Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: NicolaYoonDesign

"By day I'm a database programmer," Nicola Yoon explains, "but at night I transform into an obsessive compulsive Super Jeweler, with cape and all." Her inspiration often comes from estate finds or the simplicity of modern design. She describes her eclectic style as "a contradictory blend of restraint and over-the-top ornament." So many of today's items are cheap and mass produced, and she strives to regain the "traditional intimacy between an artisan and her customers." Etsy has been great for her. "I think of it as a global farmer's market for handmade goods," she explains. "Start small,: she recommends, "and do what feels right. I really believe that when making a living gets in the way of making you happy, you've lost your way." Please check out her shop: http://nicolayoondesign.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: KathrynHomanDesigns

Although Kathryn is now an accomplished jewelry artist she started out with a love for drawing. "When my kids were little I did cross stitch and crewel, and later got really busy with the Embroiderers Guild of America when I lived in Dallas," she says. "I made beautiful things with silk and gold thread and French wools." Her path towards jewelry actually came out of the embroidery work. "Once, when I had finished a really outstanding evening purse that took me at least 6 months, someone said, 'That is gorgeous, you should make more and sell them.' Right then I decided to find something that would satisfy my love of color and move along a little quicker," she explains. It started with learning lampwork beads. "(I) wondered how to string them, so I took a few classes in Pasadena in the early 1990’s." Now a Michigan resident, she has retired from teaching elementary school - and has "discovered Etsy." The challenge with Etsy, though, is the capturing the true beauty of her classic pieces in photographs. "It took me awhile to get a camera that...would take clear pictures and now I’m trying to figure out how best to light the jewelry so that the details really show up and the color shows true. It’s fun!" She admits she's found some good tutorials on YouTube. As for her designs, she hasn't given into the temptations to make things that are quick and cheap. "I like to challenge myself with the best semi-precious stones I can find and only use the highest quality silver and gold." Her love of elegant pieces shows up in her beautiful work, which can be worn every day as well as special occasions. "I have lots more to put online and way too many ideas than there is time for me right now," she jokes. "I have made some PMC items, but they’re not in finished jewelry yet. Keep checking back. Some surprising things are on the way," she promises. Please check out her shop: http://kathrynhomandesigns.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: Antonella72

Antonella was born and raised in Italy, but has been living in Dublin, Ireland, for the last 11 years. "My husband is Irish and now when I think of home, it comes naturally to think of Ireland as my homeland," she says. "I have a beautiful 8 months old baby girl called Zoe, who's 100% Irish," she jokes. Her inspiration comes from her surroundings: "I love nature's way of mixing colours and shapes." She's also in tune with the latest fashion and jewelry trends, but is often inspired by the beads and pendants she uses. "I like to work with beautiful stones in unusual shapes or colours," she admits. Her jewelry is a reflection of her own style: classy and chic. "I like to create unique pieces that really stands out. If there is something I truly hate is cheap mass produced jewelry." She views handmade pieces as "wearable art." Her love of jewelry started as a child when she used to take her mother's old pieces apart to create new ones. Later on friends and family requested her designs and it grew from there. "Five years ago I decided to finally take a proper jewelry making course and started to create too many pieces for me to keep," she laughs. Many of them ended up in the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle (http://www.cbl.ie/), where she's been selling them successfully four four years. Recently she opened her Etsy shop and hopes her hobby becomes a career one day. Right now she is a full time Information Security Officer. It keeps her busy and she enjoys it immensely, but it's not the creative outlet she needs. She may be new to Etsy, but she has sage advice: invest in a good digital camera. "It really shows how proud you are of your creations." Please check out her shop: http://antonella72.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: SkyDreams

Hee Soon is the amazing designer and artist behind SkyDreams. She and her husband are proud parents to a beautiful daughter, Sky, who is her shop's namesake. "I make jewelry while Sky sleeps, so my husband named my business 'Sky Dreams.'" A Korean American, I she feels neither American nor Korean. "I like middle path anyway," she admits. Her evocative designs are always beautiful and often represent the inspiration she finds in nature. "Stones and colors speak to me," she explains. "I rarely sit down and design. I let colors and stones guide my eyes." Her pieces represent a range of style, from classic to romantic - to bold. Surprisingly, she has only been making jewelry for three years. "I am very lucky to call this a full time job," she says. She recommends fellow artists remember to always "respect other Etsy members - both sellers and customers. Please check out her shop: http://skydreams.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

My latest local find...

Greetings! I was perusing the Portland Saturday Market on Sunday and stumbled across this gorgeous ring from South American artist Edwin G, who runs Bella Vista. It's completely hand forged of sterling silver with blue Peruvian opal. I usually go for smaller rings, but this one was so stunning I HAD to have it. I wear it everywhere now - even just bumming around the house in my PJs. Next time you're in the Portland area please check him out - as well as many of fine, talented artists - at the Portland Saturday Market...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: IndieCoJewelryDesign

I was lucky enough to find the next jewelry designer in the Etsy forums.
The hip, young New York artist behind IndieCoJewelryDesign is a Pisces, who describes her studio as "a bombsite; I can’t get from one side of the room to the other because of jewelry, let alone make it to the computer to do promotions." Lucy keeps herself busy, improving upon her skills, and is "currently on the last leg of the GIA’s Graduate Gemologist degree." She is also taking metal smithing and jewelry rendering classes. "Hopefully every time you come back to my store, you will see my art developing and changing as I learn new techniques to help you ladies out there feel beautiful," she says. Her inspiration often comes from her travels. She is "a true Brit," transplanted in New York, where she moved to 9 months ago from the Philippines. "I have travelled throughout Asia, and as you will see, a lot of my designs incorporate inspiration taken from there, if not the materials themselves (many of my precious stones were personally picked up from Hong Kong, Manila, or Bangkok)." Her classy yet eclectic style showcases vibrant colors and quality gems that are sure to be attention grabbers. "I like to see jewelry, I don't want it to disappear into the background of an outfit," she explains. "Stay true to your art," she recommends, "otherwise why do it - its not for the money most of the time." Please check out her shop: http://indiecojewelrydesign.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: LesChic

Leslie's fascination with jewelry began at an early age. "I think I got my diverse taste in jewelry from the women who influenced my life. One of my grandma's was my 'city grandma. She loved flashy and bold jewelry. The other was my 'country grandma.' I never saw her in anything but a simple and classic strand of pearls. My mom loved very dainty jewelry, so that is why I can't make just one style of jewelry," she explains. "I love it all!" Aside from making her eclectic pieces she was also a hairstylist and owned a salon for 23 years. "I turned 40 last year and have found the phrase '40 and Fabulous' to be oh so true! Things in my life just started to fall in place. After a lifetime of trying..not trying..to just being happy with my life, I surprisingly found myself pregnant last August," she gushed. "It is such a miracle and my husband (who is the best in the world) and I feel so lucky and blessed." She soon found herself selling the salon in order to be with her new precious gift. "Ironically I started making jewelry as a stress reliever about 2 years ago and found it a perfect creative outlet for me," she admits. She'd love to turn her art into a full time career and vows to improve every day - especially her pictures (which I think are perfect already). "It shows more than the piece if its a good picture...it sets a mood..it tells a story and makes you fall in love with it instantly." Please check out her shop: http://leschic.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: AJDesignJewelry

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I found a beautiful necklace on Etsy that's perfect for today...

Amy has been making her beautiful pieces for 15 years and selling them professionally for 7, although Etsy is currently just a hobby. "I would love to do this full time, but I live in the Bay area, and have a mortgage to pay for," she jokes. Her greatest inspiration comes from her Grandmother. "I was so impressed with her ability to make something, and to make so many people happy in the process," she explains. "She was truly gifted, I am sorry that I really started my business after she passed. It would have been nice to get her input on things." She started making jewelry for the same reasons I did - she just couldn't find the right piece for her personality. "Two different flowers in colors that don't normally go together could be sitting next to each other in bins, and the next day, I'll have a pair of earrings in those colors. Or I'll spill a tub of beads and make a necklace with all the beads. Happy accidents," she says. Besides her own designs, she also likes adding her own personal style to current trends. She'd like to remind her fellow Etsians that "just because 56 people looked at your item and it hasn't sold, don't get down on yourself, just take it that someone appreciates your work enough to click on it and look at it closer." Please check out her shop: http://ajdesignjewelry.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/