Treasures from the Gemshow...

Oh, my how I love to buy new gems! I blogged about my latest gemshow outing at my 1000 Markets blog. I am just completely inspired by these gorgeous moonstones and labradorites, and hoping to squeeze in time today to make a couple of new pendants - just simple little silver wire wrapped around the stone will be enough to show off these beauties, I think. And oh, joy - I found some high quality chain that has big enough links that I don't have to solder 24g jump rings to finish a necklace, what time-saver that will be. More time to make new things! And, best of all, they gave me a discount on the discount for buying the whole spool - does it get any better than that? Here it is - hope my customers like it as much as I do!


In addition to what I blogged about at 1000 Markets, I bought some cool new 'solar quartz' a very interesting geode-like stone and some new ring stones: larimar, charoite, moonstones with moon faces carved in them (making one of those for me), labradorite ovals, deep blue lapis, delicous pink kunzite, and some Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. I'll be making one ring out of each of these (for myself and my mom) then posting the remaining stones for a custom-sized ring of the same design in my Etsy shop. A girl just can't have too many rings, right??



Well, time to get off the computer now, and down to the studio. Talk to you all soon!

1000 Markets - the Next Big Thing?

It's time to admit it - I've branched out from selling exclusively on Etsy. Like any first love, Etsy will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will be forever grateful for lessons learned and the fabulous opportunities that have come my way through my shop there. And yes, there's still no place like Etsy to reach an enormously huge audience if you are a seller. But.......I have found a new online artisan venue that I am truly thrilled to be a part of - 1000 Markets. If you are a shopper, you will be amazed at the variety and quality of what you can find there - everything from exquisite cookies to masterful paintings and photographs, to garden art, fine jewelry, and wearable art. Oh yes, and yummy artisan food! ...Homemade chocolate marshmallows, anyone?

If you are an artisan looking for a place to open up shop, 1000Markets is the place to be. Their link for potential shopkeepers is a perfect example of the professionalism, technical expertise, and pure marketing knowhow that this venue offers to artists. Check out the forums to gain an idea of the sense of community that is already present among the artisans there. Visit Matt's blog to read about the launch of the site in September, the concept of markets, and some of the exciting publicity the site is generating. Yes, indeed, 1000 Markets could be the Next Big Thing.

Lastly, in honor of my excitement about 1000 Markets, I'll be adding a new weekly feature to compliment my Sunday Morning Coffee series - Saturday Night at the Market. I will feature artists, markets and news about 1000 Markets each week. Be sure to stop by for the first installment Saturday, January 10th.

Sunday Morning Coffee and Etsy - 01/04/09

What better way to start the year than with Coffee, Wet Canvas friends, and Etsy! One of the first people to welcome me to the Wet Canvas Wearable Art forum was Shirley of Jumping Jack Glass. Her lampwork is amazing, and she's no slouch at fiber either!! I've always loved her kumihimo necklaces, and now she's creating amazing felted work, too! I didn't know Shirley was felting until she posted this gorgeous scarf in the !WC Wearable Arts forum.

After I saw the scarf, I visited Shirley's Etsy shop, and discovered her felted vessels. I am in love with her Golden Peacock Vessel. The combination of blues and gold with the beautiful leaf lampwork is inspiring, to say the least.

And speaking of Shirley's lampwork, I've found several new favorites there, too! Her leaf beads are always stunning, but I particularly love her tree and floral beads. She brings them to life with a realistic relief technique that often includes the back as well as the front of the bead. This Meadow Tree bead is particularly beautiful; I can almost feel the breeze on my face when I look at it. Another favorite is the Night Blooms bead with pinky mauve nestled against deep indigo blue, yum!




Hope you've enjoyed this week's eye candy! I'm off now make slow cooker split pea soup to go with the last of the cornbread casserole from last night. Then down to the studio to make new things. More soon! Hope you all have a great first week of the New Year!!