HAF Featured Artist RasmussenGems

Greetings, I'd like to introduce you to RasmussenGems on Hand Made Artists.  John and Debora creators of  RasmussenGems make some pretty cool jewelry creations.   Debora does the  beading, creating wonderful necklaces, bracelets, anklets and more.  John does the lapidary work, cutting gemstones & shaping the metal  into some fabulous jewelry pieces.  They also do custom orders, so if you have something in mind, send them a message through the shop.

John also cuts some gorgeous cabochons that you can buy for your own creations, such as this beautiful Lapis Lazuli Cabochon 

I really like Hematite,  these pretty F Specular Hematite Earrings were calling my name! 






















Agate is one of those stones that has such wonderful patterns, I really like this D Banded Agate Cabochon Pendant, John does such a nice job of wire wrapping. 

I have to add these sweet Copper Heart Earrings , adorable aren't they? 

You can visit RasmussenGems on Hand Made Artists,  Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry blog, and RasmussenGemsandJewelry on Facebook.

Oh yeah,  Gem identification and appraisal services are also available.

Thank you for coming by and wishing you a wonderful day.
Should you choose to leave a comment, they are moderated, so they will not show up until I approve them.  :)

HAF Featured Artist A Bead Thing

Got all your holiday shopping done for your favorite lady?
No, you haven't even started!  Don't feel bad, many of us haven't! Want to know a secret?
Yeah!
Well, ok then,   let me tell you about a great place to go, and you don't even have to leave your house! You can go shopping at A Bead Thing any time day or night to get some great jewelry creations by Pam.   Pam is a mother and grandmother and has been doing crafts of one kind or another all her life.  Turns out, Pam had been collecting beads for quite a while, but kept them in the closet! She says she would take them out occasionally and admire them, maybe play around with them a bit, but back they went!  Pam's mother passed away on 5/18/09 and then Pam had a heart attack on 5/24/09! As many of us don't know - but do now - many people will often go into a depression after having a heart attack.
Then, Halloween came along and Pam asked her daughter to make some jewelry for her, with some of those beads in the closet,  - and Pam was hooked!
She started researching  techniques, and learning all she could about beading and hasn't stopped.

One of my favorite creations by Pam is this sweet Wire Swirls Bracelet

Another favorite is this gorgeous Wire Wrapped Jasper Pendant

If these Silver Coiled Turquoise Howlite Earrings are still in her studio around the 1st of Dec., I'm snatching them!  Wish I could do it sooner, but.................the bills gotta be paid!

Not only does Pam make some awesome jewelry, she has some great prices!  You can see  more of Pam's creations at A Bead Thing on Hand Made Artists Shop

Be sure to check out Pam's blog, A Bead Thing, where she has even more artisan designed jewelry!

And her other blog, A Bead Thing where she shares recipes, stories about her darling grandson Jaeden, and other artisans.
You can also follow A Bead Thing on Twitter and Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ABeadThing
http://www.twitter.com/abeadthing

And oh yeah - that depression, went away - creating with your own two hands is great therapy!
Thanks for coming by and have a great day!

I enjoy your comments!  They are moderated, (sorry) so they won't show up until I approve them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING :)

Handmade Artists Featured Artist Rasmussen Gems

I thought I would start this feature off with John's profile from his studio, Rasmussen Gems on Handmade Artists


"John Atwell Rasmussen was educated in Geology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He then taught geology and after ten years switched professional course to prehospital medicine. He retired from emergency medical services and is pursuing his love of rocks, minerals and gems as the lapidary and jeweler at Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry LLC. He has been educated in Gemology and Jewelry Design and Repair at: International Gem Society, Gemological Institute of America and Penn Foster Career School.

Dr. Rasmussen is assisted in the shop by his wife, Debora Lee Rasmussen. She is disabled and does bead design and crafting making all of the beaded pieces in the shop. Debora previously designed decorative swags and wreaths custom made for home decor."
And on to the wonderful hand crafted jewelry creations


Bloodstone Pendant

It's interesting that bloodstone is called bloodstone, as it's green! but it has these wonderful red speckles in it! It really is a gorgeous stone, and I love the way this pendant is done.

I really like the way this Mossy Agate Cabochon Pendant is wire wrapped

I'm not Irish, (part Scottish), but I have a fondness for the Irish and this sweet Irish Heritage Necklace

If you are into making jewelry and are looking for some great stone cabochons, pay Rasmussen Gems a visit for some awesome cabochons such as this Jadeite Oval Cabochon


Hand Made jewelry at it's best!


Thanks so much for stopping by and I would love to know what you think!
P.S.  sometimes, my replies are a bit delayed - I have accupuncture appointments on Thurs, and I'm usually wiped out for a day or two after!
and now I really know how to spell cabochon! lo
Have a wonderful day!

IBHGuild Featured Artist Daffydill

Deb, the creator behind Daffydill, has been crafting for 40+ years.  She likes to collect and repair/clean vintage pieces, and most of the inventory in her shop is created using re purposed materials along with new wire, and gems.
I really like her shop name and the way it came about it.   I'll let her explain that - she does it so well!
" My name? daffydills comes from all those years ago when there was only ICQ available for IM.......yeppers aging myself. I was trying to come up with a screen name and none I wanted were available! It was spring and my son suggested daffodils, I love flowers, it was taken too! So, we giggled and compromised on "daffy dill" and it's stuck for all these years. Why change a good thing?! LOL"
Another flower lover! Yeah!

Deb's pictures really set off her jewelry quite nicely, and I was really drawn to this lovely Long White Necklace, White Beaded, Rope Style, White with Brass.  This OOAK necklace  made from upcycled beads and clasp is a generous 44"/110cm long.

If you love earrings,  Deb has some of her earrings on sale!  Besides blue, I love clear or frosted earrings such as these pretty Earrings, Dangle, Glass, Clear Faceted Glass, Drop Style

I love anklets!  Probably more than bracelets and this  Pink Beaded Anklet is so pretty and looks like fun to wear.

All three of these pieces have been created with upcycled beads, and other pieces.  I think she does a fabulous job of doing that.  Deb of Daffydill has lots of great pieces of jewelry , for instance she has a Wire Wrapped Crazy Lace Agate Pendant that is gorgeous!  It actually takes a bit of work to take previously made jewelry apart, clean up the pieces and then put them perhaps put them together with other pieces and parts from something else, and you know, I'm really impressed, because she has very reasonable  prices on her very nicely done jewelry.  I highly recommend you go see what lovely jewelry Daffydill has!
Thanks for coming by and have "daffydill" kind of day - bright and cheerful that is! 
Love comments - they are moderated, but that keeps the icky stuff out!

HAF Featured Artist Gemlover

It is my pleasure to introduce you to John, creator of Gemlover. on ArtFire.
Johns states that he has a passion for rocks and rockhounding since was a small child.  After majoring in geology in college, he has been a Graduate Geologist for the past 40 years.

John's wife bought some gemstones and brought to him one day and asked what they were.  That started his journey into gemology, as well jewelry design & manufacture.  He became an Accredited Jewelry Professional in 2009, and is also a Jewelry Design and Repair Certificate.  John is also a retired paramedic and  resides in Easley, South Carolina.

It is easy to see that he not only loves what he does, he's very good at it.  I enjoy wearing matching stones, but not necessarily matching settings - and these are right up my alley - especially because these wonderful earrings are made with Lapis Lazuli - their blue!

I can see pairing those sweet earrings with this stunning Lapis Lazuli Pendant, I love the wrap design and that is one gorgeous stone he cut.

John certainly seems to know how to bring out the beauty of a rock,  or a gem.   This Snowfield Druzy Quartz Necklace is simply gorgeous.

I have loved quartz since I was a child, even dragging home a large quartz rock with me after my family went out Christmas tree hunting one year.   However, it was quite different than this lovely Honey Quartz Necklace, with it's unique sterling silver wire wrapping.  I love the emerald cut of this beautiful stone.

I highly recommend you pay a visit to John's shop, Gemlover on Artfire, or his blog Rasmussen Gems & Jewelry LLC where you can learn a little more about his work with these beautiful stones.   John also has a shop on the Handmade Artists Shop, as Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry LLC

Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

HAF BLOG RING FEATURED ARTIST T.RUSK4U

Although Teresa's first crafting love was sewing, she has become obsessed with making jewelry and enjoys the whole process, from choosing the materials and designing one of her very pretty pieces of jewelry.   Looking to expand her skills by learning new techniques, Teresa enjoys designing and creating quality handmade jewelry for the budget conscious woman in styles from classic to contemporary.  She currently lives in Hillsborough NC with her husband and 2 rescue dogs, while her 2 grown children live elsewhere.

You can find Teresa's wonderful jewelry creations at these places
T.Rusk4U Etsy
T.Rusk4U HAFshop
and her blog

Gray Scales Pendant Necklace is a sweet and unique pendant. 

I just had to include this Santa Fe Surprise Necklace.  I'd have those cool curly wire pieces all over the place, but these are so nicely done.

Whimsical Wire Wrapped Moss Green Stone, and who said fun can't be pretty too!

So, I gotta say it again - I love checking out at all the unique handmade jewelry on these venues, created by such nice and talented people - and you can go shopping in your pj's - or nothing at all in this heat! lo

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

ARTFIRE CRAZY TRAIN RIDERS GIRL SEATTLE AND IL MARE

If you are looking for some unique and beautiful jewelry pieces, these two shops are full of such jewelry.

Girl Seattle does some intense creative wire wrapping - such as this Gold Mosiac Necklace. with tiger eye and black onyx. 

This Vintage Filigree and Gemstone Necklace is one of my favs from this shop.  It's made with brass belt buckles (yeah) and a variety of stones.  Love those leaves on the chain!

If you are into gold jewelry, Il Mare is a great shop to visit,  This Rose Quartz and Sapphire Necklace is quite lovely. Love all those dangly beads with this.

Or, these Amethyst, rainbow moonstone, and white topaz earrings are really pretty.  I love the bunches of dangly beads on many of the pieces in this shop.

Spring is coming soon - that means Mother's day, prom, Easter, spring flings, just because it's spring and  time to buy something new to wear with all those pretty spring outfits!!   so, if you are looking for a unique and pretty piece of jewelry, visit these shops, you won't be disapointed!  

WHAT A RIDE ON THE ARTFIRE CRAZY TRAIN

I'm almost caught up! This has been good going back and looking at these studios again - I've managed to tweet items from everyone's studios - but I'm taking a little more time to pick items to feature on my blog.
And just what do I want to put on my blog?
How about some beautiful jewelry by Jewelry By Sandy , it's that garnet thing again - I fell in love with this piece the 1st time I saw it - I think it would be beautiful no matter what color of stone she put in there ( ohhh what about blue!), I love the way this is wrapped, it's very elegant -

This one has always fascinated me - how in the world does a person do this? I admit, I've tried a little bit of wire wrapping, I usually manage to end up with a tangled mass of wire, but to make a sweet little net to hold that gorgeous stone - how creative and so beautifully done. She even has an awesome unicorn with a cool jade horn! Check it out - it's pretty neat!

I just cannot imagine why anyone would want to buy jewelry at the mall when they can buy some awesome pieces by SpunSister Designs like these simply elegant sodalite earrings. I could wear these all day and then out dancing too (if I went out dancing that is!) Change from the work clothes to that little black dress and your ready to go.....................................................

Or how about these Thai Lanterns - nope just can't imagine buying jewelry at a big box store ever again with artisans like these around! I have always loved silver jewelry , and I think silver and black is such a fantastic combination, don't you?

Shifting gears abit we come to DoMosiacs with some wonderful mosiac creations like this Amethyst Accent Mosiac Wall hanging - pretty isn't it! I keep thinking it would look great out on my patio, but then I'd probably not put it there because it's too pretty to hang where other people could get it! Kitchen wall maybe...............................

and the last stop for today is DoMosiacs Winter In Summer Mosiac Leaf - pretty colors! and oh I just found the coolest thing - a mosiac orb! , nope not giving the link for it - you gotta go find it - just click on the leaf, read about it and then go check out the rest of the studio - some pretty neat creations - and then make sure to visit the jewelry artists too!

Love that picture of the leaf next to the snow!

Hey have a great day - I'll be back later for another stop along the CrazyTrain Trail

Popnicute On ArtFire

Popnicute - not only do we get wonderfully creative items on ArtFire, we get creative names as well! And Kay Sommers, creator of Popnicute is one creative lady! She is also very supportive of other people's endeavors, is very helpful in the forum, and features artists on her blog, without it being associated with the CrazyTrain.

This 1st piece, is "Lady Spider's Corset" a black glass cabochon wrapped in stainless steel wire - I think this is so cool - and what a name for it! I love it!
This copper birds nest with the robin eggs out of aqua terra jasper - is such a wonderful earthy creation along with Kay's signature cocoon wrapped bead dangling from the nest.

I love this very colorful tree of life pendant - You just have to keep looking at it to really see everything that is on there.

It really inspires me doing this Crazy Train promotion, I find so many wonderful creations by so many talented artisans. Do take a few minutes to visit their shops, you may be surprised at how affordable some of these works are! I think for the time and effort that obviously goes into many of these creations - that many of these artisans try very hard to keep their prices reasonable.

As usual, title links to Popnicute's studio on ArtFire

The Jewelry Shop on ArtFire

"The Jewelry Shop" on ArtFire sells some awesome handmade jewelry and some very cool vintage pieces.
The handmade pieces are made by 3 family members and include beaded, wirewrapped and silver fabrication. So you have some nice options to choose from, and they are all very reasonably priced I think.
These are a couple of my favoites.


Lightening Strike Sodalite Sterling WireWrap Pendant
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=81237


Flight of The Heart Wire Wrap Necklace
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=103294

Title of this post links to the shop.
Go check out this shop with some awesome jewelry.