ESMarts at Etsy - New Sparkle

Esmarts Team Store has been dedicated to assisting fellow Etsians with the proceeds going to worthy causes selected by the team. Visit the store for an idea of the wonderful talent of this team.

My Gemstone Box By Diane

Gahoole Tree by Anna Lee

ChezChani by Elayne

Vistit Esmarts at Etsy today and support the team shop!

For all your jewelry supply needs visit A Beaded Affair. Your one stop shop for copper wire, hand selected beads and findings!

Our Team Member Coco Watkin is Writing for HandmadeNews.org!

I highly recommend HandmadeNews.org as a great resource for both buyers and sellers in the world of handmade. It's a comprehensive site, with a dynamic staff of columnists and editors writing for 14 sections or departments including:

Main Feature
Craft Techniques
Guild & Teams
Just for Fun
Craft Trends
Marketing
Business Tips
Inspiration
Green Wise
Featured Artisan
Item of the Day
Crafty Kids
Front Page
Most Popular

This site was launched on June 8th and is quickly growing in popularity. Some of the articles I've found most interesting include:

Create Your Own Seed Paper
An article about making seed paper that you can write a note on and
then the recipient can plant it rather that put it in the trash

Vetrazzo-The Ultimate Example of Trash to Treasure
An article about a company who makes gorgeous counter tops out of recycled glass
that competing as an elegant alternative to more expensive granite

Snow Globes For Any Occasion
These would be a great craft project for kids--even teens, a fabulous table decoration for a fundraiser or as a wedding favor or a get well present for someone stuck in bed.

Sock Coffee Cozy: A Craft Supply Challenge Project
You don't even have to be crafty to do this project. All you need are a stash of lonely socks who lost their partner to the hungry monster in the washing machine or dryer.

Recrafting Yourself in the Second Half of Life
Some of you may not be there, but at 50+ and in the second half of my life, all I can say is, "Amen!"

That's a sampling just to whet your appetite. New articles are published every day in each department. Now that I'm a columnist in the Guild & Teams department, I don't have as much time for perusing. So, why don't you go to HandmadeNews.org and read an article for me. If you really like it, use the comments below to recommend it to the rest of us by leaving the title, a link, and a short summary the way I did above.

Enjoy!

PS. Please keep me in mind and send me "the scoop" when one of the Artist groups (such as an Etsy Team, an Artfire Guild, a Market on 1000 Markets, or a Group on ACG, Cafemom, Yahoo, etc.) you belong to runs an online or off-line promotional event, giveaway, or contest and I'll try to give it a plug. Just include "HMN-Team scoop" in the subject line of a message you can send to me through my shop on Artfire. Thanks!

Reprinted by permission
Coco Watkin © 2009
For more information on this talented artist please visit ByCoco’s Art for Everyday Enjoyment blog

Joella Miller - Always Wired Bead Lady!

Joella Miller is the talented jewelry artist and designer behind AlwaysWiredBeadLady located in Brodhead, WI. Joella is also my friend and a valued member of our online Artisan family called eSMArts.

I met Joella a year ago and was immediately drawn in amazement toward her intricate chainmaille designs. Joella has mastered a vast array of artisan jewelry making techniques. Her lovely wire wrapping and chainmaille creations are crisp, modern and truly timeless. This artist enjoys custom work so contact Joella directly to have your unique design statement project started today.


Joella's handcrafted jewelry creations are pieces of lasting beauty that have received wide acclaim and recognition. Joella has recently been accepted to appear at WisCon 33's Art Show being held in Madison, WI May 23, 24 and 25. WisCon is a premier feminist SciFi convention that only accepts 40 artists in their popular Art Show!

Joella will also be appearing this summer (every Saturday morning) at the Dane County Farmer's Market. This premier farmer's market has a special section for arts and will run all summer long. So be sure to make a point of dropping by Joella's Always Wired Bead Lady booth this season!

There is more background information on this artist and a sneak peek into what's new at her studio on her blog: http://alwayswiredbeadlady.com.