It's Been Years -- Literally

I was looking for a necklace I had favourited on Etsy years ago when I realized, "Hey, I bet I blogged about it." Sure enough, I had. And after I found the necklace I realized it had been two years (off by only one day!) since I had posted on this site. How lazy. In the last two years, I've been writing more and making less jewellery. I also had another baby (awww). So that, in a nutshell, is where I have been. However, I feel motivated to start making more jewellery and blogging about my Etsy finds so here I am! Updating you all (hi mom!) and sharing my new plan.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air and Etsians are sharing their love of the season through their creations.

Today I was surprised to find that someone had found a photo of crocuses I have listed at my store AND they had included it in an etsy treasury. How lucky! Especially considering the quality of the other pieces chosen. Gorgeous ... a nice variety... and very fitting for the season.

I'm not going to write about each one. I'm just going to show you some pictures and let you find them on your own.

The most expensive items on Etsy

There's not doubt that Etsy is full of interesting, talenting creations (and some not so interesting) and it's easy to spend hours searching through the masses of stores and listings. One of my favourite things to do is look at the most expensive listings on Etsy.

Today's search led me to this sculpture of Pope John the 23rd by Alan Somerville. It's being promoted for the Easter holidays and costs $100,000. At that price it is easily the most expensive item on Etsy. Is it worth it? I definitely think so. I googled Somerville and found that he is a well-known sculptor in Australia and New Zealand and has several pieces displayed around the country. Whoever purchases this piece is getting work from an award winning artist and will definitely have a long-lasting item that would work in a variety of places. It would make an excellent addition to a Catholic cathedral.





Next I travelled to the woodworking section to find the most expensive item in this category. The results? This wooden boat for $67,700.



This is the description:
(This is a boat I built from the Locust Keel up. It is the "Epoxy" method. This involves 1/8 inch clear heart cedar planks laid cross grain to one another, three layers; with a very heavy coat of glass cloth and epoxy applied to the exterior of the hull for durability, and also to the interior. It is a replica of the 1955 Century Whirlwind Runabout. That means a small boat that you drive with an outboard motor. An outboard motor has never been on it. Instead i made up masts, and sewed my own sails. The sail plan is a two masted fore and aft square rigger, used from the 1600's to the 1900's. it is the ideal, and perfect sail for a small open boat. the canvas is spread out low, -moreover, the rig is 'balanced' so that you can let go of the tiller and it 'tracks' on heading. It has never capsized for the above reasons; although I have seen small open boats with a triangular , tall sail capsize every time I've been out on the water. Everything was hand made by me, including sculpting and casting the mermaid stem head fitting, and the 'blocks'- the pulleys that handle the couple hundred feet of line. It is fitted with a powerful troll motor on a "kick up rudder".I realize no one can afford a boat that took me 17 years to build ( while keeping my day job ) but I offer it for sale for a collector who knows the value of such things. I fully expect never to sell it. Who in the world has this kind of money? Well...a peek at "Car Collector" magazine with million dollar cars, and even 14 million dollar cars might give you a clue. Obviously there are some staggeringly wealthy people in the world. Albeit, it's a pelasure to list my boat...to show off, actually. I think I'd be shocked if someone actually bought it. I do plan to keep it and have fun with it, and let my grandkids inherit it, and enjoy it as a family heirloom.)

I'll happily admit that I don't know that much about boats. I can't really say if this is great deal or not but in my meagre little opinion I think this artist put a lot of time, energy and heart into this creation and would like to get the value of the love that went into it as well as the time and money. This is understandable. I think a lot of artists feel this way. A lot of the value it probably in the replica of a classic boat. Again, I'm an expert in boats by any stretch and am simply showcasing some of the priciest items on Etsy today.

Now on to Jewellery ... my category. :)

The most expensive piece of jewellery on etsy is this extravagent piece of bling.

Priced at $90,000 this is one of the priciest items on Etsy. Here's their desciption:
(White gold , 18 kt.surrounded by 7 carat of beautiful diamonds in G color VS1 and yellow diamonds.The center Diamond is about Carat 5,40 in J collor SI1 .Total Weight of Diamonds is carat 12,40 . Please contact me if you have any question in regard,the ring is amazing ,able to adapt at any event ! You can have any information about other diamond for the center,any color,any quality, available at reasonable price. G.I.A certificate,with laser inscription. Thank, Marco)

This is something that might be seen at the Oscars. The average person isn't going to be buying this item. From the description I'd say that this is a fair price. I had a friend who had a very high quality, single diamond ring that was valued at $20,000 by three different appraisers. The quality of the diamond is extremely important. I can't complain about the price of this item. The only thing I'd like to comment on is that Etsy, for me, is about Artisans being able to showcase their work. This looks much more like the work of a professional jewellery designer. This artist doesn't have any information in their profile about themselves, an external link or any sales/feedback so you don't really know who you are dealing with.

With that in mind I'm going to skip some of the other pricey items on etsy as some of them are from the same store and have this 'professional' flair.

This next item is from someone I would call an artisan. In his profile page he describes his proces and his vision and I get a real sense of how he works and what his pieces mean to him. His most expensive one is the Burning Water Bracelet

This bracelet is very funky and is made from quality materials - 14k coloured gold. That's not gold plating or gold fill but real 14k gold. That puts a lot of value in this item as do the diamonds. It also has a name that speaks to his vision. The photography is well done and the care is obvious. I also like that each piece is unique. This is never going to be recreated. At $21,950 I definitely think this is worth it. It may not be for everyone and it's certainly not in most people's price range but for the right person this will be, essentially, a priceless item.

The last item I am going to showcase was one of the most expensive necklaces when I first started doing this kind of search. It was listed at $10,000 but has since been dropped to $6,500. The Baroque Cathedral Necklace is not for someone who has a weak neck. It's large and intricate and quite fascinating to look at. I'm sure it's even more fascinating in person. This was created by an actual artist who wants to make wearable art. It's for someone who wants to make a statement.


A note from the author:
For the sake of this article I'm assuming that the artists and their creations are authentic and that they have given accurate descriptions of themselves and their work. As buyers we must always be aware of who we are purchasing from, especially at these prices, and I am in no way assuring anyone that I know this artists or can vouch for them.

Long overdue for a post

It's been over a year since I updated this blog. Shameful. But in my defense I have been busy. I went back to school last fall and am working on my BA. I was going to do a double minor in History and English. Then I decided to minor in History and Spanish. Now we are moving (off the island ) and I'm going to a different university. I've switched my minors once again to History and Visual Arts. When I finish the BA I will go into the education program and finally work as a teacher. So big plans for me. On top of everything else I find myself (intentionally) pregnant again so I am taking a few months off of school to relax and adjust. This break has inspired me to focus on my Etsy store and my blog again ... so here we are! I hope everyone enjoys their time here.

Clasps

Choosing a clasp for a piece of jewellery can be one of the most critical decisions an artisan can make. The right clasp will should either add to or compliment a bracelet, anklet or necklace. The wrong clasp can be a disaster.

Some clasps are two gawdy for a delicate piece while others may not match the tones quite right.

A lot of artisans make their own clasps so the final touch is as unique as the entire piece. I'm not quite there yet. I either use the stand-by lobster, toggle or hook clasps but I also like browsing for new takes on the classics.

Today I found the above clasp on etsy.

I love how unique it is yet sturdy and I imagine it would be quite easy to use. This particular artist, Rockis Supplies, has a nice selection that would be the perfect finishing touches for quite a few styles.

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There seems to be no end to the type of ladies' clasps out there. They come in every material, shape and style. I have a hard time finding interesting 'manly' clasps for, say, a stainless steel chainmaille bracelet. I think it would be neat to see 'tougher' images used to craft clasps. Motorcycles, skull and crossbones, barbwire. They certainly wouldn't work for every style but they might be a fun touch in some cases.

Jumpstart

It's been too long since I've written and both my blog and Etsy store have been sadly ignored. In my defense. I've had company. A lot of company. Loud company. Company that doesn't seem to go away. I should just lock myself up with some beads and never come out. So today I am posting on my blog and recommitting to it and my store. There's definitely more to come.

Pig tusk jewellery

When I was chosen for a Sneak Attack a few weeks ago I was also contacted by Pigatopia Studios about making some jewellery made from pig's tusks.

My first thought... interesting! ... and odd!! LOL but definitely interesting. I love the concept of using natural objects in jewellery. I have a good collection of shells and sea glass that I will be using in pieces once I have enough materials.

Of course I was up for the challenge and PS sent me pigtures of the tusks she had as well as a beautiful tusk necklace she had made by an artist who used a wire wrapping technique. Very beautiful.

My mind went in a different direction. Some of the pieces were about an inch around and I thought if I could drill holes in them I could use them as beads in hemp bracelets or necklaces.

That had me wondering how I would get fine holes in these tough pig's tusks. Thankfully my husband is home this week and he brought out his power drill and smallest bits and after a rough start he was able to get the perfect size hole in one of the tusk pieces. Eureka! I was able to easily slide a piece of hemp through the hole. Not too tight. Not too loose.

So far we just have the one piece drilled through but I will be making a plan for each piece over the next day or two and will continue to update this blog for anyone interested in my following the creation of pig tusk jewellery.

Molly is home

I wanted to keep the focus of this blog on creativity and artisans but I am so happy I have to share.

My cat Molly went missing two and a half weeks ago. She's an older, lazy cat that sits on my balcony or the complexes steps during the day. She's social and everyone knows her so we were all shocked when she just disappeared. I searched everywhere, put up notices, went to the SPCA and the city shelter. Nothing. I walked around the neighbourhood calling her. Still nothing.

I never realized how much I enjoyed having her around until she was gone. She's a gentle, easy-going cat. She's wonderfully patient with my toddler and tolerates my rambunctious dog.

In my mind I have been looking for her every moment, even dreaming about her. I knew it was possible that she had met some ill fate but I just didnt' feel like she was really gone.

The SPCA had called before saying they thought they might have found Molly but it was never her. Today I got the call again and said I'd be down to look. I didn't want to get my hopes up since it had never been her in the past.

We went there with little hope and there she was. In the bottom cage. My heart just jumped into my throat and I almost started crying. Fiona, my 21-month-old daughter, stuck her fingers in the cage and pet her and said 'molly molly molly molly.'

We filled out the paperwork and took her home as fast as possible. Fiona was ecstatic. She chased Molly up and down the halls, sobbing when Molly walked away. I'd hold Molly for her and she'd do a little tap dance and try to reach out and hold her. Poor Molly was exhausted and had lost weight so I took Fiona swimming and let Molly catch up on some rest.

When we got home Molly was sleeping peacefully under the kitchen table with her head propped up on Fiona's high chair.

The most surprising thing is that the people who turned her in lived only five blocks away and said she had been wandering around the area for over a week. It boggles my mind that she couldn't find her way home. I guess her internal compass is a little weak.

Mobius flowers - chainmaille

Last year my sister got married and I offered to make the jewellery for her wedding party. One of her best friends was a guy that ended up being a 'bridesmaid' I made pink pearl bracelets for the rest of the bridesmaids but for him I was at a loss.

I searched the net for ideas and finally decided to do a boxchain chainmaille bracelet. It was so much fun and came so naturally. It was almost therapeutic as I wove these little metal links together. No one was nearly as impressed with my work as I was!

From there it started to spiral and I made more and more chainmaille adding a few different patterns here and there. I still consider myself to be an amateur but I really love it and I'm proud of how my work turns out.

A couple days ago I added the "Mobius Flower" pattern to my repetoire. First a pair of earrings and then a bracelet. I think they are just beautiful. It's hard to describe how they look and feel without seeing them in person.

Marilyn Gardiner has some excellent beginner chainmaille projects. She gives a thorough description of each project including pictures.

Chainmaille is so flexible and versatile. You can make a fine, delicate, pure gold necklace for a lady or a stainless steel bracelet for a man. You can use coloured links, and many metal choices. Some people even add rubber rings to give their pieces a bit of strech so no clasp is needed.

I think that many people don't know what chainmaille is all about imagine the armour that was used in the past. There are still people who still enjoy armour... but most of the chainmaille I see is jewellery or fun creations like baskets and candle holders.

You are really only limited by your imagination.

Kanzashi - Japanese hair ornaments

Traditional, beautiful, elaborate hair ornaments from Japan are called Kanzashi. They have been worn since the Edo period and are still seen today during Japanese wedding ceremonies, on traditional Kimono wearers and they are gaining popularity in modern culture.

There are many types of Kanzashi and the style and placement on a Geisha could tell the audience their position in society.

Kanzashi comes in all forms, colours and shapes. They can be long and dangly, short and neat, have fabric, shells, pearls, etc. Imagination is the only limit.

The majority of the Kanzashi I see when I browse Etsy and other sites are made with from fabrics. Usually silk. The creations are folded and glued onto a hair comb or fork. The art is almost like fabric origami.

Hanatsukuri is an Etsy artisan that has a variety of Kanzashi up on her site. Her Kanzashi comes in muted pastels and bold, vibrant colours.

These pieces are definitely eye catching and worth looking into if you want to spice up your hair style or are getting ready for a formal occasion.

The Kanzashi piece that first caught my eye was particularly astounding, both in the colours and form but also the photography.

It was featured in Make Magazine and is a visual delight. I believe, but have not confirmed, it is made by Etsian artist KurokamiKanzashi.


Check out this web page for learning more on Kanzashi.