Art Elements - October COM Reveal - Sugar Skulls

  

This months Component of the month comes to you courtesy of Jennifer Stout-Cameron who provided the Art Elements team and our guests with these super funky sugar skull beads. I love these beads and wanted to do something fun in keeping with their quirkiness but, the bright colours are not usually something I would work with so it took some thinking. Much of said thinking revolved around flowers and dangles but I didn't have quite the right colours and then an idea struck me while rummaging around in my jewellery box. 

I just happened to pick up an old Macrame bracelet that's knotted in such a way as to create a flower design so I decided to try and adapt it to work with my sugar skull. It's a very old and very simple technique and as I began working the first thing that hit me was how much the bead patterns resembled the eyes on the sugar skill...don't you just love happy accidents...?

The bracelet is strung on Irish waxed linen and uses simple glass beads with size 6 Czech picasso beads to form the petals. I wasn't sure what to use for the clasp but another fortuitous find amongst my stash wad a cute lampwork shank button by Julie Fountain...the colours work well with Jen's bead and the heart motif is a classic for the day of the dead theme.

I wasn't sure at first but it's definitely growing on me and it's really comfortable to wear because the skull has a flat back so sits very nicely. All in all I'm pretty pleased.

Many thanks to Jen for giving us such great components to work with - I'm really excited to see what everyone else has made so please join me on out blog hop using the links below:

Guest Designers

Staci Louise Smith

Karin Grosset Grange

Solange Collin

Art Elements Team

Caroline Dewison

Susan Kennedy

Laney Mead

Claire Fabian

Diana Ptaszynski

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Cathy Spivey Mendola

Lindsay Starr

Niky Sayers

Lesley Watt

Cooky Schock

Jen Cameron

Lesley 

7th Bead Soup Blog Party - 3rd Reveal...

Welcome to the third and final reveal of the 2013 Bead Soup Blog party. Here's a reminder of the fabulous soup mix I received from my partner Silke Grober from Germany who, as you can see makes gorgeous lampwork beads. Silke was incredibly generous sending me not one, but three of her own focals as a matching set and some spacers along with some lovely brass and Rudraksha beads - thank you so much Silke for sending me ingredients that were such a pleasure to work with. I certainly had plenty to play with so I'll get on with it and show you what I made.

I love the earthiness of Silke's beads and they remind me a little of aerial landscapes, autumn seasons and for some reason vineyards. The first piece I made is this necklace using the 'elongated bicone' focal (not sure what the proper name for this shape is) set on a hand made bronze pin and bail.

I particularly like the dark plummy accents on the focal and wanted to try and pick this up in some way so I dug out some lovely matte peanut and seed beads from Smitten Beads and strung them with some of the accent beads from the soup. The Rudraksha beads and the gorgeous brass filigrees add a lovely warmth and although It's a fairly traditional design I think it's very pleasing to the eye.

Next I wanted to do something which incorporated the copper clasp Silke had made which I felt was crying out for a bracelet. I decided to go asymmetrical and fairly casual and went for Waxed linen for the stringing material, randomly adding beads from the soup mix along with a few of my own bronze discs.

I finished the cord tails off with some more of the peanuts beads and that was it - simple but effective.



For my next piece I chose the round focal bead which is probably my favourite but it is rather large so it took some thinking about. In the end I decided on a very long necklace with simple accents to show of the full beauty of the focal. The chunky Vintaj chain is interspersed with lovely sea green crystals (again from Smitten Beads) and both these elements are repeated as dangles below the focal.

I also added one of my bronze flying birds as a dangle and a few matte and shiny peanut beads to the bail to highlight the colour on the focal. This piece did prove somewhat difficult to photograph clearly but I hope you can get an idea.

Last but not least, I used a couple of the smaller lampwork beads to make some earrings which will go with any of the other pieces. The beads are wrapped in bronze wire with a length of chain suspended from the bottom. I added some more peanut beads ( can you tell I rather like these peanuts...) to small jump rings and attached these to the entire length of the chain and finished off with the sea green crystals. These have a lovely sense of movement and texture and I liked them so much I've made some similar styles since.

 All pieces now in my ETSY Shop.

I still have 1 focal, the silk and a few beads left so there will be more to come but for now that is my serving of bead soup - I'm so excited to see what Silke has done with the beads in the picture below which I sent her and I hope you will pop over to her blog too and take a look.

I'd also like to offer  a huge vote of thanks to Lori Anderson and her helpers for organising yet another epic event and being a huge inspiration to us all.

To see the designs made by all the other participants just use the links below and start hopping.
Have fun!

Lesley

Adlinah Kamsir	www.dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.com
Agi Kiss	http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Alenka Obid	www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Alison Sachs	www.beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com
Amanda Tibbetts	http://www.amandamade.com/blog
Amy Sims	www.amysimsdesigns.com
Ana Cravidao	http://acbeads.blogspot.com
Andra Marasteanu	http://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Andria Poole	www.Jewelleryartiste.blogspot.com
Angela Perkins	http://jeweledinspirations.blogspot.com
Anja Schultz	http://anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de/
Ann Sherwood	http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Anna Nordeman	http://annas-adornments.blogspot.com
Annita Wilson	http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean	http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Astrid Boyce	http://astridboyce.blogspot.com/
Barb Fernald	http://barbarasfernald.com/
Betty James Hoppensteadt	www.tybetastidbits.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardt	www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Bonnie Coursolle	http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Brandy Thomason McNair	www.bellavitajewelry.blogspot.com
Brenda Sigafoos	http://brenda-sigafoos.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau	http://littlemake.blogspot.com/
Carol Wilson	http://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Caroline Dewison	http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Cassie Donlen	www.cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Catharine Temaluru	http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine Turrell	http://fairysketches.blogspot.co.uk
Cheri Reed	www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzocha	http://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Christa Murphy	http://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/
Christina Hickman	http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina Stofmeel	www.fengbeads.com
Christine Hansen	http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield	www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins	www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Cindy Cima Edwards	www.cindycima.com
Claire Lockwood	www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Colleen Vinthagen	http://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog/
Dagmar Liebisch	http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/
Dana Fowler	www.blogjunepur.blogspot.com
Danielle Kelley	http://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Denise Milward	http://milwardstorysofar.wordpress.com/
Diah Anggreni	http://pernik-manik.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez	www.arteypoemas.com
Diane Valasek	http://dragonflyclose.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu	http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington	http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Doris Stumpf	http://glaszwerg.blogspot.de/
Elizabeth Bunn	http://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Drake	http://mutteringsofacrone.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Jones	http://www.eyekandyjewellery.com
Elizabeth Stolarczyk	http://elizabethsart.blogspot.co.uk/
Ema Kilroy	http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Erin Kenny	http://beadifultherapy.blogspot.ca/
Evelyn Duberry	Www.ShebaMakeda.com
Fay Wolfenden	www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Francesca Watson	http://francescawatson.com/
Gen Smith	http://gennysworld.blogspot.com/
Ginger Davis Allman	www.thebluebottletree.com
Giorgia Rossini	www.joyblonde.blogspot.com
Hannah Annear	www.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Heather Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Heidi Kingman	www.Heidikingman.blogspot.com
Ildiko Jarai	www.sviroalkotasai.blogspot.hu
Iveth Caruso	www.CreativeAtelier.net
Jackie Locantore	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
Jacqueline Keller	www.creartelier.blogspot.com
Jane Pranata Lim	http://cherryeve.blogspot.com
Jennifer Davis	http://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Tough	http://jenniferbeads.blogspot.ca
Jenny Vidberg	http://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Jessica Klaaren	Http://cellardoorjewelry.blogspot.com
Joanna Matuszczyk	http://filcowe.blogspot.com
Joyce Becker	www.joycesjoyfulgems.blogspot.com
Judith Johnston	http://www.lampworkbeadlounge.com/
Judy Riley	www.threeredbeads.blogspot.com
JuLee Wolfe	www.thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com
June Butt	http://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Karen Mitchell	http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kari Asbury	http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/
Karin King	www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Karin von Hoeren	www.creativeideen.de
Karla Morgan	http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathrin Lembke	http://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Kathy Stemke	http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic	http://slovoni.blogspot.com
Katy Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson	http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Kelley Fogle	www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Keren Panthaki	https://vasdea.wordpress.com
Kimberly Idalski	http://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Kirsi Loponen	http://peikkonen.blogspot.com
Klaudia Tóth	http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista Quantrill	www.cornucopiaofcrafts.blogspot.ca
Kristina Hahn Eleniak	www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kristina Johansson	www.wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Laney Mead	http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Lara Lutrick	http://www.lutrick.blogspot.com/
Laura Guenther	www.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Potts	www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Leah Tees	www.mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Lena Adams	http://mommaslilbirdiesblog.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt	www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Leslie Wayment	www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
LiliKrist	http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Linda Kropp	http://lindasartbarn.blogspot.com/
Linda Newnham	http://www.earth-shine.co.uk/
Linda Younkman	www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Boucher	http://lisasclayhappenings.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Clarke	www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Lora Bright	http://fandangling.wordpress.com/
Lorelle McIntyre	http://beadyart.blogspot.com.au
Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Finney	http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Lucie Bouvier	http://www.carlosbeadstore.com/blog/
Malin de Koning	http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se
Marina Dobrynina	http://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/
Marina Kosovic	http://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Marion Simmons	http://www.shadetreejewelry.com/blog.html
Marita Suominen	http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Marjolein Trewavas	http://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Marsela Schroth	www.marselita.de
Martha Aleo	www.ornamento.wordpress.com
Mary Govaars	www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mary K McGraw	http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Maybeline Tay	http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Mea-B. Uebler	www.glasorakel.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger	www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Menka Gupta	http://menkag.blogspot.com
Merja Sundström	http://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Merja Syrjämäki	http://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi/
Michelle Buettner	http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle Escano	www.cabbycraft.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton	http://adornedonadelaide.blogspot.ca/
Milla Hope	www.Lbcreativeart.com
Miranda Ackerely Mowse Doyle	www.mirandack.com http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Mrs M Makes	www.mrsmmakes.wordpress.com
Nan Smith	www.wirednan.blogspot.com
Natalie Davidson	http://northshoredays.blogspot.co.nz/
Natalie Moten	http://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Natascha Marty	www.sommerlicht.ch
Nikki Banham-Hall	http://jewellerymakingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Noemi Baena	http://blog.noemibaena.com/
Norma Turvey	http://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com
Pam DeBoer	http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Pam Hurst	www.pamhurst.blogspot.com
Patti Pruhs	http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton	http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au/
Penny Mills	www.cobblestone-lane.blogspot.com
Rachel Van-Walsh	www.balancedcrafts.com/blog
Rebecca Sirevaag	www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Regina Santerre	http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Regina Wood	http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com
Roberta Fauntroy	www.thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com
Rosanagh Watson Rose Johnson	http://ring-a-ring-a-rosie.blogspot.co.uk http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Rosemary Cheslock	www.glasseyebutterfly.tumblr.com
Rossana De Gaspari	http://rdegas.blogspot.com
Sabine Dittrich	www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn	http://palemooncreations.tumblr.com/
Sandi James	http://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sandra Wollberg	http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/
Sandra Young	http://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca/
Shai Williams	http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sharon Palac	www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Sierra Barrett	http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/
Silke Gröber	http://just-beads.blogspot.com
Siobhán Keogh	http://vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie/
Stefanie Teufel	http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Stephanie Stamper	www.Skwds.blogspot.com
Sue Hamel	http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Sue Rennie	http://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Susan Kennedy	www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Susan McClelland	http://mistheword12.wordpress.com
Susanna Lehto	http://othellehto.blogspot.fi/
Suse Stelljes	www.pearlify.blogspot.de
Susie Hibdon	http://vintagesusieandwings.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilson	www.BeadphoriaBlog.com
Tara Plote	http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Terri G.	http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Terry Carter	http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Terry Matuszyk	http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/
Theresa Frank	http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
Tina Bosh	http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Tina Noonan	www.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewels	www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Facebook Participants
Audrey Allen	https://www.facebook.com/adallen07
Cindy Wimmer Muse	https://www.facebook.com/mritech813
Cynthia O'Toole	https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.otoole
Deb Floros	https://www.facebook.com/deb.floros
Debbie Jensen	https://www.facebook.com/debbie.jensen.984
Erin Honeycutt	https://www.facebook.com/erin.honeycutt1
Kaushambi Shah	https://www.facebook.com/kaushambi.shah
Lisa Lloyd Harrison	https://www.facebook.com/lisa.lloydharrison
Mary Jane Tanner	https://www.facebook.com/mary.j.tanner
Valerie Tilghman	https://www.facebook.com/valerie.tilghman

Bead Giveaway Blog Hop ...

Hello and welcome to the 'Kaz Baildon Bead Giveaway Blog Hop'. Way back in October a group of designers where randomly selected receive a free bead or beads from a huge stash very kindly gifted to me by the super talented glass artist Kaz Baildon. Since then the recipients have been working on designs for jewellery, accessories or ornaments using those beads and today's the day they reveal what they've made. I don't know which beads went where so I'm really looking forward to seeing the results.

This is the bead I kept to use for myself and yes, I forgot to photograph it before I made my piece! I thought the tartan like design was rather fun and the shape was something different to work with. Unfortunately things didn't quite go to plan for me...

As always I left everything until this last week having decided that being a last minute Mary is part of my genetic make up and there's no point trying to change now. But since late last week I've been somewhat under the weather and for the last few days have been confined to bed dosing myself on antibiotics and painkillers. So when I did get around to starting on my design on Monday I had to limit myself to simple ideas and tools that I could use from bed - no sharp objects or heat involved here then.

Anyway, all that aside I had already decided I wanted to make something fun and as the focal is quite detailed I thought a simple treatment was suitable. I also happen to have a rather large jar of odds and ends of lampwork spacers so I had a good sort through those and came up with some in co-ordinating colours. I've got a bit of a thing for stringing and knotting with cotton and linen at the moment - I think it's because after working with metals so much when making my components it makes a change to use something different in my jewellery designs. I used a Double strand of waxed linen and strung the spacers so that the 'ring' side was featured rather than the edge of the bead. Kaz's focal was strung onto the linen as a pendant and I left tails beneath it which I finished with little Czech glass beads and the necklace is finished with a simple brass lobster clasp. As I've said - quite simple but I hope you like it none-the-less.

Now, I don't usually make holiday themed jewellery but when I was clearing up the beads there were a pair that had a definite seasonal feel to them so I thought I'd make a little extra item. I knew I had just the right beads to turn these 'cool' lampies into a pair of seasonal earrings which I thought would be a nice tribute to Kaz who I happen to know is besotted with earrings and has a huge collection of them. So here we have a pair of icy, alternative Christmas trees complete with red Czech glass 'tubs' and Hematite stars...cute huh?

Just before before you dash off to see what everyone else did with their beads, you might recall that in addition to the beads I gave away for this blog hop, I also promised a grab bag of beads for one lucky person from the original list of commentators. Well this is what's in that grab bag...

And I'm delighted to announce that this will shortly be winging it's way to...

Leigh Thow of JewellrLeigh

Congratulations Leigh, I hope you enjoy creating with your early Christmas present.

So let's get back to the bog hop then...I hope you'll join me and come and check out all the other participants designs using the links below - now that I can do from bed! Many thanks to Kaz for her very generous gift of the beads that made this event possible and of course, to everyone who has taken part in the hop - I hope you had fun designing with your surprise beads and who knows...maybe we can do it again next year...

Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Marie Cramp -   Marie is unwell and has had to withdraw
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.com
Heidi Post - http://http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/
Linda Landig -  http://lindalandig.wordpress.com
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.com
Renetha - http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins - http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/
Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
 Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.com
 Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com 
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca
Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.com
Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.com

Lesley

Art Jewelry Elements - First Post...

Good morning lovely people...

 

Beads by Kaz Baildon

Today sees the publication of my first article on the Art Jewelry elements blog so I do hope you'll come over and check it out. As I'm the first person from the UK to join the team, I've used the opportunity to showcase some of the home grown talent that excited and inspired me (and still does) when I first took up jewellery design .

I'll be posting on AJE at least once every two weeks on Thursdays so do join up to follow if you want to be among the first to read about  what I and my talented colleagues have been up to. There's also an AJE Facebook page you can follow where you can interact and tell us what you've been up to and what you'd like to see on the blog

Have a great day all.

Lesley

What's in a name...?

Do you name your jewellery or other creative designs?

Dragonheart

I do and have done since I started publishing pictures of them, but I've never consciously thought about why I do it. Certainly, before I became involved with art jewellery I'd never bought any named pieces. I think it's probably something I adopted from the the glass bead artists I buy my lampwork beads from because a lot of them name their beads. After all, it could get a bit dull to list your work as 'blue beads 32' or 'another set of green beads' and would seriously underplay these gorgeous goodies.

Mother Earth by Clare Scott

Hawaii 5 - 0 by Kaz Baildon

Then there's the process of how you go about naming pieces. The heart pendant at the top of this post was fairly easy...the glass blend used for the decoration was called Dragons Breathe and to me it had a medieval/fantasy feel so, Dragonheart seemed both obvious and appropriate.

Sometimes I've had a name for a piece before I've made it or even knew what it would look like. The name for the piece below came to me as soon as I'd made the Bronzclay focal using a section of sea urchin shell and was actually the inspiration for  the design of the piece as a whole. This is far more detailed and 'costume' oriented than my normal work and a real departure for me.

Neptune's Garden

And of course, there are times when I feel less inspired and on these occasions I usually end up giving a descriptive rather than imaginative name.

Pretty Bubbles

Earlier this week, the Guild of Jewellery Designers published an article entitled '40 Incentives to name your jewellery' by Marthe Le Van, which made interesting reading. Some of them are quite obvious...

• Titles convey that an item is one-of-a-kind
• Titles make your jewellery seem complete
• Titles can set a mood...establish a context...communicate a vision...

But, had I been asked, I don't think I would ever have come up with a list of 40 reasons even though, when you think about it, they all seem perfectly logical and sensible. The full article can be found here.

So, do you name your designs... do you think it's important... can you think of more than 40 reasons?! I love it when people leave me comments so I'd really like to hear what you think about this and how you go about naming your products.

By Nia Clements

Have a great weekend all.

Lesley