Special Edition: A Fellow Crafter and Jewelry Maker

Padfoot Jewelry by Lauren Sampson

Today I am having a feature post about a close friend of mine who makes beautiful jewelry. Her shop name is Padfoot Jewelry and is located on etsy.com. Most of her stuff is inspired by nature and is just absolutely gorgeous. Her and I had a chat not to long ago and here is our interview.


HummingbirdLoves(HL): What spurred you to start up your own etsy shop?


Lauren Sampson (LS): Honestly, it wasn't even an initial thought.  My best friend and boyfriend convinced me that what I was making was good enough that others may want them.  And it took a lot of convincing, trust you me!

HL: Why did you pick jewelry making as your craft to sell?

LS: Really what I was looking for was a hobby.  I felt like I needed some way to channel my rudimentary but enthusiastic artistic flare.  I'd dabbled in jewlery making in the past and hadn't been a total failure at it, so decided to pick up from there and see how far I could take it.  (I still don't know how far it'll go!)

HL: Where does your inspiration for each piece come from?

LS: My friends and the weather.  For example, the weather just took a turn for the chilly this week.  I'll be focusing my colors towards the winter palet of blues, clears, whites, etc.  Couple months ago, it was browns, greens and oranges for the fall.  And when all else fails...I pick a friend to "make" something for.  Probably half of my pieces are inspired by someone.  Whether it's a best friend who loves teal, or my mom who wears longer necklaces with deeper hues.

HL: Which one is your favorite so far?

LS: In and by far...the Harvest Necklace.  One that I refuse to sell.  Its mine.  All mine.  :)  That's the fall one that I made...see colors above.  Three strands all different colors secured with a toggle clasp (which...love toggle clasps btw).  It's really elegant and probably my best piece.  I'm proud of it and it's a great reminder for me of my potential.

HL: I noticed each one has a name, How did this come about? 

LS: If I answered that alcohol and a couple good friends were involved, would I get judged?  Everything I make means something to me.  Maybe this will go away after piece 100 but I hope not.  Creativity and being artistic comes in many forms.  It's a creative thing that I love: to find the hidden meaning in things.  Each necklace, tells a story...whether it's a novel or a picture book doesn't matter but they all say something.  It felt natural to me that I give them all names.  

HL: How long did it take you to get everything setup?

LS: Months.  I'm 3 into it, and would say I'm finally starting to get into a routine.  The biggest initial hurdle was finding a space to call my own.  My craft table.  I needed some area that I could set up shop and not have to constantly be a nomad about where I worked.

HL: What was the hardest part about opening an etsy shop?

LS: Pricing.  THANK GOD I HAD A FRIEND HELP ME!!!  It's really hard to put a price value on something you make.  You can't objectively look at it and decide it's worth.  And because it's hand made there are a plethora of other things to think about that say, Macy's, wouldn't give two shits.  Every bead you pay for, your time, materials, etc.  If i truly had my druthers, I wouldn't have opened the shop for that very reason.

HL: How does it feel to have your shop up and running?

LS: Euphoria mixed with a healthy dose of anxiety, scattered with self-doubt and overshadowed by overall accomplishment.

HL: What is your favorite thing about this whole process?

LS: Hearing from people who didn't even know I was into jewelry but looked at my shop and said it was really good.  Huge confidence builder I wasn't entirely expecting (but hoped for), as that'll carry me into making more jewelry.  It certainly spurred my creativity to realize that my beading genius was one I should share.

HL: As your shop is still in its infancy stage, what advice do you have for others wanting to start their own shops? 

Patience.  Above all else, patience.  It's not just going to happen.  The age old "Rome wasn't built in a day" and let's face it, Rome took ALOT of work.  Something you have to be willing to put in.  You have to have a goal and work for it.  It took a long time to make the products, then taking pictures, writing descriptions, calculating costs, saving receipts, determining the target audience, the right place to advertise my goods....everything.  And it's daunting.  My advice is to get some help.  Barter for a friend's assistance with food, drink, or something from your store to get help.  Without help from Hannah and Dylan, it 100% would not have happened. 

More advice, and something I'm learning just now...Even though I'm not sitting at the craft table actually making my products, doesn't mean I'm not helping the end goal.  I haven't made a necklace in two weeks.  Yes, it's killing me...but there were other things that had to be done regarding the store and materials, etc.  Sometimes, much to my dismay, there are things about my hobby that I don't like doing.  Pricing, taking pictures, waiting for them to sell :)  but it's important to keep the mentality that ANYTHING you do towards your hobby counts and should be seen as an accomplishment rather than feeling deterred because you can't/didn't do any actual crafting for a bit. 

Finally...if you hit a lull....don't panic.  Like all things in life, artistic creativity ebbs and wanes.  There are days where I sit to make a piece of jewelry, needing that down time, and nothing comes to me.  But then, a week later, I sit down and make 3 things.  If you feel like you're losing your touch, if you feel like you're frustrated, if you feel just blah about it...step away.  Take a little break and do something else that feeds the hobby for a while.  Look online for ideas, go to stores, buy books, talk to friends, but don't get dismayed!  Chin up and the kinks will work themselves out.

 ~~~

Thank you Lauren for your time and Good Luck with your shop and future endeavors!!!

Finally Friday #7: Reasons I love Wisconsin...

This year I have spent a copious amount of time in Wisconsin thanks to a very special man of mine. Every time I make my way there I find it beyond difficult to return to the east coast. Between his amazing family, the circle of friends I have there and him I feel perfectly at home in the farm painted landscape. I often feel as though it is a completely different world than the one I live in Massachusetts. It's hard to specifically pin-point my favorite things about the state but I will try.

There are many attributes that have sucked me in :

1. The Landscape-Growing up in a rural environment and having a dairy farm only a mere mile down the road in either direction provides you with a sense of reality. Seeing where the milk that you drink and use in recipes comes from, truly grounds you. Yet, like everyone else I had an itch to try the city thing and soon learned I was much more at home among the trees and fields, not sky scrapers and traffic. I felt at home from my first visit. Something about seeing the sun set across an open field just brings a sense of peace.

2. The People- After living in various areas of the northeast I have come to notice a constant level of stress. In traffic , walking down the street or simply shopping at Target they are rude and self center. Ok, not all of them but as a general population compared to the folks of WI they are. I have never had a bad trip to a store or at a party while in WI. They are warm, welcoming and if they think you are feeling out of place they try to include you or help you  out. It's simple as the rural environment to the urban. Its choice and I choose rural.

3. The Food- Culver's Deep Fried Cheese Curd and Pumpkin Spice Shake... Enough said. 

Creative Crafty #9: Little Red Riding Hood and the... Badger?

Halloween this year I decided to Google for ideas. My final Googling adventure began with the keywords of "red head halloween costumes". Ah the things you can Google.  From there I sorted through the various links to find a costume idea for myself as well as finding something that could be made into a couples costume for my boyfriend. I found my top three and quickly sent them to my boyfriend to pick his favorite. His choice? Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.

Of course, I was sorting the idea over with a coworker and he suggested instead of the Big Bad Wolf (which would take forever to make) my boyfriend should be Teen Wolf. I loved the idea and knowing that it would involve a lot less fabric and time I jumped on it.

Much like when I was a kid, my first move was to visit Jo-Ann Fabrics and flip through the pattern catalogs looking for the costume I wanted to make. When I was little my mom would do the exact same thing with me. She would sit me in front of the catalogs and as I flipped through them she would gather the items she needed on the nearby isles. Once I found the one I wanted we would buy the pattern and material and head home to start on it. This time I was the one making it and left to choose all the fabrics on my own.

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End Result-Little Red Riding Hood

I made a few changes to/from the pattern. Instead of the petticoat underneath the skirt I added layers of red tulle. Also I did not make the blouse in the pattern and instead just wore a white cami. Personally, I loved how it came out and it was some of my best craftsmanship. Which took me a while to make! Haha

After taking the time to do excellent craftsmanship in following a pattern I had little time to make the wolf costume for my boyfriend. He also wasn't a big fan having to get all dress up so I tried to keep it very simple. I made him sleeves with attached paws, a "turtleneck" and ears. The sleeves were attached to each other with elastic across his back much like you would do with a 5yr old's mittens. At the end of the sleeves were paws with claws and to keep it simple each finger had a covering that attached with elastic once again. I made a loose fitting turtle neck that slipped over his head and fill the gap from his shirt to his beard. Lastly I made fur ears that slipped over his ears and fastened with double stick tape.

Little Red Riding Hood and Teen Wolf

His homemade items along with his fake teeth I had found, black gloves and a black nose that we gave him he was quite convincing. Or so I thought... His chosen t-shirt to wear was a Wisconsin Madison t-shit whose mascot is a badger, which spurred people all night to ask him if he was a badger. After awhile we decided to just go with it and so came Little Red Riding Hood and Bucky the Badger.

A special shout to everybody in Platteville WI: Almost all we saw had homemade costumes as well!!! I loved it!

~Happy Crafting!~

Friday's Three Post #6: Holly Jolly Fun on it Way!

Wondering through Salem, MA my friends and I started chatting about our favorite holidays in order of top three. For all of them Halloween was right up there, but not me! I love Christmas!!! I love winter and Christmas lands right smack in that season. So much that I am listening to Christmas music on my vinyl record player as I am writing this post. The holiday last so long and has so many joys to it. I'm sure you of are thinking that I just love Christmas because the presents but actually I would prefer a Christmas without them.

I love the holiday because it is such a family and friend centered holiday with turkey, pies and candy. I promise you that this post is not going to be a rant why Christmas is the best. We all know that is true already! But with the festive date poking its glittery smile right around the corner of Hallow's Eve in every store I thought I would put up my favorite things to do during the Holiday to be sure to plan for them!

1. Christmas Lights- Who doesn't love bright shiny colorful Christmas lights??? Ok, the Grinch, but even he comes around. Grab some snacks this December, tune into the local holiday radio station and cruise with the family checking out the lights in your neighborhood. I remember being little with my mom, dad and grandmother and driving around my hometown to find the best lights. Its also inexpensive treat for the whole family. There are some extra-spectacular Christmas Lights you can check out all over New England and New York. These sometimes cost a small fee but it usually goes to a charity. One of my favorites is Lights on the Lake in the Syracuse, NY area. LaSalette in Attleboro, MA and Millis Wonderland in Millis, MA are another two I found out about from coworkers and I plan to check them out!

2. Making Cookies- Pretty much any holiday means food for me. I LOVE to eat! Seriously, ask any of my friends. Christmas isn't any different. And what is my favorite of goodies on this cheery holiday you wonder? Molasses and Sugar Cookies, Of Course! This has been a favorite for me ever since I was a kid. I still remember the weekends leading up to Christmas while my dad was out hunting, my mother and I would hold ourselves up in the kitchen making cookies to package into tins for the season. This was one of the few times of the year we would set aside the good ol' chocolate chip recipe for must trickier and time intensive recipes like the Molasses cookies. This year I'm thinking a girls bake night is in order!

3. Extended Family Games Night- I may be an only child but I come from two large families. My dad is one of ten kids and my mom one of eight. As you can imagine there are a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins around on Christmas. After eating we would often pull out the games we received for gifts or fun group games that are stored away for special occasions. My favorite of games is Catch Phrase, we all end up laughing and joking the whole time. Its such a great way to enjoy each others company and the kids can play too. My mom always ends up playing for both teams because she can't stop herself from wanting to help everyone. But that is what makes her so damn special!

~Happy Friday~

Lost Adventure #9: Spooktacular Saturday in Salem

This past weekend I orchestrated a trip to witchy Salem, MA for two of my friends who absolutely love Halloween and the history that Salem provides. Four brave souls myself included endured the Saturday morning traffic into downtown Salem, MA.  Here are some photos of our adventure.

The four maiden's began their voyage at the dark and dingy Museum.
It is here where they learned of the witches.

On the way to the next haunt the three ladies stopped for a moment to admire an "old old wooden ship". 

After disheartening news that they would have an hour or so to ponder, the ladies found them caught in the devil's spell at the Witch's Brew Cafe.

The devil drink in there bellies, they stepped back in time and wondered straight into Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birth Place.

Once exiting the home the found it was only a few steps away to the House of Seven Gables. The oldest Mansion in the "new world". 

What would be a visit to Salem, MA without a little fright...

And a few buried witches....

and of course "Bewitching Magic".

~ Happy Halloween!!! ~

Lost Adventure #8: Return to Newport

This post is a little slow coming and I apologize for that. I have been super busy with a variety of grown up responsibilities. (Which I really wish I could be a kid again because it all gets to be a bit much when I'm handling it all alone.)  Butttt anywhoo!

As I mentioned in my post Creative Craft #7: Repairing Vinyl Memories, one of my best friends came down to visit me recently. I debated where to take her for about two weeks prior to her visit and settled on Newport, RI. I know I have posted about Newport before and I am posting again because I absolutely love this town. My friend Michelle and I did many of the same things that my boyfriend and I did but with many more pictures and tangents.

Once again, we started out with the Newport Cliff Walk but this time we went the opposite direction and headed toward the beach! Walking in the opposite direction was quite gorgeous. We saw less houses and many locations for impromptu photo-shoots. At one point we wandered down on some rocks and just sat there chatting away for a while catching up on old times.

After our old lady stroll, we decided to be creeps and cruise around Newport looking at the mansions along the ocean. I suppose we aren't that creepy seeing there are actual tours given of many of these properties.  The weather was perfect for the drive, windows down and our hair blowing in the breeze, as we were like two church ladies on Sunday. It was much fun to simply point the car in a direction but with no real destination other than following the coast line. We did eventually find our way back into town after almost an hour of ooooohhhing and ahhhhhhing numerous houses that we most likely will never own.

Parking, the usual scavenger hunt that it is in New England, was less than appealing but after another 20 minutes we found a good spot in a parking garage. After stowing our needless items in the car we set off to aimlessly wander some more. As we bumbled and stumbled we found a historical burying ground tucked away on a side street amongst a bunch of houses. It being daylight I was braver than normal to check it out. After a few quick shots we were on our way again.

Our final stop in Newport was of course, Buskers, my favorite restaurant with my favorite waitress Krista! There are more than just her that work there but every time I go there I am lucky enough to get her. She is a fabulous waitress and now remembers me quite well! :) A delicious meal of Beef Stew and Lobster mac, sent us on our way home, but not before catching a shot of the sunset on the Newport Coastline.

One fantastic weekend it was with one of my best friends! I hope she visits again soon!!!!

Finally Friday #6: Inspiring Art

I love art. Painting, drawing, sculpting, crafting, sewing pretty much anyway I can get it. I believe this runs in my family as my dad is a skilled painter and my mother has a knack for holiday crafts. My creative side has always been there and always will be there but along my path in life there have been certain pieces of artwork that I have found inspiring along with most everybody else in the world.

I will be honest this was probably the hardest top three post I have done yet. Not to come up with choices but to prune them down to three. There are numerous pieces of amazing skill and choosing favorites feels as unfair as picking a favorite child.

1. Water Lilies by Claude Monet 1916-1919

This gorgeous piece of impressionist artwork has always caught my eye ever since I was a young child. Out of all the art movements this one was my absolutely favorite. I love the contrast of the warm and cool colors that create a feeling of relaxation. From the weeping willows hanging in the forefront to the bright green lily pads in the distance, I can't help but feel like sitting on a cool breezy river bank under a tree in the middle of the middle of a hot summer's day. This piece of artwork inspired a few of my own projects years ago as I attempted to replicate the softness of the pink water lilies with tissue paper pop art.

2. The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh 1889

I still remember the first time I saw this painting as if it was yesterday. I had stayed after school to work on a painting of a horse for my 7th grade art class. At the time I was what one could call "obsessed" with horses and was flipping through a book of famous artwork that my teacher had given me to browse, pretty sure to possibly curb my horse fever. I feel like now is a good time to mention that ever since 1st grade my teacher Mrs.Lacrosse and I were convinced I would attend a Fine Arts School  after High School and so I invested many additional hours in the sanctuary of the art room developing my skills further.  As I sat flipping through page after page of remarkable pieces of art history, this one piece stopped me. I fell in love with the "perfect starry night" where this little quaint town sat at the base of these gentle rolling hills. The brush strokes swirl you around the painting softly and slowly stopping briefly at each star as if you are actually gazing at the night's sky. This will always be a favorite of mine and is easy to find at many poster fairs! 

3. Carcass of Beef by Chaim Soutine 1924

This painting is the inspiration around the most recent of my own series of paintings. The contrast of the complementary red and greens as well as the blue and oranges makes this a vibrant and raw piece. As always a diagonal composition makes it an interesting painting to admire but technical attributes aside, I love this piece. The exposed feeling evoked by this painting is the emotion that inspired my own. This painting's vivid and varying colors help make it one of my favorite three!

*The Following links from Wikipaintings.org are where I found the images above:

Water Lilies-http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/claude-monet/water-lilies-1919-1
The Starry Night-http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/vincent-van-gogh/the-starry-night-1889
Carcass of Beef- http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/chaim-soutine/carcass-of-beef#close