Last Month's Challenge: LITERATURE

Last month, despite being busy with all our Halloween festivities, some of our Queer Team members took the time to create pieces to represent their favorite book, story, character, or author in honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which is this month!  (Please take the link for more information!)  I am blown away with the awesomeness of these entries!  I will let the pieces - and artists - speak for themselves...


Fall Leaves Beaded Necklace in Autumn Colors of Glass and Tree of Life in Silver
by Gilliauna

Inspired by Walt Whitman's Autumn Rivulets

As consequent from store of summer rains,
Or wayward rivulets in autumn flowing,
Or many a herb-lined brook's reticulations,
Or subterranean sea-rills making for the sea,
Songs of continued years I sing....
(www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Walt_Whitman/walt_whitman_leaves_o...)

Dripping with autumn colors and with matching wire wrapped teardrops of the same, when the idea came to me to make this piece, it was the beginning of the poem Autumn Rivulets by Walt Whitman that came to mind. With the watery theme of the poem, I've added in a few tiny crystals with a touch of blue to the piece as well.


Purple, Red, Black and Gray Swarovski Pearl and Crystal Bracelet - Strych
by BuniqueBeads

This is just one of my bracelets inspired by my favorite author, Sarah Monette. She writes incredibly lush stories and novels, often with darker, adult themes dealing with queer characters in fantasy or sci-fi settings as well as other alternative sexualities and non-traditional lifestyles. She is, in a word, AMAZING. This bracelet, "Strych," represents one of the wickedest characters in her four-book Doctrine of the Labyrinths series.  The "evil wizard in the story" goes by many names, but one of those is Brinvillier Strych, I chose dark, rich colors for his mystery and his sadistic secrets, and of course, the dark ruby-red vein runs through the other colors to recall the rubies of his wizard's rings:

"Like a poison, he devours his victims from the inside, but has an allure that is difficult to resist. I chose dark, rich colors for his mystery and his sadistic secrets, and of course, the dark ruby-red vein runs through the other colors to recall the rubies of his wizard's rings. You're not supposed to like it; you're supposed to be drawn to it even though you know better."


Angels and Demons Inspired Elements of Science Illuminati Bracelet
by MikesHempBracelets

"Their name means 'enlightened ones'. They were physicist, mathematicians and astronomers. They were dedicated to scientific truth..."

This bracelet was inspired by the book "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown. Each color stone represents one of the elements of science used by the Illuminati. Brown for Earth, Light Blue for Air, Red for Fire, and Blue for Water. The white stone represents the Light that the Illuminati strove to reveal.


Tiger Agate and Pearl Necklace
by GalleriaDiGiani

I decided in advance that I wanted to find a powerful love to inspire me. I chose Heathcliff and Catherine from Wuthering Heights. Catherine is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. The eyes being such a strong trait that her other family members share that same look.

So, with all those lovely shades of brown going on around her, I thought about what sort of jewelry might Heathcliff see that would instantly make him think of his love, Catherine.

This is what I came up with.


Original aceo art card A Midsummer Night's Dream Titania
by catbirdcraft

The character Titania in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is Queen of the Fairies, having annoyed a jealous Oberon with her dalliances, is put under a spell by Puck while she sleeps, and so falls in love with the first creature she sees on awaking, the mortal with an ass' head, Bottom.


Moby the Whale Stuffed Animal
by featheredneststudio

This guy could tell you a whale of tale. Consider him the Moby Dick of stuffed animals... a book I have never read (but with a degree in English, I probably shouldn't admit that).


Vampire Bunny, 4x6 Print of Original Watercolor
by FaerieGardenFancies

This capricious Giclée print is perfect crossover parody of the Twilight and Bunnicula series, with a little campy Dracula added in!

While neither series was my *favorite* they are books that amused & entertained me a great deal. If you haven't ever read them, do check them out:
~ Bunnicula
~ Twilight

And here's a treasury including the lovelies above, and some other member listings that fit the theme!

Spotlight on Queer Team Member HempHelpers!

HempHelpers interviewed by enlightenedartisan

What sorts of things do you offer in your shop?

Typical hippie gear. All my jewelry and accessories are made with hemp. I have necklaces, branklets (my own category, just referring to items that can be worn as bracelets or anklets), head bands, belts, key chains, and clipcritters (little pals made with beads and hemp that have alligator clips). Nearly all these items also have alligator clips, for both strong secure clasp, and for those that partake, an easy way to prevent burned fingers and lips ;)I also offer art, stash jars, and tie dye clothing.

How did you first start selling on etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else?

I heard about it from a friend, and immediately jumped on the band wagon. I started crafting in January of 09, and went to Rothbury that summer to sell my wares out of baskets. Shortly after that I heard about etsy, which is the only place I was selling for a while. I am now currently in a few headshops and art stores around Michigan. I’m getting close to my one year anniversary of my shop opening!!

Tell us a little about your typical creative process and how you go about making your work. What kinds of steps do you usually go through?

It varies, sometimes I pick out the center bead or focal point and work around it, or I’ll pick out the hemp colors and figure out which bead goes best with it. From there I take in account my desired client, male/female/unisex, type of knot to use, and overall size of the piece. I work in a social atmosphere; good company helps you produce good products! It helps you be more at ease and relaxed, and not takes mistakes as seriously. Nothing in the world is perfect, and imperfections just make each piece more unique. This goes for my other crafts too, not just the hemp crafting. Being social and feeding off other people’s good vibes really inspires me.

What are your favorite materials to work with?

Hemp is my number one favorite. I use it exclusively for all my jewelry and accessories. In addition to that, I love to tie dye, paint, and draw. I will be learning how to work glass and make clothing in the near future too.

Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of yourwork in your etsy shop?

I will be starting to try my hand at glass working. Lampworking and glass blowing, once I get it down pat you’ll be sure to see my work in my shop!

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time?

Hmm, tough question. My spare time is when I do all my crafty stuff. But now that it’s summer time, I plan to spend the warm days with friends, music, and peace.

Does your queer identity come into play in your work?

Sometimes it does. Mostly my hippie identity rules the grounds, but I think that was spurred by my queeritude. I learned respect and understanding of different ways of life from being gay, and I use that for motivation when I work. But I have made quite a few rainbow pieces intentionally because I was gay.

What are your hopes for the Queer Etsy Street Team? What brought you to join?

I love the feeling of belonging with people. And how the slightest similarity in people can bring all types of different backgrounds together. I love the welcoming atmosphere the queer team has. I hope to become a productive member of the team, providing input and having fun. I think its great what the team does and I am proud to start being a part of it.

Queer Team are Artists Exposed!

The Queer Etsy Street Team has been featured in an Artists Exposed treasury by fabulous etsy seller VickiDiane! Been wondering who some of the faces behind queer team are? Take a look and leave us a comment!
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6029160