Featured Artist – Sirona Jewelry

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 01:19 Written by Manic Butterfly Wednesday, 28 October 2009 06:00

After practicing psychology for years, I discovered jewelry design and it has become my passion. The name “Sirona” refers to a Celtic goddess who is said to have been the source of healing springs located in Southern France. Drawing inspiration from my love of nature and the beauty of the Maine coastline, my contemporary artisan jewelry reflects my appetite for color in the richness, texture and sparkle of semi-precious gemstones, Swarovski crystals and fused dichroic glass.

Creating jewelry is a “pleasurable madness.” My designs range from traditional, classic, elegant and timeless, to whimsical and fun. I use only high quality AAA semi-precious gemstones with 14k and 18k gold in the Luxury Gemstone Collection. The Swarovski Crystal Collection and the Classic Stone Collection are made using 14k gold-filled, sterling silver or Argentium silver, while the Fused Dichroic Glass Collection incorporates gemstones with 14k gold-filled, sterling silver or Argentium silver. Other precious metals are also used. And, of course, custom requests are always welcome. 

Find my collections at Sirona Jewelry.

Featured Artist – Theresa Mink Designs

Last Updated on Sunday, 25 October 2009 01:36 Written by Manic Butterfly Monday, 26 October 2009 06:00

After graduating with a B.A. in Art and Psychology in Houston, Texas, I taught art for 3 years. Having a desire to own my own business, I moved to Austin where for 18 years I owned and operated a high-end furniture store. Since retiring in 2004, I have traveled the world in search of awe-inspiring ideas and unique components for my jewelry design business.

My art and design background inspires me to create unusual pieces composed of faceted gemstones in a stunning mixture of colors and shapes. My creations are designed for customers who appreciate high-quality pieces that transcend time.

 My original handcrafted jewelry is composed of faceted precious and semi precious gems that have been purchased from all over the world. Most items are one of a kind because of the limited resources of some of the gems. My work has been featured in Tammy Powley’s latest book titled “Mixed Media Jewelry”, as well as Sandra Salamony’s book titled “1000 Jewelry Inspirations”. 

Buy jewelry at Classic Designs or Theresa Mink Designs.
Find jewelry supplies at Bling Things.
Check out Theresa Mink Fine Art & Photography.

Featured Aritist – Mikicat Designs

Last Updated on Monday, 19 October 2009 01:22 Written by Manic Butterfly Monday, 19 October 2009 06:00

MikiCat Designs was established in 2008 when Miki and Cat met in a Red Hat Society chapter. After learning they’re actually pre-natal twins it was fated that they actually try to do something together. That’s when Cat taught Miki the joys and passions of creating and making jewelry. They’ve been joined at the hip ever since except when Cat has to go do a reading or spend time with her husband, or when Miki needs to chill with her cats.

Miki is known to the world as Michele Stewart. She is a graduate of the HS of Art & Design, an avid reader, cat lover and artist in multi-media. Beginning with a passion for needle arts, she has wholeheartedly embraced the art of jewelry. Using silver, gold, natural and simulated gemstones, Swarovski crystals and anything else she can get her hands on, Miki’s designs are delicate, original and improving all the time. You can also contact Michele for one on one design consultation.

Cat a.k.a. Cat Nissenfeld a.k.a. Madam Miau, is a renowned Psychic, Reiki Master and burgeoning Shaman as well as an artist extraordinaire. Her designs are bold, full of color and verve as well as healing and infused with her own vibrant personality. Cat has been designing and making jewelry for over 20 years, using everything from delicate seed beads to sterling silver one-of-a-kind castings in lost wax. Every one of Cat’s pieces are infused with healing energy. You can contact Cat to consult or order Chakra or Healing pieces.

Check out the Mikicat Design Store.
We’re also on Etsy & Artfire.
Read our blog.

Featured Artist – Jems by JB & Company

Last Updated on Friday, 2 October 2009 05:27 Written by Manic Butterfly Friday, 2 October 2009 06:00

While hiking in the Adirondack Mountains of New York several years ago, Bill and I discovered our first piece of garnet. Thus, the birth of Jems by JB & Company (Judy and Bill), our hopes for an early retirement!!  We have since worked with many other semi-precious gemstones and have brought some of our stones from their raw state to the beautiful finished pieces that we now offer for sale. We try to create pieces that will appeal to all ages and fashion trends.

Our five children and their respective spouses, Jeff and Chrissy, Kyle and Scotti, Allie, Michelle, Jen and Matt, serve as our “testers” and give us advice on what they feel will sell. Although we both have full time careers that keep us pretty busy, we spend our free time designing new pieces. I am considered the creative genius behind this operation and Bill is manufacturing.

We still enjoy our rides to the mountains where we continue to find treasures that inspire our creations. We are featured at many of the craft shows locally and can design anything based on your budget and taste.

Check out our bead supplies at our other Etsy shop, ‘Beaders Booty’. We are proud members of JET (Jewelry on ETSY), BBEST (Boomers and Beyond) Street Teams!

Check out Jems by JB on Etsy.
Find supplies at Beaders Booty.
We’re also on Artfire.
Read our Blog.

Featured Artist – Elena Adams

Last Updated on Friday, 18 September 2009 05:52 Written by lisianblue Monday, 21 September 2009 06:00

Elena Adams has been making and desiging jewelry for over 8 years.   Elena states that she takes her inspiration from many sources and has always been fascinated by  chain and the amazing patterns that can be produced.   While she  strives to maintain the interest of classic chain maille,  she also updates her jewelry to suit the more refined tastes of the modern woman.   Depending on the size and intricacy of the piece, each item can take hours to create.    She makes her own jump rings  by coiling and cutting sterling silver wire. The rings are then connected to form a variety of weaves, based on traditional chain maille.

Elena has recently  expanded her repertoire into metal smithing and Precious Metal Clay, taking classes from renowned Bay Area artists such as Iris Sandkühler, Tom Colson, and Virginia Huffman.

Elena frequently incorporates semiprecious stones, untreated and undyed specimens, along with sterling and fine silver. 

Elena Adams  website has as a wonderful  sample of her  designs.  She  welcomes custom designs and more designs are available for viewing on request.