Studio Saturday - Pearls of Wisdom

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 is Marilynart, you've won a set of Cindy's Raspberry Links. Please email us your mailing address.


Why look who has popped into my studio for a visit. He keeps asking, "Whoooo loves beads?"

I've been experimenting lately, giving myself permission to play and try new things out. There was been a flurry of activity on the bead table, with new jewelry designs. I wanted to whip up a few for our monthly challenge, just for fun. This got me thinking about wisdom and symbols and so here is little hoot. Looking a little more inquisitive than filled with wisdom, but perhaps an inquisitive mind is the first step towards wisdom.

Prince of the Forest - I used a little Vintaj bead cap as a crown, too cute. And notice the awesome Bead Pod clasp, also from Vintaj. You can put in little beads and close it up. I filled mine with 4mm pearls.

And along with giving myself permission to experiment, I've been working on a new series of stamped beads that remind me of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it. They have a ceramic, carved wood, dyed fabric, woodblock print feel to me. Does that make sense?

So many beads end up in a little pile of rejects because I don't feel they are mine, they may be a technique that I was trying out and they ended up looking like another artists work. It's a struggle to try new techniques and hold onto your voice with the work. After many tries, I feel like this new work is finally mine. Different from the traditional humblebeads, so maybe these are humblebeads 2.0.

So my words/pearls of wisdom for you today are give yourself permission to play and experiment. Try new things, but work to make them yours. Find symbols that help tell the stories that make your creations personal and you'll be on the right path.

So my question for this week is really a request: please share a pearl of wisdom with me. It can be a quote, a piece of advice you received, a mantra that helps you get in the creative groove. It can be about life, creativity, finding peace, any pearl will do!

We'll pick a random winner next week who will receive a Little Hoot bead. Can't wait to read your pearls of wisdom!

The Trendy Bead - Nautical Theme

Welcome to the Trendy Bead, a bi-monthly post pairing art beads with some of my favorite fashionable finds.

This summer, like any other, nautical themes are popping up in the fashion world. Hot colors for summer are yellow and navy, well any blue for that matter. The classic nautical theme is not typically a favorite of mine, but here are some finds that have me quickly changing my tune, yo-ho-ho.

The first set features a Caribbean Dollar Coin from Creative Impressions in Clay. Remember Tari can create buttons in any style you like, including with a loop on top for an instant pendant. I love the Antique Brass Rope Chain from the ArtfulMarket paired up with Navy Knot Vintage Beads from Buy2Make. Anchors away!

A fresh and summery combo of lemon yellow and cobalt blue. I could see a linked combination of these Yellow Vintage Czech Glass Beads from MKSupplies mixed together with a few of Cindy Gimbrone's Bling Links in this dark blue with a pendant of Branch Coral from Green Girl Studios. Mix them together with large link silver chain.

And this was an easy pair, because I've matched them up a few times already. Teal Urchins from my Humblebeads Etsy Shop just loves to hang out with Mamicata Beadworks' Seaweed Buttons, but for a fun twist I'd like to see this Teal Ship Wheel from the PatinaQueen thrown into the mix.

Old World Map Beads from Mygoodness in all their steam punk glory seem the perfect fit for Earthenwood Studio's new Porthole Steam Stone. To carry out the nautical theme I'd end a necklace with one of these Antique Copper Rope Toggles from ArtfulMarket. Beads ahoy!

Don't forget to enter our Studio Saturday drawing, you could win a set of Cindy's textile inspired Raspberry Links.

Bead & Button Show 2008, or "There's Treasure Everywhere!"

I can't imagine any hardship greater than attending a huge bead show with literally of thousands of amazing art beads available to view and purchase. Really, it's almost as bad, if not infinitely worse, than being forced to spend a day in a huge, excessively well-stocked bead store. Nevertheless, I and my companion set off with grim determination on Sunday to spend a few hours at the Bead & Button Show Marketplace.

Okay, okay, this is a complete lie. I was so excited by the prospect of all of the beady goodness spread out before me, that it was all I could do not to run screaming into the convention center with my arms wide open. Not even the imminent threats of flooding and tornadoes could keep me from that venue. (I was told by several artists that the convention hall was actually closed off Saturday night, and people were not allowed to leave for a couple hours due to inclement weather conditions. As Robert Jennick put it, most attendees didn't find it all that much of a hardship to spend a little extra time with the beads.)

To paraphrase Calvin & Hobbes, there really was treasure everywhere. There is absolutely no way I can do justice to the full scope of the show, but I would like to take the opportunity to show (off) a few special beads that a shopper could find this year.

My first purchase of the day was at ceramic artist Diane Hawkey's booth. The moon and sun beads, pictured above, represent some of her new work. She is also well-known for creating beads around both mythic and very organic themes. You will find horned gods, clever-looking beasties and a variety of animals (such as the above bear - I think of it more as an "ursa", but that's me) in her body of work. I find Diane's style to be vivid, strong and completely unique - I am a great fan of hers. Further examples of Diane's beads can be found on her website or at her Etsy store.


I have also been a fan of lampwork artist Isis Ray's work for a long time. Her booth was replete with lovely, colorful sets of beads, as well as larger, intricate focals, including her well-known Frida Kahlo bead. This gentleman is Bacchus, the God of Wine. For anyone unfamiliar with the technique, this bead is an example of a portrait murrina, a bead made by painstakingly assembling a portrait cane from glass, in this case of the profile of Bacchus surrounded by grapes and leaves. Her beads are available at the Pike Street Market in Seattle and at various bead shows throughout the US.



This Sphinx pendant is a Green Girl Studios original, handcrafted by Cynthia Thornton. The bezel is fine silver, the Sphinx is painted polymer clay and the whole piece has been filled with clear resin which (I think at least) gives the piece a nice depth and a storybook quality. I also think that the amount of love and care that is expressed in the incredible detail of the figure of the Sphinx is amazing. If you would like to see the other examples of this type of pendant that were available at the show, please visit Cynthia's blog. Of course, other Green Girl Studios beads and pendants may be viewed at the company's website.


Here's a cool, dotty cube by Joan Miller Porcelain. The level of detail in Joan's work and her cheerful color palette are always attractive. She collaborates with silversmith Penny Michelle to create whimsical creature pendants (I am particularly fond of their skull pendants). She also makes a truly beautiful series of buttons, for any knitters or sewers seeking something original to put as a finishing touch on a hand-made garment. To view more of Joan's work, visit her or Penny's website or her Etsy store.


Here is some new work by one of my favorite lampwork artists, Michele Goldstein. The larger bead is, of course, "Love Sprouts". I love the moustache in the small set, typical of the sense of humor that you often find in Michele's work. You can see more of Michele's work on her website. She has also lately been collaborating with lampwork artist Stephanie Sersich. Their work can be found at the Hearts and Bones Studio.



Last, but not least, it's Steampunk Time! Art Bead Scene's own Melanie Lukacs had a beautiful setup at her Earthenwood Studio booth (for pics of the "dry run" of her display, please visit her blog). I know regular readers of Art Bead Scene are probably already familiar with Melanie's work. Let me just say that her Steam Stones are even more beautiful in person than in the photos. Of course, you can find Melanie's work on her website, as well.

Needless to say, all of the above is only my own personal stash. If you were there this year, what's in your Bead & Button stash? And if you weren't there this year, what are you waiting for? For more information on the show, including next year's show dates, please visit this website.

Fit to Print Book Review - Bead Romantique

Bead Romantique
Written by Lisa Kan

Okay, let me start out by saying that Lisa Kan is one of my all time favorite beadmakers and designers. Her website and blog offer endless inspiration and eye candy! Her book follows suit.

As a designer I judge a book by two criteria. First, does it inspire me to think of my own jewelry designs in a new way? Secondly, does it offer enough new techniques to help me further my knowledge and spur me on to add some new tricks to my design repertoire. Lisa's book offers both.

You may be new to the world of beading, nary a thread and bead to hand or you might know every beading stitch under the sun. I believe Bead Romantique has something for every level. The designs range from basic stringing and wire wrapping to complicated right-angle weave.

If you are new to beading, don't fear. There are earring projects to start out with that will help you with the basics. You can build up your skills as you work through the projects in this book. I love that many of the beading projects are small components that repeat and build together to create larger and more complex designs. The mix of chain and brass filigree add depth to the construction of some of the simpler beaded pieces, which is oh so clever!

I'd also recommend this book to someone who is an advanced beader. I could see this adding some creative sparks to those who have seen it all in the world of seed beads. I see quite a few projects that call for size 15 seed beads. (Those are the tiny ones smaller than regular seed beads!) In the beginning of the book Lisa says she wanted to create projects for the intermediate to advanced beaders who are looking for new inspiration.

There are a few projects in the book that feature art beads. I could see art beads incorporated into many of the designs as the focal point. Another bonus is the historic inspiration behind the jewelry, from the Renaissance period to Art Deco, along with a generous sprinkling of Victorian and Art Nouveau styles, Lisa covers 400 years of art history with style and grace!

I Heart Tools - Flush Cutters

image courtesy of Anne Mitchell's website

I Heart Tools by Jean Yates

I had a problem. Like many of you, I like to learn new techniques. It is one of my great loves, in fact. In my situation, I have to teach myself at home most of the time. To accomplish this, I learn from books, DVDs, or from online teaching services. This usually works pretty well!

My latest interest involves learning how to fuse fine silver. I see that this is a direction in jewelry making which is getting increasingly popular. I am a curious person anyway and this appeals to me. Additionally, I just don't like to be left behind! Don't do that to me!

The problem, however, was this: I needed the right flush cutters. A "flush cut", as you probably know, is one where the wire, after cut, is not left burred. You need a good flush cut for making proper jump rings, or for making any kind of chain from rings. The wire needs to have as flat a surface where you have just made the cut as possible.

When you start learning about fusing fine silver, one of the first things you learn (Jean, "the big knowledgeable pro" is talking, here) is that if you don't make a perfectly flush cut, the relatively simple fusing procedure will not happen. The magical (at least that is the way it looks to me, when I see it take place!) wire fusing will not occur! You will be admiring a gloppy pile of nothing instead, where there should be a lovely fine silver circle, to which you should then be able to connect another lovely fine silver circle. When you have spent a lot of money on fine silver wire, it's a waste of money to do it wrong, plus it is a waste of your time.

My specific problem was compounded by the fact that I wanted to be able to cut very heavy gauge fine silver wire for projects, and then fuse it. Now, granted, fine silver wire is softer than regular sterling silver wire, but that doesn't mean that 12 gauge wire isn't really hefty! So I needed the right tool for the job! That's where my troubles started. Everywhere I looked, the cutters didn't seem to be able to cut the gauge wire that I wanted to cut.

Then, Eureka! I found the right tool for the job over at Anne Mitchell's site (http://www.annemitchell.net/)! Just look in her tool section. She's got great flush cutters (see photo above), which I purchased. They are reasonably priced! They can cut "up to 8 gauge fine silver wire" according to Anne. I am thrilled because this is the answer to my dreams, flush-cutting wise.

That is why I "heart this tool"!

These flush cutters can get me up to speed in my latest interest, which is fusing fine silver. I can make the pretty chains I have been dreaming of. So, if you choose to fuse, check my suggestion out!

Wouldn't it be great if everything were this simple?

Jean Yates, guest editor
author of Links, website www.prettykittydogmoonjewelry

Featured Designer of the Week - Jewelry by L Designs

LAVENDER & CREAM
Originally uploaded by jewelsbyldesigns

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

Our current designer was chosen by Cindy Gimbrone. She choose Jewelrybyldesigns Lavender and Cream earrings. Cindy noted, "lovely combination of lampwork, beading and wire. The glass colors are complemented nicely by the pearls and wire. I'd love to have these swinging from my ears! :-)!"

Our theme for June is Pearls of Wisdom. I love the use of the keshi pearls in this design.

You can view more work from Jewelry by L Designs by visiting her blog.

Want to be the next featured designer? Enter our monthly challenge and you could be next!

Great Gams in the Desperate ABS Neighborhood!

Pssssttt!!! There's someone new in the Desperate ABS Neighborhood! The paparazzi can only seem to catch her at night.....



...can you see who she is? It was really really really dark in the ABS Neighborhood when the paparazzi snapped this picture. They chased her down last week and snapped this picture....



...great gams but she's hiding behind her book!! Who is this new Desperate Neighbor?!? Will the Desperate Neighbors leave her alone or will they gossip about her like everyone else?

Speaking of gossip - let's see what the Desperate Bead Bloggers are dishing on this week....

About.com Jewelry Making
My New Metal Clay Jewelry Making Book is Out!

Bead Style Magazine
Naomi talks about this weekend's Bead & Button Show

Jewelry & Beading
Fabulous bead artist Margie Deeb has an artist profile on Jewelry & Beading!

Naughty Secretary Club
Learn how to make a resin bracelet using an ice cube tray watching Jen’s latest how-to video! The Secretary’s Delight Bracelet is a sneak peak at some of the projects inside Jen’s new book The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry.

Savvy Crafter
Candie crafts up a simple necklace, perfect for making round' the picnic table in the back yard with the kids.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Tammy Powley's super new book! Read her interview with me, here!

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!

(Photo credits: Seeing Stars photo of Desperate Housewives set.
Desperate Neighbor pictures from Jean Yates' blog.)