Friday, March 28, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Kala

Karen Jinks, etsy shopkeeper of Kala.etsy, chalkhillstudio.etsy, and co-"keeper" of upwiththelark.etsy, is from Cambridge, UK. Not only does she make and sell her beautiful items on etsy, she also has a website she sells from, and is a mother of two. Busy lady!! She does wonderful illustrations, mini-collages, and photography, among other crafts and arts. She says, "I love to create and have trouble deciding what to do so I usually end up trying to a bit of everything from painting to jewellery making and crochet." These items are from her Kala.etsy shop, but do check out her other shops for a wide variety of items. Her hand-stitched books are so beautiful! They seem to be very popular too, as there was only one available at the time I looked through her shops, but her feedback has lots of great comments on how nice the ones she's sold are.

"Dance Notecard" is so full of life from this watercolor of a little girl dancing.
"A Rose is a Rose - 8 x 10 print" shows the natural beauty of these roses well.
"Track mini collage" takes me to my hikes. So calming and peaceful.

Kala etsy shop
Up With the Lark etsy shop
Chalk Hill Studio etsy shop
Karen's blog

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Tiffany Teske

Accomplished artist Tiffany Teske has made Banff, Alberta, Canada her home - for now. She has lived in many places, including a small town in Maine, Carrabassett Valley, population 200. She settled in there for 5 years, commuting 1.5 hours each way, 2-3 times a week to Augusta's University of Maine to earn her Associate of Art degree in Photography, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Joint BA in Art and Photography as well. You really need to read her Profile on etsy.com and check out her website to learn about this busy lady and her interesting life. The links are listed at the end of this feature.
Tiffany uses different processes to get a unique "feel" to her prints. She describes these processes in the description of the item. This, "The Cold Heart of the Sun", is what she calls an Original Polaroid Emulsion Lift. She has "lifted" the image onto handmade paper, which she also used to mat it.
"Lilac Dream - SALE - 4x6 Fine Art Photograph on 5x7 Card" is worthy of being framed and displayed, but at a greeting card price it's a great deal!
Tiffany makes bamboo pendants featuring her artwork photography, or even one of your own images.

Tiffany Teske etsy shop
Tiffany Teske website

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Art 2 the Extreme

Nicole Hanley, of Indianapolis, Indiana, says, "I am an elementary art teacher from Indianapolis, Indiana. I graduated from college with a Visual Arts Education degree and a Ceramics concentration. " She has also traveled to England, Scotland, and Mexico, and even lived in Italy for a bit to study art there.
She is presently putting together a book of Artist Trading Cards from other artists and her students. You can pre-order this cool-looking book in her etsy shop.
Nicole's etsy shop banner says, "Something for Everyone". Her shop collection is pretty eclectic and immense, so you are sure to find something for yourself, and your loved-ones - all of them! Check these out.

For the jazz-lover "Night On The Town-Black and Blue Original Print" will fill the bill nicely. This is a print of one of Nicole's block-prints. Inspired by a trip to New Orleans.
Love llamas? Or know someone who does? "Llama Lover Shirt-CUSTOM MEN AND WOMENS COLORS AND SIZES" is just what you've been looking for! A unique and original work of art. No one else on the block will have the same shirt (unless they shop etsy and love llamas too). As the title says, this shirt is available in lots of colors and sizes.
"Puff and Pip the Penguin" would cheer up any child - or adult for that matter. Cute set of momma and baby penguins are made for hugging. There is plenty more in her children's section too. You really need to go have a look.

art2theextreme etsy shop
art2theextreme blog
"create, collect, trade" book blog

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - KuddleBugzThreadz

Toni, who lives in North Pole, Alaska, started making these items to fill a need to keep her twin girls, Tori and Trista, warm in the cold climate of her home state. (By the way, there is another little one on the way - congrats Toni and Tim!) As she began making warm, cuddly things to keep her own girls warm, it occured to her that other moms might want some of these cozy items as well. Judging by her list of sold items, she was right!

"Blue and Ivory Infant Car Seat Cover--Lined with Fleece" will keep baby comfy and warm on those car rides. Also can be used in strollers. I love the print on this one!
"Come Fly with Me Tag Blankie" has cute, acrobatic planes and helicopters in bright colors. The sewn-in tags will keep your baby occupied while in the car, or shopping or strolling. Great for stimulating hand-eye coordination in your growing child. "Purple Fleece Snowflake Bitty Booties--Lined with Chocolate Brown Paisely Flannel" look SO warm and cozy! Perfect for the new little princess in your life.

Go to Toni's etsy shop, Kuddle Bugz Threadz for more baby and toddler items that will keep your precious ones toasty in the coldest weather.
KuddleBugzThreadz etsy shop
KuddleBugz Threadz blog

Friday, March 21, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - That's Headley

Ginny, of That's Headley Jewelry Designs, not only comes up with beautiful pieces of art using gemstones, pearls, sterling silver, African and Czech glass, and wirework, but she has a huge heart as well. A portion of her proceeds from her "Hope for Whirled Peas" (gotta love that name) collection goes to benefit Fisher House. Fisher House provides temporary housing for loved ones of injured or sick members of the military, near whatever facility the soldier is recuperating in. What a great idea! Thanks Ginny, for helping support our troops!


Some of the Whirled Peas collection. Beautiful and original, these are made from freshwater pearls, and sterling silver. And don't forget, they help our injured and sick members of the military by keeping their loved ones close during recovery.
"Mountain View Jasper Necklace" has a beautiful jasper focal, surrounded by sterling silver, strands of seed beads, pen shell heishi beads, Swarovski crystal, and two green agate bicones near the sterling toggle clasp. So pretty!
"Sedona Skies Cuff Bracelet in Sterling Silver and Turquoise" is a beautiful hand hammered silver cuff, with two turquoise nuggets wire-wrapped with sterling wire to the base.
"Turquoise and Coral Earrings with Sterling Silver" are SO pretty with their turquoise faceted briolettes, red coral, and sterling spacers for a modern uptake on a classic Native American pairing. Just gorgeous!!

clicking on the pictures above will bring you directly to that item or section (as in the case of the "Whirled Peas" collection)
ThatsHeadley etsy shop
that's Headley! blog

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - A Pretty Rock

""Oh Shiny!" should definitely be my mantra and says a lot about me. :) " This is the first line of Yazmin Wickham's bio in her etsy shop. Her obvious love of shiny, beautiful, quality things is readily apparent in the things she makes. She makes this jewelry, and makes it affordable, because, as she says, "There is no reason why every woman shouldn't have A Pretty Rock in their life!"

"Leafy Golden Blossoms Necklace" is one of many fine examples of the beautiful, quality components Yazmin uses to create her luxurious, but affordable pieces. Pearls, garnets, jade, and sterling silver are all combined in a fresh and unique way to form this lovely piece.
"Bracelet - Criss Cross Cuff - Golden Pearls" is made with pearls, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver. A very nice example of beautifully done wire-wrapping.
"Earrings - Chandelier Wrap - Onyx" are a classic look for an elegant evening out. More beautifully wrapped sterling, with onyx gemstones, and accented with Bali silver.

For more of Yazmin's creations, including hair pins and rings, go to:
aprettyrock at etsy
aprettyrock blog
aprettyrock website

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - alilsumptinsumptin

I went to Eva's website before going to her etsy shop, just to get a feel for who this lady is. I found that she is very funny and witty, has a huge heart - for animals and people alike, and it very, very talented in putting together some really fine jewelry. The fact that she buys lampwork beads from a few fellow etsians is also a plus.

"DONATELLA --- Whimsical Ferret Pendant Necklace --- 100 Percent to Ferrets Unlimited" is a fine example of how big her heart is. Eva has a whole section in her shop, called "Paws", short for Paws For a Good Cause. 100% of the listing price on these items will go to a good cause, either benefitting animals or people. The cause is listed in the title and description so you know just how that money will be used. Very cool. This necklace, with its ferret lampwork bead by Janet Crosby (Eva gets a lot of her beads from this talented lampwork artist), Swarovski crystal, and Turkish sterling silver is WAY cool! Sumptuous and whimsical in one.
"TURQUOISE GARDEN - Turquoise and Lampwork Flower Bracelet" is stunning with its fullness and quality components. These components also include lampwork by another artist, Dawn White.
"Turquoise and Coral Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings" with genuine red coral and turquoise beads, wire-wrapped onto sterling hoops are so beautifully crafted! Sure to get you noticed!

For more beautifully crafted items made with quality components, and quality work(wo)manship, you should check out Eva's shop.
alilsumptinsumptin etsy shop
alilsumptinsumptin blog and website