Anticipation

by Kelli Pope

" The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings." Dave Weinbaum

As the year comes to a close, I usually find myself looking forward to some "down time". Months of art shows, private showings, and making jewelry during the Fall and over Christmas usually leaves me longing for time out of the studio. While things will be less hectic, I am anticipating new projects in the new year. Early this year, with the very gracious help of Mary Ann Carroll, and some private lessons with a local potter, I made some of my own ceramic beads. It was SO much fun. I was lucky enough to be at the potter's when they opened the kiln after firing the last of my beads. It's like that feeling of seeing all the gifts under the tree on Christmas morning when you're a child. WOW!!!! It was SO cool!!!

I knew I was hooked, and would have to create more. And I knew I could do better. These are my first runs.

"All glory comes from daring to begin." Eugene F. Ware

I've said all year, my goal was to purchase a kiln, and start that new adventure. Unfortunately, as often happens, life got in the way, and I did not get my kiln. But I anticipate it will be a purchase in 2011. Until that happens, I have a WONDERFUL friend who has agreed to fire my beads for me. So instead of "down time" this winter, I'll be making beads, and will finally, finally, finally get to play with some of the beautiful patinas I purchased from Shannon LeVart. Can't WAIT to see the creations, that now, I can only imagine.

" Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." Maya Angelou

May you all have a very successful 2011.

A Forever Message...

by MaryAnn Carroll

With the year ending and a new one beginning, I want to thank everyone who has followed our blog, participated in both our giveaways and our Call-to-Create challenges.  One of our members, Mary Jane Dodd so often shares a part of herself and her wisdom with others.  In 2010 many of her pieces were created with a message that the owner will wear and share with others each time they put it on.  For the new year, here is a compilation of messages that might touch you as we approach 2011.

Happy New Year...

Torch-Fired Enamel Beads with Murrini

by Barbara Lewis

Hi all, I'm getting ready for To Bead True Blue and the Tucson Bead Show by torch-firing some enamel beads with murrini.  I am loving the way these beads are coming out.  These 16mm beads are incredibly lightweight because they are hollow.

The green speckling is a result of overfiring in certain areas.  Copper oxides bubble up and break through the surface of the white enamel. The darker areas of the bead are where the oxygen has been reduced during the firing process.  The pink dots are created with a stringer of glass.

More green speckling and smoky hazes on white enamel created by flame adjustments. 

If you're planning on being in Tucson during this big bead event that attracts customers from around the world, please stop in and say "Hello."  I'll be at the Doubletree Reid Park from January 30 through February 8.  I'll also be teaching workshops on how to create your own torch-fired enamel beads and pendants.  More details are available at my website: www.paintingwithfireartwear.com.  You can also register for a workshop there, too!  

Book Review: The Jewelry Architect, by Kate McKinnon

by Patty Lakinsmith

I buy very few jewelry making books, and was delighted to receive Kate McKinnon's new book, The Jewelry Architect: techniques + projects for mixed-media jewelry, for Christmas. While I haven't yet viewed the DVD she included, I have been through all 143 pages and found it very inspiring. Possibly inspiring enough that I might actually attempt some of the sewn beadwork projects.

I first met Kate about 5 years ago, when she lived and worked in nearby Pacific Grove. I had stumbled across her excellent blog and saw that she was having an open studio (a rare event, I gathered, given the stern warnings on her website about drop-in visits), so a friend and I made the hour long drive. From the moment I met her she was free with her knowledge, and even helped me to solve a crimping problem I was having that very visit. It was enough to encourage me to sign up for her PMC class, which taught me how to make my own handmade fine silver clasps and more. Her previous books on Structural Metal Clay are valued residents of my bookshelf.

Kate's Ouroboros bracelet features a handmade fine silver (PMC) clasp, lampwork glass
beads (or felt, as you choose), and delightful sewn beadwork.

This book is a delectable smorgasbord of color, material, and technique, which not only enticed me to try some of the projects but to dream up new ones on my own. She offers basic skills in beadwork, metal clay, and stringing that you can incorporate into your own work no matter what style you embrace, and she teaches you how to build it so it will last a lifetime. I value books that can give me a foundation in some area that I may build upon later with my own experimentation.

If you're keen to learn ways to create your own handmade components that will enable you to build lasting, functional, beautiful pieces of jewelry, I highly recommend this book. I follow Kate's blog regularly and own most of her books, and found plenty of fresh inspiration and information in this one.

Kate's book is available at your local bead or book store, or you can get it from Amazon.com.

And the Winner is....

Jen Crossley....

You've won these ceramic and copper earrings.  Please click HERE to send MaryAnn your address.

Congrats!

And our Designer of the week is:

Erin Prais-Hintz

Shop Link:  Tesori Trovati

Illuminated Treasure - Gail

Illuminated manuscript bead from Humblebeads
faceted iolite
cream keishi pearls
sterling silver
swarovski crystals

Created for my mom, Gail for Christmas. Shhh! Don't tell!

There are 4 more days left to get your entries in for a chance to win some fab beads and components as well as a month with a page on our website as well as on our blog.

Thanks to all of the participants!!!

Who woulda' thunk?

...that there are so many different kinds of clay, so many different kinds of glazes and so many different ways to mold them....  that's what makes ceramic beads so much fun to make!  I thought I would share just a little bit about some of the different clays that I am currently using.

This is the clay that I use most often.  It is a mid-fire porcelain.  The white beads on the left have been bisque fired.  Bisque firing is done after the bead that was formed has been thoroughly dried.  They are fired in the kiln to approx. 1850 degrees preparing them for a glaze firing (2200 degrees).  The glaze that you see on the right is called shino.  It's a popular color and one that works well when combined with other colors.

This next picture is of the same style of beads, but I've used a stoneware clay.  This stoneware clay is actually a higher fire clay (2400 degrees) mixed with a local clay that surfaced after a landslide (Tully, NY) in 1993.  Although there were no deaths caused by this, there was a significant amount of destruction to the structures located in the area.  My husband Bill (Split Fire Pottery) introduced himself to the people who currently live in the area and got permission to dig.  He brought home chunks of clay, dried it, sifted out all of the stone, foliage and anything else that would make this clay difficult to work with.  I feel fortunate to have a husband that shares an interest the same as mine and to have these types of opportunities, since I really can't see myself being quite that adventurous on my own.  You can read more about Bill's work by clicking HERE to be taken to his blog.

I have used the exact same glaze on these beads, but the results are quite different.  Glaze outcomes vary depending on the clay body that they are applied to.

Finally, I have these chocolate brown beads.  I actually fired these on the 23rd (December) after testing out how high I could take them in the kiln two prior times.  The first experience was a bisque firing that was successful (1850 degrees).  They really didn't look like they were any more effected by that firing than my porcelain so I took a small group, glazed them and strategically placed them in my kiln during the glaze firing (2200 degrees).  That didn't work out!  Fortunately, I had planned for failure (just in case) which was a good thing since they melted right off of the bead wire.

I then tried a large group of them alone and watched them from 2000 degrees on.  When they were still hanging on the wire at 2150 degrees I decided to shut the kiln off.  That was perfect!  They are completely vitrified (glass stage) and came out a beautiful chocolate brown.  What's even more cool to me is that it is the pure Tully clay without any added stoneware!  I used them in some last minute jewelry gifts which is also very cool to the receivers who are from the area.

These beads are clay only.  They have not been glazed.

Below is a picture of what the clay looked like when Bill brought some home. 

As you can see, it was a process that get them to the beads that you see above.

This is the area from the landslide.  Bill blogged about it during the digging stage.  You can read about that by clicking HERE.

Making ceramic beads may look like it is a very involved process, but it is really easy and enjoyable.
  You can actually BUY the clay ;o) too....you don't have to dig it up yourself!!

  I started out with a little test kiln because I wanted to make beads for my own jewelry designs and I really didn't have a plan to sell the beads.  Once I got into it, however, it became as addicting as my bead buying was prior to this.  I started out for less that $500 and I was on my way to making creations that I had only been able to admire online.  So, if you have thought about attempting something new in 2011, why not explore ceramics? 

The Holidays...

by MaryAnn Carroll

For some of us it's happy...

For some of us not so much so...

For some of us it's stressful...

For some of us it's having a ball...

For those of us from Love My Art Jewelry...

We will be off for a bit....

Hope to hear from you...

When we return on the 26th!

Please remember to participate in our giveaways and our Call-to-Create.

~Here are to most recent posts~

Links to the actual posts can be found on the side of the blog.

LMAJ Giveaway

This week's giveaway is this little earthy pair of earrings using my handmade ceramic beads.  I've patina-ted the copper to give these more of a rustic, casual look.  They are very light weight and will match nicely with many different outfits...  The glaze on the beads is a definite favorite for many :O)

So, what do you need to do to win these?  Simple...

*Leave a comment letting us know what kinds of things you like to be involved in with blogs.  For example, do you like competitions, bead exhanges, round robins, etc.?"  

 Simply put, "What is your favorite blog activity?"

*For a 2nd chance, leave a post on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc. and come back and leave a 2nd post here letting us know where you did that.*

That's all there is to it!  The drawing for these earrings will take place on December 27th so make sure that we will be able to get hold of you if you are the winner!

Call-to-Create



December Color Palette



This rich color palette for December has something for everybody .... some icy blue-grays, a bright red, a vibrant yellow ... and some softer pastel colors perfect for winter.  Remember, the motto of Love My Art Jewelry is making handmade with handmade ... which shouldn't be too hard since we have so many talented artists out there! :-)  And, guess what, we have two prizes this month!  And, there's no limit on the number of times you can enter!

We're happy to have Laura Guenther of Blue Antiquities as a sponsor of the December Call to Create.  Laura has donated one of her gorgeous mixed media gift boxes ... who cares what's inside ... give me the box! "Cirque Chicago" is a petite gift box ... perfect for earrings.  The vintage iron key is torch-fired in Orchid enamel and measures 2.5".  This is a real beauty from a super talented young lady!

Our own, Mary Ann Carroll, has donated some of her awesome ceramic beads.  Who couldn't use a batch of these one-of-a-kind beauties.  Having worked in clay for over 20 years, I can guarantee you that every ceramic bead is a one of a kind ... even when you're trying to make a matched set! LOL  Love these beads ... and the only way you can get these is to enter the Call to Create!

Have fun!  I can't wait to see what you all create ... the November pieces were over the top ... some really lovely, top-notch pieces!  Bravo!

Holidays Traditions ...

by Barbara Lewis

Some of us have what you might consider traditional "traditions" ... others are more unconventional. However, wherever you fall in the spectrum, a tradition is something to be cherished.  Traditions are what binds families together.  In times of uncertainty, traditions provide comfort.  They take on a meaning that transcends another's understanding of the event.

Besides giving thanks to Christ at mass either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning, we have three Christmas traditions ...  The first is our love of the California Raisins Christmas music.  We have been groovin' to the California Raisins since, I'm guessing here, but I'd have to say 1992.  In 2002, we realized we couldn't find our cassette tape.  It was a sad day, until an Ebay seller came to the rescue. In two days, we were again happily singing to our favorite Christmas music.  We're still enjoying this music with our kids, who are now 25 and 26 ... and they have shared this tradition with their friends, who look at us like, "Huh?"

Our second Christmas tradition is our love of the movie, The Long Kiss Goodnight, with Geena Davis.  I know some people love, "It's a Wonderful Life," but our differences are what makes the world go 'round.

The final Lewis Family Tradition is a Christmas morning breakfast of Lox, Cream Cheese, and Bagels ... with sliced tomato and lots of pepper.  Yum!

Whatever your tradition, my wish is that you enjoy them fully in the love and grace of the meaning of Christmas!  Ho, Ho, Ho!

Gift Packaging: Little Touches = Big Magic

by Patty Lakinsmith

After being inspired by Erin's post on Art Bead Scene, I decided to give my Etsy packaging a mini-makeover for the holidays.

My normal packaging is pretty basic by design. Most of my choices are driven by the desire to be conscious of the environment, and to make sure the product arrives safely. From the inside out, I wrap the bead or jewelry in some kind of cushioning material (bubble wrap or a paper alternative - still working on that one), then a kraft paper gift box tied with a pink curling ribbon and wrapped in more cushioning, and inserted in a kraft envelope.

I don't have a logo or stickers yet, or any other fancy printed material, so I decided to go to the local craft store and make my own. I got some red card stock, a great die cutter that cuts paper in the shape of little gift tags, some clear rubber stamps, and some nice sparkly ribbon. I already had a stamp pad with gold ink.

Here's my end result:

Kind of simple, but definitely better dressed for the holidays, don't you think? I'm still wrapping this in bubble wrap and using the kraft envelope, but at least the interior part will be more attractive. I hope that my customers will like it.

Happy Solstice, everyone. It's only getting brighter from here on out.

LMAJ MONDAY GIVEAWAY

This week's giveaway is this little earthy pair of earrings using my handmade ceramic beads.  I've patina-ted the copper to give these more of a rustic, casual look.  They are very light weight and will match nicely with many different outfits...  The glaze on the beads is a definite favorite for many :O)

So, what do you need to do to win these?  Simple...

*Leave a comment letting us know what kinds of things you like to be involved in with blogs.  For example, do you like competitions, bead exhanges, round robins, etc.?"  

 Simply put, "What is your favorite blog activity?"

*For a 2nd chance, leave a post on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc. and come back and leave a 2nd post here letting us know where you did that.*

That's all there is to it!  The drawing for these earrings will take place on December 27th so make sure that we will be able to get hold of you if you are the winner!

Mush...

Whaaaaaaat?  Well, just wanted to share a little something that I made as a custom request.  These little animal requests actually started with my Etsy friend Kristy from BeadyKeekJewelry about a year and a half ago.  She asked if I could make a round tubular pendant with ears giving the sense of a cat.  I did and I ended up giving them a little more shape.  Here is how they turned out.

This led to more requests....which then led to the reason this post is titled, "Mush!"

 My first contact with Bonnie was when she asked that I make something similiar to the cat pendants.  I'm always (almost) up to a challenge and created these 3 huskies which Bonnie had made into necklaces.  Sometimes it is very difficult to do a custom order due to the fact that what the buyer's vision may be stands the risk of being very different than what the artist envisions.  I try to make sure that we are at least in the same neighborhood and also make it clear that we are dealing with clay, glaze and firing to 2200 degrees.  Once these pieces enter the kiln, I have no more control.  With experience, the artist has a somewhat better idea of how everything will turn out, but that final say is not theirs.

Here's my friend Bonnie. 

Not so surprising that she might request these...

And then this year, a new challenge came along....  She wanted ornament sets to give to her friends for Christmas.  She sent me a picture of some polar bear ornaments that she had found online.  I found pictures of huskys online, printed them and from there Bill carved each of these sets.  I then took on the glazing and firing.  I had to hang them strategically from my bead trees so that the weight would not cause the bead wire to sag. Another common worry for ceramic bead artists is the glaze running and firing the bead/pendant right onto the wire.   In this case, I was careful not to apply the glaze too heavily over the holes and  I used one wire to hang each one and two more wires as support.  I was thrilled when I opened the kiln and saw all of these little Momma dogs with all of their matching puppies still hanging and ready to be lifted from the kiln.  They went out yesterday and if she can get them open with the pounds of bubble wrap that they lay snug in....they should make her friends very happy this Christmas. 

My favorites are the gray ones, Bonnie likes the black. 

from the depths of your experience

mary jane dodd

life is bitter sweet - a beautiful struggle... and it seems to be intensified by the holidays... i have been musing upon this, needing to put my hands on these words to fully embrace both sides... cutting antique paper that has been touched by others... finding the balance... 


it is our humanity that is universal - we share these things... one year may be filled with more of one than the other, but it evens out over time... for one, for all... 


so if it is more of a struggle year for you, a wish to find some of the beauty is being sent your way - it is there, just stay open... 

'only from the heart

can you touch the sky.'

~ rumi

weekly designer highlight - call to create

due to the fact that the entries are all lovely, are about equal in percentage of handmade components and i am a libra - this week's designer was picked randomly... 

this piece by molly alexander uses icy grey blues and handmade lampwork beads with a shot of yellow in them... i really love the many layered asymmetrical design... you can see more of her work here... 

thank you all for your beautiful submissions - please keep them coming... after all, isn't crunch time when we all seem to work best? (though we reprimand ourselves for doing it, there's nothing like a little pressure to create a spark)... and, yes, i am aware that it is the holidays... but you have the week after!! i always seem to make deadlines on the very last day... and i also seem to be doing lots of non- holiday related work right now... it brings me peace... 

For the Ears...

How about some visuals for today?

~The following earrings include a variety of styles from the members of the
 Love My Art Jewelry Website~

Enjoy...



Kelli Pope



Kelli Pope

Patty Lakinsmith



Patty Lakinsmith

Barbara Lewis

Barbara Lewis

LeAnn Weih

MaryAnn Carroll

MaryAnn Carroll

Mary Jane Dodd

Mary Jane Dodd

Shannon LeVart

Shannon LeVart