a Yarn Obsession

Ever heard of a Yarn OBsession? Meet Sedruola Maruska aka "Sedie", owner of

- website: http://www.sedruolamaruska.com/
- shop: http://sedruola.etsy.com/
- twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sedruola
- Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Yarn-Obsession/22453642035

- blog: http://yarnobsession-2.blogspot.com/

- How did you get started? I started crocheting about 7 years ago after I met my husband's grandmother who did so many crafts I felt I could at least do one. Then about a year after that, I decided I wanted to learn to knit at well. So I now knit and crochet and have been designing patterns since 2004.

- Where are you from? I'm originally from Queens, NY

- Are your creations limited editions or unique? Yes, usually my creations are limited editions, because I don't like to keep doing the same thing over and over again for too long. I think the longer I design and work on developing my skills, the more unique my items are and become.

- How long have you been doing it? For about 7 years

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby? I'm working very hard these days to make my yarn my profession. I have lots of ideas of how to make it work, but time is elusive. I'm thinking that in the next 4-6 months I'll be well on my way to having established a business presence and therefore on my way to making yarn my profession.

- What inspires you? Becoming my own boss and being able to be flexible enough to spend time with my family is what inspires me and motivates me. Secondly, the yarn inspires me. When I have yarn, I spend quite a bit of time looking at it to see what it should become. I also love to look at the fashions that come out each year to see what can be re-created in yarn or what can be "improved upon" by being made with yarn.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why? Right now my favorite piece is one that I created to sell the pattern. It's the cropped top that can be found here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21126133. This is my first "fashion" piece and I love the way it came out. I kept the sample for myself because I felt I'd made too many "errors" on it to sell, but it's so soft and drapey and wonderful! I really look forward to having people try the pattern and tell me what they think of the design.

- How do you promote your work? Via all my online sites, I talk about it all the time to those I know and I donate items to various charitable events. I also give out business cards and do a few craft shows a year.

- Where are you showing your work? Right now my showcase spots are my Etsy shop and my website.

- What is your favorite material? After creating my cropped top, I'm in love with bamboo yarn!

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started? Be patient with yourself and your work. Keep steady, do what feels right for you and your art, learn all you can and things will work out in the direction you set your sites.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists? Just what I said above.

- any special promos? Right now I have a contest to give away one of my most popular items, you can find the details on my blog. I also have a few items in my shop marked down 25%. And finally, for March, National Craft Month, I'll be running several small contests at random times to celebrate and educate my customers on the benefits of handmade.

- what would you like to be when you grow up? LOL, I love this question because I'm still always thinking about that. . . but my answer is "I'd like to be a knit and crochet wear designer with my own shop and several books under my belt"

- favorite jeweller/artists/designers? I do love Debbie Bliss for her timeless, classic designs and Candy Jensen for her fun and funky designs for everyone. Both are yarnwear designers.

- favorite websites? Mine and Etsy!

Thanks for answering these questions and inspiring other crafts people.

BIG is In

I just had a look at the new fashion shows.

Yummy!

Such talents out there and so tempting too.

I absolutely adored Chanel's backdrop and head dress.

I have been behaving very well and been avoiding trying these outfits, and bags, and shoes...

so far so good :)

I have created a brand new choker, with a sterling silver chain, hammered clasp and some amazing calcite nuggets, available in my etsy store.


x

Cat

an interview with PennyDog

Thank you to Pennydog Jewellery for a nice interview about my work

february Zodiac Gemstone - Moonstone

Moonstone Gemstone meaning:passionate love that will fly you to the moon
It is said if you give your lover a moonstone necklace when the moon is full you will always have passion with each other. Moonstone is a highly valued gemstone for these reasons:
Brings good fortune
Assists in foretelling the future
Enhances intuition
Promotes inspiration
Brings success in love as well as business matters
Offers protection on land and at sea
The moonstone is associated with the moon and was the stone of the goddess Diana. The most powerful time to use the moonstone is in a full moon.
It has been worn as an amulet to bring good emotions to the wearer, while protecting those of a sensitive nature. It can reunite lovers who have quarreled. Moonstone is also considered a good luck stone.

Moonstone is a very personal stone. It is a reflection of the person who owns it. It does not add or detract, only shows how it is. This is why the moonstone is said to perceive that which "is". Moonstone is an excellent stone to use in meditation to understand oneself. Placing it in the moonlight of a moon reaching its fullness, not a full or waning moon, can revitalize it. This is a particularly good gemstone for women. It is a good stone for young women or teenagers.

Healing properties of Moonstone
Moonstone stimulates the functioning of the pineal gland and balances internal hormone cycles with nature's rhythms. Moonstone is a stone of inner growth and strength. Though often considered to be a woman's stone, it can be beneficial to men in opening the emotional self.

Sources of moonstone
There are two moonstones. Adularia moonstone is an almost transparent pale gray or silvery white or blue shimmer. It is mainly found in Sri Lanka, Burma, India and Madagascar. Albite moonstone is in the feldspar group. It is semitransparent with a pale, shimmering reflection. It may be a little dull. It comes mainly from Canada.

Kalicat jewelry featured in Cuteable

Great little feature on Gold on http://cuteable.com/gorgeous-gold/3183, featuring my nice little tempting diamond rings, which are available in the finger size of your loving

new exhibition, Velvet da Vinci presents

Artist reception FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009, 6-8 pmLondon-Based Artist Timothy Carson will be present
DON'T FORGET YOUR VALENTINE!
Velvet da Vinci presents:Timothy Information Limited: Demonstration 2Helen Carnac: Cluster 3
Now through Feb 28
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12-6 PMSunday 12-4 PM
Velvet da Vinci Gallery2015 Polk Street (between Pacific and Broadway)San Francisco CA 94109415.441.0109Info@VelvetDaVinci.comhttp://www.VelvetDaVinci.com/

February gemstone - Amethyst

Here is a little selection of February's gemstone: Amethyst

They come form light lavender to deep dark purple.

Lovely Amethyst - February gemstone

Amethyst Gemstone meanings
Crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called amethyst, a stone traditionally worn to guard against drunkeness and to instill a sober mind. The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "without drunkenness" and amethyst is believed to protect one from poison.

It is used as a dream stone and to help insomnia. Put an amethyst under your pillow to bring about pleasant dreams, or rub it across your forehead to offer relief from a headache.

Ancient Egyptians used the amethyst guard against guilty and fearful feelings. It has been worn as protection from self-deception, as well as a protection against witchcraft. The amethyst has long been used to open the spiritual and psychic centers, making it one of the power stones. It is also used as a meditation aid when worn as a necklace.

The amethyst is known as the Bishop's Stone and is still worn by Catholic Bishops. The amethyst symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. It is thought the amethyst is the perfect stone to symbolize The Age of Aquarius.

Healing properties of Amethyst
Amethyst is a gemstone often worn by healers, as it has the power to focus energy. A healer will usually wear several pieces of jewelry with amethysts set in silver, especially an amethyst necklace. The person to be healed will have an Amethyst to hold while the healing is being done. The healer will place another piece of Amethyst on the area of the body in need of healing, the heart or lungs usually.
Amethyst is used for problems in the blood and in breathing problems. Amethyst crystal clusters are used to keep the air and life force in the home clean and positive.


Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts placed in a window that receives sun most of the day are very beneficial to use in healing and to heal negativity in the home. Place Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts in moonlight and everyone in the home will be feeling calmer. Using an Amethyst as a meditation focus will increase the positive spiritual feelings. Amethyst helps overcome fears and cravings. It also helps relieve headaches.

a new art competition

The North of the Wall Art Prize is a new annual art competition with total prize money of £6,000, including a specific prize for registered disabled artists.
Deadline for entry is the end of April 2009
For further details please visit www.northofthewall.co.uk/competitions

create, enter and.... win :)

© C. Marche

Fit for a Queen

Nice little eye candy, featuring Eclipse earrings