Monday's Featured Artist- Welcome Eileen from Classic Coastal Creations

My latest featured artist is Eileen Shirk of Classic Coastal Creations- sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee and learn more about Eileen and her beautiful jewelry with me here!

    

 I am a native of Virginia Beach, VA. I was raised along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Spent most of my childhood walking and playing along the shoreline searching for shells, rocks and anything organic the waters yielded.  My parents were avid gardeners.  I spent the rest of my childhood afternoons running among the trees, bushes and flower beds.  I loved to pick flowers, and string necklaces.  This was the beginning of my love affair with nature. 
                                                                               
       After a professional career as a registered nurse, and raising 3 wonderful sons, I have returned to my real love, creating art.  I studied art and design at a local visual art center for 3 years.  A couple of seasons ago, my family took a trip to the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, where we went rock hunting.  I was instantly hooked.  The beauty of the stones we collected were just incredible.


       I started designing jewelry soon after.  I love to work with the organic rhythm of the stones or shells as I incorporate it into my designs.  Now, I am constantly on a treasure hunt, looking for nature’s treats.  Living here at the beach, I am always searching for sea glass and or shells that may have washed up.  Each treasure is then embellished with either sterling silver, copper, and or crystals.

As I started this adventure, I was encouraged to sell my goods and share the beauty of the pieces with the others.  I am alright with this as long as I continue to enjoy the process and it does not turn into production work.  My pieces are available at 4 local venues; I do 2 or 3 outdoors shows each year.

Short term goals, sell enough to pay for my materials and continue to make a high quality product that can be worn and enjoyed for years to come.  I will not compromise the quality of my pieces.  With the prices of metals going through the roof, once again I will only use the best materials to create the best product.  I will just have to scale back on inventory for now until metal prices begin to  drop.
Long term goals, to create a cottage shop business that I may someday be able to make a living at doing what I love doing.
Also, I feel that we need to continue with our awareness and education of the natural world around us, and the gifts it has to offer.


I feel I have the talent, drive and belief in myself to continue with this adventure.  This is what I was meant to be doing all along in my life, just took awhile to get here!
As with all of the arts, while wearing any of my pieces evoke emotion weather positive or negative, I have achieved my goal.  The reaction speaks for itself.
Eileen Shirk
Portsmouth, VA






Here's where you can find Eileen!
Etsy Shop- www.indiocrab.etsy.com
Facebook account/site:  CLASSIC COASTAL CREATIONS, VA

Wonderful and Inspiring Work- thanks so much for sharing with us all!
~Lynnette


**Also, I haven't heard from Eileen today- and we send prayers to her area from the recent Hurricane Irene.  Hopefully she will check in with us soon, and let us know all is well!
Sorry for the technical difficulties on this post and the position of the pictures!

Help me Welcome Kristin from Inspired by Oceans

Tell us a little about yourself, shop or selling venues.

My name is Kristin Magnus and I currently live in Sparta, WI. I have recently relocated here from a small island community in Maine. So, my inspirations for making nautical jewelry comes from my creativity and love for blue and green hues! I enjoy making pieces of jewelry while sitting at home with my dog Linekin! I started selling on Etsy in June of 2011 and have not ventured from there, but would love to!

Kristin on New Years Eve 1920 Gala with Jim

What are some things that bring you joy or inspire you?

I am truly inspired by the ocean!  Whether I am sitting in a chair by the beach, looking at old photographs of my family in Maine, or relaxing with my love Jim, I am always inspired by the objects around me!

Jim-My Love-Canoeing the Kickapoo River in Wisconsin

Do you work outside the home, or are you self employed?

For the past six years, I have taught Kindergarten and PreK in Maine. I am looking forward to teaching in another state. During the summers, I did a lot of work on Maine cottages and the caretaking of them. I have met many clients, some only accessible by boat and the natural landscape and cottage designs inspired a lot of my work!

Hendricks Head Lighthouse -Inspiration for Work -Southport Island

How long have you been creating, and why did you begin?

Over the past 15 years, I have experimented with many types of art. I enjoy painting, crafts, scrapbooking, and metalwork. I recently started making jewelry because I enjoy wearing earrings everyday!

What are some of your favorites (websites, materials, foods, books, other people’s work, etc.)

My favorite materials are crystal and glass. I also love silver and nautical items. I enjoy eating sushi and Thai with my love Jim and when I am not eating, I’m usually surfing the web, enjoying others’ work. I love looking at nautical-inspired designs including fabric, pottery, and wood creations!  There are so many talented artists on Etsy, that I find myself looking for hours J

My Best Doggie Friend -Named after Linekin Bay, Maine

Where do you live, and do you hope to live elsewhere?

I currently live in Wisconsin, but spent the last 12 years in Maine. I love to travel and have always dreamed of teaching overseas, so maybe one day I will get that opportunity. One of the most beautiful places that I would love to visit or even live is Thailand!

What are some of your short term and long term goals overall.

Overall, I would like to continue to make jewelry and other items including sewn pieces. In the long term, I hope that others can enjoy my work as much as I enjoy making it!

What is your most treasured possession, and why?

My most treasured possession is a beautiful white gold and sapphire ring that my sweetheart purchased for me in the Bahamas. I look at the deep blue and think of our amazing times walking in the white sand and sailing through the ocean! And of course, it’s my birthstone, so that makes it very special!

Do you have a religious or spiritual background?

I would not consider myself religious, but definitely spiritual. I believe that things happen for a reason … when one door closes, another door opens. I see that in life, there is some higher power, but what that is, I’m unsure. I wake up thankful and hope to get the most out of life; spending time with the ones I truly love! 

Thank you Kristin for sharing!  Visit her shop on Etsy at www.inspiredbyoceans.etsy.com

Her beautiful jewelry is so reasonably priced, and I'm sure you'll love browsing her vast selection!

Thanks again, 

Lynnette

www.seashellsbyseashore.etsy.com

www.beachbumbeauties.etsy.com

Sharing some of my latest artwork/ jewelry from our Etsy Shops

Just wanted to pop in and share some of our latest additions!

Sea Star Vintage Basket

Chunky Pearl, Turquoise, Abalone Necklace

 Vintage Working Man's Tools

 Lovely Vintage Nightgown and Robe

 Little White Sliced Sea Shells for Supplies

 Shabby Chic Antique Frame with Bathing Beauty

 Large Lettuce Coral Display

Dancing Starfish Shadow Box

Sea Inspired, Rustic Baby Wall Decor

Thanks for looking!  You can visit both shops here:

Sea Shells by Sea Shore on Etsy

Beach Bum Beauties on Etsy

Have a wonderful weekend.

~Lynnette

SeaShellsbySeaShore welcomes our first featured artist!

We are glad to announce Felisa!  She is a hard working mother of two that designs gorgeous Sea Inspired Jewelry on Etsy.

www.DesignsByFelisa.Etsy.com

A little about Felisa... I'm married and I'm a mother to two young boys. Being a "Mommy" is most rewarding! During my personal time, I enjoy making jewelry, reading books, and baking. This year I opened up my online shop at www.DesignsByFelisa.Etsy.com where you can find my coastal and nature inspired jewelry and at times I list designed compact mirrors. I also accept orders via e-mail -CraftsByFelisa@gmail.com, or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Designs-Crafts-by-Felisa/123164681093875 It brings me complete joy when I can make another person happy. For example, when a stranger, friend, or family member appreciates my work, is completely satisfied with their order, and refers my shop to others. I also love it when my children tell me "ooh" or enjoys looking at my final piece. I've always been a creative person by heart but when I had children, my devotion and time was theirs. Early last year when my mother passed away, it was a difficult time for me; however, I found my craftsmanship extremely therapeutic. It was as if I rekindled my relationship with my creative side. Since then, I've dedicated more personal time to enjoy crafting and creating beautiful coastal and nature inspired jewelry. Currently, Etsy is one of my favorite websites - not only because I have an online shop there, but also the fact that Etsy has other wonderful and talented artist & crafters.  I love using sea shells, polymer clay, resin, acrylic paint, and river rocks as part of my materials. I enjoy reading jewelry books and I admire Matthew H. James - a Mixed Media Artist based in New York.

I reside in Mountain House of California. It's approximately 2 hours away from the Pacific Ocean. I enjoy where I live because it's peaceful and it's not that far of a drive to the Bay Area. Special moments with my husband and family take place along the coastal line.

Some of my short term goals are to familiarize myself with local craft events, and to meet other jewelry makers in my area. This will lead into my long term goals, which is to participate in local craft shows and festivals; encourage young adults to explore their creative side, and to volunteer my time hosting river rock painting sessions and jewelry making classes at a geriatrics facility.  

 I am a spiritual person and I believe in God.

~Thanks for sharing Felisa!  We wish you an exciting, and successful year ahead!

*If you are interested in being a featured artist on our blog- please email me at byHisgrace30@gmail.com