Sag Spotlight on Gem Artist, Meg & Pirate Painter, Jeanne

Sag Artisan, Meg Arbo

Spotlight on Sagittarian Artist Meg Arbo Etsy Shop: Gem Obra

What aspect of creating your art or craft do you find the most enjoyable? I think it is the moment I pick up a raw material and instinctively know what it needs to be; now that doesn't always happen. I had some beach glass on hand for years that I had picked up off the coast of Vancouver, BC, Canada, and I would occasionally look at it and wonder what it wanted to be and I recall the day I finally knew. I looked at it and I knew it needed to be a necklace - I thought it was going to be a simple pendant and earrings but was wrong.

What originally got you started creating your art or craft? Truthfully? I wanted jewelry and was too cheap to pay thirty bucks for mass produced plastic! I saw some thing in a store and thought, "Oh, that's nice..." then I picked it up, realized it was a thirty-five dollar plastic piece and instantly knew I could make better for less!

Who has inspired you the most creatively, and why? My father's side of the family is mad creative! I think my Aunt Chris, her daughters, and one of my other cousins really spur me on. Incidentally, several of them are Sag's, too! When we are together I like to joke that there is a great sphere of celestial power percolating around us and all should look out lest they be swept up in it!

How did you decide what medium to work in? Well, being a Sagittarius I have many interests and I feel that through various experiences, I choose my mediums. I am sure I will add others.

Medallion Statement Necklace by Sag Artist Meg

How does your zodiac sign influence your creativity? Several of my jewelry pieces contain items from my travels. I like that I can share a little bit of my wanderlust through my craft.

What do you like best about your sign and least? We Sags are the explorers, the travelers! We want to know what is out there and have wanderlust! My boyfriend is also a Sag and I just gave him a cruise for his 40th birthday! Obviously, we both can't wait to go! Least? Sag rules the thighs and hips. SIGH. I have large thighs and hips and lower back problems!

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art or craft? There is joy in color and being unique!

If you had to choose a fruit or vegetable to describe yourself, what would you choose and why? Kumquat. Go on. Say it! Kumquat! It is a fun word to say and an underused fruit. I like to add a little bit to a glaze that I make when cooking chicken.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your creativity, what would that be and why? I also bake and act and I adore candy-making. It is fun to see people's faces light up when they bite into one of my creations and my Divine Peppermint Bark is available for purchase in my Etsy Shop. I have been acting since I was fifteen years old, but it is a hard business and I sometimes need to find other creative outlets to keep me going.

What advice do you have for others who are just starting to develop creatively? Let anything and everything inspire you! Don't just settle for one medium; explore many and see what tickles your creative funny bone! You may just end up being a Renaissance woman!

Spotlight on Sagittarian Artist Jeanne Hawkinson Galvaston, Texas, USA Etsy Shop: Galleon Gal Blog: Galleon Gals

Sag Artist, Jeanne Hawkinson

What aspect of creating do you enjoy the most? Witnessing my research materials so I may create. My time is best spent en plein air which means "on location." To create you must have a positive environment, free mind, and dexterity of limbs and hands. I make my living with my talented inherited creations: an artist’s hands. Who has inspired you the most creatively? My mom's quiet ministrations, encouragements, sketching, and oil paint lessons. You know, the mentor as always stands in the Shadows of the Master. What is your preferred medium? My small child’s hands reached for color pencils; I was allowed to work with color pencils on geography maps in grade school. How did you decide what medium to work in? Sag is fueled by nature's astounding beauty, emotion, wind, waves, animal instincts, four elements of earth, and the absolute desire to create artwork to reflect one’s heart's emotional sagas; unending, and unyielding to taunts or torments from aggressive bullies in school and in life.

What do you like best about your sign and least? Best: Creative often earth moving powers and instincts. Least: Sentimental to the point of exhaustion.

Avast Galleon Gal Pirate Pen and Ink Art T-Shirt

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art or craft? My weary eyes yearn to convey the beauty they have been blessed with past, present and future.

If you had to choose a fruit or vegetable to describe yourself, what would you choose and why? A Tangerine although small is aromatic.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your creativity, what would that be and why? Scratch Board Texture Tactile Sensation Satisfaction.

What advice do you have for others who are just starting to develop creatively? Do not be critical and treat yourself with respect. Take joy in your craft.

Is there anything else you’d like to share? Rush of ocean tides warm fragrant welcome sea breeze spirit of sailors gusting into the rigging singing sweet chords dream tears - my true inspirations.

Check out more Creative Soul Spotlights here.

New Moon in Scorpio Artist Spotlight on Gaetana Parris

New Moon in Scorpio Artist Spotlight on Gaetana Parris Brooklyn, New York, United States Website: http://satindoll.biz Etsy Shop: http://SatinDollCo.etsy.com Blog: http://blog.satindoll.biz

1. How does your zodiac sign influence your life and your creativity?

Scorpio is the 8th house of the zodiac and is commonly associated with death, sex, secrets and change but what most people don't know is that we are very passionate and mysterious individuals. Every sign has it's good and bad traits but the passionate side of my sign has always fueled and influenced my creativity and maybe even the sensual and determined side too, since every project I start I see through to the end.

2. What do you like best about your sign and least?

What I like best about my sign is how passionate I can be be about something. I will tend to fight to the bitter end if it's something I believe in. I'm also a very loyal friend; honest, intuitive, sensual, driven, and a good listener. What I like least about my sign is that no matter how hard I try, tend to see things in black and white; no gray area. I'm also short-tempered, moody, secretive, emotional, and vindictive if you really piss me off. I like to think the good outweighs the bad.

3. How has being a Scorpio helped you become a better artist?

I never thought about this until asked this question but being a Scorpio has fueled me as an artist; I'm very passionate about my work and what I do. I've told people in the past that this is my god given talent and I won't waste it on them or anyone else; I put all my energy into my work. On bad days when I'm feeling down or upset, my work is what I run to ever since I was a child. Also being a Scorpio has made me very intuitive. For some reason I'm always ahead of the trends or I hit the mark. Time and time again it keeps happening and my intuition has never steered me wrong.

4. What kind of creative activities are best suited to your zodiac sign?

Because Scorpio tends to have many good and bad traits, any creative activity that deals with the arts is best for my sign. For me personally, I love to draw, sew, and make jewelry. The more creative outlets a Scorpio has the better in my book. Since we tend to be very emotional, it helps us express ourselves and release anything we're holding in. We are known as being very secretive and mysterious so I think to find out our deepest inner workings, we need look to our art for a hint.

5. What advice do you have for other Scorpios who are just starting to explore and develop their creativity?

Scorpios tend to hold things in and when they reach their capacity they explode. So, to avoid the whole explosion, we need to find an outlet to express what we are feeling inside; we need to write it, paint it, or even draw it - a masterpiece is sitting inside us to be released and shared with the world. It's important to see everything to the end because you may be surprised where you end up.

Geatana's Bio I attended and graduated from the Katherine Gibbs School with an Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising. While in school, I became close friends with a classmate and we came up with the idea of starting our own company. I soon realized that I was the only one motivated enough to start and own my own business so it was best for me and my classmate to part ways, but in the process we also lost our friendship.

After getting back on my feet, I went back to the drawing board and came up with a company name and the products that I would like to sell. Although my main focus is designing women’s apparel, I decided to also create handbags and accessories. For about a year I dabbled making samples of handbags and eventually started to try my hand at jewelry. Since my father is a vendor in Brooklyn, New York I decided to see what the public thought of my products and within weeks my jewelry took off with a life of its own, and customers began to ask for custom designed pieces.

As time drew closer for my younger sister to graduate from high school and leave New York to attend college in Florida, I made the decision that I would join her. I needed a change of scenery. So, at the beginning of 2007 I left for Florida, where my dream of owning my own company began to take form.

In June of 2007, Satin Doll & Co. was born in South Florida featuring handmade jewelry, accessories and handbags in our Etsy shop and our web site.

Fast forward 3 years and I'm back in New York with several collections of jewelry under my belt, hundreds of pieces of jewelry sold, and business booming. I'm currently working on several new lines of jewelry for my company and I will be releasing my signature collection in the coming weeks so keep your eye peeled.

Just do it! Libra Wool Artist, Michelle from Oz

New Moon in Libra October 7, 2010 11:44 am pdt

Spotlight on Libran Artist, Michelle Riley Adelaide, South Australia Shop Blog

1. How does you zodiac sign influence your life and your creativity?

Libra, ruled by Venus is a very creative sign – we love pretty things! I have quite a few planets in Libra apart from the Sun … Mars, Pluto, Uranus and Mercury – so I guess you could say I’m a bit over-loaded! Consequently, I’m the sort of person who needs to do something creative every single day.

Despite all these planets in Libra, most people don’t pick me for a Libran … I project my Ascendant (Gemini) and my Moon (Aquarius) most of the time. But I think it’s my Libran nature that inspires me to quiet my mind and let the ideas come to me.

2. What do you like best about your sign and least?

What I like the best about Libra is balance … something I haven’t quite figured out yet! I’m very much an all-or-nothing person, so I’m still learning the peace, harmony and balance of my Sun sign. I see Libra as being very calm – another quality that I’m aspiring to!

On the negative side, Libra can sometimes lack confidence … it’s very hard being confident as an artist because art is so subjective! This is something again, that I’m learning as I get older – you have to put your work out there and not expect everyone to love it.

3. How has being a Libran helped you become a better artist?

I’ve never really thought about this until recently … I’ve always thought it was other areas in my chart that drove my creativity, for example Saturn in Cancer and MC in Pisces. But now I’m aware that, as well as being a creative sign, Libra is also about seeing things from another person’s point of view. In the past I created designs that were completely self-indulgent – I was selling a few, but I really needed to stop digging my heels in and look at what my potential customers would like. I feel I’m starting to do this now. Also, I was given some spiritual advice last year that I had to ‘come out from behind my needlepoint frame’ and promote myself as well as my work. This is something I’m trying to do too, since the art and the artist can’t really be separated.

4. What kind of creative activities are best suited to your zodiac sign?

Traditionally Libra/Venus is associated with arts such as theatre, fashion and music. But personally I think Libra rules all forms of creativity and self expression – as does Cancer and Pisces. I personally enjoy working with wool and I think this may be because I’m lacking in earth signs in my chart – this provides some balance in my life. I tend to have an ideas-oriented personality so working with wool is very grounding.

5. What advice do you have for other Librans who are just starting to explore and develop their creativity?

Stop talking about it and just DO it! There are a lot of people who are armchair artists, but not many who actually create every day. Talent means nothing if you don’t practice … so don’t waste time wondering if you’re good enough – seriously, it doesn’t matter. The joy that creating art brings you is more important!

Michelle's Bio

I’ve always wanted to be an artist since I was young but it took me a while to find my perfect medium - wool! I’ve been designing needlepoint kits since around 2000, and haven’t stopped. I started Threefold Designs in 2003, launched my website and have recently started an Etsy store for more exposure. I am also in my first year of studying woven tapestry. When I’m not stitching I co-host a goth/darkwave radio show called Shadowplay

Unabashedly Feminine Virgo Artist, Ivy Long

New Moon in Virgo September 8, 2010 3:30 am pdt Spotlight on Virgoan artist: Ivy Long Edera Jewelry Vermont, New England, USA

As a lace maker and jewelry designer, it is fascinating to me how closely my astrological sign, Virgo, corresponds with my creative calling. I am drawn to fine details, meticulous workmanship and love to create order from the chaos of beads and color choices. I have a Virgo’s love of history, so it is only natural that I would choose to work in a technique that has a long tradition such as handmade lace, although I apply it in a new way. I also find that I am constantly drawn to historical costuming and jewelry for inspiration.

We Virgos are known for our agile hands and I love to weave delicate and complex lace motifs with a tiny crochet hook from a spool of real metal thread, formerly used in Renaissance embroideries.

My designs have tiny stones and vintage beads interwoven into the lace, a technique that requires precision, planning and patience, all Virgo virtues.

All the beads must be strung in an exact sequence on the thread before any crocheting can begin.

While I do love the challenge of creating a new lace pattern or developing a new technique, one of my favorite parts of designing is working with beautiful colors and beads with a preference for natural fibers and semi-precious stones — an unusual pairing with lace, but not so unusual for someone who is an earth sign.

Another recurrent theme in my work is floral motifs, which again alludes to the earthiness of my sign, as well as the feminine aspects of Virgo -- the only sign represented as a female symbol. Perhaps that is why I am drawn to things that are unabashedly feminine, like lace and flowers and the color pink! Like many Virgos I do have a perfectionist streak, which can be an occasional stumbling block to creativity, but for the most part the natural tendencies of my sign really do contribute to my art in wonderful ways."

Oakland, CA Leo Artist & Jewelry Designer, Victoria Camp

New Moon in Leo August 9, 2010 8:08 pm pdt

Spotlight on Leo Artist: Victoria Camp Oakland, California Website: http://www.victoriacamp.com

As a Leo artist, there is one word behind my driving force - “create.” Simply put, it’s a vital part of my life and I find it impossible for me to ever stop, no matter what the job or environment I’m in. Leo’s are always finding a new art or craft to try, experimenting with different mediums and art forms and I am no exception! Currently I am attending a fashion design school by day and also working as a jewelry artist from my home. I am finding that my true passion lies within jewelry design, but it is unlikely that I would ever stop learning and taking classes.

One of my key motivators as a Leo is passion, and I feel my emotions very deeply. This passion has helped my artistic side by inspiring me to finish what I have started (or even try something new) and to not “settle” for something less than ideal. I also feel that anything is possible if you have the right attitude and I genuinely enjoy being my own boss and managing all aspects of my business.

I have come to recognize that Leo’s have a keen eye for visual design and composition. As an artist, it is important to me that my work environment be visually organized and decorated in such a manner that won’t prohibit my creativity. When I am designing a piece, the first thing that draws me to create is the color and then the texture of the medium I am working with. I love the smoothness of freshwater pearls, the cut edges of a faceted gemstone, the soft matte finish of a clay flower and not to mention the endless color possibilities while working with clay!

As a tactile Leo by nature, I find that I am always touching the garment and accessories I am wearing. I often create my designs with touchability in mind, including either a type of bead or pendant that feels

intriguing underneath my fingertips. It’s all about the details; I find comfort in creating pieces with tedious detailing and handwork and find immense satisfaction when it is completed.

Leo’s love of luxury has certainly not escaped me! I always work with the best materials I can find within my price point and am picky about the quality standards of my finished pieces. I also enjoy the challenge of taking something “ordinary” and turning it into something wonderful, beautiful, and wearable!