We're "Seeing Red" at the Handmade Artists Forum

Even though I moved my shop(s) to The Craft Star, I still am part of the forum over at Handmade Artists because, well, good friends are hard to find.  

And I made some good friends there.

And part of our friendships is the blog ring, where we get to just brag about each other. 

Sandi from IKnitQuiltSew has taken over the organization of this ring, and I thank her for that.  She has deemed in her wonderful wisdom that we will be following themes (I love themes) and picking items from the list of participating shops.  So much fun!  And here we go....

Now I know that these are pink, not red, but hey, it's the same color family.  And I could not help but share these baby skates from Sandi at iKnitQuiltSew.  I have seen lots of baby booties, cowboy booties, baby slippers, but for us yankees there is nothing like ice skating.  Love them!

Next is my best buddy at HA, Pam from BeadThing.   She is a homeschooling Gramma, and I love how she remembers to send me links to cool homeschooling stuff.  We crazy women need to stick together. hahaha

She started beading She started beading and designing jewelry for her health many years ago, and has gotten so good at it, she even teaches classes now and then at Michaels.  For her red item I chose to share this wonderful handwoven red swarovski waves bracelet. 

I cannot imagine the patience it takes for Monika of MyEuropeanTouch fame to create her totally awesome mosaic pieces.  This rectangular lidded recipe/treasure box truly is a treasure.  With each piece meticulously cut and shaped and set into place...the end result is...

WOW.

I am blessed to own a mosaic dove created by Monika, and it has become a family keepsake.

If you love gemstones, you'll love John's shop, Rasmussen gems and jewelry.  John is an accomplished lapidarist and jewelry designer, and the gemstones you'll find in his shop were cut and polished by him.  So you can rest comfortably knowing that his experience will get you the best bang for your buck.  I love this garnet and gold pendant.  So very pretty and elegant.

My last share for this post is a newbie to our blog ring, Lisa from Uniqlets. She is more than a jewelry designer, more than a steampunk jewelry designer, and more than a vintage lover.  She is an artist, and her jewelry is just that...art you can wear.  She also has the greatest collection of Bakelite I have ever seen!  This Red and Yellow  Flower pendant is just that...a bakelite flower on a yellow bakelite buckle. 

Too cool!

Well, that's it for this week.  I can't wait to see the theme for next week.

Be blessed,

Debbi

HAF artists feature - Rasmussens Gems

I think I seriously need a clock that has an extra hour or 2 on it every day....anyway...

I know that I have already featured John and Debbie Rasmussen from HandmadeArtists.com, but all really good things deserve attention...and Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry is full of really good things.  Look.



1) G Baroque Pearl Bracelet 2) Agate Cabochon 1 3) BA Copper Heart Earrings 4) Custom Paw Ring 5) QTZ51 Faceted Lemon Quartz 6) Necklace and Earring Set B 7) Glass Bead Key Chain

8) FP Brown Bead Necklace 9) D Zircon and Marcasite Ring

 

I took one item from each section of this shop, just to show you the great versatility you'll find from this husband and wife team.  Did I mention their blog? John is an absolute treasure trove of information on gems, ethics, and such, and shares his knowledge with us on the Handmade Artists blog.  So stop on by Rasmussens Gems and Jewelry today.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Meet the Rasmussens....

One of the things I like about the Handmade Artists Shop is all the new (to me) artists I get to meet and share with y'all.  And this week I met Debora and John Rasmussens who head up Rasmussensgems.

This is a husband and wife team that together creates amazing items, but right now I'll start with John...

He started out many moons ago with a background in geology and shared his knowledge as a teacher, but after a decade John switched gears to emergency medical services from which he ultimately retired.  Now he is pursuing his love of rocks and gems and has a great amount of education under his belt.  So when you purchase from John, you can feel secure that he knows what he is talking about, and that his items are created with great care.  He is the lapidary, gemologist, and artisan jeweler / metalsmith of this team.  Let me show you a few of his creations...

John can look at a stone like this Tourmaline and see the gem hidden inside.  Then he does his magic, smoothing and cutting and shaping, till he ends up with something like this...

Faceted Smokey Quartz Gemstone.

Or this... Banded Agate Cabochon, or he adds a little metal and his imagination and creates something like this...

I love this Emerald on Copper Pendant.

And lest we forget, behind every man is a good (better? heehee) woman, so let's check out Debora's creations.

This Old Glory Bracelet will help you get into the mood to vote!  We may not have the best choices of politicians to choose from, but Debora gives us plenty of bead worked pieces to choose from...want color? How about this Beautiful Flowers Necklace?  Debora used to create beauty for your home with decorative swags and custom wreaths, but now she beautifies your neck, arms and ears...my type of woman, lol.

Check out these Pastel Blue Earrings...what a great combination of colors and beads.  And if you grab this Rainbow Anklet, you will be covered from top to bottom.  Well, I better finish up this feature since my housework is calling my name, but I have only scratched the surface of all the wonderful items John and Debora have to offer in their shop...Rasmussengems, so go check them out for yourselves.  And I'll see y'all again tomorrow.

Debbi