I Want It - Housewares

I haven't done a "want it" post in a while and this morning the lure of a lazy, leisurely Etsy browse was just too much to resist.

I'm really feeling housewares right now, possibly due to the stuck-inside weather and impending holiday entertaining. Here are a few of my favorite finds:


PopWall


DishfulsOfDoodles


JaneJoss


MaryLittfin


OliveandRuby


DimmalimmHome

Rave - Super Cute Wristlet

On this dreary Thursday morning, I thought I'd brighten things up with a quick rave about one of my most recent Etsy purchases, this adorable little keyring/wristlet thingie by FancyFerris. It's the perfect size for my keys, credit cards, business cards and cash; and the wrist strap is comfy and the perfect length. The ingenious elastic sides make this the perfect expandable wallet. It's not quite wide enough for my iPhone, but it doesn't matter. It's still the only thing I need to take with me for a quick trip to the store. And it was a life-saver at the State Fair a few weeks ago.

I'm big on "compartmentalizing" my handbag. Instead of a junk-drawer situation, my bag contains three handmade zipper pouches - one for snacks (I'm a mom after all); one for emergency stuff like eye drops, kleenex, lip balm and hand sanitizer; and another for the gym. Yes, it's a big bag. Here's one of my faves from AbbaDabba Bags:


Some of my other go-to sewing geniuses include My Beautiful Girl and Pyong Bricole.

Artisan Feature - bijouxbead

This week's featured artisan is Darlene of bijouxbead. A fellow mom, Twitter buddy and incredibly talented Canadian jewelry artist, Darlene creates stunning beaded necklaces. I experienced the beauty of Darlene's work firsthand last Christmas and was truly amazed at the intricacy and precision of her work. Many thanks to Darlene for participating in this interview!

Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
I am a jewelry artist from Toronto Canada. My work is represented by several galleries, and I have a small shop on Etsy.

What 3 phrases best describe your work?
Distinctive Wearable Art

What inspires you?
Canada and its inimitability

What drives you to create what you do?
The charitable work that I am able to do through Bijouxbead is the #1 reason I enjoy creating.

What makes your work unique?
My work is highly detailed and very distinctive. The entire necklace collection is multi-stranded and one of a kind featuring glass metal and stone, the bracelet collection features semi precious stone and handmade silver clasps, and the earrings are designed to compliment the bracelet collection.


What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
Achieving balance is my ultimate goal, isn’t it everyone’s?

How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
I am not sure where this business will take me; I have been very fortunate up until now, and I’m still on a huge learning curve.

Where can we find you on the web?
http://www.bijouxbead.com

Are you an artist or craftsperson? Would you like to be featured here? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here with a link to your shop, and I'll be in touch about future opportunities.

I Want It

I know it's June, but will you be my valentine? I adore the simple concept and gorgeous pink and red color combo in this sweet bracelet by S & T Creations. Get it here. And be sure to check out the S & T Creations blog here.

Are you a creative blogger? The Creative Bloggers Blog Ring is all about paying it forward - supporting other creative people through blogging. You can get involved here.

Wordless Wednesday - Fashions of the Future

I Want It

I don't know if it's the colors or the shapes... this gorgeous asymetrical necklace by amber leilani definitely reminds me of childhood. The vintage opaque Swarovski crystals conjure up images of vintage baby books and candy necklaces. The blackened sterling silver chain "dirties it up" just enough. Fabulous.

Get it here. And be sure to check out the amber leilani blog, Yellow Flower.

Featured Artisan and Giveaway! -- AbbaDabba Bags

This week's featured artisan is Monica of AbbaDabba Bags. I'm a huge fan of Monica's bags and the proud owner of two of her wristlets. Not only does she have an amazing eye for gorgeous prints and unique color schemes, her construction is flawless and her bags are virtually indestructible.

Leave a comment here and be entered to win a Deluxe Clutch in Amy Butler Coriander Pine! The winner will be notified by June 1st. Good luck!


Tell me a little bit about you and what you do.
My name is Monica and I am a mom, a wife and a bag maker. I made my first diaper bag in 2004 when I couldn't find anything stylish to carry. I was soon making them for friends and selling them by word of mouth. I now sell a whole line of bags online and have hundreds of satisfied customers across the country and around the world. I have been sewing since I was a pre-teen and officially started AbbaDabba Bags in 2007.


What 3 words best describe your work?
Bags, Fabric, Quality

What inspires you?
Fabric and colors inspire me. Sometimes I see a new fabric and instantly know which style bag will make it shine. Other times I find a fabric and design a new style to show it off. Getting a shipment of new fabric in the mail always makes me excited to sew!

What drives you to create what you do?
I have a love of purses and bags. I enjoy shopping for them, buying them and of course making them. I really love the creative process of designing new styles. It is good to have an outlet for your creative juices.


What makes your work unique?
I design my own patterns and try to be creative. I don't try to follow the latest shape or size of other sellers but instead focus on what I like. So far my customers like them too so it seems to be a good strategy. I also like to combine fabrics in new ways. It is not unusual for me to have stacks of fabric on my design table trying to find a new combination. The bigger my fabric collection grows the more fun I have with this process.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
AbbaDabba Bags gives me the opportunity to do something non-mom related. As a stay-at-home mom I give most of my time and energy to my kids. I think it is also important to have something that is separate from all that. An online business gives me the perfect flexibility to work around my family responsibilities. As my kids get older and enter school I would like to expand the business and the role it plays in my life.


How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
In the next 5 years I would like to broaden my own website and offer my bags directly to my customers. I'd also like to have my bags in a few local boutiques.

Where can we find you on the web?
My Website: www.AbbaDabbaBags.com
My Etsy Shop: http://AbbaDabbaBags.Etsy.com
My Artfire Shop: http://AbbaDabbaBags.Artfire.com


Are you an artist or craftsperson? Would you like to be featured here? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here with a link to your shop, and I'll be in touch about future opportunities.

I Want It

I'm fascinated by chainmaille in the same way I'm fascinated by optical illusions - I look and look, never quite able to make my brain understand what my eyes are seeing. Appealingly simple and impossibly complex at the same time, this gorgeous sterling silver roundmaille bracelet by Chainmaille By MBOI catches the eye and keeps it dancing from one glittering ring to the next. The look is rich, minimalist, and just a teensy bit goth. In two words - very cool.

Get it here. And check out the Chainmaille By MBOI blog here.

Shiny Objects

Yeah, I'm distracted by them. I also appreciate a really beautiful color scheme, which is what struck me about this piece by Mademoiselle M. It reminds me of something I can't quite place... something warm and sunny... a favorite piece of clothing from a particularly nice summer in my past perhaps? Anyway, I think it's pretty.

Get it here. And don't forget to check out the Mademoiselle M blog to learn more about the artisan.

I Want It

Don't you just want to reach in and touch it? The appeal of this gorgeous piece by Aussie designer Annette Piper, for me, is completely tactile - I can just feel the weight of the stones, the smoothness against my skin, and the little chill I'd get when I first put it on. Plus I'm loving this color for the ultra-hot Texas summer that's just around the corner. Obsessed? Yeah, a little.

Get it (or buy it for me) here. And be sure to also check out Annette's blog, Under the Loupe.

I Want It

Let it never be said that I don't enjoy some sparkle now and then. What I do require, though, is a tasteful, simple design - from there, bring on the bling. That's why I positively adore the "Glitter All the Way" bracelet by Always Wired Bead Lady. Both understated and impossible to ignore, this gorgeous piece is the perfect accompaniment to a simple dress. Love it.

You can get it here. And check out the Always Wired blog here.

Featured Artisan -- Bad Cat Jewelry

Tell me a little about yourself and what you do.
I'm a SAHM who used to work in Early Intervention as a Speech Language Pathologist. I burned out after 10 years, then had a baby...as time slowly became my own (and some days it still isn't), I realized I really wanted to do something creative and work with colors. I needed something that would enable me to work at my own pace and be at home. I had made some jewelry back in college, so it felt natural and right to start making jewelry again.

What 3 words best describe your work?
Simple, classic, clean


What inspires you?
I keep juggling between colors and symmetry/geometry. For me they must work hand in hand. I absolutely love playing with colors, my color wheel, looking at nature to see what she puts together, and trying to recreate that from my mind's eye. However, that being said, if the colors are right, but the shapes are wrong, I need to wait until I find what I need. Therefore, I have jumbled up ideas in my head, but when a piece comes into fruition I feel immense satisfaction and happiness. I'd be lying if I said that other artisans didn't inspire me. Not true. I enjoy the competition and am continually working on my skills to improve and be better.


What drives you to create what you do?
My previous field was not creative and I felt stifled and very unhappy. I create to make myself happy, in turn when someone wears my piece they get a bit of happiness from me.

What makes your work unique?
This is a difficult question to answer. The market for artisan jewelry is saturated and so pieces can appear to be quite similar. I like to think that what makes my pieces unique is "me" and that "I" crafted it. I try to make one of a kind pieces in different variations on a theme. I get bored making the same old same old. I also search for vintage beads that are difficult to find.

What role does your work play in your life? What role would you like it to play?
Making jewelry is very satisfying to me and therefore it drives me continually. I think about it all the time. When I fall asleep at night instead of counting sheep, I rearrange beads in my head. It is just a part of my life.


How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
I would like to sell directly to customers at shows, as I've been told "my pictures are lovely, but the pieces in person are just beautiful". I would also like to go back to college and get a degree in metalworking so my designs continue to evolve. In the time being, I am continuing to sell on the internet. An important part of why I'm doing this goes well beyond me and my happiness. With each purchase, 10% of the profits goes to Specially for Children (www.speciallyforchildren.com) in Austin, Texas. With my contributions, they can purchase a few more supplies for Art Therapy for children who have cancer. I do this in honor of our friends' daughter who was diagnosed with Brain Cancer a few years ago. She is winning the battle and is quite an inspiration. She has a strong spirit and her parents are amazing and wonderful friends.

Where can we find you on the web?
Blog: www.badcatjewelry.com
Etsy: www.badcatjewelry.etsy.com
1000 Markets: www.badcatjewelry.1000Markets.com

March Featured EtsyBlogger -- Design By Nora

Congrats to this month's featured EtsyBlogger, Nora of Design By Nora and the Design By Nora blog. Nora's Etsy shop is filled with adorable little handcrafted polymer clay stud earrings. She also stocks leather handbags made by her uncle, like this fabulous orange messenger bag. In her own words:

My name is Nora and I love to read, write, draw, paint, make jewelry, make greeting cards, play with polymer clay, listen to music, watch movies and fool around on my computer!

Congrats to Nora for this well-deserved honor. Hope you've enjoyed your month of EtsyBloggers fame!

I Want It

I'm loving the look of brass jewelry these days. Add a birdie and I go positively weak in the knees. The Sparrow's Treasure earrings by Michabella Creations are simple, sweet, and stunning - the perfect complement to a sundress or my favorite flowy linen skirt. Get them here. And while you're at it, check out the Michabella blog for a peek behind the scenes of this cool handmade jewelry line, the love child of two longtime friends.

Buy Me This

As a bit of a minimalist, I gravitate toward jewelry that is super simple and stylish in an "I just threw it on" kind of way. This piece by Lori Anderson fits the bill perfectly.

You can see more of Lori's work here. Pretty pretty. And my daughter went NUTS over this one. Also check out Lori's blog, Pretty Things.

Stuff I Love -- Spring 09 Edition

Spring has officially sprung here in North Texas and I've already packed away the sweaters, boots and jeans in favor of my lightweight tees, flips, and cargo shorts. This is my favorite time of year. Once the trees start blooming and our barn swallows return, everything seems new and filled with possibility.

In honor of the arrival of spring, and this week's EtsyBloggers spring-themed blog carnival, I present the following eye candy, all courtesy of my fellow Trunkt Artists on Etsy team members.


5" x 7" art print by The Mincing Mockingbird


Vintage swirl button ring by Beyond the Rockz

"Green" 8" x 10" photo by barbraziemerphoto

Couture Xanh earrings by Essentials


"Nest" mixed media painting by Kristina laurendi Havens

Patina copper growing flower necklace by nova design

Find more great design from the Trunkt Etsy team here.

Buy Me This

I'm absolutely loving this bag for summer. With a fresh color palette, modern construction, and a fun 70s throwback wooden handle, this adorable crosgrain tote by TiLT Creations is absolutely perfect for poolside.


I'm a longtime fan of the TiLT Creations blog and a faithful Twitter follower. Now through March 17th, all green items in the TiLT Creations Etsy shop are 15% off in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Take a peek at what's on sale here.

Fab Etsy Find -- Amazonite and Coral Necklace

Alright, I'll admit it - I'm ready for spring. Hence today's fab Etsy find, this gorgeous amazonite and coral necklace from 57 Design Studio. I just love this simple, positively juicy color combo. Makes me want to throw on a white linen dress and bury my toes in some warm sand. Mmmmmmmm....


Longtime blog readers may remember Hilary and 57 Design Studio from a previous feature. Hilary blogs at Designing Hilary - please pop in and say "hi."

What's your fave Etsy find of all time? Share it with us here!

Artisan Feature -- Polished

This week, I'm happy to feature Tracy Owens Chasteen of Polished. Polished offers gorgeous vintage-inspired jewelry, handcrafted from materials ranging from traditional Czech Republic glass beads to Ming Dynasty pottery shards.

What 3 words best describe your work?
I think the words whimsical, bold, and colorful would describe a variety of the pieces I've made. My pottery shard necklaces are fairly bold because I often combine chunky beads with the large pendants to create a real statement piece. I also love to boldly combine colors. Other pieces I make are whimsical because they incorporate woodland and forest animals, tiny flowers, or adorable little charms.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by everything around me, including my messy desk! It all depends on the day. Sometimes I'll be reading a copy of InStyle magazine and I have to stop to make something that I think would be perfect with a featured outfit. Sometimes I'll see someone wearing an interesting color combination and I have to get to my work table to make something inspired by their creative fashion sense. And other times I am simply inspired by something I need...the perfect pair of black dangly earrings, a whimsical hair accessory for a night out, or a bold necklace that I know nobody else will have.


What drives you to create what you do?
I'm often driven to create by my customers. They have given me some of the best ideas! I have been creating or crafting ever since I can remember, so its just a part of my normal day, but these days I'm often driven by the urge to make a sale in my Etsy shop. I find Etsy to be such a supportive community -- both with buyers and other sellers. Whether sellers are sharing their best crafting or business tips or buyers are asking for custom designs, I'm always driven to get back to my studio and make more. The wonderful thing about being online is that there's often an immediate reaction: I can post my latest designs and get comments on what I've done through the various social networking sites or through the Etsy forums or by a potential customer who has very specific questions about an item.

What makes your work unique?
Often its really just how I put my materials together that is somewhat unique. Many of my "parts" are one-of-a-kind--like the pottery shards--but I haven't invented any techniques or styles. I really just try to create jewelry that is a reflection of what I'd want for myself. I feel lucky to have found a niche in making what I like--and having other people like it too!

What role does your work play in your life?
My work in making jewelry plays the role of my creative outlet. Some people are great in the kitchen, some make amazing music, but I like to play with beads. It is how I close out every evening...me, my beads, my tools, and a head full of ideas. When I don't have a specific idea, I just look through all of my supplies or try to stay organized. Having jewelry design as a creative outlet helps me leave behind the stress of the day, keep my calm, and get a peaceful night's sleep.


Where can we find you on the web?
Shop - http://polishedtwo.etsy.com

Are you an artist or craftsperson? Would you like to be featured here? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here with a link to your shop, and I'll be in touch about future opportunities.

Featured Artisan -- Linda Lee Studio

Gorgeous, right? This week's featured artisan is none other than Linda Lee Tritton of Linda Lee Studio. Linda Lee's Etsy shop is filled with gorgeous and unique handcrafted jewelry with a fun, fashion-forward vibe.

Tell me a little about yourself and what you do.
Designing jewelry is one of my biggest passions. Apart from that, I am married to a fantastic man named Brett. He is fully supportive of me in every way. Currently, we have 4 kitties and a dog.

I am self-employed as an instructional designer/training specialist—I design and help develop online training courses for companies (large or small). The courses I create range from soft skills, like customer service and leadership, to technical skills—such as learning an internal computer program for monitoring sales.

I devote a lot of my extra time (what's that again??) to friends, family, and volunteering in an organization called Pathways, which is an experience-based training where you can work through past events and craft a life that you're excited about. The program changed my life, and it is a privilege for me to give back to it.

What 3 words best describe your work?
Whimsical, sophisticated, and unique

What inspires you?
Honestly? Everyday life. Once last fall, I sat in Starbucks and I gazed over at the coffee mug display and saw different colors of coffee mugs smushed together. My brain started going wild with design ideas. I specifically buy or make lampwork beads and gemstones that speak to me, and I love challenging focals.

I once received a free set of beads from a lampwork artist that were technically wonderful, but the color combination was a bit of a stretch. These beads weren't the most appealing to look at on their own. I let them sit in my bead box for almost a year, and then one day when I was bored, I pulled out that set of beads and turned them into a necklace that makes the color combination successful. Occasionally I will place limitations like that on myself specifically to flex my design muscles.

I love color!! I used to say that I liked every color but yellow (long story!), but right now I'm working on a piece with citrine as the central gemstone! Color, autonomy, fun, and individuality are imperative in my life, and I like to let my jewelry tell that story.




What drives you to create what you do?
I am an artist at heart-- always have been, always will be. I also love sparkly things... and yet-- there is a side to me that's very earthy as well. These characteristics definitely show in my work.

I am driven to create because I can't NOT create!

One of my biggest thrills is watching a customer's face light up when she finds the perfect necklace. Everyone deserves to feel special. I feel like my creations are a tangible reminder that whoever is wearing the piece deserves to feel beautiful! That may sound corny, but it's the truth.

What makes your work unique?
I think jewelry should be fun and colorful, and it should brighten your day. I create pieces that evoke feelings. If I'm feeling a little blue, I have certain pieces that literally cheer me up when I put them on.

I also think it's important for jewelry to be fashion forward yet sophisticated.

The biggest thing that makes my work unique, though, is that it comes straight from my heart. I've never seen anyone create jewelry quite like mine, and I dig that.

What role does your work play in your life?
At this point in time, jewelry design is a passion that I cram into the tiny slivers of time when I'm not working my day job, volunteering, or spending time with friends and family.

What role would you like your work to play in your life?
I would love for it to play a much bigger role. If we were in a position for me to be a full time jewelry designer, I'd already be doing it! That is my goal, though.



How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
I've tossed around a lot of ideas and thought about this very question. The struggle is finding a balance between growing my business, concentrating on expanding my customer base, and keeping my designs fresh and full of passion.

I am careful to take a break from designing when I feel my designs reaching a plateau, or when I feel my passion waning. That being said, I have been featured in boutiques in New York City and Dallas, and I hope to continue adding more boutiques to the list.

My biggest goal this year is to get my website up and running. I would also like to get my lampwork studio built, so that I can start making lampwork beads at home.

Where can we find you on the web?
Shop: http://lindaleestudio.etsy.com
Blog: http://lindaleestudio.blogspot.com