HML Pick of the Week

Hunger Games inspired necklace from ashybaby87

Follow the facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ClosetSamples

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

Pink and Green Mandala Earrings from joypompeo

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

Bread N' Butter Earrings from GirlsNGeeks.

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

Laser Cut Acrylic Earrings from rahyeb.

May Craft a Long Winner is...

etco with her gorgeous garden earrings!! Congrats!!!! Thanks so much to all who entered!!
Please check out etco at her etsy shop and facebook page!!

~~amy

Time to Vote for the May Craft a Long!!

Whoops, we haven't posted in awhile!! Spring has sprung, is over and it's hot and sweaty here!
Our thoughts and prayers are with our Louisiana residents affected by the flooding from the rising Mississippi River. Our members are considering donating a % of our charity funds from our Etsy shop to help those affected by the floods. We'll let you know what we decide.

~~ For now it's time to vote in the Craft a Long! This month...despite the lack of rain, our theme is Flowers and Greenery! Here's what lovely work our members have!
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Forest Floor Handpainted Silk Scarf from Splendiferous Fiber.

13 x 70, 100% silk scarf is handpainted, sunprinted, and hand overprinted with pearlized blue and turquoise leaves, and speckled with metallic gold. Large size perfect for neck, waist or as a light wrap. One of a Kind.
****

Garden Earrings from etco

Pretty Czech Glass Rose Bell Flowers hang from an antiqued brass flower connectors. They dangle from an antiqued brass leverback ear wires.
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Raggy Flower Applique Ruffle T Shirt Set from Embellished Bayou

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From CuteLootnFood2Boot
My take on "flour and greenery" with a recipe for Seafood Fettuccini and folder made of recycled card stock. A little all-purpose flour, green onions, green parsley. Well you get the idea!

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Foxglove Art Print from DitsyGypsy.

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Topiary Custom Throw 60"x90" from Pamela's Custom Creations

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Blue Ceramic Wall Vase from Hurricane Pottery
Handbuilt, ceramic vase in royal blue with copper wire wrapped to form a hanger and, in front, a bow

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Spring Dresses with Yo Yo Flowers from Vivy's Closet

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Floral Pincushion with Fabric Covered Button from Destash City
Keep your pins and needles in one place and in style with this cute pincushion!

Thanks for voting!!!

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

from AODesigns

Artist of the Week

Congratulations to Amanda of Chloe Boutique as this week's featured artist!

Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Amanda and I'm an Environmental Scientist by day, and the jewelry artisan behind Chloe Boutique by night!  I currently reside in West Monroe with my wonderful Husband and my two furbabies...Chloe the Pug (my baby!) and Ellie the Beagle.  I'm originally from northern West Virginia...the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.  I moved to Louisiana in January 2003 when I began my Graduate studies at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  I landed my current position immediately after I graduated and haven't left!
 

How did you get started making handmade items?
I started making jewelry in the spring of 2007 when I found myself annoyed because I couldn't find quality, chic accessories for outfits.  It continues to amaze me the lack of quality in basic jewelry you find in every day stores.  Not only is my jewelry carefully hand-crafted with attention to detail, I feel my prices are very reasonable considering I use real gemstones and pearls, artisan-made beads, Swarovski crystals, and quality metals.  Women like inexpensive REAL jewelry...and prefer unique over "cheaply mass-produced"!
My pieces are perfect for everyday wearing. One piece can be casual enough to be worn with your favorite pair of jeans, or dressy enough to be worn with your business attire, or even a nice evening out!


What does a typical day look like for you?
Very routine.  I get up at 5:30 am and work 4- 10 hour days Monday through Thursday.  I work on jewelry at night and on weekends or as time allows.  The jewelry side is typically busier in spring (weddings) and late summer/fall (shows and Holiday orders). 

If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
The food is phenomenal. You won't find food like Louisiana cuisine anywhere!  "I guarantee!" (as in Louisiana-Native, Justin Wilson's famous line).  And, it's HOT down here (coming from a born and raised northerner)!

What is your favorite item to make?

This is hard for me to decide on!  I love working with Brides...they are some of my favorite customers.  There is something so rewarding and fulfilling about creating jewelry for a girl's "Big Day"!  I also love creating fall-inspired pieces as it's my most favorite time of year (again, I'm born and raised northern and we have spectacular autumns back home!)


What is your favorite food from Louisiana?
This is another tough answer...probably seafood/duck gumbo!

Any other information you'd like us to know?
I love the great outdoors...my undergraduate degree is in Wildlife Ecology and my Master's Degree is in Biology/Ornithology.  I get most of my creative inspiration from nature.  I love gemstones! They're ‘handmade’ by Mother Nature! I take what Earth has provided and I add flair to it.

One day I would like to live in western North Carolina...that's my favorite place!!!

Visit Chloe Boutique at the following places:

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wildlifer78
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/chloeboutique

Local: Little Green Boutique, Monroe

Chloe Boutique even has a cool blog!! Show her some love!!

http://chloeboutique.blogspot.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/chloeboutique

Chloe Boutique is giving away a $15 gift certificate good for either of her shops (etsy, artfire) or if you are local, you can use it in the Little Green Boutique in Monroe.

In order to have a chance to win this $15 gift certificate, you can visit either of her shops & comment below on what is your favorite item. You must also follow her blog!

Extra Entries include:

-Follow Handmade LA if you aren't already a follower

-Like Chloe Boutique on Facebook

- Tweet about Chloe Boutique

The winner of last week's giveaway is Susanmeep! Congrats to you!! :-)

Handmade Louisiana Pick of the Week

from madamesing

Check out more of her beautiful work in her shop.

Craft a Long Winner Is..........

Etco!! Congrats to Etco for her beautiful bayou bracelet! Please check her shop out!

Stay tuned for another Craft A Long next month!

Member Artisan Feature: Firebolt Creations

Meet Kelly, who started making jewelry as a hobby ten years ago and has since evolved into successful business called Firebolt Creations.

Kelly is inspired by anything she finds that is “new, fun, colorful, interesting.” When asked what the favorite aspect of her work is, she replies, “Having people say, ‘wow - how did you do that?’"

She advises artisans not to overspend on materials. “You can always get more later,” she says, “and there may be a better product that comes out before you work thought all the stuff you have your money tied up in.”

One skill Kelly would like to develop is metalworking.

Kelly’s connection to Louisiana is deep. She was born and raised in South Louisiana. “Louisiana will always be a place like no other,” she says. “It is a unique place that I have many fun memories of.”

To learn more about Kelly’s creations, visit her Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FireboltCreations

July Craft A Long Voting Time!

July's Theme is American Pride. Which item(s) do you feel best captures that theme?
You may vote for more than one item but can only vote once per IP Address.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Entry One:
USA Pride Earrings by ChloeBoutique
Show your support for the Red, White and Blue with these patriotic earrings! Earrings were created using polymer clay beads in shimmery red, white and blue. Each bead is complimented with sterling silver twisted spacers and coordinating Swarovski crystals in light siam, crystal and satin sapphire.

Entry Two:
American Flag Badge Reel ID Holder by Badge Reels

Entry Three:
American Earrings by Etco
Two “one cent” coins from United States of America are combined with Swarovski Crystals and Solid Copper

Entry Four:
July Fourth Fabric Wreath by Mama's Little Monkeys
Fabulous fabric wreath in honor of July 4th!

Entry Five:

Proud to be an American Boutique Hair Bow by Hailey's Beads and Bows

Entry Six:

Oyster Shell Wall Clock by Art on the Half Shell
Art On The Half Shell. Hand-crafted wall clock featuring a dozen oyster shells set like the hours around a red dinner plate accented with gold and royal blue sea glass set like the minutes. The 12 o'clock hour is embellished with a real 7mm pearl

Entry Seven:

Blue and White Hand Spun Cotton Hat by Knitzy
Cotton Yarn - blue, black and white - is knit in a wide rib pattern and can be "folded" into all kinds of interesting shapes. One of a kind, as always

So get to voting friends! :) Assuming the poll does not malfunction again, you can vote on the side bar! :)
~~Amy

Member Artisan Feature: Still Waters Jewelry

Meet Eslie, artist/owner Still Waters Jewelry. She’s been creating beautiful handcrafted jewelry for ten years, specializing in hand knotting pearls on silk cord, as well as intricate wirework.

When asked how she got her start, Eslie says, “I have always loved creating, gave me a sense of independence when I was a kid.” The best thing about the work she does is being able to create all hours of the day.

She derives inspiration from the various colors found in nature, as well as classic pieces from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Among her favorite pieces are wire rings and cuff bracelets.

Eslie’s biggest challenge is one that many of us share: finding consistency in selling.

An important piece of advice that Eslie shares is to create what you love, but also be open to your customer’s input.

Eslie’s connections to Louisiana, and especially the New Orleans area, run deeply. “I grew up in New Orleans since I was 8 yrs old. The city always meant so much but after Katrina I felt the need to do my part to help the city. Through my artistic ability I am able to help community through the art markets I do,” she explains.

She considers herself lucky to be happily married to a man that supports Eslie’s love of art markets in the city.

To learn more about Eslie’s beautiful creations, visit:

http://www.stillwatersjewelry.com/

or her Facebook Page: Still Waters Jewelry

February Craft A Long Winner Is........

The French Quarter Earrings by etco!

Congratulations etco! Be sure to check out etco's Shop for more of her awesome items!! Thanks to all our entries! We'll vote again in April for the theme "Happy Spring/Be Green!"

~~Amy

January Giveaway! Sparkly Awesomeness!

This month's giveaway is from Merry at of CheeseandChocolate!

You can win these gorgeous Reflections earrings for yourself or your honey!

These stunning earrings were created from sterling silver and Swarovski crystals. The Clear crystals are diagonally drilled cubes which offer a different look from the norm. The Aurora Borealis finish on the crystals allows them to shimmer in many different colors depending on the light. The length of the earrings is 1 5/16" when measured from the top of the french earwire to the base of the dangle.

HOW TO WIN:

1. Visit Merry's Shop, CheeseandChocolate or WorkingtheStash. Come back and leave a comment on which item is your fave!

2. Visit one of these shops belonging to my fellow members. Come back and leave a comment on which of their items is your fave!

Sweet Olive Soaps

Stitches in Cotton

Metry Chick

You must leave a link to the items and you must complete steps 1 AND 2 to be entered. You MUST leave a URL, email, or contact IN your comment for us to contact you when you win! We have to have some way to contact you, via your shop, blog, whatnot if you don't want to leave your email.

You have until February 4th to get your comments in!

Extra entries:

1. Send an email to merry[at]handmadelouisiana[dot]com with your email address for our future mailing list.

2. Tweet, Facebook, or promote this contest. You MUST provide a URL where you promoted this so we can verify.

3. Join our Facebook Group.Please make sure your Facebook account is set so we can contact you, and include info about yourself (friend, buyer, seller, artist, etc) in your application.

If you would like to join Handmade Louisiana please email Merry at merry[at]handmadelouisiana[dot]com and she'll send you what you need to know! There is never any cost to join HML although we do have membership requirements.

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday

Who Dat, You Dat Yat- Glass Pendant by Hvnlydesigns

Member Artisan Profile: Etco, winner of November Craft-a-Long

Congratulations, Yamarilet of Etco, winner of the November Craft-a-long!

Yamarilet has been selling handcrafted jewelry and paper bowls online for about six months, but says “for as long as I can remember I have been a maker of things.”

“My grandmother is an amazing ceramic artist,” Yamarilet explains. “I remember helping her when I was a child, I enjoyed that time so much! So I have been encouraged in that direction since I was a little girl!”

When asked about her favorite creation, she’s hard pressed to choose just one. “I do love a pair of black earrings that I called Manhattan Nights, but I also really like my paper bowls.”



Her biggest challenge as an artist to earning a living from what she loves to do, but the best perk she says, is “it‘s great when you do what you love to do, be my own boss and have the time to be with my children.”

When asked to provide advice for other sellers, Yamarilet says, “I am pretty new myself! Share what you love to do with others, be honest, take the best photos you can, Be patient!” She adds, “Nothing will happen overnight. Post often and the most important: always appreciate and treat your customers with care.”



Yamarilet was born and raised in Venezuela. She moved to United States 17 years ago and has lived in New Orleans for over nine years now. She shares a home with husband William, daughters Nikole and Mara, and finds inspiration from the natural beauty around her. “I always will be connected to LA since my daughters where born here,” she explains. “Time has gone by so quickly, and I’m so grateful for the moments I have here.”

“Being with my family comes before anything else. My life is mostly about my kids, I also volunteer at my daughter’s school,” she says. By way of introduction, she adds: “I love: the ocean, silence, coffee, stay at home, cook, swim, and create things.”

Welcome to Handmade Louisiana, and congratulations on winning the November Craft-a-long!

To learn more about Etco, visit the following links:
SHOP: http://www.etco.etsy.com
BLOG: http://etcoblog.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/etco/146192609053?v=wall
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/handmadebyetco

Member Artisan Profile: Chloe Boutique

Amanda, owner of Chloe Boutique, has been creating beautiful artisan jewelry for about 3 years. She found herself increasing frustrated when she couldn't find high quality, chic accessories for outfits. She explains, “When I did find something in a store, it just seemed so cheaply put together with wires sticking out, or coatings chipping off of beads, cheap metals that quickly tarnish, etc., and, stores charged a lot for this mass produced sup-par jewelry! I knew I had to have a creative side to me; my entire family is artistic. Just took me a while to find my own creative niche!”

One of her favorite pieces is one she made for herself for autumn. Using a friend’s handcrafted polymer clay maple leaf bead as a focal point, she embellished it with peridot, citrine, carnelian and red aventurine, and Karen Hill Tribe Silver. “[It] features all of those gloriously warm and cheerful autumn colors that I miss so much,” says Amanda, who originally hails from northern West Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.



Amanda draws her inspiration from nature. “Born and raised in the beautiful mountains of northern West Virginia, I appreciated the simple things in life. As I got older and went to college (my Bachelor of Science degree is Wildlife & Fisheries Management, Master of Science degree is Biology with an Ornithology concentration--Study of Birds), that only intensified.” She continues, “I love gemstones! They're ‘handmade’ by Mother Nature! I take what Earth has provided and I add flair to it. My pieces are perfect for everyday wearing. One piece can be casual enough to be worn with your favorite pair of jeans, or dressy enough to be worn with your business attire, or even a nice evening out!”

Amanda cites keeping up with fashion trends as her biggest challenge. “I usually create jewelry that I would personally wear. I tend to stick to medium sized stones, and streamline in design,” she explains. “I'm not usually one to go huge and bold since I have a smaller frame. So, it's really hard to make things out of my comfort zone and [still] feel that it fits in to my Chloe Boutique jewelry line, if you will.”



When asked the favorite thing about her work, she says, “I love the vast possibilities that you have as a jewelry designer. The world is literally your limit! With all of the colors, shapes, cuts, sizes, and types of gemstones alone, your jewelry creativeness is limitless! Then, you add the array of metals, findings, artisan-created lampwork glass (which is unique in itself with no two pieces being the same) and polymer clay beads, crystals, glass, vintage beads, etc., you can just let your mind go crazy...just hope your fingers can keep up with all the designs that play in your head!”

With nearly 450 sales in just 2 ½ years, she’s in a fine position to offer advice to other sellers. “Promotion is key to being a successful seller. This is hard for me personally because time does not allow me to promote as much as I would like. Jewelry making started off as a hobby, and something to supplement my own personal jewelry box. I do have a full-time day job,” Amanda says. “But, for those that create and sell as their livelihood, self-promotion seems to be the successful tool. Join groups, have a blog (and keep it updated, this is something I admit to be lacking in), submit your work to local galleries, magazines, etc., do craft shows, get business cards made and hand them out everywhere you go, get yourself a Fan Page on Facebook and post your work there. There are so many things you can do to promote your work. Get as many people to your sites as you can...they'll like what they see, and they will most likely spread the word!”

When asked what skill she’d like to learn, Amanda says she’d like to improve her wire-working skills. “I’m so intimidated by the whole ‘wire-wrapping of gemstones’ concept that I do them few and far between. So, I end up almost starting over each time I create a wire-wrapped piece of jewelry.”

For the curious, Amanda’s pseudonym, Wildlifer78, is her original Etsy buyer’s ID. Her shop name, Chloe Boutique, honors her dog, a pug. (In addition to pug Chloe, she also has a beagle named Ellie.)

Amanda lived for a short time in New Orleans when she was a year or so old. She returned to Louisiana to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Louisiana, Monroe. Her research was studying migratory songbirds and determining the forest management practice effects on their abundance and vitality.

“I always wanted to see and work in the bottomland hardwood forests of the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley. So, that's why I chose to do my Master's work here,” she explains. “I met my husband while working as a student worker at the local Wildlife and Fisheries office. We married in November 2004, built our first home in 2005, and both have good jobs here. Louisiana is now home!” She enjoys her day job as an Environmental Scientist for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

Other personal interests include the outdoors, exercising (especially running), hiking, backpacking, canoeing/kayaking, occasional hunting/fishing, and bird watching. She says, “I also thoroughly enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, reading, music, shopping (like any other girl!), cooking (mostly baking), and of course being creative.”

Amanda’s stunning creations can be found at the following:
http://www.wildlifer78.etsy.com
http://www.artfire.com/users/chloeboutique
http://twitter.com/chloeboutique
http://www.facebook.com/chloeboutique (fan page)
http://chloeboutique.blogspot.com

Member Artisan Profile: Charmies Online

Meet Tiffany of Charmies Online. She’s been creating jewelry for nearly five years. Tiffany has lived in New Orleans her entire life. “It is all I know,” she explains. “Even after losing everything in Hurricane Katrina, I have chosen to rebuild and start my life over again. I love New Orleans!”

It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s certainly true for Tiffany. Following Hurricane Katrina, she was laid off from her job in New Orleans and had to come up with other means of income. Hence the birth of Charmies Online.

“I love designing jewelry,” Tiffany explains. “It has always brought me pleasure in designing special keepsake pieces for people... I am inspired by things going on in my life. “ When asked which is her favorite piece, Tiffany names her Snowball Jewelry Collection.



Her biggest challenge is managing multiple online accounts. “I go from my website to Etsy to Facebook to Myspace to my blog to Twitter, etc. Too many!” she says with a laugh.

When asked her favorite piece of advice for other sellers, she responds, “Don't give up. Success doesn't happen overnight. I work full-time outside of the home, plus run my personal site and an Etsy site. It is a lot of work but I love every minute of it. If you love it, go for it.”



Tiffany’s oh-so-cool creations can be found online at:
http://www,charmiesonline.com/
www.facebook.com/keepsakejewelry
www.twitter.com/charmiesonline
http://www.charmiesonline.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday..almost

We're going ALL THE WAY BABY! Superbowl here we come!

Chloe Boutique