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 Erin S.! Congratulations! You have won a Time Flies Pendant from Gaea! Send Gaea 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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 My Bead Fest 2012 Instructor Badge

 I had the pleasure of attending the Bead Fest Summer show in Philadelphia last weekend. It's a great bead show. I went last year but, this year, I didn't just attend the show, I taught at it! Yep, I've had my first experience teaching at a national bead show. This was a personal goal of mine and a major milestone for me. I enjoy teaching very much. I've taught lots of classes at local bead shops, but this is on a whole different level. It sure was a wonderful feeling to hang that official badge around my neck! I felt so professional. It was a privilege and a feeling I'll never forget, but I'll be the first to admit that badge sure does come with a whole lot of hard work and dedication. The amount of planning, prepping and preparing to teach a class at this show was like nothing I've ever experienced before. It's a joyous kind of work that I love doing, but boy oh boy, you sure do need to be prepared, love what you do, love to teach, and be on top of your game to pull this off successfully. I have a lot of respect for all those instructors out there. I know first hand that they must absolutely love every ounce of what they create and love to teach it! I think this must be true because it is true for me. 

 Bohemian Knotted Earrings

I taught my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop. I adore these earrings. I love to make them, I love to wear them, I love all the materials I use in them and I love the simple knotting techniques used to create them. They are very "me" and I love everything about them. I figure if I love my earrings that much, then maybe someone else might like them, too. Well, I think I was right about that because six very nice ladies signed up for my workshop to learn how to make them! I was thrilled.

 Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit 

featuring artisan metal components by Miss Fickle Media.

I was well prepared for class. Each student received a Bohemian Knotted Earrings Kit. The kits include all the materials to make each of the 3 styles of earrings in the workshop. "Sun Earrings", " Fringe Earrings" and "Chandelier Earrings". The kits contain Irish waxed linen cord, colorful gemstone rounds and artisan metal links and ear wires handmade by Shannon LeVart of Miss Fickle Media. I commissioned Shannon early in the year to make these components for me. Her handmade metalwork makes all the difference in the finished pieces.

 Cover page of my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial

Each student also received a spiral-bound, hand-out that included materials lists, clear instructions,  step-by-step photos and a resources list . For me, a thorough hand-out is a vital part of teaching a successful class. It really helps the class to run smoothly and each student can follow along easily even if everyone is working at a different pace. I received lots of positive feedback from students about how much they loved and appreciated the hand-out booklet. My first experience teaching at a national bead show was a good one and well worth all the effort I put into it. Each student enjoyed the class immensely and that is the most important thing to me. In fact, I even received some really awesome complements at the end of class from seasoned workshop attendees!

I know not everyone can get the opportunity to attend a show, let alone take a class or workshop. There are a multitude of reasons that might be the case for many people. So, I've decided to turn my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop into a downloadable PDF TUTORIAL! I've heard from quite a few that expressed interest in my class, but could not travel to attend it in person.  I'm so very excited to offer my workshop in this way. Now, you can purchase my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial along with my Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit in my Etsy shop. I hope many more will enjoy making these earring designs as much as I do.They are so much fun to make!

Now for my questions for you this week:

Do you take any beading/jewelry-making classes at shows or local bead shops?

Have you taken any online classes or workshops? or downloaded any tutorials or patterns online?

Leave a comment answering any of these questions and you will be entered for a chance to win a digital copy of my 20-page, full-color photo, Bohemian Knotted Earrings TUTORIAL. The PDF file will be sent to the winner via email once I receive the winner's email address.

Thanks for joining me today and happy creating!

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.

Link Library with Melanie

 This project from the archives shows how to use a shank button as the clasp for a cool artsy bracelet.  Shannon of Missficklemedia combines artisan chain and a button with some more common elements for a great mixed media look. You can find this free project here.

Here are some links from some of our beady friends this week:

  A Bead A Day
Have ring blanks, will hot glue! Lisa's looking for ideas on what to hot glue onto these simple ring blanks.

About.com Jewelry Making
Love fabric and beads? Then bead embroidery might be your cup of jewelry tea.

Beading Arts
The fabulous Leslie Rogalski shares her thoughts about her creative process with us! You don't want to miss this!

Beads & Books
Michelle shares ideas on how to find craft shows for selling your work.

Art Bead Scene
Gaea shares some small beady indulgences she is dreaming of to distract herself from tax season  

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the new book by Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel: Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry--it is marvelous!  

Melanie Brooks is the ceramic beadmaker behind Earthenwood Studio, who blogs from her Metro Detroit, Michigan home.

Art Bead Color Palette :: Miss Fickle Media

Extra Large Verdigris Patina Metal Flower, by MissFickleMedia

One thing I wish I had more guts to do is play with metal patinas. Except why bother when lovely shops like that of Miss Ficklemedia have it down pat?

I'm totally smitten with the colors owner Shannon creates with patinas. I'm so used to thinking of color as coming only from beads, but Shannon clearly proves me wrong with handmade links, chains, and charms. What a fantastic way to bring in pops of color to add to jewelry designs!

Here are a few favorites:


Lavender Large Textured Copper Chain, by MissFickleMedia

Old Lace White Copper Link, Saffron Yellow Copper Link, and Peacock Blue Copper Chain, by MissFickleMedia

Verdigris Vintage Brass Corrugated Bead, by MissFickleMedia

Burnt Blossoms Patina Charm Pair, by MissFickleMedia

Tell me, have you played with patinas yourself? Or colored links?

To see more from Shannon, you can visit her shop right here.

Studio Saturday with Missficklemedia

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 Baglady! Congratulations! You have won a Mystery Button from Tari! Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get your prize out to you soon!


This week’s Studio Saturday is my turn, Shannon with missficklemedia.com. I have been buried under paper work for the past month and nothing else is getting done. Not only did I have inventory sheets to send out with jewelry shipments for 4 stores, but there was a ton of insurance forms, new patient forms for an allergist, school paperwork for 2 kids, tax forms and wholesale invoices. Articles and stepped out projects were also needed which means math and measuring. With so many half finished projects in the air, this amount of time being sucked away by paper work is draining me of creative energy. 

Pout.

 In addition, I had problems with custom orders, my third pair of hole punch pliers broke, metal I needed wasn’t available, a case of lacquer was delayed and my tumbler got the dreaded black plaque from oil residue that required way more hours of labor I had to fix it.

Whine.

 This means that all the goodies I had ready to put in my shop have sat in a box, collecting dust for the past month instead of being photographed, listed, shopped and designed with. 

As a result, sales have all but stopped.

Stomp.

 So aside from paying off debts and getting caught up with bills, this next month’s focus is going to be loading up my store for the upcoming holidays! While this might mean no more custom requests for awhile, it definitely doesn’t mean that there are no grungy patina goods available. 

Until I get the new items listed I would like to offer a sneak peek in the form of a give-away;

A Color Wrapped Key pendant!

If you would like to be entered to win this saffron color wrapped, antiqued key pendant, simply leave a comment to this blog post, answering this question; What are you doing this year to ready yourself for the holidays? 

Trying out a new show? Streamlining your line? Packing your store full of delicious beadful goodness?

Let us know what you're up to!

Thank you for visiting us here at Art Bead Scene!
Much Love & Respect,
Shannon

missficklemedia.com

Free Project - Art Heart Bangle

 A recent collaboration with Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio allowed me the opportunity to play with some of her copper patina heart beads. I was delighted to find that large hole bead slides easily onto heavy gauge wire that I could then design a hammered bangle around! 

Tools & Materials
12" Ruler
Wood or steel bracelet mandrel
Flush cutter for 14 gauge wire
Jewelers file in medium rasp
Round nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
Steel bench block
Ball peen hammer
1 - 11" piece of pure copper wire in 14 gauge
1 - Copper Patina Heart Bead by Starry Road Studio
1 - 10" piece of 20 gauge copper wire

Optional for patina;
Ocean Blue Patina
Indigo Patina
Paint brush
Sealer


 Step 1. Cut the 11" piece of 14 gauge pure copper wire and round the cut ends of wire with your jewelers file.

 Step 2. Push the 11" piece of wire around the bracelet mandrel, at the 2.5" diameter section. Hammer the wire into bangle shape with the ball peen hammer, turning the bangle as you hammer to create a neat and tidy circle. Expect to have an over lap of about 2" each side at the ends of the wire. Remove the 14 gauge copper from the bracelet mandrel and hammer it on the sides of the wire against your bench block. This will help flatten the bangle and create a clean line on the wearers wrist.

 Step 3. Start the bottom swirl of the bangle with the round nose pliers tip, forming the smallest loop you can at the right hand side, outwards, at end of the 14 gauge bangle. Switch to the flat nose pliers to add more swirl, clamping down on the tiny loop with the flat nose securely in your right hand while you push the wire down with your left hand, towards the side of the blades of the flat nose pliers.  Stop when your bottom swirl is approximately 1/2" across and hammer the front of your swirl with your ball peen hammer against the bracelet mandrel for texture and strength.

 Step 4. Slide the heart bead onto what is now the top wire of the bangle and push it back approximately 1.5" to give yourself room to form the top swirl embellishment. Once again, use the round nose pliers to form a tiny loop at the end of the wire, then switch to the flat nose pliers to continue the decorative swirl as described above.
Be careful with your flat nose pliers and ball peen hammer around the ceramic bead, keep it away from your metal working tools as you form your swirls and bangle. Once the swirl is to your liking, push the bead to other side of the bangle and hammer the front of it against the bracelet mandrel as you did the bottom swirl. 

 Step 5. Wire wrap the ceramic heart into its place with the 10" piece of 20 gauge copper wire. Push the heart bead up against the swirl embellishment.  Mark 3" into the 10" piece of copper wire and wrap this 3" around the 14 gauge bangle, 3 to 4 times, tightening the wire against the 14 gauge base to hold the heart bead, facing forward, tight against the swirl. Push the remianing length of the wire behind the heart bead and cross over to the opposite side to begin wrapping this side of the heart. Wrap 2 to 3 times and stop.

Step 6. Pull your wire through the bangles bottom swirl, right where the base of the swirl begins, pull tight with your flat nose pliers and press the wire down across the top of the bottom swirl. Continue wrapping, going behind the swirls, up into the top swirl and around to the back 2 to  3 more times, pressing into place with the flat nose pliers at each wrap. Keep this wrapping tight as it holds the 2 hammered swirls together.

Step 7. Wrap the 20 gauge wire around the base of the 14 gauge bangle base on the outside of the double swirl embellishment and trim away any excess wire. Press the cut end into the bangle with your flat nose pliers and file the end smooth. Reshape your bangle against the thinner area of the mandrel with light blows, careful not to break the heart bead.

Step 8. I added a patina treatment of traditional ocean blue with a paint brush and then washed over it with dye oxide indigo to add a better contrast between the blue green of the ceramic heart bead. But this is step is optional and the pure copper bangle is beautiful with antiquing and brush finishing.

Thank you for visiting us here at ABS and I hope you enjoyed your free project!
Shannon LeVart

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Missficklemedia

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 Lisa Peters! Congratulations! You have won a Simple Truths pendant from Erin! Send Erin an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.


This weeks Studio Saturday is my turn, Shannon with missficklemedia.com. And I am making leaves. Leaves in glorious colors and crinkled textures crafted from sheet metal. Pair together fold forming and patinas and you have a seemingly endless variety of metal play for fall pendants!

 

Indigo Washed Chestnut is my favorite finish for leaves. The swipe of mica powder makes for a shimmering, mystical quality. This is the leaf closest to the one featured in the fall issue of Stringing.

The verdigris is so unusual! I imagined them paired with more chain and stone, in contrasting colorways, but the lavender chain and the violet leaves gave me pause for thought.

 
Maybe orange and beige pearls would look nice? Each one is unique, with twists of metal and pools of color that mimic the one of kind leaves in nature. I haven't decided what to do with my own leaves yet but I set this one aside to offer to our winner for next weeks draw;

To enter simply leave a comment to this blog post, answering this question; what combination of materials and technique have you discovered that enhances your jewelry making?
Thank you for visiting us here at Art Bead Scene!
Much Love & respect,
Shannon

missficklemedia.com

Free Project - Lily's Midnight Tryst

 

Using this Twilight Lily bead by Heather, you can create a  romantic accessory perfect for an evening out with your partner.  The deep blue colors paired with tiny crystals evokes a midnight tryst under the sparkle of stars and an air heavy with the perfume of lilies.

Tools and Materials

Bead board or Ruler

Scissors

Wire cutter

Chain nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Humblebeads Twilight Lily Bead 

Faceted Black Tourmaline from kandubead.etsy.com

11- 4mm clear crystal bicones

11 - 22 gauge antiqued copper headpins

1 - 5" - 20 gauge antiqued copper headpin 

25" - 22 gauge antiqued copper wire

6 - 8mm Ghost White patina copper beads

6 - 16mm Indigo Hammered Links

1 - 8mm antiqued copper jump ring 

1 - 26mm copper toggle clasp

8 - 4mm antiqued copper jump rings

24" - Dark Blue leather cording from lilysoffering.esty.com

Step 1. Start your design by building from the focal bead up to the pre-determined measurement. The necklace shown measures 19" in length with the focal Twilight bead and faceted Tourmaline adding a 2" center drop. The focal bead needed to be centered at the 9" mark on the bead board with the remaining beads laid out in an estimation of what was needed to fill the determined measurment.

Step 2. Slide the Twilight Lily bead onto the 5" long 20 gauge antiqued copper headpin, form a loop at the top and wrap the extra wire around the top of the bead to close it. The extra long headpin will create a nice messy wrap at the top.  Cut 1 - 5" piece of 22 gauge antiqued copper wire and create a loop on one end with your round nose pliers, approximately 3" into the wire, dependent on the size of faceted tourmaline you are using. Wrap the loop closed, trim away the excess wire and press the cut end into the wire-wrapping. Slide the faceted tourmaline onto the wire and form a second loop under the bead, stopping before you wire-wrap it closed so you can slide the open loop onto the Twilight Lily beads top loop. Close the wire-wrapped loop so the Twilight Lily bead is now suspended from the faceted black tourmaline.

Step 3. Begin creating wire-wrapped connectors with the Ghost White patina beads with 6 - 4" pieces of 22 gauge antiqued copper wire, closing each loop with wire-wrapping and trimming away any excess wire. You should have 6 white beads with 2 loops on each. Open the 8mm antiqued copper jump ring and insert 2 of the wire-wrapped Ghost White patina bead connectors into the jump ring. Close the jump ring onto the top loop of the faceted black tourmaline. 

Step 4. Alternate connecting the Ghost White patina beads with the Indigo links by using smaller jump rings to attach the beads loops to the 16mm links. You should have 4 Indigo links separated by 6 of the  Ghost White beads. Once the necklaces center piece is assembled, you can wire-wrap the clear crystals to the Ghost White bead loops using the 22 gauge antiqued copper headpins. Add 1 crystal to each bottom loop of the Ghost White connector loops. Add 5 crystals to the top loop of the Twilight Lily bead so they are grouped around the messy wire-wrapped bail, in between the faceted black tourmaline and the Twilight Lily bead.  

Step 5. Cut 2 - 12" pieces of 2mm dark blue leather cording. Thread one of the 12" pieces through the last loop of the left side of the Ghost White connector beads. Cut a 3" piece of 22 gauge antiqued copper wire. Place the center of the wire over the doubled leather approximately 1/4 of an inch from the bead connector loop. Twist the wire over the leather cording from the middle of the wire, pulling the wire around to the front and over itself several times to keep the doubled leather together. Press the ends of the 3" piece of wire into the wrap you just created so the wearer does not get scratched from the sharp end of the wire. Gather the 2 pieces of leather together and push them through the end loop of one side of the antiqued copper toggle clasp. Fold both the leather cords over and cut another 3" piece of 22 gauge antiqued copper wire. Bind the folded leather onto itself by wrapping from the center of the wire as you did previously with the lower area of the leather. Tuck the sharp ends under the wrapping and press the wrapping with your chain nose pliers to ensure a tight wrapping. Repeat this step for the right side of the necklace with the second piece of 12" dark blue leather and the opposite side of the copper toggle.

I hope you enjoy creating this ultra romantic necklace as much as did. 

Now. Where is a lily garden? I've got plans.... :)

Much Love & respect,

Shannon LeVart

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Shannon LeVart

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 weeks winner is commenter #6; ALICE!. Congratulations! You have won a set of Rose & Bird Buttons from Tari with Creative Impressions in Clay!

Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will have these shipped out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Shannon LeVart at 

missficklemedia.com.

I am now posting to you from Florida!

 I am crazy busy setting up a work studio and fulfilling a few projects I committed to before moving, but we are settling in nicely. Visiting the ocean daily, signing the kiddos up for summer camps, making new friends and setting up a new work schedule. 

It is chaotic but thrilling! As if going through the mundane task of daily living is somehow transformed by the sound of pounding waves.

I would love to share my new work space with you;

Yep! I work outside!

I am usually up by 7 am; I oversee the kids during their morning chores and help them get ready for their various activities. I then walk to the BEACH, where I collect lots of sea offerings before heading home to start on whatever orders are waiting for me at the pool side work bench. 

Why, you could call me Captain Contentment, I am so happy right now!

Here is the view I work under in my atrium;

It is always like this. I think it has rained a total of 4 times since we have moved here.

Absolutely heavenly blue skies!

In addition to filling orders, I have been working on a new collection to present to a local shop. Inspired by artist Anahata Katkin's bohemian like girls, with their big hoop-de earrings, lush flowers and vibrant swirling colors!

Using patinas to add bold color to big metal discs that are then embellished with chain, beads and charms has been so much fun. I let go while creating this collection, the larger the metal, the more wildly satisfied I was! The longer the chain, the louder the jangle!

Even if the shop they are intended for doesn't accept them, I have had a great time trying on this new Lux Boho trend.

So what new thing has taken over your creative endeavors?

Have you surprised yourself with a new source of inspiration or are you remaining steady and true to what is near and dear to your heart? 

If you leave a comment on this post before next Saturday, you will be entered into a drawing to possibly win;

Your own custom colored Sea Gypsy Jewel Pendant!

These specially textured pendants are the perfect size to stack art beads in front of or dangle from the top. I would love to make you one next week if you want to participate in commenting. 

Thank you for visiting my Studio Saturday post!

Much Love & Respect,

Shannon

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Missficklemedia

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 weeks winner is Shirley! Congratulations! You have won a  Sassy pendant from Tari of Creative Impressions in Clay. 

Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Shannon LeVart at 
Missficklemedia.com.

 So today is the 9th of April. I have been both dreading and looking forward to this day. Today we will be closing missficklemedia and placing the shop in vacation mode for up to 10 days. I have only closed the store twice since I first started my little shop in 2006 and both times were emergencies due to health issues. This time it is not an emergency, but it is necessary as we make our way down to Florida from Missouri for a 1,200 mile trek to our new shindig located in Satellite Beach!  This is a dream turned reality for my family and we are looking forward to a calmer, healthier way of life, living coastal.

 
 This move represents a major accomplishment and marks a period of overcoming in our lives. With so many obstacles to hurdle and uncertainties to bear, we are determined to move forward with our eyes fixed to the horizon, where sky meets sea.

While Mike fulfills his dream of diving and the kiddos enjoy their new pool, I will be constructing new items inspired by the sea, like these new Benthic Bowls;

  A tiny, copper ring dish, formed into the shape of a shell, treated with a combination of blue and green patinas for an ancient appearance. I would love to share one with one of you! In order to get your name in the drawing for one of these ring dishes next Saturday, please answer this question;

What would you do if you could not fail?

Robert H. Schuller

Robert is a big influence in my life. He tells us;

“High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.”

 

I know, this is heavy. You just want an art bead for Pete's sake!  But just give it a few minutes and let me know in comments, what would you do if you could not fail?

Much Love & Respect,

Shannon LeVart

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Shannon LeVart

 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 weeks winner is MoonRae! You have won a pair of lips (smooch!) from Tari Sasser of  Creative Impressions in Clay!

Please email Tari with your address so she can ship that off to you.

 

 This Studio Saturday we visit Shannon LeVart of missficklemedia.com. 

 So now is the time for missficklemedia to take the show on the road. With the kiddos a bit older, Mike and I have set up a goal for 2012 to re-enter trade and craft shows. Many plans are under way but with only a few small steps forward of actual progress. 

 When things seem overwhelming to me and I do not know where to start first, I work backwards from the end, Most Positive, result. The end result for this particular goal would be impressed shoppers at our artfully arranged and unique table presentation, money in hand and ready to buy. But how to impress them? With the black flocked velour plastic displays set on too low of tables? No, that wasn't me. It didn't showcase our product very well and it didn't make me feel anything even remotely close to excitement. So on the back burner these preparations sat. Until Oct. of 2010.

 I took my mama out to lunch and started whining about how I couldn't find anything that suited my needs. I tried describing what was in my mind and she asked a few specific questions that sparked an idea. We excitedly starting brain storming on our idea and many more ideas grew from there. But I had no time. No time to put this into place. It was so frustrating, to finally have solid inspiration but no way to start on the gathering of supplies and designing.

  Well, flash forward to January and Mom comes over to watch the kids while Mike and I take yet another day long trip to the hospital. When we arrive home and walk in, we see these spread out all over the kitchen table..... 

  Salvaged Driftwood and Reclaimed Copper Jewelry Displays! 

 How fabulous is that!?!?! My mom and pop went down to the Mississippi river and salvaged special pieces of driftwood that caught my moms artists eye. They loaded up their truck, brought them home, washed each piece and cured them for a week. After the driftwood had dried, my mom spread them all out and let her inner muse take over; placing this piece with that one. And this one with that one. Moving it again and again until she found its mate and all the pieces had a cohesive top and a base. She then instructed my poppy to drill holes and cut copper tubing in certain places and specific measurements. Once that was done, she assembled each stand individually, hammering and antiquing the copper, varnishing the driftwood to a subtle sheen and securing each piece with liquid nails.

 Each is a work of art. Weathered and unique. Organic and free form. Earthy and earth friendly. With a raw beauty. She has named this collection of unique one of kind displays "Washed Up"!

 I fell in love hard with these pieces but I saw the potential for other jewelry artists who perhaps felt as I did, that the mass produced, imported, black backdrop was not the investment to make for their special artisan jewelry. So I purchased the second batch from her and began the arduous process of adding them to the store inventory. She is now at work on the third batch, with more ideas bubbling up. Ideas that include antique gears!   

 One of my personal favorites is this earring tree. The base is from a river tumbled branch that my poppy cut into sections. The copper tree is arranged from scrap electrical wire that they stripped the outer plastic coating from and separated the wires, pulling each down, hammering the ends and antiquing to add depth and character. Each tree is sealed with varnish to protect its finish and allow for even the brightest of sterling silver to hang upon its bough. The top circle is shaped to hold a price card or a photo. Which makes it a multi-functioning piece that would be great as a gift for one who likes trees and having their earrings in an easily accessible place on a dressing table.

 

Now there is a part of me that wants to keep the Washed Up collection all to myself, but I also want to share them. So I am offering the earring tree above to a randomly drawn winner next week! 

 My question that you must answer in comments to be eligible is this;

 What type of display do you need for your show presentation? Are you like me, in desperate need of extra long necklace displays? Or do you find yourself with no way to properly show off rings?  Do you like your necklaces to face the buyer and therefore prefer the bust style display? Or are you frustrated by how few bracelets fit on a typical bar?

  Please share with me your display needs for a chance to win the adorable earring tree shown above.  

(Sorry! earrings are not included!)

As always, thank you for spending time here with us at Art Bead Scene and letting us share what is happening in our studios!

Much Love and Respect,

Shannon

missficklemedia.com