This chunky aquarium focal bead featuring pretty little Tang tropical fish murrini

And a set of funky rainbow twisties

The winner will be drawn from the names of FHFteam blog followers who comment on the team blog during January, so don’t forget to ‘Follow’ us, and start sharing what’s on your mind! Drawing for the prize will take place on the 8th of February 2012

I’d like to say a special thank you to Andrew and Kimberly for inviting me to have a guest blog spot here to tell you all about our giveaway. Their tireless support of handmade it truly inspirational.

Happy New Year
Jo x
Kitzbitz on Etsy, Kitzbitz on HAFshop, Frit N Chips.

Preciosa Ornela is part of the Preciosa Group, which is one of the worldp’s most significant producer of glass products. Its tradition reaches into 16th century. The boom of glass industry in Northern Bohemia is dated in the second half of the 19th century, when Czech glass became well known and established as first class quality product. Preciosa Ornela has been established in 2009 and produces mainly beads and pearls.

The exclusive Czech two-holed Twin seed bead is oval shaped with dimensions of 2.5 x 5 mm and it is available in two glass materials: crystal and black. The wide range of currently available color finishes on the two-holed Twin beads will inspire you to make infinite color combinations like the ones shown in this article, or at photogalleries on Flickr – just click the images.

With the new Twin bead from Preciosa Ornela it is possible to create unique spatial shapes, original structures, lacy designs or even costume jewellery. If you like to, you can become a fan of Preciosa Ornela on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/PreciosaOrnela where you can get some very interesting news.

4 His Glory Creations by CJ

There are full time artists in the world…and then there are the rest of us!  Desirable Intentions is one such multi-tasker.  She and her husband actually lay floors as their “day job,” but her real passion lies in jewelry.

She experimented with many things; cake decorating, refinishing furniture, cross stitch; before stumbling upon the joy of creating beautiful pieces of wearable art.

Ready to see more?  Check out DesirableIntentions on the HandmadeArtistsShop and prepare to be amazed.

Elle’s Beads was never intended to be a business venture.  I started beading and making jewelry as an outlet for dealing with some of the depression and anxiety I was going through after starting my first “real” job in a new city after college. After a few months of encouragement from family and friends, I decided to open shop on Etsy and I’ve been selling my work ever since.

The designs I make are almost always one of a kind and reflect my personality and eclectic sense of style.  I have a line of LGBT pride jewelry as well as dozens of other funky, colorful pieces.  This year I’ve added lines of metal bookmarks and beaded cell phone charms, perfect even for those who don’t wear much jewelry.  I also make fabric accessories, including brooches, pins, and barrettes.

Environmental responsibility is a big issue for me and so a lot of my work reflects that.  I only use scrap fabrics for my accessories and often incorporate broken vintage jewelry, vintage buttons, and other second-hand embellishments into my work.  I make beaded and resin magnets and often use recycled bottle caps or even creative items like old keys and eyeglass lenses in my creations.  

You can find Elle’s Beads (and me!) all over the web.  I have shops on Handmade Artists Forum, Etsy, Zibbet and my own website.  I have an active Blogger blog, Tumblr blog, YouTube channel, Twitter, and Facebook page.  I’d love it if you stopped by and dropped me a line.  One of the best parts of starting this business is the wonderful friendships I’ve made with other artisans and lovers of handmade!

Until next time,

Elle

Some collaborations are just amazing; and Copper Dancer Designs is just one such example of a collaboration that works!  Julia Benson-Slaughter and Andrea Winkler are both talented glass artists who came together thanks to their love of glass as well as the gift of combining glass with metal into amazingly lush designs of both finished pieces and loose glasswork beads in a variety of colors and styles.

Face it, this shop is like a candy store for anyone wanting to add handworked glass into their own designs but doesn’t possess the tools, time, or talent to make it themselves.  The rich colors and stunning finish is enough to make any jewelry designer drool.

Not into designing your own jewelry?  That is all right.  Copper Dancer also finds time to make some finished pieces for your pleasure.  Chainmaille pieces as well as those that combine metal with their stunning glass will definitely get you noticed and envied.

Ready to see more?  Check out this talented team at Copper Dancer Designs on the HandmadeArtistsShop.

I am a woman of many passions. As a wife, mother, and teacher I am passionate about family and children. As a writer, I am passionate about the written word. And as a jewelry artisan, I am passionate about beading.

Enchanted Beading is a reflection of creativity, imagination, desire, passion, romance, and story. Every piece is a story. The earrings worn on a first date. The beads around your neck during a passionate kiss. The bracelet dangling from your wrist during a dance.

Things I love ~ the scent of roses, strawberry wine, chocolates, Jane Austen, spring winds, birdsongs, ocean waves, family and friends, smiling children, a great romance, ballroom dancing, the ballet, musical theatre, joyful music, kisses, Disney World, the sweet taste of watermelon on a summer day, fireworks, snowflakes, fine wine, a mountain view, waterfalls, silk, kittens, and time to create.

Find my work at Etsy.
Read my blog.
Follow me on Twitter.

Dream Beads was established by me, Renata Pilikinaite, when I decided to share my creative and colourful ideas with others. My handmade jewellery is made from natural merino wool using some 925 Sterling Silver, Tibetan Silver and Silver-plate elements together with some glass beads to be suitable for every occasion and pocket.

Felt is the oldest man-made textile, but there is nothing primitive about woolen fleece felted bubbles as they are beautiful adornments, which will make a brilliant impact on a grey day! Although wool is a very unlikely component of jewellery, these giant felt beads have an unexpected extrovert appeal. The colour is so rich, the texture so dense, the completed item so light to wear, and so dramatic to look at, that you may have to reconsider all your preconceptions as to what constitutes jewellery.

Check out Dream Beads.

Miki is known to the world as Michele Stewart. She is a graduate of the HS of Art & Design, an avid reader, cat lover and artist in multi-media. Beginning with a passion for needle arts, she has wholeheartedly embraced the art of jewelry. Using silver, gold, natural and simulated gemstones, Swarovski crystals and anything else she can get her hands on, Miki’s designs are delicate, original and improving all the time. You can also contact Michele for one on one design consultation.

Cat a.k.a. Cat Nissenfeld a.k.a. Madam Miau, is a renowned Psychic, Reiki Master and burgeoning Shaman as well as an artist extraordinaire. Her designs are bold, full of color and verve as well as healing and infused with her own vibrant personality. Cat has been designing and making jewelry for over 20 years, using everything from delicate seed beads to sterling silver one-of-a-kind castings in lost wax. Every one of Cat’s pieces are infused with healing energy. You can contact Cat to consult or order Chakra or Healing pieces.

Check out the Mikicat Design Store.
We’re also on Etsy

I am an artist, a mom, and a breast cancer survivor. My husband James, 2 kids Phoebe & Sander, and I live in a wild-kingdom with 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 turtles, and too many chickens to count.

I have a BA in Illustration and am the staff artist at a MA Veterinary School. In 1998 I launched a jewelry business, Beeboo. My studio is constantly in a state of chaos (as is the rest of my house) but I love it!

My fabulous father Herb, passed away in 2005 after a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). My mom was Dad’s primary caregiver. Throughout the 2 year battle both she and Dad continued to make the most of every day, taking it as it comes and relishing the time they had together. They are my inspiration. 

Visit my Etsy shop.
Visit my Etsy supply shop.
Check out Beeboo.com.
Read my blog.
Follow me on Twitter.

I have always been interested in arts and crafts and sewing – anything creative. When I discovered beads, I knew that this was something I was going to get very excited about. I discovered my love for beading about 10 years ago. When I am creating with beads or polymer clay, I feel a little of what God must have felt when He created the world.

I am a beadaholic and proud of it. I believe I have a God given gift – the love of creating. Give me a needle and thread and some beads and I won’t be able to stop myself. Add a little polymer clay into the mix and I can get really crazy.

After all these years, I’m still excited about and I look forward to beading and creating every day. I love to design and create and I have no favorite materials-if it can be combined into a piece of jewelry, then I love it! A beading heart is a happy heart! I sell my work on consignment at a local bead shop and online.

I am a proud member of the Etsy Bead Weavers Team. Visit our blog for links to all members’ shops.

Check out my Etsy shops BeadsForever & Dangles by Linda.
My personal website My Heart Beads For You.
Read my blog.

In my full-time life I am a public librarian and by nights and evenings I am an artisan. I have two grown, successful sons-one is in Madison WI studying medicine and the other travels for a living all over the United States taking cool 3D video pictures of fun places.

I love the creative process. I quilt, needle point, cross stitch and a whole host of other things. I love rug making, punch needle, weaving…if I can afford the tools, I will try anything!

I’ve been selling successfully online for over a year. While I’m happy and pleased about my success on my Etsy store FIBER BEADS by Ebrown2503 I am anxious to offer a variety of other creative possibilities to my customers. For this reason, my Artfire store, FIBER BEADS by Petal Creations, will look like a variety store (I hope). 

Find my work on Etsy.
I’m also on Artfire.
Follow me on Twitter.

While hiking in the Adirondack Mountains of New York several years ago, Bill and I discovered our first piece of garnet. Thus, the birth of Jems by JB & Company (Judy and Bill), our hopes for an early retirement!!  We have since worked with many other semi-precious gemstones and have brought some of our stones from their raw state to the beautiful finished pieces that we now offer for sale. We try to create pieces that will appeal to all ages and fashion trends.

Our five children and their respective spouses, Jeff and Chrissy, Kyle and Scotti, Allie, Michelle, Jen and Matt, serve as our “testers” and give us advice on what they feel will sell. Although we both have full time careers that keep us pretty busy, we spend our free time designing new pieces. I am considered the creative genius behind this operation and Bill is manufacturing.

We still enjoy our rides to the mountains where we continue to find treasures that inspire our creations. We are featured at many of the craft shows locally and can design anything based on your budget and taste.

Check out our bead supplies at our other Etsy shop, ‘Beaders Booty’. We are proud members of JET (Jewelry on ETSY), BBEST (Boomers and Beyond) Street Teams!

Check out Jems by JB on Etsy.
Find supplies at Beaders Booty.
We’re also on Artfire.
Read our Blog.

My name is Tracey and I am a mother of two wonderful boys and I LOVE designing jewelry! After losing my day job (of 10 years), I decided to open my own store and sell my designs.

I have always been creative, but jewelry design allows me the freedom to express myself. Ginger Kitty Designs offers beautiful handcrafted jewelry and accessories, and I run a ‘Trade Friendly Store.’ I have designed and handcrafted each piece of jewelry you will find in my store, and I will make every effort to make sure you are a happy customer and have a positive experience.

I am the original creator of a line of jewelry made with nail polish, called ‘Nail Polish Jewelry Line.’  I can custom design any of the jewelry you see in my stores or on my Flickr account, or I can make you a completely unique piece of you – in whatever color or style that suits you.

Most of my designs can be customized to your needs. I can change the size of bracelets and clasps, the color of beads, and change earrings to clip on. Ginger Kitty Designs now also offers jewelry repair. If you have a piece that needs to be restrung or is broken I can more than likely repair it.

I have found that selling my designs is very rewarding and I love when a customer says, “wow it is just beautiful!.” It brings great joy to my life and a smile to my face!

Check out my Etsy Store.
Find my work on Artfire.
Find more of my work at Flickr.
Follow me on Twitter.

I have always liked the look of chainmaille and finally learned to make it on my own about 12 years ago. Then I put the skill away and promptly forgot about it. In 2002 I was looking for something to get involved in. Chainmaille immediately popped into my head, but i didn’t want to make clothing anymore. I wanted to take it a step further and make something functional and pretty for everyday use. So I taught myself some basic chain weaves, and bought my first supplies. It has evolved over the years into what you see today. I hand weave each chain with two pairs of pliers and the occasional tweak of the old vice grips (everybody likes a girl with vice grips, right?). I love what I make and what I do.

I strive to come up with unique designs or at least what I think are unique designs. Mostly I am inspired by the beads I choose, although color inspires me as well as people and the fashions they wear.

My pieces are mostly one of a kind, although some of the pieces that don’t have beads are repeated. The materials I use come from all over the world. I choose the beads carefully and usually (in the case of the focals) only buy one or two of any given one at a time. The beads range in material from natural stone to glass to vintage Lucite. I also will use wood, bone, horn, and just about anything that looks cool.

As far as my metals go, my main metal was and still is stainless steel, and for the longest time that is all i used. I branched out into aluminum last year when I started making Pride jewelry. The other metals that I use are titanium, niobium, sterling silver, copper, brass, and bronze. There are a few other metals available like gold, some other kinds of steel, etc. I’m happy to take requests for custom items.

Check out my Artfire shop.
Supplies available in my Etsy shop.

I design high quality yet affordable jewellery items, mainly charm bracelets with beads from all over the world. I use Etsy to buy a lot of my beads and to sell the jewellery I make.

I am inspired by anything-from my garden, to wallpaper, fabric, absolutely anything really. I love colour and experimenting with different colour combinations.

I’m happy to make a specific order for you and I can alter the length of bracelets if you’d like one longer or shorter. 

Find my charm bracelets and other accessories at my Etsy shop.

I have always been a very crafty person. I got into beading two years ago when I was given a bracelet for Christmas and I saw how it was made and said I could do that. I have been making jewelry for family and friends since then. I gave a necklace to my best friend and she told me I should sell my jewelry. I went to my first craft fair last year and loved it. She and I were doing research on where to put our items up for sale and found ETSY. We both loved it and now have stores of our own.

Find my creations at my Etsy shop.
Follow me on Twitter.

Hi! I am Truli from Yours Truli Vintage Jewelry Creations. Living in Ohio with my 3 Boston Terrier rescues and stubborn old fish the goldfish. Besides my own website I am a some time seller on Ebay and a few other venues.

 I have been creating and selling my period jewelry since 1998. I had to take a break from it for health reasons about a year ago but I am back to embracing my creative side and loving every minute of it! Before I took my break I was able to support myself with my craft and I hope to work my way back there some day, but for now I am working part time in the medical field to support my addiction to beads, glass jewels and brass! Am I the only one that loves the way some beads feel in your hand?! LOL

You can find my work at Yours Truli Vintage Jewelry Creations.
Also available at my Artfire shop.
Read my blog.

All my beads are made by me, one at a time, in my studio in Galway, New York. All my beads are annealed in a digital controlled kiln for strength and durability. I work mostly with soft glass, coe 104. I use Moretti, Vetrofond, Lauscha, Reichenbach,and Double Helix.

I am a Self Representing Artist (SRA# K66)

You can find more of my finished jewelry featuring my beads on my website: www.beadsonfire.net
you can follow my blog: http://beadsonfire.blogspot.com
and on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Beadsonfire

Visit Beadsonfire at Etsy

For me creating is a way for me to nurture and rejuvenate my spirit. As a caregiver and nurturer to my husband who was diagnosed with ALS, better known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” in 1999, these are talismans that soothe and heal my soul. When I step into my studio I am able to create pieces from my heart, my mind goes places that I’ve never been.

I see colors and textures merging into one and my little creations are born-and it is so rewarding! Each one of my pieces tells a story-a story I could only envision in my mind.

Whether with energy boosting Carnelian, through the protective & soothing qualities of Jade, or in the strength-giving spirit of Agate, my Vintage Inspired Jewelry has given the ancient art of story telling a fashionable makeover.

The languages of love are not always found between the covers of a book. Instead, for me they are often spelled out in beads and baubles; with colorful crystals and gemstones and illuminated by glimmering glass.

Find my work at my Etsy shop.
Follow me on Twitter.
Read my blog.

Hey, Jessica here, the artist behind Moon Spirit Jewelry! When I found out I was being featured I just had to do the happy dance, and once that was done the hard part began. Writing about myself has always been hard for me. I can never think of what people could possibly want to know about me. But then I think, what would I want to know about another artist, and the obvious answer is why? Why do artists do what they do? Why do individual people decide to create and imagine? So that is what I will tell you, but I might be getting a little ahead of myself. First let me truly introduce myself.
    
A lot of people ask me how I chose Moon Spirit Jewelry or what it means, and it is actually quite simple. When the moon is at it’s fullest, a horse seems to be a spirit in the night. Running free through marshes, forests, and fields, this is my favorite image of a horse, so it became my name. Along with this business adventure, I am starting a new adventure in my life: college. I am getting ready (or already there depending on when this is published) to go to Colorado State University to start my studies in Equine Science.
   
Moon Spirit Jewelry came into existence during 7th grade. One of my best friends taught me how to make earrings, and a business plan was already forming in my mind. We started off as J.M. Creations, selling at a Chanukkah Boutique at my temple. Wanting to move forward, I taught myself how to create simple beaded necklaces. After figuring out the beaded necklace, I began to soar. Looking at beading magazines and experimenting with different techniques. I began to formulate my own style: elegant, yet fun. Slowly but surely, J.M. Creations morphed into Moon Spirit Jewelry.
   
Beading offers a relaxing hobby, I really got into it during the stress of high school. I could lose myself in new techniques or my stash of beads. My dad tells me I have more beads than a bead store, and I have come to the realization that he is probably right. But if you are a beader then you know how this happens. You start a new project and you just need a clasp. So you run to the local bead shop and return home with a large bag of seed beads, findings, large beads, small beads, pretty much all the beads in the store. The bead store is the only place I do the happy dance when I can leave without spending more than $50.
   
As an artist I sit and imagine who might wear the jewelry I create. Will it bring them luck? Will this piece show up on the Red Carpet (still crossing my fingers)? Is this one going down the aisle with a blushing bride? My biggest hope and the one that every artist hopes is that it brings happiness to whomever wears it. From one artist to another, good luck with all of your adventures.

Check out my Etsy shop.
Follow me on Twitter.
My fanpage on Facebook.

I love the inspiration I get from the world of fantasy. I am a Tolkien fan and reading The Hobbit when I was 12 years old opened a whole world to me that over the years has brought me great joy.

I believe that people emulate what they love through their art. My creations have a wee bit of the little people’s air about them I have been told. So’s, I be thinkin, ’tis charmed, i’tis ; )  And so, the name, ‘Tis Charmed was created.

‘Tis Charmed is a subsidiary of Charmimsy, my licensed business and online cottage craft supply shop. Since the two shops are related it would help to understand where the name ‘Charmimsy’ comes from to understand my complete vision for ‘Tis Charmed.

All About the Charmimsy Name:

In the British Isles it has long been known that mimsy is the stuff out of which feminine creations are constructed. The Fae (faerie kingdom) even coined a word for this boundless creativity of humans to take a seemingly simple thing, like a bead or a button, and make something beautiful or useful with it. That word is charmimsy.

The Fae have a great respect for the creative spirit of humans. In fact, it is probably the one true thing we have in common with the faeries. You might ask, “How does taking a bag of beads and making a bracelet kindle a common bond with the faerie folk?” Well, to them it is a sort of magic. In fact, creating things is probably the closest humans come to being magical.

‘Tis Charmed was created to provide a special place for my created pieces, or as the Fae call them, Charmimsy. I had them for sale in my craft shop, until one day they rose up in rebellion, demanding a place of their very own. They declared they were too good to share a spot with a bunch of mimsy. After all, they were charmed mimsy now. I had to admit my folly of charming them and then treating them as though they were not charmed. So, I gave them their own shop, ‘Tis Charmed, where they can charm away all night and day.

I hope, as I explore creating and charming all things mimsy, that you will find something with a wee bit of the Fae magic for yourself in my creations. For the love of all things inspired by the Fae, Kate

Find my creations in my Etsy shop.
Find craft supplies at my Etsy supply shop.
Read my musings on my blog.

I’m Claire Goverts and I’ve been doing various arts and crafts as long as I can remember. I started beading back in middle school, working primarily with seed beads I even had a bead loom. When I went away to college I didn’t do any beading, I did mostly graphic art at
that point as my materials were all nicely contained within my computer. Then almost 2 years ago I got back into beading. My collection of beads rapidly outgrew the container from middle school as I bought different types of beads. And I also found wire. Most of
the jewelry I make now is still strung beads, but it also has a fair amount of wire wrapped pendants and other embellishments. I love trying new things. There are some days I’ll simply unroll some wire and start winding it around, adding beads and whatever else and see what I come up with.

I also do a bit with polymer clay, making some beads and pendants of my own. I’d like to expand the amount of works with clay sometime soon, for now I just don’t have the amount of space. I’d also like to do more metal work in the future, cutting blanks into patterns for interesting pendants. I’m also fascinated with glass, and am thinking
of seeing what sorts of glass classes there are in my area. Making my own glass beads would be cool. And I also want to learn more chainmaille weaves. I can manage a European 4 in 1 decently enough, but other patterns would be fun. I love to learn new techniques, and integrate various techniques together for something different.

I enjoy helping people learn things as much as I like learning things on my own. I have a tutorial up on Deviant Art, and am looking at more in the future. I’m also putting up various tips on my new bead blog that I hope will be helpful to others. I’m open to suggestions for posts on my blog (or DA tutorials).

Find my work on Deviant Art.
Read my blog.
Follow me on Twitter.

Beadwife

I’m Kalera Stratton, a lampwork glass beadmaker based in Portland, Oregon. I got my start lampworking in Spring of 1992, when a friend gave me a brief demo in her apartment… I was only 20 years old, but I was mesmerized by the glass and knew that it was my calling. A month later, for my 21st birthday, my mom gave me a gift certificate to Cline Glass, and I embarked on an amazing glass journey that would eventually become my career. Step by small step, I acquired the tools I needed to fulfill the visions in my head, and in 2003, after the birth of my youngest daughter, I upgraded my equipment, quit my job, and became a full-time glassworker. My beads are annealed as I make them, going straight from torch to a digitally-controlled kiln. With a constant thirst to improve my skills, it is my goal to bring you beads that will delight your senses, enhance your designs, and last for generations to come.

My website: www.beadwife.com
My Etsy store: www.beadwife.etsy.com
My Artfire store: http://www.artfire.com/users/Beadwife