My Late Friday Featured Artist - Myeuropeantouch

Between a crazy last week, and canning my harvest this week, I totally missed my Friday featured artist....and now it's Monday.  Opps.  Mybad.

My featured artist is one of my favorite people, Monkia from My European Touch.

I first "met" Monkia years ago on Etsy when I fell in love with one of her mosaic-ed violins.  It was amazing!  And Monika's talent with mosaic just gets better with time.  Let's see what new in her Handmade Artist shop.

Monika has created works of art on almost anything you can think of...and cake domes are her latest wonders.  I have seen many of these disappear (sold) soon after she lists them, so if you love this, don't wait!

Monika started "playing" with mosaics when she was just a little girl in Germany, and her keen eye and gentle touch just keeps getting better and better.  (She's only a little older now). :0)

I like the swirls of color on this photo frame.  So modern feeling, yet simply shabby.  And that cameo in the corner is just perfect.

I got to meet Monkia in person last fall during our trip to Florida.  She is such a sweetheart...a kindred spirit.  I wrote all about our visit, with pictures.

Now here is what attracted me to Monika the first time I saw it...

No, this is not the same one from years ago, but isn't this violin BEAUTIMUS?

Such patience, and talent!  Amazing!

Monika also draws, and paints, and sews, but I am just in love with her mosaics.

You can find MyEuropeanTouch at all these places...

HA / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Animoto / Flickr / HGTV / About Me

Be blessed,

Debbi

More Garden Goodies

Yesterday I went shopping at The Craft Star for some wonderful garden decor items.  Today I'm off to visit some old friends at Handmade Artists.  And look at what I found for my gardens.

First up, nothing says spring like butterflies.  And I think the colors on this hand painted metal butterfly are amazing!  It is all hand cut, detailed, and painted in the shop of Tropic Decor.  

I love my fresh herbs, they make food taste just...wow.  Much better than dried herbs, but let me tell you, they can be hard to tell apart.  Especially oregano and marjoram.  That's why I neeeed these Herb or Veggie Markers from kpdreams.

Every garden needs at least one fairy item, and this OOAK handmade polymer clay fairy home will be a welcome addition.  And once the word gets out, there will be fairies knocking down the door to move in.  I found this in the shop of mkirby.

And lastly, every picnic table or outdoor deck needs something mosaic, and this mosaic flower pot from Glassbrook Designs.  Now these are the kind of bees I wouldn't mind around my dinner plate.

So, what do you think?  Are you ready to get ready for summer?  I know I sure am, so now turn off the computer and get outside.  But first, comment, share, and visit these amazing shops.

Remember, when you buy handmade, you support small business.

Be blessed,

Debbi

What's new in handmade at Handmade Artists

It's been a while since I visited my friends over at Handmade Artists, so let's check out what's new.

The first item I saw was a new creation from my freind Monika at MyEuropeanTouch.  She does amazing mosaic work, taking old china and boxes and musical instruments, and turning them into something new and amazaing, and BEAUTIMUS.  Like this Mosaic Teapot Table Lamp.  This past fall I had the opportunity to meet Monika in person and she is as beautiful as her creations.  You can read about our visit, complete with pictures, here.

You may not know this about me, but I am super patriotic.  My daddy was a Navy man, and I have many loved ones serving in the military today.  I teach American History, (not social studies) in homeschool, and I still stand and cover my heart when the flag passes me in a parade.  So this lovely USA flag rag rug quickly caught my eye.  My late aunt use to make these rag rugs, so I know just how much work goes into each one, a true labor of love.  You can find this rug in the shop, loynd1959.

I only have one word for this Jarred necklace and earring set...stunning!  I love the look of faceted beads, they catch and throw light like nobody's business.  This set, and many others, can be found at olufemiojetunde.  

Well, these are my finds this morning, but don't just stop with these, you can support small family business and the handmade community by shopping at Handmade Artists, or my shop site, The Craft Star.

Be blessed,

Debbi

HAF - My Favorite Things

My oh My....it's been over a week since I last posted...I feel like a real slacker!  The next 2 weeks are going to be hit and miss too, since I have to get ready for a trip, go to Florida (where I will be spending a day with my two HA buddies Pam and Monika) for a grandson's wedding, then clean and unpack after we get home.  Sheww, I'm already tired. lol

This weeks Handmade Artist blog ring theme is "My Favorite Things", so let's go shopping....

I love gemstones, and I love bling, and I absolutely love the wide size of this Red Zircon Ring from John at Rasmussengems.  John is a talented and highly trained metalsmith and gemologist.  Plus in this shop you'll find beautiful beaded pieces created by his wife Debbie.  Such a happy and talented couple.

WOW!  That was my first reaction when I saw this Deco Style Bracelet by Lisa at Uniqlets.  She creates the most unusual and amazing art work that you can wear from vintage items that she has saved from the scrap heap and given new life.  In fact, some of her pieces come framed so you can even hang them on a wall in your home.

This piece is from the shop of my buddy Pam at A Bead Thing.  I love the freeform swirl of the handforged wire in this bracelet cuff.  Her shop is full of beaded items, bead weaving, crochet, quilled items, truly a girl after my own heart...she just can't make up her mind! lol

And lastly, even though Monika is not a part of the blog ring this week, I wanted to share with you this beautiful re-purposed vintage tea pot.  Isn't it just beautiful?  Or as she likes to say... "BEAUTIMUS". :0)  She makes those roses by hand too.  You'll find other great mosaics in her shop MyEuropeanTouch. 

Well, that's it for today....visit my buddies by clicking on any link above, and I'll see you again soon.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Moving Sale!!!! MyEuropeanTouch - 50% off

My friend Monika from Handmade Artists is having a moving sale.  She is looking to move into a new home, and doesn't feel like packing all her products, which is good for us!  All her prices are already marked at the 50% discount.  So let's take a look at what she has to offer at My European Touch.

This cake dome is one of her more recent creations.  Monika learned to create mosaics when she was just a child in war torn Germany.  And she loves to share the stories of her childhood on her blog.  

This is just so romantic and beautiful.  AND she even makes the roses that cascade over the side.  This is really upscaling a vintage cake stand.

Here's an amazing, and soothing, blue tray that she brought back to life. 

The colors and pattern is so elegant.  This was originally a silverplated tray, but all the silverplate was worn off, so Monika sanded, primed, painted, and mosaiced, and viola! 

Look at this pretty pink pin cushion made from an old vase. 

Monika loves the color pink, and it shows in her work.

This pin cushion would be a great gift for the seamstress in your life.  And remember, with July almost over, there's only 6 months left till.....

CHRISTMAS!  So start shopping now. :0)

This mosaic dove is something I purchased for my hubby for his birthday, and he loved it!  It's a lot bigger than you would think, and very well made.  It sits proudly on the tv stand in his "man cave".  Yes, a touch of romance in his cave. hahaha

At My European Touch you will also find frames, and lamps, and boxes, and so much more.  You will be surprised at all the lovely items she has created, and you'll be more than pleased with these prices.

So go on....go on....

Be blessed,

Debbi

The winner of HHC#30 is...My European Touch

I was the hostess of last weeks Handmade Artists highlight challenge...and as my prize I offered these 2 kits..

with these kits I also will block, mat, and frame the finished pieces for the winner.  And that winner is Monkia from My European Touch, and this is her winning highlight.

Now for a little bit about Monika.

She is an amazing woman who grew up in Germany shortly after the end of WWII, and that is where she found her many talents at a very young age.  Watching her parents and other family adults re-using and making do with whatever was available to them, she learned to make candles, clothes for her dolls, and how to fit pieces of china together like a puzzle.  Monkia can create new and beautiful items from old and broken items, and has evolved into a self-taught mosaic artist.  I have the honor of owning one of her newer pieces...

I purchased this mosaic dove for hubby's birthday next month, and it is absolutely amazing.  And large!  I bet if you asked, she would make one for you too.  Monika not only creates mosaics, she paints, draws, and just beautifies everything she sees...

Here is an example of her updated pincushion vase, she took an old silver plated vase and turned it into a pretty and useful pincushion for the shabby chic seamstress.  She also has pincushions that she created from old tea pots.  

This is a print of her original painting, a watercolor of Japanese cherry blossoms.  She painted the original while still living in Germany back in 1975, but you will receive an 8x10 print in a protective sleeve.

And here is an example of just what Monika is famous for...her mosaics.  This tray centerpiece is beautifully adorned with Blue Onion pattern china plate pieces, that she cut and set one at a time.  It's all grouted and ready for use, and I love it!

You can also find My European Touch on flickr, and like her page on facebook.  And I highly recommend her blog for all the interesting stories that she loves to share with her readers.

That's the winner for this week, so click on any link above to visit Monika, and join us at HandmadeArtists for more fun and friendship.

Be blessed,

Debbi