Nicely Knit

I never mastered knitting, and crochet is my yarn twisting hobby. I found this amazing shop, TheHunnyBunnyCompany, on zibbet full of adorable knit animals. It brings back tender memories of my mom knitting little pocket rabbits for my brothers, and even a turtle for me. I know how much work and love goes into these adorable Hunny Bunny friends, and they will be passed down and treasured for generations.

My dad would hide a bunny in the living room and my brothers and I would search for it. What a wonderful game that was.

I can relate to this knitter's overwhelming string of creative ideas, and knot enough time to get them done as quickly as she would like. Having or giving one of these handmade treasures is so uplifting. Her creations have gone out internationally giving hugs and smiles.

She crafts her huggable critters in the United Kingdom, ships internationally, and is also found on Etsy. Whether you are looking for a kitten, rabbit, elephant, Scottie dog, or mermaid, custom orders are welcome.

Beautiful Bugs

Take a good look at these creepy crawlies and you will have a surprise; they are made from fabric, paper, and other rescued materials. Regina has done an incredible job handcrafting these insect displays. Her shop, Vidogo, is found on etsy and means small in Swahili. Inspired by the creatures she found in her garden, she embarked on her insect art with passion.

No creatures are harmed in the creation of her faux taxidermied subjects. A shadow box would make a great gift for a teacher, a budding bug collector, or any entomology enthusiast. They will certainly be an eye-catching addition to any room. Look at the size of that moth. Can you imagine a (huntsman) clock spider?

Regina crafts her beautiful bugs in California and ships internationally. Visit her Website and find her on Facebook. The screen door warning critters are an amusing idea, and magnets will not harm the screen. Custom and wholesale orders are welcome.

Jewelry Circuit

The kraken has been released at this recycling monster of a shop, theBlueKraken, on Artfire. The leaf brooch caught my eye, as the color reminded me of the elven cloak pins from Lord of the Rings, and I had to investigate what green stone the leaf was made of. To my surprise it was a computer circuit board! Amanda takes the unwanted bits of technology that we casually toss out without a though and turn them into amazing wearable art. This innovative artist is certainly running far out front on the recycled jewelry circuit.

Amanda has a line of guitar picks sure to delight any musician or guitar pick collector. If you know someone in the tech world, a circuit board tie clip or pendant is sure to bring a smile. Be sure to see the butterfly pendants. I marvel at the colors and her mastery of silversmithing. She works with hard drives too, nothing goes to waste with her creative mind.

This recycling wizard is master of her craft in North Carolina and ships internationally. You can also find her on Facebook, and will want to bookmark her shop for more great artistic art works from this upcycling genius. If you have a piece in mind, possibly sets for a bridal party with a high tech theme, be sure to contact her for custom work.

Puzzle Me This

These stunning treasure boxes caught my eye on oka-craft, an Artfire shop. The lovely wood piecing Hiroyuki does reminds me of quilting patterns. These intricate designs are made with different woods and the colors are all natural. I still can't figure out the Rubik's Cube puzzle, so these artistic brain teasers would present me with quite a challenge. The size of a puzzle box is measured with a traditional Japanese length measuring system called SUN where 1 sun is about 1.22 inches or 3.09 centimeters.

The art of crafting a Japanese puzzle box has been around for over 100 years and is called Himitsu Bako in Japan. Each box must be turned, pushed, and moved in a very specific way. It is impossible to open unless the exact steps designed for each box are followed. It can take any number of moves depending on the cunning of the box designer. The wooden designs are made in large blocks then delicately shaved. These shavings are then glued to adorn the box surfaces. I thought of how designs are made in taffy or Fimo clay rolls, but this is wood, and all those little bits have to be perfectly glued in place – amazing! My husband says this is a common wood working technique, marquetry, for making fancy designs on guitars.

Hiroyuki makes these incredible show stoppers in Japan and ships internationally. He has a website and can be found on etsy. These would be great conversation pieces on a desk or coffee table. Which end is up? What is concealed within? How do I get it open? No worries. You won't have to spend weeks discovering the trick. Each box comes with instructions.

Candle Carving

How precious it is when the skills and love of a craft are passed down from parent to child. This is the case at WildwoodGeneralStore on zibbet. Brian is a second generation chandler, an old-time term for candle maker, and has an impressive array of carved beauties for burning. These lovely wax art works will be sitting pretty for many years to come. After the candle has burned down an inch or so, you can put tea lights in your candle and enjoy the glorious glow without melting the wax sculpture.

Another team member is his wife Wynne, an accomplished artist and art professor at a local college. She paints, blacksmiths, and follows wherever the creative spirit takes her. Find her unique chandeliers on her website. There is definitely a creative gene in this family. Stop by their second etsy shop where they team up with Wynne's brother and dog prints on fabric wine gift bags.

Brian and Wynne keep busy in Georgia, ship to the United States, and can be found on facebook carving away. They have an etsy candle shop and a website getting underway. If you need custom colors for a special occasion, be sure to contact Brian, who is happy to discuss your candle design. Surrounded by such creative and talented parents, their children are sure to excel is the art of their choice.

Wood Trek

With phasers at the ready and shields up, this reclaimed wood shop on zibbet is boldly going where no other wood recycler has gone before. RaysScraps pieces together impressive modes of the Starship Enterprise from little bits of scrap wood. It is almost like 3D intarsia, although he does stain or paint most pieces. I am a great fan of The Original Series – Star TrekTOS – and was tickled to find a great selection of USS Enterprise models; ships on their own, in spacedock, and even Klingon birds of prey can be found is this fun shop. The rainbow Enterprise mobile is perfect for any nursery or child's room.

Ray has not stopped at making unique Star Trek collectible mobiles and desk art available, but uses his woodworking skills at crafting an assortment of airplanes from bygone eras, helicopters, trucks and cars. His selection of trains makes me think of the children's book The Little Engine That Could. What a delight they would be for any train enthusiast. Be sure to see the bi-plane birdhouse. How special is that for the backyard!

Ray precision pieces his wooden wonders in California and ships to the United States. He has a shop on etsy where even more wonderful wood workings await. He creates these unique art works with scrap wood bits so no two will ever be identical. You are guaranteed of an unparalleled work of art to display. If you have a custom order in mind, be sure to contact him. I showed my husband what Ray does with wood scraps, but he is going to stick to making guitars and let the scraps fall where they may.

Magic Mirror

A burst of lovely colors and shapes captured my attention, and before I knew it, I had been transported into the magical recycling world of MarilyndaGallery on etsy. This mother and daughter team give an exciting new life to the forgotten fancies of fashion. Their bewitching arrangements of costume jewelry pieces adorn the backs of hand mirrors. The queen may ask, “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?” I don't know the fairest one of all, but I'm sure the fairest mirror is found right here!

Whether you prefer square, round, oblong, or hearts, they have bejeweled mirrors in a shape and size for you. These two tempt our eyes to discover every added trinket in their elaborate playful designs. Although this team is enhancing functional hand mirrors, their mirrors strike me as eye-catching works of wall art. Pick your favorite color combination and add intrigue to a desolate wall space. Visitors are sure to pause as they examine the pleasing shapes and colors. They do have a few wall mirrors available.

Marilyn and Lynda artistically collude in Michigan and ship internationally. You can see their past 'sold' work as well as available art mirrors on their website. There is so much to see on each artistic piece. Take a look, then look again. I'm sure you will smile with delight as another element reveals itself. If you are interested in having a custom mirror made with your baubles from the past or a love one's costume collection, be sure to contact them for a truly memorable piece of art that will be treasured.

Cozy Cat Crochet

This artist captivated me with the photography of her endearing cat pillows. Ralitza at zolayka on etsy will crochet a pillow to remind you of your beloved kitty. All she needs is a few photos of your furry friend and her hook and yarn will start flying. Her crafty cat crochet is just the tip of the talent truck. More crochet treasures await; lace wrist cuffs and socks, hats, baskets, and doilies. Her wide range of emoticons is sure to bring a smile, and those amigurumi owls are show stoppers for any owl collector!

When Raliza is not wielding a hook she works with knitting needles or a needle and thread. Embroidery hoop wall art, accent pillows, and so much more is waiting to be discovered in her shops. Be sure to see her line of french macaron coin purses. They make wonderful little zippered treasure boxes and would be perfect bridesmaid gifts.

Ralitza creatively crochets her cats in Bulgaria, ships internationally, and is found on Facebook. You will find more of her work on her website, and she keeps a second etsy shop, Bubabuba, with her creative overflow. Special orders are no problems for this artist, just contact her. How does this actress, musician, mommy, shop owner find the time to be so creative?

Mesoamerican Art

My exploration of zibbet revealed one of those 'you'll never find it anywhere else shops', michaelgoard. Michael gets his creative inspiration from the Mesoamerican cultures of the ancient Aztec and Mayan. He uses enriched concrete and replicates Aztec and Mayan glyphs on tiles, dishes, garden decoration, and wall art. His wondrous works remind me of spectacular History Channel shows and archaeological specials on foreign lands, and they take my husband back to his childhood by Tazumal.

Michael is also an accomplished silversmith and lapidarist. Many of his jewelry pieces honor the rich cultures of the past. Be sure to see the Mayan glyph 'mountain' jade pendant, and the Aztec 'movement' Glyph necklace. He has also taken his hand to painting, drawing on Mesoamerica for inspiration in a series of colorful interpretations.

Michael revives the past in my part of the woods in California, and can ship internationally if you contact him. This gentleman loves the art world, and much more about his restoration work, mural painting, and art services is found on his website. He also has a shop on etsy. If you are interested in a custom or large order, be sure to contact him. My mom is going to adore the coaster for Mother's day! She doesn't use a computer, so I can tell you.

Beadwoven Brooches

I was struck by the unique beauty of the weaving and colorful design in the beaded brooches found in enchantedbeads on etsy. Ileana strings seed beads and uses shells, lovely stones, larger beads, and other interesting items in her unique creations. Many of her works are one-of-kind wearable art pieces. A web of beads strategically placed over a sea shell makes an intriguing necklace. If you are ready to give beading a go, be sure to take a look at her tutorials, and don't miss the cute owl, which is suitable as a brooch or pendant.

Ileana is an award winning artist and designs much more than brooches. The beaded brooches drew me in, but after I went exploring in her shop, I discovered the full wonder of her creativity; earrings, both pierced and clip on, a host of rings, necklaces and pendants, bracelets, and awesome beaded boxes for a special gift.

Ileana makes bead magic in New York, ships internationally, and is found on Facebook. Stop by her second etsy shop at enchantedbeas for more jewelry offerings. Visit her website where you can see more of her amazing designs. Check the exhibition schedule to find her work at a gallery near you. She does such beautiful work.

Rags to Rugs

There are many styles of rag rugs, and I found an artist creating the crocheted version at PineywoodsFolkArts on etsy. The traditional art of rug making with rags is a refreshing return of the waste-not-want-not concept that has nearly lost its voice in our disposable world. When the idea of throwing anything away was a last resort, worn clothing, linens, and fabric scraps were put to good use in rug making. Although we no longer need these rugs to cover dirt floors or keep out drafts as so many generations before us did, we can appreciate the rebirth of a T-shirt, which has seen its last useful day, into the mosaic of a useful rug that will be around for many years to come.

This mother and daughter team produces a shop of rag rugs and jewelry, and each incorporates rescued materials in their artistic pieces. Daughter Bean handles the crochet hook with ease in her transformation of seemingly useless rag to beautiful and durable rag rugs. Andi is the self professed jewelry geek with a recycler's heart. Be sure to see her fishing lure earrings; perfect for anyone who patiently waits hours for that exciting nibble at the end of a line.

This terrific team calls Texas home, ships to the United States, and is found on Facebook. They have a presence on ArtFire. Most of their creations are one-of-a-kind, but if you are interested in a special jewelry or rug design, they are waiting to hear from you. Fabrics from a loved one can be made into a mantel or table decoration, as well as a rug. It's nice to see a shop where Recycling Works!

Trolling Compliments

I ran across a very interesting mix of shop treasures in a husband and wife team, ronisboutique, on etsy. Do you remember the troll craze of the 1960s? If you are ready to update your troll's wardrobe, this is the designer shop of dream gowns. Your little one will be the best dressed troll in town sporting a one-of-a-kind frock and hair piece, and boy, do these trolls have hair!

Beyond tailor to the trolls, the lady of this team keeps her crochet hook busy with a wide selection of doilies and other crocheted items. The gentleman is busy out in his wood shop with intarsia inspired art works among other things. He cuts out an artistic design making a wood jigsaw puzzle from a plain piece of pine, the pieces are colorfully dyed, and the work is precisely reassembled transforming it into lovely hanging wall art. The flowers are perfect for Mother's day or her birthday.

This precision team creates in California, ships internationally, and is found on Facebook. They have shops on bonanza and zibbet with a greater selection of their work and offerings. His handcrafted wooden toy airplane is so precious. Custom orders are welcome, and they look forward to creating the perfect piece for you!