Nina Dinoff - Saturday Spotlight.

Another in my series of Saturday Spotlight. A very talented jeweller from USA. Here follows a brief interview and some pics of nina's work.


When someone asks you "What do you do?" What is your reply?

This is a hard question as I sort of live a double life. In terms of my jewelry, I usually tell people i design or make jewelry. I consider myself a designer first and foremost since my background is in graphic design and it really is how I approach my jewelry.

Why did you choose this profession?

I have always been designing and making things in some fashion. After many years of working professionally as a graphic designer (mostly in interactive media) I had a great urge to work with my hands on something more personally fulfilling and a lot less corporate. I quit a job I had in 2001 and started playing around with a lot of different things. Knitting, painting, jewelry making. Eventually, I took a metalsmithing class and for the first time in my life I felt like I had found my medium! I don't know if its because I can get a bit restless or not, but I love that when I work in the studio I always have several things going on at once. Its that wonderful combination of the intense concentration you have when you are deeply involved in an intricate detail of something and the energy of being able to move around from one station to the other... saw, sand, solder, pound, sand again, solder again... you know the drill.

Essentially, metalsmithing suits me as it allows me to realize my creative vision and design aesthetic while giving me a medium to work in that i thoroughly enjoy.

What is your favorite skill/technique?

Wow! That is a very difficult question. I suppose you mean one that I already have? As opposed to one I would like to learn? I do tend to love working on methodical things and there is something about hollow forming and bezel making that i really enjoy. I get great satisfaction out of seeing something look very geometric and clean lined.



What skill would you like to learn?

Ah that answers the above question! Right now I am really focused on wanting to improve my stone setting skills. But wax carving is up there. I'd also love to master some great forging techniques.













What is your workshop like? (Any photos)
I share my workspace with two other wonderful jewelers, Paul Deblassie and Martha Coté. I have pictures of the space posted on my Flickr page.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninadinoff/sets/72157605842452398/
What is your main goal this year?
I am working very hard to increase awareness of my work and get more wholesale accounts and into galleries. But as for the work itself, I want to keep expanding my collections and growing my skills. Really, what don't I want to achieve!






Please provide links to five of your favorite websites. (Blogs, Artists or Whatever)
Cal Lane http://www.callane.com/
Marian Anderson http://www.marianneanderson.co.uk/
Tone Vigeland http://www.cooperhewitt.org/EXHIBITIONS/archive/vigeland/start.htm
Betty Cooke http://www.modernsilver.com/BETTYCOOKE.htm
I dont read a lot of blogs but i should! i plan to start one soon. I'll keep you posted.

Where can people find you?

www.ninadinoffjewelry.com
ninadinoff.etsy.com
www.swizzlet.com
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Thank you Nina.

Valentines is coming....

Less than 3 weeks now until the biggest day for lovers.

St Valentines Day - Feb 14th.

So have you bought the card, the flowers, the present and put the champagne in the chiller?

Folksy - A new (ish) site selling handmade goods.

A fairly new website promoting individual designer makers like myself.

Think ebay but without all the mass made crap from china.

Regardless, of your craft, you can open a shop on Folksy.com and sell your wares for a modest fee. Or if you are looking for a bargain, you can treat yourself or a loved one.

Here is the link to my shop. http://www.folksy.com/shops/ChrisParry

It is currenlty on set-up for UK buyers and sellers, but in Feb 2009, they are planning to open the site up to all countries.

Personalised Ring Stands.

New Ring Stands Now For Sale

I am pleased to bring you these personalised ring stands.

You can find full details by clicking HERE

They can be personalised with your own logo or name. A fabulous idea for those who display their goods at craft shows, galleries, shops or simply want an eye catching stand for their photos.

Saturday Spotlight - Elizabeth Scott

Following my Saturday Spotlight series, here is a remarkably gifted jeweller based in USA. Following is a brief interview with Elizabeth.

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When someone asks you "What do you do?" What is your reply?

The short explanation is I'm a jewelry artist, but I usually end up explaining what Etsy is, since most of my sales occur there.












Why did you choose this profession?

I started out in art as a printmaker, but I think I always liked to work very small and more 3D, so jewelry was perfect for me. After grad school I felt like I just needed a break from all of the ideas floating around in my head. I didn't make art for a while, and focused on my teaching. I started making jewelry during that time because it was something I could easily do at home, and it turned into a full time business within a couple of years.







What is your favorite skill/technique?

I think fusing is my favorite; I usually use argentium, and I've been incorporating water cast pieces. I use fusing for organic designs but also I use it in place of solder- I like making pieces that are seamless whenever I can.

What skill would you like to learn?

Lately I've been incorporating more gold into my pieces so I've been thinking about keum bo.







What is your workshop like? (Any photos)

A mess. A horrible mess.


What is your main goal this year?

Do at least as well on Etsy as last year, and develop new work.

Please provide links to five of your favorite websites. (Blogs, Artists or Whatever)

http://www.etsyhacks.com/
http://www.ganoksin.com/
http://www.designspongeonline.com/
http://wikipedia.com
and of course http://etsy.com



Where can people find you?

http://esdesigns.etsy.com
and at a few retail shops.

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Thank you Elizabeth

Re-cycled fridge magnets - Friday Finds.

These cool re-cycled fridge magnets are available from teamzvonik.etsy.com

Here is what they say about this creation :

These 100% recycled paper pulp hearts are hand-painted and hand-cast by yours truly!
I created these specifically to find a good way to re-use all the useless bills, receipts, tags and other "junk" paper that comes into my life.
The texture of cast paper is irregular and imperfect- making each piece unique and full of interest!
Fun eco-magnets with lots of personality!

This listing includes 6 hearts- each one measures approx. 1.25"x 1" x .75".

I love recycling, don't you?!

New Design

Round Sqaure

Here is a new design. Shown here with a 0.10ct (3mm) diamond set in 18k white gold.

I can make this design to suit any budget, so if you would like a smaller/larger diamond, just let me know.

There is also a matching wedding band.

Wedding Ring Inscriptions.

Wedding Ring Inscriptions

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I have moved my blog over to my new home. CLICK HERE to come and visit me there.

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I am often asked for suitable ideas for stamping or engraving into pieces of jewellery.

So here are a few to get you going.

All My Love, All My Life	Love, Faith, Hope Together
All My Love (Name & wedding date)	Love Is All In All
Always	Love Is Eternal
Always For Forever	Love Me And Leave Me Not
As You Wish	Love 'N Kisses
Constant/True	My Best Friend (wedding date)
Endless As This Shall Be Our Bliss	My Heart Is Yours
Faithful Love Will Ever Last	My Heart Is Yours Forever
Forevermore	My Love Is Forever Yours
For You Alone	Never Another You
Forever	Never To Part
Forever And Ever	No Heart More True Than Mine To You
Forever Entwined	One Life One Love
Forever In Love	One Love, One Lifetime
Forever In My Heart	Math sign for Infinity - an eight lying on it's side
From This Day On	Today-Tomorrow-Forever
Grow Old With Me	Two Bodies, One Heart
Here Is My Heart, Guard It Well	With All That I Am
How Do I Love Thee	With These Rings We Bind Our Love
I Love You Most	With You Always (initials wedding date)
Initials (wedding date)	XOXOXOXOX
I Will Never Love Another	You And No Other
Joy Without End	You Are The Love Of My Heart
Kismet	You Are My Strength and My Love
Life Has begun (wedding date)	You Have My Heart
Life Is Good	You Shall Never Walk Alone
Love Conquers All Things

• a line from your vows...
• Latin: Ab imo pectore (English: From the bottom of my heart)
• All my love - all my life
• All my love, Leslie 05/25/96
• Always for Forever
• Latin: Amorem meum tibi semper dabo (English: I will keep giving you my love always)
• a portion of "As long as I live, my heart will never change/My choice is made, no other will do" from a poem by Dorothy Dunnet
• As you wish
• Be in love
• Constant and true
• Eternal, Leslie 5/25/96
• Forever Entwined
• Forever in Our Thoughts 5-25-96
• Forever Thine May 25, 1996
• Forevermore
• From this day on...5-25-96
• Grow old with me
• I Will Never Love Another
• In heaven, too, you will have my hand
• Love N Kisses
• LPF CAF May 25, 1996
• One Life One Love
• Greek: Oti kalon philon aiei (English: Whatsoever is beautiful is loved always)
• My Best Friend May 25, 1996
• My Love is Forever Yours
• Never Another You
• Never To Part
• Over Hill Over Dale Our Love Will Never Fail
• Latin: pari passu (English: side by side)
• "Whither thou goest" on one ring and "I shall go" on the other
• With All That I Am
• With You Always LPF 5-25-96
• XOXOXOXOX
• You Are My Strength and My Love
• You shall never walk alone
• the sign for infinity

Wedding rings don't have to be round !

Just because you are getting married, doesn't mean that you have to settle for the regular round wedding band.

Sure, they are right for some, but others want a little bit of individuality.

Here is a great example. Made in 18k white gold, this ring's unusual shape was actually driven by the shape of the engagement ring.

So if you need or are looking for something a little bit ore individual, then track down a friendly local jeweller who can make you something from scratch, exactly as you want it.

Collecting Handshakes

This often makes me smile. (which is quite sad really)

How do you collect handshakes?

Well as long as you can assume that two people would have met, they presumably would have shaken hands. For example, George Clooney and Brad Pitt appeared in Ocean's Eleven therefore they probably shook hands.

So here we go....I met my brother who met Hugh Scully (BBC interviewer) who met Margaret Thatcher (old UK Prime Minister) who met Churchill junior who met his father Winston Churchill (WW2 UK Prime Minister) who met the man who signed a peace treaty with Germnay who probably met Adolf Hitler.

So I have Adolf Hitler in 7

Or from the above, Thatcher met Ronald Reagan (US Pres) who would have met in his time Elvis Presley. (Some assumptions going on here)

So I have Elvis in 5

From Elvis you can get easily to any old hollywood star.....

So just for fun, who is a legend special in your life and how quickly can you get their handshake?

$105 giveaway. Three prizes worth $35 each.

I am offering THREE prizes worth $35 (£22) each. Shipping of the prizes is also free.

This is for one of my stackable personalised silver rings.

Click HERE for more details.

Each winner will receive one ring made to their given ring size and personalised with their own inscription.

The free to enter prize draw will be open to anyone signing up for my NEWSLETTER before 24th Feb 2009.


The draw will take place 12 noon 24th Feb 2009.

The winners will be notified and the rings made and shipped within a few days, once instructions are received.

The newsletter is nothing more than a monthly e-mail which will highlight brand new designs, recent bespoke commissions and special offers for Newsletter subscribers.

I promise to never sell or pass on your contact details in any way.

So simply click HERE and sign-up for your chance to win one of THREE prizes.

Valentines is coming....

I know what you are thinking, probably (it is only Jan 18th !?)

But if you are looking for that extra special handmade gift which is going to be shipped from halfway around the world then you need to be ordering within the next week or so.

Typical worldwide deliveries are a couple of weeks, maybe quicker if you pay for Express shipping.

So with Feb 14th only being 4 weeks away, that really only gives you a week or if you cut it fine, maybe 2 weeks to find that little something that expresses those three little words......

So your better half is precious, unique and makes your toes tingle. So do you really want to buy them a present made in China and bought on the high street?

A carefully selected, handmade, unique as they are gift, will be apprciated so much more....plus us individual makers will be able to buy some food. ;-)

(Photo is from the beautiful handmade pendants available from WinchellClayWorks.etsy.com )

Saturday Spotlight - Beth Cyr - Jeweller

Introducing Beth Cyr. Here is a short interview with Beth. A fine jeweller based in USA


When someone asks you "What do you do?" What is your reply?

ha ha, thats funny, b/c I never really know. Sometimes I say "metalsmith, sometimes, "jeweler", sometimes I say "I make jewelry" which sounds really mundane, but honest! Sometimes I say "artist", I suppose it depends on who asks and what day of the week it is.





Why did you choose this profession?

I loved working with metal, 3-dimensional art is much easier for me, and I love the practicality of creating wearable art. I like making things that have a function, even if the main function is just to be more adorned! Jewelry also seemed more marketable and a way to actually make a living as an artist. Maybe it was just that it was l loved best, so it made sense. I knew that I wanted to work for myself and sell what I made. I love the saying "Do what you love and you never have to work a day in your life" Though I would say that is pretty close to the truth, some days do feel like "work" but I wouldn't trade it for anything else!




What is your favorite skill/technique?

Fusing, for sure. I love my torch so much. I do love wax work and casting, but if the whole melting process wasn't there, I don't think I'd love it as much! I love the control you have to have when fusing, but the slightly unpredictable nature of the metal, that it won't always do the same thing, keeps it exciting!







What skill would you like to learn?

enameling! I have the enamels, I just haven't taken the time to start learning how to use them.

What is your workshop like?

Right now, cold! There is a woodburning stove and a couple of very small space heaters - I share it with my fiance who is a carpenter/woodworker. So its pretty big and there are lots of tools in it! I just got a new workbench (that was built special for me!) and I am very very excited about it. most recent photo:






What is your main goal this year?

My main goal this year is to work more with gold, create at least two more wedding band sets and then finish up my website that will be focused on my wedding rings. That sort of sounds like several goals... but in my head its all sort of together.


Please provide links to five of your favorite websites. (Blogs, Artists or Whatever)

Only 5?? Well.. I'd say my blogger dashboard b/c it has links to all my friends' blogs - Its a great way to keep up with what everyone is doing - but there are too many of those to list - so I'll just count it all as one!

I am a big fan of flickr: http://www.flickr.com

and etsy of course: http://www.etsy.com
http://vegweb.com - vegan recipes galore!
and my totally random one that I love checking out every so often is Nasa's Astronomy Picture of the Day!
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html


Where can people find you?

my blog: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
etsy: http://bcyrjewelry.etsy.com
artfire: http://bethcyr.artfire.com
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcyrjewelry
twitter: http://twitter.com/bcyrjewelry
my sadly outdated website: http://www.bethcyr.com


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Thanks Beth

Friday Finds - Beautiful Pottery

Here is part of my Friday Finds series. I cam across this little bowl whilst perusing Etsy.

I do love the look of this little bowl.

You can see more wonderful work at their Etsy shop LucindaChips.etsy.com

This beautiful bowl is 10cm high, and was decorated by hand using a design based on my old 'spode' kitchen ware. Glazed all over with a food-safe transparent finish and made of stoneware.

Perfect for serving olives and other nibbles at the table!

Width: 3 and a half inches
Height: 3 and a half inches

Handmade Contemporary Engagement Ring

Liz came to see me to discuss her dream engagement ring.

Here is the result - three sparkling diamonds set into a bespoke ring design.

The ring is made from 18k white gold. The diamonds diminish in size starting with the largest at 3mm

I have already made the matching wedding band.

Liverpool Football Club Cuff Links

I am a fan of Liverpool myself. Although born a southerner, my parents were both born in the shadow of Anfield - hence my allegiance.

So I was delighted to undertake this commission for some high quality LFC cuff links.

The "offical" LFC cuff links in their brochure whilst cheap were just shockingly poor quality. I mean really poor.

So a lovely local lady wanted to treat her hubby and here is the result.

I can of course make any design in cuff links , so if you would like something different please get in touch. I would even consider doing Manchester Utd but you would have to pay triple. ;-)

A little joke for those that like Football. Bob Paisley the famous Liverpool manager of yesteryear once said "There are two brilliant football teams in Merseyside. Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves."

New Etsy Shop Just Opened.

Happy New Year to you all.

I am pleased to annopunce that a) the bedlam of the Christmas rush is over and b) I have started adding new products to my OTHER Etsy shop.

Http://www.ThreeStarsDesign.etsy.com

As you can see from this "I Love You" Valentine's card.

I have lots of plans for new products for this shop.

I am open to custom made greeting cards in the syle you see here, more details to follow.

I am also open to wholesale accounts, so if you would like to stock some exciting new gifts for your shop, the please get in touch.


Please bookmark my new shop as there are going to be so many neat gifts added over the next few weeks and onwards.....