The Fair and The Feral

Who: Mona and Alex Szabados
What: Fine Art Jewelry
Where: Mokelumne Hill, CA
Web: http://www.monaenamels.com/
Why: Gorgeous enamel tableaux, dripping with colorful gemstones, depict the fair and the feral, the furred and the feathered, frozen moments from another realm. Who are these mysterious lasses and their mystical companions? What stories do you think they would tell?

Quietly Timeless

Who: David and Melanie Leppla of Mad River Glass Gallery
What: Sculptural and Functional Glass
Where: Waitsfield, VT
Web: http://www.madriverglassgallery.com/home.html
Why: Lanterns, vessels and vases derived from the quiet serenity of nature and a beautifully timeless aesthetic.

Monster Mornings

Who: Wendy Gingell
What: Hand-built Functional Ceramics
Where: Anchorage, AK
Web: http://www.gingellceramics.com/
Why: Sgraffito with a twist...quirky creatures and smirky monsters!
Sleepy morning + black coffee + monster mug = wide awakedness! ;)

Wake Up You Sleepyheads!

Did you know today is National Sleepy Head Day? Yep, it's true...it's celebrated in Finland on July 27th every year. At least the Wikipedia article says so.  ;)
I ran across it this morning, then a couple of hours later, ran across the sleepyhead t-shirt by accident. It's too irresistible a coincidence, so Sleepyheadedness is the theme of the day!
Cheers! Or should I see, sweet dreams?  :)

Column 1
Who: Matt Hemminghaus of farmhaus
What: Hand-printed Art and T-shirts
Where: Northeast Missouri
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/farmhaus

Who: Mary Protich Dell of Happy Felties
What: Hand-stitched Eco Felt Owls and other FUN goodies
Where: Newport News, VA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyFelties

Who:  Thad Cox of GTCArtwork
What: Handmade Pottery
Where: King, NC
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GTCArtwork

Column 2
Who:  Azah Azreen of azreenchan
What: Doodles and Illustrations
Where: Selangor, Malaysia
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/azreenChan
http://www.azreenchan.com/

Who:  Thad Cox of GTCArtwork
What: Handmade Pottery
Where: King, NC
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GTCArtwork

Who:  Olga Kuzina of GladOArt
What: Handmade Author’s Dolls and Felted Toys
Where: Ukraine
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GladOArt

Who: Mary Protich Dell of Happy Felties
What: Hand-stitched Eco Felt Owls and other FUN goodies
Where: Newport News, VA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyFelties

Column 3
Who: Mary Protich Dell of Happy Felties
What: Hand-stitched Eco Felt Owls and other FUN goodies
Where: Newport News, VA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyFelties

Who:  Adiya Berkovich of Buligaia
What: Felt Creations, Paintings and Decorative Signs
Where: Israel
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/buligaia

Who: Penny and Nikki of Untamed Menagerie
What: Handmade Silhouette Jewelry
Where: Kingsport, TN,
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/UntamedMenagerie

Who:  Azah Azreen of azreenchan
What: Doodles and Illustrations
Where: Selangor, Malaysia
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/azreenChan
http://www.azreenchan.com/

Naturally Sweet

Who: Janice Ho
What: Studio Jewelry
Where: Hannibal, MO
Web: http://www.janiceho.com/home.html
Why: Inspired by the shapes, structures and colors of nature, Janice's work is sublime and sweet. Lily pods, poppies and persimmons, a plump Saguaro Cactus pin and perfect little pod earrings!

Cool Pops

Who: Helen Sanderson of Helene's Dreams
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Bend, OR
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelenesDreams
http://helenesdreams.blogspot.com/
Why: Supercool shots of refreshing color, like tropical popsicles on a hot summer day.  :)

Two on Tuesdays...Sterling, Steel and Stone

Who: Elaine Unzicker
What: Handcrafted Chainmail Wearable Art
Where: Ojai, CA
Web: http://www.unzickerdesign.com/
Why: Slippery, sleek and super sexy, cascades of chainmail drape the body, from slim swingy earrings to full-body armor tunics and dresses. Elaine is a complete metalhead, fashioning her work from thousands of tiny metal rings woven and soldered together and studded with gems. I love the feel of chainmail on the body, and it always makes you the center of attention!

Who: Kara Aubin and Daniel Juzwiak
What: Hand-forged Jewelry
Where: Kalamazoo, MI
Web: http://www.karadanieljewelry.com/index.php
http://www.etsy.com/shop/karadanieljewelry
Why: Kara and Daniel hand-hammer and fabricate their designs in steel, silver and gold, highlighting gritty Diamond crystals and beads, and glowing stones such as electric blue Apatite and luminescent Prehnite. Their spot-on combos of color matched to strong-lined designs bring them much acclaim and plenty of fans!

Elegance Emerges

Who: Elaine Hyde
What: Objects in Blown Glass and Precious Metals
Where: Los Osos, CA
Web: http://www.elainehyde.com/
Why: So excited to find this exuberantly creative hybrid of glass and jewels! Treasure jars that partially dismantle into gemmy beads and pendants. Perfume bottles with dramatically elegant gold, silver and gemstone stoppers. Teapots tipped with precious stones. All in full mind-blowing color!

Easy Color

Who: Christana Brown
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Arizona
Web: http://www.christanabrown.com/index.html
Why: Flashes of natural color from Australian Opal and Holly Blue Chalcedony, Tanzanite and Lapis, Amber and Ammolite...in bold and basic, wear-with-anything settings. Simple, sweet and easy!

Learn What You Love

Three screamingly talented jewelers...all well-established, thoroughly trained and highly acclaimed. They learned their craft through classes, apprenticeships and just plain learn-fail-practice hard work.

Column 1
Who: Jill Hurant
What: Fine Handcrafted Jewelry in 22K Gold
Where: Wickatunk, NJ
Web: http://www.jillhurant.com/

Column 2
Who: Julia Parish
What: Handcrafted Jewelry in High Karat Gold and Fine or Sterling Silver
Where: New York, NY
Web: http://www.juliaparish.com/

Column 3
Who: Sarah Perlis
What: Handcrafted Jewelry featuring 18K and 22K Gold, Fine Silver and Organic Gemstones
Where: New York, NY
Web: http://www.sarahperlis.com/

Jewelry making is a learnable skill that anyone can access if they wish. Whether it's beading, polymer clay, shrinky dinks or pure platinum, if you've ever thought about becoming a jeweler, take a class! The Society of North American Goldsmiths has a fabulous list of schools, workshops and classes (click on Educational Institutions to open the pdf). Go there, give it a shot, find your inner artisan and if you love it, run with it!

Sweet and Petite

Who:  Terrie Ly of Terriely Jewelry
What: Handmade Fine Jewelry
Where: New York, NY
Web: http://www.terriely.com/
Why: Minimal motifs in sterling and high karat gold frame Rubies, Sapphires, Opals, Moonstones and lovely rose-cut Diamonds. Terrie is superb at meticulous detail in her work without overloading the design. These sweet petite jewels are just the right size to wear everyday, yet still make you feel outstandingly special.  :)

Earth's Exotic Treaures

Who: Julie McComsey of McComsey Designs
What: Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Gemstone Jewelry
Where: Santa Monica, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/McComseyDesigns
Why: Remarkable gem materials, beautifully cut and combined in medievalesque designs. Exotic, truly one-of-a-kind gems always turn me on and Julie's excellent sense of design and quality of craftsmanship are perfect for them!

Two on Tuesdays...In Tandem

Who: Anthony Oram
What: Limited Edition Screen Prints and Cards
Where: Brighton, England
Web: http://www.anthonyoram.com/
Why: Ride. Read. Grin. Repeat.  :)

Who: David McNeil of Skinny Man Designs
What: Contemporary Graphic T-shirts and Accessories
Where: Glasgow, Scotland
Web: http://www.skinnymandesigns.com/index.html
http://skinnyman.bigcartel.com/
Why: Lean, clean and wistfully sweet.

Schooled for Jewels

Who: Fredricka and Scott Kulicke
What: Handmade Jewelry
Where: Parsippany, NJ
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kulicke
Why: Fredricka and Scott create simple and lovely gemmy jewels in sterling and high karat gold...they are so very wearable, and so very treasurable for their notably intricate designs. They also run the Kulicke School of Jewelry Art, well-known for their program of teaching ancient jewelry techniques. That includes granulation, those squintingly small balls applied one at a time to a jewelry design. They also teach filigree work, chainmaking and enameling, as well as basic techniques for soldering, clay casting and stone cutting. These are jewelry traditions that set a collection apart from the rest, whether used for ancient Byzantine jewels found in museums or beautiful pieces like these that you can add to your own collection.  :)

Note: Fredericka is the daughter of Robert Kulicke who established the Kulicke-Stark Academy with Jean Stark. Later renamed the Jewelry Arts Institute, it is also a highly esteemed school specializing in ancient jewelry techniques. Watch for a blog post on a few JIA students later in the week.  :)

Flapping Wings and Spinning Rings

  

Who: Alan Ardiff
What: Handcrafted Jewelry, Wall Pieces and Sculpture
Where: Dublin, Ireland
Web: http://www.alanardiff.com/index.php
Why: Alan's jewelry is wonderfully whimsical and full of surprises...birds that tweet their love, butterflies that wave their tiny wings, hula hoopy spinny rings and all sorts of kinetic things!

Alan's artwork is equally enchanting...primitive and childlike and full of earthy texture and color and the sort of magic that only a happy free spirit like Alan can have!

Barnstormers and Pop Up Performers

Who: Melissa Kojima
What: Pop Up Cards, Paper Puppets and Paper Dolls
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Web: http://www.melissakojima.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtistInLALALand
http://www.melissakojima.blogspot.com/
Why: Delightful dolls, amusing aviators and a boisterous band of pop up performers...step right up folks and be entertained!

Stone Whisperer

Who: Kevin Lane Smith
What: Gem Carver
Where: In the field
Web: Not available
Why: Kevin is an old friend and a phenomenal gem carver. He's widely recognized as an expert in the mining and carving of American Opal, especially super rare Oregon Opal. He also works with Opal from other locations, as well as rare and unusual gems of collector caliber. He can coax heart-jolting color out of his pieces because he has years of experience in cutting a gem precisely to take advantage of its crystal orientation, and also because he just has a gift, an intuitive sense of what's going on inside an otherwise sleepy stone. I've met hundreds of cutters through the years and very few of them have this "soul of a stone whisperer". Kevin's gems reflect his wise and gentle nature too...lots of positive vibes and always a joy to wear!

Column 1
Fire Opal Carved Pendant
Ajoite Phantom Quartz Carved Pendant
Oregon Opal Carved Pendant
Column 2
Oregon Opal Carvings and Pendant
Cat's-eye Blue Apatite Carved Pendant
Dragon's Eye Ethiopian Chocolate Opal
Column 3
"Chamber" -- White gold and sterling silver neckpiece featuring one of Kevin's Oregon Opal Carvings, along with Meteorite and Fire Opal, designed and made by your friendly neighborhood blogger...that would be me.  :)
Fire Agate Carved Pendant
Oregon Opal Carving

Border Hopping

Who: Bill and Lisa Bailey of Bailey's Jewelry
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Cambria, WI, Dripping Springs, TX and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Web: http://www.baileysartjewelry.com/
Why: Vivacious cloisonne enamels are framed perfectly in one-of-a-kind sterling settings by this traveling team. Bill and Lisa spend summers at their gallery home in Wisconsin, winters at their studio home in Texas and ample time teaching workshops in artisan-filled San Miguel de Allende. Creativity abounds north and south of the border!

Yin and Yang

Who: Lisa Williams
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Chicago, IL
Web: http://www.lisawilliamsjewelry.com/
Why: Delicate fragility portrayed in deeply patterned metal...like the beautiful balance between yin and yang.

Two on Tuesdays...Generous to a Falter...or Two

A remarkable wife and husband team, both for their artistic talent and for their commitment to supporting, educating and promoting the clay community.

Who: Jennifer Falter of Springfield Pottery Studio
What: Handcrafted Ceramics
Where: Springfield, MO
Web: http://www.springfieldpottery.com/n_control/gallery/jennifer-falter/
https://www.artfulhome.com/artist/Jennifer-Falter/8040
Why: I'm always transfixed by sgraffito, and Jennifer uses it perfectly for her gentle and whimsical designs
(What is sgraffito? You can view the technique in process here and here.)

Who: Nathan Falter of Springfield Pottery Studio
What: Handcrafted Ceramics
Where: Springfield, MO
Web: http://www.springfieldpottery.com/n_control/gallery/nathan-falter/
https://www.artfulhome.com/artist/Nathan-Falter/8087
Why: His long-snouted watering cans make me smile, and who wouldn't want an ice cream bowl with their lucky number on it?

Quilty Stitchery Jewels

Column 1
Who: Georgina Ferrans of Phizzychick
What: Queen Bee Brooch
Where: Chester, England, UK
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Phizzychick

Who: Sally Amberton of nearlybutnotquite
What: Chocolate Drop Cupcake Brooch
Where: Oxford, England
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nearlybutnotquite

Who: Kate Kiley of Nokhoki
What: Primrose Hand Stitched Spring Flowers Cuff
Where: Sugar Hill, GA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nokhoki

Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: BettyBoopBot Whymsies Pin
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Column 2
Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: Rodney the Robot Whymsies Pin
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Who: Joan Allen of Kackleboan
What: Colorful Crazy Quilted Stringy Chic Cuff
Where: Gulfport, FL
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kackleboan

Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: String Bean Sally Whymsies Pin
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Who: Joan Allen of Kackleboan
What: Pink Poppy Button Quilted Beaded Cuff
Where: Gulfport, FL
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kackleboan

Column 3
Who: Kate Kiley of Nokhoki
What: Moon & Stars Hand Stitched Hair Barrette
Where: Sugar Hill, GA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nokhoki

Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: Gloria Jean the Wild Child Whymsies Pin
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Who: Sally Amberton of nearlybutnotquite
What: Cupcake Brooches
Where: Oxford, England
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nearlybutnotquite

Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: Quilted Beaded Turquoise Flower Brooch
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Column 4
Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: Violetta Whymsies Pin
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Who: Bozena Wojtaszek
What: Spring Green and Turquoise Embroidered Bracelet
Where: Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BozenaWojtaszek

Who: Marjorie Dade Kafader
What: Initial R Whymsies Pin
Where: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarjorieDade

Who: Sally Amberton of nearlybutnotquite
What: Cupcake Brooch with Sprinkles and Yet No Calories
Where: Oxford, England
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nearlybutnotquite

Why: Because I spent the day patching pants whilst I daydreamed of stitching quilty jewels.  :)

The Write Stuff

Who: Marti Emmons of Coco Delay
What: Handmade Eco Paper Jewelry, Art and Chalkboard Jewelry
Where: Portland, OR
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cocodelayinc
Why: Marti creates delightful decorative jewels using paper in perfect little patterns...stripes and pinwheels and bold checkerboards suggest motifs from mod to medieval, Asian to Arts and Crafts. Her Lingo line frames up a single word with a sweet little charm. And her chalkboard pendants and rings are just too irresistible to perpetual doodlers!

Fidgetywidgets!

Who: Nicola Turnbull
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Web: http://nicolaturnbull.webstarts.com/index.html
http://www.madebyhandsofbritain.com/makers/nicolaturnbulljewellery
Why: Swinging, swiveling parts derived from terraced terrains and mathematical movements. Bright and light and perfect for fidgetfingers (like me) who absentmindedly play with their jewelry.  ;)

Rising from the Ruins

Who: Michael and Catherine Jensen
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Pena Blanca, NM
Web: http://www.michaeljensendesigns.com/MichaelJensenDesigns/HOME.html
Why: Gorgeous designs with motifs rising from the ruins of Constantinople, Rome and the Byzantine Empire. Their newest pieces use supercool distressed enamel paired with Sapphires, Emeralds and Fancy Diamonds...just brilliant!

Punnable Pooches and Mooses and More

Who: Steve Wirtz
What: Papier-mâché Sculpture
Where: Milwaukee, WI
Web: http://www.cartuna.net/default.asp
Why: Wordplay + Papier-mâché = Heady delight!

The Peace of Nature

Who: Deanna Gracie
What: Contemporary Jewellery
Where: Southshore, Christchurch, New Zealand
Web: http://www.nzjewellerydesign.com/
Why: Inspired by ginkgo leaves, feathers and unfurling fronds.
Elegantly primitive, peaceful and impassioned with color.  :)

The Art of Freedom

Column 1:
Who: Scott Ballard of Two Guitars
What: Screen-Printed Art Cards and Notebooks
Where: Portland, OR
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/twoguitars

Who: Mandy McGee
What: Hand Stitched Happiness
Where: Chicago, IL
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Moxiedoll

Who: Linthound
What:  Hand-printed Garments and Textiles
Where: Hollister, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Linthound

Who: Anna Maker of Charms Maker
What: Inspirational Quotes on Solid Silver Jewelry
Where: San Francisco, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CharmsMaker

Column 2:
Who: Sarah Jane Wright of Sarah Jane Studios
What: Fine Art Illustration, Embroidery Patterns and Jewelry
Where: Provo, UT
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahjanestudios
http://shop.sarahjanestudios.com/

Who: Garry Williams of Sac Boho
What: Fair Trade, Organic Moroccan & Recycled Leather Bags
Where: UK
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sacboho

Who: Lim Heng Swee of ILoveDoodle: Doodling A Smile
What: Original Illustrations and Designs
Where: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ilovedoodle

Who: Victoria Buckley of Pocket Full of Poesy
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Sydney, Australia
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pocketfullofpoesy

Column 3:
Who: Hanna Howard of Ophelia's Gypsy Caravan
What: Hand-Painted Quote Mugs for Bookworms and Super-Geeks
Where: Tulsa, OK
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpheliasGypsyCaravan

Who: Paula Mills of Sweet William
What: Fine Art Prints, Paper Goods and Softies
Where: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lovelysweetwilliam

Who: Martha Pinaire Moore
What: Handpainted Ceramics
Where: Charlotte, NC
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/marthepinaire

Column 4:
Who: Sherri Ellison of Sleepy Owl Pottery
What: Hand-built and Glazed Ceramics
Where: Maynardville, TN
Web: http://www.etsy.com/people/Sleepyowlpottery

Who: Robin Kerr of Illustrious Play
What: Whimsical Blank Note Cards
Where: Portland, OR
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/IllustriousPlay

Who: Gilbert Hernandez of Deluxe Soul Tees
What: Original Artist Apparel
Where: Long Beach, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Deluxesoultees

What does freedom mean to you?  :)

Trickster Treasures

Who: Noël Yovovich
What: Art Jewelry
Where: Evanston, IL
Web: http://noelyovovich.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noel-Yovovich-Art-Jewelry/101367593274171
Why: Cabinets holding teapot pins. Teapots hiding houses within. Chairs with parts that can be worn. Sculptures are jewelry swiftly transformed!

Keeping Secrets

Who: Holly Stein
What: Handcrafted Boxes and Jewelry
Where: Breckenridge, CO
Web: http://www.hollystein.net/
Why: Remarkable boxes with wearable parts. Messages inscribed inside and out. Secret gems, hidden designs...creativity and cleverness abound in these lines!