Chainmaille By MBOI » Blog

Steampunk Rocks!

Andrew — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:59:12 +0000

Many of you know I’m a steampunk junky and run a feature on the Handmade Artists’ Forum called Daily Steampunk. Well this is one of my favorite Steampunk Artists, Grand Design who helps out often with Daily Steampunk on the forum. CJ is heavily involved in the handmade world and has an Etsy shop well as an Artfire shop. Grand Design also spends a lot of time supporting her handmade friends on her blog, she does a feature called the The Handmade Tweet where she showcases some of the most amazing and talented artists on the net! Take a minute and show CJ of Grand Design some love she is truly and asset to the handmade community! Can’t wait till she graces us with her presence on the new Handmade Artists’ Shop as well.

Kitzbitz and NaLa two talented artists.

Andrew — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:15:16 +0000

Just wanted to drop a quick note about a couple of very talented artists Kitzbitz Art Glass and Jewelry By NaLa.

Both of these talented artists are members of the Handmade Artists’ Forum and participate in supporting handmade.

NaLa does creative jewelry creations such as these Cafe Mocha Flower Earrings

Kitsbitz makes these beautiful Handmade Beads like these Mojito with Violet Roses Lampwork Bead Set

Make sure you stop by and check out their shops and show them so love!

Handcrafted Artists are Underated

Andrew — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:01:58 +0000

I’ve been looking around Etsy and various venues at the handmade vendors that are out there selling their wares, and find that most artists I like but there are some I don’t. That’s expected I’d say I always been critical with what I call beads on a string. Some of the jewelers are just that beads on a string, how boring, but not Megan of Casto Creations her work is beautiful. It makes the beads on a string people, well look like beads on a string. It must be her vision to make that transition from stringing beads to a masterpiece. I especially like this necklace as it’s bold and elegant in the same breath.

You can also visit her blog to at http://www.castocreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/

I’ve been amazed about the quality of artists that have joined the new Handmade Artists’ Forum as they truly are in love with their work. Stop by and take a look at their creations and also check out the new HAF Blog.

Mass Produced vs. Handmade

Andrew — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:05:29 +0000

What would you rather buy, something made by a person or a machine. The person will put a whole bunch of TLC in the product where a machine has no feelings. The handmade artists’ work is also original where the machine stamps out piece after piece as fast as you can see. What about the outsourced items that a massed produced in countries that are impoverished and the workers are treated poorly and underpaid just to make the manufacturer rich with their blood, sweat, and tears.

What about the state of the nation with the economic crunch that the entire world is facing.

These are the questions you should be asking yourself as I do. should I support massed produced? It’s cheaper right? Or should I support handmade?

Well I’ve made my decision along time ago and we have stopped going to alot of the big chains that are know to be into slave labor and machine punched junk. Our family supports handmade as much as possible. I ran into another artists’ site recently S & T Creations and just reading through their site you can tell they support handmade. Teri also has an Artfire Shop and a Flicker account where you can see some of there handmade creations.

It’s artists like Teri and those on the Handmade Artists’ Forum that are keeping handmade alive and well for your kids and grandkids.

Handmade Artists’ Work Hard

Andrew — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:20:23 +0000

That’s right we work hard with little pay!

I’m not complaining just stating a fact that’s its tough tring to compete with massed produced items. I recentlty discover this bead artist who makes beaded jewelry among other styles, but Yellow Flower’s work has got to take forever and is just georgous! She also has a shop here, granted I’m sure when she sells here stuff just like when I sell mine there is a sense of satisfaction. If it wasn’t for the love of handmade I wouldn’t be doing this, I guess people like us have a creative side that can’t be stopped. If we stopped it we wouldn’t be happy I’m sure.

That’s one reason why I started the Handmade Artists’ Forum to help support the handmade artist and help get there work seen on The World Wide Web. I just wrote an article on the Forums’ Blog about how to get your shop noticed with some tips and tricks on internet marketing. So take a peak at these articles and Yellow Flowers shop and support handmade.

Enjoy

Art Has Many Faces

Andrew — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:47:19 +0000

As some of you know we have started an altruistic movement of supporting handmade artsits so that their talents will not go unoticed. One artist is The Blue Cat you can see here art work on her Etsy shop the faces on her paintinf is just another way to see the varity in handmade artists. Her work is a must see. We have many artists in our Forum stop by and stroll through a maze of talent.

Artists Unite to Support Handmade

Andrew — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:41:26 +0000

Well a new movement is among us where hadnmade artists have banned together in a unified effort to support each other. Over 170 artists have joined the Handmade Artists’ Forum with more joining everyday. One member, is a fellow mailler or this a case a femailler, Jill from Liv’nGood Jewelry who has also joined in this effort to support eah other as a community of artists. Jill does some beautiful work so check her out at her blog or Etsy Shop.

Many of you may be saying why is a chainmailler helping their competition, well I’ll tell you. I know that I’m not the only game in town selling chainmaille, their are many, but I might have something that she doesn’t sell and visa versa. So instead of competing against each other we are keeping our customers educated about what is available out there. I’d much rather refer somebody to Jill for something I don’t make because I know her work is quality and she will give my customers good service. As I would expect her to do the same for me, If I make something she doesn’t.

Anyway stop by the forum and support handmade, If your a handmade artist join in and show off your stuff, If your a buyer browse through and check out your options most, not all, of our artists have sales sites that you can contact them and purchase their wares.

Enjoy and remember Support Handmade.

Creativity crosses all language barriers

Andrew — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:49:29 +0000

I was browsing the web and came across the artist Marie-Michele of Mademoiselle M I’m guessing she’s French. All I know is the the jewelry crossed all language barriers, were beauty was just beauty. I think that as a handmade artist we should embrace each others work and support our fellow artisans. That’s one reason that we started the Handmade Artisan Forum and we are quickly finding out that artists around the world want to speak to each other and support each other. It’s been interesting to watch and read the conversations and see language barriers being crossed by the love of Handmade Creative Art.

Stop by the forum and support Handmade.

Contemporary Artist

Andrew — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:18:04 +0000

Just wanted to show some love to this artist who has created some art that I believe is truly unique. This mobile struck my eye will looking through here shop. I feel that people like Angels hair truly represent the inventive nature of handmade and which is one thing that I live and breath. If you interested in seeing more handmade artists stop by the Handmade Artists Forum and see whats going on. We have new creations from artists being posted everyday, these artists need inspiration, so if your not an artist but just someone who loves art, jewelry, and crafts in general log in and leave a comment.

Pearls and Coral

Andrew — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:04:47 +0000

I just stumbled upon a jewelry artist that I thought their style was unique and I thought I’d share their work with you. The pearls and coral used in this piece are definatelty unique. Check out the full post here on Annette’s Blog.

Enjoy,

Andrew