I'm Back!

Hey guys, I know it's been a while, but I'm proud to say I'm back!  My goal is to start updating my blog once a week and to let you guys know about new products and lines.

I'm also excited to announce that I've opened up a second shop on Storenvy.  My Etsy shop (www.handmaidenvoyages.etsy.com) is still open for business, but I'm also extending my items to Storenvy and be seen at http://handmaidenvoyages.storenvy.com.

Take a look by clicking the link above or the banner below!:

 

I'm pretty excited to introduce some new items, including some friendship bracelets that I've been working on. They're great for stacking with other pieces, are made to the size you need and I can easily customize them for you, too.  One of my favorite friendship bracelets from my new collection is a small glass seed bead bracelet with black and bronze beads with a blue focal bead with gold and silver swirls on it.

Check it out!: https://www.etsy.com/listing/223218325/black-and-bronze-friendship-bracelet


Don't forget to like Handmaiden Voyages on Facebook to see some of the latest news about my shop and newest products! www.facebook.com/HandmaidenVoyages

Fabric Covered Button Earrings

Fabric covered button earrings -- just another fun piece of jewelry I've wanted to make for some time!  These animal print fabric covered earrings are made with a black and white striped zebra print fabric.  I really love the way they came out!  I have more pairs to list, including some leopard print ones, and I have some giraffe print button earrings on my to-do list.

www.zibbet.com/HandmaidenVoyages/artwork?artworkId=2026701

This is the first pair of button earrings that I've added to my Zibbet shop.  What do you think?

Wire Wrapped Pea Pod Pendants

I'm so excited about these new pea pod pendants I've made.  I've wanted to make them for a while and when I did, I was thrilled with the way they came out.  I really enjoy making wire wrapped jewelry, so it was fun to carefully wire wrap these glass pearls to make delicate pea pod pendants.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170353477/grey-pea-pod-necklace-gray-pearl-pod

 

I haven't listed these on Zibbet yet, but I plan to very soon!  What do you think?  Pea pod pendants make a great gift for moms, sisters, and friends.  They can be worn as is, or to signify twins, best friends, children, or sisters!

I Pledge Handmade!

What is it to pledge handmade?  To me, pledging handmade means to support handmade items as much as I can.  I might not be able to buy every single thing I use from an artisan who created it, but I can do my best to buy handmade when it is feasible for me.

What can we do to support handmade instead of newly manufactured or mass produced goods?  Check out sites like Etsy or do a Web search for handmade, plus the item you're looking for. 

• Instead of buying a new pair of gloves or a scarf from a retailer, see if you can find a hand knit pair.
• If you're thinking about replacing furniture and you can't afford a handmade set consider getting something second hand, like a gently used table and chairs set, instead of buying a new, mass produced set.
• Instead of using one of those cardboard cup sleeves when you go to buy coffee in the morning, consider buying a crocheted coffee cozy from an individual maker.
• If you want a new dress, try looking for a local seamstress to have one made just for you.
• Want a new laptop or phone case?  Many people hand make and sell these.
• Instead of buying mass produced jewelry, check out Etsy or search online for handmade marketplaces to find someone who can hand make the right piece for you.

I know that not everyone can buy 100% handmade, but it's important to do our part to support artisans as much as we can.  I hope that this holiday season you'll consider buying handmade for gifts instead of only buying from big box retailers.

Find Vintage on Zibbet!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I decided to set up shop on Zibbet.  I still have my Etsy shop, but I think it's important to expand and, as they say, not keep all your eggs in one basket!  What I like about Zibbet is that it's an online marketplace for real handmade goods, but they are also a great place to find vintage, supplies and fine art!

I was actually reading online about the difference between antique and vintage.  One thing I read was that cars had to be at least 50 years old to be considered an antique, but that an official antique is at least 100 years old.  When it comes to vintage, most people consider vintage to be 20+ years old.  So all this time that I've said I love antiques (which I do!) I was also referring to vintage items!

I was browsing on Zibbet today and came across some great vintage finds from the shop AnyOldTime.

The first thing that caught my eye was this Vintage Gibson teapot!  It has a simple, but beautiful pink and green floral design in an Athens pattern with delicate hint of a bronze color on its handle, lid and spout.  It reminds me of home and of the teapots we used to have, as well as the Athens patterned dishware and spice jars we used so often.  http://www.zibbet.com/AnyOldTime/artwork?artworkId=1275303

I also came across these vintage blue and white Dutch family and windmill figurines.  When I looked at the details, I saw that they were made in Japan, and coupled with the blue and white colours and details it reminded me so much of these handmade plates we have with delicately drawn koi fish.  These small Dutch figurines of a family and windmills would fit perfectly on any mantlepiece.  http://www.zibbet.com/AnyOldTime/artwork?artworkId=1275289

Now Open on Zibbet!

I recently decided to open up a shop on Zibbet.  If you've never heard of Zibbet, it's a real handmade marketplace, which also has supplies and vintage!  It's not a new site, in fact it was started in 2009.  The founder of the site, Jonathan Peacock, came up with the idea of creating an eBay site but for artisans.  That's actually where the name Zibbet comes from - exhibit - and they continue to feature fine art with handmade.  You can actually read more about how Zibbet came to be.

The handmade market is a very diverse one, from wire wrapping jewelry to soldering rings, oil paintings, watercolours, crocheted sweaters and knit scarves, photography, even greeting cards!  It's amazing to think that so many things were created by the hands of the owner(s) of a one-man or one-woman or a couple-run business and it's so important to recognise the different between handmade and massed produced, as well as how these items affect not only us, but the world as a whole.

There has recently been an influx of sellers to Zibbet who share the same beliefs about handmade, the great quality behind it, and what handmade really means.  I'm so excited to be starting up a shop on there with so many great artisans and I look forward to showing some of the amazing finds I've come across on the site!

Here is my most recent listing on Zibbet (but the day is still young and I have more to list!)

 

This is a pair of Montana blue pearl earrings.  They also appear to be a bit of a dark midnight blue.  I carefully wire wrapped these blue Czech glass pearl earrings using copper wire.  The ear wires are also 100% copper.

http://www.zibbet.com/HandmaidenVoyages/artwork?artworkId=1321994

My First Post

Well, I guess I should start by saying hello!  My name is Alexandra and I love creating jewelry.  I created a shop on Etsy a couple years ago, but I didn't really start using it to sell my jewelry until a couple months ago.  You can visit my shop at www.handmaidenvoyages.etsy.com. I'm a big fan of Etsy and have spent quite a bit of time looking at the never ending supplies, gemstones, and beads available.  Supplies aren't the only thing I like about it, though.  I've come across so many handmade things across the site that I really admire -- from photography and paintings to beautiful crochet and knit items, too.  My favourites will indicate this as well, as I've managed to heart so many of the wonderful things I've come across since I started browsing the site.

I started making jewelry years ago.  It started as a hobby doing basic things, creating necklaces and bracelets.  I've always enjoyed it, but I didn't start taking it seriously until just a few years ago.  One of my family members also makes jewelry and when she visits she always wants to go to the local bead shop.  I decided to tag along during one of those trips and I was left feeling amazed and eager to learn.  When you think of beads, it's easy to think of pearls, maybe precious gemstones like rubies and sapphires, but you forget about all the other beautiful beads out there.  I quickly took more note of other gemstones, like lapis lazuli, onyx, and the different types of agate to name a few.  Needless to say, my first trip resulted in many more returned trips.  So here I am, learning new techniques, trying different styles, and creating more pieces.

This is a necklace I made just yesterday:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129585216/cream-pearl-necklace-ivory-pearl