Happy Labor Day Friends! Please enjoy 15% off anything in my shop until September 7th 2011! Enter code FRIEND15 at checkout for your special discount. ****Not valid on prior orders or with any other offer or ala carte items.
Happy Labor Day! {Special Discount} Kristen's Custom Creations
Happy Labor Day Friends! Please enjoy 15% off anything in my shop until September 7th 2011! Enter code FRIEND15 at checkout for your special discount. **
Exhibition - Andrea Williams Jewelry
We admire artists who are fully committed
to a personal conviction
to create socially and environmentally
responsible jewelry.
During the month of September,
Santa Fe, New Mexico is hosting
an exhibition of jewelry created by
Andrea Williams called "Stones."
She's an artist whose work
is devoted to creating jewelry
that does no harm
to the environment. Every aspect of her focus
is very eco-conscious
and her work focuses on the use of beach stones.
By using recycled/reclaimed
precious metals and lab-created gemstones
she makes the statement that she will not
participate in the industrial mining
of gems and metals from the earth.
Her process begins by collecting beach stones
found along the shoreline. Using 18k gold
and sterling silver she creates various kinds
of bezels, links and hinges. She completes
the process by etching the stones,
inlaying precious metals, and
sometimes setting Venetian glass
or gems into them.
These earrings are lighter than
one might imagine.
Her ideas are expressed on her website,
" . . . jewelry should not be worn as a status symbol,
but should instead bring us closer to the
earth that birthed the materials."
She honors the simple beauty
that nature produces and
enhances that simplicity
with a bit of elegance.
It's interesting to know her inspirations are
as simple as walking on the beach and studying
the details and patterns in the rocks.
Patina Gallery describes her work as,
"Using beach stones combined with silver and high karat gold, Williams creates works of jewelry practically crafted by Nature herself. By embellishing the stones with a very light touch, she allows the stones their own voice."
This exhibit will run from
September 2nd through September 25th.
For more information you can visit
the 'Stones' exhibit page at
You Capture: Peace
Is there anything more peaceful than a sunrise like this? There is something magical about the start of a new morning, kinda like a redo.
J.R. Watkins Lemon Cleaner
I always love when I can find a natural cleaner that smells really good and works really well at the same time. Target is now carrying J. R. Watkins Natural Products, which is fantastic if you ask me! I picked up their all purpose cleaner and it is my new favorite all purpose cleaner. I am one of those freaks that sprays down the kitchen counter and sink constantly and this stuff is fabulous. Have you tried it? The next time I am at Target I am going to see what other goodies J.R. Watkins has to offer.
Parchment Blossoms - Ulrike Hamm Jewelry
Trained as a goldsmith, Ulrike Hamm's skills
are well honed and meticulous.
However this artist doesn't work in gold or
any type of metal;
instead she works with parchment.
And her jewelry is elaborate, intriguing and delicate.
Parchment is a durable material
made from the skin of an animal
(usually goat, calf, sheep or deer)
and was commonly used as a
writing paper up until medieval times.
While not as common today, its strong
and elastic nature does lend
itself to exploration and many creative
possibilities - including jewelry
that is translucent and delicate.
The artist explains her point of view
and methods on her website,
Parchment is not a common material . . . it is a stubborn, mysterious, vivid, precious and unpredictable material that wants to be explored and conquered. Its inspirational appearance and characteristics allow me to constantly discover new aspects and possibilities . . . . I develop three-dimensional forms out of the flat surface and test different dyeing or printing techniques on it. I dye the pre-cut parts in various stages in a colour bath, and while they are still elastic I shape and assemble them into jewellery.
Her explorations of this material lead to jewelry
that, as the artist says, "reward us with a
vitality of colour, graceful shapes
and a resilient lightness."
It's easy to love her floral-themed bracelets
and earrings.
We've shown another artist who also works
with animal skin in experimental ways,
Marta Mattson and her work is equally
as intriguing.
The translucent quality of parchment
lends itself extremely well
to the delicacy and softness of
these handmade blossoms.
This one is a definite favorite of mine.
Unusual materials handled in unexpected ways
lead to exquisite pieces of jewelry
that can take one's breath away.
This artist creates floral pieces
with subtle colorations
and lifelike realism.
More information is available
Hand Stamped Vintage Baby's First Spoon
New in the shop! A Hand Stamped Vintage Baby's First Spoon.What a unique gift for a new baby! A perfect keepsake for a new baby yet can be used every day! This spoon is a vintage spoon that has been transformed into a treasured keepsake. This spoon will be custom stamped with up to 8 lowercase letters.
Please note that your exact spoon may be different than the one pictured. Since this is a vintage spoon that has had years of use it will have evidence of prior use and age such as surface scratching and some will show signs of tarnishing since many are silver plated.
Please leave your customization in the note to seller section at check out and allow 1-2 weeks for creation of your customized spoon.
If you had an extra hour...
If you had an extra hour in the day what would you do with it?
Right now I am reading The Help and would use that hour to read. I know I am the last woman on earth to read it. Did you read it?