A Lil Sumptin Sumptin

A lil sumptin sumptin about Eva, the designer behind http://alilsumptinsumptin.etsy.com. She's been involved in art since childhood, covertly doodling girly faces in her older siblings school notebooks. She's a Jill of many trades, with training as a fashion designer, illustrator and calligrapher.

For the past 3 years she has been designing jewelry that is strongly graphic and frequently humorous. Common themes are flower gardens and dogs, two of her loves. The jewelry showcases collectible handmade lampwork glass beads by well-known glass artists with the proceeds of many pieces donated to charitable causes.

A case in point is the bracelet and earring set pictured above, inspired by "The Secret Garden", by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a beloved story of many people's childhoods. It features flowers torched by glass artist, Dawn White, a flying bug by Janet Crosby, and a plethora of glass beads, Swarovski crystals, and other sterling silver components. To enhance the storyline, Eva has added sterling silver charms: a garden trowel, hand cultivator, a packet of sunflower seeds, a watering can, daisy flower, gardening cutters, a fancy key, and a heart shaped lock. The piece is 'signed' with one of her sterling silver tags. You can see closeups of the many delightful details in this piece at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=571712
This next bracelet also features lampwork glass by Dawn White, along with Karen Hill Tribe fine silver leaves, Swarovski Crystals and high-quality turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mine.

In honor of Eva's two golden retrievers, who were both adopted from local animal shelters and have since passed away, Eva has established "Paws for a Good Cause." PAWS is a permanent section in her Etsy shop, as well as annual eBay charity auctions where 100% of the proceeds benefit various animal and human non-profit organizations. The following pieces also feature glass by Janet Crosby.
This piece is titled "Curtain Call."
This closeup is of a 30" asymmetrical necklace featureing handcrafted black and white beads by Sarah Friskey, with the dog by Crosby.

Find out more about PAWS at http://www.alilsumptinsumptin.com/paws/. Eva also maintains a second jewelry shop where she sells jewelry making supplies at http://alilextrasumptin.etsy.com.
Eva is one of the participants in the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge." You can learn more about her and read her terrific reviews of the other talented artists and designers in the Challenge at http://www.alilsumptinsumptin.com/

Anne Dundas - Molten Flow

Anne Dundas is a jewelry artist from Sydney, Australia who began making jewelry when she left work to care for her mother who has MS. Creating jewelry led her to learn to make the richly colored lampwork beads she sells at her ETSY shop at http://annedundas.etsy.com.

Anne finds it a thrill to play with molten glass watching it flow and form beautiful objects. Above is Anne's lampwork bead set titled "Al-Uzza... Desert Goddess of the Morning Star."
She also incorporates her lampwork beads into visually exciting jewelry. The feature of the necklace above is the pendant/tassel. The large bead at the top is a hollow lampwork bead that Anne created, and the tassel drop is Swarovski crystal, Czech glass beads and Bali sterling silver. The pendant has then been strung on two strands of gorgeous hand-dyed silk cord, that blends in perfectly with the colour scheme.

Anne is a prolific artisan and her work focuses on lampwork glass beads and jewelry, but that is not the limit of the interesting work that can be found in her store. Above is a chain maille bracelet that won first place in the metalwork category of the Arts Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Anne's blog, where she interviews other ETSY artists and designers, and writes in detail about her new work and her creative process is at www.annedundas.com/blog
She is a member of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team, www.etsyglass.com

Studio Marcy - Life is Good

Marcy Lamberson is the creative force behind the ETSY shop Studio Marcy http://StudioMarcy.etsy.com.

She's been melting glass for over 8 years and loving every minute of it, which is obvious when looking at her work. Her studio is a converted sunroom porch that overlooks her lovely backyard populated by birds and wildlife. That sounds very relaxing, but I think my favorite vacation would be a visit into Marcy's mind. Her imagination really tickles me.

Above is Euphonia the Alien Diva, a lampwork glass focal bead that got me laughing out loud.
Next is Blue Bella the Monkey, who has a bit of "Wallace and Grommet" flavor.

Marcy uses a 2000 degree torch and most of her glass comes from Murano, Italy. Every piece is kiln annealed for durability.

Here we have Percival the Rather Shy Fish who has a tender, allusive charm.

Next is Gemma the British Butterfly. Marcy writes amusing 'backstories' for all of her creations, which is part of the fun in shopping with her. I'm including Gemma's story to give you a taste, and to encourage you to head on over to Studio Marcy for some light hearted fun that belies the amazing technical mastery that Marcy has with glass.

"Meet Gemma. She's British. How do I know that? Well she flies in the opposite side of all the other butterflies and I ruled out that she was left handed. (she doesn't have any hands). And the other day, she was asking for tea around late afternoon, when most of the American butterflies are asking for a double espresso with cream and pollen from Starbucks.

Gemma also likes some of the weirdest comedy shows I've ever seen. I won't comment any further, as some of you might be fans also, but I happen to know that I just don't get it, unless it's Monty Python."

While Marcy Lamberson's forte is sculptural amusing beads, she enjoys challenges and is open to any special orders.

You can learn more about Marcy at her blog http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com where she interviews other interesting artisans as part of the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge."

Shoozles - Radiant Glowing Glass

It's a rainy day. Let's have a little radiant glass goodness!
Michelle Strader is Shoozles, a jewelry designer for 17 years. For the past 7 years she has focused on HOT GLASS, dichroic glass pendants, earrings, bracelets and pins which she sells online at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=40236.

She is enthusiastic about her work, loves customer interaction and doing custom work. She says "I consider each and every piece I make to be a work of art. Opening my kiln is a gift to me!"

Still loving it after many years!

Haven't had enough Shoozles yet?

Then check out the new shop that Michelle is developing for her non-glass work: The Ouchless Universe - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5246062. Shoozles website -
http://shoozlesfusedglass.com. A gallery of sold work and family photos on Flickr:
http://flickr.com/photos/shoozlesfusesglass/, and finally Shoozles blog - http://shoozles.wordpress.com/.

She is a member of EGA Etsy Glass Artists. You can see more Shoozles and other wonderful glass artists at http://etsyglass.com/shop_glass.php.

Michelle is participating in the 90 Features in 90 Days Challenge.