__1337 Art is Accepting Custom Orders!

__1337 Art is taking custom order requests again! If you are interested in a custom piece of jewelry, bookmark, or accessory please look no further. I have a lot of new items currently in the creative process including rings, hair clips, bobby pins, bookmarks, chokers, masculine jewelry, and so much more.

You can email me with your serious inquiry/request at 1337art@gmail.com In the meantime please feel free to visit my online shops:

http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.artfire.com

I look forward to working with you in the near future.

-
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

New! Weekly Specials on 1337art.etsy.com

I've decided to start offering a weekly sales section in my Etsy Shop. Each each I will feature three items with some sort of special discount!

This week I have chosen to offer free global shipping for my Coffee Addiction mini swirl bookmark.









I am offering $5 off of this beautiful Creative Process in Pink necklace.

And the third item, the Rainbow Wine Charms set, I am offering $3.95 off!











You can view these sales by clicking on the links below:

Coffee Addiction Bookmark

The Creative Process - in Pink Necklace

Rainbow Wine Charms

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

Etsy Artist Feature - ptitebaloue

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature ptitebaloue of Quebec, Canada. She has an amazing shop full of handcrafted plush animal toys.


Below you can read her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I remember threading ribbon across two heart-shaped pieces of cardboard to make a Valentine's day card... ...when I was still in day-care, so probably not even 4 years old! :) Plus numerous memories of myself learning to knit with my grandmother... I started really young!

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

...I often think I have too many and not enough time ;) I love to knit (of course!), but also to draw, play guitar, write fiction, learn and practice foreign languages... I actually spent two of the last summers in Tunisia learning arabic!

3. What do you specialize in?

Although I recently finished a bachelor's degree in international studies and modern languages, job search has not been very successful until now so I've taken out my needles and re-started knitting... soft toys, since I've always loved them :) I also recently taught myself how to spin yarn so my latest creations are made entirely from 100% handspun, natural fibers :)

4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I discovered the site very randomly, reading a newspaper article about home-made, and just fell in love with it... I spent 2-3 weeks just browsing Etsy for hours and finding new favourites... Then I decided I absolutly had to try it too! :)

5. How did you choose your shop name?

I called it A-knit-thing since my "things" - plushies, creatures ;) - are both knit and... neat ;)

6. What are your hopes for the future?

I'm currently trying to work out a governmental subvention that would allow me to buy more supplies, offer my products to "real" (physical) shops and maybe even build my own website to sell them on... If it works I should get it within a month or two... I'm keeping my fingers crossed, I really, really wish this could become a full-time job!

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I haven't got that many sales yet but I've already done two custom orders and love that!! :) I'm always open to any request, either a reproduction of something that has sold or any variation of an existing model... or a whole new one, why not! Bring it on! ;)

8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

It doesn't take many words to describe ;) Basically it's the left side of the sofa (the right one being occupied by my boyfriend to watch TV) and a mountain of supplies boxes piled up around a little table in my bedroom... I really wish I'll have my own room for crafting eventually, when we'll buy a house :)

9. Is there anything else you would like to add?

As I've written on my Etsy page, some toys may appear expensive but they reflect the cost of supplies (natural fibers are expensive, as is shipping!!) and the time spent spinning and knitting - often 5, 6, 7 hours on the smallest toys and even more on bigger ones... but it's an investment you'll probably keep for life, and even transmit to the next generation! :)

How can people get in contact with you?

Please contact me through Etsy - I love to receive comments on my work!! :)

www.ptitebaloue.etsy.com

You can find the pictured soft toys by following the links below:

Leo the handspun - all natural - alpaca polar bear

Marley the wooly -pure wool- lion

Tweet, the itsy bitsy penguin

Thank you so much for reading. I hope that you enjoyed ptitebaloue's soft toys, and please feel free to forward this feature on to your friends and family.

-
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

Featured in Sweet Designs Magazine!

__1337 Art was recently featured in Sweet Designs Magazine - a monthly online magazine targeted for young adults! You can view the feature by clicking on the link below:

http://sweetdesignsmagazine.com/200902craftyvdaygifts.php

Sweet Designs Magazine was founded by Stephanie Lynn in January 2007. In her own words: "My goal has been to attract America's best teen writers and give them a venue to express opinions about the world around them. I look for writers with something positive, helpful, fresh, and insightful to say. I also want SDM to be fun to write for and to read. And I want to help teens avoid the traps and pitfalls of youth and become successful, well-adjusted adults."

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

Etsy Artist Feature - ara133photography

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature Amy with ara133photography. She currently resides in State College, Pennsylvania, and her fine art photography is simply amazing! Her husband also contributes his photography, and he has a nice, stylish edge.

Below you can read the interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I've been drawing since I was little... some of my earliest memories are of drawing horses and other animals - I used to draw unicorns a lot! I remember I would draw on my napkins during meals at home.

2. What do you specialize in?

Photography, but I also have a passion for painting and drawing still!

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I saw a brief note about Etsy in Lucky Magazine one day, and checked it out - I loved all the awesome things and variety! I'd been considering selling my photography but didn't really have a venue (my grad student schedule doesn't allow me to do things like craft fairs, shows, etc.)... once I saw Etsy I knew it would be perfect!


4. What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to become a professor in Biology at a small college, and for my husband and I to get a house someday soon! :)

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

Photography - my husband and I share that creative passion, so we love to go on photography walks together! Also snowshoeing in winter; painting & drawing; reading; training my cats to do tricks (they know "sit", "footsie" (similar to 'give me your paw') and "lie down" but are stuck on "speak"!)...

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

I'm a grad student so I have 2 workspaces - one at school and one at home for photography. My school office looks like a tornado hit it, but I know where everything is! My workspace at home is a desk with everything I need for packaging orders (it's lovely, we've just rearranged that area so I don't have to wander around the apartment looking for paper, ribbons, etc.!). I do a lot of my digital collages on the couch, so that is a fluffy brown microfiber workspace.

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I enjoy custom orders - it's really a lovely feeling to be able to help people find exactly what they're looking for, something they'll enjoy looking at!

8. What can you tell us about the pictures you have selected to be apart of your feature? (in order that they appear.)

Bounce - 5x5 Fine Art Photography by MSM

This is one of my favorites by my husband - he took it in Boston when we were going to my cousin's wedding last year!

At Tara in this Fateful Hour - 5x7 Fine Art Photography Print


I like the way this one came out - It's actually exactly what was in my head! I enjoyed doing that digital collage from various photos I'd taken.

Through These Halls - 5x7 Matted to 8x10 Final Size

This is another digital collage I made with photos I'd taken of a doorway and hall on campus - I used mirroring, layers, black and white with color, and I like the way it came out!

Away - 8x10 Fine Art Photography Print

I took this image in Boston (on the same wedding trip as the Red Ball image) and it really brings back the memories of the moment I first saw this memorial. We were walking to the Old North Church (where the wedding was) and we walked through a little park area behind the Paul Revere statue... we heard a light chiming noise and saw lots of metal sparkling and moving in the breeze - and when we got closer we saw it was rows upon rows of dogtags.

How can people get in contact with you?

I can be reached through my Etsy shop http://ara133photography.etsy.com I have plans to develop my own website in conjunction with the shop but that is still in the works.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope that you enjoyed Amy's artwork, and please feel free to forward this feature on to your friends and family.

-
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

Post Secret - An Art of Human Emotion.

We all have secrets we'd love to escape from. Things that we have kept inside for many years, things that we need to admit to in some public anonymous way.

"PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people
mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard."

Created by Frank Warren. Thank you very much for this concept. I have just finished the last book of the four book series, and it is amazing to see this side of human emotion...and to discover what other people have had to live with.

There are currently four books that you can find at Amazon.com:

My Secret: A PostSecret Book

PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives

The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A PostSecret Book

A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book

You can also check out the PostSecret Blog at: http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

You can submit your own secret postcards to the address below:

PostSecret
13345 Copper Ridge Road
Germantown, MD 20874

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

Feels like Summer...

It looks like the sun is supposed to say hello this next week, which will give me the opportunity to take and retake a lot of product images. It's not even close to Spring-cleaning and Shop cleaning time, but it feels like summer today - one of those cool evenings where the house is open to a subtle breeze, and all you need is a sheet to keep warm.

It make me wish I had a large covered deck where I could bring my lap top and a mug of coffee to enjoy the evening outdoors. I tend to like the sunlight when it isn't directly touching me.

There are two new item lines I will be working on and hopefully perfecting soon; collage-style earrings and collage-style glass pendants. Please check back often for their arrival!

__1337 Art has some more new items on the way, and I have been adding old Etsy listings to my Artfire Shop. I think I will also be listing some destash and supplies there as well fairly soon. I'm tempted to start a supplies shop; it would be free to list, and it would help me clear out some of my old beads and things.

I feel inspired to get to work. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

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

Customer Feedback!

Fabulous!! Thank you!

preeeeeeeetttyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in love with it, for real

Thank you! I love the ring. Wear it daily! I'll be checking back for new items.

Love the earrings, thanks a lot!!!

Gorgeous earrings, great packaging and the seller was really nice! I'm wearing them right now :)

These are exactly what I was looking for! Instant shipping, great communication, and they came packaged nicely in a pretty box. Thanks!!

Thanks again!

I got them today...thanks!

I absolutely LOVE these earrings!

perfect and beautiful, just like my first pair. thank you!!

It's so much prettier in actual life! :-)
I love it

Now I can't wait for the fall season. I'm gonna wear it all the time just to show it off!

Quick shipping, beautiful packaging, polite seller, and I *LOVE* my earrings!!! Thank you so much!

beautiful!

Sweet!

These earrings are lovely! Thank you!

beautiful earrings, great transaction. Thank you!

The earrings arrived promptly and were of good quality.

I love gold stone

Again I love these earrings! They are exactly what I wanted, and the packaging they came in were very cute (:

I absolutely love these earrings and I wear them everyday now! They are exactly what I wanted.

my mom loves it! thanks so much!

Lovely earrings. Gift for a friend. Fast shipping.

Such beautiful earrings. Thank you!

Beautiful and romantic! I am in L O V E with my new earrings, only problem was the backing on one of the earrings wasn't working, but still an easy fix. Thank You <3 class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">packaged and are as lovely as advertised.

absolutely love these simple little earrings! Thanks so much

Precious, tiny and beautiful - thank you!

Very pretty, shipped quickly, packaged nicely. I will definitely buy from this seller again!

Very pretty, amazingly low price, fast shipping and beautiful packaging. So affordable that I bought 2! A+++++

beautiful necklace! great price!

Must have missed this one - just what I had wanted! Thanks, Ruth

Just as ordered, and arrived so quickly - thanks!

SO pretty! Thank you so much for the fast shipping and lovely earrings and the freebie! I love all of them!

These are my faves in all! They are so beautiful! Thank you!

Just gorgeous! Thanks!

She sent them so fast!! Great packaging and a very easy transaction. I will definitely shop again.

Great earrings! Perfect for sensitive ears too!

They look great! Thanks :3

Beautiful, nice shape and size, just a little darker than I thought, but I am using them with other items in my wardrobe!

beautiful, nice small size. Thanks for shipping so quick!

fast shipping! earrings in great condition. thank you!

Beautiful high quality hair pins, shipped safely and arrived on time. Even more stunning in person :)

i LOVE this necklace! it arrived quickly and in a cute little package. thanks!

Love them!

good size, well constructed, very pretty!

love them

Well constructed, good size, quick shipping!

Thank you very much. I love it!

beautiful earrings! thank you!

Beautiful!I got chased by an admiring bumble bee though!Lovely slides would buy again I love your fairytale creations :D

Beautiful necklace. Got here very soon =]

order was fast and very friendly service.
beautiful rings.

Super sweet earrings!

Super fast shipping and all three sets are fantastic! I will be a return buyer :)

These are so cute! They are a birthday present for my niece. I'm sure she will love them. Thanks!

beautiful and casual earrings, love them

Got them today -- thank you! :)

Very lovely bracelet. I received it very quickly!

Thanks so much! A great seller :)

This came out beautifully. I am so happy with it! I couldn't have imagined anything better.

Nice earrings! Thanks!

Perfect and on time! Thank you so much!

Very nice. Thanks for a great transaction. I love everything and I'll be back!

Lovely! I'm very happy with my purchase.

Very nice, thank you!

super fast shipping!! Thank you!

These were a gift for a friend of mine; she absolutely loved them! Much thanks.

Absolutely wonderful.

Very cute and arrived quickly, thank you!

just perfect, thank you ...sorry it took so long , I'd thought that I left the feedback already.

These earrings are so cute! I loved them! Not only that...but I got them in less than a week so it was even better!

Very helpful, I appreciate it.

very good seller , thanks a lot.

***

I just received these today! Fast shipping, and wonderfully packaged too! Goodness!! These are even more beautiful in person!

Thank you very much, and I look forward to shopping here again. ^_^

***

Got these yesterday in the mail -- thank you! They're darling!

I didn't realize these were truly mini--my fault as the dimensions are given. Might be helpful to put a penny next to the photo, etc. to put everything into perspective (and I'll practice reading comprehension!). That being said, they were sweetly packaged and are great for scrap booking, so they're keepers--thank you!

lovely earrings, quick shipping, and all around awesome! thank you!

So in love with these earrings--they are long an dangly and fun. Especially love the versatility afforded by the toggles. So creative and cute! Thanks!

Love the bracelet! I have heavy wrists and feared it wouldn't fit, but it's PERFECT! Thanks!

Awesome bracelet! Thanks so much

Lovely bookmark. Speedy postage. Thank you!!

This was a birthday gift for my daughter. She loved it! So cute on her. Thanks for the very fast shipping, I had it well in advance of the Bday.

Nice merchandise, thank you!

Great necklace. Thanks

so amazingly cute and fun!

Absolutely gorgeous bracelet and excellent service. Thanks so much!

I received my Bookmark today. It was very nicely packaged in a pretty blue pouch and it is beautiful! Great service too!

Love these. Perfect size for me. Especially like the posts.

Fast shipping, as always. Lovely earrings.

thank you for your work and good luck.

very well made!

way more beautiful than i anticipated!

beautiful! exceeds expectations!

These earrings are gorgeous! They were a gift for my sister, and she absolutely loves them! Thanks!

Excellent! Fast shipping, and great product!

I love the gemstone key chains that I custom ordered! 1337art was really nice, answering all my questions, and even included the key chains in a box! Great customer service. You won't be disappointed!

Even better in person, thanks!

Fast shipping and good communication!

The bracelet has a splendid and unique design and draws all eyes on it when sparkling in the light. Delicate and graceful, it has made a wonderful gift for a close friend. Thank you!

These are sooooo cool!! They got to my house very quickly. Seller very nice and easy to communicate with. =)

***

Beautiful items, as always. I love my new necklaces and bracelets.

They got here the day after she shipped them, not surprising considering how close she is.

I'll definitely buy from her again.

***

great shipping, and i LOVE the product!
thank you soo much!

Very cool! I love them! :)

Very cute! I love them! :)

Very nice. Thanks so much!

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much, I love this pendant!

wonderful

Very cute! Great to work with! Super fast service!

Great gift for the celestial lover.

Great Transaction! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much. My mother in law is going to love the bookmark. You were a great person to work with. Thanks again!

I love the earrings you made for me.. I'd definitely buy from you again.... I have fun watching you create the 2 pair for me. Thanks so much ! -Donna

beautiful bookmark. very friendly seller and super fast shipping. will definitely be back again. thank you. Xx

I just received this today and it is too cute! I can't wait to break out my Disney World guide books and begin reading. Thanks for the prompt transaction :o)

Very fast shipping!!! Quality product. My sister will love it. Thanks!

This bookmark is absolutely priceless! I can't wait to hang out in the coffee shop now!! ;o) You're the best! Thanks soooo much.

Thank you! I love this little book marker! So cute!

I love this bookmark. I have been looking for something like this for a very long time. Thank you so much!

I loved this necklace as soon as I saw it. I'm wearing it right now actually! Seller shipped the items out very quickly. I'll probably get the necklace/bracelet combo in other colors later. It's that beautiful.

Absolutely adorable charm. I can't stop playing with my new 'pet' dragon.

Seller made these for me using the same design as the green rock star necklace. I love these, and I can't wait to wear them out around town.

Beautiful solid little bookmark. Am delighted with it. Great communication, thank you!

Got it today! Love it! Thank you!

Very beautiful! Arrived promptly today in cute organza packaging! Thank you for the wonderful key chain!

I LOVE IT! It will look so cute on my red phone. Great quality, packaged and wrapped so nicely. Super fast shipment and an incredible seller! Highly recommend!

Great Seller, Great communication, convos, and custom order. I love them- thanks so much!

LOVE IT..1337art..You are a great seller and a great inspiration..I thank you.....

Terrific charms; fast, secure shipping; recommended artisan/vendor.

Dark Inspiration and New Items in the Works.

I’ve been feeling inspired lately to create darker, dramatic pieces. I am currently filling up a page with different designs and materials – I already have colors and textures figured out! In the coming weeks I will get to work on these pieces and get them up for sale as soon as possible. It’s really exciting to have a specific look/feel call out to you demanding to be created.

You can also expect more wine charm sets, bookmarks, jewelry pieces, brooches, hair accessories, and men’s items in the coming weeks…maybe even a few Valentine’s Day themed items.

Again I am reminded to take it easy with my work. Sometimes I just get so excited I want to do everything and see the results right now. I am going to try to do the daily blogging, as that is one of my goals for 2009. I’ll also try to relax and not work so hard all the time. The trick is to get organized and set/maintain a realistic schedule.

I look forward to connecting with you on a daily basis.

Thank you so much for reading. And thank you to everyone that comments and follows this blog.

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