Do you Work with other artists?

I have to admit, I am a hard sell.  I always think I can do it myself.  I am learning the hard way that isn't true.  I have been paying more attention to artists I meet at the shows that I participate in.  If you follow me on facebook, you know that I "stalk" Michelle from FireFly Design Studio.  There are two reasons for this:  One, I love her product and have found it works very nice in some of my designs, and Two, her booth is right next to mine at the trade shows, so I like to hover over her product while the brain works up ideas.

My first piece that turned out to be quite a hit in the kit department, incorporated her ceramic bird.  Then I made a pair of earrings from the ceramic drops and sold them right off my ears.

I also made a nice necklace using the separated fish.  It's on Facebook, so you can check it out there as well as a few other pieces incorporating her ceramic product.  

I have another gal that I LOVE her glass beads and she also is at the trade shows I do, but I cannot seem to locate the bead I purchased right now, but I do want to mention her.  Her name is Starleen; she makes the most amazing glass beads.  I haven't made anything with this killer bead I purchased because my first attempt was an epic failure, so it is awaiting a cool project.

Lately I have actually purchased small pieces of jewelry from artists.  One of my new favorite gals is Hannah Long.  She is a super cool metal artist.  She is supposed to be making me some pieces to incorporate into my work.  Check her out also.  The Sterling/pearl earrings are from her.  Very simple, but I love wearing them.  The stained glass necklace comes from  Nora's Stained Glass. One place she sells is at Art Sea Living on the Avenue.  She does both jewelry and decorator type stained glass.  She is different, and I find her pieces just fun!

My last purchase was from Laurie Onufer from New Hampshire.  I met her at Delray Affair.  I saw this bracelet and fell in love.  Very simple and elegant.

I could write about several more artists and will probably do so at another time, but when creating your own jewelry, try to use their product in yours.  It's a great way to support fellow artsy people and it makes your jewelry unique.  It's also nice to purchase a finished piece.

Firefly Design Studio       www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Starleen                         www.starleensstudio.com

Hannah Long                  Hannahlongjewelry.com

Nora's Stained Glass       norsol23@gmail.com

Laurie Onufer                 yessy.com - enter: Laurie Onufer

BRAGGING RIGHTS

My friend, former student, and partner in crime at the Delray Affair, Nancy, from NE Designs and I took 2nd place in the jewelry division at the infamous Delray Affair this past weekend.  If you have ever been to this show, you know there are 80,000 jewelry vendors (ok a bit of a stretch), so we are extremely proud of this accomplishment.

What made this year more special are two things:  I really loved seeing Nancy in her element of the show.  She and her husband do several local shows.  She has really grown in her art and will be continuing the tradition of the Delray Affair without me next year.  I will be cheering her on from the bike trails of Bend, Oregon!!!  And that is the 2nd thing that made this year special, since it was my last time at the Delray Affair, it was so awesome to receive our THIRD 2nd place award at this event. We worked very hard in all areas to make this happen.  Nancy has put hours upon hours not only making jewelry, but perfecting the display.  If you have ever done these shows, you know, the display can be maddening.  

So, we feel we have some major bragging rights.  It truly is an honor to be selected for an award!

BUTTON, BUTTON, WHO HAS THE BUTTON

Who remembers playing in their Grandmother's or mother's button bin?  I remember my Grandmother's button Jar.  I used to dump them all out and match them, sort them, and put them into combinations.  I loved playing with the buttons.

I have had the privilege to work with some gals from Wild Side Furs. They upcycle old vintage fur coats into decorator items used for the home.  I get the buttons.  We have created a line of jewelry using just the buttons from the old coats.  You can see a large part of the collection at wildsidefurs.com.

Buttons make great components in jewelry.  

Two samples of the buttons from Vintage coats.

Recently friend gave me some buttons that were her Grandmother's.  I created this necklace using the shell pearl buttons from a coat.  I just HAD to give it to her!

The earrings are also from some of the buttons she gave me.  

This bracelet was created using Vintage Czech Glass buttons.  If you have not played with these gems, it's time to.  They are so beautiful and you will experience some of the art that was button making many years ago.

So, grab a cool, or not so cool even, button and see what you come up with.