Artisans/Jewelry Designers Ltd.
Where artisans/jewelry designers meet and share their views, photos, etc.
INFORMATION RE SOCIAL NETWORK - LATEST UPDATES
TO ALL MEMBERS:
Please consider this your INFORMATION BOX in the future. I don't have time to send individual e-mails everytime something changes, and I will also send out ALERTS to all members when we have an issue of some sort.
Please check this box often as there could be something you have missed and need to know!
When you post a photo, even if you don't do a complete description, please post your name on there somewhere, so people will know where to look under members for your website. This will help you get the credit for your beautiful and unique creations in the long run.
We need to limit photographs. So, I am giving you the opportunity to choose 20 photos (as long as we are under 200 members) to feature and the rest need to be taken off. It slows down the server, it clogs up the server, whatever. I would love for all of us to display everything we want to, but it is not fair to other members to use more than your allotted number of photos. You are welcome to delete photos at the beginning of the week and add 20 new ones. Whatever works for you. Please do try to fill in some info with each photo, especially your name on your page, as someone may want to know where the item is and maybe because they want to buy it. We want them to know exactly which member's site the article is from, so that they do not get frustrated and you lose a sale. We are like a large store open to the public for viewing.
Also, if we don't cut down on photos it will limit our membership. Don't want to do that. We are still growing. So, please understand I am going to have to make my own decisions to delete some things I don't want to either. We always have our website addresses up, so people can wander over into that area to browse until you add your next group of pictures. b>
If you have an idea for a "group" please send it to me and let's get it set up. We have several different groups of artisans now, so if we want to set up groups, such as "Jewelry Design", Suppliers, Vintage, etc. and someone wants to take charge of their group please let me know.
We are now listed in the Ning directory. And you can add Artisans/Jewelry Designers, Ltd. as a group you belong to under the Ning directory. {this is correct address http://artisanjewelrydesigners.ning.com/profile/your name] Every promotional ad we have can only further our efforts to be recognized individually! Remember to get the badge on your websites, Facebook, blogs, etc.
!
PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE THE RULES TO INVITING NEW MEMBERS TO OUR SITE: To determine who you can invite, their abilities in design have to meet the criteria of having a webpage or a blog on-line somewhere they sell their items, and it can be anything handmade from jewelry designers, vintage jewelry, quilters, anyone who does sewn items, candle makers, soap makers, etc. but remember it has to be handmade, or it has to be something that a supplier would sell to someone on our page or to people who make handmade items.
Each of us have reached out to someone on-line to buy something we don't know how to make from time to time, so if you were pleased with the handmade item invitie them to join. Check blogs that you run across in your travels. If the blog owner has no problem with you inviting their guest artists, invite them to join our page.
Have a wonderful day and God Bless!
Sharon Hightower/Site Owner, Organizer, Manager
P.S. If you have a question about someone or their qualifications to be on this page, just e-mail me directly sharon_hightower@hotmail.com Thank you for your cooperation!
Please consider this your INFORMATION BOX in the future. I don't have time to send individual e-mails everytime something changes, and I will also send out ALERTS to all members when we have an issue of some sort.
Please check this box often as there could be something you have missed and need to know!
When you post a photo, even if you don't do a complete description, please post your name on there somewhere, so people will know where to look under members for your website. This will help you get the credit for your beautiful and unique creations in the long run.
We need to limit photographs. So, I am giving you the opportunity to choose 20 photos (as long as we are under 200 members) to feature and the rest need to be taken off. It slows down the server, it clogs up the server, whatever. I would love for all of us to display everything we want to, but it is not fair to other members to use more than your allotted number of photos. You are welcome to delete photos at the beginning of the week and add 20 new ones. Whatever works for you. Please do try to fill in some info with each photo, especially your name on your page, as someone may want to know where the item is and maybe because they want to buy it. We want them to know exactly which member's site the article is from, so that they do not get frustrated and you lose a sale. We are like a large store open to the public for viewing.
Also, if we don't cut down on photos it will limit our membership. Don't want to do that. We are still growing. So, please understand I am going to have to make my own decisions to delete some things I don't want to either. We always have our website addresses up, so people can wander over into that area to browse until you add your next group of pictures. b>
If you have an idea for a "group" please send it to me and let's get it set up. We have several different groups of artisans now, so if we want to set up groups, such as "Jewelry Design", Suppliers, Vintage, etc. and someone wants to take charge of their group please let me know.
We are now listed in the Ning directory. And you can add Artisans/Jewelry Designers, Ltd. as a group you belong to under the Ning directory. {this is correct address http://artisanjewelrydesigners.ning.com/profile/your name] Every promotional ad we have can only further our efforts to be recognized individually! Remember to get the badge on your websites, Facebook, blogs, etc.
!
PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE THE RULES TO INVITING NEW MEMBERS TO OUR SITE: To determine who you can invite, their abilities in design have to meet the criteria of having a webpage or a blog on-line somewhere they sell their items, and it can be anything handmade from jewelry designers, vintage jewelry, quilters, anyone who does sewn items, candle makers, soap makers, etc. but remember it has to be handmade, or it has to be something that a supplier would sell to someone on our page or to people who make handmade items.
Each of us have reached out to someone on-line to buy something we don't know how to make from time to time, so if you were pleased with the handmade item invitie them to join. Check blogs that you run across in your travels. If the blog owner has no problem with you inviting their guest artists, invite them to join our page.
Have a wonderful day and God Bless!
Sharon Hightower/Site Owner, Organizer, Manager
P.S. If you have a question about someone or their qualifications to be on this page, just e-mail me directly sharon_hightower@hotmail.com Thank you for your cooperation!
Birthdays
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Forum
NEW PLACE TO POST YOUR BANNERS AND AVATARS FOR YOUR SHOP 47 Replies
Started by Sharon Hightower. Last reply by Sharon Hightower Nov 1.
Groups
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AJD Blog Team
4 members
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I SPY
15 members
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Handmade Clothing for ...
3 members
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Website Sharing
13 members
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Blog Roll
15 members
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Artisan Spotlight
29 members
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Where 2 or More are Ga...
20 members
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Stashaholics
5 members
SITES WE USE AND SUPPORT!
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!
Contact me regarding rates. Sharon Hightower
NOVEMBER 17 - 30, 2009 FEATURED MEMBER - MOMMY TYME - Valerie Poling
This two week period our FEATURED MEMBER IS:
Valerie Poling of MOMMY TYME:
HERE ARE SOME PLACES YOU CAN FIND HER!
(click on the link and you are there)
http://www.MommyTyme.etsy.com
http://www.MommyTyme.winkelf.com
http://fuzzb.com/MommyTyme
http://www.mommytyme.org
Valerie's artisan specialties are:
Handmade bath, body, skin care, and accessories, jewelry
Here is some information regarding Valerie and her products and the reasons she creates what she creates:
I started my business last February but I have been making things for as long as I can remember. I have always had a crochet hook in my hand fiddling with some pattern or another.
Last Christmas my mom bought me a handmade soap set from a local woman, and I was in love. I couldn't believe the difference I felt from the typical store bought products, and the actual savings because the products lasted so long. The next week I got on half.com and ordered every book I could find on the soap making process. I then started researching essential oils and found a woman who sells essential oils and herbs. She began teaching me about the components and compounds.
Finally, I just dove in. I took some of my savings and invested in supplies, set up a workshop in my basement- and there you go. At first I was really disappointed because I was selling on ebay and sales were not great. Then I found etsy and winkelf- and over a few months the sales increased. I started refining my techniques, trying new things, reading every book I could find on recipes until I created a select few recipes of custom blends that I really felt pleased with.
Simultaneously I began expanding my crafting base into jewelry and more elaborate crcohet projects. I try to think about things I would like to wear or use and then go from there.
A little bit about Valerie and her life outside her craft:
I am a full time Nursing Home Administrator, a full time student in the graduate program for Child and Adolescent Development, and a full time mom to my 4 year old son, Tretyon. We have 2 dogs, Charlie and Scooby, both whom think they are my sons!
My husband is more than helpful with all the busy burdens each day and we manage. Sometimes it seems like we barely have ten minutes with each other, but we manage and we know this is only temporary.
My hope is that someday I can spend my energies working on my craft and go into a private part time consultant business as a psychologist. We have this set up on a 5 year plan (of course things never go the way you plan...)!
Things that give Valerie inspiration for her crafts:
Fall is my favorite time of the year- I love the colors! You can see this a lot in my work. I lean towards the browns, rusts, oranges, etc. I love the mix of the hues and they blend together and that really inspires me to create! I also love the fragrances of the outdoors- Patchouli, cinnamon, herbs- A wooded wonderland is my picture of serenity!
What are you favorite televsion shows/movies?
We don't spend a lot of time watching TV, but when we do it is typically family programming- the last movie I saw was Monsters vs. Aliens- which I actually enjoyed! As for television, we typically watch Dragon Tales, but my personal favorite is Parks and Recreation or the Office.
Favorite Foods?
As fo food, my favorite is seafood! I love mussels, shrimp, flounder, roughy, etc. However, in Illinois, that is not a common fare, so we stick to garden staples. I have a huge garden, I love the outdoors, so we try to take advantage of the gifts God has given. We eat a lot of lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, eggplant and onions! You would think there isn't a lot of meals you can create from that, but there really is...
Advice from Valerie for new artisans and new businesses:
For new crafters and artisans, I would just say be patient! Don't be discouraged. I really believe the Handmade Market is going to come into it's own as a competitor in the mainstream. I think it takes unity and promotion from all of us for each other. I know as an avid consumer I will always opt for handmade as I can rest assured on the quality and the uniqueness of the product. I do think it is imperative we spread the word and promote the Handmade movement, though. And that takes everyone through word of mouth and diligently purchasing handmade ourselves!
READ MORE ABOUT MOMMY TYME AND CHECK OUT SOME OF VALERIE'S PRODUCTS ON THE AJDLTD. BLOG BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TAB ABOVE
CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS AND IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
2nd Place - VABEACHQUILTER
_________________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS TO JEANIE DUKIC FOR HER "STEAM PUNKED" HEART, SHOWN BY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE DESIGNER, BLOGGER, CONTRIBUTOR TO BEADING DAILEY PAGE, JEAN CAMPBELL! YOU GO GIRLFRIEND!
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PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT!
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You may or may not have seen comments that ADJ, Ltd. has created its own blogpage to add more space to our page and to take over some promotion by YOU the member of your own blogs and use to post contests and results. This page is open to members to share with us various information or interests. These little snippets of interests regarding your own blogs (and how we can find them) plus, more contests and prizes, as we try to promote this page, will be rewarded by the person who draws the most people to our blog and our social networking page by 2 weeks of advertising on the blog/and on our front page of the AJD site. If you are interested in participating and adding your blog name to our list, we would like you to post your blog information to share with the world. We will be LinkedIn on this page hoping more traffic gets directed our way.
As a member, if you are interested in using space to promote a "featured artist" please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address: sharon_hightower@hotmail.com. You will hear from me as to whether you information can be posted. I will be moderating this for the first few months until everyone gets use to what can and can't be put on the blog.
Please promote our social networking page on your blogs. And add blog names of people whose blogs you support. We are really jazzed by this new addition. All blog members who participate will be given the sign in information for our page. Just be sure to ask for it. Then you have access to the page. Please NO INAPPROPRIATE REMARKS OR PROFANITY, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD BE AN EMBARRASEMENT TO OUR PAGE. So you are sworn by a sacred covenant with me that you will not share this info with the outside world!
THE BLOG IS OPEN AND CAN BE ACCESSED FROM THE TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE WHICH IS A DIRECT LINK.
Sharon Hightower
Site Owner, Organizer
Photos
Videos
Blog Posts
Okanagan Art - Part 1 of 4
Posted by Crystal Kneller - KIZZ on November 24, 2009 at 12:00pm
PICK YOUR OWN SALE!!!
Posted by Passion_For_Beads on November 23, 2009 at 12:58pm
Craft & Vendor Expo at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills, MI 12/5/09
Posted by Annie on November 22, 2009 at 5:23pm
Calling all Artisans wanting to sell for the holidays!
Posted by Valerie on November 21, 2009 at 7:57pm
Photographing Jewelry and other small items
Posted by ChrysalisDesigns on November 19, 2009 at 7:30pm — 1 Comment
Promote your Shop in the Pursuit of the Perfect Handmade Holiday...
Posted by Valerie on November 19, 2009 at 8:57am
Winter Shopping Extravaganza
Posted by Small Footprints on November 18, 2009 at 1:27pm
Psst...
Posted by vabeachquilter on November 18, 2009 at 7:18am
Look What I Won!!!
Posted by vabeachquilter on November 16, 2009 at 2:41pm
Cute Stuffs! Check those out!
Posted by Passion_For_Beads on November 15, 2009 at 11:25pm
JUST CLICK ON THE BANNER/AVATAR TO GO DIRECTLY TO MEMBER'S SITE!
BLOG ONLY FOR GOING "GREEN"!
More info on going "Green"! Posting for Friday, November 20, 2009
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In the US, fall seems to signal a time for celebration. There are celebrations to mark the end of the harvest season ... apple festivals, leaf festivals, wine tastings and corn mazes. There are pumpkin patches at Halloween and German food at Oktoberfest. There are state fairs and art festivals. In November there is Thanksgiving and December brings Christmas, Kwanzaa and all kinds of winter festivals. We're not alone in this ... there are celebrations all over the world for all kinds of reasons.
With each of these celebrations, we typically decorate. Decorating, as a matter of fact, has become big business ... so big that we see Christmas decorations in October and Valentine hearts before New Year's Day. Unfortunately, most of the decorations on the market today aren't very kind to the environment.
So ... does that mean that we shouldn't decorate? Not if we green it up. Here are a few suggestions for decorations that won't hurt the environment:
Use cornstalks, pumpkins and bales of hay to create a fall scene.
Make a scarecrow (use burlap, straw, old hats and clothes) and let him greet visitors to your home.
Collect colorful fall leaves to decorate a table or fill a vase.
Display gourds of all sizes, shapes and colors.
Use baskets ... fill them or simply display them at odd angles.
Make a cornucopia.
Use bunches of deep red grapes to decorate a table or place them around bottles of wine on the bar.
Pick beautiful apples, arrange them in your nicest bowl and use them as a centerpiece for meals with friends and family.
Bring colorful container plants indoors or arrange them around an entry (chrysanthemums, flowering cactus, ornamental kale, flowering cabbage, dusty miller, etc.).
Make a wreath from natural products (pine cones, Rosemary, thyme, sage and berries).
Decorate a mantle with a natural garland made from evergreens.
Don't forget our feathered friends ... fill the nooks and crannies of pine cones with peanut butter, press in bird seed, and hang in a tree. It'll not only make the birds happy, it'll make any tree look festive.
Use fresh produce from the farmer's market as decoration. Pomegranates, oranges and walnuts make lovely decorations.
Does Holly grow in your area? Snip a little for mantles or to place around candles (natural candles, of course).
For those who decorate a tree, use strings of popcorn, small pine cones and cranberries for natural beauty.
Make a Gingerbread House.
Does it snow in your area? Build a snowman.
Are holiday lights a must? Use LED lights. And rather than string lights, of any kind, on the outside of your house, string them on the inside, around windows. Any heat created by the bulbs won't be lost.
Let food be a decoration. Cookies, candies and holiday breads, displayed in festive dishes, add warmth to any celebration.
Not only will your decorations be beautiful ... they'll be earth friendly as well. And that's another reason to celebrate.
*******************************************************************
For additional green living tips, visit Reduce Footprints at http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
***************************
In the US, fall seems to signal a time for celebration. There are celebrations to mark the end of the harvest season ... apple festivals, leaf festivals, wine tastings and corn mazes. There are pumpkin patches at Halloween and German food at Oktoberfest. There are state fairs and art festivals. In November there is Thanksgiving and December brings Christmas, Kwanzaa and all kinds of winter festivals. We're not alone in this ... there are celebrations all over the world for all kinds of reasons.
With each of these celebrations, we typically decorate. Decorating, as a matter of fact, has become big business ... so big that we see Christmas decorations in October and Valentine hearts before New Year's Day. Unfortunately, most of the decorations on the market today aren't very kind to the environment.
So ... does that mean that we shouldn't decorate? Not if we green it up. Here are a few suggestions for decorations that won't hurt the environment:
Use cornstalks, pumpkins and bales of hay to create a fall scene.
Make a scarecrow (use burlap, straw, old hats and clothes) and let him greet visitors to your home.
Collect colorful fall leaves to decorate a table or fill a vase.
Display gourds of all sizes, shapes and colors.
Use baskets ... fill them or simply display them at odd angles.
Make a cornucopia.
Use bunches of deep red grapes to decorate a table or place them around bottles of wine on the bar.
Pick beautiful apples, arrange them in your nicest bowl and use them as a centerpiece for meals with friends and family.
Bring colorful container plants indoors or arrange them around an entry (chrysanthemums, flowering cactus, ornamental kale, flowering cabbage, dusty miller, etc.).
Make a wreath from natural products (pine cones, Rosemary, thyme, sage and berries).
Decorate a mantle with a natural garland made from evergreens.
Don't forget our feathered friends ... fill the nooks and crannies of pine cones with peanut butter, press in bird seed, and hang in a tree. It'll not only make the birds happy, it'll make any tree look festive.
Use fresh produce from the farmer's market as decoration. Pomegranates, oranges and walnuts make lovely decorations.
Does Holly grow in your area? Snip a little for mantles or to place around candles (natural candles, of course).
For those who decorate a tree, use strings of popcorn, small pine cones and cranberries for natural beauty.
Make a Gingerbread House.
Does it snow in your area? Build a snowman.
Are holiday lights a must? Use LED lights. And rather than string lights, of any kind, on the outside of your house, string them on the inside, around windows. Any heat created by the bulbs won't be lost.
Let food be a decoration. Cookies, candies and holiday breads, displayed in festive dishes, add warmth to any celebration.
Not only will your decorations be beautiful ... they'll be earth friendly as well. And that's another reason to celebrate.
*******************************************************************
For additional green living tips, visit Reduce Footprints at http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
Events
December 6
Sunday
December 12
Saturday
-
Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar
December 12, 2009 from 11am to 5pm – oklahoma city fairgrounds
About
a venue for fellow artisan/jewelry designers to compare notes on websites , new trends, share their photos, share their woes and successes!
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I Spy Challenge 4 voting polls at http://www.mommytyme.org/contact.html
November 24, 2009 at 6pm to December 1, 2009 at 7pm
Come vote for the winner at http://www.mommytyme.org/contact.html
Come vote everyone!
© 2009 Created by Sharon Hightower on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
