Happy New Year!

And now let us welcome the New Year Full of things that have never been. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

It's kind of odd how we mark one year into the next when in reality, it's just another day. Without clocks or calendars we would never know and probably wouldn't care. But in our busy lifestyles, we are constantly reminded of time. What do you dream of for the coming year? Your dreams can come true...write them down and create a plan. Follow your heart, do what you love and find your passion! I have been fortunate in my life to have found glass. I hope to bring you many new beads in the coming year. I plan new classes and shows, learning from my peers while finding inspiration in my constant love of nature, art, textiles and not to mention, Google images! Happy New Year!!

Art Bead Scene

On a whim, I entered the monthly challenge for October from Art Bead Scene blog, one of the most popular bead blogs. The inspiration was a painting from Milton Avery. I made a bead for the challenge as they now have a "bead only" category as well as the jewelry category. You can view all the entries on their Pinterest board. http://www.pinterest.com/artbeadscene/jewelry-monthly-challenge-entries/ I love a challenge so this is the bead I made inspired by the painting. I entered my bead and received notice that I had won the random winning bead! I am excited to have won 2 months free advertising on one of the largest bead blogs. Thank you Art Bead Scene! Congratulations are in order too for all the entries and other winners in this challenge. November challenge painting is right up my alley...a gorgeous floral with soft lighting and botanical feel. I love it! We'll see how this one comes out...

Jewelry Displays

The best things in life are free....or cheap! For my upcoming show in Fresno, The Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo, I found some vintage silver trays to display beads on. Some of these I already had since I am a junk store junkie! I think they will look so cute with my lampwork beads in them and add a continuity to the table.

I am also so excited about my new earring cards! ( I know...it's the little things!)I was surprised to find how little selection there is for earring cards. Some of the best choices are on Etsy. I found these at Julry Partz. She was very easy to work with and a very reasonable $4.00 for a digital download that I can print as many as I want. I would recommend a heavy cardstock for these. I use plastic earring card adapters from Rio Grande, cut them in half, because I'm frugal...and punch holes for the earrings. (Always use earring nuts to keep them on the cards. I couldn't believe a recent thread on Facebook about whether to use them or not!)

Interview

Being interviewed is always hard for me. When I was little, I was always the shy one, making my brother and sisters guess what it was I wanted instead of me just asking. They learned to read my sign language! But being married to my husband has helped me overcome that...he is far from shy! Today's feature in Holly Dare's blog Glass Beads Daily is about moi! After reading it I realized I really need a new picture of myself...one that doesn't show the gray!! I have also been enjoying reading a new blog (for me) from Kat O'Sullivan AKA Katwise. What an ambitious young woman! So, after reading her wonderful writings, I am determined to blog more often. We'll see what comes out of these pages in the next few weeks!

I've been steadily making new beads for the upcoming show, The Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo in Fresno, California on September 7 & 8 at the Ramada Inn. I'm close to being ready, but there's always "just one more bead"!And that's in between canning pickles, green beans, freezing peas, broccoli and the tomatoes are coming on fast! Until next time...here's some new eye candy!

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!

A new blog site has opened up in the last couple weeks that features daily lampwork bead posts by lampwork glass bead artists. It's called Glass Beads Daily Be sure to check in often as artists post different beads everyday. Here's a little eye candy of mine!

Bead Soup Blog Party

It's time for Lori Anderson's annual Bead Soup Blog Party 7! I have a great and talented partner, Rain Hannah of Honey and Ollie. Here's a link to great Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyandollie?ref=search_shop_redirect I recieved my bead soup and it has so much inspiration! I'm thinking at least 2 designs from all that. Our reveal date is March 30, 2013. So with 500 participants this year, Lori divided it into 3 reveal dates. Lots of blogging going on!

Wow! What happened to the last month! I can't believe it's been a monthe since I wrote a post. Well. I'll try to be better in the new year, even if it's just a picture of new beads. I've cleaned up my studio, my beading area, which is a small corner of the living room and am ready for new adventures in beading. I cleaned out my Czech glass beads and have a bagful to donate to A Little Something, a group of refugee women in Denver who make jewelry. I learned about it from Rena Klingenberg's Jewelry Making Journal. http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/welcome-to-the-jewelry-making-journal-bead- If you would like to learn more about it, visit her page. Now is a good time to clean out all thise beads you bought years ago and haven't used!

One Bead?

I often include one pretty lampwork bead as a thank you gift when people purchase beads from me. I want to suggest a few design ideas using one bead. First...here's a link to my nieces adorable bracelet made with one of my lampwork beads.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81663560/lampwork-bangle-bracelet-silver-black
She has made a cute bangle style bracelet with the bead as a focal and coordinating beads on each side.
Some other ideas include making the popular purse charms. Use a large lobster clasp and make a dangle with the bead and some coordinating crystals and metal. The same can be used for key chains, zipper pulls on clothing, diaper bags, backpacks even fan pulls and mini blind pulls.
Use in a mixed media designs for an eclectic look that's so "in" right now.
Of course, one beautiful handmade bead makes the perfect pendant, adorned simply and strung on a chain, leather cord or satin ribbon.

Winning Bead

I was so excited to learn that my "Northwest Sun" bead was chosen to be a part of the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers) virtual tour for the Venture exibit running from March 1st through July when the beads will be displayed at the annual Gathering in Bellevue, July 25-29,2012.The beads were judged in 2 categories, Under 2 years experience and Over 2 years.Mine is in the first category. My score was 59 out of 75.
If you would like to view the beads, here is a link to the ISGB website:
http://www.isgb.org/

New Magazine

The
February 2012 issue of Bead Design Studio (formerly Bead Unique)includes an article by Rachel Baron called Marketing 101, Pricing Your Work. I was asked to contribute a pricing tip in conjunction with the article. My issue came in the mail yesterday and I found a picture of one of my bracelets on the first page of the article! The next pages have tips from 2 other jewelry designers and mine. Be sure to check out this well written article as well as lots of cool projects!

Inspiration Quote of the Day

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

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!

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