Treasures Handmade in Maine

I have to introduce you to some of my favorite copper crafters, Mollie and Joe. This couple is just too talented, and downright cute too.  They hammer away in Maine, turning copper into treasures for their two shops: Rough Magic Creations and Rough Magic Holidays.

I just love their copper ornaments. Friends have received them over the past years and they are always joyfully accepted.  Take a look at these birds!  They are just perfect for any tree, don't you think?

You will find great home decor as well as jewelry. Isn't this oak leaf sculpture just stunning? What ever gifts you need , this is a perfect place to find something wonderful that is genuinely handmade, in Maine with lots of love.

Sensational art jewelry

You should meet one of my favorite jewelry artists, Laura Stamper.  Incredibly creative one of a kind jewelry, I could own each and every piece that she makes.  Here is the newest ring in her online shop.
I hope you will take some time to explore her creations, they are truly remarkable.

Shop local, Jersey style!

Just a little reminder to shop local. You'll make a difference to a real person, who may just be your neighbor!

Caberet Pink

Do you have the winter blues? This will cheer you up!

Featured!

Thinking green

Inspired by bright chartruese

Turning the page

It's that time again. We all make promises for the new year we don't always keep.  2012 was very chaotic for me, so I and hoping that 2013 will be more settled.

Map by TheMapShop

I need to be more organized and focused. I am so curious about everything, and having all information on the world wide web at my fingertips doesn't help.  I tend to be distracted by a cloud passing by in the sky. 

Or I'll be working on one project and another great idea will pop into my mind, and off I go.  So it's very essential to have a nice notebook at hand at all times.  

Notebook byKatieBlairDesigns

 I'm the mastermind here, so it's up to me to do the creating, the cooking, and cleaning, the accounting, the packing and mailing. the accounting is the task I dislike the most because it's just plain boring. Cleaning comes second.  Maybe I need an assistant, do I have any volunteers out there?  

I do promise to be here more often for you.  I'm so sorry I neglected you last year, I really had too many balls in the air. 2013 will be different, that's the one thing we can all count on!

Globe by RusticRockJewelry

Thinking of Spring!

This is the worst winter I have seen since I moved back to New Jersey in the 80's. It's been cold, so there are piles of snow everywhere!  And all the towns are crying poverty, so snow removal has been abysmal.
This was the scene from my window on Wednesday, lucky me, I stayed home.
I've been working on some jewelry for spring, can you guess what I am making?

It should be in my shop very soon! Stay tuned!

Creative Horizons

I know a wonderful group of very creative jewelry artisans on Etsy, the JET team. We love helping each other grow our businesses. One of the discussions lately has been about expanding our creative horizons. To think "out side the box" of our usual style, and challenge ourselves to make something new and different. This idea was inspired by several of our members who are always expanding their skills by exploring new a different crafts .

One of these shops is EmotionalOasis.  You will find everything in this shop from beautiful beaded and wire work jewelry designs, to the fantastic fused glass game boards. Here is just one of them.

JemsbyJBandCompany decided to explore the word of fashion and created this very feminine necklace. It  features genuine rose quartz, crystals and pearls on a beautiful silver tone chain.

Peg of AbacusBeadCreations is a prolific artist who must eat, sleep and dream about beads.  Her shop is chock full of wonderful designs for women, and she is branching out to making unisex designs that are great for men as well as women.

Always the adventurer, Nicolle of SilverCanyons loves to try new skills. You will find only a few items in her shop, but a huge variety of designs and techniques, from beaded sterling silver, to enameling and casting.  I really love this textured sterling silver ring.


My challenge was to return to doing extreme fashion design. I love making jewelry that can be worn any day, any time. So to make a bold statement item was a bit of fun.  I found some beautiful vintage lamp crystals in a stunning shade of blue. And look what happened!

 There is so much to see it you search the tag "jetteam" when you visit Etsy.  From earrings to handbags and fused glass, you will be amazed at the wealth of designs you will find.  You can read more about the Jewelry Esty team here.

Passion for Beading

Peg, the designer and artist of Abacus Bead Creations, has a real passion for beaded jewelry.  It shows through out her shop.
It's chock full of great earrings, necklaces, and bracelets which you would expect to see.  I really love the colors in these Black Lip shell earrings with tanzanite crystals.  You'll find beads of shell, pearls, gemstones, crystal, czech glass and resin all in unique combinations.

But you will also find lovely beaded watches which will add a bit of elegance to your look when you wear them.  I love the shades of aqua in this watch.

And if you wear glasses, dress them up with colorful beaded eyeglass holders.  And for the working gals, there are practical and pretty lanyards to hold your work ID.  All kinds of beaded jewelry for your collection and I think you will just love the prices you see! be sure to set aside some time to browse, you'll be very happy with what you find in Abacus Bead Creations.

Ceramic Arts

My oldest friend from college days at the School for American Craftsmen is Jeff Glockson, an incredibly talented ceramic artist. We utilize many mass produced ceramic objects in our everyday lives. Fine art ceramic objects have a totally different life. I'm putting Jeff and his art in the spotlight, because the process of creation is very complex.
The ceramic artist must possess many skills. The scientist must experiment with the clay compositions, to find the right formula that will not only hold the form properly when wet and pliable, but it must also dry and endure firing in the kiln without cracking. Every artist has his own favorite formulas. Addionally, he must also develop glaze formulas that will work with the clay, fire properly with the correct colors. As much as one must work scientifically, there is still the element of the unknown . The clay might not dry properly, the kiln might not heat evenly, many factors cannot be precisely controlled, as much as one might try.
Jeff loves nature. He has magnificent gardens. It's quite logical that he would focus on making sculptures and objects to enhance a garden. Here is a preview of some of his new work.
For more information, please visit his website, JB Designs Gallery.

Birdhouse and sculpture designs copyright 2009 by Jeff Glockson