Interview with Belle Armoire Jewelry's Christen Olivarez

Belle Armoire Jewelry Summer 2008 issue is currently on the newstands. This week I had the pleasure of asking the editor of Belle Armoire Jewelry her views on the magazine and creativity.

JS: What is your name, occupation and location?
CO: My name is Christen Olivarez. I am the Managing Editor of Belle Armoire Jewelry, The Stampers' Sampler, Take Ten, The Catch Up Issue, Inspirations and Stuffed: A Gathering of Softies. Our office is located in beautiful Laguna Hills, California.

JS: When did Belle Armoire begin a jewelry-only issue and why?
CO: In 2005, the decision was made to begin publishing Belle Armoire Jewelry and in 2006, the first issue was published. The need to publish a jewelry-only issue was inevitable, given the amount of jewelry submissions we were receiving for Belle Armoire. There was no possible way we could fit all the fantastic jewelry into Belle Armoire and still be able to show other kinds of wearables.

JS: Belle Armoire Jewelry is now published quarterly. What inspired Stampington & Co to make this decision?
CO: The popularity of the first three Belle Armoire Jewelry issues made the decision easy to go quarterly. People loved seeing a jewelry-only magazine and wanted to see more of it. Being a quarterly publication also allows us to show what is new and exciting in the art jewelry world, which is a wonderful thing.

JS: How many artists typically are featured in Belle Armoire Jewelry?
CO: Though there is no set number of artists we feature, we try to show about 25-30 artists, though you will notice that number changes each issue.

JS: What do you look for in jewelry submissions?
CO: What really catches our eye are well-made, unique jewelry that showcases a special technique. We work hard to select jewelry that will show a balance of all the different jewelry techniques that are out there. It's also great when people send in a couple of pieces of jewelry that exhibit the same technique. Being able to see different examples of techniques is so beneficial.

JS: Being a regular contributor to your magazine, I understand the hard work that goes into the process. It can be a bit intimidating! What can you recommend to prospective artists for proper submission guidelines?
CO: Before submitting work, please read our submission guidelines in the back of any of our publications or on our website. If you aren't sure of something, e-mail us. We have an excellent art management team that is more than happy to answer your questions about submitting. As I mentioned before, submit more than one piece of jewelry. For example, if you have a really great wire wrapping technique, why not show it off in not only a necklace but also a bracelet? And lastly, I want to remind you that you won't get published unless you submit! If you've been nervous about submitting before, now's the time to do it!

JS: As an editor, what or whom inspires you?
CO: My co-workers are truly an inspiration to me. Our jobs can become very busy at times, but everyone handles it all with such grace and passion. It's really a great environment to work in. Another source of inspiration is all of the outstanding submissions we receive. The beauty of the artwork really inspires you to work your hardest to show the pieces in the right light.

JS: Personally, what or whom inspires you?
CO: Anyone who is passionate about something in his or her life is inspiring to me. Having so many interests and passions, I love hearing about the things that inspire other people. I like to hear what makes people so excited that they can't sleep at night.

JS: Do you prescribe to any particular creative process?
CO: I am really getting into the process of "making do" with what I have. I knit, scrapbook (sometimes), stamp, paint, read (a ton), write, and embroider, so I have a lot of supplies on hand that I rarely use. I really enjoy going into my craft area and looking around it to see what perks my interest on that particular day. I don't like the idea of making myself do something. If I'm not feeling inspired, I can't force myself to be creative. The creative process is supposed to be enjoyable.

JS: Belle Armoire Jewelry Fall issue is due on newstands September 1. When is the deadline for submissions for the Winter issue?
CO: The deadline for the Winter issue is July 15th, so hurry up and send in some of your fantastic jewelry!

JS: Thank you, Christen, for taking time to visit Art Bead Scene Blog! Get out there, everyone, and send in your submissions!

Written by guest editor Jennifer Stumpf. You can read Jennifer's blog and see her art beads and jewelry at her website and etsy shop.

July Monthly Challenge - Summer Vacation

This month's theme is Summer Vacation. Pull out those ocean hued focal beads, fishy pendants, flip-flop charms. Take us away to some place remote and tropical! We look forward to seeing your summer vacation inspired jewelry this month.

The Prize & Sponsor:
Our sponsor this month is from clay bead artist Joan Tucker's Off Center Productions . The prize includes $100 worth of art beads!

Gone Fishing -blue folded pendant, Back from Egypt -pendant and beads, Flower -with Vintaj embellishments, Two Chicks- Porcelain charms, Summer Rose- Matt pink charm

Featured Designer of the Week!
From all the entries during the month, an editor is going to pick their favorite design to be featured every Monday here on the ABS. We want to give our participants more time in the spotlight! Our Featured Designer will be this Monday, so get those entries in soon.

How to enter the Monthly Challenge:
1. Create something using an art bead that fits within our monthly theme.
This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc. The art bead can be created by you or someone else. The challenge is to inspire those who use art beads and to see all the different ways art beads can be incorporated into your handiwork.

***Beads by themselves and beads simply strung on a chain or cord will not be accepted.***

2. Upload your photo to our flickr group.Detailed instructions can be found here and click here for a tutorial for sending your picture to the group. If you can't upload to Flickr, send your entry and information to Heather.

Please add the tag or title JulyABS to your photos.

Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog, if you have one.

Deadline is July 31st.

Photos are approved by our moderators, if a photo hasn't followed the guidelines it will not be approved. You may upload 2 photos a day.


***What is an Art Bead? An art bead is a bead, charm, button or finding made by an independent artist. Art beads are the vision and handiwork of an individual artist. You can read more about art beads here.

*** A bead that is handmade is not necessarily an art bead. Hill Tribe Silver, Kazuri ceramic beads or lampwork beads made in factories are examples of handmade beads that are not considered art beads.

p.s. If you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.

June Challenge Winner

JuneABS2
Originally uploaded by Patty Lakinsmith

Congratulations to Patty Lakinsmith! Her entry was chosen by random as our winner. She will receive a signed copy of Lisa Kan's new book, Bead Romantique and 2 strands of pearls!

Lisa had a great interview this year on Beading Daily, check it out!

Thank you to everyone who joined in June's Pearls of Wisdom creativity challenge. Join us tomorrow for July's challenge theme and our new sponsor.

Featured Designer of the Week - Jes *Junque Revival*

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

This week Cindy picked Jes Junque Revival's Peace necklace. Cindy noted, "It reminds me of the ephemera my mother would keep in her jewelry box. They were of Forget-me-nots in blue and green on a postcard or birthday card given to her from her grandmother when she was small. She treasured them as if they were precious jewelry. Forget-me-nots were always her favorite flowers."

Our theme for June is Pearls of Wisdom. Peace is a very wise wish for all of us!

You can view more work from Jes Junque Revival's work by visiting her website.

Today is the deadline to enter June's monthly challenge.

Jewelry Designer Interviews

We've had the pleasure of interviewing both well-known and up-and-coming jewelry designers who incorporate art beads in their handmade creations. Here is a handy index:

Melanie Brooks Lukacs

Margot Potter

Shari Bonnin

Jean Yates

Patty Woodland

Melissa Lee

Katie Hacker

Lori Anderson

AJ Reardon

Mango Tango Designs

Lorelei Eurto

Kelly Angeley

Timothy Adam

Ishita Ghosh

Lunalove

More to come!

Owls and Something New for The Desperate ABS Neighborhood

Have you seen what's going on in the Desperate Artbeadscene Neighborhood? There's an owl flying over The Neighborhood while The Desperate ABS Editor tries something new.




The Neighbors think the barn owl is called Little Hoot - and as he flies over the neighborhood he makes his way out into the Bead Blogging World to see what else is going on.....


About.com Jewelry Making
Think outside the jewelry box and consider other crafting techniques for making jewelry! Crochet is just one example.

Art Bead Scene
Polyester Makes a Comeback in a surprising new way!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie reflects and gives thanks to everyone who helped her out at the Bead & Button Show

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Eye Candy, a few new designs from Jennifer Jangles

Jewelry & Beading
Just having returned from Italy, Cyndi was inspired by all the suppliers of beautiful Murano beads.

Katie's Beading Blog
Multiple strand necklaces are always in style. Read Katie's blog for tips.

Linda at Bead Style Magazine
Linda created a necklace for the Ornament Thursday blog group and wanted to share it with everyone!

Savvy Crafter
Rockin' Riveted Ring over on Candie's blog!

Snap out of it , Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean interviews the fabulous Margot Potter for Art Bead Scene!

Strands of Beads
Melissa discusses beautiful presentation boxes made from origami.


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.)

Trying Something New at Studio Saturday

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 Soochal! Congratulations, Soochal! You're the winner of Melissa's word charm! Please send your postal address to the ABS Suggestion Box and Melissa will send your charm bead!

Today's Studio Tour is with Cindy Gimbrone, glass beadmaker. Let's see what's going on in her studio....



Hello from my studio! Before I get started, I want to say "Happy Birthday" to my nephew, Shane who I used to babysit when he was a baby. What an adorable baby he was and he's grown up to be a fine young man. Have some cake on me, Shane!

Now, on to today's studio tour. If you're a regular reader, you've been in my studio several times. So to mix things up a bit, I've decided, it's time to try something new! I took a class with Sally Prasch awhile ago on blowing glass at the torch and working with glass tubing. I've written about borosilicate glass on the Cindy Gimbrone blog. I bought a larger torch and ordered glass tubing.

In the class with Sally, I pulled a few points - "points" are glass tubes with the ends heated and pulled to a thing blow tube. You decorate the middle of the tube, heat it and blow through the small ends. It's time to make more points and practice, practice, practice.

So, that's what I'm doing today - setting up the bigger torch that I need to melt the tubing and cutting the 4 feet tubing to shorter lengths to make points.

That leads me to today's question. What new thing have you tried lately?

One random comment will win a two-chain glass link. I look forward to reading what you've tried that's new!