When you become a chat room regular, you rememer names, avatars and off colored-humor but mostly, and hopefully, peoples work. Some of it was junk I thought and felt horrible feeling that way, but it was true! Later it made me feel somewhat better that a lot of the "junk" I saw was actually resellers selling JUNK JUNK JUNK!!! Anywho, one particular etsian stood out -- Lamazonian Handcrafted Jewelry. Looking over this shop, I began to salivate. The designs were very different from my designs, which is a good thing I suppose, but what made me take notice was the quality. You know how, sometimes, you can just tell when something will just fall apart if you look at it hard enough? Not this jewelry -- oh NO NO NO!!
I cant remember who private messaged who first, but either way, what began is a fabulous friendship. First we started by expressing our mutual disgust for the seemingly ever growing massproduced crapola on etsy. It made our stuff look bad. If you want to buy $3 earrings -- go to walmart, target or your local claires boutique ( I happen to like all those stores and shop there regularly, so no comments please) but really, for quality handcrafted items -- etsy USE to be THE place to go. Not so much anymore.
After bonding over our mutual gripes, we then started trading jewelry techniques and advice. Every now and then I'd get a random email with a link to an article on how to run a better home business or where to purchase cheap (HA!) silver. Again even though our pieces are very different I have such respect for Vema's (aka Lamazonian) work and after getting to "know" her, I found out exactly HOW much work and dedication (and $$) she puts into whatever she makes whether it be earrings, penadants, rings and even cufflinks! She has even started cutting and shaping her own stones -- WHO does that!?!?! Lamazonian does, that's who!! When I have a jewelry question, she's the first person who comes to mind to ask for advice and in this competitive field, it's not easy to come by someone who is willing to share their knowledge and expertise!
Lamazonian Handcrafted Jewelry fits all my criteria for true artisan created, hand crafted brilliance!
Take a look around her site and join her blog -- she does awesome givewaways!!
WEBSITE:
http://www.lamazonian.com
ETSY:
http://www.lamazonian.etsy.com
BLOG:
http://www.lamazonian.blogspot.com
FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/lamazonian
