Monday, June 29, 2009

Jewelry is Dangerous!

My fellow crafters, I must admit weakness. I fell almost completely apart under the weight of my daily promotion duties when I added one more chore - columnist for HMN News. Because my chosen department is not one in which I am expert, to say the least, extensive research is needed for each of my columns. That, a chance for an exclusive jewelry show,and remodeling my studio (which has major problems since the change to fusion squared off pix, and was in the process of being reorganized already) and daily guild blogs (which I haven't managed for a couple months at least) and Crazy Train blogs on every other day and Forum responses and Sneakers Tuesday did me in. All this should be manageable, some of you may say, since I'm not working, but I have the job search and actually enjoying my hobby as well. I'm still learning most of these thngs, so they are time intensive. I simply couldn't do it. And it depressed me that I couldn't. I don't want to give up any of these things, but I just must cut back.

I'll blog once or twice a week on each blog. I will continue my research for HMN and my columns, especially now that the output requirements have been changed. I will spend a minimal time in the forums and almost no time on Plurk or Twitter or other venues until I establish a routine that is comfortable. I hope you will forgive my inattentiveness in the past and until then.

Thank you very much to those of you who sought me out on various venues to find out how I was doing. It was appreciated.

I'll see you sometime next week!

Ali

Thursday, June 4, 2009

West Coast Crafters #11

Happy Thursday! I should be going to the flea market to scout the place, but since I went to bed 5 hours behind schedule yesterday, I'm going to try to play catch-up today. AND make an easier schedule to follow!

My latest HandMade News column is about recycling cell phones and giving aid to Third World medicine at the same time. Read it here.

Tuesday's Artfire Sneakers unsub was JennyKarlssonDesign. I bought a beautiful linen lavender sachet.

Don't forget to visit my
Crazy Train blog, featuring three crazy train participants:
Ninja Jenn at http://www.ninjajenn.artfire.com http://www.ninjajenn.blogspot.com
Grahtoestudio at http://www.grahtoestudio.artfire.com
Kraftouch Treasures at http://www.kraftouchtreasures.artfire.com http://www.kraftouchtreasures.blogspot.com
The Crazy Train now has a .ning site so you can keep up on the latest stop.

The third guild to which I belong is the ArtFire Jewelry Design and Jewelry Supply guild. There is currently a giveaway going on at our .ning site. Also, the guild member of the week is StudioontheHill, which has some amazing items.

Here is a link to our West Coast Crafters guild
roster. My next post will be a roster update, then I will begin featuring the enormous AJDJSS guild. Today's West Coast Crafters are: Thisisit journals and jewelry: This studio has been discontinued. TwilightsFancy necklaces and purses Tztudio precious metal clay jewelry

TwilightsFancy has beautiful items. Here is her studio in her own words: "Being that I am Lady Twilight and creating necklaces and purses are what I fancy, I present Twilight's Fancy. Creativity is my whimsy. What's your fancy?

"I post something new almost every day, so come on back and see what I've added or subscribe to my rss feed. Or, if you're looking for something in particular, contact me. I'd love to hear from you.

"All of my necklaces and purses are handmade by yours truly. I never make the same one twice, so check all my listings here (and at http://rinaslayter.etsy.com) or contact me if you see one you like, but want to buy one a little different. If the supplies are still available, your wish will be granted."























About herself, "My friends say I'm unique, very creative and a little strange and I agree with their assessment.

"I've always enjoyed making jewelry. In junior high, I used to make something like 30 pairs of earrings each week. Basically, the same 30 every week...from the same beads, but arranged differently. I made the best of what I had and was constantly changing even though the materials stayed the same.

"I also enjoy sewing. Why purses? I. Don't. Know. I honestly don't, but it seems to go back to those early days when I worked from a certain pool of materials, but yet each creation is different. I never make the same one twice. I work with what I have in my sewing room. Old, new, remnants, full bolts. I've amassed so much over the years.






























"When I'm not in my craft room, I write romance novels, work on television shows and movies as a specialty costumer or even as an extra, maintain websites and work on my classic cars. For more information on who I am, see my website at http://RinaSlayter.com"

Because I never watch television (ok, almost never, and usually prerecorded to get rid of commercials) I didn't understand what "Twilight inspired" meant. Now I see!

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TZStudio is currently not a verified ArtFire member, and therefore no longer a member of our guild, but I thought to highlight this unusual studio in the hope that we can encourage verification and guild membership again.

Since the artist gives no bio or introduction, I will copy the pictured item descriptions for you.






























"Need the perfect gift?
"Why not a ring made from a grandmother's silver pattern!
"I will make a mould from one of the pieces, and return it to you with your ring.

"This ring was made from my grandmother's silver pattern.

"It is made of fine silver (.999), hand crafted by me using Precious Metal Clay. Textured with a floral pattern. The texture continues all the way around the ring.

"Precious Metal Clay is a clay-like medium used to make jewelry, beads and small sculpture. It consists of very small particles of silver mixed with an organic binder and water. Precious Metal Clay can be shaped just like any soft clay, by hand or using molds. After drying, it is fired in a kiln. The binder burns away, leaving .999 pure silver. The piece is then antiqued, or oxidized, to bring out the texture.

"Please specify ring size upon checkout."






























"PEACE AND LOVE!

"This leaf textured peace and love heart pendant has been hand crafted by me, using Precious Metal clay, or PMC. Precious Metal Clay is a clay-like medium used to make jewelry, beads and small sculpture. It consists of very small particles of silver mixed with an organic binder and water. Precious metal clay can be shaped just like any soft clay, by hand or using molds. After drying, it is fired in a kiln. The binder burns away, leaving .999 pure silver. The pendant is then antiqued, or oxidized, to bring out the texture.

"Pendant measures 1 1/8".
"Hangs on a black rubber cord, with a sterling silver clasp.

"Don't forget to check out the matching earrings!"

Whew! That was a lot of stuff for just a few days! I hope you found time to visit our guild members' studios. Don't forget to come back here and leave a comment for our artists. Each month a pair of earrings or bracelet is given away to a random commenter. Have fun today!