Handmade Blog Feature: Rizzart by Robin Rizzi

Robin Rizzi is a artist who transforms and makes objects and jewllery using papers,paint,imagery and lots of artistic flair. She mixes her media the way a painter mixes colour.Layering material over material,colour on colour,idea and intention till a piece is finished and realised.
Welcome to the Mixed Media Art of Robin Rizzi http://www.rizzart.etsy.com/

What inspired you to become a mixed- media artist and create a handmade business from it?
I have been crafting and making art for years.Starting with Sewing knitting and crochet.
I,ve always been intrigued by different media but my interest really blossomed when I started working at Micheals 7 years ago. (for those who don't know of it Micheals is a one stop shop for art and craft supplies in the usa.) Just being exposed to all the paper,ribbon,beads,yarn and paints- I found more than enough inspiration.But where to start? Somehow I stumbled upon mixed - media and began to read books and magazines that featured mixed-media work.

I began by making my own altered clothing and eventually jewellery,collage and assemblage.

Decoupaged Bird Houses Materials include decorative papers

fabric flowers, bronze rooster,swarovski crystal hotfix. These are available in Robin's shop http://www.rrizzart.etsy.com/

You use mainly paper and the technique of decoupage in your work.How did that come about?
I love paper,whether it's beautifully patterned scrapbook paper, vintage ephemara like books,magazines and sheet music or handmade paper.
I knew i'd never have the organisational skills to be a scrapbooker,(all my photo's are in one big suitcase) but I had to find a way to use those beautiful papers.
I love decoupage in almost a tactile way , I love the way the paper smooths out and becomes a part of the surface it's adhered to, transforming it.

Decoupaged and embellished Coat Hangers. Materials include Papers, Paper motifs, yarn and silk ribbons and brass charm. http://www.rrizzart.etsy.com/ currently available in her shop.
I adore your Cross Series,what was the inspiration behind it?
Although I,m a Catholic, I,m probably not a very good one! I am not very good at following rules,but I do find solace and inspiration in the traditions and images of the faith. 
I find the form very of the Cross very reassuring and to me crosses express the basic goodness of the human and the divine.
I like to think that one does not necessarily have to be Catholic or even Christian to appreciate their message.
We all have spirtuality within us , the cross is only one way to embody it.
To me crosses are more spiritual than faith based in in any specific sense.

Decoupaged wooden crosses.Materals include papers, silk ribbons,swarovski crystal hotfix,decoupaged words "Believe" "Hope" "Love" and acrylic paint. Crosses are currently available in Robins etsy shop http://www.rrizzzart.etsy.com/
You use alot of positive words as part of your artwork such as "Dream" and "Divine". How did the use of words enter your artwork and for that matter your jewellery such as your decoupage dictionary necklaces and initial necklaces?
I am a formaer academic and I love books and words.I am intrigued by the power just one single word can have. I hope that those who view my work or wear my jewellery draw their own personal meanings  from these words.

Remember Pendent materials include Vinatge Dictionary page, stamped word, Swarovski crystal rose siam bicone, wing brass charm,chain and brass eyelets.
I see that you use the beautiful swarovski crystals in your work as well as glitter to add sparkle.How did having shiny,sparkly elements in your work come about and why?
I have always been attracted to glittery things! much of my work has a vintage feel ,but although I love the aged patina of old things,I also love bold colours and sparkle.
By combining the two, I feel i am bringing new life into old things - objects and things that may have once sparkled when new, may still have a glitzy spirit left in them. As an artist I try to coax that glimmer back to the surface.

Geometric Pendents Decoupaged Jewellery. Materials include decorative papers, Swarovski crystal hofix and bicone beads, gears and chain. Pieces ae avaialble in Robin's shop in a variety of beautiful colours. http://www.rrizzart.etsy.com/
What has been the most fulfilling aspect of creating a handmade business?
Finally doing something I always wanted to do (even though I wasn't always aware of it) and realsing that at 50 I can actually learn new things and conquer them.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a handmade business?
Before I opened my handmade shop, I could barely open my email.Learning how to navigate the internet,learning SEO,photography,all the technical aspects of putting my work out there was a major challenge.Thank God for teenage daughter's!

Who are you favorite Esians and why?
Oh gosh there are so many wonderful people on Etsy, so many people that have helped me and so many who's work I admire. I couldn't name some without omitting many others!

Where can we find your work on the web?
SHOP: http://www.rrizzart.etsy.com/
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/147142608649374
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/rrizzart

Thankyou Robin for sharing your gorgeous work with us.

Fashion Colorworks International beadwork compeition 2012

Hey all! happy Tuesday!

I feel so happy and chirpy with the sun finally coming out and a bit more warmth in the air and daffy's everywhere! finally feels like spring. Actually on March 25th we will be going into British Summer time and the days will be made longer with the time change yay!!!
On the 29th i will see if everything is all good with my baby and if it is a boy or a girl (i shouldn't really mind so long as baby is healthy and for sure that is the most important thing in the world.BUT asked for a preferance i,d say a girl simply because i have a pink room with fairies on it already and more girls clothes than boys so financially it makes sense to have a girl.I love shopping but i need to save them pennies for nappies and such which i,m actually already buying now!)

All this colour both in the natural world as well as a spot of redecorating in my home has made me thinkl about colours i use in my work and trying to be more adventourous with how I use colour.You know colours you don't use much if ever, or colour combo's you just think are yuck but could push you creatively.

With this in mind and having looked at one of my fav beading blogs mamma-foxan.blogspot.com I found out about the international colorworks comp. It's for all levels of beaders and what it does is challenge you in terms of colour.

You are given 3 set palates based on Pantones top colours for the season. Colorworks then arrange those colours in (it think) palates that you woud be like, hell no! to wear together. Believe me check out how the designers put them together ad it is way different (plus not all the top Pantone colours are included.) You can use any shade/tone of those colors to make a picec of seed bead jewellery, a beaded object (non-jewellery item, but can be a accessory or garment or a sculpture ) or a finsiehed piece of jewellery ( made up of less than 50% seed beads, it can include crystals,gemstones,fiber,wire, shells,wood .pmc,whatever as the rest of the materials). 


Go to www.mylovelybeads.com/contest/2012/rules.php for all the info. You have from 1ST April to 15th June to make your enteries and send pictures. You can enter 3 times for each catergory (using a different colour palette each time.) and you can collaborate. Oh did  I mention it's FREE TO ENTER!!!!

Guess what we have a winner for my giveaway!!!!

Yep! We have a winner after all. The story is quite funny. I was browsing through my posts to edit some of them/adding more to the upcoming handmade blog features. I then  noticed for the giveaway post which was last year December btw! that there was one comment. I couldn't believe it! I thought it had been a total bust. Plus I have no idea how I overlooked the comment in my email.
Well I found it read it and answered it as well as emailed the lady back.
The lucky winner is Jeannette "Jenay"  carriere    who herself is a very talented mixed media artist and ex mural artist. Take a look at her colourful,inspirational and warm blog http://www.upandawaystudios.blogspot.com/

So we discussed what she would like as I really don't mind the original pendant can be sent out but remade (as at the time that I wore it to see how it hung etc.. I was a smoker and I smoked while wearing it.Don't worry i never ever smoked in my studio/home)   Or the choice of challenging me creatively and having a complete custom colourway. Well we are going the custom route as the colours Jeanette loves are blue and green and I am very much into water,mermaids,sealife at the moment and have a good stash of blue and green beads,turquoise,amazonite and blue freshwater pearls waiting to be part of something.

Please do check out Jeanette's blog and I will be interviewing this fascinating and talented artist,wife and mother very soon.

Have a great weekend everyone! Dxo

Good exposure and a big fat flop.

Evening all, it's been a little while since my last post. I,ve been creating some more pendants for my upcoming stall at The Old Spitalfields Jewellery Market on Tuesday December 20th from 9am - 5pm. If your in East London come to my stall and have a butchers and a nice rosie lee (in cockney rhyming slang, "butchers hook" means "Look" and "rosie lee" means "tea".)

You may have noticed a bit of change with the blog, a nice new font called "Pacifico" which is one of the webfonts that blogger offers for use in the design-advanced section. Decided to change it up to blend better with my in the works website. More about that when it's furthur along.

So whats the Good Exposure and Big Fat Flop, i,m referring to in the title for this post?
Well last post i did a giveaway. I managed to tweet about it and post about it on my facebook fanpage as well, but the thing i without a) big following (b) a softer poll/sell approach and (c) a facebook fan page badge how was anyone really going to know about it?
So i,ll do giveaways once i have some more of the above in place.

The good exposure..... I have a double page spread interview about both House of  SpiritFlower and House of ShadowFlower in Alt Fashion Magazine!!!!!! plus three articles I wrote on other  etsians http://www.studioleanne.etsy.com/ http://www.redribbons.etsy.com/ and a fantastic burlesque performer Gem de la Creme. Go to http://www.altfashionmagazine.co.uk/ to buy a copy (black and white and colour pictures) or a digital full colour version.

alt fashion magazine issue 20 http://www.altfashionmagazine.co.uk/

Coming later this week part 1 of my feature on the lovely label Kindred DreamHeart.

Hi all it's a GIVEAWAY!

Hello all! Oh my it's been a hectic few days for me of typing up my business plan, beading,stuffing,sewing and finding more beads and fabric as i,ve been decluttering yay!

I can't believe christmas is just around the corner! So feeling in a pre-christmissy mood i,m doing my first Giveaway ever!!!! How Exciting!

Whats the prize? A custom pendant made using a choice of your three favorite gemstones and colours! I will be picking 2 winners Giveaway ends Sunday 13th November 2011

All you have to do is leave a comment answering  this question :
" What is your Favorite Pendant and why?"
Choose out of the three below and leave your comment in the comment box along with a email address/ blog address/ or etsy shop or website url so I can contact you.

Rose Pearl Goddess Pendant

Pearl Amethyst Goddess Pendant

Spiral Amethyst Goddess Pendant

Goodluck!!!

Behind the Seams: Etsy Shop is Open!

Hey everyone! after putting the date back and back, as I was having so many technical,personal and confidence issues I have finally opened my etsy shop! The url has now changed as Etsy has finally allowed people to change their shop name. Before my shop was opalorchid (dot) etsy (dot) com but now my url is http://www.houseofspiritflower.etsy.com/

I only have 1 item at present but 2 more pendants will be coming this week! They just have to have the backing fabric sewn on and a beautifully decacdent edging of pearls,amethyst, coral and beads added to them. As well as Loopy hair which doubles as a bead loop bail. Heres some pictures of the pendant below. I forgot to name her in my item description.

I name her: Pearl Rose. (much nicer than pink,purple,lillac pendant!)

Pearl Rose Goddess Pendant aka "Pink,Purple,Lillac Pendant"

 As you can see I love my pearls. She has 81 in all that are various shades of creams,pinks,lillacs. The seed beads are small size 10's.

In this picture here on the left you can see the closeup of the beaded loop bail. It was done slightly off center just to make it look more interesting. When hung on a thin cord or chain the pendant doesn't look askew but hangs nicely.

I,ve actually kept this pendant for myself, as I know one of the best form of advertising is wearing your goods yourself.But I never manage to keep anything aside for myself. So When I went bead shopping i found a cord with magnetic fastening and put my pendant on and got compliments immediately from the staff In Bead Aura in Covent Garden, as well as a few ladies glancing at it while I was on the train.
Below is a image of the center of the rose motif and the pearls used.

Close up of rose motif center ,seed bead colour blending and pearl cluster.



Pearl Rose worn by me



The above image shows a closeup of the pearls that were used. I love the luster of pearls and frequently use them as if they were seed beads adding as many as I can to my bead embroidery to give it additionally texture. For sparkle I use facetted seed beads, czech glass bicones and swarovski crystals as you,ll see very soon. The pendant came out a bit bigger than I expected.When I was doing the artwork for it originally it seemed so small, but once it was beaded,lined and edged and the bail had been added it looked much bigger. Unfortunately i,ve made a rookie mistake (well i am a rookie!) and forgot to list the dimesnions I will measure and add those here and to the listing later today. Hmpf!

So what do you think? You like, do want to see more variations in colours? maybe slightly smaller (bring on the size 15 beads that will take oh yeah!!! plus the magnifying eye thingy's i,ll need and the ribbing i,ll get from the other half!lol) comments welcome as always. Dxo

Handmade Blog Feature: Rowan300 by Lori

I love steampunk! the gears,the shades of copper,rust.The idea of sky pirates in air ships powered with steam. The movies such as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, The Hellboy franchise particularly Hellboy2 is very steampunk influenced.It's a whole alternative lifestyle and fashion gaining momentum every day. Take a look at TotusMel's blog devoted to the subject http://www.totusmelwunderkammer.blogspot.com/ .

Lori of Rowan300 is a mother,blogger,jeweller,sculptor who mainly creates steampunk jewellery and wire jewellery accented or heavily featuring semi precious stones.She creates using bits of clockfaces,nuts,bolts,rings of metal and more. But her work is not all traditional steampunk. Oh no. Some pieces are brilliant in color to be worn with pretty gowns or a simple outfit.

Welcome to Lori's world of upcycled beauty and her corner of etsy Rowan300 http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

Industrial Crystal, Earrings http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

Hi Lori and welcome to your blog feature! First question, What inspired you to create your Industrial/Steampunk Jewellery Line?
I had a bunch of old watches and took them apart and was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the watch parts were.My son told me about steampunk and I fell in love.

I also noticed you create intricate robots and sculpture.I love Sir Wallace Shufflebottom what was inspiration behind this little character?
I was looking at the parts from my grandmother's old watch and thought the watch movement looked like a face.I,ve always been a fan of robots,sci-fi and fantasy and my imagination took off from there.

Sir Wallace Shufflebottom

Nothing But Heart Robot pendant www.rowan300.etsy.com

 Clock Owl http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

I've never seen Steampunk jewellery with color before!What inspired the use of color in the "Industrial Fantasy Series" and the "Moon series" especially the gorgeous "Honey Moon Necklace"?
I believe that Steampunk and Industrial Jewellery can be worn with anything from jeans and t-shirt to a ball gown.I would to see more people embrace it as a form of self expression rather than wearing the same old boring jewellery all the time and I thought adding color might be a way to get people to look at it differently.

HoneyMoon Necklace from the Moon Series http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/



Lightning Moon Bracelet from the Moon series http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/



Lightning moon necklace from the moon series http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

You also have a range of wire wrapped stone jewellery using rough cut stones.Was that range an extenston of the Industrial style but using more natural materials?
I started off making jewellery by wire wrapping.I have a large collection of stones that I,d been holding onto for years and I thought that would be the perfect way to set alot of it.

Blue Gem wire wrap and brass http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

You have a very informative and honest blog called Madd Dogg Of tomorrow with alot of informative tips and chronicling your journey as a maker could you tell what inspired the name and why you decided to blog?
Madd Dogg is my nickname.It's kind of a joke with my friends and family because i,m  actually a pretty mild mannered person.I decided to do Madd Dogg of Tomorrow since so many of my pieces are derived from watches and clocks.


Cat Pendant http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/


In your blog you mention setting up two businesses, Rowan300 being one.What is the other?
My Son and I want to start up a mobile bakery,We both love to bake and have the basics started.We just need to get the funding together fo the equipment.

What has been the hardest part of your handmade business?
Getting people other than my family and friends to notice my work.

Gears and doughnuts earrings and Bracelet http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

What has been the most rewarding aspect of running your handmade business?
I love making and tinkering.I,ve worked in a office setting for a long time and that kind of work makes me feel kind of numb inside.I would come home and not want to anything for the rest of the day.
Now i,m more energized and happy and want to go for walks with the dogs,play with the dog,hang out with friends and family It's really changed my life for the positive.

Industrial Chain necklace with Brass http://www.rowan300.etsy.com/

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
http://www.windowfog.etsy.com/ and http://www.makkoccino.etsy.com/ both have really awesome shops,are also really nice people and very talented artists.

Handmade Blog Feature: Jools to Drool Over by Sandra Mynard

One day while browsing around the "circles" and "Favorites" section of my Etsy dashboard, I came across a item by Jools to Drool over that someone in my circle had favorited. (Circles are little social groups on Etsy and when you are added to one or you add someone to yours you see all the items they like as they favorite them by clicking on the little heart icon in the corner of the item photograph.) 
Her store  transported me into the jewellery box of Marie Antoinette had she been alive today. Beautiful pastel colours abound, with florals,doves,gilt,sparkly crystals and pretty maidens. I immediately contacted her for a feature. This lovely modest lady was surprised! But i think you'll agree her work is beautiful,delicate and full of details that makes you want to explore her work again and again.....

Sandra has also had a piece featured on Polyvore for her new line Sweetie YumYum and is offering the first 25 followers to her blog http://www.lifeandjewelrymaking.blogspot.com/ a free piece of jewellery just email her on : atouchofvintage1@hotmail.com Now for the feature on Jools to Drool over by sandra Mynard.

Black and white Cameo necklace for sale on www.senseofashion.com/sweetieyumyum and featured on Ployvore.
What inspired you to create Jools to drool over and where did the name come from?
The name Jools to Drool Over just came to me.I thought of using Jools as part of the shop name first and the added to drool over as to my thinking it would be memorable.In hindsight if i were choosing a name now it would be  more sedate and have the word vintage as part of it.I was in a hurry just to open up the shop.

Your jewellery's colour palette is very Marie Antoinette! I could see Kirsten Dunst wearing it. What inspired your use of vintage components,florals and your uplifting colour palette?
My first pieces of jewellery were ordinary to say the least.I would fall in love with different gemstones,buy them and them create something.However after a while I realised I needed to find a different direction in style and vintage was where it was at.
I,ve created collage necklaces which include pieces of vintage earrings,brooch, or necklace.Sometimes I take necklaces and broochs apart just to use pieces of them.
My choice of jewellery style came about because of the vintage retro influence that is being used in every area of fashion.I wanted to create something that nobody could copy exactly.Although I guess i,m doing that myself by copying a trend.
The colours I chose are mainly  pastel and girly looking as looking around at styles and fashion, pastel is definately in.The florals too are big and bright right now and there is a lot of choice in the range of vintage jewellery around, expecially floral.

Blue floral  collage necklace from Jools to Drool Over http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/
I especially like the use of birds and maiden series that uses face cabouchons (Leaf Maiden in Flower Garden, Stars in her eyes, Face of Summer Garden.) What inspired those pieces?
Everyone is using birds in jewellery.I,ve used a couple in my designs but i,ve tried to be different in that regard. The idea of using cabouchon faces came to me while trying to do something different.I didn't realise that face broochs were "in" at one time.I don't profess to know anything much about vintage.I,ve learnt alot on Etsy seeing the vintage jewellery brands for sale and what they are worth.I,ve never heard of most of them to be honest!

Bridal necklace http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

Golden toned Face necklace http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

Stars in her eyes http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

Maiden in the summer garden necklace http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/

The rosary necklace chains you make are exquisite.They really compliment the focal pieces.Why do you make them say over using plain chain?
The reason I make rosary chains using pearls , crystals ,some gemstones pastel coloured plastic beads etc...is that rather than add bought beaded or metal chain to my jewellery,I wanted an element I make myself just to show I could.

Your now exploring new selling avenues for your jewellery,creating new ranges ( Sweetie YumYum) and looking at craft markets.Could you tell me a little more about that and how it came about?
I am very fortunate that I have a great local craft fair and I,ve started listing on both Madeit a australian homemade everything selling venue as well as starting to list on http://www.senseofashion.com/ The Sweetie YumYum line is more simple than Jools to Drool over and consists mainly of earrings and necklaces using up to date resin and lucite flowers.
I,ve also started a blog  http://www.lifeandmakingjewelry.blogspot.com/    and while I wasn't on facebook or twitter i,m starting to try and figure that out.

Burnt Orange lilly Earrings
What for you has been the most fulfilling part of creating your handmade business?
What for you has been the hardest part of creating your handmade business?
Creating a handmade business is the easy part.Selling is another kettle of fish.Just when you think you've excelled yourself with your latest creation you find that no one has looked at it (on etsy you can see how many times a piece has been viewed), or perhaps 3 people looked in the first couple of days.I remind myself that is probably the case for hundreds of etsians ,after all there are a heck of a lot of items on Etsy and jewellery especially is one of the most prolific items sold on there and everywhere else to.Still there is only one way to find out if your item is saleable and that is to jump in and swim!
As you go along if you didn't already have marketing savvy you will pick up how others photograph their items  effectively and how best to describe your item.

I often wish that Etsy provided stats as to what is selling on Etsy trendwise,how many,where it is selling and how people go about selling it.

As to what lights me up.Well it's always uplifting to know that someone admires my jewellery.I also enjoy friendly and uplifting convo's from other Etsians on anything.

I,ve had my share of downtimes when I wonder if i,m on the right track.But someones likes my jewellery enough more than a few.I,ve read about people becoming successful only to after trying various selling venues. My advive would be to never give up.
What tips do have for anyone else wanting to turn their passion/hobby into a handmade business be it on Etsy or another selling avenue?
I,m not sure I,m the best person to ask for advice, but I would say look at every venue where jewellery is sold,what they are selling and how they are selling it.Come up with a name that will typify your style of jewellery.Come up with a style and colour of photography that will identify your brand.

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
This lady's style of jewellery is very different and original http://www.staroftheeast.etsy.com/
This lady's amazing creations made from recycled sweaters http://www.katwise.etsy.com/
this lady's felted wool creations http://www.jurgitami.etsy.com/

Find Sandra's ranges Jools to Drool over and SweetieYumYum at the following:
http://www.joolstodroolover.etsy.com/ http://www.sweetieyumyum.madeit.com.au/ and http://www.senseofashion.com/sweetieyumyum
Check out her blog which will also have handmade features on fellow Madeit artisans http://www.lifeandmakingjewelry.blogspot.com/

Handmade Blog Feature: Emma Dickie of The Candy Tree

This lovely lady contacted me a while ago answering my call for people interested in having a handmade feature done on them. I went to her shop and was delighted by her work. As a embroiderer myself (now more freestyle rather than cross stitch) I,ve seen alot of various crosstitched artworks and pillows but nothing like this and not based on original artwork by the embroiderer themselves. I emailed my list of questions and got a beautiful  story written in peach text! I also sent some suggestions for incorporating beadwork with her comfy patchwork cushions. It was lovely to get a tweet with a picture of a pillow she had made incorporating a heart embroidered with sparkly blue beads and mentioning me in the process!

So without furthur ado, I introduce to you the sweet Emma Dickey of The Candy Tree.


Hi Emma and welcome to your blog feature! Firstly what inspired you to create The Candy Tree? and what inspired the name?
The Candy Tree originates from my college days when I wouldn't go anywhere without a little sketchbook.I used to sit down and doodle and come up with little  poems and one day I drew a tree trunk with a lollipop head.The accompanying poem was "Don't eat from the Candy Tree.You will feel Dandy and free.Is that really what you want to be?"

I later turned this into a painting  but it wasn't until I started creating jewellery a few years later and needed a name for my work that I realised I already had it!
I,ve always been inspired by nature and vibrant colours so it seemed like the perfect fit and so "The Candy Tree" was born.

Patchwork cushions by Emma Dickie http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/ top cushion features beadwork in blue glass beads.

You have recently started creating cross stitched cushions and patterns based on your paintings.What inspired that product line?
I love crafts of all kinds and enjoy experimenting  with a new medium.
I created my first cross stitch two years ago and have fallen in love with the medium!
It has been a great way to bring my artwork to life in a new dimension as I love to combine different mediums to create someIthing new. Cross stitch is not only theraputic but allows me to share my work in the forms of patterns as well.
Again i,m very much inspired by nature and the vibrant shades of thread really lend themselves to my subject matter.
I decided to transform some of these designs into cushions as it became not just a great way of brightening up the home with a original piece of Art but functional too.

Copper and Gold Cross stitch pattern pdf by Emma Dickey http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/ copyright Emma Dickie.

What is the process for creating a piece of original Art and turning it into a cross stiched cushion and pattern?
It can be quite a lengthy process from artwork to cushion! Firstly the painting needs to be scanned into specialist software where I can tweak it into a pattern.
This can take several hours.As any good cross stitcher will know that a good pattern has sections of color flowing together as opposed to random squares of colour dotted all over the place- as this isn't really very theraputic to stitch! Once i,m happy with the pattern it can be printed fabrics and threads purchased and stitching can commence.

Depending on how large the pattern is it can take a few months for the panel to be stitched.

Once finished it is a case of washing and ironing the panel taking great care not to undo the hours of hardwork.Before sewing two sections of cotton on the back to create a cushion envelope.

Bird of Paradise cross stitch cushion by Emma Dickie http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/

You also create semi-precious stone jewellery accented with sterling silver.What inspired the use of those materials?
I have always preferred silver jewellery,probably because it complements my colorings better than gold and for me silver has the elegance of subtlety about it that really brings out the vibrant pearls and stones that I like to use. My choice of materials come back to my love of nature.
The semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls I use are all uniquely shaped and I try and avoid perfectly formed round pearls. My favorite are the blister pearls as they can create a very striking look due to their erratic shape.

Autumnal tones Blister pearl necklace By Emma Dickie www.thecandytree125.etsy.com

Silver Blister Pearl Bracelet Emma Dickie http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/

Some jewellers who use semi precious stones are inspired by birthstones or myths/legends ,healing properties are these one of the things that inspires your line?
To be honest I,m not sure stones have can have healing properties,however I do believe that certain colors and stones can bring about different emotions depending on their personal preferances.For example, Purple has always been my favorite color and it also happens to be the color of my birthstone Amethyst. I always feel that Amethyst soothes me,not because of any special properties but simply because I love the deep purple tones and the natural shapes of the stone.
I have transferred these ideas into my jewellery by using natural shapes in a variety of colors so that hopefully I offer something that appeals to everyones personal taste.

Pink Ruby pearl and agate necklace By Emma Dickie

Lapis Lazuli and Agate necklace by Emma Dickey http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/

Whats next in the Pipeline for The Candy Tree?
At the moment i,m concentrating on expanding my line of cross stitch patterns and patchwork cushions. I,m also working on some knitted jewellery and i have just finished some bracelets.Matching earrings will be following shortly! They are made with wire and a selection of glass beads and semi precious stone chips.

Purple bead and pearl glass bracelet and earrings set by Emma Dickie http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/

Whats the most enjoyable aspect of creating The Candy Tree?
The most enjoyable part of creating The Candy Tree has been trying new things and discovering my latest love for cross stitch.There is nothing more relaxing after a day at work than curling up on the couch to stitch my lastest design! I have also enjoyed creating my Etsy shop as it has allowed me to share  experiences and learn  from fellow crafters.

Whats the least enjoyable aspect of creating The Candy Tree?
The least enjoyable part for me is marketing! I,m not a natural sales person and find it difficult to promote my work. I use a variety of outlets to get the word out. Facebook and Twitter.However my difficulty is with getting my friends/family/colleagues to look at my work as I am very shy when it comes to face to face promotion.

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
I love http://www.naturebeads.etsy.com/ she offers a range of acai and tagua nut beads in gorgeous colors.They are very much in keeping with my style and may even feature in my future ranges of vibrant jewellery!  also http://www.mrxstitch.etsy.com/ range of very modern patterns.Very inspiring!

Tagua Nut slices Dyed by http://www.naturesbeads.etsy.com/

Graffiti art cross stitch pattern from http://www.mrxstitch.etsy.com/

So if you want a piece of original tactile art for your couch, a vibrant piece of jewellery to brighten up your outfit and your day look no furthur than http://www.thecandytree125.etsy.com/ and Tweet her  www.twitter.com/@emmadickiecandytree125

Handmade Blog Feature: Astella19

Hello all! i,m back with another handmade blog feature.This time on mixed media jeweller Aysha Hollins from Houston Texas of Astella19 http://www.astella19.etsy.com/ a young lady who makes bold colorful handpainted and thread jewellery. She is a lady of few words and prefers her work to do the talking which is way this blog feature is quite short. So here we go, introducing jeweller Astella19.

Hi Astella and welcome to your Blog Feature.Firstly what inspired you to express your creativity through jewellery making?
I first started making jewellery for myself.As the things I felt would fit my style I couldn't find in stores.

You use a wide variety of materials in your jewellery,wood,string,thread.What inspired such a diverse use of materials?
My attention span would be the real cause of why I jump from material to material lol!
I usually get an idea and just run with it.
Thats why I haven't exactly stuck with one material.

Beautiful Black Woman Handpainted Earrings with Flowers on Reverse Copyright Astella19

Lady Gaga Earrings Handpainted by Astella19

I really love your handpainted earrings,especially the Mod Zebra Earrings.What was the process behind them?
Those earrings were actually supposed to be all zebra when I started.Once I actually started painting i thought i,d try some colour blocking and just went with it and the earrings came out better than expected.

Retro Mod Zebra Earrings copyright Astella19

Retro Mod Heart Earrings Copyright Astella19

Zebra Mix Earrings Copyright Astella19

The Rose Printed thread earrings are so intricate,yet simple looking.What was the process behind them?
The technique for those came from a friend who also does arts and crafts and from there the Dreamcatcher earrings were created as well.

Rose Print Thread Earrings by Astella19

Whats next for http://www.astella19.etsy.com/ ?
I plan to create some necklaces and bracelets in the future.

Who are your favorite etsians and why?
As i,m quite new I haven't got any favorites yet!

Find Astella's beautiful bold afrocentric jewellery at http://www.astella19.etsy.com/
Follow her on Twitter @AFR0CENTRIC
Find her on facebook www.facebook.com/home.php#1/Astella19