:: Monday's inspired human : Sara Sacks ::

This week's inspired human is multi talented, she makes jewelry and adorable fiber creations. This artist is obviously in love with what she is doing and having fun as she goes. I personally am really quite fond of her felted wool lamb, what a little cutie pie... but there is much much more to be seen from this artist. Blogger land meet Sara Sacks!


Name: Sara Sacks
Sign: Scorpio
Age: A lady never tells
Where can we find you (blogs, websites etc... list them all;):http://busterandboo.etsy.com
http://woolies.etsy.com
http://woolies-woolies.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan page coming soon!

Vintage Typewriter Key Cufflinks - Pick your Letters $34.00

What are your favorite medium/s to work in: OMIGOSH I didn't think this would be such a hard question to answer! I LOVE natural yarns - wool, alpaca, organic cottons. I LOVE everything antique/vintage - like my typewriter keys. I love pearls, and sterling silver. 

Juniper, hand knitted sheepie friend - Custom knit for you $30.00

Who or What are you most inspired by right... NOW?: Spring in the high desert - it's miraculous. 


What is the FIRST word that comes to mind when you hear the word BUSTERANDBOO (don't worry, let it pop in- then spit it out;): My dogs (Buster and boo!)

What was your first "real" job: I guess babysitting doesn't count....my first 'real' job - after college was at Merrill Lynch, working for stockbrokers. I learned very quickly that this was NOT for me!

Do you have a favorite piece, or lots of favorites? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42963388


Why tickets, typewriter key, scrabble tiles and playing cards?
My first shop is Woolies. I'm first and foremost, a knitter. A lover of animals. A love of knitted stuffed animals. 
Then I saw a tutorial for making scrabble tile pendants! I was hooked. I taught myself to wire wrap - started making earrings. Other wooden pendants came naturally - tickets, playing cards. I used to sell faux wooden typewriter key pendants. At a craft fair, every single person picked them up and said "OH LOOK, typewriter key pendants!" I had to explain that they were pretend. I thought - why not make the real thing!? I have always been a lover of antiques (Antiques Roadshow is probably my favorite TV show, don't tell anyone), so this was a natural evolution for Buster and boo. 

La Petite Elephant, Felt Friend $16.00

I know you are a wonderful jewelry designer and fiber artist, what do you LOVE to make most at the moment?: I'm working on some new designs for my stuffed animals. I'm always thinking of new ideas - it's a matter of finding the time to work on them! (Day Job! gets in the way...)

Squishy, bumpy, fluffy or smooth? Squishy and Fluffy

Best advice for overcoming a creative block?: Take a walk outside. Read a great book. Stop trying. It will happen. 

Is it the process of creating a piece that most intrigues you, or the end result?: Both. Sometimes as I'm knitting an animal, I get very impatient to see the finished result. The animal starts to come alive as I'm making him/her. 
For jewelry-making, it's often the process that is intriguing. I love to find and buy OLD dirty typewriter keys, and turn them into something unique and beautiful. 
Hobo, Boho, or HoHo?:
Probably Hobo
Describe what it is like for you when you are in the 'zone',when you are in your most creative moment?: Don't bother me! Don't talk to me! I get into the rhythym. 
Thank you Sara for your time and insight into your process! Happy Monday~ Liza

::Friday's treasure box:: Sophia Pip ::

I found this seller a while ago when I first joined Etsy. It is probably kind of obvious why I favor her shop, her style is simple organic and free... 
Check out a few things from Sophia Pip!

Custom Dog Tag .  $24.00

All Wrapped Up . $36.00

POPPIES - Bangle Bracelets  .  $45.00


Happy Friday, cheers!


~Liza

::Monday's inspired human :: Madeline Meekins ::

MaddyAnne! This Etsy shop has some cute things and the creator has a great eye... I stumbled upon this designer a few weeks ago and I love her simple and fresh approach to jewelry design. Madeline is especially drawn to earring designs, and they are sweet.


Lets see what she has to say;)



Name: Madeline Meekins
Sign: Scorpio
Age: 23
Where can we find you (blogs, websites etc... list them all;):
www.maddyanne.etsy.com 
www.maddyannedesigns.blogspot.com

What are your favorite medium/s to work in: I tend to lean toward antique brass and antique silver because of the lovely aged look they have. 


Who or What are you most inspired by right... NOW?: I’m mostly inspired by nature and vintage items.


What is the FIRST word that comes to mind when you hear the word CREATIVITY (don't worry, let it pop in- then spit it out;): fresh

What was your first "real" job: I worked at a store called Wallpapers To Go for about a year as a salesperson (back when I wanted to take up interior design).

Do you have a favorite piece, or lots of favorites?: Right now, my favorite item would have to be my “Sunshine China Earrings.” I found these ceramic beads and HAD to get them. But it turns out they don’t sell them anymore, so this will be the only pair I can make. I’m tempted to keep them. 

I know you are a wonderful jewelry designer, what do you LOVE to make most at the moment?: I tend to find myself seeing all sorts of fun things that I want to turn into earrings.
Squishy, bumpy, fluffy or smooth?: Fluffy sounds fun. :) 
Best advice for overcoming a creative block?: Stop working. I know that sounds crazy, but I think if your in an artistic slump you should stop and let your creativity flow naturally. Never force yourself to make things. When your inspiration returns, you’ll be a creating machine!
Is it the process of creating a piece that most intrigues you, or the end result?: I love the full process. It’s fun to come up with an idea, figure out what beads will work in order to put it together, and then to share it with others. 
Hobo, Boho, or HoHo?: I guess I’m not hip enough to know what hoho is, so I’d have to say I’m more boho.


Describe what it is like for you when you are in the 'zone',when you are in your most creative moment?: When I’m in the “zone”, I’m totally focused on my craft and prefer to be alone and able to really create.
Is there anything else you want to tell us about? Lets have it: I’m pregnant with my second child right now and ready to pop next month. I’ll still be hanging around on Etsy, though!


Thank you Madeline, and best of luck with your newest creation!


happy monday ~ liza

::Friday's treasure box:: Beadsss ::

This Friday I would like to share with you a really unique design, by a very talented designer... drum roll please! Fine silver wax seal pendant necklaces by Beadsss.
  
Now, aren't these cool? I wonder where this seller found all of these great old wax stamps? Check them out here where they are all dressed up with a silver chain:

Happy Friday to you! Now go shop!


~Liza

:: Monday's inspired human : Jennifer Smith-Righter ::

Silver, gears, industrial and feminine. These are the words that come to my mind when I think about this jewelry designers work. The designer of Wearable By Design, Jennifer Smith-Righter has technical skill and brings a unique creative vision to jewelry design, her work is really quite fabulous. I really like how some pieces are very technical and intricate and some are flowing and graceful, this designer knows how to successfully create pieces that fall on both ends of the spectrum.


SO, enough from me! Lets see what Jennifer has to say:


 


Name: Jennifer Smith-Righter
Sign: Scorpio
Age: Older than I want to be, but since I earned some wisdom along the way, I guess it's not so bad.
Where can we find you (blogs, websites etc... list them all;): 
www.wearablebydesign.etsy.com
www.wearablebydesign.com

What are your favorite medium/s to work in?: Fine (metal clay) and Sterling Silver.

Who or What are you most inspired by right... NOW?: I've been doing a lot of "pretty" things lately which usually means that I need to switch to something with a little mechanical abilities. I must move back to the industrial side!
 
What is the FIRST word that comes to mind when you hear the work SILVER (don't worry, let it pop in- then spit it out;): malleable

What was your first "real" job: Orthodontic Assistant

Do you have a favorite piece, or lots of favorites? I have a couple of favorites -- Pink Ophelia and Chain Reaction are two standouts.


I know you are a wonderful jewelry designer, what do you LOVE to make at the moment?: I'm experimenting with the mechanics of Ferris Wheels.

Squishy, bumpy, fluffy or smooth?: Definitely smooth!
 
Best advice for overcoming a creative block?: Change your scene! Take a walk or take a trip. It always works for me.

Is it the process of creating a piece that most intrigues you, or the end result?: I'd have to say both. I love to get lost in the process, but once an item is finished, it kind of surprises me that it all came together. I still have those moments where, in disbelief, I say to myself "I made that!"

Hobo, Boho, or HoHo?: Boho.

Describe what it is like for you when you are in the 'zone',when you are in your most creative moment?: I lose all track of time and I'm tinkering, tinkering, tinkering.

Is there anything else you want to tell us about? Lets have it!: I'm really an elf.Thank you Jennifer for the interview, and thank you for reading! 


Have an inspired Monday~ Liza

::Friday's treasure box:: especially4ubyEandT ::

BUGS! And soap, and things that smell good. Yeah, that is the perfect theme for a friday in April in New England. Check out especially4ubyEandT a stay at home mom with a passion for handmade, now this is a lady I can relate to;) Here's to staying at home to raise the kiddos and staying creative at the same time! And, of course... here's to smellin' yummy.
 
BUGS!

DONUTS!

Bath time...


Oh how I enjoy posting Friday's treasure box! Have a wonderful weekend.


~Liza

:: Water Cooler :: Little bit-o-fun ::

Hey, what? I don't know... who's on first? Who? Whats on second? Awww, those stooges oops (actually, Abbott and Costello) were so funny! Where is the fun happening, anyway?! Why am I always so SERIOUS. Ugh, it makes me tired just thinking about it!

I wrote this poem when I was in high school I think... I am really not sure. I have never been much of a writer (funny, I know... what am I doing blogging?) But, I think today is a good day to revisit this one:

What is the way,
to add calm to the day?
When the order has been laid,
and the only way is paid?
For who do I do
what is expected of me to?
And why do I try
to make sense of this?
I'm asking the old few
who thought that they knew
Which way we should go
and what we should DO?

I guess in a way it is just a silly little poem, but I think it is interesting. Every culture has their rules and customs, economy and healthcare (or whatever it may be). These 'structures' set up the priorities for our daily living, goals and values. We pass these goals, values and structures along to our children and hope that as times change they are upheld or renovated if necessary.

I don't think our forefathers wanted fun to be left out, but it seems like it is the first thing to suffer these days. SO today at the water cooler I want to talk about things that are FUN. I challenge you to have just a little bit (or a lot if you can manage;) of fun every day... you can do it! I know I am challenging you, but in this case 'you' is also 'me'.

OK little bit-o-fun... here we go.

Check out this painting by LifeInGeneral, I think it is wonderful and fun and is truly in the spirit of this post:




We don't have to taotally give up on our daily routine or abandon our goals, but let's add in a little bit-o-fun. I will promise to comment on this post later today on what I did on this day that was fun, will you? What did you do that you that was FUN today?

Here's to adding a little fun to your day! Cheers!
 ~Liza

::Monday's inspired human :: Jeff Badger ::

Creative energy is a tough thing to harness for some folks, and especially those who have so much of it. Jeff Badger is an artist, musician, teacher, father and Monday's inspired human. Jeff is currently participating in an exciting artist photographer teamed installation project at SPACE gallery in Portland, ME and working on pen and ink drawings which are essentially diagrams of  thought pattern's and creative processes... whoa... what's more interesting then following how our quirky minds really work? I am not sure, but learning a little bit more about Jeff is certainly up there;) 


Blog land, may I introduce you to Jeff Badger:

Name: Jeff Badger
Sign: Yield
Age: 33
Where can we find you (blogs, websites etc... list them all;):☛Artwww.jeffbadger.com
www.whitneyartworks.com
☛Design/Illustrationwww.badgercreativeservices.com
www.smallvictorystudios.com
☛Musichttp://www.reverbnation.com/barnaclesbandages
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hot-Dogs/68462940559?ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Custardpaws-Mr-Freezy/51871191451

What are the mediums that you work in? 
drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, music

Which one of these mediums are getting the most love from you right... NOW?
Definitely drawing. I have spent the last year or so working on a new series of black and white pen drawings of data trees tracing thought. They use the information design of annual reports - charts, graphs, data trees - to try to elucidate info about emotional and artistic processes. Also, I am recording a new batch of songs with my recently (re)formed band Crooked Propellers.




What are you working about that you are most excited about right... NOW?
My Tiny Office. I was asked to participate in a project at Space Gallery in Portland (http://www.space538.org) that will feature five teams of artists and photographers. The teams create an installation as a photo booth - viewers can get their pictures taken in the installation. It will be up for one night only (First Friday, April 2). For this project photographer Nathan Eldridge (http://www.nathaneldridge.com/) and I are creating a 'tiny office'. It is a small, enclosed room with forced perspective that appears to be a normal sized room at the front but shrinks down to 50% size as as it recedes. At the end is a small desk, phone, computer, etc. all built at 50% of regular size. In the pictures people will look extremely large (or kids will look adult-sized). Nathan will take the photos with a wide-angle to amplify the effect.



What is the first word that comes to mind right... NOW? Alligator



What was your first "real" job: I was a graphic designer for a company that produced financial text. Designing books didn't work out for me in the long term, but now that I teach design I realize how much I learned there.

Favorite method of procrastination:
Cleaning, organizing, putting shelves up and taking them down, etc. Pretending that preparing my workspace is that same thing as working even though I know it is not.

I know you are an amazing creative, what do you LOVE to make?:
Cocktails.

Best advice for overcoming a creative block?
Take something away from yourself.


Please answer the painful age old art school question; "What Is Art?"
Not touching that one.


Thanks Jeff for answering questions and being the inspired human that you are! 


What do you think? We would love to hear what you have to say...


Have an inspired week! ~Liza

::Friday's treasure box:: Isla New York ::

What a day, finally a little sunshine and some warmer temps in New England. While the nights are still chilly around here, and the mornings too... I thought this soft organic hooded sweatshirt from Isla New York would be a great pick for this Friday's treasure box.
 
Have a wonderful weekend!
 ~Liza