Art Bead Earring Swap Reveal Day!!!

I was SO excited to join Suburban Girl Studio's Art Bead Earring Swap this time around!  I missed the entry date last year!  I had 2 wonderful partners Jan Onipenco of Molten Mayhem - Etsy shop:  Lakeside Creations, and Lesley Watt of The Gossiping Goddess - Etsy shop:  THEAtoo.

I squealed when I opened each box!  Literally.

Jan's pair arrived first...

Are these not gorgeous?!?  I love the sea urchin spines, and Jan's lampwork beads are beyond yummy!  I can't wait to wear these this summer!!!

Lesley's arrived shortly afterwards!

These are SO me!!!  I love Lesley's bronze connectors and bead caps!   The green lampwork are by a UK artist Rob Johnson from Pebble Dreams and the tiny ochre lampwork are by Pinocean.  The colors are perfect...and I even ordered a new top to wear with them!  

Unfortunately, Lesley's earrings haven't quite made it to the other side of the pond...I'm so disappointed!!  Hopefully they'll arrive safely to her soon!!  In the meantime, I sent Lesley a few pictures I took before mailing them, so she at least has something...damn mailing system!!! :)

My polymer clay florals with shell rounds and clear glass rondelle clusters.  Copper headpins and sterling ear wires.

PARTICIPANTS

Diana Ptaszynski     http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Jan Onipenco    http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/

Patti Vanderbloemen        http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/

Mary Harding   http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Diane Hawkey    http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com/

Lesley Watt        http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies Reazor      http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Melinda Orr      http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com

Cilla Watkins      http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com

Stephanie Haussler       http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com

Sally Russick     http://www.thestudiosublime.com

Susan Kennedy       http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Amy Freeland  http://www.copperdiem.blogspot.com/

Marla James     http://marlasmudmoments.blogspot.com/

Pam Sears http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Tania Spivey http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Lange Klik http://www.modernnaturestudio.blogspot.com/

Lori Bowring Michaud  http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com/

Erin Prais-Hintz  http://www.treasures-found.blogspot.com/

Gail Barnett http://www.atlastanewyearsresolution.blogspot.com/

Linda Landig  http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/

Sharleen Newland http://www.shaterraclaystudio.blogspot.com/

Dee Elgie  http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk/

Mary Shannon Hicks  http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Lisa Johnson  http://whimsyswonders.blogspot.com/

Shelby Foxwell  http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/

Keri Lee Sereika  http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com/

Cheryl Brown    www.dragonflybeads.ca

Linda Younkman http://www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Kari Asbury http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/

Fay Wolfenden http://www.torchfairy.blogspot.com/

Thank you Diana for organizing this!!!

Canyon Earrings

It's been a slow couple of days around the studio...I did however get a pair of earrings made using Tree Wings Studio by Rebekah Payne "ridged round" beads.

Asymmetrical polymer clay canyons, coral, and moonstone with sterling earwires...

And I did get my Art Bead Earring Hop partners packages in the mail this week too!!

I'll Go Sit In The Corner Now...

Wow!  I stink at blogging on a regular basis...SO not good for business!  I mean well, then 23904828 other things seems to pop up during the day and I never get around to publishing anything I've written.  

Not to mention I've just been in a funk lately.  I chalk it up to the impending cold weather just around the corner...and the fact that it's Nov. 15th and I haven't bought a single Christmas present!!  Opps!

I've had lots of studio time lately...not that anything's being accomplished :)  In fact, when I result to cleaning the house...creativity is at an all time low...I'm not in the least bit OCD!

I'll share a few recent creations...still playing with sari silk...

A few bag charms...

Of course some bohemian earrings...

And of course necklaces...

I have a few more things that I'll be listing soon in prep for Lori Anderson's First Annual Virtual Craft Show

Let's Talk Boho

I ordered quite a bit of sari silk last week, and I can't seem to put it down!  Sweet Baby Jesus!!!  I can't believe I've never really worked with this before...it's AMAZING!  It brings much needed texture and whimsy to jewelry designs.  I've climbed aboard with the boho/gypsy style (a girl can only make sweet and dainty flowers for so long), and thought I'd share some of my favorites from Etsy.

Velvet Crushed Vintage

Happy Go Licky

Daimblond

Teka And Zoe

Lucys Room

Maslinda

I believe I feel an obsession coming on!! :)  

It Was Just One of Those Days...

Pinterest

....you know, the kind where you should've just stayed in bed?  Yep, that about sums up yesterday's show.  Don't get me wrong, we did well, and I love venturing to new shows, and meeting new people, but everything went wrong...and I mean EVERYTHING...to the point that it would have been hilarious any other day...

Pinterest

I wake up early...3 a.m. early, but I was ready to go...feeling good about EVERYTHING...that's what I get  for being so cocky! :)  We had a great spot...on the corner, in front of an awesome historic home renovated into The Lake House Restaurant.  So, you're wondering what went wrong?

Well, as quaint as the town of Clarksville, VA is...I failed to take into account possible gale force winds...ok maybe not gale force, but damn close!!

Now, Virginia isn't usually chilly in October...but of course yesterday was freezing and windy!  Because we had to set up in the parallel parking spaces, we had nothing to stake our tent or sides to.  I really wasn't worried, as we have it weighted down pretty well...or so I thought!  Three of us finally got the sides up without getting blown in to the land of Oz, and began setting up.  By this time, I can't feel my hands, and because I'm vain and wanted to look cute...it's not like I brought gloves, wrist warmers, or anything remotely warm!  Dear, sweet, husband walked over to grab me a cup of coffee that I could soak my hand in drink to warm up a little before the crowds flocked.

Disaster #1 for the day?  Our sign easel was blown down the street...in pieces, I might add!

I think it can be repaired.  Actual easel is history, but I think even though the frame is in pieces, it broke at the corners, and came off of the backing.  The actual banner has a few scuffs, but it will survive.  I will not mention how badly a brad through the finger felt later in the day when I picked it up to load back in the van.

Granted, it really doesn't have much weight to it, but it's never been a problem at outdoor show before.  Oh well, I wasn't going to let one hiccup ruin my day before it started!

Day was going beautifully, and had quite a few interesting conversations with customers (my husband says I always attract the "colorful" people wherever I go) but I was constantly on guard, as they left the street open (first I've ever seen where that's done) and I was afraid I was going to get sideswiped a couple of times.

Wind was a problem all day.  Just little things, such as knocked over display busts, etc...nothing major.

Pinterest

2 p.m.:  Enter gale force winds!  Seriously, It was everything all 3 of us could do to hold on to the tent so that it wouldn't blow into the street and hit cars driving down the road.  I know my tent is cheap crap, but due to four children who think they need to eat three times a day...and every day at that :) ...it's not in the budget right now, so I'll forge on with what I have!

2:30 p.m.:  The good Lord gave me a sign that it was time to pack up before we killed some poor unsuspecting soul with our para sailing tent, when this also took a loss on to the sidewalk...

Our "new" (2nd time out) earring display.  We upcycled a cracked and needing love oval window frame from a Habit For Humanity resale store, and we worked our butts off to put this together.  The easel my husband made and then the oval is screwed to the easel.  I guess it weighs at least 50 + lbs...it's MASSIVE!

Anyway...down it went, earrings to the sidewalk, and we hurried over to access the damage...it wasn't pretty!  I'm not a crier, but I was tempted when I saw that a lot of the more detailed pairs were broken....beyond repair, and I literally had to turn and walk away when I saw that the only artisan lampwork I've ever owned were broken.  I was able to salvage 2 of the best (still chipped) matching beads that I can wear myself.

Here are the victims in their splendid glory:

Both from Modern Trails on Etsy

Again, the damage to the display can be repaired, so it's not a total loss.  But, needless to say, we totally broke down and came home after the sign from above...chapped lips, frozen fingers, windburned skin and all! :)

In the long run, I'll look back on this particular show and laugh...in fact, I can almost chuckle about it now...I'm sad that some of my work was lost, but A LOT of it found new, well-loved homes before the catastrophe!

**Pssttt...my oldest is out for the evening and I snagged her laptop so I could post photos to make me feel a little better!

On Gilded Wings

What a dreary Monday morning.  Rainy, bleak, house full of girls, not feeling especially creative...need I say more?

Then, I heard the familiar sound of more than envelopes being put in the mailbox (it's a gift...or I order too much online!)  So I high tailed myself out to investigate....and look what found it's way to me...

Nothing like a little shimmer to brighten your Monday morning!  These interesting beauties are gold silk worm cocoons from Larkspur Funny Farm on Etsy. 

Of course, I had to play with these immediately!  How could I resist? 

On Gilded Wings earrings.  My own polymer clay lentils wrapped with golden silk cocoon, with brass textured beads, copper findings and a trio of "grungy" pearls.

And the start of a necklace (which is rare for me, as I tend not to create "matchy" pieces.)

That's all I had time for before the gaggle of girls demanded my attention!  I also ordered some hand dyed silk cocoons & silk rods...so stay tuned!

You can also check out Larkspur's Blog...Grace was awesome to work with...and has the best name ever!!





For Once...I Have Nothing to Say!

It's been quite awhile since I've picture shared...that, and I have absolutely nothing witty or exciting to share!

Leaves & berries necklace.  Polymer clay leaves with cerise turquoise rondelles.

Polymer clay sea urchins, with patina added.  Not exactly the vision I had created in my mind...but it works.  Copper wire balls also with a little patina thrown in for good measure.

This is what happens when our yard needs a good mowing...I wander around picking weeds to imprint.  Polymer clay hollow lentil & toggle with wood, brass & clay accents.

Still searching for the perfect urchin...Dark coral polymer clay with a wash of antique white and silver.

Organic aged & distressed, then accent painted.  Brass & polymer accents.

Shipwrecked.  Sea green urchins with gold coral, yellow & green jade, urchin stick, and bronze & creamy pearls.  Wire wrapped formed connectors (still getting the hang of wire wrapping).

Polymer and pearl bracelet.

Experimented with tri-colors.  Polymer focal and toggle with copper, green glass & chrysocolla beads.

Shipwrecked chandelier earrings.

So, there you have it!  A sampling of what occupies my time & thoughts these days.  I've been trying to branch out from my typical danity pieces, and loving it!!

What?? No Swarovski on Tuesday???

I love the look of PMC (precious metal clay) and it's versatility, and have wanted to branch out from strictly working with polymer clay for quite some time.  I've spent my spare time (HA!) in the last week researching, and, well...right now it's just not a feasible option for me...financially, that is.  It could be a viable option if I could find an appropriate second hand kiln...but then I face the dilemma of where I'm going to put the darn thing!  I've read that you can also fire PMC with a torch, but again...with 4 kids in the house, it's a house fire waiting to happen!

But, I wanted to share with you the possibilities...endless...

Silver Wishes

Dream Some

Shannon Dee



See why I'm so enamored??  Do a quick search on Etsy for PMC and you'll find many talented artisans...the above are just scratching the surface of amazing talent and creativity.  So, after rechecking my bank account, pants' pockets in the laundry basket, and even under the couch cushions to no avail, I set about creating a "poor man's" version! 

I worked endlessly today on this little project of mine.  While, by no means does it look even remotely close to the exemplary models above...I think I like it.  It's polymer clay, meets PMC, meets metal work.  A 180 degree about face from my usual dainty, sparkly pieces that I've become too accustomed to making.  But, while talking to my dear friend Kim, she brought up a great point..."that some would never wear Swarovski on a Tuesday!"  Pure blastemy we both agreed...but she may be on to something. 

My demos need a little tweaking before I share, but I may just have something I'm happy with....stay tuned and hopefully I'll have picture worthy pieces by the week's end!

You Know What They Say About Opinions

As usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short. 

Photos of our booth at The Heart of Virginia Festival this past weekend.  Please excuse the shoddy photography.  I was snapping quickly, so I could finish setting up!

Hadn't quite finished setting up when my husband proceeded to wallop his head on the corner of my sign.  It was promptly relocated to a safer location...it's position in the picture.  While not the best spot to advertise...it was better than Chris knocking some sense into him all day!

Still not finished setting up...

I've got to do something about the sheerness of my table coverings...

Now...after alot of thought...here is my PERSONAL review on the festival...take it for what it's worth.

1.  The crowd was great!  We received compliments hand over fist throughout the day...not only for our products, but also for our booth presentation.  After quickly perusing other vendors later in the day, it seems that most just didn't care about their first impression.

2.  It seemed that although this was classified as a "juried" show, that rule didn't apply to some.  While I don't have any issues with non juried shows, please make me privy to that beforehand, and may I suggest a separate section for them?

3.  Evidently it was bad form for me to introduce myself to neighboring vendors...non jewelry at that...who knew?

4.  Music and activities kept the crowd hopping, and upbeat...we had a to die for space directly across from one of the stages, and they kept us entertained the whole day!

5.  Wooden pop guns should be banned.  End.  Of.  Story!  This also includes said pop gun vendors! :)

6.  I despise my tent!  :) LOL!  It is the first thing on my list to be replaced!!  It's not that it's hard to put up, it just gives me a complex that I akin to not keeping up with high school fashion.

All in all, I had a great day!  Profit wasn't what I expected, but I learned a lot, and had a great time!!