Hope everyone’s New Year is going well so far! I’m still enjoying that feeling of a fresh new start that comes each January. The anticipation of new artful treasures waiting to be discovered is such a happy feeling I can almost forget the frigid temperatures outside. One day last week as I was checking on my Etsy shop hearts at Craftcult.com, I came across an ad that showed a lovely beaded bracelet in the most delicious colors. I just had to click on it, and discovered Fredbean’s Nook, the shop of bead artist Emma who lives on Aquidneck Island near Portsmouth, Rhode Island. 
I am in love with the colors and textures she uses in her pieces, and I want every one of them! The “Garden of Color” bracelet is what caught my eye first. The soft jewel tones and matte textures in this piece are perfection!
The “Sparkling Skies” necklace is my next favorite. I do love turquoise, and her beadwork, paired with the great textured square silver beads is indeed heavenly. 
This piece reminds me that I want to make some silver beads, and has given me inspiration for getting started on that new project!
Emma’s hoop earrings are also wonderful – simple, classic, and oh, so perfect for the necklace! 
These beauties also come in a delicous raspberry color, – just about the color of raspberry sherbet – yum!
Another great discovery this week is handmade shoes. Yes, handmade shoes, believe it or not – check out Smartfish!
Indeed, Alisha Budkie makes shoes completely from scratch! She studied Industrial Design at the University of Cincinnati, where she focused on footwear design. She also spent time interning at Adidas and New Balance. Alisha’s designs are classic and understated – the perfect everyday shoe. And if that’s not enough – her shoes use sustainable materials, are completely vegan, and created without using any adhesives. The pairs pictured above are made from natural brown hemp canvas for the uppers, the outsoles are made from natural latex and sawdust (hand poured into molds made by Alisha!) and the insoles are made from salvaged cork, that has been coated with natural latex. The lining is made from organic bamboo. (Bamboo is good – read a little about bamboo clothing here) Last, but not least, if your shoes happen to get dirty, the insole can be removed, and the shoes turned inside out and washed. Perfect!
I found these wonderful shoes on the Etsy Treasury created by Walrus Tusk, that featured my little moonstone ring. What an eye she has – her gorgeous treasury made the front page of Etsy yesterday afternoon – woot!
Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska where she learned the art of bead work, she now lives in Arizona where she draws her inspiration from the dry desert environment. Walrus Tusk not only does bead work, but quill work, sewing, knitting, creating petroglyphs and refinishes furniture too! 
All of her beadwork is beautiful, but her Silver Medallion bracelet is simply sensational! (And how great would it look with those shoes – yum!) This bracelet would go with absolutely everything I wear – the soft greys with the hint of beige is an inspired color combo, and her workmanship is evident in every detail.
I can definitely ‘see’ the desert landscape and colors in this piece. I used to live in Arizona, and I do miss the warm dry air and the views that go on forever . It is very much getting to be time to go back for a visit – I wish I was there right now. I need the sun! I do hope you all have been keeping warm on these frigid January days!
