Margie and Me: All about the Yellow...

Thanks so much guys for your input on Thursday's post. It really helped me to narrow my focus for the color challenge this month.

Can you guess what color I chose to focus on??!

YELLOW!

Most everyone said that yellow was the color that sent chills up their spine, so I figured we'd face our fears head on.

From Margie Deeb's book, The Beader's Color Palette, I chose an art palette.

This time it's The Sower with the Setting Sun by Van Gogh and I tried to narrow the palette down to just a few colors to keep it easier to work with.

This palette is definitely a stunner and the colors are intense, vibrant, loud.
(Apparently, Van Gogh did a couple of these, because while doing the research, I found another painting very similar in color and composition.)

Don't forget to check out Margie's book for the Delica #'s to really nail down the palette!

Okay, here's my palette for this challenge. It still uses yellow, but is a slightly more muted version as opposed to the intense colors above.

This palette really uses the neutral tan and a little mocha while keeping yellow and blue as accent colors rather than the focus of the palette.

I hope between the two of these, you'll find something to float your boat!

Here's the guidelines and dates to recap.

- The challenge is to make a wearable piece of jewelry by employing one or both of the color palettes. You may use any materials you'd like.

- We'll have an inspiration round-up on March 7th, which means that you can post on your blog a sneak peek of your project, or you can create a treasury, or maybe show some inspiration pieces that you found on Etsy.

- The reveal date will be April 2nd, which means that you have a full month to create your piece(s)! On that day, just post a picture of your piece and come back here to link back so we can all see!

I hope you enjoy the palettes for March!

Orange ya' glad I didn't say "honeysuckle"....

Now, I'm not one to follow the world of fashion (unless you count Project Runway),

but I was in the B&N the other day with some time to burn and found myself flipping through Vogue's runway issue.

It was pages and pages of runway shots from the Spring 2011 collections.

And, I found a disturbing trend....

orange.

Now, I will be the first to admit that I loathe the color...it does nothing for me and I can honestly say that I own not one bead of this little menace.

But, I realized that I had never really seen it en contexto.

So, I've chosen a few of my favorite orange-y designs for you and created a little color palette to show off their georgeousness.

The first is from the designer Alquilano, and I'm a huge fan of the muted tones that he uses, and even the geometric print. It's kind of like orange mixed with a little gray.

The next is from Stella McCartney and it's a typical summery color palette, bright orange with bright yellow and leafy green.

This is basically the color that comes to mind when I think of orange.

The last is from Sonia Rykiel and yeah, you're right, this is more honeysuckle than orange, but I really liked this palette for some reason.

And again, the geometric prints were everywhere.
It's a great way to mix colors and add points of interest to your palette.

(Think about adding a little charm or unexpected color pop in your jewelry)

If you want to see all the runway shots from Spring, you can go here and just go to the Spring 2011 season and start scrolling (or if you're really adventurous, Fall 2011 is already up!)

So, what about you, what's the color that scares you off?

Are you gonna challenge yourself to use it this year?

Don't forget about Bead Soup this Saturday! (I have yet to start mine!)

RAW Inspiration

I blame Maire. 

She was doing it first, using little bits of metal to create cuffs and stacks and little pieces of art to wrap around your finger.

And she put a link up on her blog post.

The RAW Flickr Group.

Cafe del Sol made with resin and paper.

And I?

Well, I clicked the link and followed it to find some of the most amazing pieces of wearable sculpture ever.
 With a little added challenge to join, create, and upload a Ring A Week.

So I decided to take up the challenge, and throw my little beads in with the amazing silver, copper and brass creations that I was seeing.

 

Chunky Mint Turquoise made with turquoise chips and wire wrapped.

And it truly has challenged me, I can't do soldering, I have no clue how to set a bezel, and I'm just beginning to work with wires, so I set myself to make something that could stand next to the higher forms of art that I was seeing.

Tila Flor made with Tila beads and little seeds.

I'm still getting over the feeling that what I'm creating is somehow less artful that the other rings because it's not metal.

In the Difficult Times, seed beads and little watch hands that really spin.

So, each week, I approach the challenge as an ode to the bead and I create my piece to show off the amazing beauty that can be found in a simple seed.

Brassy Bezel Ring, A brass beaded bead suspended on a wire frame.

You see, I owe it to these little guys. For four years they've never let me down, and have been part of who I am creatively.

I know they're not made of sterling silver, and I can't polish and tumble and oxidize when I'm finished, but there's something beautiful about a seed that grows to become something larger than itself.

Suspended, metallic purple beaded bead hangs on a metal frame.

I guess, in the end, it's the difference between a guitar player and a piano player, both are amazingly talented, but I'm pretty sure only one will play in Carnegie Hall.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you'll visit these piano players...

They're amazing.

Joanne Harrill - http://www.jojobell.com/

Thomasin Durgin - http://www.metalriot.blogspot.com/

Amy Nicole - http://www.rubymtnbeads.blogspot.com/

Janice - http://www.doxallodesigns.blogspot.com/

Aleksandra Micic - http://www.micicart.blogspot.com/

Lana Chu - http://www.ginkgoglass.wordpress.com/

Evelyn Markasky - http://www.markasky.blogspot.com/

Kerry Alice-Twigs and Heather - http://www.twigsandheather.blogspot.com/

Lorena Angulo- blog.lorenaangulo.com/

Kate Jones-- http://www.katejonesdesign.blogspot.com/

Maria Apostolou- www.createjewelry.gr/blog

Sarah Small - http://www.bysalla.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Bogan - www.Adobesol.com/blog

Elaine Luther - www.CreativeTextureTools.com/news

Rebekah Timlin Meddles - http://www.lunasadesigns.blogspot.com/

Laura M (Zoeowyn)- zoeowyn.blogspot.com/

Kimberly (bahamadawn) - http://www.bahamadawn.blogspot.com/

Erin Austin - http://www.metalmusing.blogspot.com/

Catherine Witherell - http://www.happydayart.typepad.com/

Michele Grady- http://www.michelegradydesigns.blogspot.com/

Joan Furilla - jfurilla.wordpress.com/

Kathryn Cole- http://www.kathryncolejewelry.blogspot.com/



Margie and Me: February Reveal

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and admit it...

I was only able to do one of the Margie and Me palettes for this one.

See, I ordered some Tilas that would go perfect with the Constructivism palette, and they never arrived!!!

So, I stuck with creating something for the Madrid palette.

I chose to pair this cute little component link that I bought from Nancy and add a few wire-wrapped links, a little bead embroidery, and some leather.

I'm still debating on how I feel about it. It's a lot different than my norm, but ya' know, sometimes you've just got to go for something. I'll let you know if I intend to keep it that way or not.

I also finished my RAW for the week, and it's a wire-wrapped ring that incorporates a little beadweaving.

I used a little beaded beads and suspended it between two arms of wire.

I also created a second ring. This one is straight out of Jodi Bombardier's book, with the exception that I added the two arms on the side instead of just the one.

The purple ring is not quite as comfortable to wear as the brass one.

But, the thing that I worked the most on this week and that I am really, really proud of is this...

It's a wire wrapped pendant that I created using Jodi Bombardier's techniques.

But, while I used her techniques to create the weave, the chain, and yes, the clasp, the design is all my own.

My inspiration was the peacock. I started out with the pendant facing up, like a peacock's tail, and added the color along the edges and at the top. (Did you think I was gonna leave my little seed beads behind?)

I then wire wrapped the components together and finally created the chain and clasp that finish it off.

It's not silver, though it looks it.

It's actually a high quality copper wire with an antique brass coating that has such a great oxidized color.

It's much more cost effective than silver and is great especially when you're just learning! (That would be me.)

I'm actually going to list this beauty in my shop, it's here if you'd like to see more photos.

Also....

It's my Birthday!!!!

So, I've decided to share the love with y'all! That being said, if you use the code

BIRTHDAYSALE2011

anytime this weekend, you'll receive 19% off any item in my store, including tutorials!

It's my way of saying thank you for a great year.

Be sure and tell your friends, because this deal only lasts until Sunday night, and then it's GONE!

Okay, if you participated in Margie and Me this month, go ahead and leave a comment with your link. I'll try to come back and add the links to the bottom of the post, but if you didn't play, be sure to check out the comments to see if I missed anyone! 

Here's a couple that I've already caught this morning: 

Beading From the Heart 

Beads for Busy Gals

Kokopelli Design

Amybeads

My Earthly Jewels

Beadwork by H

Preserve Jewelry Studio

Beads and Bread

Bead Origami

Have a great weekend guys!

Margie and Me Manana!!!

I think one of my favorite things to do is to create tutorials. I understand that these days it's hard to spend a lot of money on jewelry, for most, it's just not part of the budget.

This is kind of how I got started making jewelry in the first place. I wanted to create a big chunky rock ring, because a) I couldn't find a replica of the one that I had purchased out of town and b) I couldn't afford to spend the $50 to purchase another one anyway.

I had this in  mind when I started creating tutorials for crafty ladies who wanted to have a hand in creating their own accessories.

So, I was over the moon when Alice sent me a picture of what she had created with my Arte Deco Cuff Tutorial.

Isn't it gorgeous?

I'm in love with her color scheme! I ordered a whole new batch of Tila beads about two weeks ago and am still waiting and waiting (not-so-patiently) for them to get here so I can start a new tutorial that I have in mind.

Also, don't forget about Margie and Me!!!

Tomorrow is the big reveal!

We've got bright mustard Madrid with the stark white balcony and iron railings. (I have to admit this is my favorite!)

And also, the gorgeous cubism piece with the shades of gray and hints of teal and navy. (Okay, I really like this one too!)

Have a great day, and I'll see you here tomorrow!

Life as a Wire

We all start life much like a spool of wire...

coiled up tight, dead soft, and ready to be molded into any shape or form.

And life is the process, where our lives are snipped and bent, twisted and rolled...

all in an effort to create something beautiful.

Sometimes the wire is stubborn and it needs to be bent a few more times or snipped and twisted again.

Sometimes the design isn't complete without some added beauty and the other pieces of our life that make it full and complete are woven in and wrapped around us.  

And though the process is often hard, the results are worth it...

 and after the wire has been worked until it can be worked no more and the Worker's hands are tried from the pulling and squeezing....

the design is complete, and the creation is finished.

All that remain are the last few finishing coils and the final touches to make the design perfect.

So, the Worker sits down for the last few hours to finish his design

and waits for the perfect moment to reveal what he has created.

I heart...

Eliza Necklace by Tara Bacci

Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.

George Washington

Garnet Wire Wrapped Heart Necklace by Holly Presley

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

Blue Jean Sterling Heart Brooch Pin by wiredelements

 

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

Rudyard Kipling

Pyrite Sterling Silver Heart Pendant by wireartbymel

Happy Valentine's Day.

Studio Saturday and RAW

I'm really in love with my RAW ring this week. I created it to go with this necklace. It was kind of an accident really, I was just looking through my stash and I realized that I had a copper ring base large enough to make a really big ring this week for RAW and then I saw the little watch arms sitting next to it, and well...

The result is pretty cool. And, in case you can't tell from looking at the two different pictures, the arms of the ring really spin! It's a ring with some definite movement which I really like. I'm not selling this one (you may call me selfish!) , but if you would like one, let me know and I can create a custom order for you.

I also finished a new pendant. I really wasn't sold on the color mix, but now that I look at it, I think it really turned out great.

It features a crazy lace agate stone in the center with leopard skin jasper rounds.

For those of you who do bead embroidery, I don't use peyote to "capture" my cabochons. In fact, I don't use cabs. I use beads, large ones with holes and then simply attach the bead with thread and some glue. I then create a line of beads around the stone to highlight it.

In my opinion, the stones are waaay to pretty to hide them with beads.

I've put this pendant in the shop here.

This bracelet started with these little rounds of dyed crazy lace agate. I loved the shades of blue in the rounds, so I created a few extra beaded beads to compliment the colors.

I strung those with the lace agate, and some added seed beads for an asymmetrical look. A little Green Girl Studio charm reads "Made With Love" and to finish it off, I tied a little blue chenille ribbon to the ends and between each bead.

This one is also in my shop here.

Something a little tribal, kinda out of the norm for me, but I like it.

I'm not listing it, because it was kind of made with a different purpose in mind.

See, last week, I was contacted by a boutique that is interested in carrying my work, and while we still haven't ironed out all the specifics, I think it's gonna happen. (I'll give you some more details as we get closer to finalizing things) But, this necklace was created for them.

That was exiting news for me to say the least.

I also added my Heavy Metal Bracelet to my shop from yesterday's post.

Last but not least, some cute little bobby pins. These are made with vintage glass beads in the center. They look like little tiles which is why I'm calling these

Tiled Bobby Pins in Morado. (Morado means "purple"...Spanish lesson for the day.)

That was it for my week! How about you?

As for my weekend? I'm going to Raleigh, which inevitably means that I'm also going here.

Which inevitable means that I'll have new stuff to show you next week!

Enjoy your weekend!

Did I ever tell you how much that I like Artbeads?

This time around for the Artbeads blog program, we were asked to create something inspired by the theme "Winter Enchantment".

Well, I was very enchanted by winter the day after Christmas when it snowed a mountain here, but lately, not so much.
In my corner of the woods, it's been cold/freezing/cool/warm/freezing and so on for about two weeks and this morning I woke up to frost covering EVERYTHING.

So, my winter inspiration revolves around the word "heavy", heavy snow, heavy frost, heavy me...these are all things that I associate with the onset of shorter days and darker nights.

Which inevitably caused me to pick bronze everything for my inspiration. This bracelet features bronze czech fire-polished beads and bronze seed beads in shiny and matte finishes.

While it's a little darker than most of my creations, so has been my winter!

The pattern is my Charlotte's Path Bracelet. I made the weave on this one a little tighter just to see what would happen, and then added a few more beads on the edge to give it a tighter feel.

The best part about this bracelet? The shimmer! The fire-polished beads catch the light everytime you move and even though I'm normally not a huge fan of such glam, this is just downright awesome!

So, what's your winter inspiration?

The materials above were provided as part of the Artbeads blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.

Why I want to speak three languages.

I've been asked more than once, "Do you speak French?" and
I suppose to the person asking this question it follows logically that she speaks English and Spanish and therefore must speak French.

Well, I don't, mostly because I always told myself that I wouldn't learn a third language (it would be Italian by the way) until I felt that I had mastered my second.

by poetryjewelry

I've always felt the same way about jewelry. I didn't want to start a brand new hobby or medium until I felt like I had mastered my first.

Well, I'm beginning to reach a level of confidence with beadwork and beadweaving that makes me really feel like I've taken a huge step toward mastery. Now, mind you, I am by no means a master, but when I see words like "right angle weave" and "herringbone" I no longer shudder in fear, and the word "advanced" no longer stops me in my tracks.

Which is why I went yesterday and bought this book:

Now, I know it's not Italian, but it is a completely new medium for me. You see, other than wrapped loops (which is kinda like chewing gum and walking) I haven't done any real wirework and the last time I tried, the tips of my fingers paid the price in blood.

by JaninaGrigore

So, the book has been bought and some goals have been made. (Mainly the goal of making my own components if nothing else.)

You see I want to take what I do well, and meld it with a new medium. I want to see little beaded components nestled neatly in little handmade wire wrapped baskets or suspended from equally intricate wire-wrapped frames.

by EmilyGrayJewels

And last night while flipping through the pages, I felt like a complete newbie again, with words like "forged", "annealed" and "tumbled" once again making me feel amateur trepidation.

So, this afternoon, or maybe tonight will be spent in some serious wire purchasing and I fully intend to buy one of those little steel blocks that you can really release your frustrations on.

And who knows, maybe in a month or two, you'll see a little Italian thrown in here with all the English and snippets of Spanish!
So, what new language are you learning?

Oh, and also, I did create a treasury yesterday with some of the inspiration colors from our first Margie and Me palette. Modern Teal is here if you want to see the whole collection.

Oh, and by the way, my previous offer still stands, the next person to buy jewelry from my shop will receive a $25 thank you in the form of a gift certificate.

Enjoy your Wednesday!