Lookee what I got!!!

So I won't be a hand model, but I love supporting fellow artisans. :) I've been an admirer of Melinda Orr's work. She often uses handmade metal components that she creates in her designs. I fell in love with the simple lines of this bracelet and had to have it. You can see more of her work by clicking on the links below: facebook fan page etsy blog

Cup of Bead Soup Results

I was invited by Lori Anderson to make lampwork beads for her Cup Of Bead Soup. I was to make a large focal for 4 participants who would then create something using the bead. I toyed with different ideas for the bead, knowing I wanted it to be something really special for the talented jewelry artists participating. I finally settled on a large encased lentil, approximately 1.25", made with a high silver content that creates all sorts of lovely reactions. I added a murrini on each side for added interest. Here's the bead to refresh your memory.

I've been waiting (somewhat) patiently since making the bead for the day of the big reveal to come and that day is here!!

My 1st visit was to Lori's blog.  Is there nothing that Lori can't do & do well?? She came up with this unique pendant using tiny gemstones that she wire wrapped. her generosity holds no bounds. She also posted a mini tute on her she went about wire wrapping them. I think I may have to give this a try myself one of these days.

My next stop was at Marlene Cupo's blog to see what she created. I was floored! Amazingly, she was able to interpret what I created out of glass into polymer clay beads that were almost identical to the focal bead. She had asked me for an explanation on how I made the 'flowers' for the bead. You can read her post to see what I said & see her unbelievably gorgeous necklace.

Next stop on the Cup of Bead Soup train was a visit to Sonya Ingersoll-Stille's blog.
Sonya started out with 1 idea and then scrapped it for a different seed bead creation using a stitch that she tried for the 1st time. Check out her blog to see them both. I personally loved the spiral too, but have to agree that the end result was perfect, down to the beaded toggle closure to match.

Last, but certainly not least, was Shaiha's creation, which was another unique idea. She created not one, but TWO bracelets that can be worn separately or together. What a brilliant idea! And I just love the clasp she used!

This has been such a fun and inspiring challenge! I bow down to these fabulous jewelry artisans and their amazing creations! I hope you'll stop by their blogs to read about the experience from their perspective.

Lori of Pretty Things

Marlene of Amazing Designs by Marlene

Sonya of Dreamin' of Beads/SAS Jewelry Designs

Shaiha of Shaiha's Ramblings

I love collaborating with jewelry artists so please check out my sites as well:

http://www.LAJewelryDesigns.Etsy.com

http://www.LAJewelryDesigns.Artfire.com

https://www.facebook.com/LAJewelryDesign

Bead Soup Blog Party!

YAY me! I finally remembered to apply to participate in the Bead Soup Blog Party this time around run by Lori Anderson. It's a fun event where artisans are assigned random partners. Each person then selects a focal bead, a special clasp & a collection of other fun beads to send, from which each person will then create a fun necklace, bracelet or anything else their creative minds can come up with.

My bead soup partner is Kristie of Artisan Clay on Etsy. She's a potter & creates such fun designs! I love her work & can't wait to see what she sends. And, no, the beads in the bowl are not what I'm sending. That remains a secret until they're out the door. :-)

Show Time!

It’s been quite some time since I had done a craft show so when a friend approached me about one at her local synagogue, I was hesitant at first. However there was no entrance fee. Only a percentage donation to the temple and a raffle prize so I basically had nothing to lose.

I started out making jewelry over 14 years ago & moved over into making lampwork beads several years ago, which is where my focus lies these days, but I thought I’d give it a try since there was really very little to lose and the funds were going to a good cause. I e-mailed the person running the event several times trying to get an idea of the number of jewelry vendors and whether they were all handcrafted items or were mass produced items allowed as well. She never responded to me. I suppose I should’ve had an inkling then that there might be a problem but I’m not one to back out once I commit to something.

Though there were not a disproportionate number of jewelry vendors I was the only one selling handmade jewelry. It’s impossible to compete with mass produced items. It also was a short show so not enough time to try and educate people about the differences. While the show was disappointing, I did manage to make some sales. I commend those artisans that sell at shows on a regular basis. I was wiped out afterwards!

Here’s photo of my table set up. And I thought I wasn’t going to have enough stock. lol!

I love my customers!

I love making lampwork glass beads, but it's not often that I get to see them in finished pieces of jewelry. Today, however, 2 of my customers posted photos of their finished pieces. Nothing makes me smile more!

This first one is a fun necklace made by Michelle Plumb using beads from several glass artists. I'm honored to have mine included. The white with black spots (ermine) bead at the base of the heart focal is mine as are the 4 cards.

This lovely bracelet was made by my friend, Mary Alexander of Dreamweaver Designs. It's a beaded kumihimo bracelet using Unicorne glass beads which complement the lampwork focal (mine) just perfectly.