Front Page for the Bad Cat!

It doesn't happen that often to me, but when it does, I am thrilled. Thank you to Sharon Clancy Designs who curated a fabulous treasury that put myself and 11 other talented artisans front and center.

Pantone Fall 2009

What do you all think? What colors do you see yourself incorporating into your designs this upcoming season.

Leporidae wearing Baubles

1) Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Maureen, and I'm from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

2) Why do you do what you do?
I make jewelry because I need to create. Making jewelry also serves as a form of meditation for me. When I'm working on a piece, even if it's only a pair of earrings, all extraneous and pointless thoughts drop from my mind. It's a very Zen experience for me.

3) When did you start your craft?
I was a very crafty kid. I always had my hands in something. Knitting, crocheting, doing macrame, and making jewelry were my main creative pursuits. But I dabbled with many other craft forms too.I got back to making jewelry on occasion in 2001, and started selling my goodies right at the end of 2007.

4) If you were a flower which one would you be? and why?
I guess I'd be a rose. Very sweet on the one hand, but also very thorny.

5) What is your favorite item in your shop?

It's a toss up between two items.

6)How do you feel about the phrase “Handmade Revolution”?

I never really thought about that before. But now that I am thinking about it I like it.Even before I entered the world of selling handmade goods I had a dislike of mass-produced crap. But until the internet took off the way it has now starting your own business was a very expensive venture, and not as many people could become business owners as is possible now. I just love seeing all the fantastic things artisans of handmade goods make. The array of talent out there boggles my mind.

7) Apparently you like Leporidae that wear baubles? Please elaborate.

I had to google "leporidae" before I could answer this question.If you had said "lagomorphs" I would have known what you were talking about right away. LOLMy thing for rabbits started many, many years ago when my mom received a stuffed bunny as a gift from the girls at work. The instant I saw it I lusted after it, and stole it away from her. Since then my collection of stuffed bunnies has grown fairly large.You can see a pic of my critters here:http://jeweledrabbit.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-muses.html

8) Where can we find you?
I currently have a shop at Winkelf:http://www.winkelf.com/shop.php?id=jeweledrabbit
My blog is here:http://jeweledrabbit.blogspot.com/pot.com/

Here are Maureen's picks from her store. Be sure to browse, she has gorgeous, unique pieces.

Artbead Divine Jewelry

Late last night I checked my email and found an invitation to join the Artbead Divine Jewelry Market on www.1000Markets.com. I am flattered, flabbergasted, and thrilled to have been invited, as I had looked at the market whilst browsing, and was very impressed with the artisans. So I accepted, obviously, and my pieces are now included. I really like how they separated out the jewelry, with the obvious categories of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. Then it is broken down by colors, which makes it even easier.

Lampwork beads are something that I have recently been working with during the past few months. I have 3 particular artisans that I work with and am always browsing through shops to see who else is out there. I find lampwork to be peaceful and uncluttered, since I pick the very basic shapes and colors to work with.

Etsy Front Page 5/19/09 badcatjewelry

Etsy Front Page 5/19/09 badcatjewelry, originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers.

Here's a screen shot of the Treasury I curated. Congrats to all who made the Front Page.

The First in a Series

I'm starting to do some interviews for my blog featuring some of my friends in the world of handmade, vintage, etc...

And without further ado: 1Maddie and Me

1) Who are you and where are you from?

I am Kristina Roland I am from USA. I say that because I am not from one town really, but I was raised from 1st through 12th grade in FL. Then we moved to Tennessee and I've been there since 1994.

2) Why do you do what you do?

Because I love it. I absolutely love to sew and create new outfits. Some ideas come to me late at night and I have to get up and sketch it out and most times I'll start on it within the next day or two. I love to create in so many ways, gardening, cooking, making bath and body products, sewing you name it.

3) When did you start your craft?

Technically the first outfits I designed and made I was in about 4th grade and was using scrap fabric and making my own doll clothes. They were nothing to brag about, but it was a start. Then in high school and college I worked in the theater making costumes, then to drapes and home decor pillows and once my little girl was born I started making items for her. It was then that I was ready to start a business designing and producing children's clothing.

4) If you were a tree which one would you be?

Wha? I don't know... the first one that came to mind was Ash, then I realized that I don't know what an Ash looks like so next would be White Birch... I just think its pretty.

5) What is your favorite item in your shop?

Right now? (Yes, Kristina, right now) Its a toss up between the "Mod Bonnet" and the "Old Jeans, New Dress" but I have so many ideas in my head that I'm sure soon enough I'll have another new item that will then be my favorite.

6) How do you feel about the phrase “Handmade Revolution”?

Its OK, I prefer to think of my items as hand crafted, but the revolution part is great. Its nice to know that so many people want quality hand crafted products and are willing to pay fair prices for such quality. I hope it continues to grow.

7) What is one thing that your mother didn’t tell you about aging?

Aging? Who is aging? I'm getting younger like Mork.

8) Where to find her:

Blog: http://www.1MaddieandMe.blogspot.com

Artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/1MaddieAndMe

Hyena Cart: http://hyenacart.com/onestore.php?vid=2534&category=5

1000Markets: http://www.1000markets.com/users/maddieandme

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maryville-TN/Maddie-ME-Childrens-Handcrafted-Couture/106830800343?ref=ts

Here are my pick's from 1Maddie and Me's store:

Rose Dust

The final color in the Pantone 2008 Spring series. A muted pink with a dab a gray that helps soothe the senses. What a lovely color for lingerie. When I see this color I think of light fabrics that just float around the body.



Please share your finds and I will stumble, kirtsy, and twitter them.

Stumblefest...read all about it...

My blogging buddy, the Jeweled Rabbit, has come up with a wonderful idea about stumbling, kirtsy'ing, digg'ing, twittering, etc finds...read more about it here:

http://jeweledrabbit.blogspot.com/

Slate Gray Pantone Spring 2009

Here is a color that I don't use too often. Its pretty enough, but my eye doesn't travel to this shade of blue/gray. I figured out though, that I actually do have a bracelet that pairs this color with Super Lemon.

I would love to see what you all have. I will stumbleupon, twitter, and kirtsy you.