My D.I.Y. Wedding Part II

The big day is in June. I can't believe that it is almost here! This is a complete D.I.Y. event. There is nothing better than putting your blood, sweat and tears into something. These are a few of the hair pieces that I made. Believe me, by no means am I an expert...lol... These were my first attempts! Let me know what you think ;)

Spotlight on...

Mackwire Wire Sculpture

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. This is the second interview of many to come. You have to check out the amazing work from this talented artist! Show her some love!

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?

I'm a wire sculptor from Baltimore City. I've been twisting and doodling with wire for over ten years. My specialty is the human figure but I dabble in just about anything. Etsy's DIY culture has inspired me along with the ease of it's networks, so I've set up a little shop to sell some of my smaller retail pieces.

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?

The Etsy Tristate Area Team
Maryland Etsy Street Team


3. When did you begin your business?

Officially I started my business in 2004 .

4. What inspires you to create?

Difficult to say what inspires me. Inspiration changes from day to day and place to place. One night it will be a specific kind of bird and the next, maybe an acrobat.

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?

I'm hoping to keep my business growing and take it full time.

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?

It's all about the light.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?

ETSY is full of so much creativity, I would hate to pick.

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned about to be a disaster?

Every dog that I've ever tried to sculpt has turned out a disaster. Not sure why that is, I've sculpted nearly everything else...it seems.

9. What are three things that few people know about you?

I'm color blind, a sucker for the ballet, and I used to be a choir boy like Sting.


10. Check out this fabulous seller at...

www.mackwire.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mackwire
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MackWire/192632233676
http://twitter.com/#!/mackwire

Enjoy ;)

Five Dollar Vintage Finds!

The leather clutch was $4.95

The paisley scarf clip was .99 cents plus $3.00 combined shipping

As promised, this is the second installment in my Five Dollar Vintage Finds! series. I LOVE vintage everything! I was raised in my grandmother's house, around all of her jewels, china and vintage prints. I am an avid thrift/ vintage store shopper and I decided to share some of my finds with you. Each item was less than $5.00 each. That is the one and only rule of this series, NOTHING over $5!

Hair Jewels New to Gloria's Jewelry Box!

Good Evening! Wanted to share some new goodies in my shop, Gloria's Jewelry Box! I am pleased to share my new Hair Jewels with you! I have a variety of bobby pin and vintage inspired tortoise combs to share with you. These hair pins are perfect for all hair types from straight to natural hair!

Spotlight on...

Diaspora Designs African jewelry with beads from my world travels

Gloria's Jewelry Box is very excited about our weekly Artist Spotlight Series. This is the first interview of many to come. Show her some love!

1. Tell me a little about yourself! What inspired you to open an ETSY shop and what is your business?

I have a background in ceramics and sculpture and received a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Alfred University. I love working with my hands. I have been sewing, collaging, drawing and sculpting with anything and everything for as long as I can remember.

2. What ETSY team(s) are you a part of?

Etsy Artists of Color and It’s a Zen Life

3. When did you begin your business?

I opened my shop last August (2010) after one of my friends suggested that start making hemp jewelry to sell at some local festivals around Boston. I started making things and I just couldn’t stop, I love having multiple projects going and I am a workaholic by nature.

4. What inspires you to create?

Traveling the world inspires me. Every new city and country has so much rich culture, architecture, color, smells, food, crafts and history. I went to Egypt this past October (2010) and I am still unpacking the experience.

5. What do you envision your business in the next five years?

I hope that in five years I can afford to have a line of jewelry whose proceeds go tocharity. I really want to be able to have my business give back to places that have been struck by natural disaster such as New Orleans, Haiti and Japan. I also want to expand from just the jewelry and sell my travel photographs of all the places I visit.

6. What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Hire an accountant to handle your taxes and use an online accounting tool to track your income and expenses.

7. What are three of your favorite ETSY shops?

naKiMuli because she showcases truly one-of-a-kind afro-funk style that blows my mind!

BoutiqueDeBandeaux because I love to see fashion forward hair accessories made for natural and curly hair.

HotBunnyLove Jo’s glasswork is phenomenal I am so glad another Alfred graduate is sharing her work on Etsy!

8. What is something that you tried crafting, that turned out to be a disaster?

Knitting--- I never had the continued patience and the yarn always seems to get tangled in knots!

9. What are three things that few people know about you?

I learned to swim before I could walk, I prefer the quiet countryside to the city, and I want to go to Las Vegas before I die.

10. Check out this fabulous seller at:

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/diasporadesigns
Twitter: twitter.com/DiasporaDesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/diaspora-designs

Enjoy ;)

Five Dollar Vintage Finds!

So you may know, I LOVE vintage everything! I was raised in my grandmother's house, around all of her jewels, china and vintage prints. It is only natural that I would still love it to this day. I am an avid thrift/ vintage store shopper and I decided to share some of my finds with you. Each item was less than $5.00. That will be the one and only rule of this series, NOTHING over $5! This will be a bi-weekly post. Tell me what you think ;)

My D.I.Y. Wedding Part I

I know I have been away for awhile, life is crazy with a 2 year old and working. Well, I am also planning a wedding! I have been engaged for a year and a half now. The big day is in June. This is a complete D.I.Y. event. There is nothing better than putting your blood, sweat and tears into something. Now I am working on a bridal collection, for my ETSY shop Gloria's Jewelry Box. This is the first of many blog posts to come. Hope you enjoy it!