Handmade, Extraordinary Gift Boxes- Mai Sweet Shop Cakes! Faux Cakes with a Function!

Sweet Delights, Introducing Mai Sweet Shop Cakes!

My latest crafting venture has taken me into an entirely new realm thanks to yet another fantastic Japanese craft book that I found on making replicas of cupcakes, icing and candy with soft clay. Though these are a great departure from my usual work, here are some 'sweet' containers I made this past Thanksgiving weekend. Everything you see- short of the tin containers are not edible- but fortunately non-toxic if you try! (hee-hee) I think they're fantastic little storage boxes for the truly treasured jewelry in your life! I was so inspired by my trip to Paris, Baroque and Rococo time periods and Marie Antoinette,that I call these Mai Sweet Shop cakes, M-A-I stands for Marie-Antoinette-Inspired & 'Sweet Shop' for what my studio currently looks like! Each cake has their own personal name, so today meet Sophie, Natasha, Sherry and Maybelline. Enjoy!

Mai Sweet Shop Cake, Sophie -double container by marisol diazMai Sweet Shop Container Sophie, opened once by marisol diaz Mai Sweet Shop Cake, Sophie, opened twice - by marisol diazMai Sweet Shop Cake, Natasha, rectangular container by marisol diaz Mai Sweet Shop Container, Natasha - opened by marisol diaz Mai Sweet Shop Container, Sherry, rectangular container by marisol diazMai Sweet Shop Cake, Maybelline, double container by marisol diaz

I have made Mai Sweet Shop barettes, bobbi pins, rings and charms! I'm loving it! I'll be a featured seller at the craft fair at the Dwight Englewood School, in Englewood NJ during their Winter Arts Festival SUNDAY DECEMBER 14TH, from 2-5pm with a whole table of no-calorie goodies. You should stop by! I will be posting any remainder items on sale at my etsy shop immediately after! So if you're looking for that extraordinary gift box and are interested contact me or stay tuned! Let me know what you think!

The Potential of Craft Wire

Early this past summer I attended my brother's wedding in Puerto Rico. I sat on the plane next to a young woman native to the island who was 'blinged-out' in what look to me like craft-wire jewelry. I told her I loved her necklace and asked her where she got it. She said this kind of jewelry was so popular on the island that it was everywhere. Sure enough while I was in PR, I saw mall shops with walls draped in this kind of jewelry. However, what was more impressive was that my town had a small craft shop with the wire necessary for people to make their own versions of these pieces and it was primarily islanders supplying many of these mall shops with their wares. So I bought a bunch (over-priced compared to what I can get it for here or over the internet) for my cousin who lives on the island and loves to craft and for me. Here is a glimpse of the potential of plain 'ol craft wire: Heart Necklaces by marisol diaz Heart Necklace with Ring by marisol diaz

I sold a set like this for $15.00. I have not listed any of these designs on Etsy yet, so if you're interested in a piece like this contact me!

Unsellable/Giveable Objects...

Sometimes I learn a new technique such as this beading one, and I simply can't bring myself to give or sell any of it away. Sometimes that happens because of the time, difficulty or the aesthetic of the final result. However, I wish I could part with these and I keep saying - I'll make more and then I'll be able to sell them - but this beading technique yields different and unique results each time!!! If anyone has an idea on how creatives can part with their work more easily please share!!!!!

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I have learned how to sell/giveaway certain art more easily ...so be sure the Art Giveaway (three posts back) is going really well, be sure to leave your 'Rainbird' comment to be considered to win a signed print of collage art by ME!!!

pRECIOUS mETAL loVE

Today's love note goes out to all my students for all the love I get from them on a daily basis...enough to keep me at my job!

This piece of jewelry is made out of precious metal clay (pmc) and what an awesome material this is! Invented by the Mitsubishi corp. PMC is fine silver that has been ground down into a powder and mixed with starch to make it pliable - like clay. When you are done sculpting it- you fire it and VOILA your left with 99% silver - not sterling silver but pure silver! Sweet huh?

I made a few of these word necklaces for holiday gifts a couple of years ago.

So here is today's request, you favorite 'love' word is...click on post a comment and let me know!!

Its not to late to leave me a funny VDAY story in the last post comment slot - I want to post them on VDAY!