I want to share some wonderful art work I've found on Etsy lately...

Making Treasuries really became an addicting habit :) and also a difficult one! There are so many magical, creative and unique creations it's getting harder to pick only 12... so here are some... hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did!

Felt Arts and Fiber Crafts: Review ISART member:7ART Jewelry

Thanks Hila and Anika from ORCHIDEE for this wonderful review :)

Felt Arts and Fiber Crafts: Review ISART member:7ART Jewelry

Etsy Treasuries...

Rainy Day

then there was rain
the sky wore a veil of gold and gray...(Coldplay)

Well, it took me a while to get the idea of Treasuries on Etsy... I'm kind of slow, ha :-)
Eventually, I found it to be not only a great promotional tool, but also a lot of fun. It's like wandering around a really great flee market, finding hidden treasures... Some of the gorgeous artwork I found wondering around on Etsy...just WOW!!!
Usually, I have to think of an idea before I start looking, but sometimes it changes several times before I get the final list. Sometimes, while looking for one thing, I suddenly come across an item that I simply cannot resist...and everything changes.
Anyway, it's fun and it's a great way to show some appreciation to the awesome work that is being done around the globe :-)
this is my latest one...

beautiful creations I found

There are so many wonderful artists that I got to know over the last few months, that making Treasuries on Etsy became so much fun (OH...if it wasn't such a hard work too...)
It is all about discovering AMAZING talants, and showing them to the world - or at least to the part of it that will view the Treasury...

so I hope you'll like these two. I just wish I could include so much more...

My very first Etsy Treasury...

Can't believe I finally managed to get me my very own Treasury on Etsy! I think that it has to be your full time job to get them :-))
But when you do, it feels great to share some of your favorites with the world.

For most people, I think, Passion means Spring or Summer... for me it has always been the Fall. When the air cools down... and the winds start to blow... and the colors of the Fall are really the colors of true and pure Passion...
Well hope you'll enjoy my choices...
HERE IT IS

check out this beautiful treasury on Etsy created by lilyja http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19886670

you'll also enjoy lilyja's wonderful work on: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6550149

have a great weekend!

The meaning of SEVEN

People ask me what is the meaning of SEVEN in 7ART Jewelry. Well here is the story...

When I started my crochet jewelry line I needed a name for the brand. I am aware of the fact that most jewelers simply use their name, and I guess it works for them. But it just wasn't me. I don't know, maybe the reason was that it's not about me. After it is created, each piece has its own "life", will belong to its unique owner, and hopefully will make this special person happy.
So, for a long time I was looking for a name with meaning. A meaning that will unite a sparkle of beauty with uniqueness and individuality. And then my husband and I thought of SEVEN...the connection was immediate! The feeling was right.

SEVEN represent many different unique meanings in various fields of life starting from art, religion through science, and astronomy.
SEVEN has many different meanings for different people, from different places and periods.
For us, SEVEN represents the uniqueness and singularity of each and everyone. It reminds us of that divine sparkle that exists in all of us – the sparkle I try to reflect in my jewelry.
I try to produce jewelry that combines different cultures, styles and techniques.
Each piece is unique, just like its future owner, and was born with love to make our lives brighter and happier.

...some great facts about this amazing number:

• SEVEN is a natural number following 6 and preceding 8.
• There are SEVEN colors of the rainbow.
• SEVEN is the number of spots on a common ladybug.
• SEVEN Liberal Arts.
• The SEVEN days of the week.
• SEVEN Wonders of the ancient world
• SEVEN Sages
• SEVEN is the number of stellar objects in the solar system visible to the naked eye — the Sun, the Moon and the five classical naked eye planets: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.
• According to Buddhist legend, after his birth Buddha rose to his feet and took SEVEN steps
• SEVEN is the number of chakras.
• SEVEN is the minor symbol number of yang from the Taoist yin-yang.
• SEVEN is the lucky number in many cultures
• The SEVEN virtues are humility, liberality, chastity, kindness, abstinence, patience, and diligence.
• Bushido or "way of the warrior" is a Japanese code of conduct comprising SEVEN Virtues
• The heptagram, or SEVEN-pointed star is a traditional symbol for warding off evil
• In the vision of the apocalypse described in the Biblical book of Revelations there are SEVEN churches of Asia, SEVEN candlesticks, SEVEN stars, SEVEN trumpets, SEVEN spirits before the throne of God, SEVEN horns, SEVEN vials, SEVEN plagues, a SEVEN-headed monster, and the lamb with SEVEN eyes
• SEVEN is a highly symbolic number in the Jewish religion and tradition, alluding to the infusion of spirituality and Godliness into the creation:
  God rested on and sanctified the SEVENTH day (Shabbat); SEVEN days of mourning (Shiv'a); a SEVEN-day purification period; there are SEVEN days of Passover and Sukkot; SEVEN blessings are recited under the chuppah during a Jewish wedding ceremony, and the bride and groom are feted with SEVEN days of festive meals after their wedding, known as Sheva Berachot ("SEVEN Blessings"); the number of Ushpizzin (also known as the " SEVEN Shepherds") who visit the sukkah during the holiday of Sukkot: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David; and there are more...
• In Christianity there are:
  the SEVEN Sacraments in the Catholic faith; the SEVEN Joys and Sorrows of the Virgin Mary; SEVEN Corporal Acts and Seven Spiritual Acts of Mercy; the SEVEN last words (or seven last sayings) of Jesus on the cross; the SEVEN Virtues: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility; the SEVEN deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride; the SEVEN terraces of Mount Purgatory (one per deadly sin);
  and there are more...
• In Islam there are:
  SEVEN is the number of ayat in surat al-Fatiha; the number of heavens in Islamic tradition; the number of Earths; the number of circumambulations (Tawaf) that are made around the Kaaba in Mecca; SEVEN is the number of walks between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains -that is travelling back and forth - SEVEN times during the ritual pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah; SEVEN is the number of fires in hell; SEVEN is the number of doors to heaven and to hell
  and there are more...

...So I hope you all agree with me now - 7ART is just a perfect name...

Hello & Welcome to my blog

Finally I have my very own blog up and running... It isn't perfect yet, and there are still so many things to learn and improve but it's here!

First, let me tell you a little bit about myself and about 7ART Jewelry.
My name is Ilana, I am 40 years old, and I live in Modi'in, Israel. I was born in Riga, Latvia (when it still was a part of the USSR) and came to Israel with my family when I was 11.

Ever since I can remember I was fascinated by jewelry, and especially jewelry design. But, as often happens, life took me to different directions - Chinese (BA) and business strategy (MBA). But I guess that when you really love something you will finally come back to it. It started several years ago with some classes in Goldsmith...and never stopped ever since...

I started experimenting, playing with different materials, shapes and techniques - as a hobby at first - until it slowly filled up my whole time.

As I kept on playing I developed a unique technique, based on simple crochet but with an entirely different outcome.

Although, my jewelry are made of metal wire they have a lace-like texture and feel like soft lace. I strongly believe that a piece of jewelry must not only be pretty, it has to be durable and feel comfortable. A person has to wear it without fear or discomfort.

Every item is unique, one of its kind. A lot of time and effort is invested in its design and making.

It usually starts with an idea born in my head...Sometimes it is something I see, hear or even smell...sometimes wake up with a vivid picture of a bracelet, necklace or ring. And then I cannot stop until I'll see it done.

Sometimes I use simple copper wire first (although it takes twice as long) and only when the outcome is exactly as I want it, I will do it again using Sterling Silver or 14KT Gold.

I like to interlace tiny gemstones, pearls or Swarovski crystals into my work. Usually I use 2mm stones, that are very hard to find. There is no demand for such a weird size and apparently they are much more expensive to make so jewelry supplies stores don't carry them.

well, I hope you liked my very first post... I had fun writing it :-)