Handmade Artists Forum Feature Artist for April 18th through the 24th ParadisePurls

 Elizabeth Humphries of Paradise Purls said on her Etsy profile "a few years ago it seemed several of my new friends were knitters. At first I wasn't interested, but then my curiosity got the best of me. I taught myself to knit using a "how to" booklet, and a little help from some girlfriends and my MIL. I fell in love with all the yarn...the colors and textures. One of my favorite things to do is spend time in a yarn shop touching all the different yarns."


and if that is not talented enough she decided to explore jewelrymaking and is great at making beautiful earrings and adorable beaded bookmarks.  I personally find these bracelets outstanding because Elizabeth has managed to knit jewelry, how cool is that!  I love her knitted hats and scarves as well.  You can see for yourself at
http://paradisepurls.estsy.com

Here are a some of my picks from her shop!

and this

to this

Lovely work!

Peruvian Opals and Hearts

Peruvian Opals and Hearts, originally uploaded by mooaany.

Oh I am pleased with myself on this one, a simple heart and peruvian opals work!

HAF Featured Artist for April 11 through April 17 Linda Talbot Original Jewelry

Linda said in her profile on Etsy:


I love to combine seemingly disparate elements. For example, I love to pair semi-precious stones and glass; large chunky nuggets with tiny Swarovski crystals; coral and bone with sterling silver accents. It enchants me to combine these different elements, and I am always surprised at where my jewelry leads me. I never met a bead I didn’t like."

I think she has succeeded in that endeavor based on these lovely examples.

Dancing Squares Necklace

Aventurine and Sterling Silver Sweet Spring Necklace

A beautiful southwest flavor with a twist  that I just love!

http://raedawn.etsy.com

DreamRiverDesigns, Featured HAF Artisan for April 4 through 11

Debbie Downs the creator and owner of Dream River Designs even though living on a small farm in Minnesota with husband and two children,  still finds time to do something she loves, designing jewelry.  Like many who work with metal, she realizes the beauty it has to offer and she revels in the fascination of working with it.  Doing Chain Maille is her specialty. But she makes earrings and pendants and also heirloom Rosaries.

Being brought up Catholic myself, I am very familiar with Rosaries, and I have to tell you they can be absolutely beautiful,  modes of prayer, and works of art.  I have one that is an heirloom from my great great grandmother which I cherish, and so have a special appreciation for those pieces.

Quality, Individual Design, Love of the Art, Debbie shows them all in her jewelry.  Here are just a few of her works that I found through her blog photos:

You can find more of her jewelry at http://handmadeartistsshop.com/DreamRiverDesigns