FuZing the Creative with the Consumer
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!!!
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coming soon.... item reviews, guestbook, member stats and much more!!!
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.
Do you have any advice for other artisans? Do what you love and make products you enjoy yourself. Don't cut corners when it comes to quality and customer service.
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.
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?
I live and create in the beautiful Middletown Valley in Maryland.
How long have you been creating handmade items?
Forever. It started as a young girl when my grandmother taught me to crochet. I started out making things for family and myself, then started selling at craft shows, then wholesale trade shows. I started selling my creations online about three years ago. The internet is a wonderful thing!
What type of products do you offer?
My main focus for the past three years has been designing and creating pincushions. Making the practical cute is what I like to do. I want my pincushions to be more functional and even cuter than what you'll find at the local craft store. I think they are. Most of my pincushions don't just provide a place to store your pins, they're filled with a mineral called emery to keep them sharp too. My Emery Pincushions resemble strawberries, peapods, bunnies, and cherries atop cute cupcakes. My Pincushion Rings keep your pins right where you need them. All of them - super cute, practical and well-made.
How did you decide on your company's name?
I wish I had a different answer for this one. My unofficial, internet company name is "dottyral" - my first name and part of my last name. That was the username that I chose on my first internet site. I didn't realize at the time that name would become how I was known. I resisted for a long time, using my official company name along with it. I eventually realized that I need to embrace "dottyral". That's the name that was connected to my pincushions all over the internet. I now use it everywhere. If only I'd put more thought into it three years ago!
What is your motivation?
I'm inspired by practicality. I make things that are useful. I'm inspired by what's out there, and how I can improve it. I'm motivated by loving what I do. I love to design and create. I'd spend all day, every day doing it if I could. I'm motivated by the fact that I can generate income while staying at home. It doesn't get any better than to make money doing what you love, being your own boss, working on your own schedule, and all from the comfort of home.
What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items?
I adore doing handwork. Sitting in my comfy chair with my family nearby, taking tiny stitch after tiny stitch. It's relaxing and brings me great joy.
Which items are your best sellers?
This year, my cupcakes with cherries and my peapod pincushions were my best sellers.
How do you market your products?
I advertise online. I have a blog and flickr account. I think I've joined just about every social networking site on the internet!
What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion?
I love the scrolls of recently listed and sold items.
What new features would you like to see?
I'm very impressed with the way that Handmade FuZion has adapted and changed since its opening. I can't think of anything specific at the moment. I know that when/if I do think of something that HF admin will listen and take it into consideration.
Do you have any advice for other artisans?
Do what you love. Don't look at what others are doing. Take some quiet time to think - often. It's amazing what you'll come up with.
Do you have anything else to share?
My most exciting recent accomplishment was receiving three official copyrights. This was a really big deal to me. Applying for them was rather scary and I really didn't know if they'd be approved. I was surprised and so pleased when the certificates arrived in the mail. Each copyright covers a whole collection - Pincushion Rings, Pincushion Pal Rings and Emery Pincushion Rings.
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.
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.
BlueJeanJess
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
Under Glass
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!
TwiddlestixThis shop features handmade greeting cards. If you are looking for unique cards for (almost) any occasion, you have come to the right place! I try to keep a good variety, and love to use lots of color, and pattern. Enjoy!
Blue Sky Pottery / Deb Babcock I was honored last year to be asked to submit my work which is featured in Best Of America Pottery and Woodworking Artists & Artisans Vol.1 by Kennedy Publishing.
Where are you located? I live in the mountains of northwest Colorado in Steamboat Springs. We're noted for our ski mountain and the number of Olympians who live and train here.
How long have you been creating handmade items? My first pottery class at the local college was taken in 2001. Since then, I've honed my skills with additional classes and workshops through such venues as Anderson Ranch, Laloba Clay Ranch, attending NCECA conferences, etc.
What type of products do you offer? The majority of my work is functional dinnerware. I like to think of it as a whimsically elegant style with the use of bright colors, textures and embellishments.
How did you decide on your company's name? Actually, a friend of mine came up with the name when we decided to rent studio space together. Meanwhile, she left to raise her young children and I retained the name.
What is your motivation? I enjoy making artistic pieces that are also useful. So I strive to combine functionality with my desire for pleasing all of your senses when you hold and use my pottery.
What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? For me, it is the almost unlimited number of ways that I can use creativity to make something. From manipulating soft clay to form an object, to altering it via carving, poking, embellishments, etc. through the glazing phase and sometimes beyond when you add found objects to a piece.
Which items are your best sellers? People tend to especially enjoy my organic series of pieces that include teacups on leaf saucers, berry bowls and leaf bowls. My teardrop series of vases gain a lot of interest and are featured in shows and publications as are the whimsical teapots for which I have a nice following of admirers.
How do you market your products? Online through a site such as Handmade FuZion, in my studio which doubles as a gallery of my work and is located in an office building not too far from the ski mountain here, and at an annual holiday sale that is held locally with other ceramic artists.
What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? One thing that I especially appreciate about Handmade Fuzion is the personal touch the owners provide, with frequent updates on what they are doing to promote the site, and the enhancements they have added as they receive feedback from buyers and sellers. It has a clean look, seems easy to navigate, and as a seller, it is easy to upload my work. Frankly, I need to get more of my work listed here since it is kind of hard to sell your work if you don't have it listed and available for sale, right?
Do you have any advice for other artisans? Communication is key to making an online buyer comfortable and happy with their purchase. I always acknowledge a sale as soon as it comes through and tell the buyer a little something about the piece they bought, when it will go in the mail, with a request to let me know that it arrived safely. I also enclose a business card that contains a guarantee on the back should the recipient have any problems with my pottery. I offer to repair, replace or refund their money.
My teapot set that is currently on display at an International Teapot Show.
Jewellia is all about unique, elegant jewellery, carefully handcrafted from quality materials. 
Jewellia
Luminescent Art for ambiance, for serenity, for renewal of the spirit.
Where are you located? Durango, Colorado
How long have you been creating handmade items? All my life, but especially the last 4 years
What type of products do you offer? At this time, mainly my light sculptures, but I also offer giclee prints of my art and original abstract paintings and multimedia works.
How did you decide on your company's name? LifeDance Art Studio... I like to think of life as a dance, where we learn to step in flow or sometimes stumble and spend some time off balance. Each has its place in our lives for learning and personal growth. 
What is your motivation? To create beauty... I feel that beauty calls forth higher consciousness in humanity, and humanity is at a critical stage in its development at this time in history, so anything that inspires higher, expanded consciousness is needed even more right now. We need to recreate the world, and do it from love, joy and creativity at its best.
What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I love the design process and watching the creation itself take turns I didn't necessarily plan, feeling I'm co-creating with the Great Creator of the Universe, bringing into being a piece of art as individual and unique as a sunrise or a sunset - each one of a kind. I feel a kind of bliss when I'm creating and watching something beautiful emerge and come to completion.
Which items are your best sellers? So far, light sculptures are a hit. Some of my colorful paintings are favorites with people and I also make frame drums with art on them at times... The drums have been very popular.
How do you market your products? I've been working on marketing online to increase my market beyond my local area, trying many places and strategies and will continue learning and fine-tuning. I plan on placing some of my pieces in local stores in my area in the New Year as well. It's quite a learning process!
What are your favorite features on Handmade fuzion? What new features would you like to see? I think Handmade fuzion is doing fine... I don't have any suggestions at this time; I like the site very much.
Do you have any advice for other artisans? Keep creating and be creative with your marketing as well. Try new things, keep doing what works!
Archival prints from original paintings as well as original paintings. Where are you located? I live just outside of Charlotte, NC and also maintain a very small studio in the South end art district in Charlotte. What type of products do you offer? Mostly archival prints from my original paintings as well as original paintings. I will soon be offering note cards and jewelry from my art. Which items are your best sellers? Prints of whimsical cats.
How long have you been creating handmade items? On and off since childhood. I enjoyed creating art (mostly pencil drawings) throughout my school years, but took a hiatus for a few years while pursuing a "real" job. I've spent the past 3 years developing my painting skills via workshops and self-study.
How did you decide on your company's name? I wanted a name that was simple and easy to remember. I also love cats and the color blue.
What is your motivation? I have a very strong desire to create art and to run my own little business. I enjoy both the creative and business sides of being a self-represented artist.
What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I enjoy the challenges of taking a blank canvas and turning it into a painting. I also find painting to be very relaxing and satisfying.
How do you market your products? I have a blog and I also twitter. I'm a member of a local art league which allows me the opportunity to meet other artists and patrons in person as well as participate in their gallery shows. I also participate in several charity auctions in the Charlotte area throughout the year.
What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? My favorite feature is the very affordable option for sellers to promote their item(s) on the home page. I also appreciate the ease of listing items. Handmade FuZion is very visually appealing in both images and text.
Do you have any advice for other artisans? I would say to have patience and persistence. Strive to do your best work. Always maintain excellent customer service.
Giggling Goldfish
It's just fun stuff.
Where are you located? Boca Raton Florida
How long have you been creating handmade items? I come from a family of artists and crafters and have been creating ever since I can remember.
What type of products do you offer? In this shop I try to create childrens items that will hopefully become one of those life long treasures.
How did you decide on your companyʼs name? When my youngest daughter was younger she would always say that her goldfish were smiling at her, so when we starting creating together it just seemed perfect.
What is your motivation? I am totally kid inspired!
What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? I am on of those that literally enjoy every single aspect of creating. From thinking up an idea in my head to putting it to paper, the actual creating and adding all those little details that I think make a piece so special to packaging each piece so that it looks like a special gift and then the most important getting the most amazing feedback from a customer telling me just how much their new little piece is loved.
Which items are your best sellers? My watches are definitely a big hit with the moms and little ones. I worked really hard trying to come up with something fun, unique but educational at the same time.. I have an eighteen month old son who always wants to be like the big kids and is always eager to learn. My monster wallets are also doing well. Again, fun but educational.
How do you market your products? I do a lot of word of mouth, passing my business cards out everywhere, Twitter, Flickr, my kids are always with something that I created so that is a big door opener, my webpage is still a work in progress though, but am currently creating new marketing material that I am going to distribute.
What are your favorite features on Handmade FuZion? What new features would you like to see? I like that I can view all of my product information on one page. I like that you have the featured artist and will have the Fuzion Finds, would like to see the slide on the front page larger than a one item view.
Do you have any advice for other artisans? Believe in yourself and love what you do and the rest will follow. Thank you for your consideration and look forward to listing more items this coming year and being a bigger part of Handmade Fuzion.
Handmade Soaps ~ Indulge Yourself
Where are you located? We are located in East Islip, New York which is on Long Island.
How long have you been creating handmade items? I started with paper crafts, cards and such when my children were very little. Moved on to stained glass as they got older, and now that they are all in there teens and will be leaving the nest in the near future my husband and I started our soap business together. We have been making soap for a little more than a year.
What type of products do you offer? At this time we offer a variety of soaps and are planning on expanding to other bath and body products in the coming year.
How did you decide on your company’s name? Well we knew we would be having a variety of different bath products and wanted people to know they can always come back for seconds. The Soap Buffet was born.
What is your motivation? We love to see people’s reactions to certain scents. Everyone has there favorite scent and the pleasure you see on there face when you capture it in your products is priceless.
What do you enjoy most about creating handmade items? We truly enjoy the time we have together making our soaps without the interruptions from the kids. We love to hear from people who have tried handmade soap for the first time. They usually swear they will never go back to store bought soaps again.
Which items are your best sellers? Our Oatmeal Exfoliating Soap is our #1 seller. Many of the mini muffins soaps and cupcake soaps are very popular with the kids. They think they are “so cute” and they are the perfect size for little hands.
How do you market your products? Most of our marketing is done in the forums, through referrals and craft fairs. Hoping to add a blog in the coming year and to expand our Myspace and Facebook accounts.
What are your favorite features on Handmade Fuzion? We love the prefilled fields and the option of being on the front page. We think your contests ideas are a great motivation for the sellers!
Do you have any advice for other artisans? Just follow your heart and be creative. What is loved by some is not necessarily loved by all so just do what makes you happy.
