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/

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Turquoise Angels

This week for my BESTeam feature I am featuring Turquoise Angel...which I featured back in October but now we get to check in and see what is new and exciting with them.

Turquoise Angels is a family owned company specializing in infusing art and clothing.  They provide ever evolving, stylish printed and handmade apparel and accessories. This mother-daughter design team covers the generation gap by combining unique patterns and prints fashionable for all ages.

Here in CT we have seen lots and lots of snow this winter and I am so ready for spring and at Turquoise Angel there are so many bright colorful items that you have to check it out for yourself...so that you too will feel the hope that spring is just around the corner!!!

Flip Flops Boutique Custom Pink Daisy

Various colored Hairbows stripes and polka dots
Hairbow Yellow stripes and polka dots

Emerald headband with Shamrock flower

Bunny Pink Hand tied tutu -Great for Photo Shoots, Birthdays, Dance Performances, Parties and Dress Up Fun (Sizes newborn to 5T)

Sugar Plum Tutu -Great for Photo Shoots, Birthdays, Dance Performances, Parties and Dress Up Fun. (Sizes newborn to 5T)
You can check out their shop at Turquoise Angels or
Read their blog about juggling work, family and life while maintaining only a slightly crooked halo.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Monster Madness!

I pre-ordered Rebecca Danger's The Big Book of Knitted Monsters back in like November and it arrived at the beginning of February and I have finished 4 monsters and am working on my 5th monster.  I love them and they knit up so fast...which is always a great thing!  And having so much fun making them...I am not sure I will be making anything else for a while :-)


My Monster Family....so far...
 
Toothy Joe the Mailbox Monster

Petunia the Patio Monster

Baldwin the Bathroom Monster

Harold the Houseplant Monster
 I am so excited about these monsters that I decided to open a new Etsy shop just for Monsters.  The shop is a little bare at the moment as I have spent more time knitting monsters than attempting to get my shop up and running...but it there are a few monsters listed with more to come.  So check out Monster Love Madness and get a monster of your very own!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Beader Bubbe's Shop

Agnes is the owner of Beader Bubbe's Shop.  She is a mother of five and grandmother of six.  She loves crafting and hopes to retire soon and start concentrating on jewelry making.

She loves to create using any medium - whether its crystal, paper beads, polymer clay, stamping...she tries it all. Much of her jewelry never gets to her Etsy store because it is snapped up by co-workers and family.

Her one wish is to have more time to create....

Here are just a few of some of her creations that caught my eye while checking out her shop.

Butterfly Earrings

Hearts of Glass Pendant

Black and Silver Bracelet

Pearl and Amethyst Necklace


Stop by her blog at: http://www.beaderbubbe.blogspot.com 
"Like" her Facebook page...http://www.facebook.com/beaderbubbe.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Efrat Deutsch

Efrat is the jewelry designer/goldsmith for Efrat Deutsch. She has a degree in jewelry design from Bezalel academy of art and design. Her collections are inspired by both nature and urban life and the collection is an array of delicate, elegant and elaborate designs that create a one of a kind limited edition.

Her design process involves the freedom to experiment, explore, and discover different techniques to create contrast. The contrast includes the past and the present of traditional handcrafted and contemporary designs connected together in harmony with attention to the smallest detail.

She believes that it is all about living in a world that you first choose your jewelry and then match your outfit.

To learn more about Efrat you can check out her blog at http://efratdeutschjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Or find her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Efrat-Deutsch-Jewelry-Design/111142605597975?ref=ts

Here are just a few items that caught my eye when checking out her shop...


circular petals pendant with enamel (Ready to ship)

Three Half Petal Flowers (Made to order)

Gold Sunflower Hoop Earrings

Flower Pond Necklace (Ready to ship) 

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Moonangelnay Photography

Moonangelnay Photography is owned by Naomi.  She is a passionate artist, digital artist and photographer.  Her inspiration comes from the human form, philosophy, nature, free will and color.  She is a fine artist at heart but has an ever changing abstract style which has also drifted into her digital art work.  She brings contrast and duality into her work, highlighting her interests in both light and dark and the veil in between through form, color, mantra and poetry to bring forth her objectives to brand her work as more than just physical art or home decor, but as something to think about.
 
Here is just a sampling of her items that caught my eye on this (yet another!) snowy day here in CT.  I was drawn to the colorful flowers which hint of spring on this winter day!  But there is so much more than just colorful flowers in Naomi's shop...so check it out for yourselves and you might just find something you need :-)

On The Prowl 5x7 Inch Fine Art Photo

Twilight Rose 8x12 or 8x10 Inch Fine Art Photo

Violet Star 8x12 or 8x10 Inch Fine Art Photo

Sunshine On A Rainy Day 5x7 Inch Fine Art Photo

Sweet Maple 5x7 Inch Fine Art Photo
Swan 5x7 Inch Fine Art Photo

And if all this photography art is not enough....Naomi also has another shop BabaMoon featuring adorable baby knits!!  As a knitter myself, I always appreciate other knitter's talents.  Here is just 2 that caught my eye while checking out her other shop....but you need to see them for yourself....so cute!!!

3 to 6m Soft Rainbow Crochet Flopsy Bunny Rabbit Hat

3 to 6m Soft Crochet Daisy Flower Bonnet in Yellow and Cream

And as if that isn't enough talent in one person....she is also an avid blogger that features Etsy sellers each week that have 0-19 sales on her blog at http://moonangelnay.blogspot.com/ and guest post on Handmade Spark each week.

You can also follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/moonangelnay

Thursday, January 27, 2011

BESTeam Feature - Your Daily Jewels

After more than a week of being sick with the flu (aarrgghh!) I am back with this week's BESTeam feature on Your Daily Jewels.

Norah is the owner of Your Daily Jewels.  She is a physical therapist, treating children with disabilities.  Years ago she needed a reward system for some of her younger patients and she began making simple jewelry for them.  The pieces were a big hit and she discovered a new creative outlet. 

Today, she is a self taught jeweler and she spends most of her free time learning about and making modern glamorous and adffordable jewelry for women to wear everyday.  She infuses as much color as possible into her pieces.

And while checking out her shop I found a rainbow of colors!  And there is so much more so be sure to check it out for yourselves!

The Kiss- VINTAGE Luscious RED Swarovski Pendant with Raw Brass and Rhinstone Crystals


Bright Orange Candy Jade Itty Bitty Earring with Matte Gold Flower
LEMON CHALCEDONY DROP PENDANT NECKLACE WITH STERLING SILVER CHAIN

Luminous GREEN Rutilate Quartz RING with Sterling Size 7.5

Cornflower BLUE Harlequin Chalcedony Squares NECKLACE

THE COLOR PURPLE - SPECTACULAR RECTANGULAR DRUZY NECKLACE

You can find out more about Norah and Your Daily Jewels by following her blog at http://yourdailyjewels.tumblr.com/
Or become an active user on her FB fanpage to get a chance to win some of her items for FREE
http://www.facebook.com/yourdailyjewels
Follow her on Twitter too at www.twitter.com/yourdailyjewels