T.RUSK4U 01/25/2011
 

I know I've written about this lovely lady before, but it's always good to catch up with old favorites. Teresa is in love with jewelery design -- from concept, to material selection, to completion. She really goes for unique and uses a wide variety of materials, techniques, and textures in her work.

Check out this eye popping, dazzling bracelet:

Teresa is also a big supporter of handmade. Her blog frequently features other artists and shares tidbits about her life.

You can also find her at her Handmade Artists shop for more showcases of her handiwork. I already showed you hot and sunny, so I've picked out something a bit more subtle. I love green, and these dainty hoops are so classic.

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I'm not really a 'group' person, and have always had a difficult time getting involved in interest groups. Awhile ago, I, for some reason, was motivated to join the HAF group, and I'm so glad I did!

I've always felt very welcomed and encouraged by the members and have never felt isolated from the cool kids, like I usually do in other groups. The chats, support, suggestions, and frank answers are a refreshing change and an invaluable resource.

If, as an artist, artisan, or crafter, you're looking for a new home with a multitude of strengths and interests, definitely check out the Handmade Artist Forum. It's a hub for discussions, advertising, community, and you can even put up a shop, if you so desire.


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Travel inspires many artists, whether it's other artisans creating beautiful things in a new, exciting way, the vistas, beautiful building, the exotic taste of another language, the novel flavors of a foreign dish, or simply just the time away from daily life.  This week's artist, Holly of Tuscan Road Designs, is no different and found herself in a new, creative world after her visit to the island of Murano.
Her style is very eclectic and feminine, and you'll be able to find rustic, organic designs and frilly, victorian-esque designs snuggled next to clean-lined, modern and bold, colorful designs. It's a candy shop where almost anyone would be able to find something to suit their tastes.
Her outstanding collection and gallery of jewelry is only part of her day-to-day life.  After taking lampwork classes, inspired by the beauty of the glass artists discovered on her journeys, she taught and she shared her knowledge with her son.  Her son, in turn, shares his experiences with wildlife rehabilitation.  You can read all about the baby owls (who are disgustingly cute) on her blog.
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Dream Again is a perfect name for this week's artist.  Looking through her shop, I was struck by the boldness and forward beauty of some pieces, the organic simplicity of others, and the intricacy of most.  Her etsy shop is really a stunning gallery and sampling of her work.

She's been a lover of feminine, pretty things since she was a child, spoiled as the first girl to her mother.  It wasn't a far leap from loving to creating; and, at the age of 20, she picked up her first jewelry supplies and that was all it took.
Above is one of the bold pieces I admire.  The fish and dragonfly motif are elegant, yet very feminine, and the alternating symmetry of the chain adds a lot of interest, for me.

An important part of creating is constantly learning, and this self-taught artist strives to expand her knowledge.  You can read on her blog about her journey into creating beautiful chainmaille pieces.  I really like to read stories about people exploring new avenues of creation and the process they go through, and I really admire the persistence and enthusiasm that Dream Again has for learning.  Below is a lovely example of her chainmaille.
I'm a huge sucker for pearls, so I have to share this last piece with you.  It's a delicate, yet stately bracelet, made up of irregular, fresh-water pearls.  The pale pink pearls are attached to a silver-plated, looped chain, if you need more pop than those gorgeous pearls give you!
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Another week, another fabulously talented artist!  I'm pleased to introduce you to Kazumi, a Japanese artist who specializes in sock monkeys and chalk art.  Or should I say diversity?  She doesn't just stop at sock monkeys and chalk art, and has a wide range of products -- from baby clothes to coin purses to amigurumi and more.

Kazumi is a very busy businesswoman and artist and has her creations all over the internet.  Her zazzle shop includes a wide variety of merchandise featuring her fabulous, playful designs.  I'm currently visiting family for a wedding, and this design stuck out and made me grin:
You can read all about her sock monkeys here.  She has profiles of her monkeys, so you can learn all about her socky family and friends.  Just make sure to have you 5 bananas ready to pay your subscription! :)

Her chalk art can be found here.  These pieces would make a great signboard for a restaurant or kitchen, a welcome sign for a baby shower or wedding, or just as an artistic welcome to your home.  Here are two of my favorites:
But don't be fooled, she doesn't stop there!  Another etsy shop houses some of her sewing, crochet, and smaller art pieces.  Check out her coin purses and ACEO and other art! 
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I'm new to the Handmade Artist Forum, but decided to jump in with both feet.  Part of that is joining the HAF blog ring to learn about and feature artists, many who are new to me.  Haffina is this month's pick and I hope you all enjoy reading about her. :)

When I popped all of the links where you can find her, I was hugely impressed and a bit astonished.  I've dabbled a bit in polymer clay, but I'm far from accomplished.  I occasionally see things that astound me and put me in awe of the versatility of this medium, and the piece below (found in her Artfire shop) really caught my eye.  Image transfer onto polymer clay -- who knew?!  Super cool.
And she's not just a polymer clay artist!  Her jewelry shop is filled with creations that I feel span a wide range of tastes.  Jewelry creation is not one of my strengths (I can wad up wire like nobody's business), so I really admire the ability to combine textures and colors so well.
On top of that, Haffina is a mom of five, a blogger, enthusiastic about handmade, and I'm sure a good many other things.  It sounds like she's a bit of a superhero, to me!
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