Fingerprint on a silver guitar plectrum

Just completed this fingerprint, hand engraved onto a sterling silver guitar plectrum.

If you are interested, you can order your very own by visiting my shop here.

Etsy Interview

I was thrilled to have been interviewed and "twittered" about by Etsy.

You can read the full article by CLICKING HERE

I have been selling on Etsy now for a little over two years and the exposure is of course great. It has bought me clients from all over the world and to date, I have sent a commission to each continent!!!

It is quite amazing when an order comes through from obscure far flung countries, and it is such a lovely thought, to know that my pieces are being enjoyed the world over.

I haven't kept track, but I reckon I have sent at least one item to each of the USA states and what makes me smile the most, is that I have exported goods to China. I have certainly bought enough from China in my life, so nice to send something back.

Thanks for stopping by.

quite a catch....nursery room perhaps?

A sweet little print available to order form

GumballGrenade.etsy.com

now wouldn't that look neat on the nursery room.

So do you know anyone with a little one on the way? Plan aead and be prepared for the big day.

Anyone can buy some baby clothes , but only someone special will get soemthing this cute.

before you go sending me an e-mail....I am actually not here. I am away on hols and this is a scheduled post that I wrote a week ago. I am actually sitting by the pool sipping an ice cold beer!

I know Valentines has gone, but....

You got to plan ahead for their birthday.

five little ceramic hearts (with an adorable little bag as well)

raedunn.etsy.com

and yep, if you have been reading my recent blogs, I am still on holiday with my family. These posts have been pre-written and I have just delayed the blog posting date.

Hippo Birdie to you.

I am still away on my hols, and this is just a pre-scheduled post. Don't worry, I sm not negelecting my family on the beach so that I can run and post on this blog !

found this little fella on Etsy

bunnywithatoolbelt.etsy.com

Apart from making me smile, what a brilliant store name.

Come on, you must be smiling.

So you missed Valentines ?

I am away on hols at the moment, but the clever guys at "Blogger" allow me to write blog posts and schedule them to post whilst I am away !!

neat eh?

So Valentines has gone and you missed it. DOH!

Why not try to get some browny points back

Mudgoddess.etsy.com

Fabulous Wedding Idea

Commission your very own set of pebbles, each engraved with a name.

Full details can be found here

sjengraving.etsy.com

As you would expect, you got to allow 2 weeks , but what a fab idea.

Hearts - it appears are made in factories.

Friday Finds

It appears that hearts aare indeed made in factories.

This delightful piece can be yours for just a handful of dollars

PearsonMaron.etsy.com

Here is their blurb in their words.

Hearts are indeed made in factories.

I've grown weary of being told I don't have a heart.
If you are lacking a heart or tired of your heart being broken it would be wise to invest in your own tiny heart factory.

Miniature ceramic heart factory sculpture.
Twice fired glazed ceramic earthenware.
Signed and dated.

1 1/8" x 7/8" x 2 1/16"

Go on, you know you want to.

Custom personalised cuff links.

I am now offering custom cuff links in sterling silver for that special present.

You can have any wording or date in any font (Space allowing). Or you can have some artwork. There really is no limits to what is possible.

Perfect gifts on the wedding day for the groom, best man or father's.

They typically take 2-3 weeks to make.

You can buy them from my Etsy shop

www.chrisparry.etsy.com




Shown here area more traditional monogram pair of cuff links on a rectangular shield.

As these are made from scratch, you can actually have any shape shiled and personalise them in any way.

If you have any questions then please drop me a line

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
++++++++

Thank you Nina.

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.

+++++++

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.

++++

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?!

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


++++

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

Hitree - Tree's to hug.

A wonderful little Etsy shop called Hitree.


Here is the low down in hitree's own words


This is Mr. Oak Tree. He's a pillow for your head! If you are a tree hugger, than Mr. Oak Tree was made just for you!
His dimensions are: 19"tall x 21"wide x about 6"-7" thick.
He will make your couch or bed look extra cute.






FYI: this is a picture of just one oak tree pillow. they are all slightly different, but the same dimensions!

Pop over and have a look at the shop. Hitree.

So good I had to buy one.....

I stumbled across this Etsy shop and loved one of the books so much, I just had to buy one.

Froydis Faire Books speciliase in up-cycling old books. Here is a brief description in their own words.

Whatever their story, I have a difficult time passing these lovelies by. Recently, I've decided to rescue some, and give them the opportunity for a new life. I take out old, ripped text blocks, remove the pages that are unsalvageable, and clean up the cover as well as I can. I then add new pages - sketch papers, and sometimes art papers and tracing papers - new endpapers, and bookmarker ribbons. With the bumps and bruises that cannot be removed, these old friends retain the mystery of their past so that, perhaps, a new owner will see their value, fill them with their own words and images, and treasure them for years to come.

So pop on over and treat yourself to a unique present.

New find on Etsy

I really like these little shot glasses that I came across on Etsy.

I am really into the whole "grunge" theme at the moment and i love the non structured style of these little pots.

You can visit their Etsy shop by clicking HERE

If you have any suggestions of GREAT sellers then please drop me a line.

Vote - The results

So last week, I asked you to vote on the pictures in the next blog entry below. The green and the grey.

The green won with 80% of the votes.

In the meantime I have been taking some more photos and here is my (I think) improved photo.

The Crown Ring

Made in sterling silver. I have just finished this ring and added it to my Etsy shop. A rather sweet little crown/tiara ring.