Hang On...Sugabeds ISComing

I've decided to do a more 'in-depth' feature on Jaclyn from Artfire's Sugabeads, so the post I reportedly was to write today, won't be written until Friday or Saturday (and after tomorrow's eye surgery).

Please stay tuned. You won't want to miss Sugabeads' great jewelry supplies, her gorgeous handmade jewelry and her story (or, what she'll let me tell LOL!).

In the meantime, you can check out her studio at http://www.sugabeads.artfire.com/. Or simply visit http://www.artfire.com/ for an almost unending selection of the best and the brightest unique gifts and handmade crafts and artwork that will blow your mind!

Supply Closet Offers Unique Beading and Craft Supplies

The Artfire Jewelry Designers and Jewelry Supply Sellers Guild Guild of the Week for Sept. 7 is Supply Closet. There are several online jewelry and craft supply sellers from which I regularly shop, and I'm definitely going to add this one to my (very short) supplier list.

Supply Closet offers not just beads, but findings and a wide array of wonderful ceramic sliders just perfect for all kinds of crafts. Take a look at just a few of the items available:















Visit Supply Closet at: supplycloset.artfire.com.

For all your handmade items and supplies, visit Artfire.com, THE online marketplace for the best, most talented and most unique crafts and supplies on the internet.

Tomorrow I'm going to feature Suga Beads, one of my absolute favorite seller of jewelry supplies and beautiful handmade jewelry. And a darn cool person to boot! :P

Creatuve Critters & Luv to Sparkle Ride the Artfire Crazy Train

Lately, I've been a bit remiss in my blogging. For my part, I guess that's fine, but I do like to promote the talented artisans that ride the Artfire Crazy Train! Many times in these instances, I wish I could post a photo of each item in each artist's shop. Sadly, I have only a weensy bit of patience post a few photographs, so I try to choose photos I really, really like and that I think any reader might like, too!

And so it goes with Michelle who is responsible for bringing Artfire, the online choice for unique gifts and treasures, the whimsy that is Creative Critters. Adept in several different media, Michelle works with polymer clay, cloth and yarn to create adorable figures, cute and cuddly dolls any girl would love, jewelry and plush and clay figures from World or Warcraft. Just look at the photos below and visit Creative Critters at http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=396308















Who Doesn't Luv to Sparkle?

Luv to Sparkle is definitely an Artfire studio for the young, and the young at heart.

From Maricopa, AZ, Luv to Sparkle uses resin, metal, stickers, glitters and other materials to create fun, fascinating and colorful necklaces, bracelets, hairpins and other jewelry. Although many of this artist's pieces are childhood themed, anyone with a youthful outlook on life (or anyone who wants one), will find something in this studio to make them smile. Just visit: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=27349&op=new&body=1

'Nothing But String' is Talent and So Much More!

My paternal grandmother was a virtuoso with a needle. That's any kind of needle, from hand sewing to machine work (with a 1910 treadle Singer), to knitting, to tatting to award-winning, all hand-sewn quilts and, of course, crocheting.

As a result, I tend to look at needlework with something that's probably an overly critical eye. Stella Banks Wagner is a tough act to follow!

But grandma never made jewelry with her needlework; in fact, I don't think it ever entered her mind to try! That's why this week's Studio of the Week from Artfire Jewelry Designers and Jewelry Supply Sellers' Guild, Nothing But String http://nothingbutstring.artfire.com/ is so amazing! Consider:

Imagine...a crocheted ring! It's not only beautiful, it's also, well, comfortable. And like the lovely bracelet and pin, it's wonderfully wearable! A little extra care with cleaning (and kept out of reach of cats and other pets) and you've got a unique keepsake.

So do yourself a favor and take a peek at Nothing But String's Artfire studio. It's another testament to Artfire's reputation as the home of unique and handmade gifts and treasures.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=34490&op=new&body=1

www.artfire.com

Talented Liberty Doll, AJDJSS' Studio of the Week

From clothing, to paper crafts, to beads and jewelry, Liberty Doll is one multi-talented artisan!

Also known as Marissa, Liberty Doll uses her fabric magic to create cloth covered composition books, doll clothing, kids clothing and many other creations you won't find elsewhere. She's also talented creating unique and beautiful beaded jewelry--and even makes beads herself (check out the photos). On top of all that, she finds the time to design ione-of-a-kind banners for other artisans.

Visit Marissa's studio at: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=97395. A simply brilliant place to find the perfect gift for the hardest-to-shop-for person on your list or...for yourself!

Note: Through September 7, Liberty Doll is offering free worldwide shipping for orders totaling $10 or more from her studio. Now's the time to get a jump on those holiday purchases!

Ahhhh...the Sweet Smell of Ridin' the Crazy Train!

No doubt Artfire's Crazy Train will be smelling like heaven today and tomorrow. Jennuine Candles studio http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=193739, is taking its turn on the Crazy Train and bringing with it (well, them) the yummy smells and aromas of handmade candles! I'm a big fan of vanilla (photo 1) and just had to giggle at the name 'Barstucks' for Jennuine's fresh brewed cappucino scented candle and tine (photo 2). The pretty blue 'ocean breeze' candles are both a delight to the eyes AND the nose!

Just by looking at the items offered you can almost smell the fabulous aromas!

Multi-talented Artistic Jen on the Crazy Train

Just love to find someone who's so multi-talented and is able to create such beautiful things with each one of those talents.

So it is with Artistic Jen, the current rider on the Artfire Crazy Train. Jen's studio http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=45709 features beautiful items in several different media, including polymer clay artwork (beads, hand painted pendants, etc.), crochet and jewelry crafting. Here are a few examples:

Crocheting and needlework are crafts I've never had much luck (or patience) with, so I'm always impressed. That is one fine afghan!

O.K., I'll 'fess up. I love the macaw because it reminds me of my favorite Monty Python sketch ("Norwegian Blue. Beautiful plumage.") This does NOT mean I don't love the piece, and Jen's studio features hand painted portraits of several beautiful macaws. Well worth having a look!

Here GemKItty kitty kitty!

The current Studio of the Week, brought to you by The Artfire Jewelry Designers and Jewelry Supply Sellers Guild is GemKitty.

Gem Kitty (aka Kathy) is an active member of the guild and a true asset to Artfire. Her creations are stunning--I'm especially in awe of her earrings, as (unlike most jewelry designers), I don't have much patience with earrings and applaud those that have that special skill!

Here are just two examples of her special jewelry pieces. Those yellow lucite flower earrings are simply yummy!

Visit GemKitty's studio at http://www.gemkitty.artfire.com/. And don't forget...the Christmas in July promotion is still offering incredible buys on handmade items through July 31!

Heather Designs--Artfire Crazy Train Rider July 22-23

Heather Designs, Artfire's Crazy Train Rider July 22-23, offers some beautifully made lampwork beads, jewelry and other artisan offerings that showcase a truly special talent. Just a few items from her studio at: heatherdesigns.artfire.com are pictured here.

You'll want to take a moment and browse her shop. Get ready to drool!

AJDJSS Guild Studio of the Week--Rouge River Beads

If you're looking for a great selection of beading supplies, including glass and gemstone beads, findings (clasps, headpins, beadcaps and many others), then head over to Rouge River Beads, this week's Artfire Jewelry Designers & Jewelry Supplies Sellers Guild's 'Studio of the Week'.

I know I'm having serious thoughts about both the examples above...I just have to tell myself that there's always room for 'a few more' supplies. Although...my husband would probably disagree. But, hey, what does HE know??? (Love you, honey! !)

To check out the dozens of offerings from Rouge River Beads just click here: http://rougeriverbeads.artfire.com/

And don't forget to enter the AJDJSS July 'Rock Green' giveaway. Just visit the Guild's blog and post a comment by clicking here: http://ajdjss.blogspot.com/. You could win some fabulous handmade jewelry prizes!

Have a great day!

Looking for a fantasy photo? Look no further than MyMagicMe on Artfire

There are just so many words to describe the work of Artfire's newest Crazy Train Rider, MyMagicMe.

Photo morphing is an art that interests me from my old days in advertising, but I haven't been able to even come close to what these artisans can achieve (and likely never will!) If your looking for adorable, classical, whimsical or just plain bizarre (and scary--see the zombie above!), then look no further than MyMagicMe.

Check out all their fabulous morphs at http://mymagicme.artfire.com

AJDJSS "Rock Green" Giveaway!

Green with envy...Green, green grass of home... Green cheese....Wearin' O' the Green...Jack o' the Green..It's Not Easy Being Green...Greenbacks (and who doesn't want some?)...Little Green Bag (if you're old enough to remember that goofy song...)...Greenpeace...Alan Greenspan.

O.K., I'll stop. Let's face it, green has been, and probably always will be, part of everyone's life. Here's a chance to make it a fun part of your life!

The Artfire Jewelry Designers and Jewelry Supply Sellers Guild is having a "Rock Green" giveaway this month!

Nine members of the guild have each generously donated a beautiful prize for "Rock Green" winners. If you want a chance to win, you can enter just by posting a comment to the AJDJSS blog: http://Artfirejewelrydesignjewelrysupplyshop.blogspot.com

How easy is that?

Not only will you be entered in the contest, but you'll also learn more about this group of talented artisans and the people who make their creations possible!

Bead Lady 5 Rides the Crazy Train

Bead Lady 5 (Margo) is a busy gal over at Artfire. She not only creates and sells beautiful jewelry, she also rides herd the the Artfire Jewelry Designers & Jewelry Supplies Sellers Guild (AJDJSS), also at Artfire.

In addition to the examples above, ]take a look at her work by visiting her Artfire studio: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=10710&op=new&body=1

Good luck with your sales!

Why Handmade is Better Than Mass Produced

I'm sure I don't have to go into too much detail about why a handmade item is so much better than going to say, Sears or Target, et al, and purchasing what everyone else is buying. But here goes, anyway.

Like most people, I used to go to a local department store (or, more recently, to my local PC upstairs) to buy whatever I like, needed or that I felt compelled to buy due to an unfortunate lack of respect for saving money.

That was then. A few years ago I started making my own jewelry. Why? Because I looked and looked for a unique, inexpensive eyeglass chain (I remove my glasses for reading, unlike every other middle-aged person I know!). I bought one on eBay. It was nice, but it didn't hold up well. It's nearly impossible to find such things in most department stores, so my only recourse was to make it myself. I thought "how hard can it be?"

Well, it's not 'difficult', but it is fascinating and replete with many little tips and tricks you need to get used to. One thing lead to another and, before long, I'd gotten the 'bug' and had amassed many different beads, findings, stones--you name it! Magpies never were so quick to pick up bright, shiny colorful objects.

So, I went from eyeglass chains to bracelets and on up the line. From the beginning people were complimenting my work and I started to sell on a fairly regular basis; even a local gallery offered to sell and display my pieces. It was through this process that I learned the value of a handmade item. It's more than a 'craft', more than a 'hobby', it a way of expressing my somewhat stifled creativity and, maybe, giving someone the opportunity to own a singular piece of art.

Yes, ART. Lots of folks say/think "Oh, I can do that!" But then they don't do it. A lot more than stringing a few beads on a wire or chain goes into every piece I make (and, I'm sure, other artists will say the same of their work, no matter what the medium). There's planning, costing, starting, going back and redoing...it's not as simple as it looks. But it is very satisfying.

Think of it this way: Would you rather spend money on something that the person behind you in the checkout could also have? Or hundreds of other people within a 50 mile radius? Or would you rather own a unique object, unlike any other, that one person spent a lot of time (and money, sometimes)--and by that I mean time planning, creating, and putting it all together-- making it ready for you.

I know which choice I'd make.

At this point, I've never EVER made the same piece of jewelry twice. I would, if asked, make matching items. Also, because I'm a terrible perfectionist (is that an oxymoron?), I often fuss and fuss over every single bead or component, wanting to make it the best I can. Let's face it, I AM my toughest critic!

Bottom line? Buy handmade when you have the choice. It helps spread the spirit of creativity and gives you the satisfaction of being the owner of a lovely, one-of-a-kind piece. There are many places online to find these treasures, but a good place to start is: http://SuzanneStevens.artfire.com

Or go directly to http://artfire.com

While you're there, be sure to check out all the other beautiful work by artisans in many media.