Studio Saturday with Erin Siegel

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 winner is Kathy Lindemer! Congratulations, Kathy! You have won a goodie bag from The Curious Bead Shop from Rebecca! Send Rebecca an email with your address and she will get your prize out to you soon!

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This week we visit the studio of

Erin Siegel of Erin Siegel Jewelry

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Yoga-Inspired Jewelry and Works-In-Progress in the Studio.

Buddha Head Pendant by Second Surf
Serenity Lotus Earrings in my shop
Namaste Bracelet in my shop
Lotus Pendant by Second Surf

My jewelry is very me. I use jewelry-making as my chosen medium to express myself. Most often, my pieces are a direct reflection of me, what's going on in my life at the time and what inspires me. I love to create jewelry that I'm excited about wearing each and everyday.

As the new year rolls around, I always find myself thinking about self-care and developing healthy habits. One of those things is starting a new yoga practice. One of the things I can do to make that more fun and easier to incorporate into my life is to create yoga-inspired jewelry! Not only is it fun but, creating and wearing yoga-inspired jewelry helps me keep my goals and good intentions at the forefront of my mind no matter what I'm doing though out the day. Whether I'm making a bracelet or wearing a necklace, I will keep my goals in mind and stay inspired and motivated. I love being able to use my creativity as an advantage to better myself in this kind of way. 

 Also, bringing yoga into my jewelry helps me to integrate my creative life with the rest of my life goals. Something I've had trouble doing in the past. Many of us tend to compartmentalize our lives into separate categories that don't necessarily mix. I'm trying to remind myself that my life is a whole and all the facets of it are connected. There may be multiple facets, but they are all on one beautiful jewel!

Do you think of your life as a whole? How do you meld your creative life with the rest of your life? Do you have trouble fitting all the pieces together to work as one? What ways do you use your jewelry and creativity to help or enhance other areas of your life?  

Leave a comment answering any of these questions and you will be entered for a chance to win a polymer clay Buddha Pendant from Barbara of SecondSurf.com.

 

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry. 

June Monthly Challenge Prizes and Sponsors

Our wonderful sponsors for the June Monthly Challenge. 

We will have 2 lucky winners this month.

Second Surf

Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf specializes in handmade polymer clay beads and original one of a kind jewelry using these beads. I began making beads inspired by tribal fetish beads and Japanese Netsuke.  

Barbara is highly interested in the history of traditional folk arts and the intrinsic value of making things by hand using the skills and techniques that were historically used. She seeks to combine traditional methods with contemporary materials to offer pieces in a new and fresh face.

She uses vintage, repurposed, and upcycled findings as much as possible in the creation of her pieces. Most, if not all of the accent beads in her pieces are made from old jewelry. I value the time, consideration, and uniqueness of each piece that she makes. The best part about buying something handmade is knowing that you will own the only one in the whole world! 

Barbara is donating a $50 gift certificate to be used in her WebShop. 

 Visit Barbara on her website, WebShop, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.

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B'Sue Boutiques

B'Sue Boutiques is a supply store boutique that specializes in American made brass stampings with unique finishes.
The pearl beaded brooch with the large central blister pearl is Miriam Haskell on Russian Goldplated filigree, much like we carry at B'sue Boutiques to this day.
The flower sprig brooch is tremblant, meaning the blossoms are on little springs and they wiggle slightly. This is made in the 50's and signed Hattie Carnegie. Even the flowers on the little earrings wiggle. Tremblant brooches were very popular 30's-50's and widely collected today.
 The corsage brooch and matching cluster earrings are made by me, B'sue.  The 'armature' or base, of the piece, is made of Russian Goldplated brass that is wired together to make the bracelet. The back of it is 'faced' so it will be smooth on the wrist.  Everything on this piece is wired onto the filigree in the Haskell style with 28 ga goldplated wire. The only thing glued is the pearls into the center of the vintage cold-paint enamel flowers. Today, we sell many similar flower findings that can be painted or patina'd in many various ways.

B'Sue is donating a $50 gift certificate to be used on her website.

Visit the B'Sue Boutiques on their website, etsy, blog, flickr, YouTube and Facebook.
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Submit photos of your wonderful creations using one or more Art Beads.

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper has with many different elements that can be used for inspiration angles, people, red, yellow, green, street, darkness or night, mystery and the play of light.

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

Please remember to put JUNE 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.