Saturday, March 21, 2009

Star Motif Giveaway

Idaho Indie Works March giveaway,
featuring the art of Star Motif ...

A word from the artist: "I have been making jewelry since I was a kid and now I am able to sell my creations! I have always loved wearing jewelry. It has been really fun coming into my own as an artist and trying to find my niche. I am always trying new things, especially anything involving FIRE. I just wish there were more hours in the day to try everything! Thanks for reading my interview!!!"


An interview with the artist:

IIW: What item are you donating and why?
StarMotif: I am donating the "Gold Swirl" bracelet. I want SOMEONE to have this bracelet. It is one of my favorite bracelets that I have ever made but I can't seem to sell it even though every show I have it at everyone and I mean EVERYONE picks it up and looks at it. Now one of the wonerful people that enter this giveaway can have it.

IIW: What is the inspiration behind the piece?
StarMotif: I love swirls and swiggles. They are so whimsical and fun. I really love swarovski crystals and dangles and had to incorporate them in this bracelet.

IIW: What do you like about IIW and/or why have you joined IIW?
StarMotif: It has been very helpful to me to be in IIW team because we make selling opportunities for each other and keep each other informed about different festivals and fairs we can participate in. Plus it is nice to know that we are helping support our communities.




The Rules:
1. Go to StarMotif's
etsy page.
2. Leave a comment telling us your favorite thing at starmotif.etsy.com

3. Giveaway ends 31 March 2009, high noon, or whenever I check it on that day.

4. Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed, make sure we can contact you - leave your email address or etsy store.

5. One entry per person please.

6. One winner per giveaway.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Hill's Craft Show

Yesterday several crafters and I set up our wares at Hill's Valu-Rite for a fun day of selling and camaraderie. This was the first Idaho Indie Works event that I have participated in so I got a chance to meet the people behind the shops. I had heard of most of them through the Google group, but putting a face to a name was a huge bonus for me. And let me say, what a great group of people they are. Not only are they fun to be around, but they are all extremely talented. Just being around all those creative people kept me buzzing all day. We shared stories and brainstormed on new ideas. It was so much fun and I can't wait to get together with everyone again.

Here is a look at some of the creative forces who participated in yesterday's show.

Laurie and Susan from TLG Crafts


Elizabeth from Something More in Clay


Michelle from Dragonfly Stitches



Vicki from Backyard Bakery


Kathy from Lazy Kate


Kelli from daisy k design


On the left is Marilyn from Twiglets and Friends and on the right is Julie from Scraps

Claire from Red 4 Short

And this is me, Robyn, from Polka Dot Dreams

I apologize for those of you who I missed, like Megan from Star Motif and Ray from ConefineMenT.

A special thank you goes out to Marcia Hale who organized this for us and to the owners of Hill's Valu-Rite (1221 Broadway, on the corner of Broadway and Beacon next to Albertson's) for allowing us to share their store.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Finding Inspiration


Have you ever thought about the things that inspire you and where they come from? There are the obvious places like the mass media. I like to see what the new trends are out there and fashion magazines and soap operas will often give me ideas to work with. Sometimes just having that bit of quiet time in the shower will get my mind thinking about things.

But then there are the simplest of things that get my head spinning with new inspiration. I read a book this fall and the author mentioned one piece of jewelry that has now wanting me to create a whole new line based around that one item. And yesterday I went to Joann’s Fabrics to see if there was anything left worth getting before the store closed for good. I was looking through the small selection of leftover ribbon and trim when I saw one spool in particular that caught my eye. There was a rubber band around the ribbon holding it to the spool and the way the ribbon was all crinkled gave me a great idea for a new project. If it hadn’t been for that rubber band, I would have passed the ribbon by without thinking twice.

Have you ever had inspiration hit like that? What kinds of things do you like to do that help get the creative juices flowing? Please post a comment and share your story with us.

Idaho Indie Works On Etsy