Is it catching?

For you creative folks out there who started to make handcrafted items and found you enjoyed it so much that the only way you can support your habit (and not be overrun in your own home by mountains of beautiful things) is to sell them.  Did you find that you had a passion but then you thought to yourself, if I can make this, I can also make that?

I don't know what it is! I see DIY crafts and I just want to try them all! Not to sell mind you, at least not yet!  More for home use :)

I have now made 5 moss terrariums, and they are super cute. They are going to be given for Christmas gifts as they are not at all the usual gift, although they aren't uncommon.  I even found a very sweet seller on Etsy (I tried finding something I liked on Artfire, but the selection is still too small : HINT: to all you clay smooshers out there - there is a need for terrarium miniatures on Artfire) to help me with the little clay miniatures that I put in them to liven them up a bit.  I will have to take photos of them and post!

And now, I want to try my hand at yarn wreaths. I found a really simple DIY tutorial and also saw a really simple way to make felt flowers in a magazine while waiting at the doctor's office one day that would be super adorable to use as embellishments.

I dont know when I'll have the time to start on all these extra crafts I want to do.  But my question is, do you do this too?

Once you start crafting it's hard to know where to stop!

Merry Christmas Everyone! ☺♥☺

And that's a good thing

Not to steal a phrase from the craft queen Martha Stewart but! If you're thinking about selling online and you've been on the fence with  picking a venue to do it on - check out Artfire.com.  You can lock in a rate of $9.95/month for FOREVER!  They are about to change this for those who sign up in the new year.  Instead of a locked in rate, you'll be paying for whatever the rate is during that particular month which could fluctuate.

This fee includes unlimited listings and no commissions on your sales PLUS all the kick ass tools they give you to help you on your online selling way!

This was not a paid advertisement but Im really glad I found this site. The community is friendly and helpful and Artfire.com really does a lot to help you make a web presence with your stuff.

Check it out!

Artfire Pro Signup

Friday Finds!

I belong to a wonderful Artfire Guild called the Stalkers as mentioned previously. Our goal is to help promote fantastic handmade items ranging from jewelry to knitted accessories to figurines!  However, this week, it's all about the stalkers behind the stalking.

Here are some of the awesome things you can find on Artfire.

Tourmaline Gemstone and Copper Wire Worked Necklace with Silk Ribbon by GlasstasticTreaures

Robert Kaufman Snails Wetbag - Cloth Diapers, Mama Cloth, Laundry by Mamaslittlemonkeys

Beaded Brass Coin Charm Bracelet by Katie Claud

Pink Rhodochrosite Slab and Pearl Necklace With Sterling Silver Beads by Tali's Creations

A Leaf Falling Present Past Treasure Necklace made with Rose Quart Beads, Copper and Sterling Silver Beads by TheBeadedBranch

Gold Toned Button Charm Bracelet by AGreenDress

Shield Maiden Renaissance Black Bell Sleeves by MeriGreenleaf 

Fantastic Find Friday will be a regular occurrence from now on! Check back next week for more goodies.

Stalking? Only the good kind.

Ever see something you liked and then tweeted, blogged or facebooked it because you wanted to share something awesome with everyone?

Yeah, thats what we do.  Who's we?  The Artfire Stalkers guild, thats who!

Come check out this beautiful find - copper and crystal necklace. I love the way the copper color plays off the green crystal.

Check out the rest of her studio - she has some beautiful things that would make wonderful holiday gifts!
MzzThang's Studio

My first post on my new blog!

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by.  This is my very first non personal blog I have ever tried to do so bear with me as I try to work out some kinks and hopefully you will find something worth reading here!

This blog is here to help showcase some of my work as well as helping to acquaint those who are not already acquainted with the world of handmade to better understand what those of us do to create a better product.

I know, I know, another soapbox post about the merits of buying handmade. I would have said the same thing, and ironically I have!  At least, I used to before I started making my own jewelry [and bookmarks]. And Im not just saying that because I am now doing those things but because in making my own things I have learned that I put a whole lot of effort and care into making a quality product and I really like the fact that the things I make are not mass produced.

Sure there are going to be similar styles and trends and thats nearly impossible to escape in the world of fashion and jewelry (as I have come to learn). But in most cases you will be one of a handful of people who will wear or own that particular piece of jewelry, or whatever you buy handmade.

Anyhow! If you're in the Dallas area, there is going to be a fantastic trade/craft show featuring many handmade sellers in and around the Dallas area this weekend.  It is sponsored by Etsy Dallas and you can find more information by clicking the link.  I am not in this show but I will be volunteering and I hope to be one of the vendors next year!

I will be adding a link section pretty soon for some additional helpful websites.

Thanks!