Let's hear from Ruthie...in her own words:

What's your creative process like?
That really varies depending on what I'm working on. I have a note pad that I jot down projects I plan to do (because I'm usually way ahead of myself). My bead-woven pieces usually take awhile to create in my head and on paper, before they come to the light of day in beads. The rest of my pieces are often spur of the moment inspirations of "Oooh...if I put this with this...and use this technique!" The hardest part is making myself finish a project before I go on to the next one! Sometimes I don't succeed at that :P   

Before you settled on Rose Works Jewelry, what other names did you consider?  
I always knew that I would have the word "rose" in my shop name and I don't really remember what variations I came up with before I settled on this one.

What are your favorite materials, why?
Anything shiny! I love using silver colored components, crystals, anything "weird" or different, and of course, thousands of seed beads!    

What's your favorite thing to do when you're not working on your art?
I love to read and write. 

Tell us something most people may not know about you?
I'm what happens when you have a red neck guy marry a Cuban-heritage city girl from LA - and let me tell you...that's a WEIRD combination!

What 3 things would you absolutely have to take if you were going to be stuck on a           desert island, Survivor style. 
My hubby, my bead supplies, and something to keep him occupied while I bead.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure?   CHOCOLATE

What can we not tell by looking at you?  That I used to be a dancer

Do you have any hidden talents?  My super-hero ability is to find new and entertaining (at least to others!) ways of hurting myself. Seriously. Some of the stories I have are crazy!

What's your favorite quote or saying?  
"When you dance, you're in love. With your partner, with the music, with dance itself, it simply doesn't matter - to dance is to love." I don't know who said it and it's probably a misquote but I've said it a thousand times now!

What celebrity would you like to see wearing one of your pieces?
Oh goodness! I've never thought about this one... Hmm... I'd love to see one of my pieces on a Joss Whedon show :D Or Heroes... Sorry, I know, that's not just one person!

Where's the farthest you traveled or sought out materials for your art?
I used to drive an hour each way to go to the bead store.   

Why buy Handmade? When you buy handmade you're not only buying quality, you're buying something that an artist has put their time, effort and soul into. It's not some faceless piece among the crowd of commercial goods, it's special. Not to mention, in this economy, wouldn't you rather give your money to a person and not a corporation?

To learn more about Rose Works Jewelry and Ruthie's other creative outlets, check out her online shops:
www.roseworksjewelry.artfire.com
www.roseworksjewelry.etsy.com
www.kstreasures.etsy.com

read her blogs:www.roseworksjewelry.blogspot.com
www.roseworkstreasures.blogspot.com
www.ajedismusings.blogspot.com

" I hear of someone I know being diagnosed with cancer almost everyday, the thing that has changed is the toxins in our environment. Look at your body as a barrel, you get up and brush your teeth, you have just applied a little Sodium Laurel Sulfate, now you jump into the shower and put some more SLS and propylene glycol on your scalp.  Next you use some soap with some more on your genitals and your armpits, and your butt.  Then, you rinse off, and rinse it down the drain into our environment.  You jump out of the shower and towel dry yourself off with a towel that still has residue from the laundry detergent and the fabric softener on your skin.  Next we will apply more chemicals to our armpits, all this in 15 minutes.  Now let's go eat some breakfast.  A little OJ grown with herbicides and pesticides, with a little preservative to keep it fresh, some nitrates with the bacon, and some antibiotics with my eggs, and a little hormone with my milk. Now we can talk about the passive pollution from my flooring material while I enjoy my breakfast.  Now off to work, in my car with more passive pollution, mixed with all the other gases made from combustion engines.  I have only been up for two hours; this will go on throughout the day, every day.  By noon, many people will start to feel lethargic or develop a migraine, maybe even a funny little rash that just will not go away.  The problem is it just wasn't the SLS, it was a little bit of that, a little bit of this, all adding up until my barrel filled up, and that is when an individual usually goes clinical with symptoms...I will not bathe (myself) in toxins.  It's my choice."

adapted from Rick R.
Colorado Springs, Co
www.healthybiz2000.com

Let's hear from Eve...in her own words:

What's your creative process like? - Do you listen to music, do yoga first, work only after naps?
I live in New York City and drive to my studio in the South Bronx. It's not far, about 15 to 20 minutes but, it is New York and there's always an annoyance to start your day like traffic or a parade or whatever. Did I mention I'm easily annoyed? Anyway, I love opening the door and flicking on the lights and settling in to my space because it's quiet and solitary. Eventually, I put on the radio and listen to NPR or other talk radio and then move on to music or back to silence. I find working alone, I'm very productive. Sometimes my mind wanders and I have crazy daydreams while staring at the wheel but, I still manage to get stuff done.

What day(s) of the week, time(s) of the day do you mainly create you work?
I'm good in the morning for anything. If I need to get something done, that's when I have to do it. Afternoons I start to fade and by evening I'm useless. Even in college I never pulled an "all-nighter". That's just crazy talk!

What song, artist, idea, etc...gets you revved up to begin your work?
This is more a question I would apply to my treadmill routine. Music is tricky because I have such strong associations with particular songs, artists, time periods. It can be distracting to tear up when my wedding song comes on! (It's "Follow You, Follow Me" by Genesis if you are interested)

What are your favorite materials, why?
Clay clay and more clay. I've taken every other medium there is and just don't get into it the same way. I'm a potter I've come to realize. I'm not one of those artists that needs to make art all the time out of anything and everything. I do like to draw on my pots. I wish someone would teach me to knit though, so I can make my dogs sweaters.

Where's the farthest you traveled or sought out materials for your art?
I went to school in Florence, Italy and Canada.

What's the nicest/funniest/zaniest comment someone has ever said to you about your work?
A lot of people say how happy my work is. That's fine. I'm happy to be happy and to make happy work.

What's your favorite thing to do when you're not working on your art?
I love walking my dogs. I love meeting other dogs and their owners and gushing on how cute they all are- the dogs, not the owners.

Tell us something most people may not know about you...?
I hate most movies most people like.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
Coffee although I'm not sure if I'm suppose to feel guilty or not because they keep changing if it's good for you or not. After coffee, would be the gin soaked olives in a martini. And I love pie!

What 3 things would you absolutely have to take if you were going to be stuck on a desert island, Survivor style.
My cat and two dogs. (A fourth would be my husband!)

What's your favorite slang word or phrase?
I like cursing so let's not go there. Hey that's one! "Let's not go there". I hate "Think out of the box" and "Spot on!"

Do you have any hidden talents? Not really.

If you could go back in time, what era's style would you prefer to emulate?
I love mid century modern.

If you were an animal, what would you be?
A dog with wings.

Who's the coolest person you know?
My husband! Really! He's the best.

What's your favorite quote or saying?
Why stand if you can sit? Why sit if you can lie down? I think my dad said it first. It's my new motto.

Why buy Handmade?
So many reasons...individuality, the environment, etc.

In the Artist's Words -This is your chance to speak to the buyers... say whatever you feel...
You break it you buy it! ;)

To learn more about Eve Behar Ceramics, check out her website at: www.EveBeharCeramics.com You can purchase Eve's One of A Kind Ceramics from her Etsy shop at: www.evebehar.etsy.com

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Love

Sorrow

Innocence

Pain

Stranger

Compassion

Best Friends

Divine

I just stumbled across this amazing video introducing a man with no limbs, who still manages to possess a positive outlook on life.  He has accepted his disability, yet goes on to do wonderful things and more importantly, to enjoy life. I found him to be truly inspirational.  You can't watch this video and feel like you have problems. He is a true example of the philosophy that if you can accept your own flaws and move past them, you can maintain a positive attitude and go on to do great things, in spite of your condition. You want to feel sorry for him, but you really can't, because he doesn't feel sorry for himself. 

I can't imagine what it must be like to live in a body like his, but its obviously nothing like what I would think.  He's attempted more than most people I know. Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy, or you can choose to be your own greatest cheerleader.

I hope you get something out of viewing this video.  I don't think I will forget how moving this one is.  He is a stellar example of perseverance.  We should all invite a little more perseverance into our lives. 

The Sewing Lounge opens in April 2009. Jessica Dooley's goal is to empower people with the knowledge of sewing. She is deeply passionate about teaching sewing and watching peoples' creativity grow.

Jessica has had an interest in fabric and sewing since she was a small child. Her amazing grandma (aka Ma) gave her a vintage Singer Genie sewing machine when she was in Middle School. From that first bag that she made with her Ma at the kitchen island Jessica has been hooked on sewing and all things crafty. She later took private lessons to expand her knowledge and skills. One day while looking at sewing books with her mom in a local bookstore Jessica commented that she should just open up her own sewing lounge. From that day the idea grew from a fun idea to a passion that had to be fulfilled, and the rest is history. Jessica is an alumni of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

The Sewing Lounge is part boutique, part sewing lounge, and a lovely little  creative space on the blossoming Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank. It's a perfect find for those who'd like to learn more about the art and craft of sewing. 

You can sign up for private or semi-private classes at The Sewing Lounge. They'll also let you reserve their shop Lounge for your own customizable sewing parties!

As an added bonus, Jessica is committed to supporting the Handmade Crafts community!  Making The Sewing Lounge a great place to shop for uniquely handcrafted items from local artists like me (www.honeychilddesigns.etsy.com).
A special collection of Honey Child Designs jewelry, featuring earrings, bracelets and rings, are on sale now at The Sewing Lounge!

The Sewing Lounge also features an ongoing collection of Jessica's own brand of handmade and embellished vintage goods, as well as, those of local artisans.

On April 18th, Jessica hosted her Grand Opening event at The Sewing Lounge.  It was a blast!

Sewing classes are now in session!

Call for details:
The Sewing Lounge
3216 Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91505
818-729-1781

To learn more about Jessica and The Sewing Lounge in Burbank, check out her website at
www.thesewingloungeburbank.com

SO FAR IT'S BEEN A HAPPY FRIDAY!
As you can tell by my big Cheshire Grin...

We held a craft show/bake sale at my day job today...
the 1st Annual SPRING CRAFT FLING! 
We have so much talent throughout our company, it was great to see the crafters and bakers get recognized and make new friends! 

My good Friend Mindy Sartin of Tangent Designs organized the whole thing, check out her website www.tangentdesigns.net
Photo credit goes to Ellen Bloom, check out her blog: http://ellen-bloom.blogspot.com/

Honey Child Designs had an awesome day!!!
We hope our handmade gifts make many Moms happy
on Mother's Day and for days to come.

Thanks to all who participated and supported our efforts!