Coming Soon: History Blog Hop

What Have I Gotten Myself into This Time?

One of the wonderful things about blogging and reading others' blogs, is that you find ideas and inspiration for your own work. Just looking at pictures works, but participating in Blog Hops and challenges of all sorts is a way to challenge yourself with the support of others. Leah Curtis who blogs at  Beady Eyed Bunny is hosting a History Hop, inviting jewelry artists to create pieces based on a period of history which is associated with a recognizable style of jewelry. 

So, I could not decide whether I should pick Ancient Egypt ( 3000 BC to 369 AD) or the Art Deco period (1920s to 1930) - so I chose both! Aside from making more work for myself, I do admire the work done in both periods, and find many similarities in the styles. As a matter of fact, Art Deco Style echos that of Ancient Egypt quite closely. 

My original sketch

I have started on the Egyptian piece, and let's just say that my artistic muse may have gotten a little bit ahead of my jewelry-making skills. But I am working. 

What I have so far - seems to be a focal!

Stay tuned for the reveal on October 13!. 

Creative Bead Chat

It's CBC Administrator's Day!

Actually, that sounds like "Principal's Day at school, but it is really just a day to salute and feature the wonderful work of those who make possible connections that never would have been forged between jewelry artists all over the globe! This bunch administer a lively Facebook page for Jewelry artists of all types, from bead weavers to metal smiths, and everyone in between. I am a fairly recent member, and they have made me feel so welcome, and have been so encouraging, that I am about to open my first Etsy Shop!

Visit the CBC Administrators' Shops

Marla James:  www.etsy.com/shop/marlasmud

 Melinda Orr: http://www.etsy.com/shop/orrtec

Karen Totten: http://www.starryroadstudio.com/

Marla Gibson: Marla has some health problems and has temporarily closed her shop. Visit her Blog here: http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/09/creative-bead-chat.html#comment-form

 Keirsten Giles:http://lunedesigns.etsy.com/

Click to visit the Creative Bead Chat Facebook Page.

Beads for Blogging: The Pendant Has Landed

At Long Last....

I have finally finished the pendant necklace I have been working on using the beads provided by Tania from Fusionmuse.

Oh my, did I overthink this one. But then, Isn't that the source of our "creative blocks?" Oh well, there's really nothing to do but try to relax.

The Stash:

The initial attempt:                                                               Closeup of the pendant:

The finished piece. 

Now, That wasn't so hard, was it?

I hope to do a little more with the rest of the beads, but for now, this is my offering for "Beads For Blogging!" Thank you Tania!

Free Beads for Blogging: Status Report

Part 1

A Serious Challenge

So, to refresh your memory, here are the beads I received from Tanya:

I have been staring at them, playing with them, trying to wrap the tear drops (disaster) and trying desperately to use things together. Not working. So, I said, "What do I have that will compliment a fall spectrum bead like the Japa Mala beads?"

Turned out it was a glass pendant I picked up at the Flea Market a few weeks earlier.

So  far, I have only used one Japa Mala bead, and a head pin, along with the brass wire to create this pendant. I'm not sure if the chain you see is going to remain part of the design. But it's a start! 

Coordinating Jewelry

Choosing what goes with what...

This week, I delivered to one of my best customers, a necklace and earrings made to match. Notice, I did not say "matching set" because when I made the necklace, I had no interest in making "matching" earrings. But...when one of your best customers asks you for matching earrings, you don't turn to her and say, "Why, you already have several pairs that would look splendid with this necklace."  No, you make the earrings. As a matter of fact, you make two pairs of earrings, so she can have a choice. 

So, the customer is (nearly) always right. Right? But I am not a "matchy matchy" type. I don't like to make sets, although I do, occasionally,  because people ask for them. I will suggest earrings that I think would look good with a necklace or bracelet but that's a whole different thing for me. 

Here's a combination I am wearing a lot these days:

The pendant is something I "bought" from myself, I liked it, and took it out of my items for sale. The earrings, are from MaryAnn Carroll, copper tubing with heat enameling. They certainly were not made to match. Yet they reflect color, shape, and I think a certain playfulness that make them look good together.   

Then, there is the issue of matching clothing to jewelry. I cringe when I hear someone say, "Oh, I'd love those earrings, but I don't have a shirt to match." Really? No white? No black? Okay, I especially cringe if the person is looking at MY earrings, but still....

 What about you? Do you make or buy sets? Do you meticulously match earrings, necklace, bracelet, and ring? How about metals? Gold always with gold, silver with silver? If you wear colorful jewelry, do the earrings have to match the top? If you make jewelry, do you make a lot of sets, or do you let nature take its course, and let the customer put it all together? 

My free beads have arrived from Tanya at FusionMuse! What an assortment of interesting beads (and filigree, and head pins, and wire.....) I have received! This is going to be fun.

I kind of think of the mixture as a "soup." Here are the ingredients.

First, there are ten Japa Mala beads, finished with gold leaf. 

They are Buddhist prayer beads, so I am a bit intimidated by them. But o do see them used in jewelry, so now the challenge is to come up with a design worthy of them.

Also included are two faceted glass tear drops, and some gem stone chips. 

Helping things along are some brass round-head pins, and brass wire and filigree pieces. 

Stay tuned for further developments!

Check this one out!

This could be yours!

Dhea, at Java Bead is doing a give-away of her Bead Soup Blog Party bracelet! Hurry on over and sign up to win this fantastic piece.