eJAG

Sometimes I wonder....

2010-09-01T11:55:00.009-04:00

Moonset 8/25/2010 6:32am PST

Sometimes I wonder what everyone else is currently doing. Are they busy creating a lot of new and exciting items for their Etsy shops? Are they on vacation?

Perhaps they're getting into the scheme of things, preparing for the school year to come, or the Fall season that approaches us very soon.

Either way, as the summer winds down, when the skies start to darken earlier in the evening, and the sun rises later in the morning, I can smell the changing of the seasons in the air.

I love the way the sun rides in the sky this time of year, and what it does to me artistically, is to spur my creative energy and fire up my hands to start working on new projects.

And then I start to wonder, does anyone else experience these feelings?

And the Winner is....... Lu's Mystic Jewels

2009-12-11T12:14:00.006-05:00

Lu's Mystic Jewels

Once again, Lu reigns over the eJAG Seasonal Challenge, sweeping the votes into her corner!

Lu will be our next featured artist here in the eJAG blog. Check back, subscribe and/or Follow us !

Make a Child's Holiday Happy, with our St. Jude's Charity Fundraising Sale!

2009-11-23T22:03:00.011-05:00

St Jude's Hospital for Children

Come and Join us in our St. Jude's Children's Hospital Charity and Fundraising Sale event!

We are offering items from our members, displaying many all different styles from some of our very talented artists!

Not only will the proceeds be helping Children in the Hospital, the eJAG shop is also offering Free Shipping** for the entire event.

Some of the Etsy Artists are even participating with 15% off coupon which will accompany the sale purchase of their items through the eJAG Shop which can be used with later purchase in any coupon participating eJAG member's site.

St. Jude's Hospital for Children

Sale starts: November 27th - December 11th 2009

All items purchased will be shipped directly to the buyer, with all proceeds being donated to St Judes Children's Hospital.

Thank you for your support for the cause!

** Free shipping within the USA only.

St Jude's Hospital for Children

Stop by and see what gift ideas you haven't thought about yet!

Team eJAG's Shop
All images belong to St Jude's Hospital for Children.

Our Fall Challenge "Autumn Abundance" Is Now Closed.

2009-10-14T23:44:00.005-04:00

The Poll is now closed.

Thank you for participating in our Fall Challenge: Autumn Abundance!

Winner details to come.

Online Surveys & Market Research

eJAG's Fall Challenge is about to begin! "Autumn Abundance"

2009-09-18T01:42:00.024-04:00

Mark your Calendars!

Announcing eJAG’s Fall Creativity Challenge: Autumn Abundance
Contest starts: October 15th and lasts thru November 1st, 2009

Our creativity challenge for this Fall will cover the Autumn season, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, so let your creative energy flow with the wind, and your mind follow right behind it...

Your entry must be new, go ahead and list it, but keep it inactive until the contest starts. The item Listing number needs to be sent with your image to James. (<~~click here)

Your item must be in your shop and available for sale, but held until after the challenge is done (place a message in your listing and if a buyer wants it, edit your listing to make it reserved.)

Where: Here!

The scoop with all the details and the location to tell us of your intent to enter (by October 1st.) see our forum thread .
And then: Send James your image by October 12th.

Gargoyle & friend

images courtesy of wiresNpliers

We're Hiding!!! ~ You're Seeking!!! 1 - 2 - 3.... Go!

2009-08-17T17:54:00.025-04:00

Etsy's Jewelry Artist Guild

is having a

Hide & Seek Contest

Starts: Friday, August 21st

Ends: Monday, August 31th

How to play:

First, find three of the Hide & Seek logos (like the one above) hidden within the participating shops (listed below).

Then, send a message to PreciousMetals4u with the following information:

1. Links to all three items with the Hide & Seek images.

2. Prize choice (first, second, and third choice)*

3. Address to mail the prize to

No purchase necessary!

Prize winners will be announced Tuesday September 1st!

*The Fine Print: Prize choice will be a first come first choice basis. If the number of Hide & Seek winner entries exceeds the number of prizes, a drawing will be held and the prize winners selected at random if matching up 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices are duplicated.

List of the participating stores AND the prizes up for grabs:

Prize #1 Starstruck Necklace and Earring Set by Russian Cats Jewelry

Prize #2 Black Rose Choker by AbyssalGems

Prize #3 Hope Pendant by ByrnegoldSmith

Prize # 4 Sugar and Spice by WiresNPliers

Prize # 5 Christmas Lights at Night by AllThatGilttersbyKML

Prize # 6 Isis Hoops by Piruli

Prize # 7 Carnelian Wire Wrapped Pendant by JewelryArtistry

Participating Stores:

PreciousMetals4u – http://PreciousMetals4u.etsy.com
AbyssalGems – http://AbyssalGems.etsy.com
WebGemsLTD – http://WebGemsLTD.etsy.com
JewelryArtistry – http://JewelryArtistry.etsy.com
WiresNPliers – http://WiresNPliers.etsy.com
ByrnegoldSmith – http://ByrnegoldSmith.etsy.com
LaJubilee – http://LaJubilee.etsy.com
RussianCatsJewelry – http://RussianCatsJewelry.etsy.com
Gems By Jul – http://teemix.etsy.com
PaperRoseDesigns – http://PaperRoseDesigns.etsy.com
AllThatGlittersbyKML – http://AllThatGilttersbyKML.etsy.com
PiruliJewelry – http://Piruli.etsy.com
LusMysticJewels – http://LusMysticJewels.etsy.com

Good Luck!

Featured Artist ~ Sizzlin' Summer Challenge Winner: Lu's Mystic Jewels

2009-08-07T02:11:00.055-04:00

Welcome... To The Land of Lu

Sizzlin' Copper Crocheted Tubular Bracelet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Introducing Lu, of Lu’s Mystic Jewels:

Lu brings to Etsy, her extraordinary and distinct jewelry from her studio in Menasha, Wisconsin. Lu has been a member of Etsy since June 2008.
Lu opened her eyes and mind to creativity back when she was a child. Born on the 6th of November, Lu is a very solid Scorpio, with a strong creative imagination. She is empathetic, intuitive, and loving; with a solid determination to get things done right.
Lu is a Reiki practioner, and uses it for energy transferring and clearing with her stones.

(A Reiki practitioner is anyone who is trained and attuned to be a conduit to run the energy through their body to another, for healing purposes, and related uses.)

Lu enjoys creating designs straight from her heart and endeavors to design styles that are new and innovative, and especially ones that have not yet been seen before. Because of this talent Lu enjoys making custom orders.

The interview:

Lu, how long have you been making jewelry, and what originally got you started?

I have been crafting since I was 8 years old, and have been making jewelry for 15 years now. I was looking for some craft that would use all my creativity. I know how to knit, crochet, sew, basket weave, and do cross stitch.

I also create ceramic and pottery art, with experience in throwing on a wheel and slab work. Eventually, when I get a kiln, I want to work with silver and copper clay and then fused glass. With jewelry making, I can incorporate all these crafts together, into a mixed media.
Do you have a favorite medium to work with? Why is it your favorite?

I really love working with stones, and love the healing properties they have. I do clear all my stones, usually on a full moon, and then pass that energy on to my jewelry. When selecting my stones I will look at the healing properties and then put them together. Sometimes when I go shopping for beads the stones call out to me and I have to have them.

With wire, I like the ability to transform it into any shape I want.

Dragon Fly Nights

What life lesson has your expertise in your art/craft taught you?

The Life Lesson that my art has taught me, is that this is what I was borne to do. I love to create, and to share my creativity with others.
In the past, I have worked with underprivileged girls, in an afterschool program teaching them to make jewelry, and I plan to continue by seeking grant funding for a nonprofit organization that goes into hospitals and teaches the children that are confined in the pediatric wards, to make jewelry and how to access their creativity and thus aid in their own healing. I really love teaching others. In fact, I just started teaching my granddaughter Diviana, 4, how to bead.

Have you had formal training in your craft? If so, do you continue education?

Mostly, with jewelry, I am self taught. I have had a few classes at bead shops and have taken some classes at a technical school. There is always room for improvement and I love learning new techniques.

Red Red Wine Anklet

Do you keep a journal or a sketchbook?

No, but if I really think of something special, I will sketch it out. Mostly when I have an idea, I just start creating it.

What inspires you, Lu?

Well, what took me on this path of selling jewelry was my fiancée, AJ, who passed away in 2002. I would make the jewelry and he would sell it. After he passed, I had to do it all; make the jewelry, set it up and sell it. I still feel him around me, encouraging me to continue.

This might sound crazy but what inspires me the most is to go shopping for beads, which is why my inventory level never goes down.

Do you use any household items that work just as well if not better that the actual tools?

When I am working with wire, I will use anything that fits the shape that I need at the time. I will utilize crochet hooks, pens, dowels and even pill bottles.

flower ring

When you are creating what do you listen to? Music? TV? Silence?

No silence. Smiling, she admits: Even though silence is golden, I usually have the TV on, or music playing.

Citrus Champagne

What do you do on a Saturday Night?

Well, if I am not out with the girls; I am usually spending time with my granddaughter, Diviana.

Do you believe in goals? If so what is your next goal?

Absolutely! I always have. I must have got this from my Grandma Meta. My Future goals? As a matter of fact, I have a few new goals on my plate right now. I am going back to school, I want to start a nonprofit organization, and I want to learn more techniques with my jewelry. My plate is always full, but that is how I work the best. Here, in eJAG, as a group, we plan to have a fund raiser for children’s Diabetes.

If you had a “Bucket List” what would you like to cross off of it?

I have a few on my list, and mostly all to do with traveling. I want to see an ocean. I want to travel to Sedona, Arizona, to Ireland and to Brazil.

Pacific Shores, SF, Cal - Cairns vortex, Sedona - Killarney Nat'l Park Ire. - Iracema Beach Brazil

What is your choice of theme for eJAG’s Fall ‘09 Season’s Creative challenge?

“Autumn Abundance”

Consider this is our first announcement for eJAG’s Fall ’09 Challenge: "Autumn Abundance"

Lu, It has been my pleasure to feature you as the Winner of eJAG’s “Sizzlin’ Summer” Challenge!
Thank you so much, Lu.

Lu’s Etsy shop Lusmysticjewels is currently teeming with special Summer sales, including:
Spectacular multi-purchase deals like Buy 1, get 2nd ½ off, and even some Buy 2, get 3rd for free! Some items even have free shipping.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lu is also a member of another team: WIST team (Wisconsin Street team)
Lu Twitters: tweet her: Lusmysticjewels
Lu’s Blog: Lu's Mystic Blog

Sweet Diviana

This featured article comes to you as a courtesy of wiresNpliers

And The Winnner Is.........

2009-07-20T20:23:00.007-04:00

Lu's Mystic Jewels

Introducing

CopperCrocheted Tubular Bracelet

Watch for our Lu to be our Featured Artist, coming soon! And thank you, once again for your support of eJAG (Etsy Jewelry Artist Guild).

See her shop for more beautiful items lusmysticjewels

eJAG's Challenge is now closed.

2009-06-29T22:55:00.010-04:00

Our Sizzlin' Summer Challenge has been a great success with a total of 863 votes!

We thank you for your participation, and welcome you back at any time. Please bookmark or follow us, and check back for upcoming Seasonal Challenges.

Our next one will be Fall 2009!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Team eJAG's Summer Challenge Draws Near

2009-06-20T16:26:00.012-04:00

Hot Sizzlin' Summer

courtesy of Fb's Bonfire Fan Club

Our Challenge starts soon!

Yes, the Hot Days of Summer are right around the corner, if they are not already there.

If you are going to vote, please bookmark us, or better yet, Follow us! then return after July 1st to vote for your favorite Sizzling Summer entry.

If you are participating in the Sizzlin' Summer Challenge, get your listing pictures to James before June 28.

Either way, this is the place to be, on July 1st, 2009 when our Sizzlin' Summer Challenge begins!

Challenge dates July 1~15

See you here!

left and right mittens

Monument Valley

Etsy Jewelry Artist’s Guild

Announcing Team EJAG’s Summer Challenge 2009

2009-05-31T00:10:00.008-04:00

It’s going to be a long hot “Sizzlin' Summer”

Come one, come all, our new challenge is about to begin.

Creativity will abound when you see what our team dreams up as we face our new Long Hot “Sizzlin' Summer.”

For our viewers: Please return on July 1 for the unveiling of our "Sizzlin' Summer" Entries.
For teammates: of Team EJAG: Please post your Intent to Enter by June 20th at: Team EJAG Ning
For Etsy: Team Forum info click here

Voting for the “Sizzlin' Summer” challenge starts on July 1 and ends on July15

Once again the poll will be posted here at our Team EJAG Blog.

Voting is open to everyone, the public and fellow Etsians and of course, all of our treasured team members!
The winner of the "Sizzlin' Summer" Challenge will be our next featured Artist here at our blog
This is going to be a fun challenge.

Who’s bringing the BBQ? Campfire anyone?

Want to Join Team EJAG?

2009-05-28T22:45:00.005-04:00

Welcome to Team EJAG (Etsy Jewelry Artist’s Guild)

Joining is easy but you must be approved first.

So let’s get started:

Requirements:

Be an Etsy Seller
Be a jewelry maker/designer.
Join and be a member of our Ning networking site using your Etsy Seller’s shop name as your Ning User ID.

Join here: Team EJAG

Please email the above information to me, (Etsy seller name, Etsy shop name and Ning user name) from the email account that you choose to be your contact email address with EJAG. This email address will be the one we use to send announcements, updates, and other team information. Please email me at(jamesgoetz@yahoo.com).

When approved, you will be notified via convo at your Etsy Shop. After being approved for the Ning networking site Team Ejag Ning Page, we ask that you enter the team Ning Page, introduce yourself and explain a bit about what you do. After that you may set up your page, upload images and more!

Welcome to Team EJAG!

Featured Artist - Spring Fling Winner - Lynn's Beads 'N Things

2009-04-29T22:52:00.019-04:00

The Jacaranda Tree

Wire wrapped with Amethyst and Peridot chips

We are welcoming Lynn, Our “Trees” Spring Fling Winner today, and she comes to us from Southern California, Palm Springs, land of sand, sun, tumble weeds, ocotillo, and of course, her now famous rendition of the local tree:
“The Jacaranda Tree.”

Lynn also has a home in Jerome, Idaho, just outside of Twin Falls, where she may retire someday, if she can pull herself away from the fast lane that goes hand in hand with living in Southern California. Her family still lives in LosAngeles, primarily spread throughout the San Gabriel Valley, with some in Laguna Hills and even family in Florida.

I would like to introduce Lynn, of Lynn’s Beads ‘N Things, to discuss her avocation of jewelry making with us.

When asked how she started making jewelry and how long she has been practicing her art, Lynn said:

“I started making jewelry when I was in high school. My Mom took me to a bead shop and I was instantly addicted! Back then I made mostly earrings & simple things. When I married, I put my craft on hold to raise my family. A number of years ago I saw a necklace in an expensive shop that I loved but could not afford. I said “I could do that”, and so it began again…I looked for bead shops everywhere I went and then discovered online bead shopping which makes it so much easier & saves on gas but I don’t think it really “saves” since there is so much to choose from! I now sell my jewelry at a local art gallery and have done quite well there. Jewelry making is my passion and my therapy!"

Crystal, Swarovski and rice pearls in Sterling silver

Regarding what Lynn feels is one of the biggest lessons her Art has taught her, Lynn states:

“I have learned that I can do anything I put my mind to! I have seen many styles of jewelry that I think I couldn’t possibly make but I give it a try and most of the time I can put my spin on it and make it work.”

chocolate lustre stick pearl necklace

When I found that Lynn really enjoys custom work from requests, she enlightened me by explaining:

“I have the most fun when someone asks me to make something unique for them. They will tell me what type of stones they want and I go to work! So far everyone has been happy with the finished product!”

Obsidian disks with rose quartz

Of course that led me to my favorite question of: “What inspires you, Lynn?"

“I am inspired by the beauty of God’s creations and colors of nature. Sometimes I am inspired by the stones themselves. They seem to “talk to me” and tell me what I should do with them. Sometimes a picture just pops into my head of something to make and I look for stones to use, like the winning “Jacaranda Tree Pendant.”

★Lynn hand picks all of her own supplies, and in addition to creating beautiful jewelry, she also creates cards, from handpicked flowers grown mostly by her, and chosen at their prime bloom, and then presses and laminates them for lasting beauty.

And Lynn, do you keep a journal or a notebook?
“No, I don’t but if I see something that catches my eye or pops into my head I will sketch it. When I am finished it usually looks nothing like the original item but takes on a life of it’s own during the process of creating it.”

Do you have any formal training in your craft?
“No, just some minor instruction at the bead shop or an online tutorial now and then.”

Light and Dark- wooden disks and 3 amazing Rudraksha seeds

★The seed of the rudraksha tree (Elaeocarpus granitrus) holds a very special place in Hinduism, and is credited to possess mystical and divine properties.

Ahhh, I see you are a self made woman. Tell me Lynn, Is there a basic ‘household’ item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better then the actual ‘tool’?
“Not really, occasionally I will use tweezers and the Dremel tool.”

Blue Pearls with Quartz nuggets

Oh yes, Dremels are very fun tools, and I have been known to pick up tweezers or hemostats myself, a time or two.

blister pearl necklace

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday Night?
"After working a 40 hour week, just chilling out with a good movie and some popcorn."

Hey, I heard that! Now I am hungry.

After putting in a 40 hr work week and being tired after that, do you have goals that help keep you going? If so, what are they?

turquoise drops jasper drops red and blue drops

"Without goals I don’t think I would be able to survive! I am a self admitted bead addict so my next goal is to use up most of my inventory before I buy more. So many online bead shops make it too easy to feed my addiction!"

earthtone drops Vintage glass with pearls

OK Lynn, tell me, what is your favorite gemstone?

"At present it is Carnelian. It does change from time to time depending on what I may be making and how it turns out."

Carnelian Drops

When I asked Lynn what she might choose as the theme for our next Challenge (Our Summer Challenge) she lets very little information out, and plans to let us sit on the edge of our seats until later in the month of May, before her choice is made.…………

She says she wants to think about it, but I think she’s teasing us.

Update!!! Lynn has picked her theme for our Summer Challenge: It's going to be a "Sizzling Summer Challenge!" The theme to be: "Fire Hot"

So stay tuned in, and watch our blog for the “Theme” announcement regarding our next Challenge of Summer 2009!

Triple Strand Mix and Match

From her shop announcement, Lynn shows the world of Etsy her creative Id, her passion for gemstones and freshwater pearls.

Lynn isn’t the only creative Artist in her family, her daughter is a sculptor and also has an Etsy shop named: Eirewolf Creations.

Thank you Lynn for taking us on a journey through your world of Jewelry and beautiful handmade cards.

To see more of Lynn’s beautiful jewelry please stop by her Etsy shop at Lynn’s Beads n Things.

This posting is happily brought to you by "Wires 'n Pliers"

We have a winner! ~ Lynn's Beads 'N' Things

2009-04-02T00:35:00.005-04:00

Congrats to Lynn's Beads 'N' Things and her beautifukl Jacaranda Tree Pendant. Lynn wins our EJAG Spring Fling Challenge '09.

Lynn will be our next Featured Artist! Watch for her article to come!

Our next challenge is now starting to be discussed in our Weekly Chats.

Thank You for your Votes! The Spring Fling Challenge is now closed.

2009-03-16T18:23:00.009-04:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

The "Spring Fling" cometh

2009-02-13T01:03:00.010-05:00

Past EJAG Challenge Winners: Naked Jewelry & Jewels1977

EJAG announces its Spring Challenge for 2009.
Our theme for this Season’s Challenge is going to be:
Springs grows from the "Trees" of life that we wear.

Entry is to be Tree related. This is where the creativity begins!
Any tree, one or many; any form, the only rule is that is must be worn on the body, and we are EJAG so it will be jewelry. From earrings, to necklace, to brooch, ??? to be worn on the finger, the neck, chest, wrist, ankles, head, or even tail (if you have one).

This will be an exciting Challenge because we will all start from the same point of reference:

~Trees ~

All we have to do is make jewelry and see what diversity appears in the final product for everyone to vote on.

Where: here

When: By Mar 1 Intent to enter (please post your intent to enter at our EJAG thread in the Etsy forums http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6042480, then email/convo James with your name and your item's image). Remember to prepare you entry and hold off listing it until March 15th. Images and information will be collected prior to the start of the challenge, and the Poll will open on the 15th at 1:00AM EST.

Mar 15th: Challenge starts! Vote and get your friends and Etsians to vote, too.

Mar 31st: Challenge ends, and you know what that means, the one with the most votes WINS!!!

See you ...Here!

Featured Artist - Autumn Splendor's Winner: Naked Jewelry

2009-02-01T23:26:00.019-05:00

N a k e d J e w e l r y

Sally Jewet-Brocato

Cuprite and Tourmaline Sterling Silver Earrings
Reminiscent of the beauty of Fall leaves
From green to red, our seasons change from summer to fall

Introducing Sally Jewett-Brocato
Coming to us this month direct from her private enclave up in the Hollywood Hills of Southern California, Sally lives with her husband, son and kitty cat, Scruffy. Her private studio, erected by Sally and her husband in their back yard, sits up on the side of a hill and in the trees, where she works to the chorus of the birds songs. It’s no wonder her work has such natural beauty.

Hello Sally, I am honored to be interviewing you today. I have enjoyed your blog (see listings below), and I am very impressed with your love of jewelry and your abilities to convey the beauty around you into extremely beautiful works of art.

Tell us all about yourself and your decision to create jewelry.

Designing and creating jewelry is my “second career”.
For 26 years, I co-owned a video production company (www.onthescene.com) headquartered in Los Angeles. My business partner and I started the company in 1983 with a $500 investment and built it into a multi-million dollar company with offices in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Our clients were many of the world’s top brands such as Pepsi, Nike and Disney, important groups such as the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association and major, news making celebrities, authors, politicians and corporate giants. I loved the company and the employees who called it home, but my partner and I did not want to grow old “propped up at our desks” as we used to say and so we began a 6 year odyssey to find a way to leave the company with hopes that new leaders could take it to new heights. In 2006 we sold the company to investors and I was able to pursue my growing passion for jewelry making.

So you have only been making jewelry for a couple of years?

I took my first beading class in 2006 and was hooked! After about six months, I realized that I wanted to have the design range that required metalsmithing skills so for the past two years, I have been taking a variety of classes along with book learning and plain old experimentation. I can see a steady progression in my skill level but am often frustrated by my mistakes and lack of knowledge! I would love to have the opportunity to apprentice with a master jeweler so that I can watch and learn. I had the great privilege of spending a few hours watching Beth Rosengard (http://www.bethrosengard.com/) work on a custom pin/pendant and it was more valuable to me than all my other classes combined. Along with teaching me many skills, she also taught me how to work with broom cast pieces to create mini jewelry sculptures. Broom casting is done by pouring molten metal into an upright, wet broom, believe it or not! As the metal cools, it hardens into textured shapes from the spaces between the bristles. Then, the pieces can be used as they come out of the broom or more delicately cut for better control of the design of a piece. Beth is a master at it and I have enjoyed the technique very much!

I have to agree with you on that Sally, I looked at Beth Rosengard’s web site and your profile of her in your blog and I am thoroughly impressed. She is amazing. I love broom casting and hope to try it out someday. Your application of broomcasting has also caught my eye with your Montana Agate Necklace.

So Sally, tell me, what is one of the biggest lessons your art has taught you?

My art has taught me that it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks! Ha! I never imagined ten years ago that I would be making jewelry. Life has a way of taking some unexpected twists and turns. I was never interested in science or chemistry, yet as a metalsmith, I am now fascinated by the characteristics of stones and the use of heat to manipulate precious metals. I love the solitude of creating something all my own, with my hands.

I see, and which type of item, do you have the most fun creating & why?

Right now, I most enjoy creating that which is most difficult for me. With each piece, I try to incorporate something that is a step more difficult. Most recently, I created a pair of earrings where the bottom stone moves because it is attached to a tiny silver tube that revolves on wire. Seeing a “new” type of construction work is very exciting and satisfying! tube hinges -->

Sally, I simply must ask you this, as it is one of my favorite questions:
What inspires you?

I am inspired by many of the jewelry designers I view online. The more I know about metalsmithing, the more impressive much of the work is to me. I have always believed that success comes quicker when one is surrounded by successful people. So when I began making jewelry, I started a blog focusing on successful jewelry designers, called “for the love of Jewels”* Writing this blog has required me to focus some of my time on the pursuit of the best designers in the world. Being exposed to them and their work is a tremendous inspiration!

Well you have definitely picked some wonderful designers to profile on your blog. Do you keep a journal of any kind?

Yes! I have a little red book that I always carry with me. I use it to take notes in class, draw an interesting design from a store window or make a note about a way a piece is constructed. I love my little red book and refer back to it all the time!

I agree. I love journals too. Sally do you have any formal training in your chosen Art?

I have taken classes almost wherever I can find them in the Los Angeles area! Venice Adult School in Venice, CA., offers a tremendous, affordable program; Loyola Marymount University offers an extension course that is also great, and then there are day classes at Farrin O’Connor in Pasadena and Precious Metal Arts in Santa Monica. One day, I’d also like to take classes at Revere Academy in San Francisco. Just yesterday, Jan 28th, I took my first class in goldsmithing so I will probably start venturing in that medium over the next few months.

Is there a basic ‘household’ item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better than the actual ‘tool’?

I bet there are lots of these, but at this point in my skill level, I am carefully working with the tools I have been taught to use. If anything, I think I have probably purchased too many tools that I am not using and yet when I start to try something new, I often realize I am missing some important type of pliers or whatever….

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

My husband and I love movies and food so that combination makes a perfect night!

I should have asked her if she also does creative cooking with her husband.

Do you believe in goals? If so, what is your next goal?

My goal for 2009 is to become proficient as a goldsmith, to have my work accepted in a few galleries and to master online marketing.

Sally, It sounds as if you are off to a great start already this year, now that you just completed your first goldsmithing class. I am sure that soon we will be hearing about your work being in galleries all over LA.

What are you doing to market your jewelry business?

It is clear to me that to be successful on Etsy or any other form of online e-commerce, that it is essential to harness the power of online marketing and social networking. I have become consumed by Facebook, Twitter and a host of blogs but the more I know, the more I know I don’t know. It is a huge and virtually endless online world and I am determined to find ways to use it to drive traffic to my work!

Sally, it has been my honor to present EJAG with this interview of your wonderful work. It is my hope that you keep going onward with your creative endeavors.

Also, as the winner of our very first Challenge in EJAG, we congratulate you, Sally, AND Happy One Year Anniversary at Etsy.com (Jan 30)

Thank you so much, Sally. This has been a pleasure for me. It is my hope that my husband looks at your work and buys me something for my birthday. :o)

Sally's connections and websites:

See Sally Jewett-Brocato’s blog and connections here:

this one, honey

Member of MetalSmiths in Action etsy Team
Member of the Southern California Metal Arts Society

* Sally’s blog: focusing on the "best of the best of jewelry designers: For the Love of Jewels: http://fortheloveofjewels.blogspot.com/

Sally's Etsy Shop: http://NakedJewelry.etsy.com

See a Naked Jewelry Profile of Sally’s art here http://worldartisangems.com/2008/11/05/naked-jewelry/
Facebook - Sally Jewett-Brocato
Twitter- http://twitter.com/Naked_Jewelry

This article courtesy of Carol@ wires'n pliers wiresnpliers.etsy.com

Our Featured Artist ~ Jewels1977

2009-01-06T23:52:00.036-05:00

"Star Gazing"
Our Featured Artist - Jewels1977 ( Jane Osgood)JODesigns

"Winner, Holiday Swag Challenge Dec. 2008"

Jane Osgood comes to us from Nashville, Tenn. Jane is a self taught artisan who loves working with Sterling Silver and gold filled wire. She is a very proficient wire wrapper and metal bender, and she likes to create items ranging from bangles to bridal suites, and pendants to earrings.
Jane is quite interfaced in the virtual world of the big E. She tweets,* flickrs, and blogs, and has a website in the works. To see her sites, go to her Etsy profile, or to the list below this article, so you can get to “e-know” her as your friend, the artist next door.

Our interview begins now:

Jane, tell us all about yourself and your decision to create jewelry.

My decision to create jewelry came about after I graduated with a Journalism degree and decided much to my father's dismay; I was not interested in a career in Journalism. I drove a lot that summer after graduation and asked myself so many questions. What job would I be happy waking up to everyday?

So you decided to try your hand at jewelry, I noticed by your Etsy profile you have had aspirations for shiny bright objects since your childhood, when you saved up all your money and bought your first Emerald and Diamond chip ring. I supposed this desire has been with you for all of this time?
So tell me, how long have you been creating jewelry?

It has been a long very slow evolution since 2001 but a legitimate business since 2004.

Noting that you have been creating for several years before becoming a business, what is the biggest lesson your art has taught you?

My art has taught me to be true to my own vision. It is easy to get caught up in what others are making; especially when those people seem to be making good money and gaining many fans. But as long as I remain true to myself I continue to gain more confidence in my own unique style.

I couldn’t agree more, Jane. What type of item do you enjoy making the most?

Even though they can be expensive to make, I love making custom bridal pieces. I use coils of sterling silver to make unique shapes and then accent them with super fine gemstones.

For a bride? Tell me more, do you make suites?

I do make all the jewelry. I love working with the same gemstone and creating a different design for each bridesmaid. I work with every budget. I have had weddings where the bride wants to spend $50 per bridesmaid and a couple where the budget was much greater (those only happen once in a blue moon but man are they fun!) : )

Are you inspired? And if so, what inspires you?

I get inspired by anything and everything. Sometimes I like to go look through jewelry books at the library. I can spend hours pouring over jewelry styles from different decades. I also love metal components. Anything chrome always catches my eye.

Jane, many a great artist has been known to keep a log or a journal of their work. Do you keep a journal or log?

I keep a sketchbook journal and sketch everything. The pieces usually turn into something either spot on or completely different during the actual execution.

Have you had any formal training in you field? Or training that has led you to where you are today?

No. I have always felt strongly that being self taught would lead to a very organic unique product.

Jane, I love to ask this question because I always learn so much from it: Is there a basic ‘household’ item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better than the actual ‘tool’?

I use glass coke bottles as a way to bend my metal components!
Well to be honest it was a Boylen Diet Black Cherry Soda from 5bucks. I like the shape of that bottle because it is smooth and offers a nice shape when I do not have a mandrel handy.

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

Lately my husband and I have been hosting Rock Band parties. We mix up some margaritas and rock it out with our friends!

Jane, that’s so cool!

Do you believe in goals? If so, what is your next goal?

I am very much into creating goals for myself. My next goal is to get into some larger shows around Nashville. I used some of the money I made this fall to purchase my first white craft tent!

And I believe you will reach that goal (thinking back to that Emerald and Diamond Chip ring in your childhood).

Where do you see yourself and your jewelry in 10 years?

I hope in ten years to be a custom wedding ring designer. I have always liked the idea of a man or a couple coming to me with items (such as paintings, pictures, etc.) that inspire them. I would then like to create a special ring made with precious metals and stones inspired by those items!

This concludes our interview today, with Jane Osgood JODesigns, shop owner of Etsy’s - Jewels1977

Thank you Jane for this wonderful interview! I will always remember Jane because of her blog address as you will see below!

This article courtesy of Carol@ wires'n pliers wiresnpliers.etsy.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jane’s locations:

wwwbecomingjane.blogspot.com (there is no period after the www...I know weird...it's because that Jane Austen movie) How’d she do that?

www.flickr.com/photos/janeosgooddesigns (a little snapshot of things to come!)www.janeosgooddesigns.com (a work in progress!)

"I also tweet and you can find me there at:" www.twitter.com/jewels1977

And the Winner is: ...drum roll....

2009-01-05T22:20:00.011-05:00

The EJAG Holiday Swag Challenge winner is:

Jewels1977 (Jane Osgood Designs)...

with her "Star Gazing" pendant necklace, created with green amethyst, carnelian, green vesuvianite and rose quartz, wire wrapped with sterling silver.

Hooray for Jane! Her prize is to be a Featured Artist here on our EJAG Blog. Watch for it to come!

Yay, Jane!

Our sincere "Thanks" go to everyone who joined in for this challenge! It was fun and we hope to see more like it in the future! Go eJAG!

EJAG Swag Holiday Challenge (oops! Challenge is now closed)

2008-12-16T21:39:00.015-05:00

*

2008-10-01T03:14:00.004-04:00

(oops, This challenge is now closed)

2008-10-01T01:44:00.020-04:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

2008-09-30T01:03:00.002-04:00

2008-08-29T22:59:00.003-04:00

Thanks to jewelrybyallison for the ejag treasury!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4439

2008-08-21T20:59:00.003-04:00

Last night at our weekly Chat meeting, we finalized the details of our Autumn Splendor Challenge!

To enter the challenge, you must contact eJAG team leader ccmr with your intention to participate, prior to Sept 20th 2008. You can reach ccmr at http://www.ccmr.etsy.com

The rules:

1. Create your jewelry item with the theme of Autumn Splendor. There are no restrictions to the item, so let your imagination go wild! One item only per participant.

2. Participants will all list their item in their etsy shop on Sept 30th, 2008 anytime after midnight central standard time. When you list your item, mention it is part of the challenge and will not ship until after Oct 15th. If a customer wishes to purchase the item, you may edit your listing to RESERVE it for the customer. Sending an invoice for prepayment is up to the individual seller.

3. The Challenge is to see who gets the most hearts on their item by October 15th. You may promote your item however you want. Votes will be counted Midnight October 30th CST by ccmr.

What's the prize? The WINNER will be Featured here on the Blog, and also promoted in the shop announcement of every eJAG member. A great way to have some fun, be creative and get some advertising!

Don't forget, to officially join eJAG you MUST contact ccmr. To join the Challenge you must be an eJAG member AND contact ccmr with your intention to compete, prior to Sept 20th.

Cynthia
aka Wire Your World http://www.wireyourworld.etsy.com

2008-08-14T10:08:00.000-04:00

Membership is limited to jewelry artists currently selling on ETSY who are members of the team known as Etsy Jewelry Artist Guild (or eJAG for short).