Monday, May 17, 2010

Mad for Monday....

Another Monday, another day of web-window gazing. I've got a hankering to do some crochet but have to finish up other projects so I'm looking at crochet related items again. One of my fellow glassies, Squid Glass makes these adorable fiber themed cabochon pendants. I love the crochet hooks!


I've started sewing again so I need a place to put those straight pins. Joyous Treasures read my mind and crocheted this sweet Mocha and Cream pincushion.



I've got a pile of crochet circles and I've been trying to figure out what to do with them. Making them is like eating potato chips, you can't make just one. Maybe I could put some together and make a necklace like this Sweet Summer Crochet Necklace.


Ok, enough web window shopping - it's off to finish a project!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday Photo: REALLY?!? Cindy REALLY?


REALLY?!!?? Cindy! REALLY??!!!??? You've got a house stuffed with books in every nook and cranny possible, do you REALLY need another one?

All I've got to say to that is:

Kate McKinnon.

I'm buyin' it.

'nuff said.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A Bead A Day
Creating jewelry for special vacations can help you look forward to upcoming trips and keep the memories fresh afterwards.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene has a new look and some new opportunties to get involved. Come see!

Beading Arts
Rubber glass? Rubber glass?!? What the heck is rubber glass?

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses some amazing digital images to create a new resin filled bezel necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Check out the new beads on Cindy's site - Turquoise Sky!

Humblebeads
Heather shares some sketches of possible designs.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean reviews Kate McKinnon's inspiring new book, Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry, with DVD included!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off new designs using cool skull beads and charms from Rings & Things

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew hosts another Thursday Giveaway! This time, the prize comes courtesy of Natural Touch Beads! Find out how you can win some awesome resin jewelry components!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Wednesday Wire - Double Dips and Braggin' Rights

Today marks the beginning of a new feature on my blog - The Wednesday Wire.

I learned basic and intermediate wire at Beacoup Conge in Tucson Arizona. I was a wire jewelry artist before I was a glass beadmaker. In fact, I remember vowing with one of the women who worked at Beacoup Conge that we'd never touch light up a torch to make glass beads because we'd get addicted for sure! How I laugh at that now!

Since I've got a wire heart, I want to wear it out on my blog. Every Wednesday, I'll write about wire in some way shape or form. Often when I make glass beads, I've got a design in mind with wire at the heart.

A good example are the Double Dips which are simply flameworked glass and wire.


I had several jewelry ideas in mind when I went to the torch to make them. I've used the Double Dips to create a couple of easy wire projects. That leads me to the braggin' rights - the Double Dip easy wire projects will be published in the summer issues of Step by Step Wire Jewelry. One of the projects is the set of earrings entitled "Meandering."


So welcome to the Wednesday Wire! Nice to have you with me!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Feed My Soul

I've read many craft bloggers profiles that say  the blogger has been crafting all his/her life? After reading so many, it feels uninspired, trite. Yet the trite is often true, afterall, that's how it becomes trite. My profile doesn't actually say that, but it's certainly true.


Every craft I read about, I want to do.

I have my hands in so many media that I overwhelm myself.  I think the T.S. Eliot quote fits:

If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?"




Let's face it, that's a quote you could use to describe alot of situations - yet it really refers to a style, a way of approaching things like I do.  Jump in with both feet and find out how deep it really is.

So I've gotten into whatever media to create and craft that I can. I love to work with my hands - even my "other job" uses my hands, sign language interpreting.



Am I growing in skills or flitting? Developing or losing interest? Jack of all trades (master of none) or Renaissance Woman?

Doesn't really matter, whichever it is, it feels my soul. I have to create, I have to make, I have to use my hands because they're all inexplicably connected to my spirit.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mad for....

I'm mad for crochet. When I don't have a torch in my hand or a jewelry hammer, I've got a crochet hook. So I'm always on the look out for cool patterns, even in the summer.  Browsing around ArtFire, I found this Elegant Evening Shawl Crochet pattern  from knot. sew. cute design shop on Artfire.com


The design is fresh and just the right amount of warmth for a summer evening. I'm going to have to download the pattern!

To go with that evening outfit, what's better than this elegant crocheted necklace from lovelycrochet?


Are you mad for something?

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Friday, May 07, 2010

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Appholes
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorTea Party

A Bead A Day
What does swarovski sparkle mean to you? Lisa shares the happy feeling brought on by sparkly stars.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has some fun in the sun summer time jewelry tutorials for you, including a cute turtle charm necklace.

Art Bead Scene
Free Project Alert! ABS has a new necklace project for free on their website!

Beading Arts
Cyndi has launched the first installment of her brand new e-book on bead embroidery...and it's free! Hurry over for your copy!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi finds a way to incorporate vintage turtle beads into a necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy works through her to-do list and lists a new set of glass birdhouse beads.

Jean Campbell
Jean's been at the grindstone, but also at the gardens...check out these beautiful images from the MoBG!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei is back on track this week and is giving away coordinating beads with Sab's help, from BeadBead.biz!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean brags! Yes, she really brags! It's worth a look because it's cool!

missficklemedia.com
Should I patina or leave the metal bare naked?

Thursday, May 06, 2010

A Childhood Memory....

I grew up on a farm and every summer morning I would wake to the song of birds sitting in the trees outside my open window. There were all kinds of birds and one I saw frequently was a black bird. Here's my interpretation of a childhood memory...


Do you have a memory you try to re-create in your crafting?

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Coffee Talk and Erin's Question on Quality....

Pour a cup of joe and have a seat at my breakfast table. I wanted to respond to a comment Erin left on my blog yesterday:

"Are those double dips easy to bend? I would be afraid to break off the glass bubble on the end."

Erin's question brings up the issue of quality and kiln annealing.

Let me answer the first part of the question, "Are the double dips easy to bend?"



Yes. The wire is annealed (which means I've put the double dip in a kiln at a specified high temperature) which will soften the wire. The copper wire is then dead soft. I want it dead soft because the wire will become more hard as you work it into your jewelry designs.



Now on to the second part of Erin's question: "I would be afraid to break off the glass bubble on the end."

Double Dips are kiln annealed and not only does it soften the wire, but it strengthens the glass attached to the wire. I wrote a Wikibeadia entry for Art Bead Scene a few years ago on kiln annealed glass and why it's important to quality.

I also prototype my work. When I make new designs, I test to see if the metal and glass is in the right proportion to resist cracking and I wear it in designs to make sure it will hold up for you.

My attention to the quality and durability is a good reason to buy my handmade double dips, imported beads just don't have the same level of quality and durability.

I first tested glass headpins 6 years ago. I'm happy to report that none of the glass has broken or come off the end.


You can feel confident in the quality and durability of the Double Dips. Not only are they durable but they're a lovely handmade addition to any design.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Turquoise Sky Glass Link Set


Certain glasses are no fuss, beautifully colored glass to work in the flame. This lovely transparent turquoise blue is one of them. It holds the heat well so you have time to shape it and put it in the kiln to anneal. Copper is a natural with it so I've added a couple of 3.5 - 4.0 inch Double Dips to make a set just for fun - the set is called Turquoise Sky.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Sunday Video

I dream of driving a car that responds to the gas pedal. I know a V8 would do the job. Yet I sacrifice the kind of engine I'd prefer in a car for good gas mileage. Afterall, I've only borrowed the planet from the future so I need to take care of it. So I won't buy a V8 or even a V6 but it doesn't stop me from getting into my 4 cylinder fuel injected Civic and pretending I've got a "Rocket" by blaring Kathy Mattea. (Is there nothing better than the sound of a steel guitar in the right song?)

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Silly Saturday and Sensational Links

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A Bead A Day
Do you ever find beads in your own collection that you forgot you had?

About.com Jewelry Making
ISchool is in session, or at least, it will be when you sign up for one of these free copper clay e-courses.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene's newest member opens her heart and shares how she feels about the Art Bead Scene. Maybe you feel the same?

Beading Arts
Here's a quick little tutorial on how to create a barnacle texture with seed beads!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Spring is the time for new life and new charms at Cindy Gimbrone Beads.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie spreads her wings and designs a new pair of carvings to be made into pendants.

Strands of Beads
Melissa uses lava beads to help teach her son about volcanoes

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew shares his trip to Denver for the Rocky Mountain Bead Society's Bead Bazaar.

Friday, April 30, 2010

The To Do List and The House of Blue Bird and Blue Leaves

Thank you to those who have voted in the poll! I've put together a few sets of Glass Birdhouses, the first is The House of Blue Bird and Blue Leaves.


I was a maniac last night thinking I could do a day's worth of work in a few evening hours. I took pictures for an upcoming Double Dip Jewelry project in a summer/fall issue of Wire Jewelry Artist, cook dinner, take pictures of the new batch of Glass Birdhouses, upload all the pictures, edit them and mulch the flower beds in my yard! I got the flower beds done with alot of help, dinner cooked with no help, the Wire Jewelry pictures taken with The Teen's help and edited the glass birdhouse pictures.

I then realized I'd missed most of 30 Rock! But, thank goodness, I can watch it anytime on the NBC website!

Ok, y'all - I gotta run - I've got another to do list for today and it starts with work!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

What do you think? Poll

I had a few orders recently where customers bought the glass birdhouse and bird beads. That gave me the idea of selling them as a set. I tend to sell everything separate because that's my preference - gives me maximum flexibility. Yet from paying attention to customers, it seems some might like a set.

Please vote in the poll to the right and tell me what you think!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

It's been quiet.....

shhhh!!! I'm at work in the studio! Here's a peek into the kiln and a few of the beads ready to be taken off the mandrel and beadholes cleaned.

I'll clean them up and take pictures - keep your fingers crossed I can get them done by tomorrow and put them up!

On another note - I got this lovely blog award last week from A Touch of Glass Jewelry. I've been secretly wishing for it because I love the flower - it's just gorgeous!
But I've been so busy this week, I haven't been able to get around and award it to anyone yet. So if you've been secretly wishing for it, leave me a comment and I'll be sure to put you on the list of those to be awarded!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

About.com Jewelry Making
It is flower power time! Mix resin, real flowers, and beads for this necklace design.

Art Bead Scene
Art beads don't have to be round, they can be toggles too!

Barbe Saint John
Barbe will be at Unique LA promoting the Steampunk Style book

Beading Arts
Cyndi has a copy of "Totally Twisted" that she's giving away! Come enter the contest now!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Stranded by the volcano, Carmi has time for a little more window shopping.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
For Cindy, yellow is the color of anticipation.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie sets up a trunk show at her favorite local indie craft gallery. Check out her display!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Resin has become quite popular in jewelry design lately. It's a lot trickier than Lorelei had originally thought. She tries out the technique for the first time.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Do not miss out on Andrew Thornton's amazing sale and giveaway! It is fantastic!!! Go now! Really fun!

Strands of Beads
Melissa creates a sweet Spring necklace from wasabi-colored pearls and a beautiful Lillypilly pendant courtesy of Artbeads.com

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Be entered to win a one year subscription to Beadwork magazine! Find out how!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Popular because I'm cheap or because I'm pretty?

Customers love the Through the Looking Glass Nuggets. I've routered so many of these little beauties that I've had to buy a new router bit!


I put them up on a whim one day. I was using them in Blackbird Reflections Necklace and made a few too many. I thought I'd put them up on my website to sell off the extras. I wasn't prepared for their popularity - yet another example of you never really know what's going to sell! So what started as a stash buster for me ended up becoming a series of charms. Go where the customers lead you :-) I wonder though, do my customers love the through the looking glass charms because she's pretty or because she's cheap? (said with tongue firmly planted in cheek).

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

What's on my coffee table....errrr workbench


Just thought I'd take a quick snapshot of what's on my workbench. Actually, this is the coffee table in our family room. I take out a few things to do while I drink my coffee in the morning or watch a re-run of "Bones." I'm working on some copper blanks and how to pair them with the double dips (which have a new price). I bought the wooden dapping block from Ornamentea and the copper blanks from Metalliferous. I just got some Klimt beads from myABS pal, Heather - they pair with the copper perfectly. After I got the beads from Heather, I realized why I loved the color combo - it's the same as my living room! The deep browns, turquoise - just love it! I love the Garnet Kiss bead too!

I'm off to the studio today to make some glass links to pair with the whole she-bang!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Something New....


...whimsical glass bird houses! I wanted to keep these fairly small for charm/small pendants so they're 24mm-39mm (that's 1 inch - 1.5 inches). A 12 mm jump ring will fit into the open roof area so you can add it to a necklace or bracelet or whatever you'd like.

What do you think, dear readers?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Friday, April 16, 2010

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!

Young ninja cat  has much to learn
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A Bead A Day
Give (inexpensive) beads a chance! Oh, the variety you can find at the craft store!

About.com Jewelry Making
Where do you create your jewelry and other crafts? Show, tell, and look at some great craft spaced created by other designers.

Art Bead Scene
Art beads don't have to be round, they can be toggles too!

Barbe Saint John
Putting out the call for Steampunk art!

Beading Arts
Cyndi has just finished up a floral necklace that features fabric!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is photographing the jeweled decolletage on paintings in Paris again!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's personal history finds its way into her work.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie mixes shell pearls from Rings and Things with metallic hardware motifs to create a softer industial look

Katie's Beading Blog
Share your ideas about beading trends and be entered to win a copy of Jean Campbell's new book, Steampunk Style Jewelry.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Dig out your button collection, because wonderful Keepsake jewelry can be made from it, and Lorelei shows some examples!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Join the fun and become a fan of the lovely jewelry design magazine, Australian Beading Magazine!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew teams up with Cathy Collison of Glass Garden Beads for this week's Thursday Giveaway. You could win a set of three hip bottle-cap beads!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Butter, butterscotch, lemon....

I'm going to keep the yellow inspiration coming just because it's spring and I see yellow everywhere.

Here's some lovely butter colored filigree from Paloma Antiqua, whose shop is a lovely yellow color. I love how the brass shows through the yellow just slightly balancing out the color:


Shorn Sheep uses deeply hued yellow in her shop but it shows off these antique German tags to great effect:


Maybe you need the palest of raffia for your packaging?


You can spoon your sugar and pour your cream from these vintage Moderntone Glass sugar bowl and creamer:


Pour some coffee and see what you can come up with today that uses yellow.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Carnival Day at ABS! Inspiration in Anticipation


Today is Carnival Blogger Day over at ABS! This month's theme is Anticipation which for me is symbolized by the color yellow. So before you surf on over to ABS, here's a bit of yellow inspiration for you


Art Beads by Fey Glass on Etsy


and these lovely polymer clay pillow beads by Too Aquarius on Etsy:


Enjoy the Carnival Blog Day at ABS!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Yellow the color of Anticipation

Yellow is a color typically saved for accents except for the spring when it bursts forth from the drab winter landscape. Then and only then is it a welcomed color, in fact, we've waited for it, anticipated it. Yet the rest of the year, yellow is avoided. Calling a shade of yellow "school bus yellow" causes us all to wince, yet in spring, we see it all around and are glad for it.

That's why when I needed a new profile picture, I asked my photographer son to take a few pictures. He suggested outside because of the light and I suggested the profusion of forsythia in the back yard.


I love the yellow of the forsythia in the bright sunshine. It's anticipates the bright sun of the summer with all the smiles and laughter.

Yellow finds its way into my art beads too. I couldn't help but add it to the Surreal Rhythms series and entitle it "Flame."


Last spring, Jeannie Dukic designed a lovely primary colored necklace around one of my primary colored spiral focals.


I love the frosted yellow glass links which I anticipate would go perfectly with some Vintaj brass.


Yellow is the color of Anticipation, of Spring and smiles - we brighten up in the spring when we see a daffodil, if we incorporate a yellow art bead or two into our designs, then we symbolize a smile and spring.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Friday, April 09, 2010

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!

funny pictures of cats with captions
see more Lolcats and funny pictures


A Bead A Day
Do you have a knack for using unusual odds and ends in your jewelry designs? Lisa is looking for ideas if you have a minute to stop by!

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy looks at easy metal jewelry making this week on her blog.

Art Bead Scene
ABS Editor, Cindy Gimbrone asks the readers to weigh in on where she should go next.

Beading Arts
Cyndi has found a *lot* of seed bead tutorials lurking in her blog's archives!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi makes a jacket pin in order to justify another crafty purchase.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy follows her heart and stripz and makes some new beads.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A mix of brassy metal components and chain from ArtBeads.com inspires Melanie to make a springtime woodland owl necklace.

Jean Campbell
Jean shares yet another travelogue. This time, it's Portland, one of her new favorite cities.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Designing jewelry that is unique can be hard. Lorelei got some cute Signature tags recently and shows them off in this post.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean emphasizes the importance of checking out the auction of gorgeous treasures from tons of artists which is being held for Michele Goldstein, lampwork artist, organized in a stunning way on Ebay by Anne Mitchell and Gail Crosman Moore! It is not too late to bid on something amazing!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew hosts another Thursday Giveaway! This time, the prize comes courtesy of LillyPilly Designs!

Monday, April 05, 2010

History finding its way into my work...

Many years ago, I was at the Stormville Flea Market and I spied a very old dressmaker's form. I had to have it. I bought it for $20 and had to carry it from the very far end of the flea market to my car, where I wasn't sure if it would fit in the back seat. It did and I have held onto it fiercely since my husband has never much cared for it.



It's made of metal, I believe the very heavy stand is painted iron. A brown cloth covers the mannequin portion and the size can be changed by loosening and tightening the wing nuts inside the form. A painted label on the metal neck announces that it's a Hall Borchert Dressform Company made in Hoboken, New Jersey. The form is an Empress 1. There is a paper label with dates beginning in August 1903 and ending in 1915. Seems to fit. The style of the dress form looks very Gibson Girl.

As a sewer, I was very attracted to the dressmakers form. I learned to sew at age 4. Yes, no kidding, I really did. I used to carry a needle and thread and fabric scraps around in a fabric covered cigar box to sew clothes for my Barbie doll. I sewed my first Maxi Dress in 1968 while in the 4th grade. I sewed all my own clothes until it became cheaper to buy them myself sometime in the late 1980's.

But my sewing background popped up in 2005 when I used my wire and glass beadmaking skills to make these miniature dressmaker's forms....


My history had found a way into my beadmaking. I'd like to do more of these just for me - maybe try to personalize the dresses a bit more. I can vividly remember that first Maxi dress. Hmmmmm.....

Has something in your history found it's way into your work?

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Sunday Photo

An original drawing by my son, Daniel.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!




About.com Jewelry Making
It's time for a fling, a spring fling that is, and why not start by making a pretty beaded flower?

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene Free Project: Bead Cap Tutorial.

Barbe Saint John - Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
I'm certified!

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares how she constructs her bead embroidered cuff bracelets for the Bead Journal Project.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy re-interprets a traditional Easter icon into Grunge Bunny!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie sees a new line of beads in the internet adventures of Molly the Owl

Jean Campbell
Jean tells all about her adventures in San Francisco during Beading by the Bay--a creative retreat.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Although Andrew has posted about this,Jean wants to emphasize how beautiful the motivation and the necklace Andrew and Loreli made, for Relief for Haiti!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew collaborates with fellow designer, Lorelei Eurto, on a necklace to be auctioned off to raise money for the Red Cross's Haiti Relief Fund. Bid while you still can!

Thursday, April 01, 2010

A Little Less....

....conversation today and alot more action in the studio.