Margie and Me - #167 The Badlands

I realized just as soon as I chose this palette that it was a lot like Mammoth Springs. So, here's how it's different in Margie's book. Do you see that lovely mustardy yellow color? That's Margie's base color for this palette, with the greens, blues, and reds, toned down. Think of this palette as it would look in the evening, and you've got Margie's palette.

These are Margie's colors, but you gotta turn down the saturation level.

Okay, some stuff that I got done over the weekend....
First, this is my nesting bracelet in a lavender version. I know, it's a little springy, but it just came together and I couldn't stop myself.

The rounds are Moss Agate, and I just went through and chose the light lavender rounds.

I've got to tell you, these bracelets are sooo comfortable to wear. I think the nesting idea is really obvious when you add the birds....hhhmmm...do we need a necklace?!
Lavender Beadwoven Nesting Bracelet is in the shop.

The next is what I'm calling  a Peek-A-Boo ring. This is, believe it or not, a version of the components I used for the nesting bracelet. It leaves a little hole in the center so your finger shows through a little.

I like it so much, I wore to bed last night....no, seriously.

It's in my shop in two colorways. Light Mauve and Soft Green are both in there.

Oh, and right after I changed my blog background, my Autumn Raindrops Pendant sold, so, if my background is different every day of the week this week...you'll know why!!

Enjoy your Labor Day!! You've earned it!

Margie and Me - The Mammoth Springs Part 2

Each week when I start a new Margie and Me challenge, I never know where the inspiration is gonna come from. A lot of times I use the color palette not just for color, but also for shape and design. For example, when I worked on Baldacchino , I created the bracelet with the shape of the sculpture in mind.

Well, this week...not so much. I have no idea how this ended up so geometric. I'm definitely loving the colors, and I think that they're dead on with the inspiration image, but I have no idea where the geometry came from.

I mean, it's really geometric!
I also invented this cool clasp to close it off. I built up the weave and layered one diamond on top of the other and then created a loop to clasp around the top diamonds. I'm gonna patent this clasp and make millions! Okay, probably not, but I wore it all day yesterday and with this kind of clasp, it is very secure when worn.

I call it Cool Geometry and you can find it in my shop. (this type of beadwoven work doesn't generally sell well for me, but I thought I'd give it a shot!) Although I'm open to other names if you guys can think of a better one!

I also added another pendant to my Seeds and Stones Collection. I call this one Surrounded.

Okay, last thing...I need a little feedback...I've decided to work on a new tutorial, but I'd like your input on which bracelet I should work on. Here are my choices...

The first is a bracelet that I haven't created in a while, but the last three that I created in this style all sold. I called this one Smoke and Mirrors, but I've also made a version called Scarlett Lace and Under the Sea.

I've also had quite a few requests for Baldacchino as a pattern.

Or, I could do Cool Geometry as a pattern. Let me know what you guys think. Even if you're not a beadweaver, I'd be interested to hear which is your fav.

Oh, by the way, thanks guys for everything.

Margie and Me - La Boca Part #2

Okay, I totally cheated this week. I really took a lot of liberty with Margie's color scheme, but the point is inspiration, right? :)
This is the result of my inspiration from La Boca. I call it Carnaval Pendant. It's a much lighter version of the green/blue/pink color scheme. The colors are brighter, as if they were holding a Carnaval celebration in La Boca. Hey, Margie said to add lemony green!

It's simple, but really makes a statement. I used turquoise rounds, czech faceted glass beads and seed beads (of course). It looks great on a simple silver chain.

I loved it enough to make a second version in purple!
Carnaval Pendant in Purple

I also made a new version of Esmeralda's Ring. I sold out of the Peacock version this week, and I won't be able to make another Peacock version unless I can find some more of the orange center beads that I need.

I've also been working on some bead embroidered pendants. I call this one Jane's Pendant.

And this one is called Sea Star.

All these have been added to my Etsy shop, and I've also taken a few things out of my shop. My style has slowly been evolving, and I hope that that's reflected in my newer pieces.

Enjoy your weekend!

Guessing Game and some newbies

It all started when I purchased 4mm faceted czech rounds in the color Amaranth from ArtBeads.com. I honestly thought the color was different than it was (read: less pink). Well,
it wasn't so the next challenge was to create something with these little boogers and a color that is normally a BIG challenge for me.

The first thing I managed to crank out was (of course) a Tidepool ring. The second was a bracelet that I'm calling Ruby Quatrefoil. It's a repeating pattern that closes with a beaded toggle clasp.

It has a layered quatrefoil look and each little component reminds me of a starburst or fireworks (since it was just previously the 4th of July).


Instead of trying to keep the pinkish hue of the faceted czech glass, I used a lot of deep maroons and burgundys and a color called red wine to "force" the beads to go red. (I picked up that term from my mom the artist who taught me that colors change when surrounded by other colors.)
The finished product, I like, and so...Ruby Quatrefoil made the cut to my shop.

I'm also putting this little ring called Field of Poplars in my shop. I made it by cutting teeny tiny pieces of paper into small shapes to make a landscape. It's 1" by 1" and I'm still amazed that I don't go blind after playing with little pieces of paper that tiny!

Okay, finally, the Guessing Game. Here's the latest. This one is hard, so I'll give you a hint: think old Hollywood. Good luck, and leave me a comment with your guess, I'll post a link to the treasury tomorrow.
(By the way, you've got to read the titles on this listings before you make your guess, sometimes they give you a clue!)

Margie and Me - Lady of the Lake

Okay, this post has a lot going on...
Margie and Me:
This week I've chosen #18 Lady of the Lake. Margie says "This array of clear greens, both warm and cool, casts a mesmerizing spell especially when embellished with accents of silver." I think this picture is a perfect representation of what Margie was trying to capture.

Persian Rugs Tutorial:
Yay! It's done! After much hard work, Persian Rugs Tutorial is finally available in my shop, and to celebrate, I'm listing it at the introductory price of $12 and taking $3 off the other tutorials in my shop which means that you can get a great price on Fire and Ice Cuffs and also on Royal Ring.

I also created a new colorway of the bracelet just to celebrate. It's a lighter more springy version of the bracelet using aventurine instead of the lime green jade.

Quantity vs. Creativity:
Okay, finally, I'd like to thank everyone who commented on my post about Quantity vs. Creativity. It seemed like everyone agreed that doing what is in your heart should be the ultimate goal of an artist, but it was also interesting to hear from a couple of the artists who create components for other artists.
I was especially caught by what Shannon LeVart of MissFickleMedia said about the nature of what she does. As an artist who creates to help others create, her job is to follow the trends and keep up with what is hip and in right now. She also had a great point. This is not the job that provides for my family, and as such, I haven't had to worry about creating to fit into a trend or a current niche. I am able to create what I like or want without the added pressure of thinking about providing for my family with my creativity.

It's given me a lot of thought lately and I'm glad I was able to see it from another perspective. I still think the best summation comes from LeAnn, "...go with what speaks to you."

So...What speaks to you?

Margie and Me - Degas' Dancers

If you're lookin' for Bead Soup, keep on a scrollin', it's after this post!

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But, for me and my regulars it's Margie and Me time! I skipped out on last week because I needed to work on my Bead Soup, and now that that's done, we're back to regularly scheduled programming.

I chose this week to pick palette #86, Degas' Dancers. Margie describes it as "gentle, soft, and muted except a minute and powerful sharp accent of deep brown." I chose it because of the interaction of the palest pinks and peaches with little punches of blue. I think it'll be a great palette to work with, and I'll show you on Saturday what I was able to come up with.

I also got inspired to play around with some vintage 20-gauge brass wire that I picked up at my local bead store. I created these bangles that I call Fairy Circles.

The first is made with tiny garnet gemstones and faceted amethyst glass rondelles.

Fairy Circle in Garnet

The second is in some beautiful forest tones with a punch of purple. It's created with faceted moss agate and faceted czech rounds. The sparkle on these bracelets is very fairy-esque. Both are listed in my Etsy shop.

Fairy Circle in Forest

Margie and Me - Baldacchino

In case you missed my other post, I've given myself a challenge to create a different piece each week using a color scheme randomly chosen from Margie Deeb's book The Beader's Color Palette.

Last week, I chose #73, Baldacchino, which in Margie's words "is a mix of gold and silver metallics with black and bronze accents and a rich shimmery hunter green thrown in."

Well, here's the result. A bracelet that I call....appropriately enough, Baldacchino. I stuck pretty close to the color palette, but toned down the shimmery. I wanted to use materials that I had on hand so I stuck with gold and hunter green seed beads and some copper delicas for depth and contrast.

I also wanted to stay true to the feel of the architecture, so I used the cross motif (the Baldacchino is located in St. Peter's Basilica).

The pattern is an original one that I created with a little trial and error.
I really enjoyed this challenge, I wouldn't normally work with colors like this, and I hardly ever work with gold, so it was nice to step out of my comfort zone and try something a little diferent.

On Monday, I'll show you the new colorway I'm planning on attempting and tomorrow I'll have some new things to post in the shop. Have a great weekend!

Spring!

Yesterday was the first true Spring day that we've had around here and it was lovely! I wasn't able to get outside as much as I would have wanted to, but today I'm planning on spending a little time outdoors with my nephew. We spent the weekend in Columbia, SC and had a great time. The weather cooperated and I couldn't have asked for a better weekend!



Here's what I accomplished while in the car this weekend! I call it Lavender Blossom Bracelet.

It's just this beautiful bright purple beaded blossom in the center with this gorgeous set of leaves flanking the blossom on either side. It's so springy and I love the textures. It's not flat at all, the bloom is raised and the leaves are stacked on top of each other. It's very reminiscent of a corsage.

I love making these leaves, I could make leaves all day...but, I'm not going to, I'm going to go outdoors and enjoy the weather and drive by Port City Java later for a latte. Have a great day!

Settin' goals and seein' leaves...

Here's my newest piece. I've had this in my head for a while. Ever since I completed my Spring Leaves necklace, I've been wanting to explore this leaf making thing with some different colors and textures. So...here's the result. I call it Band of Leaves and me gusta mucho, I like it a lot. This one is very dainty and feminine. I've got it in my head to do another one down the road that's a lot thicker with more leaves...we'll see.

Okay, last week, I got kinda frustrated because every time I sat down to make something I couldn't get my head into a frame of mind where I had some direction, where I knew what I wanted to make or where I wanted to go and how to get there. So, I did something I hardly ever do...I set some goals. I wanted to create at least 6 new things by Wednesday of this week (tomorrow). Well, as you can see, I've got 5 of the things that I wanted to make marked off the list and I'm pretty sure that by tomorrow I can get six. (I'm working on numbers 8 and 10 right now!)

It was weird having a "list", but very satisfying to cross something out and feel like I'd accomplished it! It worked really well for me and I'll definitely keep doing it in the future. How about you? What do you do to stay motivated and focused?

I hope you enjoy your Tuesday!
(I know I will, Tuesday means Salsa lessons!! Hehe!)

Under the Sea (Under the Sea!)

For the Etsy Beadweaver's March Challenge, the theme is Fairy Tale. I chose to do Ariel, the Little Mermaid. So...I walked around the house all day humming "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl". The result was another tidepool ring in some Ariel-esque colors. (I call it Aqua Tidepool Ring)
And my entry for the challenge, Under the Sea Bracelet.

"...life is sweet here, we got da' beat here naturally, natura-lee-lee-lee..."

Have a good Sunday!

It's all about the tease...

Sorry, I've been so absent lately! I've been out of town...it's been snowing...yadda, yadda...I've been busy. However, I've still found time to do my obsessive compulsive, mindless, looking-for-things-I-can't-buy Etsy hunting and I've come to a conclusion....when it comes to jewelry photographs it's all about the tease. Here are some examples:

The first is a pendant of mine I call River Rock, the above picture is super up-close and you can see all the detail, but you don't get an idea of what the pendant would look like on the wearer until you see the next picture which is a little farther back.

Same thing here with my Ferris Wheel Bracelet only to the extreme. In this pic, you wouldn't even know how to wear it, until....

you get to this pic where you can see the clasp and the full profile of the bracelet.

Here's another example, in Beadsforever's shop the first photo you see is an up-close of her Golden Rose Netted necklace.

It's not until you keep clicking that you get the full shot of the necklace.

The Beaded Lily also does this with her equestrianne necklace. Super up-close shot with stunning detail of the beads.

Keep clicking, and you're rewarded with a great picture of what the necklace would look like if it were yours.

I tell ya' what....I am learning so much about taking pictures just by shop hoppin'. It's really helped me to understand what makes a great pic, and I'm enjoying it to boot. I hope this helps you a little or maybe just inspires you to go shop hoppin'. Either way, if you own a shop, the next time you visit one that you like think not only about their product, but also how they present it, there are so many people who have been doing this a lot longer than me and they are really good at it. Who knows, you may pick up some great tips?

The Passage of Time

Back in December I joined the Round Rabbit's book club. The idea was to read a book, The House of Riverton, Kate Morton, during the month of January and then create something that had to do with the theme of the book or that you were inspired to create from the book.
Well, here's my creation...

I call it Frozen in Time. I was so overwhelmed with the theme of time as I read the book. It was as if it were a character in the book. It was almost as if the clock were a silent antagonist and every member of the house was subject to its whims. I watched the characters and even the house change, grow, and lose innocence as time passed.

So, I created a bracelet that reflects this idea of time. I used little clock components to make miniature clocks whose hands spin freely, almost kind of the way that time passes of its own accord and we can't control it. The two cogs connecting the clocks are wrapped in jasper because I wanted to put stone in their for age and durability. The clasp is made of another open cog and the minute hand of a watch.

I really enjoyed reading the book, it really made me think about the fleetingness of a moment and to enjoy every moment that I live in . I want to look back at my life like Grace did and be able to tell a happier story. One that was full of happy beginnings and endings and full of decisions that filled the people around me with joy. Thanks to Nancy for organizing the book club and I'm looking forward to the next go around.

I gots a Treasury and it's time to vote!!!

I haven't gotten a treasury in a long time, but yesterday I just happened to stumble onto this: It's still cold outside... I hope you like it. It has lots of good beadwork in it!

Also, here's my challenge entry for El Reto on the blog Beads Perles. A group of jewelry artists got together and the challenge was to make something using recycled materials. So, I worked up a bracelet with an old fabric belt that I don't wear anymore and a button that was buried in the deepest recesses of my mother's sewing box. Result? A very Gilligan's Island meets Forever 21.

Here are all the entries for this week: You can click here to vote, and yes, I am shamelessly soliciting votes!