FEATURED ETSY SHOP - POOKIE AND PIERRE

Dream in Color Sterling Silver Earrings

(CLICK on the above photo to learn more about these beautiful earrings!)

WELCOME, Emily and her Etsy shop POOKIE AND PIERRE, where you will find some very stunning and beautiful jewelry. I love the colors and textures that Emily creates with her designs. Be sure to pay POOKIE AND PIERRE a visit! It is very hard to decide which creation is your favorite.

Let's read below to learn a bit more about this delightful jewelry artist, and what inspires her to create.

What led you to start creating your art/craft, and how did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I have always had creative inclinations and a love of color and texture and desire to create beauty. I dabbled in painting for awhile before a friend introduced me to the joys of beading about 5 years ago! My first visit to a bead store, I was like a kid in a candy shop! So much color to play with. At one point, on a trip to Asheville, NC, I saw some stunning beadwoven pieces that led to my desire to delve into beadweaving. I am self taught and proud of that fact. I made jewelry for awhile, giving most of it away to my mom who was fighting breast cancer at the time. My mom passed away in September of 2007 following her 10 year battle. Following her passing, I lost my desire to do anything while I grieved this tremendous loss. I miss her everyday. I kept coming back to the fact that what was most important to my mom was that I was happy.

Her goal for me ultimately brought me back to my love of jewelry making and starting again has helped me through the healing process. I also realized that given my experience, I had a unique opportunity to not only do something that I loved, but to give back to others by contributing to a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I am currently contributing 75% of my sales of Pookie and Pierre jewelry to the Susan G. Komen foundation through my participation in the 3 Day Walk.

Little Mermaid Drop Earrings

(CLICK on above photo to learn more about these exquisite earrings!)

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

There are so many things I find enjoyable. Two primary reasons though. I find peace in weaving beads together. I often bead in silence as it gives me time to focus and think and let go of all of the outside stresses in my life. My day job is purely business so beading gives me the creative balance that I need. It has been extremely therapeutic for me to begin creating again. My second is my love of color and sparkle! I often dream of color and all of the various combinations I can make. Beading allows me to bring it all to life and ultimately share that joy with others.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your art/craft, what would you choose and why?

Let's just say fruit salad. Not sure why, but something about bringing all of the different colors, textures and flavors together is pretty similiar to the process I go through. Fun question!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?

I love to learn new techniques. If I had to pick one, I'd delve further into painting. For similiar reasons to beading, I love the peaceful aspect of it. I can get lost for hours in a painting. Its like a mini-vacation from life. It has given me a whole new appreciation for all of the brilliant artists out there that create such amazing work.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

My message I'd love to convey with my jewelry is to enjoy life! It is short and sometimes a little sparkle can add that extra joy that we sometimes miss in the day to day.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you love and you are ultimately responsible for your own happiness. Be confident in your creativity and don't be afraid to go out on a limb and try something new. Innovation will keep you fresh and will keep your creative juices going for a long time to come. I'd also say not to worry about what others think. Someone out there will love what you create more than you will ever know.

Beautiful work, great interview, Emily! It has been a real pleasure to see your gorgeous creations, and to learn a bit more about you. I'm sure your mom "knows" you are happy doing what you are doing! Keep on creating!

Visit the links below to see more of Emily's beautiful creations. Oh...I just learned that POOKIE AND PIERRE are Emily's two kittens!

TWITTER

WEB PAGE

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - NANSGLAM - Artisan Jewelry by Nancy Trujillo

Welcome, Nancy, and her Etsy shop NANSGLAM. I always ask the artist to send me a link to one of their favoriate items in their shop so that I can put it out here with their feature. I can see why the above bracelet is a favorite of Nancy's....WOW, it is so GORGEOUS! The colors, and texture, not to mention the beautiful leaf clasp. I'm happy Nancy agreed to share some of her thoughts and ideas with us regarding herself and her jewelry. After browsing through NANSGLAM, it would be very hard to find just one favorite, among all the elegant creations out there. Be sure to visit Nancy's shop and see for yourself!


What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I took a beading class at a local bead store and I was hooked! I now teach beading designs and techniques at that same store. It is so rewarding to be able to help fellow beaders learn new techniques and designs and to meet so many people with the same addiction as me!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

By taking so many different classes, I learned what materials and techniques I seemed drawn to. Along the way I also learned something about myself; I enjoy variety and seldom make more than one piece before I move onto something else. To give me that variety I crave for, I work with different metals, beads and gemstones. I never get bored that way. I still am a softy for the classic and romantic designs such as stringing pearls and will always create those pieces.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

When I get a special request to create or remake a piece of jewelry for a sentimental reason. A friend of mine asked me to re-string his two small puka shell necklaces into a bracelet and necklace that would fit him. He and his mother had got them when he was a child and his mother had recently passed away from cancer. When I showed him the two finished pieces, the look in his eyes was priceless; he said he would never take the bracelet off! That is very rewarding for me. I get special requests similar to the one I just explained quite a lot.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

That’s a hard one. I guess it would have to be an apple. Why? First because when you bite into them they are so refreshing and I hope that is what people feel when they see my jewelry. Second, there are so many different types and one can use them in so many different ways when cooking. You know what I like….variety!!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Restoring furniture. Is that a medium? I believe the older furniture was constructed very well and has such beauty. I love finding a piece that has been forgotten, that has that hidden potential, and perhaps adding vintage hardware and a new finish; in a sense giving it a new life!!

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

That it is wonderful to feel good about yourself. If I can create a piece of jewelry that helps someone feel good about themselves and their appearance when they put it on, then that pleases me very much.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Enjoy yourself. Don’t get frustrated if you are trying to earn a living with your creativity and can’t make ends meet. It can be slow and it takes a lot of work to get noticed when there are so many talented people out there using the internet, etc. Hang in there and don’t give up!

Great interview Nancy! How wonderful that you can take people's keepsakes and turn them into a lasting memory! What a good feeling that must be. Thanks again for taking the time to share!

FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - THE PRETTY PEACOCK

I throughly enjoyed my visit to The Pretty Peacock shop out on Etsy!! What lovely, unique pieces of jewelry she has. Do yourself a favor and be sure to pay a visit to THE PRETTY PEACOCK! Before you do, take the time to hear what Ana, has to say about her work, and what inspires her.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I consider jewelry a very personal thing. I know we all wear pieces that just happen to look nice with the outfit we are wearing, but I wanted to create jewelry designed to be worn everyday and carry special meaning. My creative outlet of stringing beads evolved into creating jewelry pieces from fine and sterling silver that had rich texture, a hint of sparkle and be adorned with names, dates, quips, quotes - anything that holds meaning to the wearer. I wanted to create pieces that were treasures.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

When I first started creating jewelry, I started with Swarovski crystals and an assortment of beads. I have A.D.D when it comes to my art, so I had to pick up a new skill. I came across precious metal clay (fine silver) and fell in love with it immediately. After a couple of classes and countless hours of practice, I can safely say it is my favorite medium to create with. I also enjoy working with sterling silver and copper - but the fine silver is so versatile and has that great organic feel to it, so I am automatically more drawn to it as a medium.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

The entire creative process is a necessary part of my life - it feeds the soul, right? So, I'd have to say that there isn't any particular point in the design to the execution of the piece that I find more enjoyable over the other. I can tell you, that since being on Etsy and having to claim my glorified hobby as a full-fledged small business, the paperwork and all the record keeping is the LEAST enjoyable part :) ! AMEN to that Ana...I couldn't agree with you more!

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

I'd have to say it's a multi-layer fruit - like a banana or tangerine. It has the outer, first glance part of it that just looks like a pretty piece of jewelry, and then you delve deeper and see that it carries a message - the 'meat' of the piece (the best part!!).

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Wow, hmmm, I really wish I could draw or paint, or both. It would be incredible to capture emotion like that.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

That jewelry can be more than just "pretty" - it can invoke emotion, start conversation, and most importantly, provide you with a tangible piece of a memory.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I think whenever you get an arena where you start selling your artwork, you very easily can be caught up in the "what sells?" mind-set rather than staying true to your own creativity. My advice would be to always stay true to your creativity. If you find someone emulating your designs, it's simply your opportunity to create something more intriguing. If you get in a rut, don't obsess - detach yourself, get some air, renew your spirit and move forward.

GREAT, thoughts, GREAT artistic jewelry! Thanks, Ana for sharing a little bit of yourself with all of us. I do believe you have accomplished what you want to achieve with your creations. Now don't forget....be sure to visit THE PRETTY PEACOCK by clicking on the links below.

THE PRETTY PEACOCK ON TRUNKT