Saturday, November 29, 2008

Get Stoned! First in the "Discover This" Series

I am very proud to present "Discover This," a special series here on the JMO blog where I will be showcasing undiscovered artists that can be found on http://www.etsy.com/ as well as other places on the web.

First up is Marni, a very talented Midwestern artist who describes herself as a "self-taught mixed-media craftsperson. " Says Marni: "I have always loved creating things, from crafts to cooking. I take inspiration from many places, especially nature, to come up with my creations. I'm lucky enough to have a husband that enjoys the same things I do and supports me in all my endeavors." And JMO feels very lucky to have discovered her! Her designs are eye-catching and functional.

Take these Salt and Pepper Shakers with Purple Glass Gems for instance. Standing approximately 4" tall, they are embellished with violet glass gems, wire, and violet glass beads and would make an elegant addition to any table. They are sturdy enough to be used outside for a picnic or backyard bar-b-que, or inside for that fun dinner party. Marni can also make them in your choice of colors!



Or this Red Stained Glass Candleholder with polished Stone Cabachon. Marni created this asymmetrical candleholder using beautiful red stained glass and a polished agate cabachon. The stained glass sits atop a removeable metal stand that holds a tea light candle. Imagine the candlelight playing off the red glass, creating a captivating visual display! The glass piece itself is approximately 4 inches at it's widest point by 5 1/2 inches tall. Sitting on the stand, it is 6 1/4 inches tall.

And this Stained Glass Planter Charm/Suncatcher with polished Jasper Cabachon is a true work of art! Marni created this unique piece for use in potted flowers, houseplants or small container gardens. It can also hang in a window or from your vehicle's rear view mirror. She took a piece of stained glass, foiled and soldered the edges, and attached decorative wire, glass beads and/or charms. A beautiful polished Jasper Cabachon has also been attached to the glass. Use this piece outside in warmer weather, then during cooler months bring inside to add beauty and charm to the home. The charm is approximately 8” long (including beaded hanger & tassel) and 1 ½” wide. A hand-made wire shepherd’s hook is also available upon request.

For more information, including pricing, on these and all of Marni's beautiful creations, please visit her online shop at http://www.madebymarni.etsy.com/. All of her designs would make wonderful and unique gifts for yourself, your friends, or your loved ones.

A special thank you to Marni for allowing me to feature her gorgeous works of art here on my blog.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Ohhh Baby!

What's soft, stunning, and oh so cuddly? A baby blanket from Jean May Originals, that's what! Perfect as a baby shower gift, my blankets are crocheted using the softest yarns in designs exclusive to JMO and are sure to become any child's favorite "blankie." Alot of love is weaved in with every stitch and the finished piece is a beautiful, handmade creation that will, with proper care,* provide warmth and comfort for years to come. My baby blankets can also be used as a lapghan by older children or adults in the home.

Baby Blanket in Buttercup

Baby blankets can be crocheted in a wide range of colors to complement any nursery. The blankets in the photos shown here were crocheted using the softest cotton yarn I have found so far. Due to the possibility of skin sensitives in infants, I prefer to use cotton yarn but will use an alternative fiber on occasion. This is my own personal design; I followed no pattern to create this item. Finished piece measures approximately 34"W x 38"L but size can vary depending on the yarn and/or hook used and whether or not I have my tape measure handy when the piece is started!

Baby Blanket in Sage (wrapped and ready for gift giving)

Prices start at $35 excluding shipping charges. To place a custom blanket order, please send your inquiry to jmm@jmayoriginals.com. I strongly recommend that at least 3 color choices are provided and listed in order of preference. You will receive a reply email within 48 hours. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery from the date your order is placed. Expedited orders will incur additional charges. All orders are shipped neatly folded and wrapped with ribbon. (Ribbon will vary from that shown in the above photo.)

Thanks for visiting, and have a wonderful day!~Jean

*Machine wash warm, delicate cycle, using mild detergent. Lay flat to dry, or tumble dry on low.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Welcome To The Official Blog of JMO!


Hello, and thanks for stopping by the official blog of Jean May Originals! Let me start things off by giving you a little background information about me.

I'm a widowed mom of 2 boys, 1 girl, 1 dog, 2 cats & 3 goldfish residing in Chicago's south suburbs. Legal assistant by day (for now, anyway!) and indie jewelry/crochet designer by night. I've been designing for about five years now and have really grown creatively in that time. I started out making simple bracelets for myself, but when ladies started buying them right off my wrist I decided to turn my fun little hobby into a business. Soon necklaces and earrings were added to the mix, custom orders came rolling in, and Jean May Originals was born.

About two years into the business I decided I wanted to give customers more variety, and that's when the crocheting began. Again, I started with very simple pieces such as wrist cuffs and basic belts. Customers started asking for more specific items, such as beaded belts, beaded caps, and certain poncho styles. From that point on, whenever I'd pick up a hook and some yarn, I'd just let my creativity fly. Now you never know what JMO will come up with next. An up-and-coming trend seems to be combining yarn and strips of fabric crocheted together, so be on the lookout for my first design using these two mediums. Currently on my crochet hooks are a few custom orders--baby blankets, mittens, and hats--so I've been happily crocheting like a madwoman the last few weeks and wouldn't have it any other way! One of these days I'm going to try my hand at crocheted jewelry....how cool that will be to combine my two loves!

So that's me, at the moment, in a nutshell. My creative world is always evolving, so be sure to visit regularly for all new and informative updates!

Wishing you all the best~~Jean


Photos: Top left, Fall Mosaic Bracelet; Bottom center, Triangle Shawl in Blue Mint. For ordering info, please send inquiry to jmm@jmayoriginals.com