Art Jewelry Elements

We've Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 17:01:00 +0000

Art Jewelry Elements has moved to a new Wordpress site and will no longer be using this Art Jewelry Elements Blogspot site. We have also broadened our focus and changed our name to Art Elements. Please stop by for a visit, see what's changed and what's stayed the same.

At the back of the cupboard I found....

noreply@blogger.com (Laney) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 11:55:00 +0000

I decided to make my own Christmas cards this year, I used to when I was drawing but once I stumbled into glass - not literally that would be painful - I never found the time to create the cards. My chosen medium, before glass, was pencils: beautiful coloured pencils. My favourite being Derwent Inktense and 'ordinary' Derwent Artists pencils. The down side of pencils is they are time consuming but I figured starting my Christmas cards in October gave me loads of time. I am nothing if not over optimistic!

After spending a whole day designing and drawing one image in coloured pencil I was being to rethink my Christmas card idea, the thought of popping into town, or better still sending my daughter on her lunch break from work (she works in town) would save me loads of time I am always moaning I don't have. BUT... I have already brought the blank cards for printing, got the VERY EXPENSIVE archival ink in my rather posh printer, brought for printing my original drawings years ago and had got the husband to not only source me the clear cellophane packets for the cards but also to bulk buy the cardboard backed envelopes with DO NOT BEND on the front. Really I had to crack on with this idea having invested money.. well husband's, but what is mine is mine and what is his is mine so....

Deciding, that fateful day of the 'great Christmas card idea' to abandon hope I cheered myself up by cleaning out the cupboard in the dinning room - you know the cupboard, you shove everything in it, weld the door shut, pray it won't pop open and squash the cat should the contents burst forth when no one is looking.. we all have one.. don't we?

At the back of this cupboard I found not one, not two but three sets of watercolour paints and a box full of tubes of watercolour paint from way back in my 'I am going to paint and be brilliant at it years' before I abandoned all hope of mastering watercolours believing them to be the gift of the Gods and those Gods were just not gifting me!

'Ah... ha' I decided 'a quick doodle with a paintbrush to produce a work of brilliance is WAY quicker than the pencils' and so I dragged out the paints, cleaned up the dried palette's, found an old cup with a crack in it - try finding one without a chip ...my son still lives at home, he of the 'Chief cup chipper' gene - and then dug about a bit more in the cupboard until I found the watercolour brushes.

Armed with my paints, some paper, my brushes I sat at the kitchen table and remembered I was completely rubbish with watercolour so I then Googled, Watercolours for Dummies. I love Google!

Google told me to try mixing the colour on the brush and .. get this.. USE LOTS OF WATER.. I know shouldn't be rocket science but turns out this was where I was going wrong all those years, not enough water and trying to be clever mixing the paint in the palette.. and never mixing enough although I do know there is more than 20 colours of mud!

I loaded up my brush, with water, I coated my bristles in pigment from the watercolour pans and I kept it all quite simple, 'I will just use my doodles' I thought 'the ones I sit in front of the TV and do without thinking about line, or form or quality, those doodles that I enjoy and will turn into beads at the next torch session'. So I did! Turns out I like watercolour after all, now if you will excuse me I am off to create some more designs for Christmas cards and that owl with the Robin isn't quite right, his eyes are weird and he is flat.. just a tweak here and there!

Book Recommendations for Needle Felting

noreply@blogger.com (Diana P.) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Since I've been exploring needle-felting lately, I thought it might be nice to share some suggestions for books to help others get started or to explore their own felted work further.

Let's begin with a comprehensive guide...

The Complete Photo Guide to Felting

The Complete Photo Guide to Felting by Ruth Lane is a excellent place to start. It's also a great reference book to add to an experienced felter's collection. This book is broken into five main sections; All About Wool and Other Fibers, Preparing to Felt, Traditional Wet Felting, Nuno or Laminate Felting, Needle Felting. It's also fully illustrated with both step-by-step instructions and a gallery of work by skilled felt artists. You can get a peek inside the book by checking it out on Amazon.

Now, if you'd like to try 3D felting the next two books are worth a peek.

Woolbuddies

Woolbuddies by Jackie Huang is great if you are getting started with 3D characters. This book contains 20 projects with step-by-step photos. It has three categories of whimsical characters; Simple Woolbuddies, Moderate Woolbuddies and Challenging Woolbuddies. You'll learn how to make everything from an owl to an elephant to an octopus!

Little Needle-Felt Animals

If you've checked out Woolbuddies and want to expand on your cast of cute characters, then Little Needle-Felt Animals by Gretel Parker is the book to go to. Inside, you'll find 30 fully-illustrated projects ranging from a moon-gazing hare to a series of fish to a frog princess complete with lily-pad. The shapes of the animals in this book are a bit more complex than in Woolbuddies and will help you build upon your skills.

Art in Felt & Stitch

Now if 3D felting isn't your thing or you'd like to try 2D felting then Art in Felt & Stitch by Moy Mackay is the book you're looking for. 2D felting is a lot like painting with wool. In this book, Moy Mackay provides both inspiration and technical information with this beautifully photographed book. Some of the many topics covered include materials & equipment, color, texture, composition and techniques. This is one of my favorite felting books for 2D felting and I highly recommend it if you are looking to explore this style further.

AJE Contributor, Jenny Davies-Reazor is also a fan of this book and had this to say about it:

"This book I purchased a year or so ago - I believe Lesley introduced me to this Scottish artist? Stunning. Mind blowing. Gorgeous work - tapestry style... and by that I mean "paintings" in fiber. This book is a treat for the eyes, and very inspirational. While my fiber paintings are no where near Moy's in any fashion - this is how I like to use felt - as painting. And then of course I want to bead it too!"

Felt to Stitch

Jenny had another book recommendation to make with Felt to Stitch by Sheila Smith. Per Jenny:

"This was the first felting book I ever purchased and It has held me in good stead. I wanted to learn to wet felt - both "canvas/paintings" and shaped pieces. The diagrams and directions are clear and informative. In fact - that section of the book is waterlogged from having open while felting! The book goes into Shibori and nuno and other more complex forms I haven't experimented with... yet. But see? One book and every time I dive in there is so much more to learn."

In addition to the many books on the market, you can find some fantastic felting videos online. Here's a few places I recommend:

Sarafina Fiber Art (A great company to buy your felting supplies from. Click here for the shop.)

Living Felt Felting Supplies (Also has an online shop for supplies and kits).

Felted Sky Studio (Has an Etsy shop with kits available.)

If you use or have used any of these books or sites I'd love to hear your feedback on them in the comments section below.

Happy Felting!

Knots Through Time: A Very Brief History

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 04:01:00 +0000

A knot. The simple act of tying one cord to another. This is the first step in creating macramé. Tying many knots together creates a fabric, a sturdy textile not unlike weaving or knitting. One of the earliest recorded uses of macramé knots as embellishment appeared in the carvings of the Babylonians and Assyrians, depicting the plaiting and braiding that adorned the clothing of that time period. The Moors, traveling north into Spain carried this knot tying technique with them where it then spread to France, Italy and throughout Europe.

Moorish Fringe "Morisco Fleco"

Queen Mary II taught this art to her ladies-in-waiting in the 17th century. Sailors created macramé objects during their long days at sea to trade or barter with when ashore. This spread macramé to the Orient and the New World.

Sailor's Knots

Sailor's Needle Case and Purse

Macramé was most popular during the Victorian Era where it was used for trimmings, embellishments, tablecloths, bedspreads and curtains.

Victorian Macramé also Known as Knotwork from Weldon's Practical Macramé Lace 1890

During the 1970's when other crafts such as quilting, stitchery and needlepoint found their revival so did macramé. This time around the fine silk threads of the Victorian Era were replaced with rope, twine and hemp. It was during this time period that I learned the mystical art of knot tying! I made plant hangers and more plant hangers followed by Santas with fuzzy beards to hang on your front door and three foot tall owls to hang over your fireplace. Crazy stuff! And BIG!

Yes, people actually made and wore these crazy vests!

And made gigantic wallhangings

The very popular plant hangers

The fuzzy-faced Santa

But then the '80's came and it was time to move on to a more serious life of making teddy bears, kids' clothes and weaving. But as it's been said "everything old is new again" and so it goes with macramé but this time around it's known as micro macramé (teensy tiny). Still the same basic knots but done with finer cords and threads. At the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) I first saw the work of Barbara Natoli Witt, herself inspired by archaeologist Marija Gimbutas and the symbolism of the Goddess. At that time I was entranced by her use of knots, cords, color but most of all beads and amulets.

Barbara Natoli Witt

I remember first seeing the beautiful work of Sandy Swirnoff at The Shepherdess in San Diego in the late 1990's and not even recognizing it as macramé because of her precise and tiny knots-solid, beautiful little works of art. Her work consisted more of knots than beads and I was later to learn that this type of knotting is referred to as Cavandoli Knotting, named after Valentina Cavandoli of Italy. This type of knotting (also called tapestry knotting) is done with a single knot, the double half-hitch, done vertically and horizontally. It forms a solid textile often with geometric shapes.

Sandy Swirnoff

I was fortunate enough to visit the Museo Italo Americano in San Francisco in 2006 where a retrospective exhibition of the work of Barbara Natoli Witt was on display. The gallery described her as "a contemporary artist with the rare distinction of having created her own medium." Her work is stunning, just breathtaking. And it is all knots, perfectly executed, tiny little knots.

Still I did not indulge in this knot-making madness until about two years ago and I am now smitten with the knot. I personally tend to work more in a tapestry or Cavandoli form of knotting, though I love to use beads and metal work in my pieces.

My Micro Macramé Cooky Schock

Micro macramé is extremely portable, requires few tools and the basics can be learned in minutes.

My Key Obsession Belle Armoire Jewelry Fall 2016

Remember when you learned to tie your shoes? Well, this is even easier! Why "knot" give it a try?

September Theme Challenge - A Round Up

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Last month I hosted the AJE Autumn Theme challenge with a Tree theme. I was thrilled to have so many people join us with a love of our trees & forests, it was a great subject which inspired some beautiful creations.

For those who didn't make it for the blog hop, I thought I'd post a round up of what everyone made. Some participants made more than one design, so click on the images to go though to the individual blogs to see more.

Allison L Norfleet Bruenger

Jennifer Stout Cameron

I'm sure you'll agree, each design is fabulous!I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part and made it an amazing challenge!

Giveaway Winners of the October Component of the Month Design Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:00:00 +0000

I accidentally pulled 3 names for the giveaway, and since I have a few extras that I will be listing for sale later this afternoon, I decided to send out 3 sugar skulls to 3 guest designers. And the winners are: Karin Grosset Grange, Staci Louise Smith, and Solange Collin. Congratulations!

I still need to take photos of the sugar skulls available before I can list them, but they will be up later today. Anyone who purchases a sugar skull can also participate in the component of the month blog hop on October 30th.

Down to the bare threads...

noreply@blogger.com (Saraccino) — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 04:30:00 +0000

Bangles wrapped with sari silk and embroidery yarn and sewing thread (oh, and wire!)

There is something elementary beautiful in fabrics and the underlying threads they are made of. They way the form a pattern, how the can be soft and smooth and still hold their shape, and in the end, how gorgeous they look even broken down with all the threads coming lose.

Is it a wonder that so often small pieces of yarn, threads or fabric are used in jewelry?

Gorgeous bright blue silk from thailand wrapped with embroidery thread and (purple!) wire.

Just as a disclaimer or warning: If you have any ~~hoarding~~ collecting tendencies, this may not be the right blog post for you. You may end up really saving every tiny leftover that would normally have ended in the trash resulting in an accumulation of anything fabric related amass! This warning is way too late for me but maybe not for you! ;)

You see, a lot of smaller pieces of embroidery thread are stuffed down at the bottom of the little plastic bag!

Since this is my second contribution at AJE (my first was my introduction), I was thinking really a long time about what to show you or what to write about. So I thought to show you a little bit more about my creation process and what kind of elements I love to incorporate into my work. This is quite simple so maybe not a real tutorial but I do hope I may inspire you!

In the end it is with jewelry like with all things in life: The small details can make all the difference. So I'll show you how I use some leftover yarn, sewing thread, pieces of silk and cotton fabric... and whatever else I may find!

These are not finished yet, just embroidery yarn wrapped on or two times around. The knotted ends are still not cut.

Fabric and yarn/thread is a great way to upcycle old jewelry. Even better, even thought you can completely change the look, it actually won't permanently damage the piece itself so it is always possible to change it back by just cutting off the added "stuff".

So for my first example(s) I use simple thin metall bangles. The kind you really can get everywhere and that would also look lovely mixed into a batch of wrapped bangles. The trick to start is quite simple: Fold the yarn or fabric and start wrapping over the folded part.

You could also just make a knot at the beginning.

It needs some time to get used to always hold with one hand all the time not only the bangle / bracelet itself, but also the next round of wrapped material. Go tight but not with too much force. Just that it will look quite neat.

To wrap over the ends of the yarn is the best way to secure it.

If you want to add another colour just start wrapping a piece of new yarn or fabric with the end of the old one (never use it completely!). This will hold the starting point in place and both sides are nicely secured.

During my first wrapped pieces I was hoping for a third hand... ;)

Don't worry about a little bit of "overhang". That you can always cut. Also normally the wrapping alone should be enough to hold everything in place. Still, you can also always add some glue to the ends.

Again, wrapping over the ends at the beginning or end is the best way to secure the yarn!

The trickiest part is the end...

Embroidery yarn is normally made from six to eight single threads that can be easily divided.

Since I also always add some more charms, wire, and whatever else I may find, I don't need and want a smooth finish. Embroidery yarn I simple divide and knot it around the bangle. The end of a fabric piece I just cut in half and make a knot around the bangle with both ends too. With sewing thread I always have some small piece hanging out from the start: Just knot it too.

I just can't get enough of these kind of wrapped bangles. Whenever some bangles are at a sale, I get them!

And some more examples how I finish off the ends: Simply knots that are cut quite close to the bangle (lower one), some that are secured and hidden a little bit with wire wrapped around on top (upper one) or I embraced the ends and actually braided all of them together (middle one). By the way, the purple one is made with silk and the other two with cotton fabric as basic layer.

I have (had actually) a lot of vintage indian beads. They are pressed glass beads that are quite often irregular and I love how they add to the charm of these bangles.

This also works perfectly for all the cheap loop earrings one can get. This come with the bonus that this is the perfect earring to add a lot of dangles for a colorful bohemian and hippy style! One little trick: If I wrap earrings with fabric I am always starting at the side with the earstud and pierce with this through the fabric. That gives a nice starting point.

Again, like with the bangle, I just wrap the fabric around the hoop while holding the already wrapped fabric tight with my finger.

Disclaimer: I worked with clay before I started taking images.... ehm... you may already have guessed!

At the end I just cut the fabric in half and use both end to knot around the earring.

The lose ends and threads can be easily cut. If you are worried about anything coming lose, just secure it with a little bit of glue or maybe tightly wrapped wire. But normally it should just hold fine as it is!

As you may already have seen from all the examples, I love to wrap some more colours on top (it also add some more hold for the fabric and yarn). On fabric I love to use embroidery thread. This time I knot it at the back of the hoop...

...and simply wrap it around to the front and back again. The ends I also just secure by knotting them.

Can you see how I hold the yarn between my fingers? Always use the full potential of your hand ;)

Here is the finished earring. In case you wonder why I showed you some images in black in white... duh... I made the piece and took images in between. They looked fine on the small camera screen and I totally ignored what a beautiful sheen good silk has (yes, this is high quality silk from thailand). Sheen... light... camera... The bright blue and shiny colour overwhelmed my poor little camera and made absurd contrasts. Still... I already had wrapped the earrings and I also didn't want to unwrap them! No way!

But actually I have to admit that I like the black and white images (more than I thought I would) and may use them further in the future (but that time with purpose!).

The colours are still a little bit off... *sighs* But I wanted to show you at least one image of the lovely colour combination.

Here is another example of some of my favorite wrapped earrings (that I love like they are so much that the ends are still visible) made with some of my favorite african batique printed fabric. You can also see where I cut the ends and knotted them.

The pattern of the fabric is lost but it creates different areas of colour wrappend around the wire.

And for the end... some more examples!

Bangles in all colours...

All of them are done with embroidery thread as basic, sometimes sewing thread is used as accent as well as embroidery thread again.

And more close up impressions :)

Some really, really big earrings with some charms and beads dangling...

Or just really simple with changing colours...

The ends at the back of the earrings are a little thicker since I really made sure to secure the knotted ends!

I love this way to easily add color to a piece but furthermore, I really, really love that I am able to use every little scratch of fabric or yarn! I don't like to throw away even the tiniest piece of beloved fabric. But hey... it also has to be used somehow! ;)

Until next time! :)

An Abundance of Tree Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Spivey Mendola) — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 05:00:00 +0000

When Caroline chose trees as the theme for September's challenge I was thrilled! I have been in awe of trees for a very long time. I have taken countless photos and have used trees as inspiration in my jewelry and fiber art for several years.
It wasn't until I sat down to make some jewelry for the challenge that I realized just how many items I had already created using trees/leaves as inspiration.
After completing the tree challenge I wanted to do another blog post so I could share the numerous pieces that I have created over the past 8-10 years with trees as my inspiration.
As you will see trees can be depicted in any medium. They lend themselves to hand stitching, machine stitching, creating leaves from copper, creating trees from wire, stamping in clay, stamping on fabric...The opportunity to use trees as inspiration in your art is endless!
A few pieces of jewelry using leaves-

Brass Etched Leaf, Agate & Acorn Necklace

Hand Forged Copper Leaf & African Turquoise Necklace

Rustic Raku Leaf With Tibetan Agate & Glass Beads

And a beaded cabochon that looks as though you are peaking through hanging limbs at a misty pond.

Bead Embroidered Jasper Necklace Hanging From An Antler

You can etch copper with trees and encase in resin.

Etched Copper In Metal Bezel With Resin

Trees can be embroidered by hand and beaded.

Detail Of Crazy Quilt

Fiber Collage With Ribbon/Embroidered/Beaded Tree

Felted Fiber Collage With Beaded Tree

Photo Printed On Fabric With Multiple Layers of Embroidery & Beads

Trees can be machine embroidered and embellished with jewelry type elements. These are close-ups of art quilts with trees as the central element.

"Keeper of the Woods' Art Quilt

"Can't See the Forest for the Trees' Art Quilt

You can use rubber leaf stamps to print on fabric or paper.
I used the same hand-carved stamp for both of these pieces.

"Spring Revival" Art Quilt

"Central Park Player" Mixed Media Collage

Or you can actually use leaves to paint and print onto fabrics. After I printed with the leaf I encased the painted leaf between fabric and tuille then edge-stitched it. I attached the leaf on the printed fabric to create more dimension.

Fiber/Mixed Media Mini Quilt

And again, I used a real leaf in a mixed media collage below.

"Be Who You Are" Mixed Media Collage

Leaves can be used as a resist for sun printing with setacolor paints as in the photos below. The first photo also has leaves stenciled on the fabric. And the second photo has a screenprinted dandelion.

Dyed, Sun Printed, Stenciled, Screen Printed

Dyed, Sun Printed, Screen Printed, Machine Embroidered & Beaded

These trees were screenprinted onto hand dyed silk with discharge dyes and are just waiting for me to do something with them!

Dyed Dupioni Silk Screen Printed With Discharge Dyes

Dyed Dupioni Silk Screen Printed with Discharge Dyes

Leaves can be used to impress into clay. The one below is raku.

Elephant Ear Leaf Plate

The ones below were rubbed with oxides then high fired glazes applied on stoneware.

Hosta Leaf Plate

Hydrangea Leaf Plate

Maple Leaf Plate With Leaf Handles (I forgot what leaves I used?)

Believe it or not, there are still other ways I have used trees. I mentioned all the photos I've taken- well, they could possibly be a whole series of blog posts by themselves so I will stop here.

Hopefully, you will be inspired by trees in ways you had never considered before. Maybe we will revisit the tree theme here again in the future. If you didn't get a chance to see all the participant's tree inspired pieces please do so. They were fabulous!

Looking forward to October's component of the month-sugar skulls.

October Component of the Month - Sugar Skulls

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 05:00:00 +0000

It's my turn to host the AJE component of the month challenge for October. October might be my favorite month of the year because I just love the colors of autumn, Halloween is my favorite holiday, the brisk fresh air, starting up the fireplace again, roasting marshmallows in the fire pit outside, sweaters, doing the final yard clean-up and getting a break from weeding for several months....HA!

So when I was considering what I would offer as the COM, I considered several options. I have a new black kitten in my family to match the black cat we already have. So beads with 2 black cats...very Halloween-ish. I considered an autumn tree so I could kill two birds with one stone and use it for the tree challenge a couple days ago. However, ultimately, I decided I wanted to try my hand at making sugar skulls. There are some beadmakers who create masterpieces of extremely elaborate sugar skulls and they are AMAZING! I am not good at detail because my patience level is pretty low. So I went for a more "primitive" folk art style sugar skulls.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

I will be selecting two readers to participate in the design challenge (READ DETAILS BELOW!!!) along with several members of the Art Jewelry Elements team. If you'd like the chance to play along with us here's what you need to know...

I will give away two sugar skull beads of my choice to two winners selected randomly from those who leave a comment on this post. Please note: your comment must include your email and blog addresses so we can contact you should you win. Comments lacking this info will not be considered.

Please only leave a comment if you can can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.

The names of the two winners will be announced on Tuesday October 4th.

the giveaway is open to participants from all countries but please be aware, components will be mailed from the US and international postage can take up to 3 weeks.
The blog reveal will take place on Sunday October 30th.

Good luck! And happy beading.

Painting with.... Fiber? Felted Tapestries!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Felt. Fiber... Not my usual materials...but its so much fun!

I am always looking for ways to evolve my work, and creatively challenge myself. And as an artist/business person I am also thinking of ways to offer my pieces to consumers in a new and enticing format. These felted tapestries hit on all marks, in my opinion. My pendants are the star, yet showcased in a non jewelry fashion. I can satisfy my Muse's love of color and touch on my painting background - in a fast and immediately satisfying genre. Here - let me show you...

I often start with a shape cut from an up-cycled felted sweater. It's a great cost-friendly canvas. Here I am needle felting with wool roving, onto a navy sweater piece. I plan to pair this with my mermaid ceramic pendant... and a few curly locks were the right "splash" of accent color.

Felting, finishing edges, and embellishing...

I also use "pre-felt" as a canvas. I like to use the focal as the starting point for the wool palette. Here the focal is a polymer and resin mixed media piece with a vintage Art Nouveau illustration. (Please note: I am not going into the HOW of needle felting here. That could be a topic in the future. I will list resources below.)

Felting the tapestry, folding and felting the edges.

The joy to me is adding beads! But hang on - lets get the focals in place... I use waxed linen and a tapestry needle. A few simple stitches and done. They disappear into the felt texture... Or you can leave the waxed linen ends on the front of the piece and embellish with a few beads there too!

Waxed linen to attach the piece to the felted tapestry.

Here is this batch ready to go - but the larger rectangular pieces need something else...

Waiting for bead embellishment...

Excellent! Stamping blanks from Nunn design are the right size and scale.

A little word play...

Alright - time to bead. I'm off. What no bead pictures? Here let me tide you over with this one until next time - when I will talk beaded embellishments and framing/presentation for these lovelies.

Stay tuned for beads and framing next time!

Stay tuned for next time: beading! Framing! Secrets exposed! (Or at least happily shared...)

Resources:

Sarafina Fiber Art

Sarafina You Tube

September Theme Challenge Reveal - Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 04:00:00 +0000

It's reveal day for the September Tree Theme challenge and I can't wait to see what everyone's created!

It was an inspiring theme and we have a great list of lovely people joining us to design something inspired by trees.

Follow the links below to join us in the blog hop, and don't forget to leave a comment!

AJE Team

Jennifer Stout Cameron

Guests

Allison L Norfleet Bruenger

Inspiration from Cornwall

noreply@blogger.com (Niky Sayers) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:30:00 +0000

Four weeks ago I was on my summer holidays in Cornwall, a place that I will forever love!
There is such a wonderful laid back and artistic vibe down there that I really feel at home whenever I visit. There is also so many beautiful and inspiring things to see....

St Michael's Mount

St Michael's Mount is a stunning small tidal island, during low tide you can walk the causeway to get to the island but during mid to high tide you can only access the island by boat.
The island is seeped in history stretching back millennia, with discoveries of flint arrow heads to a Bronze Age hoard and many wonderful legends.

Views from the Castle

The Island partly owned by the Nation Trust and run by the St Aubyn family (who still live in a portion of the castle), has its own harbour, a handful of houses, a church, an underground tram line that runs from the harbour to the castle (that is closed to the public because it is so steep), a cafe, a few lovely little gift shops, and wonderful and exotic gardens that thrive in the Islands micro climate, to name but a few of the attractions.

Maps and Models

The side of one of the houses had the most beautiful old map painted on it, and then among the treasures of the castle (which included a mummified cat and a samurai suit) there was this beautiful ornate map above. These photo's make me want to make resin and map jewellery components!

The Giant's Heart

Legend has it that the Island was once home to Cormoran an 18ft giant who lived there in a cave, He was said to eat cattle and small children and terrorised the local people until Jack a young farmers son trapped him in a concealed pit and brought his ax down upon his head. Jack was henceforth known as "Jack the Giant Killer" and the Giant's stone heart was set into the path way leading to the castle!

Stained Glass Featuring St Michael's Mount

The Castle even has its own built in church, with breathtakingly beautiful stained glass windows. The one above even features St Michael's Mount in the background.

St Ives Beach

Then there is St Ives! My all time favourite place. The beaches are crystal clear and there is so many art galleries (real artist galleries not those ones that just sell mass produced prints) many of them are also working studio's so you can go and talk to the artists and watch them working, they have every kind of art you can imagine ranging from raku ceramic clocks, amazing glass sculptures to very beautiful paintings and mixed media pieces. I wish I had taken photo's of the studios but I was in somewhat of a daze (think small child in a sweet shop)!

Sea Glass Glore

We have even found the best little beach for sea glass, I don't know if you can see from the photo but there is just so much of it and it is the nice well worn without sharp edges stuff too!

Light House and Boats

Every time we visit we are always drawn to the light house and I intend to use this as inspiration for a necklace I plan on making.

A Shop Full of Treasures

I don't know about you (I guess a lot of you do this too) but when I go some where I always keep my eye out (and some times check with google) for bead/crystal shops as there are none close to where I live. So I always make a point of visiting this little shop that is just off the high street in St Ives, and the best thing is that it is open this 8.30 so you don't have to hurry!

"Emjems is a family run shop that has been selling jewellery, crystals, fossils, incense, singing bowls, stones and more unusual treasures for over 40 years!"

Crystals and fossils make me very happy and here are a few of the treasures I have managed to take home with me from Emjems (looking at the photo's I really wish I had brought that stone green man he would have been perfect for the September theme challenge!)....

Treasures From St Ives

Mostly due for wire wrapping except that piece of turquoise that will go into my light house piece.

Sun Setting Over St Ives

It is hard not to be inspired by a place as beautiful as this, the colours, the scenery and the wonderful calm and peaceful feeling it gives you....

Carn Brea Castle

Carn Brea Castle can be traced back as far as 1379. The stone twin towered fortress was built by the Bassett family and is built on the remains of a Iron Age hillfort that has been restored and extended over the years and now looks somewhat like a folly. It is truly stunning and really worth googling just to see more photo's of this amazing place that is currently used as a very unique middle eastern restaurant it is however a bookings only venue or we would have been tempted to try it!

The View

The spectacular views from the castle even left the most talkative amongst us (pictured above) stunned into silence!

Falmouth

And then of course there is Falmouth, this photo just makes me smile! With it's beautiful rolling hills full of patchwork fields and clusters of trees, stunning blue sea and the adorable little boats. Whats not to love!

Found Treasure

Plus there is all of those new beach find/treasures to add to my over flowing hoard!

In Prague: Art Part II

noreply@blogger.com (SueBeads) — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:00:00 +0000

As I mentioned in my last post, things fell into place enough that I was able to travel to Prague this summer - the art and buildings there are so great, I really want to share more with you!

Alfons Mucha was an Art Noveau artist who was born in the Czech Republic (Moravia to be more specific). Many of you may know him by his posters of Sarah Bernhardt. (It is here that I will tell you that while at the Mucha Museum, one was not permitted to take photos. However, I cannot control my children any longer as they are both adults and these are their photos!)

He also designed many other things, such as postage stamps, posters, wallpaper, theater sets and cracker tins to name a few. Mucha designed a stained glass window that can be found in St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague Castle). Below is my photo of the window.

His biggest project, which took him years to complete, is The Slav Epic. It's a series of 20 very large paintings that celebrates the history of slavic people. He considered this to be his life's work, and gifted it to Prague, which is housed in the Narodni Gallery in Prague where you can take photos. Here are the photos I took. They don't do it justice!

They are quite beautiful in a very somber way, and as you can see from the one photo, very large! The last photo, Slavs in their Original Homeland, is my favorite.

While we were there, we also saw an Ai Wei Wei exhibit of his Chinese zodiac sculptures. Ironically, he has an exhibit here in Pittsburgh which I did not see, but did see it in Prague!

You might have guessed that my birth year is the Year of the Snake, which is why I took a separate photo of it!

In the Jewish Section of Prague, called Josefov, one can find many beautiful synagogues. One in particular is the Spanish Synagogue and oh my is it beautiful! Here are a few photos I took there.

When we left the synagogue tour area, we came upon a market, and purchased a handmade clay Golem! We were quite excited!

I hope you enjoyed my photos today - next post, I'll share my side trips to Kutna Hora and Cesky Krumlov, very interesting and beautiful places! Thanks for reading!

Hello There

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Spivey Mendola) — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 04:30:00 +0000

I'd like to start off my introduction by saying how delighted I am to be a new member here at Art Jewelry Elements. When I was first approached by Jenny Davies-Reazor to join I was flabbergasted!
Jenny did an interview with me back in April, you can read it here. I was completely amazed when she asked me for the interview. Well, when she contacted me to join the AJE team-I was over the moon! Then all of a sudden, the little demon of self-doubt popped up and said NO: it's over your head, you're not capable, you can't do it right now, it would consume too much time, blah, blah, blah.
Guess what? I won. Beat that little demon right back into his box on the shelf.

So, here I am-Cathy Spivey Mendola, jewelry and fiber artist. I have had a long journey of creative endeavors over the years. Like my fellow newbie member Cooky, I was a nurse. Even while I was working as a nurse I was creating. I made teddy bears, rabbits and sheep as well as making dried and silk flower wreathes and arrangements for a local business. Once my daughter was born I became a stay-at-home mom and the creative juices started to flow a bit more.

Frida Art Quilt, Circa 2007 With Minimal Beading

In the last 26 years I have made children's clothing, art dolls, jewelry, ceramics, mixed media paintings, collages, assemblages, art quilts, felting, knitting, etc, etc etc. Actually, it would take less time to list what I haven't attempted creatively over the years. You can check out my blog to link to more of my past creations.

Beaded Buddha Art Quilt, Circa 2015 With Millions Of Beads

I just recently moved to NC from the Chicago area. I was very fortunate to have been a member of the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild; Womens Journeys in Fiber group; and a couple of smaller groups, one of which was a bead/fiber group named the Crazy 8's. Being a member of these groups helped me expand my skills in fiber arts as well as jewelry on top of making many great, creative friends along the way.

Beginning in 2013, a friend of mine and I decided to do an art journal. I had been feeling stuck and a little confused about the direction in which I wanted to go, artistically speaking. I thought joining with a friend would help keep me accountable. This wasn't your typical journal, this was a creative exploration that we came up with--try new techniques, new ideas, new media, and especially try all those new products we tend to buy and never use!

The very first month of the journal I decided to teach myself how to do a beaded peyote stitched bezel.

The Beaded Bezel That Started It All Done On Wet Felted Fabric

That was all it took. I became hooked on beading and bead embroidery.
Even though I had been making jewelry for years I had never really used seed beads (gasp!) except to embellish art quilts. I had never even WANTED to use them in jewelry! After I made several bead embroidered pieces to use in my art quilts I decided to try making a bead embroidered breast plate for the Shaman sprirt mask that I was making for our yearly project with the Womens Journeys in Fiber group. Once I created that piece I became obsessed with making pendants for necklaces.

Breast Plate For The Shaman Spirit Mask

I have had a lifelong habit of collecting sea shells, rocks, driftwood, anything I come across at the beach. So naturally, I started using these bits of found treasures in my beaded jewelry.
I was fortunate to have my beach themed jewelry featured in the summer issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

Belle Armoire Jewelry Summer 2016 Issue

Ammonite & Fossilized Shark Tooth Pendant

Now that I have joined the AJE team, I have a newfound love and appreciation of art jewelry components as well as my found treasures. I will keep exploring and expanding my beachy themed jewelry but I am also looking forward to using ceramic, glass and polymer clay components.

After AJE's headpin challenge last month, I realized just how much I have missed working with metals. It was so energizing to combine bead embroidered elements with the metals. My enthusiasm for jewelry making has increased exponentially since joining, so stay tuned for more mixed media creations from me. I am really looking forward to being a team member here!

Beaded Moon Goodess Necklace

Finger Lakes Fiber Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Diana P.) — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:00:00 +0000

On September 17th, I took a trip to the Hemlock Fairgrounds for the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival. I'd never been to a fiber festival so I wasn't entirely sure what I'd find there...but I was hoping to come home with some gorgeous wool roving for my needle-felting projects.

Scenes From The Festival

I was pleasantly surprised to find two barns and a tent full of vendors, some cute animals, demos and lots of gorgeous scenery.

There was a beautiful display in one of the barns of the entrants to the 2016 Skein & Fiber Arts Competition.

Skein & Fiber Arts Competition

And there was a lot of yarn, wool roving, tools, clothing, handcrafted toiletries and more for sale...

Beautiful Things For Sale

Roving, Locks and Wheels

In the Fiber Tent, I got to meet Ann of Nyala Farm. Ann makes wonderful needle-felted pieces. I LOVED the Medusa sculpture!

Nyala Farm

Fleece competition and where fleece comes from...

Fleece Competition

And here's what I came home with. Some pretty bits for needle-felting, multi-needle holders, a cute felted hummigbird (it's a gift), and a fiber fest pin (I collect pins).

I have no idea what I'll make with any of it, but discovery is half the fun!

Happy Felting!

Coexist Beads - My Everyday Wear

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 09:00:00 +0000

Several years ago I came across this brilliant assembly of necklaces in Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry by Lark Crafts. Titled the "Coexist Prayer Beads" by creator Nancy Meli Walker, for some reason this was the first piece in the book that I noticed, and as I flipped through the rest of this fantastic showcase, I realized that I was still thinking about this collection of simple and meaningful necklaces.

For me, the historical, cultural, and human ties to beads and beadwork are impossible to separate from my own work. I feel that it is extremely important to spend some time investigating the role that beads have played throughout our history, and that includes the role that beaded items play in the realm of religion and spirituality. A few years ago I picked up a copy of A String & a Prayer by Eleanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon, which is a fantastic modern investigation on the role of prayer and meditation beads, along with a guide to creating and using your own. In my head, the bead strings were connected - I needed to make my own set of "Coexist Prayer Beads" - an assemblage of pieces that resonate for me on a more personal level...and so this project was born:

How do you go about gathering ingredients for something like this? For me it's very important to have some sort of memory or other connection to the major components of each piece, along with finding tactile pleasure in the bead or other material that makes up the bulk of the necklace. Today I'm going to share some of the pieces that I've created so far, along with components and materials I have gathered for future creations.

There is one necklace I wear 7 days a week - my medic alert. I've worn a medic alert since the age of 7, and this particular tag since a few years after that. I keep it tucked inside my clothes on the long stainless steel curb chain. The contents really needs an update, but in reality I will likely just get a second tag and wear both on the same chain. 5 days a week, I also have to wear a lanyard type necklace to hold my work key fob - currently I'm wearing it on this lanyard of rich purple button and coin pearls.

This vintage glass necklace was found in a baggie at an antique mall for a few dollars one day. When I got home and pulled it out, I realized it was fully intact except in one area where someone had lost 2 small and 1 large bead link - they sewed the missing section together with thread. I pulled it apart and inserted this Green Girl Studio chameleon bead - it ended up being the perfect fit, and this is probably the necklace I grab most often.

I think of this piece as my own personal "rosary" - a tool for assisting with the mindful management of my own thoughts. It consists of a bronze octopus coin with labradorite by Cynthia Thornton, a bronze urchin component by Lesley Watt, and a pewter fish link by Green Girl Studios. These pieces are paired with iolite, labradorite, and fire prehnite beads, along with copper, niobium, and gold. I feel that my major inspiration - the sea and her creatures - resonate in this piece.

When I was a kid, one of our neighbors made rosaries and would pass along her left over supplies to me. I have been intrigued with them since then, and when this lovely bronze cross and center medal came to me, I decided to make my own. This is modeled after a traditional Catholic rosary, but of course the materials and sentiment resonate with me on a more personal level. Sue Kennedy made me the "our father" beads to coordinate with the vintage glass oval beads I wanted to use, for an even more personal touch. Incorporating my friends creations into my everyday wear is important to me.

It's no surprise that eyes would fall into the jewelry that is most significant to me, is it? The focal bead on this necklace is a Nazar that a friend brought back from Turkey. Paired with enameled eye chain, brass links, vintage glass beads, and brass eye "ball" dangles - this is my favorite thing to wear when I feel vulnerable in any way - surely all these eyes will repel any negativity, right?

This agate cicada is paired with an enameled flower, pyrite skull, and flat Picasso marble knotted on silk. Cicada's are symbolic in many cultures, but mostly I just find them fascinating. I picked this cicada up at a show several years ago...that just happened to be a year when the periodical cicadas were hatching. It was such an overwhelming experience - you couldn't step outside without being pelted with the blundering insects. You couldn't escape the noise without covering it up with something else - I found the entire experience humbling. What a fantastic reminder that nature continues on, even in the midst of a huge city.

Of course I can't leave out my mala beads. I have a traditional rosewood Hindu mala, along with this Tibetan style bone mala. This strand of cedar berry "ghost beads" and strand of tiny wooden people also feel like mala's to me - a strand of meditation beads where the material the beads are made from is as significant as every other aspect of the strand's construction.

I have many other items collected - some made by me, some made by friends, and some made by nature. There will be more additions to my collection of coexist prayer beads in the future!

I've been seeing this term tossed around lately on the internet - Every Day Carry. This appears to apply broadly to those things you don't leave the house without, come hell or high water. I've realized that these pieces have become my Every Day Wear - I can't leave the house without at least one on. Even if I'm wearing a larger beadwork necklace, I'll wear a special charm on a chain too, or something else that coordinates. It doesn't matter the day of the week, where I'm going or what I'm doing, I just can't make it out of the apartment without some item of jewelry that resonates with my spirit. I'm sure you have something like this that you wear every day too - maybe it's a watch, wedding ring, or earrings you've had for years. That item you fiddle with when your hands are idle. That accessory you feel naked without. Something that means more to you than just "jewelry". What is your Every Day Wear?

Exploring Needle-Felting

noreply@blogger.com (Diana P.) — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:00:00 +0000

I've been a bit stressed out and needed something to do other than beading. I figured giving needle-felting another go was a great idea because of all the stabbing I'd get to do, lol! I decided to finally open the Zombie Fuzz Butt kit I purchased from Purple Moose Felting!

The Kit

This kit is fantastic as it comes with everything you need to make your own mini horde (3) of needle-felted zombies!

Inside the Kit

Lots of wool roving, tips and there's also full color instructions. Please note, the needle holders were an extra purchase. You'll receive one needle with your kit. I do recommend buying the holders too as they make the process more comfortable for your hand.

Forming the Zombie Body

The first hour of this project was spent just making the base of the body. Lots and lots of stabbing (I was starting to relax) and turning the project over and more stabbing. I watched Criminal Minds during this stage...seemed appropriate.

It's really quite neat watching this wad of fluff turn into a firm shape just by stabbing at it with a special needle.

Once the body is complete you attach the head. The real fun starts once his head is firmly in place. The instructions show you step-by-step how to give him bulging eyes! They also provide you with step-by-steps for facial features and lots of suggestions for little tweaks to make him uniquely yours.

The Details

I found his mouth to be the most difficult part since I chose to go with teeth. I need a lot more practice before I'm any good at small details like that.

Ready To Eat Your Brains

I do love him though...even if he keeps trying to eat my brains.

After I finished my new zombie friend, I wanted to give 2D felting a try.

Buzz Buzz

I purchased a couple of tile kits from FiberThyme's Etsy shop. These are reasonably priced kits that include general instructions (no step-by-step photos), wool roving and the felt with the sketch already drawn on it.

Building My Hive

I really enjoyed this process...more than the 3D felting! Since the sketch was already on the felt, it was kind of like color-by-number felting. Again though, I had some trouble with the fine details but I guess that just improves with practice.

Got Honey?

I didn't add the second bee since I was happy with the tile with just one..and truth be told, I didn't want to end up adding another massive bee to the piece.

I'm officially hooked on needle-felting! I still have more kits to play with and I spent Saturday at a fiber festival in the Finger Lakes (check back Thursday for a post)! I'm also going to join the local weaver's guild in Rochester and have signed up to take a scarf felting class this winter.

If you haven't tried needle-felting, you should give it a whirl!

Happy Beading...errrr felting!

IT'S ME

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:00:00 +0000

Yes, it's Me! Cooky Schock, one of the newest members of the Art Jewelry Elements Team. I'm creative, happy and grateful. But in reality I create in total chaos; I actually thrive on chaos-it's my happy place! I'm very asymmetrical in all I do, even my appearance.

I come from a nursing background so I did live in a very structured, well-organized world for a long while. And I am very grateful to be part of this community of artists. I have always been a maker of stuff: kids' clothes, bears, quilts and even quilted bears wearing kids' clothes. But seventeen years ago all that changed when I discovered The Shepherdess, a wonderful beadstore in Old Town San Diego. I learned to bead, create with wire and then work with metal, which became my passion.

I magically became the owner of The Shepherdess, which gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful teachers and students, all lovers of what I love! Three years ago The Shepherdess and I decided to retire and so we did!

Through the years I have had the opportunity to teach across the country, including Juneau AK and the Dominican Republic for Parson's School of Design. I continue to teach but I'm moving in a direction that has surprised even me.

I've rediscovered a craft I did in the '70s this time more refined with an updated style that makes it more of a fine art. Welcome to my world of micro macramé!

It's a far cry from the plant hangers and fuzzy bearded Santas I made back then. My work has recently been featured in the Spring 2016 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry and in the new Fall issue also.

I'm sure that metal will always be a part of my art, enhanced by the captivating colors and textures of the beads and fibers that I'm creating with now.

Actually, it's a good thing that my work, equipment, tools and supplies are becoming a bit more minimalistic because 2017 will find us (husband & two dogs) traveling in our new RV across the country, wherever the road leads us!

Website: www.cookyschock.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cookycrumb
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookycrumb

When Your Muse Takes an Extended Vacation without your Permission

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 07:00:00 +0000

Big plans. That's what I had for the year. Except I've spent a good chunk of the year stuck. As in, my muse went on vacation without turning in a vacation request or bothering to return. Except it's been worse than that. In the past, when I couldn't torch my way out of a wet paper bag, I could switch gears for a while: wire work, chainmaille, knitting, or SOMETHING. My hands were always busy while watching tv, in the car, etc. However, soon after the dawn of 2016, I lost the desire to do anything creative. I didn't have the drive to keep my hands busy, which is completely outside the norm. I was (still am) taking a yearlong online class in mixed media and didn't feel like trying any of the new techniques because once I got everything assembled, it was too much bother to actually MAKE something.

This was all so far outside my norm, and I almost didn't even care that it was happening. Until I did. And then I knew I needed to make some changes.

Maybe you have experienced something similar? The following are some of the steps I've taken to try to lure my muse home.

"Art" journaling

Ok...there is absolutely nothing artistic or even mildly appealing for what I'm labeling as art journaling. However, I'm not exactly sure what one calls this...thing...I'm doing. Nearly one year ago I explained my planning and organization system, which includes a bullet journal. I still use this as my go to for to do lists, planning, tracking, and more. Over the summer I decided to start journaling in it too, even though I hate to journal. It's a super simple basic journaling. It may be a couple sentences, a word, or even a couple pages. It is whatever I need it to be so I don't forget every single thing that happens in my life, but also so it is a manageable task to accomplish each day. However, it's blah. And the daily calendar and to do lists are blah. Around the same time I was doing some reading about how important it is to just play without expectation and keep a super basic art supply in a location where you will journal and paint or draw.

As you can probably guess by now, if something isn't easily accessible, I lose interest quickly. So I decided to accomplish two tasks and use the bullet journal as my "art" journal too. So now I use a waterproof Sakura Pigma Micron 05 marker to do all my writing. I keep a travel set of Winsor Newton watercolors and a couple water brushes pre-filled with water on my nightstand so it's easy to access last thing at night or first thing in the morning.

Just so you understand, there is no thought involved. I pick a color that appeals to me and just start making marks. I have had zero contact with watercolor paints since I was in elementary school, so I mostly play with the colors and how they run together, intensity of color, etc. It isn't pretty. It doesn't make sense (usually). I just let go. If I were to try to sketch in this journal rather than just mess with color, I would feel too much pressure. This process I've adapted requires exactly 0% pressure on myself to make it look good. And I also don't worry whether all the words can be read afterwards. The fact is, my handwriting is atrocious anyway.

Finish WIPs

There are so many unfinished projects in several different media laying around my studio and home. Sometimes I feel guilt about starting something new when I have so many others to finish. So I've started making my way through them. Interestingly I've discovered I love to do bead embroidery until it's time to finish the project. Then it just gets too tedious for words. This may explain why I finally just stopped doing bead embroidery altogether...I had about 6 projects in different stages of completion.

For example, here's a cab by Caroline Dewison that I finished everything but a way to hang it as a pendant. It's gorgeous and I love it so much I don't know if I could sell it. However, until about two weeks ago, it was a very pretty dust collector because there was no way to wear it.

This was the first WIP I tackled in an effort to restart my creativity. As you can see below, I created this copper bail contraption that I sewed to the back of the cab, and will attach to a weathered brown leather cord.

The next project I decided to tackle is this gorgeous ammonite cab by Lesley Watt. Below you can see what it looked like January 31st when I took a photo of it for the Use Your Stash challenge. It continued to look like this until September 5th.

I worked on several unfinished projects over the Labor Day weekend, and the ammonite now looks like the photo below. I didn't have additional beads or ultrasuede with me to progress any further, but I'm still happy with getting closer to being done.

I think I've decided to add a row of the Czech glass beads in the photo below, then finish it off.

I could show SO MANY unfinished projects, but thought I'd show this gorgeous donut by Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay. I had this thing glued onto the stiff stuff fabric for MONTHS and never added a single bead to it until Labor Day weekend. I literally forced myself to sit and bead even though I didn't feel like it. However, as I worked, I could feel the excitement for the craft coming back.

As I mentioned previously, I love to knit. It is definitely something I do in waves, often knitting obsessively for a while, then not knitting for months. Again, I have a ridiculous number of unfinished projects that feel like they are weighing me down. For example, the wrap in the photo below? I've picked it up off and on for the last SIX YEARS!!!! I finally finished it except for adding the buttons. To be fair, I had planned on using different Lisa Peters handmade buttons, but they didn't work. So I'm considering these instead, also made by Lisa Peters.

These socks? They were completely finished except for grafting the toe of one sock and weaving in the ends. Why do I procrastinate the final details of a project? I drive myself nuts! And I also keep myself from the enjoyable process of digging into the next project.

A Clean Studio

I totally should have taken a before photo. My jewelry making area was piled high with tools, supplies, findings, mangled wire, garbage, new art beads, etc. just a few days ago. When I find myself avoiding the studio because the idea of working in the mess is too much for me to bear, it's time to clean. Now you can see counter space AND the beading board thing that I mostly use to store small bits and pieces. Whenever there is a clear space, I want to make a creative mess again.

Keep a Visual Record

This one might be a bit outside the box. Let's say you have 1 hour to create 5 days a week. That's it. Take a photo of what you made that day. Post it to Instagram or Facebook or wherever you want to share it. At the end of a week, a month, a year, you can see how much you have actually accomplished with what felt like very little time available.

About a year ago I discovered Chatbooks, which is a super easy app to use. Basically you download it to your phone and it uploads photos from whichever source you choose, like your phone, Instagram, or Facebook. You select which photos, pay, then they print it. I've ordered two of these books so far and they are fantastic!

I started the beginning of 2016 with the intention of doing a single photo each day. Except eh, I decided to break that rule because it's my Instagram account and my favorite method of journaling. Each chatbook can have up to 366 images. Because there are some days I post more than one photo to Instagram, I had the first half of 2016 printed as soon as June was over. I keep it out in the living room and just about everyone who comes over looks through it.

Seeing my photos printed in this album got me thinking about how having a hard copy visual record of one's work could provide motivation and inspiration for those days when it feels like drudgery.

Community

Do not underestimate the power of spending time with your people. If you haven't read Lesley's blog post about art camp yet, do yourself a favor and read it and also the one she wrote last year about her visit. I know when I am able to spend time with creative people, I leave with more energy and ideas and passion than before. I haven't taken the time to benefit from community in quite a while and that is next on my creativity reboot list.

What are some of your favorite tricks for pulling yourself out of a creative slump?

Art Camp 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Lesley) — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 08:29:00 +0000

Also known as my summer vacation!

For me, one of the best things that has come from me being part of the AJE blog team is that I have made so many lifelong friends despite the fact that most of them are thousands of miles away. For the past couple of years some of those friends have been kind enough to host and entertain me on vacations to the USA and I have just returned from yet another wonderful trip staying with Jenny Davies-Reazor in Delaware.

Holidays with Jenny, a trained art teacher are packed with creative and artistic pursuits and I always come home full of ideas and inspiration, which is why I refer to it as art camp. We've even discovered that if we have to drive any distance together we start bouncing ideas around that snowball so quickly I have to take notes while Jenny drives so that we don't forget them. On past visits Jenny has introduced me to many new skills including polymer clay techniques, handmade book making, felting and last year - bead embroidery, to which I am now completely addicted.

This year was no exception so I thought I'd share some of the highlights with you.

Our first trip out was to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore - a small museum crammed to the rafters with some incredible contemporary art and installations in all sorts of media. Photography is not allowed in the majority of the museum but I did manage to get some shots around the grounds.

Entrance to the AMVA and Jenny with a magic bus

Incredible mirrored mosaic egg by Andrew Logan

http://www.avam.org/

We were allowed to photograph this one particular exhibit and Jenny just couldn't resist a little interpretive art. If you're planning a visit I can also recommend the restaurant on the top floor for some great food and no, the food has no link with the exhibit!

http://www.avam.org/

The exhibit that both Jenny and I were struck by the most were by fibre artist Chris Roberts-Antineau and since I couldn't photograph them I have borrowed some images from her gallery with full credits given. I would so love to get to New Orleans to see more of her work.

Chris is a self taught artist and the sentiment of her artist's statement really resonates with me. I think it has great relevance for those of us who suffer self doubt about our abilities or validity as artists:

http://www.antieaugallery.com/

These pieces are worked in applique and embroidery and clearly have stories behind them. The detail is incredible and the each piece is so beautifully made... top of my shopping list if I ever (unlikely) have enough disposable income.

http://www.antieaugallery.com/art/sketchbook/

http://www.antieaugallery.com/art/swan/

http://www.antieaugallery.com/art/ascension/

http://www.antieaugallery.com/art/owl/

If you you like textile art and can get to a Chris Roberts-Antineau exhibition I would thoroughly recommend going.

Another great thing about visiting Jenny is that she lives close to the lovely Marsha Neal-Minutella so I get to hang out with her for a while too. These ladies have regular bead nights with a lovely group of ladies and they were kind enough to arrange one for when I was in town - good food, good wine, great company and bead projects...what could be better?

Jenny taught everyone how to make wonderful little beaded needle felt collages and Marsha has been making up kits of my Goddess bracelet with her ceramic buttons and leather. I haven't made one of these in an age and it was great fun all making them together.

Collage by Marsha Neal using one of my goddess focals, goddess bracelets by me, goddess bracelets by Jenny Davies-Reazor, Collage by Lisa Goodman with ceramic focal by Jenny.

Whenever I stay at Jenny's I try to make sure that I get some crab cakes in at some point and this year we managed that on a couple of occasions. This time around though we also got down and dirty picking crabs for Labour Day dinner....I always was a messy eater but at least this time I wasn't alone!

There comes a time in every vacation when you just need to slow down and relax a little and we chose to do this by staying home and hitting the seed beads. I managed to complete two pieces both of which were designed around ceramic cabochons by Caroline Dewison:

Jenny meanwhile was working on these two fabulous projects:

Then it was time for some more culture so we headed off to visit the Philadelphia Magic Gardens - the largest public artwork of award winning mosiac mural artist Isaiah Zagar:

'Spanning half a block on Philadelphia’s famous South Street, the museum includes an immersive outdoor art installation and indoor galleries. Zagar created the space using nontraditional materials such as folk art statues, found objects, bicycle wheels, colorful glass bottles, hand-made tiles, and thousands of glittering mirrors. The site is enveloped in visual anecdotes and personal narratives that refer to Zagar’s life, family, and community, as well as references from the wider world such as influential art history figures and other visionary artists and environments.'

Theses images are from both the 'Gardens' and the streets around the area that are full of Zagar's work. The installation is rich in it's variety with homages to many great artists. It's also something of an assault on the senses - one of those places where you'll see something different every time you go back and never see everything no matter how often that is. Again - I thoroughly recommend a visit.

https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/about-us/about-isaiah-zagar/

Then it was back to the studio for more play time and because I miss my fur baby when I'm away Zoey and Oscar, Jenny's adorable dogs make sure I don't miss out on the cuddles and the laughs.

Zoey gets cuddly in her cone while Oscar keeps an eye on the road.

Next it was time to get on and learn some new tricks and this year it was print making. The only time I remember doing this in the past is with potatoes and poster paints at about the age of 5 and I was hoping I could do a bit better than that now.

Here you can see some of Jenny's hand carved plates and the resulting prints...and why she's the art teacher and I'm the student! That's me at the bottom trying to cave a simple leaf without slicing pieces out of my hand...It seems I have a tendency to put my fingers in harms way in most creative activities!

We actually took ourselves away to the beach for a day to carry on with these projects and I really did get into it. My designs need a lot more work which frustrates me because I always want to be perfect at the first attempt but that would make for a very dull life wouldn't it? I was really pleased with how the suns came out on the black paper so I'll be pursuing that further and I think I might be printing my own Christmas cards this year. Oh and I still have the requisite number of fingers!

We didn't get to spend too much time actually on the beach as the poor dogs were attacked by a swarm of black flies and we had to make a run for it. I did manage to pocket a few treasures though and Jenny gave me the wonderful big shell skeleton she found which will be great for both textures and as a photography prop.

And last but not least of course I had to do some shopping... A lot of beading supplies in the UK are imported from the US which means we pay a lot more for them and have far less choice. If we import ourselves we get hit with import taxes and handling charges on a ridiculously low purchase value. But none of that applies if you bring them into the UK yourself for personal use so it would have been foolish of me not to stock up on supplies while I was there wouldn't it? Quite a little hoard I bought home with me in the end.

So that's another vacation over then but I have so many things I want to do as a result of it that it'll stay with me for a good long while and I'm sure you'll be seeing the fruits of it on AJE at some point. I owe a big debt of Gratitude to Jenny and her husband James for hosting me and to everyone else who helped make it such a memorable time...I look forward to returning the favour sometime soon.

And if your holidays include your creative pursuits or people you've met through them we'd love to hear about them.

August Headpin Challenge Round-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 06:00:00 +0000

The August headpin challenge was so much fun with a wide range of styles, materials, and skills on display. Several participants did more than one challenge piece. Below you will find one example from each designer. If you click on the name located in the caption below each photo, it will take you directly to their blog post which, in many cases, leads to more headpin eye candy.

Introducing me.... Laney Mead

noreply@blogger.com (Laney) — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 05:00:00 +0000

I am a new member of the admin team here at Art Jewelry Elements and thrilled to be part of a great group of extremely talented artists - the head pin challenge of last week left me with a serious addiction to head pins and making them! I am a lampworker, writer, mother to 2 grown up kids who refuse to leave home, wife, cleaner of house, walker of dogs, chief dribble wiper (we have a special needs cat, he was brain damaged at birth and dribbles, more about him further down.... ) and de-hairer of the furniture. What I am not, is a cook or shopper, I do neither well so my husband does those jobs and has been known to leave me easy meals in the fridge should he be at work!

I thought I would introduce myself via various photos I found whilst looking for one - which I didn't find - and wasting the last 30 minutes or so!!

So this is me... the cute one in the frilly knickers petting the dog, Barney, whom I was told was the most aggressive hound and the person who is headless (!) is my 19 year old mother (she was too young!) wringing her hands in terror. That was the beginning of my love affair with animals and is in the early 70's - don't you just love the frocks of the day!!

This is where I live, the beautiful, rural countryside of Hereford, in Herefordshire UK. We are just 13 miles from the Welsh border. My bedroom window looks out over the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons in Wales and we have the greenest grassland in the UK, because it is nearly always raining!!

One of my walks through the ancient woodlands with my dogs, this Old Man Oak tree is over 300 years old, I tell him all my secrets.

I have drawn since I could hold a pencil and had big dreams of being a famous artist but due to being fostered in my teenage years I hit the job market as soon as I left school at 16 in a bid to leave home for good. All my artist endeavours have been through just sitting and doing, I am self taught in everything I do from the pencil drawings below to the glass I do now.

Some of my drawings were made into dog tags, prints, key rings and cross stitch designs, to name a few. I love to draw and although I don't do it to this level any more I still doodle in the evenings, but I do it for pleasure. Making money from pet portraiture in pencil is hard work as each drawing can take over 50 hours and that is for a small one.

I did a few whimsy ones too! This one is called 'Bottom's Up'. I used to keep chickens but being this rural, the fox and the badger came one night and my girls are no more. I miss their fluffy bums running around the garden and chasing Defi, my youngest Golden Retriever who used to annoy them!

Some of my doodles, I love eyes, they are windows to the soul. These are just for pleasure, although I have been known to sell the odd one every now and again, I do them for me not for profit.

I 'found' glass completely by accident. A chance 'go' with my (ex) sister in law who used to use fused glass and I was hooked. I was shown how to light the torch and what a mandrel was and left to my own devices. Hours of practice in the converted studio: my easel was packed away and my bench was set up. I started with flowers, but I always wanted to create my pencil portraits in glass.

No matter how hard I tried the portraits 'went' whimsy so I ran with it for a few years. All my animals had bums, stories, googly eyes. They are all beads and if they didn't make me smile going in the kiln they didn't make the grade!

This one is 'The Mummy Cat'.

'Baa-Humbug' was made for a friend who is an author and had just finished writing a book on English sweets and the heritage of them around the UK. Great book! For those not in the UK the Humbug is a black and white mint sweet (candy): Bah-humbug is a miserable old 'git' and the saying was made famous by Shakespeare's Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

I write tutorials too, this one is for badger beads, but I have done leaves, roses, bees, butterflies... all whimsy ones. You can find them in my Etsy shop - links at the bottom.

I have written for several magazines too, this is the most recent tutorial I have written and it was published in the 2016 September issue of Glass Line.

..and was for this elephant bead. My glass work has finally come full circle and now my beads are more realistic, just like the pencil portraits I used to do.

A Lynx, the customer wanted the holes in the ears so they could affix the fluffy bits of the Lynx's ears themselves.

I have also been experimenting with boro glass and marbles, they are getting more and more round!

The Wolf, my favourite animal in the kingdom, this one is made with enamel glass powders.

And finally... I write about my special needs cat Gordy, who is a British Short Hair and more recently Teeko, a Birman, who is 15 and came to live with us last year, for Cat World magazine. Gordy is almost 4 and he is a forever kitten, he has limited balance, dribbles and can never go outside on his own due to not learning from his mistakes. He wears bibs (this is an old article) to protect his fur and those are specially designed for him by Claire of Clasicats.

This is one of my favourite photos of Gordy my son took him outside in the sunshine to play cars and he loved it... Gordy was quite happy too! Gordy can go outside but can not be unsupervised.

This is all my gang, my dogs Izabel and the reason I am also known as Izzybeads, she is 10, Defi is 6 and came to live with us at 13 months old and Teeko who used to live next door but they moved to Spain so he came here.

And that is me! You can find me at Art Jewelry Elements but also on my blog

Dust, Dribble and Dog Hair

on Etsy

Izzybeads

and also on FB, I do have a business page but I prefer to use my personal one so come and be my friend!

Laney Mead

September Theme Challenge - Tree Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 04:00:00 +0000

I’m back again with some of my favourite tree themed creations as inspiration for September’s theme challenge.

If you missed it, this month we’re running a challenge with everyone invited to join us in creating a piece of jewellery, an object, or whatever you fancy with the theme of trees.

Forest Path

Inspiration has been taken from trees for all kinds of art. One of my favourite periods and a big inspiration in a lot of my work, is the Art nouveau movement. This decorative style celebrates the natural world with an organic style with flowing curves, leaves and trees.

Ernst Wahliss, tree-motif vase, ca. 1911

Art Nouveau style Gingko Leaf Chair by Claude Lalanne

My favourite jewellery designer of this period, and probably of all time, is Rene Lalique. He was a leading figure in the art nouveau movement creating stunning jewellery and glass inspired by the beauty of the natural world.

An Art Nouveau 'Trees' choker plaque, by René Lalique, circa 1898-99. Gold, enamel, opals and diamonds

Landscape with trees on the bank of a lake

Lalique 1900 Hair-Slide Plaque-de-Cou: carved horn, set w/opals in gold collets in the form of sycamore keys

For some modern inspiration, I love the work of Tereza O…

Tereza O on Fler.cz

And Holly Gage’s work perfectly captures the beauty of tree limbs in silver.

Holly Gage Pendant

This challenge isn’t just about jewellery though. You might choose to create a painting.

http://janschmuckal.com

Take a photograph.

Photograph by FizzStudio

Firefly Forest

Paint a pebble

Painted Rocks

Sculpt something in clay.

Ceramic cup by Ah Leon

MyMandarinDucky

Create a paper cut

WhisperingPaper

Or create something a little bit way out….

Mark Jenkins’ Tape Sculptures

Well… maybe not sellotape carousel horses, but I wanted to get these in here as I think they’re brilliant! I would love to come across these in a forest!

Your inspiration could come from the beautiful colours or texture of bark or lichens.

Tree Rings

Silver Birch Bark

Tree Bark

Lichen

Hollow Tree

Blue Acorns

Or creatures that make their homes in the trees.

Squirrel

Barn Owl

Or you could be inspired by leaves. Whether summer or Autumn, you can’t go wrong with nature’s palette.

Autumn Leaves

Shinichiro

If you’d like to join us for our Tree theme challenge, email me caroline @ blueberribeads . co . uk (remove spaces) or message me on Facebook with your blog address and email. The reveal and blog hop is on the 29th September... Hope to see you there!

Every Story Needs an Introduction...

noreply@blogger.com (Saraccino) — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 07:00:00 +0000

"At day's end" - Polymer clay pendant

The beginning is always the most exciting time but also one where doubts and worries are highest. It is not the best part of an story because that would be (at least for me) when you are attached to the other people involved. But it is the moment where everything may be possible and every moment still needs to be told.

Why do I start with this? Because for me creating jewelry or sculptures or other "things" always are about telling a story. This may just be an idea or an emotion, a memory or an inspiration. It is not that all my work hold this depth but all that have a meaning to me, that I really fall in love with, do.

However, I am still astonished every time again that it is not only me that likes what comes out of my mind and hands. This is why I really felt so honored when I was asked if I want to be a part of Art Jewelry Elements. So do start with this story I'll take a moment to introduce myself...

Me in the reflection of the glass door at our balcony (Leipzig).

My partner (I will call him by his nick Rumpel) and I are living in Leipzig in Germany. If you are ever to visit Germany, you should come and visit (especially during summer time). Even if I originally come from Bremen, believe me, I just feel home here. Right now while I am writing this I can hear a concert from the park in front of our house (an old apartment house like most houses here around 100 years old or so?). It is the Leipzig Song Festival and people are singing and dancing in the park. They are relaxed around in this city. My family moved to Leipzig when I was still a teenager and I was a gothic (still am in my heart and when I go out). In all other cities in germany I would have been ignored or looked down in a quite suspicious way. Leipzig? An old lady came up in the supermarket and told me "My dear, what a lovely dress! Sadly I am too old to wear something like this!"

Tiny wee elephants with pink flowers because everyone needs and elephant... or two... - Ear studs

Why am I telling you this? After all this is an Art Jewelry Elements blog. But it shows who I am and that I was always drawn to the weird and to an aesthetic that is not always fitting to the mainstream. There is not THE gothic but there is a longing, a sensuality and sometimes a beautiful melancholy. I could let my defenses down and drown myself in music and dancing. I come from a loving family and we discuss and argue and appreciate each other. But I think this is true because of the ingrained painful and difficult times my grandparents, my parents (my mother as well as my stepmom), our friends and myself had. Sometimes I have to take a deep breath to realize how happy I am right now with Rumpel. You know, it is easy to forget in all the worries and fears of the day. This is not the right moment to tell all the uncounted stories but we had them, from addiction to cancer to attempted suicide. To create was always a way to understand the world around me and my own feelings. After my mother attempted suicide I was empty inside but started to paint for hours, the whole night without stopping in a frenzy. I painted myself without even knowing it but I had to. There was no other way to cope with the helplessness and pain.

"Silver Rain Drops" I love to recycle/upcycle old and found materials and this pendant is made from an tea tin box

To create keeps me sane. People smile when I tell them this not realizing I mean this literally. My head is full of ideas and thoughts, sometimes it may get a little loud there. I tend to worry too easily and too much. To work with my hands, to form a story in my mind and before me, this helps me to relax. My whole attention is focused on this moment- You'll find a part of me in all my work.

"Ancient Woods" A necklace combing my favorite colours as well as my love for handmade art beads!

I experiment a lot and love to try new materials and techniques. My day job is in research and being a scientist defines a lot of myself. Actually there are so many people in research I know that are creating next to their work. They sew, solder metal sculptures, cook and paint and are the reason why I believe that scientists and artists are quite similar, driven by the same desire to grow and the same curiosity to play. The downside is that I easily get bored too. So you'll see me jump from idea to idea just to come back to the first again after a while.

"Purple Wings" Made with some of my own etched copper wings and uglibeads from Julie Wong Sontag

You'll see beads and components made by me using metal, polymer clay, ceramic clay, resin, fabric, yarn, bones, shells, wood and whatever else I may find! Oh, and there is a childlike pure joy in me to take broken and old jewelry apart and sort all the single parts just to use them again in my own creations. I still can tell you where every single "bead" I have comes from, be it cheap glass beads, found objects, artisan components or old jewelry parts. If you ever see my chaotic and gigantic stash, you'll be impressed by that! But there is something special in ever piece because it has it's own story and I'll also remember what happened in my life at that time. It will add so much more to every piece I make.

"Urban Jungle" Made with connectors made by scorched earth that I actually won from Niky Sayers here last year! :)

I also thought it would be good to show you some example pieces of my work because an image can show you what I won't ever be able to tell. It was rather difficult to select examples (and I know there are still a lot but... but... I couldn't remove more, I am sorry!). In the first one you see the pendant to my necklace "At Days End". This is my most beloved piece with a deep meaning. I started to create it when the last of my cats (all brothers) was terminal ill. I had to come to a decision and she is the result of finding the strength to let him go. It is three years ago and I can smile seeing her, but still, writing these words, I start to cry. I didn't stop missing them, all of my three little ones. They were there in my darkest times when I had no words for the world to tell.

Mixed media collage made on Formentera with limited holiday supply and magazine cut-outs

It was made with polymer clay as well a the tiny elephants with the pink flowers. The first ones I sculpted for friend with a love for elephants and pink (she is a grown up and tough woman by the way). She now gets a pink advent calendar every year made by me. Sometimes with elephants...

I also chose some necklaces, one in my mixed style (even some old roman glass can be found) and one made with tin from an old tea box, long earrings, that are all about dangling as well as some with my beloved etched wings, and last but not least two mixed media pieces. All of them are me.

Mixed media pieces with all the leftover items I could find - mostly polymer clay pieces gone wrong

Since I started very personal, I will also end on this note. This bunny sculpture is actually not made by me but by Rumpel. As I already said, an image tells more than words and maybe you'll get why he is so special to me. Next to this adventure here at AJE, Rumpel and I are getting married in october!

A bunny made from polymer clay by Rumpel (my partner) as a special present for a friend of ours

On this note I will also (finally) come to an end. What to expect from me? I love tutorials and weird things! I hope you are excited as me to see how this story may go on and I am so thankful for you to have me!

All the best from Leipzig,

Claire

PS: You can find my blog at saraccino.blogspot.com and my shop at saraccino.etsy.com. All other details and links can you can find at the contributors page here on AJE!

Giveaway Winners - September Theme Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 08:58:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone who entered to win one of my Tree Beads. The winners are...

Cindy Martin Shaw

and

Merja Sudström

Congratulations! I will message you shortly and have your prizes on their way. Looking forward to seeing your creations on the 29th September!

If you'd like to join us for the challenge, message me on Facebook, or send me an email (caroline @ blueberribeads. co. uk - remove the spaces) with your blog address and I'll add you to the reveal list for the end of the month. For a recap of everything, you can see the original post here.

Thanks again... see you next week with some more inspiration!