Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Treasury Tuesday: Taste The Rainbow

Craving some color on this cloudy day?  Have we got the treasury for you!


Taste The Rainbow
by PeachesProducts, featuring TheQuiltedHouse

Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! (I can't picture them all so you have to click on them to see!  If you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:
  • Winter Winds by PeachesProducts, featuring PeachesPictures
  • Cabin Fever Rainbows by Turtlefly, featuring AzureSeas, FuzzyBunnyFibers, KiraArts, KarenSwimmer, PeachesProducts, FrecklesAndFrizz, and TatteredPearls
Curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook PageYour treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Friday, February 24, 2012

February Team Challenge: "It's Personal!"


Welcome to RNEST's February Team challenge!
The theme for this month was "It's Personal"!

(Sorry this post is up a little late!)
Earlier this month, we asked our RNEST members to get creative and make items representing an interpretation of the theme...whether it be a new line of items in their shop or the item itself represents "It's Personal"
...and now YOU, our loyal blog readers, get to pick the winner!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the upper, right corner of the blog! 
(Deadline to vote is February 29th at midnight)



by FrancescaDeCaire


by LoveAndWhiskers


by SculptressLink


by k5art


by MFcrafts


I'm adjusting the schedule for the monthly challenges, so next week when I announce the winner for February, I'll also be posting the entries for March's Team Challenge.  The theme will be "Rise of the Machines".

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Treasury Tuesday: Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from RNEST!  Whether you have a sweetheart today or not, you can still love the handmade items in these Valentine-themed treasuries!

featuring InMyHeadStudios, FrancescaDeCaire, and SunshyneSilverwear


Loving Lovely Hearts featuring TheStitchingStudio 


Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! (I can't picture them all so you have to click on them to see!  If you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook PageYour treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Hearts & Crafts MidWinter Market Reviews





Check out blog posts from FrancescaDeCaire and KiraArts for pictures of RNEST members who displayed their wares at the Hearts & Crafts Indie Market at Java's Cafe this past Sunday!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Wednesday Wellspring: Sunshyne Silverwear

Congratoulations to #14 (Selma ) for winning Amanda's earrings!

Bubbling up from the well this week, upcycled finery from Sunshyne Silverwear!


Today, one lucky winner will receive a repurposed spoon-handle pendant. This beautiful piece is made from the handle of a spoon. Hand painted a deep red, perfect for your valentines day ensemble, this pendant boasts a plethora of delicate Queen Anne's Lace blooms as the focal point. A generous coat of resin coats the pendant giving it a lustrous look that also protects.
This pendant comes with a complimentary 18 inch ribbon cord necklace with a lobster clasp closure.


You can find Sunshyne Silverwear locally this weekend:
Feb 11th at Perinton Square Mall
6720 Pittsford-Palmyra road, Fairport,NY
10am-4pm

For more of Sunshyne Silverwear's lovely accessories, take a moment and visit her website!

And now for the rules (This giveaway is open to the US residents only.):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Sunshyne Silverwear, heart the shop, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.

MANDATORY ENTRY #2: Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know- or if you are already, leave a comment saying you're a loyal follower.

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

1. "Like" RNEST on Facebook .
2. "Like" Sunshyne Silverwear on Facebook
3. Follow Sunshyne Silverwear's artistic blog
4. Follow Sunshyne Silverwear on Twitter
5. Tweet and blog about this giveaway and leave a comment here with the link.

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, February 14th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Treasury Tuesday: Love, RNEST


Yes, Valentine's Day is coming!  And Turtlefly has put together a lovely treasury with items from fellow RNESTers!  Consider it an early Valentine from us!

Love, RNEST by Turtlefly


Be sure you click on the other links to see more treasuries! (I can't picture them all so you have to click on them to see!  If you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:
Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:
  • Fresh Water Friday by Turtlefly, featuring BeadworkByAmanda, Missrie, PeachesProducts, HeatherVitticore, KelleysBeading, FrancescaDeCaire, KarenSwimmer, and SunshyneSilverwear
  • Blue Happiness by KiraArts, featuring FrecklesAndFrizz, PeachesProducts, SunshyneSilverwear, LoveAndWhiskers, AzureSeas, InMyHeadStudios, ShShhShot, and FrancescaDeCaire
  • Recent Favorites by KiraArts, featuring FrancescaDeCaire, SunshyneSilverwear, and OldFamiliarWay
Curated by RNEST Members:

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook PageYour treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Meet the Members Monday

To mix it up a bit between tutorials, we thought it would be nice if you had a chance to meet more of our members. (Besides, learning a new crafty project every week is tough).
Without further ado, I like to introduce the first RNEST member of this interview installment :

Francesca DeCaire, of Francesca DeCaire

Tell us about your craft

My lampworking fascination began in 2005 when I learned to make blown vessels from borosilicate glass rods and tubes. My first torch was a National. Today I use a GTT Lynx and soft glass. I typically use Effetre glass, but I'm loving the unique colors that CIM has brought to the table. I enjoy making beads, cabochons and rings. Occasionally I'll break out with a marble or small vessel.

What inspired you to start an Etsy shop?

Etsy seemed to have the best online store presence and reputation. I felt my work was maturing, that it was time to offer it for sale via the internet.

What is your favorite item from your shop?

My current favorite item in my shop is my Baby Penguin Bead. It fits on those cool charm bead bracelets that everyone digs.

What art/craft tool you simply could not live without?

My tungsten pick is great for poking and dragging glass, although I couldn't live without my brass paddle or my mashers.

What craft or skill you've always wanted to learn?

Working from a furnace with a huge gather of molten soft glass would be amazing.

What artist/craftsperson/designer inspires you?

Dora Schubert, she is a glass goddess.

What's you favorite color?

Green is what I would have said as a child. I'm not sure anymore. My mind is much more complicated and I think about it too hard.


How long have you lived in the Rochester area?:


All my life, aside from being born in Michigan. My family moved to Rochester before I was even a toddler.

What attracted you to RNEST, and what would you like to bring to table?

When I first looked into RNEST I knew it was perfect for me. I saw a happy team of artists and craftsmen that were motivated. Helping the team network comes natural to me. Our team promotes one another like wildfire! I follow my teammates closely, they are a powerful source of inspiration. Anytime I meet someone who is artistic I speak of RNEST.

What do you do when you're not crafting?

I play with my handsome son Lucas. He’s big into pots and pans.

Any pets?

Dondi (AKA Big Dumb Dumb) and I haven't been too active together since Lucas came into the world. We used to hike Tryon at least 4 times a week. Hopefully in the spring we will pick up where we left off. There are also two cats, the brown one (bad cat) and the gray one (good cat). They are OK, they came with Jason, my computer dork better half.

Anything else cool you'd like to tell us about yourself?

I'll be moving my all over the place crazy set up into my new studio at the Hungerford Building, 1115 E Main street, suite 216. Come visit me during First Friday (first Friday of every month, 6pm - 9pm). You may also schedule an appointment with me, call (585) 789-1761 or inquire at francesca@francescadecaire.com. Stability, at last!

Make sure you check out Francesca's Etsy Shop, Blog, Facebook page, and Twitter to find learn more about her work!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

January 2012 Team Challenge Winner!


Congratulations to RNEST's January Team challenge winner...
Francesca DeCaire, with her "Large Hole Lampwork Glass Baby Penguin Bead"!



Thanks to everyone who voted!
Be sure to check back on February 23rd for our next Team Challenge! (the theme will be "It's Personal"!)

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Wednesday Wellspring: Beadwork by Amanda

Bubbling up from the well this week, turquoise treasures from Beadwork by Amanda!

Today, one lucky winner will receive a lovely set of earrings. Glass turquoise beads with a picasso finish dangle gracefully from brass earwires, accompanied by pacific opal crystals and a pretty bead cap.

Amanda is currently offering a deal on Heartsy! Follow this link and save on your next purchase!

And now for the rules:

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Beadwork by Amanda, heart the shop, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.


MANDATORY ENTRY #2: Become a fo
llower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know- or if you are already, leave a comment saying you're a loyal follower.

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):

1. "Like" RNEST on Facebook .
2. Visit Azure Seas (Amanda's second Etsy shop), 'heart' her, and leave a comment with your favorite item
3. Tweet and blog about Amanda's Heartsy Deal, and comment here with the link
4. Twe
et and blog about this giveaway and leave a comment here with the link.

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, February 7th and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.