Jen McCleary Art and Design » etsy

Etsy shopping: silver earrings

Jen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:43:11 +0000

I just got these lovely silver earrings in the mail from discomedusa. I’ve been looking for new earrings for a while and these are perfect! I wanted hoops that I could leave in all the time, but something more unique than the plain hoops I’ve been wearing. These are 14 gauge for slightly stretched holes, but she also makes them in 18 gauge for regular holes.

I also like this version with copper:

Jewelry Inspiration

Jen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:20:41 +0000

I’m taking a class in jewelry design and metalsmithing, which starts next Monday. I decided it would be a good idea to have something in mind that I want to make, so I searched Etsy for things that I love. I tried to find things that are actually fabricated from metal instead of just beaded or pieced together. I actually had a harder time that I expected finding pieces that I thought were really unique and inspiring. I found some really nice pieces with beautiful gemstones in plain bezels, but didn’t include them unless they were really unique somehow. I didn’t spend too long searching for things that incorporated watch parts or gears, because it just irritates me how little is being done in that vein that is original at all. It’s somewhat infuriating to see shops with pieces that obviously took no more effort than attaching a found watch part to a chain or a premade adjustable ring, and then selling tons of them for rather a high price. (Sour grapes? Righteous indignation at an apparent lack of originality being rewarded?) Anyway, here are some lovely things that I found…some common threads seem to be texture, a feeling of organic-ness, drilled holes or other patterns…

Rustic Moonstone band by Silver Sparrow Designs (I love the combination of the moonstone with the oxidized, textured silver)

Fossil Dream by silvervine (great fossil in an interesting setting)

Inger Spinner ring by lunaticart (fun and textural!)

Circuitry by aprilkawaoka (I love the patterns in circuit boards- works really well here in ring form)

Nevada Variscite necklace by mcfarlanddesigns (beautiful stone- nice shape and color. I like that the bezel is textured to complement the stone instead of being perfectly smooth)

Starscape ring by bddesigns (I like how texture was added both by drilling and by adding material.)

icicle pendant by sirenjewels (I like the shape and how the metal encases the beads)

Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere ring by MikeandMary (more drilled texture, and I like how the pattern seems regular at a glance but is actually random.)

lunar flash blue labradorite pendant by nectarjewelry (more drilled holes- make this piece unique)

Spikulum Pendant with sapphires by amieplante (cool organic feeling to this one!)

Tree Necklace by SarahHoodJewelry (more organic-ness. This one is so cool. I probably couldn’t wear it though, I bet it’s poky)

Canary Yellow Giant Marble Necklace by barebumstudio (this one reminds me of my teenaged experiments with making necklaces from marbles and wire. I would heat marbles in the toaster oven, then drop them into ice water so they would crackle.)

Two Gear Necklace by katrinbird (A nice combination of watch parts and fabrication. Definitely something I want to explore)

Dino Ring by organick (the silver bubbles on the side make this a really interesting ring)

Silver-plated fork bracelet by erinschock (I tried to find some examples of jewelry made from utensils that were unique. I have a ring made from a spoon handle, and there are tons of such things on Etsy. I thought this bracelet was really clever.)

Fork Pendant by doctorgus (Another unique use of cutlery. I like how the tines have been woven together).

Galactic Ring by missyindustry (Looks like part of a retro spaceship or something. Awesome)

Cretian- Quartz Druzy Ring by MidwestAlchemy (I love this one. Very textural and organic.)

Silver Relic Pendant by StudioDax (Nice patina/oxidization/texture- looks like the moon)

Constellation Cuff by NixeNitz (More drilled holes! I really like what an interesting shadow it casts too.)

Amethyst Bubbles Pendant by metalology (beautiful simplicity and assymetry.)

Etsy Frontpage!

Jen — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:35:41 +0000

I just discovered that one of my digital collages had made it to the front page of Etsy on January 7! I found a screenshot on Flickr. I totally missed it! Funny the things you discover when you search for yourself!

Etsy Treasuries

Jen — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:24:02 +0000

I haven’t been checking the Etsy Treasury listings that much lately, but today I did for some reason. Good thing, because I discovered that I’m in three treasuries! That was a nice surprise. Things have been slow sales-wise (stupid economy!) but it’s nice to know that people are at least looking and liking.

First up is Poppy Love, curated by SugarRushJewelry:

Featuring my digital collage Autumn:

Next up is Earthly Delights, curated by totallytwisted:

Featuring my digital collage Apparatus:

And last, Charbleau (clever title!) by JunkyardGypsy:

Features my digital collage You Said:

Sneak Peek- New necklaces!

Jen — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:18:59 +0000

Some in-progress vintage optician test lens necklaces. I’m still working on sanding and sealing the backs, and then I have to put them on chains. Shouldn’t be too much longer before I finally have some new stuff to list in my Etsy shop!

DailyPhoto 02-16-09

Jen — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:03:36 +0000

Monday February 16, 2009.

Dylan the Parakeet’s collection of bird images. I think I feel bad that he’s all alone, so I started collecting birds to put near his cage. Although now that I think about it, it’s possible these are more scary than comforting to him. The drawing in the upper left is one I did for Thing a Day. The pigeon photo on the bottom is by my fellow Philly Etsy Team member Allison Ostertag. At one of the Philadelphia Independent Craft Markets we did a trade- she got one of my necklaces and I got some of her beautiful Philly photos.

Etsy Treasury- Persimmon Kiss

Jen — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:37:28 +0000

Here’s a pretty red treasury curated by CopperLeafStudios:

Featuring my digital collage Balance (prints available in my Etsy shop!):

Treasuries!

Jen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:58:54 +0000

I haven’t been checking the Etsy Treasuries section much lately, so I was happy to receive several messages this morning letting me know that my work has been featured in several Treasuries. They are all put together by my fellow Philly Etsy Team members, which is super nice considering that I’ve been a total slacker as far as being an active member of the group for the past six months or so.

The first Treasury is Philly Etsy Goes Green, curated by Studiocaptura, and featuring one of my collaborative postcards:

Next is Fascinating Flowers, curated by eclecticmeadow and featuring my digital collage print Autumn:

And finally, Feel the Love, curated by Cbeauty and including my digital collage print Faultline:

Etsy Treasury- I Like Crack

Jen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:29:00 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any Etsy Treasuries here. I mostly stopped looking for any that featured my work. But today ARThiel was kind enough to send me a note letting me know about a treasury she made. It features two of my digital collages! Thanks ARThiel! Lovely treasury!

Featuring my digital collages Shattered and Cracked:

And I LOVE this vase that was also featured:
Raku fired white crackle glazed Zen vessel by rmello

(Originally posted on http://jenmccleary.blogspot.com)

Etsy Treasuries I forgot to post

Jen — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:14:00 +0000

I was on the front page on my birthday!

Picking Up the Pieces:

Citizen 10000000:

(Originally posted on http://jenmccleary.blogspot.com)