Tuesday, January 5, 2016

January Monthly Challenge


Landscape with Stars 
by Henri-Edmond Cross

Watercolor over graphite on paper
Date: ca. 1905–1908 
Image Credit: www.metmuseum.org 

About the Art
"This poetic depiction of a star-streaked sky combines the long broken brushstrokes of Cross's late works with a murky landscape of pen and ink, reminiscent in its impressionistic forms of Japanese painting." - Metropolitan Museum of Art

Let's pull out the stars and moons for this month's wintry-hued challenge. We have a slight variation on last month's color palette, so you may have beads that you didn't use last month that will fit with this challenge. It's a great excuse to test drive Pantone's colors of the year! 

About the Artist

Henri-Edmond Cross, born Henri-Edmond-Joseph Delacroix, was a French painter and printmaker. He is most acclaimed as a master of Neo-Impressionism, and he played an important role in shaping the second phase of that movement. He was very influential to Henri Matisse and many other artists, and his work was an instrumental influence in the development of Fauvism.

Born and raised in Northern France Henri-Edmond's talents were recognized early. He studied under several artists and schools to complete his education.

In 1884, Cross co-founded the Société des Artistes Indépendants, which consisted of artists displeased with the practices of the official Salon. There he met and became friends with many artists involved in the Neo-Impressionist movement. The change from his early, somber, Realist work was gradual. His color palette became lighter and he worked en plein air, he painted in the brighter colors of Impressionism. In the latter part of the 1880s, he painted pure landscapes which showed the influence of Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro.

Cross's paintings of the early- to mid-1890s are characteristically Pointillist, with closely and regularly positioned tiny dots of color. Beginning around 1895, he gradually shifted his technique, instead using broad, blocky brushstrokes and leaving small areas of exposed bare canvas between the strokes. The resulting surfaces of the paintings resembled mosaics, and the works may be seen as precursors to Fauvism and Cubism.

Cross was plagued by a variety of health problems and account for his small but influential body of work. You can see more of his paintings in chronological order here. It's interesting to see his progress over the years. Our inspiration painting is in the signature style of his later works.

(Biography credit: Wikipedia.) 

Our Sponsors

Our Sponsors this month are Humblebeads, Art Incendi and Donna Perlinplim.

Please visit us tomorrow to see the prizes!

How to enter the Monthly Challenge:
1. You need to have a Pinterest account. Go get one ASAP if you don't have one already. It's easy, fun and inspiring.

2. Email us at absmonthlychallenge@gmail.com to get added to the monthly challenge board.

Subject: Monthly Challenge Board Request

You will be emailed an invite to the board within 48 hours. Accept the invite and you are ready to pin your entries.

3. Two ways to pin your entry to the board.

Pin your photo from the internet (on your blog, Etsy shop, etc.)

Add your photo directly from your computer

Create something using an art bead that fits within our monthly theme. We post the art to be used as your inspiration to create. 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.

An Art Bead must be used in your piece to qualify for the monthly challenge.

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

Please add the tag or title JAN ABS to your photos. Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog, if you have one.

Deadline is January 31st. 
You may upload 2 entries per month.

ENTRIES for ART BEAD ARTISTS!!

• Beads Makers Pinterest Board-Art beads must be created by you and fit the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge theme. They can be made for the challenge or ones you have made before. 2 entries per month are allowed. 

One entry will be picked by the editors each month for a free month of advertising on the Art Bead Scene. Bead entries have to be pinned by the 30th of the month.


Beads only - do not post jewelry on this board. If a post doesn't fit the challenge it will be deleted.

Monthly Challenge Recap
• Please post at least one single shot of your creation on the Pinterest Board. This will be used to make a collage for the Monthly Challenge Gallery. Every creation will be added to the collage, regardless of a blog post. So everyone gets included!

Your entry must be on Pinterest 2 days BEFORE the recap to be included.

• Be sure to share with us the name of the art bead artist in the description of your photo so that if you are selected for the weekly Perfect Pairings on Wednesdays, both you as the designer and the art bead artist can get the credit you both deserve!

• An InLinkz button will be added to the bottom of the Monthly Challenge Recap post. Here you will be able to link up your blog post if you have one. It is no longer necessary to add your blog post URL to the description unless you want to. Be sure to hop around and see all the great inspiration and leave some comment love!

• The Monthly Challenge Recap with Blog Tour will be posted on January 30th.

Monthly Challenge Winners
• One prize winner will be selected at random from all pictures posted on the Pinterest board.

• One prize winner will be selected at random from all blog posts added to the hop for the Monthly Challenge Recap post. So if you want to be in the pool for the second prize, be sure to use the InLinkz code at the bottom of the post to share your process and inspirations!

• Winners will be randomly chosen from all the qualifying entries on February 1st.

Perfect Pairings :: Designer + Art Bead Artist
• Formerly the Featured Designer of the Week, our new Perfect Pairings will focus on both the jewelry designer and the art bead artist. 

• Be sure to point out all the art bead artists in your work in the description of the photo on the Pinterest Board. Links to their website or shop are appreciated. That way we can all find new art beads to love!

• From all the entries during the month, an editor will pick their favorite design to be featured every Wednesday here on ABS, so get those entries in soon.

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.

Beaded beads, stamped metal pendants or wire-wrapped components are not considered art beads for our challenge.***

Monday, January 4, 2016

Amuse the Muse - Rose Quartz and Serenity - with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello all! And a happy new year. 2016, eh - it's kind of crept up on me this one! And unfortunately, it's brought with it (for me) a nasty cold, so I'm typing this feeling rather under the weather today. Forgive me if this post is on the short side! 

This month, I've decided to feature the new Pantone's Colours of the year. Yes, you read that right - colourS! They've decided to go for two shades this year, kind of merging them together in an ombre effect, instead of the usual one, strong hue. Meet Rose Quartz and Serenity. 


Let me be the first to say that I am NOT overly convinced by this combination. I do like occasional pastels, but baby blue and baby pink....together?! Not doing it for me yet. And I know I'm not alone from the comments online. 

Meh...

HOWEVER, what I love about exploring colours is the unexpected things that you find, and how colours you thought you hated can really set you alight when you see them in an alternative palette/context. So this month is going to be about exploring these colours - together and separately - and seeing how bead artists can convince us that these are THE colours for 2016!

I've got to say, seeing this little scene from Little Big Bell, the official announcer (I believe!) of the new colours of the year, has got me thinking just a little. I have a feeling that the key to these colours not being too wishy washy may well be the addition of black....watch this space. But I'm also interested to see that both in the above scene, AND in last month's challenge piece...



...there are pops of yellow that really add a touch of something solid and definite to the delicate pastel tones. As always with colour, it's going to be HOW you use these colours that really makes or breaks them. 



So what do you all think? I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I'll start sharing beads I've found in these colours from next week - if you spot any, please leave links below! 

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a great week everyone!





Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

December Monthly Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the December Monthly Challenge winners! 
1 winner was chosen randomly from all the challenge entrants.
1 winner was chosen randomly from the InLinkz blog entries.
Winner of a month of advertising on ABS from the Monthly Challenge Bead category.

Our First lucky winner is Bijoux by Delphine. She has won a necklace, earring and toggle set from Creative Impressions in Clay.

Our Second lucky winner is Dawn of La Touchables. She has won a $50 gift certificate from Glass Bead Art.


Our Winner from the Bead Entries of the Monthly Challenge is Earthshine. She has won a Month of Advertising here on Art Bead Scene.

     

Thank you Creative Impressions in Clay and Glass Bead Art for being our December Monthly Challenge sponsors!

Winners, please E-Mail Taritari@claybuttons.com with your information (Name and address) so your prizes may be sent to you.

A Big THANK YOU to everyone who entered this month! We were so fortunate to have so many beautiful entries and experience such creativity from our wonderful readers.

Visit us tomorrow to see what January's challenge brings.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

December Monthly Recap


This painting picks up the perfect winter palette, soft and hazy with just hints of the spring that will come. And coincidentally, it is right on trend with the colors picked by Pantone for the coming year! Despite the quiet and contemplative colors, the angles, lines and shapes speak to a more vibrant and active scene, which I think suits the subject matter of Paris perfectly!

Come along with me and enjoy the offerings you made for this month's challenge.

Click this link to view: Art Bead Scene December 2015 Recap

As another year comes to a close, we can't thank you enough for all the support that you show to the Art Bead Scene. There is a world of amazing inspirations out there, and we are honored when you choose to come and be inspired by the art that we provide each month. We look forward to joining you on this journey of inspiration for 2016!

If you wrote a blog post, please add your post to the InLinkz code below.
get the InLinkz code

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

2015 Review - Discovering What Is and Isn't Working for Your Business

This is the time of year for reflecting and dreaming, I'm just as susceptible to the collective reboot we all get to enjoy in January.



So here is what worked and didn't work for me in 2015 - I hope it helps you on your journey.

What Didn't Work for Me: 

- Not taking enough time for myself and managing stress

After suffering several stress induced illnesses over the years, you'd think I'd learn this lesson already. I have to manage stress and take more time for myself. I plan to spend more time at our local pool, exploring creative side projects that aren't biz related like painting, and taking days off. Also getting enough sleep is still a struggle for me, but I know I'm much more creative and happy when I'm well rested.

- Not being careful with my hands

Until you mess up your hands from working them to death - you just don't know how much trouble you can cause. Learn some massage and stretching techniques for your hands and take breaks often. Also if you haven't upgraded to ergonomic tools, put that on your New Year's to-do list. Your hands will thank you. 

- Over-scheduling and not allowing myself enough time between big events

I didn't give myself enough time while running off to events all over the country and caused myself some serious stress and all nighters trying to catch up on my regular day-to-day duties. 

- A messy studio

I know, we all have messy studios. Well, maybe there a few organized angels that have it all marked and put away. I struggle with this and after finishing two books this year and big events all year my studio is a series of piled up boxes and that needs to be tackled. I don't know how to do this, I've tried several methods over the years and it never sticks. Maybe this will be the year I grow up and learn to pick up after myself. 

- Not planning for enough events for the fall/Christmas selling season

Every fall I'm kicking myself for not planning out my fall better with events for selling jewelry. I have a schedule already set of deadlines for 2016 show applications.

- Reactionary scheduling/working

Most of my time this year was trying to catch up after events or rushing to finish work for deadlines. I  didn't have a schedule that felt reasonable or offered time for me to work on proactive projects instead of just whirling around trying to stay afloat. Mini-monthly goals, weekly goals and using my 6 Most Important Things daily task list will help with that for 2016. 


What Did Work

- Traveling and taking chances

As tough as it was during this transition year, traveling and teaching is one of my all time favorite things. Saying yes to new opportunities and stretching to work on new projects helped me grow as a person and helped my business grow. 

- Tackling big projects

I didn't shy away from big projects this year. In fact when a publisher came to me with a 52 project beadmaking book two weeks after I finished my second book, I said bring it on. There is no limit to our creativity. I did more, went bigger and loved the results. But now with a little more wisdom I know to over-estimate how long projects will take and set some boundaries as to how much work I can do in a year. Taking on bigger projects means letting go of smaller projects and setting priorities so that you can stay sane!  

- Connecting more directly with my customers

I created a Facebook group to have a space to chat with my customers, offer them specials and events. It's been the best thing I did this year. I love connecting more, making beady friends, being inspired by their feedback and projects. It feeds my soul. 

- Sending emails on a regular basis 

Can't stress this enough as the best thing I do for my business. I offer my email list free projects, tips and inspiration to make sure they enjoy getting my emails. It's by far the best sales tool I have in my bag of tricks. 

- Following my muse and going off on creative tangents
I didn't spend enough time this year making new beads, mainly for the big shows and during the holidays. But when I did, oh it was a little slice of heaven. I need to make time to have more fun in the studio, experimenting instead of only production work.

- Teaching more
Whether it was in person or online teaching helped increase my income. I love being with people, traveling and sharing my skills. I plan to teach more in 2016.

- Connecting and networking more 
Life stuck in the studio is no fun. Doing shows and events brought new opportunities and helped my business grow over the year. It's all about people, not sales. So the more you meet, connect and offer to the world, the more success you'll see head your way.

___________________________________________________

So that was my 2015, the good and the bad. The lessons and the triumphs will help me form my plan for 2016. Take some time this week to go over your year and make a list of what did and didn't work for you - what can you glean and take into 2016?

I wish you a year filled with beads, creativity and community! 

Monday, December 28, 2015

Amuse the Muse - Tiny Beads - with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello everyone! How have the last few days been for you? Wonderful, busy, tiring; full of good food and drink and loved ones, I hope. And of course, beads. Did anyone receive any art beads for Christmas? I didn't (sob!) - but I did treat myself to a new book which I'm excited to dive into! I also treated myself to a gorgeous pair of earrings. Handy being part of a group of super talented ladies here, isn't it? 

Anyway, onto Amuse the Muse - and my last post of the year! Can you believe it?! Our last lot of tiny beads - or any beads - for 2015. 


Here's to 2016 and a year full of creativity, fun - and beads!

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Enjoy the end of the year everyone!





Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

12 Days of Christmas: Snowy Mountain Top Pendant

A snowy mountain made from sheet copper? Yep! I wanted to create a fun and playful winter pendant. This is a basic metal work project, it's great for a beginner but I do recommend a little practice before you dig into a finished pendant.

Supplies
.016" or 22mm copper sheet
10mm polymer clay bead
5" 19 gauge steel wire
15mm gunmetal jump ring
4mm copper jump ring
24" copper chain
Live of sulphur gel
fine steel wool
Swellegant Tiffany Green Patina
Vintaj Patina Paint (marble)
Renaissance wax
Packing tape

Tools:
Sharpie marker
Metal Shears
Metal file
Steel bench block
Riveting hammer
Metal hole punch
Wire cutters
Chain, flat and round nose pliers
3 paint brushes
Small plastic container

1. Draw a triangle on your metal with the Sharpie marker that is 1 1/2" wide at the base. With the metal shears cut out the triangle. Never cut with the tips of the shears, always in the center.

2. File the edges of the triangle with the metal file.

3. Tape one end of the triangle to the bench  block. Use the tapered end of the riveting hammer and strike on the metal with the hammer hitting flat on the metal. Hammer the lines vertically on mountain on 2/3 of the piece, leaving the top 1/3 plain for the snowy cap.

Note: If you hit on with the edge of the hammer it will leave a small mark instead of a long line. You may want to practice this technique before trying it on your finished piece.

4. Punch a hole at the top of the pendant.

5. In a small shallow dish, add a few drops of water and the pendant. Brush on the liver of sulfur gel to darken the copper. Turn over and brush the back of the pendant. Rinse in clean water. Dry with a paper towel.

6. Place the pendant on paper towel. With the other paint brush, brush on a light, even coat of the Swellegant patina on the textured half of the pendant. Don't brush on a thick layer.

Set a timer for 4 minutes. Rinse the patina off in clean water as soon as the timer goes off. Carefully pat dry with a paper towel - don't rub!

Note: The patina doesn't show hardly any color until it's rinsed off and dried. If you leave the patina on for too long or have too much of it on the metal it will turn bright green instead the blue/green patina.

7. Pat on a very thin layer of wax. Don't rub. the color will darken and then lighten again when the wax dries. Let the wax dry completely.

8. Shake the patina paint well, add a drop on top a plastic lid or piece of wax paper. Paint on patina paint on the top of pendant, overlapping the paint and blue/green patina slightly. Repeat with another layer if needed. Let dry completely and pat on a thin layer of wax.

9. With the 19 gauge wire, use the round nose pliers to form a large loop 2" from the bottom of the wire. Open the loop and slide on the pendant. Close the loop and create a wrapped loop above the pendant with the rest of the wire. Add on the polymer clay bead, create a wrapped loop above the bead.

10. Attach the 4mm jump ring to the bottom of both ends of the chain, close jump ring.

11. Attach the 15mm jump ring to the pendant and slide on the jump ring with the chain. Close the jump ring.

Resources: Jump rings, copper and Vintaj patina paint: Hobby Lobby. Liver of sulfur gel and Renisannce Wax: Fusion Beads. Wire: Ace Hardware. Chain: Yadana Beads. Polymer clay bead: Humblebeads.