::Treasure Box:: Jannio ::

Felt Hat Ines $65.00

Rich, succulent texture, deep colors, natural fibers... yummy. This team of felt artists run a Etsy shop by the name of Jannio create wonderful hats, scarves, and bags that are unique and functional. I had the hardest time choosing just one to share, so here a a bunch of hats in season for the coming of winter!

Felt casket hat Kimi $65.00

Felt and cotton Hat Melinda $67.00

Felt Hat Rachel $65.00

What to you think? Please leave a comment! Or, click on one of the easy boxes below to give it a thumbs up or down;)

Love, 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::

I love scrolling around Etsy to find awesome things to feature here at P&P. The seller this week in the treasure box has so many wonderful things that I am just going to have to show you more than one... Here is one fave from the Etsy shop of mother daughter team Janey Mac:

Adorable, right? How about this:

Here is just one more for good measure:

Janey Mac also has phrases, monograms, kids items and the list goes on. Check them out, you will not be disappointed!

Best day to you... cheers! Liza

::Monday's inspired human::

The mini interview today is with Caroline, the inspired creator of Paloma's Nest. Caroline creates bowls, tiles, ornaments and other decorative pieces out of porcelain, wood, paper and cloth. The simple modern pieces are timeless and intended to be passed on for generations. Paloma's Nest is best known for their Ring Bearer Bowl™ which has been featured in numerous publications including Martha Stewart Weddings, Elegant Bride Magazine, Vogue, Elle, the list goes on and on.... Her work and packaging is environmentally cautious, and her approach to creativity is truly inspiring.

™

HAITI RELIEF ... proceeds from this item will be donated. TODAY I WILL...... fill in the blank tiny text bowl by Paloma's Nest

One of Caroline's pieces was my first favorite on Etsy, so I thought she would be the perfect person to kick off Monday's inspired human tradition on Process and Perception. The piece featured in the photograph above is not the one from my favorite archives, but a new favorite I found today while creating this post. Other favorites of mine at Paloma's Nest include Wood Paper Cloth and Good Eggs. 

~Thank you Caroline for being so gracious and having fun with a few questions! ~

Name: Caroline Colom Vasquez/ Paloma's Nest

Sign: Pisces

Age: "It takes a long time to become young." ~Pablo Picasso
Where can we find you:   www.palomasnest.com

Who or What are you most inspired by right... NOW?: The concept of heirlooms- creating items that hold history and record the story of family.
What is the first word that comes to mind when you think about ceramics: persnickety

What was your first "real" job: I was a sales girl in a boutique selling handcrafts in my home town of Mystic, Connecticut
Squishy, bumpy, fluffy or smooth? Smooth. Definitely smooth.

I hope this helps you to have an inspired week! 

Be well, Liza

Creating your cyber footprint

This link was posted on Etsy success reading list, and I just read it and thought I would add it to my blog. As I get more and more involved in social networking and the online marketplace, I find it increasingly important to stay true to who I am and who I strive to be. This short article brings this into focus, and so even though most of my followers are Etsy folk and may have seen it there. I still would like to pass it on.

http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/02/the-art-business-of-crafting-your-online-self.html

Put your best cyber foot forward!

Liza

what is your ring size?

One thing I am finding difficult as an online jewelry seller is ring sizing. I know most people do not usually know their ring size and probably feel a little bit awkward sauntering into a jewelrystore with no intention for purchasing a ring, just to get their hands on the sizer for a minute.

Here are a few tricks to finding your ring size without an uncomfortable visit to

your local jeweler...

(1.) First cut a long skinny strip of paper (if the ring you want is wide, try to match the approximate width

for your paper strip).

(2.) Wrap the paper around your finger and mark where the end

of your strip lands on the paper.

(3.) Take a little piece of tape and tape your paper ring on the outside, try sliding it on and off. You are aiming to have a little bit of a hard time getting it off of your finger, but you don't want it too tight either. It is easier to add a little sizer to a ring than actually make a ring bigger...

(4.) Take the tape off of the strip and lay it flat on a table next to a ruler. Here are the measurements and their conversions for ring size. I have done it in millimeters for a more precise fit.

Take your measurement and find your size in the chart below:

mm ~ ring size

46.6mm ~ 4

47.9mm ~ 4.5

49.1mm ~ 5

50.4mm ~ 5.5

51.7mm ~ 6

53mm ~ 6.5

54.2mm ~ 7

55.5mm ~ 7.5

56.8mm ~ 8

58mm ~ 8.5

59.3mm ~ 9

60.5mm ~ 9.5

61.8mm ~ 10

63.1mm ~ 10.5

64.3mm ~ 11

65.6mm ~ 11.5

66.9mm ~ 12

68.1mm ~ 12.5

There is one other alternative, usually major chain stores that sell jewelry have ring sizers you can use and it may be a little less intimidating!

Beginning

As with anything, there is a beginning middle and an end. I find myself continuously at the beginning of everything at this point in my life, even though I am technically probably entering the middle.

I like to try things, start things, explore things. When it comes to art, that translates into the exploration of technique and materials. I have spent hours and hours with pencils, charcoal, still life, live model, glass, clay, paint, camera, mind, spirit, energy, exploration. Always searching for a medium to grab my attention long enough for me to take it further and further.

This search brought me to silver and natural gemstones and copper and wire, and it feels like a culmination of all the process I have played with along the way. Creating jewelry has become an outlet and a platform for me to express myself and I am so excited about it. Once again, I find myself at the 'beginning' of something.

So, here's to this beginning moving to a middle and someday hopefully far away... to an end.

Thanks for reading, Liza