The Artisan Group Blog

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Joy St. Claire

2012-02-20T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our fine art photography members, Joy St. Claire!

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Oh, Joy Photography

{website} www.ohjoyphotography.com

{etsy} www.joystclaire.blogspot.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/ohjoyphotography1

{twitter} www.twitter.com/joystclaire

We caught up with Joy and asked her a few questions about her fine art photography portfolio, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. My shops in Etsy and Society 6 feature my fine art photography. My Etsy shop also features my work on fine art note cards and on upcycled/recycled locket sets in collaboration with Cat Ivans of Polarity. The most common feedback I receive from those viewing my shop is that my work feels happy! Much of my art features natural landscapes and garden scenes processed to emote what I feel when I am out in nature or among the flowers – calm, serene, a little part of a bigger whole, and happy!

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? My favorite items feature my dog and muse Maggie May! Maggie came to me at a difficult time in my life, & I for her. I really feel that we rescued each other. She is the perfect willing model working only for hotdogs or cheese!

When you're not taking gorgeous photographs, what are your hobbies? When not taking photographs and working my magic on them, I can be found hunting through thrift stores for vintage cameras or other vintage goodies. I also enjoy knitting, hiking wild trails with Maggie May, reading a good book and spending time in my flower and vegetable gardens. And, of course I love wandering along the beaches of Lake Michigan!

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I joined The Artisan Group for the amazing opportunities to gift celebrities. But, I have been pleasantly surprised by the creative & very supportive community the group offers! It is part cheerleading squad, part business boot camp and part creative inspiration. I feel blessed to be a part of this amazing team!

Joy recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Judit Blumenfrucht

2012-02-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our talented jewelry members, Judit Blumenfrucht!

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Judit B Jewelry

{website} www.juditb.com

{etsy} www.etsy.com/juditbjewelry

{facebook} www.facebook.com/juditbjewelry

{twitter} www.twitter.com/JuditBJewelry

We caught up with Judit and asked her a few questions about her unique jewelry line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. It is difficult to describe my shoppe as it began as a dream in a suitcase and has somehow grown and grown into a multifaceted business. I designed a range of jewelry twenty years ago and two years ago revisited my dream and brought them for judging to a major Arts and Crafts show in Jerusalem and then to a major London Jewelry Exhibition IJL. To my amazement they were accepted to both and I have not looked back since! I just don't seem to be able to stop designing new pieces so only a few are available on Etsy, Facebook, etc.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? As far as my favourite product is concerned this is a difficult one. My trademark is my square ring but my favourite of all is two rings which, when worn together, look like a flower. I really love the whole "flower" range which also comprises two pendants and a pair of earrings. Somehow the element of surprise when people put the two pieces together and they make up a flower is what makes them so special to me. They are fun jewelry, aesthetic, and a conversation piece too!

When you're not handcrafting your unique jewelry line, what are your hobbies? Since I started this business, I rarely have time to stop but when I do I love to entertain friends and family, preparing artistic gourmet food feasts and having the company to enjoy them with. I will hopefully share this and other tips on how to get housework and cooking done fast so we can all have time to enjoy life more (learned through several episodes of being paralyzed when younger through back trauma)... in the form of a book I started as a wedding gift to my daughter just before my jewelry business took off.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? It is impossible to say what I like best about The Artisan Group. It is an amazing group of wonderful individuals who constantly astound me with their talent and caring. It is led with efficiency and initiative and I am constantly amazed that, despite the immense growth of the group, each person is an individual and gets the personal touch. For me personally, I am learning two important lessons: 1) It's OK to shout about what I do and report on newspaper articles and websites that feature me and my brand and, 2) with The Artisan Group I am never alone. Not only amazing opportunities like the Emmys, the Golden Globes and the Oscars and more, but also the support of a community of like-minded people. Unbelievable!

Judit recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

GUEST BLOGGER: Kathy Messick of Kath's Elegant Accessories

2012-02-15T05:01:00.000-08:00

(And the Golden Globe goes to...) My Golden Globes Acceptance Speech

By Kathy Messick of Kath's Elegant Accessories
Shoppe | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

I love award shows, the red carpet, the fashion, the interviews, the (hopefully) witty dialog by the host of the event and the acceptance speeches. When the presenters make the announcement of the winner, or to be more politically correct, "... and, the Golden Globe goes to...", I am always curious about what the winner will say.

My personal preference is for it to be heartfelt, short and sweet, or as some of the celebrities stated during the 2012 Golden Globes, thank your manager, thank God and your family (not necessarily in that order), then make a graceful exit.

So I started thinking about what I would say about my gifting experience for the 2012 Golden Globes.

Here goes my Golden Globes Acceptance Speech.

I’d thank God for the many blessings and challenges that have come my way. Thank you to The Artisan Group, especially the Founder, Valerie Gurrero, and Managing Partner, Nikki Cutro, for the opportunity of participating in the 2012 GBK Golden Globes Gift Lounge. Your amazing talents and tireless efforts on behalf of the group have made so many of my dreams come true. Next, would be Tina of TinaDeanDesigns, without her encouragement, I would never applied to The Artisan Group and would have missed out on making so many wonderful friends and becoming a part of a vibrant and creative group of artisans in the handmade community.

I would also like to thank Golden Globe nominee, Shailene Woodley and the amazing and talented Natasha Henstridge for posing with my display statement necklace “Flower Fantasy – Denise”. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Then next it would be my husband and family, friends, mentors, everyone in my life, past and present that have inspired, encouraged, challenged and supported me.

At this point, before I could start naming names, the music would play and I would be gently urged to leave the stage. So I would have to end my acceptance speech on that note. Thank you, thank you all!

Kathy Messick of Kath's Elegant Accessories

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Kelly Mitchell

2012-02-13T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our multi-talented members, Kelly Mitchell!

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The Write Stuff Design

{website} www.TheWriteStuffDesign.com

{etsy} www.TheWriteStuffDesign.etsy.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/TheWriteStuffDesign

{twitter} www.twitter.com/WriteStuffDsgn

We caught up with Kelly and asked her a few questions about her unique Book Purse line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. The Write Stuff Design began in 2009 as a gift boutique consisting mostly of gift cards, calendars and other fun paper products. As the boutique grew I began to add products based on my personal favorite things such as books and travel. It was here that I came up with the idea for our signature Book Purse.

In a desire to design a product based on my love of travel, I came up with our popular Map Coasters. To recycle the interiors of our books used for the purses, I developed our Origami Paper Flowers and Book Sculptures. All of our designs incorporate the ever important idea of re-purposing everyday objects into fashionable accessories for the home and for the intellectual chic woman.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? My favorite piece would have to be my Jane Austen Book Purse. This piece shows off my favorite author in a fashionable manner that encourages discussion about my love of literature while making a fashion statement. In our house we have always collected beautiful editions of our favorite books. However, they sit on shelf in our office and are never seen by anyone. I wanted to come up with a way to show off my love of literature with the world. Thus, the Book Purse was born. The exterior cover of my favorite titles are re-purposed and designed into a stylish purse with coordinating fabrics and fun beaded handles. Every part of the book is then recycled as the interior pages are molded into individual paper flowers.

When you're not handcrafting your fabulous Book Purses and designer stationery, what are your hobbies? Reading of course! I love to read and share my love of literature with my young children in reading them lots and lots of books! Travel and mapping out all the places I would love to visit is also another hobby that manifests itself in my work. And of course shopping local arts and farmers markets for fun handmade finds for myself and gifts for friends and family.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I was so honored to be invited into The Artisan Group. It has afforded me opportunities to get my products in the hands of celebrities and get my name out there! Not only that but the wealth of knowledge and resources made available by Valerie and Nikki and all the other talented members is invaluable. There are so many people who are there to help with any question you may have regarding growing your business, motivating you and sharing in your successes. It is truly an honor to be called a member of The Artisan Group!

Kelly recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Melissa Arnold

2012-02-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our talented artisan jewelry members, Melissa Arnold!

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Sahetah's Jewelry

{website} www.sahetahsjewelry.com

{blog} www.sahetahsjewelry.blogspot.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/sahetahsjewelryfanpage

{twitter} www.twitter.com/sahetah

We caught up with Melissa and asked her a few questions about her unique Steampunk vintage-style jewelry line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Sahetah’s Jewelry was in the womb of creation as I visited Nova Scotia in 2009. I found that I was inspired by all the Artists showcasing their work in shops, and along harbours. Nova Scotia was so rich with talent; I have never seen so much handmade art in one place. Over three weeks my family and I visited each town along the coast line. It was like exploring for treasure. I bought beautiful photography of some of the gorgeous landscapes from the local photographers, and a glass prism of sand, beach pebbles and pearls. Suddenly I asked myself, “Why have I not put my artistic talent to use?” I was a full time caregiver struggling with low income and high debt, and so I then realized if I can’t work outside the home, I can work inside the home. I was just craving to do something with my time that was worthwhile.

With a history of horticulture courses in school and working at a flower shop, it was not surprising my work turned into more whimsical jewelry incorporating flowers and nature. By the spring of 2012, my designs begun to revolve around vintage styles with hand-dyed and airbrushed Lucite flowers that I sometimes call 'fairy jewelry'. The sci-fi girl in me wanted to explore even further into fantasy, and I begun designing what I call ‘feminine Steampunk’ necklaces.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? Currently, my favourite has to be the Andromeda Necklace I recently designed. Out of my entire collection of Feminine Steampunk necklaces, I have found this necklace to be the most enchanting. It reminds me of the Amazon women of many years ago. Currently it is displayed above my work desk, beside Squirrely (a raccoon stuffed toy I bought from the Toronto Zoo who occasionally sits on my laptop to do my work for me when I need a break).

When you're not handcrafting your Steampunk jewelry line, what are your hobbies? Most of the day is revolved around work in some way. If I’m not working, I’m probably with my grandfather. I joke with him and take him out often. My goal is to make him laugh often, so everything I do with him I try to do in some sort of amusing way to break his cycle of depression. When I take a break I feel like I need to be working or I’m being lazy. Having an awesome German Shepherd as a companion means I’m forced to set time aside for her. She is ever so patient and loving, willing to wait for me to finish work before I go outside and play with her. Once a month I’ll visit my aunt who I once lived with, but I’ll often bring work with me and help my cousin with her confidence and jewelry business of her own. Once a year I participate in National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) where thousands of people in November try to write a 50,000 word (or longer) novel within 30 days. Every other day I’m heading into Toronto to attend writing sessions inside coffee shops. This past November in 2011 proved to be a very busy month as I was also preparing 100 gifts for the celebrity swag bags for GBK’s Golden Globes Gift Lounge with The Artisan Group.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? The group’s members are a collection of wonderful people. The members are eager to help each other, regardless if you are a new or seasoned business owner. The group’s goal is to help grow your business and share each other’s knowledge to help you get your business out there. I love that the group is so friendly, close-knit and eagerly welcomes new members. That’s what I truly love most about the group – the people. I truly admire them. When a tragedy hits a member of the group, I’ve never witnessed a group rally together with such strength and determination to give them aid and support. It was truly touching to see and be a part of.

The Artisan Group is truly the most wonderful group I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m always proud to say “I’m a member of The Artisan Group!”

Melissa recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

GUEST BLOGGER: Kellie Medivitz of Printable Girl

2012-02-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

From the Heart

By Kellie Medivitz of Printable Girl
Shoppe | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Hello all Artisan Group readers, I'm so excited to be here today as your Guest Blogger.

Since the topic of my post is "From the Heart" it comes from my heart to say how happy I am to be a part of such a wonderful group. I've been a "TAGer" for almost a year now. When I first was accepted I must admit I did get a little giddy with the thoughts of my products one day landing in the hand of a celebrity at one our gift lounge events. As time went on I quickly realized that is just one part of this group. The support, collaboration, advice, and help this group gives to one another is just amazing and makes this organization so much more. The talent that explodes out this group, whether in their own personal shops or at one of our events is incredible. I'm an owner and gift-giver of many items from our TAGers and every item I've received is nothing less then top-notch and made from their heart!

With that said, I want to share with you a little something I created just for YOU! Nothing really sends home the message of "I love, like, care about you" quite like something handmade from the heart, am I right?

Ever since my daughter started nursery school, and every year since we’ve either designed or crafted Valentine's for her friends because she always wanted it to come from her heart, letting them know she cared. At times I think she has craft overload with me, I sometimes hear "Really mommy, it doesn't need more glitter, they look fine", which is followed by a bellowing from downstairs by my husband, "Yeah, honey I really don't want to run the vacuum again!" They since have come to realize designing cute, fun paper products or grabbing a glue gun, glitter, coffee filters and pipe insulation to create a kick a** wreath for the holidays is my way of decompressing from the 9-to-5 corporate life of "white space, style guidelines and the gothic 720 font family".

Anyway, as I kick my glitter and glue gun aside, please enjoy this fun and free DIY printable for you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating for you.

If you love this project and are looking for more fun free printables please check out http://pinterest.com/printablegirl/free-printables-from-me-to-you/. This is a listing of all my free goodies from my blogs.

With many XOXOs from the Heart,
Kellie a.k.a PrintableGirl

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Andie Dietz

2012-02-03T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented fine art photography members, Andie Dietz!

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Java Jane Designs

{website} www.JavaJaneDesigns.etsy.com

{blog} www.JavaJaneDesigns.blogspot.com

{twitter} www.twitter.com/JavaJaneDesigns

We caught up with Andie and asked her a few questions about her unique photography and alphabet photography artwork and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Java Jane Designs began in 2004 as a gift boutique for art, custom accessories, and personalized gifts. The Alphabet Photo Art™ collection was created in 2008 as a line of elegant handcrafted alphabet photography artwork, featuring stunning black and white letters of the alphabet, artfully arranged to spell names and words to create personalized gifts to celebrate life’s biggest moments.

My signature photography style has developed through a love of travel and exploration, highlighting elements of forgotten architecture that are often rusty and weathered, but delicate and ornate. Combined with a longtime interest in fonts and typography, I’ve created my own 'architecture font' through photographs. I take a lot of pride in my work and love to create beautiful pieces that are both personal and memorable!

Andie created this alphabet photography artwork for The Artisan Group's Founder

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? Oh, I fall in love with every name and piece that I design! When I'm creating a name I normally work with letters from my alphabet photo collection created over the past 4 years. On occasion, however, I've photographed completely new alphabets by request. One that comes to mind is a very abstract name collage commissioned for "McCOY", spelled completely from elements of a Harley Davidson motorcycle! But, I would have to say my favorite piece so far has been my LOVE print which was designed for the 2012 Golden Globes (Gift Lounge). I love how the whimsical letters are contrasted by the frame's clean lines and the simplicity of black and white. After all, true love should be both simple and carefree!

When you're not creating pieces of art with your photography, what are your hobbies? When I'm not in my studio, I love cooking and shopping at our local farmer's market on the weekends. My husband and I spend a lot of time renovating our 1950s home, searching for fun vintage finds, and most importantly traveling. As an artist, I’m lucky to have the time to travel with my husband almost every month, capturing new images and inspirational elements to bring back to my art studio. I love discovering architectural details in unlikely places. Some of my photography from our travels can be found in my other shop, www.MidnightFarm.etsy.com.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I was thrilled to be invited into The Artisan Group, but I honestly had no idea how impactful it would be. I've had such a great experience so far and am constantly amazed at the effort that Valerie and Nikki put into The Artisan Group. My newbie questions are answered quickly and there are so many resources and opportunities available. Being able to be involved with the Emmys, the Golden Globes, and the Oscars has been so exciting for me! I am really just so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful and collaborative group and look forward to becoming more involved!

Andie participated as a display participant in the recent luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

Nia Peeples Wears Gifted Jewelry on Pretty Little Liars

2012-02-02T09:48:00.000-08:00

One of our members, Deb Soromenho of A.W.E. Jewelry recently gifted actress Nia Peeples a pair of her handcrafted Copper Teardop Earrings at the Primetime Emmys Gift Lounge, and we were thrilled to hear that Nia planned on wearing them in an episode of ABC's hit show Pretty Little Liars!

We recently spotted Nia proudly wearing Deb's earrings in episode 18 of the show! Take a peek!

Nia Peeples of "Pretty Little Liars" seen with AWE Jewelry's gifted earrings.

GUEST BLOGGER: Jenifer Gallagher of The Scarlet Robin

2012-02-01T05:01:00.000-08:00

Balance
By Jenifer Gallagher of The Scarlet Robin
Shoppe | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

If there's one universal truth about artisans, it is that we love tools. I've never met a fellow maker who doesn't feel a deep emotional attachment to their tools. While quite generous by nature, in elementary school it was hard for me to lend a favorite pair of scissors. Even now, I admit to a pang of possessiveness when I see another Scarlet Robin artisan using “my” Lindstrom pliers.

So in the never-ending quest for balance (whatever that is) that defines the life of a single-mom entrepreneur, of course I have a toolbox!

First and foremost are my running shoes. They propel me on my daily assault against the common enemies: stress, anxiety and exhaustion.

My other favorite tools are virtual. Without the Reminders feature on my iPhone, phone calls would be forgotten, sales tax not filed and perhaps even blog posts unfinished. Similarly, I am kept on track all day long by Google Calendar and the timer. I set a timer when putting a piece of metal in the pickle and more importantly, to remind me to pick up my children!

As a compulsive list-maker, ZipList and the app are a dream. This tool lets me add to my grocery list all day long from either my laptop or phone. At the store, I can check things off the list on my phone as I go through the aisles.

The website allows me to arrange the sections according to my grocery store's layout, and to assign items to specific stores.

Another favorite organizer is MindMeister, and the app. With this, either from my computer or on the go, I corral my disorganized thoughts into webs, which can then be used in a million ways.

My business partner lives 2,641 miles away, but we share everything (did I mention I'm single? Just kidding, Jill!) and are in virtual constant contact. With a little help from Adobe, we can store and share every type of document, among 953 other uses. I use it to plan a month's worth of menus and chores at a time!

Finally, in just the three years since we started our bi-coastal business, video chat capabilities have improved so dramatically, that our East-coast and West-coast teams feel that they know each other, even though most have never met. With FaceTime (iPhone) and Google video chat, Jill and I basically sit across from each other most days and our productivity has soared as a result.

Did I mention that all these tools have free versions? I want easy from my tech tools, and I need efficiency. Doing more with less stress is what balance is about, yes?

I'm currently considering Amazon Prime... any input?

The Artisan Group Gifts HGTV's Cari Cucksey

2012-01-28T12:19:00.000-08:00

So many of the members in The Artisan Group use re-purposed or upcycled items to create many of the lovely products they sell in their shoppes. One of our favorite celebs who supports this type of methodology is Cari Cucksey, host of HGTV's "Cash & Cari".

If you haven't seen Cari's show, you should definitely check it out! With her razor sharp business sense and an eye for spotting diamonds in the rough, estate sale guru Cari Cucksey combs through her clients' basements, attics and garages in search of hidden treasure. And once she and her team have organized and priced the entire contents of the home, they hold an estate sale right on the premises.

We recently sent Cari an amazing swag bag filled with thirty handcrafted gifts from our team. Many of the gifts we sent her were created using re-purposed items, and Cari absolutely loved all the goodies we sent her!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Christine Lorenzo

2012-01-27T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our fantastic artisan jewelry members, Christine Lorenzo!

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SariBlue

{website} www.sariblue.com

{pinterest} www.pinterest.com/sariblue

{facebook} www.facebook.com/SariBlueJewelry

{twitter} www.twitter.com/bigandsari

We caught up with Christine and asked her a few questions about her unique "evil eye" jewelry line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Thank you so much for selecting SariBlue to be the Spotlight Feature for the week! How exciting! This comes at such a great time for the shop and for me. If it was yesterday, it may have been a little harder to answer these questions. I was running into a little creative block working on some new pieces and it was interfering with the flow of writing.

These last few months have been fantastic as a member of The Artisan Group. Just this week I have been delighted with the opportunity and publicity afforded to me with two amazingly kind features, another article soon to be released in an online magazine, a feature of me and SariBlue in the next issue of my university’s quarterly alumni publication, and I have a few more articles that I need to write waiting in the queue of my very long (super fun) to-do list.

True luck has found me today, however! I had an amazing conversation with a very dear friend who really brought me back to center about why and what SariBlue is all about. As an artist sometimes you need to focus on what you love about your craft and not ruminate about what others may or may not think. The reason I started this little shop was because I really love the medium. I find peace and beauty in it and I feel positive energy as a result.

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. SariBlue was established a little less than a year ago, unambiguously after a lifetime of seeking out something for me to sink my creative teeth into. Having lived a creative life vicariously through others with passionate artistic admiration for film, art, music and fashion while working in a world of international high-tech, I had finally found something calling to me in the historic Nazar Boncuk, The Evil Eye Bead. SariBlue is a fun, hip, wear-it-everyday jewelry collection centered on the power and theory of this universally recognizable symbol. I began crafting earthy bohemian style jewelry with a bit of an industrial edge to some of the pieces, centered on the fascinating bead, one in every piece of my collection. The SariBlue collection (Sari is pronounced “sutter” in Turkish meaning blonde/blondie/yellow; my nickname) uses exclusive Turkish handmade glass beads which are made using centuries old traditional methods. One truly important element about the beads is the crafting process of this special glass art; it may be one of the oldest eco-friendly recycling methods around. Turkish artisans collect and recycle glass and melt it in their furnaces that burn low-carbon pine logs in order to shape the glass, fuse them together and create these amazing beads using only simple hand tools. Every bead fashioned has its own identity, lending every SariBlue piece its own distinctive nature.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? I love to create new pieces, my favorite is currently the “ONE” Pendant I made for The Artisan Group Luxury Lounge hosted by GBK Productions in honor of The 2012 Golden Globes. The glass bead is an over-sized Nazar Boncuk in the traditional colour scheme, on a copper head pin with a coloured tip, silver Bali style beads, silver chain and various coloured tiny fancy glass beads. I wear one everyday myself and just love it!

When you're not handcrafting your funky-fun jewelry line, what are your hobbies?
I have found that what I become passionate about tends to overtake my life, so these days I don’t have much free time. I have two small girls; G is 7 and M is 9. Every minute I am not working on the shop or business I am with the girls and engaged with what is important for them. I coach G’s co-ed soccer team. But by no means am I a soccer Mom, (LOL) I am a mom, they play soccer and that’s the extent of it, no minivan for me (a mini cooper convertible instead). I am normally running up the field in a skirt, great earrings with some type of super cute shoes on, because no matter where you are you must look fab! The poor boys on the team wonder why I look so fancy! I love kids and try to volunteer in the school as much as I can, getting to know teachers and your community is important and being another positive adult that is visible for kids really makes a difference in their perception of the world. I am by default a realist but not by nature! By nature I am a romantic dreamer: good people deserve good things and the basic principle of karma.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? The Artisan Group for me has been such a fantastic opportunity, the best being that so many people in our lovely team look at our little universe in a similar way. We want goodness to happen to good people. We want to share ideas and help one another. I do realize that perhaps this sounds a little kumbaya-ish, but it is utterly sincere. I have a lot of respect for Valerie and Nikki; it is no small feat to pull together a talented group of people who have their own agenda in the front of their minds, yet are so willing to support group efforts and promote others in the meantime. Having a vision and the ability to execute on this level of detail with two people is extraordinary. My long-winded answer of what I enjoy most about TAG is the team itself, such a lovely group of people who seem to click on so many levels, work together remotely while helping to invest in each other’s success is motivating and humbling. I feel really proud to be associated with my TAG teammates and proud of what we can accomplish. When one of us is super successful it is joy for us all, never seen anything like it!

Christine recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

The Artisan Group Gets National Press Coverage!

2012-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

We were thrilled to find out The Huffington Post, a nationally-syndicated news organization, wrote a blurb about The Artisan Group in their wrap-up coverage of the 2012 Golden Globes Gift Lounge! Take a peek at what they had to say about us!

Celebrity Janina Gavankar Selects Lapis Beach as One of Her Favorites

2012-01-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

Our friend, celebrity Janina Gavankar of HBO's hit show True Blood, is a big fan of The Artisan Group, and just like she did with the Primetime Emmys Gift Lounge, she selected a gift from our group as one of her favorites out of all the swag she received at the Golden Globes Gift Lounge event!

Bracelet created by: Lapis Beach Hand Knit Jewelry. Follow Lapis Beach on Twitter.

The Scarlet Robin Featured by Lauren Conrad

2012-01-24T15:17:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is so proud of our members Jenifer Gallagher and Jillian Anderson of The Scarlet Robin for having one of their gorgeous necklaces featured on Lauren Conrad's website as one of her Top 10 favorite accessories for her Tuesday Ten: Everyday Accessories post!

laurenconrad.com

Feel free to visit The Scarlet Robin's online jewelry shoppe, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well!

The Scarlet Robin will be participating as display participants in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on February 24-25, 2012 with The Artisan Group at The W Hotel in Hollywood, California, in honor of the The 2012 Academy Awards (Oscars) Nominees and Presenters.

Actress Tess Hunt Opens Each TAG Gift from Golden Globes!

2012-01-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

Curious as to what handcrafted goodies The Artisan Group gifted the celebrities at GBK's Golden Globes Gift Lounge? Actress Tess Hunt and actor Josh Sussman (of the hit TV show Glee) were gracious enough to film a video of Tess opening up each gift in their TAG swag bag, complete with thank-yous to our participating members!

Thanks, Tess and Josh! You guys are the best! xoxo

Thank You Artisan Group! from Tess Hunt.

Celebrity Love from the 2012 Golden Globes Gift Lounge!

2012-01-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group just returned from Beverly Hills where we were a sponsor in GBK's Golden Globes Luxury Gift Lounge at the L'Ermitage Hotel. Once again, we were a huge hit with the celebrities and press!

Each celebrity that visited our exhibit received thirty-two handcrafted gifts in their TAG swag bag, and many of them loved their gifts so much they tweeted us some love! Take a peek!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Kathy Messick

2012-01-20T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our fabulous artisan jewelry members, Kathy Messick!

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Kath's Elegant Accessories

{website} www.KathsElegantAccessories.com

{blog} www.kathselegantaccessories.blogspot.com/

{facebook} www.facebook.com/KathsElegantAccessories

{twitter} www.twitter.com/WireWorkJunkie

We caught up with Kathy and asked her a few questions about her beautiful jewelry line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. In the Fall of 2010, at the urging of friends and family, I opened my shoppe, www.KathsElegantAccessories.com. During college I worked with an accessories designer, but my focus in her company was sewing (I got a child sized sewing machine when I was about four years old). My ongoing obsession, I mean relationship, with wire and beads really started with a mother/daughter bracelet set I created for my niece. From there, I discovered knitting with wire and I was totally hooked. I love flowers (especially roses), so many of my designs are floral inspired creations. The items in my shoppe are named for family, friends or individuals that have been supportive of my creative endeavors or have inspired me with their sense of style. Since I am a self-taught artisan I love learning new techniques and am currently experimenting with some exciting new designs for my shoppe. Stay tuned.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? That is a difficult one to answer. The first piece I ever knitted, a statement necklace of rose quartz, seashells and pearls will always have sentimental value, because it was named for my late mother, Sarah, whom I lost to pancreatic cancer in 2007. But, I would have to say, the Mother of Pearl Statement Necklace – Tina II is my favorite. I have the prototype of that design and I wear it year round.

When you're not handcrafting your gorgeous jewelry line, what are your hobbies? Hanging out with my wonderful husband; walking with my Alaskan Malamute, the Z dog (Zorro); trips to the beach (Santa Rosa, FL is my favorite); reading (I love sci fi, especially David Weber books); cooking, baking (Chocolate Kahlua and Fuzzy Navel Cakes), entertaining and gardening.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I love the sense of community that I have found in The Artisan Group. I have never been a part of a more supportive, helpful or generous group. In the eight months that I have been a part of TAG, I have learned so much and had opportunities that I never imagined would be possible. Through The Artisan Group, I had business cards in the 69th Annual Primetime Emmys; participated in the Golden Globes with a statement necklace on display as well as wire-knitted pendants in the press and celebrity bags; and am participating in the Oscars with business cards and press gifts, along with an advertisement in the Oscars Event Guide. I can’t thank Valerie and Nikki enough for making this amazing group possible. I love TAG and its members and can’t wait for all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead!

Kathy recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Sandy Dans and Stevie D'Andrea

2012-01-13T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is two of our very talented artisan jewelry members, mother-daughter team Sandy D'Andrea and Stevie D'Andrea!

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Jewels For Hope

{website} www.jewelsforhope.net

{blog} www.jewelsforhope.blogspot.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/jewels4hope

{twitter} www.twitter.com/jewelsforhopect

We caught up with Sandy and Stevie and asked them a few questions about their lovely jewelry line, and their experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what they said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Jewels For Hope creates unique handmade jewelry and donates portions of their profits to several major organizations. This one-of-a-kind jewelry company was founded by Sandy D'Andrea in 2009 after her experience as a caregiver for nearly a decade for her mother, who was afflicted with Parkinson's disease and dementia. Sandy, a free-spirited, loving wife & mother of three girls (and two black labs), is a self-taught jewelry designer who believes that "giving back" is most important. Sandy's eldest daughter, Stevie Lynn, joined the company in early 2010 and has learned the art of jewelry design from Sandy. Graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Advertising & Marketing Communications, Stevie also handles the promotion of Jewels For Hope, showing Sandy the ins and outs of social media marketing. At Jewels For Hope you will find the classic style of Audrey Hepburn, the bohemian look of Janice Joplin, and the sassy feel of Betsey Johnson, all made from the heart!

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? We each have a favorite! Sandy is fond of our Teal Swarovski Crystal Bracelet, while Stevie's favorite is the Pink and White Necklace with Vintage Flower.

When you're not handcrafting your beautiful jewelry and donating to your favorite charities, what are your hobbies? When not designing... which actually doesn't leave us much time, one of Sandy's favorite things to do is to go hear her husband's band play. There is nothing better then a night out with your friends and family, listening to great music, and drinking a nice cold beer! Stevie also agrees with her mother (substitute wine for beer, LOL) but also enjoys sitting home relaxing, reading a good book, and trying not to get distracted by Twitter.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? {Sandy}: I am learning so much!! I love reading everyone's posts and supporting everyone. {Stevie}: I love that everyone is so supportive. I feel whenever I have a question, everyone will help and try and answer. Two heads are better than one, and so on and so on, and with The Artisan Group, you get 400+ people that are all there for you. Like a close knit family - minus the drama :) Without TAG we would not be where we are today - so THANK YOU!

Sandy and Stevie will participate as a display participants in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

Save The Date for another TAG Twitter Party!

2012-01-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

The Golden Globes event may be kicking off this week, but we're already starting to think about how we can celebrate our participation in our next event... the 84th Annual Academy Awards Gift Lounge!

To celebrate the Oscar nominations, we are once again hosting a super fun Twitter Party full of Oscars trivia, and handcrafted prizes gifted by our talented members.

Save the Date! You won't want to miss this...

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Here's how you can win:

Follow @theartisangroup on Twitter
Follow the hashtag #theartisangroup on Twitter
Answer trivia questions about your favorite shows, movies, actors, moments, what YOU think should be nominated for a Oscar this year (respond directly to @theartisangroup)
Be sure you include #theartisangroup in all your responses during the Twitter Party.
Win prizes, drawn at random based on correct answers to our trivia questions! Winners will be announced on Twitter, Facebook, and reposted here on our blog on January 25th!

Don't forget... Tuesday, January 24th at 8pm EST! We'll see you there!

Jessica Alba's Daughter Spotted Wearing Gift

2012-01-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group recently shared that our group put together very special swag bags full of handcrafted gifts for several prominent celebrities, such as Jessica Alba.

We're excited to discover recent photographs of Jessica's daughter, Honor, wearing the super cute headband our member Melissa Ahonen from Baby ButtonTops created just for Jessica's daughter!

Photo Credit: SplashNewsOnline.com

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Alexis Gopal

2012-01-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented artisan jewelry members, Alexis Gopal!

_________________________________________

Alexis Studio Design

{website} www.etsy.com/shop/alexisstudiodesign

{blog} http://www.blogger.com/lexibeads

{facebook} www.facebook.com/alexisstudiodesign

{twitter} www.twitter.com/AlexisStudioDes

We caught up with Alexis and asked her a few questions about her interesting handcrafted artisan jewelry, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. I've been making jewelry as a hobby ever since I was a little girl, when my mom would take me to the huge bead shops in Manhattan, and I would ask for beads and earring hooks and findings, not having a clue what to do with them. I taught myself how to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces but eventually my hobby had to be put on hold for medical school and a career in medicine, which left little time for leisure. In 2006, after I had stopped practicing to stay home with my two little girls, I resumed making jewelry, and took some courses in metalsmithing, and precious metal clay. That year, I started Alexis Studio Design LLC, when I realized that enough people were asking me where I got my jewelry, so they could buy it. I never developed a particular style or look because I love working in so many different media, so my work includes wirewrapping, polymer clay, fiber jewelry, seed bead embroidery, among others. Recently, I opened a jewelry supply shop LexiBeads to provide jewelry artists and crafters with unique components for their work, since I found I had a hard time finding unique pieces myself.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? My favorite products are my wire mesh pieces... I love the versatility of wire mesh, and it's so much fun to work with.

When you're not creating lovely pieces of jewelry, what are your hobbies? My spare time is very limited, and is usually spent on my beautiful girls, but I enjoy reading, oil painting, making lampshades, watching Criminal Minds if I'm lucky enough to get the opportunity.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I adore The Artisan Group... it's like a second family. They're very supportive, very quick to give very helpful advice and come to one's rescue. I feel very fortunate to be a member. It's the only organization that I've ever been a member of that has truly enriched my life professionally and personally.

Alexis will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Lauren Hoehn

2011-12-30T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented artisan jewelry members, Lauren Hoehn!

_________________________________________

LapisBeach Hand-Knit Wearable Art

{website} www.LapisBeach.etsy.com

{facebook} http://www.facebook.com/lapisbeach

{twitter} www.twitter.com/LapisBeach

We caught up with Lauren and asked her a few questions about her hand-knitted bracelets, rings, and other statement jewelry and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Ever since I was little I adored art. I was always working on some type of project. I must have learned how to knit when I was very young, but it wasn't until I was in college, that my grandmother re-taught me how to knit. I was hooked. I was a closet knitter for years (as knitting was not as cool as it is today). A good yarn shop was hard to find. I had a pair of needles in my hand at some point every day. LapisBeach was born when my love of jewelry and knitting melded together. I started with tiny seed beads and made long knitted ropes. They took weeks to finish and then I thought of how I designed my own sweaters- why not jewelry... and LapisBeach was born. My art training kicked in when mixing the color combinations for my stone mixes. I bought more and more beads and created new pieces. Bracelets, then rings, then necklaces. Soft knit pieces, to wire knit so I could utilize all the gorgeous freshwater pearls. Each piece is hand strung and hand knit by me and every single piece is one of a kind. I am excited about a new line I have dreamed up for 2012. I had no idea that my love of knitting these pieces would be such a blessing, as in 2007 my one son was diagnosed with epilepsy. I suddenly became a mom that was constantly "on call". I had to be available to help whenever a seizure struck, available for all of the doctors appointments, the hospital stays. LapisBeach, my fabulously supportive husband and my wonderful clients have allowed me to be a mom that can be there for her son and I am so grateful.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? I would have to say my favorite piece is my Wire Knit Cuff in gold as one of my good friends was the inspiration for the wire-knit line and that piece reminds me of her. But, everytime I visit a bead show, I get giddy over the possibilities of new creations and new color combinations... and new favorites in my mind.

When you're not creating beautiful pieces of jewelry, what are your hobbies? Hmmm, who has time for hobbies? Haha, just kidding. I love to take my rescued Great Pyrenees for long walks, occasionally get to do Pilates, read a great book and hang out with my husband watching movies that make me laugh till my sides hurt. Hanging out with my twin boys and family time are always cherished moments.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I adore the enthusiasm of this group. The supportive nature, excitement and happiness of artists sharing with other artists. To appreciate handmade and to recognize each others accomplishments and share in that joy is heart warming. I love being part of such a fabulous community.

Lauren will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Dave Dilli

2011-12-23T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented fine art photography members, Dave Dilli!

_____________________________________

DAVE DILLI PHOTOGRAPHY

{website} www.davedilli.com

{portfolio} www.davedilli.zenfolio.com

We caught up with Dave and asked him a few questions about his stunning photography, and his experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what he said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. My shop is full of landscape photography that I have taken in various places around the desert southwest. I work hard to capture the mood and vibrancy of the scene to provide a unique perspective on the beauty of the southwest. I try to capture the essence of what I felt when I took the image - from the softness of a sunset to the dramatic moods created by a desert monsoon storm. I will feel like I succeeded if I look at an image later and it brings back vivid memories of the scene.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? That was a hard question because my favorite image changes based upon my mood! However, I would have to say the image I like the most is one of a storm over Mono lake. Mono lake is northeast of Yosemite in California, and has lots of salt formations, or Tufas. These Tufas can make interesting compositions in photographs as they rise out of the lake. I was lucky enough to be there when there was a sizable storm kicking up some waves and creating some dramatic clouds, and smoke from a small forest fire in the back ground. I think that image has a lot of drama.

When you're not taking breathtaking photographs, what are your hobbies? My wife and I have three teenagers so most of our time is spent driving them around. When I am not doing that, I like to hike. However, for me my main hobby is photography so I am usually reading about photography, processing photos in Photoshop or taking new images.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? The members of The Artisan Group are really active in both the group and also their own artwork and shops. There is a lot of camaraderie as everyone strives to improve on both their shops and art. It is really fun to see when various members get noticed by their local press and let us all know, or reach out for support on something with their shop. It is a fun group.

Dave will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

Winners of our Golden Globes Twitter Party

2011-12-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

We had a blast last night hosting our Golden Globes Twitter Party, and gave away a whopping 21 prizes during the festivities!

Trivia questions on Hollywood pop culture and the Golden Globes were asked of our participants, and we pooled all correct answers and selected one winner per question using Random.Org. Each winner will receive a lovely handcrafted gift from one of our talented members.

Here's the list of the lucky winners:

Q1 - @sarahsparks79
Q2 - @VegasStephica
Q3 - @candacki
Q4 - @elivya
Q5 - @KellysLuckyYou
Q6 - @Mom2RileyPaige
Q7 - @stillblondeaaty
Q8 - @tiffsilverberg
Q9 - @kales_lifesicle
Q10 - @FORESTofWISHES
Q11 - @fce431
Q12 - @LLLSummer
Q13 - @Unkatchable73
Q14 - @BailyBelle
Q15 - @marlibu
Q16 - @beeacutie2
Q17 - @stblissout
Q18 - @tiffany053p
Q19 - @cnaes
Q20 - @JoeyfromSC
Q21 - @drew_fhreal

If you were a winner in our Twitter Party last night, and haven't done so already, please email your mailing address to info@theartisangroup.org so we can mail off your prize!

Special thanks to Shannon Moyer Szemenyei and Kristal Lee for hosting The Artisan Group's Twitter Party last night. You gals did a great job!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Susan Harbourt

2011-12-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented artisan jewelry members, Susan Harbourt!

_________________________________________

Luster Metal Works

{website} www.LusterMetalWorks.com

{blog} www.susanharbourt.com/category/blog

{facebook} www.facebook.com/LusterMetalWorks

{twitter} www.twitter.com/LusterMetalWork

We caught up with Susan and asked her a few questions about her handcrafted artisan jewelry, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Luster Metal Works is the happy accident that grew from my former hobby of renovating my Edwardian era house. One night (before kids were in my life) I was helping my husband pull out the old wiring that was installed in the 1930’s during the time of Rural Electrification. There was a pile of old copper sitting on the floor and I was a little bored waiting for the snake of new wire to get fished down from the attic, so I started to play with it. I twisted the copper into a bracelet and the light bulb went on. Since then, I have been creating rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bookmarks, and an array of other gifts. Most of my items feature copper, but I also do work with sterling silver and recently started to add in some gold. I am an engineer by training, so my designs tend to be more symmetric and balanced and stream lined. I also don’t have a chance to do too many elaborate items right now because my shop time is pretty limited. I am a mom first and foremost. With my oldest kiddo in kindergarten and the youngest at home, I am limited to studio time when the babysitter comes.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? This was a hard question, like asking me which child is my favorite! But if I was forced to pick one it would be the Infinity Ring, open version. My favorite number is 8. I was married on August 8, 1998 (8-8-98). If you put an 8 on its side it is an infinity symbol. I made that ring first for me, then decided to offer it for sale. Since then I have sold MANY MANY of them to people all over the world. I love the stories I hear from the person buying or receiving the ring. It is often purchased as a promise ring, engagement ring, commitment ring, anniversary ring, I Love You ring, a remembrance ring…and the list goes on. I find it to be such an honor to be asked to make an item that is intended to be loved and cherished for many years. Of all the items I sell this is the one that inspires people to tell me the most about who they are and where this ring is going and what it symbolizes. It is wonderful to have that connection with the customer! So because of that connection this ring generates, that is why it is my favorite!

When you're not creating beautiful pieces of jewelry, what are your hobbies? I have 2 young boys aged 2.5 and 5.5. So my days are full of building elaborate train tracks, transforming transformers, toad hunting, working in my veggie garden, nature hikes, coloring, and playing with both boys. I also love to read while sipping hot tea and nibbling on a tasty treat I just baked. And occasionally I will help my husband work on our old house. Since kids have entered our life, the house projects have considerably slowed down.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? This is an easy question. There are MANY things I like about The Artisan Group, but the number one thing I like about it is that it fills that need for socializing with “co-workers” that I so dearly miss now that I am a work at home mom (WAHM). I live in a very rural area, my “next-door-neighbor” is a mile away. So I don’t get to interact with a lot of people, and when I do it is revolving around the kids so we discuss typical mommy stuff. Up until I joined TAG, I felt very isolated and alone as a predominately online business entrepreneur. The Artisan Group has given me a guild of talented artists who have similar goals and experiences that I can learn from. Everyone is very supportive and willing to answer questions and give valuable advice. I feel like the members truly are joyous for the achievements of others and they want to see all of us succeed. It is a very positive environment and that is truly what make The Artisan Group most special to me.

Susan will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

Good Morning America Segment for I Am Maryann

2011-12-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

We're so proud of our member Maryann Dolzani of I AM MARYANN whose handcrafted jewelry was recently featured on Good Morning America's Secret Deals and Steals segment!

Check out the video at 4:15 to see her "I Am Enough" and "I Am Loved" necklaces.

Each I AM MARYANN piece is created to provide you with your own personal mantra. You can follow Maryann on Facebook and Twitter.

Maryann will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Meena Kumar

2011-12-09T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented fine art members, Meena Kumar!

_________________________________________

Swirly Garden

{website} www.SwirlyGarden.com

{blog} www.swirlygarden.blogspot.com/

{facebook} www.facebook.com/SwirlyGarden

{twitter} www.twitter.com/Meena_Kumar

We caught up with Meena and asked her a few questions about her hand-painted glasswares & ceramics, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. SwirlyGarden is a whimsical art boutique full of vibrantly hand-painted glasswares & ceramics. The designs are inspired by aspects of life we cannot help but grow attached to such as nature, nostalgia, and romance. Incorporating visual art with the art of dining and entertaining helps us to better savor the drinks we are drinking, the food we are eating, and the people we are sharing those moments with. Being both functional and decorative, these products make for charmingly unique personal items and gifts.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? This is a tough one. All of the products currently in my shop are there now because I have a particular fondness for them. If I had to choose a favorite though, I would say my Mosaic Nesting Dolls Stemless Wine Glasses. They are inspired by Russian Matryoshka dolls which I have been collecting since childhood. I just find the intricate detail in paint and craftsmanship to be so fascinating. When something is handmade like that, with so much care, a story just kind of unfolds in your imagination while staring at it. They make me wonder about the artist, what they were thinking during the long hours they were sculpting, carving, painting, etc. Along with that, the idea of each doll resting within another is so whimsical and fun. I still get that initial tinge of excitement when I take them apart, one by one, to discover just how tiny the tiniest one is. I have always wanted to create an art just as whimsical and I think my Mosaic Nesting Dolls wine glasses are the closest I’ve come so far to achieving that. Plus, my version is dually functional - you can drink your favorite beverages from them and tell your glass apart from the others by looking at the size of the doll painted on your glass!

When you're not hand-painting beautiful images on wine glasses, what are your hobbies? I enjoy writing whether it’s for my blog or stories I hope to one day publish. I am also a big foodie so I love cooking, baking, and eating foods of all kinds. My mom is South Korean and my dad is Indian so I’ve grown up appreciating flavors from around the world. I really love traveling as well whether it’s somewhere halfway around the world or a simple weekend getaway within the country. Exploring new places and trying to live like a local in a part of the world you’re not familiar with is an amazing experience. You meet some of the most interesting people and while learning about other cultures and lifestyles, you learn more about yourself. I also stay pretty active. My mornings usually start with either a good swim or hot yoga. In the evenings I go for a run to work off the day’s stress and get my mind cleared. I also have to admit, I’m a huge movie geek. It’s not unusual for me to catch a movie by myself in theaters during the middle of the week after lunch. I also get pretty crafty with my sister when she’s in town. I guess I just like to keep myself artistically engaged for the most part.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? The Artisan Group is just such a strong and vibrant community. I love being amongst such creative, entrepreneurial, and art appreciating people. There is constant support within the team and everyone gives off an inspiring amount of positive energy. I know that members are from all over the country but I sometimes feel like surely we must all be neighbors, it’s that well connected. Questions and comments are addressed immediately, we are updated right away with important changes and upcoming deadlines, and the level of organization is solid, all of which are priceless attributes. Undoubtedly, the opportunities we get, such as gifting to celebrities for big media events is pretty thrilling. This group truly encourages artists to spread their wings and fly and I am just honored to be part of it!

Meena will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

Tori Spelling Chooses AJSweetSoap for Her Gift Guide

2011-12-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce celebrity Tori Spelling recently hand-picked one of our members' products to feature in her Holiday Gift Guide for Boys this year!

These adorable Toy Action Figure Kids Soaps are created by Denise Mancuso, of AJSweetSoap, a charter member of The Artisan Group.

You'll find Denise's spa-quality, handmade vegan soaps are deliciously transformed into all things uniquely decadent! Check out her rich cakes, luscious donuts, sinful chocolate, sweet cake, classic cookies, retro candy and freshly-iced bakery buttercream cupcakes - all things sinful and calorie-free!

AJSweetSoap's fantastic food soaps are so realistic, you'll want to take a bite!

Follow AJSweetSoap on their blog, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Jewels For Hope Partners for a Cause

2011-12-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is so proud of our members Sandy Dans and Stevie D'Andrea of Jewels For Hope for their recent collaboration with Give Back Brands, People Magazine, Macy's and Justin Bieber's new fragrance, Someday.

Widely-known for their designer necklace line, JFH also offers lovely accessories, including bracelets, rings, and anklets.

The mother-daughter team behind Jewels For Hope donates 50% of all proceeds from their Creations For A Cause jewelry line to hospice, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, the Breast Cancer and American Cancer Association, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

To learn more about Jewels For Hope, visit their blog, or on Facebook and Twitter.

Lots of Love from launchHER!

2011-12-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Just like The Artisan Group, our good friends over at launchHER know exceptional talent when they see it!

We're honored to have sixteen (16) of our fantastic members featured by this wonderful site that 'gives a boost to women-owned brands'. If you haven't already, take a peek at our members who have recently been {freshly launched}. You can read their feature by clicking on the graphics below.

Aromatic Health | Facebook | Twitter

Tina Dean Designs | Facebook | Twitter

The Lucky Elephant | Facebook | Twitter

Cherry Tree Soaps | Facebook | Twitter

Fancy Designs | Facebook | Twitter

Made With Hope Jewelry | Facebook | Twitter

Pam Hurst Designs | Facebook | Twitter

Afton Dufoe Photography | Facebook | Twitter

Revive Bath and Body | Facebook

JuditB Jewelry | Facebook | Twitter

Autumn Bradley Jewelry Design | Facebook | Twitter

Atutudes Handmade Tutus | Facebook | Twitter

V*Dazzled Jewelry | Facebook | Twitter

TG Bears | Facebook | Twitter

Blanket Statements | Facebook | Twitter

I'm Inkpressed | Facebook | Twitter

Special Celebrity Gifting for Four Fabulous Actresses!

2011-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is pleased to announce our team recently created exclusive gift bags personalized especially for Hollywood actresses Jessica Alba, Hilary Duff, Zooey Deschanel, and Ginnifer Goodwin!

Each swag bag, valued at $800, was filled with thirty-five handcrafted gifts including trendy jewelry, bath & body products, personalized stationery, hair accessories, journals, knitted and crocheted gifts, and other goodies.

Many of our members even personalized baby gifts for mommy-to-be Hilary Duff, and Jessica Alba, who just recently welcomed another baby girl into her family.

You can check out The Artisan Group's Official Holiday Gift Guide and many other amazing handcrafted collections on our Pinterest Boards.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Kristine Bessell

2011-12-02T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented bath & body product members, Kristine Bessell!

_________________________________________

Cherry Tree Soaps

{website} www.CherryTreeSoaps.com

{blog} www.cherrytreesoaps.blogspot.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/CherryTreeSoaps

{twitter} www.twitter.com/CherryTreeSoaps

We caught up with Kristine and asked her a few questions about her boutique-quality soaps and spa products, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. My shop consists of fun, fresh, natural and gentle soaps, as well as other bath and body products that are good for your skin. Each and every Cherry Tree Soaps product is handcrafted with care, using only the finest natural ingredients available. You won’t find any harmful chemicals or harsh detergents in any of my products. And I have tons of fun dreaming up colorful, unique, and deliciously-scented soaps – the wheels are always turning, and you never know what I will come up with next!

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? Hands-down, my favorite product in my shop is my Lip Balm. I am a lip balm addict, and you will never find me without one of my delicious tubes of lip balm! They save my lips during the cold, dry winter months and while other people panic when they leave their wallet or cell phone at home, I panic when I leave home without my lip balm! Another one of my very favorite products is my Ultra Rich Body Butter, which will be available in my shop very soon!

When you're not handcrafting your beautiful soaps and other luxurious products, what are your hobbies? I absolutely love to read! I adore curling up with a good book, and getting lost for hours in a captivating storyline with enchanting characters. Having two very active little boys at home and running the business does not leave very much time for reading, but I do get a chance to sneak away with a good book every now and then. I also make sure to schedule in family time with my husband and the boys regularly. This is so important to me, as my boys are already growing up so fast and won't be this little for very long!

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? There is so much that I absolutely love about The Artisan Group! Being accepted into the group was such a thrill, but no one could have prepared me for the doors and windows of opportunities that would open up to me just by becoming a member. If you would have told me last year that my products would soon be in the hands of several famous celebrities, I never would have believed it. But it's happened, and some days I just want to pinch myself to see if it's a dream! And, not only has my membership in The Artisan Group given my business an incredible boost, but I've met lots of other talented artisans through this group that have become such a wonderful support team. We bounce ideas off each other, help promote one another's brand, and congratulate and cheer each other on with every success and accomplishment we each achieve. It's a wonderful community and I am so honored to be a part of it!

Kristine will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

The Artisan Group's TWITTER PARTY!

2011-12-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

A N N O U N C I N G The Artisan Group's Golden Globes Twitter Party!

The 2012 Golden Globe Awards are taking place next month, and we're kicking off the festivities with a super fun Twitter Party!

Our Twitter Party will take place on DECEMBER 15th at 8:00 p.m. EST, which will coincide with the official Golden Globe nominations. If you follow along you could win some of the very swag the celebrities will receive at the Golden Globes Gift Lounge!

Here's how you can win:

Follow @theartisangroup, @sweetstellas, and @atutudes on Twitter
Follow the hashtag #theartisangroup on Twitter
Answer trivia questions about your favorite shows, movies, actors, moments, what YOU think should be nominated for a Golden Globe this year (be sure to respond directly to @sweetstellas or @atutudes)
Be sure you include #artisangroup in all your responses during the Twitter Party.
Win prizes, drawn at random based on correct answers to our trivia questions! Winners will be announced on Twitter, Facebook, and reposted here on our blog on December 16th!

Don't forget... Thursday, December 15 at 8pm EST! We'll see you there!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Laura Hudson

2011-11-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented graphic design and stationery members, Laura Hudson!

_________________________________________

Simply Paperie

{shoppes} www.simplypaperie.etsy.com and
www.studio827kc.etsy.com

{blog} www.SimplyPaperie.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/simplypaperie

{twitter} www.twitter.com/simplypaperie

We caught up with Laura and asked her a few questions about her beautiful paper goods, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. I have always had a love for all things paper and the opportunity to take a fibers class while in art school helped grow that. I loved the process of creating individual sheets of paper and had my first experience to learn book binding techniques. Skip ahead a few years and Studio827 KC was born in early 2010 full of handmade journals. I most recently expanded the shop with a new line of journals embellished with fabric flowers, and coming soon - ruffles! At the beginning of this year I opened my second shop, Simply Paperie, where the graphic design side of me can cut loose. This shop is full of wedding invitations, stationery, calendars, etc. and I welcome all custom orders!

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? I actually think one of my current favorite products (and it might be the typography nerd in me :) are my 2012 calendars. I am also loving my new line of ruffle journals, they will be hitting the shop soon!

When you're not designing gorgeous personal stationery and super cute journals, what are your hobbies? I have always had a love for photography and wish I had more time to spend doing it. I also love to bake and am looking forward to our annual holiday baking in a few weeks! But in most of my spare time I love spending quality time laughing and having fun with family and friends!

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? There are so many reasons I love this wonderful group. First, I am so thankful for the opportunities it has allowed me that were beyond my wildest dreams and the encouragement to stretch my creative boundaries. The Artisan Group has given me the confidence to take giant leaps in growing my business and is also the most amazing resource for knowledge and help as a business woman. But, above all this group is comprised of the most amazing, supportive and talented artisans I have had the pleasure to know and I appreciate everyone of you!

Laura will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Jenny Jafek-Jones

2011-11-18T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented and unique members, Jenny Jafek-Jones!

_________________________________________

the crimson poppy

{website} www.thecrimsonpoppy.com

{flickr} www.flickr.com/photos/thecrimsonpoppy/

{facebook} www.facebook.com/thecrimsonpoppy

{twitter} www.twitter.com/thecrimsonpoppy

We caught up with Jenny and asked her a few questions about her amazing paper flowers that look just like the real thing, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. At the crimson poppy, exquisite paper flowers blossom every day to bring joy forever. The seeds of our garden are vibrant specialty papers from around the world. We take them in hand, then nurture and trim them, until colorful wonders of petal and leaf emerge. Guided by Mother Nature, we craft every bloom to bring beauty to life. It's a lot of time and meticulous craftsmanship, but I love the idea of transforming ordinary paper into something extraordinary. This year the paper flowers have been featured in BRIDES, Southern Weddings, PaperRunway, and Meeting & Conventions magazines (along with some wonderful online press), and they'll be part of gift bags for the GBK 2012 Golden Globes and GBK 84th Annual Academy Awards gift lounge attendees. It makes me feel better about all the time I invest - one to four hours! - in each flower. :)

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? Favorite with a story: Bird of Paradise. Personal favorite flower: Not poppies, believe it or not. Iris. Favorite to make: Pine cones. Fan favorite: An oversize rose made of vintage sheet music.

When you're not handcrafting these incredibly realistic paper flower arrangements? I used to be an avid reader, but I've been so busy that the book my husband bought me last Christmas is still only half-read! It's a good problem to have, business-wise, but it's changed my views on what really counts: my time away from the crimson poppy is all about family and close friends.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? Great opportunities, great talent to surround yourself with, great resources; for me, the best part would have to be the great people who are part of The Artisan Group. I don't actually "know" any of them and most of us are unlikely to ever meet offline, but being part of a group whose members genuinely want to see each other succeed, share hard-earned knowledge unstintingly, and focus on how they can help each other while helping themselves… well, it's practically a paradise! :D

Jenny will participate as a display participant in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Carrie McQuaid

2011-11-11T05:01:00.000-08:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented hair accessory members, Carrie McQuaid!

_________________________________________

Caroline G Bows

{website} www.carolineg.bigcartel.com

{blog} http://carolinegbows-blog.blogspot.com/

{facebook} www.facebook.com/carolinegbows

{twitter} www.twitter.com/CarolineGBows

We caught up with Carrie and asked her a few questions about her adorable hair accessory line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Caroline G shop has products for your sweet little babies all the way up to women. We also sell bows for birthday favors and for wedding parties. The business, owned by Carrie, was founded out of her endless love for crafts and bright colors. Two years ago, Carrie got sick and lost some muscle strengthen in parts of her body. She used crafting as a means of distraction and healing, and her hobby eventually turned into a business. She now uses her business to bless others.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? My favorite product is actually a brand new product that I just recently introduced. I took my bridal clip and put it on a croquet headband so that sweet wee little ones could enjoy it. I really thought nothing of it until I got two emails from women asking if it could fit older girls. I informed them that any age could wear it but it was more marketed for little ones without enough hair to hold the clip. Both women responded back that the products would be perfect because their child was undergoing chemo treatments and would lose all their hair. It reminded me of why I started my business in the first place and how thankful I am that I can use my products to touch others lives.

When you're not handcrafting these charming headbands and accessories, what are your hobbies? While it seems like my business is a majority of my life, I do find time for a few fun hobbies. I typically run every day and am currently training for a half marathon! I also enjoy making crafts with different mediums tham the items I sell. I love using my creative juices for other fun craft ideas to make and give away to friends.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I love all the connections that I've made through The Artisan Group. I've gotten some great advice and amazing wisdom from all the members in the group. I'm excited to see what other opportunities will arise from being a part of the group.

Carrie will participate as a display participant in the luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Amber Bryce

2011-11-04T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented jewelry members, Amber Bryce!

_________________________________________

Blue Scarab Jewelry

{website} www.bluescarabjewelry.com/

{etsy} www.AmbersJewelry.etsy.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/bluescarabjewelry

{twitter} www.twitter.com/BlueScarab

We caught up with Amber and asked her a few questions about her beautiful jewelry line, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. I create a Luxe line of jewelry using recycled Sterling Silver and Ethical Origin/Conflict Free Gemstones, whenever possible. The Gemstones I use are handpicked from across the world for their superior quality and beauty. When I get new stones in, sometimes they will speak to me right away, and I go into a sort of mad frenzy sketching out the design scurrying about in my head. Other times I begin by sketching out a design and then playing with various stones and color combo's until it feels just right. Each piece is unique and special and given my full attention, beginning to end.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? Definitely my Margarita Hoops. I just love the crisp color combinations and airy wire work. When I first decided to keep them for myself, I thought they'd be a great pair to wear for special events. But I find myself wearing them almost everyday, even with jeans and a tee shirt. I adore them.

When you're not designing gorgeous pieces of jewelry, what are your hobbies? I find myself being pulled in ten different directions artistically, so it's nice to dabble into a bit of writing & drawing when I can. I also devour books like nobodies business. Seriously, I'm a huge book hound.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? The fact that we are a fairly large group of super talented folks, and instead of competing against each other and stepping on one anothers toes to get ahead, we come together offering overwhelming amounts of support to help each other grow. Everyone in the group is so quick to lend support or even just an ear, which is all we really need sometimes.

Amber will participate as a display participant in the luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Crystal Evans-Pradhan

2011-10-28T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented members, Crystal Evans-Pradhan!

_________________________________________

Little Free Radical

{shoppe} www.littlefreeradical.etsy.com

{blog} www.littlefreeradical.blogspot.com/

{facebook} www.facebook.com/littlefreeradical

{twitter} www.twitter.com/lilfreeradical

We caught up with Crystal and asked her a few questions about her darling handcrafted children's toys, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Little Free Radical was inspired by my daughter. When pregnant, I found myself in baby stores trying to register, surrounded by products I had no interest in owning. I hated the design choices and as an environmental science major, questioned the materials they were made from. After finding the same few choices everywhere, I finally resolved to make my own... which ultimately lead to the opening of Little Free Radical after my friends saw some of the things I made for Sophie - my "Little Free Radical." I started out making tutu's & some cloth balls and I'm slowly introducing more toys, room decor and party supplies. As an environmental science and health major I believe in buying local. I try to buy as many of my supplies from local businesses, and USA-made whenever possible, Most of my fabric I purchase from other Etsy sellers. I am also working towards being able to create more eco-friendly and organic products.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? It's hard to pick just one! I just introduced several eco-friendly toys made from Organic Fabric & filled {with love} and bamboo-blend fiberfill. I love the prints on the organic materials and it's been fun working with the bamboo-blend - it's not as messy as the traditional fiberfill and it forms a better shape - though the product is "less squishy" - some people like that, some people want something a bit more "squeezable." :)

When you're not sewing trendy kids toys, what are your hobbies? Does Pinterest count as a hobby? If so, I spend too much time on there! I also play wheelchair tennis and love to go adaptive windsurfing on The Charles River... but most commonly I'm found at the Park playing with my 16-month old daughter!

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I love being a part of an active community and being able to bounce ideas off other artists.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Bousley

2011-10-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented charter members, Michelle Bousley!

_________________________________________

O.C. STYLES

{shoppe} www.ocstylescreations.etsy.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/OCStyles

{twitter} www.twitter.com/OCStyles

We caught up with Michelle and asked her a few questions about her handmade purses, journals, and stylish accesories, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. I create handcrafted purses and everyday accessories to keep you organized and stylish at the same time.

What is your favorite piece in your shoppe and why? I love the pleated clutch because it is so versatile. You can remove the bow for a new look or add a new bow for a different look. It goes well for nearly any event and is the perfect size!

When you're not handcrafting your chic purses and journals, what are your hobbies? I love to organize anything. I also love to watch drama and suspense movies and to cook and decorate for the holidays.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I love the community feeling in The Artisan Group. I finally feel like I have found a group of friends and peers that can help me with a common question or just to bounce ideas around with. I love the support from Valerie & Nikki and their professional advice is the best ever. It's amazing how much help we get from you both. I love, love, love it! Thank you!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Reynolds

2011-10-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented members, Michelle Reynolds!

_________________________________________

Aromatic Health

{shoppe} www.aromatichealth.ca/

{blog} www.aromatichealth.ca/blog/

{facebook} www.facebook.com/AromaticHealth

{twitter} www.twitter.com/Aromatic_Health

We caught up with Michelle and asked her a few questions about her organic health products, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. I help you make natural, greener choices in the products you choose for health and wellness, pre- and post-partum healing, skin care and baby care. My products are handmade, using only pure and organic essential oils and raw ingredients. All products are cruelty-free and do not contain synthetic fragrances, parabens, petrochemicals or preservatives. My product lines include: Aromatherapeutic, Mother & Child, Skin Care and Gift Sets. I offer alternatives to conventional treatment of common ailments, safe products for pregnancy and beyond, and skin care in its natural state.

What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why? I have two actually. My lip balms are very moisturizing and the best you can buy, sorry Burt. They're toxin-free and don't contain phenols, which strip the top layer of your lips. My Cold & Sinus essential oil blend is one of the most used products in our house. Especially since school has begun again. It's versatile in its many possible applications of use.

When you're not creating organic therapeutic products, what are your hobbies? I'm with Tina, what hobby? This is my hobby and as my husband would agree, I need to get one, which is not my business. I do read daily and love walking in forests. I'm loving autumn in Ontario and the leaves changing colour.

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? This group is so supportive and are always willing to help with any questions one may have or give honest feedback. Even though we don't really 'know' each other, many in the group have become great friends and know that there is always someone there to listen or help.

And, the Winners of our HUGE Giveaway are...

2011-10-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to the six winners of our

Huge 2,000 Facebook Fan Giveaway!

All winners will have until 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2012 to contact us with their mailing addresses to claim their prizes. Each winner will receive a collection of handcrafted gifts valued at $150.00. An alternate winner(s) will be selected if we do not hear from the winners by the deadline.

Winners may contact us at info@theartisangroup.org.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Shannon Szemenyei

2011-10-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Artisan Group is proud to announce this week's Artist Spotlight feature is one of our very talented members, Shannon Szemenyei!

_________________________________________

SWEET STELLA'S

{shoppe} www.SweetStellas.etsy.com

{blog} www.sweetstellas.blogspot.com

{facebook} www.facebook.com/SweetStellas

{twitter} www.twitter.com/SweetStellas

We caught up with Shannon and asked her a few questions about her party decor, and whimsical keepsake products, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here's what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. Sweet Stella's has been running strong since November 2010 when I decided that my creative-self needed an outlet, and that I personally needed to find something in myself other than being defined as a "new mom". My son was 5 months old at the time, and it was a perfect fit! I create whimsical gifts for children such as painted piggy banks and custom written board books, have a full line of Christmas ornaments and stationary, as well as new party masks for every theme. Everything that I create is created with love and care, attention to detail is something that I pride myself on.

What is your favorite piece in your shoppe and why? Oh gosh, that's difficult!! I have to say that right now, in this moment, my favourite product are my Christmas ornaments. I absolutely love the different colour combinations that I can get out of a tube of paint, and they are so abstract and lovely that they really work with any decor. They can be as simple as having two colours, or as complex as having five, and all tied together with coordinating ribbon to make them a collection in themselves!

When you're not handcrafting your adorable party favors and accessories, what are your hobbies? A lot of my hobbies these days revolve around having a busy 16 month-old little boy... playing trucks, watching Shrek over (and over and over again!), tossing a ball back and forth. However, I definitely enjoy a nice, quiet dinner out with my husband, Colin, and to relax with friends. We throw monthly dinner parties, and party planning is definitely a big hobby of mine!

What do you like best about The Artisan Group? I love the sense of community and how the members are so supportive of one another. I have been involved with other artist groups before, have run a cooperative locally, and never before have I seen this level of a sense of community. The members are amazing and I have had so many opportunities to collaborate and connect with some really awesome people that I would never have otherwise met. I am incredibly grateful for the connections that I have made in being a part of The Artisan Group.

H-U-G-E 2,000 Facebook Fan Giveaway!

2011-10-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

The Artisan Group has reached another amazing milestone... over 2,000 Facebook Fans!

To celebrate our fans, we're sponsoring a HUGE giveaway! Forty-one of our talented artisans have generously donated one of their fabulous handcrafted products from their shoppes, and SIX lucky winners will win a wonderful collection of handcrafted gifts, each collection valued at $150.00!

TOTAL GIVEAWAY VALUED AT $900.00!

Are you ready to enter? Here's how YOU can win:

{R U L E S}

Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
Giveaway runs from October 3, 2011 - October 10, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. PT
Six winners will be selected at random from entries submitted below in comments section. Winners to be announced on our Facebook page, Twitter page, and here on our Blog.
Only those entries that follow the SAMPLE ENTRY format (below) will be considered valid entries.
PLEASE, only one post per entry!

{H O W T O W I N}

Leave your first and last name in the comments section below.
Tweet on Twitter "I just entered @theartisangroup's "HUGE 2,000 Facebook Fans" #Giveaway! #artisangroup http://bit.ly/pxlBzF"
Make sure you're one of our Facebook fans and you leave us a comment there indicating you entered our giveaway.
Make sure you're following us on Twitter. (If you don't have a Twitter account, you can create one for free!)
If you're a winner, your name will be published on our Facebook page, Twitter page, and here on our Blog. You'll have 36 hours to contact us with your mailing address. If we don't hear from you, we'll have to pick another winner.

-------------------------------------

SAMPLE ENTRY: (this goes below in the comments section)

Jane Doe

Following The Artisan Group on both Facebook and Twitter!

Tweeted Giveaway tweet! [list your @Twitter handle here]

Favorite Gift: Cherry Blossom Wedding Stamps from XYZ's shoppe

-------------------------------------

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Scentability

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Orange Sunrise Salt Glow (Salt Scrub)

The Shutterbug Eye

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Silver Pendant Bottlecap Photo Necklace

Tradewinds Studios

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Summer Rose Garden Irish Crochet Necklace

Wags and Wiggles

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Handmade Dog Toy - Lobster

Wyoming Creative

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Hand-Stamped "Just Breathe" Necklace