Featured Artisan: BijouBox Jewelry

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I'm Shannon.  I'm a 23, soon-to-be 24 year old as I like to say, "student of life".  I'm a free-spirit, creative, outdoorsy, open-minded individual.  I currently reside 20 easy minutes outside of Manhattan in New Jersey and love it! The location satisfies every need and want I could ever have! However, I like traveling, music/concerts, discovering other cultures, and meeting new people. A few years ago, all my interests seemed to come together in this jewelry venture I started!

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

3 years ago, in December of 2008 I took a trip to the art store and purchased a bunch of polymer clay blocks.  I went home and created my first line of charm necklaces and bracelets. This was a random act derived from pure boredom, mind you. My main pieces were cupcake charms.  I didn't think anything of it really, until I wore them to class and to work and all my pieces were sold in a day. Light bulb moment. I love accessories and I love that they can "make" an outfit. So I started CUPCAKIN' and built my own website.  I did very well with it for a year and a half, and even sold my pieces in boutiques in the Hamptons out in Long Island, NY.

 
Eventually, I found myself in a rut and looked for new inspiration and way to further develop my craft. In 2010, I started my first beaded bracelets. I've always loved a "full wrist" of bracelets of different sizes and "bling"; rocks were always an affinity with me and I also looked into precious stones and minerals.  Which all landed me where I am today, with Bijou Box (Bijou is French for jewel or jewelry) creating beaded bracelets and necklaces with an array of natural stones and minerals, different woods, metals, and charms. There's use of jasper, jade, sodalite, onyx, labradorite, quartz, sandalwood, dyed wood, ceramic, alloy metals, etc. All stones and beads I find to be truly exquisite and powerful to the eye.  I also use a great deal of Swarovski element pave beads and crystals.   

I've come a long way from clay!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I'm a nature-lover.  I love being outdoors and I especially love the beach and the ocean.  I grew up camping on the beaches of Long Island and was always on the water, whether a lake, or on my fathers boat in the Atlantic.  I believe all those experiences and treasured locations, show in my work.  Stones like labradorite that are grey and translucent, but in direct light show amazing bright colors like blue, green, yellow, and purple; Sodalite reminds me of waves; jade reminds me the dunes and sometimes in it's variations, of lemonade or candy; sandalwood has a great smell of fire and looks so natural.

I also have an affinity with skulls, which has become the Bijou Box logo. Skulls usually symbolize death and mortality however, the logo is adorned with a wreath of flowers which I like to believe symbolizes, for Bijou Box, the "beauty in rebirth".  Rebirth in the sense that, these accessories can bring to life any outfit you wear, or simply uplift your mood. This logo also resembles the flower-crowned skull of St. Valentine; which I like because a lot of love & hard work goes into my pieces.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Just that I love what I do and I couldn't be any more happier in what I've let my life manifest for me. Being able to be creative all the time is not only therapeutic but so rewarding! Comments, ideas, and feedback from on-lookers and customers is SO appreciated.  I love to connect with people and I love to supply the work I do to those that truly like what I create. I'm constantly trying to develop the line and always willing to hear peoples thoughts and ideas.  I plan to go back to school as well, to get into metal-working and other stone work. So hopefully, this venture keeps diversifying and growing. I am so grateful for all that is it now, but I am so ready to keep working at making it so much more!

Main Site: BijouBoxJewelry
Shop: Bijou Box Storenvy
Twitter: TheBijouBox
Facebook: Bijou Box Jewelry
Tumblr: Bijou Box Tumblr

P.S. Want to be featured? Go here

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Featured Artisan: Breezy Artwork

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How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?
I’ve been doing it since I was eight, creating my own little pieces of jewelry to wear and coming up with my own unique style. I’ve loved to draw and paint since I can remember, I’ve been taking photos since I was 10, writing, dramatic arts and music have always been a huge passion of mine as well.

My husband tells me I’m something of a “Swiss Army Knife” of Art, haha. I really love to do anything that requires some creative attention.

Recently I’ve opened up my own little shop on Etsy to sell some of my pieces, after much encouragement from family and friends. It’s been a joy to have an outlet to do what I love and share it with others.

Facebook has also been something of a scrapbook for me to share my work as well. I love getting feedback about the art that I display, whether paintings, photos, jewelry or music, it’s important to me to know how it affects others, and helps to inspire more of my work.

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December 24th, 2010, my husband and I were in a terrible accident. It took them over 45 minutes to get to us, and I had a hematoma behind one of my eyes, bleeding in my brain. So I was unresponsive by the time they got me to the hospital and was sent into a 5hr long emergency brain surgery. There was little hope from what I understand, and if I did pull through they didn't expect much of a recovery, bed-ridden, extensive brain damage... etc. But I stunned doctors and nurses as my recovery was incredible.

They called me the "Christmas Miracle" and people were excited to meet me in later visits, took pictures with me at the rehab center. It was amazing. I really didn't understand the extent of my injuries and the odds I had gone against until I learned more later, and met people with less extensive injuries doing so much more poorly than I.

It has been hard to understand, only that I am alive, and I need to celebrate that by doing the most I can with the abilities I have, that should have been taken away that night.

I hadn't been able to work because I still had some pretty severe headaches and other issues that I was healing from, so I poured everything I had into my art.

When we withstood the F5 Tornado in Joplin last year (May 2011) it was all the more impressive to me that life is so valuable, so fragile, and it can go so quickly. Make the most of it, share what you have, and never take it for granted.

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

Dreams, the beautiful nature around me, life stories, pain, joy… experience. Everything, if I look hard enough, is full of potential for artwork.

I am an incredibly blessed woman, I’ve been given eyes, hands and a voice to work with, and a wonderful husband who encourages me to use them.

I look forward to any opportunity to use what I have to encourage, comfort and inspire others.

We’ve all learned in one way or another, life is not easy, and everyone handles their difficulties differently. I choose to pull everything I know and funnel it into my art, and hope that it helps someone else the way it has helped me.

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

We have been trying to raise money recently for an orphanage/school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. There are great people working out there that are stretched super thin reaching out to the children in that area, providing them with safe homes and an education. They live off the donations made to their ministry organization, so a lot of what I make goes toward the mission there.

Donations and/or purchases are greatly appreciated.  To learn more about their organization you can go to their website: www.wgoreach.org


Extras:
You may include links to your Facebook, Blog, Twitter, etc
"Like" my page on facebook to qualify for discounts and give-aways!

Facebook: facebook.com/breezyartwork

Twitter: @aubreyprunty
Website: breezyartwork.com

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Featured Artisan: Love Locks Accessories

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First off, tell us a little about yourself!

Am a graphic designer, so naturally i love to design and create different forms of "art". I chose to stay home with my two little boys and filled up my time with making jewelry. I started with an idea of putting beads on everything. I chose to start with jewelry because all i needed to make it was beads. Right now i am planning to create themed collections as well as adding more items like flip flops, cup cozies, cushions and other accessories to each collection. I appreciate things handmade and crafts.
I still love doing my graphic work, so recently started a design company with my husband in Toronto, Canada.

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

I bought a jewelry set and thought i could create something like this! So i went out, bought some beads and created my first pieces back in 2005 but in very small quantities and i didn't sell so much. It was also on and off until 2012 when i was re-inspired and motivated to make more pieces and sell.

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

I find inspiration in color and pattern. Sometimes its the materials am using in my jewelry, sometimes its the piece itself. My latest items were inspired by a "tassel" which led to a whole Moroccan themed collection.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Each piece i make leaves a memory with me. I am happy to learn that people love the jewelry i make and it only inspires me and makes me want to create more pieces.


Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovelocksaccessories
twitter: @lovelocksacc

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Featured Seller: Craftortheradio

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First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I'm Liz - a coffee addict and bookworm working full time as a social media strategist. I write about some of my other loves - music,
crafting and fashion.

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

Last summer I found a big box of buttons, chains and fabrics in my mom's basement. I started making jewelry with some of the interesting pieces. It quickly became a hobby I really enjoyed. I work at a high-stress office job, crafting is a great way for me to be creative and relax after work.

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I was wearing a pair of earrings I made one day and a co-worker complimented them and mentioned that he would love to buy a pair for his girlfriend. He then encouraged me to turn my hobby into a business. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

All things vintage! I have been recently addicted to the show Mad Men (thanks to Netflix Instant Watch). Their 1950's style on the show has been really inspiring.

Extras:
Twitter: twitter.com/liz_kantner
Facebook: facebook.com/crafttotheradio
Blog: lizkantner.blogspot.com

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Featured Artisan: LIT by LIT Accessories

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Sara and I'm from Portugal. I live in a small town near Lisboa and I love it here! I'm a graphic designer and I'm interested in arts and crafts since I can remember - I've always felt the need to explore my creative side and give free rein to my imagination. And that's what I'm always trying to do :)

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

I've been making artwork for many years - first just for myself, then for family and friends. But one day I realized that I wanted to raise my target a little bit more; so I've launched a new line of handmade accessories - Lit by Lit accessories. It's a new brand but is here to stay!
 

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

I think inspiration comes from everywhere: what I see on the streets, stores, books, magazines, internet, tv... But especially in color and fantastic materials that grab my attention - like paper, tulle, felt and much more. Everything can be inspiring and inspiration comes anytime - even when I'm sleeping! 

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

Yes :) Here's my lovely new store: http://litbylit.storenvy.com

I'm also in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/litbylit

And in Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/saralit/

You can like, follow, buy.. Or just stop by :)

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Featured Artisan: Tumblestone Handmakery

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First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I've been happily married for 4 years and I'm a mother to a 21 year old sassy cat! Unable to have children of my own, my kitty is my bebe. I'm quite the goofy character, a sense of humour is important! I love to read, up until I started Tumblestone Handmakery, I would always have a book with me, I'm a non-fiction buff and addicted to learning about anything and everything. I especially enjoy Geography and Anthropology. Put a blank globe in front of me and I could point out any country and tell you all about it! I'm a total nerd at heart - and I love it!

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How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been creating jewelry on and off my entire life. I hadn't been artsy at all for a couple of years until I came across Fallen Angel Brass.
I immediately fell in love with their components and knew I needed to make myself some jewelry using their findings. When I posted my creations on line, I got so many compliments and requests that I decided to start Tumblestone. It's been going strong ever since and I have a sewing and mosaic section as well that is doing just as well. It's quite funny because I hadn't touched a sewing machine since failing horribly at it in high school until December '11. (All sewing projects are on my Facebook page shown at the bottom of this interview)

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Where do you get your inspiration from?
I'm not quite sure to be honest... I never know what I'm going to create before I create it, I don't draw out designs and I cant envision something before it is made. When I make a piece of jewelry I think of it as a puzzle.
I like to have all of my beads, stones and components all there in front of me and I play and piece things together until I get the "That's it!" epiphany.
I don't put pieces together and hope people like it, I make pieces that I fall in love with and would love to own myself. There is love in every piece.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
If there is something that you want to do but you dont know how, ask around and just do it! You never know what will come of it. Even just 6 months ago I never would have expected any of this. I had never touched a sewing machine or could even tell you what a blog was!


Extras:
You may include links to your Facebook, Blog, Twitter, etc

Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/tumblestone.handmakery
Online shop: http://tumblestone.storenvy.com
Blog: http://tumblestonehandmakery.blogspot.ca
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/tumblestones

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Featured Artisan: Creative Atelier

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First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Iveth Caruso, and Creative Atelier reflects my attraction for simple and minimal jewelry in which the structures I use are relatively simple but they form elegant designs. I always aim for simplicity. I like strong lines, intense colors and quality materials. I make my jewelry with a lot of dedication and attention to detail from my home studio in sunny Georgia.

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

Since I was a child I saw my mother make all sorts of crafts. My mom is the most creative and resourceful person I know. I specially remember a set of paper mâché puppets she made for us. They were such a lovely artistic creation. I have been interested in art and design for a long time, but I didn't start making jewelry until about ten years ago, part of it is because I refuse to buy mass produce jewelry.

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

Before or after Pinterest? I used to cut out interesting ideas from magazines and organize them in binders. Artwork pictures, color schemes, plants, and many more. In my opinion Mother Nature, like many artist has tried all styles but she invented "minimalist". My mind is always at work, I have a sketch book that I carry with me at all times. Sometimes I write ideas and some other times I paint little sketches of future pieces.
 

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

Yes of course!

Please visit and follow my blog here: http://www.creativeatelier.net/

If you rather follow me on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/creativeatelier
 
And please favorite my Storenvy shop here: http://creativeatelier.storenvy.com/ 

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