Myriam took some time to talk about her creations and what inspires this wonderful world.

Maria Antonieta & Lauren

When did you start making your dolls?

I have been working and designing pieces with clay for almost three years and creating art dolls about six months ago. I started reading, got captivated by it, taught myself, and now I'm totally hooked.

Gabriella

Where do you find the inspiration for them?

I get inspired by colors, objects, styles, the distinctive personality of some of my friends, a good memory that was meaningful to me at some point in my life and music. Music makes everything flow easy.

Emily

How would you describe your style?

I have eclectic style. I combine a little of everything when I'm designing my dolls. I love the edge of funky stuff, the mystical sense of gothic, the simplicity of primitive, and the sweetness and romance of vintage.

What do you enjoy most about that you do?

I enjoy the feeling of creating something that never existed before and the sentiment those pieces transmit to people. You create art because you're passionate about it, but it's even more meaningful when I see others feeling what I felt when I created each piece.

You can learn more about Myriam by following her on Facebook and purchase one of her gorgeous dolls on Etsy.

Liandain Clancy is the personification of this statement.  Look up “multi-talented” in the dictionary and you will find a picture of Liadain smiling and waving back at you.  I first met her years ago, when she proved herself to be an exceptionally talented singer.   Friendly and sweet, she holds a commanding stage presence.  This presence stems from three facts you glean immediately upon seeing her: she is amazingly gifted, her absolute confidence makes her comfortable in her craft, and she is having a wonderful time. 

When life threw her a bit of a curve-ball, she took her creative energy and put it to good use. Her Eleven Cuckoo jewelry and frames reflects her bubbly and creative personality. Vibrant with color, alive with shapes and form, her creations leap out at you.  The designs and styles are truly unique. Eleven Cuckoo necklaces envelope you in a warm embrace. They are bold and fearless, which is why they work so well.   Bracelets don’t just sit on your wrist, but make a statement.  Each piece has a personality of its own – bold without being overpowering; full of whimsy while sophisticated.   Each one is a conversation piece and adds the perfect embellishment to any outfit. 

Liadain took time out of the holiday shopping season to share some insight into her imaginative line.

 Ocean Creature Cuckoo

What does Eleven Cuckoo mean to you?

In 2006 I found out I had Lupus, it was a big drag, let me tell ya.  I got really sick, couldn't work, couldn't do shows.  Basically, I lost my straight gig, and then my apartment in the East Village.  I had to retreat to the burbs...to my Parent's house, in the burbs for "treatment,"  Ugh.  I was 34, and felt as though I had lost everything -  my career, my home, my independence... taking LOADS of steroids and evil drugs for the Lupus.   Not to mention, I was suddenly living in the darkened back bedroom of my elderly parents' house.  It was kinda grim.  Woof.  After about six months of this, I got pretty squirrelly.  It was a tough gig.  I've always been a performing, musical artist, and it felt somewhat perverse to have that creative energy stymied, and completely bottled up.  I began to go a little nutso, to be honest.  I guess I just popped.

One day I just started plucking off pieces of glass I had used in a mosaic I had half-heartedly created on my wall.  I remember it felt like I was breaking off pieces of a gingerbread house.  I started hot gluing the glass to all different kinds of wire and ceramics stuffs.  After some experimenting I realized I had made a piece of jewelry that I would actually want to wear...even out in public...if that were to happen again.

Miraculously, two very good friends of mine invited me to get out of Dodge, and come stay with them, and their 10 rescue doggies in their beautiful, enormous home in Atlanta, GA.  It was winter.   I was thrilled at the thought of stretching my legs a bit, and have at least a wee bit of an adventure, especially after having been pretty much stuck in bed for six months.  Needless to say, off I went.  I put on every piece of clothing I had that fit me, and got on a plane.

So the thing about finding oneself newly living with 10 dogs... I had some trouble remembering all of their names...so I started to refer to them as "Cuckoo."  I've always loved that word, and it seemed like an accurate, warm, muti-purpose pronoun for all of the doggies.  I'd hear myself saying things like, "It's dinner time, Cuckoo."  "Time to come in, Cuckoo." "Stop doing that to your brother, Cuckoo."  You get the gist...

It struck me one day that I was the Eleventh Rescue.... the Eleventh Cuckoo.

Atlanta was good to me, and whenever I would wear my homemade necklaces out and about, the fabulous Georgia Peaches would ask me where I got them.  Eventually it dawned on me that I might could start making the jewelry for other people, and it was a perhaps a way to make some income, no matter where I was at, health-wise.

Thus ElevenCuckoo was born!

It's been a really interesting process for me.  I never thought of myself as a visual artist before...but I've been having an incredibly gratifying experience being creative in this way.  I feel really fortunate to have found this way of expressing myself, and I'm also very grateful to have my friends and family's support through it all.

Green Cuckoo Bracelet

 How do you choose the bright colors and rich textures for your creations?

I don't know how to explain it ... Chompsky CuckooI just keep putting things together/taking them apart,  until it  sort of sings to me.  I stare at my little work table and its inhabitants for a strangely large amount of time.  I don't commit to a combination until I feel it to be something I would PINE for, if I were to see it elsewhere.

Chomsky Cuckoo
Do you have a favorite material or medium to work with?

I'm suddenly really liking working with leather.  I don't know what to make of that... I feel kinda guilty/weird about it, but it's really beautiful to work with.  It's a rich material and muse.

Seuss-a-Rouge Cuckoo Brooch

Where do you find inspiration?

I absolutely find most of my inspiration being outside in the woods, and from being by bodies of water.  I'm always taking pictures of light playing on the surface of water.  Light on the water is one of my favorite things to try and replicate of photograph.  I think it's unbelievably beautiful.   Being outside and moving my body is SO important to me.

 oh DO come back, Celtic Tiger Cuckoo

Do you have any favorites in your collection?

Oh, that's so hard.  I know it sounds crazy, but I do feel like all these creations are my songs, my children...or at least my friends.   It's hard to pick one, but I'm pretty fond of "All Cuckoo is Relative Cuckoo" right now.   It's a piece that twinkles and winks at me.  I look at it, and it makes me smile, even laugh... but holy moly...it's serious.  

Eleven Cuckoo jewelry is the perfect gift (not just for the holidays).  You can see the complete collection on the Eleven Cuckoo Etsy shop. 



The Ladies of Lumete

Lumete is the perfect example of such an endeavor.  Founders Barbara Warren and Clara Herrera gave up the comforts of their nine to five jobs in order to start this independent eye wear company.  Taking their collective creative and business experiences, they set out to start something they knew would be new and exciting.  Lumete is a truly independent company; the founders fill every shoe within the company.  This is no small feat.

The end result is a line of eye wear that is unlike anything else you will find.  Each style was created with special attention design and fit.   Embellished details appear on the sides, in a way that's funky withou being flashy.  The materials are substantial, chosen with durability in mind.  Trying them on, each pair feels uniquely special.  Wearing them, you feel like a starlet.   

You can learn more about this budding new business in the interview below.

What made you decide to get into the eye wear business?

We are honestly in it for the art and love of eye wear, which shows in the uniqueness of Lumete designs, the comfortable fitting, and the quality of the materials and craftsmanship. Every detail is meticulously designed and developed, and that goes for our accessories too.  Every pair of Lumete sunglasses comes with a set of companion accessories, which are all custom designed to help our customers to keep and care for their sunglasses. Our signature hard case is ultra-protective yet light, and it is pinched in the middle to hold your sunglasses very securely, without rattling around on the inside. We also provide a slim soft case option in satin-lined stretch synthetic-leather. As a special gift, we also invented a chic eyewear holding necklace, called the Lumete locket, which comes in this cute velour jewelry pouch. The two cases, necklace and microfiber cleaning cloth all come packaged in a satin gift bag. You may hear a lot of women saying that they are afraid to invest in nice sunglasses because they’ll lose them or damage them easily, which is why we offer accessories to help them carry and take care of their investment.


How would you describe the Lumete style?

Our frames combine sculptural detail, symbolic ornamentation and ultra-femininity. Our brand and our collection are inspired by alchemical and Gnostic symbolism and we seek to instill that sense of wonder and reverence to every piece we make.

The Lumete customer is a woman who seeks original pieces. She’s a trendsetter, who looks for statement pieces that are still elegant and sophisticated. Our original shapes and sculptural details are sure to stand out in the crowd, but the strength of our styles lies in maintaining the balance between originality and elegance.  

Women today want color, texture and surprising details in their accessories. They are bored with rehashed decades-old shapes in black and tortoiseshell. Women love Lumete frames because they offer just that: color, rich patterns and unexpected details. Moreover, the colors in our collection have been painstakingly chosen to be flattering and perfectly compliment a woman’s wardrobe.  

Lumete frames feature richly textured acetates or acetates with multiple color layers. For example our black frames (cosmos black) are a rich charcoal acetate with embedded subtle shimmer, adding luxurious texture. Instead of simple brown tones, our Taupe color with a velvet sheen is a sophisticated hue that will match any wardrobe choice. Some skus feature solid colors they are artfully combined for added luxury and drama, with one color on the temple and another for the front. Two-tone frames are very coveted right now.

Our customers love Lumete’s level of detail and ornamentation that is not logo-driven. Women want luxurious detail but the idea of being a walking billboard for a mega-brand is completely out.

Do you have suggestions on how to pick the right pair of sunglasses?

When it comes to buying plastic frames, the most important thing is to be sure to buy handmade… so ask the salesperson if you are not sure. There are two very different production methods used for making plastic sunglasses, handmade and injection-molded. For the handmade method, a block of zyl acetate plastic (which often has a pattern or multicolor layers) is sculpted into a frame. Frames have been handcrafted this way for close to a century. For the injection-molded method, a low-grade plastic is injected into a steel mold. Several decades ago, this method developed as a way to cheaply mass-produce frames. All Lumete sunglasses are handmade zyl acetate. Handmade is better than injection molded for many reasons, including durability, comfort, color depth and pattern, and the fact that they can be adjusted by an optician as well as fitted with prescription lenses.

Lumete is proud to offer some of the best fitting sunglasses in the market. The frames are extremely comfortable and our collection has a range of shapes to fit most faces shapes. We have done meticulous work on our temples to ensure the most comfortable fit.

We believe that over-sized frames are overall the most flattering and elegant for women, (not just a passing fashion trend). Over-sized frames also offer maximum eye coverage, including the delicate eye area that is prone to wrinkling. UV protection is very important in the prevention of crow’s feet. It is not just important to have UV protection in your lenses, it is also important that the lens provide adequate coverage of your eye, so that sunlight does not enter from the sides. Tinted lenses cause pupils to dilate… which allows more sunlight in. Sunlight that enters from the sides can be even more damaging when pupils are dilated.

Quality lens material is essential as well. Cheap lenses can have optical distortions … causing blurred vision, headaches, and possibly unsafe driving conditions. Our lenses are CR39, which has the optical clarity of glass, yet is lighter and more durable.  

What is the hardest part of starting your business?

In a word: Luxottica.
Our story started with Clara’s dream of designing beautiful eye wear… but it’s a difficult industry to enter. Unlike the jewelry industry, there are very few independent sunglasses brands out there, and a major reason is that the eye wear industry is dominated by Luxottica. They are an Italian company that convinced a ton of luxury brands to outsource their eye wear lines to them. Apparel designers wanted to reach a broader audience, but they did not have the time or the know-how to deal with eye wear (the same way they are not actually perfume chemists), so they licensed design, manufacturing and distribution to Luxottica. Luxottica also bought nearly every successful eyewear brand on the market, from Ray-ban to Oakley to Persol to Oliver Peoples, then went on to buy about every optical chain you can think of, from Sunglasses Hut to Lenscrafters to Pearle Vision to Target Optical. They also own one of the largest optical insurance companies, EyeMed.  They have a virtual monopoly on the eye wear industry, yet most people haven’t heard of them.

Anyway, it’s difficult going up against a behemoth, but the good news is that monopoly also leads to bad fashion and mediocre quality ... so we can compete.

A trend we’re noticing, and thankfully so, is the rebirth of the small independent boutique – perhaps as a reaction to the opposite trend of Internet shopping and big chains -- especially boutiques that only stock small independent brands. These are the kind of stores where it’s fun to shop; the shop enhances the neighborhood; and you can feel good about supporting young designers and brands. All eight of our stockists are amazing independent boutiques, and three of them are brand new – they opened after our launch in July of this year.

What do you have planned ahead?

We plan to add new styles to our sunglasses collection. Otherwise we are just going to continue serving our existing stockists the best we can and .

We intend to remain 100% focused on our passion and expertise, which is eye wear and eye wear-related accessories.

Lumete’s official launch party is December 14^th, at The Touring Company in SoHo, NYC.  You can join the ladies in celebrating both the season and their gorgeous creations.   To learn more, visit the Lumete website. 



The best bath products are hand-crafted with loving care, Braggin' Rights Bath proves this.  Each item is created by someone paying special attention to the scent, color and texture.   Inspiration comes from experience.  And the ultimate goal is to make you feel pampered. With a variety of products ranging from holiday-themed bath bombs, hand-cut soap bars, bath butter and salts, you can find everything you need to create a home spa experience. 

Learn more about Braggin' Rights Bath and their special products in the interview below.

Pop the Cork- Bath Soak BagsWhat inspired you to start Braggin' Rights Bath?
I started Braggin' Rights as a Gift shop in the beginning, creating various handcrafted gift items. I had
asked myself one day, “What is it that you do special for yourself that just gives you a “feel good” type
of feeling?”  I knew that I wanted to give that feeling to people, to share with them that type of
emotion; rather than a simple transaction. When I think of “do something to be good to you...” I think
of candles, soft music, and a bubble bath. I give customer's the abitlity to do something special for
themselves and that makes me smile.

What's your favorite thing about making bath products?
My favorite is coming up with new things- the “idea” phase of the product. Though I must confess, I
do love the rest as well: the actual making of the product, and preparing it for shipment...”the final
touches” really are fun for me. I never want to lose that feeling of creating a smile on the other side of
the shipment.  Each and every item is special, and as equally important as the first one that I ever
created.

The Bakery's Best Chocolate Bundt Cake- SoapYour store is diverse, how do you come up with the ideas for new products?
Hmmm... Seriously, they “pop up”... I am not sure exactly where they come from. I will be doing
something, and think, “Wow, I really should come up with something that....” Then, a new idea is
born.

Do you have a personal favorite from your store?
As far as appearance, I love the dessert themed products. My favorites though, for personal use, are the Whipped Body Cremes. They won me over, they absorb so quickly- making your skin so soft. Of
course, they are best after a bath- so you need the soap, teas, soaks, or bath bombs to make the
experience complete.

Sugar Plum Fairy Whipped Heavy Creme for the BodyWhat do you consider essentials for anyone wanting to create a spa experience at home?
A favorite bath product in their favorite scent, soft music, candles, and happy thoughts. I hope to be a
part of that experience for them.

With the holiday season approaching and the weather turning colder (and drier), home spa products make the perfect gifts.  As you shop, limiting your selections might be a bit trickys, so Braggin' Rights is offering some epcial holiday discounts to make shopping even easier:

Every day, the Braggin' Rights homepage features a select item on sale (20% off by daily promotional code).
Become a member of Braggin' Rights Bath and  receive 10%  off every item plus otherexclusive discounts for members only.
In additional, they are offering 15% off the purchase price on an order (with promotional code: FWR15)  to anyone reading this article.

To see the complete line of bath items and use take advantage of these special promotions, visit Braggin' Rights Bath.

Embarking on new territory – selling my own creations online, these sites (and the people on them) offered exactly what I was looking for.  Suddenly, I wasn’t operating in a vacuum and was able to join discussions with people who were finding their own ways to navigate the Internet.  Ann of Made For Me By Oaklie is one of the people I found.  She is amazingly supportive and encouraging - offering advice, promoting other online shops, creating marketing graphics through her company My Helping Hands Graphic Designs … and so well organized.  This is a trait you cannot under-estimate when you’re wearing many proverbial hats.   To top it all off, she is incredibly talented.  Visit Made By Me For Oaklie and you will find beautiful accessories in a rainbow of gorgeous colors.

With the weather turning colder (at least here in New York it is) and the holiday shopping season around the corner, her scarves, wraps and shawls are the perfect accessories to keep you warm.  In addition, she creates crocheted jewelry that adds an extra sparkle once the outer layers are shed.

Read below to learn more about Made For Me By Oaklie, My Helping Hands Graphics Design and the woman behind them.

Knit Scarf: Ebony & LaceWhere do you find inspiration for your creations?

For me the inspiration comes from the yarn itself. I am drawn to intense colors, textures, sparkles,... lol. Once I see something I like it’s in the cart and in my mind what I want to create.

I try to create a variety of styles.. lacey, fluffy, bulky... after all... who says scarves are just for winter?!

What do you like most about working with fiber?

I have always enjoyed creating and working with my hands. Knitting and crochet are a way to express my creativity and keep those fingers busy! I so love the art that I do not sit and just watch TV anymore.. I am watching TV and working at the same time! I love all the variety one can have with knitting and crochet! Hats, scarves, afghans, doilies, tops, sweaters... the list is endless!

Wire Crochet Bracelet Hot Pink LaceIs there a project or item that you're most excited about?

I get excited over all my projects. I will have to say though that I have started wire-crochet jewelry which I love and the pieces are so unique. I have to confess that I don’t do near enough.. kills the fingers. I plan to do much more for this spring!

You're very involved with the crafting community, what would you recommend other craftsters do to meet like-minded people?

I have found that networking is a great source of advertising. Not only do you meet some wonderful people and fellow artisans, it is a way to get your name out there! I can honestly say that it is thru networking that Made for Me by Oaklie has grown. There are sooo many great sites to network on... the more you network the more you are out there in cyberland. It is a lot of work keeping up with it all but I have to say I love every minute of it and the best part is I have made some wonderful friends that way too!

Why did you start Helping Hands Graphic Design?

I started My Helping Hands a few months after Made for Me by Oaklie. I had to learn as I go and decided to provide a service to help other artisans who don’t have the time or software to design and brand their shops. I know it’s hard to get started and brand your shop so.. My Helping Hands Graphic Design was born.  I love creating and this is just another way for me to express that.

You can learn more by checking out the Made For Me By Oaklie blog and visiting the Artfire and Etsy shops. Also check out the My Hepling Hands Graphics Design blog, with the season approaching, it just might be time to think about a  holiday-themed logo.

Rachel Ephraim, a NYC based writer found this to be true while working on her own writing.  Looking for the support and direction of a writing group, when she couldn't find one that met her needs, she started her own.  As the Director of Freebird Workshops, she offers budding writers an intimate setting to share their work with other authors, get valuable feedback and set attainable goals. Rachel's manner is playful and gentle while her direction is clear.  This nurturing environment provides precisely what a writer requires to overcome creative hurdles and complete great work

Passionate about writing, Rachel takes some to share her advice and speak about Freebird Workshop.

It makes me take my own advice into consideration. I say things to other writers that I know I don't do, but should. In this way, I have become less lazy.

Also, I have been inspired by the dedication, the talent, and the creativity I have seen from FreeBird writers. This buzzing energy is the best cup of coffee I could ever want.

To learn more about Rachel and the workshops, visit Freebird Workshops.

Imaginary FriendsYou may not know this, but there is a robust radical stitching community out there.  I've been stitching for ages. Developing my own style of the past few years, I would show new work to artist friends who were encouraging and crafty friends who found it unique, but I didn't know anyone else who loved stitching as much as I do.

Thank goodness for the Internet!  One day last year, I was playing around and typed in "artistic embroidery" and a whole new world opened up.  I found people working with fibre in new ways, pushing the boundaries of subject and medium to redefine "arts and crafts."  One my first (and favorite) finds was Mimilove. 

Mimilove combines not only paint and stitching, but also realism and whimsy, in animal portraits.  Each piece she creates is completely different in personality.  Each one contains so much detail, you will find something new each time you look at her pieces.  You will remark her creative talent and also giggle just a little bit.  The giggles continue when reading her blog where she shares her process and her favorite details in each piece.

Last December, I commissioned a portrait of my beloved Ollie.  Working with her, I found that the whimsy infused in her portraits comes from the woman herself.  She is bubbling over with it.  In a few emails, it became clear that she loves what she does.  Curious about her work and the woman herself, I had to learn more.

Henry

Your mix of embroidery and painting is completely unique. How did you develop your technique?

OOOOO... there were all sorts of factors and inspirational folks that led to it really; years of painting on canvas (large scale acrylics), a love of embroidery but never actually doing it, the yen to explore watercolours again and a complete inability to stick with one thing for more than ten minutes without being distracted and moving onto the next thing....next question! ;0)

To be honest it was the materials I had to hand at the time that kick started it.

Plop the TurtleI set out with the intention of exploring embroidery and after a bit of internet action came across the work of Aimee Ray and Tilleke Schwarz. Their work really opened my eyes, I had embroidery in my head as being all satin stitch shading, complicated stitches and totally unapproachable without taking a course etc.

So their work and encouraging words (after a bit of email pestering!) spurred me on and I initially started with just stitching onto canvas, not a whiff of a watercolour in sight...that was the next project

I then had a chance meeting with British artist Jake Sutton who very generously gave me a copy of his book The Importance of Drawing from Life, along with some very wise words and a huge amount of inspiration which kick started the painting

The two came together because I felt the stitching was lacking something. I initially collaged some of my watercolour efforts onto the canvas and stitched them, which I kind of liked but it just wasn't quite "there"... it just seemed the next logical step to try the watercolours direct on to the canvas and Bob's y' uncle! It's just grown from there really! :)

How do you describe your style?

Fluffy with a lump of mixed media!

I've been painting pet portraits for as long as I can remember so it's been a natural continuation of that really...I do people and other stuff too though...I just think I've got a better understanding/more of an affinity with animals! 

I've shared my life with furry, spikey, feathery chums as far back as I can remember and I'm still surrounded by them! As I answer this, there's 2 flavours of kitty sprawled out with legs in the air, a frankly weird guinea pig scuffling around and a snoring hedgehog!

It just feels right.

ElephantsAnd look at them; colours, textures, character, they've got it all going on and they're less likely to complain that I've made them look too old etc :)

Cor blimey, can't choose!

Love the painting; you can't beat the feeling of sloshing a bit of colour around!

I paint quite quickly (hence some of the dribbly/splashy bits!) otherwise I get caught up in minor details, over work and ultimately ruin it...Mr. Mimi knows the signs now, so I rely on him and tea/cake/nap breaks to stop that happening

Love the stitching; that's the bit where I can sit quietly and really go for it on the details! It's the most time consuming part of the process, although that is partly because it takes me so long to thread a needle these days

Love commission pieces; I cannot explain how much I enjoy working on these. I love every part of it and I try to incorporate everything I know/been told about the subject to make it extra special for the recipient

Blimey that's a toughy!

I would have to say all the commissions or works that have featured somebody's loved one (as opposed to, say, a random kitty or dog etc).

They can be quite stressy because I want to get it right, especially if the subject in question is no longer with us, but it's such a lovely feeling when you do.

I try and go the extra mile and to know you've made someone happy, laugh or cry (in a good way!!), that all the research, getting to know the you or the subject etc has worked, you can't get better than that!

You can see more Mimilove on her website.  You can also buy her work and commission your own pet portrait (which I highly recommend) on her Etsy shop.

Rainbow Flower Broaches

Linda's work is truly unique.  Blending decorative arts with folk sensibilities, she creates pieces that can be worn or displayed.  Each one catches the eye with its simple charm, upon further inspection you notice the texture, brushwork, embroidery, color gradients - creating a story.  Somehow bold and delicate at the same time, her work has beauty and maintains a sense of levity.

I came to find that her whimsy and spirit are part of her personality.  Linda has an eye for beauty, seeing color and inspiration in the world around her.  Her blog, full of her thoughts and inspiration show this world through her eyes.  There is beauty in everyday items, and this beauty translates into her work. Seeing her work, I want to know what she sees and perhaps glimpse the world through her eyes.

Best of British Tuck BookmarksHave you always known you wanted to be an artist?

Since I was twelve years of age I have been aware that I was born an artist. I loved textures, and fabrics and have always been drawn to vivid colours. I was brought up around the world, Trinidad, Canada, and Bahrain is were I spent my childhood.
I came back to live in Scotland at the age of 14. Since I was 18 months old I had lived abroad. This has had a major influence on my work in so many different ways. I am very drawn to cultures of different peoples and countries. Folk art and it's simplicity has influenced the content of my work. Each piece evolves and forms a story from my observations of life.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I am very Scottish and proud of it yet I have a pride in being British too. My bookmarks are telling little stories about our culture and it's characteristics, the 'Tuck' Bookmarks describe the things I love to eat and remind me of being a child.
The 'Sentiment' Bookmarks remind me of songs Scottish and English that celebrate British life ... I like quirky things and also like to inject humour wherever the notion takes me.

Do you have a favorite medium to work with?

My favourite mediums are watercolours, gouache, and felt, threads, beads and canvas. I flit between all of these and sometimes have them all present in the one artwork.

Best of British Sentiments BookmarksHow would you describe your work?

I am an eternal romantic and always look on the bright side of love ... hence my flower brooches are an expression of my desires to brighten up and lighten up life with things that make people smile. My red red rose brooch is inspired by the Scottish Poet Rabbie Burns who comes from the village of Alloway near the town of Ayr where I live in the West Coast of Scotland.

You have such a wonderful sense of color, how to you choose the color schemes in your pieces?

My colour sense is innate, I was born with it and am very aware how precious it is to me. I like to wear
bright scarves and cardigans against a palette of black. And in my work I like to bounce colours off each other! The more unusual combinations the better!

You can see more AeFondKis on Etsy, and the works as they are completed by following her on Flickr.  To start the new year right, keep up with her daily inspirations on her blog.  

We are very powerful.  Our thoughts influence quite a bit - our attitudes, our body language, the way we interact with others, the way we see the world.  This combination of thinking, responding and acting (even on a subconscious level) work to help us meet out goals. 

Paula Brett is New York based artist who lives the life she wants.  She's positive and believes that the universe (and her own intention) provides what she needs in life.  She does this by manifesting: focusing on what she wants as a means to get there. 

Here she discusses manifesting and how it works for her.

What does "manifesting" mean to you?

As an artist, how does manifesting work with the creative process?

I started understanding the relationship between emotions, vibrations, and manifesting with Lynn Grabhorn's book, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting.  I'd also recommend any of the Abraham-Hicks books to get started.  From there, check out any of the authors through Hay House Publishing.  And I might also recommend buying our Manifesting Mobile! 

Paula Brett is an artist, performer, and educator living in New York City.  Incorporating various combinations of media, her work deals with ideas such as created identity, coincidence, ritual, and transitory spaces.  She has presented work in the New York Studio Gallery; PAC/Edge Performance Art Festival, ARC Gallery, Vietnam Veteran’s Art Museum, and Spareroom in Chicago; in Phoenix, Arizona; Budapest, Hungary; and Timiosoara, Romania. Paula is also a co-creative director of The MPL Project, promoting and sharing the ideas of Magic Passion Love, artfully. 

You can see more of Paula's work on her website.

Artistic Will Studios

The inspiration doesn’t stop with the works.  Artistic Will celebrates all of life little moments – it’s a world full of abundance.  And that abundance is better when shared.  The Raining Gratitudes site was started for this reason.  People are invited to join this Ning community and speak about what they are grateful for.  Positivity spreads in so many ways. 

The mastmind behind Artistic Will speaks about art, inspiration and the things that make life wonderful.

How long have you making your creations?

About four years.  First, I made them for gifts, sold them locally, and started selling on line about six months ago.  It was a way to help with finances after my mom had her first stroke.  I love the sparkle of glitter; painting was a stress reliever during a difficult time.  I truly believe gratitude works wonders, I was thankful her health was improving and I was able to create beautiful glitter art. 

How did you come up with your technique?

I'd taken a class several years ago. It was a rubber stamping class that taught how to use glitter to create a stained glass effect.  I loved the effect of the glitter, but hated how the stamping would smear on the acetate and the mess of the loose glitter.  Working with much trial and error (mostly error), I came up with a better technique.  All illustrations are created on my computer, then glitter paints and a brush is used control the detail. 

I notice you use the ocean and sea creatures as themes in a lot of your work, do you have a particular affinity for the sea?

I just like the ocean and the sea. The ocean sea life creatures are beautiful, colorful and the images are very calming. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

I love nature and all of its beauty. There are so many references in the world around us: nature, flowers, birds, seasons, animals, the list can go on forever.

 What made you start your Raining Gratitudes community?

I’m a true believer that having gratitude helps make the world a better place.  People are less depressed or stressed, if they focus on all the good around them.  Being thankful help us realized how lucky we, how much we have, and how precious life is. 

Being positive has healing energy, compared to being negative energy that is very damaging. 

I wanted to make a site where people could share what they were grateful for in life, get FREE advertising by posting a link and photos of their craft.  Then friends could read these posts about Gratitude and see some creations by talented artist.   It’s still a work progress.

You can see more work by Artistic Will on Etsy or in person at the Whittier Art Gallery in Southern California, through September 27, 2009.