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!

Pony Up

When I first saw one of these colorful pieces, I wasn't sure what it was. I though a work in cross stitch or plastic canvas, but now I know another spectacular use for pony beads. These pretty beaded banners are found at SherryRidge, a relatively new shop on etsy. Bead by bead these artistic wall hangings are created. The cat in the window looks like my Panther. These beaded works of art can grace a wall inside or decorate an outside space. The look of depth translucent beads give the fish in Under the Sea is amazing, and would make the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a fish tank or trip to the aquarium.

Claudine and Jim have a range of beautiful works in their shop perfect for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and birthdays year round. There are also a few counted cross stitch seed packet completed pieces available. I know the hours that went into creating these lovely stitched works or art, and they would be so pretty framed for wall display.

These two have their needles flying and beads bouncing in Texas and ship to the United States. I can just imagine how much fun my boys would have chasing beads around the floor. They already pitch in to help me sort buttons from time to time. I'm sure we can expect more creative works from this artistic duo, so check back to see their new shop offerings.

Foaming Flowers

With a rich family heritage, this Artfire artisan at Gingers-Garden is continuing the ancient tradition of soap making. Irena grew up mentored by traditional soap makers, and although she no longer has to save rainwater, grease, and lie, she takes great care in selecting the ingredients for her products. I am impressed by her scope of work, colors, shapes, patterns, and scents. Her novelty soaps, flowers and fish, would make lovely stocking stuffers and hostess gifts, and are too pretty to use! In looking at her photos, it appears she has quite a soap dish collection as well.

Irena is a licensed holistic health care practitioner, and also finds time to teach. Besides the marvelous myriad of bar soaps, she offers soothing shower gel, and shaving soap. I found the Sleepy Time aroma inhaler an interesting idea. There are lip balms, body scrubs, and lotions. Take a few minutes and explore this interesting shop.

Irena brews her batches in California, sends to Canada, and can be found on Facebook and at her website. If you would like to try one of her handcrafted soaps, Irena has a reasonably priced sample soap offer, which will get you whatever she is working on. She is able to take special and wholesale orders. How charming would little soap thank you gifts be at a wedding, shower, or birthday party? If you have any questions, please contact her. She loves to talk soap shop!

Blowing Glass

Glass blowing has been around since ancient times, and Kelly at KLGlass on ArtFire has embraced this traditional art form with a passion. Her shop has a wonderful selection of amazing glass works, from elegant vases to fanciful kritters. How cute are those bugs on sticks? Many believed the duckbilled platypus to be an elaborate hoax, and she will have you looking twice at her collection of whimsical creatures.

Tired of the same old, boring, mass-produced, everybody has one, tree ornaments? Kelly’s blown glass balls in vibrant original colors will make unique Christmas gifts, sure to be treasured for many years. She also has a line of lovely angels, perfect for a Christmas tree, but for me the showstopper is a friendly little elf ornament.

Kelly rolls her blowpipe in Canada and ships internationally. Drop by her website for more artistic works by this outstanding artisan. If you have an idea for a special piece, she is eager to help bring your glass dream into reality. If you pass by the Stony Creek area of Ontario, a visit to her studio would be a memorable excursion, and she would enjoy sharing her love of this traditional art form with you.

Flower Fancy

This flower filled shop on Zibbet, lagodesigns, may have the bees fooled with a garden of impressive floral beads fashioned from polymer clay. Diana creates her exquisite tiny beads in an array of colors and flower designs, which come together with dazzling beads to make striking statement pieces of wearable art. Her bold feminine designs are true one-of-a-kind treasures and sure to be the focal point of any outfit.

With hair pins to shoe clips, Diana’s designs will have you shining from head to toe. I like the cheerful gerbera daisies, but you will find orchids, roses, crocus, delicate apple and cherry blossoms, as well as tulips among the garden dwellers. If you are thinking of making your own floral beads, Diana has several tutorials to take you through the process of creating the flowers, then putting them together in your unique statement necklace.

Diana’s flower garden grows in Portugal. She ships internationally, and can be found on etsy. Visit her website for detailed pictures of her wonderful creations – such nice photos! These works of art will be enjoyed for many years.

Scratching an Egg

This artist celebrates her Lithuanian heritage in a traditional art form and creates the most beautiful decorated eggs. Christine’s etsy shop, teener1416, features a wide array of these delicate treasures in wonderful colors and designs. This older form of decorating eggs starts with an egg dyed in a single color. The designs are then etched by carefully scratching through the layers of dyed shell exposing the natural color of the shell. The eggs used, combined with the artist’s hand, guarantees that no two eggs are every identical.

Working with chicken, duck, goose, and turkey eggs, Christine uses her art for stress management after a hard day. You can’t be overstressed for long when working with eggs! Her exclusive eggs can be displayed on a tiny stand or be made into impressive Christmas tree ornaments. You will also find several multicolored eggs in her shop. Her floral designs are amazing.

Christine carves her eggs in Pennsylvania, and ships internationally. Custom orders are always welcome and your egg can be personalized. She has another shop on etsy where her creative spirit has produced a line of richly embellished greeting cards – when you care enough to send uniquely handmade!

Stained Glass Menagerie

Discover a wonderful world of colors and imagination in this stained glass shop, TYorkStainedGlass, on ArtFire. This artist has a passion for stained glass, and her fanciful creations will astound you. Frogs, owls, penguins, fish, roosters, and dolphins along with a host of other fantastic creatures are sure to please. There are so many whimsical sun catchers to choose from. A charming cat face can be made in the colors of your furry friend.

There are beveled art works that will paint any room with a dazzling light show. If you are looking for a business card holder, there are beautiful styles and colors to choose from.

Visit the photos on their Facebook fan page to see the vast spectrum of this shop’s artistic expression. Larger glass art works are available. The 3D dragonflies are amazing. As you explore this artist, you will continue to be astounded at her artistic vision - birds and butterflies in every imaginable color combination!

The glass magic happens in Rhode Island. They ship internationally and can also be found on etsy. Special orders are encouraged and custom colors are welcome. The colors of stained glass never fade and these treasures will be enjoyed for many, many years to come!

A Simple Thread

It seems like magic as a single strand is transformed into an elegant work of art, but it takes patience and skill to masterfully turn a simple thread into amazing thread art. Maryann of Crochetbymsa on etsy has been perfecting the art of crochet for nearly 4 decades, and her expertise is evident in the array of pleasing creations found in her shop. The traditional lacy doilies featuring flowers are beautifully represented in her shop offerings. They make wonderful table accents and also bring great design to a room draped on the back of an easy chair or sofa. 

Maryann also offers an attractive line of treasure bags. Be sure to see the 3D daffodil gift bag, which would also be a lovely sachet filled with your favorite scents. The stylish lingerie bag is sure to make a cherished wedding or anniversary gift, and the laced rose tiebacks, reminiscent of a bygone age, are the perfect finish for romantic or Victorian decorating.

Maryann twists these treasures in Pennsylvania and ships internationally. Custom orders are always welcome, and she will gladly work with you to create the perfect design, size, and color scheme.

Adventures in Quilling

It is my pleasure to introduce an extraordinary quilling studio, QuillingbySandraWhite, on Zibbet. With nearly 40 years of experience, this artist has distinguished herself in the quilling community by evolving the unique style we enjoy in her shop today. Sandy places a cutout of the shape she wishes to capture over a strategically quilled background. The quilling becomes the brush strokes adding a layer of texture and interest to her one-of-a-kind 3D masterpieces.

Sandy constructs traditionally quilled keepsake wedding invitations and birth announcements, and will work with you to create a beautifully framed, uniquely quilled remembrance. She has an exciting line of cards that combine the elegance of quilling with the beauty of handmade papers and are suitable for framing.


There are also stunning quilled Christmas ornaments that would make wonderful gifts. Your thoughtfulness will be remember each time they hang it up and marvel at its design.

Sandy’s creative corner is in New Hampshire, she ships to the United State, and has her own website. Like me, she sells on multiple venues and additional shops can be found on ArtFire, Bonanza, and eCrater, where you will find a collection of vintage craft magazines and books. To think the magic is all done with paper!

Fatima’s Flowers

Spring is finally here! Now if only the weather would cooperate. I ran across this vibrant shop, FlowersFromFatima, several months ago on Etsy and was waiting for just the right time to present her beautiful creations. Inspired by the wondrous beauty found in nature, Fatima’s floral fashions are bold yet feminine. Headbands, hair clips, sticks, and combs will have you looking chic and flower fashionable with her line of eye-catching hair ornaments. I think her gorgeous Gerbera Daisy would make a stunning brooch, a statement piece for any coat that needs a serious splash of color.

This charming lady makes her sunshine pieces in Ohio and ships internationally. The cheerful colors she chooses will surely warm hearts and provide hope for a bright and joyful day. These pretty posies will get you noticed, so be ready with a smile when you go out wearing one of Fatima’s creations!

Marvelous Mosaics

Brightly colored bits and pieces come together to create stunning works of art in this ArtFire shop that will have you basking in the warm glow of spring and forgetting about the rain and snow outside. Bill, of GlassArts Studio (closed), is a self-taught glass artist who fashions spectacular stained-glass pieces and mixed-media mosaics in an eye-catching array of colors.

Whether you are looking for an indoor or outdoor piece, you will find it here, and if you have a design in mind, Bill is happy to take custom orders. With over 20 years of experience, this skilled craftsman will create the perfect heirloom quality artwork to be enjoyed for many, many years to come.

Bill assembles his magnificent masterpieces in Pennsylvania, ships to the United States, and can also be found on Etsy. His website displays more samples of his remarkable art, including an awesome Rainbow Sparkle Fish statue. What a unique conversation piece this would be on the porch or in the yard. Bravo Bill, your work is amazing!

Floral Lampwork Beads

Introducing an original and inspired lampwork bead shop, BlissfulGardenBeads, on ArtFire. Heather has been designing and creating lampwork beads for over a decade. This self-taught full-time artist takes her primary inspiration from the beauty of nature, and bouquets of rose and tulip beads grace her shop. Her delicate and feminine creations are available in a wide range of colors and combinations.

If you are looking to create one-of-a-kind heirloom quality jewelry, you have to start with unique and exquisite beads, and this is definitely the place to see an unparalleled selection. Each beautiful bead is by itself an exceptional handcrafted work of art, and no two beads will be identical. I am amazed at the complexity of her designs, and can appreciate the skill and steady hand it takes to create them.

Heather masterfully fashions her bead flower garden in Washington State, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook.

      

Time For a Change

Here's a charming shop that combines a love of painting with practical time keeping pieces. RFForeverClocks is a delightful Etsy shop where you will find the cutest clocks ready to grace any room in your home. Whether you are looking for a table clock, wall clock, or one to sit on the bookshelf, you are sure to find the perfect artistic piece here.

Rosemarie stays very busy, maintaining a second Etsy shop, RFColorfulCreations. There you will find various treasures including whimsical works done with polymer clay. I decided to lead this feature with her crafty clocks, but I am also impressed with her line of decorated treasure chests, which would make wonderful jewelry or keepsake boxes.

Rosemarie creates her art in New York and will ship internationally. She has a Facebook fan page where her latest creations pop up, and she can also be found on Artfire. If you are looking for a unique gift, Rosemarie’s shop is a wonderful place to browse.

Gourdgeous Art

That's exactly what you will find at this charming Artfire shop, Simplygourdgeousart. Gourd artist Hilary Bell has created a line of delightful gourd birdhouses. She skillfully paints these one-of-a-kind gourd canvasses making each an eye-catching garden display, certain to become the artistic focal point of your backyard. Your little friends may not appreciate the artistry that has gone into decorating these homes, but the increased property value will certainly have them squabbling over the real estate.

Hilary has spent nearly a decade crafting with gourds, and thoroughly enjoys it! She creates impressive gourd bowls, bird feeders, and Christmas ornaments among other outstanding gourd items. She also enjoys working with glass and creates lovely magnets. Another passion is handcrafting wooden buttons out of fallen tree branches. What an exciting addition these rustic buttons would be to a hand-knit sweater.

Hilary works in Florida, ships internationally, and can also be found on Etsy. If you have a particular color or design in mind, she would be happy to take a custom order. These painted treasures are absolutely fabulous!

The Joy of Quilling

This Discovered Treasure introduces us to another ancient art form sometimes called paper twirling. Have you ever rolled up your straw wrapper at a restaurant while waiting for your order to arrive? Quilling is the art of rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper then arranging them artistically. You probably weren't very impressed with your straw wrapper, but joanscrafts on etsy has definitely been rolling and shaping up a creative storm with impressive results.

After nearly 30 years of quilling experience, Joan still loves what she does, and this joy is apparent in the wide range of colorful creations available in her shop. There are eye-catching greeting cards and a line of masterfully crafted shadow boxes that ensure her striking art pieces will be proudly displayed for many years to come. A love of birds and butterflies has inspired her to create colorful and delicately winged creatures, each individually boxed and ready to be given as charming gifts. Her exceptionally crafted Christmas ornaments include a line of fabulous snowflakes.

Joan twirls her paper arts in Pennsylvania and ships internationally. If you have an idea for a special piece, please contact her. She will be very happy to work with you on a custom order. Joan will be creatively quilling for many years to come. What will she quill up next?

Cold Porcelain Flowers

A professional crafter for nearly 30 years, Norma of RosePetals, on ArtFire, painstakingly shapes each of her spectacular floral sculptures petal by petal. Necklaces, earrings, hair ornaments, and brooches are all artfully fashioned in a magnificent array of colors, each one a unique handcrafted treasure. Be sure to see the decorated pedestal candles and wedding cake toppers, which would also make an eye-catching table display.

She started her career with salt dough, moving to bread dough shortly thereafter. Perfecting her bread dough roses for over 20 years, she recently began creating with cold porcelain and the results are stunning! She now calls on her wealth of experience to create heirloom pieces in cold porcelain. Norma continues to produce her signature bread dough roses, and the special recipe she uses insures that her roses are hard, very durable, and bug resistant.

Norma's garden grows in New York, she ships internationally, and can also be found on Etsy as DoughRoses. She even accepts wholesale orders for her beautiful jewelry. This is an artist to keep an eye on as she launches into a new medium with overwhelming success!

Cold porcelain is a combination of white glue, cornstarch, water, glycerin, and cold cream, which is mixed together and heated on a stove or in a microwave. If you would like to give it a try, directions can be found online (search for cold porcelain recipe). The dough is messy, but easy to make. The ability to shape it with consistency, however, takes the skill of a master crafter.

Elegant Floral Glassware

The floral theme continues with this fantastic discovery at Decouverre Glassware, an Etsy shop, with stunning hand painted glass and stemware. These captivating designs remind me of stained glass. Stephanie is a very accomplished artist who has chosen a glass canvas. She designs then meticulously hand paints each glass using non-toxic, European, thermo hardening enamel paints in a cheerful palette.

You will be amazed by her extensive selection of pretty posies; each one a unique creation. If you have a design, pattern, another style of stemware, or color in mind, Stephanie will be happy to work with you on any special request. She will skillfully create a one-of-a-kind heirloom gift that is sure to be adored and treasured. Personalizing and engraving may also be possible depending on your selection.

Stephanie paints her flower garden in Canada and ships internationally. You can also find her on Facebook. You won't want to hit any high notes with one of these beauties in the room.

    

The Art of Kanzashi

The fine art of crafting flowers continues at Kanzashi-Hime, an Etsy shop, with dazzling hair ornaments ready to make you feel like a princess. Tsumami Kanzashi is a traditional Japanese craft dating back hundreds of years. This incredible art form was used to create the elaborate hair decorations that graced the traditional hairstyles of the geisha and their apprentices.

Jenny crafts these intricate flowers by folding a single square of fabric to form each petal. The petals are then hand sewn in place to create a beautiful and fashionable work of art. These eye-catching floral decorations are then attached to a wide variety of hair accessories to accommodate any hairstyle. The flowers can also be attached to a clip making a very versatile adornment.

Jenny meticulously fashions her unique flowers in Australia and ships internationally. If you see a design you like but have a different color in mind, contact her and she would be happy to work with you. She is also willing to make flowers out of your fabric, perfect to match any special event. A fall of wisteria would make an excellent bridesmaid’s thank you gift.

French Beaded Flowers

The traditional art of crafting French beaded flowers blooms at BuddingCreations an Etsy shop. This delightful shop captured my notice with a beaded hyacinth, but there are many amazing flowers to choose from in a rainbow of colors. If you are looking for an unforgettable wedding bouquet with unique sparkle, Danielle will create an heirloom keepsake you can display and treasure forever. She has several styles to choose from and will make extraordinary flowers for your perfect day.
Danielle's creativity doesn't stop at flowers that never wilt or fade. Get ready for fantastic looking houseplants that don't need water, and be sure to see the trumpet vine with an incredible hummingbird. Her favorite color is blue, and her shop sports a beautiful blue butterfly barrette, which can be made in any color.

Danielle fashions her beaded beauties in Florida and ships internationally. If you see a design you like, but have a different color in mind, contact Danielle and she will be happy to work with you.

Soap never looked like THIS

My title is taken from a section in this surprising Etsy shop, Goddess in a Lather (moved to YodelyGoatSoaps), and I never have seen soap like this! It was very hard to pick two photos to share in this feature, as there are numerous soap sculptures that caught my eye, but by now I’m sure you have guessed that I favor blue. Here is a master at work in her chosen medium - glycerin soap – and what a statement she has made with a plethora of exquisitely crafted pieces of art.

Maggie considers herself part mad-scientist, part Sherlock Holmes, and uses only the purest, most chemical-free bath & body ingredients possible in her lovely creations. If you see something you like, but would prefer a different color, fragrance or even fragrance-free, please contact her to place a custom order. If you would like to know more about her ingredients or process, her bio is available at Etsy.

Maggie crafts her soapy art in Illinois and also ships to Canada. You will want to drop a heart at this shop for future unique gift giving. Order an iris in the bathroom color of a friend to present them with a very special room accent they are sure to display and enjoy. Maggie has definitely put the ‘You’re Special’ back in gift giving with her slippery selection. Many of these soaps are just too pretty to use!



Maggie has opened a new soap shop, and you'll find her at her new etsy location.