World of Handmade - 1000markets.com

Thought I would do a monthly write-up of handmade jewellery items I’ve found on the web by other sellers that I like. It also gives me the opportunity to learn about different materials and beads that I’ve never heard of before, as well as stumbling upon interesting new selling websites for handmade goods. I have yet to do a thorough exploration of Etsy’s jewellery-makers, which is the only selling venue I have listed on so far. I hope to feature different sellers each month of handmade jewellery, whether on Etsy or elsewhere. There is also a new UK site like Etsy called Folksy, and no doubt I shall eventually register on there too. And now I have discovered yet another online selling venue for handmade goods, still US based and in dollars, called 1000markets.com.

This is the blurb that describes 1000markets:

Our merchants are small, independent, artisan businesses built by people who love their craft. They make and sell unique products, based on their own vision, personality and story. Working together, these artisans create marketplace

communities - gathering places where merchants can

exchange ideas, and customers can browse and talk. Our markets are large and small, broad and narrow. Some have themes, like food, crafts, or art. Others cultivate a sense of place around a region. And some exist simply because the people in them share friendship or common values. Each market fosters its own one-of-a-kind community, always unique and interesting.

To buy products or contact any of the sellers you have to register on 1000markets.com with a username and password. If you choose to purchase products on the site, you must have an Amazon.com account. When you're ready to checkout, you’ll be asked to enter your Amazon.com email address and password. Then you’ll be able to easily and quickly access your account information from Amazon.com and return to 1000 Markets to complete your purchase.

I have just found out that 1000 Markets, being new, is currently only available for US buyers and sellers, but will no doubt expand internationally later on.
Jewelry Artisans' Marketplace is a good place to start browsing the jewellery shops, although there are plenty more markets featuring jewellery on 1000markets.com. Not easy picking a couple of examples of the month from so many interesting jewellery pieces, but this bracelet really fascinated me.

Dragonfly Sterling Silver Cuff Bangle Bracelet $196.00 USD

From the shop Musthaves, the seller says : This one is not for someone that likes dainty pieces of jewelry. This cuff bracelet makes a statement and is sure to get noticed! I made this bracelet with different gauges of sterling silver wire, one heart charm, one dragonfly charm, cubic zirzonia briolettes and some Austria crystals for sparkle. I have oxidized, hardened and polished the sterling silver in this bracelet.

Musthaves also has a shop of the same name on Etsy.

From the lower price bracket, I liked these furnace glass earrings by Charmed I’m Sure.

Strawberry Mint Furnace Glass Earrings $13.00 USD

Handcrafted earrings of David Christensen’s furnace glass chubs of crystal clear glass with green and white stripes, and wide bands of pink, combined with tiny corrugated Bali spacers, green Czech fire-polish beads, and 5mm rose Swarovski crystals. They dangle slightly more than 1.25 inches (3.18cm) from 20 gauge hand-formed sterling silver ear wires.