Etsy Feature: ♥Sparkling Stars - Handmade Jewelry by Ishi♥

ENTRIES FOR THIS GIVEAWAY ARE NOW CLOSED - THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT ENTERED!!Etsy Feature: ♥Sparkling Stars - Handmade Jewelry by Ishi♥
Shop Name: Sparkling Stars

What do you make? I find small things that I love and put them together in ways that I find beautiful. Making jewelry is a way for me to be a collector (of tiny beautiful supplies) and creator. I can nurture my tendancy to be a hoarder and obsessively seek out new things and collect them. Having a shop lets me incorporate other things I love to do - take photos, network and keep up with fashions.

How did you first pick up your craft? I found jewelry making through my obsession with my own jewelry shopping and with wanting that perfect piece that I couldn't quite find but could see so clearly in my mind. I'm always so flattered and excited when people compliment my work and decide they want some for themselves.

What are you inspired by? So many things... when I've felt 'stuck' in the past I have found inspiration by going to art museums, browsing photos on flickr, design blogs, fashion blogs, finding new supplies, learning new techniques and sometimes by taking apart old pieces I've made and putting them back together in a new way.

Tell me about yourself? I've loved mathematics for a long time, I actually majored in math when I was in college. There were definitely times I thought about pulling my hair out over complicated proofs, but there's always a satisfaction once you're done, like solving a puzzle. Sometimes I get the same feeling from putting together jewelry - that "ah ha" moment when you've figured out the correct answer/design and everything falls into place beautifully.

Other etsy shops you love:

Some you may not have seen before:
snaulkter, The New Adventures of Betty Turbo, and Mod Pug

Oldies but goodies:
ArtisanImpact, Abigail A. Percy - Designer Jewellery, Letterary Press, Ramona West Vintage Boutique, Lookability, Salvage Life, and The Frantic Meerkat

Ok, I will stop listing shops because there are just too many amazing ones on etsy! I am constantly browsing around and finding amazing artists... my blog is a good source for finding which shops I love!

Advice for fellow artists/crafters? I feel so strange giving advice to others since I still feel like I am new to all this, but what has worked best for me is to keep working - be humble - and put care and effort into every part of what you do.


♥GIVEAWAY♥
This weeks giveaway is just so amazing and I am so excited to be able to offer all of you such an amazing piece!! So excited in fact that I wish I could enter my own giveaways, because I would totally rock this necklace!!!

Ishi has graciously offered the absolutely stunning Chenoa Necklace from her etsy shop to one lucky reader of this blog! So if you're like me and love gorgeous, modern jewelry then this is the perfect giveaway for you!!

How to enter:: RUN, dont walk, on over to Sparkling Stars and leave a comment here stating your favorite item from this spectauclar shop! I guarentee that you'll have a hard time picking out your favorite because Ishi makes some seriously fabulous pieces!!

Standard Rules apply ---> You must leave a way for me to get ahold of you in case you win! On Wednesday 06/04/08 I'll announce the winner provided at least 10 people have entered this giveaway!..... what are you waiting for??? Go and check out the amazing goodies at Sparkling Stars!!!