It’s a Small World

A Lincoln Log set first caught my eye from this charming shop. Little did I know at the time it wasn’t much bigger than a dime. Childhood memories are found at TheTwelfthDimension on ArtFire in miniature. With over 30 years of experience in the world of miniatures, Brenda is ready to assist you in finding the perfectly 1/12 scaled items for your little dream house. I can’t imagine working on these petite pieces, but if you would like to fashion your own furnishings, she also has kits available.

Brenda also has a vintage shop on ArtFire, AtticTrunk, where you will find full-scale treasures from the past. I found her international collection of toy sewing machines very interesting. I remember the milk bottles and the wire bottle carrier from many, many years ago when the dairy used to deliver to our porch.

Brenda handcrafts her tiny treasures in Wisconsin, ships internationally, and can also be found on etsy. If you have any questions or need help in locating a special item, please contact her. Her miniature creations are not toys and are meant for collectors 13 and older.

  

Basket Weaving 101

I remember taking a basket weaving class one summer, and the results were disappointing. It is much harder than it appears, so when I ran across Baskauta on ArtFire (which has closed), I was impressed. Amy has created a selection of fabulous traditional baskets as well as a beautiful Carolina snowflake for your Christmas tree, and a wonderful cross for Easter.

Amy has enjoyed creating handmade treasures since she was a little girl. Today, a background in anthropology with an emphasis in archaeology has given this artist a passion for basketry. After learning how to make a Cherokee twilled basket, she has been twisting reeds ever since. If you have a basket or weaving design in mind, please contact her. She loves working on custom orders and is up to a challenge. Get your heirloom Easter basket order in early!

Amy weaves her wonders in Las Vegas and ships internationally. You won't want to miss her Facebook fan page, where she has hundreds of old photos of Native Americans and their basketry. You will find more of her creative designs at her Etsy shop, where she also has amazing birds made with birch bark or paper.

Temari Balls

Temari is a Japanese symbol of perfection, and temari balls are given to celebrate special occasions. After looking at the intricate designs found at BagleyJones on Etsy, it is hard to believe that most of these are created using a single basic embroidery stitch. The Blood Red Chrysanthemum is simply stunning. Here is another traditional art form I must try some day.

This lady also loves to knit and you will discover a variety of lovely handknit hats and scarves in her shop. She designed some unique scarves with fun fur accents, and the purple grape toddler hat is absolutely adorable. She didn’t get the hang of knitting until she realized she was a left-handed knitter. I wonder if that could have been my roadblock.

She needles her treasures in Washington State and ships internationally. She began a tradition in her family and makes wedding temari balls in the bride’s wedding colors. What a glorious remembrance they must be. Placed proudly on display, these designs will marvel their recipients for years!

Candid Camera

Finding a wonderful photo at NatureVisions (closed), on Artfire, has brought back fond memories of quail darting about outside my kitchen window. Unfortunately, they are long gone. Daughter Erica’s photography in this mother and daughter shop is remarkable. I have enough trouble photographing stationary items in my light box. I can’t imagine getting everything set outdoors to capture a critter before it disappeared. That coyote looks friendly, until he goes after your chickens!

Nancy is the other half of this nature inspired team, creating paintings and sculptures. You won’t want to miss her 3-D wall hangings of carousel horses, true one-of-a-kind creations, and perfect for any collector. She has also brought to life a fun and fanciful Mystical Mouse™ line of little friends, which are sure to bring a smile and brighten anyone’s day.

Nancy and Erica pursue their crafts in Utah, ship most items internationally, and can be found on Facebook. An informative bio of this dynamic duo can be found at their Etsy shop, where you will also find links to their other Etsy shops.

Let Sleeping Cats Lie

I have three pillows on my desk overlooking a garden window; one for each of my boys to watch the birds and squirrels, but they are not as fancy as this charming quilt block pillow, by BlueBirdGardens, an Etsy shop. Charlotte will make your kitty in whichever color you like. It can even be personalized with a name. And if you would also like the matching quilt, you are in luck; this is the shop to visit.

For over a decade Charlotte has been piecing together precious heirloom quilts. Whether you are looking for an old-time favorite or have been inspired by a modern design, she will work with you to create your dream quilt. Stop by her very informative website for all the custom order details, and while you are there, explore all the quilt possibilities and huggable dolls. She even makes quillows!

Charlotte sews these treasures in Missouri, and will ship internationally. She can also be found on Facebook. Her stippling looks great. The random fluid motion is something I haven’t quite mastered.

      

Twisted Wax

Years ago, when there were handcrafted consignment stores in our area, I remember marveling at beautiful tower candles similar to these. Not having seen them since, I was pleased to run across this family business on etsy, creativecandlelight, (shop has been empty for some time now, but you may be able to contact them there) which is keeping this art form alive.

One who makes candles is known as a chandler, and for several hundred years the art of carving candles has produced exquisite works in wax. The base candles are dipped again and again adding the layers of color, which will later be revealed by the master’s carving skill. They work quickly while the wax is warm, completing their masterpieces in a matter of minutes.

These wonderful sculptures are created in Canada and ship to the United States. Whether for a wedding or a birthday surprise, they would be happy to take a custom order in your special color combination. Be sure to stop by their website (seems to be gone) where a host of waxwork delights can be found including candlesticks and novelty candles. I particularly like the frog and the penguin, and when I first saw the lighthouse, I thought it was a dalek!

The Eyes Have It

This interesting and impressive ArtFire shop, DesertRubble, has a very unusual, eye-catching jewelry collection. Lynn has tried her hand at a variety of creative outlets over the years, developing a wide range of skills that she has put to very good use. She now turns her artistic passions toward exploring the wonders of polymer clay, which she has done with the skill of a master.

Be sure to stop by Lynn's blog to read a very candid discussion regarding her style, and where she feels she fits in the artistic community. Whether she calls her work Industrial Surrealism or some of her work falls into one of the Punk varieties, Goth, Steam, Industrial, or Cyber, it doesn't matter to me; I just know I like what I see.

Lynn creates her awesome steampunk visions in Arizona, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook. If you are interested in a custom piece, please contact her, but be aware that all of her art works are unique and although she may create one similar, an exact replica is not possible, always assuring you of a one-of-a-kind treasure!

   

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.

      

Quilted Christmas Balls

Here is a new Etsy shop that sprang up just in time for Christmas, HolidayOrnaments (shop appears closed). Leanne is a stay-at-home mom who has found a very charming creative outlet. In her shop, you will discover many fabulous ornaments for your tree in a vast array of colors and designs. These elegant decorations will become treasured family heirlooms and are sure to be enjoyed for many years to come. If you would like to order a quilted Christmas ball in your favorite colors, please contact Leanne. If this year slips past to quickly, order your ornaments ahead for next year. These eye-catching delights would make perfect birthday presents for anyone throughout the year, and your thoughtfulness will be remembered each year as they decorate their tree.

Leanne works her Christmas magic in Florida. I thought about making these one year and got as far as the Styrofoam balls, but time got the better of me and I never got started. It takes several hours to put one of these gems together, after you know what you are doing. These will also make stunning Easter decorations.

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!

Hanky Pysanky

Beautifully decorating eggs in an intricate design, pysanky, is another incredible ancient art form. For thousands of years all manner of bird eggs have been elaborately adorned. Ukrainian eggs are found in an enchanting Etsy shop, Suzy6281. Here you will find a wide range of standard chicken eggs and the larger goose eggs, at about 4 inches, each with an unbelievable artistic pattern. These impressive eggs can be displayed year round or make a wonderful unique collectors piece for your Christmas and Easter decorating.

The creativity of this artist does not stop at decorated eggs. She has other delights in her shop and makes wonderful bread dough ornaments to add bright and cheery charm to any Christmas tree. One could be personalized as a special teacher’s gift. Suzy also has a line of pine cone fire starters in a gift basket that will make a fetching display piece next to the fireplace. As a special bonus, check out her blog for a how-to on making these useful yet elegant pine cone decorations.

Suzy works in Georgia and ships internationally. The time and care it must take to complete one of these egg designs is unimaginable for me. I decorated blown eggs one year with my kids, but we used crayons and glue with glitter. Well packed away or proudly displayed, these eggs will be around for many, many years. Anyone holding a one-of-a-kind art piece like this must be filled with wonder at the process and marvel at its design.