Well I am asking myself as I look at the calender where did it go? I am of course talking about this year ,it flew by and here we are about to jump right into 2012 and well I am not ready! I just don't want to leave 2011 because I haven't nearly finished my to do list for the year.lol It's not that this has been a good year because truth be told it was pretty depressing to me. Instead of complaining about it I guess I will just say, I miss my nephew Travis and wish 2011 hadn't taken him.I am truly hoping 2012 is the year our economy bounces back. I have every intention of celebrating the end of 2011 and can't wait to smile my way into 2012.lol Do you make New years resolutions? I have several hoping to keep one.lol I just want to wish you a Happy New Year and Thank you for sharing your precious time with me! Stay safe if your out celebrating!! 8) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
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Pink Ivory wood Pendant necklace |
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Madrone Burl Wood Necklace and Earrings set |
Hello my friends! Happy Holidays to you! This weeks Artist I have shared with you before.Janelle made some gorgeous jewelry. Look at these beauties! Unfortunately ,She passed away this year and is greatly missed by myself and many others.She had a special place at HAF, I know I am not the only one that misses seeing her around the forum. Lucky for us we can still buy her beautiful creations the proceeds go to her family.I purchased a beautiful piece for myself from her Handmade Artist Shop ,and will cherish it always. This is the perfect shop to get that special gift for your Loved one or maybe just do like I did and treat yourself! Smile it's the Holidays and You deserve a treat don't ya?
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Santa Wall Hanging |
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Christmas Tree Babies |
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Love Bug |
Hello friends!This week I would like you to take a peek at my friend's shop. This shop always makes me smile.Love to see what new items Gina's been working on.And I must tell you,Gina of Dahlish knits has certainly been busy. As you can see already, she is an awesome knitter!Here is just a couple of my favorites from her shop. She lives with her husband and two children in North Dakota.I am sure they all demand a great deal of her time.Not sure how she finds the time to do the the other things she enjoys like yoga and playing the piano. She has a great blog that I happen to enjoy reading very much.Of course you can keep up with her on FaceBook. Now go finish that Holiday shopping! I sure hope you enjoy browsing through her shop,and when you place your order please tell her Tam sent ya.8)
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JV Amazonite and Sterling Silver Pendant |
Hello,I would like to share this fantastic Artist.If you haven't met the Gem lover John Rasmussen from South Carolina you are truly missing out! I am so glad I met him through the Hand Made Artist forum.Here is his HAF Shop.He has a great variety of items in his store.Check out this pendant and he has many other items. He also has a very interesting Blog . Well I am sure you will have a great time exploring,and who knows,maybe you will become a Gem Lover too!Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
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Curvaceous Curves Bracelet |
 Starry Night Necklace |
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Hello my friends,Time to see what my friend has been working on lately.If you haven't done it yet it's time to get that Holiday shopping started.I know just where to start. Check out Teresa Rusk's HAF shop.She is a creative ,sweet soul I met through the Handmade Artist Forum.It's nice to meet people with the same addictions.LOL She is another bead-a-holic as you can see.It was very difficult to only pick three favorites.I think she has a beautiful way with wire and she has an obvious passion for color.Be sure to follow her on Twitter,FaceBook and her Blog so you can keep up with her newest creations.Well there you have it how to start your week great:Visit Teresa8) Thank you for stopping by Enjoy your day!
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Original pencil drawing: Sleeping Dragon Princess |
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Silver Butterfly Brooch |
I have recently had the pleasure of crossing paths with an Artist whose very work touched my soul. Intrigued me, and I think I looked at each one of her drawings for quit sometime before going on to her profile.Robyn Ryan is an amazing artist living in Claremont Minnesota. Her Etsy Shop is a beautiful sight. There's something for everyone! Her drawings are phenomenal and that this is one of the drawings I purchased from her. Her jewelry is gorgeous as well.Her up-cycled Brooches have been restored to new,this is my favorite.That's not all she also has some vintage items. So what are you waiting for? Grab your coffee and get shopping.And Please remember to tell her Tam sent you when you place your order.Have a great Weekend my friends!
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Wire Crochet Zodiac Charm Bracelet Ruby Cancer |
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Swarovski Crystal Wire Crochet Bracelet Khaki |
Hello my friends!Isn't her work Beautiful! These beautiful creations are the work of my HAF friend Cari! She has branded them Braidlets.These are just a couple of my favorites from her HAF shop.She even sells a Tutorial.As you can see she has one for every occasion.If you really want to learn more about her check out her cool Blog and Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. She has a beautiful Etsy shop as well.With the Holidays rushing upon us this is the perfect time too start on that Holiday "Too buy For" List. And what better way than to buy handmade!I sure hope you have as much fun browsing through her shop as I did,Have a fantastic Monday!
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Stained Glass Poinsettia Panel by KayzKreationz |
Hello my friends!I was just wondering if you had seen KayzKreations beautiful stained glass mosaics?She is an awesome artist I met through the Handmade Artist Forum.How about one of her gorgeous wire wrapped pendants? I think this breathtaking stained glass Poinsettia Panel is my favorite!She is an awesome Artist inspired by her thirty acre Texas home.She lives pretty close to me in Killeen 8) Well you have to check out her Etsy Shop and her ArtFire Studio.Follow her on Twitter or FaceBook and keep up with all her new creations.Her Blog is very informative.I am sure you will find some holiday gifts and maybe even a treat for yourself.Enjoy your shopping! 8)
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Check out , Jewelry by Janelle ! I met her through the Handmade Artist Forum .I have met some wonderful people there!See how beautiful her work is?My favorite is this beautiful Bracelet or the necklace. LOL It's hard to choose a favorite Janelle put so much Love in her work.Just one of the things we loved about her.Well, Janelle herself has left us, but her shop lives on, with all proceeds going to her estate, to help out her family.So if you want something Very SPECIAL now you know where to go! 8) Have a great week Friends!
Hello my friends I am curious !LOL I would like to know if you are part of a blog ring?If so please tell me what you like the best about it.I love meeting and learning about others and I love promoting my friends!That is why I do it.Some of you are probably wondering what I am talking about.I am writing this post mostly for you that don't know what a blog ring is or how it will help you.I belong to The Handmade Artist Forum .It is a great place to meet other Artisans and learn more about your handmade business.It is Free to join and there is no better place to hook up with like minded people.Weather you have a question or just want to share your latest work HAF is the place!We have a Blog ring,we are going to start a new session in a week or two and the more people that participate the more exciting it will be.Please Join! A Blog ring is fun and once you get the hang of it its easy.1:Sign Up 2:Check back with forum each Sunday and See who is featured Artist 3:Write a post 4:go back to forum and let us no your post is ready 5: Read and comment on posts That is pretty much it.It really only takes an hour or so of your time a week.Can you fit that in your schedule ?You will meet some great people and maybe even make some friends, all while gaining traffic at your sites!I hope you have found this post useful and I hope you click on through and sign up.Here is where you sign up for the Handmade Artist Forum and here is where you sign up for the Blog Ring.Thanks for stopping by!
Hello my friends,Almost Fall!I am sooo excited ,think it has something to do with the forty something days over 100 degree's.While I was waiting for cooler weather I was staying plenty busy.I have almost finished updating my store fronts.I gave my Etsy ,HAF shop and my ArtFire face lifts.lol I just finished working on my Zibbit.So do you like the new pictures?Each one has all unique items NO duplicate listings.As you can see I have been working on some great fall items to add also.What do you think of the Skulls?I made several eye lanyards also,would really love to hear what you think.Have a fantastic week my friends!
Hello Friends.I am just curious,I would really like to no.What is your most important tool as a handmade Artist? Your Imagination? Your determination?Is it maybe pure desire to create something beautiful?I am sure you could gather a room full of various artists and everyone would share many of these and still have there own unique answer.I think that is what makes Art so Great!Since I started my online ventures I have learned so much,and continue you learn something new everyday.Everyone of these tools I listed have at one point or another been my most important tool.I have a tool I would like to share with you.I am still learning how to use it properly,LOL I am talking about the Handmade Artist Forum.A place where you can meet other Artist from all over the world,all walks of life.And they are realllly Great people.I have met a some great Friends.And You will too!It is a great tool and it works both ways,you can learn with it or teach.I hope you take the time to look around.Maybe even open your own HAF Shop.Can't wait to see ya around the forum!
Pink and Gray Checkerboard Blanket |
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OOAK Waldorf Mermaid |
Hello friends!This week I would like you to take a peek at my friend's shop. Gina of Dahlish knits has certainly been busy. As you can see already, she is an awesome knitter!Here is just a couple of my favorites from her shop. She lives with her husband and two children in North Dakota.I am sure they all demand a great deal of her time.Not sure how she finds the time to do the the other things she enjoys like yoga and playing the piano. She has a great blog that I happen to enjoy reading very much.Of course you can keep up with her on FaceBook.I sure hope you enjoy browsing through her shop,and when you place your order please tell her Tam sent ya.8) Have a Safe and restful Labor Day weekend my friends!
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Verdigris Patina Ocean Dangle Necklace |
Hello my friends!I have certainly enjoyed getting to know about this artist.Lisa is the creator of Speranza Jewelry.She lives in Annapolis Maryland and she works in Washington DC.I am not sure how she fits it in her schedule, but she finds the time to make some very beautiful creations such as you see here.Check out her colorful Etsy shop or her ArtFire Studio.Truly difficult to choose a favorite.Be sure to check out her great Blog and remember the Holidays are almost here better get shopping! LOL
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Bohemian Lucite - Singing the Blues Bell Flower Earrings |
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Modern Bohemian - Wood Button Ring with Candy Jade Bead, Custom Sized |
Hello my friends!I can't wait to tell you about Shannamarie!She lives in Moody Texas and she stays plenty busy making her beautiful creations.From her rings to earrings you can see the love she puts into her work.Check out this ring!She has a great selection of gifts in her Artfire Studio, see for yourself.See all those beauties? Sure to be something there for you!She also has a great blog where she talks about her travels and her latest works,You can keep up with her on Twitter and FaceBook.I sure hope you have enjoyed learning about Shannamarie and be sure to tell her Tam sent ya when you place your order!Have a great Day!
Hello my friends I am curious !LOL I would like to know if you are part of a blog ring?If so please tell me what you like the best about it.I love meeting and learning about others and I love promoting my friends!That is why I do it.Some of you are probably wondering what I am talking about.I am writing this post mostly for you that don't know what a blog ring is or how it will help you.I belong to The Handmade Artist Forum .It is a great place to meet other Artisans and learn more about your handmade business.It is Free to join and there is no better place to hook up with like minded people.Weather you have a question or just want to share your latest work HAF is the place!We have a Blog ring,we are going to start a new session in a week or two and the more people that participate the more exciting it will be.Please Join! A Blog ring is fun and once you get the hang of it its easy.1:Sign Up 2:Check back with forum each Sunday and See who is featured Artist 3:Write a post 4:go back to forum and let us no your post is ready 5: Read and comment on posts That is pretty much it.It really only takes an hour or so of your time a week.Can you fit that in your schedule ?You will meet some great people and maybe even make some friends, all while gaining traffic at your sites!I hope you have found this post useful and I hope you click on through and sign up.Here is where you sign up for the Handmade Artist Forum and here is where you sign up for the Blog Ring.Thanks for stopping by!
Hello my friends.This has been one of the most challenging weeks I have had in a long time.By far one of the saddest.It was one of those weeks where you want a do over,I just wish I could go back and change that terrible moment in time.Have you had one of those?I have had them before, this one was exceptionally disturbing for me.I have survived all my hardships with pretty simple philosophies like:If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger.Everything happens for a reason.What goes around comes around.And the most important,You have to trust in God!I have to add another important one I simply hadn't thought about :Live Life to the fullest,leaving no room for regret! Maybe this one is all you need.I mean If you Love your friends ,family and God as much as you can haven't you covered everything? We lost a young family member this week.My sweet nephew Travis Sultemeier 21 years old in a motorcycle crash, and I am sure God has good reason, and who am I to question God?But it stinks!Even though I no he lived life to the fullest and touched countless souls with his sweet heart,it makes me ache.It is so sad and hurts so deeply.Most of my sadness I think is my own regret that I didn't spend enough time with him.And here I try so hard to live my life with no regrets,kind of ironic.I have learned my lesson though and I will do better! I had to stop and reflect on the direction my own life.Seems all I do is work I am missing out on so much.I am trying to re prioritize things. I don't want to waste a minute of life.I need to find some balance.LOL As hard as it is for me I will do my best to stop and smell the roses.I am going to spend more time with my family members and less time working.I am going to carry my nephews big beautiful smile in my heart. And I am going to smile right back at him and my other Loved Ones up there in Heaven every chance I get And thank them for teaching me the most important lessons in Life.8) I thank God for all my Blessings!I thank God for you!!! And I just want to make sure you no That! 8)
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Green Pearl & Crystal Bracelet |
Hello I would like to introduce you to Kristen Flores of Milton Florida.I have featured her awesome creations before.She is a busy Mom and military wife.I first met her through the Handmade Artist Forum.She has some beautiful creations.Her shop is a little empty right now,she must have sold out.Just check out her Etsy shop.Is that bracelet gorgeous or what?Oh yes I know it is!You can follow her on Twitter or her cool Blog so you can keep up with her,and see her newest beauties.Well I hope you go visit her and I hope you have a fantastic week!
POOR PEOPLE ?
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?'
'It was great, Dad.'
'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.
'Oh yeah,' said the son.
'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.
The son answered:
'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Pass this on to friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.
'Life is too short and friends are too few.'
