Perfect Pairings :: Terri G + Barn Burd Designs + Swoondimples

As Heather pointed out the other day in her blog post on her site, "Accidentally on Trend," the Pantone colors for the year 2016 are Rose Quartz and Serenity. At first this baby pink and blue seemed to be so pedestrian and simple, but the more I see them the more I like them. And Miss Terri has pulled out all the stops on this bracelet that melds those two colors together in a fresh way. Terri has the right idea of balancing the brighter blue with the softer pink, bringing little touches of that blue all the way around and adding in just the right amount of soft yellow for interest. Even the copper metal and the ribbon brings a depth of rusty rose to the party. I think that for this color combo to work and not scream "baby shower" it is all about proportion. Funny that a painting that was chosen by the Art Bead Scene team so long ago is so spot on for the New Year palette!

Featured Designer :: Terri G

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Featured Bead Artists ::  Barn Burd Designs + Swoondimples

We are now using Pinterest! 
You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes,
including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description so that I have someplace to attribute the picture! 

And don't forget to tell us about those art beads - providing links to bead makers is appreciated!

Deadline December 28th to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the
Monthly Challenge Recap post for December 30th.

TIP: If you upload your photo to pin it rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. 

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries

Beautiful Elements Book Giveaway

The other day I mentioned my new book, Beautiful Elements. Today we are giving away a signed copy of the book! 

If you haven't had a chance to check out the book yet, I invite you to read Jean Yates book review.

"Beautiful Elements, is a mixed-materials jewelry-making project and technique book that teaches simple techniques using wire, metal, and polymer clay to enhance and personalize beaded jewelry. With thirty projects readers will learn how to create natural shapes from metal, “sketch” with a hammer to create clever designs, and transform bits of polymer clay and wire into adornments. The book will cover how to make simple findings like handcrafted earring wires, chain, and toggle clasps."

I wrote this book for the jewelry maker who is ready to go beyond bead stringing and learn to create their own unique focals and findings. I use simple tools and easy methods for taking your jewelry to the next level. 

Each chapter starts out with a technique or design, like the copper oak leaves here and polymer clay acorn headpins. And then I created several pieces of jewelry using those elements in different sizes and variations to show you just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to design possibilities. There is a subtle lesson in the book on how to create collections of jewelry by using repeating design elements to unify your creations.

By the way, this is my favorite project in the book!

The polymer clay in the book is super easy and geared for beginners. The ones here were inspired by Wedgwood pottery. Polymer clay is not the main focus of the book, but you will learn some basic techniques to create fun beads to compliment your metal work.

I have a free project using the Wedgwood bead featured in Beautiful Elements. You can make your own beads or find them in the Etsy shop for this project. 5th Day of Christmas: Eternal Summer Bracelet.

To win a copy of the book take a moment to share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Leave a comment to let me know you've shared and then use the Rafflecopter widget to officially enter the drawing. One random winner will be picked and announced on December 23rd.  Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post contains an Amazon affiliate book link.

Amuse the Muse and the 6th Day of Christmas - with Rebecca of Songbead

Hi folks! It's a bumper edition of Art Bead Scene today - you get your usual Monday 'Amuse the Muse' but also the 6th Day of Christmas' free project from me. I've vaguely stuck with my ATM theme for this project by using petite ceramic and polymer charms from Grubbi and Beady Eyed Bunny.

To be honest, these cute charms are such that you could simply pop a couple of jump rings/ear wires on and you'd have super-cute, dainty earrings all ready to go! The perfect holiday gift - earrings or ornaments. But I don't know about you - I almost feel like it's cheating myself out of half the fun to just add findings and then go. I like to add at least a little of myself into even the smallest of projects! And so I came up with this simple wirework project to add a touch of something extra to these small, rustic charms. 

Ingredients:

* Pair of handmade charms (polymer, ceramic, metal - whatever material you like!) - see links above for similar charms to those which I have used.

* 60cm of 0.6mm (22g) antique copper wire

* Three 8 x 6mm pressed glass rondelles (totally crushing on these new faux mercury coated ones over in The Curious Bead Shop!)

* Handmade oxidised sterling silver earwires

1. Cut a 30cm piece of 0.6mm/22g antiqued copper wire. Turn a wrapped loop at one end, attaching it to one of your handmade charms. Don't make the wraps too bulky as you'll be going back over them later!

2. Slide on three 8x6mm glass rondelles onto the wire, and turn another wrapped loop, one mm or so above the top bead. Again, don't make your wraps too bulky.

3. Guide your wire around the top rondelle to the right, and wrap beneath twice, in the same coiling direction that you have been working in already.

4. Repeat this process with the 2nd rondelle...

5. ...and the third and lowest rondelle. Wrap your wire *over* the coils you made in step 1, and guide the wire up the left hand side of the lowest rondelle. Coil the wire above this rondelle and over the wraps you made previously.

6. Repeat this process with the second and first rondelle, so that each one has a snug little wire 'window' around it. Repeat in full for second earring, and attach handmade earwires to complete.

And - ta-dah! - you have a sweet, quick-to-make earrings that are perfect for that last minute gift for a friend - or just for yourself! 

And now for your 'tiny bead' instalment of 'Amuse the Muse' for this week.

Green Girl Studios

Anneli Beads

Barbies Best

Genea

E. Dooley

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a restful week, if that's possible! 

Recycled Greeting Cards
Ever wondered what to do with all those beautiful greeting card you get? Personally I hate throwing them away, so I upcycle them into cards I can give. Sometimes I even make my own envelopes. Hey! Maybe I should do a DIY video on that!

Snow Glittered Cone Trees 
Snow glittered cone trees that don't snow glitter all over. Here's a way to create glittered white snow drifts that stay put with heat set embossing powder.

Felt Ornament
Whip up some super easy felt holiday ornaments with this quick how-to video.

Candy Cane Pattern
A sweet treat for the holiday season that will be perfect for a card, gift tag or ornament. 

Beading Arts
Cyndi has a round-up of all her book reviews from 2015, and of her top picks in every media for holiday gift giving!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews a super beading book concerning a brand new technique: Albion Stitch, 20 Jewelry Projects, by Heather Kingman-Smith. This is a wonderful, energizing book for all the beaders on your gift list!

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.

5th Day of Christmas: Eternal Summer Bracelet

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. 

For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, 

within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”

― Albert Camus

Today's free project is a bracelet that would make a great gift, include the quote and gift to it someone who needs to be reminded of their inner strength! 

The bracelet is a simple, strung design with the clasp that doubles as the center piece of this creation. 

Supplies:
Flower & bee pewter clasp
Wedgewood polymer clay bead
10mm ceramic round bead
5 10mm English cut glass beads
5 Czech glass leaf beads
6 Czech glass flower beads
6 6mm copper electroplated hematite beads
6 2" brass ball headpins
2 4mm glass o-beads (use any 4mm spacer)
10 11/0 copper seed beads
2 2mm copper crimp tubes
8mm copper jump ring
2 5mm copper jump rings
12" beading wire

Finished bracelet 8" long. Adjust size as needed.

1. On the beading wire string on the crimp tube, thread wire through the bee part of the clasp and loop back through the crimp tube, pull the beading wire tight. Use crimp pliers to close the crimp bead.
2. String on two closed 5mm jump rings over the crimp tube.
3. String on an english cut bead, seed bead, repeat. String on a leaf bead, seed bead, repeat two more times.
4. String on 6 hematite beads. String on seed bead, leaf bead, repeat. String on seed bead, English cut bead, repeat two more times.
5. String on o-bead, ceramic bead, o-bead, polymer clay bead.
6. String on crimp tube, string the beading wire through the other side of the clasp and loop back through the crimp tube. Use crimp pliers to close the crimp tube.
7. On a headpin, add a flower bead, create a messy wrapped loop using the remaining wire of the headpin. Repeat with five more flower beads. Open 8mm jump ring, thread the jump ring around the crimp tube next to the polymer clay bead. Add the six flower dangles, close the jump ring.

Resources: Flower clasp: Green Girl Studios. Wedgwood Bead: Humblebeads. Ceramic bead: White Clover Kiln. Seed beads: Fusion Beads. Czech glass and English cut beads: Lima Beads. Hematite: Happy Mango Beads.

4th Day of Christmas :: The Hoots Family Reunion

I went a little nutty making owl pendants last weekend. Every so often I revive the owls and try to add something new. This time I added a whole family of owls to the collection!

I call this the Hoots Family Reunion.

I decided to give them all names, because every time I make one, no two are alike, and the each have distinct personalities that I have no idea who they will be until I put my hands to their little bodies. The only thing I wanted to be sure is that they each got some winterwear, scarves and hats.

I had been playing around with a Stroppel cane this fall that uses up scrap cane clay. I really enjoy making that. So much so that I find myself purposely creating 'scrap' clay to do it! It looked a lot like knitwear, so that is what inspired me.

Then I decided that different branches of the Hoots family would be swooping in for the festivities. First came the Jingle Bunch: Merry, Joy and Pax. They came all the way from the frozen tundra. They have a slightly different look (as they are distant cousins) and are snowy owls, of course, all bundled up in their brightly colored hats and scarves.

And finally came the Northwoods brothers: Fraser, Balsam and Noble. These great grey owls are burly and large with booming hoots that announce their presence. They hail from the northern Rockies and live in tallest fir trees. Their lumberjack buffalo check hats and scarves keep them toasty and they each have a different personality.

Wouldn't these look cute all nestled in the branches of a tree? I thought that with the addition of some wire and some leftover beads they would make a great tree ornament. And of course, once the holiday is over, they can easily be strung on a necklace for a gift that keeps on giving.

Do you have a bin of old jewelry that never sold, or didn't work? If so, you have a great start to ornaments! Earrings and pendants easily translate into adornments for your holiday tree. Last year I made some necklaces with my favorite little Humblebeads houses. These remaining necklaces that didn't sell were languishing in a box... until I removed the pendants and turned them into ornaments. I am sure that you have a box like that in your craft room that has a lot of potential for ornaments. These deserved to be loved and I hope they find a new home on someone's tree this Christmas.

If you are interested in welcoming your own Hoots Family Reunion, the pendants are available in my shop. I have various ones available for immediate shipping (PM me), or I will custom make them for you! They would love to fly in to keep you company over this long cold season. But they are limited edition for the winter and will fly away come spring!

P.S. The free shipping is still on in my shop! (Don't let the 12/4 deadline fool you!) Get your bundles while you can!

Inside the Studio with Michelle from Firefly Design Studio and the 3rd Day of Christmas

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 prize each week to encourage you to use that keyboard and tell us what you think. The following week a winner is chosen at random from all eligible entries. And here are the results from last week!

This week's winner is #11 - thecolorofdreams
Congratulations!  You have won a wonderful holiday surprise package from Julie from Uglibeads.  Please contact Julie to claim your prize!

This week my ceramic studio is all about holiday ornaments.  If you hopped around the ABS Ornament Blog Hop Party, you saw my lace impressed Joy ornament for a gift exchange coming up with a group of my friends.  This is what I made for them:

You can make these for your family and friends with most kinds of clay.  Air dry and polymer clay would work nicely, too, if you aren't set up to do ceramics.  Here are my supplies:

The lace doily was crocheted by my Grandma many years ago.  She passed away when I was 13 so it is a wonderful way to honor her memory.  Any piece of lace would work.  I chose the word JOY and a 2" cookie cutter.  I made the hole at the top with a wood skewer.  I smoothed out the clay and did this:

After it was fired once into bisque, I used a bright lime green under glaze (take a sponge and wipe the top so the glaze stays in the lace and letters only) and a shiny top coat (the green fires clear). I wanted the surface to have a bit of sparkle, so I sprayed a light coat of glitter spray on top. 

I used 20g silver wire to make the hanger.  I made the curve around a jar of paint.  I used my needle nose pliers to make the spiral loops.  My evergreen and lime lampwork bead (artist unknown) and silver spacers complete the ornament.

The next project I tackled was making my granddaughter Summer's first Christmas ornament. I made a mold with her hand, pressed the clay into it, and used an exact knife to cut the shape. Here they are fired into bisque and I used a pencil to sketch out the design (it burns off during firing).

I used Duncan under glazes to paint in the details:

Lastly I coated them with the green shiny top coat and put them in the kiln.  Here they are finished.  I made 10 of them for our family and close friends.  I wrote her name and 2015 on the back.  The gold wire hangers with red beads are from Hobby Lobby:

So my question for you this week, is how do you bring history (like my Grandma's doily) or create new memories (like Summer's hand print) into your designs?  A winner will be drawn from the comments section and that lucky person will win the lime green JOY ornament. Thank you for joining me in my studio and I hope you decide to make some hand made ornaments this year, too!

Ornament Blog Hop Party

Welcome! Let's grab a cup of hot cocoa and get ready to share our handcrafted ornaments. I'm looking forward to seeing your creations. No matter what you celebrate or don't celebrate during the winter season a little artisan decoration certainly brighten up these cold winter days!

For my ornament I grabbed a lesson from my new book and created an evergreen design using my metal sketch technique to hammer the design of pine tree branches. I sketched my design on copper and added a green patina. I then decided to grab some Vintaj patinas to white-wash the branches for a snowy effect. 

Find my new book here! 

Beautiful Elements: Creative Components to Personalize Your Jewelry

(Amazon affiliate link)

I paired up my copper ornament with a Humblebeads snowflake coin bead and a lampwork glass bead by Julie Miller. I wanted to pull in the light green color peaking from under the branches with the color of the lampwork bead. For the hanger I used waxed linen and knotted on tiny copper seed beads.

So this is a party and that means we should definitely play a game, don't you think?

I will giveaway a set of these snowflake coin beads to one lucky winner by picking a random comment. Earn an extra entry by sharing this post on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. The giveaway is now closed.

My question: What has been your favorite handcrafted gift that you've created?

For me? It's creating jewelry for my girls each year to add to their stockings, I match up the jewelry to a new outfit that they will find under the tree. It's a Humblebeads family tradition that is right up there with new jammies on Christmas eve.

Island Girl is the winner of the giveaway! Thank you for sharing your ornaments and comments with me. 

Add your link here and have fun visiting the other participants.

An InLinkz Link-up