"Don't stop believin'..."

1. There is Only Make by groundwork
2. cruz by pamkesito
3. wish necklace by Laurel Denise
4. there is nothing wrong with you by SuspectShoppe
5. building blocks - little thoughts for your day by palomasnest

Don't be so square!

1. Temporary Bouquet by michellemoode
2. May Necklace by tinctory
3. Pair of Textured Tiles 29 by melabo
4. Soft Crater Necklace by jessicajane

Feeling Fruity

1. The White Apple by La Pomme
2. Fresh Blueberry Creamy Goats Milk Soap by Cozy Moments
3. Orange Slice Coasters by The Paper Peony
4. Lemon Quartz Briolette Pendant Necklace by Blue Tulip Designs
5. Mango Mango by Crochet Girl

The Bold and the Beautiful

1. Firenze Necklace by KentonBeadworks
2. Bartletts by polishedtwo
3. Mother of Pearl Solid Circle on Chunky Matte Chain by SueLieu
4. CT 31 necklace Chunky red chain by MadamePlastique

Twiggy

1. The Anti-Bangles (set of 3) by kateszabone
2. Twiggy Kitchen Towel by nutnutgoods
3. Long Gold Twig Earrings by cursive design
4. Wedding/commitment band by bmjnyc
5. Creamy Twig Clutch by brookegalardi

It's Your Lucky Day

1. Ellie by Lucky Life
2. Lucky Charm by neltak
3. Small Fortune coin purse by Victore NYC
4. Melamine-Plate Lucky Elephant by selda
5. Astrology Zodiac Cute Animals Blank Note Cards by Cuore

Here comes the sun

1. Red Baby Doll by sixgunsally
2. Romantika Necklace #16 by neawear
3. Seersucker Bubble Dress by tortillagirl
4. Romantika Necklace - Pink by neawear *photo for style-reference only
5. Green Jump Rope Clutch by buttonpom

Demimonde by Rachael Donaldson

Rachael Donaldson, Portland Oregon, USA Brand name: Demimonde Shop: demimondejewelry.etsy.com Seaplane and Idom... both in Portland

I first discovered Rachael's work while putting together the Fierce in Feathers editorial piece. I totally dig her style - her pieces have so much strength and movement! By the way, Demimonde (French for "half-world") is the polite 19th century term often used the same way we use the term "mistress" today.

“I find that trying to force through any creative hold ups only frustrates me more, if I can't muster the creative energy for anything I do, I embrace my need for the time off.”

1. What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) I call myself an artist. I have a Fine Arts Degree: I paint, make assemblages, and dabble in ceramics.

For me jewelry making is like small scale sculpture.

“I work 30 hours a week making cocktails to pay the bills. But the rest of the time I work towards combining all my creative outlets into one gorgeous empire so I can someday call that my full time job.”

2. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block? Inspiration comes from everywhere, for my painting I am inspired by industrial decay, rust and water stains and old paint chipping off walls. For my jewelry, inspiration comes from unlikely places... like a Calder mobile or an old leather skirt.

Whenever I feel like I have lost my inspiration I redirect my energy into another project, like putting down the paint brush and picking up some beads or some clay. I find that trying to force through any creative hold ups only frustrates me more, if I can't muster the creative energy for anything I do, I embrace my need for the time off.

3. What tool(s) can't you live without? I can't live without the Goodwill bins. It's a clearing house for all their donations and everything, from clothing to books and housewares, is sold by the pound. I find materials, inspiration and great stuff to sell or give to my friends. My best find was a large antique silk weaving from Japan, it's in my bedroom.

4. Who is your idol, current craft-crush? I can't answer this by naming just one person. I am so lucky to be surrounded by a community of talented friends that are making their living from their art. I am really inspired and blessed by this community of exceptional artisans. Trish Grantham, Amy Ruppel, Kate Towers, Holly Stalder...just to name a few.

5. How long have you been doing this? A little over two years ago, Kathyrn Towers and Holly Stalder, who own Seaplane asked if I knew anyone who made jewelry because they needed more for their shop, I said I would give it a try and here I am...

6. Where did you learn your craft? I am self taught. I got some wire wrapping tips from Holly and I just started learning from there. I am going to be taking my first jewelry class this summer, a basic Metal Smithing course.

7. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills? I work 30 hours a week making cocktails to pay the bills. But the rest of the time I work towards combining all my creative outlets into one gorgeous empire so I can someday call that my full time job. Painting, Jewelry and selling my really bad vintage shopping habit on Etsy.


8. How would you describe your style? I love modernist craft, pottery and pattern design from the late 50's. I also love Native American craft, the patterns in blanket design, pottery and baskets. In my house it's sort of a blend of ethnic and mid century modern. As for my jewelry style, I think it's eclectic and evolving, so it's a little hard to pin down. Now that I have an Etsy shop, I think I can get a little more adventurous with my designs.

Thanks Rachael!

Crochet Touché

1. The Wounded Poppy by Dainty Crochet by Aly
2. Textile cuff -nO.257 by kjoo
3. Striped Crocheted Clutch by Twiggie
4. Penelope Caplet by judithskiss

Tag, You're IT

1. Oxidized Silver Pendant by Heatherberry
2. Milk & Bread by Melanie Favreau
3. Double Skinny Personalized Tag Necklace by Uptown Studio
4. Finger size Ring by 22designstudio
5. Triple Disc Hand Stamped Personalized Necklace by Uptown Studio

Horsing Around

1. Horse Tee Raglan by loyaltyandblood
2. Zipper Pouch - Gear for Equestrian by emikomono
3. Little Kite Handbag by acajou
4. Rose jump necklace by saltandpaper

Queen of Crafts

1. Personalized Crown Coronet Greeting Flat Notecards by OnePunkPosy
2. Queen's Crown necklace by katinkapinka
3. Keep Calm And Carry on Poster - Sunny Yellow by sfgirlbybay
4. HRM Ring - Choose Your Size by dillondesigns
5. Queen Elizabeth I - Pillow by kirby
6. Vintage Opticians Lens Pendant Necklace by luckymebeads

To Have and to Hold

:: Fairest of them all - silk taffeta wedding dress by hollystalder
:: Rockcandy ribbon trimmed rose garter by Garter Lady
:: Will you be my bridesmaid card designed by Oh Joy!
:: Coptic bound sage green wedding guest book by paperiaarre
:: 18k Gold and Diamond Engagement Ring Set by nina dinoff
:: Antique Golden Topaz Crystal Earrings by 1ofmykind
:: Will You Marry Me tiny text bowl engagement box set by palomas nest

salt & paper by Natalie Wedeking

Natalie Wedeking, Brooklyn, NY, USA Brand: salt & paper Shop: saltandpaper.etsy.com Fawn boutique in Salt Lake City, Utah

I was trying to think of the best way to describe Natalie's work and the words "preppy Caribbean" were the first ones to surface. I always get weary when it comes to the write-up, in fear that the artist will read it and say what the hell is this girl smoking!?! Whatever wacky term I come up with, the bottom line is - her jewelry collection is a breath of fresh air!

“I'm inspired by mostly non-jewelry things: good package design, poster art, old marimekko patterns, William Morris wallpapers, Scandinavian folk art, prefab housing, old book covers, vintage signage - pretty much anything made before 1975.”

I love how her work is polished and at the same time gives off a certain playfulness as she sprinkles hints of bold shapes and uninhibited use of vibrant hues throughout the collection.

“The graphic sensibility of my "day job" finds its way into my salt & paper work, and getting off the computer to design with clay and beads probably keeps me from getting carpal tunnel syndrome.”

1. What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) A designer/craftsperson because I design and make all my jewelry - and often I make components such as pendants or beads entirely from scratch.


2. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block? I'm inspired by mostly non-jewelry things: good package design, poster art, old marimekko patterns, William Morris wallpapers, Scandinavian folk art, prefab housing, old book covers, vintage signage - pretty much anything made before 1975. Being immersed in graphic/package design for my day job means I'm always visually "on". And the things I love in graphic design - flat color, patterning, unusual color combinations - show up in my jewelry work.

Because I don't create jewelry full-time I don't really get crafter's block. I usually have a long list of ideas that I want to try when I finally get time to sit down and work.


3. What tool(s) can't you live without? round-nosed pliers and my olfa knife

4. Who is your idol, current craft-crush? I don't have any specific craft crushes but there are some great talents on etsy and I love to shop surf there to see what's going on.

5. How long have you been doing this? I've been making jewelry for myself and friends for years. I started taking it more seriously, as a focused line, about a year ago. And I've been working with polymer clay, off and on, for the past 15 years. Now I'm excited about combining it with metal, leather and other materials.


6. Where did you learn your craft? I'm completely self-taught.

7. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills? salt & paper is part-time, but it meshes nicely with my full-time work. I am a self-employed package/graphic designer and I really love what I do. I design food and beverage packaging, paper goods and all kinds of other things for a variety of clients. The graphic sensibility of my "day job" finds its way into my salt & paper work, and getting off the computer to design with clay and beads probably keeps me from getting carpal tunnel syndrome.

“... the nature of the clay takes over and the end results are unpredictable and very interesting.”

8. How would you describe your style? Graphic mixed-media. I combine leather, metal, plastic, glass, stone and polymer clay to make my jewelry. I like to keep things colorful. polymer clay, the way I use it, lends itself to abstract florals and flat, graphic patterns like woodgrain. I layer it almost like paint, often very precisely and geometrically, but in flattening and finishing a piece, the nature of the clay takes over and the end results are unpredictable and very interesting.

The Human Touch

:: Radiolaria Bracelet by nervoussystem
:: Radiolaria Earrings by nervoussystem
:: 6oz tea cup brains by Circa Ceramics
:: Yellow heart and Blue clitoris by xfreshbatteryx
:: Gold Weird Science Dried Organ Bottle by Jack Rabbit