Shark Tooth Necklaces!

My boyfriend Ramsey and I recently took a vacation to Cancun to get away from Chicago's brutal weather.  It was an amazing escape!  We stayed at Paradisus Hotel where we lounged on the beach for a couple of days, then spent an afternoon spelunking and snorkeling in a National Geographic-certified cave a few hours away.

A little friend we found showing off

Reading marketing books on my new Kindle

Ramsey and I at the Tulum Mayan ruins

View from the hotel room

Lazy day at the resort

Sunset stroll

While on the beach, I was approached by a local jewelry maker named Angel selling his necklaces on the beach.  I chatted with him about his designs and his life (he's 21 and has a son), and he agreed to sell me some of his sharks teeth!  He told me that he purchases entire shark mandibles and pulls off the best teeth to use in his jewelry.  He fits the teeth into washed up coral and drills a hole into the teeth to hang them from his necklaces.

Angel and I discussing shark teeth

Following the trend of chevron, geometric triangles, and spikes, shark tooth necklaces are going to be a huge trend this summer!  I loved the ability to purchase these little babies from an independent artist like myself!  I brought them home (without declaring "organic materials" on my customs form... whoops!) and had fun designing a little set this evening.

 

I double wire wrapped the shark tooth using 22 gauge 14k gold filled wire onto one of my favorite types of chain: satellite chain.  I love the extra pattern it gives while still maintaining a minimal appearance.  I'm offering it on Etsy with the satellite chain (more expensive) and a standard chain.

Hope you love these as much as I do!

www.paradisus.com
www.etsy.com/shop/landonlacey

Edgy Bridesmaid Necklaces

Music: Chicago by Sufjan Stevens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1PUqZyeuAk)

There's something eternally beautiful about a gemstone created by the earth and left raw.  When I was young, I had a rock collection that has evolved over the years into this:

I love these geode slices because they're a peek into a tiny little world.  They seem magical to me, like a fairy's home.  I love how they are glammed up with the high-shine gold plating, taking them from an underground cave to a designer's showcase.  Like Mumford and Sons getting dolled up for the Grammys.  

 I made this particular set for a chick as a special order on Etsy.  I hope she loves them, because it was very sad putting them in the mail!  This is the curse of my art - I get too attached.  And these delicious little nuggets are easy to get attached to.

Check out my other pieces here: Landon Lacey on Etsy

Local Scarves: An Interview with Bozena Strozik

In honor of the -12 degree temperatures here in Chicago, I interviewed a local grassroots artist who makes gorgeous handmade scarves!  Here's the scoop on BOZENA STROZIK:


Give me some background on yourself - where you're from, what you do, unusual interests, etc.

I was born and raised in a small town in Poland, my parents brought me and my two siblings to the States when I was thirteen with hopes of a better future.
 
I enjoy camping, traveling, reading, biking, cooking and of course crocheting. I love hanging out with hubby and spending time with our fourlegged baby BaBa.

How long have you been making scarves?

About 3 years

How did you initially become interested in handmade scarves?

I fell in love with chunky, oversized cowls. Instead of just buying one I was determined to teach myself  how to make one. I felt that it was the only way I was going to get exactly what I want. I found that crocheting is very calming and relaxing, I was hooked.

Hooked - that's funny : )  How did this move from a hobby to a business?

I had quite the collection of scarves and cowls, after giving a lot of them away to friends and family and getting lots of compliments I decided to give Etsy a try.

Check out Bozenna's Etsy link at the bottom of this post! 
What techniques do you use when you make these scarves?  
I don't know anything about knitting and crocheting... so fill me in!

I don’t really use any techniques, all of my scarves and cowls are made freehand with no patterns or stitch counting.  I usually think of something and go for it or just make it up as I go, this is why no two scarves in my shop are the same.

How do you choose your yarn (it's yarn, right?)  Where do you get it?

I choose my yarn by softness and thickness.  I enjoy most working with super bulky yarns  always making sure that it’s soft to touch.  My favorite yarn to work with is an Acrylic & Wool blend.  My go to store for yarn shop is Hobby Lobby, I also often visit Michaels.

What direction do you see this going in?

My ultimate dream would be to have my scarves in my favorite store FreePeople (www.freepeople.com)

Have there been any people or artists who have influenced you? 

My inspiration is the world wide web, I do a lot of research to stay o top of fashion and trends.

What's the most unconventional way a person could wear one of your scarves?

My infinity scarves can be worn as a bolero and most of my cowls are wide enough to be pulled down on the shoulders for some extra warmth.

What's your biggest feel-good story about your handmade scarves?  Something someone has said?  Something you've chosen to do with them?

One of my clients e-mailed me to tell me that she was stopped by a woman on the street because she had to know where she got her cowl from. That to me is the best compliment. I also enjoyed being able to donate 15% of my December sales to Child's Voice (www.childsvoice.org)

If you could see your scarves on any celebrity, who would it be? 

Rachel Zoe ☺

Thanks for a great interview Bozena!  You can find Bozenna's warm, handmade scarves at:

www.etsy.com/shop/BundleUpShop