Let Me Speak For Myself

We beaders are obsessed with beads and when a new bead comes out, we all rush to buy it and play with it.  There are some fun new beads and I have spent countless hours working with them, but...the other day I grabbed a tube of mini bugles that had the most beautiful color in them.  I just started with a basic peyote stitch using these bugles and 15/0.  I wanted to add a beaded cabochon or a unique button all beaded around and then I just stared at the band I had made...it was beautiful JUST because of the beads.  It needed nothing else.  Sometimes you just have to let the beads speak for themselves.

This is Turquoise Apollo Hybrid Matte Opaque bugle by Toho...it can totally stand on it's own

This uses three colors combined of Toho 11/0 Triangles

And again, those cute little bugles...toss in a few 2mm beads and some stunning 15/0

It's so easy to get caught up in the new trends, especially if you are on Pinterest...drive a beader crazy, but sometimes step back, look at the beads, see what they have to say and listen to them!

Star Struck in Tucson

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2016

I am not easily star struck.  I admit when I was a young teenager, I did have a poster (and probably a crush) on Davey Jones of the Monkeys, but those days are now a blur.  I would be honored to meet certain people just because of who they are, but I can honestly say I have very little desire to meet many famous people.  But...while at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show this year I met Three people who are famous not only in my eyes, but in eyes of the bead world.

So, I am shopping along minding my own business and I see non other than Diane Fitzgerald.  I think, no....just looks like her...but yes, it was her...I HAD to say something, I was star struck.  I would have asked for her autograph if I had her book with me.  We chatted for about 2 minutes, and like a true star struck groupie, I immediately sent a text to my friend saying I met Diane Fitzgerald....brag, brag, brag.   She was so nice, Diane that is, my friend was properly jealous.  My favorite book of Diane's is Shaped Beadwork.  I learned so much from this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book, the techniques can be used everywhere in beading.

One book that I drooled on several of the pages before I made the patterns was by Lisa Kan.  A true artist, and a great lady to talk to.  We talked for about 30 minutes and she had the most amazing buttons for sale...had to buy them! My daughter was with me when I met Lisa.  We walked away from her and I squealed like a Justin Beeber fan (well, not that bad).  My daughter thinks I am crazy.  Bead Romantique is a beautiful book...you need this one also.  

Leslie Rogalski, was my third.  We talked about looms.  She is all over Beading Daily and Bead and Button.  I have her download of DoodleBeads.  Talk about creative, fun to chat with and just a neat lady.  One can learn so much from her.  

I want to be like these ladies, so full of talent, yet so normal and friendly.  (well, I think I am pretty friendly, not so sure about the normal part)...

Check out these books; they are truly worth the investment.  Diane Fitzerald has several books and Lisa Kan just released a new one.

Oh, and yes, I did buy some fun beads from other artists that may not be so famous, but are truly great and talented people.  

There is one more person I ran into that made me squeal, and that is because our paths crossed 17 years ago and I ran into him picking out gem stones. Shano Kelly.  He makes the coolest jewelry, and is such a neat artist with a spirit like no other.   Check him out at shanojewelry.com   

I had a wonderful time in Tucson at the show and it was because of the people I met...from the well-known bead designers, not so well known artists, vendors and even customers.  People just make for a good time!

Does Persistence Pay?

I had a wonderful time teaching a beading class last night....the Bo-Ho Earrings.  My students did not...at least in the beginning.  If you are a beader you will be able to relate to the holding of a miniscule item with your timber size fingers and trying to get a needle into a bead the size of a period.  It was a rough start for sure.  My favorite comment was one gal held up her ring with 2 beads stitched on and declared, I really like it just like this!  The mood was lightened.

The concentration was there...even the wine was not being touched.  I was questioning both my ability to teach and the project I had selected....

Every class has a comedian in it (at least we hope they do)...and last night's funny was when a student held up here first earring about 1/4 completed and declared she was going to use it as an ornament and tell everyone her daughter made it....when she was five!!!  Thank goodness for humor.

Well, Persistence does pay and EVERYONE finished  a PAIR of earrings last night (and a bottle of wine)!

Notice there are smiles on the faces!

Earring completed!!!

Nice job ladies.  I hope you enjoyed the class as much as I did and you stuck with it.  The second earring was completed in record time!  SUCCESS!!!  Beading is a process and sometimes our fingers need to be trained!

My New Mood Board

I want to take full credit for my new Mood Board, but it was actually my daughter's idea.  This is why you send them to college!!!

Each month I will have a new color or two to play with.  January colors are Serenity and Rose Quartz.  Not two colors I would normally select.  But, this is the exercise...let's get out of our "safe color boxes" and play with something fun.  

Those who know me are probably going, eesh,right now...I am a green (notice the backdrop) copper, bronzy type of gal.  Even I am getting bored with my favorite colors.

I selected some photos that incorporate
these two colors.  Rather nice, right.  Then I picked
out a few beads that represent the January colors and created a piece of jewelry.  Those colors are Toho #126 - a very soft yet rich pink; Toho #46F - a beautiful matte blue and Delica #1507 - softer blue with some nice sparkle to it.  

The necklace is made using these beads with an opaque white AB for accent.  The focal is a mother of pearl button with a Czech button in the center.  And,
don't you just love those nice chunky beads......

What can you come up with?  Post any ideas/photos of your creations.  There are other beads that will represent the pantone colors, so get into the beads and PLAY!

One last photo...I LOVE beading, but I do have another passion.....

Fall Is In The Air

For the first time in a long time, I am experiencing  Fall!  The temperature is cold in the morning with that nice crisp smell and the leaves have me standing and staring at the intense color.  I think the reds are my favorite and that yummy orange - throw in a bit of green and you have a color palate only nature can create.

Being a bit focused on Fall (because it's right outside my window), I was thrilled when I received Toho's new semi-glazed 11/0 seed beads.  I love the richness of the greens and the burnt hint of the orange/red.  They do come in blues and purples also, but I just couldn't resist creating some Russian Leaves with the fall colors.   They are matte with a semi-gloss finish that seems to give them a bit of texture.    It's always fun to see new beads and for me, I have a love affair with the 11/0 and 15/0 rounds.  Currently the semi-glazed come in 11/0 and 8/0.  

For those of you not experiencing Fall right now, Toho has posted a desert creation using these beads.  

Available from Esther Beadwork.

Jumping Into the Fire

Ever have a great idea that you never pursued? What held you back?  Fear? Lack of experience?  Support?  Maybe even the lack of time?  I recently interviewed an amazing lady that didn't hold back...she jumped into the fire with both feet moving at full speed.  Was it smart, successful, just plain crazy?  Meet Laurie Gregory Bye, founder of the Bead Society of the Palm Beaches and currently serving as President. 

http://beadsocietyofthepalmbeaches.com

My first question - WHY?  Laurie said she had friends who all used to bead together on a regular basis, then they were not.  Missing this she said, "let's start a Bead Society then we can spend time together, do a bit of charity, have retreats, learn from others and maybe even go on a cruise".  With her experience as President of Vintage Painter's Guild of Ontario, Laurie, with the help of some great friends, launched the Bead Society of the Palm Beaches in 2014.  In just a year, the society has  grown to 176 members, supports two charities: Hope House, www.hopehouseofthepalmbeaches.com and Joanne's Cottage, www.placeofhope.com.  They have monthly beading sessions called Bead Soup, guest speakers, trunk shows, famous artistic beaders, great give-a-ways, fun parties, AND an upcoming bead cruise!  Talk about jumping into the fire.

This all sounds so glamorous and exciting, but Laurie puts in over 20 hours a week making all this happen (along with the hours the Board Members put in).  Again the question, WHY?  "to inspire people and get them interested in beading.  I love bringing out the creativity in people".  I just had to ask, "would you do it again?"  Laurie did not even hesitate.  "Yes, I would do it again, but I would do more research regarding logistics such as taxes, by-laws, rules of a non-profit, etc., and educate myself better before just diving in".  Isn't the title of this article called "Jumping Into the Fire"?

Laurie tries to bead 4-5 hours a day.  Now we are up to 40 hours a week and I am wondering when she has fun, then I remember that beading is fun.  Her favorite stitch right now is what we commonly call CRAW (cubic right angle weave) "because you can form it, make shapes and swirls".  "Bead embroidery is my favorite and I always have a project on my board of bead embroidery".  Besides beading, Laurie does like car races (now that goes with beading), traveling and she loves kids that she can spoil and send home.

Thinking of joining?  This is why you should according to Laurie: "there is a camaraderie and people all doing the same thing is very inspiring to be around.  You can get help with stitches, education, meet people and have fun.  I love helping people and when they finally get it, I just love that!"

If you are interested in joining the Bead Society of the Palm Beaches, just head to their website and everything is there.  If you are not in South Florida, there are many bead societies throughout the country.  They truly have a lot to offer!

Do you Work with other artists?

I have to admit, I am a hard sell.  I always think I can do it myself.  I am learning the hard way that isn't true.  I have been paying more attention to artists I meet at the shows that I participate in.  If you follow me on facebook, you know that I "stalk" Michelle from FireFly Design Studio.  There are two reasons for this:  One, I love her product and have found it works very nice in some of my designs, and Two, her booth is right next to mine at the trade shows, so I like to hover over her product while the brain works up ideas.

My first piece that turned out to be quite a hit in the kit department, incorporated her ceramic bird.  Then I made a pair of earrings from the ceramic drops and sold them right off my ears.

I also made a nice necklace using the separated fish.  It's on Facebook, so you can check it out there as well as a few other pieces incorporating her ceramic product.  

I have another gal that I LOVE her glass beads and she also is at the trade shows I do, but I cannot seem to locate the bead I purchased right now, but I do want to mention her.  Her name is Starleen; she makes the most amazing glass beads.  I haven't made anything with this killer bead I purchased because my first attempt was an epic failure, so it is awaiting a cool project.

Lately I have actually purchased small pieces of jewelry from artists.  One of my new favorite gals is Hannah Long.  She is a super cool metal artist.  She is supposed to be making me some pieces to incorporate into my work.  Check her out also.  The Sterling/pearl earrings are from her.  Very simple, but I love wearing them.  The stained glass necklace comes from  Nora's Stained Glass. One place she sells is at Art Sea Living on the Avenue.  She does both jewelry and decorator type stained glass.  She is different, and I find her pieces just fun!

My last purchase was from Laurie Onufer from New Hampshire.  I met her at Delray Affair.  I saw this bracelet and fell in love.  Very simple and elegant.

I could write about several more artists and will probably do so at another time, but when creating your own jewelry, try to use their product in yours.  It's a great way to support fellow artsy people and it makes your jewelry unique.  It's also nice to purchase a finished piece.

Firefly Design Studio       www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Starleen                         www.starleensstudio.com

Hannah Long                  Hannahlongjewelry.com

Nora's Stained Glass       norsol23@gmail.com

Laurie Onufer                 yessy.com - enter: Laurie Onufer