It’s that time again! What are you doing tonight? If you’re in Honolulu, check out the Fighting Eel and Ginger 13 Sample Sale taking place at the Fighting Eel Headquarters. Here are a few pieces from the Summer 2008 line:

Triangle; Amelie:

  

Sienna Long; Puka:

  

Fighting Eel & Ginger 13 Sample Sale
Friday, June 20, 2008 from 5pm - 8pm
Fighting Eel headquarters
$2 entry fee. All proceeds collected from the door fee will be matched and donated by Fighting Eel to the American Red Cross China Relief Fund.
Cash Only.

Lucky you, actually! Kiona shared with me that she’s having a lovely little sale on her site now through Friday, June 20. Enjoy 35% off everything on her website and Etsy shop just because she feels you deserve it. Here are a couple of new pieces from her collection…

Reversible Vintage Wallpaper Pendant Necklace 1×1: $45.00 - $49.00 (depending on chain length); Reversible Vintage Wallpaper Earrings: $45.00:

 

Reversible Vintage Wallpaper Pendant Necklace 1×2: $45.00 - $49.00 (depending on chain length); Made of Money Necklace: $32.00:

 

Instant Glamour Forest Beaded Filigree Ring: $20.00; Reversible Vintage Wallpaper Pendant Necklace 1×3: $45.00 - $49.00 (depending on chain length):

 

For 35% off on the site enter code “happyMEweek!” in the coupon section during checkout. In the Etsy shop put “happyMEweek!” in the message section for a 35% refund after completing the transaction. Offer will expire at the end of the day on Friday, June 20.

There are a lot of Flight of the Conchords fans out there.  I obviously learned that when trying to get my hands on tickets to their show here in San Francisco recently.  So while perusing Etsy, as I often do, I thought why not check and see if there’s any FOTC stuff listed.  Yes, there are DIYers out there that heart Bret and Jemaine.  Here’s the proof…

Flight of the Conchords Finger Puppets by AbbeyChristine: $30.00:

Flight of the Conchords Inspired Rock the Party Print by elloh: $24.00:

Flight of the Conchords Cookies by Groovy Cookies: $10.00:

FOTC Bret and Jemaine Earrings by Raychol Industries: $7.25:

Flight of the Conchords T-shirt/Towel by Sew It’s For You: $40.00/each:

Let me know if you’ve made any or seen any other fun FOTC stuff.

New items from a fabulous sponsor! A brand new bracelet (that’s an original design) was introduced to Crescent Maille’s line. Part of the Crescent Lace series, this Short Wave Bracelet is 30% off right now as part of a launch special. It’s obvious that great thought and work went into this new design.

The Short Wave Bracelet: $65.00:

A couple of other new additions to the shop…

The Ribbon Bracelet: $165.00; Father’s Day Extra Bold Bracelet: $175.00:

ps - there’s free shipping for all jewelry going to the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Australia!

Hey, it’s another sponsor and this time from Hawaii! Woohoo!

Meet Janice Avellana of Hazelnut Cottage:

Name: Janice Avellana

Business Name: Hazelnut Cottage

Where are you located?
Honolulu, Hawaii

What is it that you design and create?
I design a line of handstamped and vintage inspired wedding jewelry and I create a mess wherever I go!

What is your favorite part of the design process?
Hmmm…I really enjoy reading; that is what usually inspires me somehow. So, coming up with an initial design or concept is fun for me…I get to think my quiet thoughts and ruminate. Oh, and I also enjoy composing the pieces; so often what I concept out in my head or on paper turns into something quite different when I actually start assembling the pieces together. Oh! And I love to shop for new components!

How did you come up with your business name?
Well, my married surname, “Avellana” is Spanish. In Spanish, “Corylus Avellana” is the scientific name of the common filbert or hazelnut plant…hence, the “Hazelnut” in Hazelnut Cottage. The “Cottage” is the dream image I carry around inside of my head—my “one-day-oceanfront-cottage”.

Where/How did this all begin?
After a decade (really!) of soul-searching, career changing, degree getting, I was just home from the hospital after giving birth to my second child when the desperation of having to go back to work struck me. I spent the next few months with my newborn baby asleep in his moses basket under my computer desk, while I searched for a way to work from home. Lo and behold, I stumbled across Etsy and a few fabulous blogs written by people who called themselves an “indie artist”. It was then that I knew I had finally found my calling! Will I always, always be creating this line of jewelry? Probably not…the artist angst continually stirs me towards new passions that I must experience now! But I do believe, that I will be an indie artist in some form or other, forevermore!

Who or what inspires you?
Reading inspires me…sometimes it’s those strange books I read that few other people seem to have heard or care about…sometimes it’s bedtime stories as I read to my little ones. And my babies, my relationship with God and the ocean all inspire me, make me hungry to work with my hands somehow.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Start! Just pick something and start! That was the most difficult part for me. And then, be honest with yourself and be sure to choose something you enjoy doing, since you will probably be putting in long hours. And allow yourself to try a bunch of things until you find “IT”. And then, don’t give up!

I find it also helps to build a network of support for yourself. You know, surround yourself with other indies or at least, compassionate people who will support you in your creative life and not roll their eyeballs and think “unemployed” when you blather on and on about what you do! I am still working on this for myself.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
I have not yet made my favorite indie purchase! Right now, I am drooling over a custom portrait of my children by Etsy Indie Artist Joseph Blake. One day…oh, one day!

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Viola by Michael Tolcher.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Super Why; a PBS Kids show about reading. I don’t have time for much else!

What was the last movie you watched?
I am Legend.

What’s your favorite food?
Café Sistina’s Pollo Gorgonzola. That, and spicy ahi sushi, which I could eat everyday. Oh, and chocolate pudding with tons of whipped cream.

What’s your favorite candy?
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

Coffee or Tea?
Really, really cold iced tea, the flavored kind, like mango or passion fruit iced tea! Yum!

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Barnes and Nobles. Takashimaya Times Square and Tokyu Hands in Tokyo, Japan.

Any pets?
Yup, one very peeful cat, Sarai.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Japan is our home away from home, but I would love to travel the world! All of Europe, Canada, Nova Scotia…sigh…and on, and on…

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
I am so without the ability to be silly…genetic flaw!

Favorite Holiday?
Christmas. Everything about it!!!

If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
A $1.59 rubber slipper from Longs Drugs. I am a low maintenance, I want to be at the beach kind of girl.

What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
I sometimes dream of working in a vacuum sealed, air conditioned room in the back of a museum restoring artifacts for exhibition (every mom out there with screaming kids will understand the “vacuum sealed room” thing!)…or running a brick and mortar store with my bestest friends!

Favorite piece of clothing?
…can’t think of one piece…does this mean I need to go shopping or lose weight? Perhaps both!

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
Fluent in pidgin (Hawaii’s local dialect!)

We’re already into 2008! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Instead of resolutions, our church has this tradition of choosing a word for the year…my word is “play”. So, I want to focus on playing! It’s like therapy for me since I tend towards being too serious for my own good, type-a workaholic…

Business wise, I am in flux. There are so many things I want to pursue, I am in need of some quiet time to sit and plan out my specific goals for this year. Maintain and refine my jewelry line, create an organized workspace, increase my wholesale accounts, and file my taxes!!!

Thanks so much, Jan! Pidgin, eh? Here are some beautiful pieces from the shop…

Bonheur Necklace: $50.00; Nest Necklace with Pearls: $60.00:

  

Love Story Earrings: $74.00; Storm Necklace: $64.00:

  

Yearning for the Sea Necklace: $78.00; Vintage Romance Necklace: $78.00:

  

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to receive the email that stated there was a new collection at Locher’s. Swoon… There’s just so much lovely and so much naughty all in the same place. So there are words embroidered on the tops that may make some blush. The little vixen sporting these will surely be forgiven due to the beauty of the little details in each piece. Here are a few favorites of mine…

I Ain’t Your ________ Sweetheart: $87.00; Just Good Boys Get Presents: $87.00:

  

________ in the Head: $87.00; I Need a ________ Coffee: $87.00:

  

No Time to __________: $87.00; Don’t You _______ Look at Me: $87.00:

  

The Kate Necklace (hee, hee): $69.00; Play it Again Sam: $61.00:

  

Congratulations to Lilie over at A Planet 4 Creation. They are celebrating birthday number 3 and offering something special for you. Throughout the month of May enjoy 30% off the site (excluding sale and custom items). Simply use code “Birthday3” to receive your discount (offer expires May 31, 2008). Also, if you mention Mixed Plate in the Customer Referral area you’ll receive a free gift! Don’t you love that it’s AP4C’s birthday and yet you get presents?

Handcuff w/Key: $18.00; Owl: $15.00:

  

Meet a wonderfully colorful sponsor of ours…

Meet Betsi Goutal of Zlanarama:

Name: Betsi Goutal

Business Name: Zlanarama

Where are you located?
Waltham, MA - a suburb of Boston

What is it that you design and create?
My tagline sums it up pretty well, actually – “Colorful treasures for your inner child… and your inner rockstar.” To elaborate on that, I make jewelry that’s fun to wear, that makes you happy, that makes you feel like a rockstar or like a kid again. Or in the case of some of my more Jem & the Holograms inspired stuff, like a kid pretending to be a rockstar!

What is your favorite part of the design process?
I’m torn between the sourcing of supplies and the ‘aha!’ moment. The ‘aha!’ moment is the sudden flash of inspiration where the elements I’ve been noodling around with come together and it all just clicks. But oftentimes the ‘aha!’ moment comes when I’m scouting out new supplies, so in a way it’s that part that’s my favorite. Poking around a warehouse full of vintage beads, exploring a forest of fabric bolts in NY’s garment district, or practicing my well-honed web searching skills and then suddenly I spot something and know EXACTLY the right thing to do with it. That’s the best part; the joy of finding treasure and the joy of creating with it all in the same glorious moment.

How did you come up with your business name?
Back in the mid-nineties I was the weird kid in my high school because I spent my afternoons talking with my friends on this strange thing called “the internet.” I went by the name Zlana and over time it came to mean more to me than just a handle. It embodied my love of color, my passion for creating, and my love of life. Zlana became more a name for my muse than a name for me. When I needed a name to sell jewelry under I decided to add the “-rama” as a way to define zlanarama as what happens when I’m moved by my muse.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by so many things. It’s hard to pin it down to any one thing of course, but there are certain trends in what sort of things inspire me. Certain eras appeal to me such as the frills of the Victorians, the mod patterns of the 1960s, and the neons of the 1980s. I also draw inspiration from the fashion of certain niche subcultures; I love the heavily-accessorized, brightly-colored, playfully-childlike looks of kandi kids and decora-chan. And where would I be without my childhood influence of heroes like Lady Lovely Locks and Jem & the Holograms?

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Be brave, be strong, be persistent. It is incredibly tough and incredibly overwhelming to start a business, especially one in which you’re selling something you put your passion into. “There should be a single Art Exchange in the world, to which the artist would simply send his works and in return be given as much as he needs. As it is, one has to be half a merchant on top of everything else, and how badly one goes about it.” Beethoven said this! And it still rings true today. You have to believe in yourself and not take things too personally. Be bold. Have the confidence to try, and keep trying.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
It’s a bit different from my own style, but I love the necklace I bought from Jennifer Blasko of Jlynn Designs at the South End Open Market last summer. I really admire people who can do things I can’t do, and her freeform wire wrapping is some of the best I’ve ever seen.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Pushing Daisies! I love the twisted and wacky sense of humor, the eccentric characters, and the strange love triangle. And where each episode involves solving a mystery it’s a little like Edward Gorey and Tim Burton joining forces to remake Scooby Doo.

What was the last movie you watched?
Happy Accidents – a great indie flick that goes for a rare genre combo: sci-fi chick flick. It’s a few years old, but you can find it on DVD on Amazon – you can find ANYTHING on Amazon!

What’s your favorite food?
The crispy sesame chicken at Shanghai Tokyo in Natick, MA. Seriously, this stuff is insanely good. I moved from Natick to Waltham over a year ago and I still make a point of eating there every chance I get.

What’s your favorite candy?
Nerds, and not just because I am one – ha! They’re bright and colorful and oh-so-sugary with a bit of sour too – yummy!

Coffee or Tea?
Coffee! About a year ago I got turned on to McNulty’s in NYC, and I just adore it. I never thought I’d be such a coffee snob as to mail order my coffee, but their hazelnut is soooo good.

Any pets?
I have two cats; Moose and Piper. (Bet you thought I was going to say Squirrel!) Moose is a cranky old lady calico, named for the moose-stache patches of color on her upper lip. Piper is a tiny bundle of kitten energy, named for her tendency to follow people around or her squeaky little meow, depending on when you ask.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
This is so hokey, but honestly one of my very favorite places to visit is Disney World – especially Epcot. I guess it’s that whole “in touch with my inner child” thing but I love it. I never went as a kid, but my boyfriend and I have gone a couple times in the past few years and I just love it. The sense of wonder it instills in me, the amazing displays of light and color on some of the rides blow my mind. It’s A Small World is my happy place.

It’s 2008 already! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the year?
Following my own advice to be brave, strong, and persistent! I am determined to get my name out there and my jewelry in front of new people. I have a somewhat niche aesthetic and it can be tricky sometimes to reach the right market.
In terms of designs, I have big plans for my shiny new serger and hope to introduce sewn accessory items like armwarmers, headbands, and sash belts in the coming months. I have a great cuddly turquoise zebra print that I’m just itching to use!

Thanks so much, Betsi. Gosh, I totally remember Jem & the Holograms!

Lime Green Boombox Necklace: $20.00; Teddy Bear Earrings: $6.00:

  

Chain of Love Charm Bracelet: $12.00; Rainbow Strawberries Necklace: $16.00:

  

Black Star Earrings: $10.00; Punk Charm Bracelet: $20.00:

  

Enjoy 20% off your next order. Enter coupon code “MIXEDPLATE” at checkout. Offer good through May 31, 2008.

Wings Hawaii, one of my favorite shops, has launched a new site and I love it! The new designs, new jewelry…ah, where to begin. The new spring and summer collections are up on the site currently and one of the main features right now happens to be their Eco-Friendly line. This consists of a short-sleeve pocketed v-neck hoodie (I have one and adore it so!), long-sleeve hoodies and full length drawstring pants. The items are made of 50% organic cotton and recycled polyester and are super soft!

The jewelry collection by Sam has evolved a great deal as well. I have been a fan of everything on this site and the jewelry is really catching my eye even more. Every piece is fabricated, handmade, hammered, you name it. She does it all!

If you can’t already tell, I really do love what the gals at Wings Hawaii are doing and will continue to show my support. Remember, if you’re ever in Maui you can visit their storefront (so lucky!). There’s so much more on the site and at their retail shop so check it out. Why don’t I just show you a few of my favorites (you know, what’s on my ‘wish list’)…

Shell Eco-Friendly Pullover Hoodie: $52.00; Opihi Earrings: $200.00:

  

Bling Wing Necklace: $325.00; Eco-Friendly Pants: $52.00:

  

Let’s take a moment to learn a little about the designer behind one of our sponsors.

Meet Crescent Maille:

Business Name: Crescent Maille (cMaille for short)

Where are you located?
Northern California

What is it that you design and create?
I make chain maille jewelry, especially bracelets, in both traditional weaves and original designs. I specialize in working with very small rings to craft delicate and exquisite jewelry. I’m also creating a series of my own designs based on lace.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
It’s exciting when the circles swirling in my head coalesce and form a new design. But I like most the weaving itself, being immersed in the pattern and repetition. It’s a form of meditation.

How did you come up with your business name?
I came up with my internet name first: cMaille. It’s short and memorable, and evokes chain maille. As for choosing the right word for the “c,” my favorite weave at the time was the Half Persian 4-in-1, which looks like a line of crescent moons. So the “Crescent” just sort of fell into place.

Where/How did this all begin?
I never thought I’d be interested in making jewelry, but after years of drawing and painting, I wanted a “tidy” artistic outlet. I’d been pretty fixated on drawing and painting circles. Last summer I saw a couple examples of chain maille and was intrigued: circles! I bought a beginning-weave kit and once I started on my first bracelet there was no going back. I find it a low-maintenance pastime of quiet solitude; something I can do while talking or watching television, or just sitting. It’s like being a chronic knitter, only with metal.

Who or what inspires you?
My Significant Other is My Muse.

What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
- You must love your craft — everything else follows; do something you love, and something that you would do anyway, regardless of sales.
- Communicate well with your customers, since as a seller your job is to make them happy.
- Keep meticulous records from the start, so tax-time is easy.

What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
I’ve found a wonderful shop on Etsy called TeaNoir (http://TeaNoir.etsy.com) that makes truly inspired blends from all-natural botanicals. They created a custom green tea for me based on my favorite ingredients, and I’m hooked.

What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Elliot Smith, Gorillaz, Fiona Apple, Franz Ferdinand, The White Stripes, Firewater, Cake, Malajube, Radiohead, Wilco.

What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
The Simpsons, The McLaughlin Group, and The Dog Whisperer.

What was the last movie you watched?
Gone Baby Gone

Coffee or Tea?
A lot of both.

What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
A grocery store in Tokyo.

Any pets?
Two fish. Red fish, blue fish.

Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Paris is my favorite city so far.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
I wouldn’t want to be a superhero, but I’d like to be able to fly.

Favorite Holiday?
Halloween.

Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
I’ve studied French, Spanish, German, Russian and Arabic. I’ve forgotten almost everything but some French. I am trying to teach myself Spanish now.

It’s 2008 already! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the year?
In 2008 I would like to see my sales increase.  As I have more customers (and repeat customers) that are happy with their purchases, I hope both that they will return, and that all of the positive feedback I am getting will encourage others to give my shop a try.  I’d like to start selling a larger number of my more complex pieces, like bracelets and woven necklaces, because these are where the real joy comes in for me as a craftsperson.  I make every piece to order, and all bracelets are custom made to the length the buyer specifies.  Therefore, each sale means another chance to make something.  Sales help keep me in supplies, and supplies keep me weaving and designing.  I’d make chain maille no matter what; but selling definitely helps me create.

Thanks so much! Here is a little selection from the shop:

Graduated Byzantine Necklace: $280.00; Zen Lace Bracelet: $90.00:

  

Academy Lace Earrings: $43.00; Mobius Charm Necklace: $38.00:

  

European 4-in-1 Weave Bracelet Cuff: $165.00; Octopus Lace Earrings: $55.00:

  

Receive 10% off any purchase. Type “Mixed10” in the message to seller field and you’ll receive the 10% refund via PayPal after your purchase. Offer good through May 15, 2008.

Oh, how I wish I were still in Hawaii. And, oh, how I wish I were going to be in Maui this weekend. Fighting Eel and Ginger 13 are having a HUGE Sample Sale where everything will be $40 or less! Rona Bennett and Lan Chung of Fighting Eel will be on hand with their beautiful clothing line. Ginger 13 designer Cindy Yokoyama will have her fun jewelry pieces available. Hmmm, sounds good to me! Here’s the scoop:

When: Sunday, April 13, 2008; 11-3pm
Where: Maui Beach Hotel in the Elleair Ballroom (Free Parking)
What: Fighting Eel and Ginger 13 selling past collections at 50-80% off. Everything will be marked down to $40 or less.
Cost: $5 fee at the door
For More Info: Check Fighting Eel’s Events Page

Lucky you if you’re in Maui on Sunday! Let me know if any of you attend the sale!

Here are some of the designs from Fighting Eel’s Spring and Pre-Summer Collections (in stores now, not included in the sale):

Juliet Dress; Cali Tunic:

  

Monroe Dress; Holiday Dress:

  

Kate Dress; Nellie Dress:

  

Check out some of the goodies by Ginger 13:

Crystal Rhino: $52.00; Faux Lucite Tortise Links: $28.00:

  

Brass Filigree-Horse: $49.00; Wood Disc-Bird: $66.00:

  

Congratulations to Traci on the launch of her new Midori Jewelry website. Here are some pieces from her recent collection:

Whiskey Sour Earrings: $62.00:

Gold Sakura & Apatite Necklace: $48.00:

Montana Bracelet: $68.00:

Riptide Necklace: $142.00:

Use code “mixed20” to receive 20% off your entire order now through April 15, 2008.