Exploring Handmade ~ Holiday Shopping Event ~ Day 2

Hello and Welcome to Day 2 of the 

Exploring Handmade Online Holiday Shopping Event!!

From what I'm hearing everyone enjoyed Day 1...exciting isn't it :)

Today I'd like to introduce you to some incredibly talented Crochet/Knitting Artisans, aka Textile Artisans. If you gave me a pair of knitting needles, I wouldn't have the slightest clue where to begin, much less be able to make such beautiful things. These ladies are miracle-workers with yarn!

First let's meet Jan from Jan Tanis Designs...

My career as an Interior Designer gave me the opportunity to work with Colors and Design. I like keeping busy and I've always been crafty...so why not share some of my God-given talent with others and use my developed talents in another manner. I am a Textile Artist, working in crochet, crocheting beautiful, snuggly and warm Hats, Scarves, Fingerless Gloves, Shawls (even Prayer Shawls) and Afghans. I work with Acrylic and Polyester yarns and one yarn in particular is an Acrylic-Polyester with Mohair and Sequins. I try to keep my Shop stocked with something of everything I make. I will also take Special Orders and usually have yarn in different colors available. I sell Afghan Crochet Patterns in my Shop, too.

I am an SRAJD (Self Representing Artist Jewelry Designer) Member #2972, too and I LOVE Designing and Making my own HandMade Jewelry and Rosaries. While shopping for beads to make all of my Jewelry and Rosaries, I decided I'd order extras and share them in my Bead Shop, too! I've also sewn for the better part of my life and while having my own Bridal Business for several years, I have sewn everything from Wedding Gowns to Window Treatments…so it only figures that there would be patterns and fabric in my Sewing Shop!

Jan is running a promotion for you during this event:

**** Everything in Jan's Shop has FREE Shipping - USA & CANADA Only ****

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

ArtFire Studio: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/JanTanisDesigns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jan-Tanis-Designs/145943532108039

Blog: http://jt-jantom.blogspot.com/

♥

Now let's meet Sarah King of Windscry Designs...

I am a retired Special Agent that worked for the US Army as a civilian doing computer forensics. I worked abroad in Europe, as well as in combat zones. While I was in Kosovo in 2003 I got arsenic poisoning (we're not sure exactly how) and I spent 40 + days in military hospitals while they tried to figure out what was wrong. The Arsenic caused a rare disorder in my bladder, pain all over and my digestive system stopped completely. At the end of it, I ended up with a bum bladder and Fibromyalgia. I worked for 5 more years with these injuries and then finally in 2008 my Fibro and other problems had progressed so much that I was too ill to continue working. I couldn't even drive a car by the time I stopped because my hands hurt too much to hold the wheel!

We relocated to California from where we were living in Virginia and I began the long process of coming to terms with a total halt in a high speed career, and fought for my Social Security Disability and Worker's Compensation. I felt very much like I was living in a cocoon for about 2 years, and then in 2009, shortly after winning my fight with Social Security, I got pregnant! This was great news, since we'd been trying for a second child for about 7 years. I had my second daughter (Rowan) in July of 2010. I know some people get the baby blues but for me it was totally the opposite. I felt like I blossomed. I was back in the world and ready to do things that I'd wished I could do all of that time while I was in that demanding career track!

I began taking Jewelry classes and discovered that I had quite a knack for it, and had a great time making it. I also got serious about my crochet and have made a few really neat things, including a shawl which was included in an exhibit in Arcata, California.

I hope that you enjoy my work. My goal is to bring joy to myself and others, and to show other people with Fibromyalgia that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is a way to balance those meds and slow the pain down, and get some functionality in your life back! Not every day is pain free for me, but I've come a long way since 2008. Best of all, I have met a lot of new friends, some of whom have fibro too, but all of them are very suppportive and understanding.

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windscry-Designs/212283228786425

Blog: http://windscry.blogspot.com/

♥

And we have Aksinia Voronina of Happy Bee...

My name is Aksinia and I have been making art and craft since I was a child. I like creating things in different techniques such as knitting, sewing, needle felting, and other and it is hard to say which one I like more. Also I like the idea of recycling and reusing things and keep that in mind when I am working on current project. I find inspiration in vintage buttons, old children’s books, retro fabric, Scandinavian and Japanese design and of course beauty of nature.

I make hand knitted brooches (rabbits, cats, owls), knitted bracelets, rings with using junk mail and toys made of used machine-felted jerseys. All things that you see in my shop are made with love and one of a kind.

If you like something but it is not quite what you are dreaming of, you may order a special item.

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

Felt (a New Zealand based online marketplace): http://felt.co.nz/shop/nord

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Bee/193839513995506

♥

We also have Beata of Bayahta's Knit Creations...

I love to use freeform technique form knitting, crocheting and felting to create playful themes! Bayahta’s Knit Creations offers high quality custom knit, crochet, felted designs for children and adults.

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

ArtFire: http://bayahta.artfire.com

Etsy: http://bayahta.etsy.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bayahtas-Knit-Creations/158015350925897
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Bayahta

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And last but not least we have Latasha of Knitknacks...

I am a mother of 4 wonderful children. Currently live in Vermont. I am a Military wife so we move around every 3 years on average. I am English, but have lived in the states for over 12 years now. I am lucky to have my own studio/craftroom but my supplies migrate to the comfort of the couch on a regular basis :)

My craft, well it's eclectic lets say, I love all mediums and can't stick to one. It started with yarn, just hats and scarfs a few years back for gifts, after making 12 sets a friend suggested I do a craft fair, so like a crazy woman I prepared frantically for my first and never looked backed. It exploded from then on. It expanded to Jewelry making innocently enough just over a year ago, I wanted to make keychains/charms for knitted bags I was doing. But once you have the beads... :) and I have plans to play with polymer clay and resin real soon, when the season allows, this time of year is real busy for yarn :) Alot of what I do is custom orders when it comes to yarn, I make something it gets posted and then orders comes in for that one order in that particular item or in different sizes/colours.

The possibilities are endless and that is what I love about what we do.

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

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lathenson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Knitknacks

♥

Did you enjoy Day 2? Hope so! I'm off to start preparing for Day 3 :) See you tomorrow with more great gift ideas!

Did you miss a day? It's easy to get caught up... we wouldn't want you to miss any goodies!!

Exploring Handmade Day 1

Exploring Handmade Event Introduction and Helpful Hints