Haffina Creations: July 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Amethyst

This week I decided to do my Saturday Shopping Spree at the Handmade Artists' Shop. So I had a little look for some Amethyst items and this is some of what I found.

Friday, July 30, 2010

It is time for another Polymer Clay Smooshers' Guild blogring featured Smoosher. This week it is the extraordinary CatsWire from Germany. You may well be wondering about the title of this blog post, and those of you who know CatsWire will probably already understand it. It is a reference to the Muse that inspires the amazing creations that CatsWire makes. Not only is she something of a whiz with polymer clay, but she crochets wire into incredible pieces.

CatsWire hasn't been a Smoosher for all that long, but already she is developing a very unique style and some awesome miniature pieces. She is active within the Smooshers and a huge supporter of Handmade.

You can see more of her wonderful creations at CatsWire on ArtFire, and check out her blog, its fantastic and a really good read.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Muse in the Mountains

This week is the last week of the current Handmade Artists' Forum blogring. Our lucky last featured artisan is Jennifer from Mewes Mountain Arts.

There are two Mewes Mountain Arts stores online. One is on the Handmade Artists' Shop, the other is on Etsy. In both stores you will find gorgeous jewellery items lovingly created by Jennifer in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just near Denver. The mountain just behind her house has been named by Jennifer and her husband as 'Mewes Mountain' and has given its name to Jennifer's business.

Jennifer also has a blog where she promotes other artisans and shows us glimpses into her life. It is well worth a read.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Ice Cream

It is time for another Sunday Shopping Spree on ArtFire. Today the keyword was 'Ice Cream', in honour of all those in the Northern Hemisphere sweltering. (Doesn't help us much down here where we are freezing!).

Friday, July 23, 2010

Special 'Stuff'

It is time for another Polymer Clay Smoosher's Guild blogring featured Smoosher. Im a little late this week, but I finally got here. This week's featured Smoosher is Valerie from Valerie's Stuff.

Valerie has some fabulous polymer clay creations in her ArtFire studio, including some of the most incredible handpainted polymer clay pendants I think I have ever seen. I am always amazed at people who can draw and paint realistic items..because I cannot do it! I also really like Valerie's more abstract creations, pieces that imply something, that are open to interpretation.

Valerie uses her ArtFire studio blog to promote other artisans and to spread news about Valerie's Stuff, and is well worth a read. Spend some time wandering around Valerie's Stuff on ArtFire and enjoy what this wonderful Smoosher has to offer.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

From the Dawn of Dreams

It is time for another Handmade Artists' Forum blogring featured artisan. This week it is Linda from Raedawn, a very talented jewellery designer and maker who loves mixed media and has 'never met a bead I didn't like'.

A quick glance in her Etsy shows you an artisan who combines a tribal feel with classic elegance for very a range of wearable, visually appealing pieces.

Linda loves to do something that I myself love to do, and love to see others do, and that is combining elements together that dont seem like comfortable bedfellows. It is probably surprising to many how often it actually creates something amazing.

Linda is also an active member of HAF and its community. Drop into Raedawn on Etsy or check out her blog, Dreams and Echoes, there is sure to be something inspiring for you to find.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

So much more than Clay.

It is time for another Polymer Clay Smoosher's Guild featured Smoosher. This week it is the extraordinarily talented Michelle from Creative Critters.

Michelle creates some of the most amazing polymer clay pieces I have ever seen, including gorgeous little houses and very detailed sculptures, not to mention some funky jewellery pieces. Added to her work with polymer clay, Michelle also makes some awesome stuffed 'toys' including World of Warcraft plushies, teddy bears and dolls.

I have had a lot of pleasure watching Michelle over the year or so I have known her, and I have seen her work evolve in an amazing way, she is an absolute asset to the Smooshers. She is also one of the biggest supporters of Handmade and Handmade Artisans that I know, promoting them on her blog and various other places across the web.

Come and take a look through Creative Critters on ArtFire, then drop by her blog and follow along so you dont miss her fabulous features.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Trouble

How about a little Tuesday Trawl through Etsy? This time the keyword search was 'Trouble' and I got lots of results. So let's go get ourselves some trouble!

Saucy Devil Cards

Fun Parts

The Land of Honah Lee

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Worthwhile Obsession.

It is time for another Handmade Artists' Forum blogring featured member. This week we revisit someone we have blogged about before - T.Rusk4U. Teresa is the creative talent behind T.Rusk4U and to quote her Etsy profile - "Jewelry making started as another hobby, but has grown into an obsession!". And I would say that it is a very worthwhile obsession indeed.

Teresa makes gorgeous pieces of jewellery, there is something for every woman to be found in her online stores. Not only can you find T.Rusk4U on Etsy, but also on the Handmade Artists' Shop.

Added to her amazing talents with beads, gems and wire, Teresa promotes other artisans via her blog and is a very active member of HAF.

Drop by T.Rusk4U and take a look for yourself.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Death

Welcome to a Monday Meander through ArtFire. I requested a keyword search from my 10 year old son, and 'Death' was his response. This may be due to his current obsession with Harry Potter and death curses, however it did return a lot of results on ArtFire... so let's go look....