Welcome our newest member JadeFantasyArt. She works out of New York and is a self tauht mixed media artist who is a teacher of Decorative Painting and a certified instructor.

She has personalized name plaques, ceramics, and jewelry. Along with original ACEO and handpainted note cards.

So lets welcome her and check out her store and learn more about her.

Welcome our newest member Irit Elazar Cohen who owns the store QuirkyCreatures. She is from California but originally from Isreal. She has studied drawing and photography.

Her cards depite surrealistic creatures in photography into her cards. Her cards are unique and cool. So go check out the newest member. And Welcome.

Welcome new member Crystal Dyck from ALberta. She owns the store Lil Bitty Card Company. She has been creating for over 10 years. Her work is hand drawn and colored. The cards are also done with stamps and embellishments.

So come by and check out her store and get know our new member.

New Member

Welcome new member ThompsonCrafts. Say hello to Micheal Thompson who is a stay at home dad and who enjoys making crafts. He has been selling online for about seven years. His cards have a vintage/primitve look and are professionally printed.

He also offers Christmas Ornaments, bookmarks, and gift tags. So lets welcome our member and drop by and check out what he has to offer.

Winter's Song

I am going to try something a little different…self-promotion. During now and the middle of November I will be preparing for an arts festival. And with that preparation comes new creations.

This first creation came about as a result of one technique called “Terraza Tones” from the TechniqueJunkies Newsletter. Thanks to Terri with Cards and Moore by Terri for turning me into a TechniqueJunkie. You can find subscription information at http://techniquejunkies.com/. These newsletters are fantastic and well worth your time. They will keep the creative juices flowing. The beautiful Southwest stamp was created by I Brake for Stamps. Check this site out. Her stamps are creative, wonderful, deeply etched, and just the right size! I don’t need anymore rubber stamps! But my addiction is so strong and uncontrollable!


This 5”x7” greeting card was so much fun to make! The “Terraza Tones” is created using instant coffee. I had nothing in the house other than drip. I tried that and could not accomplish the depth in color that I wanted. So my wonderful husband went to the store for me and purchased Chase and Sanborne instant coffee. Much, much better. The close up photo below will show the depth. You can control the strength of instant coffee. All the brown in this piece is the instant coffee. I do want to try and find the Terraza coffee. This coffee is a high-end instant coffee and hopefully it will be in gourmet shops.

The base card is a gorgeous Stardream metallic oyster color card stock. Other stocks I have used are watercolor paper and metallic copper card stock. Color enhancements are optional, but I used Twinks watercolors, copic markers, and copper ultra fine glitter. I have even used an unbleached coffee filter.


The stamp (central image) is stamped with black pigment ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. The piece of ivory stock that the central image is mounted on has been accented with copper pigment ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

More self-promotion…I have Winter’s Song for sale in all of my online shops/studios. Here are the links:
Etsy-http://ajsdesigns.etsy.com
ArtFire-http://ajsdesigns.artfire.com
1000Markets-http://ajsdesigns.1000markets.com
Zibbet-http://zibbet.com/ajsdesigns

Thanks so much for stopping by! And I hope everyone has a good week!

She's Batty Over Halloween

I cannot believe that it is October 1, 2009, already! We have 27 days until one of my favorite holidays is here, Halloween. Obsessed with Halloween, I am not…Jamie with She’s Batty Designs has that area of obsession covered.

Jamie describes herself as a “star-gazing, animal-loving, Halloween-obsessed, creative kind-of-gal.” Take a look at her Halloween creations in both of her online shops. I have thrown in other creation photos to show that she has other obsessions also. She’s not totally batty!

Enjoy fellow creators! Let Jamie know your obsessions also.

Happy Halloween!

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I've always had a love affair with arts and crafts. It's hard to pin point the exact time when my works started to take a real form because it's been a lifelong process which is continuously evolving.

Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
Not really. When deciding on a new creation, the supplies I have on hand, and what I'm currently trying to create are all I need to get started. Half of the time I walk into my studio without a pre-determined project in mind. Other times I walk in with a vague concept like “Halloween Tags.” What is created from there depends on the supplies I have on hand. I focus on one holiday at a time, so for a few months the tables in my studio are covered with Halloween supplies or Christmas supplies, etc.


What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
That's an interesting question. I've actually never been asked that before. I like both stages, but I don't always like them on the same day. Some days I'm really in the mood to create, problem solve, and piece things together. Other days I'd rather enjoy a piece after I've moved passed all the “thinking stuff” and am sharing it with others.

What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
I dabble in a lot of different crafts. Paper crafting, print making, sculpture, and photography are my passions. I have dabbled in film making, painting, and candle making. I would love to develop my skills in these areas. I’m also really inspired by soap makers! I haven’t tired out that craft at all and would love to really get into it!


I have two favourite supplies currently in my studio. I couldn’t pick just one and you’ll know why after I mention them. They are my Gocco printer and my Big Shot die cutter. They are both huge in my creative process - for their own reasons – and I would hate to be without them.

When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
If I have a creator's block it's usually not due to being out of ideas or supplies, it usually because of fatigue. I only get short bursts of energy due to having Ankylosing Spondylitis, so when I have the energy, I do a lot of creating! When I don't, I spend a lot of time online listing my items, surfing around for inspiration, and talking with other artists on Plurk and the AF forums. Although this cycle is not ideal from a health stand point, it really works well to keep away creator's block! When I'm creating, I'm solely focus on that, and when I'm drained of energy, I'm solely focused getting passive inspiration and doing the less creative tasks of online selling. I used to get depressed about not having the energy to create more, but I've realized over the last few years, that taking a different perspective about my whole situation has really helped me to be super productive when I DO have the chance to create.


What do you hope your art says about you?
I hope it says I enjoyed making it and took the time to make it right.

What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
My biggest dream is that I'd be able to pursue my creative endeavors full time, and on my own schedule. My biggest fear is that I will cease to enjoy making my creations by turning their production into “work.”

What are your goals in art, and in life?
I would love to see my Artfire studio flourish. A goal of mine for this year is to get my Artfire studio established and add a variety of products (not just paper products). Over the next two years I hope that my Artfire studio is bringing in enough business to be a steady supplementary income. My overall goal is to ensure that I’m always loving the crafts that I’m doing and never loosing site of the joy they bring me. In life, I hope to bring my loved ones and much joy as they bring me.


Tell us a little bit about yourself—where you grew up, your life now, other creative pursuits, other interests and hobbies.
I live in Ontario, Canada. This is where I've grown up and plan to stay. I am a small business owner, avid crafter, university student, and the editor for the Marketing Department of HandmadeNews.org. My passions include creative expression, animal welfare, and psychology. I am currently finishing a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Visual Arts. I have also studied Fine Art and Animal Care at college. As you can see, continuous learning is a force that drives me. You could say I am an information junkie! My favorite creative outlets include photography, crafts (paper, candle making, etc), printmaking and sculpture. I devote a lot of time to my rescue animals - I have 3 dogs (my fuzzy babies) and a turtle. They, along with the love of my life, often steal my attention away from other tasks. If you have been following me online for any amount of time, I am sure you have come to realize that I absolutely love Halloween. It is by far my favorite holiday and extends its reach into my home decor, my small business, and even my wardrobe. My favorite movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas. I also have a soft spot for cheesy '80s movies. Something else a few of you may have picked up on is that I have Ankylosing Spondylitis. I am a self-staring optimist that helps me cope and keep going in the face of chronic pain. Life is too short not to try to enjoy each and every day.


Do you have an online shop or shops, a brick and mortar shop, or a blog?
I have a blog and two online shops. My blog can be found at http://shesbattydesigns.blogspot.com and my two shops can be found at http://shesbattydesigns.artfire.com and http://shesbattydesigns.etsy.com.

New Fan Page

New Fan Page for Cards R US! Its not just specifically about the guild but what the guild stands for. And thats the designers of handmade greeting cards. Its about the supporting handmade cards and not massed produced cards.

So make sure you stop by and become a fan. If you are a designer leave a pic of one of your creations.

Cards R Us Fan Page

New Member

Welcome! Our newest member is Siblingstew. A store of new and recycled handmade. A group of four siblings that love to create. The store offers cards and jewelry.

Check out these cute cards!

New Member

Welcome our newest member KatieandEmmaDesigns.

She has just joined the artfire community and our guild. Her cards are wonderful and lovely. I just love the butterfly cards.

Welcome our newest member SusanCalvert.

She is a professional watercolor and mixed media artist. She runs her store from Georgia.

Her store offers unique girly cards and also unique pendents.

Today's member is Val who owns the ValMade at artfire.

She provides a variety of products in the forms of knitting, sewing, cross stitch, and cards.

She is located in Hong Kong but is English. She ships by AirMail interntionally.

Today's member is NatureManipulated on artfire.
This stores saying is "creates visual, wearable, and practical art".
There is a variety of products found at this store. There is one-of-kind handcrafted jewelry, handmade greeting cards, and photography.

You can also have a custom designed Baby Hospital ID Bracelet made or re-designed.

This store is also found @ Etsy.

With the holiday seasons approaching your sure to find something to give to that special someone and will also be able to get the card to go with it.

Today's member is Aletha who owns the store ajsdesigns on artfire.

She is a self-taught artist who has been in the graphic arts/print production industry for many years.

She offers a variety of products such as mixed media collages, handbound journals, and cards.

The cards are just absolutly GORGEOUS and the quality is EXCELLENT.

Our next member is beadsnpieces at artfire.

She has started her store very recently. We welcome her to artfire and our guild. She hasn't posted cards yet but things take time in the meantime go by and check out her brand new store in which she does have some jewelry listed.

I will feature her again once she has had a chance to stock up her store!

Today's member is Beka who owns the Scraps-N-Things store.
She is new to artfire and creates assortment of items.

Some of her items are card sets, earrings, and pillows.


What COOL Thumb Tacks!


Great Card Set!

The Art and Collections of Pat Labella

“Paper artist... altered art crafter... thrift store and vintage junkie... health conscious baby boomer... Buffalo native now living in the Vegas desert,” Pat Labella

I usually try to write about what I feel from an artist’s work, their passions, their love of life, their medium, but after reading Pat’s biography from her online shops, I could not write it any better. I have decided to quote from those biographies. Why try to edit or rewrite something that needs no editing or rewriting?

Her biography from her VintageIntent shop states…”Collections come and collections go. Once the excitement of the hunt wears off, it's on to something new. I search, I find, I enjoy. Then I move on. Oh, there are a few collections that I'll probably keep forever, but for the most part, I'll eventually turn them over to someone else to enjoy…Garage sales were a weekly tradition where I could find wonderful antiques and older collectibles. Now that I've moved to the sunny southwest I travel around to the three or four thrift stores on a weekly basis, and sometimes I get lucky. Through this studio I'm now able to pass some of these treasures on to you.” (You get my drift.)



I will say that you need to check out all her blogs especially the Better Bones blog. Read the Dog’s Prayer. We have always had pets. At one time we had three cats and three dogs. We now have one cat and two dogs. Her blog tugged at my heart strings. Those memories will never fade.

Enjoy this interview. And let her know your passions in life.

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I have been crafting since I was a little girl. I remember making cards, clay projects, knitting, crocheting, and making candles with my mother. I was always saving throw-aways that I thought might be used for some creative expressions. But it wasn't until about 10 years ago that I took this hobby seriously and began crafting in earnest, for myself, and to offer my creations on line. I started selling my vintage inspired greeting cards on Etsy and Ebay, and have since expanded my inventory to include many other projects that I enjoy. I love using paper and recycled objects in my artwork. That has never changed. The interests of that little girl many years ago are still surfacing in my modern day crafting.



Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
Well, I don't always have the neatest studio, so I usually have to clean up from my last project prior to starting a new one!

What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
Both. I love formulating a design in my head, but when I start working, the project usually morphs into something that is no where near my original concept. The final creation is often a pleasant surprise.

What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
That's a tough question, because I'm a gadget junkie. I love working with paper, so I have 3 different die cut tools - Spellbinder Wizard is my favorite, followed closely by Quikutz and my little Sisix Sidekick. I have three sizes of Xyron machines to fit any size paper I want (would you believe I'm thinking about a 4th!). My newest gadget is the Zutter Bind-it-All.



When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
I usually figure it's just time to back off and do something else for a while. There's always work around the house, shopping for new craft supplies, reading craft books, and watching the food network! After a while, new ideas start popping up and I'm back in the swing.

What do you hope your art says about you?
I try to infuse my love of life into all my work. I often use subtle or off beat humor in my creations.

What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
No fears - I do what I like. As for a dream - I'd love to have a studio large enough to be able to leave everything out in the open to play whenever I want.



What are your goals in art, and in life?
As I look forward to retirement, I realize many of my life goals have been reached. Education, marriage, family and career. But this is certainly not a time to sit back and reflect on the past without looking forward to the future as well. I live a lifestyle that will hopefully keep me healthy and active for the next 30 or more years. I still would like to start my own business in the pet or craft marketplace. And there's still plenty of places I'd like to visit.

Tell us a little bit about yourself—where you grew up, your life now, other creative pursuits, other interests and hobbies.
I was born in Buffalo, New York. Western New York is actually a beautiful area with gorgeous summers and winters filled with cold weather fun. Skiing and ice skating were great! I lived in the area for 50 years - graduated collage with a BS in Medical Technology, married and raised a family there. Then we did a complete turn around and moved to Las Vegas in 1999.



I love all kinds of animals. We've always had dogs and/or cats. We presently have our 6th Siberian Husky and tropical fish. I work full time in a hospital lab. I enjoy cooking with natural foods and try to keep my physical activity up by exercising, biking and power walking.

Do you have more than one shop(s), and/or a blog?
I have 4 blogs:
http://cardsbypatzee.blogspot.com
http://vintageintent.blogspot.com
http://yearsdontcount.blogspot.com
http://betterbones.blogsppot.com

I have 4 shops:
http://cardsbypatzee.artfire.com
http://vintageintent.artfire.com
http://betterbones.artfire.com
http://thriftstoresupplies.etsy.com

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me.

Today the feature is of Laura who owns the PrincessDCreations on artfire.

She is very new to artfire but has WONDERFUL cards.
So show this store some LOVE and check it out for yourself.

Today's Featured Member

Today's featured member is Christine who owns PurplePonyArt at artfire.
She does BEAUTIFUL artwork on cards and has digital downloads available.
Great pencil drawings are also available.
So come by and visit her store with all these great products!

What a CUTE card!!


Very PRETTY!

Today's featured member is burnishandbrush on artfire.
There is a variety type of work available.
So come and check out this great store. Would be great place to start that Christmas Shopping.

What a NEAT Christmas Card set!


Nice Baby Card!

Featured Member

Today's featured member is PaperAvenue.
She creates wonderful handmade greeting cards.

All cards are made of excellent quality and handcrafted originals.


Lovely Rose Card!


Great Baseball Card!

Today's member is Jess who owns Crystals-By-Jess on Artfire.
She creates cards and jewelry and they are UNIQUE!
Creating now for almost three years you are sure to find what you need here.
Show this store some LOVE and stop by!


BEAUTIFUL Jewelry!


BEAUTIFUL Friendship Card!


Happy Halloween Card!

Featured Member

Today the feature member is Charlene who owns
moosetwinkle.
She creates unique and beautiful greeting cards.


Love the moose in the tub!


Beautiful Happy Birthday Card!

Featured Member

Today's featured artisan is Pigatopia from Artfire.

There is a variety of types of work done with her hand crafted pictures.
Her work is displayed with wood burning, watercolors, pencil drawing, and more.

You will be missing something special if you don't visit this store.

BEAUTIFUL!