Monday, March 31, 2008

Final Celebration Winner!

Congrats to Joy of Goddess Joy! You won the final Celebration prize, selected from all the entries this month in the Art Bead Scene Flickr pool! The necklace above, Celebrating Spring, features a handmade ceramic pendant from Red Crow Arts (from Etsy). You have won the prize shown below, a bead or two from each of the Art Bead Scene editors!Beads shown: Polymer clay lentil shape from Humblebeads, goddess bead from Elaine Ray, message stick from Earthenwood Studio


Beads shown: ceramic button from Creative Impressions in Clay, lampwork spiral bead from Cindy Gimbrone, and message stick link from Earthenwood Studio

Stop back later this week, when we will be announcing the new monthly challenge for April!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Anniversary Winner #5

The winner of Heather Power's prize of a set of Spring Branches Beads is Nicole of Sativa Studios, who made this fresh blossoming pair of earrings. Congrats to you! Please contact us using the suggestion box in the sidebar with your address so Heather can send you your prize.

We have one final surprise prize to give out! It is a collection of beads from all five of the editors here. So that means one final day to post your Celebrate entries to the ABS Flickr Pool. We will be drawing the name randomly from ALL of this month's entries, so come back tomorrow to see the prize and find out the winner!

As the Bead Turns: March 30, 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


A lovely pink bracelet by Melissa Lee using her handmade PMC koi focal.


About.com Jewelry Making
Learn to "make it yours" from this latest issue of Make It Mine magazine. You'll find lots of crafty goodness including some fun jewelry articles, one even from our very own bead buddy, Candie Cooper!

Art Bead Scene
Is it time to get organized? Art Bead Scene has storage ideas to help you get organized.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Jennifer shows two bright and fabulous projects featured in Simply Beads this month.

Jewelry & Beading
Glass bead curtains?? Come and see Denise Perreault's sun-catching masterpieces!

Katie's Beading Blog
Bead embroidery doesn't have to be hard! Check out Katie's embellished felt flower. It's just right for spring!

Naughty Secretary Club
Win a free copy of the spring issue of Make It Mine Magazine that includes painting projects by Jen’s younger sister Hope Perkins!

Savvy Crafter
It's a plane! No! It' a Felty Bird just in time to hang out on your spring jacket.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
I had such a good time with Naomi Fujimoto that I wanted to repost our story of our trip to NYC!

The Impatient Blogger
Ornament Thursday returns with the theme of Sprout. Madge dips into her new stash of vintage French postcards to make a charming little collaged pendant with metal mesh accents. Art is sprouting all over blogland with the wonderful creations of the OT Gang.

Did you read or write any good dirt on a bead blog this week? Did you remember to stop by yesterday and read Studio Saturdays? What other good bead-blog things did you read this week? Leave us a comment and a link and tell us the latest scoop!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Studio Saturday- the Keys to my Creativity

Welcome to Studio Saturday. Where each week we share our creative insights, ask for comments and randomly choose a winner the following week.
White Iris Designs is last week's winner, she'll receive a set of Heather Powers' Monet disk beads . Please email us your address by using the suggestion box and your beads will be sent right out to you.


The last time I did Studio Saturday, I was in the middle of working on the prototypes for my new steampunk and hardware inspired Steam Stone line of components. Since that posting a month and a halfish ago, I have finished up the series, listed them on my website, and presented them to the public for the first time at our local bead show. Below, you can see part of my bead show display.Once all the designs were carved and molded, the hardest part was coming up with a brand new color scheme. I had some real specific ideas, and was inspired by a movie called City of Lost Children. I really wanted to showcase some new metallic glazes, rusty finishes, and new textures. It took many firings and tests, but I am very happy with my final palette of glaze choices, shown below. You can read more about my thought process on the color inspiration on my blog, and see the inspiration for the entire line during my series of posts called Steam Week.


So now that I have the designs and the colors, the next part is the really fun part: designing with my new components! I would show you my actual studio space where I am collecting all my fun new components and beads and supplies, but it is mostly just a pile of cool stuff on what was once our kitchen table. Not much to see there. So I will show you a few things I am excited to incorporate with in these new designs.
One of the things I am really excited to start playing with again are the gorgeous natural brass findings from Vintaj. The color of the brass is so warm and rich, it is a beautiful mix with my new metallic glazes which resemble a mix of gunmetal and bronze. I think the brass fits the steampunk imagery that I am seeking as well. I am particularly excited about the key and lock charms shown above, and some of the art nouveau and art deco designs like the Sparrow's Compass circle component.
And with the price of silver being so high lately, it is a great coincidence that I am seeking non silver and non precious metals that are not so shiny and new, like brass. I am also enjoying pewter and copper lately. Another exciting addition to my design studio are vintage and vintage reproduction parts like the keys and watch parts above from Ornamentea. I love the mix of metals in the watch parts and the dark iron like sheen of the keys. I am really having fun playing with non traditional jewelry components and metals like these keys and gears, finding new ways to use them and incorporate them into some new jewelry.


So I have shown you these new colors and metallic inspirations that are opening doors of creativity in my mind, and I would like to know about the metals that inspire you. Are you purely a golden gal? Do you adore shiny silver? Or do you like more antique silver and pewter? How about brass, copper, or gunmetal? What metals are your favorite metals to bead with?


Please leave a comment on this post in the next week and next Saturday, we will pick one winner. The winner will get the two new Keyhole Steam Stone charms shown above. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Bead Scoop - Bead Star Competition

It's time to let your art bead collection shine!


The Bead Star challenge will reward the best and brightest bead jewelry designers from around the US and Canada with amazing prizes, professional recognition, and the chance to appear in Interweave’s newest, most original and anticipated special issue magazine ever, Bead Star! Every project showcased in the magazine will be a winning design and the coveted cover piece will feature our ultimate Bead Star’s winning project.

The deadline to enter an original beaded jewelry design is May 6th. The “polls” will be open from June 12th – June 18th on BeadingDaily.com.

The judges will be the readers of Beading Daily. They will cast their votes for their favorite designs among submissions in each of nine design element categories: Crystals, Seed Beads, Glass, Pearls, Stones, Metals, Plastics, Under $25, and Designs with a Heart. Winners will have the chance to donate their projects to an auction benefiting the American Heart Association's women's heart health initiatives.

*25% of your design in any category can be other materials, including art beads! With the Under $25 and Designs with a Heart you can use more of a mixed media collection as long as they fit the other requirements. The designs must be created using simply stringing techniques, much like the projects in Stringing magazine.

A first-place, second-place, and third-place winner and two honorable mentions will be selected in each category. One Grand Prize winner will be selected by the Grand Prize sponsor from the first-place category winners. This Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for two to beautiful Santa Fe for Bead Expo 2009, win $1500 in cool beading stuff from our grand prize sponsor, Fire Mountain Gems, and see his or her design featured on the cover of Bead Star magazine! This grand prize has a value of $5000.

Visit www.Beadingdaily.com/beadstar for complete contest rules.

Some heart-felt inspiration from our editors:

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Ornament Thursday - Sprouting Up!

The lotus flower is an ancient symbol of enlightenment sprouting from the Eastern myths of creation. The sun itself was once believed to have sprouted from a giant lotus flower that sprang from the muck and mire of primordial ooze. Blooming from the mud, the lotus a symbol of rebirth and mental purity.

When I designed my bracelet, I used purples for the bottom to represent the muddy depths from which the blossoms emerge. The white symbolizes the lotus reaching heavenward for the blue, which I used to represent the goodness that we all strive towards.
Directions for the bracelet can be found online courtesy of Beads, Baubles & Jewels. 6-hole spacer beads from Humblebeads.com.
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This week Ornament Thursday returns with all sorts of craftiness sprouting up from talented bloggers around the world!

Alexa Westerfield - a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Now that's it's time for spring, ideas are "sprouting" all over the place. Alexa creates this eye-catching notebook to keep them in order.

Some good karma is sprouting up at the Art Bead Scene with Heather's Lotus Flower Bracelet

The Brooklyn National Anthem sprouts every year when Cindy's in Spring mode. See what it inspired this year!

Melanie giggles and remembers a furry friend, brings back an old mold, and sprouts up a beaded LOLhammy ceramic ornament

It's spring and we're sprouting all sorts of wonderful art at http design. Michelle is toting her art to the market and Helen revisits a fun art school assignment for her inspiration.

Humblebeads celebrates spring with a Berry Good bracelet inspired by some juicy disk beads.

Jennifer has come up with a cute little necklace to remind you of spring.

Create some spring flair of your own with this easy bead embroidery idea from Katie's book, Hip to Bead.
Not much of a horticulturist? Me neither! But I love flowers and I enjoy growing these ones with some paper, paint, and rhinestones.
Tea decided to join the fun this month. Check out her quilt blocks and Linda's purse.
What do Korean playing cards have to do with a sprouting spring? Check out Melissa's blog to find out.
Michelle just can't stop creating in green! A little wooden birdhouse becomes a beautiful palace!
Candie shares some happy spring memories with a cheerful felty flower idea!
Jean tells a touching, poignant tale of some beads who help one another, and after a small amount of sturm and drang they get it together and help each other! In fact, they prettify whatever YOU choose! Go see! It's fun!
Even without a green thumb, Lisa managed to "grow" a garden of sorts this month.
Lynn Kvigne's used wire and a lentil bead to create a "sprouting" pendant for wire workers who want a bit of a challenge!
Inspired by a river rock shaped like an ancient goddess statue, Hali paints, melts crayons and adds glitter to create a sparkley celebration of Spring.
How does your garden grow? With metal mesh, Czech glass beads and vintage French images all in a row! Margot just returned from Paris where she discovered a treasure trove of vintage paper. This scanned and sized postcard image fit the theme of sprout perfectly and the necklace was in search of a new home...add some teal metal mesh bows and accents and voila...a design sprouts forth!
What does a gal do when she finds herself far from her crafting supplies? Why, she raids her mom's basement and then puts dear old mama to work! Stop by and you'll see why mom's basement is fertile ground for things that sprout!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bead Shop Interview: Bello Modo

My business name is Bello Modo, Italian for 'Beautiful Way'. I wanted a name that would reflect my desire to aid in the search for beautiful and functional beads, findings, and jewelry making tools and supplies for people like me who love beads and want good quality at reasonable prices.

I live in Olympia, Washington, on a 5 acre plot in a rural location. In my previous life I ran a specialty nursery, but a car accident and resulting surgeries sidelined me and I eventually found myself discovering beading and fell into a whole new life. I went to an Embellishment Show and was totally smitten by the beauty, color, love and excitement of beading. I started taking glass bead making classes and never looked back.

Robin Poff Lampwork Bead


My long term goal was/is to make finished jewelry with my beads and sell it to galleries. As I traveled along this path I realized that I needed more control over the quality and pricing of components to go with my beads, and began purchasing supplies to accomplish my goal. Then I realized that it would work best for me if I sold the beads I was discovering, in essence, sharing my finds with others like myself, and helping myself by recouping some of my investment. I decided a website and internet business would be the most compatible with my studio life, so I could fill orders, stay home and get some work done too. So, bellomodo.com was born, and now two years later, I am still working on the website, getting it fine tuned and adding new and interesting beads and products that I find along the way.

I am in the final stages of completing a new shop here on my property, to house my business, office, and studio. We have moved most of our stock into the main floor and are in the process of making a home for everything, a very satisfying, if time consuming process! The second floor will house the office, art studio for picture taking and marketing, and a compilation room for finishing jewelry. The rest of the building will house the studio where lampworking and metal working will take place. I expect the studio to take at least another 6 to 8 weeks, and maybe more to get finished. I am looking forward to making beads again as the studio I was using is partly dismantled so I have not been able to make beads since last fall.

Back to the store: I offer among the Swarovski Crystals, Japanese Seed beads, specialty findings and stringing supplies a nice selection of handmade beads and findings. I offer ceramic beads and pendants made by a wonderful couple from Bulgaria Vladislav and Kremena Ivanova, also Marsha Neal's Ceramic Beads will soon grace the pages of our website. I also offer the wonderfully pleasing polymer clay beads made by Heather Powers, as well as glass beads made by myself, Robin Poff, Paula Radke, and soon Karen Bye. I offer findings by Green Girl, Marti Brown, Holly Gage, Burgard Studio, and Saki Silver. I am always on the lookout for beads and findings I think deserve attention, such as the great resin beads I recently found. They are made in Germany, and have a quality to the finish that is more attractive than any I have seen before. The shapes are more interesting too, shaped like pods and rocks, and some are even plated with precious metals.


Humblebeads by Heather Powers


As for what our customers prefer, online we sell a lot of Vintaj Natural Brass, Delica Beads and multi beads mixes, C-lon threads and cords, and Swarovski Crystals. In the handmade arena, we sell Green Girl beads well online, due I think to how familiar people are with them. We sell a much wider array of products at shows, lots of crystals and findings, and handmade beads really shine at shows, no surprise to anyone, as seeing is believing!

As our website ages we are selling more online. I strive to stock products that have value, that are beautiful, functional and intrinsically desirable. I struggle to explain myself here, but what I really want to do is be of assistance to my customers, to make available products that will help them to make better pieces, to further the cause so to speak of their own art. Similar to what I want to do for myself I guess, and in the process we all benefit.

One of my business policies is to ship free. The shipping fee thing has gotten so out of control, with many businesses making a profit on shipping. I consider shipping to be a business expense, and as such consider it to be part of my overhead. I am mindful of prices, striving to get a fair price, one that allows the artist to profit too, but one that makes it possible for a reasonable mark-up. I find that my customers reorder much more often and I think it has to do with the shipping policy. In this day of high gas prices, I find shopping on the internet to be more practical. I can stay home, and spend my precious free time in my garden or studio, and make decisions about what to purchase on the internet, at a time of day or night of my choosing. No gas required!

Recently I upgraded the software for the website so that I can add a Learning Center, with a glossary of terms and techniques, Articles and Reviews about products and how to make use of them, including Tutorials, and a Customer Gallery. I plan to add a color inspiration page as well, posting pictures to inspire. Along with the new software on the site came a Wish List feature for customers to use to save products in for future consideration, as well as the ability to look back in their order history to see what the have purchased previously. Of course, all of this is in process, and labor of love that is on-going.

Clasp by Holly Gage

How do I stay tuned into trends in the bead business? Well, I read every magazine, attend every show I can, read everything on the net possible, watch color trends, and perhaps most importantly, listen to my own heart, and follow the inspiration that the world brings. I love color, and am so inspired by interesting color combinations. In my garden I see all sorts of color and texture combinations that lead the imagination in new directions.

Classes, and education: I am planning on offering classes in the studio after the building is finally finished. *Generally, the business is online only but we will host open houses once or twice a year, inviting regular customers in to the studio. I look forward to getting to this stage!

When considering the competition from cheap imports and knockoffs, I just don't worry about it. In the glass world, there are always knock-offs, but the difference in quality is huge, and I do what I can to educate people about the differences. I operate on the philosophy that people will gravitate towards beauty. I guess I don't expect to appeal to everyone, just those interested in quality and who appreciate handmade beads and supplies. My silk cords are hand dyed in Oregon. Much cheaper ones are available from China, but I prefer the relationship I have with my supplier and the quality that she delivers. I know she cares and its personal for her, as it is for me.

Trends and the future? I am really interested in learning Kumihimo, and we are in the process of developing a new line of beaded jewelry kits. We find that people want something to make but are insecure about their skill levels and so a kit fills the bill. I think that as the dollar gets stretched that people will want to make their own jewelry instead of doing more expensive activities like traveling or purchasing ready made. The satisfaction of having a hand in the making of a piece can give a world weary person some respite and a good feeling.

Discount code for ABS readers: Enter the word beads in the discount box during checkout for a 10% discount. Code will be good until April 30th, 2008.

*Editors Note: Bello Modo can be found at most of the major bead shows in Oregon and Washington, including Bead Expo, March 27-30th!

Thanks to Pamela Maxfield, the owner of Bello Modo for sharing her thoughts on her shop while she is busy getting ready for an amazing show this weekend. If you are going to attend Bead Exop stop by and let her know you saw her interview on the ABS and pick up a few of your favorite art beads!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Celebration Monthly Challenge Part 5

The last installments/prizes for the Art Bead Scene birthday celebration are provided by Heather from Humblebeads.
You could be the lucky winner of this Spring Branches Collection by simply posting a qualifying photo to the ABS Flickr group for the March Challenge theme "Celebrate". Good luck!
How to enter: Submit a photo of an object you have created with art beads that fits this month's theme to the Art Bead Scene Flickr group. Detailed instructions can be found here, and click here for a tutorial for sending your picture to the group. If you can't upload to Flickr, send your entry and information to Heather.

Your entry can feature art beads created by you or someone else, but remember: each entry must have at least one art bead. Beads by themselves and pendants alone on cording/chain do not qualify. We want to see how you use art beads in your designs!
Each unique entry that incorporates an art bead and the monthly theme will qualify for the drawing. Your entry MUST be tagged with MarABS to be accepted into the gallery.
Participants can not win two months in a row, but are encouraged to still play along! The winners will be randomly drawn. Enter as many different finished pieces as you'd like. Good luck and happy creating!

p.s. Don't forget: if you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.

Anniversary Challenge Winner #4!

Melissa from VillaDesign has won the wonderful collection of purple beads from Elaine Ray. Thanks so much for helping us celebrate our one year anniversary!

We'd like to thank Elaine Ray for her time and efforts as one of our talented contributors. Elaine is focusing more of her efforts on her beadmaking and will no longer be a contributing editor. We'll miss her creative insights. She won't be far though, we'll keep on eye on her blog and her latest work!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Bead Storage

I'm in the process of organizing and updating my studio, so storage is on my mind today. How do you store your beads? Any great tips or photos of your workspace? I'd love to see them. I need some inspiration and encouragement to know that there is hope for this train wreck of a room!

Some great tips were shared by the Beading Daily readers not too long ago.

Beverly Herman has made a call out for the Bead Whisper, it seems her beads are getting a little wild too. At one time she was organized.

Here is an article from Kathy Redding - Organize me!

Robin Atkins offers some tips for bead storage that uses zip lock bags for the most part.

Eni Oken has a stylish and practical solution for organizing her beads and keeping track of the cost of her materials.

Jill Mackay shared two creative storage systems that she went all DIY to create!

Here is a great way to store and display your art beads.

I'm sure for each beader there is a different system and method for storing the stuff of creative dreams. The trick is to find what works for you and helps you work more productively!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

As The Bead Turns: March 23, 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


Salamander Necklace by Annie Ridlon using her handmade artisan paper beads.


About.com Jewelry Making
Are metal costs are going through the roof these days! How are you coping with the cost of metals when it comes to designing jewelry?

ArtBeadScene.com
Knowledge is power! Learn tips to improve your jewelry business.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Jennifer's designed a pollen free flower necklace for spring.

Jewelry & Beading
Leah Hitchcock-Ybarra shows how to make a pair of felted ball earrings! This is the perfect beginner project, and Leah is the perfect guest tutor!

Katie's Beading Blog
Need some spring color inspiration? Read Katie's post for a review of some yummy color resources.

PearlEsq.
Robin has added video editing to her repertoire...check out new Ranger licensed designer Claudine Hellmuth's cool transfer technique that can work on lots of different surfaces and for jewlery or papercraft projects!

Savvy Crafter
Hop on down the bunny trail at Candie's blog to see some Springy bunny bling!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean wants to formally introduce you all to the super new members of this fun group!

The Impatient Blogger
Madge is heading off to a book shoot and a trip to the city that shall not be named again, but before she left she wanted to share this sunny little jewelry set. Check out her newly translated first book in...Dutch!

Did you read or write any good dirt on a bead blog this week? Did you remember to stop by yesterday and read Studio Saturdays? What other good bead-blog things did you read this week? Leave us a comment and a link and tell us the latest scoop!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Studio Saturday - Season of Color

Welcome to Studio Saturday. Where each week we share our creative insights, ask for comments and randomly choose a winner the following week.

Laurel is last week's winner, she'll receive a set of Elaine Ray's collar components. Laurel email us your address by using the suggestion box and your beads will be sent right out to you.

This painting by Monet is going to be the inspiration for a new set of beads. Which has me thinking about my use of color. I seem to be influenced heavily by the current season. In the spring, it's soft florals, summer you'll find an abundance of teals and sea-inspired creations, fall I'm all about autumn and her foliage. Even when I'm using a painting as the inspiration it seems to go with the colors of the season.

So my question this week for you dear designer, does the season effect what color of beads you are purchasing and using? Do you follow more of the current trends & market news or do you color your own rainbow and go with colors that suite whatever mood you are in at the moment?
The prize for next week is a set of my very spring like Monet disk beads. I'm looking forward to reading your responses.

Studio Saturdays at the Scene

If you are a regular reader, I'm sure you have been enjoying Studio Saturday. I know they are my favorite posts to read each week!

What is Studio Saturday? Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studios, 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 bead each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

Here are the Studio Saturday archives. Enjoy them!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Collaboration Exploration

Guess what ABS editors, Cindy Gimbrone and Elaine Ray have been up to? A Collaboration Exploration with No Easy Beads' Beverly Herman! This week they unveiled their jewelry designs using beads from Cindy and Elaine in a color palette suggested by Beverly. An exciting and fun collaboration, indeed! Click on each name to see the jewelry and read about their insights into the projects.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Fourth of Five Celebration Prizes

The fourth of five installments/prizes for the Art Bead Scene birthday celebration is provided by Elaine Ray.
Let us celebrate this First Day of Spring with Purple!



You could be the lucky winner of this "Pile of Purple Pieces" by simply posting a picture to the ABS Flickr group for the March Challenge theme "Celebrate". Good luck!

How to enter: Submit a photo of an object you have created with art beads that fits this month's theme to the Art Bead Scene Flickr group. Detailed instructions can be found here, and click here for a tutorial for sending your picture to the group. If you can't upload to Flickr, send your entry and information to Heather.


Your entry can feature art beads created by you or someone else, but remember: each entry must have at least one art bead. Each unique entry that incorporates an art bead and the monthly theme will qualify for the drawing. Your entry MUST be tagged with MarABS to be accepted into the gallery. Participants can not win two months in a row, but are encouraged to still play along! The winners will be randomly drawn. Enter as many different finished pieces as you'd like. Good luck and happy creating!


p.s. Don't forget: if you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.

**************************************************************************************

This weeks winner is:

Mana Moon

Sharon, your prize was provided by Tari of Creative Impressions In Clay. Click here to see your prize. Please use the suggestion box to send us your shipping address and Tair will get your buttons to you in the mail. Thanks so much for helping us celebrate our one year anniversary!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Events - Bead Expo Portland

For all our west coast readers, next weekend is Bead Expo. Check out all the great classes they are offering! Makes me want to go pull out all my beads right now and create.

Of course the best part of Bead Expo, would be the great line up of Bead Vendors they have at the Bead Bazaar.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Designer Interview: Lunalove

Four Corners Bracelet - focal lampwork pendant by Etsian: rufusandroxy

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

My name is Ashli Farrar, my business name is lunalove and my creations can be found at http://www.lunalove.etsy.com/ . I also have a small website with my good friend Cris at http://www.divingdivasdesigns.com/ . I am originally from Georgia, but I now reside in the gorgeous state of Colorado!
Blackest Night Necklace - focal lampwork bead by Etsian: reddogdesigns

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

I make all types of beaded jewelry, from earrings to bracelets to necklaces. I love sterling silver and copper and my favorites stones to work with are labradorite, amazonite, turquoise, carnelian, and chalcedony. I LOVE and use art beads of all types....glass, polymer, ceramic, sterling, and pewter. I am in awe of glass beads, they are just stunning to me!

3. How did you get into jewelry design? What are some of the important things you do for your business?

I have always loved jewelry, so about 6 years ago I started dabbling in jewelry design. My craft has evolved over the years, and I love the creative outlet that designing jewelry gives me. I try to keep my jewelry current in style, yet with lasting appeal. I sell my designs primarily on Etsy, and usually participate in 1-2 craft shows a year with my friend Cris, with a home show here and there. Childhood Dreams Necklace - focal pendant by Etsian: blockpartypressPhoto

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

My workspace actually consists of this big, green overstuffed chair and ottoman in my living room. I love to be with my family at all times, and this allows me to do so. You will usually find one small daschund named Leyna, sitting in my lap giving me design advice.

5. How do you stay inspired and motivated?

I LOVE to go to bead shows and shops, they really get my creative juices flowing. I get very inspired seeing all of the beads and what they have the potential to become. Other people's work can inspire me to try new things and be more creative as well. Another big inspiration is receiving a package from one of my favorite Etsy shops in the mail....fun, fun, fun! I just received a new Green Girl Studio pendant that I can not wait to use! The Hidden Prince Bracelet - beautiful sterling frog charms by Wynwoods Bead Gallery

6. What kinds of art beads do you look for? Is there a bead you wish an artist would make for you?

Like I said before, I love art beads! I look for interesting, unique glass beads, and I love ceramic or polymer beads that are nature in theme. Sterling and pewter art beads are also favorites of mine. I love the polished look that a nice sterling art bead can give to a jewelry design. Art beads give jewelry designs a very special feel. Meet Me in Sedona Bracelet - lampwork beads by Etsian: imakebeads

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

I try to incorporate new designs into my jewelry line all the time, while trying to stay true to who I am as a designer. I love all types of jewelry, so I am always looking to create new and interesting designs that will give my buyers a sense that they own something they will not be seeing on someone else. I constantly have new ideas floating through my head waiting to come to life, and I have tons of beads anxiously awaiting their debut! Nootka Earrings - sterling silver focal charms by Wynwoods Bead GalleryPhoto

If you have a discount code you would like to give our readers, please list it here, including the expiration date: Art Bead Scene Free Shipping - (expires 7-1-08)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Beads that Benefit: Layne's Legacy

Flaming Teeth by AJ Reardon, the lampwork beads are by Lois Oster of Wolf Song Designs

One of our loyal readers, AJ Reardon, is on the council for Layne's Legacy -- Beading For A Cure. LL-BFAC is an annual beading challenge, in which all participants receive a kit of beads from which they create beaded jewelry and artwork. These items are then auctioned off on eBay every March and April to raise money for theNCCRA (National Colorectal Cancer Research Association).

Beadwork by Charlene Abrams, lampwork beads are by Lois Oster of Wolf Song Designs

In 2007, they were able to donate $2600, and this year we hope to shatter that record! You can learn more about LL-BFAC, and view galleries of past and current creations, at our website: Beading for a Cure. 2008's kit included a lampwork bead by Lois Oster of Wolfsong Designs, and many of our participants chose to add extra art beads to their projects -- some which they had made themselves, others which were purchased from various talented artists.

The auctions have started already and run until the end of April.

Spam Guard and he's by Dot Llewallen, lampwork beads are by Lois Oster of Wolf Song Designs

Sunday, March 16, 2008

As The Bead Turns: March 16, 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


Loops by Bettina of MB Jewelry


About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has discovered another outlet to sell your jewelry on-line. This is really a place for other crafters too.

ArtBeadScene.com
What's the best suggestion you ever received? ABS Editor Cindy Gimbrone's was The Rainbow Suggestion. ABS readers weigh in and tell us theirs!

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi details the products and methods she likes best for creating her bead-embroidered necklaces.

Katie's Beading Blog
Here's another opportunity to use your beady powers for good. Read Katie's blog to find out about Beads of Courage®.

PearlEsq.
Robin's got some great news, tips and samples on everything Memory Glass!

Savvy Crafter
The Savvy Crafter is in the Philippines this week. Candie's Travel Tip: Look beyond the everyday souvenir and you will find beads!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean hand made a chain maille double standed bracelet with some very special names on it: her two grandsons! It is offered as a free project in Beading Daily online!

The Impatient Blogger
Ever wonder how a designer comes up with new ideas? Get a peek inside the creative mind of Margot Potter as she shares two bitchin' and bad ass new designs. Paging Biker Crafts Magazine!

Did you read or write any good dirt on a bead blog this week? Did you remember to stop by yesterday and read Studio Saturdays? What other good bead-blog things did you read this week? Leave us a comment and a link and tell us the latest scoop!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Studio Saturdays

Welcome once again to Studio Saturdays at The Art Bead Scene! Each Saturday, one of the contributing editors of ABS invites you to take on a short visit into their studio. To encourage you to stop by we offer a small prize each week, given to one random commenter. So after visiting with me, leave a comment and be entered into this week's drawing.

Last week's winner is Brenda. Way to go Brenda! Please use the ABS Suggestion Box to leave us your shipping address and Cindy will send out your rainbow spiral bead right away!


This week I'd like to introduce you to some new collar type pendants I have been working on. Certainly falling into the category of "statement necklaces", they are also circling on the edge of "just how would you wear that" category. If you are looking for a stringing challenge, these are for you!

Two samples for you to ponder:





The beginnings of my first attempt at stringing a two part collar:


Cynthia Deis, owner of Ornamentea, took a completely different approach. Being the versatile person she is, Cynthia noticed how this necklace can also be worn "glaze side in" as shown in the photo on the right. Wearing this necklace "glaze side in" seems to highlight the shape of the individual pieces and overall necklace, while wearing it "glaze side out" seems to say more about the color and to point out the series of holes. An added bonus: as Cynthia moved about the store, the ceramic beads gently tapped against the larger pieces, giving the necklace a whispering wind chime voice.


What's your style? Does it change with your mood, with the weather, with the season? Do you enjoy wearing a "statement" necklace, or are smaller, more traditional necklaces what you enjoy?

Thanks for stopping by. Leave a comment and be entered into a contest to win:


Elaine Ray creates her ceramic beading components in North Carolina, where they are available on line from Ornamentea.com or check with your local bead shop for availability.