Okay, so you have been waiting all day, right? The winner is Nancy aka BagLady! Congrats Nancy, please email me your address.
A huge thanks to everyone who spread the word, that was by far our most popular giveaway. Not surprising - who doesn't love Green Girl? They go with just everything! And a big thanks to Green Girl Studios for sharing such a great prize with us.
It was wonderful to hear from so many readers who are little shy about commenting. We LOVE comments here on the ABS and we LOVE hearing from our readers. Thanks for supporting our blog. (Yes, I got a little excited there!)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Featured Designers of Week
Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries.
A necklace came through flickr last night and I couldn't ignore it. It really deserves a feature. Once again it's the end of the month and I am picking two beautiful pieces.
Tari noted, "I was so intrigued by this piece and realistic polymer clay shell. The swirling handmade polymer beads, coral and shell it's perfect for this months challenge." To see more of Heather's work please visit her Etsy store.
Nancy was trying to keep up with Tari and procrastinating. Nancy's necklace was posted Sunday evening and it is so unique it deserves to be a part of Monday's feature.
"The necklace used the shapes, colors and movement of this months challenge. I am in awe of it's uniqueness I think it should be worn on a Runway somewhere in New York or Paris."
Want to see your work featured on the Art Bead Scene? Our theme for the month of August is Great Wave off of Kanagawa by Hokusai Katsushiki. The deadline to enter for the monthly prize is August 31th! Create something that combines the theme with art beads and then send in your submission for the August Challenge.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday with Cindy
Good morning, Beady Readers! Wondering what's going on in the bead and jewelry world? Take a peek at our links and see.....
A Bead A Day
Have you ever used sterling silver curly-Q tubes in your jewelry designs?? Lisa is searching for cool ideas for these adorable tubes.
About.com Jewelry Making
Do you use blogging to promote your jewelry business? Tammy has some thoughts for you on this.
Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene expands the editorial staff and welcomes Lorelei Eurto!
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses shrink plastic to make a neat little bracelet.
Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
What do bronze and rawhide have in common? Cindy explains how she uses both in her studio.
Crafty Princess Diaries
Check out this unusual call for entries the Crafty Princess found for Momiji doll lovers.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows off some fun experiments that she has seen coming out of her studio, mixing copper and pewter
Jewelry & Beading
Looking ahead to the fall, Cyndi shows how to make a new necklace called "Autumn Arbor".
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei is hosting a Necklace Round Robin, but you have to leave a comment to be entered to win a spot!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Beadfest Philadelphia was packed with talented artisans and bead-makers. See what Andrew picked out!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Studio Saturday with Creative Impressions In Clay
Geisha Buttons ©
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 weeks winner is BellaJoya Congratulations! You have won one of Jangles New Links from the studio of Jennifer Heynen. Send Jennifer an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.
Last weeks winner is BellaJoya Congratulations! You have won one of Jangles New Links from the studio of Jennifer Heynen. Send Jennifer an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.
I just can't get the song "Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so..." out of my head.
OK, so I'm a bit warped. We warped ones are what make your world interesting.
These new buttons go with the genre of this month's Challenge. Unfortunately they are not that new in my studio. I am embarrassed to say how long they have been hanging around. They have finally been glazed and I fired them last night. Nothing like being on top of things.
My friend requested Geisha buttons for a knitting project she was working on. I'm sure it's been done for quite a while and she has moved on to many more knitting adventures.
There always seem to be more pressing things that need to get done; making& filling orders, kids, husband, grandkids, making&filling orders and making&filling orders.
These should never been put off this long. I'm sorry Kristine, I will mail them this week.
The colors turned out great with the boldness of the red and contrast of the yellow. Background color is a light celadon, which needed to be a muted color so the design and other colors would stand out.
The "Procrastination Queen" question this week is:
:: What project has been sitting around your studio and for how long? ::
Leave a comment and you could win the Round Geisha design shown above as a Pendant.
© Tari Sasser :: Creative Impressions In Clay
Best of the ABS: Recycle a Tomato Cage: Alternative Use of Art Beads
Recycling is gaining popularity. Most of us wouldn't think recycling and art beads go together but I created a garden sculpture doing just that in this 2007 ABS post....
I've been staring at an old tomato cage for a few months. It looked like a tree, it was asking me to make something from it. I had to think, though. I'm a rabid recycler but my weakness is that I ALWAYS think I can re-use something - even when it's broken beyond repair. But this tomato cage wouldn't let me send it to the curb. I finally figured out what it wanted to be - a beaded garden sculpture! I've been keeping those pretty beads that weren't saleable in a bowl in the studio. No one is allowed to take them - well, ok, maybe I've let a few kids take them - but they're just not up to the standards I have for saleable items. They're little pieces of art, though, and I just couldn't bear to put them into the glass garbage.
I think the beads whispered to the tomato cage - "let's work together." I know, I know, the beads don't talk and neither does the tomato cage, but sometimes art does have a way of speaking to us. Does it speak to you?
I've been staring at an old tomato cage for a few months. It looked like a tree, it was asking me to make something from it. I had to think, though. I'm a rabid recycler but my weakness is that I ALWAYS think I can re-use something - even when it's broken beyond repair. But this tomato cage wouldn't let me send it to the curb. I finally figured out what it wanted to be - a beaded garden sculpture! I've been keeping those pretty beads that weren't saleable in a bowl in the studio. No one is allowed to take them - well, ok, maybe I've let a few kids take them - but they're just not up to the standards I have for saleable items. They're little pieces of art, though, and I just couldn't bear to put them into the glass garbage.
I think the beads whispered to the tomato cage - "let's work together." I know, I know, the beads don't talk and neither does the tomato cage, but sometimes art does have a way of speaking to us. Does it speak to you?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Handy Size Chart
I thought I'd share this handy little chart that I printed out, laminated and keep next to my computer. It's a size chart for cabochons but I use it when I'm buying beads online and want a quick reference to what exactly 15mm looks like in real life! I also use the chart when I'm writing up project instructions or listing items on Etsy.Download the free chart from Fire Mountain Gems & Beads.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Green Girl Studios Giveaway!
The good folks over at Green Girl Studios sent us this awesome little collection of mermaid charms and pendants as a fun giveaway for our readers! How perfect, since waves and the ocean are this month's inspiration. This giveaway is separate from our monthly challenge. In fact we are making it so easy to win, everyone has a chance!How can I win that sweet stash?
Your name can be entered into our drawing twice.
One entry: leave a comment to this post. Yep, it's that easy!
A bonus entry: blog, facebook or twitter about this post and leave a comment to let us know you did the deed!
I will draw one random name on Monday. So you have until Sunday night to enter.
You know those beads are calling your name!
Did you know that Green Girl Studio's is hosting a mixed media design contest to celebrate the release of Cynthia's book, Enchanted Adornments?
Here are the details, deadline is October 1st.
And don't forget:
You have 5 days left to enter Soft Flex's Flex Your Creativity contest featuring their Trios wire combinations. Deadline is September 1st!
Enter the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge to win bead from Elaine Ray and Patty Lakinsmith. Deadline is August 31st.
And spaces are filling up on the Bead Cruise, don't get left behind! Grab those beads and head to the high seas for 7 days of beading fun with me and our instructors: Melanie Brooks, Margie Deebs, Barb Switzer, Bevelry Herman and Mary Hettmansperger. Visit the website for all the details.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Earthenwood + Fusion = Great Fall Beads!
If you've been following along on former ABS editor Melanie Brooks' blog, you've probably seen a glimpse into the production of beads that she has created for Fusion Beads. Fusion is a great source for art beads, offering limited edition collections and best sellers from some of your favorite artists. I'm happy to see Melanie's beads among their inventory.
Check our her kooky line of Spooky Head beads, great for Halloween, and her steampunk inspired collection in a beautiful array of colors perfect for autumn designs. They have an awesome free project using her Steam Stones that you should check out!Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Bead Fest: Philadelphia
You'll probably end up seeing many different posts about Bead Fest: Philadelphia, all around the blogosphere this week. I wanted to share some of my loot with you today. Although I went to Bead Fest with the intention of NOT buying a boatload of Art Beads, I was not very successful.
I can't help it! Bead Fest is probably one of the best places to stock up on art beads! There were so many great artisans there selling their handmade beads.
I stuck to some tried and true favorites like Green Girl Studios and Bob Burkett pewter beads and components, and Marsha Neal Studios ceramic buttons and bobbles. I also snagged some beads from some new peeps, like these enamel metal components from C-Koop Beads. I can't wait to start putting these beauties into some jewelry designs. I picked up a few pieces from Kristie Roeder, of Artisan Clay, a couple of her smoke fired beads, and a Fall inspired ceramic connector with gorgeous leaf colors. And then after I was all done shopping, I spotted and fell head over heels for this sweet little Shibuichi bee charm from Leanne Hartman, at the Pumpkin Hill Beads booth. Look how sweet he is! I might have to keep him for myself.
All in all, it was a total blast, and well worth the Philadelphia traffic, pouring rain, and uncomfy Sleep Number bed. I got to meet in person some fabulous people such as my roommate and partner in crime, Kelley Wenzel of KelleysBeads. And walked away with a huge stash of new beads! If you didn't get a chance to make it to the show, I would put it on your calendar for next year and I'll see you there!
All in all, it was a total blast, and well worth the Philadelphia traffic, pouring rain, and uncomfy Sleep Number bed. I got to meet in person some fabulous people such as my roommate and partner in crime, Kelley Wenzel of KelleysBeads. And walked away with a huge stash of new beads! If you didn't get a chance to make it to the show, I would put it on your calendar for next year and I'll see you there!
Written by Lorelei Eurto