My Interview with Rhonda at ShadowJewels



Rhonda with Coob



When did you start Shadowjewels? How long have you been creating your own jewelry?  Was there a particular event that sparked it?



ShadowJewels is entirely the fault of the internet. About 12 years ago, I got a new computer. Once I got online, unfortunately I discovered cybershopping. I started collecting Victorian jewelry, but that was frustrating for me because the pieces I really wanted were too expensive. Then one day I bought a necklace with a broken clasp~ a bargain! And decided to learn how to fix it. When I found you could buy vintage beads and jewelry parts online, that was the end of my normal life.

 Zowie!

'This will be much cheaper', I thought. Sure! Now I have a whole room full of the stuff. It has not been cheaper than buying the Victorian jewelry, but it sure has been more fun.

What drew you to Etsy?

Finding Etsy was like coming home for me. I love handmade, of course....and when I saw how vintage was taking off, that was wonderful!

The community here is just so creative, and positive, and eco conscious.

I'd absolutely love it if you could tell everyone about Coob. (Your avi buddy)

Oh Cooby. He's a character. When my husband moved here from France, he brought Coob with him. At first we really didn't click, because he couldn't understand me! Coob didn't speak English. "Come here boy!", "Cooby get out of there!", and "Coob, dinner!" were all met with the same puzzled, blank stare. He must have thought I was stupid ("look at thees seely woman, she does not speak a zee francais"). He learned fast though, and it didn't take long for him to become part of the family.

Now if somebody is speaking French to him, it's because he's in trouble. LOL!

You are the Queen of the Treasuries (in my humble opinion)...How do you find inspiration for your wonderful collections?

For me, making a treasury is a similar process to making my jewelry. Sometimes I'm inspired by a special item, a color, a season, mood, song, story, or poem....lately I find I am drawn more and more to Emily Dickinson, that quintessential peculiar woman. I'm right there with you Emily, getting stranger by the day!

What season of the year do you find most peaceful?

Love them all, except summer. I melt.

You create gorgeous vintage-inspired jewelry...do you ever go 'treasure hunting' for other vintage things?

Yes but I'm more of an online shopper!

What are the top three songs on your Playlist right now?

Sixties! Blind Faith~ Can't Find my way Home, Jefferson Airplane~ Somebody to Love, and Jimi Hendrix~ Machine Gun.

 Animal, vegetable, mineral.

Giraffe, artichoke, quartz. Ametrine, tourmaline, garnet, aquamarine, kyanite, labradorite.... wait a minute, what was the question?

If you could spend a day with a picnic lunch, your favorite book, and a beautiful place--what would be in the lunch basket, what book would you bring, and where would you go?

A simple lunch, some brie and fruit; the Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss ( just started it); in Sequoia National Park. I love exploring the high Sierra, and sequoia forests are my most favorite places of all. Nothing else comes close to that feeling of sheer joy, peace, and contentment. My husband and I go out camping every chance we get. You can see his beautiful nature photography on my flickr page

www.flickr.com/photos/sierrashadow/

Any advice or encouragement for fellow artists or Etsyians?

Find what inspires you, hold on tight, and then follow your dreams. Remember to stay positive.

Instant Karma's gonna get you!

Thanks Rhonda!  For the positively wonderful interview!

My Interview with Reana from Niftic on Etsy

Reana from Niftic

It's so nice to chat with the lady BEHIND that crazy Avi…Let's start with that!

Where did you get that picture, and why did you choose it?

I am a huge collector of ephemera and found him many, many years ago. He makes me smile and actually sometimes giggle out load when I play with different words coming out of his mouth. I wanted something a tad unusual and he was the perfect fit. I’m seriously thinking of leaving him behind soon and taking on my true persona, but the word is still out on that. I would miss him terribly.

What drew you to Etsy?

I was a huge Ebay seller when my Mom became ill, I used it to help supplement my income while taking care of her. After she passed I decided to explore the internet market further and thankfully I stumbled upon Etsy. It just felt right to me, the comradery, the sense that your not alone. I opened a store right away only to close a short time later in order to do my research, it took me nearly 2 years until I felt I was truly ready to join the Etsy community. The learning continues daily I still have so much more to explore here.

I've seen you mention your 'personal stash’ have you always been a collector?

I learned the secrets of collecting from my Grandmother who I cherished dearly. We would go to garage sales, church sales and the like. She would always hand over a few dollars and say, “ Find something you love, something different, something that no else has.” Her words ring in my ears every day.

What is the story behind the name of your shop?

I agonized over my name, every time I thought I had it, it was taken or too close to the one I had chosen. 

I finally came across a book of 40’s slang and there it was. 

“Niftic” was used in the 40’s as nifty or keen would be used later on. It suited me to a T.

I just programmed my time machine and you can have five minutes with anyone in history,

who would it be and what would you talk about?

By all means photographer Diane Arbus, a simply amazing woman who died in the early 70’s. Her work was of real people, the deformed, the midget, the giant, she found beauty in everything. She saw herself as somewhat of a voyeur, peaking into the lives of others. One of her most famous quotes…

"My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been before.”

I’m fascinated with her inspiration and her feeling for humanity in general,

she was a little out there but what talent!

Favorite piece you've ever found.

I found a stunning piece at the age of 15 with my Grandmother, we where at a church sale. The necklace I’m wearing now, it just sang to me, all beautiful and glistening. I’ve never seen another piece quite like it, ever. It cost me $15, which was all the cash to my name, but I never regretted that purchase, I have treasured it for a very long time.

You are a leader of the Vesties Team-how do you juggle that along with a successful shop and other team memberships?

One cup of Joe in the morning and I’m off and running, usually up at the crack of dawn. I’ve always been a bundle of energy, especially when forced to deal with something new everyday. I spend a good 10 – 12 hours a day networking, marketing and the like. Each day has it’s own special task, which of course gets thrown out of wack quite often, but I try to stay the course. The Vesties is near and dear to my heart. I just love that team. Opendoorstudios gave me a chance of a lifetime and I am very grateful to be involved. I also became involved with the VM Team, another great group who’s true calling is vintage.

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?

A diamond in the rough, just waiting to shine.

Seen any good movies lately?

Give me AMC or IFC anyday. I thrive on the old classics and I’m a big fan of Independent film. Tim Burton gets my heart racing, he’s an amazing talent as well as David Lynch, I love his dark brooding weirdly entertaining films.

Any advice for other treasure hunters?

Just have fun! Collect only what you love and sell only what you would purchase yourself.

Don’t be intimidated by Auctions, they are my mainstay.

Love the thrill of the hunt and hunt only what you love.

My mantra,

Give of yourself, you will get so much more in return and try to see the beauty in everything.

Thanks Reana, for reminding us to look!

A Little Something Shabby

Today is New Year's Day!!  Happy 2011!  My sincere hope is that this will be a year of strengthening for everyone. Strengthening our faith, our families, ourselves, our nation...

Last night I was hit by a sudden burst of energy and inspiration regarding a vintage suitcase I picked up months ago...to 'do something with'.

I know this idea has been done before, but I was really happy with the results...a huge shout out to The Graphics Fairy, who has one of the most wonderful sites on the internet for paper ephemera...check it out, click on her sponsors--support her!  She's doing a big favor to all of us that love beautiful vintage paper art.

Here's the results of my labors...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65068145/romantic-french-vintage-luggage-

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d1f90c457936d91d179da98/making-post-holiday-travel-plans

I am happy with it!