Artist Spotlight: Part One Hundred and Two & One Hundred and Three

First, someone you've met before, Kimberly of Makin' the Best of It.

You know I love her sea glass jewelry.

 

And her hand  painted glassware.

And her altered book art.  These are all available in her Handmade Artists Shop.

But have I mentioned what she does with wedding invitations?

It's gorgeous!  She'll take your invitation, mat it, and paint flowers to go with it.  You can even tell her what your wedding flowers were so she can paint to order.

And apropos of the day, she also makes pretty ornaments, like this sea glass angel.

On top of her many talents, she runs It's Better Handmade, a terrific forum for all handmade artists of any sort.  You don't need to have a shop at HandMadeArtists.com either.  The idea is to promote all handmade, so no matter where you've got a shop or if you haven't one at all, use It's Better Handmade to show off!

Next up, April of Brooklyn Bead Goddess!

April's got a Handmade Artists shop and an Etsy shop, in which you can find all sorts of amazing lampwork jewelry.

She makes each gorgeous bead herself, and if you're a jewelry artist you'll be happy to know that she also sells separate beads for you to use in your own creations.

Not so into jewelry?  That's OK, April also uses her amazing talents for magnets, keychains and purse charms, swizzle sticks, and my favorite - bottle stoppers.

Want to know more about her?  Check the blog!

Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Eight and Ninety-Nine

I have two amazing artists this time, neither of which you've seen here before.  First, Dyanne of Deeliteful Jewelry in Van Buren, Arkansas.

Dyanne is a self-described widow, mm, daughter, sister, aunt, fiancee, and friend.  In addition to her online presence, she's actually got a brick and mortar business, so kudos to her for taking that leap!

She was originally led to create exciting jewelry with beads, and lets her inner goddess guide her as to color, size, shape, and combinations.  Like me, she loves bright colors.

In 2012, she added creating lampwork beads of her own to her repertoire.

Her business is a one-woman operation, from creation to shipping.  Her jewelry is unique, and each piece is one of a kind.  She's definitely got an eye for design.

Even better, since her jewelry is inspired by her own dreams, you know you'll never find anyone else making or wearing the same pieces.  If you're anything like me, this is hugely appealing, since I love to stand out in a crowd.

To keep up with her, be sure to follow her blog.

The second artist I have for you is something entirely different, and I love it!  Check out ThinkEco2.

This stuff is just phenomenal!  Meet Brian Behncke and Jules Lavallee, of San Diego, CA, the founders of ThinkEco2 and the brains behind these gorgeous recycled wares.

Brian is a hardworking construction guy with a passion for building eco-chic cedar products.  He works with a crew to build the products, while he and Jules help the community by building jobs and donating many of their beautiful wine racks to help local charities and fundraisers.

I agree with them that it's important to be eco-conscious and to give back.  To that end, they use 100% reclaimed wood for their products and employ 100% US employees.  They refuse to harm additional trees to make their products.  And heck, they even add to the flora by making planters!

My favorite, though, is this amazing patio table.

You can keep up with them on their blog or feel free to contact them to discuss custom orders, which they're happy to fill.

Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Seven

This week, I'm bringing back an old favorite of mine, John Rasmussen, of Rasmussen Gems.  If you've been following along, you've met this Rensslaer graduate geologist here several times before, together with his wife, Deborah, the beader in the family.  They've been busy with new pieces, and they're just as breathtaking as ever.

This rock crystal pendant is certainly on my wishlist.  Just look at it!

On the other hand, in my world you can't go wrong with rubies, my birthstone.  These pretty little ones are the perfect frame for this morganite ring.

I still have a thing for more natural-cut stones, though, like this amazing fire opal.

Gorgeous, am I right?  On the other hand... this citrine is calling to me too.

I'm obviously like a kid in a candy shop here.  Know where I could really go crazy, though?  With Deborah's beaded pieces.  The woman is running a liquidation sale!  Seriously unreal prices for beautiful handmade jewelry.  Seriously.

Like this necklace in my favorite color, blue, and white.

You're not as much of a fan of blue as I am?  OK, then.  I give you earth tones in agate.

Or for a different look, this pretty pendant necklace.

No?  Then how about my other favorite, this turquoise and howlite necklace?

The shop is just full of wonderful things, and I'll leave you on a colorful note with this all seasons necklace.

Just don't forget to stop by the blog to see what's new... like their two new grandchildren or the craft shows they're headed for!

Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Six

You've met Pam of A Bead Thing once here before, but I'm going to show you some of the new and gorgeous things in her shop.

And what you definitely haven't seen here before is that she crochets!  How cute is this hat?

Or this flower necklace?  I love the idea of crocheted jewelry.

To keep up with Pam, find her on Google + or on Facebook.

Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Five

I'd like to introduce you to someone you've never met here before, Karen of Wyndwalker Creations.  

She and her husband have some seriously eclectic talents going on, that lead to a wonderfully diverse and original shop.  They hail from South Carolina, and have been creating for many years.  It shows in the obvious quality of their work.

Just look at that beadwork!  That doesn't come without Karen's 30 years of experience, for sure.  Just for good measure, here's some more.

And I promised diversity, didn't I?  How about some gorgeous beading on a trinket box... or a serious statement necklace?

Now that's a necklace to give some personality to a little black dress!  I think I need to own it.  They enjoy creating one-of-a-kind functional pieces of art, and I think they've succeeded, no?

Enough of the beads.  There's more!  They work in natural materials to create a variety of things, like leather, bone, and antlers.

Karen also likes to weave on inkle looms and tri looms.  That's how she makes adorable dog leashes and beautiful shawls!

And on top of all that?  She crochets!  My only lament is that the adorable dog doesn't come with the sweater.

Right?  And last, but definitely not least, I have to show you one of their selection of gourd birdhouses.  Oh, how I love these birdhouses!  I need one of these too.  Seriously.

Believe me when I tell you this is just a small sampling of what you can find in their Handmade Artists Shop and Etsy Shop.  And despite the variety and volume of their currently-existing wares, they love to try out new ideas, techniques and designs, and absolutely adore custom orders, so be sure to contact them.

And to keep up with them, follow the blog or like them on Facebook.