Monday, December 31, 2012

December Monthly Challenge Blog Tour


I can't quite remember when I first found Erte's art, I just know that it sparked something in me. I love the fashion of those languid models, the lines and the patterns. The sylph-like quality of the beautiful women seem so romantic.

The Sleeping Beauty in this painting looks so serene in her blanket of white. The rose-red of her gown is so striking against the brilliant blue sky. And those tiny little black and white flowers add an innocence to the snowy scene. 

From the strong colors, to the beautiful maiden, the soft snow, the weeping willows and the flowers and patterns, this month's painting is full of inspiration!

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I love reading about the process behind a piece of art. Susan White (above) shares how she came up with the pretty polymer clay focal in her piece. I can see the swirling folds of that sleeping beauty's billowing dress. I especially love seeing the aftermath of the other pieces that 'auditioned' for a starring role.



Miss Cece Cormier of The Beading Yogini (above) treats us to a soft but substantial cuff. I am very impressed that she decided to try something new: tatting. I think those little beaded tendrils are a spot on match for the sweet little flowers in the inspiration painting. Well done!


Welcome to Miss Julie Bowen! Her blog post on Autochthonous Evolved (above) shares the in-depth process that went into creating this beautiful lampwork bead that carefully mimicks the snow covered folds in the dress of the subject. The way the beads curl around calls to mind the trailing vines and flowers. The colors are a perfect match. We are happy that you joined us and hope that you will come back and play again!

 
Miss Kelly of Mackin-Art was inspired by the color palette this month that reminded her of the bright red berries against a brilliant winter sky. She created a necklace that is very modern but I think that it also has a whimsical sense, not stark as she suggests. See for yourself (above).


Beth and Evie of EB Bead and Metal Works (above) created a lovely modern take on the color palette with this lovely lampwork bead they made that that evokes the fabric of the dress and some intricate beaded beads they used that feel like the soft snow drifts.


Focusing on the predominant rich reds of the painting, Pam of Klassy Joolz (above) created a pretty bracelet with some interesting touches. I love the soft glow of the pearls and the tiny silver and glass  flowers. 


Mary Ellen of Bee Tree by m.e. (above) might have a stubborn muse, but I am so glad that she heeded her siren call! Sometimes having a vision of what you want makes for a very successful look, as it does here, but it might make you go a little crazy with the beads...but as she says, you can't be too prepared! More is definitely more! I love the movement that these beads create and the beautiful white winter blooms that she made.

The fact that this bracelet changes looks depending on which way it is worn is something that is very intriguing to me. There is a lot of interest and movement in this design by Karin of Backstory Beads (above).

I love knowing that you can't resist to do the challenges that we put out for you! Shaiha of Shaiha's Ramblings tells us that she was drawn to the darker colors in the palette for the inspiration. The swirls on the dress reminded her of this pretty ceramic focal and she brought in the clear quartz of the snow as a balance. I love the detail of the blue thread bail.


 Switching gears to another color in the palette, Birgitta of Lejonklou Create with Spirit(above) shares the beautiful blue tones. The face connector that she created evokes the serene nature of the sleeping beauty.


Just Beadey squeaked in with a last minute addition in a pretty bracelet that celebrates the elemental color palette with the feeling of fresh fallen snow.

But wait!

Two more last minute additions!




Sharyl of Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections (above) found a lovely raw brass stamping in her stash that she altered to reflect the wintery palette and also some ceramic flower shapes that complete this winter garden themed necklace. 


I just love the way these little daisy spacers (above) on the gunmetal chain mimics the trailing vines in the inspiration painting and the red leaves with the veins is the perfect color of Sleeping Beauty's red dress. Thank you for adding your post Miss Kashmira of Sadafulee! And we hope that you will join us for more challenges!

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Thank you to all who joined us in 2012 for the monthly art challenges. It gives all of the editors here at Art Bead Scene great joy to see just how far you take the spark of these creative inspirations. For those of us who jumped in and took up the challenges, whether you were able to do it once, twice or up to all twelve times, or if you just came to view the challenges and leave a comment, we salute you! You are the reason that we bring you these challenges. Check back later this week for the first challenge of 2013. 

May you ring in a New Year filled with inspiration!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Show Me Sunday




Show Me Winter Holiday Beads! 
 
Tis the season for winter holiday beads! Let's see some of those great beads, charms, and components that celebrate the winter season! Holiday specific beads, pine trees, snowflakes... let's celebrate all of the things that remind of us December. Post your links in the comments here and I will select some of the links you leave on this post to highlight in another Show Me Sunday post. 
Here is what some of our beady friends have to show off this week: 



Holiday jewelry making is such fun especially when you can share with others. Here are some earrings perfect for New Year's eve. 


Tammy reviews another bead weaving book from the "I Can" series by Lark. 


Rebecca shares some simple ideas to spruce up gift packaging that are good all year round! 


Jean writes about the incredible excitement of working for the brand new magazine, Digital Beading Magazine!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Studio Saturday with Rebecca Anderson of Songbeads


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.
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This week our winner is Susan LloydCongratulations!
You have won 
you very own one-of-a-kind Snowflake Pendant from Erin's Simple Truths range.
Send Erin an email with your address for shipping and she will get it right out to you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week we visit the studio of Rebecca Anderson of Songbeads.

It's been a little quiet on the Songbeads Studio front this past week. I am up in Edinburgh (Scotland) staying with my Mum, enjoying a little peace and quiet after a manic December. And November, October.......things never stop! Except that thankfully, they have now, for at least a short while. So I thought I'd show you a few of the things I've been up to over the past few weeks. 

I had several craft fairs/events during November and December - 4 in November and 3 in December. The last one - on the 22nd December - saw us travelling down to London, for a show at Old Spitalfields Market. It's famous for its markets, so I was excited to go down - and despite it being quieter than the regulars there expected, it was a good day for me.


 I am always very interested in the psychology of those buying at such events - how people shop and why - and round about Christmas is always interesting to me. I know that I usually find myself shopping in a mad panic on Christmas Eve, aware that I am woefully behind as usual! But there wasn't too much of that going on in Spitalfields. There were a lot of men buying, asking advice, unsure as to which ear wires, what length etc to go for. It's nice to chat to folk and try and advise them as to what's best for them to treat their partner with. And I always take a full compliment of tools and materials with me to craft shows, they are always needed for resizing, switching metals of ear wires, exchanging clasps etc.

 It was my last show for a while as I am taking a step back from shows for the beginning of next year. I have a few ideas marinading in the background for where Songbeads should go next, and I want to take the time to really focus on these. Expanding my range of bricks and mortar stockists, working on new skills (enamelling, silver- and copper-smithing), developing my own range of findings. In the hope of clearing some inventory and sending some pretty jewels off to new homes, I am currently offering 20% off in my jewellery shop - use coupon code HAPPY13 to take 20% off all purchases until 6th January.   

Another new venture that has recently sprung from Songbeads, is my new supplies shop - The Curious Bead Shop. Currently stocking designer czech glass, and gorgeous Irish waxed linen cord in a myriad of colours. 
A small selection of the goodies on offer!

I hope that 2013 will see this grow in size and range, and also see it include some of my very own art beads and components! I have a lot of work to do but I am able and willing. So watch this space! The Curious Bead Shop has been going for just over a month now and I am thrilled with how it is going so far. Although I'm based in the UK, I ship parcels worldwide and it's such a treat to think of these beautiful beads and cord, hand selected by myself, are flying off to pastures new to become part of beautiful new designs. 

As a celebration of Christmas/my first month in business/the upcoming new year, I am having a small sale in Curious - I am offering 12% off until the 2nd January - (celebrating the end of 2012....get it?!) - simply use coupon code CURIOUS12 at the check out. Czech glass and linen cord are my two favourite materials to combine with art beads, and what better way to begin the new year than with new beads? :-)

I am also offering one lucky commenter a goodie bag from The Curious Bead Shop worth $20. To enter, just leave a comment telling us - what are some of your bead-orientated hopes and dreams for the year ahead? 

Wishing you all the best for 2013, and as we say in Scotland, have a Happy Hogmanay! 

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. 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

Friday, December 28, 2012

Art Bead Scene on Pinterest

The Art Bead Scene has become pin-happy!  I've been archiving my favorite posts, projects and jewelry business tips from our past 5 years.

Stop on over and follow all of our boards.  It will be a great resource for trends, inspiration, tutorials and more.

Check out the round up of the 12 Days of Christmas.

Repin my favorite free projects from the Art Bead Scene team.

Read up some great business resources and articles from the girls who work it!

Need a dose of inspiration for 2013?  Check out my favorite current trends.

Is color your thing?  Soak up the color with Brandi Hussey's art and bead inspired palettes.

There is much more so be sure to follow us!

Deadline Reminder: There are a few more days to enter our monthly challenge! You have until January 31st to submit your entry to win one of three amazing prizes from our sponsors.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

On the 12th Day of Christmas: Metamorphosis Necklace

Yes, it's after Christmas but traditionally the 12 Days of Christmas didn't start until Christmas Day and would go on with feasts and celebrations until January 6th.  I've always enjoyed this time of year more than any other.  It still has the glow of the holiday, we completely slow down and take time to enjoy our family.  It's a a time of reflection as we say goodbye to the old year and a time of anticipation and hope as we welcome 2013.  I couldn't think of a better theme for a necklace for the new year than a butterfly, the symbol of change.


Supplies:
Lunafly moth pendant
Willow polymer clay charm
Willow polymer clay disk bead
3 Czech glass flowers
8 7mm brass jump rings
15mm brass jump rings
18" cable chain
lobster claw chain
3 2" brass ball headpin
1" eyepin


Directions:
1. Use a 7mm jump ring to attach the moth pendant to a 15mm jump rings, repeat on the other side.
2. Use a 7mm jump ring to attach the polymer clay charm to the 15mm jump ring.
3. Cut the chain into two 9" lengths.  Attach one side of the chain to the polymer clay charm with a 7mm jump ring.
4. String a flower bead onto a headpin and create a wrapped dangle.  Repeat two times.  Attach the three dangles to the 15mm jump ring on the other side of the moth pendant.
5. String the disk bead unto the eyepin and create a simple loop.  Using 7mm jump rings attach the eyepin to the 15mm jump ring on the bottom and a the other length of chain on the top.
6. Using a 7mm jump ring attach the clasp to the end of the chain.  Attach the other jump ring on the other side of the chain.

Resources: Polymer clay bead and charms: Humblebeads.  Brass pendant and findings: Vintaj.  Czech Glass Flowers: Dream Girl Beads


Monday, December 24, 2012

On the 11th Day of Christmas: Snowflake Earrings


Merry Christmas! I hope you are all enjoying your holiday today, whether it be relaxing in front of a fire with a hot toddy or out playing in the snow! If you have some down time in your studios why not sit down and create these Christmas inspired earrings!

You can see that my original earring design incorporated waxed cotton cording but in the tutorial, I have used some thick 2mm leather cording instead. You can vary the supplies easily to transform your earrings into a unique design.





Here's what you'll need:
2- brass 2 inch head pins
2- brass 10mm snowflake components
6 inches 2mm cording
2 porcelain 15mm links
2 brass fold over cord ends
2 brass ear wires
2 size 6 seed beads

tools:
Flush cutters
Round nose pliers
Flat nose pliers



Cut the cording in half creating 2 3 inch sections. Thread one end through one porcelain link, and then back through the link again. Pull the two ends together and attach a fold over end.






Using on head pin string 1 seed bead and one brass snowflake component.


Push the headpin in through the center of the 2 cords and trim the headpin to about 1/2 an inch.





Using the round nose pliers form a loop around the cording. Use the flat nose pliers to get in there and tighten the loop against the cording.




Repeat all steps for the second earring. Hopefully my step by step photos will help you interpret my wacky instructions.


Resources:

Porcelain links: Joan Miller Porcelain
Brass fold over ends and snowflakes: Ornamentea.com
Brass ear wires and headpins: Vintaj.com
Leather cording: Ornamentea.com
seed beads: Fusionbeads.com


Find more jewelry designs at Lorelei's shops
Www.loreleieurtojewelry.etsy.com
Www.lorelei-Eurto-jewelry.myshopify.com
Blog: http://Lorelei1141.blogspot.com

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Show Me Sunday



Adorable Santa Claus pendant by Joan Miller Porcelain

Show Me Winter Holiday Beads! 
 
Tis the season for winter holiday beads! Let's see some of those great beads, charms, and components that celebrate the winter season! Holiday specific beads, pine trees, snowflakes... let's celebrate all of the things that remind of us December. Post your links in the comments here and I will select some of the links you leave on this post to highlight in another Show Me Sunday post. 
 
Here is what some of our beady friends have to show off this week: 

Easy & Effortless...two great words and when they describe a jewelry making project, EVEN BETTER! Stop by A Bead A Day for an easy & effortless project idea! 

Time to make the snowmen, as in jewelry and other crafts that is! 

Erin shares a fun and festive free project as part of the Art Bead Scene's 12 Days of Christmas blog project series 

The parties aren't over yet! Here's how to put together a festive hair ornament! 

It is never to late to try and permanently capture Christmas in a vial with resin! 

Jean discusses a project she found while reading her superfun email from Cloth Paper Scissors


Friday, December 21, 2012

On the 10th Day of Christmas-Laugh

Just laugh, its the key!
Hang this in a spot you will see everyday so you are reminded to laugh every day.
No, I'm not promoting Laughing Cow cheese.
If you know me, I tend to laugh a lot. There are days you will cry if you don't laugh. 
It helps you and everyone around you. Enough of the serious stuff, LAUGH!

Supplies:
5 Brass disks, jump rings, bead links, key, charm and copper hook. 

Tools:
Metal stamps, bench block, hammer, dapping block, metal hole punch, sandpaper and pliers.

Stamp disks using your letter stamps, hammer and bench block.
Punch 2 holes top and bottom, in your disks. Dome disks slightly using the dapping block.
Distress the disks with sandpaper
Attach disks and bead links with 5mm jump rings.
Attach hook and key with anodized aluminum jump rings.
I added a bee fishing fly. Why not? I makes me smile.
Add more charms or fiber what ever makes you happy. 
LAUGH!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

On the 9th Day of Christmas - Pretty Packing

I have a very talented friend who makes the most beautiful knitted creations. For the past two years, we have done a Great Christmas Craft Swap - we swap lists in early Autumn, saying what presents we'd like making, and then a few days before Christmas we meet up and swap goody bags. I wanted to find a way to further prettify my packaging, labelling the jewellery but leaving it so it can be opened fairly easily, so that Polly could check out everything I had made for her friends and family. I thought that today I would share with you the sweet and simple way I did this. I think these would look just lovely under any Christmas tree!


Gather these supplies:
Jewellery Boxes
String
Card Stock, punched or cut into tags
Rubber Stamp
Ink Pad


Punch a hole in the corner of one of your cards/tags. Stamp an emblem of your choice in the opposite corner.


Cut a piece of string, and tie in a knot around your jewellery box. Slide on the tag. 


Tie the string in a bow to secure the tag. Double knot to make extra secure. 

And there you have it, pretty, simple but effective! You could use co-ordinating card stock like I have, or use something contrasting. If you are giving something to a fellow jewellery maker, you could even use some silk cord or ribbon instead of string. The possibilities are endless.....have fun!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer and singer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about beads and singing at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com.


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

On the 8th Day of Christmas: J-O-Y To The World

1:: Gather some leaf beads and some red berry beads. Oh, and some 24 gauge wire.
2:: Spell out the word J-O-Y with Simple Truths Simply Charming charms. (Or how about L-O-V-E? or initials of your children?)
3:: Cut the wire into three 3" lengths. Add three red berry beads alternated with two leaf beads on a wire. Twist to close and wrap the wire ends around the beads, tucking in any stray wire with a pliers.
4:: Attach to the letter charms with jump rings. Attach a pretty ribbon for a hanger. Voila!

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Featured Designer of the Week: Karin Slaton of Backstory Beads

Each week the Art Bead Scene features a Designer of the Week.
One of our editors picks her favorite from the 
Monthly Challenge entries.
 This week's winner is Karin Slaton of Backstory Beads!

Here is what editor Erin Prais-Hintz had to say about the design:
 
"I am a sucker for designs that do double duty, as this bracelet from Karin does. I never would have known that she put the silver snowflake on the back of the brass one! It is an added bonus to see one of my own charms at work. Thank you for honoring me with this pretty bracelet and for being inspired by our art challenge!"

You can read more about Karin's design on her blog Backstory Beads.

Just a reminder that you have until December 28th to get your image loaded into the Flickr group for inclusion in the final Monthly Challenge Blog Tour. Remember that we have THREE fabulous prizes to give away this month! I am hoping that after Christmas you will have time to sit and be inspired by this gorgeous Erte painting and share your creations with us.

 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Show Me Sunday



Limited edition Ceramic snowflake pendants by Elaine Ray, available at Ornamentea

Show Me Winter Holiday Beads! 
 
Tis the season for winter holiday beads! Let's see some of those great beads, charms, and components that celebrate the winter season! Holiday specific beads, pine trees, snowflakes... let's celebrate all of the things that remind of us December. Post your links in the comments here and I will select some of the links you leave on this post to highlight in another Show Me Sunday post. 
 
Here is what some of our beady friends have to show off this week: 



Two more jewelry making "Class in a Box" giveaways at A Bead A Day before the end of the year.
Just leave a comment for a chance to win! 


With a few simple crochet stitches and some Czech beads, you can make a sparkling necklace with the help of this new tutorial. 

Brandi Hussey shares a tutorial on making gemmy jewelry clusters 

Cyndi has three bead kits to give away, thanks to The Bead Shop! 

Now and again you need to push the envelope and make a really spectacular resin sample. 

Can you "tat" yet? Curious and want to give it a try? Jean gives you the lowdown on this wonderful and historical craft!





Saturday, December 15, 2012

Studio Saturday with Erin Prais-Hintz

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.
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This week our winner is Becky PancakeCongratulations!
You have won
you very own Snowflake Button.
Send Tari an e-mail with your address for shipping and she will get it right out to you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week we visit the studio of Erin Prais-Hintz at Tesori Trovati Jewelry.

Every year I make ornaments to give as gifts. Ornament gifting has become a special tradition in our home. My children each get a new ornament every year in their stockings from *Santa* so that one day when they leave the nest they will have a good start on their own holiday decorations. My husband and I gift each other with an ornament instead of lavishing presents on one another. We buy what we want anyway, and this has always been a more meaningful gift that started when we had little money and a whole lot of love. But we keep it going because it is a fine tradition.

I love the idea of having something special and hand made to give to those that I cherish. I don't always make the ornaments that I give, but I do like to support handmade if at all possible. Last year my ornament to my husband was a limited edition ornament from Kylie Parry with these sweet little initials carved in a ceramic tree.

{Check out the other offerings from Kylie Parry}
When I started making my Simple Truths line a few years ago, I knew that these adornments for your self would translate to adornments for your tree just as well! These pendants-turned-ornaments or ornaments-turned-pendants are limited edition each year, so you have to get them while you can!

In 2011, I had three Nutcrackers that were made to order, and snowflakes in soft pastel colors because they are my favorite winter theme.
{2011 - Snowflakes}
I also made snowmen. I have a collection of snowmen that I bring out every now and then. I like things that can make it through more than one month on the calendar and snow seems to fit the bill.

{2011 - Let It Snow}

The beauty of making your own ornaments is that you can tailor them to the recipient and you know that there will be nothing else like it in world. You can focus on their likes and interests or commemorate something special that happened in the past year. Although I do have several new limited edition holiday pendants/charms/ornaments in my Etsy shop, you don't need to stick to holiday themes to make them festive. All you need are a few embellishments and some pretty ribbon and you can turn any pendant into a pretty - and meaningful - tree bauble. Here are some suggestions...

For the newlyweds...

{Get the last three of this pendant in my shop!
I see this with a small brass circle stamped with the wedding date and dangling from that a large purple faceted crystal briolette.
Finish with a regal burgundy ribbon for a sweet remembrance of a happy day.}
For the beach bum...

{My sea-themed pendants can be customized with your message or dates on the back. Maybe a reminder of a special trip, or just the year. I would take a small glass bottle and fill it with sand.
Cork it up and wire wrap some shells and pearls and create a wire hanger for this pendant to swing from, topped with a little burlap ribbon for a hanger.}


For the nature lover...

{A Woodsy Owl (or a Motley) would look great hanging from a branch made from hammered copper wire and wrapped with little czech glass leaves and an acorn of course!}

For your favorite teacher...

{This small pendant with a quote from The Lorax is perfect for you favorite teacher. I would do a cascade of silvery leaf chain and add a few bright colored wire spirals in honor of Dr. Seuss.}

Of course, I have some new limited edition holiday pendants that have been popular this year, and I am still making them for Christmas delivery (hint, hint ;-).
Holiday Botanical Birds, available in Pine, Poinsettia, Holly & Mistletoe
Reindeer Won't You Guide My Sleigh Tonight?Frosted Flakes in both Ginger and Steel
J-O-Y To the World
Snowfolk, available in three styles: It's Snow, Man Hooray for Snow ; Snow Much Fun
If you want some more ornament inspiration, come over to my blog Treasures Found as I am participating in a Holiday Ornament Swap Hop today hosted by Miss Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime and you can see a view of my brand new winter mantelscape as well! Whee! Let it snow!


The elves are working overtime in the Tesori Trovati workshop. But the Head Elf assures me that there are a lot of pendants and charms that are ready to ship, all with FREE gift wrap. Made to Order items (like these ornaments above) do take a little time, but if you hurry, there might still be time to get them to you by Christmas! If you order by Monday, December 17th, I think they will reach you with enough time for your gifting. To treat you this holiday season, I would like to extend a special discount in my Etsy shop:

LASTMINUTE for FREE Shipping (domestic only)
OR
HOHOHO for 15% off your order (Simple Truths Samplers excluded)

So, what about you? Do you like to buy ornaments for gifts? Do you have any ornament traditions? What is your favorite ornament? Share something about ornaments in the comments and you can win this one of a kind snowflake pendant that you can turn into your own ornament!

{Leave a comment to win!}
Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.