Featured Artisan: Yasmin Lux

Hello everyone,

This post should have been scheduled for last Friday but due to scheduling conflicts, I could not post it sooner. My apologies for the delay.  Please welcome this weeks featured Artisan Yasmin Lux.


First off, tell us a little about yourself!
My name is Yasmin Lux, i now live in the north of Israel in a small village by a forest. for the last 6 years I've been traveling the world, spent time in Europe , Morocco, California and India. During my first stay in India in 2005 I encountered jewelry made with macrame and gem stones and immediately fell in love. 

How did you start creating your jewelry, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been making jewelry since I was a small girl, but  the discovery of macrame changed my whole style and I knew I will be doing this forever, or at least for as long as my eyes would hold up.  I bought a necklace from an artisan that day and he agreed to teach me the basics; from that day on I traveled everywhere with my supplies, learned  a little bit here, a little bit there  from fellow travelers , adding more and more tools to my "box" and the inspiration kept on coming. 


Where do you get your inspiration from?
I can't really say where my inspiration comes from, it just does, like an endless waterfall from the sky to my imagination!!! I am so blessed! of course the materials themselves bring inspiration as well, the chords, the colors, the textures. I get a lot of inspiration from the gem stones themselves, each one asking me to present it to the world in its full glory. The time I spent in India was endlessly inspiring as well, the women there are  walking jewels, their spirit equally beautiful. 

My style is deeply inspired by  old tribal jewelry as well,  I was especially moved by an exhibition in San Francisco where the contents of an Afghani tomb where displayed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillya_Tepe *. the tomb contained the remains of a prince and two high priestesses who were all adorned in gold- from head to toe. Standing in that room, all surrounded by the glow of gold made me realize we should all be adorned like this. Our bodies being creations of the divine, deserve to be decorated with the most regal ….. I think I might have been a jeweler for a queen at some previous life time, now I make adornments for the modern queens - the beautiful and inspiring women that are all around me.   Macrame has been my refuge ever since I found it , I am so great full to creation for bringing it into my life through it I have learned so much about life , it has been my meditation-  with an added bonus- I give birth to something beautiful at the end of it!

Only in the last 2 years I have been selling my jewels in markets and festivals, this had added a whole new dimension to my experience - sharing my moments of inspiration and magic with my sisters is a blessing I have never imagined !  

Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

When I am not creating I love to be in nature , preferably near water ( a rare thing here in Israel) I see nature as the greatest artist  and my role model. I love beauty , wherever and however it appears in each moment in every thing, and see my creation as an attempt to amplify it in the world. thank you so much for this opportunity to share it with more people.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

" beauty is a manifestation of a secret natural law, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever"

http://www.facebook.com/yasminstreasures?ref=hl ( my FB page)

my etsy shop is still under construction - http://www.etsy.com/shop/whiterythmicwind?ref=search_shop_redirect

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My Weekend

Last weekend I went to my friend, Lyndsey's wedding in Pasadena, Maryland. I had the honor of making the jewelry for her five beautiful bridesmaids. Her wedding colors were moss green, ivory and gold.  I completed this project back in April but I held off on sharing it until after the wedding.

Bridesmaids Jewelry by AnnakayCreations

Bridesmaids Jewelry by AnnakayCreations

 See the jewelry on her bridesmaids. 

Photo and Jewelry by AnnaKayCreations

Photo and Jewelry by AnnaKayCreations

 I was really happy that everything turned out the way she expected :))

The only picture I managed to snab with Lindsey did not turn out the way I had hoped. Overally, the wedding celebrations were fantastic.   I hope you had a great weekend as much as I did!

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Featured Artisan: LoveKhloeStudio

        First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Catherine, I’m a 28 year old report analyst by day, happy homemaker by night, and a wife and mother to a gorgeous but wild 20 month old around the clock. I live just outside of Los Angeles and love everything about Southern California life. 

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

I made my very first piece of jewelry in elementary school when my oldest brother introduced me to wood, seed beads, and fishing line. I used to think I was the coolest thing walking around in my very own necklace. At that point was when I first stepped foot into the wonderful world of Michaels Arts and Crafts store (I’m pretty sure my mother didn’t like it as much as I did). I learned there were all kinds of things besides seed beads. I’ve tried my hand at many things over the years—beading on a loom, lanyards, crocheting (that never worked out), little figurines and beads of polymer clay, decoden, does webdesign and blogging count? The list goes on and on and spans almost 20 years! I then discovered Downtown L.A. and the aisles and aisles of beads, I can honestly say I was in bead heaven. When I got pregnant I lost my willingness to trek through the crowds and smells of sewage and bacon wrapped hot dogs, all that is DTLA. I started sewing and began making clothes and accessories but as my daughter grew I lost my desire to make baby things. I went back to my first true love of jewelry making about a year ago. I started with friendship-style bracelets with embroidery thread, rhinestones, and chain. When I found my bead case amongst the things still stored at my parents’ home, I began beading again and I haven’t looked back. I opened my online shop after endless prodding from my loved ones, first on Etsy and now on Storenvy.

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Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

I was going to say chasing after my toddler but then I saw the keyword “enjoy”- picking up rice and watching Mickey’s Clubhouse all day isn’t so enjoyable. I am also a Polynesian dancer though I haven’t performed in a couple years. I began when I was 7 years old, even before I picked up my first bead. Polynesian dancing is not only a great workout but you also learn about the cultures and I made a second family with my group. The food is pretty amazing, too. I also love to be able to pick up a book and read when I can or grab a sketchbook and pencil and scribble away. I have one tattoo of a single plumeria with basketweave waves which I designed.

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

When you live in Southern California, there’s inspiration all around you! The beach is one of my main inspirations, the sand between your toes, the shells strewn all over, the ocean, and the gorgeous sunsets that you get the perfect view of. The colorful costumes from my days in dancing play a role, too. I use a lot of shell, wood, and stones in my beading, things that bring you back to nature. I can see my jewelry on the beach or outdoors at a park. But sometimes you just can’t resist the shine and bling of glass and rhinestones! You can never have too many rhinestones nowadays. Take the jewelry shopping or for a night out on the town.

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

The thing I love about handmade jewelry is that everything has their own special touch and you know the person put a lot of care and thought into each piece.  My shop is named after my daughter, Khloe, and I won't tie her name into something I wasn't proud of. I never send anything that I don’t love myself to anyone else so when I know that someone else loves my creations I know I’m doing something right! I learn different techniques and discover gorgeous new beads everyday and I look forward to growing my line of accessories.

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Extras:
Shop: http://lovekhloestudio.storenvy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LoveKhloeStudio

Instragram: @lovekhloestudio or http://instagr.am/lovekhloestudio

Blog: http://withlovecatherine.wordpress.com

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Featured Artisan: Cinlynnboutique

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

 My name is Cindy and I live in Michigan, in a Lake Michigan coastal town, with my husband and 2 cats.  I raised 2 sons and have 2 wonderful daughters-in-law and 2 beautiful grandchildren.  I've always been somewhat artistic, but not with jewelry.  My artistic was in the form of sketching and painting.  As a child, my Dad and Grandfather owned jewelry stores and were both watchmakers.  I had no interest in jewelry until I became a teenager.  But then I only wanted to buy it, not make it.

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How did you start creating your jewelry, and how long have you been doing it? My interest in making jewelry came when my daughter-in-law decided I would enjoy it and bought me the tools as a gift.  So, I decided to try my hand at it and fell in love!  I found my artistic niche!  That was about 5 years ago and I haven't stopped.  Actually I can't stop!  I'm so addicted to it!  LOL

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Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing? 

That's not all I'm interested in.  I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses and spend my day hours preaching and conducting Bible studies.  That is actually my first love! 

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from a lot of different places.  Sometimes it's color combinations that I see.  Sometimes it's other creations that trigger an idea (not that I copy other people's work.  They just give me ideas that's all).  I look at a lot of beading magazines and books for ideas too.

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If you want to see some of my creations, stop in my shop and take a look.  Here's the link:
www.cinlynnboutique.etsy.com

You can also follow me:
https://www.facebook.com/cindy.newell1
https://twitter.com/Beadlynn7
https://pinterest.com/cinlynnboutique/

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Featured Artisan: Linda B

First off, tell us a little about yourself!
I'm Linda B and I'm married to my high school sweetheat and we have 3 furry
cat children. I love to watch the cats and play with them; they're very
social and spoiled rotten.

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

My passion is creating gemstone and glass and wire wrapped jewelry. I
specialize in Jewish jewelry and accessories, including earrings, necklaces
and beaded wire kippot (headcoverings). My inspirations come from the
shapes and colors of the beads and may be a variation of a design I've seen
in a beading magazine. Most of my designs feature some type of movement; I
love swirls and squiggles.

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Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

I work full time and beading is a way to express my creativity. I remember
beading with pony beads as a kid, and was reintroduced to the art at a
women's meeting. We made bracelets with bells and ribbon while listening to
a speaker and I was hooked, or should I say wired? LOL I've been creating
jewelry for about 7 years now and online for about 4 years.

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Reading books is another favorite thing to do. After a long day, I love to
immerse myself in a good detective novel or thriller. I do read ebooks, but
I prefer to turn the pages on a real book. One of my dreams is to have a
pajama party at a library. Ours is by a river and has a fireplace, it would
be so perfect.

You can find me online in a ton of places - I love social media:

www.lindab142.etsy.com
www.lindab142.artfire.com
www.linorstorecom.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/linorstore
www.twitter.com/lindab142
www.pinterest.com/lindab142
www.wanelo.com/lindab142

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Featured Artisan: Luna Jewelry

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Julia, and I am a traditional artist and jewelry designer from Central Massachusetts.  I am also happily married with two daughters, who keep me pretty busy!  

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

I discovered Etsy around four years ago or so, and while browsing around, I happened upon some really beautiful pendants using re-purposed scrabble tiles.  I became intrigued, so I found some tutorials online and tried them out with old game pieces that my mother-in-law had.  From there I bought my first set of jewelry pliers and borrowed a book from my local library called Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller.  I soon found that the creative possibilities for jewelry were endless, and I just fell in love.  My idea of creating something beautiful and being able to wear it and share it with others became my passion. 

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Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

I love reading, taking walks with my family, and doing yoga.  I've found that taking this time for myself every day helps to keep me centered and also keeps the creative juices flowing. 

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

I love nature and use what I see around me as my inspiration. We live on a historic road called Devils Elbow (no joke!). It's quiet and full of visual treats (birds, bees, butterflies, frogs, bunnies, and even the occasional bobcat).  I also love being outside with my daughters and seeing the world through their eyes. Sometimes they will point out little things that I miss, and it will spark a new creation. 

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

Yes- if there is something crafty that you love to do, and you dream of earning money while doing it, GO FOR IT!  I was laid off from my corporate America job in March of 2009, and I decided to open my Etsy shop that August instead of heading back into the workforce.  Some days were tough, but for the most part I have not regretted my decision. I get to spend more time with my family now, and creating beautiful jewelry is now my job. For me, it doesn't get much better than that!

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Links:

My Etsy shop:  http://www.lunajewelry.etsy.com
My facebook page is:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Luna-Jewelry/164072323350

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Featured Artisan: Catarionna

Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Catherine Somerlot, and I am a jewelry designer, photographer, digital artist and web & graphic designer from Cleveland, Ohio.

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

I taught myself how to make tatted lace about 3 years ago, at a very chaotic time in my life when I needed to find a bit of calm (and a reason to occasionally get away from my design work in front of the computer!). When I was a little girl I would make friendship bracelets out of embroidery floss, so tatting naturally became very appealing to me. Learning wasn't easy...but I practiced and practiced the double stitch for a week, and by the second week I was flying! Since then I've been designing my own elegant, intricate pieces that I incorporate into my jewelry.

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

I am inspired by myth, folklore and literature, specifically Celtic and Greek myths. At the time I'm writing this, I'm in Northern Ireland exploring the arts and crafts industry which is quite vibrant here. Ireland has a rich history with lace making, and I've enjoyed learning a bit about how certain types of Irish lace are made. I also love the "vintage" aesthetic of the Victorian-era, which is when tatting became a popular craft.

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

This year I started an arts collective with my partner in Northern Ireland called Autumn Arts & Crafts. At the moment it's just the two of us combining our various skills to collaborate on new work and products to sell at craft fairs, but we hope in the future to let it grow into a craft shop, studio space and organization that takes other artists in. We strongly believe in handmade craft and supporting independent creative businesses, so hopefully we'll be able to make this dream become a reality. I am writing about our journey on our blog, http://autumnartsandcrafts.blogspot.com

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Extras:

Facebook: http://www.catarionna.com

Storenvy: http://catarionna.storenvy.com

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