my blog: Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless t...

This is a must read from a fellow blogger:

my blog: Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless t...: "Hello my girl, I wanted to say hi and tell you how much I miss you and that I hope your classes are going well and that you are having fun ..."

Happy Wednesday!! Featured Artist "Jon Fine" Today (Wood-Work)

OK ladies and gents, get the drink of your choice and relax for a while as you meet my "Artist of The Week" today.  Please feel free to leave comments.  We really enjoy knowing that you dropped by to spend time with us.

Please meet Jon Fine of "Fine Crafts"

1-Tell us a little about yourself

I live in New Jersey with my wonderful wife, two adult sons, three cats and my pit bull "Jordan" who is just the greatest!  I am an Accountant with the hopes of retiring within the next three years so that I can devote all of my time to my wood crafting business. Maybe even open a brick and mortar store at some point.

2- What is your inspiration?

One day I was visiting the mall and saw a gentleman cutting wood. I became fascinated with this craft and after many questions and reading up on this craft I began to teach my self.  After many mistakes, trials and tribulations I started getting proficient and before I knew it, my scroll saw was my best friend.  I enjoy taking a blank piece of wood and turning it into something both beautiful and functional.

3- What are your other interest outside of your art?

My hobbies include golfing, fishing, & crocheting (a real novice).I play the saxophone in my spare time which I find very relaxing.  I also love to read, especially mysteries!  A few of my favorite authors are James Patterson, Robert Parker, Sidney Sheldon, and Lisa Scottoline.

4- How do you promote your work?

I promote my work through social networking sites such as:
Twitter:     http://twitter.com/jonpsu77
FaceBook:  Fine Crafts
Etsy:         http://www.etsy.com/shop/jonpsu77

5.  Is there anything you would like to express to your customers/clients and fans?

Having a variety of products available has worked best for me.  Once I get and idea for a project, I then design the pattern and go to work creating pieces created from many species of wood.  My favorite wood to cut is red Oak.  Once the project has been cut, a lemon oil finish is applied to bring out the beauty of the wood. 

I am more than happy to do custom orders if you do not see what you are looking for in my shop.  I am very convo friendly through my Etsy shop or please feel free to email me at jfine3348@aol.com

Thanks Jon for allowing us to get to know you and your work.  Wishing you many sales for the beauiful work that you do :D

Artist of the Week - Rosemary McLeod

Happy Wednesday Everyone :D

I am excited to bring to you this weeks artist !  Here is my interview with Rosemary. As you will see, Rosemary enjoys being creative with different metals.

1-Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Rosemary McLeod from Spartanburg, SC. I am a first generation American with German heritage. Both my parents enjoyed working with their hands in their leisure time such as welding some sculptures [my dad] or oil painting[my mom]. In high school, college, and later in life, I dabbled with watercolors, stained glass, smocking baby clothes and finally jewelry.

2-What inspired you to do jewelry?

I never thought about making jewelry until my hair stylist asked me to go to a local hobby shop and take a beginning earring class. Well, as they say, I got hooked. I took more classes and really became interested in working with metals, but I also like to make jewelry with vintage pieces and work with found objects.

3-What do you do when you are not doing jewelry?

In my off time, I like to go to the movies especially the off beat ones or indie films. Also, I like to shag with my husband and enjoy country music.

4-How do you promote yourself?

My work is promoted through my new website http://www.mcrosedesigns.com/ that has a link to my Etsy shop.

 

5-Is there anything you would like to express to your customers/clients and fans?

I would like my customers to know that I take great pride in my work and try to present a quality piece of jewelry. To me, giving the customer that special attention that they expect from handmade work is of great importance but most of all that find joy and fun with their new piece just has I had in making it. I believe each person has an artisan spirit, which one is yours?

Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us and I wish you much success!

You can find Rosemary's Etsy shop here : http://www.etsy.com/shop/McRoseDesigns

Getting things ready to stock my Etsy shop!!

Copper has been such a wonderful seller so far and goes with anything! Copper can be dressed up or worn casual. I have been working on a Copper Line that I will be listing in my Etsy shop very soon. I am having such a blast designing different pieces that I can't wait to get to my bench every chance I get.

I am excited about the upcoming Fall season and all of the days that follow because it has been extremely HOT here in the Carolinas! Here are a few pictures of what I have been working on.



I have also been busy with my camera so keep a look out for some of my photography popping up soon. I just have to get them re-sized so that it is easier and faster to load on your computers.

Don't forget to keep checking back because I will be featuring a new artist Wed. for my "Artist of the Week" I am still accepting artist for interview so just let me know if you are interested in being featured. I would be glad to add a link to your shop or website during the feature.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend :)

Artist of the Week 8/11

Hello Everyone:

My artist this week is an exceptional person, not to mention talented! Janice Nichols it the owner of an Etsy shop named Workoutmom

Here is her Bio from her shop:

A bit cheeky at times and witty always. Our words have wings but fly not where we would go.WE are, each of us angels with only one wing; and we can fly by embracing one another. As artist and crafters we support the world.If you have any questions about anything you see, please feel free to convo me. I love to sew, and enjoy new challenges. I make all my art, one of a kind. Where child-like art meets mom like nonsense.

Here are just a few pictures of some of her "one of a kind" items. There are also items in Janice's shop that she and her daughter have done together and 50% of the profits go toward her daughter's mission trips. There are also items that support her son's mission trips so please be sure to check out everything .

Thanks Janice for allowing me to feature you as my "Artist of the Week"!!

Monday Ramblings

Jewelry Ramblings

I have decided that the media cannot determine what the best style is for everyone! I have my own ideas and own styles that a lot of times are not based on what happens to be popular at the time. I am the type of person that doesn't want that mass produced piece that everyone else is wearing. I enjoy designing and wearing pieces that are specific to me and my personality. To me, that is what designing is all about! That is why I LOVE custom orders! I love seeing the thoughts of others that have something specific in mine, sketching and designing that piece and then seeing that piece being received with such satisfaction and joy by that person. I know that you other jewelry designers out there know what I am talking about, don't you?

I am becoming more and more comfortable with my torch and will be working on some cold connections this week. Or, at least that is my plan. Anyone with kids knows that with school beginning in a few weeks, plans can change :D I will try to post as I complete each piece. Then again, I usually have 10 projects going on at the same time so you may also see a wire creation posted as well. I am just excited to be able to get to my bench on a more steady basis.


I will also begin my "Artist of the Week" on Wed., August 11th so keep your eyes peeled.




Personal Ramblings


I was able to take my 10 year old to see her Great Grandmother this past weekend! My daughter has not seen her in over 3 years and I felt that this was a trip that was a must and so glad that I made that decision. My mom's sister, Vickie, and her husband took on the responsibility of taking care of my grandmother when her deteriorated hearing and seeing became so bad that she would need constant care. You see, my grandmother is 89 and cannot hear. She wears a hearing aid in one ear but you still have to almost yell for her to be able to understand you. She can see some if you stand right in front of her or maybe off center but close.


My aunt refused to put my grandmother in a nursing home and had her home totally remodeled to add a room, a very large room, that would be my grandmother's own space. She has her own bathroom and small living area that includes a pull out couch. When we arrived at my aunt's house it was with the hopes to maybe give her a much needed break. My aunt has a lady that comes in during the week to help out but she does not stay all night so that leaves the nights for my aunt and her husband to care for my grandmother. The summer time is somewhat of a relief for my aunt since she only has to work during the school year but I do not see how she does what she does and still maintains her full time job at a local school when school is in session! My daughter and I slept in my grandmother's room this weekend and every time my grandmother gets up to use the rest room you have to put her oxygen back on her to go back to sleep. My aunt has also put a cow bell on Grandma's walker so that you are aware of when she gets up. Well, I heard this bell almost every hour on the hour and each of those times I was up to put her oxygen back on her so that she might could go back to sleep. I do believe that I slept w/one eye opened as I did when my children were newborns. If grandma coughed, I was up to make sure that she was alright. I was exhausted and understand why my grandmother sleeps into early afternoon. I don't know if it is something to do with the night air but she just seemed restless and my aunt told me that is normal for my grandmother. I saw a love between a daughter and her mother that I have never seen before!


I just want to say to all of those out there that are able to care for our elderly parents, AMEN! I know that you will be truly blessed because of this selfless act. I realize that not everyone is able to do this but to put your life on hold for the well being of someone else, I find that to be AWESOME! Here are a few photos from my most blessed weekend. Enjoy :D

What I have been up to!

Well, this has been a very busy year and I apologize for neglecting my poor blog. I have had bouts with my dizziness but have not had to deal with the vertigo, thank goodness!! Some of this may be a repeat if you follow me on FB and Twitter so I apologize.

Jewelry Front

I have been able to learn more techniques and ways to tweak mine. I have also been spending an enormous amount of time of FaceBook meeting other artists and just being amazed at the talent of you people!! Now that school is about to begin and I will not be homeschooling this year I hope to find more time to reconnect with my blog and my readers. I am also trying to get things together to begin teaching jewelry classes for those that love this art! Stay tuned for more news on possible future classes. Here are a few pieces that I have done recently.

I have also connected with another artist in my area that also does jewelry and we have been having a blast doing shows and look so forward to many more in the future. Her name is Brenda and she has a FaceBook fan page here: http://www.facebook.com/BGMCREATIONS?ref=ts Please be sure to go by and see her pretties.

We are both part of a co-op in our area as well. It is Waxhaw Art & Chocolate so if you are in the neighborhood on Fridays and Saturdays, please be sure and stop by. Between the 9 (I think that is correct) of us we have a very unique shop. Simply a must see to believe.

Up comings

I would really like to begin spot lighting an artist a week on my blog and to get this ball rolling I would like anyone that is interested to please post a comment here. I am looking for art that is handmade by you so that I can help to let others know of your wonderful talent/talents! We help each other a lot on FaceBook but I realize not everyone is on FB and that is the reason for this weekly event on my blog. What would this world be if we cannot help each other? I look forward to meeting you all :D

Personal Front

The biggest news I have at present is the arrival of my sixth grandchild (second grandson). We now have three birthdays in the first week of August!