Saturday, September 8, 2012

Studio Saturday: Humblebeads


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.

From two weeks ago:  Ashleigh Becker won a digital copy of Erin Siegel's Bohemian Knotted Earrings tutorial.  Ashleigh email Erin and she'll send your prize right over to you!

Welcome this week to the Humblebeads' studio.  We have been busy gearing up for fall events like trunk shows, craft shows and my upcoming retreat.  The weather has cooled down perfectly over the last few days and I am energized by the change of the season.  I love fall.  Passionately.  If my soul could have one season, it would be autumn.

I think one of the reasons I loved Robin Hood stories growing up is because I would so love to live in the wilds of the woods, the trees for my roof tops and pine needles underfoot.  But I'm not really that wild, a little rustic cabin would do wonders.  Some place quite, tucked away and a little fire burning to keep the chill at bay.  A place where I could sit and watch as the colors of autumn filled the scene around me.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. 
- Albert Camus



I love the change in schedule, the routine of mid-America.  Farmer's markets and football games, back-to-school supplies and piles of leaves to jump in.  I love the sweaters and scarves that we don as nature adorns her trees with autumn hues.  I love the rush of possibilities and need to create as the holidays unfold during the season.  There is a rhythm and family traditions that come alive in fall that sit so well within my heart.

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.
- Emily Bronte


Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.
 - Stanley Horowitz

These beads look so much like my illustrations. I think this is where both words cross over, painting and beadmaking - taking those printmaking and watercolor skills to create tiny worlds in bead form.  The beads start out as sketches.  I carve them into molds and after the beads have been pressed and cooked, I handpaint each one.  I love this process and wish I had more time to paint larger works of art. For now, it all pours into the beads. 

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
- George Eliot

Visit my Etsy shop to view the new fall collection of Humblebeads.
 
So that is what I've been up to and where I am.  This week I'm giving away one of my Oak Leaf Pendants, the color will be a surprise as I have them in a rainbow of autumn shades.  For a chance to win, you'll have to work a tiny bit - leave me a link of a fall-inspired art bead that you are currently lusting after.

If you love fall, nature and jewelry - check out my Inspired by Nature Retreat happening in October. 

29 comments:

ShadetreeStudio said...

The black birds are pretty stinkin' cute.

Unknown said...

I think these lampwork beads are gorgeous! http://www.etsy.com/listing/82656866/lampwork-beads-spiced-coral-bbglassart?ref=sr_gallery_23&ga_search_query=fall+boro&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

Grace said...

All your Fall beads are so lovely, and Fall is my favorite season! I'm lusting after your new bird beads!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108928614/black-bird-pendant

Gale said...

Lovely beads, and I share your feelings about fall! Wish I could go on your fall retreat. An artist whose beads I'm lusting after in any season.... http://www.etsy.com/listing/103833838/mrumru-handmade-lampwork-beads-earring.

Jean said...

These beads remind me of swirling leaves, getting chillier, snugly scarfs, i can almost smell the bonfires, autumn's here

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93275983/lampwork-bead-set-marrakesh-red-glass

Thanks for the opportunity to search out such lovely beads

Justbeadie@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing you want a link other than your own beads? I LOVE the green and aubergine oak leaf pendant!
Here's another fall inspired bead:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97287664/motley.owlsimple.truths.pendant.made.to

Martha Patterson- lattelady63@yahoo.com

Maneki said...

Gorgeous beads! I'm of cause lusting for many of those. A few other autumn related art beads I want are (can't choose just one):

http://www.etsy.com/listing/106454896/meadhbh-dragon-guardian-lampwork-bead-by?ref=usr_faveitems

http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_151&products_id=3834

http://www.etsy.com/listing/104371026/handmade-copper-paisley-leaf-headpins-1

http://www.etsy.com/listing/106788739/copper-paisley-rings-1-pair

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92902100/2-metallic-gold-amber-handmade-lampwork

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81434575/fall-reflections-34-original-watercolor

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95930715/58-x-1-inch-rust-red-orange-with-brown

http://therabbitmuse.blogspot.se/2012/09/extra-shop-updapte-tomorrow-friday-7th.html

Not artbeads, but perhaps something to match them with http://www.etsy.com/shop/geographicformations/search?search_query=calantas&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search

mairedodd said...

so beautiful, heather - i, too, have an autumn spirit... the work is beautiful as always - and so heartfelt...
you used my favorite quotes! here's one more:
'autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.' - faith baldwin
with ever so much excitement i look forward to this change of season -

Beaditi said...

Heather, while AI LOVE your fall palette and designs....
beyond my budget this is what I am lusting after :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/108188477/raku-beads-harvest

moonlitfantaseas said...

I love the fall themed beads! it is also my favorite time of the year, I love all the brightly colored leaves the cooler crisper feel in the air!

apa essay format said...

The beads are very very beautiful in each and every aspect...I like the tree bead the most...awesome creativity is there in all the lovely beads...simply great!

Lynda said...

Great beads, Heather. Love all your nature designs. Here's a set that I'm currently eyeing:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108899761/fall-colors-ceramic-textured-disk-beads

Here's to a happy Fall for everyone.

AliMc said...

Ok, this is a full necklace, but I'm drooling over the leaf pendants. Electroplating is a technique on my wish list :). http://www.etsy.com/listing/101185081/real-sugar-maple-leaves-in-24kt-gold-and?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=copper+leaf+bead&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_ref=auto2&ga_search_type=all

lamplight crafts said...

Fall is my favorite time of the year! Here is a link to a lampwork bead I am currently lusting after: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GLASSACTCC-Skeardy-Kat-Halloween-Handmade-Pendant-Lampwork-Focal-Glass-Bead-SRA-/290771184871?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b3502ce7

Kimisjewelryandgifts said...

Hi there, I have been working on this months challenge and beads for my shop. I was asked for some pumpkin beads so they are all finished will be listing soon. I have been drooling over these glass beads. Halloween fall color theme. I would love to make a bracelet out of them for me :) http://www.etsy.com/listing/108578314/handmade-lampwork-glass-beads-set-donna Happy Creating everyone

Niky Sayers said...

One of my favorites has to be this one....
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107145063/autumn-garden-lampwork-glass-focal-32mm?ref=sr_gallery_38&ga_search_query=AUTUMN+BEAD+LAMPWORK&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_facet=suppliesAUTUMN+BEAD+LAMPWORK
I love the detail!

Linda Landig said...

I love the autumn color of these enameled flowers! http://www.etsy.com/listing/107453436/enamel-beads-enamel-components-suebeads?ref=tre-2720708443-3

Lois Moon said...

I have a crush on the Lavish Garden set of lampwork beads by Naos Glass. They remind me of the mums and other flowers in the fall garden.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75545782/naos-glass-lavish-garden-set-blue-red

Charlotte said...

This was HARD, because normally, I pick Humblebeads as my "favorite beads I'm lusting after!"

But I do love Tesori Trovati's Motley Owls: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97287664/motley-owl-simple-truths-pendant-made-to?ga_search_query=owl

Klassy Joolz said...

I like your beads the best...especially the purple leaved one!

But here is a pretty bead:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108051386/fall-ing-leaves-fairy-lady-face-pendant?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=Fall+handmade+beads&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=20&ga_search_type=all

Smiles, Pam
klassyjoolz@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm pretty much lusting after all of your beads. I just order two yesterday that I can't wait to get. :) I'm also lusting after this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/102804027/raku-maple-leaf-pendant.

KayzKreationz said...

I really love her owls:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97287664/motley-owl-simple-truths-pendant-made-to?ga_search_query=owl

and I love these
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61160228/handmade-lampwork-beads-set-of-12-donna

and these:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/108181746/autumns-allure-stoneware-bracelet

and these
http://www.etsy.com/listing/50095192/copper-branches-disk-beads

DespinaV said...

I would love this one right now!!
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/93745545

DESPINA
db_oro@yahoo.gr

Joanna-Gloria said...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79439666/handmade-lampwork-glass-beads-organic?ref=sr_gallery_43&ga_search_query=+bead+autumn&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GR&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=10&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fglass%2Fbeadbead+autumn
I love this happy, autumn-sunny set!!

Joanna-Gloria, yana_ven@yahoo.gr

Beth said...

I want EVERYTHING in your shop! So so so beautiful. Missy, you got some serious talent :)

Samsmama said...

thanks for the opportunity. here is something I really love:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107686119/rustic-circle-ripples-focal-bead

Manola Maria said...

My favorites right now are :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108994901/moogin-autumnal-shades-lampwork-bead-set?

Gorgeous, don't you think? And :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103633845/tree-of-life-pendant-1x3-new-custom

Nostalgic...

Catherine Sorensen said...

Mmmm....decisions, decisions!
What to do!
I mean other than popping off to peek at all your new fall designs of course!

This sunflower pendant(link below) is nice & reminds me of our very tall sunflower that fell over while I was in Colorado...oh well, the flowers still look nice even if they are laying on the ground!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108698278/sunflower-lampwork-bead-pendant?ref=sr_gallery_43&ga_search_query=fall+art+bead&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

And this simple set of disk beads would be fun, just look at all the different textures!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108899761/fall-colors-ceramic-textured-disk-beads?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=fall+art+bead&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

Anonymous said...

Would look awesome with amber and crimson-coloured beads: http://www.etsy.com/listing/108230667/tangerine-coral-teardrop-pendant-polymer