Review: Weaving Freeform Wire Jewelry

I've done a bit of wire work in the past, but was intimidated by the intricate weaving designs of late. And so was very pleased by the in depth instruction in this book. Kaska Firor breaks down the info in  an easy to understand way, going into the various wire gauges, types of wire, tools, techniques, etc. There are several projects that I now feel a bit more comfortable about attempting after having read the book.

2013 Women in Glass

For those not in the glass world, The Flow is one of the premier glass magazine for flameworkers. Once a year they come out with a Women in Glass edition, where they feature the work of many talented female glass workers. I've known for a month or so now that I'd have my work in there, but was asked not to discuss it until the issue hit the stands. Well, I got my copy of The Flow today so can now share. :-) My 2 focals are #5. Proud to be surrounded by the work of some of my friends and other flameworkers whose work I admire. Such a beautiful cover too! That's Diane Sepanski's work on the cover.

Review: Kumihimo Basics & Beyond

I had the pleasure of reviewing Rebecca Ann Combs' "Kumihimo Basics & Beyond" for Kalmbach books. I haven't done any kumihimo for some time so looked forward to this book. It didn't disappoint. It covers basic braiding, more advanced as well as various beaded kumihimo techniques with wonderful photos for those of us visual  learners. I particularly liked the 1 page, String Theory, in which she discusses some possibly problems and what to do about it. Highly recommended!

Beat the Crowds on Black Friday!!! Shop in Your PJ's!

 Is this how you'd like to spend the day after Thanksgiving? Or is this more like it?

You're my kind of girl if you picked #2. *smile!* As luck would have it, I'm running a Post Thanksgiving sale on Facebook for the entire weekend! It starts Friday at 11AM EST and runs thru Sunday at 10PM EST. It will be on my Destash page, so hop on over and check it out. I have over 20 years worth of beads that I'm destashing. The ones I have posted will all be discounted 5-25%, maybe more!

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! 

Kalmbach Books' Project Necklaces

I know the title has to do with necklaces, but many of the designs can be used for bracelets as well with some slight adjustments. The book starts out with basic tools, materials and techniques, but also gives an overview of the various necklace styles and lengths. I don't know how many times I've searched for that info and here it is now right at my fingertips.

Project Necklaces offers numerous techniques from stringing to wire work to single stitches to combined stitches. It has something for everyone and lots of beautiful designs in a variety of techniques and styles. There are many that I'd like to recreate, but I particularly love Cathy Lampole's "Crystal-caged Pearls". It's an asymmetrical necklace made with beautiful crystal beaded beads. Elegant and simple, with just the right amount of bling.

Drum Roll!!!

I have the winners of my contest.....YEAH! I used a cool random name selector & it came up with Adrienne Evans Cantler and Sonya Ingersoll-Stille. Please message me. You've each won a $25 gift certificate toward anything in either of my shops or on facebook. Will be uploading more next week after my houseguest is gone. You will have 6 months to redeem it. Congrats to you all! And thank you SO much for helping me reach such an important milestone. 2,000 Facebook fans! My mind is blown!

I decided to also add a $10 gift certificate to Eugenie Wu for sharing my post multiple times. Thank you all so much for sharing and for following me through the years. Your continued support allows me to do that which I love to do.

Facebook Giveaway Alert!!!

Are you a facebook fan of mine yet? If not, head on over to my page and check out my giveaway in celebration of gaining over TWO THOUSAND fans! Well, it was in anticipation of 2,000 fans, but in just a few hours that number has grown and I've reached my goal. YAY!!

Much love to all of you who have followed me over the years. This calls for a giveaway for sure!! So, I'm thinking not one, but TWO $25 gift certificates toward anything from either my etsy or artfire shops or from my facebook page.

That said, my shops are on vacation thru the end of the week so nothing to see right now, but the GC's will be good for 6 months. The rules are posted on my facebook page at this link so head on over! Will run this through next Sunday, October 6th. Thanks everyone & good luck!!!

Great Read For All Jewelry Designers!

I've been a member of a wonderful group of jewelry and component artisans for some time, Artisan Whimsy. I've seen the group grow by leaps and bounds since then with Melinda Orr at the helm.

One of the many exciting ventures is a new Ezine magazine, Bead Chat. I'm extremely honored to have my work featured on the cover as well as part of a 2 page spread inside from my fellow Lampwork Glass team members. I hope you'll check it out! And join in on the fun at Artisan Whimsy! Always room for more jewelry and components artisans!

Review: Creative Seed Bead Connections

With so many crossover techniques in jewelry design, Creative Seed Bed Connections is a very useful tool for those wanting to incorporate metals in their seed bead designs. Lots of beautiful patterns! My favorite is "A Piece Of The Past", especially the bracelet, which is on my to do list. But you'll have to get the book to see it. *smile*

Review: Metal Jewelry in Bloom

Let me first say that I am not a metal worker, so I was cautiously optimistic about this book since it included beads....lol! Not only does the book cover metals, alone and in conjunction with beads, but also leather and other fibers. Melissa Cable discusses and demonstrates the cutting of metal, bringing out the beautiful colors of copper and also it's use in jewelry design. And she makes it look so easy that I'm inspired to try it myself.

Review: Kalmbach's Multistrand Jewelry: Secrets for Success

The cover of this book intrigued me. I have been on an asymmetric kick lately so was very much drawn to it. I love the clever use of bails in the design. I never would have thought of doing that! This is just 1 of many beautiful pieces in the book. It's a great resource for the beginning jewelry maker up to more advanced.

Metallic Seed Bead Splendor by Nancy Zellers

For those into metallics, this book will inspire you to no end! Each and every beautiful design is made with metallics. Nancy Zellers also give tips in the beginning on how to test for durability since, as many of you know, some of the older metallic seed beads tend to wear off after awhile. I personally would make use of all the fabulous permanent finish seed beads that have been available for some time now. They're more spendy but well worth it in the end IMO. Who wants to spend all that time creating a beautiful piece of wearable art only to have the finish wear off down the road?

Another plus to this book is that since the designs are virtually monochromatic, you can appreciate the beauty and if you wish, use your imagination and add color if you so choose. This book is available directly through Kalmbach directly, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Ready for Summer?

I know I am! Well, after spring of course. :-) Winter really takes it's toll on me. I'm for sure more of a warm weather person, which is reflected in a lot of my work. I try not to plaster my designs here on my blog, but this style bead is one of my favorites to create. It reminds me of the ocean and ocean waves. It's available now on Etsy. Grab it up if interested. They don't tend to last long. :-)

It's Show Time - 7th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal!!

Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop Parties are always a good time, but I really enjoyed getting to know my partner, the super talented Skylar Bre’z of Brising Beads. So I was very anxious to see what goodies awaited me. I received a plethora of beadie delights from her leaving me many options. 

What to do? What to do? It seemed like she knew me though we had never met. I'm an ocean loving girl so the turquoisey blues really spoke to me, but there was that beautiful Ammonite and the lovely sepia toned vintage cab that she made. They looked like they were meant for each other. So off I went...and here's what I've come up with. I decided on bead embroidery and since there was lots going on already I used a simple cord with 2 of my boro beads on each side of the pendant for balance. What do you think? I can't wait to wear it!

And this is the soup I sent her. I can't wait to see her creation!

If you'd like to join on the fun next time, check out Lori's blog for details. 

Please join me in visiting all the other participating blogs to see their creations:

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-first-reveal.html

The Art Bead Love Chain

The Art Bead Love Chain has arrived in NY! It's a fun round robin type project to spread the love of handmade components to new and exciting places. A chain was chosen to attach beads to symbolizing our connection to one another in unison in support of handmade.


Art Beads should be handmade by an artist, and not mass produced. Remember, the focus is on replacing handmade with handmade, and beads/components taken should be replaced with beads/components that are made by an individual artist - not an organization. 

AND THE WINNER IS ROCHELLE BRISSON!!

Congrats Rochelle!!

It is so important that the quality of the beads be maintained, so we can keep the Art Bead Love Tour alive. We want to share consistent quality with the next winner. 

 If you make your own handmade beads or components, it's a great way to get your beads into the world for people to try them out, or, if you hoard collect art beads it's a great way to share your collection and get some new additions as well.  

Former Keepers of the Art Bead Love Chain:

Love My Art Jewelry
Lorelei's Blog
Shaiha's Ramblings
Jen Judd Rocks
Silver Rose Designs
My Life Under The Bus
Ex Post Facto Jewelry
Beading Mommy
Alice Dreaming
Pretty Things
Moobie Grace Designs
Suburban Girl Studio
ferrarioriginalbeads
Baublicious
Devine Designs Jewelry
Chinook Jewelry Designs
Genea Beads
Keepsakes by Kristi
baubles, beads, & other curiosities
Artfully Ornamental
Lamplights Crafts by Renetha
Creative Designs by Cheri

Amazing Designs by Marlene

And now the chain is in my hands: LA Jewelry Designs - Lea

HOW IT WORKS: (Please read the entire post before entering!)

1. The winner of the chain will be allowed to take up to 30 beads from this chain. They will then replace each bead they took with another handmade bead, charm, or pendant of equal quality.

2. The winner will post pictures of what was taken and what was added, in order to keep an account of the chain's progress and to keep our followers drooling. Please be sure to give credit to the bead artists as well (if you know them).

3. The winner will then have a giveaway, just like this one, to keep passing the chain on and on. Rules can be copied and pasted from here.

4. When you repost your giveaway (remember you can copy and paste from here) - a list should be added to show where the chain has gone. Ultimately, this will end up a very long list!

5. Chain must be shipped to its new home via Priority Small Flat Rate box with delivery confirmation. Please package it carefully.

6. There will be a button on the Love My Art Jewelry website, where it all started, that links to the current blog and giveaway. This way the Love My Art followers can have another chance to win it!

7. You MUST exchange your beads and have your giveaway completed within two weeks of receiving the chain.

Please, please, please, if you cannot adhere to the above rules, do not enter the giveaway at this time. It will go on and on and you can always enter at a later date. There will be a button on the side bar of the  Love My Art Jewelry  blog so that you can track where the chain currently is.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. You must have an active blog to enter.

2. Leave a comment below. Make sure your email is linked to your blog or leave it in the comment. Entries without emails will not qualify.

3. Share on Facebook, Twitter or your blog for extra chances to win. Leave a comment for each way you share, with a link if possible.

4. Winner will pay shipping and will be billed through PayPal. Package to be shipped via small priority flat rate box with delivery confirmation, $6.00.

5. Open only to our readers in the United States due to problems with tracking and shipping overseas (sorry).

The winner's name will be drawn on Saturday, March 23, 2013

  

Crystal Jewelry Inspiration

If you like bling, and who doesn't??, then this book is for you! Crystal Jewelry Inspiration from the Create Your Style Ambassadors, is full of fun facts about the history of Swarovski crystals as well as numerous projects using these sparkly gems. There are so many applications covered and all different skill levels, even the new crystal clay.

Japanese Beadwork With Sonoko Nozue

I've long admired the talented beadwork of Japanese beaders, but must admit I'm not as familiar with them by name as I am those from the US. But there is 1 name that will stick with me from now on, the talented Sonoko Nozue. The intricate details in her beadwork is awe inspiring. They are both delicate and complex at the same time. This wonderful Lark Crafts Master Series book covers projects suitable for both beginners and advanced beaders, something for everyone.

Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance

Reading this book, I feel as though I've stepped back in time. Maggie Meister of Amphora Designs has managed to recreate the essence of century's old jewelry designs, but in seed beads. In Chapter 3, she shows a gold seed bead bracelet that is so breathtaking and the original that inspired the design. It's truly fascinating to read the history behind the designs in this book, all museum quality pieces. This is a must have for any serious seed beader!

Hearts From a Friend

If you're a facebook addict like I am, you might've noticed that recently you've been given the option to send a gift to someone you're sending birthday wishes to. I was always skeptical, thinking that maybe it's yet another scam, but on my birthday this past week, I got a notice that my friend, Lori Anderson, sent me a birthday gift...jelly beans! I was still skeptical, but filled out my info & lo & behold, guess what came in the mail today?? JELLY BEANS! From Lori Anderson! I'll give a shout out to the company they came from, Sugarfina.com. And they're heart shaped! Now I don't know if I can bring myself to eat them, they're so cute! Thank you Lori for the jelly beans, but even more so for your friendship! <3