The Elusive Voice

Submitting your work to a juried show can be stressful, or at least leave you feeling anxious and nervous about the outcome. Am I good enough, will the jurors like my work, how will I feel if I'm not approved? I've submitted to several juried shows and have been accepted and turned down! After submitting to a recent show, which I did get in, I received a score and comments from the judges of the show. All the comments were great...except one. That one addressed my need to work on my "unique style". I'm sure the judge was trying to be helpful and supporting, but still a hard pill to swallow. While I try very hard not to copy, and I think my work is unique, it has given me a lot of thought about style. How important is it to you? Lots of people say, "just do what you love!". Others feel it is very important. And what exactly is a style? I think it's a common thread that resonates in the work. A pattern of work that's recognizable. This article came to me on Facebook...you know, sometimes these things pop up, when you really need them! How to Find Your Unique Voice and Style. By Sean McCabe and Ben Toalson. This is a great article for artists and business people alike. They also have several other pertinent articles including How to Be Inspired without Copying. This is one of my favorite lines and really pertains to bead makers. "If you only have one source of inspiration you are naturally going to imitate them." I have subscribed to the podcasts from these young men and look forward to seeing what they have to say in the future. Meanwhile...here's some eye candy!

SRAJD

As a member of the organization started my Laura Bracken, Self Representing Artist in Jewelry Design, I have participated in my first online gift guide. It's the Spring 2015 issue and it's very pretty! If you are not a member of SRAJD, but would like to be, it's only $10.00 a year. Just click on the link and it will take you to the Apply page. The ad for this brochure was only $5.00....you spend that much on a cup of coffee now days! And, all I had to do was send in a good photo and some basic info, they did the rest. I know from experience that advertising is essential when running a business, whether it's a brick and mortar shop or an online business.

More Soup!

Since I didn't have time to finish everything before the reveal date for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party, I'm adding to the post below...if you scroll down you'll see the finished designs for the party. I made a bracelet using the round sterling beads in the soup. I had originally made the lampwork glass disks to incorporate into the necklace but it just didn't work out like I wanted, so this bracelet was the result...(sold already too!)

The second necklace needed a pair of earrings and the copper triangles were perfect!

Meanwhile, I have some more hopping to do!

The Big Reveal!

Today is the day hundreds of jewelry makers reveal their creations for Lori Anderson's 8th annual Bead Soup Blog Party! It has been a pleasure for me to work with my Bead Soup partner, Melissa Muir of Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox She is a metalworker and does lots of reviews of new product lines. Check out her blog to see what she did with the soup I sent her... Below is a photo of the soup she sent me.Lots of pretty gemstones, sterling silver and some handmade components.

The beautiful handmade sterling silver pendant which I incorporated in my first necklace, and I also used the cute handmade "S" hook and eye clasp that she made in this design. I made a set of lampwork beads in cool colors of teal, dark blue and pale aqua, and used coordinating Swarovski crystals to tie it all together.

This is a 27" necklace and will be listed in my Etsy shop after the blog hop.

The coordinating earrings are made with the cute sterling silver flower beads and matching lampwork beads and crystals. I love these earrings!

The second necklace I designed using the oval copper piece and the gemstones. I textured the oval and ran it through my torch to give it a patina, then polished it with Renaissance wax. The lampwork beads I made are one of my favorite designs, with beautiful silver laden glass that really accents the gemstones. I made a copper clasp to finish off the piece. Time ran short for me so the earrings are still in the design phase!

Last but not least...I fell in love with the copper and silver components that Melissa made. So I made a pair of earrings for myself with my lampwork beads! I wear a lot of black and earth tones, so these will get a lot of wear.

I'd like to thank my partner, Melissa and our hostess with the mostest, Lori Anderson for another fun Bead Soup Blog Hop Party. Be sure to check out the other bloggers in this list.

Happy New Year!

While engaging in a discussion on one of my Facebook groups, I learned about a new site called http://www.indiemade.com/ It is an artist website builder with a store, blog feature and galleries, with up to 17 pages if you like. There are several levels on the payment plan, but the good thing is, there are no extra fees or listing charges like Etsy, and some other sites. The other thing I like about it is, it looks like a professional website, not a store in another collective site like so many others. Also, there is a shopping cart! All you need to set up your own, is a PayPal account. I had fun designing my site too. It still needs a little work, but I think it looks pretty good so far and I've already had 2 sales! A couple tips I have to help you set up your site...add the Handbook to your Favorites so it's easy to access. I also opened two windows in my browser for my shop while designing and just refresh one to see how it looks when you make changes. It allows you to change the color of the font in several areas, the layout and design. Oh...and they have a 1 month free trial period, after that you are charged monthly, instead of yearly like Zibbet. In the meantime, I have been trying to stay warm in the studio, adding new listings of the beads I made over the holidays, in between all the holiday bustle. I'm so looking forward to some warm weather and Spring beads! http://stonedesignstudio.indiemade.com/

Ramblings

Every time I check in on my blog to share something, I can't believe how long it's been since the last time I blogged! Where does the time go? It's been a busy summer, what with canning and freezing food out of the garden, bead shows, keeping up with Stone Designs on Etsy, and the day to day routine. Even though I am "retired" I am busy as ever. But Fall is definitely upon us! We went for a drive yesterday and the Fall colors are beautiful right now. Very inspiring for a bead maker! My bead fans will be happy to learn, I bought a new camera! It's a Canon Rebel DSLR. I am just learning how to use it but the pictures are so much more clear. Until next time....

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!

Pinterest

Pinterest can be very addicting! Although I'm not one of those addicts, I find some very beautiful inspiration there for my beads. I've created a Pinterest board featuring jewelry made by my customers using my beads in the designs. If you would like to be invited to Pin on this board, just leave a comment in the section below with your email. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email on a public site, just contact me through my Etsy shop and I'll add you!

Mismatched Beads

I often have leftover beads after making a set, so I was inspired to make this bracelet and earrings set with a few "leftovers".I just love this denim color. It pairs well with silver or copper and is very popular right now. Balancing the beads aesthetically and physically is always a challenge when you are working with odd shape beads. Just remember your design basics, line, balance, rhythm, movement, pattern and color. Sorry for the iphone photo!

Bead Soup Blog Party 7

Today is the day...the first reveal in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party! This annual event is divided into 3 reveals. To learn more click on this link: Bead Soup Blog Party My soup this year is from talented PMC artist and jewelry maker Rain Hannnah Here's a link to her blog so you can see what she made with the soup I sent her and be sure to check out her Etsy shop! http://honeyandollie.com/ My soup is very earthy, which I love...and had some whimsical items too, so I decided to separate them and make a necklace and bracelet, 2 totally different styles. For the necklace I made some olive green lampwork lentils to go with the Patricia Healey copper components, lampwork beads by Julie Miller and the Mykonos focal. I had so much fun putting it all together! For the bracelet, I wanted to use the polymer flowers by Elaine Robitaille of Too Aquarius along with the cute enameled butterfly, so I chose some floral lampwork beads out of my orphan box and some peach pixie dust lampwork beads as well as a few green crystals, added a cute flower toggle and voila! A super Springy bracelet! (Perfect for upcoming Mother's Day too) Both of these pieces are available in my Etsy shop. More jewelry blog hopping here: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-first-reveal.html

Cabochons

I was fooling around with some new necklace pieces on my bead table and came up with this great use for my lampwork cabochons using a filigree component from Filigree and Me Gently bending the edges of the metal around the cab, secures it in place and adds a beauitful backing to the piece. I just slipped a jump ring through the back and it's ready to use in my new necklace.

New Look

After reading alot of blog posts in the recent blog hop, I decided to change the look of my blog. What do you think? I still can't get the lettering on the right hand side to change color..but I guess it looks okay. I think it will make a better background for my beads and not so hard to look at as the black! I've been busy working on a trunk show for my niece and sister-in-law's bead store, but I'm done now so will be posting lots of new beads this week...especially now that the weather has warmed up a few degrees, I can work out in my studio without freezing!

New Components

Some new components have been coming out of my studio this month. I love making these and there are so many design possibilities. A hole at each end provides inifite design ideas. Attach a wire wrapped dangle to one end and hang from the other end in a necklace. Use as a bead frame, or an interesting focal in an asymetrical necklace.

Cyber Weekend Sale

I'm having a Cyber Weekend sale in my Etsy shop.... Friday through Monday. Free shipping on lampwork beads, use coupon code shipmybeads. Also, all earrings will be on sale at 15% off. Sale price will be reflected, no coupon needed! http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.etsy.com/ I'm also giving away a pair of lampwork earrings made with my handmade lampwork beads. A $32.00 value! All you have to do is leave a comment in this post and I will be drawing the lucky winner on Saturday, December 1st. This is in conjunction with Artisan Whimsy Market. They will be collectively giving away over $1300.00 worth of jewelry and components! There will be 45 winners.For the event wide discount use code AWHOLIDAY in the search and all the participating shops will come up.

New Blog Hop

Lori Anderson is hosting a new Blog Hop in memory of her friend Marianna, who passed away suddenly. To read more about it or participate here's the link: http://www.prettythingsblog.com/ I know I'll be designing a piece, but I'm not sure who I will dedicate it to...yet.

New Beading Chat Site

I just found out about this site called Artisan Whimsy. It's a great chat format site where you can discuss all thinkg jewelry and beading. You can post pictures of your beads, jewelry etc. Several groups have formed and it looks like a fun site! All mediums are discussed from glass, enamel, clay, metal, seed beads...well, you get the idea! Here's a link to join in the fun! http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/

Bead Soup Blog Party 6 Reveal!

Today is the big reveal for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party 6! My partner Karin von Hoeren from Germany http://www.creativeideen.de/sent my bead soup which included the beautiful beaded bead focal she made.

I decided to make 2 pieces of jewelry, one with the beaded bead as a focal and a bracelet made with the cute wreath toggle clasp. I used one of my lampwork glass beads as the focal in the bracelet and some of the creamy white pearls Karin sent.this bracelet can go from Fall right into Christmas!

I had fun making the necklace. As a full time lampwork artist, I don't take the time to work with seed beads like I used to...and I realized how much I miss it when I made the spiral rope for this design. I added some of the beads from Karin, a few Swarovski crystals and one of my lampwork beads. The challenge was trying to attach the bead wire without adding a clasp. Can you tell where I crimped it together?

I attached the beading wire to the seed bead rope inside the gold bead cones. The 2 wires are crimped together at the top next to the bead cone on one side. A matching gold ball on the other side balances the crimp cover.

Be sure to check out all the other participants in the Blog Hop. Again, thank you Lori for all the work you put into hosting this event. And thank you Karin for the beautiful beads!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Time Flies!

So much going on this time of year, I can't believe it's been almost a month since I blogged! I had the most wonderful time at the 20th annual ISGB Gathering. Exhausting...but fun. I learned alot, met new friends and reconnected with a few. The hotel was very nice, the food was fantastic and the lectures very insightful. Had alot of fun at our Lampwork Etc. bead exchange too, and got to try Vegamite for the first time....yuk! (thanks Deb!)This is a picture of my booth at the Bead Bazaar.

Adorable Bracelet and Earrings!

Today's customer feature is a beautiful bracelet made by my niece, Lisa Suver. She designed the bracelet and earrings with my lampwork "Southwest Summer" beads. I have seen this set in person and it is TDF!! If you would like a set of these beads just visit my Etsy If you don't see the beads, they probably have sold(they have been very popular) so just contact me and I will custom make a set for you. If you would like a bracelet like this one you can order one from Lisa through her Etsy

New Bracelet

"Rustic Manor" bracelet was featured in the March issue of Bead Trends magazine!
I love the simplicity and earthy feel of this bracelet. When I opened my latest issue of Rena Klingenberg's Jewelry Business Success online newsletter I found it also in the Highlights from the Handmade Jewelry Gallery. If you do not recieve Rena's newsletter, here's a link to a wonderful, informative newsletter for the jewelry community.
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/newsletter-168.html