HANDMADE ARTISTS

So, of course I'm late for my 1st blog ring post in quite a while! Better late than never though, right?
One of my favorite places on the net is Handmade Artists Forum & the Shop too of course!
Kimberly & Andrew started the forum early Spring 2009, and it's been growing ever since.
It's a friendly place.  We have discussions about our handmade creations, promoting, styles, tools, techniques, and even one thread devoted to "What are you doing today?" - that's my favorite thread! There are threads to post you creations with sections for art, jewelry, knitting, sewing & crochet, and one for creative creations for everything else.  You can post your creation and get supportive comments, feedback, and maybe other ideas if that is what you are looking for.  Posts aren't closed, it's a pretty free nice open discussion.  Differences of opinions happen but they are kept on a friendly basis.
Before too much longer the HandMade Artists Shop was created.  This is sweet!  For a mere $5.00 a month, you can list as many items as you can create!  And each of those items will be either tweeted, put on Facebook, google +, Pinterest,   or all of the above!  Many people also promote other shops &/or items on their blogs, Facebook pages, & tweet etc.  And if you need help with something, Andrew or Kimberly are a mouse click away, and you will get a quick helpful reply!
I highly recommend investing in a shop and becoming a member of the forum if you make handmade creations to sell. You can  come hang out, share you're creations, join in other discussions, and well, just hang out!
And to give you a peak at some of the wonderful creations on HAS:

Green Sea Glass Stack by Makin The Best Of It

Sterling Silver Daisy Chain Necklace by Chainmaille by MBOI

Night Music Throw by Sewdifferent

Tiny Handmade Rag Doll by IKnitQuiltSew

Got your curiosity going??? these are just a very few wonderful handmade creations you will find on HandMadeArtists Shop.  Other categories include: Bath & Beauty, Candles, Crochet Knitting & Needlecraft, Metal Craft, Mosaics.......and much more!

Sit back, relax, and go shopping in your jammies while sipping a cup of your favorite brew, or cold one!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Love comments, just remember they are moderated, so you won't see your comment right away!

NICE SURPRISE

I got up to a very nice surprise yesterday, one of my fellow artists, Monika of MyEuropeanTouch had written a very nice feature on my shops on HandmadeArtistsShops. I was on my way to the forum, and there before my eyes was one of my small watercolor paintings, in my reflections shop. This one is a series of paintings "On The Bus" I did on the bus between Albuquerque, New Mexico & Colorado Springs, Colorado.

So after going to the whole feature I was surprised with all the different items my dear friend Monika featured.  I agree with Monika, this Ivory & Lace Crocheted Cloche is one of my favorites from my lisianblue shop too.

And on that note, I'd like to return the favor and feature some of Monika's work from her shop MyEuropeanTouch.   Monika grew up in Germany,  during and after WWII while her parents were reusing, recycling & reinventing, Monika caught the creative bug around the age of 5.  She started sewing, crocheting, knitting & cross stitching doll clothes, making candles by melting candle stumps in her little doll oven using yarn as candle wicks. Monika went on to making clay vases, drawing a painting. Now living in Florida, Monika's interests and talents have evolved over time, and now creates Mosaics.  Now, these aren't you're "typical mosaics", not at all! Monika "reclaims/reinvents unwanted  items & breathe(s) new live/usefulness in them" creating fabulous pieces of art.  Her mosaics are created with  precise cut/nipped fine bone china & stained glass mosaic pieces.  I love this Shabby Chic Mosaic Mirror

Pink is not on my list of colors that I like, but this lady's mosaics makes me love pink!

Imagine putting your loved one's picture in this awesome Mosaic Picture Frame that also includes a little bit of jewelry. Although this Vintage Designer Mosaic Cake Dome is sold, I just have to show it to you. She has other cakes domes, that have also sold, but she will happily create one just for you.

Gorgeous isn't it?
Monika works with a client to involve them in "Their" Art Piece.  
Oh Yeah,. it seems that Monika used to draw.  Check out her Drawings&Paintings, such as this quill & ink drawing of Tesdorf Manson in Germany.

Monika & I got to know each other a little better while she was translating a 3 page document in German my dad brought back from Germany after WWII. Monika is a super nice lady, who creates some awesome mosaics,  & does a lot of promoting for fellow artisans. I encourage you to visit her shop MyEauropeanTouch on HandMadeArtistsShops, if you haven't already.
I would love to know what you think. But remember:
Comments are moderated, so you won't see it until I publish it.

FINALLY

HELLO!
WOW I finally got a new computer! YAY!  My very sweet son got it for me! Super son! I am now living in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs and have a fantastic view of Pikes Peak right out my living room window.

I admit, I have a love hate relationship with my apartment!! I love the layout, the great dishwasher & self cleaning oven, and it's pretty soundproof! Except for it facing one of the busiest streets in the city, it's a great location, 2 blocks to 2 grocery stores, a Radio Shack,  an Ace Hardware, & Hancock Fabrics & a few other shops.  Hobby Lobby is a short bus ride away, but honestly I don't know if I can even get to a Michael's or JoAnn's! The biggest drawback,  I lost 75 square feet from my last apt in Albuquerque, and that one was verging on being too small! This really is taking some very creative storage solutions.  And, I'm still working on getting things in place (2 months later!)!  Also trying to figure out how to make some games work on my grandson's part of the computer and not just mine!

I'll be back, but it may be in about a week, hopefully sooner. I am checking my shops frequently and   will get back to HandMadeArtists forum and doing some promoting soon.

Have a god one everybody!
My lisianblue.com site got kind of messed up............................ it now goes to a not so great site.  Ugh!  I updated my card info and hopefully will manage to get it straightened out soon.

Computer Crashed

Just a quick note - will try to get back here on Thursday - but my computer crashed - hoping it can somehow be restored - but so far I'm not having much luck. 
Have a good one everyone!

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.  :)

HandMadeArtists Feature LilBitSassy

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!
Some how or another, I completely skipped over our featured artist a few weeks ago, so I'm featuring LilBitSassy  on HandMadeArtists now.  My apologies to LilBitSassy!

The creator of LilBitSassy lives in Meadville, PA and loves to create useful but fun items.  Many of her inspirations come from family members.   She especially enjoys making baby and children items, using her imagination to make things that they will love and/or enjoy playing with.

This sweet little "My 1st doll in Polka Dots" is adorable!

I love the idea of this Teddy Bear Gift Bag - made with fabric it can become a great carry all for those little ones after the gift is opened.  I think my 3 yr old grand daughter would think this is a gift by itself. I think you'll agree that it's  super cute!

LilBitSassy also makes some adorable snuggle blankets such as this Timothy Turtle Snuggle Buddy Blanket. Love those little green turtles on the blue background.  She also has bunnies, aliens, robots, frogs, lambs and other critters too. And some great blankets too!





So if you're looking for something that's well made for that special little someone in your life, I recommend you pay LilBitSassy a visit.  Besides her shop on HandMadeArtists, (links throughout the post) you can also find her at her blog and her other blog LilBitSassy, Sassy items for Sassy folks where she also sells her items.

You've got to see her adorable pj stockings!

Thanks for visiting, and wishing you a wonderful day & New Year!
Comments are greatly appreciated - they are moderated and show up only after I approve them. Your patience is requested - I will get to them!  :)

Happy New Year

2012 has been somewhat of a crazy mixed up year!

I opened a new shop, Reflections on HandMadeArtists.

Got acquainted with some new friends such as Monika creator of MyEuropeanTouch who not only creates some amazing items with mosaics but her drawings are fabulous - I love this print Quill and Ink Drawing Post Card Monika Drake Mansion of  Tesdorf in Germany

I love what she does with broken plates - even pink ones! such as this delightful Shabby chic Mosaic Window Sash Pane Broken China Plate Rims

We had a Secret Santa gift exchange on HandMadeArtists Forum and I received this beautiful bracelet by Lisa, creator of Uniglets, I actually try to stay away from her shop, because every time I look I find at least one or two items I would love to have! 

Love this Blue Flower on Copper Vintage Assemblage Bracelet

and  in love with this Victorian Elegance Reworked  Vintage Necklace 

I finally reached 100 followers on my blog - and had a drawing for a stained glass ornament/ sun catcher. what was truly funny was I drew Lisa's name!  This is the sun catcher ornament and 2 little stars I sent her.  The sun catcher is clear stained glass that I hand painted with  a silver outline and a blue/green iridescent paint. The little star on the left, is a glass star that I wrapped with copper foil tape and soldered. Adding some clear and emerald green beads to the top and bottom for a purse or phone charm.  the star on the right, is a metal star I painted with aqua/blue iridescent paint and added some white curly cue designs.  We have become pretty good friends over the miles between Albuquerque, New Mexico and New York City.

I received a wonderful gift  way before Christmas, of 7 sets of double pointed knitting needles from Judy, creator of JuniqueGoods who makes these lovely Christmas Spiders , among other delightful creations. 

Please don't get me wrong, I value the friendliness and support by so many members of the forum, but, Monika and Lisa have become "friends."  I've gotten better acquainted with some other members too. 

I closed my shops on ArtFire, don't miss it too much! Still have my lisianblue shop on HandMadeArtists. Always grateful for the support and all that Kimberly and Andrew do for us through the forum, shop, and blog - and so much more! 

I got to have my grandson with me for a month here in Alb, and then I spent about a month in Colorado Springs with him, his sister, and their mom (my daughter).  I do miss them! The flood in their former home from the sewer back up was not fun! I was sick for over a month!  2012 was sort of like a roller coaster ride - like life usually is! In August, I injured the middle finger on my right hand, of course I'm right handed - it's still sore - but better with a few weeks of therapy. It has really cut down on my crocheting though. 

I look forward to 2013, with some changes in store - they don't have anything to do with New Years resolutions, just my own need to stretch a bit - both literally and figuratively! They just happen to be occurring with the New Year! 

Wishing you a wonderful healthy happy 2013 with all it's up's and downs sort of like that roller coaster ride! 

It always comes back up!