Collaboration Comes to Fruition

I think I have mentioned that Genea of Genea beads and I have been working on some collaborations.  Genea makes wonderful and whimsical glass beads that I adore!  We met long ago through Lori Andersons Bead Soup blog Party, and have been fans of each others work ever since.

 

This is a picture of the bead soup that had me drooling!!!!

 

 

 

So, Genea and I did a trade for beads at the beginning of the year, and she was so inspired by the colors in my polymer beads, that she made special sets of wing dings to match.

 

 

 

She came up with the idea to make limited edition sets with her wing dings and my polymer in these colors.  I thought, why not, sounds fun!  And guess what, it was!

 

 

 

 

It was a lot of work, and we had to work out many kinks along the way, but finally, last week, we launched our limited edition one of a kind sets, and we couldn't be more excited!!!!  Each set is completely unique, and comes in its own packaging that Genea created specially for these sets (she is the detail person in our collab!!!  Thank goodness for that!)

 

 

 

All in all, its been a great experience, and it reminds me that only good comes from exploring new possibilities with other artists.  I can't wait to work on another collab with Genea, as well as other artists.  There is a whole world of like minded people out there- who are still different enough to get together and create amazing things!

 

 

If you'd like to see how the sets turned out, or purchase one, you can find them in Genea's shop. 

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/110029697/harvest-heart-2-handmade-lampwork-glass?

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/110032396/sea-limes-batik-donuts-handmade-lampwork

 

Or you can read more about our Collaboration here on our new blog We Social Artists, Collaboration and Inspiration.  We plan to feature wonderful artists who have collaborated to create unique and one of a kind art together!!!

 

 

guest post - seth apter

Community Rules

 Contexture - Seth Apter, Bridgette Gurzon Mills,  Jen Worden

For me, art has always been about community.  I do not aspire to be the type of artist that is alone in the studio, working away in isolation.  I find that my connections with other people are fuel for the creative fire.  Of course, there are times when I lose myself completely when making art and wouldn't even notice if somebody were standing right next to me.  But in between my creative projects, I find myself once again seeking inspiration from and through others.  

Inner Works - Seth Apter, Supria Karmakar, Jill Zaheer, Roxanne Evans Stout,

Veronica Funk, Rita Vindedzis

My entrance into the world of art was initially social, in 2000 I met an artist quite serendipitously and we began a mail art relationship, although it wasn't until several years later that I even became aware of that label.  Before that time, I had no interest in making art.  After that time, art making became a part of my life.

Lost and Found - Seth Apter, Julie Prichard, Lynne Hoppe

The social aspect of being an artist continued as I began to explore the opportunities available on the computer.  Initially, I joined a number of online art groups, where art was made collaboratively.  I then discovered blogs, which are all about connecting, commenting and community.  If I had discovered the world of art at an earlier time, I truly believe that my path would have been completely different.

The Winds of Change - Seth Apter, Roxanne Evans Stout

It seemed natural when I set out to create my own blog in 2007 that my focus would be social in nature.  Within just a few months I began an online collaborative project called The Pulse, a survey of the online artistic community that sought to connect artists and art lovers.  Five years later there have been 5 online versions of The Pulse, with the current edition made up of nearly 150 artists.

Nature Journal - Seth Apter, Sarah Whitmire

During those years, I also have worked collaboratively on quite a large number of projects with small groups of artists.  The images of art accompanying this post were all created as part of collaborations.  I have also developed and hosted a number of large-scale, international collaborations as well, including Disintegration Collaboration (DisCo).

Self Contained - Seth Apter, Vivian Paans, Stephanie McAtee

All of these experiences led me to the opportunity to publish my first book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed.  Released in March 2012 by North Light Books, The Pulse of Mixed Media presents the words and artworks of more than 130 artists in a format that allows the reader to truly get in touch with the heart and soul of the artistic community. 

I know I am not alone in the inspiration I find from my connections with others.  Whether it is through emails, blog hopping, website watching, book reading, or art making, I am the artist I am today because of the bigger group of artists that I am a part of.  So, fellow artists... what do you get from being a member of our community?

The Gift - Seth Apter, Jill Zaheer

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you can find Seth here:

blog

facebook

twitter
etsy

if you are interested in learning how to create mixed media surface techniques, seth has video tutorials coming out - you can see the preview here

The Pulse of Mixed Media is available at Amazon

Going once, Going twice......

MaryAnn Carroll

One thing I have learned from my experience with online groups is that similar to "real life" groups, people may come and go. It is the part of life we all have that takes us through different experiences. One thing I have experienced being a part of Love My Art Jewelry is that I continue to become a more inspired, educated and connected person through those in the group and those of you who follow, share comments, guest posts, jewelry creations on SYS and more.

I can't quite remember how this jewelry collaboration came to be because it was quite some time ago. It may have even been close to a year.... not sure.... life goes by so quickly.  The time has finally come that our collaboration was published in this very awesome edition of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

 

This art jewelry set was created by some wonderful artists that include, Mary Jane Dodd, Kelli Pope, Izzy Winterhart, Staci Louise Smith, LeAnn Weih, Patty Lakinsmith, D'Arsie Manzella and me. Our intent was twofold. One was to promote the love of creating handmade with handmade. The other was to recognize and support the organizations that fight to end domestic violence. Many of us have been affected by this whether it is ourselves or someone close to us.Check out the issue for some fab pictures. This issue also includes a bracelet tutorial by our very own Staci Louise Smith.

 

With that said, stay tuned for more details regarding how you could be the owner of this unique art necklace, art bracelet and earrings to match, while at the same time, helping with an important cause.  Once I receive the jewelry back from Belle Armoire Jewelry, we will be auctioning all five pieces together. I was the last one to have these before sending them off to the publisher and I can assure you that when I tried them on, it was AMAZING!!!

As always,

Thank-you for supporting those who create handmade with handmade.

MaryAnn

PS....

This awesome Art Bead Love Tour chain is ready to move on to the next winner. Click HERE to find out more about it.

Collaboration as a means of growth....

By Barbara Bechtel

It can be a very solitary existence being an artist. Most artists feel the need for a certain amount of solitude in order for their inspirations and ideas to take shape. However, it is also important to reach out to those around you as a means to either discuss art, exchange tips and ideas, and uplift and encourage one another during the peaks and valleys of creativity.

The internet has made a invaluable contribution to the way we are able to communicate with each other and forge new relationships and alliances. Add blogs to the mix and it becomes an exciting way to collaborate and exchange ideas. Before I began making jewelry, I found and participated in some other art/mixed media swaps and was immediately hooked!

Collaboration, whether it is online through blog hops/ round robins, or whether it is exchanging a piece of work back and forth with a friend in another town is a great way to push yourself outside of the box. By working thematically or working collaboratively on the same piece, each artist can help each other learn new things or overcome specific problems they are having in their own work.

Many times, you may even be introduced to a new medium, technique, or style that will influence and change the way you work! It wasn't until I first participated in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party that I saw the potential of how such collaborations could help me with the solitude that a life being creative sometimes creates. Not only has participating in these types of exchanges allowed me to make new friends, it has even enabled me to connect with other people who live right in my backyard who I didn't know were there!

 

How do you use collaboration to help you grow in your work?

 

What ideas have you come up with to reach out and connect with other artist's and jewelry artisans? 

 

If you're interested in participating in an upcoming swap, Lori Anderson is hosting Cup of Bead Soup, an extension of her Bead Soup Blog Party and I'm very excited to be the first art bead partner! For more information, please go check it out.

do you partake of bead soup?

mary jane dodd

thanks to the random generator this time around, i do... my partner is stacey curry of star -hitched wagon ...

and somehow she just knew about my love of autumn-y earth-y colors... 

some vintaj components to play with - did you know they like patina?!

i am so excited to work with lisa peters' pendant and those beautiful felted wool beads... 

thank you stacey!

you can follow the goings on at lori anderson's blog... 

one of the things that is just so intriguing about this event is how it can stretch people... i already have ideas for the pendant... just need it to simmer some more in my brain before i start... 

do you enjoy collaborations? have you ever tried one?