Saturday Artisan: Designs by Tracy Brigham

Meet this week Saturday Artisan, Tracy, the artist behind Designs by Tracy Brigham, a shop full of jewelries for any occasion, Wine Glass charms, Napkin Rings, and Hummingbird Feeders.

With the holiday shopping fast approching, you may want to visit her shop and get those wonderful gifts for your loved ones. So many to choose!


Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?
I have had a career in the banking industry for 23 years, until last year when I decided I was tired of dealing with the politics of Corporate America. I have spent the last year trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I have one child who is now 22 years old and mostly on her own. (I'm not sure if they are ever completely on their own.) My daughter has been telling me for years that I should sell the items that I make, so I decided to finally do that and opened a shop on Etsy. I have been working with beads and wire as a hobby for about 8 or 9 years. I make Jewelry, wine glass charms, napkin rings, and hummingbird feeders. My favorite things to work with are gemstone beads and sterling silver.



Which part of creation process that you like to do the most?
I enjoy sitting down with the materials I want to use for a project and coming up with a new design.



Could you share on how you organize your products, we all can use a little tips here and there in this department?
I have containers and containers of beads that are stored by color and whether they are gemstones, glass, or crystal. I have learned that for me everything has to have its place or I end up spending more time looking for things than actually creating. I try to keep like items together. Ex: Sterling silver components, silver plated components, jewelry tools, packaging items, etc.


What is your favorite item in your shop?
That is a hard question it changes from day to day. Right now I would say I have two favorites:

My Clear Crystal and Smoky Quartz Asymmetrical Necklace

My Swarovski Bronze Pearl Stretch Bracelet


What is your goal for 2010? And are you on the right track?
My goal for 2010 was to decide on a new career. I am really enjoying having the time to be creative and hopefully making that into a successful business. I am also applying to nursing school, which I am very excited about. I am definitely on track.

Holiday season is fast approaching. Give us a scoop on your prep. What are you excited to offer for 2010 holiday season?
I am participating in two craft shows in October and December. They will be the first shows that I have participated in, so I am working on displays, packaging, and items. I am excited about offering my Napkin Rings for the 2010 holiday season. People have been very interested in my Napkin Rings for holiday dinners and also as gifts.


What is your favorite tool that you cannot live without?
My jewelry pliers, I would never be able to work with sterling silver and other metals without them.


Stay-tuned for tomorrows new giveaway.
In the meantime, enter the giveaways that we have currently on: Skribblykids and KhaliNouveau's giveaways.

My Creative Space - Holiday Tags

I felt I'm behind with the prep for this 2010 holiday season. I felt that I could do more. Buy hey, we only have 24 hrs in a day and being able to juggle my works being a mom, a wife, an on-line shops owner and the only employee, on top of my full-time job, maybe I should give myself a break. Don't you think so? :-)So, here are 2 sets of my holiday tags. 

One is the holiday cheer tags.

And here is another set of adorable christmas tags.

Each set comes in a set of 12 for $3.50. A sweet deal!

Oh, I still have more tags available in my shop. And I'm working on a few more holiday tags along with holiday cards. Once I finish taking pictures of them, I'll list these sweet goodies real soon.

What are you working on?

For more creative space of other artists, visit kootoyoo site. But while you're here, enter a wonderful giveaway and support handmade!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of you.
Wishing you all the best in this year of 2010.

Hope you had a great holiday. This is the first year Ethan opening his Christmas presents. Being 2, he's old enough to ripe off the wrapping papers and it was fun watching him doing that, being intriqued by what it's inside. I could see his eyes lighten up as soon he saw toys inside. Too many toys in fact and he was somewhat overwhelmed. Lol.




Talking about 2010, do you have new year resolutions yet? I have some on my minds, goals that I would like to accomplish in 2010 and hopefully be able to jot them down in a few days. One of my goals is to be more consistent on my blog posts. I'd like to post as often as I can. Posting everyday maybe hard to do right now so I try to commit doing one thing at a time.

I hope you like the Spotted Tuesday series. I would love to hear your feedback on this and if you have any suggestions on ways to improve this, please do let me know.

A new series that I've been working on is Saturday Artisan. I've a few wonderful artists already booked for January and February. They are sponsoring a giveaway too. Yipee!!

Saturday Artisan starts tomorrow! I can't wait :-) Stay tuned!

If you're interested to be featured, I mean seriously interested, then please contact me. Unfortunately, people say they're interested and I contacted them and then I have not heard anything from them for weeks. Details to be featured can be found here.

Spotted Tuesday: Jingle Bells

Still in Christmas Spirit, what is better than finding those festive and adorable bells?


Row 1 from the left:

Jingle Bell Cluster Earrings in Red and Green by SarasCreations
Sara just told me that all of her Holiday earrings will be on sale for 25% off on December 24 - 27, with FREE world wide shipping. All of my jewelry always comes in a hand folded decorative paper box, ready for gifting.

30mm Pink and Blue Owls bell charm pendants - 5 pc set by delishbeads


Row 2 from the left:

Jingle Bell in Gold bracelet by mpaperarts

Christmas Holiday Jingle Bell Napkin Holder Ring by hempbybrenda

Too Cute for Christmas

I have asked my dear friend who is SO talented to do a custom Christmas images for me. Truly, I just adore her creations. You can visit her shop here.




The cards and tags are available at my shop. Custom orders are always welcome.

Mission Soldier Support - Holiday Season Troop Card Drive

The first Mission Soldier Support (MSS) Promo was successful. We were able to collect over 1700 handmade greeting cards.

This holiday season, I will also be donating cards to the 2nd Mission Soldier Support (MSS) Project. Soldiers can use these cards to write to their loved ones back home. That's the least I can do for them.


If you'd like to participate also, simply purchase holiday cards from my shop and include "MSS" in your Notes to Seller. I'll send the cards directly to our project coordinator, Captured Time Books, for shipment overseas. Cards must be purchased by Nov. 7, 2008. Please spread the word!