Seattle Summer - an EtsyRain Treasury!

Our local etsy team, Team EtsyRain, had a challenge to create something that reminds the us of a Seattle summer. I love going to farmers markets and picking up fresh fruit; cantaloupe is one of my favorites, so I created a multi-hue orange/peach necklace. Everyone's entries have been combined into this treasury! Take a look and enjoy. Summer is finally here in Seattle!

I also want to give a shout out in praise of Team etsyrain's organizers. They really do a lot to help local etsy sellers. Thanks Kayce for putting this treasury together!

Look What I Made Today! Riveted Amulets

Although I missed being outside in today's nice weather, I had a great time in another jewelry class. Today's class involved making riveted amulets, taught by Janice Berkebile of Wired Arts. The two lampwork beads were purchased about a year ago in MN. The other sterling silver bead is something that I originally purchased to be a focal bead in a Viking knit bracelet, but it turned out to be too large and heavy for a bracelet. I think it worked out perfectly for today's project! It's my favorite of the 3 - I think I may have to keep that one for myself. I'll add a sterling ball chain to it to give it a little more of an industrial feel. I'm thinking about adding some form of embellishment to the tops of the bails, but I haven't yet decided on what they should be. When I finish them, I'll list them on etsy.
I wish I had taken a photo of every one's finished pieces. They were fantastic and each of us produced items that were very different from the others. I have ordered some river rock beads and I plan to use them in some riveted pieces.

I also now have 5 finished riveted rings and will be listing them gradually on etsy. I spent Thursday and Friday hammering and pounding away, making components for mixed metal bracelets. I have enough for 2 bracelets so far. All I need to do to finish them is do the riveting, which will I estimate will take me about 7 hours more. Fun, but very time consuming.

The rest of my holiday weekend will be spent enjoying the sunny Seattle weather! Yes, the sun really does shine here occasionally :) I hope you enjoy your long weekend, too!

Riveted Rings & a Treasury honor today!

Today I spent a very fun afternoon learning to make riveted rings! A couple of my trial pieces are pictured on the left. The large shell spiral is actually a button that I've riveted onto a ring shank. More will certainly be appearing on my etsy site in the near future.

I'm also please to say I've been honored again by Kayce of worldofwhimm to be included in her treasury of Seattle area artists, titled "In Circles". My item is the top right, "Always and Forever" fine silver fused earrings.

Beads vs Metal - Metal wins

When I first started making jewelry, I dabbled in various materials; seed beads, wire, beads, stones, pearls, more wire, crystals, leather, even more wire, sheet metal... you name it, I think I've used it. My passion has lead me to almost exclusively work with some form of metal, either in wire or sheet metal form and sterling is my favorite. Beads are a mystery to me now and I find myself increasingly overwhelmed at the possibility of combining them into something wearable.

My Seattle area etsy team created another challenge to stretch and inspire us. The theme is "Seattle Summer - What do you think of when you think of summer in Seattle?" Well, I think of fresh fruit in abundance and I'm craving really juicy cantaloupe. The necklace in the photo is what I made, with a bit of creative and technical difficulty. Seems I've forgotten how to blend colors, how to string beads, use crimps and crimp covers. I can't even count how many feet of Softflex I wasted and the number of crimps & covers I messed up in the process. My desk (and floor) is an absolute mess with beads sprawled out everywhere. Making jewelry is usually a calming, relaxing time for me. This was a challenge and I find I can't wait to get back to working with metal again.

I spent this morning in what seemed like heaven, making sterling silver infinity shaped links while having coffee with a fellow etsyrain member, Beth Newfeld of heart felt. Beth makes beautiful, creative felted and crocheted items. Check out her etsy shop today!

Someday, I may come back to working with beads, but right now, my sterling sheet metal is calling my name! I will be making 4 special order mixed metal bracelets and pendant/earring sets in the coming weeks and I'm psyched about pounding and riveting like a crazy woman!

Isn't it interesting how we gravitate toward certain things at different times in our lives? What phase are you being pulled toward?

An etsyRain team challenge treasury - Earth

My local etsy area team, Team etsyrain, had a team challenge to produce something with the earth in mind. Since I love spirals, and they occur naturally throughout nature, I entered my "Natures' Spiral" collection in the challenge. The challenge doesn't have a 'winner' per se, it's just meant to spark our creativity. After the challenge, we all submit our items and a treasury of the items is made. It's in etsy right now at: te amo tierra (translates: "I love you land", according to google). Take a look at some of the great things Seattle area etsy sellers created for this challenge!

EstyRain Craft Show in Seattle tomorrow, Sat, May 9th

Team etsyrain (Seattle area etsy sellers) is having a craft show this Sat (May 9th) in Seattle, right across the street from Starbucks main headquarters. Shop many of the etsyrain crafters all in person and in one place! I won't have my items there, but you'll have a chance to see others and support handmade!

My Solstice II Earrings are featured in a Treasury Today!

I'm honored today by fellow Seattle area etsy artist, Jill MacCorkle. She has included one of my jewelry pieces in her etsy treasury called "Let the Sun Shine"! My Solstice II earrings are featured in the top row, middle column. Visit the treasury today and explore all the wonderful things each of these artists have on etsy, and be sure to visit Jill MacCorkle's shop, too! Jill makes beautiful, colorful gemstone jewelry!
Let the Sun Shine, indeed! Have a great Day!

Team EtsyRain gathering today

One of the advantages of etsy is that sellers in various parts of the country can gather together to form teams and network with each other. Here in western WA, there is a TeamEtsyRain - it's a great group of sellers and the team organizers are very, very good at creating networking activities and getting the word out about various shows, news, opportunities, etc...

Today we had an informal lunch and 9 sellers gathered to meet each other, network, share stories, ideas and suggestions. We all each brought a sample or two of our work; it was very cool to see what other people make. Beautiful items! I think I may have to go etsy shopping, soon!

Here's a list of the websites of those in attendance, so you can see what they make and sell. Visit their shops, and buy handmade - their quality and creativity is unbelievable!

Dana Durham - wonderful knitted and felted wool handbags and painted wine glasses
Suzanne Tidwell - creative handmade towels and clothing
Dina Templeman - fragrant handmade soaps - cloth diapers - and at Country Cuttins
Char - fabulous handmade stitchery
Kristin - happy hair accessories
Kasey - fun children's playthings and new things made from old T's and at NuetoME
Jill MacCorkle - beautiful beaded jewelry
Beth Newfeld - incredible felted bags, scarves, gloves
Marlo Miyashiro - clever fabric totes and jewelry
and me, Sandy - a shameless plug for my own jewelry shop!

Treasury of EtsyRain (Seattle area) Artists

Today I made a treasury filled with incredible blue items, all made by local artists. We need some blue sky here and these items made me smile. This treasury will be active until 9:00pm on Monday. Take a look!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=44425