Spreading Smiles

Enjoy a visit to The Curious Cupcake http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecuriouscupcake. A wonderful Etsy shop that sells beautiful wire wrapped jewelry.**10% OF PROCEEDS FROM ALL PURCHASES WILL GO TO SUPPORT THE WILD FRIENDS OF THE EARTH FOUNDATION IN LEESBURG, FL. OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.wildfriendsoftheearth.com/ **

 
by The Curious Cupcake
I am always getting asked 'Why The Curious Cupcake?' Well that's easy, I like cupcakes and I'm curious. It really is that simple, just like the things I make and the whole reason I got started in this direction in the first place. I love learning new things and I love creating, what better way to put the two things together than with making jewelry? I get to work with many different mediums, colors, shapes .. the possibilities are endless. But even with all of those millions of possibilities it still comes down to the basics, putting pieces together to make a new whole. Creating something new, out of something else.

My favorite things to work with are wire and crystals. Wire has a mountain of potential. Between the kinds, the sizes, the colors .. it could go on and on. Wire can be the focal point, the background piece or sometimes just the guts. Its completely versatile. At the other end I love working with crystals. I love color and sparkle and using Swarovski crystals combines both. Color can almost set a mood for a piece and there's no better way to get true, vibrant colors than with crystals. I've made pieces using only crystals and I've used them as accents. It doesn't matter how they're used they always bring more life to any piece.

People often find it amusing that I rarely wear any of the pieces I make. Save for a few select things I have designed for myself most everything is not something I would wear. It may seem odd but that's not why I do this. I make jewelry because I like to create and its amazing how good it feels to see someone wearing something that I created with my own hands. On top of that I try very hard to keep my jewelry affordable. You shouldn't have to break the bank to wear something fun that brings a smile to your face. That's what I'm trying to do, spread the smiles and add a little sparkle to the world.

I started out just making jewelry for my mom and my co-workers. I would often show off the new things I came up with at work and more often than not I wouldn't bring them home. I started off with a couple of small craft shows, just getting my stuff out there for more people and working on making something more than a hobby out of it. I have slowly worked up to larger craft shows and have now added my own website and Etsy to the mix. Its a lot more satisfying to make something if I have a way to get it to someone who appreciates it.

Recently my friend and roommate has joined in on the fun. She is now making beaded flowers both to sell on their own and and to incorporate in my jewelry. Instead of her just tagging along and helping me with my things we are now creating together. It just adds one more layer of fun to the mix. I hope to be doing this for a long time.
 
 

 
 
 
 

Cherish Her Gifts

Jean creates handmade items that make people smile. Enjoy a visit to her shops
http://www.amaebi.etsy.com/ and http://www.grimcute.etsy.com/.

by Amaebi

Hi my name is Jean. My husband and I live in the desert with five kooky cockatiels and one adorable puppy. I am currently in medical school, which really eats into me physically and mentally; I craft when I can, because it keeps me sane.I’m crazy about color; I think my favorite color changes every year. It is normal for my desk at home to have tons of unfinished projects and scraps of paper with ideas sitting around on it. Typically I craft on the couch or at my desk while multi-tasking on the computer. I have even taken my yarn to school to crochet in class. It helps me focus, really! I use baskets, sewing bins, and lock-and-lock (airtight) tupper-ware bins to store my supplies and projects. Tiny ziplocks keep all of my individual jewelry pieces from scratching each other, and I have an entire craft box for just doll eyes! My favorite tools are my clear ruler, pliers, and shiny purple aluminum crochet hook (it makes me happy).

My first true craft obsession involved tsumami hana-kanzashi (Japanese floral hair ornaments). Many of my pieces can be seen in my Flickr album collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10936702@N07/ From there, I branched out with my main Etsy shop Amaebi Jewelry http://www.amaebi.etsy.com/. I then started a second shop, Grimcute http://www.grimcute.etsy.com/ , which has funky plushies and amigurumi crochet items. Amaebi is more for creating pretty and affordable accessories, while with Grimcute I try to create handmade items that make people smile.

Last year my mom passed away from breast cancer. Sometimes when I remember my crafty mom, who made so many beautiful things (she loved floral arranging and Christmas ornaments), I am too heartbroken to do anything, and at other times crafting is a quiet sanctuary where I can remember her and cherish her gifts. I miss creating with her very much."

Twofold Upcycled Fine Art

I absolutely love the idea of featuring other artists. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with others and meet fantastic people. It also provides the opportunity to see some amazing art pieces that are so unique and inspire me to create. Kathy encorporates some amazingly bold and bright colours in her upcycled art pieces. These are one-of-a-kind art pieces that are beautiful and functional too. Enjoy having a look through her shop http://www.twofold.etsy.com/ .

Twofold designs originated from an inspiration to utilize recycled materials in new and inventive ways. Over the last year I have worked out of my home, but have also utilized local wood shop spaces that allow me to take up a corner. It's important to find a well ventilated space when working with the glue and high gloss finish I use! I love using lots of color, so I collect all kinds of magazines to upcycle glassware and other thrift store finds. Durability is important to my designs. The high gloss finish I use gives my pieces the versatility to be decorative but also functional. I recently moved to New York and am working on creating a bigger studio space in my apartment. Can't wait to expand my workspace and start on some bigger pieces!I attached a photo of a wood shop I use as studio space and also a photo of a recent outdoor art walk I participated in.

A Cozy Cluttered Corner

I absolutely love oo0oSUGARo0oo 's name. I think it is a perfect fit to her sweet and
delectable creations. If you are looking for a burst of colour and happiness...be sure to visit her shop.

by oo0oSUGARo0oo

"I create in a really cluttered, but cozy room, a corner of my bedroom. It is not nicely decorated like many rooms of designers or artists but it works for me. My working table is always full of materials whether I am working on my fabric cutwork or making beaded jewellery. To be honest, I never grew up having my bedroom nice and tidy. I was never proud of it. But I do feel better when I went to art school and found out that many creative people are the same and that I am not just very lazy. (or maybe I am? Hahaha…)

Ilove to wear and make my own jewellery when I was in high school so I got into university for jewellery design. But during second year, I realized that I have no interest in making silversmith jewellery. I found out that I need to see more colours so I switched my major to fibre art and start working with paper and fabric in rainbow colours. I love to draw flowers, leaves, plants, fruits, anything organic.

I also like to do pattern design. The flower and bird patterns of my fabric cutworks all came from my line drawings.

Many of my inspiration come from wondering in the park, staring at plants, flowers, and tree, and more, daydreaming about colours, and much much more.Right now, my goal is to create things that would add a fresh, happy and bright colour whether at home on the wall, against a person’s skin, or on any wearable items."

the link of my personal site: http://www.willieyung.com/

link of my etsy shop: http://www.oo0osugaro0oo.etsy.com/

Vintage Style Charm

I am thrilled to continue to feature fellow Etsians and their studios this exciting year of 2009.
My goal is to continue to share Etsy Shops and their creative spaces. I am always amazed at the creative talents of others as I discover new shops and re-visit my favourites! I wish all a successful year and lots of creating time in the spaces we love best!

I am always looking for new people to feature.
Please enter the Red Door and contact me if you would like to be featured!
Hope to hear from you soon.

I love to hear from you! I am convo friendly and enjoy reading the comments made.

Please meet MaruMaru!
The first of many talented featured Etsians for 2009!

MaruMaru features a variety of retro and vintage style charms.

I can't imagine living without color, so my pieces are photographed with bright and colorful Japanese origami papers. My inspiration comes from anywhere from childhood memories to listening to The Beatles and playing in my grandmother's garden in Japan. Resin is my favorite material to work with because it gives my pieces that glass-like finish. I'm also in love with Czech flower beads and rose cabochons. I usually start out my day by drinking green tea and playing around in my jewelry supply box, and trying to come up with some fun ideas while having Waikiki Beach as my backyard. There's so many things to
create and not enough time in a day!




Best Wishes Maru Maru!!!

Visit her charming shop at
www.marumaru.etsy.com