Designer of the Week - Staci Louise

Each Monday 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 featured designer is....

Staci Louise

Here is what ABS editor Heather about Staci's necklace:

"I love the mix of ceramic art beads, the metalwork copper leaf,  handmade links and the clasp.  Everything about the necklace is perfectly balanced and captures the earthy color palette and quiet mood of the inspiration painting.  I'm also drawn to the use of the rich silk ribbon for the back of the necklace.  Makes me want to pull out some ribbon and give it a try!  Overall it's a beautiful piece and one of my favorites from this month's challenge."

To see more of Staci's work visit her blog and Etsy shop.  And if you haven't seen Staci's component shop, be sure to stop by for a visit!

Want to see your work here?  Enter the Monthly Challenge and you might be picked as our next featured designer or highlighted on the blog hop at the end of the month.

Link Library with Melanie

 

  Welcome to another Link Library post!  In May of 2007, I reviewed some new silver charms that I found at my local bead show.  They are the creations of Hip Chick Beads, and you can read my Findings Worth Finding review here.  Since that time, I have seen the fine works of Hip Chicks popping up all over the place... in magazines, shows, and online.  They are still going strong and adding new designs, and I still love them!


That was this week's blast from the past... here is what's new in the bead world:

A Bead A Day
Need to stop buying and start making? Lisa is having the same problem, BUT check out these sparkly connectors she found.

About.com Jewelry Making
You will fall in love with this new necklace tutorial, or at the very least follow your heart.  

Art Bead Scene
Jennifer shares a free tutorial on making adorable bead zipper pulls, perfect to spruce up a fall jacket! 

Beading Arts
Cyndi explains how to turn a cabochon into a simple bead embroidered pendant!  

Beads & Books
See the fun earrings Michelle made with sari ribbon and get inspired to work with this popular material. 

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy's back from her class with Hadar Jacobson. Take a look at the mokume gane pieces she made from metal clay.  

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows off her holiday packaging and questions photography in another Etsy Boot Camp post 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the beautiful new book by Heather Powers, Jewelry Designs from Nature  

The Bead Dreamer
Charlene reviews the book Color, Texture and Casting for Jewelers

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

I Heart Tools: Vintaj Big Kick

In September I was fortunate enough to attend a two day Vintaj workshop in Galena, Illinois at the Vintaj Earth Studio.  It was an incredibly inspiring weekend with more tips and tricks packed into two days than one would think possible.  One of my favorite projects was working with the new Vintaj Big Kick Machine.  We embossed textures and images unto Vintaj blanks to create fun pendants and components.

Here are some class projects of the altered blanks embossed and riveted with charms and pendants.  I love the look of layering the pendants.  It's fun way to customize your metal without hammering away or pulling out the chemicals.  The process is so simple, you can whip out a ton of pendants in a short session.

Add the embossed blanks with your favorite art beads for quick and easy holiday pendants.  In fact, that is what I'm doing this weekend to prepare for upcoming holiday shows.  I'm pairing up the tree pendants with my egg, bird and branch beads.

Step by step directions and video links can be found here.

This is the Big Kick - it's sort of like a printing press.  You place your metal blank into the folder, layer it between the two sheets of plastic and run it through.  Yep - that's it!  After your pendant is done, you can add some depth by buffing it.  The black Arte Metal blanks buff up with silver highlights - loved them!

This is my favorite folder - me and that tree became fast friends.

You can find the Vintaj Big Kick & folders at Hobby Lobby or online at Beadaholique or Bello Modo.

I see that Vintaj is hosting a one day workshop covering the embossing and melt art techniques in November.  Click here for more details.

Call for Submission - Earrings Everyday

Hi Everyone!  I'm super excited to tell you about a new blog that is underway - Earrings Everyday.  This is a group blog showcasing earrings in all their glory from some very exciting designers.

The blog is for inspiration for those who make earrings and a showcase for those who love to adorn themselves with unique tiny treasures.

My awesome team of designers include myself, Lorelei Eurto, Erin Prais-Hintz, Kristy Abner and Marie Cramp.

But I'm looking for one more designer and thought why not put out a call and have some fun in my search efforts!

Who should apply:
Anyone who sells jewelry online and can commit to writing two blog posts a month.

What am I looking for?
Someone who can make beautiful earrings and take great photos.  A designer who is constantly trying out new styles and ideas when it comes to earring construction.  A handmade component is nice but not required.

How to apply:
To apply simply leave a comment with a direct link to your most amazing pair of earrings and a link to your online shop.  (The earrings don't have to currently be for sale, they can be a photo from your sold section, your flickr account, etc.)

*If you are reading this post on Creative Hive or Facebook - please go directly to the blog post to enter.  Only comments left on the Art Bead Scene blog will qualify.

I will pick the designer next Thursday - so hurry!!!

Holiday Checklist

Inventory
Make lots of earrings and smaller pendants.
Brainstorm gift ideas - ornaments, fan pulls, beaded pens, zipper pulls, etc.
Create a collection of higher priced items for special gifts.
Make twice as much as you'd like to sell this season.
Have a small portable box of components and create earrings or wire wrap accent beads during your spare moments.
Use the Muffin Tin method to have projects ready to go during this busy time.
Create memory wire bracelets or adjustable bracelets to improve their gift appeal.
Personalize items - monograms or customized options can increase your sales this season.

Decide Where to Sell
Online - join with others to promote your work and participate in online events.
Arts & Crafts Shows - probably too late to sign up now for bigger shows but don't be afraid to contact promoters of smaller shows to see if they have a spot or cancellation.  (One tip - make sure your spot is in the main selling area, if not - skip signing up.)
Plan your own open house.  Lorelei Eurto had some great tips earlier this year. Pair up with another small business owner.
Get creative - I've set up a mini display for teachers during their lunch hour to shop for last minute holiday gifts.  I know some offices host shopping days during their lunch hours.  Start brainstorming and asking around.
Create your own holiday gift guide with your work and the work of other artists you admire. Share it with your social media lists.

Shipping & Packaging
Buy items in bulk if you can.
Check out Etsy for shops that sell cute packaging items.
Step it up during the holidays with great boxes, wrapping and bows.  It makes a difference.
Order business cards, postcards, tags and earrings cards now so you won't run out during the holiday season.

Have fun prepping and offering your wonderful creations this holiday season.  Remember it's not just about making money and selling - focus on pairing up shoppers with the perfect holiday gifts and filling their needs and the money will follow.

Free Project- Zipper Pulls

 

Get a jump start on your holiday gifts with these fun zipper pulls - they are perfect for gift exchanges, teacher's gifts, secret Santa surprises or tucked away in stockings.

Supplies Needed for Flower Pull:
1 flower bead
4 assorted accent beads
2 silver inch silver headpin
10mm silver spring ring
1 lobster claw clasp

Instructions:
1. String a small bead onto the headpin followed by the flower bead.
2. Just above the flower make a simple wire loop. Trim any excess wire.
3. String the remaining accent beads in desired order and make a simple wire loop at the top. Trim excess wire.
4. Slide both loops of the charms you just made onto the spring ring. Note* If you use jump rings when you pull the zipper, it will most likely open, spring rings will stay closed.
5. Slide the clasp onto the jump ring as well.
6. Clip the clasp onto your zipper and enjoy!

Project Written By: Jennifer Heynen a.k.a. Jennifer Jangles

Designer of the Week - Marie Cramp

Each Monday 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 featured designer is....

Marie Cramp of Skye Jewels

Here is what ABS editor Heather about Marie's necklace:

"I love the subdued color palette and rich texture of this necklace.  Each part of the design sings in harmony.  I love the mix of art beads from different artists.  My favorite touch is  the accents of the off white peanut seed beads and how perfectly they compliment the focal bead.  They bring the eye back to the centerpiece each time I look at the necklace. "

You can see more of Marie's inspiring work on  her blog!

Want to see your work here?  Enter the Monthly Challenge and you might be picked as our next featured designer or highlighted on the blog hop at the end of the month.