april call to create ~

mary jane dodd

no color palette,

no picture prompts, 

no foolin'!

'open up my head and let me out.'

~ so much to say, dave matthews band

you know how you can be overcome by a song or even some of its lyrics? well, if

'music is what feelings sound like.'

then we want you to show us what they look like too... this month we decided to let you show us how music speaks to you - completely your way... it doesn't have to be literal, the way mine is... just let the music move you - and see what you come up with... 

here's how to enter::

most important - our mission is to promote handmade... using handmade components and beads in your handmade work... take chances, have fun! this isn't a test, it's an exercise to help you stretch... 


please share with us the song title and performer and the specific lyrics if applicable - we would love to be able to bring the auditory experience to the piece... 

post the work to our flickr page... look for the link in the sidebar...  if you don't have a flickr account, it is very easy to sign up using your email address...  please upload pictures of pieces that were created specifically for this challenge...

and, yes, to sweeten the deal we have a random drawing at the end of the month... we choose from those who entered to win these prizes::

this really fabulous book - even if you don't create lampwork beads, it will give you an understanding of what is involved in the process and provide some beautiful eye candy... 

and then some beautiful lampwork beads from elisabeth strong of lizardbreathbeads to work with!

cannot wait to see what you are listening to... 

call to create

mary jane dodd

our march call-to-create is based around these colors:

and just look at the wonderful piece created by alice peterson of peachtree!  you can also find alice over at the bliss guild... 

here is what alice had to say about her entry ~

'I am so ready for spring (aren't we all) and I couldn't help but think of spring when I saw the inspiration for this month's challenge.

The gorgeous butterfly is from Menagerie Studio on etsy, and the sweet little pink glass bead is from Quinlan Glass. Prehnite faceted nuggets and Vintaj components finish the piece.'

thank you alice for submitting your work! 

there is still time to enter our call.... click here to read more about this month's theme... 

and good luck! we have some beautiful beads to give away to a lucky winner!

March Call to Create

I went on a search for an image that would produce a Spring palette ... something fun for us to be inspired by. I love the costumes of Alice in Wonderland and apparently so did Oscar.  But the color generator gave such subtle colors I wondered if it was looking at the same thing I was!  So, I thought, "CUPCAKES!"

When I saw these I couldn't resist poking some fun at Patty's "meanies" ... you know ... her trademark lampwork beads.  What do you think ... don't these remind you of Patty and her beads?  Aren't these the greatest?

Meanie Cupcakes

Colors for Meanie Cupcakes

I am so psyched for these colors!  I know you will be too. :-)  Remember, we're promoting the concept of  creating handmade with handmade.   Post the work to our flickr page ... look for it in the sidebar.  If you don't have a flickr account, it is very easy to sign up using your email address.  Please upload pictures of pieces that were created specifically for this challenge.

And, lest we forget the prizes!  Great ones by none other than Patty Lakinsmith and Gerry Lee Cruthird of Clay Designs by Glee.  In addition to those prizes, we will choose a weekly winner whose piece will be displayed on our blog. And lastly, the monthly winner will also receive one year of "advertising" on our website.
Click here to see our February's winner page.

Patty Lakinsmith

Gerry Lee Cuthrid

What's even more amazing is that I see our CTC colors in these wonderful pieces donated by Patty and Gerry.  These will go to some lucky winner.

Call-to-Create Challenge....

winner .... chosen using random.org is....

Lisa Godfrey

from Lisalu Jewels

Sugar-me-Sweet Necklace

My entry for the Love my Art Jewelry February Challenge.

Heart Pendant: Cindy Gimbrone
Enamel Bead: SueBeads
Lampwork rondelles: JSavinaBeads
Ceramic Beads: Golem Studios
Hand Dyed Silk: Flame Kissed Art Glass

Thanks to everyone who participated.  Our new Call-to-Create challenge will be posted tomorrow, Thursday, March 3rd.

A special thank you goes out to Cindy Gimbrone
and Yoli Miramontes of Yolanda's Clay for being our sponsors this month.

Lisa, please contact mairedodd@gmail.com to provide your address.

designer of the week

mary jane dodd

welcome kate koroleva who comes to us from moscow!

kate is a lampworker ~

she picked up the rich colors from the palette... just look at all of the detail on her focal bead! i like the dangles she hung from the focal - lots of interest, texture and subtle color variation there... you can see more of kate's work on her flickr page... but she also has a website where she shares tutorials... 

thank you kate for participating - she also submitted a second design where she worked in brighter colors... but i had to pick just one - it wasn't easy! 

designer of the week -

mary jane dodd

lisa godfrey of lisalu jewels

lisa submitted this wonderful piece to our flickr group -  

and even showed how she brought the colors together! this is a great photo, lisa - i am so glad you shared it... and the people whose work you used to make it your own -

Heart Pendant: Cindy Gimbrone
Enamel Bead: SueBeads
Lampwork rondelles: JSavinaBeads
Ceramic Beads: Golem Studios
Hand Dyed Silk: Flame Kissed Art Glass

i love how balanced this necklace is - the colors, the design... 

thank you, lisa for the fabulous entry! to see more of her work, visit her website here ... 

there is still time to enter for your chance to win some gorgeous giveaways - and just to play in some color (something we all seem to be yearning for right now)... see our current call here-

We Have a Winner!!!

Thank-you for participating in our January Call-to-Create Challenge. 

The Winner for the month of January is Alice Peterson of Peachtreeks.

Congratulations, Alice!!

Please contact Barbara Lewis and LeAnn Weih to let them know your address. 

Again, thank-you for joining us in

~creating handmade with handmade~

Here's what Alice included with her submission:

LMAJ January

I love the bright colors of these lampwork beads from ebay seller rocks-funkygems. They certainly brighten my day, much like that lovely salad in the inspiration photo.

Our next Call-to-Create Challenge will be announced tomorrow.  Stay tuned....

designer of the week

mary jane dodd

'i heart you'

molly alexander

this wonderfully colorful yet rustic necklace is centered around molly's own enameled heart focal... i love how she set the bright wire coils against the antiqued metals... a wonderful balance! she shares her work in her blog, website and etsy shop...

the submissions are really inspiring - thank you all so much for your participation... 

invited by a friend, i have been participating in a ring a week challenge... so i am off to finish that while the kids sleep!

congratulations molly~

mini giveaway winners ~

mary jane dodd

i am pleased to announce the winners of our mini giveaway...

the first set -

goes to doreen!

the second set -

goes to boot~c!

congratulations, ladies - please contact me so i can get these into the mail for you... 

the deep reds and purples got to me this week as well... 

thank you for participating - we are looking forward to seeing your entries in our call to create for the month!

the language of color & weekly designer

mary jane dodd

'i found i could say things with color and shapes

 that i couldn't say any other way -

things i had no words for.'

~ georgia o'keeffe

first, our weekly designer - 

kristi bowman... i love how she balanced the colors in these earrings... to see more of her work you can visit here and here... oh, and no pressure kristi - but i want to see some of your bronze clay pieces entered soon!

barbara came up with a call theme that at first almost shocked me in its vibrancy... i tend to feel more comfortable with the neutral, worn and subdued ... but in her choice i saw the enamels i have in my home - i saw the fiestaware we eat off of each day... i saw richness - and fun... 

i would like to offer 2 mini giveaways with a quick turnaround time and winner announcement next saturday... 

keith o'connor purple raku bead, marsha neal studio porcelain charm in brown, swirled apricot lampwork glass by linden avenue designs and a couple of my own deep red trade beads... 

more colorful marsha neal studio charms, keith o'connor orange raku and trade beads... 

truly one of the gifts of a group blog is working with other members to create something interesting for those who visit... and it can take you out of your comfort zone which is an excellent thing... 

just leave me a comment - 

and congratulations kristi!

We have a winner!

Congratulations, Erin, you are the winner of the December Call to Create!  What a gorgeous piece!

Irreverant Couture Necklace: "Stormy"

Detail of handsewn beads and strands cinched with metal chain

by Erin Fickert-Rowland
materials: silk, polyester, cotton fabrics, thread, beads of glass, pearl, and stone, black chain

This necklace is composed of handmade strands sewn from different fabrics, 
and bound with a handmade silk strand. The beads have been handsewn on 
the strands.

visit my blog at http://blog.elysianstudiosart.com/

Erin, please contact Mary Ann Carroll and Laura Guenther to collect 
your winnings which are some gorgeous handmade ceramic beads 
and a beautiful mixed media box for something very special!

We want to thank all of you who participated in the December 
Call to Create.  Even though it's a very busy time of year, you all did it! 
 Tomorrow we announce the January Call to Create!  You all are going
 to love it ... but don't come hungry!

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... 

December Call to Create

Magnolia by Lori Anderson

Isn't this the perfect interpretation of our color palette for December.  It's a necklace of contrasts to be sure ... hints of Spring and growth in the presence of those blue glass beads that can easily be interpreted as icicles.  I love this piece by Lori Anderson.  It is, btw, beautifully photographed and the diagonal plane adds dynamism to an otherwise quiet photo.  Thanks for your submission, Lori.  

December's 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!

Call to Create Monthly Winner!

By Barbara Lewis

Okay, folks, today's the day!  We have a winner!  It is Jen Judd! Even though the winner is selected by random, Jen's work is a beautiful example of making handmade with handmade.  This is a very smart piece and it goes to show you that pink isn't only for spring and summer!  Jen, please contact me and send me your mailing information so I can send you the beads of Autumn Bliss!  You can find me here: www.paintingwithfireartwear.com.

Tomorrow we announce the Call to Create inspiration for December.  Should it be ice or fire! Hmmmm!  Come back to see!

Call to Create Artist

I know you all remember our Call to Create and the reward of participating ... just take a look at the cover of Handcrafted Jewelry in the sidebar ... you'll get all of those beads!  It's a busy time of year, but just knowing that you stand a really good chance of winning I hope will coax you into a submission ... actually since it's a random drawing, all of the pressure is off.  Just get something together, will you please? Remember, we're making handmade with handmade.  I want more eye candy ... more ... more ... more, which is what Kristi Bowman gave us with her beautiful submission.

Here's Kristi's description of the piece ...

PMC (precious metal clay) Lentil Bead Pendant made by Kristi Bowman. Strung with Carved Green Jade, pale Yellow Howlite Carved Rounds, Yellow Jade Lanterns, wood beads and faceted silver spacer beads.

Color is the first thing that attracted me to this piece.   Kristi balances the warm tones of the yellow, orange, and copper with the cool tones of the green and fine silver. Her composition is lovely.  She starts with an symmetrical design near the focal point and quickly changes to one that is dynamically asymmetrical.  The texture in the focal pendant is echoed in the beads and balanced by some very shiny copper!  A very lovely piece ... thank you, Kristi.


So next week, we'll be looking forward to profiling a new piece.  Schedule an appointment with yourself to make your entry ... because you know you want to win!