Spring Gathering of Artisans

One-of-a kind Zazzy Peacock Felted
and Beaded Swirl Bracelet by Jill Newman

After this bitterly cold winter, what better way to celebrate the vernal equinox and welcome the coming of spring than by shopping for bright new accessories for you and your home! On the very first day of spring, a "Spring Gathering of Artisans" will showcase the work of seven local artists, including myself.  The show will be held at a private home in Glen Echo, Maryland by invitation only on Saturday, March 21 from 10 am to 4 pm, with a preview showing on Friday, March 20 from 7 to 9:30 pm.  

This show is a great opportunity to find something truly unique to brighten your home or your wardrobe.  Bring a friend (but not the kids, please) and enjoy a glass of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a relaxed atmosphere while you shop for unique hand-crafted items.   Here are some brief descriptions and photos of what my wonderful fellow artists and I will be offering at the show.

Vibrant Handmade Ugandan Quilt from Amy Gautam

Amy Gautam is offering unique handmade Ugandan quilts.  While living in Uganda several years ago, she designed the quilts, purchased local African textiles, and hired local women to do the sewing.  Of the 120 quilts created from this collaboration, only 8 remain.  Each is one-of-a-kind and features colorful batik fabrics.  Amy will also be offering kitenges -- African cloths with Swahili sayings printed on them.

A collection of Beverly Roger's hand-painted pillows

Beverly Rogers paints beautiful original abstract artwork on canvas, pillows, placemats, and unique totes.  Beverly's lively art and home decor focus on color, balance, and connection.  Beverly can be reached at brogersb4designs@gmail.com.

Debi Sacks creates colorful abstract oil paintings on canvas as well as  mixed media collage.  Her bold, expressive use of color captures abstractions of nature and conveys deeper meaning.  You can see some of Debi's work on the Marin-Price Galleries website.  

More adorable Tutu Bags handmade by Nancy Marshall

Nancy Marshall creates unique handmade gifts including silk and beaded purses, personalized ballet tutu bags and aprons, children's hair ribbons and accessories, super hero capes, and chalk placemats.  Visit her Etsy shop, Fancy by Nancy, to see more.

Betty Farrell -- Unique jewelry made from semi-precious beads and crystals.

Unique Lamp from Crystal Luxe Lighting

Aldeane Josephs designs elegant custom-made lamps from Crystal Luxe Lighting -- each made from a one-of-a-kind exotic crystal or semi-precious stone set on an acrylic base with nickel hardware and a custom silk shade. Crystal Luxe Lighting lamps were featured in the 2014 D.C. Design House. See more of these sophisticated lamps in the Crystal Luxe Etsy shop.

Jill Newman -- Yes, that's me!  I make hand-felted and beaded jewelry and accessories.  My wearable art pieces are all one-of-a-kind and incredibly comfortable. And my vibrant color palettes are perfect for Spring!  I was recently juried in as a member of the Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.  A selection of my work will be available there, hopefully beginning with their April show.  In the meantime, you can see some of my work on my website at Zazzy Peacock Studios.  

So, as you can see, there will be something for everyone at this Spring Gathering of Artisans.  If you receive an invitation to this special event, please go enjoy the show -- Friday, March 20 from 7 to 9:30 pm and Saturday, March 21 from 10 am to 4 pm.  Hope to see you there!

"Crop Geometry," oil on canvas by Debi Sacks

Zazzy Peacock hand-felted and beaded swirl bracelet and ring

Close-up of one of Nancy Marshall's handmade ballet tutu bags

Fall Gathering of Artisans for Special One-Day Show

Amethyst Lamp from Crystal Luxe Lighting

This fall, a Home & Fashion Accessory Showcase will feature the work of six talented local artists.  The one-day show will be held at a private home in Bethesda, Maryland by invitation only on October 18 from 10 am to 4 pm.  

Bring a friend (but not the kids, please) and enjoy a glass of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a relaxed atmosphere while you shop for unique hand-crafted items.  It's a great opportunity to get in some early holiday shopping or to treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind gift.    Here are some brief descriptions and photos of what these wonderful artists will be offering at the show.

Aldeane Josephs -- Elegant custom-made lamps from Crystal Luxe Lighting -- each made from a one-of-a-kind exotic crystal or semi-precious stone set on an acrylic base with nickel hardware and a custom silk shade. Crystal Luxe Lighting lamps were featured in the 2014 D.C. Design House. See more of these sophisticated lamps in the Crystal Luxe Etsy shop.

"Girl Power-Let's Run Ms. T," acrylic on canvas by Beverly Rogers © 2014

Beverly Rogers -- Beautiful original abstract paintings on canvas, pillows, placemats,  and unique totes.  Beverly's lively art and home decor focus on color, balance, and connection.  

Kathy Berbakos -- Hand-knitted scarves and "corsage" bracelets.

Betty Farrell -- Unique jewelry made from semi-precious beads and crystals.

Personalized Ballet Tutu Tote Bag from Nancy Marshall

Wenzell Carter -- Original photography, note cards and holiday cards made from original photographs taken by the artist all around the world.

Nancy Marshall -- Unique handcrafted gifts including silk and beaded purses, monogrammed ballet tutu bags and aprons, children's hair ribbons and accessories, super hero capes, and chalk placemats.  Visit her Etsy shop, Fancy by Nancy, to see more.

So, as you can see, there will be something for everyone at this Home & Fashion Accessory Showcase.  If you receive an invitation to this special one-day event, please go enjoy the show -- Saturday, October 18 from 10 am to 4 pm.  

Note:  I unexpectedly had to pull out of this show.  I apologize to my customers and especially to my fellow artists for any confusion or inconvenience I have caused.

Holiday Sale on Unique Felted Zazzy Peacock Gifts!

Happy Thanksgiving!  To celebrate the start of the holiday season, I am having a holiday sale in my Zazzy Peacock shop.  Now through Cyber Monday, use coupon code TDAY10 to get a 10% discount.  I think my one-of-a-kind needle felted creations will make very special holiday gifts for your loved ones.  Thanks for looking!

Zazzy Peacock Abstract Teal Felted and Beaded Jewelry

Zazzy Peacock Felted Wool Coasters with Swirls

Zazzy Peacock Leopard Print Swirl Jewelry and Accessories

Zazzy Peacock Orange Art Deco Felted and Beaded Jewelry

Zazzy Peacock Color Block Bangle Bracelets

Peacock Motif Accessories from Zazzy Peacock Studios

Breaking into the Retail Market: Putting My Felted Goodies into the Customers' Hands

I've been so busy felting and juggling all the other aspects of my life that I've been neglecting my blog.  And, as usual, I have a backlog of felted goodies that I have yet to list in my Etsy shop.  The truth is I've been a bit disillusioned with Etsy.  I think people need to see and touch my felted wares in person.  Ideally, I'd like to do craft shows, but the lead times are long.  I have an application in to do the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this May, but I'm getting antsy to get "out there" now.

Zazzy Peacock needle felted cell phone and camera cases soon to be available at Leila Jewels in Potomac.  These are a unique one-piece seamless construction with a magnetic snap, created through an elaborate process of needle felting and wet felting the wool fibers until they are very strong and durable.  And each one is truly one-of-a-kind. 

Zazzy Peacock Abstract Felted Rings

So, I've decided to explore retail options.  I'm excited to say that I just left 25 items at a beautiful local shop that really shares my modern sense of color and design.  They sell gorgeous jewelry and gift items!  Seriously.  The store is Leila Jewels in the Cabin John Shopping Center in Potomac, Maryland.  They will be selling several of my one-of-a-kind felted gadget cozies, some colorful rings, a few intricately felted and beaded bracelets, and some of my fun purse hooks.  

It feels really good to open new doors and explore new opportunities.  I appreciate Deb Shalom of Leila Jewels giving me this chance.  Wish me luck!  If you're local, please stop by and check it out. 

Time for me to start cooking now. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Zazzy Peacock felted purse hooks with my signature animal print swirls

An example of my intricately felted and beaded bracelets with matching rings.
The sparkle of the crystals balances the earthiness of the felted wool.
The silver-plated lace edge settings add a vintage touch to the modern designs.

  

Fun Felted Color Block Jewelry for Summer

Needle felted color bangle bracelet and rings

So, I’m happy to report that somehow just admitting I was stuck got me unstuck.  Within a day or two after my last post, I had completed twenty new felted jewelry items for my Etsy shop.  By Friday, I had managed to list seven of them.  I know that doesn’t sound like much, but man, it’s a lot of work to create a listing on Etsy!

I focused on my latest designs – my own take on color blocks.  I'm really not one to follow trends just because they're "in."  But I just love it when a design that is very much my style is actually “in style.”  Lately, I’ve been enjoying all the animal prints, peacock feather motifs, and now – color blocks. 

I’ve been painting color blocks and geometric designs for years.  So I thought, how fun would it be to felt color blocks?  With needle felting, I can create such versatile pieces in just an incredible array of rich, vibrant colors.  And when something like animal prints or color blocks are “in style,” it’s fun to add a splash of high fashion with colorful jewelry -- without committing to a whole new wardrobe.  Am I right?

So here are some of my new felted color block rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces – perfect accessories for this summer season.  Hopefully, I’ll get some more listed this week.  Thanks for looking!

Zazzy Peacock color block jewelry set -- necklace, post earrings and rectangular ring

Another colorful geometric bangle bracelet and needle felted rings

Related posts:  Needle Felting:  Love at First Poke

                       A New Hook for My Colorful Animal Print Swirls

All Zazzy Peacock Studios designs and images shown are © Jill Newman 2012.  All rights are reserved.