Feature From QuirkynBerkeley Blog

Sunday, January 27, 2008
Magdalene Jewels

Magdalene Jewels is named after Mary Magdalene. Pamela Baker works from home and sells her jewelry on both Etsy and in craft shows. She also designs and makes quilts, knits, and crochets. She is also a calligrapher. She uses Swarovski Crystals in all of her designs, "mainly because of the intricate colors which, when reflected in the sunlight, make each piece unique.

"Don't be surprised if you also detect traces of India in her work -- it's her favorite place. "If I could be anywhere in the world, I would love to live in India." She has visited several times and spent time especially in Southern India where she visited many temples. She loves the peace that she finds there.Don't forget to stop and visit her blog.

Posted by QuirkynBerkeley at 4:19 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: etsy, handcrafted cards, jewelry, magdalenejewels, quirkynberkeley

Thank's for the nice write up from QuirkynBerkeley.etsy.com

This beautiful square was made by Betsy Busche Cross: Her shop is Spongetta.etsy.com. It was made to remind us all of the devastation of Hurricanes' Katrina and Rita. The background colors and different fabrics represent the cultural richness of the Gulf Coast. The red "X" in the center was the symbol used by the relief workers each time they searched a house, and the plum colors on the left of the square represent the waves which left all the damage in its wake.

It is amazing how one small square can represent such insight into a person's imagination, and then be able to share it though our own awareness.

My Etsy Favorites

Our First "Triumph"

For all of those who have been following, or are participating in our quilting project, "Tragedy & Triumph", our first block has been submitted by Gayle Williams, whose shop is "whatshername.etsy.com" Her block is called "The Heart of America." Some of our quilter's are almost finished their block squares, so we are really getting this project off the ground.

I thought I would list our Esty contributors who, after giving much consideration to what they wish to contribute, are currently working hard towards their goal. Not all have come up with their idea yet, but this is a compilation of what we have so far:

Robin Woods, whimbrella.etsy.com/Triumph-The Astrodome and it's helping hand to Katrina

Darvix.etsy.com/Triumph-Space Exploration;

Betsy of spongetta.etsy.com/Tradedy-Katrina;

Cassie Bautista, Myheartandsew.etsy.com/Tragedy-The Oklahoma Bombing;

Debi George,grayeyedscorpio.etsy.com/Triiumph-Recycling;

Vicki Eversfield, emenyamemone.etsy.com is brave enough to contribute two blocks: Tragedy-Columbia Shuttle Disaster, and Triumph-The Space Probe of Saturn;

Ev Arad and her daughter Ellie, artisanimpact.etsy.com-are doing a project together;

Ellie, momomadeit.etsy.com/Triumph-Global Awareness;

Lora, YappsCottageDecor.etsy.com/Tradgey, is dedicating two square in memory of a infant son and infant grandson both lost to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death)

Andrea Gerig, JennyGardener.etsy.com/Tragedy-The Disaster of 9/11

Pamela Baker, MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com/Tragedy, the Aftermath of 9/11

Janine Maves, altheaP.etsy.com/Tragedy, a commemoration of those lost to drug abuse.

Others artists who are also participating are: Marion Lake, MadeMarion.etsy.com;

Alisclair, alisclair.etsy.com: Triumph; Alis is contributing (2) squares intribute to the Royal Nat'l Lifeboat Institute (a 24-hr charity lifesaving group in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

TracyCasey, thedancingneedle.etsy.com; Marion, artmixer.etsy.com;

and Jackie, ChristieCottage.etsy.com - all of whom their work is still a masterpiece in design!

Please stop by and visit their shops also. While they are still working on their various artistic handmade talents, are busy creating a square for the "Tragedy and Triumph" Project.

Anyone else interested, please convo me at my shop.

Texture of Craft Article on Our Quilt Project

Friday, 18 January 2008

‘Tragedy and Triumph’ by Guest Writer Pamela Baker (MagdaleneJewels)

A few weeks ago I wrote about my love of quilting and showed a few of the quilts that I have done on my blog. In the meantime, though, I have somewhat put my quilting 'on the back burner' as I started making jewelry. From there, I am undertaking my next Project, which brings me back to my quilting expertise. Andrea, ‘JennyGardener.etsy.com’, and I began brainstorming an idea which we had hoped would get a good response from our Etsy friends and quilters. Of course, before we got our idea off the ground and onto our quilting mats, we let Administration know what we are working towards. I then emailed 'The Storque' (Etsy's Blogzine) about our idea and they absolutely loved it, and gave us the ok to get started. They suggested we start soliciting artists through the forums and various Teams. I am now sharing this Project, to the many readers of Sara’s 'Crafts of Texture', and inviteanyone interested to reach me through my shop: ‘MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com’.

What started as a conversation in a thread on the forums talking about embroidery and quilting; and as all forums seem to do, led to a whole different aspect of what was started - Andrea had mentioned about doing an embroidery commemorating something historical that has either taken place or changed our lives since the beginning of the new millennium. This was met with comments in a few of the threads that not everything which has occurred in these past 8 years has been tragic. Some in the forums mentioned the many accomplishments achieved during this time. Since everyone had so many views and opinions, I suggested that if we each submitted an 8' (block) quilting square (actually 8 1/2' allowing for seamage), we could each either quilt, embroider, scan a photograph onto a square, paint, appliqué' - whatever our talents allow: specifically something historical.This is where our 'Tragedy and Triumph' theme came into play. We decided that since so many views were presented, we would assemble 2 different quilts, each one symbolizing the tragedies that have affected us and will remain with us throughout history and should not be forgotten, or the successful triumphs that have been accomplished historically during this time.

"The inspirations for the quilts are all those people who recorded history in their artistic expressions. We don't know their names, yet they captured history in their homely work. Tapestries, quilts, needlework - these are all we have left. Yet these works inform our understanding of history". http://www.jennygardener.etsy.com/

We have gotten so many positive responses of those wanting to do a block commemorating something that has touched each participant. One woman’s work of art will be tribute to Katrina, since she worked there during the relief effort to help those left homeless. We have a square dedicated to the memory which will stay will all of us, the bombing of the Twin Towers; another will be a tribute to the Columbia Shuttle Disaster, the loss of lives to SIDS.

These will all be commemorated on our "Tragedy" quilt. So as not to leave all of you on the down side, our "Triumph" quilt, will be dedicated to memories such as the Space Shuttle Exploration, another to the "Love of America". There will also be blocks reminding us of our commitment to "Saving the Planet". Once all the ideas are submitted and the quilting has begun, I will keep an updated list on my blog: http://www.magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com/.

One can also submit a square for each quilt; we will need 80 squares for each. Once this part is accomplished, I will then assemble the various squares into the finished product, and then offer it to Etsy to auction off, with the proceeds going to such charities as the many orphans in Iraq; children of fallen soldiers; those left homeless by Katrina, etc. - of course these ideas are open for any suggestions. Also, this project is open to all, whether here, or in England, Canada, Europe; basically all Etsians!We have gotten off to a good start and hope for much success for our 2008 Project - 'Tragedy and Triumph.'Look for future articles following the progress of this beautiful historical quilting project.

Written by Pamela Baker of MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com
Posted by Sara's Texture Crafts 0 comments
Labels: Art and Craft Projects, Guest Writer Articles

Tragedy and Triumph - Update

It has been only 2 days since we first published our quest for quilters to contribute to our "Tragedy and Triumph" Project. So far the response is far beyond what we expected! Everyone who has signed up to do a block, has the most rewarding ideas that they submitted. Everything from "The Devastation of Katrina"; "The Oklahoma Bombing"; "Tsunami"; to "The Space Exploration centering around Mars" "Proud to be an American"; and "The Rings around Saturn". Last night, I had one estian "YappsCottageDecor.etsy.com" ask if she could do a block in honor of not only losing an infant, but just recently a grandbaby to SIDS. I welcomed her contribution as it is a disease that so many forget about, but even today is just as prevalent as just this past year alone-2007- 177,826 babies have been lost to this disease (as of last count!).
So far this is a list of our Etsy artists who are contributing their time to make a block for our Project. Each member, not only asking to be a part of our tribute, but has a story connected to what they are designing; something that has touched almost each one individually.

MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com - being only about 20 mi from the site of 9/11 - my block will be a tribute to the many firemen who worked so hard that day
Jenny Gardener.etsy.com - her block will show the planes going into the Twin Towers-9/11
Whimbrella.etsy.com
Artmixer.etsy.com Marion's block will honor Scotland's "Triumph" of it's own Parliament
MadeMarion.etsy.com wishes to dedicate her block to the falling of Sadam Hussein
Grayeyedscorpio.etsy.com will be doing a block to remind us of the importance of making all aware of the ecological needs in this Country
AmiejDesigns.etsy.com her block will be a dedication to the loss due to the Tsunami
Myheartandsew.etsy.com Although it has been 10 years, the bombing of Oklahoma is still an important part of our consciousness today
Spongetta.etsy.com Is doing a quilt on Katrina, she was there afterwards to help
Whatshername.etsy.com Her block will be a tribute to our love of America
Enemyanemone.etsy.com Her Tragedy block will honor the Columbia Shuttle Devastation
Enemyanemone.etsy.com Her Triumph will cover the Space Probe's discovery of the rings of Saturn
YappsCottageDecor.etsy.com She is doing two blocks honoring the memory of two babies lost to SIDS
Alisclair.etsy.com
Momomadeit.etsy.com Joan's block will be on the "Texas Bonfire Tragedy" doesn't seem like that long ago!

Artisanimpact.etsy.com

AltheaP.etsy.com Janine's block on Drug Abuse, is a tribute to the loss of her two brother's.

ChristieCottage.etsy.com

babyannequilts.etsy.com Heather is going to do a block for the Triumph Quilt.

Alaskasews2.etsy.com Pat is contributing 2 blocks; one symbolizing Woman's Suffrage and women in politics; her other square will be dedicated to Heart Value Transplants

stitchntyme.etsy.com Carly's Tragedy will be dedicated to Survivors of Abuse

So it looks as though we are off to a great start! Andrea and I invite all who are interested to join all of these other Esty friends in our "Tragedy and Triumph" Project.

Will keep you updated on my blog as we progress!

Tragedy and Triumph - त्रगेद्त ऎंड त्रिउम्फ

A few weeks ago I wrote about my love of quilting and showed a few of the quilts that I have done. In the meantime, though, I have somewhat put my quilting "on the back burner" as I started making jewelry. Andrea, "JennyGardener.etsy.com", and I have been brainstorming an idea which we hope will got a lot of support from our Etsy friends and quilters. Of course, before we get our idea off the ground and onto our quilting mats, we let Administration know what we are working towards. Yesterday, Jan 9, I emailed "The Storque" about our idea and they absolutely loved it, and gave us the ok to get started. They suggested we start soliciting artists through the forums and various Teams. Besides going through the forums, Andrea and I will attempt to convo as many quilters, photographers, artists, etc. as possible. I am going to keep "The Storque" updated with our progress through photos, and list all those artists who are participating, with a mention of their shop (good publicity!). When we are finished I will do a nice article on with the finished project for "The Storque."
Andrea came up with the idea of calling our project "Tragedy and Triumph". What started as a conversation in a thread on the forums talking about embroidery and quilting, and as all forums seem to do, led to a whole different aspect of what was started - Andrea had mentioned about doing an embroidery commemorating something historical that has either taken place or changed our lives since the beginning of the new millennium. This was met with comments in a few of the threads that not everything which has occurred in these past 8 years has been tragic. Some in the forums mentioned the many accomplishments achieved during this time. Since everyone had so many views and opinions, I suggested that if we each submitted an 8" (block) quilting square (actually 8 1/2" allowing for seamage), we could each either quilt, embroider, photograph onto a square, paint, applique' - whatever our talents allow: specifically something historical.
This is where our "Tragedy and Triumph" theme came into play. We decided that since so many views were presented, we would assemble 2 different quilts, each one symbolizing the tragedies that have affected us and will remain with us throughout history and should not be forgotten, or the successful triumphs that have been accomplished historically during this time. Of course, we suggest that if interested, you mention your shop and idea - we don't want to have 20 squares of 9/11, etc. At that point, I will keep an updated list on my blog. One can also submit a square for each quilt, we will need 80 squares for each. I will then assemble the various squares into a quilt, which we will offer to Etsy to auction off, with the proceeds going to such charities as the many orphans in Iraq; children of fallen soldiers; those left homeless by Katrina, etc - of course these ideas are open for any suggestions. Also, this project is open to all, whether here, or in England, Canada, Europe; basically all Estians!
Well, now that Andrea and I have gotten the ok, we will begin listing this in the forums, or if you are interested, you either convo me or leave a message on my blog. Andrea and I hope for much success for our 2008 Project - "Tragedy and Triumph."

ps if you go down 2 post you can see some of the quilts i have done

Happy 2008 - Another Year

Hopefully the sun will be in my horizon as I start the New Year, or let's hope so anyway. I spent New Year's Day doing absolutely nothing as I stayed in my pj's all day, the result of a few cocktails the night before. Of course it didn't help that the night before (New Year's Eve), my daughter called at 12:03 am, my oldest son called at 12:15am, then my other son called at 12:20 am. Although they were at the same party, they each felt the need to call separately. Then at 1:05 the phone rang again, with another New Year's greeting - thank you, sir! If that weren't enough, when the boys came home at 4:30 am, I got a "play by play" account of their adventures of the evening. As they finally passed out, the kitty's decided it was their turn - meowing for their breakfast. So at that point I figured what the H---, I got up made my coffee and went on Etsy. Am I addicted to the forums? Well, it that is how I started my New Year, I would say, yes!
The next day I clicked on Crafts of Texture, by Sarah, which is connected with The Storque. I don't know how many of you read Crafts of Texture, but they have great stories, and reviews of different shops, etc. Anyway, I was surprised to see they had opened with something I had written - of course I had to save it, and will share it with all of you.
MagdaleneJewels said...
Happy New Year - although it has only been a week, I have missed my daily "Crafts of Texture" - learning what is going on in the rest of the artistic world. Let's hope for all of us to have a successful journey through each other's shops, while we learn more about our own craft through your different articles. Hope to submit something again soon.
love Pam - MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com
http://MagdaleneJewelspjk.blogspot.com
02 JANUARY 2008 12:08
I have mentioned a few times in different blogs the shop, "artisanimpact" - if you check one of my Nov blogs, I have a picture of a ring I bought from them. The artists, Oded and Ilan, and of course Ev, are currently working on an international catalogue, of which I will have an ad in also. Not only do they do beautiful metal working in their jewelry, but they have become my Etsy "mentors." When I originally opened my shop in Aug, I was photographing all my jewelry on dark backgrounds, thinking that would highlight the crystals. Ev "artisanimpact" suggested I re-shoot my jewelry on a white background. They said it would highlight my work, and perhaps bring more sales and attention to my shop. I started working on reediting my work, during the holiday week; on New Year's, as I had just listed one of my necklaces that I had just redone, within less than 15 minutes it sold. Of course, I immediately had to convo, Ev, to thank them for their suggestion, and let them know how right they were. What a way to start my New Year - starting with opening the Crafts of Texture first entry for 2008, and then a sale!

I often read in the forum the many suggestions and critiques that Etsy buyers and sellers make. No one ever disrespects another's work, there are always compliments, support for each other, and help when needed. In the words of my son's as they see me sitting at the computer, "it's Etsy time!" and know I won't be moving for a while.

I can't end my New Year's greeting without mentioning the "Boomers" team - for all of us "oldies over 40". Although I just joined them, I enjoy the chats. One of them during the holiday started with how much one has accomplished during the holidays, and we ended up with stories of our adventurous Christmas tree climbing kittens! So although today is only the 5th day into the New Year, so far things are looking up.