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Showing posts from August, 2010

Metal clay artist: Kristi Bowman-Gruel

Artist: Kristi Bowman-Gruel Website: Dream Some Designs My 2 year anniversary of beginning this wonderful journey of working with metal clay is fast approaching and I love working with it more than ever. It hasn’t lost any of it’s excitement. I’ve reached 2 of my earlier goals of becoming Certified with Rio Grande and becoming a member of the Etsy Metal Clay Group (EMC Team) this year. Though my work is still very primitive and rustic in nature, sometimes even more than it has been in the past, I’ve recently been focusing on finding ways to add more color to my pieces. Incorporating more stones and glass lampwork beads by other talented artists and also learning how to use Resin and Enamel myself which I hope to showcase in the near future. Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Metal clay artist: Carol Gregory

Artist: Carol Gregory Website: Carol Gregory Though I've been interested and making jewellery on and off since the early 70's, when I came across an article by Maggie Bergman on how to make a tube bead from PMC in 2006 my life changed! Maggie has become my teacher, mentor and friend and I've taken many classes with her and have developed my skills to the point where I now run my own classes too. I love colour and often use this in my work as I have in all three pieces. The photograph in the Russian towers pendant is one I took whilst travelling along the Volga on a riverboat and it was made in a class by Maggie where we learned a new technique of making hinges using sheet PMC. The gingko leaf was layers of paste over a leaf and then I used Prismacolour pencils to add the colour.  The bronze piece was made very soon after BronzClay was released in 2008 and the fabulous blue patina was a wonderful surprise when I took it out of the tumbler. The silver centre i

Metal clay artist: Lis-el Crowley

Artist: Lis-el Crowley Websites: ArtandSoul Heart of the Fire Creative expression is right up there with eating, sleeping and breathing in my world. I am always looking for new ways to express my own creative energy and to help others express theirs. I find Metal Clay to be a fabulous medium for both established artists/artisans and people who feel creatively challenged. It's adaptable to a vast array of styles and techniques and almost anyone can create something they can be truly proud of. In addition to metal clay, I work as a potter, fused glass artisan, fiber artist and zentangle doodler as well as teaching others to do all of the above. I own and run a small artisan gallery in Windsor, CT where I teach classes and showcase my work and the work of other fine local artisans. Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Results: What's the best thing you've made this summer

The answers are in, and the results are spectacular!  It's never too late for you to join in if you'd like...just visit the Beading Arts Forum and post your picture and links. I Lay in the Tidal Pool by Casey Sharpe  Collar necklace with lapis by Maria Nyberg Red Poppies by Heather Pyle   Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

  Carmi's Art/Life World The new Katiedids components are responsible for Carmi's new pearl necklace design. Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva While Cindy's off enjoying the bead-ch, let's get ready for the upcoming HalloweenMas newsletters by checking in on a re-wind. It's Barbe Saint John's magic with Cindy's Calaveraz.   Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie shows off the treasures of her shopping spree at Bead Fest Philly Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei shows off her loot from her Bead Fest Philadelphia trip!   Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is totally WOWed by the fabulous Margot Potter's latest book: scroll down to read the truly intriguing review of this unique book--it is SO worth it!   A Bead A Day Do you like to mix crafting with jewelry making? Lisa is looking for crafty ideas for using a filigree pendant to create a unique piece of jewelry.   About.com Jewelry

Artist Profile: Terry Pugh

Three Owls Artist: Teresa (Terry) Pugh Business name: Wired4Style Location: Merced, California Blog: Wired4Style Fat Cat How do you describe your work, Terry?  I would describe my jewelry as bold and colorful. A lot of my work are like little wearable sculptures, wire mosaics, wearable art. I am known as Wired4Style by my friends on the internet. I wanted wire somehow in the name since I love working with wire, metals and stones. I am in the process of change and am on a journey to connect with a much more personal name that reflects me as an artist and a person. My jewelry falls into the art jewelry/ sculpture category. I am an eclectic designer with a love to recycle whenever I can. Taking bits n pieces from broken or discarded treasures is exciting to me. I love taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary. When it comes to color, I’m not shy. The bolder the better. What is your creative process like?  I love sitting at my desk by the window.

Profiles of metal clay artists from the archives

I Think, Therefore I Am 2.0 There are two metal clay artists who deserve special mention here on Beading Arts , both of them having shared complete artist profiles with us in the past.  I am of course talking about Melissa Lee and Lorena Angulo .  Melissa recently became the Grand Prize winner of Fire Mountain Gems metal clay contest ! That's Melissa's winning piece pictured above.  Yay, Melissa!   Sacred Lorena has also had a busy and prolific year.  Among her many awards and honors , she has been published in Sherri Haab's new book called Jewelry Inspirations .  Yay for Lorena too! Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Recent publications: August 2010

  Bead Chic: 36 Stylish Jewelry Projects & Inspired Variations by Margot Potter Contemporary Bead & Wire Jewelry (Lark Jewelry Book) by Nathalie Mornu, and Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott Ceramic Bead Jewelry: 30 Fired & Inspired Projects by Jennifer Heynen Metal Clay Origami Jewelry: 25 Contemporary Projects by Sara Jayne Cole The Earring Style Book: Making Designer Earrings, Capturing Celebrity Style, and Getting the Look for Less by Stephanie A. Wells Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

More auction sites to check out

Now that we've made it through the spring and summer, getting our websites up to date, working on our techniques and design skills, looking through our options for what, where, and how to sell, I want to revisit the topic of sales sites. Ultimately, I think it's most people's dream still to have their own website, but that isn't always the best answer for everyone. Sometimes it's better to keep your website as a "gallery" or "portfolio" and conduct your sales elsewhere. And if you're just getting started in sales, it makes a lot of sense to test the waters and learn through an established sales site before going to the expense, time, and trouble of setting up your own website. If you do decide that using a pre-made sales site is best for you, how do you pick the winner? We discussed it back in the spring, in Sites for Selling , but I'd like to give you some additional data to think about. Almost everyone that I hear from who uses a sal

Crystal bead bracelet

A few weeks ago, I showed you some gorgeous crystal beads that I received from Auntie's Beads . Today, I've got a really simple project for you that I think takes full advantage of the variations in color, and allows each bead to shine on its own! Materials and Tools Angelic Crystal Rondelle Bead Strand, Lt. Rose AB, 4x6mm Chinese Crystal Long Rondelle Strand, Multi, 6x8mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads, Crystal Silver Shade AB, 6x8mm Angelic Crystal Rondelle Long Bead Strand, Crystal Copper AB  Gold colored SoftFlex , 4 pieces, 10 inches long each 4 size #3 crimp beads Size 8/0 seed beads, lilac Size 6/0 seed beads, 2 lilac Lobster claw clasp and soldered loop Ruler Wire cutters Chain nose pliers My project is a variation on one that I found in Linda Peterson's book Beading In No Time .  I constructed it in a slightly different manner from Linda, but I still want to give her credit.  You've probably seen bracelets similar to this before, featured in differe

Metal clay artist: Michelle Loon

Big Wheel Bike Artist: Michelle Loon Blog: Soaring off the Sketchbook I envision "art" as a single physical presence. One that has its own gravitational orbit I can't escape from. It is always there, waiting to draw me back in. Reading, talking to people, and seeing things that make me wonder, "how did they do that?” sparks my imagination. Sometimes an idea is so powerful it seems it could be physically touched. Sketching helps in tackling such ideas until I am able to bring it into being, releasing my mind for a new obsession.   Cloudswing I love that metal clay is a blend of sculpting, traditional metal techniques and something close to magic when it is fired from a clay state to solid metal.  The new discoveries and experiments combining different types of metal are fascinating. With metal clay, there is always something new to explore and learn.   Fisticuffs Creating fantastical wearable sculptures fulfills my desire to escape into a land of play

Metal clay artist: Shahasp Valentine

I received some images from one of the true masters of Precious Metal Clay.  Shahasp Valentine has been creating jewelry since before her first formal jewelry class at the age of thirteen, professionally since 1993 and working with Precious Metal Clay since 1999. Her work with PMC has been recognized in books and magazines, on television and has been featured in numerous gallery shows. Shahasp’s Modern Artifacts Collection is a historically inspired collection. The designs are based on great jewels of the past, places visited, architectural details, stained glass windows of great cathedrals and elements taken from virtually every period of history. This collection is intended to appear ancient as if the jewelry has been excavated from an archaeological dig, found in a sunken treasure chest or handed down for generations. Each piece is of fine silver and/or 24-karat gold Precious Metal Clay and signed and numbered by the artist, no two are alike. Technorati Tags: handmade be

Bead Journal Project: bracelet for August

I found myself continuing with the water theme that took over my mind in July.  My August  Bead Journal Project piece has deep pools and still waters, unlike the rushing torrent from July.   Are those splashes from raindrops or stones in the pond?  I'm not sure. January February March April May June July Here are the instructions for how I am making these bracelets. Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

  Art Bead Scene It's the Art Bead Scene Monthly Carnival Blog! Join us as we embark on an exploration. Carmi's Art/Life World This week Carmi makes a floral tribute necklace with fabric flowers.   Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva This week Cindy's Mad for Monday is about the frit.   Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie shows the results of her experiments with Ice Resin and LEDs... Light! Science!   Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews Making Mixed Media Art Charms and Jewelry: not to be missed!   Strands of Beads Melissa unveils her new Saturn charm.   The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton For this week's Thursday Giveaway, TWO winners will walk away with beautiful bead sets created by Gaea Ceramic Beads. A Bead A Day Do you have plenty of beads in all the right colors? Lisa is exploring the meaning of the color purple and discovers she might need to do some bead shopping!   About.

"Dimensional Beading" is available for download!

The third chapter of Every Bead Has a Story - mixed media bead embroidery has launched!  Chapter Three, Dimensional Beading , is 93 pages long and covers more stitches and techniques to take your bead embroidery from flat to fluffy: stacked stitches that turn into clusters, barnacles, and ruffles; seed beads that become small flowers and spiral elements; bezels and bails and more!  There are two step-by-step embroidery projects included that will put those techniques to excellent use. Chapter Three: Dimensional Beading Price $3 Here are some examples of the step-by-step techniques and projects that are included: Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading