Sunday, April 28, 2013

Show Me Sunday - Water Beads with Rebecca of Songbead

Happy Sunday everyone! We've a bit of a bumper post today - as an extension to Thursday's post, I'm showcasing a great number of British bead artists today and their water-themed beads. So without further ado, I will jump into it straight away. 

First up, our lovely shares from last week:



I just love the stunning blues of these glazes - very Mediterranean and summery! The teardrops are particularly lovely to me - the distribution of glaze really does look like paint in water, captured.



Lori shared these stunning lampworks with us. I adore the gorgeous colour here too - very watery! I love how the wave shapes on the outside of these naturally highlight and add depth to the delicate Pacific shade. Truly lovely.


 Next up, some gorgeous ceramics from Bo Hulley, a ceramic artist based on the Isle of Wight so very much surrounded by water on a daily basis. I am particularly excited by her clouds - what design potential with all of those holes. 

Bo and I also have a collaborative project in hand - we work together on unique ceramic and copper clasps. Here's one in my shop, Curious, right now:

Don't you just love this sweet wee seahorse?

 
Linda of Earthshine Beads (also from the beautiful Isle of Wight) has been creating these lovely shells - wouldn't they look great with Bo's shell buttons? I love the colours Linda has used here, some of my favourites - particularly the lovely Pacific Opal. 


Linda has also created this fun lampwork tab, featuring a cute beach hut! This would make a gorgeous, beach-y necklace. 


Here are more beach huts, this time from Pippa of Pips's Jewellery. These are such fun colours, and I love the rustic finish Pippa has given these. More fun, beach-y necklaces here! You could even make some pretty, interchangeable pendant necklaces with these - perfect for easy-to-wear summer jewellery.


Natalie of Grubbi is another UK ceramic artist, based in Liverpool - a mere hour away from me in Manchester. Here are some very cool and original pendants from her, featuring raindrops - something we know a lot about here in the North West of England! I love these slightly darkened glazes - they really capture the weather we frequently have in this part of the country. 


I love how Lesley Watt, bronze- clay artist, continually develops her work. As well as working with the naked bronze, she not only patinates some of her work with Liver of Sulphur, the natural kiln patina, but also uses coloured patina paints within her component work. How perfect is this turuoqise patina with the seahorse? 



I also love this cute fishy. He looks pretty cheeky to me! 


Angie of Bead Me Up Buttercup shared these beautiful pacific polymer clay bracelet bars. Yes, they are floral and palmy - reminiscent of tropical, beach-side flora....but just look at her colour inspiration! This very cool, vintage swimming pool. Those waters look pretty inviting....


And last, but certainly not least, lampwork glass artist Cecilia of Midget Gem Beads shared this beautiful lampwork heart, complete with a mini rock pool scene. Love the vibrant orange starfish here, and the swirling wave to one side.



She also shared these gorgeous tidal pendants! I love these - the colours, textures and depth pf these lovely pendants. I can see some really sophisticated pieces coming from these.


I hope you have found this month's water beads inspiring - I know I have. Many new artists, as well as familiar favourites. So inspiring to see such a range of styles, aesthetics materials. I love the beads that you share here, it is great to see what our readers are creating and I'd love to see more! 

Next month, I'd love you to share animal beads with us.....any animals, or beads relating to animals....leave your links in the comments below!

And now the Bead Blogger Links. Have a great Sunday!

What are YOU making for spring? Stop by A Bead A Day to share. 

Innovation and beads go together, and this new book reviews gives you the 411 all about it. 

Rebecca shares some handmade bead artists from her native shores of Britain with Art Bead Scene readers! 

Here's something that goes especially well with beads...chocolate whiskey fudge! 

Incorporating t-shirt yarn (tarn) with other fibers will result in some gorgeous necklaces if you use a kumihimo disk to braid them. 

Rubberstamps will get a new life in the jewelry studio if you work with Jewelry Clay! 

Jean uses DIY videos (see a cool example of one) to help her learn jewelry techniques, but long ago the best way to learn was from an expert teacher like Eni Oken. See jean's Wabi Sabi ring inspired by Eni! 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton 
Using glow-in-the-dark polymer clay, Andrew creates some unique floral-themed pendants! 



Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

4 comments:

Elaine Ray said...

Thanks so much for including me in this visually inspiring post. I think those beach huts are my favorite. Thanks again, Elaine

Linda - Earthshine.co.uk said...

How exciting to be featured with all these other wonderful artists. Thanks Rebecca. x

midgetgembeads said...

What a great post, getting excited for the summer thinking of all this beachiness. Thank you for including my beads. I am flattered.
X

Amy F said...

Those are such great finds!!