Stir Your Soul

Featured here is an Etsy artisan who's creative works reflect her passion for her craft.  Stunningly beautiful works of art that you can wear and some of the most beautiful pieces that I've found while browsing for new artists.

I introduce to you the wonderfully talented...

Margaret

Jewelry artist and Owner of the Etsy shop...

ZAXJewelry

Handmade Classic Design Jewelry Art


"Creating beautiful jewelry stirs my soul and fills me with energy. I take great pleasure in fabricating each piece that I sell in my small and personal metal smith studio.  My goal is to send you a piece of jewelry that also stirs your soul."

                                                                                                                                  Margaret Zacny

"Primordial Superstrings"

Hand fabricated in sterling and fine silver with a rutilated quartz center stone.  The bottom stone sitting at the root chakra of the pendant is a garnet.  Accompanying the pendant is a handmade silver chain.  To learn more about this piece or any of the following pieces, just click the links provided.

Labradorite Cuff Bracelet

In her wonderful workshop, Margaret is shown here soldering a bezel.

  "Be Mine"

This one-of-a-kind .999 fine silver ring is offered in a variety of custom sizes from 4-10.  The ring shown is a size 7.5, but wears more like a 7.  This statement ring is perfect to give as a gift, for the bee lover, and a lovely little heart with the words "Be Mine" adorns the back.

Perhaps my favorite of Margaret's creations follows with this lovely

Engagement Ring

Made of Sterling Silver and set with a 1 carat lab created Garnet and flanked by 6 CZ's.  Comes in size 7 and available in her shop now.

Here Margaret polishes one of her creations to a mirror finish

and intently works on one of her chain creations.

Margaret offers a wonderful array of 100% handcrafted one of a kind jewelry pieces and will created something custom for you.  So please stop by to browse her selections and find that perfect piece for yourself or someone special. 

You can also find or follow Margaret and ZAXJewelry on social media by clicking any of the links below.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Handmade Classic Design Jewelry Art

ZAXJewelry

A Prime Portal

I've always been fond of photography and how those who have the ability to see through the camera lens capturing images that stimulate the senses.  Photographs as I see, are tactiles of the minds eye,  photographers, lenders of the eye of their minds.  Here I'd like to share with you a couple who's collaboration has produced some of my favorite images from some of my most favorite places here in the United States.  I'd like to introduce you to...

Fabian and Nicoleta

who own and operate

GatewayAlpha

Specializing in

Fine Art Photography and Art Nouveau Exotic Wood Jewelry

Following are some of my favorite pieces that I hope you'll enjoy.

Lovely tide pools at low tide.  Captured here at the Pacific Ocean in Davenport, California.

This beautiful image of a thermal pool in Yellowstone National Park places one there.

"We are a husband and wife team based in Northern California that love traveling, photography and lately, wood carving."

As is evident of this lovely Cocobolo Art Nouveau Heart Shaped "Tree Of Life" wood pendant.

Beautifully framed and matted, this Zion Image captivates with it's Red, White, Blue, and Gray hues.

The Merced River, Bridal Falls, Half Dome and all Yosemite National Park has to offer, here Yosemite Creek is one of my personal favorites.







I invite you to take a moment and browse this wonderful Etsy shop.

"We put a lot of love, pride and thought in our work, and we hope you will enjoy it too."

GatewayAlpha

Love And Light

I'd like to introduce to you my first featured Artisanista of 2013 and her Etsy shop...

ButtersStore

Sweet Ceramic Things

Shay, who owns and operates ButtersStore is a South Florida Artist who provides high quality handmade ceramics and sculptors.  Here is a sneek peek at some of her wonderfully creative pieces...

like this lovely hand painted ceramic Butterfly magnet in a beautiful green. 

This red and blue Butterfly accented with decorative stones and crystals would make a great Valentine's Day gift for that special one.

"The Monarch", this wonderful ceramic ornament with it's vibrant orange, black, and white color glaze is sure to please. 

Here is "Hope", A beautifully airbrushed and fine line detailed blue Butterfly on stone that's one of my favorites.

Shay is currently in the works of adding new inventory, so do stop by often and as hope you will.

To can see more of her stunning hand made and hand painted Butterflies just click on her shops name below.

ButtersStore

Touching People Through Art

With so many talented painters and artisan's, it is a challenge in just deciding which I'd like to feature.  The following works of art are not in any particular order of choice, but are some of my truly favorite pieces.

Splash Contemporary

by

Idil Kamlik

of

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"Finding Sea Glass"

by artist

Vickie Wade

of

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"Dark Woman with Blue Eyes"

by artist

Audrey DeFord

of

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Turquoise Blue Abstract

by artist

Jacqueline Swann

of

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"Chihuahua Puppies" 

by artist

Theresa

of

                                                                          Earth's Palette

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"Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master"

                                             Leonardo DeVinci

Naturally

"I’ll study a flower for hours and then try and capture it’s most striking qualities while leaving it isolated to make it truly stand out."

My featured seller is a self taught artisan who loves to work with different mediums, charcoal, paints, and pastels to name a few.  She hopes to bring more of these works into her Etsy shop.  Another passion is jewelry making.  I've had the pleasure of chatting with her and found her works exquisite and unique.  I'd like to share with you a little about...

"Leesa"

and her lovely Etsy shop

IN BLOOM GALLERY

We hope you enjoy...

    Tell us a little about the person behind the scenes at In Bloom Gallery. 

I graduated from college with a degree in History and English. I took a couple art classes but never thought I’d be able to make a career out of it, so I moved on. Years later I find myself having given into that artistic side and embracing it. I’m self-taught in both my drawing/painting as well as jewelry making. I’ve often thought of taking up photography as well.

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What does handmade mean to you?

Something that has been created with the utmost thought, love and care.

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How did you come to name your shop "In Bloom Gallery"?

I focus most of my artwork on nature, particularly flowers. I tried to think of something that would incorporate both the art and the jewelry I love making, and “In Bloom” seemed to work – it relates to the jewelry in a way as designs are always changing, and hopefully I continue to learn and grow as I work.
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From where do you gain your inspiration?
 
From everywhere, really; I’m constantly looking at what people are wearing and find myself automatically thinking of what I like about it as well as what I would change about it. 

Colors and shapes are inspiring as well…if I find a particular combination I love, the search to find components to make the perfect piece begins.

Inspiration for my artwork mostly comes from nature - there’s something about the classic, graceful, simplistic beauty of nature that I love to try to capture. I like things designed with clean lines, and I suppose I try to translate that as well.

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What do you find most challenging in the creation of your works?

If something’s not quite right I’ll take it apart and start from point one…meaning lots of materials are wasted at times. But if I’m not completely satisfied with the way something turns out, I can’t stand it and immediately start over.

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Your shop offers a nice variety of items. Do you have a favorite?

Lots of favorites…ha ha; in the art category I would say the Tulip Tryptich…

in the jewelry category I would say the Chan Luu style bracelets with cube beads and any of the wire wrapped earrings.


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Where can one go to find and learn more about In Bloom Gallery?

In Bloom is on both Facebook and Twitter – follow/like us for sale notices, coupon codes, etc!

Facebook: In Bloom Gallery

Twitter: In Bloom Gallery

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On the lighter side....

One word that describes you best?

I would say determined. My husband begs to differ and has actually made up his very own word to describe me: “Symplexity.” He defines it as: Desires are simple but reaching them can become complex. I don’t know what to think of that, ha ha!
Ahha! I Googled the word "symplexity" just out of curiousity to see if I'd find anything and here's a definition I found: "At the edge of meaning in the age of chaos".  I prefer your husbands definition! 


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What was the craziest or wildest thing you've ever done?

I suppose getting a tattoo could make the list…

or piercing my own nose with nothing more than ice cubes and a needle – that hurt. Nose piercing is long gone, tattoo is still there.


Easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!  Ouch!






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What if any, was your most embarrasing moment?

Oh, good question! I say that because it happened recently, and even as I type this I’m shaking my head. I was working on a new bracelet one afternoon and thought I smelled something strange, so I went to check it out. There seemed to be a light haze of smoke in the back area of the house but I figured it was just the dryer vent or something, so I turned the dryer off and went back to work. About ten minutes later I went back to double-check and the smoke had increased – a lot. It was pretty bad, so I figured something must be on fire, called 911 to have it checked out. I was thinking maybe a fire truck would come out and see what was going on. Well…not one, but three – yes three – fire trucks roared up to the house, accompanied by at least 2 unmarked trucks and I don’t know how many other vehicles with flashing lights.

 These guys piled out of the truck in full gear

 – with axes – 
and stormed toward the house. So what was the culprit you ask? The AC unit was overheating – and sure, the firemen and later the AC repairman said it was good to call because there was a part that was seriously melting,

 but did it warrant three trucks, backup vehicles/volunteers, and axes?

 Probably not. Ok, definitely not – but in my defense, how was I supposed to know where the smoke was coming from? So, so embarrassing. And probably the worst part is that after they all left, I turned to my husband and said, "I can’t believe they had to come in here when it’s so messy – I didn’t get the chance to clean today".

Yes indeed, that’s the odd way my brain works.


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Living or deceased, what famous person would you most like to meet?
 
Edgar Allan Poe would make the top of the list.

Ok, so it's not an actual image of Poe!
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And lastly....

If Guiness asked you to set a worlds record, what would it be and why?

Probably the ability to get out of social situations; I have anxiety issues and can pretty much work my way around anything. Ha ha!

All in good fun Leesa! 

We hope you enjoyed getting to know a little about Leesa and hope you'll stop by for a browse of her shop

In Bloom Gallery