The Desperate Neighborhood

Bringing you all the gossip going on in the Bead Blogging World....

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy's drooling over the big and beautiful cloisonne beads.

Art Bead Scene Inspired by Steam
Art Bead Scene picks for Steampunk Style.

Art Jewelry Magazine
A holiday gift to you: a sale on downloadable patterns from BeadStyle, Bead&Button, and Art Jewelry magazines.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Getting to know Barbe - 7 random facts!

Jennifer Jangles Blog
It's time to get started on those Holly - day projects, here's one from Jennifer.

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi has rounded up a few fast and easy projects from some of her favorite suppliers.

Naughty Secretary Club
See what fun baubles Jen and her collage artist buddy Traci Bautista come up with this week. Hint: there are vintage cupcake toppers, chunky plastic chain and fabric involved!

Strands of Beads
Melissa is inspired by astrolabes and orreries to create a pendant from a beautiful lampworked bead.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Magic Words – Text-based jewelry components can be a great source of inspiration. Andrew investigates these worded beads and pendants in six new designs.


Have you heard any good dirt in the beading world? We'd love for you to share!

Gossiped...errr...reported by Cindy Gimbrone, The Desperate ABS Editor and glass beadmaker.

Studio Saturday - Unlikely Inspiration

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 Meekiyu! Congratulations! Please send your postal address to the ABS Suggestion Box to receive some buttons from Creative Impressions in Clay!

It's been a while since you've been over to the Humblebeads Studio. This has been a busy month of new beads for me as I prepare to launch a new line of beads. One bead that has snuck out early are my Illuminated Manuscript beads, inspired by the Renaissance.

I'm not much for monograms, but while designing this new line I had a little flash of inspiration and saw these ornate, somewhat bridal letter beads. I quickly whipped up a few samples and fell in love with them. The colors of gold, white and just a tinge of grey-blue, I spotted in a magazine for a holiday table setting a few days before. I would almost say this bead design arrived by happenstance. I didn't wake up that morning planning on monogram beads, but that photo was running around in my mind and somehow the two ideas meshed together.

So these are my beads inspired by a table setting photograph in a decorating magazine. My question today is where is the oddest place you've found inspiration? Leave a comment and next week one lucky winner will be picked to win the Illuminated Manuscript bead of their choice.

Holiday Bead Wish List

Stuffed from turkey? Finished with your Black Friday 5 am shopping madness? And now you're looking for some bead inspiration for your holiday gift list? We are here to help! Here are my top picks for those on your gift list who love to make jewelry.

1. Lindstrom Pliers (You can order a pair at Bello Modo) - You can't even imagine how much you'll love these if you don't already have a pair. How did I live without a pair for 14 years! I can't stand to even pick up one of the old cheap pliers. Lindstrom pliers are designed for ergonomical use and they are so easy on your hands, that's a big plus if you do a lot of wire-wrapping.

2. Elfa Storage System - We all want a better way to store our beads, don't we? What we'd all love is some of Santa's elves to come work their magic on organizing our creative space! But if you are coming up short on elves, Elfa seems like a pretty snazzy alternative. Check out more information at the Container Store's website.

3. Bead Books - Love them and you can never have too many! My top three favorites out this year: Custom Cool Jewelry, Beading with Filigree, Bead Romantique.

4. Bead magazine subscription - The gift that keeps on giving! Share inspiration and style with your bead buddies with a subscription to their favorite publication. My pick is Stringing, which seems to get better with each issue!


Holiday Sales & Promotions from ABS contributors and sponsors:





Creative Impressions in Clay - Free shipping, use code code ABS08








Humblebeads - Free shipping on Humblebeads.com and Humblebeads.etsy.com, use code M2008. Free gift with purchase of $50 from my etsy shop.






Cindy Gimbrone -discounts on the spirals and Niagara Skies on Cindy's website.

Jangles - Free shipping at Jangles.net and Jangles.etsy.com

ExpeditionD - Free shipping until Nov. 30th!

Bello Modo - Big sale this weekend and free shipping always! C-Lon Threads and Cords and all The Frames and Bails sized for Swarovski Crystal, 15/0 Delicas on sale all at 25% off Friday through Sunday. Art Institute Glitter is on sale for 30% off.



Other Art Beads on sale this weekend:

Chinook Pendants - Free Shipping to the U.S. and Canada until December 7th for all purchases! Enter code holiday08 at checkout for a bonus 10% off retail orders!

MamacitaBeadworks buttons on sale until January 1st!

LisaPetersArt: free surprise gift (at least $5 value) with any purchase over $30 (note that this special is being offered through the end of the year)

MAKUstudio: free shipping + 10% off purchases over $50 and 15% off purchases over $100

Beadmakers - feel free to share your shop link and weekend special in the comments section.

Tools a Steampunk doesn't want to be without!

After scoring big at the flea market, a jewelry designer may need to take apart those vintage watches further to mine them for all of those wonderful gears. But if you're like me, you don't have screwdrivers small enough to take the watches apart.


What you need is a set screwdrivers for Watches. I got mine from Contenti which is where I got the photo of this set from. I can take apart my flea market finds and add them to art beads for a true steampunk style!

Steam Stone Charm Necklace

This simply steamy necklace can add a bit of mystery and history to your wardrobe with just a few subtle hints of steampunk style! It's easy and inexpensive to make, and the metallic deep pewter glazes, aged brass elements, and brown suede bring a casual yet fantastical look that can be worn with your best neo-Victorian finery, or just a pair of jeans and a tee shirt.

1 Porcelain Earthenwood Studio Vertical Link Steam Stone

1 Natural Brass 5.6x3.6mm Flower Spacer Bead

2 Natural Brass 2x6.9mm Flower Petal Bead Cap

1 Deep Brown 6 mm Swarovski Elements Crystal Pearl

1 Black 6 mm Swarovski Elements Crystal Pearl

1 Natural Brass 23.8x7.8mm Key Charm

2 Natural Brass 5.2mm Jump Ring

1 Natural Brass 2 inch 22 gauge Head Pin

2 Natural Brass 9.1x5.3mm Crimp End

1 Natural Brass 5.5x14mm Hook and Eye Clasp

18" Brown Ultra Micro Fiber Suede

Round Nose Pliers

2 Chain Nose Pliers

Wire Cutters

1. String onto the head pin the following: 1 bead cap, 1 large pearl, 1 bead cap, 1 flower spacer, and 1 small pearl. Make a wire wrap onto the top of the beads using the round nose pliers. Trim the end of the wire and tuck in as needed.

2. Using two pairs of chain nose pliers, open 1 jump ring and attach the beaded dangle from step 1 to the bottom loop of the porcelain Steam Stone. Attach the key charm to the same loop with another jump ring.

3. Fold the length of cord in half and string the folded end into the top loop of the steam stone, from front to back. Pull the cord through about an inch and then string the two loose ends through the cord loop, and pull tight, forming a larks head knot.

4. Set one end of the cord into one of the cord end crimps, Using the chain nose pliers, fold the ends of the crimp down onto the cord, one at a time. Flatten the ends down until the cord is secured. Repeat on other side.

5. Open the ring of the hook clasp and attach to the loop on one cord end. Open the ring of the eye of the clasp and attach to the loop on the other end of the cord end.

Steam Stone from Earthenwood Studio
Cord from Art Beads
All other materials from Fusion Beads

Ten Dollar Tuesday

Each week we feature a project with Art Beads that can be made for ten dollars or under. This week Tari Sasser from Creative Impressions In Clay shows us how to make napkin rings from a shampoo bottle.

I have been trying to come up with ideas that recycle/reuse/re-purpose items to help our environment. So let's "Make Your Art Trashy!"

For this project I wanted to use PVC pipe scrap that I know is somewhere in the garage. I couldn't find it so I had to get creative in my thinking about rings. I thought about Bamboo but I didn't have any, tube from a paper roll but didn't think it would hold up well enough. Then bottles came to mind. We go through plenty of shampoo in our house. Along with other assundry of items that would fit the bill.

Supplies Needed:
1 or More Shampoo Bottles 2"-2.5" in diameter
Fabric, Felt, Ribbon or Yarn (to wrap your rings)
Assorted Embellishments-Buttons, Beads, Charms, etc.

It starts with a bottle.
I marked the bottle every inch for my cuts. Yours can be wider. The choice is yours for cutting. I started trying a hack saw...no good. The X-acto knife worked pretty good. In the end I should have used a combo of making an incision with the knife and cutting with scissors.
You will need to pick your cutting tool depending on the thickness of your bottle.

Here's how mine looked. Not perfect but they are going to be covered so I didn't worry about it too much.

Next, I used what was in my studio to cover the rings.

The first napkin ring pictured I used a fuzzy type fabric with gold embossing. I think my daughter brought it out to my studio eons ago. I didn't use glue on the first two. Tuck the fabric in. Tie on a button where you did your tucking.

Second ring is wrapped with Eyelash Yarn. Wrap and overlap to cover the plastic ring. Tie off, tie on a button.

Third ring, I used Spray Adhesive and it covered in felt. I then wrapped hemp twine around for more visual impact and to make sure everything stayed in place.
Tie another one on...button that is!

You have created fun table couture and helped the environment at the same time. Start going through the kids bathroom collecting shampoo bottles.
A fun project just in time for Thanksgiving! "Get your Sass On!"

Tari Sasser, smart sass at Creative Impressions In Clay

Featured Designer of the Week - GoddessJoy

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

This week Tari from Creative Impressions in Clay picked GoddessJoy's Steam Dream Rework necklace. Tari noted, "This necklace was reworked from the original entry. The new beaded necklace vs the chain really helped with the visual weight of the fantastic keys and charms dangling from this piece. Joy's "Steam Dream" necklace embodies the essence of Steampunk." You can see more work from of Joy's work on her blog.

Our theme this month is "Full Steam Ahead", designs inspired by Victorian and Steampunk fashions. You could be our featured designer next week! Create something that combines the theme with art beads and then send in your submission for the November Challenge.

The Desperate ABS Neighborhood Gossips...

Bringing you all the gossip going on in the Bead Blogging World....

About.com Jewelry Making
New Gathering Leaf Project - Use a chipboard sticker and some wire to make a leaf necklace for fall or to wear at the Thanksgiving table.

Art Bead Scene: reviews their favorite tools
This tool gets around!

Bead&Button Magazine
Always wanted to publish a beading or jewelry-making book? Kalmbach Publishing Co. is looking for authors.

CHA Winter Show and Trends
Join Katie as she shares trends from the upcoming CHA Winter Show.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi decides to make a name tag she'll actually wear.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
It's not beaded, but it's quite entertaining! Carter shares some of her other creative talents this week.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Jennifer's showing some funky sticks for your hair this week.

Jewelry & Beading
Kerry Wilkinson works with resin and...fruit? Well, ok, it's really polymer clay!

Naughty Secretary Club
Naughty Secretary Club and Etsy team up for a fun bracelet how-to project and a shopping guide for kitschy cool jewelry supplies.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean could easily picture herself as the lead in the book, The Secret Garden. Come play dress up with some jewelry using Green Girl Studios components!

Strands of Beads
Melissa gets inspired by a favorite strip from "Peanuts."

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Finding Inspiration – Andrew explores a few examples of where he discovers inspiration and how it relates to the jewelry he makes.


Have you heard any good dirt in the beading world? We'd love for you to share!

Gossiped...errr...reported by Cindy Gimbrone, The Desperate ABS Editor and glass beadmaker.

Studio Saturday-Creative Mess

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 Rachel @ REvangeline Designs! Congratulations! Please send your postal address to the ABS Suggestion Box to receive Holiday Beads from Jennifer at Jangles.

Welcome to my mess! I believe most creative people work with their supplies in piles laying around them as they work. Come on, admit it.
"My name is Tari and I am a creative slob." All chime in "Welcome Tari."
It's not like this suddenly happened. It's been this way most of my life.
I have buttons stacked everywhere in my studio! Cases of finished buttons are stacked in the garage. Buttons are everywere!
I know where most everything is...kinda.
This is what my counter looks like most days. I sit here daily and work amongst bottles of glazes, tools, paint brushes and molds.
My computer is behind me so I can check email and play some tunes while I work.
These are stacks of molds I make for my designs.
I make a prototype of each design, then make a plaster mold.
This helps with consistency of the design and size.
People can be so picky and want the same design to be the same size
when they are calculating button holes
(yes, I am full of "smart sass" comments)!
I am a fan of Duncan glazes. I have every color of their underglazes and many of their other types of glazes, Envision, Courtyard, Gloss and Satin. I should be spokesperson!
It may be going through your head,
"egads, why would she have so many!" Consistency!
Yep, you heard that word earlier. Mixing glazes would be fine if you were not after that same color over and over. But if you are selling a product, your customers kinda want it to look like the picture. Also, you don't get the true color of the glaze till its been fired.
FYI-It is fired, not baked! You bake cookies not earth clay.
Pet peeve #999.

Question this week is not really a question.
Tell me about your studio or working space.

I love to see other peoples studios and hear how they work.
Leave a comment and you could win....mmm....mmm...some buttons. Not sure which ones, let me dig through the mess and find some.

Tari Sasser, smart sass at Creative Impressions In Clay

Full Steam Ahead Bead Picks

Here are some art beads from our contributors that reflect this month's challenge theme.

Journey Square from ExpeditionD

A copper etched plate could be used in a bead embroidery piece or you can request that Lynn drill two holes for you.

Large Earthtone Pendant from Jangles

Jennifer's pendant in the earthy hues so often found in the steampunk genre. This would look great with some gears, chain and leather components!

Raspberry Bowl Pendant from Cindy Gimbrone

This is a new and exciting direction in Cindy's work. She has combined the mix of glass and metal for a beautiful effect that could be either modern or ancient.

Astrology Wheel from Creative Impressions in Clay

Science and mythology combine in Tari's button. Remember Tari can create her buttons in many different styles, including a hole on top so they can be used as pendants.

Purple Branch Disk Beads from Humblebeads

These beads leans toward the Victorian color palette, dark and moody.

We have seen some beautiful entries this month, enter your creation today!

What's on your bead wish list?

I need your help! I'd like to put together a gift guide for jewelry makers for Black Friday. (That's the crazy shopping day after Thanksgiving, when I stay home and bead!)

What is on your wish list for this holiday season that is jewelry or bead related?

Is it an Anne Choi bead that you've been coveting or a pair of Lindstrom pliers? A hank of antique steel charlotte seed beads or a new storage system that seems like a dream or maybe a new beading book has your name on it.

Leave a comment below with your top pick that you'd love to unwrap this holiday.

Steamy Inspiration

Steam Stone Set

Have you seen all the steam stones that Earthenwood Studio has in her Etsy shop? They are in small coordinating collections and ready to ship out!

Bronze Age of Steam Necklace from Earthenwood Studios, as seen on Vintaj's website. Vintaj brass components can be found at Bello Modo.

There is no shortage of inspiration on Vintaj's project gallery. You can find most of the components at Bello Modo's. The Vintaj galleries could keep you entertained and inspired for quite a while!

For those in the Washington area, you may want to check out Bello Modo at Bellevue Bead Festival this weekend.

Don't forget to enter your Steampunk or Victorian inspired creations to the Art Bead Scene's Monthly challenge!

Ten Dollar Tuesday

It's Ten Dollar Tuesday! Here a quick and easy ornament project, that can be hanging on your tree in no time.

Supplies Needed:
1 Large Ceramic Snowman Bead
3-4 colorful accent beads
1 silver 4 inch headpin
4 inches of 18 gauge silver craft wire

Tools:
Needle Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters

Instructions:
1. Begin by stringing your accent beads onto the headpin. Once you have a nice stack of colorful beads add the ceramic snowman bead.
2. Just above the snowman bead make a simple wire loop. Trim the excess wire.
3. Grab the end of the craft wire it the nose of the needle nose pliers. Gently turn the pliers to create a small spiral shape. Make the small spiral approximately a quarter inch in diameter.
4. Next, take the opposite end of the craft wire in your pliers and make a small loop. After making the loop, continue to turn your pliers to make a spiral shape. Make the spiral just as you did in step 3, but bigger.
5. Thread the loop at the top of the ornament onto the small spiral and you're ready to hang.

Featured Designer of the Week - Lorelei Eurto

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

This week Jennifer of Jangles picked Lorelei Eurto's Love is Key Bracelet. Jennifer noted, "I like the use of the bright colors with the keys and keyhole design. It's a nice combination." You can see more work from of Lorelei's work on her blog.

Our theme this month is "Full Steam Ahead", designs inspired by Victorian and Steampunk fashions. You could be our featured designer next week! Create something that combines the theme with art beads and then send in your submission for the November Challenge.

_________________________________________________________

Don't forget to stop by our latest Studio Saturday post with Jennifer, you could win a free bead this week!

Bringing you the gossip in the Bead Blogging World

Bringing you all the gossip going on in the Bead Blogging World....

About.com Jewelry Making
Looking for some early holiday jewelry ideas? Start now with these simple projects that will appeal to a range of fashion tastes.

Art Bead Scene: Stick or Non-Stick at Studio Saturday?
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/11/studio-saturday-and-sticky-wicket.html

BeadStyleMag.com
Naomi from BeadStyle visits Target and suggests that you can create jewelry that is as current as theirs.

Carmi's Lucky Chips Necklace
Carmi glams up some old poker chips for this new necklace.

Contacting New Venues
Another Marketing Monday and Barbe gives some tips about how to contact new venues to sell your work.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
Carter talks about the importance of getting yourself out there!

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Jennifer is showing a easy brooch project.

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi doesn't often play with clay, but she figured out how to make a really easy pendant that she really likes!

Naughty Secretary Club
Do you tune in to watch Mad Men each week? Ever pay attention to the jewelry the ladies in the office wear? You might just spot a Naughty Secretary Club Pencil Pusher Necklace.

Savvy Crafter-Candie Cooper
Warm up your Thanksgiving table with these festive fall candle holders.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is all kinds of entertained reviewing Jennifer Perkins' book, The Naughty Secretary Club

Strands of Beads
Melissa remembers an important trip through the (what else?) beads she collected.

Venetian Glass = Yummy!
Katie adds Venetian Glass into the mix to create a new fall favorite. Check it out!



Have you heard any good dirt in the beading world? We'd love for you to share!

Gossiped...errr...reported by Cindy Gimbrone, The Desperate ABS Editor and glass beadmaker.

Studio Saturday with Jangles

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 Kim at Imaginina! Congratulations! Please send your postal address to the ABS Suggestion Box to receive Cindy's Circles Pendant.


Good Saturday to you! It's once again my Studio Saturday and I am going to give you a sneak peek into what's going on in my studio. It's that time of the year where there is a lot of going on, that's for sure. I have been getting ready for some holiday sales and open houses, so things are scattered everywhere. The studio is not as clean as it has been in the past. But I think if your studio's messy that's a good sign because it means you're busy, right? Well at least that's what I tell myself to feel better.

Okay, so on to what I have been working on....Ornaments and decorations. It's that time of the year when the grocery stores start stocking there holiday magazines. I have to admit I am a sucker for the 101 cookie recipes, new wrapping ideas. and decorating tips. So I have been buying them and reading them in the evenings. I was reading Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion and saw Amy Butler's house all decorated for the holidays. It looked so great and looked so much like her. It really got to thinking about how I would like to decorate our house. Until recently, we were always away for the holidays, last year was my first year at home for Christmas. It was my big chance to decorate. I did make some wreathes and some swags but I think I just need to add a little each year. So I have some ideas I am working on to help with the decorating.

I have been making lots of ornaments. These shown above are what I am making for galleries and my Etsy store. I really like the silver wire curl at the top, it's also really good for grabbing a hold of the tree. I have also been putting some new ornaments together, also. Here are some more photos of ornaments that I have made.

That has the tree covered, now onto the mantle...I have some stockings in the works for it. We have our traditional Santa stockings but I would like something a little more like me for the other days of the season. I have also been stringing garlands out of my glass bead mixes, I think these would be cute strung across it.

Cookies... there's another thing, I am excited about. Here are last years cookies. I have lofty goal of the boys and I building a gingerbread house his year. So many things and so little time, it's already mid November,when is it all going to get done?

So for my question of the week, I would like to know about what kind of Crafty Holiday Traditions you have. Do you incorporate beads into your Holiday Decorations? If so, how do you do it?I would love to hear. If you're the winner I will send you some Holiday Beads to make your own ornaments from.


Happy Holidays!
Jennifer

Nuts About Beads!

Like squirrels gathering nuts for winter, we hunt for our favorite art beads!

Squirrel, acorn beads and a toggle set from Diane Hawkey

Funky Nut by MamacitaBeadworks

Squirrel pendant from Tanjasova

Gray squirrel bead from Humblebeads

Fine silver acorn and squirrel charms by CherryCreek

Acorn and leaf beads from Chickadeebeads