On Fire For Handmade Featured Artisan of the Week--Cosmic Hippo!!

This weeks Featured Artisan is Cosmic Hippo Designs. Glenda Ganis is the owner/designer and she has wonderful creations to jazz up your wardrobe! You can find Cosmic Hippo Designs on:

Etsy
Artfire
Facebook

I Love Champagne! My Newest Treasury!

My Newest Treasury!

I Love Champagne!

Take a peek if you have a chance!

Indie Junction in Purple and Mint--My New Treasury!!

Indie Junction in Purple and Mint

My Latest Treasury

Featuring Members of the Indie Junction Community!

Romantic Moments--A Treasury by magartstudio

Romantic Moments

A Treasury

 by

 magartstudio

Thank you for including "The Power of Two Pearl Lariat" in this wonderful collection!!

Accepting Custom Orders on The Celtic Knot Sister Necklace

The Celtic Knot Sister Necklace is one of my favorite designs simply because it was made in honor of my own sisters, both living and the two that have passed.  It is also meant to honor sisters everywhere!  My experiences with designing custom necklaces for customers has been the most wonderful experience!  One of my favorite customers decided to give her sisters and her niece who had lost her mom to cancer Celtic Knot Sister Necklaces for Christmas.  Through a series of Etsy convos, we designed four necklaces based on what colors would be best suited for each sister and her lovely niece.  I added a charm to her niece's necklace simply because I know how hard it is to lose your mom at any age, and I lost mine very young.  The results were beautiful and the journey was priceless.  After the holidays were over, this wonderful person asked me to design a Celtic Sister Necklace just for her!


Another wonderful customer liked the grouping of the beads along the chain of this necklace.  She had four sisters and the beads were grouped in fours.  A few other  customers simply thought that the necklace was a beautiful way to honor their sisters whom most referred to as their closest friends.


The focal point of the necklace is the Celtic Knot itself which to me represents the lifetime bond between sisters; no matter how complex the relationship, it is one of the purest forms of love around. The groupings of beads and crystals along the delicate diamond cut rollo chain have been said to remind people of the number of sisters they have and can be customized accordingly. Each grouping usually consists of an oval semi precious stones, matching swarovski round crystals and matching swarovski pearls. Delicate findings or spacers are combined with the beads for an overall polished look.  The piece is tied together with an antique toggle clasp. 

Charms can be added to the chain for an additional $5

If you are interested in purchasing this necklace for a gift, simply send me a convo and tell me what colors would be most suitable...even if it's a gift for yourself! Based on details such as color and length of chain, I can recommend a design for your Sister Necklace that's just right for you! And it will arrive beautifully wrapped and ready for giving!  I will include a paper copy that details how I came about creating this design!  Allow approximately two weeks for the creation of this design...so if you are interested, let's start the conversation soon!!

Indie Junction Gift Guide For The Week of November 28th!!

Have you gotten your tree yet?  I saw some Christmas trees strapped to the top of some cars today and it got me thinking about ornaments!  They make wonderful gifts for teachers, office parties, Secret Santa gifts, friends, and of course your family!!

So let see what type of creative ornaments the Indie Junction Members are working on!  Remember, this is just a sampling of the wonderful work you will find from this talented group.  So if you are looking for unique and beautiful handmade gifts for this holiday season, you owe it to yourself to search our team tag: "indiejteam".  Now to the ornaments!!

Natural Brazilian Agate Ornaments-Set of Four Large by aimeesrockworks $25

Tatted Lace Christmas Angel by PlumpFairy $12

Glass Ornament--Happiness by BuyMyBalls $12

3 Christmas Star Ornaments by MamiMadeIt $13.90

Little Bird on Blue Postage Stamp Christmas Ornament by ogdenarthaus $34

Holiday Acorn Ornaments by NancysBagsEtc $11.25 (sale price through Nov 9th)

Christmas Tree Ornament by DesignsStainedGlass $5.63 (sale price through Nov 29th)

Well, hope you've enjoyed some of the wonderful gift ideas from our talented Indie Junction members!  Indie Junction is a wonderful community that brings together artisans from across all mediums in the spirit of collaboration, support and growth. We are so proud to have the talented members featured here as part of our Indie Junction Community!  For more information about Indie Junction, please go here!  Have a great week!

You won't be blue with THESE Twitter Friends........A Treasury by Needles And Kims

You won't be blue with THESE Twitter Friends........

A Treasury

by

NeedlesAndKims

Thank you so much for including my New Orleans Blues Necklace in this stunning treasury!!

Beautiful findings--A Treasury by artefyk

Beautiful findings

A Treasury

 by 

artefyk

Featuring members of the Treasure Lover Etsy Team!

Thanks so much for including my necklace Mad Money in this wonderful collection!

Spend The Holidays with Indie Junction

Spend The Holidays with Indie Junction

A Treasury 

by

pulpsushi

Members of Indie Junction Etsy Team believes in Etsy as “the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace” and we believe in the importance of the Handmade Movement.

Enjoy the Color by Good Florist!

Enjoy the Color

 by

 GoodFlorist!

Thank you so much for including my Sunset Wire Wrapped Ring in this bold and beautiful collection!!

Time to cozy up--A Treasury by Sew Danish!!

Time to cozy up

A Treasury

 by

SewDanish

Thank you for including Dancing In The Light in this warm, beautiful, and cozy collection!!

New Orleans Blues Vintage Style Necklace by Zur Designs

The focal point of this 24 inch necklace is the extra large faceted crystal in a deep rich color blue. Add to that an ornate elongated bead cap, an antiqued bronze filigree decorated with vintage lucite flower and swarovski crystal accents, and a large vintage key. The piece is tied together with a wonderful antique brass chain and held together with a vintage style swirly toggle clasp.

A friend of mine was playing  bluesy,jazzy New Orleans style music on his sax while I was creating this necklace and it reminded me of the rich and vibrate history of New Orleans that not even nature can take down!  And The New Orleans Blues Necklace was born!

Giving this necklace as a gift? It will arrive at your door beautifully packaged and ready for giving. And as always there is FREE SHIPPING at Zur Designs!

A necklace rich with the spirit of the blues!  You can purchase this necklace in
 my Etsy Shop!

Girly Girl A Treasury by Contempo Jewels!!

Girly Girl

A Treasury 

by

contempojewels

Thank you for including my Red and Royal Earrings in this awesome treasury!!

Smashing Against Rocks Hammered Copper Cuff by Zur Designs

No I didn't get angry! I just wanted to see what patterns would emerge if I hammered this yummy 16 gauge  copper against rocks. The results remind me a bit of lava rocks! Very pretty.  I squared off the edges of this bracelet for a sleek and modern look. The cuff measures 6 1/4 inches and is meant to accommodate a size 7 wrist.  It feels really good on your wrist!!

Giving this cuff as a gift? It will arrive at your door beautifully wrapped and ready for giving. And remember, there is FREE SHIPPING at Zur Designs!

Feel the sensation of Smashing Against Rocks!  You can purchase at Zur Designs on Etsy!!

Show Me Your Pearly Whites--A Treasury by charmeddesign1012

Show Me Your Pearly Whites--A Treasury

 by 

charmeddesign1012

Thank you for including my earrings in this beautiful collection!!

Shades of Blue--A Treasury by Good Florist!

Shades of Blue

A Treasury 

by

GoodFlorist

Thank you so much for including my ring in this wonderful collection in shades of blue!!

Wednesday Window Shopping on Etsy!

This week's Wednesday Window Shopping excursion is taking its theme from the October Etsy Merchandising Desk once again! One of the trend forecasts for the month of October is:  Geometric and Tribal: Colorblock patterns and weaves, bold colors, stripes and shapes (chevron, triangle, and arrow), warrior references, intricate beading, and over the top collar necklaces. Back to basics with natural materials and references to feathers, leather, stone and clay.
So, I took a search of my Indie Junction friends for a sampling of these two categories.
Here is a sampling of some tribal designs

Tribal necklace with faux turquoise spears by Lynwood Jewels *****Extraordinary Artisan and founder of Handmade and Fabulous...take a peek!*****

A necklace from our Tribal range.  Made, using faux turquoise spears and sea jasper beads. This necklace is stunning and a statement piece. The faux turquoise has lovely markings and the colour of the markings is drawn out using the sea japser.
Each sea jasper bead is hand wrapped in a sterling silver cage. The turquoise spears are also wrapped using sterling silver. The necklace is finished with a leather necklet with sterling silver clasp and ends. A beautiful and striking necklace. Necklace length approx. 21 inches.

Tribal Instincts BOHO CHIC cuff bracelet turquoise and feathers  by SeptemberRose *****You'll wish you had more than two wrists!*****

Feathers and turquoise....two of this spring/summer's hottest trends, combined into one stunning and eye-catching cuff bracelet....Genuine white leather is accented on both sides by rows of beautiful, natural feather/fur trim. A row of antiqued brass studs in circles and diamond shapes runs down the center length of the cuff. The design if finished off by a small turquoise stone cabachon.  Dimensions: 3" x 6". A thin suede lace ties on, and allows this bracelet to be adjustable to just about wrist size. Great fit, will mold to your unique wrist, as you can tighten or loosen to be perfect for you. Silver charm beads on end of suede.

TRIBAL by Bizzario *****Her work is so awesome I want to cover every wall with them!*****

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

Dimentions :20"x 20"
weight: aprox.10lb

Here's some geometric patterns:

Crossed Wires Blue Stone Necklace by Among The Ruins   *****Extremely talented jewelry artisan AND classical violin  AND piano aficionado!*****

Beautiful blue stones on criss-crossed wires formed into chevron. 20 inch gun metal chain.

Blue and Orange Geometric Hand Painted One of a Kind Tee Small by Gynx     *****Fiber Artist Extraordinaire!*****

This pre-made, 100% cotton white tee is hand painted with blue and orange rectangles on the front and a fading orange rectangle on the back.  This shirt is sized as an adult small. The model normally wears a small or medium.
Specific Measurements (Laid Flat):
Shoulder to Bottom Hem: 27 inches
Armpit to Armpit: 19 inches
Bottom Hem Circumference: 38 inches
The ink is heat-set to be safe for machine washing. To preserve the image, as with any shirt with screen printing ink, it should be washed inside out. 

Geometric Hair Pins by Beadiful Baubles  *****Talented jewelry artisan, she learned her art when she was about ten!*****

These are made with doughnut shaped beads in a gray mother of pearl and in the center are beautifully shiny faceted black glass beads... they are just stunning, I hand wire wrapped it all to silver plated hair pin forms.  These hair pins are very long and surprisingly sturdy. Please feel free to read testimonials below...

Well, I hope you enjoyed this week's segment of Wednesday Window Shopping on Etsy!  Stay tuned! Have a great week!

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp

So like many of you sellers on Etsy, I joined the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp.  Here's what we did for Week #1.  We posted a forum on our Indie Junction site to support one another in this effort!  The first week, we all took a pledge: 

I, ______________, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere! 

We chose a mascot and I was so happy to see that Lou the Monster was chosen!!  He was clearly the best choice, don't you think?

And then we were asked to create a mission statement...something we could refer to when in the midst of the holiday rush.  Here's mine:
Mission Statement:
This holiday season what I’d like to do for my customers and people who take the time view my designs:
1. go far out of the box creatively to keep my design style new and fresh and different–a lasting piece of jewelry they can cherish for years to come or for browsers simply inspire them
2. have a well-stocked shop with lots of variety
3. have excellent customer service served with some holiday cheer
4. continue to promote other handmade artists
5. collectively promote the value of handmade
And of course, make it a warm and wonderful holiday season!
And if we all end up looking like Lou at the end of it...we have done our jobs!!
For those of you who want to join...there's still time.  Here's some links to get you started!
Etsy Success Newsletter
Facebook Event Page
Etsy Blog Post
Week One Forum Post
So maybe I'll see you at boot camp!!

A New Treasury I Curated! Indie Junction in Purple and Black!!

Indie Junction in Purple and Black

Looking For Earrings?!

The Earring Collection by Zur Designs

Take a Peek!

I Like The Clapping At The End! :)

Zur Designs on Etsy