Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Great write up on the HAF Forum

Check out the full feature



The Handmade Artists' Forum

Handmade Artists' Forum!
I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to a cooperative collective of Handmade Artists that I recently joined. The Handmade Artists' Forum (or HAF) was founded in April 2009 by Andrew & Kimberly Kitchen in order to provide a venue for all manner of artists to unite and support each other.
The idea is really rather simple....cooperative competition. Not everyone is in direct competition with each other because of the wide variety of arts represented. However, those who are have come to understand that we can band together to succeed.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Sterling Silver caged Pendant with Sea Glass

What a unique idea, to cage your pretties so they can't escape

Blue Sea Glass Caged Pendant

Sterling silver caged sea glass pendant
Sterling silver sea glass pendant cage

I was looking for a way to use those little piece of glass that I have picked up off of the beach.  This sterling silver cage measures 4 cm (1 1/2 in) from top of the bale to the bottom of the curls and holds 5 pieces of blue sea glass found on the Jersey Shore.  This piece comes complete and ready to wear with an 18 in sterling silver cable chain.

This is one of the few pieces that I can replicate.  If you are interested in a caged pendant with different colors of sea glass, please contact me and I will get started on your custom piece.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Painted Pumpkins

These are really cool glasses.

Hand Painted Pumpkin and Sunflower Cafe Mug Set of 4

Cafe mug pumpkin set
Pumpkin cafe mug single
These heavy duty, hand painted mugs measure 5” tall with a 4” wide opening and hold 16oz when filled to the top. The glass is absolutely clear and has been hand painted with fat pumpkins and bright sunflowers that are perfect for your coffee or tea!  This is for a set of 4, but I will gladly take requests for lesser or greater numbers.

All of my glassware has been hand painted with heat cured enamel for years of use.  It can be washed in the top rack of your dishwasher. This means you can actually use it!

Have an idea for a pattern? Contact me know your vision and watch it come to life as a special order.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Business tips for the Handmade Artist

Some cool tips in this blog article. Check out the full post

How do I get my shop Noticed?

sterling-and-gunmetal-18-and-1-jap-patternThat’s what I hear and read about all the time, handmade artists want to get there work noticed and just don’t know how to do it. Well there are many ways to get your shop noticed and I’ll hook you up with a few that we at the Handmade Artists Forum (HAF) are trying to do plus a couple of others.

First you need to get your shop name out there, where’s there you ask, well cyberspace, the internet with it’s maze of complexities. Links are one way to get it done as well as blogs. Along with social networking sites. I’ll touch on each of these and explain how the HAF Blog and Forum are helping.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Steampunk and Chainmaille Collide!

My first steampunk piece and of course it has chainmaille.
See full Post.

Full Persian Steampunk Necklace

Full Persian Steampunk Necklace
This necklace is my first attempt at Steampunk. It’s made using jewelers brass in a full persian weave. The necklace measures 22″ long as I felt the pendant should hang a little lower than normal because of the size. The pendant is the inards of a Elgin Natonal Pocket watch that has been wrapped with a 3/4 persian and some modification to hold the watch in place. The pendant is 2″ in diameter and whole piece is a weighty 5 ounces.  This piece is also reversible if you need a different look, the back of the pendant will give off a different feel dependant on where your wearing to. The clasp is a handmade hammered brass “S” clasp. As always we can re-size the necklace to your required lenght as needed. This is one of a kind piece and will not be reproduced.
Full Persian Steampunk Necklace
Full Persian Steampunk Necklace
Full Persian Steampunk Necklace

I've been featured

Pretty cool write up from The Blue Cat


Featured Artisan- Chainmaille by MBOI



The chainmaille jewelry created by the husband and wife team of Chainmaille by MBOI is truly spectacular! Their jewelry designs are incredibly intricate and detailed and yet look strong and sturdy at the same time. They work with all kinds of metals such as sterling silver and copper. The above photo is a sterling silver helm sheet bracelet which is a favorite of mine

Monday, May 11, 2009

Supporting Artists

Check out this article about supporting handmade

Artists Unite to Support Handmade

crystal-heart-pin-custom-orderWell a new movement is among us where hadnmade artists have banned together in a unified effort to support each other. Over 170  artists have joined the Handmade Artists’ Forum with more joining everyday.  One member, is a fellow mailler or this a case a femailler, Jill from Liv’nGood Jewelry who has also joined in this effort to support eah other as a community of artists. Jill does some beautiful work so check her out at her blog or Etsy Shop.

Many of you may be saying why is a chainmailler helping their competition, well I’ll tell you. I know that I’m not the only game in town selling chainmaille, their are many, but I might have something that she doesn’t sell and visa versa. So instead of competing against each other we are keeping our customers educated about what is available out there.