April Challenge Recap

I really gravitated to the soft soothing colors of this month's challenge painting, Jacob's Ladder by Helen Frankenthaler. I had to think about why I liked this so...and I realized that these colors really remind me of my mother, who just celebrated her 70th birthday last week! I got to spend the afternoon with her, bringing her a cake to have for dinner and seeing the flowers we sent.

Visiting my beautiful mother Gail on her 70th birthday

I know that she would have loved this piece of art, not only for the color palette (that were well represented in her clothes closet), but because she was an art history major in college. I guess I get my love of art from her! The soft sages and the juicy peach and earthy terra cotta on the sun dappled beige background are so delicately refreshing, much like the gently warming sun and the cool breezes of this season. I hope you enjoyed this month's challenge as much as I did! Let's see what you did!
 

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Inside the Studio with Tari of Creative Impressions In Clay

Inside the Studio: Tari Sasser :: Creative Impressions In Clay

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 prize each week to encourage you to use that keyboard and tell us what you think. The following week a winner is chosen at random from all eligible entries. And here are the results from last week!

Congratulations to Terri you have won a set of Earring Sticks from Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio. Please contact Michelle with your pertinent information so she can mail your prize.

You may or may not have noticed I have been on hiatus. I started a new job working at my local Pinot's Palette (premier paint & sip studio) as an instructor. 5 minute commute to work, WOOT! I love this job!!
I needed to concentrate on that along with family. I did keep up with the monthly challenge posts. I needed a break from juggling. Hopefully I can keep the balls in the air now!
Sorry for the late post. It was participating in Grandparents Day at my grandchildrens school, so I have been gone all day.

Here is my apron I painted last year for the opening of our location. Of course my apron no longer looks so neat and pristine. I've had to go back in and parts recognizable. It's covered in paint now.

I made earrings and a pin for all the artists, owner and studio manager. I get comments all the time on these! I love them!!

A necklace for myself. I ran out of time to make more.

I first made the prototype. Glued them to to bottom of the container with Elmer's Glue so they don't float when you pour in the plaster.

 

This is the slow pour of the plaster. Slower means fewer bubbles...at least we hope. 

I was pretty happy with the results.

For the Bead Cruise I made Lady Liberty Coin Buttons  from my Coin Button Collection for the goody bags. 
This is my latest project that I managed to ship Monday.

My question is: 
How many balls are you juggling these days? 
Have you found a balance or had to cut things out to keep a bit of sanity?

Answer the question in the comments below and you could be the lucky winner of a set of 4 Lady Liberty Buttons.

Perfect Pairings :: WinterBird Studios + Lisa Peters Art + Elukka + Helen Chalmers + Mia Only Beads

[Okay! April is a tough month for me to do anything that is not dance performance/prom related, so I messed up last week and missed picking someone for the Perfect Pairings. So today, you get TWO!]

As soon as I saw this pretty necklace I knew that this was the one. The color palette is so perfectly spot on to the inspiration painting. I love the subtle details that are placed just perfectly... the dragonfly emerging from the pendant...the blooming florals...the leaf...the house. It is elegant with the beautiful gemstone rounds in soft shifting colors. This evokes a fairy garden complete with a home for a gnome! 

Featured Designer :: WinterBird Studios

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Featured Bead Artists ::
Lisa Peters Art + Elukka + Helen Chalmers + Mia Only Beads

And see the other post for today for
a second helping of Perfect Pairings!

We are now using Pinterest! 
You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes,
including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description
so that I have someplace to attribute the picture! 

And don't forget to tell us about those art beads - providing links to bead makers is appreciated!

Deadline April 28th to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the Monthly Challenge Recap post for April 30th.

TIP: If you upload your photo rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. If you don't, I might not be able to access the photo to share it.

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries

Perfect Pairings :: Shaiha + SueBeads + StudioJuls

[Okay! April is a tough month for me to do anything that is not dance performance/prom related, so I messed up last week and missed picking someone for the Perfect Pairings. So today, you get TWO!]

I am a great lover of orphan beads. Not just because I have a lot of singles that are just hanging out with me after their brothers and sisters were destined for another design, but I also make no secret that I can't resist a sale on orphans from ANY bead maker. Shaiha seems to have the same vibe and she picked up this stunning tube bead from Sue Kennedy recently in a destash. Sweet serendipity that the design and colors work perfectly with this month's painting! I also like to pair up art beads from different artists. It is always satisfying to see how well you all play together! This is a great use of those orphans and a simple design style that would make quick jewelry for all palettes and occasions!

Featured Designer :: Shaiha's Ramblings

+

Featured Bead Artist :: SueBeads + StudioJuls

And see the other post for today for
a second helping of Perfect Pairings!

We are now using Pinterest! 
You can find more details in this post about the exciting new changes,
including a board devoted to art beads inspired by the monthly challenge!
(Ooh! Look! More pretty beads to lust after!)

Pretty please make sure that you post a link in your Pinterest description
so that I have someplace to attribute the picture! 

And don't forget to tell us about those art beads - providing links to bead makers is appreciated!

Deadline April 28th to get your pictures posted to the Pinterest boards for the creation of the Monthly Challenge Recap post for April 30th.

TIP: If you upload your photo rather than pin it from your blog or shop, edit the pin (the little pencil button) and add your link as the source. Save your edits. This will allow us to click directly on your photo and go to your blog or shop to read more about your entry. If you don't, I might not be able to access the photo to share it.

Jewelry Monthly Challenge Entries

Beads Monthly Challenge Entries