Where I Fess Up

I have a confession to make. I used to take a lot of time on these posts. I'd come up with a theme, search through our team's shops to find things that fit the theme...

But lately, I've started cheating. Instead of coming up with a theme, I just peruse the "Show Your Handmade Creations" thread on the team discussion thread, and pick a few items that catch my eye. (Or, I find a shop that is new to me, and I peruse the shop to find something to highlight.) I've been doing this for several months now.

Whew. It feels good to get that off my chest.

So, this month, here's what I found...

Crystal & Pearl Bracelet by Oh My Beading Heart!

Topaz Bracelet by LisaMarie's Piece

Jewelry catches my eye always. It helps that quite a few of the team members make jewelry. And I especially love earrings...

Purple Jade Gemstone Earrings by Bobbles By Carol

Sometimes I have no good reason for being drawn to something. Perhaps it's just the colors...

Chakra Crystal Stone Plaque by Saber Shores

Iridescent Gypsy Moth by Crystal Mist Cottages

Or it's something that makes me laugh...

Embroidery Wall Art by Peg Grady Art

And since I'm a knitter and crocheter, anything fiber related catches my eye...

Chevron Crochet Sports Team Blanket by ChevronLane

And just for fun, this is one of mine...

Lip Balm Holder with Clip by Zizi Rho Designs

Anything caught your eye lately? Do you peruse the "Show Your Handmade Creations" thread?

Summertime

This week I challenged the team to show me something from their shops that makes them think of summer, that belongs in summer, or anything summer. And then I asked them for a summer memory. Here's what they gave me:

Here's how The Pink Camellia remembers summer:

Summer always makes me think of young innocent summer crushes! Going on a vacation, or to camp, or wherever, and developing a crush on someone. You'd spend your summer laughing and having fun, then have to go back home and write letters to your sweetheart, maybe carry around a picture or something special they gave you to remember them by. They'd slowly fade away after school started back up again, but weren't those crushes the best?!  

I made a Lovebirds locket just for that reason..to hold that pic of your sweetie close to your heart...

Large Swarovski Crystal Lovebird Locket Necklace

Bobbles By Carol feels summer is: 

Summer is filled with bright color of all kinds... Greens of different kinds of grass and the stems of beautiful fresh blooming flowers in every shade of color.. Clear skies let us see the blues and white fluffy clouds...  

I made these earrings and matching necklace with some of these colors...

Gemstone Jewelry Beaded Earrings

Gemstone Jewelry Green Bead Necklace

Crystal Mist Cottages has a different take on summer: 

I live in Santa Cruz, so I'm fortunate to see the whales swimming past our shores. I sit on the sand, watching the dolphins play, and enjoying the sea lions romp, hoping I'm lucky enough to spot that spout!

Humpback whale with calf, original watercolor

Indy And Cleo has a similar take on summer:

I'll never forget an amazing summer vacation spent on the Big Island of Hawaii ~ walking along sandy beaches with giant Pacific Green Sea Turtles basking in the sun. In Hawaiian, they're called “Honu”. Though no one is really sure, Pacific Green Sea Turtles probably live into their 80’s. I called them giant because a fully grown Honu has a shell 4~5 feet in diameter and weighs about 350~400 pounds! If you ever have a chance, they are truly an amazing sight to see . . . Aloha!  

My very talented husband is the artist behind this art print . . .

Sea Turtle Art Print

Isn't summer the best time of the year? What's your best memory of summer?

The Facebook

When one talks about social media, one must reference Facebook.

Facebook has been around for 10 years now, and it is one of the most popular sites in the world. 67% of Internet users from the US are on Facebook. (In the UK, it's 82%.) It is also the most popular app on smartphones. (Source)

While teens ages 12-17 still are on Facebook, adults are more active on the site. (The teens are more into the next big thing.) And adult use is intensifying. (Source)

What is there to say about Facebook that we don't already know? It's the one social networking site that is kind of ubiquitous. We can't escape it. And what shop would be complete without a Facebook page?

Here are some of our Facebook pages. Please, make sure to like them (we appreciate your support!):

• Bobbles By Carol
• The Crafty Nana
• Bella Beads Originals
• Ocean Avenue Silks
• Pink Pianos
• Ohmay Designs
• Quirky'nBerkeley Cards
• Teenytinyenvelopes
• Shanna Michele Designs
• Shanna Michele: Handmade Jewelry
• JPavey Designs
• Allie's Antiqued Adornments
• Kin Collars: "We post updates of new designs, dog model shots wearing Kin Collars collars, and more!"
• Nansglam
• Annie K Designs
• Duetta Designs Jewelry and Lampwork
• Terah's Classic Creations
• Zizi Rho Designs (that would be my page)
• California Crafters Club of Etsy (the team)

Previous posts on social media:

• Pinterest
• Blogging
• Twitter
• Wanelo
• Tumblr
• Instagram

Artist Profile - Bella Starr

Today we're welcoming to the blog the lovely Michelle of Bella Starr and her wonderful hats. 

Newsboy Cap

The story behind the name "Bella Starr”

In 2002, when I formed my company I was looking for a name that had meaning to my life. When I was a little girl my dad sang the song “Michelle” by the Beatles to me. He would always sing the line,” Michelle my belle.” so I decided to add “Bella” with the meaning being beautiful in french. I was also named after the song by my parents loving the Beatles.

I needed more depth to my company name and really thought about my life. In 1998, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and I have had several reoccurrences of cancer in recent years. I loved looking at the stars at night on long road trips in the desert and would look at the stars to wish the cancer away. I reach for the stars with anything in life and never give up that easily with anything. I put the two together and came up with Bella Starr. The two together "Beautiful Star" was the perfect name.

Beret Hat

How would you describe your style? 
Old Hollywood would perfectly describe my style and design sense. I love Greta Garbo, Clara Bow, Joan Crawford, Faye Dunaway fashion styles and many more.

Black & White Beret

When did you learn to do what you do? 
My mom was a fashion designer and taught me to sew when I was 8 years old. I taught myself to design hats and later went to Orange Coast College and took some courses in Millinery and Costume Design. I also have a fashion design degree from completing the program at OCC.

What are your favorite pieces to make? 
I really love creating my Beret Hats and they are my most popular items I sell.

What inspires you? 
I love looking at old hollywood photos, architecture, old vintage apparel, textiles and I really love Biba from London.

Wide Brim Hat

How do you stay motivated during slow times? 
I never have a slow moment as I have two school aged kids that keep me busy. I’ve also worked as Director at a fashion college for over 13 years and recently went part time to pursue my line of hats. I love using Pinterest to search for new inspirations and look at the trend forecasting services when I have extra time.

Where would you like your shop to be 5 years from now? 
In 5 years I really hope to grow my own website with more traffic and sales. I also really want to focus on my wholesale business and start designing apparel.

How do you spend your time when you're not creating? 
Going to Disneyland with my family where you never grow up.

Cloche Hat

What does your work space look like? 
My studio is in my house and usually it’s flipped upside down creating new designs. I collect vintage fabric as well as new and have run out of room to store all of the fabric. I have shelves stacked by color and textures to find fabric. I like using plastic bins to store my supplies. I have a wall I post up my design inspirations story board. To keep the rest of my fabric organized I have a professional cutting table.

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast? 
I’m not a very big breakfast person and usually eat a slice of toast with coffee.

Where else can we find your work?  Are you doing any craft fairs this year? 
I really don’t do much craft shows and have focused on larger fashion trade shows for the wholesale market. I’ve shown my line at Magic in Las Vegas for the past 3 shows and will show again in August.

Where can we learn more about you?  
You can see more of my work at www.bellastarr.com,http://www.pinterest.com/mvanhamer/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bellastarrhats. I currently don’t have a blog with not having enough time in the day to write. I’m hoping to hire someone in the future to handle my social media