Stone Age

Meet the designer of Berry Patch Designs.

"I love to combine the varying colors and textures of the natural world. There are so many feelings and places to love about our world!

The materials I use in my jewelry are those that remind me of those places and feelings: turquoise, jasper and agate in their infinite varieties, other semiprecious gems, like amazonite's soft greens, garnet's rich wine colors, bronzite's gold-flecked chocolate depths. High quality man-made glass and metal beads join in the visual symphony; they have their own brightness and feelings to contribute.

Hearing and seeing that people enjoy wearing my jewelry is one of the best things about designing jewelry.

in addition to http://berrypatchdesigns.etsy.com/, visit my "alter-ego" and "alternate reality" shop:
http://www.undercurrent.etsy.com/

New designs are always in the works. I love designing jewelry and work constantly to develop new skills and improve existing ones. "

Jewelry and Gifts

Here is Staci and she is an artist living and growing in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She says"

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoyed making it."

Staci Rose Designs - all pieces are original, hand-made, and one of a kind: Original Oil Paintings, Handmade Jewelry, Decorated Picture Frames and Mirrors, Judaica, and more great gift ideas! Custom orders welcome! Just contact her.

Be sure to visit Staci Rose Designs Blog for updated information on her work!

Funky, Stylish and Unusual

Let's meet Amanda Giesler, a talented student from Canada.

- How did you get started ?
I've really been crafty my whole life ~ I remember stringing beads so that I could have a beaded curtain for my room. :) Then through high school friends and boy friend became a priority. It wasn't until my 3rd year of university that I started crafting again. I found a wiki tutorial for making notebooks, and I loved it!! Then I was inspired by a friends necklace (http://pinkkiwi.etsy.com/ / http://jellybeans.etsy.com/ ) to make my button bracelets ~ and I haven't stopped since! She was also introduced me to Etsy and made me want to open up shop.

- Where are you from?
I'm from Verner, Ontario, Canada. This is a really small town, mostly french, and my parents own a tourist camp (now shut down) about 10 min out of town. So I grew up on around 100 acres of country / fields, on the river. It was great, but it really didn't offer me any opportunities to further my education (I'm a science geek), so I moved to Hamilton to go to McMaster for my second year of University. I'm now finishing up my 5th year (co-op program added on an extra year), writing my thesis and getting ready to do my Master's / PhD.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?
All of my creations are one of a kind. I have a limited amount of paper, embellishments and buttons in any one colour or design, so I can't reproduce any of my items exactly the same.

- How long have you been doing it?

I've only been making bracelets and notebooks for a little over a year. When I was younger, I drew a lot, played with beads, made wreaths and dolls and such.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
This is really just a hobby ~ I'm a full time student and nerd. :P

- What inspires you?
My friend (http://jellybeans.etsy.com/), all of my supplies (beads, paper, embellishments) and random things, like the smell of coffee, the cloud in the sky or the play of light on water.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why?
My favourite things change with my mood. But right now, my favourite item is "tip-toe through the tulips" chain and beaded bracelet (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7848146

). I spent quite a bit of time on this getting it just right, and it looks soooooo pretty on. I love how the chain makes soft music when you move. And the colours are just gorgeous!

- How do you promote your work?

Through my blog (ulixis.blogspot.com), the forums occasionally (asking for trades), weloveetsy.com, indiepublic.com and facebook on occasion, family and friends. I really need to promote more, but I'm so busy with school...

- Where are you showing your work?
My items are only for sale on etsy, though I try to post pictures on my blog, weloveetsy, indiepublic and facebook.

- What is your favorite material?
Beads, paper and buttons... they are all sooooo pretty.

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started?
I can't think of anything off the top of my head ~ I had a lot of good advice from my friend, from wiki and from the forums.. I knew I had to be patient and promote. I do wish promoting was less time consuming though... Oh, I wish I had learned about trading and contests sooner!

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?
Be patient and promote, promote, promote ~ oh, and take good pictures, that's key! Browse through the etsy forums for trades, games and contests ~ they're a great way to build your reputation and make friends!

- If you were an object, what would that be?
Probably a knife ~ I have a sharp sense of humor, and can be nasty if I'm in a bad mood ~ but I'm also very useful and multi-purpose.. I help people as much as I can.

- Anything else you'd like to add?
Not that I can think of... just that I love Etsy ~ it's such a great community. I'd also like to thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to participate (and win) in various contests!

- Her site: http://ulixis.etsy.com/
- Her blog: http://ulixis.blogspot.com/

Not far from Dali's Museum, an artist...

...called Mary Hamilton. She is a figurative artist working in watercolors. Her she is, talking about her and her artworks.

How did I get started - Ever since I remember I have been artistic, loved to draw and paint. Majored in Art in college, but needed to find work that paid a dependable salary, so I did not do art for a long time. It's funny, but something was definitely missing in my life that I didn't realize until I was able to take up painting again. In 1996, I started painting again in oils and eventually migrated to watercolors. I have consistently taken classes and workshops since that time, and I have been lucky enough to sell my paintings since then.

Where am I from - I live in the St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida area, but I am from Colorado and spend 3 months there every year.

Am I a professional artist or is this a hobby? I enter shows in the professional category, and I try to paint every day.

What inspires me - The natural beauty of God's creation, especially water (lakes, rivers, oceans, waterfalls) and the effect of light on the water. Sunrise and sunset. Babies of all kinds. Shore birds. Being around other artists. Books and magazines about art.

What is my favorite piece - Don't know that I have just one favorite. I like to see the kids adopted out into happy homes, and I like something about most all of them, or I will go back in and change them eventually.

How do I promote my work - Etsy is my favorite new tool. I also have my new blog and a website that needs revising as well as belonging to various guilds, one of which has a website. Entering shows also is promotion in a way.

Where am I showing my work - Locations in Florida: Grecko Grill in Madeira Beach, TST Title Company in Palm Harbor, Artists Guild Gallery in Holmes Beach are three long-term locations.
I show every year at the Glenwood Springs Fall Art Show in Glenwood Springs, CO and at the Alpine Artists Holiday in Ouray, CO. I will be at Also at Pioneer Park in Dunedin, FL on Nov. 24, Dec. 17, 2007 Jan. 26 and Feb. 23 2008, as well as other locations throughout the year (2008).

What is my favorite material - paint

Do I have any advice for fellow artists - Don't give up. Keep on painting. Paint what you love. Practice, practice practice. (Nothing new)

If I were an object I would be the sky

Thank you Mary for your time.

Are you ready to get noticed?

Handmade jewels made with Wire. The designer and artist says:

"I was born and partially raised in NB Canada, I fell in love at the tender age of eight when as a christmas gift my grandparents gave me a large beading kit from then on I was always making some form of jewelry or another.

I still very much love making jewelry the only thing thats changed is my range of materials from plastic stretch cord and plastic pony beads to sterling silver and precious stones.

Recently I have realized as an artist you can't completely limit your materials and be happy for to long and I have many ideas for fresh and unique designs using a variety of materials.

Each piece of Jewelry I make is an extension of myself to you, there's no mass produced here just pieces that are as unique and special as you are."

Find her creations here

Maman et Moi Boutique

- How did you get started ?
About 2 years ago I saw a program on T.V. which featured a lady making aprons - I thought to myself I could do as well as that if not better. So - I ventured in, made up some aprons and took them to an upscale boutique. As it turned out I sold 70 aprons the first year.

- How long have you been doing it?
I have been making aprons for over 2 years. Before that I made upholstered doll furniture and doll clothes for the American Girl Dolls. I did this for over 10 years.
I also sold these in a couple of boutiques and was quite successful

- Are you a professional or is this a hobby? Because I do sell in boutiques I consider myself a professional.

- How do you promote your business? My promotions consist of selling in the boutique, Etsy store, my blog and word of mouth. I have done quite a bit of custom work through referrals.

- What inpires you? I do enjoy making the aprons - I love selecting the designer fabric and ribbons. i also love making baby items and toddler skirts but find the diversification in sewing requires being pulled in too many diections.


- What is your favorite product? My bib with cute retro airplane print or the orange funky monkey.

- Do you have more products for Mom or for toddlers? Aprons for money and toddlers are my focus

- Are your creations seasonal? No, I make aprons for adults and toddlers year round.

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started? Focus on what you do best. Every new idea and executing it takes a lot of new energy ...

- Will I get a discount or freebies?
I always include a little gift with each order.



- Will it make my life easier and more stylish when using your products?
Goodness yes!! ... just putting on a cute apron makes any dinner turn out better, makes cleaning your house go faster, makes you feel and look oh, so pretty. Why would you want to miss out on that!

- Anything else you'd like to add?
Be confident in your own creations, your own ideas and do the best you can with the time you have and laugh and have fun along the way. Thanks , hope this helps.

Thanks to Grandma!

Ja ja ja, is a team of 2 sisters who enjoy sewing.
Ja Ja Ja makes fabulous, fabric purses and bags, from recycled, new, old and vintage fabrics. The bags are unique, one of a kind, and made very well. Each bag has its own history or story, which they will share with you.

The business was founded about seven years ago. Their grandmother had taught them to sew as they were growing up. Their clothes were always made at home. They both share a love of creating,designing,recycling,and unique fabrics.

They source fabrics from yard sales,estate sales,antique shows,thrift shops, Ebay, fabric stores and wonderful donations. Recycling used fabric and embellishments is very important to the creation of the bags, as ja ja ja enjoy giving new life to an old coat with stains and tears,

A love of Antiques

Here is a little selection from Wander Lust n Pixie Dust .

The owner says:

"I love antique and vintage everything. Clothing, jewelry, linens, textiles, anything beveled, books, ephemera, you name it. The older the better.

In my spare time I like to dabble in all things crafty. I've recently begun a blog of my own where I love to share bits and pieces of the buried treasure I've collected over the years.

Check it out : http://wanderlustnpixiedust.typepad.com/ In advance, welcome to my world... "

.. pity she (or he?) only seems to ship in the USA

North Pole, not far from Santa

...is the home of Kuddlesbugzthreadz.
If someone knows about Cold, it is Toni, the owner and mother of 16 months old (at the moment) twin girls! So, trust her as she will know how to keep your little ones warm, and in style.
Her items are practical, functional, and are made just for you!
What I like about her shop is that, for once, there is as many choices for little girls as little boys. Yes, I know... I do have 2 little boys, so my opinion is biased.

It gets VERY cold in the winter...-50 degrees F! The winters do get long, but it is absolutely breath taking up there in Alaska! The summer days are amazing with such long days!

Toni loves being a mom. How does she manage to handle a business and 2 little girls is a mystery, but in teh Land of elves and reeinderrs, everything is possible. She says "I never knew I had so much love in me until I became a mother! They are my so precious! "

And they are the inspiration for KuddleBugz Threadz! With the need in Fairbanks for warm baby items, Tony felt a tug at her heart to use her talents to help other mom's! Tori and Trista inspired the name "KuddleBugz", they are truly little kuddlebugz!

All products are made with the finest quality fabrics! Custom orders welcomed! Gift Certificates also available!

Don't see the size you need in her shop? No worries! Just contact her and she will be more than happy to make it in JUST YOUR SIZE!!!

http://kuddlebugzthreadz.blogspot.com/

A figurative artist, Paulette Insall

Meet Paulette Insall, a talented figurative artist

Paulette uses Mixed Media to create artwokrs evocative of fairy tales illustrations.
Mainly portraits of young women, her work is able to cast a spell on the viewer by combining texture and a richness of colors.

Paulette has been creative from a very young age. From making knotted bracelets and hair accessories as a child to taking photos for her high school year book when she was older. She never thought of herself as an artist until a few years ago. For many years she 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.

These days when she’s not busy entertaining her very busy four year old son, you will find her stealing any moment she can in her home studio pouring her thoughts and emotions out into the visual stories she creates through her art.

Her art prints are very affordable, and she also has greeting cards that you can use for any occasions.

Learn more about Paulette and what she likes in her blog http://www.pauletteinsall.com/blog

more work on her site http://www.pauletteinsall.com/

some videos http://www.youtube.com/pinsall
to join her mailing list, visit
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/optin.jsp?m=1101685454160&ea=