I love Beads of Clay!!!!

As I blogged last week, I went to Bead Fest this year...and fell in *love* with ceramic beads! I went to Bead Fest with the intention of buying some handmade beads, because I simply don't have the time to make enough lampwork on my own for the jewelry I create. So this is how I really stumbled for the first time into the ceramic world!

My first purchase came from White Clover Kiln...I was supposed to still be in the "overview" mode where I walk to whole show and make decisions after I have surveyed what's available. However, when I stopped at Mary's booth, my self-control finally evaporated. I fell in love with her bead caps, and the delicious colors of her glazes.

Next, I knew I had to get back to Suburban Girl Studio...I had set my sights on her Egyptian pharoah and scarabs...but was still undecided on what else to get...because I wanted one of everything. Diana was very patient as I stood there looking...and looking...and looking.  I can't wait until she re-stocks her etsy store, so I can get some more of her beads soon! I have had the teardrop beads dancing through my brain the past couple of days, so I think those will be the first I use!

By this time, I was running out of time--the show was closing for the day. So I made a couple of mental notes and knew I would be shopping during the break between my classes on Saturday!

During the break, I found some very cool bead pairs and a focal by Marsha Neal. The picture does not do the colors justice!

And finally, I had been eying a dragonfly pendant from Joan Miller ever since my first walk-through on Friday. I decided I *had* to have one, or else I really would regret it! So this will be made into my own personal piece! I absolutely love him!

I am so happy to have had the chance to buy such beautiful beads from talented artists. The pieces I make with be gorgeous, no doubt!

Beads Only a Mother Could Love...

Art Jewelry Elements is hosting a mini-blog hop today...and I'm a little late to the party, as usual, but it was such a fun idea, I wanted to join in.

The blog hop is focusing on growth as an artist. It is serving as a good reminder of how far we have all come in terms of skill level, as well as a reminder that we were all beginners at one point!

So I dug into my stash of starter beads, and found the actual bag of beads I made at my first class. They are pretty sad, but when I made them, I was soooo awed by the fact that I created them, it was love at first sight!

Lots of blobs, undercut dots and sharp holes! What's not to love? :)

Want to hear something funny? The big pink blob on the left is supposed to be a heart! I haven't made many heart beads in my time, but thank goodness they don't still look like this! I tried to find a picture of a more recent heart, but I realized I only make them in this style when I am doing Beads of Courage purple hearts, and I don't have any made right now. Even funnier, you can't really see it, but on the right side of the heart is a little bump...have no idea what I was doing there. Maybe it's a pacemaker.

Even the Tin Man would say,"No thanks!"

Even though I have definitely gained a lot of skill since that first day, I have more to learn. In fact, I went to a one-on-one tutoring session today to help correct some of the bad habits I have developed over the years. As much information is out there on the internet, there is no substitute for having a teacher sit next to you and correct and guide you as you work in the flame.

So what can I do now? These days I like to make focals, and work in silver glasses. Here's some of my more recent pieces!

Hopefully, the more recent ones look a tad bit better! :) Please check out the other artists participating in this blog hop on the Art Jewelry Elements blog!

Soldering Silver Bead Fest Class!

SUCCESS! I did NOT solder any part of any component to myself. Actually, that would be impossible, but I was so tired, I could imagine it happening to me.

The first class I took at Bead Fest this year was on Soldering Silver Components. I have wanted to learn how to solder for a while, mainly to create some closed rings for use with my jewelry. When I saw the class, I signed up, even though it started at 8:00 AM. In my summer world, that is the equivalent of about 4:00 AM to the rest of the world that rises early.

So armed with a coffee that was so small it wouldn't satisfy a toddler, I stumbled my way in to the class.

It's as small as it looks. Actually, it's smaller.

The teacher of the class was Mark Lareau. I realized that I had a book of his on wire work (I'm a book junkie). All Wired Up was one of the first wire-working books I had purchased.

Mark was a great teacher. He had the rare ability to take some technical material and make it so easy to understand. I was able to quickly understand why soldering was a preferred method, versus the use of the "paste" used in many cheaper components. He was also very enthusiastic and open with his knowledge. If you ever have a chance to take a class from him, go for it.

The one thing he made us do that was painful was think. At 8:30 in the morning. Have a mentioned I'm not a morning person? But he charged us with the task of designing a piece that needed to be soldered in multiple places, so we could jump into the fire (no pun intended). This is what I came up with in my foggy brain.

Kind of reminds me of a health class poster...

But the exciting part is that all of the pieces stayed attached to each other! There is definitely a slight learning curve with soldering--it reminds me of lampworking in the sense that you have to *know* your material and at what point in it's heating cycle it's at.

The soldered piece; a few gaps, but not too bad!

So I got brave and tried to make a flower. Now I would do it totally different if I try one again, but it was good practice in making some shaped rings and trying to solder a lot of points in a small area. You can see that there are some chunks of solder still there. I was so concerned with overheating the silver that I didn't wait for the solder to flow.

The "flower", even though it didn't work out quite like I had planned, was the best learning tool of the day. This is what I like the most about good classes--they give you a chance to play and experiment and actually learn; sometimes learning what not to do is much more valuable.

My final piece was simple. I wanted to make a component I could use to make earrings. I just soldered together a couple of "S" shapes, and voila!

Not too fancy, but they will make a pretty pair of earrings for my personal collection!

When I have more energy, I will post about my other class, with Gail Crosman Moore!

Bead Fest!! A Bead-for-All!!

I am happily at Bead Fest Philadelphia this week...not as a vendor, but as a happy ecstatic buyer! I got to meet some very cool people today, *and* buy lots and lots of beads!

If you don't know, Bead Fest is one of the biggest bead shows held each year. It's total Bead Overload. It's more beads than you know what to do with. It's heaven.

Even my hotel room is amazing. I wanted to make sure I had a fridge, and last time I came, I stayed in a suite, which had a fridge and sink. I figured this hotel room would be similar. Wrong!

That. is. a. fireplace. I was seriously tempted to crank up the air condition so that I could snuggle in front of the fire...but that would be such an egregious waste of energy I would suffer from bad karma for months. I don't want bad karma.

I know no one really cares about my hotel room, even if I am incredibly excited about it. You all want to see some beads, right? I apologize for the phone pictures, but I didn't drag my photo set-up with me! ;)

I have fallen in love with porcelain beads this trip. They are my *thing* to over-indulge in this year. And what's better, is that I am supporting fellow handmade artists!

My first haul came from White Clover Kiln (they have an etsy shop)! I just fell in love with the colors and patterns on her pieces and will make some beautiful earrings with her beads. The one salmon colored bead is all mine. I fell in love with it, and will probably just string it on a black cord so it can be showcased as the star it is.

My next stash of handmade porcelain were found at Suburban Girl Studio LLC's booth. Her beads are so original and unique, and since I love all things Egyptian, I will be claiming the pharaoh head pendant and scarab earrings for my own person stash! I'm thinking of hoarding the paw print pendant as well. I need some new jewelry as much as anybody!

I will be visiting a couple more porcelain artists tomorrow--I actually ran out of time today at the show!

Next, I picked up a kumihimo kit. Kumihimo is a type of Japanese braiding, which makes a great complement to lampwork beads. I have been wanting to try this technique out for a while, but waited until BeadFest. Better yet, I found a artist selling the kits, so even though I didn't get any of her lampwork beads, I was still able to support her! I bought the kit from Emerald Artistry, who makes adorable animal beads!

This is only the board and rattail...lots more was in the kit!

I also got a few base metal findings, but didn't take pics of those. And of course, I had to hit some of the bigger vendors to replenish my supplies of crystals and a few gemstone strands.

My camera couldn't capture the gorgeous colors in these beads!

Gorgeous lead-free pewter!

Some chain, lapis and other good stuff!

Tomorrow, I am taking two classes. One on soldering components. I am a little worried that I may solder myself, since I am running on little sleep, and class starts at 8am tomorrow! Then, I am super excited to take an enameling class with Gail Crosman Moore! I hope to have some fun experiments to share in the next couple of days!

It's time for the 2nd Bead Soup Reveal!

The second batch of Bead Soup has been served! You still need to wait until the 28th to see my creations, but have fun hopping the second reveal participants. Tell them I sent you!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 

Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 

 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 

 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

As for what I have coming up? A little tease...color-wise, here are some of the hues you will see in my soup in two weeks!

Why mass produced lampwork beads are bad for your jewelry business!

Like many industries, artistans, including lampworkers, have had to deal with the flooding of our national markets with cheap imports. In the United States, it's kind of beaten into us from a young age that our "great capitalism" will serve the consumer as competition forces cheaper goods to be produced. But when that competition comes from overseas, the door is opened to hurt local economies *and* introduce inferior goods to the market.

This post will deal with the latter (the former is a whole 'nother post in itself) and, even then, only under a very specific lens.

Jewelry artists: have you ever wondered why artisan quality lampwork is so much more than the cheap, and admittedly sometimes cute, strands you find at the bead stores and shows?

One word: Quality.

Now, I am not going to try to say that every artisan is producing perfect beads. But I can say that the imports are definitely inferior. Why does this affect you as a jewelry designer? This is why:

Yep. Broken beads right on the shelf.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photo, but it was part of a highly covert operation. Most stores do not like it when you take photos of broken merchandise. It makes it look, well, cheap.

The most likely reason for a broken lampwork bead is usually that it wasn't made properly to begin with. While some round or thicker beads can withstand the test of time without being annealed, today's fancy beads, *especially* flattened ones MUST be annealed. And the annealing must be in a kiln to be done properly. And that costs a lot of money. Money which the factories will not spend (because then prices will have to increase). They may try to get by with flame annealing or using fiber blankets to protect somewhat against thermal shock, but the beads will not be annealed.

Now, ask yourself: do you want to use beads that may break on the strand for no reason? Do you think your customers will appreciate it if they go to put on a bracelet you made and one of the pretty glass beads splits in two and falls off? That is why it is good practice as a jewelry artist to use quality handmade materials. It's not an issue of snobbery, or being an elitist over materials. It's good business sense to make products that are beautiful *and* stand up to everyday use.

I know there are other components in the jewelry field that should be looked at closely when trying to decide if that "good deal" is really good for your business. I would be interested in hearing from other artists, especially if they make components, on how some of the imports may not be up to snuff quality-wise.


I understand this can be a sensitive discussion, so if you would feel more comfortable emailing me your comments, which I will post under my name, or leaving your comment as "anonymous", that is totally understandable. I really just want to hear what people have to say!

Bead Soup Blog Hop First Reveal!!

Today is the first reveal for some members of the ginormous Bead Soup Blog Hop. Even though my pieces are not part of this first reveal, I wanted to direct people to check out the fabolous creations of my fellow artists. I figure, if you found you way to my blog, it means you like handmade jewelry and beads--and you will not be disappointed if you spend some time blog hopping today!

Click on the photo below to be taken to the Bead Soup Blog Hop page, where you can click away to your heart's content!