After the Storm, Look Here...

I think that's the word I'd use...'storm'. Celebrating, parties, phone calls and packages sent to family all over the globe, cooking, baking, wrapping, card writing, trips to the post office and supermarkets. Not to mention, the driving to Thanksgiving at my cousin's - seeing how each niece and nephew, cousin and friend has changed over the past year.

And, then there were storms! Black ice in Portland, OR, 15" of snow in Boston, MA, tornado and blizzards in Mississippi...and, there was a complain about rain in Las Vegas but I didn't feel too badly.

Unfortunately, in while swatting away random wrapping paper and flying boxing tape, I completely missed Heide Hibbard's fabulous Etsy Treasury until the last hour! She included a pair of my gemstone earrings and the entire color scheme is extremely fun.

Hieide Hibbard Fine Art Paintings & Fine Art Gifts

What you see in my artwork is the expression of what I feel and think. I interpret in the way that with all my obsessions and life's dings and dents...I see things. I hope you find my artwork interesting.

And, I KNOW you will! Just click the banner below!

You Are My Sunshine

I've been complaining about the recent weather in San Francisco. Honestly, if it wasn't storming every other day for months, I might not. But, after knee surgery and back surgery I've become a human barometer and not only is wet-all-day, storming and power outages inconvenient, but it is physically uncomfortable and painful, as well.

SO! In come the little things in life that are able to sweeten the most sour. My 9-month old nephew, Maksim, in Boston has been having difficulties sleeping on a schedule. And, since I happened to be on the phone, they put the phone to his ear and I sang to him, "You Are My Sunshine". (As a bonus, I'm a singer and know the second verse!) Apparently, he kept absolutely still listening to my song over the phone.

I miss him. And, it was JUST the sweetest thing! I was so excited to find a onsie at A Laine Designs on Etsy that I could send to him for Valentine's Day. In fact, I was even able to snag a Treasury and dedicate it to the Sunnier side of art! Please visit by clicking on the image below by Tuesday, February 5th:


Just in case you miss this Etsy Treasury, you can ALWAYS visit these fabulous artists by visiting their Etsy Shops! Just click on the names below:

Becca's Baby Caps
A Laine Designs
Deniska
One Pink Shoe
Elsa's Love Patchwork Company
Juliespace - Designs by Julie Sweeney
Shayla Maddox - Water & Light
Artmixter
CoCoMo Mosaics
Kelley Accents - Hand-Crafted Jewelry
A Kattywampus Tale
KellyGirl Glass
Birdie and Chickie
All Things Jenuine
Fraske Designs
The Artwork of Heidi Miracle-McMahill

Thank you for supporting living artists!

Do You Need to Give Some Love?

Valentines Day is in the shops and on the lips and minds of many! I have some creations that might fit the bill for friends, relatives, budding relationships, or the best friend you've been married to for 20 years.

"Ahava - Love" Picture Frame

"Hearts & Kisses"

Magic Mirror

"Pretty Girl" - Gemstone Bracelet

"Vixen"
Gemstone Necklace

"Sincerity"
Polymer Clay
Pendant

And, my very favorite, most sincerely special gift to give to every mother, wife, girlfriend, best friend, grandmother, lover, life partner - woman you love! The perfect gift for the woman you love! These are genuine gemstones dangling from sterling silver chain and surgical steel earhooks. (Please note: the photo shown in this post is an actual example that is being loved right now!)

Feel free to check out my Etsy and Ebay shops for more gift ideas! I am happy to create custom pieces just for you - email for more information!

Have a wonderful, loving Valentine's Day!

I Took the Handmade Pledge!

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

Support Living Artists - Visit These Fabulous Venues!

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

Visit Buyhandmade.org for more information!

Jewelry & Gifts

Today, I received this message from Anna R., fellow Etsy artist and creator of Le Miel et les Bonbons: Jewelry & Gifts blog:

hello Staci,
Just featurd you. Hoping you like it and that it brings you sales. Does Judaica means things that are Jewish? Feel free to post a comment or link to the post!

She created a very cute feature about my work!

And, just for the record (thank you Merriam-Webster online!):

Judaica
Main Entry: Ju·da·ica
Pronunciation: \-ˈdā-ə-kə\
Function: noun plural
Etymology: Latin, neuter plural of Judaicus
Date: 1923

: literary or historical materials relating to Jews or Judaism

Kalicat - jewelry to fit your desires
Designer Jewelery to be stunning, chic and elegant.
"I keep sane by painting and illustrating Fashion, jewelry-making and dreaming about all the things I will create in the near future".

Unique Jewelry & Gifts

Today has been a happy Staci Art Day! I just got this message:

Hi Staci,
I featured you on my blog today. http://elektrajewelry.blogspot.com
-Dina

At Elektra Jewelry Design you can find jewelry to suit your personality and moods. All the pieces you see in this shop are handmade. I never duplicate designs so each piece of jewelry is truly one of a kind. Please click on the banner to visit the fabulous work in this shop!

Gifts Worth Giving

To create art or craft is one thing - and most artists have a drive and inherit need to paint, draw, sculpt, etc. To create something desirable, enjoyable, pleasurable....that's quite another thing altogether. It is known as the "anxiety factor", or "what-if-no-one-likes-this" syndrome.

So, you can imagine I had a nice big smile when I saw one of my polymer clay pendants featured in an Etsy Treasury. Click on the image below to view until Saturday, November 10th!

And, then click on the banner to visit Pop-o-licious Art by Kris Jean. She rocks.

Umm...I Think That's My Drink.

I've seen it a hundred times, the one guy that drinks WAY too much sauvignon blanc, starts acting like a jerk, forgetting his glass, drinking out of any wine glass that has some red liquid in it, turning off the guests so people leave after about an hour and your party is ruined.

All because you don't have wine charms.


Really, one of the niftiest little inventions that very beautifully wrap around your stemware and let your guests distinguish their glass from another's.


Whether you just forgot where you put it down or you've had eight too many, wine charms help you avoid the faux pas and enjoy yourself. And, if you do find a theme you enjoy for your wine charms, make sure they are different enough for the most inebriated to find their glass. Having eight wine charms with the same charm and the same color will only lead to drunken embarrassment.


So, please, visit my Etsy shop, purchase a set for yourself, one for a loved one...I can even create custom orders with themes that are special to you or your friends. These are handmade gifts - functional art that will save your parties.

Featured in an Etsy Treasury!

Imagine my surprise - I am thrilled! Those are my earrings down there! Just click on the image to view this Treasury until August 25th.


And, be sure to check out Angela's shop at Kastroll Kreations! Her work is excellent, she is a lovely person, and she creates the most wonderful art and gift items. Just click on her banner to view her Etsy shop!

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Season!

Most Bar and Bat Mitzvahs take place around the 13th birthday. However, while this season lasts all year long, Summer always seems excessively busy!

Here are a few gift ideas that you won't find at the local or online mega Judaica store. Click on the photo to be taken directly to the item!

Hebrew
Bat Mitzvah
Picture Frame

Hebrew

Bar Mitzvah
Picture Frame

Custom Bat Mitzvah Bracelet with Birthstone


Custom Frame Based on the Bat Mizvah Invitation
Includes Bat Mitzvah Girl's Hebrew Name

Of course, custom orders are always welcome! I can use Hebrew or English letters and find these designs a particular challenge and extremely enjoyable! Give a specially created piece for that very special day!

Personalized Bead Box - for Beginners and All Ages!

My cousin David and I are less than one year apart in age. He is married to Irina, a wonderful woman and they have two children: Maiya (3 in November), and Maksim (6 months). For all intents and purposes - they are my niece and nephew, I am their aunt. And I LOVE it!

Maiya LOVES beads! She loves jewelry, loves making it, wearing it, getting it. (It's cute now, but her future significant other may be in for it!) And, as a jewelry maker, I am so excited to help her with this and be there with her as she grows.

So, when David called to tell me that she put a bead up her nose, it got lodged there, and they had to rush her to the doctor's office, it got me thinking, "Maybe I should put something together that is age appropriate." This is what I came up with:


I can't wait to give this to her for her third birthday! I found a wonderful sectioned box that her little fingers should be able to open and close easily. I added large beads with large holes for longer necklaces - necklaces that do not need clasps. I included wood, plastic, glass, polymer clay, vintage lucite, large porcelain pendants, large copper pendant - just to begin with!

My girlfriend Sue (whom I love and adore!) needed a gift for her 5 year old cousin and I offered to make one of these boxes for her as well. Since I know she is no longer exploring her body, I was able to include smaller beads, clasps, and more fragile pieces like shells.


Each box is adorned with hand painted letters of their name and an embellishment that reflects their interests or just makes the whole look darn cute! I will never use stickers - stickers fade and peel and over time just don't keep their appearance fresh. The embellishments on both of these boxes were created with wood but I also use sturdy molded plastic and metals as well.

I am confident, as a jewelry maker and designer, that I can put together a great bunch of beads - for boys and girls of all ages. Even adult beginners! I have been working with beads and gemstones for over 15 years - please contact me if I can create one of these special pieces for you!

I will also be posting this at my Etsy shop (just click the link at the top left of the page). I can't wait to put together your interests, add that personal touch, and feed your need to create!

Welcome!

This is my first post on my first Blog. Thank you for stopping by! On this site I hope to share my art, craft, and writing. Maybe, even, someone besides myself will find this interesting! ;)

I have a lot of new projects in the works I am looking forward to sharing as soon as I have some photos: Personalized Bead Box (age appropriate), Wine Cork Trivets, a dive back into Polymer Clay after almost 15 years, and some Hebrew blocks Chanukeah/Menorahs.

Many thanks!
Staci