Thursday, April 9, 2009
The next stop on the artifre train is....
the incredibly creative picardcreative. http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=14355 I love these magnets she has designed. Some of them are sacastically funny, some are just hilarious. I love this Bette Davis one. http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=127855 Reminds me of someone I used to know. LOL! Not only are these things funny as all get out, they are made from recycled/upcycled materials. Next time you are thinking about sending a card to somebody, think again and send one of these magnets. Costs the same (or less) than a card, is better for the enviroment and will last a whole lot longer.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Rolling along on the artfire train
Next stop on the artifre train is TheJewelryShop- http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=20593 . I love vintage jewelry and Amy has some great pieces in her artfire studio. I love these Green Faceted Czech Beads. http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=133365 I can remember seeing assorted aunts and teachers wearing different colors of this necklace when I was a kid.
Amy and a couple of family memebers also handcraft gorgeous jewelry like this Malachite Bracelet. http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=174113 Stop in and have a look around the studio-you will enjoy it.
Amy and a couple of family memebers also handcraft gorgeous jewelry like this Malachite Bracelet. http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=174113 Stop in and have a look around the studio-you will enjoy it.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Caterpillar Peacock
The 2nd stop on the Artfire advertising train is http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=24678 -Caterpillar Peacock's studio. She does needle fleting and it's neat. My favorite thing in her studio is her needle felted Calla Lily Brooch http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=148975 To me, it has a great vintage look to it. I love vintage looking things. She has some other needle felted jewelry in her studio, and also has some adorable little teeny tiny berets and fedoras. Click that link to her shop and stop in and check it out.
Remember, when you buy handmade, you are buying something original and unique.
BTW, I'm off tomorrow and since I don't have net access at home, this post is a day early.
Remember, when you buy handmade, you are buying something original and unique.
BTW, I'm off tomorrow and since I don't have net access at home, this post is a day early.
Why Handmade goods are important
I wanted to sort of editorialize about handmade goods before I go any farther with the Artfire advertising train.
So much of society has gotten used to running to the local huge discount store and getting whatever they need in close to an instant, that they have forgotten about the creativity and love that go into handmade goods. When you run into that huge superstore and buy a gift, you forget that 10,000 other people, or more, have the same item. I grew up in an era where individuality was important, not mass produced clone clothes, toys or other stuff. I've always marched to my own drummer-especailly when it comes to fashion. I wear what I like and what's comfortable-not what's "in". My son once called my style "hippie surfer flower child chic". ( I will admit that I was thrilled when bell bottoms came back in style. LOL! )
There is a huge movement of people making handmade items now-everything from little baby hats, to jewelry to funiture and everything else in between. For the vast majority of those of us who create unique, one of a kind things, we do it because we love it. Great care is put into each piece from creating a design to selecting color and material. Many people are now choosing to be organic as possible with their materials. It is then made with much attention to detail. All this results in a fantastic product that you will not see on somebody when you run to your kids school for something or anywhere else you go when you run errands.
Yes, sometimes handmade also means a little more money. Didn't your mama ever tell you that you get what you pay for? A handmade product is bound to last much longer than a mass produced one because people make better things than machines do. It's worth the little extra money. Yes, I know there is shipping and handling. It isn't that much unless you order a 200 lb. chair from somebody. Besides, with the economy now, a lot of people who make small , easily packaged things are offering reduced shipping or even free shipping. Since I sell online, I've started buying more online. One thing I have noticed-shipping costs are less than the cost of gas it would take me to run around looking for that "whatever" I am looking for.
So, the next time you need that special gift for that special person or pet in your life, look at some of the handmade selling venues first. Artfire is great, etsy is good and there are others-silkfair, indiepublic, etc.. (I'm not talking about that huge yard sale they call Ebay/feebay.) You can sit back, chill with the beverage of your choice in the comfort of your own domicile and shop till you drop without going anywhere. Try it, I think you will like it.
So much of society has gotten used to running to the local huge discount store and getting whatever they need in close to an instant, that they have forgotten about the creativity and love that go into handmade goods. When you run into that huge superstore and buy a gift, you forget that 10,000 other people, or more, have the same item. I grew up in an era where individuality was important, not mass produced clone clothes, toys or other stuff. I've always marched to my own drummer-especailly when it comes to fashion. I wear what I like and what's comfortable-not what's "in". My son once called my style "hippie surfer flower child chic". ( I will admit that I was thrilled when bell bottoms came back in style. LOL! )
There is a huge movement of people making handmade items now-everything from little baby hats, to jewelry to funiture and everything else in between. For the vast majority of those of us who create unique, one of a kind things, we do it because we love it. Great care is put into each piece from creating a design to selecting color and material. Many people are now choosing to be organic as possible with their materials. It is then made with much attention to detail. All this results in a fantastic product that you will not see on somebody when you run to your kids school for something or anywhere else you go when you run errands.
Yes, sometimes handmade also means a little more money. Didn't your mama ever tell you that you get what you pay for? A handmade product is bound to last much longer than a mass produced one because people make better things than machines do. It's worth the little extra money. Yes, I know there is shipping and handling. It isn't that much unless you order a 200 lb. chair from somebody. Besides, with the economy now, a lot of people who make small , easily packaged things are offering reduced shipping or even free shipping. Since I sell online, I've started buying more online. One thing I have noticed-shipping costs are less than the cost of gas it would take me to run around looking for that "whatever" I am looking for.
So, the next time you need that special gift for that special person or pet in your life, look at some of the handmade selling venues first. Artfire is great, etsy is good and there are others-silkfair, indiepublic, etc.. (I'm not talking about that huge yard sale they call Ebay/feebay.) You can sit back, chill with the beverage of your choice in the comfort of your own domicile and shop till you drop without going anywhere. Try it, I think you will like it.
Artfire advertising train
Over on artfire, a seller named picardcreative, came up with a cool idea for an advertising train. What this means is that a bunch of shops have signed up to blog, twitter, plurk, Facebook and whatever else about the chosen shop,. Each shop gets 2 days of everybody on the train, blooging, etc., about them. I thought it was a neat idea-hey, free advertising is great advertising, so I signed up, too.
The first shop is http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=10174 -PixiePirateCrew. I love her stuff. Since I'm a first time grandma, these hats, /http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=62036 ,http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=162631 appeal to me for the new grandson, as did these cute baby leg warmers. Don't get me wrong, she's got neat grown up stuff, too. This http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=163649 beret is neat and she has more, too. Click a link and visit her shop-you might find something you really need to have-especially if you live where it's still winter.
The first shop is http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=10174 -PixiePirateCrew. I love her stuff. Since I'm a first time grandma, these hats, /http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=62036 ,http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=162631 appeal to me for the new grandson, as did these cute baby leg warmers. Don't get me wrong, she's got neat grown up stuff, too. This http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=163649 beret is neat and she has more, too. Click a link and visit her shop-you might find something you really need to have-especially if you live where it's still winter.
Monday, March 9, 2009
I'm a Grandma!!!!!!!!!!
My first granchild arrived into the world Fri. evening. He weighed a healthy 6lbs. 6ozs.. I was so happy I couldn't stop crying after I got the news. Mom, Dad and baby are doing well and they are home now, starting their new life together.
I thought having my son was an emotional time. Having a grandchild doesn't compare. I can't begin to describe the emotions I feel about this new life. To know that my family carries on through him for another generation. He holds our history in his DNA to pass on to yet another generation someday.
I wonder what his life will be. What will he like? Will he be artistic like me or mathematically inclined like his dad and grandad?
So many things all wrapped up in this little bundle of humanity. I haven't even seen him yet, but love him to the very bottom of my heart and soul.
I also wondered how time managed to pass so quickly that my son is old enough to be a dad. I don't feel any older than I did nearly 23 years ago when my son was born, yet I know I am older. I'm proud of my son. He's going to be a super dad-he already is.
I thought having my son was an emotional time. Having a grandchild doesn't compare. I can't begin to describe the emotions I feel about this new life. To know that my family carries on through him for another generation. He holds our history in his DNA to pass on to yet another generation someday.
I wonder what his life will be. What will he like? Will he be artistic like me or mathematically inclined like his dad and grandad?
So many things all wrapped up in this little bundle of humanity. I haven't even seen him yet, but love him to the very bottom of my heart and soul.
I also wondered how time managed to pass so quickly that my son is old enough to be a dad. I don't feel any older than I did nearly 23 years ago when my son was born, yet I know I am older. I'm proud of my son. He's going to be a super dad-he already is.
Pictures to go with the previous post
The Red Agate Slice Necklace
The Malachite Christmas Gift
Purple Agate Slice Necklace
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