Ruby Lane Creative Hands Newsletter for April

Creative Hands
Ruby Lane's monthly newsletter celebrating the Arts & Crafts
community
__________________________________________________________________
Welcome to Creative Hands!

IN THIS ISSUE:
o Featured Craft: Jeweled Eggs by Jacie Strout
o April Arts & Crafts Show SAMPLER
o Share Creative Hands With A Friend

__________________________________________________________________
FEATURED CRAFT: JEWELED EGGS BY JACIE STROUT

About 12 years ago hubby and I were in Hawaii and staying at the
Hilton. There was this very elegant shop there and the display
window was full of these beautiful creations (Faberge style
eggs) made by a woman on the island. I'm not a glitzy type
personality. (Grew up on a ranch and was totally not into "girl"
things) so for me to be smitten with these beautiful eggs was
quite unusual. But over the years I kept thinking about them.
Then I really got into studying the history of the Faberge eggs
and egg art.

About 4 years ago I found out I have the start of cataract so I
decided that if I were going to tackle this quest it better be
now. Fortunately the problem is very slow progressing. So I
studied about the process as much as I could and found a dealer
here in Phoenix where I can buy my supplies and I went to work.
I buy the eggs already cleaned so I just have to come up with
the ideas for the cuts. I use goose, emu and ostrich. I
purchase the ostrich eggs at a large farm here in AZ, the Emu
eggs are from a great gal in Texas. I use what is basically a
dental drill but it is especially made for egg cutting. I use
an egg marker to mark the eggs. The initial investment is
substantial but it's best to have the right tools to begin with
to get the good results. And a little imagination doesn't hurt.


I've learned shortcuts and tricks with each egg I do and I think
I have a pretty good eye for design with a minor in Art which
helps. I start with the color and work from there. Or if I have
a pretty piece of antique jewelry or a vintage figurine, I may
build an egg around that. I like to incorporate my love and
business of antiques and collectibles into the eggs. Ideas
usually come to me in the middle of the night so I've learned to
keep a note pad by my bed to make notes. My dear hubby has
finally gotten used to this!

I started out just making them for myself and friends and family
but after two cases full of eggs and with everyone's
encouragement I finally started selling. Have sold a few on
eBay and in my Antiques and Collectible shop but they really
started doing well after I put them in Ruby Lane. One gentleman
bought 12 of them at once. So just call it a Grandmother's hobby
that got totally out of hand. But it's my therapy from everyday
life and 11 grandchildren.

Jacie has some really gorgeous handcrafted Faberge eggs to
offer! To see her beautiful creations visit her shop, Jacie's
Treasures Jeweled Eggs.

__________________________________________________________________
APRIL ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW SAMPLER

Apr 2-4, 2004 Sugarloaf Crafts Festival Montgomery County
Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, MD

Apr 3-4, 2004 Street Fair Osceola Street, Stuart, FL

Apr 10-11, 2004 Mandarin Art Festival Mandarin Road at Brady
Road, Jacksonville, FL

Apr 9-11, 2004 Easter Art & Craft & Kids Fair Roland E Powell
Convention Center, Ocean City, MD

Apr 16-25, 2004 Arts & Crafts Show Rotterdam Square Mall,
Schenectady, NY

Apr 17-18, 2004 Placer County Strawberry Festival Placer County
Fairgrounds, Roseville, CA

Apr 21-25, 2004 Art & Craft Show Belden Village, Canton, OH

Apr 23-25, 2004 ONB Magic City Connection Linn Park, Birmingham,
AL

Apr 24-25, 2004 Spring Craft Show Delaware State Fair,
Harrington, DE

Apr 25, 2004 Springfest 2004 Main Street, Nyack, NY

Apr 28-Jun 5, 2004 International Miniature Art Show 2716
Virginia Dare Trail So, Nags Head, NC

Apr 30-May 2, 2004 Virginia Beach Spring Craftmarket VA Beach
Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Apr 30-May 2, 2004 Essex Spring Craft & Fine Art Show