Beaded Links...

About.com Jewelry Making

Tammy's got the scoop and a link to a free issue of The Craft Report. They've gone digital! What do you think? Is this a good thing or a bad thing when craft magazines go totally electronic?

Art Bead Scene

In this economy, everyone is asking the advice of economists – ABS has brought in The Bead Economist with advice on how to get art beads on the cheap.

Carmi's Art/Life World

A little wood, paint and stickers helps Carmi to recreate a native art inspired pendant.

Jewelry & Beading

Cyndi has decided that this summer is "The Season of Metal Clay"! Check out these inspiring metal clay sites.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!

Jean has a sparkly Swarovski bracelet in July's BeadStyle magazine! Check it oooout!

Strands of Beads

Melissa shows off new jewelry designs using Soft Flex Trios wire.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Andrew announces a NEW design competition to celebrate Cynthia's new book, Enchanted Adornments.

World of Beads VIII...

I was a little sad that I didn't get an opportunity to see Gail Crosman Moore at the Bead & Button Show more than the transitory greeting in the elevator. Luckily she'll be coming to town next weekend for the World of Beads VIII presented by The Bead Society of Greater New York. Not only will I get to peruse her selection of vintage sequins, admire her embellished felt and be awestruck by her borosilicate glass, but I'll get to enjoy some of the festivities as well (including a beadwork exhibit, mini-workshops, demonstrations, and a highly curated marketplace).

Dark Come Soon...

Here's a YouTube video of Amanda Palmer singing a cover of Tegan and Sara's, "Dark Come Soon" at a fundraising event for Housing Works in New York last week with Neil Gaiman.

Internal Landscapes...

It has been chilly and foggy here with a consistent drizzle. Grey. Grey. Grey. My thoughts have been focused inward, towards internal landscapes. I'm not ready for the world outside just yet. I'm not ready for the day to day routines. I'm not ready for real life... not yet.

Instead I'll go somewhere warm and breezy, a place where it is day, but the light of a hundred thousand stars can still be seen. Brightly colored silk banners will wave in the winds, while a chorus of birds sing sweetly in time with wind-chimes and whistles. The treetops will be laden with candlelit lanterns and the air will be hung heavily with scent of roses, amber, sugar cookies and honey. All of the plants would be in some way in bloom or bearing, but the word "allergies" would be unknown and foreign. You'll find me there, wandering the sandy trails in search of seed-pods and seashells. I won't be alone, at least not always. I'll be there, in the shade of a tree sipping sweet tea with my friends and family, plotting and planning, feasting and enjoying the making of things.

Enchanted Adornments Design Competition...

The Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton Facebook Fan Page is hosting the first ever Enchanted Adornments Design Competition in celebration of Cynthia's new book. The competition will test entrants' abilities in creating magical mixed media jewelry and/or jewelry that incorporates Green Girl Studios components.

Visit the Flickr page to find out more and to enter! More information and prizes to come!

Enchanted Adornments Giveaway No. 5 (FLIGHT)...

One lucky Facebook Fan of Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton will be selected to win over $50 (retail value) of FREE Green Girl Studios merchandise (5 fine pewter components and 1 shibuichi bird over clouds toggle). To enter, you MUST be a current fan of Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton on Facebook and leave a comment on the Giveaway Number 5 (FLIGHT) photo in the Enchanted Adornments GIVEAWAYS album on Facebook. Fans will have 5 days from the posting of the photo and announcement of the giveaway to post a comment on the photo to be considered for the drawing.

Remember! A NEW giveaway will be announced with every new 100 fans added to Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton. CLICK HERE to become a Facebook Fan.

KGI Worldwide Design Contest Update...

Two of my pieces were selected as semi-finalists for the KGI Worldwide Design Contest. Although I didn't place, it was still really fun and they took some really nice pictures of my pieces. The necklace on the left is called, "A Necklace for Frida" and the bow-tie like necklace on the right is called, "Rites of Spring." Check out the winners and more by CLICKING HERE.

Grey Skies...

The thing that I love about the big shows is that it provides a rare opportunity to see friends that I normally don't get to see. These are some of the most incredible people on the face of the planet in my opinion. They are all brought together by creativity and a sense of community and I really dig that.

The hardest part are the grey skies afterwards. When you think of something funny or interesting to say and turn to your friend or family member and realize that you're sitting alone in a room, the broken fragments of a thought hanging loosely from your lips. The mundane tasks that were once so easy now seem like incredible feats. Rooms to clean, groceries to buy, projects to finish... all things that feel impossible when the clouds are looming. There are grey, rainy skies here in New York and it seems a mirror to my thoughts, heavy with an acute sense of missing.

By Plane, Train and Automobile...

I safely arrived back in New York. While waiting for the plane to take off, I chatted with Susan Nestor, who also lives in New York and was heading back on the same flight. I discovered a shortcut back to my apartment, which made me happy as a clam. It was pretty surprising how quickly my allergies started to clear up. It seems strange to me that in one place I can hardly breathe and in another, I'm perfectly fine. Below are some shots from Bead & Button.

Above is a picture of Kelly Russell of Beadfuddled. She was set up with Marsha Neal Studio. They moved their booth more towards the center of the show. Both Kelly and Marsha are doing some really cool things. Marsha is making some decal transfer ceramic pendants that incorporate more drawing and Kelly is working with polymer tinted porcelain and PMC.

I also saw my bead show buddy, Jill MacKay, who was showing her new line of findings. I really appreciate how genuinely nice and encouraging she is. I only wish that I got to see more of her!

Above is a picture of Azalea and Terra. Aren't they adorable? They had so much fun playing together at the show. Ever since they were babies, we always knew that they'd be playmates. It was hard for them to part at the end of the show.

Above is a shot of Katie Wall and Lindsay of Fusion Beads. They are some of the sweetest people I know! Not to mention that I'm addicted to Fusion Beads. They are a reliable source for all my jewelry supply needs and always have new surprises!

It was good to see Liz Jones, author of Silver Wire Fusing. She was helping out at the Beaducation booth with Lisa Niven Kelly, Kate Richbourg, and Kriss Silva.

It was lovely to see Carter Seibels of Divali Glass Jewelry at the Bead Trust booth. They had some really amazing things. I love how they've always got the latest cut, newest style and coolest finds! Like panna cotta-like layered resin beads, silicone spiky beads, or polka dot smoky quartz to name a few.

Jean Campbell came by as an unexpected surprise! She's such a sweetie and ever so talented. Did you know that Jean is coming out with a new book that's due out next year? It's called Steampunk Style Jewelry: A Maker's Collection of Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Designs and it's AMAZING! (And I'm not just saying that because one of my pieces is in it either.)

Above is a picture of Kelly Angeley and Dustin Wedekind at our booth. I kept running into Kelly and her husband randomly throughout the weekend. Dustin was across the way at the Beyond Beadery booth and was sporting the Trocadero necklace I made.

A group of bead bloggers met up for breakfast at the Hilton one morning. Starting from the left: your's truly, Heather Powers of Humble Beads, Diane Hawkey, Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio, Katie Hacker, and Linda Augsburg. Make sure to check out their blogs!

One of my favorite stops at the Bead & Button show is Raven's Journey. Jamey and Lenka always have the best selection of colors, shapes, and sizes. Since they deal directly with the manufacturers in what is essentially a cottage industry, they get the very best and most unique Czech glass!

Look who's sporting a cute new haircut? Patti Cahill of Dyed in the Fire is! She makes the most luscious glass eye-candy. It was good catching up with her and hearing some of her recommendations on where to visit glass conservatories.

And now... what you've all been surely waiting for, a picture of my yield!

I got lots of goodies this year, including pieces from Earthenwood Studio, Pam Wynn of Pam and Heather Wynn, polymer pieces from Humble Beads, beautiful sterling silver with metal applique beads and a sterling button from Anne Choi, precious metal clay pieces from Melissa J. Lee, Czech glass from Raven's Journey, sapphires from Jewels by Kia, beach glass from Stephanie Ann Dieleman, lots of stones from Bead Trust, "ruby quartz" from Omega Gems, vintage Swarovski rondelles, an ammonite negative from the Gary Wilson Stones, a drilled and shaped stone from Dean Crane of Two Cranes, and a polymer-tinted porcelain cabochon from Kelly Russell (with a porcelain base from Off Center Productions).

Beaded Links...

About.com Jewelry Making

Are you a Tweep? Do you Tweet? Find out about the fun of networking with other jewelry folks via Twitter.

Art Bead Scene

Trying to figure out how to use those swatches of trendy colors? Check out The Color Report for Beaders for help.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts

Barbe opens up about a new venture.

Carmi's Art/Life World

Carmi recylces the images of an old calendar for her new gold bezel necklace.

Jewelry & Beading

Cyndi is concentrating on metal clay for the month of June. Come meet some amazing metal clay artists!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!

How simply sunny! A focal Celestial Crystal will encourage your love of the summer sun!

Strands of Beads

Melissa shows off beads by Andrew Thornton and plays tag this week.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Last month's Art Bead Scene's theme, Monet's Water Lilies, inspires Andrew to create a new necklace.

I Hate You Allergies...

So, yesterday started okay, but I started to feel a tightness in my throat.  Eventually it was getting hard for me to breathe.  My allergies were so bad... it was horrible.  I think that they are being exacerbated by how dry it is here.  I've never come to Milwaukee and had it be so dry.  Thusly, I missed out on dinner with Anne Choi and her crew.  I was filled with great and deep disappointment.  Hopefully I'll be able to steal a couple of moments during the rest of the weekend to catch up and chat with her.  After I've taken a hefty dose of medicine and rested, I'm feeling much better and there's just the ever so slightest tickle in my throat.  Dear Allergies, I hate you!

News from the Show...

We were so busy yesterday that it was hard to leave the booth. It's always frustrating, because you know that there are millions of treasures and many of the folks who make them under the same roof. It's just hard to get away from the booth long enough to explore.

Our friends Leah and Derek Fairbanks have a daughter around the same age as Azalea and they were playing independantly all day behind the curtain. The outside world didn't seem to exist for them. I snuck a photo of them playing pregnant mamas. It was so cute. They then took turns pretending to birth the balloons and being doctors. I had to explain to more than one customer what the moaning was that was coming from behind the curtain!

Above are the new pewter beads from Green Girl Studios. There's a botanical link, a kangaroo, and a honey bee. The "made with love" hand was revamped and remade for pewter and the double-sided owl and raven tube have finally gone into production. So, there's lots of new goodies to pick up!

Resin Pendants...

Here are the new resin bezels that Cynthia made for the show. We still might wet/dry sand them so that they look older and more like antiques. Look for them at the Green Girl Studios booths 1205 and 1207 at the Bead & Button show.

Milwaukee in the Day...

Usually when I come to the Bead & Button show, I don't get an opportunity to explore the city during the day.  All of my exploration is left after dark when the show is over for the day.  Today my flight got in early and I took the chance to walk around and see a different side of Milwaukee.

I've often times seen the museum lit up, like a giant sail, but haven't been able to check it out.  I decided to change that and see what they had.  I was impressed with the selection and took massive amounts of pictures.  It was funny to see works of art by my professors or from friends back in New York up in the museum.  It was a little reminder of home.

Above is a small selection of pieces I saw by artists:  (From left to right) Catherine Lusurier, Erwin Redl, Abbott H. Thayer, and Bruce Pearson.

After I finished up at the art museum, I found a connecting system of park trails and walked several miles through the trails.  Along the trail was a REALLY nice coffee roaster called Alterra Coffe Roaster.  It was a cute little stop that seemed hip.

I saw a lot of different plants and kept stopping to take pictures.  People would stop and stare and ask questions when they saw me squatting on the side of the trail or climbing up a hill.  It was nice to talk to the various people, but what I enjoyed best was the solitude and the quiet of nature.  I relished the sounds of the birds, the smell of the clover and flowers, and the exploration of my own thoughts as much the exploration of the trails.

I liked finding little things, little things that might normally get passed by.  I liked freezing a moment, that to most would seem insignificant.  

Like a flower on the steps of the Urban Ecology Center...

Or an old wasp nest, blowing around by the museum...

Or a spiderweb on a drainage pipe off a trail...

Or a tennis ball that met with a lawn mower...

Or a snail shell on the bank of a river...

I had a good time finding things and taking pictures of them.  I tried to make myself get lost and sort of bask in the surroundings, enjoying all the details of a new and different place.  One of the things I stumbled upon were koi fish made of milk cartons.  They swam over a boarded up window.

Onward to Bead & Button...

In a few hours I'll be getting on a plane headed towards Milwaukee.  I don't think I've ever attended the show without feeling horribly unprepared and like I've left a pile of work unfinished.  Did I pack the charger?  Will I be able to stop by the post office before I leave?  Will the hotel room have free WiFi?  Can I finish up the last of the projects I'm working on, or will they have to wait?  

I guess there's a futility to what I'm feeling right now.  That I have to stop.  Evaluate my priorities and just let go of the maybes the ifs and the possibilities that will just have to wait.

In any event, I'm excited to go and see all the splendors of the show and see friends that I don't get to see very often.  I'm also excited to see all the customers who make it out to the show every year.  It'll be nice to catch up.  Do be sure to stop by and say hello!  The Green Girl Studios booth is 1205 and 1207 against the wall.

Use the Muse: Round Two...

Scarlett Lanson of The Beader's Muse and Beadwork Magazine is hosting the second round of the popular beading competition, Use the Muse.  It's a great competition to challenge your design sensibilities, push your creativity, and be in the running to receive one of many great prizes!  The kit components and muse are provided by Rainbows of Light, the all-purpose jewelry supply store Artbeads.com, and Lillypilly Designs.  (Scarlett assembles and sends off each and every one by hand!)  I CAN'T WAIT to participate!  CLICK HERE to play along too!

The Luckiest Boy...

I received a BIG surprise in the mail today!  Laurie and Keith O'Connor sent a package containing an assortment of their beautiful ceramic beads!  Who's the luckiest boy in all the lands?  That's right – ME!  I've long been a fan of their work.  It's easy to see why.  The pieces are versatile, well-crafted, and have the most delicious glazes and finishes.  I've got so much to do before I leave on Wednesday for the Bead & Button show, but my fingers are just itching to dive into the ceramic, porcelain, and stoneware beads and make something.  I just might have to give into temptation!  You can check out a selection of Keith O'Connor beads at The Beadin' Path or EMAIL HIM directly.

Wicked Plants at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens...

The Wicked Plants exhibit opened at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens today.  What a deliciously malicious theme!  To kick things off, there was an author lecture and book signing by Amy Stewart, free tours, children's activities, an art opening featuring the hand-tinted botanical etchings of Briony Morrow-Cribbs and Discovery Carts laden with games and information.

Amy Stewart is such an entertaining and informative speaker!  She did a presentation on her new book, Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities.  Everyone in the audience was rolling with laughter and at points, caught panic-stricken doing mental inventories of the plants in their gardens or households and evaluating what dangers they presented.  During the book signing, Amy showed her box of botanical poisons.  Artist, Briony Morrow-Cribbs was also present for the signing and for the exhibition of her prints.  The image on the far right is one of her prints she did of rosary peas.

Above is the YouTube trailer to Amy's new book.  I think it captures the informative dark humor the book is written in.

Even with the additions of "wicked plants" to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and all the extra emphasis on the existing sinister shrubs, poisonous prickles, and menacing members of the flora kingdom, it seems as though the bunnies are doing just fine.

Below are a sampling of the photos taken of various flowers (mostly roses) and flora around the gardens:

A Central Park Stroll...

My friend Christina and her husband were in town on vacation and we agreed to take advantage of the nice weather by taking a stroll in Central Park.  It was fun to play tour guide for the afternoon and show them some of my favorite destinations in the Park.  Below are a sampling of images from our afternoon.

  

One of my all-time favorite spots in Central Park is the Bethesda Terrace.  I love how I almost feel transported when I walk down the elaborately carved stone staircases, through the tiled arcade, or around the angel-topped fountain.  

The other three places in the Park that top my list are Belvedere Castle, The Falconer statue, and the John Lennon "Imagine" memorial in Strawberry Fields.  It was a pleasant afternoon!

Treasures From Lynn Davis of Expedition D...

I remember having a dream that seemed so real, I felt that it must have happened.  I couldn't have been more than 5 years old, because my sisters had already left for school and it was just my mother and me.  I told her about the "bumpy" road, the people who said words I didn't understand, and pretty statues.  Years later in my high school French class, we watched a short travel video on Paris and it seemed as though I was looking at my dream, playing out before me.  The bumpy road was a cobblestone street, the words I didn't know were spoken in French, and the pretty statues... well... they were pretty statues.  I've always carried a torch for France and all things French.

When I opened the package from Lynn Davis of Expedition D, I felt like I was looking at travel souvenirs from France.  I saw memories and experiences that were somehow transfered to polymer clay.  It made me long for the City of Lights – a city I've never actually been, but have always dreamed of.  Check out her treasures listed on her Etsy Shop and her writings and photos on her blog.

Beaded Links...

Art Bead Scene

Art Bead Scene's The Bead Biz offers up a "less is more" philosophy to selling your work.

Carmi's Art/Life 

Carmi's newest pendant is inspired by the forest floor.

Jewelry & Beading

More spring cleaning tips to get your jewelry business in tip-top shape this season!

Snap out of it, Jean!  There's beading to be done!

Easy Beading volume number 5 is out this month and is as great as always – check it out on Jean's blog!

Bead & Button

Bead & Button Magazine is talking about buttons and interesting ways to include buttons in jewelry desiging.

About.com Jewelry Making

Silver Threads Web Videos – Watch Jeanne Rhodes-Moen make some gorgeous filigree jewelry.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Andrew discovers the online jewelry supply store, Auntie's Beads, and was inspired to create a summery pair of earrings.

Farewell, Stain Bar...

I just received word that Stain Bar in my old neighborhood is closing this weekend.  It wasn't just another hipster hangout, but a crossroads, a meeting place of the old and new.  You'd never know who (or what) you'd run into sipping on a Stain Red or a Blueberry Port.  Stain Bar, founded by a writer, Krista Madsen, was a haven for artists and writers of all levels, dreamers, and local beer and wine enthusiasts.  I'll remember it fondly, as it's left an indelible stain on my memory.

Owl Tree...

I've been experimenting with liquid polymer and making transfers.  Above is a polymer clay piece I made.  When I get back from Bead & Button, I'm totally going to experiment and play around with this product more!

Enchanted Adornments Giveaway No. 4 (LOVE)...

One lucky Facebook Fan of Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton will be selected to win over $50 (retail value) of FREE Green Girl Studios merchandise (6 fine pewter components and 1 rhodium-plated heart and key toggle).  To enter, you MUST be a current fan of Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton on Facebook and leave a comment on the Giveaway Number 4 (LOVE) photo in the Enchanted Adornments GIVEAWAYS album on Facebook.  Fans will have 5 days from the posting of the photo and announcement of the giveaway to post a comment on the photo to be considered for the drawing.  (Be sure to check previous Giveaway Photos for more chances to WIN!)

Remember!  A NEW giveaway will be announced with every new 100 fans added to Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton.  CLICK HERE to become a Facebook Fan.

Art Bead Scene: Monet's Water Lilies...

The Art Beads Scene monthly challenge for May is Monet's Water Lilies.  A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to the Museum of Modern Art on a quiet weekday morning.  I made my way up to the Monet paintings.  It was surprising just how empty it was.  I'm used to going on the Target Free Fridays, when the museum is overrun by thousands of visitors.  Usually folks are craning their necks to see, bickering over seats on the benches, or absentmindedly commenting on the beauty to anyone who will listen.  I relished my unprecedented time alone in the gallery, all save for the silent security guard.   I sat there in the nearly empty room soaking up the color, the light, and luminosity of his paintings... enjoying the quiet and looking at the paintings the way I think they were meant to be looked at.

The above piece is my interpretation of the painting.  It's got a whole lot on it (Swarovski crystals, opalite, freshwater pearls, Czech glass, kyanite, jaspers), most importantly the fine pewter lotus charm from my family at Green Girl Studios.

Here's the "beauty" shot.  I like this picture the best, I think, because it really emphasizes the light and the way the colors in the materials seem to glow, kind of like the paintings.