Starseed Jewelry

Etsy Tips on Tagging for Relevancy

2012-03-15T23:22:00.000-04:00

I saw this posted on my esty CREST team facebook page and thought I would share it here. It's a mini lesson about tagging under the new relevancy system. I learned a few things I was doing right and some other things I need to change. http://www.veri.com/t/making-your-shop-more-relevant/3044

I am going to an etsy symposium on Friday, March 30th in Dumbo (Down Under the Mahattan Bridge), NY. It's at etsy labs in Brooklyn. It's all day and I am sure my head will be spinning with ideas when it's over.

Giveaway Winner!!!! Congratulations.....

2012-03-13T20:26:00.003-04:00

Samatha Welch of Living Creatively is the lucky winner of my giveaway. Loving her blog, which features some fantastic photography. Makes me want to travel to places with lots of open air and space...and take my dog with me!! Please send me an email Samatha so I can get this heart to you. Thank you to all those who participated.

The heart she chose is "Sweet Nectar" and here is what she said:
"I think my favorite is the Sweet Nectar Heart because I love hummingbirds and the colors on this one are fantastic! "

Sweet Nectar

The rest of the hearts are being posted in my shop.

More vintage style poly clay hearts...owls and starfish, and a bootie

2012-03-12T16:08:00.002-04:00

This weekend was very productive--- maybe too productive. Was a little under the weather today recovering from all the intense activity. I am so into trying different designs with my hearts and in creating my own molds. A couple are previewed today. All of these are posted in my store. While this is not part of the Giveaway contest, I am still curious and would be delighted to know which is your favorite and why.

This one features one of my hand made molds created from a vintage pididdly links brass stamping. I just love how detailed it is. After antiquing the heart, I painted the star fish a pretty pearl turquoise using Jacquard's luminere inks. Form more info or to buy it now, go to the item details here.

For this one, I hand mixed clay colors to get a nice shade of lavender (used a Pastel easter M&M to gauge color but shhhh....don't tell anybody). I added the eziel copper branch - had to bracket it in with some coppe wire, then added all the little flowers on the branches. The little flowers were formed using a flower cutter and some hand tools to create the indentations. In the upper left corner are flowers I hand scuplted. I used pearl turquoise, russet, and gold as my color palette. For more info, go to the item details or to buy it now, go here.

I just love how rustic this heart looks. Like someone dug it up out of great grandma's attic. Charm or small pendant size. Lavendar clay that I hand mixed with the slightest hint of russet paint.

Ok, I am totally loving this bootie. I made a mold from a vintage brass stamping and then created this using the mold and some polymer clay I hand mixed to create the lavender shade. Antiqued and then painted with pewter turquoise (this is my own mix of pearl turquoise and peweter), russet red and gold. For more details or to buy it now, go to my item listing here.

Isn't he darling? I made an owl face mold from a brass stamping and then created the clay image here. Threw in some brass rings and a blue map pin, and used Penney Jo's fab molds to create the leaf. I used a soft palette to create a faux bone look with spash of olive green and hints of peach. For more details or to buy it now, go here.

Resin and Alcohol inks - hummingbird to the Dragonfly

2012-03-11T12:39:00.002-04:00

My latest resin experiments involved adding alcohol inks to color the resin - woo- hoo - this is exciting!!! Basically, you can create any color you want but add only a drop at a time and stir. The most I added was three drops. I wasn't sure how it would affect the resin ability to cure. But, these babies came out just fine.

And the Penny Jo molds are fab - the objects come out crytsal clear which has not been my experience with other molds thus far. I usually have the extra step of having to paint the tops (side facing the mold) with resin once I pop them out of the mold.

It was so hard to photograph these and get their true beauty and color. I tried inside/outside/in my light box etc. This pic does a good job of capturing the color but not begin to capture how pretty they look because you can't see the exquisite detail. So then I tried another tactic to show the detail (see last picture).

I shot this in my light box inside but set the light source on "Cloudy" which explains why I have a sepia background. Why did I do this? It was the only setting that came close to giving me the teal color of the beads. My light source is actually flourecent but when I shoton that setting, they came out blue. Same when I shot them outside using the correct light source....frustrating!!!

These absolutely glow and have rich detail but not in this pic, of course!!

I shot this in Picnik on Holgish so you could see the details.

I also made a bunch of my own molds from a variety of old brass stampings I have. I will share those in another post.

New Beads - Giveaway!!!... until March 12

2012-03-07T21:35:00.006-05:00

Wanna see some really cool romantic vintage looking hearts and win one??? 10 different hearts are up for grabs. You pick the one you like and tell me why you like it. Winner, chosen in a random drawing, will be announced on Monday, March 12 and will be given the heart identified as his/her favorite. The rest of the hearts will be available in my shop once this giveaway is over.

GIVEAWAY Details:
1. Join my blog as a follower if you have not already done so: and
2. Leave a comment telling me which heart you like best and why.
3. For an extra chance, blog about the giveaway and let me know you have done so in your comment

The only heart not up for grabs is the one in the necklace at the end of this post. All of the beads are textured on both sides.

Heart #1 - Message from the Heart is my personal favorite (white poly clay antiqued with neopauqe brown, hummingbird is a light coat of metallic russet, swarovski flat back crystal set in brass filigree flower)

Heart #2 - Secret Love in baby blue poly clay brushed with neopaque brown and metallic russet- dragonfly in russet. Brass flower and midnight blue swarovski flatback crystal.

Heart#3 - Love's Garden -pastel pink poly clay antiqued with neopaque brown; dragonfly is in metallic russset; patinated brass flower with cultured pearl

Heart#4 Sweet Nectar - White poly clay antiqued with brown neopaque, humminbird is a mix of pearl turquoise and pewter; flowers are russet metallic and metallic gold

Heart #5 Love in the Tropics - pastel yellow poly clay; leaves in metallic olive and pearl turquoise; flowers metallic russet and yellow; patinated brass flower with cultured pearl

Heart #6- Her Baby Blues - heart charm in baby blue poly clay textured with script texture - antiqued using neopaque brown. One heart is up for grabs.

Heart #7- Victorian Romance - poly clay antiqued with neopaque brown and dusted with pearl turquoise; russet metallic, pearl turquoise, metallic gold; Barbara Lewis enamel disc with swarovski crystal

Heart #8 - Sweet Memories - heart charm/small pendant in pastel pink poly clay textured with script texture - antiqued using neopaque brown. One heart is up for grabs.

Heart #9 - Sweet Heart - Minty green poly clay charm/small pendant textured and brushed with neopaque brown -these look good enough to eat!!! One heart is up for grabs.

Heart #10 - Love from Maui - This heart charm/small pendant started from a cane I have. Gorgeous rich poly clay in tropical greens and shades of orange. Includes a brass flower and a light tangerine cultured pearl.

And here they all are together.

How did I get into making these? About two weeks ago, I went to the Cabin Fever Polymer Clay Fest, which is held annually in Laurel , MD. I went for 4 intense days of classes. Marie Segal was an instructor in one of the classes and she taught us how to make vintage style hearts using paints and a zipper mold she developed (see below and Heart #7). She also introduced us to Jacquards luminere and neopaque paints and I was in hog heaven. Another technique we learned was how to texture both sides of the heart at the same time. This is one of the hearts I made in class and later made into a necklace.

Here's the back of it -- just as pretty!

Bead Souped!!!!

2012-03-03T00:00:00.014-05:00

Here are the lovely beads I started with from Wendy Blum (Wendy's link and a list of all participants is at the end of this post). I fell in love with the colors and was sure designing something would be snap even though I don't normally work with that shade of blue.

I really wanted to do something contemporary and was thinking chain. I wish I had taken pictures of my different designs before I made this last one. The first design had the pendant suspended from a bail of chain like a pendulum. Problem was the pendant kept flipping and that was driving me flipping nuts!!! The next design was more beady but ah, looked like something you would wear to Monday night bingo...far far from contemporary.

So, I decided to mess with wire. I love how freeing that is - bending and twisting -- hammering and wrapping. Creating waves and sea treasures. Wendy gave me her lovely handmade discs and crystals and I had the happiest kelly green sari ribbon. I toyed with painting the wire blue but not enough time (or skill:)

I wanted it to look a little haphazard. After all, it's been sitting on the bottom of the ocean!

I bead crocheted the 4 beads in the picture below and then wrapped them in wire. I tell ya, I was giddy by now. On the bead link after the crochedted beads I poked the wire through a little piece of sari ribbon in layers, added the other two beads and then closed the wrap. It had the neat effect of calming that bad boy sari a little.

And here's a couple pictures of the whole enchilada...

Couldn't resist photographing this on my "seashore paper."

Or, with my seashell.

Now, for the copper toggle clasp Wendy gave me. Miss Lori said we had to use the focal and the clasp but she didn't say how we had to use it. I admit to being a bit of a rebel but I practice safe rule breaking. My second piece is a set of earrings. I used the clasp to create a pair of matching non-matchy earrings. We get to make up our own words too. So here they are

And here's what they look like on my girl...has she got swag or what?

Now, please take a moment to visit my lovely partner, Wendy Blum. The picture below is what I gave her. More of those birdies are on sale in my store. And if you enter the coupon code BEADS15, you will get 15% off all purchases.

Also, please visit our gracious host, Lori Anderson who coordinates this fab hop. A list of all participants with their pictures is at the end of this post.

And to visit everyone else, please see below.

Honoring the Artist Within

2012-02-27T23:29:00.003-05:00

My sister-in-law Elaine is an artist but she doesn't know it. She has a keen eye for creating moods through her photography that linger in the landscape of my mind. Some hauntingly beautiful; others stark; and still others sunny bright. Below are a few of hers that are my favorites. I truly don't think she realizes how talented she is.

This looks like a pretty important meeting. Could be hatching plans for a sequel to Hitchcock's "The Birds."

Don't you just want to pick this up and put it up to your ear?

Loving the color and texture

This leaves me hanging

What's inside? cobwebs? Spiders? Mabye some ancient bones?

A butterfly stops to take a drink of happy juice. Sunflowers have the happiest juice

Love never ends

Windex is so overated anyway...

Loving the negative space in this one

Ohhhh, I want to be here dipping my toes in the water

Once upon a time, there was a tiny cabin in the woods

Elaine

So, do any of these resonant with you? Maybe you have a better caption? Have at it...

The Frankenstein of Resin - the experiments continue...

2012-02-16T22:38:00.026-05:00

It seems like the possibilities are infinite with resin and I have such a curious mind. Now, I am into layering which basically means I pour a little resin into a mould to create a thin layer and let it cure. Then, I start adding stuff. Sometimes I add gemstones, sometimes paper, sometimes mica, sometimes glass nuggets, sometimes itty bitty teensey weeny round beads. Then I pour more resin and the depth is so unbelievably yummy.

I have this one mold (see at the end of this post) that has a lot of things close together. Man, does that present challenges sometimes in trying not to have beads from one design spill into one I just finished. But, I am too passionate to even take a moment to cut the designs out.

In the batch below, I added pieces of twigs and chinese letters. When I removed them from the mould the front side was frosted. I "painted" the front side with another batch of resin to see what would happen and was delighted it made the pieces completely gorgeously transparent. So, unlike Dr. Frankenstein I am not into creating ugly things ...he, he.

The batch below has pearls and swarovski crystals. Frankie never wore anything this purdy.

The resin pieces below have the itsy bitsy teensy weensy round beads. They were making me crazy trying to keep one color from going into the other -- just look at the mould at the end of the blog and you will see what I mean!!!! The tiny rounds come in a shaker that has a pour side and a sprinkle side. Occasionally, I would forget and open the pour side and then frantically try to scrape out with a toothpick any green beads that got into the teal beads and vice versa. I felt like I had that Frankenstein bolt in my head-- my brain was so tight after an episode like that...sheesh.

Remember that song Once you Get Started, Oh It's Hard to Stop... I have to admit I felt really dated when I looked at that video although Chaka rocks. I had a sudden vision of Frankenstein boogying to it...scary.

This batch below has German Glass. I just love this stuff and the fact that it's not any old glass. Came all the way from Germany and cost like it did too. Stuff's not cheap. How do you think Frankie would have looked with a little glitter? Maybe been mistaken for a glam rocker or something.

Below is a fun mix - the branch has twigs in different colors; the flower has a real dried flower; the bird has german glass...poor thing swallowed a dark blue pearl too...I do feel a little guilty about that now; the rectangle has some brass tubes and circles in it; and the teal cab has glass nuggets that look like pyrite. The fragile sign was frosted until I put a nice coat on that baby. I think that would have made a fab pin for Frankie...he was so misunderstood.

I went and got mixed media fancy schmansy for the pendant below. I created the brass "pearl Oyster" first by cutting out a disc, forming it and painting it to give it a slight weathered look. Then I added gold mica powder and a freshwater pearl mix and poured the resin. I attached it to my resin branch using resin also. This one's in my shop. Doesn't it make a cool pendant?

Now, for my grand experiment. This started out as just the copper heart from StaciLouise. She originally had painted it a very nice verdigris. I wanted to darken the back so I fired it and damn near killed myself from the fumes. Dumbass me didn't know the paint would burn off. Ok, I am sounding more like Dr. Frankenstein. Good thing my husband wasn't home to witness my sorry event. He would have shook his head and said what he usually tells others when they see me do something interesting -- "Welcome to my world." Anyway, I digress. After I messed up, I decided to go all out. I used resin to attach a ceramic donut from SandraLee and then poured resin inside that and attached this wild fiber polymer clay flower from EugenasCreations. Wild thing, you make my heart sing. It did fire up to a nice coppery color. This one is also in my shop

Here's the mold I was telling you about. I don't know if you can tell but the mould has resin in some of the designs. Sometime this weekend, I will add beads or objects and then pour another layer of resin.

New Necklaces etc...little bit of this...little bit of that

2012-02-13T00:22:00.007-05:00

Just enough time for pictures...then off to bed!!! These will be in my starseed jewelry shop tomorrow night.

Ah, this is actually a bracelet. Bird Watching consists of my handmade resin beads, very cool brass links all wrapped up in a hand dyed hand made silk ribbon. Couldn't quite get the colors right in this picture but they are lovely. And, the bird is so happy - I swear he was singing the other night!!! To buy it now or for more details, go here

Boynton Canyon, named after one of the loveliest canyons (sedona, AZ) features my hand made polymer clay beads and the most fantastic wood rounds, and cast gold rounds. To buy it now or for more details, go here

It wouldn't be right to be so close to Valentine's day and not feature a heart, right? This necklace, Mosaic, features Laurel Stevens polymer clay heart, turquoise, pinkred impression jasper, my handmade heart connector, and a sweet brass heart chain. To buy it now or for more details, go here

This one features my hand made polymer clay silvery grey rounds, a lovely pave crystal round, and sterling silver beads, and a moonstone clasp all connected with a sterling silver oxidized chain. I call it Tahiti because the clay rounds remind me of black pearls. To buy it now or for more details, go here.
sigh - take me there...an over the water bungalow in Bora Bora, a mai tai, my man...

One of the challenges for me with creating is that I love all kinds of styles and often feel my work does not look like a collection. Maybe a series of mini collections. How about you? Are you a collection type of designer or rather eclectic?

Claying Around...Anyone for a Fiesta?

2012-02-05T21:42:00.007-05:00

Messing around mixing colors and creating canes. I call these happy beads. Bright color and ready to dance. Shouldn't we all be that way...at least every now and again? One of the ways to get better at understanding how to blend colors to create a color is to just experiement. But, I do put some structure to it usually. For example, I might use a 3/4 inch circle cutter so I know exactly how much of each color I have used. The blues in these discs are 1/2 turquoise and 1/2 white premo.

Waves of sky blue and black wavy bands . The discs started out like the rounds and then I flattened them and gave them a little tweak to create movement. To buy now or learn more details, go here.

I was trying to replicate the colors in the picture below initially. To buy now or learn more details, go here

I mixed yellow with a itty bitty bit of blue and then kept adding colors trying to get the exact shade of green. I did fairly well on the blue and the yellow colors but then threw in the towel with the green and ended up skinner blending most of the mix. Then rolled the blend it into a cane and cut into discs which I flattened and curled for a wavy look. The blue, green and yellow rounds were made from the skinner blend scraps that were left. Picture is the work of Dayle Doroshow from "Polymer Clay Inspirations" by Lindly Huanani and Maggie Maggio. Great book by the way. I highly recommend it.

This lovely set was from a cane I made in a class with Maggie Maggio. I love the sandy pinky peach look of it all and the splash of green gives it a bit of pizazz, don't you think? To buy now or learn more details, go here.

Color Experimentation in Resin

2012-01-31T23:20:00.002-05:00

I have been experimenting with coloring my resin with mica powders which creates a wonderful texture in the resin pieces. I mix color in very small amounts and stir, then add white or black or another powder if I want to shift the color. Here's some of the blues.

Some of these are more turquoise, other baby blue, and the third a light teal. Isn't that Egyptian rad? I made a mold out of him from a brass Pididdly link casting. To Buy Now or view examples of how I used resin elements in jewlery, go here.

Here's a minty green. By the way I use Pearl X mica powders. I think this was Spring Green with micropearl white added. That branch is a mix of copper and russet. To Buy Now or view examples of how I used resin elements in jewelry, go here

This is a pink, mauve and blue mix I am having a tough time capturing on film. The beads that are more transparent I use a different process. Instead of mixing the mica powder into the resin, I brush it into the mold. To Buy Now or view examples of how I used resin elements in jewelry, go here

Tonight I am experimenting with making a branch that is clear with dried flower inclusions. The idea is make it look like it floats. Will see if I achieve that.

Here is a video on the process for achieving a layered look in resin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB4agX_KLgE&feature=related

Resin Soup - taste some...please

2012-01-30T23:48:00.000-05:00

On second thought, just have a gander. They say resin is not toxic...still

Here's a closer look at a blue set

How about this lovely bird on a branch. Some of these already posted in my shop at: http://beads2die4.etsy.com

Bead Soup has Arrived!!!!

2012-01-28T17:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you Wendy Blum!!

Here's the pretty package and note

Here's what it looked like when I opened it - so neat and organized

And finally, here's the prettiest beads!! I can't wait to work with them. Aren't they lovely????

Meanwhile mine is on the way.

Blog Hop starts March 5. For a list of all Bead Soup blog hop participants, visit Lori Anderson's blog.

Newbie doobie do...

2012-01-21T00:16:00.002-05:00

Been trying to bust out of a funk. Everytime I bend or stoop I get nauseous. Anyone else ever have this problem??? It's making me nuts!! My beads have been nagging me to death to make something (anyone have this problem) and I finally got it together long enough to create some new work.

I originally had this pendant in my bead shop for sale but the restless creature wouldn't let me be. The longer it remained unsold, the more I felt the call to do something with it.

At Talisman last week, I came across these fantastically organic, ancient looking pyrite nuggets and these very cool black lava stone beads. I caved to the temptation and once I got over my guilt was quite giddy.

So was my girl. She was just itching to wear this. I have a show this Sunday (or maybe not since it is snowing right now) so my Found Treasures may soon be lost...

Now, I also had this copper flower sitting around that I had no intention of selling in my bead shop. I wanted to force myself to step outside my comfort zone and go funky avant garde.

Picnik photo editing is going out of business in April but they are now letting us use the premium features. Naturally, I jumped on that with this mirror frame shot.

I didn't cry when I heard Etta James had died. I cried when they played a video of her singing At Last. In my minds eye, I saw my mother and father once again gliding across the floor doing the box step. I realized I am an Orphan...and how much I miss them.

She's looking swanky, eh?

I love how this pendant came out although am not so crazy about my photographing of it. That sterling mosaic focal bead was originally a pin. I took the back off and filed it smooth. It also had a second life in another necklace I created but decided I didn't like. I am hoping this is the last hurrah!!!!

Someone liked the number 8:) Let's see, in numerology the 3 eights would be 24 or 6 (add 2+4). Here's what I found when I looked up the number 6. Career choice that would particularly well suit me: Musician, actor, teacher, healer, artist, craftsperson. Hmmm...

Everything old is new...rowhouse

2012-01-15T16:53:00.001-05:00

I grew up in a rowhouse neighborhood in Philadelphia, 3 miles from downtown. I never thought I would want to live any other way. We all had porches and the neighbors would hang out and everyone knew everyone. We weren't rich but we weren't poor either - at least not by the time I was born. Both my parents lived during the harsh times of the depression. My father, who was from a family of 11, was a hobo for a year when he was 19 traveling on the tops of trains, getting work as he went, living his life on the fly. He settled in Nebraska for a short while and learned his trade as an electrician from his brother-in-law. Then came back to Philly and 10 years later married my mother, who herself was from a family of 9. Everyone in my extended family lived in a rowhouse neighborhood in Philly.

I was the youngest of 5 kids and I wanted to inherit that rowhouse with all my heart all the way up until my early 30's. Then, I moved to DC for a job and started traveling (meaning going on vacation somewhere other than the Jersey shore). I started seeing how other people lived, and experiencing things I never experienced before like miles of road with nothing in sight, little towns with one general store, pristine waters and sky rocketing arches. I fell in love with the new and out of love with the old.

I noticed recently there has been an increase, at least in the DC area, in building neighborhoods that resemble rowhouses. The nostagia of it all is very appealing but it can never be like the original experience..for me. This piece is in homage to fond memories of life in my hood.

I started the piece by wrapping a long piece of copper wire around an old style key to form the shape of the key. On the same piece of wire I added the ceramic house beads and bent the wire into a curve to attach it to the other end of the key. I put the people (bead dangles) in the neighborhood across the top of the houses, but they were all bunching next to each other so I wrapped wire in between each dangle. I also wrapped wire next to each side of the houses to keep them from turning.

Hootie Loot - Daily Destash for owl lovers

2012-01-11T23:34:00.002-05:00

I love how these pearls sort of replicate the feathers. Listed in my shop at http://beads2die4.com

A list of other destashers is after the pics.

Here is the list of destashers

GreenBead

Kit and Caboodle

Sharyls Jewelry

Beads 2 Die 4 (me)

Gem Crazie

Daily Destash - check it out - in my shop !

2012-01-09T19:43:00.003-05:00

And the blog hop goes on. See list of artists destashing after the pictures

Here is the list of destashers

GreenBead

Kit and Caboodle

Sharyls Jewelry

Beads 2 Die 4 (you are here)

Gem Crazie

NEW Destash listed - pearls, semi-precious, vintage, lampwork, brass, sterling silver

2012-01-08T12:14:00.002-05:00

Everything but the kitchen sink. I will be listing new stuff each day. I also changed my listings for some of my lampwork beads so you can purchase individual beads for $1.50 or $2.00. If you want more, just let me know. I will sell as many as I have. Have a look at what's up so far today...

Here is the list of other destashers participating in this hop.

GreenBead

Kit and Caboodle

Sharyls Jewelry

Beads 2 Die 4

Gem Crazie

Shop Gorgeous Destash - Blog Hop starts Saturday January 7

2012-01-06T18:49:00.032-05:00

A few of us are stocking destash in our shops for a limited time as a way of sharing treasures in our collections that we are willing to part with for awesome prices. I have an extensive collection of artisan lampwork glass beads that I bought over the years, some by artists no longer in the business -- so you can't get their work except through destash. I am selling some of the beads individually for $1.50 or 2.00 so please take a look.

Many of the items I am selling are of the highest quality and I guarantee you could not get them today for what I am selling them. I will also be selling gemstone and pearls and restocking on occasion. Actually a few are in my beads2die4 shop already (see below). Aren't they just gorgeous?

Feel free to pass this post on to others.

The list of destashers participating (on January 7) is below the pictures. Thanks to Amy Freeland of Copper Diem blogspot for this great idea!!!

Here is the list of destashers

GreenBead

Kit and Caboodle

Sharyls Jewelry

Beads 2 Die 4 (you are here)

Gem Crazie

Someone give me a Sippy Cup!!!!!

2012-01-04T20:00:00.018-05:00

I am just drooling like an infant over these wonderful works of art. The pictures are from "7000 years of Jewelry but hey, who's counting? Please enjoy my slightly irreverent commentary under each picture and feel free to add your own via comments.

Summerian Court jewelry 2500 BC hair ornament, headdresses, lapis, carnelian, gold. Purported to be from Lady GaGa's great, great, great, great,great......grandmother's collection

Top: gold Etruscan strap Necklace with heads ofa river-god, sirens, flowers, buds, and scarabs. OK, I get the whole river, dangerous mermaid thing but why did someone have to go spoil it by putting bugs in the picture? Bottom: Gold Etruscan myrtle wreath 4th century BC. The ends of the wreath are pierced for fastening. Wreaths were worn in profusion back in the day by well to do ladies according to the author. And what do we have today? - head bands....sheesh. I say it's time we revisited this tradition.

A sheet-gold headress pendant cut out and filled with polychrome enamels in cloisons. Drawing on both Slav paganism and Byzantine-inspired Christiantity. So, does that mean some pagan artist had the idea to put a bird on the pendant and their christian co-worker suggested it be a dove? Actually, that looks like a badass NY pidgeon.

Greek gold necklace -4th century BC - filigree interlocking rosettes, flower buds and female heads. Loving those teensy weensy heads - wouldn't it be cool to have your whole family around your neck? If you got mad at someone, you could just cut them off.

12th century gold Syrian earrings decorated with filigree and granulation Hoops placed around the rim would have secured a string of seed pearls or beads. Looks like a little purse with secret chambers to me . Probably a poison pill in one of those chambers cause you just never know when one will come in handy . The author says we don't have a lot of knowledge of Islamic jewelry becuase they did not have a tradition of burying goods with the dead. I gotta say that burying jewels with the dead is just downright creepy... and insane! It's so much better to have eveyone fighting over grandma's jewels, don't you think?

Wesekh-collar 2020BC - Each of the terminals has a ridge along the underside pierced by 6 holes through which the thread holding the bead is knotted, says the author. Now, can anyone explain what the hell that means?

Summerian Head Dress Ornaments 2500 BC Carnelian and lapis Inlaid and open work filigree. They come with tiny little darts.

Garnet inlaid Germanic jewelry (6th century AD) Who knew the Germans were so fashionable?

Finally Found my Published Necklaces

2012-01-03T21:13:00.001-05:00

Was making me crazy - trying to find something I put away. At Thanksgiving I had several overnight guests so I had to clean out my "office/photography room." I remember my necklaces arriving back from Stringing magazine. And, I remember putting the necklaces away but could I remember where I put them? Nothing was working - not cursing, not pleading, not even my prayer to the Saint of lost items (St. Anthony). I was just about to give up when I found them hiding in a most unusual corner of the house -with my shipping materials. Now, what they were doing there all nice and quiet I will never know. As my husband and I like to say whenever we find something in a strange place -- "Dog must have put that there."

Introducing Day and Night, which features the coolest poly clay pendant by Gabrielle on etsy. She created a sun/moon painting on a moveable disc. I love her artwork and her color palette.

This next one, Secret Interlude, ia a mix of old and new. The vintage brass heart was harvested from a bracelet I bought as were the polymer clay beads (from a necklace by Pat Bolgar). Those poly clay beads are so gorgeous - the detailing and the colors ---make a me swoon.

Beading Inspirations Sharing some pictures

2012-01-01T14:50:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! Are you ready to be inspired??

My heart nearly stopped when I opened a couple gifts and set my eyes on two of the most knockout books a jewelry artist could wish for.

Today's peek is at The History of Beads by Lois Sherr Dubin. If you are in love with learning all about what beads came from where and the meaning behind the mystery, you will love this book. If you are a lover of fantastic jewelry and gorgeous beads, you will love this book. Right from the cover to the last page I salivated. My pictures actually suck compared to the ones in the book.

Kuba Yet Belt, worn only by a King - each element of the belt represents a specific object of importance. Complex geometric vocabulary recognizable within the Kuba design system. Pre-1950 Is this awesome or what?

Tibet origin - Silver disc amber inlaid with beads of coral, turquoise, agate, wood, and siver. Among the appliances hanging from the chain is an ear cleaner. The safety chains on the bottom fasten the necklace to the wearer's robe. Now, that's thinking of everything

Faberge's Ashanti beads - 1994 William Harper Gold cloisonne enamel on fine gold and fine silver. This is to die for...sigh

Etruscan gold and Phonecian glass - sixth century B.C.

Polymer clay - "Necklace of Women" Kahleen Dustin mid-1990's; and "Flattened Big Bead Necklace" - Steven Ford/David Forlano This is the kind of work that gets me excited about working in clay.

There are so many more treasures in this book. I just can't get enough of it. Stay tuned for a glimpse at the other book I received "700 Years of Jewelry."

Enameled gold and silver "Study of Newborn Sparrows, Eggs, and Adults" by David C Freda 2001 Ok, this one left me speechless. How extraordinary can you get??????

Faience beads(non clay based ceramic) depicting cornflowers, dates, lotus seedpods, and petals 1379 - 1362 B.C.). Love the airiness and symetry of this piece. Individual beads below are just killer unique.

Pre Roman and Roman glass beads 500 B.C. to 200 A.D.

Artists Helping Artists

2011-12-22T18:19:00.015-05:00

Once again, several artists in the blog community have decided to come together to help a fellow artist in need.

My offering is a necklace, "Time Traveler," featuring handmade glass and ceramic beads and lots of squiqqly coily wire. Who can resist wondering what it would be like to go back to the past and perhaps alter the future? I was going for a contemporary steampunk look starting with Melanie Brook's ceramnic "time" pendant and her door connecting panel, adding copper wire spirals and shapes (some I altered by liver of sulfur; other pieces by torch). Lots of handmade work and unique detailing. I added in a few ceramic, artisan lampwork, and nut beads just to round things out. The necklace clasp is a front hook closure. Length is 19 inches.

Would you like to be the winning bidder? Starting bid is $20. Accepting domestic U.S. bids only. All proceeds go to an artist in our community who is in great need. Bidding is open until Dec. 28.

Please leave a comment along with your bid. If you are the winning bidder, you will receive an invoice after the close of the auction. There must be a way to contact you. If you have email preferences turned off in your profile, please leave your email.

Many people are auctioning items to help out! Please visit these the other artists below and place your bid!

Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/

Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Lana Kinney and Marie Cramp http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/

Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com/

Diana Ptaszynski http://suburbangirlstudio.com/

Terri Wlaschin http://beads2die4.blogspot.com/ (that's me)

Andrew Thornton, Nan Emmett, and Maria Richmond http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

http://www.mairedodd.blogspot.com/

Relentless as in Kashmir

2011-12-21T17:32:00.004-05:00

Contemporary edgy designs have lately been capturing my imagination. There's especially something compelling about working with wire. Being able to bend and shape it - so many possibilities. And then, there's ink washing over the metal like silk. Or flame transforming copper into sunset orange and magenta and silver into purple blues. Can anything be more magical?

Yes, watching Jimmy Page perform Kashmir on stage with Led Zeppelin. Or watching him perform anything for that matter. His whole being dissolves into the song and he becomes the guitar and every relentless and ominous cord. That's where these pieces come from - that deep dark relentless driving force called passion.

I am especially proud of this one as the entire necklace is my creation - all the beads and clasp and the wire design. Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face...

Couldn't resist fooling around with Picnik "invert" effect. Pretty cool, eh?

Wire crochet, "caged" is 16 gauge copper wire with large hole cultured pearls. This actually lays flat on me. I bent up slightly every other loop and that seemed to work in getting it to lay right. I am a traveler of both time and space...

I am in the midst of adding color to this one - shades of green.

Wire Crochet using 16 gauge copper wire. Hand painted with alcohol inks in blues, plums and greens. Sealed with varnish. Wondering if I should do anything more with this. Any thoughts? Oh pilot of the storm that leaves no trace like thoughts inside a dream...

If anyone has any good tips for getting sculpted wire jewelry to lay flat, please do share. I tried some tricks with these by alternating bends in the wire and adding beads but could use some guidance.

Last Chance to win this Pendant

2011-12-16T22:25:00.001-05:00

See my Giveaway Post here

It's not that hard to have a chance to win and to make someone smile (me).

Favorite Things...More of Them:)

2011-12-16T11:35:00.001-05:00

Don't know about you but I get downright giddy when a brown paper package arrives. The other day one came and had me smiling all day. So, I am sharing the smile in the spirit of the holidays. Here are some clasps and connectors from Cassie Donlen on etsy. Is that clasp with the lampwork glass bead to die for or what?

Coincidence and Inspiration

2011-12-14T20:16:00.004-05:00

In this month's issue of BeadStyle magazine, there is a pair of earrings that are are remarkably similar in design as ones I had published in Step by Step Bead Magzine in 2005. Even the theme of the introduction is similar in that both of us were inspired by vintage style. That's so fascinating to me how creativity works and how two (or more artists) can come up with the same design without one seeing the other's (at least I hope that is what happened). My design is still in circulation as a project with Interweave and can be found here: http://www.interweavestore.com/store/a/403-Terri-Wlaschin.aspx

Here's a bigger picture of the one I created. I still love how these came out.

A treat for myself

2011-12-13T23:32:00.002-05:00

My adaptation from a class at Star's beads by Lisa Norris

I did something I have not done in quite a while and made myself a piece of jewelry. I had so much fun making this, I just might make another one. Doesn't it look like a glamorous snowflake? This is a circular right angle weave design with lots of embellishments. I just kept lapping it on...yum!

New Beads!!!

2011-12-11T22:37:00.001-05:00

Here's what I finished up this weekend. Digging the rustic look of some of these. Hope to get them all posted by tomorrow.

Tribal Swag

2011-12-09T22:50:00.003-05:00

A contemporary homage to tribal jewelry which I really dig by the way. Anyway, I had this emerald green sari ribbon taunting me for months now. It is just such a gorgeous color but one I rarely use in my work.   I also had the sterling silver coiled sticks for a while and the fab turquoise tagua nut chunks-- all these beads hounding me day and night.

What to do? What to do?  Ideas came into my head and I shook them off like a pitcher rejecting a catcher's signals.  Speaking of which, I saw Bull Durham again recently and can't get over how many good lines there are in that movie. Or how good Kevin Costner looks. Or the fact that Susan Sarandon chose Tim Robbins in real life over Kevin (really, I mean really???).   Or that Susan dumped Tim after 23 years together (rumor has it for a man almost half her age - go Susan).   My favorite scene is the one in which Costner is painting her toe nails...sigh. But I digress.

I decided to go tribal and mix the green sari with the turquoise taguqa beads and throw in some hammered puffed ovals and tubes and add a splash of chain. I started to put a bow on it but decided that was waaaay too cutsey for tribal. So, went with a "scarf."   I think it all kinda works but have not used sari ribbon before. What do you think? And if you have a fave scene from the movie, spill it please.

My girl shaking her swag thing

Vive Le France!! Or More Claying Around

2011-12-08T00:07:00.001-05:00

Got into some image transfer work on polymer clay. Loved the idea of creating picture frames for the images. I think they came out looking pretty vintage which is what I was going for. I came across a way to do it that is so easy - just rub nail polish remover on the clay - put the image face down --- burnish with a bone folder or spoon --- then put some more nail polish remover. Worked like a charm. More details are in my beads2die4 store.

Making an Ornament into a Pendant

2011-12-04T22:16:00.001-05:00

When I saw LeAnn Weih's ceramic ornaments, I immediately knew I wanted to used them as pendants. Here's the first necklace I made using lots of yummy bone and wood beads I have collected over the years and a smattering of gemstone beads. Le Ann's holiday oranment in year round colors makes the perfect centerpiece, don't you think? I would love to hear about items for one purpose you converted into another.

Holiday blog Hop and Shop - discounts in both of my stores!!!

2011-12-03T09:03:00.003-05:00

In my bead supply shop, I am offering 15 % off all purchases now through December 17. Here are pictures of some of my latest items available for sale. And I still have a Giveaway going on.

Resin charms and pendants and 14 kt gold filled heart links. There's a picture of an example how to use the heart connectors in my Beads2Die4 supply shop.

Various gorgeous "watercolor" poly clay pendants that can be worn on both sides.

In my Starseed Jewelry store, I am offering 20% off on all purchases, including my clearance items which have already been discounted by up go 50%. Whoo hoo!!! Here are some of the latest items from that shop.

Gorgeous dichro pendant by Karen Leonardo takes centerstage in this creation

Project Runway here I come. Chains and copper beads from my local bead store - Accents beads.

A little this and a little that - I created the copper pendant way back in a metalsmithing class years ago, then the resin pendant. Mixed them together with teal and wedgewood blue ultra suede and threw in a sterling silver tube for good measure. Full of gemstone beads - chalcedony, mother of pearl, aquamarine, agate, and chyrsocolla.

For a list of all the wonderful shops offering handmade items in the shop hop, go here.

Giveaway!!!! That's the way I Like it - uh huh un huh

2011-12-01T21:14:00.002-05:00

I could use your help in getting my Beads2Die4 facebook page off the ground by having some more fans. So, here's the deal:

I have a gorgeous pendant up for grabs and all you need to do is leave a comment here and go "like" my facebook page at: http://bit.ly/beads2die4_FB. If you blog about my giveaway, that will count as one more chance to win but you have to tell me about it. I will draw a winner on Dec. 17.

The pendant is one of my abstract landscape polymer clay pendants made by individually mixing and creating each color you see in the pendant. Then I create a clay base to serve as my canvas and I add bits of color here and there and gently blend the colors in to create a work of abstract landscape or watercolor art. Each bead is fired in the oven to cure it, sanded, then a border is added to kick it up a notch. Finally some more finishing touches and polishing and voila...here tis.

New Beads!!!

2011-11-30T23:46:00.002-05:00

The last of my company (so wonderful) left yesterday and I buried myself in my work yesterday and today to ease the pain of missing them. Here's a sneak preview of some of my newest items in my bead shop. Then, off to bed before I keel over...

This is more of the color wash/landscaping technique I learned in class. Put my own spin on it and am loving the results. This is a double sided pendant. here's side 1. I have several more I will post later.

Here's side 2.

Rounds are a fire and ash mix. Had fun texturizing to make them look even more primitive. Last pic is a mix of all my landscape color wash beads.

Online Craft Show - Discounts and Giveaway!!!! November 26 - December 3

2011-11-25T11:43:00.007-05:00

From November 26 - December 3, Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog is hosting an online craft show featuring 70 Giveaway items and online shopping discounts. Each day during this time, she will be listing all the shops and sales going on which you can view by going to her site.

70 artists are participating and each one of them will have a giveaway up for grabs!!!!! Many will have discounts going on in their shops as well. Lori's site will keep you informed of everything going on each of those days.

My jewelry shop and my bead supply shop and giveaway will be listed on her site from November 26 - December 3.

Advance preview of my giveaway and special discounts:

Handmade polymer clay "Tahitian Pearl" rounds in silvery blue, sterling silver beads, and black diamond Swarovski crystals are suspended from handmade sterling silver French wires. Polymer clay beads and French ear wires handmade by me.

For my Starseed Jewelry shop: 20 % off entire purchase; Code: STAR20 - Nov 26 - Dec 3

For my Beads2Die4 supply shop: 15% off entire purchase; Code: BEADS15 -- Nov 26 - Dec 3

Check out Lori Anderson on Nov. 26 - Dec 3 to see how to win these lovely earrings.

Something to be Thankful For

2011-11-24T10:54:00.002-05:00

This gorgeous baby boy (Snugglebuns) is something I am most thankful for this holiday. More pics later...

Hubby Pat with Grandson Alex

Trucks and dads are just the best!!

Looking at toy catalogs is pretty cool too!!!

Finding Your Personal Comfort Zone

2011-11-21T14:45:00.006-05:00

Whether to take on custom orders or not... I recently got the kindest email from someone who had found me on the internet and lived in my town, asking me if I would fill a custom order for her. I was really tickled that she had done that and the email made my day. The first thing I did was contact another local artist I knew and ask her if she was interested in filling this lady's request in the hopes of connecting the two. Huh, You might ask?

When I started making jewelry, I did custom work and alterations upon request. I took commissions to make something based on the vision of another. I found the experience less than satisfying, and also nerve wracking because of timeline demands – not usually the customer’s, but my own sense of needing to get it done sooner rather than later. And I was anxious as to whether they would like it or if I would need to redo it. And, all the time while I was working on these pieces, I was dreaming of having time to move forward and work on my own vision and new designs with the few hours I have after my day job.

I never charged anyone to shorten a necklace (though it cost me both time and materials). In fact, I often reduced the price. I did charge to lengthen one but not much. And, every time I made an alteration, I felt I was going backwards and reworking a piece I already had completion with. And, I was anxious to complete it and get it to the customer so I was stressed. In short, the experience was never pleasant for me.

I also often took orders to make another piece of work I had already sold. The problem with that was I did not always have the beads handy and sometimes the cost of the materials (particularly if sterling silver was involved) had risen since the last time I made the item…and the person understandably expected the same price. I also felt making another piece of the same exact design did not align with my vision of moving towards making one of a kind jewelry.

Funny thing is I did not really realize how much this way of working affected me until my dog got cancer a few years back. He had to have treatments and ultimately surgery and I spent all the money I would have used to buy materials on him. I spent more time with him too so I decided I would no longer do custom orders or any alterations. And, that is when I discovered renewed joy in my work. I found I was happiest creating items that just wandered up from from my own heart and soul and I enjoyed having a sense of completion with them knowing once they were done, they were done. It was really uncomfortable at first telling people “no” – I have a hard time with that. But, I got through it and so did my customers…wonderful and respectful as they are.

Nowadays, I do take custom orders in my bead supply shop but very limited in my jewelry shop (only if listed in the item description). I know this is a personal choice and some artists truly enjoy the challenges with custom orders, feel it taps into a different sort of creativity, and are happy to rework a piece based on customer request. And I am happy there is freedom for all of us to make those decisions. Because what it all comes down to it ,finding your own personal comfort zone – that place where you can be your most creative – where your muse breathes, your soul dances, and your fingers do the rest – is pure bliss.

How bout you?

A Little Picasso Please

2011-11-19T10:53:00.003-05:00

I love the mystery of Picasso's later work. His mixture of styles and play with color. An eye or limb out of place, the abstractness of his expression. Working with clay and being able to create miniature abstract works of art, trying to channel Picasso (don't worry I have not gone delusional) just fills my spirit with such joy. I am still a work in progress as is my art but every moment immersed in that journey is a little bit of heaven.

These are more polymer clay beads created using the color wash technique I learned in Maggie Maggio's class. They are paired with thai silver and mixed spider agate beads.

Experimenting

2011-11-18T23:06:00.002-05:00

I like to think that all artists love to experiment whatever their medium. Sometimes it's breaking out of a typical color palette. Other times trying a new technique or a material. Or remaking something over and over until it makes you happy.

Tonight I was working with a clay pendant created by another artist (the name is on the back but I can't make out who it is) and frankly wondering what to do with it. The colors are stunning and the design has that "once upon a time" feel to it. A storybook full of adventures and romance. It's such a unique piece, I wanted something unique for it. I had a few copper patinated squares and got the idea to design something that would allow different ribbons to be worn. It made me happy.

At least for tonight:)

Never thought I would Like Washing so Much

2011-11-14T23:39:00.002-05:00

What a whirlwind of visitors and classes this weekend. It was so fab catching up with my big brother and his wife and sharing some wine and home cooked food. I love to cook when there is company - not so much other times but when company comes, I really enjoy laying on the hospitality. That was Thursday and Friday. Then 3 days of classes!!!! Metal coloring with ammonia at Star's Beads and Donna Barnako, then 2 days in heaven at Polymer Clay Express with Maggie Maggio. The technique is called color washing where you sheet very thin slices of polymer clay onto a backing. I am loving that the pendant has two sides to it. The little black and silver vintage heart is something I did earlier in the week.

Giveaway Winners!!!!

2011-11-12T08:52:00.001-05:00

It's time to unveil who won a lovely Laurel Steven's Polymer Clay Pendant. Congrats to Rena Klingenberg http://www.rena-jewelry.com/ and Dita (Alankarshilpa). The process I used is pictured below with my handsome husband doing the drawings. I apologize to Dita for leaving out an "L" in her blog name. Dita - please contact me as I will need your email address to send the pendant.

Booty!!!

2011-11-05T16:19:00.002-04:00

Last week I took advantage of the sales shops were having during the Skye Jewels giveaway. Here's what I got:

Ornaments and Gloves from Summers Studio (supposed to be ornaments but I am going to use them as pendants --- shhhh.) She has some really cool bronze charms right now that are going like hot cakes.
Enamel headpins and mandarin gears from Sue Beads. I am such a sucker for enamel right now. Love incorporating it into my clay beads and my jewelry.
Fantastic Heart Necklace and polymer clay pendant from Laurel Stevens.

Meditation beadweave style _ A work in Progress

2011-11-03T23:09:00.008-04:00

Whenever I feel like my life is getting too hectic and leading me into a downward spiral, I turn to bead weaving. It forces me to slow down. For one I gotta remember the stitches. I will try to intuit my way through it and only if that fails will I pull out one of the many books I have on the subject. The other thing is working with a needle and long thread. Everytime I try to rush it I get a knot in the thread or prick my finger or have to pull a whole row out cause I missed a bead. So, I sloooow down, I pay attention to each stitch and enjoy the journey.

I honestly never understood what someone meant when they said making jewelry calmed them. I would  just listen wondering how I could be having such a very different experience.  I am such an impatient beader always wanting to see the end result.  The journey for me is a frantic tangle of trying this, trying that until I have an overwhelming mess in front of me and then I get up and grab some more beads or ribbon, or leather, or chain and flop a new beading mat on top of the old mess to begin again. Then, I toss all that aside and go for wire or rummage through my glass bead collection.

Not so with beadweaving. I become mesmerized with the stitch sewing on a couple beads at a time, one stitch at a time, stopping to reflect, getting into the pattern, committing to wherever the design takes me. Life becomes still, almost stops and I feel totally connected to my work.  It's wonderful. Even when I don't love the final design - it's wonderful.

How I did It..So Far: Here is my latest work in progress. First I created the resin cabs. I used Lacy's stiff stuff as a backing and E6000 to glue on various cabochons, the mother of pearl diamond, the jade teardrop, the onyx tulip, and the pearls.  Then I bead embroidered around them using peyote stitch and some freestyle stitching. I colored the Lacy's stiff stuff lightly with black magic marker. Eventually I will bead over the entire surface but the magic marker will cover any tiny bit of white that might show. I did not realize going into it how hard it would be to embroider around the diamond, teardrop, and the flower. There is probably a precise way to do this but, hey, I wanted to have some fun so I winged it. The point is to secure them using the seed beads. After covering the surface with beads, I will sew on an ultra suede backing and maybe finish with picot or fringe. Stay tuned for the grand finale. This is my first attempt at a bib style bead weaved project. I have already learned a couple things. I would probably not put all these beads I glued on as close to each other in the future. Makes it harder to stitch rows around them and add the kind of beads I had in mind.

This was from back in June. Started it, then put it down for a while.

Finally picked it up again this week and made some progress.

And, a little bit more progress - it's getting there.

A Struggling Artist -- GIVEAWAY!!!

2011-11-01T12:50:00.009-04:00

Last March I created a necklace which sold in a nanosecond. I think a lot of the credit goes to Laurel Steven's magnificant polymer clay heart pendant. Laurel is experiencing some difficulties right now and could use some support from our community. I know I don't have a huge following but I think every little bit helpsso here goes...

Giveaway Items:

The two items up for Giveaway are the gorgeous Laurel Steven's pendants below from my stash. A fab faux turquoise poly clay pendant and a circular garden pendant or connector. Think of the possibilities with these babies. There will be two winners so your chances are great! And, it's for a good cause so what the heck, go for it! If you are not a jewelry artist, I will be happy to make it into a necklace on a silk ribbon for you - just let me know. Giveaway details are simple and start after the pictures cause you have to drool a little first to get yourself motivated:)

How to WIN:

I forgot to clarify something in my original post. Each item below gives you one chance to win. So,there are three total chances a person can get. If you choose to do only one, you still have at least one chance to win. What are you waiting for???

Mention the giveaway on your blog
Visit Laurel's blog and leave a comment if you feel moved to do so and/or
Leave a comment here

If you posted on Laurel's blog, make sure you tell me in your comment.
I will need your email address if you win to contact you. I will draw a winner Saturday, November 12. By the way, if you would like to check out Laurel's shop, it's here. And, stay tuned for more Giveaways in the future.

Channeling Miriam Hasell

2011-10-31T23:50:00.001-04:00

A little while back I watched a B'Sue video on cagework beadery and decided to give it a whirl. Here's what I came up with...pearls and ruby style. Click here for the video posted at Art Bead Scene and some fab Miriam Haskell pieces to view. Do you have a favorite vintage artist? Would love to hear about it.

Favorite Things - New Items

2011-10-30T17:48:00.008-04:00

Christie Friesen's tortured polymer clay heart is the centerpiece here. It was only fitting for me to match her theme by putting my beads in bondage and throwing in chains.

The snow yesterday got me humming one of my favoriteholiday tunes and doing one of my favorite things - making jewelry. Although I prefer a warmer climate, there is something magical and mystical about snow and it never ceases to fill my heart. It's just one of those things that makes me happy...and makes me reach for a cup of joe and wanna sit by a crackling fire with friends. In this post are my latest designs/offerings as well as some pictures from snowmeggadon last year in DC.

I made this resin pendant (blank from Kabela) earlier this year and it sat and sat. Finally, I decided the matte carnelian and the green mosiac green impression jasper would be an awesome match - has a holiday feel to it yet I think it can be worn all fall and winter.

Lullaby is a sweet mix of a resin branch and bird I made and paired with agate rings, spotted jasper, chalcedony, lampwork and czech glass. The golden birdies are from Ezel Findings.

Pictures from last year's snowstorm. By the way, this is Betsy (referred to in my previous post and now replaced by Lucy)

Project Accessory Rio Grande style

2011-10-29T15:13:00.001-04:00

I am a huge fan of Project Runway, the show that gives clothing designers 24 hours to design, shop for fabric, and create a look that then gets judged by 4 very critical hold no punches judges (Heidi Klum is host judge if that gives you a clue -- I just love her:)).

Now, there's Project Accessory and Rio Grande jewelry supplier is a sponsor and they want us to play along. Just thought I would share this project I found in my email box. Not sure I will tackle it but I just love the look. The theme is hidden treasures and Rio provides all the instructions and supplies of course for how to make it. Go here.

When the Stars and Skies aren't Enough

2011-10-29T00:14:00.002-04:00

I created the clay beads with the idea of galaxies as my inspiration. Then, to create the necklace set, I threw in a load of swarovski crystals cause --you know-- stars are shiny. Then I added a bit of Jasper to represent the connection between earth and sky. Now, I am not sure anyone would get that without my explanation. Kinda reminds me of Project Runway when the judges stare at a design blankly and then the artist fills in the backstory and suddenly Nina Garcia looks and says (and it's always Nina), something like, "Really, huh, I would not have gotten there by looking at this." So, I am just curious, would you have gotten there if I had not told you my story?

Claying Around...Again

2011-10-27T19:54:00.000-04:00

What can I say? I just love the stuff. I can't think of another medium that permits so much flexibilty. This week I was working on what I call my Winter Solstice collection. I am such a sucker for all shades of gray and with a nice sprinkling of mica snow. My process for making beads is so organic and intuitive it's almost by mistake:) I go into something with an idea and when that doesn't work out, I let it take me down a bunch of alleys and side streets but eventually I get there. I was in heaven (or should I say over the moon) putting those little moon shapes on the square pendants and then blending a mix of snowy white, blue, and violet light to give it just the subtlest glow. I would love to hear about your adventures in creating. Are you the organic type or do you have a plan in mind and stick to it?

Web of Life

2011-10-22T18:43:00.001-04:00

Tis that time of season to be thinking about spider webs and things that go bump in the night. I recently came across some pictures I took last year of branches. They remind me of spider webs.

Newspaper never looked this good

2011-10-21T16:20:00.002-04:00

Trolling around the web in search of beautiful beads to admire. This is what I found...

Would you believe some of these beads are made from newspaper and you can make them too? Take a look here for instructions and more pictures. The ones in the necklace look like turquoise, don't they? Just blows me away.

Time to Drool

2011-10-19T21:28:00.003-04:00

I just pinched myself and it's true. I am going to two classes offered by a premier polymer clay artist Maggie Maggio right near my own neighborhood. See pics below - these are the polymer clay workshops I am attending. I am just so amazed by the versatility of this medium. To see more of Maggie's work and offerings, click here. But, go get a box of tissues first because you will drool...

'

Evil etsy shop carts

2011-10-17T18:42:00.009-04:00

Redside Design has some of the most stunningly beautiful borosilicate lampwork glass. The colors are magnificent inside, but outside -- take these babies outside in direct sunlight --- they can make your heart almost stop. I was so trying to resist buying anymore because I have a pretty sizable collection of artisan lampwork glass and I use it rather sparingly these days. But, then I saw her note about having a 50 % off sale and having a baby in January and of course I convinced myself it would be such a wonderful thing to do to support this artist in her time of need blah blah blah. Long story short, I caved and bought these:

Ahem, and these

And now I want these...sigh. Just added them to my etsy shopping cart. That's the first step. Now it's only a question of whether someone else who added them will pull the trigger first. Yikes, gives me the willies just thinking of it.

Paradise

2011-10-14T17:59:00.005-04:00

Hawaii is one of my fave states. I was married on the big Island on a secluded beach at sunset. I can still feel the golden sand on my feet, see the sculpted driftwood, and hear the gentle lapping of the waves on shore. I don't think anything will ever top that day for me. My hubby and I try to go back at least once a year on our anniversary but that does not happen every year. So, every now and again, I create something that takes me there. Here is Bird of Paradise and some scanned photos of my wedding day back in 2003 (no digital shots were taken!!!).

Thanks again to Christie Friesen for her guidance in making these wonderful polymer clay birds.

Me and Hubby after our beach ceremony

Getting Ready for my Home Show

2011-10-13T00:07:00.002-04:00

Above is from an outdoor show. Below is from a home show. I don't have everything set up in the home show but you can get an idea of my setup. I try to keep it simple. I used to have a system that took me 1.5 hours to set up and break down. This one takes me 1/2 hour max.

I have done so many home shows over the years, mostly at my own home but in my first couple years in the business I did them at other people's houses. I needed to do this and craft shows to build a customer list. I have learned so many lessons from doing shows. Here is my mental checklist which I am now putting in writing since I have a home show coming up. Some of it applies to craft shows only but I will include the whole shebang.

Ensure you have the following ready to go at least the night before. Actually I check my stock on some of these items at least a few days before to make sure I have an adequate supply.

Saleslips to document sales
Bags/packaging for sold jewelry
Tables
Table Covers
Chair
Displays
Lights (if electricity is available)
All jewelry logged, priced, tagged, photographed
Business Cards
Mailing list (to collect email addresses)
Calculator
Inventory list (name, materials, price of jewlery) in case a tag falls off
Pens
Pricing tags
Tools (snips, scissors, pliers)
Clip back earring backs (to adjust from pierced if needed)
Money to provide change if taking cash (I have $300 worth in $10, $5, and $1 denominations and quarters, nickels, dimes, pennies). I only take checks generally from people I know but I have been known to sell someone something and let them mail me a check. Trust your gut on this.
Banners or signs with Business Name
Extension Cords
Mirrors (hand held and table top)
Food/Water
Charge anything that needs to be charged (credit card processing, phone)
Tape measure (people sometimes ask the length of items)

I have learned to stop making jewelry at least the night before (unless I have everything else done) so as not to make myself crazy and tired. I wear something professional and stylish but comfortable and that includes comfortable shoes. I take food and a chair though I know there are plenty of cautions against eating or sitting at shows. It just depends on how things are going. I greet people but don't hover. I let them enjoy browsing but definitely engage them if they speak to me or ask a question. The first time I was going to a show I worried I would not have enough jewelry. That's too funny nowadays when I think of that.

For home shows, I keep the food tasteful but simple. Trader Joe's is my friend.
Did I forget anything? Feel free to add.

Birds Flying High - You Know How I Feel

2011-10-09T18:12:00.001-04:00

Just love that song (Summertime). And Tiah Tolliver on the X-Factor killed it this week. Commanded that stage and showed Paula and Nicole it was a new day, a new dawn, and they dang well better know how she feels. Or, feathers were gonna fly.

That performance inspired me to put my own little bird in flight. Thanks to Christie Friesen for helping me learn how to make the most magnificent polymer clay birds. This is one I created on my own after a class with her. It took me a while to figure a necklace design that would enhance it and not overshadow it. I finally decided I would create some "feathers" out of gold wire and then go with something plain like these purple red agate beads and just a dash of green jasper and vermeil. Whadya Think?

Out of something old

2011-10-05T23:50:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I harvested beads from two previous necklaces and a bracelet to make a new necklace and bracelet set. I haven't made up my mind whether I am satisfied with the result yet. One thing I really did have fun with was mixing up all these purple beads, including some beaded beads I made a while back. I think it has a very icy look although the gold does add some warmth.

Birds Just Wanna Have Fun un

2011-10-04T22:27:00.001-04:00

They just wanna, they just wanna. And, they definitely will in these cute little babies. My newfound friend Heather made the cover of Handcrafted Jewelry with her lovely little birdhouses!! I just ordered a do it yourself kit from her etsy shop ArtbyHeather. But, if you are not inclined to make your own, she has plenty already made and ruler pendants too. Who'd a thunk! I "met" Heather through her sister who is a co-worker whom I have not yet met in person either (both live in the other Washington) but had many a convo since we worked on a project together. You gotta see these cuties for yourself.

Facelift + tips on great free photo program

2011-10-02T11:53:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Lori Plyer for her never ending patience in designing my new blog banner... and doing it for a song. My budget's been a little tight lately so when I saw what she had done for other artists, I was almost afraid to ask what the cost would be. And Lori helped me with much more than the banner. I am too embarrassed to admit how many emails we exchanged as I was trying to learn how to better operate blogger.

Lori also turned me on to a free website (Picnik) we can use to upload and edit pictures...go here and start uploading and editing like a pro. Or, just play around with the features and have fun. I used it to edit the pictures below of one of my latest designs. And, for those of you who take your own pictures, you know how hard it is to get the color "red" right. I also had Lori develop a banner for my etsy jewelry shop for a few bucks more. Now, I am will be working with her on banners (and avatars though she doesn't know this yet) for my other etsy shop. Would love to hear what you think about my new blog banner.

Claying Around makin script beads

2011-09-26T21:03:00.007-04:00

I did not start with the idea of making manuscript beads. Originally I was just playing around coloring clay and using my new script stamp when I decided it would be rocking cool to make beads that looked like long lost manuscripts. Growing up in Philly, I remember having my own personal yellowed copy of the Constitution - loved the feeling of that crackly paper. All of these are pendants or charms.

I used translucent clay for the "yellowed" scripts. The one with the metal leaf was baked twice because I got the idea to attach the leaf after I had already baked the original script. I added new clay and created a channel for the leaf to sit in, figuring I would glue it once it was baked. But, then all sorts of worries crossed my mind so I decided to secure it by putting thin ribbons of clay over it and pressing them in on the sides. After it was done, I decided I might want it for myself so I made another one without the leaf.

The red disc clay bead is actually a resin piece I had done that I mounted on a base of translucent and red clay. Next time I will make it spin once I figure how to do that:) The "bird" pendant was originally a standalone pendant. I decided to attach it to the red manuscript pendant after the fact to kick it up a notch. All the little tiny script charms are bits I had left over - just claying around and loving it all. These will eventually make it to my store.

Yummy clasps and stuff

2011-09-23T17:22:00.004-04:00

I recently had a necklace published in this year's issue of Creative Jewelry that featured a birdie clasp I just fell in love with. Kathy of Pajego Art House on etsy makes just a wonderful assortment of ceramic clasps and beads that are very easy on the budget. Some are pictured here along with my necklace, which also features beautiful lampwork from Rachel of Rachelartglas and from Amber of ThatBeadGirl I am truly amazed at all the wonderful artists on etsy.

Jewelry Business Success - tips and more

2011-09-22T21:23:00.000-04:00

A few years ago, I stumbled upon a really cool resource that provides tips to artists in the jewelry business and a place to publish your designs for free. Rena Klingenberg, who publishes Jewelry Business Success is a kind and generous artist who has developed a forum for jewelry artists to network and learn at the same time. An example of one of her articles, this one on pricing for wholesale or consignment can be found by clicking here. But, even more fun is her gallery of jewelry from readers, which can be found here. Here's something I published in her gallery a while back. It's circular right angle weave. I had taken a class and this was the set I ended up making.

Saying Goodbye to Betsy; Hello to ???

2011-09-20T23:11:00.001-04:00

I had my Toyota Corolla (betsy) for almost 20 years. The day I decided to get a new car, it was with mixed feelings. I felt like Betsy, who I had bought new, carried with her all the energy of anyone who had been in the car. Old friends and lovers and parents now gone. When we got to the car dealership, they said they weren't even going to keep her -she would be auctioned off. When they asked if she had electronic windows etc, I proudly said "no." I actually thought that was a good thing - one less thing to worry about getting broken. I am loving my new Toyota Rav 4 but as we were driving away I couldn't help but wonder where Betsy will end up. She was a good car. I don't even have a digital picture of her. But I do have one of me with my new Toyata. What shall I name her?

Windows and Doors

2011-09-19T19:41:00.004-04:00

It's been tough trying to divide my time between making jewelry and making beads and findings. I think the latter is winning out. I suppose it's kind of like the movie actor who decides to be a director. Some can do both easily. Others - not so much. Or, maybe it's just that I have fallen in love with creating jewelry materials. Or is it lust??? Who cares - it's just a whole lotta dang fun!!!

Here are a couple of the metal windows and doors I featured previously after I had inked them. I finished them by putting dried flowers under a sheet of mica and in between the two panes. Then, I riveted them together. The rounded door with window was a real pain (pun intended). First I riveted the metal flower on. I can't tell you how many times those tiny eyelets fell out of the hole and the beads came off while I was trying to secure them for riveting. After I got that on, I attempted to rivet the panes together with my handy dandy riveting tool. No such luck because the metal flower on the front threw everything off. Plan B - I riveted them with a riveting hammer - tap tap tap all the way around those teesy tiny edges. Then I used the riveting tool. Success!!!! These are now posted for sale in my beads2die4 store on etsy.

For more info on riveting, go here to watch Brenda Sue (of B'Sue) who totally rocks tutorial videos.

Bead Soup!!!!

2011-09-17T00:00:00.045-04:00

What I started with from Suzanne Tate.

I loved the beads the minute I saw them. Earthy yet elegant and in colors that look good on me! I knew I wanted to play up the spirals and the movement they implied. I decided to pair them with some cool looking spotted brown jasper beads I had picked up from Dakota Stones at the Philly bead fest. I spent an evening creating my own spirals in 14 kt gold filled wire and had everything put together when I realized the clasp was sterling silver. Rats! Don't you just hate when that happens. Never one for rework, I at first colored the clasp gold with a 24 kt gold leaf pen. Problem was it never dried and it looked cheesy. I used nail polish remover to get that off and a week went by while I was thinking thinking. Then I remembered my alcohol inks and thought I would give it a whirl. I kinda like the effect it had and the fact that the clasp now matches the jasper spotted beads. I had to include my girl in this picture since she had on some fierce head gear that matched my piece.

Now, I invite you to go visit my partner Suzanne Tate's blog to see what she created at: http://suzanne-catching-up.blogspot.com/ Here are the beads I sent her.

For the entire list of bead soup partners, click here: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/ thanks to Lori Andersonn for making this happen. It's a blast!!

Bead Soup Coming Soon...but in the Meantime

2011-09-15T20:39:00.003-04:00

Tried drying my own flowers. Seemed easy enough. Stick them in a book between sheets of paper and paper towels, put a weight on them and pop them in the microwave for 30 second blasts at a time until flowers are dried. Uh, not as easy as it sounds. I used a phone book - it fell apart. My flowers got shriveled but I did get some awesome flower imprints on the paper they were wedged between. And it inspired me to paint a lot of things I found on the street like little chunks of wood, an acron, a leaf, and some berries. One of these days I will figure what I want to do with all this stuff I create:)

Coloring Metal - Alcohol Inks

2011-09-14T20:49:00.003-04:00

Here are some before and after pictures of my experiment in coloring metal by blending alcohol inks. My usual modus operandi is to go to a class and then go home and buy the stuff I need and experiment on my own. I need to see something and do it along with the teacher in order for my brain to really get it. Even then, my brain sometimes gets it but my hands don't and vice versa. This time I watch a Tim Holtz video (which I now can't locate) and ---boom--- I am thinking --- that's easy peasy. Intoxicated with this new knowledge I "drunk" bought all the items needed to experiment. It works with paper, transparencies, and metals. The basic steps I followed can be found at these links: http://www.thescrapreview.com/2009/09/tsr-tutorial-alcohol-inks-101.html

http://www.craftcritique.com/2008/08/tim-holtz-adirondack-alcohol-inks-by.html

After coloring - metal "windows" from Rings and Things

I don't think any of the instructions mention this but before I colored my metal pieces, I rubbed them with sanding paper (400) to give them some "tooth" so the ink would take.

Before coloring

Tools Used

Flower boxes

2011-09-11T09:47:00.005-04:00

Snagged these C-Koop flower boxes from Rings and Things and have been experimenting with designs all week. I found the coolest micro beads at Michaels and gorgeous pressed flowers from Objects and arts - whoa - almost made my heart stop just looking at them. The leaf in the last box (see trio) is a leaf I found on the street as is the flower. I resined both of them before putting them in the bezel. Anyway, here is what I came up with.

More about the painted windows in another post.

Pan tastic

2011-09-08T21:15:00.004-04:00

I went nuts with this one. I think it was because the keyhole had the word "Pan" in it. Somehow that just gave me license to go way out whimsical. This piece has papers I resined, the pan keyhole, a bird I painted, and seed beads I glued on. Oh, and I textured the brass here and there just to give it a more organic look. Then there's the scottish plaid ribbon...hmmm.

Flapper 11

2011-09-07T20:32:00.003-04:00

I have the notion in my head that this necklace looks like modern day flapper style. It's not pearls and not quite opera length but still... Bust a move in this and it will swing. Believe it or not the centerpiece started out as a ring I had made with gorgeous lampwork from Naomi and Shop of Seven Seas on ebay. The coppery verdigris double chalice piece was harvested from an old necklace. The square/diamond hammered brass is a piece I made in a class, and the copper chain I torched to age it. Charleston, anyone?

A little Bit of Retro on My Mind

2011-09-05T18:29:00.000-04:00

I have a whole slew of super cool retro pididdly link stampings I snagged from an auction on ebay. Been trying to think exactly what I want to do with all of them. I don't know about you but I get this overwhelming sense of guilt when things just sit around. Actually, I get the overwhelming sense of guilt not because they are sitting around but because I keep buying more things on top of them that sit around. Anyway, today I got fired up...literally. I took out my handheld and torched these babies. I think the wings have a really nice rainbow hue. I burnished the hearts to bring up a gold contrast. I left the ladies, who came up a coppery gold, as is. Plan to have them posted in my starseedjewelry store on etsy today or tomorrow.

Purse-onally

2011-09-05T17:03:00.002-04:00

I could make up a headline about these beads, Enquire style. How about "Bird and Alien Purse have secret moon babies." That's almost what happened here. I started out with the seemingly innocent coin shaped pendant that looked to me like a moonlit sky. Mixing some of the left over clay with other scraps of clay I molded the bird pendant (bird/sky - they go). Then I got the notion to make a purse but that didn't seem to fit a theme I had going here so I decided to put a saturn ring on it. Problem solved. Not so fast. Never one to leave well enough alone, I felt compelled to make a whole suite of moon babies. And, it was a marvelous night for a moondance.

Color Block Grunge

2011-09-03T22:32:00.003-04:00

Every now and again, I get a hankering to experiment. Actually, that is more than every now and again. It's more like every day, many times a day. If left on my own, I would be like a mad scientist moving from one experiment to another leaving a trail of debris in my path. Oh -- wait -- I do do that. My poor husband.

My latest is experiementing with color blocking on clay and painting over the colors with acrylic paint, and making the grungiest looing beads I can make (and still reasonably call beads). These consist of black, teal that I hand mixed then painted over, and yellow that I used as is then painted an ochre yellow. In this necklace, I paired them wtih lava rock, turqoise mosaic rounds, and matte sodalite. I threw in a bright turqouise half moon bead I found while visting Sedona, AZ earlier this year. I thought it created a lot of tension in an otherwise rather dark necklace. There's a vintage bananna bead in there too just because. I am digging that pea pod like bead which is a another experiment for me. The clasp is patinated sterling silver - total grunge:)

Ear full

2011-09-03T22:16:00.002-04:00

Today was earring day. Sometimes I get on a roll making one necklace after another and then usually just before a show, I am making earrings like mad to go with my necklaces. yesterday I decided to stop the insanity and just get ahead of the garme. So most of the earrings pictured here were made last night or today in between patinating my copper wire and torching some new brass stampings I got. Oh, and painting my clay beads and re-baking them to set the paint. If only I had time to do housework:)

Shadow Boxing

2011-09-01T20:10:00.004-04:00

C-Koop's vivid colors drew me in at Bead Fest. Here are a couple pendants I made (not yet finished) with C Koop's enameled shadow box pendant blanks. The colored rounds are map pins I cut to fit in the bezel. I just love all those colorful pins snugging up next to each other and they make great balloons too!!!

Rocking Resin - or at least trying to:)

2011-08-30T21:02:00.000-04:00

At Bead Fest last week, I took two resin classes with Debbi Simon, whose work is oh so awesome.Debbi Simon Blog. The classes really broke new boundries for me because up to that time my use of resin was primarily to fill bezels. In one class we learned how to create shadow box pendants using paper, resin, and scrapbooking tools. In another class, we learned how to cast molds and also use ready made molds to create wonderful little bits of art. Oh, and did I mention we got to play with pearly powders and color our pieces!!!! I love how soft and etehreal they turn out. Anyway, I now have lots of little gems but am still terrified of drilling them. If anyone has tips on a good drill to buy, I would love to hear about it. Easy is the key word here -- looking for something easy peasy.

The Storm

2011-08-28T11:28:00.000-04:00

Hoping everyone survived this weekend without too much damage. Watching the storm rip through town after town leaves me with a feeling of helplessness. I have often thought of retiring to a beach town and then I see people fleeing from their homes and wondering how they are going to spend their next hours, days, possibly weeks and all that's familiar lost in a moment. My heart goes out to all of you who may be going through this. You are in my thoughts.

Going Green

2011-08-27T23:27:00.000-04:00

Today I did something I have not done in a long time. I went back to making a very simply designed necklace. I am blaming it all on these stinking green wood beads I got from Dakota Stones at the Bead Fest. Not just any green, but the vibrant richgreen of a moss covered forest. I swear they are alive!!!! Check it out.

Bead Fest Finds- Part 1

2011-08-26T20:43:00.002-04:00

I thought maybe the best way to show you some of my finds was by showing you what I made with them. Not one to let things sit around in their bags too long, I dragged out all my booty and started sampling one tool after another. Actually, some things I got at Home Depot, which used to be a store I would avoid like the plague. Since working with polymer clay, it has now become one of my favorite stores much to my husband's chagrin. Anyhoo, here are some of my latest clay creations using a variety of texturizing tools. See if you can identify what I used from the photos:) All of these pendants and charms will be posted for sale in etsy shop sometime this weekend at: http://beads2die4.etsy.com/. By the way, I made that small blackbird myself without a tool. I was giddy that he turned out so nice - totally surprised myself on that one. I got to use my new inks and my new enamel beads from C-Koop too. Next up will be beads and all the cool findings I picked up.

Still recovering from Bead Fest

2011-08-24T22:34:00.000-04:00

Stay tuned for some pictures related to my bead fest adventure. Two resin classes - one on creating molds and one making awesome resin shadow box pendants out of paper!!!! You will not believe the cool pendant I made. It's not perfection but I still love it. In the meanwhile, I was making some pretty little things to go with my luna moth necklace. What do you think?

Bead Soup beads have arrived!!

2011-08-22T20:08:00.001-04:00

These lovely handmade lampwork glass beads came all the way from Suzanne Tate's shop in Australia http://suzanne-catching-up.blogspot.com/. Mixed with yummy chocolate squares, some exotic jasper tubes, and a silver textured (possibly handmade?) square clasp. Inspiring indeed!

Bead Fest - Here I come

2011-08-17T21:53:00.000-04:00

Headed for Philly Bead Fest tomorrow. Two classes and I get to see my family!!! Staying with my big brother and his wife and going to a mini family reunion at the Jersey shore on Saturday. If you are in Debbi Simon's classes on creating Resin molds (thursday 1-4) and/or her resin connections class (Friday 5 -8), please say hi. I get to speed shop before my class on Friday and that's it. I guess that's good in a way since it will control any impulse buying ...so I tell myself:):) See you Monday!!!

Too Soon for Fall Foliage?

2011-08-16T21:18:00.005-04:00

How come cool colors are associated with summer and warm colors are associated with Fall??? Like I was saying I have a curious mind. I came across this very cool card (no pun intended) I had purchased from Paper Compositions on etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperCompositions and decided it would be perfect to showcase my latest experiments in polymer clay. Here's a little fall foliage for those dreaming of cooler weather. Two pendants (still need to add the connections for jump rings) and some sweet charms. Soon to be added to my beads2die4 shop.

Explorations in polymer clay

2011-08-14T22:03:00.003-04:00

I have always been a curious person. For an artist, I think that is a good thing. But, curiosity is oh so demanding - a driving force that wants to experiment all the time. If I could control time, there would be at least 48 hours in one day. Today I "baked" a bird and finished my imprint polymer clay pieces. For the imprint beads - It was so exciting to build the stacks of clay, blend them together, create a design, slice the stack and voila - have revealed this incredible creation! I get such joy from this work. I am so grateful.

Pop's Girl

2011-08-11T20:41:00.001-04:00

Two years ago I lost my father. He was 98 years old and up until the last 6 months of his life was still pretty spry. When he no longer had the energy to read, "play" on the computer, write long letters to strangers, or shop Trader Joe's, he decided to quit eating. He stayed with me the last 6 years of his life and I am eternally grateful for that and for a husband who was like a son to him. Pop's Girl is named in memory of my pop. He had a heart as big as the universe and was always so tickled to see my newest creations. I miss him.

2011-08-11T19:40:00.000-04:00

Here's a bag from madebyNanna on etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebynanna?ref=seller_info to go with my new polymer clay butterfly necklace:

Booty

2011-08-08T22:30:00.000-04:00

My latest booty. Felt balls and safety pins from Ornamentea and birds and other creatures from SandraLee's shop on etsy. Oh, and more ribbon - this one was a mystery bag from Ornamentea. I do so like surprises! No firm plans for these yet. Just savoring them right now. You know what I mean?

Getting Published - how I got started

2011-08-06T23:21:00.012-04:00

I never considered myself very creative. I was Not one of those people who grew up doing all sorts of crafty things. I was lucky I could draw stick figures. My mom was good at many crafty things, including sewing. I remember taking a sewing class as a kid and was mortified to find I could not cut or sew straight.

Ever since I was a teenager I loved jewelry. I bought the "1928 jewelry" line - loved that vintage look and the pearls, cameos, and the gemstones - just couldn't get enough of them. I still have astonishingly beautiful vermeil gemstone earrings from 30 years ago.

About 8 years ago, I had a pet sitter who made jewelry. She showed me how to get started and off I went mostly making one note jewelry with gemstones, pearls and a few accent beads. A couple years into it, I got brave enough to start experimenting with other materials, including handmade lampwork glass, czech glass, ribbons, and chain.

I realize now it was mostly luck in how I was able to have my first piece published. Luck and a very kind mentor and teacher. I had an idea and I sent a picture to the editor of Step by Step Beads magazine, Leslie Rogalski. Leslie had just assumed the position and it turns out I was her first contributor. To be kind, my first piece was rather pathetic but something magical happened that I am not sure ever happens today. Leslie wrote back and said I like the idea but your piece needs more work. "Keep adding beads and send it back to me," she said. I kept piling on beads even though it went against my spare nature at the time. I would send it back and she would say "more" until finally I had the right amount.

Over the years, Leslie was very frank with me about pieces I would send in for consideration. Sometimes she would chastise me for not finishing with enough polish. "Watch your craft," she would say. Sometimes she would scold me for ruining a piece by adding the wrong clasp or blending something that just didn't work. I asked her once if I needed to always come up with an original technique. She told me no. It wasn't about inventing a new technique so much as creating something that was fresh and interesting. She sent me to websites to explore - I can't even remember the names of them now.

When I was told Step by Step magazine was going out of business, I was crushed. It was more than a magazine to me. Leslie Rogalski and Jane Dickerson were like family. It turned out to be a bittersweet ending the day Jane wrote to tell me my final contribution had made the cover of the last issue of Step by Step. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I just assumed someone on staff would have that honor. But, I was definitely excited.

Below is my first published piece - Fish and Chips in 2005 - I had threaded beading wire through chain. I wish I had the first picture so you could see the difference:)

Leslie's main tips, as I recall, were:

1. Study the magazine you want to publish in. What style, color palette do they seem to like? Is it girly and romantic, funky, or classic? Do they tend to like art bead focals or asymetrical styles? Does the palette tend to be in certain color?.

2. Study fashion and art websites for the latest color and fashion trends. You can pretty much google for that.

3. Take a clear, clean photo so it's easy to see the design and workmanship of your piece.

4. Watch your craft. If invited to send your piece in, the reviewers will be looking to see if you are careful with your work, i.,e., finish your looped wraps so that the metal isn't sticking out, ensure your wrapped loops are about the same size, make sure your crimping or other finishing doesn't look sloppy. Remember that pictures in the mags show flaws. There are artistic liberties you can take if, for example, designing a more organic look but make it deliberate.

5. Don't worry about rejection. Keep at it.

I was rejected many times and over the years have had many more pieces rejected than accepted. The experience will make you grow.

Just Stringing along

2011-08-05T17:36:00.000-04:00

Had a fun necklace published in this latest issue of Stringing. Still waiting for it's return. I suppose it will fly in any day now. Introducing Blackbird's Song for anyone who cares. I think I might be writing to myself but it's ok. It goes with the talking to myself I already do:)