Handmade Holiday Shopper's Guide

There is nothing more satisfying than finding the perfect gift for all those lucky people on your holiday gift list. I have been buying handmade items from wonderful artisans for many years. Sure, I do hit a few malls and maybe even Bloomingdale's during my holiday shopping trips, but most of the time I start buying early at craft shows that I attend or from one line sites that sell handmade. The gifts I find in these places get the biggest smiles and are the ones my friends and family still talk about. I thought it might be nice to give my readers some suggestions, shops to visit and helpful hints to make your shopping experience pleasant and easy. I am beginning with an artist whose work I have admired on etsy for a long time. His work appeals to me because it is very modern and has a strength and beauty that is quite unique. His art is done in steel and other metals like copper and aluminum. Although his shop carries mostly jewelry, Tim also designs sculptures, furniture and other interesting items some of which I chose to represent here. Please visit his etsy shop at http://timothyadamdesigns.etsy.com. You can read more about his work on his blogs.http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/ and

http://blufuse.blogspot.com/ .

Sterling Silver Wirework

My extensive hours of reading blogs and looking at artisan's etsy shops have really paid off! I was fortunate enough to find the amazing blog of Contrariwise Ramblings at http://akacontrariwise.blogspot.com/ and subscribed to it immediately. First of all this blog makes me smile. The author has a great sense of humor and writes with a very personal tone that makes you feel like you have known her for years. Secondly, she has some great tips and tutorials on her blog. In other words, in my humble opinion, it is everything a blog should be !

Besides having a wonderful blog, this artistic lady does some amazing things with wire work sterling silver jewelry as you can clearly see. Take a look at her wonderful work at http://contrariwise.etsy.com/.

Wild Wire Women Retreats

I have just returned to New York from a two week trip to California. The first part of this adventure was the most interesting and challenging. Not long before my departure, I purchased a wonderful wire working book Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller. As a jewelry designer, I am always looking for new techniques and classes. New to wire work, I found Sharilyn's book well written and easy to follow. I decided to take a look at her website. When I looked at the photos of her picturesque home in Idyllwild, California I was intrigued by the monthly retreats she offers in her home. I signed up and started to email the other women who had joined as well.

Sharilyn is an excellent hostess and a master artisan, making this an outstanding experience. She provided 3 full days of lessons and wonderful breakfasts,lunches and snacks each day. The delicious first evening's dinner at a wonderful local restaurant was provided by Sharilyn as well. Each afternoon the aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air as we were hard at work on our creations. The scenery and wildlife surrounding us in this beautiful mountain home could not have been more welcoming and relaxing. The other three women Jill, Grayce and Teresa who joined this retreat were just wonderful and we all had an amazing time together in Sharilyn's home. We are hoping to have a reunion next year. If you are looking for fullfilling, relaxing and reasonable wire working classes in an atmosphere that is truly breathtaking, then don't miss this experience.