Catfluff

I love the items in Catfluff's ArtFire studio. Her shopping tote at the left reminds me of my trip to France. Every morning I would ladies of all ages going to the boulangerie to get their fresh baked bread for the day's meals. It brings back wonderful memories of the 3 weeks we spent traveling the countryside there.

She has many other items for sale and all of them are unique and fun. I particularly like these wine covers. They are so much nicer than the paper gift bags you usually receive bottles of wine in.

She also has pillows and other nice items in her studio. So be sure to give them a peek and see if there is anything that you just can't live without.

Bijoux Designs For You

Bijoux Designs For You is my featured ArtFire Artisan for today. The thing I liked when I visited this studio was the variety of items there. There is jewelry but also bookmarks and wine charms as well as place mats and microwave mitts.

Here is the artisan's bio from her studio:

We are a mother/daughter team who share the love of creating.Creating has been in my blood forever. First was sewing clothes for my kids when they were little and decorating the house. Then followed the art of quilting. I love the therapeutic nature of the hand quilting stitch and being snuggled into my finished creation.Then came painting on any surface that didn't move. Our final stop has landed with jewelry. The wealth of beautiful beads and stones that are available gives constant inspiration allowing us to interpret them into fun or delicate and unique creations to accent your wardrobe and home.

So stop over at Bijoux Designs For You and do some looking around. I know you won't be disappointed.

The Power of Youth

The big dog is our beloved Basset Beau. Beau is 12 years old and has been slowing down lately. He has had some medical problems and would sleep most of the day. He has even started to make his walks shorter and shorter.

We are in Ohio visiting our son and his family. They have an eight week old puppy, Bella. At first Beau ignored her. But she wouldn't be deterred. She even resorted to biting his tail when he would walk by. She also would run circles around him when he was lumbering along.

Last night Bella finally won. Beau was like a young pup again. OK, maybe pup is too strong a word but he did have a different spring in his step. He chased her around a little and played with her a little bit. It was a great thing to watch. The old man playing with the youngster. So I guess there is something to be said for hanging out with those little whipper snappers. Bella helped Beau find his inner puppy.

It's Confirmation Day

Today was the big day. Our oldest grandchild, Gabriel, made his confirmation. It was a nice ceremony and of course Grammy got teary eyed. Another one of life's rite of passages. My family is growing up. After the ceremony we had a wonderful family dinner at my son's house. My daughter in law made a wonderful

meal. She is the ultimate party planner. I know who I am going to ask to do my parties for me. Next week is

Jessica's Communion. More pictures will be posted. I can't wait to see the dress.

Wooley Creek Tribal and Ethnic Jewelry

It is Wooley Creek's turn to be the featured ArtFire studio on the Crazy Train Ride. Here is this artisan's bio:

I have been beading since 1990. We also do other crafts. My husband and I set up at Powwows and Flea Markets to sell my crafts and Vintage Native American Jewelry. We also sell on Ebay. under the name of Wooleycreek. I am disabled and spend most of my time doing things I can sit at the table to work on. Beadwork helps pass the time when I can't walk!

So pop on over to ArtFire and check out all of Wooley Creek's items. You never know when you might just find that special gift you were looking for.

SPRING CLEANING SALE

The ArtFire Jewelry Designer and Jewelry Supply Shops Guild is having a Spring Cleaning Sale from now until May 1st. All guild members have discounted items in their studios for this sale and have a category titled Spring Cleaning where you can find their discounted items. In addition to the sale there is a contest going on too. So even if you can't buy anything check out the participating studios and you could win a necklace, bracelet or a pair of earrings.

For contest specifics and to find participating studios go to http://artfirejewelrydesignjewelrysupplyshop.blogspot.com/

Have fun shopping and good luck in the contest.

Ally is a Teen Now

Happy Birthday Ally. My oldest granddaughter turned 13 last weekend. Here is a picture from her birthday dinner. It was a great milestone when each of my son's turned 13. But my first teenage granddaughter is even better. I enjoy her so much and love the young lady that she has become. Enjoy your teenage years Ally. Next stop, 8th grade and senior at St. Bonaventure. Love you - Graham Cracker

We made it to Ohio

We are in Ohio. We will be here for 10 days. It is so nice to have internet again and to be able to twitter, plurk and post to facebook, artfire and blog. I never realized how much I would miss doing that.

We had nice drive north until we hit Kentucky. It was very windy and the big van really gets tossed around in the mountains when it is windy. I hope once we venture out west and I am driving with Beau that it's not that windy. It was a little scary at times.

So we will be attending Gabe's Confirmation and Jessie's communion and then just chilling with the kids. It is a little cool for this Florida lady but it is supposed to warm up into the 70's today. It was 35 this morning. Brrrrrr

And to think just a 3 days ago I was swimming in the pool with the Florida grandkids.

Beau is happy to be in one spot for a while. I think he was a little confused though. He woke me up at 4:30 this morning. That's a record for him. Hope he gets his clock back on schedule quickly.

Will keep you posted on adventures from Buckeye country. Later dudes.

Silver River Jewelry

So tonight we are at a Red Roof Inn in Loqust Grove, Georgia. And they have great internet services so I am able to do my post on Silver River Jewelry. It is her turn to be on the Crazy Train and get featured by all of her fellow artisans who are participating in the crazy train. Silver River has so many awesome items on her web page. Her tag line is Stones Metal Passion. And that is evident in her work. Here is Silver River's bio from her studio


I have a passion for my family, the outdoors and designing jewelry. I am also an avid reader and enjoy being on the water. I love summer and am not so thrilled with winter (this is an issue since I live in Ohio lol!).I love what I do. For me the whole process is fascinating. It is like treasure hunt, from finding the perfect combination of stones or beads, to manipulating the metal with hammer and fire. Digging a stone out of the ground that looks like nothing special only to open it up and find beauty inside. There is something elementally satisfying in that.

So be sure to hop on over to Silver River's site and check out all the great jewelry that is there.

Hopefully, we will be in Dayton tomorrow at my son's house. I will update then. I know he has good internet service. Yipee.

DJ Storeroom

Today's featured ArtFire Studio is DJ Storeroom. She has many nice items in her studio. I love her pouches and handbags.

Here is her Bio:


DjStoreRoom is registered in Singapore as a sole-prop business in 2009 February and operated by myself, a work-from-home-mother. I operate my business daily, from Monday to Friday ending at 6pm each day to focus on my family, marriage, child, friends and other commitments.




Setting goals and priorities is important to me as I seek to bring forth my greatest potential and courage in achieving sweet victory and showing magnificent actual proof in my life.

Handmade Treasures by DjStoreRoom is my creative outlet where my handmade bags and crafts are being sold. Crafting and sewing allows me to focus on my hands and my projects, and it makes my happy which in turns fuels more passion for creating. Sharing tutorials for sewing bags and more helps to create value for others while creating value for my own growth. Vintage Treasures by DjStoreRoom is where collections of antiques, collections and artefact's are sold. Every piece has their own history and story. Once gone, they will not be easily found again. Our Environment::: Smoke-Free :::::: Fur-Free :::

3z Art

I love browsing around in the 3z Art Studio on ArtFire. There are always new and interesting things to find for your home there. And no matter your taste or style I am sure you can find something that will interest you there. I did. Today I found this awesome switch plate with sea shells and rocks on it. Not only do I have a sea shell spread on the bed in my guest room, but it is in these exact colors. So I ordered 3 of them. I am so excited. If you have stayed in my guest room you know how nice they are going to look. I do love the switch plate covers most of all in this studio. But there are other fun items there too.

All of the switch plate covers are hand crafted using the age old technique of decoupage. 3z uses a minimum of 3 coats of sealer to insure quality. This process allows you to clean all plates with a damp cloth. They are made from fabric instead of paper which forms better to the light plate. The fabric is folded over the back of the plate to prevent the edges from folding up. Then they are finished off by insulating the back of the plate.

Coasters are made using salvaged ceramic tiles and many coats of sealant to protect the fabric. They are backed with felt to protect your furniture.

All the Mouse Pads are hand-made using a technique similar to heat pressing. They have a non slip rubber backing.

So buzz on over to the 3z Art Studio and you will be amazed at all the designs and patterns there are to choose from. And you can custom order most items too.

Have Online Business Will Travel

One of the things that Jim and I wanted to do when we retired was travel. We wanted to be able to see other parts of the world while we could still travel relatively easily and not have to use a walker to get around. So we are getting ready to start another summer adventure. We have decided to do some of the things we can do and take Beau with us. He really does not do well in a kennel or even if we leave him with someone. Since Maddie's passing he has really become attached to me. And of course we are around all the time now so that contributed to it I am sure.

One of the things I love about selling my jewelry in an online format is that you can do it from anywhere. When we travel I just pack all my jewelry, beads, tools, packing supplies, and my laptop and the store goes where I go. I am totally and hopelessly addicted to the Internet so I would be on the computer regardless. When I go online to check email and the news, I also check the store. It is really a good situation for us. And when I have sales, and I hope I have sales as they have been slow, then I can mail them out from where ever I may wander.

So that is the plan for this summer. We are traveling all over the United States visiting family, attending important family events and just seeing this country we live in. The last 3 months of our trip (yes I said 3 months, we will be gone until September) will be Jim riding his bicycle with 4 other men from Oregon to Maine. And Beau and I will be following them in the van providing support, seeing the country and making new jewelry. He has a web page to document that trip and you can follow it at http://gramps5.blogspot.com if you are interested. Of course I will be providing up dates here as well. You know I can't keep my mouth shut for that long.

Lastly, you may have noticed that my blog advatar has changed. That is my new summer travel one. I will find another one for Fall. I love to change "my look" and this affords me the opportunity to do it very easily.

Accessories By Gottjoy

Accessories by Gottjoy has a great variety of items to choose from in her studio on ArtFire including jewelry, fan pulls, pens, and bottle stoppers. All are embellished with wonderful gems or lampwork beads. Each piece is exquisite.

Here is what Joy has to say about her work:

I have been making jewelry for several years. I got hooked on it when I discovered the cool things my co-workers were making. I knew once I purchased those first beads, I was in trouble. I've been know to buy 2 or 3 strands of something I like, just in case I might need more than 1 strand. So now I will share my over indulgence with you, by selling some of these items in my destash store "GottBeads" here on Artfire.

You have to go to Joy's studio and check out all her items. If you can't find something you like

then you just aren't in the mood to shop. Go back when you are.

Alisun's

Alisun's Studio is our featured artisan for today from Artfire. She makes one of a kind handmade jewelry. Here is what Ali has to say about her work.

I pledge that everything in my shop is hand-crafted; is either my own design, or I have legal permission to use it. I pledge to provide my customers with the highest quality product I'm capable of producing; to treat my customers courteously; to provide them with excellent service; and to conduct my business in an ethical and socially responsible manner.

Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry is my full-time at-least-8hr/day obsession. I enjoy custom crafting my 3 Generations necklaces, bracelets, and Core of My Heart earrings and hope to have a selection of styles of them up on the website soon. I work in gemstone and Swarovski, with gold filled or sterling silver wire. I enjoy the look of the fine metals and crystals, and use them almost exclusively. The occasional finding or pendant will be plated, but if it is, I have noted it in my listing. Although I have a category called "custom" almost any style in my studio can be custom made for you.

Picard Creative

Picard Creative has some of the coolest magnets in her ArtFire Studio. She is funny, creative, witty and has a great sense of humor. I love browsing through her studio. You never know what you are going to find. And she will make custom magnets for you too. Just tell her what you want and she will whip it right up. Here is her bio from her studio.

I am a mom of a teenage boy-(he is the love of my life) I live with him, my boyfriend (sometimes, when I like him) and my 2 crazy cats- Oreo and Lilly. I own a brick and mortar shop called "The Cats Meow" it is a super cool shop which features many, many handmade items.

I am also a graphic designer and altered art/collage artist. My goal is to transition into being more of an artist/creator of fun things- I love my store, yet business is not so hot right now- so I need mulitiple streams of income. Plus, I am so creative and hyper that I cannot just sit in the shop all day doing nothing! lol

So make sure you check out Picard Creative on ArtFire. I know you will find something to make you smile.

The Jewelry Shop

Today's featured artisan is Amy from The Jewelry Shop. Here is what her Bio on ArtFire tells us about her shop



The handmade jewelry offered for sale at The Jewelry Shop is made by three family members - Amy, Jim, and Lynda. I'm Amy and I run the shop. In our shop you will find handcrafted wire wrap jewelry, beaded jewelry, and the occasional silver fabrication piece. The name of the person who created each piece will be on the listing.We have been creating jewelry for about 10 years now and are ready to share some of our creations with you. We hope you enjoy browsing the shop. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.


Most of the items in Amy's shop have a vintage look. Her items are very different from what you normally see on a jewelry web site. I love the items I have featured here but there are many

more in her shop. Please hop on over there and have a look. I know you won't be disappointed with what you see.

Catepillar Peacock

Caterpillar Peacock is the featured ArtFire Studio for today. The artisan is Lyndsey and she is in Ontario, Canada. Here is how she describes what she does.

I'm a big weirdo, through and through. I like strange things that make me laugh. If you've ever seen the show Clone High, I like to think that it's my EXACT sense of humor. Funny and ironic, and kinda off kilter. This helps explain what I make, teeny tiny hats. I crochet them first and then felt them in my washing machine until they're just right and finally I block them to just the right shape. I make all sorts of hats: berets, fedoras, top hats, you name I can crochet it. Well, that's what I make to sell, mostly. I've been expanding out into other things as well, like jewelry, but not your run of the mill jewelry, it's soft and made of wool too. Right now because of spring I've been working on making plant inspired stuff, like ivy vines and calla lilies. It's been a lot of fun.

Lindsey says she has been crafty since she was a little girl. Her Mom taught her to crochet when she was 8 and her hands have been busy making things every since that time. She says she gets inspired by everything around her, nature, colors, games, comics. It sounds like she has a very creative mind.

Lindsey also likes to do custom work. So if you have an idea for a tiny hat that you would like her to make just give her a shout on ArtFire.

I really like seeing all the new items that pop up daily on ArtFire and Caterpillar Peacock always has some nice things to offer.

Pirate Pixie Crew

Pirate Pixie Crew is today's featured studio from ArtFire. Here is a little bit about the studio in the owner's own words.

Name: Lynne

Products: Hat's, bags, armwarmers,legwarmers, scarves/cowels - soon to be added bunting and eye patches

Shop theme: Fun and adventure. When you buy one of my hats you become a member of the Pirate Pixie Crew. The story of how there came to be a Pirate Pixie Crew on Captain Skulduggery Dugs Galleon can be read on my website or in my profile. I want to encourage people of all ages to use their imagination to have fun. There is a new "Captains Log" on the website that is going to be updated most days with what has been happening in the world of Captain Skulduggery Dug. Hopefully soon we will have story pages where when people login they can add their name to the stories,so they become personalized. I want to encourage children and parents to read together and feel that by putting the children's names into the adventures this might do that.

Methods: Crochet, sewing and knit.

This is the website that runs alongside my shop.
There is a bit of a bio of me on my blog.

I just love this little newborn hat. I know it would be adorable and certainly keep that precious little head warm.

And how about these mittens. I love the exposed fingers so you can actually do things with them on but still keep your hands warm. If only it got cold enough to wear those in Florida. NOT. I'll keep my warm climate. But they are one of my favorite items in Lynne's studio.

Any who couldn't use a pretty sweater to keep your iPod warm. You wouldn't want to go out in the cold weather and expose your tunes to that climate would you??

So all of you who do not have the good fortune to live in a sub tropical climate like I do need to visit Lynne's studio on ArtFire. Pirate Pixie Crew is the place to go for all your cold weather needs. I may just have to get that top hat for my Christmas visits to Ohio.

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter egg hunt on Artfire.com !

What is this ?
Well hopefully it will be a very fun event that will benefit everyone in a different way.
Lots of Artfire studio's are participating and the Eatser Bunny is hiding an Easter egg in each of their shops. It's up to you to find them and fill your "basket".

How do you play?
You will find a form for this contest on the ArtFire Easter Egg Hunt Blog. This contains tips to help you navigate Artfire.com and find all the Easter Eggs.
When you find them all you will find that each egg has a letter on it ( or the word "space" ) !
Use all the letters to make a sentence.
The sentence has to be in exact order to score all points.
Even if you manage to assemble a sentence different from mine ( always a possibility I guess) with all those letters it will not be counted as correct.
When you start assembling the sentence you will see when it is correct :) ....( now that is a seriously big tip )
Fill in the answer form and submit.

When?
The Easter Egg hunt starts on April 1st 2009 and will run for 3 weeks ! You have plenty of time to find the answer.
The participating studio's will be hiding their eggs in fun locations around their shop...you will receive a hint to find them.
Don't start looking now :) The eggs won't appear until April 1st !
What can you win ?
highest score : 50$ giftvoucher
second highest : 20$ giftvoucher
third highest : 10$ giftvoucher
These vouchers can be spent in all the participating studio's ! So plenty of choice .

So hurry on over to the ArtFire Easter Egg Hunt Blog to get your entry form. And then go to ArtFire and start looking for those eggs. There are fifty of them so you are going to be busy. And of course there is one in my shop. The hint for my shop is white jasper. So get going and in three weeks you just may be shopping on ArtFire and hopefully in my shop too.