Judaica Gifts For Passover

The members of EtsyChai make Judaica items that are perfect as gifts for your Passover Seder Hostess or Host.

Please visit these collections and get in touch with the shop owner to make sure you can get your item delivered when you want it.

Have a Handmade Passover

Hamsa Treasury on Etsy

Flavor of Passover

See our prior post for shop specials.

Thank you and Hag Sameach!

Meet Christine Lumbroso

When I look at Christine Lumbroso's Beads of Paradise shop it makes me think living next to the Mt Hood National Forest probably contributes a good deal of inspiration to her life and work. She moves from medium to medium, sorking with silver jewelry, watercolors, and handpainting breadboards. When asked, she speaks about her shop's diversity, but says her favorite common thread is, "I LOVE bling! BLING BLING BLING!"

Blue Moonstone Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Pendant

A typical story from many Etsy sellers, Christine has been making art since she could work, always going to arts and crafts stores, working on projects being promoted at the time. She says, "I never had the opportunity to officially study art; but I pick every artsy brain that I come in contact with, I read library books about art, and I check out classes on the web. I am always learning."

Her love of jewelry making began because she wanted some pieces that were real and not made in China. She made a few items for herself and found people wanting to purchase them from her when she wore them. After doing some research, she found wholesale sources for her supplies and began wearing and selling her pieces.

Polished Glass Judaica Bracelet with Hamsa

Making art connected her to other artists which, in turn, made her interested in other forms of art. She began playing with pen and ink drawings, oil painting, and watercolors. So, in addition to her ever evolving jewelry designs and materials, she's recently added painted wooden breadboards and prints of her paintings as cards to her shop.

Chanukah Kislev Original Watercolor Print

In 2009, Christine's daughter introduced her to Etsy, and she's been buying and selling on it since then. Soon after that, she was invited to join the Etsychai team. Shen speaking of EtsyChai, she says, "EtsyChai has been my mentor, my Etsy parents. When I first started, I had no idea of how things worked, and the team has been such a big help in teaching me the ropes, and all about promotion. I LOVE being part of a great team of artists!"  

In addition to Beads of Paradise,  Christine also sells show dog leashes made of kangaroo leather and beads in her other Etsy shop Kangalulu. Additionally, she sells jewelry and accessories for dog lovers, tutors children and the disabled, and teaches music classes.As if that isn't enough, Christine and her husband write and perform music with a small band, recently having put out their first CD album.

When asked how she budgets her time, she admits, "I am terrible at budgeting anything...especially time! I find my artsy self with my head in the clouds tending to do what I feel like doing whenever I can get away with it."

However, she sets aside one day a week for art after she's done her basic house chores to "keep my family happy."

Carnelian Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Ring

 As with our other featured artists, Christine has valuable advice to other etsy sellers, new and old. For new sellers, she advises, "Patience, patience, patience. Just keep plugging and join a team!" She also says, "I think it has helped me to have a variety of different items of varying prices, so there is something for everyone."

When asked about photos, she concurs with everyone else saying, "Make sure to have good pictures!"

We asked her to elaborate, and she did, "I asked some of my fellow Etsy folks that had good pictures and someone recommended that I get a good camera with a SUPER MACRO. He pointed me to a refurbished FujiFilm FinePix and this camera has been terrific for me! I rarely even have to touch up the photos, and they are ready to go. I take all my pictures in the morning near my big picture window so I get natural daylight. I try taking the pictures from different angles. I experimented with several backgrounds to find the right thing that will accent the jewelry."

Star of David, Aventurine, & Moss Agate Sterling Silver Necklace

 As for the all-important promoting, she gets resutls by passing out her business cards everywhere, does several shows a year, and is an active user of Facebook and Twitter. Happily, she's also a paid member and active participant in EtsyChai. (Thanks Christine!)

As the season of gift giving approaches, visit this, and all the other EtsyChai shops to find that special gift for that special someone.

Braided Kangaroo Leather Necklace

-- Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

EtsyChai Creativity Challenge - Fire

Last month, I proposed a Creativity Challenge based on the theme of “fire”.  Here’s what our fantastic members came up with:

 

Kudos to EtsyChai sellers who rose to the challenge and got creative with the theme of “fire”:

• Fused & stained glass home decor & Judaica by yafitglass
• Handmade papers cards invitations wine charms by bbesigns
• Sewing Patterns & Supplies, Judaic Fabric, and Vintage by Goofingoff
• Fine jewelry and wire wrapped gemstones by beadsofparadiseshop

Check out June’s theme here on flickr. 

EtsyChai Creative Inspiration–Part III

There will be more member’s comments, about being creative, in Part IV coming in a few days.  This post is about the May Creativity Challenge based on the theme of “fire”.  Do you think of a color, a feeling, an object when you hear “fire”?  Here’s what our fantastic members have come up with so far:

Vintage made in Japan incense burner
Eileen of Goofingoff

Menorah by YafitGlass

Birthday Cards with Quotes and Cupcakes by bbesigns

Thanks for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed these entries so far!  Come back soon, add us to your blog reader, or just sign up for our EtsyChai updates by email to be sure to read Part IV!

Lightofzionjewelry has assembled this beautiful selection of purple items for passover.

'Passover Purples' by lightofzionjewelry

A beautiful array of artwork. Choose from the many unique pieces and celebrate Passover in purple!

English Eggplant... Flo... kippahmitzvah $45.00	Lavender Evil Eye, Hams... anjalicreation... $16.00	DIY Stamped Fabric Comm... tamdoll $5.00	Peace Hamsa-Print Repro... lbolter $15.00
Set of 4 Knit Chai 5 Mu... blazingneedles $13.00	Bar Bat Mitzvah Card or... bbesigns $4.00	Silk Ribbon Wrap Bracel... charmeddesign1... $31.00	Faceted Rose Quartz Ste... beadsofparadis... $18.00
Notepad - Ani L'Dod... poemweave $10.95	Jerusalem card poemweave $4.50	Baby button cardi viole... ooty $17.00	Fuchsia crystal dangle ... Meredithbead $28.00
Purple Light lightofzionjew... $15.00	Classic Pearls Purple a... lindab142 $17.10	Butterfly Plate in Blue... CeramicsbyMarc... $22.00	Purple collage - beauti... visart $15.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

LBolter

Laura Bolter is an accomplished artist, illustrator, and graphic designer with over 20 years of experience. Her high honors BFA degree in Visual Communications from the University of Kansas lead her to a job at the Lettering Department at Hallmark Cards, and then on to a job at Shoebox Greetings. Laura's work has been featured in numerous books, cards, brochures, and advertising. She is a member of the American Guild of Judaic Art. Her work is colorful, full of life and beauty.

Here is a sampling of her work:






Shema Mandala Soldered Pendant Charm


















Peace Hamsa Print- Reproduction
















Bat Mitzvah Print


Breathtakingly beautiful. So those are my faves. What's yours? Leave a comment. We'll compare notes.
Check out Laura's shop at Lbolter.etsy.com during Team EtsyChai's Miracle of Hanukkah sale. She's offering 20% off the entire purchase. Don't forget the secret word....it's candles. For those of you from Jewish Woman Magazine it's JW Mag.

Blog post by GoofingOff. Goofing off, it's what I do best.

BBesigns

Chanukah Gift Tags Set of 8 One for each night of Hanukah








What first impressed me when I saw BBesigns was the quiet elegance in each card. The more I read about Barbra's process and love for her work, the more I impressed I became.

A life in art with a BFA in design from the Kansas City Art Institute led Barbra to BBesigns. With a passion for paper with a love of watercolor and recycling, Barbra creates individually handmade cards that are beautiful to give and receive. No two cards are ever the same; each are created with love and passion.








Bar Mitzvah Quote from Talmud Greeting Card with Blue Torah























Star of David Note Cards Set of 6


Stop by BBesigns and check out the assortment of beautiful handmade, eco-friendly cards during Team EtsyChai's Miracle of Hanukkah Sale. Free shipping during the sale for some of the most elegant cards you'll ever buy (Free shipping on the rest of the shop, too but now you know where my heart is). Don't forget the secret word, it's candles (JW mag for you folks from Jewish Woman Magazine).

Blog post by GoofingOff....it's what I do best.

anothercreation

Morning all! This Hanukkah has me so hyped up I just can't sleep. I am so excited about the sale. Awesome Judaica from some incredible arts....I just love telling the world about it. Here's another great shop from Team Etsy Chai, AnotherCreation.

Creating art has been a way of life for Michelle of Another Creation. For the last 22 years Michelle worked as an illustrator in the greeting card industry. Her exploration into other art techniques have led to fiber art and mixed media creations. Some of the creations in her shop include unique greeting cards, others are wearable/carry-able pieces. Michelle's use of color is incredible, the colors are vibrant and full of life.
Here are a few of her creations:


Honey Cake, Tea and Matisse





















Chanukah is Here



















Dancing Around Jerusalem









Check out AnotherCreation.Etsy.com for more of this vibrant, beautiful art work. Michelle is offering a buy one, get half off one the other, sale. In other words, buy one print for $20 and get second print for $10. If that wasn't enough, she's giving free shipping on orders over $50. Yay!
Send some cards to your friends. They are sure to be kept as favorites for years to come. Remember, Team EtsyChai's Miracles of Hanukkah Sale is going on now. Great deals on beautiful Judaica just in time for the holidays.
Psst....Don't forget the secret word, it's candles. JW Mag for those of you from Jewish Woman Magazine.
That all for now. I hear a yard sale calling my name.
Goofing Off, it's what I do best.

Halleluyah Moments for the Jewish High Holidays

As the Jewish high holidays approach, we look for ways to begin anew, to pledge ourselves to G-d, take stock of the past year and try to be a better person for this New Year.

This reading touched my heart: Psalm 150 is one of my favorites, so I wanted to share it with you.

A rendition of Psalms 150 “Halleluyah” graced the eardrums of the seats filled with smiling faces and victors. I faintly smiled and was whisked away by nostalgia, as the lull of the soft melody danced within my being. The moment had come where the splendor of this melody’s tune met the triumph and completion of a seven-year journey. As the song played on, I was reminded of its meaning to me. It had taught me that praise and thanksgiving outweighs defeat and despair. Darkness cannot help but yield to light when the choice is made to live in an atmosphere of praise and gratitude.

Classical Music Plate

Carnelian Judaica Sterling Silver Torah Scroll Necklace

I was jolted out of my trance when I heard my cue, “Eliana Alyzah Bat Avraham.” It was at this moment I felt the pain, struggles, and obstacles overtaken by the vast power of victory and joy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54470224/go-confidently-in-the-direction-of-your

 

Trough tear-filled eyes of gratitude, I looked up at the Ner Tamid and quietly said, “Thank you G-d…Thank you.” I ascended the stairs of the bimah. The chains and locks of defeat that bound me over the years dissipated into the light of triumph.

 Happy New Year to a Special Grandson

Card

In awe, I felt the cloak of G-d’s sovereignty, love, and anointing envelope my being. Hands were placed upon my shoulders as the Priestly Benediction was recited. I then heard “I am honored to call you Rabbi.”* Those powerful words closed one long chapter of my life and opened another. With my new cloak snuggly wrapped around me, I stepped down those stairs and onto the path that was divinely laid before me. The journey of hope, faith, and obedience to the One.

Sterling Dove Earrings

White and teal star of david kippah

*Rabbi Alysa Stanton is the first African-American female rabbi..

Source: Jewels of Elul.

- by Linda Blatchford

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L'shanah tovah!

U.S. Independence Day – Red, White & Blue

I was thinking of July 4th – Independence Day in the U.S. – check out our EtsyChai team member’s colorful creations!