Perfect Pairings :: Mackin Art + Round Rabbit + Bead Swede

You are all making it so tough on me!
The submissions this month are so varied and special, it is really difficult to pick just one each week!

While there is a riot of color in the textile by Lois Maillou Jones, I think what attracted me to this gorgeous necklace by Kelly of Mackin Art was the spotlight on just one color - the bright chartreuse in the components by Kristen Varian. The veined leaf in the Round Rabbit cabochon shines in its simplicity and pairing that with the zebra jasper with its snaked lines works so well. (Nancy Adams makes the most beautiful focals and they are hard to get! Watch for her regular sales.) The pops of the bright acid green draw your eye around the design and make this tropical without being literal.

Featured Designer :: Mackin Art

Featured Art Bead :: Round Rabbit + Bead Swede

Let's see what YOU can create inspired by this tropical themed textile!

Join me here on Friday, January 31st for the Monthly Challenge Recap

with a picture gallery and InLinkz blog hop!

Designer of the Week :: Gingko et Coquelicot + Bead Swede Supplies

Oh, the color! It grabbed me and said hello! The rich, saturated tones of autumn come alive in this bracelet by Karin of Gingko et Coquelicot. The russet, the tangerine, the sage and the gold are all melted together in this bracelet that looks like the sun swirled all these colors together and poured them onto your arm. Perfect for a pop of color during sweater weather!

Featured Designer :: Gingko et Coquelicot

Featured Art Bead :: Bead Swede Supplies
 

Join me here on Monday, September 30th for the monthly blog tour.

Designer of the Week :: Klassy Joolz + Mandrel 2 & Elizabeth Creations

I was immediately drawn to the lovely art nouveau silver pendant in this necklace right away that recalls the lounging lovely in the painting. And then the mossy greens and rich russet colors of the glass had me wanting more! This necklace from Pam at KlassyJoolz is a wonderful interpretation of the Mucha inspiration for September and makes me want to reach out and touch it!

Featured Designer :: Klassy Joolz

Featured Art Beads :: Mandrel 2 and Elizabeth Creations
 

Join me here on Monday, September 30th for the monthly blog tour.

Note: Please remember to share with us the name of the artist (and links if you have them!) for the art beads that you use in your piece! Since art beads are why we are here, we want to give a shout out to the talented folks that provide us with the inspiration for our pieces. Tell us about them! And also give us the exact URL of your blog post in your description of the picture on Flickr if you want to be included in the monthly blog tour. Thank you!

Designer of the Week :: Catherine's Dreams + Jangles

The vibrant tones and the circles caught my eye right away. These bright and funky beads from Jangles pick up all the different colors of the Tamayo painting. That little pop of red with the thread and the spacers draw my eye to the top bullseye bead. This is one happy bracelet!

Featured Designer :: Catherine's Dreams

Featured Art Beads :: Jangles

 

Just a few days left to get your creative juices flowing! 

Join me here on Friday, August 30th for the monthly blog tour.

 

 

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. 

Featured Designer of the Week - MeadowlandDesigns

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 meadowlanddesigns.blogspot.com. Read more about her bracelet here.

Here is what ABS editor Gaea Cannaday had to say about Catherine's design:

"Gorgeous colors and textures! Catherine captured the feel and colors of Franklin Carmichael's painting!"

Featured Designer of the Week-Ahowin

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 Ahowin/Solange Collin. Read more about her bracelet here.

Here is what ABS editor Tari Sasser had to say about Solange's design:

"So much texture in this piece! Juxtaposition of beads with the balance of color is fantastic! 
Who doesn't love the house beads?!"

Featured Designer of the Week-Ginkgo et Coquelicot

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 Ginkgo et Coquelicot/KarinG. Read more about her necklace here.

Here is what ABS editor Tari Sasser had to say about Karin's design:

"I just love the richness of the bead colors, I am so drawn to them. The little bit of blue finishes it perfectly. Great piece!"

Featured Designer of the Week-Susan McClelland

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 McClelland2012/Susan McClelland. Read more about her necklace here.

Here is what ABS editor Tari Sasser had to say about Susan's design:

"I love all the different chains and beads layered together in this piece. Susan used art beads from 4 different artists, KUDOS! It's a wonderful necklace that uses the color palette of the painting and I love the house focal."

Featured Designer of the Week - Ann Schroeder

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 Ann Schroeder. You can see her necklace here.

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

"When I looked at the pool of designs for this month, Ann's necklace pulled me in right away. A chic, stylish piece anyone would love to wear. When I took a closer look, I was drawn in even further. The hip floral pendant and mix of colors, materials and textures appealed to me. I adore each element chosen. It all flows together so nicely. I love the simple, modern composition of her design. It really allows each of the art beads to stand out and shine. Ann managed to incorporate several different artists beads and components in her necklace while achieving a cohesive, balanced, haromious design. That can be difficult to do! Ann makes it look effortless here. Wonderful. I love it."

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. 

Featured Designer of the Week-Leah C.

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 Leah C. You can see her bracelet here.

Here is what ABS editor Tari Sasser had to say about Leah C's design:

"I love all bright,rich and range of colors in the glass beads. The chain and cord give the bracelet additional texture. Great composition!"

Featured Designer: Kathy of PajegoArtHouse

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 Kathy of PajegoArtHouse. You can see her necklace here.

 

 

Here is what ABS editor Erin Prais-Hintz had to say about the PajegoArtHouse design:

"I was totally drawn in by the fiery orange of those nugget beads and then mesmerized by the dance around the necklace filled with color, pattern and texture. There is something interesting at every turn which makes me keep on looking!"

 

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 - Tracy Stillman

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 Tracy Stillman You can read about Tracy's necklace here.

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

"Not only do I love Tracy's use of colour here - perfectly matching the shades from Monet's painting - but I love the way she has displayed and photographed it. She really shows off its natural sense of movement, and manages to showcase it as a long necklace without losing any of the detail. Gorgeous work, Tracy!"

" 

Tomorrow will see the monthly tour. I can't wait to see what everyone has created! Click here for the monthly challenge details.

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.

Featured Designer of the Week- Gingko et Coquelicot

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 Gingko et Coquelicot/Karin G.. You can read about Karin's necklace here.

Here is what ABS editor Tari Sasser had to say about Karin's design:

"I love the use of bright colors in this piece. The green as the grounding color lets the bright pops of color shine! Lots of texture for interest. Very fun!" 

We have on more Monday left in April. Get your challenge piece in and be featured here on the Art Bead Scene's monthly blog hop!  Click here for the monthly challenge details.

Featured Designer of the Week-TresJolieDesignsBySue

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 tresjoliedesignsbysue/Sue Whitehouse Evenson.
Here's what ABS Editor Tari Sasser had to say about Sue's piece:

"The color is this piece is extraordinary! The swirls mirror the swirls in the painting. Love the fact that it is impressionistic and Sue went out of the box making this. FABULOUS!!"

Featured Designer of the Week: Diva Designs

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 Lynda Moseley of Diva Designs.

Here's what ABS Editor Erin Siegel had to say about 's piece:

 

"A stunning, striking pair of earrings! I'm drawn to the clean, but detailed design. I couldn't help but notice the shape of these gorgeous antiqued silver pagoda frames! The pagodas are perfectly paired with expertly crafted faux red-orange jade beads."  

 

Read more about Lynda and her polymer clay jewelry on her blog, Diva Designs.

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. 

Featured Designer of the Week-Jill Palumbo

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 Jill Palumbo.
Here's what ABS Editor Tari Sasser had to say about Jill's piece:

"This piece is so wonderful in so many ways, the color, texture, beading and all the different elements.
I find it fascinating and fabulous. I really want to touch it. Fantastic necklace Jill!"

Learn more about Jill's necklace on her blog.

Featured Designer of the Week: Fresh Baked Designs

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 Fresh Baked Designs!

Here is what editor Erin Prais-Hintz had to say about the design:  

"Sometimes, simple is better. I am one that tends to complicate my designs, so when I was clicking through the entries, I was surprised that these earrings were what caught my eye and kept drawing me in. What I liked about this design is that it takes the inspiration of the peacock feathers and makes it abstract. The colors of teal, gold and brown are translated into a very hip and modern design. From the shape of the beaded part to the randomness of the design impressed in the clay, I love the overall feel of these earrings and would wear them in a heartbeat!"

You can read more about Fresh Baked Designs on her blog.

Designer of the Week: Bay Moon Design

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 Kathy of Bay Moon Designs!

Here is what editor Erin Siegel had to say about the design:

" I love the natural, organic design of this necklace. The freeform sea glass and the swirling polymer clay art beads convey the natural feel. The colors in this necklace are spot on and a perfect match with the inspiration art! "

You can read more about Kathy's design on her blog: Bay Moon Design.

Featured Designers of the Week: MelMcG & MackinArt

Mel McG

MackinArt

Its the end of the Month and couldn't choose just one so this Monday we have 2 featured designers.

Every Monday one of our editors choose their favorite entries in our Monthly challenge.

Here's what ABS Editor Tari Sasser has to say about her picks.

First Image by Melanie McGready/Mel McG

"I love Melinda's literal interpretation of MC Eschers, Three Worlds. The Carp is just fantastic, contrasting with the black and white. Perfect!"

: : :

Second Image by Kelly/MackinArt, "Tri-Level"

"I love that Kelly has 3 images for Three Worlds. The images and execution of her beads are just wonderful. Loved reading about your process!"