Bead Scoop: Mamacita Beadworks

You've probably noticed that Mamacita Beadworks is everywhere lately in jewelry design. D'Arsie Manzella creates delicious little pewter masterpieces that catch the eye and evoke a sense of nature and creativity in every piece. I first discovered Mamacita Beadworks in the very beginning of my Etsy adventure back in May of 2007, when I bought this little sweet bird for my friend's birthday. Since then, I have loved using all of D'Arsie's beauties in my work. I wanted to share with you a small online interview that I had the pleasure of having with D'Arsie.

Where are you from?
~Lakewood, NY



How long have you been making pewter beads?
~I have been sculpting beads for fifteen years, and began working in pewter two years ago.

What inspired you to get started with this craft?
~I have worked with polymer clay and pottery for most of my life. I created pieces that were one of a kind. I have always wanted to touch more people with my artwork and casting has allowed me to do that. Working in metal balances me somehow; it brings me down to earth and I have a great respect for my medium. It’s too hot not to!
I also have a crazy love of multiples. If I love something, chances are I have at least three of that thing in my house. It makes me happy to see a bunch of Folk Birds flocking on my workbench.


What is one of your goals for your small business? Can we expect a website down the road or is Etsy your preferred avenue?
~Although Etsy is my one and only venue online at the moment, I am currently working towards having my beads available “in person” in bead shops around the country. When time allows, I intend to build an individual website where I can include pictures of my process and links to the amazing artists that create with my beads.


Do you have any advice for people who are making their own jewelry?
~What I would advise to others is to be your biggest fan. Never pass up an opportunity to wear your artwork, and believe in your talents. Making a living as an artist is not always comfortable. It is work just like any other. If you create from your heart, it is the most joyful work you will ever do.

You can find Mamacita Beadworks on Etsy. Click here to start your shopping spree!


Written by Guest Blogger, Lorelei Eurto
Read her Blog, Buy her Jewelry!

Featured Designer of the Week - Art Faerie by Agnes

Custom Made for sugarpoppy_03a
Originally uploaded by Art Faerie by Agnes

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

It was hard to choose this week! I picked Art Faerie by Anges' Lampwork Bracelet. The beads are wonderful and the designer picked out just the right accents to show off their beauty.

Our theme for May is Mother Earth and Art Faerie's bracelet is a chorus of colors in celebration of earth's little joys.

To see more of Art Faerie's creations visit her flickr photostream.

Want to be next week's featured designer? We only have a week left to enter May's monthly challenge!

Desperate Guest Bloggers in the ABS Neighborhood

News Flash!! The paparazzi are hot on the trail of Desperate Guest Blogger, Lorelei. They caught a quick shot of her in her famous Owl Shirt. But when they asked why she had been locked up recently, she turned on her heels and ran.



As she was sprinting across the Desperate ABS Neighborhood and away from the cameras, Lorelei shoved the paparrazi and told them to "Buzz Off!"

While the paparazzi chase Lorelei down Hysteria Lane, let's see what else is going on with the Desperate Bead Bloggers....


About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy was having some major deja vu while reviewing this mainly metal jewelry making book.

Art Bead Scene
Do you love stamping? Check out Art Bead Scene for a review of metal stamps and a link to a tutorial!

Jewelry & Beading
Get your "Mental Gears" working...and win a free pendant!

Naughty Secretary Club
Anyone headed out to BEA (Book Expo of America) in Los Angeles next weekend? Stop by the F&W booth (#1351) to keep Jen company and to score a free Naughty Secretary Club T-shirt. You are going to need one for a project in The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Jewelry.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean explains why she loves a certain necklace she made for summer, and looks forward to writing about jewelry in the upcoming month!

Did you know the Desperate ABS Neighbors open up their studios on Saturdays? Stop by and read Studio Saturdays to find out more about the Desperate Neighbors of the Art Bead Scene!

Did you read or write any good dirt on a bead blog this week?
Leave us a comment and a link and tell us the latest scoop!

Studio Saturday - BonBons

Welcome to Studio Saturday! 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 free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner. This week's winner of Heather's Urchin Bead is Arline! Please use the suggestion box on the sidebar to send us your address.


Inspiration comes from strange places sometimes, and occasionally without inspirational intent. This is a story of accidental inspiration.

I often make things in a random sort of way, just letting shapes happen and come together without a lot of advanced planning.

The beads know what they are, and they will tell you. The ideas come down to the fingertips, and out into the clay or paint in surprising and wonderful ways sometimes.

These three little beads must have decided that they were meant to be something different from the original idea in my mind. When making them, I thought of them as a sort of cameo, or maybe a framed antique pearl image. Something like that, which is like my usual style.


They were shaped in polymer clay, colored, baked and polished.

At that point I looked at them and realized they were different than I pictured them. And then they showed themselves for what they meant themselves to be, it was a revelation of a sort. They are BonBon Beads.


What's the story behind these little visual goodie beads? Not completely sure, but I think it goes something like this. It's spring, and I'm making the usual effort to lose some weight. So candies have been on the no-go list. No baking, staying away from goodies, cupcakes, all that.

However, my subconscious is apparently craving sweets, causing me to unknowingly create things that look like the candies and baked goods I'm trying to stay away from.

Even the reverse side looks like a confection. Pistachio, caramel and orange glazed.

At some point I believe that it's best just to accept what your eyes are telling you and acknowledge that they are BonBon beads, even if that's not what I started out to make in the first place.

Have no plans to make more, since to tell the truth I had no plans to make these, so these are a limited edition. They are very fun looking, brighter and more colorful than my usual palette. Maybe it's the spring flowers, the sunny weather.

Here they are, posed in a candie box, looking very sweet, like tiny iced cakes. Don't they resemble little confections?

If I had meant them that way, I'd be very proud of my efforts, but since I didn't intend them to look like candies, it's all very mysterious in the creative brain process.

So I am offering up one of these BonBon beads, hopefully someone will have a great time designing a cute necklace or something with them. The question for this week is what do you do when your creations take on a life of their own? Do you fight it or go with the flow? Share a time when your creations got away from you.

Because if I keep looking at them, I'm going to lose all my reserve and head to the bakery!

Save me from myself! Doesn't that one look just like a little blueberry tart? I must stay strong.

Guest Blogger, Lynn Davis - LLYYNN
Check out the Art Bead Shop or read the tell-all blog

Collaboration Exploration Latest Edition

Collaboration Exploration is a fun project that involves two beadmakers working with a designer. All three get the same sets of beads from the two bead makers, and all three have to design jewelry or other crafts with those items. They do it secretly, and all reveal at the same time. It is an exciting surprise to see the different ways each has used the beads. Thanks to Cindy Gimbrone for coming up with this great creative challenge!

The latest three participants: beadmakers Mary Harding and Heather Powers along with designer Lorelei Eurto.

Click on the designers' names below to read their blog posts about the collaboration:

Lorelei Eurto

Mary Harding

Heather Powers

Findings Worth Finding: Prolifique

As you well know, Etsy is a wonderful place to find a little bit of everything. But I usually find the BEST stuff by accident! Clicking around the site one day, I came across a shop selling little handmade bits and bobs and perfect findings for jewelry. When I took a closer look, I found that they offer chain, charms, earring wires, connectors, pendants, beads, and cabachons too!

PROLIFIQUE

Definition of prolific (from the French word 'prolifique') - producing creative or intellectual products abundantly. This lovely shop is run by two women, one in Arizona and one in Florida. They have only just begun this Etsy adventure and have had their shop since March of '08!
They sell primarily on Etsy, but do plan to open their own website in the future.



They primarily use PMC (precious metal clay) for their findings. When I asked Prolifique why they use PMC, they answered, "Because the possibilities are endless... and the ideas are never- ending!"

One of them used PMC as a creative outlet after her daughter was born. Then the other was so excited seeing what she was making, that she begged her to teach her too!


Currently, they have many new design ideas in the works. Prolifique plans to eventually cast the most popular pieces so that they can still have time to continue to make new things. When they are cast, they will have them done in argentium, so they will still be highly tarnish resistant and carry almost the same qualities as the fine silver does. We have also started to make jewelry with out findings and offer it to those who don't want to make it... you can find their handmade jewelry here!


Written by Guest Blogger, Lorelei Eurto See her Shop, Read her Blog

Fit to Print Review - Simply Beads June 2008 Issue

Simply Perfect

What's cool, refreshing and inspiring, all at once? Be sure to find a copy of the June 2008 issue of Simply Beads Magazine, it has page after page of inspiring ideas, informative articles, and useful information for the bead collectors and jewelry designers in all of us.

And speaking of designers, there are some familiar beads and names in this issue, as several articles showcase beads, kits and designs developed by Heather Powers (HumbleBeads) and Melanie Brooks Lucas (Earthenwood Studio).

Don't those beads on the cover look familiar? Your eyes aren't deceiving you, those truly are disk beads created by Heather Powers in her lariat style design necklace. Gorgeous and inspiring, it's a well-written two-page spread showcasing Heather's beads and original design in a fresh, summery style.

As if that isn't enough, Melanie Brooks Lukacs has two designs in this issue, including the inspiring bracelet in this photo using porcelain beads from Earthenwood Studio and a pewter seashell clasp from Green Girl Studios. Simple yet beautiful design that will go with everything.

There are book reviews that any jewelry designer and bead lover will find interesting, new product reviews, and some non-jewelry projects using art beads with home decor, accessories and even a DVD case. Plenty of variety and lots of inspiration, an issue you will return to many times.

Having been on a self-imposed magazine diet, after a quick flip through the pages an exception was quickly made for this issue of Simply Beads, be sure to find one for your collection. This one is a finder-keeper.

Guest Blogger, Lynn Davis - LLYYNN
Check out the Art Bead Shop or read the tell-all blog