Thursday, February 25

Resin Artist Feature: Resign

This week's interview is with Jennifer Atkinson, the amazing talent behind Resign on Etsy. Her use of simple lines infused with a mix of crisp and vibrant colors makes her creations simply stunning.

Her most popluar items are her series of Twiggy, Pippi, and Organic bangles. And it's easy to see why - how delicious are these?











We all see lots of jewelry, so one of the things that struck me right away was Jennifer's gorgeous and unique creations for the home, like this bowl from her Mezzo collection:


Can't you just imagine eating your Rocky Road from this little beauty?



These lovely bowls will make even your morning instant oatmeal look like a gourmet treat...





Mezzo Collection



If a bangle or bowl is just a little too large, you can still have your own Resign artwork in the form of an eye-catching, yet perfectly practical keyring:


Mod Keyring



There are lots of colors to choose from...



On to the interview...


Q: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live? What is your favorite thing about where you live? Are you married? Children? Pets?
A: I'm an Aussie currently expatriated to Tucson, Arizona with my husband 2 children and 2 dogs. We've been in the US for just over 4 years now. Having spent most of our time in Tucson, we are about to leave the desert behind and relocate to Milwaukee for a taste of the cold! My favourite thing about Tucson...definitely not the summer...probably the sunsets.

Q: How did you get started working with resin?
A: I've always loved the look and feel of hand cast resin but upon moving to the States I couldn't find anything like the pieces I desired so I decided to try to make them myself. I messed around for a little while but didn't take it to the next level until my daughter went back to Australia for school last year. I needed something to occupy my days so I wouldn't miss her so much, so I did a bit more experimenting and then stumbled across etsy, which seemed like the perfect way to test the water to see if anyone would actually part with their hard earned cash for one of my pieces.

Q: Any advice you would like to share with those just learning the art of resin?
A: Be patient, be prepared to make mistakes (so you can learn from them) and have fun. You are only limited by your imagination, the colours are endless and so are your designs. Keep it simple to start with and experiment more as you become more confident and you'll have a lot of fun. I still have a long way to go!

Q: Is there anything in particular that inspires you?
A: I find inspiration for colours all around me, others I just make up as I go. As far as designs go, I start with a lump of clay and mould it until I come up with something that I think might work...some of them do, some of them don't!

Q: What is your favorite item in your shop right now? And why?
A: My favourite item in my shop right now...hmm...I've been loving the Organic Bangles in black, white and silver glitter since I made them. I really like the irregular yet smooth lines of the Organic Bangles, there's just something about them that appeals to me, but my Twiggy Bangles are by far the best sellers.








Q: Is there another artistic medium that you would love to try?
A: In recent months I've been thinking about trying some sort of earthenware or other clay medium. I would continue along the same lines as I am now, with irregular organic forms all completely handmade, but at this stage I don't have any plans to pursue it.

Q: How long have you had your Etsy shop and what made you decide to open it?
A: I opened my etsy shop in March last year. I found the website by accident when I was researching resin and was impressed with how professional it was and the high quality of the merchandise. I decided to open a shop as it was a financially risk free way to reach a potentially huge customer base. Nothing ventured nothing gained, so after I figured out how to set up my shop (which was a learning experience in itself...I'm a bit of a computer dunce), I listed my first pieces and within a couple of weeks had my very first sale. My presence on etsy has also led to several wholesale opportunities and features on great blogs such as this one!

Q: Do you have any goals for this year you would like to share, relating to your art or your business?
A: My long term goal for this year is to start my own website, but in the short term I want to increase my homewares range and make more pieces with handmade resin beads. There are so many pieces I have in mind, I just have to find the time to produce them all. The actual casting of my pieces is quick and easy but the sanding is time consuming and quite tedious after a while. Of course I would like to increase sales as well!


Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your inspirations, advice, and a peek into your creative world. It was a pleasure getting to know you a little better, and we can't wait to see what you come up with next!



You can find Jennifer's resin art available for purchase at her online shop Resign.



Some more of my favorite pieces...



Getting Started With Resin Jewelry

I love creating and crafting in resin and am excited when others want to give it a try.

It can seem complicated and a little intimidating, but once you learn the basics and just do it, you will discover that it isn't as difficult as you imagined - and then start having lots of fun!

To help get you started and take the plunge into making resin jewelry, I am pleased to announce that the 32 page booklet - Getting Started With Resin Jewelry - is now available!


This booklet has been designed with the beginner in mind, with thorough explanations of the following:

Materials List including both necessary and optional materials, supplies and equipment.
 

Description of materials, with explanations of why and how to use them properly.
Instructions and photos covering:
  • Preparing and mixing your resin
  • Pouring into molds
  • Removing Air Bubbles
  • Adding color
  • Adding Inclusions
  • Embedding Objects and Paper
  • Finishing, sanding, and re-coating
  • Creating a finished product

Much of the basic information is similar to the tutorials available for free on my blog. (Look on the right hand column for links.) The information and instruction has been refined, some details added, and many more photos included.
A favorite feature is the addition of 2 step-by-step complete project tutorials, which will walk you through the process, as a complete beginner, and give you the final result of a finished, usable item.
The projects include instruction for 2 of the most popular resin applications:
Embedding paper images into resin; and embedding candies and inclusions, and using glitter.


This 32 page booklet is only $5.00. Your purchase includes email support in answering any questions you may have along the way.

After purchase, you will receive an automatic download of your booklet in a pdf file. If you have any problems receiving the file please contact me at jen_skinner@charter.net

Wishing you continued success, and lots of fun...





Tuesday, February 23

I'm so excited about my Dad's new handmade soap shop on Etsy!

He offeres a variety of soaps in a 100% all natural goat's milk or glycerin soap base. My favorite is the "Pismo" - a Bergamot and Grapefruit essential oil blend in a skin softening coconut oil and glycerin base.

A special offer for my blog readers only: 10% off your order - just enter code "SSTUDIO10%" into the 'Notes to Seller' at checkout.







Way to go Pop! I'm so proud of you!

Tuesday, February 16

Resin Artist Feature: Lekker

This week's interview is with Rachel Tesselaar, the designer and artist behind Lekker.


Her amazing work includes this series of resin pendants, created from up cycled knitting needles cast in a solid aluminum frame:





Going Dotti Knitting Needle Pendant



Q:Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live?
A: Melbourne, Australia

Q: What is your favorite thing about where you live?
A: I love that I know where the good food is.

Q: Are you married? Children? Pets?
A: Yes, my husband's name is Mark. I have a 2 year old boy called Archie. No, children are hard enough work.

Q: How did you get started working with resin?
A: It all started when I was planning my wedding. I love Dinosaur Designs
Jewellery and thought I wanted something similar for my bridesmaids.
One of the local colleges was running a short course in Resin. I thought if I
could make them I could save some money (always handy when talking weddings).
No, I can't make a resin necklace like Dinosaur designs, so I did not save any
money - but I did gain a new obsession.

Q: Any advice you would like to share with those just learning the art of resin?
A: Be prepared to experiment, there are a lot of different types of resins out
there that are suited to many different things. For example some take colour
really well while others don't. Some have and amazingly clear finish.
Always follow the safety advice, wear gloves respirators and protective
clothing.

Q: Is there anything in particular that inspires you?
A: I love old wall paper and 50's style illustration, but I find the greatest
inspiration is travel (I am trying to convince my husband of that anyway!).
I love to see what everybody else is up to.

Q: What is your favorite item in your shop right now? And why?
A: I love the mix of colours in this one, it is always so exciting when I cut
them open to see what is inside:





Q: Is there another artistic medium that you would love to try?
A: So many things:

Print Gocco - I trained as a print maker but somehow avoided silk screening. I
see the beautiful things other people are making with this wonderful little
home kit and I want a go.

I would also love to try working with porcelain. It is just a matter of
finding someone who can help me turn my crazy visions into workable pieces.

Q: How long have you had your Etsy shop and what made you decide to open it?
A: It will be 2 years in April. I opened the shop after my website was up. Most
of my bricks and mortar stores are in Victoria, I was thinking it would be
much easier than setting up my own secure website. I also found the DUST team
on etsy to be one of the most helpful and friendly group of people. It is nice
to belong to a community when you work at home all by your lonesome.

Q: Do you have any upcoming projects that you want to share with us?
A: I have just completed a course in precious metal clay, and I'm experimenting
with some ideas of combining that with resin.


Q: Do you have any goals for this year you would like to share, relating to your art or your business?
A: My main goal for this year is to get a new studio built in the back yard so I
can finally get all my junk out of the house. I am very messy.


To see more of Rachel's beautiful work, visit her website at http://www.lekker.com.au/, or visit her Etsy shop at http://www.lekker.etsy.com/

A few more of my favorite designs from Lekker:

Skinny on Silver