Beaded Links...

BeadStyle Magazine

Sneak a peek at the projects in the January 2009 issue by watching our three new videos!

About.com Jewelry Making

Get into the Christmas spirit with jingle jangling crystal dangles and Santa charm earrings!  This jewelry project is for the wire and bead lover.

Strands of Beads

Need a last minute gift idea?  Don't panic!  Melissa has a quick, easy and inexpensive snowball pendant project for you.

Art Bead Scene

Running out of ideas for gifts?  Art Bead Scene has the Twelve Days of ABS projects ready for you!

Carmi's Art/Life World

Carmi upcycles and old coin necklace.

Jewelry & Beading

The fabulous Tammy Powley shares some of her secrets to her success in the jewelry making business!

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry

Uncork the bubbly and put on your sparklies!  Carter's studio is full of festive creations.

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

Remember the book, Rabbit Redux?  Jean reviews another Redux-y book, Vintage Redux, a cool jewelry design book for your enjoyment!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Despite my aversion to snow and the cold, I've found appreciation for the winter whiteness and created a buying guide for snowflake themed jewelry components.

Katie's Beading Blog

Check out Katie's polymer clay creations!

The Charm Club...

It's not too late to swoop in and reserve the last few spots in The Charm Club.  Not only will you be treating yourself to some really lovely things I'm making, but you'll also be allowing me to keep doing what I'm doing unfettered by limitations.  You could be my hero!  Rescue me and reward yourself with a treasure – actually, three treasures.  (And if you act now, you'll also receive a small painting/collage as my personal thanks to you.)  CLICK HERE to find out more about limited edition project and EMAIL ME today to claim your exclusive reservation to The Charm Club.

Winter Flurries...

It started to snow again today.  If you've been following along my blog, then you know I'm not the biggest fan of snow.  I must admit though that it can be pretty.  It's pretty in that crystalline sort of way.  If I don't have to get out into it at all, I think I can mentally remove myself from all the discomforts to appreciate it a little more.  

The world outside my window is quickly becoming white, buried in winter flurries.

Above is a piece that I made awhile ago for an Art Bead Scene challenge.  I think the theme was Ice Storm.  It combines Swarovski grey opal rounds from Fusion Beads, beautiful chunks of quartz crystal and Herkimer diamonds from Talisman Associates, a bird toggle from my family at Green Girl Studios, and sterling silver twig pendants from Scattered Light Jewelry.

Speaking of Fusion Beads, they've got a great selection of wintery snowflake charms, pendants, and beads.  A) Sterling Silver Snowflake Charm.  B) Crystal AB Crystalized - Swarovski Elements Crystal Snowflake Pendant.  C)  Snowflake Obsidian Round Beads.  D) Sterling Silver Snowflake Chandelier.

There's a ton of artist-made components out there that would be perfect for anyone's winter jewelry pieces.  (Some of the pieces listed below are not sold individually as component pieces, but rather as finished necklaces or ornaments.)

A) Ceramic Snowflake Pendant by Gaea Cannaday.  B) Glazed Porcelain bead by Joan Miller.  C) Etched Sterling Silver Frosty Snowflake by Kelly of Enamored.  D) Black and White Murini Circle Pendant by Penelope Rakov.  E) White, Silver, Blue Polymer Clay Snowflake by Mauren Thomas Designs.

A) Brassy, Gold Spacer Beads by Gail Crosman Moore.  B) Fine Silver Snowflake Pendant by Melissa J. Lee.  C) Glazed Porcelain Snowflake Pendant by Nancy Schindler of The Round Rabbit.  D) Sterling Silver Snowflake Pendant by Kelly Graham.

A) Enameled Snow Pendant by VerreEncore.  B)  Snow Friend and Snow Flake Charm by Melanie Brooks Lukacs of Earthenwood Studio.  C)  Antique Pearl Glaze on Red Clay Stamped Ceramic Tree Pendant by Elaine Ray.  D)  Frosted Snowy Lampwork Glass Rondelle with Silver Core by Mary Jolley of Dancing Frog Lampwork.  E)  Sterling Silver Snow Pendant with Crystal by Lisa's Pieces.

A)  Teal Polymer Snowflake Beads by Heather Powers of HumbleBeads.  B) Stamped Fine Silver Pendant by Hint.  C) Fabricated Sterling Silver Snowflake Pendant by Imogene.  D)  Game Tile Pendant by Mark and Stef of Home Studio.

As Seen on Jewelry and Beading...

Cyndi Lavin keeps several really well written and researched blogs bursting with creativity.  For example, right now she's done several posts this past week on the relatively new Bronz Clay for her Jewelry and Beading blog.  Cyndi was so kind to feature the bronze coins I made with my sister, Cynthia's stamps, earlier in the year.  

CLICK HERE to go directly to the post.

The Charm Club...

Firstly, THANK YOU to everyone who has already signed up and supported this project, (especially Norma who gave me the idea and encouragement).  All of you are ROCK STARS!  It's not too late to reserve a spot in the Charm Club.  To find out more, please see the original post by CLICKING HERE.  You can EMAIL ME for more information or to sign up!  This is a premium holiday gift – perfect for someone you love and cherish or for yourself!

Gutter-Flowers...

Here's another image that I snapped on my walk.  

It seemed strangely poetic.

Quick Dinner...

For dinner I whipped up some coconut rice and a stir-fry.  I love coconut rice.  It's so fragrant and lies directly on the border between sweet and savory.  Not to mention, it's so easy to make!  I added bacon to the stir-fry and cooked the beef in a maple syrup and chili glaze.

Braving the Cold...

So, low and behold, I had to make another trip to the post office.  Luckily I had one of Beki's scarves to keep me warm.  If I can help it, I choose not to leave the house when it's cold outside.  It's such a process to get ready, layering upon layers to try and stay as warm as possible.  Not to mention my bones start to ache in the cold and damp.

I found out something funny while I was at the post office, (which was blissfully empty due to the inclement weather) – they don't know my name.  It's strange to know someone's name and see them on a daily basis and have them not know your's.  But what was really hilarious is what they call me.  Apparently they refer to me as the "Prada Model."  When I heard this, I bust out laughing until my guts hurt.  I don't have the foggiest notion how they'd come up with that.  I for sure don't roll up in the post office sporting designer duds.  Maybe they really like my new scarves.

As I was walking home, another funny thing happened.  A group of four or five Asian girls was walking ahead of me.  They were playing with the snow and throwing snowballs at each other.  That's when one of them spun around and over-shot her target, hitting me squarely in the chest.  All of them stopped dead in their tracks.  Their eyes widened to the size of small saucers.  That is, until, I stooped down, grabbed a handful of snow and threw it back at the girl.  I laughed the deep belly laugh, the loud one that sounds slightly sinister and usually causes people to turn and look.  All of the girls started to giggle and for a few moments we all threw snowballs at each other until we were winded.  We parted at the end of the block.  Snow clung to the hood and sleeves of my jacket.

I didn't go straight home though.  I thought, "Well, I'm already dressed up and I've got my camera in my pocket.  I might as well take a look around and snap a couple of pictures."  Above is a picture of the branches of the sugar gum tree in Sunset Park.

By the time I got to the park, most of the snow had already melted.  Only a very little bit was left.  The park was so quiet.  Hardly anyone was there at all.  Above is a picture of the entrance and central arcade.

I don't think I've ever seen the park as empty as it was.  It was strange to walk in the park, a place normally buzzing with activity, and hearing the crunch of each footfall and my own breath.  

Sunset Park is one of the highest points in Brooklyn.  From it, you can look out and see Manhattan and parts of New Jersey (from across the rivers).  This is the view of the Manhattan skyline, cloaked in mist and shadows.  It's strange to look out on the view.  I keep thinking of how similar and how very different it is to the scene that Nina Bagley took of the surrounding mountains.

 

Above and to the left is a shot of the lamp-post and how at not even 5 PM and they've already turned them on.  The winter sky is dark and overcast and promises little more than freezing rain and possibly more snow.  Above and to the right is an image of one of the spiny little seed pods from the sweet gum tree with snow still bravely clinging to it.

Beki's Scarves...

My good friend Beki, from Pennsylvania, sent along a holiday gift of these AMAZING crocheted scarves!  Aren't they spectacular?  Each one is hand-crafted with lots of love and attention.  Walking out into the wintery world, icy and cold, having one of these scarves around my neck warms not just my body, but my heart as well.  I feel extremely lucky!  EMAIL ME or leave a comment with your email address and I'll pass along her contact information for custom orders.

Snowy Day...

It is snowing here in Brooklyn.  It is beautiful and seemingly magical, but I am inside in the warmth looking outward unto it and it is just the first "real" snow.  If you couldn't tell, I'm not a particular fan of snow.  Maybe it's because I've got a bit of the desert in my heart (having been born in the Southwest) or maybe it's that I've got thin Florida blood (having grown up in Florida), but I am not a fan of snow.  I admit that it is pretty and can transform even the most decrepit of sceneries into a Winter Wonderland, but my bones ache and my sinuses burn and walking through the snow in the City (after the first) snow is asking for soaking dirty socks, stepping into black ice and hopscotching over (and potentially falling into) the piles of yellow snow that litter the sidewalks.  I wish I could be grateful like Nina Bagley for winter whites or pine for snow like Jennifer Sarkilahti of Odette New York or be thrilled beyond belief like Paula Best, but I find that I'm more like Lorelei and ask myself why I do this to myself. 

The Charm Club...

Norma had a wonderful idea!  She suggested that I start my own Charm Club.  It's kind of like the cheese of the month club, where you get a new and different cheese every month in the mail.  Instead of cheese, you'd be getting a limited edition charm made by me in your mailbox every month.  The club would run in three month cycles and be limited to ONLY ten individuals per cycle.  (My friends at the post office see too much of me now as it is!)  The fee to be paid in advance, would be $75 and would include shipping.  That's less than $25 a charm!  Normally, the one of a kind charms I make go for much more, but since I'll be making them in small editions of ten it'll balance out economically for me.  The first charms will be ready by the middle of January.

This would make a perfect holiday gift for a dear friend, beloved partner, or even for yourself!  

But wait, there's more...  if you sign up and pay before the 1st of the month, I'll include a small postcard-sized collage painting!  That's right, folks!  I used to retail these for $250- $350 each!

Hurry!  Act now!  Only limited spaces available!  EMAIL ME directly for more information.

Bottles of Hope...

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." - Christopher Reeves

Like Katie Hacker, I've been getting into the FIMO polymer clay recently.  Today is the deadline for FIMO's Bottles of Hope 2009 Designer's Challenge.  This year's theme is:  A Message of Hope.  It's a really great cause where everyone wins!  The top winners get $500 donated to a cancer charity or hospital of their choice.  I think that's really incredible.  It's wonderful that they are giving back.

I titled my Bottle of Hope, "Through the Woods."  I wanted to show that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.  The quote I inscribed the bottle with is from Christopher Reeves.  I think he is such an amazing symbol of strength and hope – a real Superman!  If there's any one message that he left behind as his legacy, it would be to always strive forward and never to give up.  To me, there are always challenges that await.  Those obstacles are the proverbial woods filled with wolves and booby-traps, but if you set your mind to it and "choose hope", you'll be able to complete your task, move forward, and strive higher.

Poor Chen...

I've just finished up packing up and sending out most of the goodies from my eBay Studio Sale.  (There are only a handful left that weren't ready until after the post office had already closed.)  Boy, was it a lot of work!  For most of the packages, I had to cut and rework the boxes to be the right sizes.  I also wanted to personalize everything.  The first couple are really sweetly done... the ones at the end... well, not as much, but still sent with a lot of love and good wishes, just tired and worn out ones.  I hope everyone is happy.  It was a lot of work and not just for me.  Poor Chen!  Chen is the postal worker who was manning the window the three times I made my appearance at my local post office.  He begrudgingly stamped and individually entered in the delivery confirmation codes for three laundry bags full of packages, (which in total probably equaled my body weight).  He used a wire hanger covered in Priority Mail tape to tap on his computer screen and apparently scratch his back with.  Patrick, the other postal employee (all of whom I'm getting to know really well), said that I looked like a hapa Santa Claus with the bag of packages draped over my shoulder.  They must think that I'm a little bit crazy.  I started laughing hysterically when I kept loading the Plexi-glass window with more and more packages.  Poor Chen!  His eyes just got bigger and bigger as he tried to close the window.  As I was leaving for the last time Saturday he said, "No more packages today!  You cut off!"  

Project: Old Master Copy...

My sister, Sheila (the artist out in L.A.), just started a neat little online project in the vein of Illustration Friday.  It's called, Project: Old Master Copy.  Every few weeks she'll post new source material done by one of the Old Masters.  The fun and interactive part comes in when the artists in the audience copy and send in their renditions and interpretations of the classic works of art and have them posted on the site.  It seems like a really enjoyable activity that has the promise and potential of great skill-building and further insight into the works of the Old Masters.  CLICK HERE to visit the site and read more about the details.

Beaded Links...

Art Bead Scene

It's the holiday season!  Art Bead Scene is getting glitzy.

About.com Jewelry Making

Think you don't have time to make any bead and wire holiday ornaments?  Think again!  Tammy has a super easy project so easy even children can make them.

Carmi's Art/Life World

Carmi experiments with Claudine Hellmuth's new product line and ends up with another fun necklace.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Carter's studio.

BeadStyleMag.com

Erin's chosen a few free jewelry how-to's to get you crossing off the names on your shopping list.

Jewelry & Beading

Glass bead artists galore are being featured on Jewelry & Beading!

Naughty Secretary Club

Raid your stash of vintage baubles to make some Floral Fros – jewelry encrusted coifs to make your walls swoon!

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

Jean's in a holiday mood for Soft Flex Company!

Strands of Beads

Melissa shows off a simple winter rose bracelet project this week.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Inspired by Chinese creation myths, Andrew creates a Swarovski-encrusted and bead embellished sculpture.

R.I.P. Bettie Page...

The notorious 1950's pinup model, Bettie Page, has passed away.  She was 85.  Many have tried to copy her, but few have ever quite achieved the status of an iconic sex symbol that she has.  Her lasting impression is still felt today, even after over a half a century has passed.  She will live on through her pictures and inspire generations to come.

Nüwa and the Chinese Creation Myths...

When it's cold and rainy outside, I like to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a good book.  One of the things that I seem to always go back to are books about mythology.  I've loved mythology ever since I could remember.  Lately I've been doing a lot of reading into the creation mythos in different cultures.  It's interesting to see the different parallels.  One of the ones that stuck in my subconscious was the story Nüwa and the Chinese creation myth.  Apparently she was a goddess what was half snake/dragon and half humanoid.  She is responsible for the Repair of Heaven and the making of mankind.  CLICK HERE to read more about her.

Above is a woodblock print of Nüwa and Fuxi.  This depiction of them goes back to murals in the Han Dynasty.

Above Left:  Another print of Nüwa.  Above Right:  In this mural painting, She is shown alternatively without limbs, only having the head of a woman and the body of a snake or dragon.

This is my interpretation of the Chinese creation Goddess.  First I sculpted the figure and mounted it on a wooden base.  After painting her, I then covered the dragon portion in Swarovski crystal flat-backs.  My rough estimation is that there's about a thousand flat-backs on this piece.  Each one was individually glued on by me.  Some of the crystals were so small it felt like I was gluing tiny specks of glitter on.  The headdress is made of woven wire, lots of wire-wrapped crystals and crystal pearls.  I added hair and then attached the headdress and glued in the vintage pudding doll in her hands.

Above is a side view of the piece.

This is the back view.  I think the trickiest part of this project was the hair.  I wanted to finish it up and didn't want to wait for a doll wig to come in the mail.  (However, next time this might be the best plan.)  I ended up going to a local beauty supply store and asking for some "weave."  The woman behind the counter raised up an eyebrow and said, "Why?"  I felt like being a little sassy and said, "I think I feel like a change today."  She made this face that was between a smile, a pursing of the lips, a roll of eyes, and a look of disbelief.  She raised up a finger and said, "Honey, you don't need a weave.  You need a wig.  You don't got nothing to weave the weave into."  I just started laughing and told her what I really needed the weave for.  I ended up cutting the weave into small pieces, fusing the ends by melting them together, securing the bundles with tape (that was later painted) and then glued into place.  That was a job and a half!

 

Above and to the left is a close-up of her face.  I might go back in and retouch her make-up and add the pinks back in.  I think I also might go back in and add a couple more embellishments, like small-scale jewelry for her - maybe a necklace and a beaded belt.  I'm not sure yet.  Above and to the right is a close-up shot of the tail and all the crystals meticulously glued in place.  All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with the way she turned out.

My New To-Do List...

One of the things that I love about this time of year is that the magazines create their yearly round-up lists, profiling everything from beloved restaurants, to little-known places that are out of the way.  For instance, Time Out New York just published their "Top Ten Things We Ate In 2008" List.  CLICK HERE to go to the site and check it out.  With the exception of a few high-priced menu items, I think I've found my new to-do list for the New Year.

Winter Solstice...

Joan Tucker, one of the delightful spirits behind Off Center Productions, sent along this early Winter Solstice gift!  She filled a tin with chocolate and various treasures of handcrafted ceramic and porcelain that she and Lana create.  The pieces are wonderful.  Each piece is unique – personal.  When you pick one up, you can feel the artists' hands in it and know that each one was singularly and lovingly made.  Many of them are inspired by archeological finds and ancient symbols; matched with the very elemental fired clay process, the work that they've created carries a powerful shamanic-feeling, like a talisman or sacred amulet.  I feel very lucky to have been bestowed with such a remarkable gift!  Make sure to check out their goods and read their BLOG!

Celebratory Pie...

I said that I wanted to celebrate my 3rd place win in the glass category of the Bead Star competition with a slice of pie.  So, I baked this pumpkin pie!  I added some personal touches, like extra vanilla and Vietnamese cinnamon.

And the Winner Is...

So, I just got word that I can finally reveal if I placed or not in the Bead Star Competition.  I did!  I won 3rd place in the glass category.  The necklace below, Serenity's Garden, will be featured in the first ever beading competition magazine.  A BIG thank you to all of you out there who believed in my designs and voted for them!  Thank you so much!  CLICK HERE for the Bead Star magazine press release.

Thank You...

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who participated in my studio sale and supported it via word of mouth and posting on their blogs.  It really means a lot to me.  The sale was a success in my mind.  Thanks again!  (Now it's back to the humdrum of packing and getting everything shipped out!  I seemed to have underestimated how much work it'd actually be!)

Tell Me A Story...

I was visiting Ullabenulla's blog the other day, and saw a post called, "Tell Me A Story..."  It was paired with the picture below, via Haunt Me.  Instantly a story came to mind and my fingers flashed across the keyboard and produced the story below, which is generously reproduced here by the permission of the new keeper of the story.  Thank you, Ulla!

When I look at the painting here is the story that comes to mind:

The ladies and gentry were all accounted for and had been presented before the Queen and her courtiers.  That is why when a beautiful young woman (who arrived by mysterious coach and with an invitation that was suspect of forgery) entered the ballroom, everyone stopped and turned.

Her laces seemed wrong.  They were too fine and seemed made not by human hands but by a spider's eight.  The satin of her dress did not seem right either.  Too soft.  Too inconsistent of color – it looked like the petals of a flower, ten thousand flowers in bloom in a Dutch farmer's field.  The ribbons were no different.  From China?  No.  From Persia?  Definitely not.  From the finest Parisian pavilions and fabric-makers?  Possible, but unlikely.  For they looked like the tears of a garnet and the blood of a dove, and seemed so supple that they appeared to move of their own accord as if suspended in a body of water and moved by the current of the waves.  But there were no waves and no water, only the grand ballroom filled with eyes that were steadfast and locked only upon her.  The most curious thing was that there, where she stepped, a carpet of stars emerged – a hundred little points of light at the base of her skirts and the soles of her slippers.  

The lady proceeded to dance.  Dances which no one had ever seen before – at least not in a human.  Her moves were foreign but familiar.  No one in the ballroom could remember a person swaying like this, but they had memories of riding out on the hunt and seeing the willows bend, the fir trees move gently from side to side, and the way the wind would take up a pile of fallen leaves and twirl about.  Although the young woman was dressed in finery, there was something fearsome and primal in her movements.  It was a lot like looking at the sun; at first warmed and comforted – then stung.

If the appearance of this woman wasn't strange enough, the court's breath caught as the queen rose from her dais.  As if by cue, the mysterious woman stopped.  She stopped her spinning and dancing and rose up her hands – all at once terrible and beautiful as if indeed the summer sun had set foot upon earth.  The Queen bowed, then kneeled, then going prostrate, she kissed he carpet of stars.

Knowledge...

"You will find something more in woods than in books.  Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters."

- Saint Bernard Clairvaux, 

(1090 - 1153).

Above Left:  An autumnal landscape by Austrian painter, Egon Schiele.

Zero Hour Nears...

The clock is ticking and the zero hour draws near!  There's only a few more hours left of my studio sale.  So act now and make those last minute bids!  

CLICK HERE to visit my eBay auctions and bid vigorously!

Journey...

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that 

no one can take for 

us or spare us."

- Marcel Proust, (1871 - 1922)

Left:  Detail from Johannes Vermeer's, The Astronomer (1668).

What's In A Name...

As many of you may know, my sister Cynthia is coming out with a new mixed media jewelry book due out next November published by Interweave Press.  Although the tentative title is, "Magical Mixed Media Jewelry" she really wants the title to sizzle!  Visit her blog and help a sister out and put your two cents in for what you think her book should be titled.  CLICK HERE to visit her blog and chime in!

Beaded Links...

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

Jean, an "Amazon top 1000 reviewer" pens her thoughts concerning Melinda Barta's new custom jewelry making book!

Naughty Secretary Club

Jen is in the midst of a 4 day jewelry display extravaganza with this post that gives you a glimpse into the jewelry boxes of the ladies behind Felt Club, Crafty Chica, Handmade Detroit, 31 Corn Lane and More!

Katie's Beading Blog

Make your own jewelry sets in minutes with these projects that are perfect for gifting.

Jewelry & Beading

Cyndi is hosting a Beadmaker's Blitz this month!

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry

Carter ponders her love of color and the meanings behind the colors we love.

Carmi's Art/Life World

Carmi plays with Chinese silk button covers!  The simple button form is used to create these stunning Asian inspired fabric pendants.

Bead & Button 

The crew at Bead & Button are pulling out all the stops for their new issue of Brilliant Crystal Jewelry 2.  Get the scoop on this special issue from Bead&Button Magazine.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts

Barbe reviews Tammy Powleys Making Designer Mixed Media and Memory Jewelry with 2 big thumbs up!

Art Bead Scene

The ladies of Art Bead Scene have a deal for you!  Got $10?  Then you can make lovely home decor with art buttons and beads!

About.com Jewelry Making

Thinking of ways to sign your jewelry art?  How about a metal stamp?  Even better, how about a cool sale Tammy found out about on metal stamps and jewelry tags?

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

The mythic riddler-of-old prompts Andrew to find Sphinx Inspired jewelry components.

All Is Flux...

"Nothing endures 

but change."

- Heraclitus (540 BCE - 480 BCE), from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers.

Left:  Photograph of an ever-rusting piece of metal sheeting taken by  UK band, Ghostwood.

Jean Campbell...

I was fortunate enough to contribute a piece to the delightful Jean Campbell's upcoming book project (due out in Fall of 2009).  What a pleasure!  It's the first time that I've had the opportunity to work with her directly and it was just wonderful.  Not only is she as sweet as pie, but she's got a bevy of experience and an arsenal of talent!  Needless to say, we've become fast friends.  

I put a little goodie bag in with the piece to send off.  In it, I included two PMC charms that I made with my family at Green Girl Studios.  Somehow I knew she would like them.  I just didn't know HOW MUCH she would like them.  The next thing I know she's writing to me about how she just finished a pair of earrings.  I don't think I've ever seen someone just turn around so quickly with a finished product!  Amazing!  CLICK HERE to visit her blog and see what she made.