Sometimes the old tools work the best

So how many of you have seen one of these before?  If it hadn't been for Gramma, I wouldn't even know this useful device existed.  It's a vintage money counter and Gramma used to use it when she went shopping to keep track of her grocery bill so she stayed within her budget.  I remember going shopping with her as a little girl, and sometimes she'd even let me tally up the dollars and cents, which is a big deal to a 5 year old!  Amazingly this thing still works well and I now use it as a row counter when I'm knitting.  Before I rediscovered this handy tool while sorting through Gramma's things I used to keep track of my rows on a piece of paper, which was a bit of a pain.  This is so much easier!

Right now I working on a blue knit kangaroo like this one for a customer in Australia.

 

I really enjoy knitting, especially cute critters like this one, and not having to stress about how many rows I've knit makes the process that much more enjoyable.  

I have all sorts of vintage tools in my craft arsenal, many of which were never intended to be used the way I use them now- LOL.  I do find that many of those vintage items work a lot better than some of the tools you purchase today.  Back then, things were built to last!  I think Gramma has had this Handy Counter since the '70s, and she used it all the time, yet it's still in perfect working order.  I have tools I bought a year ago that are already broken.  Sorta makes you wonder what ever happen to quality craftsmanship.  I know when I make an item I make it as durable as possible.  This kangaroo, for example, is knit with a very tight stitch using high quality yarn and is sewn together very securely and stuffed with soft non-bunching fiberfil.  I want my sculptures, stuffed animals, jewelry, and home decor to be around for years to come!

So if you come across a vintage item and are thinking of getting rid of it, give a second look and see if you can't find a use for it ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Fantastic Whimsical Creations from the Many Talented Artists of ArtFire

 CCTexan put this wonderful collection together and said "I thought I would do a test of the best promoters I've seen on AF in a long time. These folks really do their best to help others out, to get the word spread of news, items and quality of workmanship. These are but a few people I know who give so generously. I went with a sort of fairytale type thing here, but it was mainly the studios I wanted to get seen."
I am incredibly honored to have been included in this collection, which is full of wonderful items from amazing artists.  So let's see just how many views, ratings, and comments we can get on this collection!  You can click on any of the pictures to view the listing, and visit that artist's shop.  If you click on "View This Collection" at the bottom left you can rate the collection, leave your comments, and share on FaceBook and Twitter.

Who can tweet the fastest

   Curated By: cctexan3

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Thanks for helping to support Handmade!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

ArtFire Stimulus Sale- Participating Shops

A big THANK YOU to CCTexan for compiling this handy list of shops participating in the ArtFire Stimulus Sale during the month of August!  Since the temps are in the 90's, now is a great time to shop handmade online and get in on the savings!  I know for many shops, myself included, these are the biggest sales and discounts they've ever offered.  We're trying to bring people in to our shops and move some of our items, and hopefully customers will spend a little time browsing.  I know I've found myself spending quite a bit of time in these shops.  They all have so much to offer!  Just click on the shop name and enjoy some deep discount shopping!
If you ever wanted to try hand made vs the cookie cutter life in the conformist world...now is the time:

http://www.2goodclaymates.artfire.com/ bright colorful jewelry, doodads


http://www.ajewelgift.artfire.com/ jewelry, dog themes, fused glass

http://www.acadienne.artfire.com/   crochet, knit , shawls, donate to charity

http://www.akimberlydesign.artfire.com/ fine art

http://www.alisuns.artfire.com/                            jewelry

http://www.andreatjewelry.artfire.com/                     jewelry

http://www.angelas_adornments.artfire.com/                     jewelry

http://www.badinkclothing.artfire.com/                       clothing

http://www.bakidagain.artfire.com/                       ornaments

http://www.beadlady5.artfire.com/                         jewelry ( duh! LOL)

http://www.bitspeaces.artfire.com/                            fabric epherma quilts

http://www.brilliancefound.artfire.com/ jewelry

http://www.calliopecreations.artfire.com/             jewelry

http://www.cctexan3.artfire.com/                        jewelry

http://www.customizedjust4you.artfire.com/                supplies/fabric crafts/vintage

http://www.ckirkseyblue.artfire.com/                  supplies
http://www.chamoritaessentials.artfire.com/               make up/cosmetics

http://www.christinehansen.artfire.com/               mixed media art, glass, lampwork

http://www.creativecritters.artfire.com/                     fine art sculptures

http://www.dancingwinddesigns.artfire.com/                    jewelry

http://www.danilavdesigns.artfire.com/

http://www.donnasdesignssc.artfire.com/            fleece artist,  clothes, accessories

http://www.eclecticoddities.artfire.com/        jewelry, hair adornments,purses, clothes

http://www.exquisitestudios.artfire.com/               jewelry

http://www.firstlightglass.artfire.com/            fused glass, jewelry, plates

http://www.flameflycreations.artfire.com/                 art jewelry

http://www.harmonyinmetal.artfire.com/           Jewelry, intense metalist!

http://www.heatherdesigns.artfire.com/             lampwork beads, jewelry

http://.www.hope45942.artfire.com/                        jewelry

http://www.jinx1764.artfire.com/             feathered Jewelry, fine art

http://www.julies_jewels.artfire.com/                       jewelry

http://www.jumpingdog.artfire.com/

http://www.jewelrybyandrea.artfire.com/                         Jewelry

http://www.jewelrybyannmarie.artfire.com/                       jewelry

http://www.katsallthat.artfire.com/                       Jewelry

http://www.kraftouchtreasures.artfire.com/

http://www.katiejeansjewelry.artfire.com/             jewelry

http://www.lamatadesigns.artfire.com/                  glazed paper beads, jewelry

http://www.lifesanexpedition.artfire.com/           Everything! journals, books, ephemera

http://www.lilbritknits.artfire.com/                knift crafts, keychains, doodads

http://www.motherslove.artfire.com/                    j ewelry

http://www.nanations.artfire.com/                     American Indian Jewelry

http://www.noton.artfire.com/                           Mixed media, jewelry, portuguese artist

http://www.pinkcloudsandangels.artfire.com/                jewelry

http://www.popnicute.artfire.com/                  wire wrap jewelry  intense  ( singapore style)

http://www.rockycreekgems.artfire.com/          beaded cabochons, jewelry etc

http://www.rockbug.artfire.com/

http://www.rougeriverbeads.artfire.com/        bead supplies

http://www.spiritreflections.artfire.com/                      spiritual items, jewelry, bookmarks

http://www.spiral.artfire.com/                      Wire wrap jewelry, bamboo items Singapore artist

http://www.spunsisterdesigns.artfire.com/              Jewelry

http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.artfire.com/                      fine art

http://www.soyscentual.artfire.com/                                  soy candles

http://www.swank.artfire.com/                jewelry, funky boot bracelets, trends

http://www.tooaquarius.artfire.com/                     cell charms, Neat Polymer beads

http://www.thetwelfthdimension.artfire.com/                          epherma, toys, vintage

http://www.uniquebykarlee.artfire.com/                                   jewelry

http://www.valmade.artfire.com/                          knit toys, goodies, cards stitchery

http://www.zhanga.artfire.com/                                 purses
Get in on the deals before they're gone!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

The Sunny Side Biz- clothing, accessories, and vintage treasures

The Sunny Side Biz, on ArtFire.com offers one of a kind clothing and accessories and vintage treasures. Trish says "I built my first website in 1996 and have worked with many small business owners and entrepreneurs on theirs since then. In 2004, I quit my day job, set up my home office, built my website, and formed an LLC in pursuit of that comfortable balance between making a living and having a life. The Sunny Side Dot Biz, LLC. www.thesunnyside.biz.
I was in my office one day and with alot of time on my hands, started to organize boxes of fabric and unfinished sewing projects. I remembered thinking - Someday I would love to have the time to sit and sew and create whatever I want. That someday has apparently arrived. Welcome to my Artfire Studio." You can find The Sunny Side Biz online at www.keeponthesunnyside.com, Facebook, and Twitter. Below are a few of my favorite items from her shop. Be sure to stop in and see all she has to offer!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Utterly Eclectic- handcrafted and vintage jewelry and supplies

Utterly Eclectic opened her shop on ArtFire.com 12-9-08.  She offers beuatiful vintage and handcrafted jewelry as well as jewelry supplies.  She grew up in maine in a very creative family. Her father was an engineer who could fix or create anything and her mother was a seamstress who sewed, knit , crocheted and quilted. She lived in a very creative family and had developed many interests, with jewelry making and collecting being just one of many. Below is a sample of some of the wonderful items you can find in her shop.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

The Broom Closet on Artfire.com

Paula Picard, of Maryville, Illinois, opened The Broom Closet on Artfire March 17, 2009.  This is her second Artfire shop (the first being Picard Creative).  The Broom Closet is full of supplies, vintage pieces, de-stash, and assorted works of art that Paula has created over the years.  I really like Paula- she has a great sense of humor, and this really comes through in her artwork.  She has a very interesting blog at PicardCreative.blogspot.com that is fun to read.  Below are a few of my favorite items from The Broom Closet.  I love the pewter charms, which are very reasonably priced.  Stop in and see for yourself- just click one of the pictures, or the links above!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Chantilly Lace on Artfire.com is all about romance

Darcy Robinson of Edmonton Alberta is the lady behind Chantilly Lace on Artfire.com.  She offers beautiful, romantic hair pieces, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  Darcy is a stay at home mom who stays busy with creating accessories inspired by beautiful things.  She's a romantic at heart, with her wedding day and the birth of her daughter being the best days in her life.  Such special moments, combined with her love for vintage are where most of her inspiration comes from.  She loves working with pearls, lace, and different fabrics.  She finds vintage pieces special because they all have their own story to tell.  She tries to give vintage pieces a new life, recreating the piece so their journey can continue and some one else can enjoy their beuty.  Chantilly Lace can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.  This is just a sample of the beautiful items avaiable from her shop.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Great Finds from AlisunsToo on Artfire.com

Alisun Riggs, of AlisunsToo on Artfire.com, sells unused supplies and vintage pieces, and always offers Two for Won.  Purchase one item and the second item of equal or lesser value is free!  You can't beat that!  Alisun offers her customers the highest quality products she can.  She treats her customers courteously, provides excellent customer service, and conducts her business in an ethical and socially responsible manner.  Alisun enjoys custom crafting necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  She enjoys the look of fine metals and crystals.  You can find Alisun on her blog at Alisuns.blogspot.com, as well as on Plurk, AIM, Skype, and Facebook.  Here is a small sample of the items available from AlisunsToo.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters