the Essence of Summer- Inspiration Post

Inspiration can be humble. Life's simple pleasures. Summer exudes inspiration right outside the front door. My new art bead collection celebrates the fleeting midwest summer.

Inspired by...

Porch-sitting on balmy summer nights. 

Watching winged creatures-of-the-dark. 

Muted and moody.

Digging in the dirt. Harvesting dinner- fresh from the soil. 

Planting a seed and growing something beautiful. 

Earthy. 

Lush.

  The textures of time: rust, moss, patina. 

Bike rides. 

Walking barefoot. 

Eating watermelon (and spitting the seeds). 

Punchy bright colors. Fruity and fresh. 

Thank you for letting me share a glimpse of my home and heart. I hope the remainder of your summer is joyful and inspiring!
Links:
the Essence of Summer inspiration board
the Essence of Summer Art Bead Collection

Kylie

Pinterest Picks with Claire Lockwood

Regular followers of this blog will know that Kaushambi Shah has produced some fabulous pinterest boards for the monthly challenges, and has taken on the role of ABS Pinterest Curator.  Unfortunately, Kaushambi isn't able to post this month so I'm stepping in.  Kylie Parry did a one-off post several months ago, sharing a number of art bead related boards.  Today I thought I'd shared a selection of pinners I follow, who pin fascinating and inspiring things.  Some have no interest in beads, and aren't particularly concerned with jewellery, but I love to seek inspiration in all manner of places, and if you are like me, I hope you'll be interested in checking out the collections these pinners have curated.

It's peculiar to be writing this post, talking about individuals I know next to nothing about.  What I do know are their tastes and interests and I find lots to admire in the images they pin.  The first pinner who came to mind when I started compiling this post was -SAND-, Sandrine Gergaud, a painter based in Pornic, France.  She has a great selection of boards, ranging from more general collections (drawings, mixed media artworks) to the peculiar and quirky (little houses, spinning tops and girls with moustaches!)  I particularly like her colours combo board.  Here's a selection of images from her collections.

(clockwise from top left: jazzman (flickr); Boomkamp (tumblr); paperiaarre (flickr); ngaiolenz (flickr); Nancy Chow (flickr))

Next up, a pinner who shares some really fabulous jewellery finds.  Amanda Thon is a metalsmith based in Florida. Beside her collections of rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc., there are boards devoted to packaging, display, tools, sketch books, and much, much more.

(clockwise from left: Nikki Couppee; Ed Wiener; Moorigin; Reka Fekete; Becky Crow)

Vicki P of Sky Gypsy Studio has similar selection of jewellery-focused boards, alongside a great range of art in different media.

(clockwise from top left: Stacey Bently; Kathleen Dustin; Nina Bagley)

Next, something for polymer fans. Cara Jane Hayman is a polymer designer based in Bristol in the UK.  Her enthusiasm for her medium can be seen in her vast collection of polymer-related boards.  There are also stacks of tutorials, so if you are a clayer you may want to check those out too. 

(clockwise from top left: Maniguette (flickr); Kathleen Dustin; Artybecca; Elena Fadeeva)

Finally, an artist from the North of England, Helen Birch, aka draw draw draw, whose boards include '2D drawings', '3D drawings', 'Found drawings', 'Sketchbooks', 'Textile, Surface, Pattern'.  I'm always finding fascinating new images via draw, draw, draw.  

(clockwise from top left: Fiona Rae; Thomas Jackson; Yves Kline; Nick Turpin; Antoni Tapies; John Ruskin)

I hope you've found something here that catches your eye. Do feel free to share your favourite boards in the comments, art bead related or more general.  While I'm here, here's a link to my pinterest boards.

Bye for now, Claire

(something to do with your hands)

Pinterest Style/ Inspiration Boards for Jewelry Designers with Kylie Parry

Pinterest style/ inspiration boards can be a really useful tool for creative businesses.

For artists, Pinterest is the ultimate virtual way to collect and organize inspiration and creative motivation. Style boards help  tell a story- your story- your artwork's story (and the story you are trying to sell). Boards can be curated based upon themes, seasons, colors, etc. I tend to create beads and jewelry in themed collections. My inspiration boards reflect that. The multi-media aspect of creating style boards is so true to life. As artists, we draw inspiration from so many sources: places, experiences, clothes, paintings, photography...Pinterest boards help capture that complexity.

ahhh...glorious spring. My 2014 Spring Inspiration board. 

 Kaushambi Shah's pastel and eclectic Vintage Inspired Spring Garden Tea Party board. 

Pinterest style boards are also practical. They assist in organizing favorite supplies, tutorials and information in a visual and easy way.

In a single glance, visitors get a 'feel' for the artist's work- which I love. Peek into the brain of an artist.

When Heather starts pinning beautiful floral prints and photos, we anticipate new feminine and flowery beads. Heather's Inspired by Spring board.

Boards are a way to keep inspired, keep motivated and share in the inspiration of others by following their boards.

Catina Jane Gray Studio

Pinterest is also a business tool. In creative businesses, making connections and fostering relationships is key.

Having style boards, creates opportunities to connect with like-minds.
{Someone searching for a vacation spot in Fiji may happen upon a photo on my 'take me to the sea' board. While perusing my board, they might spot a whale bracelet they can't live without, or a starfish necklace they love, or... you get the picture.}

The possible connections are vast.

Pinning a variety of things is important for drawing more (and new) people in and keeping them interested. Sharing resources, where you found a cool supply, cross promoting other jewelry/ bead makers and pinning other relevant things, gives people (and potential customers) a reason to keep following along. I like following other style boards to stay current on trends, this season's colors and the styles that are 'hot' (since I am not. read: new baby (i.e. I don't get out much)).

Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp's 'on trend' Gypsy board.

The changes beyond our control to sites like Etsy and Facebook, that make it increasingly difficult for our artwork to be found, make resources like Pinterest a valuable (and fun!) way to diversify and promote our creative businesses.

AND this blog post has just justified all those hours you've spent pinning. You are welcome :)

Have a great week!

Kylie

p.s. feel free to follow my boards and the Art Bead Scene boards!

(We are re-publishing this post due to a scheduling error. I think it's fab enough it deserves repeating. Share your favorite jewelry mood board in the comments!)

Pinterest "Birds of Inspiration" Board

I find it completely enthralling to lose myself on Pinterest. I can find a wealth of inspiration without leaving the comfort of my bed or my home. Page after page of amazing pictures and incredible ideas! I could spend hours, and have, pinning anything and everything! If there was one thing I could say I am addicted to, it would be Pinterest!

So naturally I was asked to become the Pinterest Administrator for the Art bead Scene! What a perfect job for me! If only it came with a pay check! Lol! One of the things I am doing is creating inspiration boards about specific subjects. Things that already inspire me, or that I have found inspire you. My first board for this month's post is "Birds of Inspiration". What more inspiration do you need than the amazing colouring of a tropical bird! Or the wise look of the Owl, or simply a birds next with Eggs in it. Nature inspires us all in one form or another. Birds have always inspired me tremendously.

Birds are truly limitless in their inspiration. I find myself creating my own art beads from this inspiration, as well as my art bead jewelry. I know I am not the only one, so check out the Pinterest board to see for yourself!

A mix of many different artisans that were very much inspired by birds in their creative endeavours.

I love the different styles, interpretations and uses of inspiration portrayed in these pieces.

Please take the time to let this board inspire you, I know it certainly has inspired me. Share it with your friends and certainly give ABS a follow on our Pinterest page!

As always thanks for stopping by!!

Marie

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