Carolina Handmade {AndelDesigns}

I have some beautiful jewelry for you today in the Carolina Handmade spotlight! I was introduced to Kim's lovely work through my new job at Tassels in Morehead City. We sell a collection of her jewelry there and it is truly gorgeous! I soon had to have my own necklace (the last one in the blog post!) and I get so many compliments on it! Check out her shop on Etsy and enjoy the interview!

Name:
Store:
Website:

How did you get started in your craft/art?
A friend from work started making jewelry several years ago and I really liked that all of her jewelry was unique so I started making my own as well. I live just around the corner from a wonderful bead shop called The Bead Lady and they have been so helpful in teaching me new tricks of the trade and their inventory is wonderful - they have beads that you don't find anywhere else. They have a knack for it and I've been lucky enough to pick it up! fyi - here's their website - - -
http://www.thebeadladyinconcord.com.


Is this your day job or a hobby?
This is a hobby. My day job is very analytical. I advise banks on mergers and acquisitions and help with the overall integration of the multiple banks so I use the left/analytical side of my brain on a daily basis. Designing jewelry allows me to use my right/random side of my brain. During the week, although I live in NC, I work in CA from Monday through Thursday. I work project plans, step-by-step, looking a parts of activities. On the weekends, back in NC, I work on jewelry and picture something holistically - I see what I want the finished product to be and then build it.


What is your favorite thing about creating/designing?
That I design one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry - you won't find another one like it. One of my favorite things is buying shoes, then I buy an outfit to go with the shoes, then I design jewelry to pull the entire outfit together. Jewelry is seasonal too - just like you buy new colors and sandals for the summer, the beads are summer colors and styles. I love being able to move from one season to the next.

Who is your strongest supporter?
My husband, Cary. He does things around our home that allow me extra time to make jewelry. He also has worked in interior design and is great with design and colors - he'll pull a picture out of a magazine of a beautiful piece of jewelry that costs thousands of dollars and I make something similar that doesn't even cost a hundred - it's a challenge!

What keeps you motivated?
There are beads available from around the world and they all can be mixed and matched to make beautiful jewelry - there is no right or wrong - it's what you like. Every time I purchase new beads, it's because I can see what they can become and that gets me excited. Right now, I have more inventory than I can make and I would love to be able to sit down and get everything made and then start all over buying again!

Any thing else you would like to tell us?
I started Andel Designs because I was making so much jewelry for myself and my family and friends that everyone started telling me I should start a business and sell it. It's tough for me sometimes to sell it because I design things I love and then I want to keep them, but there is no way I could wear it all. The name of my company is a little unique. Andel is the Czeck word for Angel and one of my favorite quotes is by Michelangelo, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." I use a great deal of Czeck crystals in my designs and feel like I see beauty in each piece and work until I get something that is one-of-a-kind.

Thanks for sharing with us Kim! I love my necklace:)

update....

CAT, myself and the furbabies are all moved into our new house and are quickly getting settled! My workshop is coming along nicely and I will have a few new product photos for you next week - including Monogrammed bags!

Happy creating!

spray paint is my new favorite {DIY}

I attacked my old wicker set with a few cans of spray paint this weekend. I am really starting to love this stuff! Everything looks instantly better {if not newer!} at a cost of about $3/bottle. Plus, I'm not creating additional waste in the landfill by just throwing the stuff out. Here's the transformation:

Did ya'll do any crafty projects this weekend?

Tasty Thursday {Grilled Veggie Pockets}

Happy Thursday Lovelies! It's been a gorgeous week here on the Crystal Coast! Our days are filled with painting, unpacking, hanging pictures, and lots and lots of yardwork. We did manage to get back into the swing of cooking last week and these grilled veggie pockets are delicious and super easy. This would make a great side at a cook-out or summer party, with individual pockets for each person. If you have kids, they could fill their own "pockets" with veggies of their choice as a DIY activity. Would this help kids eats their veggies? Worth a try, right?!?

Here's the ingredients:
Bell Peppers
Onion
Zucchini
Spices like Adobo, Season Salt, Cumin, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme
and whatever other veggies you like! mushrooms & carrots would be good additions.

Here's how to do it:

Cut one tinfoil piece for each serving you will be grilling.

Chop veggies into bite size pieces and place one serving size on each piece of tinfoil.

Sprinkle your array of seasons on your veggies. Take it easy on the salt if you are using something like Adobo, which already has salt in it.

Make a pocket with your tinfoil, closing it loosely before putting them on the grill. {p.s. Do you like the countertops at our new house?!? love them!}

Grill for about 25-30 minutes at about 400 degrees. Check halfway through and move to the top shelf or away from direct heat if the bottoms are getting burned.

Enjoy!

Carolina Handmade {Mine All Mine Monogramming}

I'm back today with another edition of Carolina Handmade! In the spotlight this week is Alice Rup of Mine all Mine Monogramming. I just love monogrammed stuff, don't you? Anything becomes instantly cuter with an initial or a name monogrammed on it. Alice makes simply the cutest stuff for babies, kids, and adults! Burp cloths, bibs, shirts, blankets, bags, and umbrellas are available. Here's her interview:

Name: Alice Bennett Rup
Company: Mine All Mine Monogramming
Store: online only through facebook page Mine All Mine Monogramming

How did you get started in your craft/art? My mother sewed all of our clothes and costumes growing up, so I have been around sewing for a long time. I got my first sewing machine about 10 years ago, but only used it for household items like curtains or aprons. Right out of college, I discovered how much cuter things were with a monogram or name on it. That is really when my obsession with monogrammed gifts began. I purchased my own embroidery machine about 1 year ago as I was spending so much money on gifts for friends wedding and baby showers as well as getting things monogrammed for my own son. I took a couple of lessons from the shop where I purchased the machine and practiced, practice, practiced. Soon, the little shirts and things I made for my own son and friends, other people wanted. That is when I decided that I needed to devote extra time to operating this little part time business.

Is this your day job or a hobby? This is a hobby that has really turned into a part time job. I work full time in a different field, but I spend about 15 hours a week (depending on season) creating items for my customers

What is your favorite thing about creating/designing? My favorite thing about creating is seeing customer’s reactions to the finished product and going out in public and someone asking me where I got the adorable shirt that my son is wearing. Being able to attend a baby or wedding shower with a gift that you helped to create and make extra special with personalization for a friend has is a great feeling.

It is funny to me when I go to shower with a gift I made, where there are people that I don’t know attending. You can see the look on people’s faces that all think I spent too much money! I love their reaction when I tell them that I made the gift!

Who is your strongest supporter? My strongest supporters are my friends and family. They are always enthusiastic about my creations and offer great suggestions.

What keeps you motivated? My customers keep me motivated. They are sooo enthusiastic, constantly praise the things that I make and send referrals my way. At the rate I am going, I am afraid to set up a real website or open a shop on Etsy because I already have a lot of business and I like to keep my turnaround time short.

Thanks for sharing Alice!

Visit Mine All Mine Monogramming here.

from gold to silver......{DIY}

.....in less than an hour! Here's my DIY project from the weekend. Our new kitchen had gold hardware on the cabinets and it had to go. But not at $2 a pop new knobs. A can of spray paint for $3.50 and about an hour of my time and they look great! And the kitchen is on it's way to being finished. Just the back splash & the floor left:)

the knobs before

a can of spray paint and one painted knob

 

 spray one side, let try, turn over, spray other side.  I put two coats on these.

Finished product!

What DIY projects did you do this weekend?

we scout wednesdays {artist, crafter, blogger}

*Today's We Scout Wednesdays theme over at Scoutie Girl is a favorite artist, crafter, or blogger. I am reposting my Carolina Handmade interview with Natalie from Stitches and Purls to participate!*

Good morning Lovelies! I am very excited to bring you a new weekly series called Carolina Handmade! This series will focus on a variety of artists from North Carolina and will showcase their talent, work, and ideas. I believe that art encompasses anything that requires use of your creative mind so you'll see artists, crafters, designers, photographers, event designers, sewers (sewing crafters, sew masters?) and more in the spotlight. I hope you enjoy the new series and learning about all the talented people in our beautiful state!

First up is the talented Natalie Lodato of Stitches and Purls. I won a headband from Natalie and few weeks ago and I love it! The colors are beautiful and you can really tell it is made with love and care and that Natalie really loves to knit. I'll let her take it from here!

Name: Natalie Lodato

Company: Stitches and Purls

Store: www.stitchesandpurls.etsy.com


How did you get started in your craft? To make a long story short - I taught myself to knit from kit about five years ago! I was at job training in NYC and decided I needed a hobby in my downtime :). Then about a year ago one of my best friends taught me to crochet. Little did I know that my hobby would turn into an obsession, favorite thing to do, and pseudo business.

Is this your day job or a hobby? For now - it is my hobby and side job. However, I would love for my designs & work to turn into something more permanent one day.

What is your favorite thing about creating? Hmmm... well I have a 'thing' about being unique. I love the fact that when I design - I get to make every item one of a kind. It is so much fun to pick out every aspect from the yarn to the construction to the finished product. In short? I'm kind of a control freak :)!!

Who is your strongest supporter? Oh gosh - I can't pick - definitely friends & family & my knitting buddy.


What keeps you motivated? Great feedback from customers! There is nothing more motivating than seeing or hearing how happy a customer is with a product that has so much of 'me' in it.

Any thing else you would like to tell us? Well - since this is for Carolina Handmade, it is relevant that I am a native North Carolinian :) . Born and raised! I have a great dog and a wonderful husband and family... and I hope ya'll will check out my blog & store to learn more about me and my work!

Thanks Natalie! It is so fun and motivating to hear other people's stories about how they got started and how they stay motivated! Check out Natalie here: Etsy, Stitches and Purls Blog, Facebook, and Flickr.

Carolina Handmade {Nicole Faby Photography}

Another great installment today in the Carolina Handmade series! Nicole Faby is amazing photography located in the Raleigh area and available for travel. She takes beautiful, artistic photos during her sessions and makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. I will let the photos speak for her talent! See the interview below:

Name: Nicole Faby
Company: Nicole Faby Photography LLC
Store/Website: www.nicolefabyphotography.com

How did you get started in your craft/art? I have always loved taking photos but the turning point was after my son was born!

Is this your day job or a hobby? I like to call it a dream job I get to do daily!

What is your favorite thing about creating/design/imagery? Capturing moments in time for people to treasure forever! And being involved in peoples most special moments every week! I am so lucky to be surrounded by new babies, new beginings, and SO much love!

Who is your strongest supporter? My friends and family are amazing!! They are always helping me with new ideas and promoting my business!
What keeps you motivated? My clients kind words and reactions to my photos

Any thing else you would like to tell us? Mention Marian and Perfect Chance Memories and receive $15 off a session! I travel too!!

Thanks for sharing with us Nicole! Don't forget to sign up for a session with Nicole, mention me, and receive $15 off!

we're moving!

Just a quick post today to let you know that CAT and I are in the process of moving into our new house! Which is why I have been slack on the posts since Wednesday. I promise to be back sometime tomorrow with this week's Carolina Handmade! It's a good one:)