It's the Little Things

 

As artists, artisans, craftspeople, what have you, we often work weird hours. I've been known to work till 3AM oftentimes & I know I'm not alone. So when someone comes into your life who appreciates what you do, well, it's huge!


I consider myself to be very fortunate to have found something that gives me joy and made some wonderful connections along the way. I have gotten some sweet comments from customers. They all put a smile on my face, even just a simple smiley face! Who doesn't love a smiley face??

But every so often someone says something nice about my work that for some reason, just gets me right in the gut and puts a big smile on my face for the whole day....the whole week!!

"you offer beauty for me to build on!"

It's the little things! 

Can I gush a little??

I submitted a photo of my work to The Flow, a prestigious glass magazine, for inclusion into their Winter 2012 Women in Glass issue. I've known for some time now that I was accepted, but was not allowed to mention it until the issue came out. Well, several people received theirs weeks ago, but having waited this long I decided that I would wait for my own copy so I could see it with my own eyes. It came today!! Here it is on page 6! It's the center bead on the bottom left, #7. I feel blessed to be included in an issue with such huge talents, so many of whom are my personal friends! Girl power!! :-)

Holiday Trunk Show Is Underway!

Mea culpa! I completely forgot to blog about my Holiday Trunk Show on Facebook, but have no fear....It doesn't end until tonight, Thursday, December 6th at 9PM EST. Lots of beads & jewelry of all price ranges available, with low starting prices. Step right in!

Artisan Whimsy Giveaway Winner!!

WOW! What a week it's been! Or should I say month?!?? It culminated with my daughter-in-law having emergency appendectomy surgery yesterday morning...poor thing! Wishing her a speedy recovery! 

Back to the topic at hand. It's been so crazy here lately that I honestly couldn't tell you for sure if I got more traffic to my sites or not, but I thoroughly enjoyed checking in on teammates' blogs and seeing their work. What beautiful eye candy! 

I had 10 visitors to my blog, possibly more, but 10 that were kind enough to leave comments. I used random.org to select a winner to my giveaway, a $25 gift certificate to either of my shops. And the winner is................................#5, Tammie Tusher Everly. I will be contacting you later today with details. 

Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

On FIre's Featured Artisan!

I have the honor of being On Fire's Featured Artisan this week. What a lovely write up!

All beads are created by me, Lea Avroch, in my New York studio!

Unable to work following a spine disability, I started making jewelry over 15 years ago, hence the name.


I had been making jewelry for many years and would often find myself wishing I had a particular bead. So when I found out about a beginner lampwork class at the local art league I jumped on it and was immediately hooked. I've never looked back. 


While I still make the occasional piece(s) of jewelry, my focus is on making beads. I get inspiration mostly from nature; ocean, sand, beach, flowers, etc. It's such joy to open the kiln in the morning to see the finished beads from the day before. 


It is my hope that my beads will inspire your creativity in your jewelry.

You can Find LA Jewelry Design on:

Etsy

Artfire

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Are you On Fire for Handmade? http://onfireforhandmade.com

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

Cabs or Buttons?

Can I just say...I love my customers! Especially when they contact me with custom orders. Sometimes the orders are for remakes of existing designs, but sometimes they prove to stretch my horizons. I was contacted by a customer who asked if I could make some small buttons for her. When she said she needed them to be 1/2" diameter, I had my doubts, but I hate to say no without trying. I had made other buttons like these, with glass shanks (sorry for the crappy pic), but the shank would've been too bulky for such tiny buttons. So I wound up making teeny tiny cabs freehand. I'll then glue on clear plastic shanks. Learn something new every day! :) These are the button/cabs awaiting their shanks. Which style do you prefer?

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal.....Finally!!

Some of you know already about the past week....no laptop for over a week and the passing of my BFF's dear mother, may she rest in peace. I won't go into it again except as a means of explanation for why I haven't posted my Bead Soup Blog Party creation until now. I finally got my laptop back, uploaded my pics from my external HD...thank G-D that worked cause I don't know where I'd be without my photos!

My Bead Soup Blog partner was Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay. She sent not one, but three focals to play with. I only had time to use 1 so far, but definitely plan to use the others at some point in the future. For this piece, I used her clay donut for the focal and some of the amazonite rounds she sent. I made a couple of lampwork glass lentils to match as well as some glass discs for the other side. I decided to go with a copper clasp I had in my collection to pick up some of the coppery highlights in the drops that you see on the left of the pendant. Hope you like it! Please go check out Lori Anderson's blog and visit the numerous super talented folks involved in this.

Bead Trends Cover!!

Welp, I don't have my copy yet, but I've heard from others that have already received the March 2012 issue. That's my piece on the cover!! I couldn't tell a soul until the release date, but am doing a happy dance now!!! I've been published before, but never a cover...until now.

I submitted the design to Northridge Publishing many months ago. When they told me they wanted it for the cover, you could've knocked me over with a stick! I was super excited but had to keep it quiet till now. Of course it will be more real once I have the actual magazine in hand and my necklace back. Can't wait. In the meantime, please check it out.

Bead Soup is Here!

 
Lookie what came in the mail today....a lovely package from my Bead Soup Blog partner, Kristie Roeder. She makes lovely pendants out of artisan clay, hence her shop name. Ready to see what she sent?

When I opened the gift box, I found this baggie with all sorts of fun wood beads mixed in with beautiful seafoam glass beads. At least I think they're glass, not quite sure. They might be Amazonite. So, what's behind the 3 bright pink wrappers?

She sent not 1, but THREE focals for me to choose from and a darling silver clasp. Now to think of something special to make with these lovely beads so I do them justice.

And here's a pic I took of the beads I sent her way. I feel OK about sharing since I know she's received them already. I'm sorry for the crappy pic. I took this at night before quickly packing them up to send them on their way to her. Hopefully she took a better picture than I did. I sent her a lampwork glass focal and 4 matching rounds (made,by me :-) ) a strand of beautiful purple freshwater pearl drops, some copper beads and a matching Tierra Cast copper toggle clasp, 1 of my favorites. This being my 1st Bead Soup Blog Party, I hope I did OK and she likes what I've sent her.

Curious About Lampwork?

But don't know where to start? Louise Mehaffey's book, "Glass Beads" is a wonderful beginner book on lampworking. The book starts out with the history of beads, which is very interesting from a glass maker's perspective. It's nice to know where our craft started with some examples of primitive glass beads. Interesting read!

Pros:

~ The book covers the basics needed to set up a studio
~ Basic instructions on melting glass and making beads
~ Making stringers and twisties
~ Fun projects for beginner beads

Cons:

~ Not really a con, just an observation...this book is geared with the beginner in mind. If you're a more advanced beadmaker, this book is not for you.
~ I was surprised that the author didn't address ventilation, which is imperative IMO when using fuel to melt glass.

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!

1000 Fan Giveaway Contest!!

I've been running a contest over on my facebook fan page to celebrate my 1000 fans! Today is the last day to enter so head on over to my fan page to enter. The winner will win the set of beads in the photo. You MUST be a fan to enter. Here's the link to the contest:

1000 Facebook Fans Celebration Giveaway!

Customer Appreciation!!

It's not often I get to see my beads in a finished piece of jewelry, but it's always a thrill when I do! A customer shared this lovely necklace that she made with one of my focal beads. A perfect example of less is more! Love this piece by Tali Bomani of talicreations on ArtFire!

Closing In On a Thousand!!

 

I just looked at my facebook fan page and I'm at 900 fans! I'm tickled pink, but of course, I wish it was more! I have almost double that number of friends somehow. I know! I know! I'm a very popular girl. lol!

So.....when it gets to 1,000, I plan on a big giveaway, but to my fans only, so you MUST go to my fan page and select 'like' in order to be entered. And invite your friends! Share the link of facebook! Here's the direct link:

LA Jewelry Designs on Facebook

As an added incentive, check my facebook page later today for a special sale announced to my fan page only! Happy shopping!

Want to Play With Fire???

I have the pleasure of writing for Things Crafty. With their permission I've copied my review of Jeri Warhaftig's new book, Creating Glass Beads, below:

Now that I have your attention...... :-)
I recently had the opportunity to read and review a book by a fellow lampwork artist, Jeri Warhaftig. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeri some time ago. She's immensely talented and very eager to share her knowledge. I've read her 1st book, Glass Bead Workshop, and now, Creating Glass Beads.
While the book's purpose is to take beaders beyond the basics, the intro covers all the basics; from tools, glass and torches to annealing and ventilation. Safety is something that can't be stressed enough when dealing with hot glass and a torch.
Rather than chapters, Jeri has designed the book with Sessions, each one devoted to a different bead style. She 1st gives instructions on how to make the specific bead, with step by step photos and then includes photos from her various testers of beads they've made using those techniques. I loved seeing some of the bead variations that her testers came up with. Great eye candy!
Overall I'd give this book two thumbs up!
Her book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

In The Scheme of Things....

I had some wonderful news to share, which in the scheme of things seems SO inconsequential! My friend, Michelle Plumb's niece, Leiryn, a little girl with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, underwent scans this week to see how/if her cancer is progressing. Her parents received the most wonderful news. There has been NO GROWTH in the cancer in the last 18 months! She is completely stable, and the doctors are baffled!

I am overwhelmed with joy for this little girl who I have never met, yet feel a connection to that I cannot explain. I'm overjoyed for the family and for this precious little girl.

To those that may be curious as to my personal news, I had a set of lampwork glass beads that were in Artfire's Daily Collection today & they sold! I'm happy, but it doesn't compare to the news about Leiryn! THAT'S what it's all about!

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting......Tap! Tap! Tap!

I've been having a blast making these ring tops for interchangeable rings & pendants. No matter what I'm working on in a particular session, I try to make a few of these too. So fun! I've sold out all my rings and waiting for a new supply to come in.

There's just one person in the US that carries the rings that I know of so I ordered from the UK this time around. She had a snafu with her mail, but they're now on their way! I sit & stalk the mailman every day! :-) Meanwhile, these are a few ring tops from my most recent torch sessions.

What do beaders and those with dreadlocks have in common??

Give up????

They all love using spirals! Here are some spirals I've been working on recently. My friend, Mikki Ferrugiaro, is working on a book with a very unique spiral pattern that I got a sneak peak of (it's gorgeous!). The pattern uses spirals for the focal piece. She makes poly clay spirals as well. They're so beautiful that I had a hard time telling them apart from the glass. It's great to be able to have options. Change out the focal for a new look to coordinate with any outfit.

I sold some recently to people wanting to decorate their dreads. Here's a photo of one of my beautiful customers with a spiral in her hair. I love it!

Interchangeable Rings!

So excited about this new ring system I'm working on! The band is stainless steel and the tops are interchangeable! They just screw on & off so you can switch them up to match whatever you're wearing. & they come in different sizes, both the rings and the tops. How cool is that??

This is the 1st one that I made for myself, but will definitely be ordering more rings & supplies if anyone is interested.