Art Bead Scene Blog

Studio Saturday - Horsin' Around

2009-07-11T19:24:00.004-04:00

Opps! Looks like our editors are still on vacation, if only in their minds. Here is a late edition of Studio Saturday. Enjoy!

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

Last week's winner is MAKUstudio. Congratulations! You have won a surprise Humblebead!. Send me your address and I will get that right out to you.

As you read last week, I'm enjoying 25 long vacation days on the lakeshore in Michigan. I have been loving every minute of it. I have been setting up a little table on the screened in porch and making beads and jewelry. So relaxing. Sometimes when beads are your living, it can suck the joy out of creating. Deadlines looms, orders need to be filled and your muse sits in the back of the studio pouting throwing out all sorts of wonderful ideas and distractions that have to wait until less busy days. So finally, I have less busy days and have been making the most of them.

I have had a chance to bead a few pieces that fit into our monthly challenge theme. I enjoy playing along with the rest of you. Although I don't count myself in for the prizes. I know, pout away little muse! Above is my Wild Horses bracelet. The horse charm is from Green Girl Studios and you can pick one up from our sponsor this month, BeadLady. I threw in some golden branch disk beads by me, stones and lots of copper.

Golden Lantern Earrings with the same golden branch disk beads.

And the last one, I'm calling the "The Way of the Dodo". This one has one of my new eggs, a brass feather, stones, lotus pod beads and a little brass nest. Kinda' Flinestoney, eh? I have filled up 1/2 the table with my new creations. Now to pull out that camera!

So, how are your entries for this month going? Finished one, have one on your desk? Scratching your head at this months' theme? Let me know in the comments section and one lucky winner will receive one of my new eggs. Happy Creating!

Metal Etching

2009-07-10T13:14:00.003-04:00

Rosanne and I are getting ready to etch some metal today. Our guide? This wonderful tutorial posted on the Etsy Metal Blog. Doesn't seem too scary, wish us luck! We are planning to make a little video documenting are adventure. If we don't look to ridiculous, we may share it.

Not convinced you could create your own? Here are a few of my favorite etsy sellers that have etched metal pendants:
Jennifer Stumpf
Round Rabbit Extras

photo from the Etsy Metal Blog.

Interweave's Hurt Book Sale

2009-07-09T10:18:00.002-04:00

Don't you just love a good book? And don't you love getting good books dirt cheap? I do! Check out Interweave's Hurt Book and Overstock Sale going on now!

More than 180 craft books will be deeply discounted and sold online only on a first-come basis until supplies last. This is a great time to pick up bargains on both hardbound and softbound books about quilting, beading, jewelry making, knitting, crocheting, felting, spinning, weaving, needlework, sewing, mixed-media and other popular crafts.

Hurt books are still in good condition but imperfect in quality and have minor dings such as a scratch on the cover or a bent page.

Pictured are my top 3 picks, if I didn't already have them I'd could have picked them up for 50% off. Hurry now, supplies are limited.

Bead Cruise 2010

2009-07-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Join us January 17th 2010 as we set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida for 7 nights of beads, friends and fun! We'll sail on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas to their private island along with stops in the Virgin Islands.

Instructors include Margie Deeb, Mary Hettmansperger, Barb Switzer, Beverly Herman and Melanie Brooks. All the fun of a luxury cruise combined with a great bead retreat. Classes, workshops, nightly open beading sessions, a cocktail party, gift bags, door prizes, a bead bazaar and more!

Visit BeadCruise.com for details.

The Bead Cruise is hosted by Art Bead Scene editor & founder, Heather Powers.

Findings Worth Finding

2009-07-07T11:29:00.000-04:00

I have been dreaming up all sorts of ideas using these fun flexible beads that Mallory Hoffman had used with one of my Jangles beads back in March. I fell in love with the bracelet and the flexible beads. The company is called Bead Me a Story and the artist is Mary Soucy. She has all colors of tubes and rings. Check out here website for loads of ideas using the beads.
Have fun!
Jennifer

Bracelet by Mallory Hoffman

Featured Designer of the Week - Stories They Tell

2009-07-06T15:23:00.003-04:00

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

This week Heather picked Stories They Tell, Lascaux Necklace. Heather noted, "I couldn't think of more perfect color combination for this month's challenge. I love Christine's polymer clay beads that are obviously inspired directly by the cave paintings. I love the combination of metal, shell and clay to complete the primitive look." To see more of Christine's work please visit her etsy shop.

Want to see your work featured on the Art Bead Scene? Our theme for the month of July is Lascaux Cave paintings. The deadline to enter for the monthly prize is June 31st! Create something that combines the theme with art beads and then send in your submission for the July Challenge.

Sundays with Cindy

2009-07-05T05:00:00.004-04:00

Good morning Beady Readers!

Melissa Lee gets the prize this week for the most outrageous beads - check out her blog to see what they are:

Strands of Beads
Melissa wants to know what outrageous materials are in your beading stash?

Well, was it "ewww?" or "cool?" Let us know by leaving a comment :-)

The alchemist is coming out in several of our beady bloggers - Copper metal clay is all the rage for Cyndi and Tammy. Andrew is pressing coins in Bronze metal clay.
Beading Arts
Cyndi reports on her experiences with firing and finishing CopprClay pieces. This stuff rocks!

About.com Jewelry Making
Heard about copper clay or coppr clay? Find out more about this great new metal clay product and check out some new metal clay projects too.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Stop by and say hello to Andrew in Charlotte, NC this weekend. Check out his new designs and some delicious new metal clay coins!
(Andrew's coins are pictured below - picture courtesy of his blog)

Carmi, Cindy and Lorelei are trying out something new:

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi tries Ice Resin and upcycles a greeting card into a necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy learns to make murrini and deals with mud. (Russ likes the murrini - photo courtesy of Cindy's blog)

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Instead of continuing on with the tried and true techniques of jewelry design, Lorelei is finally ready to take the leap and try something new.

New designs and projects....
A Bead A Day
Do you love Swarovski Crystals? Inspired by talented jewelry designer, Lillian Chen, Lisa creates a Swarovski “sculpture” ring.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Sometimes you need to have a jewelry makeover.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Even without a lot of time on her hands, Melanie finishes a clockwork themed bracelet using Swarovski faceted rings from ArtBeads.com.

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka!
Jean gives a sneak peek of her next Beadwork magazine piece.

Katie's Beading Blog
Check out Katie's wire-wrapped dragonfly!

Heather of Humblebeads shares her Bead and Button buys....
Humblebeads
Bead & Button stash and Heather's inspired creations.

Jean and ABS get creative...
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean gets her cool stash from Use the Muse II, and muses about it.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene gets creative with the "Best of ABS."

Read any good beady news? Leave us a comment and tell us about it!

Studio Saturday - On the Go

2009-07-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

Last weeks winner is Alice. Congratulations! You have won a Kandinsky button from Creative Impressions in Clay. Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

Welcome to the Humblebeads mobile studio. I'm out and about this weekend. If you follow my blog you know that I'm in Michigan for most of July. Of course I packed more beads & supplies than clothes. This is a working vacation for me and I knew I'd have to make beads while I was here. I'm looking forward to working on some ideas that have been rolling around in my head, taking a break from production work. It's nice to not 'have' to make beads but to branch out with some new ideas. My vacation time is always a chance to refill the 'creative well'. (Above is a simple necklace I made to wear to on my vacation!)

Along with my fun beadmaking we are planning some adventures in resin and metal etching. The we is Rosanne from FabFibers. Rosanne and I have been stashing away supplies for the last few months. I have an awesome collection of bezels to fill from Susan Lenart Kazmer and Vintaj. I have been hunting used book stores for images to use along with tiny starfish, mica glitter and a sundry of goodies.

My mom and I did some bottle caps with diamond glaze earlier this year. It was fun, but I'm not crazy about the bottle cap things, so I've kept them under wraps. I used some of my canes that were baked and sliced. I plan to do that again for the new ones.

So I have to ask a question of you, if you had a free week to experiment or work on a new project what would you do? Leave a comment and I will send you one of my experiments from this week's beadmaking sessions.

Monthly Challenge Prizes

2009-07-03T12:16:00.001-04:00

There are 3 different prizes again this month! We love our sponsors!

Please let us know if you have an interest in being a sponsor for one of our monthly challenges.

In keeping with the flavor of the Lascaux Cave Painting posted yesterday, Cindy Gimbrone is offering a selection of The Glyph Series beads, antique silver coated ceramic beads and a faux stone hand pendant.

BeadLady features Green Girl Studio's wonderful pewter beads is giving the 2 beads show to the lucky winner of the July challenge. April&Bruce are a husband and wife team who sell the full GGS line of beads in their Etsy store.

Evie's Tool Emporium will be giving the lucky winner a $25 Gift Certificate to be use in their Etsy Store! How cool is that! There are so many items to choose from; metal stamp sets, hammers, pliers, dapping block etc. It will be great fun choosing!

Get your Art Beads, Buttons, Charms or Pendants out and start creating! Lascaux Cave Paintings is an earthy inspiration for your creations!

Monthly Challenge

2009-07-02T12:49:00.007-04:00

The inspiration for this month's challenge is from Lascaux Cave paintings.

Lascaux is the setting of a complex of caves in southwestern France famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings. They contain some of the most well-known Upper Paleolithic art. These paintings are estimated to be 16,000 years old. They primarily consist of realistic images of large animals. Rooms in the cave include The Great Hall of the Bulls, the Lateral Passage, the Shaft of the Dead Man, the Chamber of Engravings, the Painted Gallery, and the Chamber of Felines.
Have fun with the earthy color palette of reds, yellows, and browns. Pull out the yummy art beads, grab a few accent charms and let's see what you can come up with for this challenge!

Your entry this month can be influenced by the colors, pattern or whatever you choose to focus on for your creation. Just remember to include at least one art bead in your design.

The Prizes:
A winner will be randomly chosen from all the qualifying entries on August 1st.
Our sponsors this month will be revealed tomorrow, please visit us tomorrow to see the prizes!

Featured Designer of the Week!
From all the entries during the month, an editor is going to pick their favorite design to be featured every Monday here on the ABS. We want to give our participants more time in the spotlight! Our Featured Designer will be this Monday, so get those entries in soon.

How to enter the Monthly Challenge:
1. Create something using an art bead that fits within our monthly theme. This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc. The art bead can be created by you or someone else. The challenge is to inspire those who use art beads and to see all the different ways art beads can be incorporated into your handiwork.

***Beads by themselves and beads simply strung on a chain or cord will not be accepted.***

. Upload your photo to our flickr group. Detailed instructions can be found here and click here for a tutorial for sending your picture to the group. If you can't upload to Flickr, send your entry and information to Heather.

Please add the tag or title JULYABS to your photos. Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog, if you have one.

Deadline is July 31st. Photos are approved by our moderators, if a photo hasn't followed the guidelines it will not be approved. You may upload 2 photos a day.

What is an Art Bead?
An art bead is a bead, charm, button or finding made by an independent artist. Art beads are the vision and handiwork of an individual artist. You can read more about art beads here.

*** A bead that is handmade is not necessarily an art bead. Hill Tribe Silver, Kazuri ceramic beads or lampwork beads made in factories are examples of handmade beads that are not considered art beads.

p.s. If you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.

June Challenge Winner

2009-07-01T14:59:00.001-04:00

Holly's Folly Kandinsky Project 1
Originally uploaded by HollysFollyGlass

Congratulations to HollysFollyGlass! You are the winner for this month's challenge. This entry was randomly chosen from all the qualifying entries this month. Holly has won beads from Artisan Clay, Creative Impressions in Clay, and Round Rabbit

Join us tomorrow for our next monthly challenge with new sponsors and prizes!

Face Time

2009-06-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

Want some Face time? Get on FaceBook! Everyone's doing it!

I know, I know, "if everyone jumped off a cliff..." Thanks mom.

FaceBook is great tool for marketing, socializing, finding old friends, new friends, and just sharing ideas.

Here's some of our favorite Faces:

Art Bead Scene :: ArtBeads.com :: Art by Jen G

Bead Cruise :: Rings&Things :: Beads-of-Clay :: Bead Freaks

Beading Buddies :: People Who Enjoy Beading :: Get Beaded!!!

CraftyChica :: Andrew Thornton :: Bead Art Originals :: Bello Modo

Creative Impressions In Clay :: Ornamentea :: Enchanted Adornments

Lisa Shifflet :: MAKU Studio :: Ceramic Jewelry:: Joan Miller Porcelain

Beadphoria :: Joolz by Lisa :: Beadalon :: Funky Finds :: Handmade Nation

Tammy Powley :: Soft Flex Wire :: Polka Dot Creations :: Buy Handmade

Earth Faye Designs :: Beading Daily :: Margot Potter :: Lisa Pavelka

Nancy Schindler :: Kristie Roeder :: Mary Harding :: Lisa Peters

Your Editors, present and past...

Heather Powers :: Melanie Brooks :: Tari Sasser :: Cindy Gimbrone

Elaine Ray :: Lori Greenburg :: Virginia Miska :: Jennifer Heynen (needs face time)

Guest Editors...

Jennifer Stumpf :: Jean Yates :: Lorelei Hill Eurto :: Melissa Lee :: Hint Jewelry Design :: Gaea (needs face time)

Leave your smiling face with us! We love to hear from you!

Featured Designer(s) of the week- Organic Odysseys & gardengrl

2009-06-29T10:39:00.007-04:00

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

There are so many wonderful pieces to choose from this month.

I was really torn on this one, so why not go with 2 it's the last designer feature for June!

This week Tari Sasser picked Color Study of Squares by Organic Odysseys.

Two picks this week are better than one :).

Tari noted, "WOW! Perfect depiction of the painting translated into art-to-wear. All I keep saying is "WOW." To see more of Kate's work please visit her blog.

Tari also picked a Polymer Clay Necklace by gardengrl.

Tari noted, "There is beauty in simplicity. This necklace screams color but is simple in design and is fantastic. Kandinsky would be proud!" To see more of Amy's work please visit her flickr page.

Want to see your work featured on the Art Bead Scene? Our theme for the month of June is Kandinsky's abstract circle painting. The deadline to enter for the monthly prize is June 30th! Create something that combines the theme with art beads and then send in your submission for the June Challenge.

Sunday with Cindy

2009-06-27T13:06:00.006-04:00

Good morning, Beady Readers! There are new links in our list of highlights - be sure to check out the newest additions!

A Bead A Day
Lisa shares her selection of summery pink beads and crystals. The "Watermelon Crawl" bead mix is sure to conjure up visions of a family picnic on a warm summer day!

About.com Jewelry Making
Take these quick polls about wearing and making jewelry. Which are your favorite pieces?

Art Bead Scene
The Trendy Bead shows off wood filigree pendants.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Read Barbe's interview on the Objects and Elements blog.

Beading Arts
Cyndi's initial thoughts on working with the new CopprClay. There'll be lots of projects coming this summer!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi hand felts a pretty bead from wool roving.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
A trip to glass city doesn't go as well as planned. Yet Cindy finds inspiration and few new tools!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie mixes up gunmetal chains and components with brass to make a necklace with one of her Toolbox Treasure pendants

Humblebeads
Heather sketches out some new designs using this summer's hottest color.

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka!
Beading in the fresh air clears the mind, bringing fresh creativity.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Searching for some new inspiration? Lorelei's got just the place for you to find it!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews Wirework, a new book by the famous Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her new lunar phases and compass rose designs

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
While traveling in Florida, Andrew shares a new variation on a favorite skull bracelet.

Studio Saturday-Kandinsky and Color

2009-06-27T10:31:00.010-04:00

Last weeks winner is Nancy Congratulations! You have won a J angles Bead from the studio of Jennifer Heynen. Send Jennifer an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Tari Sasser of Creative Impressions In Clay

Our Monthly Challenge for this month is Kandinsky's Farbstudie Quadrate. I love Kandinsky! The color, oh I love the color. Color is everything to me. Lots of intense color.

This is a tile I made in 1998 that hangs on my studio wall and I look at everyday.

Use, experiment and play with color. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain!

This is the back of my favorite coat. I painted this patch and more that go around the edge and sleeves of the coat, probably 4 or 5 years ago. I painted more patches that went on 2 chenille hoodies for myself and my daughter. Kandinsky inspires!

I got home late last night from my daughter's house. I was helping set up for my granddaughters birthday party, which is today.

These five 2" buttons were glazed when I got home.

It was going to be a rushed firing. I crossed my fingers and hoped they would turn out so I could show you this morning.

I painted and experimented with the colors. It was wonderful and calming.

I have to say, I miss painting. I haven't the time to paint in a long time and I miss getting lost in it and the calming therapeutic effects it has on me when I paint.

This weeks question:

Tell me about your experiments with color!

Leave your comments you could win one of my Kandinsky buttons shown above!

Tari of Claybuttons.com

It’s The Little Things…

2009-06-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

"I can do no great thing, only little things with great love." Mother Teresa

What is it about the little things in life? From baby birds to blades of grass…from the smallest shell on the beach to the fascinating array of bugs that are coming out in the world, there are so many little things around us each day that could be an inspiration for our creations.

When it comes to my own designs, I try very hard to focus on the little things..and to place them deliberately with great love. From the clasp to the packaging, there are little details in each piece of Tesori Trovati jewelry that show my clients that they are more than consumers, they are friends.

Each piece of Tesori Trovati jewelry is given a name. Not just any name, mind you. I am so weary of seeing jewelry that is named for its components. “Pearl and Garnet Necklace”…“Silver Quartz Ring”...”Lucite flower earrings”….(yawn). I am inspired to create intriguing names that tell a story to the wearer. I like names that evoke a certain mystery or have the customer spinning their own tale to go with it. Some of the names that I have created recently…”The Invitation”…”Norma Jean’s Pearls”…”Tiffany’s With A Twist.” All evoke a certain feeling and that is a little thing that customers are willing to buy into. It might take a bit more time to come up with a compelling name, but it is worth it. If you are stuck…try looking to poetry or song lyrics or even paint chips [see my post about that here.]

Each piece of Tesori Trovati jewelry features a little sig tag with my logo on it. I could easily overlook this little detail, but it is more than just an identifier. It is a sign that I care enough about the wearer to put that little tag where only they can see it, to remind them that I took great care in designing the piece. My custom stamp is from MicroStamp. I found it easy to send them a crisp black and white image of my skeleton key logo which took about 3 weeks and ~$150 to make into the cutest little custom stamp. You can do letters, words or pictures. It has taken me some time to get used to stamping on those little tags, but I now have a system that works for me. Or have them already engraved at The Charm Factory. And if you want to invest the money in a really slick operation, you can opt for the crème de la crème at Infinity Stamps. Their special die ensures that you will have a perfect strike every time. I did consider this, but ultimately it came down to the metal tag choices. Infinity has a limited range of tags in gold and silver that are sized to fit the die, and since I do work with brass and copper quite a bit, that wasn’t practical. The Charm Factory had a lot of different shapes to choose from, but I didn’t want to order in bulk. So I chose MicroStamp. And they also sold me about 100-200 each of sterling silver, gold filled, copper and brass tags. I have found that I use them all.

Each piece of Tesori Trovati jewelry has the components listed on a signature card in my own handwriting. I write down the main ingredients on a card that has my logo on the back including any notes about the piece…the inspiration, the technique, the care instructions. I could easily type these things on my computer and print off stickers to put on everything, but that little thing is a personal touch that assures them that I am the creator and I take pride in sharing every detail about my work.

Each piece of Tesori Trovati jewelry is packaged with care. While sometimes a copper organza bag from Nashville Wraps is all that is needed, most often my jewelry arrives in a copper and chocolate colored gift box tied with a chocolate satin ribbon emblazoned with my skeleton key logo. I worked with Giles Bellin at Northstar Promotions to find the perfect ribbon for me. Could I have done it myself? Yes, but I relied on an expert company to find me the best price and do all the legwork. Yes, there is a cost involved, but it is that little thing that sets my box apart from a stock jewelry box with a craft store ribbon. I am currently working on getting some labels printed with my logo and website on it that I can use to affix to the top of the box to make my brand even more prominent. I am working with Northstar to make that happen (if you contact him, tell him Erin Prais-Hintz said, “Hi!”). Which reminds me…I need to order more packaging!

So although I do think that I make great things, I know that it is the little things that make a big difference. And I hope those little things show the great love that I have for what I create.

What is a little thing that you do for your customers that makes them feel special…do tell!

Erin Prais-Hintz designs one-of-a-kind jewelry for her company Tesori Trovati, Italian for “treasures found.” Her goals this year involve donating to at least twelve charities that she believes in (she just finished making four pieces for June), being published once per month (she is good through October) and finding daylight hours to create (currently her 9p-midnight job). She collects quotes and dust, and you are invited to send her your favorite (quote, not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com. You can read more of her inspirations at http://Treasures-Found.blogspot.com see more of her designs at www.TesoriTrovati.com or read more about her creative process at www.WatchMeCreate.com. Enjoy the day!

P.S. Thanks to Heather Powers and the wonderful contributors to Art Bead Scene for inviting me to come and play with you in June! I am humbled by all the beauty and art that abounds on Art Bead Scene. I have been so affected by everything from the monthly challenges to the Studio Saturdays and every stop in between. And those that lurk here, like me, and create to the best of our GGA (God-given abilities), I am so inspired by the heart and soul that you put into your creations. Thank you for letting me be one with all of you.

Best of the ABS - I WILL Create!

2009-06-25T15:58:00.000-04:00

Best of the ABS - Guest Blogger Gaea, first published 7/09/08

I will create. i WILL create. i will CREATE! Ever been stuck in a creative rut? With so many amazing techniques and materials out there it doesn't seem like you possibly could. But it happens. Forcing yourself into it almost never works. Recently I have found that inspiration comes in from some very unusual places and at unusual times.

Our T.V. for instance. It is an older model and has been prone to throwing fits of color tantrums. It will suddenly decide to throw out all colors but magenta. Which when watching a movie with highly saturated colors can make for some interesting schemes! I have a few designs planned with these colors in mind. Nature has a plethora of inspiration. Ocean colors and shapes. Forest colors and shapes. Sky colors and shapes. I find it fun to mix them up and put them together. Here is a fun exercise to get your creativity going on a different track if you feel stuck in a rut...

Write various colors, shapes, textures and materials onto strips of paper put them in the old hat and pull out three or four. It could be a fun jumping off point for some serious design! Sometimes if I feel like I need a push into unfamiliar territory I will sketch or draw a few ideas. Sometimes, as much as we love our first ideas, they may be a bit off the mark but playing with an idea can sometimes produce something that does hit mark. Play! See what happens!

The colors and style of this bracelet were inspired by the movie "The Darjeeling Limited" while our T.V. was on the fritz!

The vibrant blue and green hues in "My Neighbor Totoro" were the inspiration for these charms.

A friends beautiful "Day of the Dead" fabric was the thought for this one.

Written by guest editor, Gaea. Visit her website to see more of her amazing creations and her blog to catch up on what's new in the studio.

Free Project, Circles Earrings

2009-06-24T08:40:00.000-04:00

To go along with our painting this month, I thought I would post a project. I came up with these quick, easy, and fun earrings. I think I am going to need to make a few of these in different colors for summer.

Enjoy!
Jennifer
Jangles

Supplies:
12 inches of 20 gauge sterling silver wire
2 orange 3/4 inch discs
2 silver ear hooks

Tools:
needle nose pliers
flat nose pliers
wire cutters

Instructions:
1. Start by bending your wire in a ninety degree angle about three inches from the end.
2. String one of the disc beads onto the wire. Push the bead onto the bend. (You might have to move the wire some to get the bead to hang just right.)
3. Bring both wires up so the bead is hanging in the bend. Twist one wire around the other wire to secure it. Trim the excess wire from the piece you just wrapped around.
4. With the remaining wire that is standing up, make a simple wire loop. Trim the excess wire.
5. Open the ear wire and slide it onto the loop you just made and close it. You have now completed one earring.
6. Follow steps one through five to make your second earring.

Sun Clasp - free project!

2009-06-23T14:15:00.007-04:00

The winner of last week's drawing for a copy of Wirework by Dale Armstrong is Janet. Janet please email your mailing address and we'll get that sent out to you.

You can discover our readers favorite wire tutorials by reading the comments from last week's post. But before you check that out here is a free project! You can find copper wire at your local hardwire store and create this eye-catching clasp for pennies.

Sun Clasp

Materials & Tools:

16 gauge copper wire, round & chain nose pliers, wire cutters, small anvil and ball peen hammer.

1. Cut 8" of wire. Create a wire spiral, turning the wire 6 times around the center with the flat nose pliers. Hammer the spiral flat and texture with the ball peen hammer. Push your thumb against the underside of the spiral to give it some dimension.

2. Make a loop at the end of the wire and turn it under the spiral.

3. Wire-wrap a loop at the other end, trim wire.

4. Cut 3" of wire, create a simple wire clasp, hammer and texture as in step one. (Tip: you can use a sharpie marker to create the large loop on the clasp.

Video from Beaducation on creating the perfect wire spiral

Simple clasp from Connie Fox

Featured Designer of the Week-Verre Design

2009-06-22T07:08:00.004-04:00

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.

This week Jennifer Heynen picked ExTraVaGaNzA by Verre Design. Jennifer noted, "The bold colors in this necklace are fabulous. I love chunky and bright jewelry and this necklace looks like it would be fun to wear. I also love the name for the necklace that Patricia choose, it's perfect." To see more of Patricia's work please visit her blog.

Read the Best Highlights of the Week: Sundays with Cindy

2009-06-21T06:23:00.002-04:00

I've been out of town and getting back in the swing of things. So, let's just get right to the beady news....

About.com Jewelry Making
Summer time is affecting Tammy's jewelry designs. How about yours? Check out her summer jewelry plans so far.

Art Bead Scene
Kandinsky inspires this month's challenge. The ABS editors suggest a selection of their handmade art beads for a Kandinsky inspired jewelry piece.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe reviews Ancient Modern Polymer Clay book.

Carmi's Art/Life World
A vintage comic book becomes the inspiration for a necklace.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A new shipment of copper blanks has Melanie plotting for some metal playtime!

Jewelry & Beading
Auntie's Beads provided wonderful copper beads and findings so Cyndi could create this necklace!

Katie's Beading Blog
In need of a speedy bead? Check out this quick and easy jewelry idea!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Pink, gold,and cream! Jean creates a lovely necklace and earring set featuring a beautiful Russian hand painted focal from Artbeads.com

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her work in progress - an eerie lock and key design.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew shares a new necklace design. Check it out!

Studio Saturday

2009-06-20T09:04:00.004-04:00

Last weeks winner is The Joy of Nesting Congratulations! You have won a Ganesha focal bead from the studio of Cindy Gimbrone. Send Cindy an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Jennifer Heynen of Jangles

Happy Saturday to you!

Before I get started telling you everything that's been going on in my studio, and since we are talking about studios...I wanted to let you know that my studio has been featured in Studios magazine. It's on newstands now and if you're like me, you will enjoy seeing where people make their creations. I was so happy to get to be a part of the magazine.

I look at the four pages of photos now from my studio and think..."ah to be so clean again"

So let's see, the last time it was my Studio Saturday I was rushing around like mad, working on a new display and getting ready for Bead and Button. I am now recovering from a really great show. I got to meet some of the ABS readers and it was lots of fun. I did get my display finished in white and I am happy the way it turned out. I think I will stick with the white, but of course I already have new ideas for next year.

While at Bead and Button I taught five classes. Four were ceramic Bead Making and the fifth class was a kiln basics class. I had a blast! I couldn't of had better students and I am really happy with the way their beads turned out.

Here is my couch in my studio piled high with beads from the classes. I have been firing them all week, now it's time to ship them back to all the students. I can't wait to hear their reactions, I think they will be happy.

So I have had my break from my usual routine. I am back now and all that preparation is behind me. It's time to look forward. I always find myself at shows and on the way home thinking "what's next?" I can't help it. I have a studio to clean and orders to catch up on but once they are taken care of, I have a list a mile long of ideas. I have new beads to make, new processes I want to try, and more. I find shows invigorating, it's nice to be with people who have the same passion for beads. I have to say I am super excited to get back into the swing of things. Maybe my next Studio Saturday, I will have some new beads to show you made from one of my many new ideas.

This leads me to my question of the week....
Do you find getting out of your usual routine inspiring or draining?

Leave me your answer in the comments this week and you could win a surprise Jangles Bead.(It has to be a surprise because I haven't unpacked them yet!)

Happy Beading!
Jennifer

The Trendy Bead - Wood Filigree

2009-06-19T08:50:00.004-04:00

I found these awesome wood filigree pendants on Etsy last week. Aren't they great for lightweight summer designs? You can see how I would use them on a blog post I did earlier this week. Pair them with your favorite art beads for warm weather styles that are easy to wear.

Filigree Leaf from ShareLiving

Light Blue Filigree Wooden Pendant from ShareLiving

Brown Oval Peacock from ShareLiving.

Purple Filigree Foral Wood Charms from MissMacua

Pink Wooden Filigree Clubs Pendant from ShareLiving

Freeze Frame

2009-06-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

“You learn something every day if you pay attention.” ~Ray LeBlond

The first time I attended the Bead & Button show was in 2008. I only had a few days and so much money to play with, so I opted to spend my time on a two day class. This year I knew that I couldn’t miss out on the World’s Largest Bead Expo, but the classes were still the main draw. So I loaded up my plate with four classes in 48 hours with just a few moments to spare in the shopping.

Since they say that you will have a hard time getting past the first row in the Bead Expo, I knew that the classes would be the wisest way to spend my money. I was not disappointed.

First up on my agenda was a 6 hour class called “Frame It” by the wonderful Tracy Stanley of Wired Arts . (She does teach this at other venues around the country, and I highly encourage you to take one of her classes!) Since I had done some work the previous year with Susan Lenart Kazmer on metals and resins, I thought that I would expand on those skills. The description for “Frame It” is this: Using metal stamping, sawing, and riveting, you will make your own personalized framed necklace. This is your chance to use those special pictures to create a piece of jewelry that will say it all.

I have a healthy fear of tools. I did not grow up using them. But they fascinate me. So I was a bit daunted by a supply list that read like the inventory of a really specialized hardware store…bench block, jeweler’s saw, bur life, two-hole punch, various hammers, etc. That meant I had to shop before I even got there (woohoo!)! But I now have the tools and the know-how to do all that we did and more.

Here is a look at the tools that I used for this project.

I got to hammer and use shears to shape the metal. Then I had to break out my new jewelers’ saw to carefully cut the center out. Oops! I only broke one blade! Pretty good for a novice…just don’t ask me to cut a straight line. Rustic is in, right?

Did I mention how cool the tools were that we used? We were told to bring various sized letters to stamp words and quotes on the piece, and also design stamps to decorate. We had the use of stamps from Beaducation that had some nifty effects. For my extravagant purchase (did I mention that I have no filters when it comes to shopping?), Tracy sold me a Fretz texturizing hammer (okay, so she didn’t need to twist my arm that hard…I snapped up the last one she had before anyone else could get it!). It was completely an impulse buy and very pricey, but it stamps an image that looks like raw silk onto the metal…let’s just say that I won’t need another texturizing hammer for the rest of my life! (But those Fretz hammers are just the best!)

And we punched holes in the metal with this nifty little device. You just put the metal to be punched in one side or the other depending on the hole size desired, and start twisting. Voila! Practically perfect hole straight through! (I'm probably telling you about a tool you already know, but I thought it was magically delightful especially since I thought I had to buy a drill to do what this little screw punch did!)

After cutting, sawing, stamping, designing, punching, patina-ing and riveting, my little piece was complete. (Of course, not before I stamped a few letters backwards and upside down…on my specially purchased silver sheet no less! Good, if pricey lesson to be learned!) I had a ton of fun in the class and it inspired me to set myself up so make it my own for future projects. In fact, I already have two custom jewelry orders that will utilize these new techniques.

And here are my mostly finished pieces…still works in progress, but you get the idea… (The flower frame says, “My Time To Bloom” and the egg frame-in-progress says, “Hatch Your Very Best Self.”)

The thing about taking classes wherever you can find them is that you get to meet the nicest people. Tracy Stanley was a very cool teacher…knowledgeable, approachable and just plain fun. She was encouraging and exciting to be around. And the people in the class were instantly bonded by being there and so willing to share tools and tips and talents. If you have a chance to go to Bead & Button you are missing out if you just come for the beads. There are over 500 of them that week and so many more at venues near you. Take a class! (And buy some cool new tools!) You won’t regret it!

What class or technique would you love to learn if both money and time were no object?

Erin Prais-Hintz designs one-of-a-kind jewelry for her company Tesori Trovati, Italian for “treasures found.” She is excited to use the new-found knowledge to expand her designing repertoire. You can read more of her inspirations at http://Treasures-Found.blogspot.com see more of her designs at www.TesoriTrovati.com or read more about her creative process at www.WatchMeCreate.com. Enjoy the day!

Bead Inspired: Silent Movie Icon Gloria Swanson

2009-06-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

ABS Editor, Cindy Gimbrone writes about inspiration on her blog, Lampwork Diva. Looking for inspiration in history she decided to take a look at the silent movie era, the same era that Kandinsky painted Color Study - the inspiration for this month's challenge. It may inspire you to submit something for this month's challenge - bead inspired!

Super silent star Gloria Swanson is still big "it's the pictures that got small" but her jewelry was always superstar quality. Below are just a few wonderful pictures appearing courtesy of Silentladies.com.

Do you see elements in design that get your creative juices flowing? Use the color palette of Kandinsky and combine them with you inspiration - ABS looks forward to seeing what you come up with!