Featured Artist: Lori Ramotar

My first featured artist of the new year is a talented painter and jewelry artist, Lori Ramotar. She currently has two creative ventures. The first, Artwork by Lori, showcases her whimsical artwork. The second, The Royal Bead, allows Lori to unleash her metalsmithing and jewelry skills.


From Lori's bio:
When I was a little girl of only 6 yrs. old, I already knew what my calling in life would be. It was at this age, I first declared that I would be an artist when I grew up. Creating gave me an overwhelming feeling of happiness and purpose, and it still does.

I have been creating my own jewelry since 2002, and spent 4 years as a professional glass bead maker (lampworker). I had to retire from lampworking when my husband and I moved to Florida. I have since been concentrating on metalwork in my jewelry designs. I have never stopped painting though, and my love for texture and layers in my jewelry designs led me down a new path to mixed media paintings.


First and foremost, I am obsessed with color, texture, and design. I desire all of my artwork to attract second glances and bring visual and emotional enjoyment to the viewer. I enjoy using inspiring or amusing quotes in my pieces. I believe we all need daily smiles and uplifting reminders to get us through difficult times.

Lori's work puts an immediate smile on my face!

Red Hot Fire Divas Part II!

This is the second installment of my feature of the Fire Divas, a group that has come together through their love of lampworking! If you don't want to wait for *me* to present all of the Fire Divas, you can check out our blog and find links to our various online shops & personal blogs!







Holly Dare Hughes: HollysFollyGlass
Waterworks
Holly started out in television production and worked on The Carol Duvall Show, which is where her fascination with glass began.















Jessica Veda Jones: VedasBeads
Chunky Black Crystal Set
Jessica has been lampworking for several years, and just recently left her "day job" to pursue her passion full time.









Janel Dudley: Janeldudleybeads
Lampwork Frog Focal
Janel first started making lampwork beads in 1997, and has been going strong ever since!
















Jamie Rose: GlasstasticTreasures
The Mummy Returns
Jamie has been creating her whimsical beads for over 3 years.
















Melissa Villadiego: VillaDesigns
Gerbera Pendant
Melissa has been lampworking for over 5 years and has been published in numerous craft publications.

Lovely Surprise!

There is nothing better for a lampwork bead artist to see their beads made into gorgeous jewelry. The other day I happened to recognize the name of ArtFire's Item of the Hour artisan, as she had bought some of my beads a while back.

As I browsed The Beaded Lily's Artfire shop, imagine my delight when I found two beautiful pieces featuring my beads! I decided to share them here, like a proud momma!







This piece, entitled Chocolate Cherry Velvet Necklace, featured one of my focal beads, and some unique chocolaty rhodonite. So decadent!










In A Bit of Bedu necklace, some of my lampwork lentils are paired with turquoise crystals, mother of pearl and silver. I can totally see this necklace with a gorgeous southwest-styled outfit!

Do You Love Lampwork Jewelry? Please Vote!

One of my fellow lampwork artists has put together a contest for lampwork jewelry. This week's entries are all bracelets, and boy are they beautiful! Laurie did this to help show the world how beautiful jewelry made with lampwork beads can be. If you love lampwork, you will want to visit just to see all the eye candy.

My entry is Tiger, Tiger! I would love it if you would vote for me! I am entry 2-2 on this page. You can vote once per page, and there are three pages of entries. Please check it out!

Fabulous Finds: Lampwork Jewelry

I was spending some time wishing I had a million dollars :) If I did, I would splurge on some of these incredible lampwork jewels. These are not for the faint of heart, or the penny-pincher! These are all truly pieces of wearable art.







Colorful Cala Lillies by artjewelryonline












Surprise Bird Box by Birdland Creations














Lovely Dancing Bloom Earrings by risabeads



















Sea Grass by Skychica













Dangerous Liaisons by redhotsal

Friday Fun Finds 5.15.2009

Another Friday is here! Thank Goodness! :)

I have been swamped with preparing articles for my Handmade News column, but I still made time to feature some very cool summer-themed items! All of these beauties are available on Artfire, and I have listed the link to each artists' shop, so you can find them easily.

So help me welcome summer, maybe a little early according to the calendar, but never too early for my spirits!

Summer Apple Tree Necklace by Hollis Wire



















Summer Orange Blossom Olive Oil Soap by Ginger Bells














Little Piece of Summer Art Pendant by Vusova


















The Summer Jumper by Drape Clothing















Tropical Paradise by Luna Cat Jewels

Introducing Furever Friends Pet Market!

My pets have always filled my heart with joy and love. That's one of the reasons I decided to propose a specialized pet market on 1000 Markets. If you haven't heard of 1000 Markets yet, it is a website for quality handmade goods that is a step above the rest. I am happy to say that the Furever Friends pet market is a reality, offering treats for your pet, and pet-themed gifts and art for you!

At Furever Friends, you can buy adorable artwork and photography like the exhausted kitty seen above. You can also buy handmade food and treats. Clothing for your pet is also available, including collars, coats and more.

Finally, we haven't forgotten the humans! Our For Humans Only collection features jewelry and collectibles that reflect your love for your pet. If you love animals, and you love buying handmade goods, Furever Friends will be a heaven on the Internet for you & your furbaby!

Featured Artist: Karen McGovern

Every now and then, you come across an artist whose creations amaze and take your breath away with their innovation and beauty. Karen McGovern, whose business goes by the name Beadkeepers, creates some of the most original, nature-inspired jewelry I have seen to date. What's more, most of the proceeds from the sale of her creations features a nature conservation organization, rarespecies.org.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

I LOVE to buy handmade for so many reasons. Whenever you purchase handmade art you are not only buying something original, a true "work of art", but you are also supporting the artist who made it and thereby encouraging that artist to continue creating. Nothing is more satisfying to a hard-working artist than seeing their work appreciated. BUY HANDMADE, EVERYONE!!

How long have you been active in your craft?

I've been an artist all my life, but focusing on jewelry design for about five years.

What inspires your work?

Nature, the environment, the world around me. All my designs are a reflection of my belief that art and nature are linked--you cannot have one without the other.

Where do you sell your creations?

I currently sell online through Etsy, and my stand-alone website, Beadkeepers. My work is also available in Rebecca's Studio and Adornment Gallery located in Traverse City, Michigan. I also have a blog about how art and nature influence each other.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?

I've had a couple experiences that really stand out--I was once asked to design a series of rings for a opossum rehabilitation center. The director gave them to all the staff. I created rings incorporating opossum teeth in glass. Very fun and a great honor. I also have been asked to create vessel necklaces in remembrance of passed loved ones, or as affirmations. These are the really special design collaborations that inspire and honor me.

Friday Fun Finds 4.24.09

One of the ways I always know Spring is knocking at the door is by the birds singing. But I have a confession to make; I don't really like birds all that much--I blame it on Alfred Hitchcock.

But one feathered friend I do love are owls. I had the privilege to be able to hold a beautiful white owl at my local county fair, and have attended barn owl releases by Hawk Creek, a great wildlife rehabilitation center in my area. So I dedicate these beautiful, handmade owls to them!







I love when people recycle unexpected materials to create something new. Debby Arem Designs on Etsy has taken a recycled circuit board and scrap metals to create this adorable owl brooch. The fact that this beauty is eco-friendly is an added bonus!



















Sora Designs, also on Etsy, has for us another beautiful owl piece of jewelry. This beautiful Wise as an Owl Ring has a carved redwood owl face as its "gem", and is adjustable to fit nearly any finger. Another beautiful piece with a natural touch!

Animal totems are thought to contain special powers, and this Wise Owl Lampwork Bead would make a perfect totem for peace and wisdom. Handmade by Nicole Valentine, this little guy is just waiting for you to turn him into a piece of art for your neck. This bead is available in Nicole's ArtFire shop.

Finally, we have a pair of earrings that are total show-stoppers. These abstracted owls are made from handcut copper by The Sparrow's Nest on Artfire. Perched upon handwrapped copper branches, these earrings would be sure to garner compliment after compliment!

Friday Fun Finds 4.10.09

Without a doubt, my favorite color is purple. I am always drawn to it, whether it be clothes, jewelry, paper, or pens even! So, of course, I just had to do a Friday Fun Finds with Purple as its theme! All of the following come from shops on 1000 Markets.







First is a painting that totally captured my attention, and still hasn't let go. A beautiful ocean theme interpreted through purples and violets is the creations of zenbreeze. Santa Cruz Rhapsody is only one of her beautiful works you will find in her shop.

Next is this sweet handmade greeting card by Totally Tyra. A purple daisy adorns this card that comes with, of course, a matching envelope. You can find this card, named "I've Been Thinking About You" in her shop.

I love purses almost as much as I love shoes. And this handknit and felted Purple Rain Mini Sling Bag would make a great addition to my collection! Created by Suzy B Knits, you can visit her shop for more awesome bags in bold, beautiful colors.

To go with your beautiful purse, you need a top that is equally gorgeous. This hand-dyed Woodgrain Shibori Top is absolutely stunning. This is just one of the many amazing hand-dyed pieces by dye diana dye.

Last but not least, is a beautiful accessory to complete your purple look. Featuring a handmade lampwork bead, Floral Fantasy is a elegant pendant suspended from a silver chain. Wirewrapped by Alaiyna B. Designs, this stunning pendant is just one of the many beautiful pieces in her shop.

Featured Artist: Marilyn Peraza

This week's featured artist is Marilyn Peraza, the woman behind Peraza Beads & Jewelry. Marilyn personifies what Handmade Chic seeks in a featured artist; someone who not only makes handmade goods, but who seeks to help others in their own quest for making handmade a focus, whether artist or customer!

Marilyn is a lampwork bead artist, who is very well known for her sculptural rose beads and her newest rose interpretation, the rose murrini. She has published tutorials for both, showing a willingness to help other artists learn and grow. Her jewelry is absolutely exquisite, showing a talent for design.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

Buying handmade is very special to me. It means that not only is there the material components of the handmade item, which are visible to the naked eye, but the heart and soul, love and passion of the artist who created it.

How long have you been active in your craft? I have been making jewelry since a very young girl. I started making my own glass beads about 10 years ago. In 2006 I released the first issue of The Annealer Magazine, a magazine dedicated to lampwork artists and lampwork jewelry designers, and its companion website at http://www.theannealermagazine.com/.

What inspires your work?

Oh my goodness, what doesn't inspire me should be the question. I can see something inspiring in just about everything I look at.

Where do you sell your creations?

My website is: http://www.perazabeads.com/, where you can purchase items directly from me by viewing the online catalog, or, you can visit my public shops on Etsy, 1000 Markets, Artfire, and even on GlassBeads.org. You can find links to all of these shops, on my main website, under "current auctions."

Have you earned any special accolades in your field you are exceptionally proud of?

I have had some recognition by winning various contests, features, etc., but I'll tell you what means more to me than anything is when a customer contacts me (by email, phone, or simply in the feedback portion of the sites I sell on) to tell me how much they love the bead or piece of jewelry they purchased. To me, the appreciation of my art and/or jewelry designs, from the person on the receiving end of my finished work is most special.

Friday Fun Finds 3.27.09

One of my the things I am most excited to do with this blog is to feature cool handmade items by other artists. I love to choose a theme and then search some of the online venues to see what cooolness reveals itself!

This weeks theme is "dragonflies". Why? Simply because I love them!

First is this incredibly cool, yet functional, dragonfly metal earring holder by Moxie Metal. You can find this gem in their 1000 Markets shop.

Next, this original handpainted "Luck Dragonfly" silk scarf from Meyer Lemon Designs is a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe. More beautiful silk scarves such as this are featured in their 1000 Markets shop, too.

Fans of steampunk will love this incredibly clever interpretation of a dragonfly using a vintage watch face, called "Moment in Time". Designed by Vintage Filigree, you can find this piece of art in their etsy shop.

And finally, I beautiful item in which to keep your treasures! This Barn Wood Keepsake box features a woodburned and hand-painted dragonfly design, and is made from reclaimed pine boards. Created by Paradise Hill Designs, you can find this and other upcycled wood items in their etsy shop as well.

Want to suggest a theme for a future Friday Fun Finds? Email me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com !