Often luking in shadows, behind closed doors, and in mysterious twitter posts dwells a STALKER. They are mysterious, magical, and myth???? Nope. They are a great bunch of Artfire Artisans devoted to choosing a "VICTIM" studio and plurking, tweeting, facebooking, myspacing, blogging another artisan's shop contents.








This week it is time to stalk the stalkers. Browse through our stores for the following picture :










Participating Studios
TAK Unique Jewelry Designs
Grah-Toe Studio

The Chain Maille Lady
Jewelled Trellis
PinkCloudsandAngels
She’s Batty Designs
Meant 2B Cherished
Rose Works Jewelry
Il Mare
Unique Garden Essences
Bad Ink Clothing
Huckleberry Arts
Glasstastic Treasures
Jennuine Candles
essensu holistic skincare
Cutthroat Designs
The Copper Cauldron


To see the details on what fantastic prizes you can win by stalking the stalkers check out our Guild blog here:
http://thestalkersguild.blogspot.com/
Happy Stalking!

You Are a Mosaic

You are worldly and cultured. You draw inspiration from many sources. You appreciate vivid colors and busy scenes, but you like a bit of order too. You believe that art should have many layers. It should be beautiful up close and from afar. The best art gets more interesting the longer you look at it.

What Type of Art Are You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

The search continues....

So I went looking for some fantastic stocking stuffers for Christmas and I found some that are fantastic!

These lump of coal guest soaps from Allegheny Hearth are awesome. I used to be able to find black liquorice candy that looked like coal. This is even better.

This cute little crab would look adorable peaking out of a stocking. EddysPressies did an outstanding job on this little cutie!

I have a real addiction ot scented candles and I love this one for a kitchen. kickinskreations did an outstanding job...you should check out her root beer ones too!

I'm off to continue to search out the best of the best for stocking stuffers this year.

Featured!

I was featured at my favorite suppliers online catalogue today. She is a great inspiration to me. I shared with her what brought me to my designing and jewellery making.

Here is my story:

When I was fourteen I was diagnosed with PCOS. This disease left me with an endocrine system that barely functioned and little hope of having a family. We beat the odds and have five children. They range in age from 7 to 15 years old. We are a close knit family due in part to the fact that I have homeschooled them all (10 years now) and the trials we have overcome as a family. Thirteen years ago ,after the birth of my second child, I was taken to the oncologist with a large lump in my breast and armpit. I was scheduled for surgery and given the comfort that there had been great strides made in the treatment of cancer. Judging from the location and the size of the lump the doctor was certain it was cancer. I was only 21 years old. The lump was benign. I was very lucky. Five years ago I began to have severe health problems. After 72 days of uncontrollable bleeding I was scheduled for surgery yet again with the council of my doctor to “put my affairs in order”, and a kindly inquiry as to weather or not I had made out a will and given a standing appointment for chemotherapy the morning following surgery. This time uterine cancer was suspected. I was terrified. When I went in for surgery the doctor reminded both me and my husband that if cancer was found he would perform radical surgery to remove any affected tissues. I was in surgery for hours. When I awoke in the recovery room I was stunned to hear that there was no cancer found. The doctor had burned away a large amount of tissue and that it would only buy me a few years before I would need more invasive surgery again. After this second brush with cancer I decided to change how I viewed life. I grew up. Quickly. I stopped waiting for tomorrow and decided to live for today. I found the strength to work with my doctors and to get healthier. In December of last year I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Many things that I wanted to do I now physically couldn’t do. One thing that was a dream for me I could do however. I had always wanted to design jewelry. I was what my mother called an ”old soul” I watched black and white movies, read historical biographies and was fascinated with ancient history. It was then that I found you ( my mentor and filigree supplier). Suddenly here was someone who had done the research and found reputable suppliers and manufacturers and was willing to share their knowledge. I was hooked. I could recreate the stunning jewels worn by famous women, black and white movie stars, historical figures, and ancient legends. I may no longer be able to travel to far away places or scuba dive or even drive some days, but I could make beautiful things that made other people smile and perhaps dream. I now sell some of my work online but most has gone to adorn my daughters, sisters and mother and my sons already have jewelry for their future wives. Thank you so much for a beautiful site that allows me to create small works from the heart. You have helped me fulfill a life long dream.

She decided to share my story with the rest of her clients and sent me this message that made my day:

Dear Robyn,

Your story is such an inspiration to me. That is one email I will always keep. It makes me so happy when I learn that the decision to share my experience with making jewelry has enriched someone's life. Thank you very much for taking the time to write your story. Your strength and dignity shows through in the way you've managed your life through all your trials. I'm so glad that you have your children and husband to share your life with. A family is such a precious gift.

May I use your photos and some of your story on my web site? I know that there are many other people who would also be lifted up by your story and the beautiful jewelry you have created.
I admire you tremendously.
Susan

With Christmas approaching I find I am looking more and more for unique gifts. I have blogged in the past about our family's desires to make this Christmas a handmade Christmas. So shopping for handmade gifts for my immediate family has been fairly easy. Shopping for my siblings and my parents not so easy. They require unique gifts as different and colorful as they are. I am the oldest of 8 children. There are 5 boys and 3 girls. We are all so different from each other. I have a brother who is very creative artistic and musical. He has a gift with the piano and a voice that makes angels weep. I have a sister who is a gifted hairdresser with the most loving open heart. She was a lifeguard and is a remakable athlete in her own right. I have another brother who is very intelligent and driven. He reminds me of what I was like when I was younger. He will succeed. By sheer force of will if necessary. My other sister the youngest girl is a dental hygenist by day gifted painter by night. She does amazing things on canvas. She hasn't begun to sell her work professionally yet but I'm sure she will in the future. My youngest brother who is the baby of the family is 17 years younger than I am. He is loving and sweet, though he tried to hide it, and shows promise on the basketball court. I have another brother who is dynamic and full of life. He has an aptitude for drama and the arts, a lovely voice and a beautiful soul. He has yet to realize himself all that he can do if he only applies all of his talents. When he does the world will be his oyster. My brother closest to me in age was my confidant as a child, fellow mischief maker ( along with a beloved cousin), and dearest friend. He is a kind a loving soul. His courage and determination to take care of his son is humbling. Add to this mix my Father, an exceptional teacher whose ability to touch lives continues to be far reaching. He can build houses and mend a broken heart with equal skill and love. He is a rock for the whole family. My mother is a fireball of energy. She will giggle with you into the wee hours of the morning and still be up at the crack of dawn ready for a new adventure. She will laugh or cry with you and always be just a phone call away. This is my remarkable family. Now I have to find unique gifts for them for Christmas. This is a daunting task but an adventure too.
Stay tuned for the rest of the saga.....