Crowd Jewel - Michelle Valentin "Crowd" WINNER!!!

I recently Sponsored a contest at the hottest Jewelry site on line!!!   


CROWD Jewel!


Check out their latest Contest Theme!


The Theme for the Contest I Sponsored:  Valentine's Day

Michelle Valentin of Amodurn Vintage on Etsy was the "Crowd" WINNER!!!  

Her "Rose Gold Chic Leopard & Pearl Earrings" were a hit with the largest number of people voting for her (we will see if we can get her to tell us her secret for "getting the vote out")!


I recently had the opportunity to talk to her following her win - this is a Designer to keep your eyes on!!!

 

@aflyonthewall:  Tell me a little about who you are, and what drew you to Jewelry Design? 

Michelle:  My name is Michelle Valentin and I am 27 years old. Originally from Brooklyn, NY and I am a Navy Wife. I have always had a love Jewelry!

I would say my style is a little bit Modern and a little bit Vintage..thus my shop became,   "Amodurn Vintage"!.lol :). 

Although, when I started making Jewelry I was making it for myself and I would post my creations on Facebook till I started getting requests from friends that wanted me to make them stuff, Then it just clicked that I could make Jewelry and put it up for sale at an inexpensive price without compromising the quality.

@aflyonthewall: OK this is the important part!  Where can we find your goods online?  

Michelle:  All of my creations can be found on my Amodurn Vintage Store on Etsy at: www.etsy.com/shop/AmodurnVintage

@aflyonthewall: Are you using Social Media?  do you think it is beneficial? ...and show us your Social links! 

Michelle:   No I do not use anyother sources other than Facebook and my etsy link.

@aflyonthewall:  I am personally loving the flash mob feel of CrowdJewels quickie Contests - what are your thoughts? 

Michelle:  I think that CrowdJewel's competitions are pretty cool!  I like that you can compete and see what other ideas others all over the world have come up with and to have people I dont know vote for me. 

This was actually the second competition I have entered.  So, I don't have much experience to go off of but as of yet, I think it is pretty cool and I am just grateful for the opportunity to share my work alongside people who have been doing it for years.

@aflyonthewall:  As the "Crowd" Winner - what do you feel helps you get the contest out to the largest group of your followers? 

Michelle:  I feel that just spreading the word since I use no other source but Facebook and I appreciate all of my followers and love them for helping me get Amodurn Vintage out there.

I hope this helps to do the same! lol and again Thank You.

Again, Congratulations Michelle - and watch out folks if she discovers Twitter, there may be NO stopping this entrepreneur!!!

Enlightened Polymer: Artisan Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature by Rie Nagumo

Enlightened Polymer: Artisan Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature 

by Rie Nagumo

When the book, Enlightened Polymer: Artisan Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature by Rie Nagumo arrived in my mail box I have to say I was a little worried about being able to give a review.  Polymer Clay is one area of the Craft/Jewelry market that I haven't explored...that is not to say I don't appreciate it 's value and contribution.

That being said, I showed this book to several people one, my mother, is a ceramic artist and loved the book and projects so much she made a couple of them and is a total Polymer convert! 

This book is nice because it is geared to an intermediate level or really industrious beginner. It does cover the basics Conditioning, Color Making, Heating and Finishing. Following that it goes into Forming, Layering and Pattern Making, even Combining with PMC.

The title is 100 % accurate and the projects are amazingly natural  - with 29 options it covers a   really beautiful wood graining, natural silver dollar leaf, a transulent capiz shell and my favorite porcupine quills.

Worth it? definitely!  at just around $20 for 29 really original projects this is money well spent.

Disclaimer:  Review written on book provided by Interweave for review purposes - I thank them for the opportunity and for stretching my view.

Crowd Jewel - Chandelier Challenge

Crowd Jewel

Chandelier Challenge

Givenchy's Spring Couture collection and Beyonce serve as our inspiration for our next competition, the Chandelier Challenge! Bust out your biggest, baddest, and blingiest shoulder-grazers. We wanna see what you've got! The best design will win a $50 Visa gift card! 

So bring it on, and don't forget, submissions close24 hours before the end of the competition! So submit early and spread the word!

Competition ends Monday, 27 February 2012 at 12 noon PST.


Submit your design here:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crowd-Jewel/301907439861926?v=app_255558194495800&rest=1

Contemporary Copper Jewelry By Sharilyn Miller

Contemporary Copper Jewelry

Step - by - Step Techniques and Projects

By Sharilyn Miller

Skill Level:  Intermediate (or an ambitious beginner)

Ease to Follow:  Very easy to follow directions with an additional video

Number of Projects:  22

Price:  $26.95

As always Sharilyn provides easy to follow directions on several unique and fun new projects.   If you have her first book, Bead On A Wire, this is the next logic step.  Especially for those that really enjoy Miller's wire style.

Geared to an Intermediate level (or an ambitious beginner), Contemporary Copper Jewelry starts with a brief overview of the basics...with information on Work Hardening your metal, a quick tutorial on Wrapped Loops, French Wrapped Ear Wires, Patinas and Polishing.

What is really nice about the selection of projects in this book is that they are not all Sharilyn Miller's designs, which means that you get a wider range of styles.

The 22 projects include designs by Sharilyn Miller and contributing artists like Richard Salley, Dale "Cougar" Armstrong, Eugenia Chan and Rachel Nelson-Smith.

Interweave has proven to be the leaders in the Step- By - Step field, and this book solidifies their reputation with…

·         Easy to follow directions

·         Clear "Shopping Lists"

·         List of Tools required for the project

·         Beautiful full color photos

·         Well presented Video on an enclosed DVD

·         ...and a great "Cool Ideas" section at the end of the project that gives an idea of how to individualize designs and incorporate them into your collection.