Featured Artist: Dawna St.Marie of PrairieArtisan on Etsy (30% Off Coupon Code Included!)

Our latest featured artist is the very talented Dawna St.Marie of PrairieArtisan on Etsy! Dawna has a special treat for you, so be sure to scroll down for full information. 

Dawna's work is inspired by vintage rhinestone jewelry, and was kick-started by her admiration of her friend's sparkling vintage jewelry collection. 

With a background in stained glass, Dawna does all of the soldering by hand, making each piece a one of a kind creation. 

Dawna's expertise in vintage jewelry and components can be seen in her designs as she expertly matches and contrasts stones, filigrees and settings. Some of her designs use hundreds of rhinestones (that she solders by hand, just think about that for a moment!). 

Dawna's use of bright colors and brilliant vintage stones bring a freshness and modernity to her creations. These statement pieces would look right at home alongside both vintage and modern jewelry.

Truly incredible works of art, which you get to wear!

Be sure to check out Dawna's shop! There are fabulous rhinestone bracelets galore that are sure to awe and delight you! Dawna has graciously offered our readers a discount coupon code for 30% off your order at PrairieArtisan. To receive your discount simply use the code 

WELCOME30

at checkout. What a great opportunity to save on some very special one of a kind jewelry that would make a wonderful gift this holiday season. 

Also, you can find more of Dawna's handmade bracelets at her second shop PrairieVintageJewels, where you will also find stunning vintage jewelry pieces that reflect Dawna's eye for unique vintage flair.

 

Guest Blog Post: Christmas Tree Nails by Jennifer Strong of NeverTooMuchGlitter

In the giving spirit of the holiday season, we have a special gift for you! Our featured artist Jennifer Strong of NeverTooMuchGlitter has created another nail art tutorial for our blog readers! We're very thankful to Jen for continuing to share her wisdom in the ways of glitter with us. These festive nails would be a great way to glam up a holiday look for a special occasion. Continue reading to learn how to make your own 3D nail designs this holiday season:

The festive season is upon us! For those of us in the Christmas spirit, why not do a little holiday nail art to spread the good cheer? This easy-to-do nail art look is sure to bring a smile.

Paint the nails in a light metallic color of your choice. Let dry.

Paint on a long, thin triangle for your tree. You can use the traditional green, or go for any other color you like!

While the tree is still wet, drag the needle across in a wavy shape to add detail.

Now here's the fun part: Add your ornaments to the tree! You can press them into wet polish and seal with a topcoat, but a glue is a better choice for a longer lasting manicure. If you're using artificial nails, try a craft adhesive. For natural nails, try a dab of liquid nail glue.

 You can add a star on your tree with a metal stud, or try drawing one with a complimentary color of nail polish. 

You can add a tree on each nail, or do some quick and easy accent nails with your dotting tool. Some fun options are French tip, dots or stripes. It's up to you!

Thanks so much to Jen for creating this festive tutorial for last minute holiday glam and for sharing her wonderful designs with us! Be sure to check out NeverTooMuchGlitter for stunning nail art for all year long. 

Featured Artist Update: Karen Troeh of CourtlyCharm

Here's an exciting update from one of our recent featured artists. Remember Karen Troeh's spectacular handmade crowns? Well her work was recently featured on the television show Reign! You can see a picture of the crown on Reign and read about the costume designer's vision here.

If you love the show or just the crown, don't forget you can have one of your very own. Be sure to check out Karen's shop CourtlyCharm and snag a crown for your majestic self or for that royal someone in your life. We're so happy for Karen and we hope to see more of her adornments on screen in the future. Congratulations Karen, on this truly crowning achievement!

Guest Blog Post: Halloween Nails by Jennifer Strong of NeverTooMuchGlitter

In the spirit of the Halloween season, we have a special treat for you! Our featured artist Jennifer Strong of NeverTooMuchGlitter has written a tutorial for our blog readers on how to create your very own Halloween Nail art. Continue reading to learn how to make your own 3D nail designs this holiday season:

Halloween is a great opportunity to show off some fantastic seasonal nail art. With vintage rhinestones and cabochons from Bumbershoot Supplies, you can create a one-of-a-kind look for all your upcoming spooky events!

For the most impact, get some press-on nails from your local drugstore or beauty supply shop. Adhesive tabs allow the false nails to be applied and removed easily. A nail art pen is an easy to use option for adding designs, but a permanent marker may be used as well (however, it's best not to use these on natural nails as it may stain the nail bed for a few days).

You Will Need

Once you've got your supplies together, check out the tutorial below for some fun ideas!

For natural nails, the steps are the same- but instead of applying stones to the nails with the glue, simply apply them on a layer of wet topcoat.

Go forth and be spooky!

Thanks so much to Jen for creating this tutorial and for sharing her wonderful designs with us! Be sure to check out NeverTooMuchGlitter for stunning nail art for all year long. 

Featured Artist: Jennifer Strong of Nevertoomuchglitter on Etsy

Bumbershoot Supplies' latest featured artist is Jennifer Strong of Nevertoomuchglitter! Nevertoomuchglitter (or NTMG for short) is a boutique full of wonderful glittery handmade nail art. Each design is original and made by hand, some featuring vintage rhinestones and cabochons, and all of them are nice and sparkly.

The styles at NTMG range from simple to encrusted with tiny crystals and are made for many different occasions. Here are some of the Halloween designs, for more, check out Jen's website Gothic Nail Art, the Halloween section is here:

And even if you don't like glittery nails there is something at NTMG for you! There are intricately hand painted nails. Here are some that have been painted in ukiyo-e motifs:

There is a wealth of information on designs and a sneak peek at the behind the scenes process at the Nevertoomuchglitter blog. Be sure to check it out if you're interested in nail art or in Japanese culture and design.

Head on over to the Nevertoomuchglitter shop, you'll be sure to find a fun addition to your look for any occasion. And remember you really never can have too much glitter!

Featured Artist: Karen Troeh of CourtlyCharm on Etsy

Bumbershoot Supplies' latest featured artist is Karen Troeh of CourtlyCharm! Karen creates unique designs inspired by actual pieces from the medieval period through the Elizabethan era. Her years of experience creating pieces for renaissance festivals and plays is readily seen in these designs. 

Karen uses many different materials to create her designs, including set rhinestones, beads, filigrees, and wire-work.

Karen is very skilled at mixing metal work such as layered filigrees with pearls and rhinestones to create an opulent look. Many of her pieces are designed from historical pictures of crowns and jewelry worn by royalty.

Karen has shared a huge collection of her previous designs on her Pinterest board. We highly recommend perusing them for some regal inspiration. 

Be sure to check out Karen's shop! Whether you are really royal, or just wanting to look like it, you're sure to find a piece that will show the world how majestic you truly are.

Featured Artist: Debbie Lynch of ChicMaddiesBoutique on Etsy

Our latest featured artist is the very talented Debbie Lynch of ChicMaddiesBoutique! Debbie's work draws on her childhood memories and her love of color and vintage to inspire her designs. 

Debbie's designs incorporate vintage jewelry components as focal elements. She often mixes design elements to create new and stunning jewelry. 

Debbie is very skilled in her use of color to enrich her designs. Her work doesn't shy away from bright colors, and this often heightens the emotion of her designs, like this cheerful sunny yellow bracelet. 

Debbie is also a master at contrasting and complimenting textures, as she demonstrates in this necklace with its contrasting faceted labradorite chain. 

Be sure to check out Debbie's shop! It's simply overflowing with unique pieces that bring together old and new and tell the most colorful stories.

Featured Artist: Jamie Lee of ChatterBlossom on Etsy

Our latest featured artist is the lovely Jamie Lee of ChatterBlossom on Etsy!

Jamie creates her designs with reclaimed vintage and antique items so that they may continue to be used and integrated into their new owner's lives.

Jamie uses a lot of vintage and antique buttons as one of her design elements, and these are what first caught my attention. Her elegant and refined designs draw your eye towards the vintage element. In this way, the story of the piece becomes the focus of her designs.

Jamie says: "Each piece I make has a name and a small story of its own and I love thinking about the person that will see or read and connect with it in some way and anticipate some small adventure in which it will play a part."

Along with making jewelry and accessories, Jamie has a fabulous blog about her adventures in vintage and fashion.

Be sure to check out ChatterBlossom! Maybe you'll find something there with a story for you.

Featured Artist: Mandy Kallal of Jewelry4Reenactors

 

Our latest featured artist is Mandy Kallal of Jewelry4Reenactors!

Mandy's designs are unique because they draw on her years of experience as a Civil War reenactor and have been specially crafted to be period correct.
 

Mandy loves the Victorian era and many of her designs are inspired by pieces from that time. Her extensive research can been seen in each one of her handcrafted pieces and by her attention to detail.  

Mandy uses materials like coral and mother of pearl, as featured in this brooch and earring set, as they were very popular materials during the Victorian era. 

These bracelets are designed around Victorian mourning jewelry. Often incorporating jet black glass or onyx, these pieces would be worn for years after a loved one's death. This design features an old daguerreotype which was a fairly new technology at the time. 
 

Mandy's beautiful designs have delicately detailed filigrees which would surely look lovely to wear whether you are going to a Civil War ball or a modern day event. 
 

We hope you'll enjoy a visit over to Mandy's website (and also check out her Etsy shop too), to be inspired by her designs and their unique histories. Any one of her special pieces would make a great gift for someone who was interested in history, or just beautiful jewelry!