Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts

10.22.2011

My New Kim Murton Ceramics

A favorite blog that I follow is Worry of The Day by Kim Murton. Her quirky cartoons are so good and right on the mark. It’s like she's inside my head.
©KimMurton Used with permission
©KimMurton Used with permission
Turns out Kim is an artist with many amazing talents. Kim majored in ceramics in college then worked in animation for ten years in New York City. (Yeah, that was a dream of mine once upon a time.) She returned to working with clay after moving to Vancouver, and now produces wonderful works that combine her playful sense of humor with her great design and color sensibility. You can view her ceramics blog here. Be sure to watch the video interview there. You can watch her work. Way cool.  
©KimMurton Used with permission
Kim doing her thing.
Find Kim's Etsy shop here.  
Really I just wanted to show off my new Kim Murton ceramics. I asked her to make me a Worry Plate and a Worry Mug
©KimMurton Used with permission
Worry of the Day: Too Peaceful


Now that I have them, I am worried I will chip or break them. Seriously.
©KimMurton Used with permission
Or be tempted to have cookies for dinner.  
©KimMurton Used with permission
©KimMurton Used with permission
You won’t tell, will you?
 

4.08.2011

Fabulous Handmade Satchels by Sandra's Satchels



If I lived in beautiful Seattle, Washington, I'd drop by Sandra's booth at Pike Place Market every weekend and beg her to let me share a booth with her and her fabulous handcrafted fabric "satchels". I think SToNZ would look just great with Sandra's Satchels!

This "Small Plural Slate Shoulder Bag" is mine, all mine! 
But I'd bet Sandra would be happy to make one for you.

Sandra has been selling her wares at Pike Place Market for ten years now. She is constantly adding new items to her offerings, and she goes out of her way to listen to what her customers want, happily creating pieces for them using fabrics they request.
I found Sandra on Etsy. Her pieces are perfect for gifts...I am partial to her glasses cases, make up bags and laptop sleeves. The upholstery fabrics she chooses are modern, elegant and just plain perfect.
Each one is more beautiful than the last! The tough part is choosing which one to order! And the quality is spot on. You won't be disappointed. Take a look at her Etsy shop if you can't make it to Seattle. Great stuff.


3.06.2011

Sweet illustration video...


Puts me in the mood to draw...

A step-by-step illustration by Patrick Girouard with music by is son Marc Girouard. http://www.pgirouard.com

12.14.2010

Last Minute Shopping! 12/18/10

Cleveland Handmade's last Market of 2010 will be the crazy-popular Last Minute Market & Screw Factory Open Studios. 85+ sellers of the coolest art and craft in the rustbelt PLUS dozens of artists whose studios are in the building.
Free admission from 10am-6pm on Saturday,  December 18th and Early Bird Admission for $5 (all of that $5 will go to Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland) from 9am-10am.
Early Birds get to be entered in a raffle for great handmade prizes, a shopping headstart, and breakfast refreshments.



for complete details on the Last Minute Market & Screw Factory Open Studio and the Early Bird Hour to benefit the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, please visit: http://handmadefeelsgood.com/

8.14.2010

Just Whistle!


little whistle in action
Originally uploaded by ergametal
I have a thing for whistles.
I actually have a small whistle collection which I will share with you in a moment, but first, you must see this sweet little "tweeter" made by my friend Erga.
Erga's a talented metalsmith, formerly from the US and living in Israel. Yes, she makes amazing jewelry, but I've particularly had my eye on her innovative functional silver objects, including a photo key ring (brilliant!), her beautiful baby spoons and now this!
Erga was nice enough to share some process photos with me.
How cool is this?!
Check out the video to hear the whistle in action.
The finished whistle followed by the piece in progress.
Oh, and one more thing. I have a big birthday coming up if anyone is having trouble thinking of a gift for me.  :)

Erga says:
Why: I made it for an Etsy Metal monthly challenge: Click here.
The idea came to me pretty immediately. I like making things that work.

How: I made it out of three pieces. First, I cut a strip, shaped it, and cut an airhole. Next, I soldered it to a backplate. Then, I cut it out, and soldered the other side down. After adding the bail, all that was left was filing, sanding, and polishing.

Getting it to whistle was a bit tricky. I tried to research the aeordynamics, and didn't get much instructional. I looked at a lot of pictures of whistles, and used them to determine the placement of the airhole. I also gained a basic understanding of how the air moves inside, and filed the angles to try and maximize the sound. I tried putting in a cork ball to get it to "trill," but because the chamber is so small, it just muffled the sound.
The tone is a little high-pitched, but clear. I think I will be making more of these.

12.16.2009

Etsy Front Page Jackpot!

Having your designs featured on the front page of Etsy is always a thrill. It gives you lots of exposure and helps people find your Etsy Shop. In the last few days I was so excited to see my work appear on the front page three times. A nice little holiday gift for me. Thought I'd share them here, as they are truly lovely...
Many thanks to Marianne of maclancy for this one:

Marianne's shop is filled with fabulous vintage photos and artwork:
Beauty Christmas Girl Dolls Toy Train under the Tree Tinted Vintage Photo Card
Zoe at 3Fun makes adorable jewelry and soaps with felted wool.
Her earthy beautiful front page treasury included my Gathers No Moss Seaglass Necklace:

A 3Fun felted ring~
(I think it's TOO fun, but whatever)
Purple Felted Rose Ring
Adorable dotty felted soap from her new Etsy shop SoFino:
Polka Dots (Blue Felted Soap)
My gold heart necklace turned up in this great page curated by SharonClancyDesigns.

Sharon makes beautiful beaded jewelry in Sedona and I love the way she photographs her work.
http://ny-image3.etsy.com//il_fullxfull.105383219.jpg
..and a "treasury" that I curated made it to the front page as well!

There are so many incredible handmade things on Etsy...why do your holiday shopping anywhere else!?
Want to learn more about how to create your own treasury on Etsy? Click here.

10.29.2009

Win this great mug from Shea Clay Pottery!

spiralmug4

Cleveland Handmade is hosting a giveaway to thank all our wonderful supporters and customers, as well as give you the opportunity to check out the high-quality handmade art in member shops. You can win this gorgeous handmade mug generously donated by Tracy Shea of SheaClay Pottery.

Handcrafted on the potter’s wheel, this stoneware cup measures 4″ H x 5-1/4″ W and holds 12 ounces of your fave concoction. It is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, as well as lead-free.

Click here to enter the giveaway.

10.27.2009

Working to turn disaster into opportunity

I have long been a fan of Michigan artisan John T. Unger who makes the most incredible fire bowls from recycled steel propane tanks.
The Big Bowl O Zen 37 inch Modern Steel Firebowl
Seriously. Don't you really really want one?!!!
Font O Fire 30 inch Diameter Slim Base Fire Pit
Well, a used car salesman has ripped off his designs (I know!? Come ON.)
and then had the gall to sue HIM to overturn his copyrights for his Artisanal Firebowls.
The legal fees could bankrupt John, but his attitude is so amazing (click here to read his article) that he's fighting back with creativity. He's taking the scrap metal from the already scrap metal he uses for his firebowls to make whimsical small sculptures he's calling Fire Imps. Purchasing one of these Fire Imps is one way you can help John pay for his expenses related to this disgusting lawsuit. Here's his article about the situation along with how you can help: http://www.johntunger.com/legal-defense-fund.html

I hope you'll take a moment to check out his work and see if you might like a piece of his, or if you'll be moved enough to share the story with others.

I know I was.

10.24.2009

Sterling Silver Charm Necklace Giveaway

Cleveland Handmade is hosting a giveaway to thank all of our wonderful supporters and customers, as well as give you the opportunity to check out the high-quality handmade art in member shops. We’re giving you the chance to win a custom stamped and domed sterling silver charm necklace generously donated by Cleveland Handmade member Lori Paximadis, aka virtuallori.
This simple pendant is a different twist on the typical stamped silver pendant. There are just three simple things you need to do to enter:
1. Visit Lori’s shop and take a look around. Make a note of your favorite item in her shop.
2. Then either visit our artists page or search Etsy for the “clevelandteam” tag and check out some items from other Cleveland Handmade member artists.
3. Go back to the Cleveland Handmade Giveaway site and leave a comment on the post (look for the comment box or link at the end of the post) telling us your favorite item from Lori’s shop AND your favorite item from another Cleveland Handmade shop, and you’ll be entered to win. It’s that simple!
You have until Wednesday, October 28 at noon EST to get your entry in, so browse the great Cleveland Handmade of Etsy artisans soon!
Tell em SToNZ set ya.

8.03.2009

Toss Me That Scarf, Will Ya?

http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.82160222.jpg
Photo courtesy of Ashley Gerst
There just is something irresistible about wearable faux food.
I came upon this adorable shop on Etsy today and it happened to be the home of recent Cleveland Institute of Art graduate Ashley Gerst. Ashley's Etsy shop pineapplesauce is a riot.
How great is this Garden Salad scarf!?
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.82160566.jpg
Photo courtesy of Ashley Gerst
(Apparently she has access to some really mammoth zucchini.)
Or perhaps you have been looking for just the right hand knit egg!
Egg Magnet
Photo courtesy of Ashley Gerst
Yes you have. You just didn't know it! This is actually a fridge magnet. See? You DO need it!

We need to keep an eye on this Etsy seller...can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Ashley can also be found here, on her amazing portfolio site.
Thanks
for the smiles Ashley, and for allowing me to share your fun creations on my blog!

7.07.2009

Chagrin Falls Art Walk this Thursday & Friday



Celebrate Summer at the annual

Chagrin Falls Art Walk

Thursday evening, July 9, 4 - 9 pm
Friday, July 10, 10 am- 5 pm

in the downtown business district

Click here for more information.
SToNZ Jewelry will be set up at the KraftMaid Experience Showroom
21 North Franklin Street (formerly the Cottonwood Store location)

There will be all sorts of entertainment, vintage cars, free food and guest artists.
Always a fun event!
Hope to see you there!

6.02.2009

Garden of Eden

My UM art school friend Michael, moved his family to Bainbridge Island, Washington not long ago, and has done some incredible things with their home and yard. Yesterday he sent me these images of his new garden structure, which he designed and built himself.
Amazing.
Can’t wait to see how it looks once the plants have matured!
Michael is also an accomplished advertising genius and avid photographer. (Not to mention nature lover and family man.)
Can you believe this thing?!!



Latch:

Photos used by permission of Michael Nalley©2009

4.24.2009

It's Etsy Day!

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade.
Etsy's mission is to enable people (like me) to make a living making things,
and to reconnect makers with buyers.

Etsy's vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice.

Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.
Click here to start exploring the amazing world of Etsy:

3.13.2009

Geode Gallery Opening - Tremont


You are cordially invited to
attend the opening festivities for

Geode Gallery
755 Starkweather Avenue
Historic Tremont

April 3 & 4, 2009
7-10 pm
Gallery owner Gillian Barnes has invited

SToNZ™ jewelry to be there...

Here's a sneak peek of what you will find:

Wire wrapped Lake Erie beach stone necklace

Love You Forever Stamped Necklace

Sterling Silver Lake Erie Beach Stone & Beach Glass Necklaces

Freshwater Pearl, Beach Stone & Beach Glass Earrings

Freshwater Pearl, Lake Erie Beach Stone & Beach Glass Bracelets

Freshwater Pearl, Lake Erie Beach Stone & Beach Glass Necklaces

Lake Erie Beach Stone & Beach Glass Sterling Key Rings
Click for a large map:

View Larger Map

3.08.2009

Thinking of Spring


One of my favorite SToNZ necklaces: Padiddle, turned up in this adorable cheerful treasury on Etsy this week, thanks to the talented curator, Bridget of Bluemoonrose.
Bridget makes these adorable upcycled hats, gloves and plush toys out of items formerly known as sweaters.
Her models are also too cute!
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.50669162.jpg
Image courtesy of bluemoonrose

Blue Mohair and Stretch Velvet Childs Hat

About her motivation Bridget says, "My motto is, reduce...reuse...rejoice. Reduce consumption. Reuse items that others have tired of or no longer need and rejoice in doing something creative for yourself and your world. You can imagine that hand me downs were essential to the family budget. I think we were some of the original up-cyclers. A cardboard box was never just a cardboard box. Halloween costumes were always created and never purchased. Tree forts and playhouses were a neighborhood effort and were constructed from what ever castaways we might find in our travels."
She came from a family of 11 kids! Mind boggling for this only child.
And many of them have fabulously creative Etsy shops, too.
CASHMERE HAT Upcycled OOAK Burgundy Sweet Cupcakes fits age 4-100 years
Image courtesy of bluemoonrose

CASHMERE HAT Upcycled Sweet Cupcakes

One of a kind, eco-friendly and so so cute!
Go Bridget!

1.26.2009

No Monet....


circa 1964
Yeah, I have been making art for a long time...