Feathers and Photos

If you think you have seen the most unusual attractive jewelry in the world, you must have seen the work of Heather Gaff Mewis. Heather has some dearly beloved birds and has learned to make jewelry from feathers! I suppose if you are tired of heavy rocks tugging on your earlobes you could have no argument with her designs.

These gorgeous earrings are made with the feathers of a peacock.

And this gorgeous necklace was made with feathers from her own bird and moonstones. Heather turned the wire and attached the teardrops and feathers.

Heather does not limit herself to feathered jewelry, but I think it is the jewelry made with the most of her love.

But jewelry isn't Heather's only talent. She also takes awesome photographs and is willing to print them on quality paper to your specifications, number and sign the print.

She has an amazing shot of the sunrise from a hot air balloon, an Hawaiian waterfall, and some very interesting other subjects. Go to http://www.jinx1764.artfire.com or her website at http://www.featheredfriendsmementos.com to discover them.

I was delighted by the rear view mirror pretties and her original pencil art. I'm sure you will be, too. My favorite is still those beautiful earrings. Beautiful, attractive, unusual. What more could you want?

Well, today I am going to concentrate on housework, but I just had to mention this gorgeous piece that another AFA found on the site.

People like this almost make me want to give up jewelry making in disgust! Although my sweetie would be happy about that (it's costing him plenty) who knows what expensive hobby I would replace jewelry with, so I think I'll stick around and learn.

This piece is by JewelryBySandy on ArtFire. She says it's been awarded prizes. I can see why! AND she says she is creating a tutorial for it!

I've been reading Mercedes Lackey lately and if any jewelry piece seemed to be made for her, this is it. I think I'll post a link on her website, too :::winks:::

See more from this amazing ArtFire Artisan at http://www.jewelrybysandy.artfire.com

New places to buy Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry: The Only Place to buy Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry

New places to buy Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry: The Only Place to buy Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry

The Only Place to buy Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry

Well, as of today I have no handcrafted jewelry in any online store other than Artfire.com. I have plans to add to some other sites I've signed up for, but intend ArtFire to be MainStreet for Alisun's.
Of course, no apostrophes allowed in URLs, so I'm Alisuns there.





























A couple of weeks ago I bought a pendant from Deronda Designs on ArtFire. Since I was her first ArtFire customer, she sent me a present with my purchase. The picture above is the front and back of the pendants I couldn't resist.

She added this as a bonus:


So, of course, I could hardly wait to find something to complement it. Every now and then I'd pick it up and rub it for good luck, then a few days ago I ventured into Michael's for the materials to make a light box.

They had Swarovskis half off -- including that curious color, Palace Green Opal. Perfect!

I spent this day turning wire to create links for a four-piece set. I haven't priced it out as yet, so I haven't listed but since I've been neglecting you, I thought I could highlight our collaboration. Deronda makes jewelry as well as beads, but she shared beads with me and this is the result. Perhaps nothing like what she'd envisioned when she made the bead: perhaps close, who knows?

Lampwork artists are much more familiar with more elaborate wire work. I'm not that practiced as yet, but I'm happy with the result.

Following are a few more pictures of the set. Look for it at www.alisuns.artfire.com

You can find Deronda Designs "Flutterbys," used to make the pair of necklaces above, and, of course, other lampwork beads at www.DerondaDesigns.artfire.com






























There are many other lampwork artists on ArtFire: almost all of them also create jewelry.
One of the first lampworkers I found lives just down the road a piece from me. I am really looking forward to meeting her and snapping up a few of her creations:
www.HalfMoonBeads.artfire.com
Here is one of the items from her shop:





























And someone else whose work amazes me:
http://www.AAE-artglass.artfire.com
This bangle is one of her more abstract works: most have could be paintings!



















Once again, there are many ways in which one can collaborate with artists on ArtFire. There are fora for mentoring and display of individual work, no commission, and lots of fun!

I think I'll spend this week looking into those ArtFire Artists that have nothing to do with Jewelry. That way I won't feed my inferiority complex!

Only 10 more days until I fly to the Land of the Grandbabies!

Sorry I've Been Neglecting You

Oh, my! It's been years since I had any illness that kept me from breathing freely for so long! My husband and I have been trading cold germs. I finally broke down and begged my doctor for an antibiotic so that I could be relatively germ free when I went to Chicago in (not that I'm counting) 11 days. I'm allergic to most antibiotics so don't take them very often.

We finally heard from Best Buy about my computer. They were unable to fix it, which meant the motherboard probably shorted. So they offered me a new computer. AND canceled my insurance! That means what happens is I bought three years of insurance for 4 months' coverage. Ah, well, I suppose I couldn't have bought another computer for $300, but I would like to have the one I got insured for less than the $500 they said it would take to insure this one. I can pick the new one up some time today but it's a special day in our family: Joe's Mom is home from her trip to Bangkok and Joe's Dad and our oldest niece both have a birthday today. We'll spend the day visiting and trying not to breathe on folks.

I'm having little success taking pictures without a light box, so I'm going to try to build one tomorrow according to all the instructions the knowledgeable ArtFire artists posted online.

I hope to get back to a regular posting schedule today or tomorrow: I have new artists from whom I bought irresistable items, and will try to document my Great Light Box Adventure (but not in too much detail).

Remember to have some fun today!
Ali

Kay Sommers has Solution for ArtFire Artists

ArtFire artists concerned about triggering flags from Google base regarding the word free are invited by talented artist Kay Sommers to download and use (but NOT to sell) three icons that will indicate the environment in which a piece of art was made:

Smoke free with pets

Smoke free and Pet Free

And also, one which will allow us to offer the bonus of:

Free Shipping

Go to her blog to find them at http://kaysommers.blogspot.com/2009/02/smoke-free-pets-free-icons-for-your.html

Our mysterious talented artist is also, as we all know, a team player! Thanks Kay!

Another Artfire Sunday Sale

I have no idea where last week went, but I'll wave goodbye. This Sunday I have a few items on sale for several different events. For the A.S.S. sale, I'm offering this Swarovski crystal 16" necklace with extender for 15 percent off. Domestic first class shipping is always free from Alisun's Custom Crafted Jewelry.

Mention this blog and receive 15% off any item over $15.00 from my studio.




The rest of these items have not so much to do with the A.S.S., but they are all ArtFire artists and events. The items pictured may or may not be included in the Sunday Sale, but both are well worth their full asking price.

There is a cool Treasure Hunt taking place on Artfire beginning on the 10th. You could win a $50 giftvoucher! Go here for all the details http://artfire-treasure-hunt.blogspot.com/2009/02/would-you-like-to-win-50-giftvoucher.html?showComment=1234106040000#c3386816011818805149

Next,



This adorable little guy is being offered by CreativeHaven ( http://www.creativehaven.artfire.com/ ) for under $10USD. I am fascinated by the balance of the piece.



Next,






This stunning bracelet is created by Gottjoy ( http://www.gottjoy.artfire.com/ ). I'm planning to beg her for a tutorial. My daughter has a puggle and I can take perfect puggle pleading lessons.



Now take yourself in hand and visit http://www.artfire.com/ and shop til you drop!

Need some whimsey in your life? Check out these contests!

RiskyBeads is hosting a February giveaway.

http://riskybeads.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-2009-artfire-giveaway.html

There are so many ways to enter that you could have several entries without trying much.

Comment on her blog, visit shops and comment on them, buy from any ArtFire Artisan, etc.

She's been doing this awhile and has really compiled a beautiful giveaway with components from many types of artists. The image above is 9 out of 11 of the giveaways.

http://3zart.blogspot.com/2009/01/3zart-20-gift-certificate-giveaway.html

3zArt is giving away a $20 gift certificate to her ArtFire shop http://www.3zart.artfire.com/ .

Hurry, contest winner will be announced Feb. 28. She has several ways that you can enter, and won't find items like this anywhere else.

http://kaysommers.blogspot.com/2009/02/100-lucky-draw-giveaway.html

Kay Sommers is having a total $100 giveaway on Valentine's Day! Not much time to get those entries in, but once you see her ArtFire shop you will definitely want to win one of the gift certificates! http://www.popnicute.artfire.com/ .

Sorry, Kay, I know better than to type something in when I can copy it for accuracy. Folks, this is the REAL link to Kay's shop. But go to my shop first so you have some dollars left before you see hers!

I have this beautiful bit of bling on sale with the mention of this blog for 15% off.

ArtFire Verified Members can take 30% off.
http://www.alisuns.artfire.com/
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=57185
Closeups on the studio page.



Now go play in ArtFire's playground!

Wednesday Wonders

The head cold still has me stuffed and achy, so I couldn't make jewelry today. Instead I listed in my ArtFire shop a stunning sapphire and dark sapphire wire linked 4pc set.

I still don't have the resources to take very good pictures. I'm working on that. Needless to say, this picture doesn't do this set justice.

Swarovskis are known for their sharp, clear faceting and these are no exception. You may see it at www.alisuns.artfire.com .

Don't forget to browse the site for the wide variety of handmade items available.

Artfire Artists whose items I couldn't resist

Several of my fellow http://www.artfire.com/ artists (I love saying that as if I were as competent) had items I just couldn't resist.

http://www.maineleecrochet.artfire.com/ not only went shopping to complete my first order (at the last minute I wanted to double it) but sent it in a timely fashion. Once I saw her work, I decided I needed a pair of baby booties she'd posted on her site...but in a different color. Customers are like that, yeah, they are! Ginny not only offered me my choice between natural fibers and manmade, but received the order, made the booties, and mailed them so that I got them in FOUR DAYS! Now, I'm sure she can't crochet a bedspread for you in that amount of time, but I once supplemented my income with crocheted items, and that is awesome! I know those booties lookk like one is smaller than the other in the picture, but I have them right in front of me and they are perfectly sized.

I can't show the items I actually bought from the rest of these artists, because they are gifts and my children know how to use the computer (and some of their children do, as well). I want to tell you about these talented people, though, so I will show you one item from their shop. Deal?

http://www.catinalife.artfire.com/ does semiprecious gemstone jewelry and crystal jewelry. She has a wide range of styles in her shop and she is very reasonably priced. I work in some of these mediums and wish I had her relationship with her supplier! This silver and purple beauty is one of many of her pieces, which range from demure to bling.

http://www.jewelrybydesiree.artfire.com/ sold me a gorgeous item. This bracelet is currently in her shop and has matching earrings. It's lapis jasper, and very affordable.

http://www.derondadesigns.artfire.com/ sold me a just gorgeous component. She works in glass, and has beads, pendants, and more in her store. She's also a talented painter. Some of her glass is handpainted.

I've told myself I can't buy this business card holder until I have my desk cleaned off and business cards printed...been doing them 10 at a time...





























http://www.twistedthicket.artfire.com/ sold me a handsome gourd ornament. I said, gee, is it too late to get it personalized? She said, well, yeah, this design doesn't really lend itself to personalization (a concern *I* brought up) but I'd be happy to custom make one for you....I can't wait to see it.

This is one of her spirit mask pendants. Would you believe she picks up interesting rocks and paints and seals them and POOF! they are jewelry!

Ok, Twisted, not magically easily, but magically wonderfully. Of course it takes lots of time to do this.

http://www.ajewelgift.artfire.com/ makes jewelry, fuses glass, and upcycles. She made the mistake of spotlighting this item in the artfire community and was innundated with requests for that plate but with MY dog, cat, bird, iguana, cricket, whatever. I guess we need to support her fast, because her reply to all and sundry was that she doesn't have that capability at this time, but is saving up for the equipment to do it....I bought one of her barrettes.

http://www.fairydreams67124.artfire.com/ works in polymer clay and has a fantasy theme in her studio. She makes beautiful earrings and has some items under $10. You can't get mass produced everybodyhasem earrings in the drug store for that price! I can't wait to see my purchase. It's perfect for one of my babies.

Whew! I was going to make this a regular feature, but I really am not a proficient blogger. Maybe I'll just have to keep my fingers out of my pocketbook for awhile to save them from all this typing.

Visit Alisuns's ArtFire Shop

Super Bowl Slowday

Well, I'm not a big superbowl fan. Don't even turn it on to see the commercials! But I've been stunned by some of the beautiful products that I've seen in my new explorations of ArtFire.com.

Here is one I really wish I had the $$ for, for I have a purple rose baby.

I look mostly at the jewelry because I do jewelry, but there are some very talented woodworkers, potters, lampwork artists, knitters, crocheters, suppliers, web artists, photographers, painters, and Upcyclers....I know I am leaving scads of talented people out of that description.

Look for CreativeHaven's studio for the purple rose.

www.artfire.com

Enjoy!