Sorry but MikiCat Designs has been closed for some time now and it is unknown if we will ever open again. I am still in possession of tools, designer gems, some silver and a lot of other items that I wouldn't mind selling. If you're interested, I'll try to compile a list of what I have and post it here.

It's been a real rough few years for me. Lost my job, lost my house, lost my savings. And then I just lost it. LOL Still, we do what we can. 

If you're in the south Florida area, around North Broward and are feeling generous, I could use some help with getting the storage room that now contains my entire jewelry studio, organized, photo'd and sold. I'm even offering to go 60/40 if you can help. I'm still disabled and it's hard for me to spend the time needed bending, lifting, moving, going through everything, photographing and finally putting it all back where it can easily be found should I need to take some things to the post office.

Any help, for however long will be appreciated. If you're interested, contact me. You won't have to do it all alone. My roommate will help too.

I haven't written in way too long. Many things have happened the year, most not happy ones. My cat of 14 years, Chaplin, passed away. He was a ragamuffin who joined my household in 1997 and brought joy with his funny face, quiet demeanor and love of belly rubs. That was in December 2011.

In February 2012, a new kitty joined us. Jacksie, named in honor of Jackson Pollock because she looks like she ran through his studio and he decided to paint her, was a joy to have around. However, our older cat, Furby, didn't quite take to her as I'd like. Even though she really loved him and tried to get his attention all the time.
Furby was and always had been, a mama's boy. He was my cat. Make no bones about it. He spent most of his time, playing and cuddling with me. Met me at the door when I came home, jumped into my arms often and loved laying me butting his head into me for kisses and scratches. After an all too brief 12 years, barely, He passed in April of this year. I starter to write this then, but I just couldn't bring myself to write. He was such a close part of my life that his loss hit me very hard. Both Furby and Chaplin were my heart and soul, respectively.

Jacksie is now my soul, cute, adorable, fun and getting more affectionate daily. She was very upset when Furby passed away. She stopped eating as much, lost weight and was a bit droopy around the house. Eventually she got past it but did not revive to the kitty she was before. It wonky recently that she's become the rambunctious, playful feline she was when we first met. For that, I can only credit the newest member of our household.

Gizmo came home with me a couple of weeks ago. He's a 14 week old kitting that has stolen my heart. Cuddly, affectionate, gorgeous and mischievous, he has brought both Jacksie and myself to life again. So now I have my heart and my soul back again. Life is good.

It's been a slow, but steady summer for me. I've been working on cleaning up the code on my website, doing a lot of sketching, and learning about making jewelry through trial and error. I've had a number of custom orders, but spent the majority of my time reading forums, tutorials and learning, learning, learning by making a number of mistakes. Most of what I worked on hit the trash can. But here are a few of my favorite things from this summer.

I call these Copper Domed Petal Earrings and I had a blast making these though they took awhile. Yes, I could have bought the blanks pre-made but this is me working full fabrication, forged from start to finish. With a number of discs thrown into the recycle pile. (sigh) Still, now that I know what I did wrong, I’m ready to make some more of these... in different sizes? maybe even mixing copper and silver? Stamped? Patina’d? Suggestions?




I wanted something turquoise to wear and these Swarovski crystal columns have been sitting in my stash for way too long. Feeling lonely. Unwanted. Unloved. Poor Swaros. This is really stunning and looks so much better in person than in the photo. his necklace looks so much better than I can photograph. I used beautiful, puffed rectangle and oval rectangle beads of dyed, stabilized turquoise, in a vibrant blue very close to the color of real Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, but at a much lower price. The beads together with stunning Swarovski Crystal AB columns, rounds and Indicolite bicones connect to a sterling silver chain with lobster claw clasp and create a simple, yet elegant necklace for an evening out.



By far my favorite, and hardest project, it took me several days to finish this one. I have no idea what the stone is as it came in a lot of mixed cabs. It's a beautiful blue, with white spaces and tan colored veins. I wanted to do something to complement it's petite pear shape so after forming the bezel, I made a leaf out of Argentium wire. I then soldered the bezel to the inside of the leaf and used sterling silver half round from my stock to create the shank. I did need some advice how to properly solder the shank to the leaf so asked my resources over at Orchid. One reason it took so long. But it came out great and now I’m working on a series of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces to complement this one.



So for me, it's been an interesting summer. Slow, but a lot of fun. I'm still working on the website, cleaning up code, changing over to my new logo, fixing it up and trying to make it better. But the time I spend learning and writing code for the pages, takes up the time I'd rather be in the studio, making mistakes and also making some beautiful jewelry.

Well, they say the road to hell is paved with them. I guess I'm just as guilty of procrastinating as anyone else. But 5 months? Really, I'm a bad girl. :) I haven't been making much jewelry and I haven't been spending much time writing here either. What I have been doing is living life. Taking trips with friends and spending time with those I care about. Things are changing around me and I've never been much of a writer to begin with. I keep saying I'll try to write something, anything, at least once a week, but then life happens and I forget. It's just not that important to me that I put pen to paper and tell strangers about the trivialities of my days. Perhaps if I had more knowledge to share. But I'm still accumulating it myself.

Jacksie (5 mo) February 2012

Okay, What have I been doing since December of last year? I went to Disney in January, got a gorgeous new kitten in February, helped a friend through the death of her husband of 32 years, went to Naples, FL in March, went on a 2 week trans-Atlantic Cruise to Europe in April (I saw Paris in springtime and it was beautiful!!!), went back to Disney for the Flower & Garden Show in May and here we are. I've had acupuncture, which miraculously cured the excruciating pain of sciatica which had me unable to walk for the better part of 3 months. And I say miraculously because I thought nothing would help but this did and the pain is still gone. Lost a very close friend who said some hurtful things to me and never called back, found that I still have friends who love me and the hits just keep on coming. I'm working on joining up with one of my best friends, Shelley, from Tortoise Treasures, and if things work out well, sometime over the summer I will move up to the Delray/Boynton/Lantana area and move my studio as well. You'll be able to find me at a real brick & mortar location as I'll be MikiCat Designs at Tortoise Treasures Emporium. Fancy, aint it? LOL

Funny, just today I told a dear friend of mine on Facebook, one who has a heart condition and has others telling her all the time not to do the things she loves to do because of the danger, that "Your life is only as good as you choose to live it. Immerse yourself in those choices and never look back." I guess it's what 58+ years of living on this earth is trying to teach me. It's possible I may finally have an inkling of what that really means after all these years.

So for now, I guess 4 paragraphs is enough to cover the last 5 months... at least sketchily. Perhaps I'll write more later about the wonderful Celebrity Eclipse cruise (it was AWESOME), our weekend in London (cold, rainy but great) and getting to see Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees at Epcot (too cool)! Then again, perhaps I'll be too busy living life to write about it.

Later, friends.

Michele

It's a new year, and once again I am making a new resolution. It's been awhile since I wrote and from my last post you can imagine why. This year, let's see if I can actually do something more constructive, if only for myself. So, as I've said before, I'm going to try to post a few times a month instead of a few times a year. :) Let's begin with Inspiration. Always a good starting place for artists and dreamers.

As most designers, I sometimes lose my focus and become uninspired. Then the urge hits me and I feel the need to start creating something. Anything. Lately I've gone back to crochet. I've always loved yarn and for quite some time my fingers have been itching to hold a hook again. So, jewelry, crochet, whatever it is we do, we need inspiration. Especially when it comes to color. There are so many out there to choose from, blues, green, reds, well, a regular rainbow. But sometimes, just sometimes, I get lost among all the choices.

Enter Design Seeds. With a keen eye and and a stroke of genius, Jessica has created not only a source of inspiration but one of renewed passion. Taking photos from everywhere she pulls trendy and focused color palettes that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Take a closeup of a shell and a wonderful palette emerges reminiscent of the sea. A bowl of cereal evokes
elegant hues of yellow, gray, brown and mauve. A lollipop shows how red, blue, lilac and yellow can actually work with each other and vegetables are good for more than just the health of your body but your soul with the warm, vibrant tones of the earth.

Whether you make jewelry, crochet, knit, sew, paint, or sculpt, do mosaics, ceramics, interior design or even garden, here is a source of imagination that should well stimulate your thoughts, awaken your creativity and, at the least, spark a little light into your artistry.

Happy New Year and keep creating!

I know this is supposed to be a blog by someone who makes jewelry but I also have a personal life and it has interfered with my intentions the past few weeks. This past weekend was not a very happy Father's Day for me. You see, early Sunday morning, my Dad, Leon H. Maurer, passed away.

When I saw him last, he seemed happy and on his way to a full recovery from the bypass surgery. I guess it wasn't meant to be but at almost 87, he had a pretty good run. He was always talking about creating a family business and he loved the fact that I followed him in being the artistic one in the family. A veteran of WWII, in his own words, Dad was a Philosopher, Scientist, Artist, Writer, Engineer, Inventor, Animator, Producer, Director, Musician, Consciousness researcher, Generalist, (Jack of all trades, master of one, having fun). The last was definitely most true. He did know how to have fun.

He invented the Musicane, propounded the theory of Cosmogenisis, and, together with his brother, Normal Maurer (comic book artist, film director, son-in-law of Moe Howard of the Three Stooges), co-invented Artiscope, a “full animation-by-automation” system (per Leon’s resume, “Realistic character animation without artists – world’s first practical “real-time motion capture” system”). They also worked together on developing Cinemagic which my uncle used in the 1959 production of "The Angry Red Planet." Dad was a very talented person and quite handsome, if I do say so myself.

A New York City resident and Central Park character for years, he moved to Florida about 6 years ago. Though we were never really very close, I learned a lot from my Dad and I'm glad I had the chance to know him a little better and spend time with him these last years. I am going to miss him, in my own way.

Funny, as much as we seem we're prepared to lose an elderly parent, even one we didn't know very well, it's still strikes deep and it's hard to say goodbye. I'm having a bit of a hard time with it but am very, very grateful to have two brothers, whom I love very much, to share this loss with. We loved him. Each in our own way. And he loved us. Of that I'm very sure. So wherever you are, Pops, RIP!

I know I promised to write at least once a week but with my Dad in the hospital, he's gotten worse, I just haven't given much thought to it. Today, however, I'm home and can't visit Dad because I have a killer cough and they won't let me into ICU. He just had a stent put in and tomorrow goes in for triple bypass surgery so we take no chances with even the slightest possibility of his catching something from me. While I'm sitting here, twiddling my thumbs and toes and coughing, I thought I'd tell you about a few things.

New friends can be found in the strangest places. While standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for your coffee at Starbucks, getting your nails done or bringing in some shirts to the Cleaners. Well, there I am, sitting in the Surgical/ICU waiting room earlier this week, with one of my best friends, Deb, waiting for Pops to come back from a "procedure" so I can brush his hair and get it into a comfortable pony tail. Yup, my old man's a hippie from way back when and his hair is past his shoulders. LOL But that's another story.

Anyway, while sitting around, naturally we start talking to each other and to the other people in the waiting room. It turns out that one of the women sitting there is a fellow beader and jewelry maker. But wait, she also lives in the condo complex right next to my development! Talk about your small world. What's more, she has an Etsy shop, ElegantNFunky, and is a member of the Florida Etsy Street Team. So how come I have to go to a hospital waiting room to meet someone I should have met awhile ago? Well, it really is a big, small world, and we make it larger by not reaching out when we get the chance.

I've been making jewelry for 3 years now, been a member of FEST for almost as long and should have known that some of my fellow FEST members may just live nearby. So, I urge you to go check out who's really in your local guild, whether you make jewelry, sew clothes, crochet, knit, craft, paint or sculpt, really look around at the members and see who just might be your neighbor.

As I said, friends can be found in the strangest places, but only if you really look.

Okay, I promised last week that I'd try to write something on the blog at least once a week. Problem is, I just don't really have a lot to say. Alright, that's not strictly true. Just ask any one of my friends and they'll tell you sometimes the problem is that I don't shut up. But writing is a completely different animal. Especially when you know it has the potential to be read by the World! That's world with a Capital W meaning, anyone, everyone, anywhere.

Well, let's see what happened this week. Some of my jewelry got listed on two, yes two, collections over at Artfire this week. One named Beautiful Byzantine and one called Beautiful Turquoise Handmade Jewelry. It's hard to say which piece of mine chosen I like better. The bracelet in the Byzantine collection I wear often. I've also made and sold a couple so it's certainly one of my favorites. On the other hand, The bracelet included in the Turquoise collection I've designated as my signature piece since I first started making jewelry. I've sold it in it's original Turquoise color, and also in Picture Jasper with Swarovski light amber crystals and 14K gold filled jump rings and with Carnelian, a beautiful red stone with Swarovski copper colored crystals and copper jump rings. It's just such a fun bracelet to make and looks fabulous when you wear it.

Another thing that happened this week was that Saturday my Dad had a mini-stroke and lost the hearing in his right ear. So now he's in the hospital and, at 86, has to decide if he's willing to go through an operation to clear his arteries or whatever it is they do. Yeah, I'm a bit worried, so I may not have much to report next week. Except, hopefully, good news. He's still a man in great humor and the only thing he really wishes is that he had a computer to use at the hospital. My old man is a techy at heart which proves you can teach an old dog new tricks. :) Prayers and well wishes accepted.

Lastly, another pair of my earrings was featured in another Etsy treasury, not your grandmother's pearls....... LOL, hey, I didn't come up with the Treasury name so don't blame me. But it's true though, these are NOT your grandmother's pearls. I just gotta say that my fellow artists and artisans at the Florida Etsy Street Team ROCK!!

I'm off to the hospital tomorrow to see Dad so I'll log off for now. At least I kept my promise and wrote something even if it's something about nothing.

They say it's lonely at the top, but you know, it's just as lonely at the bottom. Maybe more so. I've been on the bottom for awhile now and it's one of the reasons I haven't posted here on the blog. So, I'm going to climb the ladder and try something new. Once a week I'm going to talk about jewelry or crafting or art or, well, anything inspirational that comes to mind.

This being May, I decided to create a Treasury over at Etsy. It's called Florida Flower Power and it is a selection of some of the prettiest, flower inspired works from my fellow teammates at the Florida Etsy Street Team or Team Fest as we fondly call it.

Some of these people are artists, jewelry designers, beaders, sewers, crafters and much, much more. They are talented, creative people who just happen to live in Florida and have inspired me. None of my own work is in this Treasury. But I hope you'll hop on over there and take a little time to stop and smell the flowers. I have.

What frustrates me most about maintaining a website is my lack of control over the host server. Over the past couple of years, MikiCatdesigns.com was hosted by a server that, well, let's just say it wasn't/isn't the most stable server in town. In fact, I don't think they're even in town which is another reason I'm upset. I prefer to keep my business here in the States including support. Whatever, I finally got fed up enough to switch hosts.

One week later and my website is still down, the old host still hasn't done what they need to transfer my domain and now I can't even get any email! ARGH! So, if you need to reach me for any reason, you'll just have to send a message through my Artfire Studio or Etsy Shop.

The trials and tribulations of website maintenance are ubiquitous so I won't bore you with mine. Suffice to say I'm offering a special, unprecedented 30% OFF every item, except sale items, in both my shops!!! Just convo or write the word WEBWOES in your comments at checkout and I will refund 30% of your purchase!

Happy Holidays everyone. Hope yours is running smoother than mine! LOL

... that you can't or rather shouldn't refuse. If you're an artist, photographer, designer, crafter or anyone who creates handmade/handcrafted items for sale, do yourself a favor and run, don't walk, to become an Artfire Pro member at http://www.artfire.com/groupdeal.

ArtFire is offering a limited number of people the chance to lock in a never-before-seen $5.95/month rate. In order for them to offer you this deal they need at least 20,000 members, including me, to opt-in for the exclusive $5.95 rate. Don’t miss your chance to lock in the best deal in e-commerce. Once this deal is over, it’s not coming back.

With Artfire, There are no hidden fees.
There is no contract.
There are no games.
There are just millions of shoppers.
They connect you with them.

And when you're done setting up your shop and/or signing in for this offer, even if you're an existing Artfire Pro member, check out our Artfire Studio at http://mikicatdesigns.artfire.com.

"That's not my style."

How many times have you heard that from others or said it yourself? But personal "style", just like our taste buds, change constantly. There was a rule at our dinner table when I was growing up... "You don't have to eat but you must taste." It didn't matter if we'd had that particular food before and decided we didn't like it. My mom insisted that our tastes would change as we grew older. Things we liked, might not have the same appeal when we got older and things we thought absolutely disgusting at 15 would become our favorite foods at 25. She was right. I love raw clams, oysters and broccoli. Three foods that had made me gag every time.

When we're young, we're encouraged to try many different things. To stretch our imaginations, try out different philosophies, foods, and looks. We're told we can be anything we want to be if we just try. My mom also used to say "You may be the greatest piccolo player in the world, but you'll never know unless you try the piccolo." Wise woman. So, I tried. Well, I didn't try the piccolo, but I expanded my horizons by tasting foods I never tried before, trying on a piece of clothing before dismissing it as 'not me' and even revisiting old styles and things I'd never liked because she was right. My tastes changed as I grew and the years went by.

Well, I'm no young woman anymore but does that mean I have to stop trying new things, tasting new and old foods or dismissing a look because I don't think it's me? Nope. The day I stop trying new things will be the day they can plant me 6 feet under. Well, I'd rather be cremated but that's neither here nor there. What I am trying to say is that while almost everything I make is something I love to wear, they're not always "my style". Which is why a lot of my jewelry is on the eclectic side. One day I'll like chainmaille, the other wire wrapping and the next beading. So I play with them all. However, if I ever do find a set style in my art, I'll probably force myself to change it because I don't want to get in a rut.

Most of the jewelry for sale on Artfire, Etsy and my website, are pieces I loved making. But I'm expanding my horizons daily. Right now I'm getting into metalsmithing, though I've nothing finished to show or that I want to sell... yet. I'm still learning and trying new (to me) techniques and tools, having a blast and realizing that my style is every growing, evolving and changing.

There's no law out there that says everyone can have only one "style" for the rest of their lives. We can change our hair, our clothes and even our eye color and beautiful one of a kind jewelry is the greatest way to say "We are unique!" So challenge yourself and think out of the box. Try something new, different and unpredictable. Buy a new perfume, try a new food, wear a different type of shoe... and let your jewelry be as spontaneous and unique as you are!

Miki

I've been spending the last few weeks diligently working on redesigning my studio space to fit in the new jeweler's bench I recently purchased. But with my bad back, it's been a slow process. I have to thank, publicly, my new friend, Deborah, who I met through the Yahoo Group, FloridaBeaders. This woman has generously encouraged, cajoled, scolded and pushed me to get this work done. She has unstintingly given of her time to help me physically as well as mentally and emotionally move the garbage and clutter from my home and mind.

You expect this kind of aid from someone you've known for years, or a family member. But for it to come from a woman who was a complete stranger to me less than 3 months ago... well, it touches me and makes my heart swing wide open. Yes, I agreed to teach her what little I know of silver smithing, as I'm just a beginner myself, but it seems so inadequate. So, how do I thank this open hearted person? How do I repay her for the unselfish things she's already done and is still doing? Indeed I want to make her something really special, but how do you show someone how much you appreciate the help they've given you, asking for nothing in return?

I've been living in South Florida for over 30 years now. So, I guess many would consider me a native. I mean, after 30 years, if you're not a native, what are you? But I was born and bred in New York and they do say you can take the girl out of NY but you can't take the NY out of the girl. To this day, I really have no idea what that means.

Anyway, so why I am writing tonight? Good question. I'm trying something different with the blog., Writing not just about my adventures in jewelery design but about me. Along the last years exploration into the mysterious world of jewelery design I learned a lot about the craft; wire wrapping, stringing, beading stitches, the difference between Czech crystals and Swarovskis, how to pierce, saw, and solder silver and other metals, how to make plain jump rings into incredible fabric like works of art and more. But the most important things I learned were about myself.

I learned that I hate to do small beading projects but can sit for hours opening and closing tiny jump rings to make a ring, bracelet, earrings or necklace. I learned I love metal fabrication. Actually taking metal, sawing, piercing, cutting and soldering it into something beautiful. I learned that I love to teach!! And I'm good at it! Even though I am far from being an expert, apparently I have a gift for being able to show others what I've learned and I love sharing my knowledge. It gives me a thrill to hear that.

I've spent the last few weeks in depression because I'm out of work again. But thanks to a few really good friends, one in particular (thanks Deb!), I'm getting over myself and back into doing what I love to do... make jewelry. Slowly we're getting the studio cleaned up and rearranged to make room for a new jeweler's bench where I can comfortably do more with fire and, if I'm real lucky, take on a student to teach what I've learned and hope they won't make the same mistakes as I have. I've learned so much from the professional and amateurs on Orchid Forum at Ganoskin, a lot of it over my head, but much of it very informative that only makes me want to learn more and more and more.

I think the day I stop learning, is the day I will put all my tools down and do no more. But I think that's a very long, long way off. What I'm trying to say is I am a work in progress. As is my jewelry, my blog, my FB pages, my website, my Etsy store and Artfire Studio. I hit high spots where I work like a fiend, and low spots where I don't go near the computer for weeks.

But now I would really like to hear back from people who have gone through these same sort of growing pains. Regardless of your hobby, avocation, passion, craft or job, what do you do to get our of bed in the morning and get working on something you love. You'd think it would be easy, but hey, they don't call me a Master Procrastinator for nothing! What about you!?

It's my birthday later this month. Happy Birthday, Me! To celebrate, my gift to all of you is 20% off all regular priced items in my Artfire Studio. Just use the code MM2010 at checkout.

Okay, so I've heard from some Etsy buyers that they feel left out. Well, I do have more inventory in my Artfire Studio than in my Etsy Store but... it is my birthday and I did promise to give out some presents, so, send MM2010 in your comment at checkout and get 20% off all regular priced items, refunded through Paypal.

Oy, now I'm hearing from those of you who want to shop at my Web Store. I'm not sure what to do for you guys. I haven't updated the site since the holidays. Still working on a new look but it's taking much, much longer than I anticipated and frankly, I just don't like the old one so don't want to put a lot of effort into it. Hmmm, lemme think, ooooo, got it. Should you want to purchase directly from the MikiCat Designs Web Store use coupon code MM2010 (yup, same one) and you can get 20% off too.

Now, one more thing, wish me a Happy Birthday at checkout at ArtfireEtsy or the Web Store and receive a free surprise gift with your purchase. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is, it's a surprise! :) Silly.

The discount does not apply to already reduced items, gift certificates, shipping or tax.

Okay, I've been MIA for awhile now but working a full time job takes a lot out of me. That job is over and for now, have some free time to work on the jewelry, website and blog again.

I'm currently considering a number of new designs and waiting for the photos of the jewelry I made for my niece's wedding in late January. She looked so pretty! And I was very, very happy how the pieces came out for her and her sisters.

Here's one photo of all three together.

Aren't they beautiful? All of them are gorgeous and the bride was stunning. I'm such a lucky Auntie! The Bridemaids' jewelry was a perfect match to their dresses and made from sterling silver and Swarovski crystals in Peridot and Erinite. The Bride's jewelry was made from sterling silver and Swarovski Pearls and Crystals.

For now, I'm out of work again but looking and hoping to get lucky. While it will take away from my jewelry time, I need the paycheck! In the meantime, stay tuned to find out about our up and coming March Madness.

Miki

It's been a busy holiday and New Year for me. Part of why I haven't written anything is because I have a day job. And I spend most of the day on the computer. When I come home, the last thing I want to do is spend more time online. So I've been neglecting you guys. So sorry.

I've been working hard on making jewelry for my niece's wedding which is this coming Sunday. I'm still not finished and I promise I'll get some pictures posted as soon as they're done. But it's not easy with a full time job and bad back. I need to start making time to create more.

I did sell one of my favorite earrings, Gypsy Bubbles, and for half-price! If you want to grab a pair for yourself, you can find them on both Artfire and Etsy and they will stay on sale at least until the end of January. After that, they will probably go up a the price of silver rises.

But for now, I'm finishing up the wedding pieces, working every day for the paycheck, getting together with friends and enjoying the unseasonably cold South Florida winter. I can't believe it's sooooo cold. Just as long as it doesn't last too long, it's okay by me. Still can't wait for those balmy days of 78 again! I hear they're a comin'. So come on down. I'll hold on to some sunshine for you.

As a member of the Handmade Artist Forum every week we try to spread the love. One shop is randomly picked for each day of the week and then we try to promote them and their stores everyday.

Our Etsy shop has been chosen for Sunday, November 15th. Since that is the day that my eldest niece, Diana, is having her Bridal Shower, I will have a one day only, 20% off EVERYTHING sale! Make your purchase on the 15th, write DIANA'S BRIDAL SHOWER in a comment at checkout and I will refund you 20% of your purchase price. I hate to say this but, sale items included! ACK! I know, I'm crazy. But my niece is getting married and it's almost ChristmaHannuKwanzakah so it's really 20% off everything.

To honor the others that have been chosen for this week's Spread The Love, I have picked an item out of each store that I like and I urge you to check them out...

Monday, November 9, Ambient Girl Supplies

Tuesday, November 10, Snips & Snails


Wednesday, November 11, Jewelry by Judy


Thursday, November 12, Bread & Circuses



Friday, November 13, Bizee Bee Creations


Saturday, November 14, Lasuz Creations


And of course, Sunday will be my day. I'll let you pick out your favorites now! So go Spread the Love!!!

By: Wendy Moyer

Most women love handcrafted jewelry because it can adorn and enhance any outfit. By its very nature handcrafted jewelry is very individual, colorful and creative.

Why wear what everybody else is wearing when wearing handcrafted jewelry will shout out your individuality? Simple clothing contrasted with an outstanding piece of unique handcrafted jewelry is a fashion statement that will express your individuality.

And, if you purchase designer made handcrafted jewelry you can add exclusivity into that mix. If it's designed for you, handcrafted creations can make you feel very special.

Imagine wearing a work of art that was created especially for you. Jewelry, which, if you put a picture frame around it and hung it on the wall people would gaze upon - as if it belonged in a museum.

Designer Handcrafted Jewelry

If you want to buy handcrafted jewelry that matches your personality and stands out from the crowd then it could be more expensive than what you would buy at most craft fairs.

Part of the cost of your jewelry will be reflected in your choice of metals. The percentage of precious metals used in the design affects the price of the piece.

Inexpensive jewelry is often mass manufactured and made with man-made stones whereas finer jewelry uses the choicest of materials including natural gems. If you choose gemstones to adorn your necklaces, rings or bracelets, their size, cut and quality will have a dramatic effect on the price.

What you're getting with a truly custom designed piece of jewelry is often a unique, one of a kind design that reflects the conceptualization and the skill of the handcrafted jewelry that made the piece. And as with any other work of art, the reputation and skill of the designer/handcrafter will also influence the price.

The Handcrafted Jewelry Creator

Many of the most creative handcrafted jewelers have, over the course of time, learned how to temper their passion with patience. They are champions of an old world artisan's approach to their craft.

They've learned that it can take time to visualize and create beautiful pieces of handcrafted jewelry. A handcrafted jeweler's work of art is a true reflection of their artistic thoughts. Perhaps even more important, their creations reflect their feelings.

If you aspire to create visions of beauty, you also must be patient while the design and fabrication process unfolds - however long it takes. And you must be passionate about your need to create moving visions of handcrafted jewelry that are expressions of your soul.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author

To find out more about handcrafted jewelry go to http://www.CrystalBeadShop.com

Wendy Moyer is a professional writer.

(Editor: Let me add my own words to this wonderful article. Not all "custom" jewelry has to be expensive. Many pieces already created by a jewelry artisan can be customized for you simply by choosing different colors or metals. Don't be afraid to ask. Yes, the choice of metals will affect the overall cost. Gold is more expensive than silver, but copper is less expensive than Niobium. It's all a matter of taste... your taste.

Make a piece your own by changing it slightly or dramatically or having a complete new design made just for you. It never hurts to ask if you can get what you at a price you want to pay.)

This month I want to share with you two wonderful Handmade Artisans who define the term.

First up is Tiffany Brotherton. A graduate in Fine Arts from Missouri State University, she got hooked after taking a class by Sarah Perkins, a wonderful designer in her own right. Tiffany is a tool junkie and tends to be inspired by natural forms, flower and plants. "...they are a never ending source of fascination for me." she says. Her jewelry tends to be very sculptural and distinct as wearable art as you can see in her shop, Zoebe, on Artfire .

She advises new designers to experiment with their work and more importantly, document all your steps in notebooks "...so that you can remake something exactly rather than making it from memory."

Tiffany and her fiancé live in a house full of animals including 2 dog and 4 cats ranging in age from 3 months to 20 years. She says they really love the furry ones.

Tiffany is offering free shipping from now through Novemver 30th and a 10% discount for anyone who reads this blog. Just enter coupon code: MIKIBLOG at checkout.



Our next artisan is Marcella Hogg who creates adorable clothes and accessories for babies. I can't wait until I'm a graunty and hope she's still making them when that time comes. Marcella got into her addiction when her daughter turned 3 this past March. She started making tutus and selling them on Craigslist. Wiser heads advised her to go to Etsy and The Little Ballerina was born.

The rest, as they say, is history and it's still being made. From tutus to clippies to beautiful boy T's, you can see her high quality and loving detail in every stitch. Her inspiration are her children. Three of them all under the age of 3! As expected, she doesn't have as much spare time as she'd like. It usually consists of naptime and nighttime which is when she can get her bows and tutus done in relative peace and quiet.

Marcella suggests that new businesses starting out need to do a lot of promoting. "It took me awhile to get some sales, about a month for my first one." With 3 young children I wonder where she finds time to promote, let alone make all those adorable items. For now, let's hope she continues and even expands her craft. A very talented, and tired woman, mention this blog at checkout, and Marcella will give you 10% off any purchase from her shop!