Rock Blogster! (and another red jewelry designer!)

I'm back to spread some more love, and tell y'all about another of the wonderful people who populate my internet crafty life! Gretchen is a local Bangor-ian, and is the creative spirit behind Lobster on a String. She creates wonderful, unique pieces that have down home Maine charm but  are refined, clean and modern. She is constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials, and that really makes for some imaginative, exciting jewelry. In the past few months that we have been facebook, etsy and artfire pals she has created pieces with sea glass, sterling silver, PMC, repurposed vintage elements, gemstones, glass, you name it really! OK, now I bet you are just dying to see it huh? Are you  even still here, or did you already go to her shop? 
Yeah, I would have too...if anyone is still reading though, here are a few of my favorites. Lobster on a String is on etsy, artfire, and a new blog!

Sea Pottery and Pearl Necklace

 

Vintage Re-do Earrings, Crazy Daisies

GO! Buy some NOW! <3 Dork

Natural Design

A few months back someone posted a link on my facebook fanpage. When I followed it, I was totally flattered by all of the kind words written about me! The woman responsible for that blog, Kim, is also a jewelry artisan. Natural Design is the company and I love it! Earthy yet elegant, fun but made with long lasting quality materials, and very wearable cool bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Not only is she hella talented, but she is also so sweet to boot! Since her little dorkorama plug I have become online friends with her, and she really is encouraging and kind. Anyway, enough of me, let's look at some jewelry shall we?

Picasso Jasper Rectangle Long Necklace

Onyx in Cages

Cool stuff, huh? She is on Etsy and Artfire and also has a blog! That is all for now~ <3 Dork

BOO! that was a ghost not the adorable kitty who is my avatar

Decorate for Christmas? You can have it! Parties with streamers and balloons? I'll attend but if I'm hosting I am worried about my outfit not the decorations. Halloween though-THAT is my JAM! As I have said before Ilove all things bratty and punk so the skulls and the gothy vibe is totally up my alley. Plus you are encouraged to go over the top. I have never even been under the top so as far as I am concerned, Halloween Rocks.

Tonight my good friend Mikey helped me decorate, and I love to be a show off so I thought I'd show my pictures. Or at least a few favorites. The mannequin head ones are a bit disturbing, be warned. 

I love it! So fun! I still have a few things I would like to do, this is just one area, but off to a good creepy start!
Speaking of "a few things" I have a few Halloween things left in the artfire shop! I really tried to make pieces that invoked the Halloween vibe but could work all season or even all year. I'll leave you with a few of those pictures to tempt you! Have a frighteningly good day! And please feel free to point me to your facebook or flickr or whatev with pictures of your Halloween decorations! ~<3 Dork

Ooops! Odd sizes! But all available at the Dorkorama shop on artfire!

Multiple Personalities Have Hissyfits! News at 11...

Kathleen Hanna, a role model for my type

I have long felt that whatever divine being or evolutionary hiccup/genetic fluke brought me into being made a small error, or a happy accident really. They were assembling a 50 year old literature professor and a 15 year old rebel grrrrl and something happened, they got distracted or confused, and out came yours truly~Dork.
I have a love of all things boring and stuffy, tweeds and sweaters, books and libraries, lectures and wheat bread. I also totally love, the word 'totally' 'like' and most of all 'rad or radical' early 90s riot grrrl music, the gossip, candy, neon, fishnet gloves, Madonna, nail polish, doodling, and kitties and UNICORNS!
Lately  I have been embracing the latter obviously, but Buzz Killington is in there still-Winter tends to bring him out more. But as my Debbie Gibson side is in charge, I leave you with some jewelry from the dork shop that was definitely grrrl-created.

Hissyfit Earrings

Friday Im in Love Earrings

Thats all for now~ <3 Dork

Mad Men Inspired Jewelry!

Being the Dork I am, I'm not alkways the best at catching on to trends. While the entire world was freaking out over Mad Men, I somehow missed it. Tardy to the party, again. I was probably watching old episodes of the Muppet Show or something! But when my good friend Little David (that does NOT make me Big David) asked me to donate a few pieces for a Mad Men themed soiree how could I say no? So I am getting caught up on all the 60s fun! I'm thinking large pendant, vintage moon glow Lucite, pearls, gold and brooches. I know it involves cigarette smoking-one of my favorite past times!

What else says Mad Men to you? As a noob I would love it if people could point me in the right direction!

Ciao!~ <3 Dork

Artfire totally rocks

Things are really starting to fall into place in my Artfire shop, and I feel like I am arriving at the party just when it was starting to get into full swing! The site itself just left beta mode and looks better than ever! And to celebrate they offered an amazing group buy in opportunity, Pro memberships and all the benefits that come with it for $5.95 a month! SERIOUSLY. Unlimited listings, an on site blog and gallery, a bunch of cool tools. It has taken me a while to find my sea legs, but I'm feeling good about it. I am learning so much, but I feel like the skills I am learning there prepare me for bigger and better things in a way much better than etsy's little internal pond. But enough seller mumbo jumbo, if you are here you probably are looking for eyecandy, so without further ado....Here are a few of my recent artfire favorite studios, please check them out!
Seller chuckhljal made thesetruly fab earrings out of lampwork glass pumpkins. They are super cool and original!

Pumpkin Earrings

The Cobweb Palace is another shop I can't sttop checking out! In the creators own words, "Sentimental, nostalgic, romantic, poignant...the past is my muse. Heirloom quality handmade pieces for you to treasure. One, and only one, ever." Pretty accurate, what do you think?

Art Deco Rhinestone Buckle and Antique Element Necklace

 And last but not least, Shiny Adornments. This shop makes a range of unique items, stuff with stunning high end gems,  and others with playful fun blown glass. Basically if it's shiny and adornment and ALSO cool as jazz, it makes the cut! The evidence?

      Dark Dream - Sterling Silver, Labradorite

 Wow, right?!?! Y'all are whipping out the credit cards aren't you? Supporti ng handmade is always a good  idea and handmade jewelry makes a great Christmas or other upcoming Holiday of your Choice gift!
And hey, while you are shopping....I'll show off one of mine and buzz off! Here are the Smitten Earrings!

Smitten Earrings

Without further ado I bid you adieu! <3 Dork

Won't you be my neighbor?

I am not just talking squawky when I say that Fred "Mr." Rogers is one of my lifelong heroes! Being gay and admittedly kinda ladylike I didn't see many soft-spoken, uber-polite gentleman. C'mon I grew up in a fishing community. And obviously Mr. R was NOT gay, but he was someone I wanted to emulate. He was kind, interested in learning and imagining, and loved his Neighbors.
That focus on community is one of the most important values to me personally and as a Maker of Things. And with that in mind I will get to the point already! I started a facebook group, and have been trying to gather Bangor's crafty folks into one place, hopefully in person. As Dorkorama has grown, I have met so many cool, inspiring people who also sell their goods. Designers of every possible thing you could design, photographers, painters, jewelry makers in every specialty, book-binders, bath and body products-you name it, we have someone who is doing it, and doing it beautifully! So if you are one of those folks and you live anywhere in the Bangor area, hit me up or search Bangor Handmade Mafia on facebook. Let's see what we can make happen!