Sunday, September 30, 2007

As the Bead Turns, September 30


Bringing you all the dirt and drama from the beading blog world...

Art Bead Scene September is coming to and end and so is this month's Art Bead Scene monthly challenge. So catch your last chance to join by rounding up beads from more than one of your favorite artisans, and send us a picture for the When Beads Collide theme. Check back next week as we announce the theme and prizes for October.

Bead Arts Cyndi's last bead embroidered page for the Bead Journal Project is finished, and it's her favorite one yet!

Jewelry and Beading Tammy has been working on jewelry making e-course for some time now and has a total of 17 available. They are free, yes - f - r - e - e! Learning everything from bead stringing to metal clay.

Katie's Beading Blog Break out your rubber stamps and get ready for beady action. This week, Katie shares an easy way to dress-up a plain picture frame.

Savvy Crafter One minute Candie’s in China and the next Hong Kong. Check out the whirl-wind tour she’s been on this week.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Margot Potter was nice enough to scan the back cover of Art Jewelry magazine's November issue for Jean, who has a cool necklace for Fire Mountain Gems on display!

The Impatient Blogger Margot shares some of her insights on blogging, linky love and blog promotions with Get Known Now platform building expert Susan Falter-Barns.

Did you read or write any good dirt on a bead blog this week? Leave us a comment and a link and tell us the latest scoop!

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Bead Scoop: Metal Chik



Check out the blog Metal Chik to add a new stash of design tricks to your jewelry-making repertoire. They combine video episodes with an informative blog to offer tutorials and tips related to all things metal and jewelry.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Beady Back Track - Halstead Bead Business Grant Winner


Belle Brooke Designs has been announced as the winner of the Halstead Bead Business Grant. The photo above shows some examples of this jewelry designer's work.

Now is a great time to start the application process for next year's grant and to help you along Halstead has provided some Hints and Tips. One article that especially caught my attention discusses the importance of understanding your target market and gives some great tips on this subject. In the article three main target groups are indentified, their lifestyles described and a sample marketing plan outlined for each of the groups. This is definitely worth taking a look at in order to help refine your marketing plan. Take a look here.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Its a small world

In light of the United Nations meeting I thought I'd look around for some art beads of our earth. Here are some of my finds:


Fused Glass Pendant from Iawatha

World on the String by GlassFever

And Here is a great example of creative re-purposing:

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Designer Interview Katie Hacker

Hip to Bead by Katie Hacker (Interweave Press 2006)


1. What is your personal name, business name, website and location?
Katie Hacker - Katiedids - http://www.katiehacker.com/ - Keystone, Indiana


2. What kind of jewelry do you make? What types of materials do you prefer? what kinds of art beads do you use?
The bulk of my business is creating how-to jewelry projects for books and magazines. I specialize in making boutique-style jewelry designs that people can recreate in an evening or a weekend. I also make designs for Beadalon that showcase their products and I present Beading Lessons on the public television show Beads, Baubles & Jewels.


I like to support other women who are trying to make a living by making their art, so my stash contains all kinds of art beads made by talented gals: ceramic beads from Earthenwood Studio & Jangles, silk beads from Kristal Wick, stained glass pendants from Lily Studios, lampworked glass beads from Stephanie Sersich, polymer clay pendants from Heather Wynn, pewter beads from Green Girl Studio, engraved shell pendants from Lillypilly Designs. I like to use dramatic art beads as the focus and then fill in the design with a variety of semiprecious, crystal, Czech glass and other mass-produced beads.

Fit for a Queen Bracelet from Hip to Bead by Katie Hacker (Interweave Press 2006, photo by Joe Coca) Borosilicate glass bead by Nancy Tobey


3. How did you get into jewelry design? What are some of the important things you do for your business?
I started making earrings when I was a teenager because I couldn't find any cool clip earrings for my un-pierced ears. Then, I got into making hemp jewelry while in college. After college, I worked as an editor and in-house designer for Hot Off The Press, a publishing company in Oregon. They had published a successful book on hemp jewelry before I worked there and I asked to be involved in the sequel. Since then, I've written more than 15 books about beading and jewelry making.


Being in business for yourself is a constant juggling act. I'm always re-evaluating the different ways that I spend my time. Blogging, having a website, writing a monthly newsletter, having nice business cards (and giving them out!) are some of the things that I do for my business that are difficult to measure in terms of monetary return versus time spent. I think they're very important but I have to be careful to not get so caught up in doing those things that it's taking me away from the creative aspects and actual work of my job.


Knock Out Knotted Necklace from Hip to Bead by Katie Hacker (Interweave Press 2006, photo by Joe Coca) Engraved shell pendant by Lillypilly Designs


4. What is your workspace like and how do you work in your studio? What is a typical day like?
My studio is a sunny, yellow room in my house. It has lots of interesting angles and is packed to the gills with beads and jewelry making stuff. Right now, I have to step over piles of magazines and catalogs to get to my desk. On a typical day, I commute up the stairs with coffee in hand and answer email and do any urgent tasks first-thing. Then, the rest of the morning is my creative time. I plan designs and do other right brain stuff. After lunch, I do more repetitive tasks like assembling designs that are already figured out, writing instructions, or organizing stuff in my office. I often assemble jewelry or kits in the evenings while watching movies.


5. How do you stay inspired and motivated?
Like a lot of creative people, I have more ideas than I will probably ever be able to accomplish. (But, I'm sure going to try!) I lay awake at night thinking of new ideas. I'm inspired by beads and jewelry making materials, so I keep a lot of stuff around and I'm continually looking for new, inspiring things to create with. I keep an idea notebook. I also make it a regular practice to look at magazines, books, websites and catalogs to stay on top of trends. If I'm in a rut, sometimes it helps to just take a break and go outside or work in the garden. The mental space helps make room for more ideas to come into my head.


As for motivation, I am a serious list-maker. I keep to-do lists because it makes me feel like I'm getting things accomplished when I can cross them off the list. I'm deadline-oriented, so if a particular task doesn't have a deadline, then I have to make one up for myself. Otherwise, it just keeps dropping to the bottom of my list.


6. What kinds of art beads do you look for? Is there a bead you wish an artist would make for you?
I think the first thing that often draws me in is the color of the beads. Then I'm captured by the story, if there is one. Right now, I'm in love with charms and have been looking for unusual ones. I like bead frames a lot - you know, they're empty in the center and have holes on both ends. Most of the ones you see are cast metal or made from shell but it would be fun to have them in different materials.


Oceanside Bling necklace from Hip to Bead by Katie Hacker (Interweave Press 2006, photo by Joe Coca) Pewter pendant by Green Girl Studio, dichroic glass beads by Paula Radke



7. What beady plans do you have for the future? Do you have new designs or ideas you will be exploring soon?
I've been working on ideas for my upcoming Fashion Focus columns in Simply Beads magazine. Each column includes two projects: a dressed-down version that takes less than an hour to make and a dressed-up version that takes several hours. I've been researching new products to use and am excited about some of the beads I'll be featuring, including ceramic links from Earthenwood Studio and flower beads from Jangles. And, keep an eye out for new books from me in the near future!


Readers can get a sneak peek at what's happening in my studio by reading my blog or signing up for my free monthly newsletter about beading and creativity at http://www.katiehacker.com/.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Bead Scoop - Filigree Bead Wrapping

Looking for a new way to incorporate your art bead collection into pendants? Vintaj has a simple project using their filigree components to wrap beads! Click on the Filigree Bead Wrapping link on the tip page, the project opens up in a PDF file. While you are there check out Vintaj's new inspiration gallery. Any of the projects that feature larger pendants could be created using art beads.


Monday, September 24, 2007

Findings Worth Finding: MJ Trim

Do you like one stop shopping when it comes to findings? If you do then MJ Trim has it all -cording, ribbons, buttons and more! If you're looking for a wide variety of trims to use with your art beads, then just click on MJ Trim.
(All photos from MJ Trim website)



Sunday, September 23, 2007

As the Bead Turns, Sept. 23

Bringing you all the dirt and drama from the beading blog world...

Art Bead Scene would like to welcome loyal reader Melissa Lee to the blogosphere! She started blogging late this summer with her blog Strands of Beads, which has become an entertaining blog full of creative beading, occasional knitting, and beautiful art beads. Welcome her by posting a comment on her Something Wicked Giveaway post, and you could win the bracelet shown above! Only a couple days left!

Art Bead Scene Need to find some beading friends to share your creativity with? Someone who understands the depth of your beady insanity? In a helpful post last month, Heather gave us six great reasons to join a bead society, along with a resource to find one near you.

Bead Arts Cyndi suggests that if you want to dust off your skills with wood, you think about ordering the new book by Lark publications, due out soon, called "The Art of Jewelry: Wood"

Jewelry and Beading Japanese if you please! Tammy is playing again with metal clay and points her readers to this way cool Japanese web site.

Katie's Beading Blog In Katie's ongoing quest to find new uses for findings, she reveals chandelier earrings and a necklace that use beading cones as an integral part of the design.

Naughty Secretary Club It took almost a year, but finally the brand spanking new Naughty Secretary Club website is here. Read all about the new bells and whistles and the new and improved shopping cart!
Savvy Crafter Ahoy, Bead-lovers! Even pirates would be envious of Candie’s loot after her beach-side bead shopping spree along the South China Sea.

Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean's traumatic experience with her first spiral seed bead bracelet. Argh!

The Impatient Blogger See Margot sign books at a new AC Moore store opening. Then enjoy another entry in her Adventures in Jewelry Making with the BQOTU (Day) entries. In this episode, Margot shares how to properly open and close a jump ring. It may not be rocket science, but jewelry making does use physics, who knew?

Did you read or write any good dirt on a bead blog this week? Leave us a comment and a link and tell us the latest scoop!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Beading Daily Does Video

Beading Daily has responded to their subscribers' request to post beading video on the web. The first installment of their video series, "Ladder Step Ring," comes from the Beadwork book, Getting Started With Seed Beads . Michelle Mach, editor of BeadingDaily.com, leads us through the first two steps of the ring project. Surf on over and check it out! It's a short 2 minute video and don't forget to leave a comment for Michelle!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Another great display case tutorial!

You may recall that earlier this summer, we posted a link to Carolina Gonzalez's clever portable jewelry display tutorial made from an altered three ring binder. Well, Carolina has been hard at work again! She has posted another free display tutorial on her NeoVamp website, this time for a larger carrying case type display. Check out the way she alters a cardboard case to create a lovely display which is also functional. She used only glue, scissors, fabric, ribbon, and paper products to create this look! She shows how you can make your own, and I love how versatile the idea can be. With a simple change of fabric or paper design, you can create a look that reflects the style of your jewelry, making a truly integrated display. Thanks to Carolina for providing this excellent tutorial!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Bead Shop Interview - The Bead Parlor

The Bead Parlor
318 N. Main Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
309/827-7708
http://www.thebeadparlor.com/index.htm


I recently had a chance to have an online chat with Shelley Nybakke, owner of The Bead Parlor in Bloomington, IL. The Bead Parlor is located in historic downtown Bloomington nestled between beautiful old buildings and sidewalks sure to inspire the artistic eye.

As part of the Art Bead Scene crew, of course I ask Shelley what kind of handmade Art Beads her store sells, but I also asked about what types of materials her customers prefer.

At The Bead Parlor they carry lampwork beads made by several local artists, ceramic clay by the FABULOUS Elaine Ray, (toot toot goes my own horn!) polymer clay beads and David Christensen Furnace glass. Shelly feels fortunate to have a good friend, Julie Suchy, who makes beautiful lampwork beads along with several topnotch lampwork artists right there in Bloomington, making a special effort to support local talent as much as possible.

These artsy customers are always on the lookout for one-of-a-kind beads and not surprisingly, everyone has different tastes and creative styles. Even for Shelley, her bead "de jour" depends on her project of the moment and guess what ...... she loves ALL beads!!!! - now who else out these loves all beads? Come on, lets see a show of hands!!!! (put 'em there in the comment box)

Next we explored how The Bead Parlor stays current with trends in the bead business and other important business practices.

Shelley explained that she reads every magazine, book and catalog she can get her hands. Pouring over them from front to back, back to front and over and over again. Each read through gives her a chance to see something missed or forgotten.

Understanding the importance of a strong web presence, Shelley has worked long and hard at the web site for The Bead Parlor which she feels has greatly increased business. The goal is to create a space that customers/readers want to surf over to on a regular basis to view pictures of new ideas, beads and findings. This helps everyone get in the creative mood and sparks new ideas. Shelly says that sometimes her ideas are good and sometimes not so good, but she puts it all out there to let her customers pick over. The News Page is similar to a daily blog and is a great way to get new ideas and products out there.

Beading classes play a big role at The Bead Parlor with a line up that focuses on PMC, weaving, wireworking, and basic stringing. There is a wonderful group of regular teachers who teach because they love beading. Their teaching salary rarely makes it out the door, but instead gets spent right at The Bead Parlor! Shelley says this helps to keep class fees low which encourages more people to give beading a try. In another smart business move, they understand that classes are not only to teach techniques, but also to support friendships / business relationships and to encourage customers to shop at The Bead Parlor.

I understand that in a world of cheap imports and knock offs, handcrafted beads can be a hard sell so I asked Shelley how she encourages customers to give Art Beads a try....

At the Bead Parlor they always make up wonderful examples of finished jewelry featuring art beads. These examples are changed often since many non-beaders also shop at The Bead Parlor - to purchase the "samples". This is one of the many assets of having a store located in a beautiful and busy downtown area. Customers with even minimal beading experience can appreciate the difference between a quality art bead and a cheap knock-off. To stock her store, Shelley looks for earthy natural timeless art beads rather than the "cute", something she will still admire 10 years down the road.

The Bead Parlor carries a variety of heavy metal seed beads. Can't you just imagine all the ways to use these along with the many hand made beads you already own!!!

Shelley has great plans for The Bead Parlor progressing and growing every year. They have a space for even more beads and are always on the lookout for the different and unique. Most of all, Shelley is excited about the fact that her customers realize they can make and have fabulous one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Presented with the wide range of magazines, websites, bead shows, etc., people are beginning to realize that there is a whole wonderful world of amazing beads out there and that everyone has the opportunity to "do their own thing". With every magazine Shelley opens, she falls in love with some one's great art bead and generally investigates the artist out while keeping her fingers crossed that it is something that will work out for the store.

A big thanks from all of us here at The Art Bead Scene to Shelley for her time and effort, not only for this interview but also for all she does to promote beading and the use of Art Beads. If you ever get the chance make sure to stop in at The Bead Parlor and say hi to everyone from us!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Bead Theme - When Fall Trends and Art Beads Collide

We have a 11 days left in our monthly challenge, When Beads Collide. Here are some pairings in fall's hot colors, brown and purple, for a little hump day inspiration!








Pendant by Lori Lochner with dark purple spacers from Burning Scentsations.









Humblebead's wafer beads with lampwork spacers by LizaJayne.






Pendant by Gabriel paired with Lavender Fields accent beads by Cindy Hoo.






Mary Harding pendant with Joan Miller accent beads.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Bead Scoop - Book Sale!

I am a book addict. They are in every room of my house, tucked away on shelves, displayed on tables, stacked in the corners of various rooms. I can't help it, there is just something wonderful about skimming through a book for inspiration. I stumbled upon half.com a few weeks ago when I was looking for a book I wanted to purchase. It was out-of-print and at another book site for $50, I found it at half.com for under $10, that included shipping!

These are used books, so read the condition carefully. Also the descriptions at half.com are rather spartan, so I pop over to Amazon.com to read more about the book and any reviews posted.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Beady Back Track Jane Mormino

Let's Fly by Jane MacGregor Hamilton Mormino features typewriter keys, art beads, charms and fibers. Jane was the winner of our first challenge launched back in April. Her "Fly" necklace is now featured in Beadwork this month.

Congrats Jane from the Art Bead Scene Crew!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

As the Bead Turns - September 16th

Bringing you all the dirt and drama from the beading blog world.

This week, Katie shares tips on writing a newsletter to promote your business.

Tammy touts the treasures you can gather from other beaders when you join a bead society.

Cyndi shows you how to cinch a stone, simply and beautifully.

There is a new clip of Handmade Nation to be seen! Look for a snippet of an interview with Naughty Secretary Club’s Jennifer Perkins at the Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn about the art of Revamped Vintage Jewelry plus glass bead making and more.

In a discussion of why we should plan out our designs, Jean shows a pretty fall bracelet set with a cool clasp and some findings which suit the beads perfectly!

Clay play anyone? Margot shows some recent experiments in polymer clay and talks about her creative process. After you check out the beginning stages, see the resulting finished necklace at http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/09/pirate-king-necklace-and-repost.html.

Worlds and beads are colliding at the Art Bead Scene! This post is just a friendly reminder that the month and your chance to win free beads from Joan Miller and Humblebeads are almost up!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

The Bead Doctor Is In!

Have you heard of Dr. Beadalon?

You can visit the doctor at the Beadalon site and have all your beading perplexities unravelled. There is a whole list of previously answered questions and if you don't find yours there you can email the doctor...free of charge!

And that's not all...there's lots of instructions for common beading techniques right beside the doctor's office.

Enjoy your visit!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Spiral Pendant Necklace

A spiral rope is a fun project to get your feet wet in the world of seed beads and a nice way to show off pendants from your favorite bead artists. This design is from Fusion Beads.

Auntie's Beads provides a video with the basic spiral stitch directions on Youtube.

I think I would use copper seed beads for the pendant bail to match the clasp. Here are a few art beads that would work great with this project:

Cindy Gimbrone

Elaine Ray Beads


Virginia Miska

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Colliding Beads! Melanie's Bead Collision

In the spirit of our current monthly challenge, When Beads Collide, which encourages the use of two or more art bead artists in one piece, I present my collision of beads for a future planned project. This grouping, seen above, has the works of 4 bead artists! I plan to make this bird themed necklace soon, and I have dipped into my stash of favorite feathery beads to make it happen.

The Collision: Here are the beadmakers shown:

#1 Anne Choi silver bead that says "be not forgetful to entertain strangers"

#2 Coliebug Beads toggle bar and pendant, which I may use as a clasp.

#3 Green Girl feather pendant in fine pewter

#4 My own beads, Earthenwood Studio porcelain charms


The Plan: I am imagining this necklace with the Anne Choi bead at the center, with dangles hanging down using the pewter Green Girl feather and the porcelain feathers. Maybe the bird charms too. I want the toggle to be at the side, off center. I am thinking of keeping the accent beads pretty simple, just black pewter, silver and maybe a little copper to counter the Coliebug coin shaped component. Of course, this is all in my imagination...things may change once I get working on it! Stay tuned, I hope to show the finished piece soon...

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Designer Interview: Melissa Lee

Terra Trinkets by Earthenwood Studio, fine silver shadow box and toggle clasp by Melissa Lee

What is your personal name, website and location?

My name is Melissa Lee. I am a novice bead maker and jewelry designer. I live in Illinois, and I have a jewelry and knitting blog at http://www.strandsofbeads.blogspot.com/

What kind of jewelry do you make? What types of materials do you prefer? what kinds of art beads do you use?

I work primarily with glass, ceramic, fine silver and resin beads. I make some of the glass and resin beads and all of the fine silver beads myself. The art beads I use are mostly glass and ceramic. I have a limited number of pieces in my portfolio at the moment, but it’s fair to say that my work is largely theme-based. My tastes are eclectic, but in the end I tend to favor simpler designs without significant ornamentation.

Pendant by Michele Goldstein, accent beads by Melissa Lee

How did you get into jewelry design?

In a fundamental way, my son has enabled me to start designing jewelry seriously. Before he arrived, I kept fairly long hours, working as an intellectual property lawyer. I didn’t have enough time to be anything except a really casual beader. It wasn’t until I stopped working as a lawyer and starting learning how to be a mother (another job with a demanding “client” and long, irregular hours – but so much more rewarding, may I say) that I finally decided I needed to explore interests that I had shelved for many years. First, I started learning how to make my own beads. While I had had an interest in lampworking for several years, I never actually looked into it seriously. My schedule was a hindrance, and, to be quite honest, I was scared of the torch. Much to my surprise, once I started, I discovered that I loved working with the torch. Later, as I considered investing in a kiln for annealing glass beads, I decided to try working with metal clay, just to see if I should buy a kiln rated for both materials. Again, much to my surprise, I loved the experience. From making beads, I started taking jewelry design much more seriously.

The problem I have often had in my jewelry design is not being able to find all of the components I needed for specific projects. Being able to make certain items myself was very liberating. In turn, I started investing much more time and energy into the design of a piece, whether or not I made the components myself or not.This has been a learning experience but an exciting one. I feel that I am in a period of growth right now. Although I have always enjoyed working with my hands, I have no real background in art or design. I am working from the ground up, and I love it.



Boro beads by Sarah Moran

What is your workspace like and how do you work in your studio?

Ermm, do I really have to tell you about this? I’d like to say that I’m a methodical person whose work space is as neat as a pin, but in fact, I’m a complete packrat and I just have an accumulation of, well, stuff, everywhere. I really liked Emma Ralph’s description of her workspace as being “ordered chaos”. I’m afraid my workspace is just plain “chaos”, though. I have a generous workbench in the garage. However, more often than not, I spend my time working in the far left corner of it, as that’s the only space that tends to be clear of clutter. Once I have the components collected together and ready to assemble, I usually just work on the dining room table.

What is a typical day like? Ideally, I come up with a concept, then do preliminary sketches of a piece in my notebook. In reality, I take what time I have, and I often end up drawing the first sketch on my son’s art table with a crayon, while we’re coloring together. This process goes hand-in-hand with working out the best way for me to execute the idea from a technical perspective. Once I have a handle on these two aspects, I begin to make the actual beads and/or collecting together whatever beads I need from my stash or need to buy. Completing a piece, from initial concept to stringing the beads, has taken anywhere from 2-4 weeks, on average. Having said that, I have a number of ideas right now that have yet to make it past the sketch phase, mostly due to limited time on my part.


How do you stay inspired and motivated?

Well, the Art Bead Scene challenges have been a great source of inspiration! I have recently had three pieces accepted for publication in BeadStyle Magazine, and they have all been inspired by the ABS challenges. Primarily, the challenges have taught me that I am much more successful at designing when I have a complete, well-thought-out story to tell in my work. I find many of these stories by rediscovering poetry that I loved when I was younger. I have an M.Phil. in English Renaissance Literature. I never used this degree in my career, but this time as a student was an extremely happy period in my life. For many years after completing the degree, I hardly picked up a book of poetry, but now I find myself going back and re-reading John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Ben Jonson, Shakespeare, Dorothy Leigh, Anne Bradstreet – all of the works that moved me when I was a student. Also, I have been reading more modern writers like Yeats, Wallace Stevens, Seamus Heaney and e.e. cummings.


Sweet Shoppe Necklace with Banana Split focal and spoon accent beads by Melissa Lee

What kinds of art beads do you look for?


I’m extremely greedy when it comes to art beads. I love so many different kinds, and I admire so many different artists. I collect primarily lampwork beads – the work of Sarah Moran and Michele Goldstein are particular favorites, but there are many others. I also have a small stash of beautiful ceramic beads from artists such as Earthenwood Studio and Joan Miller. I love Anne Choi’s silver beads. I have fallen hard for Green Girl Studio’s lovely work as well. These are just the tip of the iceberg for me, though. I could go on and on all day about beautiful beads. Ummm. Beads…


Is there a bead you wish an artist would make for you?

Well, it’s impossible to anticipate what forms the next great inspiration from my favorite bead artists (including those favorite artists I have yet to discover) will take, but I’m sure I’ll love them. Having said that, I am waiting for Anne Choi to make a set of John Donne beads. Also, there’s a specific color palette that Joan Miller sometimes uses that I love. An example of this is the set of beads that are pictured on her Etsy store banner. I would love a set of round porcelain beads in those colors with similar designs.

What beady plans do you have for the future? Do you have new designs or ideas you will be exploring soon?

With the end of summer, I have been leaning towards autumn-themed pieces. In the next month, I hope to finish a new work based on the quote “By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes” from Macbeth. I would also like to do a collaborative piece with my son. More generally, I hope to continue to improve my technical skills, both in bead making and in jewelry design. I do not offer my work for sale at the moment, but I also hope this will change in the future. This is a very exciting time for me. The old adage that “it’s never too late to learn something new” seems to hold true. I don’t exactly know where all of this will lead, but I’m certainly having a good time getting there.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Findings Worth Finding - Precious Metal Leaves

It's the season for leaves! Mix some taken straight from mother nature with your favorite art beads.
Fusion Beads has precious metal leaf pendants in sterling, matte sterling and copper. These are cast straight from the leaves and you can see why nature is a one of the best designers!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Repurpose / Recycle

Recently I came into possession of my Grandmother's old, mostly inexpensive, jewelry. My goal is to repurpose / recycle most of it by combining as much as possible with hand made art beads and pendants. Here is my first attempt:

Original necklace with shell chips, ~3mm plastic rounds, 8mm round wood beads and aluminum bead caps.

Finished necklace includes all original components (except the clasp) with addition of 5mm wood rounds, iridescent amber seed beads, copper chain and toggle, while featuring a Virginia Miska pendant.

Leave us a post about your adventures repurposing / recycling - this is gonna be fun!

- Elaine

Sunday, September 9, 2007

As the Bead Turns - September 9th

Dishin' the dirt and drama from the bead bloggin' world.

The Impatient Beader Margot went to Bead Fest and scored some rockin' new beads! Read all about them...and the first day of school at The Impatient Blogger.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean's chain maille gallery is growing! Check it out!

Savvy Crafter Candie and friends get their bead on at a recent birthday bash! Read all about the group effort to make a special keepsake for their friend’s 29th birthday.

Naughty Secretary Club Craft Lab is back on HGTV Monday mornings at 7am Central. Don’t let the episode names fool you! Just because it says it is about enameled pet tags does not mean they don’t make adorable pendants for necklaces too!

Katie's Beading Blog Rock your own style with Katie's superstar earring idea. This week's post includes a link to how to make your own twisted wire jump rings.

Jewelry and Beading It's back to school time, and for us jewelry makers, that can also mean back to jewelry school. Jewelry and beading is working on giving you all kinds of educational jewelry options this month, including a look at Wild Acres in Little Switzerland, NC.

Bead Arts The collaborative necklace known as "A Charmed Life" will be up for auction starting Sunday, Sept 9th, all proceeds to benefit breast cancer research. Read all about the story of the necklace!

Art Bead Scene Elaine Ray maps out a plan of attack for holiday jewelry sales, get started today!

Ornamental Artist Nina Bagley shares some of her jewelry creations and the inspiration and story behind them.