Maddabling: July 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Friday Friends - Dusty Diva's Part 9

I can't believe I am up to the 9th instalment of the Dusty Diva's series already !
This week I am proud to introduce a truly inspirational dusty diva - Julie-Ann from JulieAnnsJewels !

As well as the challenges everyday life throws at her, Julie-Ann tirelessly serves the DUST team by

* Accepting new members and answer their questions
* Sending in new member names to the teams section
* Starting the weekly chit-chat threads and sending the DUST Team
newsletter
* Organising DUSTy craft swaps
* Organising the sale threads
* Listening to the DUSTers rant on the DUST forums and providing
much needed moral support.

The Boss of the DUST Team !
Where would the DUST team be without Julie-Ann ?

I really love Julie-Ann's creations - these copper earrings are just divine -

green lucite and copper are a fabulous combination - also I adore the earthy rich colour of this Necklace made of Sebucao Seeds, Hawaiian Coral Tree Willwill Seeds and Wooden beads

and how stunning are the blue Chalcedony stones in this bracelet that have been teamed with glass pearls, swarovski crystals, sterling silver and pewter !

And now I will let Julie-Ann tell you her story - enjoy !

Julie Anns Jewels
Hi all, I’m Julie-Ann the creator behind Julie’s Jewels.

I began playing with little round shiny things called beads a few years ago and still do.
I began by going to a Christmas Ornament craft class; this is the only class I have ever taken so basically I’m a self-taught artist.

Anyway back to the class, I’d never beaded before this and I found that this was an easy class to do and was even able to help other beginners who had problems.

Fast forward to today and I now create all sorts of things with beads, all types of beads. Check out my blog Julie’s Jewels to whet your appetite.

I sell from home and have expanded to online with three main stores, on Etsy, ArtFire and MadeIt.

Apart from creating new Jewellery and Accessories I also do custom orders, and repairs. I figure if I can create something new I can fix something broken, or re-create something you no longer like.

If I’m not beading I spend my days going to my children’s schools. I have 4 children and 1 grandson. My eldest daughter Jessica, is mum to Kade 9 months and then I have Nicholas, Jacinda and Michael. Our children have problems with various disabilities therefore I need to work from home so that’s one of the reasons I started with the beadwork, I also sell Avon another home based business. I teach music – recorder – at Michael’s primary school and play clarinet also at this school when needed. So I keep myself pretty busy…

Want to see and learn more about Julie-Ann ?
Check out these links :

Blog: http://juliesjewels.wordpress.com

Etsy: http://JulieAnnsJewels.etsy.com or http://ljjnjm.etsy.com

ArtFire: http://Julies_Jewels.artfire.com

MadeIt: http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=452

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/JuliesJewels

Friday, July 23, 2010

Wednesday Wishlist - Ocean Salt

A little ocean salt - things inspired by the sea. Enjoy x

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Friday Friends - Dusty Diva's Part 8

It's Friday again YAY ! and time to introduce a new Dusty Diva. This week I want you to meet Vicki of RedeemDesigns.

I must admit I am quite partial to Vicki's handbags, of which I currently own two - a sweet orange one

and this adorable retro print

aren't they seriously cute ?

And the repurposed Journals which I have found make the most wonderful gifts - I collaborated with Vicki recently on a custom order which I can't show you yet as it hasn't been received by the recipient but I got this one for my hubby and he loves it !

.

Now it's time for Vicki's story - Redeem - a handmade Revolution - enjoy !

RedeemDesigns

If you ask my friends to describe me in one word most of them would say creative Not that I mind, it’s very flattering really but I happen to think that everyone is creative.
I was chatting to a girlfriend today about a girls get together I’m planning and we decided to ‘buy’ scones because neither of us know, how to make scones (my grandmother would be mortified!). I regard people who can whip together a 3 course meal without looking in any books as true artisans whose skills I can only dream of attaining. Creativity is core in everyone.

It’s true I do love to live creatively and usually approach anything I do with the attitude of ‘what can I do to make this better, funkier or different ‘(do not let me loose with a glue gun!) However, it’s my very practical and pragmatic nature that requires anything I create to have a purpose behind it.

To this end I started re:deem, my online store. The purpose behind re:deem is to take my love of crafting and combine it with my passion fuelled by belief that I can, and should do something to help make our world better.

With whatever I sell in re:deem (I say whatever because my products are always changing and evolving) I aim (or as close as) for it to be ethical, fair trade, eco friendly or recycled and the profit goes toward a micro enterprise or community development project. At the moment I support a micro enterprise project that buys a sewing machine plus 6 mths training for a poor, disadvantaged woman in India. Providing her with both the means and ability to support herself and her family.

I want to thank Samara for inviting me to be a DUSTy Diva. I did warn her that I can rabbit on a bit, especially when I’m passionate about something. I was going to try for short witty and funny but if you ask me about my craft interests and why I started selling online I would give the same answer as what I have given here despite the fact that I’m like totally funny….seriously, its usually 3 or 4 in the list of words given by my friends to describe me
Finally (YAY) one of the lovely things about craft is that it creates a wonderful sense of community whether it’s online or offline. I find myself fortunate to be alongside people like Samara in this crafting community of Aussie DUSTers.