Inside the Studio :: Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati

Welcome to Inside the 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 incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
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  This weeks winner is  Carol of Dillman's Dallies. Congratulations!
You have won a Jack-O-Lantern pendant from Gaea Cannaday of Gaea Handmade.

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

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 I have small but mighty group of talented designers who have signed onto my
Simple Truths Sampler Club.  

Each month, I promise to send them a goodie in the form of one of my Simple Truths polymer clay designs. These will be limited edition and available first to the Club members but then possibly released to the public at the full retail value through my Etsy site.
They don't get to choose, but they tell me that is part of the fun!

This year, I decided that instead of making what the spirit moved me to do, I would challenge myself to make something inspired by the artwork chosen for the monthly Art Bead Scene challenges. Sometimes that is a daunting thing to do because I am so very inspired, and just like you, sometimes I am not inspired at all! But it is an extra challenge to me to come up with something new and exciting every month, it helps me push my creative boundaries and try new techniques, plus the Challenge Art is just so darned impressive, that it is a joy to create! 

I hope that my Club members enjoy what they get (I have several members who keep coming back year after year, so they must love it) and I love to see what they do (I have a Pinterest Board devoted to their clever and inspiring designs). 

Want to see what you may have missed out on? Here is a look at the limited edition offerings that my Simple Truths Sampler Club has received in 2013:

It's really gratifying to see all the progress that I made this year! I have tried new techniques, like carving my own molds in January, using an open backed bezel in March, making my own scenic canes for the first time in June and a Stroppel cane in August and even hand sculpting a design in September.

So, you might be asking,  what is next for the Simple Truths Sampler?
I am not really sure, but I already have designs in the works (read: in my overworked brain ;-) for November and December (I picked the art for December and I am so excited to share it with you!).  I guess you will have to stay tuned to find out! And I can't wait to see what happens next year! I intend to keep this plan in place for the 2014 Club as well. And while there are only a maximum of 20 spaces available any month (there are spaces open now, you know, in case you are interested), I would love to have you. You can choose from 3-, 6-, 9- or 12- months subscription that suits your budget and needs. 

Wouldn't that make a great gift for a jewelry designer you love? (Or you! Especially you! ;-)

Since this month the theme of the painting features an owl, and I recently released two new owls to join my parliament of Woodsy and Motley owls - Snowy and Great Grey - I gave a choice to the Club members of one of the four types of owls. And of course, I have a few left from this batch that haven't made it into jewelry for my holiday shows or the new boutique that is carrying my owl jewelry. 

I will select one of the remaining owls (surprise!) to fly to the home of a random winner drawn on October 25th if you answer one of these questions: 

If you regularly participate in the ABS monthly challenges, why do you do it? 

 or

If you do not regularly participate in the ABS monthly challenges, what would encourage you to participate more? 

We have over 3,000 members who follow us regularly from around the world. And there are likely many, many more that also follow us. We would love to see more entries in our Monthly Challenge Recap/Blog Hop and have been making changes around here to spruce things up and bring you even more inspiration. We would love to have your feedback! We can't thank you enough for being a part of our Art Bead world and look forward to the future!

Art Bead Palette :: AngelWhisperer

Leafy Pod Pendant

A Bag of Love Pendant

Sacred Wing |  Shell Print Charm

Maybe it's the change of seasons, when the heat of summer slides into cooler fall temperatures, but I'm definitely loving the beautifully subtle colors you can find in Birgitta Lejonklou's shop, Angel Whisperer.

Birgitta creates amazing ceramic beads and pendants, with these awesome textures. The colors she chooses are sometimes muted, sometimes bright, but always delightfully unexpected. Like in the second palette - I absolutely adore the way those colors look together!

I'm showing a very, very small fraction of what Birgitta creates, so be sure to hop over to her shop to see more!

Perfect Pairings :: Julie Bowen + Autochthonous Evolved

I am always in awe of those who make art beads (particularly in glass) and who also have a great design sense. From the impressive sculptural owl to the hand formed copper branch connectors, and the marvelous winding brass gingko leaves soldered in all the right places, Miss Julie of Autochthonous Evolved is both the artist and designer. I love the attention to detail in this piece, including a lampwork crescent moon and the soft grey silk at the back mimicking the gloomy night sky. You really must read more of Miss Julie's process on her blog and check out the beautiful lampwork that she makes!

Featured Designer :: Julie Bowen of Autochthonous Evolved

Featured Art Beads :: All made by Julie! AutEv Designs
 

 

Join me here on Thursday, October 31st for the Monthly Challenge Recap

with a picture gallery and InLinkz blog hop!

Tutorial Tuesday - Sly Fox Pendant

Supplies: 
Humblebeads Fox Bead 
36.5 x 25 brass oval connector
32mm brass leaf charm
15mm jump ring
3 12mm wood beads
4 3mm brass faceted nuggets
2 7mm brass jump rings
1 5.5mm brass jump ring
1 4mm brass jump ring
2 2" brass headpin
2 30" lengths of waxed linen

Tools: 
Chain nose
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ball been hammer
Bench block
Metal letter stamps
Paint or patina (I used Swellegant, but any patina paint will work.)
Buffing block

Instructions: 

1. Hammer the word SLY onto the brass connector and use the round end of the ball peen 

hammer to create texture. Use a buffing block to bring out the highlights of the metal. 

2. Paint the feather with either a patina system or with acrylic paint, seal with matte 

finish. 

3. String the fox bead onto the headpin, create a loop. 

4. Open one 7mm jump ring, add on the brass connector and three brass nugget 

beads. Close jump ring. 

5. Add a 7mm jump ring onto the last one and slip the fox onto this ring and close. 

6. Add the first jump ring onto the 15mm jump ring. 

7. Add the 4mm jump ring onto the feather. Attach the feather jump ring to the connector 

with a 5.5mm jump ring, adding one brass nugget bead to the ring before closing it. 

8. With the 2 strands of linen create a Lark Heads Knot around 15mm jump ring. 

9. Knot all four strands together and string on a wooden bead. Knot all 4 threads at the 

top of the bead. 

10. Separate the strands so two are on each side. Create knots an 1" apart to the desired 

length. Leave 2" on both ends 

11. String a wooden bead on the end of the linen, knot and trim the ends. Repeat on the 

other side. To secure the necklace, thread the bead through the last two knots on the 

linen. You can wear the necklace long or short depending on where you thread the beads 

through on the knotted cord. 

www.humblebeads.com 

Resources: 

Nuggets: Rings & Things. 

Patina: B'Sue Boutiques. 

Fox: Humblebeads. 

Everything Else: Hobby Lobby

 Print out the instructions here. This project was original published at Humblebeads.com

Amuse Your Muse Monday with Rebecca of Songbead

Morning all, and a happy Monday to you! Just trying out titles for this new weekly segment - whaddaya think of Amuse Your Muse Mondays?! I almost added in Magical but I think that would have been overkill....thank you to those of you who put forth suggestions on titling this new post of the week!

We had some really great comments last week - thank you! Sometimes it could get a little lonely posting on Sundays, when folk are so busy, so YES to Monday and YES to you lovely people sharing your art beady goodness with me and everyone else! If you're reading this post later on in the week, do take a minute to check out the comments for some extra inspiration. You won't regret it! (That means if you're reading it on Monday, you'd better leave some extra fabulous art bead links!)

So, this week, we did indeed get left some awesome links. Claire Lockwood shared some awesomely Autumnal ceramic buttons (they are just a little bit Wicked, if you are a fan of musical theatre ;-) Perfect for anyone who wants to make some very subtly Halloween-themed pieces) from ChelleV2. 

These would look just fabulous as either oversized clasps or focals, don't you think? I could see the larger of the pair as a gorgeous front-on clasp to a necklace. And another exciting thing about these buttons is FOUR holes. What could you/would you do with those extra two holes? Potential...

Mary Harding shared a bracelet that she created, using one of her own (I believe) buttons as a clasp. 

I am always a little in awe of Mary's beautiful freeform peyote stitch work. I used to do a lot of bead-weaving (time gets in the way now, sadly), but I never ventured into the world of freeform. Mary makes some really stunning pieces, which she frequently incorporates art beads into. 

And Monique suggested posting not just links to pretty art buttons to buy, but to an awesome tutorial on how to create your own polymer clay buttons from Tina Holden! I know from our monthly challenge entries that many of our readers like to work with polymer clay (even I have been known to break out the Fimo before! Although my creations are currently not ready to be released to the world at large....), so I thought sharing this tutorial was a really great idea. My blog-tech knowledge does not extend to how to embed these videos, so you're going to have to hop over to Tina's blog to watch this tutorial. Here's a picture of what you could create, along with one of her moulds, with Tina's help:

Speaking of shank buttons, here's a bracelet design of mine using a shank button from Green Girl Studios as a clasp:

Fairy Queen

We've still a few weeks of October left, so pleeeeease leave you art button inspiration links in the comments below. I can't wait to see what you find! 

And now for the Bead Blogger links:

Carmi's Art
Discovering someone else's jewelry collection is always a treat. Buying, cleaning and possibly re-stringing it is something to consider too.

Art Bead Scene
Check out guest blogger Lorelei Eurto's post on holding an open house jewellery event!

A Bead A Day
Ready to share your holiday jewelry making secrets? What's your inspiration? Share on A Bead A Day blog and get in the holiday jewelry making spirit!

Resin Craft Blog
If you have not tried working with a channel bracelet, this post is for you! Jewelry clay and a bangle means instant happy!

Snap out if it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is hosting a book giveway for the wonderful jewelry instruction and design book by Kristal Wick, Metal Clay 101 for Beaders--come and comment on her blog for a chance to win it! 

Beading Arts
Don't you feel sooo good when you finish a project? Cyndi has just finished a large bead embroidered necklace, so she's feeling GREAT!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 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.

Bead Addicts, Jewelry Making Machines & Connoisseurs of Handmade

October's Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge - is a woodsy landscape with Woodblock Print on Paper, representing an "Owl on Gingko Branch" (Scops Owl Under Crescent Moon) by Ohara Koson, 1915.

This artwork reminds me of Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman

"To all of you who crawl and creep,

who buzz and chirp and hoot and peep,

who wake at dusk and throw off sleep

Welcome to the night."

Are you kickstarting the fall / autumn season in your neighborhood exploring woodland trails collecting acorns, pine cones and leaves? Have you ever braved it out for a nocturnal walk to spot an owl? Planning a weekend trip apple picking with the family? 

Brandi's skillful COLOR PALETTE has definitely got me into the mood to celebrate this season, and here are my finds !

POLYMER CLAY OWL PENDANT by CLAIRE MAUNSELL

 BRONZE METAL CLAY TOTEM INSPIRED OWL PENDANT by JENNY FRISKE-BAER

NEUTRAL & AUTUMN SHADES OF LAMPWORK GLASS BEAD SET by ROSE

CERAMIC PORCELAIN POD BEADS by REY

WOOD BRANCH BEADS by HELGA STRAUSS

SILK COCOON ACORN BEADS by GRACE GERBER

AUTUMN GLASS LAMPWORK BEAD SET by KATERINA

Hope you are already excited and designing your jewelry piece for October !

Meanwhile, stay pinned to the Art Bead Scene Challenge Boards HERE !

Kaushambi

kaushambis@gmail.com

Inside The Studio with Gaea Cannaday - The Wicked Season

Welcome to Inside the 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 incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
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In honor of Halloween, we chose lucky number 13! Thanks for all the great comments! This weeks winner is  Bead-Mused. Congratulations!
You have won a $25 gift certificate to Humblebeads.com from Heather Powers.

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This week we visit the studio of Gaea Cannaday of Gaea Handmade.

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When I think of fall, I think of hot desert winds, bright blue skies, and the prickle of static electricity causing my hair to stand on end. It makes me feel wicked! Southern California doesn't see much rain this time of year and many of the plants keep their foliage year round. Our mediterranian climate doesn't paint a very interesting portrait of our fall scenery. Looking a little closer, you find sun dried grass the color of sunshine and desert wind blown cloudless night skies twinkling with stars. Fall imagery still stirs my soul and inspired many new design for me this year. Here is a gallimaufry of my fall season.

I think we talk about Halloween year round at our house. Haunted house, Skelly, Web and Love Potion.

Look what the wind blew in! A fantastic surprise visit from artist CarolAnn Lafaso of BombPop on Etsy. She brought her amazing hoard of beads and we played. Her little works of art are incredibly durable and light! Perfect for the earrings I made... CarolAnn's years of color design work are apparent with the sumptuous and dreamy color combinations she comes up with!  

Brenna's sweet family owns Coffee Connection here in town. Who better to have a winged coffee cup necklace? Apparently, I was in Pyewacket's way. Following the signs home. We are often tempted to keep driving north.

 Beaded bangles, stacked bead, ellipse beads.

New jewelry designs bound for a new local shop, Fig.

Hand carving original designs. Finding new uses for my carvings... handmade stamps! I've been decorating packages with the new stamp and have been eyeing old designs for their stamp making abilities!

New designs ready for some color.  Even though it is a busy time of year, I really focus on producing new designs each cycle. 

What inspires you creatively in this autumnal season?  

Decorating? Seasonal smells and colors? 

Please leave a comment about what this season inspires in you to win a new Jack pendant!