The Artisan Group...Who Needs To Leave The House To Go Shopping?

You've heard me mention TAG in previous posts, and although I'd like to say it stands for "Talented and Gorgeous" (which is true), it stands for The Artisan Group, an amazing and exclusive organization of gifted artists, founded by graphic designer and powerhouse Valerie Guerrero. This group is juried, so only the creme de la creme are admitted. They are so good, in fact, they regularly participate in GBK Production Gifting Lounges for events such as the Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes, MTV Movie Awards, and this year, the CMAs (Country Music Awards). It's members are also accomplished authors, having published in books and magazines, winners of prestigious awards, participants in New York City Fashion Week, and their products can be found in retailers across the country. Most importantly, they are the loveliest, most supportive group of artists I know. How do I know? I'm blessed to be a member.

Now, anyone who knows me well knows I hate shopping, especially the mall. Maybe I'm just a lazy ass. Maybe I'm claustrophobic. Maybe I hate being attacked by salespeople with samples (reminiscent of my days as a physician, when the drug reps would interrupt my day to hawk their drugs du jour). Not only that, the products out there are kind of....blah. Ok, there, I said it!! I could shop for hours, and search through aisles and aisles of mediocre merchandise, and out of desperation, have to buy a birthday gift I wasn't completely satisfied with. I hate that.

Then, one day, I started perusing the shops of my fellow Tagsters...and guess what? I struck a goldmine of quality, unique, beautiful, merchandise that I would not only be proud to gift, but have now bought for myself, time and time again. "AAAAAAAAhhhhhhh' the angels are singing!

I am dedicating a biweekly series of my blog to the talented and gorgeous TAG artisans:) They produce a variety of merchandise (art) such as stationery/paper goods, bath/body products, jewelry, photography, fiber goods, clothing, baby products, shoes, art pens, dog products, paintings, toys.

This week, I'm starting with our stationery/paper goods "department". It never fails that whenever I need a greeting card, no matter how far in advance I buy it, it's never quite right. The words are too sappy, or the picture is too creepy. The words are too creepy, and the picture too bizarre. You feel my pain?

The talented artisans at TAG that specialize in stationery and paper goods have made my dilemma a thing of the past!! Their talent, imagination, quality, and enthusiasm is reflected in the work they produce.

Jessica Gattone, Owner and Creative Director of Sparetire Design,  http;//sparetiredesign.com, based in New Jersey, offers custom design solutions for every graphic design need. Personal and everyday stationery, as well as custom wedding invitations.

                                                   

Photos courtesy of Sparetire Design

She also has a shop on Etsy http://etsy.com/shop/sparetiredesign.

Jess' work is so amazing, it's been gifted to celebrities such as Hillary Duff,  Zooey Deschanel, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes! It will also be gifted to the nominees and recipients of the Country Music Awards, later this year!!

Laura Hudson, Owner and Designer at Simply Paperie,  http://simplypaperie.com and http://etsy.com/shop/simplypaperie,  based in Missouri,  designs custom wedding and event invitations, as well as beautiful stationery and custom journals. Her gorgeous work has been featured at the 2012 GBK Production Golden Globe Gift Lounge, and has been gifted to celebrities like Ryan Gosling, and Trista Sutter!! 

Photos courtesy of Simply Paperie

Laura's amazing journals are sold on http://etsy.com/shop/studio827kc

Danielle Goff, Owner and Designer at Stampin Crazy in Texas http://etsy.com/shop/stampincrazyintx,  based in Austin, is one talented lady!! Her business was featured by Office Depot in their Thursday Business feature, and her handmade cards, invitations and gifts have been gifted to celebrities such as Vanessa Lachey and Kaley Cuocco. 

Photos provided by Stampin Crazy in Texas

This is just a taste of the talent in the Stationery/Paper Goods "Department at TAG...these three artists were kind enough to participate in my blog series, but there are many others in TAG not featured here today. Many thanks to Jess, Laura, and Danielle!!

In my next TAG feature, we will visit the Bath and Body Department...stay tuned!!!

SariBlue...There's Nothing Evil About It, That's For Sure!

I just received my Byzantine Beauty earrings from an artist named Sari from her Etsy store, SariBlue http://www.etsy.com/listing/94224003/byzantine-beauty-earrings-handmade-glass.  Now, I am an avid collector of evil eye jewelry, not because I am superstitious, but because there is something so beautiful and mystical about the eye in art. These earrings, are, by far, the most beautiful works I have ever owned!!

They are so luxurious, and old world...so high quality, with real glass handmade in Turkey, and sumptuous silver beads in Mediterranean motifs. The artist, Christine Lorenzo, is a true gem, tucked away in her studio in Stow, Massachussetts, but she has had her jewelry featured at the Golden Globes Luxury Gift Lounge, and will also have it featured at the MTV Movie Award Luxury Gift Lounge.

               
                      Christine Lorenzo, the genius behind SariBlue
Don't forget the name ...I'm sure you'll be hearing alot of wonderful things from this fabulous artist!!!!

                     Me wearing Sari's Byzantine Beauty Earrings

Sweet Gratitude

Actress Tess Hunt and Actor John Sussman took the time out to post this amazing video of them opening their gift bag from The Artisan Group at The Golden Globes Gift Lounge:


Thank You Artisan Group from Tess Hunt on Vimeo.

The Golden Globes Are Over!

The Golden Globes aired on January 15th, 2012 and the GBK Golden Globe Gift Lounge was a roaring success! Many thanks to GBK Productions and Valerie Guerrero and Nikki Cutro of The Artisan Group for giving the celebrities a peek at my creations!!

Erica Durance of WB's "Smallville"

Lovely Hoffmann of GBK Productions

Raphael Sbarge of ABC's "Once Upon A Time"

Things To Like Right Now.com

http://ttlrn.com/

Beautiful actress Erica Durance of "Smallville" is pictured here wearing my White Keishi Pearl and Aqua Quartz Briolette neckring, as is Lovely Hoffmann of GBK Productions.

Actor Raphael Sbarge of ABC's "Once Upon A Time" like my Asian Moonlight Earrings so much, he showed them to Things To Like Right Now.com, and they featured it in a best of the best feature.

I feel so blessed for this opportunity, and am very excited for the Oscars!!!!

Finally, It's Here! The Golden Globes!

The Golden Globes Awards are this Sunday,  January 15th, 2012!  The GBK Production Golden Globe Gift Lounge will commence Thursday, January 12th, 2012... I can't believe it's finally here! I wonder if the celebs will like my Asian Moonlight Earrings?  Or my display necklace?  This is just too nervewracking...will anyone pose with my jewelry?  I can't stand this suspense!! But I will keep you guys posted if I hear anything!

I'm in good company, as my fellow members of The Artisan Group who are also participating in this gift lounge will be biting their nails along with me! Here's a sneak peak!!

The Artisan Group Golden Globes Event Guide

Finally!

Shipped out my earrings for the Golden Globes! Now off to start my jewelry for the Oscars!

Display Necklace For GBK Productions Golden Globes and Academy Awards Gift Lounges

White Keishi Pearls with Teal Czech Crystals, Aqua Quartz Briolette and Grade A Rhinestone Beads

Here They Are! My Golden Globes Gift for The Swag Bags!

I have been so blessed with the opportunity, as I have mentioned in previous postings, to participate in the GBK Productions Golden Globes Luxury Gift Lounge through the wonderful organization, The Artisan Group.  The Artisan Group is a prestigious group of juried artists, and I am so proud to be a member!

I've had to put alot of hard work into the product and packaging, (remember I have to handmake 100 of these), and here they are: My "Asian Moonlight Earrings"!

You may want to scoop these up before the celebs do! They can be found at http://alexisstudiodesign.com or at http://etsy.com/shop/alexisstudiodesign.

The Saga Continues...

The kids are back to school, so things should be a little easier, right? Wrong!  My youngest has just started high school, and left her middle school friends behind to go to a private high school. She's miserable...translation: I'm miserable.  I know it takes time, but, poor thing is stuck with my personailty...painfully shy. Unlike her older sister, who is the polar opposite...I sometimes call her  "The Mayor".

So, my mind is elsewhere these days, but at least I've ordered and received my shiny, new business cards which will be included in the gift bags at the Golden Globes and Oscars. I ordered them from vistaprint.com, and they're not too shabby. What do you think?

Another exciting development is that a friend of mine, fashion writer Vivian Kelly of thefashionexaminer.com is wearing one of my cuff bracelets to New York's Fashion Week, which she is covering. Who knows, maybe someone will notice it? It's a polymer clay/ribbon wrapped cuff:

So off I go to make more jewelry, see how my girl's made out in school, and just ponder life in general. Tomorrow's my birthday. I want to have fun:)

Preparing For The Golden Globes and Oscars...Decisions, Decisions...

No, I'm not attending...lol...but I do need to prepare 100 pieces of jewelry for each awards show, plus 10 pieces for the press. That's 240 pieces of jewelry. Handmade. By me. Oh Gosh.

I would love to make one of my more elaborate pieces, and make different pieces for each show, but let's face it...it's easier for me to work assembly line style if I make the same piece for both. Time is of the essence, but I still want to put forth my best effort!

I decided to make earrings...so in reality, that's 480 pieces of jewelry! (But who's counting?)

I've had a couple of different styles of earring cards designed for me in the past, but I don't want to use them.  I've outgrown them, and I want to design my own, and make them myself. I really want this to say handmade. Handmade, not amateur though.

This is what I came up with...and I'm sticking with it!

Yes, I signed all 240 of them:)  To be continued...

MIA

I know, I know...I haven't posted in a while...It's been insane, preparing jewelry for the Golden Globes and Academy Awards Swag Bags, keeping up with my two Etsy shops, trying to design two new websites for these shops, in addition to keeping up with family life. Needless to say, it's been a loooong time since I've had a manicure, or a haircut for that matter.

This is the time when I need to remind myself of the philosophy of personal coach, and author Cheryl Richardson...self- care is crucial. If mama ain't happy and healthy, neither will the business or the family.

So off I go to do yoga, and give myself a well needed mani/pedi:)

School Supplies Are Out Already?

I can't believe I see back to school displays everywhere I go these days!  I was just scraping ice off my roof!  Is it just me?  What's next?  Christmas sales next week?  I'm just not ready. Maybe I'm too slow...or maybe I'm getting old. I like to live in the present...

It's even harder to focus on those things yet when I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to make for these award shows!  I'm working on prototypes day and night and I don't like any of them!! I've already ordered packaging, which I don't know is dumb, because I don't know what I'm making yet, or smart, because alot of the ones I'm interested in are out of stock!  By the way, if any jewelry artists need a place to find great jewelry packaging and wrapping paper,  go to www.nashvillewraps.com. Awesome site!

I'll keep you guys posted on my progress the next time I come up for air! Now I have to go buy school supplies!

The Artisan Group

Etsylush.com  (http://etsylush.com) is a website where the creme de la creme of Etsy is selected to be featured for the world to see. It is a juried process, and a very stringent one for jewelrymakers in particular, since there are so many.  I'm proud to say that one of my necklaces, La Primavera Necklace, was on the front page of Etsylush this morning! This, I couldn't have done without the help of my colleagues at The Artisan Group, who guided me through some photo formatting issues, and in general are just a wonderful, supportive group of artists. I call them the "SWAT" Team,  because if a member has any issue or question, they swoop in and help you find a solution. An amazing, very giving group of women and men. I feel very fortunate to be part of the gang! Also, if it weren't for them, I would never have been part of the Swag bags for the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards! A toast to the Artisan Group!

Someone Pinch Me! The Oscars and The Golden Globes!

You guys know that in addition to LexiBeads, I also own Alexis Studio Design LLC, where I sell my handmade jewelry creations. Well, guess what? One of my pieces will be in the goody bags given to the celebrities at the 2012 Golden Globes, and the 2012 Academy Awards! Someone pinch me!

I started ASD in 2006, and I gave you it's history in my first post, but it's only recently that I've started networking like a crazy woman, and that led to this opportunity. I don't know what exactly will come of this, but I hope it will prove to my daughters the mantra I've been repeating to them, over and over for years, ad nauseum..."Do what you love and success will follow."

I have no idea which piece I should submit...any thoughts?
Check out etsy.com/shop/alexisstudiodesign and let me know what you think?