Wednesday, March 23, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Jewelry By Jaynemarie

This week's BESTeam feature is on Jewelry by Jaynemarie.
Handmade Sterling Silver Amethyst Filigree Earrings

Jaynemarie was born at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  Her family moved to Maryland when she was 6 months old....which would be the first of many moves growing up as an "Air Force Brat" and having to move every time her father was transferred all over the U.S.  She even remembers some years attending 3 different school!  All this moving, however, gave her an appreciation for her country and especially the diversity we enjoy in our geography and culture.


Because she wasn't allowed to play with her brother's toys growing up (ya know, the train set, the chemistry set etc) she started designing clothes and jewelry for her Barbie doll, and from there when to designing jewelry for herself.

When she finished college with a degree in Electrical Engineering, she moved to Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is now where she calls home.  It is also where she met her husband and has worked in the electronics industry for many years.

She started seriously making jewelry because she would see something she liked, but wanted it a little different.   And when she did do this she received so many compliments on her designs and from there her business grew.

In order to fulfill her vision for her designs and business, she has taken many courses at local stores and jewelry schools. She is continually working to improve her knowledge of jewelry design and construction, so that she can make fine pieces with the best materials available.

She loves to play with color, sparkle and texture in designing her jewelry. And uses high-quality materials because they give a rich texture and depth to her designs.  She has the most fun when she can use metals, gemstones and pearls to come up with something new and exciting.  And she does custom work and would love to make something spectacular just for you!



Here are just a few things that caught my eye...but you should check it out for yourself!!

These Sterling Silver and Pearl Earrings are my favorite :-)

Romantic Sterling Silver Pearl Earrings

Handmade Sterling Turquoise Blue Swirls

Handmade Carnelian BowTie Sterling Necklace


If you want some more information about Jaynemarie:
Her Facebook page is:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Gatos-CA/Jewelry-By-Jaynemarie/177197066461?v=wall&ref=ts
Her Blog is:  http://jewelrybyjaynemarie.blogspot.com/
And her Twitter Name is JewlryJaynmarie.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Ms. Formaldehyde

This week's BESTeam feature is on an interesting little shop called MsFormaldehyde
And is run by Kelly who has been born and raised in San Diego, CA.  She loves to make accessories for special occassions.  Her specialty is wonderful, funky accessories including "carved skulls, sugar skulls, gothic, voodoo, glitter fashion, lowbrow, lolita pin up and dita burlesque accessories." 

She has well over a hundred different kinds of silk flower accessories that are beautiful, as well as some beautiful butterfly items too.

Spring yellow plumeria barrette set

White and Pink Flower Set of 3 Wedding Brides maid Shoe Clip Hair Clip Barrette or headband

Hand painted, Butterfly barrette or butterfly bobby pin

Mariposa, butterfly, White butterfly barrette
 
And then she has some skull accessories and little tiki totem earrings.

Skull and cross bones Pirates barrette or bobby pin
Tiki earrings

I tend to be a more 'cutsie' type person and I even found some little "cute" items too!

Hello kitty necklace

Cupcake Earrings

So there really is something for everyone...you will have to check it out for yourselves!!

To learn more about Ms. Formaldehyde you can follow her blog at:
http://msformaldehyde.blogspot.com/

Or check out her Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MsFormaldehyde/104565692916493

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Chasing the Nuns

Sarah is the proprietor of Cerlandia an Etsy shop that specializes in unique handmade totes, purses and knitted items.  She is a stay at home mom who loves to knit, crochet and sew.  She has a B.S. degree in Psychology and a M.A. degree in Sociology both from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. She has been knitting for over 6 years, crocheting for 5 and sewing for longer than she remembers.

Recently she has been working with her friend Charles Taylor to bring silkscreen into her work.  Together they make some amazing one of a kind pieces for you to use.

And as a fellow Raveler (www.Ravelry.com) I couldn't help but stalk some of her great knitted and crocheted projects :-)

Here are just a few items from her shop that caught my eye...but come see for yourself at Cerlandia


hip bag
Custom Bunny Hat



music hand bag


turkey hat

aviator hat
Set of 4 Cloth Napkins
You can also find out more about Sarah by:
Following her blog at http://chasingthenuns.blogspot.com/
Twitter at http://twitter.com/chasingthenuns
And on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/cerlandia/273587627352?ref=ts

Thursday, March 3, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Headpin Wear

This week's BESTeam feature is on Headpin Wear.  Here you will find jewelry designed with copper, sterling silver, and more!  Classic and retro designs with Gemstones, Swarovski Crystals, and other varieties to flatter you, and your own style!

Cathy the owner of Headpin Wear, lives in the little town of Benicia, CA, with her husband and youngest son.  Her full time job is working for an Auto Processing Company, and the commute is heavenly, a whole 1.7 miles from home.  And although her "full-time job" hasn't exactly been a full-time job lately due to the economy, she tries to look on the bright side of things and knows that she is blessed in so many other ways that are more important to her and she refuses to complain!

She started designing jewelry a few years ago and really just wanted to make jewelry for herself that would be unique and would complement her apparel.  She has found that she needs to be "in the mood" to create and is not someone who can just sit down and make something just for the sake of making it.  She is thoughtful and meticulous in the complete design from start to finish.  And although her jewelry is simplistic, it is always quality work that goes into each piece.  (ssshhh!!  She claims to be a perfectionist in hiding!!)

Here are just a few pieces that caught my eye while browsing her store.


Black Onyx Microfaceted Gemstones and Freshwater White Pearls Bracelet

Pink / Silver Lampwork Heart, and Bali Chandeliers, with Sterling Silver Chain Necklace

Swarovski Air Blue (Light Blue) Opal and Bali Sterling Silver Filligree Earrings

Pink Czech Glass with incased Flower Bead with Swarovski Pearl Earrings
Topaz (Golden) Lampwork Beads, Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Earrings
 You can also check out her blog at http://headpinwear.blogspot.com/