Monday, June 17, 2013

My Most Meaningful Tattoo

with Danielle Andre

in remembrance of her grandparents

This tattoo is in remembrance of my grandmother. She passed away when I was just 9 years old, but still had a major impact on my life. I lived with her and my grandfather for a year between first and second grade while my mother was preparing to give birth to her 4th child while also house hunting with my dad and the other kiddos. When my grandma passed away from lung cancer and emphysema, I experienced depression for the first time in my life. At school, I would have random crying outbursts in the middle of class, and I was put in grief and loss counseling for 3 years in a row. I still haven't fully gotten over it and I probably never will.
The panther with roses on my belly is for my grandmother (and grandfather, whom is still living). My grandma's name was Rose, and I chose the color red because it is the color of love, and also because it reminded me most of her (she always had long red fingernails). The panther is for my grandpa because the only tattoo he ever got was a panther clinging to his arm.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Member Business and Craft Spotlight - Jennifer White Perfectly Twisted Creations




Name:Jennifer White

Location:Cleveland,Ohio

Name of your business if you have one: 
Perfectly Twisted Creations


What is it you make?

I make a little of everything but I'm mostly known for the keepsake boxes, sculpted luminaries, and polymer clay jewelry I make. I also paint and draw and commission my artwork on my keepsake boxes as well. Most of my work, but not all, has a dark but beautiful feel to it. Like a beautiful damask keepsake box adorned with a hand sculpted Gothic cross or skull. I try to make items I would personally love to own in hopes that others would love them as well.


How long have you been making them?

In July it will be a year since I started Perfectly Twisted creations


What inspired you to start?

I have been and artist and creative since I can remember. My love for creating things from hand grew as I did. I have looked for many outlets for my creative itch but it wasn't until a couple years ago, when I made my first shrinky dink necklace then sugar skull necklace, that I realized I wanted to get more serious with my crafting. I made some simple keepsake boxes for my family for Christmas a few years ago and thought how awesome would it be to make more elaborate beautiful boxes with hand sculpted flowers or skulls on them. That lead to me doing my first big craft show last year and my business has taken off since.


Was it easy for you to learn?

I had some experience sculpting with gumpaste and fondant in my cake decorating days so working with polymer clay came easily after a little bit of practice. But I am always trying new and different things and learning as I go by trial and error.


What's the price range on your items?

Prices of my items range from $5 for cute bows to the most expensive item I have made to date which is $100 for a painted glass vase with a very realistic hand sculpted octopus on it.


Do you take on commissions or personalize items?

Always! It's my favorite work to do. I love making custom items.


What has been your most favorite creation?

That is a hard one. I think it would be a tie between the octopus vase I made and the Friday the 13th inspired hand sculpted Jason mask keepsake box I made myself.


What has been your least favorite?

I can't say I have a least favorite. I enjoyed making everything I have. The only thing I thing I can say I need a break from making would be the Lament Configuration Hellraiser inspired bracelets I made. I only say that because I had to make 50 in 2 months lol.


Where can we find your items? (links)

www.facebook.com/perfectlytwistedcreations
www.etsy.com/shop/SoPerfectlyTwisted

Friday, June 7, 2013

Member Business and Craft Spotlight - Ashley Boswell with Moms on a Mission.



Name: Ashley Boswell

Location: Charleston, WV

Name of your business if you have one: 
Not really a "business," but a non-profit group.
Moms on a Mission

What is it you make?

A little bit of everything!  We make awareness ribbons, wedding items, crocheted items, jewelry, mesh wreaths, hair accessories, baked goodies, and signs and banners to name a few. We are quite a diverse group of ladies and try to showcase ALL of our talents!


How long have you been making and selling your crafts?

Since we were founded about a year ago!


What inspired you to start? 

A few friends and I wanted to start a group based on the busy and sometimes hectic life of being a mom, while making a difference in our local community. We started making crafty items to raise more funding for some of our events that we host.


Were the crafts easy for you to learn?

Some things come easily. Some do not. Some still don't for me, but do for others! But that's okay, but I excel at some things that others do not. Since we are a group, and not just one person, it really helps with that. If I can't understand something, usually someone else does!


What's the price range on your items?

We sell some things from 3 for $1 and all the way up to $250 packages. Since we make a LARGE variety of things, we have pricing flexibility.


Do you take on commissions or personalize items?

Most definitely! We have a whole "Custom Orders" section in our Etsy store and are HAPPY to try and help as many people as we can!


What has been your most favorite creation?

My personal favorite item to make is wedding bouquets & sets. I love weddings. I love helping make things for weddings as well as plan them! My favorite thing from the ladies in my group is the awesome crochet items that they can come up with! I taught myself to crochet but their skills are on a whole other level!


What has been your least favorite?
I don't have a least favorite. If I did, I don't think I would offer it anymore!

Where can we find your items?

https://www.facebook.com/MomsOnAMissionWV and

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MOMWVCraftsforaCause