Chocolate Vines on Blue Tote Bag - $ 35.00 - Handmade FuZion Social

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ARTISAN INDEPENDENCE CONTEST!

JULY 1ST - JULY 31ST

No signup is necessary. Everyone is eligible to win!

Here's how it works:

We have assigned a point value for things you normally do in building your business, such as listing an item, making a purchase and telling your friends. The member with the highest points wins!!!

Tickets Awarded:

http://shophf.com/pages/r...tweet.html


Handmade FuZion is proud to announce a BRAND NEW
advertising tool that can skyrocket your listing exposure and increase sales!!!

INSTA-TWIT

How do I use INSTA-TWIT?
This unique new feature for handmadefusion.com enables you to automatically send out a twitter link each time you list a new item on the site. Why do double the work? Now you can let your handmadefusion account do it for you!

INSTA-TWIT Directions: Add your Insta-Twit to your account.
To do this go to Members Area>Control Panel>Click on INSTA-TWIT then scroll down to Twitter settings and enter in your twitter user name and password, click the Update button.

Each time you create a new listing or a listing is renewed it will automatically tweet a link. If you don't have a twitter account or choose not to use yours, our default account will be used which is HandmadeFuZion.

The link looks like this: http://bit.ly/wKz7I Strawberries - For sale at http://www.handmadefusion.com

Here's HOW: Create an account** on http://www.handmadefusion.com/formSpan.php? setup your account information which will include your twitter account. List your items (Currently For FREE) and Insta-Twit will automatically send out a tweet for you!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG CONTEST!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!!!

Handmade FuZion is proud to announce a BRAND NEW advertising tool that can skyrocket your listing exposure and increase sales!!!

INSTA-TWIT How do I use INSTA-TWIT? This unique new feature for handmadefusion.com enables you to automatically send out a twitter link each time you list a new item on the site. Why do double the work? Now you can let your handmadefusion account do it for you!

INSTA-TWIT Directions: Add your Insta-Twit to your account. To do this go to Members Area>Control Panel>Click on INSTA-TWIT then scroll down to Twitter settings and enter in your twitter user name and password, click the Update button.
Each time you create a new listing or a listing is renewed it will automatically tweet a link. If you don't have a twitter account or choose not to use yours, our default account will be used which is HandmadeFuZion.

The link looks like this: http://bit.ly/wKz7I Strawberries - For sale at http://www.handmadefusion.com

Handmade FuZion is now offering FREE Listings. For a limited time only you can list your handmade items on www.handmadefusion.com for FREE!

There is no setup fee or other hidden site fees... Don't Hesitate - List Now!

NEW FRONT PAGE FEATURED ARTISAN: We have just installed a brand new script that will randomly select a new Featured Artisan to be displayed on the front page each time the front page is hit or refreshed. This is a complete review and can include full HTML and an interview if you wish!
NEW TICKET SUPPORT SYSTEM: This added featured will enable our artisans and visitors to submit tickets for any issues, bugs or questions that may arise. The added function is to create a knowledge base for all to benefit from.
NEW SHIPPING DETAILS FEATURE: When your item has sold and you are ready to ship to your buyer you should contact them via email, the Message Board (through Handmade FuZion) and also by using the new updated Shipping Options through the member control panel. Directions here
FRONT PAGE ADVERTISING: We now are proud to display a banner advertisement on our front page. It is under the Featured Items and is available for purchase on a monthly basis and will rotate. We’ve limited the number of advertisers in this spot to allow for maximum exposure. Ads are approved on a first-come-first-served basis. Get your spot NOW!

JUST ADDED TODAY!!!
Handmade FuZion now has a new site feature "Store Reviews!!! http://shophf.com We have amazing artisans...check it out and leave a review!

coming soon.... item reviews, guestbook, member stats and much more!!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

APRIL 20 - MAY 20, 2009

^{No signup is necessary. Everyone is eligible to win! Don't wait get started now!!!}

^{How it works:}

^{We have assigned virtual tickets for things you normally do in building your business,
such as listing an item, making a purchase and telling your friends about Handmade FuZion.}
SIGN IN NOW!!!

^{Tickets Awarded:
Virtual Tickets for each Item Listed = 100
Virtual Tickets for each Item Purchased = 100
Virtual Tickets for each New Referral = 100 (The person you refer needs to put your name into the registration form. You will receive your tickets manually)}

^{Two winners will be selected based on the highest total points.}

^{Prizes awarded:
1st place - $25.00 Cash in your Paypal Account
2nd place - $10.00 Credit to your Handmade FuZion Account (*Note: If you hold a buyers only account, then we will credit your Paypal Account )}

^{Can not be combined with any other offer or contest.
If you would like to donate an item for the next contest please contact us at
admin@handmadefusion.com. If you are selected we will add 50 tickets to your account.}

Where are you located? Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania

How long have you been creating handmade items? Since 1999

What type of products do you offer? Natural Gourmet Soaps, Bath, Body, Massage, Salon & Spa Products

How did you decide on your company’s name? Arcadia is a city in Greece known for it's simple, peaceful pastoral way of life. Aromatics is the very essence of what natural handmade products are.

What is your motivation? To offer my customers a better alternative to chemically saturated products that contain large % of harmful, toxic preservatives. To help others improve their health via wellness modalities & natural skin care.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? The most enjoyable part is that I can be extremely creative. My soaps are works of art. My bath & body products are very unique & innovative. The most rewarding part for me is that I'm helping others.

Which items are your best sellers? My soaps of course. By far, my gourmet soaps are my #1 selling product. The look of my soaps are different than most handmade soaps, they are all made with pure, rich coconut milk and other wholesome, skin-loving ingredients, they are extremely large in size & weight and they smell fantastic.

How do you market your products? Word of mouth is my best advertisement. Everything that my company has become is due almost entirely to word of mouth through my loyal customers. I also make regular voluntary contributions to worthy causes, such as womens resources, orphanages, homeless shelters, battered womens shelters & missionaries. I try to spread the word as much as I can via the internet in various mediums such as bath & body product reviews and blog articles. I regularly feature my products at craft fairs, festivals and markets.

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I love how user friendly the site is. Listing products is a snap. I can maneuver around the site very easily. I would however like to see some more tutorials or help sections on creating/deleting categories & sub-categories.

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Keep going. If this is your dream, if being a part of the indie community brings you a sense of satisfaction & joy, if helping other people is the most rewarding thing you've done.......keep going. Keep motivated. Keep striving to be better than yesterday. Don't let anyone or anything stop you from becoming all that you can be. The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed. So keep going. You CAN make a difference.

1. Where are you located? Shelby Township , MI

2. How long have you been creating handmade items? I started designing pet apparel in 2003, but I have been a designer since I was old enough to pick up a pencil.

3. What type of products do you offer? Pet apparel, fun neck wear, harnesses and custom t-shirts.

4. How did you decide on your company’s name? I started designing apparel for my own pup and her name was Mia. This shop is dedicated to her.

5. What is your motivation? I just love what I do. I believe that pets are such an important part of a happy life and they are with us such a short time. To me, responsible pet ownership includes having fun with them. I try to create designs to reflect that.

6. What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I enjoy the whole process from creating a design on paper, to seeing the finished product.

7. Which items are your best sellers? I really don’t have a best seller. My coats and dresses are very popular. My customers are so varied and I try to create items that appeal to a wide range of pet owners.

8. How do you market your products? I really haven’t had to do much marketing.

9. What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? This is a site that is easy to navigate. I like the screening process which is why I applied to this site.

10. Do you have any advice for other artisans? I believe that you have to have an enthusiasm for what you are creating. Artisans need to find their niche and create what they love.

Where are you located? Texas

How long have you been creating handmade items? Seems like I have always been creating something but I have only been selling my creations since May 08

What type of products do you offer? handcrafted soaps and body care items

How did you decide on your company’s name? My soaps are all natural and natural soaps are not white. By leaving the soaps natural without any artificial dyes, brighteners or artificial fragrances I end up with an off-white (yellow) but very skin friendly and mild (mellow) soap - that's where the name Mellow Yellow Soap Company comes from

What is your motivation? I love to honor nature in my creations and firmly believe that by leaving things as natural as possible and not adding unnecessary artificial ingredients we can be kinder to our bodies.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? That I get to use them myself and know that only the best ingredients went into them! I also love to hear how my creations work for my customers.

Which items are your best sellers? The Avocado Bar is my bestseller. Avocado oil is so gentle on the skin and this bar has no added fragrance at all - not even Essential Oils - so it works really well with skin that gets irritated by other soaps (eczema, etc.)

How do you market your products? I have my own website www.mellowyellowsoap.com and I now also love to offer my products through Fuzion

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I think it would be important to make the CP more user friendly.

1^st place - $25.00 Cash - Glasstastic Treasures

2^nd place - $10.00 Credit to your Handmade FuZion Account - Mheld

3^rd place - Beautiful Valentines Day Full Scrapbook Layout Page- (Donated by Scrap Your Memories by Rhonda ) - CharmBoutique

Stay Tuned for Our Next Exciting Handmade FuZion Contest

Coming Soon!

Where are you located? Portland, Oregon

How long have you been creating handmade items? All my life - although not professionally until a year ago when my friends and a few strangers talked me into it.

What type of products do you offer? Asian inspired jewelry, pencil portraits, paintings, photos of my world travels, chai and exotic spice blends (coming soon) - what ever I happen to be in the mood for. :-) I'm also writing a fictional novel about a medical evacuation helicopter crew durring the Vietnam War.

How did you decide on your company’s name? I love the Buddhist concept of Dharma - a kind of Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You philosophy.

What is your motivation? I have an over-active imagination - and that little hamster in my brain keeps running on the wheel at full speed. :-) I admit it - I'm eccentric. I get an idea in my head and feel compelled to see it to fruition, whether it be a necklace, a portrait, or painting one of my cabinets to look like an antique from Tibet.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I love the fact that it's so personal - an expression of my soul and how I see the world. A lot of love goes into everything I do. It's like each work is a piece of me I'm sharing with the world.

Which items are your best sellers? So far my jewelry, although I've had a lot of interest in my pencil portraits - and have been commisioned to paint a huge oil painting recently.

How do you market your products? So far I use Etsy.com, Project Wonderful adds on art blogs, and word of mouth. I also happen wear my own jewelry, which has led to a few sales and selling my designs at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden gift shop. Business cards are a must.

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I love the site - and all the artists and their creations. It's very user friendly, but I'd like to see the searche function fine tuned (i.e. search for China NOT cups NOT plates)

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Be true to your heart and soul - and follow your passions. Art is about expression, not about making money, which is often why we are "starving artists." LOL I'd rather create art for me and follow my soul than make money. To me, loving what I do and feeling complete is being successful. :-)

Where are you located? Martensville, Saskatchewan, Canada

How long have you been creating handmade items? For 13 years - I started out making hemp jewelry and that's when I got the crafting 'bug'.

What type of products do you offer? I offer lots of eye candy – pretty pendants, rings, pocket mirrors, wristlet key fobs and more! I love to try everything so as not to bore myself.

How did you decide on your company's name? I was known as The Charm Lady by past customers whom I made custom photo Italian charms for. The name kind of stuck with me.

What is your motivation? Making items that people love and being able to help support my family at the same time is what motivates me.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I love the act of creating – I find it relaxing and it's a great stress reliever for me. I have 3 small children so I need something to do that is just for me.

Which items are your best sellers? My pendants are my best seller. The Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer I have entices buyers. Who doesn't like to get something for free?

How do you market your products? I utilize Twitter, Facebook , Blogger and You Tube as much as possible. I also have shops set up on other online venues.

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? Everything! It's easy to navigate and listing items is a snap.

What new features would you like to see? It would be great to be able to rearrange your images instead of having to upload them in a specific order.

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Do what you love and just stay positive. You'll be rewarded for your efforts in many ways.

Where are you located? Rutland, Vermont

How long have you been creating handmade items? I learned to sew when I was 4 years old, and have been creating hand sewn items since then. I officially started selling my work under the name "Auntie Jill" on January 1st, 2008. (It was my New Year's Resolution to get my work "out there" and actually sell it rather then just making them for friends and family.) By April I was sewing plush toys full time as my only job.

What type of products do you offer? I make stuffed animal (plush) toys from patterns I have designed myself and have also made plush airplanes, lighthouses, and pillows by customer request and some clothing - although I prefer to focus on plush toys.

How did you decide on your company’s name? My nephew once got upset at my step-dad for calling me "Jill". He thought that my name was "Auntie Jill" and was offended that anyone dared call me something else. It was really cute and since my nieces and nephews are a source of great inspiration, I decided it was a good name for my company.

What is your motivation? Kids of all ages. I have a degree in art and a ton of training and licensing in childcare and child development, but it has been my personal interactions with babies and kids that has really taught me what they like and dislike and I use that experience to design my patterns and select fabrics. I worked in a crises center for a while and realized that what I care about most in life is comforting kids and making them smile. I hope my work does this for all the kids who receive my toys.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I get to give a little of myself with everything I make - I get to put a little love into each toy and I really believe that it makes my toys a little more special then something you could buy in the store.

Which items are your best sellers? My snuggle bunnies sell the best.

How do you market your products? I've taken out ads in Craft and Venus Magazine, and use Twitter, but have had the best responses through bloggers who have a following of young parents. I've done give-aways and provided products for reviews to a few bloggers and have had great response from those.

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I think its really easy to use as a seller, and I have the impression they really care if their sellers succeed or not and invest not only in their own success, but the success of their crafters.

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Be passionate about what you are making. It shows. Also let the perfectionist inside of you find its voice - even if it means you're not making a profit at first it will pay off in the long run with more repeat customers and more customer referrals. If I make an item that doesn't turn out perfect I find a way to fix it or I don't sell it. I also take the time to attend to all the tiny details that I figure the average customer doesn't even notice - because some of them do and I feel better about the product I sell if I know it is perfect.

CASH FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!

JAN. 24^th – FEB. 7^th, 2008

FREE Giveaway for Valentine's Day!!!

No signup for the contest is necessary**. Everyone is eligible to win!

Here's how it works:

We have assigned virtual tickets for things you normally do in building your business, such as listing an item, making a purchase and telling your friends.

Where are you located? I live on the beautiful Oregon Coast in Coos Bay.


How long have you been creating handmade items? I've loved making things for as long as I can remember. I began sewing very young because my Mother is a seamstress, and she taught me how to sew. I made most of my clothes in High School, my own Wedding Gown, and then clothing for my daughters. In 1986 a friend introduced me to the wonderful world of quilting and I have never looked back! I also do cross-stitch, knit, and crochet, but quilting is definitely my passion.


What type of products do you offer? Quilts of all shapes and sizes and a variety of other quilted items. I love the freedom of free-motion quilting and have used this art to create a variety of items.


How did you decide on your company’s name? I wanted a simple name that was easily identifiable so I used a combination of my first name with what I do!


What is your motivation? I love working with fabric, the colors and textures along with all the possible combinations of design excite me. I love the three dimensional aspect of quilting and the way the quilting stitches can accentuate the pieced designs in a quilt.


What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? The fact that each item is unique, and that a quilt made well will last for years. I love the challenge of piecing, making the points pointy and the corners match. Sometimes it seems like the only thing I can control in my life and it's a wonderful world of peace and order! I love the speed and versatility of machine quilting, but also the peacefulness of hand-stitching.


Which items are your best sellers? My quilted postcards have been quite popular. They are a wonderful way to own a little piece of quilted art.


How do you market your products? I blog, am marketing locally with a group of other artists, and enjoy showing my quilts at quilt shows.


What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I love the relist similar feature! Makes it so easy to list a new item without starting from scratch! I'm sure I haven't explored all of the nooks and crannies yet, but I also like the blogs and forum section. I love that it is a juried site!


Do you have any advice for other artisans? Make what you love, and then everything else will follow!

Where are you located?

Bridgeport, Connecticut

How long have you been creating handmade items?

I started out making just soap which was over eight years ago.

What type of products do you offer?

I offer handmade soaps, whipped body butters, sugar scrubs, foot care products, fizzy bath bombs, lip balms and solid lotion bars.

How did you decide on your company's name?

That was easy. I grew up in the UK on Morgan Street. That was my home for 18 years of my life. It's where I learned how to knit, sew, draw & paint and the back yard was where I would squish flower petals between my finger tips to see if I could get perfume out of them.

What is your motivation?

I recently found out that my now deceased grandmother who I barely knew was a soap maker also. This knowledge has affirmed for me that I'm doing the right thing and explains my addiction to all things soapy.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items?

It feels good knowing every single ingredient that I'm putting on my skin.

Which items are your best sellers?

Black Raspberry Vanilla and ChocoTherapy bar soaps sell very well. During the winter the body butters are quite popular too.

How do you market your products?

I really don't do much in the way of marketing. I dabble a little with Project Wonderful and I also have a blog where I write about my soaping adventures sometimes.

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion?

I love the "List Similar Item" feature. It makes listing so easy and quick. I also love that our items are submitted to Google Base.

What new features would you like to see?

Maybe an arena where shops can announce any sales they're running. So shoppers can click on a link to see a listing of shops offering deals.

Do you have any advice for other artisans?

My advice would be to make sure you love what you're creating. If you're passionate about it, it will show in the end product.

Treat your customers with the utmost respect. Wrap their goodies as if you're sending them a special gift. They will appreciate it.

Where are you located? Florida

How long have you been creating handmade items? I was always dabbling, mostly pottery, but have been doing metal for 5 years.

What type of products do you offer? Wearable art, made of metal, mostly in the form of jewelry.

How did you decide on your company's name? I couldn't think of anything really catchy that hadn't already been used, so I went with my own name. Not much imagination there, I guess!

What is your motivation? The metal itself. I see infinite possibilities in a piece of metal or wire, mostly in an organic sense. When I apply a torch, the metal moves and forms in unexpected ways. I take that piece and build on it.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? My biggest joy is seeing someone wearing it! It's personal for me, and when they buy and wear it, it becomes personal to them. Like giving one of my children a good home.

Which items are your best sellers? My life cuff in particular. Last year I made it to honor the death of a dear friend. The story resonated with many people and I made over 40 custom orders of that cuff, in silver, copper or brass, in less than 6 months after I introduced it. My folded cuffs, in general, have done very well.

How do you market your products? On line with social and professional networks, some printed advertising, through the galleries, and by wearing the designs. I've had people buy pieces right off my arm!

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion?
What new features would you like to see? I like the summary in our shops, and the ability to have a store newsletter, though I haven't gotten started on that yet. Would love to see more stats for the site, overall, and more subcategories when listing.

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Do what you love. Create what gives you pleasure. And market, market, market. I'm new to HF, so I haven't done much of that here yet. But I learned from experience on another venue, that it works when you have a business plan to follow and marketing must be an integral part of that plan.

BlueJeanJess

I am Jess and I love to make cute baby items.

Where are you located? I live in Bakersfield, California.

How long have you been creating handmade items? As long as I can remember...starting way back in Elementary School I would put together fun homemade Halloween costumes. After I married, I started making baby blankets and quilts...now I make all sorts of things.

What type of products do you offer? I make mostly baby items, from small toys to burp cloths and blankets.

How did you decide on your company's name? I have used bluejeanjess for almost 7 years now...I started out making beaded jewelry under Blue Jean Chic Jewelry then it evolved into just bluejeanjess....which lets me do what I want...who knows where it will lead me.

What is your motivation? I am motivated by color, when I walk into a fabric store the colors entice me to buy fabrics...I usually have an idea about what I want to make but usually it changes some once I find the perfect fabric. I am not a fabric hoarder; I tend to buy what I need for a specific project and then make it. Only once the item is made and I like it do I buy additional fabric.

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I love to see my items being used. I get a thrill when I see someone using and enjoying the items I made for their baby. That makes it worthwhile.

Which items are your best sellers? I sell tons of my Sprinkle No Mores (better known as pee pee tee pees). I have this idea in my mind that I will have ten of each set made and ready for eventual sales, which never happens. Usually I get an order for the one I don't have finished and the ones I do have finished just sit there...

How do you market your products? I have them listed on a couple different sites, other than that I don't. I am a full time student, with a part time job, three children and I am going through a divorce...I wish I had ten more hours in every day, five for sleep and five to be productive!

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I like being able to add like items...this feature save tons of time.

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Enjoy the process, have fun with your business.

Under Glass

Where are you located? I am located on the rocky coastline of Connecticut, we are a military family and have been stationed here for the last 13 years

How long have you been creating handmade items? Oh boy! I can't remember a time when I was not creating, so I would say from a very young age.

What type of products do you offer? Right now my current passion is jewelry, resin, plastic, glass, beads, and especially collage!

How did you decide on your company's name? When I was little I was fascinated by a collection of glass domes my grandmother had, every size and shape. Under each of the glass domes were her favorite items, those things most precious to her.
Items that were honored enough to placed under one of her glass domes were not all expensive or breakable, they were the items that touched her heart. A pressed dandelion, a hand embroidered handkerchief from her grandmother, a small cup full of pearls from her wedding dress.
When I would give my grandmother a handmade gift I would know I really got it right when she would say, "This is wonderful, this belongs under glass!" And up she would lift one of the precious glass domes and place her gift under it.
In my shop I hope you to will find something that touches your heart, something you will feel is good enough to place under glass. And that is why I chose "underglass" as my company's name.

What is your motivation? A deep seated need to create something all the time, I get hugely restless if I go too long without creating something!

What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? Everything!
I love the ideas that come flowing through my brain as I am creating, I love the way it can transform from one idea and turn out to be something totally different but just as satisfying when it is complete. I love experimenting with all the wonderful supplies available. I especially love how those that appreciate handmade item are so enthusiastic about the work, creativity and heart that I put into each item.

Which items are your best sellers? I have teeny tiny Ouija board necklaces adorned with a cluster of beads and crystals, strung on a modern silicone cord that I can't seem to keep in stock. Also the tubular collage necklaces are different and very popular. But probably the most popular items in my shop are the translucent resin necklaces with barren trees and hand colored backgrounds .Dusk, Dawn, Scarlet twilight, Violet twilight, and Reflection to name a few.

How do you market your products? I have two online shops that I promote regularly, in various forums, I have had huge success participating in the little black box promotions and advertising on craft cult.
But hands down, the best marketing tool is word of mouth, offer great quality products, at a good price, and add in excellent customer service and you will find people will spread the word.

What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I absolutely love the ability to run a sale in an easy way! That feature alone is worth it's weight in gold!
With all the bells and whistles that are already available on Handmade FuZion I can't think of anything new I would like to see, but if I think of anything I will be sure to let you know!

Do you have any advice for other artisans? Put all of your heart into your creations, and love what you do!

Twiddlestix