Saturday, November 28, 2009

Studio Saturday - Let it Snow!

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 very lucky winner is Tabby/Crooked Heart Art! Congratulations! You win a bead from Lynn Davis of Expedition D. Please send your postal address to the Lynn!


Welcome to the Humblebeads' studio today.  I wanted to share some new items that I've been working on, more etched metal!  It's so much fun.  For this series I wanted to make snowflake ornaments and pendants.  I picked up some stamps from the local craft show and then checked out the angel policy from the stamp companies.  Drats, they weren't angel companies and I couldn't use the stamps to make items to sell.  (Angel companies allow artists to use the stamps for limited editions, check with the stamp company's website to find out their policy.)


Okay, so what's a girl to do?  Why make my own stamps!  I looked up some photos of snowflakes that were in the public domain.  From there I sketched out my design and carved my own rubber stamps.


So that's my snowflake story.  I find this time of year, I so wish for the magic of that first snowfall of the season.  Of course here in Texas that is not happening.  Thank goodness for crafty powers and wishful thinking to make my own magic!
 
What magic do you look forward to during the winter holidays?  Leave a comment and next week we'll draw one winner who will receive a snowflake pendant.

Don't forget to check out the Art Bead Scene's Black Friday thru Cyber Monday deals!

29 comments:

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

I look forward to frost on the ground. We don't have snow either, but the frost in the morning lets me know that the world hasn't forgotten that it's winter here!

Kalei's Best Friend said...

The magic I look forward to is to see which of my bulbs pops out first.. each year it changes up..

Nancy Markosky said...

And I'm one of the ones who never leaves a comment....but those pendants are so pretty even I am inspired to comment on them.I'm very impressed that you even carved your own stamp-Wow!

Gail W. said...

Christmas is magic to me,and I wish very much that my family felt that way,too.Except for my Mom,it's all about "what did you get,I'm not doing Christmas this year,and I want ---- fill in the blank".I grew up in Atlanta,many Christmases it did snow,and Santa came and it was magic,for real!I try to get that feeling back,but nobody wants magic anymore.At least it seems that way to me.But,I wish you all a very magic Christmas!

TesoriTrovati said...

I love all the traditions and rituals surrounding the holidays. We are moving into our new home next week (or so...) and will make new memories. I especially love the tree decorating. We put on holiday tunes, wear Santa hats and relive memories with each ornament on the tree. Then we play "I Spy" with the ornaments. A great tradition that will continue into our new life.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Katie said...

Love the snowflake pendants! At Christmas, I look forward to all of the pretty lights and colors of the season...You alwasys find something new and different that gets the creative juices flowing...

And I also love making gifts for friends and family this time of year :o)

abeadlady said...

For me, the magic of Christmas is the sharing. Watching the faces as they open a gift and find just what they want is magic. Finding just the right gift for a friend or providing meals for those who cannot afford it...This is magic.

Arline

Elizabeth said...

Heather, those are fantastic ornaments. So forward thinking. We rarely have snow and I'm okay with that having to drive so much everyday, but a little dusting would be very welcome.

rosebud101 said...

I love getting together with my family! That for me is what Christmas is all about! There's no magic, just the beauty of my family!

Alice said...

How cool that you made your own stamps. I'd love to see the process in photos......!!!! Your snowflake pendants are beautiful.

I never have to go far for magic (or snow) during the holidays. I'm so lucky that my family shares my love for the holidays by playing Christmas music during meals, lighting the Advent candles, decorating to the hilt, and enjoying a breathtaking candlelight service at our church. The only time they grumble is when its time to take down the decorations!

Vintajia Adornments said...

SNOW - we can only dream. Here it is 11am and 34 degrees C (93 F) We all hope it is not this hot for Christmas Day.
However just looking at your snowflake, maybe I feel a little cooler!

Summer said...

Hehe, I have to agree with Chrissy - the magic for me is when the snow goes away;) Here in Michigan, it can snow from November until May!

I do love the magical mornings after ice storms, when everything is covered in a thick layer of ice topped with a dusting of nature's perfect glittery snow, and everything is perfectly still.

Well, as long as I don't have to drive anywhere that day...

Sue said...

What assume pendants. Made more special because you had to carve your own stamp.

Kate said...

Your etchings and stamps turned out wonderful Heather, I'm sure better than any mass produced ones!

I look forward to the magic that happens only once in awhile where I live, a gentle ice storm (rain that then freezes to the trees), one that won't take out power lines but will sugar coat each bare tree overnight followed by a sunny morning.

I'm sure we'll have enough snow thought and I could overnite to you! lol

Dale said...

Wow, Heather, great great work here! I really love the etched metal pendants you've created. The etching looks fantastic. What did you use to etch these? Ferric Chloride? I want to get more into etching but the Ferric Chloride is hard to find here overseas, and i'm concerned about the environmental impact... is there another way?

As for the magic of christmas, i love pine trees. I'm a Canadian girl (even if i'm living in Korea now) so fresh pine trees are really in plenty. I love the smell of a fresh, clean pine tree, or a beautiful handmade wreath on the door.

Anonymous said...

Those snowflakes are adorable! There's no snow here, either - instead, it's raining cats and dogs all day long, it's stormy and cold (the wet type of cold). We went christmas shopping yesterday, but it really wasn't fun at all. Except finding just the right gift for someone :)

As for looking forward to christmas, though, I must admit I don't, and haven't for at least ten years, probably more. I could use some real magic... or rather a miracle.

Patti said...

Really cool snowflakes! Being with family!

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

beautiful art!!!
the quiet magic of the first snow fall never ever fails me :)
i L O V E snow thankfully i live in the northeast but for me we never get enough of it :)

Juliette said...

Beautiful snowflake pendants! I look forward to fires in the fireplace, playing games and having drinks with my friends and family. :)

Susan Marling said...

I love Christmas time for so many reasons - love how people seem kinder to each other - if only it were all year. What a bummer about the angels - I love angels and snow. The snowflake is beautiful and I am so impressed that you make your own stamps. Have a beautiful creative week.

Cline Jewels said...

Since I live in Vegas I am still doing shows and will be all the way to Christmas. The magic I would like to see is for me to sell out of this last years designs so that my spring line will all be new and fresh. I am starting that now and at the same time I am also writing a book. Hopefully I can be done with it by September 2010 and ready for the publisher. This would be my magic with the help of my higher power.

MoonRae said...

Wow, your carving skills are great!
The etchings are beautiful. Wishful thinking for snow here in far west Texas.....blessings and happy holidays to all!

Jennifer Pellicone said...

The magic I look forward to during the winter holidays...peace within my family. (Which seems as unlikely as snow in Texas, because of 2 teenagers. Grow-up already!)
cspmom at gmail dot com

Pamela said...

I would usually say that family is what is so special to me about the holidays.......Christmas Eve service and orange slice cookies!! Family is questionable right now because we all shared a nasty bug at Thanksgiving and everyone started getting sick yesterday!!Ugh!!!!

Amanda said...

I always look forward to seeing family during the holiday season... the travel takes hours, but it can be fun sometimes, and seeing the people I care about is really wonderful, since we usually only see my fiancee's family once or twice a year. I also enjoy how clear the sky is - it gets much too cold to go stargaze, but even just glancing up while I get out of the car at night makes me happy, because of how bright and clear the stars are.

FunkyMonkey Girls said...

When my nieces and nephew were little, I remember them being so excited about Santa coming. There is a picture of me when I was little with my mouth open wide cause Santa brought me a bike. Also family getting together and our rituals that take place every year...ahh, the memories!

funky Monkey girl,
Jolene

Jen Judd said...

I love that you went totally original!!! That's so fantastic! I'm looking forward to family...get to see my husband after a two-month recess as well as my parents and his. I can't wait!!!

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

hi all
i was the lucky winner on nov 28th
i sent my snailmail to lynn but haven't a reply-yet..
hope she got it :)
many many thanks again
tabby

The Joy of Nesting said...

What an incredibly ethereal yet ever so realistic snowflake!!! The colors are so beautiful!!

One of the reason for moving here was that we only enjoy the interpretations of snow not the real thing!! But I really look forward to the many different Christmas traditions here. Especially those here in our little neighborhoodd :)

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.