Finding Your Style....

by MaryAnn Carroll

Like many, I started off making jewelry before I began making handmade beads.  My desire to make beads stemmed from my desire to make my jewelry "different" than what I kept seeing over and over again in terms of common gemstones, strands of similar glass beads, etc.  Once I got start creating ceramic beads, I  primarily did just that due to my work schedule as a teacher.  I only made jewelry for gifts.  I have created beads and sold beads for the past 2 1/2 years, became very busy so I hired my son and daughter-in-law to keep me supplied with beads for me to glaze.  I taught them the basics to fit with the my style and then encourage them to evolve into their own style as well. 

Now, my latest endeavor is to find my style when creating jewelry.  Just like the bead making process, I am trying to find out what my style is.  Just like making beads, I went through many experiments regarding what I think "others" might like.  I finally found that what others liked the most were the beads that came the most natural to me.  That's why you will see all kinds of variety with my beads.  Very little planning goes into them when I sit down to glaze.  I just have it all out in front of me a pick up the brush and start going with it.

I'm now doing the same with jewelry.  I'm trying to just find my style.  I've decided that my style is what feels right for me... not what I "think" others will like.  So..... just like beads..... I'm experimenting with what I would like to wear.  I have always (even at 51) been into dressing stylish, but casual.....  Jeans dressed up by wearing shoes rather than sneakers, a nice shirt and, of course, jewelry.  I must admit that I haven't worn a dress is probably 10 years..... well.... maybe one or two times.... That's me.....  and that's where I'm heading with my jewelry.....  by just being me....

Here are a few very recent designs:

So.... What's you style and how did you find it?

Oddly Inspiring

by Patty Lakinsmith

I've been off for a few days celebrating a milestone anniversary on the Northern California coast with dear friends, and took delight in capturing many wonderful moments with my camera.  Here are some crops from those pictures that I thought might provide offbeat inspiration for creative endeavours.

Have a wonderfully creative day!

We have TWO, Yes, TWO Winners to Announce Today....

by MaryAnn Carroll

Our first winner is the new owner of these fabulous earrings created by Shannon LeVart of Missficklemedia.  Shannon can be found at multiple locations, but to see more of her components, check out:

Components Shop

http://missficklemedia.etsy.com/

and for her unique design styles, you can find those at

 http://slevart.etsy.com/

So... who is the winner?  Using the number selector on random.org, #21 was the selected number and excluding mairedodd (Mary Jane- who is ineligible to win due to being a member)

Yes.... I took a picture of the computer screen.... Just seemed easier than all the fiddling around that I usually do to get something "just right!"

is.....

Kristen....

....to learn more about Kristen, you can follow her blog:

http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

Kristen, please contact Shannon.  I would tell you how, but it appears from your comment that you might already know ;o)

And.... our other lucky winner of the June Monthly Art Spark Challenge

who will win the following:

-1 month on our blog sidebar

-1 year with her design along with links to her shop and blog on our website:

http://lovemyartjewelry.com/

-1 wood-fired lidded container created by Bill Perrine of Splitfire Pottery

-1 set including a very cool polymer clay pendant with matching beads donated by Barbara at Floridity

and

-Soldering Made Simple donated by Mairedodd, one of LMAJ's members

(chosen at random)

is
MaryRose

(Rosebud 101) with this very cool, very fun bracelet....

Please contact Bill through his Etsy Shop:

http://splitfirepottery.etsy.com/

Barbara through her Etsy Shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Floridity

Maire through her Etsy Shop:

http://mairedodd.etsy.com/

Be sure to check back next Monday for our Art Spark challenge for July.

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

MaryAnn

Spice Up Your Sunday...

by MaryAnn Carroll

With a designer who creates handmade using handmade...

This week we will be learning a little more about Kristi Bowman-Gruel who comes to us from Snohomish, WA.  I think that you will agree that Kristi's jewelry designs are unique and her handmade components are definitely something that are worth checking out!

When Kristi is not creating, you can find her hanging out with her husband, playing with her two Miniature Dachshunds, gardening or perfecting her photograghy skills.  Kristi is also a newlywed, with her first anniversary coming up later this month, so spending time with her new husband is a priority. He is a busy guy too, so it is not always easy.  He is one of her biggest supporters while she spends so much time building her little business.

Kristi, I must start off by asking.... How did you come up with the name Dreamsome?

Well that was a complete and total accident I guess you'd say. When I started making jewelry and decided to sell it I had to name my shop. I had no clue in the beginning where I would go with it or that I would end up working so hard to make a go of it. So as I was signing up for my Etsy shop I just decided to use my part of my email address. I've had the email for years and it was one of my favorite songs DreamSome by Shelby Lynne. I liked the way it sounded so I thought why not. These days I'm trying to be known by KristiBowmanDesign but unless and until Etsy allows you to change your shop name DreamSome will probably always be around.

 

 I see from looking at your shop that you create with metal, bronze and copper clay. Am I missing anything? Could you tell us a little about the process?

Yup,metal all the way with silver, bronze and copper clay, or precious metal clay (PMC). It begins as clay which is basically extremely fine particles of metal in a binder base. You shape it texture it and form it while it's moist, let it dry. Then you can carve it, file it or add pieces to it. Next it goes in a kiln and is fired it at 1500 degrees or more depending on which clay you use. Each one has a different temperature and length of time it needs to be fired. In the end, the binders burn away and you are left with a pure metal piece that can be drilled, hammered and soldered. It's quite magical!!!

It looks like you have at least been creating components and jewelry for quite some time? When and how did you get started?

I have been creating components for my own jewelry since 2008.  It's only been the last 6 months or so that I began making components for other artists to use in their work. It's been so much fun to see what beautiful items are created!!  You can check that out by clicking HERE.

I've made note that you are a member of various "teams." What are the advantages of being a member? Is there much extra work involved in something like that?

Teams are great fun, a wonderful way to make friends with people who have the same interests as you!! The support and help of a team can't be beat. There are often challenges that push you out of your comfort zone. People of all different skill levels can be a great resources if you have questions. It's also just one more way of promoting yourself and I enjoy promoting others as well.

You sell jewelry at both Etsy and Artfire? Is there a specific reason for that? If so, what is that?

I started on Etsy with my Metal Clay jewelry. When I started using more beads on some of my creations it didn't feel right to fill up my Etsy shop with them. So I created my Artfire store for my non Metal Clay Jewelry. I belong to the Etsy Metal Clay Team and it just felt right to keep my Etsy Shop primarily Metal Clay. I love playing with beads but Metal will always be my first love!

Have you set any goals for your future in terms of creating and selling?

I am in the middle of accomplishing one of my goals which was to create components. That is going very well so far so I am constantly trying to come up with new and different ideas for that. I think a never ending goal is trying to find ways to get my work out there. Social media is a big one and one of these days I want to submit more of my work to magazines. I still feel like such a baby in all this, so much to learn!

Are there any tips that you would like to give to disigners who are new to selling online?

Join groups, find friends to share with. I think designing jewelry can be very solitary work, but it doesn't have to be. There are so many places to get out there and socialize with it and it's great fun. Everything you do is a learning experience, drink all of it in as much as you can and have a good time doing it!

You can find Kristi at all of the following places on the internet:

Facebook fan page:

 http://www.facebook.com/DreamSome

Etsy Shop:

http://dreamsome.etsy.com/

Artfire Shop:

http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Blog

http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/

Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamsomedesigns

~Thanks for creating handmade with handmade~

MaryAnn

student teacher

mary jane dodd

'curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.'

~ william arthur ward

etching is one of my favorite techniques... you can take plain metal and give it a life of its own... at a bead shop i began noticing the possibilities for a lot of the components they had displayed - trays of vintaj, boxes of brass and copper shapes... so i asked if she would be open to an etching class...

the pieces above were made to place around the store so that people could see another side of what was available... i thought about just asking her if she would like me to etch some for sale... but i thought that teaching people how to do it would be so much more fun... 

and, girl, was it!

busy... i love that about classes... how focused everyone becomes...  how people talk and work together... these 7 wonderful women and i spent 3 hours together... (& i learned that 3 hours is not enough time...)

my favorite question - 'what if...'  it is drives me daily... and i love to hear/see that in others... learning something new by whatever avenue then integrating it into your personal arsenal is magical... 'what if... ' is why i keep a journal for my work - because surely i would forget everything that flits through my head... 

it was a fantastic way to spend my friday... i feel badly there are no images of finished work... i had forgotten about taking pictures  as the class went on... 

... on the studio table.................

by Kelli Pope

With time between shows, I get to partake in one of my FAVORITE indulgences..................... shopping for handmade beads and components!!! AND making some really fun things. That WONDERFUL guy, the mailman, has been delivering all kinds of goodies this week. Here are a few of the new things on my work table I just can't WAIT to turn into "wearable art".

This HUGE lampwork bead I've had a couple months, knowing as soon as I saw it, it would be the focal in a necklace for my sister's birthday. I bought it at a bead show, where it and it's siblings were likely the only handmade items being sold. Not sure of the artist, but I KNEW I had to have it, and that MissFickleMedia would provide me with some beautiful patinated yellow chain to pair with it. This large-link chain arrived this week, and I just can't wait to see what other components turn this into something special for my big Sis.

Also delivered this week was an order from Gaea. Just LOVE her ceramic beads!!


Ready to pair with the ceramic beads are some of my own cut, hammered and antiqued copper components.

I think my copper and Gaea's beads will go BEAUTIFULLY with some of these GORGEOUS pendants from my buddy Susan Burge.

Now I just need to find some "play" time, so I can turn these handmade treasures into handmade jewelry. .........maybe if I stop sleeping, I'll have the time to do that and make some more of my own ceramic beads..........hmmmm...........

What wonderful projects/components/beads are on your "play" list ??

Time and Again...

After a bit of a dry spell idea-wise for me, it seems that my inspiration has come back full-throttle. And as usual, I have neither the time nor the energy to keep up with all of the ideas.

Monday was a good day for me. Any day that starts with beads is a good day, in my opinion, so when I went to pick up the mail and found my mailbox stuffed with goodies from Lima Beads, it was a fabulous way to start off the week!

Amongst these beauties were a few strands of freshwater pearls that I picked out. Most people don't know this, but I am a total freak for freshwater pearls. The last time I went to Bead Fest Philadelphia, I spent over $300 on freshwater pearls to add to my stash!

As I was drinking in the colors, textures and shapes of my new beads, I realized that two of the pearl strands were a perfect match to a couple of Lisa Peters Art square tube beads that I've had for a while.

I think that these two pieces are going to be relatively simple and maybe use some fun beaded beads that I doodled in my sketchbook a very long time ago.

Time management always seems to be a challenge for those of us who work from home, and particularly for those of us who are artists. My particular craft - beadweaving - is inherently time-consuming, but at the same time, I love the time I spend with my beads in quiet meditation as I stitch each bead into place. Time seems to fly by while I'm stitching, too. It's a good thing that I have a dog and a pre-schooler to get me up and out of my chair every few hours so that I can stretch and get my blood circulating again!

It seems, all too often, that we ignore our need to make art because we're too busy or we don't have time. In truth, we should always make time to make art. It's what gives us a chance to recharge our batteries after a hard day at work, let us find out more about ourselves and helps us explore our surroundings. 

Do you have time management challenges when it comes to your art or craft? What are they? How do you overcome them? Do you try to make time every day for your art?

On this day...

the longest day of the year, I wish you happiness, and peace.  I found these beautiful pieces on Etsy beckoning with their mid-summer's feel.

affinitygirl necklace.

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Yellow opal ring by rosyrevolver.

Cherry creek jasper pendant by Jerry and Fran at wearablemetalartjfh.

Spiritual goddess seed bead lariat by auragaia.

Wishing you a happy day, and magical, sweet dreams tonight.

 

"Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass."

William Shakespeare - Acknowledging the Magic of This Time

A Mid-Summernight's Dream