Creative Hands - August 2010

In This Issue

• New Ruby Plaza Promotion: Sell for Only $9/mo. Through 2010!
  
• Featured Ruby Lane Jewelry Artisan Shop: TerraStratum - Singapore
  
• Ruby Lane Fine Artist Spotlight - Brigetta Margarietta
  
• Ruby Plaza Handcrafter Spotlight - Oh My, That's Pretty!
  
• Send Us Your Video & Get Paid
  
• New Program: Ruby Plaza Shop of the Day
  
• Bit by the travel bug? Travel the world with jewelry from fabulous Ruby Lane artisans!
  
• Join Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza on Facebook and Twitter
  
• Share Creative Hands With A Friend
  

NEW RUBY PLAZA PROMOTION: SELL FOR ONLY $9/MO. THROUGH 2010!

Are you looking for venue to sell your home decor items (both contemporary and vintage) ranging from furniture and accessories to lighting, bedding and window coverings? Or perhaps you, or someone you know sells new and vintage fashion and accessories, and/or jewelry. Maybe you are a crafter with items such as bath and beauty products, candles, handcrafted dolls, needlecraft, woodworking, toys, or supplies to sell. If so, spread the word - as now you can try out our sister site, Ruby Plaza, just launched in April - for only $9 a month through 2010 with no set-up fee!

From now until December 31st 2010, Ruby Plaza is making it easy and affordable for sellers to join Ruby Plaza. And the sooner you join the more time you have to sell for only $9 a month while you check us out. Already over 600 shops have joined us with over 130,000 items added to the site.

There are no contracts, no cancellation fees, and the only expense out of your pocket is $9 a month.

Spread the word!

For more information visit www.rubyplaza.com, then under SELL, choose Open A Shop. We hope you'll join us!

FEATURED RUBY LANE JEWELRY ARTISAN SHOP: TERRASTRATUM - SINGAPORE

Inspired by the Earth itself, TerraStratum (from the Latin words "Terra" meaning earth and "stratum" meaning layer) signifies timeless jewelry design.

Created for the woman who isn't swayed by trends, but instead is interested in adding classic & elegant jewelry pieces to her collection, TerraStratum jewelry designs convey both strength and beauty. Women aged 25 or 55 are drawn to TerraStratum's classical yet modern designs, which are designed to be signature showpieces.

With their enduring style and impeccable quality, each piece of handmade jewelry from TerraStratum is meant to last a lifetime and even to be passed on to future generations.

The organically-inspired jewelry of TERRAstratum is created using both traditional and modern metalworking techniques and using only precious metals - sterling silver, 18k gold and high quality gemstones. In addition to varying collections created according to the seasons, there are three permanent collections available— I.N.I.T.I.A.L.S., a customized collection of charms and tags with alpha numeric or Grecian letters, "Camelot, Reimagined" a breathtaking medieval inspired range and the "Via Con Me" (Come away with me) collection of wedding jewelry.

About the Designer

A talented & accomplished metalsmith Ariel Leong is more than just a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) accredited jewelry professional. She is also a GIA trained Diamond Grader. She has a love for the Latin language and is a self-professed sci-fi
and gadget geek. In her spare time, she likes to bake away in her kitchen & she sometimes dabbles in the art of perfumery.

With a good eye for both shape and form, Ariel enjoys seeing and transforming natural materials into beautiful wearable art that can be worn and appreciated by all women.

To see more of Ariel's work visit her shop TerraStratum

RUBY LANE FINE ARTIST SPOTLIGHT - BRIGETTA MARGARIETTA

Originally self-taught, I was encouraged to evolve my creativity by several relatives who were artistically inclined. Initially my work revolved around my great love for animals - pets and wildlife. Later, an increasing sensitivity to color and form found me working more and more intuitively, - abstractly - spiritual landscapes coming to life with a seeming will of their own. After each abstraction - I would write poetry to pour forth what I felt from the painting - painting it into language. I decided to take art classes, painting, life drawing, works on paper, art history, photography, etc. seeking to learn more about art, the works of other artists and to professionalize and improve my own painting skills. Eventually, I also discovered surface design and painting on silk - fell in love with the vibrancy of dye colors and the iridescence of the silk.

This past year I started working in metal clay and enameling and have discovered that jewelry can be just as much art as painting. Additionally, I love photographing nature and cats, and am increasingly aware of mixed media. I have now gone to creating my own paints from scratch using pigments and mediums - no more pre-mixed paint in tubes or jars. Each color is lovingly hand-ground with additions and mediums chosen for the specific painting I am working on. The colors are more vibrant and true - I think because there is less "filler." It also seems to become part of my creation process - I get to know the colors better and how different pigments interact.

I create oil and acrylics on canvas, mixed water media on paper, dyes on silk - gutta serti technique, metal clay and enameling, and have fun with photography and digital arts.

It is my hope in this store to share some of my artistic expressions with you and to bring you joy!

I will also from time to time include the works of other artists and to showcase antique and vintage pieces which I have rescued from the world.

Brigetta Margarietta of Expressions

RUBY PLAZA HANDCRAFTER SPOTLIGHT - OH MY, THAT'S PRETTY!

Now that I'm retired from a career in the business world, I have time to indulge in a favorite pass time and creative outlet -- sewing various home decor and personal use items. I love to sew with beautiful fabrics, trims and laces. Recently, I have been on a pillow making spree and having lots of fun with it.

Unless identified otherwise, the items you will find on this shop are designed and handcrafted by me in my smoke and pet free home.

From time to time, my friend Marilyn, a retired nurse and nursing instructor, will be joining in on the fun, providing handmade items using her special embroidery skills, such as little pouches and children's clothing. Marilyn's items will be clearly identified as hers.

We will add new creations to the shop as the ideas and suggestions come to us.

Please browse through the shop all you like and come back frequently. If you see something you like, but would prefer it in a different color, size, etc., please contact me. I will make every attempt to satisfy your custom requests.

Lois D. Madorie of Oh My, That's Pretty

SEND US YOUR VIDEO & GET PAID

Many of you already know that Ruby Lane & Ruby Plaza accepts blog articles from shops, and credits your shop $35 per accepted article which we post on Notes from The Lane, Twitter and Facebook. We have developed a sizable number of shops who contribute regularly! We are expanding this program to include video - so we invite shops to send us video links that showcase your shop for publication consideration.

Have you considered making a video about yourself and your shop? Do you want to showcase the items in your shop? Do you have tips and information you'd like to share with others about online sales success to help establish yourself as a valuable resource? Do you have a studio that you would like others to view?Do you have a handcraft technique you would like to share with others or a demonstration video showing how to create your handcrafts? Video is fast becoming the medium to communicate with others, and a it's great way to market your shop. And these days anyone can do it!

Here's how it works:

Once you make your video, upload it to www.youtube.com. Then, send us a link to it at marketing1@rubylane.com. Once accepted, we will publish it on our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages to spread the word about your shop. Once published, we will credit your shop $35. Please note that the focus of your video must be you and your Ruby Lane or Ruby Plaza shop.

Here are links to a couple of videos that other Ruby Lane shops have done. These are just examples - we invite you
to use your imagination in doing your own:

Sorren's-Blue Scarlettshard

Vintage Jewelry Showcase

If you're not sure how to get started making your own videos, be sure to check out this step-by-step Make Your Own Videos blog post by Viga Boland of Vintage Jewelry Showcase to see how she made hers.

Kind Regards,
The Team at Ruby Lane

NEW PROGRAM: RUBY PLAZA SHOP OF THE DAY

We at Ruby Plaza are excited to profile a different Ruby Plaza shop on our Facebook page and blog every day. This is a new free program. To submit your shop profile, simply fill in the information below, and email it to: plazanotes@rubylane.com, with the subject line in your email: Shop of the Day.

We will publish as many profiles as possible. Each shop profile will be posted on Ruby Plaza's Facebook page, on Plaza Notes (Ruby Plaza's section of Ruby Lane's blog – Notes from the Lane), and on Ruby Plaza's Twitter page as well.

Also, we encourage you to share this honor with friends, family, and your buyers through your Facebook and Twitter pages.

Ruby Plaza Shop of the Day Profile Template:

• Ruby Plaza Shop Name:
• Name of your Ruby Lane Shop (if you sell on both sites):
• Owners Name:
• A three line introduction about you (not to exceed 75 words):
• Favorite item in your shop (name of the item and up to a two line description, not to exceed 50 words), please send a jpeg attachment of your item and a link to the item:
• Tell us why you started to sell online and how long you have been selling online (up to a three line description, not to exceed 75 words):

BIT BY THE TRAVEL BUG? TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH JEWELRY FROM FABULOUS RUBY LANE ARTISANS!

Wearable By Design

Pink Ophelia Necklace

Elisabethan theater had a set of emblematic conventions to represent female madness - or erotomania. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the virtuous Ophelia ...

Vintage-Heaven

Copper Forged Steampunk - Watch Movement Cuff Bracelet

I just adore working in copper and brass. It has a such a warm and organic feel to it. I created this copper bracelet with many steps of hammering ...

Galina Kirman

Vintage Charm Necklace - Sterling Silver Florida Medallion and Alligator Charm

This fun necklace is made for someone special who lives in or loves Florida... The necklace features three vintage sterling silver charms - a large ...

2 Blue Gems

Rocky Road - Pure ( 999) Silver Ring

Cute, dainty, and one-of-a-kind, this ring so comfortable to wear! Hand made designed from PMC (Precious Metal Clay) and kiln-fired, what remains is ...

Whimsy

Ship in Full Sail Coin Earrings, with King George VI, 1939 and 1946

These earrings have been hand-crafted from British Half Penny coins dated 1939 and 1946. The front of the earrings feature a ship in full sail, ...

Red Tabby Designs

Walk in the Woods fine silver bracelet

Small cat (or dog) footprints wander along the entire length of this fine silver bracelet through leaves, mushrooms, and small green cubic zirconia ...

Pele

Black Tahitian Pearl, Cultured, 14K Gold Cap Enhancer on Pearl Strand with

Tahitian families grow pearls at the edge of their back yards. They live on small inherited lots right next to the ocean (remarkably calmed by the ...

EzCrane Jewelry Designs

Fibonacci Original Blue Dot Topaz Necklace

Inspired by the Golden Ratio, the Fibonacci Original Blue Dot Necklace features 12 blue Topaz precious gems, framed by Swarovski Crystals and delicate...

Bijou Jewelry Designs

Flowers~ Amethyst Swarovski,Lampwork, 14lt Gold-Filled and Vermeil Bracelet

A special bracelet for a special occasion. A deep amethyst lampwork bead, aswirl with style if surrounded by vermeil (22kt gold over sterling silver) ...

JOIN RUBY LANE AND RUBY PLAZA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza are now active on both Twitter and Facebook, and we invite you to join us. Both services are free to join and participate.

Follow Ruby Lane on Twitter: Twitter

Become a Fan of Ruby Lane on Facebook

Follow Ruby Plaza on Twitter: Twitter

Become a Fan of Ruby Plaza on Facebook

SHARE CREATIVE HANDS WITH A FRIEND

Did you enjoy this issue of Creative Hands? Do you know others who would enjoy receiving it? We invite you to forward this issue on to others. Happy reading!