Get Sparkly with Libra Jeweler, Marcia in Hawaii

New Moon in Libra October 7, 2010 11:44 am pdt

Spotlight on Libran Artist, Marcia Big Island of Hawaii Shop: Kahili Creations

As a Libra woman I must confess to my need to be surrounded by beauty with Venus being my ruling planet. Could that be why my family and I packed up our things and moved from a congested urban landscape to a rain forest in Hawaii?

Being a Libra enables me to be fair and honest in all aspects of my life. I can see both sides to every argument and situation, but unfortunately that can lead to indecisiveness! I will make a necklace, admire it, start photographing it and then decide it would look better as a pair of earrings; out come the wire cutters!

Libras are known for being artistic, but  I can't draw! I desperately needed a creative outlet as a child but since I lacked drawing and painting skills I became crafty instead. I dug holes in the backyard for clay so I could make little bowls and pots, I strung beads, and made "stained glass" out of food coloring, toothpicks and Elmer's Glue plus made a mess out of the kitchen trying to cook everything out of cookbooks.

Sparkly things mesmerize me and I can stare at gemstones all day long - I hold them in my hands and designs flow from them.

Today my creations are made from stones and metal. For inspiration I just have to look outside my window to find the beauty of nature all around me from blue sky, azure waters, rainbows, and black sand beaches to the volcanoes of my island home.Even the air, fragrant with jasmine, ginger and plumeria, is magnificent and I see textures in the hardened lava, sea shells and leaves that will eventually translate into a piece of jewelry.

Indulging in the Libra characteristic of loving the finer things in life, I have traveled extensively. One of the most memorable experiences I had was watching goldsmiths in Greece work on a sapphire and gold ring for me. It was influenced by a Mycenaean design and I cherish that ring to this day. I love seeing artists at work, so walking through the Oltrarno district in Florence, Italy inspired me greatly.There are so many amazing artisans there who are more than happy to open their studios and talk for hours about their craft. If only I could afford their gorgeous work; the micro-mosaics took my breath away.

While being artistic I also require the balance of actually making a fair wage for my creations. This means that along with designing comes the other part of owning a business: the dreaded marketing, packaging and accounting.

A balanced life with family, friends and a fruitful creative presence is precious to this Libra.

Marcia's Bio

Kahili Creations specializes in delicate jewelry made with precious and semi-precious stones, fine and sterling silver, vermeil and gold-filled findings.

What is it about things that sparkle? I really, really wanted a Yag simulated diamond when I was 8. The lady at the Akron showed me how much they twinkled under those fluorescent lights and I was hooked.

After an education at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and many careers later, we fast forward to now. My twinkly things are the many gemstone beads, silver and gold in my collection. The inspiration for my jewelry line comes from my life on the Big Island of Hawaii. The riot of colors and sounds that greet me every morning starts my

creative juices flowing. The flowers are more vibrant, the trees greener, the sky more blue, the water warmer, the air more fragrant. We have hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes galore and Kilauea has been churning lava my way. I am really one with the elements. With an annual rainfall totaling over 120 inches a year, I also need something to do during the downpours.

As with most gemstones and pearls, natural inclusions occur. In other words, the beads in my jewelry are a little flawed, just like yours truly.

Just do it! Libra Wool Artist, Michelle from Oz

New Moon in Libra October 7, 2010 11:44 am pdt

Spotlight on Libran Artist, Michelle Riley Adelaide, South Australia Shop Blog

1. How does you zodiac sign influence your life and your creativity?

Libra, ruled by Venus is a very creative sign – we love pretty things! I have quite a few planets in Libra apart from the Sun … Mars, Pluto, Uranus and Mercury – so I guess you could say I’m a bit over-loaded! Consequently, I’m the sort of person who needs to do something creative every single day.

Despite all these planets in Libra, most people don’t pick me for a Libran … I project my Ascendant (Gemini) and my Moon (Aquarius) most of the time. But I think it’s my Libran nature that inspires me to quiet my mind and let the ideas come to me.

2. What do you like best about your sign and least?

What I like the best about Libra is balance … something I haven’t quite figured out yet! I’m very much an all-or-nothing person, so I’m still learning the peace, harmony and balance of my Sun sign. I see Libra as being very calm – another quality that I’m aspiring to!

On the negative side, Libra can sometimes lack confidence … it’s very hard being confident as an artist because art is so subjective! This is something again, that I’m learning as I get older – you have to put your work out there and not expect everyone to love it.

3. How has being a Libran helped you become a better artist?

I’ve never really thought about this until recently … I’ve always thought it was other areas in my chart that drove my creativity, for example Saturn in Cancer and MC in Pisces. But now I’m aware that, as well as being a creative sign, Libra is also about seeing things from another person’s point of view. In the past I created designs that were completely self-indulgent – I was selling a few, but I really needed to stop digging my heels in and look at what my potential customers would like. I feel I’m starting to do this now. Also, I was given some spiritual advice last year that I had to ‘come out from behind my needlepoint frame’ and promote myself as well as my work. This is something I’m trying to do too, since the art and the artist can’t really be separated.

4. What kind of creative activities are best suited to your zodiac sign?

Traditionally Libra/Venus is associated with arts such as theatre, fashion and music. But personally I think Libra rules all forms of creativity and self expression – as does Cancer and Pisces. I personally enjoy working with wool and I think this may be because I’m lacking in earth signs in my chart – this provides some balance in my life. I tend to have an ideas-oriented personality so working with wool is very grounding.

5. What advice do you have for other Librans who are just starting to explore and develop their creativity?

Stop talking about it and just DO it! There are a lot of people who are armchair artists, but not many who actually create every day. Talent means nothing if you don’t practice … so don’t waste time wondering if you’re good enough – seriously, it doesn’t matter. The joy that creating art brings you is more important!

Michelle's Bio

I’ve always wanted to be an artist since I was young but it took me a while to find my perfect medium - wool! I’ve been designing needlepoint kits since around 2000, and haven’t stopped. I started Threefold Designs in 2003, launched my website and have recently started an Etsy store for more exposure. I am also in my first year of studying woven tapestry. When I’m not stitching I co-host a goth/darkwave radio show called Shadowplay

Unabashedly Feminine Virgo Artist, Ivy Long

New Moon in Virgo September 8, 2010 3:30 am pdt Spotlight on Virgoan artist: Ivy Long Edera Jewelry Vermont, New England, USA

As a lace maker and jewelry designer, it is fascinating to me how closely my astrological sign, Virgo, corresponds with my creative calling. I am drawn to fine details, meticulous workmanship and love to create order from the chaos of beads and color choices. I have a Virgo’s love of history, so it is only natural that I would choose to work in a technique that has a long tradition such as handmade lace, although I apply it in a new way. I also find that I am constantly drawn to historical costuming and jewelry for inspiration.

We Virgos are known for our agile hands and I love to weave delicate and complex lace motifs with a tiny crochet hook from a spool of real metal thread, formerly used in Renaissance embroideries.

My designs have tiny stones and vintage beads interwoven into the lace, a technique that requires precision, planning and patience, all Virgo virtues.

All the beads must be strung in an exact sequence on the thread before any crocheting can begin.

While I do love the challenge of creating a new lace pattern or developing a new technique, one of my favorite parts of designing is working with beautiful colors and beads with a preference for natural fibers and semi-precious stones — an unusual pairing with lace, but not so unusual for someone who is an earth sign.

Another recurrent theme in my work is floral motifs, which again alludes to the earthiness of my sign, as well as the feminine aspects of Virgo -- the only sign represented as a female symbol. Perhaps that is why I am drawn to things that are unabashedly feminine, like lace and flowers and the color pink! Like many Virgos I do have a perfectionist streak, which can be an occasional stumbling block to creativity, but for the most part the natural tendencies of my sign really do contribute to my art in wonderful ways."

Two Virgo Artisans Discuss their Craft

New Moon in VirgoSeptember 8, 2010 3:30 am pdt

Spotlight on Virgo Artists, Mother & Daughter Team: Christine McCredie & Elsie CMC Creations Madison, Wisconsin, USA

I am Virgo in my perfectionistic nature and the analytical way I see things. I think this is why I chose my specific theme in jewelry art; origami - every fold meticulous and exacting: the outcome is paper perfection. Ruled by the element earth I am a tactile creature, and I love the exquisite Japanese papers I work with, so full of texture and color; they inspire me.

My inventive nature and creative Virgoan side enjoys taking these meticulously folded paper forms and turning them into the focal points of various pieces of jewelry.

Ever critical, as the way of Virgo, sometimes finding the perfect beads to enhance my jewelry pieces can become time consuming, but when it’s all said and done, I fall in love with each piece created.

Now, my Virgo daughter, born five days before my 21st birthday, has a very different personality. She has yet to develop the exacting perfectionism that Virgos are known for and can let her creative juices flow without worrying and analyzing. I love working with her late into the evenings and relish her excitement at each finished piece as she expands her artistic side and delves into new, spontaneous ideas. I’m excited to see where it takes her because, even though perfectionism isn’t there, Virgo shows itself strongly in her trendy fashion sense and her flair for the dramatic.

Spotlight on Virgo Artist/Crafter: Tanya Luke 29 Palms, California, USA Kozie Kritterz

I am a Virgo “all the way” and a crafter at heart. I live in 29 Palms, California with my wonderful husband and three delightful children. I love fall colors, sweet scents, and the “warm feeling.” Holding true to the Virgo standard, “perfect is almost good enough” my work on these adorable Kritterz is near perfect. I have put my heart and soul into making each Kritter. I love watching the personality of each Kritter come to life as I put its’ face on, find the perfect collar, trim and fluff its’ fur. Each Kritter is precisely hand wrapped over 2,200 times on the forms my Nana (now 94) used when she first started making them over thirty years ago. These are the same forms she used to teach me how to make my first cat when I was eight. I am Virgoan in the way that I put the Kritterz together methodically and to perfection. My Virgo passion for color and texture serves me well in my craft.

I can browse through a yarn store for hours just looking at the vibrant colors and feeling all the wonderful textures of the yarns.

When a Virgo sets out to achieve their goals they do so with a fiery determination and I don’t find myself any

different. As a Virgo go-getter I have taught myself how to turn a cat into many new animals and a fun and fulfilling home business. It enables me to be able to stay home with my two young children and home school them. Crafting has always been a big part of my life and helps me stay centered and focused. Taking care of the smallest of details is what I am known for, just like each Kritter has his or her own adoption certificate and gable box home. I love being outside and I use a lot of items found in nature for my crafting. I also find that I'm at my calmest when I am creating these wonderful Kritterz.

Oakland, CA Leo Artist & Jewelry Designer, Victoria Camp

New Moon in Leo August 9, 2010 8:08 pm pdt

Spotlight on Leo Artist: Victoria Camp Oakland, California Website: http://www.victoriacamp.com

As a Leo artist, there is one word behind my driving force - “create.” Simply put, it’s a vital part of my life and I find it impossible for me to ever stop, no matter what the job or environment I’m in. Leo’s are always finding a new art or craft to try, experimenting with different mediums and art forms and I am no exception! Currently I am attending a fashion design school by day and also working as a jewelry artist from my home. I am finding that my true passion lies within jewelry design, but it is unlikely that I would ever stop learning and taking classes.

One of my key motivators as a Leo is passion, and I feel my emotions very deeply. This passion has helped my artistic side by inspiring me to finish what I have started (or even try something new) and to not “settle” for something less than ideal. I also feel that anything is possible if you have the right attitude and I genuinely enjoy being my own boss and managing all aspects of my business.

I have come to recognize that Leo’s have a keen eye for visual design and composition. As an artist, it is important to me that my work environment be visually organized and decorated in such a manner that won’t prohibit my creativity. When I am designing a piece, the first thing that draws me to create is the color and then the texture of the medium I am working with. I love the smoothness of freshwater pearls, the cut edges of a faceted gemstone, the soft matte finish of a clay flower and not to mention the endless color possibilities while working with clay!

As a tactile Leo by nature, I find that I am always touching the garment and accessories I am wearing. I often create my designs with touchability in mind, including either a type of bead or pendant that feels

intriguing underneath my fingertips. It’s all about the details; I find comfort in creating pieces with tedious detailing and handwork and find immense satisfaction when it is completed.

Leo’s love of luxury has certainly not escaped me! I always work with the best materials I can find within my price point and am picky about the quality standards of my finished pieces. I also enjoy the challenge of taking something “ordinary” and turning it into something wonderful, beautiful, and wearable!