HAF Featured Artist Chainmaille by MBOI

I am pleased to present to you, this weeks HAF featured artist  Chainmaille by MBOI aka Andrew, the other half of the founders of Handmade Artists Forum & HandmadeArtistsShop and the Blog for both.  It seems to me that doing that would be a full time job, however, Andrew also holds down a full time job, is a husband & father, and somehow manages to find a little time to do some incredible chainmaille.  Oh yeah, did I also mention he finds time to promote, promote, promote..........................when does this guy sleep???

Just for fun, I tried doing some "simple" (is there such a thing?) chainmaille, I had little rings flying all over the place.  This isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world to do!  Besides keeping everything straight, just handling all those rings and making sure they are closed nice and tight, WOW!!! I'll let the pro's like Andrew do it!
Enough said, enjoy some of  Andrew's work, 

This Dainty Sterling Silver Roundmaille Bracelet is a custom order, sorry you can't purchase this one, but you can ask to have one created just for you!

Earrings - How many of you women (and some men) always wear earrings even if you don't wear any other jewelry?? Me too! Love these Sterling Silver Shazero Earrings

Oh, yeah did I mention that Andrew also makes his own rings, seriously! And then makes beautiful creations such as this SterlingSilverHalfPersian4in1Bracelet

See something you like, but want a bracelet or a necklace instead?  Just ask, Andrew is more than happy to do custom orders! One of the things that is so great about many of the artisans who offer their handmade creations.

I highly recommend checking out Chainmaille by MBOI
As always, thanks so much for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

ArtFire CrazyTrain Rider Hippies Creations

I don't always go into people bio's, but  the creator of Hippies Creations is orignally from Germany, now living in Virginia. This mom of 3 boys enjoys crocheting, woodburning and making jewelry.

You will find a variety of hand crocheted items for the baby, adult tops, toys, hair accessories,totes,  for the bathroom & kitchen, and the cutest animal hats such as this Ladybug Crochet EarFlap Hat 

These Crochet Baby Loafers are just too cute

Love eagles, or feeling patriotic? Check out this really cool Eagle Tagua Nut Pendant





This is just a small sampling of what is in this fun shop, so check out Hippies Creations for some great hand made creations.








Littlesister/littlebrother tagalongs:

ShanghaiTai with a very nice assortment of jewelry such as this Eclectic Pearl Necklace Blue & Brown


I really really like that necklace!!!!

Jewelry by Andrea ,  lovely assortment of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets - I admit I'm an earring nut, expecially ones like these Nepal Earrings Lapis Luzi with Brass

and rlsdesign, with a very nice assortment of jewelry.............................This Multistrand and Shell Bracelet is so pretty




This really is the fun part of being involved with the ArtFire CrazyTrain, visiting different shops and checking out all the diverse hand made creations.  All 3 of the "tagalongs" create jewelry - but they are all so different. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

ArtFire CrazyTrain Rider Stitch Crazy Sisters

Stitch Crazy Sister's bio is simple and short, "We are 2 sisters that love to stitch" well, it's a tad longer than that, but not much!  I love this shop.Some of the cutest doll clothes, womens' crocheted slippers, baby items and children too at some very great prices I might add, espeically for hand knit items!

This Hand knit 3-pc Infant Set is so nice -  it looks soooo soft

Check out these pretty Crocheted Womens Button Cuff Slippers - so warm and cozy and pretty too!  Note: these ones are wool - if you can't wear wool they have acrylic ones too, so be sure to check out the slipper category.

This handknit Ballerina Outfit for 18" Dolls is just too cute!


and as many handmade artisans say, if you want it in a different color, let  the StitchCrazyStisters know!














almost forgot the littlesister/little brother tagalongs:

onpensandneedles with items from ereader covers, baby, home & personal items, and some awesome pens like this White Marble Tru StoneCambridge Pen  Beautiful isn't it!  Graduation is just around the corner.

MelekDesigns with a whole lot of cool jewelry - love these Sterling Silver Briolette Earrings

MajesticCrystalRose,  with a variety of items from jewelry, Christmas ornaments, hair accessories, quilted wall hangings................................you'll find this adorable Glass Spider with Copper and Hematite Legs in the Christmas ornament section!






See how much fun you can have visiting Artfire and checking out all the handmade items.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

ArtFire CrazyTrain Rider Angelas Adornments

Yesterday and todays crazytrain rider is Angelas Adornments with a very nice assortment of jewelry.

Ok, it's almost spring, but hey I think Christmas items are good all year - such as these jewels for the tree - or any other place you want to hang these Snowflake Christmas Ornaments Beaded Blue & White - pretty jewels for the tree!

I've tried crocheting with wire, it was a disaster - and I'm good at crocheting, so I really admire someone who can do this, such as this set of Wire Crochet Earrings Cool Carribean Green & Blue

and then there are some really cool necklaces such as this Purple Passion Hemp Necklace

Angelas Adornments has 15 pages of jewelry - lots of jewels to choose from. And oh yeah, there's a sale going on over there!!!!













And for the littlesister/littlebrother tagalongs (please note - I'm the one that added the tagalong on)

Virtually Yours, creator of Banners, Avatars, and websites. One of my fav color combos - pink and green as in the Banner and Avatar Design in Pale Pink with Light Green Vines

and DianesDangles with 23 pages of great jewlery like this gorgeous Gold Filled Azurite Gemstone Oval Pendant -

And then we have BlueMorningExpressions with Polymer Clay beads, canes, jewelry and so much more - I had a hard time picking one item out of the 89 pages of gorgeous clay beads, canes, and so much more - but love these little Pink Flower Polymer Clay Peach beads. Pretty aren't they?

Once again, I have to say, love love love the handmade creations.
Originality, unique, one of a kind creations made with care and imagination.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

ArtFire Crazytrain Rider Christie Cottage

I'm playing catchup here!  Christie Cottage was the crazytrain rider for Feb 15 & 16th.
I'm not sure where to start!  ChristieCottage has such an assortment of items - totes, bags, jewelry, patterns for baby booties, cards, coasters, headbands...................................

Here's a classic, a 1950's Chevy coaster

and this cute little Mini Felted Pouch












and I probably ought to add that ChristieCottage has everything on sale!



The littlebrother/littlesister shops:

WhystleStop with a very nice variety of handmade soaps, a sugar scrub, whipped shea butter, and a an emollient body bar.........mmm good things for the skin...love the colors in this Curious Type Handmade Soap Silk and Shea as for the Curious in the title of this soap - are you curious????

and Wyverndesigns with a wide assortment of items (love these shops!!) from jewelry, hair accessories, stitch markers, knit & crochet items, ornaments, greeting cards..................and these cute little Handmade Ladybug Beads

and rlsdesign with a very nice assortment of jewelry and a couple of cool totes (and plans to add more) spring and summer are right around the corner, right?  - but even if you aren't a bride, this  Bridal White Pearl Choker would look lovely with an assortment of dresses, jeans and pretty tank, ...................................




ah, aren't handmade creations so much fun?  Such variety and you know what "they" say about variety right....it's the spice of life. hehe sorry - what can I say, it's sunday am and I haven't had any sleep!

Thanks for stopping by and stop back by again soon, I've got more catching up to do! 
Hopefully I'll get some sleep before I post again!

Art Fire Crazy Train Rider Blue Morning Expressions

Oh the talent on ArtFire is so awesome.  I really admire someone who can take a lump of clay  and turn it into something unique and beautiful.  And, what lovely creations in Blue Morning Expressions shop.  I have tried - a number of times - to make some canes - they all turn out looking like a lump of clay being smushed into another lump of clay but, these wonderful canes are so nice and detailed, clean, and oh what fun those sweet red hearts are.

Raw Polymer Clay Red Heart White Flower Millefiori Cane for beads










If you've been visiting my blog for even a little while, you probably know I have a thing for rabbits, and these Bunny Earrings are so adorable,  oooh I just want to pinch those chubby little cheeks!♥♥♥

Wow - these almost look good enough to eat, they sort of remind me of candy canes. I love the colors in these beads, I love that the colors are all separate from each other.  These awesome Polymer Clay Tube Beads would make some great earrings, a matching necklace and oh heck we might as well do a bracelet too, right!

Ready for summer???  Not only does Blue Morning Expressions have raw canes, and beads for your own creations, there are also some fantastic already made jewelry pieces......................such as this gorgeous Red Blue Flower Iridescent Pearl Disk Polymer Clay Bracelet.  What wonderful colors, and you could wear this with so many different colors.  It kind of reminds me of a tropical garden.

Great shiny baubles to wear!




Oh the joys of handmade, wonderful unique creations, and  great prices too. Oh yeah, did I mention there is a 25% off sale going on?? no, well, there is!!!!♥♥♥
Support handmade and check out these beauties in Blue Morning Expressions Shop Boutique ( really is more like a boutique)
Thanks for dropping by and have a great day!

ArtFire Crazy Train Rider PineRidge Treasures

Alright, I admit it, I have been doing a lousy job of keeping up with things!  Too many things going on and some big changes in my life happening very quickly........................

Crazy Train riders are so fun to explore - see what other people are up to, what they create, what inspires them.  Lisa, creator of PineRidge Treasures lives in Michigan and is inspired by  "nature, especially colors like ocean blue and leaf green, natural stones from the Earth, and living creatures including birds, fish and insects."
So, let's see what she makes.   Lovely Pink & Gray Czech Pearl Necklace

and look, Dangley Pink & Gray Czech Pearl earrings to match that pretty necklace

I was looking to see if maybe she also had a matching bracelet, nope, but found this pretty Coral Pink w/ Lady Bug Charm Bracelet Love that little ladybug!  However, she does have a section for custom orders, so I imagine if you found something you wanted, and wanted matching earrings, or bracelet, Lisa would probably be happy to make something for you.







And did you know about the Christmas in July Sale going on over at ArtFire??
No?  Well, you gotta check it out! PineRidgeTreasures and a whole lot of other studios are participating in the annual Christmas in July Sale - don't miss out on this one! ♥
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

ArtFire Crazy Train Rider Florabunda Studios

I'm a little late posting this, but I still have to do it.  Hallie, creator of Florabunda Studios lives in NC and has some fantastic photos of Grandfather mountain.  My family used to live around this beautiful mountain many many years ago.  I'd also like to mention, that Hallie  has a tendency to create a variety of items, just about anything that comes to mind to try, she does!  Some people may say that you should stick with one or maybe two things, but personally I think that learning to create things with a variety of mediums, techniques, etc can often help with finding ways to be even more creative with what you work with.  I know it has for me.

But, back to Hallie, this beautiful mountain, and this striking 12" x 18"  photograph titled Above the Clouds

It's summer, and a hot one, doesn't this 8" x 10" photo of The Mossy Grove  look so refreshing, cool & inviting? I can imagine the serene feeling one would get with this photo hanging on a living room or den wall.

I have to honor this woman's willingness to try new things, to explore other creative avenues, such as crochet, and she made this adorable Colorful Hand Crocheted Wristlet Bag W/ Charm










Hallie also has some pretty cool paintings, along with a variety of photos & a few other surprises, do check out Florabunda Studios, you'll be glad you did.

As always, I'm so glad you stopped by, I'm interested in what you think, & invite you to leave a comment.
Have a wonderful day.

ArtFire Crazy Train Rider Angelas_Adornments

It's been a crazy crazy week, and so once again, I'm a bit behind. 
Angelas _Adornments has some pretty cool jewelry, but I'm going to focus on her other art, namely her watercolor paintings

I absolutely love There is Magic in the Forrest watercolor painting.  I want to go wandering around that forest!

Paintings of windows fascinate me such as this European Window

She has one other art form kind of tucked away, but worth mentioning, her Replica of Ancient Venus of  Willendorf made with polymer clay.



Angelas_Adornments also has some very pretty jewelry, but I'll let you explore that part of her shop.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a fantastic day & a great weekend.

ArtFire Crazy Train Rider 1BeadAtATime

Before I get started on today's Crazy Train rider, I'd like to draw your attention to a new page I added, just above to the right of Home, you'll see ARTISTS.  There are number of artists that have influenced me, not just my art, & I thought it might be fun to add this to my blog. There may be other pages added in time.

A few changes:  Comments will now require captchas and they won't be published until I publish them.  I honestly dislike doing this, but after getting a few unwanted comments, I decided to do this.   If by some chance you aren't asked to do the captcha thing, please let me know! Thanks. 

And, on to today's ArtFire Crazy Train Rider:  1BeadAtATime.  It's a very good thing that I am not a huge jewelry junky - or I'd be even more broke than I am! 

I'm a blue jeans kind of person, I even have 3 different jean dresses.  so, naturally I'm drawn to this awesome Denim Blue Beadwoven Bracelet

That is one very cool bracelet!

This Blue Spiral Ceramic Pendant on Beadwoven Necklace is also super cool.  Think it would even work with that awesome bracelet - no, I don't think jewelry always has to match exactly.

I'm sticking with the blue for this post even if they may not work with the necklace or bracelet, I really like these earrings: Blue & White Glass Bead Earrings - simply pretty!



Oh yes, 1BeadAtATime does have some very cool  jewelry in other colors too, including some beautiful wedding whites.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day.

ArtFire Crazy Train Rider Nancy'sBagsetc

Nancy & her husband live in Rhode Island.  Like many of us that sew she started out by watching her mom & her sister.  She started out making doll clothes & then her own clothes - nothing like starting with the difficult thing!  After she married her husband, she started sewing pillows and other decor items, and then on to baby & children's clothes.  Nancy has a variety of clutches, totes, purses, organizer, pillows, sachets, and other home decor items in her shop, Nancysbagsetc on ArtFire.

I love this Shoulder Bag in Batik Cotton love that fabric and it looks like it is well made! 

and check out this lovely Embroidered pillow, recycled vintage tea towel, embroidered flowers, hhmm it's June right, this would be such a nice wedding gift, or a gift to yourself!

Speaking of weddings, look at this adorable Ring Bearer Pillow

 Having spent many many hours sewing myself, I tend to also look at the seams of items - it looks like Nancy pays attention to the details, and does a nice job of sewing on her items.



So, if you are looking for something a little extra special that you don't have to pay an arm & a leg for, I really recommend you pay Nancysbagsetc a visit.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

HAF Featured Artist Jewelry Geek

This weeks featured HAF artist is Kristin, creator of Jewelry Geek.   This is one busy lady, she is going to school for her master's degree in library sciences, has an 11 yr old son,  is married to a Navy man, and creates some very cool jewelry.  Kristen enjoys listening to Chinese flute music as well Celtic music & bagpipes, as well as mid eastern music.   ooh I love bagpipes!
Not only does Kristin have some very pretty jewelry, she also has some very creative photos of it in her Etsy shop. 

Of course I'm going to start out with these fabulous BlueBerry Earrings with copper.  Pretty aren't they? and I love the photo too!

oooh talk about sparkle - these awesome Swarovski Crystal Chandelier Earrings have 23  crystals per earring, and are 5 3/4" long!  Wouldn't those be fun to wear with that special little black dress!!! Elegant!

This beautiful Green Pearl & Crystal Bracelet is stunning!  Pearls in any color are so versatile - play them up - or go casual - either way, they work.

Most of Kristin's creations can be worn with casual attire or dressed up ( in my kind of dressed up anyway)- I absolutely adore this Large Shell Pendant Choker with clear to dark purple glass bicone beads.   In fact, I have the perfect blue and purplish dress that this would look fabulous with.
But, those great crystal chandelier earrings are calling my name!!
And all of her creations are very reasonably priced.  One of the fun things about hand crafted jewelry - you can get some unique pieces at some great prices - and no malls!  Shop in your pj's on a lazy Sunday morning!  I love the idea of having a piece of jewelry that thousands of other people don't have! 

I highly recommend visiting JewelryGeek on etsy or her great blog.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
P.S. I wrote a blog on my other blog titled Thank You & My apologies.   But, be sure you go visit Jewelry Geek, OK!

ArtFire Crazy Train Rider Hippies Creations

It's been a busy busy week, and the upcoming week is starting out even busier! So, I hope I can half way keep up with these -
Today & yesterdays  Artfire CrazyTrain Rider is Hippie's Creations!  For some reason that may not make sense to most people, that name conjures up "handmade goodness" to me!  This mom of 3 boys from Scottsville Virginia loves to create art on wood and  crocheting. 

It's easy to see she loves to crochet, look at this adorable Purple Crochet Top.

And such cuteness as this Penquin Earflap Crochet Hat - isn't that so adorable!

I must have babies on the brain, when I first saw these cute little Crocheted Coin Pouches, I thought they were little baby mittens! I was browsing through quickly!
And they are so reasonably priced, you'll have change left over to put in them!











So, if you are looking for something a little extra special for that special someone in your life (including YOU) be sure to check out Hippie's Creations, where you will find handmade crocheted wearable and decorative creations, made to order!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!