Inside Fairina Cheng's Etsy Shop

Tell me about you and your Etsy shop.


People that make things with their hands amaze me. But I never thought that I’d be one of them. My fascination with jewellery design started unexpectedly. First with a thought, then a short course, and a growing sense of realization. A week later, I was looking at jewellery design as a career.


I opened my Etsy shop, Fairina Cheng [Contemporary Jewellery], in April this year and am working hard to fill it with beautiful things. My jewellery combines the conceptual,design-oriented approach gained from my Diploma in Jewellery and Object Design with the practical hand skills obtained from an ongoing course in Jewellery Manufacture. The result is contemporary, high quality jewellery with a distinctly unique aesthetic.


What does “handmade” mean for you?


Being part of a “handmade” community like Etsy means having that special connection with your work, as well as the people who own it. It’s not often that you go into a shop and buy something directly from the person who made it. Even less so the person who packaged,
photographed, promoted, designed, developed and created it.


A lot of time and dedication goes into bringing each piece to life. My jewellery is made in small runs, one-off or made-to-order and I think of each item as having its own special character – ‘that’s the one that’s travelling to Jess in New York’ or ‘that’s the one I’m making for Michael’s secret proposal’ (names changed of course)! This just isn’t something that can be matched with mass produced pieces.


What is your most recent project?


This year, I was selected for a three-month graduate residency program at SquarePeg Studios in Newtown, Sydney. This has given me a fantastic opportunity to develop a new,unique collection that explores stainless steel mesh as a material in jewellery. My work during this period will explore colour, texture and the fabric-like qualities of stainless steel mesh, with a new collection to be launched in September 2012.


In addition to the residency, I have plenty of new designs that are just waiting to be brought into reality. There are also some upcoming retail and exhibition opportunities that I am very
excited about! My Facebook page for all things jewellery is the go-to place for the latest news.


2012 has been busy, but it’s feeling like it’ll be a good year!


Find out more

Keep up with the latest updates and offers on Facebook &
Shop now on Etsy
Thank you Fairina!

Interview with Tanya and Dimity from Rosemyn Vintage

Tell me about you and your Etsy Shop

If you love it don't let it slip through your fingers and be gone forever...

Rosemyn Vintage is a mother and daughter partnership. Our etsy store opened in September 2011.
We have handmade jewellery, vintage clothing and accessories, vintage homewares and sewing patterns for sale in our store. We are members of a number of Australian and overseas teams. 
We love making treasuries and feel this is fabulous promotion for our store.
Dimity has been making jewellery for the past seven years. She started when she was 13 years old. A vast majority of pieces that she makes are unique and are made of new and recycled materials. All of them involve lots of love and time.
Tanya helps make the jewellery but is the main person behind the shop front, facebook and other technology.

What hand made and vintage mean for you?
Wouldn't you prefer to be the owner of a OOAK piece whether it be a beautiful handmade piece of jewellery or a vintage fashion treasure that no one else will have, than have some mass produced product. Her grandmother scouts op shops and garage sales for any old jewellery that Dimi can pull apart, mix with other components and upcycle into her own creations. She has been asked to make a number of bespoke pieces for people to wear to special occasions.
My husband and I (Tanya) are building a stone cottage on our property "Rosemyne" which is filled with vintage treasures that we have collected over the years. Anything unusual or rustic appeals to us - we love all things eclectic!

What is your recent project/find/creation?
Most recent creation would be the over-the-top beaded choker necklaces.
We have recently entered one of our shank button creations in shades of silver, purple and grey into a local "Waste Art" competion in the Inverell Shire - we will keep you posted on that one! We are starting a weekly "Find of the week ..." on our Facebook page beginning this week.


Whant to find more about Tanya and Dimity? Visit them on madit or twitter !


Thank you!
xoxo
Lesley

Inside the studio of Debbie from the Smile Emporium / Exciting Recycling

 
My husband took some time off work and did it as an owner builder. In the process we had the TV ariel off for 3 weeks. While we were never big TV watchers just having it as“ not an option” at night was great. We learnt new skills on the internet. With my interest in recycling and an Aunt who makes lovely hook rugs,I learn how to make toothbrush rugs.
After the roof went on we never put the ariel up again. Four years on we have an adorable little boy,(the older kids are wonderful with him) I’ve learnt how to play the ukulele, make ballon animals, wire wrap jewellery, knit (My mum started me off) make pendants, we read the bible and much more.

My shop The Smile Emporium, goal is “to assist a smile to creep to your face” I try and create items that make people smile. I have a passion for recycling so it’s a major theme in the shop.There is a mix of creations using new and recycled materials. 
Quirky button stuff, National Geographic pictures in cuff links and pendants; birds nest jewellery; coffee cozys; bow tie scarves, aprons with matching chefs hat; rag rugs; and bags.

I’m always looking at peoples clothes and possessions and thinking -How else could I extend the useage of this item in a way that it functions well and looks good. The other part of my process is asking myself questions like, “Will the item potentially be a positive addition to someones life?”. For example aprons encourage creativity and skill building, bags carry our things allowing us to particpate in outings, rugs warm the feet. Buttons remind us that the simple things in life are beautiful. National Geographic pictures in jewellery have an element of recycling and promoting the beauty around us that is to be enjoyed yet treated so others in the future can enjoy it as well.

What handmade means to you? 

Collins English Dictionary says it well.(Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Crafts) made by hand, not by machine, esp with care or craftsmanship.

Recent project

It Is winter so while recovering from Glandular fever knitting scarves has been great.Want to find more about Debbie and her lovely shop visit now her facebook page or her etsy shop.

THANK YOU DEBBIE
xoxo
Lesley

Interview of Etsy Seller Lucy from Liquid Silver Design

Hi,

With my new years resolutions (made in march instead of january) I ve decided to: quit smoking (yes it is 3 weeks now and I feel so much better), learn to crochet, and last but not the least set up twice a week an interview of a special Etsy seller.

My first guest  is Lucy from Liquid Silver Design 

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Lucy, I'm 23 and live and work in the beautiful rural county of Suffolk in the UK. I have a full time job working in the electricity industry and discovered my passion for making jewellery about a year ago. I have always been creative and come from a family full of very talented artisians. I became a registered member of the London assay office at the begining of this year and started sharing my passion with the rest of the world!

I love all crafts not just silversmithing and I have a love of all animals big and small at home I'm kept company by my 4 loveable but very naughty cats, my snakes, 2 geckos and 2 tarantulas.



Tell us a bit about your jewellery

My jewellery started out as a hobby making pieces for myself and gifts for family and friends. When people started asking where I get my jewellery from I decided it was time to jump into the online craft market. Every piece I make is something personal to me, I never make something just for the sake of it. 
I take my inspraition from everything around me the beautiful shapes, textures and colours found in nature are so vauleble to me. If I go out for a walk I will collect leaves, flowers, twigs and generally anything that takes my fancy.
I also love my garden I'm very lucky to have a large south facing garden where I grow flowers, fruits and vegetables often just because I like thier shapes and want to replicate them in silver.



Your recent project



My most recent project is getting to grips with stone setting I have recently made my first piece using dichroic glass I love the way it sparkles and changes colour when light hits it!



Click here for more details

Apart from jewellery I'm working on several sewing projects. I love sewing but have not touched a sewing machine since school! luckily I have a very talented and very paitent friend who is teaching me... although it is like starting from scratch again! 



If you were not an arist, what would you be

?

ooooo Thats a tough question! there are so many things I would love to do... but I would probably have to pick zoology! I adore animals and think the conservation of endagered speices is very important and something we should all think about... I mean do we really want to be in a position where all we are leaving our children is photographs?
I have a perticular love of snakes I spend half my life trying to help other people that these beautiful, graceful and frankly amazing animals and not just the scary monsters you see in the films.



Thank you!