Maker Spotlight: Jan Finnell of OvertheTop

I’m Jan Finnell, a NYC native, graduated from The High School of Art and Design and NYU’s School of the Arts, majoring in Costume Design, and have been a costume designer for over 35 years, working in film, stage, opera, TV, print and commercials.

I have always been “crafty” and made accessories for show like hats, bags, eyeglasses, women’s accessories and of course jewelry for my shows as well as for other designers. In the 1990s, I sold hats that I designed and made to Barney’s and other retail outlets. It was exciting to discover Etsy in 2006, and I opened my shop, OvertheTop, assembling jewelry using the beads, buttons and small bits that I had been storing for decades from my travels and while buying for shows.

In 2012, after a break caring for my father, I decided to take time off from doing commercials to finally learn metalsmithing, something I'd never had time for in the past. I began taking classes at my local Jewish Community Center (JCC) and was able to use the skills I already had in design immediately as I learned various techniques. I discovered gemstones and now work in sterling silver, brass, copper and bronze.

I still take classes and five years later, would like to use metal and stone for pieces that evoke jewelry through the ages, from jewelry of antiquity through the centuries, in addition to the stone. My shop currently focuses on modern and organic pieces. To see more and shop, visit the following:

Instagram: @jan_finnell

Shop on Etsy: OverTheTop

Maker Spotlight is part of a month long series during Maker/National Craft Month, where NY Handmade Collective artists and Etsy small business shop owners are featured. They share a bit about themselves and their craft, helping to create connection between them, the team, and our reader and customer base. We hope you enjoy learning about and seeing the people behind our multi-faceted handmade collective.

Maker Spotlight: Tracy Atkinson of Mythologie Skincare

Tracy Atkinson created Mythologie out of her passion for 100% nontoxic and ethical skincare and firm belief in the healing power of plants.

This passion began almost twenty years ago when Tracy was diagnosed with eczema. She was faced with the choice of taking traditional medications or to adopt a holistic approach. Taking the alternative route, she began making changes to her diet, started doing yoga and experimenting with botanical oils.

The combination of education, research and experimentation eventually led Tracy to create her own face and body oils. In the spring of 2017 she decided to offer three of her facial oils to the world, and thus Mythologie was born. 

Since launching Mythologie, it has become clear to Tracy that there is a large group of people who are under going an expansion in consciousness and want to improve the world around them, feel more connected to themselves and more connected to others. What used to be called alternative is becoming mainstream and the ancient healing traditions of the past are now becoming openly accepted in the present. A new paradigm is emerging that is very hopeful and Mythologie is ecstatic to be a part of it.

Website: mythologieskincare.com

Instagram: @mythologienewyork

Shop on Etsy: MythologieSkincare

Maker Spotlight is part of a month long series during Maker/National Craft Month, where NY Handmade Collective artists and Etsy small business shop owners are featured. They share a bit about themselves and their craft, helping to create connection between them, the team, and our reader and customer base. We hope you enjoy learning about and seeing the people behind our multi-faceted handmade collective.

Maker Spotlight: Neena Litton of Kaibelle

Hi! My name is Neena Litton, and I started kaibelle three years ago, after having my first child. I went from daydreaming, to brainstorming, to eventually finding the courage to walk into the county clerk's office in Brooklyn to officially register my small business. I block print original designs onto responsibly-sourced stationery, bags, and homewares. The designs, which are carved and individually printed by hand, are inspired by travels, life experiences, and the little ideas that pop into my head at night. I’ve also found a particular sense of satisfaction that comes from having made something start to finish with my own two hands.

When I was younger, I would lay on my bed and draw designs reminiscent of mandalas and mehndi (traditional Indian henna art) in my school notebooks. Decades later, when I first carved into soft rubber during a block printing class at the Brooklyn Brainery, I was surprised to find I could carve similar designs with relative ease. I was hooked from that day onward.

Lately I've felt inspired to carve more geometric, modern designs with cleaner lines. I'm trying to allow myself the space to explore different styles, and embrace them even if they are a departure from what I've previously created. I have so much gratitude for the support I've received since I began kaibelle, which has allowed me to grow as an artist and an individual. I consider my block printing to be a journey, and I'm anxious to see how my work will evolve as I continue to explore this path.

If you want to check out what I've created so far, you can find me at:

website: kaibelle.com

shop: kaibelle.etsy.com

FB: facebook.com/kaibelle

IG: @kaibelledesigns

Maker Spotlight is part of a month long series during Maker/National Craft Month, where NY Handmade Collective artists and Etsy small business shop owners are featured. They share a bit about themselves and their craft, helping to create connection between them, the team, and our reader and customer base. We hope you enjoy learning about and seeing the people behind our multi-faceted handmade collective.

Maker Spotlight: Sandrine Valentine of Sandrine B. Jewelry

Hi, I'm Sandrine Valentine. I am a child's attorney by trade who found her calling in jewelry design at a jewelry artist show on a trip to Arizona in the summer 2008.  

Upon my return to New York City I studied metalsmithing in a private studio and it blew my mind. I have been making jewelry ever since and have continued to learn throughout the years various techniques.  In the past few years I have been focusing on the lost wax process whereby making wax models later casted into metal.  

I first gifted my jewelry to family and friends.  Over time I sold my jewelry through word of mouth.  And in the past two and a half years I have been selling through my Etsy shop and at various markets around New York City.  

My tag line is "finding inspiration in the land around me."  During my walks in NYC and travels oversea I take photographs, draw, and collect discarded objects that I use for inspiration. My jewelry is handmade in my studio in Brooklyn. I use precious metals and semi precious gemstones.

To learn more about my jewelry, visit SandrineBJewelry on Etsy, or my website.

Maker Spotlight is part of a month long series during Maker/National Craft Month, where NY Handmade Collective artists and Etsy small business shop owners are featured. They share a bit about themselves and their craft, helping to create connection between them, the team, and our reader and customer base. We hope you enjoy learning about and seeing the people behind our multi-faceted handmade collective.

Maker Spotlight: Rachel Soares of Ye Old Stamping Grounds

Ola! I’m Rachel, and I’ve been a microbusiness owner for a little over three years. This is Ye Old Stamping Grounds’ origin story.

On a cold January day in 2015, I excitedly ripped open a package. Instead of a surge of satisfaction, I felt deflated as I realized the hand-stamped custom key chain I had ordered for my boyfriend, Josh, wasn't going to work. The font was way more flowery than I wanted, and the key chain tag was so thin, you could see the reverse imprint of the message on the back.

There was no way I could give this as a gift. So I channeled my disappointment, went into research mode, and figured out how to produce what I had originally envisioned. I wanted something with a clean and modern font – something gender neutral. I learned that each letter had to be stamped individually to create the design. How hard could that be, I thought.

I ordered all the supplies, waited for more packages to arrive, and finally set to work. The first time my brass hammer hit the stamp with a satisfying *thunk*, I knew I was hooked. It brought me back to my tap dancing days ... you just find your rhythm and bring in da noise!

Turns out, it’s pretty hard to keep the letters aligned and figure out spacing before you run out of room. But I kept practicing, watched YouTube tutorials, looked for tips online, and eventually felt confident enough to make Josh’s key chain.

After Josh loved his gift, I made more for friends. That's when I started to consider following my father's footsteps to open my own version of a small business. In reviewing e-commerce options, I looked back at my Etsy profile. I realized my very first purchase on Etsy, back in 2008, was a hand-stamped "lucky" penny - another gift for a friend. I took it as a sign, and officially opened my Etsy shop.

As a woman and a feminist, it is empowering to own my microbusiness. I have a creative outlet that I can share with the world, and have an income stream that helps pay the bills. Coming up with new designs is one of my favorite activities, and I treat each key chain as a small metal canvas. I draw inspiration from what I’m passionate about.

I’ve always found the expression ‘love you to the moon and back’ a well-intentioned but a little odd. After all, the moon is the closest object to Earth. My scientific and rational brain thought – why not Pluto? Aim farther away to more meaningfully demonstrate the depth of love. Enter the “I love you to Pluto and back” key chain design, which can be customized to any destination – in the Milky Way or in a galaxy far, far away (yes, please ask me about my fandoms).

I’ve worked as a diversity champion for over 8 years, and that influences my key chains. I can’t help but bring my admiration of feminist writers, like paying tribute to the late, great Maya Angelou through the “still I rise” design. One of her most famous poems, the quote is perfect for overcoming challenges and inspiring perseverance. I also love my feminist twist on the British Special Air Service motto with “She who dares, wins.” Who doesn’t need a reminder to embrace boldness and take some risks every now and then?

My designs help me make connections with people. At a craft market last year, a young girl and her father come up to my booth. My bell hooks “feminism is for everybody” design was on display, and she pointed to it, asking me what feminism meant. Now, I know the word feminism can be fraught with negative connotations, and glancing at her father’s face, he was a bit panicky. But I simply told her what I believe: that to be a feminist, you think that men and women should be equal. She thought about it and nodded her agreement. I like to think that I added a young woman, and maybe her dad, to the cause that day!

When creating my designs, I try to remember that a key chain is something people see and use every day. I firmly believe that it should be quirky and fun, reflecting your personal style and taste. Make your keys (and you) happy with a playful key chain from Ye Old Stamping Grounds.  Available 24/7 online:

SHOP: Etsy yeoldstampinggrounds.etsy.com.

VISUAL: Instagram @yeoldstampinggrounds and Pinterest @yeoldstamping

READ: Facebook @yeoldstamping

Maker Spotlight is part of a month long series during Maker/National Craft Month, where NY Handmade Collective artists and Etsy small business shop owners are featured. They share a bit about themselves and their craft, helping to create connection between them, the team, and our reader and customer base. We hope you enjoy learning about and seeing the people behind our multi-faceted handmade collective.

Maker Spotlight: Khôi Nguyên Trương of Atelier 7570

Hello! My name is Khôi and I’m the proud owner of Atelier 7570. I set up my Etsy shop in June 2017 to sell my handmade pottery.

I throw, trim, embellish, and glaze every single item so you’re guaranteed a truly unique and charming pot made by me, with love. Nature and simplicity inspire me so I often incorporate those elements into my craft.

For me, Making + Clay = Happiness! I'm grateful for such a creative outlet and excited to be sharing Atelier 7570 pots with you.

Maker Spotlight is part of a month long series during Maker/National Craft Month, where NY Handmade Collective artists and Etsy small business shop owners are featured. They share a bit about themselves and their craft, helping to create connection between them, the team, and our reader and customer base. We hope you enjoy learning about and seeing the people behind our multi-faceted handmade collective.