Wednesday, May 12, 2010

OCAC Annual Jewelry Sale!!!

Every year, the Oregon College of Art and Craft's Metals Department holds a jewelry sale to raise funds for their Visiting Artist Fund. This money goes towards bringing in a visiting artist to teach a weekend workshop to students at the school. It is also great exposure for students and alumni, as well as a fantastic place to find great gifts for yourself or others at very very good prices.

The sale is on May 15 and 16 from 10 am to 5 pm both days. Etsy Metal Member, Catherine Chandler, will have her jewelry at the sale and would love for you to come have a look!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Etsy Metal Finds

When I think of my mom, I often think of the beach. When I was little, my mom lived on the coast and to this day, the smell of salty sea air, crashing of waves, and quintessential sea colors always bring a sense of calm and love to me. Here's a little celebration of mothers everywhere...Happy Mother's Day!!!

Clockwise from Left:

A Day at the Shore Beach Typography Word Art Sign by Barn Owl Primitives

Water Blue Linen Flax Beach Towel by Amizanti

Worry Stone Genuine Beach Stone Key Fob by Sea Find Designs

Mama by Delight

Friday, May 7, 2010

Project Runway Jewelry Challenge 7.15: Finale: Collections!

Here are our three contributions to the collection challenge!

Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet & Ring plus one optional piece!

Congratulations to our jewelry designers!

1. Kathryn Cole

Dasies on sapphire necklace, Daisy Hoops, Daisy Ring, Daisy Bracelet

2. Nina Gibson

A collection inspired by the heart bracelet done earlier in the season including; hollow heart ring, heart dangle earrings, heart bracelet, long heart necklace and a heart tie tack.

3. Wildflower Designs

I wanted to play more with faceted stones and wonky settings. The setting on the pendant tilts at the tip, the settings on the open earrings tilt toward the center, the settings on the ring are different heights and tilt in different directions.

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Thank you to all of the participants in the Project Runway Jewelry Challenge; season 7! These challenges have been a fun and exciting way to stretch our design skills. Enjoy your Summer!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Charm Swap 6

Charm swap 6 (CS6) is on the way !!! The deadline for finished charms is September 30, 2010.
CS6 is slightly different from the others. We are making a charm necklace that easily can be converted to a charm bracelet.

This swap is very exciting to all participants!

We have 20 participants in CS6, each of the 20 participants will create 22 charms - one for each swap member and one to be sold in the EtsyMetal shop along with a Necklace (that can be a bracelet) that features all of the charms. Sales from this swap will go to a charitable arts organization, yet to be determined.

Maria Whetman / Fluxplay is creating Puzzle Pod Charms made of recycled tin, glass and embossed copper.

Maria says "For the EtsyMetal Charm Swap6 season. I made a mock-up of my design and these were the components."

"After the mock-up I reworked the design. The lense will now be a bevelled glass disc (not acrylic sheet) and the dish will be slightly deeper. Instead of a soldered central tube rivet the lense will be held by a toothed rub-over edge. There will be 2 balls to try and get in the holes. It will be 2.5cm across and about 8mm deep. There will be several different tin inserts amongst the 22 pods."

I am so excited !!! I can't wait to see all the new charms !

Etsymetal Charm Swap 1 Bracelet

is still available on EtsyMetal shop

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Etsy Artist Feature: United Thread

A short while ago I came upon United Thread, a whimsical shop full of gorgeous watercolors, so I wanted to share her beautiful work with you.
The artist, Michelle, went to school at went to Massachusetts College of Art in Boston for Painting and Art History.

Her work clearly has a nature influence to it. In her own words:

I've been gardening for many years. I'm currently a private gardener on cape cod. When I'm not painting I'm working with plants. I would say my work is almost always inspired by gardening, plants, and nature. I'm inspired by the growth habits and patterns of plants.

When asked about her technique, she replied:

I mostly use watercolor paint. I like to let the paint work for me; adding wet on wet and allowing the colors to bleed. It always gives me surprising results. I'm also really interested in creating intricate line work with a fine brush on top of these pools of color to add another layer.