August Monthly Blog Tour

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
~Mark Twain 

Our challenge painting this month by Winslow Homer gave us much to explore, dream and discover. The sailing motif is evident as is the fresh hues of a hot summer day at the beach. The entries this month were so powerful in their imagery and color palette. Thank you again for taking up the challenge! You inspire us more than you know!

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An abstract representation of both the sea and the sky is what the Creative Atelier (above) was after with this handmade focal on her bracelet honoring the easy breezy feel of being at the seashore.

Emma from A Polymer Penchant shares with us the story behind making her abstract polymer clay beads inspired by seeing this painting from a birds' eye view. I am fascinated with learning how our participants interpret the challenge artwork and this is just a brilliant vision put into action! 

Taking her inspiration from the deep browns and abundant blues in the challenge painting, Miss Terri of Terri's Blooming Ideas gives us an end of summer color palette that will be worn well into fall. I love the way the chocolate brown and the light blue work so well together in this classic color combination with a fresh twist.

Kim Idalski of Kimi's Jewelry and Gifts takes us on a journey through her inspiration and melds that with a recent trip to the water. She could just close her eyes and recall the feeling of the waves, the blue of the sky, the smell of the fresh air. Her polymer clay pendant evokes the spirit of this painting so very well.  

Miss Monique of A Half Baked Notion really played off the sailboat inspiration. I am constantly amazed at what you can do with polymer clay. Her Catch of the Day bracelet features the rope like the rigging, a hand made button that looks just like the ship's wheel and the focal is a beautiful faux sea glass effect. But those little fishies are what I love the most! So clever and her project doesn't use anything metal in it!

I love that there are so many different directions that a painting can take us in. Miss Lynne of Island Girls Insights has actually been to Key West and chose to use their lighthouse as her focal. She created a clever lighthouse that she enameled and made the entire necklace by hand. Check it out!

You can feel the wind in my sails with this beautiful necklace from Kirsi in Finland (above). I swear I can almost hear the waves crashing! And Kirsi gave us three different looks for the challenge this month. She was inspired!

Our friend Ine of Jewels by Ine from Belgium gives us a playful look at the seashore with her bright and pretty bracelet. It makes me think of beach balls and sand castles and setting sail on a small sailboat for distant shore. Fun and flirty and fresh!

Cece Cormier of the Beading Yogini captured the stormy seas with her beautiful bangle. The soft fiber around the hard wire and the little pop of red make this something special.

Pam from Klassy Joolz (above) gives us two entries this month, both with resin pieces with which she is experimenting. They both have a nautical flair, one more elegant and one more simple. I like them both and I encourage you to keep exploring the possibilities with this medium!

I love the earrings and necklace that Janet Bocciardi of Honey from the Bee created. The lampwork is the perfect color of a stormy sea, the blue silk and bubbles of blue like the ocean waves, the pops of red balance all the blue out and the gorgeous vintage carved shell medallions are perfect with the white silk for the sails. Beautiful!

Key West is a favorite place for Miss Mary Ellen of Bee Tree by m.e. I can just hear the waves crashing and feel the sand squish between my toes with her pretty necklace. I loved reading about her first hand knowledge of coral from her time spend scuba diving. This will be the perfect thing to wear in winter when you need that little reminder that summer will indeed come again!

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Thank you for joining us on our journey of inspiration this month. 

Go out and enjoy the last of the summer days!

Check back next week to find out what challenge we have selected for September. It is a good one!

 

August Sponsors

Before the end of the month I wanted to give a shout out to our two awesome sponsors, Barbara Lewis and Gaea.  Pictured above is my bracelet inspired by a project in Barb's book, Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry.  It's a great resource if you are thinking about dabbling in enamel.  And even if playing with fire is a remote dream the book is filled with great jewelry design ideas and enamel art beads are plentiful on Etsy and other shops online.  It's a must have for your jewelry design library.

Check out Barb's website for enameling supplies and to order her book.

P.S. I did fix that jump ring after seeing that photo!  Yikes!!!

Next up is fellow Art Bead Scene contributor Gaea.  I love her whimsical and rustic ceramic beads.  Gaea's soft and earthy color palette makes me want to take a bite out of her beads! 

Today I happen to know she is updating her Etsy shop with new beads, so be sure to stop by throughout the day to see if you can grab one of her sets.  Good luck, she is in high demand! 

Gaea has an extensive line of beads in her collection that are made to order, there is wait time for her production schedule but it's so worth it.  Gaea's Website.

And if you are completely impatient and want Gaea's beads now, you can check out what inventory Lima Beads has in stock.  Like this little cutie below.

Learning Something New

Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will. 
~Vernon Howard

I am lucky that I only live about 3 hours away from the Bead & Button show with the over 600 classes offered there. I go to shop, of course, but learning something new is always more fun to me. I actually set aside a sizable budget to take classes, and it would be my goal to jet off to art retreats I have never done online classes, and I am sure that they are great, but I know that I learn best hands on. Being able to meet a teacher or author that I admire and spend concentrated time with them soaking up all that they can give is a magical experience. 

Since I first started taking classes in 2007, I have realized that they have all been about metal in some fashion. Oddly enough, I rarely make my own metal bits but I keep being pulled to these instructors and techniques. Maybe it is because I am so fascinated by the process, or perhaps it is with a hope that one of these days all the stars will align and I will be able to take all this knowledge that I have gleaned from these master teachers over the years and put them to use.

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Here is a list of some of my favorite teachers and their pivotal classes that I have taken and what I have learned:

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2007 - Kay Rashka - Jewelry Metals Fabrication: Start to Finish
This was my introduction to metals. I used a jewelers saw for the first time, a Flex Shaft and created a pair of earrings that I am still proud to wear. What was supposed to be a class of 12 ended up being just 2 so it was a marvelous way to spend the day pretty much one on one!

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2008 - Susan Lenart Kazmer - Exploration of Resins: An Emerging Voice in Metals
This was the first year that I went to Bead & Button. I knew how much time I could take and how much money I could spend. I decided that my time and money would be best used in a two-day intensive class. I had no idea who Susan was (!). In that class I met Carter Seibels Singh of Bead Trust and had the dumb luck to sit next to Jennifer Heynen of Jangles before I knew who she was, too! Susan is an incredible gift of a teacher, so enthusiastic and giving of her ideas. And this was right when her book came out and the ICE Resin was hitting the streets. I think we were one of the first classes to work with it. This opened up a whole new world of mixed media to me and I am still experimenting with the techniques I learned here.

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My first attempts at riveting and stamping

2009 - Tracy Stanley  - Riveting and metal work

Miss Tracy Stanley is a bundle of fun. She introduced me to riveting. On my first try I actually did it not only right, but surprisingly well. Unfortunately, I have never been able to reproduce that success with riveting since. I think that because I didn't struggle with it, so I never learned how to correct myself. We made these fun pendants with sawn frames, applied texture and used metal stamps for messages on the back panel. I have Tracy to thank for my addiction to metal letter stamp sets (I think I am up to 8 now!) and for introducing me to Fretz hammers which led to my purchase of a $70 raw silk texturing hammer that I have used less than a dozen times! But it is the best! Tracy has co-authored a new book with Janice Berkebile called Making Wire & Bead Jewelry. I simply must make this part of my library!

That year I also took classes with John Fetvedt in chain maille where I learned to make a Byzantine pattern and where I found my love of the love knot as a way to add a simple detail to most of my designs; Gina Crow introduced me to chemical etching where I found that although I loved the look of etched metal, I hated feeling like I had to wear a toxic suit to use it; and Maria Martinez who tried to share some secrets of PMC with me, where my project was the one that was the example of what not to do and where I learned that this was not the medium for me (and I sadly never completed my PMC ring project despite going back for another hour). This was also the year that I realized that taking a 3 hour class, like all three of these were, is not conducive to me learning anything. It has to be at least a full day, preferably more.

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E3 Etching with Sherri Haab

2010 - Sherri Haab - E3 Electro Etching & Faux Bone w/ PMC frames
Not one to give up easily, I jumped at the chance to take another etching class, this time using the E3 Etching system pioneered by the prolific author and artist Sherri Haab. I loved it! It may take a bit longer, but I love that it is not nearly as toxic as ferric chloride. The fact that I was able to sign up for two classes with Sherri on back to back days was awesome. The Faux Bone was an interesting substance but it was hard to get consistent results. I recall that my pendant was the only one in the class that seemed to turn out and again, I realized that PMC is not for me. But I did get to meet someone I admired in that class, Miss Molly Schaller who amazes me with her way with beads and has become a true friend.

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Pipe bezels in progress

2011 - Stephanie Lee - Homesteaders Metalsmithing, Found Object and Pipe Bezels - ArtBliss
I couldn't get into the class that I wanted at Bead & Button but I had already set aside a specific amount of money to take a class. Rather than settle for a class that I wasn't jazzed up about, I went looking elsewhere. I am so glad I did! For about the same amount of money, I flew to DC and got to meet longtime online friends like Cindy Wimmer and Jeannette Blix Ryan and Lori Anderson all while taking a full weekend of classes with Stephanie Lee of Semiprecious Salvage fame. I loved it! Not only was it the first time I actually traveled anyplace by myself, but I learned to love the flame and how cool it is to create using items that are readily available at the hardware store. 

My bezel shrines and wonky links!

We made bezel shrines and free form chain links as well as cool pipe bezels. My local Frank's Hardware saw a boom in sales after that class as I stocked up on all the things you would need to solder and hammer and otherwise transform metal. And I have heard that Stephanie's online classes are just as engaging as her live ones, something to think about when I need a class fix in the future.

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Me with Barabara Lewis and her husband Jim

 2012 - Barbara Lewis - Painting with Fire enameling

This year I traveled down early to the Bead & Button just to take a full day class with Barbara Lewis learning the Painting With Fire method of enamel. I was on Barbara's book tour last fall, and I bought the kit, but truthfully haven't taken it out of the box! I know! What a shame! I found out that I was surprisingly good at this and it was a lot of fun. It was easy to do, but I am so glad I had some other experiences with flame before this, because this was a BIG flame! Barbara and her husband were so accommodating and kind, so giving with their knowledge and very supportive. 

A sampling of some of my best enamel beads

My only sadness is that I don't have the proper studio set up to continue to enamel in this way unless I want to take over the garage. But I will find a way to make more of these beads, especially since I own all the supplies and almost all the colors!

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2012 - Richard Salley - Alchemy & Relics  
I have always wanted to meet Richard Salley. I recall reading an article about him in Belle Armoire Jewelry that fascinated me. His rustic style and his love of found objects had me hooked. I couldn't get into his B&B class in 2011, nor in 2012, so when I saw that he would be at the Valley Ridge Art Studio in southern Wisconsin, I knew that I couldn't pass that up. I think I may have been the first to sign up! I had always wanted to go to Valley Ridge. 

The view from the Valley Ridge Art Studio

It is a quaint little converted farm in a rolling hillside populated by more cows than people. Katherine Engen the owner told me that this year would be the last season she will have it open. That made my trip bittersweet. Because I finally felt like I found my place and would love to return for more creative fun.

Richard Salley is one of the warmest and wittiest and wisest instructors I have experienced yet!

Richard was absolutely one of the best teachers I have had the pleasure to learn from. He was warm, wise, witty. He treated us all as if we were old friends. All my experiences up to now really prepared me well for this. 

One of my completed necklaces - silver riveted to copper, bezel set garnet cab

We etched copper using a method that might turn me back on to ferric chloride, we created stamps from those etchings, then using torches we flooded metal with silver bearing solder (something that he and I both learned from Stephanie Lee) and made really cool relics. I also learned to set a small stone in a bezel cup and practiced my riveting. This is something that I am making space in my studio to practice. 

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While most of these classes have been right in my own state, I have traveled a fair distance by car and plane to get to the places where I want to learn. And I realize that I would be willing to fly almost anywhere to take a class. It is that important to me to keep on learning. All of these classes are leading me someplace with metal and wire and etching and enameling and patinas. Someplace special I would very much like to explore and someplace that I would very much like my art to live in. I am on the hunt for new classes that will keep me moving forward in this journey and allow me to bring the jigsaw puzzle of my past experiences together into one fully focused picture. 

I think the picture is starting to take shape for me.

What classes do you dream of taking? Which instructors would you love to learn from? How far would you be willing to travel to take those classes?

 
 

Featured Designer of the Week

Each week the Art Bead Scene features a Designer of the Week. 

One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

This week's featured designer is Jewels By Ine.
Here is what ABS editor Erin Siegel had to say about her design:

"This is the perfect bracelet to wear on a sea-faring adventure! I adore the colors and the elements are thoughtfully chosen to convey the nautical feeling. Love it!"

Please visit Ine's jewelry blog where you can read her own thoughts about her bracelet.

Show Me Sunday

 

 Look at the fun handcrafted green colored components that we have to show you this week!

 

 Floral Brooch Pendant Combo by Kimi's Jewelry from the Heart

Lampwork Glass Pod Set by SoulSilver

Enamel Copper Beads by edenartglass

Embroidered Fiber Beads by NellsEmbroidery

 

Thank you to the commenters who left links so we could find these treasures to show off!

 

Show Me Bead School!

 

For September, to celebrate the start of back-to-school, we are looking for classes, tutorials, and workshops that focus on bringing your art beads and beading to a new level of art. Post your links in the comments here and I will select some of your ideas you leave on this post to highlight in another Show Me Sunday post.

Here is what some of our beady friends have to show off this week:

A Bead A Day
Lisa's love of childhood sitcoms is coming through again with a Brady Bunch reference. Take a peek at the beads that caused a Sunshine Day moment!

 

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy takes a look at a new book about making rustic-style jewelry

 

Art Bead Scene
A guest blogger post by artist Kaushambi Shah shows the innovative ways she displayed her art history inspired jewelry in a large office space  

 

Beading Arts
Cyndi has reviews of the best books out there on working with metal clay. 

 

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shares some rusty inspiration from her recent vacation 

 

Resin Crafts!
Recycled resin! Carmi gets loads of suggestions about how to redo a resin bracelet into a necklace! 

 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Nothing is more delicious than a THIRD helping of bead soup, when it is cooked to perfection by Lori Anderson as Hostess, and her fellow participants in the 3rd Reveal of Bead Soup Blog Party 6! Check out the sumptuous delights! WOW! 

 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want to win a prize? All you have to do is help spread the word about the Weekend Intensive with Gail Crosman Moore! You'll be entered to win some fabulous goodies!   

 

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

Studio Saturday with Erin Siegel

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 Erin S.! Congratulations! You have won a Time Flies Pendant from Gaea! Send Gaea an email with your address and she will get your prize out to you soon!

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This week we visit the studio of

Erin Siegel of Erin Siegel Jewelry

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 My Bead Fest 2012 Instructor Badge

 I had the pleasure of attending the Bead Fest Summer show in Philadelphia last weekend. It's a great bead show. I went last year but, this year, I didn't just attend the show, I taught at it! Yep, I've had my first experience teaching at a national bead show. This was a personal goal of mine and a major milestone for me. I enjoy teaching very much. I've taught lots of classes at local bead shops, but this is on a whole different level. It sure was a wonderful feeling to hang that official badge around my neck! I felt so professional. It was a privilege and a feeling I'll never forget, but I'll be the first to admit that badge sure does come with a whole lot of hard work and dedication. The amount of planning, prepping and preparing to teach a class at this show was like nothing I've ever experienced before. It's a joyous kind of work that I love doing, but boy oh boy, you sure do need to be prepared, love what you do, love to teach, and be on top of your game to pull this off successfully. I have a lot of respect for all those instructors out there. I know first hand that they must absolutely love every ounce of what they create and love to teach it! I think this must be true because it is true for me. 

 Bohemian Knotted Earrings

I taught my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop. I adore these earrings. I love to make them, I love to wear them, I love all the materials I use in them and I love the simple knotting techniques used to create them. They are very "me" and I love everything about them. I figure if I love my earrings that much, then maybe someone else might like them, too. Well, I think I was right about that because six very nice ladies signed up for my workshop to learn how to make them! I was thrilled.

 Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit 

featuring artisan metal components by Miss Fickle Media.

I was well prepared for class. Each student received a Bohemian Knotted Earrings Kit. The kits include all the materials to make each of the 3 styles of earrings in the workshop. "Sun Earrings", " Fringe Earrings" and "Chandelier Earrings". The kits contain Irish waxed linen cord, colorful gemstone rounds and artisan metal links and ear wires handmade by Shannon LeVart of Miss Fickle Media. I commissioned Shannon early in the year to make these components for me. Her handmade metalwork makes all the difference in the finished pieces.

 Cover page of my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial

Each student also received a spiral-bound, hand-out that included materials lists, clear instructions,  step-by-step photos and a resources list . For me, a thorough hand-out is a vital part of teaching a successful class. It really helps the class to run smoothly and each student can follow along easily even if everyone is working at a different pace. I received lots of positive feedback from students about how much they loved and appreciated the hand-out booklet. My first experience teaching at a national bead show was a good one and well worth all the effort I put into it. Each student enjoyed the class immensely and that is the most important thing to me. In fact, I even received some really awesome complements at the end of class from seasoned workshop attendees!

I know not everyone can get the opportunity to attend a show, let alone take a class or workshop. There are a multitude of reasons that might be the case for many people. So, I've decided to turn my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop into a downloadable PDF TUTORIAL! I've heard from quite a few that expressed interest in my class, but could not travel to attend it in person.  I'm so very excited to offer my workshop in this way. Now, you can purchase my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial along with my Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit in my Etsy shop. I hope many more will enjoy making these earring designs as much as I do.They are so much fun to make!

Now for my questions for you this week:

Do you take any beading/jewelry-making classes at shows or local bead shops?

Have you taken any online classes or workshops? or downloaded any tutorials or patterns online?

Leave a comment answering any of these questions and you will be entered for a chance to win a digital copy of my 20-page, full-color photo, Bohemian Knotted Earrings TUTORIAL. The PDF file will be sent to the winner via email once I receive the winner's email address.

Thanks for joining me today and happy creating!

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry.

Felt Inspiration

Maybe it's the chilly Michigan nights or a longing to pull out my scarf collection with September anxiously waving hello - I am finding myself transfixed by the possibilities of felt.  Check out these inspirational creations!

Sculptural

Felting is the process of taking wool roving, hot water, soap and friction to interlock the wool fibers into a a solid shape.  I love the look of this technique transforming wool fluff into flowers.  The same technique can be used to create ropes and vines.

1. DanFe  2. FeltFatal  3. FeltedArtToWear

Minimal

I also like the minimalistic and modern approach these three artists used, letting the felt speak for itself.  Used as beads or combined into traditional metalwork, felt offers an interesting texture and adds a warmth to these designs.

1. FeltFieltroFilc  2. JemMetals 3.  FeltZone

Embroidered

Transform sheets of felt or beads into mini-canvases with embroidered elements. If you are using felted sheets in jewelry design looks for 100% wool, this isn't the acrylic felt sheets found in elementary schools.  You can buy sheets of felt or you can felt 100% wool sweaters by throwing them in your washing machine with hot, soapy water.  It really works - give it a try!  You can them cut the sweaters up into usable pieces.

1. LoveMaude  2. Grrrauf  3. LoftFullOfGoodies

Mixed with Beads

This is my favorite way to use felt - mixed with beads!  You can use a felt element as a focal bead, mix felt in for texture with metalwork or use felt beads to add a bit of whimsy to your beaded designs.  1mm - 2mm beads are great for jewelry.  Most wool beads don't have holes, use a large needle to poke a hole in the center of the bead.

1. LakeShoreCreations4U  2. BricolageStudios  3. JeanaWells

Supplies
1. Check out Ornamentea for wool beads and roving.
2. I'm loving the look of FiberWire from Starry Road Studio.
3. And while I'm not sure if they are wool or felt, I love the look of the textured beads from FiberBeads.

The jewelry shown is for inspiration only, please respect the copyrights of the artists.

Art Bead Swap at Bead Fest Summer

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to return to the Bead Fest Summer show in Philadelphia, PA. It's a great bead show and one of the best in the country. My friend, Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio held her annual Art Bead Swap event at the show. A group of us jewelry designers and bead artists got together Saturday afternoon to exchange packages. Before the swap, Diana paired us up. Here I am with my swap partner, Linda Hanes of Crafty Gal Designs:

 Linda gathered together a nice collection of treasures for me. I was pretty thrilled because many of these artists were new to me, along with a few old favorites as well! Linda dabbles in mixed media jewelry, so she even created a collage tile pendant necklace for me. It's so sweet! Here's my stash from Linda:

Cream-colored lampwork rondelles from Susan Sheehan, small brown lampwork rondelles from HMB Studios, glass work pendant from Tari Zarka of Aspiring Artists of the Earth, ceramic washer beads from Elaine Ray, handmade mixed-media pendant necklace by Linda Hanes and a ceramic rose pendant from our host, Diana of Suburban Girl Studio.

And speaking of our fearless leader, here she is! After we swapped, we threw our names in a bag and Diana drew them for some door prizes. Well...actually, my mother-in-law, Nancy Siegel drew the names, but Diana looked cute holding the bag! :)

I won this gorgeous copper clay, paisley-patterned pendant from Kristi Bowman. I was super excited to win one of her pieces! I'm a huge fan of Kristi's work. Copper is one of my favorite metals and I love the shape and pattern of this pendant as well. Staci Louise Smith was present for the swap. It was nice to see her again. She gifted all the swap participants with one of her polymer clay pendants. I picked out this one. I adore the colors in it!

I have to thank Diana for putting together yet another event for us. She does a great job organizing this art bead swap each year. The best part about going to the show is getting together with beady friends and meeting even more beady friends! I met quite a few gals from the beading community that I've only been able to keep in touch with online. It's such a wonderful opportunity to get a chance to meet them all in person. Here's the gang that attended the swap this time around:

Photo credit: Amy Freeland

From left to right: Marsha Neal, Barbara Bechtel, Me, Kristen Stevens, Karen Totten, Melinda Orr, Vanessa Gilkes, Amy Freeland, Diana Ptaszynski, Lorelei Eurto, Linda Hanes, Sue Kennedy, Kathleen Klik, Staci Smith, and Sandi Volpe.

I'm looking forward to our next get together, Girls! If you'd like to join us or if you are interested in more information, contact Diana. See you next year!

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry. 

Guest Post: Art in the Office

Today's guest post comes from jewelry artist and Art Bead Scene reader Kaushambi Shah.  I thought our readers would enjoy how Kaushambi took the Art Bead Scene's inspiration and channeled it into an art exhibit at her workplace.

Art in The Office
10 July to 31 August, 2012
RTKL, Washington DC

Art in The Office is a monthly event in RTKL’s Washington DC office, where employee artists are encouraged to curate creative endeavors beyond the workplace.

Displayed in the chic entry lobby of our 60,000 SF Downtown DC office space, my exhibit kicked-off with an Artist Talk & Happy Hour.

Inspired by paintings of some of my favorite artists in my growing years, RTKL’s encouraging platform, and the Art Bead Scene community’s monthly challenges, I decided to extend my hobby of handcrafting jewelry towards 10 jewelry pieces themed around 10 paintings of different artists.

While taking cues from the painting style, historical context and color palette during the design process, I carefully chose beads of appropriate materials and textures to go with the overall theme. And amongst this material palette, many are “art beads”- beads handcrafted by other artists.
At all points in the design process, my primary aim was to capture the mood and spirit of the painting. And I used different techniques to enhance each design.
Three out of ten exhibits are hereby shared in more detail.

Click on the images below to read a sampling of Kaushambi's inspiration for each piece.

Artist Bio: Kaushambi Shah

While work largely involves large scale envisioning and designing as an Urban Designer, I enjoy conceptualizing and handcrafting small things at home.

Handcrafting jewelry has been a recent hobby­ - and bringing together different materials, textures and colors excites me most.

While most of my design themes revolve around things found and experienced in nature, I also like to draw inspiration from artists who find their muse in the natural world.

In this series, I have drawn inspiration from some of my favorite artists—Van Gogh, Monet, Gustav Klimt, Georgia O’Keeffe, and others.

For more information please contact the artist at  kaushambis@gmail.com. 

Art Bead Palette :: Divine Spark Designs

I'm not entirely ready to let go of bright, saturated, summer-y colors just yet, so I went out looking for some fun color inspiration for this month's Art Bead Palette. And friends, I found it in a gorgeous shop called Divine Spark Designs.

Jenny Friske-Baer, the lampwork glass artist behind Divine Spark Designs, loves of borosilicate and soda lime glass, and since I do, too, I couldn't resist sharing! Jenny's entire shop is full of glorious eye candy for the lampwork lover. Gorgeous, lush, swirling colors in every bead - these colors make me so happy. I'm loving it, how about you?

These photos are just a small fraction of what Jenny has. To see more, pop over to Divine Spark Designs.

Photo sources, from the top:

• Lampwork Focal Bead Olive Green
• Organic Lampwork Focal Bead Taupe
• Lampwork Bead Pair Caramel
• Lampwork Borosilicate Focal Bead
• Boro Lampwork Big Hole Bead with Flowers
• Lampwork Bead Focal Turquoise Blue

Featured Designer of the Week

 Each week the Art Bead Scene features a Designer of the Week. 

One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

This week's featured designer is APolymerPenchant.
Here is what ABS editor Gaea Cannaday had to say about her design:

"Emma Todd perfectly captured the nautical feel with her handmade beads! Her blog post showed her wearing the design in different ways which is really cool! I am ready for a boat outing"

Read more about the story behind this necklace in the designers words on her blog here