..."beaded art through the eyes of the beholder".

Saturday, January 30, 2010

OHMYGOSH!!

Is This Heaven?

Woke up to a rainy Saturday morning, untangled myself from around the dogs and rolled myself upright ~ turning a few corners, just a few more feet and I was in my little studio. Now I used to have the whole back room in the back of our house - but, but, but the computer wasn't in there, no TV (though usually I listen to music or the Food Channel) and worst of all, little natural light and no visual access out a window. Well, I don't mean to sound spoiled, (and I am) but after a few years of making quilts and doing beading in there, the frustration mounted.
So this winter I slowly started transferring my books and graphic supplies to the back room and schlepping my beading inventory into the front tiny office. Many trips, many, many trips!
Now I am all squished into this much smaller space but, but, but...I have huge windows that look out on the forest that we share with our 4-legged creatures, a tiny TV in the corner and my computer. I have a little bubbly fountain on my work desk (necessary for creating) and feel totally content surrounded by colors and textures, soothed by the fountain and music, and with my two hairy darlings stretched across my feet and under my chair.
What I noticed this rainy morning as I gazed at my table is that I'm very close to being out of control here! (Gads, please don't tell my husband I actually said that). I absolutely never have only one project in process together; more like 4-6, and then I'm pulling colors for a 7th, well, you get the picture. While one piece is drying (E-6000) I'm working on 2 others, and casting glances at a few projects still in very early stages to see where I'm going to go from there with them. This last week I had 3 projects going, and all in greens. I got bored with the color ~ and voila, time to start something new in a different color just to keep my interest up!
The result is what you see above. And that's only the view in one direction! I suppose your workplace is organized and free of clutter? No reply necessary. Oh well, Onward!!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP


It was raining yesterday here in southern Oregon, again. The mailman came and went and I decided to wait until a break in the rain to go out and collect the contents of our mailbox.

Later....piles of catalogs, a few bills and a Priority Mail box from Michigan. Ahhh, the few wonderful poly pieces I had just purchased from RachelesOriginals for my own work. And another surprise package!

Rachele and I are good friends. We are also partners in managing The Beadweaving Emporium market which we founded at 1000 Markets. We are also team members together at Etsy BeadWeavers . I have always admired the exquisite work this woman does. And now I am the proud owner of this very generous gift; one of Rachele's magnificient creations!!! More thank yous, Rachele ~ so very much!

See Rachele's creations at:


Saturday, January 23, 2010

PRODUCT REVIEW CORNER


This product review seemed to come right on the heels of the last one but the timing was wonderful, as far as I'm concerned! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, look at this beauty that I choose to work with.

As you all know, every few months I am privileged to write a product review for Artbeads, a Washington-based full scale bead company. As the artist, I am asked to choose my product, free of charge, from a list of potential items, and give my readers an honest review.

I mused over several ways I could work with this great lampwork glass heart and found, in the end, that all it really sung out for was an elegant, simple Herringbone necklace to show case the pendant. Anything else would have detracted from the centerpiece.

Company: Artbeads (Artbeads.com)
Product: #1839959 JC-HTRED
Description: Red sparkle swirl dichoic heart pendant
Measurements: 50 X 30 mm,
Material: Glass
Place of Origin: USA

I invite you also to check out Artbeads and their fabulous sweepstake offers:
http://www.facebook.com/artbeads#/artbeads?v=app_28134323652

The eye-catching detail and craftsmanship of this artisan dichroic pendant makes it a perfect focal piece for your jewelry designs, not just holiday time. Each bead is handcrafted in the USA. There are no sharp edges and colors are accurate and intense. Their quality is indisputable ~ at least, this is my own opinion.

Disclosure: #1811995 LMP-0054, Hot pink and purple free style Kalera Beads, were kindly provided free-of-charge by Artbeads.com, within the frames of Artbeads.com blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.

Friday, January 8, 2010

PRODUCT REVIEW CORNER

Kalera Lampwork
Every few months I am privileged to write a product review for Artbeads, a Washington-based full scale bead company. As the artist, I am asked to choose my product, free of charge, from a list of potential items, and give my readers an honest review. This time I choose one of their wonderful lampwork pendants and I designed a simple necklace around 2 of them together.

Company: Artbeads (Artbeads.com)
Product: #1811995 LMP-0054
Description: Hot pink and purple free style KaLERA Beads
Product Link: http://www.artbeads.com/lmp-0054.html
Link:
http://www.artbeads.com/cubic-zirconia-jewelry-beads.html

I invite you also to check out Artbeads and their fabulous sweepstake offers:
http://www.facebook.com/artbeads#/artbeads?v=app_28134323652

Measurements: Length 38.5mm,

Width 19-20.5mm
Color: Pink/Purple ~ Hot Pink and Purple Free Style Kalera Bead
Material: Glass
Place of Origin: USA

The intense detail and craftsmanship of this artisan lampwork bead makes it a perfect focal piece for your jewelry designs. Each bead is handcrafted in the USA. Despite the tiny variations between each bead, (I got 3 each) the incredible similarity from one to the next will astound you. There are no sharp edges and colors are accurate and intense. Their quality is indisputable ~ at least, this is my own opinion.

Disclosure: #1811995 LMP-0054, Hot pink and purple free style Kalera Beads, were kindly provided free-of-charge by Artbeads.com, within the frames of Artbeads.com blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.