Today's featured shop on The Handmade Forum

..... is Insomniac Treasures! https://www.etsy.com/shop/InsomniacTreasures

This shop is owned by Lisa, who makes unique gemstone and recycled jewellery.

In her own words,

'Over the years, I have dabbled in many crafty type ventures. I have tried my hand at drafting, furniture making, resin casting, sewing, jewelry making...even wind chimes. 

Insomniac Treasures is where I get to try out my sparks of inspiration. I am continually inspired by the way a stone or combination of stones makes me feel or how it reminds me of some person or story, old and discarded belts, purses and other random items that call out to be re-imagined, and the challenge of creating something new and different that people will want to wear and use. 
I hope you enjoy my creations. It's your support that keeps this insomniac's light on.'

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129234477/aqua-stone-earrings-blue-dangle-earrings

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151539359/dark-blue-sparkly-and-iridescent-czech

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150402917/abalone-shell-necklace-green-and-blue

SammysJewels, featured Etsy Shop of the day on The Handmade Forum!

Today's featured shop is SammysJewels, which is a jewellery shop full of creepy cute, kawaii items made from resin. https://www.etsy.com/shop/SammysJewels

Now I know how hard resin is to work with, I tried. So Samson has all my respect! He cleverly makes creepy cute items using a mixture of colours, glitters and molds and clearly has the patience of a saint.

Here are a few of my favs!

Fancy an fried egg on ya head!? https://www.etsy.com/listing/199216901/quirky-egg-hair-clip

https://www.etsy.com/listing/204910289/kawaii-fairy-kei-heart-bow-hair-clip

https://www.etsy.com/listing/172255969/creepy-cute-drippy-heart-bat-necklace

Dix Sterling, featured Etsy shop

Today's post is about an artisan jewelry shop called Dix Sterling https://www.etsy.com/shop/DixSterling

In her own words;


'Since childhood, I have played with various kinds of art, ranging from crayons through pastels and charcoal, to oils, acrylics and watercolors. I've done needlework and fancy sewing. I really wanted to be an artist but, somehow, making a living always got in the way. When we downsized to a floating home, "my space" got smaller and painting got set aside. Then a flyer for a silver jewelry making course caught my eye. "Smaller work space" thought I, so I enrolled — and fell in love. I think the ever-changing river fed my love of surfaces. It runs from mirror-like to dappled to downright wild. My sterling silver pieces are often textured: hammered, brushed or reticulated (I LOVE reticulation).

Having sold some items locally, I tried setting up a web site. It ran for more than a year but I suspect my family and I were the only viewers! When someone at a local supply house mentioned etsy, I decided to look into it. I think it took about 30 minutes to decide to give it a try and not much longer to set up my shop. Etsy made it easy.
It has taken me a couple of years to really get the hang of etsy. I had a LOT to learn about product photography. At least my PR background helped with writing item descriptions! Then came getting involved in etsy teams, blogs (mine is http://dixsterling.blogspot.ca/) and social media. Meanwhile, I joined the Creative Jewellers Guild of British Columbia and continued taking classes, buying books and -- for sure -- learning from my mistakes! It all takes time but I still find lots of hours to spend at my bench, cutting, hammering, and soldering. The love affair continues.'

Here are some of my favorites:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/184301708/artisan-copper-dangle-earrings-raku

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182475607/artisan-earrings-turquoise-studs-on

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150026946/artisan-pendant-of-blue-green-abalone-on

MakeMinePatchwork Etsy Shop of the day

Today's shop is https://www.etsy.com/shop/MakeMinePatchwork MakeMinePatchwork, a handmade shop which makes quilted items for home, you and baby!

In Karen's own words,

'Make Mine Patchwork was born out of a marriage of my ongoing compulsion to create beautiful things with fabric and thread and the fact that I have already given my family, relatives and friends more handmade blankets, pillows, toys, and holiday decorations than anyone needs. 

What began as a pleasurable pastime for a young girl, has evolved into a lifelong passionate pursuit. I come from a family of women who were always busy with their hands, cooking and cleaning, yes, but almost as often creating beauty from the simple things they found around them. My mother taught me the basics of sewing before I started grade school, but I am self-taught in every other needle art I have developed. I have a voracious appetite for knowledge and new skills. I hope I am never too old to make new discoveries.'

Here are a few of my favorite baby bibs that Karen has lovingly made; 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189589325/baby-bib-elephant-face-bib-gray-flannel

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189686652/baby-bib-bunny-face-bib-tan-bunny-minky

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199884020/giraffe-baby-bib-drool-bib-owl-bib

HueWood by Miran The Handmade Forum SPA DAY challenge.

Today's post is about HueWood, a jewellery shop that created geometric wearable art.

In her own words,

'I am an American Egyptian artist. I studied Fine Art (painting department) and moved to the US in 2006. I love Art, Painting, crafting and creating unusual unique pieces. 
I use Black and White tones in my abstract paintings, and I use colors to make painted colorful jewelry. 
Inspired by Pop Art, Abstract art, Geometric shapes, my Egyptian background and the pulse of NYC.
it's been a great journey and still lots to discover and learn every single day. 
Thank you so much for taking the time reading my story hope you like them as much as I enjoy making them.'

Miran's shop can be found here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HueWood

Here are some of my favorites,

https://www.etsy.com/listing/184812331/dangle-wood-earrings-modern-geometric

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190284421/extra-long-necklace-wrapped-in-wire

https://www.etsy.com/listing/184813307/red-modern-wood-bead-contemporary

As another designer who uses wood and loves geometric style, I really love this shop. I love the unique, modern style Miran creates. Her items are for those people who like to stand out from the crowd.

SPA DAY week 2! Flaherty Naturals

Today I will be telling you about a shop called Flaherty Naturals, which is an Etsy shop full of handmade and organic beauty products based in the USA.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlahertyNaturals


The shop is owned by a lovely lady called Deb and she started her online shop Flaherty Naturals because she wanted to help people with sensitive skin;

  'Flaherty Naturals was started in 2007 because so many of my mature nail clients were allergic or sensitive to commonly used salon products. My desire to offer them a relaxing and safe spa service became the “necessity is the mother of invention” concept I adopted, and so began my researching and learning about the blending of herbs, oils, and essential oils. With over 20 years of organic gardening, and canning, and jam making, and all the other "makings" a woman does for her family, I was ready to start making healing things for the skin as well.'

I love strawberries! These sound so yummy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/179976931/organic-lip-balm-strawberry-lip-balm

Deb also does wedding favors! https://www.etsy.com/listing/179848689/unique-wedding-favors-set-of-6-lavender

Facial scrub that looks good enough to eat. https://www.etsy.com/listing/162508760/vanilla-facial-scrub-organic-face-scrub

SPA DAY, Quinnys Crochet Etsy Shop

Today's blog post is about Quinnys Crochet, owned and run by a lovely lady named Carol who is affectionately known as Quinny.

Quinny has the skill of crochet and can make many things! You really don't need to look any further to find all your scarves, hats, beanies, gloves for you and for baby! Yes I said baby! Her baby designs are AMAZING.

Know any babies who need an outfit like this for Christmas?

How adorable is that!!!!!!!!! https://www.etsy.com/listing/109035410/baby-girl-crochet-jacket-hat-and-booties

NO ONE can resist this for their baby boy, surely? https://www.etsy.com/listing/150250743/baby-boy-crochet-jacket-hat-and-booties

And don't forget about mummy! https://www.etsy.com/listing/164911847/womens-pink-crochet-infinity-scarf

So do check out Quinnys shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/QUINNYSCROCHET