[Angela]

Hi my name is Angela and I have been designing beaded jewellery for 16 years. I started making jewellery after the birth of my third child, realising that I a few more years at home I wanted something to do to fill in the hours while my baby slept.
Having lusted after a book of beads I had seen in a local book shop, it was bought for me as a Christmas present and my addiction to beads had begun.
My health visitor encouraged me to take my jewellery along to baby clinic to give the new mums something affordable and cheerful. I then started to take them along to the Mother and Toddler groups and local playgroup. It didn't take long before I was being invited by local schools and charities to take my jewellery along to their events too.
Five years ago I moved all my beads etc into a studio workshop just outside Stafford, from there I host jewellery making parties and workshops, it also provides a more professional base to discuss commissions with clients.
Last year I helped set up the Staffordshire Artists Cooperative which opened a Gallery in Eccleshall Stafford to showcase and hopefully sell the work of members. We are constantly looking out for local artists to join us.

www.angelasmith.co.uk
http://angelasmithjewellery.blogspot.com

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

That's quite a resume Angela, welcome to the forum.

Welcome also to all the new members I missed, strap in a enjoy the ride!

[kinetic wings]

Hi, I'm new here and I'm not sure I'm posting in the right place but here goes...I'm new to jewelry making and really love it. I've had a nice response from family and friends. I love to read, write, scrapbook, learning to work with metal clay, overall learning new things. There are so many ideas in my head but not enough time to create them.  I just signed up for a kiosk at Art Fire, now all I have to do is make some things to put in it.

[Larissa]

Welcome, peeps!  And once you've made stuff, don't forget to post photos here in the galleries.

[CurlyPearl]

Hello! I am fairly new to the HAFteam... still getting acquainted with the forum and everything.

My etsy shop has lots of fun and colorful jewelry.  I also have some original artwork, earring organizers, and headbands.  It's only been open a few months.  I started with the intention of just having jewelry, but I couldn't resist adding a few other categories.

so glad to be a part of the team!

 

[Larissa]

The mention of headbands intrigued me, so they're all I looked at for now, but they're really cool!

[aromacandlecompany]

Hi my name is Kimberly from Aroma Candle Company. I live in Southern California with my husband Bill and our 3 children. I am excited to have found this website. I started Aroma Candle Company in 2001 under a different name. I love creating candles  I hope I get to know some of you better.

www.aromacandlecompany.com
http://twitter.com/AROMACANDLECO
http://aromacandlecompany.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/jordybugsboutique?ref=profile#/jordybugsboutique?ref=profile

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Welcome to the madness to all those I missed!  Please have fun, click around and show off all your goodies.  We are a really relaxed bunch that loves to oh and ah over pretty things!  Ask if you have questions and one of our resident know it alls  will be happy to help.

[truejune]

Hi my name is Jenny Knuth and I live in beautiful Boulder, Colorado (sun! rocks! mountains! desert!) with my geologist husband, two sons, and two cats. I am a writer and an editor, but...

I love to make things, and design (thinking up new patterns, combinations of materials, techniques, functions) is my favorite part of the process. I make all sorts of things so I wanted to join a group with a broad base of handcrafts to get the broadest base of ideas. Having said that, one of the main reasons I am here is to learn how to better promote my etsy shop: http://truejune.etsy.com as I am new to all the selling parts: pricing, promotion, photography, etc. Any tips most welcome! I have found my online shop to be a great creative outlet! It's not a money maker at this point, but definitely a self-supporting hobby.

I had originally planned to put all sorts of simple, elegant, and practical handmade things in my shop, but my shop now has a niche that is crocheted necklaces. Have other found that they get into a "niche" as well? Does this help sales or does variety work too? (Just some of the many questions I'll be exploring on this site!)

I crochet simple necklaces for everyday wear with high-quality workmanship and design. They might seem uncomplicated, but there is a lot of thought and planning behind each creation! The colors and textures of the beads and thread are very important to me and must "sit right." Not every design can be created in every color! Some things just aren't that interchangeable! In the end, I want my designs to look classic and natural, like they have always been there, like they belong on you.

It's also very important to me that my creations be strong and made to last. They should be able to weather a variety of situations and they have to actually function! (I'll put my products through the dishwasher to test them, as well as wearing them through workouts and showers myself and having all my friends and family wear them!). I participate in a lot of different activities from day to day---hiking, gardening, painting, meeting with my children's teachers---and I want my jewelry to come along! Beauty, joy, simplicity are my goals. Oh yeah, and most of my designs have no metal parts so are hypoallergenic.

Thanks for being so welcoming, I look forward to learning more about all of you!

[truejune]

CurlyPearl, love how your shop is organized by color instead of type! Nice idea! Love the energy of your creations! Also like your shop name (and would you believe we have a curly cat named Pearl? True!).

Jenny

[Larissa]

Welcome, Jenny!

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

Welcome to all the new members enjoy and have fun!

[ellesbeads]

Hello everyone!  My name is Elle and I'm the owner of Elle's Beads.  I make funky and vintage inspired handmade jewelry, eco-friendly accessories, and recycled magnets.  Crafting is my favorite thing in the world and I'm happy to meet others who share that passion.  I hope to get to know you all soon!

[CraftedRoots]

Hey, Elle! Welcome to the group!!

[rlmstudios]

Hi my name is Roberta and I am a full time fine art.  I have developed a line of custom made and painted yoga bags!  I think they are the bomb now i need to draw traffic ! 
 http://rlmstudios.etsy.com