Scoutie Girl

extraordinary spatial awareness

this industrial engineer capitalized on her skillset by trade and her passion for all-things-designed to create her striking sterling silver collections. as she explained, both vocations are essentially the same thing: designing 'little architecture.' when you look at her jewelry through that lens, it's easy to see how she manipulates shape and space into a structure that evokes mood and movement. she also offers necklaces, rings and earrings. try to contain yourself! Indie Artist: Andrea Panico

$178-242 from pico

friday scout out: reused

1. men's football watch from refinding, $55
2. keyboard magnet set from acorn studios, $9.95
3. crocheted plastic bag purse from cara taylor, $60
4. vintage kook-whoo necklace from buzz jewelry, $26
5. discarded printer paper notebook from subu, $6
6. rebar fireplace screen from one eighty design, $250

** everyday is earth day **

friday scout out: burlap

1. spring in a can from dandee designs, $10
2. mushroom pincushion from cathy of california, $30
3. pocket placemats (2) from greener grass, $15
4. wrap-around pants from fatita fa, $99
5. coffee-sack tote bag from sidney ann, $60
6. bangle bracelet from dose of creativity, $15

a little bit vintage, a little bit rock-n-roll

april 4th is a good day - for us and especially for Jena Coray from modish. two aprils ago, she started her blog; one april ago, she started her shoppe; this year, she launched her new jewelry collection, miralu. not too busy, is she? yowsa! she's not new to this racket, however, as she was originally an indie biz owner who made jewelry (curio j). glad she's back at it again! her designs are fresh and delightfully consistent with her overall style: vintage chic. these earrings are made from tiny fabric-covered posts with funky, rare vintage glass beads dangling below. great combos! Indie Designer: Jena Coray

$22-26 from miralu at modish

nurtured nature

these pieces knocked me out of my seat! "how the heck does she make these?" i wondered as i stared gape-mouthed and drooling on my desk (sorry for the imagery). this artist had her soul fused with Mother Nature at an early age, and it now fuels her striking and incredibly original jewelry designs. made from precious metals and pebbles, rocks, stones and quartz, each piece is snapshot of "improbable beauty." really remarkable. she's able to customize pieces for you, too, if you have a special rock or two (i've kept every rock my son has ever given to me...hmm). thanks to her devoted & proud *husband* for his note about his wife's work! Indie Artist: Andrea Williams

$100-200 from bound earth

friday scout out: cherry blossoms

1. set of 10 blank cards from oh man creations, $8
2. porcelain mug set from Jessica Rust Designs, $45
3. fitted, silkscreened tee from ahpeele, $28
4. "Pale Earth" print from Julie Beck, $24
5. chiyogami candle set from gamiworks, $15
6. glass & wire necklace from photoglassworks, $25

implosion pendants blow me away

another commenter from today, and voila - here's her dazzling art! (see how fast that can happen sometimes!) these pendants are created from borosilicate glass and the flame of her torch - i love that fire is the critical element in manipulating them into their form. aren't they spectacular?! each pendant is 1" in diameter, and all are kiln-annealed for strength & durability once the creative process is complete. they are strung on gunmetal or sterling silver ball chains - lengths can be adjusted on request. she also features vintage skeleton key necklaces with glass ring charms and other semi-precious charms - delightfully unique. Indie Designer: Paula McDonough

$29-35 from the venerable bead

fused glass gloriousness

cannot recall how i stumbled upon this artist, but as i read through her "no solicitors" glass tiles (upper left) - they all cracked me up and i knew i had to share. she makes all sorts of fused glass items, from recycled glass tiles to magnets to necklaces. colors are bold and balanced, pretty and playful. she also makes polka-dotted vases from iced coffee bottles - very cute! she's a freelance graphic designer and teaches beginning metalwork when she's not fusing glass every which way she can! Indie Designer: Jann Greenland

$28-450 from indigo workshop

friday scout out: baubles de bois

1. chunky bracelet from second sister, $28
2. round walnut ring from bon bon atelier, $140
3. resin & wenge wood earrings from modica, $65
4. maple pendant necklace from bellissima jewelry design, $48
5. filigree necklace from sharma designs, $43
6. black walnut earrings from orno, $36

organic silver jewelry

is it too early to start a birthday wishlist for december? rec'd a note from this designer yesterday and could not believe my eyes! these are my fave four pieces here, but truly, it was a challenge to narrow it down! her pieces have a modern, organic aesthetic that goes well with the materials she uses: recycled argentium silver (requires fewer chemicals in the metalsmithing process) and linen cords (a sustainable plant fiber). pieces are hammered, twisted, shaped and nestled by hand - results are delicately simple. her biz name "solsida" means sunnyside in swedish...she's got that going for sure. thanks for sharing, Catherine! Indie Designer: Catherine Beringer

$42-68 from solsida

friday scout out: spring green

1. vintage-fabric skirt from glamspoon, $34
2. button ring from crazy dreams studio, $24
3. recycled barnwood birdhouse from poppy's birdhouses, $19.99
4. custom fabric from daisy janie, $17
5. mini art quilt from liz plummer, $30
6. collage paper magnet from milkshake crafts, $6

dangerously pretty

these pretty necklaces are a perfect blend of organic and feminine, playful and sweet. love that these pieces don't feel manufactured at all - they feel very spontaneous and flowing. designer specializes in hand-hammered sterling silver and select high-quality stones. nice wire-wrapping to really individualize each piece. her lariats are so charmingly different and unexpected. she features rings, earrings and bracelets, too. Indie Designer: Andrea Suarez

$30-38 from stones and starling

glazed paper jewelry

how about these necklaces?! looks like ceramic or glass, but it's actually paper! for real. these are so well-conceived and concocted- they pretty much define what handcrafted is to me: original design, creative materials and superior craftmanship. each piece consists of meticulously cut and stacked layers of illustration board, which is then covered by tiny pieces of decorative paper and a special finishing glaze. i've made it sound simple, but i know it's not! she also features bracelets, earrings and custom designed pieces. lightweight, vibrant and stylish! thanks for sharing, anna! Indie Designer: Anna Sofia Poirier

$47-64 from anna sofia designs

birthday loot

my birthday was dec. 23rd, and i was one lucky chica this year! seems a blog about fabulous handmade goods is akin to a grade-A, spit-polished birthday list...not bad! these are items or designers i've featured previously, and i am so happy to be their proud owner now.

wool felt and fabric rings from greigh's layne. just what i need to keep my fingers warm on this frigid morning! the handstitched needle work is unbelievable. to see creativity and perfection take such a tiny, tiny form is very inspiring! see original post here.


etched and oxidized silver necklace from please bloom. the detail is striking. i love this design my husband picked b/c it reminds me of my family: papa bear, mama bear and baby bear (who is now 10!). and i love being reminded of the "circles of life." good stuff. see original post here.


glazed stoneware from liz kinder. my photos don't do her work justice, but - trust me - they are lovely. the strokes and palette are bold but harmonious. a signature style for me. my MIL was kind enough to peruse Scoutie Girl to find my post about liz's work, and she purchased these bowls at redelephantgallery.com. what a score, if truth be told - thank you riva!


letterpressed thank you cards from deluce design at modishoppe. i purchased these myself in anticipation of sending out a few once my bday and the holidays had passed (glad i didn't jinx myself). first letterpressed item i've ever owned - i don't know if i'll be able to go back to the land of lasers! see original post here.

baubles - basic & beyond

just rec'd a lovely note from Claire about her new online store, little pretty. she has a dangerous passion for sparkly jewelry - which motivated her to put together a collection of talented designers in her shop. striking bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings - mostly in silver and gold, with a few choice semi-precious stones here and there. the items pictured above are from NYC designer Victoria Strevens, who draws upon city architecture & sea life for inspiration. her precious metal designs are fluid and graceful. checkout this new shop on the block for luxuriously simple jewelry.

$50-250 from little pretty

the calm after the storm

aptly titled the "cyclone," this alluring necklace features a big, smoky, quartz bead that's wire-wrapped in a herringbone weave - a very intricate and perfect weave to boot. the entire pendant measures approx 1-½". wire-wrap is sterling, and it comes on a black leather cord with a handmade sterling clasp. choice of length. after another 'cyclone' of a holiday, this necklace really fits my mindset right now - it's sort of like the eye of the storm but in a really calming, focused kind of way. this jewelry artist makes exquisite rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings! Indie Designer: Cari Taylor

$28 from wired originals

thimbles or rings - you decide

wowie zowie. found these most, most, most amazing thimble/rings on adorn today, in a "gifts for crafters" post. whimsical elements & eye-catching color in such an array of neat designs (you're lucky i didn't say "neato"). she intended for them to be thimbles, but her peers at quilt guilds and sewing get-togethers told her they could be rings - i vote for rings! how about you? i cannot stop staring at them b/c they are just so unbelievably fascinating. i think knowing how tiny these perfect embroidery stitches are makes them off the charts for me. have i been effusive enough now? are any of my family or friends reading this...i have a birthday coming up!

$10.50 for 2 at greigh's layne

with rings on her fingers

i cannot imagine this jewelry designer keeping these rings in stock for very long, can you? especially around this time of year when everyone's getting fancy. each ring is meticulously created by attaching 44-beaded headpins to a sterling silver ringshank. she uses precious and semi-precious stones to create this very romantic, dazzling look. available in various shades of freshwater pearls. one size fits all as the rings are adjustable. complete line of necklaces (wire-wrapped), earrings and bracelets. Designer: Jennifer Eubank 

$100 from j.dell designs

get wired

finding dramatic, new ways to wire-wrap gemstones has become an experimental obsession for this designer. her techniques are constantly evolving as she challenges herself to find new collages, layouts and statements in her pieces. she incorporates classic elements in a hallmark "organized chaos" - i love every second of it...risk-taking is what it's all about! Designer: Alexandra Mihaescu

Q: how hard is it to repeat a wrapping pattern that you created by accident? [see comments for answer]

$65-229 from by me jewels

hip [to not be square] necklaces

how about these babies? hand-etched copper with a funky jade-colored fiberglass backing. super lightweight, but durable (horseplay allowed). each pendant is covered with protective gloss to prevent tarnishing. artist features lots-o-designs as well as necklaces in acrylic for only $10 and cool t-shirts, too. keep an eye out for this one...

$20 from bumblesea

colorful, happy, flirty felt

so many applications, so little time. this artist is addicted; she says she can't stop thinking about all the things she'd like to make...i say go for it! it's an extremely adaptable medium if you're as skilled and creative as she is. these are just a few of her designs: a scarf, a handbag, a necklace, and a scarflette. all delicately felted and embellished by hand. her etsy site also features earrings, journal covers, barrettes, brooches and covered soap - each more remarkable than the next.

$30-125 from lana de flor

sweet silver

these necklaces strike such a chord with me. i see major elemental (is that an oxymoron?) harmony in the materials used - beauty in basics. but then there's the opposition of the finishes: the shiny, shimmery cut facets of the gemstones vs. the rough, tarnished, imperfect circles. it's sort of like a pearl in an oyster. no matter - love it all! this artist also features pretty, handstamped, antique silver charm necklaces, too. she's poured her heart and soul into her work, and it certainly shows. Designer: Jan Avellana

$60-64 from hazelnut cottage at etsy

a wink at the past

and a nod to the future. bringing together vintage styling and modern materials, these designs are super-cute and super-affordable! i can see them worn just about anywhere, anywhy, anyhow. and all of these beauties could become a wardrobe staple. every girl needs a pair of go-to-without-fail earrings. they're a cheap-chic, etsy offshoot of shy siren's Sara Schwittek. shy siren features her and her partner's uppercrust jewelry line as well as the adorable handbags of Sara's twin sister, Amy - whose belts we posted about before. (didja follow all that? there will be quiz!). have fun checking it all out! Designer: Sara Schwittek

use discount code "scoutiegirl" to receive 15% off any order at www.ShySiren.com (no expiration date).

$18-28 from shy siren at etsy

recommended dosage: 1 teaspoon

just rec'd an update from spoonfed art about their new 'wares....silverwares to be exact. i wrote about this indie company back in february, and i distinctly recall being completely in awe of the entire collection. nothing has changed. teaspoons provide the foundation for this tiny, tiny collage art, which is then frozen in place with a special resin concoction. the new collection (seen above) features smaller, more oval-shaped spoons. all are insanely gorgeous! spoonfed art supports NEDA, the Nat'l Eating Disorders Association. Designer: Karin Collins

$85 from spoonfed art

to swear or not to swear

sad but true: my nickname in college was 'trucker mouth.' not much has changed. i'm a big fan of swear words, but i'm an even bigger fan of (1) outrageously well-done designs like these and (2) an artist bold enough to call his biz 'swear jar design.' ALL of his work is un-freaking-believable! a silversmither with an array of influences from architecture to nature, he works with german silver (aka nickel) and resin enamel to create stunning combinations with balanced, delicate details. excellent translation of ideas! collection includes buckels, pendants, cuffs and earrings.

$125 from swear jar design

the nature of silver

using real twigs, acorns, maple seeds and bark as the models from which to handcarve wax molds, these gorgeous pieces of jewelry take the "inspired by nature" philosophy quite literally. the twin sister silversmithers who are the beauties and brains behind these creations make each one from sterling silver using a wax-casting method and some clever ideas of their own. they also feature pretty seaglass & silver pieces as well as a line of funky/edgy design motifs. please inquire for prices and availability of individual pieces. Designers: Kerry Alice and Heather Collins

$35-200 from twigs and heather

protozoan marvels

if you read SG on a regular basis, you know i'm a sucker for a pendant (among other things). these lampworked glass gems are right up there with the rest. so much mojo coming from them...like they're going to predict my future (hope it's not foreboding) or maybe a genie will appear from behind the fog curtain. either way, they're certainly charmed with incredible dimension and movement that comes from labor-intensive, hands-on manipulation with hot glass. 1" in diameter with either gold or sterling silver accents. this artist is as complex as her work, which makes them all the more impressive. lots of glass jewelry styles, including rings, bracelets and hairpins. Designer: Jennifer Syfu

$75-85 from starving artist bazaar

what's your cuff style?

look at all those glorious colors! rec'd an email about a new etsy shop from one of my favorite metalsmithers, tay from twirl. i posted about one of her BE rings before, see here. she's incredibly talented so i was anxious to see what her bread+butter etsy shop would hold in store (literally!). i was pleasantly surprised to find these posh wrist cuffs in 2 divergent styles: frou-frou and rebel-prepster. love them both for their originality in materials and design. both are made from luxurious ultra-suede, making them super-comfy. flowers are individually cut free-hand - without a pattern - and then assembled with swarovski crystal centers. the hot-pink striped cuffs are also made from scratch and have a loop & button closure on the back for extra flare...these are inspired by funky tennis sweatbands from the bjorn borg-john mcenroe era (2 more of my faves). Designer: Tay McIntyre

$15-32 from bread+butter at etsy

lady vs. nature

one word: thorough. from design to description to execution, it's like reading a who's who of beaded jewelry. not only are the pieces *gorgeous*, but i also felt like i was getting a mini-education on the various types of gemstone jewelry beads. (the designer is a self-professed bead-aholic so she certainly knows what she's talking about.) these necklaces and earrings are from her "alloy & earth" collection - a rich mix of nature's finest stones with man's best mixed metals. combinations are striking and truly perfected! many, many other wonderful pieces available...she's inspired so look out! Designer: Kristen Berge

$28-132 from coquitodesigns.com

first coast art spot

kelly warren, jewelry designer extraordinaire from happy shack designs, recently launched a very cool brochure website called first coast art spot. like many indie designers, she's been on the art/craft show circuit for years and has met many, many other super-talented artists and designers in various media. kelly came up with a way to bring all these creative people together for a collaborative venture - in the name of greater exposure for their work and mutual support in the biz. at first coast art spot, it's like a stroll through an art show...without the hassle of parking and fighting crowds! it's relatively new, but kelly said artists are contacting her everyday to become a part of first coast. if you're looking for artwork, mark it and check back often to see what's new. if you're an artist, consider joining to get your work seen by a larger audience! innovative idea, kelly! thanks for looking out for your fellow artists! best of luck!! below are some examples of the charter members' work...

	happy shack designs lampwork, crystal, gemstone and pearl beaded jewerly. for this item: $52
	great blue heron studios acrylic & canvas fine art and photography for this item: $5500 for original; $250 for signed prints
	eli silas designs mixed media wall art for this item: $60
	pockets of sage handmade fabric handbags for this item: $30
	jac ceramics original, functional pottery for this item: $30

two new cowgirls on the block

with a rockin' western theme and a sassy attitude to boot, these necklaces would be a great compliment to a kicked back summer outfit. on the left are conchos paired with multiple strands of black leather or colorful seed-beading; on the right are soldered glass pendants (bracelet and necklace) with either chunky jasper beading or a simple silver ball & chain strand. the images in some of the glass pendants are from vintage photos of cowgirls and rodeo scenes. they'll also customize just about any of their items for you with your own photos or sayings! i just bought the daisy pendant, and i'll let you know more about it when i receive it! they also have handpainted belts, mirrors, funky belt buckles and lapel pins made from spurs. nice to see something so different for a change. thanks ladies! Designers: Samantha VanCleave and Stacy Stahel

$18-95 from cowgirlwhimsy.com

cuff links that rock

when i see the work of frances smersh, i want to be the character elaine benes as she pushes jerry seinfeld back two feet and shouts with incredulity, "get out!" her designs (frances not elaine) just knock me for a loop every single time! these cuff links are perfect for a special father's day gift. with pigmented concrete, cork, fresh water pearls and sterling silver mixed and matched in complete harmony, they are stylish yet masculine, striking yet accessible. frances and her husband john own a fabulous store in seattle, with all sorts of mod selections from furniture to handbags and back. must, must see! their website sends a nice vibe as well, and you can purchase from there if you happen to be somewhere other than seattle! Designer: Frances Smersh

$98-148 from clickdesignsthatfit.com

magnificent pottery

what an incredible range of work, from the chosen clay media to the finishing glazes. but the same sense of style and balance is pervasive from one collection to the next. i would be thrilled to own anything from this still-emerging-yet-accomplished pottery artist. she's self-deprecating to boot; her bio is great reading! and she's a philadelphia girl (now anyway!). PA is glad to have her. Artist: Liz Kinder

$34-170 from lizkinder.com

bloomin' silver jewelry

g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s sterling silver jewelry! organic forms and accents are completely in sync with the symbolic look of the etched patterns. the oxidation adds the final aged appearance. this jewelry single-handedly brought me out of the blog-posting doldrums! thank you! these metalsmith'd items are limited edition and one-of-a-kind. very cool earrings and rings, too. Designer: Please Bloom

$46-64 from please bloom at etsy

hand-tooled leather

rec'd a great tip from this etsy seller yesterday (thank you). she specializes in hand-tooled leather accessories. displayed here are some of her necklaces - isn't the detail amazing? once the "relief" is carved into the leather, she hand-paints her pieces to boost the dimensionality of the final design. incredibly artistic results. it's very refreshing to see a different craft medium, too. silver box chains are included. she also features wrist cuffs, belts, larger necklaces and some other cool stuff - very wearable art. Designer: Allison Sattinger

$29-37 from sunny rising at etsy

sugary temptations for your ears

looking for a little sweet shizzle for your zizzle? here you go! these earring delights are created from fruit-colored gemstones and lustrous fresh water pearls. choose either sterling silver or 14K-gold finish; varying dangle lengths, too. whimsy meets sophistication. designer specializes in eye-catching creations that dress-down and dress-up very easily! you'll be seeing a lot of her work, i'm sure! Designer: Laurie Chapman

$70-170 from sweet tooth designs

lampwork necklaces

i'm a huge fan of lampwork beads; what's not to like?! it takes great patience and skill to turn bits of colorful glass into these spectacular gems. this designer is also a fanatic, and she creates her jewelry from lampwork beads handmade by artisans with whom she has personally connected. (these are not imported beads!) she then creatively pairs them with swarovski crystals and czech glass on sterling silver or 14k-gold chains. showstoppers and casual selections available in an array of colors. bracelets and earrings, too. Designer: Kelly Warren

free bling friday starts this friday, 5/4. every friday, happy shack designs will be giving away a pair of earrings! she'll post every friday on her blog, and all you have to do is send an email to win!

$45-120 from happyshackdesigns.com

charmed by this necklace

i stumbled this designer about a year ago, and it was love at first sight. (i am partial to the name "Jack" as well!) her work is extremely inspired and amazing. edgy elegance and playful styling com together in these sweet name charm necklaces. the artist hand-forms each piece from start to finish based on your custom-order. the process includes cutting, stamping, embellishing, oxidizing and polishing. each charm hangs from a silver chain w/ semi-precious stones and a handmade S-hook clasp. many, many other warm and sexy pieces available. Designer: Suzanne Myers

see suzanne's Q & A

$120-140 from suzannemyers.com

wooden you like a necklace like this?

a well-chosen name for this designer's work: bellissima, which means "very beautiful." inspired combinations in organic elements - like ebony wood, mother-of-pearl, agate, seed beads - create a distinct and harmonious look. perfect to dress-up or dress-down, and most are limited edition. many other designs available that incorporate semi-precious stones, shell, bone, glass, silver, gold & crystal; bracelets and earrings, too. warning: it will be hard to pick a favorite! she'll also work with you on a custom-designed piece, fix your old necklaces or refresh an antique. Designer: Sarah Bridger

see sarah's Q & A

$42-56 from bellissima jewelry design

indie fundraiser

i rec'd information recently about a grassroots fundraiser taking place for fellow indie designer/event organizer/all-around-indie guru, alison gordon. alison had to undergo emergency surgery recently and is without health insurance to foot the bill. some of her indie designer friends put together a shop of incredible handmade items - ALL donated - in the hopes of raising some money to ease alison's financial burden. there's a lovely assortment of jewelry, accessories, stationery, clothing and artwork. so check out the wares, buy something fun and help out in the process!!

from wonderland retreat at etsy

nuts for this necklace

an ordinary object becomes a lustrous, wearable piece of art, as illustrated by this groove-on-it pendant! i go wild when i see such stretched convention, and this is right up there with the best! simple metal nuts from a hardware shop creatively paired with cubic zirconia, swarovski crystals, sterling silver and/or other gemstones lay the foundation for this designer's work. she also features earrings, bracelets, footwear and some clothing (very cool t-shirt that says, "i live i laugh...do you?"). Designer: Dawn Pilpel

$140 from iweardoyou.com

preserved artwork

picasso said it best: "every child is an artist. the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." with these designs, you'll at least have a way to hold onto their original works. any design can be made into a pin, pendant, earrings, tie tack, cufflinks or key chain. can be made in silver or 14K gold, if you prefer. this is one of the most creative things i've seen in a long time! what an apropos business name, too! spotted on cool mom picks mother's day gift quide. Designer: Lee Skalkos

$95-175 from totally out of hand

sponsor showcase

more Spring gloriousness from our sponsors. please visit soon and often.

1 - big mama handbag from daisy janie - $55
2 - green floral notebook from milkshake - $15
3 - brigadoon necklace from nek jewelry - $150

handcrafted, everyday silver