January Artisan Clay Design Team Reveal!

Today is the day where the Artisan Clay Design team reveals what they have made with the mystery beads which I have sent them!

I can't wait to see what everyone has made.  I sent each designer a different kind of bead, so we should be treated to some very different styles of jewelry.

I took the day off from work today to have an Artisan Clay/Mental Health day and I am really excited about that.... The kids are headed to school in an hour and then I get to be alone.... well not entirely alone, because I live with other people, but more alone than I've been in a long time.

The big plan is
1) kids to school
2) find the sun on this rainy day and get my design team projects photographed and posted.
3) pick up my jewelry and pottery from a store that will no longer be selling it
4) go to a wholesale button appointment
5) find a better shop to sell my jewelry while still visiting the same town

So---- I will blog again once I get good photos of my project, but for the meantime, please visit the design team's blogs and see what they have created.

----UPDATE time--
I looked everywhere for my tripod and I have decided myself an expert tidy-upper... because it is so tucked away in such a perfect spot that it has made itself invisible to me.

So-- here is what I made this month.

It's not a new design for me, but it is new work and I really needed to break back in with some production type making time.... and I have been itching to get out and contact new stores to carry my work and this is what I want someone to carry. 

These necklaces are so fun to wear and I have made quite a few for friends/customers in the past few years.... and they have been loved, really really loved.  It is just a really simple natural style that suits my breezy spirit and seems to suit quite a few other natural breezy spirits too.

Now I'm off into the world-- new necklaces and buttons in hand and adventuring into the shopping district.  Wish me luck!

Don't forget to check out everyone in the design team's blogs.

This month Staci is auctioning off her necklace to help out a friend who is going through a tough time.  SO!  Check it out!

Thanks for coming!

July Artisan Clay Design Team Reveal!

Check out the beads that the design team had to work with this month!

Recycled Glass fused Donuts-- The ones available made to order in standard sizing and colors to be exact.

Everyone picked one piece from this photo.

Except me that is.... for some reason I was dead set on green this month.

Could it get more simple?  Really? 
I had my mind set on furthering my ideas from last month and weaving another collar inspired by the ribbon of seaweed I saw on the beach in Oregon, but--- I couldn't do it.  It was just too much. Too much color, too much action, too hard to wear.   Life for me these days has been so complicated and difficult to figure out and I just long for simplicity.  If only life were more simple.... If only there was a clear yes or no....and people-- the wild card.   So~~ this is what you get, simpler than simple, easy to wear and no competition for the bead. 

When I decided on donuts, one of the design team members mentioned not using donuts in her work before.  They can be kind of tricky to work into a design, but some people seem to be able to find endless ways to do it.  I decided to go through my old photos and show examples of my use of donuts in the past.

I like to chain them up.

This one has a wire loop fired into the clay itself making it easy to string as you would a pendant.

This one also has a wire loop and I made it into a Christmas ornament.

Here I have used one of my cast donut bails in Bronze....

And this piece was chained up like the first few examples.

This last piece was made by Design team member, Carol Dean Sharpe, Sandfibers.  She is dealing with health issues this month and was unable to blog for this month's reveal. 

Carol made this piece for me to show at last year's Bead Fest Philly.  Carol has been so kind to make gorgeous display pieces for every one of my Bead show booths.  Carol has such skilled hands and a magic way with color and I am so lucky to have an Artisan Clay fan in her.  She is an awesome friend too!

So... are you ready to see what the team has made?

Have you made something with an Artisan Clay bead?-- then add your link below!

I made some new jewelry for a show this weekend.  Some of it has been added to the etsy shop, but most jewelry will be leaving my etsy shop for a long weekend so that it can go to the show.

The Buy one get one half off sale is still going strong.

Fresh out of the kiln

I opened the kiln this morning.

I made a lot of Dot Cabochons.

And these larger Cabochons with the painted rim.

I really like that yummy bleed of color along the edge.  :-)

And check these out!   They are a collaboration between myself and Marla James.....  They are made from the bisque from her Bisque bead supply website.  You have seen her bisque work used by quite a few ceramic artists, but maybe you didn't know it.  :-)

I really like these bright clean colors.  I do love making this style of bead.

And I made some pottery!  I should have spread them out to take photos.  There are tumblers, and serving bowls and one "perfect" soup bowl.  I am going to be taking these pieces to the Accessories Boutique in Bethlehem (next to the Hotel Bethlehem-Moravian Book Store area )  But I felt bad sending them off so soon, so I decided to have a sidewalk sale and let my Facebook friends know about it.  :-)

Sidewalk sales are my kids' FAVORITE thing to do!  As soon as I said it, the kids grabbed their handy work and set up shop with me.  I sat on the porch and the kids sat out by the sidewalk.  Lydia sold 2 butterfly necklaces and Sonya sold 2 of her beads.  :-) 
Then they spent it all at the grocery store.... Belgian Waffles and ice cream for dessert tonight! 

I filled the kiln up again as soon as I emptied it.  I am kicking myself for it.  It's 8pm and I am going to be awake tending it for a while....... But tomorrow morning, when I get to see all my new pottery..... It will be great!

What's new?

Aqua and Black

I added these 2 pendants to the etsy shop this week.

Aqua Black Cobalt and Teal

I also added some earrings which I LOVE!  I will share those pictures in a few... 

Firing the kiln today and Making MAKING making.  I even have pottery in there! 

I need to make a plan.  A shop needs new jewelry, I want to do another bead trunk show, I have a jewelry show coming up, and I want to sell alot on etsy this season.  I need to make a plan!

Is there anything you would like to see in my etsy shop? 

Staci Does it again!

Look at this awesome necklace by Staci Smith of Staci Louise Originals!  This piece has one of my Donut pendants front and center.  I just LOVE IT!

Staci also used one of my beads in this eye catcher.  The big yellow bulls eye bead is made by Lisa Peters. The little brown bead on the right of the picture is one of my "Stone Age beads"

Like these--http://www.etsy.com/listing/40476105/stone-age-stoneware-clay-bead-set-in

Staci made these pieces to get ready for a show this weekend.

Giveaway #2

 Leave a comment below for a chance to win this three loop art bead :-)

Here is the link back to the BOC participants page--

http://beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/2010/10/boc-ceramic-artists-open-studio-event.html

Into the Studio!

                         
                                                

The Grape-vined Kiln shed
Oh boy! I think this is where I out myself as a really big creative hoarder!
This place is a mess.

Here are some shots of inside the shed.  Shelves and Bisque and bits of glass.

And this is my bead storage area inside the main house.  So many drawers!  So many beads!

And this pile is the Sisterhood of the Traveling beads box.  I don't know how I am going to fit that all into the box.....  But I am going to try my best!

Around my desk I have all these little "project bowls"  little ideas I want to remember, beads I want to use together.... bead I made in similar styles, necklaces to finish for the next time I restock a shop... It's a mess!  Too many ideas, Too little time!

This is the center of my desk.  It's the actual space for current projects.  This is the place where I can see things and let them simmer into finished ideas.  Today current means within the last month-- I can hardly beleive it!  Life is full and life is fun!

 Lets start at the center of this mess and go counter clockwise.  This week I got my first beads from Kelleysbeads.  They are black and turquoise spotted.  I think they might work really well with the charm sets I have decided to keep for myself.  They have only been there for a day or so.

Also in the center are some Humblebeads~~ they are the same turquoise color as my charms as well.

Next we have a nice bag of beads from Bisque Bead Supply.  They have been here almost 2 weeks.  I thought I was going to be able to fire them up this weekend.... Doesn't look like it's going to happen.  Because I want to fire some pots at the same time and they are not yet ready.  Maybe next week :-)

Next we have a beautiful pair of earrings that my 5 year old daughter Sonya made for me.  I just love when she says " Ah ha! Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, I have an IDEA!"    and if you ask her.... I never share enough of my beads.  And if you ask me, I don't know another 5 year old with a collection nearly as big as hers.

Then we have some other bead I have saved for projects and two unfinished link bead bracelets.   The link bracelets were something I was working on for a magazine deadline but nixed when my family needed my attention.
and all along the bottom I have the Fancy Donuts that I received as part of the Rings andThings Blog partner program.  Some will probably go for a giveaway and some will be made into jewelry that I will share here on the blog.  I think they have sat there for a week :-)

So that's my mess!  Are any of you like me?  I'm feeling embarrassed.  "Open studios" might not be for messy ladies like me.

The next giveaway is at 4pm.... as long as I scheduled my posts correctly :-)

Here is the link back to the BOC participants page--
http://beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/2010/10/boc-ceramic-artists-open-studio-event.html

Sisterhood of the Traveling beads--- My gives, Round 2- The beads I make

I was able to take some quick photos early this morning as the sun was still coming up.

These are the bead I have gathered to give to the Traveling Bead Box.

These are all beads I have made, some experiments, orphans, some things I made over 5 years ago.

I could have really piled so many more beads in this pile.  It is a shame the way I pack things away and forget about them. They really deserve to be used!

I still haven't decided what I will be taking from the bead box, but Katie Nelson added so many fresh goodies that I am sure in for a treat.  In the event that I cannot fit all these lovelies in the box and in my international goodie bag, I will be adding them to the Best Little Bead Box Project to benefit the Beads-of-Courage organization late in the year.

SO!!!  Get your entry in to win the next turn at the Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads Bead Box! 

I will be picking the winners tomorrow!  

New Work

I added new work to my Etsy Shop last week. 

I also added these bead sets to my shop as part of a DESTASH SALE.  The prices listed are a steal!
Check it out.

Sisterhood of the Traveling beads--My gives, Round 1

I went through my supply drawers last night and found several things to add to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads box.   Here is a dozen plus strands of stones.  I have many wood beads to add as well.

I found a ton of necklace cords and hair findings from my days doing a zillion art shows every year.  I really love these hair findings.  It took a while to find ones that were made well.....  and then I bought hundreds, because I sold so many pieces every year.   Now that I only do a few select shows, I do not need to keep so many.

 I also found a bag of ID badge holders/ badge reels--- There was a few years when it seemed that my entire family was graduating nursing school.  I made them each a pretty badge holder with one of my clay and glass cabochons and beaded necklaces for them.

I still have not gone through the dozens of trays of my own handmade beads...,  which will happen soon, but I am afraid that I will have to take A LOT from the box in order to fit all the things I want to add.  If it does not all fit I will need to save some things for the Best Little Bead Box Project

If you would like to have the Big Bead Box next, Please enter to win it on this past blog post titled GIVEAWAY.  The box is open to US residents only, but I will be giving a grab bag of my own Artisan Clay beads to one international winner so please enter anyway and let me know you are not in the US in your comment  :-)

Free Beading Pattern with an Artisan Clay Donut on About.com!

Look at this great Beading pattern that Jennifer Vanbenschoten published today for About.com!
That's one of my Donuts!   Whoot!  ~~We might be famous~~  ;-)

Are you a bead weaver????  Go check it out!  -- Peyote Stitch Bail Free Beading Pattern

Jen used some of my favorite colors to complete her project!   FYI-- That is one of my Large sized donuts.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads Giveaway!

This is the post folks! This is the place where you can leave a comment and be entered for a chance to be the next person to win a turn with the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads"==== FYI~~~We're equal opportunity around here and brotherhood is ALWAYS welcome!

Here's the nitty gritty!
I'm going to be following Heather's lead and use the same rules.....So one international winner will be chosen from the entries placed from outside of the United States to win an Artisan Clay Grab Bag.... and sharing this blog post will get you an extra chance to win.

So here's the text from Heather's original blog post laying down the rules---

This is a box full of goodies from my studio purge.



One woman's tossed out beads is another woman's treasures!


The giveaway: The entire box of goodies, over $200 worth of beads.

 The stipulations: You'll pay for shipping: $15 for flat rate priority mail.

The rules: You'll take what you want from the box, add in items from your own bead stash to replace the items you took and do the same giveaway on your blog. We'll keep the beads traveling for as long as we can.

To enter: Leave a comment, include your email.


Bonus: Blog, facebook or twitter about it to enter twice. Leave another comment letting me know you helped spread the word.

Deadline: March 26 at 12pm (Central time) 
I WILL CHOOSE A WINNER ON FRIDAY THE 22ND----That way the box is leaving my studio in time for the two week deadline

International bloggers: I'm sorry, but due to shipping only those in the U.S. can play along. But I'm suddenly feeling really bad for my non-U.S. blog readers. If you are outside the states leave a comment and I'll also draw one international winner for a bead grab bag from my Etsy shop.
So for my portion of the Bead Box, one Grab bag of Artisan Clay Beads will be awarded to an international entry (please let me know you are outside of the US in your comments)

I will be blogging more about the contents and the items I am adding to the box soon, but this is the only blog post where the winners will be chosen.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads Giveaway........

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!

Come on......   Take a guess what I'm about to say.......

...........

Did you guess it yet?
yeah?
I WON!  I AM THE NEXT STOP FOR THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING BEADS!!!!!!

Can you believe it?  I can't!  Have you been following this box's journey?  I have just been catching up on where it's been...  what's inside..... OH MY GOSH!

Have you been reading all the good news on my blog lately?  I feel like the Beady world is smiling at me with a big toothy grin and I'm smiling back and waving like crazy!   Hi There!!!!   ~waves~  :-)  
Thank you for being a friend!

I have still only seen the contents via the photos that other winners have taken.  It's not in my hands yet, but I have been warned that I need to take a good deal of loot from it~~~  Because it is nearly impossible to close!  and it's coming to me in two packages!

So, I just wanted to acknowledge winning the box and let you know that soon.... I don't know when...maybe Sunday.. maybe Monday.. (maybe later than that since I have to go away to a training next weekend).. I will be holding the giveaway to see who will have a turn with the box next.

I won the box from Katie Nelson and if you want, you can read the rules here, on the Humblebeads Blog

What's new?

I added some new work to my etsy shop this weekend.....

Teal and White charm set

I also had my etsy 500th sale!  That's pretty cool.

I feel like I haven't been adding very much new work to the shop since the beginning of the summer, but I hope to be better about that now that the holiday season is near.

Black and White Charm set

I am starting to blog for the Beads-of-Clay blog again this week.

I have been given a big box of beads donated by Beads-of-Clay members and I will be in charge of giving them away randomly and via our 2nd Wednesday giveaways. 

 (Psst,...... I just might do that on some Mondays, and Fridays)

Mostly I'll ask a question and ask readers to answer it via a comment on the blog. This week's question is on E-mail.  As in, I am buried in E-mails and I am often not very quick to answer them.  :-) 

But I want to... and they are important.....

Black and Red charm set

Today I was taking photos of a nice pile of beads/pendants etc for the Art Bead Scene Blog.  I will be a sponsor of the next Monthly challenge :-)

I don't know what the inspirational artwork is for the month, so I had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to give.

Turquoise and Black Charm Set

****This post has been modified due to special secret announcement stuff which I had not realized****
;-)

Lagoon/Turquoise Bulls Eye Pendant

Today I drove up to a shop what sells my work to bring some new stuff and um, hm, ut oh! 

 It was closed!

  I totally forgot that the owner had a big 3 day festival over the weekend and likely needed the day off ;-) 

Monday is my day for these things so either I will have to mail in the new work or wait another week. 

Bronze Black Cresent

So that's what's going on today.....

Are you getting ready for shows?  Did you have one last weekend? 

Did you make anything new lately?