Monday, October 28, 2013

Amuse Your Muse Mondays with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello there Art Bead Scene-rs! I am writing to you today from the Land of the Pharaohs - yes, that's right, Egypt. I am taking in some Autumn sunshine for a week with a friend and am having a wonderful break. I'm staying right by the Red Sea, and from the coast, we can see Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Apparently the only place in the world where you can see four countries from the same vantage point - rather amazing! Loads of colour and textural inspiration, as you can imagine. 

This week, for our last Art Button week, I wanted to share a link that Mary Harding shared with me 2 weeks ago - about a button swap she took part in last year, organised by Cindy Wimmer.  She was paired up with metal artist Stacie Florer, and was sent these gorgeous buttons:



Here's what she turned them into - loads of inspiration for different ways to incorporate art buttons into your designs:


...as a clasp...

...as a decorative element/bead...

....and another clasp....

Mary always combines art beads/buttons and bead-weaving in a way I find particularly inspiring, having a background in bead-weaving originally myself. 

And here's a peek at the buttons that Stacie received from Mary. Aren't they gorgeous? 


Next month we are due for a new theme.....and as it's November, and we'll be thinking ahead to the holidays, it's got to be holiday beads! Yes, December is just around the corner, so we want to see snowflakes, fir cones, stars.....share your links in the comments below. I would love to see what you have created or stumbled upon! 

And now for the Bead Blogger Links:







Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 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.

6 comments:

baymoondesign said...

Your trip sounds wonderful!. Have a great time!
I love snow flake designs so I have selected these beads
http://www.etsy.com/listing/166204492/winter-blue-porcelain-snowflake-bead-set?ref=sr_gallery_32&ga_search_query=winter+beads&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=handmade

Ann Schroeder said...

Great post! Both Stacie and Mary's buttons are gorgeous, and I love what Mary has done with them.

Mary Harding said...

Thank you Rebecca for such a great post. I am so happy to see Stacie's buttons in the highlight, and mine as well.
I envy you being on the Red Sea with all that warmth and sunshine but know for sure that you deserve a lovely rest and vacation.
We all know what is coming and need to refuel in time.
So glad you are doing this. I had some wonderful refueling in Vermont during Indian Summer and Foliage time.
Ann Schroeder thanks so much for the kind words about my buttons and bracelets. Most appreciated.

Kristen said...

These are my red and green enameled stacked flowers.I think they look just like poinsettias!


https://www.etsy.com/listing/165704755/medium-and-small-stacked-red-and-green?ref=shop_home_active
https://www.etsy.com/listing/165703323/medium-and-small-stacked-red-and-green?ref=shop_home_active

Anonymous said...

Here's a pair of earrings I designed with beautiful ceramic snowflake charms by Bo Hulley and lampwork by Beads and Botanicals.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/117493925/white-snowflake-earrings-blue-lampwork?ref=shop_home_active

Mystic Indigo said...

Aww...thank you so much for this little trip down memory lane...I loved that swap with Mary..her buttons are so gorgeous and I loved the bracelet I made with Sari ribbon with the buttons she sent me. Have a wonderful time in Egypt...what a dream come true!! And thank you for highlighting my metal buttons!!