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.

Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Four

I'd like to introduce you to Debbie & John of Thunder Rose Leather, who have been hand-creating leather and beaded items in Arizona for over twenty years.  They do old style leather and beadwork, one piece at a time, by hand, with some serious attention to detail.

Most of their work reflects the style of the old west and Native American cultures.

These items are made to last for many years, wit elkskin the primary choice of leather, though they also use deerskin, cowhide, and buffalo.

Because everything is done by hand and by them, even if something you see and like is not beaded, they can add beadwork if you choose.

Because the color and texture of each hide will vary, these pieces are truly unique and one of a kind.  No two are ever the same!

They can even make you things that aren't shown in their shop or on their site.  After taking a look around, be sure to like their Facebook page or follow their blog!

Creating and Creating!

I've been really productive lately.  First, I took this alpaca yarn, which I got from this shop. and knitted a scarf for me!  Yes, finally something for me, after all that holiday creating.

The great thing about this shop is that it introduces you to the aplaca from whence your yarn came.  Mine was from the adorable Elvira.

I used the same Saxon braid pattern I used on this Celtic Knot scarf, and I love it!

I really wear it all the time.

Then... well, remember that dinosaur scarf I made for my nephew?  As promised, I did another one!  My Daffy the Dinosaur is a stylish accessory and toy all in one!

He really does love to snuggle

We did have one slight misunderstanding while taking photos, when he thought it was acceptable to try and eat my head, but we soon straightened it out and found that his favorite food is alpaca yarn!

Now that that's taken care of, he's perfectly safe to be around children, and would really, really like to go home with some great kid who will care for him.  You don't have to be too careful, though, as he's 100% washable wool and won't felt if he gets wet.

If you think you'd like him as your household pet, you can find him in my shop right here.

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Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Three

This time I'd like you to meet Alix Browning of The Alchemists Vessel.

Her jewelry has a style that just really draws me. partly because she does chainmaille, and we know I just love chainmaille.

This wonderful artist lives in Boise, Idaho, and is a certified jewelry designer.

Bent on helping and promoting other artisans, she's also the owner and operator of Little Shop of Artists, a retail venue for local artists in Boise.

To see more of the wonderful, check out her Handmade Artists' Shop, her Etsy Shop, her Facebook page, or her Pinterest.

More Gifts to Give

This month was my second cousin's second birthday and next month is a friend's baby shower.  So in addition to the books I bought as gifts - I just can't resist books as a child's gift! - I made this stuffed butterfly for the two-year-old.

The wings and body are fleece, with felt for the pattern on the wings and floss for the eyes and antennae.  The body is stuffed with fiberfill and the wings with batting.  I had a lot of fun designing and making it!

And for the baby shower, a rag doll bunny!

I hope they're loved for years and years!

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