I have a lot going on and a lot of preparing to do for __1337 Art so my blog will be exclusive to http://www.1337art.net Please feel free to bookmark that site.

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature Carvel Country Soaps from Alberta, Canada. Below you can find her interview:


1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I remember as a child, being no more than 6 or 7, helping my mom's friend sew doll clothes for my cabbage patch kids. I remember being thrilled to choose the materials for each outfit from her scraps and then see those scraps become something. It was very fascinating for me.

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

When I am not making soaps and things, I enjoy reading, golfing, curling, and scrapbooking.

3. What do you specialize in?


I specialize in handmade, paraben free bath and body products.

4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

Let's face it, those of us with shops on Etsy are there to sell, I saw opening up my shop as a way to get my products more exposure. The friendships and daily chats are an added bonus, I've met so many fantastic people because of Etsy.


5. How did you choose your shop name?

Carvel Country Soapworks- I live in a rural setting near the hamlet of Carvel & I make soap and other goodies. I love my shop name, it really ties everything together.


6. What are your hopes for the future?

Over the past few years I have seen tremendous growth in Carvel Country Soapworks both locally and on Etsy & I hope this trend continues. I am hoping to expand my product lines as well as add additional wholesale accounts.

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I love custom orders! I offer a number of fragrances and colors and will gladly put custom orders together. I have worked with a number of customers for various events such as baby showers, weddings, birthdays as well.


8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Bright, Spacious, my escape.

You can visit Carvel Country Soaps' Etsy Shop here:

http://www.carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com

And you can send Krysta a message via the Etsy Convo system or an email to soapworks@cruzinternet.com

Krysta is also offering a 10% discount for my blog readers! Just enter the promotion code: "BLOG" in the comments to seller at checkout. Just in time for the upcoming holidays! It is not too early to buy your loved ones gifts - and you can't beat handmade either!

Featured Items:

JUMBO Crayon Soap Set
Coconut-Lemongrass Bath and Body Bar
JUMBO Goat Milk Soap Bar

All available at http://www.carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading!

-
Christina
__1337 Art

It's been one month since we were married in Maui. I cannot believe how fast the time passes. There we were standing on the beach without shoes in our formal clothing at sunset. A sailboat and mountain range behind us, the crashing of the Makena Beach waves...such beauty.

I wanted to share some pictures of the jewelry I wore. The first picture is a bracelet made with black Mother of Pearl and Black Onyx. I didn't wear this piece at the ceremony, but I wore it plenty during the honeymoon. The random black and white swirl of the beads has a lovely iridescent glow to them.

This next bracelet is made with vintage lace, gunmetal, and sterling silver. The toggle is a pretty good size with a heart-shaped filigree pattern...the perfect focal piece. It's really hard not to wear this piece or any of these others on a daily basis. It fits snugly on my wrist, and the chain has enough slack to move.

This extravagant choker features vintage black lace, gunmetal, Karen Hilltribe fine silver, and a very elegant dichroic glass pendant. I originally wanted a large rose focal to match the clasp, but I couldn't get one in time, and this heart pendant was right in plain sight the whole time!

These gunmetal filigree earrings feature black freshwater pearls, sterling silver, and Cubic Zirconia. They are very comfortable to wear, and this is my first pair of chandelier type earrings - so they're extra special. The hearts on the post earrings are large enough to be noticed and to catch the sunlight, and small enough to not distract from the filigree and chains. I really like the way these turned out, and I want to make a variation of these for sale sometime in the future.

This short necklace is made with black freshwater pearls and gunmetal. I wore this alongside my choker, and the lengths worked out perfectly. The heart pendant rested over the pearls, and they both sat tight, yet relaxed.

And yes...I wore a black dress to match!

In a future post I'll have to show off my black diamonds, and I have a story to tell about our trip to Jared's to get our rings engraved...it will open your eyes to the world of "professional" jeweler chains.

Thank you so much for reading.

-
Christina
__1337 Art

I recently got back from my Maui honeymoon...very adventurous to say the least. We had some good times.

It's time to get to work! Christmas and the other holidays are creeping up...and I am far from prepared.

I'm moving into my husband's house, and I'm getting my own studio!!! The progress is slow, but every little step is so exciting. At the moment I am beyond thrilled that there is enough space on the floor in there for me to sit down. I still need to work on my thank you cards from the reception, and once I lay out all of my papers and embellishments I hope it rekindles my desire for collage work.

My Goals:

1. Blog daily
2. Add new items weekly to my shops: Etsy and Artfire
3. Send out monthly email newsletters.
4. Organize/finish my studio area.
5. Make many new items!

I am going to go on a supply binge that will hopefully tide me over until after the Christmas season, but I do love my supplies...

(if there is something you are wanting to see more of, at all, or just as a general suggestion please let me know email or comment so I can plan for it. :] )

__1337 Art is taking custom orders again! You can note me or send an email to 1337art@gmail.com with your serious inquiry/request.

Coming Soon:

New Stud Earrings.
Champagne Rose Stud Earrings.
New Gemstone Rings.
Gemstone Chip earrings.
Themed Cameo necklaces. (think Hemingway & Victorian)
Gunmetal and Antiqued Copper Filigree Rings.
Gunmetal and Antiqued Copper Filigree Chandelier Earrings.
And more...(!)

Look forward to daily blog posts hopefully by next week and new items in my shops.

Enjoy your weekend!

-
Christina
__1337 Art

I conducted a small survey with 160 participants regarding when they start shopping for Christmas gifts. If you take a look at this chart you'll notice that a majority wait until November and December.

These results have me thinking about my three shops (I recently opened one on Madeitmyself) and how to prepare them for the upcoming Christmas season.

I want over 200 items in my Etsy Shop, over 150 in my Artfire Shop, and at least 100 in my Madeitmyself Shop.

Since the times are slow I need to take this time to really evaluate my shops, my items, my supplies, etc. to determine what steps I need to take to make this season a successful one. My first step, obviously, is to use this down time to create new designs. Step two: organize my studio. I'm not going to fret and worry about low views and sales at this point, and as a result I have been away from the Internet and all things social networking for the last couple of weeks.

After my Honeymoon/Vacation next month I'm going to look over my design/new idea books and hoard on supplies in August so I can spend August and September sitting in the middle of my bead mess and create until my fingers threaten to stop working. Until then I'm going to utilize the supplies I currently have and work hard to keep my shops inventory stocked (and update my blog more often!)

Thank you very much for reading. I hope this chart is helpful to your business. And good luck this holiday season!

-
Christina
1337 Art

It's getting closer to Father's Day, and I've also just been meaning to contribute to my men's jewelry and accessory inventory for quite some time. I have some designs sketched out in my notebook, and I've already ordered the necessary supplies. I hope to be adding more men's items as early as next week with the focus being on necklaces.

If you would like something custom made for your father, grandfather, boyfriend, husband, or any other man in your life please feel free to email me at 1337art@gmail.com I would love to work with you to create something he will cherish.

Thank you so much for reading!!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.]

Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, stud earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:
Twitter / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire

I have been spending almost all of my spare time either trying to relax after a long week at work or working on new items for my shops. What I thought I knew about time management has seem to have gone out the window, and I haven't felt like I've had the time to create enough original pieces.

I've been focusing on stud earrings because I do love them, and a lot of people like them too.

I am having a real problem trying to clean up (as well as organize) my home studio so I can be most productive with my off time.

These next few days I'm going to try very hard to make a noticeable effort to clean things up. If you have any tips please feel free to post them! And if I pick anything up I'll be sure to pass the tips on to you.

Thank you so much for reading!!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.]

Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, stud earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:
Twitter / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire

In honor of Mother's Day I have decided to offer a free gift to my customers.

You can either:

Buy two pairs of stud earrings get one pair of 7mm round stud earrings in crystal clear or jet black Swarovski Crystal free!

Or you can:

Spend $10 or more (before shipping) and get a pair of crystal clear or jet black 7mm round stud earrings free!

There is a limit of one free pair of stud earrings per order.

****
You can get three pairs of handmade stud earrings for as low as $8! I have a variety of other stud earrings in sterling silver, surgical steel, shell, aluminum, gemstone, glass, and more! Prices will vary.
****

The free gift will be mailed out in its own black cotton filled box tied with a pink ribbon. You can give this to your mother on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10th) or you can keep it for yourself.

This free gift promotion is available in both of my shops:

http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.artfire.com

Thank you so much for reading!!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.]

Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:
Twitter / Myspace / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire

The sweet elixir. Nothing beats the smell of fresh coffee brewing in the morning before you trudge off to work. Nothing brings coworkers together quite like coffee either. It's like a universal language with the words being "friendship" and "mmm..."

I've been drinking it since I was 12, and since then I have turned many people onto it. Even after so many mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights I am always awe stricken when this beautiful liquid touches my tongue.

It's flavor and stimulating effects are like a recipe for inspiration. It heightens my creativity, and it is also relaxing. I don't drink coffee for the caffeine. I drink it for the taste - for the experience.

And off I go. To see if I can catch my favorite barista at the local coffee shop. Enjoy your day and your coffee!

Featured Product: Coffee Addiction Bookmark - available at my shop:

http://1337art.etsy.com

See Also: My How to Make a White Chocolate Mocha at Home post.

Thank you so much for reading!!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.]

Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:
Twitter / Myspace / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire