Jessica Neaves has been making and selling jewelry since 2003 from her shop, Future Momo. Momo, which means peach in Japanese, also happens to be the name of Jessica’s kitty. Based in San Francisco, California (an awesome place!), anything related to beads and crafty things of any sort, is a passion of this designer. Beads, vintage pieces, crystals and semi-precious stones are part of the jewelry that can be found at this site. Jessica is also a member of the San Francisco Craft Mafia.

Mary Shelley Necklace; Checker Earrings; Vintage Keys Necklace:

{Mary Shelley Necklace: $16.00; Checker Earrings: $10.00; Vintage Keys Necklace: $35.00}

Receive a free gift with purchase! Enter code “mixedplate2007” in the comment box at checkout. Offer good at Future Momo’s site or her Etsy shop.

With this Blog Banner Kit by Rhonna Farrer at Two Peas in a Bucket. You just add it to your cart and there’s no waiting because it is a downloadable product. You don’t have to wait for anything to be shipped to your way. This kit is meant for use on your personal blog only and there are 4 different templates/accents/backgrounds to choose from. Rhonna Farrer’s scrapbooking products are amazing and Two Peas in a Bucket…well, that’s jut a dangerous place to go browsing around. Dangerous for your wallet, that is. Oh heck, check it out anyway!

{Blog Banner Tool Kit: $8.00}

Yes, I opened up the final book of the series and began reading it last week Wednesday and finished by Friday night. I have to say that I’m a little sad that it’s over….although I have the movies to look forward to, right? I enjoyed the book and won’t spoil it for anyone. I just thought I’d share some fun handmade goodies that are inspired by HP. You know, in honor of completing the book.

Boy Wizard Arigurumi Crochet Pattern by Sherri Crochets & Crafts; Harry Potter Inspired Wand (Custom) by The Eclectic Slide; Snowy Owl Pin (Hedwig) by Patchwork Possum:

Gryffindor School Crest Necklace by Sparkle-Me; Hogsmeade Summer Camp Shirt by Homemade by Jessica; Harry Potter Sorting Hat Pin by Art’s Daughter:

{Arigurumi Pattern: $4.50; Harry Potter Inspired Wand: $6.00; Snowy Owl Pin: $20.00}

{Gryffindor Necklace: $10.00; Hogsmeade Shirt: $12.99; Sorting Hat Pin: $5.00}

ps - sorry, by the way, for the absence of posts last week. I went out of town for a few days and was just catching up on emails and other things. I actually had my laptop with me while away but never had the chance to sit and open it up. I’m back now so feel free to stop over and say hi!

**update - I apologize for saying the Hogsmeade shirt was sold out. There’s more in stock. Wooohooo!!!**

Here’s some great info on a fabulous artist from the Trunkt community.

Meet Francesca Vitali of Frucci Design:

Name: Francesca Vitali

TRUNKT URL: www.trunkt.org/fruccidesign

Business Name: Frucci Design

Where are you located?
Southern California

What is it that you design and create?
Paper jewelry

What is your favorite part of the design process?
My favorite part is the open-eyed dream: it starts when an idea materializes in my head and I have to imagine how I can make it happen. At the point I can’t do anything else: I just think of my new idea, that’s so exciting…well at least for me, because from outside, if you look at me while doing that I most probably look like I’m only open-eyed sleeping!

How did you come up with your business name?
Frucci is one of the gazillion ways Rudi, my boyfriend, calls me. One day I was just scribbling a self-portrait when I fitted FRUCCI into my hair style, then I added DESIGN in place of one eye and the nose and that became my logo!

Where/How did this all begin?
I can’t describe the starting point for my design/craft passion, I’ve been creative all my life, that’s who I am! But I can tell you the exact moment I discovered that paper is a great media for jewelry and the all paper jewelry idea has began: It was almost ten years ago, I was in my mom’s kitchen when I came accross a colorful fashion catalog. I had to find a way to use all that color and for some reason I started cutting it in strips and a few hours later I made my first paper necklace, which I still wear!

Who or what inspires you?
Borrowing from a “Shakespeare in Love” quote: “I don’t know. It’s a mystery!”

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Don’t waste your time following others’ dream (as I did): listen to your soul and give your art a chance!

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Shame on me, I don’t have an iPod. I prefer to listen to radio.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
CSI, Shark, I’m waiting for Closer’s new season and The Tudor. But I also love to watch reruns of the classics like Friends, Sex and the City, Will and Grace or even older such as Murder She Wrote!

What was the last movie you watched?
‘V for Vendetta’. But don’t ask me how I liked it…I fell asleep!

What’s your favorite food?
Pizza, chocolate and gelato

What’s your favorite candy?
Any that has cinnamon in it!

Coffee or Tea?
Coffee…Actually espresso…I’m Italian!

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
ZARA and H&M, for historic reasons: I used to go there with my girlfriends when I was still living in Italy, so whenever I miss them - they all live in Italy - I just go to ZARA or H&M and I’m happy again!
Any Pets?
Not yet, but soon a dog! A pug!

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Favorite place to visit: Rome, my city!
Place I’d like to visit: Japan, Mexico, Brazil, India just to mention a few…I love traveling so much!

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
My name, of course, would be SuperFru and I’d be able to go everywhere in a blink of an eye and I could become invisible.

Any celebrity crushes?
Not really.

Favorite Holiday?
I must say Xmas!

If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
Noooo! Don’t ask me to choose one pair of shoe: I simply can’t! I rather be the shoe closet of Sarah Jessica Parker!-)

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
Well before coming here in the US, I secretly wished to be an artist. Now I still wish it, but it is not a secret anymore!

Favorite piece of clothing?
If I have to pick just one I have to admit that when I’m in front of a black pair of trousers I simply have to have them!

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
Yes, Italian of course! and German too, since I’ve lived in Switzerland for 5 years I’ve learned a bit of German…but just a little!

We’re half way through the year! Any exciting plans for the rest of the year?
Oh yes! The whole summer will be full of guests, since we’ve moved in California we have been receiving tons of guests from Italy, especially during summer! And by the end of the year we will probably be moving again, but don’t ask me where we don’t know yet!

Thanks so much, Francesca. Here are a couple of her amazing jewelry pieces:

Girasole Pendant; Curly Ring; Cubetto Earrings:

Red Gemelli Cufflinks; Cristina Necklace; Costco and Pearl Petali Bangle:

{Girasole Pendant: $20.00; Curly Ring: $40.00; Cubetto Earrings: $9.00}

{Red Gemelli Cufflinks: $22.00; Costco and Pearl Petali Bangle: $75.00; Cristina Necklace: $215.00}

Mmmmm….I smell good and am all nice and smooth. Alright, so maybe that sounded a little strange. I’m actually referring to the wonderful products I am lucky enough to have sampled by Frost Fish Cove Soaps. Tory has been crafting her handmade soaps for over seven years now. Based along the coast of Maine, all of these luxurious bath and body products are produced in small batches to ensure high quality goods.

I’ve tried a soap, lip balm and lotion and the scents are absolutely yummy. If you’ve been a Mixed Plate reader for a while now, you’ll know that I’m not so good with heavily scented items. The soap, lip balm and lotion were pretty fruity smelling and they were just perfect! The lip balm was very smooth and slick and left my lips with a mango fragrance (I had a tangerine-mango blend). Can I just say that the Valencia fragrance that was in my lotion was good enough to eat! Oh-so-citrusy!!! Hmmmmm, getting hungry?

Frost Fish Cove Soaps also has other goodies to offer up including bath salts, gift baskets, vegan products and more. Head over now to check out the yummy goodness that Tory has cooked up today. You can also keep up with her by reading the Soap Blog. Hey, you too can smell good and be nice and smooth!

Spa-Strength Salt Scrub; Vegan Handmade Soap (One Pound); Lip Balm Pots:

{Salt Scrub: $9.00; Vegan Soap: $12.00 (about 4-5 bars); Lip Balm Pots: $2.50/ea}

Adorable creations can be found at this Etsy shop, Luii. Janice Chan was born in Hong Kong and has been living in Perth, Western Australia for the last 10 years. After she began making jewelry (and sewing, of course) in 2003, she decided to open a bead shop called luvBEAD. She really is a crafty gal, isn’t she? Check out some of her crafty talents here:

Stephanie Tote Bag (Woodland); Zippii Pouch (Greenshroom); Babi Wrist Clutch (Barbie Seedling):

{Stephanie Tote: $45.00; Zippii Pouch: $11.00; Babi Wrist Clutch: $27.50}

Look what I found at Modishoppe! Jena does an excellent job at bringing in superbly talented artists and designers to her store. So while visiting it today, as I often do (so many of my favorite things are there!) I discovered a new thing to fancy. I L-O-V-E these tabletop goods by Katie Parker of New Work that are decorated with amazing images. Elephants, lions, cows, starbursts and more grace the silk-screened porcelain. Check it out:

Elephant Plates; Swan Mugs; Starburst Plates:

{Elephant Plates: $10.00/ea; Swan Mugs: $10.00/ea; Starburst Plates: $12.00/ea}

Here are some lovely handmade goodies I found by Theresia at her shop, Minori Design. Pin cushions and stuffies…what cuties!

Polka Dot Hedgehog #2; Owl Stuffie #1; Bird Pin Cushion #4:

Bird Pin Cushion #11; Doggie Stuffie #4; Shika the Fawn:

{Polka Dot Hedgehog: $14.00; Owl #1: $9.50; Birdie #4: $14.00}

{Birdie #11: $14.00; Doggie #4: $34.00; Shika the Fawn: $24.00}

Head on over to see the new goodies that Anissa has at her shop, Femmina Style. My favorite piece is the Owlie Necklace…

Leaves Dress; Owlie Necklace; Jailhouse Dress:

{Leaves Dress: $22.50; Owlie Necklace: $26.50; Jailhouse Dress: $21.50}

ps - take a look at the SALE section!

Let’s learn about a Mixed Plate sponsor, shall we?

Meet Myra Hopper of Myra Elizabeth Jewelry Designs:

Name: Myra Hopper

Business Name: Myra Elizabeth Jewelry Designs

Where are you located?
A very small town named Waleska, which is about 60 miles north of Atlanta, in an 8,000 acre wildlife preservation community overlooking a private 500 acre lake.

What is it that you design and create?
Handcrafted jewelry, created with gemstones, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and precious metals.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
Completing a piece that turns out more beautiful than expected, and receiving comments and feedback from customers.

How did you come up with your business name?
Had some other names in mind which were already taken, so I used my own. Can’t imagine anyone else having my given name!

Where/How did this all begin?
Nine years ago, I attended a home jewelry party in my neighborhood. It was unique in that you got to choose your own beads and design your own piece of jewelry; the party hostesses would finish it for you. From then on, I was hooked and had to learn everything I possibly could about beading and jewelry making. In January 2005, I opened my own business online.

Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by many things. A stunning piece of fabric, the pure wonder of nature that surrounds me, to name a few.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Research all you can about starting your own small business. There is so much to learn, not just about your craft, but about marketing, advertising, websites and more.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
A fun, fringed handmade purse

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Grey’s Anatomy, Project Runway (when’s the next show coming on?) and Desperate Housewives

What was the last movie you watched?
Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End

What’s your favorite food?
Ice cream

What’s your favorite candy?
Any kind of chocolate

Coffee or Tea?
Both; coffee in the morning, tea in the evening

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Any well-stocked bead shop and Archiver’s (an awesome scrapbook store)

Any pets?
Three dogs, a beagle/german shepard mix, a Lhasa Apso and a long-haired “deer” chihuahua

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Would love to visit Ireland

Any celebrity crushes?
My daughter and I love Orlando Bloom!

Favorite Holiday?
Thanksgiving

Favorite piece of clothing?
Denim jacket

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
Took three years of French in high school, but never had the opportunity to practice it, so don’t remember too much.

We’re half way through the year! Any exciting plans for the rest of the year?
Having my jewelry featured in some area boutiques and getting published.

Thank you for sharing with us, Myra! We wish you much luck with your plans for the remainder of the year as well as the future! Here are some beautiful pieces from Myra’s shop:

Rose Quartz, Bronzite, Smoky Quartz and Crystal Long Necklace; Aqua Crystal Cluster Earrings; Contemporary Crystal Dangle Bracelet:

Ruby Red Jade, Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Double-Strand Bracelet; Amethyst Chandelier Earrings; Turquoise Teardrop and Coin Pearl Necklace:

{Rose Quartz, Bronzite, Smoky Quartz and Crystal Long Necklace: $100.00; Aqua Crystal Cluster Earrings: $38.00; Contemporary Crystal Dangle Bracelet: $82.00}

{Ruby Red Jade, Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Double-Strand Bracelet: $54.00 (special price); Amethyst Chandelier Earrings: $78.00; Turquoise Teardrop and Coin Pearl Necklace: $115.00}

Receive $10.00 off your next order of $40.00 or more by using coupon code “SUMMER07” at checkout. Offer good through August 31, 2007.

Ahhh…I’d like to go roller skating just like when I was a kid. This adorable Long Sleeve Girls Roller Skate Shirt (in fun colors, might I add) can be found at Vital. Everything in their shop is designed and created by hand in their Denver, Colorado studios. Check out the site for all sorts of fun!

{Shirt: $20.00}

Friday! Friday! It’s Friday!!! Time for the weekend and time for Friday Favorites!

Nostalgia Vintage Head Piece by House of Telsa; Classic Pinup Sailor Girl Case by Sweet Heart Sinner Creations; Spring Spirit Sweater by Mod to Modern:

Giant Octopus Belt Buckle by Under the Bigtop; Chrysanthemum Earrings by Prismera Design:

Limited Edition Bird Silhouette Wall Tiles by Little Flower Designs; Stars and Pines Shirt by Supermaggie!:

{Nostalgia Vintage Head Piece: $49.50; Classic Pinup Sailor Girl Case: $10.00; Spring Spirit Sweater: $138.00}

{Giant Octopus Belt Buckle: $15.00; Chrysanthemum Earrings: $92.00}

{Limited Edition Wall Tiles: $45.00/ea.; Stars and Pines Shirt: $32.00}