Monday, September 30, 2013

Artist Spotlight - Introducing Laura from PLANETDIGS2.

Welcome to our first edition of Artist Spotlight - The newest feature to our blog!  Here we will highlight fellow Etsy artists and give them an opportunity to share how they got their start, their successes, and the challenges that they face.  If you would like to be considered for this column or if you would like to recommend someone, please let either myself or Zoica know via Etsy convo. 
 
Our first Artist Spotlight focuses on to Laura from PLANETDIGS2.
Abalone spike LONG Boho Tribal Necklace
Laura, Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business:
I was a high school science teacher and recently had to retire due to health issues. I have degrees in Geology and other areas of science.  While in college I took many art classes including  pottery, drawing, and architecture. I use my art background and my knowledge of rocks and minerals when making my jewelry. Earth's history and its makeup is my passion. I draw inspiration from nature, organic and inorganic. I add that passion, my love of the earth and I blend it with my gypsy spirit. Those are the elements that culminate in to the thought process behind PLANETDIGS2.

Unique, LargePyrite Slab Necklace on Gunmetal Chain
Where do you get your inspiration?
I've always been creative. I started painting in oil and then acrylics when I was a child. Jewelry has been a weakness of mine, both buying jewelry and designing. 



This necklace was made of with an old "hippie" clay star, circa 1950's or earlier and a civil war skeleton key. Laura added star charms in solid brass, large beads of lapis-pyrite and spikes prehnite. It is a bold, very boho look.

How did you get your start?
In the 1980's, I started PLANETDIGS in my home making jewelry for family and friends, as well as myself.  A few years ago my home burned down and all was lost including my jewelry making supplies. Once resettled, I began to accumulate more jewelry supplies and in my spare time began to make jewelry again. Now that I am home, jewelry making has become a bigger part of my life. Friends encouraged me to open my Etsy shop, PLANETDIGS2. I offer handmade jewelry that has mixed metals, leather, natural gems, pearls and other medium. I'm always looking for new material to incorporate. I also offer hand painted cards in my shop and soon gift tags.

I also love interior decorating. My home is truly my haven. I love to help family and friends with their decorating endeavors.  I enjoy " fleamarketing " and estate sales; Thus the opening of my second shop on Etsy VINTAGEARTIFACTS2, I offer vintage jewelry, old books, patterns, etc.



What has been your biggest successful moment so far?
My "biggest" success has to be when buyers tell me they love my handmade jewelry.  How cool is that?!!! Knowing that someone in Germany, Canada, or somewhere in the USA is wearing my creation is so exciting to me.

 
What challenges do you face selling online?
The biggest challenge to online selling is getting noticed. Jewelry is a very competitive field. So, how do you get shoppers to choose your product over a competitor? Networking, joining teams, curating treasuries and hoping that people reciprocate. That is not always the case: however, since I don’t have control over that, I work with what I can. Also, by offering a wide variety of prices and a variety of items, you can widen your appeal to potential buyers.




Gypsy like for sure

Thank you Laura for sharing your shop and your background with us!

Well that about does it for this edition of our Artist Spotlight.  Don't forget you can recommend yourself or a friend for our next issue.  Just convo me or Zoica.  We'll let you know if you were chosen.

Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time...
 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Friday Finds- Home Sweet Home

This week's Fridays Finds has a close to heart theme:"Home Sweet Home". Here are our two pics:

Andrea Radu from FunkyBoxStudio
Her treasury:  'There's no place like home'
 
There's No Place Like Home Pillow FREE SHIPPING - KatieScarlettCo
In This Home We Love - Stairs Decal - ScriptumInMuris
Home Is Wherever I'm With You, Travel, Rustic Art, Wall Phrases - GrizzlyCustomSteel
Home Sweet Home Wall Decal - Phrase Decal - Large - StephenEdwardGraphic
Housewarming gift ... home sweet home ...Three handmade decorative polymer clay pears ... 3 Word Pears, white - SkyeArt
Simple minimalist clock modern black white typography kitchen living room housewarming hostess home decor wall decor wall art autumn fall - ArtisEverything
Pretty Landscape photo,  bench photo, pink tulip, art  print, wooden bench, peaceful, serenity, peach, bright, home decor, cottage, artwork - semisweetstudios
Bright Pink Fluffy Flower, home decor, centerpiece - ffflowers
Crocheted Baskets, lime green white yellow, set of 2 storage baskets, two nesting bowls organizer, bright green home decor - MaryFosterCreative
Crochet Face Scrubbies Bright Green Reusable Cotton Rounds Set of 5 - MADE TO ORDER, Bathroom Home - MyHobbyShop
Needle Wool Felted 20 Red Toadstools Mushrooms -Home Decor - FeltVille
If You Lived Here, I'd Be Home Now. Vintage hand stamped spoons for long distance loves. - MilkandHoneyLuxuries
CLOUD & RAINDROPS MOBILE White Rain Cloud Bright Colour Rain drops - Baby Shower Baby Nursery Kids Bedroom Home Decor - Claireoncloud9
Beaded Fiesta Coasters // Whimsical Home Decor // Pair of Bright Color Coasters // Fringed Decor - peggytrue
Ceramic wall art Flying ducks Set of three bright scarlet red flying ducks Modern retro artwork for bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces - PrinceDesignUK
Beautiful Me - 16x20 Fine Art Flower Photography Print - Feminine Bright Soft Floral Home Decor Photo - KatieLloydPhoto
                   Laura from PLANETDIGS2
Her treasury is named "HOMESTEAD"

MANY THINGS CAN MAKE A HOUSE A HOME, A REFUGE. MY BEST ADVISE, SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THINGS THAT YOU LOVE. DOING THAT, WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE EVERY DAY.


Fall Door Wreath � Berries and Maple Leaves � Berry Wreath - SimpleJoysofLife
Cream Enamel Coffee Pot, Rustic Home Decor, Vintage Coffee Pot - TheHayLoftAntiques
Industrial Edison Bulb Lamp - Chandelier -  Steampunk Furniture - Industrial Lighting - newwineoldbottles
Rustic Cast Iron Flower Drawer Pull - Psychedelphia
Kitchen Island, Kitchen Buffet, Rustic Reclaimed wood Kitchen Island,  Rustic Bar - SouthernBarnDesigns
Custom Made Rustic Planter Box with 3 Painted Mason Jars. Rustic. Rustic Home Decor. Wedding Decor. Primitive. Shabby Chic. Housewears. - Kateslittleshop
Rustic custom table - farmhouse furniture - portable for display booth - BlackCatHill
Industrial Stool Rustic Wood Leather and Cast Iron - FingerLakesFinds
Dream Ca' Chair No.12 Recycled Tree Limb Furniture - AlexHagendorf
Moriage, Redware Glazed Brown Tea Pot Set from Japan - FondestMemories
Vintage Industrial Factory Cart Coffee Table - in stock - apartment cabin den furniture - brandMOJOinteriors
3 Vintage Metal Flower Frogs Cages Holders - paintedpony99
23" Diameter - Rustic Burlap Stripe Beanbag with Filling, Home Decor, Furniture, Pouf  -   Great for outdoor or indoor - JiaHomeCollection
Rusty Apple Basket, Egg Basket, Vintage Wire Basket, Gathering Basket, Fall Autumn Decor, Large Basket, Rustic, Country, Primitive Decor - FrogLevelFarm
Ready to Ship! Rustic Modern Mirror - Reclaimed Wood Mirror - 18x18 Framed Mirror - TheHoneyShack
Large Reclaimed Barn Wood and Salvaged Vintage Handle Divided Organizer Box Caddy - PhloxRiverStudio

I hope you enjoyed the treasuries and found inspiring pieces ready to be pinned to your favorites! If you have a hearted treasury send it our way! You can send me a link with your treasury through Etsy (Click on the “Zoia” shop name at right of the page) so we can take a look. Next week’s theme is : Fall Style.

 Remember, if you are selected your shop and one of your items would be featured!

Until next time…


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

DIY- How to Make Your Own Lamp

Ever wondered if you could make your own lamp?  Well you can!  It's not too hard.  In fact, it's a project that my students do in their lighting class. 

All you have to do is purchase a lamp kit at your local hardware or big box store.  Here's one from Home Depot:

Westinghouse Make-A-Lamp Kit
Next you need to purchase your lamp base.  This could be just about anything.  Just make sure it is sturdy enough to stand on its own.  If needed, you can always fill it with marbles to make it sturdier.  I purchased a wooden vase.


Next drill a hole in the bottom to run the wire through.  If you are using a wine bottle, you may need a special drill bit so that you don't break it!  Also make sure the rod is long enough to run through the base.

Lamp Rod from Home Depot

Drill a hole in the bottom of the vase to run the wire through.



Here I notched out the edge in order for the lamp to sit up straight on the table.



Follow the instructions on the kit for wiring up your lamp.  You will want to make sure it is safe!


And finally my finished lamp:



Here is a lamp designed by Andrea Ottey.  Andrea is one of my students.  She used a glass candle stick for the base of the lamp.  She painted all the mechanicals and final a teal color to match the base of the lamp.  She topped off her finished lamp with a crisp white linen shade.



Her finished lamp:


What do you think?  Beautiful, isn't it?

There are some great step-by-step tutorials on the web.  Here is an excellent one you may want to check out from WikiHow: http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Lamp.

Until next time...

Thanks for stopping by.