The Artists Community

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 08:18 Written by dreamriverdesigns Monday, 1 March 2010 04:03

The Handmade Artist Forum as a community

Community defined,

 a unified body of individuals:  b : the people with common interests 

 Since the advent of the Internet, the concept of Community no longer has geographical limitations, as people can now virtually gather in an online community and share common interests regardless of physical location.

Handmade artist forum http://handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php is an ever growing community of individuals getting together to support, inspire, teach and learn from other handmade artist.  The community has grown and spread to include: an etsy team, facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/HAFteam/411011475367?ref=ts, artfire guild, this blog, the handmade artist shop www.handmadeartistshop.com and a few others.

The forum is a community to exchange hints,links, helps and also features a weekly chat for real time communications.  Members come from all over the world to join together in this community.  The group is open to anyone that creates handcrafted works or those that appreciate handcrafted.  Many different types of work are represented in a multitude of mediums from; textiles, glass, metal, crystals the list goes on. 

I believe Sheran Simo sums it up well,

http://www.facebook.com/smsimo#/pages/Indianapolis-IN/Sheran-M-Simo-Co/86434976361? 

“I am so impressed with the way Handmade Artists Forum members support and encourage each other! Over and over I see people going the extra step to explain something they’ve done, and encourage the use of their ideas! I often see artists trying something new, just because the person doing the original work is so willing to present it in a way that is easy to understand, or photographed in a way that it’s easy to determine how it was done, and then willing for others to “copy” it. I can say, that up to this point there seems to be an equal balance of those posting and those learning and I cannot see evidence that the forum is being abused. What a wonderful environment to be a part of!!! ”

Tuscan Road Designs

Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 01:20 Written by Chainmaille By MBOI Saturday, 27 February 2010 01:20

Just thought I would show some love to one of our forum members Holly of Tuscan Road Designs. Holly is a jewelry designer and uses high quality materials with a unique eye for details. You will not find beads on a string with her work. Be prepared to see some lovely gems and lampwork beads as well as sterling silver and know that you are looking at something made with love. Holly also has a wonderful blog where she spends some time talking about herself as well as featuring other artists that are inspiring as well. She also has a facebook page, so make sure you become a fan so you can keep up with the happenings!  Holly sells her lovely creations at Tuscan Road Designs on the new Handmade Artists’ Shop so make sure you stop by and take a peak!

Handmade Artists Forum Etsy Street Team Sale!!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 10:53 Written by zurdesigns Thursday, 25 February 2010 08:11

We have exciting news!! Selected members of our Handmade Artists Forum Etsy Street Team are coming together to have a sale!  Some will be offering Free Shipping, others will be taking a percentage off their items and all will be showing you their fabulous handmade designs just in time for spring!!  The sale starts Monday, March 1st and goes through Monday, March 15th!!

Take a look at what these wonderful handmade artisans are offering:

Ambient Girl Designs–specializes in custom cards, invitations, gift tags and much more! For the HAF Sale Ambient Girl Designs will offer FREE SHIPPING on all items in her shop! Stop by and see all the wonderful things this shop has to offer!

Dreambubbles–featuring unique jewelry designs using beads and chainmaille. In the artist’s own words: “Recently I started debuting my original one of a kind (OOAK) handmade spiders. They are presently stealing the show from my chainmaille and crystal/pearl jewelry creations.”  For the HAF Sale, Dreambubbles is offering 10% off all items in her shop and up to $5.00 in Free Shipping!! Have a look at these wonderful designs today!!

Jewelry by NaLa–unique, handmade jewelry featuring sterling silver, Czech glass, Crystallized Swarovski Elements, semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls and other fine jewelry materials.  For the HAF Sale Jewelry by Nala will be offering FREE US SHIPPING off selected items in her shop!! Stop by and visit  Nala’s beautiful shop today!!

Lisianblue–featuring wonderful stained glass objects, ornaments, and chimes! In the artist’s own words: “have been a fan of stained glass for many years and truly enjoy making stained glass items. There seems to be something about glass that just draws me to it – maybe it’s the shine, the way it captures the light and even the shadows.”  For the HAF Sale, Lisianblue will be offering 10% off all items in her shop!! Stop by for a visit, relax, put your feet up and browse!  You’ll be glad you did!

My Grandpa’s Pen–featuring handmade cards, albums, and supplies.  In the artist’s own words: “For as long as I can remember my Grandpa would give me a pen at Christmas. I think this helped inspire my love of all things crafty and artistic. As I create my works I find myself using, among other things, stamp sets from when I was a child, paper that I can’t stop collecting and of course, my Grandpa’s pen.”  For the HAF Sale, My Grandpa’s Pen is offering 20% off all items.  Refund will be through PayPal!! Stop by and browse through this delightful shop…and SAVE!!

Penny Farrow Designs–beautiful handmade leather and accessories designed by Penny herself.  In the artist’s own words: “My goal for the design and construction of my products is to be consistent and fresh and original. I take inspiration from every aspect of my life: a distillation of roads traveled, places visited and people who have inspired me.”  For the HAF Sale Penny Farrow Designs will be taking 10%–20% off selected items in her shop!! Take a look at these wonderful handbags, purses, journal covers, and more!!

Pleasant Peasantry–a husband and wife team who experiment with their designs and try to put a unique twist on ceramics and macrame. All  items are sold the way you see them. However, they LOVE taking requests! Convo them with your ideas!  For the HAF Sale Pleasant Peasantry will be taking 10% off all macrame items, and 20% off all ceramics! Be sure to stop by this wonderful shop!!

Rachel Elliott Glassworks–All the item listed here are handmade by Rachel in her studio in Scotland!  She uses a variety of different glass techniques to create unique designs and custom orders are always welcome.  For the HAF Sale, she is offering 28% off all her beads, to celebrate her 28th birthday on March 15th!!! Rachel Elliott Glassworks is a must see shop!!  Stop by today!

Speranza Jewelry–Lisa, the owner of Speranza Jewelry, is a firm believer that jewelry is both art and self-expression disguised as a fashion accessory.  The goal of Speranza is to create quality, affordable jewelry in gemstones and metal, utilizing the various techniques of stringing, metal fusing, and wire wrapping.  For the HAF Sale Speranza Jewelry will offer 10% off all items in her shop!! This wonderful shop needs to be on your list to visit today!

T. Rusk 4 U–featuring handcrafted jewelry for every woman! This shop has handcrafted and affordable jewelry made by T. Rusk…4 U! For the HAF Sale T.Rusk4U will be offering FREE SHIPPING and a gift with every purchase!! Stop by this lovely shop and take advantage of the savings!

Twas Brillig–a wonderland of unique hand-crafted jewelry, handmade bags and totes, original artwork and unusual gifts for you to cherish or share.  For the HAF Sale Twas Brillig will be offering 10% off all items in their shop!! Stop by soon…there’s always something new happening there!

Zur Designs–handcrafted jewelry made from high quality materials such as sterling silver, semi precious gemstones, swarovski crystals, and pearls.  Designs are inspired by life, love, and the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains that surround her.  For the HAF Team Sale, Zur Designs will be featuring 10% off all items in her shop! Take a peek at Zur Designs…you’ll be glad you did!

Click on the links to learn more about the Handmade Artists Forum (HAF) or the HAF Etsy Street Team! Have fun shopping at all these wonderful shops!!  Remember, the sale starts March 1st and goes through March 15th!!

Wood you like to know?? Purpleheart.

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 08:17 Written by dreamriverdesigns Monday, 22 February 2010 11:25

Article courtesy of Janelle at http://jewelrybyjanelle50.blogspot.com/

This is another one of my favorite woods because, as the name implies, the heartwood of purpleheart is a rich, exotic purple, and I absolutely love it. When first harvested, it is a dark brown but quickly changes to the beautiful dark purple it is popular for. Further exposure to light will return it to a more brown color, although the purple will still be quite evident, giving it a mixture of the two colors. Purpleheart’s unusual natural coloring makes it highly sought after for specialty uses, some of which include wood sculptures and carvings, billiard accessories, and of course, my bangles and other jewelry.

The Amazon Rainforest produces much of the purpleheart used today, although it can be found in Central America’s tropical regions. This wood is straight grained, dense, very hard, and difficult to work, as it is easy to burn if not careful when sanding. Purpleheart takes a beautiful finish, water based finishes are best for retaining the color, but for wearing against the skin, I chose to use a teak oil for the above bracelet. I think it is a better alternative in combination with skin oils and PH’s. Please feel free to comment, comments are always welcome.

History of Beads

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 08:17 Written by dreamriverdesigns Friday, 19 February 2010 10:12

HISTORY OF BEADS

The oldest known jewelry was made from 100,000 year old shell beads.

Wearing jewelry sets humanity apart from the rest of the animal world. And beads have been used for jewelry throughout history.

Whether as decoration, to express individual and class identity (Star of David), to show social status (wedding rings), to store wealth (wampum), as magical amulets, or just to pin your clothes together, jewelry says a lot about who you are.

3,000 – 5,000 years ago
India has the longest continuous legacy of jewelry making anywhere. Beads were important in their jewelry trade even before metals were widely used.

The Egyptians liked gold, and wore it to signal wealth, but preferred colors of glass to those of gemstones.

Chinese designs were oriented to religion then, as now. To this day you will find Buddhist symbols carved into bone and stone beads. Both men and women wore jewelry to show nobility and wealth.

In the Americas, the Mayans made beads from bone and stone before they used metals. Aztec nobility wore gold to show rank, power and wealth. They also used jewelry in sacrifices to appease the gods.

4,000 years ago
In ancient Assyria, men and women both wore extensive amounts of jewelry, including amulets, ankle bracelets, heavy multistrand necklaces, and cylinder seals. In Mesopotamia, jewelry was created both for human use and to adorn statues.

2,400 years ago
Ancient Greeks used jewelry mostly on special occasions and for public appearances. Women wore it to show wealth, social status and beauty. The Greeks believed jewelry protected the wearer from the “evil eye” and gave its owner supernatural powers.

1,300 years ago
Jeweled weaponry and signet rings were common for men; other jewelry was most used by women.

Ornately beaded and jeweled imperial glove made in Palermo before the year 1200 (photo by Michal Mañas, courtesy Widipedia)

400 years ago
Increasing exploration and trade led to the availability of more types of materials and exposure to the arts of varied cultures.

200-120 years ago
Napoleon revived the style and grandeur of jewelry as fashion in France. This period saw the early stages of costume jewelry. Changing social conditions led to the growth of a middle class that wanted jewelry and the industrial revolution provided techniques and materials to produce it more cheaply. To set themselves apart from the masses, the wealthy patronized goldsmiths such as Françoise Désire Fromment Meurice and Pierre Cartier in France, Charles Lewis Tiffany in the United States, Bulgari in Italy and Peter Carl Fabergé in Russia.

Today
Jewelry has never been as diverse as it is today. The development of new materials, including plastics and synthetic gemstones, along with communication advances allowing design influence from many cultures, have combined with manufacturing technology to put jewelry within the economic grasp of a much larger segment of the population. The melding of cultural influences is one of the more significant features of jewelry today. Artisan jewelry is growing both as a hobby and as a profession. Popular because of its uniqueness, it is available in just about any price range.

Article courtesy of Joan at LTD Beads
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LTDBeads

(picture credit: C. Henshilwood & F. d’Errico, courtesy National Science Foundation, United States)