Artisans & Handcrafters

We believe in small business. We believe in the dream of creating our
own destiny by pursuing our truest talents and passions as the central
avocation of our lives. Here is a small list of small business owners
and a *very few* organizations that support the wellbeing of small
business. If you have a small business or know of a small business
that you think should be included here, please contact us at
link@althaea.biz. Please include the name of the artist/handcrafter, a
description of what is offered, link to the site, and a representative
photo to be included on this page. Please remember that beauty is
subjective, and that links included here will only be those companies
whose products, professionalism and presentation appeal to the
owner of this site.

Vaughn Teegarden, Art Photographer - Vaughn's Photo Art -

Vaughn takes pictures. Beautiful pictures. The best part, however, goes

beyond the visual images. Vaughn's photographs evoke complex
emotional responses in the viewer. Every time you look, your frame of
mind brings you to perceive in a new way. I have been looking at "Hand
Of The Maker" daily for several months, and every time I see it I still feel
a warmth inside. These are photographs that create an aura around the
rooms they grace. It is clear that the love he has for his craft is reaching
out to you in every print.

Pillows For The People

Just go LOOK at these pillows, folks. They simply rock! Gorgeous, edgy

designs, excellent craftsmanship, and deliciously fragrant (in many cases).

Rhonda at SewnSational

Gorgeous handcrafted fabric goods, including wallets, purses, eyeglass cases,

makeup bags and much more. Beautiful fabrics and very practical designs. Built

to last!

Studio Kensai - Historical Leather Artistry

Gorgeous leather goods, from corsets to armor to maille and leather accessories. Truly

unique, expertly crafted, and definitely worth a look. Custom work available.

Ilea Slimmer, Handcrafter - Ilea's Lucid Dreams

Ilea's dreamcatchers are truly something special. I've never seen such
detail, such originality in a dreamcatcher design. She takes the Native
American artform and truly makes it into a personal expression. Her
dreamcatchers are immediate mood enhancers, and they change the
personality of the room that they adorn.

Russ Matthews Photography

Everyone - yes, even YOU - can afford to adorn your personal space

with beautiful artwork that speaks to you. Art is not just for the rich

and the elite. Check out Russ Matthews' beautiful images and find the

that makes your soul sing.

Pangaea Papercast Goods

Donna Albino creates beautiful bowls, cards, boxes and more from salvaged

and recycled papers. While other papermakers may use specially prepared pulps,

or get involved in energy-intensive or hazardous techniques involving cooking

pulps or soaking pulps in toxic chemicals, Donna does not make those kinds of

paper. "My goal is making paper from the bountiful materials in my own trash can,

without chemicals and without virgin materials as much as possible." ~Donna Albino

Claire Wain, Designer - GothStuff Clothing, Printing And More

If you have a clothing vision in your mind that your hands just can't
manage, Claire can build it for you. If you have a symbol, quote or
cartoon that you would love to have on a shirt, she can help. If your
measurements are non-standard and you need your favorite things
to fit your body and personality more completely, she's the one to go
to. One of my favorite shirts in the world is a Claire creation.

Northern Sun Merchandise - The Best In Original T-shirts,
Bumperstickers, Buttons and Socially Responsible Goods -

I have been a fan of Northern Sun Merchandising for over twelve years.
My first purchase was a tie-dyed onesie for my then-infant daughter,
Lorelei. At her first birthday party, Lorelei sported their pink "Question
Authority" diaper shirt as she dove into her cake with both fists. When
I was in college, my backpack was encrusted with Northern Sun
buttons, which served as peremptory protection from approach by
those with certain [to me] highly stressful ideologies. I own several of
their shirts now, and I love to send gifts to family and friends from their
site. My dad's car sports a Rocket Fish with "science" written across
his middle. My older daughter has a boxful of their buttons, which she
coordinates with her outfits and moods du jour. My car still sports a
faded bumpersticker from Northernsun, "Don't Assume I Share Your
Prejudices". I can't imagine that there will ever be a time that I will no
longer be a customer of theirs. After twelve years, they almost feel like
family. Well, sort of.

Carli Schultz Kruse, Artist - JuiceGlass - Lampworked and
Fused Art Glass Creations -

Carli is another artist whose work simply takes my breath away. She
is truly talented, and careful to the smallest detail in her work. Go look.
Seriously. You won't be able to tear yourself away until you've seen it
all.

Jeanette Cullum, Handcrafter - The Dreaming Place,
Breathtaking Handcrafted Jewelry And More -

Jeanette's artwork is absolutely unique, very balanced and beautiful. She
has true artistic creations that can suit the most dramatic mood, and
jewelry pieces that can complement anyone's wardrobe.

Jenn Wisbeck, Handcrafter - Midnight Sky Fibers, Amazing
Handspun and Hand-dyed Yarns -

Midnightsky Fibers is famous in yarn art addict circles, for her
consistent high quality and beautiful color combinations and textures.
Her yarns make a hat into a work of art, and a scarf into a true heirloom
that will be treasured for decades.