A peak inside the Universe – Dark Matter Jewelry – interview with Rana Levy

Who would’ve known that physics  and art have someting in common? „A galaxy is both beautiful and fun to look at but it is also on average 100,000 light years across. Meaning? It would take you 100,000 years to cross from one end to the other if you could travel at the speed of light” (Rana Levy). Knowing this interesting and important detail, Rana Levy brings you the Universe at your finger. Rana’s specialty isn’t art, but physics and mathematics. She is major in Washington state. But she brings the knowledges in these subjects into art, by creating designs for jewelry for people to wear.

 The jewelry he makes will mostly try and capture the beauty that is from the scientific realm, but I also try and include facts and information about what it is you are purchasing. Rana’s goal is to make beautiful items that also have something interesting about them, and to spread knowledge on some well known and some not-so well known ideas in science and physics.

Where did you get the idea for your business and when did you get started?

I started on November 24th, 2013. It has been a short 3 months but I am glad that I started and I love selling on Etsy. I decided one day I wanted a pair of earrings that looked similar to plug earrings I see, but I couldn't dedicate myself to actually stretching my ear size, so I decided to make earring studs that were pretty to look at and also similar to gauged earrings.The inspiration comes from my studies in physics and mathematics and I am constantly finding out new things in my science studies to be inspired by. Its a lot of fun.

How did you come up with your brand name?

I had several names conjured up regarding the shop but I thought the coolest one was Dark Matter Jewelry, inspired by the theoretical matter that has not yet been detected in physics. I think the name sounded elusive and attractive and mysterious.

How did you start this passion for jewelry?

Ive always dabbled in making items and art in general. Jewelry came more naturally as I have certain styles that I like and it felt very easy to come up with ideas, hence why I have so much variety in my shop. I think jewelry is a nice way to represent a person and what they stand for.

What does it take to make one jewel?

My process begins with custom made mixed pigments that I spend hours experimenting with. It takes a lot of time to get the colors right or get the shades I prefer. I then make my designs on glass which I then consider what it would look best on (earrings? Rings? A necklace?). Sometimes I make sets where I have a particular design on different items as a group, but everything in my shop can be made custom for a particular liking. I like to let my customers choose what type of metal finishes they like, or what style of glass they want the design on.

Which one is your best seller?

Currently Sunset, Constellation and Singularity always sell well. I think people like the Sunset design because its pretty close to a real sunset, as Constellation really does look like the night sky. Singularity is just so fun and funky looking, I think people like the dichroic flakes and fun glitter.

How do people get in touch with you?

People can contact me anytime on Etsy via the messaging system. A message will come up on the front of my phone and also get sent to my email as well as sending me a text ( I always make sure to answer quickly). I sell primarily on Etsy but I have sold on Ebay before and I do promote on Pinterest, Wanelo, and Facebook. However all monetary transactions are done through Etsy officially :)

Do you run your business full-time?

Definitely. As a physics and mathematics major in my senior year at university, this is my primary job and source of income. Its so much more than working anywhere else (besides maybe a physics lab!).

Are you participating or managing any other project you would like to talk about?

The only other thing I have going is I have an Etsy promotion team with a friend of mine. We have members post products and items from their shops and we all like to help each other out. Etsy teams are a great way of getting noticed in a busy online market place.

I see a lot of people starting their business online. What do you think makes you stand out from the crowd?

I think being inspired by something naturally makes what you create stand out. I think if I had chosen something else to be inspired by, maybe I would not have put 100% effort into making lovely items. My designs are inspired, of course, from loads of places, but I think my passion for physics is what makes it really stand out.

 Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself?
I started recently doing olympic weightlifting and occasionally compete and adore cats :)

You can see of Rana’s products on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/DarkMatterJewelry?ref=s2-header-shopname

Great Mosaics from Florida

Memories of Mosaics is an online shop that brings mosaics to another level. The piece that took my attention is the great colorful guitar covered entirely with tiles. The owner of the shop is Christine Burgess. 

The artist has been working in mosaics for over 10 years now, mostly doing keepsake mirrors and home decor items. But lately she’s been doing special pieces including guitars, mannequins, steer heads and custom pieces. Christine says that she gets some help from her husband on building her bases but she does everything else.

Where did you get the idea for your business and when did you get started?

I wanted to come up with a way I could preserve my keepsakes from my mom and dad. I had jewelry, dishes, metal pins, bolo tiles etc. and decided to make a mosaic mirror that would have the functionality of the mirror while displaying my memories for me to see every day. After making the first mirror I realized that other people might like to have the same thing so Memories in Mosaics was born. This was in 2007.

How did you start this passion for mosaics?

I first started doing mosaic furniture and counter tops after browsing through the "Parade of Homes" in Colorado back in early 2000. Being a creative person I knew I could do what I had seen in the various homes so I just dug right in. My first project was my guest bath countertop and backsplash. It took a while but I was pleased with the finished product and wish I had photos.

What does it take to make one mosaic?

The very first thing I do is lay out the various tiles, gems, jewelry etc. in the colors I want to use. Next I decide what size mirror and base would work for my design and ask my husband to cut and frame my base. I paint the the entire frame and base including the back before I start the mosaic process. I generally come up with my design in my head and go from there unless I am doing a custom order. I lay out a section at a time then glue the pieces down. I cut tiles from various dishes and place them as closely together as I can eliminating wide grout lines unless the grout is part of the design. 

Once it’s all glued down I let it dry overnight and grout the next day. Choosing the grout color can change the entire look of a piece so I sometimes play with this by trying different dry grout colors in some of the spaces around the tiles. Once I choose one I vacuum it out. The next step is to grout and let it dry. I usually start to remove excess grout within the first 15 minutes to get the majority of it off then let the piece dry. I spray a mist of water on the entire piece about every half hour for the first 2 hours of drying to keep the grout from cracking. The next day I remove the rest of the excess grout with a sponge and several buckets of clean water and shine up the pieces. I always go around each and every tile, gem, button, etc. with a toothpick to remove built up grout. I like my pieces to be clean and have as much of the patterns and textures show as possible. The last step is to touch up the frame with paint then apply varnish. A large mosaic can take many days to complete.

 Which one is your best seller?

My best seller is my mosaic mirrors with the “Fan” pattern on each corner. I started this design several years ago and most of my custom orders are with this style.

How do people get in touch with you?

I sell exclusively on Etsy and I can be contacted through my shop at www.memoriesinmosaics.etsy.com

Christine is currently doing a mid century modern mosaic table using ceramic and glass tiles. She will be listing it in her shop soon. The artist also likes to make custom furniture. However,  due to the high shipping costs she haven't added any to her shop. But right now, she am taking some time off from her mosaics to work on her vintage shop on Esty. When she’ll return she will be changing the style of her mosaics. She says she plans on doing more guitars, mosaic scenes and even some mannequin torsos as it is more challenging and somewhat different than the norm.

I see a lot of people starting their business online. What do you think makes you stand out from the crowd?

My designs are different than many but mostly I believe it is the meticulous work I put into each and every piece. I take the time to produce a clean well made piece and have received many compliments for it.

Christine is also passionate about antiques. You can see her other shop Memories of Yesterday at www.memoriesofyesterday.esty.com

10 Of the Most Unusual Homes in the World

When it comes to your home, you don’t have to live in a traditional house. A lot of people in the world spend their days and nights in fairy-tale houses.

If you feel like you could use some inspiration to design your future home – or just like checking out the weird ideas some people have check this Top 10 Of the Most Unusual Homes in the World.

1. Transparent House, Japan

Inspired by our ancient predecessors, who inhabited trees, this completely transparent “House NA” in Japan offers you a lot of day light, but not much privacy.

2. Skateboard House, USA

The Skateboard House allows you to skate on all the surfaces, both in and outdoors, and was planned to be built in Malibu.

3. World’s Slimmest House, Poland

 

The Keret House, inserted between two existing buildings, measures only from 92 to 152 centimeters in width!

4. Old Water Tower Turned Into Modern Home, Belgium

A 100-feet high water tower in Belgium used to serve as a Nazi hideout during the war, but was later transformed into a living space.

5. Dick Clark’s Flintstones Inspired Home, USA

This single storey house in Malibu was inspired by the Flintstones family from the classic 60’s cartoon. Television legend Dick Clark have listed it for $3.5 million.

6. World’s Smallest 1sq Meter House, Germany

This portable DIY wooden structure measures only 1 square meter and is the world’s smallest house, moving around Germany.

7. Slide House, Japan

This three-story Slide house in Japan has a regular staircase on one side of the house, and a slide on the other, which allows you to slide all the down to the first floor.

8. Stone House,Portugal

Although it looks like a massive rock, this house in Portugal actually has a door, a chimney and a window, and has become a huge tourist attraction.

9. Church Converted Into Modern Family Home, Holland

Zecc Architecten repurposed and converted two abandoned churches located in Utrecht, Netherlands into stylish family residences.

10. Giant Seashell House, Mexico

Inspired by the work of Gaudi and Frank Lloyd Wright, a young family with two kids in Mexico City had a seashell-shaped house built for them.