Clasps,Closures,Connectors

Last Monday we featured focal beads so this Monday I thought we'd go to the other end of the necklace/bracelet and focus on the closure. Here are some really cool handmade connectors, clasps and closures for your viewing pleasure.

Antique Ball End Hook Clasps, Aunali


Hand Crafted Copper Clasp, sundownfindings


Question Mark Clasp/Connector, curved


Toggle Clasp Beach Stone Set, StoneMe

Amulet Bags

The movie challenge answer is: Dog Day Afternoon. Now on to today's feature -- amulet bags. I have a crazy fascination with these little bags. A friend of mine made me one a while back and I treasure it. The intricacy, detail, and labor of love that it takes to create these beautiful bead work creations always amaze and delight me!

Night in the Jungle, ThreeFatesDesign

Pinky Pinwheel, debeadedtreasures


Amulet Bag, momsgarden


Flowers of Light Amulet Bag, dreambeadweaver


Mimis Favorite Amulet Bag, craftsbyposie

Movie Challenge - 03/25/09

It's guess that movie time again and here are some handmade items for your clues. Remember, the clues may be in the photos or the titles themselves. The only other clue I will give you is that the film is a 1975 crime drama starring one of my favorite actors. There may be other clues hiding in the right sidebar under My Favorites. I will not enable comments until the next post where I will reveal the correct answer. Have fun!!


Vintage Dime Store Dog Figurine, bedouin


Feel Each Day, thepeachpit


Window Box - Warm Afternoon, wanderingmoon

Focal Beads

A focal bead, like a painting on the wall in a room where a decorator gets inspiration, starts the creative process for a jewelry artist to breath life into a new piece.

Lampwork Glass Focal Bead 84, Stosh


Olive Green Kiss Bead, humblebeads


Balancing Reversible Bead, Naftali


Wild Orchid Lentil, DonnaMillard


Painted Canyon, koregon

More Awesome Dolls

Answer to the Movie Challenge: Looking for Mr. Goodbar -- you were all correct again! And now on to today's feature --

Futurapture

I was browsing around and found these wonderful Freaky Deaky Dolls by the artist Joanna Bond. I think I must be fascinated with dolls and sculpture because I tend to feature them a lot. I am most fascinated with the intricacies of these pieces and their weird awesome delight. Joanne describes them as sculptured fashion and random art object dolls. They are truly one of a kind pieces that brought me a lot of joy looking at them -- I'm sure they bring much joy to someone who actually owns one! It was definitely hard to pick a favorite (and if you visit her website I think you'll see why) so here are a few that I chose.

Tendril


Winter Dryad


Andy Barbies

Movie Challenge - 03/18/09

It's guess that movie time again and here are some lovely handmade items for your clues. Remember, the clues may be in the photos or the titles themselves. The only other clue I will give you is that the film is from 1977 and was based on the life of Roseann Quinn, a New York schoolteacher. There are more clues at the right in My Favorites. I will not enable comments until the next post where I will reveal the correct answer. Have fun!!

Through the Looking Glass, kellyisnice


around, WalkingToJericho


Mr. Lumpy, bambipasticcino


Feelin Good Handmade Embossed Paper, JupiterSinclair


Cucumber Facial Bar, SudsnSuch

Micromosaic

I just wanted to share these two micromosaic pieces; I thought they were not only very beautiful, but very interesting because they are each made differently, while Pacific Mood is made the more traditional way in which I think of mosaics with hand beading using bugle beads and seed beads, the other Piranha is made with thin polymer clay threads that are cut. I'm sure both take hours of labor and love, that's something you can tell in the beautiful craftsmanship of each piece. Check them out!

Pacific Mood Beaded Mosaic, WithAllMyHeartArt


Micromosaic Piranha Pendant, Malodora

Kinetic Wood Sculpture

If you guessed Mrs. Doubtfire for the movie trivia you were correct! Congratulations you're getting too good at these. Now on to today -- I love these moving wooden sculptures by the artist David C. Roy. They are not only beautiful handcrafted sculptures, but once in motion they become an ever changing piece of art filled with joy and amusement! I especially love the one below, Journey, when in motion it reminds me of a beautiful bird in graceful flight. If you'd like to get an idea of what they look like in motion check out the video below or go to his website Wood That Works.

Journey Kinetic Sculpture

Variation Dream Kinetic Sculpture

Phoenix Kinetic Sculpture

Movie Challenge

It's guess that movie time again. Here are your clues, the clues may be in the photos or the titles. The only other clues I will give you is that the movie is a 1993 American Comedy and there are more clues at the right in My Favorites. I have opened up the artwork to all things handmade so there will now be art from all over the Internet as long as it's handmade. I won't enable comments until Friday when I'll reveal the correct answer. Have fun!!

Mr. and Mrs. Meow Magnets, JooSweetie


Feline Advisory When in Doubt Look Cute Print, mehartgallery


Fire Cats Art Print, kerrybeary

Screen Print

I recently saw the Yudu Personal Screen Printer available at Joanne's. I was wondering if anyone has given it a try and what they think of it. It looks like a fairly easy machine to operate and I thought if anyone wants to give screen printing a try this might be the way to go.

If you'd rather not buy the machine and you'd like to see if screen printing is your thing, you may want to try these tutorials, both offer affordable ways to screen print at home and are very informative, one is a longer tutorial and more in depth and the other is a short and sweet tutorial with very easy instructions.

If you're thinking about giving screen printing a try here are some other great supplies.

Custom Screenprinting Screens Service, CraftChi

Speedball Deluxe Screen Printing Kit, ShipsInBottles

The Great T-Shirt Book, countrycottagesupply

Thank you for the Award!

The answer to Wednesday's movie puzzle was "The Great White Hope" -- thanks for playing! Now on to today.

I was thrilled to find out that D'Lux Designs Blog awarded us with this Lemonade Award. Thank you so much D'Lux!

D'Lux Designs

Now for the rules here you go:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 5 - 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.

3. Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

5. Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

Here are my Lemonade Award Nominees and in the process I thought I'd show you some of their creations, which also happen to be some of my favorites from each of their shops!

You've Got Maille


Rose Works Jewelry


Altered Events



Beaded Tail


NICO Designs

Puzzle Time Again, Can You Guess This Movie?

Can you guess the movie from these great Etsy finds? The clues are located either in the titles or are the pieces themselves. There are other clues in my Etsy Favorites on the right sidebar, the only other clue is that the movie was made in 1970 and it revolves around a boxing champion. I will not enable comments until Friday, where I will reveal the answer in the comments and in my Friday post. We've included in the puzzle some great artwork, supplies, vintage and jewelry this week. Good luck.

the letter t, patchofsky

You're Great Flowers Rubber Stamp Set, happylittlestamps


Vintage White Ostrich Feather Fan, Helenshassack


faith hope love necklace, embraceletsdesign

The Canvas Project, Vol. 2

What is the Canvas Project?

You sign up here to receive 5 3''x3'' canvases and a list of 5 user generated words that you are to interpret onto each canvas. The goal of the exhibition is to create a visual encyclopedia using mini canvases and artists from all over the world. At least one of your canvases will be published in an Art House book and one will be on display at the worlds busiest airport, The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Take part in this project to not only help gain exposure for yourself, but also to push your creative ideas out. Everyone who signs up and sends back their work will be included in the book and the exhibition. We do not jury any of the work. Art House is all about community and you don't have to be a professional artist to participate in the exhibition. This project is about being creative and inspiring yourself and others. We want to bring artists together and give everyone a chance to show in galleries and other venues across the country!

The submission fee is $18.00 in which you will receive five 3"x3" canvases and a list of 5 user generated words that you are to interpret onto each canvas.

Sign up Deadline: April 15th 2009

Postmark Deadline: July 1st 2009

So if you'd like to sign up and participate, visit:
http://www.arthousecoop.com/canvasproject

Sounds like great fun and not a bad fee for a submission either. So come on all you creative folks out there join in -- and don't forget to stop back at Indie Sista's and show us your artwork!