'Vase with Flowers in a Window' by gaea
Inspirational etsy finds for the June Art Bead Scene inspiration art!
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Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Interview with Claire Lockwood of Something to do with your hands
Today, I thought I would introduce you to a great British bead maker and jewellery designer, and someone that I am lucky enough to call a friend Claire Lockwood of Something to do and Something to do beads. Like me, she is from the UK and not only makes the most incredible and inspiring art jewellery, full of texture, colour and of course, art beads, but also makes her own polymer beads. She is one of those people who I know that when I tune into her blog, on her facebook feed, I will find something unexpected and lovely to inspire me.
The wonderful thing about polymer clay is just how different it can become, depending upon the hands in which it is in. Claire has her own unique style within her art beads, and last year began selling them on etsy, so that we can all enjoy working with them. I asked her a few questions about her creative process.
Q1.How long have you been creating, and what
led you to begin?
A1. As a child and
into my teens and early twenties I was very creative. I was always
drawing as a kid and this continued and I actually did two years of a Fine Art
degree at Chelsea. I’ve had health problems throughout my adult life and
they first reached a head when I was at art college. I took a year out
and couldn’t face returning, so I took up studying Literature instead.
I’ve always felt a bit of a loss when I remembered all I got out of drawing
and painting – and creating, in general. I spent a long time avoiding
thinking about what I’d given up. Then, some years ago now, I developed
an interest in vintage jewellery - all jewellery, really - and I eventually
decided to try making jewellery myself. So, I am now, finally, getting
some chance to pick up the kind of interests I gave up.
.jpg) |
| Fox on the Lawn |
Q2.What do you find inspiring?
A2. Sometimes I can just
be thinking about something and it will occur to me that it might be translated
into jewellery or beads. Other
times, I’ll see some neat thing and I think, ‘Ah! I could make a bead along
those lines’. I often work around
a particular bead or material and take guidance from that. I also love trawling the internet, and
Pinterest in particular – it’s a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration.
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| Stonewash |
Q3. Describe your workspace – are you lucky
enough to have a studio set up, or are you like me and work in odd corners of
your house?
A3. My workspace - if you
can call it that - is one third(-ish) of my living room. I have a large,
cluttered table on which I make jewellery and beads and do whatever else
requires a table (including eating, etc.). Basically my workspace works
around my living space and my living space works around my workspace. I’d
love to have a studio. There are so many things I really want to do (have
a kiln, do lampwork and metalwork - it’s a long list!) that just can’t be done
in the space I have.
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| Claire's creative space |
Q5.What are your favourite materials to work
with and why?
A5. Well, I make polymer clay beads and I’ve just
starting using a new system that allows you to give beads a metal coat on which
you can develop a patina that you can also dye, so I’m loving that at the
moment. I can see so much potential in it. When, it comes to making
jewellery, I do like using art beads, in all sorts of media, and also vintage
beads and components - I think they’d be top of my desert-island-beads list.
Q6 If you were to draw attention to a favourite
designer or artist, who would it be and why?
A6 I’m really
struggling to think of one individual, especially when it comes to jewellery. My taste is really quite eclectic and
diverse. Rather than draw
attention to any one person, it seems more accurate to say a wee thank you to
all the many artists and designers from whom I’ve learnt some small, vital or
very useful thing. Some are people
I’ve got to know via the internet, but there are many that I couldn’t name now,
as I’ve just stumbled upon their work online. So, three cheers for the
internet!
Q7 What
drew you to art beads, and in turn to your specific medium of polymer clay?
A7 I think
it was the case that I’d been beading for some time when I became aware of this
‘other type’ of bead that was out there, partly through seeing them being used
in other people’s designs, and partly through seeing them for sale
occasionally. At the time I had no
real idea of the vast realm of bead sourcing that is Etsy! At around the same time, I saw a
polymer clay demonstration. I was
immediately drawn to it and thought I’d give it a go. I did ceramics for several years when I was younger so I
figured it was something I might be able to do. In time I discovered that, not only could I make beads to
use myself, I could also make beads that other people might like to own too.
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| Penny Button |
Q. 8 Can
you describe a little (without giving away any trade secrets!) of your bead
making process?
A. 8 On
the whole, in the past, I think I’ve often started out with the idea of the
bead I want to make in my mind before I start, rather than playing around with
the clay to see where that takes me.
I don’t tend to use lots of the traditional polymer techniques, unless
they will allow me to achieve the look of the bead I’ve imagined. I frequently use the clay to create a
sculpted base that I paint once baked.
One reason why I like this new patina system I’ve been using is that
it’s given me the opportunity to experiment and develop my ideas whilst
making. It’s a different
approach and I’m really enjoying it.
Q.9 Which
art bead artists do you find inspiring?
A.9 Where to start?! I
try to avoid taking too much inspiration from other people’s beads. But, of course, when you see something
you admire, you can’t help but be influenced by it – well that’s how I see it,
anyway! As with jewellery
designers, I can’t really pick out one or two bead makers as predominate
influences, but I can certainly offer a list of folk who just keep producing
things I really love – although some of them are bead artists who create beads
I love to use, rather than being an inspiration for my beads. Oddly, none of them are polymer artists:
Scorched Earth, Slate Studios Supply, Moogin, Grey Bird Studio, Jubilee, HappyFallout. Of course, that list
could be several times the length but you have to stop somewhere.
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| Luxe |
Thanks Claire, for sharing your thoughts with me today.
There is a bonus question and more pics over at my blog, if you fancy hopping over there!
And lucky for us, Claire is having a sale in both of her shops, through til the 26th June.
- For 10% off at Something to do beads, use coupon code SONGBEADBLOG.
- For 20% off at Something to do, use coupon code SONGBEADBLOG
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Art Bead Palette :: MayaHoney
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| Beach Organics by MayaHoney |
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| Aqua blue lampwork lentil bead by MayaHoney |
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| Beach beige lampwork beads by MayaHoney |
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| Beach scene lampwork bead by MayaHoney |
In my head, June equals summer break and summer break equals the beach. I'm Hawaiian, so I need very little encouragement to go to the beach; it's pretty much a given. But I live in north Texas, and there's not an ocean nearby.
So, I'm getting my fix through this month's art bead palettes from MayaHoney. Aren't they fun? I somehow stumbled across Katerina's Etsy shop, and I'm glad I did. Her beads (and photography!) are fantastic, and I love the colors oh so much. Definitely give her shop a look-see.
As for me, I have to whimper over last year's vacation photos.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Featured Designer of the Week-Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Each week the Art Bead Scene features a Designer of the Week.
One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.
One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Show Me Sunday - Word Beads with Rebecca of Songbead
Happy Sunday to you all! Hope you are having a lovely day, whatever and wherever you are today. Are you celebrating with the father-figure in your life? Are there any dads out there reading this blog? I have a feeling there are a few more mums, sisters, wives and daughters on here, than dads and brothers. I'd love to be proved wrong though - let us know if you are out there, dads, and if you are celebrating your special day with beads!
A few special word beads to share with you today:
Fun polymer letters, from Bead Soup Beads. I love the red/orange/yellow splashes on the urban grey. Very different, in a very good way!
These connectors are just the prettiest shade of aqua. They are in Sugar Paws' Stash Shoppe, but originally created by ABS favourite, Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio. Snatch a bargain!
And brand new from the Queen of Art Bead Scene, these inspirational connectors from Heather Humblebead Powers! Aren't they just gorgeous? One of a new series - hop over to her shop and check out the whole range!
Don't forget to leave us your word bead links in the comments below! I'd love to see what you've been creating combing beads and words.
And now for the Beadblogger links. Happy Sunday!
A Bead A Day
Ever have a reese's cup moment when designing a piece of jewelry? Lisa is sharing her latest.
Ever have a reese's cup moment when designing a piece of jewelry? Lisa is sharing her latest.
Art Bead Scene
ABS editor Tari selects Susan McClelland's quirky, art bead-filled design for her Designer of the Week piece. Check out Susan's gorgeous necklace!
ABS editor Tari selects Susan McClelland's quirky, art bead-filled design for her Designer of the Week piece. Check out Susan's gorgeous necklace!
Resin Crafts Blog
You can replicate the look of kiln fired clay with air drying resin clay and brass stencils!
You can replicate the look of kiln fired clay with air drying resin clay and brass stencils!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean previews an exciting blog hop and reveal hosted by Carmi Cimicata, using Dazzle-it's great new Chinese Knotting book by Fernado DaSilva! Come see the excitement!
Jean previews an exciting blog hop and reveal hosted by Carmi Cimicata, using Dazzle-it's great new Chinese Knotting book by Fernado DaSilva! Come see the excitement!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew created a pair of summery earrings for a customer. Check them out!
Andrew created a pair of summery earrings for a customer. Check them out!
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Studio Saturday with Creative Impressions In Clay
Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
This weeks winner is Jamie, Congratulations!
You have won 20-piece storage container from Erin Siegel and Ornamentea.com.
You have won 20-piece storage container from Erin Siegel and Ornamentea.com.
Note: Ignore the black borders. Not sure what the technical issue was upon export.
I had a lovely lady contact me to put together jewelry that was purchased as a kit.
Keep in mind there were no directions or illustrations as to the finished look of the jewelry.
She had asked other artists to make her jewelry, she did not have the skills, only to be turned down.
Her now deceased husband had purchased these kits for her at a show. He was under the impressions he was buying finished jewelry. Having been widowed myself, I understood and agreed to make her jewelry.
Above is my interpretation of the necklace.
The kit came with 3 strands of gemstones, 1 top drilled agate, memory wire and a few findings.
I glued Vintaj filigree to both sides of the agate. I felt the the piece would look best with raw brass.
Strung the strands of gemstones in graduated lengths with memory wire, covered the connection with crimp covers and connected with brass jump rings. Unfortunately the one thing I didn't have was a clasp in brass. Fortunately Vintaj findings are sold at Hobby Lobby where I could buy a clasp.
I was really happy with the results.
Rummaging through my studio, I found a forgotten stash of brass necklaces I bought years ago from Rishashay.
It was simply hung with a jump ring.
You might recognize the filigree from the necklace above. I took the same filigree and cut off the outer frame, filed down the edges, formed and glued to the back.
Attached Vintaj earwires and voila. A pair of earrings that look as pretty from the front as the back.
My question today is:
Have you helped someone with a jewelry predicament before?
Leave a comment answering the question and you could win Coin Buttons.
Have a great day!!
Feeling Sassy as usual!
Tari Sasser
Friday, June 14, 2013
A Rainbow of Winged Friends
Happy Friday all. I thought I would entertain you today with a rainbow selection of one of my favourite symbols to create with - wee birdies. Enjoy!
What's your favourite colour to work with?
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.
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