I found a geek ... in her own words

Here is Cate, she is addicted to metal.

"Before I moved to Atlanta, I was a volunteer firefighter and search and rescue specialist. I had a real reason to spent hours hiking in the woods training with my K9. I love the woods and nature. Thanks to a deeply ingrained gallows humor, I really like the occasional odd or dark thing.

After moving to Atlanta, I found myself with lots of free time and discovered a wonderful studio near my house that would let me fill in the gap of the tools and knowledge I do not yet have. I tend to work a little every night in my own studio (spare bedroom) and go buy an hour or two at the local studio every so often.

I love metalwork, and really love copper. It is so warm and yielding. I love the concept of being about to paint it with flames (yes, I know the scientific reason it reacts, but it's so much cooler to say flame painting!) and I love combining it with other materials like sterling and steel.

I still have a day job--database administrator--and metalsmithing is my escape back from the empty world of data. I sometimes drive myself crazy by thinking about the fact that what I do all day is manipulate stuff that doesn't exist. Think about it. All the data out there is simply little on and off charges on a metal platter. I think I feel a need to do something *real* and that's what drives me to the very real and tactile world of metalsmithing."

"Yes, I am a geek. My favorite TV show is Big Bang Theory and my favorite game is Warcraft, in which I am a miner and get to smelt metal while fighting evildoers.

I'm also very proud to like rainbow items ;)
Visit her shop
I use a variety of high quality items to make my treasures. My taste runs to the organic and funky side of things, and you'll find that most of my jewelry reflects that. I use sterling and fine silver, copper, brass, gemstones, steel, and other cool stuff."

handwritten notes?

Do people still write handwritten notes to each one another, they'd better ecause this stationery is the most wonderful and tasteful I have seen in a long time.
Here is what the designer says:

My work is designed to be something that one person gives to another. I'm lucky to have a craft that has a personal role in people's lives, and that can so easily become a part of the story of people's lives together. Gifts are imbued with all sorts of symbolic significance in every culture, and I'm always interested in the stories that people tell me about how they've used my cards -- who it was for, why they picked that particular card, why it touches them in some special way. Giving a handmade card is an act of intimacy since it is touched by very few hands-- the hands of the maker, the sender, the recipient. Being its creator allows me a role in a beautiful ritual.

It feels good to be the recipient of hand-written correspondence: no matter what the occasion -- there's a strong emotional connection during the moments of anticipation, and when it is held and read; the mystery of what's inside the envelope, wondering what prompted someone to stop everything else in their life and focus for a few minutes on writing this note. Your full attention for a few minutes is a very special kind of gift to another person, in a hand-written note that moment becomes frozen in time.

A handwritten note and its words can be touched by both sender and receiver and is always intimate; a handcrafted card is one that is created with these things in mind, and it is very likely the only one of its kind. Its maker sculpts the card from paper and other elements into a montage that is simultaneously an act of self-expression awaiting an act of overlaying it with new meaning in the giving from sender to receiver and used for one, specific moment in time.

Get shopping

great illustrations and more, from Montreal

A multitalented artistm from Montreal:Her name is Valérie Parizeault and she is a Canadian Illustrator & designer from Montreal. I am also the owner of Rose Flash, Playfully spirited Jewelry (www.roseflash.ca), a graphic designer AND an art teacher. I live a very busy life! C'est la vie!

Inspired by whimsical moments, children’s universes, friendship and mignonneries, I am truly living my dream life as an artist with my husband-cherie by my side and my black cat Tokyo (nicknamed minou) on my keyboard. Also, I am:

- A Treehugger, a chocolate passionate, a coffee conoisseur (I've work several years as a Prima barista), a French Canadian, a daydreamer, a wannabe yoga wiz (not there yet!), a good cook...

I love: Feist & Coral Egan (singers), reading really late, antiques of all sorts(I collect them), all things graphic design-related, especially typo, shoes, graphic patterns, blogging and taking pictures.

she dislikes: the word hate, electronic cords, talking on the phone, the smell of celeri, waiting in line, beer, over talkers and drama queens.

blog: http://pot-aux-roses.blogspot.com

business-tip http://bitethebusiness.blogspot.com
freelance graphic design job: http://www.design.roseflash.ca
jewelry line: http://www.roseflash.ca

Time to commission new pieces:)

Sorry - PMS

A brand new idea, fro people with a Great SOH.
Ever yelled at your family or significant other because you hurt so bad?
Ever thrown the remote control or possibly the cat at their face when they offered you ice cream?
Here's your way to say sorry!


These cards can be also made wuth your own words and pictures.

MAde by KAtie who says:

I'm a smalltime, jewelry, clothing and purse maker who wants to share her style with the world!
I'm from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and every year I try to make it out to the surrounding Folk Festivals to sell my product. I've gone the last two years and really hope to make it out again in 2008!
I try to make my clothing and purses out of recycled materials. Anything from tablecloths, to pillowcases, to reused LP record covers. This not only gives my items a vintage feel, but it helps the environment, and what more do you need?

Macrame is all the rage

Now, an interview with Erika, the designer behind all the lovely items found in this shop

- How did you get started ?
I get started knotting when i was very young, watching the other girls braiding their scooby doo at school. Starting to braid my scooby doos on my own, i continued trying the japanese tecnique of kumihimo and the european chain mail, realizing a true iron chain mail for a role games player. Not much time ago i have a found an old book about chochet, sew and macrame, and now i'm in love with the macrame, because i consider it the king of all knotting arts.

- Where are you from?
I'm from Italy. I live in a city in the centre of the state, in a valley sorrounded by the Appennini mountains.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?
Some, like the knotted bracelets, are unique, and some are "limited edition", knowing that the general shape can be the same, but there are some differences between the items that make unique every object i made ^^

- How long have you been doing it?
One year...i have discovered my artistic side quite late and i have so much to learn!

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
This is only a beautiful hobby for me...it helps me to have the mind free from problems.

- What inspires you?
I don't know ^^ I can answer that all inspires me...a chat with my friends, a song...i have a lot of ideas, and i can't make all with macrame! I have an exercise book where i write the patterns and the ideas that now i can't realize for a future use.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why?
My favourite piece is Gabriel, the tiny earring angel. Soon i will realize the pendant and other earrings with other colors' beads!

- How do you promote your work?
I have opened a lot of blogs, and i'm trying to promote the others shops to promote the mine ^^ Karma tells us to give before receiving ^^

- Where are you showing your work?
I show my work in my DaWanda shop , in my english blog and in my italian blog ...I have also other blogs, but these are the my favourite blogs.

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started?
To be patient and to have more items to show ^^ i have learned this on my own.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?
The same above ^^

- anything else you'd like to add?
I'm searching other macrame artists...i want to make up-to-date this art: my idea is to stop with the lace of our grandma! ^^

So if any of you is a macrame addict and wants to discuss their art, do contact her.
Her blog http://knotsme.blogspot.com

Simply Said...

"Sarah Orton is a graphic design student in North Carolina. Her flair for design stems from a lifelong interest in crafts and her pieces demonstrate a fun spin on a contemporary sense of style. Encouraged by the requests she’d begun to receive from fellow employees and friends, Sarah decided to combine her creativity with her business sense, and Simply Said by Sarah was born. Each piece is handcrafted and unique, and is sure to add a tasteful touch of originality to your home!"

celtic goddess

A shop full of jewelry with a celtic feel
from tiaras to bracelets... and even some handmade mushrooms made of wool



please visit http://celticgoddessjewelry.etsy.com

about the owner:
Celtic Goddess Jewelry was started in early 2001, and has been selling on etsy for 2 years and counting! My name is Andee Harston, a Buddhist pagan living in the Orlando area. I sell celtic and pagan inspired jewelry, art and bath and body products.

Art has always been prevalent in my life. I love to draw, paint, sculpt, make jewelry, make bath and body products and most recently, photography. I am influenced by spiritual learning, nature, goddess and celtic imagery. I identify very strongly with my celtic heritage.

Indigo Luna - or Blue Moon

Meet Rachel Kitterman, an art addict.
primary passion is fabric and she has been making art quilts and dolls for over a decade now.
a love of paper, altered art, mixed-media, knitting, crocheting, jewelry, artist books, photography...pretty much, if it will hold still, she'll make art out of it.

For all things geeky, nerdy, goth and quirky, visit her other shop http://blessedarethegeek.etsy.com

She also writes on her blog at http://indigoluna.typepad.com

Love Spell

Ever wished your dreams could just come true?
They might just happen with a bit of help and magic :)
I present here a love spell by Summer sea Herbs



With many years experience as a medical Herbalist, and many more as a practicing Green witch, all her products are made with great care and skill.

Whether you want a delicious tea or need an incense blend to assist in magical workings, you can be confident that she has taken great care in blending your item. All her medicinal and magical formulas are tried and true, developed from the personal needs of her community over the years.

a little brown bird told me...

Wondering what to get as a gift to a young mom?
Look no further, this creator has many cute and delightful choices in her shop



Mary Ryan is an Interior Design Consultant by day and a Jewelry Artist every other waking moment.

Tell us about yourself
I am an adventure seeker and traveler and always hungry to discover new things. I have been greatly influenced by my travels and the amazing people I have met along the way. Having zip-lined through the cloud forest canopies of Costa Rica, jumped off of a bridge into the Urubamba River in Peru, hiked the Andes to Machu Picchu, traveled Death Road in Bolivia, and driven the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago...I have learned that life is something to be embraced with all senses. I believe life and art hold the same truths...that it must not only be viewed, but heard, touched, smelled, and tasted with an open heart, an open mind, and always with an open-mouthed hearty guffaw.

We particularly like this pendant which can display a name of your choice


She has a variety of collections to complement any style and price point for young girls to women. and will happily accept orders for custom sizing or a change in clasp or ear post/wire on any of her pieces