Spread the Love Oct 26 – Nov 1

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 03:14 Written by InvyStudios Monday, 26 October 2009 06:00

The HAFteam has some great shops this week, spanning the creative spectrum from supplies to quirky-cute handmade monsters to eco-friendly jewelry. You have plenty to choose from this week to help spread the love. You know what to do so start spreading the word.

October 26 Makin the Best of It http://makinthebestofit.etsy.com/

This shop offers beautiful hand painted glass that is equal parts art and function.

Unique Hand Painted Custom Glassware “My art is what grounds me at the end of the day.
I find a lot of inspiration in nature. I love the imperfection of the shapes and the wide range of color.”

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9590968

October 27 Coffee Break Designs http://coffeebreakdesigns.etsy.com/

She offers a wide range of items sure to have what you are looking for.

“I create handwoven items, mixed media jewelry, and whatever else happens to spark my interest.”

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21484625

October 28 Ann Made Stuff http://annmadestuff.etsy.com/

She has super cute stuffed animals and great embroidered bags of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Welcome to AnnMadeStuff. I love to sew and machine embroider. I will do custom orders and personalized items.
Items are made in a smoke free, animal friendly environment

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23901256

October 29 Kitty’s Art and Stuff http://kittysartandstuff.etsy.com/

This shop has plenty of jewelry and home decor works to choose from. Some incorporate some recycled elements like the bottle cap necklace below.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31437951

October 30is TaoGem Gemstones http://taogem.etsy.com/

TaoGem supplies interesting and unique gemstone cabochons for custom jewelry design / designers.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7854317

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29180000

October 31 Sedgeworks http://sedgeworks.etsy.com/

Original bead jewelry designed with natural stones, semi-precious gemstones, sterling silver, and a colorful medley of other quality elements.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31937062

November 1Cyber Fiber http://cyberfiber.etsy.com/

The shop for today offers beautiful fibers but also some beautiful jewelry created from vintage silverware and supplies for your jewelry designing needs.

Welcome to my new store! I have a strong passion for creating unique and fun fiber for spinning and yarns for knitting,crocheting or weaving. Playing with fiber is fun and the possibilities are endless.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31743823

Featured Artist – Jems by JB & Company

Last Updated on Friday, 2 October 2009 05:27 Written by Manic Butterfly Friday, 2 October 2009 06:00

While hiking in the Adirondack Mountains of New York several years ago, Bill and I discovered our first piece of garnet. Thus, the birth of Jems by JB & Company (Judy and Bill), our hopes for an early retirement!!  We have since worked with many other semi-precious gemstones and have brought some of our stones from their raw state to the beautiful finished pieces that we now offer for sale. We try to create pieces that will appeal to all ages and fashion trends.

Our five children and their respective spouses, Jeff and Chrissy, Kyle and Scotti, Allie, Michelle, Jen and Matt, serve as our “testers” and give us advice on what they feel will sell. Although we both have full time careers that keep us pretty busy, we spend our free time designing new pieces. I am considered the creative genius behind this operation and Bill is manufacturing.

We still enjoy our rides to the mountains where we continue to find treasures that inspire our creations. We are featured at many of the craft shows locally and can design anything based on your budget and taste.

Check out our bead supplies at our other Etsy shop, ‘Beaders Booty’. We are proud members of JET (Jewelry on ETSY), BBEST (Boomers and Beyond) Street Teams!

Check out Jems by JB on Etsy.
Find supplies at Beaders Booty.
We’re also on Artfire.
Read our Blog.

Featured Artist – Blue Buddha Boutique

Last Updated on Monday, 28 September 2009 12:26 Written by Manic Butterfly Tuesday, 29 September 2009 09:00

A graduate from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Rebeca worked in media relations and nonprofit development for seven years. She managed several of the most successful PR campaigns ever for various businesses and nonprofits. Though her successes made her happy, in the back of her head was a nagging feeling that she wanted to do “something with her hands.” So she quit her job, spent a summer working at Interlochen Arts Camp, and then backpacked through a dozen European countries. After six months of travel and working odd jobs for room and board, she settled down and lived for a year as an au pair in Germany.

While at a Renaissance Faire in Germany, Rebeca saw several people wearing chainmaille belts. She couldn’t find any place to buy them, so she decided to make one herself, thus awakening her passion. Today she knows 70 weaves (100+ if you include variations) and has a diverse portfolio of both upscale and accessible jewelry.

By using colored rings and combining classic weaves in new ways, she erases preconceived notions of this ancient craft. Her designs span from fun and funky to high-end and sophisticated, from earrings and necklaces to curtains and pull-chains for light fixtures. Rebeca constantly strives to take this medium to a new level; her mini-sculptures and colorful juggling cubes are definitely not typical maille fare! In a very short time, Rebeca also emerged as the pre-eminent chainmaille instructor in the Midwest. Students travel from several neighboring states, including Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri, to attend her classes.

Blue Buddha Boutique, a diverse line of chainmaille supplies and finished jewelry, was launched by Rebeca in 2003. First operated out of her spare bedroom as a one-woman business, Blue Buddha has grown to a staff of six full- and part-time employees, with interns and guest contributors helping the company thrive. Originally handling only local orders, the company now has customers in all 50 states and 20+ countries. Blue Buddha prides itself on outstanding customer service, fast turnaround and of course, amazing chainmaille designs. 

Check out Blue Buddha Boutique.
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