I joined the Western South Carolina Gem and Mineral Society, Inc. which provided me with more motivation and a workshop for lapidary and jewelry making.  This began the second phase of my education in further work with gemstones.  I began lapidary, cutting cabochons and faceted stones (bought my own flat lap).  Once you have the stones, what do you do with them?  So, I started making jewelry, this started my venture into that venue and silversmithing.  About this time, my wife got interested in producing beaded pieces.  This is a perfect venue for her.  She is disabled and can design and make beaded necklaces, bracelets, etc. while sitting in her bed.

As the size of our inventory exceeded what we could send to family as presents; we established out shop online.  Handmade Artists presented the best investment.  After trying two other online shop sites, we settled on only having one shop.  We have had more contacts and sales through HA than any other venue.  You can find our shop here:  Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry LLC

We continue our exploration into the artistry of displaying our loves and passions through jewelry.  Designing pieces takes some time.  Each of our pieces is genuinely one of a kind.  We don’t use tutorials to duplicate someone else designs.  That is where we are now, we will continue to expand our knowledge and techniques.

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” he said in a clear strong voice.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,” I explained to him.
“Have you ever looked at your hands,” he asked. “I mean really looked at your hands?”
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.
Grandpa smiled and related this story:
“Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. The made numerous usefull, functional or pretty things in my life. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of my life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.
And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.”
I will never look at my hands the same again. I remember the day that God reached out and took my grandpa’s hands and led him home.

When my hands are hurt or sore from cutting china plate rims and glass I think of Grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face, one of these days.

Monika of Mosaic Art by Myeuropeantouch

http://handmadeartists.com/shop/Myeuropeantouch

For those who want to see the basic process for creating a piece of jewelry, here is a chronicle through the creation of a necklace pendant.

First a brass blank was selected to put my design on.  I had an idea about a “drop” of metal with a stone inset at the bottom of the drop.   I drew a stylized drop on paper and then cut a brass blank that would be larger than the drawing.  The blank was 2 x 6 cm.  I cleaned the blank of oxidation.

Filing, a little dapping with an 8 mm punch, and hand polishing with red rouge completes the creation of the basic pendant.  The stone is set into the hole that was pierced in the metal and the pendant is complete and ready to go to the shop.

The shop will be at a “fleamarket” next Saturday.  Locally we have a bike trail that is rather long.  The fleamarket will be at mile marker 31.5 at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery store (205 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville, SC).  Anyone in the area is invited to drop by and say hello.

In order to create my art, I first cut the stone that will go in the piece, then design around that.  Here are two stones cut in the lapidary in the past week.  The first is a piece of Lapis Lazuli about 2.5 inches long and it is very heavy.  Will probably use it in a horizontal position in a necklace.  Way too large for a ring.

The second is a free form cabochon made with “Pudding” jasper.  Feel free to change the adjective ‘dding’ to anything that you think describes the stone.

I will wait, but am currently working on a mixed metal pendant (gold and silver) with a highly included rutilated quartz *16 mm round faceted stone.  Another project is a ring to ask Debbie to marry me “again” next October on our anniversary. A friend is cutting this as I certainly can not do it in my shop.  Any way, that is the news so far for the day after Thanksgiving.

John

How do you do Vintage? The beauty in Vintage lies within the actual pieces’ ability to speak with you. Brooches are my favorite pieces to “Remix!” As I received these fascinating pieces Broochaliscious ideas took flight! Fabulous brooch finds placed together, offering total accessorization…just scrumpscious! Jewelry transformed with fantastic necklaces with the thinking “your neck is just too hungry to pass these up”! The brooches long lasting appeal doesn’t stop there…Broochaliscious designs from the Queen highlights Vintage-Inspired Handbags adorned with charming gloves, sparkling brooches, & handmade bib flower necklaces that can double as belts! One-of-a-kind pieces to reflect timeless style & design! Lovely accessory & keepsake!

So when the QuEeN wonders, “How do you do Vintage?” please reflect on the history, gift, and legacy behind such pieces as they reach our hands. The journey is what captivates me and sending these pieces on even further is the real gift! Beauty is truly within the eye of the beholder…so kindly BEHOLD THIS and share the love on your neck!

Charmed -ZiLLA’s QuEeN 
As always, The Queen reminds you…”Never leave home without your charm!”

www.ZillasQuEeN.Etsy.com

JR Aquamarine Pendant

Freeform cabochon aquamarine weighing 43 carats in a Sterling silver wire frame accented with glass beads.  The pendant is about 3 inches high

Also did some playing with copper wire, here is that resulting bracelet:

AK Woven Copper Bracelet

12 gauge dead soft round copper wire woven into this 8 inch  cuff bracelet.  After weaving the three wires the bracelet was flattened with hammer and anvil to make a single thickness presentation.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving.

John

In another working idea, I took some 20 gauge square half hard copper wire and wound it on a 3 mm mandrel to make jump rings. These were cut from the mandrel with a jeweler’s saw, then put together to make the chain for this necklace. A dichroic glass pendant that accents the copper color in the chain hangs along the necklace.

Please excuse the quality of my photographs. I enjoyed making these pieces, and am continuing in my creation of custom work.

In addition to the necklace, I have been able to complete a commissioned piece for a geologist.  He wanted a bracelet (17 cm in length) made with Sterling Silver, that shows a cross bedded fluvial environment.  This is the background for the bracelet. The foreground is a river that is meandering.  The 10 gauge round wire shows the river, and also is the wave uncomformity in the cross-section.  In the slow inner portion of the meanders, rough diamonds were placed.  These were set with prongs and a ledge cut into the round wire.  Each of the rock strata were physically patterned, then patinated with Liver of Sulfur to create colors for different sections.  See thumbnail above.  Click on the thumbnails to see a full sized image.

Final item for this edition of my blog is a combination project.  While in Helen, GA, Debora and I went to a fee mine and bought several geodes.  I cut them into slices, them strung them from a crescent of brass to make a wind chime.  Also did a little polishing.  Here it is:

“Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” showcases 247 images chosen
from entries from over 55 artists representing North America, South
America, Europe, Australia, Central America, Africa and Eurasia.

The drive to adorn the human body is surely as old as human kind.
From pre-historic times this drive has led humans to use the
materials at hand, combined with the technologies and tools
available, to create objects to adorn the human body. The oldest
jewelry found to date goes back to at least 75,000 years ago in
Africa.

Early jewelry was made of bones, shells, sticks, and whatever other
materials the people could find and shape. Over time the ability to
mine and shape metal developed, and jewelry was made from bronze,
silver, gold, platinum and other metals. Gold has long been thought
of as a “precious” metal, and today it is joined by silver and
platinum as the three main materials modern jewelry is made from.

While much jewelry today is made from these three main metals, a
large body of jewelry world-wide is still made from a much wider
range of materials. This exhibition, “Beauty is in the Eye of the
Beholder”, focuses on jewelry made primarily of materials other than
gold, platinum and silver.

Jewelers today are still using found objects such as shell and bone;
they are using “green” materials – upcycled and recycled objects and
materials; they are using cutting edge plastics and newly developed
technology; and they are using older metals such as copper, brass
and bronze.

Some of the more unusual materials include vinyl LP’s, velvet, VCR
components, rattlesnake vertebrae, corian, canvas, paper, crab
claws, magnets, synthetic rubber electrical insulation tubing, and
aluminum grounding wire.

More traditional materials used include copper, bronze, brass,
glass, various types of wood, gemstones, pearls and seeds.

Techniques range from traditional metalsmithing, through a range of
beading techniques, textile techniques, photography techniques and
cutting edge industrial fabrication.

Participants range from professional jewelers with international
reputations to students just learning their craft.

Hosted on the Ganoksin website, the world’s largest internet site
devoted to jewelry- related topics, the exhibition is a snapshot of
what jewelers around the world are exploring, and an inspiration to
all. The exhibition was conceived Beth Wicker, an artist from South
Carolina, in the USA, and curated by Beth and Hanuman Aspler, founder
of the Ganoksin Project.

Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/beb

For more information about the Exhibition please contact: Beth Wicker
onlineexhibition@earthlink.net or Dr. E. Aspler (Hanuman)
service@ganoksin.com

Dr. E. Aspler (Hanuman)
Owner and founder

The ring of course was a bit more difficult.  In this case, I bought the ring shank and the head from a casting company.  Then I had to size the shank, solder the head in place, pickle the piece, then polish it.  Unlike a lot of artisan jewelers, I do not own a tumbler, so I hand polish all my pieces.  Final polishing is done with Dremel and red rouge.  

This is so much fun, sometimes I forget that I have other things to do (like sleep). Everyone, have a great summer.

I am new to Handmade Artists Shop and the Forum blog.   So I though I would give all of  you  a short blog to start off by, providing my links to where I sell and what forums I belong to:

Handmade Artists’ Shop:  http://handmadeartists.com/shop/MyriadDesign

Etsy:http://www.etsy.com/people/Myriaddesignjewelry?ref=si_pr

Blogspot: http://myriaddesignblog.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Myriad_Design-Artisan-Crafted-Jewelry-and-more/211888015504463

Artisan Jewelry Designers: http://artisanjewelrydesigners.ning.com/profile/LindaEkblad

Twitter: http://twitter.com/myriad_design

Check these sites out to find out a little more about me, what I sell and my interests.  I am glad to be a part of another Artists’ forum.

Myriad Design Jewelry

Several people have asked over time to see what I start with and then what has been produced.  While Debbie and I were in Helen, we went gem mining.  One of the rough stones we found was a piece of amazonite (feldspar).  I decided to make a cabochon (18×13 mm oval) that would fit a cabochon head that I already had in stock (purchased from Tripps).

In this thumbnail (click to see larger image) are the amazonite rough stone, the purchased head to mount the stone after making the ring and cutting the stone and a section of 8 gauge half round half hard Sterling Silver wire.  These items are made into a ring size 7.  I took the wire, wrapped it around a ring mandrel and sawed the wire to be size 7, then marked the width of the head and opened the wire to match that size and ground the wire ends to match the angle of the head.  Meanwhile, yesterday, I went to our gem society workshop and cut the cabochon.  Combining everything meant soldering the wire to the head, pickling this and then polishing the ring without the stone in it.  I do this by hand (no tumbler in my shop).  Then the amazonite cabochon was mounted in the head and the ring is completed.

That is the story of how I make a ring.

John

Don’t forget to post to the Etsy and HAF threads.

http://handmadeartists.com/forum/index.php/topic,2295.0.html

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6364810

Monday, December 28, http://artbeadwork.etsy.com/

Beautiful and talented bead artist.

Options to wear:
1. Three bracelets: 1 measures 7 inches wrist, 2- 6.5 inches.
2.Necklace by connecting all three pieces in circle.Total length when connected 20 inches
3. One Choker and One Bracelet 13-13.5 inches(necklace) and 7-6.5 inches(bracelet)
4. One Necklace-Tie 13-13.5 inches (around neck) and 7-6.5 inches (tie length)

Made out of Czech and Japanese seed beads.
amethyst chips.

There is also a brooch / pin/ to match this Transformer in my listing.

Tuesday, December 29, http://vedasbeads.etsy.com/

If you would like to shop locally there is a large selection of my beads at Sun Dog Bead Co. in beautiful Downtown Wenatchee!

Welcome to my new line of Charmed Dread Beads! I’m really excited about these and I hope you will be too!

Whale of a Tail Charmed Dread is a dread bead with blue silver glass twisty over white base. Twisted stripes of black shot through shiny blue and teal colors featuring a sterling silver whale tail charm dangling from a loop on the bead. Spice up your dreads! Measures 21mm around by 9mm wide with an inside diameter of approx. 10mm. Also suitable as a large holed focal for your hemp, cord or chain necklace.
Wednesday, December 30,  http://frawgzdezignz.etsy.com/

While I do mostly work in chainmaille jewelry, I also do beading, and am known to combine the two. Each item of jewelry or chainmaille that I make & sell is customizable. If you see something you like but it think it needs something else, message me and I’ll work with you to create the piece you’re imagining.

I LOVE to work with my customers to ensure they get exactly what they’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions including those for other colors, different lengths, other styles or anything else you might think you need answered.

I will gladly do custom commissions, special orders, or even bulk orders such as those for a wedding, shower, or other gifts – provided I am alotted enough time to easily complete the task

With a wide range of styles, and materials to choose from, we can work together to make your adornment wish a reality.

The it is named scarab for the fact the units of the metal chain resemble beetles or more accurately Egyptian type scarabs.

I have developed this design for the Rosary Bracelet, which allows the user to always have it handy and visible – a constant reminder that prayer is close at hand. Each Rosary Bracelet comes in its own organza bag suitable for giving as a gift and to protect it when not being worn. The Rosary Bracelet also comes with a card briefly explaining the use of the Rosary (shown in photograph).

This particular Rosary Bracelet, lovingly crafted by me, is 8.25 inches long from toggle to bar, has Cruciform beads of turquoise ovals, and 6mm Week beads of coral. The sterling silver pendant is southwestern style Greek cross. All the other findings are Sterling Silver as well.

Just what you’ve always wanted – some miniature fungi for your ears!

Dangling on a thread from sterling silver ball and loop ear wires and jump ring are a pair of tiny, yet perfectly formed red fungi. Needle felted from soft, blended English wools and covered with fine, ultra-soft Merino wools, these are ear ornaments with a difference!

Back to the 1950s! Love the vintage look of this apron!

This can be a great gift for that awesome hostess, or for yourself while hosting that get-together this season! Do it in style!

The fabrics chosen in this apron are 100% cotton, in stripes, polka-dots, & a solid chocolate color. The stripes and polka dots carry the following colors: stripes have hot pink, pale pink, green, pale blue, baby blue, pale yellow, creme, chocolate and orange. The polka-dot fabric is set on a pale blue background, with chocolate, hot pink, pale pink, creme, orange, & green colors.

The waist is in the polka-dot fabric, adorned with attractive fabric yo-yos: two in chocolate, one in polka-dot. The buttons upon the yo-yos are absolutely adorable- they are what inspired the rest of the apron!

The mid-section of the apron is slightly gathered, and in solid cholcolate.

The 1st tier is in ruffled, polka-dot fabric with a pretty baby blue rick-rack. The following tier: ruffled, striped fabric with the rick-rack., and the chocolate is beneath, without the ruffle.

This is set of wee small fabric-covered boxes — one is square and the other is round.

I’ve used coordinating brown fabrics on these boxes and they’ve been stained and sanded to look very old. The square box is 2″ by 2″ and 1″ tall, and the round box is 2″ diameter and 1″ tall. Don’t they look so old, all tied up with that grubby gauze?

And look what you get inside of these boxes! The square box holds dried rosemary and the round box holds 3 whole nutmegs!

All of my creations come from my smoke-free studio in Northern California.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6364810

http://handmadeartists.com/forum/index.php/topic,2295.0.html

Merry Christmas

Dusty A.

Monday, December 21, MyWiredImagination.etsy.com

This shop has beautiful jewelry and wonderful tutorials. Very talented designer and teacher.

This tutorial teaches you step by step how to create a basic hinged cage, with or without beaded embellishments. This is a wonderfully versatile design to hold a favorite stone, maybe a love note, or a treasured trinket. Once it is on a chain, it is virtually impossible to come open by accident.
As a bonus this tutorial also includes 2 COMPLETE step by step variations including a crossed wire and locket style cage.
Tuesday, December 22,aimeesrockworks.etsy.com

Welcome to Aimee’s Rock Works…
Featuring hand-crafted rock products from the Pacific Northwest using stones that are personally selected for their beauty and character.

Hand-picked naturally formed beach stones on a 6″ cork trivet. Has been coated with a satin finish to show of the extraordinary colors of these rocks and to protect against minor stains.

Wednesday, December 23, IntentionalStones.etsy.com

Meditation becomes art as we listen to the language of the stones.

 
We will be taking the following days off in celebration of the Christmas Holiday. I hope everyone has a wonderful time with famil and friends.

Thursday, December 24, Merry Christmas
Friday, December 25, Merry Christmas

Saturday, December 26,  RealisticFlorals.etsy.com

Wonderful shop providing beautiful silk creations.

The Porcelain Rose Water Pitcher container on the arrangement is gorgeous.Gold tipped Cream Poinsettias work wonderfully with Green Glittered Eucalyptus and brilliant Red Roses. Assorted Greens provide a great back for this faced design. This piece measures approximately 15 inches high,10 inches across,and 6 inches deep. Faced arrangements work well against walls,in corners. This is a great size for desks in offices or for teachers.

 
Sunday, December 27, suzedablooze.etsy.com

Lynwood Jewellery handcraft necklaces, bracelets and earrings, in sterling silver and semi-precious stones and beads. We create jewellery that is eye catching and unique, for women who appreciate individuality. We work in sterling silver, even our findings are made of sterling silver and we use semi-precious stones and occasionally Swarovski crystals too.

Lovely, pretty and fun bracelet made with sterling silver chain, which has multi coloured fresh water pearl and heamatite beads attached.
Two clasps to allow it to worn at different lengths and a length of chain with beads, that hangs down once closed, to give a little bit of dazzle and individuality.

Monday, December 7, http://seedlingsjewelry.etsy.com/

Welcome to Seedlings: Jewelry Because, handmade jewelry created by Sharon Paradiso – inspired and created from natural materials (including recycled materials where possible). 20% of your regular purchase goes to Heifer International (heifer.org).

Tuesday, December 8, http://jennuinecandles.etsy.com/

Welcome to Jennuine Candles…specializing in 100% palm wax candles with a variety of choices…container candles, pillars, votives and tarts/melts.

Wednesday, December 9, http://celticcrossing.etsy.com/

This a labor of love and I hope that you will find something here that will catch your eye and you’ll just have to have!
I have done gem cutting in the past, so working with gemstones is a joy for me and I do have a background for it. I am knowledgeable in properties of the stones so please feel free to ask me about a stone if you’d like to know more about it.
I am also a Reiki Master, and so with each piece of jewelry I make it is infused with positive energy before it leaves my hands and is sent onto you!

Thursday, December 10, http://dbvictoria.etsy.com/

Friday, December 11, http://feronia.etsy.com/

A shop full of beautiful jewelry with meaning behind the stones she chooses.

Saturday, December 12, http://laneescrochet.etsy.com/

Welcome to Lanee’s Crochet- A shop where you’ll find awesome crocheted hair clips, cotton scrubbies and cloths, scarves, and more!

Sunday, December 13, http://flyingcheesetoastie.etsy.com/

We have some more great shops this week. Lets start promoting them. Give them a heart and Spread the Love.

Monday, November 30, http://deber50.etsy.com/

Great shop, beautiful jewelry. This bamboo piece is one of my favorites. I know you will find your favorite too. Deber is always up for a good trade.

A perfect way to create a fun and colorful holiday table! These napkin rings are made with orange, yellow and lime acrylic squash beads and seed beads. At the center of each is a gingerbread man button (size: 0.9 x 1.1 inches).

 

 

Wednesday, December 2,  http://shabbychicshreds.etsy.com/

Her shop banner says it all “Shabby Chic Shreds; Beginnings and Endings - Fragments and Tatters”. She offers jewelry, journals, totes, and more.

An image of a beautiful angelic little girl with flowers in her hair with the caption “there are angels among us”, sewn onto pastel pink fabric with white spots, and embellished with vintage crochet border and buttons.

Raw edge applique on both front and back and sewn with little pieces of complementary fabrics. It also comes with a tie.
 

Thursday, December 3, http://melaniemiljan.etsy.com/

“I love to use natural stones from around the world. Many of my items are one-of-a-kind. The majority of my work is fine and sterling silver macrame ‘d with gemstones although I do work with black waxed linen and cotton as well.”

Friday, December 4,  http://thetulgeywood.etsy.com/

So glad you’ve wandered into The Tulgey Wood, the home of ‘Twas Brillig on Etsy!
‘Twas Brillig, a brick & mortar studio store located in downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina, is a wonderland of unique hand-crafted jewelry, handmade bags and totes, original artwork and unusual gifts for you to cherish or share…Stop back often as there’s always something new happening here!

Item: Father Christmas Ornament
Size: 5 3/4″ x 3″, not including ribbon hanger

Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign of the returning spring. In this earliest form, Father Christmas was not the bringer of gifts for small children, nor did he come down the chimney. He simply wandered around from home to home, knocking on doors and feasting with families before moving on to the next house.

Cast using German Springerle cookie molds, each Paperclay ornament is then painstakingly hand-painted, sealed, backed and strung on ribbon.

This Father Christmas ornament has been painted Wedgewood Green & Titanium White for a high contrast ornament imitating jasperware. Jasperware is a form of pottery that has a stoneware body which is either white or colored, which is noted for its matte finish. It can appear in many color variations.

All of my paperclay ornaments are available as custom items in the color of your choice. Due to drying times, this process can take up to 10 days to complete. If you are interested in a custom colored item, please convo me for details!

 
Saturday, December 5, http://genevive.etsy.com/

Knitted and crochet organic cotton bath, slippers, patterns, and baby shoes.

These slip-hers feature an added rim on the bottom of the soles to make them extra sturdy and creating a contrasting outline on the bottom sole.

These slippers are crocheted with a ribbed pattern. The colors are red (tops), pine green, sage green, and white (soles), seaweed fuzzy (ties), and topped off with red hearts trimmed in sage green.

Cabled Fingerless Gloves/Wristwarmers
Snow White
47% Acrylic, 53% Nylon
So soft, fluffy & cuddly.
Each measure approx 9″ L x 3 1/2″W unstretched when layed flat ( 7″ circumference) Will fit most teens, young adults and adults.

Don’t forget to post your picks on these threads

http://handmadeartists.com/forum/index.php/topic,2099.0.html

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6334537

http://handmadeartists.com/forum/index.php/topic,2099.0.html          http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6334537 

Monday, November 23, http://mairzydozy.etsy.com/ Original Silk Bridal Bouquets, Handcrafted Hair Forks, Silk Floral Hair Accessories, and more…For your holiday gift-giving needs we offer gift wrap/boxes, enclosed cards, gift certificates, and expedited shipping. If you don’t see the size or color you are looking for, please contact us with your request.

Simply beautiful. I chose this one because I have a friend getting married during the Mardi Gras season down in Lousiana. This would be perfect for her. (and I am noticing a theme of purple for me, I never thought I favored this color over others, but latley it is catching my eye a lot)

Four purple silk roses and three green artichoke flowers are accented by lilac, light purple lilies and dusty miller. Elegant loops of silver french ribbon accent the bouquet and adorn the hand-wrapped stems. Arrangement is approximately 10″ across and 12″ in length.

 Tuesday, November 24, http://yaffa.etsy.com/ ”Yaffa” means beautiful. And ‘beautiful’is equal to ‘unforgettable’, isn’t it?
Everything I create is one-of-a-kind, absolutely unique as YOU are.I do not copy anybody’s design because my head is full of my own ones.

Adorable picture and ‘necklace’. A piece with a cause.

 

 

Thursday, November  26,   http://alexshardesigns.etsy.com/ This shop has beautiful jewelry in sterling silver and gemstones.

I love ways to shake up my wardrobe and these rings are great for changing things up.

 

 

Friday, November 27, http://dutchfeltart.etsy.com/ Dutch Felt Art, the place to be for pure natural handfelted and hand dyed items. My mission is to make unique ( OOAK) things with natural materials and I love to experiment with different fibers and materials.

A great necklace and help a charity.

A purple ceramic pendant plays off this stunning green and purple 25mm round Rhyolite coin focal bead, set with an assortment of round green semiprecious stones and purple lapidolite. The clasp is a large, strong type of spring clasp. The clasp, bali-stle beads, and wire are all sterling silver.

Now on to this weeks shops. We are getting closer to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday hsopping days. Our potential buyers are out there we just have to find them. Promote, promote, promote, and promote again these shops and any other HAFTeam shop you find. (Search HAFTeam on Etsy) We have lots of great stores with a wide range of items to fit anyone on your list.

Monday, November 16, http://beadworkgallery.etsy.com/

Beadwork Gallery – Handmade beaded accessories with a vintage flair.

Six tiny (4mm) red coral beads and clear Swarovski crystals dangle from shiny silver metal heart-shaped chandeliers to create the exquisite “Forever” earrings.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26200256

Tuesday, November 17, http://jewelrybynala.etsy.com/

Jewelry by Nala – she has a beautiful selection of jewelry to fit the most elegant taste.

This 11mm x 9mm Tiger’s eye faceted teardrop has a red-brown silky luster and is mounted into an antique brass filigree bead cone, topped with a golden glass bead and coffee brown Swarovski bicone crystal. Two Czech glass beads hang gracefully on either side. An off-set antique brass flower connects a cable chain with a chain containing alternating oblong and round links. Finished necklace is 20 inches long. All brass components are lead and nickel free.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34285537

Wednesday, November 18, http://terrbear37.etsy.com/

Welcome to my Etsy shop! My name is Terri Moore. I design and create unique, personalized handstamped greeting cards and other hand stamped items for all occasions. Each item is a high quality personal work of art made by hand.

I love this card. Glowing fairies on black background.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29973186

Thursday, November 19,  http://mookiejones.etsy.com/

This is a great shop specializing in original and afforable fine art and painted decor pieces. She also accepts commissioned work.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26983337

Friday, November 20, http://debrasdesigns.etsy.com/

Debra Designs wonderful jewelry and she color coordinates her shop too. I just love that!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22978209

Saturday, November 21, http://soaringdesigns.etsy.com/

Blending Nature’s Unique Gemstone Beauty in a Handmade,Earthy Jewelry Selection.Distinctive Natural Pendants,Original Mixed media designs,Men’s jewelry,and crystals are also featured. Gorgeous Agates,and Jasper Gemstones resemble fine wood grain. Brilliant Moonstones, Opals,Onyx, and Amazonite are just a few of natures gifts shown here…… 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29751415

Sunday, November 22,  http://cmaille2.etsy.com/

Welcome to Crescent Maille’s Prêt-à-Porter Shop — ready-to-ship, ready-to-wear contemporary, handmade chain maille jewelry. The hope is to get this store stocked up in time for the holidays — but if you know of something you want, and can order early, either from here or from cMaille, please do!

I love the uniqueness of this chainmaille.

Rings made from 16 gauge sterling silver square wire are fashioned into knots by weaving two together through their centers.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31283192

Monday, November 2 http://mailleetc.etsy.com/

Greetings, and welcome to Maille Etc, where you’ll find kits, tools, jump rings, and, when available, ready-to-wear jewelry.
We’re Green! All of our sterling silver jump rings are made from 100% reclaimed silver – no mined sources here! We feel good about that, and so will you and your customers.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31739892

Everything you’ll need to create this stunning chainmaille bracelet is included in this kit, including a jump ring tool and a very handy triangle scoop! Weave this bracelet for yourself or for your friends – they’ll love you, and, be warned, they’ll demand more of your talents!

Tuesday, November 3 http://colettesboutique.etsy.com/

Beautiful selection of handcrafted sterling silver and semi precious stone jewelry. This shop also has a selection jewelry tutorials for learning to make your own.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30906932

Sleeping Beauty turquoise, sterling silver, and Swarovski crystal handcrafted chandelier earrings.

Wednesday, November 4 http://eiriel.etsy.com/

Welcome!
          Eclectic jewellery includes chainmaille, pearl and unique jewellery that make fantastic gifts for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries or for yourself after a hard week! I love custom orders, so please feel free to convo me if you have any special requests.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27725340

Something for the boys! Aluminum and rubber chainmaille bracelet. Suitably rugged for wearing during ‘manly’ activities such as hiking, chopping down trees, manning BBQs or just being your own blokish self, these will compliment any man’s wrist!

Thursday, November 5 http://shapedbyhand.etsy.com/

Our jewelry is made with a love for creativity and a desire to provide each person who purchases one of our pieces with a one of a kind work of art. Most of our jewelry is made using various wiring materials such as sterling silver, copper gold filled, gold plated, and color craft wire. Wire is one of the best mediums to work with because it is so malleable and lends itself to endless possibilities. Wire working allows for us to create truly unique pieces.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27349625

Iridescent Swarovski Crystal cube beads in shades of blues and greens.

Friday, November 6 http://yaffaknit.etsy.com/

W E L C O M E ! Scarves, slippers, socks, gloves and hand warmers, hats and bags – it is all for you! COZY, SOFT AND WARM WELCOME to Yaffa’s Neat Knitting Shop!

I am a creataholic for as long as I remember myself.
Always hungry for challenge of making, learning, designing something new using paint, fabric,yarn, wood, metal,beads and crystals,ceramic…you name it!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20399740

Deliciously loving gift for your beloved to keep the hands as well as the heart warm and tender.
The gloves are made with world famous 100% pure Merino wool from New Zealand and decorated with tiny pearls.

Saturday, November 7 http://pennyfarrow.etsy.com/

Handmade leather accessories. Beautifully crafted handbags, small cases/coin purses, journal covers, and bible covers.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28901058

This matte black leather purse is another of my black on black series, it features a gorgeous variety of texture and line and compliments the black clutch and the moon-flower shoulder bag. It is stitched with fine caramel brown linen thread,which provides a subtle highlight, and is fully lined in black pigskin

Sunday, November 8 http://torajewelry.etsy.com/

Carefully and lovingly handcrafted colorful chainemaille jewelry.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27419886

Lovely double spiral weave front clasp necklace with Swarovski Crystal heart.

Lots of great items in this weeks team shops! I hope you have an easier time than I did choosing one as your favorite to Spread the Love. Don’t forget to post your favorites on the Etsy thread at http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6334537

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

Then late every night we post a link in the general forum (under What’s Happening with the HAF Team) and post the next day’s shop. Both Forum members and guests are then encouraged to visit the shop.

Team members are encouraged to “heart” the shop and choose a favorite item to post on our forum thread and an ongoing thread in the etsy forums.
 
We also ask team members to help promote the shop of the day by sharing the link on Twitter, Plurk, Facebook, MySpace, Stumbleupon, personal blogs and any other social media that we know of.
Everyone does what they can and that shop has a day of extra exposure and hopefully sales!

We are now starting a weekly blog post here on the forum that’s sure to make this game a little more interesting!
 
So if you want to play, you’re welcome to jump in anywhere. If you’re a bit over whelmed start with one site, our public thread is a good place to start. Pick a favorite item from the shop of the day and post it there, then you can follow the links to the etsy threads and post there too.

These are just options, do a little – do a lot. Whatever you’re comfortable with. Every little bit helps!
If you’re interested in joining our HAF Team, you can contact SuziesArmoire on the forum or through Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=7507636.
Once you’re a team member your shop will be added to the mix immediately. All that we ask is that you help to  Spread the Love!