Handmade Wednesday featuring Melbe Creations

Handmade Wednesday

by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of Chrysalis Jewelry

Welcome to Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature a crafter or artist you should know about! Are you ready to see who I have picked for this week? Let's get started.

This week I am featuring Melissa of Melbe Creations. No worries, I am not going to be interviewing myself. Melissa B just happens to have an awesome first name! Melissa B is a artist/photographer from Minnesota. Let's find out about her wonderful art!

Melbe Creations
Portforlio
Etsy Store
Facebook
Pinterest
Flickr
Blog









  

MC -Tell us a little bit about your handmade business

Melbe - I am a nature photographer that adds a twist to my photographs.  I create kaleidoscope/mandala designs from my photographs.  I isolate the subject of my photo by making a freehand geometric cut.  I then create multiple copies, mirror image and realign them to create a seamless design.  This is done freehand and is not the product of an automatic program.  An automatic program is fun but it distorts the subject of your photograph, creating an effect of literally looking through a kaleidoscope.  My objective is to isolate my subject and kaleidoscope around it.  I then translate my designs into prints, pendants, suncatchers, paperweights, ceramic tiles and more!

My Hearts Desire Metal Pendant

MC - How long have you been in business?

Melbe - I have been creating these designs for over 15 years.  I used to create these designs with an actual print, ruler and Exacto knife!  Very difficult to produce and they left a seam.  I stopped creating them for several years until I was able to design electronically and eliminate the seam.  I launched an Etsy shop in March of 2010.  I followed up by participating in juried art fairs and this year I launched my own website.

Feathered Fauna Suncatcher

MC - Did your business start as a hobby?

Melbe - Yes, the last thought I had was showing my work and selling my designs.  I was absolutely terrified to share my work.  It took me several months to work up the courage to approach a local store about carrying my product.  The owner was very supportive and encouraged me to expand.

Petals Of Poise Trinket Box

MC - Where do you get your design inspiration from?

Melbe - Cliché as it sounds nature is my inspiration. There is a deeper reason than physical beauty. Nature does not care if you are having a bad hair day, if your socks match, or if you are wearing a designer label. Nature unconditionally accepts. My true inspiration flourishes from the inner beauty of their society.

Nymph Nirvana glass paperweight

MC - Tell us about a piece you designed that you are still blown away by

Melbe - I would have to say that “My Heart’s Desire” would have to be the piece I am most proud of.  I am proud of my wildlife photographs because of the time and patients it takes to capture just the right image, but this design is my pride and joy.  It is a photograph of an Asian Lady Slipper flower.  The image itself was not difficult to capture, but creating the design I wanted was.  I wanted to create hearts with the leaves and the center.  It took me several cuts to get just the right angle.  The image itself has wonderful depth so the finished design as a three dimensional effect.

My Hearts Desire

MC - What project are you currently working on?

Melbe - I am always in pursuit of a new design but I have learned to let nature take the lead.  In the past I would set out to capture a certain image and Mother Nature has showed me something unexpected.  The unexpected images are the most rewarding. I have learned to let my designs happen organically.  The whole process is far more rewarding.   I do however have requests to create designs from a sweet pea, peony, horses and more turtles.  I have planted several flowers in my garden as well that I am waiting to bloom to see if inspiration takes over.   I am working on translating my designs into my different products.  Love Struck, my latest design, I am translating into a pendant and suncatcher.

Monarch Melody

MC- What is the one thing you have learned by trial and error that you wish you could go back and tell yourself when you started?

Melbe -Let it happen organically!  Do not force your creative process.  I am a stubborn soul and sometimes I will push to create a design that I want no matter how uninspired I am.  I have learned that my design will come out flat…no emotion, and even I do not care for the design.

 

Auroras Aria

MC - Spread the love. Tell us about another handmade business you adore.

Melbe - Wow there is just so many artists that I adore and admire, It is so hard to choose just one.  I would have to say I am blown away by Janice Winsor from Four Winds Farm Maine!   She creates felted sculptures from photographs that are so incredibly life I am amazed.  She creates many other items that I adore as well.

Four Winds Farm Maine

MC- Free style. Tell me about anything I forgot to ask.

Melbe - About a year ago I began to search for any symbolisms the subjects of my designs have.  I learn everyday something new about nature, history and our desire as humans to add meaning to Mother Nature’s creations.  Many of the symbolisms go back centuries!  It one of my favorite steps in my process!  The hardest part of the process can be giving my design a title.  I think I stress about the title more than any other part of the process.

Bear Essentials

Thanks Melissa for dropping by for Handmade Wednesday and sharing your art with us! Be sure to tune in next week to see who is featured next!
Until Tomorrow
Melissa

Handmade Wednesday featuring Shantastic Shine

Handmade Wednesday

by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of Chrysalis Jewelry

Welcome to Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature a crafter or artist you should know about! Are you ready to see who I have picked for this week? Let's get started.

This week I am featuring Shantastic Shine. Artist Shannon features just a little of everything in her eclectic collection from art to jewerlry. Lets find out about Shannon!

Website

Facebook

Etsy Shop

MC - Tell us a little bit about your handmade business

 
SS - I sell a little bit of everything handmade at Shantastic Shine. My own work includes my artwork which is mostly done in acrylic paints or professional style paint markers. As far as artwork I do take commissions when I have time to work on them in my studio.

I also do a lot of hemp work and customized jewelry. I macramé over 20 necklaces and create dozens of custom orders a week to provide a customized experience and to get just what my customers are looking for. 

MC - How long have you been in business?

SS - I started selling things in my highschool years around 2008. I officially opened Shantastic Shine in 2010 after moving home from College in Pittsburgh to my hometown of Cumberland, Maryland. Where I currently am located and travel the surrounding areas for shows and events.

MC - Did your business start as a hobby?

SS - My little business started as a hobby but I knew I wanted to do something art related with my life.  I enjoy sharing my ideas and love of all things arts and crafts with anyone interested in custom work. I knew a normal 9-5 job just wasn’t for me and my heart belonged in an art studio! I started making things for friends and family and before I knew it I had strangers calling for gifts and handmade jewelry, and so it began!

MC - Where do you get your design inspiration from?

SS-Colors, and Music. I try to use a lot of “color theory” in my work. Since art has been taken less seriously in my local schools than I think it should be I have noticed many people I talk to often don’t realize what colors mix to make which anymore.  I often use the idea of colors like red and blue to make purple and use them on multiple canvas’ as well as blend them in my art whether it be painting or jewelry combinations.

I also use music a lot as motivation. A line in a song could inspire an entire painting for me. Or a rhythm behind a catchy chorus could become the idea for a new pattern for a background image.

 MC - Tell us about a piece you designed that you are still blown away by 

SS-One of my bar far favorite pieces is a stone wire wrap I made a few years ago. I loved it so much I still have it and wear it almost daily. It has gotten me so many compliments and I would like to believe sales. It has a Smokey Quartz, amethyst tourmaline and a few other small stones mixed into it.  Since I have made it I have made several similar with custom stone requests for customers. They are time consuming but one of my favorite projects to make for people because they usually have special meanings for the stones they choose.

MC - What is the one thing you have learned by trial and error that you wish you could go back and tell yourself when you started?

SS-Not everyone appreciates things as much as someone else. I often try to make everyone happy or appeal to a wide variety of people. I have taught myself to create things that I think SOMEONE will like and not EVERYONE that way when that someone finds it , it means even more to them and they will truly appreciate it.

MC - Spread the love. Tell us about another handmade business you adore.

SS-I truly admire Shirley over at the Orange Windmill or Tree’s Hide.  She creates some very awesome leather bound books as well as other little leather accessories. I have received an amazing little green leatherbound mini journal that I have been scribbling my ideas in ever since. It’s very nicely made and I can’t wait to get another one soon!

MC - Free style. Tell me about anything I forgot to ask.

SS-I am currently trying to reach 1,200 friends/fans on my facebook. Once I get to 1,200 friends I will be running a contest for either a Necklace, a painting, or a $20 gift card for ShantasticShine OR maybe ALL THREE.
 
ALSO get free shipping in my etsy shop if you use this code : SHANTASTICSHIPFREE  

Thanks Shannon for dropping by for Handmade Wednesday and sharing your art with us! Be sure to tune in next week to see who is featured next!
Until Tomorrow
Melissa

Discover Ammonites in Jewelry

Discover Ammonites in Jewelry

by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of Chrysalis Jewelry

Today I want to tell you about ammonites in jewelry. What is an ammonite you ask? They are an extinct group of invertibrate animals that appeared in the Devonian Period and died out during the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. They have since become fossilized.

Some of you may be thinking "Okay, I just heard blah blah jewelry blah blah." Here is what you need to know. Ammonites are really old animals and they have become fossils. These really cool fossils look even cooler in jewelry. Time for show and tell.

Pair of ammonites

Opalized Ammonite

See? Aren't these fossils pretty? Wouldn't it be fun if someone put them into jewelry? Good news! In the past I have made them into rings, bracelets, pendants and cuff links. I had the honor of having some of my ammonite jewelry photographed by fine art photographer Jon Herrera.

Would you like some more ammonite jewelry eye candy by other artists? I would too, so for your viewing (and drooling) pleasure I present...

Ammonite Pendant

Ammonite Ring

Ammonite Cuff Bracelet

Ammonite cuff links

Ammonite Ring

Ammonite Bracelet

WOW! I just love the creativity of these pieces. I admire how these artists have combined fossils with jewelry. Not only are these pieces wearable art, they are wearable history!

If you are thinking "I would love to have some ammonite jewelry of my own!", no worries, Chrysalis Fans! Contact me today (melissa@chrysalisjewelry.com) to discuss a custom piece. Don't forget you can always visit my website, my Etsy shop, or my Facebook page to connect with me too.

Until Tomorrow
Melissa

Tired of Competing with China

My dearest reader, I deeply apologize for my absence. I have missed communicating with you, but I have been very busy trying to give my small business a shot in the arm. First, a little history...

In early 2009, I opened my business, Chrysalis Jewelry. This was a side business, giving me a way to sell people my creations from my jewelry studio. Creations that had started as a hobby. It stayed a side business until late last year, when I was let go from my full time job due to my illness (which has now been diagnosed as the autoimmune CREST).  At first I was devastated by the loss. But I had a couple of people mention to me this might be an opportunity to focus on my business full time. As a firm believer in God shutting one door to open another, I decided to give it a shot.

I opened an Etsy shop, something I had drug my heals about up to that point. I started to create items to put in my Etsy shop and I began to market all over social media. I threw myself into my small business heart and soul.

I know it takes a lot of time for a small business to become successful. I did not naively think I would become an over night success (although I sure would take it!!). I knew it would be a lot of hard work and sacrifice.

Late last summer a friend approached me about sharing a booth at a craft fair in late September. It was a $25 investment, so I figured it was worth a shot. About the same time I had a friend tell me of another craft fair that was posted on Craigs list. Once again the booth fee was affordable so I figured I would give that a shot as well. It would give people an opportunity to see my hard work first hand. To pick it up and touch it. I felt it would be a good way to get my name out there.

Long story short, I have seven craft fairs under my belt and I am thoroughly frustrated. I have had ONE craft fair I would deem successful. A couple that were okay and I made a small profit after covering booth fees. Others were a complete bust.

The problem I have run into at these "Craft" fairs is they also allow vendors. Now, I'm cool with people coming in and selling Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Scentsy. What irks me to no end is being placed next to a booth that also sells jewelry that is imported (which has happened). I make my items by hand, which means this takes time. Not only time to make the items, but time to find (source) materials and buy them. This includes shopping around so I can keep my costs down while still buying quality material.

I'm a good capitalist and I'm all for the free market. However, don't take my booth fee for what is billed as a craft fair and then sit me next to someone who is selling jewelry from China. It's not fair to me, it's not fair to the customers who think they are buying handmade crafts and imported jewelry has no business at a craft fair. I had an acquaintance who was in the same boat at the same craft fair a few weeks ago overhear a conversation between a customer and the imported jewelry vendor. When the vendor was questioned if the items were handmade, the vendor said "not really".

Do you want to help the economy? Do you want to see people in your community get back to work? Then you need to start supporting local merchants, artists, and crafters.  This Christmas I have decided all of my gifts are going to be handmade, either by myself or another crafter. Check out the graphic below:

What do you think? I think shopping local (or at least from someone whose products are made in the USA) is well worth it.

Until Tomorrow
Melissa

PS - Should you want to see my handmade goods, they can be found at here

Handmade Wednesday 9/19/12

Handmade Wednesday

by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of Chrysalis Jewelry

Welcome to the first ever Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature five crafters you should know about! I will pick an item I think is interesting and feature it along with the artist/ crafter. Are you ready to see what I have picked for this week? Let's get started.

First up is an awesome shop called Forgotten Cotton. They feature handmade infinity scarfs, headbands, arm warmers, and vintage jewelry.  The husband and wife team at Forgotten Cotton come up with the most exciting colors of jersey for their scarves.  The selection makes it hard to pick just one! They have recently started to feature "The Basics", a set of three scarves pre-selected and combined for one low price (you save $10 versus buying them separately). 

Scarfs, $50.00

Next we have Miss Ivy Originals. She has a wide assortment of handmade items, like the beautiful crocheted shawl below, craft supplies (ribbon, beads), and handmade cards.  Miss Ivy has a little bit of everything and is definitely worth a visit!  I own the wrap below in a rose color and I can vouch for how comfy it is to wear on a cool evening. Miss Ivy always welcomes custom orders and even has created a coupon code for my readers. Just use coupon code MIO62012 to get 20% off when you check out. This code will expire on 9/30, so hurry over!

Wrap, $45.00

Who doesn't love jewelry? I know I am personally addicted (which is why I started making jewelry in the first place). The best thing about handmade jewelry is it can be personalized and Beadsoul does that in spades!  You have to check out Beadsoul for the variety of items that can be personalized.  You can even order customized guitar picks! How cool is that?

Hand Stamped Rings, $20.00/ea

I have been blown away by the creations of Emergent Glass Works. The detail in the octopi they are known for is amazing. I have even seen glow-in-the-dark octopi Emergent Glass.  Never fear, they also have beautiful glass flowers, bugs, and jars if cephalopods aren't your thing.  I personally wish I had an extra $250.00 laying around so I could get my tenticles on the beauty below.

Octopus, $250.00

My last pick for the week is a shop called Rainy Roots Studio. This talented lady makes art out of soda cans. Talk about upcycling! You have to visit her shop to believe it! Who would have thought the beautiful "L" below started life as a can?

Upcycled Letter, $18.50

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, so this concludes this week's Handmade Wednesday. Never fear, I will be back next week with five more handmade picks.  Would you like to be featured in Handmade Wednesday?  Just leave me a comment on this blog or give me a tweet. I always love to meet new tweeps!

Until tomorrow - Melissa

Dreams

Last December, a friend approached me about opening a store in a downtown area. She would need me to help run it. In exchange, I would be given an area where I could display my jewelry.  I was really excited about the opportunity.  I knew it would be hard work and at time things would be lean, but I was excited to start on a new adventure.

Unfortunately my friend could never come to an agreement with the building owner on lease terms.  While this was disappointing, I felt that another opportunity would come down the road.  So far, another opportunity to open a store has not presented itself.  This lack of opportunity does not preclude me from dreaming about it.

Lately I have been thinking about how exciting it would be to open a store to feature local crafters. There is such a store in a small town from not far from here. I have put myself on the waiting list to get in. That was a couple of months ago.  There are so many small business crafters and artisans that need a place to display their items.  Websites like Etsy and Ebay are great, but not everyone is willing to take the on-line leap. Sometimes people want to be able to touch the item, examine it before buying.

The other issue crafters have is getting the word out about their items. Sure, there is a lot of social media out there, but how does one cut above the noise? I know I face this issue myself.  Well, I may not currently be able to open a brick and morter store, but I do have this blog.

I wonder what would happen if I would feature a few artisan/crafters each week.  Would my blog help them get some exposure?  I'm willing to give it a try.

So, I would like to start a series called Handmade Wednesdays. I know it's not terribly catchy, but it gets the point across.  Every Wednesday I will feature 5 people who make items by hand,  I would love not to have to go looking for each one every week.  Therefore, if you are a crafter and would love to be featured, just leave a comment to this blog and where I can find your items.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the first Handmade Wednesday!
Until Tomorrow - Melissa