Night Sky Jewelry

I have a new featured etsy artist today, Sharon of Night Sky Jewelry. I know her through the JET (Jewelry on Etsy Team) and she makes fabulous jewelry. Here's a preview, clicking on the photos will take you to her shop: How did you pick your shop name? I have been using the name Night Sky online ever since I first discovered the internet. When I decided to put up a website to show family and friends my new idea for earrings (silver and beads) I called it Night Sky Silver Designs. A few months later I opened my shop on Etsy and decided a shorter version would be best, thus Night Sky Jewelry was born. [caption id="attachment_1366" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Earrings by Night Sky Jewelry"][/caption] This may be obvious, but what is your medium? What kinds of materials and tools do you use? I am a bead addict! My preference is natural stone and gemstones, but I have played with some pretty cool glass beads, too. I usually work with sterling silver, but have recently started using 14KT gold filled. Some stones just scream for gold, and since I can’t afford 14KT gold, I find that gold filled is not only beautiful and affordable, but it lasts for decades! I have many pair of pliers, but three in particular that I would be lost without. Skinny needle nose, round nose, and flat nose. I also make good use of my chasing hammer, metal block, different size dowels and sharpies! Tell me a little bit about your process, from a new idea for a piece to the finished product. My ideas usually come from the stones I want to use. I seldom think of an idea and then choose the stones, rather I choose the stones, leave them out for days or even weeks, in a place where I will see them many times in a day, and then suddenly an idea will come to me. This often happens as I am falling asleep for the night. Then I ignore my workshop, where everything is all set up and ready for jewelry making, and spread everything out all over the coffee table and couch, where I sit and make earrings, usually with my parakeet hopping around on me, which can be kind of problematic. [caption id="attachment_1365" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Earrings by Night Sky Jewelry"][/caption] Any advice for aspiring artists/crafters in your medium? Don’t be afraid to ask questions of other jewelry designers/artists. Most of us love to share our basic knowledge, and many of us don’t even mind giving away our secrets! I don’t have any, but if I did, I would probably be happy to share them. ;-) I consider jewelry to be one of the oldest forms of art, meant not only to embellish an outfit, but also to inspire creativity. Look at lots of other work, not to copy, but to learn and be inspired. Any business advice for artists/crafters just starting to sell their work? No, I would appreciate all the advice I can get from others! What is the last song/album you listened to? (I’m just curious, I love music.) I love John Lennon. The last CD’s I played were from the 4 album collection called “John Lennon”. It’s full of unreleased music and even random recordings from his home life. I love it. Do you sell your work anywhere other than etsy? For over 30 years I’ve worked with a friend who travels around the Western states selling his jewelry at art festivals. For about 15 years I did most of his custom wax work, and many of the pieces he makes today are from molds of my original waxes. Now he takes some of my earrings with him when he’s doing a show. Sometimes he sells a lot of them, sometimes he doesn’t sell any. I also have a few friends who like to come to my house to see what I’ve been making, and they will usually buy something while they are here. Are there other websites where we can find you/your work? I am on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/nightskyzone, and flickr at http://flickr.com/photos/nightsky1/ Tell me a little bit about the people you named who you admire. [I asked readers to nominate other artists to be featured here a couple months back.] Jealousy Design - I discovered her jewelry when I was making my first JET treasury, and have been drawn to her work ever since. She has a very distinct style, clean and artistic, that I find incredibly beautiful. Her pictures are always stunning, making it impossible to NOT look in her shop! I love reading the descriptions she writes for her work, so charming! The treasuries she makes on Etsy are among the best! She has an artist’s eye for color and design, and it comes across in her treasuries just as it does in each piece of jewelry she creates. Fehustoneware - I love Pearl and her pottery! She makes so many different things that I never know what she will come up with next! Her porcelain vases and ornaments are my latest favorites, but the variety of her creations knows no bounds! Everyone should have one of her very cool PayPal Fairy Bait Jars! I have given her work as gifts, to the delight of the recipients, but I usually keep it for myself. Once it’s in my house, I have a very difficult time giving it up! She is funny and friendly, and I really just like this lady a lot!