A Fall Item Of Mine Is Featured Today!

I was fortunate enough to have one of my fall items featured on "Skysetter's Handmade Holidays" blog today.

Here's the item that was chosen (I originally had 6 different ones available but I'm down to 5 now):

You can find this and much more Fall, Halloween (and I'm now starting to add Christmas) in my Artfire shop.  EVERYTHING is in my "Seasonal" category.

Here's a little taste of some of my other Fall items...

Don't forget that I have FREE shipping (continental US) on EVERYTHING in my shop...So, start your seasonal/holiday shopping with me and save your $ on shipping costs!

Woohoo! Yippee! Look What I Sold Yesterday!!!

I made this quilt, earlier in the year, for a class that I was teaching.  I listed it on Etsy and when it expired, I didn't relist it.  I have a message, in my Etsy shop, that if people are looking for things that have expired or want to see more things to visit my Artfire shop.  I gladly set private listings for people if they still wish to purchase through Etsy.

A woman had marked it as a "favorite" on Etsy and saw that it was no longer in her favorites.  She followed me to my Artfire shop to see if it was listed there.  So, I wouldn't have to pay any Etsy fees, she purchased it through Artfire!  Whoop, whoop!  >:P

Halloween Items in My Artfire Shop

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I Received The "Blog De Oro" (Blog of Gold) Award

Yesterday I received the "Blog de Oro" (Blog of Gold) award from Yana. She has a wonderful Artfire shop, Decoupage Art. Stop by and browse her blog, "Handmade by Decoupage Art", and see who gave her the award.

I now have to choose 10, out of all the wonderful blogs that I follow, to pass the award on to. Please take some time to read these blogs, they are well worth it, I promise!

In no specific order:

1. A Special Touch
2. Braggin' Rights Presents:
3. Crocheted Little Things
4. DeShawn Marie Handcrafted Soap
5. DJStoreroom
6. Glowbug Design
7. Handmade Giveaways
8. Heart and Sow Designs
9. KIZZ...Day to Day...
10. Shabby Bags

Ju Hutch

The "Ju Hutch" Artfire jewelry shop is owned by Julia Hutchins.

Her jewelry is made with a wide variety of materials...sterling silver, Swarovski crystal and cubes, lampwork glass beads, seed beads, and much more.  There are beautiful earrings, bracelets, necklaces, baby jewelry and more!  She specializes in custom work and always welcomes custom orders.

I had a lot of fun perusing her shop trying to choose my favorite 4 pieces to share with you. With 50+ items, in her shop, it was not an easy thing to do.

I had a lot of fun perusing her shop trying to choose my favorite 4 pieces to share with you. With 50+ items, in her shop, it was not an easy thing to do.

Julia was kind enough to offer a special to for MY readers ONLY...15% off of an item. Use coupon code: VABEACHQUILTER at time of checkout.

She also has a number of studio sales posted, in the sidebar, of her main shop page. So, make sure to check those out while you're there!

If you're interested in earning free jewelry or $ by hosting an online jewelry party w/ Julia Hutchins Designs just contact Julia (through her Artfire shop) for more information.

A great time, to start your handmade Christmas shopping, if there ever was one!

Braggin' Rights

Tracy owns the wonderful "Braggin' Rights" shop on Arfire.

Her crocheted specialities are: bath items (scrubbies and soap savers); hair clips; and barefoot sandals.

She sells quilted photo albums. The one pictured was made in for "Breast Cancer Awareness".

I just LOVE her apron...very retro and chic!!!        

I purchased 3 of of her soap savers to go with the wonderful soaps that I purchase over the weekend.

Tracy was generous enough to offer a special promo for MY readers ONLY!  BOGO...Buy One Item at regular price and get the 2nd item 1/2 off!!!  (Discount taken off of the lowest priced item and before shipping costs.  Not valid on gift certificates.)  Use coupon code: BOGO50.

What a great deal and there are so many wonderful stocking stuffers and gifts for you in her shop!

KP Designs

Kathy owns the wonderful "KP Designs" shop on Arfire.

Her speciality is jewelry. She works with metal and clay but especially enjoys working with silver clay. She likes to incorporate beading into her jewelry, too.

What a wonderful shop and now is the time to get a jump on your handmade Christmas shopping!!!

My Choices Made & Newest Xmas Purchases!

I told you a couple of weeks ago that I won a $20 gift certificate to the Design Girl 16's Party Favors and Gift Etsy shop.

Well, she was kind of enough to give me a head's up that holiday items would be added and they're now here. I made my choices...I chose 2 sets of those CUTE "Xmas Party Picks". Then I purchased a set of (each) Santa and Trick or Treat Candy Bar wrappers. The wrappers are the perfect size for a Hershey bar.



Then I was tweeting yesterday and came across a deal that I just couldn't pass up! The DeShawnMarie handmade soap shop, on Etsy, was having it's one year anniversary. Free shipping was offered on every soap (purchases of 2 or more).






So, I picked up a 3 piece gift set for a grandmother, 1 bar for my mother, and a bar for myself (for my stocking). I can't wait for these to arrive, especially the lavendar just looks so LUSCIOUS!!!

I have ordered 3 soap savers to go with each soap gift, too, from the wondeful Artfire crochet shop, Braggin' Rights.



So, I've managed to finish up my grandmother and mother and two more people have been crossed off my list!

A Handmade Christmas

I've been a crafter for half of my life now...I started out cross-stitching and, about ten years ago, transitioned to quilting and general sewing.

The gifts that I have always cherished most were the ones that were handmade. From ornaments to a tree skirt that my mother made (by latch hook and the ONLY thing that she has EVER made), they are all important to me.


Why? If you're a crafter, you already know the answer. If not, I'll go ahead and share with you...each and everything that a crafter makes, they put a piece of themselves into. They're passion, creativity, imagination are just a few of the things that go into handmade items.

So, when I made the leap and chose to start selling online, in January, I was exposed to an entire new world of crafters. Before I was surrounded only by my fellow quilters. Now, I'm friends with knitters, crocheters, sculptures, painters, photographers and so many more genres of crafts.


We all have the same things in common...our desire to share our passions with others. I took the pledge to "buy handmade" this year. Why? For a couple of reasons...1) I'm tired of feeding the corporate giants; 2) I want my children to see that you don't have to have all video games to have a good Christmas; and 3) simply because HANDMADE IS BETTER!

Of course, with everyone on my list (including my 4 children) and entirely handmade Christmas is not possible but I intend to do as much as I possibly can!

Over the past month, or two, I've shared with you my many handmade purchases. I now have all of my stocking stuffers completed. Again, not 100% handmade but probably close to 50%. I have one of my sons completely finished and only 2 gifts were commercially purchased (and one of those is a gift card).


Can you think of a better way, to do your part, to jump start our economy than by having a handmade Christmas??? Don't feed the corporate giants...there are hundreds and hundreds of wonderfully talented artisans on Artfire, Etsy, Zibbet, and more. Many have amazing deals every day of the week.

Will you take the pledge and join me for a handmade Christmas?

On Pens and Needles

This wonderfully eclectic Artfire shop is owned by Jan.

"On Pens and Needles" sells beautifully crafted pens and things for the home and business.

There is jewelry, seasonal items, things for babies, and toys.

Jan has been kind enough to offer MY readers ONLY 15% off of orders of $10 or more.
Use coupon code: 327D1662C1-71C2729576 for discount.

Now's the time to start your Xmas shopping with that 15% discount!!!

Nothing But String

Emily owns the "Nothing But String" crochet shop on Artfire.

She makes rings, lariats, hair clips, bracelets, necklaces, and more!

Can you believe all of these things are crocheted??? I'm so envious of her talent. I could never have the patience to do what she does!

Her rings are so popular that she sells them almost as fast as she can make them!

Time to Find "Waldo" Again...

It's that time again...the hunt for "Waldo" has begun.

Prize, prize sponsor, theme, and participating shops are now posted.

A slight tweak to the way a winner will be determined...instead of the first one with the correct answers wins; the winner will now be picked randomly by Random.org.

Waldo's info can be found here.

So, now everyone has a chance to play and win; no matter what day you play!

Start hunting and turn in your answers!

All About The Buttons (on Zibbet)

Barbra owns the wonderfully eclectic "All About The Buttons" shop on Zibbet.com. She likes to embellish (just about everything) with buttons...and she has a flair for it, too!

There are hats, cute little "robot" pins, scarves, clocks, and so much more to see!!


This is a great place to start your Christmas shopping. You can find something for just about EVERYONE on your list....even those hard to shop for people (and you know that we ALL have at least ONE of those! LOL LOL LOL)


Barbra is offering, MY readers ONLY, free worldwide shipping! How great is that? Just put "VBBLOG" in message to seller and your shipping fees will be refunded.

So, what are you waiting for??? Take out your "to buy for" list and get shopping!!!

Passion For Beads (on MIM)

Sally owns the absolutely WONDERFUL "Passion for Beads" shop on Made It Myself.

Her speciality is bracelets. All of her bracelets are made with genuine Swarovski crystal beads. The color combinations are STUNNINGLY beautiful and absolutely GORGEOUS!


She was kind enough to offer MY readers ONLY free shipping. Contact her, prior to making your purchase, and give her the code: VBBLOG and tell her what it is that you wish to purchase. She'll then set a private listing for you LESS the shipping fees.

Can you think of a better way to get a jump start on your Xmas shopping??? Make someone's Christmas special with one of her unique bracelets!!


So, stop on by and remember to mention the code BEFORE you checkout and wait for Sally's email letting you know that your listing is ready.

After.Six

Alexis is the owner of the "After Six" Artfire jewelry shop.

She has a wide variety of exquisite pendants in her shop. Most made with semi-precious stones, sterling silver, and Swarovski crystals.














There are just so many stunning pieces in this shop that I have a very difficult time choosing four to share with you.

Alexis welcomes custom orders and will even give you a quote.


Stop by and start your Christmas shopping now...I bet you'll find something for that special "someone" in this shop!

Besides, what's better than HANDMADE???? Nothing...I say! :)

A Generous Offer....

Calico Cats on Artfire has made a generous offer to anyone that makes a purchase from my shop:

"BUY ANYTHING FROM VA BEACHQUILTER, and send me an email with the order number. I will send YOU a 10% discount coupon (hey, I need the practice!) for you to spend in CalicoCat or RockyCreekGems. You'll have to tell me which shop you'd prefer to have the coupon for when you email me your order number.

WHAT A DEAL! Finding beautiful things to buy from VA Quilter should be a piece of cake, so let's get over there and SHOP!"


So, stop by my shop and then head over to The Calico Cat after you've made a purchase. A great way to start your holiday shopping!

My Newest Handmade Xmas Gifts...To Come...

I'm SOOOO excited because I hit a local knitting shop today and picked out yarns for 4 custom scarves. Anne, Made For Me By Oaklie, will be making them for me.

That's 4 more Xmas gifts off of my list. She's going to knit them all in the "classic" style with fringes.


Since I don't have them, to show off, I've chosen other scarves that Anne knitted and is selling in her Artfire shop.


You wouldn't believe the PRICES of her scarves! They're a STEAL! If you know anyone on your Christmas list that likes scarves then this is THE shop to buy them!!!