Bejeweled Trees

Wonderful custom-made trees with jeweled leaves are found at CustomTreeations on etsy. Genuine gemstones and swarovski crystals adorn the silver and gold colored branches of these one-of-a-kind creations. This company was born after an unsuccessful search for a unique gift when a loved one was battling breast cancer. They decided to create their own heartfelt treasure, and now offer these elegant sculptures for your very special gift giving. Each graceful masterpiece will be enjoyed for many years.

These treasure trees are fashioned in the United States and ship to the United States. Custom Tree-ations has a Facebook page and their complete array of customizations can be found on their website. Trees can be made for any occasion and make extraordinary cake top decorations. There is even a tiny gem tree in a clear ball for your Christmas tree!

Turning Wood

BlockheadProduction on zibbet has an incredible collection of woods, whether you enjoy red oak, walnut, maple, or mahogany, you will find it here in interesting form. This woodworking artists has been fascinated with wood his entire life. The intricate designs are made by gluing together different woods and turning it all on a lathe to produce amazing art pieces. What a joy it must be to reveal such pleasing patterns from a block of glued woods!

These wooden wonders are spun in Washington State, and shipped to the United States. The composite wood product, parallam, certainly makes very fascinating patterns. The crafting spirit runs in this family as his talented daughter, Theresa, was a Discovered Treasure in September 2010.

  

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!

Crafty Crepe

My experience with crepe paper has been no more than pinning it up and draping it about. Never did I see any creative use for the stuff, but after seeing the pretty posies at BouquetsBySelena on zibbet, my eyes have been opened to the wonders of crepe paper. Selena creates a garden of roses in a rainbow of colors. Anyone who enjoys chocolate will delight in her milk chocolate colored paper roses, but she also crafts buds made of Hershey kisses.

Selena began creating wedding rehearsal bouquets for her friends who quickly pointed out this gifted artist’s talent and encouraged her to start a business. In her shop there is a magnificent lotus bloom that can conceal a small treasure, like an engagement ring. She also works her magic with ribbon and fashions lovely hair accessories.

Selena’s beautiful bouquets are born in Maryland, she ships internationally, and can also be found on Facebook. If you have a color scheme in mind, she enjoys taking custom orders, and bulk orders are not a problem. All of her blooms can be found on her website and she also has an etsy shop. A long-lasting lovely bouquet in your favorite colors or combinations awaits you and will be enjoyed for many years!

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.