where to find designers?

I’m having the hardest time finding a designer to make me a new theme. The professional ones I’ve found(wordpress had some listed somewhere) all want 10,000+ to do it. I’m thinking of a budget between $1k-3k, but I dont know where to look. I just need someone with a decent portfolio who has an eye for design because I’m incompetent when it comes to that. Ive been burned by shady developers in the past so I’m hesitant to post on elance or anything. Any suggestions?