Etsy Shopping

Yes, I have a shop on Etsy, and I do love when people buy from me. But I also love to buy from others on Etsy. There are so many wonderful shops with amazing products. Here are but a few on my wishlist.

Perfumes from Loreto. I've actually bought from this seller before, and highly recommend her. Some of my favourite scents are Yellow Rose, Neroli, Liquid Sunshine (which was the first to run out, as I used it so often) and Mojito.

 

Peppermint sandwich cookies from Tookies. I love chocolate and peppermint, and these look beyond delicious.

 

Horus eye charm from Hint. This speaks to the mythology and Egyptology lover in me. 

 

Silhouette fused glass necklace by CCValenzo

I can just imagine this pendant incorporated into one of my own creations.

 Handmade shoes by SpiroCreations. There is something so basic about these, yet so wild. I want them!

 

TARDIS wallet/business card holder by CoolBeans. Cutest business card holder ever! Plus, it's the perfect size to hold my 4th gen iPod Nano.

Keys to Secret Cities bracelet. Yes, this is one of my pieces. If I didn't make key jewelry and found something like this in another shop, I'd want to buy it.

 

The party starts tomorrow!

Yay! The online Bright Circle Jewelry party starts tomorrow! Seven days of shopping, freebies and perks are about to start!

Remember to RSVP in order to attend by leaving a comment here or on my Facebook fan page with your Etsy account name. If you're not yet registered with Etsy.com, it's free and easy to sign up. On Saturday, August 21, I will send your Etsy account a 'conversation', (sort of like Etsy's internal email system) containing a coupon code . When you make a purchase, enter that code in the 'notes to seller' box during checkout to receive a FREE* pair of earrings and FREE* shipping with every order total. You must RSVP in order to attend, but an RSVP is not a commitment to buy!

I promised you a pair of free earrings with purchase, and here's a preview of the free earrings you could be getting!

The ninth entry is...

 

Forest Twilight II wire art pendant by DeviantArt user BlackCurrantJewelry  

Not only does she demonstrate beautiful control of the wire, she lets it lead the way, and incorporates little organic elements like the butterflies and dragonflies at the base and top.

The eighth entry is...

 

The 'Copper Canyon Sunrise' necklace by Etsy seller SalamanderHouse.

Her stitchwork is flawless, incorporating multiple agate cabochons with bead embroidery, peyote and spiral stitch. This must indeed be a labor of love!

Felted soap giveaway from T&T Crafts!

Etsy seller T&T Crafts is hosting a giveaway, giving away a bar of  'felted' handmade soap! See details here: http://t-tcrafts.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-from-me.html

And the second contest entry is...

This approach to filigree is new and different, by Etsy seller FuchsiaBloomStudio!

'The Beaded Passion': announcement and call for entries!

I'm giddy to announce my newest ongoing project: a self-published how-to beading magazine, called 'The Beaded Passion'! It will feature jewelry made from various materials, using a myriad of techniques at many different levels--but they will all reflect a passion for beading! There are still some things to work out and finish up, but I hope to release the premiere issue around the end of January.
In the meantime, what better way to celebrate the upcoming beady joy than with a contest? So, I call for entries to 'The Beaded Passion Contest'!

This beading contest is to show off your skills designing with one or more cabochons! The cabochon/s may be gemstone, bone, vintage or modern glass, polymer clay, metal clay, or Shimmerstone.Techniques you might use in your entry piece include but are not limited to: wiring, bead stitching, looming, bead embroidery, clay work (polymer or metal), and chainmaille.

Rules for entering:
Entries may be jewelry or functional art object.
Judges not eligible to enter.
Your entry must incorporate one or more cabochons, and must be your own original design.
New work is encouraged, but previous works done within the past six months are acceptable.
Put in the listing description that this is for the 'Beaded Passion' contest, with a link back to this post.
To submit, simply comment on this post with a link to your entry. Alternatively, you may send me a DeviantArt or Etsy note entitled 'contest entry' with a link to your entry.
Last day of accepting entries is March 31. Winners are notified and announced within two weeks.

The prizes are as follows:
Most Unusual~$15 gift certificate to my bead shop ParadoxMoxie
People's Choice~$20 gift certificate to my bead shop ParadoxMoxie
Best Entry~$25 gift certificate to my bead shop ParadoxMoxie

In addition, each of the the winning designs will be featured on my Bright Circle blog, my DeviantArt journal and in an issue of my upcoming bead magazine, 'The Beaded Passion'! All entries will be featured on my DeviantArt journal as they come in.

 Entries will be judged on creativity, technical skill, aesthetic appeal, and use of the cabochon in the design.
If you would like to furnish prizes/be among the judges, send me a DeviantArt note or Etsy Conversation.

Contest rules subject to change depending on the number of entries received. For example, a deluge of entries may necessitate the introduction of contest categories. Rest assured, any changes will be posted.

Featured Artist: BloomsburyGroup

BloomsburyGroup sews funky, haunting dolls, many of which are one of a kind! I don't usually go for dolls, but these stood out from the crowd. Don't miss this collector's doll! http://bit.ly/65o27

Zena the artist says: 

"I am a self taught artist who is brimming with ideas, excited by all sorts of mediums and unable to find enough time to create everything in my head!!! My art and craft comes from fantasy driven ideas and exploration of my imagination. I like to be different and have my own take on things! As a 'grown up', I adore whimsy that is cute and has a 'childish' look! Bloomsbury Group was born from this very idea! Cute isn't just for children! I design my own art and patterns and most creations are hand sewn. In my shop you will meet The Bloomsbury Keepers and other whimsical characters that will 'steal' your heart! I am inspired by the 'BLOOMSBURY GROUP' of artists and writers, Duncan Grant,Carrington,Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf leading the way. I appreciate all forms of art and can see beauty in most things. As for life in general, well I take it as it comes, make the most of what I have and find happiness in the simplest of things!" Visit her shop at http://bloomsburygroup.etsy.com/

Featured Artist: KahiliCreations

KahiliCreations' peaceful wireworked jewelry blends native Hawaiian inspiration with pearls, gemstones and  glass beads, incorporating all into her exquisite, yet completely wearable designs. 

The artist says: "The inspiration for my jewelry line comes from my life on the Big Island of Hawaii. The riot of colors and sounds that greet me every morning starts my creative juices flowing. The flowers are more vibrant, the trees greener, the sky more blue, the water warmer, the air more fragrant. We have hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes galore and Kilauea has been churning lava my way. I am really one with the elements."


Of her many pieces I'd love to wear, this Herkimer diamond pendant tops the list: http://bit.ly/56cxn
Browse her wonderful shop here: http://kahilicreations.etsy.com

Featured Artist: Babayagada

Babayagada makes eerie yet quirky art. The strange creatures are too cute to be ominous! 

The artist says: "I can say that my work is an attempt to understand our world. I think I'm exploring more deep aspects of our reality ,when I'm designing or drawing something.
I'm happy when people from different places in the world share my feelings and find something interesting in my pictures!
My major influence is a melting pot of cultures and languages around me."

My pick is this inky Sketchbook Fairy! http://bit.ly/10vJgs
Visit her shop at http://babayagada.etsy.com
Or see more of her work at http://babayagada.com

Featured Artist: Visioluxus

Visioluxus's spookily ethereal shadowbox photography pendants are captivating!

The artist says: "My name is Elisa Lazo de Valdez and I am a self employed art photographer living and working in the rainy Northwestern side of the United States. I have been creating art since I could hold a crayon and have been a committed photographer for the last 6 years. My photography has been featured in magazines, on book covers and the ocassional CD jacket worldwide.
My imagery is often described as dreamy, surreal, spooky, and ethereal. I am heavily inspired by the dark side of fairy tales and the luxury of rich textures."

I think my favourite is the Mermaid Corset: http://bit.ly/KYpPW

Visit her shop at http://visioluxus.etsy.com

You can view more of her photography
at www.visioluxus.com
http://visioluxus.blogspot.com
hyyp://visioluxus.livejournal.com

Featured Artist: Katker

Katker's Bloomin' Button jewelry is charming with more than a touch of sophistication. These delightful adornments feature vintage beads, and are available in earrings, rings, necklaces and brooches.


The artist says: "I have been making jewelry off and on since my teens. I realized earlier this year (2009) that I have been working in an office for half of my life, mostly in the legal field. Lately I've been feeling a little like Erin Brockovich - "I hate lawyers, I just work for them." So after many weeks of thinking and brooding, I decided that I needed to indulge my creative side more if I wanted to stay relatively sane.
The jewelry creations in my shop were created using a mix of vintage and contemporary beads, buttons and findings. I love to work with vintage and new Swarovski and vintage Czech glass buttons. The great thing about working with vintage beads and findings is that most of what I create is one of a kind, so you can have unique jewelry that no one else has! Isn't that fantastic?"

Oh, I do like these Dameka Daisy Bloomin' Button earrings: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29142060

Visit her shop at http://katker.etsy.com 

Featured Artist: Merimask

Andrea Masse-Tognetti of Merimask masterfully cuts, forms and paints leather masks, keychains & the occasional 'arm dragon'. This is one of those shops where you look at the masks and you just want every one!


She says: "For a person educated in the soft sciences & majoring in archeology, I sure ended up in a weird profession; maskmaking. I'm an anachronism; I make stuff with my hands. I work exclusively in sculpted leather and I am entirely self-taught. I think a good mask should reveal what's inside, rather than conceal. All my designs are functional, wearable art, & no two are exactly alike."

Andrea Masse-Tognetti is a self taught artist living in Tonawanda New York, and has been working exclusively with leather sculpture for over sixteen years. She has created mask designs for Cirque Du Soleil, and last fall her masks appeared on stage in Tokyo in the "Muscle Musical" stage production "Magicarade". Her leather sculpture has been featured in "Weird Tales" magazine, the Niagara Gazette, "Artvoice" magazine and "J Select" magazine. Most recently, her masks appeared onstage in the Circus Juventas youth group production of "Yulong", in St. Paul Minnesota.

My personal favourite item seems to be popular: the dragon armband http://bit.ly/kPxZk

Visit her shop at: http://merimask.etsy.com

Featured Artist: EchoEndeavor

EchoEndeavor creates elegant jewelry in soft hues, and proceeds benefit a local breast cancer charity!

 The artist says: "All items are handmade and proceeds are donated to "echo": Endeavor to Contribute to the Health of Others, a non-profit charity that helps cover costs associated with breast cancer care.
Several years ago I began exploring new ventures and hobbies as a means of enduring the rigors of graduate school. Little did I know that these interests would stick, even after I completed my formal education. Quickly realizing that my new hobbies were massing quite the collection and doing me little benefit piled in a drawer or upon a shelf, I decided to put my interests to work for others. As I was doing my graduate work in the field of cancer research, I looked to the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center next door to my research laboratory. Meeting a wonderfully sweet lady by the name of Miss Alice who helped me to get things organized, I began donating the proceeds from items I made to the breast care center to benefit those in my community who were in need of support. Whether they needed help paying for a mammogram or paying for cancer medicines, that is exactly what echo was set up to help do...help those when insurance couldn't. So far, over $7,000.00 has been donated to echo, or the Endeavor to Contribute to the Health of Others. My goal (which was originally $1,000.00) is now up to $15,000.00. You can learn more about echo by visiting the website: http://www.orgsites.com/wv/echo."  

I'd like for these earrings to contribute to my ears! http://bit.ly/umZwX
 

Visit her shop at: http://echoendeavor.etsy.com

Featured Artist: TheRainbowRoom

Step inside TheRainbowRoom for a delightful experience! All the colours of the rainbow meet lush textiles in artist Clara's felted jewelry, accessories, cards and--soaps. Yes, felted soap!

Clara says: "I am an artist/designer/craftsperson (I know... I can’t decide which one) who loves colour and especially rainbows. Art & design has always played a big part in my life, and although I am awful at drawing I managed to study Fashion & Textile Design at University, which is where I realised I had a real thing for colour & pattern.
I have worked professionally as a sock designer, mosaic artist and interior designer and a few other things! I really enjoying working & experimenting in many different mediums including felt, feltmaking, mosaic, polymer clay and anything I can use to express my love of vibrant colour and pattern. Did I say I LOVE rainbows!!
I would like to work on some large scale pieces in the future; right now my Etsy shop and my beautiful daughter keep me very busy!"

Her felted bangles are my favourite! I want one of each, starting with the red one: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23412724

Visit her shop at http://therainbowroom.etsy.com
http://twitter.com/therainbowroom

Featured Artist: Tinyspace

 Cara of TinySpace offers very appealing graphics as well as applying her skills to promo materials such as business cards, graphics packages, etc. 

She says: "Tiny Space is a small home studio with love of printed + handcrafted goodies. Apart from crafty things I offered in the store, my other goal is to provide you professional graphic design services to help your business stand out from the crowd. Please convo me to find out how I can help you out!
Design is truly my passion, and whenever I'm free, I will be sitting in my home studio designing and crafting.
All the products in my shop feature my original illustration and designs."


 My favourite is the 'Happy Rain' print. http://bit.ly/16y7OW
Visit TinySpace's shop at http://tinyspace.etsy.com

Featured Artist: Minty Fresh Monster Apparel

Saman and Erica of Minty Fresh Monster Apparel provide us with adorable quasi-geekwear. I want these tees!

 The duo says: "The "MFM" in our shop name stands for “Minty Fresh Monster”. You know, sort of like the “Jolly Green Giant”, but more trendy, or something. And we sell T-shirts instead of peas.
Minty Fresh Monster Apparel is run by two Minneapolis Natives, Saman and Erica. The founder and designer at Minty Fresh Monster Apparel is Saman. He started the operation a way to share his creative vision with others, and make some money at the same time while he was a student. He's a dedicated artist, designer, and illustrator with a passion for T-shirt design. He loves to draw, and with every order, he makes one-of-a-kind drawings for our customers. Mostly for fun. But we think you'll like them too. Erica manages the business side of MFM Apparel and does other cool things like carve stamps for our labels."

Haven't YOU always wanted a tee with picture of Minneapolis on a turtle's back? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vt_related_1&listing_id=27817372

Visit their shop at http://mfmapparel.etsy.com
http://twitter.com/MFMApparel
http://www.facebook.com/MFMApparel

Featured Artist: Aranwen

Maybe you think you've seen it all. You haven't until you've seen this artist's work! Aranwen is the queen of what I like to call 'steampunk angel' jewelry! Her earrings are expressive, her chokers impressive and her watches MUST be seen!

 She says: "I try to create unique pieces that can't be put under categories or be labelled, that combine several different elements and still form something beautiful. I'm driven by my own need to be unique :)"

My personal favourite items are her epic, unbelievable and absolutely stunning watches: http://bit.ly/1822Bl

Visit her shop at http://aranwen.etsy.com
You can also find her at:
DeviantART: http://aranwen.deviantart.com/
Blog: http://aranwen.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aranwen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aranwen

Featured Artist: Schin

Etsy artist Schin Loong's fabulous digital paintings pair sometimes-dark mythical elements with a deceptively bright, breezy aesthetic. 

She says: ''I love bad puns, the worse, the better. My guilty pleasure is listening to bad pop music. I enjoy looking at pictures of baby animals, especially ducklings. I go out of my way to step on crunchy, dry leaves. I drink a zillion mugs of milk tea a day. I love all kinds of pretty things, and I hope my paintings will make your day a little prettier.''

I do love the impertinent goldfish in her 'My Mug' painting: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23696983 


Visit her shop at http://schin.etsy.com
If you can't get enough of Schin (and who can?), you can also find her here: 
http://schin-art.com 
http://schin-art.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/schinloong

Featured Artist: Bryan Collins

Enter the Technicolour dreamworld of BryanCollins' paintings!
His artist statement says: "Bryan Collins makes art out of a curiosity for human nature and our searches for something that will bring meaning to our lives. His faith in God is paramount in seeking visions for his work, as well as inspiration from God's creations and a reason to express his own spiritual battles. Rather than saturating his art with symbols of religion, he explores situations we can all identify with, such as acceptance, death, loss, love, guilt, fear, and dreams. His paintings and illustrations are also greatly influenced by music, books, and creative wording.
Acrylic paints and Prismacolor pencils are Bryan’s favorite tools, and he also uses watercolors, scratchboards, and ink to create his work. When not working on flat surfaces, Bryan is customizing toys and other DIY models. When not making art he is riding one of his bicycles, caring for his aquariums, hiking in the mountains, or just enjoying time with his wife and two children."
'Not An Angel But A Girl With Wings' might fit into my decor. http://bit.ly/f8gez
 Visit his shop at:http://bryancollins.etsy.com