Silly Saturday and Sensational Links

A Bead A Day
Expressing her love for daisies, Lisa uses scrapbooking embellishments to make a quick and cheerful bracelet!

About.com Jewelry Making
Winter white can mean bitter cold or a beautiful double strand pearl and matte glass bracelet.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene gets your creative juices flowing with a treasury inspired by the monthly challenge painting.

Beading Arts
Cyndi is wrapping up a month-long emphasis on education for jewelry and bead artists.

Beading & Books
Do you use buttons in your jewelry? Michelle is hosting a Button Swap. Sign up to get a partner, trade buttons, and create something!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Do you use any sewing techniques in your jewelry? Come see what Cindy's sewn up!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A fun find at an antique store uncovers new inspiration with some women's medicinal history and a crazy folk song

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
After a very busy couple of weeks, Lorelei finally has time to share some pictures from a recent trip to Spain!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Come and see what the amazing Kim Miles has been up to as Winter turns to Spring--You will love it!

The Bead Dreamer
Inspired by the poet Rumi and a gorgeous pendant from Green Girl Studios, Charlene creates a necklace using beads, fiber, a button - and of course - the pendant.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want to win some FREE ImpressArt metal stamps from PJ Tool & Supply? Andrew hosts another Thursday Giveaway with a prize valued over $70!

Bead Table Wednesday

"What Matters Most"

This is on my bead table but I had to take it to window to get a good picture of it. Hope you're enjoying what's on your bead table today!

Tuesday Tangle: Wire Technique

G'morning, Readers!  This week's Tuesday Tangle finds me working on basic wire weaving technique. If you're not already an accomplished wire weaver and want to join me, click on over to "Basic Weaving Techniques" on jewelrylessons.com and don't forget to download "Basic Weaving Techniques 2, Adding New Wire" The tutorials are by Donna Spadafore of Gailavera Jewelry. 

Photo Courtesy of Gailavera on jewelrylessons.com

Get out your practice wire and share with me what you're working on in wire this week!

Whirlwind and Seed Beads

I'm catching up this week after last week's whirlwind when I wasn't able to get to the computer once. So not much time to post but before I get back to the studio, I wanted to mention that I received some lovely seed beads from Auntie's Beads.  Look to see them in a jewelry piece in the coming week.

Miyuki Metallic Gold Iris Size 8

Miyuki Berry Lined Size 8

Miyuki Dark Bronze Matte Size 8

What are you up to this week? Catch up? 

Love to Lisalu Jewels, LMAJ and Links!

I've been weighed under with illness and work this past week, Dear Readers. I've been catching up with my to do list and reading some of my favorite blogs. I clicked over to LMAJ late Saturday to check out their designer of the week and this is what I was greeted with....

Photo Courtesy of Love My Art Jewelry Blog

SQUEEEE!!!!

that's my Heart Mandala featured in a gorgeous submission by Lisa Godfrey of Lisalu Jewels and Bead Happy Blog. I'm so happy to see my work in such a lovely piece of jewelry! I've been smiling ever since.

So, it's with a big smile that I give you the Bead Bloggers links for the week!  Enjoy!


A Bead A Day
A 1 minute jewelry project? Lisa shares a swarovski component that can be used to make a SPARKLY ring!

About.com Jewelry Making
For gemstone fanatics, earrings are the perfect way to enjoy fast projects that include all their favorite stones.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene loves a wall of beads. Stop by and see if you don't love it too!

Beading Arts
Have you heard of a hair fascinator? Come see what Cyndi put together with a handful of Swarovski crystals and a length of thin gauge wire!

Beading & Books
Michelle shares a behind-the-scenes look at her work doing technical edits on a jewelry magazine.

Carmi's Art/Life World
A new bronze pendant from Artbeads.com inspired this new necklace from Carmi.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy shares her "DO" for the week. Come take a look!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie explores the old craft of paper quilling in an experiment combining the technique with resin for jewelry

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews a comforting and beautiful book for beaders which she herself has often turned to as a "bridge over troubled waters": Beading for the Soul, by Deborah Cannarella

The Bead Dreamer
Book Review: Steel Wire Jewelry. Love alternative materials and modern, whimsical jewelry design? This book is a must have. Project one is an earring wardrobe! Read the review in full.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew gets in touch with his inner "Calder" and hammers some wire with Kate McKinnon and Dustin Wedekind.

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links

see more Lolcats and funny pictures


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A Bead A Day
Lisa shares a great new beading resource that has just hit the shelves!! It's Tammy Powley's new book, "The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making"!

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has a new book review out, this one for a book on making ceramic jewelry.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene unveils the February monthly challenge.

Beading Arts
Cyndi has written the promised tutorial on making beaded buttons with watch faces...fun!

Beading & Books
Michelle shares the bracelet she made for 7000 Bracelets for Hope. There's still time to make and donate a denim blue bracelet for this great cause.

Carmi's Art/Life World
This week Carmi has a hand felted heart brooch to celebrate Canadian Valentines!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Finding the perfect findings can be difficult. Here are some suggestions.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie uses metallic resin clay to solve a design problem of altering antique buttons to make them into charms and links.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean got some super wonderful beads from Amy Freeland , her Bead Blog Soup Party partner, and shares some photos of them and some thoughts with her readers here!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Bead Soup starts to simmer in Charlene's studio

Bead Table Wednesday

Tuesday Tangle: Digital Art Project

In last week's Tangle I shared my "DO" for the week. I was working on learning a new skill - creating digital art using the book Digital Expressions.

The book uses Photoshop Elements but will work if you have Photoshop (which is what I have). The concepts are the same but the menus are different in many places, so it takes some searching to figure out exactly which command will fit for the desired effect.

I worked through the first three projects in the book. Below is the third project called "Designing with Type." I can create a unique banner using the techniques for this project.

I took two images and overlayed them. I picked two that were on my computer. I wanted to have two very different images so I chose the flowers and a fuzzy image of myself.

I've had a phrase in my head that I've been working on incorporating into jewelry, "what matters most." I typed it out in different fonts and placed it willy nilly across the image.  I added a few more effects and this is what I got:

Next up will be bead images for a new banner and custom shipping/wrapping materials.

What did you "DO"  this week?

Monday Coffee Talk: What's going on with the beadmaking....

Good morning, Readers! Let's have a cup of coffee this morning and have a catch up session, shall we? I'll let you know what's going on here and then let me know what you're up to in the comments. How is everything going in your studios? What's new in your life? Here's what's going on in my part of the world...

As it does every year in January since I've been working as a freelance sign language interpreter, a ton of interpreting work has come my way. Since summers are lean in the interpreting department, I know to take as much work as I can to save for the summer. So I have less time in the studio making and even less time to spend on the computer telling you about it.

One of the things add insult to injury are the migraines I suffer from. After trying several different kinds of medicine, they started to come more frequently.

Not good.

The doctor suspected an inflamed neural nerve and a spinal misalignment was causing the problem. After visiting a chiropractor, a massage therapist and finally being convinced to have the neck injection, I'm happy to report I'm feeling 100% better than before!

YAY!

I honestly didn't believe I could feel this good. So although I'm not able to get to the computer to share with you as often, I'm re-energized and I'm able to work in the studio after I come home from a full day of interpreting.

I've learned an important lesson. You really do have to take care of yourself. If you don't, you'll run yourself into the ground and not be able to pursue those things you love. 

Are you taking care of yourself?

Weekly Roundup of Bead and Jewelry Links

A Bead A Day
Are you wishing for spring sunshine and bright new flowers? Lisa found some swarovski crystals to help her dream in sparkle-vision!

About.com Jewelry Making
Break the ice and get a warm welcome at the Jewelry Making Forum.

Art Bead Scene
Going to the bead shows in Tucson this year? Here are a few tips for you take along.

Beading Arts
The Bead Journal Project is starting up again for its fourth year! Check out what Cyndi has decided to make each month...

Beading & Books
Michelle shares some color ideas for Valentine's Day jewelry and a link to the "Bead My Valentine" contest at Happy Mango Beads.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmis shows off some button jewelery necklaces from CHA!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
The Wednesday Wire becomes the Tuesday Tangle. Cindy shows off some funky retro wire earrings.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie experiments with enamel spray paint on filigree to create some great colorful components

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
A recent bead shopping trip to NYC leaves lorelei Tired but Inspired!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
jean reposts a review of a book she finds exceptional--all about Art Nouveau!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Inspired by winter’s frosty tones, Charlene selects beads in a chilly color palette.

Tuesday Tangle...Keeping myself on track

Remember my word for the year is, "do" which lends itself to showing what I've made during the past week but this week, what I've done is less concrete.

I'm reading a book.

Digital Expressions by Susan Tuttle. I need a new banner, I need a new look on my website and in my business cards. So, I've turned to this book to help me out. Working 40-50 hours a week doesn't leave me much time to get to the computer to work on new skills, but I'm taking it one step at a time.

Cliche I know but sometimes a cliche works.

When all I want to do starts to overwhelm me and I start to wander off to window shop on the web, I  repeat my simple objective....

DO.

Right after I think or say do, I follow it up with don't look, don't think, do.

do

do

do.

It's keeping me on track.

Are you doing? What's keeping you on track?

Finding the Perfect Findings

When I'm out doing a show, oftentimes, customers pick up one of my art beads and says,

"This is pretty, what do you do with it?"

So I've taken that as a challenge to items to my website that will complement my handmade beads. Here are the new items I've added recently to help customers figure out what to do with the beads.

When you're designing with a natural feeling pendant like the Lotus Pod,

you pair it with other natural beads like these chunky red bamboo coral beads:

What to do with the Red Lotus Pods? Vintaj chain and jump rings complement the brown tone of the patina on the red lotus pod.

Do you have ideas about items I should add to my site? What do you think would look good with my handmade art beads?

Beadbloggers Weekly Round-up

It's the weekly round up of links! I always read each link and thought I'd highlight one of them this week. Check out this lovely stamped wood creation from Lisa at A Bead A Day....

A Bead A Day
Lisa continues to hammer happy thoughts into wood jewelry pieces over at A Bead A Day Blog!


Check out the other beadbloggers for the week....

About.com Jewelry Making
Sign up for this fun e-course themed around "love." Perfect for the up-coming Valentine's Day holiday.

Art Bead Scene
Believe it or not, sometimes an Art Bead Scene editor just can't come up with the right words.

Beading Arts
Cyndi put the finishing touches on her beaded postcards!

Beading & Books
Michelle reviews a "top 20" list of craft tools from Martha Stewart and compares it to what's in her own studio.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi creates a very soft and warm felted bead necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy has chosen one single word to keep her creative juices flowing. What do you think it is?

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Bang, bang, bang! Melanie makes another Response Saturday post featuring the loud sound of texturing hammers on metal.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews Tammy Powley's amazing new book, The Complete Guide to Jewelry Making--what a thorough and terrific teaching guide and inspirational powerhouse for designers!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Can you feel it? Andrew is on the verge of many big projects with limitless possibilities ahead!

On my bead table today....

....wire and watch parts.

The Wednesday Wire Becomes the Tuesday Tangle....

Wednesdays are overbooked lately. I can't resist Heather's new Bead Table Wednesday so where is that leaving my weekly Wire Jewelry post, the Wednesday Wire? It's such a catchy name, how can I give it up? Well, I'm not, it's going to become the Tuesday Tangle.

Get it?  As in tangled wire?

I've even made a little logo for it so you can remember to come back on Tuesdays.

So, for this week's Tuesday Tangle, I'm showing off some retro style wire earrings.

These are made with homemade fused transparent glass nuggets and non-tarnish silver wire. I wrapped the wire around the groove I made in them and then twisted the wire at the top. I love this silver wire, it has the look and feel of sterling.  The earrings have a nice swing to them, very groovy, baby.

Monday....

Caffee Tempo

Funny Friday on Sunday and Fabulous Links!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A Bead A Day
Lisa's experimenting with alphabet stamps in wood. Please stop by to share your experiences with metal, wood or polymer clay stamping.

About.com Jewelry Making
What do you get when you combine yarn, crystals, and metal? A very cool double strand bracelet!

Beading Arts
Beaded objects don't always have to be wearable. How about some beaded postcards?

Beading & Books
If you make a mistake with a piece of jewelry, do you throw it out, start over, or try to fix it? Michelle shares a mistake she made trying to create a pendant using copper, ink, and a gloss sealant.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi creates a special set of felted brooches for a Canadian company.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy shares a surprise she received during the holidays.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Ceramic pendants with cut-out holes receive a sparkly window treatment in this project using resin from Lima Studios

Katie's Beading Blog
A simple idea for keeping the inspiration flowing.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Using lovely design elements from Artbeads, Jean creates an evocative pair of winter earrings which remind her of seasons long past...

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
This week one lucky winner will take home a beaded brooch by Cenya AND score some Soft Flex flexible beading wire!

They grow up....

It's funny when you have a small child, everyday feels like a month or a year. You're so focused on the day to day caretaking, the days feel long and exhausting. You love it but some days you wonder if it will always be like this. Then one day, it's over. You stop to think, what happened? Yesterday,  you were six! Wait, I'm not ready! And all of a sudden, the house seems quiet, empty even. But it's exciting and thrilling for them and you are excited and thrilled for them.  Yet you're standing at the door wondering what you're going to do when you go back into the house.

It's like the day you brought them home from the hospital all over again. You don't know exactly how you're going to do this but you love them and you'll find your way.

Feeling Bookish....

I'm a book worm. In all the family pictures of picnics or days at the beach or a lazy Sunday afternoon, there I am with my nose in a book.

The first piece of furniture I owned as a young adult was a bookshelf.

Beadlovers, don't hate me but I'll even part with my beads before I'll part with my books.

So this necklace by Margaux Kent of The Black Spot Books had my name written all over it when I saw it on Etsy last Saturday.

Made from an old leather postcard (I didn't even know they made leather postcards!) it's tiny. Just perfect to wear around my neck and show the world just what kind of person I am.

A booklover.

What about you? Do you love books?

My Word for the Year....

Many of my fellow artists have picked a word or a phrase to inspire them or to focus on for the coming year. I've been introspective lately too thinking about where and what I really want to do. There are alot of changes going on in my house and it's time to re-think.

I need to keep things simple. So in the spirit of KISS, I have chosen one single word 2011. One I will bring myself back to when I start to get sidetracked.

Do.

Don't surf the web looking for inspiration (or a use it as a way to avoid actually doing something).

Do.

Make something.

Keep forging ahead in your new designs.

Make it rather than think it.

Do.

An outgrowth of the red lotus pods, I made this heart with the same set of wormhole like texture and shabby chic look. I embedded Vintaj colored 20 gauge wire for the loop. I love hearts and have collected them on and off for years. I have to say I'm at a loss though with what to title it. Any ideas?

Have you chosen a word for the year?