"Garden of Talented Artist"

A posting dedicated to artisans/crafters who have found a niche in the handmade world. With their permission I will feature products from their webstore and contact info so you can avail yourself what other special items they have.

Andrea Wagner Company-Star of The Day

Featured Work:GREEN PEACOCK SCARF

Beautiful scarf made of green italian nylon and brown italian acrylic(eyelash)I knitted these two yarns together ; the fringes are ribbon yarn.Measurement are: Length: 66 inches. Width: 9 inches. Fringes: 9 inches.This scarf is so soft, light and warm. It can be used with a pair of jeans or with an elegant coat or jacquet.

The Star of the Day Name: Andrea Wagner

Company: Andrea Designs

State/Location: Texas

What would you like to be known or recognize as a crafter/artisan?

That I create for women to feel pamper and to look beautiful

What motivates or inspire you to do crafting?

Color, texture of the materials. In general, I see a yarn and I am visualizing in my mind what combination or product I can create

Given today as a day you can do whatever you like, how would you spend today?

Sleep late, eat and watch tv

What are your favorite designs/creations?

All of them, at the time I design a product I must be happy with the end product

Where can they see your crafts and designs?

http://www.andreadesigns.artfire.com/

http://andreawagnerdesigns.etsy.com/

What’s the best customer service you can offer?

I will work with my customer until she is happy with the product she bought from me.

What’s your hopes and desire for your crafting?

I would like to dedicate 100% of my time to my craft, and to be recognized it for everybody.

Can you share a message to fellow crafters/artisans?

That we need to continue doing what we love to do, not only for a monetary remuneration; but because we feel good creating, and our creation is making another person happy.

Marilou: It has been a pleasure having you for this special interview.

Andrea: Thank you again,

Andrea Wagner AndreaDesigns.artfire.com

Beads by TLC "Star of the Day"

Name: Tricia’s Lampwork Creations

Location: Plymouth, MI

What would you like to be known or recognize as a crafter/artisan?
Someone who puts her heart and soul into her work and gives her customers nothing but her “best!”

What motivates or inspire you to do crafting?

I love taking an idea and seeing it come to life. Not to mention hearing someone say as if pleasantly surprised, “You made that?”

Given today as a day you can do whatever you like, how would you spend today? Making more glass beads, as long as I am in the groove, I truly love being in front of the flame.

What are your favorite designs/creations?

I love color and I love layers and depth. I also love the random flow of the color – somewhat organic in nature. Perhaps controlled chaos if you will?

Where can they see your crafts and designs?
http://www.beadsbytlc.artfire.com/
www.beadsbytlc.com

What’s the best customer service you can offer?
I am a very firm believer in customer service. I know your money was hard earned, your time is precious and every now and then you would like to feel special. Given that, I do my best to provide you with a beautiful piece of art that you feel like you got a deal on, I communicate with you to let you know what the status of your order is. I deliver as quickly as possible (often times for free), I package it beautifully so you feel like you are receiving a gift and to keep you coming back for more, I offer special discounts or coupons.

What’s your hopes and desire for your crafting?
To grow in my art by experimenting and exploring new techniques and ideas so that I can bring the customer something fresh while at the same time fulfill my desire to create and develop as an artist.

Can you share a message to fellow crafters/artisans?
Follow your heart, make what you love. I believe it shows in your work if you are passionate about your art. Also customer service, customer service, customer service – make them happy!

Bijoux Design for You "Shining Star"

Designer: We are the mother/ daughter team of Glenda and April.

Company: Rouge River Beads and Bijoux Designs For You

State/Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

What would you like to be known or recognize as a crafter/artisan?

We love beads as much as we love creating and our goal is to bring other artisans quality beads, charms and findings at reasonable prices! Additionally, we want those who don’t make their own to able to find fashionable, fun products for even those on the tightest budgets to be able to enjoy.

What motivates or inspire you to do crafting?

Sometimes inspiration comes from making a piece for myself to match an outfit, sometimes it’s a great bead or charm, sometimes you just wake up at 3am with an ah-hah moment! We both just enjoy making pretty things and hope to be able to share them with others.

Given today as a day you can do whatever you like, how would you spend today?

I have a 7 month old so my ultimate dream would be to sleep in!!! Lots of baby hugs and kisses and in my perfect dream world it would be warm outside and we could spend the afternoon swimming and at the park. I would follow that by a nice dinner out with my hubby and maybe going to a theatrical production.

What are your favorite designs/creations?

I’m a sucker for earrings, whether they be my own creations or someone else’s. Anything with the word Mom or Grandma also captures our attention. I adore making bookmarks and the pink and white MOM one in our shop is my current fav, closely followed by Spring Cascade. I remember scouring book fairs as a kid looking for fun bookmarks and now I can’t stop making them!

Where can they see your crafts and designs?

You can find our jewelry and gifts at

http://www.bijouxdesignsforyou.artfire.com/

http://www.bijouxdesignsforyou.etsy.com/

You can visit our supplies store at

http://www.rougeriverbeads.artfire.com/

http://www.rougeriverbeads.etsy.com/

What’s the best customer service you can offer?

We stand behind our products, want to make sure that every customer is satisfied and are honest and respectful in our business. We strive to ship quickly and offer our products at competitive prices.

What’s your hopes and desire for your crafting?

The ultimate dream would be to have our own little gift/bead store. We are slowly but surely working towards that goal and just learning, creating and enjoying our journey!

Can you share a message to fellow crafters/artisans?

Believe in yourself, work hard, and be patient. Learn and grow every day and enjoy your journey!

Silver River Jewelry "Star of the Day"

Name: Sonja

Company: Silver River Jewelry

"whimsical jewelry from my heart and hand to yours"

State/Location: Ohio

Featured work/design:

Triangle pendant cut from sheet metal, lightly textured with dragon flies stamped on all three corners. two mother of pearl cabs, one blue and one green give the same shimmer as the wings of a dragon fly.

What would you like to be known or recognize as a crafter/artisan?

I would like to be known for unique, well made items that last a lifetime.

What motivates or inspire you to do crafting?

Everything. Its more of a need than inspiration lol! I do get inspiration almost everywhere. I have a line of pendants that was inspired by painting at a restaurant.

Given today as a day you can do whatever you like, how would you spend today?

In my workshop working on metal.

What are your favorite designs/creations?

Right now my favorites are my wildflower in copper series of pendants.

Where can they see your crafts and designs?

http://silverriverjewelry.com/

This is my main site, it shows a small sampling of my work and gives links to other venues where I have most of my items listed for sale.

What’s the best customer service you can offer?

Good contact with the customer from that first thank you for your order this is when I am shipping, to making sure that the product is the best that it can be and shipped in a timely manner.

What’s your hopes and desire for your crafting?

I want to do this full time and quit my day job.

Can you share a message to fellow crafters/artisans?

No matter what if you are doing what you love don't give up. And don't let yourself get burned out by the non crafty side, take the time to step back and take a break if you need it.

Marilou:Mahalo for your time

Sonja: Thanks for doing this! I will add a link to your blog from mine also.

Star of the Day "Thejewelryshop"

Name: Amy

Company: TheJewelryShop

State/Location: Florida

What motivates or inspire you to do crafting?

I love to take pieces and parts and see what I can make from them. I love jewelry of all kinds, so it's really fun to make my own. The best part is when the piece is finished and I can see the results - I don't always know where a design will end up when I start it.

Given today as a day you can do whatever you like, how would you spend today?

I would spend time with my family, make jewelry, and go shopping at the thrift stores to see what goodies I could find. I love looking for vintage components. I also love to go to the beach, but to get all of that done it would have to be a very long day ;)

What are your favorite designs/creations?

My favorite creations are my pendants and my knotted necklaces.

Where can they see your crafts and designs?

http://www.thejewelryshop.artfire.com/

What’s the best customer service you can offer?

I always try to answer all questions promptly and keep in touch with my customers. I respond with a thank you email when I receive the order and notify them when their item ships. I know these things are important to me, so I try to give the type of service I would like to receive.

What’s your hopes and desire for your crafting?

I just hope people like my pieces as much as I enjoy making them.

Can you share a message to fellow crafters/artisans?

If you want to sell your items online, don't get discouraged if the sales take time. Every new shop must build a following and as much time is usually spent in promoting your shop as in creating your items. People have to know you are out there before they can buy from you.

Best of Artfire Artisans

For the month of March I will be starting to feature "Star of the Day" artist from Artfire. They will be my honored guest here in Honolulu.

I feel so "Special Today"

Thanks to http://www.gemsbyjerri.blogspot.com/

I am one of the featured artist today in the blogspot. Hurray, I feel like a "twinkling star"of a broad daylight. Hurray!!!

This photo was taken from my site visit at Sheraton Waikiki here in Honolulu.

Artfire Circle of Friends

I am so thrilled with the new friend I met at Artfire who will be starting a "Featured Artist" in her blog. I have sent my answers to her questionaires, check out her blog:
http://www.gemsbyjerri.blogspot.com
I hope I got the spelling right.

Artfire and ShopHandmade Join Me

Happy New Year to one and all.

Couldn't believe that 2008 just roll out so fast and we are here again to start our steps toward the "red carpet of 2009", what do you think could it be "red" for you or "green" or either "purple" which one? I am so excited about this year, I have finally learn how to market my jewelry in the internet. There's so much to learn but I am sure it shouldn't be so tough as it sounds. Drop me a line and let me know you take a glimpse of my blog.