The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work! If you would like to be in the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop?
MKP Art Jewelry (http://www.mkpjewelry.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Art Jewelry

Describe your style in 2 words:
Eclectic, fun

What is your favorite piece and why?
“Possiblities” I made this last year for a artistic challenge group I belong to. The theme was for mother’s day. I thought about mother’s day, and being a Mom myself, what it meant to be a mom. Some wonderful way it twisted in my head and I ended up making a piece of what it FELT LIKE when your in the process of becoming a mom for the first time. All the worries, all the hopes all the fears as you feel the little thing moving inside of you….. I wanted to design something that showed what that means inside a woman’s head. I sketched this out, and then did a dummy up in copper, wanted to make sure I could capture what was in my head. And this pendant is the result. It’s made with sterling silver wire, and a hollow lampwork bead by Jodie Marshall. I stuffed the lampworked bead with Swarovski crystals, all of my favorite colors, as many as I could fit and still have them tumble about like snow in a snow globe. Then I wired the ball between her hands, like a soon to be momma feeling for her child’s kick. Then I added just a thin red line in her face.. her smile. And realized it was a happy piece, and it dwelt on only the hopes and dreams of the soon to be born child.. it dwelled on the happy possibilities of that child The “baby” actually rotates on the frame, and I realized it was kind of like a lottery ball.. just like being pregnant you never know what number was gonna come up!

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I didn’t recieve this directly, I was listening to NPR and the guy being interviewed was a photographer. He was talking about his influences, and one of his idol’s told him to always leave a corner for the viewer to turn. This really hit me.. he was talking about photography, but it applies to any art.. always leave some of the story for the viewer to create within themselves. That’s the best kind of art, that invites the viewer to be apart of the story.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Don’t be afraid of mistakes. you will make them, both business-wise and artistically. Just accept that, and try new things without getting hung up on if it’s “good” or not, or sellable or not. Just create for creation’s sake. You learn so much by not being afraid to try.

The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work! If you would like to be in the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop?
alisonkelleydesigns (http://www.alisonkelleydesigns.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I designs and make unique handcrafted jewelry for any occasion.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Colorful, unique

What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece has to be a necklace that I call “Square Rainbow Necklace”. It’s very colorful and goes with just about anything you are wearing. I love this piece because of it’s colors. It makes me feel very happy just looking at it. Color has always made be smile and makes me feel alive. What can I say, I’m a lovers of colors.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A good friend of mine gave me this book called “Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much” with it came a simple saying “May you live everyday of your life”.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Being an artist is not always easy. It can come with many financial burdens. Balancing your creativity while trying to earn money is not easy. In some ways that can take away from your creativity. Don’t ever let that happen. Money will come and go, we all need it and want it. If you are lucky enough to have a tallent that you can share with the world that alone is priceless. Be true to yourself and to your art.

The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work! If you would like to be in the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop?
magicouture (http://www.magicouture.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Primarily, I craft unusual jewelry from glass, stone, and wire. I’m known for very outlandish rings.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Eclectic extremes

What is your favorite piece and why?
I have a ring called Honeywine Brass Ensemble that I dearly, truly love. It feels wonderful on the hand and design-wise, it just “flows.” It reminds me of an ultra-fantasy take on a musical instrument and the colors are so deep and rich and sultry.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t give up. As far as advice goes, you can’t beat that, really.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Let your art be what it is. Often, I’m tempted to make the sort of things that might have a broader appeal but I feel like I would lose the integrity of my art.