The Handmade Tweet and Ad Astra Report

Today's Handmade Tweet started more two weeks ago at Ad Astra in Toronto, the first SciFi convention of the year. The Steampunk Salon was a big hit, that's me on the far right in my post apocalyptic costume, vintage gas mask and all. I was very pleased with the way it turned out, especially my ray gun.

My friend Lynda won the Next Top Zombie competition. She's the corpse bride on the right. I'm the gear head on the left.

A good time was had by all. I especially enjoyed the dealer's room. I took some of my jewelry to sell in the art auction and what did I buy in the dealer's room? More jewelry of course. Hey it's my passion, what can I say. I bought three fabulous wire wrapped rings and a pendant from Irina Pertseva of Black Currant Jewelry and I've gotten loads of compliments every time I've worn them.

Irina just happens to have a shop on etsy. You can visit it by clicking on the picture below. Her wire wrapped jewelry is amazing. Her designs are so intricate and unique. I wish I could have afforded to buy more. I especially like her use of natural stones in her pieces. There was a wonderful green agate bracelet I keep thinking about. Well maybe next year.

Golden Butterfly Necklace

Handmade Artists Forum Blog Ring - Featured Artist

This weeks Featured Artist is Mewes Mountain Arts. You can find her on the new Handmade Artists' Shop and check out her Etsy announcement for other sites where you can find her fabulous work.

From MewesMountainArts' Etsy Shop Announcement:

"Welcome to Mewes Mountain Arts!

Handcrafted jewelry for any occasion!

Come on in and look around! Please contact me if you have a special design request not available in the Etsy store.

To read more, visit http://mewesmountainartsandcrafts.blogspot.com/

I am also now on Facebook! Become a fan at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mewes-Mountain-Arts/454076045074?ref=sgm

I adore Celtic designs, especially in jewelry. It's the Irish in me. Click on the picture below to see more marvelous designs by Mewes Mountain Arts.

Liam's Celtic Guardian Bracelet

The Handmade Tweet

Today's Handmade Tweet comes from Nichole Topley Art on etsy.

From nicholetopley's Shop Announcement:

"Funky, Weird, Kooky, Crazy, that's me!

I tend to make things a little on the strange side. I never have been one for normalcy.

So relax, take a spin around my shop and you may find something you JUST can't live without!

Follow me! I'm {strange_magic} at Twitter.

Check out more of my art at my website!
http://www.nicholetopley-art.com

Now really, doesn't everyone need a Crocoplatygator? Surely no home is complete without one. But if he is not to your liking (no accounting for taste) you can find many other fanciful by clicking on the picture below.
How could you not love this face?

Aqua Freaks - Garrett - Decorative Sculptures

Handmade Artists Forum Blog Ring - Featured Artist

I've gotten behind on my blog ring features so here is last weeks featured artist, just a little late. The featured artist for April 4 - April 11 is Jen from Jennuine Candles. You can visit her blog here Jennuine Candles on Blogger. You can also visit her on Etsy and Artfire shops by clicking on the pictures below.

From jennuinecandles' etsy Shop Announcement:

"Welcome to Jennuine Candles...specializing in 100% palm wax candles with a variety of choices...container candles, pillars, votives and tarts/melts.

Take a moment or two and look around. If you don't see it, that doesn't mean you can't have it...just contact me!"

These little guys are so cute and I love the smell of baby powder. I think this trivet is wonderful, I do enjoy a nice glass of wine.

Baby Powder Scented Palm Wax Candle Melts, 

Teddy Bear Shaped Set of Four

Handstamped Grapes & Cheese Design on 

Tile Candle Trivet or Coaster

The Handmade Tweet

Today's Handmade Tweet comes from one of my favourite sculptors Creatures From El who I am happy to finally see on esty.

From Creatures From El's Bio:

"Ellen was born in Markham Ontario and raised among mildew and snails. She took to shaping three dimensional forms naturally at a young age. To Ellen sculpting has always been about life, biological narratives and cultural statements. The tedious hours of labor act as the mysterious foundation from which each sculptures personality springs forth."

I discovered Ellen's fabulous creations a few years ago at a scifi convention and I've been completely captivated by them ever since. I've amassed a small (not too small) collection of her work over the years and I seldom visit her table without coming away with one or two of her creations. They are all so vibrant and alive and they always speak to me.

I've followed Ellen's blog for a while now and was very happy to see her on etsy. I'm also looking forward to seeing what she has created for the Ad Astra convention in Toronto this weekend. I may be coming home with a new dragon for my ever expanding collection. Click on the picture to see more of her amazing creatures and if you're in the Toronto area this weekend come out and see them in person, the pictures just don't do them justice.
You can find out more info about the convention here: Ad Astra

Cyan Celtic Tail Dragon

Handmade Artists Forum Blog Ring - Featured Artist

The featured artists for this week are Kimberly of  Makin' the Best Of It and Andrew of Chainmaille By MBOI.

From Makin’ the Best Of It's website:

"Makin’ the Best Of It was originally started due to a severe addiction to creating in general.  Hand painted glass is a way to add color to your world without adding more useless “stuff.”  All of our glassware is heat cured enamel so it is top rack, dishwasher safe…in other words…it is meant to be used."

Kimberly has some extremely beautiful hand painted glassware. Gorgeous flowers and leaves for all four seasons. These however were a little different and especially appealed to me. I just love animals and animal prints. My house is full of them, both the animals and the prints, so I could see these fitting right in. For more of her beautiful designs just click on the picture and browse her wonderful website.

Hand Painted Animal Instincts Glasses

From MBOI's website:

"Chainmaille is a lost ancient art that my wife and I enjoy making together. MBOI is a sister site to Makin’
The Best Of It which originally started with Hand Painted Glass but has grown due to our severe
addiction to creating in general.
MBOI is made up of my wife Kimberly ( The President, CEO, Controller, Painter, Mailler, and Creative Superpower) who is currently in the process of finishing her teacher degree, and Andrew ( Stock boy and Mailler ) who is a Senior Estimator for a Heavy Construction Company which is based in New Jersey.
We have 2 boys who keep us running all the time.
We currently reside in Point Pleasant, NJ which is a small beach town on the Jersey Shore."

Chainmaille is fascinating but it looks like so much work. My fingers ache just looking a it. Andrews designs are so intricate and beautiful I don't know how he does it. I can't imagine how many hours it took to make this bracelet. He obviously has way more patience that I do. Click on the picture to see more of his finger destroying designs.

Copper and Turquoise Romanov Bracelet