ABS Editor Cindy Gimbrone Goes Red Hot Crazy!

I've gone crazy. That's the only way to explain it.
That or the heat got to me.
Fried my frontal lobes so I couldn't reason properly.

Seemed like a good idea when I volunteered. Panic started to set in. How was I going to do two projects? I started to surf the 'net to avoid the whole situation. Ah but nothing like another blog to help you out!

Enter Deryn Mentock's Something Sublime and her Jewelry Challenge using Mary Hettmansperger's new book, Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet. I loved Mary's first book and this one is even better! I bought it immediately and decided I had to do "Project 3: Bead Shelf Necklace."



It was perfect for a phrase that's been running through my head lately,

what lies beneath

I wanted to show a little scene where on the surface it looked one way yet under the shelf or beneath it, you'd see something different. I wanted to keep the copper, antiqued and verdigris colors so I incorporated my flameworked glass beads and spirals in copper green, gaia and opal yellow. The spirals represent those things or situations in our lives that haven't been worked out and keep coming back to us - like in a spiral. I've left a hole on the shelf empty as if it's a hole in the ground, a way for those above to look in and see if they can see what's there.





The completed project is supposed to be a necklace but I wanted this to hang on my wall. Perfect for Ornament Thursday, a small wall ornament.

Let's see what the other Ornament Thursday Girls have created for this month...
Art Bead Scene
ABS Editor Cindy Gimbrone Goes Red Hot Crazy!

Beading Help Web is RED HOT!
Lynn Kvigne takes up the torch and shows you how to make a toe ring using fine silver.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Trendy, Popular and Red Hot!

It's Red Hot July in Arizona!
Lisa finally finishes a project from over a year ago. Check out this "hot" take on a changeable necklace.

Katie's Bead Blog
Check out Katie's Red Hot faux coral necklace! It's a punch of color with a summery feel.

Linda Ausburg at BeadStyle Magazine
Linda shares a red-hot card she created.

Michelle is RED HOT!
Well, really, Margot is...

Savvy Crafter
Hotsie Totsie Plexi-glass Flower pendant over on Candie's blog!

Strands of Beads
The heat is rising, and Melissa is making a Red Hot Firecracker necklace!

Swell Designer a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield
The Swelldesigner gets red hot with a Hunka Hunka Burner Necklace!

Too Red Hot
Our own Michelle Zimmerman has been hard at work this month sculpting a devil of a project for your enjoyment.

Great Bead Books- Old & New

Like most (tell me I'm not the only one!) bead crazed folks, I simply cannot resist a new bead book on the market. To add to the pain of my pocketbook, I usually can't wait for regular Amazon.com shipment and thus purchase full retail price at Barnes and Noble as soon as the book hits the crafts section. Here are some of my past and recent favorites:

Since I love history and primitive bead making cultures, my bookcase is groaning under the weight of Collectible Beads- A Universal Aesthetic, by Robert K. Liu, 1995. This oversize book is a treasure trove of "ancient, ethnographic and contemporary beads, recognizing them as a revealing and inspiring symbol of humanity's cultural and spiritual aspirations," with 300 photos of ancient and modern beadwork.


In that same vein of thought, there is Beadwork- A World Guide by Caroline Crabtree and Pam Stallebrass, published by Rizzoli in 2002. What I love about this book is the incredible diversity of bead cultures featured from around the world from African tribes to Native American Indian tribes and many more, with amazing color photographs. Incredibly detailed and exhaustively researched, I highly recommend it for a bead enthusiast's library.


Five designers teach us how to make glass, metal, polymer clay and fiber beads in the wonderful Making Beautiful Beads, published by Lark books 2003. It has excellent tutorials with color photographs to demonstrate techniques. Each section features a lengthy "introduction to" a certain medium and then variations of techniques that are different, inspiring and concise enough to refer to for years past the introductory stages.


For the polymer bead artist or prospective artist, I highly recommend Making Polymer Clay Beads by Carol Blackburn, published by Interweave Press 2007. It is exactly what is says on the cover, "step by step techniques for creating beautiful ornamental beads." It covers everything from tools and brands of clay, to conditioning, skinner blends, inclusions, varnishes, metallic powders, and on to wonderful techniques of combing and feathering, how to use bead rollers, drilling, sanding and polishing. It is quite comprehensive. I mean, who knew you can make polymer beads that look like leather?


Just to make my life more difficult for those of us who can't resist delving into new projects no matter how many are piled in the corner, Julia S. Pretl wrote Bead Knitted Bags, 10 projects for Beaders & Knitters. Oh, my goodness, what amazingly beautiful bags. I went totally insane over which gorgeous project to begin first. If you are overwhelmed with projects like me, it will be slow going, as the work is quite small and requires intense concentration, but it comes complete with a DVD that includes 10 printable patterns and 20 video tutorials.


Julia Pretl is also a featured artist in another book nestled on my table, Beading for the Soul, by Deborah Cannarella, published again by Interweave Press 2005. This book explores the "personal power of beads" with 26 inspirational projects from 23 designers. From prayer beads to woven Chinese Good Fortune pouches, you can create sacred beaded objects and adornments with the aid of terrific instructional panels and tutorials. Eleanor Wiley's Handheld Prayer Beads section has a particularly powerful resonance.


Decorative Ornament- More Than 2,350 Historical Designs and Patterns by Owen Jones, is an invaluable resource for color reference for the beader and jewelry designer. Get out your post it stickies and get ready for color combination inspiration on almost every page. This 432 page volume, published in 2006 by Tess Press, is a feast for the designer's eyes. It covers design and ornament of Savage Tribes, Egyptian, Assyrian & Persian, Greek, Pompeian, Roman, Byzantine, Arabian, Turkish, Moresque, Indian, Hindu, Chinese, Celtic, Medieval, Renaissance, Elizabethan, Italian and Leaves and Flowers from Nature Ornament. The colorful illustrations will have you at your sketchbooks in a jiffy and if you are blocked for color combination ideas, this book will get you back on track in no time at all.


Last but not least on my list is Beaded Jewelry- The Complete Guide by Susan Ray, published by Krause Publications 2007. This is my most recent bead book acquisition and it is already a treasured volume. Susan begins her book with a history of beads, with recommended reading lists, and moves on to color expressions, supply sources, care of beads, types of beads, tools and their usage. From there she delves into specialized areas of bead making such as lampwork and polymer, then discusses stringing techniques, findings and closures, to name a few. It has many projects, inspiring photographs, and a very user friendly format.


By no means is this list an exhaustive one. There are many more book sources of inspiration and technical prowess. I hope if you don't have these titles you will search them out at your library or bookstore. And always, have fun!

Written by guest editor Jennifer Stumpf. You can read Jennifer's blog www.jenniferstumpf.blogspot.com and see her art beads and jewelry at her website www.jenniferstumpf.com and etsy shop www.jenniferstumpf.etsy.com.

Ornament Thursday Red Hot Teaser

Art Bead Scene Editor is Red Hot this month creating two projects for Ornament Thursday! One for Art Bead Scene and another for Lampwork Diva!

To give you an hint of what's in store, the OT gang posted a teaser, so until tomorrow, here's a sneaky peeky...

Wikibeadia: Kiln Annealed?

(Flameworked glass beads by Cindy Gimbrone)


(Fused glass gem by Lynn Davis)


When buying glass beads and/or fused glass one important feature handmade glass art beads typically have that craft store beads don't have is artists will kiln anneal their glass beads.

Why should you care about kiln annealing? Kiln annealing strengthens glass by allowing the glass to cool very, very, very slowly. If properly done, it relieves any stress in the glass and the beads won't crack.

Below is a picture of a set of glass beads I purchased at a local craft store:



As a glass beadmaker, I know by where the crack is, that the bead has not been kiln annealed. A crack along the bead hole means the glass cooled too quickly. Glass cools too quickly when it hasn't been placed in a heated kiln.

Here's a picture of me placing a hot glass bead into my heated kiln to anneal. Notice the temperature on the kiln reads 968 Fahrenheit, the proper temperature to anneal soda lime glass. (Ignore the hat and sweatshirt, it was the winter and my studio is unheated.) My kiln has an automatic cut off switch so when I open it, the electricity to the kiln shuts off. An important safety feature as are my safety glasses, my kevlar gloves and leather apron.



Did you know a properly annealed glass bead will bounce rather than break when dropped on the floor? Although I don't recommend you start dribbling your glass beads, I have dropped them on my concrete floor by accident and they do bounce.

So when buying art glass beads, check to for the words "kiln annealed" to ensure your treasure will last a lifetime.

Written by Cindy Gimbrone, glass beadmaker, who's accidentally bounced many beads off her studio floor.

Featured Designer of the Week - Maria Grimes

Cruising through Summer...JulyABS
Originally uploaded by Maria Grimes

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

This week I picked Maria Grime's Cruising through Summer bracelet. I love the bright and playful combination of teal and orange, great use of complimentary colors. The orange polka dot beads and starfish are my favorites.

This month's theme is Summer Vacation and Maria's bracelet takes me right to the beach!

You can see more of Maria's work on her website.

There is still time to enter the July Challenge to win a great collection of ceramic beads from Off Center Productions.

Shhh!! The Desperate ABS Neighborhood Reads

The coffee is brewing in the Desperate Editor's house. Shhhhh!!! She's reading one of her favorite books this morning.


While she's got her nose stuck in a book, let's see what else is going on in the bead blogging world....

About.com Jewelry Making
Jewelry De-Stash Options - When and if you go through your jewelry making supplies, what options do you have for possibly reselling them? And should you?

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene Editor Cindy Gimbrone shows her true colors.

Barbe Saint John
Onlline Videos to help you take better jewelry pictures

BeadStyle Magazine
Cathy reviews books a plenty from the BeadStyle magazine library

Jewelry & Beading
The new book, 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, hits the mark!

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie dishes on all the new beady stuff she saw at the Craft & Hobby Association tradeshow last weekend. New geometric links, new resin components, new beads, oh my!

Strands of Beads
Melissa's making more memento mori (alliterative, eh?) in the studio this week.

Did you know the Desperate ABS Neighbors open up their studios on Saturdays? Stop by and read Studio Saturdays to find out more about the Desperate Neighbors of the Art Bead Scene!

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!

(Photo credits: Seeing Stars photo of Desperate Housewives set. Photo of the Beader's Color Palette from MargieDeeb.com)

Studio Saturday- Gaea Pendants

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.This week's winner is Donna! Please send your postal address to the ABS Suggestion Box to receive your surprise bead from Cindy Gimbrone!

Welcome to my studio. As it is a small space the tour will be short. Please keep all arms and legs inside the ride. Petting studio animals may result in a licked face... Hang onto your hats.... here we go!


My studio (AKA the front porch) is cold in the winter and hot in the summer, having said that, I will say that I do a majority of work in the kitchen which has working plumbing (usually!), good lighting and it also has ac/heat! I fire up the old kiln, and I do mean old, once a month. I compile my list that is sorted by style and clay body and I add an extra one for each ordered as payment to the kiln gods/goddesses.


Once the pieces are made they are stored on cookie sheets and stacked to dry, sometimes in the oven. When all the bead making is done it is time to sort them into color pots. I like to use the old yogurt and butter containers!


Once they are checked off the orders and hopefully placed in the right color pile, I set off to glaze them. I've noticed that glazing the more challenging hand painted ones first is helpful. The pets and children come and go freely. Here is Lu Lu one of our four, four-legged friends! She can and will make herself comfortable whenever and wherever she likes (her name was Lady when we adopted her, we now know why!)


Finally after loading and 12 hours of firing (we have a shorter firing time if the elements are new) and then at least 18 hours of cooling time until we can crack the lid open...


Then after sorting them into orders we have a few left over...


Once the orders are invoiced (usually done to some loud and rockin' music as I need energy to get through this! This month it was The Clash, X and The Beastie Boys! ) and packed up (always done with a good movie on! Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix!) , I take them to the post office. Once this is all done I can play with jewelry design, my favorite part! I hope you enjoyed the tour! To see more of the studio in action please visit my blog.

So the question this week is where do you create? Dedicated studio space, kitchen table or somewhere in between? Leave a comment for a chance to win a Gaea pendant.

Trendy Bead - Throw Away the Key

Welcome to this week's Trendy Bead, where I pair together my favorite art beads with fashionable finds from Etsy to offer up-to-the-minute design inspiration. Last week keys were mentioned and I just had to revisit that theme. Here are some of my favorite picks:

To start off we have a steampunk inspired selection with a pewter skeleton key from Mamicata Beadworks, a heaping pile of gunmetal chain straight from Hong Kong's seller ShereLiving and the focal bead, one of Earthenwood Studio's Keyhole Steam Stones.


What's behind door number 2? A wonderful little doorway pendant from Mamacita Beadworks, okay she's a favorite, what can I say? I'd pair this cute little charm with some glass swirls from Cindy Gimbrone in carmel and chocolate hues. Center stage would be a boro glass skeleton key from the Venerable Bead.

It's the entrance to a secret garden with my Tiger Lily bead. I could see them pieced together with some interesting components like this Key Hole pendant from cmyk, lots of brass chain and a pendant made out of ExpeditionD's copper etched key.

At the moment I'm so into charm bracelets with big chunky brass chain. I'd use this swirl button from Creative Impressions in Clay as the clasp. The charms? A ton of these tiny skeleton key charms from PenGwynneBeads mixed with these vintage glass flowers offered by a2zDesigns.

Speaking of inspiration, don't forget to check out last week's Studio Saturday post with Cindy Gimbrone. Leave a comment to enter our weekly drawing. And only a week left for our Summer Vacation theme challenge.

Wikibeadia - Silver Metal Clay

Wikibeadia - Silver Metal Clay - Unique Silver Art Beads and Findings

Silver metal clay is created from fine particles of silver suspended in an organic binder. When it's fired in a kiln, the binder burns away and the silver bonds together, creating a shape in fine silver. The technology of the material was developed in Japan in the early 1990's, based on an idea that came from the japanese tradition of using ceramic clay to form and fire shapes, and a desire to translate the ability to form shapes and have finished silver jewelry pieces that were shaped in the same way as ceramic clay is shaped and fired.

Silver metal clay is plastic and versatile, and in its wet state it can be folded, molded, extruded and rolled just like clay. When dry, it can be carved, textured and assembled into three-dimensional objects like boxes and lockets.

What is silver metal clay? The silver particles are microscopic and slide freely in the binder, but fuse together into a solid piece of silver in the kiln.

For the adventurous, there is also gold precious metal clay that fuses to nearly pure gold, and it's so beautiful but, just like the real gold it's made from, it is expensive.

Boxes, headpins, clasps and links for chain made with silver or gold metal clay have gorgeous texture and, if they are strengthened properly by hammering or work hardening, create functional and beautiful accessories to use in your beading designs.

What should you watch for when buying silver metal clay art beads and components? Look for sturdy, dense pieces of silver, and if they are structural components like clasps or chain links, look for signs that they have been hammered to harden them. If you can easily bend them with your fingers, or if there are cracks around the edges of the silver, they may not have been fired long enough or work hardened after firing. You need for them to hold up in your jewelry designs to heavy wear and to last without stress fractures or soft spots forming.

I love the idea of creating jewelry findings and accents out of fine silver to combine with other art beads, that silver bling adds that special bit of zing!

Written by Lynn Davis who fires anything that will fit in the kiln and take the heat

Perusing Ebay, I Discover Lampwork Bead Artist Lina Khan: A commentary & interview

Every few days I get an itch to browse Ebay. Naturally this can be a bead, jewelry, book, antique and vintage- anything junkie's path to destruction. Nevertheless, my aim one day this past spring was to find some good faceted pearls. Punching "pearls" and then "beads" into the search engine, I was pleasantly surprised, then rather horrified to find literally hundreds of pages of live auctions and "buy it now" pages of beads. Delving in, the time slipped by imperceptibly. As in the normal course of events, one thing led to another and pretty soon I found myself eagerly scanning the wonderful vintage glass beads. "click!" went my "buy it now" button. "click!" Another purchase! Good heavens. This could be terrible. I'd barely made it past page ten and had several purchases lined up.

I looked up other categories. Scanning the "Loose Beads" category, I was surprised to find lampwork bead artists. I had never thought of Ebay as an outlet for anything other than basic supply beads, let alone wonderfully talented lampwork bead artists. Bookmarking one particular artist that caught my eye, I checked out her website, which listed an online shop of her own plus another online shop, DaWanda, which is a mostly European version of Etsy, although most artists I noticed ship to North America. Now I am pleased to present one of my favorite bead artists to you, Lina Khan.

Interview with Lampwork Bead Artist Lina Khan:



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

My name is Lina Khan. My business name is Lina Khan Lampwork Glass Beads. My website is www.linakhan.com. I live in the Canary Islands.



For the geographically challenged amongst us, where exactly are the Canary Islands?

The Canaries are seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located off the northwestern coast of Africa (Morocco and the Western Sahara). They form an autonomous territory of Spain. La Palma, where I live, is one of the smaller Canary Islands. It is called "La isla bonita" because of the rich vegetation, the green mountains and if you ask me, the black sand beaches.

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

I am a glass bead maker, a lampworker, and I use soft glass for my designs. In my studio there is a two gas torch which is fired with butane gas and an O2 concentrator. I melt rods of transparent and opaque glass in the flame and wind the hot and liquid glass around a mandrel. Then I decorate it, for example, with small glass frits or self-made Murrinis. I use certain tools to bring the bead into form. As soon as the bead is completed I put it in a special digitally controlled kiln and let it slowly cool down for durability. Finally I clean the bead holes with a Dremel tool.
I love all kinds of Mandala beads, which means I like to work and decorate symmetrically from the center bead hole.



Lina, I saw your beads on Ebay months ago and was captivated by them. How did you get into beadmaking?

I was always fascinated by glass beads. Then I found a most beautiful Murrini bead in a bead store. Back home I searched the web and landed on Ebay's Lampwork category. Before long I owned beginner's equipment and decided to learn making glass beads.



What are some of the important things you do for your business?

Before lampworking I was a self-employed web designer and application programmer, which enabled me to create my own website and maintain it daily.

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



I work at home in my studio. The butane gas bottle and the O2 generator are located outside the room. It is calm and while I am working I am listening to the birds or to some good music.
All things are precisely placed. There are shelves for glass and supplies, a table with my torch, beading tools and mandrels. I also have one table for cleaning the beads and another for making jewelry and packaging. I have a pinboard to keep pencil drawings with new ideas.
The first thing I do in the morning is check my kiln for goodies and other surprises. Then I have a good cup of coffee while answering new mails and reading the newspaper. I photograph new beads in the morning sun, clean and prepare my workspace and new beads, and pack orders for shipping. After brunch I start lampworking. In the afternoon I take the beads to the post office. After dinner I format the morning bead photos for auctions or other web offers, update my website and also search the web for new supplies I need.

How do you stay inspired and motivated?

Well, sometimes if no design seems to suit, I have to go on working patiently until the MUSE is kissing me again. We have a large garden. For me, gardening is an easy way to relax and gain inspiration.
Motivation returns every morning when I check my kiln.



What type of beads and jewelry designs do you feel best compliment your art beads?

Mostly my beads are quite colorful and my jewelry is colorful too! I love to use wood, silver or semi-precious gemstones like turquoise. And I am also pleased to see the gorgeous pieces other jewelry makers create with my beads, made in different styles.



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

I have improved my stringer (thin glass) technique and I also do larger beads now, because I want to be able to paint on beads. For me it is a challenge, adding this new design element, opening space for more variety and expression.



If you have a discount code you would like us to give our readers, please list it here, including the expiration date.

Discount code is: LINAFIRE, which means 20 percent off any Etsy, DaWanda and shop offers from my website until September 30, 2008. Please checkout with the alternative payment method and add this code to the comment field. I will send you a Paypal money request. Thank you!

Many thanks, Lina from La isla bonita!

Written by guest editor Jennifer Stumpf. You can read Jennifer's blog www.jenniferstumpf.blogspot.com and see her art beads and jewelry at her website www.jenniferstumpf.com and etsy shop www.jenniferstumpf.etsy.com.

Pssst... Over here. Look at me! HERE I AM!!!!

You love what you do. Other people may even love what you do. You may even be getting requests for what you do! So how do you get the word out to greater people about what it is that you are doing? Shout it from the roof tops? Maybe. Knock down every door? If that feels right. Sit back and wait for some one else to notice your special talent and sing your praises loud and clear for the whole world to hear and maybe give your special work to the right person who may pass it on to a special highly visible someone (hello, Angelina Jolie!) who in turn wears that special thing on the red carpet of some premier where she is asked repeatedly "Who made that extra special something you are wearing? WHERE CAN I GET ONE!!!!" that starts the ball rolling to form an avalanche of publicity for you? A girl can have a dream can't she! Foot work. I'm talking about getting out there and getting your feet, hands, mind (well, maybe not your mind! Ok. Maybe just a little!) dirty. A bit over the top and dramatic but my point is this, no one will know you exist unless you let them know. Your message doesn't have to be loud and flashy if you are not a loud and flashy person, but if you are then that's great too! I am always surprised at how just wearing a piece of jewelry I've made can garner attention. It is of course great if there are other people out there wearing it too!

In Calvin J. Goodman's book "Art Marketing Handbook" there are many examples of how to market yourself. The book is designed for artists but the information translates well for other artisans and craft folk. Suggestions like, groups or guilds, like Art Bead Scene or Beads of Clay give good and much needed support for individual artists. Safety in numbers, right. Some of us are not as confident to go out and knock down doors in person as others and If it is in your budget, hire someone to get the word out for you. Basics like Google Ad Words listings or even Etsy or eBay auctions are great for getting your word out about your wears and making a possible sale. Advertising in a magazine can be a big but pricey step. Not every self promotion needs a price tag. Offering a class on what you do, a demo or party from your home to show case your work can be fun. A simple postcard for mailing or handing out on the spot. Local post boards where you can post a flier or business card. Craft fairs, farmers markets, web sites and blogs are all useful tools. As in many areas of life, it is all about the tools in your tool belt. So tool up people and hammer it home!

Featured Designer of the Week

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

This week's featured design was chosen by editor, Cindy Gimbrone and is Maria Sariego's Indian Summer Bracelet.

Cindy says, "The copper lampwork beads are a surprising accompaniment to the silver. It's unexpected and lovely!"

You can see more of Maria Sariego! You can see more of Maria's work on Believe Street

Would you like to our next featured designer? Enter the July Monthly Challenge and you could be here next Monday!

Archeological Dig on Hysteria Lane

Now that last week's storms have cleared, the Desperate Editor has spotted a pile of dirt on Hysteria Lane. Creeping over to see what it's all about she finds these.....





...hmmm are those antiquities or faux-tiquities? The Desperate Editor was fortunate to find the person doing the digging and interview her to find out. While the Desperate Editor gets to the bottom of the archeological dig, let's see what's going on in the Bead Blogging World....

About.com Jewelry Making
If you are looking for some super easy methods for promoting your jewelry business, here are some no-brainer ideas for you.

Art Bead Scene
Pass us a cold drink because a heat wave engulfs Studio Saturday!

Barbe Saint John
Doing a big arts & crafts show? Here are some tips to help make it go smoother.

Linda Ausburg at BeadStyle Magazine
Alison Libby is BeadStyle's guest blogger this week. Check out her first post and leave a comment about how you started beading.

Jewelry & Beading
The fabulous Amy Clarke Moore shares her inspirations and creative process!

Strands of Beads
Inspired by Art Bead Scene, Melissa creates a focal and clasp with fine silver circle links

Did you know the Desperate ABS Neighbors open up their studios on Saturdays? Stop by and read Studio Saturdays to find out more about the Desperate Neighbors of the Art Bead Scene!

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!

(Photo credits: Seeing Stars photo of Desperate Housewives set.)

Studio Saturday In True Colors

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This week's winner is Emanda! Please send your postal address to the ABS Suggestion Box and Lynn will send you the pair of metal clay circle links!



Welcome to the Studio!

It's Color Week on my blog so I'm looking at color in a different way than I normally do. I don't think about color so much as I think about the physical properties of the glass.
I don't think color first, I think will it do what I want it to do? So I started to think about my work as

dull

boring

zzzzz snore

but when I said I needed to kick up the color, a commenter said I was wrong about my work - it was vibrant, colorful. Hmmmmmm.....

Maybe the high contrast on the Heartz n Skullz series is colorful....


...and the greens and blues mixed with the copper metal, ya think?


...ok yeah, the red, turquoise and yellow of Modern Folk Bird is colorful....


...ok ok OK! I give! Yes, I DO work with vibrant colors! Stop twisting my arm! The Rainbow Spiral is the epitome of lively colors!


As I rub my arm from having it twisted almost off, I realize I don't always see my glass as the customer or other artists might see it. Despite the fact I choose a glass color based on what it can do, I'm still choosing vibrant colors.

Does this mean I'm not boring? Wink!

Here is today's question: Do you think you see either yourself or your work as others see it?

Post a comment and I'll send you a surprisingly colorful bead! It will be a surprise because I'll pick one randomly from my inventory.

Look forward to reading your comments!