Isle of Wight Art Classes: En Plein Air Checklist for Painting in the Great O...

Isle of Wight Art Classes: En Plein Air Checklist for Painting in the Great O...: The blank canvas had been sitting in my studio for several weeks waiting for inspiration.  On a beautiful sunny April morning I grabbed the...

My latest painting..Girl Under the Stars

Featured Folksy Seller - Say It

Laura from Say It on Folksy is my latest featured Folksy seller.  Laura makes gorgeous handmade gifts including cards, notebooks and jewellery....perfect for the special people in your life!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself: I live near Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire with my husband. I set up my Folksy shop 'say it' last September after spending several months looking for work. Job applications were getting me nowhere (despite having a degree from Cambridge!) so I decided to try and make some money on my own. Who needs a boss?! I now love working for myself and I'm so pleased that I can spend my time doing what used to be my hobby. I'm also involved in the local church and when I'm not making I love to spend time reading the bible and meeting with other Christians.

Rhodes Map Notebook Journals

2. What do you reach for first thing in the morning? My glasses! Can't see a thing without them. And then I go in search of food because I'm usually very hungry when I wake up.

3. What’s better plain or milk chocolate?
Definitely plain chocolate. But I wouldn't say no to milk. Oh, now I want chocolate!

4. How did you discover that you have creative tendencies? I'm not artistic and I can't draw to save my life, so I never thought I was very creative. But I've since learnt that there's a lot more to it than being able to draw and paint. I got into jewellery making when I discovered a bracelet kit in my cupboard when I was tidying out. I think it was a birthday present when I was a kid but I'd not opened it. I was bored so I made it up and then thought I could do another one so bought some beads and made up my own pattern. And I started card making a few years later when I realised it would be so much cheaper than buying them in the shops.

 

Baku Birthday Card

5. Where do you find your inspiration?
I don't know really, I just make things I like. My mother in law gives me all her old craft magazines which are great for flicking through to get ideas. And sometimes I see a bead or a piece of ribbon and that sets me thinking what I could do with it [Traceyann says: I can your creativity in the wonderful colours and textures you use in your cards]

 

6. How did you come up with the ideas for the products in your Folksy shop? I needed to bring in a bit of income, so I decided to try selling things that I could make - cards and jewellery. I want to make sure everything is my own design, so I tend not to use patterned papers or anything that has been designed by someone else. I also need to make sure the things I make can bring in a profit, so they can't take too long to make up or use expensive materials. These two things combined tend to mean my designs are quite simple and minimalist.
7. Do you have any role models/inspirations in the area of Design? If so, who and why? The design world is all a bit new to me. I studied psychology at university, not anything to do with craft/design and have never had any formal training so I really don't know much about design. As I said above, I just make things I like! I do quite like Orla Keily though because her patterns are very distinctive and simple.

Munich Sheet Music Notebook

8. What are your future plans for your work? Say it was set up on a temporary basis as a trial to see if I could make money from it whilst continuing to job hunt. I've now given up the job hunt and plan to put all my efforts into expanding say it as a business.
9. What’s your favourite thing in the world and why? My husband (closely followed by chocolate!). I couldn't do what I do without his support.

10. Can you share some of your favourite Folksy shops with us?

I recently discovered Jennyrosemann  and think her art work is amazing.  I also really like Made to Make and Sophia Victoria Joy (http://folksy.com/shops/sophiavictoriajoy) as they make lovely paper products

Thank you to Laura for taking time to do this interview and giving such fabulous answers.  You can check out her Folksy shop at Say It.

say it says: Giveaway

say it says: Giveaway: Today is say it's six month anniversary !  The say it shop has been trading for six months today and to celebrate we're having a giveaway. ...

New Design - Little Tweet with Personalised Lettering

This is my new little tweet ring design with personalised lettering around the ring shank.  I’m really interested in using lettering in my work and at the moment I’m experimenting with making my own stamps to use with precious metal clay.  Jewellery designing is just so amazing with the vast techniques available!

Silver Earrings - Owl Design - Long Earrings - by ArtisanSilver - DaWanda

Silver Earrings - Owl Design - Long Earrings - by ArtisanSilver - DaWanda

My latest listing in my Etsy, Folksy and Dawanda shops...more owls!!! xxx

Artisan Silver's Latest Photos !!

Artisan Silver's photostream on Flickr.

Check on my photostream on FLICKR!

Metal Clay Valentine Jewelry Blog Article by Lark Crafts

A big thank you to Kathy at Lark Crafts for including my little tweet heart necklace in her tribute to Valentine's Day!

Please check out the Lark Crafts article if you a have spare minute...

Hoot! Hoot!!!

Can I have a favourite from my own shop?  I think so and this little owl ring is one of my designs that I wear myself everyday. 
In the next few weeks I’ll be asking different crafts folk to choose their favourite items from their shops. 
Watch this space!
Traceyann xxx

Lovebirds Necklace - Fine Silver - Necklaces (medium) - by ArtisanSilver - DaWanda

Lovebirds Necklace - Fine Silver - Necklaces (medium) - by ArtisanSilver - DaWanda

I just listed this romantic necklace in my shop. Perfect for that unique special someone - after all Lovebirds mate for life!

Wild Horses by Lauren on Etsy

Artisan Horse Ring

Check out this beautiful treasury by Lauren of LaurenBlyTheDesigns at Etsy!  Lovely Lauren included my new horse ring design. 

Click on the link to see her treasury….
Wild Horses by Lauren on Etsy

Don’t worry–smile!

 

Mixed metal bracelet. Lovely aluminium focus with riveted copper and brass flower featuring hand stamped SMILE, bee and flower motifs. Silver-plated chain and clasp. Bracelet measures 8".

Aluminium is lovely to wear. It looks like silver, but is lighter and has a gorgeous sparkle to the metal. This unique bracelet will fly to you via 1st class Royal Mail or airmail. It will be gift wrapped in a gift box.

A sunny morning, a walk along the beach, holding hands and sharing a smile....

Little Squirrel with heart

Little Squirrel with heart, a photo by fibrouspics on Flickr.

I love this!

Rough Magic Creations Showcase: Treasury Number 7 of "365 in 365"

Rough Magic Creations Showcase: Treasury Number 7 of "365 in 365": "Say it with Silver" showcases beautiful silver and mixed metal jewelry by members of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - the JETs. This treasury i...

My latest listings: Handmade Silver Necklaces

I spent a lovely morning yesterday making these two little owl necklace.  I used precious metal clay to make the discs and then hand-stamped the design.  You can find the little owl at Folksy and the large owl at Etsy.
Last week I made this snowflake necklace from precious metal clay with a snowflake white imprint and Let it Snow stamped on the reverse.  You can find it in my Etsy and Folksy shops. 

Customise Options: The snowflake can also be made to order with different wording on the reverse.  I can also make a similar necklace with Let it Snow on the front and your own words on the reverse minus the snowflake.  The Owl necklaces can also be personalised with your own words or a special date on the reverse.  Let your imagination run wild!  Just message me at either of my shops with your ideas and I will get back to you within 24 hours.  All best wishes, Traceyann :)

http://www.misi.co.uk/shop_info.php?domain=artisansilver

http://www.misi.co.uk/shop_info.php?domain=artisansilver#.TrmLJyk6Dn0.blogger

All About the Owl Pendant Fine Silver by ArtisanSilver on Etsy

All About the Owl Pendant Fine Silver by ArtisanSilver on Etsy

This week I made this little owl from little pieces of silver I had lying around the workshop!  I have listed it in my Etsy Shop, but I am half hoping it will stay mine forever!  It's abit more shiny than the picture shows - it was a dark rainy day when I took the picture.  What do you think of All About the Owl?  I'd love to read your comments!  Traceyann xxx

Little Bird Charm Bracelet & Earrings - Bracelets - by ArtisanSilver - DaWanda

Little Bird Charm Bracelet & Earrings - Bracelets - by ArtisanSilver - DaWanda

Fluttering Butterfly Filigree Adjustable Ring | Artisan Silver Jewellery & Keepsakes MISI Handmade Shop

Fluttering Butterfly Filigree Adjustable Ring Artisan Silver Jewellery & Keepsakes MISI Handmade Shop

Take a look at my little shop on MISI where I have listed a few items, but more will follow soon!

Traceyann xxx

Little Sheep Necklace

 

i would really value your opinion on this little sheep silver pendant…