Art Bead Scene Lounge

We love the Art Bead Scene community and want to hang out! Grab a cup of tea and head over to join the Art Bead Scene's new Facebook group: Art Bead Scene Lounge.

We are just getting the party started this weekend, but plan to jump in with a few surprise giveaways with goodies from the ABS team.

Stop by and join the group today!

Bead Fest Pity Party Sale

Are you sad about missing Bead Fest this weekend?  I am! Okay, wipe away those tears - you are going to need those Kleenex's for drooling! I've gathered together some awesome beadmakers and shops to share discounts with you for the weekend.  All sales are Friday through Sunday. Discount code for each shop is PITYPARTY13.

Humblebeads - 20% off beads and jewelry.

Tesori Trovati - 15% off.

MoreSkye Jewels - 15% off.

Gaea - 15% off.

Second Surf - 20% off.  Also check our Second Surf's Facebook page for one-of-a-kind bead sets through the weekend.

Grubbi - 40% off.

Kristi Bowman Design - 15% off.

The Curious Bead Shop - 10% off.

SongBead - 20% off.

Jewellery Quarter - 30% off.

Olla Podrida - 25% off.

Join me all weekend on my blog for giveaways, a weekend of inspiration and connecting with other creative folks online!

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.

Art Bead Swap at Bead Fest Summer

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to return to the Bead Fest Summer show in Philadelphia, PA. It's a great bead show and one of the best in the country. My friend, Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio held her annual Art Bead Swap event at the show. A group of us jewelry designers and bead artists got together Saturday afternoon to exchange packages. Before the swap, Diana paired us up. Here I am with my swap partner, Linda Hanes of Crafty Gal Designs:

 Linda gathered together a nice collection of treasures for me. I was pretty thrilled because many of these artists were new to me, along with a few old favorites as well! Linda dabbles in mixed media jewelry, so she even created a collage tile pendant necklace for me. It's so sweet! Here's my stash from Linda:

Cream-colored lampwork rondelles from Susan Sheehan, small brown lampwork rondelles from HMB Studios, glass work pendant from Tari Zarka of Aspiring Artists of the Earth, ceramic washer beads from Elaine Ray, handmade mixed-media pendant necklace by Linda Hanes and a ceramic rose pendant from our host, Diana of Suburban Girl Studio.

And speaking of our fearless leader, here she is! After we swapped, we threw our names in a bag and Diana drew them for some door prizes. Well...actually, my mother-in-law, Nancy Siegel drew the names, but Diana looked cute holding the bag! :)

I won this gorgeous copper clay, paisley-patterned pendant from Kristi Bowman. I was super excited to win one of her pieces! I'm a huge fan of Kristi's work. Copper is one of my favorite metals and I love the shape and pattern of this pendant as well. Staci Louise Smith was present for the swap. It was nice to see her again. She gifted all the swap participants with one of her polymer clay pendants. I picked out this one. I adore the colors in it!

I have to thank Diana for putting together yet another event for us. She does a great job organizing this art bead swap each year. The best part about going to the show is getting together with beady friends and meeting even more beady friends! I met quite a few gals from the beading community that I've only been able to keep in touch with online. It's such a wonderful opportunity to get a chance to meet them all in person. Here's the gang that attended the swap this time around:

Photo credit: Amy Freeland

From left to right: Marsha Neal, Barbara Bechtel, Me, Kristen Stevens, Karen Totten, Melinda Orr, Vanessa Gilkes, Amy Freeland, Diana Ptaszynski, Lorelei Eurto, Linda Hanes, Sue Kennedy, Kathleen Klik, Staci Smith, and Sandi Volpe.

I'm looking forward to our next get together, Girls! If you'd like to join us or if you are interested in more information, contact Diana. See you next year!

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. 

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.

This weeks winner is Erin Strother! Congratulations! You have won a 'Goddess Bless You' button!

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

This week we visit the studio of Erin Prais-Hintz at Tesori Trovati Jewelry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I never met a challenge that I didn't like. I find that I am quite comfortable in my own little rut, that there is little incentive for me to push myself further, but I also know that there is so much more waiting for me and I am the only one that holds me back. So a few years ago I started seeking out challenges.

It started innocently enough. Right here. With the ABS monthly challenges.

At first I just looked and oohed and aahed a lot. I didn't think I could make anything good enough to post. But then there was that time that they did Matisse, and I thought, 'Why not? It is only one harmless little challenge? What could happen?' 

{One of my first ABS submissions inspired by Matisse, March 2009 featuring ceramic discs from Jennifer Heynen of Jangles, still one of my favorite pieces}

 I entered my piece and was delighted that I was chosen as the designer of the week by Miss Jennifer Heynen of Jangles. I will never forget the high that I felt from that moment. I was in awe that people could make jewelry inspired by master works of art. And it was also my first introduction to the world of art beads, mini masterpieces in themselves. Those editors at ABS kept coming up with new inspiration every month, which is like crack for me. I couldn't get enough. And I recall completely looking forward to what the next month might bring. And seeing how I could push my own limits.

{'Grow Tall, Bend Deep & Love Life' for the ABS challenge April 2011 featuring a Green Girl Studios leaf, a ceramic leaf bead from Earthenwood Studios and a tile from Marie at More Skye Jewels}

From that innocent foray into challenges, I started hitting harder competitions: first it was the online retailers and their annual contests for prizes, next it was publications like Bead Trends and Stringing. And finally, I felt the bug to compete in the Bead Star. From there it was only natural to do the Bead Soup. It was a lot of hard work, but I was up to the challenge.

{Winner of 2nd place in the Designs with Heart category of Bead Star 2009 - 'Good Advice' features ceramics by Jennifer Heynen of Jangles}

Then I decided that I just wasn't getting the same sort of buzz from the challenges that I was doing. I wanted more. I had ideas of what I would like to see in a challenge, and so I started offering my own version called 'Inspired by..." each month and a few people played along with me. I was now fully addicted.

Then I decided that I should come up with my own challenge, and in 2010 I started with the first - the Challenge of Color in November 2010. I was able to tease my participants into joining me and getting the same high off their creative juices that I was experiencing. And I have been able to do it again... and again... This November will be the 3rd Annual Challenge of Color and I am already planning what we will do to rev up our color palettes!

{For my Challenge of Literature, inspired by a poem by Cristina Norcross "For Those Who Endure Midwest Winters" I call this 'Winter Into Spring' featuring fold formed and patinated leaves from Mary Jane Dodd, polymer clay egg from Heather Powers and a wee ceramic birdie from LeAnn Weih of Summers Studio}

 This year I decided to bring the crack of a challenge to the masses with a new challenge each quarter. There was the Challenge of Music in February, the Challenge of Literature in May and now, on Monday, July 30th, I will announce the next Challenge of... on my blog. I can't give away all the secrets, but I will give you a taste and tell you that it will take you to places you never thought you would go! (Don't you just want to mainline a bit of that challenge with me? Hmmmm? ;-)

And lately, there have been others coming to me and suggesting different themes or ideas for hops... and I have been gently encouraging them to pursue that on their own, to splinter off and make their own attempt at running a blog hop. To franchise the idea, if you will. After all, there is so much to be gained by being the hostess and there are plenty of great ideas to go around!

{'Inner Joy' created for the 4th Bead Soup Blog Party, September 2011, featuring a gorgeous enameled hummingbird and beautiful lampwork glass beads from Beth & Evie McCord}

I have found that the best challenges don't have to be the largest ones with the most participants or the wackiest theme. The whole point is about creating a community, cultivating an appreciation for our artistic differences and giving ourselves a push outside our comfort zone. That is what we are trying to do here at the Art Bead Scene as well. I hope that is what happens when people come to play with me in my Challenges and what others experience with the myriad of opportunities out there there is a hop for everyone!

And speaking of hops, today is the first of three reveals for the popular Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. Lori is a whiz at running one of the largest hops around and making everyone feel welcome. My reveal date is today. Come on over to my blog today to read about my new friend Eni Fabian from Austria, who makes amazing seed bead creations, and see what we created with our Bead Soups. And if you are looking for a new challenge, join me on Monday, July 30th for a reveal of the next Challenge of...

Up for grabs this week to one random commenter on this post:

A custom made 'take time' message stick pendant

Question:

Do you like to participate in hops and challenges? Why or why not?

What are some of your favorites?

What is your best idea for a hop or challenge? 
Have you ever considered hosting one of your own?

P.S. Come back here on July 31st for a reveal of the ABS Monthly Blog Tour that I curate as well!

Pinterest Team

I put together a team of curators to work on a Pinterest Board for this month's challenge.  Along with the Art Bead Scene editors we have six special pinners who will be sharing their inspirations this month on the board. 

Our Pinterest Team for July includes:
Kaushambi Shah
Elisabeth Auld
Michelle Mach
Katie Nelson
Nancy Saccoccio
Belle West (Donna Luehrs)

Click here to view the board and follow along.

New to Pinterest?  I wrote an article on Pinterest Inspiration last year, check it out here.
Already a Pinterest addict? Click here for some great tips to use Pinterest for your blog and your business.

Jewelry Designs from Nature Challenge

I'm so excited to let you know about a new challenge that the Art Bead Scene is hosting!

This is a fun challenge inspired by my book Jewelry Designs from Nature, to celebrate now that it's out making its way into the big craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels.

If you haven't had a chance to pick up the book it's packed full of projects using art beads from my favorite artists.  Along with 30 projects the book includes a few articles on finding inspiration for your nature inspired designs. I share my ideas of creating jewelry inspired by poetry and include photos from my favorite gardens, woodland trails and beaches.  And that is where this challenge finds it's roots!

This is a creative blog challenge.  10 winners will be sent a packet and have a few weeks to create a piece of jewelry inspired by their packets.  On July 6th we'll have a blog hop featuring the results.  We'll also have voting for your favorite challenge piece during the blog hop and giveaway beads from the book!

The Challenge:

I'm going to pick 10 participants randomly from the comments below.  Each participant will receive a packet that contains:

1. A few Humblebeads featured in the book
2. A nature-inspired poem
3. A photo for color and design inspiration

The packets will be themed and you could get a garden, woodlands or sea set!

Dates:

Winners will be picked June 6th.  Packets will mail on June 11th.  The blog hop reveal will happen here on July 6th.

To enter:

1. You must have a blog and plan to join in the blog hop to enter.

2. Tweet or Facebook about this challenge and leave a comment here letting us know you've helped spread the word.

Good luck!

Get your Bangles ON!

Hello, My name is Erin, and I am wrist-challenged. ;-)

No, really. I like bracelets (although I really don't wear them because they get in the way of me typing) but just can't seem to make them right. I either make them too short or too long. They never lay right. But people love them so as a jewelry designer I really should have this talent in my bag of tricks.

Then I found out that Tracy Statler of the MakeBracelets blog is hosting a hop on Saturday, April 21st called "Wrapped, Stacked & Layered" I knew that I had to do this as a personal challenge to myself.

There are over 80 participants in this hop. The only rules are that you  have to photograph a stack of bangles, on your arm, a willing model's arm, or around a bracelet holder or a bottle. You are encouraged to mix in what you have with some new ones. This picks up on the trend to stack loads of bracelets of various types that are popular on the runways and in fashion magazines.

My plan was to use up whatever I could, keep to color themes with each group and include one art bead in each stack. You can tune into my blog on Saturday, April 21st to see if I can pull it off!

In the meantime, I thought you might like to see some inspiration that has helped me along the way.

{Tribal Gypsy Bangle Stacks from fancifuldevices on Etsy}

One of my favorite blogs and Etsy sites to haunt is fancifuldevices. While looking for some bangle inspiration I came across a tutorial that fancifuldevices created all about making Tribal Gypsy Bangles. Those are so sweet! That worked to my advantage (being that I am wrist-challenged and all and in a desperate need for inspiration) and I signed up right away! It is full of great ideas. What I love about fanciful is that she is so willing to share her knowledge. She encourages copying to learn, but then work to make it your own. I am doing my own twist on her gypsy bangles. It truly inspired me! I would highly recommend this tutorial.

Also, check out this awesome tutorial from Cerebral Dilettante on how to add a handmade coiled crimp end to your corded creations. I am going to try this!

Be sure to come on over to the MakeBracelets blog on Saturday to see all the arm candy from around the world and maybe you will get inspired to get your bangle on!

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 new line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

Art Bead Swap at Bead Fest Spring

On the weekend of April 14th and 15th, I had the pleasure of attending the Bead Fest Spring show in Philadelphia. A group of jewelry designers and bead artists from the beading community got together for an art bead swap Saturday afternoon at the show. The swap was hosted by my friend, Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio. Diana organized the whole event and she even planned a dinner for us afterwards. What a treat!

On Saturday afternoon, we all met up at the concessions area at the convention center and threw our names in the bag. Diana drew the partners. My art bead swap partner was Linda Landig. Linda came all the way from Washington state to meet us! I'm so glad she wanted to make that connection and join our group. It was such a wonderful pleasure to meet her and make a new friend in the beading world. Linda sure was generous with her box of beads. Here is my treasure trove of art beads from Linda:

 A ceramic flower pendant from The Classic Bead, a yellow flower button from Jennifer Jangles, a copper clay pendant from Kristi Bowman, two lampwork glass beads from Radiant Mind, a lampwork focal bead from Scott Parrish and a ceramic pendant from Marti Conrad. I can not wait to play with these beautiful goodies. Linda really spoiled me with this stash of art beads!

Later on, Diana drew our names, again for some door prizes. I won this gorgeous polymer clay heart pendant from Staci Louise Smith. I love the color and I already have an idea for a necklace! Staci was also there at the show and she joined us for our art bead swap. It was so great to meet her. She is really a friendly and super FUN girl. I'm looking forward to seeing her again next time!

The best part of attending the Bead Fest show by far, is getting together with beady friends and socializing. Here is a photo of us all at the show (aka the East Coast Bead Mafia):

Picture from Cindy Wimmer

Standing: Me, Lorelei Eurto, Jan Onipenco, Nancy Schindler, Cindy Wimmer, Diana Ptaszynski, Vanessa Gilkes.
Sitting: Melinda Orr, Staci Smith, Linda Landig, Linda Hanes.

It's so nice to meet these ladies in person and make a solid, real-life connection. Isn't that what we are all looking for in the end? A connection. I tend to think so. I had a blast with each and every one of these ladies here. They are all truly a joy to be around! I walked away 100% satisfied with my trip to Philadelphia. I'm looking forward to next time already. And speaking of next time, please join us! Consider attending Bead Fest Summer in August! If you'd like to join the art bead swap, just contact our host, Diana and let her know you are coming. See you there!

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

Beaded Laughter Blog

Have you seen the new blog Beaded Laughter by Sylvie Lansdowne?

OMG

That girl eats funny for breakfast. 

Above is my little rendition of the "Hey Girl" meme, don't you wish your husband was that understanding!

  Sylvie was inspired to create the blog after reading Handmade Ryan Grosling.  For a tip she'll create a custom "Hey Girl" just for you or have one dedicated to a beady friend.

Here are some of my favorites from Sylvie:

When Sylvie isn't googling images of hunks and thinking up funny quotes, she is at her torch making lampwork beads and getting ready to teach her next workshop.

Check out her website to see where she is teaching next.

Thanks for the daily dose of giggles Sylvie!

Bead Soup Blog Hop

Sign for the next round of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.  The deadline is tomorrow!

Over 200 people have already signed up.  Don't miss out on all the fun.  Head on over to Lori's blog for complete details. 

Random Beady Links

Here is a hodge podge of great links to go visit today to help fire up your creativity this weekend:

First up - let's hear it for commitment! 365 days is a long time to commit to anything, but Cynthia Dies of Ornamentea, has been showing off a necklace a day for quite a while.  (I hope by featuring her here she'll stick with it!) Check them all out at 365 Necklaces.

Rose Noble, of Lady Noble and the Vintaj design team, is another brave soul taking on 365 days of creating on her blog.  Stop by and visit, she is another creative I hope sticks with the challenge - I love seeing what she comes up with next!

Andrew Thornton is having the virtual yard sale of the year with all sorts of beady fun that you won't want to miss.  There are new pendants like the ones above, he's selling some of his original and published designs on eBay, he has lots of artist's beads in his regular shop and he's hosting a big ol' summer giveaway.  Check out all the festivities on Andrew's blog.

Need some color inspiration?  Check out Design Seeds for a mind-blowing array of color palettes.  You'll never again have an excuse for staying in a color rut! (photo from Design Seeds)

Have you put together your muffin tin of beads yet? 

Here are a few clarifications:

Your link is due on Monday by June 27th at Midnight - central time. 

I've decided to give a bonus chance - if you fill your muffin tin and get 6 of the projects complete, you can enter the challenge.  I know 12 is a lot for a summer week when there are pools to visit, meals to grill, lemonades to sip, fireflies to catch - I get it!

Your challenge pieces can use art beads or not - that's up to you.  Earrings and pendants count - surely you can whip up 6 pairs of earrings and snap a pic before Monday.

Good luck and enter your link here to enter.

Getting Noticed - How to Connect with Blog Editors

As the editor of the Art Bead Scene, I'm often queried by jewelry designers and beadmakers asking various ways to be featured here. I thought I'd share some tips today on how to become part of a online community, connect with blog editors, and maybe even end up featured on your favorite blog.

(Pendant above by designer Rose Noble, featuring a fox from Humblebeads.)

(Typewriter pendant from Kylie Parry)

Before you sit down to type up that email to the editor of a blog, ask yourself this important question:

What is the main focus of this blog and what type of artists do they regularly feature?

Here on the Art Bead Scene we feature handmade beads by artists and jewelry that is created using art beads.  We also highlight unique findings, tools, business tips for those who sell jewelry and other news that relates to jewelry designers - like books, contests, events, etc.

So for example, someone who makes bridal jewelry with pearls and crystals wouldn't be featured here, unless they were making bridal jewelry with handcrafted artisan beads.  Then we'd be talking.

If you are searching for blogs to feature your handmade jewelry, look through older posts on the blog to see if you are a good fit for their audience. 

Here is a great article on introducing yourself to blog editors from Modish.  It's a must read!

(Spoken Words necklace by Judith B Designs.)

Now, there are ways to increase you chances of getting featured on a popular blog and one of them is to participate regularly in the discussions that are happening on the blog.  Yes, I'm talking about leaving comments - that's how we discover our readers and potential designers to feature.  Say hello and connect with the writers and other readers here on the blog.  Commenting - it's more important than you think!

Another way to increase your chances of being featured on your favorite blog - take amazing photos of your work.  If you sell online do whatever it takes to learn how to use your camera to take the best possible photos of your work.  It should be your number one priority when running an online business. There is no shortage of advice on this topic.  Check out all these helpful photography hints on Etsy.

The Art Bead Scene offers a few other ways for you to connect with us and our readers.  First we have our monthly challenge and love seeing what jewelry designers and beadmakers create from the inspiration pieces.  I'll share a secret - if you submit your challenge piece within the first week, your chances of being picked as a featured designer greatly increase!  And if you do join in the monthly challenge be sure to blog about it so we can feature you on the blog tour at the end of the month.

Also take advantage of Bead Table Wednesday - we share what's on our bead table each week.  Leave comments on the photos and blogs shared and you'll make all sorts of new friends!

Please don't email a blog editor and ask to be included in the links on their blog roll.  Those links are purely editorial and the editor's favorite picks.  It's a blogging faux pas to ask. 

(Birds on a Wire Pendant by Kylie Parry)

Submissions to the Art Bead Scene:

I'm always on the look out for a great guest post.  If you feel you have a topic you'd like to write about, email me and share your idea.  It could be a project featuring art beads, a lesson you've learned from your jewelry business, a tip you have to share, etc. 

I don't feature beadmaking tutorials here on the ABS.  While we adore art bead makers, our blog is written for jewelry designers who love to use art beads.

When you email me, be sure to include your website and blog link.  If you don't hear back from me, feel free to email again in a week to follow up.  I'm a busy gal and sometimes my to-do list is screaming at me while my emails pile up.  But please understand I may have to politely decline a submission.  It's not you, it may just not be a good fit for the blog. 

And don't spam me, don't email me just because you want to sell something.  Have a good story for me, share something amazing about your work or what inspires you.  I don't like spam any more than you do!  I like making connections and meeting interesting, creative people. 

(Baby Hedgies from Humblebeads.)

I'm often asked how I pick the beadmakers for the themes and treasuries that are posted here on the ABS. 

I'm more likely to pick a beadmaker I know and have shopped with.  This is where the editorial part comes in, I feature work here that I love. 

I'm also more likely to pick a beadmaker on Etsy.  It's easier to search for specific themes and I know the chances of finding some 'wow' factor images are pretty high.  That said, if I know what I'm looking for and know that a bead artist only sells from a website I will go check them out on their site. 

For beadmakers, I started an Art Bead Scene Parade Flickr group - this is a great place to share your beads. I do take notice! Add your art bead photos to the group, I want to see them.  I can't know every bead everyone makes, so posting things in this group would help us both!

If you have followed all this advice and you still haven't seen your work here on the ABS, don't despair - keep connecting with us and sharing your amazing work.  Your turn will come!

Thank you for visiting us everyday, leaving your wonderful comments and inspiring us with your creations.

Art Bead Scene Newsletter

Did you know the Art Bead Scene has started sending out a monthly newsletter?  The next edition will go out this evening.  It includes a free project, articles, spotlight on our sponsors, news from our editors and exclusive deals for our subscribers.  Be sure to sign up for an extra dose of monthly inspiration! 

Art Bead Scene Newsletter

Artist Made Buttons

Michelle Mach is hosting a fun Button Swap blog hop today.  Love how creative some of the participants were with incorporating buttons into their jewelry.  Buttons can be used as clasps, pendants and even earrings.  Get creative with wire and jump rings to turn them into unique findings and focals. 

Here are a few collections of artist made beads to help inspire you today. Click on the links below for more information about the buttons.

Above:

SkyeArt, VeronicasButtons,

TheMosaicShop & BlackMudStudio.

BeadFreaky, Creative Impressions in Clay,

Jangles & MissFickleMedia.

MadeForFun, VeronicasButtons,

AlisonRea & Creative Impressions in Clay.

WondrousStrange, seaurchin,

Buttonalia & SandhraLee.