Handmade Division Team & Blog

Howdy do! I am back again, even if it has been a bit since I've written....

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a new (for me) Etsy team this last month!! I am very excited to announce that I am now a member of the Handmade Division Team, and let me tell YOU, this is one hugely talented team of artists. One of the cooler things that I really like about my team so far is that they give you a topic to blog about once a month, which is fantastic, as sometimes I just can't think of anything to write about. This month, the topic was irresistible for me: Something I would like to create that I don't currently have the skills to do. How do I pick just one?!

Ha! Well, my first priority, I think, would be working with wire. How I would love to be able to include wire wrapped bezels, little curly cues and so on into my work!!! I already add chain here and there to my beadwork, but wire would open up sooooo many possibilities. At the moment, I can't even properly construct a wrapped head pin for an earring! Honest. I can make a loop. Period. And I love trees and leaves and vines in my jewelry, so how cool would it be to be able to use seed beads on some wire to make little tendrils? Or wire leaves with little dew drop briolettes in there?? Making your own clasps and headpins? Learning that lovely 'herringbone' wrap that I have seen in some gorgeous jewelry on Etsy?? Oh, YES, I would loooooooovvvvvveeee to learn wire work. But, finding the money for the tools and wire in order to practice and perfect?? It may have to wait a little bit....and then I have to find someone patient enough to guide my fumbling hands around the tools and wire for a bit... But at some point, I WILL get there!!!

Since joining the Handmade Division Team, I also met a wonderful lady named Delias Thompson, who makes astoundingly beautiful sterling jewelry that I have a horrible horrible time resisting - in fact, I immediately asked her if she would trade with me so I could get my greedy little hands on one of her necklaces and a ring to go with it... and she liked one of my cuffs. So guess who now has a stunning necklace and a ring to drool over??!!! ME!!!!! I still feel that I got the best half of this trade, for sure! Please come and see more of her work at her shop !

And Delias chose my Mocha cuff for hers!! (I was soooo happy to have it go to such a wonderful home!!)

Please do come and check out both the team Facebook Page, and also all of the others on the team who blogged this month: (And don't forget to visit their shops for some MAJOR eye candy!!)

Lisa Hopkins Design: http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com/
Jewelry by Natsuko: http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/
Beth Cyr: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/
ArtJewel Designs: http://www.artjeweldesigns.blogspot.com/
Abhaya Fibers: http://abhayafibers.blogspot.com/
Purified Art: http://purifiedart.blogspot.com/
Nova of Sweden http://nova-designs.blogspot.com/
Bella-Bijou Jewellery: http://bellabijoujewellery.blogspot.com/
Pink Crow Studio: http://www.pinkcrowstudio.typepad.com/
Sand Fibers: http://sandfibers.blogspot.com/
Alice Istanbul: http://istanbuldesigns.blogspot.com/
Thomasin Durgin: http://metalriot.blogspot.com/
Moxie & Oliver: http://moxieandoliver.blogspot.com/
Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Tosca Teran http://nanopod.wordpress.com/
Delias Thompson http://deliasstudioinc.blogspot.com/