Brrr

Woke up to -7* this morning, makes it a new adventure to be lampworking in the garage.   Got lots of new designs I'll will trying out soon.

Wow!!! Great weekend at the Cannon Falls Wine & Art Festival.  This was the first year of this to be annual event.  I was very impressed with the organization and the participation of 10 Minnesotan Vineyards.


I'm quite late in getting caught up on my computer stuff,  just realized I was featured at
http://michele-byyourside.blogspot.com/2010/06/handmade-goodness_30.html  Thank you very much!!

G'day M'lords and Ladies

Well, another wonderful weekend at the Annual Olde World Renaissance Faire http://www.owrenaissancefaire.com/  in Twig Minnesota.  The organizers of the event even managed to import realistic foggy,  misty, rainy UK weather; talk about dedication to an event!!!

My daughter, Lauren, was able to accompany me this year and after a bit of reservation on her part was able to fully enter the realm of renaissance and had a wonderful time as did I.  It was great catching up with friends from last year, meeting new ones and being a part of a great artisan, merchant family.

Entertainment this year was provided by multiple talented people providing a wide variety of talents.  Jousting, Robin Hood, Vikings, musicians, re-enactors, you name the faire provided it.

Please view the slide show (double click on the pictures for larger image) and enter the realm.  I urge you to mark the dates for next year and plan on attending a wonderful family oriented event.

Please email if you would like use of these photo's.

Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced." Leo Tolstoy

Starting off the month featuring DreamBubbles

This weeks featured artist is "DreamBubbles"  yes I know close to my shop's name but much different in styles and media used.  She makes the most fabulous spiders ever.  Now I know that not everyone is fond of spiders but they fill an extremely important biological niche and hers are non-venomous and non biting as well as being just lots of fun!!!!  The spiders range from the fantasy to very realistic and may be used in a variety of ways.  Her talents don't lie with just spiders though, a beautiful line of chainmaille and beaded items fill her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamBubbles Please stop by and visit her shop & blog.

Her blog may be found at
http://dreambubblesreverie.blogspot.com/
and to quote her blog : "A place of reverie for my jewelry company aptly names DreamBubbles. Musing, contemplations and creations shared amongst friends."

Getting ready for Renn Faire

I know it's early, but with over 2 feet of snow on the ground I am anxious to start thinking about warmer weather.  I will again be at the Olde Worlde Renaissance Faire June 12-13, 2010.  http://www.owrenfaire.com/ 

Here a few new pieces, some using new materials.

This weeks featured artist

So many talented artists may be found at the Handmade Artist Forum http://www.handmadeartistsforum.com/  this week I'm showcasing Tuscan Road Designs.

tuscanroad's Shop Announcement
you will find an eclectic mix of mod and vintage jewelry designed and handcrafted by me. Creating handmade, original and unique jewelry is my "therapy" and It has definitely unleashed my creative side. I have consistently been inspired during numerous world travels, always keeping an eye out for the beautiful and unusual bead or idea that helps make these one-of-a-kind creations so unique.

Holly creates amazing pieces in various designs from simple to elegant, steampunk to formal.  Her work may be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuscanroad

SUPPORT HANDMADE :)

Artist of the week 2/14/10

This weeks featured artist is Red Fox Jewelry.  A very versatile and creative artist skilled in many different techniques and media's.  Chainmaille, wire wrapping are just a few of the talents possesed by this artist.  A full range of jewelry may be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/redfoxjewelry  Like many handcrafters she is  happy to create jewelry in your requested colors. 

Featured Artist 2nd week in February

My featured artist for this week is, Anagram for Ink she creates the most interesting items or to take an excerpt from her site " Hand-binding books, letterpress printing, writing, reading and making peculiar art in backwoods Nova Scotia  AKA White Raven Arts brings you White Raven Ink artwork: hand-bookbinding, printmaking, fine letterpress printing and photography inspired by nature, mad science and the neo-Victorian retro-future. You'll also find White Raven Press comics, in the pages of which lurk scientific detectives, daredevil test pilots, really large bats, faeries, satyrs, and artists just trying to save the world. verything is handmade, hand-printed, and hand bound as one-of-a-kind pieces or in very small editions (except comic books, or unless otherwise noted in the descriptions).  Absolutely fabulous works may be found at

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40096728 please take a look at the many items featured in her shop.  LOL,  I keep finding myself going back and trying to figure out which to purchase!!

 

SALE!!!!

All natural gemstone, swarovski bracelets snd necklaces on sale 10% off. Jasper, agate, amethyst, czech glass, swarovski, Unakite, Moukite, many more!!! Available items are shown in the album to the right. Prices start at $10.  Email for pricing,

Thank you!!
* maille items not included in sale.

New piece-using vintage beads

Heritage" piece created using web agate, silver beads and vintage glass beads reclaimed from one of my great grandmothers necklaces. Stunning, eye-catching piece is sure to draw admiring glances. Large web agates measure 14mm, vintage glass beads are approximately 8mm, total length of necklace is 18" and also contains silver plated spacer beads. This is truly a one of a kind (OOAK)!  now for sale at
http://www.handmadeartistsshop.com/ixxocart/products/Heritage-220-1.html

Artist of week 1.24.10

I'd like to present jewelrybynala
http://www.jewelrybynala.blogspot.com/  I love the craftsmanship on the earrings in the picture or to quote her blog "delicately elegant'   Sparkling pear-shaped crystal Swarovski Crystallized Elements briolettes are hand wrapped in luminous sterling silver wire. These lovely crystals are 15x14mm and hang about one inch from the bottom of the sterling silver earwires.  Simply Stunning!!!

Please visit her blog or stop by her shop in Etsy,

Handmade artist Team shop

New shop featuring only handcrafted items, all made one at a time by some very talented artists.  I am proud to have been included in this shop which may be found at:
http://www.handmadeartistsshop.com/   the right hand side has a area to search by vendors.  Please look for me DreamRiver Designs. 

In my previous post I mentioned some ways to avoid mass merchandised 'handmade,' one of the goals at the handmade artist shop is to insure the quality and avoid any mass produced items. 

This weeks featured artist

Helloooo!!!

This weeks featured artist is Raven333 http://www.etsy.com/shop/raven333  Raven works in fabric and fiber mediums and has some stunning dyed scarfs and felted items.  I personally greatly admire dyed art and would love to try it but feel its best to leave to those talented artisans with an innate talent for this medium. 

Ideas for fiber art,  matte and frame, a dyed scarf  matted and framed makes a stunning one of a kind (OOAK) piece of wall art.  Raven also knits superb shawls and other items (see photo).  As with most handcraft artisans custom items are available, have a scarf, shawl, accessory designed with your colors for a stunning, attention drawing work of art crafted with care and love.

Have a great week!

What is handcrafted?

Handcrafted as defined by the wictionary: English[edit] Adjective handcrafted (not comparable)
Made by hand or using the hands, as opposed to by mass production or using machinery.  Why is that important?  It's important to realize the time, skill and effort that goes into handcrafted items.  No two are ever alike even when they may look similar.   The artist's mindset always plays a role in the final piece as does the reaction of the medium they are working with at the time.  What is Art? Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities.  It is the deliberate arrangment that makes a handcrafted item Art. An artist goal is to appeal to the senses and create emotions and memories with a piece. 

One other note,  I have noticed that many sites are advertising items as handmade, please read the details carefully as I have found that many items are actuallly mass produced and are being sold as handcrafted.  I have also found it helpful to read the artist bio/profile as it may give details to the originality and origin of the piece.


Go forth and enjoy some art today!

Another talented artisan

Hello,  I want to introduce you to another talented artisan and a member of the "Handmade Artist Forum" 
( http://handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php ).  Meet Speranza of  http://speranzajewelry.com/ an extremely talented artist who utilizes various gemstones for one of a kind handcrafted jewelry.  She feels that art gives us hope, hence the shop name Speranza which is Hope in Italian.  Quoted from her site "The goal of Speranza is to create quality, affordable jewelry – a simple pleasure that anyone can enjoy. Each item listed in my shop is made with care and attention to detail."

Please visit her shop and remember to shop Handmade!

new work

Here's a few new pieces. Rose garden bracelet made with red coral, golden glass and ruby swarovski.

Copper Cascade, brilliant copper woven in the European 4 in 1 is the focal point of this necklace

check this site out

A fellow artisan has a great site at http://seedlingsjewelry.blogspot.com/ tons of very valuable information and great jewelry also.

http://www.seedlingsjewelry.com/

she is "inspired by Nature and the Universe" and uses natural and/or recycled materials.

SUPPORT HANDMADE!!