Fabulous Flickr Friends!

Lately there have been some very beautiful and exciting photos posted on out Flickr group. The group has been set up to not only showcase the work of people already in the handmade world, but we wanted to encourage people to have a go at arts and crafts that maybe they hadn't tried or had forgotten that they could already do. At the beginning of March we are going to be running a monthly challenge from this blog and the Flickr group. There will be a topic set and we are inviting anyone and everyone to create something that fits with the topic. We hope this will trigger off peoples imagination and draw out their creativity. All the details of how to join in will be posted at the beginning of March. In the meantime I's like to share some of the photos that have been posted up on the Flickr group.

Lesley Messam created this stunning leaf pendant from silver PMC. When I first saw it I just thought WOW! Check out some more of her work on Flickr. Lesley not only creates she also teaches other how to use their artistic flare and turn their ideas and talents into beautiful pieces of jewellery.

StarPixie is someone I have known for a few years. I met her through poi spinning. These little critters are her fist attempts at sock creatures. Aren't they gorgeous! StarPixie is a fabulous photographer, she sews, crochets and generally turns her hand to most craft skills. A very talented lady!

This photo was another picture that made me want to check out more of the creators work. This piece was made by Chameleon Designs. The lampwork bead is so detailed and beautiful. There are many more eye catching beads to see in her flickr account. Take a look and be delighted and amazed at her skills.

The Rainbow Effect is a lovely lady that I met through Twitter. She has a passion for colour and up-cycling exciting fabrics from the past into useful items that can be used today. Her shops are chock full of bright beautiful pieces that will bring a smile to your day each time you see them. These hot water bottle covers come with a matching French lavender bag, who's scent on warming will be sure to aid you to have a restful sleep.

Jake and Noel created these stylish porcelain pendants. She has many different designs, as you can see in her flickr account. I picked this one to share, because of the word "Hope" on it. We all need hope in these troubled times. Maybe wearing this would remind people that see it to hold onto their hopes even though all that ever seems to get reported these days are the worlds troubles.

Come over and join us on the Flickr group. Share with us all your makes. We would love to see them.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Competition time!

This is for all you people out there with some graphics skills. We are having a month of features about people that re-cycle, up-cycle, re-purpose and re-use materials in their goods. March is going to be a month of celebrating all the more environmentally friendly made goods that can be found for sale on the net. So, we want a new banner that reflects that. The banner needs to be 857 x 94 pix at 72 dpi (yes I know it's an odd size, but it's the size we have now) It must be predominantly orange and purple and it must reflect the theme of recycling. You have 5 days to make your entries and submit them to the web address pictured below. So get them in before 12 noon (GMT) Monday 3th March.


All the submitted banners will be put up on the blog and visitors will be allowed to vote on them. The winner will be the person that gets the most votes by end of voting on 12 noon Friday 7th March (GMT) and the banner will used on the blog for the remainder of the month.

The winner will get an advert for their shop/website put in the side bar under "sponsors of Autonomous Artisans" for a month. All entrants will get a link for their shop/website put under their entry, so please remember to send the link you want used with your banner submission.

Good luck and get banner making!
Lynne.