by Bridget | May 12, 2012 | accessories, art, Crafts
I came across Norah Downey – a jewelry designer – on etsy and I liked so many of her pieces, I couldn’t choose just one to feature here so I decided to just feature a bunch!
She has two shops on etsy: Your Daily Jewels and Rustic Rock Jewelry .
Here’s a little about Norah from her profile:
“I love designing jewelry in my mind, creating it with my hands, and knowing someone is wearing my work and it is making them happy. Since childhood I have collected shiny and sparkling things: beads, stones, and baubles. As a new Physical Therapist, I needed ways to motivate my young patients with multiple disabilities. So, I dug into my lifelong collection of goodies that had been untouched for years and made some simple jewelry for them. I told them the funny little stories behind each bead or stone in their jewelry and they loved it! My pieces were a hit, my patients progressed, and I discovered a new creative outlet. 
Now, everyday I am excited to get home to my workbench, to study and learn more about the art of jewelry design, and to create modern, glamorous and affordable jewelry that women will feel great wearing everyday.
I proudly use 100% reclaimed 99.9% pure silver combined with gemstones from ethical vendors in many of my pieces. As I grow, this number grows. The options for custom design in reclaimed or recycled metals are endless. When using recycled or reclaimed metals, the negative impact on the environment during mining, and the potential for human rights abuse and poor/dangerous working conditions is eliminated. As much as possible, I purchase gemstones from Fair Trade businesses that commit to fair wages, cooperative workplaces, consumer education, environmental sustainability, respect for cultural identity, and public accountability.”
That’s the kind of business owner we should all strive to be and to support. I’m very happy I found a business woman like Norah who is a great inspiration of creativity and environmental responsibility.
by Bridget | May 11, 2012 | accessories, art, Henna Party designs, mehndi traditional
Henna really lends itself to the warm spectrum of colors – red, orange, brown and yellow. I’ll be featuring some great red, yellow and orange accessories to have for a Mehdni Party in different mediums today.
This handmade necklace by Chocolate Angel is such a yummy, warm honey yellow with such intricate detail in the tiny seed beads. It has a Moroccan feel which would go great with symmetrical Moroccan henna designs.
Amber browns, oranges and reds melding perfectly in this nice necklace by Beca’s Beaded Jewelry. I also really like the added beauty with the copper clasp at the ends.
Michele Buttons brings us a beautiful piece of art.. that can also be a reusable grocery tote bag! Seriously, can you think of a more lovely way to support your “green spirit” other than this? Made from 100% cotton canvas, this unique tote is great! You can have these for party favors at your mehndi party!
Whimsical and adorable, this handmade polymer clay pendant by Flowertown Originals is hung on a hand-braided cord as well. Super cute!
I was shocked (in a great way) to find out that these beautiful red floral beads were made by hand! Here’s how Blue Morning Expressions explains the creating process “My handmade polymer clay beads were created on a lemon yellow base, with yummy blue berry flowers, pink cherry and orange flowers and lime green wire wrapping woven in between the beads…Every polymer clay bead has been completely handcrafted and hand rolled and all the flowers have been added individually before baking.” bravo!!
If you are looking for something orange & fabulous for an upcoming mehndi party or Indian wedding, this pendant necklace by TartanHearts, inspired by The Hunger Games, is a great accent to add to any outfit.
And who doesn’t love bright red and orange poppies? They make me so happy when I see them … but pair them with a turquoise background and an antiqued chain you can see me do a happy dance! This necklace by Wear It Out! is one I would cherish in my collection. ( I’m sure you would, too)
That wraps it up for red and orange accessories (today, at least..) Hope you found some pieces that you adore.. I know I have!
by Bridget | May 11, 2012 | accessories, art
Annnnd my love of druzy jewelry will be illuminated here seeing as I am dedicating an entire post to it. Druzy “is a coating of fine crystals on a rock fracture surface, vein or within a vug or geode” according to Wikipedia. According to me, druzy is gaga gorgeous in every shape, color and variety. I especially love flowing, floral henna when its paired with something so course and tactile as druzy.
Without further adieu, let’s check it out some of the best druzy jewelry on Etsy.
First off is this stunning natural druzy necklace that is brown quartz from Little Metal Merchant. Raw and lovely.. the brown in this would be amplified against the brown henna stain.
This Citrine cluster of druzy really has a special sparkle. Its large and makes a statement naturally, but 443Jewelry paired it perfectly with a delicate gold colored feminine chain that would go great with a dress for a mehndi party.
Druzy can be both bold and quietly understated as we can see in these next two examples of rings:
This white druzy agate ring by Vivid Design is classic and delicate. A perfect accessory to add just a touch of glitter to an elaborate bridal henna design. najlepsze gry hazardowe online
Sharply contrasted to the white druzy ring is this luscious, rainbow show-stopping ring by NaturalGlam . Wowza! Look at the differences nature can produce…
Need sparkly mint-colored druzy? Who doesn’t. Find what you are looking for in these lovely earrings by The Wooden Nest with antiqued brass.
This next piece I would wear everyday – a bracelet of pure white druzy centered between lilac-blue angelite beads from Julianne Blumbo.
Another great rainbow druzy piece is this wire-wrapped pendant by Bead Bargains . I really dig the variety of colors. fortuna zaklady online
A great example of the beauty of pure amethyst druzy is this pendant by Magic Loot . Its also set in gold- how awesome is that? (very!)
And that wraps up my overall obsession with druzy.. hope I spread it to some of you.
by Bridget | May 2, 2012 | accessories, art, clothing, Crafts, Henna
The brown/red/orange color of henna goes so well with the vibrant color of turquoise. I just love it. Here is some great turquoise jewelry and accessories that accent henna perfectly.
This vintage 1950’s art deco necklace from Kettle of Fish has pretty turquoise-colored floral accents.
When you get your ankle & foot henna-ed, you can accent it with a pretty bracelet like this brass and turquoise anklet from Xtra Virgin.
Ah! Gorgeous turquoise cuff! from Startup Sterling! I love the bezel and how it has a henna quality, but in metal . العاب ماكينات Picture a full arm covering in lovely red henna and with this turquoise wrist cuff.. مراهنات على كرة القدم *sigh* so nice!
If you’re going to get all henna-ed up, you’re going to need a beautiful mirror to gaze upon the loveliness right? Well that’s where this gorgeous, vintage turquoise hand mirror from EightySix56 comes in “handy” .. heh
The combination of turquoise pieces and freshwater pearls here with the statement necklace by AudreyJewelry is chunky yet feminine – in a perfect balance.
I know I always have a purpose for a cute clutch.. and this one would be no exception! This unique, Russian floral print clutch made by JordaniSarreal is a cozy home for any items that can be easily misplaced.
Delicate, paisley, turquoise bead, silver… what’s not to adore here? Nothing?… exactly. This handcrafted necklace by Noria Elements would be a great gift for someone special in your life (even yourself) .
A turquoise shirt with a henna print? ربح المال مجانا The loveliness of this speaks for itself. NaturalHennaArt’s line of henna print shirts are just fantastic!
And to round out the turquoise post, let’s remember that henna-ed feet are happy feet – anyone will tell ya that! But what makes them even happier is having a CUTE turquoise and copper toe ring like this one from The Whimsy Wire . Oh.. I can barely get over the cuteness..
by Bridget | Apr 28, 2012 | art, Crafts, Henna
I love being in the art world. There’s just something so sincere about artists. When you come across someone with a real passion for what they do, that’s something special .
Here’s an interview with artist Christina Steele of Kite Flyer Art . As I read her reasons for creating its truly inspiring! I hope you really enjoy it, too.
Q: How did your business get started? What was the motivation?
Christina: Kite Flyer Art got started in 2008 shortly after I graduated college with my BFA. I knew from day one that God 
created me to create, so I made an intentional decision to pursue art as a career. I started out teaching art lessons and painting simply to develop my portfolio, but in 2010 I started my Etsy shop (which was original art and prints), began showing in galleries, and began receiving commissions. It felt so epic! It wasn’t until last December that I began working with the pointe shoes, and when I listed them in January, they quickly began selling. Everything I do is motivated by relationship! it is all birthed out of my relationship with God. I want to share that relationship with the people, and display it to the best of my ability through the art I create. العاب ماكينات
Q: Where did the inspiration come from?
Christina: I’m a bit of a chameleon and pull inspiration from all over the place, but my deepest inspiration comes again from my relationship with the Lord. He shows me images, designs, dreams, we have conversations…I see the most amazing things and want to share them with people. That’s what happened with the pointe shoes! They were given to me by a close friend and fellow ballet dancer. They sat in my studio for nearly two years. I was laying in bed in December (certainly not thinking about them) and God showed them to me with the mehndi designs on them. Each pair is different. I usually sit down, begin, ask Him what He thinks and if He has any ideas. He always shares designs with me. We basically work together.
Q: What’s your process in creating your products?
Christina: My process in creating my pointe shoes is somewhat simple. I have had shoes old and new donated to me. I prep the old shoes by cutting off unraveled fabric, re-gluing parts as needed, and by making them presentable while still preserving their history. Then I simply dye them with fiber-reactive dyes. Once they have dried, I apply the mehndi designs with acrylic paint using the same application methods as most henna artists. لعبة قمار اون لاين
Q: Are you planning on expanding your product line?
Christina: Well…I’m never entirely sure where things will go next. Does expanding my product line on to skin count?
Q: What’s your most popular item? Which is your personal favorite?
Christina: In the 1.5 year I’ve been open I’ve always offered prints and original art. It wasn’t until January that I listed the pointe shoes, but those have by far been my most popular item! It is so difficult to pinpoint a personal favorite because I pour all I’ve got into each piece I create. ربح المال مجانا
Q: What’s the future for your business?
Christina: In the immediate future, I will continue to creating and developing the shoes. With time I would like to move onto skin (but not abandon my paintings). I have a deep love for body art (henna and tattoos). I’m not sure when or how that will happen, but God always brings things around in perfect time when I’m hanging out with Him!
-Christina
Thank you Christina! Keep up the amazing and inspiring work <3
