Wednesday Window Shopping on Etsy!

This week's Etsy's window shopping trip focuses on some of my great loves: paper, pens, and journals!!

First up, I have always love pens and this artisan is one of my favorite wood craftsmen and I absolutely love his pens.  The shop is Norsk Woodshop!  In the artist's own words: " My name is Patrick Sikes and I am a wood turner and penmaker. I work out of my studio in St Petersburg FL creating handcrafted pens from exotic wood and colorful acrylics. "

The pen I chose is  a Yellow Box Elder Burl Baron Rollerball Pen! This Baron style pen features gold plating with a custom turned finial from the same yellow box elder material.

Features:
- Barron style rollerball pen with gold plating
- Yellow Box Elder Burl pen blank
- Matching finial
- Upgradeable to a fountain pen for an additional $15
- Uses easy to replace rollerball ink refills
- Includes pen case for storage and gift giving

Each pen offered by Norsk Woodshop is hand turned, finished, and assembled by myself using unique exotic wood or colorful acrylics and high quality pen kits.

Patrick has many beautiful items in his shop.  Keep in touch with him through:

Blog: http://blog.NorskWoodshop.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/norskwoodshop
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/norskwoodshop

So now that I have the pen, here's some special stationary so i can use it...perhaps some note cards!  These comes from Ambient Girl Designs!

Set of eight beautiful correspondence cards have a bright green and dark brown design perfect for thank you notes, or a quick note to say hello! 
**Once purchased please write in a note to seller or send  a convo with the letter and colour you would like on your note cards.**
These note cards are 5x7 inches and come with white envelopes.

Places to follow Ambient Girl Designs:

• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

Browse through her shop!  You'll love, love, love her work!

And when I'm finished writing notes to my family and friends, I may want to spend some personal time being reflective in my journal.   So I chose this one:

This journal comes from Gild Bookbinders featuring leather journals, guest books, bookmarks, and wedding books.


In their own words:   "Great changes provide opportunities to rethink the world around us, as well as our own points of view and feelings. The Journal is the best companion to help you accomplish this. If you haven’t kept a diary before, the Book of Good Thoughts is definitely a good choice as the first journal for your new life. It is not only a beautiful masterpiece of craftsmanship but also a good companion that will inspire you and help collect your thoughts. If you want to help those close to you improve or just organize their points of view, give them a Books of Good Thoughts as a gift."

Size: 11,5 x 17 cm (4.5 x 6.7 inch)
Paper: soft 110 g/m², blank, ivory color, 244 pages (counted both sides), acid free, suitable also for fountain pen.  Leather: vegetable tanned top-grain calf skin. Hand-colored.
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Hope you've enjoyed this week's Window Shopping!  So many wonderful things on Etsy, I just had to share some with you!

Indie Junction's Featured Artisans for the Week of April 25th!!

  
Let's wrap up April with some dynamite Indie Junction Artisans: Moonlight Sally and Sally Rags, Wade Oaks, andDestiny's Creations and Janice's second shop Points of Hue!
Let's start with Moonlight Sally which features wonderful crocheted and sewn items such as dish cloths, bath puffs, snack on-th-go bags...and much more!!  In the artist's own words: "I have been crafting and creating since I was a young girl. I have an addiction to fabric and have the stash to prove it. I love color, design and texture. I am also very fond of most yarn, especially cotton yarn. Every day I need to sew, crochet or add to my stash.  I have what my sister calls Firefly Syndrome. I am often onto another project, and have 2 more in my head, before I finish the first. Fortunately, I almost always go back and finish projects. This explains the variety in my shop. My other shop is SallyRags. It's various items crocheted from recycled or new fabric.  I come from a long line of creative people..."  Be sure to follow Moonlight Sally and Sally Rags on Twitter!
Now take a look at some of the wonderful things you will find in these two shops:
  
  
Our next featured artisan is Wade Oaks!  Here you will find unique tshirts and onesies for babies, toddlers and kids that feature original, handmade knitted appliques with a contemporary, cozy feel. In the artist's own words: "Hi! I'm Stacey Harper, mom of two boys, designer, knitter and creator of Wade Oaks. I love to knit and love the knit applique - it has great texture, can take the form of unlimited shapes and has so many possible applications. However, most of the patterns I came across seemed stuck in the dark ages. So I was inspired to create my own collection of modern, fun shapes that would appeal to kids and parents with an eye for great color combinations and good design."
Places to Find Wade Oaks

• Etsy
• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

Now take a look at some of the wonderful things you'll find at Wade Oaks!!
  
Our third Indie Junction Featured Artisan is Destiny's Creations featuring artisan crafted silver jewelry for the eco-conscious fashionista. I use silver and resin to create modern and necklaces, earrings and rings inspired by nature with vibrant pops of color.  In her own words: "As a jewelry artist, my passion is to create wearable works of art to adorn women. My creations are inspired by my desire to make women feel beautiful. I love clean shapes, whimsical yet elegant designs, as well as, combining materials and colors.  I work with Art Clay Silver, fine silver, sterling silver, gold-filled wire, artisan glass lampwork beads, swarovski crystals, and unique precious and semi precious gemstones, to create limited edition or one of a kind jewelry pieces. "
Places to find Destiny's Creation:

• Website
• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

Here are some of her gorgeous creations!
  
Also take a look at her second shop called Points of Hue!
  
Well, that's it for this weeks feature!  Hope everyone enjoyed reading about these wonderful Indie Junction Artisans!   Indie Junction is a place where artists across all mediums join together to Create.Love.Explore.Collaborate.Support.Learn.Grow!  If you would like to join us here at Indie Junction, simply click here!  Have a wonderful week!!

Wednesday Window Shopping on Etsy!

It occurred to me that if I was not a starving artist, there are so many wonderful things that I would buy on Etsy for myself and for people I care about!  So many wonderful handmade crafts peeps!  So I thought I was start a new weekly feature called Wednesday Window Shopping on Etsy and share with you some of my picks for gifts...even if they are for myself!

I love journals!  Been keeping one most of my life.  This wonderful leather journal cover designed and handcrafted by Penny Farrow is one I would love to own!


In the artist's own words:


"This small hand stitched leather journal cover is one of the Midnight series, it also reminds me of a peacock feather.
This beautiful cover is made with dark blue, glossy reddish brown, bright red and warm grey leather. I've included a small extra thick notebook which is held in with thick black thonging.  It is fastened with an antiqued metal stud and lined with dark chocolate brown pig skin.  I like to think each journal will become like a friend to its owner in time. All journal covers come with notebooks or sketchbooks which have been sourced from stationers and art shops and are readily available."
Take a look at all of Penny's designs in her etsy shop!  You too will become an instant fan of Penny Farrow Designs!

I am a huge fan of BIZZARIOS!  And this piece, entitled "Ray of Sunshine", is one of my favorites!  This would be a great gift for any one of my family members and a few of my friends...although I can also picture it on one of my walls!


Custom made 3D picture Ready to hang. Handcrafted with a focal point, then adding an array of earth friendly items to compliment it. Very hypnotic to look at again and again.


Take a look at BIZZARIOS' wonderful work!  You'll want one of her 3D works for your walls too!!

This is an upcycled leather mini briefcase/multi ring binder. It has 7 rings. The Unicorn design is hand painted by CreativeButterflyXOX, heat set and waterproof. It was been sealed to ensure protection of the design.  It's one of those items I just looked at it and wanted to HAVE IT!!  A briefcase/notebook with a hand-painted unicorn embraces all the different sides in me!


This shop is filled with many creative things! Polymer Clay jewelry and accessories and painted works...including this mini briefcase.


Take a look today at Creative Butterfly XOX! I am certain you will find a treasure just right for you!


Well, that's my first Wednesday Window Shopping on Etsy!  Hope you enjoyed it and stay tuned next week for more fabulous finds!!

Jonquils of Spring Sterling Silver and Bead Neclace

I made this 18" sterling silver chain and bead necklace as a celebration of spring! 


The jonquil crystal wire wrapped briolette, yellow flower, and ornate and flowered sterling silver charm combine to form a focal point for this necklace that just brightens your day. 


Swarovski jonquil crystals and swarovski pearls line the chain and the piece is held together by an antique silver clasp.

Here in the Berkshires Mountains in Western Massachusetts, we await the arrival of spring with great anticipation after the long and hard winter. Sometimes the crocus come out too early and greeted with a surprise winter storm...but when the jonquils come, we can pretty much believe that warm weather and sunshine are here to stay!

You can purchase this necklace at my Etsy Shop!  Giving Jonquils of Spring as a gift? It will arrive beautifully wrapped and ready for giving.  And remember, there is always FREE SHIPPING at Zur Designs!

Happy Spring!

Indie Junction Featured Artisans for the Week of April 18th!!

  
Another stellar lineup this week of Indie Junction Featured Artisans!  This week we have Lisa Rae Annis (TheLittleGreenButton), Deborah Wandler (BIZZARIOS), and Larissa (Reef Botanicals)!
Let's start with The Little Green Button where you will find vintage recycled buttons made into beautiful artwork, greeting cards, frames and more!  In the artist's own words: "A love for crafting coupled with a mild obsession of vintage and recycled buttons brings me to Etsy! As a child, I remember grandma pulling out scissors, buttons, glue, scraps and anything she could gather. She'd say, "There, now make something." When I needed more supplies, she'd point to the craft closet and let me at it. There was never a time limit.  Thank you Grandma for letting me get messy and create, for you are the inspiration of my craft!"  Be sure to follow Lisa Rae's blog and become a fan of her Facebook page as well!
Now take a look for yourself at some of the wonderful things at The Little Green Button!!
  
Next up is Deborah Wandler of BIZZARIOS!  This shop features 3 Dimentional Art with a difference. An idea that has come to life. A mood for every picture and a picture for every mood.  In the artist's own words: "I moved to British Columbia from Alberta in 2007.  I was just married and combining 2 households of stuff.I had a thought of an idea I had 10 years ago, why put all this cool stuff away, why not display it on pictures. Some pieces weird, some bizzar...hence the name BIZZARIOS."
Places to find BIZZARIOS:

• Blog
• Twitter
• Flickr

Now take a look at some of her wonderful artwork!!
  
Our third Indie Junction Featured Artisan is Larissa from Reef Botanticals!  Larissa and her husband Eric are the creators of the business and make wonderful natural soaps and candles!  In the artist's own words: "We knew we were right for each other early on, but didn't even realize until after we married in March of 2009 that we both loved to make things from scratch. First as children separately, and now as adults together, between us we have taken up latch hook, knitting, acting, building, fine arts, baking, cooking, face painting, henna artistry, beer brewing, photography, candle making, and now soap making. If it involves creating something, it's likely we've tried it! It was only natural for us to combine our talents for art, craft, and recipe development and step into the arts of candle and soap making."
Places to find Reef Botanicals:

• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

Here are some of the wonderful things you can find at Reef Botanicals!!
  
Larissa also does face painting for your next event! Take a look at her website, and blog!
Hope you have enjoyed this week's Featured Indie Junction Artisans! If you would like more information about Indie Junction simply click here.  Indie Junction is a place where indie artisans across all genres form a synergy that helps each individual achieve their goals within the handmade industry.  Have a wonderful week!!

Indie Junction Featured Artisans for the Week of April 11th!!

  
Indie Junction Featured Artisans for the week of April 11th are real crowd pleasers!  Put your hands together for Dale B Craft, Three Little Birds Boutique, and Mami Made It!!
Let's start with Dale B Craft where you will find handmade jewelry with every piece being unique and one of a kind.  In the artist's own words: "The amulets on my necklaces are wire sculpted and are all natural stones. I have developed my own style for wire sculpting that has evolved over a period of time and I am always experimenting with new materials and designs.   I am also including some of my original art work in this shop. I love color and I am sure this will be obvious in my artwork and in my jewelry work as well."
Places to find Dale B. Craft:

• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter

Now take a look at some of the wonderful creations you will find at Dale B Craft!!
  
Our next featured Indie Junction Artisan is Three Little Birds Boutique where you will find unique girl's clothing, with the perfect touch of vintage charm, and a lot of attention to detail.  In the artist's own words: "We LOVE to incorporate beautiful bits of lace, antique buttons, hand knit/crochet pieces, vintage linens and gorgeous fabrics into our designs.  Look for one of a kind handkerchief apron dresses, ruffles and bloomers, peasant tops, twirl skirts, sweaters and so much more! So sweet, we just had to name them after delicious desserts and treats!"
You can follow her blog to keep up with all the exciting things happening at Three Little Birds Boutique!
Here are some of the wonderful things you will find at Three Little Birds Boutique:
  
Our third Indie Junction Featured Artisan is Mami Made It featuring handmade goods made in Austria, Europe. They are all made carefully and with love and passion.  In the artist's own words: "The idea behind my bunnies is to make toys lint-free. Every time my daughter put a plush or fleece toy in her mouth as a baby I jerked. That’s why I love to work with cotton fabric because it is easy to clean, fulfills any wishes in colour and pattern and it's lint-free.  I also love to make beautiful, handy and useful things like bags and home accessories."  You can follow Mami Made It on her blog and on Twitter!
Now take a look at some of the wonderful things you will find at Mami Made It!!
  
We hope you have enjoyed this week's Featured Indie Artisans! Indie Junction is a place where artists across all mediums join together to Create.Love.Explore.Collaborate.Support.Learn.Grow!  If you would like to join us here at Indie Junction, simply click here!  Have a wonderful week!!