A project for this week...

I've been finishing a stack of beads that I made earlier this week and am beginning to upload them to the shop. One of the projects on my to do list has been to find the right background set up that is neutral enough to accommodate several different styles and is also portable. In the past, I've used ceramic tiles, a rusty old white chair, and a worn out table. I never dug the way the photos looked on the tile, and the rusty chair and worn out table weren't portable in that they stayed outside all the time so if there was rain, it made it difficult to shoot photos.

The worn out table is getting really worn out. The other day, I tried to drag it into better light and one of the legs began to crumble away so I decided it was finally time to come up with a more permanent solution.

I pondered all of the different solutions: nice scrapbook paper, my stash of handmade paper, old books etc. but I really wanted something that was mine all mine, and differentiated my work from other's work out there, especially in the glut of mixed media work that is on Etsy already.

So, I decided to paint my own background.

I painted 2 base pieces for shooting pieces flat. Then I also painted several small blocks to match that I could stack and get a bit of height for laying out finished pieces or leaning pendants.





I painted to base pieces so that there was extra room to butt them together if I needed more space or alternatively, I can prop one up to make a wall behind if need be.



I'm really pleased with how the first batch of shots turned out and I'm digging the finish I put on them. I feel like the careful consideration and all the trial and error up to this point was worth it.



*Little tip, make sure you use a matte paint or else you'll still get a glare. Use decorator acrylics, or if you're using nice acrylics, mix in a bit of cheap craft store acrylic to matte it down a bit.

There are some new things in the shop today and a few more over the next couple days to come as well. Be sure subscribe to my RSS feed on Etsy to stay up to date or become my friend on Facebook.

Thursday update and randomness...

I've uploaded a few new pieces to the Erudite Collection and there's still more to come but I sort of lost my steam today. I have about 6 more sets/pieces photographed and ready to edit and list and another batch waiting to be faceted/finished/polished/drilled/photographed/listed.

Onto some randomness:

*As much as I love them, the carved nuggets are a b*itch to facet. It is killer on my hands so I have to do it in small bunched before my pointer finger goes numb.

*Thank you ever so much for your kind words on this post. It helps me to know that there are some other ladies out there who feel like H.R. Puffnstuff in their current wardrobe.

*There are several things I won't give up for any diet, chief among them, my morning cup of strong-ass coffee with real (albeit organic, because the organic is better tasting and better for you IMHO) and real 1/2 & 1/2. What's the sense is using the fat free crap if you have to use twice as much??? ummmm, hello? Plus, that list of ingredients is enough to make one's head spin.

*Mulling over some fun tutorials for le blog. After reading this post, and this post
I wanted to expand on some fun ideas that have been swimming around in my noggin after the last tutorial I did.

*I'm off to eat good ol' fashioned southern food across the street. Yeah, I know I'm on a diet but it's auction night so I ain't cooking and I've been so, so good, and saving up for it all day.....

You were born with wings

new speckled eggs available in the etsy shop


Going through my stuff in my constant desire to purge and simplfy, I found some projects from my metals classes in college. I took several metals classes, as electives, after discovering that a drawing minor would eat up any opportunity to do something other than draw.

It is actually fairly fortuitous that I came to these classes late in my college career because at that point, I was already developing themes in my work and it was interesting to see the themes carry over into different media naturally without thought or planning.

a sandwiched pendant with riveting, acetate, and stamped words from metals class

Birds were something I latched onto right away. There were very strong themes of home, creating a home, and what it meant to be a modern female operating in today's society at that time, in my work. I have always struggled with these roles and the passing years have eased my angst on the subject. I realize now that it is less of something to be defined and more of embracing my own individuality and creating my own paradigm.

a domed birdcage pendant I made, this may have been metals II

interior with feathers and etching

After years of struggling through the post college amphora of identity and career, it is wildly satisfying to see how my work has come full circle and still embraces many of the themes that I followed so many years ago (can it be almost 8 years????)

now I've come full circle, now I've come HOME



How it has now changed and taken shape and how I have found the wings I've been seeking all these years.


You were born with potential

You were born with goodness and trust

You were born with ideals and dreams

You were born with greatness

You were born with wings

You are not meant for crawling, so don't

You have wings

Learn to use them and fly!

~Rumi

Shop updates

There is FREE WORLDWIDE STANDARD SHIPPING in the shop now through the end of the year! I'll also be offering some special coupon codes for the holiday so check back later in the week for that!



Now on to some of the updates.....

Grow Egg Charms

Triple hole key focal
Triple hole lace focal
Sacred Key Necklaces for the Erudite Collection
Whisper Collection - Word Charms
Cork Studs



Go here to see all of them!

Shop update.....

A more involved piece with a bird of my own and a charm I ordered from moreskyjewels
nuggets in earrings!
nuggets with lots of old keys I picked up while junking in PA when I was home last
stamped pieces in polymer and the bezel technique from Stephanie Lee's book


As you all can probably tell, my mojo has been a little absent lately, but it's back BABY. and I've updated the shop. I'm also thrilled to be making and patinating almost all of my own findings now. I'm still using up the remnants of my stash, but I'm planning to use and patinate all of my own findings now or buy only artisan types from some of the other great girls out there who have all those awesome patinas that I just don't want to invest in. It helps me feel more of a connection to everything I make.

I upgraded my torch from just a micro to a cheapy propane and eventually I want to get the mixed tank with a nice torch handle but for now it is just me and mr. cheapo propane and my now repurposed creme brullee torch, since I don't need to making or eating creme brullee and really, I never really made it that often anyhow.

I'll be back later on today to reveal the winners of my homely owls. :)

Updates in the shop....

Hi friends! Well, it has been like Grand Central Station here with folks coming and going at all times. Family left last week, then a friend of Mike's is stopping through on her way home after purchasing a VW bus up North. Next, Mike's cousins will be arriving for a visit. Then, more cousins in a few weeks! Whew!

I had time this morning to FINALLY update the listings for both the Breeze and Whisper collections in the shop. I've posted a few of my favorites here, but be sure to check out the shop for the complete collections.

I will be making more as time allows, but my beadmaking has been limited to absolute necessity with the summer heat in my studio. I do all the sanding and dirty stuff in an un-airconditioned space and I'm decidedly not nocturnal so my beadmaking has been limited to what can be fired, painted, and sanded between the hours of 7AM - 11AM before it reaches the temperature of hellfire out there.

Remember, most of the new pieces are one of a kind, but I would be happy to make something similar for you if you see something you love that has already sold.

Try and keep cool this week!

Collection: Whisper

So I've been developing some new beads lately. I'm trying to get away from stamped images and going towards more original carved pieces, which I then mold, similar to my You were born with wings pendant. But I also want to develop some cohesive collections, that include connectors/links, spacers, charms, and large focals.

I started with the Breeze Collection which I'm currently developing and expanding but I also started on the Whisper collection when Lori Anderson, of the blog Pretty Things, An Artist's Year Off, and hostess with the mostest of the Bead Soup Party contacted me about purchasing some beads, sight unseen, for a little creative exercise on her part. It seemed like divine providence or something, because I was just finished with the first round of the Whisper collection as well.

Lori is going to keep us updated on her progress so be sure to stop over and offer her some encouraging words!

The Whisper collection is all about working intuitively on the beads. I wanted to try for awhile to get away from making beads by rote, and really have them be a reflection of my mental process. When I was in college, my artist statement said that I combined mental whispers and ephemera to create a psychological narrative. Well, I'm still doing that....just on beads. It's funny, my work is much different now, but the way I work is still very much the same.

As for the Whisper collection, the weather is not cooperating today, so I should have some up in the shop sometime tomorrow. I'll be sure to keep you all posted!

some more...

paintings still in the works, new earrings in silver that I antiqued on my own and a long owl necklace.

Completed pieces and works in progress.... I've been working on some new things this week! Stay tuned!

earrings and owls necklace are availabe in the shop

Love....

popping in to show some new things. all inspired by love ♥

Love beyond measure Painting available here

Love is all that matters Necklace available here

Custom Work

Custom Necklace designed around my Connected Pendant


Bracelet with Custom Message based on my Dandelion Wine Bracelet

Just popping in to show you some fun custom work I've completed recently. I'm always happy to work with you on a custom piece. Whether it's just a pendant or bead you're in love with and want a piece designed around it or you want a special customization stamped for yourself or someone you love!

Feel free to email me (find my address at the bottom of the page) or contact me through my etsy shop.

More shameless self promotion....

So sorry it seems all I've been posting about is myself lately....but I do have some lovely features coming up so stay tuned in the next day or so because I've got something super special coming up, that I hope will work into a regular feature.

But until then, here are some new pieces that I've added to the shop. As you can see, I'm much obsessed with my new flannel color this week. I just love the subtle tone it lends and depending on how it is distressed and what beads it is strung with, it looks baby blue, almost gray, or turquoise.

From top to bottom

1) You were born with wings necklace. One of a kind.

2) Nothing is worth more than this day. One of a kind.

3) The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. One of a kind.

4) You were born with wings pendant and bead. Availble now in flannel blue.

All available here.

Just stopping in...

....to show my newest. I'm most excited about my new wing pendant. It is a hand carved piece that I've molded and then each piece is hand stamped after molding with a piece of a quote by Rumi. This is the new direction my work is taking and I'm so thrilled.

I started out with this bead and jewelry adventure about a year and a half ago and I think, through work and struggle, I'm coming out of my awkward tweenage years and starting to develop a unique style that I'm very proud of. I already have more carved pieces in the works and will be excited to introduce them soon!

This pendant comes with a pendant loop, but as all are made to order, I'm happy to drill a hole if you're working on a specific design, or add a jumpring to the loop if you want to add it to a chain or cord.

Available here.

a few new things....

Here are a few new designs that are in the shop, or will be soon!

xoxo,
b.