Bead Star Magazine

I just picked up 3 copies of the new Bead Star magazine, 2011 issue! I was lucky enough to win third place in the Glass category. (thanks to everyone who voted for me!)There are some beautiful designs in this issue. It's so exciting to enter a competition like this and finally see the much anticipated issue come out.
Congratulations to all the winners!

New Beads

I'm back from a very successful trunk show in Fresno. It was a bead frenzy!! I've been working on custom orders from the show as well as getting some new beads in my Etsy shop.Here's a sample....

Annual Trunk Show

I have been feverishly getting ready for my trunk show at Bead Artistry in Fresno on October 6,7 & 8. I've been torching every day for about 3 weeks and have lots of goodies! Whatever doesn't sell I will be busy photographing and listing in my Etsy shop. I'm sure my "regulars" wonder why I haven't been listing much new! See you when I get back from sunny California!

Creative Quote of the Day

I love this quote and think it really applies to working with glass or any other raw material. "The creative process is a process of surrender,not control"

Julia Cameron

New Beads

I would like to thank (again) Jacqueline Parkes for her wonderful new tutorial. I have created a new style from some of the techniques and glass combinations in her tut. Here's a sample!

Inspiration Quote of the Day

I like this one....
Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions.
Albert Einstein

New Bracelet

This is my interpretation of the Frederick Winthrop Ramsdell poster presented by Art Bead Scene blog's monthly challlenge. I love the poster as I am a huge fan of Alphonse Mucha, one of Ramsdells mentors.I had alot of fun with this piece!

Inspirational Quote of the Day..

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."
Marcel Proust

Creativity

Finding your creative muse is sometimes difficult.Creativity is not just about coming up with a great idea or thinking outside the box.This is an excerpt from Barbara Bowen,creativity coach.
"Creativity is often misunderstood to be an act of the ego and intellect. In truth, the Creative Process is fundamentally a spiritual one. When the imagination is in flight, we are moved to give form to this inner life. Creating charges us with energy. We are grounded in our bodies, yet the creative act takes us beyond ourselves. We exit the world of reacting and enter the delicious world of creating, where we lose track of time. By acting, we bring spirit into matter. By acting, we love our creations into being. And Creativity is vital for well-being, not just for artists and arts professionals, but for everyone, in their own way. When we engage our Creativity, we engage our spirituality."

Grab Bags

I was reading Rena Klingenberg's newsletter this morning and I came across this post about jewelry grab bags.I think it is a great idea for home shows and a perfect way to move older product.
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/jewelry-grab-bags.html

Hot Pink!

After many attempts at trying to achieve a hot pink out of the glass called Clio...I finally had some great results! Many thanks to Anouk Jasperse for her wonderful tutorial on silver glass.

Jewelry Trends

Oprah wore a beautiful pink bracelet on her last show.It had a long tassle that swayed when she moved her arms...gorgeous! It's amazing to me how something like that sets a new trend.Now there are tons of "faux" Oprah bracelets flooding the jewelry market.I wonder what will be next?

Elusive Hot Pink

Double Helix Glass Co.makes some beautiful glass.One of them is called Clio.When worked right this glass can produce a beautiful hot pink color.Well...I have been trying for several weeks to attain this color.Here is my latest and best effort so far.I'll keep trying and reading all the tutorials that are out there and hopefully soon I will be posting some really hot pink beads!

New Beads

I have been playing with shards,thin pieces of glass.I am getting pretty good at blowing my own with a Borosilicate tube.Heating the gather of glass on the end and then puffing into the other end of the tube to create a bubble of glass.Then I let it cool and,the fun part,break it! Then the pieces of thin glass are applied to the warm bead.These are my new set with Raku shards.

Eye Candy

My new set inspired by Judith Billig's demo on applying shards at the Fire and Rain Bead Retreat.I call them Caramel Praline...yum!

Bead Retreat

I'm so excited to be attending my first Fire and Rain bead retreat today! Fire and Rain is the local group chapter of the ISGB, International Society of Glass Beadmakers which promotes the ancient art of glass beadmaking through education. We will have demonstrations,classes and fun! I know I will walk away with a ton of new ideas,techniques and knowledge.
Here is the latest set in my Italian series,"Italian Plum"

New Beads

I have been feeling very inspired this past week,so here are some new beads I want to share.I love discovering all the wonders of molten glass.If you haven't voted in the Bead Star magazine contest,voting ends May 17th.You must create a user/pswd but you can unsubscribe later if you want,they do have some cool jewelry tips.Also be sure to vote for your favorites in all the categories.

Bead Star

This is the first contest I have ever seen where you can see the results of the voting before the contest is over. Well...so much for the suspense! The voting lasts until May 17th, so be sure to vote for your favorites.
http://www.beadingdaily.com/content/BeadStar2011.aspx

Bead Star Magazine

The voting has begun for the annual issue of Bead Star magazine.This magazine is comprised of all winning designs voted on by the public. I have 2 entries in the finals and so does my niece,Lisa. Mine are: Glass category, "Batik Sarong" and Heart Designs, "Heart's Desire". Lisa's are: Pearls,"Blush" and Plastics (Polymer clay) "Moulin Rouge" To vote for your favorites in each of 8 categories follow this link:

http://www.beadingdaily.com/content/BeadStar2011.aspx

New Bracelet

I found this style of beads is becoming one of my "signature" beads.I also had a few that didn't quite fit into a set,so I made this adorable bracelet.(listed in my Etsy of course!)

Spring is in the Air!

My favorite month( because I have a birthday this month)April!Thanks again to Art Bead Scene for mentioning me in their blog,it has brought me a lot of traffic.If I have been a little absent lately,it's because I am trying to put my own website together.It has been a very frustrating journey and it's still not finished.I will post the URL when it is.I have been making beads of course, a few custom orders and now going to concentrate on some spring designs in floral motifs,some shells for upcoming summer designs and continuing with the Malawi series.

Malawi Series

I finished the third set in my Malawi series.This set is very similar to the ones that sold,only I have etched these giving a nice soft matte look.I have another set in mind patterened after the cloth worn by the African women called Chitenje.They use them to wrap around their heads,torso and even wrap the baby in them and attach it to their back.The pictures my niece sends from Malawi are incredible and I appreciate her sharing her 5 month experience with us.I only hope my little contribution in the way of beads can help bring awareness to her cause.If you would like to read more about the African Mother's Health Initiative here's the link:
http://www.africanmothers.org/

ABS Designer of the Week

I'm so excited to have been chosen designer of the week by Art Bead Scene editor Heather Powers!Thank you so much.I love designing with my own Lampwork beads and these were begging to be combined with Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls in all the colors of the glass.(believe it or not,all that color comes out of one rod of glass!) I think it compliments the beautiful painting by one of my favorite artists, Paul Gauguin in this months challenge.

In like a lion...

Well, the weather has not improved much,but I managed to make a few beads and more jewelry!I'm really looking forward to spring and summer shows.Our first will be our annual Spring Home show at my nieces in Olympia.It's always fun and low overhead!The jewelry is spread out through the living room and dining area. We make simple appetizers and beverages.Low key and no pressure to buy.We've gotten quite a mailing list now,mostly from putting out a guest book at our shows.People love getting an invitation,it makes them feel special!

Snow Days

We have been having very strange weather for this time of year! Here it is almost March and there is 2" of snow on the ground,it's 23 degrees and more snow expected.
Therefore,I have not been torching! When I am in my studio,which is attached to the garage,which is unattached to the house,my ventilation system pulls the cold air in from outside.(you have to have an open window or door for intake air)So...even though I have a heater on,the kiln is putting out heat and of course the torch,it is still too cold to make beads.So...I have been making jewelry at my little beading station in the corner of the living room.It has been good for me because the spring and summer shows will be here before we know it.
Here's a sample!

Malawi Series

I am working on a series of bead sets with a 10% donation in mind to the African Women's Health Initiative, a grassroots organization helping high risk postpartum mothers and babies in Malawi through supporting home based care and nutrition. The first set sold almost immediately!My niece, Kim, a nurse practitioner with a heart of gold is in Africa now working with a nurse friend in the program.You won't believe the statistics on these poor children.I felt compelled to do a little more than just send money. I hope these beads will raise awareness for the program as well as sending beadie love.If you would like to learn more about the program here is the link:

http://www.africanmothers.org/

Contest!

abeadstore.com by Beaded Impressions is having a contest!I have have entered a Lampwork bracelet in the Beaded Jewelry category called "Skittles". If you would like to vote for your favorite design here's the link:
http://www.abeadstore.com/Beading-Contest-Winter-2011 You will recieve a 10% off coupon just for voting!

Art Bead Scene Blog: February Monthly Challenge

This is always an inspiring way to get those design juices flowing. This is a challenge,not really a contest,and I love a challenge, especially a color challenge!Art Bead Scene Blog: February Monthly Challenge

A very special issue of Bead Trends

The February issue of Bead Trends magazine features not only myself but 4 other family members (unbeknownst to the editors of the magazine until later)My niece,Lisa of Fanceethat.etsy.com is the featured designer,my sister Paula has a necklace project,my sister in law,Penny has a necklace,bracelet and earrings and my niece,Stephanie has a beautiful bracelet project.We are very excited to all be in the magazine,a real family affair!
The days are definitely getting longer and I can't wait until Spring when the days are not only longer, but warmer! I won't have to wait and hour for my studio to warm up and I can get an earlier start!

Romantic beads

I have made three of these floral hearts so far...they are flying out the door!They are very fun to make and each one is unique.Also some floral sets for your spring designs.I am trying some new things for me also,so check back for updates.

Diamonds

I have a new shape of press for my Lampwork beads.It's called a Chunky Crystal.Lots of names come to mind with this shape like,Diamond,Bicone etc. I love it! It adds another dimension to my beads and it's fun to mix the shapes in a design.I've been working on Valentine beads too.Here's some eye candy for your Wednesday!

New Beads!

This is the time of year when retailers and florists get ready for the big day, Valentines Day. Being in the flower business for 25 years taught me to be prepared!
So I have been making some real cute Valentine beads,soon to be listed in my Etsy and Artfire shops.Remember, your local florist works very hard for this holiday,so give 'em some love!( I don't miss it one bit on this holiday!)