New Year, New Challenges

Well, with the New Year, we here at LMAJ wanted to bring something new to you all.  So we are retiring Strut Your Stuff, and replacing it with something new.

 

Since our main focus here is handmade, we thought, what better way to encourage you then to introduce you to new techniques.

 

Please excuse us while we work out some details, like a name for the new challenge, and creating pages links and the flickr group for it. 

 

In the meantime, I'd like to share with you how it works.

 

Each challenge period will be 8 weeks long.  The first Monday we will teach you a new technique via a video or tutorial. 

 

We will challenge you to not only try this technique, but to use it in a creative way.  The following Mondays will be full of information, examples of where you can take the technique, and resources.

 

You can upload the pieces  you create to the flickr group, with a link to your blog url.  On the Monday of the 6th week, we will have a blog hop.  We ask that you link to us from your blog on that day so everyone can hop along.

 

The last two weeks of the challenge period we will highlight your work, have guest posts about the technique and other fun reviews and surprises.

 

We are very excited about the changes.  It's our deepest desire to continually bring you information to further you on your handmade journey.

 

We hope you will join us. Look for the first tutorial and complete information next Monday, the 14th.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Year Giveaway.......

Let's start off the year with a giveaway......

How about a big group of wood-fired beads, enameled beads and hoops?

Please share your answer to this question:

What techniques would you like to learn in the upcoming year?

You can enter up to three times. Please be creative in how you "earn" the other entries. I will leave it up to you. Share on your blog, Facebook, etc. and let us know you did. If you do not have that option, feel free to share in any way that you can think of and let us know how you shared.

Please leave an email address or another way to contact you if you win.

As always, thank-you for supporting those who create handmade with handmade,

MaryAnn

tutorials

one of the wonderful things about being a part of a group and reaching a larger community is sharing knowledge... 

we all have learned things that others may not have -

in the upcoming year, we will continue to share what we know with you... 

but how about you? we know what a super talented group you are!

is there anything you would like to share?

if you have a tutorial that you would like to contribute, email me!

also, if you are interested in donating some of your work for a giveaway we would love to see it!

be well and happy new year!

mary jane

.........the week after Christmas.....

                                                                                                                     by Kelli Pope

'Twas the week after Christmas, and all through our place Decorations still hang, and slow is our pace. The stockings are empty, under the tree bare No presents are left, just a little Frisco hair. We just want to stay nestled all snug in our bed, Cuz visions of credit bills dance in our heads; Steve in his new lounge pants, Chopper in my lap, Just want to settle down for a long winter's nap, But up in the studio, there is such clutter, "I just must get motivated!" I start to sputter. Production has stopped. My inventory is nil. So much to do, I just can't sit still. Applications for Spring shows just beg be completed. I must get busy and not just stay seated. Though cold winds are blowin, and new snow is falling Work must be done, I can not keep stalling, Photos must be downloaded  to Zapplication, and quick, Deadlines are nearing, to a schedule I must stick. No down time can be taken to chill and relax. Jewelry bins are empty and so are the racks. Now, hammer! Now, twist wire! Now, antique and tumble! Go enamel! Go file that! Must sand this! Don't fumble! All through my days off I must hasten, So much jewelry to make, no time to be wastin'   And then, with a whoosh,  I hear from below Steve in the basement, his torch fired,  a'glow. Enameling copper tubes, rings and brass beads, Preparing my findings, planting some seeds. He is dressed with a smile, charming.... with sass, Inspiring me to create with his copper and brass. An array of colorful findings laid out at his side, So giddy and happy, my joy I can't hide.  I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work, Making jewelry, creating..... HEY! did he just smirk? He knows me so well, and what makes me tick, Handmade beads from my fella, just does the trick. Here's to a New Year of happy customers and sales. May we all be prosperous, blessed, inspired, blazing trails. May all shows be successful and fun, not a grind. May all of our artwork be one of a kind! Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!

some words for the year -

mary jane dodd

my word is 'release'

i wanted to share some words chosen by people for the year... 

embrace

commitment

zeal

focus (x2)

authenticity

appreciate

exhale

prosperity

listen

persevere

and a thought 'out of love, not fear.'

all beautiful and meaningful and powerful... 

i am not one for resolutions - 

but i like a guiding principle,

something to be mindful of.

thank you for sharing these here - 

and feel free to add your own in the comment section!

Are you ready to dive in?

It's a new year...the Holiday rush is over and now we're supposed to hit the pavement running with vigor and zest and crank out that product, market those earrings, start that new shop promotion.  Are you ready?  No?
Me neither.  How do you plan to get ready?

I'm going to:

~ Clean up my studio
~take inventory of my enamels and order some I'm out of
~Decide what new technique I want to master during the weeks of this year
~Decide what to make first
~procrastinate a while

...and have some tea.

No...I'm not even ready to write a more informative post.  I will get there...eventually.  But for right now, I feel the need to rest.

Happy New Year!

By Barbara Bechtel

From all of us at Love My Art Jewelry, I would like to take a minute to thank you all for your support and inspiration in 2012! 2013 is going to bring some fun and exciting changes to Love My Art Jewelry, including brand new challenges and some exciting new members.

We're officially retiring our Strut Your Stuff monthly challenges in favor of something brand new and very exciting....Staci will officially bring you our new installment next Monday, but we promise you that it will definitely kickstart your creativity in 2013 and bring some new skills and ideas to stretch and grow your art jewelry to new places throughout the year!

If you, like me, are making plans for how you want to approach your jewelry in the new year, please consider visiting Mary Jane's post and perhaps think about a word that will carry you throughout the year.

Here is also a wonderful resource for setting yourself into a transition into the new year:

Susannah Conway's Free 2013 Workbook