What else says Mad Men to you? As a noob I would love it if people could point me in the right direction!
The adventures of a dorky jewelry maker, and all around crafty-man. Kinda like if Martha Stewart was an eccentric, chubby, fabulous, dork. I'm really selling it, huh?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
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
What else says Mad Men to you? As a noob I would love it if people could point me in the right direction!
Monday, October 4, 2010
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!
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?
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?
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!
Without further ado I bid you adieu! <3 Dork
Seller chuckhljal made thesetruly fab earrings out of lampwork glass pumpkins. They are super cool and original!
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| 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?
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| Art Deco Rhinestone Buckle and Antique Element Necklace |
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| Dark Dream - Sterling Silver, Labradorite |
And hey, while you are shopping....I'll show off one of mine and buzz off! Here are the Smitten Earrings!
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| Smitten Earrings |
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Halloween! Fun new pieces! And some bad romance!
I have been busily toiling away in the dork cave making lots of fun new jewels for all y'all. I have a number of new Halloween items in the store including a piece that surprised me, it just happened, out of nowhere, I had created the Great Pumpkin necklace!
It's made of a pumpkin orange jade briolette, a Swarovski green saucer and rich brown antiqued brass wire. Seasonal, but not like a quilted seasonal vest with ghost your librarian wears!
Also, definitely not for the librarian, unless she is a naughty one is this vampy dark glam gemstone and sterling silver necklace, with a blood red chalcedony, and a heart link chain that is abusively cute!
It's the Bad Romance necklace. I may blow whatever punk rock credibility I have left by saying I love Lady Gaga!
These two necklaces, and many other new seasonal, hopefully not tack things are in the artfire shop! Stop in!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Man...it's not the booze...I MEAN it.!..I LOVE YOU DUDE!
No craftin' web sellin' designer blogger artiste is an island. At least I am not. I am a man. And that is odd, for what I do, but not the point. I have really wandered here...where was I?
Oh! I am a peninsula! And many folks make up my waterways, fjords, neighboring towns, and unorganized territories. Some are also like far away towns I import from and export to.
The point of all of my botched mangled metaphors is the wonderful folks I consider my posse. This may take a few posts and don't feel bad if you are a peep and I haven't written about you yet. I will.You know me, scatterbrained.Chill ok? I still love you too!
My online selling mistress is Afro BagLady who makes amazing, up-cycled bags that are the raddest. We lost our craft fair cherries together sharing a table at the Studio 36(shout out Jodi! Your paragraph is coming too!) x-mas open house! We shamelessly promote each other, and when my etsy closed she said it was like breaking up =( And it was! We still hook up on facebook though!
Here are three of her bags, I love how she uses the re-purposed garments features like collars, lapels and tags as a design element!
Ms. Bag Lady is actually a Mrs. with quite a handsome Mr.. And her Mr. happens to be the brother to the Mr. of my other crafty bff-- Kat of ThreeLittleSisters . Kat has been like a mentor, her jewelry skills and experience are amazing and she can answer any question, makes bomb-diggity cookies, and taught me the maxim, "if you take yourself seriously, other will too". Alas, there are only the two brothers, or else I would have more friends and odds are, eventually one bro would play for my team and I could get a hubby too! Here are two pieces of Kat's. The first speaks for itself, and speaks volumes about her talent. That's a chatty picture! The second I love, because it shows her range, intricate bead embroidery or fun and funky wire work.Often, I' ve found more accomplished jewelry artist can forget how to make fun stuff that isn't intricate. Not Kat though-she can do it all!
Earlier, ya know I was kidding about the wanting a hubby of course! As you may know I am not a lonely single Dork, I have a wonderful Geek to share my life with! Who also happens to make fun, eco-friendly jewelry, for the geeks who go glam. His shop 1chicgeek is nerdy kitschy goodness!
For supplies, my fave local bead shop is Downeast Sticks and Stones! Great quality, selection and prices, inspiring classes, and staffed by the 3 most helpful, encouraging ladies around. Crazy talented as well!
I am a huuuge fan of Polestar, Magenta Sky Studio, and Lobster on a String. On Etsy I was part of the amazing Etsy Maine Team I can't even begin to list all of the greatest artists who were also part of it. They are all listed if you follow the link!
Phew...I'm spent!
I have a lot more love to spread around, but thats good for now! Please though if you get a chance check out these amazing artists and crafters! Back soon with more dorklove!
Oh! I am a peninsula! And many folks make up my waterways, fjords, neighboring towns, and unorganized territories. Some are also like far away towns I import from and export to.
The point of all of my botched mangled metaphors is the wonderful folks I consider my posse. This may take a few posts and don't feel bad if you are a peep and I haven't written about you yet. I will.You know me, scatterbrained.Chill ok? I still love you too!
My online selling mistress is Afro BagLady who makes amazing, up-cycled bags that are the raddest. We lost our craft fair cherries together sharing a table at the Studio 36(shout out Jodi! Your paragraph is coming too!) x-mas open house! We shamelessly promote each other, and when my etsy closed she said it was like breaking up =( And it was! We still hook up on facebook though!
Here are three of her bags, I love how she uses the re-purposed garments features like collars, lapels and tags as a design element!
 |
 |
| This is my fave! |
Ms. Bag Lady is actually a Mrs. with quite a handsome Mr.. And her Mr. happens to be the brother to the Mr. of my other crafty bff-- Kat of ThreeLittleSisters . Kat has been like a mentor, her jewelry skills and experience are amazing and she can answer any question, makes bomb-diggity cookies, and taught me the maxim, "if you take yourself seriously, other will too". Alas, there are only the two brothers, or else I would have more friends and odds are, eventually one bro would play for my team and I could get a hubby too! Here are two pieces of Kat's. The first speaks for itself, and speaks volumes about her talent. That's a chatty picture! The second I love, because it shows her range, intricate bead embroidery or fun and funky wire work.Often, I' ve found more accomplished jewelry artist can forget how to make fun stuff that isn't intricate. Not Kat though-she can do it all!
 |
| Bead Embroidered Butterfly |
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| Fun Fluorite Zig-Zags |
Earlier, ya know I was kidding about the wanting a hubby of course! As you may know I am not a lonely single Dork, I have a wonderful Geek to share my life with! Who also happens to make fun, eco-friendly jewelry, for the geeks who go glam. His shop 1chicgeek is nerdy kitschy goodness!
 | ||
| No Place Like Home Earrings |
 |
| Im Blue Without You |
For supplies, my fave local bead shop is Downeast Sticks and Stones! Great quality, selection and prices, inspiring classes, and staffed by the 3 most helpful, encouraging ladies around. Crazy talented as well!
I am a huuuge fan of Polestar, Magenta Sky Studio, and Lobster on a String. On Etsy I was part of the amazing Etsy Maine Team I can't even begin to list all of the greatest artists who were also part of it. They are all listed if you follow the link!
Phew...I'm spent!
I have a lot more love to spread around, but thats good for now! Please though if you get a chance check out these amazing artists and crafters! Back soon with more dorklove!
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Friendly Skies...
Making the rounds on my favorite fashion and design blogs and such today I came across quite a curious thing, uniformfreak.com one man's massive collection of stewardess/flight attendant/current accepted non-demeaning job title. He has over 3000, from all over the world. I found myself stuck here forever, endlessly pushing the next button to see the next ones. It's so cool to see trends come and go, and all of the different countries designs. And yet with all that diversity it is still just a basic uniform. At times when I was staring at it, and clicking through it would seem like the uniforms on the mannequin didn't change, just the colors and patterns on it. Kinda trippy.
As a jewelry designer though I was so inspired, the routine....uh...uniform-ness...of the uniforms really put the patterns and color combos on display nicely. And the mannequin he uses? Fierce! I want to buy this lady a drink! Maybe when we land-I have a 3 hour layover ;)
As a jewelry designer though I was so inspired, the routine....uh...uniform-ness...of the uniforms really put the patterns and color combos on display nicely. And the mannequin he uses? Fierce! I want to buy this lady a drink! Maybe when we land-I have a 3 hour layover ;)
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