Artisans Helping Out

There are many artisans out there that do some really cool things to help out other people.  Right now in the UK, Jolene of Kitzbitz Art Glass is holding a Beadathon. All the beads made and funds raised will be donated to the Beads of Courage Programme. for children and teens with cancer.
This is a brief explanation about the program from the Beads of Courage page: "The Beads of Courage Programme is a new concept being introduced in the UK which is designed to support children going through their treatment. It allows them to tell their story using colourful beads. The beads are used as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate different milestones such as blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, hospital stays, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Their beads build up over time into a unique record of what they have been through. Some days are really tough for these kids. However, the beads are used for encouragement and say to everyone “that was tough….but….I did it” "
Because they need lots of  program beads, they are are commercially manufactured, with different beads representing different treatments.
The kids are given Beads of Courage, that are artisan made to "acknowledge the milestones in their treatment journey". They expect to need about 100,000 of these beads this year.  
I celebrate these artisans for their contribution to this awesome program.  

I've been a member of HandMadeArtistsForum for a few years, and have been delighted to see some of the awesome beads Jolene makes.  
I love these Glacial Powder Beads European Charm Bead and silver Bracelet

and these fun Romantic Custom Buzzword Beads in her shop on HandMadeArtists













To see even more of Jolene's wonderful lampwork beads, visit her blog Kitzbitz Art Glass, or her flickr page, Kitzbitz Art Glass by Jolene's Photostream, ( lots of great pics of her awesome beads!), but also remember to check out the Beads of Courage Programme

ArtFireCrazyTrainRider Garden Gate Designs

Garden Gate Designs offers some pretty cool handmade jewelry, mainly necklaces, although she does have a section for bracelets, there is only one listed - so if you are more into bracelets - head on over there!

The one very cool Bracelet Lavender and Blue Fire Agate

and as luck would have it, she has a Necklace of Fire Agate With Flower on Chain because yes, sometimes we do want our jewelry to match!

This Necklace Blue Green Amazonite is quite pretty.





So if you are in the market for some pretty awesome jewelry, go visit Garden Gate Designs where you will find artisan designed jewelry that makes a statement!









Our littlesister/littlebrother tag-a-longs

ShanghaiTai where you will find a large assortment of jewelry, some especially for brides.  I really like these Crystal Rain Dangle Earrings

OnPensAndNeedles where you can find an eclectic assortment of items such as jewelry, wood items, baby items, personal and home items and they have some of the nicest Wood Pens such as this Yellow Heart one.  Would make a great Father's Day gift don't you think?

and BlueMorningExpressions with "polymer clay beads, canes, jewelry and so much more" as it says on the shop banner.......................Love these Beads Orange Purple Flower Handmade Beads

I guess it's one of those jewelry days! and the cool thing is they all have different styles! One of the awesome things about handmade!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Love to hear from you - do leave a comment.

I do try to get to your blog and leave a comment when you leave one on mine. Reciprocity works! :)

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!

Gott Beads On ArtFire

I usually take Sundays off from the computer, but because I'm still trying to play catchup for the Art Fire Crazy Train, here I am. I'm behind a couple of days - and hope to be caught up soon.

So, today I am featuring Gott Beads from Glendale, Az. Like many of us, she has managed to buy a lot of beads, and selling some of them. She has pretty awesome beads, like these lavender jade ones. I almost don't want to do features of bead shops, it's too tempting especially when they have good prices, and free shipping like this shop has!

I really like these Crazy Lace Agate Pyramid beads - those are really cool - what pretty colors in those. She has lots of natural stone beads, some dyed, some natural, so if you are into beads go check out this shop. And free shipping - what a deal! as usuall title links to the shop!

oooh these are tempting -

Another Wonderful Etsy Hostie

Her name is Jeanette, but she goes by Maisy! What a fun name! I'm amazed by this wonderfully sweet person and all that she does.
Besides having 2 shops on etsy, she keeps up the blog for HOST, is in the team forum thread giving everyone encouragement where needed, compliments, hugs, short chats, more hugs and some thawks!
From her profile she says this about herself:
"was raised in lush, tropical St Lucia in the Caribbean and I firmly believe that gave me my magpie eye for rich colours and textures. My designs are often inspired just by the materials that I work with and my combinations are intended to bring out the best in the stones, and to be comfortable and unselfconscious for you to wear. "
I love that "magpie eye" description. Magpies are great at finding little jewels. So this seems to be fitting because she does have some pretty jewels in her shop. Maisy resides in Dorset, UK.

Maisy also occasionally visits my flickr page and leaves me some fun comments, I'm not sure how she keeps up with everything she does!

The beautiful long strand of pearls is from her http://maisyh.etsy.com/ shop. I think those are so elegant -
and the necklace with the different blue beads is from her http://mcnovelties.etsy.com/ shop.

That's one of the really cool thing about Maisy's designs, she does simple but nice items that you can wear during the day or night - to more elegant and dressy designs like the long strand of pearls.
Her blog: http://teaandjewels.blogspot.com/
And her other blog: http://maisyh.blogspot.com/

and Host: http://helpingothersstreetteam.blogspot.com/
Where she does a beautiful job of writing about team members and their shops.

I probably don't do half of what she does, and I can't keep up with it all!
Go, check out her shops - remember Christmas is right around the corner!

Have a wonderful day.

HOSTING HOSTIES - Find Out About The Secret!

Oh Boy - It's way past my bedtime - so this is going to be short.
It took me a bit to figure out the best way to get the pictures loaded and be able to put text inbetween them - easy I know - it just doesn't work so well if you left or right align the pictures.

There's a secret at the end!

Anyway, I picked items from the back of the HOST shop for todays blog. Check them out!

First up we have Fiesta Time, donated by http://adollscloset.etsy.com/ OOHH such pretty colors - I think this one was hiding out just so someone could buy it closer to fall. Aren't those perfect fall colors?
This is available in the HOST shop at http://host.etsy.com/ Bracelet even comes gift boxed!






And this is Divas Shop magnet donated by http://flamingolady.etsy.com/ (no, it doesn't have flamingolady across the magnet) isn't that the cutest magnet? Now I'm sure most of you know at least one person that this magnet would be just perfect for. You'd be helping someone out, and getting a cool magnet for yourself or as a gift for a friend!
It's available at the http://host.etsy.com/ shop - now - don't wait too long - it may be gone before you get there!



And last but certainly not least, we have the "Really Red Barrette" donated by http://allaboutthebuttons.etsy.com/ I was thinking really red lipstick! It would actually look pretty good with that bracelet up there! And then add the magnet and you have 3 great handmade gifts for yourself or someone else. It's too bad I didn't see that before, and put the pictures together - but I think you can see they would work together!

YES, it is available at the http://host.etsy.com/ shop.

WOW - you could have all 3 for less than $25.00 - (including shipping) - how cool is that! you could have a neat little set of unique handmade goodies for yourself or your best friend, your sister, aunt, mother..................?

Be sure to visit the HOST shop, some wonderful items there - all donated by etsians helping other etsians out. Emotional support, help with shops, shop makeovers, they get clothes together for people that need some, get grocery cards so people can get some food, school supplies, help track down resources for people, other financial help - these ladies do some awesome things! OOps - I'm not sure - there may be some male HOST members and donators too!

Christmas isn't that far away!

Have a wonderful day everyone - I'm going to sleep now!

I think I must be part owl!

I'll make you a deal - if you go buy all 3 of these items - I'll make a birthday or Christmas card to go along with them - just leave me a comment that you bought them - now I'll be checking with the shop - so - no cheating - The card of course will be free! Just let me know if you want a birthday or Christmas card - or for some other occasion! I do cards! In fact I was just making some new ones last night. You can check out my shop for a few of the ones I've made http://lisianblue.etsy.com/

Have fun shopping!