July Monthly Blog Tour

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. ~ Pablo Picasso 

 

 

Our painting for this month is a portrait of Olga, one of the wives of Picasso and a Russian ballerina. She was a definite beauty and it is obvious why Picasso loved her so. However, this painting seems so sad to me. The pale blue of her skin tone, her somber stare, the ochre walls. There is so much detail given to the chair cushion and her dress seems to shrink to the background for me so that you notice the lush florals before her beautiful face.

I read an analysis of this painting on the blog Every Painter Paints Himself of this painting. Olga in reality is a green-eyed, auburn-haired Russian. But in this painting she looks more Spanish with the dark complexion and midnight tresses. In this blog they share that a portrait like this is as much about the artist as it is about the subject. 

"In another illusion Olga's figure is drawn in the round with a rough shadow falling on the canvas behind her. The chair, though, appears flat like "a painting" with no shadow. Olga is both model and artist, Picasso's feminine side holding a palette-like fan. Her other brush-hand with a prominent index finger recalls Adam's on the Sistine ceiling and hangs near some paint-marks on "the canvas"....Olga is fused with the artist's persona and thus "paints" and "creates" her own portrait."

I find that fascinating! I am not sure what it all means, but it is intriguing.

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Back from a three year hiatus from the Art Bead Scene, we welcome Kate Clawson of Organic Odysseys. I have always loved the way Kate could magically transform organic subjects into her polymer clay creations. Each component to this intriguing design is detailed in her process on her blog. You should go and read it!

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. Miss Catherine of Meadowland Designs tells us that her original plan to make the teal a dominate color wasn't working out. But then she realized that by playing up the golden yellow color the dashes of teal would shine. Well done! These are eye-catching earrings.

Picking up on the Art Nouveau style of the period in which this was painted, Miss Jill of Palumbo Polymer Jewelry gives us a fantasy in plum. She also created another piece that is doodles in clay on a bib style neckpiece. Amazing! For the cane, she created a woman's visage for the focal inspired by her beloved grandmother. If you have ever wanted to know how a tiny cane with such detail comes to life, you should go and see her process shots. Quite incredible!

I love the way the light shimmers in these glass 'moonstone petals' that Miss Lisa used in her bracelet. I think that the simplicity of this design that lets the beads speak for themselves is what makes this work so well. See more of her design at Carefree Jewelry by Lisa.

I love when I take a class and get fired up about the possibilities. But to actually use that knowledge when you go home is the challenge. Miss Angela learned some tricks to enameling at the recent Bead & Button show in Milwaukee and put them to good use! She sawed out this yellow bloom from copper, etched the petals and then torch fired the enamel colors to mimic the painting. Well done! See more of her process, including the pretty fold-formed leaf on her blog.

The soft folds of Olga's dress, the golden yellow of the wall, the regal poise that she possessed are all evident in this beautiful necklace from Toltec Jewels. Little touches like the flower bead and the vines on the Humblebeads really reflect this painting. See more at Toltec Jewels.

The detail on this handmade polymer clay pendant makes the tapestry come alive in this painting. I love the layered effect of the different chains, metal tones, and all the green fibers that make me want to reach out and touch it! A beautiful array of textures! Read more on A Half-Baked Notion.

The beautiful focal lampwork bead is perfect for the palette for this month's painting with the swirling ochre lines and the deep teal background. Miss Cate of Fulgorine decided to go all Edwardian on us with this dainty choker that makes me think of a precious amulet designed to keep the wearer from harm. Read more at Fulgorine.

Don't you just love it when you look in your stash and you have the perfect art bead staring back at you? Miss Sara Jo of SJ Wentling Designs Jewelry spied this darling pendant with a swirling floral motif that reminds me of the chair fabric. I love that little fan shaped bead she included too!

This sweet bracelet by Catherine's Dreams features some lovely teal disk branch beads from Humblebeads paired with twining vintage glass roses. This feels like a garden party for your wrist! Read more of the inspiration at Catherine's Dreams.

There is something so classic and elegant about a lady's portrait. This pendant started out as a piece of tin, and really captures the spirit of the painting of Olga. The palette is pulled from this image and is a mix of vintage feeling glass as well as some contemporary copper accents. Read more about Ann's inspiration at her blog Bead Love.

Sometimes there is a serendipity in how things turn out. Like in this simply intriguing necklace by Miss Kashmira of Sadafulee...Always In Bloom. Using this three hole spacer bar in an unexpected way makes for an intriguing design that lets the beads really sing. Read more about it on her blog.

Make the most of your first impressions as they are the ones that will stick with you! Miss Mary Ellen of Bee Tree by m.e. did just that. The first thing that drew her artistic eye was the dainty tendrils and the fancy florals on the black background. But in the interest of the hot summer weather, she opted for a cool and breezy yellow ribbon to complete the look. I love the tendrils on the leaves! Such great attention to detail!

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Oops!

Missed a few...

Please go and check out what Melissa of Bead Recipes has created

and the pretty bauble from Sharyl of Sharyl's Jewelry.

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Check back here this week for the August challenge. It is going to be a good one! ;-)

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

Featured Designer of the Week: Lisa S of Carefree Jewelry

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 winner is Lisa S. See more pictures of her bracelet here. 

Here is what ABS editor Rebecca Anderson had to say about Lisa's design:

"What a beautiful bracelet! Lisa's bead choice for this piece is just perfect for our monthly inspiration - those lampwork flowers are so in the spirit of Picasso's painting. My favourite touch, however, is the unexpected dash of red from the lampwork round from Helen Jewellery. It makes this piece stand out from the crowd."

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.

Show Me Monday - Flora Beads - with Rebecca of Songbead and The Curious Bead Shop

Happy Sunday - oops! Monday! Art Bead Sceners. Better late than never.....

This week is the last of our flora/food bead theme....and so we need a new theme for next month! For August, I'd like you to show me beads depicting people/faces etc. I'm not quite sure what you'd call that  concisely....

This week, I found these very cute lampwork beads on etsy.

Fun Pumpkin Beads from Suzoom

But nobody shared any of their jewellery! Come on guys - we want to feature you, here on the blog! ;-)

So remember.....this week, I'd like you to share not only handmade beads, but also items of jewellery that YOU have created using art beads that fit the theme. I will select one item of jewellery to share, along with the art beads. You can share a blog link, an etsy link, a flickr link.....whatever works for you! NB The jewellery MUST contain art beads that fit the theme.........there's your challenge for the week! They can be your art beads or another's - they've just got to be in there. And if you haven't any jewellery to fit the theme - why not take this opportunity to make some? Faces, dolls - even hands, legs, arms, if you have any beads depicting these! 

And here are the Bead Blogger Links. Enjoy the week!

A Bead A Day 

Great news from the Cousin Corporation! Five new jewelry making ambassadors have been announced! 

About.com Jewelry Making 

Catch up on a few new book reviews, one sweet and one artistic. 

Art Bead Scene 

Check out this week's featured designer of the week - Tres Jolie Designs by Sue - and the stunning necklace which caught Erin's eye!

Beading Arts 

Cyndi shares all the finishing touches on her new mixed media necklace tutorial! 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! 

Jean reviews Stitch Workshop, Herringbone Stitch, basic techniques, advanced results, and is thrilled to further aquaint herself with this fabulous stitch, also known as Ndebele! 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton 

Using lovely pink beads, Andrew creates a fun, sparkly bracelet! 

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.

Inspired by Nature Retreat

Do you have a mission in life?  A guiding principal that helps you focus and leads your creative efforts?

I have a mission, it's to inspire those around me. 

Sometimes it's doing something big like starting the Art Bead Scene blog and inspiring jewelry designers and beadmakers to connect.  Other times, it's writing a book that shares my inspirations and helps jewelry makers to find their inspirations.  It may be offering unique beads to inspire a new jewelry project or a tutorial shared online.  I love sharing trends, color palettes and business tips to help others along their journey as a designer. 

But what I love the most out of everything I do, is directlly inspiring students in a classroom! Nothing is quite as satisfying as seeing students discover and explore the creative possibilities with your projects.  My favorite event that I host, the one where I feel like I'm most accomplishing my mission in life, is at my annual Inspired by Nature Retreat. 

This year will be my third event.  In both years past there have been moments where we are enjoying the retreat together and I think to myself, is this my life?  This is like a dream! How am I so lucky to be with such creative women, sharing my favorite inspirations and in the place I love most in the world?  Those are amazing days.  I wish I could do a retreat every month!  Maybe someday I will travel around sharing my inspirations across the country and the world.  For now, it's a once a year shindig and you are invited to join me. 

It's a small event, this year only 15 students can be accommodated and spaces are filling up.  If a weekend in the woods surround by the beauty of autumn, a river and a resort lodge sound inviting and playing with metal, wire and clay creating those projects shown above sounds like a little slice of heaven to you - head on over to the website and read the details. Come October, I may be inspiring you and being inspired by you! 

Inspired by Nature Retreat

Summer Flight - Free Necklace Tutorial

The July Art Bead Scene inspiration art, Portrait of Olga in the Armchair, by Pablo Picasso has a color palate that is simultaneously warm and cool and inspired the color palate for this free photo tutorial.

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Wearing many hats, Gaea lives in Ojai, California. You can see her work here... www.gaea.cc or here... www.gaea.etsy.com and here... gaeabeads.blogspot.com

Featured Designer of the Week: Tres Jolie Designs by Sue

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 winner is Tres Jolie Designs by Sue.

Here is what ABS editor Erin Siegel had to say about Sue's design:

"Wow, what a gorgeous statement piece! It has commanding presence but, it also feels light and flowing just like a dancer.  I love how this necklace perfectly reflects the grand elegance of this month's portrait of Olga, a ballet performer. The colors and the swirling floral and leaf design are amazing and a perfect match for the artwork."

 

 

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. 

Show Me Sunday - Flora beads with Rebecca of Songbead

Happy Sunday, Art Bead Sceners. It's the start of a hugely busy 5 1/2 weeks of my life this weekend - buckle up and sit tight, wish me luck with my busy ride! Craft fairs, singing performances in London and the Lake District, more craft fairs......phew! I'm already tired, and I'm only 1.5 days in......

To keep my energy up, I'll have to make sure I eat plenty of veggies.....not a problem here, with this cute necklace that Sarajo Wentling has shared with us, featuring one of Jade Scott's gorgeous carrot pendants! Love it. Thank you sharing, Sarajo!

SJ Designs Jewelry

Elise Thomas also shared this lovely bouquet of lampwork flowers. Too sweet! Hop over to check them out if you have a minute. You won't be disappointed!

Three weeks ago, I announced that we are changing up Show Me Sundays just a little - we don't just want you to share art beads on a theme, but also a piece of jewellery you have created with art beads upon the theme of the month. 

And to go along with Jade Scott's copper and resin carrot, here's another one that I found on etsy.....lampwork glass this time, from Belvedere. 

Carrot Charm from Belvedere

 So remember.....this week, I'd like you to share not only handmade beads, but also items of jewellery that YOU have created using art beads that fit the theme. I will select one item of jewellery to share, along with the art beads. You can share a blog link, an etsy link, a flickr link.....whatever works for you! NB The jewellery MUST contain art beads that fit the theme.........there's your challenge for the week! They can be your art beads or another's - they've just got to be in there!

The theme for this month is food, but I'd like to expand on this. Things that grow in the earth. Flora, rather than Fauna, if you get my meaning! So food stuffs, but also plants, wildlife.....let's push the envelope with this one. 

So get looking for your jewellery featuring food-y or plantlife art beads! As well as any beads you spy out there. It's good to share!

And here are the Bead Blogger Links. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

A Bead A Day 

There's nothing like creating a piece of jewelry to remember a special trip. Check out Lisa's balloon show ankle bracelet. 

About.com Jewelry Making 

Tammy takes a look at yet another new jewelry book. This one is all about metal jewelry making. 

Beading Arts 

Fabric beads plus wire beads equals the start of a new mixed media necklace you can make! 

Buying Enough Beads 

Charlene shops for beads and wonders, did she buy enough? 

Carmi's Art/Life World 

My exotic felted collar was featured on the Cousin blog. Here is how I made it. 

Resin Crafts Blog 

When you learn how easy it is to make pendants with transfer paper you won't be able to stop 

Snap out if it, Jean! There's beading to be done! 

Jean shares a super informative and fun article on peyote stitch by Jennifer VanBenschoten of Beading Daily! 

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.

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, Erin! You have won a hydrangea pendant from Heather Powers of Humble Beads.
  Send Heather 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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Next weekend I'm taking my 2 1/2 year old daughter to her first Native American Pow Wow. I hope she enjoys the flute music, drumming, dancing, storytelling and crafts. She's already familiar with dream catchers. Before she was born, I was gifted a beautiful dream catcher handmade by a Native American woman I know. It hangs above her bed now.

As long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by the Native American culture. From their deep respect and reverence for nature, to their great spiritual teachings, to their beautiful handcrafts and beadwork. One Native American tradition I have always loved and gravitated towards is the dream catcher.

Today, I’m going to be sharing with you how to make your own dream catcher-inspired pendant to capture the dreams, goals and positivity you want to bring into your life! You will learn the traditional weave to make the web of the dream catcher, then you can embellish your pendant with a variety of beads, feathers and/or charms to represent those dreams, hopes and wishes you want to catch. The finished pendant can be worn on it's own or you can incorporate it into your own beaded jewelry design. The act of making this pendant is a hands-on, creative way to realize your dreams, while making a keepsake with special meaning that you can wear and keep as a reminder of the things that are important to you. But, before I get into showing you how to make your pendant, I want to share with you a little bit about the origins of the dream catcher and a Native American dream catcher legend. I hope you will find this to be fun, informative and inspiring!

Origins of the Dream Catcher:

The Ojibaway or Chippewa were the first to design these decorations to protect their babies against bad dreams that might come along in the night. Both good and bad dreams would be caught by the web, but only good dreams could find their way through the hole and slide down the feather to the baby’s head. The bad dreams, not knowing the way, would get caught in the web and dissipate with the first rays of morning light.

Since the beginning, many Native American tribes have adopted the dream catcher and incorporated it into their heritage. The Lakota are one such group that have done this. The following is their story of the dream catcher:

Legend of the Dream Catcher (Lakota)

Long ago an old spiritual leader was high on a mountain and had a vision. A teacher of wisdom appeared in the form of a spider. The spider picked up the elder’s willow hoop and began to spin a web. She spoke to the elder about the cycles of life. She said, “In each time of life there are many forces, some positive and some negative. If you listen to the positive forces, they will steer you in the right direction. If you listen to the negative forces, they will lead you astray.”

When the spider finished speaking, she gave the elder the web and said. “The web is a perfect circle with a hole in the center. Use the web to help your people reach their goals, making good use of their ideas, dreams and visions. If you believe in the Great Spirit, the web will catch your good ideas, let them float through the hole and down the feather upon you.” The elder passed on the vision to the people. Now, many hang a dream catcher above their bed to sift their dreams and visions. The good thoughts are captured in the web of life and dropped down to the person, the negative thoughts are caught in the web and perish at daybreak, never to be a part of their lives.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I would really like to adopt this concept! Who’s with me? Okay, let’s make some dream catcher pendants to wear to catch those good dreams from the air and let them float down into our hearts!

Materials needed:

 1 metal 25mm ring
(I use handcrafted copper rings by Miss Fickle Media)
1 gemstone 4mm round

3 size 8 seed beads in assorted colors

1 feather charm

2 metal 4mm jump rings

18” of 4ply Irish waxed linen cord (color of your choice)

A kit containing all the materials needed and instructions can be found in my Etsy shop here.

Tools:

 Scissors

A pair of chain nose pliers (to attach the jump rings)

Instructions:
1. Use the cord to make a 1” fold at one end. Use the folded end to form a lark’s head knot around the copper ring as shown in photo 1.

 2. Using the long end of the cord, form a half-hitch knot around the copper ring and the 1” tail as shown in photo 2.

3. Trim the tail. Pull the cord down so that it sits on the inside of the copper ring as shown in photo3.

 

4. Bring the cord around the copper ring and through the loop as shown in photo 4. This is called looping. Continue making loops around the ring 5 more times. Add seed beads as desired.

5. Bring the cord around the first loop created in step 4 and through the loop as shown in photo 5.

 6. Continue looping in the same matter adding seed beads as shown in photo 6. Loop around the inner diameter of the ring twice.

7. Use the cord to string one 4mm bead; tie and overhand knot and trim cord as shown in photo 7.

 

8. Use 1 jump ring to attach a feather charm to the pendant. Use another jump ring to attach a chain or necklace cord to the pendant and enjoy!

How about you?
Do you feel inspired by the dream catcher? or Do you find inspiration in the traditions of another culture other than your own?

Please share and tell me all about it. I want to know!

 Leave a comment answering any of the above questions and you will be entered for a chance to win one of my Dream Catcher Pendant Kits!

Thanks for joining me today!

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.

Vine Video for Jewelry Designers

Yesterday Jewelry Making Daily sent out a great article on using Vine for creating six second videos to promote your jewelry business. I hadn't heard of Vine, so cursosity got the better of me and off I went. Six seconds doesn't seem like a lot of time, but you'd be surprised what creative people can do in 6 seconds flat!  There is a great stop-motion feature that was fun to try and had my wheels spinning for future promotions and projects.

Read the article here: 4 Ways to Use Vine for Jewelry

What a fun way to send out annoucments for upcoming events, your jewelry could dance around a printed paper with the details!  Or how about one necklace with 3 outfits using the stop-motion camera?  Share a quick tutorial like the one above or show off a new collection or your booth display while you are set up at your next art fair.  

Be sure to tag your videos so others can find your content. Tags are a hashtag (#) plus a keyword, like #jewelry, #beads, #handcrafted, etc.

Handmade Clasps Treasury with Rebecca of Songbead

Obviously, we love beads here at ABS - and you are reading this blog, so I will take it for granted that you love them too! However, I think it's often those bits that can be overlooked - the connections, or the construction points within your jewellery, that really make artisan jewellery stand out from the crowd. How you finish your bracelets and necklaces shouldn't be overlooked - whether you want a big statement toggle, or a simple handmade wire hook, there is something for everyone and every design aesthetic on etsy! Here are a few of my favourites (plus two from my own supplies shop!) that I found.

'Handmade Clasps' by songbead

Etched Copper Toggle Clasp, ... MetalMeThis $17	Sterling Silver Butterfly ho... daisychainextr... $11	Pure Brass Toggle Clasp - fl... abyjem $5.5	handmade fancy antiqued bras... dmsupply $5.3
Bright Earth Bubble Button- ... Genea $10	Handmade solid copper toggle... mizgeorge $7	Handmade aquamarine swallows... thecuriousbead... $6.5	Iron Black Patina Toggle Cla... ktotten $18
Bird Clasp, Closure, with Sw... AmandaDavieEle... $8.5	Grecian Temple Clasp - anti... thecuriousbead... $5	Rainbow Floral Glass n Coppe... BastilleBleuLa... $16	Sterling Silver Whale Button... TheSilverWhale $17.5
Toggle Clasp, Handmade Toggl... 1beadweaver $12	White Ceramic & Copper wing ... blueberribeads $10	Toggle Clasp - Enameled Copp... EBBeadandMetal... $10	Bronze clasp set, button and... THEAElements $7.5

Sponsored by send bulk email from excel.

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.