June Newsletter

Texas Artfire Newsletter 6/09

Heather Mewis - ffmementos@yahoo.com

http://jinx1764.blogspot.com

To all our new members

Remember! If we all contribute are time and information to Texas Artfire then we can all benefit! Stop by the Texas Artfire Guild Forums and leave a comment or start a discussion.

Chat scheduled for June 26 – 9pm

I’ve finally gotten June’s Newsletter finished, thanks to everyone for being so patient during my recovery. For those of you who don’t already know I required major abdominal surgery May 28 and then experienced some complications which have caused me to spend a large part of my time sleeping and regaining my strength. I’m still not 100% but I’m feeling much better this week.

I want to request to all members to please email me with any local promotions, ideas, personal achievements, etc. I’ve had very little response from our members and while I don’t try to run this guild in a strict, rule based manner; I would love to have more participation from our members. If you have ideas for contests please feel free to initiate them without my approval but I would love to know about them.

If you would like to have your email added to the blog list for independent contribution please tell me and I will add it. To those members whose email is already listed – please feel free to add information about Texas Artisans, your own shop, etc and link so we can gain more followers. You may also add articles, advice, craft ideas, etc. I would love our blog to more interactive with all members.

My primary goal for Texas Artfire is local networking of our various members to increase the promotion of all Texas Artisans. No matter how much assistance an artisan is given ultimately you have to promote yourself and your studio to realize the increased business and long term success. I want to be a hub to facilitate that goal for all Texas Artisans.

Promotion is very time consuming for each of us and if all of us contribute our time and energy then we can all find success!

I will be including an updated list of our current members, names, locations and type of shop in each newsletter. If you would like more information to your studio name (such as email, blog) please contact me and I will add it. If you would prefer not to include additional info then I will keep your studio name as it is currently. For those shops with limited information – this is because I have not received your questionnaire.

If you are participating in an upcoming fair please send me the details and I’ll included it in the next newsletter.

Tagging your items: please add - texasartfire - all one word as a tag so that all members can easily find and promote all Texas Artfire items and members. If the words are separate then it will bring up any shop that mentions Texas in any part of their listing.

Updates

We currently have 65 members, including my two shops. A few more have downgraded their Artfire membership or closed their shop, thereby losing guild member status. Please email me if you decide to downgrade or close your shop. It would save me a lot of time when updating the shop list. Thanks! Below is an alphabetical list of the shop names, owner names, type of shop and their Texas location. If you have not turned in your guild questionnaire then I will not update further information.

Stop by the guild forums to participate in the discussions and contribute any ideas you have.

I will be adding each month’s newsletter to the Texas Artfire Blog – http://txartfire.blogspot.com and just emailing out the notification that it’s posted. I you will like to be added to the blog team to contribute anything please contact me and I will add your email.

Promotions

I would like member’s options on running a Texas Artfire promotion similar to the Crazy Train Promotion that Picard started. Each week we would all use our social networks to promote a specific Texas Artfire shop; I suggest starting alphabetically.

Byhand.me by Birdy’s Knits– Taste of Texas. Be sure to stop by their blog or shop and let them know how much their efforts are appreciated.

Artisan Achievements

James of Birdy’s Knits has added a great Texas Artfire Treasury to our blog, http://txartfire.blogspot.com, stop by and check it out! You should also check out Blockhead Radio, James is very active with that forum with lots of great interviews and information.

My shop, http://jinx1764.artfire.com (Feathered Friends Mementos) was featured this month by Teresa Mallen’s Newsletter. I’m also doing my first blog giveaway from 6/15-7/15 for a custom bracelet. Stop by and enter!

Houston Area Fairs

Katy Farmer’s Market: www.FarmersMarketAtLaCenterra.com, contact Ro for application

Yale Street Market: www.FirstSaturdayArtMarket.com, contact Mitch, in the Houston Heights, Myself and my friend Diana (abstract oil painter) will be here May 2, 11-6pm

Greatwood Gifts Galore: giftsgaloreatgreatwood@yahoo.com, contact Christina Moreland with Greatwood Elementary in Sugarland Oct 2009

International Gem and Jewelry Show: http://www.intergem.net/ , in the Reliant Center in Houston

Member List

1) 2bellesandabead: Crystal and Karen Harris – Corpus Christi [handcrafted jewelry]

2) 3zart: Alexandria “AJ” McCormick (guild master of Artfire Decor) - Amarillo [Fun and funky décor items]

3) ABlondandatorch: Jen Nixon - China [Simple sterling silver and gold filled jewelry]

4) Andreadesigns: Andrea Wagner - Austin [Crocheted scarves and items]

5) Aprisha: Lewisville

6) Apunkincardcompany: Amie Needham - Montgomery [stationary and cards]

7) Bagsandbeads4u2: Lisa Kripps - Cleburne [Classic and quirky accessories]

8) Beadsandthings: Barb Wolf – San Antonio [lampwork, jewelry and supplies]

9) BigPikaChica: Heather Larsen - Bedford [General crafter]

10) Birdysknits: Birdy and James Coffman - San Antonio [Knitted items] http://www.birdysknits.com/blog

11) BlueBonnetDesigns: Yvonne Cornelius - Killeen [Beadweaving and bead embroidery]

12) BohemianRose: Jenn Carpenter - Mansfield [Soaps, lip balms and sugar scrubs]

13) BonnyCornerLampworkBeads: Bonny Corner - Dickenson [lampwork beads]

14) BoutiqueLozano: Lynn Lozano - Plano [ handmade kids crochet and knits]

15) BrokenHallelujah: Lubbock

16) CandleBoulevard: Houston [Fun candles]

17) Cctexan3: - Houston [Upscale jewelry]

18) Cedarjunction: Teresa Yates - Kingsville [Collage and mixed media vintage]

19) Claytiger: Glenn Ray Hall - Westlaco [Funky items from polyclay, copper and brass]

20) Coquettebath: Ft Worth

21) CountryLady: Betty Lee - Schertz

22) CreatedWithFire: Katy

23) Chucklebunnieuk: Elizabeth Mills - Honey Grove [all styles handcrafted artisan jewelry]

24) Dulciquilt: Lubbock

25) ElephantDreams: Houston

26) ElisaAlvarado: Elisa Alvarado - Round Rock [Contemporary bright figurative art]

27) FFMsupplies: Heather Mewis – Guild master – Missouri City [Vintage and destash]

28) FireFossil: Daniel Bresien - Bryan [lapidary – handcut designer cabochons]

29) GemsbyJerri: Jerri Chatham - Comfort [Jewelry for everyday wear]

30) Goodscentsbathandbody: Ballinger

31) HandmadeWithLove: Susan Griggs Peterman - Houston [Quilting]

32) Hillcountrycollection: Austin

33) Hosslassart: Connie Owens - Burleson [Watercolor artist of nature themes]

34) Illumestudio: Sylvia McDougald Holmes - Warren [Fused glass jewelry]

35) JanuaryGirlDesigns: Copperas Cove

36) Jellybeanz: Erica Christensen - Midland [Boutique shop for children, bath and paper goods]

37) Jinx1764 (Feathered Friends Mementos): Heather Mewis – Guild master Missouri City [Feather jewelry and items inspired by birds and nature]

38) KatherineKouture: Dallas

39) Ladybands: Ashyley Isra - Houston [woven headbands]

40) LBCDesigns: Lorraine King, Barbara Terry, Cynthia Jones - Houston [Eclectic jewelry and accessories]

41) Lifeisbutacharm: Yvonne Cornleius - Killeen [Mixed media, tile and glass pendants]

42) MagicWeaver: Mesquite

43) MeBirdDesigns: Robin Berri - Longview [Art jewelry using vintage and found items]

44) NancyMedinaArt: Nancy Medina - Flower Mound [Oil and watercolor art of nature and pets]

45) Newusesforoldclothes: Columbus

46) Omaleinert: Jutta Cuttingham - Garland

47) Pathea: Pattie Panuccio - Bronte [Wire jewelry with natural stones and vintage]

48) Pollywawgs: Jenny Lynch - Amarillo [Sew anything: dolls, blankets and embroiders]

49) Reansforte: Lorean Williams - Grapeland [sewing and mineral bath salt]

50) RockyCreekGems: Linda Mcmurry - Elgin [Gemstone jewelry, knitting and quilting]

51) Ruthbl: Ruth Blake La Porte [Handmade glass beads, resin and metal jewelry]

52) SacredTreasures: Houston

53) Shadesofsplendor: Round Rock

54) Sherricrochets: League City

55) SKorber: San Antonio

56) Snowbabyscreations: Petra Harding – Lubbock [Knit and crochet for baby and children, home décor]

57) Studio219: Cara Ellison - Spring

58) StudioDesigns: Celinda Barrett - Amarillo [Affordable handmade jewelry]

59) SylettSoap: Sylett Strickland - Dallas [Soap products]

60) SubearthenCottage: Haltom City

61) SweetWolf: Austin

62) TheJeweledFlamingo: Bonnie Saxton - Buda [Vintage and custom costume jewelry]

63) TheSacredOak: Willow Forrestall - Diboll [Historical costuming, pagan, occult, spiritual curios shop]

64) Treschicdesigns: Sharon Hightower - Katy [OOAK and limited edition jewelry]

65) Upstairs-Studio: Carolyn Huie – Campbell [Eclectic artist and jewelry maker]