Inside the Studio with Gaea Cannaday - Looking Back At 2013

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.

Congratulations Sarajo Wentling! You have won a Simple Truths Bead from Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati. Please send Erin an e-mail with your information.

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Today we visit the studio of Gaea Cannaday of Gaea.

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Are you ready for the holidays? How does the time go by so fast? For me, it has been a time of creativity and reflecting on the year that has past. A time for being thankful for my healthy family and friends and remembering those who have passed. A time to call on those dear ones who have moved to distant lands. (Yes. Michigan is a distant land.) Gifts under a tree are a blessing, but a greater blessing is having the memories of the past year. A look back at this years creative endeavors and trips outside the studio….

 Spring 2013

 Summer 

Fall

Winter

 It has been a crazy, fun, and sometimes scary twelve months. What are you reflecting on in this season of giving? Leave a comment to win a new Peace Bird pendant. Happy Holidays! XO Gaea

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Wearing many hats, Gaea lives in Ojai, California. You can see her work here... www.gaea.cc or here... gaea.indiemade.com and here... gaeabeads.blogspot.com

On the 2nd Day of Christmas: Sparkle and Glow - Holiday Candle Tutorial

Ceramics from www.gaea.cc

Polymer from www.humblebeads.com

Glass by Janet McDonald

Metal from www.greengirlstudios.com

Candles from Target

Never leave lit candle unattended.

4th Annual Ornament Blog Hop

Welcome to the 4th annual Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop!  This is one of my favorite events we do every year here on the ABS.  I love seeing ornaments that will one day be family heirlooms or great gift ideas.

Today I'm sharing two ornament ideas, both are super easy that you can whip up in minutes - which comes in handy when December is whipping by at break-neck speed. 

Ribbon Wreath Ornament
Supplies:
Winter Owl Pendant - Humblebeads
Vintaj Brass Artisan Hoop
12" sari silk ribbon
20" 24 gauge wire
6" 20 gauge wire
10mm brass jump ring
4mm brass jump ring
24 red seed beads


Directions:

Wreath
1. Trim the sari ribbon into a point, starting at the top leave a 1" tail of ribbon and wrap it around and down along the brass hoop four times. Thread the ribbon in and out of the filigree to create 'stitches' along the hoop.  Wrap the ribbon back up the other side four times and tie in a bow.  Trim excess ribbon if needed.
2. String 8" of 24 gauge wire through the owl pendant, create a wrapped loop and wrap around the loop several times to form a messy wrap.  Wrap the end of the wire several times around the hoop and back down around the messy wrap above the owl.  End the wire behind the ornament and trim.
3. Attach the 10mm jump ring to the hoop with a 4mm jump ring.

Ornament Hook
4. Create a wrapped loop with 6" of 20 gauge wire, form the wire into a large spiral.  Hammer with a ball peen hammer on a steel bench block. (optional)
5. With 12" of 24 gauge wire, begin wrapping the wire several times around the hook. Thread on a seed bead, letting it fall to the front of the hook, wrap the wire around the hook twice and repeat the this process until the end of the hook.  Wrap the several times around the end of the hook to secure the wire.

Beaded Ornament Hoops

Here is another quick and easy idea using one of my Woodland Friends Ornaments.
Cut 12" of 24 gauge wire, string through the pendant and center the wire, create a wrapped loop. String 2" of seed beads on both sides of the wire.  Wrap the wires around each other to from a large loop.

I like a project that takes a minute or two!

Deck the halls with lots of beads!
Fa la la, la la la!

Have fun clicking around the interwebs this morning checking out all the links below!  

For participants: please enter your link below,  spreading the word and visit your fellow blog hop holiday elves!

An InLinkz Link-up

Perfect Pairings :: Karin G + Bead Swede + Flame Jewels

I am delighted to see the entries starting to trickle in for this month's painting inspiration from Kandinsky. I had the chance to choose it and I have been waiting all year long for this one! What pulls me in this snowy landscape is the vivid play of colors in the sunset sky. Yellow is the predominant color that is grounded by the blues, purples and pinks sprinkled throughout. When I saw the bracelet that Karin made, I was immediately drawn in by the bright cheery color - and I just noticed the bright pop of green in the sky! - and the fact that these are mostly flowers in the midst of such cold and snow outside warms my heart! 

Featured Designer :: Karin G of Gingko et Coquelicot

Featured Art Beads :: Flame Jewels + Bead Swede (coincidentally, one of our sponsors for the prize giveaway!)

 

 Can't wait to see what you will make with this inspiration!

Join me here on Tuesday, December 31st for the Monthly Challenge Recap

with a picture gallery and InLinkz blog hop!

On the First Day of Christmas: Flight of Fancy by Lorelei Eurto

Supplies:

1 Riveted Tin 1-5/8" Bird connector
2 Wood branch beads
1 Enameled Yellow connector
4 Brass tube beads
4 Swarovski Crystal bicones
4 inches Brass cable chain
1 Brass 15mm lobster clasp
2 Brass 15mm split jump rings
4 Brass faceted beads
5 Brass 7mm split jump rings
4 inches of steel or brass 19g wire
4 Brass 2 inch head pins




Instructions:

1. Attach the yellow enamaled connector to one side of the tin focal using 2 brass 7mm jump rings.
2. Split the chain into 2 pieces, each about 6 links long. Open one end of one chain section, and attach to one hole of the yellow enameled connector. Do the same with the other chain section to the other hole of the connector.
3. Use one 7mm jump ring to attach the lobster clasp to the 2 chain ends.
4. Cut the steel or brass wire into 2 pieces, each at about 2 inches long. Form a wrapped loop on one wire. String 1 branch bead. Form another wrapped loop and attach the loop to one of the rubber o rings on the tin focal. Do the same for the other wire, and branch bead, and attach it to the other rubber o ring on the tin focal.

5. Making sure the wrapped loops are facing in the same direction, open a 15mm jump ring and attach the two wrapped loops.  String 2 faceted brass beads. Close tightly.
6. Attach two 7mm jump rings to the 15mm jump ring, Open the 2nd 15mm jump ring and attach the two 7mm jump rings, thread on 2 faceted brass beads and close tightly.
7. Using the 4 headpins, string 1 Swarovski bicone, and 1 brass tube bead. Form a wrapped loop and attach it to the top hole in the yellow enameled connector.  Repeat with the other 3, attaching 2 to the top hole and 2 to the bottom hole.

Resources:

Tin Connector: Tin Snippets by Lorelei Eurto
Wood Branch beads: Rich Kibbons
Brass findings: Vintaj Brass Co. www.vintaj.com
Enameled Yellow connector: C Koop Beads
Brass tube beads and faceted brass beads: Hand of the Hills
Swarovski crystals: Fusion Beads www.fusionbeads.com

12 Days of Christmas

The contributors of the Art Bead Scene would like to thank our readers for another year of support! Thank you for joining in our monthly challenges, sharing your thoughtful comments on Inside the Studio and following along with us every day as we celebrate art beads and inspire those who use them.

As a thank you, we present to you the Art Bead Scene's 12 Days of Christmas. We have a new batch of free projects from our contributors and guest designers to offer over the next few weeks.

So no matter what holiday you celebrate this season, we hope you do it in style - adorned with art beads!

December Monthly Challenge Sponsors + Prizes

Our Wonderful sponsors for the December Challenge.
We will have 2 Lucky Winners this Month!

Jewelry by Jeannie

Jeannie Dikic of Jewelry by Jeannie makes handcrafted, affordable jewelry made with quality gemstones, pearls, Swarovski crystals, lampwork, fair trade beads, and polymer clay. She also offers tutorials and more.

Jeannie is donating a $50 gift certificate to her Website.

Visit Jeannie at her Website and Blog.

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BeadSwede Studio

Kristen Varian of BeadSwede Studio  creates supplies that are hand crafted from enamels, Precious Metal Clay, sterling silver, copper and bronze. She also crafts enameled pendants, beads, toggle clasps, and components.

Kristen is donating a $50 gift certificate to her Etsy Shop.

Visit Kristen at her Etsy Shop, and Facebook.

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Submit photos of your wonderful creations using one or more Art Beads.

Winter Landscape by Wassily Kandinsky has with many different elements that can be used for inspiration: houses, landscapes, interpretive designs, bright yellows, blues and pinks.

We can't wait to see where your creativity takes you with the art for this months challenge! 

Please remember to put DEC ABS in the title or tag of your submission(s).  

Provide us with the artist of the Art Beads used and we always love to know all the materials you used. 
***Art Beads MUST be used in your entry.***