Inspiration - Alfred Hitchcock

I am a film buff! I grew up watching "old" movies on television. Several of my favorites were directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It wasn't until I took a film course in college (and we watched North by Northwest six times) that I began to appreciate why his films are so captivating. To name just a few: the unusual camera work and editing (think shower scene in Psycho), stories about everyday people in everyday places, mistaken identity, psychology, great pairings of male and female characters and actors, the use of music and graphic design...I could go on.

To this day, if there is "nothing to watch" on the 150+ channels I have on cable and I notice a Hitchcock movie (even North by Northwest!) as I am scrolling through complaining that "there is nothing" to watch, I will watch it again. I will wait for the director's cameo appearance. I will say the famous lines along with the actors and I will notice new things in the "film" (so much more accurate when talking about Hitchcock!).

Sometimes when I am looking for a name for one of my new pieces of jewelry, usually a necklace, Hitchcock's films come to mind. I think of adjectives I'd use to describe the finished necklace like dramatic, elegant, unpredictable, unusual, classic etc and then the name of one his films "pops" into my head. Oh well...even if my potential customers don't "get" the reference, it's one way of paying homage to the "master."

the famous profile and my Notorious and Vertigo Necklaces

PS Did you know that Notorious (1946) is famous for a scene in which Hitchcock got around the film censors' rule that kisses could not last longer than three seconds with some clever editing? The kiss between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman became as "notorious" as the film's title.

The New ETT SOTW is talinaann ~ Photography & Wearable Fiber Art

Our ETT SOTW is talinaann. The shop's crocheted wearable art and original black and white photographic prints available in this shop are all the work of the talented Talina Ann Zsido.

Talina Ann loves working with natural fibers that she obtains either from fellow Etsians or her local alpaca farm (how convenient!) Her crocheted scarves, cowls and chokers are all original designs and made without patterns. Talina Ann finds crochet to be "creative therapy" and does it as much for relaxation as for the unique finished products it results in.

In addition, she is a gifted photographer and her dramatic black and white prints are eye-catching and unusual. Any item from this unique shop would make a perfect handmade gift for family or friends.

To celebrate being the ETT SOTW, talinaann is offering

Free shipping on orders over $50 this week!

(Note: Shipping will be charged on checkout, but will be refunded via PayPal within 24 hours of purchase.)

Learn more about Talina Ann and her work by following her on Twitter and Facebook or by reading her blog.

Otter Delight

I'm not sure why the otter is my favorite animal (after dogs of course!). I think it has something to do with the way they combine furious shell-cracking (hard work) with lazy lounging, all while floating on their backs. Ever since I was a kid, trips to aquariums and zoos meant spending hours in front of the sea or river otter exhibit, watching them slip into and out of the water gracefully. The rest of the family would leave me there and pick me up on the way out because there wasn't really anything else on exhibit that I wanted to see! Maybe the penguins.

These etsy artists have captured the essence of the adorable, feisty, endangered animals. Just click on any image to be taken to its etsy listing.

ETT Shop of the Week ~ In My Head Studios

Vickie Porter, of In My Head Studios, has a passion for paper. "I love everything about paper - the way it feels, the sounds it makes, the colors and textures. It has dimension, and I try to use that in my work." A self-professed perfectionist with an eye for detail, Vickie's exquisitely crafted pendants create miniature spaces that call to mind old letters, or the box of special treasures you had as a child.

Using scrabble tiles and upcycled vintage dominos as the base for her pendants allows Vickie to "create something new from something old" and the addition of beads, dangles and charms give the beautiful pieces texture and movement.

Vickie is also leader of the 175-member Etsy Twitter Team. "Running the team is truly a joy and a blessing to be part of! The members have created such a close community. I'm really proud of that."

In My Head Studios is happy to do custom pendants. "If you dream it, I can do it!" and ships jewelry all over the world. " I guarantee you will love wearing your pendant as much as I enjoyed creating it!"

Learn more about Vickie on twitter or read her blog.

SHOP OF THE WEEK SPECIAL:

15% off all orders (not including shipping).

Discount refunded via Paypal.

BACK TO SCHOOL SALE Continues at threepeats Jewelry

Everything in the Back To School section of my etsy shop is 25% off (including S/H) through 9/7.

Refunds will be sent to buyers' Paypal accounts after purchase.

Bellflower Textiles ~ ETT Shop of the Week

Megan Zalkan, of Bellflower Textiles, lovingly handcrafts fun fabric goodies for your kids & home. She combines quilting techniques and a love of vibrant color to create modern and quirky children’s tees, crayon and pencil rolls, reusable coffee sleeves, tooth fairy pillows, and hair accessories. She works out of her home in Seattle, Washington, where she also tends to her two year-old daughter (who is one of her continuing artistic inspirations!).

You can also visit her blog.

Special for the Week: Free Shipping!! Mention “Twitter” in your Notes to Seller and she will send an updated invoice with free shipping or refund your shipping price if you’ve already paid!

The Forsythia Are Out

This spotlight I created at Made By Hand, By Me was selected for the By Handmade Gallery earlier today. The spotlight is part of a series I started featuring the plants and flowers that signal the arrival of Spring, which came very late to NYC this year!