Artist Feature - LAZY CAT

Lazy Cat is comprised of three good friends who met in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kelly, Allison, and Stasia began their venture by making gifts for family and friends. Crocheting, which each had learned from their grandmothers, is Lazy Cat's specialty. The group works with not only yarn and fiber, but fine-gauge wire as well. They focus on wire-woven jewelry, scarves, hats, baby and pet items.

Oh, how I envy those who can sew, knit and crochet! Being a jeweler myself, I especially appreciate wire crochet. The piece featured above is titled, "Broadway" and is a princess length necklace which was created using black wire, carnelian gemstones, and multicolored glass beads. I love how the black wire really adds drama and contrast to the piece.

Broadway is available in their Etsy shop (http://lazycat.etsy.com/) for $55 USD.

Artist Feature - PERSONAL TREASURES

Phyllis Mufson is the creative voice behind Personal Treasures.

Earlier in her life she was a textile artist and that sensibility influences her designs. Phyllis is concerned with how the jewelry drapes and moves when worn on the body. Phyllis is also inspired by her customers. In addition to her Etsy stores she sells through private jewelry shows. During these shows she gets to see how women respond to the jewelry. Phyllis talks with them about what interests them, and finds out which designs are particularly flattering to wear.

The necklace featured above is a strikingly beautiful Phrenite gemstone necklace, measuring 18" in length and is accented with vermeil beads. It is available in Phyllis' Etsy shop (http://personaltreasures.etsy.com) for $185 USD.

You can learn more about her coaching practice at: http://phyllismufson.interfaceias.com/

Phyllis also has a blog where she writes about creativity and creative people at http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/.

Artist Feature - SHOOZLES

Michelle, aka Shoozles, is the mother of 12 year old triplets and a St. Louis Missouri resident. She has been creating art jewelry for 18 years and has worked on many different mediums, including: shrink plastic, polymer clay, paper. clay, plastic, and glass.

Eight years ago Michelle discovered her love for glass fusing and it has been the focus of her creative and artistic outlet. The Fused Glass and Brass Pendant featured above, is available in Shoozle's Etsy shop (http://shoozles.etsy.com/) for $20 USD.

Michelle is also a member of the Etsy Glass Artist's Street Team and WWAO (Worldwide Women Artists Online). In addition, you can learn more about Michelle and her creations at http://shoozles.wordpress.com/

Artist Feature - CRAFTY MOOSE

Debbie, aka Crafty Moose, has been crafting for as long as she can remember. Debbie is self-taught and has enjoyed painting, needlework, quilting, polymer clay and jewelry making. Most recently, she has found herself drawn to beads and has returned to the art of french beaded flowers. Debbie enjoys making original, one-of-a-kind butterflies and dragonflies. She is also introducing a new line of one-of-a-kind beaded art dolls and sun catchers to her Etsy shop.

I personally love Debbie's beaded art dolls and beaded flowers. The piece I have featured above is titled, "Ikebana Freestyle French Beaded Flower Arrangement" and is available in Debbie's Etsy shop (http://craftymoose.etsy.com/) for only $15.99 USD. The flowers are comprised of tiny Czech glass beads and are arranged in a cut-glass bowl.

Artist Feature - CREATIVE SUNDRIES

Sarah and Carol, the mother and daughter team behind Creative Sundries specialize in vintage treasures and unusual ephemera, as well as handmade ATCs, notecards, crocheted cuffs, and jewelry.

I know I really enjoyed peeking through their shop at all the vintage and ephemera items. I think it is funny when I happen upon something I recall from my childhood. (but of course, that means I must admit that my childhood is now considered VINTAGE!)

A fun piece of nostalgia, pictured above, is a pair of game playing cards from 1968 called "Funny Bones" and are ideally suited for mixed media art or collage. The cards can be purchased in their Etsy shop (http://creativesundries.etsy.com/) for only $1.50 USD.

Sarah and Carol are also members of the Etsy Minnesota Street Team and IndiePublic. You can learn more about Creative Sundries at http://creativesundries.blogspot.com/

The Art Jewelry Collective HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Are you looking for something unique? Perhaps a piece of quality art jewelry? With all the jewelry choices available, it can be quite a daunting task to sift though the pages and pages of ordinary jewelry. Well, I have a solution!

The Art Jewelry Collective Holiday Gift Guide is here! It is packed with high quality, unique, and reasonably priced art jewelry. Let your loved ones know you care by taking the time to find them something truly wonderful.

What is the Art Jewelry Collective (AJC)? The AJC is a group of like-minded jewelry artisans who believe in quality workmanship and uniqueness, professional and authentic presentation, excellence in customer service, appreciation and preservation of jewelry as a respected art form, upholding the standard for a respectable and “living wage”for art jewelry-makers, educating potential customers and the general public toward a more qualitative versus quantitative (high volume, low price) mind-set.

Currently, you can find a wide range of earring styles available in the AJC Etsy shop (http://artjewelrycollective.etsy.com/).

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Artist Feature - BECKI'S DESIGNS

Becki (aka Entyqua) is a stay-at-home-mom to a beautiful daughter and resides in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Becki creates both costume jewelry and genuine gemstone and precious metal jewelry as well as finished jewelry boxes, greeting cards and other paper crafts. Soon she will be adding clothing as well!

Becki loves to use a lot of natural stones and beads for her creations. Her favorites being wood and gemstones. She also loves to use freshwater pearls and faux pearls because they have a very elegant feel to them and always and a touch of class to every piece they are used in. All of Becki's jewelry designs are handmade with care.

The necklace featured above is available in Becki's Etsy shop (http://entyqua.etsy.com/) for $35 USD and is adorned with silver beads and a mother-of-pearl cameo pendant.

Artist Feature - MOMMY AND ME BOUTIQUE

The Mommy and Me Boutique features many one-of-a-kind items created from the finest fabrics, ribbons, and workmanship. Corine works and lives in California and has a passion for making aprons for adults and toddles alike. Her other specialty is creating little skirts and baby items, including apparel for American Girl dolls. She describes her work as fun, funky, traditional, and vintage.

The adorable child's apron (pictured above) is available in Corine's Etsy shop (http://mommyandmeboutique.etsy.com/) for only $21 USD. It is reversible and features a ruffled edge and a little pocket too! I think it would be the perfect treat for any little girl!

You can learn more about Corine and her craft at: http://themommyandmeboutique.blogspot.com

Artist Feature - CRYZTAL VISIONS

Beth Alexander (aka Cryztalvisions) has been creating with stones and crystals for as long as she can remember. Beth comes from a long line of crafters and artisans. "My great grandmother was a very talented artist who started painting late in life. She left behind some amazing oil paintings that I will always treasure. She also painted and fired china, she had a fantastic eye for detail and could paint tiny pictures small enough to fit on a thimble. My father was an accomplished, well rounded artist and crafts person and spent many years teaching art in the public school system." It must have been quite an interesting and exciting childhood to be surrounded by artistic talent!

Beth has been creating unique jewelry for over 20 years and has an insatiable appetite for learning new techniques that push the boundaries of her creativity. Along the way she has also been drawn to studying and practicing various energy healing arts, like Reiki, chakra balancing, Earth based energy medicine, shamanic practices, and Angel Therapy. Beth has have found combining her love of minerals, an artistic eye and skill in jewelry fabrication and design, along with her heightened sensitivity to energies creates a powerful synergy. She loves to immerse herself in the creative process and is fascinated when some pieces seem to magically design themselves.

One of Beth's newest pieces, "Circle of Life" is a handcrafted fine silver pendant/amulet necklace and is available in her Etsy shop (http://cryztalvisions.etsy.com/) for $48 USD and is featured above.

Artist Feature - PAULETTE INSALL

Portland Oregon resident, Paulette Insall, is an artist. A painter, if you will. Though, she never thought of herself as an artist until a few years ago. For many years Paulette dreamed of painting, but could never bring herself to pick up a paint brush until October of 2006. That's when her love of creating stories with paint and paper began!

This is what Paulette had to say about her art, "My art is about the search for connection…to self, to like minded spirits, to family, and to God. Most of my work depicts a sole woman because these are the stories of my own personal search and the emotions they invoke within my soul. My hope is that the visual stories I create with my art touch people from all walks of life and let them know that they are not alone…and find comfort in that knowing."

Beautifully and so precisely said. It is obvious to me the emotion and depth Paulette has put into the many faces of her characters. One of my favorites (pictured above) is titled, "Follow." The woman's flowing hair seems to be pulling her in a direction she isn't quite sure she should go, but she is curious as to the path it may lead her down. To me, butterflies are a symbol of hope, rebirth and transformation. Perhaps the path is the path from adolescence into adulthood? Perhaps she is on a journey of self-discovery? You decide!

For more examples of Paulette's art, go to http://pauletteinsall.etsy.com/

Images copyright Paulette Insall

END OF THE YEAR SALE!

Elements by Dawn is having a 40% off clearance sale on select jewelry pieces! All domestic shipping on sale items is only $2.00.

Visit the Elements by Dawn's Sale Section early for the best selection!

Happy shopping!

~Dawn

Artist Feature - COCONUT PALM DESIGNS

A Canadian residing in Belize, Joanne is a graphic designer who has fallen in love with woodworking and painted signs. Joanne also creates ACEO (Art Card, Editions and Originals), which I love! I have a growing collection of ACEOs and am always looking to add to my collection. One of my favorites from Coconut Palm Designs is "Orange Wildflower." This particular flower is grown in Belize. Joanne drew it with pencil crayons on watercolor paper. It is an original work of art and is signed on the back.

Another favorite piece in her Etsy shop (http://coconutpalmdesigns.etsy.com/) is this Custom Butterfly Sign (pictured above, left) for only $35 USD. Joanne explains the process of making this sign, "This Welcome sign is hand painted in purple. The words, butterflies and fish on the main part are carved out using a dremel and then the butterflies and fish are painted back in. Sign measures 10" x 3.5" with the butterfly measuring almost 3" x 3". It is hung with ribbon braided with wire for durability and sealed against the elements with an acrylic spray finish. This sign is customizable with your name, city, or country in place if the 'Jamaica' or that part can be left blank."

ART vs. CRAFT

For those of you in the Milwaukee area...come out and see me and other talented artists and crafters!

Details: Saturday December 8th from 10am thru 7pm. The new venue is at the Masonic Center on the corner of Wells St. and North Van Buren St.

For more info, including a map and other details, go here: http://www.artvscraft.com/

Secret Santa Swap

For the second year I have been privileged to participate in the Switchboard's Secret Santa Swap, organized by Lili of http://www.iglubu.com/ .

My Secret Santa was Erin from http://bridedesign.com/ ! Not only did she fill my entire Wish List, she included chocolate! How cool is that?

In the photo above (and please excuse the dull photography) you can see a hand-bound journal with Japanese Yuzen paper on the cover (very cool and perfect for sketching my jewelry designs in!), 2 sets of handmade stationary (always appreciated and loved!). In addition she included an ACEO (I'm a collector!) and some handmade soap from Kristine's Shower, which is all ready in my shower (I'm addicted!). Oh, and did I mention chocolate. Well, it's not in the picture because I have devoured about 1/2 of the bar (yum!).

Thank you, Erin! You have brightened my holiday season all ready.

Artist Feature - ALASKA HOT DOGGIES

Alaska native, Jodi Hughes, has an obsession...an obsession with color! Jodi's focus is on hand-marbled papers and textiles. She also enjoys upcycling, reconstruction, and recycling discarded objects.

An example of her marbling technique can be seen above. The aluminum cuff bracelet has been covered in handmade marbled paper, then clear coated to help protect it against moisture and gentle wear. It is available in her Etsy shop (http://akhotdoggies.etsy.com/) for $7 USD. While the bracelet is a real attention grabber, her marbled lampshade are beyond cool! For about $15 USD you can transform the look of an ordinary lamp to something fabulously unique! Check them out in her Shop!

Jodi is a member of the Etsy Fiber Artists Street Team (FAST).

To learn more about Jodi, visit her blog at: http://akhotdoggies.blogspot.com/

Artist Feature - CATHERINE MARCHE

A Londoner born in Paris, Catherine Marche is an artist by trade. While it is immediately evident Catherine is a jewelry designer from her Etsy shop (http://kalicat.etsy.com/) many probably do not realize Catherine is an accomplished illustrator too! Her work can be found in the UK, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Zambia, and the US. But it doesn't stop there, she has also been employed creating illustrations for various magazines, books, fashion shows, and more.

If you would be interested in commissioning Catherine, she can be contacted through her website at http://www.catherinemarche.com/

Artist Feature - ADORNMENTS BY BJ

Tennessee resident, BJ's passion, and therefore her obsession is to create unique, one-of-a-kind beautiful artisan jewelry. She has been designing and creating jewelry for about a year and a half, and it has literally taken over her time and rejuvenated her life too! BJ is a young retiree, and jewelry design has virtually changed her "mundane existence." Her Etsy shop (http://adornmentsbybj.etsy.com/) contains quite a variety of designs to fit every style or occasion. BJ believes jewelry is selected subconsciously, reflecting your persona ~ your soul, if you will. BJ says, "You can be drawn to a stone metaphysically and not understand the attraction. My preference of materials leans toward natural elements ~ semi-precious gemstones, crystals, shells, wood , pearls, sterling silver and gold filled findings, and my latest addition: silk and braided cord used for my new series of Chinese Knot Jewelry."

In addition, BJ is a member of AJC (Art Jewelry Collective), JET (Jewelry on Etsy Team), S.R.A.J.D. #0517(Self Representing Artist Jewelry Designer).

The Faceted Citrine Quartz Necklace on a Chinese Knot Cord is available in her Etsy shop for $50 USD. A matching set of earrings are included, which completes the collection nicely.

Member of the Day

Yep. I'm Tuesday's Member of the Day on IndiePublic! I'm excited, shocked and honored too.

You can "meet" me and other IndiePublic members throughout the week. :)

http://www.indiepublic.com/

Artist Feature - DINA CUOMO

Dina Cuomo is the artistic voice behind Elektra Jewelry Design http://elektrajewelry.etsy.com/ Her travels to Greece and her Greek background have influenced her love of 18k and 24k gold and her choice to work with rich gold vermeil (24k over sterling silver). Dina makes one of a kind jewelry pieces to accommodate many different styles and fashion trends. She works primarily with gold vermeil, Bali sterling silver, semi-precious stones and vintage glass beads. Be on the lookout for Dina's new pieces in her Murano Collection. The colors of these beautiful Venetian beads are so exceptional, they add another dimension to her jewelry designs.

The beautiful Y necklace (featured above), entitled, "Y Not" was created with deep amethyst Swarovski crystals and at its focal point is a pure gold filled Murano glass bead from Venice, Italy. It is highlighted by a gold tone chain. This beauty looks stunning dressed down or up. It can be purchased in Dina's Etsy shop for $65 USD.

Artist Feature - YASLANI

A self described pack rat, Yasmin is a mixed media artist and jewelry designer from New Jersey. Her work is whimsical, playful, colorful and will definitely make you smile!

After spending a number of years in the corporate life, she gleefully returned to her heart's desire....crafting and making art! Yasmin says, "Making things is an addiction....I believe all items have a second life and I love using recycled items and supplies that are gentle to the environment." In addition, "I'm all about art, fashion, beauty, pop culture and anything that makes me think or smile." I couldn't have summed it up any better.

Bamboo pendants are her forte. The piece featured above is entitled "Paris" and is a collection of 8 scenes from Paris all affixed on a natural bamboo tile ready to be showcased as a pendant or charm. The pendants are available at her Etsy shop (http://yaslani.etsy.com/) for $20 USD.

You can learn more about Yasmin and her creations here: http://yaslanisgroovespot.blogspot.com/

The Indie Entrepreneur

The Indie Entrepreneur is a business website guide geared towards independent entrepreneurs in the creative and design fields. Their goal at IndieEntrepreneur.com is to simplify the business process and offer concise, helpful tips in starting out, stepping up, and successfully maintaining your business.

This blog is chock full of helpful and interesting information! The creators have done an excellent job in compiling information on technology, tips, trends, and other business resources....not to mention the thought-provoking interviews from other indie businesses too!

Grab a cup of coffee or green tea and dive into http://indieentrepreneur.blogspot.com/ You'll be glad you did!