Exploring Handmade ~ Holiday Shopping Event ~ Day 1

Hello and Welcome to Day 1 of the

 Exploring Handmade Online Holiday Shopping Event!!

Are you ready to Occupy Wall Street (from the comfort of your home in your slippers)?

Are you ready to send a BOLD message to Congress, Corporate America and the 99%?

Are you ready to support Artisans and Small Businesses to send that message?

Excellent!!

So I guess that means you're also ready to find some really great gifts for yourself and your loved ones, huh?

Alright then let's go....

I'm very happy to see you here and hope you'll enjoy following along this 13 day event. I didn't have time to put out all my fancy decorations so please excuse the accommodations... I've been spending my time searching for handcrafts and artisans to introduce you to ;) Every day I'll show you a handcraft or two and some of the artisans that lovingly create items using that particular craft.

There are soooooo many benefits to buying handcrafted items direct from the artisans who make them. I discuss them in an article I wrote called "Why Buy Handmade Jewelry" ...... it ended up being about a whole lot more than jewelry ;) Artisans care about you and give a special touch to your items. We also give you custom one-on-one service and many ways to work with us. You'll notice most artisans are on facebook and twitter... we want to talk to you and share with you. Come join the fun and we'll show you just how amazing personalized service can be!

We're all pinching pennies and gift-giving budgets for sure aren't what they used to be. But the people you'll meet during this event make gorgeous things... truly special things... things that, even if they are the only gift you give or receive, will fill your holiday with meaning and love.... from our homes to yours.

So, take advantage of this opportunity... Do your shopping for your loved ones AND don't forget to use the Amazon Universal Wish List to help your loved ones shop for you! If you're not familiar with it, please read my previous post so you can use this useful tool.

I'd appreciate it if you would share this event with your family, friends and fans so they can enjoy it too :)

I wish you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous Holiday Season!

Thank you for coming by!

and

Thank you to everyone who is taking part in and promoting this event!

♥ Debi

Today I'd like to introduce you to Lampwork Glass Artists. These women take great pride in melting glass and making beads and other items, often one-of-a-kind items. It's a time-consuming, detail-oriented craft... and, of course, uing a torch means it's a bit dangerous too! These ladies are pros and they produce some of the most beautiful beads you'll find.

First let's meet Nikki from Bastille Bleu Lampwork...

My name is Kimberly Nicole (aka Nikki) and I'm a wife, mother, grandmother and full-time lampwork glass artist! I make all my glass beads in my studio in Milwaukee, WI. All my beads are made with great care, time, skill, and attention to detail. I take pride in my work so that you can take pride in designing and wearing it!

To put it bluntly.... I am addicted to melting glass and making glass beads. I can't imagine doing anything else! It's my BLISS!

I create colorful, wearable art glass, custom lampwork jewelry, and personalized stamped metal jewelry & charms for every style and budget! I'm also a registered member of Self Representing Artists (member SRA #R67), Self Representing Artist Jewelry Designers (SRAJD #2852), and a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB #P7942), Lampwork Etc forum, and Etsy's Wisconsin Street Team (WIST Team).

Nikki makes beads...

and beautiful jewelry too...

Here are some of the places you can find Nikki and her work...

Website: http://www.BastilleBleu.com

Blog: http://bastillebleu.blogspot.com

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BastilleBleu

Storenvy: http://bastillebleu.storenvy.com/

ArtfulExplorer: http://artfulexplorer.com/bastillebleu/

Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/BastilleBleu

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BastilleBleuLampworkBeads

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BastilleBleu

Nikki also offers a Newsletter you can sign up for to keep up with her work!

♥

Now let's meet Jere from Good Hope Creations...

My name is Jere Watson. I'm a lampwork glass artist and I specialize in big hole beads. I am starting to offer handmade beads for jewelry artists done on 1/16 mandrel. I also offer a fun line of "smashed trash" which is recycled fused glass.

Here are some of the places you can find Jere and her work...

Website: http://www.GoodHopeCreations.com

Blog: http://www.GoodHopeCreations.blogspot.com

Etsy: http://www.GoodHopeCreations.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GoodHopeCreations

♥

And we have Amber from That Bead Girl...

I am a lampworker of 12 years, and during the holidays I focus on creating glass bead functional artwork! Some of the gifts available during this season are glass topped wine stoppers, canape sets, serving ware, compact mirrors, purse hangers and more. I also create glass pendants and changeable rings.

Here are some of the places you can find Amber and her work...

Website: http://www.ThatBeadGirl.com

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThatBeadGirl

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/that-bead-girl/44230106472

Twitter: http:www.twitter.com/thatbeadgirl

Amber also offers a Newsletter you can sign up for to keep up with her work!

♥

We also have Gillian from Brilliant Beads...

My name is Gillian Soskin. I am a dentist by day...a lampwork glass bead maker and jewelry artist by night, and evenings, and weekends, and well yes, very early in the mornings too! I love glass beads! I just love working with glass and am primarily inspired by the natural world around me. All my lampwork glass beads are lovingly handmade by me, Gillian Soskin, in my home glass studio in London, Ontario, Canada.

I also make glass beads to design my own hand made jewelry and some of it can be seen on my website www.brilliantbeads.net; custom orders are welcome! I am a self-representing glass artist (SRA # S107) which means that my beads are individually made, by me, and not mass produced.

Gillian also makes both beads and jewelry...

Here are some of the places you can find Gillian and her work...

Website: http://www.BrilliantBeads.net

Etsy: http://www.gillianbeads.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BrilliantBeads

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brilliantbeads

♥

And last but not least, Karen of Fire n Sand Glass Art...

I'm Karen Klomparens. I'm a self representing artist, which means I design, create, and market my glass art. I'm a member of Glass Artists of West Michigan, Etsy Glass Artists, Bead Art Originals, Fire Divas, and Dipwads. I sell handmade lampwork glass beads, charm beads, fused glass art, dichroic jewelry and oak bead displays.

Here are some of the places you can find Karen and her work...

Etsy: http://www.giapet.etsy.com

Blog: http://www.fire-n-sand.blogspot.com

ArtFire: http://www.Fire-n-Sand.artfire.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fire-n-Sand-Glass-Art/163583837011756

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/FirenSand

Karen also offers a Newsletter you can sign up for to keep up with her work!

And, as an added bonus... If you look in Karen's Etsy Shop, you'll also find these awesome ski hats she makes!

  

♥

I hope you enjoyed the first day of our journey. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow!