Lately, I’ve been enchanted by the delicate, organic designs of Canadian artist and jewelry designer, Colleen Baran. Colleen specializes in unique sterling silver rings with very unconventional compositions.

Colleen’s designs range from the simple, such as the finger-hugging style of the Flying Saucer series (pictured above) to the intricate, as seen in the Cloud series (below), which features sets of rings that can be stacked and worn in multiple ways to create the effect of several levels and layers of circles.

I think my favorite Colleen Baran ring design, however, is the light and airy Bubble Lace series (below) with its elegant pattern of gentle loops in various sizes. As the name suggests, the ring is reminiscent of something fine and delicate like vintage French lace.

Colleen’s unusual jewelry designs are not limited to rings. One piece in Colleen’s Translation series is a bracelet called “Love and Lust”, which features the words “love” and “lust” translated into 25 different languages. The lovely frosty look of the Love and Lust bracelet comes from simple ink on polyester resin, mylar and acrylic.

If you love the frosty windowpane look of the Translation series and you’re looking for a wedding or promise ring that is also an original work of art, check out Colleen’s new “Like Wearing a Love Letter” series, which consists of one-of-a-kind pieces that will be featured in a Toronto exhibition called “The Objects of Longing.” All of the rings are made from “milky plastic paper” with ink, thread, or silver incorporated into the designs. One set, which looks very similar in style to the “Love and Lust” bracelet, is a pair of rings meant for a couple. The rings are inscribed with the messages “I want to be your wife always” and “I’ve loved you since the moment I met you”. Two other pieces in the collection, “My Love Overflows” and “Untitled 3” (above) feature cut-out hearts and petals and have an ethereal look that brings to mind fairy wings or gauzy white dresses.

You can find many of these lovely designs and more in Colleen’s etsy shop.

By: Ann Tabor of Sleepy Records and Little Mouse Vintage

How did you get your start?

It is in my nature to create things either out of necessity or for fun so, good creative genes. I also have a knack for navigating the internet, so it was easy to gather the information to launch Little Flower Designs.

What was the first item you ever made?

The first item I made as Little Flower Designs was a lamp. When I first launched LFD I was thinking about lighting and how light can function as a sculptural object while being utilitarian within a living space. I still make lamp bases from time to time but, they are not part of my current line. It’s something I hope to bring back in the future.

Do you have any formal training?

I have a BFA in sculpture from Tyler School of Art as well as a certificate in Interior Design from Philadelphia University. I have also taken quite a few pottery classes to gain studio access. However, I tend to move at my own pace and learn as I find a need and in that way I am self taught when it comes to ceramics. It is also the nature of the field, you have to test and re-test every material and how materials react to each other. There’s always something new to explore.

When and why did you create your business?

I officially launched Little Flower Designs in the summer of 2004, at the time I was pursuing various mediums and wanted a way to bring all of them together. This is still my vision for Little Flower Designs.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love having control of my time. This is so important to my creative process.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Nature and fashion are great inspirations. Browsing fashion magazines keeps my eye fresh. And everything in nature, I’m always on the look out for a new idea. I recently started a new blog http://littleflowerdesigns.blogspot.com/ where I am posting my inspirations as well as my work. The focus is that inspiration can come from anywhere, it is many of the little things in life that can be over looked.

Who is your favourite designer?

I have a few favorites; Jonathan Adler, Lotta Jansdotter, Angela Adams and Kate Spade for the way they run their businesses and expanded beyond their original medium.

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

I’ll have to say peace. I find it hard to function when life gets too crazy, I always have to stop and make my way back to the peace within me.

What will you be wearing this winter?

jeans, t’s by indie designers, hoodies, skirts with boots and pretty sweaters, silver jewelry and dangly earrings

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?

Network, let people know who you are and what you do.

Where do you hope your business will be in 5 years?

I hope to have a boutique/studio as well as a very large main studio on the property of my future home.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Make something you love.

Site: www.littleflowerdesigns.com

If you love clutches as much as I do you will love the Swifty Chick clutches from 2 Fresh Petunias. They are the perfect clutch for your perfect occasion. They come in many patterns and colors so you’ll be able to have one to fit every situation.

Have a wedding to attend? Then the Onyx Roses is the perfect coice. Maybe you just want to set off that classic outfit with a playful bag. For that I would suggest the Raspberry Patch Clutch. Whatever design you choose you will surely look cute, stylish and sophisticated.

Site: www.2freshpetunias.com

Garden Girl is the new natural skin care line created by herbalists using the very best ingredients from nature. All of their products are not only soothing to the skin, but soothing to the soul. Garden Girl’s products are free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary paraben-based preservatives. They combine essential oils and extracts that address specific skin care needs while invigorating (or calming) your mood. The products are made from extremely gentle non-irritating blends.

I tried many of the products including the Starting Over natural microdermabrasion cream. It was so gentle on my skin unlike alot of the other microdermabrasion kits out there. The hand cream is also fantastic for dry and cracked hands that many of us have right now.

Site: www.gardengirlskincare.com

Prima Creative was established in 2006 by designer Melissa Mosey. The company evolved out of Melissa’s love of stylish, individualized, designer gift tags and notecards. Her Valentine’s Day cards are sure to make your loved ones smile. They can be purchased on their own or in sets of ten.

Formerly a dancer, Melissa created the first design of a “Christmas tutu” intended for greeting cards and gifts tags. One tutu inspired another and another. Different fabrics, colours and patterns combined to invent new designs. Quickly Prima Creative was a closet full of fashionista dresses and tutus. Melissa’s design background helps her translate her vision into clever designs, her dancer side draws a bow and sparkles on every card. And there you have it, Prima Creative Greeting Cards!

Site: primacreative.etsy.com

Amenda Tate combines her skills in metalsmithing with jewelry design to create pieces of wearable art. Through hand forging and fabrication, her designs result in jewelry that embodies a sculptural presence. Her work is individually handcrafted one piece at a time in her Colorado studio.

My favorite piece is the Carnelian Bubbles Cuff that can be found at The Guild. Amenda also does custom work so if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind design for your engagement or wedding ring she is the one you want to design it!

Site: www.amendatate.com

How did you get your start?

I started and built the website in 2002 as more of a personal website
to showcase my work and portfolio (I’m a web designer by trade).

What was the first item you ever made?

In high school my sister and I saw these t-shirts in an over-priced
chain shop and we thought…we could make that instead of spending
$36 on a factory produced shirt! So I learned how to silkscreen and
started making my own t-shirts. I think the first shirt was probably
a band shirt!

When and why did you create your business?

I couldn’t find an online site that offered consignment for handmade
“crafty” goods at the time, so I decided to offer consignment on my
site. I knew there were other crafty people out there who probably
had the same problem and started it as a way to let other people
showcase their crafts and products. After that, the site grew and grew!

Do you have any formal training?

I went to UC Berkeley and majored in Architecture and have always
been intrigued with how things get made and how things work and the
whole design process, from buildings to websites! I don’t have any
formal training in sewing or web designing…everything I learned was
on the job!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I do this full-time, so I have to say what I enjoy most is being my
own boss! I have to work a lot more than I did at any 9-5 job, but
the rewards are so much more satisfying. I have to be able to be
disciplined and to pinpoint what needs to get done, but it feels good
to be able to work on my own schedule to do that. I also enjoy
meeting so many great people from running this website. I have made
so many friends and contacts and other surprising friendships and
opportunities from the site!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Every day life! I read a lot of blogs and comb through magazines and
cut out things, but probably the most inspiration comes from things I
see outside…colors and shapes and compositions. And also it’s
important for me to always know what’s going on in this community and
I love trolling through websites and photographs and seeing what
people are making and wearing and using! Also since July of 2006,
I’ve been living in Istanbul…and it’s opened up a whole new world
for me. The challenge (I always love a challenge) of living in a
different place and seeing different things in another culture is
always so stimulating!

Who is your favorite indie designer?

Any of the people that have been featured on CUT+PASTE!

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

My computer! It’s such a nerdy thing to say, but especially since
I’m living abroad now, the computer is my lifeline! It’s where all
my work gets done, and I communicate mostly through email with a lot
of people…and I use the internet to do my research and check up on
interesting factoids!

What will you be wearing this winter?

Handmade and vintage! I currently religiously wear a pair of tan
vintage boots and usually a top from Supayana or Snowflake 66 and
comfy t-shirt from Maryink or Nooworks. I love supporting the
designers on our site. A brightly colored coat and giant tote bag.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?

Find your own voice. It will work and be successful if there’s no
one else that is doing it or if you think you can do it better. And
be dedicated and persistant, if you love doing it, you’ll find you
won’t have a problem! Nothing happens overnight!

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

One of the ultimate handmade shopping places to go to! And I hope to
open a real brick and mortar shop!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Time will pass and so will it.

Site: www.cutxpaste.com

Today is my momma’s birthday so happy birthday mom! I wanted to do a quick post to let you all know about some of the items Yana has up for auction. These two tops are amazing as usual and they are both ending today. Hurry up and bid!

While surfing around Etsy once again, I found the most adorable tees at Citizen Jane. They come in so many different colors it is hard to choose which one to buy. The puff sleeves and polka dots are super girly yet totally fashionable. Each tee is one-of-a-kind and features an original applique design. All of the shirts are Alternative Apparel which means sweatshop free!

Site: citizenjane.etsy.com