It's Better Handmade Guild

This week I wish to share our ARTFIRE guild, It's Better Handmade.

We are a group of 219 artisians that collectively work together. We support one another. Not only thru these blogs to promote one another, but also to help one another thru everyday life. WE know it isn't easy doing things the old-fashioned way, but for us it truly is a way of life. We share our goals and ambitions, our dreams and sorrows as well. We inspire each other to "think outside the box" when something doesn't work and to try it again. We do the party dance when we get a sale, no matter how small, and we look forward to tomorrow - when we might wake up to a sale! WE live in the here and now. Yet some of us preserve the past while looking forward to the future. All of us have a story to tell. You just have to listen. 

Meet Art By Sunfire

This weeks It's Better Handmade artisan is Art By Sunfire. This wife and grandmother of four keeps quite busy. She loves to craft and it truly shows. She does jewelry making, trinket chests, Temari balls (round ornament balls) and small notebooks.

This is a Temari ball!

"Temari balls are an ancient Japanese fiber art. Beginning as toys for children, then over time becoming beautifully embroidered decorative art pieces." I can't even begin to fathom how to start making one of these, but if you would like to see more just go over to her studio here:www.artbysunfire.artfire.com.  

The 3 X 5 index journals are so handy. Who hasn't needed to just write something down? Or keep a list handy while running errands, or measurements while searching for that perfect ??...well you get the idea.
And that's just it.. you can load these up with you own ideas and take them with you..whereever you go.

The best part if that you can refill them...again and again, since they are held together with 2 book binder rings. Isn't that clever? She has many
more designs and if you don't see one you like she will do a custom one, just for you.

Be sure to check out her blogspot also as she has some great tips on how to use this handy little "journal".
 http://www.artbysunfire.blogspot

You can also catch her on twitter:http://twitter.com/artbysunfire

Find her on pinterest here:http://pinterest.com/artbysunfire/

Until next week, remember It's Better Handmade

Catch the Dreamweavers Designs

Upon seeing this shop's name I just knew I would like it. Dreamweavers Designs is a small shop owned by Jan and her daughter.
They started the shop out of a love of crafting jewelry. With no formal education in art, it doesn't matter. All one needs to have is a love of creating. They have it. Jan has worked/dabbled in sewing, candle-making, soap making and even some woodwork/painting.

This copper tree of life shows the skill they have of making jewelry that you would be proud to present to your family.

"This twisted non-tarnish copper circle pendant with tree of life is embellished with white glass beads. The pendant measures 1 1/2 inches. Comes with a 2mm leather cord. $23"

Their newest love tho is working with polymer clay, as the possibilities are endless. As Jan said "one is only limited by their imagination."
These angel pins show just how much she loves what she does.

"1 1/2 inch polymer clay angel pins, with a smooth faux raku finish, using Adirondack inks in shades of blue, pink, and green and highlighted with pearlex powders. Angel is embellished with a flat backed swarovski crystal. 3/$8"

They are just beautiful, and 3 to a package makes this a gotta go buy it item. Can you say-Xmas just around the corner! I have to go get mine before all the sets are gone.

You can visit the shop on artfire:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/DreamWeaversDesigns
her blog:
http://dreamweaversdesigns.blogspot.com/
her own website:
http://DreamWeaversDesigns.net.

Until next week...
Catherine