Featured Artist "Makin' the Best of It"

Kim is the multi-talented artist behind Makin' the Best of It, a shop where you will find an array of gorgeous hand painted glassware, home decor and special occasion gifts as well as some of the loveliest jewelry you have ever seen made with only the finest sterling silver.

Kim and her husband Andrew live in New Jersey along with their two boys. They teamed together and started the Handmade Artists Forum because they have a real passion to keep all things handmade from becoming a dying breed of art. If you check out their site you will see for yourself a group of positive, upbeat people supporting and encouraging one another in their endeavor to keep "handmade products" alive. I have been a member of this group for some time now and I can honestly say they care very much about each and every person who comes their way so I hope you will take the time to visit.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the pieces created by Kim. She has a very special gift in that she is blessed with many talents.

This sweet little pendant is so original. The sterling silver cage houses some sea glass that Kim found right on the Jersey shore. I really love the curly loops on the top and the bottom. I am sure there is a fancier name for them, but they really make the design.

This next piece is very intriguing just because of the bell shape. It is actually an old bottle stop that has been frosted through time from the salt water of the ocean. It just doesn't get any better than this. Nature at it's best.

Kim kept the design of sterling silver delicate so as not to take away from the overall affect of the natural lines. That is what makes her jewelry very special in my opinion as she always works with the natural flow.

Painting like this is something I have always wished I could do and I admire artists such as Kim who can just sit down and make something like this butter dish spring to life with these cheerful sunflowers.

Kim can paint anything and I do mean anything. She has some wonderful patterns she offers that can be put on glasses, vases, dishes, stemware. The list goes on. You really must check out her shop and see them as these are just a sampling of her work.

Of course I had to show you the adorable pink flamingo because I am a Floridian and therefore consider myself a connoisseur of flamingos and this one is right at the top.

Wouldn't this make a great gift? Just too cute.

Kim can also work up some beautiful special occasion gifts such as you see in these two examples below. These are custom pieces but they give you an idea of what she can make. Wouldn't you like to have your Mother's Day card preserved? Maybe you have a wedding invitation that you would like displayed? Kim will work with you on the pattern and design and do what she can to make it a very special and personalized gift.