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!!

Featured Artist – PamStudio

Last Updated on Saturday, 19 September 2009 02:00 Written by Manic Butterfly Friday, 18 September 2009 09:00

Ever since I was a young girl I’ve always loved to draw and create things. While attending Maryland Institute, College of Art I discovered my love for metals. I graduated in 1983 and for the last 26 years (could it really be that long?) my journey has been varied. I’ve spent about 15 of these past years working as a bench jeweler in fine jewelry stores. A wonderful learning experience but one can only solder so many chains and size so many rings before you feel your creative side gasping for air. Now I’m back to making art and loving every minute of it!

I also took about a ten year break away from art to work with my family in a little coffee shop in New Jersey. Not very artistic, but wouldn’t trade the fun we had for anything….it really is all part of the journey.

During the 90’s I took several blacksmithing courses and fell in love with forging and moving metal…it’s had a great influence on my jewelry and other metalworking.

I work in New Jersey in a little studio by the Black River where I live with my husband John, also an artisan, and our beloved black lab Sammy.

Check out my work at PamStudio on Etsy.

Featured Artist – Gina’s Jewels

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 June 2009 11:44 Written by lisianblue Saturday, 27 June 2009 12:00

One of the fun things about doing these features, is that I get to find so many wonderful creations by some fantastic artisans.  Jewelry, it’s amazing how many different designs you can find, there are of course similarities but everyone has their own unique way of designing a piece of jewelry.   One such artisan is Gina Townsend, who is a self taught and self representing jewelry designer and artist.  Gina has been making jewelry for about 4 years and has truly grown to love the art of creating uniquely styled, fashionable jewelry that can’t be found anywerhere else. 

Gina tries to incorporate durability into her designs in an effort to create something that is built well enough to wear every day and maintain it’s original appearance.  I think that is one of the best benefits about handmade jewelry, most artists do their best to make an item that will last a long time, and you won’t be wearing the same thing everyone else is.   Gina also welcomes custom orders and will gladly custom design something just for you!  

You can see more of Gina’s work at Gina’s Jewels.

Featured Artist Sheran M. Simo

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 June 2009 11:20 Written by Manic Butterfly Saturday, 20 June 2009 07:00

I come from a long line of artistic personalities, most notably my father who was the Celtic Craftsman (silversmith, leatherworker, metallurgist, and woodworker) prior to his death.  In high school and early college, I had learned the arts of silversmith, leatherwork and lapidary and created and sold macramé jewelry.  Years and three children later, I’m returning to the crafts.
Professionally, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner.  In my heart and when I’m not seeing patients, I am an independent female jewelry designer, just coming into my own comfort with metals and gemstones.  I started making jewelry for myself because I couldn’t find what I wanted in the stores.  I wasn’t happy with the quality or materials being used.  As a birthday present to myself three years ago, I went out and bought everything I could think of to start creating jewelry.  One of my co-workers liked what I’d made and bought the set right off my neck and ears!  The rest is history.  My most ardent supporters and customers are other professional women, and I sell more to my co-workers than anyone else!
I started with beaded jewelry, creating “Beauty in Beaded Creations,” and last year trained with an incredible wire wrap artist in Chicago, Illinois.  The first piece I made won First Place in 3D Design in the Central Indiana Artists Spring Art Show.  I’m very proud of that work, have gone on to create many more, but that piece will always have a special place in my heart.  In the last three weeks, I’ve begun to experiment with chain maille jewelry and have had some success selling the pieces I’m creating.
As if this isn’t enough, I plan to return to school in the Fall (2009) and work towards a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Metals.  My hope is to transition from the medical field to designing and creating jewelry full time.  I am at peace when I am designing and creating.

Check out more of Sheran’s work at Sheran M. Simo Designs