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

Tektites.....from Outer Spaaaaaaace!

Chris
Chrysalis Jewelry Intern 
Facebook Fan Page
Etsy Shop







Grab your phasers, put on your space helmets, and crank up your creepy theremin music, today's blog is on Tektites.

No, not the spider things from the Legend of Zelda games, although it would make a pretty cool alien, and it would go with creepy theremin music pretty well.

No creepy theremin music here, but it's just as good if you ask me.

But in a nutshell, Tektites are rocks (not all gem quality, of course) formed when space rocks hit the Earth.  These impacts tend to be fairly energetic events (just ask the Dinosaurs), so even though Tektites are formed from ordinary Earth rocks and such, the materials in those rocks are transformed, both from the impact itself, and they are often shaped as they zip though the air and cool down.

For example, here's an Australite, which acquired its aerodynamic shape after it was ejected from a newly formed impact crater, and sailed through the air as a blob of molten glass.  It may not be particularly shiny, but you might be interested to know that Australites helped to inspire the shape of the Apollo Space Capsules.  In other words....

Note the similarity to the middle rock....

Also note the similarity to this fine example of Alien Technology.
There is only one explanation!

Most gem grade Tektites, however, are the illustrious green Moldavites.  Not only are they beautiful, but there are only four Moldavite mines currently operating in the world, and they're all in the Czech Republic.  Once they're gone, they're gone.

These spiky "flower burst" Moldavites are highly sought after by collectors.

While the smaller loose pieces are cut into gems

So remember, the next time you're looking for a different sort of gemstone for a unique gift, you may just want to look to the stars....
Until Tommorow
Chris the Intern

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

Handmade Wednesday Featuring Rootiebirds

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 proud to feature Rootiebirds, a Nebraska based artist who makes the most wonderful gemstone beaded creations. I interviewed her this week and this is what she had to say.

MC - Tell us a little bit about your handmade business

Kate, Owner of Rootiebirds

Rootiebirds -I make jewelry...my passion is working with gemstones, but I love branching out and trying new things….my latest is wire wrapping and soon i want to try leather and metal smithing

MC - How long have you been in business?

Rootiebirds -I've officially been in business for almost a year now

MC - Did your business start as a hobby?

Rootiebirds - Yes, it started quite innocently…a friend needed some help beading and I immediately became addicted. I've never lost the love for it….it has grown…I call it my longest lasting love affair.

Garnet Orbital Resonance

MC - Where do you get your design inspiration from?

Rootiebirds - I get design inspiration from so many places, people, and ideas. I love nature, odd things, art, patterns…there is inspiration everywhere

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

Rootiebirds - My latest piece is something that blew me out of the water. I call it the Seven Sisters. It is not quite finished yet but it involves some pretty fierce wrapping of copper and gemstones. 

KatyDid Orbital Resonance

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?

Rootiebirds - I learn everything by trial and error…that's just how I roll…best way to learn. The only thing I would tell myself is to stay true to my vision…not get sidetracked…and to remember that everything is unfolding as it should…be patient.

Amethyst Tapestry

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

Rootiebirds - My most recent love affair is with Cobalt and Copper. Both her and her work are an inspiration to me.

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

Rootiebirds - One thing I would like to add is that your biggest competition is also your greatest learning source, support and inspiration...always learn to lean on other people and in turn be open to being leaned upon

Sapphire Classic Single Braid

Thank you Kate for stopping in to talk to us about your beautiful creations! If you would like to get to know Rootiebirds better, be sure to become a fan on the Rootiebirds Facebook Page.  You can also send an email to her at RootieBirds@gmail.com.

Specchio Maledetto

Please be sure to tune in next Wednesday when I feature another great crafter or artist. Until next week!

Melissa

PS - Be sure to become a fan of Chrysalis Jewelry!

Garnets (I can't think of a witty title)

Chris
Chrysalis Jewelry Intern 
Facebook Fan Page
Etsy Shop 

Ah, Garnet.  That deep red gemstone that I'm sure some people out there know and love.  Like any gemstone worth talking about, it's pretty to look at and reflects and refracts light in interesting ways when cut.  And like a gemstone that isn't too fragile to actually use in jewelry, garnets range from 6.5 to 7.5.  Wait, garnets.  Plural.  You know what that means, right?

That means there's a whole Garnet family out there just waiting to be explored.  For our exploration today, we'll be looking at three members of the Garnet family.

Tsavorite,
Spessartine,
and Demantoid

 But before any of that silliness, let's cover Garnets in general.  For all you science nerds out there, here's a model of Garnet's chemical structure.

And all the hippies said, "Eewww, chemicals D="

So yeah, when most people think of Garnets, they think of the red ones.  Well guess what peeps, there are actually color changing Garnets out there!  Unfortunately, still images of a color changing Garnet would be kinda boring, so I found you this video instead.  If for some reason you don't like videos, all you have to do is not watch it, and pretend that it's a picture.  Enjoy.

Unfortunately, these fancy things tend to be rare, and therefore expensive.  So if you happen to own one, please get a monocle and top hat, and refer to everyone who doesn't own these things as "peasants" and/or "peons".  The International Society of Humorous Snobbery thanks you for your time.

If, for some reason, you don't have that much money to spend on Garnet(s), there's always Yttrium Aluminum Garnets, or YAGs.  In the synthetic gemstone world, these puppies have been around for a while.  In fact, they were used as fake diamonds until the famous Cubic Zirconia came along.  And for you super-villains out there, YAGs can also be used in laser devices, but only if you add Neodymium a special secret ingredient.

Not Pictured: Death Ray Components

Well, then.  Now that we've got some interesting tidbits about Garnets in general out of the way, it's time to look at three specific varieties in detail.

Tsavorite

 Yep, it's green.

Tsavorite is a Calcium-Aluminum Garnet, with the green color caused by a little bit of Vanadium or Chromium.  To date, this gem has only been found in Tanzania and Madagascar.  Most Tsavorite gems in existence weigh only a few carats.  This one, however, seems to be abnormally large.

Don't ask me how big these are (spoiler alert: probably smaller than they appear on your screen)

Here's one up close

This one must be tiny

Here's an interesting cut

Next Up,

Spessartine

Unlike Tsavorite, you can find this stuff all over the world. Also unlike Tsavorite, it seems like Spessartine doesn't get faceted as often.  If you ask me, though, that isn't really much of a problem.

They still look awesome when cut, of course.

Last, but not least, we have:

Demantoid

As it turns out, Demantoids are a variety of Andratite, which itself is a member of the Garnet family.  Demantoids were first discovered in Russia, and Russian Demantoids often contain inclusions called "Horsetails", which are often sought after as an indication of the gem's natural origin.  In other words, this is the stuff that makes these gems famous:

It's not just that this gem is natural, the inclusions look pretty good too.

An interesting comparison....

That's all for now, I suppose.  Stay Fancy, Chrysalis Fans.
Until Tomorrow
Chris the Intern