Feb 27, 2013

The Art Bead Love Tour and Wicked Good Art Beads



"We here at Love My Art Jewelry are always trying to think of new ways to spread the love of handmade, and the message to create handmade with handmade.  So we put our brains together and came up with this idea, the Art Bead Love Tour.

 -- Staci L. Smith




The Art Bead Love Tour could soon be stopping by a beading table near you! 

Begun by Love My Art Jewelry , the Art Bead Tour is a one and a half feet chain of art beads that travel from winner to winner, symbolizing the unity of the jewelry arts community and encouraging jewelry designers to create handmade with handmade.

"There are 60 beads on this chain, worth
 approximately $450.  It includes ceramic, 
glass, polymer, various metals and metal 
    clay beads.  It’s a true tribute to handmade
        in all its beady glory!  These beads are ready
       to go on tour…….the Art Bead Love Tour!
This tour is basically an art bead swap
which will go on and on and on. "
                                             -- Love My Art Beads

The Art Bead Love Chain is currently in the creative hands of my friend, clay artist and jewelry designer Marlene Cupo of Amazing Designs By Marlene. 

As the last winner of the Art Bead Love Chain, Marlene is allowed to remove and replace up to thirty art beads from the chain. She's posted pictures of her art beads swap, and whether you are an art bead creator or collector, you can enter to win a turn at loving the chain by visiting her blog  and entering to win.



Two amazing sites for learning about art beads is Art Bead Scene and Art Jewelry Elements. AJE is edited by Jenn Cameron, with contributions by a large collective of art bead and handcrafted jewelry artists. ABS also has contributions by various artists.

Creating handcrafted with handcrafted means learning about the incredible world of art beads! Art beads are made by an individual artist, and not mass produced. They include ceramic, glass, polymer, various metals, and metal clay beads. Recently, Jenn Cameron of Art Jewelry Elements sent me this gorgeous package of art beads! As you can see, art beads and art components are made up of diverse materials, techniques, and styles.

Fabulous art beads from the amazing and talented Jennifer Cameron of Art Jewelry Elements




Similar to the Art Bead Love Tour, Nicole Weltch's Bead Swap USA is an ongoing, national art bead swap -- and so much more! BeadSwap USA is home of the traveling bead boxes, with everything one could imagine, including art bead boxes, seed bead boxes, gemstone boxes, glass boxes, this & that boxes, and special boxes for high end beaders (who are lovingly referred to as "bead snobs" -- including me ;)


So whether you follow the Art Love Tour, explore travels with Bead Swap USA, or admire the beautiful work featured on blogs Art Jewelry Elements and Art Bead Scene, begin creating handcrafted with handcrafted. I promise the richness, depth, and energy of your jewelry art will increase and transform in beautifully unexpected, ever unique, and wonderful ways!






Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Feb 26, 2013

Bead Soup Blog Party 7: USA - Canada Sneak Peek



Soup's on, and jewelry designers worldwide are receiving their bead mixes for Bead Soup Blog Party 7.  Here's a sneak peek at the bead soup I've sent my partner, Nan Smith, of Canada: 




Mysterious? Here's another view: 





And the artists of the bead soup mix on its way to Canada: 


Lampwork of Jelveh Jaferian

                            


Lampwork of Leah Nietz







Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Focus On Life: Week One Self Portrait

 Week One: Self Portrait



I captured 
                this photo
                              on the way to Easter Dinner
        years ago
                                I'm the one
        wearing jewelry
                                my first handcrafted earrings


NOW


Sometimes
       you see me 
in a chair
       sometimes
flying 
       sometimes
behind the camera
       the one I love
for taking
       light & beauty
without edits
       naturally 
that crazy camcorder
        simply

does it all













Sally Russick's Focus on Life














Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Feb 24, 2013

The 7th Bead Soup Blog Party® is On!






It's that fantastic time again -- time for Lori Anderson's grand gala event for jewelry artists of the world -- it's time for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party®! 

The annual Bead Soup Blog Party® began when Anderson decided to act upon an idea that inspired her: she gathered friends for a bead swap through the mail, partnering jewelry artists whose challenge was to exchange bead mixes -- or " bead soups" -- and then create with whatever beads they received. 



It would become a phenomena throughout the jewelry arts community, growing in popularity and participants. Today, Anderson is graciously hosting an  international party of more than half a thousand beaders in Bead Soup Blog Party 7 !! 

So, how does it work? 

Each participant sends their partner a Beady Party Pack, something nice they would give a best friend or wish they themselves would receive. The bead soups include:

::  A focal  ::
::  Some coordinating spacers or beads  ::
::  A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)  ::



There is then a a traditional "sneek peek" of bead soups while treasures travel through the mail. Guessing what might or might not be coming your way is fun! 

Once both partners receive their bead soup party packs, the beads are revealed and the creating begins. 


Jewelry for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party will be shown in three reveals (see photo above). Exploring the many designs, techniques, and styles of bead mixes and handcrafted jewelry  on an international level is an inspiration for the jewelry artist. Coming together, across the world, to share in the love of jewelry making is an experience to cherish. 


Enjoy Bead Soup Blog Party Favors at the BSBP Shop :)


You'll find cool ways to commemorate the Bead Soup Blog Party at Anderson's Bead Soup shop, which offers fun items such as BSBP journals and totes, coffee mugs and aprons. 




You'll also enjoy the Bead Soup Blog Hop party fun on Facebook at the "Bead Soup Cafe" -- a group offering monthly design challenges, community, art bead connections and a great way to hangout with bead lovers.



The Bead Soup Cafe on Facebook

To follow the events of the Bead Soup Party, Anderson has created a special area on her Pretty Things blog where one can find updates, information on the Bead Soup Party 7 Pinterest board, a listing of participants and their blogs, and examples of bead soups. And this year, Anderson has included participants on Facebook, so artists without blogs may also join in the fun! You'll find it all here, at Lori Anderson Bead Soup Blog Party.   



Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Feb 13, 2013

BTW: Making Handcrafted Resin Headpins





Last Wednesday, I was excited to share a simple project this week, one using only resin & glitter yet one certain to sparkle up your winter jewelry making: glimmerpins -- handcrafted sparkling headpins.





Looking for ways to include elements of blue opal in a bead soup gift, I first discovered resin headpins at "Jelly Pins" on Etsy, a shop specializing in unique findings. 


Rainbow Assorted Sampler by JellyPins on Etsy

Several months later, Tina Holden of Beadcomber shared her tip for using up the last drops of resin in the cup. She simply rolled headpins in the resin, along with coloring and/ or glitter, taped them to a shelf to dry  -- and ta-da! Fancy headpins made to order. (You'll find photos & instructions on her blog under free tutorials.) 

"Good To the Last Drop" Making Headpins with resin by Tina Holden, Beadcomber


And from my experience, Lisa Pavelka Magic Gloss resin works great for creating beautiful translucent shimmering headpins. Making bejeweled beauties like "midnight opal moon" and "sugar fairy" is as easy as mixing pretty colors of glitter and adding to resin. 









Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Feb 6, 2013

BTW: Mise en Place






Today's BTW is about Mise en place, a term in professional cooking for everything in its place.
It's also a beadwork term and what I've been up to.



Electronic Challenge:

 I was gifted the most beautiful new laptop from my family so I might be able to blog, photograph, and create more efficiently. But learning the new windows 8 tiles and getting browsers to work smoothly has been anything but efficient.  I've had to move photos and links, email myself my pdf collection of tutorials and transfer the many electronic DVDs & books I use in jewelry making.

 It's taken real effort, and time. And the process, like cleaning out a closet, has felt a little overwhelming but also good -- good to dig deep, and really get organized.

With everything in its place, there is now beautiful new shelving to organize & keep tidy my supplies, a fantastic new working laptop, and 3 empty bead boards!





Decisions challenge:

For chainmaille, I'm taking Scott Plumlee's advice and not using a jewelers saw to cut my jump rings.  Plumlee discusses cutting jump rings in his DVD, "Make Chain Maille Jewelry," pointing out that a good vacuum system is needed to remove the metallic dust, which is an unhealthy pollutant to us, our families, and our pets. (You'll find more tips from Plumlee in "9 Great Tips for Chain Maille Jewelry" at Jewelry Making Daily.)

The challenge is keeping the inner diameter of the jump ring correct while creating a double flush cut without using a saw. I tried the "double flush" cutters by Xuron: great for wirework, not great for cutting tiny chain maille rings. 



And so I've decided to continue to use my beloved Hakko Italian cutters and a digital caliper. Without a saw, my imperfect jump rings will continue be a part of my jewelry, but now I can cut away the un-flush side of the wire and still maintain the correct inner diameter (and with just a little squinting, they look pretty good).  Add to that a tumbler, and my handmade rings just might rock! 


Chainmaille Challenge: 

A friend challenged me to create a wonderful pendant -- the catch was to do so without a tutorial. 

Here is the beautiful design created by Kenth Kutschera, the "Helm and Mobius Pendant" at Maillers Worlwide: 


My practice run -- I did it :) And I think that by going down a gauge in each ring size it really will be perfect, and wonderful in jewelry. I'm excited to create this pendant again in brass or silver.







Upcoming Challenge:

My resin arrived and I'm excited to begin creating a fantastic project. Can't wait to share it with you next BTW. See you then! 










Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Feb 2, 2013

The Color of Dreams: Clay and Lucite Blog Hop



This Grateful Artist Blog Hop
 begins with
The Color of Dreams


My daughter & I decided to both create jewelry, inspired by the beautiful palettes, patterns, and motifs of polymer clay artist Patricia Handschuh. A Florida artist, Handschuh has that rare ability to infuse her art with her world; living in a tropical paradise, Handschuh's beads are a confluence of the spiritedness, exuberance, and lightness of the peninsula. Each art bead is its own little sanctuary. Her beads are full of vibrancy, color & energy, and creating with her work is joyful. My daughter and I simply couldn't get enough, and we happily purchased additional beads from The Colors of Dreams for today's challenge! 
Our beads arrived wrapped like candy, with special treats!
The Color of Dreams boutique is a little bit of heaven.  
(And a Valentine's Day discount is available now! ;) 
With our additional Color of Dreams beads, my daughter decided to use both bead mixes sent by Lisa in order to create a necklace of "Easter egg" colored spring jewelry, and I discovered to my delight that two of the additional beads worked perfectly in an antique brass and teal/ turquoise colorway of beads I had gathered into a Mise en place weeks ago!  
My daughter's jewelry:


The Color of Dreams beads strung on hand knotted on silk,
 with silver lined blue seed beads and both our Lucite & crystal bead mixes.













My jewelry: 





The pretty butterfly Color of Dreams pillow bead was a perfect for my turquoise & teal seed beads, Vintaj butterfly, and Picasso drops just waiting on my bead board to take flight.



 I hand cut about 360 jump rings from antique copper German wire, and created a "beadmaille"** necklace, a combination of beadwork & chainmaille.








An upcycled Kirk's Folly angel became the charm holder for the Vintaj butterfly,
sparkling stars & moons, and pretty Czech. I may still embellish the brass butterfly
with my Metal Me This turquoise patina....What do you think? Dap & Patina? 


 ** Beadmaille is a technique  invented by Cindy Thomas Pankopf that combines beadwork & chainmaille. I'm learning from her book, "BeadMaille" and beginning to understand what it takes to combine two technique weaves like RAW & Euro. In essence, it is very simple, and I think beadmaille has lots of potential. However, this isn't something I've seen really take off yet, or be explored by artists other than Pankopf (if you know another Beadmaille designer, please share! I'd love to see the work) . That said, I hope to learn the technique enough to begin experimenting on my own. This design is my second beadmaille piece and is a variation of her "Art Deco" necklace.

Thank you, Lisa, For Hosting Our Hop Today!
The Grateful Artist

 
Enjoy all the jewelry of the Clay & Lucite Blog Hop:

Special Guest of Honor:Patricia Handschuh of The Color of Dreams Blog :)

Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jennifer Reno, Musings of a Crafty Jenny 
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Ashleigh Kleinhans Becker, Sela Designs Jewelry
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends    *** you are here :)
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design 








Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!