Modern Nature Studio: My Creative World

Winter Weather In Virginia

2012-02-24T12:17:00.002-05:00

Last week a layer of ice formed on the lake outside my house. It created a really unique, yet bizarre pattern.

The pattern and colors inspired me. These beads came to mind...

quartz

ceramic

wood

bronzite

Since I do not have my studio completely set up (sigh), I have not been able to create anything in several weeks (sigh, again). In the meantime I have been writing/sketching ideas into a journal and setting beads that inspire me aside in a "creative ideas" box. My goal is to finish my studio this weekend as I have pieces to create for Erin Prais-Hintz's Challenge of Music and Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Block Party.

Today, the temperature is predicted to reach 73 degrees. Gotta love winter in Virginia!

Awakening

2012-02-15T15:33:00.003-05:00

I am honored that my bracelet titled "Awakening" was selected for the Spring issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine! It is included with 16 other fantastic designs on pages 46-47. This is the first time I have had one of my designs published in Stringing!

I created the bracelet last Fall with Spring in mind. I titled it Awakening because that was how I felt as I strayed from my usual symetric style. The design is completely asymmetrical...and I couldn't feel more balanced!

Jewelry Stringing

This issue is filled with so many breathtaking spring inspirations! If you haven't picked up a copy or downloaded the digital version, I highly recommend it. You'll love it!

Inspired By Bead Soup Ingredients...

2012-02-05T22:41:00.005-05:00

The ingredients for my bead soup have arrived from my super talented BSBP partner Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio of Plus Size Bangles! She sent an awesome assortment in hues that remind me of a summer sunset. The package included a beautiful note card with a snowy owl on it, my favorite kind of owl.

Some of the nature inspired beauties that Karyn sent were a gorgeous brass sunflower, brass leaves, an oxidized wing stamping and some really cool carnelian calla lily beads. I have never seen calla lilly beads before and can't wait to work with them! She also sent some o-rings, coral colored Swarovski pearls, a tagua nut pendant, an orange colored wood ring, some really beautifully carved wood beads, and 8mm mahogany agate beads.

Check out the awesome brass sunflower pendant! It immediately caught my eye, not only because of the size (it is 3" in diameter) but also because it is so gosh darn beautiful! While my style is generally bold, this will be the largest element I have ever worked with-can't wait!

I love the detail of the carved wood and agate beads!

She sent a stunning red bronze hook and eye clasp-love it!

As an added bonus, Karyn also sent some really unique large serpentine diamond shaped beads, yellow turquoise wavy oval beads and square beads. I tend to salivate over large stone beads, so it will be fun to work with these!

I am really inspired by the bead soup that Karyn sent and can't wait to put my ideas into form! Here is a preview of what I sent Karyn. For more details, visit her inspiring blog.

Happy creating everyone!

Branding Advice

2012-01-30T12:54:00.001-05:00

I am trying to decide if I should keep the name Modern Nature Jewelry or change it to Modern Nature Studio. Which name do you like better?

Ever since Etsy gave the option of changing a shop name, I have been pondering this move. My brand name is Modern Nature. That name was taken (but never actually used) on both Etsy and as a domain name, so I went with Modern Nature Jewelry. I was deciding between that and Modern Nature Studio, but my husband convinced me to go with jewelry.

When selecting a blog name, I went with Modern Nature Studio. I know that being consistent with branding is best, but I wanted it to be about my creative world, not just my jewelry.

I would greatly appreciate your advice, please tell me which name you think I should go with. Any other suggestions are welcome too. Thanks in advance!

Morning Fog

2012-01-26T11:16:00.003-05:00

Two days ago, I awoke to a mysterious yet beautiful fog that was rolling across the lake. I couldn't help grabbing my camera to take a few shots...even before I had coffee! The only thing that can get me moving faster than coffee in the morning is a photo op!

Meet My Bead Soup Block Party Partner!

2012-01-23T16:26:00.006-05:00

I am ultra excited that my name was drawn to participate in Lori Anderson's 5th Bead Soup Block Party! Aside from really looking forward to participating in this creative blog hop event, I have an awesome partner! Lori partnered me up with the uber talented Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio of Plus Size Bangles.

Karyn is an illustrator, writer and jewelry designer! I am beyond thrilled to have such an inspiring partner. I love the natural elements that she uses in her designs and the way she plays the colors off one another.

One of the pieces in her Etsy shop, titled Autumn Acorn Necklace.

Her new digital painting and my personal favorite, Dawn Beach Lattice.

I am anxious to select a bead soup for her and even more excited to see what she will send me!

Stop by on March 3rd for the reveal of my Bead Soup creation and a list of participants. This is going to be fun!

A New Year, A New State!

2012-01-04T08:47:00.000-05:00

My husband and I are starting the new year off by packing, packing and more packing as we make our way from Maryland to northern Virginia. We have been orchestrating this move for over a year and the pieces have finally fallen into place!

So my studio, a once (mostly) organized space is looking sad as it's contents make their way into boxes, many boxes. I am convinced that my beads and supplies are multiplying! No matter how many boxes I fill, I don't seem to make much of a dent in clearing the room!

I promise to post again once we are in our new place. It may be a few weeks, but I am excited about our new home and our new adventure of living in Virginia!

The Best Gift Ever...Our Dog Twila

2011-12-24T11:25:00.002-05:00

Four years ago Brenton and I decided to get a dog. He grew up with dogs and felt that owning one would bring a lot of joy into our lives (and it has). We decided on adopting a dog, rather than purchasing one from a breeder. We were focusing on pit-bulls and boxers because Brenton’s sister adopted two pit mixes and they are the most wonderful dogs.

Adopting was a long process of several months. We went through multiple organizations, paid application fees, and even sat through a home inspection. We attended several adoption events to meet/try different dogs. At one event, while looking at another dog, Twila chose us.

She nuzzled her way into our laps, and soaked up our affection. Unfortunately, we were about to leave on a vacation, and had to postpone her adoption for three weeks. When we returned, we picked her up at an adoption event in a town just west of Richmond, Va.

Sadly, she was bleeding. That morning, or the day before, the "foster" owner claimed his dog beat her up. She had cuts on her legs, ears, and face that later became scars. None of this trauma jaded her affection toward other dogs or people though.

Over the years, we have given her a stable home, predictable routine, the mental stimulation she needs through training and more love than you could imagine! She's become a wonderful companion, and brings joy to us and others wherever she goes.

Recently, she's had some problems with her shoulder, causing her to limp. After it persisted for too long, we took her in to get x-rayed. They x-rayed the upper half of her body. We were horrified.

As the veterinarian posted the x-rays up onto the light box, my eyes filled with tears and my jaw dropped. Several air rifle pellets and a bb where shown to be embedded inside her. This could have only happened to her when she was just a puppy, having adopted her at just under a year old. It appears that someone must have used her as target practice. It sickens us to think of people who would do this. It breaks my heart to think of her past, but knowing that she will always be safe and loved puts my mind at ease.

Luckily, the pellets don’t appear to be causing her any problems. Her limp turns out to be a pulled shoulder from having too much fun while playing.

Those of you thinking of adding a pet to your life, please adopt. Consider all breeds. Clearly, these animals have been through more than you'll ever know, and need a loving home.

I titled this post “The Best Gift Ever” because that is truly how we feel about our dog Twila. Everyone says “she is so lucky to have you”, but the truth is we are the lucky ones. She has brought more joy to our lives than we ever imagined. Nothing brings a smile to my face like she does!

Christmas 2010. This is what our living room looks like after opening presents on Christmas morning. No, we don't have four kids just one dog who LOVES to open presents!

Ornament Swap Blog Hop

2011-12-17T10:27:00.007-05:00

Today is the reveal day of the Ornament Swap Blog Hop hosted by Sally Russick of Wire Worked. The idea was to create an ornament, containing at least one art bead, and then mail it to the person you were paired up with. What a fun concept-count me in! I was paired up with the ultra talented Susan Kennedy of Sue Beads. She makes gorgeous lampworked beads. I did quite the happy dance when the partner list was revealed!

This is the beautiful ornament that Sue created for me...

This is the lampworked bead she created-isn't it gorgeous!

Looks like a tiny poinsettia!

This is the ornament that I created for Sue...

The materials I used were a cherry red ceramic bead by Elaine Ray, Chinese crystals,

a textured aluminum square that I created and a spiral head pin.

I created the spiral hook from silver filled wire.

Now, it is time to finish decorating my Christmas tree!

Please visit the other participants:

Erin Prais-Hintz and Alice Peterson

Sally Russick and Kim Hora

Susan Kennedy and Kathleen Lange Klik

Patty Gasparino and Cindy Wimmer

Hope Smitherman and Melissa Meman

Jennifer L. Justman and Sandi Volpe

Jenny Davies-Reazor and Christine Altimiller

Rebecca Anderson and Jen Velasquez

Jeanette Blix Ryan and Tamara Soper

Holly Westfall and Mallory Hoffman

A Quiet Walk Through The Woods

2011-12-13T09:34:00.011-05:00

The trees are bare and the temperature outside colder, but a walk in the woods never ceases to inspire me. Without the leaves, I begin to focus on the beauty of the branches. Their texture and angles are so unique. Just like a snowflake, no two are ever exactly alike!

It is quieter in the woods, this time of year. The birds have flown south and the owls have taken refuge elsewhere. The trees are sweet reminders that they will return again, but beauty and inspiration are still there...you just have to listen in a different way.

Holiday Ornament Winner...

2011-12-09T14:10:00.004-05:00

In the spirit of the holiday season, I thought it would be fun to give away one of the ornaments that I created for the Art Bead Scene Holiday Ornament Blog Hop! The name of each person who commented was printed on a piece of paper, folded and dropped into a bowl. I know, very old school.

The name that was randomly pulled from the bowl is...Diana P. of Suburban Girl Studio!
She commented that this ornament was her favorite.

Thank you Heather Powers for hosting the ornament blog hop, the talented people who participated and the wonderful people who left comments on my post-each one is greatly appreciated!

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Art Bead Scene Holiday Ornament Blog Hop...And Giveaway!

2011-12-04T20:27:00.028-05:00

Today is the reveal day for the Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop, hosted by Heather Powers. The criteria for participants was to create a holiday ornament using handmade components or art beads. I had so much fun designing an ornament that I ended up creating two! I even have a few more ornaments on my bead table that I am working on for Christmas gifts.

Both of my ornaments have pottery components created by Cindy of Captured Moments. She makes really fantastic pottery beads and pendants and welcomes special orders. I selected the colors and textures for each bead and she created them for me!

The first ornament I created began with an oval pottery bead from Captured Moments. I attached clear and emerald green Chinese crystals to the bottom, finishing it with a spiral head pin. I made a fun spiral hook with 18 gauge silver wire and attached it with a jump ring that I added two silver seed beads to.

For this ornament, I cut and textured pieces of aluminum, connecting each one with jump rings and matte gold seed beads. The bottom bead is a pottery bead with a script design from Captured Moments. The ornament hook is made from 18 gauge silver wire.

In the spirit of the holiday season, I will be giving away one of my ornaments! For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post and tell me which ornament you would like to win. The winner will be selected on Friday December 9th.

Please check out what other participants have created...

Life in the Lyon's Den

Islandgirl's Insights

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Holiday Earrings

2011-12-03T11:19:00.003-05:00

I will admit, in the past I mostly created necklaces. This is due to the fact that I always wear a necklace, but bracelets and earrings not as much. When I signed on last May to sell my jewelry at Body Wellness Spa, the owner requested that I include earrings in my collections. She explained that this was due to customers wanting to add a finishing touch to their new hair style or glowing skin after a facial. So at her request, I made sure that I always had a selection of earrings.

Upon the request to create more earrings for the spa, I realized how much fun designing earrings can be! Options are endless; ear wires in a variety of shapes and metals, posts, long, short, casual, funky, dressy, artsy...

So I thought I would share some of my new designs with you...

natural turquoise small nuggets

sterling silver wire

triangle pewter spacers

16 karat gold plated brass pine tree branches

smokey quartz faceted rondelles

gold filled ball posts

sterling silver coated ceramic

sterling silver wire

onyx

Challenge of Color Reveal...

2011-11-30T06:00:00.010-05:00

Today is the reveal day for participants of the Challenge of Color, created by the lovely and ultra talented Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati Jewelry. Erin created a grid of 12 colors, instructing each participant to select one hue. I chose teal for my color.

She then selected color palettes from Design Seeds, one for each person, based on the hue we selected. Design Seeds has an endless supply of inspiring color palettes! Mine was Silk Hues. Both the name and hues in the color palette are beautiful. I have never combined teal with pink, so this was definitely a challenge of color for me!

After bringing the Silk Hues color palette up on my monitor, I started looking through my bead collection. I had already envisioned using teal leather cord, but wasn't quite sure what beads I wanted to work with. Another part of the challenge for me was to create a piece of jewelry with beads that I already own, rather than purchasing new ones. I pulled everything that fell into the color palette and set them on my bead table. I was instantly drawn to teal javanese glass disc beads. They have a contemporary style to them, which I love, so I let them set the tone for my design. I then started adding in round watermelon dolomite marble beads. This is the first time I have ever used those colors together! The result is fun and contemporary!

I had a lot of fun with Erin's Challenge of Color. It really encouraged me to create outside of my comfort zone. This necklace is by far the most colorful piece I have ever created! Thank you Erin for such an awesome design challenge!!

Now on to to see what the other participants have created...

  Norma Turvey Teal Color Crave
  Jeannie Dukic Green Mineral Tones
Mary McGraw Teal Embellished Hues
Jo Tinley Red Decadent Tones
Rebecca Anderson Pink Tulip Tones
Kristi Jaro Red Temple Entrance
Stephani Gorman Green Dew Tones
Melissa Meman Green Fruit Star
Kathleen Lange Klik Teal Silk Hues
Cynthia Riggs Red Autumn Comfort
Heidi Post Teal Flora Bright
Cece Cormier Teal Merino Teal
Amy Freeland Gray Cultured Tones
Alice Peterson Blue Island Play
Rose Noble Gray Autumn Stacked
Kristina Johansson Yellow Sunny Flower
Kirsi Luostarinen Teal Dragon Hues
Tari Kahrs Orange Citrus Tones
Mallory Hoffman Purple Petaled Dark
Molly Alexander Brown Peppered Tones
Regina Santerre Red Frosted Berry
Emanda Johnson Teal Color Purl
Amy Severino Orange Winged Tones
Bobbie Rafferty Teal Lime Hues
Tanya Goodwin Gray Pecked Tones
  Lisa Lodge Blue Nocturnal Tones
Hope Smitherman Blue Bloom Tones
Linda Landig Green Cacti Dark
Ambra Gostoli Teal Perched Autumn
Lori Bowring-Michaud Blue Sharpened Blue
Pippa Chandler Teal Hungarian Hues
Keirsten Giles Purple Mineral Brights
Jennifer Justman Blue Autumn Rays
Sandy Richardson Purple Moroccan Brights
CJ Bauschka Teal Teal Air
Shaiha Williams Teal Sushi Hues
Kay Thomerson Purple Autumn Spectrum
Sally Russick Purple Golden Gate Tones
Cilla Watkins Purple Autumn Infused
Shirley Moore Purple Frozen Heather
Jenni Connolly Gray Paw Tones
Tamara Soper Green Field Tones
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson Blue Nested Blues
Jen Velasquez Pink Sweetened Tints
Maria Grimes Red Bright Bloom
Elisabeth Auld Gray Petaled Tints
Susan Kennedy Pink Zinnia Tones
Shannon Chomanczuk Gray Autumn Leaf
Holly Westfall Yellow Sprinkled Tones
Patty Gasparino Red Color Carton
Angela Little Pink Singapore Brights
  Lizzie Zawinski Green Budding Hues
Kristen Stevens Green Scooped Tones
Dawn Doucette Brown Jarred Tones

Inspiration is everywhere, even in a nut!

2011-10-31T08:30:00.003-04:00

While in Hawaii, I of course found a bead shop to check out! I was hoping to find beads native from the island. I came across two at Kathleen's Creation's in Hawi that will be fun to incorporate into jewelry designs.

The first one, a mungumbo seed is a small grey seed with a soft velvety texture. I first saw this seed in a bracelet that was being sold at the L. Zeidman Gallery in Hawi. My husband surprised me with the bracelet later that evening before we went out for dinner! I purchased ten of these seeds at the shop not knowing that my husband had went back to the gallery to buy the bracelet.

So now I will either make a necklace or earrings, or both, to match it!

The second find is a black and white kukui nut. I didn't have any ideas jump into my mind immediately upon seeing these, but they were so visually interesting that I had to purchase a few!

Inspired by Hawaii

2011-10-29T17:32:00.005-04:00

My husband and I just returned from a vacation on Hawaii's Big Island. From lava rock landscapes, to rain forests, hiking into the crater of a volcano, swimming with sea turtles and looking down at the clouds from 13,796 feet above sea level. It was a very adventurous vacation. I was inspired by the abundant beauty that the island offered...

We stayed at the Waikoloa Resort-it was paradise! The view from our room.

One of the sea turtles that we swam with. Most amazing experience ever!

One of the many birds that greeted us each morning.

Coffee plant at Greenwell Coffee Farms in Kona.

Beautiful coral that is meant to be seen and not harvested or touched!

Life starts new again inside the crevice of a volcano crater.

No soil, just lava rock and nature working together.

Exploring the volcanic landscape that Pele, goddess of fire created; Kilauea Crater.

Beautiful plants in the rain forest.

Making our way up Mauna Kea summit.

Looking down at the clouds from 13,796 feet, atop Mauna Kea. Beautiful!

HotFlash GlassWorks

2011-10-01T13:25:00.002-04:00

Last weekend at the Arts and Music Festival in Annapolis, I had the honor of meeting a talented local lampwork artist named Patti Tolley Parrish of HotFlash GlassWorks.

Just look at these treasures! Prices of her beads range from $3-$20

Patti has been creating lampworked beads for two years. She works a full time job during the week, so she spends most nights and weekends creating gorgeous glass beads. Her favorite glass to work with is Dark Clio made by Double Helix GlassWorks. "Its loaded with silver and when layered with other colors and reduced, you can get some amazing hot pink and watermelon colors that are hard to come by in hot glass". She is also partial to Zimmerman Purple Rose (commonly known as Z-99 to the lampwork community). She loves using Pale Aqua transparent and and etches it to resemble sea glass.

She also creates a number of items with her beads including earrings, bracelets, pendants, wine bottle stoppers, magnifying glasses, and antique skeleton keys with lampwork done directly on them.

Patti is working on filling her Etsy shop with her creations. To see more of her work or to contact her, check out HotFlash GlassWorks.

Arts and Music Festival

2011-09-27T12:02:00.009-04:00

This past weekend, I had a booth at the Quiet Waters Arts and Music Festival in Annapolis, Maryland. The festival was set in the gardens that surround the visitor center. It is a really beautiful setting! The weather forecast stated rain and thunderstorms for the whole weekend-yikes! It rained, I mean poured, all day Friday and I prepared for a wet weekend. Well the craft show stars must have been in alignment, because the rain stopped just as the festival began Saturday morning! In fact, it didn't rain until later that evening and then stopped on Sunday morning, just as day two was starting!

This is the first large craft show that I have participated in, so I was not sure what to expect. My husband (he helped me on both days!) and I were planning on it being a slow weekend because of the weather forecast. Wow, were we ever wrong-both days were amazing! I had almost a non-stop flow of people visiting my booth. All of them had such wonderful things to say about both my jewelry and my displays. The majority of them commented that they liked my jewelry because it was unique and very different from other jewelry that they have seen! I could only dream of comments like that! To have people tell you that they love your art is such an amazing experience. I create pieces that I love and would wear, but to have others feel the same way is an absolute gift!

My husband bought me an outdoor rug that really gives it a welcoming feel. He also helps me display the jewelry on the tables-he has a fantastic eye for it! I have given him the title of "Creative Director"!

I created some necklace displays from fallen tree branches. They add a fun, natural touch. I also painted wooden letters to add a little "creativity" to the tables.

Before the show, I had searched for small pebbles to place on my plates. After not finding something I liked, I thought I would try dried peas and beans-worked beautifully. A lot of customers joked that I could make soup after the show was over!

This was the view from our booth! One of the beautiful sculpture gardens.

All in all it was a wonderful experience! The weather, while very humid, turned out to be quite nice. The event was well organized and volunteers of the festival stopped by everyone's booth throughout the two days to see if breaks were needed. I got to meet some amazing artisans (including a lampwork bead artists I will post about in a few days), spend two days in a beautiful park and had the wonderful opportunity to sell my jewelry to some of the nicest people I have ever met! Plus, I had set a sales goal for the weekend and nearly doubled it! I don't mean to brag, I am just amazed and super excited!

These are some of the different areas that had booths set up. I was so busy throughout both days that I didn't get a chance to take any photos of the festival, so I took some photos of the beautiful grounds after the event was over.

I have to give thanks to Lori Anderson for sharing her experience of craft shows with me as well as the excellent advice of having a lot of earrings to sell. She was spot on! Lori: my husband thought your suggestion was a really great idea! Thank you for being so generous with your information.

I also have to once again thank my ultra supportive husband. He helped me set up, ring up all transactions so I could take care of packaging, let me take several breaks, disassemble everything and carry all of the heavy stuff! He also made sure the jewelry was well organized and displayed nicely, filling in any empty spots after a piece had sold. He really is the best-I am very lucky!

Inspired By Creative Jewelry

2011-09-22T09:56:00.005-04:00

Last Friday, FedEx delivered a long anticipated package...The 2011 issue of Creative Jewelry!! Equally as exciting as having this awesome magazine in my possession, is having my necklace titled Morning Glory published in it! This was my first time submitting my jewelry to Interweave. Last winter, I submitted four designs to Stringing (a publication of Interweave) and they requested that I mail them three. I was so excited and honored! They then contacted me a few months later to inform me that they wanted to publish my Morning Glory necklace in the 2011 issue of Creative Jewelry. I was floored! Still am.

The beautiful piece on the cover was designed by the ultra talented Erin Prais-Hintz. I have admired her work since I began designing a few years ago. The magazine is filled with stunning creations by a variety of amazing jewelry artists. I am truly honored to be part of this wonderful publication. If you don't already own a copy, I highly recommend purchasing one-you will be creatively inspired!

Bead Soup Block Party 2011

2011-09-17T00:01:00.012-04:00

This is my first year participating in the Bead Soup Block Party, hosted by Lori Anderson. I was paired up with Maria Clark of Sweet Willow Designs. Maria creates gorgeous beads from polymer clay. She sent me a beautiful two-sided pendant, three smaller focal beads and a clasp that she made. Along with her creations, she also sent some really cool dyed serpentinite jasper rondelles, copper beads with a turquoise splash, oxidized copper round beads and a variety of bone beads.

The colors are gorgeous and immediately made me thing of summer fading to autumn.

Summer Fading to Autumn...

I added:

textured antiqued copper chain

bronze colored freshwater pearls

8mm antiqued copper round beads

Parawire in 24 and 28 gauge

two toggle clasps

antiqued copper oval jump rings

antiqued copper earwires

The back of the pendant is textured in a really cool pattern that reminds me of tree bark. I love that I can wear the necklace with either side of the pendant showing!

I played around with the beads Maria sent me, making some mental sketches. I had a few different options for both a necklace and bracelet. I kept going back to dangling the copper beads with turquoise splash from antiqued copper chain. Once I settled on my necklace design, I then realized that I had enough beads to create two bracelets and a pair of earrings.

The pieces I designed are not like anything I have created before. This was the first time I have worked with polymer clay beads or even beads with flowers on them. This bead soup definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but in a really wonderful way! It is also the most wire wrapping I have done to date, and I must say I really enjoyed adding that element to the design. The only problem I encountered was how to go about dangling the freshwater pearls from the chain. The head pins I used to attach the dyed jasper rondelles were too thick for the pearls. I then remembered a technique I had seen in Heather Power's Inspired by Nature book, wire tendrils. I used 28 gauge wire to create little tendrils on each end of the pearls and then attached them to the chain. It also added a really fun aspect to the pearls.

I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the BSBP. From sending and receiving a bead soup to getting to know my way cool partner to designing outside of my comfort zone. Now I look forward to sitting back and admiring what the other participants have created!

To see what other party goers have created, just click on the link:

Bead Soup Block Party 2011.

Check out the map too, it is amazing!

Thank you Lori Anderson for hosting the Bead Soup Block Party. Your time and dedication is appreciated more than you know. You are an inspiration. You are beautiful. Thank you for all that you contribute to the beading world! The BSBP is a wonderful way to get to know people in the beading community, be inspired and make new friends. Hello new friends!

Inspired By Nature.

2011-09-16T09:24:00.002-04:00

The wait is over. Heather Power's "Inspired by Nature" book has arrived! It is filled with gorgeous jewelry projects, divided into three categories: Woodlands (my favorite), Gardens and Sea. She lists the materials needed for each project with beautifully illustrated instructions. The design layout reminds me of a sketch journal. She also has a side bar giving insight into the inspiration behind each piece (my favorite part)!

One of the reasons for my interest and excitement about "Inspired by Nature" is that I too am immensely inspired by nature. Nature's beauty has always captivated me. It leaves me in awe every time. Whether it is hiking in the Adirondack mountains, walking beside the Atlantic ocean, admiring the beauty of the Autumn season or observing the woodland animals in my backyard, nature speaks to me and I relay it's message through my art.

This weekend, Heather is hosting an Inspired by Nature retreat along the shore of Lake Michigan. If I didn't have to prepare for an upcoming Arts and Music Festival, I would so be there! Sounds like an awesome weekend filled with inspiration, creativity, and making new friends. I can't wait to see what the attendees of the retreat create!

Inspired By Beauty

2011-09-14T23:02:00.006-04:00

An amazing girl that I went to school with grades 6-12, suffers from Chiari. Chiari is a serious neurological condition that causes debilitating pain and life threatening symptoms. To date, there is no cure. In an effort to bring awareness of the disorder to western New York, where she lives, Agnes organized Buffalo's first Conquer Chiari Walk Across America in 2010. The nation-wide annual event, being held this year on Saturday September 17th, is helping to raise awareness of Chiari, as well as raise money for research.

16 karat gold plated brass square link chain, bronze Czech glass beads, vermeil s-hook clasp.

I wanted to make a contribution to the Buffalo event, in honor of Agnes, so I created this necklace for the auction to help raise money. Inspired by her beauty, inside and out, I designed a modern piece that I felt would appeal to most women. I choose gold and bronze because it has a nice warmth to it, perfect for the upcoming Autumn season. I hope it brings in some good bidding! For more information: Conquer Chiari

Love and Mickey Mouse pancakes.

2011-09-12T10:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning, my husband wanted to make sure I was well fueled for the bead show I attended, Northeast Bead Exstavaganza, in Severna Park. So he made me whole wheat Mickey Mouse pancakes, complete with Morning Star Farms soy sausages! I went to the show because there were some vendors in it that I missed at Bead Fest. I was able to find the items I was looking for and a few other goodies. It is one of the smaller bead shows that I have attended, but a decent selection of vendors.

My husband has been quite the savior lately. Last week, my computer pretty much bit the dust and he ordered me a new one. Being married to a computer geek does have it's benefits! It is so cool-everything is built into the flat screen monitor! With a 21.5" inch screen, it is much larger than my old one, which is perfect for photo editing. Perfect timing as I have a lot of photo editing from weekend assignments (in case you all didn't know, I am also a photojournalist).

So, to my amazing husband: thank you for all that you do! And not just because you make me Mickey Mouse pancakes, but also for just being wonderful you.

Woodland Bracelets

2011-09-08T19:05:00.005-04:00

I have been spending almost every spare moment creating pieces for an upcoming Arts and Music Festival in Annapolis. I am working on different themed collections; Inspired by the Sea, Tribal Arts, Woodland and Winter Solstice. I just completed several bracelets that will be added to my Woodland collection. I really enjoyed working with the soapstone beads. I have had them for several years, waiting for inspiration. After spending time in the Pocono Mountains a few weekends ago, I returned to my studio with a collection of tree bark that had fallen to the forest floor. The variations in the soapstone reminded me of the color and texture of the bark.

I am super excited about my new designs and thought I would share them with you!

Soapstone, hematite, blown glass, antiqued silver twig toggle and pine cone.

I used black cotton cord instead of wire to string the beads, keeping with the rustic feel of the bracelet.

My favorite part is the twig toggle with the pine cone dangling from it!

Pineapple quartz glass, lamp worked glass, antiqued brass square links, toggle and bird.

I love the element of surprise added by the green glass bead and the bird.

Recycled glass, siamese cassia tree stick bead, ceramic, palm wood,

laminated wood barrel, antiqued copper wavy discs, toggle and pine cone.

Reminds me of an autumn sunset!

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-26T21:26:00.000-04:00

To everyone on the east coast: have a safe weekend!

Treasures From Bead Fest.

2011-08-25T22:04:00.010-04:00

I have returned from Bead Fest with knowledge in soldering, after taking a metalsmithing class with Kieu Pham Gray, and a bag full of treasures! The class with Kieu was very educational and entertaining. After getting over my anxiety of using a torch, I created this fun spiral link bracelet that Kieu designed. I am very excited about my new skill! I even bought a soldering kit that her shop Urban Beader was selling. I can't wait to create with it!

This is the bracelet I created in Kieu's class!

The rest of my time at Bead Fest was spent shopping! The one thing I regret is not starting at the back where the artisan vendors were. I started in the front and was left with little time to check out all the wonderful creations they were selling. Here are some of the lovely artisan treasures that I purchased...

top left: toggle clasp from Earthenwood Studio

top right: pewter pendant and toggle from Green Girl Studios (I love the owl and twig toggle)

bottom left to right:

ceramic beads and pendants from Firefly Design Studio

creamic beads from Elaine Ray at Ornamentea

flameworked glass from Nitabeads

Once I made my way to the artisan area, I started out at Ornamentea where I met Tracy Thomasson and the Uber talented Elaine Ray. I am now absolutely addicted to her beads! I had a really wonderful time talking with both ladies. Bead people are so awesome!

Check out all those gorgeous ceramic beads!

I also purchased a gorgeous toggle clasp from Melanie Brooks at Earthenwood Studio. I don't think I will be able to part with the clasp, so the design I create will have to be added to my personal collection!

A lot of her creations were sold out. Mental note for next time: start with the artisan vendors!

One of my favorite vendors is Clever Treasures. Treasures, I certainly found!

The last stop was Silver Silk. The only reason it ended up being the last stop was because I couldn't find their booth. I kept getting turned around in the square maze of vendors! Did anyone else have that problem? I normally have a good sense of direction, but not this Bead Fest. I blame it on the new location. That is my story and I am sticking to it! By the time I made it there, they were sold out of everything I wanted. But Becky gave me some samples of their gorgeous new burgundy and bronze knitted wire. Both have been added to my must buy list!

The awesome Becky Machinski cleaning up after a busy weekend of selling.

This year, I was drawn to teal, earth tones and beads that had a tribal characteristic to them.

Here are some of the highlights...

recycled glass from African Beads

dyed faceted rectangle agate from Star's Clasps

dyed fire agate from Commercial Resources (NJ) Corp

pyrite from Chico Silver

panganto wood from Priscilla Marban

agate from Commercial Resources (NJ) Corp

agate and antique soo chow jade from Bead Plus Silver

giraffe pattern agate from Commercial Resources (NJ) Corp

porcelain cubes from Cherry Tree Beads

trapezoid shaped wood from J&M Gems and Things

colored lava rock beads from Cherry Tree Beads

Some of my fun findings:

decoupage pendants from Prascilla Marban

polyester link chain in gray and olive from Beadalon

knitted wire in bronze and burgundy from Silver Silk

brass leaf pendants from Sonoran Beads

words and leaf pendants from Lipstick Ranch

Metal beauties:

Thai silver, brass, silver brass and brass heishi from Hands of the Hills

sterling silver plated copper chain and rhodium plated copper rectangle beads from Bead Palace

patterned chain from Primitive Earth Beads

Another year, another shopping trip gone by all too fast! But I am giddy with excitement over my new treasures!

Bead Soup Block Party Beads Have Arrived!

2011-08-25T18:15:00.004-04:00

The extraordinarily talented Maria Clark of Sweet Willow Designs, my BSBP partner, sent me the most amazing bead soup! I am not a fan of texting shorthand, but OMG are they gorgeous! My eyes widened, my jaw dropped and ideas started spinning in my head as I opened the lovely pouch she mailed them in. I am so doing the Snoopy dance right now!

The focal and accent beads, two of which were used to create a really cool clasp, were all created by Maria. Wow! She also sent some really cool dyed serpentinite jasper rondelles, copper beads with a turquoise splash, oxidized copper round beads and a variety of bone beads too. What a gorgeous combination-turquoise and copper! It reminds me of summer changing to autumn.

Now, onto creating...

Bead Fest Adventure.

2011-08-18T09:21:00.000-04:00

In a few hours I will be making my way to Bead Fest Philadelphia-woohoo! Three days of shopping and learning-what more could a bead addict, I mean jewelry artist ask for! I am finalizing my list of favorite vendors to visit. Any last minutes suggestions? What are some of your favorite vendors?

For those of you attending, have safe travels and a wonderful weekend in beadland!

Bead Soup Block Party.

2011-08-17T13:06:00.003-04:00

This is the first time I am participating in the Bead Soup Block Party, hosted by the ultra talented Lori Anderson. I am very excited about being paired up with Maria Clark of Sweet Willow Designs. She creates gorgeous jewelry with mixed media and polymer clay. I have been wanting to create with polymer clay for some time (bought all the materials, just need to get started) and think Maria will inspire me.

I mailed out Maria's bead soup yesterday and hope she finds inspiration in the mix!

I am really looking forward to not only creating with the bead soup Maria sends me but also blog hopping and getting to know other artists in the beading community. I can't wait to see what everyone creates-what fun!

Beads of Clay Giveaway!

2011-08-16T14:24:00.000-04:00

I recently started incorporating clay beads and pendants into my designs. I spotted this giveaway while blog surfing and had to share it! I would love to win these gorgeous ceramic treasures, wouldn't you? The artists that are sharing their creations are: Pam Cresswell, Elaine Ray, Dana Sieben, MaryAnn Carroll and Yolanda Miramontes. The drawing will be held on August 17th, so you still have some time left! You can enter and read more about it at Beads of Clay .

Getting Ready For Bead Fest!

2011-08-14T13:33:00.003-04:00

I am counting down the days to my favorite bead show - Bead Fest in Philadelphia! This year, I am taking a metalsmithing class with Kieu Pham Gray-very excited! Because the class is held during bazaar hours, it will mean less shopping time for beads and findings. So, I have made a list of everything I need/want with the vendor name attached. This list will be my first priority. Any time and money left over will be devoted to lovely treasures that inspire me. This is my plan and I am sticking to it... we'll see how well that works out. I will try my best to not get distracted by the thousands of gorgeous beads that will line my path. Hmmm, maybe I should come up with a slightly more realistic plan!

My cousin Holly, a jewelry artist from upstate New York, at Bead Fest 2009.

Anyone have some good strategies or tips for shopping at Bead Fest? If you would like to meet up at Bead Fest, send me a message. I'd love to get to know fellow artists in the beading community!

Support Your Local Bead Shop.

2011-08-13T14:21:00.004-04:00

As summer starts to wind down, I can look to some of the jewelry I created as sweet reminders. Most of the pieces I designed this summer were inspired by the ocean. Mostly because it is a beautiful part of the earth. But also because we have had some extreme heat, even for Maryland's standards, and it has made me long for cool water!

My necklace, titled Ocean Breeze, was published in the August issue of Bead Trends!

This necklace is a special piece for me because I created it with supplies from two of my favorite bead shops!
I am all for supporting local bead shops, whether or not they are in my home town.

The hemp cord is from The Twisted Bead in Edgewater, Maryland. The shop opened last fall and has been my local go to resource for beads and findings. They have a really wonderful selection! The owner, Michele Tango, is very friendly, knowledgeable and will order something for you if you don't see it in her shop. If you are ever in the Annapolis area, I highly recommend stopping here, you won't be disappointed!

The sea glass beads are from Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry in Joplin, Missouri. While I have never been inside their actual store, I am a regular shopper on their website. They too have a wonderful selection, especially of findings! They also have a no minimum purchase requirement, so if you only need a clasp and two jump rings, then you can purchase just that. Although we have never met in person, the owner Jennifer Lavite offers personable, friendly customer service as though we were long time friends.

Support your local bead store!

Inspired By Lavender And Teal

2011-08-05T16:25:00.013-04:00

While finishing up my summer collection, I was drawn to the teal glass discs made in Java, Indonesia from Happy Mango Beads, that were sitting on my work table. I thought they would look spectacular spaced apart on the silver 3-needle round knitted wire that I purchased from Silver Silk. Excited by my new design, I ordered more of the disc beads in lavender and created another necklace, using the same design concept.

That idea then inspired a 3-strand necklace using recycled coke bottle glass beads, also from Happy Mango Beads. The random spacing of the glass beads on the knitted wire really adds a unique element to it. My first idea was to have seven beads all together in the center of each strand, but then I started moving the beads around. The end result is visually interesting. It looks really beautiful on too!

I love that the materials used in these designs are made from recycled glass, supporting Fair Trade and manufactured locally (knitted wire).

Tribal Poetry.

2011-07-30T11:07:00.002-04:00

The creation of Tribal Poetry slowly unfolded over the course of eight months. I started the piece while vacationing with family in the Adirondacks. I found the 18 gauge copper wire in a unique “everything under the sun” store called Old Forge Hardware. When I returned to our cabin, I was inspired by the mountainous landscape and created the focal piece. It sat in my “to create” bin, until recently. While working on some other pieces of jewelry, a strand of teal mother of pearl caught my eye as the perfect compliment. It reminded me of the ocean waves of Cape Cod, where my husband and I vacationed the year before. This necklace is a story about visiting unique places and the beauty of spending time with family.

I am very honored to have Tribal Poetry featured in the September 2011 issue of Bead Style magazine! It is in their "Designs we love" section on page 17. The issue hits news stands on August 2, 2011.

Humblebeads Awesome Giveaway.

2011-07-30T09:47:00.005-04:00

Heather Powers of Humblebeads creates some of the most beautiful polymer clay beads I have ever seen. Their detail is amazing. She is giving away some of her gorgeous hand crafted beads. Check it out...

Humblebeads Giveaway

A Golden Opportunity.

2011-07-25T21:44:00.008-04:00

Having a wooded area behind our house, we frequently get a variety of visitors from the animal world. Owls, deer, squirrels, bunnies and a variety of birds seem to enjoy our yard. This gold finch landed on the black eyed susans in our back yard Sunday morning! The golden color in the bird and the flowers pop against the green grass in the background.

This image, while quite literal, is my interpretation of Andrew Thornton's weekly word-Golden. There are so many ways to explore this word, both creatively and literally. My interpretation isn't about the color as much as it is about the golden opportunity to capture such a beautiful aspect of nature, right in my own back yard!

Time for an Adirondack Adventure!

2011-07-19T23:02:00.010-04:00

Each summer, we head to the towns of Old Forge and Inlet for our annual family vacation in the Adirondack Mountains. It is a beautiful, peaceful, inspiring and exhilarating place to be. I spend most of my time capturing the beauty of the landscape with my camera, going on hikes, creating jewelry and relaxing on the floating dock. It is pure bliss!

I am most inspired by nature, and my creativity is always sparked as I take in the natural beauty of the landscape. The textures and colors of the trees, plants and rocks influence a lot of my autumn season designs. The subtle ripple of the water in the lake, so clear you can actually see the bottom, influences my summer designs. Everywhere I look their is inspiration brought on by this breathtaking place!

To really understand the natural beauty of the landscape, you must be willing to hike across or up it! My husband, his mother and I like to challenge ourselves at least once a year by hiking a difficult/somewhat difficult mountain. Last year, my mother-in-law and I hiked up Mount Jo near Lake Placid. We made it almost to the top, when a thunderstorm and pouring rain forced us to turn around and head back down the mountain. So close! This year, the three of us and our dog hiked Mount Jo again, making it all the way to the top. What a spectacular view, worth every step!

At the top of the mountain, there was a garnet vein running through the rock.

While I didn't carve any garnet out of the rock (disrupting the mountain face is discouraged) it did inspire me to work on a garnet collection for the winter season!

We also spent some time exploring a small marsh island in 7th Lake. We collected some drift wood that I intend to use as part of my jewelry displays for craft shows.

My husband and our dog Twila-she loves to run through the water!

I decided to cool off in the crystal clear water. The water is a bit deeper than it looks!

7th Lake. Wish I was still there!

Fiber Artistry Inspiration

2011-07-08T10:27:00.004-04:00

Lindsay, my sister-in-law, showed me how to make felted beads. We had fun rolling the wool into ball shaped beads until our palms were raw! Taking inspiration from the natural beauty of the trees and pink hued sunsets in the Adirondack Mountains, I designed a necklace. I used the beads I created, along with square jasper beads, and added in a polka dotted bead that Lindsay made. I submitted it to Bead Trends magazine, who published it in the January 2011 issue! I named the piece Dutch Hollow after Lindsay's farm, Dutch Hollow Acres.

This week, Lindsay is going to teach me how to crochet. Only I plan to use 26 and 28 gauge wire instead of yarn! I can't wait to learn as I have been wanting to create bracelets and necklaces by crocheting wire! I might add in some fibers as well. I will post my creation, assuming it actually resembles a bracelet or necklace!

Best Bead Show - Baltimore

2011-06-27T20:38:00.015-04:00

I took a day trip to Hunt Valley, Maryland last Friday to scope out the Best Bead Show. This was my first time attending this show and I will have to say that it was a really great bead show! Well organized and a wonderful selection of vendors. I made a point to first visit vendors that I haven't been to at Bead Fest. Once I gathered up some unique beads and findings, including a really cool sea urchin spine and unique lampworked glass bead, I headed to the Silver Silk booth to purchase a spool of gorgeous double knit silver wire. Becky Machinski, their ultra friendly sales director, demonstrated some beautiful ways to create with the different size knitted wire they offer. I can't wait to start working with it! I also love that it is made local in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania!

Some of the highlights of this buying trip:

A beautiful lampworked bead created by Jennifer Fahnestock.
Gorgeous gold filled textured chain from Atlantic Gems.

Modern pewter wavy discs from Elka Designs.

Faceted cloudy amazonite beads from Star's Clasps.
A sea urchin spine from Mommimia.
Gorgeous knitted wire in baby blue and silver from Silver Silk.
A Hill Tribe pure silver leaf from The Bead Goes On.
Chinese Crystal from C&I International.

Arts and Music Festival.

2011-06-23T22:30:00.006-04:00

I am very excited that I have been accepted as a exhibitor in the Arts and Music Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland September 24-25, 2011! I received a letter of congratulations yesterday from the selection jury. My booth location will be in the Formal Gardens. This is my first large scale craft show, so I will be spending the next three months creating, creating creating. I really can't think of a better way to spend my time! I have already recruited my awesome husband, who has been assisting me with craft fairs throughout the summer, to help me on both days. He has been a tremendous help with the set up, tech support, and even creative design of my booth presentation. All that and he cooks for me too!

Inspired by the Ocean.

2011-06-21T14:45:00.021-04:00

One of my recent night time creations, a seaside themed sterling silver charm bracelet. With summer officially starting, thoughts of the ocean influence a lot of my designs this time of year. The Atlantic ocean and it's beautiful sea creatures were the inspiration for this summer piece. I have vacationed in Chincoteague Island, Cape Cod and Bar Harbor, Maine. Memories of those trips influenced me and made me smile as I created. The large link diamond shaped chain adds some contemporary flair, as I always like to incorporate a modern aspect into my designs. The rope toggle finishes it with a hint of nautical.

The oxidized dotted bead and sea glass beads are from one of my favorite bead shops, Dry Gulch in Joplin, Missouri. The silver star fish, hand crafted by the Hill Tribe in Thailand, and sand dollar were purchased at the Innovative Bead Expo in Clarksville, Maryland. The chain is from Rio Grande.

What time are you at your Creative Best?

2011-06-20T23:24:00.003-04:00

I have found that I am at my most creative and productive between the hours of 8 pm and 11 pm. I work on my jewelry designs throughout the day, but once 8 o'clock rolls around, the ideas and momentum really kick in. Strange, maybe. Habitual, yes. Fun, definitely! What time of day are you at your creative best?

Hello Blog World!

2011-06-19T15:20:00.017-04:00

As a jewelry artist, my designs are influenced by nature and the aspects of my daily life. The journeys I have taken, places I have visited, and the colors and texture of the landscape all inspire my creativity. It is a creative world, the one I live in. Through this blog, you will find insight into the thoughts and inspirations that influence my creativity. It is a fun, artistic, colorful, sometimes comical and always adventurous place to be! Welcome.