Bruce Metcalf has dedicated almost forty years of his life to the creation and historiography of American Studio Craft. He makes his exquisite jewelry with the utmost care and precision. On average most of the pieces take two months to create, whereas some take years before he perfects the final nuances. After stints as sociology and archeology majors, Metcalf found himself transferring to the jewelry department during college in the 1970. It was a bold move because the crafts weren't highly regarded within the fine art establishment at that time. However, the move felt right, and studio craft is where Metcalf has stayed ever since. Etsian Tara Young aka weirdwolf met with Metcalf in his studio in Philadelphia to talk about American Studio Craft, alt craft and the intersection of acedemia and the craft movement. Less

In addition to the Handmade Video Portrait, we've produced an audio podcast with out-takes from the interview with Bruce Metcalf. His theories on the relevance and importance of craft have helped bring clarity to the discussion of studio craft's place within the art world. And because we just couldn't get enough of discussing the Alt vs. Studio craft debate, we invite you to listen in. Less

The studio of Natalia Gomensoro, aka Metalnat, walks the line of serene organization and cluttered potential. Natalia grew up in Uruguay and comes to jewelry with a background in design and architecture. She got started making jewelry in 1994 and studied with Latin American jewelers before moving to Brooklyn. In this edition of Process, we get a chance to see Natalia resize one of her rings cast from a zip tie. Less

Seattle native Shawn Taylor of prasseindesignstudio shares her process of making a wooden wrist cuff. Process is an Etsy video series featuring the intimate relationship formed between Etsy sellers and the handmade items that they create. Less

Robin and Kathy Tucker of woodmosaics stopped working in town back in 1986. After Robin's intricate wood-inlayed work was featured in The Best of Missouri Hands catalog and commissioned by Ralston Purina, they were on their way to full time crafting. Influenced by Amish quilt patterns, Robin's excellent woodworking uses exotic natural woods that range from Satinwood from Sri Lanka to Purpleheart from Central and South America. All of the wood is completely natural, with only a clear finish added to punctuate the beauty of the wood's innate color. Less

Robin Tucker of woodmosaics talks about some of his wood-inlayed work. Robin's use of exotic woods from all over the world add to the beauty of his intricate designs. Less

Download the MP4 Video or HD Version | Subscribe to CRAFT in iTunes Crafter Sonya Nimri of Sonya Style and author of Beadalicious shows you how to refashion a pearl necklace into a more stylish beaded pearl headband. It's a great quick project to make for friends! Watch more videos and check out more craft projects by Sonya on her web site. [Read More] [Comments] Less

Sonya Nimri of sonyastyle.com shows you how to take a beaded pearl necklace and refashion it into a cute headband. Less

The Timex Fashion Trend Director, Amy Goodman , recently discussed how to apply five of the hot fall fashion trends to watches. "Although the clothes were toned down, the season's key trends are amazingly relatable for the everyday woman with shining moments, as always, in accessories. Since a watch is a seasonless and always functional accessory, I’ve edited the thousands of watches in the Timex collection to show you a range of watches that marry with fall’s key styles." TREND #1: BRIGHT COLORS Fall's bold colors showed up as a vibrant kelly green at Gaultier Couture, princess pink at Givenchy Couture, shocking cobalt at Moschino, and rich royal purple at Zac Posen. But even if you opt out of head-to-toe hues, a chic colored watch (or three) will keep you right on trend. TREND #2: ON SAFARI From Gaultier Couture's lederhosen-clad adventurer to Gareth Pugh's futuristic warrior princess and leather sheath dresses in shades of army drab at Hermes, safari wanderlust wandered down the runways in full force. Try: An oversized men's watch with a classic, clean face and a chocolate or black band. TREND #3: MENSWEAR CHIC To catch the vibe, think Katherine Hepburn striding scandalously about in well-cut trousers - a wide swishy leg if you're tall enough; a more modified (and therefore flattering) version if you're not. Either way, a giant watch with a bold face makes sure that stylish statement on your wrist keeps up with your badass pants. (I, myself, would feel naked without my beloved, fabulously ginormous Timex TX.) TREND #4: TWINKLE, TWINKLE   Sparkling necklaces (Burberry), shiny bold bracelets and rings (Marc Jacobs), even bling for shoes (Christian Dior)...take a style cue from a bodacious babe who knew more really is more and make Mae West proud with a crystal-encrusted timepiece. TREND #5: TIMELESS BLACK & WHITE Whether rendered in a cheeky shift dress at Sass & Bide or in an outrageous embellished cello-shaped "dress" at Central Saint Martins, black and white is always right.  A classy gold or silver watch makes for just the right chic touch - for extra glamour points, sport black opera-length gloves and wear your watch on the outside. For more Amy Goodman's take on the trends, check out TimexStyle.com...however if it's just too soon to think Fall Fashion, she shot this fun quickie video covering the summer fashion trends and how to get the look for less: - Lesley Scott !ë Grab this Headline Animator sh_domain = 'fashiontribes.typepad.com'; RELATED STORIES:                                  Timex TX introduces TechnoLuxury                           an oversized watch = easy fashion fabulousness             ...& don't miss:         be fashionably late with a Tom Binns "No Time" neon watch (or make your own)     Badgley Mischka's new Art Deco timepieces     cool re-tooled vintage watches by Bellum Classics     skittles-colorful fun rubber watches from Ike Gomatto       fashiontribes. Less

VC, funding, Manufacturing Wade Roush wrote: Boston-based Paragon Lake, a two-year-old customized jewelry maker that emerged from the Summer@Highland incubator program at Lexington, MA-based Highland Capital Partners, said today that it has raised $5.8 million in Series A funding from Highland and Westport, CT-based Canaan Partners. The startup’s Web-based platform helps jewelers create CAD specifications for custom rings, earrings, and pendants from sketches submitted by customers, then lets them order the pieces for fabrication and delivery. Highland created a $300 million fund for consumer- and retail-oriented ventures last fall. Permalink | Share |  E-mail Less

http://live.pirillo.com - Laura writes: "Some men are great at picking out that special gift to give to their partner. Men that are "geeks" seem to be the worst gift givers. Let me rephrase that... they are bad at giving "girl" gifts. Every girl now and again loves to receive that Techie gift from her guy: like an ipod, iphone or Blu-Ray player. However, there are times when we need to feel special - that our guy cares enough to know about what makes us a girl." Less

For the next 48 hours, save an extra 30% off all sale items plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more from designers like Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Pedro Garcia and Acne Jeans. Some amazing deals to be had: Versace bright blue runway cape coat was $2700, now $850 ($1215 + 30%) Gerard Yosca violet Glam necklace was $310, now $153 ($219 + 30%) Fendi studded peeptoe platforms were $912, now $450 ($639 + 30%) Y-3 plaid capelet was $645, now $202 ($289 + 30%) Nina Ricci runway voile jersey dress was $2490, now $700 ($995 + 30%) Zac Posen Olivia Woven leather satchel was $1895, now $800 ($1139 + extra 30% off) Peter Som runway pleated print skirt was $760, now $238 ($339 + 30%) Hollywould metallic d'Orsay flats were $335, now $120 ($169 + 30%) L.A.M.B. sailor pant was $215, now $105 ($149 + 30%) Marc by Marc red Clarice wool dress was $358, now $150 ($214 plus an extra 30%) Get shopping - and fast - at eLuxury.com. - Lesley Scott   ? Grab this Headline Animator sh_domain = 'fashiontribes.typepad.com'; RELATED STORIES:                                  helpful advice on what to wear it with                           win a gorgeous lipstick red Vespa!             ...& don't miss:         stock up on colorful tights now & wear them through next winter     Spring trend alert: canary yellow!     the Top 10 most interesting spring trends     Top 10 wearable spring trends: #1 Safari; #2 Tribal; #3 Crayon Bright Colors       fashiontribes. Less

Go with Katherine and Hillary to the showroom of world famous costume jewelry designer, Kenneth Jay Lane. An icon in the fashion industry, Lane started designing his line in 1963 and continues to work on it today. His celebrity following dates back to Jackie Onassis and, more recently, includes Cameron Diaz, Mischa Barton, and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Less

Amy Arnott, manager of the gallery Black Sheep Betty, introduces us to artists at her "Jewelry Baaa-zaar" night. Less

Sarah Feingold, Etsy's inhouse counsel, describes how she got interested in both jewelry and law. Her admin account is SarahSays.etsy.com and her jewelry can be found at feingoldjewelry.etsy.com. Less

We had an opportunity to do a physical review on her divine line of jewelry; it was something pink! All the editors got together at the movie premier, and Ms. CEO herself wore them. We got tons of compliments from “A� list groupies, so don’t wait grab a pair now before the whole LA scene gets wind of this! One-Of-A-Kinds are Vogue (bling). They were such a hot item! Ms. CEOs ears went num from the earrings being awed, looked at and pulled on!!! Why do folks pull your ears when they can just awe them with their eyes? It was fun and we had a blast! Paris & Trudy & Veronica Less