Ruby Lane's Creative Hands Newsletter for November 2006

IN THIS ISSUE:

• HOLIDAY SHOPPING
  
• SHOP SPOTLIGHT: Staliza Jewelry
  
• JEWELRY ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT: Marie Wu
  
• WELCOME: Deb Scott Designs
  
• Ruby Lane November Jewelry Artisan SHOP SAMPLER
  
• NOVEMBER GEM and BEAD SHOWS
  
• Share Creative Hands With A Friend
  

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Tis' the season–to do all your holiday shopping online. Ruby Lane offers a unique array of items for gift giving, from the unusual to the beautiful. So, start surfing early, make your wish lists, bookmark your favorite shops, and save your time and energy for celebrating. And for things that sparkle, visit our Jewelry Artisan shops, where items are handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, and just plain gorgeous.

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: STALIZA JEWELRY

Stah-lie-zah is how I pronounce the name I came up with for my jewelry business–it is a combination of my first and middle name. Hi! I'm Stacy Elizabeth Jacob and I've been enjoying selling Staliza Jewelry online exclusively at Ruby Lane since July 2006. That's about the time I realized I was struggling to make it on time to my beloved job of ten years, because every morning I was having too much fun contemplating which of my handcrafted jewelry to wear for the day.

You never know what direction life will take you. I have a background in art from Eastern Michigan University in ceramics, drawing, and airbrush painting; and from Washtenaw Community College in graphic design and computer-aided illustration. I didn't end up pursuing a career in any of these fields. Instead, I ended up managing a frame shop for ten years because I wanted to put my son first. This gave me the best of both worlds: freedom to work around the needs of my family, and a job that allowed me to be immersed in a creative, friendly and inspiring environment–rich in color–with an array of design elements to work with.

From the moment a friend of mine brought me to a bead store, located one mile from where we worked–a place I didn't know existed–I knew my life was headed in a new direction. I spent a couple hundred dollars in the store, and I didn't even know what I was going to do with what I bought! When I came across beaded and wire-wrapped jewelry making, it was like my creative engine was suddenly running on high-octane fuel, and the gears were stuck in overdrive!

My creative engine is still running strong. I have read, studied, practiced, experimented, and dreamed of jewelry making ever since that very first day. I've taken a few classes, and I am, for the most part, self-taught. I draw on the experiences from my art and design background, and I find that there are similarities in the way that I go about designing a piece of jewelry, to how I would go about framing a piece of art.

I am inspired by the materials I work with: be it an artist's lampwork glass bead with a color combination and pattern that catches my eye, or a strand of gemstones carved in a way that intrigues me. Sometimes, I come across a pendant I am drawn to, and I will return to it again and again–to hold it, turn it around, flip it upside down, and just look at it for a while. When inspiration hits, I know exactly what I want to put next to ‘that' pendant, or how I want to accent it with wire, or whatever the idea may be! Sometimes, those ideas come sooner, sometimes later.

When I get ‘that' idea and get started creating ‘that' piece of jewelry, I usually can't set it down until I'm finished. I just get so into the process that I lose track of time until it's finished. Then...when I'm done...I lay it down and go do something else for a little while. Later, I go back and look at it and see what I made! Those are the pieces I feel the most excited about. I love when each element in a piece of jewelry relates to another element in color or design; so when you see the earrings, bracelet, or necklace, the overall effect is that your eye flows easily from one component to another. The design is cohesive.

I began collecting artisan jewelry after my brother gave me a pair of earrings for my birthday. They quickly became my favorities. They were so different and beautiful that I wanted to wear them more than any others I had! They were handcrafted and were purchased from a small business downtown–not a mass-produced pair of earrings from a chain-store. They just spoke to me! They have character, they've lasted 15 years now, they still look great, and they don't make my ears itch–I still love them! I started picking out artisan earrings every time I would visit a small boutique I liked. In this modern day of chain-restaurants, chain-stores, imported-goods, and mass-produced items, I just love it when I go into a small business where the aura is inviting, and the inventory is unique. The experience made buying my jewelry seem more like buying little works of 'wearable art'. I see that term used on other artisan's websites, and I know ever so well what they mean. Because that is exactly how I feel about artisan jewelry, and that is how I would love for my customers to feel about their Staliza Jewelry. That would be the ultimate compliment for me.

I taught beading basics for the Ann Arbor Community Education last year, which was so enjoyable! Ladies came in, excited to be in the class, and when they left at the end of the day, with the earrings and bracelets they created, they left with big smiles as well. The most rewarding experience, thus far, would have to be when I shared bracelet-making techniques with breast-cancer survivors for a non-profit organization that provided art therapy. Wow! What a thrill to see those faces light up over the course of a few hours–all from good company and a few beads. I can honestly say that aside from being a rewarding artistic venture, Staliza Jewelry has been incredibly good for my soul. Who says the Internet has to be a big, vast place? I have met plenty of warm, gracious, friendly, interesting and fun people–both customers and other jewelry designers.

Thank you so much. Stacy from Staliza Jewelry

JEWELRY ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT: MARIE WU

All my life I have been drawn to the creative arts, and I knew I was meant to travel down that road, but I was not sure which direction to take. As a child, I would spend hours sketching, and later, as a young adult, I dabbled in preserved floral arrangements, interior design, and culinary arts. But none of these satisfied me as a creative outlet, so my career took a different direction. It wasn't until I spent a delightful time at the seashore, collecting glimmering and time worn sea glass with my children, did the idea of jewelry design cross my mind. I spent my days wondering how best to showcase the pieces we found because I wanted to preserve those memories forever. That was the beginning of a wonderful journey, which brought me to where I am today, and I am eternally grateful for all the amazing people I have met along the way.

Several months ago, I received a package in the mail without a return address. It contained several stunning photographic note cards by artist Alice Cahill, a DVD featuring an intoxicating portrait of famed artist Andy Goldsworthy depicting the relationship between art and nature, and a CD of inspirational new age music. Along with the contents was a beautifully handwritten note thanking me for the joy my creations had brought her and her friends, and she wrote of how they showcased my art as often as possible. As a token of her appreciation, she wanted to share with me other artists she admires, and the inspirational music was meant to serve as a perfect backdrop for creating my art. Since the note was signed simply, "Always Warmly", it took me some time, going over past purchase orders, to place an identity to this lovely mystery woman. Luckily for me, she described some of the items she purchased including a blue topaz bracelet that she has come to consider her good luck charm. Imagine my surprise when I found her order was from seven months prior! Over the years, I have received several personalized notes of gratitude. And, to this day, I am still bewildered when someone takes the time out of their busy life to thank me because my art has touched them in some way. It is moments like these that lift my spirit and truly inspire me, and reminds me of how much beauty there is in the world.

I try to make my designs universally appealing, incorporating the glamour of the past and present along with my personal style–ranging from sweet simple elegance to the bold and beautiful. For me, jewelry design has endless possibilities. It is a creative outlet of never ending ideas that gives me joy, and hopefully, brings a little sparkle to brighten the day of the beholder. I search far and wide for the finest, most unique, hard to find gemstones to incorporate into my designs–to dazzle and inspire.

The vast majority of my clientele consists of repeat customers as I take great pride in my work; from the smallest detail of my design to the final packaging, and I place great emphasis on customer service. Now, I welcome you to stop by my shop Marie Wu Designs-Wearable Art with Eclectic Gems and feast your eyes on an eclectic collection of Mother Nature's loveliest works of art along with my own handiwork.

WELCOME: DEB SCOTT DESIGNS

I love jewelry... love jewelry...love jewelry...a mantra chanted by many of us. If you love sparkling, handcrafted, unique, and fabulously rich jewelry, you are definitely not alone! My own undying love for jewelry has led me to my destiny of becoming a jewelry designer.

As a child I was drawn to color, dimension, shape, and the absolutely fascinating architecture of nature. A walk on the beach would end with my pockets bulging with seashells, rocks, sand, and bits of wood. I would take these treasures home and arrange them on my dresser to examine and admire.

As a life long 'vagabond' artist, I've dabbled in ceramics, watercolors, dough art, collage, and card design. It wasn't until eight years ago, while recovering from knee surgery, that my inability to sit and do nothing got the best of me. Forced to sit in bed with my leg elevated, a virtual prisoner, I took a life-changing turn. Antsy for something creative to do, I began to disassemble older pieces of my jewelry, and using the parts, I created new designs. To my pleasant surprise the designs turned out great–I was captivated! And, I became hooked on expressing my creativity through jewelry design.

Encouraged by friends and family, I began selling my designs at the local weekend Arts and Crafts Market, and at regional juried Art Shows. Traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest, meeting customers and hearing their compliments, spurred me on to continue creating. I love to see my designs enjoyed by my customers, many who have purchased from me repeatedly over the years.

Inspiration for my designs comes from many directions. As I mentioned earlier, nature has a huge impact on my designs–a glorious sunset, majestic mountains, flowing rivers, a field of flowers, and the beautiful community I live in, all play a part in inspiring my work. Another source of inspiration is my workspace–an area of orderly chaos! I have color splashed everywhere–beads, beads, beads: glass beads, wood beads, gemstone beads, simple to complex beads; handcrafted lampwork and Venetian beads; Balinese and Thai sterling silver beads; gold beads, pearls, beads from the Czech Republic, and many more. While working, I listen to my favorite music, I have framed pictures of my loved ones nearby, and a view from my window that overlooks my beautiful flower garden, all of which is inspiring. I also draw inspiration from the creative vision of my clientele when commissioning a particular piece.

My designs are quite eclectic and all-encompassing: the Victorian feminine, chunky geometrics, brilliant gemstones, and crystal sparkles. And, depending on my current creative mood, they may be a combination of them all! That's what I love about my work, I make no rules, instead I follow the pathway of creativity that is open to me at the moment. I take great pleasure in creating custom orders for my customers based on their request for a particular color and material. It's so satisfying to create jewelry that will be loved and cared for.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a Pacific Northwest artist–creating artisan jewelry for my geographical region. But now, since opening my shop on Ruby Lane, I have a loyal customer base that covers our entire country and the globe. It's simply amazing and wonderful to be able to share my artistic enthusiasm and works with customers worldwide.

Over the years I have learned many techniques to enhance my designs (the learning never ends), such as wire wrapping, creating my own 'findings', Precious Metal Clay, and bead-weaving, to name just a few. I continue to learn new techniques, through classes, workshops, and from artist friends whose work I admire.

My goal is to create absolutely beautiful jewelry that is unique, durable, and will be enjoyed for generations. As I continue to be awed and inspired by nature, people, and the rhythms and patterns of the universe, my creative energies become realities. My thanks to all who have helped make this journey possible! Deb Scott

We invite you to take a moment and visit Deb Scott Designs

RUBY LANE NOVEMBER JEWELRY ARTISAN SHOP SAMPLER

Make a statement this fall! Visit Ruby Lane Artisan Jewelry shops and pick out stunning wearable works of art!

Sundancegems: Handcrafted Gemstone Crystal Jewelry Fine Art Photography

Red Coral Discs and Sterling Silver Choker and Earrings

This is a majestic piece of jewelry. Discs of Red Coral with all the natural markings are alternated with large filigree type silver beads to form a ...

Bijou Jewelry Designs: Quality Design, Materials and Craftsmanship

Blue by You~ Lapis Lazuli with Azurite Tassels

Beautiful faceted Lapis Lazuli faceted briolettes (10x12mm), a rich, vibrant blue, hang softly below a flurry of 3 and 4mm rounds of Lapis Lazuli and...

Jeri'z Joolz: SIX-MONTH LAYAWAY available for most items ~ just ask!

Jeri'z Wild Honey Charm Bracelet

I guess you'd call this a charm bracelet, anyway it has five clusters of delicious vintage striated honey colored beads of graduating lengths hanging...

Out of My Mind ~Mosaics Jewelry: Artisan Designer Jewelry and one of a kind Shard Art and Mosaic pieces

Oh What a Face ~ Asymmetrical Earrings

This is the last one of these cute face stones! They've made such cute earrings! This one is in the greens and blacks, and I've coupled it with a ...

Designs By Judith: Handmade-One Of A Kind-Custom Designed-Sterling Silver-Gemstone-Crystal-Jewelry

**Designs By Judith** Tea for One Necklace

Perfect for the Teapot collector.......the softness of these Purple Freshwater Pearls along with the Shine of the Sterling Silver make a beautiful ...

Alison Phalan Antiques: Antique and Collectible Jewelry

Large Glass Pink Petals Flower Brooch Artisan

Today I am listing a few of my own hand made pieces. This pin was made from vintage haskell supplies. I wired every petal and added a faux pearl to ...

NOVEMBER GEM AND BEAD SHOWS

• Thur Nov. 2 - Sun Nov 5: Oakland, CA - BABE! 2006 Bead Show. Oakland Convention Center/Oakland Marriott City Center. beadextravaganza@yahoo.com.
  
  
• Sat Nov 4, 2006 - Sun Nov 5, 2006: Maitland, FL @ The Maitland Civic Center 641 S. Maitland Avenue, Maitland, FL 32794
  
  
• Sat Nov 4, 2006 - Sun Nov 5, 2006: Mt. Laurel, NJ - Innovative Beads Expo. DoubleTree Hotel, 515 Fellowship Rd.
  
  
• Fri Nov 10 - Sun Nov 12: Pascagoula, MS - Mississippi Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Jackson County Fairgrounds
  
  
• Sat Nov 11, 2006 - Sun Nov 12, 2006: Richmond, VA Richmond Raceway Complex - Colonial Building, 600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
  
  
• Thur Nov 17- Sun Nov 19: Albuquerque, NM - The Bead Renaissance Shows. New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 300 San Pedro
  
  
• Sat Nov 18, 2006 - Sun Nov 19, 2006: Mesquite, TX - Dallas Gem & Mineral Society. 49th Annual Show. Resistol Arena, Exhibition Hall, 1818 Rodeo Dr.
  
  
• Sat Nov 18, 2006 - Sun Nov 19, 2006: Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center - Hall C 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097
  
  
• Fri Nov 24- Sat Nov 26: Columbia, SC - Columbia Gem & Mineral Society. 39th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show. South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr
  
  
• Fri Nov 24- Sat Nov 26: Hamburg, NY GemStreet USA - Gem, Mineral, Jewelry, Fossil, and Bead Show. Erie County Fairgrounds, McKinley Pkwy
  
  

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 to those you know who also appreciate and enjoy arts & crafts.