdoodle coffee.” That’s my attempt to not sound like a latte person while still drinking lattes.

Today Lava Jewelry was featured in the a wonderful blog called The Creation Station, written by Etsy seller Powderpuff. She features various Etsy shops, and finds a creative way to introduce each one. You should definitely add her blog to your RSS reader.

Question of the Day: Was Kevin Sorbo a wise casting choice for Andromeda? In my opinion, Andromeda is one of the worst sci-fi series ever, but I watched the entire series any way just to see Lexa Doig. I can’t stand to watch Kevin Sorbo, though, and the opening sequence for each and every season of Andromeda makes me cringe. Each season gets worse than the last. I think that Andromeda had some good story elements, but watching Kevin Sorbo get it on with a different scantily clad woman every episode isn’t my idea of good watchin’.

Above: Mookaite necklace. Click on photo to see listing in my Etsy shop.

Today’s featured Etsy shop is katrinbird, a shop featuring elegant jewelry made of sterling silver, semi-precious and glass beads, and antique clock and watch gears.

“I love things that move and my goal is to make more pieces that you can interact with.”

How did you get started in your art?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been making and creating things, from drawing and painting, to photography, jewelry, and crafts like knitting and sewing. I majored in Fine Art Photography and took a silversmith class as an elective and absolutely loved it. Since then, I have occasionally taken workshops and seminars in jewelry and metals and have a small workshop set up in my apartment. I have a regular 9-5 job and love coming home and getting out my hammers and saws and working with metal.

What is your day job?
I edit educational videos for a textbook publisher. It’s a fun job, and involves fitting different elements together (words, images, music) to make a fun, pleasing and easy to understand product. I think that is a good skill to have for any art.

What inspires you in your work?
I get inspired by random things, but it’s usually from nature. A few weeks ago I went to a seminar on permaculture (sustainable living) and the speaker showed slides of different kinds of garden and landscaping designs. They were so beautiful and simple and I spent the rest of the class sketching out designs for jewelry. I never know what will inspire me so I always keep a journal and an open mind with me.

Katrinbird’s work is available at local craft shows (northern New Jersey), and in her Etsy shop http://katrinbird.etsy.com.

Above: carnelian earrings, one of the items in my Etsy shop dedicated to the Moxie Rings Fund.

A fellow Etsy seller, Moxie Rings, lost her husband in a car accident a few nights ago. The Etsy community is raising money to help her and her daughter. Money can be contributed directly to Moxie Rings via PayPal to moxieringsfund@yahoo.com.

There are many Etsy sellers who are selling items and donating the proceeds to the Moxie Rings Fund. To find these items on Etsy, do a tags/title search for “moxie fund.”

Today’s featured Etsy shop is Cards By Doodlebug, the second shop in my series that features handmade greeting cards. Cards By Doodlebug also offers customized wedding and party invitations.

“I sell handmade greetings cards that are, hopefully, fun and that little bit different. My aim is to sell cards that you just couldn’t buy in the shops.”

How did you get started making your art?
I decided to make a card for my mum’s *0th birthday which I thought would make it special. After looking around I realised what great materials were available for card makers and I began making all my own cards. Requests and orders for cards then followed. The serious side of selling my cards is that it enables me to raise money for good causes as a percentage of my sales are donated to charity. As fundraising goes its considerably more fun and less effort than the marathon I ran last year!

What is your day job?
I work as an insect ecologist by day which is my dream job and something I aspired to from a child. While I love my job its great to be able to express a creative side through making my cards and other crafts.

How did you name your shop?
Doodlebug is actually quite a common name for crafters shops but I thought it was most appropriate for me. Doodlebugs are the nymphs or young of lacewings. They are very pretty insects I think and a friend of the gardener as they eat aphids!

Cards By Doodlebug can be found for sale at local craft fairs, and on Etsy http://cardsbydoodlebug.etsy.com. Please check out this wondeful shop; part of the sales go to a good cause, and many of the cards are made of wonderful recycled materials. She has cards for just about any occasion you can imagine, and an adorable series of paper doll birthday cards.