This is an open invitation for all Texas artists who are on Artfire to join Texas Artfire, an online meeting place for Texas artisans with shops on Artfire.

Heather Gaff Mewis of Missouri City, Texas started this Ning group and says,

"I would like to help network other Artfire Texans and support other artisans in the improvement of their skills and shops.

Happy New Year to everyone! Hoping you all had a wonderful, peaceful time bringing in the New Year! I spent it with my family and it was peaceful!

I have plans to completely redo my website: Lee's Candles and rename it Homespun Alley to cover everything I like to make and sell. Lee's Candles is where I started over 15 years ago with handmade ear candles. Since then I have added my Grandma Betty's line of Body Butters, Lip Butter and Bug Away, plus gift sets.

About a year ago I opened shops on Etsy, Grandma Betty's for the Body Butter items and Renewed Resources - which is my supply shop items, vintage, collectibles, fabric and much more. These Etsy shops have not done well financially. I think Etsy has gotten so big my shops just got lost in the crowd, plus I don't think Etsy grew the site to meet the demands and needs such as stats (I know they are working on it) and more advertising.

I recently opened a shop on Artfire under the name Country Lady, which is titled Homespun Alley and will be listing items from Grandma Betty's and Renewed Resources there and eventually eliminate the Etsy shops. Artfire only cost $7 a month with no additional fees and the cost is for a lifetime so no increase in fees in the future. They are offering this promotion for the first 5000 folks that sign up.

Today I signed up with Found Handmade - Supplies . Vintage. My daughter told me about them since they are promoting five free listings until January 15th, 2009. It is really an interesting site the way they set it up and I really like it. There main catergories are Handmade, Supplies, Vintage with lots of sub-catergories. Plus they have stats.

Here's the cost after the free trial period:

After January 15, 2009, we will be wiping the slate clean and deleting all blocks.
After January 15th, we will be charging $5 for each block per month, $30 for Four merged blocks (larger image) per month, and $8 and up for the Featured Item blocks.

Here is the link for more info: Found Handmade Pricing Info

I also recommend that everyone read Timothy Adams article and watch his video about Social Bookmarking. Tim shares another free way to promote. Thanks to Tim for all he has done and is doing to help all home based businesses.

Believing we can all have a very prosperous 2009. Stay positive and continue to work hard and don't forget that God is our sufficiency not the world.

Isn't this a beautiful way to embellish a wedding or special gift? Cindy decorated these boxes and you can visit her at her blog, Quaint Handmade, to see lots of wonderful things she has decorated.

Cindy says: "I love to decorate, garden and make things. I started out with the intention of posting photos of only the things I made, but have added our home as it is forever evolving and our travels. Doing so has caused me work on my photography, which is something I really love to do. I'm still learning..."

Also check out my post on December 4th for embellishments for the hair by MarlaJDesigns.

Thanks to Cindy for letting folks know that she got her feathers from Renewed Resources.

Renewed Resources offers guinea and chicken feathers that have been gathered from our 3 acres where the fowl free range. The feathers are gently cleaned with borax and air dried.

We also recently opened a shop on Artfire, called Homespun Alley, and may eventually move all our items to Artfire since it only cost $7 a month with no other fees for listing or selling. It is a good time to join as the $7 a month for life will not last long. It is still in Beta but they have been very quick to help with any questions Ihave had.

to all and to all a good night!

God bless everyone and have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends!

Beautiful bags and totes from LynnieBBags shop on Etsy.

LynnieBBags is having a sale and offers Free Shipping to US customers.


Custom orders and wholesale are available.


LynnieBBags says "Check out my bags, I had a blast creating them. I would love for you to have one or give one as a gift! If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a note. Check back real soon, I am creating small coin purses. They are looking really cute!"

Thanks for supporting our featured shops!

Housewife Collection is the featured shop for today from Neatostuff!

Housewife says "Wear what YOU like and in what YOU feel confident in and YOU will look BEAUTIFUL!"


You will find some really neat items here. Cross felt collection includes aprons, cuffs, hats, key rings, necklace for just a few. Items for the baby, household decor, and much more!

Featured shop for Wednesday from Neatostuff is Whimsical Star Photography. Whimsical Star says "I create unique photographs from colorful abstracts to dramatic black & whites. I also enjoy making pendants and acrylic paintings. I am always adding new items so check back often. I print images from 4x6 all the way to 13x19- check shop policies for info on sizes/pricing."


Check out these beautiful photos. Don't forget to ask for custom sizes if you don't find the exact one you need in their listings.

Check out Foo Foo and More for over 40 items that have free shipping! Plus girls dresses and tees, adult tops, design your own and much more!


Are these adorable or what?! Foo Foo and More has been around since May 2007 and is convo friendly if you have any questions or want to pick your own fabric and design.

Here is todays site to promote from Neatostuff.

www.eviestoolemporium.etsy.com has some of the neatest tools and equipment.


Some of the items you will find includes pliers, brushes, copper supplies, magnifiers,small vises, Fiskars scrapbooking tools and more!



Thanks for taking time to check out the site we promote!