Tell us a little about yourself and your business.
I’m Jill and I am relatively new to Oklahoma. I’ve been living here about a year and so far I love Tulsa! I moved here to be with my husband, John, who teaches in Broken Arrow. Currently I teach musical theater, acting, and voice and make jewelry to my heart’s content. My business, Favoring Brave, has been my passion for almost 8 years now and it has been so inspiring to see it grow. I started FB as a high school sophomore and somehow it grew to the point that it helped me pay my way through college, study abroad, and generally avoid normal, not-awesome college summer jobs.
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products?
I have been making and selling jewelry since the beginning of my business, but in the last year I have also started selling paper flowers for home decorations and events. I always tell my customers that my selection and variety is so enormous because I get bored so fast! New projects and possibilities always keep me engaged.
What I love about my work is that it is as unique as the people it is made for, my customers. Everyone has their own personality, their own quirks, their own things they like and things that make them feel like themselves. I strive to make jewelry that helps people show off their favorite things about themselves.
What sets your creations apart from others?
I am all about the individuality, like I said before, and frankly, that just isn’t sold in most stores. Everything I make is one of kind or extremely limited quantity so that you know your piece of Favoring Brave is all your own.
Where do you find inspiration?
A better question might be where don’t I! I am very inspired by color which is why every piece I make is displayed in rainbow order… you always know when you’ve stumbled into my booth that way! I am also very inspired by natural shapes and textures – nature is the original handmade genius in my book. I also look to historic examples of jewelry and clothing as well as indie music, fabrics, and other old things.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My favorite holiday tradition is baking! I love making way too many desserts and then getting to share them with friends and family, so to all my friends and family – beware!
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Tell us a little about yourself and your business.
Angie: I can’t draw, paint, or sculpt, but I have a creative family and art has always been a part of my life. Ballet was my outlet growing up, and I was so happy when I decided to try beadwork. I could finally play around with colors and express myself without having to pick up a brush or pencil. The time I’ve spent making and selling jewelry has been a total blast, and I can’t wait to see where life takes me on this path! Mary: I’ve always loved art and the creative process. While raising 2 daughters, I was kept busy making dance costumes. Now my oldest daughter and I share a love of beads, so we decided to start a business. I love that this is something we do together, and I’m very proud of our work. We both have pieces in the Out on Main art gallery in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. That is like a dream come true for me! 
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products? We use beadweaving and bead embroidery to make jewelry. We love everything about the process of working with beads: the feel of them, the process of picking out different sizes, shapes, and colors that go well together. We love the artistic expression that beadwork allows, and the fact that we are making art with a function- something that people wear out in the world and have experiences in. What sets your creations apart from others? Our pieces are very time-consuming! People often comment that they don’t know how we can stand to do what we do. Working with seed beads takes a great deal of patience, but it’s so rewarding to start with such tiny components and create beautiful pieces from the ground up. Also, most of what we do is one of a kind. Each cabochon is slightly different from the others, and the beadwork we’ve been doing on the embroidered pieces is freeform, without any kind of pattern. I don’t think we could replicate any of it exactly! 
Where do you find inspiration? Angie: So many places! Belly dancers, old Victorian photos I see on Pinterest, songs that I listen to while I work. I love archaeology, so it’s great any time I see jewelry from long ago- Anglo-Saxon, Egyptian, stuff like that. I’m always on the lookout for things with great shapes and color combinations. Mary: I would have to say my inspiration comes from nature; I’ve always loved stones and crystals. My favorite colors are greens, blues, purples, browns, & gold. I love all colors though, especially in shades found in nature. 
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why? Angie: That sounds crazy; I don’t know if I could handle it! Maybe Earth Day or something to prompt people to appreciate nature every day. We live on a breathtaking planet! Mary: I do believe we should be thankful for each day and live each day to the fullest, but I wouldn’t want every day to be a holiday. For me, that would take away some of what makes each holiday special. If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why? National Jewelry Day. You could wear all your favorite pieces at once and nobody would think you’re weird! Chocolate should be involved somehow, also. 
What is your favorite holiday tradition? We’re pretty laid back during the holidays, so any time we can spend just relaxing at home and cooking up a bunch of food is great in our book. How would you describe your work in three words? Intricate, Expressive, Colorful Shop
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My name is Lauren Rutherford. I’m currently in my first year of college at the University of Missouri as a magazine journalism major. Simply Charming Designs came about last spring through the JA Company Program. At the end of the program in May, I acquired the business and continue to run it out of my dorm room today!
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products?
I create two wrap and three wrap leather charm bracelets! I absolutely love creating my product – all the way from helping customers design their unique bracelet to boxing it up for delivery. Each customer is an individual, and it’s so much fun to help express that through jewelry!
What sets your creations apart from others?
Something that was really big for our JA Company during the program was the fact that leather charm bracelets haven’t really been done before. It’s a truly unique creation! I use local leather and often buy charms from other small businesses.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in the uniqueness of others. It’s really fun to help people express themselves through charms. It’s all about symbolism, really. What does each charm mean in your life?
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why?
I wish everyday were Christmas! To me, Christmas is about spending time with family, giving back and celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ. Doing that everyday would be fantastic!
If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why?
If I could create my own holiday, it would be one where we all get a day off to do crafts! Everyone needs more time for crafts.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas shopping. It’s not much of a tradition, but choosing gifts for people is one of the best parts about Christmas!
How would you describe your work in three words?
Unique, Custom, Jingly
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My name is Lauren Belteau Gerfen I am the creator/designer/crafter/etc. of More Projects Than Time. During the day I am the acting librarian at a small western arts library at the University of Oklahoma and at night, on the weekends, and early mornings when I can’t sleep I fill my time crafting, decorating my house, and baking. Although, More Projects Than Time is a newer business I have been a life-time crafter, artist, and maker.
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products?
I create predominately sewn items for the home; pillows, pendant flags, and hanging birds. I have recently added some jewelry, magnets and stuffed animals to the mix. The thing I love about my products? Well. . .there are two main things:
1. I predominately use vintage or reclaimed fabric, trim and buttons. I love vintage fabric and always have. I love looking at it, pairing it with other fabric, creating something new from something old.
2. I had a little girl refer to my products as “festive” and I would agree with that. I, personally, like having some brightness and whimsy in my day and think that my products do just that. They can take a corner, or a chair, or a patio and brighten it up just a little.
What sets your creations apart from others?
Predominately, the materials; not only the fact that they are modern products made out of vintage fabric but also my fabric and color pairings. I try to mix what might seem to be contrasting colors or prints with neutrals and creating something cohesive and lovely.
Where do you find inspiration?
Multiple places. . .
Foremost, the fabrics I use but also art, movies, old photos, books, blogs, etc. I like to say my biggest aesthetic inspirations growing up were Dolly Parton, Punky Brewster, Erte, and Tori Amos. . .I’m not sure what that says about me.
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why?
I will have to admit (even if this is the popular answer) Christmas. Christmas is the time to be really over the top! The house feels magical with the tree and lights, it’s nice to have one month out of the year to completely transform the way my home looks. I love looking at all of my eclectic ornaments and coming up with fun ways to restyle my home, AND most importantly I LOVE Christmas baking. . . cookies, bread, candy. . .I love it all.
If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why?
Some sort of holiday revolving around breakfast or brunch. I always want to have big, drawn out breakfasts with company and never do. There are plenty of holidays with lavish dinners and afternoon cookouts, I say we need a breakfast holiday.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My husband and I have a pre-Christmas a few nights before the actual day. He cooks dinner (it’s just the two of us and our cats), we eat on our wedding china and have wine and eggnog, open our presents to each other, listen to David Sedaris’s Santa Land Diaries, and talk about all the good things that happened that year. I am looking forward to this night already.
How would you describe your work in three words?
Fun, Festive, Colorful.
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Tell us a little about yourself and your business. I've been married to my sweetheart for 52 years and I'm still in love. I am retired from Ford Motor Company, Tulsa Glass Plant after 34 years a Payroll Analyst. I am an avid Rock hound and am a member of the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society. We left Oklahoma City to come to Broken Arrow in 1970. I love to search for rocks with a special heart, scene, or a message that sets it apart from other rocks. What do you create and what do YOU love about your products? I create beautiful timepieces for Desks, Tables, Walls and Mantels. My gift is a gift of time! My passion is to cut, grind and polish slices from rocks to communicate to folks what the rock has to offer thru interpretation. A beautiful rock inside is easy to communicate, the challenge might be a not so pretty rock slice communicated in such a way to draw a person's appreciation. 
What sets your creations apart from others? My Clocks are my babies and they are very special. My desire is to place them in special homes where they can be appreciated. Each clock sold has made that special connection with the owner. They have become special beyond belief. Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration from my family, beliefs, principles, Church, education, friends, experiences and morals. Inspiration comes from all walks of life, and sometimes God helps me. Seeing the expression on the face of a recipient of one or more of my clocks gives me a tremendous inspiration to make the next recipient happier than the previous recipient. 
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why? Christmas would rank high on my list because of the birth of Jesus and also because of the theme of giving. However, my favorite holiday now is Easter. Primarily because of a couple of rocks I have worked with that have special meanings. The first is a depiction of Jesus being lifted toward the heavens above the city of Bethlehem. A second rock made into a clock is an illustration of Michelangelo reaching and restraining another man from assisting him while painting the ceiling in the Cisteen Chapel. I am reminded of those two occasions every day as I see my clocks. 
If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why? Heaven's Holiday would be my choice. If we could each visit heaven for a day each year, we could learn how to live together in peace and harmony. There would be no more wars, famine, starvation, killing, swearing, lying or politicing. We could become more content, build better relationships, governments, countries and world produce all the good we see in young children. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas. This is when families get together, exchange simple gifts, love more and share the true meaning of Christmas. Saying your goodbys to those who pass on during the year, meet the new children and welcome them into the circle of family, share in the great love of each other and remind ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas. The birth of baby Jesus. 
How would you describe your work in three words? Honor--Commitment--Promise Website Facebook
Tell us a little about yourself and your business. I’m a born and bred Tulsan rediscovering my birthplace after working abroad. I started making jewelry in college, but only started selling seriously after a woman offered to buy a necklace that I happened to be wearing. She was so pleased, and I thought, I’d like to make a lot more people that happy. Now that I’m back in the heartland I want to use my business as a way to connect to people, to enrich and be enriched by the community into which I’ve returned. The name Petunkalunka is a Carib term of endearment, like “pumpkin” or “sweet patootie.” My Trinidadian father has called me petunkalunka for as long as I remember. It never fails to confuse the reader. I thought about changing it in order to sound more sophisticated, but I like it too much. What do you create and what do YOU love about your products? I make beaded jewelry. Jewelry can make or break an outfit, and as someone who wears a lot of solid colors I usually rely on my accessories to make a fashion statement. I’m also fresh from a four-year stint in Japan. That means I speak in passive voice a lot, and that in some ways my designs are a reaction to the strict workplace dress codes I saw there (so much nude pantyhose. So, so much). I love the combination of boldness and simplicity of my finished product, and that they can say “Look at me!” without overpowering an outfit. Basically, my designs are for the professional with a silly streak.
What sets your creations apart from others? There are a lot of people making beaded accessories these days; it isn’t particularly difficult to get started. I try to make sure that my materials are high quality and that I’m not making anything you could find at a shop in the mall. When is the last time you wore hand-etched sea glass from the Seito Inland Sea, or a bib necklace that looked like a watermelon? Where do you find inspiration? Firstly from my mostly monotone wardrobe. I’ll make a piece to compliment a plain black dress or solid T-shirt and wear it as a test. If someone compliments my accessories, I make another in a different color combination. If no one comments I’ll adjust it or tear it up. I’m my own guinea pig. Secondly and more importantly, I was blessed to know creative people in Japan. Artists, cartoonists, designers, fashionistas—it was tough not to be inspired in some way. I feel that my design aesthetic matured a lot thanks to the friends who encouraged me to try something new, and then let me know what worked and what didn’t. All the collections on my site now were born from a conversation. “I really like that,” someone would say, “but I’d want it in more wintery colors.” Or, “If you did that, but slightly less symmetric, I would totally buy it.” “Don’t throw it away; you could drill a hole in the sea glass and put it on a necklace.” Some days that’s frustrating, to feel like my original designs aren’t good enough as is, but it pales in comparison to the satisfaction of a perfected product. Maybe that's why most of my sales come from offline custom work. Custom orders are my favorite, because I know that I’m providing something that the customer really wants, and allowing them to put a little of themselves into the design.
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why? This was a hard decision, but ultimately I settled on Thanksgiving. If every day we made a focused effort to remember what we should be grateful for, I imagine we’d be a lot less cranky. Daily feasting would be pretty great, too. If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why? Dancing in the Streets Day! It might be known colloquially as No Shame Day. For just one day, we would all move the way the music takes us, and no one would judge. This holiday would have worked better before YouTube.
What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas music, hands down. There are two professional pianists, a semi-pro violinist, and a former music educator in my immediate family, so we take our holiday tunes very seriously. My family always starts playing it the day after Thanksgiving, when we stay home and put up decorations. What makes it wonderful is that it’s something to anticipate each year, and everyone can get into. I think the best music ever written was all written about or for Christmas. I challenge all naysayers to a round of fisticuffs. For the record, I have a black belt in aikido. Feel free to just agree with me. How would you describe your work in three words? Bold. Elegant. Sassypants.
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My name’s Samantha Extance and I make Steampunk jewelry out of upcycled objects—things like clock gears, skeleton keys, sewing notions, etc. My business is called Bohemian Romance (named after the very first pair of earrings I ever made).
I am a native New Yorker and moved to Tulsa five years ago to study English Literature at the University of Tulsa (where I am currently working on a Ph.D.). I love books, antiques, making things, and fashion. Steampunk is a genre that allows me to combine all my loves!
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products?
I primarily make jewelry—earrings, pins, bracelets, anklets, rings & necklaces but recently I began branching out to create bowties, pill boxes, cufflinks, custom watches, goggles, and bookmarks.
What I love most about being a Steampunk artist & jewelry designer is the history behind the objects that I repurpose. I will often track down the history of a piece before using it so that I can inform the buyer of its unique story. With every piece I make, you not only get a little bit of my soul, but you also get a little history.
What sets your creations apart from others?
Each piece has its own story. Sometimes that story is passed down through the object (a photograph will be signed with the family’s name; a watch will have a maker’s seal; an inkwell, used for display, will have its brand stamped into it; and a locket will still bear its original owner’s initials—the secret compartment will still hold a rose petal).
But sometimes the story is mine and I share that too. Like the coal miner’s tag I found in a jar of buttons; like the trip to Paris with my mom that we took to see art and go to all the flea markets we could find and where we stumbled upon these gold filigree pieces and hotel tags from a building salvage; and like the lovely woman who stopped by Alliday Everyday last year who gave me a bag filled with her old wristwatches for free because she knew I could make something beautiful with them—and the other woman, who hugged her because of her thoughtfulness.
And sometimes the stories are yours. People will tell me about their grandmother’s button box when they see that I’ve used clothing snaps & buttons in a pair of earrings; a man will talk about his dad when he sees how I’ve used washers in my jewelry; or a kid will ask, “What’s this?” and it starts a whole conversation that inevitably leads to someone telling a story.
Where do you find inspiration?
In the objects themselves—I create jewelry from upcycled, salvaged items that I find at flea markets, estate sales, and garage sales. To me, all art is in a sense found art—taking something old and making it new.
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why?
Valentine’s Day. A day all about love, that’s a good day regardless of your relationship status. If you’re single, you can eat as much chocolate as you want and it’s socially acceptable. And if you have a honey, you can spoil them rotten and in turn be spoiled.
Valentine’s Day is also a big deal in my family. We usually exchange handmade gifts and cards (something I am so glad we still do today). It’s a huge confidence boost and it certainly keeps the winter doldrums at bay.
If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why?
That’s a tough one—but if I could really create my own holiday I’d go for something big/impossible. I would wish for a “Global Peace Day”—a day when all nations & peoples agree to lay down arms and celebrate life.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Baking Christmas cookies with all the lovely ladies in my family—my mom, grams, my cousin, and I (and now my sister-in-law and niece) all get together and mix the batter, then we load it up into these cookie presses and create fun shapes (like wreaths & bows) and scatter sprinkles over them. We listen to carols and imbibe a little. It is very holly & jolly.
How would you describe your work in three words?
Steampunk, Nostalgic, and Unique
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Tell us a little about yourself and your business. We are a mother/daughter business that loves to craft things out of vintage linens and crocheted items. What do you create and what do YOU love about your products? We create aprons and home items out of vintage linens and laces. We love being able to take an unusable item and create something useful and meaningful for today.
What sets your creations apart from others? Our aprons incorporate the love and attention to detail and the time it took to create crocheted works of art. Where do you find inspiration? We love to browse the internet and go to fleamarkets.
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why? For me it would be Halloween, I love the fact you can act and look any way you want for the day. Mom’s day would be Thanksgiving because she would be able to be with friends and family. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Being able to gather the family together and enjoy each other’s company.
How would you describe your work in three words? Innovative, nostalgic, reusable
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Social media manager by day, crafter by night. I live, work and play in Oklahoma City. I found that sewing and other crafts are cathartic and have really relieved some stress. It’s my version of running!
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products?
I create Oklahoma pillows and corkboard maps. I absolutely love the Oklahoma pillows because so many of them are bought and sent to people’s friends who have recently moved away from OK. It’s awesome to know that people get a warm feeling when they look at something as small as a pillow! I love creating the maps because it allows people to track their travels!
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why?
Such a tough question! If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have answered emphatically that Christmas is the best. Now, I really enjoy Thanksgiving – spending time with my family, great food and board games!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My birthday is Christmas Eve, so the birthday-Christmas craziness is always a blast!
How would you describe your work in three words?
Homemade, heartfelt, fun!
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I am a self taught wire design artist. I love creating my beautiful jewelry! I hand pick all of the natural stones and fossils I use to create my unique pieces. I use all natural stones, fossils, freshwater/saltwater pearls, mother of pearl and artisan crafted glass. My metals are sterling and non-tarnish silver as well as 14kt. Goldfil and 14kt. Gold. Everything is real. What do you create and what do YOU love about your products? I originally started creating jewelry for myself. I love original designs, the natural stones and fossils. And you couldn't find this 13 years ago when I started. I love my jewelry because it makes me happy to create it for someone else. And very happy when that person loves it as much as me. 
What sets your creations apart from others?
My free form wire design. It is non-traditional and unconventional. Like me. I use all real stuff. No plastic, cheap products. I use artisan crafted glass because I believe in helping fellow artists and keeping small businesses going. Where do you find inspiration? In nature. Colors. I look at stones and see what it can be. And I see what kind of wearable art it can be. The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why? Hmmm. I love Christmas and the giving and the gifts. And wish it could be every day. The giving mostly but also who doesn't love gifts! 
If you could create your own holiday, what would it be and why? National be kind to nature day. Because so many of us get up go outside and never see the sunrise or never see the clouds, never see the sunset. We don't appreciate mother nature near enough. And as a holiday we could. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Cooking great comfort food. Being with family, friends and being happy. How would you describe your work in three words?
Non-traditional/unconventional
Beautiful
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Hello, My name is Stirling Madrid I have a fiancé’ named Brian my daughter Karter and an Australian Sheppard named Lillie. I live in Tulsa Oklahoma and I am blessed to say that I am a stay at home mom. Being a stay at home mom has given me the leisure to create accessories at my own pace. I enjoy being with my family day in and day out but I have a deep passion for creating personal creations that light up people’s lives. I work closely with Brenda Horan Photography in creating accessories that compliment both of our styles. I also work closely with Destry Davis of Glamour Artz Designs in creating couture bridal pieces that are truly one of a kind. I have had pieces featured on pintrest, Tulsa Kids and Tulsa People (holiday issue) and I would like to say that I have a very loyal following.
What do you create and what do YOU love about your products?
I create and work closely with customers to design accessories that accentuate that customer’s personal style. I LOVE that my pieces are reasonable in price but have the upmost quality today’s customers demand. I strive to give the absolute best I can at the best price possible. Once you have experienced one of my creations you will have trouble with how you ever had anything else. I use only the best quality materials when creating my accessories.
What sets your creations apart from others?
I can say that my accessories are different from others simply with the amount of detail and scrutiny that goes into each piece. I am a very prideful person and there is just something special about a customer wearing a custom flower creation that just radiates confidence. As an artist I couldn’t be more proud.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find my inspiration in day-to-day activities that My daughter participates in. Karter has a heavy curriculum as well as gymnastics, swimming, horseback riding, and just being prissy little girl. She truly is my inspiration in all that I create
The Alliday Show believes that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday! That being said, which holiday do you wish were everyday and why?
If I were to wish I were a holiday I would wish to be a birthday. As a child who doesn’t love there birthday? The anticipation of celebrating such a wonderful day with friends, family and loved ones with Decorations, cake, planned excitement and the joy and laughter that only those special can create in your heart! If I could be a holiday I would love to be a birthday. What a special experience to be apart of.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My favorite holiday tradition would truly be a tie between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Nothing can make your heart more proud than the values you hold deep in your heart and the pride you feel of coming together with the ones you love. They are both such American traditions that make you proud of where you come from and all that you have overcome to be the person you are today. With the national anthem on the fourth or the saying of grace and holding hands around a meal at Thanksgiving both are my favorite.
How would you describe your work in three words?
Detail
Beauty
Pride
Brenda Horan Photography
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