Crafty Shopping List

It is officially Cyber Monday!!  Start your online shopping right here.  Since our launch a couple of months ago, we've been thrilled to introduce you to some crafty people with unique ideas in our Artist Spotlight blogs.  These entries always get a lot of attention...and the giveaways are as much fun for us as they are for you.  If you are looking for one of a kind gifts for someone in your life...we've compiled a short list of the artists we have featured so far...and those we are introducing you to in the weeks leading up to the holidays, along with links where you can find their crafts.  Happy Holidays!!

1-Abishai:  Fatima Bey makes beautiful shoe bags, popular on the ballroom dance scene.  People can visit www.AbishaiStore.com, where they can purchase the Shoe Bags and see the other products that are available.  A portion of every sale goes toward Warm Blankets Orphan Care International.  For those who would like to see where Abishai will be next and want to see the products in person, there is a link titled "Calendar" on the home page.

2-The Clock Keeper:  Deanna Pawlenko Hubbard makes brooches with clips you can pull down to reveal hidden clocks. Go to http://www.clipclocks.com/ to see clips in stock.  If you don't see anything there, she can turn any piece of jewelry into a ClipClock. Your Grandmother's, Mom's, Aunt's or a favorite gift from a friend can have a new life.  Just mail it to her and Deanna will come up with some designs, photograph them, and email them to you for approval. Crafty Life and Style readers get free first class shipping through the holidays!!!

3-Loretta Fontaine Jewelry:  You can keep the people you love most close to your heart with a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, or brooch featuring pictures of your sweeties the size of your finger nail.  Loretta takes your loving photos, crops them to size and inserts them into beautiful jewelry that she creates, including her own metalwork.  Find her goods on her website:  http://www.lorettafontaine.com

4-Ragged Edge Print Studio:  Kathy Klompas uses a unique printmaking to build designs for silk scarves.  She'll even host a class for 3 to 6.  You can contact her directly at The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, The Textile Studio in Saratoga, and The Artisan's Gallery in Middleburgh.  At Boght Art Center in Cohoes, a portion of sales supports their programs.  Visit http://www.raggededgeprintstudio.com/ or schedule classes at http://www.kathy.klompas.com/

5-Barclay Fine Woodworking:  David Barclay makes everything from headboards to bowls, clocks, rolling pins, and cutting boards.  For 27 years he was an engineer for Eastman Kodak.  He turned a passion for woodworking into a full-time job five years ago.  http://www.barclayfinewoodworking.com/ has not only many of my items for sale but the list of Fine Craft Shows David will be at as well.

6-Tammy Lee Bradley is a familiar face and talent to our readers.  Tammy shares her fabulous photo tips with us on select Shutterbug Sundays.  She even offered up four custom greeting cards for a special giveaway last week in her I Heart Bokeh blog.  Now, you can order her beautiful pictures online.  Tammy recently launched a sale site.  You can buy orders of her prints and some great vintage pieces!!  Log onto:  http://www.tammyleebradley.bigcartel.com/ and scroll through the blog to find several of Tammy's posts.

7-Sharon Bottle Souva Fabric Handworks:  The pictures of her work are visually stunning.  Imagine seeing them in person or hanging one on your wall!!  Sharon is inspired by nature, incorporating it often in her quilts and other handsewn creations.  Her work is in several galleries: Grovewood Gallery in Ashville, NC; Haven Gallery in Austin, TX; Painted Fish Gallery in Dunedin, FL; Eureka Crafts  in Syracuse, NY; Gallery 54 in Skaneateles, NY; Sea Hag Soaps and Art Mercantile in Brackney, PA;  She has pieces on display throughout her home AND on her web site  http://www.sharonbottlesouva.com/

8-Captured Moments:  What started out as a scrapbooking business venture by two sisters has evolved into a full-fledged artistic outlet.  Tiffany Reutter and Tara Burtt hold themed workshops every month, inviting locals in New York's capital region to come in and create for the day.  They have games, contests, and incredible homemade food.  If you love to scrapbook or create in general, their site is worth a look.  We will be shining the spotlight on these artists later this week.  For now, find their work online at:  http://www.capturedmomentsstore.com/  But, we hope you come back here to find our interview with them.  We are big fans of their creations.