For Full Event Map visit the map from the Pop Shop.

While you’re at the Art Walk may I recommend you check out some of the Mandalas that will be on display at the Pop Shop by Playnature Productions.  (I happen to be a proud owner of one!)

I wish I had discovered Leigh-Ann Klein before I was married. I micro-managed every last stylish detail, except for my boring plain white satin bag. Of course, who needs a special occasion to buy a piece of art. Her collection includes bags that can work from day into evening, and for numerous other occasions as well. Leigh-Ann makes exquisitely detailed handbags. Her work is hand-embellished with details such as feathers, satin, lace and other trims.

My favorite of her elegant clutches was the Brooke-Gold Minaudiere. The applique’ on the front of the bag is so elegant and detailed. ($105.00)

I also loved the simplicity of form and design in her Silver Dawn bag. It is silver satin with white woven jacquard and a round pearl and crystal focal piece. ($95.00)

You can see more of her lovely bags and clutches at her shop.

Go hug a tree today.

Of course, if that tree-hugging stuff just isn’t for you, here’s a few other great ideas to help you go green.

1. Get stuff for free. Yes, getting stuff for free can help the environment. At least, you can get items you need without having to purchase them new. Visit http://www.freeycle.org to find out if there is someone near you who is giving something they no longer need away, rather than throwing it in a trash heap. There’s millions of people around the world who have participated. Just think of all the items that have found new loving homes, instead of cluttering up a landfill

2. Make your cleaning green! Stop buying those nasty chemical cleaning sprays and scrubs. You can get your household items clean without them. Stock up on reusable and refillable spray bottles, white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.

If you want to polish your furniture without the aerosol spray use a t. of lemon juice and a cup of vegetable oil. You’ll get a lovely natural shine. For glass and mirrors use a spray bottle with vinegar and water (about 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) and a reusable cloth.

There’s lots of other recipes and books on the subject online. Just search for “green cleaning” recipes.

3. It’s so simple it seems silly. When you brush your teeth, wet the toothbrush and then TURN OFF THE WATER.

4. Buy local. This saves money on transportation and energy costs. Local Clevelanders can check out http://www.clevelandhandmade.com Those around the world can visit the shop local feature on http://www.etsy.com

5. Unplug your appliances when they are not in use. They use energy when they are plugged in even if they are not in use. Sometimes this can be even a third of your household energy consumption.

6. Bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store.

7. Look into purchasing items such as flooring, furniture and clothing made with more sustainable items such as bamboo and cork. It’s better for the environment as these items are often more durable and grow much quicker.

Helen Quinn is a designer I was introduced to when she purchased a necklace and earrings from me on Etsy.  It was really quite an honor actually, because she herself is a jewelry designer and an extraordinary one at that.  I quickly fell in love with her designs because they are sleek, modern and fabulously sleek!

So of course I had to interview her for Art Addict, and here’s what she had to say.

What is the name of your business?
hq design.

When did you begin it and what was your original inspiration?

The jewelry making began with a 1 year jewelry manufacturing course which I thought I’d try because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and ended up absolutely loving it. I had worked for various people but loved the idea of being able to make limited amounts of my owns jewellery. There is a lot of uncertainty involved with setting up by yourself but the rewards are worth it

How do you seek out ideas for your designs?

Inspiration comes from all over – I usually like to sketch for a bit and see what I come up with and go from there to the bench and see what happens.

As you have progressed what have you felt to be rewarding and what has been challenging?

The rewarding would probably be designing and seeing a piece through to completion & then having people enjoying wearing something I’ve created.
On the challenging side of things, it’d probably have to be the business and sales side of things, it’s stepping out of my comfort zone!

Are there any must-haves that you can’t run your business without?

I find supportive family, friends & boyfriend are essential - always willing to help!

Outside of jewelry what intrigues you?

Well there’s numerous things, I’m a huge architecture fan from ancient ruins to new buildings. Besides that all kinds of art in general, photography, fashion & beauty in unexpected places.

What are your hopes for the future?

Eventually I’d like to be designing and creating full time, while continuing to learn more about jewelry different techniques.

Large Art Deco Earrings, $157.00

Visit and see more at HQ Design

<—I received this nifty little award to the left. how cool is that?

According to the message I received I am supposed to now pass the award along to five other blogs I hold in esteem.  I’m must say I’m honored that zJayne, author of Art-Not Just a  Guy Sue Once Knew, has passed this award on to me. She’s an amazing artist, who also has a heart for recycling.  That makes her pretty awesome in my book!

So without further adieu, here’s my five favorites.

Smashing Says-Written by Kathryn, this blog is witty, funny and insightful.  She’s got a great eye for interesting things, posts fun photos, and makes me laugh. A highlight is Kathryn’s ongoing stories about her use-it-up project(or saga) in which she’s trying to buy only handmade or used goods for a year.

Clevelandrocksetsy-It’s pretty simple.  Cleveland Rocks Etsy.  This is the web home of the the Etsy crew that sells lovely goods on Etsy. It’s where I drop in to get the lowdown on great events, and to see what other artists in the area are doing.    There’s links to member blogs here, show schedule postings, cleveland street team treasuries and more.

Papercuts and Gluesticks (The blog)-I love reading along as Kari, the owner of this lovely little gallery makes her gallery bloom and grow.  There’s plenty of gorgeous photos of how the gallery has evolved and information on some of the great events presented at Papercuts and Gluesticks.

Capitola Girl-Susan, the author of this blog is someone I’ve come to meet somewhat recently in the networld and I just love the columns she writes such as “Where in the World Wednesday”  which showcases all sorts of lovely locales, and Saturday Sparkle a column that showcases gorgeous sparkly jewelry from the Flickr photo group she also manages. In addition to her Capitola Girl blog, Susan is also a contributing writer for Posh Mama. Where does she find the time?

Audacity of Trust-The Audacity of Trust is written by an old (well young, but from the way back machine!) friend of mine.  Ashleigh writes about just about everything that comes to her mind, and she manages to make it all sound so gosh darn interesting! I don’t know how she does it, but she manages to capture everyday moments of relationships, work and life and show the hilarious reality that can really exist in the everyday.

Here’s the rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.

4. The award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico’ blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://www.arteypico.blogspot.com/

5. To show these rules

In case you didn’t already know, I manage the blog for the Etsy Wedding Team.  Currently, we’re beginning many new ongoing series to help brides and grooms plan their weddings.  Specific focus will be given to providing handmade, unique, green and one of a kind items and ideas.

The first feature in the “Wedding To Do List” series includes a lovely selection of “save the date” cards handmade by Etsy Wedding Team Members such as the one below by fubabee.

For anyone who has dabbled in making jewelry, buying beads and other findings to create jewelry with can be quite addicting.   You can actually give something back with your bead purchases though by visiting Bead for Life.  According to Beadforlife:

BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful beads, and people who care open their hearts, homes and communities to buy and sell the beads.

The beads thus become income, food, medicine, school fees — and hope. It is a small miracle that enriches us all.

All profits from BeadforLife are invested in community development projects that generate income and help people work their way out of poverty.

There’s a jewelry store where you can purchase loose beads, finished jewelry, note cards and even music all the while supporting the individual bead makers as well as community development projects.

Visit Beadforlife to help out.