The Blogfire Guild of Artfire

Happy Holidays

2011-12-22T10:30:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season. Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. Blessed Solstice.

And a very happy and healthy New Year....

We have exciting things coming in 2012 for Blogfire!

Did someone say Blitzen?

2011-11-01T21:41:00.001-04:00

No? Oh I misheard you...it was BLITZ!

Were you following the Blogfire blitz circle on our member blogs and get derailed by one of their wonderful shops? It's okay. It happens. Here is a list of their blogs so you can get back on the path (If their posts aren't up yet, they should be in the next day).

Edge of the Wildwood
WillOaks Studio
Honey from the Bee
Cozy at Cozy's Stitches
JustImagine Crafts
Whskr at The Fantail
CountryLady of Homespun Alley

Sudden snow

2011-10-30T19:08:00.001-04:00

An Artfire collection foror all those seeing an early snow...

Sudden snow

Curated By: AliciaMae

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Seeking marketing help?

2011-10-24T13:18:00.003-04:00

I ran across a blog called CraftMarketer. He addresses a number of issues crafters face marketing their wares and earning a living, from planning for craft fairs to establishing safe collaborations, and some articles are written by guest contributors. I thought some of the posts may be of interest to both Blogfire Guild members and our readers.

Of particular interest may be the articles on blogging to sell crafts online.

Blitz

2011-10-04T00:28:00.002-04:00

Blogfire is back online. Members should stop by our forum to discuss the guild's direction, including signing up to participate in a blitz to start off the holiday promotion season.

I'm open to ideas for the guild - we can work together to make ourselves better crafters, better bloggers, and better friends :)

Hiatus

2011-07-23T09:18:00.002-04:00

The regularly scheduled blog carnival is being put on hiatus while I handle some offline responsibilities. Any guild member who is interested in running the carnivals should contact me.

Hopefully this Fall we'll be back on a regular blogging schedule.

Thank you for your patience.

Open call part deux

2011-07-08T22:25:00.003-04:00

Hello Blogfire readers. Our blog carnival these week was another open call...giving our members a chance to stretch their fingers and show you their worlds

Carey Haslam presents ghost oak posted at Edge of the Wildwood, saying, "found a spooky little plant in my yard!"

Janet Bocciardi presents Celebrating Independence Day with Friendship posted at Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure, saying, "a nod to the French for helping us win our Independence!"

Virginia Burnett presents What is this Blog about, anyway? posted at Luna's Baublebilities.

Past posts can be found on ourblog carnival index page.

Open call!

2011-06-25T23:15:00.002-04:00

This week's Blogfire carnival was an open call! So you can get a taste of our great bloggers!

Meri Greenleaf presents Elfsisters' Art Adventures, Week 7 - Fun with a funnel posted at Elbit Blog.

Jen presents Summer Crafting, Here We Come! posted at Mama's Magic.

Jill Liles presents Make Art, Not War posted at Random Awesomeness by Liv'nGood Jewelry.

Janet Bocciardi presents Farmer's Daughter Gets a Barbed Necklace posted at Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure.

TotallyToTheT presents I admit it. I am obsessed with Meg's Stunning Crocheted Jewelry! posted at Her Artfire shop blog.

Past posts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

How do you enjoy summer?

2011-06-11T15:43:00.002-04:00

This week's blog carnival theme was "Summer Fun"

Janet Bocciardi presents The Color of Summer posted at Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure.

Alicia Mae presents I hate summer posted at Crafts and Cooking.

TotallytotheT presents Bright Sunshine-y Clay Day in the Butterfly Garden posted at TotallytotheT on Artfire.

Past posts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Take a break

2011-05-28T07:09:00.003-04:00

When I want to take a break I set the computer aside and find something creative to do - cooking, crafting, throwing q-tips for the cat to chase (long story lol). Blogfire members have their own ways to reset each day, Janet shares hers below. I suddenly want to make brownies :)

Janet Bocciardi presents Taking a Break, Heading to my Chocolate Drawer posted at Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure, saying, "Is there a better snack?"

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Thirteenth on a Friday

2011-05-13T23:02:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the May 13, 2011 edition of the blogfire guild blog carnival.

Virginia Burnett presents Friday the 13th posted at Luna's Baublebilities, saying, "Not your typical Friday the 13th post!"

AliciaMae presents Friday the 13th posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Past posts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Talent-less

2011-04-29T12:12:00.002-04:00

This week's blog carnival is about talent - and what we would do with it.

Alicia Mae presents Talent posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Past posts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

What talent do you wish you had?!

Inspiration from family

2011-04-16T07:34:00.003-04:00

For this week's blog carnival, members were asked "Who in your family inspires you?" Here's what they said - how about you?

Carey Haslam presents nobody told us that we couldn't posted at Edge of the Wildwood, saying, "I'm blessed to have so many family members that influence and support my creative endeavors. This article talks about 4 people that have inspired me in various ways, with links back to previous articles that show examples of their work in craft, art and music."

Meri Greenleaf presents My inspiration tends to give me goblins... posted at Elbit Blog.

Janet Bocciardi presents The Jingle and Clinking of Button Jar Memories posted at Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Garden garden how do you grow

2011-04-08T20:15:00.004-04:00

In March I challenged Blogfire members to give tips about preparing the garden for Spring.

TiLT had the best advice of all - pay someone else to do it! :)

This is actually good advice if you have trouble bending down or being outside, for whatever reason. My mom, for example, has a few different neighbors who offer to help her - and even if you can do some or most of it, we all need a little help sometimes! Pay or gifts for the help can be negotiated (might be a good time to share some of your handmade wares!)

Regardless of whether you do it alone or with help, the first step to prepping your garden is to clean it up. Depending on where you live, you probably have all sorts of debris or old foliage in the area. TiLT uses her rake to do a "top scrape".

She then turns over the topsoil and adds compost (coffee grounds and tea leaves collected during the Winter). Around already established plants, my mom uses wood mulch to make the area around the plants look refreshed and keep the roots protected from erosion. In contrast to rocks, the mulch helps retain moisture when the heat of summer comes along.

When dealing with a fresh area for a Spring garden, the fun part for TiLT is shopping for flowers, which she does about a month after the clean up. She sketches out colors and sizes she's looking for beforehand. I think that's the fun part, too. For vegetable gardens, spring is the time to start prepping seedlings or planning out what seeds or plants will be needed and how the garden will be organized. Either way, something new is planned and prepped - with great rewards when it's done.

What are some of your Spring garden prep tips?

April Fools

2011-04-01T12:20:00.003-04:00

Careful where you tread...it's April first

TiLTCreations presents April Fools Collection at Crafts, kids, home and life.

AliciaMae presents How to make a whoopie cushion at Crafts and Cooking.

French postcard (digital) from allan and patty on Artfire

Relaxing on St Patty's Day

2011-03-18T12:38:00.004-04:00

For this week's blog carnival our members reflect on St Patrick's Day and how they relax.

Inlet Images presents Faux Color posted at Inlet Images.

Ceations By Donna presents Saint Patrick's Day posted at CreationsByDonna.

Ruthie presents How I Relax posted at Rose Works Jewelry.

Janet Bocciardi presents Designing Jewelry is Not what I do to Relax posted at Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure.

Meri Greenleaf presents Trove Thursday - Luck o' the Irish posted at Elbit Blog.

Kathy presents A Cozy Life: Love Books, Any Books posted at Cozy.

AliciaMae presents Corned Beef and Cabbage posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Past posts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Stuck indoors?

2011-03-16T17:04:00.003-04:00

Why not craft?!

In our February challenge, Blogfire member TiLTCreations shared with us that her son doesn't like to get his hands messy, but she's found that play-doh "machines" and activity/coloring books allow him to express his creativity while avoiding a mess.

For her older child, drawing and making stuffies can make a day stuck inside with snow or rain more enjoyable.

On such days, new member countrylady teaches her granddaughter to sew - and she has this first backpack they made together to show off.

What are some of your "snow day/rainy day" ideas for crafting with kids?

Marching in

2011-03-04T12:19:00.003-05:00

Ah, it's March...in the Northern Hemisphere it means Spring is coming, and none too soon! But March also means leprechauns, clovers, and a celebration of all things Irish to many who look to St Patrick's Day for a break from the Winter cabin fever.

Artfire has a St Patrick's day gift guide, filled by the sellers who mark their items as fitting the holiday.

MinttobeStationery also has beer notebooks...don't miss the Guinness!

Speaking of Guinness, get a head start on smelling like St Patrick's Day with Draught Soap from theBeerSoapCompany.

Or just plain show off your Irish pride by finding a great handmade trinket or accessory

Claddagh wood carving by SignsofSpirit on Artfire

Whskr in pink

2011-02-24T09:56:00.000-05:00

From Whskr

Valentine Gifts in Pink

Curated By: Whskr

ArtFire.com

Handmade Soap

Lime green honey

2011-02-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

From Honey from the Bee

Lime Green Popsicle

Curated By: HoneyFromTheBee

ArtFire.com

Craft Tutorials

Goblin Purple

2011-02-20T09:53:00.002-05:00

To round out the month, I'm going to share the color collections guild members made for the January challenge. First up is Goblin's Market

Majestic Purple

Curated By: GoblinsMarket

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Feb 18 blog carnival

2011-02-18T21:43:00.002-05:00

This week's blog carnival themes were about love and glass. Some of us have talked about love, others are going to show you glass...enjoy!

Ruthie presents A Love Story posted at Rose Works Jewelry.

Meri Greenleaf presents 'Tis the week for love posted at Elbit Blog.

TiLTcreations presents Blogfire: Going WoW for Glass posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.

AliciaMae presents Wow glass posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

We heart you

2011-02-04T11:57:00.003-05:00

Handmade Valentine's Day and nontraditional hearts - the Blogfire guild is sharing a little love this February

TiLTcreations presents Blogfire Carnival: Hearts with a Twist posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.

Meri Greenleaf presents Trove Thursday - Not Your Typical Love posted at Elbit Blog.

Betty Bead presents Be My Valentine, Punk! posted at Chasing Cars, saying, "Here's my punky version of Valentine goodies"

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

New members - how we grow

2011-01-31T12:00:00.001-05:00

We grow from the core via new members. As part of our month-long celebration of the Blogfire guild I wanted to share some of our new members with you*

SperanzaJewelry -In her shop she offers shiny things: handmade necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. On her blog she offers "musings on art, entrepeneurship, and the handmade movement" so be sure to stop by

HoneyFromTheBee - Janet is also a handmade jewelry artist, making what I refer to as chunky jewelry - glamour pieces with focal points. Be sure to stop by her blog to read up on her stash finds and travels.

CreationsByDonna - Donna is a wildlife photographer offering beautiful prints of her work. She's been a very busy lady so be sure to stop by her blog and offer her encouragement.

TotallyToTheT - Wheel thrown and stoneware pottery, including buttons! Be sure to stop by Tonya's Crafty Critter Tribune blog to read up on crafty and handmade pursuits and people.

*Chosen based on enthusiasm and participation right off the bat as well as current blog status

The best laid plans

2011-01-21T11:20:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the January 21, 2011 edition of the Blogfire guild blog carnival. The themes were to discuss the coming year - plans for our businesses and what we wouldn't change (the opposite of resolutions). A couple of us share below:

Alicia Mae presents What's next posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Meri Greenleaf presents Goals for the new year posted at Elbit Blog.

Past posts can be found on our blog carnival index page.