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: 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: Victorian Edge

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

Well, I'm a military spouse and mom stationed in Fort Lewis, WA. We've been in the military for over 6 years and my husband is going to deploy for the 3rd time at the end of this month. I have a 3 yr old son who is such a sweetheart and makes having children seem like a breeze. I don't think I could have asked for a better kid. Not really being conventional getting a job to past the time was not on my agenda. So I joined a roller derby team here on post back in 2008.

Turns out I have a knack for it, I've had only one major injury. I broke a leg bone Eeeek I know but it happens derby is tough. Didn't stop me in fact I came back even better then before. Skating can get expensive though I needed a more profitable hobby.


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


Completely bored one day I decided to go to Joanns fabric and get some yarn and teach myself to crochet. As soon as I walked through the doors I was sidetracked by Pink and sparkly. Just lots of pink and sparkly. Turns out they were beads!! I had never made jewelery before or even thought about it.

I bought a jewelry making kit went home and started immediately completely forgetting about the crochet venture I had in my mind. And I was hooked without a doubt hooked. Went back and got more and then went back and got even more. Then realized I could not afford to keep this up and also didn't know what to do with all this jewelry. And walla I decided to sell it and keep my hobby going. I will have been making jewelry for 4 months at the end of this April.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Romance, Steampunk, Victorian era, vintage and historical styles all hugely inspire me. I love all things old for some reason, always have even when I was young. I remember decorating my room in Shakespearean style as a teen. lol Everyone else had posters and stuff and I had a gorgeous antique desk and lace walls! I love LOVE!!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I just hope people like what I do. Art school is definitely in my future.

you can find my stuff here: http://victorianedgejewelry.storenvy.com/

LIKE me on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victorian-Edge-jewelry/305814569462126

Follow me on Pinterest! I'm Pinter obsessed:http://pinterest.com/writteninward/

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Featured Artisan: Ajsdesigns

Please welcome today's featured artisan, Aletha Jane Williams of Ajsdesigns.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Aletha Jane Williams and I live in Oklahoma, or better known as “tornado alley.”  I am a self-taught artist and am still in the process of learning. I have been in the graphic arts/print production industry for many years. When I started in the industry we created everything manually, no computers involved.

I live with my husband (he’s a writer/editor and telecommutes), one cat (Lucyfur), and one dog (Watson the Dachshund).  We have two grown married children and two teenage grandsons.

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

My 15 year experience in the “crafting/art” world is rubber stamp art, mixed media, and collage. In 2009 I became disabled and cannot work outside the home. Now I can concentrate on my health and my art. My creations will always involve rubber or digi stamps. I am an obsessive collector of stamps. I feel like I am collecting little pieces of art that I can turn into my own art.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

get my inspiration from many things, but mostly from magazines, books, and online blogs and galleries. There are so many talented people out in our world. Cyber space has opened up a whole new world for me.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

Other activities that I am involved with are reading, cross-stitching, watching television with my husband, and spending time with our family. I am also on the treadmill everyday as part of my rehab. What takes up most of my time is running a small online business and keeping up with my group on The Crafter’s Café called Get Hippity with {ippity}. Here’s the link: http://thestampingboutique.ning.com/group/gethippitywithippityjointheunitycommunity.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

My small business is selling {ippity} stamps by Unity. Right now I am the only “Unity Endorsed {ippity} Chick in Oklahoma. My {ippity} sales blog link is http://alethajanesgotippity.blogspot.com. This month (September) we, me and my Design Team, are opening our blog up for challenges twice a month. That link for our Get Hippity with Ippity challenge blog is http://hippitywithippity.blogspot.com.

I am on two other design teams. They are The Stamping Boutique ( http://thestampingboutique.com ) and The Crafter’s Café (http://thestampingboutique.ning.com )

My personal blog, AJ’s Designs, link is http://ajsdesigns.blogspot.com.

I also have an online Etsy shop: http://ajsdesigns.blogspot.com.

Thanks for the lovely interview, Aletha.

 

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Featured Artisan: Creations By Sierra

Today's featured artisan is Allyson of Creations By Sierra.  Allyson makes uniquely crafted hand-crocheted bracelets, and necklaces.

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I am 36 years old and a nurse by profession,  I have 2 beautiful children Sierra who is 6 and Savannah that is 3 months. I also have a loving and supportive husband and we all live in Hershey Pa.

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

I started making jewelry in 2009 after seeing our next doors neighbors daughters jewelry. I went to the craft store picked up what I needed along with a couple of books and over the years I have gone from simple beaded jewelry to the crocheted jewelry that I sell today. It's funny it was never my intention to sell the jewelry I made but after numerous peoples compliments I started to selling the items right off of me.

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from many areas but the majority of my creative ideas comes from my children's toys. The bright colors give me the color combinations that make my jewelry unique and fun. 

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing? 

Outside of my crafting I love playing with my daughters and our dogs. I also like to travel and sometimes just sit and read a good book.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I would just like to say that too anyone who makes specially handcrafted products. Do not be afraid to show your work and be proud of your accomplishments, because not everyone can do what we do. "Let know one stand between you and your own success"

 

Links:

www.creationsbysierra.artfire.com

www.creationsbysierra.blogspot.com

www.indiepublic/profile/allysoncook

Thanks for the lovely interview, Allyson!

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Featured Artisan: Personally Charmed

It's yet another Friday! Today, Anna Kay Creations is interviewing Heather Brown of Personally Charmed.
 

First Off, tell us a little about yourself!

I gave up my career as a high school teacher when my daughter was born. I always intended to go back when she entered pre-school but the economy tanked, the teaching jobs became scarce, and my hearing loss progressed.

When I finally made the decision to make my hobby and art into a fulltime business and gave up teaching, I felt like a heavy weight had lifted from my shoulders, that I was free to create without any feelings of guilt about how I should be searching for a job instead of wasting time and money making pretty things. It was then, that my creativity took off, my business bloomed, and everything just felt right.

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

I loved staying at home with my daughter and in the beginning, she kept me pretty challenged.  But I am one of those people who thrives from a creative challenge; I can't survive very long without making something or solving some kind of problem. 

I love to make things and to work with my hands.  So one year I wanted to make Christmas gifts for all of my sisters-in-law, and I had seen glass tile pendants before and decided to try making some.  After countless hours of research and trial and error experimentation and enough money to buy a hundred that somebody else had already made, I finally had a decent product.  I ended up making over a hundred of them to give out as party favors at a Christmas party that year.  And at that party, one of the guests asked if I could make one with a photo of her children on it.  

Back to work I went and my business was born.  By the next summer, I had opened an Etsy shop because so many people were requesting the photo pendants.  Over time my products evolved and I no longer make glass tile pendants.  The work began to be redundant and the creative itch was throbbing.  

I wanted to keep improving the products, make them different from other photo jewelry products and allow a little more creativity into the designs so I took up silver smithing and am now adding hand fabricated photo jewelry and other metal pieces to the Personally Charmed brand.  With these new pieces, I feel like my work has finally evolved from a craft into a skilled art.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I think that I am mostly inspired by nature.  A lot of my silver work has organic lines and rough textures that are patterns found in the natural world around us.  I love the feeling of taking something that comes from the Earth and molding and forging it with my own hands into something beautiful that can be carried with us on our bodies and shared with the people around us. 

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing? 

There is nothing tastier than homegrown veggies and herbs! I garden all year round. Even in December, I'm pulling up carrots to make room for planting the onions in January.  I also like to sew, make fancy cakes, and am studying American Sign Language.  I've been writing a novel for about five years, hopefully someday, I will finish it.  I also blog both on my business website and on my personal blog about my journey with progressive hearing loss.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I work hard to keep my studio as green as possible.  I only use reclaimed metals rather than newly mined metals because of the destruction caused from mining.  I also reuse packaging and recycle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

www.personallycharmed.com
www.charmedbyheather.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/charmedbyheather
http://twitter.com/CharmedbyH
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charmedbyheather/

 Heather thank you for the lovely interview :)

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Featured Artisan: Endexus Creations

Today, I am interviewing a lovely friend and talented fashion designer, Edna of Endexus Creations. Today, she will showcase her latest designs at the Africa Fashion Week in New York (AFWNY).  Endexus Creations is all about "Ethnic African Heritage Fused with modern designing to give a dimension of aesthic apparels."

First off, tell us a little about yourself!
Edna Ndebele is my name. Proudly Zimbabwean. I come from a family of 6 although of all I am the artist..I love art.  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and a wonderful daughter TANATSWA. I love fashion designing.

How did you start creating your artwork, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been in the industry for almost 6years now and I have enjoyed each year that passes by because every year comes with new ideas that make me grow as a designer. I believe being a designer is something that I was born with. For me being a designer comes natural; so I cannot specify excactly when I started because it has always been a part of me.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I am inspired by nature. I am inspired by everything that surrounds me. My background, my Zimbabwean culture. All these play an important role in bringing out my designs.

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?
I love singing and acting..

Is there anything else you would like to share?
word of advise, it is always good to try, never be afraid to try.

More of Edna's work can be found on her website

www.endexuscreations.com


Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/endexus
  

Thanks for the interview Edna, all the best at the Fashion Show!

 
 
 

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Featured Artisan: Kristen Solecki

Happy Friday everyone, please welcome this weeks featured artisan, Kristen Solecki of kristensolecki.com

First off, tell us a little about yourself?

I am a freelance traditional mixed media artist working out of the Philadelphia area. I work mainly in traditional printmaking, ink, and paint. I love the beauty and uniqueness that comes from making art by hand. 

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

I don't remember a time when I didn't make art. I grew up spending hours a day drawing and painting. I would make things like bracelets and magnets and sell them to neighborhood kids in lieu of a lemonade stand.   

When I went to art school for illustration, I learned a lot about the tools of the trade and about the market itself. I think the most important thing I learned was that when it comes to art you have to make your own rules. However, I didn't learn that until after I graduated.  

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from many different things. I really love nature and I think a lot of my work reflects an organic quality. I grew up in an old, historic town and some of my work also reflects a form of nostalgia.  Memories, people around me, and current experiences always play a part in my work. 

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing?

Outside of making art I love to swim in the ocean. I still haven't learned to surf but would like to someday. Besides the ocean I like traveling and being with the great people in my life.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

My work and more about me can be found on my website, http://www.kristensolecki.com/.

In honor of spring there is no shipping with any orders through my Etsy store, just type in the coupon code "springishere." 

I love talking with and meeting creative individuals of all kinds so write and say hello! 

Kristen, thanks so much for sharing your lovely artwork with us. xoxo

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