Wonderful Wired Works

"I grew up with a strong passion for art, crafts and being creative. My mother knew she needed a way for my little body to stay still, yet active, when I was young so she sat down with me every week and we made crafts together. Growing up with art in the house has really helped me find a positive outlet for all of my energy. I took making art a step further in high school, when I discovered wire wrapping and opened my Etsy shop in 2014 where I sell wire wrapped jewelry and wire sculptures."

Michelle

Owner and artisan behind the creative jewelry works at

Wire Moon Jewelry

Where Earth Stones and Antique Copper are crafted into wonderful works of art that you wear or decorate you home with.  Accessories that include Necklaces, Rings, Earrings, Dream Catchers, Wire Trees, and Jewelry Sets.

Michelle is my featured artist for December.  Her beautiful creations reflect her passion not only for the art, but also the earth and environment.  Here I'll share with you a few examples of Michelle's Unique and One Of A Kind creative works.

One of my favorites is this...

Dream Catcher Pendant

Embraced by a frame of hand wrapped antique copper wire rests dream catcher web. Inside the webby wires sits a green mossy agate stone. This necklaces is unique, handmade and one of a kind.

Mossy agate represents inner peace and a symbol of nature and its energy.

The art of wire wrapping involves the use of one's hand and a variety of tools to bend, twist, and wrap wire into truly lovely decorative jewelry works.  Here Michelle transforms earths natural minerals to create this wonderful...

Tree Agate Necklace

Triangle design with two Green Agate stones, this piece shows off her wonderful talent and creativity.

The Tree Agate represents Inner Peace and Gentle Energy.  It is also believe that the Tree Agate is a highly supportive stone that boosts the immune system and regulates the balance of water in the body.

The Tiny Copper Tree

Created with Recycled Copper Wire and Amethyst Crystal, the Tiny Copper Tree with it's outstretched limbs represents reaching for the stars while being rooted to the earth.  The Amethyst represents wisdom, strength, protection, beauty, bounty, and family.

Unique in the slight variation between pieces, these...

Cute Heart Earrings

are another wonderful example of Michelle's creativity in their simplicity, yet elegant design and a great pair of earrings to purchase for a Christmas stocking stuffer.

Harness those Dreams with these lovely...

Blue Sodalite Small Dream Catchers
Suspended in a fragile web of hand weaved wire, rest many blue Sodalite stone beads. Dripping from the dream catcher ring, hangs three chained 'feathers' filled with more Sodalite beads.

Tree Of Life Art Orange Carnelian

This is another personal favorite of mine.  Suspended by a steel ring, this tree of life glows with Carnelian stones.  As of the publishing of this feature, there are only 2 available.  This beautiful piece would make a great gift.

Beautiful Copper Coil with Turquoise Stone

Handmade with care, each Turquoise stone is carefully wrapped in Copper coil wrap.  Turquoise represents Wisdom and Truth.  Custom rings sizes are available.

Spiral Designed Copper Rose Ring

For those who love simplicity, this lovely spiraled copper wire ring gives just that, but also lends to individuality like ourselves as each handmade ring is unique in it's own.

I hope you'll stop by Michelle's wonderful shop to see more of her creative works and that you'll find that special piece for yourself or someone you love.

Wire Moon Jewelry

A special Thanks to Michelle for allowing me the priviledge to feature her and her lovely and creative works of art.  Thanks Michelle!

Pretty Knifty Knitting

Growing up I was surrounded by women who knitted.  Grandmother's to sisters, knitting was a way to provide accessories that offered warmth, comfort, and a little homemade style.  I personally never learned to knit, but have always admired those who do.  Perhaps is in my future cards as I approach retirement?  My next featured guest is a wonderful gal whom I've had the pleasure of meeting through my searches of all that is handcrafted in Etsy.  Here for your creative pleasure I introduce to you another gracious Artisanista.

Please meet...

Jamie

Artisan and owner of the wonderful Etsy shop...

ClaraRuthScarves

Named after Jamie's Grandmothers Clara and Ruth, Jamie brings to you her creative works in a variety of styles and a palette of colors.  Her styles include Thick and Chunk, Stylish Infinity, Team Spirit, and Long Ribbed just to name a few.

Following are a few examples of Jamie's creative works that I hope you'll enjoy viewing.

Here I bring to you a couple of my favorites from her Lightweight Collection which include this...

Lightweight Mint Green Scarf

Bright Sunshine Yellow Lightweight

"It started when I tried to find a scarf to go with a walnut-dyed hat that my friend had made for me. Too long, too short, too thin, too wide, not the right color or texture. I'll make one, I thought. I've made scarves before. So - I did. I loved it."

                                                                                                                                                   Jamie

Here from Jamie's Thick and Chunky Collection are a pair of my Fall Color favorite's.  This beautiful...

Hand Knit Thick and Chunky Pumpkin

and this...

Thick Chunky Charcoal Infinity Scarf

From her Stylish Infinity Collection I share with you these beautiful works...

Stylish Deep Purple Infinity

and this absolutely lovely...

Circle Loop Cream Colored Infinity

For those of you who love natural fiber, here from Jamie's Natural Fibers Collection are these two examples of her lovely creative works in this...

Grey Tweed Brown Natural Fiber

or this...

Fall Colored Mohair Cowl

Last, but by no means least, from the Lightweight Infinity Collection, this...

Lacy Open Weave Pink Infinity Scarf

and this beautiful

Lacy Sage Green Open Weave

As always, you'll have to stop by Jamie's shop to see more of her marvelous hand created works.  I hope you'll stop by to learn more and to see her entire collection and perhaps find a wonderfully creative piece for you or a friend.

ClaraRuthScarves

                                                   on Etsy

Simplicitas Formosus

In the month of October, I'd like you to join me in a trip around the world.  We'll visit some Etsy Artisanistas whose creations have captured my eye.  Here, we'll expedite our globe-trotting tour via the Etsy expressway and I'll share with you some of my favorite picks.

Let's begin with a visit to the "Emerald Island" and make a stop in Cork, Ireland

  and introduce you to...

Melissa Larmer

of the Etsy shop

Like Starlight Into Day

Artisan and creator of "Simple and Beautiful Everyday Jewellry."

The thing I found most appealing about this Artisanistas creative works is exactly that, simple and beautiful.

Below are a few examples of my favorite picks starting with this lovely pair of

Gold Plated Studded Marble Earrings

Each measure 1cm x 1cm, set with marble stone.  A great gift for that special someone.

Another favorite are these wonderful

Feather Earrings

Created with 18K Gold Plating and measure 14mm long x 5mm wide.  Adorably perfect and make a great addition to your gold earring collection.

If necklaces are more to your liking, here's one that in my limited knowledge and opinion, combines the elements of nature, precious metal, and the element of preservation.

Sterling Silver and Dried Flower Necklace

Pink and Violet dried flowers permanently encased to transcend time.  A uniquely beautiful and brilliantly created piece for your collection or to give as a gift.

Geometry is brought into the equation with this marvelous pair of dainty and delicate

Small Circular Geometric Stud Earrings

These lovely earrings measure 1cm in diameter, are gold plated, and come gift wrapped ready for presentation.

"Statement" jewelry doesn't necessarily have to be ornate, adorned, or gargantuan.  It's just as appealing when it's crafted with love and simplicity.  It's...

Like Starlight Into Day

"Simple and Beautiful"

Outside The Ordinary

Prior to finding this months featured artisan, I had no idea there was a category in the art world known as "Outsider" art.  I am familiar with "Folk Art" and after having looked it up on the net, I found that outsider art is art that is created outside the boundaries of official culture, particularly art created by those outside the of the established art scene.  Although there are a variety of terms used to describe "Outsider Art", I most like the term "Self-Taught".

Introduced to "Outsider" and "Folk" art over 10 years ago, my featured artisan 

Donna

and her trusty assistant

Ziggy

are owners of the Etsy shop

The Lizard Factory

Donna transforms discarded, found, and repurposed materials into whimsically delightful works of Outsider and Folk art pieces.

Donna writes...

"Welcome to The Lizard Factory! Here you will find a variety of funky outsider art made from discarded or found materials. Each piece is lovingly created by me; I sell originals and occasionally a signed, limited edition poster of an original."

Donna's works have inspired me to share with you some of her wonderfully creative works.

I love cats, cat cartoon characters, cat videos, cat pics, etc.  I love the diffent ways people portray cats and their individual take on cats.  Here's one of my faves of Donna's creations from the "Cats Meow" collection...

Whimsical Folk Art Cat Painting

An adorable Kitty painted on a 5 x 7 canvas and the sides are painted so as to not require framing.

Here's one that would make a great pairing with a custom "Cat on Duty" sign to hang from a child's or teens bedroom door.

Grinning Cat Painting

Fun grinning cat faces, acrylic on wood.  There are 3 to choose from.  Approximately 5.5" x 3.75" and come ready to hand with a sawtooth hanger.

Have Donna create a custom "Guard Cat" sign to go along with the "Grinning Cat" above!

Ziggy, Donna's cat pictured above was the inspiration for this painting. An acrylic on a piece of upcycled wood panelling. The painting hangs from a black silk ribbon and measures 7 7/8 inches wide by 11 3/4 inches long.

"Ziggy"

Have a custom painting of your own fur baby or one's of a friends to give as gift is something to consider as Donna takes requests for custom works.

I would also like to mention that a contribution in the amount of 20% of the net sales of Donna's cat art is donated to help in the aid of rescue cats.  The contribution is made to the organization... 

Sparkle Cat Rescue in Burlington, NC

Click on the link above to visit the Sparkle Cat Rescue Facebook page.

Donna's portfolio of paints and works aren't limited to Cats alone, as here are a few examples of her other marvelous works.

"Which Way"

It is the first of Donna's new mixed media pieces.   This piece measures 19.25 inches by 10 inches. It is acrylic on wood and comes ready to hang.  "Which Way" is a signed original.

From her "Flower Power" series

"Autumn Flower Power"

Was created in the spirit of the beautiful fall season. The flower petals are papier mache, created with 100% repurposed materials. The centers of the golden yellow flowers are vintage 1970s wood and cloth buttons and the orange flowers have acorn caps for their centers. The flowers are mounted on wood.

Donna would be happy to work with you on a custom color scheme created just for YOU!

Donna's creations also include a variety of three dimensional works like this wonderful

Funky Red Road Runner

This funky papier mache creation measures 8.75" tall x 9" long. 

"I started out with the intention of creating a bird. No idea what kind of bird or even what color it would be. I just let my inspiration lead the way."

These are just a few examples of Donna's wonderful creative works.  To see more or to submit a request for a custom work of art, please visit Donna and Ziggy at

The Lizard Factory

A special thanks to Donna (and Ziggy!) for allowing me to share her (their)

 wonderful and delightful creative works.