Pixe's Picks March 18, 2009

Good Morning! Welcome to this week's Pixe's Picks!! This is the place where I showcase only the coolest artists on Etsy! Grab a cup of coffee, or your fave beverage, put up your feet, and enjoy this little tour of Etsy!!

This week I'm featuring mshalston and CalysJewelryCreations! Please give both of them a very warm Pixe Welcome!!!

First up is Carissa, of mshalston! Carissa is a describes herself as a wordsmith...she expresses her art through words and text. She tells me that she has been writing for 8 years and drawing for about 1 year.

This is how she says she got started in her craft: I started writing when I was in high school, but I start writing "seriously" when I got my first apartment. I lived alone and writing was what I did to fill my time.

Carissa chose Etsy as her selling platform because: Etsy has a great platform and a built-in audience. The visual aspect of the site is very inviting. That and posting items to my shop is easier than writing HTML for my website.

What is her fave item from her shop? That's hard to choose, but if pressed, I'd say it's this: Compromise, original ink illustration from Cleavage by Carissa Halston. I love it because it combines one of my favorite written pieces with a visual that effectively captures the tone of the play.

Pixe's Pick:

I love to read...while Carissa was writing to bide her time when alone, I was reading, and I still do!! My fave is " A Girl named Charlie Lester " I think from what I've read in the synopsis, I could have identified with her when I was a younger...and sometimes, now! This looks to be a great read!

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Next up is Dawn, of CalysJewelryCreations! Dawn says she has been crafting for as long as she can remember. This is how Dawn tells me she got her start: I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. My Grandmother always made sure I got cool presents, like latchhooking kits, embroidery and cross stitch. I also had an Aunt that introduced me to ceramics. I've also done some photography, mosaics, scrapbooking and polymer clay. I took a wire wrapping class at a local jewelry shop about 7 years ago to try something new and I was hooked...! I made some jewelry for myself and started making badge holders (lanyards) for girls at work who would ask me...that's when I decided to take the plunge and start my own biz. It was shortly after Katrina which was a life changing event for us. It seemed a natural progression and the something fulfilling I had been searching for. I work at a casino as a dealer and have for 15 years after getting a degree in Biology. I realized a couple of years ago that I've kind of come full circle....My Great-grandmother and my Grandmother owned a fine jewelry store for about 50 years...so I kind of have jewelry in my blood...lol. I wish I could have gleaned a bit of the knowledge they possessed about fine jewelry. I plan on doing some blog spots about my families history in the jewelry world.

Pray tell...why Etsy? I choose Etsy about a year and a half ago when I needed a place to sell my overstock of supplies. It seemed like the most well-known and economical way to destash so I could buy new beads..lol. I have integrated some of my jewelry into my shop, but the bulk of my sales come from supplies. I am transitioning the bulk of my jewelry to Artfire, I think they have a lot of potential, but will stay here at Etsy as well.( I hope I don't get bumped for that..lol)

Dawn tells me this is her fave piece from her shop: My favorite item from my stop has got to be my Dragonfly Obsession necklace. My biggest inspiration is the ocean and the life it carries and always will be, but recently I have had an obsession with dragonflies. I love the colors and feel of this necklace. It is not for the quiet and shy...freshwater stick pearls and kyanite gemstones.

Pixe's Pick:

LOL No, Dawn, I won't give you the boot for mentioning Artfire! Dawn has some really awesome jewelry in her shop. I'm going to break tradition here and show something from her Artfire shop! This is part of her new line, and I really wish I could wear this, I think it's that cool! I love her naked sandals! Definitely a must have beach wear!

Dawn has some really great destash in her shop, I know that to be fact, cuz I purchased some from her!!

Please, leave a comment, visit their shops and give them some love! They would love to know what you think!!

Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and creative week!

Mich