Simply Shiny Life

I love to peruse work area pictures posted to flickr. I am lucky enough to have a separate room to devote to my beads and tools and paraphenalia. It’s certainly not the most modern or well appointed, but its working for me so far.

I have several storage units and a work table set up in our sun room. The light is just perfect, and I don’t have to worry about finding every little piece of wire that may go flying.

My only complaint is that there isn’t any AC. So, working during the heat of summer is slippery, to say the least. Luckily, we’ve had a pretty mild summer, so I’ve had little to gripe about in that department.

Note: The images above are linked to commented pictures in my flickr pool that highlight what is stored where.

What does your work area look like? I’d love to see you post a link in your comment below.

I’ve met many very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s profile belongs to Nicolle Jansson of SilverCanyons. She’s a fellow etsy JET team member.

Nicolle says “Designing jewelry is not only a passion, but a part time business for me and I thoroughly enjoy the creativity this medium affords, offering me limitless imagination. My designs feature a variety of styles and design elements. All components used are of the finest quality consisting, including semi-precious gemstones, sterling silver wire, 14KG filled wire, imported bali beads from Indonesia, Thai Hill Tribe beads, Swarovski crystals, PMC clay and unique hand crafted lampwork beads. All of which inspire me when creating each and every piece. Countless hours have been spent searching for that “perfect” bead to incorporate in a design. My goal is to create jewelry you will love as much as I do and will reach for again and again. ”

Etsy shop name: Silver Canyons
Name: Nicolle Jansson
Where else can we find you and your work?: http://www.silvercanyons.com
Blog: http://www.silvercanyons.blogspot.com
Location: Queens, NY

What are your jewelry beginnings? Where did you start and how did you
progress to work you are creating today?
A few years ago, I came across Eni Oken’s website and was fascinated with her wire wrapping tutorials. That really got my foot in the door designing and opened my eyes to so many different areas jewelry design. I just had to try everything! In my discoveries, I found Chainmailling and Precious Metal Clay, both became instant obsessions. Many, many hours were, and still are, dedicated to learning and creating with both mediums. Learning is a never ending process and that is half the fun!

What are your favorite materials?
Without a doubt, Sterling Silver wire for wire wrapping and Chainmaille designs; Precious Metal Clay (.999 Fine Silver) when I want to really create something totally different and distinctive, and finally, discovering unique lampwork beads and quality gemstone to incorporate in my designs

What inspires you?
 I am drawn to color! Particular, those found in nature…autumn leaves, glimmering oceans to amazing sunsets.

How do you describe your design style?
Feminine with a hint of classic, a touch of flirty and a smidgen of bold!

What artists have influenced you, and how?
The original artist that inspired me was Eni Oken, as far as jewelry design and her technique. I am also a huge fan of lampwork artists and really admire there hard work and dedication to creating really amazing beads. I attempt to incorporate them into as many of my designs as I can.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
If your serious on selling jewelry via the internet, it’s not enough to put up a website and expect people to come. You have to get yourself out there and be seen. This can be done by blogging, networking and joining at groups such as I have on Etsy.com. This allows you to meet wonderful people that you can learn and grow from. (and make wonderful friends in the process)! One more thing that comes to mind….taking excellent photos is of the upmost importance. Keep in mind, customers can not physical touch and hold your item.

How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
I work a full time with a two hour commute each way, so that alone takes a huge part of my day! I also am a beginner motorcyclist and participate in scenic rides with my boyfriend and fellow riders in my area.

Where have you been published or profiled? http://capturedtimebooks.blogspot.com/2008/06/silvercanyons-donates-big.html

 You can check out more pictures of Nicolle’s gorgeous creations in her flickr pool here

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.

I’ve met many very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s profile belongs to Linda Faigen of Isis Arts. She’s a fellow etsy JET team member.

Etsy shop name: http://lfaigen.etsy.com for jewelry and hair sticks
http://IsleOfAvalon.etsy.com for magic wands, prisms and spell books
http://studioshiloh.etsy.comselling the metal sculpture of Dany Shiloh (my friend)

Name: Linda Faigen
Where else can we find you and your work?:  http://isisarts.com
Location: Portland, Oregon in the US

What are your jewelry beginnings?
I quit my real job a while back and decided to try my hand at making stuff to sell. About a year and a half ago I got bored making hair sticks and started making jewelry.

Where did you start and how did you progress to work you are creating today?
I started making necklaces and attempting to sell on Ebay. Shortly thereafter I headed for Etsy. The work changes depending on what I’m in the mood to try. Currently I have become obsessed with making chain maille jewelry and jeweled magic wands.

What are your favorite materials?
Sterling silver, crystal, glass, brass, aluminum, pearls, prisms

What inspires you?
That’s a good question to which I have no answer. Ideas just pop into my head. I don’t know where they come from, usually

How do you describe your design style?
Chaotic

What artists have influenced you, and how?
It’s not so much the artist as the artform. I paint and I make stained glass windows. I make jewelry, hair sticks, wands and books. I see an artform that I think is cool and then try it. Inside each artform there are many artists who do it better than I. I’m inspired by all of them.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don’t quit your day job but aim for that. You’re going to work your butt off supporting yourself doing things you may not like and then rushing home to do the artwork you love until you’re too tired to keep going. Hopefully that phase won’t last too long. Never give up! Create whenever you can. If you don’t want or need to sell your work, that’s just fine too. Do it for you.

How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
Sleeping. Doing all the annoying chores that go with an online business. The accounting, marketing, purchasing, shipping, photography, listing, working on my website, looking for new ways to advertise, and on and on. The chores never end. If I can find the time, I am a voracious reader. I am also currently involved in political activism that is keeping me really busy and will until November.

Where have you been published or profiled?
I’ve been profiled on one blog. Scroll down this page to find me:

http://www.thisisitcreations.blogspot.com/

You can check out more pictures of Linda’s work in her flickr pool here

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.

I’ve got a NEW custom web site design! Jen from Envision IT Creative created my site’s new look and feel. She truly defines collaboration and made the process oh so easy. You can check out her blog here

If you need a custom web design and desire a team approach, definitely check her out. I couldn’t be more pleased.  And the results… well they speak for themselves.

I’ve met many very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s artisan profile belongs to Melissa Harlin of Lissa Harlin Designs on etsy. Lissa and I have been members of two different teams and she makes simply GORGEOUS gemstone and wire wrapped jewelry. She’s also a great resource if you have soldering questions.

Name: Melissa Harlin
Etsy shop lissa73.etsy.com
Blog: http://bullybeads.blogspot.com/
Location: York , Pennsylvania

Lissa says: I first got interested in making jewelry when I would go past a bead shop on my way to work and finally got up the courage to take a look inside. I was so overwhelmed, I left in about 5 minutes. I went back about a month later and picked up a flier on their classes and signed up for a beading 101 class that weekend. That was back in 2005 and I’ve been insatiably hooked since!

My early work was very simple wire wraps and bead stringing. I often joke and say I have jewelry A.D.D., because I have to constantly learn some new technique. First on the list was a step up from simple wire wrapping. Instead of just one briolette on an ear wire, I added clusters and a briolette dangling at the bottom. After stumbling upon a shop named julidadesigns I knew what I wanted to do next…intricate wire wrapping! I emailed the talented lady and soon became friends with the lovely proprietress Lisa Newton who gladly shared her wealth of knowledge with me.

Once I got the wire wrapping down, it was time to teach myself to solder. After many burns and swear words, I’ve finally mastered that. Who knows what’s on the list next, but I know I’ll have a great time learning!

My favorite things to work with are sterling silver and ANY gemstone. I’m often inspired by nature, so I like to use natural materials. I really don’t know that I’ve found my style. I would rather not have a style and just be me. I’m not into it when someone makes a different version of the same thing over and over. I rarely have a design in mind when I start making something. I just let my muse take me where it wants to go.

Another dear lady that has inspired me greatly in my designs is Hee Soon Choi of skydreams. Her jewelry is just jaw dropping and feminine. She has become a very dependable friend and mentor. I greatly value her knowledge of stones and color schemes.

My advice to anyone starting out would be to not let your doubts and fears get in the way of something you love to do. If I hadn’t taken the plunge and put my shyness aside, I never would have walked into that bead store and discovered I might actually be good at something.

When not creating jewelry, I spend my time in the yard gardening or sitting by the pond with our dogs. (Note from author: I’ve seen pictures of Lissa’s back yard. If mine looked that good, I’d hang out there all day too. ) Since I’ve been laid off from my job, I have an incredible urge to just keep making jewelry all day. I do occasionally clean the house.

You can check out lots of pictures of Lissa’s work in her flickr pool here . If you have a minute,  find the snoring puppy video she’s posted. Laugh out loud funny.

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.

Whew! I had the hardest time finding pink opal nuggets for this ring. It was a special request; similar to one I had made a while back. You would think that a smaller rounder nugget shaped stone would be easy to find. Not so.  But, after visiting multiple local bead shops and searching my usual internet suspects, I did garner 3. Yep, 3 stones. So much for this global marketplace we live in.  LOL

This wire wrapped ring is made of a pink opal focal and several shades of round rhodonite beads. Each bead is wrapped to the sterling silver base ring with sterling silver wire. (Click here for a ring size chart)

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I frequent a gathering of like minded fellow artisan enthusiasts called the Starving Artists Forum. It is “dedicated to giving jewelry designers a place to learn, grow, inspire and be inspired in a friendly, fun environment.”

Gayle, from Handcrafted Jewelry for your Best Friend, one of SA’s members, posted a list of jewelry artist lessons learned. A kind of ode to perfecting her art while keeping a sense of humor. It was just too great not to share, so with Gayle’s permission, here it is.

Enjoy. and relate…. I sure did.

Some lessons learned (so far):

DO WHAT YOU LOVE

STICK WITH IT

EXPECT GLITCHES

KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR

SPEND HOURS, WEEKS AND MONTHS SURFING THE INTERNET-THERE IS A WEALTH OF INFO!

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT EVERYTHING OF INTEREST TO YOU

BUY LOTS OF PRINTING PAPER

CLEAR YOUR INTERNET CACHE REGULARLY (IT DOES GET CLOGGED!)

DO NOT HIRE RELATIVES TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU (UNLESS YOU ARE VERY MELLOW AND LAID BACK AND HAVE NO ILLUSIONS)

HAVE PATIENCE

CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE

HAVE GOOD FINANCIAL BACKING (OR LOTS OF CHANGE IN THE PIGGYBANK…or…BIG DREAMS!)

HAVE GREAT FAMILY/FRIEND SUPPORT

KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR

HAVE A VISION

BE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO

BE WILLING TO LEARN EVERY POSSIBLE ASPECT OF YOUR CRAFT

LOVE WHAT YOU’RE DOING

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOOD AT AND THEN TRY SOMETHING NEW

GO BACK AND PRACTICE YOUR OLD TECHNIQUES

TRY SOMETHING NEW

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

TAKE EVERY CLASS YOU CAN AFFORD, EVERY FREE ONLINE CLASS AVAILABLE

KEEP TRYING UNTIL YOU FIGURE IT OUT

DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT

INVENT A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS-EVEN IF IT GOES AGAINST “CONVENTION”

DON’T BE AFRAID TO POKE/PINCH/CRUSH YOUR FINGERS WITH YOUR TOOLS (KEEP LOTS OF BANDAIDS ON HAND)

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES

NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS OR TRY NEW TECHNIQUES-EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU’RE BEING STUPID (99.9% OF THE TIME, YOU’RE NOT!)

HAVE A GLASS OF WINE ON A REGULAR BASIS (ESPECIALLY AFTER DOING ALL OF THE ABOVE, ALL DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, MONTHS OR YEARS).

DO NOT DRINK TOO MUCH WINE (IS THERE SUCH A THING?)

OH, WHAT THE heck…HAVE ANOTHER GLASS OF WINE

DO NOT DRINK WINE WHEN YOU ARE MAKING JEWELRY-IT AFFECTS YOUR COORDINATION

VENT TO SOMEONE, WHEN THINGS GET TOO FRUSTRATING/CRAZY OR STRESSFUL

KEEP TRYING!

TAKE A BREAK AND ENJOY YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, FLOWERS, WEATHER, PETS AND SURROUNDINGS

GO SHOPPING!

BUY NEW BEADS/FINDINGS/ WIRE/CLOTHES AND SHOES-ON A FAIRLY REGULAR BASIS

LOOK FOR FABULOUS BARGAINS ON ALL OF THE ABOVE-OR JUST LOOK AND FANTASIZE!

CUT OFF YOUR OLD PANTS-JUST ABOVE THE KNEE! HOW FASHIONABLE AND CHEAP!

LAYER YOUR CLOTHES-VERY HIP!

TRY TO WIN THE LOTTERY

LOOK FOR FUNNY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

ENJOY FUNNY JOKES

Thanks again Gayle for sharing your list with us!

What would you add? What life lessons do you have for ‘the list’?

I’ve met many very very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting some of them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s profile belongs to Meg of M Augusta Woodland, a multi talented fellow Etsy Artisan Beaders Street Team member. NOTE: Warning – The following profile may slant quite readily toward sycophancy. I adore her work and am lucky enough to own a wonderful jewelry creation from this artist.

Meg creates jewelry “that royalty would wear in the past and people today can wear as they walk through their own histories.” Although she would never admit it, her work is jaw-droppingly stunning. (Jaw-droppingly is a word by the way.) She has an uncanny way to combine precious metals, gemstones and vintage plastic to their perfect form.  Her filagree is to die for. Just sayin’. When you visit her shop, make a special point to study all the intricate filigree lines. And then realize that she has formed and soldered all those shapes herself from the mininutae that was bits of wire. Really quite amazing.

Meg says “I want you to love your jewelry.” Exactly.

Etsy shop name: M Augusta Woodland (Maugustawoodland)
Name: Meganne
Where else can we find you and your work? You can currently only find my work in my Etsy shop, and you can find me selling my stuff at Craft Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa (www.craftsaturday.com). I also do home shows and trunk parties from time-to-time, which are just great.
Blog: www.maugustawoodland.com
Your tuts or informational articles you would like to share: I write Gem of the Week for the Artisan Beaders Blog!
Location: Des Moines, Iowa

What are your jewelry beginnings? Where did you start and how did you progress to work you are creating today?
I’ve just always made jewelry. I started selling in elementary school with those plastic pony beads, and in high school I was making hemp and fimo jewelry to sell. I picked jewelry back up about three years ago, and haven’t stopped since. My filigree work was an accident, actually. I ordered a book thinking it was about wire-wrapping, and lo and behold an obsession was born.

What are your favorite materials?
Silver and gemstones. I’m really looking forward to branching out into gold in the near future, too.

What inspires you?
Everything! I find inspiration everywhere. It might just be the cut of a stone. It might be lyrics from a song. Poetry. Women from the past. Starlets and the like. I love nature and architecture. I love the way belly dancers use their hips, and I like to try to translate that into metal. I can’t think of a single thing that doesn’t inspire me.

How do you describe your design style?
I have a really hard time describing my style. I like the words glamour and ornate. It’s like Victorian and modern had a baby, and that baby was my jewelry… Or something. Maybe I need to buy a thesaurus.

What artists have influenced you, and how?
Filigree-wise, I’m really inspired by Russian filigree artists. Unfortunately you rarely find a name on their pieces. However, I’m a painter by education, and I’d have to say that Edvard Munch’s usage of color and ability to capture emotion have always been inspiring; Vulliard because of his ability to pick up the details of the environment around him; Frida Kahlo, because, well, she’s Frida Kahlo! I’m also inspired by Art Nouveau and Renaissance jewelry artisans and the architects of the English Arts and Crafts movement.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Get into the habit of doing bookwork and keeping inventory! Tax time is a pain, and it’s only short of a nightmare if you don’t have all your stuff already done! Get an accountant if you need one, too.

How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
I spend the rest of my time doing my second favorite activity – Sleeping.

Where have you been published or profiled? 
I’ve been fortunate enough to get on the Etsy front page and gift guide, along with a few mentions in various blogs.

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.

Tools are a wonderful thing. While, as most jewelry makers can attest, bead fondling ranks fairly high on life’s list of wonderful things, tool fondling has to rank a close competitor. I create artisan wire wrapped and beaded jewelry. I’m starting to delve into the soldering arena, and am acquiring toys to that end. But for today’s blog post, I’m going to stick with some of the tools associated with wire wrapping and stringing.

Wire wrapping requires a fairly light tool repertoire. Seriously, I think one can make do with a pair each of flush cutters, chain nose pliers, round nose pliers and a pair of flat nose pliers.(See examples in my pictures) In addition you will probably need a rubber or hard plastic mallet, a chasing hammer and a bench block. And LOTS and LOTS of wire. Good thing the price of silver has dropped so dramatically lately. (See the spot silver price chart in the right navigation? NICE price drop)

So, what else might you want to purchase to begin your jewelry making endeavor? I’d suggest a doming kit (I LOVE LOVE LOVE my doming kit), circle cutters (pictured),

a tumbler, stainless steel shot, several different types of texture hammers (mine are the yellow ones pictured below),

a ring mandrel, knitting needles to use as other mandrels, an electric drill (to twist wire), a metal hole punch (pictured. I also have a hand punch, but I like this one better),

a leather bench block pillow ( I bought mine from a sheet metal worker supply catalog) , duplicate pairs of cutters, round nose and chain nose pliers, an electric bead reamer, liver of sulfer, rulers, and crimp pliers. Whew….

What is your very favorite jewelry making tool? The one thing you absolutely positively could NOT live without?

I’ve met many very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s profile belongs to JeweledBlossoms.etsy.com, a fellow JET team member. Cathy’s etsy profile says “Let it be said, if nothing else, I am a romantic at heart. I find love and beauty in even the most impossible of circumstances. I truly believe that in the end, Love will Conquer all. I believe in all forms of love – grandmotherly love, love of a friend, unrequited love, love of your most cherished pair of shoes, secret love, can’t-live-without-you-love, puppy love and perhaps most importantly, self-love (though not in the narcissistic sense).When you’re in love, you glow with a inner radiance, with the knowledge that you love and are loved in returned. It’s an unmistakable glow, an aura of confidence and beauty that is unmatched by even the most wonderous make-up ever created. It is during this time in Love, that you blossom, that you allow yourself to be your truest self.It is this spirit of Love which has guided me in my jewelry designs.

My wish is that my little Jeweled Blossoms will inspire Love in your life… as gifts to dear friends and mothers and aunts and grandmothers, as sparkling baubles to impress your extraordinary Lover or as trinkets to warm your heart and remind yourself that you are wonderous and worthy of all the Love in the world. I wish you Love, simply Love. “

Etsy shop name: JeweledBlossoms.etsy.com
Name: Cathy Tran
Where else can we find you and your work?: www.jeweledblossoms.com
Blog: jeweledblossoms.blogspot.com
Your tuts or informational articles you would like to share: http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/get-your-jewelry-seen-on-etsy.html
Location: Sacramento, CA

What are your jewelry beginnings? Where did you start and how did you progress to work you are creating today?My last year in college, I got really interested in jewelry making as a hobby and started taking  a lot of classes at a local bead shop near my house. I immediately fell in love with wire work and really got into making almost anything out of sterling silver and gold-filled wire. I eventually dabbled a bit in beadweaving and strining, but really, wire was my first love. Now I’m taking some metal smithing classes and I think this is the second time I’ve fallen in love. It’s just so amazing to be able to form things out of raw sheet metal or wire. I love being able to create and design things that inspire me. 

What are your favorite materials? I have a special place in my heart for all things silver. Sterling and fine silver, as well as gold-filled wire and sheet metal are definitely my favorites. I also adore moonstones, amethysts, citrine, labradorite, peridot, garnet, tourmaline, carnelian and coral.   

What inspires you? Almost anything gets me thinking about designs. I love being able to see things out in the city or out in nature and bring it into my work. 

How do you describe your design style? I think my jewelry is definitely feminine and classic. I like creating pieces that spice up an everyday outfit and can go great with your little black dress. I really enjoy jewelry that also means something, that can accompany you on adventures or help you keep memories.

What artists have influenced you, and how? I think one jewelry artist in particular, Jillian of The Noisy Plume, has really influenced me in keeping true to myself and not just creating run-of-the-mill pieces that might sell well. I simply adore perusing through her shop and seeing how she pours herself into her pieces. I also think she taught me the power of writing and how it can really change a piece of jewelry from something mundane to something meaningful. 

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out? Realize that you are on a journey as an artist – that you’re not going to make perfect pieces every time and to use your mistakes as a learning tool. Don’t worry about what others are doing, as it will only serve to discourage you. Talk to people, share ideas and don’t be too paranoid about people copying you. Keep your eyes open and definitely keep a journal on you at all times. You never know when that next great piece is going to strike you!

How do you spend time when you are NOT creating? I spend a lot of time with my darling dog, Bella and the love of my life, Miguel. He’s amazingly supportive of my jewelry habit and I’m so lucky to have him. Other than that I watch a lot of movies and really enjoy catching up with my girlfriends.

Where have you been published or profiled?
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/get-your-jewelry-seen-on-etsy.html
http://jeannieandaly.blogspot.com/2008/05/etsy-talent.html 

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.