Entries from December 2007 ↓

Rhodonite is a very pretty pink gemstone, also known as fowlerite. Its name comes from the Greek word for rose (rhodon). It is an inosilicate mineral with a hardness of 6 on Moh’s scale. It occurs in manganese deposits formed by hydrothermal and contact metamorphic processes.

Pretty stone. Short story.

Question of the Day: Are you making any New Years resolutions? If so, what are they?

Introducing the latest addition to the Zbella shop: Sterling silver stacking rings! They’re available in my shop as a set of 3; two made of square wire, and the other made of round wire. You can custom order them in any size, any quantity, and any combination of square/round rings you’d like. All of the rings are polished sterling silver.

I have quite a few exciting new items that I’ll be adding to both Lava Jewelry and Zbella very soon, so be sure to check back with me!

Coming soon to my blog: A gemstone-of-the-day article on rhodonite. Yay!

First, I just want to mention that you can still order from Lava Jewelry or Zbella for Christmas – just contact me first for Priority shipping ($4.60). I’m also offering a free upgrade to Express shipping on all $150+ orders.

Now for my found objects project…

At first, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about doing a found objects project. The phrase “found objects” conjures an image in my mind of bits of garbage epoxied together. But in the end, I created something I’m really happy with. I made the chain using 16 gauge nickel silver wire. I gave the large links a nice texture, and kept the small links smooth.

Objects, from left to right:
-Domed dime (minted in my birth year)
-Red crystal heart from a pair of earrings my dad gave me when I was about 11
-Gold kanji symbol. This was a pair of post earrings given to me by a pen pal. I clipped the posts off and soldered the gold kanji symbol to a piece of sterling (Does anyone know what this symbol is?)
-Sterling silver cat from a pair of earrings I had as a teenager
-Peace symbol from a pair of earrings I wore A LOT as a teenager
-Unicorn pendant given to me by a very good friend
-Sterling silver shell – this was a pair of post earrings given to me by my sister on a trip to the beach. I clipped the post off and soldered a ring on.
-Amethyst pendant I wore ALL THE TIME as a teenager.
-Not a found object – bezel-set garnet charm I made. Garnet is my birthstone.

**Bracelet is not for sale – I’m keeping it for myself.

Question of the Day: How many sci-fi series can you name? (I want to see if there’s one I’ve missed.)

Today’s featured Etsy shop is AJ’s Country Cottage, a shop featuring
handpoured room-scenting candles, highly-scented soy candles, handmade olive oil soaps, highly-scented wax melts, and lip butters.

I asked AJ some questions about herself and her work…

Tell me about yourself.
Married to my college sweetie. We live in rural Missouri with our 2 kids, 2 cats, a dog, and more fish than I care to mention!

How did you get started making your art?
I’ve always had a desire to create things with my own hands. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dabbled with all kinds of media. I couldn’t live without creating. I poured my first novelty candles when I was about 13, and have worked hard at perfecting a well-burning, room-scenting jar candle for the past five years. Now I’m also really into making artisan soaps from scratch, and I love coming up with new ideas for scents, for color combinations, for textures, and for other techniques that make my soaps not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing as well.

What other types of art do you make for fun?
I love working with richly-colored and interestingly-textured yarns to create apparel and other functional items. I’ve knit and/or crocheted everything from simple dishcloths to complex afghans and sweaters. It’s so much fun, I can never imagine tiring of this!

What inspires you in your work?
I often get inspiration for new scents and techniques when I take walks. Somehow exercise, fresh air, and solitude stimulate my creativity. Nature’s colors and scents often inspire me while I’m out. I’ve been inspired by sunsets, flowers, newly-mown hay fields, and rain, for starters. I’d love to capture some of those rich fragrances and colors in my work.

How did you name your shop?
I wasn’t too creative that day. My name is AJ, and I live in a small house in the country. “Cottage” sounds WAY more romantic than “house” though, doesn’t it?

What is your day job?
This *is* my day job, creating and selling pleasantly-scented products for home and personal care.

What kinds of jobs have you worked in the past?
I used to teach school. Then I was the manager of small desktop publishing/typesetting firm before launching my own business.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own
small business selling handmade goods?
Work hard to research and learn all you can, and then practice, practice, practice. Nothing beats good old-fashioned experience. We don’t learn to drive a car primarily by reading books; we learn by doing it.

AJ’s Country Cottage items can be purchased online at ajscountrycottage.etsy.com and in person at local shows and farmer’s markets.

Nuf said!

The Alviso Rotary Club holds a Crab Feed every year at the South Bay Yacht Club in Alviso.

This year, the Crab Feed will held on February 9. Tickets can be purchased from any Alviso Rotary member (including me) for $40 each. Proceeds of the event go to the David B. Hoxie Scholarship Fund.

This is my first year with Rotary, but as I understand it, the Crab Feed is a really popular event. We will be offering all-you-can-eat crab, as well as pasta and salad.

If you are interested in helping the community of Alviso, please contact me.

Yes, indeed, there is still time to shop at Lava Jewelry for Christmas!

I have plenty of gemstone jewelry to choose from, and I gift-package all jewelry purchases. I am also happy to ship directly to your gift recipient, and I will include a free personalized note card at your request. The note cards were made by a wonderful Etsy seller – LeasLetters – please remember to check out her beautiful handmade greeting cards and tags.

I’ve also opened a second shop, where I am selling my latest metal jewelry. I am currently offering a selection of copper and brass earrings and pendants. I will soon be offering many other metal jewelry items, including sterling silver stacking rings. My new shop is called Zbella and you can visit it at http://zbella.etsy.com

Yes, that’s right. I’ve opened a new shop!

Zbella: Nature-Inspired Metal Artisan Jewelry

Zbella features my metal jewelry designs, which I’m really excited to share. I am currently offering brass and copper earrings, both big and small, with sterling silver ear wires. I’ll soon be adding an eclectic mix of metal jewelry, including sterling stacking rings, one-of-a-kind sterling rings, and necklaces in all shapes and sizes.

Please come check out my new shop! I’d truly appreciate the support.

Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for – I’m reviving my featured Etsy shops!

The first shop to be featured in my new series is k.j.m. Art, a shop featuring hand-painted silk.

I asked k.j.m.Art’s owner, Kim, a few questions about her shop and her work.

What kind of art do you make?
I mostly paint silk scarves, but I’ve recently started painting silk pillow covers and neckties. I use the serti method of drawing in resist, and then adding color. In addition, I offer hand-dyed scarves, which are usually embellished with
beaded fringe or metallic gutta. Finally, I have some of my oil paintings and drawings listed. The paintings and drawings are sometimes studies for the finished scarves.

How did you get started in your art?
I started silk painting when my first child was young, because oil painting was no longer a possibility! I just didn’t have the space or the time, and the fumes didn’t seem safe. There is a lot of drying time with silk painting, so I can work a little, and then chase children for a while, and then do the next step. I do most of my planning in my head, then a few sketches, and then apply gutta and paint when the children are in school. I’m inspired by nature, my tropical surroundings, holidays, and modern art. I have [always] loved art. I have drawn and painted my entire life. I got a BA in painting from Bard College. I love oil painting, but it doesn’t fit in my life right now!

What is your day job?
I teach art – drawing, painting, printmaking, and toddler art. I teach part-time, around my children’s school schedules.

k.j.m.Art is available for sale on Etsy, as well as at local craft shows. In the past, her scarves have been sold through a gift shop, but she is currently looking for additional b&m stores to show her work.

Today’s post is pure silliness. It’s something I thought of while I was drifting off to sleep last night, and probably doesn’t make any sense today.

This is my little test to help you determine how geeky you are, on a scale of 1 to 10.

Which tv series is each of these from? Give yourself one point for each one that you know.
1. Nebari
2. Asgard
3. Andorian
4. Nietzschian
5. Trill
6. Vorlon
7. Ocampa
8. Cylon
9. Wraith
10. Reavers

Bonus points if you correct my spelling.

See my comment below for the correct answers (no peeking!), then post your geekiness score in the comments below.