Thursday, February 26, 2009

I'm in Chicago! Visiting my friend, eating some pizza.... and so on and so forth.

I can't even begin to tell you how relieved I am to have time off.

Doods.


For shizzle.


:)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Featured Etsy Shop - ErinBowe

Without much further ado, I present to you this week's Featured Etsy Shop! It's ErinBowe.etsy.com, a jewelry shop focused on traditional metalsmithing techniques. I sent Erin some questions and she had some pretty spiffy answers. Read on!





Here is some rambling in answer to your questions:
So, tell us about yourself. Metalsmithing is my life right now – a full-time job. And oh yeah, I have another full-time job during the day too. I don’t ever have “free time” to just relax, but I don’t really need it because sawing and soldering is what relaxes me anyway! If winter ever ends, I’ll get outside to rearrange my perennial gardens – it’s like art on a really large scale.



How long have you been running your etsy shop?I registered on Etsy last October, but I didn’t start listing items until early December. I also just set up a second shop for handmade supplies and other findings – FundamentalFragments.etsy.com.

What is it that really turned you onto metalsmithing in the first place?I actually started working with metal to give myself an outlet where I didn’t have to be perfect. Well, that didn’t quite work out as planned, but now I’ve found “my” medium.



Tell us about your studio; it sounds very interesting from the mention on your profile.
My studio….well, my house is about 120 years old, and we have a nice fieldstone basement. The original owners of the house had built a little room down there, making the walls from long planks of wood. The door was trimmed with wood detail that was also on the pie-safe that had been left in the house. A massive old workbench and tools were also in the house when we moved in. So, now this space is my studio, and I even use some of the tools that were left here.

What is it that gets you in the mood to create? Do you have anything habits or rituals to get yourself inspired to work? I’m in the mood to create 24/7! Most of my inspiration comes from every-day things, especially nature and architecture. I do get even more motivated when listening to music though. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds often keep me company.



And be sure to check out her links:

http://erinbowe.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/erinbowe
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinbowe/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1663811690&ref=profile

Thanks, Erin!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Okay, so... this is totally adorable. Saw it on the etsy front page.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day....

I just found this.




I don't understand... but I love it.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Gingerbread Russian Authors??

I just saw this on Craftster



Just some girl brought in cookies to her professor. With..... Russian literature greats drawn on them with icing. Pretty amazing; I wish I could wield a frosting tube that deftly!!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Etsy Featured Shop - Unoriginal Sinner

And here it is, the return of my Featured Etsy Shop.... Feature! This week, it's unoriginalsinner.etsy.com, a jewelry shop definitely worth checking out!



So introduce yourself to us! I'm in Louisville KY, a recently graduated art student just enjoying the school-free life at the moment. I'm into any kind of art i can get my hands on- photography, ink drawing, painting, even modeling. Jewelry making is actually my most recent artistic endeavor but something I've really jumped into. I like elegance with an edge; anything that is beautiful but also kind of creepy or dark is a go!


Skull and Crossbones Steampunk Necklace - $20

How long have you been running your etsy shop? I started on etsy last summer but didn't really do much in the way of promotion; I really got into it around this past Christmas when I discovered all the wonderful supply shops on etsy and the inspiration just took off!


Winged Yellow Rose Necklace - $12

What really turned you on to making jewelry in the first place? As a kid my aunt was a jewelry maker and general crafter and I would spend hours playing with her supplies. I inherited her collection when she passed and I still put something of hers in to almost everything I do.

Do you have a special workspace or studio where you do all your work, or are you more scattered, working all over the place? I think people's workspaces are interesting. Right now I have a little space on the corner of the couch where I flip open my supply case and spread out on the side table while the boyfriend plays video games :) I just moved into the place, so I'm hoping as things get more organized that I can claim a little table space of my own.


Steampunk Swallow Necklace - $14

A pic of the seller herself!

photo - vintage doll studios 2008


Thanks to Unoriginal Sinner! Be sure to check out her shop. Check in next week for the next featured shop!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Pretty neat-



VedaArts.etsy.com

Found this last night.... I really like her shop!


--


So is the economy just sucking for everyone else? I was beginning to think my store wouldn't really have a problem... and then.... it had a problem. Missing goals by a LOT. It's disheartening to me and my co-manager because our DM told us on Friday that the cut-backs on hours won't be enough. Someone will have to go. I know he and I are safe but that doesn't do much for my mood. I like all of the people I work with! I already feel so crappy for cutting their hours down. I'd work less myself but I'm salaried. Doesn't make much difference.

Sigh.

Things may turn around though; I do hope so.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts.... I want to try stenciling.... TRY to get crafty with my bad self. I have some vinyl & some leather stuff (furniture/bags) and I wanted to doctor them up.

Does anyone know of a good waterproof ink? Or can I just get a stencil and some spray paint?

Sunday, February 1, 2009