Saturday, August 25, 2007

Lost my mind


If any of you have read my blog before, you know I have a shop on Etsy that I sell my surplus supplies on. I will admit, I lack patience. That and I'm tired of seeing all of these lonely beads! So I've started re-pricing them all for two dollars or under. Yes, you read right. I'm letting things go at a STEAL because I want to see someone else use them since I can't.
I have 78 different items or sets of items at $2, on Etsy!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

On The Topic Of Accessories - For Your Phone

One of the things that I will always take with me to shows is my large assortment of cell phone charms. These little dangles are absolutely wonderful for showing a bit of personality on your phone. Many phones have places to attach them, in fact I think all of the newer lines do now! I have a Motorola RAZR and my phone charm changes often. Currently I have a few Swarovski crystals hanging off of it. Just a bit of sparkle! These little buggers are easily personalized and altered to fit the owner, often I'll add charms, dangles or change the colors on one for the buyer. I think that they are just tons of fun!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Into the Great Unknown!

About two days ago I started on a project to teach myself peyote stitch. Now, once I got started it was easier than I thought it would be! I'm almost done with my base, then I'll get to play with additions. I'm making a paperweight. Sounds funny, hmm? I found the idea in a old edition of Bead and Button that I had from years back. I'll have to get photos to post!
Peyote is a rather interesting stitch. I really want to learn to do free form, but I want to make sure I have the regular stitch down! I see so many beautiful things done with peyote...

Friday, August 17, 2007

Shocked



You never realize how many things you collect as an artist and designer until you being to go through your "stash". I've been doing such reciently and let me tell you, it's scary! I've found so many beads that I'd forgotten about even. So I decided, I plan on working with newer materials soon, and I don't want these to go to waste as I'm sure they will if I don't use them right away. What that means? Why, de-stash them on etsy! So that's what I've started doing. Looking back, I should have started a shop only for de-stashing but I suppose that hindsight is always 20/20. Perhaps I'll do that after I sell everything that is currently in the shop. If you're interested, here is my etsy shop. Lots and lots of beads and findings for sale!

I've also banned myself from the studio until I get all of the photos I've taken edited and resized so I can update both etsy and my website. It's a pain, because my light box is home made and we reciently found out that it is not white, it's off white and has a yellow tint! It's very frustrating to me because we found this out after I took photos of all of my inventory. I do mean all. Oh well, photoshop takes care of the problem. It just takes a bit longer, a bit of color correction and the exposure tool. I sometimes wonder if I should swear by the exposure tool! It brightens the whole photo, so if you lack enough light it definitely helps create good photos.

(I edited the photo to the upper right with exposure in photoshop. Items pictured can be found on my website)

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Rut

I'm kind of in a rut today. I know that I *want* to bead. I sit here and look at my beads.... and I just stare. I continue to sit and nothing comes to mind. For any of you that have experienced this, you know how frustrating it is and can be.
I have my music going, all of my pretties are out and calling to me- am I still inspired even though I can't seem to do anything? That is always the question that plagues me. I should push through it, force myself to make something, anything. I never do.
So I decided to take a few photos of pieces that I've made, and I think that I'll try to force myself to edit them so I can put them on the site. Ah yes, the most boring part of making jewelry!

I leave you with some of my etsy favorites:


Etsy
Buy Handmade
silverfaeriedesigns


Enjoy!

Monday, August 13, 2007

On the road of updating

I've taken a break from updating my site to bring you a few photos. These are pieces that I uploaded to the site tonight, I have so many more to do but I refuse to think about it. Bits at a time, I say.

The first piece is one of my favorites. I used heart shaped rose quartz beads as well as freshwater pearls and a stunning blister pearl pendant. You can't see it, but in between some of the pearls are tiny bright Bali daisy spacers.

Let's see, what else? Here's a pair of earrings that I made a while ago, using candy jade, unikite and Bali silver. I'm very fond of these as well.

I got to play with more lampwork beads today. They are quickly becoming my favorite things to buy! I love all of the colors and designs though! I purchased a number of beads from Chloescreations on etsy and I have nothing but praise for the beauty and design of her work! If you're looking for lampwork, I definitely suggest looking at her etsy shop.

Speaking of Etsy. The EtsyBEAD theme of the week is: Keeping it Cool. I'm excited to see what everyone is working up! Make sure to go search etsy for 'ebtw' and see what they've cooked up!

A Day In The Life

Rather the odd title for a blog entry, but I figure that it's fitting. I had a very late night last night and 9am came far too early for me. I was hoping to sleep in! I had my morning sit on our back deck and traveled down to the basement to sit amongst all of my shiny objects. I fill my studio with beads, baubles and anything that catches my attention. It's actually a wonderful thing and it keeps me inspired. At any given moment my table is littered with beads, half completed projects and bits to inspire. I have this stunning quartz crystal that sits to my left, near where I photograph my pieces. To my right is where I plan on hanging the brass door knocker that was my Grandfather's. It's a fox. I keep telling myself that I really should clean said area, I have so much stuff out that I have hardly any space to work! Ah- the mind of a artist. That's what I tell my friends. If it's put away, how can I possibly find it?
Last night I almost finished two more bracelets, with mahogany obsidian and smokey quartz. I tossed some Swarovski in too- Light Topaz to be exact. I've had approval comments on them so far. Yay! I'm not a big fan of brown, it doesn't look too good on my very fair complexion. So I need other opinions on my pieces that are brown, it's a nice ego boost on days that I'm feeling down!

First Post

Here I am on Blogger. What a wonderful thing it is. I've busied myself tonight with creating a blog and three new pieces, never mind that I haven't updated the over 200 pieces that need to go onto my website. The newest pieces include amethyst, lampwork beads by the lovely SueBeads . I love the beads that I got from her to use and have used 5 tonight. I'm very tempted to keep the bracelet for myself, it has lampwork paired with Swarovski crystal and onyx beads. So scrumptious!
I'm also still in the middle of selling off my surplus of supplies and beads that I no longer have use for. You can find them over at my etsy shop. I hate to part with them, but I'd rather see them go to someone that will use them as opposed to hoarding them for my possible future use. Your gain! So if you're looking for some more beads, head on over there and take a look!