Featured Artisan: Auralynne

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

I'm a work at home mom of two precious little boys - one is four and the other is three weeks old.  I live with husband and family in Rhode Island, among plenty of Victorian mansions and pretty scenery for inspiration.

 

 

Bella Rosa

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

I opened shop back in 2006 making mostly costumes and a few headdresses.  I worked part time for a while, then in 2010 decided to try for full time so I could stay home with my children.  In order to do that I knew I needed to start making a few items that are, well, just a bit more normal.  Jewelry was the most obvious choice, and the most fun, as I get to wear it around myself!  And I love how a piece of unusual jewelry can turn a plain outfit into something cool and funky.

Faery Rose

Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

I'm a belly dancer!  Thus you'll find jingles and sparklies on lots of my creations.  Cooking is my other big passion - anytime I eat something I like at a restaurant I go home and experiment until I figure out how to copy it.

Dragon Charmer

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My largest source of inspiration would have to be the belly dance movement - it's a whole community of women who come up with new ways to reveal the inner diva lurking in all of us.  :-)  I also draw inspiration from times gone by - art nouveau, art deco, Victorian, and Edwardian eras are my favorite.  A lot of times a set of jewelry comes into being as a result of an emotion or a random event - for instance, the set pictured below titled "Vampiress" resulted from a lot of daydreaming after I found out about the Halloween ball that happens in Salem each year near me!

 

Bella Luna

 

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Most jewelry adorns, but if it's elaborate and unusual enough, it can instead transform.  I go for the transformative jewelry!  It's so much fun getting dressed up for a nice night out and putting some creation of roses and rhinestones around my neck that makes me feel like a fairy tale princess.  The ability to share these designs and the feelings they inspire with kindred spirits around the world is a dream come true!

My website:

http://www.auralynne.com

Etsy shop:

http://auralynne.etsy.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/aurapretties

 

 

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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.

Source

 

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.

Source

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: Stine

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

I started making bracelets a while back now, maybe since November 2011. I think it is actually quite funny how I started, I was really bored of studying for my exams and felt like creating something(anything to not study) and I looked up on youtube "how to make bracelets". I had a huge choice of what to choose, and I found a link where you could learn how to make macrame bracelets. I thought it was so much fun and there was not much more studying for exams that day!

Source

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from my own style, but I also get inspiration from other jewelry pictures, for example from Instagram and other jewelry artists. However, mostly is my own ideas and inspirations.

Source

Is there anything else you would like to share?

If anyone is interested, the bracelets are only $4.00 at my store with free shipping. - It is possible to get them costume made if contacting me on my store or blog.

Source

Links:

http://www.shellum.storenvy.com

http://stinesbracelets.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/StinesBracelets

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Featured Artisans/Sellers 2011 at Anna Kay Creations Blog

Below you'll find a list of handmade artisans/sellers featured by AnnaKayCreations in 2011.  Be sure to read their interviews here or click the links below to visit their blogs or websites. 

Have an awesome 2012!

1. AJS Designs
2. Beadlightning
3. Bellissimore Jewelry
4. Bibeez baby
5. Creations by Sierra
6. Cupertino Soap 
7. The Dancing Brick
8. Endexus Creations
9. Ink! Stomp Candy
10. Kelly Lowe Glass
11. Kristen Solecki
12. Mother's Love on Artfire
13. Personally Charmed
14. Samcas Jewelry
15. Tippystockton
16. Wilderness Serenity

P.S. If you don't already have one of my blog buttons for your blog or website, please grab one here.

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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: Mother's Love on Artfire

Today's Featured Artisan is Natasha of Mother's Love on Artfire.

 

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

 

I work full time at a retail store. I love clothes and keeping up with trends.
I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible. Whether it's going to the zoo, or swimming, I just love hanging out with my family. We're a tight nit and like exploring new places together. 

 

I didn't move out to the US until I was 9 years old.  I'm originally from Spain. So my love of bright colors probably stems from there.  I've been to a lot of places so far, and have every intention of traveling more.  So far, I've seen the likes of Amsterdam, Iceland, and Spain.  I still have a long list of places to see in the future. We're just waiting for the little guy to be old enough to remember them too.

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

 

My love for fashion combined with the wish to spend more time with my family inspired me to begin my journey into handmade jewelry. 

 

I took a break from working full time after my son was born. I wanted to devote all my attention to him and be the main person in his life.  After realizing he wasn't much for conversation quite yet, I took some classes and started making my own jewelry just for fun. He slept a lot so it was easy to practice.  Someone suggested selling my creations, so here I am.

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I love antiques, so a lot of my more romantic pieces are inspired by vintage jewelry.  My love for the outdoors can probably be seen as well, with my choices in colors and textures.  My goal in general is to capture beauty.  I hope that can be seen.

 

Outside of crafting what else do you enjoy doing? 

 

I love to read. I have a ton of books in my collection and I don't see it getting any smaller. I keep telling my husband that he's going to have to build me a library. 

 

Going out to karaoke is fun too. But just being able to let loose and forget my worries for a little while is great. It's important, you know? 

 

So everyday there is an escape rule in the house. At one point of the day, everyone does something silly to let it all out.

 

 

Is there anything else you would like to share?

All our creations are made by hand in a smoke free, albeit not pet free home. We love our fur-babies and try our best to keep them away from the work space. But sometimes, it's just inevitable.

 

 

 

 

Links:

 

Artfire
Facebook
Twitter

 

Thanks for the lovely interview, Natasha.

 

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Call for Handmade Artisans!

I am looking for handmade artisans that would like to be featured or interviewed at my blog (AnnaKayCreations). I have open slots for August and September. Interested? please email me directly at annakaycreations(@)yahoo(dot)com or go here for details.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

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