The Heat!

The weather today in San Diego is a sweltering 107 degrees. Looks like Summer has finally arrived, in the Fall that is!

I've been working on a couple projects, mainly still trying to set up my studio. I just added a cool work table and it's been getting used. Been painting, sanding and glitter-izing some wooden pieces, photos to come soon.

My cats keep getting into my feathers, I need to find somewhere that they can't get into. I've started calling my studio "Adventureland" because there are so many fun things for my cats to get into and destroy!

Still need to set up a cool background for the model I'm going to photograph wearing my jewelry next week. I'm tossing around a few ideas, and hopefully I'm able to execute a few photo shoots. I'd like to have 12 different models by year's end; a pin-up style calendar would be sweet! If you are in the San Diego area and want to rock my jewelry, email me at JMikolaizik@yahoo.com and we'll set something up!



I added a bunch of photos from my trip to Michigan on my site.

I also made a few new items for my other shop, some using vintage components of my grandma's jewelry.

A few Treasuries I've been lucky enough to be featured in:
Out in the West Texas Town of El Paso
Orange You Glad Its Fall
Knockers and Knobs
In Praise of Dirt
Warm Autumn Glow

I hope everyone is able to stay cool today! :)

Hello from Michigan

I'm still in Michigan, and have no photos to share because I didn't bring my card reader, but will have lots to share in about a week. Some highlights of my trip (so far) have been:

-Hanging out with my great uncle and his family, finding some small waterfalls by the river they live on.

-Going to an indian cemetery, where they have interesting burial markers that look like miniture houses above ground.

-Spending time with my aunt, going to Lake Superior and sightseeing.

-Adventuring back into the woods (not the "forest", I'm told) behind my grandma's house and finding a car burial ground.

-Taking baking lessons from my grandma, making wonderful blueberry pies and sugar cookies.

-Enjoying my grandmas's cooking, and last night going to my aunt's house for dinner. I had locally caught salmon and "naked" spagetti with fennel and cilantro that was super delicious.

-Helping out at my uncle's bookstore with their Fall windows, searching through his books for some good spooky titles to display amongst his hookahs and fall decor.

-Going through my grandma's jewelry with her, she's letting me take tons of it home to either wear or repurpose.

-Preparing for my grandma's 75th birthday party, which will be fabulous. It's being held at a local bowling alley/dancehall/bar and I'm going to be seeing tons of family that I haven't seen in years.

Overall it's been a lot of fun, and I have taken over 600 photos that I'll enjoy going through upon my return to San Diego.

That's all for now, although I will share some more of the fabulous collections my jewelry and photography have been lucky enough to be featured in on Etsy. I'm loving how Fall and Halloween oriented these ones are becoming, there are many other talented artists being featured alongside my work and they deserve some recognition too!

Country Bumpkin
Autumn Calling
Vampires Crimson Kiss
A Haunting
Dia De Los Muertos
Haunted Team Discovery
Eerie Ethereal Enduring 
Shades of Gray
Libras are Fiesty Masculine and Firey
Earth - Undiscovered Shops
I Can't Expect You to Watch Resident Evil-AFTERLIFE



Until my return to San Diego next week, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Updates and Treasuries to share

So, the one week countdown until my Michigan trip has begun! Excited, but still so much to do beforehand!

I've given each of my Etsy shops a little bit of a facelift; switched up the display photos, changed the sections, etc. I think they look a bit nicer, but you be the judge! Photos By Janelle has a few new additions, mostly older photos that I've realized haven't been added yet! coffincrafts has a couple new items as well, including this necklace that may be my new favorite!

I've started to set up an art studio in my 2nd bedroom, there's still lots of organizing that needs to happen, but here's a glimpse of how things are looking so far! (Photos taken with my phone, not too amazing!)

As far as other news goes, I created a few Treasuries full of awesome items. Old World Kitchen is how I should decorate my own kitchen, amazing artistry! check it out! 
And Statement Staples features some amazing artists, with pieces for a more fabulous wardrobe. check it out!

A few new treasuries I've been lucky enough to be featured in, alongside some great artwork from others on Etsy:
Keeper of the Key
I Can See Your House From Here
Allo! Labyrinth 
In Masks Outrageous and Austere 
Milk Cookies and Coffee
Desert Summer Thunder Showers
Colorized
Smitten Kitten
Girls Like Cars Too
Are You Ready For The Witching Hour?
And The Moonbeams Kissed The Sea 
October Undiscovered 
Everyone Follow The Bouncing Ball
Heavy Metal

Tomorrow, I'm going to photo-assist on a fashion shoot that my friend Kelly is doing, should be fun!

Have a good weekend everyone!