On Fire for Handmade - Artist Spotlight

Kountry Kreations

Featured Artist on Share the Love… Blogger’s Unite

Angie Owner/Designer from Kountry Kreations is this weeks Featured Artist on Share the Love, Blogger’s Unite! You will find a variety of handmade crafts which include special Memory Ornaments, quilting, crocheting, woodworking, and glass etching to name a few.

Kountry Kreations

Handmade Gifts http://www.etsy.com/shop/KountryKreations2008 You can Find Kountry Kreations on: Etsy Facebook Blog

Are You On Fire for Handmade? Kountry Kreations is!

Grab the code for your blog HERE

Artist Spotlight

   

jazz it up with Designs by Nancy

Featured Artist on Share the Love… Blogger’s Unite

Jazz it up with Designs by Nancy is this weeks Featured Artist on Share the Love, Blogger’s Unite! You will find high quality handmade jewelry in her shop on Artfire!

Designs by Nancy

Find Designs by Nancy on: Artfire   Facebook   Blog   Twitter
Are you On Fire for Handmade? http://onfireforhandmade.com

Shop at On Fire Gift Guide! 
https://onfiregiftguide.com

Monday Musings

I've always loved the fall.  I love all the seasons but if I had to pick a favorite, I think it would have to be fall.
 
I love the feeling in the air as the temperature drops.  I love seeing the trees changing colors and the woods around my house become a gigantic coloring book.  I get so excited when I can put away my summer shorts and pull out my sweaters.
 
But most of all, when I was a kid, I loved starting school again. 
 
I know most people dreaded heading back to school after summer vacation, but not me.  School was a time of new beginnings.  An opportunity to do things a little differently.  And so much exciting stuff to learn!
 
My Poppop taught me that you should never stop learning.  He said you should always learn something new every day. 
 
I guess it's why I like teaching myself new techniques with my jewelry.  It's always a challenge to get started, but what a great feeling when you've finally figured it all out.
 
I hope this September finds you looking forward to learning something new and trying something new as well.
 

 

Artist Spotlight

T.Rusk4U

Featured Artist on Share the Love… Blogger’s Unite

Teresa Rusk of T.Rusk4U is this weeks Featured Artist on Share the Love, Blogger’s Unite! You will find high quality handmade jewelry in her Handmade Artists Shop!  An eclectic mix of handmade jewelry to suit nearly all styles and budgets!  I have recently added a line of fun, colorful hair accessories just for girls!
  You can Find  Adore by Nat on: Handmade Artists   Facebook   Twitter   Blog   Google+


Are you On Fire for Handmade? http://onfireforhandmade.com Shop at On Fire Gift Guide! https://onfiregiftguide.com

Artist Spotlight - Tracie Dean

 

Dean Designs

Featured Artist on Share the Love... Blogger's Unite

Tracie Dean of Dean Designs is this weeks Featured Artist on Share the Love, Blogger's Unite! Home of the darling Pursekey, you will also find stunning jewelry creations by Tracie! I love making original designs people will love. I strive to create quality pieces each with their own personality. Custom Orders Always welcome!!!  
You can Find Tracie on:
Twitter
Facebook
Blog
Pinterest

On Fire for Handmade - Featured Artist

     

VaBeachQuilter – Featured Artist

  This week’s Featured Artist is Kim Brinsfield of VaBeachQuilter
You will find stunning, handmade Quilts, Table runners, Coasters, coupon organizers and more in her Shop.   She is a member of the On Fire for Handmade Team on Etsy and we are thrilled to have her!

Find VaBeachQuilter on:

Etsy   Facebook   Twitter   Website   Blog   Rebelmouse  Pinterest


Are you On Fire for Handmade? http://onfireforhandmade.com Grab the code for your Blog and Share! Click HERE for code!

On Fire for Handmade -- Artist Spotlight

 

Brushes with a View - Featured Artist

  This week's Featured Artist is Ann Yaconis of Brushes with a View! You will find stunning, hand-painted glassware in her shop on Etsy! Beautiful works of art that will truly enhance a table setting and make that gathering a perfect one! She is a member of the On Fire for Handmade Team on Etsy and we are thrilled to have her!

Find Brushes with a Veiw on:

 Etsy Pinterest Facebook Twitter Blog! OrangeTwig

Grab the Code for your Blog HERE!  Are You On Fire for Handmade?!

Monday Musings

Perspective, or point of view, is crucial for any artist.  It's what keeps your designs focused and uncluttered.  It makes your work unique and different from anyone else.

 

When started my business, I was painting on glass.  There were classes in the "Donna Dewberry" way and while I think she's a fantastic artist, I DID NOT want my work to be a duplicate of hers.

 

In fact, at my first craft show, a fellow glass painter (who had been in the business for years) made a point to come over to my table and chat with me about my technique.  When I told him I taught myself and that I wanted my work to stand out because it was different from what everyone else was offering, he came behind my table to shake my hand.

 

It confirmed what I had suspected...the way to be noticed in a sea of talented people was to create something that was unique.

 

  

I've carried this same idea over into my jewelry designs.   There are lots of jewelry shops on the internet, but mine is different from anything else.  I collect all the sea glass for my designs (except for a few pieces that came from Scotland and some colors that are more common on the New England coasts but not where I live).   

  

  

Be confident in your point of view!  You see the world from a different perspective than anyone else...share that through your designs. 

 



 

Friday's Inspiration

Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes!

 

 

When you create something, you want to make sure it is constructed well and your technique is solid.

  

But an important factor you don't want to overlook is adding the unexpected.  What sets this palm tree photo apart from the hundreds of palm tree photos?  The fact that it looks like it belongs in a Dr. Seuss story!

  

Experiment with color, shape and design...walk outside your box and see how different the perspective is from over there! 

Monday Musings

I have found that the fear of something is worse than actually doing it. 

  

Getting started creating jewelry was a daunting task for me.  I really had no idea what type of jewelry I wanted to create and no way to make my work stand out from the amazing crowd of jewelry designers already out there.

  

   

I started out with simple wire wrapping techniques, like the earrings above.

 

  

Then I started creating my own links and findings and added that skill to my wire wrapping techniques.

 

Then a friend showed me her collection of sea glass and told me where she went to collect it.  I almost didn't start creating my sea glass jewelry because I was afraid to jump into a new technique.

 

 

I watched countless videos of different wire wrapping techniques and decided that I needed to start somewhere and that starting was better than just sitting there.  These earrings above were one of my first sets and I was quite proud of them!

 

   
Figuring out how to have a loop at two ends of a piece of sea glass was a real challenge.  It took many times trying and re-trying, but that's how you learn best.
 

Somewhere along the way, I realized that I wasn't afraid to try new techniques anymore.  I jumped in with both feet into the beading pool...and check out these designs! 

  

 

 

Starting anything new can be scary.   But unless you take that first step, you'll never know how far you can go!

...And They're Off!!!

My dad and I always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby and see the "Run for the Roses" in all its glory.  But we contented ourselves with watching the pageantry on TV together.   And now that he's gone, I've continued the tradition on my own.

 

So when I saw Bobbie Rafferty's Hat's Off  Challenge, I had to jump in! 

 

The challenge?  Choose one of the amazingly over-the-top hats that have been worn to the Kentucky Derby over the years and create a piece of jewelry that is inspired by that hat.  (Here's the link to all the hats we had to choose from:  Hats Off Challenge)

 

 My favorite is this vintage hat...I loved the colors and the movement of the feathers.    

 

    

  So I started with a nice sized piece of white sea glass, grabbed my beading needles and started going through my bead stash!

 

I decided to use variegated green 11/0 seed beads for the beaded bezel and the main color of the necklace.

 

 

I had never created anything using the St. Petersburg stitch...so since I try to learn something new for the challenges, this was my time to dive in! 

  

The necklace is created with a double St. Petersburg stitch.  The necklace is mostly the variegated green 11/0 beads, with orange and pink 11/0 beads as the accent colors.   

  

 

Not colors I would have normally chosen, but perfect for the warmer weather that is (finally!) coming our way!

  

 

Thanks for dropping by to see my challenge creation!  Here's a list of everyone who is part of the Hat's Off Challenge...please be sure to visit and see all the amazing creations inspired by the Derby hats! 

  

Arlene Dean www.aglassbash.blogspot.com

Bobbie Rafferty www.beadsong.blogspot.com

Charlie www.505indiechic.blogspot.com

Cheryl Dunham www.renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com

Chris www.furzalsjewellry.blogspot.com

Christine Altmiller www.onekisscreations.blogspot.com

Cindy Wilson www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com  You are here!

Cynthia Machata www.antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Deanna Riles-Cox https://www.facebook.com/deanna.rilescox

Debbie Rasmussen www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com

Dini Bruinsma https://www.facebook.com/dini.bruinsma

Jasvanti Patel www.jewelrybyjasvant.blogspot.com

Jean Yates www.prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com

Jennifer LaVite www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/

Karin Slaton www.backstorybeads.blogspot.com

Kashmira www.sadafulee.blogspot.com

Laney Mead http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.com/

Liz E www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com

Lola www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com

Micheladas www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Nan Smith www.wirednan.blogspot.com

Robin Reed www.willowdragon.blogspot.com

Sally Russick www.thestudiosublime.com

Shiraz www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com

Susan Nelson Bowie www.susanbowie.wordpress.com

Therese www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Vera www.veradesigns.blogspot.com



Monday Musings

Disclaimer:  I know it's Wednesday...but Monday was my birthday so I moved the Musings to today for this week.  :)

 

I am a great one for planning.  Growing up, we were 30 minutes from anything (except the post office).  Even getting gas was a 30 minute trip to town! 

 

And what about holidays???  You had to make sure you had everything you needed because NO ONE was open Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, Good Friday...  If you didn't plan ahead, you learned to do without!

 

But looking too far ahead when searching for sea glass means you miss what is right in front of you. 

 

  

On my last trip, I wish I had looked up a little more than I did...I almost walked into a dead fish that was really high up on the beach.  My friend saw me heading towards it and warned me just before I stepped on it.  

    

But the odd dead fish aside, another good rule of thumb is to look carefully where you are walking, not 3-4 feet ahead. 

 

Most of the jewelry-grade sea glass I find is the size of a quarter or smaller.  They can be hard to see until you are right on top of them.  And when you are looking near the surf and the glass is wet, it almost seems to disappear.   

  

  

This is a picture of what I found on my last sea glass trip.  A nice mix of brown, white and green sea glass in a variety of sizes, which is perfect for all kinds of jewelry designs!

   

 We also found a lot of really amazing shells this trip.  As soon as I get the drill fixed (drilling sea glass is harder than it looks!) I'll be drilling a small hole in these beauties and creating some amazing necklaces with them! 

 

So I guess it's safe to say that while planning ahead is really important, don't forget to enjoy where you are right now!  After all, this time won't ever come again so enjoy it while you are here in it!



On Fire for Handmade - Artist Spotlight

Featured Artist

Inky Doodle Crafts

Today's Featured Artist is Inky Doodle Crafts! You will find delightful, greeting cards, birthday cards and more in this Etsy Shop! Inky Doodle Crafts is a proud member of On Fire for Handmade and Jelly Park ! We are thrilled to have them on board!

You can find Inky Doodle Crafts on: Etsy  Blog  Facebook

Are You On Fire for Handmade?

Friday's Inspiration

While color is an important part of each design, texture is often an unsung hero. 

 

 

 

The vivid color of the sunset is what first captures your attention in this picture, but it is the beach that keeps it.  You would expect small grains of sand, but here the beach is created with vibrant stones.  And you can imagine how the gentle waves would feel running past your feet...

 

 Golden Elegance

 

Texture was an important part of designing this bracelet.  The wave-like pattern was created by increasing/decreasing the size of the beads.  But the real impact was created by using various finishes and colors throughout the pattern. 

 

A fun way to train your eye is to go window shopping.  Take notice of what gets your attention...is is the color?  The shape?  The texture?  You can do this for jewelry, clothing, flowers...anything you shop for. 

  

Once you can recognize what you are drawn to in other's designs, you will be able to better create your own. 

 

On Fire for Handmade - Artist Spotlight

Featured Artist - Share the Love, Blogger's Unite

VanBuskirk Family Farm

This week's Featured Artist is Stacy Lynne VanBuskirk of  VanBurskirk Family Farm.

Beautiful Handmade Creations with a "country" flair. Stacy Lynne is an active member of the On Fire for Handmade Group and creates wonderful accessories for the home and more!

I run a small hobby farm out side of Milan,Mi were we take in unwanted farm animals. Half the profits of what I sell go toward the animals food, housing and vet care. I  have made crocheting a passion since I was taught by my mom when I was 10. I have continue to strive to blend creativity and versatility in each of my items. I love what I do and I am constantly looking, creating, and discovering.

Are You On Fire for Handmade? Stacy Lynn is! Grab the code for your blog Here!

Monday Musings

I've learned a few things from collecting sea glass over the past year or so.  They are the beginning of my "Monday Musings."  

 

   Sea Glass Bracelet

 

 I love looking for sea glass.  The sound of the waves is like an old friend to me.  A lot of my memories have this sound etched into them.   
     
Occasionally, my family or a close friend will come with me when I go to look for sea glass.  One of the most important things I tell friends when they come with me the first time is to "take your time." 
 

 

Most of the sea glass I find is either brown or white and blends in really well with the sand.  It takes time to train your eye to pick out what you are there to find.

 

I guess it's important to remember this for our lives as well.  Each day is a gift and a treasure, but what you find depends on what you are looking for.  Look for the unexpected.  Be prepared to walk for a while without anything amazing happening, but learn to enjoy those times as well. 

 

And while it's always more fun to walk with a friend, learn to appreciate the solitude and quiet that comes from walking alone sometimes.

 



Friday's Inspiration

I found this picture on Facebook the other day and it has become one of my favorites. 

 

  

The repetition of the waves, the spiral of the branches and the cloud and the rays of sunlight all draw me in each time. 

 

I think it's hard to create with just neutrals and pastels, but this picture certainly has given me the inspiration to try something new!



On Fire for Handmade - Artist Spotlight

Featured Artist Christina Designs Art

Today's Featured Artist on Share the Love, Blogger's Unite is Christina Designs Art. You will find Handmade Jewelry: bracelets, earrings, and hair pins sorted by Color Collections in her Etsy shop.

Find Christina on:  Etsy  Facebook  Twitter  Printerest  Blog

Bead Soup Blog Party - Second Reveal

Today's the day!  Its the second reveal for Lori Anderson's 7th Bead Soup Blog Party! 

 

 

If you're not familiar with this event, let me just say you are in for a treat!  Over 500 artists from all over the world have been paired up and sent each other a "soup" created with beads!  Each person starts their soup with one focal piece, adds a special clasp and then tosses in anything else they wanted to add to the mix before mailing it off to our partner!  

  

 To be sure everyone has a chance to shine and show off what they created from the soup they were sent, Lori set three seperate reveal dates.  I was part of the first reveal (you can see what I did with my soup HERE)

 

There are a lot of blogs to visit and don't think you have to get to them all today.  But be sure to make time over the next week to check them all out...you'll be amazed at what you find!

 

Here's the link to the list of the blogs for today's reveal:

 

Bead Soup Blog Party Second Reveal

  

Be sure to leave a note for the artists...I know how encouraging it was for me to get comments on my reveal post! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday's Inspiration

When you look at this photo, what do you notice first?  

 

 

There's a lot to like about this picture.  The composition, the contrasts, the depth...
 
I was captured by the contrast of the purple rhododendrons in the center of the picture.  Once I started looking more closely, I was fascinated by the small break in the clouds that let just a hint of the blue sky through.  And then I started to focus on the pattern I saw in the fence...You get the idea.
 
Designing jewelry is a lot like photography.  You have to have something in each piece that catches a person's attention.  It could be a special pendant, the shape of the wire connectors or even the color palette.  
 
No one sees all the details at once.  And that's part of the beauty and mystery of art.  All it takes is something to catch your eye and then you start to see everything else the artist did to create the whole piece. 
 

  

As much as I like this necklace, it just doesn't work.  I think that the main reason is that it is busy everywhere you look...your eyes just don't get a rest.  If the pendant had a solid center, it would create a focal point because it contrasts with the pattern in the rest of the necklace.   

 

So I'm going to rework the pendant with a piece of white sea glass I collected last summer and we'll see what happens. 

 

And it's back to the drawing board for that shell...finding a way to keep the design in the shell the focus is my project for April.  And maybe May as well...

     


It's the Little Things

I had one of "those" moments earlier this week.

 

You know, when you look at yourself and wonder "how in the world did I not figure that out?"

 

I had spent the day with my grandmother and aunt and we had a wonderful time.  Ran some errands, did some shopping, went to lunch...just enjoyed spending time together.  I was dropping my aunt off at her house when we realized there was a problem with my car.  All her groceries were in the trunk and the trunk wouldn't open.

 

Now this isn't the first time the trunk has been uncooperative but usually after a few minutes of pleading and then thumping on the back of the car it will open when I push the button on the remote.  Not this time.

 

So I had to call my hubby and ask him what to do.  He asked if I had tried the key...well, of course I tried the key!  And everything else that we've ever done in the past!  So he drops what he was doing and drives the 30 minutes to "rescue" my aunt's groceries.  (Thank goodness that nothing perishable was in there!)

 

And of course, he pulls up, puts the key in and the trunk pops open.  As I'm walking over to help get the groceries, he asks me which key I used on the trunk.

 

Which key???  There's only one key for this car! 

 

Apparently not.

 

Of all the cars I've ever had, I've NEVER had a car that had a key for the ignition and a separate one for the trunk.   And since this had been my dad's car, I'm sure he was looking down from Heaven with that amused little smile he had and doing his "heeheehee." 

 

Glad my hubby also has a sense of humor.

 



On Fire for Handmade - Artist Spotlight

Thunder Rose Leather Featured Artisans

This weeks Featured Artisans are Debbie and John of Thunder Rose Leather. You will find original quality made leather accessories! Handbags, clutches, baby moccasins, medicine bags and more!

You can find Thunder Rose Leather on:
Website
Handmade Artists
Etsy
Facebook
Twitter Grab the Code for your Blog HERE

Spring is in the Air

I love winter...I love watching the snow come down and cover everything in white.  But part of the beauty of the seasons is that they don't stay forever. 

 

And I am so ready for spring! 

 

Today my hubby brought home two hanging baskets of purple petunias.  He's bought me petunias every year for the 17 years we've been married. 

 

 

 

It started out that first year because I was pregnant with our daughter at Mother's Day and he wanted to surprise me with flowers.  He brought home a deep purple petunia and planted it in a little planter we had on the front porch.  For a guy whose mantra is "if I can't eat it, why should I buy it" it was a pretty special gesture.

 

Since it's been so cold (my daffodils are just now starting to bloom and the tulips are just starting to push through the ground) I don't have pictures of my flowers yet, but here are some from last summer.

 

 

These are from my pergola...I have 6-8 hanging baskets that the hummingbirds love!

 

 

 

I love the colors of these azaleas! 

  

 

I have a wild rose bush next to the garage and the little roses start off pink and turn white as the season goes on.  It makes for a gorgeous display!

 

 

Roses are one of my favorite (although I'm partial to the pink cabbage roses that grow in clusters).  But I love this picture I took in the rain last summer of my miniature red roses. 

 

Can't wait for everything to warm up and get my hanging baskets ready!

 

 



The Need to Create

I've been watching reruns of "So You Think You Can Dance" and something that one of the judges said has stuck with me. 

 

One of the dancers from last season had no formal training but was able to hold his own with all the other dancers and in all the styles he was asked to dance.  And one of the judges said that one of the things that made him stand out is that he "had" to dance. 

 

   As any business owner can identify with, it's discouraging when sales are slow.  But every time I start to think that I need to just put it all away and close up the shop, I find myself doodling new designs.   And looking how I can re-design a necklace in a more modern way. 

 

I guess its true...I just have to create. 

 

  So here's my latest "creation"...bracelets created with a simple peyote stitch and various sizes of beads to create a wave effect.  I want to try to work on this design as a necklace, but it's going to take some work for it to lay correctly.

 

 

This first bracelet is named "Sand and Surf."  I showed a friend of mine and she said that it had all the colors you see at the beach so the name seemed appropriate. 
 

 

I really liked how the colors I used in this bracelet give the design a whole different feel.  It reminded me of walking on the beach at night...dark water broken up by the reflection of stars on the surface.  I named it "Midnight Walk on the Beach."  

  

 

 

I decided to go a different direction with this bracelet and use earth tones as the inspiration.  I like how the dark and light beads help create movement along the waves in the design.  I named this "Golden Elegance."

    
I love how just changing something as simple as a bead size can create such dramatic results!  And when you add in the color combinations, it truly is amazing!
 
These bracelets are all available for purchase in my Etsy shop...here are the links!
 
Sand and Surf 
 Midnight Walks on the Beach
 Golden Elegance



On Fire for Handmade - Artist Spotlight

   

Featured Artisan Creations by Moonlight

Today's Featured Artisan for Share the Love Blogger's Unite is Alluryn Daugherty of Creations by Moonlight. You will find Unique, Handcrafted Treasures in her  Etsy shop!
They will  Inspire, Adorn and Honor the Goddess in every woman.Visit her Website and check out some Free Treasures ~ Including my lastes eBook "Sparkling Goddess Series" ~ http://Creationsbymoonlight.com


Find Creations by Moonlight On:

  Etsy Blog Facbook Twitter

 Are you On Fire for Handmade - Creations by Moonlight is! http://onfireforhandmade.com

New "Reveal"

It's time for my own reveal...of sorts!  I try to make my grandmother and aunts something special for the holidays and this Easter was no exception.

 

They all are amazing women and I try to make things that I think they would like but are a little different than what they would choose for themselves.

 

This first bracelet is for my Aunt Vivie.  It is a variation of the right-angle weave stitch using magatama beads.  It has a sort of tribal feel to it and she's more of a traditional jewelry person (all these women are! LOL)

 

 

I'm ashamed that I don't have a better picture of the necklace I made for my Granny, but this gives you the idea of it's sparkle.

 

 

She loves flowers and purple is her favorite color, and this just felt like I was walking in her flower gardens when I was a child. 

 

My Aunt Nancy's present was an addition to her birthday present.  I had made her a bracelet and short necklace for her birthday with these amazing mint chocolate chip colored beads.

 

 

She asked me to make earrings and a longer necklace to go with them.  Luckily the bead store had two strands of those beads left in stock so I was able to make these for her.

   

     

She specifically asked that the earrings be just the large glass beads so I didn't add any extra beads, but I had to add these cute antique bronze bead caps. 

     

I wasn't able to get all the same beads that I used in the first design, but I think it goes well enough you don't notice the difference.  The large glass beads and my handmade links take center stage anyway!

   

And best of all...everyone loved them!  I'm so grateful for the family I have left and for these women who had such an important role in shaping my life.