Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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...
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...


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...
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...


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.

Blue Speckled Blown Glass Vessel Pendant, Fire-n-Sand Lampwork

Raised Floral Set (13) , Fire-n-Sand Lampwork, SRA

Here are some of the places you can find Karen and her work...
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!
WINTER BLUE Downhill Slope Fleece Ski Hat Unisex Genie Style  Rainbow Animal Print Downhill Slope Fleece Ski Hat Unisex Genie Style


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


19 comments:

hotglassbabe said...

What an awesome line up for the first day of Exploring Handmade! Thanks so much for including me in such a wonderful group of glass artists! :)

Skyemberr said...

All amazing lampworkers! I could spend and spend and spend....

Karen Klomparens, Glass Addict and Artisan said...

Debi, Thank you for doing this awesome Exploring Handmade event and supporting artists! Its an honor to be included.

Gone said...

Congratulations on getting your Event off to a beautiful start!

Ang's Divine Designs said...

Beautifully written! Thank you again for doing this for us all! Wonderful artisans featured today!

Aquarian Bath said...

Love that first batch of glass work. Faved it on Facebook.

Latasha said...

Agreed, awesome first day. It's so exciting. Loved learning about the artists and seeing their work. It sure is making me think about Christmas gifts and who to buy for.

goodhope said...

What a fantastic selection featuring lampwork. I am truly honored to be included with such a wonderful group of creative artists! I can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings. Thanks Debi!

fishprincessdesigns said...

I hope everyone is off to a great start with this Holiday shpping event! I've posted this on my blog and Facebook. Best wishes for success. The work featured is beautiful! I'm happy to be part of this event.

amber ballard said...

i am so honored to be included in this event and paired with the amazing lampworkers featured today. i'm sure i'll be finding some of my own must have gifts for this holiday as well!

Gillianbeads said...

Debi, what a fabulous blog post and opportunity to meet some glass artisans!
Thank you so much for including my beads and jewelry in this great online event!
Buying Handmade is such a wonderful idea!
Gillian

Debra Beach said...

Congrats on an awesome Day 1! Love your blog, and all of the wonderful lampwork artists featured today! Thank you Debi, for the hours, and hard work put into planning this awesome event! I look forward to the days to come. :)Debra

Unknown said...

Absolutely Awesome Artistic Talent!

What a wonderful way to start the first day of Exploring Handmade!

This event is really going to help the economy and support our artists!

Thank you Debi! :)

Anonymous said...

Sherri L.

Absolutely awesome first day!!! What lovely treasures...I'm gonna go out there and promote the heck out of this...thanks Debi!

Anonymous said...

taking a look at all - Valerie Hampton

Debi said...

Thank you so much everyone!! I'm glad you enjoyed the first day :) I have lots more to share with you so keep checking back. New artisans are being added daily! ♥

Sieberdesigns said...

What a gorgeous combination of creations! The lampwork beads are gorgeous and I especially love the stopper!

White Horse Beading said...

I have enjoyed visiting all the wonderful lampwork artisans today. Lampwork are my favorite beads and I'm always thrilled to find new sources!

goodhope said...

What a wonderful lineup for day 3!