Torchwood Studio - Polymer Clay Design and Creations

Artist Spotlight #4 - Capitolagirl

"Every Girl Has a Story and So Should Her Jewelry"....so goes the tag-line for a funky and unique jewelry designer from Capitola, CA. If your looking for jewelry that has a very cool and upbeat vibe, look no further than Susan Nelson of Capitolagirl!

Susan, what is the name of your Etsy shop and how did you come up with the name?

Capitola Girl Jewelry - Capitola Girl was a nickname that I was given by my co-workers in the high-tech industry. Capitola is the name of the coastal town in which I live, and the Girl part is me. I came up with my tag-line “Every Girl Has a Story (and so should her jewelry!)” shortly after I started showcasing my work on my Blog, Capitolgirl. I wanted to write about how and what inspired me to create each piece of jewelry.

Where else can people find you on-line?

Blog: http://www.capitolagirl.com
Website: http://www.capitolagirljewelry.com

I have a network that I just started where indie jewelry makers can join to exchange tips, techniques, and to support and encourage each other to keep our creative dreams alive: http://capitolagirls.ning.com

I also moderate the Jewelry Making Mama’s group on Posh Mama at: http://www.poshmama.com/group/jewelrymakingmamas

I administer the HANDMADE JEWELRY: SATURDAY SPARKLE group on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/saturdaysparkle

Which Etsy Street Teams or Groups do you belong to?

Etsy Weddings Team, Fashion, Design & Lifestyle Street Team and EtsyBEAD

How would you describe your jewelry and how did you become a jewelry designer?

I would describe it as cool, upbeat, sassy and unique jewelry for women. It began as a hobby in 2004. A friend taught me how to make a simple wire-wrapped loop on Saturday, and by Sunday night I had been to the craft store near my house three times and had finished about 50 pairs of earrings. I was completely hooked, and have been making jewelry and designing my pieces on a daily basis ever since.

What is your favorite thing about making jewelry?

I love combining different textures and colors, as well as the process of being creative. The idea of taking disparate objects and turning them into something unique and beautiful is really enjoyable, and I also love the sense of satisfaction that I get when something I make turns out well.

What has been your most memorable moment selling your jewelry?

I’ve only been selling my jewelry on-line for a few months, so I’d have to say that up to this point, the most memorable moment was making my first on-line sale. It was so exhilarating to log onto Etsy one day and find that the total number of items for sale had dropped by one. At first, I thought an item had disappeared or been deactivated, then I saw where the “0 Sold” was now reading “1 Sold.” That first on-line sale gave me a real sense of accomplishment.

Tell me about your featured item?

One of my favorite styles is to create tribal, ethnic and tropical jewelry. My favorite item right now is my SUNBURST earrings. I love the bright orange color of the coral coins. I just feel like they are a fun pair of earrings that are perfect for summer.

What makes your products special? What sets you apart from the crowd?

I think my pieces stand out because I tend to use bold colors and to combine materials that might not always be expected. Although I make simple and traditional pieces as well, I really like the bold, fun look of my jewelry. In my opinion, jewelry is something that you should have fun with. It’s a subtle way to make an unexpected statement about who you are.

Where do you create your jewelry?

I work out of a spare room that I’ve transformed into my home office/studio. It has great natural light, and I love working in that space.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I’m inspired very often by things I’ve seen while traveling. Travel is something I love to do, and I’ve learned so many things from it. I like to incorporate my travel experiences into pieces through the use of color and texture, and to create things that evoke special memories. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to become the next up and coming jewelry designer?

Get out there and try it. The worst thing that can happen is that an item might not sell. The best thing that can happen is that you have fun and develop a love for what you do. I think having a creative hobby, whether it’s making jewelry, painting, or something else is what makes people unique and interesting.

If you had a chance to work with anyone, who would it be?

I’d probably want to work for a publisher in some capacity. I’d like to take my technical writing and high-tech professional background and combine that skill with my love for making jewelry. I hope to eventually write articles and perhaps even books about jewelry design.

What are your current projects?

I’ve been learning more about metal jewelry crafts. I’m not quite ready to sell the pieces that I’ve been experimenting with, but I do plan to eventually add metal pieces to my inventory.

• Etsy Shop - Capitolagirl
• Blog - www.capitolagirl.com
• Website - www.capitolagirljewelry.com

Thanks to Susan for the great interview and her cool, upbeat, sassy and unique jewelry! Like Susan says, "Every Girl Has a Story and So Should Her Jewelry"...check out her jewelry and see where the story goes. The best of luck to Susan and Capitolagirl!

Coming next week! I'll be featuring some up and coming Etsians but with a new twist. From now on, the feature artists will be offering one of their handmade creations in a drawing that will be held each week! All you have to do is check out their article, visit their shop and then post a comment back here telling me what your favorite item in their shop is. A week after their feature is posted, I'll draw a name from all of the comments and you could be the winner. Be sure to bookmark this blog or subscribe to my RSS Feed so you can keep up to date with the drawing!

Want Your Shop Featured Here? Willing To Participate In A Giveaway?

In my on-going efforts to promote other independent artists, and especially the awesome folks over at Etsy.com, the Featured Artists Spotlight rolls on! Twice a week, I feature an Etsy shop owner who creates items that will make you cry, sing, dance, reach for your wallet or just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Sort of like my pal here is making you feel right now... :)

The feature article includes all sorts of insightful questions and it brings some well deserved attention to those artists who obviously put their passion into their work.

So, how does your shop end up being featured on this blog? Easy.... All you have to do is leave a comment here with a little blurb about why you would like to be featured along with the name of your Etsy Shop.

The other thing I ask is that you be willing to participate in a giveaway where you offer up something from your shop worth at least $10. Each week I draw a winning name from the readers who have viewed your spotlight article and left a comment about their favorite item in your shop! As I have many international readers, you would have to be willing to ship worldwide. Sound interesting?? 

Well, leave a comment and the name of your Etsy shop and check back often to see who is on their way to fame and fortune courtesy of Torchwood Studio!

Artist Spotlight #3 - CopperLeaf Studios

The spotlight today features Chris Zielski of CopperLeaf Studios. When I joined Etsy, this was one of the first shops I came across and I've been hooked ever since. It's an honor to put the spotlight on Chris today! When I was drooling over her work, I thought it was ceramic based due to the textures and colors. Once I was able to tear my eyes from the work itself and do some reading, I realized that this is etched metal! Unbelievable...take a look and fall in love.

So, Chris, give us some background on who you are.

My name is Chris Zielski. My “day job” is an art teacher. I was lucky enough to get hired at an incredible school system but, because I was the last one in, I’ve done a lot of traveling, teaching everything from 4th grade to high school to college, often all within the same day.

Teaching has had a huge impact on my artwork. I’ve had to learn so many different medias, and often they combine in my work. I think that’s what keeps it fresh for me – the challenge of melding disciplines to create something new and unique.

What is the name of your Etsy shop name?

Copper Leaf Studios

Where else can people find you on-line or in your local area? 

Locally, I’m represented by Red Dot Project, Juma Gallery, and River Gallery (Northeast OH). I also have a few of out-of-state galleries where I wholesale. On-line, I’m a member of Trunkt.org, and Etsy.

Which Etsy Street Teams or Groups do you belong to?

Cleveland Handmade

Please tell us a little about your artwork. How did you get into working with metal? 

I was researching non-toxic printmaking techniques for a high school art class. I ended up not teaching the class again, but fell in love with the texture of etching. It took about 2 years to really understand the nuances of the processes, and then a few more to really develop my own style. But I fell in love, and never looked back!

What has been your most memorable moment selling your work?

Once I got a piece accepted into a show that ended up traveling internationally. When I finally got it back, it was sent with the placard from a show in Yokohama, Japan with the title & my name written in Japanese.

Okay, that wasn’t a “selling” moment per say… my most exciting selling moment came a few months ago when I sold a piece to Donna Penfield, the owner of the Louis Penfield House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. She asked if she could carry some of my work, as it reflects a style similar to Wright’s architecture. He’s been my favorite since I can remember; it was such a cool compliment.

Have you taken any business classes to help you prepare for being an Etsy shop owner?

Yes, I took an incredible class called “Artist as Entrepreneur” from the Cleveland-based Community Partnership for Arts and Culture. It was a 3-day intensive class that focused on everything from branding to marketing to copyright to accounting. I highly recommend it! I believe if you take yourself seriously, others will as well.

Who or What inspires you? 

I love texture! And playing with organic things in a geometric format. Layering metal and glass and wire; etching, bending, layering, and arranging materials. Recently I’ve started using Photoshop to design new pieces, starting with either a digital photo or a sketch and pasting into it. It’s opened up a whole new world for me – it looks so close to the finished piece, it’s scary! I actually had someone send prospective clients downtown to see a piece that didn’t yet exist because he saw the sketch on-line. I had a lot of explaining to do on that one!

What are some of your current projects? 

I'm working on a commission for COSE. The piece will consist of five panels of cut copper pieces put together in a mosaic-style that forms a landscape. The finished piece will be about 4’ tall and 7’ wide (1.2m x 2.2m). This is what it will look like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10918904@N07/2209590807/

Another commission is an award consisting of 20 pieces that fit together to form a map of the Great Lakes that will be separated at the end of a convention and given to the 19 guest speakers, with the last piece being retained by the hosting organization.

If you could work with any company, who would it be?

Lincoln Electric! I hear they have the world’s coolest plasma & water cutters. In layman’s terms, very expensive machines that can cut intricate designs into metal. Right now, it’s just me and a jeweler’s saw.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years with your business?

Honestly, I’m not sure! I used to have it all planned out, but the more I’ve been working as an artist, the less I’ve been able to determine what will happen next. I’ve had so many opportunities that I never would have dreamt of… and many things I thought I would do that I ended up not, for whatever reason. I’ve learned to just enjoy the ride, and be open to as many opportunities as possible.

• Etsy Shop - CopperLeaf Studios
• Trunkt Portfolio

Thanks to Chris for the great interview and the great work. All I can say is that I wish my art teachers in school had been this talented. Best of luck to you and your shop!

Be sure to check in tomorrow for the next Artist Spotlight. This one will feature Susan Nelson of Capitolagirl and her "cool, upbeat, sassy and unique jewelry for women." You don't want to miss this one.

Here's My New Celtic Knot Piece

Well, I finally finished it...whew! It took about 1 week to decide on the design aspects and the actual hands-on time but I think it was worth it.  

I started with a glass vase that I think was a wine decanter in a past life, frosted it with some Armour Etch (note to self: Armour Etch does not play nice with bare skin) and then went to work making the large celtic knots. I'm still trying to find a way to do some more elaborate knots but the process is eluding me at this point. After the knots were finished, I laid on the celtic knot stamped gold borders and then went to work layering the custom mixed dark pearlescent green to finish it off.

Once the whole thing was cured, it was time for sanding. Trying to sand something with curves and a thin neck is not as easy as it looks. As I like to have a glass smooth finish on all my pieces, sanding this all the way up to 800 grit and still have it keep a nice round shape severely tried my patience...lol  All in all, it ended up looking like the idea I had in my head and that's all I can ask for.

I don't know what it is about Celtic Knots that I like so much. I love working them into my new pieces. It might have something to do with the fact that I'm part Irish...lol...maybe it's a genetic thing. I've got it up in my Etsy shop now so take a stroll over there and you can see some better pics of it.

Color Scales for Polymer Clay Artists

Has this ever happaned to you? You get a flash of inspiration one night and you start to work feverishly on a polymer clay work of art. Once it's finished, you can't believe what you created...the colors and the texture came out exactly the way you pictured it in your mind. Now, you find that others love this particular piece and they want you to make one for them....... in the same exact colors. If your creative process is anything like mine, you probably mix your own custom colors. If you started with polymer clay like I did, you never ever wrote down what amounts and what colors made up that one of a kind flashy bluish-purplish tone that you now have to try and re-create.

Well, here comes Maggie Maggio to the rescue. She has provided everyone with a video that explains her process for creating your own colors scales along with a printable handout that diagrams that entire process. I have used her color scale idea and it allows me to re-create the same custom color over and over with no variance. I highly recommend this!