The Dancing Monkey Jewelry Chronicles: DMJ'S Artists of the Week...

Monday, July 14, 2008

DMJ'S Artists of the Week...

In all my "travels" about the internet I've come across some truly talented crafts people and/or artists. To be honest, I truly had no idea how many of us are out there. And it's easy become lost or undiscovered in the midst of all this talent.

I'd like to do my part to help remedy this situation by introducing to you some of those artists that I meet in my new blog feature "DMJ'S Artists of the Week". Below you will see the blog entries of some of the best shops out there on on the internet. I hope you will enjoy reading about these talented artists as much as I have meeting and writing about them.

To meet this week's featured artists you can either click on the their names and be taken directly to their post or you can scroll the blog for each post.

Rebecca Cason - Edward and Lilly - A shop selling hand-made, original designed plush animals.

Ashley Johnson - RockNRoll McMama Designs - A hip children's and women's boutique

Sedruloa Maruska - Yarn Obsession - Beautiful hand-made knitted and crochet scarves, hats and antique buttons

Silvia - Look Mama Made It - A fantastic shop selling hand made creations for children to encourage make believe play.

Linda - GalleriaLinda - A shop selling elegant hand-crafted jewelry.

These ladies are truly talented artists and their creations are wonderful. I hope that you will support their shops.

Enjoy!

Best regards,

Martha

PS: I'm always looking for crafters/artists to promote. If you're interested in being featured in a future blog promotion send me an email at dancingmoneyjewelry@hotmail.com.

Dancing Monkey Jewelry

How would I describe my jewelry? I could do it in two words: Funky Elegance. I love the jewelry in the Sundance Catalog - to me it's the epitome of funky, artistic, sophisticated jewelry.
Many times I've looked at their jewelry and have fallen in love with a particular piece and then looked at the price - most of it was prohibitively expensive. Then I took a few jewelry classes, learned some simple wire-wrapping techniques and the next time I looked in the Sundance Catalog I noticed that those artists were using the same techniques that I had learned to do. So, now when I look at the catalog I alway think "I can do that."

While Sundance was a source of inspiration of mine at one time, I've gone on to find my own style. One that is simple, with uncomplicated lines, but elegant and organic.

The materials I like to work with are sterling or fine silver, Precious Metal Clay (totally awesome stuff), semi-precious stones (Chalcedony, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Peridot, Citrine and Poppy Jasper are some of my favorites), and freshwater pearls.

I would describe myself as partly trained and mostly self-taught. I've taken all of my classes at The Bead Factory, in Tacoma WA. They are such an awesome business I don't mind putting their name on my blog. You should check them out www.thebeadfactory.com.

The Recipe of the Week - March 3, 2008

I love spicy, savory foods with complex flavors - and this recipe provides all that. However, this recipe takes time to prepare because you'll will have to marinate the chicken for 4 hours at the least, preferably overnight to infuse it with as much flavor as possible. It might sound like trouble but I guarantee it's worth the time. This is a delicious recipe.

In our house, couscous is a favorite side dish. Add a spinach salad with chopped dates, pecans, crumbled goat cheese and a orange vinaigrette dressing and you've got yourself a fantastic dinner.

So, here's my first recipe.

Moroccan Chicken

10 minutes to prepare marinade. 4 - 24 hours to marinade chicken. Approximately 55 minutes to cook chicken at 350 degrees. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 pounds chicken, pieces (breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks)

2 teaspoon orange peel

1/2 cup(s) orange juice

1 tablespoon oil, olive

1 tablespoon ginger, fresh

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cumin, ground

1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground

1/4 teaspoon pepper, red, crushed

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoon orange juice

1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag set in a deep dish. For marinade, in a small bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup orange juice, the olive oil, ginger, paprika, cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper, and salt. Pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together orange peel, honey, and the 2 teaspoons orange juice.

3. Drain the chicken, discarding the marinade..Place chicken, skinned sides up, on lightly greased broiler pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until chicken is done (170°F for breast halves; 180°F for thighs and drumsticks); brush occasionally with honey mixture during the last 10 minutes of baking. If the chicken is starting to get too dark, you can loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from getting browner.

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The Dancing Monkey Jewelry Chronicles

Monday, July 14, 2008

DMJ'S Artists of the Week...

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