Saturday, April 28, 2012
Place Holder...
I have been on a whirl wind of travel and a crazy to-do list, but I promise that I will post my treasures from Bead Fest soon! I am thinking of having a giveaway as well. I apologize for the extended silence. I really appreciate each and every follower/reader of my blog! Thank you for your patience.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Bead Fest Wrap Up: Part 1
I am back from Bead Fest Spring with plenty of new treasures! Besides shopping, I also took two really great classes. First up was Steel Wire Warm Up with Brenda Schweder.
Brenda taught us about the characteristics of steel wire, how to work with it and finish it (so it doesn't rust). She also showed us a variety of stunning pieces she created with various gauges. The workshop inspired me and has me eager to try out this wonderful and inexpensive wire. Can't wait to get my hands dirty! If you are interested in working with steel wire, check out her book Steel Wire Jewelry.
On Saturday evening I took a class titled Textured Copper Cuffs with Eva Sherman, owner of Grand River Beads. Eva showed us how to anneal copper with a torch, texture it, form it and rivet it. She also brought in some gorgeous cuffs that she created, wetting our appetites.
She then set us loose to create two-three cuffs of our own. It didn't take me long to get over my torch phobia either! Here is what I created...
Both Eva and Brenda were fantastic instructors! I really enjoyed each class and my newly acquired knowledge. Can't wait to create! By the way, both classes will be offered at Bead Fest in August!
My treasures from Bead Fest will be posted next week...stay tuned for some gorgeous beads and findings!
Brenda taught us about the characteristics of steel wire, how to work with it and finish it (so it doesn't rust). She also showed us a variety of stunning pieces she created with various gauges. The workshop inspired me and has me eager to try out this wonderful and inexpensive wire. Can't wait to get my hands dirty! If you are interested in working with steel wire, check out her book Steel Wire Jewelry.
On Saturday evening I took a class titled Textured Copper Cuffs with Eva Sherman, owner of Grand River Beads. Eva showed us how to anneal copper with a torch, texture it, form it and rivet it. She also brought in some gorgeous cuffs that she created, wetting our appetites.
She then set us loose to create two-three cuffs of our own. It didn't take me long to get over my torch phobia either! Here is what I created...
Both Eva and Brenda were fantastic instructors! I really enjoyed each class and my newly acquired knowledge. Can't wait to create! By the way, both classes will be offered at Bead Fest in August!
My treasures from Bead Fest will be posted next week...stay tuned for some gorgeous beads and findings!
Witnessing Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Flight!
This isn't bead related, but as a NASA geek I have to share my excitement...sitting in traffic for 45 minutes this morning on the Dulles toll road in northern Virginia was worth it; I got to see Space Shuttle Discovery fly overhead on it's last flight before landing at the Dulles Airport! I am honored to witness such an historic moment! Talk about being in the wrong place at the right time.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Beady Goodness; Just Around The Corner!
One week from today, I will be making my journey to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania for Bead Fest Spring! Besides shopping for beads, findings and other treasures, I have signed up for two classes; Steel Wire Warm Up with Brenda Schweder and Textured Copper Cuffs with Eva Sherman.
Steel Wire Warm Up Textured Copper Cuffs
Thursday April 12th 6-9 pm Saturday April 14th 6-9 pm
Thursday April 12th 6-9 pm Saturday April 14th 6-9 pm
I have been wanting to work with steel wire and thought Brenda's class would be the perfect introduction to it! Creating cuffs has been on my to-do list for a while, so when I saw Eva's class I immediately signed up for that as well! Can't wait!
Anyone else headed to Bead Fest? Taking any classes, which ones? Hope to see you there!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Felted Beads
Last week, I decided to make some felted beads from alpaca wool that my sister-in-law Lindsay gave me. She and her husband raise Huacaya alpacas on their farm, Dutch Hollow Acres, in upstate New York. Lindsay showed me how to create felted wool beads two summers ago while we were vacationing in the Adirondack Mountains. I was inspired to make more of these beads after reading Lorelei's blog post two weeks ago.
To create some of your own felted beads you will need the following:
- alpaca wool, dyed various colors (Lindsay has a few bags with a variety of colors for sale at $5 each)
- dish soap (I used Caldrea natural soap in plum+nutmeg for it's super yummy scent)
- water
- a tray for the soap and water
- a dish towel (to dry up any water that drips outside of the tray)
- some good music or a friend (each bead takes about 15-20 minutes to create and time goes by very slowly without either)
Start with a small chunk of fiber (about enough to fit in your palm). Dip it in the soapy water so it is thoroughly saturated. Then very gently and slowly, roll it in a circular motion between your palms until a ball forms. Add small amounts of soap and water to the ball as needed. Keep rolling...and rolling...
These were my results a few hours later! Many thanks to Lindsay for teaching me a new crafty skill and Lorelei for inspiring me!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Inspired by...Bead Soup!
Welcome to the fifth Bead Soup Block Party, hosted by the super-amazing Lori Anderson! This time around, I was paired up with the uber talented Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio of Plus Size Bangles. She is an illustrator, writer and jewelry designer. I told ya she was uber talented!
Here is a peak at what Karyn sent me...
I view each of the blog challenges that I sign up for as an opportunity to try something new. After all, the idea is to work outside of your comfort zone. I wanted to work from the heart, all while trying new design techniques. I envisioned creating a collar that opens in the front.
Here is my result...
I knew that I wanted to place leaves at each end of the collar, making that area the focal point. I formed the collar from 4mm wide aluminum. It was too soft to hold it's own, so I wrapped wire around it, all while adding in the leaves, beads and silver spacers. From the left, I started with the two small brass leaves, organic shaped silver spacers, then added in the carved wood beads, following with the agate beads and finishing with tiger eye pattern Czech crystals from my own bead collection. I finished with another one of the brass leaves Karyn sent me.
I felt the design was missing that oomph I was envisioning. I looked through my leaf collection (I have a bit of a leaf obsession) and found two larger brass leaves and a Vintaj brass leaf. I wire wrapped those elements in, sat back and took a deep breath. It was just what the design needed!
This is the first time I have ever created anything like this. It is also my first attempt at lengthy wire wrapping (almost 8 yards)!
I then created dangle earrings to match the necklace. I wanted to keep the design simple and modern.
My next plan was to create a bold accessory with the brass sunflower. I thought about making it the focal of a necklace but then realized that the best way to showcase it's beauty and boldness was to create a bracelet. I envisioned a cuff. Again, I was venturing into uncharted territory as I have never designed a cuff bracelet before.
I started with a 1/2" wide piece of raw brass that I purchased last summer at Old Forge Hardware during my annual Adirondack Mountain vacation (I absolutely love this store). I textured it with a ball peen hammer, then shaped it with a bracelet mandrel I recently purchased from Rio Grande.
My dilemma was how the heck was I going to attach the sunflower! I don't have any metalsmithing experience with brass, so that was out. I decided the best way to attach the two was via cold connection, aka rivets. I hammered the top of the rivets to help them blend in with the hammered pattern of the flower.
I wanted this piece to work in with the necklace and earrings that I created, so I decided to add some silver wire near the edges of the bracelet. It also added some weight to the ends, balancing out the heaviness of the sunflower.
So I had incorporated the focals and beads into designs, but had not yet made use of the gorgeous red bronze leaf clasp Karyn sent me. I knew that I wanted it to be the focal point of the design. I played around with some of the chain I recently ordered from Best Beads, with an idea to link in some of the o-rings. I acquired inspiration from Chain Style, a really wonderful book focusing on designing with chain.
This is the result...
And last but in no way least, I wanted to create a piece with the beautiful coral colored Swarovski pearls. The color reminds me of a tropical island or fruity rum drink (either one makes me smile)! I decided to create a dangle style bracelet as they are my favorite bracelets to wear in warmer weather...
This has been a creatively rewarding journey for me! Thank you for joining me.
Please visit the other participants, I know you will be inspired!...
Here is a peak at what Karyn sent me...
raw brass sunflower
raw brass leaves
carnelian calla lily beads
o-rings
coral colored Swarovski pearls
tagua nut pendant
red bronze leaf hook clasp
orange colored wood ring
carved wood beads
8mm mahogany agate beads
I view each of the blog challenges that I sign up for as an opportunity to try something new. After all, the idea is to work outside of your comfort zone. I wanted to work from the heart, all while trying new design techniques. I envisioned creating a collar that opens in the front.
Here is my result...
I knew that I wanted to place leaves at each end of the collar, making that area the focal point. I formed the collar from 4mm wide aluminum. It was too soft to hold it's own, so I wrapped wire around it, all while adding in the leaves, beads and silver spacers. From the left, I started with the two small brass leaves, organic shaped silver spacers, then added in the carved wood beads, following with the agate beads and finishing with tiger eye pattern Czech crystals from my own bead collection. I finished with another one of the brass leaves Karyn sent me.
I felt the design was missing that oomph I was envisioning. I looked through my leaf collection (I have a bit of a leaf obsession) and found two larger brass leaves and a Vintaj brass leaf. I wire wrapped those elements in, sat back and took a deep breath. It was just what the design needed!
This is the first time I have ever created anything like this. It is also my first attempt at lengthy wire wrapping (almost 8 yards)!
I then created dangle earrings to match the necklace. I wanted to keep the design simple and modern.
My next plan was to create a bold accessory with the brass sunflower. I thought about making it the focal of a necklace but then realized that the best way to showcase it's beauty and boldness was to create a bracelet. I envisioned a cuff. Again, I was venturing into uncharted territory as I have never designed a cuff bracelet before.
I started with a 1/2" wide piece of raw brass that I purchased last summer at Old Forge Hardware during my annual Adirondack Mountain vacation (I absolutely love this store). I textured it with a ball peen hammer, then shaped it with a bracelet mandrel I recently purchased from Rio Grande.
My dilemma was how the heck was I going to attach the sunflower! I don't have any metalsmithing experience with brass, so that was out. I decided the best way to attach the two was via cold connection, aka rivets. I hammered the top of the rivets to help them blend in with the hammered pattern of the flower.
I wanted this piece to work in with the necklace and earrings that I created, so I decided to add some silver wire near the edges of the bracelet. It also added some weight to the ends, balancing out the heaviness of the sunflower.
So I had incorporated the focals and beads into designs, but had not yet made use of the gorgeous red bronze leaf clasp Karyn sent me. I knew that I wanted it to be the focal point of the design. I played around with some of the chain I recently ordered from Best Beads, with an idea to link in some of the o-rings. I acquired inspiration from Chain Style, a really wonderful book focusing on designing with chain.
This is the result...
And last but in no way least, I wanted to create a piece with the beautiful coral colored Swarovski pearls. The color reminds me of a tropical island or fruity rum drink (either one makes me smile)! I decided to create a dangle style bracelet as they are my favorite bracelets to wear in warmer weather...
This has been a creatively rewarding journey for me! Thank you for joining me.
Please visit the other participants, I know you will be inspired!...
1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil
6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman
7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank
11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow
12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte
13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert
14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt
15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)
17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock
18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley
19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins
20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman
21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks
24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg
28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey
29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck
30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter
31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post
32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley
35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge
36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles
37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman
39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)
40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere
41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells
43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday
44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers
45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg
47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman
48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic
51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey
52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan
53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto
54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle
57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig
58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik
59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White
61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya
62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller
63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari
64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch
65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)
67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver
68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna
69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks
70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit
71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta
72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons
73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney
74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars
75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow
76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth
78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart
81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander
83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)
84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)
85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley
86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen
87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne
88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades
90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll
91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk
92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins
95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle
97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)
99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka
100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Inspired By...Challenge Of Music
Challenge of Music: select a song and create an accessory that evokes that theme song.
When it comes to music, I gravitate towards punk, ska, new wave 80's and new rave. Green Day, The Toasters, Duran Duran and The Sunshine Underground are my favorite bands in those genre. Their styles define my taste in music. But when it comes to selecting a song that inspires me, there has always been one that speaks to me like no other. It reminds me of all the wonderful people, places and things I love in this world. I hear it playing in my head from time to time. I sometimes (very poorly) sing it in the shower or as I am working on designs in my studio. It makes me happy when I am sad. It reminds me of all that I am grateful for. It is my anthem....What a wonderful world!
Louis Armstrong first recorded "What a wonderful world" in 1968. The song was written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele (as George Douglas). It actually was a bigger hit in the United Kingdom, where it reached number one on the music charts, than it was in the United States. This was due to ABC Records not liking the song and therefore did not promote it.
So when I signed up for Erin Prais-Hintz's Challenge of Music, it wasn't long afterwards that I knew this would be the song I would choose. As I mentioned earlier, "What a wonderful world" reminds me of all that I am grateful for.
So I thought about key events in my life;
...those that make me smile:
annual family vacation and my wedding day
...the ones that define me:
my BFA in photojournalism
my BFA in photojournalism
and our first home
and decided to create a bracelet.
So I printed out photos of these key events in my life:
-me with my family after my college graduation at RIT
-annual vacation with my husband's family in the Adirondack Mountains
-the day I married my one true love beside the Concord Point Lighthouse
-the first home Brenton and I bought in Maryland and the dog we adopted (and love more than anything)
I glued the photos into Tierra Cast frames that I purchased from Rio Grande with Diamond Glaze from The Queen's Ink. I then attached them to a really fun circle chain from Lima Beads, adding drilled seeds that I purchased from my favorite local bead shop in Maryland, The Twisted Bead. The matte silver ball headpins are from CLBeads. I finished the bracelet with a Blue Moon clasp from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts.
The addition of the seeds, in case you are wondering, represents life and new beginnings. I lot of aspects of my life have the color brown incorporated into them ie; my wedding colors, my business packaging, the furniture in my house, RIT's school colors. Bizarre coincidence, if I do say so myself!
I added a tiny tag with the word "Life" on it. I created it with tin that I purchased from Old Forge Hardware and a metal stamp that I purchased from Fire Mountain Gems.
I really enjoyed participating in this wonderful blog hop created by the lovely and ultra talented Erin Prais-Hintz. Please check out the other participants:
Erin Prais-Hintz
Marcie AbneyErin Prais-Hintz
Christine Altmiller
Elisabeth Auld
LJ B
Lori Bowring Michaud
Shannon Chomanczuk
Cece Cormier
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Malin de Koning
Beth Emery
Michelle Escano-Caballer
Erin Fickert-Rowland
Therese Frank
Amy Freeland
Tanya Goodwin
Stephani Gorman
Amy Grass
Beth Hemmila
Kristina Johansson
Jennifer Justman
Tari Kahrs
Susan Kennedy
Ema Kilroy
Kathleen Lange Klik
Kirsi Luostarinen
Paige Maxim
Beth McCord
Natalie McKenna
Alice Peterson
Cat Pruitt
Bobbie Rafferty
Johanna Rhodes
Cynthia Riggs
Sally Russick
Sarah Sequins
Amy Severino
Staci Smith
Kristen Stevens
Lola Surwillo
Stefanie Teufel
Sandi Volpe
Holly Westfall
Shaiha Williams
Friday, February 24, 2012
Winter Weather In Virginia
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...
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!
The pattern and colors inspired me. These beads came to mind...
quartz
ceramic
wood
bronzite
Today, the temperature is predicted to reach 73 degrees. Gotta love winter in Virginia!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Awakening
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!
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!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Inspired By Bead Soup Ingredients...
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!
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.
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.
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!
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