Thursday, January 28, 2010

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.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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



Sunday, January 24, 2010

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,

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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. 

Sunday, January 17, 2010

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!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

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!

Monday, January 11, 2010

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!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

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

Sunday, January 3, 2010

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!!