EFA December Featured Artist - Stars Dreams and Jewels

EFA stands for Etsy for Animals which is a group of Etsy artists who are dedicated to helping our animal friends. We are featuring a wonderful artist this month, Jeanne from the Etsy shop Stars Dreams and Jewels. I really love Jeanne's whimsical bracelets, they are funky, bright and fun!

You can visit Jeanne and her wonderful creations at http://www.StarsDreamsandJewels.etsy.com.

Here's more about Jeanne.

1) Tell us your name and a little about you?
My name is Jeanne and I live in Whitewater, Wisconsin with my awesome husband Michael and my two dogs: Gertrude and Stella, my two cats: Winky and Domino, and my two rats: Stewart and Creme Brulee. I have a BFA in Metalsmithing and Textiles from UW Oshkosh. I have my jewelry for sale on etsy and at three local shops on consignment. I have an awesome part-time job at a beautiful gift shop in town. I am a busy housewife, avid cook, and baker. If you have a recipe, I can make it!!! I have taught art/craft classes through the local Park and Rec and Senior Center. I also participate in the community art projects through the local Arts Alliance.

2) Where can we find your Etsy shop? Are there any other places we can see your creations?
You can find my etsy shop at http://www.StarsDreamsandJewels.etsy.com and you can also view more info about myself and my work at http://jeannejewels.blogspot.com

3) What do you create and if multiple things, what is your favorite?
I am primarily a jewelry artist and have been making jewelry for over 15 years, but have many other art/crafts interests. Including but not limited to: fiber arts,polymer clay,mosaics,floral arranging, and many more. I love collage jewelry style jewelry. I also love to use recycled/repurposed items in my work. I love to experiment with new designs,techinques, and ideas.

4) Who or what inspires you?
I can/have been inspired by anything and everything. I can't really nail it down, it is just this need to create and work with my hands that holds my interest.

5) How many pets do you have and what are their names (any interesting stories about how they came to be your pet)?
My pets are all rescues of some sort. They have all been turned away by others as not being their "ideal" pet. I believed they deserved a second chance!!! They have all had some sort of physical or behavioral problem to overcome. My animal friends have, for the most part, overcome their difficulties. They are my loving friend and companions.

6) How do you give back to our animal friends? What charities do you hold near and dear to your heart?
I volunteer at the local Humane Society shelter (Jefferson County Humane Society, which was the September charity of the month). I help out at the shelter and also help with fundraising efforts by volunteering at the charity events and filling out thank you cards. I published a family cookbook this year and I give 25% to the HSJC. I have sold over 120 books in 5months!!!! Woohoo!!! I make fudge for the holidays and sell it at two local shops in town. I also sell my fudge through my husbands work, my sisters work, and private orders. I have established a fund for the rescued pot belly pig "River" at the HSJC. The HSJC found River on the side of the road suffering from starvation and neglect. It is very costly to house and feed River. I give 15% of my fudge sales towards this fund. River is now comfortable,happy and getting fat at the shelter. He is an awesome pig!!!

Etsy for Animals Featured Artist

Etsy for Animals (EFA) is a group of Etsy artists who dedicate a portion of their sales to helping our animal friends. We are featuring an artist a month from the EFA group and are proud to feature our first artist, Ciara from the Etsy shop Ciara Loves You. You can visit Ciara and her lovely creations at www.ciaralovesyou.etsy.com . Here's more about Ciara.

1) Tell us your name and a little about you?

I'm Ciara and my store name is Ciara Loves You! I've been making my own clothing ever since high school, but only started selling crocheted, knitted and fabric designs in 2004. My style comes mostly from the northeast, where I grew up and went to school, but is also influenced by the tropical colors and climate where I live now, in Miami. My day job is travel writing, which is just as inspiring--I love to bring back handmade goods from all over the globe! And when I'm not at work in some far-off region, I'm at home, snuggling my kitties, reading, and eating way too much ice cream.

2) Where can we find your Etsy shop? Are there any other places we can see Ciara Loves you creations?

My Etsy shop is www.ciaralovesyou.etsy.com, and I also have blogs at Vox (ciaralovesyou.vox.com), Livejournal (ciaralovesyou.livejournal.com), Blogger (ciaralovesyou.blogger.com) and Myspace (www.myspace.com/shopciaralovesyou). I spend most of my day in front of my laptop, as you can plainly see. :)

3) What do you create and if multiple things, what is your favorite)?

I could never pick a favorite thing to create -- one of my favorites right now is my newest design, an asymmetrical tank top with dove detailing. I also really like making crocheted clutches -- they're a mix of granny chic and classic glamour, which is what I like to think is my own personal aesthetic. And I know my cats' favorite things are the cat toys I test out on them! I have a line of Kitty Monsters, little felty beasts with catnip inside, as well as Hairballs, crocheted, furry balls with bells and catnip inside.

4) Who or what inspires you?

It sounds cheesy, but I'm inspired by just about everything. I love to sit along a busy street with a sketchbook and watch people walk by, and just analyzing what I see and reworking it to make it my own. My day job takes me to the Caribbean a lot, and through my visits there I've discovered how much I love bright colors, as long as they're done in the right way. When I lived up north, I wore mostly black and grey -- I didn't know what I was missing! And when it comes to comfort, I'm my own inspiration. I'm always thinking, "would this be comfortable for me to wear?"; it's my number one priority, because I have no patience for itchy, annoying, uncomfortable clothing, no matter how good it may look to someone else.

5) How many pets do you have and what are their names (any interesting stories about how they came to be your pet)?

I have two cats. The oldest is named Mr. Manny Ramirez, Supercat, after the Red Sox player. He's a bit temperamental with other people, but with his mama, he's a total snugglebug. Every time I sit down to talk on the phone, he climbs right up onto my lap; I think he thinks I'm talking to him! The youngest is named Little Papi Ortiz, after David Ortiz, also of the Red Sox. He's still a kitten, so he keeps Manny on his toes. The weird thing about him is, he doesn't like to cuddle--he likes to play, 24-7. And he's a toe-licker; anyone walking around my apartment in bare feet will eventually feel a scratchy little kitty tongue on her/his toes! Weirdo. :)

6) How do you give back to our animal friends? What charities do you hold near and dear to your heart?

I donate cat toys to local shelters, and I try to give to as many animal-related charities as I can. One of my recent favorites is an organization called Feral Friends out in Dallas, TX. I met one of its volunteers on a trip, and he was really passionate about his work, and totally inspired me to check them out. More on Feral Friends is at www.feralfriends.org.


Thanks so much Ciara and thank you for all you do for our animal friends!

Dressed Up Pack

Here are some of our Halloween and Christmas dressed up pup friends -- we are so glad to have them join our holiday pack!

Sasha

Sasha is an adorable Doberman at Illinois Doberman Rescue. NanjoDogz has donated a Dober Duds collar and leash so now when Sasha finds her forever home she can go in style! What a great looking gal -- I hope she finds her new forever home soon!

If you're interested in adopting one of their beautiful Dobies click on the link below.
http://www.ildoberescue.com/displaySection.php?id=1

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is nearing all to quickly! We are in the process of of adding all Christmas items to our store. Stop by often as we will be putting in new pieces now through December!

A Thank you from HSUS

I'm glad to say that one of my Pit Bull Halloween tiles sold and I was able to donate the proceeds to the HSUS to help in their effort to stop animal fighting.

A copy of the letter below:
Thank you for your contribution to stop animal fighting and other forms of animal abuse! Thank you, Nancy, for supporting our Animal Cruelty Response and Reward Fund.
Thanks to your support, we can put a dedicated, powerful team on the animals' side -- a team that helps law enforcement prosecute animal fighters, gives rewards that lead to the arrest and conviction of animal abusers, and cares for animals seized in animal cruelty and dogfighting cases. We're grateful that you've decided to support the Humane Society of the United States, and this special fund, with your contribution. Again, thank you.

Date: September 13, 2007
Amount: $18.00

Mixed Media Recycled Papillon

This is a mixed media recycled piece from various metal parts, wire, jewelry pieces and hand-sculpted polymer clay head.