Meet Larissa of Reef Botanicals

Larissa is a member of the Handmade Artists Forum: http://handmadeartistsshop.com/ Along with her husband, Eric, she created Reef Botanicals ~ Handcrafted Soap and Other Indulgences. Independently, they both, as children were incredibly creative, working with knitting, photography, candle making, henna artistry and more. They didn't realize until after they were married that they loved to make things "from scratch." Hence was born an awesome creative team.


Their shop carries handmade soap lip balm, items for hair care, scrubs, a men's line, and ready-to-go gift baskets. Their soaps use only the best natural ingredients, in order to "give you a luxurious bath experience." They are user friendly, even to people who have allergies. Stop by their website, "Reef Botanicals" and find out more about the wonderful, useful, indulgent items they make: http://reefbotanicals.com/catalog/index.php Or pay a visit to their blog: http://www.reefbotanicals.blogspot.com/

Even today, Larissa carries forward the multi-creativity she expressed as a child. She first became a lawyer and a licensed face painter, and did both at the same time. (And yes, she continues to do both!) In becoming becoming what she calls "a soaper," along with herhusband Eric, she went back to her roots. Together they worked out recipes, stired the molten soap in the crock pots, trying to keep it from foaming all over the kitchen, and ransacked cabinets to see what they could put into their latest recipes. She's decided that "we're mad scientists!"

Vessel of Light

My newest ACEO (Artist Cards Editions and Originals) is "Vessel of Light ~ Shamans Rise." This is based on imagery and beliefs that I have held for over twenty years. Ancient traditions hold that shamans travel to find healing, knowledge, or other gifts, which they bring back for an individual or for their community as a whole. If anyone is interested in learning more about shamanism, please check out Michael Harner's Foundation for Shamanic Studies: http://www.shamanism.org/
(If you are interested in knowing more about ACEOs, scroll down to previous article.)

Meet Holly of Tuscan Road Designs

Holly is an amazing jewelry artist who sells her unique and diverse jewelry through her Etsy shop, Tuscan Road Designs: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuscanroad Whether it is a necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings, her eye for the beautiful is exemplified in every piece. She refers to her beautiful work as "an eclectic mix of mod and vintage," utilizing components such as semi precious gemstones, crystals and beautiful Lampwork beads made by herself and her son. She doesn't follow trends; she wants to set them by being consistently inspired, always keeping her eyes open for "that unique and beautiful bead or idea to incorporate into my designs."

Holly is inspired by nature, Old World icons, the world around her, nature, and architecture. Her incredible work began with a trip to Tuscany, Italy, where she visited the glass and bead factories on the island. And she was hooked. Returning home, she promptly took a class in making Lampwork beads, which she incorporates into her lovely jewelry pieces.

As if creating all that wonder jewelry weren't enough, she and her son Tanner take in baby Owls to rehabilitate for return to the wild. She describes the wonder of these little creatures, including the many different kinds of sounds they make. But you have to see it to believe it, so pay a visit to her blog: http://tuscanroad.blogspot.com/

Mystic Mountains Necklace

This necklace, "Mystic Mountains," was inspired by my practice of shamanism. During some of my shamanic (visionary) journeys, I went to a place in the sky where, off in the distance, there were beautiful, gem-like mountains. When I saw the faceted Rainbow Flourite, the stones looked so much like these beautiful healing mountains, that I had to make the necklace. The other components are Amethyst, Sterling Silver Accent Beads and lots of Bali (handmade) Sterling Silver spacers. If you are interested in learning more about shamanism, visit Michael Harner's site: http://www.shamanism.org/

If you are interested in this or other similar items, please visit my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Raedawn

My Visual Art ... ACEOs

In addition to being a jewelry maker, I am a visual artist. After training with a BFA in painting from Virginia Commonwealth University my work has been shown in galleries throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, Virginia, New York, Oregon, Idaho and New Mexico.

Currently I am working with what I thought was a new format called ACEO. ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. They are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches. Artists trade them, sell them, make prints and make and sell the prints. For more information on the history of ACEOs, visit Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACEO

I am working on a collection of four ACEOs; the theme is creation and the origin of the four sacred elements: fire, water, earth and air. These elements have been a recurring theme in the majority of my visual painting, drawing and mixed media art. They each have associations such as for fire: birth, illumination, power, and more. They are done in colored pencil. I will continue to share this collection as I work on it and welcome all comments.

Featured Artist Robin Hartman

Robin Hartman (aka Helen Puck) is an artist jeweler par excellence. She is also a mother with two toddlers and a part-time college English professor. Says the artist, "I've been involved in crafts ever since my tiny little looped balloons around a clothespin and called it a doll. Now, she makes everything from lovely cameo earrings to cross stitched pendant necklaces, from delicate origami paper (set in clear epoxy) pendant necklaces to lovely wire wrapped earrings and pendants. To see her work, visit her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/helenapuck
Robin also makes adorable wire wrapped bird' nests, which you can see on her blog, along with other creations: http://snipsansnails.blogspot.com/

Dream Again Jewelry by Stephanie

Stephanie walked into her first bead store at the age of twenty and never looked back. Overcome by the sheer number and types of beads in the shops, she bought a few things ~ some African Trade Beads, leather, and clasps, and she was hooked. She's been making one of a kind, handmade jewelry ever since, and is completely self-taught.

Growing up in the country in a small town in California, she was surrounded by creatures, domesticated and wild, from chickens to wild turkeys, from dogs to coyotes. The family business was grapes, and says Stephanie, "we had lots and lots of grapes." Being the firstborn in her family, she admits to being spoiled by her mother and attributes this to the beginning of her love for "pretty things."

Stephanie's original creations are made with with pliers and wire, chain, beads, and stones. When inspiration strikes, she starts dreaming up new ideas, which she turns into reality. She also does custom work and says, " I want to make your dreams a reality." To enjoy Stephanie's work, visit her Etsy store, "Dream Again Jewelry": http://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamAgainJewelry

Primal Garden

For most of my life I have been interested in primal and indigenous cultures and spirituality. This has led me to study shamanism as well as extended study of the Navaho culture, and of ethnomusicology. This love has taken root in my visual art, in my performance art and in my jewelry. As a performance artist, I have led participatory ceremonies related to a variety of issues including ecology and self awareness. This newest necklace, "Primal Garden," is an expression of this deep interest. The pendant has a very primal feel to me and, like the other Sterling Silver elements, was handmade by the Hill Tribe in Thailand. The Turquoise seemed to naturally fit, and the bronze Freshwater Pearls are an earthy element to the design, which is assemytrical.

The pendant, being the focal point, draws you into the garden, and the other components invite you to explore. To see this and my other jewelry, visit my Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Raedawn