A belated happy holidays to you and yours!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Molly, who is a fellow Pennsyltuckian and crafty gal, for featuring my work in her blog Molly's Muses. She had included my Pennsylvania Wildlife bracelet in a post back in November, and her thoughtful husband purchased it for her as a Christmas gift. She's now featuring it in her post-holiday entry. I definitely have to agree with her sentiment about handmade gifts. I gave my mom an adorable Boston Terrier necklace from LuluBug Jewelry, and some of my favorite presents include the awesome Muertos the Sugar Skull plush, a Namaste rim-blown flute made by Anasazi Dream Flutes, and a pair of Mayan-style flared plugs from One Tribe.

I've also neglected to mention some Treasuries in which my work has been featured. The first one is appropriately holiday themed, evoking visions of candy canes and sugar plums. I love the combination of turquoise and red in this collection!

Christmas Candy Striper curated by The Velvet Heart

The second two feature my Circus Caravan cuff.

Random Things I Love... in Orange curated by Wear It Out Vintage


The Caravan Thunders Onward curated by Wild Pearly

I love the Bohemian vibe of this treasury.

I've been in the doldrums as far as my artistic endeavors are concerned, and I'm hoping that the new year will bring with it a renewed creative spark and thus some new items in the Etsy shop.

Of ferris wheels and acrobats

I'm in good company when it comes to having a case of carnival-on-the-brain (which sounds like a medical condition brought about by staring too long at spinning lights on the Tilt-a-Whirl combined with an excessive consumption of cotton candy). My Circus Caravan Cuff was included in two fairground-themed treasuries. In keeping with my last post, there are also a fair amount of stripes to be found too!

Runaways curated by LilliputLoft

What Goes Around Comes Around curated by WearItOutVintage

In the spirit of the theme, I wanted to highlight the work of Carrie Boucher of Pink Crow Studio who makes wonderful use with the fairground baroque aesthetic in her jewelry. The little star cylinders within the pendants actually move with the wearer.

Three Treasuries

This seems to be a good week for Treasuries. I just listed my Pennsylvania Wildlife bracelet yesterday and it already has been selected to appear in two zoological-themed Treasuries: one dedicated to deer and the other to turkeys.

Deer, Deer, Deer curated by andboriginals

Turkey Fashion curated by MollysMuses

My mixed-media piece Osprey Vision is also included in a Treasury related to vision.

All the Better to be Seeing You With curated by KitzieG

Anatomy, Stars, and Feathers

My Anatomical Heart Cuff is currently being featured in a Treasury, the ANATOMY of Etsy, curated by JulieMarieSink:

I've also added two new necklaces to my shop. One has a hint of Native American influence and was inspired by the ghostly white of nocturnal hunters in the branches, while the other is a slightly steampunk, industrial take on a popular sailor's tattoo.

Barn Owl Song

Nautical Star Necklace

Another Treasury!

My original illustration Golden Age, Silver Screen was graciously featured in a Treasury by Janine616 dedicated to ACEOs: ACEO Mania

Renaissance-themed Treasury

My matted print DeerWoman is currently featured in an Etsy Treasury created by Bohémienne Ivy along with some other lovlies: Vive la Renaissance.

I've removed the remaining jewelry items from my shop as additional inventory for the craft show I'm participating in next month. They, along with some brand new jewelry pieces, will most likely be returned to Etsy after the show if they do not sell.

Featured Artisans: JungleTribe

In addition to highlighting my own art & craft, I'd also like this blog to be a place to draw attention to other artisans whose work has inspired and influenced me. I plan to especially focus on fellow leatherworkers because 1) leathercraft has become one of my profound joys and 2) it doesn't seem to get nearly enough attention in comparison to other contemporary crafts and artforms.

As my first feature, I'd like to introduce you to the wonderful work of the two nomadic twin brothers, Beau & Dust, of JungleTribe. I'm particularly fond of their Steampunk Militia series of hip bags which feature cabochons of turquoise, brass filigree, and skeleton keys along with their signature use of layers and hardware as design elements. This elegant yet industrial aesthetic is continued in a line of cuff bracelets which they offer in collaboration with RockLove Jewelry.

Being versatile in style, they also create pieces with an edgier, darker and more thickly textured feel under the title of Galactic Gothic Graveyard. Their collective talent isn't limited to leatherwork though, they also make jewelry. To see more of their amazing work, head over to their Etsy shop.