We're going Red!

Since we've just finished one holiday and many colors within it, we're now off to the BIG RED gifts available from our IBH guild members.

There is always a lot of diversity, as always,  in our group. Want to shop? Be sure to do the advanced search first and type in IBH then you can add what it is you're looking for or not looking for. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the gift ideas that will inspire you to get hand crafts and even ways to package them.

Who wouldn’t love this sweet little confectionary treat from who other than “Red Rose Confections”? 
Wrap those chocolate delights in this sweet little gift bag featured at “My Father’s Gifts”!

Does she love some whimsy? Here’s the cutest gal for the dresser or nightstand at “Creative Critters”.

Not enough red? Here’s a few more sweet little delights for that special someone in your world! Remember these are all items you can find within our Art Fire Guild, It’s Better Handmade.

Melek Designs are the creators of this sweet and simple pair of hearts 
with a lovely stamped tag!

If you’re shopping, be sure to do your search here, at our guild, and share the love this season!

Not enough? Then pair those earrings up with this gorgeous necklace that can be yours from PrincessDesignsJewelry!

Viral Sharing on Facebook

Sharing on Facebook has been one of the most effective ways to promote and virally get the word out on links, sites and content on the internet. When security was breached..Facebook took some action in removing the "share" bookmarklet under posts accept for just links..

So when you post an external link..you create an option to allow all who see it to "share" it. Groups don't have this 0ption as they are secure. Our original group page..before they switched over, made it easy to "share". The the current format of groups on Facebook only allows individuals to "subscribe" to the individual posts. This really only shows up on your private newsfeed for you..not for others from you or about you.

SO! Here is what I propose, to make It's Better Handmade more viral like it once was..is to switch us over to a Community page..and out of the group format! The links we are all adding to the group page is only allowing members to see, and not our friends..and friends of friends..unless they join the group.

Many of us only network in our venue..meaning, we add friends who are artists like us..we need that support from others who do what we do. We will keep the group for encouragement, learning, tips and tricks primarily. The new community page will be where the "share" bookmarklet will exist for external links and thus re-establish the viral sharing.

Handmade Saturday! "Color Me Purple"

Color Me Purple!

  Curated By: MyFathersGifts

ArtFire.com

It's Better Handmade!

It's that time again! 

Come and post your Purple Handmade Art at our Group wall on Facebook!  Next week will be at our Social Network!  But for now, we are enjoying each other's company and shares at Facebook.

This collection and treasury is made from our guild members.

'Handmade Saturday! Color Me Purple' by MyFathersGifts

"Gorgeous collection of Purples in honor of our weekly event "Handmade Saturday" at It's Better Handmade!  Event takes place at our Group on Facebook today! 

Evening Splendor Hand K... ArlenesBoutiqu... $40.00	Braided Purple Necklace foogirl $21.00	Artisan Pendant & Gemst... tuscanroad $135.00	Faceted Amethyst Bracel... tuscanroad $32.00
Saphire Dichroic Glass ... uniquenique $15.00	Lavender Dream Hand Kni... ArlenesBoutiqu... $45.00	SHIPS FREE - Heliotrope... TheSterlingTor... $38.00	Hand Crocheted Multi-Co... BlackPearl $30.00
SHIPS FREE - Swarovski ... TheSterlingTor... $23.00	Lampwork Art Glass Hear... StoneDesignsby... $28.00	Amethyst and Sterling E... tuscanroad $22.00	Purple Majesty Hand Kni... ArlenesBoutiqu... $40.00
Murano Amethyst Blossom... Myfathersgifts $6.00	Blueberry Frappe Hand K... ArlenesBoutiqu... $50.00	Tanzanite AB Faceted Ro... Myfathersgifts $1.85	Black Purple Black Purp... nixiefaerie $24.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Etsy Rocks with Recycling!!

Every time I find a new shop on Etsy, I am blown away by the diversity Etsy as a whole delivers. Whether it's a shop that uses recycled/upcycled materials or a shop showcasing amazing talent and techniques for making hand made goods. Etsy is growing as an ever expanding community for artisans, jewelers, sculptors, clothing designers, home decor designers, and so much more! I find this very exciting. The other fabulous thing about Etsy is bringing all of that hand made goodness together in one global market with the ease of shopping from home!

I would like to feature a few recent discoveries I made browsing Etsy!

janice mae is a shop specializing in making beads and beaded jewelry from paper! Kudos to her for reducing paper waste! She blogs tutorials on this fun process at http://paperbeads.org. I love this idea and the beads are so colorful and beautiful!





Sherry Truitt Studios is another very inventive maker of repurposed materials. She combines fashion with function to design unique and fun jewelry. One example is her level bubble necklace. Have you ever needed to hang a photo on the wall or make a design completely level, but couldn't find your toolbox? Well, with this nifty necklace, you have a level at your fingertips! I think this is fantastic!

Her shop also has a compass necklace! Perfect for those long hikes in new places! You won't have to worry about getting lost when wearing one of these cool designs!







au claire de la lune is another fabulous designer. She makes clothing from recycled T-shirts and repurposed fabrics. This is a great way to use the 3 R's to help save our beautiful Earth! This long skirt is a personal favorite. Made from old T-shirts, this design is colorful, practical, and looks extremely comfortable!


She also makes the cutest baby booties with repurposed fabric. Perfect for that special little tot in your life! These are so adorable and look very comfortable. Soft fabric and elastic will keep those little toes from getting uncomfortable and will stay put on those little feet!







CTG Designs makes truly unique furniture with recycled materials! This chair and ottoman set is made *would you believe* entirely from recycled cardboard, recycled paper tubes, glue, and paint. It’s really strong. A 250-pound individual could sit in this chair and it wouldn’t feel the strain at all. WOW...impressive!!!



So, as you can see, recycling, reducing waste, and reusing materials is a fabulous way to GO GREEN!!! We are only limited by our own imagination as to find ways to be creative in the conquest to preserve our beautiful planet!

Zero Zoom Treasury!!