Friday, June 29, 2012

Hearts And Sow Designs on Art Fire

Originally from southern California, this crafter is now located in Stillwater, Oklahoma where she creates wonderful vintage items out of cloth.
Like many of us, she learned how to sew from her mother and has taken her knowledge and skill to the marketplace.

Her items are mostly made from retro fabrics, some vintage and some new retro designs.

This wonderfulChild's Teddy Bear Baseball Apron  would encourage either a boy or girl to get into helping out in the kitchen.

This Earthy Ribbon Streamer is great for encouraging your child to go outside and run just to see the streamers float in the breeze.


And she offers a number of hair accessories, like this Felt Pink n Black Cheetah Flower Hair Clip

All in all, visit to Heartsandsowdesigns is like a trip to a more caring and gentler time.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Summer Blues Collection curated by TheLivingArt

This is a great collection highlighting the cool blues of summer from It's Better Handmade member TheLivingArt.  A wide section of the country is experiencing temperatures in the 90s today, so this cool collection is perfect.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Artistry Of My European Touch

Born in post WWII Germany, the artist behind My European Touch learned early on how to re-use, recycle, and re-purpose things from watching her parents.  She began crafting at the tender age of 5, making new candles from the stubs of old ones and admits to almost burning the house down.  She also sewed clothing for her dolls, learned to knit, crochet and cross stitching.

Monika now resides in Florida where making mosaics has become her passion.  A self admitted mosaic addict, she precisely nips and cuts vintage fine bone china to make her wonderful mosaic pieces of art.  She also uses stained glass mosaics, vintage jewelry, and other pieces to create unique pieces of art, like this Full size Mosaic Violin,

which was created over an unplayable violin.
 Entirely self taught, she says that "every piece I create is a discovery and revelation to me"  She has sold and shipped her pieces all over the world.


This Ornament with hand made clay roses is another of her gorgeous pieces, incorporating glitter, pearls, and teardrop ribbon.



This Mosaic Cake Dome is unfortunately sold but Monika is happy to take custom orders and will work with you closely to produce something that you will love!


Ice Skate Wall Decor



Fantasy In Polymer Clay

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres.  It's popularity is evident in the many games, TV shows and movies that feature dragons, elves, vampires and werewolves.  Fantasy takes one out of one's own world into places where the impossible can exist and magic is real.

I was thrilled to see that the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guilds blog roll topic for this week was fantastical creatures, places and things.  Here's my take on the world of fantasy as seen through the eyes of some polymer clay artists.

While horses are not usually considered creatures of fantasy,  something magical occurs when watching one of these noble creatures galloping across an open field.  Eccentric Sunshyne takes this magic one step further by turning a horse into a piece of Steam Punk art.



















Fairies are a staple of the fantasy genre.  They pop up in all sorts of place.  But the woodland seems to be one of their favorite habitats. 


This Green Woodland Fairy by FantasyClay  looks like she's enjoying herself and would look wonderful in a potted plant of by a little indoor fountain.


And of course, fairies need a fairy door.  Whether it's on the trunk of a tree or on your wall, this Fern Covered Fairy Door by ArtMakersWorld is perfect for any fairy home.



















And lastly, the most quintessential fantasy creature of all, the dragon!  This Blue Dragon by KneadedThings looks a slightly bemused expression which I love.


these talented artists have taken a simple lump of clay to the edges of fantasy and beyond.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

SummerTime

The Smooshers of the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire are some of the most talented people I know.  This week our focus is on Summer Time. 


What better symbol of summer can there be than star fish.  These adorable star fish buttons by Tina Holden Design are the perfect item to finish off a cool summer blouse.

4 Handmade Sea Star Buttons by Tina Holden Design


















This abstract depiction of a sailboat on the ocean would be great for a day at the beach or an evening stroll along the ocean sands.




















This sunny fridge magnet will bring the summer sun into your home all year round.




















This wonderful sand dollar pendant by Bead Comber brings the colors of the ocean into your jewelry wardrobe.















Lovely large hole bead evokes the feel of a summer garden. 


Pin And Tack-An Explosion Of Color

As part of a blog ring for the It's Better Handmade Guild on Art Fire, members are asked to feature one of the Guild's shops on our blogs.  This week it's Pin And Tack 

I've come across this shop before but never really looked past the first page of listings.  This time I looked at every item in the shop.  The use of color by this artist is eye catching.  She takes everyday items and turns them into mini works of art.


These sparkling thumb tacks will brighten your bulletin board.

The ordinary clothes pin becomes a colorful way to attach a gift tag to a gift, a way to organize your paper clutter or a hanger fro a paper banner.
















The lowly paper clip is transformed into something lovely.















There are little mini journals perfect for your most private writings.
These are just a few of the wonderful items in this shop.  There are also cards, gift tags, chalkboards, and magnets, just to name a few.  I strongly suggest that you visit this shop and see all the wonders yourself.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

DaffyDill One Of A Kind Designs On Art Fire

I recently joined the It's Better Handmade Guild on Art Fire.  I was excited to be accepted as this guild appears to be both dynamic and growing, with members that are active and willing to support and promote other artisans in the guild.  My first task for this guild is to feature one of the artists of the week in a blog ring post. 
DaffyDill, One of a Kind Designs is an admitted craftaholic.  With 40+ years of crafting  experience  under her belt, this British Columbian artist is dedicated to reusing and repurposing materials in new and beautiful ways, as evidenced by the necklace below.


As with many crafters, she has many interests.  Some of this talented artist's other interests include wire wrapping.  This striking  copper wire coil bracelet reminds me of one that my mother wore years ago, but it's timeless style and elegance still holds true today.


Another of this fantastic artist's many talents is beading.  This gorgeous amethyst necklace with beaded accent shows highlights this.  The choice of colors and the dramatic necklace is definitely eye-catching.


Crocheting is another of Daffy Dill's interest.  This vintage looking Newsboy Cap is an example of her talent in this area.  This piece is reminiscent of times past, when young boys stood on street corners, hawking newspapers. 


All in all, this is one talented artist with  myriad interests and talents. And, as she states in her Bio page on her Art Fire studio, while she might not be getting rich, she has much happiness in what she is doing.  And, in the end, isn't that what really matters.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Color Me Blue

The color blue comes in many hues and tones.  There is the greenish blue of the ocean, the deep blue of a clear autumn sky or the pale, hazy blue of a hot summer day or the soft velvety blue of the wildflowers that dot my yard every spring.
But whatever the hue, blue is the favorite color of many and I think the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild members on Art Fire bring that beautiful color to life in their creations.
Here are just a few that demonstrate the talent of that creative bunch.


Friday, June 1, 2012

Shades of Purple

So this week's blog roll for the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild is Purple.  I personally love the color and it seems that every else does, as well.  Since I don't have much time this week I thought I would just post and run.  Hope every one enjoys viewing my purple choices.


Lovely and intricate pendeant from CreativeSisters