Bead Star Competition

Jewelry Stringing magazine is hosting their annual Bead Star competition. The deadline for entries is Friday, May 24. I would love to see my lampwork beads in a winning entry! Speaking from past experience, take the best photos you can, even if you have to have someone else photograph your pieces. You can have up to 5 photos for each entry this year. They have totally changed the rules, for the better! There is over $4000.00 in cash prizes this year! There is also an Emerging Artist category, so if you have never had your work published before, now is the time to strut your stuff!! There is a fee to enter this year too, but I think it makes people take it more seriously. The judging is handled by the staff of Jewelry Stringing and Beadwork magazines, not by popular vote....much better. I'm off to photograph my two entries!

Bead Soup Blog Party

Here's a picture of my Bead Soup from Karin von Horen all the way from Germany. She made the beautiful beaded bead. Now to come up with a worthy design for the focal bead. Since I'm a seed beader also I'm thinking I should use a spiral stitch or something like that to coordinate with the bead. I already made a simple bracelet with the wreath toggle and one of my floral lampwork beads in red. August 25th is the Reveal date for these and many more designs from Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.

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!

Bead Star Magazine Finalists

Congratulations Lisa!! My niece Lisa has 3 entries in the Bead Star Magazine finalists.If you haven't voted yet,go to http://www.beadstar.com and you will be able to vote in 9 jewelry design categories.Of course you can vote for whoever you want,but Lisa's are: Crystals,#15, Plastics (her awesome Polymer clay beads)#13 and Stones,#18. There are definately some talented beaders out there.Good luck to everyone!

Fire Mt.Page

I have a page on Fire Mt.Gems website! In 2009 I entered the Fire Mt.Gems annual beading contest.When I heard that I had made the second round of judging I was so excited.I also recieved a form to fill out for their Jewelry Artist profile.If you go to http://www.firemtgems.com and go to the bottom of the home page,on the left hand side under Jewelry Makers Library,click on Jewelry Artists,then Noteable Artists,I'm on the first page! You can read more of my jewelry story there. I really had fun entering this contest and I was thrilled to have tied for 2nd place in the glass category for my Irish Cream necklace.

Tuesday's Tip

Some designers need help when it comes to an asymetrical or informal balance design.
Asymetrical allows objects of varying visual weight to balance one another.In jewelry design this could be a cluster of beads to balance out a large one.Here's an example.You can see how I balanced the 3 strands of beads with the larger beads and Lampwork focal bead on the other side.Please leave your favorite jewelry making tip in the comments section to win a beautiful Lampwork bead made by me!

This Week's Tip

Well,I let another Tuesday slip by without blogging,so here's this weeks tip.When submitting your designs to a magazine or competition (and you should!)always be sure your photos are top-notch.Learn to use the settings on your camera and do some research on jewelry photography on the internet.There's lots of info out there.
Leave your favorite jewelry making tip in the comments section to win a beautiful Lampwork bead,handmade my me!Winner announced on Tuesday May 4th.

Tuesday's Tip

Today's tip is about jumprings. When using a jumpring to hold a heavier dangle or bead use 2 jumprings as part of the design.Another great way to keep beads from falling off is use oval jumprings as the opening is on the side and is harder for the bead to wiggle out of! Don't forget to leave your favorite jewelry making tip in the comments section,you could be the winner of this months Lampwork bead, a beautiful Teal green focal bead.

Art Bead Scene Blog: Monthly Challenge Winners!

Art Bead Scene Blog: Monthly Challenge Winners!
This is the Art Bead Scene link.They have all kinds of bead challenges every month.It's a lot of fun and will challenge you and therefore improve your beading skills.Check it out!

Tuesday's Tip

When choosing a color palette for your project,a good way to compare colors is with paint swatches from your local paint dealer.Pick up a few next time you're there,they also come in handy when doing custom orders.You can be sure you and your customer are on the same page when both looking at the colors.They can also be matched to a piece of clothing before bead shopping,just take the swatches with you!
March giveaway! Here is the bead I will be giving away to my favorite "Tuesday's Tip" for the month of March.It is a beautiful 20mm pink hollow.A $10.00 value!

Tuesday's Tip

Color is such an important part of design.Color expert Margie Deeb tells us Turquoise is the color of the year for 2010 according to Panetone (thee color expert).She has written a book especially for beaders called The Beaders Color Palette.It and a lot more great information is available on her website:
http://www.margiedeeb.com/
Only 2 weeks to go in our beaders tip contest!Don't be left out, you could win this beautiful Lampwork focal bead.It measures 13x28mm.

Tuesday's Tip

Today's tip is about Lampwork bead hole sizes.When purchasing handmade Lampwork beads the artist will usually list a mandrel size(that's the little steel rod used to wind the hot glass onto).If it says 1/16" that's the smaller size,perfect for beading jewelry.If it says 3/32" that's the larger size perfect for beaded accesories like pens,letter openers and bar tool,but can also be used in jewelry,just make sure you fill in the hole(see Tuesday's tip Jan 12)Please make sure you are purchasing Lampwork beads handmade by the artist,not mass produced.
WIN,WIN,WIN!! Don't forget to leave your favorite jewelry making tip in the comment section and you could win a beautiful Lampwork focal bead!

Tuesday's Tip

When you reach the point when you decide you want to sell your jewelry,make sure you have a professional finish on your pieces,like crimp covers,wire guards and perfect wire wrapping.
Today I am launching a new contest called Tip of the Month! Just leave your favorite jewelry making tip in the comment section of Tuesday's Tip.At the end of the month I'll select the best one and the winner will recieve a beautiful Lampwork focal bead! Let's see those tips ladies!(and gentlemen!)