Introducing Arlene from Spirit Essence Art

Name: Arlene Holtz

Shop Name: Spirit Essence Art

URL Links: http://www.spiritessenceart.artfire.com/

http://www.spiritessenceart.com (blog)

http://www.twitter.com/arlenemh

http://www.facebook.com/arlene.holtz

Product Range: Watercolor paintings, Oil paintings, Fused Glass Art Pieces, Fused Glass Jewelry

Experience: I started with glass as my preferred medium to work in over 25 years ago, doing custom stained glass windows for people and even having my own supply and gift shop. Eventually I discovered fused glass and added this to my list of passions. Now I am doing more painting, and it has become just as big a passion, first using oils and now watercolor paints. I have dabbled a little with acrylic paints also of late. I just love being creative and experimenting.

Anything Else: I work at home in my own studio in western Pennsylvania and have my art listed exclusively on Artfire for now. I am an active member of Artfire Cafemom Team Guild and also Guild Master of A Passion For Painting Guild there.

Spotlight on DJStoreRoom

Next on the list for the Artfire Cafemom Guild Power Up is Diana from DJStoreRoom.


Name: Diana


Shop Name: djstoreroom


URL Links: http://djstoreroom.etsy.com/,
http://www.artfire.com/users/djstoreroom,
http://www.flickr.com/djstoreroom,
http://djstoreroom.blogspot.com/,
http://www.twitter.com/djstoreroom



Product Range: PDF Sewing Tutorials with Sewing Patterns for Zip Pouches and Wristlets, Vintage Buttons, Handmade Bags and Purses, Handmade Vintage Button Bracelets and more...

Experience: I started sewing during my school days and totally stopped once I finished my O'Levels.. And, I couldnt believe that I got first place for fashion and fabrics in the whole school.. It was only when my daughter was born that I started sewing again.. To get back my skills, I went online and registered for a long distance course on Dressmaking and Design. Today, I sew and craft daily with my daughter. Many times, I sew using my own patterns and decided to share my them online through pdf sewing patterns. These include really simple english, lotsa pictures and sewing patterns to print, cut and use immediately! Perfect for the busy sewers like you and me...Special Promotion: Free Reversible Pin Cushion Sewing Tutorial with Sewing Pattern with each purchase of a Pdf Pattern


AnythingElse: I love sewing!! It helps to keep me stress-free.

I stopped by Diana's Artfire shop and here are my favorite items!

Unique Gifts on Artfire

Did you know that Christmas is only 141 days away? Take a look at the unique gifts available on Artfire. Don't give the same gift that everyone else is giving - give them something unique to them.

LITTLE RED POUCH - Leather


This little pouch was designed to carry all your essentials from cell-phone, ipod, glasses and credit cards and keys.It is handcrafted from racy red upholstery leather that feels luxurious in your hands. Whether you're stepping out with your friends of just shopping for a few things pouch is perfect.

Sisters Make The Best of Friends

Sisters Make The Best of Friendspainted on a black worn finish with pretty hand painted roses. Sign measures 6 x 14 inches.Sign is made of ½ inch Medex mdf, an exterior grade building material which won't warp or crack due to weather and painting is sealed so this is ready to be hung outside if desired.

Lime Green and Purple Swiffer Sweeper Dust Cloth

Save yourself money with these reusable dusting cloths made to fit your Swiffer Sweeper. Just slide them onto your swiffer and use. Throw them into your laundry or rinse them out in our sink. Use them dry or wet.

Multi Colored Double Crochet Scarf



Double crocheted scarf with fringe. Measures: 54" x 5"Materials: 88% Acrylic, 12% Nylon Yarn

Mommy and Friends Finger Puppets - Imagination at Play

Imagination is so important for little kids minds. Watch your kids play make pretend with these adorable finger puppets.You'll receive a set of three puppets. A special mommy puppet. She's holding three of your little ones in her hands.

Introducing Jenn from JazzyJemz

Today's ACT PowerUp Spotlight is on Jenn from JazzyJemz and My Bragg Bag.

Jenn is an Army wife and mother to a beautiful toddler and two cats. She has been an avid crocheter since she was 7. She daubles in knitting and loves to draw. She has been crafting all her life, thanks to her wonderful teacher- her mother. She won her first art contest at the age of 7 and had her pen and ink drawing of a white tiger published. After graduating college and working several years as a social worker, her drive shifted back to crochet and sewing when her daughter was born. She self taught herself to sew!! She has always had a passion in creating items with her hands.

JazzyJemz has clothing, toys, blankets, bibs, burp cloths and more items for babies and nursing items and diaper bags for the moms. MyBraggBag is where you can find custom-made military purses. She has also plans to expand the line of items in MyBraggBag to include other Military related accessories & clothing.

Just for you, Jenn has kindly offered Free shipping on all orders over $30 until the end of the August!! What are you waiting for?? Get Shopping!!

Jenn is also an Artfire Cafemom Team Guild Master and an admin for the Artfire Sew What Guild. She also holds membership in several other teams/ guilds on both Artfire and Etsy. Her commitment to promoting Handmade really inspires me and many mommies around.

Visit Jenn at
JazzyJemz Blog
MyBraggBag Store
JazzyJemz Store

SubEarthan Cottage is ACT's First Power Up

I belong to a great Guild on Artfire called the Artfire Cafemom Team Guild. For the month of August (and maybe beyond), we'll be helping promote one another for a four day time period.

First up is Charity from SubEarthan Cottage.

Name: Charity
Shop Name: SubEarthan Cottage
URL Links:
http://subearthancottage.artfire.com
http://sophiecls.etsy.com
http://subearthancottage.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/sophiecls

Product Range: Handmade Soap, Eco-Friendly and Upcycled products including Coffee Cozies, T-shirt Totes, Shopping Bags and more

Experience: I learned to sew sometime in elementary school and have always enjoyed creating and making gifts for my family. I started researching soap making about nine years ago. My first attempts at making soap followed a few years later. I have been selling my handmade soap almost two years ago after much experimentation on myself, friends and family.

Special Promotion: Free bar of my handmade soap for every $20 spent in either of my shops.

AnythingElse: I am wife to a wonderful man and a SAHM to one beautiful and very active 3 year old son. I love to chat, so feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Please stop by her shop, take a look around and be sure to let her know that you found her here - on withourhands blog.

Coupon and Promotional Codes

I received great news today in my Artfire Newsletter from Artfire. They will be releasing coupon and promotional codes soon that sellers can use on their studios.

Coupon Codes / Gift Certificates are being tested now. This new feature is robust and allows for many of the most popular promotional codes and a great deal of customization. Our goal with this coupon code engine is to give artisans the ability to use their creativity in promotion to try many different combinations of codes and discounts. The new coupon codes will be out shortly and we welcome your feedback as we roll them out.

I am very excited about this enhancement. There are times when I like to run specials within my shop but haven't been able to do so without having the buyer jump through hoops (either email me and I need to reinvoice them or pay via paypal and I have to refund the discount).

Good job Artfire - now I just wish they would allow me to see sold items from other sellers shops.

A Shopping Spree for Three with a Twist

Playing is easy, and winning is even easier! All you'll need is a blog, here’s what's new:

1. Write a blog review about your favorite ArtFire shop (feel free to use mine - http://withourhands.artfire.com) that isn't your own. Then submit a link to your blog on the Artfire fan page wall to let everyone see!

2.Invite all your friends to join and “like” and “comment” on your submission, go ahead and “like” your friends’ posts too.

3.The contest officially starts now, July 1st, and ends July 31st at 11:59:59 PM EST (please note we are switching the time zone so it is the same as saying it will end at 8:59:59 PM PDT) There will be three different ways to win this month, check em out!

A)The submission with the most likes at the end of the contest will receive a $100 ArtFire shopping spree

B)One of the fans who "liked" the winning submission will be randomly selected to also win a shopping spree at ArtFire.

C) One submission will be randomly chosen to win a $100 shopping spree regardless of likes.


I wrote a blog post below about Vermont Maple and submitted it. I would LOVE for you to stop by Artfire's Fan Page and leave a comment and "like" my comment I left there with a link to my blog post.

If I win, one of my friends will win a $100 shopping spree on Artfire. It could be you!