And The Winner Is.....

The winner for my October giveaway had been drawn....

Kottage Kreations has won this cute fall mat:

November's prize is posted in the upper, left-hand corner. Ways to enter are listed below the prize picture.

Congrats, Kottage Kreations!

Mad Moravian

Scott owns the "Mad Moravian" Artfire shop.  He creates and sells the most beautiful wooden, stainglass, and chainmaille items around! His pens and keychains are functional, as well as, stylish!

Don't even get us STARTED on his stainglass! One word, alone, couldn't do them justice! Here are just a few that come to mind: STUNNING, EXQUISITE, AMAZING, GORGEOUS, and INCREDIBLE! Tell us what words you think would apply!

To see more of his stainglass items, make sure to visit his shop's gallery! In his gallery you'll see his woodwork and where do we start THERE??? The king-sized cherry bed that he made? Or the tables? How about the bookshelf? You just have to see them for yourself!

Scott also has a large selection of wooden bottle stoppers! The grains in the wood...the variety of shapes...the selection of colors....they're all AMAZING!

I haven't even touched on the chainmaille jewelry and glass charms that Scott also creates! It's refreshing to see chainmaille made with a man's perspective!

You can follow Scott's blog where you can easily see his more recent tweets, shops that he's featured, post about new listings, and posts about his everyday life.

You can follow Scott on Twitter. and be among the first "in the know" about his specials, sales, promotions, etc.

Jewelry by Andrea

If you're looking for some gorgeous, high-quality jewelry then the "Jewelry by Andrea" shop is the place to go.

There you'll find a large assortment of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Andrea also has keychains/zipper pulls. They're not your run-of-the-mill keychains/pulls either!

Of course, everyone loves a sale and Andrea has a few, select, items listed in her AFSS - Artfire Stilmulus Sale category and it's worth checking out!
While you're at the shop, take a minute to read Andrea's blog.  She has a wonderful article explaining the metal working art of Repousse.  It's a fascinating read.

You can follow Andrea on Twitter and you'll be among the first to know about upcoming sales, events, listings, and promotions.

Don't forget that you still have time to enter our blog giveaway.  The prize is posted, and the sponsoring shop, in the upper, left-hand corner.  Just leave a comment on this post, or any post, to enter the contest.  Enter as many times as you want.

Kottage Kreations

Laurie owns the "Kottage Kreations" jewelry shop on Artfire.  She sells beautifully crafted pieces.

Laurie offers a LIFE-TIME guarantee on all of her jewelry!  How awesome is that???  If you have an item that ever needs to be repaired, she will repair it free of charge.  That is unheard of and what an amazing shop!

Laurie belongs to the Ajdjss Guild and for the month of October, 10% off all her proceeds go towards the guild's "Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence" fund raiser.  So, not only do you get a beautiful piece of jewelry, with an amazing warranty, but you're doing some good as well.  It can't get any better than that!

Follow Laurie on Twitter and Facebook to be among the first to know of new listings, sales, promotions, etc.

She also has a great starter blog and would love to have  more followers...and I know you're all such great bloggers, you'll show her some blogger love and follow her page!

Dragons Threads

The "Dragons Threads" is a speciality shop on Etsy.

Simone, the shop's owner, sells beautiful braided beaded bracelets and awesome mouse pad wrist pillows.

The mouse pillows have soft velvet, on the top, and fun coordinating fabrics on the back.  The bracelets are made in a wide variety of colors and custom orders are always welcome.

Simone has a great blog, though there haven't been any new posts in a while, there are some fascinating posts on making her jewelry and more.

If you're a tweeter, follow her on Twitter, and be among the first to know about new listings, promotions, sales, etc.

Tres Chic Designs

Sharon owns the "Tres Chic Designs" jewelry shop on Artfire.  She sells bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and matching sets.

Sharon is a very sweet person and has spent most of her time (since she opened her shop) promoting other handmade shops.  Such a wonderful thing to do but, unfortunately, she hasn't promoted herself and is still waiting for her first sale on Artfire.  :o(

Sharon continues to take jewelry classes to learn new techniques, meet fellow crafters, and for inspiration.  Sharon offers lay-a-ways and multiple payments as an option if you find something that you just HAVE to have but can't pay for it all at once.  What a wonderful idea!  Sharon understands how things are in this economy and is flexible with the payments and will work something out with you.

She LOVES a challenge, so if you want a particular piece of jewelry and can't find it in her shop just contact her and she'll make it for you.  :o)

So, stop by Tres Chic Designs and be her first sale!!!  Psst...check out the goodies listed in the "One of a Kind Jewelry" section!

You can follow Sharon on Facebook and Twitter to be among the first to find out about sales, promotions, etc.

So, please show the hard-working, creative, and amazing Sharon some love and visit her shop!

Charmed Design 1012

Is it any surprise that the "Charmed Design 1012" shop, on Artfire, sells charm bracelets???

There are pages and pages of wonderful bracelets listed in this shop.  All colors and a wide variety of charms, too.

Bracelets can be customized by size, length, color, theme, charm, etc. just contact the shop with your details.

I had a really fun time trying to pick and choose which bracelets to share with you.  It was actually quite difficult.  If I shared only my favs, you'd be looking at lots of blue bracelets with hearts.  LOL LOL

So, I tried to pick a variety.  It looks like a lot of bracelets are made extra long, so that they can be wrapped around the wrist multiple times or to double as a necklace.  How cool is that?

This is a great shop to start your holiday shopping...I know that I've hotlisted an item, or two, for possible Xmas or birthday gifts!

And The Winner Is.....

The winner has been chosen for September's blog giveaway.  September's winner is....drum roll, please....

Natural Jewelry Design!!!  Congrats to her!

She won one of my Standard Shopping Cart Coupon Organizers (yep...they actually ATTACH to the shopping cart, leaving your hands free for shopping!)

She has a wonderful shop on Artfire and Etsy.  You can also "like" her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.  I stopped by and read a bit of her blog and high recommend that you check it out, too.

This month's prize is posted in the upper, left-hand, corner and I thought it was PERFECT for November (when it's winner will be announced and it's shipped to its new home).  :o)    There are various ways to enter, and most of the winners are people that have entered numerous times.

My Newest Handmade Purchases

Well...it's that time again....I wanted to share with you my most recent handmade purchases and the wonderful shops that I got them from. 

For those of you that follow my posts, you'll see some repeat shops...I just can't stay away!  But there are a couple of wonderful new ones.

My first shop is the Supply Owl on Etsy.  I started stocking up on tags for my packages and note cards for the Virginia Beach Christmas Market show in November.  I'll be using the mini notecards for customers with larger purchases...I'll probably put some sort of future discount on them; though I haven't quite decided what yet.

The next stop is the Haunted Willow, primitive shop, on Artfire.  There are so many amazing things in this shop.  I bought a couple of the "oops" soaps (listed at a discounted price).  Let me tell you...there is NOTHING wrong with the oops soaps and they look perfectly fine to me (and I'm a perfectionist).  That just goes to show you the kind of quality control that is used in this shop!

And yes, AGAIN, I have "hit", The Monkey Shop, on Etsy.  I just can't STAY away!  I had this kitty custom made for my youngest son and the monkey blankee was on sale...I just couldn't pass it up!  Thinking of setting it on a shelf in my sewing room...it's a gorgeous purple and just too stinkin' CUTE!

I also purchased a bunch of mini notecards at the ArtbySunfire, paper shop, on Artfire.  I'll also be using these for orders and for November's show.  I just love this shop and will be back!

And last, but NOT least, is the My Helping Hands shop, on Artfire.  I have ALL of my banners and avatars made in this shop...I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else!  In my last handmade post, I shared with you the vacation and sale banners that I had custom made for me.

Now that I've opened up my Destash shops on Etsy and Artfire, I needed to have my avatars and banners "tweaked".  So, Anne added the cute little bees to them.  Aren't they cute?

Then I ordered my banner and avatar for the holiday season.  I'll probably put them up closer to the end of October.  Aren't they also great?  You can't beat Anne's prices and she's WONDERFUL to work with!

So, why not show these shops some blogger love and do some of your own handmade shopping?  Let me know what you've bought from these shops....just love them all and love to hear what others purchased.

Written with You in Mind

"Written with You in Mind" is just a FUN shop to browse through!  There are dozens and dozens of poems and phrases in all types of color schemes, layouts, etc.

Sharon is a published poet and she has made her poems, as well as, many popular everyday phrases available for sale in her shop.

There aren't any shipping costs since everything is sent via PDF file.

Print her poems for framing, as letters, postcards...you're pretty much only limited by your imagination!

Most of her poems can be customized to your color schemes.  Want your own pictures, or names, on something instead?  Just let Sharon know and she'll work with you.

If you would like to see a list of publications that Sharon's work have been included in, just visit her Artfire bio page, in her shop.

As always, please click one, or more, of the share buttons before heading over to Sharon's wonderful shop.  Let's see if we can work some blogger love and get more traffic and exposure for her.

Gypsie Travels

The "Gypsie Travels" is a vintage shop where you can find some wonderful treasures!

There are a few brooches that are circa 1950's and 1960's.  Aren't those fish ADORABLE???

There are also a number of postcard books that date back to World War II.  These vintage books are in amazingly good condition!!!

Since the holiday season is fast approaching, I just had to share with you these vintage Santa salt and pepper shakers (circa 1950's).  Aren't they just too CUTE?  What a great addition to any holiday decor or a wonderful gift for the Santa collector in your life!

Please show this little known shop some blogger love by clicking on one, or more, of the share buttons below this post before you head on over to start your shopping!   :o)

Designs by Harriet

If you're looking for exquisite handmade metal, wire, and wire-wrapped jewelry then the "Designs by Harriet" shop is the shop for you!

Harriet studied metalsmithing and wirewrapping and it shows in her stunning pendants and cuffs.

Isn't the craftsmanship amazing?  You really need to visit her shop to see the other beauties that I wasn't able to share with you!

All the pendants come with gold or silver plated chains.  Your pendant will be shipped in an anti-tarnish, cotton lined box.  All packages are shipped via Fed Ex.

What a great shop to get your next birthday, anniversary, holiday, and Christmas gift!!!  Heck, why not get something for yourself...you deserve a nice treat!  ;O)

Cusp Designs

Oooohhhh...do I LOVE the Cusp Designs shop on Artfire!!!

There are dozens of gorgeous photos alone!!!  I had a very difficult time choosing which two to share with you!  I finally opted for ones that had my favorite colors in them.  LOL

There are also handmade, drawn, cards that are just SOOO cute!  Do you see that little girl???  And what about those owls?  These are only just 2, that I've shared with you!

Then there is the origami and paper art!  I've mentioned before how envious I am of those that can draw and paint.  Well, add origiami to that list....can you believe that those earrings are made from paper?  The box is exquisite, too!

You can also find some super cute hair accessories...these would make great stocking stuffers and party favors.

Cusp Designs has a great blog and can be found on Facebook.  Great places to learn what's new, upcoming, sales, promotions, giveaways, and more!

Let's show this little known shop some blogger love...click one of the share buttons before you head over to start  your shopping!

Sunshine and Whimsy

I just love the Sunshine and Whimsy photography shop on Artfire!!!

There is a wide variety of nature photographs in 5" x 7" and 8" x 10" prints.  There is a selection of photographs that have inspirational quotes added to them.

I think my favorite picture, out of many, is the one of the cat....how cool is it???

As you browse through the shop, you'll see a number of prints have the BOGO tag on them.  What a great chance to get one for yourself and give the other as a gift!!!

Please show this wonderful, low sale and exposure shop, some blogger love and stop on by.  Please click, one or more, of the share buttons with this post...let's get more traffic to this shop!  I bet you'll find something for yourself or for someone on your to-buy-for list....I know I did!!!  :o)

Stone Horse Designs

If you're looking for a unique, and beautiful, piece of jewelry for a gift or for yourself, then you want to visit the Stone Horse Designs Artfire jewelry shop.

A passion for horses is shown in the horse jewelry section of the shop.  All of the pendants have been hand-carved by the shop's owner or by other fellow artisans.

There is a large selection of beautifully crafted bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

I had such a great time browsing through this shop!  I even found a few items that I added to my hotlist for possible Xmas gifts this year.

If you like to wear ear cuffs (you know...the jewelry that attaches to the outer, upper, part of your ear) then you really need to see the selection available in this shop.  LOVE it!

So, let's show this wonderful shop some blogger love and hop on over for a visit!  Share the love, if you have a sec, and click one (or more) of the share buttons for this post....let's see if we can get more exposure for this little known shop!

Joyfully Sewn Designs

The Joyfully Sewn Designs sells handmade dresses, tops, jumpers, skirts and more.

There wasn't much info to be found but I still couldn't resist sharing it with you.  Aren't these dresses beautiful?  And how 'bout the models?  TOO cute!!!

This is a pretty new shop and hasn't had much traffic, so please hop on by and see more of the beautifully sewn items.

Custom orders are always welcomed.

Adams Arts

The "Adams Arts" shop, on Artfire, is a shop that specializes in polymer clay pendants.

Wendy was a professional musician for over 30 years and her love of music is shown in her beautifully crafted pendants.

10% of all proceeds goes to savethemusic.org, a charity close to Wendy's heart.

She has a wonderful blog, in her Artfire shop, that features fellow artisans and is a really good read.

Wendy also offers a 20% discount AND free shipping to Artfire shop owners.  I didn't see a coupon, so you might want to contact her prior to checking out.

Let's show Wendy some blogger love and visit her shop.  We'd both be grateful if you could click one (or more) of the share buttons below the post.

And The Winner Is.....

I had an overwhelming response to August's blog giveaway...I'm thinking that people were liking the coupon organizer as a prize....am I right?  LOL

I had 70 entries for August's giveaway and using random.org the winner was chosen...#43 ... Prairie Wind Designs!!!

Prairie won this standard coupon organizer:

This month's prize is now posted in the upper, left-hand corner.  Just leave a comment to enter the giveaway.  Leave as many comments as you like.  Want to know how to get extra entries?  There are some ways listed under this month's prize.

Pandula Arts Creations

The "Pandula Arts Creations" is one of those shops that really need to be visited and thoroughly browsed through!

Marsha has a number of pencil art listings...there are animals, fantasy, abstract, and flowers.  She also has handwoven items and pine needle baskets.

Do you see these baskets???  They're MADE with pine needles and vine (along with some copper wire to hold it all together).  Can you BELIEVE that????  Who'd have thunk it?  All these years I've been HAPPY that I don't have pine trees, like all of my neighbors, and I was missing out!  ROFL ROFL

I am just floored by Marsha's seemingly endless creativity!  You really need to read her Artfire blog about how her fascinating journey began.

Marsha is very active on Facebook and Twitter.  Both great places to fan/follow her so that you'll be among the first to know about new listings, upcoming sales and promotions.

Visit Marsha's blog to see more of her artwork, purses, baskets, etc. that have been gifted or sold.  You'll truly be amazed at this woman's talent.

So, please show her some blogger love and visit her shop and all of her pages.  If you have a sec, share the page with your friends as well.

BTW...still time to enter this month's giveaway.  Last day to enter is August 31st.  Winner will be announced Sept. 1st. 

This month's prize is one of my popular coupon organizers (pictured in the upper, left-hand corner). 
These organizers ATTACH to the shopping cart, leaving your hands free for shopping!

Leave a comment, on any post, to enter.  Enter as many times as you want.  Want more ways to get extra entries?  Find out how just below the pic of the coupon organizer.

Woohoo!!!!

I entered into Meg's Crochet Jewels blog contest, in July, and ended up winning this beautiful necklace!!!

How lucky am I?  I've finally gotten settled, after my vacation, and am getting caught up on my blogging.

You can find more of Meg's wonderful jewelry in her Etsy shop and in her Artfire shop.

She has a great blog (as I mentioned) and a Facebook Fan page.   If you follow her, at both of those sites, you'll be among the first to know about giveaways, promotions, and sales.  That's how I ended up winning!  :o)

Now the tough decision...to keep it for myself or to give it as an Xmas present.  What do you think???