Friday Friends - Australian ETSY Sellers - White Raven Designs

Happy Happy Friday my dear blog readers ! Again I apologise for the hiccup last Friday which left Maddabling with no Friday Friends Feature. It makes this post all the more special :) Winter is well and truly upon my part of the world brrrr. What are you doing for the weekend ? I am attending a school reunion - it comes with it's share of nerves and anticipation of course. I am hoping it goes well .............

This week it is my absolute pleasure to introduce a new Friday Friend - the lovely Nita of White Raven Designs



White Raven Designs are created with a love and passion for the craft. Nita's shop statement says : I create extravagant, colourful beaded charm bracelets and memory wire wrap bracelets, I love blending and combining colours to 'paint' a story or evoke a mood. Each bracelet I create is unique although I do like to recreate a favorite theme or colorway from time to time and custom requests are cheerfully attempted.

Upon exploring Nita's work further, I found this statement to be profoundly true.
I love the bold femininity in the White Raven Designs signature line of Bollywood Bracelets and the colours are just gorgeous



and this Midnight Rain lucite flowers and pearl beaded charm bracelet reminds me of a garden in the moonlight with a beautiful blend of dark and light



while the Sunset Sari - Pearl beaded Charm bracelet in Hot spicy colours



takes me to a place I would rather be at the moment, a tropical place like Broome rather than in front of the fire on the wintery South Coast.
Dear friends, I invite you to sit back, relax with a cup of hot chocolate perhaps (don't forget the marshmallows) which seems to be my favourite vice at the moment and meander your way through the tale of White Raven Designs. Have a great weekend everyone x



The Wonderous Tale of White Raven Designs

Who is White Raven Designs ?



My name is Nita and I am White Raven Designs! I live in a tiny country town with my Caveman, 4 cats and the hell-hound, who despite his nickname is a very large but gentle rottweiler!



How and when did your handmade journey begin ?



I have been involved in various business for 20 years, starting out with a "Hippy" shop, stocking incense, candles and clothing. My jewellery making started when I was looking for jewellery to complement the clothing and couldn't find anything apart from cheap imports. So I bought about $20 worth of beads and findings to see if I could do better (And I did!) and as they say the rest is history!

What inspires you ?



I chose to use Colour to be my main design inspiration, I love the way colour interacts to create a mood, the play of light and shade that can weave a story and evoke an emotion.



I study anything that catches my eye and visually pick apart the colours that combine to make a whole, be it a flower, a painting, photo's.
I usually start by grabbing my watercolour pencils, visual art diary and artists colour wheel and colour in a basic colour plan, mixing and matching tone and hue, making notes on the various beads and charms I can use to create a story (or two or three) that blends with the chosen colour scheme. Often by changing the intensity or hue of a single colour I can create a totally new colour plan.



What mediums do you work with - do you have a favourite ?



I use a lot of glass based pearls, so many glorious colours and I love the sparkle of faceted glass crystal, delicate metal filigree and a multitude of beads collected from all over the world.

What kind of things do you make ?



I create beaded charm bracelets, wrap style bracelets, the occasional pair of earrings and necklaces. I like to experiment with different colours and shapes and while I only create two styles of bracelets, each one is unique in the selection of beads and the patterns I create.

Do you have a favourite design that you have made ?



My current favorite is my Bollywood inspired bracelet Collection - I came up with this design and the name for this collection of bracelets from my love of Indian textiles and costume - the colour, the sparkle and the intricate designs. My bedroom curtain is a vintage wedding sari! .

What are your future plans/dreams/aspirations ?



To keep my craft evolving and establishing my signature style! A fan made a comment on my Facebook page recently, that she loves the look and colours of my Charm bracelets but she isn't a bracelet kinda girl, so I'm currently exploring creating a range of limited edition earrings and necklaces that will complement my bracelets.
Like all micro-business, a steady income would be nice too....


Inspired ? Want to see more of Nita's wonderfully intricate work ?

You can SHOP here :

Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/whiteravendesignsau


or on Madeit

http://www.madeit.com.au/WhiteRavenDesigns

Or for the latest White Raven Happenings become a Facebook follower here :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/White-Raven-Designs