Artist Feature - LINDA CHANDLER

Linda Chandler began making jewelry even as a child and grew up designing and handcrafting one of a kind pieces. She is inspired from designs of nature to basic functional pieces and combines the two into literal works of art. Linda is a master craftsman in many facets of jewelry making. Whether it be silversmithing intricate filigree designs, weaving wire into almost impossible patterns or stone setting, her foremost enjoyment comes from the design to finish of her amazing pieces. Linda has been a vendor on Etsy.com for well over a year and finds it a welcome change from the traditional Art Show scene that she spent many years taking part in. She feels that Etsy is a wonderful and lucrative avenue in which to share your designs, meet fellow artisans, and share tips and techniques.

Linda is also the co-author of "Woven Wire Jewelry" & "Getting Started Making Jewelry" published by Interweave Press.

The Argentium Tarnish-resistant Sterling Silver Woven bracelet, featured above, is available in Linda's Etsy shop (http://lchandler.etsy.com/) for $85 USD.

Taking the PLEDGE

I pledge to buy HANDMADE this holiday season and request that others do the same for me!

Some may ask, "Why buy handmade?" Well, to me handmade is more than just uniqueness, quality workmanship, individual creativity, custom creations, and details. Handmade is an art form. 99.99% of crafters take painstaking pride in their creations and I wish to honor their talents by purchasing and supporting their livelihood. I hope you will do the same!

Please visit http://www.buyhandmade.org/ for a listing of participating members. I am number 2567 located on page 6.

Going to the Mouse House

Yep! Disney...here we come!

Once upon a time I knew Disney like the back of my hand. Having grown-up in Florida, visits to Disney were fairly frequent. (Yes, I remember E-tickets!) However, this will be our first visit with the kids. Funny thing, when we were planning our vacation, the kids weren't the least bit excited. In fact I heard complaints! "Why do we have to go to Disney?" "Can't we go to the Dells instead?" Oh, how my feelings were hurt! Now, finally, they are excited. Thank goodness.

Mouse House, here we come!!

Artist Feature - SO AND SEW CRAFTY

Karen Copeland is the artistic force behind So and Sew Crafty. Hailing from Opp, Alabama, she has been crafting for over 30 years and is the mother of four grown children!

Karen specializes in quilts, blankets, clothing, tote bags, dolls and stuffed animals. She even makes little outfits for your four-legged friends!

One of the most thoughtful gifts I received when I was expecting my little bundles of joy were personalized receiving blankets. Karen makes an equally thoughtful gift in her Etsy shop (http://soandsewcrafty.etsy.com/). For only $17 USD you can order a personalized fleece throw, like the one featured above. There are 8 colors to choose from and you also choose the color of the embroidery! How cool!

You can learn more about Karen and her crafts at http://soandsewcrafty.blogspot.com/

Artist Feature - VALERIE MUNGIA

Valerie Mungia, aka Wanderlust & Pixie Dust, hails from Riverside, CA. Valerie's love of world travel, antiques, ephemera, and anything and everything vintage is evident in all of her handcrafted goodies.

The ephemera piece, featured above, is especially cool! As a little girl I loved Holly Hobby! Somehow and somewhere, Valerie has discovered some vintage Holly Hobby wrapping paper. Wouldn't this make an ordinary gift just so much more special?

You can purchase the Holly Hobby wrapping paper for only $3.50 USD in her Etsy shop (wanderlustNpixiedust.etsy.com) along with other special treasures.

Learn more about Valerie at http://wanderlustnpixiedust.typepad.com/

More Artists to Come!

My 90 Artist Features have only just begun! There is so much talent yet to be discovered and I will return to my Features shortly (promise!).

However, as life and business sometimes collide, I have been very busy preparing for a Craft Show this weekend and tying-up loose ends before we head off on our BIG family vacation.

So, have no fear! I will promptly return to my Artist Features as soon as life slows down just a little :)

Artist Feature - ANNA of A ROSE BY NAME

A member of the ETSY Bead Weavers Street Team, Cleveland Rocks Street Team and Boomers and Beyond Street Team, avid military supporter, wife and mother of two teenagers...Anna is one busy woman! Anna hails from Akron, OH, and has been bead weaving for several years, admitting that as time has passed the designs have become more intricate and the beads even tinier.

The Bead Woven bracelet, "Geometric Gemtones" featured above, is available in Anna's Etsy shop (http://arosebyname.etsy.com/) and is listed for $40 USD. I think this bracelet is exceptional for a few reasons: L-O-V-E the pattern, the colors are perfect, the square button is the perfect finishing detail that really defines the quality of this piece.

To learn more about Anna, visit her blogs: http://arosebyname.blogspot.com/ and http://arosebyname.wordpress.com/

Artist Feature - ABBI CARICCO

Located in the mountains of western Virginia, Abbi Caricco (aka Lunachick) is a jewelry artisan and chainmailler. She strives to make unique and one-of-a-kind pieces showcasing intriguing gems and interesting shapes then coupling them with more traditional materials like sterling silver, aluminum and brass.

A few examples of her chainmailling talents and use of unique gemstones can be seen above. The chainmaille piece is a Steel Byzantine Patterned bracelet and can be purchased for $15 USD. The Peruvian Pink Opal necklace can be purchased for $25 USD. Both pieces can be found at http://lunachick.etsy.com/

Artist Feature - SPARKLY STRANDZ

Located in Friendswood TX, Sparkly Strandz began making jewelry more than 10 years ago. It all began while in college when a family friend, who was also a jeweler, taught her how to string/knot pearls. In addition, Sparkly has been crocheting for over 25 years! The combination of her talents are used to create wonderful and sensible crafts.

An example of her crochet work can be seen above. The adorable little Cowgirl Booties can be found in her Etsy shop (http://sparklystrandz.etsy.com/) for $12 USD and come in pink, lavender, black, and white and are available in sizes 0 - 9 months.

Artist Feature - EVA ESPIRITU

Eva Espititu (aka Alilsumptinsumptin) is an avid animal lover and proudly donates a portion of her sales to help animals in need. So far this year, Eva has raised and donated over $1,000 USD to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to help support their cause of ending cruelty to animals.

In addition, Eva enjoys creating one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry creations and has been doing so for about three years. Her love of whimsy and lampworked beads is deftly expressed throughout her jewelry designs. Each lampworked glass bead is truly art in miniature.

“Grrr, Wild Thing 2” is featured above and can be purchased from Alilsumptinsumptin’s Etsy shop for $70 USD. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this choker style necklace will be donated to HSUS! To see more of Eva’s work, go to http://alilsumptinsumptin.etsy.com/

Artist Feature - MY FAIRY BABIES

Hyla is the driving force behind My Fairy Babies and Faewood Creations. A mother of three and located in Weedsport, NY, Hyla creates adorable little fairy-themed plushies and whimsical jewelry designs!

Hyla has been offering her creations on Etsy since June 2007 and is a proud member of the Fantasy Artists of Etsy who specialize in Celtic, Medieval, fairy tales, and invented creatures.

Hyla is also very proud to announce that she was the winner of the Fantastic Fall Fantasies Contest! Her doll “Guinevere: The Queen Autumn Fairy” was the winning entry! Guinevere, pictured above, can be purchased in her Etsy shop (http://myfairybabies.etsy.com/) for $15 USD. Additionally, Hyla’s “After the Rain Fairy Earrings", also pictured above, can be purchased in her other Etsy shop (http://faewoodcreations.etsy.com/) for $20 USD.

Artist Feature - PATRICIA VENER

Patricia Vener (aka Silver Dragon Designs), in my opinion, is a beadweaver extraordinaire! The details and precision in her work is beyond words. I can only imagine the time and patience she must have to accomplish these wonderful miniature works of art.

A resident of Handen, CT, Patricia originally hails from New York state. It was while in NY at the tender age of four, she visited a local museum. Mesmerized by the textile and beadwork of Native Americans, she knew art was in her future.

Patricia's path as an artist, however, was a combination of both fine arts and performing arts. She is a retired ballerina as well as a published artist, having done illustrations for a CD picture book, “Papa Cardinal Finds Breakfast” by Sandra Wellborn. If dancing, drawing, painting and beadweaving weren't enough, Patricia also hold a Masters Degree in Astrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY and has worked as an astronomer and still teaches astronomy as an adjunct professor for University of Maryland University College!

The piece featured above, "Red Sky at Night" incorporates a Russian variation of the Peyote stitch. The earrings can be purchased in her Etsy shop (http://silverdragon.etsy.com/) for $80 USD. To learn more about Patricia, read her Blog at http://vener-art.com/

Artist Feature - REN ADAMS

A traditional Chinese brush painter, Ren Adams (aka PlasticPumpkin) calls Albuquerque, New Mexico home. Ren works in a variety of mediums: mixed media assemblages, pencil, marker, acrylic, Chinese brush painting, watercolor, oil pastel, pen & ink, and just about any material that isn't nailed down.

Having limited exposure in graphic arts, I found this statement to be particularly insightful, "While some artists shun people who work 'across the board,' I embrace and explore the inherent differences between artistic mediums. Each speaks its own language, offers its own native terrain, and awakens the senses in enjoyable ways." Well said!

To learn more about the artist, visit Ren's Etsy shop (http://plasticpumpkin.etsy.com/). The painting, "Trio of Sea Nettles" featured above can be purchased for $40 USD.

Artist Feature - ANNE DUNDAS

Being a jeweler myself, I can truly appreciate the work of a fellow jeweler. Anne Dundas does a superb job of creating colorful and chic works of adornment!

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Anne has been creating jewelry since 2004. However, her talents do not stop at jewelry, Anne also is a lampworker; creating colorful and whimsical art in molten glass. Believe it or not, her talents do not stop there either. Anne also does graphic design! You can see examples of her design work here: http://www.annedundas.com/graphics/

The piece, "Moon Glow", pictured above, features dyed purple moonstone and a handmade Byzantine chain in sterling silver. The necklace can be purchased in her Etsy shop (http://annedundas.etsy.com/) for $215 USD. Simply gorgeous!

You can learn more about Anne and her many talents here: www.annedundas.com/blog

90 Artists in 90 Days

I hope I have piqued your interest over the past week with my Artist Features. But, are you scratching your head wondering what all the Artist Features are about? Well, let me take a moment to explain.....

As many of you know, I have a virtual shop on Etsy.com where I currently market my jewelry. Etsy has grown substantially over the past two years and continues to grow everyday. In the spirit of community, a number of Etsy members joined in the 90 Artists in 90 Days Challenge. The goal is to have 90 participants feature one of the other 90 participants in his or her Blog each day. It’s kind of like a “meet you neighbor” activity. Not only are the 90 participants getting to know each other better, but the readers of each of the 90 Blogs are also getting to know the Etsy crafters on a more personal level.

So, I hope you will stay tuned and get to know the remaining 90 artists and crafters just a little better!

Artist Feature - EARMARK INVITATIONS

Headed up by Bridgette and Mike, Earmark Invitations aims to "Create Happiness" in paper. And I must admit, many of their designs did put a smile on my face!

But don't be fooled by their name, invitations are not their only product. Greeting cards, personalized journals, and even pencils can be found in their Etsy Shop, Http://earmark.etsy.com/

In fact, the adorable Apple Pencils (pictured above) can be purchased for only $1.00 USD. Wouldn't that make a teacher's day?

If you ever need personalized greeting card, birthday cards or note card sets, they will be more than happy to accommodate your needs. Oh, and those birthday cards....for $7.50 they will use the names, text, colors and/or images that you would like! How special would your recipient feel?

You can learn more about Earmark Invitations at: http://eigreetings.blogspot.com/

Artist Feature - GINNY HEADLEY MASERANG

Texas resident and jewelry designer, Ginny Maserang, strives to create unique and original works of art jewelry. Rarely making the same piece twice, Ginny prides herself in creating beautiful jewelry by using semiprecious gemstones, wire, and glass. She carefully chooses the colors, textures, and materials to create balance and richness in her designs.

The necklace featured above is entitled, "Olive Branch, Tree of Peace" can be purchased for $93 USD in Ginny's Etsy shop (http://thatsheadley.etsy.com/). This exquisite necklace features freshwater pearls, citrine, serpentine, and apatite gemstones. A true work of art!

To learn more about Ginny and That's Headley, visit her blog at http://thatsheadley.blogspot.com

Artist Feature - TIFFANY TESKE

Tiffany Teske has loved photography since she was 7 years old, though it would be many years before the shutter bug’s bite would truly take hold.

Tiffany studied ballet, creative writing, and art in high school but did not take photography classes. Instead, she was in the “after school photography club" and was taught by a science teacher how to use the darkroom. Some the chemicals got into her blood and after roaming the US for 5 years (Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, & New York) she settled in the small town of Carrabassett Valley, Maine. While there, Tiffany decided to go to the University for.... nursing? Well, she did start the pre-requisite courses, but luckily fate stepped in! After one summer color printing course and some credit mishaps on the University’s part, she switched her major to photography. Tiffany graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta with both an Associate of Arts in Photography (Magna cum Laude) in 2000 and a Bachelor of Arts Joint BA in Art and Photography (Magna cum Laude) in 2002.

During this time she met her future husband, who was from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Tiffany now resides in Banff, Alberta, Canada, with their toddler, Quinlyn.

The photo above is entitled "NYC Tulips" and can be purchased for $30 USD on Tiffany's Etsy shop (http://tiffanyteske.etsy.com/).

She explains the process used to create this amazing photograph here: "To begin this unique photographic art I capture an image on slide film. The slide is then projected onto Polaroid pack film which is peeled prematurely. The “waste” side of the film pack, which contains processing chemicals, is then placed face down onto wet watercolour paper and brayed (rolled over with a print making brayer). The result is a one-of-a-kind hand-pulled photographic transfer of the original slide image. The original image can be transferred an unlimited number of times but the resulting transfer will always vary from the last. Each transfer is approximately 3 ½” by 4” in size and is hand signed (both on the image and the mat). This transfer comes with a hand cut, acid free, museum quality archival mat, which has outer dimensions of 8x10."

Artist Feature - STUDIO MARCY

Marcy Lamberson is a glass artist from Atlanta, Georgia. She loves making people smile through her whimsical beads and sculptures. Even her pieces have funny and whimsical names. Take for example the bead in the photo above. It is entitled: "Do Not Get KOI With Me." Oh, that puts a smile on my face!

Marcy uses a 2000 degree (yikes, that's HOT) torch and most of her glass comes from Murano, Italy. Every one of her pieces is kiln annealed for durability.

Marcy teaches and enjoys taking on custom commissions. She works out of her sun room studio overlooking a garden and wildlife. Marcy adds new beads almost daily to her Etsy Shop, so stop by often. The Koi Bead, pictured above, is for sale in her Etsy shop for $16 USD. You can see more fantastic beads at: http://studiomarcy.etsy.com/