Love My Art Jewelry

Paying Attention to Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio) — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:16:00 +0000

Sometimes there are moments in life where you just have to slow down and put the pieces together...

Like years of doodling lines and making parts thicker. Which you know you have done that too - right? I did the above in an iPad drawing app (paper 53 is what the icon says).

And realizing that you have been collecting the tools - and purposefully gathering supplies...

Then just finding the time to sit and work those ideas out... Hammer in hand - banging through it, seeing the metal change looks and feels like magic - is this something I am creating? Was this not just something on paper?

And then picking up pieces and putting them together to have a finished project.

Mind you, not a final project - but rather a starting point where finishing one design opens a floodgate of ideas and confidence to try new things. To open yourself up to ideas that may have needed to in fact get drawn into a sketchbook for more looking at down the road when time allows.

I feel like recently I have been motivated and inspired by so many, and want to take a brief moment to say Thank You to a few women I consider great friends:

Thanks to Nikki Thornburg for showing me her wire frame (which she saw a variation somewhere - as we are all inspired by each other). I love how she is inspired to make artistic and high quality work - easy for anyone as she is so willing to demonstrate techniques on the fly. I cannot wait to be selling my work with her work at Bead and Button (booth #610) in June.

To Staci Louise for making such awesome work (including a lot of my new ceramic work).Her enthusiasm for creating her one of a kind pieces is contagious and makes me want to create. And I always feel special whenever I wear her jewelry. Connected to my friend and the great online community of artists & beady friends it reminds me of.

And to Brenda Schweder for her timing and skill at coming out with "Now that's A Jig", her Steel Wire Jewelry book, and having supplies at Bead Fest August and April where I have been getting more supplies, tools, jig forms, and inspiration. Steel has always been present in my life and I am delighted to be making a friend of it rather than be intimidated anymore. Questions are being answered and my confidence is growing.

And for everyone else in my life, however little or small the interaction - it all has an effect & I am determined to always find the positive - even through the struggles.

Hope your inspiration hits too as you try new things & fail at many attempts (as that is how you learn, gain experience, and find your voice by working through it)...

Boot Camp Sneak Peek Treasury for Inpsiration

noreply@blogger.com (stacilouise) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

'Wire Inpsiration' by stacilouise

Just a sneek peek to the new LMAJ Boot Camp, creating with wire. LMAJ is a site dedicated to spreading the love of creating and buying handmade.

Flying Ladder-Bright Earth- ... GeneaCK $45	Sterling Silver Amazonite Dr... LineaLina $179
Rough Quartz Necklace - Quar... TheWhimsyEmpor... $32	Tiger Eye Earrings, brown ea... CookOnStrike $32
Wire Wrapped Ring-copper rin... BeyhanAkman $20	Turtle Spiral Tribal Charm N... NKCollections $35
Silver Swirls Smokey Quartz ... stacilouise $90	Beaded Tribal Boho Copper Wi... gimmethatthing $15.5
Natural Turquoise Ring, Wire... HBMUSE $25	Believe... ceramic bead wood... artisanbeadspl... $32
Picture Jasper copper Wire W... PillarOfSaltSt... $21	Handcrafted Wire Wrapped Sil... LoneRockJewelr... $79
Copper Wire Wrapped Jewelry ... RisingSunStudi... $28	Tiny WHITE mermaid's tai... PalmerasDesign $127
Gift Ideas for Her Handmade ... MarshaNealStud... $38	All Sterling Silver Earrings... LustrousElemen... $18

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

My Favorite Inspirational Artists: Lynne Merchant

noreply@blogger.com (Stacie) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:20:00 +0000

I have been making jewelry in wire and sheet metal now for about 7 years. Where does the time go?

But I wanted to quickly share a video with you that shows off the work and skill of an amazing wire artist, Lynne Merchant.

I remember quite clearly the excitement I felt when I first saw her work in a magazine article. Her work embodies a particular feel that I resonate strongly with and her story is every bit as interesting as her work. As a matter of fact, her work and her life experiences as a nomadic traveler were both very instrumental in influencing the way that I currently live my own life.

Her website has a wonderful page that links you do all the articles she has been the subject of, and this video is a treat for anyone interested in handmade jewelry as well. I love how she interacts with wire and has full presence with her jewelry practice.

I think her method of using jewelry making as a vehicle to explore her own being is what I admire the most about her. She has a personal integrity that is reflected by the way she teaches and in the final result of her astoundingly creative work.

Enjoy!

More on Displays, Lets Keep the ball rolling..............

noreply@blogger.com (stacilouise) — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

by Staci Smith

I love talking about my display, after all, I worked hard on it, and it has changed and evolved over time. I learned a lot the hard way, and the other stuff from other peoples bad experiences....so I like to share what I know, in hopes of helping someone out when they start outdoor shows.
The thing that I have worked the most on is the ease of set up and tear down. I don't always have my hunky hubs to help me, and some shows are a battle to get your car in and out....not to mention, I am tired and hungry by the end of the weekend, and want to get home as quickly as possible. Some shows even require you set up and tear both days- everything!!! (like if they are on a street which needs to re-open for the evening).

So, here is a bit about my set up and my favorite tips to share.

First of all, I highly reccomend an EZ up tent with walls. They truely are easy to set up and tear down, and the new ones even have walls that velcro to the top.

(Bethlehm Fine Arts Festival 2013)

The next thing I reccomend is GOOD tent weights. I used to the cement in PVC ones that hung from your tent, the kind you can easily make yourself, and they were good,
but I found they are very hard on the tent frame, and still allow too much flexibility in high winds (in other words, my tent still jumped a few feet even with them in wind gusts).

I now have these,

http://www.hutshop.com/rubberweight.html

and I love them. I put a sandbag (that is in a pretty brown pillow case) on top of each,

and have had no problems. It secures it from the bottom, so you don't have to worry about tent height and re-adjusting the hanging weights. Plus they stack nicely in my truck.

The next two items I took a lot of time on, were, ease of set up and tear down, and wind-proofing.

I know I shared this before, but I will share it again for anyone who is new. I love these displays for my necklaces. (for windproofing, they are velcro'd to the shelves and they have big rocks on the back).

I can leave my pieces directly on them,

and I just made slipcovers that go on top....

then they stack together,

and I put them in a tote.

Any bust displays I use, I take the necklace off and hang it on one of these

and then pack them up by tying fabric around them so the chains and such don't move. Then I drop them in the tote too.

Rings go in a baggie. drop in tote.

The rest of my jewelry is displayed in trays, that can then just be stacked (jewelry still inside) and packed into a tray case.

(jewelry tote and tray case)

The only items that need to be put out individually are my earrings from a tray onto the earring display- which is just shutter doors spray painted to my liking.

and my bracelets from a tray onto their display (which is just sewn linen filled with rice).

I use two crates and two sets of folding shelves to create height and use my space to the max. The crates double as storage. One holds my "checkout" bag, that has all my packaging and checkout materials, and the other holds all the bust displays. This helps to maximize space in the vehicle, because that is pretty limited.

It has been quite a process, but I think I finally have it down to a style I love, and an ease that suits me. My tables are light and easy to set up, my table cloths are fitted and don't wrinkle, so I can just ball them up, ect ect ect.

Here are the pics of my set up, a little tour, less broken up.

(brag break- I won Third in Show for my piece "All Knowing" this past weekend- my first Art award!)

So thats my logic, how can I make it easy, sturdy and pretty? Think about how you can make set up and tear down more efficient. Utilize your space in your car too (using crates for display helps me a lot, because they double as storage for the car).

I loved what Libby shared the other day, and really hope that works for her. What little things have you found that save you time or space in your display?

Mobius....

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:42:00 +0000

The Mobius.....

I've been spending quite a bit of time contemplating the Mobius.....and making things inspired by that idea....Lots of making going on in the studio now.... and here's to the continuation of the circle.....

I'm taking the full form and using fire and the hammer to form it....

one piece....

no solder.....

and so much inspiration for me!

I am seeing a theme here...

noreply@blogger.com (Libby Leuchtman) — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I am always looking for new ways to display my work at shows, so the last couple of posts about updating and using different materials to show case work really hit a cord with me.

In a few weeks I am heading to Bead and Button to teach and then sell one night at the Meet the Teachers event.
But here is the real truth, breaking down my display as fast as humanly possible is a goal of mine. I always seem to be one of the last ones and it drives me crazy.

I hand wrap each bead in tissue paper and pack them in a fishing tackle box. It works ok (although I have had some damage) but takes FOREVER.

So here is an idea that I thought I would share. I am going to get a big piece of foam and cut it to fit inside a plastic box.

Now I have to find a box without dividers.

Next step it to take a utility knife and cut slits into the foam. Then I am hoping to be able to just slip in my beads and ta da done. At least I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will work.

Do you have a quick and safe way to transfer your work to shows? I would love to hear.

Jewelry Display Using Handmade Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Stacie) — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:28:00 +0000

I loved what Staci had to offer yesterday as far as sprucing up your jewelry displays with paint. I don't use the same sort of displays as Staci does, but I thought I would continue the conversation regarding jewelry display updates and share with you another display update idea.

A few months ago, I was gifted with an incredible assortment of handmade paper. I was at a loss about what to do with it all. Since I don't really consider myself a 2-D artist, I wanted to see if I could find a use for it with my 3-D work with handmade jewelry.

I decided to see what I could do as far as sprucing up my jewelry display box that my father made me a few years ago.

I love texture, but I was getting tired of filling my box with various assortments of beans, lentils and rice as a background texture. So, I started experimenting with the handmade paper instead, and loved the layered look that resulted!

I couldn't quite bring myself to ditch the lentils, so I decided to just use them in 1/4 of the display, and used a few pieces of of handmade paper that was a similar color as earring tags to bring it all together. I am still using the same 'props' of tiles and rocks, but the neutral and earthy colors all seem to complement the style of my jewelry nicely for a somewhat Asian-inspired display.

I can easily update and vary the look and feel of my simple display box by simply changing out the handmade paper and jewelry tags/holders.

I have always been so attracted to the rich textures and colors of handmade paper, but didn't really know what to do with them. I hope this idea offers some inspiring ways to update your jewelry box display!

Old is New

noreply@blogger.com (stacilouise) — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

by Staci L. Smith

I am sure with Pinterest you guys have seen hundreds of these, "Remake your old Jewelry displays" things. However, I was still pretty happy with my display make over.

I had old white faux leather displays, that were now so dirty, even clorox couldn't clean them up.

They had tears and divets, and stains and tree sap on them. Worst of all, my ring display is the ONLY one I had, and there was no time to get a new one. So, I did what any artists may do, and I took out some handy dandy acrylic paint in a shade of brown, and painted them.

I used a papertowel and just gobbed it on, and as I began to wipe it off, it kinda looked like faux wood.

Easy peezy. Not sure how long until this coating gets all banged up, but for now, they are new again!

Do you have any display re-models that you'd like to share? Hop over to our facebook page and add your links to the post. We'd love to see everyones creativity and gleen some inspiration.

Size Matters AKA More Beaded Beads

noreply@blogger.com (Carol Dean Sharpe) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:12:00 +0000

Last time I showed you, step by step, how to create a beaded bead from a simple peyote rectangle. For the beads created in that little tutorial, I used size 10/o cylinder (delica) beads, mainly because they work so
beautifully for learning peyote. But I wanted to make sure that you know you aren't limited to those.

As with all other things bead, different sizes, different finishes, different shapes make for quite the difference in results. This new set of beaded beads was done using round seed beads in 5/o (and you thought there would never be a reason for using those!):

Don't believe me about size making a difference? Think again!

The copper and blue beaded beauties would have been lost on the heavy (add-a-bead) neckwire I used on this new set. These new beads are so substantial that they can even hold their own on a beaded rope. (The rope, by the way, is simple tubular herringbone stitch done in size 11/o seed beads.)

But they are light-weight and versatile enough to play well with silk.

For those of you who love playing with yarn, these larger beaded beads make wonderful additions to knitted tubes (I-cords) that have been "strung" on memory wire (for stability).

Have I convinced you to try your hand at beading one of these yet? What if I told you that they are the base for things as wondrous as the Blooming Bead?

Be well and get going!
Carol Dean Sharpe

SALES!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Artisan Beads Plus) — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:22:00 +0000

Looking for a sale? Many of the artists who are on the First Friday Art Walk team will be ending their sales after today.

It is not too late for some of you who might be last minute shoppers.

Here are some key words to search on Etsy to help you find out what is on sale this weekend.

FirstFridayArtWalk sale

ffaw sale

If you are interested to see what members are displaying for part of the Art Walk, check out this link:

https://www.etsy.com/teams/5635/aweteam/discuss/12133088/page/9

The above link will bring you to the most recent listings. You can work your way back from there.

If anyone can add any information that you want to share about the Art Walk that will be ending today, please feel free to add it in the comments.

Thank-you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade,

MaryAnn

Cherokee Triangle Art Show

noreply@blogger.com (Kelli) — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:20:00 +0000

by Kelli Pope

This past weekend I was set up in Louisville in Cherokee Park. BEAUTIFUL location, great show, unfortunately, the weather was not fully on our side! But we still had a good show, and the fickle Spring weather could not keep the people away.

( my WONDERFUL sister manning the booth)

Bright colors, anything with pearls, and my flower designs were the hit of this show!! (thank you Thornburg Bead Studio for the lovely splash of color added to my designs!!)

Our neighbors were charming and funny, and even during down time, we kept each other laughing.

I've even come up with a new idea for booth design, thanks to one of my fellow artisans, and some brainstorming with my Sis.

( HA! Didn't I just say last year I was finally happy with my set up?)

Now time to get ready for the next one!

May Day and Mother's Day Inspired DIY's

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:51:00 +0000

by Barbara Bechtel

It's May Day! For those of you in the Northern hemisphere, this is a traditional celebration in May 1st celebrating the beauty of spring! Also, May 12th is our Mother's Day in the US....so I've been perusing the web gathering ideas for some ideas for something to make for my mom!

As much as my mom enjoys receiving handmade jewelry, I'm always on the look out for other gifts that I can make using my jewelry skills that aren't quite jewelry. Being an avid gardener, I thought this year I would whip up some coppery goodness to adorn her garden!

Copper is a timeless addition to any garden! It will it form its own beautiful patina over time from the elements and add beauty and character to your landscape! Copper is essential for plant growth and in organic gardens, is often a soil supplement and is thought to repel slugs and snails!

Here are some ideas that I'm currently loving:

1) Garden stakes/ plant markers. Put those alphabet stamps to work! By cutting stake-shaped strips from copper sheet, stamp some common herb or veggie names! For more established gardens where you want to see those stakes after the plants take off and start to grow, consider making long curved hooks from 14-16g. wire and stamping purchased shapes to hang from the top of the hook. Using very thin gauge sheet will also yield a shape that is thin enough to emboss with a stylus or ball point pen.

2) Get crafty with your wire and old beads! Practice making butterflies, dragonflies by bending and wire wrapping wire to make a pretty garden ornament. Add some colorful glass beads from your stash to add even more interest!

3) Copper tubing (found in the plumbing section of your hardware store) is a beautiful pliable material that can be used to form larger ornaments and will double as a small trellis or cage for training tomatoes, vining plants and ivy's.

although not copper related,
4) This cute craft is simple enough to complete with children and only requires some old cake pans and a bag of cheap plastic craft beads from the craft store! Let the children arrange the beads in the pan, bake and release when cool, drill a hole and add some fishing line!

Have you taking your jewelry skills to the outdoors? I'd love to hear your favorite projects!

The Circle of Life.....

noreply@blogger.com (Artisan Beads Plus) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:04:00 +0000

It's been one of those times in life where new chapters are started and others have finished. A couple of weeks ago on April 12th, my father-in-law passed at the age of 93. He had suffered with Parkinson's Disease since he was in his 50's. The past ten years were his worst and my mother-in-law cared for him right until the end. I came into the family eight years ago, so I did not have the pleasure of knowing Ed in his healthier years. Even with his illness, however, I got to know him as a kind quiet man. When he did have something to say, it almost always was sharing his quick wit and sense of humor. He will be missed.

And, just Friday, I was blessed with our 4th grandchild. Little Adelina (Addy) came into the world on April 28th weighing a healthy 8.96 lbs.. She is the first for my youngest child Theresa. Being part of her delivery was an experience that I will never forget.
She is precious.....

Welcome to the world, Addy!

So.... nothing about jewelry or beads today. I am staying home and am going to try to catch up and get back into my routine.

On a completely different note, I have posted the winner of the gorgeous pendant donated by our own Carol Dean Sharpe. Congratulations to Kathy Lindemer!!

Sorry for the delay in getting that up there......

MaryAnn

it's show time!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelli) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:12:00 +0000

by kelli pope
It appears Staci and I are both running in high gear getting ready for shows. My first outdoor show is this weekend (please no rain, no rain, no rain). Time to drag out the tent, and prepare for the unpredictable Spring weather in Louisville.

Last weekend was another jewelry makin marathon. I don't think I ever go into a show feeling like I have enough, but hopefully 60 prs of earrings, 36 necklaces and 20something bracelets will give my customers enough of an assortment.

Here are a couple of my favorites. (please forgive me if the pics aren't the best. I had to take them with my tablet. Our desk top computer is down)

The bright colorful piece features glass headpins from Thornburg Bead Studio. The lovely light blue piece features handmade copper beads enameled by my own wonderful husband Steve.

Always Evolving

noreply@blogger.com (stacilouise) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

by Staci Smith

Well- I am in show prep mode once again, but this time it's jewelry shows! Each year to try to find a new direction to go in, just a little bit. I have been very drawn to ancient, tribal, ethnic looking items lately. So I wanted to add some brass to my jewelry line. I have used it a little bit here and there, like in these Boho Hoop style earrings last year.

Brass Boho Hoops

I was never really a fan of gold, and yet, somehow, I am now being drawn to the richness of this golden yellow metal.

Along with adding brass this year, I started to make some of my own chains for charm style necklaces. Yesterday, I finally completed one, so I am sharing it with you, since it is all I have worked on for a couple days!!!!

I really like the results of both the chunky chain charm style and the richness of the brass. I will certainly be making more!!!! I think that the brass also begs for color to be added, and so, I am beginning to add more pops of color to my work. Always evolving. Not sure if its a process or just because I get bored easily! Either way, it keeps things fresh.

What is your favorite metal to work with?

Is there a metal you have been wanting to try, but just haven't done it yet?

Warning: Beaded Beads are Addictive

noreply@blogger.com (Carol Dean Sharpe) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Beaded beads are like those infamous potato chips: you can't have only one. Seriously.

Case in point, I set out to create a beaded bead so that I could take step-by-step photos for you. I ended up with not one beaded bead, not two, no...I ended up with THREE beaded beads.

As addictions go, these little peyote beaded tubes are pretty harmless and have positive results.

If you haven't worked peyote stitch before, it's okay. Don't be nervous. It's as easy as threading a needle and stringing some beads and...well, you'll see.

For our sample beaded bead, I chose two of my favorite colors, zircon blue and copper. The beads I used for this are delica cylinder beads (10/o) but any size works as do many different types of beads, so don't limit yourself. I do like the cylinder beads for learning peyote stitch, however, because they have such a wonderful habit of fitting perfectly together.

Okay. Get your beading needle (I used a size 11 tulip needle), your favorite beading thread (I used #10 Fireline), and your beads together in one place, preferably on a nice bead mat that will keep your beads from dancing around too much (if you don't have a bead mat, use a piece of suede or the back side of some leather to help you corral those little creatures).

Step 1. Thread your needle with a comfortable (one wingspan) length of your thread (nymo, fireline, c-lon). No. I don't have a photo for you.

Step 2. Pick up one bead with your needle; size, color, and shape matter not. Just a single bead.

Step 3. Take your needle through your single, lonely bead once more

and pull the thread taught, leaving 8-10 inches of thread. This simple act has transformed your lonely bead into a "stopper bead." This acts as a temporary "knot" to keep all the other beads you will string on from falling right back off your thread. It's an important job, yes, but any bead will do.

Step 4. Pick up 14 beads, alternating colors A (blue)/B (copper) as shown.

Step 5. Pick up one Color B bead and take your needle through the closest Color A bead, from right to left.

Step 6. Pick up another Color B bead and take your needle through the next Color A bead. Do this four more times until you have reached the end of your beads.

Step 7. Sit back and admire your work: you have just beaded the dreaded first three rows of peyote stitch. It's easy-peasy from here on in.

Step 8. Turn your beading over so that the working thread is on the right. Pick up a Color A bead and take your needle through the first Color B bead in the previous row.

Step 9. Add six more Color A beads, always taking your needle through the Color B bead in the previous row.

Step 10. Keep beading rows of peyote stitch until you have reached your desired length. In this case, we want a rather short rectangle and have only beaded a total of 16 rows (count up the number of beads on each edge to determine your total number of rows). You could keep beading like this for 6-7 inches and have most of the work for a bracelet complete, but that's another story.

Pull out your stopper bead and unthread your needle.

Step 11. Rethread your needle with the 8 inches of thread you left at the start of your work. It's time to weave this thread through some beads (change direction a few times) before cutting it off.

Step 12. Rethread the needle with your working thread. This next step is not required, but I find that it helps anchor the tension for the thread zipper you will create. Take your needle back through the bead immediately below the bead it exited from.

Complete this little "thread circle" by taking your needle through the upper bead again, leaving your thread at the same location we started this step at.

Step 13. At this point, you have a beaded rectangle. We will now turn it into a beaded tube (read: beaded BEAD) by sewing/zipping the first and last rows together.

Step 14. At the end of this process you will find that the last two beads facing each other are not connected. Perform the "thread circle" maneuver you used in Step 12.

Step 15. Secure and finish your thread as you did in Step 11.

Step 16. String your beaded bead on whatever medium (in this case a simple wire choker) you prefer.

Step 17. Decide that your beaded bead could use a companion or two...

These little beaded tubes of peyote can also be sewn directly onto elements that you can't string them onto because of awkward curvatures, as with these eye glasses, or because of permanent attachment (purse handles). All you have to do is close the tube around the element/with the element in place.

I told you it's hard to stop with just one. ;)

Earth Day In The Home Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:05:00 +0000

The weekend before Earth Day, which is officially April 22, people start the celebration of this beautiful big blue planet that we live on.

EarthDayKids

Every day I try to live my life through best practices for sustainability of life and the natural ecosystem. Earth Day, Every Day is a mantra that goes through my head regularly as I move through my day. And I try my best to show my children how to make better choices.

And even though I am not anywhere close to my goal for attaining best practice in everything, I do try to make better decisions and feel confident in that I do pretty good practice - even better practice than most of the general public. It is not a competition by any means, but rather it is all about educating people and sharing things that work and are easy to implement into daily life. Then making those changes.

Here are some recent sites that I have come across that are inspiring me for change:

Daily Acts: How to Move the World Every Day

The Nature Conservancy. Protecting Nature, Preserving Life

The above Nature Conservancy link brought a new book to my attention that I think in this day and age is quite a great topic to read up on: Mark Tercek. Nature's Fortune. Not from the approach of how can we make money from nature, but rather, what does nature offer, that businesses can benefit from and support the conservation of nature and changing ways they do business that makes a positive impact on the environment.

Locally, you can reach out to your Land Grant University - through their Cooperative Extension to the Master Gardeners if you have questions about your home landscape (PS - I became a MG in 2011).

Marsha Neal Studio dry ceramic clay scraps - add water + mix = usable clay.

Here is a post I wrote up last year for Beads of Clay about Earth Day Every Day in the Ceramics Studio.

When you are trying to obtain best practices in your arts studio, you should always take into account factors of safety above all else!

Are there better materials available today for you use to obtain a certain look you are going for in your work?

How do you dispose of your materials?
Does your community support Hazardous Waste Disposal?

Do you recycle and re-use as much as you can?
Where do you send your scrap metal?
What do you do with your "seconds"?

Marsha Neal Studio Scrap Metal (Sterling, Gold Filled, Base Metal)

What do you do to make every day Earth Day in your studio, in your art, in your home, in your community?

Leave a comment or better yet, if you have a blog, write up a post, then add the links in the comments.

Little things that you do may be little changes someone else can make in their every day too.

Ideas are like little seeds in the garden.

Let's see if we can do a follow up series of post with highlights of ideas and topics you mention and pull together some resources that are useful to allow everyone reading this blog to have easy access so that they can make changes in their every day life (and to be able to check back and make sure they are keeping up with those changes).

Happy Earth Day!

Searching for a new studio

noreply@blogger.com (Stacie) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:55:00 +0000

My husband and I are in Fayetteville, Arkansas this week, trying to find a new home.

I am also trying to find some studio space to rent for a while, as I don't want to work in a small apartment until we find a house to purchase.

I have had outside studio's before, and love having a place away from home to work. I can decorate the space exactly how I wish, and I feel like I am able to concentrate more on my work than when I am working from my home.

How about you? What is your studio like? Do you have a dedicated space for your creative play or work time?

My brother and I will be collaborating on a written project as soon as I move to Fayetteville, and we were discussing the importance of having a physical space to do our work together that allows for a comfortable and open creative environment.

For me, when it comes to making jewelry, it means having space to put all of my creative materials where I can easily access them; and for metal work, I aim to have safety as my main priority.

Creating a safe and creatively nurturing space for myself, no matter what its purpose, helps me so much with the quality, as well as quantity, of work I am able to produce.

If I can find a good space to rent, I am also going to splurge on getting a real jeweler's bench. I have my eye on a few pre-made ones, as well as some fairly easy to build bench plans.

A girl needs her dreams!

I Wanna Do that AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (stacilouise) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

by Staci Smith

Ever make something in polymer or metal clay, that you wished you could make again? Well, I have, and I have found that two part molding compound is my friend.

I use it ALL the time. I make most of my own textures, stamps and molds and it is something that I do not live without.

Yesterday I tried my hand at it using a more three dimensional, and detailed item that I made. I thought I'd share how easy it is to make a mold of your beads so you can easily reproduce them.

Here is what I made free form, in polymer clay. (It's a lotus flower, not sure if you can tell or not). I baked it, and wanted a way to make more without so much time invested into it.

So I got out my two part molding compound- it is a silicone product.

Use a designated plastic spoon to scoop some out of each.

Make sure you have an even amount of each color.

Mix them together.............

until they look like this (some brands are yellow and will turn light yellow)

Next flatten it a little (not too much) and press it over your item. Try to make sure it covers all the parts, and in this case, because it was very 3-D, in all the crevices.

Then leave it sit. The package says it takes 5 minutes to set, but I think its still too soft at that point and find 20 minutes to work best.

Voila! You have a mold. This one got a bit messy, I had to clean it up a little byt trimming some extra silicone off.

To test my mold, I pressed some new polymer clay into it, and got this.........

I am pretty happy with it. I needed to use my needle tool and such to clean it up a bit, since the edges have excess clay, but it is still much quicker then starting from scratch!

I am going to try to use it in metal clay too.

So, remember- molding putty is your friend!

And saving time with the production, allows me more time to paint and create and make pieces like this with it.

I leave you with Peace Lotus, my newest design.

Textured Metal Wire Frame Pendant Form

noreply@blogger.com (Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

My friend Nikki Thornburg of Thornburg Bead Studio travels up and down the east coast US for bead shows. Whenever she is doing a show in close proximity to my house (Delaware) she stops up a day or two early and we have time to collaborate and work on some projects together.

She is making these really cool layered pendants for necklaces with her glass flower beads, and is layering my spiral textured discs with them.

And as you can see in the image above, the silver wire is textured.

Not only because it looks cool, but also to work harden the metal so it creates a supportive background for all of the pieces wire wrapped on there.

She first lays out a collection of beads and fiddles with the overall layout, knowing that as she works the metal, it will change slightly, and she goes with the flow...

She has this great hammer with texture on the head (seems like we all have some great textured hammers that carry our story with them, and that gets transferred into each piece).

And she works the metal in her lap, turning the wire as she goes.

Always thinking about overall form.

She then uses a combination of her handmade headpins, wire loops and the like to attach the flower beads to her frame structure. She does it in ways that holds the textured metal wire together and gives the frame a really great sturdy feel.

I really love have time to watch her work.

She has these and similar pieces on display (and for sale) at her shows, and is extremely happy and willing to chat about the way she puts these together to make sure that your efforts are successful.

And I'm very excited to be going out to the Bead and Button Show this June with her to sell my work in her booth. It's been years since I've been out there to sell...

So make sure to stop by if you are going - we'll be in booth #610, which is a new location for her booth in 2013.

Which I jokingly said - you know - if your booth is now closer to the front of the show, right behind the Kalmbach book and magazine booth, nearest to the show exit, we are so in a prime spot for people to quick run over and shop.

I know I would always cruise those booths and tables by the exit while waiting for friends to meet up.

And of course, I'm always inspired by watching Nikki work when she is here and it makes me want to break out of "bead making" mode and work on finished jewelry ideas.

Don't you think these pieces would look awesome on Brenda Schweder's necklace?

I cannot wait to get back and work more on those ideas...

I love to be inspired by learning how to work materials.

My goal is to make work that I picture in my head with materials I learn to use in the highest level of craftsmanship possible from my hands (which means getting through lots of failures, or rather, lots of learning steps...).

Where do you find your inspiration?

Gorgeous Giveaway.......

noreply@blogger.com (Artisan Beads Plus) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:29:00 +0000

In case you missed the giveaway that I put up a little late a couple of days ago, here is your chance to see it again.

Here's what you can win.....

Here is the link to the post where you can enter: GIVEAWAY

Good luck!

MaryAnn

artBLISS 2013 Registration is Open!

noreply@blogger.com (Stacie) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

I can't hardly believe it is already time for artBLISS 2013's registration this week!

I am very honored to have been asked back to Sterling, VA as a metalsmith instructor this year, and due to my big move coming up in a few weeks back home to Arkansas, this is the only venue I will be teaching at this year.

Last year, as some of you may remember, was my first year to teach others how to play with metal in a safe and openly creative way. I set the boundaries as far as safety and techniques went, but after that, the entire class went full monty into creating meaningful handmade jewelry for themselves.

It was such an incredible privilege to watch the dawning of recognition of one's own creative impulses to have an outlet via metal to be born. It was a pivot-able moment for me...it turned my head towards teaching and acting as a mid-wife to those that are ready to birth their own ideas about how to approach handmade jewelry.

This week, I have been helping an already established author of spiritually based books re-birth her own online presence by way of a website with her being in full control of the process. I don't give a whit what the subject is of a co-creative sharing venture...the rush I get from being present and witnessing someone gain the self confidence to try something new, without asking permission from anyone other then herself is the payoff for me. Creating a space where I can be totally present with someone else is something that I feel a calling for...like in the movie Avatar, I enjoy being in a position where "I SEE you" is front and center.

With that...I wanted to use my space this week here to share with you the two workshops I am facilitating this year at artBLISS.

Focusing on Posts is an all day workshop where the students get to expand their knowledge about how to make post earrings. I have had great success from a sales point of view on selling my post earrings in the shops that carry my jewelry as well as online. Women with large earring piercings don't want to emphasize the stretched out holes by wearing dangles. Having the skills to make good post earrings either for yourself or for others is a great tool to have in your creative toolbox.

For more info about this workshop, here's your link!

Thin Gauge Metal Workshop is an all day workshop where we will be exploring how layer and strengthen fold formed and textured 30 gauge metal.

The cool thing regarding this workshop is that it is an easy way to learn about fold forming based on the work of Charles Lewton Brain's experiments with a technique called Chasing Over Air. I fell in love with this last year, and have been working with different methods of incorporating it into my own work. You can make metal earrings that are huge but really lightweight...again, solving the problem of wearing uncomfortable, but stylish, larger earrings. These are so lightweight, but garner such attention when wearing them, that I felt compelled to share what I have learned tinkering with the effects in my own studio.

For more information about this workshop, here's your link!

I also want to mention that Cindy Wimmer is hosting an incredible giveaway if you are willing to share artBLISS's Registration Information with your own social circle...please go by and put your name in our hat...artBLISS is the creation of Cindy and Jeanette...two incredibly kind and supportive handmade advocates that work their butts off to bring the love of handmade jewelry to our nation's capital. If you have ever considered attending an art retreat, and you can get to Sterling, VA, please seriously consider attending this. It is so much more than learning new jewelry techniques...the connections and growth that occur there are phenomenal, and the creative energy that is abundant there will leak into other areas of your life.

It's all so good...

xo!
Stacie

A Beautiful Pendant Giveaway..... for you

noreply@blogger.com (Artisan Beads Plus) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:47:00 +0000

or you, or you.....

This gorgeous pendant was graciously donated by Carol Dean Sharpe. To win this all that you need to do is visit Carol's blog or shop. Follow her blog if you do not already and let us know that you did. If you stop by her shop, let us know what caught your eye.

For additional entries, please be creative. Share this on your blog, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. If you decide you will share it on Twitter, please try to tweet more than once or share on others Twitter accounts. You can enter up to 3 times.

Also..... please leave a contact. I will not be able to let you know if you have won without one! Thanks!!

Check back often to see if you have won. The winner will be posted on the side bar.

As always, thank-you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade,

MaryAnn

Metal Texture Reprise....

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:31:00 +0000

Thank you all so much for taking part in our Metal Texture Challenge for Art Jewelry Boot Camp!!! If you missed any of our posts and ideas, I thought today I'd share the posts all in one easy link for you to go back and see any you might have missed!

Also, the fun's not over yet! Over the next few weeks, we'll take a look at some of your designs and give you some more tips to keep the magic flowing in your studio! Don't forget, you can always add any new work or progress you've made to our Flickr group!

Metal Texture Challenge links

Barbara gives an overview of the challenge and some beginning tips: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/art-jewelry-boot-camp-textured-metal.html
Marsha gives texture insight from a ceramic perspective: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/texturing-ceramic-clay.html
Staci gives a tutorial on stamping with alphabet stamps to make texture: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/boot-camp-alpha-texture.html
Libby shares her sources for making textured beads and great tools: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/busy-busy.html
Kelli showing her ideas to destress using those hammers!: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/hammering-to-destress.html
Staci talks about metal gauges to hammer and texture: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-kind-of-metal-can-i-texture.html
Stacie Florer gives us a beautiful tutorial on texturing wire!: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/boot-camp-how-to-texturize-earring-wires.html
Barbara shows us how to make a bail from our hammered pieces: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/texturing-metalnow-what.html
Staci textures wire: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/textured-wire-sprial-donut-connector.html
Mary Ann gives us a wonderful more advanced technique: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/03/textured-earrings-tutorial.html
Mary Jane reminds us about our surface: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/04/texture-boot-camp.html
Kelli shows off her texturing finds: http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/04/finding-texture.html

Art Jewelry Boot Camp BLOG HOP: Textured Metal Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Welcome to our 2nd Art Jewelry Boot Camp Blog Hop of 2013! This challenge is all about textured metals by hand! We want to see what textures have stolen your heart and the lovely things you've been making!

Link up to the textures blog hop by adding your blog below: