February Monthly Challenge Recap

This month we were treated to a feast of a painting, filled with lush tapestries, a majestic feathered mare, shining armor, adoring maidens tossing rose petals on the path and two crowns. There is so much fantastic imagery to be inspired by in this painting. Let's see what intrigued you the most about this inspiration.

Now it is your turn.... if you have a post about the challenge, feel free to add your link here to be entered to win some fabulous prizes!

Perfect Pairings :: Jewels of Sayuri + Lori Schneider

Upon first glance, the painting inspiration for February is layers of tapestries and bling with rose petals raining down from adoring maidens lining the street for this triumphant knight. And while all that is truly in this painting, there is a lot more. When you really start to look, you notice the more subtle imagery and the meaning of the title becomes more apparent. I am glad that Divya went back and really looked at the painting beyond what her first reaction was. For she discovered the message and translated that into her jewelry admirably. I think the contrast with the hard and thorny barbed wire frame holding in the softer pink and gold cabochon and the touches of crystals and the central rose make this necklace that much more intense and meaningful. In order to truly see the light you need the dark. In order to appreciate the beauty of the rose you need to respect the thorn.

Featured Designer :: Jewels of Sayuri

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Featured Bead Artist :: Lori Schneider

We are now using Pinterest! 

You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes,
including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description
so that I have someplace to attribute the picture! 

And don't forget to tell us about those art beads - providing links to bead makers is appreciated!

Deadline February 26th to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the Monthly Challenge Recap post for February 28th

TIP: If you upload your photo rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. If you don't, I might not be able to access the photo to share it.

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries

"Bohemian Inspired Jewelry" Book Project

I see designers use the word "Bohemian" or "Boho" a lot when talking about their jewelry.  So I was wondering, "Is my jewelry Bohemian?"  I thought I would get out my book called "Bohemian Inspired Jewelry" by authors Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel.  Right in the books introduction, Lorelei and Erin explain in depth what is Bohemian inspired jewelry.  They say, "It's an artistic, nature inspired, and playful combination of materials and textures."  They go on to say, "Key features of Bohemian style include vibrant colors, organic materials such as wood, stone or clay, and patterned or textured fibers such as leather, ribbon, or cord."

I started looking more through the book, and the authors do an excellent job of introducing the reader to all these things in the guide before all the 50 finished jewelry designs.  I contacted Lorelei for permission to use her design on page 48 called "Quietude" as the inspiration for my design.  She said yes, so I was excited to share this with you.  This is the picture from the book:

What drew me in to this necklace was the use of disc beads, the focal pendant and the bar on top of it. A while ago, I discovered wax linen and how much I like knotting vs. stringing wire and crimping, so it is my go to stringing material.  Lorelei teaches the reader how to knot through the discs so they lie flat instead of having to stack them on the stringing material.  I am a ceramic bead artist, so I made my own inspirational pendant, the bar component and a heart bead (there is a heart bead a few beads up on the left side).  I couldn't find a metal button, so I used a heart lobster claw clasp instead.

I chose an entirely different color scheme, but followed along with the book directions.  I think my new necklace in the cool blue and purple tones, is calming, so I put the word Dream on the pendant. I purchased the lampwork disc beads in a Facebook group and I don't recall the artist's name (sorry!).  I hope this inspires you to get out your copy of the book and do this with a design that inspires you!  If you don't have a copy, they can be purchased on Amazon or at http://interweavestore.com

Next month I will be taking another design out of the book and doing this again, but I would like to invite you to do it with me!  Page 114 "The Beach House", also designed by Lorelei Eurto, is our inspiration.  If you don't have the book, here is the necklace:

Isn't it pretty with the multiple strands of beads across the front and the toggle on the side?  I have been wanting to try peanut beads, so here is my opportunity!  I don't know the exact day I will be blogging again, but have it made in 30 days, and you can post in the comments your design.  Thanks and I hope you'll play a long!

Michelle McCarthy, Firefly Design Studio

The Tale of a Tool by Mary Harding

Free form Peyote Stitch necklace by Mary Harding

Earlier this winter when I was working on the above necklace, I was browsing pages on the Bello Mundo site and ended up on their blog looking at the blog post that teaches how to make a Mala necklace and wondering how I would ever make all those tiny knots between the beads.
My previous experience making knots was nothing to be proud of--see below

                                                          Picture of my not so good  irregular knotting

It turns out that far into the post on Making A Mala Necklace, after learning about its history and meaning, I came to the Materials Needed section (for the second necklace discusses, the Amethyst) and tucked in there as the last item was the AWL, a tool noted for being helpful for tying knots. (My experience with such a tool was for making divots in metal .) The word was clickable and I found myself  looking at the tool I will be extolling  the virtues of in this post:

The Tulip Awl

Close up of the Tulip Awl showing how fine the point is and its protective plastic cap

And better yet I had a coupon for 30% off.  ( Bello Modo has sales very often). This awl  has a cushioned grip which is very comfortable and enough heft to be well balanced when you are working with it.

When it arrived I tried it out instantly on the same beads as above (with a thicker piece of waxed linen) to see if my knotting would be improved.

Better but not yet perfect knotting using my Tulip Awl  Maple Leaf Pendant by Mary Harding

The rest of this tale is a list of what else this tool can do:

Undo knots in beading thread and fine wire
Remove stitching  mistakes in bead work i.e. pulling threads (stronger than a needle)
Clear holes in some beads like polymer clay or pearls
Break unwanted beads in seed beading projects
Tie tiny knots in fringe and other places

And

Some Art Beads to enjoy:

Handmade Ceramic Art Beads by Gaea

Handmade Porcelain Ceramic Beads with a crackle glaze  by Mary Harding

                      Handmade stoneware ceramic beads with sprigging by Natalie Pappas NKP Designs


Thanks so much for stopping by today. Please let us know if you have tried this tool in the comment section below. Perhaps you have found even more uses for it.

Mary

www.maryhardingjewelry.etsy.com
www. facebook.com/MaryHardingJewelry

Monday Muse: Tropical Beads

 

As you are reading this I'm floating blissfully to a tropical island while hanging out with 65 creative, beady friends. It's Bead Cruise time!

I've been super inspired by the ocean and our Mexican destinations. Above you can see my latest birds with starfish, shells and coral designs. 

 

These earring charms look like treasures swept along a seaweed current. 

 

 

I'm teaching how to make these sea inspired headpins in one of my classes. Those are Nunn Design copper charms. 

 

Along with all those soft beachy hues, I was inspired by Mexican embroidery. I know I'll be shopping for some fun examples on the islands and taking lots of photos! 

 

I made these pendants inspired by Mexican ceramic tiles. These were my gift to our Bead Cruisers in our gift swag bags. 

Take a mental vacation on Pinterest this week and create jewelry inspired by your dream vacation. 

Perfect Pairings :: Bay Moon Designs + Brooke Bock + Beady Eyed Bunny

Despite not being a big heart fan, that beautiful bauble drew me right in. There is something so cheery about its shape and color. And then I had to take a closer look at those gorgeous rose beads, which I recognized immediately as belonging to Leah Curtis. The unexpected soft blue gives this a more ethereal look. It is simply wonderful and evokes the love that the maidens are showering on the knight in shining armor with their rose petals. 

Featured Designer :: Bay Moon Designs

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Featured Bead Artist :: Brooke Bock + Beady Eyed Bunny

We are now using Pinterest! 

You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes,
including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description
so that I have someplace to attribute the picture! 

And don't forget to tell us about those art beads - providing links to bead makers is appreciated!

Deadline February 26th to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the Monthly Challenge Recap post for February 28th

TIP: If you upload your photo rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. If you don't, I might not be able to access the photo to share it.

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries

Bead Birthday Wish List

Its my first blog post for ABS and it happens to coincide with my birthday so I decided to share my birthday wish list with you. Whilst I’m primarily a bead maker I still covet so many other peoples work, like most people involved in the creation of jewellery or jewellery components I find it really hard to resist collecting beads that speak to me, even if they only sit in my stash, I know I have collected them and they are there for whenever I decide to put them to good use.

First up and always high on my wish list are these gorgeous woven beads by Rebecca Anderson of Songbeads. I’m really into chartreuse and mustard at the moment and these really fit the bill.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/thecuriousbeadshop?section_id=15545115

Next up, I just can’t resist these perfectly formed little wordy beads from Grubbi Ceramics. Also based in Scotland her beads are filled with charm and fun. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Grubbi?ref=listing-shop2-all-items-count#items

When I first started out making beaded jewellery I remember seeing work by the amazing GreenGirlStudio. This toggle is so beautiful and it HAD to go on my list. 

http://www.greengirlstudios.com 

And finally who could resist these stunning drops from ClayforaCure. Not only can you buy beautiful components but you know you’re getting to help out a great cause too! 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ClayForaCure?ref=listing-shop2-all-items-count#items

So, whats on your wish list? if your pockets were deep and money no object what would fill your stash with? 

Happy Valentine's Day from the Earring Whisperer! 

I feel as though I should be wearing an eye mask and have a rose clenched in my teeth whilst writing this!

What a perfect day to talk about Love, Passion and ART BEADS!!  

Look at these colors together! The blending of deep red, pink and purple give so much richness and depth! The hearts and sugary discs are free-form and the arrow fletching or tail feathers, have a one-of-a-kind layered patina adding extra life and texture. For fun, I've inverted the hearts to form an arrow head. These earrings have a bit of whimsy, but still edgy!

They are simply constructed; the real work was in the design. Proportion, shape and color are most important in this pair. I also made sure that I wire wrapped heavy, not only for security, but for the overall design, giving the three beads continuity in forming cupid's arrow.

Hope you have a lovely day!

Loralee  <3

    

Loralee Kolton Jewelry

https://www.facebook.com/loraleekolton.jewelry/
www.loraleekolton.etsy.com

Supplies:

1 pair, 16mm  lampwork heart beads.

1 pair, 14mm of lampwork sugar disc beads.

2 pieces of  4mm bi-cone, red or purple Swarovski crystals

1 pair 29mm long, pewter arrow charms.

2 pieces of 20g oxidized wire, appox, 10" long ea. 

2 pieces of 24g oxidized wire approx. 4" long

2 copper earwires

Directions:

1. Start by wire-wrapping the arrow's tail or fletching, making sure to leave an extra long, straight piece of wire extended out.

2.  Add the sugar disc and then a bi-cone crystal. The crystal will stabilize the disc and create a small space you'll use later. 

3. Add the glass heart, making sure to invert it, forming the arrow's head.

4. Make a wire-wrapped loop at the top, still leaving a long tail of wire. Use the remaining tail of wire to run down the back of the heart and then once again, wrapping directly under the heart.  The double wrapping not only looks nice, but it will keep your heart facing forward.

5. Lastly, go back and directly under the disc bead, use the 24g wire to tightly add an extra wrapping between the disc and arrow's tail. Aesthetically, it's more pleasing to the eye to cover up that skinny little wrap you started out with, and, will match the thicker wrapping on the other side of the disc.

Resources:

Lampwork Hearts:  http.www.serenasmilthlampwork.etsy.com

Lampwork disc beads:  http://www.silverfishdesigns.etsy.com

Arrow Charms:  http://www.inviciti.etsy.com

Oxidized Wire:  http://www.artwearelements.etsy.com/

Giveaway Winner!!

Divya N

You are the random chosen winner for the ceramic rose bracelet topper. Congratulations and please contact me on facebook with your address! Thank to everyone who commented! 

Happy Sunday to you all!!

Terri Del Signore
artisticaos

Perfect Pairings :: SJDesigns Jewelry + Tesori Trovati

As an art bead maker, you never know where your creations will end up. You birth them, put them out there where they are accepted into the loving homes of jewelry designers the world over. I often wonder what happens to them. So it was a delightful surprise to find that Sarajo Wentling created a lovely necklace with one of my classic Simple Truths pendants that is perfect for the this month's lush painting inspiration. I am bursting like a proud mama over here to see it all grown up! I like the fact that the colors in the bead strands play upon the the variations in the rosebuds. And perfect for the season of love that we are in! 

Featured Designer :: SJDesignsJewelry

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Featured Bead Artist :: Tesori Trovati

We are now using Pinterest! 

You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes,
including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description
so that I have someplace to attribute the picture! 

And don't forget to tell us about those art beads - providing links to bead makers is appreciated!

Deadline February 26th to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the Monthly Challenge Recap post for February 28th

TIP: If you upload your photo rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. If you don't, I might not be able to access the photo to share it.

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries

Fun, Frugal, Fiber Finds: Using Thrifted Scarves in Jewelry Designs

I just love when I get the opportunity to wander through a thrift store! I have certain areas I love to check out! (And of course the jewelry section is on that list.) Got to love finding old jewelry that has great components just needing a new design idea. For me there is something really satisfying about re-purposing  things! That said, my post today is about using old scarves as a great way to add fibers into your jewelry designs.

I was really inspired one day at a thrift store when I saw bags of randomly combined scarves in various materials, including silk (not the kind you wear to keep warm in winter but more the type women wear as accessories). The price tag was amazing at only $3 per bag.  Right there in the thrift store I thought; " how awesome these amazing colors and textures would be in jewelry designs!" I took them home, gave them a wash, and began to play around.

So here is what I do. I take the scarves that I want to use in my design and cut strips. For the purpose of braiding, I cut three strips.  I love to mix and match different colors. Color combinations are endless!  Strips I cut vary in width but are usually around one inch wide. If it is a thicker material, you may want to cut thinner strips, unless you are going for a thicker end result.  Playing around with this you will get a feel for what you prefer!  As for length, go as long as you like, you are only limited by the length of the scarves you are using. I just roughly cut the scarves as I think rough edges add to the charm.

I tie the three pieces together at the top. I often like to leave some extra fiber out because I will sometimes use it in my design.  Once tied I begin basic braiding.  I happened to find one of these macramé boards at my local thrift store - still brand new as you can see (I have not even bothered taking the plastic off). This works great to hold what I am braiding - by pinning it at the top of the board. You don't need one of these but they do come in handy if you have one.

Ideas are limitless when it comes to mixing things up a bit for this project.  I will add other materials with the scarves like leather and other fibres for different looks.  There is no right or wrong, I encourage you to just have fun trying different things out!

Sometimes I tie my fibers right to my jewelry components and braid straight from them. As I show here in the bracelet I made.  The braid is made up of two pieces of leather cord and one piece of teal scarf.

So if you have some scarves lying around that you don't wear anymore, you can add them to your jewelry designs.  If you don't have any, hit up a thrift store! There is no reason to be limited to scarves either.  Get creative and try other materials too!! 

I like to finish my ends with wrapped wire (various thicknesses), and I often leave some extra fiber because I like the look!  You could also use end caps.

Lorelei Eurto has a great tutorial on finishing fiber ends!

By the way, this is my first official post as part of the ABS team! I'm so excited to be here! In an effort to share my excitement, I would like to give away one of my ceramic rose bracelet toppers. Leave a comment telling me if you do or don't use fibers in your work. Let me know if you have a favourite type of fiber.  I also love hand dyed silk cording as one of my favourite fibers! Winner will be chosen at random sometime Saturday evening.

Terri Del Signore from artisticaos
follow me on facebook

Bead Table Wednesday: Leather and Bead Ladder Earrings

Welcome to Bead Table Wednesday. Today on my table I share a leather knotting project to make a simple pair of earrings.

Video Resources:

Bead Cruise

Embossed and printed leather - Peggy Sue Also

Leather cord and starfish button - Classic Elements

Disk beads - Humblebeads

Electroplated Hematite 6mm beads

Cut two 12" lengths of leather .5mm leather for the earrings. 

Stop by my Etsy shop and use code CRUISE25 for 25% off orders until Friday.

What's on your bead table today?

30 Days of Beads: Finding New Inspirations

I would love to start this post by giving a big THANKS to Heather Powers for inviting me to be a contributor to the Art Bead Scene Blog. I have never blogged before, so this should be a fun and exciting challenge!

Recently, I had found that I was having trouble coming up with ideas for new beads. I was stuck in a creative rut (as all of us sometimes are). I had seen several other artists challenging themselves to create something every day for 30 days. This could be an artwork, jewelry, photographs etc. I decided to embark on the same challenge for myself, and I have to say that I haven't been perfect. I miss days sometimes, but the experience has been very valuable so far.

DAY 1-2 

On my first two days of this challenge, I sat at my desk and just stared at my blank beads. I was completely lost! No ideas, no thoughts, no inspiration. I had such high hopes, but when the time came to execute, I had a whole lot of nothing. I decided to go visit a board of mine on Pinterest, 'Paintings I Love'. I was really inspired by all of the abstract paintings I had pinned and decided to do something a little more abstract.

DAY 3

On the third day, I decided I wanted to improve on some beads I had made in the past. I do this with jewelry as well. If a particular piece hasn't sold in a while, I will pick it up and try and improve upon it. Sometimes it is a matter of changing the focal bead, sometimes it needs to be simplified, and other times it needs to be completely torn apart. In this case, I decided to take the moon phase design and transfer it to a bracelet bead. 

DAY 4-6

These days I decided to randomly pick a shaped bead that I hadn't really used much and a random color from my paint drawer. Leaving the color up to chance helped me to use colors that I normally wouldn't. I have a deep love for teal, so it is hard for me to expand and use other colors. This could also be useful for jewelry design. Make a pile of beads you rarely use, and then close your eyes and pick one or two. They may not match, but sometimes you will get great combinations that you wouldn't have otherwise. 

DAY 7

On day 7, I took inspiration from days 4,5 and 6. You can see many similarities in design, but I experimented with different colors and bead shapes. 

DAY 8

On day 8 I wanted to create some nice simple designs that I could easily pair with brighter beads. I don't normally do neutral pieces, so I decided to give it a try. 

DAY 9

Day 9 was an easy day for me, because I got all of my inspiration from the Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge. If you are feeling uninspired, it might be a good idea to check out the blog and make something for the monthly challenge. I really liked the colors in this inspiration artwork. The bright hues were a nice change, considering January is such a gray month here in Virginia. I decided to make a long daisy bead following the color scheme. 

DAY 10

Day 10 was another variation of an earlier design, this time in shades of blue. 

DAY 11-14

One of your greatest resources can also be members of the beading community. Lorelei Eurto is a super talented jewelry artist, and is also a little obsessed with owls. (healthy obsession though :)) She had the great idea for me to translate an owl design to a smaller bracelet bead. I have to say, I LOVE the idea. I also like to use the Creative Bead Chat, Facebook group to share ideas. All of the ladies in that group are so supportive and happily give advice if you ask for it. 

DAY 15

On day 15, I was inspired by something I use almost every day, my paint cup. I often look around my house and will get ideas from random things like ceramic plates, blankets, or foods I happen to be eating. Today I was staring at my paint cup and admiring the many layers of colors that I created from days and days of dragging my brush along the edge. I decided the take out about 15 different paint colors and randomly brush them across some round beads. The effect was really nice, and I would love to try it again. 

What I have learned so far, now that I am halfway through my challenge, is that there are countless ways to find inspiration. I look forward to seeing where the next 15 days of creativity take me. 

To follow my challenge check me out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerwindjewelry