May Monthly Challenge Blog Tour... and a Grand Prize Winner!

"When I go out into the countryside and see the sun and the green and everything flowering, I say to myself Yes indeed, all that belongs to me!"  ~Henri Rousseau

This month we visited the countryside, as envisioned by Berthe Morisot. This pastoral scene shows the rolling hills, the village in the distance, a loving mother playing with her daughter around a small tree and just a hint of blue peeking through the cashmere clouds in the sky. Our ABS friends have been hard at work taking the cue from the abundance of greens and golds, the stark white and black of the dresses, the wee houses on the horizon and the small dash of red blooms in the tree. 

May I ask a favor? To make it easier on me to do the round up of all these fabulous blog posts, and because it seems that most people are doing this anyway, please put your exact blog post link in your comments with your picture on the Flickr site (please put the specific link so that I don't have to wade through all your posts to find the right one!). That is where I have to grab the pictures from and that would save me an extra step. Thanks. ;-)

Now on with the show!

Lesley of The Gossiping Goddess (above) found this painting pushed her outside her comfort zone. But with a sweet little bird bead and a beautiful lampwork glass square paired with some soft colors of silk and bead, I think that she rose to the challenge...which is really what it is all about. Well done, Lesley!

You have to go and check out what Grubbi made! She did it all! from the wonderful detail on the etched blossom bracelet bar and the two very cute etched house and umbrella charms to a rainbow of polymer clay beads from the color palette. I am so impressed that she did it all... that is true talent!

Using a hand made focal in a lovely shade of olive green with a ruffly lampwork bead that totally reminds me of the dresses and umbrella, Birgitta of Create with Spirit created a bracelet that is sure to get noticed in her unmistakeable style!

Molly Alexander of Beautifully Broken Me chose to focus on the red of the blooms in the tree and the rusty roofs to create this fashion forward bangle (above) with lovely lampwork beads from Firebabies and Gardanne.

Loads of interest with special hand made charms populate the necklace from Intuitive Spark. She used vintage sheet music, a faux Chinese coin, a lucite leaf, a tiny mixed media charm with watch parts and a swirly green lampwork bead. Such a layered look that brings that color palette to life!

Welcome to the challenge, Hazel! Hazel, of Continuum Designs, tells us that this is the first time that she entered the ABS challenge using her own polymer clay beads in a lovely and fresh bracelet design. We are so glad to have you!

Eleanore of EBS Jewelry shares that her process for this piece was often filled with doubt...whether it would be green enough or reference the themes in the painting like "woman with an umbrella"... I find that very comforting to read! I had some similar feelings (and I bet you did too!). I think that Eleanor made a bold and inspired choice to have the mustard-colored cording anchoring the whole bracelet (above).

Keenya of The Cranberry Studio made the polymer clay beads and focal in her entry. The colors make me feel of soft breezes in the countryside. Beautiful pastel palette!

Pamela of Klassy Jools pulled all the wispy and soft greens from the painting for a lush interpretation of the palette. This looks like a bracelet that would feel really beautiful to wear with so much to look at and hold your interest.

Mary Harding (above) not only makes some very pretty nature inspired ceramic components, but I learned that she also felted the earthy wool to make the necklace and used some tutorials from both Heather Powers and Cindy Wimmer to make some wire components in her striking necklace that perfectly embodies this pastoral scene.

Creating a very modern and clean look, Malin de Koning of Sweden used some Round Rabbit porcelain rings with some very green and soft suede for a bracelet that is sure to be worn a lot!

I know that the red flower that Kristi of Dreamsome Designs used in her stunning and multi-faceted necklace was something that Mary Harding created in response to the March ABS challenge....but it totally works here! I love that this one red flower could have so many different interpretations.

The talented twosome of Beth and her mother Evie of EB Bead and Metal Works focused their artistic eyes on the parasol held by the lovely young lady in this necklace (above). This duo cut, sawed, enameled and strung up a truly outstanding piece of wearable art! You have to go over and see it!

Sally Russick of Wireworked proves that simple is sometimes best! She let the single painted polymer clay bead take center stage in this infinitely wearable design.  

I had to chuckle when I read the process that Bee Tree by m.e. goes through with designing... dumping out all the right color beads in a pile and sorting through what she calls 'creative chaos' sounds a lot like me! The result of her chaos, from the links to the hand made flower to the silk, looks like the perfect piece to wear when she celebrates her anniversary next month! Congratulations!

Another hearty ABS welcome goes out to Honey from the Bee and her beautiful interpretation featuring a Lisa Peters heart and a very cool vintage button showing a cherub with an umbrella! I love how she keyed in on the white of the dresses with her choice of beads. We hope you will come back to play with us again!

Tropical Blonde worked through her aversion to green and found that she had a lot of different shades in her stash! I love the decision to weave the three green sari silks together that remind me of the grasses in the field waving in the wind.

Susie of Jewellery Junkie used the ABS Challenge to showcase her very first art bead made of silver clap. I love soft tones she used to make her bead the star. Well done!

For my own inspiration, I am in love with the little houses in the background of the painting. I call this bracelet "Finding My Home" as I was on a quest to find any little house bead in my collection! I also made a necklace using a Mary Harding toggle. Come on over and check it out!

*Update*


Sorry I missed these blog posts!

Cilla of Tell Your Girlfriends just started her new blog out. It is a pretty place where she shares her beautiful jewelry including the two pieces that she entered this month. One is very pastel and the other is more earthy yet both bracelets perfectly embody the color palette for the challenge.
Maryanne Melo of MiddleEarths shares that she never really appreciated black and white in jewelry and struggled to find a balance to add them to her bracelet. Filled with soft flowing fiber and deep bewitching greens, this bracelet is so beautiful! So glad that you shared it with us.

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

And I know that you can't wait to know who won all the beady goodness from the Beads 2011 Celebration post. We had a record number of comments - 481- and I did indeed read them all. More than once! We are completely humbled by the outpouring of love from all of you, our circle of Art Bead Scene friends that continues to grow (1989 at last count!). I plan to write a post that will recap some of our favorite comments soon.


Without further ado... the random winner of the entire kit and kaboodle of beads and components from the featured Beads 2011 issue is........................................................................................................

Carol!

Carol's winning entry was that she posted on Facebook. Thank you for sharing the love. 

And coincidentally, Carol's birthday is today, May 31st, so this is one heck of a grand birthday present. Congratulations and Happiest of Birthdays, Carol! (Cue the confetti and fireworks!) Are you inviting us all over for cupcakes? ;-)


Please email me at enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com to make arrangements for me to ship all this loot to you, before I get tempted to keep it all for myself! ;-)

We hope that this package bursting with art beadiness will inspire you to create beautiful things, and perhaps enter a few of the upcoming Art Bead Scene monthly challenges!

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com.

Designer of the Week

Each Monday the Art Bead Scene features the Designer of the Week. One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. This week's featured designer is Le Clair Rose Designs. Here is what ABS Editor, Tari Sasser had to say about the chosen design:

"The colors of the elements in the bracelet reflect those in the painting. I love the unique contrast of the beads and buttons. Eclectic and they work so well together."

Cache-Cache (Hide and Seek) by Berthe Merisot

Sundays with Cindy

Good morning! Pour another cup of coffee and join me in perusing what the bead bloggers have been up to.....

A Bead A Day
Featured Designer, Genea, creates some very happy beads and shares how she works them into gorgeous jewelry pieces!

About.com Jewelry Making
Find out how you can use your beading skills to help raise money for an Autism center.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene is having a giveaway. Come check it out!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
t's jewelry "Re Do" time and a giveway of the finished piece

Beading Arts
Cyndi has been featuring wonderful wire artists all this month...take a look at what these folks are doing!

Carmi's Art Life/World
An acorn is the inspiration for a new ting in epoxy clay.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
It's a Tangle Tutorial. Come make a pair of "Well-Loved" earrings!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Lumber everywhere! Melanie's wood-grain components are popping up in Beads 2011, on the Vintaj blog as the Art Bead Partner of the month, and at Art Bead Scene in a huge giveaway!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei's birthday brought big changes to her jewelry studio this week, come on over and watch her vlog.

Resin Crafts!
Resin + chocolate = great new bezels!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean had a wonderful time creating a necklace set using both Artbeads and Earthenwood Studio components together, as she a blogging and design partner for each! See what she designed ! You might think the end result is as as yummy as she does !!!

The Bead Dreamer
Stick beads, gemstones and wood earring findings inspire a necklace and matching earrings - both made using the same wood findings!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew hosts one of the biggest Thursday Giveaways EVER! You could win TWELVE coin pendants from his Shop!

Studio Saturday with Creative Impressions In Clay

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 weeks winner is Susan Z. Congratulations! You have won a set of beads from Jennifer Heynen of Jangles. 

Send Jennifer an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Tari Sasser at 

Creative Impressions In Clay.

Good Saturday Morning! Life is crazy as usual. A little crazier getting ready for a graduation party for my son in a week. Guess who's doing home repairs? OK, me. I haven't been doing much in the studio. Above is my backsplash on a budget. I'm not quite done, it has to be sealed and all the outlet covers need to be put back. 

I used 6"x6" squares of heavy scrapbook paper and Modge Podged them to the wall in a random pattern. It turned out pretty cool and I love it. Bright colors and fun patterns for my kitchen.

These are new designs I created in March for one of my favorite customers, Lucy at the The Cheshire Cat in Montpelier, Vermont. Yes, I love Lucy!
These were for her spring clothing line. Now I have the Birds and Bees and everything is Rosie.

The large rice beads above were originally shown in a Studio Saturday in October. I had a necklace planned for these beads but a different idea came about. The dotted beads were made with loops and attached to the striped bead for a great pattern contrast. A splash of color was added with the anodized aluminum rings. Voila an extra fun pair of dangle earrings.

My question today is:
What have you put on hold while you do something else? 
Or, what would you rather be doing?

Leave a comment answering the question and you could win the 2 Rose Buttons and Bird Button.

Feeling Sassy as usual!
Tari Sasser
Creative Impressions In Clay

Bead Cruise 2012

Registration for Bead Cruise 2012 opens on Monday!

Join us March 3rd as we set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for 8 nights of beads, friends and fun! We'll sail on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas to Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; San Juan, Puerto Rico and the private beaches of Labadee.  Visit the Bead Cruise website for complete details.

Instructors include Tracy Stanley, Kerry Bogert, Beverly Herman, Jill Wiseman and Heather Powers. Our classes include metalwork, wire-wrapping, beadwork, beadmaking, and even photography!

All the fun of a luxury cruise combined with a great bead retreat. The registration fee covers classes, workshops, open beading sessions, a cocktail party, gift bags, door prizes, a bead bazaar and more.

Space is very limited for our 2012 sailing - don't miss the boat!

As a special treat, I'm offering our Bead Cruise Program as a free ebook.  You can view it here.  It includes 7 free projects and bead resources. 

I do have a small request - if you like the ebook please blog, twitter or facebook about the Bead Cruise!

Memory Wire Cuff Bracelets - Free Project

Want a fast, easy, affordable and completely trendy item for your summer shows?  Pull out that spool of memory wire that you have stashed away in your supplies and create some fun memory wire bracelets.  Here is an updated version of one of the simplest designs you can whip up. 

What you'll need:
Memory Wire - 3-5 loops depending on how big you want the cuff
Seed Beads - I used 4x2mm peanut seed beads and 11/0 copper seed beads
Decorative headpin - Humblebeads
Pewter charm - Green Girl Studios
3 7.5mm copper jump rings

Tools:
Round and chain nose pliers,  heavy duty wire cutters or memory wire cutters and a Spin-N-Bead bead spinner.

Directions:

1. Form a loop on one end of the memory wire. Use the chain nose pliers to press the end of the loop, so that it is completely flush - you don't want your charms falling off!

2. Add the seed beads to the bead spinner and position the end of the wire to catch the beads as they spin around. (Watch the video below and use the end of the memory wire instead of the needle.)  You should be able to bead the bracelet within a few minutes.

3. Add on your charms to the end of the wires with the jump rings or by opening and closing the loop.  For the headpin, I created a wrapped loop and kept wrapping the extra wire to create that entwined texture. 

4. Add the 3 peanut beads to a jump ring and attach to the loop.  Repeat.

Peanut seed beads can be found at WhimBeads.com, FusionBeads.com or BelloModo.com.

A design alternative using a tiny nest charm, Vintaj brass bird and 3 amazonite rondelles.

Word of caution: Don't use your good flush cutters to cut memory wire - memory wire is harder than normal wire and will destroy them.  Use an old pair of heavy duty hardware wire cutters or pick up a memory wire cutters.

What the heck is a bead spinner?  This is!  Watch the video below to see how it works.  If you hated working with seed beads before because stringing them is so time consuming - well you are just going to love me for sharing this handy little tool.  It took just a few minutes to whip up the bracelets using the Spin-n-Bead from Beadalon.  You can find them at craft stores or online bead shops.

Cuff Bracelets

Cuff bracelets will be everywhere this summer.  Give them the art bead treatment to turn them from a trend into a treasure. 

Try a curved connector beads by Captured Moments. 

Or look for beads with two holes like this fun set by Gaea. 

Chinook Jewelry has a collection of beautiful curved ceramic connectors in her Architectural Collection. 

More Skye Jewels offers vintage images on wood, Marie will drill them any way you'd like.  You could do two holes or create a double strand beaded cuff with 4 holes on this component.

Let the clasp become the focal by using a cuff style toggle like these ones by Higher Chakra.

Or look for resin and metal pendants with 4 holes like this one by Gardanne Beads.

Lorelei Eurto curved a copper and resin pendant into a cuff focal bead for her bracelet. 

Jean A. Wells combines a ceramic connector with leather and large chunky ceramic beads.

Staci Louise has layered a ceramic pendant on top of a leather cuff.  I love how the wire mimics the line work of the the quilting.

I created a bracelet using one of my 3-hole spacer beads with 3 Vintaj bangles to create a cuff. 

I could also see a cuff made from memory wire that wraps around the wrist several times with metal seed beads and an art bead charm at the end of the loops.

Kick off summer and whip up a cuff bracelet design of your own using beads from your favorite artists.

If I'd Only Known -- Some Tips for New Beaders

I've mentioned in the past that I got into the jewelry design business completely and totally by accident.  I didn’t take a class, just jumped in with both feet and started messing around and figuring things out for myself.

Almost immediately, my hobby turned into a business.  Looking back, there are so many things I wish I’d known:

1)  Beads will take over your life.

Do not fight this.  So from the start, get a huge storage system in place.  It will be full sooner than you know.  The quicker you allocate studio space (even if it's a corner in your basement!), the quicker you’ll be able to find things when you need them — and you'll know what you have so you don’t keep buying the same supply over and over again!

2)  Take some classes early on.

I don’t know how long it was before I learned how to make a perfect wrapped loop, but at first, I had no idea how.  And it showed.

I now allow myself to make all sorts of mistakes while I'm learning a technique....

...but when it comes to selling something, I'm very, very particular about how something is constructed.

3)  Explore different mediums.

Right now, I’m a stringing/wire work jewelry designer.  I know traditional metalsmithing and lampwork bead making, but I’ve gotten so involved with keeping inventory up for the shows I do that I don’t have much time to look into other things, or hone new skills.  If I’d started exploring new mediums sooner, who knows what I’d be making now … altered art?  Woven wire?  PMC?.  It also would have helped me figure out what direction I wanted to go with my jewelry — what did I want my primary market to be?  I didn’t allow myself enough experimentation time before starting to sell.

4)  If you’re going to sell your work, use the best beads you can afford.

I should have been pickier when I first started selling my work.  I cringe now at what I was using.  This doesn’t mean you have to start with AAA London Blue Topaz, but if you’re going to be serious about selling, be serious about your beads.  There are LOTS of wonderful art beads out there that will run circles around the run-of-the-mill beads you'll see in craft stores.


Suburban Girl Beads

 5)  Get a handle on your pricing structure right away.


I quickly learned that my retail prices weren’t going to support a wholesale business.  I also learned that because I started with such cheap beads, it was a little difficult for my customers to get used to prices once I discovered beauties like handmade glass.  (Another good reason to make sure you’re happy with your style before you start selling it!)  Do some research by hitting the craft shows -- what is the price range that seems to be selling?  Additionally, try to decide right away if you’re going after the wholesale or retail market.  Each one has its own peculiarities, and it’s often a good idea to choose one or the other.

I feel pretty lucky that seven years later, things have turned out as well as they have.  But it sure would have made a difference if I knew then what I know now.

What are some things YOU wish you'd known then?

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.    She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party. 

Designer of The Week- Malin de Koning

Each Monday the Art Bead Scene features the Designer of the Week. One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. This week's featured designer is his is what ABS Editor, Jennifer Heynen had to say about Malin de Koning's bracelet:


Hide and Seek is the name of this months painting as well as Malin's bracelet for the monthly challenge. The soft woven leather in the bracelet is a unique way of connecting the donuts. The softness of the painting comes through in the softness of the bracelet.

You can read Malin's post about the bracelet here on her blog.

Sundays with Cindy

Hello Readers! This is getting to be a habit - I'm off early working this morning so please hand me the travel mug of coffee before you start reading on what the bead bloggers have been up to this week....

A Bead A Day
It's Bead Mix week on A Bead A Day! Do you have a favorite bead mix you'd like to share? Stop on over!

About.com Jewelry Making
It's hot, and it's here - summer time! Enjoy our summer with these jewelry making and other crafting ideas.

Art Bead Scene
Copper is the new silver! Here are some copper-y ideas for you!

Beading Arts
And yet another chance to win a fabulous bead package giveaway!

Beads & Books
If you're in a creative rut, you might want to read what Michelle learned from interviewing bead artist Betsy Youngquist.

Carmi's Art Life/World
Carmi tests a package of Shrinky Dink for ink jet printers in order to make a new bracelet.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Bright Colors are everywhere - here's a rewind on how to put some color into your designs!

Resin Crafts!
Carmi creates a ring combining Envirotex Lite resin and resin clay!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean received the most wonderful email from Pasty Evins! You must read it --it will make you, as an artist, think!

The Bead Dreamer
Charlene shares a bracelet made with moon beads, owl charms and thoughts on how we are more alike than different

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew dishes on his secret ingredients for making affordable, but beautiful silver coin pendants!

Studio Saturday with Jennifer 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. Congratulations Alice, you won an Ally bead from Cindy.
Hi everyone! Spring is my busiest time of the year....let me show you a little of what I have been working on since my last Studio Saturday post.

A project for Quilts and More magazine.

Made some more drop pairs for these earrings.

Built a bench.

Worked on re-arranging the store.

I've been making lots of beads like these for Bead and Button.

I just got back from Quilt Market.

It's been a wild and super month. I am looking forward to Bead and Button in a few weeks. I always love to reconnect with all of my bead friends. I wish it was more than once a year. I am having a great time working on some new kits and beads for the show. Will you be there?

That happens to be my question for the week. Leave me a comment letting me know if you plan to be at the show. One person who comments will be randomly chosen to win a set of Jangles Beads. If you will be at Bead and Button this year, please stop by booth 1103 and say hi.

Happy Saturday!

Getting Noticed - How to Connect with Blog Editors

As the editor of the Art Bead Scene, I'm often queried by jewelry designers and beadmakers asking various ways to be featured here. I thought I'd share some tips today on how to become part of a online community, connect with blog editors, and maybe even end up featured on your favorite blog.

(Pendant above by designer Rose Noble, featuring a fox from Humblebeads.)

(Typewriter pendant from Kylie Parry)

Before you sit down to type up that email to the editor of a blog, ask yourself this important question:

What is the main focus of this blog and what type of artists do they regularly feature?

Here on the Art Bead Scene we feature handmade beads by artists and jewelry that is created using art beads.  We also highlight unique findings, tools, business tips for those who sell jewelry and other news that relates to jewelry designers - like books, contests, events, etc.

So for example, someone who makes bridal jewelry with pearls and crystals wouldn't be featured here, unless they were making bridal jewelry with handcrafted artisan beads.  Then we'd be talking.

If you are searching for blogs to feature your handmade jewelry, look through older posts on the blog to see if you are a good fit for their audience. 

Here is a great article on introducing yourself to blog editors from Modish.  It's a must read!

(Spoken Words necklace by Judith B Designs.)

Now, there are ways to increase you chances of getting featured on a popular blog and one of them is to participate regularly in the discussions that are happening on the blog.  Yes, I'm talking about leaving comments - that's how we discover our readers and potential designers to feature.  Say hello and connect with the writers and other readers here on the blog.  Commenting - it's more important than you think!

Another way to increase your chances of being featured on your favorite blog - take amazing photos of your work.  If you sell online do whatever it takes to learn how to use your camera to take the best possible photos of your work.  It should be your number one priority when running an online business. There is no shortage of advice on this topic.  Check out all these helpful photography hints on Etsy.

The Art Bead Scene offers a few other ways for you to connect with us and our readers.  First we have our monthly challenge and love seeing what jewelry designers and beadmakers create from the inspiration pieces.  I'll share a secret - if you submit your challenge piece within the first week, your chances of being picked as a featured designer greatly increase!  And if you do join in the monthly challenge be sure to blog about it so we can feature you on the blog tour at the end of the month.

Also take advantage of Bead Table Wednesday - we share what's on our bead table each week.  Leave comments on the photos and blogs shared and you'll make all sorts of new friends!

Please don't email a blog editor and ask to be included in the links on their blog roll.  Those links are purely editorial and the editor's favorite picks.  It's a blogging faux pas to ask. 

(Birds on a Wire Pendant by Kylie Parry)

Submissions to the Art Bead Scene:

I'm always on the look out for a great guest post.  If you feel you have a topic you'd like to write about, email me and share your idea.  It could be a project featuring art beads, a lesson you've learned from your jewelry business, a tip you have to share, etc. 

I don't feature beadmaking tutorials here on the ABS.  While we adore art bead makers, our blog is written for jewelry designers who love to use art beads.

When you email me, be sure to include your website and blog link.  If you don't hear back from me, feel free to email again in a week to follow up.  I'm a busy gal and sometimes my to-do list is screaming at me while my emails pile up.  But please understand I may have to politely decline a submission.  It's not you, it may just not be a good fit for the blog. 

And don't spam me, don't email me just because you want to sell something.  Have a good story for me, share something amazing about your work or what inspires you.  I don't like spam any more than you do!  I like making connections and meeting interesting, creative people. 

(Baby Hedgies from Humblebeads.)

I'm often asked how I pick the beadmakers for the themes and treasuries that are posted here on the ABS. 

I'm more likely to pick a beadmaker I know and have shopped with.  This is where the editorial part comes in, I feature work here that I love. 

I'm also more likely to pick a beadmaker on Etsy.  It's easier to search for specific themes and I know the chances of finding some 'wow' factor images are pretty high.  That said, if I know what I'm looking for and know that a bead artist only sells from a website I will go check them out on their site. 

For beadmakers, I started an Art Bead Scene Parade Flickr group - this is a great place to share your beads. I do take notice! Add your art bead photos to the group, I want to see them.  I can't know every bead everyone makes, so posting things in this group would help us both!

If you have followed all this advice and you still haven't seen your work here on the ABS, don't despair - keep connecting with us and sharing your amazing work.  Your turn will come!

Thank you for visiting us everyday, leaving your wonderful comments and inspiring us with your creations.

Trendy Bead: Druzy Pendants

Artisan Handcrafted KEY in ... cathydailey $6.00	Butterscotch Chalcedony Druz... loveofjewelry $37.99	Zoa Arts Artisan Handcrafted... cathydailey $20.00	Pink Druzy Quartz Drops FULL... loveofjewelry $34.99
Seafoam Aqua Blue Chalcedony... loveofjewelry $23.99	Ammonite Fossil Shell Rounds... DreamSome $10.00	Sparkling Teal Blue Druzy Qu... loveofjewelry $32.99	White Solar Quartz Stalactit... loveofjewelry $37.99
Full 7 Inches - AAA Green Dr... bismillahgems $25.00	Bronze Shell Charm No.1 THEAjewellery $3.00	11-90 Polished Agate Geode ... beadplace $4.99	saskia owl sterling silver c... Hint $39.00
Druzy Lace Agate Quartz geod... KanduBeads $17.00	Tiny Nest Pendant from Green... dreamgirlbeads $4.00	White Druzy Quartz Oval Drop... loveofjewelry $34.99	Druzy Agate Quartz Geode Par... KanduBeads $33.85

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio

.

Combine the fun summer trend of large agate or druzy pendants with your favorite art bead charms!

If you had put me in a room of stone pendants, I would have passed over druzy and agate geodes without a second glance.  But after discovering what designers are doing with them, I've started seeing them in a different light.  They are fun and funky and when paired with other artistic and earthy elements I'm finding them quite attractive.

Cluster them together as drops on a large link or layer a charm on top of a flat pendant with a jump ring.  Below are some examples from other designers, use them as jumping point for your own interpretation of this trend.

Do you look at catalogs, runaway reviews or fashion magazines for inspiration for your jewelry designs?  I don't usually, but when I do they spark some new ideas.  The trick is discovering how to process a trend into something that is personally meaningful to you and fits in with your style.

 1. Urban Outfitters 2. Studio Seventy Five 

3. Urban Outfitters 4. Nordstrom