biZSUterie

Swarovski is shutting down its hobby distribution?

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:45:00 +0000

It seems the news is true, even if it is sad to say so. You may hear rumours about Swarovski closing down its hobby production. It is written in many forums, and one of my best friend who has a bead shop told me Swarovski is going to cancel its distribution contract from year 2021. Here is an article saying they release 6,000 employees and will focus on luxus jewelry: Swarovski is changing business approach

I was thinking about how to solve the lack of quality glass cabochons and beads. What I will miss the most is the rivoli cabochons, pearls and bicones. I found quality Chinese cabochons, so I am sure some factories will concentrate on producing them, even the though the color range will be poor for sure. But I cannot imagine making nice beaded design without bicones. Even the glass pearls available are far from the quality Swarovski was able to create. The weight and colors (the coating is so durable) are so unique that I can hardly think of a quick solution. Maybe on the long term.

I will share link to sellers when I found good substitutions in the future.

In the meanwhile, if you need some stock for the coming months, try to buy as much as you can afford.

Cyber sale on Etsy 2020 - 20 % discount on all patterns

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:20:00 +0000

Sidney beading pattern with carrier beads

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 09:29:00 +0000

I know that many fantastic designs were made with carrier beads. I have them on my table for more than a 1 year, and each time I had an idea and checked it, someone already created it. It happens quite often when I buy a specific bead far too late, when they are taken into oblivion. But this is the challange part I really like. Even nowadays, I had some ideas with beads not freshly invented.

As always, pinterest was my saviour. I still like watching old, antique style jewelry. That is one of my favourite kill-times. Than I saw this awesome bracelet and I immediately knew what I was going to do with the two packs os carrier beads.

Though, it is a time-consuming piece, which I rarely do :-), I enjoyed every minute of it. Hope you will like it, too. I named it after Sidney Opera House, simply Sidney, for reminding me of the outlook of it. This year we wanted to visit Australia, but as many plans this year, this plan also vanished due to Covid.

SAVANNAH bracelet - beading pattern

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 14:28:00 +0000

I have made some new designs recently, but this is what I love the most.

Do you remember Biloba? A designer name for a French beader called Marie Geraud? I dearly love her designs, I bought all of her patterns and books she published in the past. I started to bead with her designs, because it was easy to make, loved her color combos and the byzantine style. I made tons of jewelry from her patterns, and until now, she is one of the beading artists who made the biggest inlfuence on me.

Once she made a bracelet for a wedding, but she never made a pattern of it. I made one for myself, it was one of my favourite bracelets ever. It broke off a few years ago and I put the stones away. In the last few months I had the idea to redo it. I made some attempts with different sizes and types of beads. This bracelet has turned out to be the best version.

Unfortunetaley I have only one color of the 6 mm chaton montees, so I am not able to make too many color combos. So I quickly ordered from a company via Etsy. I am sure I will make one for myself and a few other bracelets as a gift.

Hope you will like it, too...

SAVANNAH pattern on Etsy

Melissa free beading pattern with Candy beads

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 08:37:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

I have made a FREE pattern with Candy beads.

If you cannot see it (I cannot upload pdf file) and you need the pdf file, just let me know your mail address in a comment and I will send you.

Hope you will make it.

Increase traffic on your etsy website with pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 06:27:00 +0000

I have some nice traffic coming from pinterest lately, and I thought I might share it with you.

I have been using pinterest for more than a decade. I love watching pics of antique jewels, modern jewels, home decoration and recipes almost every day. I am from an older generation (will be 50 this year), and though I learn a lot, my teenage kids help me, but I still have some kind of aversion of making videos, or putting too much on the net. However, it just hit me during quaratine that I can make short videos, just a few secs, to show how the finished jewelry look like, so my customers can have a better judgement on making a decision to buy it. Also a good news, Etsy also started to support adding videos, a new feature I started to use, too.

So I took a deep breath to make them and uploaded them on pinterest. Did not hurt, so far - haha. Not a very complicated, really just max. 15-second short films. I usually show the front and the back side of the finished piece. And then TADAM: my low traffic burst out. I had generally 3-4 thousand visits per month, now I have 90 thousand visits, and this increased my traffic on Etsy, too. You can add #s, direct links like in case of simple photos. Now even you can add more photos at the same time to one post, also a new feature in Pinterest.

So all I say, use pinterest to increase your traffic and income on your site. I made videos with my phone, did not make a big fuss about it. Now that my daughter is back from NZ I will ask her to be my modell and will show earrings and some pendants on her.

For my pinterest link click here

Chaton montees vs rose montees

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:48:00 +0000

Do you know the difference between the two montees? Do you like using them? Do you use them at all? Well, I do...

Montee is a French word, and none of the meanings is connected with jewelry making or the type of beads we are talking about. I love chaton montees, and I use them a lot in my patterns. I use mainly 4 mm beads, they give exactly the small sparkle I need to add to my jewels, not too much. And we know, sometimes less is more...
Some of my customers constantly ask me questions about chaton montees, and if they can be replaced by rose montees. My answer is no. And I have made some pictures to make it clear why.

1. The first is the chaton montee, the second is a rose montee. You see the difference. Chaton montee is thick, and there are 4 holes in the setting. Rose montee is flatter, and it has 4 holes, too, but the holes are crossing the back side of setting like a tube.

And this leads to the fact that chaton montees are more usable since you can go with your thread through the corner holes, as you can go through the cross holes, too. This makes it more playful in a pattern.

While, you can go through the rose montees only across, no other way. However, rose montees are easy to sew on flat surfaces, such as in case of bead embroidery, or they look great on flat peyote bracelets. While chaton montees are standing out and you have to hide them a bit with beads around.

2. I took out the cabochons from the settings for you to see how they look like. Chaton montee has a small chaton (the type of cabochon) inside. Rose montee has a flat back cabochon inside. I sometimes change the cabochons in case I need another color, but it is a hard job in case of beads of small size. You really need nerves for that. You also need a good source for nice colors. In case of rose montees you can use hotfix or to-glew-rhinestones, as well, though they are very expensive.

LOLA reversible bracelet with Candy beads

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:55:00 +0000

I am so happy with the outcome. I had a great idea, but it took me 3 DAYS (oh, yes!) to make the final version. First I tried with pearls, but the finished bracelet was too thick, and the 6 mm pearls were, too small to make a justice to the idea. Then I tried with cabochon beads and bicones on the sides, but even that version was not the one I loved. Candy bead was the price winning choice. I insisted on making a reversible bracelet, so I had to think of a solution for colors, using not too many types of beads, yet easy to make and good looking version. For me the most important thing is to look like a jewelry. That is why I use so many gold and silver colors.

What do you think?

Bellflower hit the cover in B&B

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 12:54:00 +0000

I am so proud and honoured that bellflower design made the cover of Bead and Button magazine august issue.

14 years ago, when I started to bead, I bought every magazine. Wanted to learn the different techniques, the best color combos. I was even a subscriber for some years waiting for my papers to arrive. It never occured to my mind that one day one of designs will published in it. I just simply admired the "big ones", Lauray Mccabe, Maggie Meister, Manek Lady, Gwen Fischer, etc.

So, at first, I did not believe when they asked me, and I started to give credit to is slowly, when we worked on details. I am very pleased with the design of the cover.

Here I am again

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 12:06:00 +0000

Hello everyone,
It is been a long time since I released my last post. There is no excuse, I know, just a few, but serious periods passed by. I have so much to say...
First, our son got really sick, he almost died. If we were not quick enough to react to his problems, he is not with us anymore :-( We had a rough end of year, but he got fine by the end of January. Now he is totaly healthy.
Then, in January, our 15 year old daughter left to New-Zealand to learn English, all alone. At the beginning she needed a full and daily support to help her to get to used to the country, the 12 hours time difference, the culture, the school, people :-) She is a tough girl, and she did a great job. We are very proud of her. Though, she had adventurous 5 months there, she is happy and healthy. She will be back mid-July.
Covid found our country, too. I know about the great loss of people. I am lucky to say no family members or friends were affected, BUT in the meanwhile one of my best friends died of cancer. This depressed me very much, I liked to have her around in the last 30 years. She was a great and strong person fighting cancer for 12 years, this is one of the biggest loss of my life.

Good things came out of bad things, too, they say. I really really beaded a lot, and created new designs. Actually I think, it was a kind of escape to my beading, but it helped to stay sane and be strong for those who needed me.
Also a great suprise, Bead&Button magazine asked me to introduce Bellflower pattern in their August issue. What an honour! I am very flattered and can hardly believe they chose me. This goldened my days, surely.

Hope everything is ok with you in these days. Specially in America (and West-Europe) with so many infected and dead people, not talking about the protests these days. I promise I will keep going to add new posts, as often as I can. Here are some of my new designs.

Black Friday sale in my Sijoux Silver Jewellery shop

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:52:00 +0000

If you are still looking for a gift idea for Christmas and you like silver jewelry, than this is for you: 30 % off in Sijoux from 25th till 30th November. Valid on all products.

Code: BF30

New posts in Sijoux.eu

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:46:00 +0000

I have written a few interesting posts in Sijoux.eu.
I share the 3 links here, you might be interesting in reading them...

1. Many of us like to wear more than one bracelet. However, there are some rules that might be good to consider to not have a “too much” effect...

Read more...
How to combine more bracelets

2. Is it difficult to choose the best accessories to your dress or tops? Are you thinking of how to make the perfect outfit standing in front of the mirror?...

Read more...
For the guide click here

3. Heart:

Highlight your features with elongated lines and curves. Dangle, teardrop and chandelier earrings add a lovely contrast. Avoid studs or miniature hoops...

New patterns

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:14:00 +0000

I know that many new beads were released recently, but Irisduo is the one that I always come back to. I like the shape and size, and I have seen many other nice designs made with it.

This is Jolie earrings, a simple yet elegant design inspired by Miguel Ases :-)

There are some other new pattern in my Etsy shop...

for the pattern click here:

Jolie

Telos par Puca bead - newbies on the market

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:39:00 +0000

A new bead was released from the French par Puca bead factory. It is called Telos par Puca, and really has an interesting shape. Many people were inspired by it already.

Here are twogreat free tutorials I have found. I am sure exist even more of them :-)

A great video tutorial from Allie from Potomacbeads:

Youtube video tutorial from Potomacbeads

A step-by-step pattern on the Frenc site PerlesandCo

Click here to reach bracelet Taylor - free pattern

For more patterns click here to their FB fan page

How to make great knots to your jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:25:00 +0000

I have found this great vidoe tutorial on a fishing site on FB. I know it is not exactly made for jewelry making, but I still found it great. So I thought I would share this with you :-)

Click here:

BIANCA - new pattern with Wibeduo and Crescent beads

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 15:07:00 +0000

This bracelet was finished two months ago, but I had no time to make a pattern to it. I try ti catch up with all the things I recently had no time for.

I used Wibeduo and Crescent beads, and it is fun to make it.

Hope you will like it.

Bianca

My new toy: SIJOUX

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:25:00 +0000

I am sorry fo being silent for months, but I was really busy with building up something new. The idea of making silver jewels are on my mind for years. I had a book full of drawings of my ideas. However, passing a gold/silversmith exam, with attending course for 2-3 years in Budapest (nearest) was not an option. So I started to look for other solutions. I read blogs and searched for opportunities. I found many good advices and companies in EU and In Asia that supported my dream of creating silver pieces.
Finally the whole project started to look like as if it was not an impossible idea. I have made calculations upon offers and decided to go for it.
Sijoux was released last week-end. Far from perfections and I am satisfied with the outlook and how it works. I wanted to create a minimalist and everyday life silver line with a nice and easy to use website and webshop.

I have three collections.
1. Silver Wave: leather and silver combination. I like how it looks on wrist. The colors of leather are visible through the central silver elements. At the moment I have four motifs, but others are in plan.
2. Beaddicted collection: I try to keep my love for beads and combine it with silver. I have plans to work with other designers. So interesting pieces are on the way...
3. Bichic: this is a simple and minimalist line. I use elements that are fashionable.

I hope you will like it. Any suggestion or oponion is welcome, I am happy to get any feedback that makes the site even better and easier to handle.

https://sijoux.eu/

How to make beading patterns - tips for beginners

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Thu, 16 May 2019 17:34:00 +0000

I know many of you faced the problems how to make nice patterns. Well, I know some tricks and have some experience I want to share with you.

How to make peyote / square stitch patterns?

There is a great software you can use. It has nice colors and easy to use. It is free and you will find it here:
https://www.easybeadpatterns.com/

There is a great video tutorial on FMG site.

https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/videos/h11s?term=peyote

You can also print blank graph paper if you want color the paper a traditional way.

https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/charts/9201

You will find printable graph papers here, too, for different projects or techniques.

https://www.printablepaper.net/preview/1-bead_peyote-seed

https://www.sova-enterprises.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=655_28

Miyuki also created a great option to upload your photo to make a bead patterns with matching color scheme.

https://ch1.miyuki-beads.co.jp/top.php#

I have made my own photo. The more column you add the more colors you can use, and finally the better picture it comes up. When you find everything ok, the app asks for your mail address and will send you a direct link to your finished project.
Look what I have done for myself :-)

For more professional way:

I use a simple method to make patterns.
I write my texts and upload my illustrations I made in inkscape (about this later) in Word.
It looks like this:

When it is finished, texts are checked I create a pdf file of it.

How to make illustrations?

You might have some options. First you can use a newly created app, called BeadApp featured by PotomacBeads. There are many beads already added and has great color scheme. The team continously work on developing. You have to pay for it, either a monthly or yearly payment. Currently is available only for mobile.
There are tutorials on Youtube. You can learn to use it quickly.

Beadapp

If you have time and you want to learn an even more professional way you have to learn how to draw in vector programs. I use inkscape, and honestly it took lots of time to learn it, but I love it. I also use for marketing purposes to make covers for posts.
Inkscape has a free version, a perfect solution for making illustrations.
I found a short tutorial here that shows the first steps.
https://www.3dbeading.com/diagram_instructions/inkscape/1.shtml

There are dozens of inkscape tutorials on youtube. Whenever I have time I watch short ones and try to implement the knowledge. Surely there are other vector drawing programs (Adobe and so on). Most of them has free versions to try yourself out. You might buy a professional version later of you tried them out and you are satisfied with them.

Hope this short article helped you. If you have any question, just let me know :-)

New bead from PUCA

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Sun, 12 May 2019 17:46:00 +0000

Anne constantly creates Puca beads. There is a new bead introduces not long ago, called Ilos® par Puca® 5x5mm. They already made free patterns that are available here:
Free Puca pattern in French

5 FANTASTIC IDEAS how to transfer old jewels to make great decorations to your home and for personal use

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Sun, 12 May 2019 16:52:00 +0000

The IDEA

I think many of us have old jewels in drawers. Me personally I have not inherited such antiques, but I like spending my time with buying them on fleet markets. I can never resist :-)
BUT what can I do with them? I thought I might make beaded jewels by using parts of them. However, they seem heavy enough already to transform them into a light-weitghed beaded piece. So I started to look for ideas on the net and I found pretty good ones.

BHG.com

They have many nice ideas not only with old, but newly bought jewelry elements or crystals. If you click on the links you will find nicely finished home decorations that might bring an extra mood to your interiour.

https://bit.ly/2YfrzYB
https://bit.ly/2vMMw0X

PETTYCOAT JUNCTION

I have found nice candle bottles decorated with jewelry parts. Kathy Owen, the author dreamed out nice pieces that can be used both outside and inside. She has many variations and they all look easy to create. She has tips and tricks added.

https://bit.ly/2WgRwH5

ARCHITECTURE ART DESIGNS

There are no instructions in this article, but there are wonderful ideas how to use old jewelry in your home. My favourite one is to add an old brooche to a gift package. It makes the simple and matt wrapped package a luxury looking gift.

https://bit.ly/1PblJjl

PICTURES

Creative people make awesome pictures or picture frames by using jewelry elements. Some of them are specially made for Xmas or other events. All of them look fantastic. All you need is a nice frame / mirror and glue, and VOILÁ

JEWELRY from JEWELRY

I like this idea of using old pieces and bobby pins to make your friends happy. We all like giving handmade gifts. It is a simple, yet great creation. The only thing I am afraid of is not being able to stop producing them :-)

Men at work - My favourite male designers

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 12:20:00 +0000

Handmade men designers

I have the impression that we all think man are rarely capable of fine work. That is not true, of course. I hardly know female watchmaker for example, and I have the impression that many of goldsmiths are also men. So no wonder that in handmade world there are a lot of men which I adore for their precision work and great taste. So let's see them :-)

MIGUEL ASES

Miguel Ases, Inc. was founded by designer Miguel Ases in 1994. After a injury ended his dancing career with the National Ballet of Spain, he pursued his passion in fashion and design.

In 1989, Ases came to New York and started as designer at Malave Fashion Design. His talents cast him in the spotlight and brought him numerous praises and attention. It was then noted designer, Gaetano Fazio, saw the potential in the talented artist and asked him to work alongside him. Miguel was Fazio's head designer until he had the opportunity to start his own label.

The Miguel Ases Collection is proudly handcrafted in America. His artistry transforms 14K gold-fill, sterling silver, semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls & cultured pearls into brilliant pieces of jewelry.

Information and photos come from Miguel Ases's original site:
https://www.miguelases.com

GREGORY GROZOS

Though he is working in many artistic ways and methods (he has sculptures and graphite drawings), it was his jewelry collection that struck my eyes first. He is a miniature artist, at least this is how he calls his creations. 'Miniature worlds' because that is what he exactly aims to express. "I try to make each work as detailed and complete as a tiny world would need to be in order to be called a world."

He uses his own ideas to turn them into themes. His works might be broadly categorized as steampunk, fantasy and whimsical in style. He works on fine details pricisely by "trying to bring to a harmonious combination many tiny bits and materials that come from a variety of unlikely sources."

Gregory lives in Greece. He has his own site and also sells jewels on Etsy.

Information and photos comefrom Gregory's original site:
https://www.gregorygrozos.com/

BARTOSZ CIBA

Like Gregory, Bartosz from Poland also was focused on art from his childhood. He was fascinated by many techniques. He studied landscape architect. Though he liked his job very much, as he recalls, the back office job was not his favourite. So he soon realized it take too much time from his favourite job: working with hands by using his creative side.

A friend of his led him into jewelry world. He started to work with beads, later wire. As soon as developed his skills he started to use silver wire, a higher quality material. His gemstones are beautiful and of superior grade. He surely has his fingerprints on his work. I always recognize them when I saw his finished pieces.

Information and photos comefrom Bartosz' original site:
https://www.bartoszciba.com/

New patterns

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 12:17:00 +0000

Recently I am totally hooked on peyote. I like bezeling cabochons and creating something nice around, but this time it is different. I am making bigger projects than I normally do. I think you have already notice that I do not like to create complicated and huge pieces. Though, I have to admit that admire people who do so :-)
Since most of the time I get inspiration from metal jewelries, I use gold and silver to make them look fine. The latest designs are inspired by metal jewels, too, and by one of favorite beaders, Miguel Ases.

Sweetheart
I had this pendant saved on my pinterest board for a while, and when I saw it, I knew immediately how to make from beads. I kind of like itf final look :-) I used Amos par Puca beads.

SWEETHEART

Emily

This is the one I referred to Miguel Ases. It is airy and lightweighted. I am sure it will look wonderful with a long summer dress.

I used 6 mm mini Rivolis for this. I really got to like them. Though they are small, but they give that tiny shiny effect exactly I like.

EMILY

Bellflower

To create the flowers I used 6 mm rivolis, too. The flowers are easy to do, and it can be done much quicker as it seems. I had fun to make it, even though it took longer time than I usually spend with a project. All peyote, and you need nothing more than cylinder and seed beads.

BELLFLOWER

My favorite bead artists: VALERIE HECTOR

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 16:28:00 +0000

I have decided to introduce beaders that are not simply my favorite ones, whose work I can admire for hours. BUT, these designers fulfill visual needs and beauty for me. All of them had a deep influence on me, for sure. Obviously they raised their work to an artistic level.

MY FIRST CHOICE

The first one I chose is VALERIE HECTOR. She creates jewelries through her modern eyes, yet she makes wearable pieces.

As many of us she met beads as a child. She has funny stories about child her childhood jewels pretending to be a princess with necklaces of beads. However, this fondness of beads pushed her to be the artist she became later.

Interesting Shapes

I met Valerie's work more than 10 years ago. I remember, seeing her photos made my eyes got wild open. Her shapes and vision of how beads should be together suprised me. Normally, few of contempopary artists make my heart beat faster, but somehow, Valerie made its way to do so. Her 3 dimensional works are unique. I even made one of her designs. I tried to make one of her bracelet designs, for which I bought plenty of silver beads. RAW is not my favourite technique, though, for the sake of the bracelet I spent more than a week to make it. I spent a fortune on it just to make a poor imitation of her work :-)

Valerie's fantastic bracelet My verions of it about ten years ago:-)
She makes interesting forms, yet simple lines. Beaded beads that turns into a flower or a colorful necklace. That certainly adds an extra hint by using designed silver components.

MATERIAL AND COLORS

Valerie uses 925 sterling silver components. Each of them designed by her. Big clasps, interclairs and beads are her specialities making her designs so unique. She also builds up different forms from gemstones and faceted beads.
The colors are mainly red, silver grey and turquiose. I like those colors. Even the silver components are tarnished giving a deeper color to highlight the shapes.

DEDICATION TO BEADS

To show her dedication she reserached beadwork history and technique. She even helped Luis Sherr Dubin to refresh her book about bead history. In the past few years she has been researching Chinese beadwork. Her papers, "Chinese Bead Curtains, Past and Present" and "Mainland Chinese Export Beadwork" were published in 2013 and 2017 respectively, in Beads: The Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers. "Bead Netting and Plaiting Techniques in the Peranakan World" was published in the 2016 issue of Beads. She discovered that Peranakan beadworkers invented many complex techniques, significantly enlarging the global repertoire.

Links to all three papers may be found on the Publications page of this website, courtesy of Karlis Karklins, Editor of Beads: The Journal of the Soceity of Bead Researchers.
At the invitation of Karlis Karklins, she recently completed a paper for the Spring 2018 issue of Bead Forum. Entitled "Beaded Shop Signs in Republican Beijing (1912-1949)," the paper summarizes information published to date on this very obscure genre of mainland Chinese beadwork and reproduces four images of beaded shop signs.

For more wonderful work visit Valerie's website:
http://valeriehector.com/

New beading pattern - Thelma

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:07:00 +0000

You probably do not notice it, but I work a lot recently. Last year, I have come up with and idea, and I am working on it to come alive very hard. Hopefully everything will be ready to introduce this new project of mine this autumn. You will see a brand new side of me, but will remain in jewelry business.

In the menawhile I try to catch up with my beading patterns, too. Life is going on, and new courses must be held in Bratislava by my friend Sashka. So I keep going on making patterns. Beads make me relaxed and focused on my things. They help me to be more concentrated.

So this is my new pattern Thelma. I made it in gold version, this gives a purity to the design. I used only 4 material, mini rivolis, Eva beads, cylinder and 15/0 seed beads. I know many people do not like to use too many materials:-) So I tried to be a minimalist in material, yet to create something nice. I think I have to make a shot with it on my daughter, my best model in my current life :-)

THELMA

Handmade awards exist?

noreply@blogger.com (biZSUterie) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:28:00 +0000

My curiosity

I was wondering if handmade awards exist at all, so I made my homework and have searched on net. I was suprised, though, about how many quality design awards and associations work to support innovations. These companies and organizations are having a suprisingly large scale of subjcts and topics for entering a competition. They have different categories and are all over the world. the list I have made is far from perfection, you might discover this world yourself, too. However, specifically I have not found handmade awards, let me introduce them, starting wih my favorite one.

Molly Makes

Molly Makes is life style magazine for creative people. They intrudce the latest crafting trends in easy-to-follow how-tos, encouraging people to adapt and share their own crafty spin on things. They have hot topics to discuss in the design world with lots of insider tips. And above all, they aim to inspire you to live your best, artful life.

Showcasing and supporting the UK’s amazing array of designer-makers is a huge part of Mollie Makes’ ethos. Celebrating craftsmanship and creativity is so important to them, as is discovering new talent. So the organized Molly Makes Handmade Awards last year. They would like to give a chance for people to show their talent by turning their passion for hand making into a way of life, and highlight the amazing things they do.

The Mollie Makes Handmade Awards are free to enter, and open to residents of the UK and Europe.

winners in 2018

European Product Design Award

The European Product Design Award™ was created to recognize the efforts of talented international product designers who aim to improve our daily lives with their practical, well-thought-out creations. They reward the strategic thinking and imagination which goes into making a great product.The Farmani Group, established in 1985, is the organizer of International Design Awards (IDA). Among the Jury you will find designers, blogger, curators, marketing specialists. People with interesting backrgounds and stories.
I love the diversity of finished products. If you have time to explore among the categories and photos, click on winners you will see plenty of beautiful and interesting designs.
https://bit.ly/2Tm9UQg

Bird house made by Paul Kweton

Red Dot

Red Dot stands for belonging to the best in design and business. They run an international design competition, the “Red Dot Design Award”.
Red Dot looks back at a tradition spanning more than 60 years. On 30 July 1954, “Verein Industrieform” association was founded at the initiative of the head of Krupp’s Public Relations and Advertising department, Professor Dr. Carl Hundhausen. The aim of the association was to help make a more attractive environment. They wanted to modernise German consumer goods and make them fit for export and to be part of transforming the image of Krupp in the wake of the Second World War. 1955 saw the first annual design competition come into being, and on 5th of October the exhibition.
Can you imagine how it looked in the past century not long ago? I was amazed by the simple line of the AEG room, though. It is coming back, is not it?

https://www.red-dot.org/

International Design Awards - USA

A handful of designers, thinkers and entrepreneurs created the International Design Awards in 2007. Most importantly, as a response to the lack of recognition and celebration for smart and sustainable multidisciplinary design. Architects and interior designers, product designers, graphic designers and fashion designers are invited to submit their work for the IDA design competition.
Though, they have a fashion section, honestly I found the architecture section more fascinating.

MOUNTAIN COTTAGE BY HOLA DESIGN
Lead DesignersMonika and Adam Bronikowscy
https://idesignawards.com/

CORE 77

Last, but not least, let me show you Core 77 that was established in 1995. I like the idea that they have student candidates, as well. Similarly, they have special categories only professionals can enter. The jury is international. They have plenty of categories one might apply for.
I know that many organizations and people help developing countries to support artisan work. I was happy to see among the winners a Master Artisan Program. This is a non-profit education program that provides a mixture of design and business education.

Fashion4Freedom Master Artisans
Chi Thoai From The Ta Oi Tribe working with American Designee

https://www.core77.com/