Eclectic Etsy Shop

There are so many things that I want to learn and create. I've added metal and enamel to my list of interests. (leather is on the list as well) I'm afraid that my etsy shop is beginning to look a bit eclectic....embroidery, vintage and now metal. I'm not sure if it hurts or hinders sales. I kind of think of it as an interesting boutique with items from many different mediums.

When I began metalworking my intention was to marry metal and hand embroidery, which I've done in some of the pieces, but I also like creating just metal/enamel pieces. I don't think of myself as lacking focus, more that I want to create many different things. Eventually combining to create something unusual and beautiful. I really don't want to open two more Etsy shops to keep everything separate. Do you think it matters?

This necklace, the fern, was on its way to become a cloisonne piece, but I found that I loved the dimension and texture. So much so that I couldn't bear to sand it down to level the surface. It's a pretty substantial piece, 2" x 1.5. It's my first completed piece of enamel/semi-cloisonne jewelry and the first time I've used liver of sulfer to patina something. Boy does that stuff stink!

Once I created the fern I had a vision of how I wanted to set it and even though my metalworking skills are pretty new, it came out pretty much the way I intended. I really like its organic nature look and it fits into steampunk aesthetic as well. Keep an eye on my Etsy shop...I have two more pieces that I'm getting ready to bezel set.

What is it about Handmade

Visiting a site like Etsy provides you with many choices in handmade items. With each click there are so many things to ohhhh and ahhhh over. To wonder how they did that...  evoke memories from your childhood... inspire you to learn a new art.  Each and every handmade item began with an idea.  The final product that you see may involve hours, days or weeks to create because the finished creation is more then the result.

The idea may have hit that person while taking a walk, kept them awake because they were so excited to create, or began as an experiment with new materials. Shopping for the "just right" materials or sorting through their own coveted stash to create a very special creation. Spending hours to get the exact beading pattern, color combination, stitches placed just right, putting together and taking apart. So when you see something that was hand created, by the person with the idea, take a moment and consider all of the facets of the result.

Ideas are valuable to the artist and crafts person. Ideas are the "gold" they keep in their safety deposit box. It may be easy to say, "oh I can make that" when you see something on Etsy or at an art fair, but how easy would it have been to make if you hadn't come across someone else's "gold." The ideas that are being "borrowed" by mass producers is taking the livelihood away from artists and crafters. Their profit margins have been challenged because the consumer can now find that same item for half the price and no heart.

Handmade is subtle differences. It is knowing that a person came up with an idea and then they sat and created the item you hold in your hands. It wasn't stamped out from dies and molds. It didn't travel down an assembly line being put together by underpaid workers. It didn't get packaged up without any thought about you the purchaser. Handmade has a face and a set of hands.

Featured in Cross Stitch and Needlework

 

I was  so excited when I was contacted by Cross-Stitch & Needlework for a "Fab Find" feature in their May issue!  This feature is for my Wildflower Romance Cuff Kit.  This kit includes all of the materials and embroidery floss to create this cuff yourself.  This would make a great gift for mom, sister or best friend.

However, if you don't have the time to create your own cuff....you can always find a completed cuff in my shop.

Keep watching my blog and Etsy shop for a brand new kit!

Buckminster Fuller Dymaxion Car

A few weeks ago I finished another of my Invention Series hand embroidered pieces. I have admired the creative genius of Buckminster Fuller since I was in high school and learned of him in science class. This vehicle has piqued my interest since that time and I thought it would be the perfect invention to create in embroidery.

Above I told you that I made this a few weeks ago, well this is not the original. I was going to write a post about it but it sold before I could do so. I could have posted anyway, but I really wanted to have one available before I posted it in my Etsy shop.

Well here it is.

B. Fuller only made three of these vehicles and there is only one in existence and I think it is in a restoration process. This amazing car only had three wheels and was shaped like a tear drop to cut down on wind resistance. It could go 120 miles per hour and got about 30 miles to the gallon. Who would think that this 20 foot long, 6 feet tall, 1600 pound whale could do better with gas mileage then some of our more "efficient" cars? It was more like a bus then a car and I'm sure some moms would appreciate that it could carry 10 people easily. It would be a challenge to park!

Etsy Project Embrace Storque Feature

If you are a regular visitor you have seen me feature creations by many of the talented members of Etsy Project Embrace. Now, it is my pleasure to let you know that this wonderful team has been featured in Etsy's Storque. Click on the picture and get the story as to why those two lovely ladies are such an important piece of the history...as well as many others!

The last time I reported how much has been raised by this team it was around $10,000, so happy to say that we have almost reached our next goal of $12,000.

Woo Hoo.

Pretty Little Houses All In A Row

I saw these little porcelain houses on the front page of Etsy a few weeks ago and fell in love with them. They are tiny, bright and beautiful. I also got some tiny little square buttons as well. They are also bright and cute! Do you want to know what shop I got them from? Well I got them from Hodge Podge Arts. I am so delighted with them and can't wait to get started on the project I have in mind. They came very well packaged with no worry about breakage...and the shop owner is an absolute delight.

Oh, if only there were more hours in the day....I have a long, long list of ideas!

Did YOU Vote Yet?

My Snow Candy cuff is in the current Etsy Voter.


I would be ever so happy if you would stop by and vote for my cuff. I can't promise to lower taxes, raise wages, or fix the economy or health care, but I will be grateful! Don't let chocolate candies or skull cookies win! Thanks for your vote!

Etsy Shades of Ruby Gift Guide

My tatted Rose and Embroidered Hearts Wrist Cuff was chosen to be in this

months gift guide on Etsy

Queen Anne's Lace Fiber Necklace

Several people have suggested that I make necklaces based on my embroidery designs and this is my first attempt. I seem to be enamored with Queen Anne's Lace at the moment!

The necklace is 18" in length, so for many people it would fit like a choker. The pendant is approximately 2" x 2". It's very soft against the neckline. I used an old crochet technique that my mom taught me to make the "chain" tube. I added small crochet circles with glass bead embellishments and used buttons to attach the pendent. By using buttons and a neutral "chain" I have made this so that pendents can be interchanged. This necklace and my bracelets make a nice alternative to jewelry if you happen to have allergic reactions to metals.

You can find this necklace along with my bracelets and rings in my Etsy shop.

Thank You! Featured in Etsy Storque!

Thanks to everyone who voted for my Queen Anne's Lace Cuff. I won! Woo Hoo!

One of the best things that you can do if your creations are not getting the attention that they deserve is to cruise through the Storque articles on Etsy. There are so many articles that help you with taking photos, writing descriptions, promoting... The Etsy Sellers Handbook is one of the best things to read to help you jumpstart your sales. You may think that you've done everything possible to sell your items, but believe me this handbook will show you that there are many other things that you should try. One thing that you really need to be is honest about are your photos. Customers can't reach in and touch your beautiful creations they need something to draw them in, make them want to read your creatively written description, and then buy your creation.

Also, don't forget to visit the virtual labs. Take some time and sit in on one of the "On-the-fly" workshops. It is so much fun and if you want some constructive criticism place your avatar in one of the hot seats (get in one before everyone else) and one of the admin's will help you make your shop the best it can be.

Here's the page that shows how the voting was tallied for the shop makeover series. There were 21 winners and these are the creations that received 50 or more votes. It was very close and that gnome hat is soooo adorable!

Please Vote for my Queen Anne's Lace Cuff on Etsy

I'm so excited!!!!

I was informed today that my cuff has been put in the mix of items that can be voted on to be in the Etsy gift guides and a Storque article, "Shop Makeover, Sellers Top Items." So, if you would be so kind to vote for my cuff it would be greatly appreciated. It's the same cuff that I described a few weeks ago, if you want more information about Queen Anne's Lace just click and you can read my previous post.

After The Storm!

While it is absolutely no fun to recreate your blog, Stormy Designs has created a beautiful blog once again! Stormy makes beautiful polymer clay jewelry. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces...naming just a few of the wonderful creations you will find in her Etsy shop. OH, and you can't miss the dragons! Make sure you stop by....she is also having an April sale so that you can buy more for less! Stormy is a member of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team...come and visit us!

Artist Series - Sewphisticate

Sewphisticate has been such a wonderful resource in the forums for everyone who has questions. She was also recently featured in a Storque article on Etsy discussing the trials and tribulations of making one of the most important dresses in a woman's life, her wedding dress! Look at the range of creations that Genevieve makes, business card holders, her own creative origami take out box bag, beautiful chain mail, hammered copper...and don't you just love those berets?

1. When did you become interested in art and did you choose art, or did it choose you?

I have always worked with my hands in some way, but never considered myself an artist. When I was in early grade school, my Mom put me in this great summer camp that had a ton of activities planned. I went to music classes and acting classes and even got to be a runway model for Winnie the Pooh clothes by Sears. It was a lot of fun. But I dreaded and hated the art classes. My work never looked like everyone else's and the teacher was constantly correcting my technique and criticizing my results.

My older brother is a wonderful artist and I could never ever compete with his skill or vision. When I was six, I was given a package of Origami papers and a little basic book. I loved it and spent many happy hours folding paper. I discovered yarn when I was about eight or so and taught myself to finger weave, loom weave, crochet and knit. I tried cross stitch, needlepoint, plastic canvas and latch hook. It was not until I was about 12 or so that I discovered my Mom's sewing machine and fabric stash. I discovered a pre-printed pillow panel that was exactly the same as the pillow my older brother had had on his bed for as long as I could remember. His pillow was literally falling apart, so I cut out and stitched up a new pillow for him and stuffed it with his old pillow. I gave it to him for his birthday and he said it was the nicest thing I had ever done for him.

But for me, the sound and smell of that old sewing machine, the magical way it worked and the rhythm of needle going up and down wove a spell on me that has lingered throughout the rest of my life. I love fabric, color, texture and sewing. I can't imagine not being surrounded by my tools and bins of fabrics. When I am sad, I go to the fabric store. When I am stressed out, I pull out a new project. When I am depressed, I look through pattern books and get inspiration to design my wardrobe. I still don't think of myself as an artist, but rather an artisan. My Dad is an engineer and I find that I approach my work much the same way he does. I have an idea and then I try to figure out how to make it happen. It's not about beauty or artistic expression, but rather how to manipulate my materials in such a way that I get the result I want. The beauty is there simply because my materials are beautiful, not because of my talent or skill.

2. You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about or do?

Wow! That's a pretty tough question. There are just so many to choose from. Artist - Mozart! I would love to spend a weekend with Mozart and just listen to his music the way he wrote it. He was so crazy that I have no idea what we would talk about. But, I woud love to ask him what he thinks about when he isn't writing music. I listen to Mozart when I am struggling through design elements. He got me through all of my math and science classes and I just think better when I listen to his music. Writer - Anne McCaffrey. I guess technically she's not an historical figure, but I don't really enjoy reading the classics. The worlds she created in the books of Pern and her Crystal Singer series were my refuge when my own life was too difficult to handle. High school was a terror for me and I could often be found curled up in a corner somewhere reading the adventures of Lessa or Menolly. Other - Jesus. I would love the opportunity to just ask all the questions and get the answers directly from Him.

3. Do any of these choices influence your work? and why?

Well, I am not sure. I do know that every ounce of talent I have is a gift from God, so in that light, yes, everything I do is directly influenced by Him. Mozart is a genius and his music has the ability to help me process through difficult problems. It's as if my mind is a train and his music is the track. Without it, I wander aimlessly and often crash. As for Ms. McCaffrey, her heroines are brave, spunky and overcome tremendous odds just because they persevere. No matter how terrible the circumstances of my life, I know that if I keep trying and maintain my own sense of honor and integrity, then I, too, will persevere.



4. How has the popularity of the internet affected your work?

The ability to research techniques, tools, ideas, inspirations, supplies, etc. is completely invaluable to me. I have tried things I never would have known of without the internet. And of course, there is the addiction of Etsy. My Hubby is threatening to take my wireless connection away from me if I don't come to dinner soon.

5. Have you discovered any new technique to creating your work that you can share?

As a self-taught seamstress, most of my favorite techniques are my own ideas. The most recent discovery I have made has me so thrilled I cannot adequately express my joy and excitement. It involves putting a bias binding on an odd shaped item. The bias is made from special occasion fabrics, like satin, taffeta, crepe, etc. which does not hold its shape as well as cotton. I like very clean, uncluttered lines in my work and get extremely frustrated when I cannot achieve this. After many frustrating hours and several ruined projects, I finally came up with this solution:

a. cut the bias 4 times the finished width. these fabrics stretch quite a bit, so you really need the extra width.

b. sew the binding in place by aligning a single raw edge of the binding with the edge of the project, right side of the binding against the back side of the project

c. fold binding over the edge and press into place

d. stitch in the ditch from the back side of the project. this will secure the binding in place on the front

e. trim the excess raw edge on the front side of the project close to the stitching line from the previous step

f. place a narrow decorative ribbon or trim along the stitching line and stitch into place. The result is a nice clean finished project on both sides. Beautiful!

6. How do you overcome artist block?

I change my materials/techniques frequently. I sew, coppersmith, chainmaille, bead, crochet, knit, tat, Origami. When I hit a dead end with one of these, I just pick up a different material and work with it for a while. When I am really stuck, bored, or uninspired, I go to the library or bookstore and hang out in the crafting section reading books. Even books that I have already read can provide new inspiration. I also go shopping in stores that carry work that I admire...jewelry stores, fabric stores, small boutiques, etc. Just touching finely made items can spark my own creativity.

7. If I walked into your studio this moment what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

LOL! The first thing I would show you are the pictures of my children which hang directly behind my sewing machine. I would want to hide my mess...LOL! As for my work...I would want to show you everything.

8. Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience.

My wire work has evolved over the years. But I started working with wire because my Dad is an electrical engineer and I used to go work with him. He had these huge spools of colored wire that he would let me play with and I made rings, woven bracelets and necklaces and hairbands. My Husband is a blacksmith and I have started hammering heavy gauge wire, using black smithing techniques to get the results I want.




9. Describe what you do, or who you are in a haiku.

crap...haiku...uh...i actually do write poetry and song lyrics, but haikus are my personal bane....

fragile bud blossoms
exposing hidden beauty
life begins anew

10. Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I would like to offer a little piece of advice to any young people who are unsure of who they are or what they are supposed to be doing in their life. I grew up in a family that was highly educated and professional. My Mom is an RN, CNM, PhD and my Dad is an EE with a masters. I never had any interest in regular college, nor did I want a desk job...ever! I loved to work with my hands and I was told my whole life that I would have to grow up at some point and 'do something' with my life. It has taken me until now (I will be 40 this year) to realize that working with my hands is not just something...it is everything! If I had the opportunity to do my early adult years over again, I would attend some of the specialized folk art schools, like John C Campbell in North Carolina and learn from masters in all the fields I am interested in. Art is not just music or dance or painting or sketching...art is life and it exists in metal, fiber, wood, fabric, color, texture. If you love to work with your hands, then DO IT!