by Kelly | May 17, 2012 | accessories, art, Crafts
The feature today is UntamedMenagerie – Penny & Nikki – a mother & daughter creative team that specializes in making whimsical, wearable modern art accessories.
Here’s the Q&A with UntamedMenagerie :
►Where do you get your inspiration? — We are inspired by so many things, but our primary inspiration comes from nature and architecture. sportfogadás online An unexpected influence is music. sportfogadás tippek naponta The music we listen to while designing can sway us from edgy to sweet or from subtle to bold. játékok nyerőgépes
►What is your creative process? — A design usually starts as a sketched doodle that Nikki both adds to and takes from until the paper is completely smudged and worn thin. When we are satisfied with the design, it is scanned to her computer where she cleans up the image so she can resize and perfect the lines and curves before cutting the test piece. From sketch to finish, this usually takes around 2-3 weeks. We’ve had some breakthroughs where we have worn the finished piece just days after the idea came, and at least half a dozen that we have been working on for more than a year. In-progress designs hang all around while we wait for ideas to spark until a piece feels complete — and wearable. Sometimes a design may not be practical for wear and we choose to start over. 
►What’s your favorite item you make? — Nikki’s favorite is Triple Threat (a very industrial feeling three finger ring). Penny loves the Eccentric bangles best.
►What’s your artistic philosophy? — We create what we love. We’re whimsical, bold, and quirky. We want to make you smile.
►When did you start creating? — We began making jewelry together in 2005. Nikki previously worked as a seamstress; Penny dabbled in interior design.
►What’s the future for your business? — We hope to expand our business to include household items and large wall art, and we want to explore different mediums and learn new techniques. It has long been our dream to open a brick and mortar shop to display our work as well as that of other artisans.
by Kelly | May 17, 2012 | accessories, art, Crafts, Henna
When it comes to knowing if the henna paste you are using is quality, the color of fresh henna is key. This is something only henna artist or henna enthusiasts know but henna powder is actually a leafy green color and when its mixed with essential oils, sugar, lemon and black tea, the fresh henna paste is a dark kelly-green color. After the paste undergoes dye release is when it changes to that familiar chocolate brown color and its applied to the skin. When I tell my clients henna actually starts out green, most are surprised.
Here is a collection of beautiful handmade items that remind me of the color of fresh henna powder and henna paste (as well as some other items that are just a lovely shade of green!)
This is a great “everyday bag” by Marbled Bag . I really like the large bow and the functional yet appealing quality of the design.
Hope Johnson brings us these hand built ceramic dishes that are painted with chartreuse green to make this simple yet elegant decoration. I really appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these.
We always need an effortless, fashionable accessory and Rayna Robinson gives us just that with this chartreuse turban headband. .. and how cute is she?! hah
Can you tell I’m diggin the chartreuse? I just love the color and how it just makes items POP! and this elephant from The Original Animal Magnet is no exception! I can think of the perfect spot on my bookshelf for this little guy.
Yummy watermelon scented bath salts by Sudz ‘N Saltz ! A great way to take your relaxing time in the tub and make it a spa-like experience .
From Angie’s Sweatshop is a really AWESOME screen printed octopus on a chartreuse green skirt. I like maxi skirts and all things octopus and this skirt falls right into those categories.
Asymmetry is a great way to shake up the expected. I dig this asymmetrical black and green Czech glass beaded necklace with small lime seed beads by chr designs .
This “chuplette” by Chuppy Love is a baby “chuppy” Amigurumi – read as: an adorable stuffed friend made of yarn. These are some adorable creatures and I want a whole collection!
Bright Bold & Beautiful brings us this lovely watercolor print of a hydrangea in all its green-hued glory!
Do you know an adorable little boy who this bow tie by Sharp Dressed Little Man would look so cute on? I know I do and the cuteness level he projects would go through the roof if he wore this!
I admire hand beading and embroidery because it takes serious devotion and concentration to bring an overall vision together. Not to mention the amount of time attaching each thread or bead takes. Hats off to MillieICARO for this intricate beaded peacock sash.
Heron and Lamb‘s rustic moss necklace is such a uniquely designed accessory! “This beautiful, earthy design features a lead-free soldered glass circle, which encases live preserved reindeer moss. An ode to spring, this necklace is finished with an rustic antique copper patina and and sealed for maximum protection.”
I am a big fan of stacked rings that’s why these peacock stacked rings by CameraSHY Photography really caught my eye. I like that each ring is different by fits together as a cohesive set very nicely.
I don’t often find statement bracelets so when I came across this wire wrapped bracelet by Vera Nasfa I knew it had a special place in this collection. I am fond of the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
This stylish linen dress by Camellia Tune is custom made for each person! How cool is that?
Laura Kingrey presents a handmade bracelet with matte light green sea glass as the focal point accented with Czech glass, copper wire and bronze framing. I appreciate when something has such a hands-on & made-with-love look as this bracelet does.
A stunning blue-green turquoise cabochon ring with silver bezel from Bones & Stones finishes up the feature today. The long natural stone is just the right accessory for some henna-ed hands!
by Kelly | 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.
