Saturday, May 5, 2012

What's it all About? Handmade Artist Forum

I attempted to write this earlier, but it was pretty dull.  So, I am going to try this again.

I joined Handmade Artists Forum May 2009.  It's gone through some changes, some additions, lots of growth, but has always been a great supportive community for people who create.

Handmade Artists Forum (HAF) is a cool place to hang out and discuss  your creations, other's creations, techniques, tips to selling online, photos, to what you've done today! We have celebrated the growth of a very early preemie who has continued to gain weight, new jobs, moves, new homes, children's accomplishments, you get the idea, right?

What makes HAF so special?  Well, starting with Andrew & Kimberly who are so supportive and started the forum, it's also the people who hang out there.  Andrew & Kimberly are truly open to suggestions, unlike other online venues who say they are, but really aren't.  They keep making necessary changes to make it a better place.  They also added a blog, and the Handmade Artists Shop, (HAS) where you can get an online studio/shop for just $5.00 a month! And that's all you pay - no listing fees, no selling fees, just the $5 bucks!
 Now they've gone and done it again, they bought It's Better HandMade.com, Andrew & Kimberly are almost obsessive about getting the creative members seen by the world.  No, change that, I think they are obsessive about it!

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, there is a twitter page, pintrest, facebook, google +, flickr group, (um I'm probably forgetting a few) where items that are posted in the forum, and the shop get promoted.  I seriously don't know when these people sleep! Sometimes I think they have an alarm for when someone posts a question about some issue with the forum or the shop, because one of them will be there fairly soon to answer it! 
Besides keeping the forum. shop & blog running smoothly, Andrew and Kimberly also find time to create some pretty cool things themselves.  Both create some awesome chainmaille jewelry, and Kimberly also paints on glass, wirewraps sea glass, (their own sites) and has made some very cool altered book art. Their shops on HAS, Chainmaille by MBOI, and MakinTheBestOfIt for Kimberly's sea glass jewelry & altered book art.
This is in addition to raising 2 teenage boys and Andrew working a full time job, among other activities!  Like I said, I wonder when these two sleep!
Two very special people who make HAF a special place!
You can come join and then disappear, but honestly,  the more you post on there, enter some of the contests,  get in on some of the discussions & weekly chat, the more you will get from it. 
You can even contibute to the blog! Hope to see you soon at Handmade Artist's Forum

Recently Kimberly was in chagre of filling baskets for 25 couples on a retreat.  Instead of filling them with cheap mass produced items, she called for samples, and from what we hear, the couples were thrilled with their samples.  And, now there is talk of doing SampleBoxes sort of like The Little Black Box

What? no pictures? sorry, not this time :)
Have a great day.  Would love to hear what you think,  yes, comments are moderated. (sorry)

Possibly still a little dull, but I'm not a creative writer, my creativity lies in other areas!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

They say that you reap what you sow and that's why Handmade Artists is so special! The greatest bunch of people around, real LEADERS in Kimberly and Andrew, and our common love and appreciation of the creative spirit!

Unknown said...

Well said Teresa! thanks for coming by and leaving a comment! :)

Unknown said...

Super post!!! I so agree with everything you said in your blog post. I have only been on the Handmade Artist Forum (HAF) for a short time....but Andrew and Kimberly are the hardest working and friendliest people. They both really stand up for handmade arts!

Unknown said...

Kris... you need to add yourself in the statement above - "Well Said"- Great article Kris, If I wasn't already a member of HAF, I certainly would be after reading your post. Excellent!

Makin The Best Of it said...

Thanks for the love and you know we love you! Honestly, we really do sleep, just not enough but we love our life, handmade and the friends that we have made since starting HAF!

Unknown said...

Dee, I'm so glad you joined HAF, and are active there! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Cari, oh thank you.........We have such a great bunch of people there! People like you!

MBOI - Thank you! You must have great time management! Love you guys♥

The Alchemist said...

Fabulous post! Informative, fun and entertaining! From a fellow HAF fan!

The Alchemist said...

As a fellow HAF / HAS fan, I like this. Great post, interesting informative, and entertaining.

Unknown said...

Alchemist, Thank you - so glad you stopped by.

TamsJewelry said...

Very nice post! The forum is awesome!Great people! ;)

Larissa said...

Terrific post that really gets the feel of HAF!

Unknown said...

it is a great site.
Debbi
-yankeeburrowcreations

Unknown said...

Tam, Larissa, Debbi,thank you ladies. So glad you stopped by.

Chrissy said...

Great post, much better than mine..LOL...

Unknown said...

Wings N Scales Thank you. Yours is sweet tho!

Thunder Rose said...

Awesome article! Thanks so much...

Unknown said...

Debbie; Thank You!