Ruby Lane's Creative Hands Newsletter for May 2008

• HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY from Ruby Lane
  
• ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT: Marta Weaver Jewelry
  
• SHOP SPOTLIGHT: Sky Dreams
  
• SANNA DESIGNS
  
• JEWELS by LIZ - Is it Art or Magic?
  
• Ruby Lane May Jewelry Artisan SHOP SAMPLER
  
• MAY GEM and BEAD SHOWS
  
• Share Creative Hands With A Friend

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM RUBY LANE

Click here to see a special Mother's Day video message from Ruby Lane, or go to:

http://www.rubylane.com/search/event/,mothers-day

Deb Scott Designs Jewelry

ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT: MARTA WEAVER JEWELRY

When I was asked to do a feature article for the Ruby Lane Creative Hands newsletter I felt so honored. As I raced through the house to tell my family, the thought popped into my head, what if I was the last one on the list that finely agreed to write an article and the list was in alphabetical order and of course my last name begins with a `W.' Oops! "No, no, no," I told myself and I pushed that thought behind and whipped out paper and pen and this is what I came up with after several re-writes.

Being creative is just a part of the way God made me. I have always wanted unique clothes, jewelry and home décor, and I found at a young age that the best way for me to have them was to design and learn to create them myself - since my budget is slightly smaller than Donald Trumps. However, learning to control my creativity is the hard part and finding the time to express it. You see I have eight children. Three are adults and live in California, and then there are five marvelous adopted blessings, ages 2 to 14 at home to raise and home school, and last but not least my wonderful husband.

My day begins early with some alone time with the Lord and a cup of coffee. Everyone else starts arriving at the breakfast table around 7 AM and between laundry, school, food prep, and hugs and kisses, etc., I manage my Ruby Lane shop by checking on orders and answering questions from shoppers. After lunch our three daughters nap and the boy's work on school assignments, I prepare orders for shipping while my mind is creating a new idea for a necklace or earrings. I'm also hoping for a mail delivery of supplies. Maybe the lustrous pearls I've ordered from overseas, the adorable "Vintaj Natural Brass" birds, or perhaps, the gemstones will arrive today! If it does, we all fight over the package, wanting to be the first one to open it and see the beauty within. My heart races, I am excited just thinking about the pleasure I will derive out of creating new things from the treasures that are about to be unveiled. My 14 yr. old is a designer in training and sometimes I have to race him to the designing table, but since I'm the Mom, I win.

After dinner is when I usually do most of my creations...which professionally began many years ago during a visit to the Los Angeles Fashion Mart where those in the fashion business come from all over the world to buy for their stores. A sales rep from the Mart approached me and asked where I got my earrings. I said that I'd made them and she asked if I would be interested in sending her some of my work to sell. Well, after I picked myself up off the floor, we talked business, and I floated home on a cloud of excitement. I got busy and sent her some of my designs, and the orders started coming in. After designing a few dozen of the same earrings, repeatedly, the glamour wore off and I progressed into limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces for boutiques and art galleries in California where I was born and raised.

After moving to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina a few years ago, I took some time off to explore my new surroundings and discovered a large community of artisans here. I was inspired to get back into designing - with a lot of encouragement from family and friends.

Having five children at home that the Lord blessed us with, the Internet seemed the best fit for me to sell my designs, since I could do all my work from home and with a little luck, keep my kids in shoes. I researched many avenues on the net and when I found the professional jewelry artisans on Ruby Lane, I knew this was the place for `Marta Weaver Jewelry.' I'm very proud to be among the very talented artisans at Ruby Lane and since I'm a "newbie" here, many have been kind enough to offer helpful advice on processing orders and setting up shop, etc.

In my shop, you will find pieces I loved creating with what I imagine to be jewels from a pirate's treasure chest from long ago, a necklace worn by a fairytale princess, or a treasure from nature with birds or an intricate dragonfly. Please come in and shop any time any day. Well, I think I see the mail truck coming up the hill and just maybe the pearls I ordered are about to be delivered! Perhaps, I will create a lovely new treasure just for you. Blessings, Marta Weaver of Marta Weaver Jewelry

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: SKY DREAMS

My name is Hee Soon.

I live with my husband and our hybrid baby Sky. I make jewelry while Sky sleeps so my husband named my business 'Sky Dreams'. I have been living my life around making jewelry for three years now and have been on Ruby Lane for one and a half years.

My husband is the one who is responsible for my business. I designed a ring for his birthday and had it custom made for him. A few years later, Cartier came out with the same design for women and called it 'Tank Ring.' After seeing that, my husband bought me tools and 'how to' books.

I still didn't think I had what it took to be a designer so a few years passed by. Then in 2005, my husband took me to a bead show and the rest is history. Since that fateful day, I don't think a day has gone by without me thinking about jewelry or talking about jewelry.

Stones and colors speak to me. Nature inspires me. I rarely sit down and design instead I let colors and stones guide my eyes, and I get the best designs that way. That is why my designs range from very romantic and feminine to modern and simple to even bold.

I always try to use findings that enhance the beauty of the stones and I spend too much time trying to find the perfect findings, so I decided to make them myself. At the moment, I am very much in love with wire wrapping for its intimacy and the possibilities it allows. Wire wrapping permits me to make my own findings in a very personal and organic way. I forge and shape frames by my bare hands with very little help from tools, then wire wrap it with various gauge of wires. All my wishes and dreams for that piece and its wearer will be felt by the wearer and what an intimate connection that is. I am planning to include metal clay in my work to create findings in the future.

Making jewelry is my passion. I can't imagine doing anything else. I love what I do and hope you can see it through my work. Hee Soon of Sky Dreams~ Jewelry of Unpretentious Elegance

SANNA DESIGNS

I've always had this deep, burning desire to create! Actually, it stems back as far as I can remember. For example, the time when I was five years old, my dad left me in the car for a second while he ran an errand, alone with his VERY expensive felt hat, which he loved and admired greatly. Needless to say, when he returned and saw the masterpiece I had created, by scribbling a design on it in ball point pen, he was less than impressed with my talent!

Or the time I decided that I could create a lovely smelling concoction out of Vaseline and an array of other questionable ingredients that would keep your skin nice and soft. I took my mixture door to door and sold it to the neighbors for 25 cents a cup. Boy, it sure was hard to give that money back, but even harder to admit that my creation was not the best invention ever!

All grown up, I had the opportunity to open a wholesale art and craft supply business in 1985. We also sold to the public and offered classes. It was fun coming up with designs and teaching classes. Imagine owning a store that held an infinite number of creative opportunities!! All that STUFF at your finger tips! What a dilemma...! The hardest part of that job was deciding what to do next! Five years later, I gave it all up to have my beautiful daughter (who just turned 18). After putting her down for the evening, I would paint into the wee hours of the night. Unfortunately, that got old and I got tired, so I stopped painting.

I have participated in many creative processes through the years. When I became a mother of three I opted for less time restrictive projects, but nonetheless I was still creating, when time allowed. Now that the kids are semi self-sufficient, I have found something that fits my personality, lifestyle, and attention span perfectly! I now have a whole workroom full of color, texture, sparkle, shine, and everyday I get to explore the million ways that beauty can be created.

I started making jewelry two years ago. I needed something that would quench my thirst for creativity and go quickly, so I picked up a few beads and findings. Enjoying that, I set out to learn about some beads I had seen, glass beads, called lamp work. What fabulous colors and depth! I loved them! The creative options would be endless. So I sat down at my computer and conducted a search.

It brought me to page after page of beautiful items...many of which were listings right here on Ruby Lane! Certain items kept grabbing my attention though. They were lamp work creations from Ruby Lane Shop, H&H Jewelry Designs. I was in awe of the beauty I saw in front of me. What beautiful expressions of color and style! It was from that moment that I knew I wanted to design jewelry. I had found my inspiration in these very talented designers. And you know what's really funny? A few weeks ago I received an email commenting on a bracelet I had just designed and added to my shop. The email said, "boy you've really out done yourself on this one....I can't take my eyes off of it, it's gorgeous". You know that email was from the shop owner of H & H! I had to write and tell them what an inspiration they had been to me and how that bracelet may not even exist if it were not for the breathtaking designs I saw in their shop that day I sat down at my computer.

I am self-taught; I call it the school of hard knocks! I have ruined and thrown away more stuff than I care to think about. But in doing so I have learned the reason things must be done right and I pride my self in making sure I've done the best job that can be done. I not only design the jewelry but I'm the photographer, the photo editor, write the descriptions, update my shops listings, answer email questions and pack `n ship. I stay very busy!

My shop is full of color! I use quality supplies in my designs, Bali, Argentium and Sterling Silvers, AA or better gemstones, wire guards whenever possible and guarantee my work for the life of the design. I love my customers; their complete satisfaction is my primary goal and I'm honored by the many that return time after time. My reward is seeing something I've created go to a new home where they are loved!

Thanks for reading about me, Susan Powers, and my shop Sanna Designs! I hope you'll stop by and browse around.

JEWELS BY LIZ - IS IT ART OR MAGIC?

Artisan jewelry - Is it art or magic? In this world of mass production, cheap rips offs, and a need for speed, why would anyone want to enter the slow pace but unique art of artisan jewelry making? I got started because of boredom. One day sitting in a meeting, which I found terminally boring, I happened to notice a necklace someone was wearing and I thought I could make that except I wouldn't use those stones or colors and I'd use gold instead of silver. Instead of a choker, I would create a long, free-swinging necklace. That evening, I went to the local craft store, purchased a couple of jewelry making books, some tools and materials, and a new love of jewelry was born.

While some artisan's use an objective approach, others use a subjective approach or a `feel' or symbolism in their jewelry. I personally stick primarily to a subjective approach. I reflect a concept more in the materials and colors than any real object. Probably the most creatively stimulating process comes to me from nature itself. Nothing is more inspirational than a sunset, a sunrise, a rainbow, flowers, animals, and birds - a never-ending list of worldly creations. Some artisans use fine metals and precious stones but after five years I still have not moved past the costume jewelry stage using instead plated metals, some sterling, some semi-precious stones, glass, crystals and other materials including plastics. While I will at some point move into fine metals and precious stones, it will be further down the road. My present materials allow me to experiment and learn from my successes and disasters without becoming financially bankrupt.

I have found jewelry making books, historical jewelry books, legends, myths, and the attributed powers or magic of various stones to provide additional inspiration. The Internet has also been invaluable and I have "met" a number of long time artisans who freely share tips, concepts, and creative ideas. I create some pieces just for fun while at other times I feel the influence of the craft.

For as long as jewelry has been crafted, it has been valued within four main concepts. First and many times the most obvious is the pieces artistic and ornamental appeal, second the intrinsic value of the piece, third is their symbolism, and fourth which I find to offer the most appeal and fascination is the powers and magical abilities given to certain stones. The mythical properties of stones are found in many cultures with legends in the Native American Culture, Eastern Influence, Celtic, Ancient Greece, and Egypt and many, many more.

Many stones are believed to influence spirituality, emotions, strengths, protection and other characteristics. From Ancient Greece, The Greek word "amethystos" can be translated as "not drunken." Amethyst was considered a strong antidote against drunkenness, Carnelian is known as a stone of great spirituality. Turquoise is thought to hold value in spiritual work and communication. The fossilized resin, amber is said to foster spiritual atonement, cleansing, healing, and protection. quamarine is believed to infuse into the wearer, courage, purification, peace, and self-expression. The Citrine is thought to bring comfort, protection, and creativity while Coral is believed to reflect diplomacy and calming emotions. Crystal Quartz is believed to increase energy, spiritual development, and healing. Jade has aspects of fidelity, peace, and accomplishment. Moonstone brings introspection, new beginnings, insight, tenderness, harmony, peace, and travel.

So you think you cannot become a jewelry maker? Remember everyone has a start - a beginning. It is a wonderful release, a medium for creativity and expression, and a source of constant reevaluating and accessing of values and mores. Whether you make jewelry for financial gain or strictly for personal enjoyment, the `Art and Magic' of artisan jewelry making gains new converts daily. Visit Liz's Ruby Lane shop Jewels By Liz and browse through a wonderful selection of artisan and collectible jewelry.

RUBY LANE MAY JEWELRY ARTISAN SHOP SAMPLER

Surprise Mom this May with beautiful jewelry.

H H Jewelry Designs: Gorgeous Handmade Jewelry With Artistic Flair ~ We Are Thrilled That You Are Here!!!

Lampwork Bracelet In Shades of Sapphire and Pink Grapefruit

This unique bracelet starts with three beautiful lampwork beads featuring a pink peach streaked finish with a high gloss finish!! These are such ...

WOW jewelry: Selected Quality Gemstone Jewelry at Reasonable Prices

Fancy multi-color Sapphire ~ 14k gold filled necklace

All natural Sapphire faceted rondelle 5mm-5.5mm in fancy colors of pink, blue, yellow, white, whisky, olive. hand wrapped in 14k gold filled wire. 14k...

The Bead Hive: Exquisite, handcrafted jewelry designed to bring beauty and quality together!

Italian Murano Glass Flowers and Butterfly Necklace with Swarovski Crystals

Gorgeous Italian Murano cinnamon glass flowers and butterfly beads shine lustrously between sections of 14k gold filled hammered chain.

Each glass ...

Artistic Crystal Jewelry: Featuring a beautiful mix of handcrafted artisan jewelry

Gorgeous Malachite Rectangle Beads and Pendant, Chunky Chrysoprase and Sterling Silver Necklace

A spectacular and unique malachite and sterling silver pendant is featured in this beautiful necklace. This stunning handmade pendant features three ...

Silvertree: Original Handcrafted Designer Jewelry!

Crescent Dichroic Glass Collar, Multi Strand Glass Bead Necklace

The crescent shaped dichroic glass piece is made from squares of dichroic glass. The glass is arranged in a rainbow inspired pattern, and the colors ...

Soli Creations Unique Artisan Beaded Jewelry: Hand-Made Beaded Artisan Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings and Anklets; Sterling, Brass

Garden Heart Earrings Hand Made with Enameled Hearts, Bronze Floral Links, Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver Ear Wires

These beautiful hand made earrings feature very unusual hand made enameled heart charms in soft blue, violet, and a bit of the copper underneath ...

Medusa's Stones: Welcome to Medusa's Stones Gemstones, Rhinestones and Much More!

Amazonite and Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings

The color in these natural gemstones will go with everything in your wardrobe. These versatile stones have the most amazing opaque light green-blue ...

MAY GEM AND BEAD SHOWS

• May 1-4: Phoenix, AZ - Bead Expo Phoenix. 1st-4th, classes; 2nd-4th, expo. Phoenix Convention Center

• May 3-4: Nashville, TN - Intergalactic Bead Shows, Tennessee State Fairgrounds - Banquet Hall

• May 9-11: Marlborough, MA - International Gem & Jewelry Show, Royal Plaza Trade Center

• May 10-11: Tampa, FL - Bead Mercantile Bead Show, Florida State Fairgrounds, Florida Center & Botanical Gardens

• May 16-18: Grapevine, TX - Dallas Bead Renaissance Show, Grapevine Convention Center

• May 17-18: Raleigh, NC - The Down the Street Bead Show, Amran Temple

• May 23-25: Santa Barbara, CA: Gem Faire, Earl Warren Showgrounds

• May 30 - June 1: Las Vegas, NV - International Gem & Jewelry Show, Cashman Center

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