JET Artisan Profile: Deena Roberts of Deeta By Design

Welcome! I'm Deena of DeetaByDesign. I have been surrounded by art my entire life, as my dad was in the art business. I spent weekends as a kid at the California Design Center in his showroom.

I suppose that is where my love for design grew the fondest. I have a love of both fashion and interior design, majored in Art throughout college, am a licensed Make-up artist, and fell deeply for making jewelry.

My passion is incorporating people's family heirlooms into current pieces and making them relevant to hand down through the ages.

Bronze Heart, Pearl and Gem Necklace

My drive for making jewelry totally changed after we lost our oldest son to a tragic accident a couple of years ago. He had always been so inspired by what I did. I turned that into my tribute to him...thus...the name of my business evolved into Deeta...his nickname for me.

I have always wanted a "hobby". But I fell both blindly and hard for making jewelry when a wire artisan I knew showed me how to wire wrap. The tools felt so right in my hand and it took nearly no time for me to grasp the basics of wire wrapping.

My passion for design fell right into place. I had always loved

Faceted Watermelon Tourmaline Rondelle Bracelet

stones and beads. She was kind enough to take me out to help me purchase my first bit of silver, quality stones and my tools, and that was the beginning of my new passion.

I began making jewelry nearly five years ago. My husband was traveling quite a bit, and our twins were small, so after they went to bed
I spent my nights trying new things, looking at stones online, etc. A great gal at the jewelry store I frequented was an incredible inspiration and really helped form the style of my designs today. But, making jewelry took on a much more meaningful approach after the company was given a name for our son.

Labradorite Sterling Silver chain link bracelet

Twig of Laguna

Five years ago, when I first began making jewelry I sold my first piece. Since then, my creations have grown so much! As I have taken on a more natural approach, I have been fortunate to have been asked by a few Rock band members to design them custom pieces, and my more natural collection is sold at a wonderful boutique on the Southern California coast called Twig of Laguna.

I still love working with Sterling Silver, Gold Vermeil and Bronze metals. But it's the stones that I really enjoy. It amazes me how the attraction to one stone or another can change with one's mood.

I love to sit in my workspace and just gaze at them while the creation just evolves. I know it sounds funny, but a creation must "feel" right and just flow.

Some days, that occurs more naturally than others. I also love incorporating leather in my designs. I love how a piece takes on a different perspective by adding buttery soft leather to it.

Sterling silver Bangle Bracelet

I truly enjoy making necklaces the most, probably because that is where I began, but I do enjoy making a bracelet here and there, as well!

Like most artists, I am highly inspired by nature and my surroundings. My workspace is a wonderful niche, in line with beautiful trees just outside the windows.

I love my tools. And I take care of them. Fortunately, when I invested in my tools, I was lead in the right direction, and still have my original set of pliers and nippers!

I'm working on expanding my skills, so my business can grow!  I look forward to taking on Precious Metal Clay so that I may make my own charms and bezel settings to add to my pieces in the future.

Citrine, Turquoise, Leather Bee Bracelet

Find and "Like" my Facebook page here:

www.DeetabyDesign.Facebook.com

A peek into my shop ...

 

Thanks for visiting!

JET Artisan Profile:Nancy Russell of NancysCrystalFantasi

Hello - I'm Nancy Russell. My Etsy shop is named NancysCrystalFantasi, and the shop is where you'll find my latest necklace, bracelet and earring designs.

My handcrafted jewelry features a lot of color, and I design many pieces with a theme or an occasion.

I offer a line of Bridal and Wedding jewelry, featuring pearl and crystal pieces for the Bride and members of her party.

I love making Holiday themed jewelry so there's always something fun to wear in my shop on special occasions!

And my line of School Team Spirit Jewelry has become very popular! Made with school colors, logos and slogans, fans of our local school teams have a fashionable way to show their support!

Stacked Heishi Turquoise Earrings

I've always loved jewelry, always wanted something to match every outfit in my wardrobe but my budget wouldn't allow for that. Ha!

I saw the jewelry that two of my co-workers were making - and selling - and decided maybe I could learn to do that, too.

Another co-worker and I began learning from them when we formed a sort of in-office lunch-time jewelry making class.

I learned the basic skills of stringing, crimping, etc. from them.

Purple Stripe Agate Necklace

After I retired I began expanding into other
areas mostly by watching or reading tutorials on the Internet.

I made my first (good) piece of jewelry about six years ago while I was still working in public school administration.

Once I made my first piece I was hooked.

After I retired, I opened up my Etsy shop in October 2010. My very first sale wasn't in the Etsy shop, it was a local sale--a Christmas necklace and earring set made with all Czech crystal cube beads.

I love being able to work with many different materials including gemstone beads, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver and gold filled wire.

I love color, both bright and pastel, and I love to mix colors and textures.

So I suppose I would have to say that many of my pieces have been inspired by color palettes that have caught my eye. 

But I have a lot of fun making my glass tile pendants, and just discovered how fun it is to work with resin coated digital images that I make in Photoshop Elements.

I love using ice resin in pendant trays to seal my digital images!

Stephenville Yellowjackets Team Spirit Necklace

My team spirit line is becoming one of my favorite group of pieces.

Those are necklaces and bracelets with glass tile pendants of school/team spirit slogans or logos. They have become pretty popular.

And I've really begun to appreciate good tools.

Whatever tool I'm using at the moment becomes my favorite tool. When I tried to imagine having to do without a certain one, I kept thinking about them all.

I suppose I'd have to say all my pliers are my most vital tools, though.

Sterling Silver Treble Clef Necklace

I've been having so much fun learning new jewelry making methods! Each new project I take on teaches me new skills.

My husband wants a paracord woven bracelet with the local high school mascot on it, so I guess that's the next project I'll be learning to create.

But on a more serious note, I really want to learn soldering using my mini-torch so I can do more metal working.




I'm active on these Social Networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nancyscrystalfantasies
Twitter: twitter.com/Crystal_Fantasy
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/texasnan/
Stumbleupon: www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/baylorgal
Google+: plus.google.com/+NancyRussellNCFJewelry/posts

This is my fun place!

Setting up at a local show!

Here's a look at what's in my shop ...

JET Artisan Profile - Laura Stamper of laurastamperdesigns

Hi! I'm Laura Stamper, the owner / artisan of the Etsy shop laurastamperdesigns where you'll find many examples of my one of a kind jewelry creations.

I have always loved art. I was the little kid who drew pictures on the walls and made sculptures out of mud.

I collected and saved everything, took it apart and tried to make something new. I might have been the last one picked on the playground, but I was always the first one picked for any art project!

Asymmetrical Amethyst Earrings

I think the first time I made jewelry I was 11 or 12.

I painted birds on seashells that I had collected on vacation in Florida and turned them into earrings. My art background is painting, but I have experimented with many mediums. I can't really say what inspires me, because I find inspiration in so much. The shape of a stone, paintings by the masters,nature of a fable of story can send me in a new direction.

Modern Cameo Art Brooch of Eve and the Serpent

In the mid 1980's, I started working with porcelain on a potters wheel and hand building sculpture. I made little pieces of jewelry out of the scrap pieces and decorated them in little whimsical designs.

In 1991, I was laid off from my job and decided I wanted to pursue my art as it has always been my passion. I used my severance pay to invest in a small kiln and supplies and enter into art shows. By 1996, I went as far as I could go with just the porcelain pieces so I took a 16 hour crash course with a master goldsmith. I love that I get to incorporate these varied skills into my work.

Many of the techniques I use are unconventional. I love to experiment and try things that "shouldn't work".

Recently, I have begun to teach classes at Quench Jewelry Arts in Minneapolis where I an having fun

Water Cast Sterling Silver Ring with Peridot and 23k Gold

sharing some of these methods.

I would be hard pressed to say what my favorite part of creating is. There are so many steps to what I do and I relish all of them.

By doing the initial sculpture and then seeing the piece come to life through the glazing process allows me to utilize my love for illustration and painting. And who doesn't love playing with fire!! Working with metals and the torch are just too much fun.

My favorite tool might be my flex shaft. I use it in every phase of my work, from the clay to finishing the piece.

As far as what I like to make the most, that would be something I have not made before. I like to push my artistic envelope.

Statement Gold Nugget Ring with Amethyst

My most recent adventure has been in primitive casting. With this technique, I am recycling my scrap while allowing the shapes to add new dimensions to my work. I think next, I would like to try my hand with more advanced casting techniques.

Currently I sell my work on etsy and in select galleries and art shows. I also design for the catalog Uno Alla Volta.

When I'm not creating, I spend time with my husband, grand kids, two cats, a dog and an incredible group of friends.

How lucky can one gal be?

Here are some links to my jewelry shops, my blog and the social networks I'm active on:

www.laurastamper.com
www.etsy.com/shop/laurastamperdesigns
www.facebook.com/laurastamperdesigns
twitter.com/LauraStamper
laurastamper.blogspot.com/

And here's a look at what you'll find in my Etsy shop!

My Studio!

JETS (Jewelry on Etsy Team) Will Not Forget the Philippines. Purchase Handmade Jewelry to Benefit Typhoon Haiyan Relief Effort

ABC News, Dec. 22, 2013: UN chief calls for more aid for Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan

"We must not allow this to be another forgotten crisis," Mr Ban told reporters a day after touring the storm-ravaged city of Tacloban.

Mr. Ban  said the UN had only achieved 30 percent of the $791 million in aid it had appealed for for relief  efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan last month and is  appealing to the donor community, to speed up, and scale up their support."


The super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the central Philippines on November 8, 2013,  triggering giant tsunami-like waves that swallowed entire sea-level communities.
The typhoon  left 6,102 people dead and 1,779 others still missing, according tothe most recent government tally. 

The JETS (Jewelry on Etsy Team) are not allowing this to become another forgotten disaster and you can help!  Check back here for our tally.  We are close to reaching our first goal of $1000.00 by January 1st, 2014 and we will keep the campaign running into the New Year. We are currently at $793.00 raised.

All of these jewelry pieces and more, directly benefit relief efforts in the Philippines. 
You can click from here to purchase or go to Etsy.com and search "JETTEAM Philippines " (no quotation marks) for items that are part of the program.

From Laura Stamper Designs:    Rough Garnet and Strawberry Quartz Chandelier Earrings 

If you are interested in donating directly, we have compiled the organizations we are donating to and their links for you here:

• World Vision
• Red Cross
• Doctors Without Border
• Lutheran World Relief: Home page has a link for Phlippines Disaster Relief
• Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board: Providing food, clean water, and building materials.

 Thank you to all of the JET members who have generously donated proceeds from the following handmade necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.

White Freshwater Pearl Earrings by Eleven13

Sammy's Beadworks:

Autumn Leaf Charm Bracelet

and from Malves1009

Glass Wire Wrapped Pendant on 8-Strand Kumihimo Cording

and finally:

Bohemian Western Leather Wrap Bracelet - by WrappedinLeather

Thank you so much for visiting.
Please stop back and check on out fundraising efforts

Sincerely,

Death Toll Rises from Philippines Typhoon Haiyan -JETs Continue Fundraising Effort

According to ABC news this morning, Philippine officials say the death toll from one of the strongest typhoons on record has risen to above 5,000 and is likely to climb further.

Typhoon Haiyan cut a path across eastern and central Philippines on Nov. 8, with some of fastest wind speeds on record. It killed or has left missing more than 5,000 people and displaced an estimated 4 million people. 

As you can see, the Philippines is mostly islands with the total combined land mass being  115,600, square miles; about the area of  less than half the size of Texas, or the same size as Arizona or New Mexico.

A major international relief mission is underway to help the survivors, many of whom will be dependent on aid for months and probably years to come. 

The Jewelry on Etsy Team stepped up to help the moment the news broke, just as they have in the past for countless disasters and individuals who are in need of help.

You can help us help the Philippines! Shop for a good cause.  Here are just a few of the items with proceeds going to relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. 

A tally will be kept here and funds will be donated through the following organizations:

• World Vision
• Red Cross
• Doctors Without Border
• Lutheran World Relief: Home page has a link for Phlippines Disaster Relief
• Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board: Providing food, clean water, and building materials.

Even better then knowing you are shopping and doing good at the same time, is that many if the JET shops are having huge sales and/or free shipping  over the next few weeks.

Search " Jetteam Phiippines", "Jetteam Black Friday"  "Jetteam Cyber Monday"
(do not use quotation marks".)

Take a look at some of our fundraising items. We will be listing a lot more here so check back!

Perfect for  your Tween or favorite pink-lover from Donna's Artisans Designs  (Oh, and Donna's Black Friday sale has started already!)

Pink Crystal and Pearl Earrings

This gorgeous necklace of Copper and Sterling has already sold once and a great donation was made!  Michelle of Eleven13 Jewelry will gladly take a custom order and make a new one just for you.

Mixed Metal Heart Necklace

Wanda, of Gemstones on my Mind is donating an all-inclusive gift item so you can check one woman right off your list. It is a gorgeous smooth black gemstone necklace and earrings set!

Black Sardonyx Necklace and Earrings Set

If you have not fallen in love with Jasper yet, you will now. Jasper comes in every shape, pattern and color imaginable. This necklace showcases some of the prettiest Jasper I have seen.

I am sure you want to see more, and there is lots more jewelry to come! Right now we are at $318.00 reported donations. Please check back for our latest items being donated, an update on the tally, and what shops have started  having sales.

Thank you so much for visiting, participating, and caring!
On behalf of the JETs,
Sincerely,
Norah
Your Daily Jewels

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