Artist Spotlight on Ashley Bonney of Summer Wind Art

I have recently discovered the beautiful wood beads created by Ashley Bonney of Summer Wind Art. I saw her work in action by other designers and I found her Etsy shop and had to buy a few pieces for myself.  I love sea life, so I chose a fun set of fish and the poppy garden bracelet topper just called my name!  Ashley gifted me the fun round bead.

Ashley is on Facebook and you can find her Etsy store here https://www.etsy.com/shop/SummerWindArt?ref=ss_profile

I would like to share some of Ashley's bio with you.

"Ashley Bonney says she has always been artistically inclined, dating back to her time at Jefferson Forest High School. She also always connected with nature, and says the best times are often spent with family camping, hiking and kayaking in the mountains.  Now, she has combined these two loves in her jewelry line, Summer Wind Art.  After the birth of her son, Bonney, who had been teaching art at Rustburg High School, began crafting wearable art while working from home on graphic design projects for her aunt’s jewelry business.  Delicate flowers with hombre tinged petals; henna-style leaves and vines on stained wooden backgrounds. Whimsical owls with large round eyes tucked in textured plumes, and brightly scaled fish. Paint streaks reminiscent of watercolors, accentuated by the sharp, dark lines of burned wood."

Don't you just love the rustic feel of the wood burning technique along with the pop of color the paint adds?  I am a fan!

I would like to share a super easy bracelet design using a craft store short cut with the pre-made chain links that already has the lobster claw clasp attached.  Simply add the jump rings to the bracelet topper to the correct length needed to fit your wrist.  For a little extra style, I made a spiral headpin and put a ceramic bead I made along with a bead cap, crystal and spacer bead.

  
Thanks and I hope you will add some Summer Wind Art beads to your stash real soon!

Michelle from Firefly Design Studio

Making a Ceramic and Silk Ribbon Bracelet

I am always trying to come up with new ideas on how my customers can use my ceramic pieces.  Out of pendants, beads, earring charms and bracelet toppers, I think the bracelet toppers hold the most mystery on designing with them.  I have been noticing how popular silk ribbon is and how it can add texture and color to a design, so I bought some!  I found a great store on Etsy called Color Kissed Silk and I purchased solid colors and multi colored ribbons.  I also had post cards printed up with easy directions for the wearer as well as my business name and information.  I sell jewelry at shows and galleries, so the bracelet and post card will slip into a cellophane wrapper to stay clean and neat.

This is what I started with:

The silk ribbon, my bracelet topper, 2 10mm sea sentiment beads from Michaels, and antique bronze metal toggle clasp, 10mm jump rings, 3mm spacer beads and head pins from Hobby Lobby.

Start by opening the jump rings and putting them through the bracelet topper holes.  Place a spacer bead, sea sentiment bead and spacer bead on each head pin and make a wire wrapped loop.  Put both of these on the front section of the large jump ring before closing it on the side that will not have the toggle clasp.  Before closing the other jump ring, put the round section of the toggle clasp through it, then close.  Tie one end of the silk ribbon around the jump ring with the bead dangles and tie the other end on the toggle bar.  Because the silk would not go through the small hole, I trimmed the stitching off the end and cut a 1" slice up the ribbon so I could get one half through and I tied it twice with knots.  Then I secured each knot with Hypo Cement.

This is the end result:

It is comfortable to wear and will fit all your customers by tying knots in the ribbon if you need to shorten the ribbon to make the toggle clasp close correctly.  I plan on making a nice amount of these for my upcoming shows.  I hope you will give it a try, too!

Michelle from Firefly Design Studio

Firefly Design Studio is hosting Another Designers Challenge!

The fourth designers challenge has been introduced on Facebook and it's all about Spring - daisies and butterflies!  Three kits are available to choose from in blue (however, now sold out) but yellow and pink are still available.  Every challenge has a guest artist that designs a component, and this round it is the fabulous Anne Gardanne with her enameled beauties.  What you receive from Anne is a surprise!  This is what is included in the kits with a link on how to purchase one for $20 -

https://www.etsy.com/listing/516035593/firefly-design-studio-designers?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/516035881/firefly-design-studio-designers?ref=shop_home_active_1

* Design time from when you receive your kit through Friday, April 14th

* Post your design pictures on the group wall on Saturday, April 15th. One picture will be a group shot of a necklace, bracelet and earring pair. Then a separate close up picture of each, for 4 pictures total. (You must use everything in the kit with anything else you want from your personal bead stash).

* Every like and comment on every picture you post is a vote. The group is public so everyone can like your pictures, but only group members can comment. This is a Facebook thing, not mine 

:)

* Voting will end at midnight, Friday, April 21st

* A prize will be awarded for public vote of a bead embroidery design and a stringing design. Anne will also have the honor of awarding a prize for the most unique use of her component. Winners will be announced Saturday, April 22nd

Does this sound like something you'd like to do?  Then don't wait to buy your kit because they are only available through Sunday, March 19th.  3 yellow and 4 pink remain out of 30 total.  Make sure you join the Facebook group - both to see the designs and vote for your favorites by liking and commenting on the pictures when they are posted.  Here's the link for that -

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1670109743205467/

Hope you'll join in the fun!

Michelle McCarthy

Firefly Design Studio

Ceramic Beads

"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

Fall Designer Challenge by Firefly Design Studio

It's time for my fall designer's challenge!  This is round #3 and the theme is bird on a branch in 2 different color palettes.  15 kits in each color is offered.  Each kit is $20 and has a bird focal, 2 small birds, a leaf bracelet topper, a pair of leaf charms, a branch, 2 12mm round beads and 2 10mm flat beads.  The kits are for sale in my etsy shop.  The link will be down below.  The rules are simple - use everything in the kit, plus whatever you want from your stash in whatever beading style you want.  Every round includes a mystery component.  Susan Sudnik from Bead N Sisters is a wonderful mixed media jewelry designer.  All I am going to say is it is copper component :)

This is the Cardinal Red kit (3 remain)

This is the Smokey Blue kit (10 remain)

Designers will upload their pictures to the Facebook group where all this fun happens.  (I will post the link down below for you to check out.  Even if you don't want to design with a kit, we need people to vote for their favorites!)  There will be 4 pictures from each designer - one of the necklace, bracelet and earrings alone and a collage picture of all 3 pieces together posted on the group wall. Every like and comment on any and all photos, counts as a vote! The voting period is Tuesday, November 1 at 12:01 am EDT - Sunday, November 6, 2016 at midnight EDT. 3 prizes will be awarded on Monday, November 7, 2016. One for the public's vote, one for the best use of the ceramic components and one for the best use of the guest artist's (Susan Sudnik's) piece. 

Kits are available through October 17, 2016, so there is still time to participate!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1670109743205467/

www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com
www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Summer Fun Mermaid Necklace by Michelle McCarthy

This was my 5th year exhibiting at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI.  Since I man my booth on my own, I don't get a lot of shopping time.  So that means I usually pick up artist goodies that are my booth neighbors and that's a great thing!  I love all things nautical and sea life, so I had to have this cute little mermaid made by fellow ceramic bead artist, Diane Hawkey.  I paired up the green in her tail to a green scallop shell and 10mm bead that I made.  This necklace combines many of my favorite techniques: wire wrapping, knotting with waxed linen and a sea theme.  Here are my supplies gathered up:

I assembled the pendant first.  I like 20g wire the best.  It doesn't hurt my fingers when working with it and it holds it shape pretty well.  Leave the tails long after wrapping your loops.  To cover the wire loop in the scallop shell, I curved the wire into a spiral and pressed it over the wire loop to hide it.  To get the look of the wire wrap around the spacer and gemstone bead, just loosely wrap the wire around them in a downward motion and secure the wire wrap around the bottom wrap.  I think this adds a bit of pizzazz.

Next I cut a 24" piece of beige waxed linen.  At the middle point, I over hand knotted it to the mermaids top loop.  Then lay out your gemstone beads in a pattern you like.  Now you simply string and overhand knot between each bead.  I did 2 knots between each bead because the bead holes were a bit larger.  I finished off the design with a piece of chain.  I think it is comfortable to have chain around the neck area and it is a good "fill in" when you only have a partial bead strand to work with like I did here.  I decided to put the toggle on the side for fun and added a pop of the green there with a ceramic spacer bead.

Instead of cutting the wax linen close to the knot, I left the tails long and tied a feminine little bow there.  Since waxed linen is lightly coated with wax, you don't need to glue the knots.  The wax seals the knot securely.  I love that!  Here's a close up of the toggle area:

Anne will be highlighting some wonderful artists and other recap news from this year's Bead and Button Show in the next few days, so be sure to watch for that!

Farewell...

Well, it's coming a little out of the blue, but this is my last post as a member of the Art Bead Scene team.  I made the decision quite suddenly, on Saturday morning, when in a tizz about the lack of hours in the day. I've loved being a team member and interacting with you readers, and working with the other team members, but I've come to feel like I really need to re-focus my efforts to make the most of my days. I have so many plates spinning at the moment, and, at times, it feels like I've not really got my eye on them all as much as I might. Writing blog posts always takes that bit longer than you imagine. Even doing Etsy Picks posts - well, you just wouldn't believe the hours that can be consumed by looking at art beads on Etsy... oh, wait, hold on... perhaps you would?

So, I thought I'd leave you with a bit of a short, impromptu Inside The Studio post, to share some of the things that have been making demands on my time. Especially as that means that there'll be one last giveaway. First, of course, there have been new beads.

They've pretty much all sold out but there's a handful left in the shop, if you fancy a peek.  I really feel I should be spending time cracking on with making more. That's now on the schedule this week. However, in the last couple of weeks. I've primarily been focused on the metalwork that I wrote about in my last Inside the Studio post.  I've been happily settling into my new workspace, filling it with tools and pleasing things - the utilitarian things; the lovely, visual things. It's the closest I've ever got to a dedicated studio. (Well, my living room is as much studio as it is living room.) So, it's still kinda exciting - and I rather love its diminutive proportions.

(Apologies for the blur - it's hard to photograph this space through the aperture of its mini door.)

I really must thank all of you who expressed concerns about the lack of ventilation. (I even had one lovely reader message me. You know who you are - thanks again!) Of course, you were all right and I was... optimistic? After a few short bursts of soldering in there, even my raddled lungs were questioning the wisdom of it. Fortunately, I located another area of my flat that is also sorely underused and all set up for tolerating heat!

I know - I just boss health and safety! I must be making some progress because I've been happily soldering away in my pyjamas, which is not something I'd ever imagined. (NB. Never solder in your night clothes.) I had hoped to include some images of finished pieces with you. One thing I'm still getting my head round is the amount of time that metalwork takes (for instance, the filing, the endless, endless filing.... ) - especially when you're still learning. I just have to keep telling myself that there are things that were boggling a few weeks ago, that I'm now doing with some ease. I have a stack of things in the works, including a number of bezelled rings which now need setting. I had my first go at setting in my class last night. Like a fool, I'd imagined it would be a relatively quick job. Will I never learn? For the first time ever, I'm wishing I had muscles in my arms. Why can't I order them from Cookson's like everything else? So, rather than show you pictures of half finished rings and other empty bezel pieces, and 'prototypes' of things that didn't quite work this time round, I'll share a few pics of my 'regular' beaded jewellery.

(art beads - Numinosity, Shipwreck Dandy)

(art beads - Something to do Beads)

(art beads - Julia Hay)

(art beads - Donna Perplinplim)

(art beads - Graceful Willow, Something to do Beads)

(art beads - Something to do Beads)

(art beads - Something to do Beads)

(art beads - Happy Fish Things)

(art beads - Scorched Earth)

Anyway, I promised a giveaway. You know, it's got to be one last -

That graphic sure has earned its keep! There's no question this time; just leave a comment saying something and I'll pick a winner in a week's time and get in touch with whoever that is.

When deciding what to put in this last post, I wanted to include the rest of the team somehow. I thought about sharing images of everyone's work but I feel I've done a number of posts sharing images of beads lately - plus Julie did such an elegant job, when she signed off last month. So, I hope you'll think that it's fair that - just this once - the members of the team can also be entered in the giveaway, if they comment?

On which note, I must say a big thank you to everyone on the team, both present and past contributors. Thank you for having me! I'm hoping I might be back to write the odd guest post. And finally, a big thank you to all you readers, for commenting and sharing your enthusiasm and expertise, and your love of art beads.  And, thank you even if you don't comment - it's just great that you show up and read! So, yes, in general: Thanks!

Claire

www.somethingtodo.etsy.com

www.somethingtodobeads.etsy.com

www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com

Firefly Design Studio Designers Challenge - Voting is Open!

I am hosting my first challenge and the entries are live!  The participants received a ceramic paisley kit in either neutral or bright colors and were to create a necklace, bracelet and earring set.  I have a group on Facebook where all the action is happening and you are invited to vote for your favorite! There are 4 pictures posted - 1 of each individual piece of jewelry and a collection shot where all 3 jewelry pieces are.  Your like or comment (you have to be a group member to comment but everyone can like the picture) on the collection photo is what counts.  Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1670109743205467/

Here is a photo of the kits the participants received:

or

I also had a guest lampwork artist contribute a surprise bead to the kit.  Shannon Vickers from Blue Blazes Lampwork created a fun bicone bead to coordinate with each kit.

Here is an entry from Kimberly Kretschman:

I will be holding the challenges a few times a year.  I also award prizes!  First place receives a $100 bead package, second place receives a $50 bead package and third place receives a $25 bead package.  Voting is open through 11:59pm EST, Monday, February 29, 2016 with winners announce the next day.

Inside the Studio with Claire Lockwood

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 prize each week to encourage you to use that keyboard and tell us what you think. The following week a winner is chosen at random from all eligible entries. And here are the results from last week!

This week's winner is Lynda of Fresh Baked Designs. Congratulations! You have won a $25 gift certificate for Swoondimples! Please contact Heather to claim your prize!

********

Is it a little late to be wishing you all a happy new year? I hope you're all contending with the potential gloominess of January. I last shared an Inside the Studio post with you back in early November. Perhaps you'll remember: I have recently taken up metalwork and I had plans of converting my under-the-stairs cupboard - aka the naughty hole - into a little work space.  There was a problem, however. Five years of accumulated junk and mess.

Well, it certainly seemed like a mammoth task. I was shocked just now, revisiting these pictures. A chance turn of events lead to me actually taking it on. I was telling a friend about my plans, a friend who actively likes sorting and tidying (I know?!), and she said, 'Right, we're going to do it'. I can't thank her enough. It took two long afternoons-into-evenings-into-the-small-hours to sort it all, and it was pretty tough going and stressful at points: so many things to have to decide to throw away; so many, sometimes painful, memories unearthed. (Some of the stuff at the back had been dumped in there when I moved into the flat and that wasn't the best time of my life.) But we did it! Can you see the little pixie door? Where the metal working pixies live?

Open wide and what's inside....

I hope you'll agree, it's a pretty remarkable transformation! This is going to be the tidiest it will ever look, I reckon!  I'm so chuffed; I've only just got to the point where I've stopped going in and turning on the light and just thinking, 'Eeeeeeeeeee!' One thing I hadn't remembered was that the naughty hole was actually an airing cupboard.

My first thought on seeing this beast (which actually serves all the flats in the damn building) was: 'Oh, thank goodness! That's several square foot of stuff I'm not going to have to drag out of here and and re-locate!' Once this relief had worn off I was a bit disappointed that it was lurking in there taking up precious space. Still, I reckon I'll live with it well enough.

So, it's now time to pick up the torch/saw/file/hammer, etc.  My classes started again last night. I'm making bezels for stones. I was working on my first one again this morning. I got to the stage where I had it looking all neatly trimmed and thought, 'Oooo, look, that looks like what it should look like! Will the stone fit nicely? Yes, it fits very nicely!' Hot on the heels of that thought came, 'Oooooo, look, is it? Yes, look, it is... it's.... stuck...'. I've tried finding something thin enough to lever it out, but nothing is thin enough. I've tried running water into it. I've tried tapping it on the back. I've tried tapping it on the back with a hammer. I've tried holding it in a pair of tweezers and hitting it on the back with a hammer. I've tried holding it in a pair of tweezers and hitting it on the back even harder with a heavier hammer. No joy. It's only a small, inexpensive, piece of moss agate but if anyone has any suggestions, do share!

I would have got going on the metalwork earlier in the month but there was other stuff to do in the studio, like glazing a big batch of beads.

I'll be listing all of these in the bead shop some time at the start of February - just in time for pay day! I also had a heap of beady makes planned that I wanted to make real. It ended up being quite a make-athon. Here's a small selection.

Art beads by Stillpointworks and Something to do Beads

Art beads by Scorched Earth, Nells Embroidery, and Happy Fallout

Art beads by Donna Perlinplim, Scorched Earth, Something to do Beads, and Happy Fallout

Art beads by Blueberribeads, Happy Fallout, and Something to do Beads

Art beads by Something to do Beads

Art beads by 4 Ophelia and Lucy Haslam

These and many more can be found in my jewellery shop.  

So, it's time for this week's giveaway! The prize will be - again! - a

There are two questions this week. First, the general one: What are your big - or not so big! - plans for your work in 2016? Do you want to learn a new skill, like me? Are you hoping to get your work out there in the world, in some galleries or shops? Perhaps you've been meaning to set up an online shop but have kept putting it off? Is now the time? Or maybe you just want to make a dent in your art bead collection and incorporate some of them in some great new designs? Will this be the year you finally make something with that awesome piece of treasure you've been hoarding? 

And a second question: do you have a trick or tip that might help me free my cabochon from its bezel? (See above!) If anyone comes up with a suggestion that actually works, they'll receive a little beady parcel too!

An Interview with Artist, Raida Disbrow from Havana Beads by Michelle McCarthy

I am lucky to have met Raida Disbrow from Havana Beads, at the Intergalactic Bead Shows Pompano Beach show, quite a few years ago.  I fell in love with her lamp work headpins for earrings, but really....I love everything she creates!  Raida is triple talented...lamp work, ceramic and jewelry designer.  I enjoyed interviewing her and this is what I found out.

How long have you been an artist? And how did you get started?


I’ve been on a creative path my entire life. In 2002 I started to make jewelry at a local bead store. There I discovered lamp work beads and knew I had to make them and incorporate them in my jewelry designs. By 2005 I was making lots of lamp work beads and making jewelry I sold at local art shows. In 2007 I opened Havana Beads on Etsy and the rest is history.



What are your favorite mediums?


My first love is lamp working. I love to work with wire and metals and also love to come up with unusual ceramic pieces and enameling.

What would you consider your designer style?


I consider my style “Earthy”.

Do you prefer making beads or designing jewelry?


I couldn’t possibly pick one or the other. Both are so important to my style.

Do you have a signature bead?


I think if you ask my customers they would probably say crusty beads and headpins. I love to make beads that are earthy in nature. My studio is located on the Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno, FL so I get a lot of inspiration from nature.

What is your favorite color combination?


Anything earthy! I love blues, browns, turquoise, greens, etc.

Where can we find your work?


You can find my work at havanabeads.etsy.com. I also have some jewelry listed at gentlewinddesigns.etsy.com. Most of my jewelry and beads can be found at my studio, which is open to the public, in Port Salerno, Florida. The address there is: 4745 Desoto Avenue, Port Salerno, FL 34997.


Thank you, Raida, for your wonderful beads and jewelry!  I am looking forward to seeing you in Pompano Beach again next month!

Easy Heart Charm Bracelet by Michelle McCarthy

Here's a new twist on a bracelet clasp....a heart charm!  I have made this fun and easy waxed linen bracelet with buttons, 12mm round beads and toggles, but never a charm.  I think it's a cute option from the others.  I love the way it dangles down instead of lining up with the gemstone beads.  Here's what you need to make your own version:

You need 30" of 3 ply waxed linen, 8" of 1mm leather, a closed metal ring, gemstone strand and a heart charm.  I handmade my heart charm out of ceramic clay, but choose colors and shapes that you love!

Here's the finished design:

Start your overhand knotting at the closed metal ring by folding the waxed linen in half and pushing the knot tight up to the ring.  You can put both strands through the gemstone bead or 1 strand and leave 1 strand behind the bead.  Make another overhand knot and push it tight up to the bead.  Continue this pattern for 6 1/2" and then attach the charm by making another knot through the wire loop.  I made 4 extra knots before I attached the charm so the charm would not be too tight up against the last gemstone.  Fold the leather piece in half and attach it to the closed metal ring with another overhand knot.  Measure how big you need the leather loop to be so the charm freely can pass through it.  Close the leather loop with another overhand knot.  I used GS Hypo Cement glue to secure the leather knots.

Have fun making a charm clasp bracelet of your own!