I'm Leaving Facebook

Both my personal and my business page are going to be deleted soon. I am claiming back my free time. I can't even begin to think how much time I have wasted on that website. Aside from the many privacy violations I would just rather be using my time productively. I want to make things. My friends have other ways of contacting me, and there are other ways for me to keep in contact with the business pages I liked. Such as:

• RSS feed their website. Whether it's news or new items I have set up my Google home page to have RSS feeds from my favorite news and merchandise sites so I can see their latest updates without visiting their website.

• I can sign up for their email newsletters so I can keep up to date when I'm busy with other things.
  

• I can spend the hours I was on Facebook [to] visiting their website on a weekly basis just to check in and browse.

For the __1337 Art fans there are several ways you can stay in touch:

1. Deviant Art
2. Flickr
3. Twitter
4. Email Newsletter
5. Website
6. Tumblr (new!)
   
7. RSS my Arfire Shop
8. ESS my Etsy Shop
9. Email
   

Another great thing about this change is that I can spend more time updating this blog! I have plans to start including Work in Progress Wednesdays where I show off what I am working on at the moment, I want to start doing Artist Features again where I post an interview of a great artist and a few pictures of their work, and I want to show off my studio craft room a bit and provide some general tips for organization, stuff around the house, etc. And post more green/organic/natural things. So there are many things coming soon.

Don't forget you can sign up to receive my blog updates in your inbox. Just find the box on the right side of this page.

Thank you so much for reading. I look forward to blogging again soon.

New Studio Office in Progress

My husband and I finally moved in to our first place. It's a house that is right across the street from a lake, which provides a nice view. And I get my own studio office!

I started my business at my computer desk and a small corner of my bedroom, which evolved into transporting between two houses, then when I married and moved, I shared a room with my husband's computer/game room, and finally, I get my own space!

I have made a little progress since these pictures were taken. A lot more boxes and random things were piled into the room, then unpacked and stacked and unstacked. I had shelves mounted in my previous place of residence, and it will probably be awhile before those are put up in this room...but I found an awesome big black shelf at Costco that I hope to bring home soon.

Instead of painting the walls bright green for now I'm happy settling with artwork all over the walls: posters, prints, etc. One of my favorite places to shop for artwork is Deviant Art. It's a community of independent artists, and some of the things I find on there are just amazing.

I'll definitely keep posting more pictures as my studio office progresses. If you have any design tips or ideas I'd love to hear them!

Thank you so much for reading. Look for more updates soon.

<3
Christina

Fresh. Bring it on 2010.

Another decade is upon us, and since it is only January thoughts of resolutions and goals still cloud our heads. I have one main goal this year, and that is to successfully run __1337 Art so I do not have to work at a day job for someone else. Here are a few things I am working on:

Simple is Good - I have some left over necklaces (including new cameos, lockets, and masculine pendants) from a craft show. They are all very simple designs with a pendant on either suede, copper chain, silver ball chain, or gunmetal chain. Sometimes simple is good, and all you want to is wear something simple. I will have a few installments of this miniature series, and once these necklaces are gone they may not be available as part of my regular inventory.

Clean Studio - I never thought I had so many beads and supplies until I spent a day organizing them and still have a few containers to go! A clean, organized workspace is important, and now that I see that my tables have a clear surface I now feel a little less overwhelmed and a little more inspired. Starting off a new decade with a clean space is totally worth it. If I were you I would do it now. (!)

Masculine Pieces - I have three necklaces designed with men in mind waiting to be finished, photographed, edited, written about, and listed. You should see these available within a week or so. I would like to focus on more necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, and other accessories for men this year.

You can also expect more frequent postings to my blog and email newsletter. If you are not yet signed up for that you can subscribe in the box in the right hand column of this page.

Are you on Facebook? __1337 Art sure is:
http://www.facebook.com/1337art

Thank you for reading,

-
Christina

Rose Stud Post Earring Update.

I am currently working on adding these lovely rose stud post earrings back into my Etsy and Artfire shops. Not only will I be adding the red, dusty pink, and silver, but also look for champagne and jet black. I anticipate them being available within the next two weeks.

They are a very popular item, and I cannot wait to bring them back.


If you would like to place a special order for them please feel free to contact me at 1337art@gmail.com to make the reservation.

I make them with beautiful aluminum roses and surgical steel, which is great for people with common jewelry allergies.

On another note I am currently working on bringing in a lot of new items to restock my shops. This includes jewelry items for men and more bookmarks. I am currently accepting custom orders as well. Please feel free to contact me with your serious inquiry.

Thank you so much for reading,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:

Twitter / Myspace / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire

Journalism Inspired Earrings (more to come!)

I have been experimenting with making my own pendants and charms, and these earrings are a result of that experimentation.

Ever want to share to the world your passions, opinions, and perspective through words? Each earring is unique as it includes a randomly selected bit of real newspaper, and the glaze gives them an antiqued look. These one of a kind earrings are perfect for yourself or as a gift to a special journalist or writer you know.

The gunmetal (dark grey) kidney earwires measure approximately 24mm x 11mm - their elongated form is beautiful and striking. (Sterling Silver is also available.)

The antiqued silver pewter settings are approximately 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.

I had fun making these, and I have plans to make similar items in the near future - collage earrings, pendants, necklaces, and etc. - and the themes will cover journalism, coffee, and so much more. Please feel free to keep checking back for the release of those items.

Thank you so much for reading,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:

Twitter / Myspace / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire

Happy Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday; a day to shop online. A day for good sales and electronic funds transfers.

It is also the last day of my last sale of the year. If you haven't already checked it out please feel free to follow the link below:

http://1337art.etsy.com

I just finished my last craft bazaar, and I have decided that 1337art will be strictly online only. This means more time to make new items such as the two wonderful pairs of clip on earrings that I just put up for sale.

They are made with Gun Metal, Swarovski Crystals, and Silver color clip on components.

I'm going to ship them in a sleek black cotton filled box that is the perfect size to slip into a stocking or hand off with a greeting card.

You can find both the Gothic Sparklers and Pink Sparklers for sale at my shop.

I have more clip on earrings to add soon, and I have plans to offer a large variety early next year. If you are looking for specific clip on earrings please let me know.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have a Happy Cyber Monday!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

Less business; more personal.

The title says it all. Perhaps the reason why I don't update as regular as before is because I don't want to bore my audience with business type things. You can find my new items in my shops. I'm also developing a newsletter that will have that information inside. You can sign up for my newsletter by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post.

What I am going to do with this blog now is still in the works. I do want to do [more] artist features from Deviantart.com, Etsy.com, and Silkfair.com every Friday night. I do want to post promotional tips as I do currently. I also want to offer more of a behind the scenes of 1337 Art, and the person behind it [me.]

Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but I do have a life outside of the Internet. I want to focus on life, not businessworkjobmoneystress. With the holiday season approaching along with three upcoming shows I can't help feeling stressful and wanting to make the most out of the season. I think if I have time to "chill" I can be more productive than I am now.

Thank you so much for reading.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

New Item Launch!

We are happy to announce our brand new collage bookmark section! According to our recent survey the majority of our readers preferred classic paper (or cardboard) bookmarks with ribbons. This is just the first out of many we plan to create.

Long goodbyes have been the best thing for him.

This romantic mixed media bookmark is perfect for your summer reading.

Measures 6 inches x 2 inches.

The back of the bookmark has the same spider web paper. The webs have a fuzzy texture too!

Made with Acid Free / Lignin Free (and recycled materials) cardstock. The bells are gold color steel. We also used assorted papers and organza ribbon.

You can find our Long Goodbyes collage bookmark by following the link below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12011070

Thank you so much for your interest!

Christina
CM Designs

http://1337art.etsy.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, key chains, and more! Custom orders are accepted.

1337 Art is planning new items!

I am in the process of adding a few new lines to my Etsy shop. I am so excited to get everything prepared it's almost overwhelming! I also have new designs for my current products.

You have a sneak peek in the picture of a smidgen of what it coming...it doesn't even scratch the surface! I have so many beads and pendants and crystals and gemstones and bookmarks and shells that I don't have a place for them yet!

One of the new items I am going to be listing very soon are watches in many colors and styles. I have a couple of awareness watches in mind as well as designs both elegant and oh so stylish. You might even expect to find some brooches...

I am also going to expand my selection of men's jewelry. I currently have two necklaces listed, but I want more for you to choose from.

I have collected some interesting focal components as well as some very exciting pieces. One example of what is coming are real rose petals.

There are a few more things that are still in the works, so please keep checking back for updates.
I have definite plans to add some new items that are not jewelry related. I expect these to become available in the upcoming weeks. If you have any suggestions for new products that you would like to see me add to my shop, please feel free to leave a comment here or send me an email at 1337art@gmail.com

Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate your time.

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart.