Fourteen times in 400 years

Did you know Leap Day can occur more often on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday? Statistically speaking, Leap Day can happen 14 times every 400 years. 2008's Leap Day falls on a Friday so today must be one of the 14 in 400! That's a rare and fascinating occurrence - so to celebrate the day, ABS is "leaping" through posts from the past year to showcase some fascinating art beads!

Monday, October 15th lovely painted glass beads by Pat Wilde


Friday, September 7, 2007 Ginkgo Leaves by Lisa Kan Designs




Raku Ginkgo Leaves by Dreamweaver




September 6, 2007Found Object Beads Glass Onion



Wednesday, May 16, 2007: Chrysanthemum Spiral Flower Bead by Ann Drewing



Also on May 16, 2007 Raku Vineyard Beads by Sorta Flowering Designs


Monday, April 2, 2007 Tari Sasser's Realistic Branch buttons


Tari Sasser of Clay Buttons is the featured artist tomorrow on Studio Saturdays at "the 'Scene" . Remember to stop by to take a peek inside of Tari's studio! In the meantime, enjoy Leap Day - an extra day in the year to create with art beads!

Ornament Thursday February 28, 2008 - Lucky!

It's Ornament Thursday at Art Bead Scene. February's theme is Lucky. Yesterday ABS editor Cindy Gimbrone posted her Lucky Knots and Lampwork tutorial Part one on her blog and Part two here on ABS.

What have the Ornament Thursday gals been up to this month? With a theme like "Lucky" it's bound to be good!

Art Bead Scene
Lucky ABS! We're part 2 of Lucky Knots!

Cindy Gimbrone
Luck is knotted up in Part 1 of this tutorial!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie is inspired by a lucky Leprechaun to make a fairy tale, treasure filled necklace

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles
Lucky Charms Bracelet...The name says it all. This bracelet has everything to bring you good luck.

Joolz by Lisa
As Luck Would Have It...Lucky Earrings

Katie's Beading Blog
Make your own luck with these fun, swingy earrings!

Labyrinth O' Luck
Hali has created a finger labyrinth journal designed after a 4-leaf clover.

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine
Lucky doesn't begin to describe the adventure I had making this T-shirt...

Lucky
Lucky to be... based on a coin holder a friend made for me...

http://art-interrupted.blogspot.com"/>Lucky to be Me
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Well, YOU, of course. No matter who you are when you look into this magical mirror, you'll be reminded you're lucky to be you!

Lynn Kvigne - Beading Help Web
Irish Proverb Window Ornament - step by step instructions for making this year-round ornament that may bring luck right through your window!

Melissa J. Lee - Strands of Beads
Good fortune is yours with this cookie-inspired necklace.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
You'll "make Jean's day " if you check out her lucky Pendant with a Clint Eastwood eighties twist

Swell Designer
Swelldesigner gets lucky this month with some super colorful, sparkly painted bangles

The Impatient Blogger
Luck starts with a wish...Margot shares an project she created for Simply Beads last August.

Lucky Knots

Ornament Thursday's February Theme is Lucky. ABS Editor, Cindy Gimbrone has posted her Lucky Knots and Lampwork tutorial in two parts. Part one is on her blog, part two - making the clasp and finishing is here.

Part Two: Making the Clasp and Finishing

Tip: If you have done seed bead work, finishing the bracelet is the same technique as finishing off-loom seed beadwork. The ends of the cord are worked back through the knotting with one side of the cord made into the loop for the button clasp.

18. Thread one side of the cording through the tapestry or child’s needle. This cord will be needle-threaded down one side of the knotting 2 knots at a time for at least 2 inches (See figure with needle below). After about 2 inches, the cording will be needle threaded up the opposite side for at least 2 inches.




19. After you have threaded the cording down one side of the the knotting and up the opposite side, cut any left over cording. You can add a dab of glue inside the knotting on the cord if you are worried it may come loose. I have never used glue on any of the Lucky Knots. Work the end back into the knots.

20. The remaining left over cording will be made into a loop. Check your loop to be sure that it will fit snugly over the lampwork bead. Make sure the loop remains the correct size as you complete the next steps (See figure below).




21. Repeat steps 18-19.


You have completed your bracelet! (See Finished Bracelet picture) Put on your bracelet and enjoy the Ornament Thursday Girls Fabulous Link List below!



Art Bead Scene
Lucky ABS! We're part 2 of Lucky Knots!

Cindy Gimbrone
Luck is knotted up in Part 1 of this tutorial!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie is inspired by a lucky Leprechaun to make a fairy tale, treasure filled necklace

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles
Lucky Charms Bracelet...The name says it all. This bracelet has everything to bring you good luck.

Joolz by Lisa
As Luck Would Have It...Lucky Earrings

Katie's Beading Blog
Make your own luck with these fun, swingy earrings!

Labyrinth O' Luck
Hali has created a finger labyrinth journal designed after a 4-leaf clover.

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine
Lucky doesn't begin to describe the adventure I had making this T-shirt...

Lucky
Lucky to be... based on a coin holder a friend made for me...

http://art-interrupted.blogspot.com"/>Lucky to be Me
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Well, YOU, of course. No matter who you are when you look into this magical mirror, you'll be reminded you're lucky to be you!

Lynn Kvigne - Beading Help Web
Irish Proverb Window Ornament - step by step instructions for making this year-round ornament that may bring luck right through your window!

Melissa J. Lee - Strands of Beads
Good fortune is yours with this cookie-inspired necklace.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
You'll "make Jean's day " if you check out her lucky Pendant with a Clint Eastwood eighties twist

Swell Designer
Swelldesigner gets lucky this month with some super colorful, sparkly painted bangles

The Impatient Blogger
Luck starts with a wish...Margot shares an project she created for Simply Beads last August.

Thinking of Ending it All?

I mean your jewelry design. Do you really think about how to end it? Or are you stuck in a rut with the same old spring ring clasp? Let's inspire you with a few exciting claspossibilities! ABS inspired inspiration comes from Elaine Ray's clay and wood clasps or from Tari Sasser's sassy purple leaf clasps above. Making the clasp the center of your design? What about a Carl Clasmeyer handmade clasp? Maybe a Humblebeads petal clasp below? Here's a quick antidote - surf on Etsy and ogle some creative clasps. Can't show a picture here, you'll have to go over to Etsy and see. It's cool! If you're going to end it all, do so creatively! What's YOUR favorite clasp?

The Bead Scoop - B&B Bead Soup

The April issue of Bead and Button features ABS editor Elaine Ray in their Bead Soup column (page 16).
Elaine's beads are featured and sold at Ornamentea.
"...owner Cynthia Deis says the pieces are part of a commitment
to sell more products made by individual artist, and more
products by Americans as well."
Check out the April issue of B&B and shop for cool beads at Ornamentea!

As The Bead Turns: February 24, 2008

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

Spotted in the Art Bead Scene Flickr pool as an entry for this month's challenge

Amalfi by Jo of Gemheaven


About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy updates you on some of the latest discussions going on over at the Jewelry Making Forum.

ArtBeadScene.com
Here's a tool just "bent" on becoming your favorite!


Jewelry & Beading
Heather Powers of Humblebeads catches us up on what's going on with her this spring!


Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's giving away 2 copies of Vintage Style Jewelry from the editors of Bead & Button. Comment on her post to be included in the drawing!

PearlEsq.
Read Robin's funny stories of her latest CHA trip and what a friend of hers has deemed, "Nailgate"!

Savvy Crafter
Candie’s sharing the dove-love over on her blog! Check out a pair of earrings she made using peaceful dove chandelier findings. While you’re there, leave a comment for a chance to win your own dove charms!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean made a pretty spring-like necklace using a Russian bead and Vintaj findings. It is titled, "Looking Out Her Window".


The Impatient Blogger

Margot shares stories of her first day at CHA (The Craft and Hobby Association Show) and why she prefers to do "fake demos" at book signings.

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!

Studio Saturdays - Life Imitates Art

Each Saturday, one of the contributing editors of ABS will share with you some of the things going on in their studio. We encourage you to participate by commenting to the post. And as an incentive, we will offer a small prize each week, given to one random commenter! Sound like fun? We hope you will join in...

Last week's winner was Rosepostcards, we still haven't heard from you! Please use the suggestion box to send your mailing address to us and Elaine will send your bead out right away!

Now on to this week's winner, it's FabFibers! FabFibers has won one of Melanie's new Steampunk inspired gears.

Each bead that has become part of my regular line of beads has started out as an experiment and creative exploration. I'm a production artist, which means I make the same beads over and over again. This week in the studio, I've been filling orders and making beads for my Bead Cruise. So I'm longing for a creative challenge to work on when I return from my travels in March.

Pictured above are my Van Gogh inspired beads. I saw the painting in real life a few weeks ago when I was in NY. What a treat! So on to my question of the week. What is your favorite painting? Please show me and I might just use it as the inspiration for some new beads. Include a link to it in the comments section.

One commenter will be randomly drawn next week and will receive a Van Gogh inspired bead.

Fit to Print Review: Creating Crystal Jewelry

(Photo Credit: Creative Publishing International)

Laura McCabe has written a luscious volume full of vibrant Swarovski crystal jewelry. Who among us doesn't love the sparkle and color of Swarovski crystal? Bicones, faceted rounds, rings, rondelles, one of my favorites - margaritas and rivolis! Combined with seed beads to create bezels, Laura is a master at making the beads and crystals sing with color and sparkle. Included are Laura's most notable designs, the Rings and Things Necklace, the Three-Strand Rivoli Bracelet and the Crystal Burst Ring.

The book is organized into seven instructional chapters followed then by the crystal jewelry projects. Chapter one is a brief but comprehensive history of cut crystals. Chapter two is a detailed discussion of the types of seed beads and crystals used in the book's projects. Chapter three describes tools and materials. The four basic stitches needed to create the projects is the topic of chapter four.

Beaders are resourceful, they can make beads mimic almost anything a metalsmith can do. The bezel is a good example. Seed bead bezels and open-back bezels are described in chapter five. The resourcefulness continues with chapter six where the reader learns to create a toggle out of seed beads. Chapter seven is like the cherry on a sundae, a final, sweet sprinkling of sparkle - embellishments and then it's on to the projects.

In the chapters that teach a off loom technique, there are pictures of completed steps. It might have been helpful to include pictures of the step in progress but there are detailed written directions that may do just as well.

What I love about the projects is the "Beading time" given at the top of the project. It gives you an idea of how long it will take you to do a project. There's also a little synopsis that gives you an overview of the project. Sets the tone and the direction which I find very helpful. On pages 29-31 there are guidelines for bezeling rivolis and other crystals that is worth the price of the book.

The techniques in this book can be used with artbeads to vividly highlight the colors and characteristics of a special cabachon or bead. The art bead can take you in a unique and interesting direction - flameworked disks will have a distinctly modern twist while face "stones" will give you an fantasy feel - you may have that special bead or cabachon just waiting for you to put into a crystal creation!

Designer Interview: Timothy Adam

I recently found these great welded jewelry displays on Etsy, and was excited to discover that not only does artist Timothy Adam make the displays, he also makes beads and jewelry from steel. Here is my short and sweet interview with him:

1. What is your personal name, business name, website and location?

timothy adam. timothy adam designs. http://www.timothyadamdesigns.com/ grand rapids michigan

2. What kind of beads do you make? What kinds of processes do you use? What is your favorite beadmaking technique?

i make modern steel beads. they are cut, grinded, drilled and polished. i love all the processes i use!

3. Tell us a little bit about the metal displays that you make. How are they made and what inspired you to create them?

i make steel tree jewelry displays. each one is unique just like trees in nature. my trees are carefully welded and hand crafted. i was inspired to make trees due to the demand from my customers, and now i love to make each one.

4. What is your workspace like and how do you work in your studio? What is a typical day like?

i have my studio right in my garage...i love it 'cause i can step right out there and start creating. a typical day starts with promoting on the web....then making the orders that have to be shipped out.

5. How do you stay inspired and motivated?

i am always looking at modern designs.......for inspiration...... i stay motivated because i know this is what i will be doning the rest of my life..i love welding, and designing.

6. What type of beads and jewelry designs do you feel best compliment your art beads? Do you design your own jewelry too?

my beads fit well with modern designs. i do design and make my own jewelry.

7. Do you have new designs or ideas you will be exploring soon?

i am currently designing more earrings.

Read more about what Tim is up to on his blog at: http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/

Book Review-websites for beaders

Websites for Beaders
The Bead-a-Holics Guide for Beads and Findings on the Web

Visit a new bead store every day!!! This book will help you find exciting websites with bead bargains and "free" lessons, patterns, beads and shipping.

Four sisters who love to design and make jewelry decided to create a website and sell their jewelry on-line (www.CAPEBEDE.com) The sisters began to compile a list of their favorite websites where they found bargains on beads and unique findings. They knew that others in the beading community might find this information helpful and fun and wrote this book to share with you.

This 48 page book was released January 2008. You can purchase for $16.95 from Amazon or B&N online. OR pay $5.00 for a download off of Outskirts Publishing website.
I did the later. Which is my suggestion. My issue with the download is that you can't print it out. I like to print out different pages so I can make notes. The upside of the download is that it is a PDF file and you can do a search within the book.
Websites are listed by states. 2 ABS editors are listed in the book.

Glass Bead Design Challenge

Here is a competition sponsored by Beading Daily and Stephanie Sersich:

Design in one of three categories (earrings, bracelets, necklaces) using at least 50% of any type of glass beads. Simple as that. Enter your designs by March 2nd, 2008 and be eligible to win an autographed copy of lampwork artist and jewelry designer Stephanie Sersich's new book, Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads. Plus, Stephanie will pick her favorite design out of all the entries and her "author's choice" will receive an autographed book, plus a beautiful handcrafted lampwork pendant bead crafted by Stephanie herself!

Visit Beading Daily for detailed rules and information on how to enter.

The Bead Scoop - Art Glass Skeleton Key Pendants

Paula McDonough from the Venerable Bead has been creating these wonderful keys with boro glass beads as part of the design. If you are loving Melanie's Steampunk inspired ideas, these pendants would fit right in with the theme!

(Don't bother looking for this one, it's mine!)

As The Bead Turns February 17, 2008

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

Spotted in the Art Bead Scene Flickr pool as an entry for this month's challenge

"Swirly Lentil Chain Earrings" by Elaine of tooaquarius.com




About.com Jewelry Making
Ever think about getting a "real job" in the jewelry industry? If so, check out this job board.

ArtBeadScene.com
I heart jewelry tools shares a great dual duty tool tip!


Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi has been given two extra copies of the new special issue VintageStyle magazine to give away! Come and leave a comment about your favorite suppliers and you might win!!


Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's been traveling, too. Check out this post for pix and scoop on the Tucson Gem Shows and the CHA Winter Show.


Naughty Secretary Club
Naughty Secretary Club jewelry can be spotted all over the February and March issues of Seventeen Magazine. Jen explains how she got her jewelry into the hands of the accessories editor at the magazine and how you can too!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean gets the "Search Inside" Amazon.com feature and a new 5 star review on her book Links! and a great award !


The Impatient Blogger

Margot just got back from a whirlwind excursion to the Tucson Gem Show and the Craft and Hobby Show. Check out her blog post about what she saw, what she did, what she bought and some festive photos of who she met on the first leg of her adventure!

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!

Studio Saturdays at the Scene

Each Saturday, one of the contributing editors of ABS will share with you some of the things going on in their studio. We encourage you to participate by commenting to the post. And as an incentive, we will offer a small prize each week, given to one random commenter! Sound like fun? We hope you will join in...
This week's winner is Rosepostcards! Please use the suggestion box to send your mailing address to us and Elaine will send your bead out right away!

Studio Saturday: Melanie of Earthenwood StudioThis week I have had a very busy, research intensive week working on a new series of porcelain jewelry component designs. I have been inspired by a genre of science fiction/fantasy called Steampunk. You see, my husband Chuck is a sci-fi fantasy illustrator, and we are both really interested in many different forms of fantasy art, fiction, and film. We have explored many different genres and Steampunk is my latest obsession.
So what is Steampunk and how does it relate to beads and jewelry? Steampunk is based on fantasy worlds where steam is a main source of power and energy, and the aesthetics retain many elements of the actual historical industrial revolution (steam) times (Victorian era, turn of the century, etc). Yet there is a distinctly futuristic quality to the worlds as well, a science fiction or fantastical twist.
So the look of Steampunk as an object style can be interpreted into jewelry and jewelry components. Think of brass gears and watch parts, compasses, tooled leather, vintage aviation and nautical elements, and highly detailed hardware from days of olde. These are the things that have inspired me this past week. I have carved a series of original porcelain 1" tiles, which will be fired and molded, and then created into glazed porcelain charms, links, cabochons, buttons, and other components.

I have been chronicling my ideas, inspiration, and process on my blog during what I have called Steam Week, which began this week and will continue through to next week. Stop by the Earthenwood blog and take a look, there is some much more indepth thought and research as well as many entertaining video clips with Steampunk imagery from films that have inspired me for this new line. Above, my first finished jewelry piece made with one of my new Gear tiles, mixed with brass findings, mostly from Vintaj Natural Brass Co., hinged frame pendant from Ornamentea, and Austrian crystals.

Below, a video featuring some of the design team of the movie the Golden Compass, talking about the Steampunk style, with scenes from the film. This is one of the best, most conscise definitions I have seen of Steampunk:

Link to video on You Tube

So my Studio question to you is this: Have you ever been inspired to make a piece of jewelry or other craft from a book, film, or piece of music? If so, tell us about it. If not, tell us about one of your favorites movies, novels, or songs that you think could inspire you...

One winner will be chosen at random next Saturday, and will win a brand new Gear component, fresh out of the Earthenwood Kiln!

Melanie Brooks Lukacs is the ceramic beadmaker of Earthenwood Studio, who blogs from her Metro Detroit, Michigan home.

I Heart Tools

One of the prizes for this month's challenge is a pair of Bent Nose Lindstrom pliers. They are being donated by Jean Yates of
Pretty Kitty Dog Moon.
When asked why Jean loved Lindstrom bent nose pliers here's what she said.

I have two reasons why I like bent nose pliers:
1) When you are working with chain maille, you hold the bent nose pliers
in your non-dominant hand and "push" the ring open and closed with the curved part of the tool.Your control, after you get used to working this way, is far better. Your rings and tools are much less apt to go flying off every which way! So to repeat: you just work better if you have one regular chain nose pair of pliers in your dominant hand, and a bent nose in your non- dominant hand! I am addicted to making chain maille this way. Also, additionally, when working with rings, sometime you need to lift up and place a recalcitrant ring in a certain difficult position, and bent nose pliers, once you get the hang of them, work better for this.

2) These pliers are the absolute best for finishing off a neat cut on a wire wrap. If you have a pair of earrings with beads on head pins, for example, and you have cut the wire right down at the bottom next to the bead, you can take your bent nose pliers and push in slightly with the curved end. You will be able to move the silver right up close to the wire wrapping you have done far better than with regular chain nose pliers. It will look really neat and be really snug. If I could I would sleep with my bent nose pliers!
Just kidding!

However, basically, bent nose pliers are as essential to me as my other "major tools", like chain nose, and round nose, although I don't mention them in projects in magazines because I do not expect people to have the on a regular basis. I had worked with jewelry for ages before I got my first pair.

As for Lindstrom, you don't get better than that. There is only one other company which is equal.
Let us know, which type of pliers do you use the most? Do you have a favorite brand?

The Look of Love

The Look of Love by Dusty Springfield

To get you in the mood for Valentines Day I thought I would woo you with music and and a beady feast for your eyes.
Click the play button above and let's stroll slowly
holding hands as our hearts go pitter-patter with the look of love.
We love art beads!

Definitely the look of love! "Swine on Harvest Moon" by Sharon Peters, smartassglass.com
(I'm a secret admirer)

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"Passion Flower" bead is flameworked and hand enameled
by Kim Wertz and Greg Galardy, heartbead.com

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"Gaia Swirl Heart" by Janet Crosby of Firefly Lampwork, janetcrosby.com

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Lampworked Heart with flashes of Dicroic glass by Marcia Parker, heartbeadworks.com

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What is Valentines Day without chocolate?!
Chocolate Beads by Cheryl Keggan, dragonbeads.com

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Wishing you a Happy Valentine Day from the editors at ABS. Our heart art.
Humblebeads.com

ElaineRay.com

CindyGimbroneBeads.com

EarthenwoodStudio.com

ClayButtons.com

You have the look of love today!