"Winter" Mix

It's not feeling very wintery around these parts, but here are a few things to brighten your day anyway.

First up is a dish repurposed from various parts of of a vodka bottle. Upcycling at its finest...

Belvedere Vodka Dish by reVetro

Next is a stitched fabric sculpture. Something unique to show off to your friends...

Stitched Fabric Sculpture by Peg Grady Art

Need a little something to keep the chill off. This shrug is just enough for that...

Upcycled Shrug by Lady Madeline Clothing

Perhaps you've got a baby shower coming up. What a cute handmade gift!

Knit Baby Booties by Babywear by Babs

Oooh, lapis lazuli... For all your jewelry makers out there, something to add to your stash...

Lapis Lazuli Infinity Focal Bead by Yay Beads!

And here's a pretty shiny to warm up your wardrobe during our "drab" "winter" months...

Glass Bead Necklace by Malibu Jewel

And just for fun, a duct tape billfold (Duck Tape is a great brand name, since I know I'm always mispronouncing it)...

Peace Duck Tape Bill Fold by My Mom and I Handmade

All captions link back to the items on Etsy as well as the shops listed. Make sure to check them out.

Around the Team

There's a new Pantone color of the year and it's radiant orchid. Bella Beads Originals has just the earrings...

Ruby In Zoisite Dangle Earrings by Bella Beads Originals

And over at Bobbles by Carol, she's now offering her own handmade beads...

Pink Artisan Handmade Polymer Clay Beads by Bobbles by Carol

Olive Violet Artisan Handmade Polymer Clay Beads by Bobbles by Carol

Our team members make such beautiful things.

My next team promotional post is scheduled for January 29th. If you'd like something from your shop featured, let me know...

Social Media Question

I meant to have a new post all about another amazing social networking site for today. But alas, the holidays came, and it kind of got away from me.

You know I've been blogging about various social networking sites, right? You didn't notice?

Well, I've already blogged about Pinterest, Blogging, Twitter, and Wanelo. And the plan is to continue these once a month. But I have a question for you:

What social media are you involved in? What social networking sites have you tried? Which of these sites would you like me to highlight in the upcoming months?

Right, that was three questions. Um...

Let me know what sites I should look into. I'm open to all suggestions.

Happy New Year

Image courtesy Allie C. of Allie's Adornments

Handmade Wooden Wine Box Rustic by ThinkEco2

French Victorian Shooting Star by Allie's Adornments

Merry Christmas

Hand Dyed Silk Crepe Scarf in Deep Reds by Ocean Avenue Silks

13 teeny tiny miniature square Christmas envelopes by teenytinyenvelopes

Lace Mohair and Bead Scarf by ohmay designs

20s BUTTON earrings by Allie's Adornments

Want. Need. Love.

I'm on a quest to highlight various social media outlets (previously, I posted about Pinterest, Blogging, and Twitter). This month I'm going to tell you about one you probably haven't heard of. It's called Wanelo.

Wanelo?

It's a social media interactive wishlist. With hashtags.

Or, it's kind of like Pinterest, but just for products.

I like it because I can sort of bookmark items that I like so I can find them when I'm ready to buy them. It's also a great way to find items I might not otherwise find, just from viewing the feeds of people and/or stores that I follow.

It's also a great way to post items from my shop, giving them another place to get noticed.

The more "saves" a product has, the more visibility it gets.

You can check out their About Page and their FAQ. It might be worth your time. Who knows? Maybe items from your shop have already been posted there. (I've posted items from most of my blog posts there.)

This post was contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs who is on Wanelo as ZiziRho.

Artist Profile: cserpentDesigns

Happy December everyone!

I first got a glimpse of Susan's work over on our Facebook page and was hooked.  I had to learn more about this artist and these beautiful pieces.  If you're near  San Diego county you can check out her pieces in person at the Fallbrook Art Center right now! (more on that below)

Without anymore delay, let me introduce to you Susan of cserpentDesigns 

Describe your shop:
At cserpentDesigns you'll find one of a kind jewelry designs handmade by me, Susan Estrada. In my designs I use precious and semi-precious gemstones, precious metals, artisan glass beads and any other sparkly, beautiful thing that would look beautiful in a design. 

How would you describe your style?
Until I asked my hubby I would have said my style was all over the map. He said my style was circular and loopy :) As he noticed I tend to use or create circles, swirls, loops and round objects in my designs. I'm just not into hard, straight edges! I really love making designs that feel organic and earthy but I certainly don't limit myself to that.

When did you learn to do what you do?
I started designing jewelry in 2003 (I think). A fellow soccer teammate talked me into going to a wire wrapping class when we had a 4 hour break between games at a soccer tournament. I had a blast in the class so I took more classes at bead stores and at one of our local community colleges. I've also learned quite a few things by reading books and through online tutorials. I still continue to learn (silver casting is next on my list) so I can continue to improve and expand my design knowledge.

What are your favorite pieces to make?
Earrings are very satisfying to make because I can finish them quickly. But from a design perspective my 2 favorites are wire wrap intensive bracelets with lots of dangles and metal forged designs of any kind. I love doing the wire wrap bracelets because I can combine so many different beads, colors and textures into a gorgeous and dangly design. I love metal work because I start with the basics of a piece of wire or sheet metal and through hammering, melting and soldering I created something unique and beautiful.

What inspires you?
I get inspired all over the place - at the mall, walking through my neighborhood, shopping in a store. I tend to get color ideas from the outside world and then I pull out beads and stones in those colors and let the beads inspire me. I am often amazed when the beads themselves talk to me! I really do get some design ideas from the beads themselves. Sometimes it can take them years to talk to me, but when they do the design is just perfect!

Where would you like your shop to be 5 years from now?
My next great adventure is selling through my own website. My Etsy (cserpent.etsy.com) and ArtFire (cserpent.artfire.com) shops work for me now - but I would love to be able to promote my own website at some point in the future. 

What does your work space look like?
I swings between a mess and a totally cleaned up space. When I'm in the throes of design I have wire, sheet metal, bead boxes and tools scattered all over my desk, the floor and any other nearby flat surface. Once I finish up one or several designs I can't stand the mess and have to put everything away so I can start new designs with a clean slate. 

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?

I rarely have this but I do splurge once in a while and have a cinnamon or chocolate roll with coffee. On a daily basis I really do enjoy my bran flakes sprinkled with raisins and strawberries (when they're in season) - and, of course, coffee!

How do you spend your time when you're not creating?
I am a software designer in the integrated circuit design industry where we design those microprocessors in your cell phones, DVRs and many other places. I also play soccer, hang with my hubby and dogs and play in my garden (though I do that less as I've started designing more jewelry).


Where else can we find your work (online an in person)? 
You can connect to all my sales sites from my website (www.cserpentDesigns.com). On my website I have links to my Etsy (cserpent.etsy.com) and ArtFire (cserpent.artfire.com) shops. I also have links to the jewelry for sale at Gili Anna's in La Jolla, California and at the Bead and Glass Boutique in Pitman, New Jersey

Are you doing any craft fairs this year?
I did several this year and right now I have designs available at the Fallbrook Art Center Art of the Holiday (www.fallbrookartcenter.org) show. I update my website (www.cserpentDesigns.com) regularly with information about new designs and upcoming events.

Where can we learn more about you? 
My website (www.cserpentDesigns.com) has links and information to every place I'm available online. You can also read my blog (cserpentDesigns.blogspot.com) to see what's going on in my jewelry life and personal life. I'll be updating it almost daily when I'm shopping for new gemstones and meeting new (and old) friends at the Tucson Gem Show in February!


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So that, ladies and Gentlemen, is the wonderful Susan. Make sure to visit her shop, tell your friends and your neighbors too. I might just have to gift myself a new pair of earrings this year.