HAF - "I wish I could do that"

This weeks theme on the Handmade Artists Forum blog ring is

"I wish I could do that"

Oh, there is so much I wish I could do, not for lack of talent, 

but for lack of time. lol

I remember back in high school taking a glass blowing class.  And despite the singed eye brows, I enjoyed it. lol.  But today I would rather watch April from BrooklynBeadGoddess create these amazing lampwork beads.  You can watch her work on her blog.  Or better yet, you can purchase her items in her Handmade Artist shop.  My favorite is this beautiful blue swirl necklace.  

We love candles in our home, burn them all the time.  One day, Chuck had this great idea of taking all our burned down candle stubs and making new candles.  Do you want to know what he made???

A MESS!

So I took my now ruined pots away from him and told him that in the future, he needs to purchase all his candles.  :0)  There is a great shop at Handmade Artists where you can get some wonderful candles, (and soaps, and scrubs, and other beauty and health products) at Larissa's shop, ReefBotanicals.  These Cucumber Cantaloup candles not only smell good, they look yummy too.  Larissa also has a second shop, FabricOfMyMind, where she offers all her handmade knit or sewn items, from scarfs to cat toys.

One thing I do plan to learn is how to wire wrap.  I've seen good wrapping, and bad wrapping, and Colette's is excellent wrapping!  Just look at the wrapping on this Chantilly wire pendant, smooth and uniform, just perfect.  Colette is a self-taught artist, in not just wire wrapping but also in metalsmithing.  You really should check out her website and drool over all the amazing pieces she has to offer.  Any of these shops is a great place to start your Christmas shopping.  Remember, support small businesses and you support families.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Highlight Challenge Winner

Every week on HandmadeArtists.com there is a highlight challenge, and there are really nice prizes awarded to the highlight with the most comments.  I hosted last weeks challenge and the theme was "Calgon...take me away".  Anne from On Fire For Handmade won this set of 4 crochet dishcloths from my shop.  I have 2 other sets listed if you like these...sage green/country red and candy (which is orange, yellow, and pink).  And now here is the winning highlight.  Just click here to visit the highlight at the site, and from there you can click on any item to get to that shop.
 



And now for some information on Anne and On Fire For Handmade.   There is so much to cover with Anne, she is tireless when it comes to promoting handmade.  She promotes the shops at HandmadeArtists AND she runs the OnFireForHandmade treasury team on Etsy.  AND she promotes on her own site...OnFireForHandmade.    AND there you will find a wonderful Gift Guide of amazing shops, AND What's Hot in Handmade.  AND she has her own shops also, Oaklies Fashions on Etsy (crochet scarves and accessories), AND My Helping Hands on Etsy (graphic designs).  She is one busy woman!!!  So click on any link and see for yourself all these wonderful sites and items.  And join us at HandmadeArtists.com.  Maybe you'll win the next highlight challenge.

Be blessed,

Debbi