Artist of the Week

This week's artist is a jewelry artist. The shop is called Alegro Arts and it is a shop on Etsy.


Here is our interview with artist, Gary.
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Briefly describe what you make?

Handmade jewelry and beads. Right now, I'm focusing on stringing, beadwork, and polymer clay.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I love working with natural stone, theres just so much variation and possibility that I could never come up with on my own. My wife will find the most amazing stone or glass beads, and its a challenge to come up with ways to use them.
I started working with polymer clay last year, and I really like the possibilities of that medium. I finally made some pendants that I like well enough to try to sell last month.

How long have you been creating craft?

As long as I can remember. But not always jewelry. I just love to learn and work with my hands, so I try to pick up whatever people around me are willing to teach. I've learned cross-stitching from a friend of mine as a way to pass time on long bus trips. I've done some sewing, crochet, painting, airbrushing, and even air brushed t-shirts at a comic book store for a while.

How did you get started?

When I was a musician, I worked for a while in musical instrument repair. A lot of the techniques used there are the same as jewelry making, like silver and brass work, soldering, brazing, and plating. I started doing some repair work on silver jewelry, then my wife pushed me into going all out into making my own.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Allegro is a musical term, it means "brightly, with spirit" I was a music major and professional musician for a while, and I liked the term. I decided to call it "Allegro Arts" instead of "Allegro Jewelry" because I know I may change gears and find new mediums whenever I get inspired.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

Every piece has a story, some inspiration that made me put it together that way. That does make it a little difficult for me to make multiple copies of a design, but it works for me.
Im not really in this for the money. If I make enough to pay for my hobby, I'm happy. I may not be rich, but I do enjoy what I'm making, and that comes out in the designs.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Don't try to follow trends or make whats hot right now. Make what you love, what inspires you. If you just try to make stuff that sells, you'll be bored with your work.

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Come and see Gary's work at Allegro Arts!

And while you are at Etsy come visit with us and see all of the great new things that have been added to the shop for the holidays!

To support The Art of Craft please click on the Google ads at the right side.

Craft Show Wisdom

We are currently working on a book about selling crafts at crafts shows. A publication date has not been set yet, but keep an eye on this site for the announcement.

In the meantime we would be happy to answer questions about craft shows, what to expect, what is required, and so on. If you have any questions you would like answered just leave a comment and our answer will be incorporated into one of the Craft Show Wisdom articles!

Featured Artist of the Week

Our artist feature this week is on

Here is our interview with the artist, Jim - a really great glass artist!

Briefly describe what you make?

There are two main types of glass, and both are used in my work, soft, and hard. You are probably wondering how can glass be soft?, everyone know it is “hard”. The differences are the temperatures at which the glass will melt is the biggest criteria, My work is generally categorized as supplies: lampwork borosilicate beads which are categorized as “hard glass”. Lampworking goes back to the days of ancient Egypt, when they had slaves who would fan the fires, or “lamps” filled with oil, to raise the temperature of the fire.
Additionally, using “soft” glass, fused glass dichroic pendants are made, in a kiln. Kind of like a glass sandwich, all melted together, NOT edible, but most beautiful. After the pendant is annealed, and cooled, I then facet it, in much the same manner a gemstone is faceted. A very time consuming process, but, in my opinion, well worth the extra effort.

In addition to making glass beads, and pendants, there was a time when I made glass cuff bracelets, using dichroic glass.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

A friend once told me that I have a real passion or glass, and it is so totally true. I have studied, and mastered silversmithing. As soon as I get a “round tuit”. Plan on merging the two (glass and silver) together to a greater degree, and making finished pieces

How long have you been creating craft?

Let’s see. My journey with glass started in ’75. 1975 that is, I am old, but not that old..

How did you get started?

The glass journey started with a desire for one (1) Tiffany style lamp. There was a fine gentleman in my town, Naperville, Ed Hoy, who ran a retail store and sold stained glass supplies. It was a long conversation, him telling me you do not start with a lamp, and me telling him “ I only want one lamp”. Finally he relented, and sold me what would be needed to make one lamp. I was instantly addicted!!!!! First it was flat work, lamps, windows, etc. Then on to sand blasting, fusing (melting) the glass, and finally lampworking, or as it is often called off hand glass blowing.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My ancestors all came from Czechoslovakia, and there were a few from Moravia, and I am told some were gypsies. Doing art shows., traveling here and there was indeed a transient life style. So, it seemed logical to merge them together, and arrive at the name “glass gypsy”.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

My work is created from images that I see in my minds eye. It isl original, and created using all the talents GOD has given me.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Here is a favorite quotation of mine :
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears
a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or
far away.”
David Thoreau
Truly do believe that this speaks to all artists. Please yourself first with your work. Let your heart and your inner spirit guide you for the direction to take. Life is so short, and sleep is highly overrated!

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Wonderful work! You have to see the glass beads and glass creations that Jim creates at Glass Gypsy - an Etsy Shop!

While you are at Etsy come by and see a whole new assortment of things - and especially things for the holidays at

Craft Show Wisdom

I am changing the name of this regular feature from Craft Show Tip of the Week to Craft Show Wisdom. The articles will continue to be short and to the point and offer tips and knowledge for new craft show participants or those who would like to sell at craft shows.

So -

If I were titling these articles for each topic they cover, this article would be titled, "Having a Thick Skin". Craft shows are not for the sensitive. Why? Because you hear some of the most off hand and sometimes insulting comments from potential customers at craft shows. These comments are not directed at you directly, but happen in conversation between two or more people standing in front of your display of the work that you have poured your heart and talent into.

Here are a few examples -

"Oh look, Grandma made those in the nursing home!"

"Jimmy made those in sixth grade woodshop!"

"I could just make that at home."

and the most recent comment that I have heard -
"Any woodworker could make those!"

Now, I try to have a thick skin and I tell myself to ignore the comments, but with that last one I found myself saying out loud, "No, not just any woodworker can make these. It takes a woodworker with a lot of talent and skill to make them." The reaction that I got was a semi-apology.

They are not saying that your work is not good, but they are saying that your talent is meaningless - after all grandma, little Jimmy, and anyone could do what you have done.

Try to smile to yourself and let it pass, but expect to hear anything!

Featured Artist of the Week

This week's artist is a photographer and graphic designer. Our featured artist this week is




Here is our interview with the artist, Christine -

Describe what you make?

I offer prints of my photography in my shop along with a bit of graphic design.

My photography is mostly black & white and infrared photos that include nature. I live in a beautiful town in Tennessee and fortunately we have a lot of gorgeous scenery. One of my favorite places to shoot is the Big South Fork National Park. I’ve also started getting into more studio-related photographs and hope to expand on that section of the shop over the next month.

My graphic design at the moment only includes pre-made logos but will soon include custom logos, pre-made shop banners & avatars, and custom shop banners and avatars.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Photography of course! I also enjoy digital art and would love to branch out into ceramics and painting as well.

How long have you been creating craft?

I’ve been taking photos for as long as I can remember. It started with disposable cameras, cheap film cameras, and then moved into a cheap digital camera. I think I really got into it around December of 2006. This is when I purchased my first professional camera and really started focusing on learning about photography and all the equipment available.

I now have several lenses, filters, tripods, and other great goodies to help me get the best shot possible.

How did you get started?

My mother actually got me started. She’s always loved art, photography particularly. I remember when I was a child there was always a camera there to capture my every move. My mother took her camera everywhere with her.

I picked that habit up early in life and started packin’ mine to school everyday to take pictures of friends. Although, my cheap film camera wasn’t up to par with her professional camera it still gave me great pleasure when I got my prints back.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

It comes from my real first and last name put together with my craft. Christina Perdue Photography is very simply and to the point. As an artist my dream is to become well-known for my craft and I figured the easiest name to get out there would be my own. ;)

What would you most want people to know about your work?

I love it! Photography is my passion. There’s something about capturing a moment in time that you may never get to experience again that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Life is so short and changes so fast… I want to always remember everything I see and do.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

I think my favorite quote says it all... “Everyone says, "How the time flies." The days go by and they are years, and the years finally become our whole life. Each daily portion can be wasted, or it can be a pleasure, before it is gone forever.

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Come see Christine's photography at her Etsy shop!


While you are at Etsy come take a look at our shop too!

Featured Artist of the Week

This week's artist is



Here is our interview with the artist, Miranda!

Describe what you make?

I’m the kind of person that always has several projects going at once. Primarily I work in the visual arts, in printmaking and painting. Currently I am working on a series about urban landscapes. Documenting the area where I live, in Brooklyn. I also make books some are journals some take the shape of paintings. I love making journals because it opens up a black canvas for someone else to write or draw. And last but not least, I have a line of accessories and other fun little things.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I must say that I have what some people have referred to as, a ‘paper fetish’. It is really my love of paper that got me interested in bookbinding. I also spent a year working for a designer where we made paper pulp on a daily basis. I like to get down to the bottom of things. Whatever medium I am working in it is important to me that I fully understand its character.

How long have you been creating craft?

Since I can remember.
It was the one thing that I didn’t suck at in school. I went to school in Denmark, where there is a lot of hands-on training in schools. I was horrible at anything that involved letters and words. But I always did well when creating anything with my hands. So I was encouraged to go in that direction.

How did you get started?

In terms of the crafty thing, I guess that was when I did my first Xmas market in Christiania, a free town in Copenhagen. I must have been around 19 or so. I friend and I where lucky and got a both to share. It was a learning experience.
Later when I moved to New York I became much more interested in the Fine Arts. I was able to study with a lot of very gifted people and also pick up some business skills along the way.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Mira Artz is the name of my accessories shop. It comes from ‘Mira’ a part of my name that stems form the Latin ‘see’ or ‘look’.
The second shop is my Name, Miranda Hellman. This one has things like small paintings, prints, collages and artists books.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

My work whether it is something you wear or hang, has a story behind it. I don’t always reveal that story, but hope that it speaks to you in some way.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Crate everyday. And keep very high standards for yourself.

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Come over the Miranda's shop, MIRA ARTZ
She does beautiful work!

And while you are at Etsy, stop by and see what we have for you.