I love
Shuli Designs, a shop filled with gorgeous jewelry, decorations and supplies.
Shuli works with polymer clay and her creations are stunning.
I love the vibrant colors.
Everything looks so pretty and cheerful.
I've asked Shuli a few questions to find out more about her and her shop:
1) Could you tell a bit more about your craft/art?
My name is Shulamit Raanan. I live in a small country community named Timrat in the lower Galilee in Israel with my husband and three wonderful kids. I am a creative artist in nature since I can remember myself in the fields of painting, ceramics, paper works and graphic design. In the last few years I am fascinated with Polymer clay and the endless options to combine colors, shapes, designs and products using mainly the Millefiori technique that combines different surface textures. You might say I'm addicted.
I teach Art and Technology. I have a B.ed degree in Technology, Drama and Art and a Master's degree in Humanities. I have participated in different kind of Courses and training in Israel and abroad like graphic design, painting, ceramics, paper works and Polymer clay. Most of my practical learning was done by myself during many hours of experimenting, trial and error and "playing" with the materials. I have to admit that some of the interesting and original works emerged from mistakes and technical errors and from coping with these mistakes.
I believe in persistence and consistency together with renewing the sources of inspiration from different art fields. To learn from one own mistakes which may lead to new ideas. Never give up when things get tough and frustrating and believe in yourself.
2) Your items have many colors and shapes, how do you come up with the designs?
My works and designs are done with Polymer clay which involves a long and complex process.
First I choose family of colors like warm colors, cold colors and I decide on the principal design I want to achieve. Then I make preparations to construct a Polymer clay cane of the principal design. To construct the final cane I start mixing colors with a pasta machine and combine the colors in a special technique which is called "MILLEFIORI".
Millefiori stands for "A thousand flowers" in Italian, a technique used originally by Italian glass artists to create colorful and complex glass beads and other ornaments. Using the same technique I combine together a few canes to create a big cane about 20 Cm (7.87") diameter, then I carefully reduce it by hand to the final size of the product I want to get (this stage is very physical but enjoyable). From the reduced cane I design surfaces with complex design to create wall decors, Hamsas, love birds and more or endless combinations of colorful beads, spinning-tops, necklaces and so on.
3) What inspires you?
Living along the Mediterranean Sea and especially in the Middle East is very inspiring.
The colors of the sun and the sea, the green of the mountains and valleys alongside the yellow desert, the taste of wine, the smell of local spices, the cultural variation and the rich history of the region are all rooted in me.
Since I remember myself, I was inspired by our beautiful nature. I always had the passion to create with my hands and to experiment different crafts and materials. I am very optimistic by nature - That's why I have chosen to concentrate in Polymer clay designs which allow endless colors and shape combinations.
4) When/how did your Etsy adventure start?
I opened an Etsy virtual shop three years ago. In the beginning I had very few designs, I slowly added new designs and new sections to my shop like wall décor, HAMSAs, kids classic toys like spinning tops and so on. As publicity grew, I learned the market and customers' requirements which led to new original designs. In the last two years I began to interact with satisfied returning customers, which encourages me to go on with my new ideas and way of working. Sometimes their ideas and custom requests challenge me with new interesting shapes, techniques and colors spectrum.
Marketing and maintaining my business is the most difficult part of my work. It consumes a lot of time at the expanse of creating new designs. Promoting my designs in the social networks and on line requires time in front of the computer and in photographing and editing it for the media.
5) What are your plans for the future?
Satisfying my potential customers is the most enjoyable and important thing for me. Knowing that my works are viewed, appreciated and purchased all over the world gives me a very good feeling about myself and a confirmation that I am on the right track. I am very optimistic about the future in general and especially about my artistic work because I regard it as a hobby and way of life that will keep on as long as I have my sources of inspiration. I plan to continue working and developing my art and shop, to be successful and to be exposed to more satisfied customers' worldwide.
There's such a lot of choice and a great variety of items.
Shuli makes her items with much love, care and attention.
I'm completely in love with the beautiful patterns.
And Suli's prices are very reasonable.
Check out this amazing Etsy shop.
Shuli loves receiving custom orders, so feel free to contact her if you'd like her to make something especially for you.
Her designs are fantastic.
Enjoy browsing...
And have fun shopping!
One very lucky reader of my blog will receive an amazing prize:
This blue flower necklace will be for the winner of this giveaway. Good luck!
I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.
