Happy 2012!!!

I can't say that I'm sorry to see 2011 go. There were some good things that happened this year and I certainly don't want to wish my life away, but am really looking forward to the year ahead. Lots of weddings coming up, including my own son to his beautiful fiance and those of my close friends' children, who I've known since they were born. Plus I feel SO fortunate to be in a much better place health-wise than I was in last year. So, while I don't want to rush through the years, I will say that I am SO looking forward to this coming year with lots of joyous events to celebrate. May each & every one of you have a happy and healthy New Year with lots of wonderful celebrations and most of all, good health!

Spilling the Beans...

Guess now that I've received my advance copy of The Flow, I can tell you all that I have a set of beads in this month's Women of Glass issue! How very exciting it is for me to be in the company of so many HUGELY talented women, many of whom I have admired and had the pleasure of calling a friend! Please pick up a copy & ogle the glassy goodness in this month's issue!

Here's a sneak peak of the set they chose from my collection. It's on page 8, #6:

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!

Featured Artisan Jardin De Lillian

This weeks Featured Artisan is Kalyene Sue Bacon - Jardin de Lillian. Truly unique

jewelry designs! You can find Jardin de Lillian on:

Blog

Etsy

Facebook

Sherry Serafini’s Sensational Bead Embroidery

Sherry Serafini's latest book is a true work of art! It looks and reads more like an art book, than a pattern book. So beautiful in fact, that it would make a lovely coffee table book. The numerous project photos are simply breathtaking!

It is set up differently from most other pattern books in that it has a chapter at the beginning that delves into the various bead embroidery stitches, color theory, design, tips, etc. Then, for each subsequent project, Sherry gives a supplies list and then verbally describes the steps for each project. If you're a visual person, you might find this a bit more challenging since there are no step by step photos. However, bead embroidery is essentially a freeform art form and she does have the specific stitch descriptions in the front of the book.

Here's a bracelet I made inspired by Sherry's work, similar in design to her Fade to Gray Cuff. I'm pretty happy with it. What do you think?

Featured Artisan - Breitwerk

This weeks Featured Artisan is Deni - Breitwerk accessories & Gifts.

Deni has delightful creations in her shop. There is something for everyone!

You can find Breitwerk on:

Zibbet

Blog

Facebook

TADA!!!!!

I've been admiring (OK...LUSTING OVER!) Katwise's gorgeous sweater coats for some time now. She creates fabulous coats out of recycled sweaters. Each one is a true work of art. She recently put up a tutorial in her etsy shop for a nominal fee. I snatched 1 up right away! I'm not a lover of the sewing machine, but her sweaters are made on a serger. Did I mention that I didn't have a serger at the time?? That didn't stop me though! My friend Michelle had one she wasn't using so we traded, a serger for beads! Isn't that how the Dutch bought Manhattan from the Indians? lol!

While getting up the courage to make my 1st sweater, I started collecting any old sweaters I could find, mostly from Goodwill & the Salvation Army thrift stores. The sweaters naturally had to be washed really well and then it was time to cut! Very scarey!

Then it was Serging Time! I was inspired by one of her sold coats that was done up in black and purple. Here's a photo of the back view. I even managed to make thumbholes! I'm so proud of myself!

I made it on the short side....because, well, I'm short! ;-) I also decided against making a hood for it. I'm undecided how to finish off the collar. Am debating between fraggles as Kat calls them, which is a fringey type look or some sort of ruffly collar. Will have to play with it some, but am pleased as can be! Thanks Kat!

Finding Charm - Featured Artisan

This week's Featured Artisan is Sarah - Finding Charm! Sarah has

beautiful creations in a wide variety of styles and colors! You can

find Finding Charm on:

Artfire

Etsy

Blog

Facebook

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!

Why We Need To Support Our Local Artists and Small Businesses

With the holiday season fast approaching I'd like to share this sentiment that I found on a friend's wall on Facebook:

When you buy from a local artist or a small business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a parent put food on the table, a little girl finally gets those dance lessons or helping a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders - and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting artists and small businesses!

Are you up for a challenge??

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan and admirer of the ladies that make up the Bead Mavens. I've never met a more talented group of seed bead artists! They each have a unique style, which makes for an interesting challenge they've put forth. Their new challenge, called the Maven Meld, asks that you submit a finished piece that melds or incorporates at least 2 of their tutorials. Clever, huh?

I love working with seedbeads myself and am so appreciative of these ladies' hard work in putting forth truly remarkable designs. I've purchased several tutorials myself and so I've decided to donate a $25 gift certificate to my Artfire shop to one of the winners. Please go to their website for details on how to enter and check out the other fabulous prizes on the Bead Maven blog. I can't wait to see all the fabulous creations!

Here are a few inspiration photos from the Bead Mavens themselves.

Mikki Ferrugiaro

Nancy Dale

Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

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.

Nothing better!

Nothing better than making beads! Well, there is 1 thing! It's seeing them used in creations by talented jewelry artisans such as Ileana Munteanu. I'm truly honored to see my beads used in such a work of beauty!