Plastic Pumpkin Designs

Hello and Happy Halloween! In honor of Halloween today we are featuring Ren Adams of Plastic Pumpkin Designs. You can visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5052970.

Ren is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA). She offers fun, philosophical, and intriguing artwork and crafts--for the discerning (and playful) collector. She works in a variety of mediums: mixed media assemblages, pencil, marker, acrylic, Chinese brush painting, watercolor, oil pastel, pen & ink, etc. She finds something special and engaging about each artistic method and takes every medium seriously.

This is what Ren has to say about herself;

"I've been doing artwork my entireLong life (even scribbled in my own baby book) and for me, it's more than a "hobby" or "job" it's a state of mind and a fulfilling pathway. I can't NOT do it. I simply must. If I'm not drawing, painting, or otherwise expressing myself (however badly), I'm not in harmony with everything around me.Art is a sensation, a sense of humor, a sense of elation, a tantalizing window... it's pure energy, pure thought, and pure darkness, and pure light.I explore themes, people, and places that intrigue me...I'm also a Taoist and a lot of my artwork reflects my spiritual pathway (the art of compassion, simplicity, and patience). I practice Qi Gong meditation and enjoy artists who aren't afraid to be themselves."

The piece above is called "Plum Blossoms" and is apart of Ren's "Etsy Pink" collection. Ren is doing something so neat! If you purchase a piece from her "Etsy Pink" collection 50% goes to Susan G. Komen Foundation! Isn't that wonderful?!

Plastic Pumpkin is FULL of reall unique artwork! Be sure to check her out!

Paperie Goodness for You!

It’s a perfect day for ordering your Holiday cards! I know you’ve been meaning to send out more cards to all those friends and family that you don’t keep in touch with as well as you should, and today’s the day to get started. I have the perfect place to pick up simply stated, elegant Holiday cards, http://earmark.etsy.com/ (and brush up on your Spanish).

How’s this for a mission statement?!
We are here to create happiness. We strive to bring out the creativity and imagination in you. Our first and foremost goal is to make you, the client completely pleased, not only with our product but with our service. We will do everything we can to make this process a smooth and pleasurable experience for you. No matter what your request is we will work to accommodate everything your heart desires.

Well, my heart desires the “Create Happiness” and “How’s your being?” cards, as well as a set of those Rood Besnuffeld Reindier Holiday cards with which to spread holiday cheer and great design with all my friends and family during this Holiday season! So, what are you still doing here?! Go check “purchase cards” off your about to be a novel Holiday to do list!

An Eye for Color

There’s something about the color combination of the pink jade, honey jade, and silver plated ball in this bracelet that really appeals to me.

I only wear uncomplicated jewelry, so I enjoy the simplicity of each of the three separate pieces as well.

Born in Paris, Kalicat, the creator of this piece, is an artist and illustrator. She lives in London, but her work can be seen all over the world, including Spain, Zambia, and France. Her Etsy shop, http://kalicat.etsy.com/ hosts this and other beautiful beaded and gemstone jewelry. She also has some unique sterling silver pieces that would be perfect every day adornments. Visit her shop by clicking the link or the picture above.

Wear the Art!

Today’s featured artist and Mom to three 12 year old boys (yep, triplets!), is Michelle a.k.a. Shoozles. In her Etsy shop, http://shoozles.etsy.com/ Michelle sells her beautifully fused glass works of art.

Michelle has always had an interest in wearing her creations. I asked her what the first thing she remembers crafting was and she said “Ha! Well, I remember doing shrinky dinks when I was 5… does that count? I loved those shrinky dinks! I even remember thinking “how can I wear this?” LOL every one else was putting a magnet on the back and I want to wear mine.”

In honor of this particularly spooky week, I bring you the Bleeding Heart – Fused Glass Charm Pendent:
This quirky little piece has a sense of humor all on its own. It’s a single layer of “blood soaked” enamel and a heart charm. Despite its ominous appearance, Michelle thinks the jingling sound the pendant makes when it’s worn will bring you good luck… she feels lucky every time she makes one and it doesn’t break!

I read a few posts on Michelle’s blog and especially loved this excerpt on how she feels about creating fused glass pieces:
I really enjoy fusing some days are harder and I really have no feelings about the things that came out of the kiln and then there days that I open my kiln and a gift has come from the heat, A piece I could not have imagined nor dreamed. Unplanned and unique surprises just make me giddy and set the tone for the day and can last for weeks.

Check out all of Shoozle’s wearable art by clicking on the link or the picture above.

chic-a-chic-a-chic-a-chic

So, since my daughter, Ava's nickname is lil' bird I found it only fitting to feature this print by Jansing. You can visit her shop at http://jansing.etsy.com. She has all sorts of unique prints!

This is what Jansing has to say about herself; "So, I finally found my niche. I like all things kitsch, eclectic and whimsical. I enjoy painting, drawing and other artsy stuff. Most of all I like colours, red, pink, green, black, white, grey, you name it. Love it!"

I'm sure that after you check out her shop you'll agree that she certainly has "found her niche".

Variegated Seas...

Today we are featuring Kareen from KbyKareen, you can visit her shop at http://kbykareen.etsy.com. When I read Kareen's profile I found it to be a really neat insight into her work, so I've decided to share it with you. This is what Kareen has to say about herself;


"I'm a simple girl with dreams of being a jewelry designer in Paris. Finally have a life here; making jewelry and trying to break into the scene. Inspired by life experiences and daily beauty in Paris. Love of travel and adventure create a wide canvas from which to dream and imagine new designs. handKrafted jewelry designs are my specialty. I use a high temperature propane/oxygen torch and fine Italian (Effetre) glass to make unique beads, then use those beads in hand created sterling silver pieces. All my beads are made free-hand, without a mold. All beads are kiln fired for strength and durability. Prior to leaving Santa Monica, my jewelry and I were featured on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast.My mother is from Tahiti, so you will find that many of my pieces include blues and greens....coming nowhere close to the intensity of the colors in paradise. I spent summers in Tahiti while growing up in LA, and recently received my diving certification while there last year. I hope you enjoy what I create. "

The piece above is entitled "Variegated Seas" it is a bracelet crafted from five glass beads. sterling silver wire (handformed) and sterling silver findings. Isn't this photograph beautiful!?! Be sure to check out Kareen;s shop for lots of rare finds!

StudioMarcy

Studio Marcy offers unique & very personal treasures. Marcy's creativity & love for her art shows through in each piece she designs and we must be near the same wave length because she's recently listed this lovely fish named Ellie in her shop as well as a whimisical little monkey named Bella too.

Just to get to know the person behind the beads we asked Marcy a few questions:
How did you come up with your shop name?
Pretty easily. My shop name is my name, "Marcy" combined with Studio. I wasn't sure whether I'd be offering more than just my art glass, so I wanted to keep it flexible.
What do you shop for most on Etsy?
Oh, this is the first time I've admitted it, but I have a "thing" for handbags. Especially the retro prints. I just love them and the little zippered bags. It's an addiction, I think.
What inspires your products/creativity?
My inspiration comes from all over. I see glass beads in fabric, people, situations, books, nature and so much more. My studio looks out on my garden and bird feeders, which is why I have so many birds in my work.
What is the first thing you recall crafting?
I remember making a breakfast tray for my mom in Kindergarten. I still have it.
Be sure to checkout http://studiomarcy.etsy.com/ for a new take on the everyday BEAD!

"Waking Dream"

Like many other artists, Paulette Insall 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.

The piece above is one of my personal favorites. It's entitled "Waking Dream". "A Waking Dream" is an original poem by Paulette Insall. She was roused from her waking dream by wings a-flutter,the path now so clear before her,............the transformation underway...................the discovery of part of herself that had always been....Waiting...............to awaken................to bloom....................to soar.Choosing...............to let go................to give in....................to breathe.Her purpose was clear, her heart.......at peace. Please check out Paulette's works at http://pauletteinsall.etsy.com/.

Get Inspired!

If I could will myself to be creative on the spot, it would be right now as I look at this beautiful german glass glitter for sale in Wanderlustnpixiedust's Etsy shop.
The wheels are turning and here's what I've come up with so far: Christmas ornaments that glitter like diamonds, special greeting cards for friends and family, the perfect embellishment to a simple picture frame, covering shells or plastic fruit to display on a centerpiece, even just decorating a shelf with the glitter in a tiny glass vesel. How would you use this glistening medium?

Besides german glass glitter, Wanderlustnpixiedust has other items to inspire your creativity, like a collection of orange and black trims and embellishments packaged in a chinese take out box.

Check out Wanderlustnpixiedust's shop and get inspired!

The Kitty Bag

Personally, my favorite feedback to get from a customer is that they liked the item and their shopping experience so much that they’ll buy from me again. KatelynJane is the featured artist today, and she got just such feedback from one of her customers:

What a lovely bag! It has drawn much compliments from my friends. Quick response and fast shipping, I will surely buy from the shop again.

KatelynJane calls her bags Kitty bags, and of course she’s getting great feedback with ones like this in her shop!

KatelynJane loves fabric and when she spots the right color or texture, she can envision one of her bags made out of it even before she takes it off the bolt. I think this bag is quite possibly the first bag to be simultaneously punk and elegant. The simple styling puts focus on this glitzy fabric and it’s roomy enough to actually be functional too.

Add one (or more!) of KatelynJane's Kitty bags to your holiday shopping list. Your sister, your Mom, your girlfriend... whoever is the lucky recipient will thank you!