Hello from the West End Fair, Edinburgh!

Hello from the West End Fair, Edinburgh! It's my turn on the blog today, and so I thought I'd share a little of my day with you. Not just my day in fact, but my month - this fair runs from the 8th to the 30th August, every day from 11 - 6! Phew. Here are a few snaps from the show today...

My stall, looking (hopefully!) bright, colourful and cheery. 

Perhaps slightly less so, now you can see the weather....it's rather soggy! It was gorgeous sunshine yesterday, I promise - hopefully more of that to come.

My facing neighbour, Ulrike, who makes the most amazing felted artwork! Woolly Felted Design. 

Beautiful felted flower brooches

My diagonally-opposite neighbour - Jen Cunningham - an amazing silversmith who makes gorgeous landscape-inspired jewellery.


Edinburgh landscape cuff

Dark Skies Jewellery - I just love Diane's colours!

Helix Nebula pendant - see what I mean about the colours? 

Nameless Wonders - Karen makes the most awesome, quirky collectable animals! I have the cheekiest mole at home from her.

Blue tweed cat. HOW cute?!

Someone who really needs no introduction on this blog...

Can you see who it is? 

This artist doesn't just make lampwork beads for you and me to work with...

She also turns her own glass art into beautiful, colourful jewellery herself...

But don't worry, she's got beads on her stand as well!

Yep, it's Helen Chalmers. (Needless to say, I probably have almost as many Helen Chalmers lampwork beads on my stand as she does....)

If you are in Scotland and anywhere near Edinburgh, I hope you will pop along and visit us here at the West End Fair, behind St John's at the west end of Princes Street!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. 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.

Amuse the Muse - metal art beads - with Rebecca of Songbead - and a Winner!

Hello all! I've got an extra special job today to do in my Amuse the Muse post - announce the winner of Heather's Birthday Giveaway! Are you biting your nails? Do you hope it's you? I was keeping my fingers crossed for you when I hopped over to random.org, I promise! 

But there can only be one winner...

...and that winner is...

Lottie Me! 

Yay Lottie! Congratulations! You have won a $42 voucher for Humblebeads, you lucky lady. 

And now onto our Amuse the Muse beads - and this week it's more handmade metal beads. Let's see what I found this week!

One of the undisputed Queens of the metal art bead - in fact, of ALL art beads, Anne Choi. 

McDaddio

Donna Millard

Beady Eyes Bunny

Kiyoi Design

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a great week everyone!

Diamond Two is Posted

Connie has posted the second section of her free SAL - there's still plenty of time to join in on it. She also added a new free pattern this week, so be sure to check that out as well.

Art Bead Scene

Check out this sweet summer necklace tutorial from Mary!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Dreaming Tree is the latest challenge hosted by Andrew. See what the participants made from the fluorite-inspired design kit!

Amigurumi Tip #2

This video tips helps you pick out the perfect amigurumi pattern for success. 

Good Morning Starshine Card Designed in Silhouette Studio 

How to make and design one-of-a-kind greeting cards in Silhouette Studio.

Beading Arts

Just when you think there are no interesting materials left to try out in your jewelry making...

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. 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.

Interview with Amber Van Meter of Na0s Glass

Of all the media most commonly used to make art beads, the one I know the least about is, I guess, glass. I've seen the basics of lampworking demonstrated but, looking at the finished work of a skilled lampworker, I can feel like some kind of alchemical magic must be afoot.  One of the things I really like about contributing to this blog is having an excuse to find out more about bead makers that I particularly admire. Today my interviewee is Amber Van Meter of Na0s Glass.  I remember when I first came across her work, when I was still fairly new to the world of art beads.  I was immediately smitten. I love the soft, subtle colours that predominate in her work.  I am waiting for a custom order from her and I can't wait to receive it, although I know that once I do I'll be struggling to prize them from my stash and actually part with them. Anyway, on with the interview...

How long have you been working with glass? How did you get started?

Thirteen years. A co-worker just happened to know a lampwork artist who generously showed me how to do it and I've been working with glass ever since.

What lead you to start making beads?

I have always been an artist but had to give it up (or so I thought) when I had my first child twenty years ago. I was working at a successful marketing firm bet felt I was dying on the vine so I knew I needed to do something in my spare time that was creative. Painting was too intensive once I had a child so I went back to an old hobby - making jewelry. Trolling online auction sites for jewelry components, I discovered handmade lampwork glass beads and, subsequently, fell in love!

What do you love most about working with glass?

The endless possibilities!  Put a few rods of glass in front of several lampworkers and each of them will make something completely different, just like paints or pencils.

What inspires your lampwork designs?

Stones…my father is a retired heavy-equipment engineer who worked in the mining industry for over 40 years.  My home was filled with specimens of every kind you could imagine when I was growing up.  Naturally, my style ended up being organic.  When I started, I wanted to make big, bright happy beads but I just kept picking up the more neutral colours to torch with.

What is your workspace like?

Extremely messy!  I believe right now I have a pile of shorts and half-used rods that is about 5 inches thick…not to mention all the little bits from used stringers.  I clean my space maybe twice a year.

Do you make anything else with glass, other than beads?

No.  I have tried fusing but beads are really my bailiwick.  

Do you make jewellery yourself or is it all about the beads for you?

Just the beads.  Strangely enough, I never wear jewellery made with my own beads.  I’m likely missing an excellent marketing opportunity now that I think about it.

Are there any lampworkers or bead makers that you’ve found particularly influential or that you particularly admire?

The bead communities on Wet Canvas and Lampwork Etc.  We all shared so much information in the early days about glass reactions, new glass, and new designs.  I admire those fellow glass adventurers the most.  I also admire those new to the craft.  They remind me of where I came from and why I keep doing this as my life’s work.

Thank you, Amber, for agreeing to answer my questions!  

And just in case you're feeling a sudden and inexplicable need to acquire more beads, here's another link to her Etsy shop!

Bye for now, Claire

www.somethingtodo.etsy.com
www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
www.somethingtodobeads.etsy.com

Inside the Studio with Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio

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

added incentive, we offer a prize each week to encourage you to participate.  The following week a winner is chosen at random from all eligible entries.  And here are the results from last week!

Congratulations to Erin S

She was number 21 out of 27 that was chosen by Random.org

Erin S has won a special focal bead, custom made by Julie Wong Sontag of Uglibeads, from her "boreal forest" series.  Please contact Julie to claim your prize!

I am a vendor in Artisan Alley at Bead Fest in Philadelphia next week.  So I have been creating ceramic beads, pendants, cabochons, bracelet toppers and earring pairs like a wild woman!  I do give myself lots of time to create and design fun new things for my display.  Because I have been vending there for 5 years now, I often get the "What's new?" question.  Well, I don't want to answer "nothing."  So about 6 weeks out from the show, I take slower selling designs out and introduce new things to my customers.  I enjoy that part.  I pay attention to trends in fashion and on etsy and Pinterest.  Plus, I have to dig it!  But, no matter how much time I think I have given myself, the "I'm running out of time panic" sets in.  That's where I am now.  But, I manage to get things done, even if I am firing my kiln the night before I leave for the show.  

I also sell my beads wholesale, and I have some wonderful businesses that sell my beads for me.  One is Cherry Tree Beads and I received an order for 192 beads three weeks ago.  Yes...I can do it!  This is what the order looked like before I wrapped it up for shipping

What a relief when that box went to the post office!  

 This is a tray of green ware or non fired ceramic cabochons and a few beads.  These go into the kiln for the first firing at 1920 degrees to turn them into bisque.  Then they look like this:

 This is how I produce for a show.  I get out the glaze color and lay whatever beads I want to paint that color by the jar.  It is faster and produces a nice assortment of bead designs and colors in my display.  I use wood skewers to hold the bead while I am glazing and stick the skewer in the wood holder to dry.  It keeps the bead and my fingers neat!

My husband hung these shelves in my studio for my show trays to sit on.  I can see what trays are low or what colors I need to fill in the display with.  The top shelf is too high to easily see, so I put random stuff up there.  Don't we fill up every inch of space in our studio?

This is a fun owl bracelet that will be part of my jewelry sample display at the show.  I made some more owls to put in my bracelet topper tray so people can take them home with them.

 These are still green ware, but I have plenty of time to finish them, right?  Lol  Thank you for reading about my show prep and please visit me in booth 550A if you are going to the show. 

So my question to you is, Do you work well under pressure and deadlines, or do you prefer a more easy going approach?  Leave your comment below and next week someone will win a $20 gift certificate to my etsy shop, www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Tutorial: Simple Summer Linen and Art Beads Necklace

Art Beads on linen.  Art Beads by Mary Harding (ceramic ones) and Rolled Polymer Clay Beads by Margit Bohmer

We often get very hot days in the summer and I am always searching for jewelry to wear that isn't going to make me swelter.  I have a favorite that I want to share with you today.  It is simple to put on and simple to make.  Its very special summer secret is that it is made of linen. The reason linen is such a favorite for summer clothing is that is it doesn't cling to your skin and has the ability to both quickly absorb and evaporate moisture.  For these reasons a necklace made from linen will feel quite a bit cooler than if it is made of other fabrics or materials.

                          Simple Summer Linen Necklace by Mary Harding



Materials
1/4 quarter yard natural color linen at least 30 inches wide
Sewing thread to match
Needle
Assorted art beads with large holes--at least 4.00 mm for stringing onto the fabric.  The ones for the tie clasp do not need to be quite as large as the ones for the center of the necklace since that fabric is thinner on the ends than in the center--see directions below.

Directions
1.  Tear 2 strips of Linen: one 28  inches long and  1/2 inch wide and one 12 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide
2.  Hand stitch the shorter piece of linen to the longer piece.  Center it so that it leaves the same length of single thickness on both ends (about 8 inches on each end.) Arrange your stitching so that it is on both edges of the cloth(see picture below.) This extra fabric will thicken the linen and give the part where you string on the beads extra fabric for holding the beads in place wherever you want to place them.

                                Shorter piece of linen hand stitched to the longer piece

4. String on several large hole beads onto your fabric.

            Beads strung onto the linen neck piece and beads for tie clasp also have been added.

The clasp
For the tie clasp string on a bead and then tie a knot about  2 1/2 inches from the end of the tie.  Tighten the knot by pushing it further along until there is only about 1/2-3/4 inches of material left over.  Repeat for the other end of the tie clasp. Refer to the picture above to see how they will look.
Another option

You can add to your necklace after it is finished by using large jump rings.  The beads can be moved around.  For exanple you could add a light weight pendant or charm with a large jump ring between two beads as seen below:

             Summer Linen necklace with art beads and handmade bird charm-by Mary Harding


I hope you have found this tutorial inspiring and will try out some ideas with linen.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mary

Perfect Pairings :: Barbara Hanselman + BH ClaySmith

I am drawn to the simple and ancient symbols in this month's art inspiration. The earthy tones of the weaving recall red rock vistas of the American southwest. This ceramic pendant from Miss Barbara of BHClayworks embodies that same ancient spirit and rustic palette. From the red brick tone to the complementary beads, to the way this is all woven and tied together, this piece could easily be an archaeological artifact dug up from the sands of time, a personal talisman with mystical powers of protection.  

Featured Designer + Bead Artist:: BH Claysmith

Just a friendly reminder... We have a slightly new format for uploading your pictures for consideration for the Perfect Pairings each Wednesday, as well as the Monthly Challenge Recap post.  

We are now using Pinterest! You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes, including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description so that I have someplace to attribute the picture to! And don't forget to tell us about those art beads!

Deadline to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the
Monthly Challenge Recap post is August 28th

TIP: If you upload your photo to pin it rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. 

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries

Bead Wishes from Humblebeads

Today is my birthday so wishes are allowed and sometimes granted!

Here are my current beady wishes for the following year:

1. I'd like to learn to electroform treasures from nature.

2. I want to figure out fold forming leaves.

3. I'd like to have a mid-winter bead retreat next February in New Orleans.

4. I'd like to travel to more awesome beads stores for events, like the super retreat Andrew and I are hosting at Allegory Gallery in September.

5. I'd like to work on a new line of jewelry inspired by my upcoming book.

I'm giving away two gifts today! 

1. Leave a comment sharing a beady wish that you have and I will draw one random winner on Saturday for a $42 Humblebeads Gift Certificate. (No, that's not a ranom number!)

2. Use code BDAY20 for 20% off your order today and tomorrow at Humblebeads.com. 

Looking forward to hearing your beady wishes!