tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49944382508989917722024-02-18T18:32:59.774-08:00Spun a web4 mebeauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-75827543291811601292014-03-08T04:31:00.001-08:002014-03-08T04:31:56.505-08:00Antique Spun GlassAntiques are always special. They speak about the past in ways that books cannot. One truly special antique item is spun glass. These items made of glass from decades past are something to be treasured. There are many types of antique spun glass out there, although finding it isn't always easy. You can find it with our help. A lovely bit of antique spun glass will be yours with a little bit of time and effort.<br /><br />There are many different types of antique spun glass. One of the pieces most widely available today is spun glass figurines. These are also often quite affordable. If you can get your hands on one of these lovely spun glass pieces of art, then you are lucky indeed. Often, these figurines tell us more about the past than anything can. The designs, colors, and details of these antique items will speak volumes about the decade and people it belonged to.<br /><br />Other types of antique spun glass include more rare items such as large spun glass chandeliers and wall hangings. These items are not usually found, but they are out there. Wall hangings made of spun glass often look like stained glass windows and were popular in home décor in Victorian times. Large spun glass chandeliers have turned up on occasion as well. Just imagine how one of these pieces would look in your home!<br /><br />Acquiring antique spun glass can be difficult. One of the best ways to get it is at professional auctions. These auctions often have quite a bit of authentic antiques and you just might get lucky with a beautiful piece at a great price. If you're more of a bargain hunter, you should keep an eye out at thrift shops. Although you can't always be sure of the origin of the items at second hand shops, you might be able to find some lovely antique spun glass for just a few dollars.<br /><br />Spun glass is a wonderful art form and a great way to decorate your home. If you are looking for design tips, spun glass decoration, and information on art glass supplies and antique stained glass or spun glass decor and gifts we can help by providing information, FAQs and reviews. Spun glass figurines also make wonderful gifts. A new piece of spun glass art depicting a happy couple makes an excellent wedding gift. Or hand down tradition with a gift of antique spun glass for a college graduation, a monumental birthday, or some other special occasion.beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-15043500884547562182014-03-08T04:24:00.003-08:002014-03-08T04:24:43.582-08:00Spun Glass FigurinesSpun glass figurines are wonderful pieces of art. They come in all colors and sizes and you can use them to decorate your home, give them away as gifts, or even make them yourself. You can express yourself with a figurine that shows off one of your favorite hobbies, or surprise a lucky bride with a beautiful wedding-related spun glass figurine. Speaking of weddings, spun glass figurines also make great wedding cake toppers. The world of spun glass figurines is a very versatile one.<br /><br />The most popular size of spun glass figurines are small ones. These delicate pieces of art are usually quite affordable. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors. You can purchase one that looks like a motorcycle, a castle, or a favorite animal. You can find them with special sayings for Mother's Day, weddings, birthdays and other occasions. You can also special order them. Many companies will allow you to choose the design, color and saying for someone special or for yourself.<br /><br />There are also larger spun glass figurines available. These tend to be more expensive because they are harder to make, but they make a wonderful home décor accent or an amazing gift. They are also available in many sizes and styles. Some of them will be one-of-a-kind creations. These are often sold at specialty stores and at art galleries. Owning one of these treasures is like owning a great piece of art.<br /><br />There are also extravagant spun glass figurines being created today. It is fast becoming a luxurious art form. Many people are having spun glass chandeliers created in their homes. Other times, corporations such as restaurants, concert halls, and up-scale retail stores are having these pieces of glass art designed to impress patrons. If you are lucky enough to own one of these rare, lavish pieces of spun glass, you should indeed treasure it.<br /><br />Spun glass figurines make great home accents. Smaller figurines can be placed in china cabinets or on fireplace mantels. Purchase a few in the same color scheme as a room in your home. Medium sized figurines can be displayed on stands, in hutches, or as centerpieces. Large spun glass figurines can be hung from the ceiling for a great effect or displayed in specially made glass cases.<br /><br />Spun glass is a wonderful art form and a great way to decorate your home. If you are looking for design tips, spun glass decoration, and information on art glass supplies and antique stained glass or spun glass decor and gifts we can help by providing information, FAQs and reviews. Spun glass figurines also make wonderful gifts. A new piece of spun glass art depicting a happy couple makes an excellent wedding gift. Or hand down tradition with a gift of antique spun glass for a college graduation, a monumental birthday, or some other special occasion.<br /><br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-46062585373528588632014-03-08T04:18:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:22:26.121-08:00Jewelry is one of the best ways to express yourself. And beautiful beaded jewelry is just as unique as you are. Whether you choose to make spun glass beads and jewelry, or buy great, original pieces, this is the article for you. We'll show you the best way to get and wear spun glass beads or spun glass beaded jewelry.<br /><br />If you choose to make spun glass beads and jewelry, then you know how rewarding this hobby can be. Perhaps you enjoy making and selling these pieces, or you make them just for you and to give as gifts. You might choose to make the glass beads or just the jewelry. Whatever you decide, quality supplies are a must. If you choose to make your own beads, you should always have plenty of supplies, coloring and safety equipment on hand. If you choose to make just the jewelry, then you'll need to find quality beads for your creations.<br /><br />Finding glass beads for jewelry is not always easy. If you want work that is truly the best quality and one-of-a-kind, you should find a local supplier. Someone who makes spun glass objects for a living in your area can provide you with the very best glass beads. You can also look online. This is especially helpful if you are looking for a wide variety of beads at a discounted price. The supplies to make your own glass beads are also much easier to find online, many internet craft stores and glass making specialty shops are selling glass bead making supplies. You may have to put some time into it, but your spun glass beads and jewelry hobby is going to be completely worth it.<br /><br />Wearing spun glass beads and jewelry is a fun way to express yourself. You might have several pieces or just one, but it's always a treat to wear lovely spun glass. Spun glass beaded jewelry looks great with almost anything. Pair a sweet and simple bracelet with jeans and a top for a casual night out. Or don a long, sexy necklace with a little black dress for your own special twist on this timeless outfit. However you choose to wear it, spun glass beaded jewelry will bring your own touch to anything you wear.<br /><br />Spun glass is a wonderful art form and a great way to decorate your home. If you are looking for design tips, spun glass decoration, and information on art glass supplies and antique stained glass or spun glass decor and gifts we can help by providing information, FAQs and reviews. Spun glass figurines also make wonderful gifts. A new piece of spun glass art depicting a happy couple makes an excellent wedding gift. Or hand down tradition with a gift of antique spun glass for a college graduation, a monumental birthday, or some other special occasion. If you choose to make spun glass beads and jewelry, then you know how rewarding this hobby can be.<br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-86559336005580567042014-03-07T10:11:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:52:55.833-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivasGU6bVbRkup4nYTgIsOJXtnkoo9zt2w-e171gypLxhpnuD7iMB42mqLLNth76JxprrR4MocvO-cuMuiArOQO_-P0j6B8OJYgzuRKTvR1fpY1XfeAVja0mKIeQtGEsv6bm7OQ4kSoLc/s1600/These+are+a+few+of+my+favorite+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some of my personal favorite rings by Pandora. Sometimes we forget that Pandora does in fact have a nice selection of fun, collectable and affordable rings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So while you are planning your new spring charms to get that free bracelet, also consider the ring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivasGU6bVbRkup4nYTgIsOJXtnkoo9zt2w-e171gypLxhpnuD7iMB42mqLLNth76JxprrR4MocvO-cuMuiArOQO_-P0j6B8OJYgzuRKTvR1fpY1XfeAVja0mKIeQtGEsv6bm7OQ4kSoLc/s1600/These+are+a+few+of+my+favorite+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivasGU6bVbRkup4nYTgIsOJXtnkoo9zt2w-e171gypLxhpnuD7iMB42mqLLNth76JxprrR4MocvO-cuMuiArOQO_-P0j6B8OJYgzuRKTvR1fpY1XfeAVja0mKIeQtGEsv6bm7OQ4kSoLc/s1600/These+are+a+few+of+my+favorite+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivasGU6bVbRkup4nYTgIsOJXtnkoo9zt2w-e171gypLxhpnuD7iMB42mqLLNth76JxprrR4MocvO-cuMuiArOQO_-P0j6B8OJYgzuRKTvR1fpY1XfeAVja0mKIeQtGEsv6bm7OQ4kSoLc/s1600/These+are+a+few+of+my+favorite+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivasGU6bVbRkup4nYTgIsOJXtnkoo9zt2w-e171gypLxhpnuD7iMB42mqLLNth76JxprrR4MocvO-cuMuiArOQO_-P0j6B8OJYgzuRKTvR1fpY1XfeAVja0mKIeQtGEsv6bm7OQ4kSoLc/s1600/These+are+a+few+of+my+favorite+rings.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div><br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-61969323404495507462014-03-07T02:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.716-08:00Bisque firing <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> by Kelli Pope</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> About twice a year, when I'm not busy with shows, I spend a weekend with my dear sis, Sue, and we play with clay. It is SO therapeutic. I crank out beads, beads, pendants and more beads hoping it will get me through a few months of jewelry making. We laugh, drink wine, create, and laugh some more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dY1fw3dx8iFsEzSa9-VMABbgKlKHjfBRth3VBag4bqEB1wqrScJn0qDNg6v9SLZ4-1DLvOnQdAln2qonp8zePL-TY8Xc-SvmD-zI9mjjizyjdnzSc3vVuhwk1Xa0dSbAHhOab_HTeMI/s1600/DSC04341+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dY1fw3dx8iFsEzSa9-VMABbgKlKHjfBRth3VBag4bqEB1wqrScJn0qDNg6v9SLZ4-1DLvOnQdAln2qonp8zePL-TY8Xc-SvmD-zI9mjjizyjdnzSc3vVuhwk1Xa0dSbAHhOab_HTeMI/s1600/DSC04341+-+Copy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm quite happy to say after opening the kiln there was only one small breakage. The petal off of one flower pendant :o(</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-O8hwr6akOYvzvsAQ9lMSo94yL_Cz6V4HD4eTaiaKHnJrsjtf1S7BOnT0T9Hp9j46myxu_f_E2Bg8LB_33f0VJHphgtnOZOia__AT6jDXRN44LcuaqeIsJU8A5h3IdEz2LhkhSRLHjM/s1600/DSC04343+-+Copy+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-O8hwr6akOYvzvsAQ9lMSo94yL_Cz6V4HD4eTaiaKHnJrsjtf1S7BOnT0T9Hp9j46myxu_f_E2Bg8LB_33f0VJHphgtnOZOia__AT6jDXRN44LcuaqeIsJU8A5h3IdEz2LhkhSRLHjM/s1600/DSC04343+-+Copy+(2).JPG" height="218" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We used black and buff stoneware clay. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyKchlp_oII51nP2z4_rxob2W6M89Ih-9SmDmGluQDBf-OFgpN50Yc5pGcnYiudu1lAOLsbRNb9D7wJI30kK0fBDKeg5BAbyTJiVdJUyuImNZiZrvIjgB8eTXJbLwbirf4c6gzHiF7aI/s1600/DSC04344+-+Copy+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyKchlp_oII51nP2z4_rxob2W6M89Ih-9SmDmGluQDBf-OFgpN50Yc5pGcnYiudu1lAOLsbRNb9D7wJI30kK0fBDKeg5BAbyTJiVdJUyuImNZiZrvIjgB8eTXJbLwbirf4c6gzHiF7aI/s1600/DSC04344+-+Copy+(2).JPG" height="282" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prior to the weekend, I had cut some of my own stamps, which I had never attempted before. The outcome was GREAT!!!! No sticking AT ALL!!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCQzBdaSrOLz0BQJ_rWw87Acfxi-ESKCZ-JuaDWt4r9QmQL112JrYOxNbtCnEU2swQXu-AXvOI6CId9V0bMU8nfN_H3br52mSIre_JxQoMrNlCIC299b5qKGmUIjCpwONhdqA5kqFHzI/s1600/DSC04342+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCQzBdaSrOLz0BQJ_rWw87Acfxi-ESKCZ-JuaDWt4r9QmQL112JrYOxNbtCnEU2swQXu-AXvOI6CId9V0bMU8nfN_H3br52mSIre_JxQoMrNlCIC299b5qKGmUIjCpwONhdqA5kqFHzI/s1600/DSC04342+-+Copy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I forget the count on the pendants,but I know I made well over 300 beads. :o) Hopefully, that will last a little while....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnh29bDgEjPVWcnNqfsglzLM_nLljIY6R8NqouSvExKga_VXmN66s0HwWahdz2bKMsSShxYyPs9mC-Rx3c8_RyWATd2exwlIVE9QRQbapwpSkHj6WlhAbhM7JV0EXsO9hzBsBgCqWiR8/s1600/DSC04345+-+Copy+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnh29bDgEjPVWcnNqfsglzLM_nLljIY6R8NqouSvExKga_VXmN66s0HwWahdz2bKMsSShxYyPs9mC-Rx3c8_RyWATd2exwlIVE9QRQbapwpSkHj6WlhAbhM7JV0EXsO9hzBsBgCqWiR8/s1600/DSC04345+-+Copy+(2).JPG" height="252" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">once I get them all glazed, that is........... Sue and I have an appointment with my favorite Kentucky potter at the end of this month. She normally offers pot throwing classes, and bisque glazing sessions. She has graciously agreed to give us a couple hours, and teach us some new glazing techniques. I am SO excited!!!!!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have been SO intrigued with Marsha's posts this month. It has made me realize how much I DON'T know about this wonderful art form, and made me hungry to learn more. </span></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-58314490812485453082014-03-06T06:44:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:48:27.848-08:00Inspired by Reading Book Club: The Enchantress of Florence and Difficult Loves<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjSCoORWvcrnrwTn_hKcelFeHbi6zYOdsAd950yVm5N4u5MlAZ7nzJzMWWeEPoHYpAmDkaARV3d8UWAb7sfveKM5FG1VI4I5yzsaEDmNIkYK12qnln0ZBIpgrFcI4yv-tcnW9b-_ELYs/s1600/blog-reading-group-enchantr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjSCoORWvcrnrwTn_hKcelFeHbi6zYOdsAd950yVm5N4u5MlAZ7nzJzMWWeEPoHYpAmDkaARV3d8UWAb7sfveKM5FG1VI4I5yzsaEDmNIkYK12qnln0ZBIpgrFcI4yv-tcnW9b-_ELYs/s1600/blog-reading-group-enchantr.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Andrew Thornton's <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2014/03/inspired-by-reading-januaryfebruary.html">Inspired By Reading Book Club</a> selection for January was The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie. We have doubled up for this month's blog hop and are also including the current selection for February Italo Calvino's Difficult Loves. I found inspiration in both books but favored the charming slightly surreal stories of Italo Calvino in Difficult Loves. I had never read any of his stories, except the Fairy Tales, and was surprised and very pleased by their simplicity, charm and unusual imagery of bugs, sea creatures, and beautiful plants.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPJ8u37cfImeFf8SgoHHlFmm-d2p1IZACAf9cwllRUkIKUy106vGQE3I9KvOh2qSVr5kSj70EXsbmZrr13xP-XzUS2mrSb-gJECW3kptm9URh3AIHjdV4V3NlrI_DuiYZsDJ7r5mdroY/s1600/blog-readinggroupcalvino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPJ8u37cfImeFf8SgoHHlFmm-d2p1IZACAf9cwllRUkIKUy106vGQE3I9KvOh2qSVr5kSj70EXsbmZrr13xP-XzUS2mrSb-gJECW3kptm9URh3AIHjdV4V3NlrI_DuiYZsDJ7r5mdroY/s1600/blog-readinggroupcalvino.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For today's blog hop I am sharing the necklace I made inspired by Salman Rushdie's The Enchantress of Florence. I have found during this year of creating jewelry related to the books we have read, that what I choose to make often comes to me as an almost full blown vision when I come across a passage or idea in the story that "speaks to me." I think these epiphanies are what make it so exciting to participate in this Book Club and undertake the reading of books I might never have chosen myself. I was never sure it would happen in The Enchantress of Florence but persisted (due to my personal connections to Florence and Renaissance art), until I came across the following passage:</div><div><br /></div><div>"According to legend the Medici family possessed a magic mirror whose purpose was to reveal to the reigning Duke the image of the most desirable woman in the known world."</div><div>It seems that after some time the mirror no longer worked and "fell dark." And then after the election of Pope Leo it began to work again. In order to find the beautiful woman revealed in the magic mirror, the famous painter Andrea Del Sarto was summoned by the reigning Duke to paint the likeness within the mirror, but it only reflected back an image of the artist, as the mirror was not so easily tricked. </div><div>The idea of Andrea Del Sarto's reflection in the mirror sparked the idea for me to make a Florentine Mirror with an image of one of Andrea Del Sarto's art works, since he is an actual painter from the Renaissance period. When I looked him up, I was captivated by one of his chalk drawings of a young girl. I fitted a copy of the drawing into a shallow bezel cup that I had tinned to a piece of copper and made an ornate bail for, and then I poured resin into the bezel. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc5WC2jEfub9kpF1c2OPJULpaJG5mp_05RcrSk0FjWfWE30KZn-euscAaCvx3tctlJpTC_dextLOLqYCRLNSmU9AzI_4FYNMySvU48c57ZDEZYRVW7cGhow_7CKtk0Hz7NJ8yVSvesE8/s1600/blogreadinggroupdelsartro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc5WC2jEfub9kpF1c2OPJULpaJG5mp_05RcrSk0FjWfWE30KZn-euscAaCvx3tctlJpTC_dextLOLqYCRLNSmU9AzI_4FYNMySvU48c57ZDEZYRVW7cGhow_7CKtk0Hz7NJ8yVSvesE8/s1600/blogreadinggroupdelsartro.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>I used a simple Vintaj etched brass chain, added a couple of ornate copper beads from Fusion beads and a decorative oval toggle clasp that I made from copper clay to reflect the classic necklace style of the time and to focus attention on the marvelous image in the mirror.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pMPkKSUXcr59WQHk_aLoUQo0qgdk8Fbh1QafCYAjs7aEOgH5t291AJbB_RV6T-_WywSsmyQK-2OULaXyCROH1uTCqEx63QKK8UXhIGy5BolPrxlmBFwpm080W5hi3DagxqfQjyhR3Ko/s1600/blogreadinggroupdelsarto-ne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pMPkKSUXcr59WQHk_aLoUQo0qgdk8Fbh1QafCYAjs7aEOgH5t291AJbB_RV6T-_WywSsmyQK-2OULaXyCROH1uTCqEx63QKK8UXhIGy5BolPrxlmBFwpm080W5hi3DagxqfQjyhR3Ko/s1600/blogreadinggroupdelsarto-ne.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div> The Mirror of Andrea Del Sarto Necklace <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Rv94NO73LCxf0OLVIr6QvETcd6TmUBlMpuLbrzApcIcJzBi-ZscQmVaKL3Xs8yromMeIlG7ld_2GvgtHz5ByF6Lm1URMzIDRep4N4fvhWGsJX2Lqgr3D6xZ_dLR6vT_9bJbbjOi0Nrw/s1600/blogreadinggroupclaspenchan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Rv94NO73LCxf0OLVIr6QvETcd6TmUBlMpuLbrzApcIcJzBi-ZscQmVaKL3Xs8yromMeIlG7ld_2GvgtHz5ByF6Lm1URMzIDRep4N4fvhWGsJX2Lqgr3D6xZ_dLR6vT_9bJbbjOi0Nrw/s1600/blogreadinggroupclaspenchan.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></div> The clasp<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned, Italo Calvino's short stories are charming and full of wonderful unexpected imagery and are often happy and pastoral in feeling. I liked many of them but was captured by The Adventure of a Reader. Funny and lighthearted, the story poses the question of what is more real and more desirable, the story or real life. I have not yet finished my piece for this book but hope to at some point in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Andrew for continuing the book club on into next year. We have only 2 more selections for this year, March is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765368242/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0765368242&linkCode=as2&tag=thewriandarto-20">An Irish Country Doctor</a> by Patrick Taylor and April is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/039592720X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=039592720X&linkCode=as2&tag=thewriandarto-20">The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri</a>.<br />Thank you for stopping by. Since this is a blog hop I hope you will take a look at the wonderful creations of the other participants:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #191919; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><a href="http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #72179d; text-decoration: none;">Sarajo Wentling</a></div><div style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #191919; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><a href="http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/" style="color: #72179d; text-decoration: none;">Jeanne Steck</a></div><div style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #191919; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><a href="http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #72179d; text-decoration: none;">Mary Harding</a></div><div style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #191919; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><a href="http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com/" style="color: #72179d; text-decoration: none;">Ann Schroeder</a></div><div style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #191919; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><a href="http://www.bluefinchjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #72179d; text-decoration: none;">Rachel Stewart</a></div><div style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #191919; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/" style="color: #72179d; text-decoration: none;">Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, Alison Smith and Terri Greenawalt</a></div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-22481719605558870172014-03-06T05:23:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.725-08:00Wrapping up the Bead Showby Staci Louise Smith<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After endless bead making, and posting about bead making- the Berks Bead Bazzar is here and gone. It was a fabulous time, as always!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was happy with how my booth turned out, I ended up with a lot more beads then fit on the 6' table! So I had to stack and be creative. I used my folding book shelves on part of the table, and then used a shelf the hubs made me- but I altered it to be higher. I added a crate on the other side as well. I made the shelf higher and removed the slats from the back of the crate to allow me to see my customers better. Everything is so high once you use table risers!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlEw1Xr4Azu66oDijFkCBp81VTROBVLKvKc0z4hcEg_y7Q-PfhM8cgR3vU6WWfk6_Vp6ZGGIxLOiTRFeyPf4bXxGTQYBVB6-M8yRSv8HXACvwkO6a2ybzlLsI10BP6NdCQGCSd92Y9z8/s1600/20140301_093921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlEw1Xr4Azu66oDijFkCBp81VTROBVLKvKc0z4hcEg_y7Q-PfhM8cgR3vU6WWfk6_Vp6ZGGIxLOiTRFeyPf4bXxGTQYBVB6-M8yRSv8HXACvwkO6a2ybzlLsI10BP6NdCQGCSd92Y9z8/s1600/20140301_093921.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRu_PZ3O4slI1H90oM6GOtup78MYQSRvUVLix_Udm7-5lu_qUSt7hjKrku-vNGK9y68cp1X6bTtThvzJsQg1d5bOfUGsRn3yrshaILPnesmpiXQtjLWEdJi79WXswTr6Pj2qD-Zoo3AE/s1600/20140301_093930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRu_PZ3O4slI1H90oM6GOtup78MYQSRvUVLix_Udm7-5lu_qUSt7hjKrku-vNGK9y68cp1X6bTtThvzJsQg1d5bOfUGsRn3yrshaILPnesmpiXQtjLWEdJi79WXswTr6Pj2qD-Zoo3AE/s1600/20140301_093930.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since my beads are unusual, I like to have lots of jewelry samples so people can envision them in actual jewelry. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Diana of <a href="http://vintagebluestudio.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Suburban Girl Studio </a>was my neighbor. Her booth looked sharp, I love her magazine display!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9MVaKlulInwiFVfNhaEdMvqXrhmTPFRB1d2bxBzaZkSdVuYLEC8vgjJ_F2kSB6QpTbxjoGvBriiUFDneovWmZ8PG6GOjjKkTXLMiL9ZRUKJFhO2TjkflZMhd6YBy2ZN3IPmvVnz2iSM/s1600/20140301_093936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9MVaKlulInwiFVfNhaEdMvqXrhmTPFRB1d2bxBzaZkSdVuYLEC8vgjJ_F2kSB6QpTbxjoGvBriiUFDneovWmZ8PG6GOjjKkTXLMiL9ZRUKJFhO2TjkflZMhd6YBy2ZN3IPmvVnz2iSM/s1600/20140301_093936.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog" target="_blank">Jenny Davis-Reazor </a>was next to her - her booth is always full of magical fun. I like that she labels things...so organized!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KSGeu8xJZqNVuq-iLsb0sK8f79IAKYfxb-cBqmZFM0YQdBf95rbezYZ7uC8gsRZ5-Mqp55FjTHTlHghsSZmJ_gvRRvy9Ue1EPfsX0bhCDtruV_r1OpsykgiCX0XVksaIiCknNT44ARo/s1600/20140302_112616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KSGeu8xJZqNVuq-iLsb0sK8f79IAKYfxb-cBqmZFM0YQdBf95rbezYZ7uC8gsRZ5-Mqp55FjTHTlHghsSZmJ_gvRRvy9Ue1EPfsX0bhCDtruV_r1OpsykgiCX0XVksaIiCknNT44ARo/s1600/20140302_112616.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next to her were <a href="http://patticahill.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Patti Cahill</a> and <a href="http://www.joanmiller.com/" target="_blank">Joan Miller</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FWVkAMwaK6d8lX8nzXkILB0cunNWh2j_Hn8j7SsiHvn_sldNZYh-1g3bH_qohBC45eb5Zl0PIoT8fkI5Y4AIwI27Dyvow-LI5JbG9VGAsZt03Pr268p_EXFGPhyphenhyphen57pW9fuiU6bTXIGQ/s1600/20140302_112803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FWVkAMwaK6d8lX8nzXkILB0cunNWh2j_Hn8j7SsiHvn_sldNZYh-1g3bH_qohBC45eb5Zl0PIoT8fkI5Y4AIwI27Dyvow-LI5JbG9VGAsZt03Pr268p_EXFGPhyphenhyphen57pW9fuiU6bTXIGQ/s1600/20140302_112803.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So it was nice, we had a great section of Artisans all together- (but there were many many more!!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even my lovely daughter had a little table, thanks to Joan Miller for thinking of her!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqNmsi66Ygr3IKyxSh3WEgyIW2Y_8iemoyl8bRw9se61Ki7c3jnsFnyNx9dUfy1O19T3n5TiCn9FUk-Qm-Db45dVK1aP8yqgd8otBTjbocoZfo__iK2-8I9oKrlRXxSajWBNDLF0_FiA/s1600/20140301_134052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqNmsi66Ygr3IKyxSh3WEgyIW2Y_8iemoyl8bRw9se61Ki7c3jnsFnyNx9dUfy1O19T3n5TiCn9FUk-Qm-Db45dVK1aP8yqgd8otBTjbocoZfo__iK2-8I9oKrlRXxSajWBNDLF0_FiA/s1600/20140301_134052.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was certainly a proud mama! I even walked away a couple times and found her explaining my beads to my customers for me! What a great little helper! (and she is only 9)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I came home with some great goodies- as always.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(show and tell time)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSrPkoXdN36bSKqi9Sbc-qZj7bdseD-hPJ31XbU3BNFQ4O4BhJxYCPL6bnVxxr-6rH1O6epsk-VNtzOFlsRQehKiGaA2XHS8uTd3_qok4hRcMPSdmTzzkSQ_h7zcb8Q4lpqpK1Sv9f8A/s1600/20140303_101402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSrPkoXdN36bSKqi9Sbc-qZj7bdseD-hPJ31XbU3BNFQ4O4BhJxYCPL6bnVxxr-6rH1O6epsk-VNtzOFlsRQehKiGaA2XHS8uTd3_qok4hRcMPSdmTzzkSQ_h7zcb8Q4lpqpK1Sv9f8A/s1600/20140303_101402.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">i got a nice tray of art beads- including an order from Marsha Neal Studio that takes up most of the tray! Top right corner is some great Suburban Girl studio beads, top middle is Joan Miller, Top right is Jenny Davis-Reazor (she made the fox!!!) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also couldn't resist <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SlabsCabsRough" target="_blank">Grep Graup's </a>bin of odd cabs. You know odd and unusual is where i live in my designs!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(the grey druzies in the bottom left corner were from Mamania)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2Rb91ZOc61k4rOWyNFY-1B082HNDShQaE_RlM5xszwqYZRLLgzyQz0nDXAAVMvfGoIxLWGjz01Pa5TJpmHJlZh9Nh1shofi2ahSdzQOyOwb_mIf4_dpQ9f_Ib-rJ1EA-gZ-FO7Z_X7U/s1600/20140303_101514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2Rb91ZOc61k4rOWyNFY-1B082HNDShQaE_RlM5xszwqYZRLLgzyQz0nDXAAVMvfGoIxLWGjz01Pa5TJpmHJlZh9Nh1shofi2ahSdzQOyOwb_mIf4_dpQ9f_Ib-rJ1EA-gZ-FO7Z_X7U/s1600/20140303_101514.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had another tray full for the boys, who don't get to come with me. They LOVE the cool rocks I find them in Greg's stash!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also found a GREAT deal on pearls at Mamania's. As well as some other gemstone strands.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think that about wraps it up. I am totally inspired now and cannot wait to catch up on things so I can make jewelry with my new beads. Now its time to start getting ready for jewelry show season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are interested, I am will be posting trays of beads up for sale on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stacilouiseoriginals" target="_blank">facebook page</a> later today, and listing in <a href="http://www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com/" target="_blank">etsy</a> early next week. I have lots left to offer to all of you who couldn't make it to the show.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Diana is also listing some beads today or tomorrow in her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/suburbangirlbeads?ref=ss_profile%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20?ref=ss_items" target="_blank">etsy shop</a>, so check in for new art beads.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for letting me go on and on about the show! It was certainly consuming all my time and brain power. I am slowing switching gears- back to jewelry and other art!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-72900680574595895102014-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.735-08:00Ceramic Bead Quality through Chemistry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">To continue on with the discussion about <a href="http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2014/02/ceramic-clay-what-makes-clay-ceramic.html">Ceramic Clay Beads</a>, the one absolute thing that must happen for earth clay to become ceramic clay, is a firing of the materials to a high temperature where the materials - on a molecular level bond together. Click <a href="http://pottery.about.com/od/temperatureandmaturation/tp/tempclay.htm">HERE</a> for a great explanation of the firing process.<br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXjoizbY9XOFW2Or6hM1eQCIX_cPNCF_z__5Vuj2HYDVxaK_uQZ28d0Kf5XeSFc6cF5QZ82bL3CzThgZhkmqlmllK3M6UaEXxq6gEXb-c3jAYdqpdpnDWjRFWM4Hbz6IMjep2Yb-rY0c/s1600/POTS+A+GLOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXjoizbY9XOFW2Or6hM1eQCIX_cPNCF_z__5Vuj2HYDVxaK_uQZ28d0Kf5XeSFc6cF5QZ82bL3CzThgZhkmqlmllK3M6UaEXxq6gEXb-c3jAYdqpdpnDWjRFWM4Hbz6IMjep2Yb-rY0c/s1600/POTS+A+GLOW.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisa-petersart.blogspot.com/2014/02/celebrating-ceramic.html">Raku Firing Image by Lisa Peters-Russ and Nadine Unsworth</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>For the most part, ceramic artists bisque fire their wares to around 1750 degrees F so they can paint ceramic glazes on them.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYps0Lxo8LBZmEwTF2naCr_BFypLuaoSs2oCVOXSl-XcmLwI79AZb3PfYM6_NJ60-XT3kbGGAnLKFqmBa9naaF7jqkLvwts7BDLtuJ05WUGI4UDZFPcmBvU1a4jJYUl2YCp8yv3C7Nr4kq/s288/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYps0Lxo8LBZmEwTF2naCr_BFypLuaoSs2oCVOXSl-XcmLwI79AZb3PfYM6_NJ60-XT3kbGGAnLKFqmBa9naaF7jqkLvwts7BDLtuJ05WUGI4UDZFPcmBvU1a4jJYUl2YCp8yv3C7Nr4kq/s288/5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/2012/09/bisque-beads-in-waiting.html">Marsha Neal Studio Bisque Fired Ceramic Beads</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Ceramic artists also may want to layer underglazes by brushing on and wiping off the colors in layers. This could not be achieved on greenware (unfired clay) without layers of clay being removed as well.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/sites/default/files/u2/IMG_6887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/sites/default/files/u2/IMG_6887.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog/beadfest_preview">Jenny Davies-Reazor ceramic glaze fired pieces</a>:<br />Technique: Color on, wiped off, layered more colors on, wiped off, clear coated, glaze fired.<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>The second firing - the glaze firing - is usually much higher, bringing the ceramic clay close to vitrification.<br /><br />Sometimes ceramic artists are able to glaze their greenware pieces and do a "once firing", but it is not a frequently used technique due to high breakage of greenware while glazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>A ceramic glaze that fits the clay body and is fired to these almost vitrification temperatures (upwards of 2200 degrees F) makes the ceramic clay quite durable. Here is a <a href="http://pottery.about.com/od/glazeproblems/tp/glazdefect.htm">link</a> to explain a bit about glaze and clay "fit" issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>Glaze firing beads can be a bit tricky because the glaze will flow down the piece when it is fired in the kiln and if the glaze touches anything it will fuse to it.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvHHd3ioFcieZuagWUkfKlbk0usG1RfwKB-f9SWYCC7y-39K5XjY6tN28ONCRO0BAPLWHgF3scYldqZfxCo7MjxTemH3RkI3-kHng5iLxxO6GzmnSedWtXvwPlzPvlpHLGyTmlsqalZfV/s320/Fused+Pendants+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvHHd3ioFcieZuagWUkfKlbk0usG1RfwKB-f9SWYCC7y-39K5XjY6tN28ONCRO0BAPLWHgF3scYldqZfxCo7MjxTemH3RkI3-kHng5iLxxO6GzmnSedWtXvwPlzPvlpHLGyTmlsqalZfV/s320/Fused+Pendants+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blog.beadsofclay.org/2011/05/third-friday-cone-6-glazes-firing.html">Marsha Neal Studio Fused Glazed Bead Pendants that touched in the glaze firing.</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Some people decide that firing their work with a non-glazed back is the way to go - this is either a decision made by artistic choice or because you are firing to a much higher temperature than the Nichrome rods can handle or maybe the community kiln you are firing work in doesn't want to spend the time to load each tiny bead by bead as it is a quite tedious thing to do.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyxScQUgmY7q-ep8E6sUqbyVXaS-P-bwOtwSQwb433tJaiTxLwdTrZ_0Y4-1vpL1664NPmV-hrYYVLAXvidtrMYmY-ClQQhiQBXryDP9dxD8oCnAyNuDvfN1xCjrefWbkZ5sxAExe/s1600/IMG_4882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyxScQUgmY7q-ep8E6sUqbyVXaS-P-bwOtwSQwb433tJaiTxLwdTrZ_0Y4-1vpL1664NPmV-hrYYVLAXvidtrMYmY-ClQQhiQBXryDP9dxD8oCnAyNuDvfN1xCjrefWbkZ5sxAExe/s1600/IMG_4882.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artjewelryelements.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/freeform-friday-ready-glaze-fire.html">Jenny Davies-Reazor Cone 10 Reduction Firing Pendants</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Some ceramic bead makers like to suspend their work from a bead rod or <a href="http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/02/nichrome-wire-in-ceramic-beads.html">nichrome wire</a> that has been cleared of glaze (<a href="http://www.blog.beadsofclay.org/2011/05/third-friday-cone-6-glazes-firing.html">see my previous post</a>). Nichrome rods can go up to Cone 6 firing, but will often sag under weight at those temperatures.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoDEsmXrafA_Fom6iqz6u6Qj3y81_v_xfK1ivOp8o4JI_BDioYL5W-_0bQALhhgLzjjCA842ugsNByZWRywpVTkvPgLBHeNGaXaRhIFSqhjur6OcaM5AwLSB1apvptAX9YOEwp1B1OEsR/s320/Partially+Loaded+Kiln+MNS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoDEsmXrafA_Fom6iqz6u6Qj3y81_v_xfK1ivOp8o4JI_BDioYL5W-_0bQALhhgLzjjCA842ugsNByZWRywpVTkvPgLBHeNGaXaRhIFSqhjur6OcaM5AwLSB1apvptAX9YOEwp1B1OEsR/s320/Partially+Loaded+Kiln+MNS.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsha Neal Studio Kiln Firing - Suspended Beads and Pendants</td></tr></tbody></table><div>GLAZE SAFETY: Always try to minimize the amount of ceramic clay or glaze dust you create by wet sanding or sponging your underglaze or glaze out of bead holes. Wear dust mask, goggles and gloves to protect yourself, and wet clean your area immediately after to avoid making excess dust.<br /><br /></div><div>NON-FIRED or COLD GLAZING on CERAMIC</div><div>What if you are working with ceramic beads and you want to use a non-fired painting (or cold glaze) technique to finish your ceramic work? Looking past the many cringing faces of traditional ceramicists - trust me - just about any serious ceramic potter or ceramic artist cringes just a bit when you talk about "painting" your ceramics and not "firing" them - that is just the way it is with the magic of fire and kilns and the interaction of the glaze material on the ceramic clay body during the firing...</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are at point where you want to paint your ceramic clay in a non-fired finish, you want avoid it looking like a child did it without any thought or care, because that is just pretty offensive to the ceramics art community (sorry, I have to be blunt about that). You want it to be of the highest quality as possible, expressing your own personal artistic vision. Push yourself until you achieve what you are wanting to express and then stand behind your work and feel proud of your work.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1376890482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1376890482.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/watercolor-porcelain-seed-pod-beads/">In progress image of painting ceramic beads with water color paints</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>Artists looking to paint their ceramic clay can use air dry, cold glaze, or heat set (think heat guns or oven temperatures) products. These include paints - oil, acrylic, water paints, pigments, dyes, colored pencils, pastels, wax, guilders paste, etc. Some of these materials work fine layered directly on bisque ceramic beads, and sometimes they need a thin layer of gauche - as they are little ceramic canvases if you think about it. Cold glaze refers to something that was air dried then sealed for protection.</div><div><br /></div><div>Often, the time it takes to layer on, remove layers, paint more layers - letting layers dry in-between, makes a bead cost the same if not more expensive than a similarly glaze fired ceramic bead. Pricing of work like this is all about the artists time that goes into finishing that item, and to the quality of the work in question.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1376890746-600x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1376890746-600x420.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/watercolor-porcelain-seed-pod-beads/">Marsha Neal Studio Water Color Painted, Cold Glaze Finished Porcelain Beads</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>So no matter if you glaze fire your ceramic piece (kiln fired glaze finish) or you bisque then finish it with "non-fired" or "cold glaze" techniques, it is always important to make your best work, understand your material, make sure the surface of your ceramic work is sealed for longevity (if required) and communicate clearly what material you are using and the suggested intended use. Think about safety when intended use comes to mind, as ceramic clay edges can be sharp if they are broken, and often are not really great around young children as they tend to drop, bang, hit, throw, and eat anything they get their hands onto.<br /><br />Here are a few other recent blog posts about ceramic beads if you are interested in educating yourself more about this versatile material:<br /><a href="http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2014/03/inside-studio-with-mary-harding.html">Mary Harding for Art Bead Scene: Inside the Studio</a><br /><a href="http://artjewelryelements.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-life-of-bead.html">Caroline Dewison for Art Jewelry Elements: The Life of a Bead</a><br /><a href="http://blog.nkpdesigns.com/2014/02/what-makes-ceramic-clay-ceramic.html">Natalie Pappas: What Makes "Ceramic Clay" Ceramic?</a><br /><a href="http://www.lisa-petersart.blogspot.com/2014/02/celebrating-ceramic.html">Lisa Peters Art: Celebrating Ceramic</a><br /><a href="http://www.artjewelryelements.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/freeform-friday-ready-glaze-fire.html">Jenny Davies-Reazor: Ready. Glaze. Fire! (Cone 10 reduction firing and ceramic pendants)</a><br /><br />And remember, we'll be updating our <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/loveartjewelry/ceramic-clay-lmaj/">Love My Art Jewelry Ceramic Clay Pinterest Board</a> with links to artist pieces, ceramic clay educational posts, tutorials, and such.</div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-73602890226030642982014-03-03T02:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.745-08:00 Asymmetric vs. Symmetric <span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> by Kelli Pope</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asymmetry. HUH? Definition, please. </span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">symmetry</span>: <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> a balanced, pleasing, or suitable arrangement of parts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(synonyms - balance, coherence, consonance, proportion, unity)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">asymmetrical : having two sides or halves that are not the same: not symmetrical </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(synonyms - discordance, disproportion, disunity, imbalance, incoherence, confusion) </span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I started creating jewelry, I wanted to make it artsy and interesting. Never once did I think to myself, "is this asymmetrical or symmetrical? I think I want it to be discordant, disproportionate, incoherent and confused." I would think.... Does it flow? Is it interesting? Is it balanced? Is it pleasing to the eye? If the answer was yes, I was happy. More often than not, my friend Julie would say, "it's not even". While making a piece once, my brother in law told me, "it doesn't match". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlCZHXwxpyIWnn1l4vGJANPgg_x4n4JXaErApcRfKGu8SlrLNV6mDo0viDqJyfF5ireIpCPy7dDgAxYvDXOZHEJhEszFimYM0YHAEGsZhkhPGD3LYBCFyAoH06trNIRVz9KU1hn-rkK8/s1600/_DSC9301+v2.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlCZHXwxpyIWnn1l4vGJANPgg_x4n4JXaErApcRfKGu8SlrLNV6mDo0viDqJyfF5ireIpCPy7dDgAxYvDXOZHEJhEszFimYM0YHAEGsZhkhPGD3LYBCFyAoH06trNIRVz9KU1hn-rkK8/s1600/_DSC9301+v2.tif" height="320" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asymmetrical earrings leave my sister saying, "that would make me crazy". What I discovered, and what makes our own Mary Ann cringe, and get white-knuckled, is that some people need things to be even. Orderly. Symmetrical. Straight. Aligned. (Julie of course, has a little OCD, but don't tell her I said so ;o). My brother in law is an engineer, need I say more?) We're all just wired a little differently. And what is pleasing to some is NOT pleasing to others. So, does that mean all asymmetric designs are "imbalanced", "confused", "incoherent", "kooky" (maybe) or not pleasing? No. Does it mean that a uniform strand of beads is always pleasing? No. Just depends on who's looking at them. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No right or wrong, just different points of view.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A special order I once received was for a strand of large, handmade, orange ceramic beads. Nothing else. All the same shape, size and color. When it was finished, I wasn't happy. To me, it was <i>crying</i> out for something. <i>Anything!</i> But I toughed it out, (white-knuckled it, Mary Ann, yes I did) and I left it alone. She loved it! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beauty truly IS in the eye of the Beholder!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the beauty of art. This is why artists get to do what they do. Don't copy others, create your own <i>art</i>, your own <i>vision</i>. Create your own beauty, symmetric or asymmetric. There is a beholder out there who is going to LOVE IT!! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Do you prefer symmetry or asymmetry? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div><br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-1759182318759159422014-02-28T08:54:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.752-08:00The Beauty of Ceramic Beads and the Jewelry Created with them.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmbZ2_PM8wUSqIJs9GKkkiARXq7-qoEcg9kUEy2iAg-zEeNlaJYlftNS8A3cTwNh2bfqozQgKDT7KAVtEyFFT7k_vDnbZ25wiYA9ud8oX9d3FLMd8pYrO4bMzIjj7HSJm3afg_u-iWt8/s1600/me+1l+august+12+small+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmbZ2_PM8wUSqIJs9GKkkiARXq7-qoEcg9kUEy2iAg-zEeNlaJYlftNS8A3cTwNh2bfqozQgKDT7KAVtEyFFT7k_vDnbZ25wiYA9ud8oX9d3FLMd8pYrO4bMzIjj7HSJm3afg_u-iWt8/s1600/me+1l+august+12+small+blog.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MaryAnn Carroll</td></tr></tbody></table>My journey with bead making started with low-fire ceramic beads known as earthenware. Low-fire is when you ultimately (usually after the glazing stage) fire the beads to approximately 1850 (give or take) degrees in a kiln which is basically a specialized oven that will heat to certain temperatures. Marsha wrote a post that goes into much more detail about this process. If interested in learning more, click <b><a href="http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2014/02/ceramic-clay-what-makes-clay-ceramic.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</b><br /><br />Today, when I create ceramic beads, I usually am drawn to a mid-fire porcelain or I am fortunate enough to be able to use high fire clay and fire those beads in my husband Bill's <a href="http://www.splitfirepottery.com/Kiln_Rebuild.php" target="_blank"><b>wood-fire kiln</b></a>. I will leave pictures of those for another post.<br /><br /> I just wanted to share some work from a few ceramic artists. Following a sample from each, is an example of another piece of theirs used in a different artist's jewelry. Ceramic beads are fantastic in jewelry making as I hope you will see.<br /><br />If you have not yet tried out ceramic beads, I do not think you will be disappointed. Navigate to shops by clicking on the links below each picture.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGhygA9Bk7Cyc7SHe1gVV1CAYXDzBHaXvkPMN2e8p-dVosz29H3u0UGaeZf-Kr904Qk0w03eIZfE9NSxWP7rvAtfydENTsT29dGoTXmWYjcnJIf1ejsK5LH_Vcs8BqFM5LTkHAtDZOek/s1600/ceramic+post+karen+totten+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGhygA9Bk7Cyc7SHe1gVV1CAYXDzBHaXvkPMN2e8p-dVosz29H3u0UGaeZf-Kr904Qk0w03eIZfE9NSxWP7rvAtfydENTsT29dGoTXmWYjcnJIf1ejsK5LH_Vcs8BqFM5LTkHAtDZOek/s1600/ceramic+post+karen+totten+beads.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ktotten?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Beads by Karen Totten</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORWMHRv7V3PIHlqUEG9GA4it5X7HlWENNO9nTeTHXoE3MT1tiLfi8oFNuMCvTo-VEBwjGJa2H_0MvN2WNDw4iyi6zPny4s-6Kv9J7XlWTKtBJgr1Tv25VTUcgMPvdT3jJ7WWHPJn-5l0/s1600/ceramic+post+karen+totten+marthas+ruby+acorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORWMHRv7V3PIHlqUEG9GA4it5X7HlWENNO9nTeTHXoE3MT1tiLfi8oFNuMCvTo-VEBwjGJa2H_0MvN2WNDw4iyi6zPny4s-6Kv9J7XlWTKtBJgr1Tv25VTUcgMPvdT3jJ7WWHPJn-5l0/s1600/ceramic+post+karen+totten+marthas+ruby+acorn.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/marthasrubyacorn?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Necklace by Martha Thomas</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73xE4T58sjFxgcwajdRES2KeqW5dwpktuTdTR4ZC31DyXgx_56Vm9R0QZZnvZhiS37wK1P59IbjHX1mQX60k021TUH1OTCDZsmR8xn6wqLJxOHRoBbJ4-qa7MCybuUAlsQjBaFQTn8-c/s1600/ceramic+post+suburban+girl+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73xE4T58sjFxgcwajdRES2KeqW5dwpktuTdTR4ZC31DyXgx_56Vm9R0QZZnvZhiS37wK1P59IbjHX1mQX60k021TUH1OTCDZsmR8xn6wqLJxOHRoBbJ4-qa7MCybuUAlsQjBaFQTn8-c/s1600/ceramic+post+suburban+girl+studio.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/suburbangirlbeads" target="_blank">Pendant by Diana P.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwdbQAU8PGuVd6Ei-f9LhC2jkxBNfROF3zznm-Ja-jD-Jw6sk-tv_h51BoFX_Cqe3oFEdPw0hzNw8udTE4sKcRY8aoRVtg5WjvqynHNMUc_SehNwuL2mT-Hcb3IA7-j18bxZ942MhZrk/s1600/ceramic+post+suburban+girl+sjdesignsjewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwdbQAU8PGuVd6Ei-f9LhC2jkxBNfROF3zznm-Ja-jD-Jw6sk-tv_h51BoFX_Cqe3oFEdPw0hzNw8udTE4sKcRY8aoRVtg5WjvqynHNMUc_SehNwuL2mT-Hcb3IA7-j18bxZ942MhZrk/s1600/ceramic+post+suburban+girl+sjdesignsjewelry.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SjDesignsJewelry?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Earrings by Sarajo Wentling</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lt8bOJ5Op3GDUWKy8n38lTNfmTutaa9T30EQ57Ky95NzCkZEx3Pw4DnCExWFWDnJ20qYpLI7eHxnTtVafZFdvwPqs4Kyfjr2SK4qxA79KsTLqk5Pon5Y0WWUsYUBot6bIP8Nup_MlKQ/s1600/ceramic+post+leslie+watt+thea+elements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lt8bOJ5Op3GDUWKy8n38lTNfmTutaa9T30EQ57Ky95NzCkZEx3Pw4DnCExWFWDnJ20qYpLI7eHxnTtVafZFdvwPqs4Kyfjr2SK4qxA79KsTLqk5Pon5Y0WWUsYUBot6bIP8Nup_MlKQ/s1600/ceramic+post+leslie+watt+thea+elements.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/THEAElements?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank">Pendant by Leslie Watt</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFXie1OcaNZC-IlvxEKZUUjZpOIkuFETMFNbPeltGdunDIjp4zAdoRCCNOUlPVG9xzASLvaMKLDd7JcdkVwWF0H3wqF3a3rldVYbWPGYVszfgH95GO0Fc_E4_YXHMic047GLTklzRo-U/s1600/ceramic+post+leslie+watt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFXie1OcaNZC-IlvxEKZUUjZpOIkuFETMFNbPeltGdunDIjp4zAdoRCCNOUlPVG9xzASLvaMKLDd7JcdkVwWF0H3wqF3a3rldVYbWPGYVszfgH95GO0Fc_E4_YXHMic047GLTklzRo-U/s1600/ceramic+post+leslie+watt.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillowwishJewellery?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Necklace by Debi</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzSNbuQlnm6OsHqZCN58v7f9PvsdyH-n38JX6g9F7PDmjs5rzEXJtP_fBrydSTy7E8mKF8dyx-bw8_-uqVjmsa9oWPUbcu9LGIOKAyG30vkfwGRDdOnwq8ZOHnKVmLQOr_Dw3PqqzCrY/s1600/ceramic+post+marsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzSNbuQlnm6OsHqZCN58v7f9PvsdyH-n38JX6g9F7PDmjs5rzEXJtP_fBrydSTy7E8mKF8dyx-bw8_-uqVjmsa9oWPUbcu9LGIOKAyG30vkfwGRDdOnwq8ZOHnKVmLQOr_Dw3PqqzCrY/s1600/ceramic+post+marsh.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MarshaNealStudio?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Pendant by Marsha Neal</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxkuCGi3IE-9Hqa-HtOPw2VsERrqXHaYploWQiyZ9etsCOyw79V89V_rr0h1VDnA-NUQOSs6nbT0JVBwm8PSz07ZbjKlNPpwZNRNKeorKnxxuYMcxzanWai0ZMxL0roghI0skjLZdQp0/s1600/ceramic+post+marsha+jetta+bug+jewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxkuCGi3IE-9Hqa-HtOPw2VsERrqXHaYploWQiyZ9etsCOyw79V89V_rr0h1VDnA-NUQOSs6nbT0JVBwm8PSz07ZbjKlNPpwZNRNKeorKnxxuYMcxzanWai0ZMxL0roghI0skjLZdQp0/s1600/ceramic+post+marsha+jetta+bug+jewelry.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jettabugjewelry?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Necklace by Rejetta Sellers</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUFDgX759YnrAl3D95tmoEVuqjAFYoq57xGKVSC0mP6X6ongwYD8KLrlAmfmsDEgh-W2n31E1AVEZkO4OvbfBL3TUpI0HKdQZqdAZAhj4yn6wTD3WORG8fQpR5i_5vyUALRUXmJFPT8s/s1600/ceramic+post+natalie+pappas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUFDgX759YnrAl3D95tmoEVuqjAFYoq57xGKVSC0mP6X6ongwYD8KLrlAmfmsDEgh-W2n31E1AVEZkO4OvbfBL3TUpI0HKdQZqdAZAhj4yn6wTD3WORG8fQpR5i_5vyUALRUXmJFPT8s/s1600/ceramic+post+natalie+pappas.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NKPbeads?ref=shopinfo_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Bead by Natalie </a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6XgjkoXwL1UtOIWDeWagkxQsKACFOQBzlo_swk3ElO0YhtpRJZjJAbiQUumSbXVFnEquOAob5HlMD1pTfNIV6TjjnDeFdWLNMN4AIeCwvHmOcNgi1uQ9kYsXbACrCAed2ceBKXgZsWs/s1600/ceramic+post+natalie+gingkoetcoquelicot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6XgjkoXwL1UtOIWDeWagkxQsKACFOQBzlo_swk3ElO0YhtpRJZjJAbiQUumSbXVFnEquOAob5HlMD1pTfNIV6TjjnDeFdWLNMN4AIeCwvHmOcNgi1uQ9kYsXbACrCAed2ceBKXgZsWs/s1600/ceramic+post+natalie+gingkoetcoquelicot.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GinkgoetCoquelicot?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Necklace by Karen G.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKCWgXcInK4BBqvVYBUZF9Bd_5UvzO9vQ1E6Lze4mC92n9tOM5jzpZq_5WgOm2jrGfh8vVmLgqkv4UF5C70b5J5KXHeJl0dn5JWQ7Ega6GGNZpU6bgccWGo1FWdPqTJjoTemZsUXdRq8/s1600/ceramic+post+mary+harding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKCWgXcInK4BBqvVYBUZF9Bd_5UvzO9vQ1E6Lze4mC92n9tOM5jzpZq_5WgOm2jrGfh8vVmLgqkv4UF5C70b5J5KXHeJl0dn5JWQ7Ega6GGNZpU6bgccWGo1FWdPqTJjoTemZsUXdRq8/s1600/ceramic+post+mary+harding.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maryhardingjewelry?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Pendant by Mary Harding</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaVaX4gpv4CWqymrKMfo4D5aqzRHuCmzPfhnBWRe2qr6qhiBfrGqZkdL01g-S41ozmigRuHhHcaOxy7Lel8k9tPbWCbIKd2b2sZLEboUlpOKd43dO-livW0nP4CvEwkkAsuX9qk1F00E/s1600/ceramic+post+mary+harding+geneack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaVaX4gpv4CWqymrKMfo4D5aqzRHuCmzPfhnBWRe2qr6qhiBfrGqZkdL01g-S41ozmigRuHhHcaOxy7Lel8k9tPbWCbIKd2b2sZLEboUlpOKd43dO-livW0nP4CvEwkkAsuX9qk1F00E/s1600/ceramic+post+mary+harding+geneack.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeneaCK?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Necklace by Genea CK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPy8J2A6cwhCZIfTrzVRHuOl4h7XLByKACxfOYwqMiur0QOLXlIQSwAfWud423Bx86CjhMqieyNsQh0YspPoFUOtavxKSQILmrLk8YLqW4NeDBOmNAfT0p_a8Keo-oYSKLYpY8ZANxIo/s1600/ceramic+post+lisa+peters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPy8J2A6cwhCZIfTrzVRHuOl4h7XLByKACxfOYwqMiur0QOLXlIQSwAfWud423Bx86CjhMqieyNsQh0YspPoFUOtavxKSQILmrLk8YLqW4NeDBOmNAfT0p_a8Keo-oYSKLYpY8ZANxIo/s1600/ceramic+post+lisa+peters.jpg" height="300" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LisaPetersArt?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Cabochon by Lisa Peters</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShh5Kj3RwwxlKcwwSzeXGEac2PIDsI0OC-utlIFWufC9Pijf-ZzXtNY1a67CLJZmBvVn0rNakjgCZ2X8LNZBOSgt04sVa3Kjt1DfrSa4grHApwpf72iKLWIhkHABt92oc1wDXn6B0EIQ/s1600/ceramic+post+lisa+peters+sand+fibers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShh5Kj3RwwxlKcwwSzeXGEac2PIDsI0OC-utlIFWufC9Pijf-ZzXtNY1a67CLJZmBvVn0rNakjgCZ2X8LNZBOSgt04sVa3Kjt1DfrSa4grHApwpf72iKLWIhkHABt92oc1wDXn6B0EIQ/s1600/ceramic+post+lisa+peters+sand+fibers.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SandFibers?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Necklace by Carol Dean-Sharpe</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />These are just a few of the many artists who create ceramic beads, pendants and jewelry. I think you will agree that the beauty of ceramic is further brought out in the designs created.<br /><br />Lastly, I want to thank-you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade. I would also like to give a special thank-you to all of the members of LMAJ who keep this blog what it is. I've had many "events" along the way that have kept me from creating, as have some of our other members. It is because of the artists here that step in for each other to keep us moving.<br /><br />Thank-you.<br /><br />MaryAnn<br /><br /><br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-45595311284364417162014-02-27T08:11:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.761-08:00Ceramic Beads on Etsy and Berks Bead Bazaar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a really quick post today to show off some beautiful artist handmade ceramic beads!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of these in the treasuries have been kiln fired in their various glazed finishes.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps7vwQ2-yabwrQ018Fv7l90v8rAPwsNN_NJsZR_VO1b2wBNvNeILvqmIdMipcpJ-iz5JQWpa05jH9Y9DS4TyUf0jfp3tbXcW9eujHbDFFR-fNsqtL4DxKVG-ANiwHbVKmVESBjWNmhn2V/s1600/Ceramic+Bead+Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps7vwQ2-yabwrQ018Fv7l90v8rAPwsNN_NJsZR_VO1b2wBNvNeILvqmIdMipcpJ-iz5JQWpa05jH9Y9DS4TyUf0jfp3tbXcW9eujHbDFFR-fNsqtL4DxKVG-ANiwHbVKmVESBjWNmhn2V/s1600/Ceramic+Bead+Collection.jpg" height="400" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTU3MTgwNnwyNzIzMTk1MzI3/ceramic-bead-collection?ref=pr_treasury">Ceramic Bead Collection Treasury</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1W6J9MmVejq-c8XxemIvEfmO03ajrfZKbe_Vk2Ny8r-OahBZrhQPFOT3BmTEJG8Yk0evfg2JOhpCSQmNfXi33P6yNtT82ATlOIW6JrLu7_PJc_rIKI9OOV5hnwASamLMZcUEEWdWuOrM/s1600/Ceramic+Bead+Collection+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1W6J9MmVejq-c8XxemIvEfmO03ajrfZKbe_Vk2Ny8r-OahBZrhQPFOT3BmTEJG8Yk0evfg2JOhpCSQmNfXi33P6yNtT82ATlOIW6JrLu7_PJc_rIKI9OOV5hnwASamLMZcUEEWdWuOrM/s1600/Ceramic+Bead+Collection+2.jpg" height="400" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTU3MTgwNnwyNzIzMTk4ODYx/ceramic-bead-collection-2?ref=pr_treasury">Ceramic Bead Collection 2</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All ceramic beads (earthenware, stoneware or porcelain) must be fired in a kiln to be called "Ceramic".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, not all ceramic beads need to be finished with the traditional high temperature (1750 to 2300 degree F. glaze temperature ranges).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are lots of ceramic bead makers and artists that finish their ceramic work by painting with an air dry medium or something that can set a lower oven baking temperatures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These painted layers are applied, wiped off, layered, dried, and often sealed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a beautiful example of a "cold glazed" Artist made kind of ceramic beads by </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/greybirdstudio">Rey of GreyBirdStudio</a>:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/044/1/5452610/il_570xN.561836014_a525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/044/1/5452610/il_570xN.561836014_a525.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178721616/artisan-porcelain-beads?ref=shop_home_feat_4">Porcelain Beads (Cold Glazed) by GreyBirdStudio</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More to come on glazing and firing techniques and care and use of beads with different finishes…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this weekend, if you happen to be close to Reading, PA (USA) swing by the Berks Bead Bazaar Saturday and Sunday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are many artists, suppliers, and bead & jewelry educators selling kits!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.berksbeadbazaar.com/stacipc2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.berksbeadbazaar.com/stacipc2014.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.berksbeadbazaar.com/">Berks Bead Bazaar Website CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/">Staci Louise (items pictured above) will be there!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-5295577589444754332014-02-26T10:19:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:52:55.841-08:00Vintage Chic<br /><h4>Take a look at these new jewel arrivals in our ever popular "Estate Case".</h4><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n4HX-VTcDhKgpASezRajesY_C7M8LovyhOJO_m2-S6Plcy51oohbSjmnJ5-GtGxeLiMGMu6rBdQdapeEHRRRYdZiy8bJyBBZTRgNypkO_zIPl1U1bpntNamsoMW0_WCPq-GtO5easUM/s1600/coral+and+22k+gold+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n4HX-VTcDhKgpASezRajesY_C7M8LovyhOJO_m2-S6Plcy51oohbSjmnJ5-GtGxeLiMGMu6rBdQdapeEHRRRYdZiy8bJyBBZTRgNypkO_zIPl1U1bpntNamsoMW0_WCPq-GtO5easUM/s1600/coral+and+22k+gold+necklace.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /> New Arrivals in the Estate Jewelry Case include this beautiful coral and 22k gold double strand necklace. Perfect soft hue for the spring color palate. <b><i>$1,695</i></b>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi5ZQ0sZOUnqwvSq5jil1VEz2796v7UpHjengmTakCo0s_lWkkmvP62ZIDUgHvvgzT6z0BSlawTqnT_C9PfAormCHpXOEZzqoUqIoKnKjFsOy4c_ZaY2uAMXO12EI4dRJdECombCsqG8/s1600/Queen+of+Hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi5ZQ0sZOUnqwvSq5jil1VEz2796v7UpHjengmTakCo0s_lWkkmvP62ZIDUgHvvgzT6z0BSlawTqnT_C9PfAormCHpXOEZzqoUqIoKnKjFsOy4c_ZaY2uAMXO12EI4dRJdECombCsqG8/s1600/Queen+of+Hearts.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div> <br /><br />This lovely Estate diamond drop necklace is sure to make you the queen of hearts. Featured on our facebook page as well this piece retails for just <i><b>$1,595.</b></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSix1azBqFY8Ouvfna81YN5g88nvq04K65Addr0INENGA8JlwwWIK7W_29-m6IqhfZz2VibIO5CtMUdFUBkOw-JTXyKI65D5nxdS5ZoMvGTHHnwhB6t2mTadLncO3snYl8MgHWX9Bvws/s1600/5+row+diamond+band+with+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSix1azBqFY8Ouvfna81YN5g88nvq04K65Addr0INENGA8JlwwWIK7W_29-m6IqhfZz2VibIO5CtMUdFUBkOw-JTXyKI65D5nxdS5ZoMvGTHHnwhB6t2mTadLncO3snYl8MgHWX9Bvws/s1600/5+row+diamond+band+with+1.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Estate diamond 5 row band featuring 1.50 carats of diamond delight. A real show stopper this comfortable wide band is priced at only<i><b> $1,995.</b></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUCawfawJZSJbLuJjkoPy1PbyqADeJH2VgY3me1xDXpFgINCmAzZTB0vT_sCC-85N0uCTJR_86jwTjMiyKMS4y0ZPjpse5jUPrIr6ozR5UzStRzqySKXPdgEg1g1WUW5ysh-efDNwCiY/s1600/OMC+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUCawfawJZSJbLuJjkoPy1PbyqADeJH2VgY3me1xDXpFgINCmAzZTB0vT_sCC-85N0uCTJR_86jwTjMiyKMS4y0ZPjpse5jUPrIr6ozR5UzStRzqySKXPdgEg1g1WUW5ysh-efDNwCiY/s1600/OMC+1.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />This artfully executed antique diamond ring with intricate hand wrought filigree work has 10 old mine cut diamonds that have beautiful sparkle. If it is an authentic vintage look you are going after this ring fits the description. A wonderful piece to own and enjoy. <i><b>$2,495.</b></i>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-71942381059352514022014-02-25T03:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.769-08:00It May Be Hideous, But It's MINE - Karen McGovern<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="WarrenCriswell"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The studio is less important than other things, like the burning desire to paint. If you don't have this disease, you can't catch it from a nice studio. (</span><a href="http://artquotes.robertgenn.com/auth_search.php?authid=500" title="More Art Quotes by Warren Criswell"><span style="color: #000044; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warren Criswell</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="DeniseBezanson"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never apologize for your studio. (</span><a href="http://artquotes.robertgenn.com/auth_search.php?authid=6293" title="More Art Quotes by Denise Bezanson"><span style="color: #000044; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Denise Bezanson</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the moment I have about 7,256 projects awaiting my attention—including hosting our annual board meeting (housing 6 people for four days and preparing an intimate dinner for 12…), training new resident staff, hosting tours nearly every day, and….oh yeah, FILLING SOME JEWELRY DESIGN ORDERS.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvR6epc4Drl9A5JvsfTlZU_BBSF3dZ3-ckZynCUEIKV9uEew0oRWpw_SwNylmf_QGc76TyO-O6z64rrzAo195HUPrwHD-R_3PQXlaEPnaEl9grCy_ixvziG8p9zwfFi2bYYB6SGYewZ0z/s1600/Desktop15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvR6epc4Drl9A5JvsfTlZU_BBSF3dZ3-ckZynCUEIKV9uEew0oRWpw_SwNylmf_QGc76TyO-O6z64rrzAo195HUPrwHD-R_3PQXlaEPnaEl9grCy_ixvziG8p9zwfFi2bYYB6SGYewZ0z/s1600/Desktop15.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the board meeting covered many important topics, our baby bongo,<br />Delilah, was the focal of many gatherings. She is a wonderful hostess.<br />The Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, <a href="http://www.rarespeices.org/">www.rarespeices.org</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My life, like many of yours, is an exercise in controlled chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, that means during extremely busy times, like now, working in my studio is measured in stolen minutes, not hours or days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve gotten so used to this schedule that I often create my best work standing over my bench, one eye on the clock, never even sitting down.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I LIKE this pace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HELL NO! But, I live with it because creating art is 99.9% therapy for me helps me work through the insanity that is often my life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the many by-products of this crazy lifestyle is what my bench becomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, I can say with all honesty that my bench is as disorganized as it has ever been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, that’s saying a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, my bench has been a mess before, but this…this is SPECIAL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is EPIC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that…I AM POSTING A PICTURE OF THE WASTELAND THAT IS MY WORK SPACE RIGHT NOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you may see many beads and wire coated in blue paint, because I spilled some about…oh…a month ago and never cleaned it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the rest of it—WHO THE HELL KNOWS?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGtecFcfDjsIw0KgM0tA6owYjS67aUl2UPCdgFkxF2jHFeRsodzuhVa74zGtYcYdsBl9FgGcZaQrMk1OSFVSiLCX6kgQ8FP9q3qdKKVeViRs_x1eyvSslzViTd503eu4PlkP_9Lc_1mAt/s1600/bench1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGtecFcfDjsIw0KgM0tA6owYjS67aUl2UPCdgFkxF2jHFeRsodzuhVa74zGtYcYdsBl9FgGcZaQrMk1OSFVSiLCX6kgQ8FP9q3qdKKVeViRs_x1eyvSslzViTd503eu4PlkP_9Lc_1mAt/s1600/bench1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all go through periods like this where our work spaces take on the appearance of an exploded craft store, but I must say, I believe this is my personal best when it comes to a CRAPTASTIC display of mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, just LOOK AT IT!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb79x9K0SvVxb0f2ibzSbXOIxWwldfLObXr2O7GeZm53jHfu_wL6c-fWNjQDYbDU_qIc3jM1eU69r-ND13SXziJcFGoow1DIE-KmkCA_igXy_HDvPKjBvPAwyN4xQ79USw2NdZxN2Wu-d/s1600/bench3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb79x9K0SvVxb0f2ibzSbXOIxWwldfLObXr2O7GeZm53jHfu_wL6c-fWNjQDYbDU_qIc3jM1eU69r-ND13SXziJcFGoow1DIE-KmkCA_igXy_HDvPKjBvPAwyN4xQ79USw2NdZxN2Wu-d/s1600/bench3.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You want to know the amazing thing, though?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this moment I have achieved something I never thought I would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An unholy balance between my brain and the dump—I mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bench</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hit me this past Saturday, when I realized I had to quickly complete an order for a client.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood at my bench and, with incredible ease, was able to finish the project (a cuff and ring combo) in under an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like a dream-sequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hands somehow knew where everything was, even though my tools and most of the components I needed were BURIED IN LAYERS OF JUNK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, it was magic!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rivet flare tool?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t see it if you paid me, but viola, it appeared in my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to find everything I needed so EASILY it totally freaked me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear I was in a fugue state or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point I actually asked myself, “Is this really happening?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCJ6pSQq34cEWlmp2PG3DQFyAdqWM5xL0bfrniok03sIUcnOqL1pj72MOFIH3986ReTVsxvHrjPBzvIKX5qz0T3Oi49AJrL7x1QDX0Xrxqsq9lPb1oIANaFogVQUw0mpeiaMwIsmxTvmU/s1600/bench2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCJ6pSQq34cEWlmp2PG3DQFyAdqWM5xL0bfrniok03sIUcnOqL1pj72MOFIH3986ReTVsxvHrjPBzvIKX5qz0T3Oi49AJrL7x1QDX0Xrxqsq9lPb1oIANaFogVQUw0mpeiaMwIsmxTvmU/s1600/bench2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven’t been back to the bench since then, absolutely no free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later this week should be better, and I have several designs waiting to be finished, so I know I will have to face this soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know I have to bite the bullet and clean/organize in a really big way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, for now, I hope the magic continues and I can negotiate the land-fill as it sits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been one to require a totally clean and organized space to work, but this…well, I don’t think I have say anything more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spring cleaning, here I come, cursing and grumbling every unwilling step of the way. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultimately, I realize that this space, in all it's messiness, is MINE. My place to create, to play, to turn off the outside world and enter a new one where anything I imagine can be possible. When I began this post it was to poke fun at myself, but in writing it I also realize that it's not about the quality of space in your studio, it's about tapping into the magic space in your head and heart. That's where you truly create. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I have bared my filthy soul so to speak with this photo, I dare you all to do the same and share photos of your work space at its worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, let me know if you have found a way to work within the chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, let me see if you can top my mess!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOTE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day after I wrote this piece I got an email from an online craft magazine (that will remain nameless) asking if I would submit photos of my studio for a story they are doing on artist work spaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sample photos included showed dreamy rooms in pastel colors, bright windows with flowing white curtains and benches as clean as a deserted Caribbean white sand beach with boxes and jars of supplies beautifully labeled and displayed on hand-hewn shelving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THERE WERE VASES OF FRESH-CUT FLOWERS FOR GOD’S SAKE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, after I finished LAUGHING LIKE A DERANGED HYENA I regretfully declined the invite.</span></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-77561112410038110902014-02-24T09:58:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.778-08:00Definitely a Struggle....I am not quite sure why the thought of making something asymmetrical makes me tense. I have made many attempts only to find myself pulling the creation apart. When I make beads, however, I am very different. I can just make random cuts, sizes, shapes, etc. and enjoy it. I get lost in it.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGfY4_bYSeV95UXZXBwIp6TUAMIjShAxn_MV5tdpOYFEg8p_PHCNQxhNIQ6TKO_xfDDb5aHJ-oahgrHp1SF1XQ5g-9OawxBWtRR0s0DJ2ILQ0iWd8NCHdVL8bN8DCpedl6Kf_Oy-AqtA/s1600/sym+1i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGfY4_bYSeV95UXZXBwIp6TUAMIjShAxn_MV5tdpOYFEg8p_PHCNQxhNIQ6TKO_xfDDb5aHJ-oahgrHp1SF1XQ5g-9OawxBWtRR0s0DJ2ILQ0iWd8NCHdVL8bN8DCpedl6Kf_Oy-AqtA/s1600/sym+1i.jpg" height="310" width="320" /> </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKvzCGYyvRLjKv-djLO6iXiKsodsYJZfLRjirsybd5rJ_YabFZq_fkW0R7hWeRJpsBj006Jj9uQyB3M4Gype0pi8fWoQ_UsEfoFd5_UFTFZb6LJyg9rMSuf7pjK9hWDuNC22r00vwfug/s1600/sym+1k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKvzCGYyvRLjKv-djLO6iXiKsodsYJZfLRjirsybd5rJ_YabFZq_fkW0R7hWeRJpsBj006Jj9uQyB3M4Gype0pi8fWoQ_UsEfoFd5_UFTFZb6LJyg9rMSuf7pjK9hWDuNC22r00vwfug/s1600/sym+1k.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK9MX6R63iTO_qkZx9RuRomZwhfhIhuLKRGzkiNNjbuOn4ceSEBTGKF-e6DcSmYuWxaeZbMX3jHplJ6ewjnbqpCxVEIyFkImtNMNz0z_bpi13SoskRZHOVXvxKenhCLqMGAPEfR1Eed0/s1600/sym+1j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK9MX6R63iTO_qkZx9RuRomZwhfhIhuLKRGzkiNNjbuOn4ceSEBTGKF-e6DcSmYuWxaeZbMX3jHplJ6ewjnbqpCxVEIyFkImtNMNz0z_bpi13SoskRZHOVXvxKenhCLqMGAPEfR1Eed0/s1600/sym+1j.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />When it comes time to use them though, I find myself matching up the closest ones. Ughhhhh!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYm8Sajk8pt-ZAN7tRTMBzXJSLgeL0dQ8JSYp3P8bxhHp7GFR17BZPH5TWhz2sBoSArWtpjGPsKo4l6_DZl1Xyi7Dt9A9j77hTebqzubrSp1R_IzRZEANsM1QNmcmh0SpvVNtrXyqp4o/s1600/sym+1h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYm8Sajk8pt-ZAN7tRTMBzXJSLgeL0dQ8JSYp3P8bxhHp7GFR17BZPH5TWhz2sBoSArWtpjGPsKo4l6_DZl1Xyi7Dt9A9j77hTebqzubrSp1R_IzRZEANsM1QNmcmh0SpvVNtrXyqp4o/s1600/sym+1h.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCBRHLuj5BBiYCQxMTsuNH70gAyGAq28Iwd8ZyhfEGZYrVXK7tyxJw9guA54NrlyZ7O5AkaFWaOs6b90u8UsIO0ZVVJyKRMKvQLD4AdnLQqqxEpqKc2Q-r_xq-KArKtmtnhdVRv5-pJ0/s1600/sym+1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCBRHLuj5BBiYCQxMTsuNH70gAyGAq28Iwd8ZyhfEGZYrVXK7tyxJw9guA54NrlyZ7O5AkaFWaOs6b90u8UsIO0ZVVJyKRMKvQLD4AdnLQqqxEpqKc2Q-r_xq-KArKtmtnhdVRv5-pJ0/s1600/sym+1e.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIm2QeiL1-KqrlWPPuXtfX5hJWqT1E75Y_Q6tsUFBAYhsqVoDCa6VnR3L2FpP_wUyluTDgPQR_opeFamKMtjlSCIZxp9dQFCK5rTo8CYdHgqBEKj5qoBkUiIavU7eI8rn0br-NqzfYsU/s1600/sym+1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIm2QeiL1-KqrlWPPuXtfX5hJWqT1E75Y_Q6tsUFBAYhsqVoDCa6VnR3L2FpP_wUyluTDgPQR_opeFamKMtjlSCIZxp9dQFCK5rTo8CYdHgqBEKj5qoBkUiIavU7eI8rn0br-NqzfYsU/s1600/sym+1d.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a></div><br /> Planning ahead for a design.... Yes, not perfectly symmetrical, but symmetrical nevertheless....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38ZsHqtEJnZF7jBOr4pC2AfBO4suKsBvLm5axjbtJq9ORWwC5aq4aJCDDpXFowdSemPtO4g7SWwP752hyphenhyphen1VLyphKH_bsXxxzQxTArRH8P_mWG7gm3ZVbbyyyXCQ2tvo6mGlUBmZDPzZQ/s1600/sym+1f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38ZsHqtEJnZF7jBOr4pC2AfBO4suKsBvLm5axjbtJq9ORWwC5aq4aJCDDpXFowdSemPtO4g7SWwP752hyphenhyphen1VLyphKH_bsXxxzQxTArRH8P_mWG7gm3ZVbbyyyXCQ2tvo6mGlUBmZDPzZQ/s1600/sym+1f.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />So, I have started to try and do something a little different..... not easy for me. Even writing about it causes some sort of chemical change in my body. My throat gets a little tight, my hands a little white and if I were the kind of person that sweats, I am sure it would be pouring down my face.<br /><br />So, I've taken some baby steps...<br /><br />These actually became a necklace..... yes, all in one necklace! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QYwPt_ca7jBCSPif1ypyklxjI_5lq8HIVuAh8KdI2FT54EKZT6Nfy6OVBbEneBAGes10_yKUBXfeSvh02EDQjWaoj0pmDuUNDoJ_GjBaU_GGUPvM9-O4vMU5_DEiCwK7A0dmQwA-Bfc/s1600/sym+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QYwPt_ca7jBCSPif1ypyklxjI_5lq8HIVuAh8KdI2FT54EKZT6Nfy6OVBbEneBAGes10_yKUBXfeSvh02EDQjWaoj0pmDuUNDoJ_GjBaU_GGUPvM9-O4vMU5_DEiCwK7A0dmQwA-Bfc/s1600/sym+1a.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div><br />And a couple of bracelets with one different bead! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kU_ikRHgDe4aNu1od2B34LVeawrmbaM_VipYSUJBVTh6UKL0otMC8jBjUeeboc-bd3bcj8Fjgd-R250veik5x0SfGCoUTeSkvwQc-70iCkXO08fSkvq4BvNKDLaVnCpnazZq-qWSN5Y/s1600/sym+1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kU_ikRHgDe4aNu1od2B34LVeawrmbaM_VipYSUJBVTh6UKL0otMC8jBjUeeboc-bd3bcj8Fjgd-R250veik5x0SfGCoUTeSkvwQc-70iCkXO08fSkvq4BvNKDLaVnCpnazZq-qWSN5Y/s1600/sym+1b.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy7l9VQYt15z1eqESl4qAekVtd91F7_Vd0Q6tZSlnvKw3Bj8Um1PmpBqPgw2ogwPOktX-qmZgLZLdnuBvau_OYS5fb1WAA7FBXIZ1fIWmX6vudFR7Hv3G4KS_IYlrc4U6EzBa47LHhFU/s1600/sym+1g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy7l9VQYt15z1eqESl4qAekVtd91F7_Vd0Q6tZSlnvKw3Bj8Um1PmpBqPgw2ogwPOktX-qmZgLZLdnuBvau_OYS5fb1WAA7FBXIZ1fIWmX6vudFR7Hv3G4KS_IYlrc4U6EzBa47LHhFU/s1600/sym+1g.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a></div><br />And, one of the things I find I have a little easier time with is finding beads whose colors blend together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2-2sZ4c8pLvZCqSyEUa9D1akY4wVU89obnRS9b1G4_FsmjfFnOzGtVzA41UDYsXMEMZ2eAE9-I7ywzYR_-bWipkyvDK_C6BmE3nsdMLNZKsauSzPYD_xnwOO_ykrL7ZR_mVrKtTkygs/s1600/sym+1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2-2sZ4c8pLvZCqSyEUa9D1akY4wVU89obnRS9b1G4_FsmjfFnOzGtVzA41UDYsXMEMZ2eAE9-I7ywzYR_-bWipkyvDK_C6BmE3nsdMLNZKsauSzPYD_xnwOO_ykrL7ZR_mVrKtTkygs/s1600/sym+1c.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div><br />How are you at asymmetry? Are you like me? An asymmetry wannabe?<br /><br />I love the look and plan to practice. If I could only let my mind go like I do when I make beads, I think it might be easier.<br /><br />Help!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iSseIiyi0cWv574ggp8Iu5Rv784zbWKlwb2fdcLyGj-6CEwyRfJAIfBDTirkVZ2QimoQHbs0CVzfSfYSQchK4gk212d2lgiY0eQtekWaFW8K47aHWTQefyZFgIQCAo1FHhSvV2gWYL0/s1600/me+1j+august+12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iSseIiyi0cWv574ggp8Iu5Rv784zbWKlwb2fdcLyGj-6CEwyRfJAIfBDTirkVZ2QimoQHbs0CVzfSfYSQchK4gk212d2lgiY0eQtekWaFW8K47aHWTQefyZFgIQCAo1FHhSvV2gWYL0/s1600/me+1j+august+12.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MaryAnn Carroll - could you tell?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-12816734095761858332014-02-23T05:51:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:48:27.864-08:00A Celebration of Ceramic Clay <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTU3MTgwNnwyNzIzMTk1MzI3"> 'Ceramic Bead Collection' </a> by <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarshaNealStudio"> MarshaNealStudio </a> </h2> <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> Here are a bunch of handmade ceramic beads (Earthenware, Stoneware, Porcelain) that are finished in a variety of ways: all unique to their creator. Want to learn more about ceramic beads:http://www.pinterest.com/loveartjewelry/ceramic-clay-lmaj/<br> </h2> <table style=" border-spacing: 8px; width:auto; border-collapse: separate; line-height:19px; "> <tbody><tr> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/178563954" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/021/0/5120588/il_170x135.561235704_km22.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/178563954" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Pendant Maple Leaf Seed Pods... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/maryhardingjewelry" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> maryhardingjew... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $27 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/163588371" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/033/0/5169581/il_170x135.504844624_3f4l.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/163588371" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Lentil Shape Hollow Focal Be... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMillerPorcelain" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> JoanMillerPorc... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $45 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/180171191" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/030/1/5801574/il_170x135.567301755_kesk.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/180171191" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Petite Crystal Heart Bead Se... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ktotten" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> ktotten </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $44.5 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/180186390" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/032/0/5146850/il_170x135.567289662_599s.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/180186390" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Pastel Teal Hearts Ceramic B... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/nkpdesigns" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> nkpdesigns </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $7 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/176863984" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/018/0/6770593/il_170x135.554939842_e5u1.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/176863984" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Hand sculpted ceramic bird f... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/THEAElements" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> THEAElements </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $7.5 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/120330234" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/013/0/6321447/il_170x135.415408248_b0k5.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/120330234" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Blossom- handmade aqua and o... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SlateStudiosSupply" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> SlateStudiosSu... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $12 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/165962446" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/034/0/5885034/il_170x135.513687307_8ta3.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/165962446" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Handmade Ceramic Green Flora... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteCloverKiln" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> WhiteCloverKil... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $6.5 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/96241450" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5133002/il_170x135.323953748.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/96241450" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Porcelain Baby Bunny Amber w... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JeraLunaDesigns" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> JeraLunaDesign... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $20 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61722858" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/016/1/5258547/il_170x135.432164991_n77a.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61722858" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Word Bead: your word, custo... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dianehawkey" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> dianehawkey </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $8 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177406303" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/020/0/5927845/il_170x135.557017223_3g7k.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177406303" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Handmade porcelain hare Cabo... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/blueberribeads" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> blueberribeads </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $10 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/168853765" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/020/0/5249318/il_170x135.524401703_evvk.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/168853765" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Porcelain Oasis Blue Dragonf... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Clayworksnh" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> Clayworksnh </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $14.95 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/173022508" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/034/0/5123459/il_170x135.540520883_nxaj.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/173022508" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Blue Green White Face Barn O... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/shaterra" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> shaterra </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $8.5 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177704385" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/040/0/5123094/il_170x135.558036070_mngc.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/177704385" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Handmade Porcelain Cabochon </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LisaPetersArt" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> LisaPetersArt </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $13 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87061160" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/005/0/5993975/il_170x135.379686404_l4bw.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87061160" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Pink Porcelain Rose Charm </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/suburbangirlbeads" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> suburbangirlbe... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $8 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/125304573" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/010/2/5296453/il_170x135.433807299_e8f7.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/125304573" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Clouds.... handmade ceramic ... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artisanbeadsplus" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> artisanbeadspl... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $14 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="180px;"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/153636444" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; width:170px; " src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/015/0/5688375/il_170x135.468158285_enk9.jpg"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/153636444" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Ceramic charm pair tree of l... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jdaviesreazor" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> jdaviesreazor </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $10 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style=" color:#B2B2B2; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> Sponsored by <a href="https://emailfromexcel.com">send bulk email from excel</a>. </p> Beautiful works of art handmade from ceramic clay which has been fired to high temperatures in a ceramic kiln. Beauties to behold. I am honored to be among them.beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-40945209470314785192014-02-22T11:24:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.787-08:00spring beckons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mary jane dodd</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT-Yncy_rSq5VScyFlNzOB05i8AZhjXB2rcBpRiCvB8hwUxslj042-4g4TDkYWwZxMJsdgxAYc-KBcphUakxlj7rMdcVKautr49qwjZetvyyk27JVtq9vYGCOpLKbRr5fTrA-xfJCd_GA/s1600/IMG_2400-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT-Yncy_rSq5VScyFlNzOB05i8AZhjXB2rcBpRiCvB8hwUxslj042-4g4TDkYWwZxMJsdgxAYc-KBcphUakxlj7rMdcVKautr49qwjZetvyyk27JVtq9vYGCOpLKbRr5fTrA-xfJCd_GA/s1600/IMG_2400-001.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mjd - 2014</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spring beckons.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beneath the snow</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tendrils of green</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seek the warmth</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the sun</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the nourishment</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjltcmNeK2sj15Aj25ouXXoQRmszp9AdTMVMwUP-MeUcoVb4osJsCGq87Nt4Go8L2RqtWDyJz3eeYzMI7WHXNKiclQrNP_sJMgsYCja7M2WriASnIWXXASe_tJ1ITEP4EJTtYpMKOb8FSI/s1600/IMG_2396-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjltcmNeK2sj15Aj25ouXXoQRmszp9AdTMVMwUP-MeUcoVb4osJsCGq87Nt4Go8L2RqtWDyJz3eeYzMI7WHXNKiclQrNP_sJMgsYCja7M2WriASnIWXXASe_tJ1ITEP4EJTtYpMKOb8FSI/s1600/IMG_2396-001.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mjd - 2014</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like us, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">requiring the balance</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of that which enlightens</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and that which grounds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEW7UlWj29IWN6KkZ4ymtu34t35IM48YtY4X-2UJy3-CtLZK35ljnLsaGDhedaVhzn6hRVBer2uhjR_m9q5rbayCLrfIQzgwxyzeZSXxx2o5U6zpmeYzZw3BfBAgWzjvUk7XXnzxBWNxs/s1600/IMG_2397-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEW7UlWj29IWN6KkZ4ymtu34t35IM48YtY4X-2UJy3-CtLZK35ljnLsaGDhedaVhzn6hRVBer2uhjR_m9q5rbayCLrfIQzgwxyzeZSXxx2o5U6zpmeYzZw3BfBAgWzjvUk7XXnzxBWNxs/s1600/IMG_2397-001.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">revitalized by the stillness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and peace of winter,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we are reawakened</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and ready to stretch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXkIiwbZdGv_RoAoZPpG_hwz1oOCFShBl8EmTfeQZ-FGOmnGzr_dycr2eoJxPIukpFW6jWSYve1DMUUOVzeltk9tPlc7fqsQtsMIkYDBWGjPM-9FWvOQ58y1U2hQRuUl2Z53Oj-CYdmfY/s1600/IMG_2398-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXkIiwbZdGv_RoAoZPpG_hwz1oOCFShBl8EmTfeQZ-FGOmnGzr_dycr2eoJxPIukpFW6jWSYve1DMUUOVzeltk9tPlc7fqsQtsMIkYDBWGjPM-9FWvOQ58y1U2hQRuUl2Z53Oj-CYdmfY/s1600/IMG_2398-001.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are you sensing changes in your work</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and in your life?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-28862298887000104092014-02-20T22:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.795-08:00Ceramic Clay - What Makes "Clay" Ceramic?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Have you ever wondered what Ceramic Clay is and why all "clay" is not actually ceramic?</b><br /><div>In order to answer this question in the most intellectual manner, I am referencing many books on ceramics and pottery as well as draw from product information to help clear up some questions people may have about "Clay", in particular: Ceramic Clay.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1382273117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1382273117.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/mixing-and-pugging-ceramic-clay/">Ceramic Clay recently pugged (mixed)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><b><u>Definition of what makes materials go from "clay" to "ceramic":</u></b></div><div>When you are in a discussion about "Ceramics", you may refer to some materials that are <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-supplies/pottery-clay/going-local-how-to-dig-and-process-your-own-clay/">dug from the earth as "clay</a>". This is in reference to the many different clay deposits found all over the earth (some clay deposits are mined commercially and sold to the industry, sometimes clay is simply found and dug out by hand). These deposits of <a href="http://www.hamgil.com/principal">clay</a> can be combined with a number of dry materials and water, to make up various "clay bodies" that are formed, dried, then fired to different high temperatures.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7JVj21RdHc9sykOd9VCAZNe4W6K3wxFHVjMvRQHD_DU2_oA3hNPj9SRJXZtWxs603Zft7lHlzTFor_f0Hsp8HUMqY7iVbG7o3_c6zKQX3ZAGrxlUZKnXb3Y-_eUsrUHDTYJ3Er-dwiCL/s320/clay+sample+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7JVj21RdHc9sykOd9VCAZNe4W6K3wxFHVjMvRQHD_DU2_oA3hNPj9SRJXZtWxs603Zft7lHlzTFor_f0Hsp8HUMqY7iVbG7o3_c6zKQX3ZAGrxlUZKnXb3Y-_eUsrUHDTYJ3Er-dwiCL/s320/clay+sample+all.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://splitfirepottery.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-clay-experiments.html">Bill Perrine of Splitfire Pottery collected this clay locally<br />(see his blog post for details)</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>"The term <i>ceramics</i> refers to all non-metallic, inorganic materials that lend themselves to permanent hardening by high temperatures." (Peterson, Susan. The Craft and Art of Clay 3rd Edition, p11).</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T16CY44NL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T16CY44NL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Craft-Clay-Susan-Peterson/dp/1585674761">The Craft and Art of Clay by Susan Peterson (4th edition)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>There are many ways to "fire" your ceramic clay to high temperatures. These techniques can be historically hands on traditional firing methods such as, but not limited to: <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/bookstore/pit-firing-and-burnishing/">pit firing</a>, <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/category/firing-techniques/wood-kiln-firing/">wood firing</a>, <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/firing-techniques/raku-firing-techniques/tips-for-making-firing-and-finishing-saggars-and-saggar-fired-pottery-in-a-raku-kiln/">saggar firing</a>, <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/category/firing-techniques/salt-firing/">salt firing</a>, <a href="http://pottery.about.com/od/firingthekiln/ss/raku_firing.htm">Raku firing</a>, etc, to the more commonly commercially used today: <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/category/firing-techniques/electric-kiln-firing/">electric</a> or <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/category/firing-techniques/gas-kiln-firing/">gas kiln firing</a>.<br /><br />When talking about a piece of ceramic work, that piece will often be referred to by the identifiable kind of clay forming technique and the kind of firing they go through. Knowing this kind of information and using it properly in conversation will often bring a smile to the ceramic artists face, knowing that you "get" the process, appreciate and understand the skill, time, and effort that goes into making that unique handmade piece. And hopefully you will add one of their items to your collection.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEl8RJXI3Eh1oBGIh_bUPuqQLSXd-MPF3dGlGLrZS0Bo8_Mc2iyoEeEuPzdN9mnhkCcb_nKOldP4mf3WFAePhdU2C0K9AgiKWCmd0qpIARxNgA1Rrt_9QUscK80OOqdRYKltERu9Io1Uh/s320/155_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEl8RJXI3Eh1oBGIh_bUPuqQLSXd-MPF3dGlGLrZS0Bo8_Mc2iyoEeEuPzdN9mnhkCcb_nKOldP4mf3WFAePhdU2C0K9AgiKWCmd0qpIARxNgA1Rrt_9QUscK80OOqdRYKltERu9Io1Uh/s320/155_0556.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://splitfirepottery.blogspot.com/2011/07/busy-as-bee-err-ahh-as-snake.html">Woodfire kiln of Bill Perrine of Splitfire Pottery</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>While the clay item is completely dry but has yet to be fired at all, it is called greenware or un-fired clay. Once fired, it can officially be called Ceramic.<br /><br />The <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/firing-techniques/electric-kiln-firing/ten-basics-of-firing-electric-kilns/">high firing temperatures of ceramic clay</a> are achieved over scheduled amount of time. The process of heating up then cooling down a ceramic kiln can take hours into days depending on the type of firing it is. These high temperatures reached at the proper application of heat over a specific amount of time, will change the molecular structure of the clay, making that clay hard and more durable, changing the clay into ceramic. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Ceramics are categorized into three categories by direct correlation to their fired density:</div><div><b><i><a href="http://www.claytimes.com/reference-guide/clay-basics.html">Earthenware, Stoneware, Porcelain</a></i></b>." (Peterson, Susan. The Craft and Art of Clay, 3rd edition, p134)</div><div><br /></div><div>The fired density of a particular clay is important in the world of ceramic bead and jewelry making because it will help you be aware of the best use for that particular kind of bead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Using proper terminology about your ceramic clay body in no way is derogatory about the quality of a bead, but it is helpful both as a bead maker and a jewelry designer so that your work can withstand wear and use.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earthenware is the lowest fired of the three, and can chip easily if you are not careful with your metal tools and wire. Stoneware and Porcelain are both fired higher and are a bit more durable with wire, and are less likely to chip. From my own personal experience, work smart with your metal tools around any finished surface (no matter what the medium) and do not work them in a manner that will have them putting pressure up against the bead surface.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G0T5H35ZL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G0T5H35ZL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Ceramics-Studio-Jeff-Zamek/dp/0873419227">Safety in the Ceramics Studio by Jeff Zamek</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><b><u>Some SAFETY in Ceramics:</u></b></div><div>One thing that is taught through any ceramics class or book is to be aware of the dangers of working around ceramic materials, especially in a dry state - DUST!</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1382272918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1382272918.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/mixing-and-pugging-ceramic-clay/">Dry clay being mixed in opened garage in a pug mill.</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Silica is a major component of a clay body as well as in glazes. You must keep dust to a minimum and wear proper safety attire to protect your body, especially your lungs where silica really sticks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Colorants are often metals in powder form. In dry or powder form, these materials can form dust easily. And in a liquid state, they can still enter your body through your skin or cuts you may have.</div><div><br /></div><div>You must read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and warning labels on any of the materials you use and make sure you work safe and smart!</div><div><br /></div><div>In a pottery or ceramics studio, you must be careful of tools that can be sharp, broken pieces that may be sharp, kilns that get hot, things that spin - such as a potters wheel, as you can be injured easily by not paying attention, and many other things. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Confusing Terminology:</u></b></div><div>It is important to educate yourself and understand and use the correct terminology when talking about materials and techniques. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some terms that are often used in the Ceramics community that have different meanings when you cross over into other materials:<br /><br /><div><b><i><u>CLAY:</u></i></b></div><div><i>In ceramics</i> - clay is a broad term that refers to the materials used to make up a ceramics clay body (must be fired to a high temperature, or it will break down over time). </div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1382272991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1382272991.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/mixing-and-pugging-ceramic-clay/">Ceramic Clay being mixed to the right consistency in a pug mill.</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><i>In other crafts</i> - clay is referred to a pliable material formed easily with hands. All kinds of materials can be considered "clay": <a href="http://polymerclaydaily.com/">polymer clay</a>, <a href="https://www.metalclaytoday.com/guilds_n_societies.php">metal clay</a>, <a href="http://www.epoxyclay.com/">epoxy clay</a>, <a href="http://steiderstudios.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/glass-clay-a-step-by-step-tutorial-using-steider-studios-glass-medium/">glass clay</a>, <a href="http://miniatures.about.com/od/modelingmaterials/gr/delightclay.htm">paper clay</a>, <a href="http://www.riogrande.com/Content/How-To-Use-Cork-Clay-HT-psd?Pos=27">cork clay</a>, <a href="http://airdryclay.blogspot.com/p/adc-brands.html">air dry cla</a>y, <a href="http://www.sculpey.com/products/clays/original-sculpey">oven baked clay</a>, <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/modeling/clays/">modeling clay</a>, <a href="http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/en_us">Play-Doh</a>, <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Create-Salt-Dough">homemade salt dough</a>, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>All clay materials have some sort of water or wet medium that keeps the material pliable. It is more than likely that you must keep your clay wrapped up tight, away from exposure to air in order to keep it from drying out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, many different Non-Ceramic clay being sold in the market may be described to have the "feel" or "color composition" of ceramic clay. Marketing department and individuals have created confusion by using titles such as air drying ceramic clay, terra cotta, stoneware, porcelain.<br /><br />Please DO NOT confuse air drying clay or plastic clays with true Ceramic Clay. Especially do not fire an air drying clay or polymer based clay in your ceramic clay kiln because you may do harm to your kiln and the vapors that it produces can be toxic. Consult the product manufacturer of the "clay" item if you are unsure, and always look to see if there is a recommended firing temperature (ceramic clay temperatures are given in "<a href="http://www.ortonceramic.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=17">Cones</a>").<br /><br /><div><b><i><u>GLAZE</u></i></b></div><div><i>In ceramics</i> - a glaze is a layer of materials applied to ceramic clay that is fired to a high temperature.</div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/s_236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/10/04/21/s_236.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blog.beadsofclay.org/2010/04/cone-6-electric-kiln-glaze-firings.html">Marsha Neal Studio hand painting ceramic pendants with cone 4-6 glaze</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><i>In other crafts</i> - a glaze is often a material painted on an item, then finished by air drying or heat set at a lower temperature.</div><div><br /><div><b><i><u>PLASTIC:</u></i></b></div><div><i>In ceramics</i> -</div><div>1. Plasticity is the state in which your ceramic clay is easily formed. It has to do with the alignment of clay particles, water and the ease in which it bends without cracking.</div><div>2. Physical plastic items and tools used in ceramics will stick to the clay, so a release agent (such as corn starch) should be used to aide in the release of the clay from the plastic surface. Often plastic is avoided in the ceramic studio as there are other materials easier to use readily available.</div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1381466272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1381466272.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/studio-end-of-a-procrastination-time/">Demonstration of Ceramic Clay Plasticity</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><i>In other crafts</i> - plastic is often some sort of a material product or tool.<br /><div><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><b><i><u>RAKU:</u></i></b></div><div><i>In ceramics</i> - Raku is specific firing technique where (short version) the ceramic piece is glazed, brought to maturing temperature of the glaze (often close to 1800 degrees F), and the work is removed while glowing hot and put into a reduction chamber where the organic combustable materials, amount of oxygen (or lack thereof which is "reduction"), and glaze materials all interact chemically creating beautiful unique effects.</div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtri_TCr_ruQi5CdnDnSXf1stvAdIntQXrHOUfNGihyphenhyphenvBRielio-SKUNv23jhvJKpWbFJnkbwbfkvKXMZwjwKd7I8rxSAPpKCSdj1LzHMZGkQO8nZGqdt47seONLacOPKK4QWBimkV9ho/s640/Making+Raku+Fired+Beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtri_TCr_ruQi5CdnDnSXf1stvAdIntQXrHOUfNGihyphenhyphenvBRielio-SKUNv23jhvJKpWbFJnkbwbfkvKXMZwjwKd7I8rxSAPpKCSdj1LzHMZGkQO8nZGqdt47seONLacOPKK4QWBimkV9ho/s640/Making+Raku+Fired+Beads.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blog.beadsofclay.org/2010/05/tool-talk-thursday-raku-firing.html">Mary Hardings Raku Firing Post from Tool Talk Thursday (2010)</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><i>In other crafts</i> - Raku term is borrowed from ceramics to often represent a metallic rainbow finish of an item.<br /><br />Similar to this type of confusion with Raku is a particular type of clay or firing: Terra Cotta, Stoneware, Porcelain are now commonly used to describe a "look" or a "feel", not an actual material or firing process or temperature.</div><div><br /><div><b><i><u>HEAT or TEMPERATURE APPLICATION to CLAY:</u></i></b></div><div><i>In Ceramics</i> - heat can be used to dry out your clay (sun, air, heater, dehydrator, etc).</div><div>In a standard kiln, your item is fired anywhere from 1100 degrees Fahrenheit to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit.</div><div>You must be mindful of heat and temperature with ceramic clay because drying your unfired clay item too fast may cause uneven drying and cracks. Kiln firing a clay too fast may cause it to explode if moisture is present or it may cause improper crystallization of the ceramic materials, making for a lesser quality item.<br />And when glaze firing pieces, anything the glaze comes in contact with during the firing, it will fuse to.</div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1369451309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.marshanealstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1369451309.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceramic beads glazed and ready for their 8 hour slow glaze firing (2230 degrees F).<br />24 hours for a complete heating and cooling cycle to Cone 5/6.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><i>In other crafts</i> - heat by sunlight, oven baking, heat gun, torch firing, kiln firing, can also be used to dry your material, and set the material. There are great variations in materials, and each responds differently to heat and temperature.</div><div><br /></div><div>In science and technology, <a href="http://ceramics.org/knowledge-center/learn-about-ceramics">the field of ceramics</a> goes well beyond what we need to discuss here, but it is astonishing and always advancing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>In Closure</u></b></div><div>This brief overview of Ceramic clay and the use of these terms is here to help you as an artist and as a consumer understand that there are historically appropriate use of terminology about materials and techniques that should be understood and used correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div>The art of ceramics is vast and if you are interested you should take the time to pick up some books, read a magazine, visit a museum or local craft show or gallery. There is nothing quite like having a handmade ceramic mug to use in the morning, or a little bead that reminds you of something special that you are able to keep with you throughout the day. All of these items carry stories that connect you with the artist and with the elements of the earth over time from which it came.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Quality, Craftsmanship and Honesty</u></b></div><div>No matter what medium you decide to work in, when you are making art, tools to sell, reselling materials, or making and selling components to designers or other artists, writing books, magazine articles, or self published tutorials about a specific material, it is up to you as an artist and educator to fully understand your material and to avoid using terminology in ways that are misleading or confusing.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this day and age that we live in with technology at our fingertips, it is up to us as a creative community of human beings to take the time to think about our work, to do research about our materials, to be honest, and make corrections and updates whenever we realize a mistake has been made, as nobody is perfect.</div><div><br /></div><div>When you are selling your finished work, you may choose to not say exactly what your material is because it may give away something unique about how you make your work, and that is your choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>But you should never mis-represent your work by calling it something that it is not. Not even for marketing, as efforts like that, no matter how innocently done, can be seen as dishonest, and may ruin your credibility.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next few weeks, a few ceramic bead artists that have been in the bead industry for a number of years will also be sharing through their blogs their insight and education about Ceramic Bead Making and how far we have come as a group of artists representing our unique work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Links to those blog posts, as well as to other reliable sources of information about Ceramic components (artist beads, tutorials, explanations, examples, etc) can be found on our Team Pinterest board: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/loveartjewelry/ceramic-clay-lmaj/">Ceramic Clay</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you will come and explore with us this wonderful medium.</div><div><br /></div><div>The author of this post Marsha Minutella (artist of <a href="http://www.marshanealstudio.com/">Marsha Neal Studio, LLC</a>) has an Master of Arts in Ceramics from the University of Delaware, 2001.</div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-81007550913691321012014-02-20T04:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.805-08:00Finding the Zen in my Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">by Staci L. Smith<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">I love what I do. I really do. However, it is still work, and there are times I just want a day off. Or I don't want to paint another bead!!!! Or edit another picture!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">But last week, as I was carving my black beads, and doodling on my Zen Doodle Beads, and drawing tiny details on my scrimshaw beads, I realized, that is my happy place. That is my zen. I could carved and draw patterns and doodles for hours on end, and still want to do more when I am done.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">I never really understood zen until I found it painting my studio floor. I am sure I still don't fully understand, but to me, it was my zen.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">(remember this?)</span></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13N9b6-PHQgIQx5NdLLHVInnGNXgAwm5H4r18pRXi5jJYeRBIU6GvIWof_YTg8WqrGZY3qg5hPPTLwBa0RdE51kwwXXt3dkVZgtLl0yhYfjfpG4ONpmDUr-7l8RheTrpbTfYttDwqOVw/s1600/2013-05-30+13.04.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13N9b6-PHQgIQx5NdLLHVInnGNXgAwm5H4r18pRXi5jJYeRBIU6GvIWof_YTg8WqrGZY3qg5hPPTLwBa0RdE51kwwXXt3dkVZgtLl0yhYfjfpG4ONpmDUr-7l8RheTrpbTfYttDwqOVw/s1600/2013-05-30+13.04.22.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">It really was sort of meditative to me. My mind is always on overdrive. I am not one who can clear it, or relax by just sitting. I cannot focus while still.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">I found if my hands are moving, my mind is more clear. I only think about the lines, the flow, the feel. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">As I painted my floor last year, I painted designs into it that made me thing of friends and family, and as I painted, I said little prayers for them in my mind.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">So as I was in the throws of endless bead production this week, it felt good to realize how much I love this aspect, because I think we all get into slumps at times.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">(painting and painting and painting and painting)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB0PGZrbPolPtwTcE3YfBZRYBnQ0hCwFn42V9mYZFjRETXvpYqzg0ceODKly9Y7i5SbvoGLE3WfeABW4rKxV7jKPBgfVC1VNuv913UyQWF7GqEDd0x0KyekcRVmiKCdQfu0YGbIe-eqs/s1600/20140218_130620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB0PGZrbPolPtwTcE3YfBZRYBnQ0hCwFn42V9mYZFjRETXvpYqzg0ceODKly9Y7i5SbvoGLE3WfeABW4rKxV7jKPBgfVC1VNuv913UyQWF7GqEDd0x0KyekcRVmiKCdQfu0YGbIe-eqs/s1600/20140218_130620.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Its nice to have that one thing that is relaxing, yet keeps you working. Eventually, creative energy, a spark, motivation, will follow. </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">I particularly loved carving. My body did not quite agree with me, (tendonitis) but it recovered quickly enough. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYj4cVKefGahwHgLpTfkRmelmb3RlvnfdrQGm-DGbgkIMYoFde3pVuXOx-Mp4DL8OVM-BhRMt8_Rs3DUCTa1nUygfOZRTvQwkRHkKHFi0V8mXGJ8r42sBEBcmqcCCQhVn8ZZFurmBxXA/s1600/1897873_10201792013257144_1055445975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYj4cVKefGahwHgLpTfkRmelmb3RlvnfdrQGm-DGbgkIMYoFde3pVuXOx-Mp4DL8OVM-BhRMt8_Rs3DUCTa1nUygfOZRTvQwkRHkKHFi0V8mXGJ8r42sBEBcmqcCCQhVn8ZZFurmBxXA/s1600/1897873_10201792013257144_1055445975_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>(side note on carving beads, they are small and it is hard or near impossible to not cut toward yourself. I borrowed this finger guard from my son, and it really sped up production. and its definitely more relaxing when you are not worried about cutting yourself the whole time)</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39m-UnwHpDGV5SNbVHuDN_934C9MAi1D5_Vl-Roj73LOddrcHJpSbcRzyGFEwCyAC0LSbQJJWWGfX4CtWoEAS0onPjRDkO9G-zAMlQDX3Rq5w3GVMUTePq5V_d0amYuM0Y0D7oBhyphenhyphenGIg/s1600/1618705_10201791318319771_1509584058_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39m-UnwHpDGV5SNbVHuDN_934C9MAi1D5_Vl-Roj73LOddrcHJpSbcRzyGFEwCyAC0LSbQJJWWGfX4CtWoEAS0onPjRDkO9G-zAMlQDX3Rq5w3GVMUTePq5V_d0amYuM0Y0D7oBhyphenhyphenGIg/s1600/1618705_10201791318319771_1509584058_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, drawing these scrimshaw like beads, I was in heaven. I even made an extra batch, just so I could mindlessly draw more!!!!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjcetTtd98attoZ2MmSpthKRRjjptis06uXxJ3Qi_UcXBNBGuFDgc5mR6qLGYl8gAomMOfiJNWUXdh-az25Ou7Hf1imKBWqwMz003EboTbhJASc9tu0F1-SRaPLuXRLCM8OuyQMADYtY/s1600/1653839_10201792677113740_1251831663_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjcetTtd98attoZ2MmSpthKRRjjptis06uXxJ3Qi_UcXBNBGuFDgc5mR6qLGYl8gAomMOfiJNWUXdh-az25Ou7Hf1imKBWqwMz003EboTbhJASc9tu0F1-SRaPLuXRLCM8OuyQMADYtY/s1600/1653839_10201792677113740_1251831663_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, my floor inspired doodles, which are bigger and more bold then my scrimshaw ones....they allow the whimsical nature to come through. </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmdHFdzzOH08ylvNSo3Vuhduoc0UElc6dxucHB5nYgHAyvANLU7mUdEMwZj7yZ36qfSnXjOBh8W7ndZnXGl_YNocoGGH15aQmQ-PuIAYpK4Hrwc4W2r6qTbdL3sDKXCMxMhFVhC9vGZU/s1600/1234397_530695450334033_1564912912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmdHFdzzOH08ylvNSo3Vuhduoc0UElc6dxucHB5nYgHAyvANLU7mUdEMwZj7yZ36qfSnXjOBh8W7ndZnXGl_YNocoGGH15aQmQ-PuIAYpK4Hrwc4W2r6qTbdL3sDKXCMxMhFVhC9vGZU/s1600/1234397_530695450334033_1564912912_n.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, when I have a stressful day, I wish I could just doodle all over the house, until my walls are non-stop art, filled with my therapy! Maybe I can just start with one wall................maybe...............</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">So, what is your zen? Your happy place? Do you find it while you are doing something? Or do you have quiet time to refresh and inspire you?</span></div><div align="center"></div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-23074424947872639132014-02-19T20:13:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:48:27.877-08:00Bead Table Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9SkymcLlzn-dbWi4x43V6JHDOak-NIRK3xPt7yfrBUR3o-MRxu06Cc6tIkmxw6Ka0DoJlljnFywKCG8Lk_FqdSWPIcbrJNqaVxhMf0Ce7FrsqPk98fWBnu2bcybNybbLb54EwSd6-yY/s1600/beadtablebracelet-w-porcela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9SkymcLlzn-dbWi4x43V6JHDOak-NIRK3xPt7yfrBUR3o-MRxu06Cc6tIkmxw6Ka0DoJlljnFywKCG8Lk_FqdSWPIcbrJNqaVxhMf0Ce7FrsqPk98fWBnu2bcybNybbLb54EwSd6-yY/s1600/beadtablebracelet-w-porcela.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Free Form Peyote Stitch Bracelet on my bead table this week.</div><br />I was happy to learn that Heather Powers is starting up her <a href="http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2014/02/bead-table-wednseday.html">Bead Table Wednesday</a> posts. I was part of it when she did it before. I really enjoyed it and met lots of cool beaders as well.<br /><br />My bead table has several locations. This one is in the house. My others are in my studio which is located in our 1850's renovated barn.<br />Here I am working on a free form peyote stitch bracelet. I chose the bead colors before I found this ceramic clay focal in my handmade beads stash. I made this bead last year out of porcelain ceramic clay which I fired in my kiln to cone 5 which is about 2200 degrees F. It takes that much heat to mature (harden and seal) this mid range porcelain clay. I love the glassy glossy feel of this focal and the wonderful range of blue colors and how it enhances the seed beads in the bracelet. Hopefully by next week it will be much further along. See you then.<br /><br />You too can participate in Bead Table Wednesday. Just check out <a href="http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2014/02/bead-table-wednseday.html">Heather Powers' blog post</a> and see how you can play along.<br /><br /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPyhMeZUW9AcACywTUceAQDiV-akjWQi52ESQdpww9WaQAdQbj52L01vzJjzT5nPbn-1a5wbvgonx1dhwoV0FrxkiR6_w7Z20fvbD2vbD3MdeCWGDwBX8JiwmZv21s7faGnrz-HvxLvK4/s640/blogger-image-582524337.jpg" />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-33904238028605363672014-02-19T08:05:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:52:55.849-08:00Serene Aquamarine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG12Edlp2H7QzoaWJyxZynLq5t_ckSAr0eXe6moZSCAdyjipexbJoiL3p1KABP8V0_I_H0dSgsGaQEcKSDY0vyuy4o1ERhyphenhyphen5TbDCOVsy9lj276mbAj04YzoI9r_kQEDj9E5vAUi6-ftXg/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></div><br />Above this oval 1.36 carat Aquamarine ring with diamond surround features a peek a boo diamond on either side of it's intricate mounting. It's all in the details! $<strong><em>1,595.</em></strong><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Below stunning 14k 4.88 carat Aquamarine ring with exquisite filigree work and diamond embellishment on bezel and shank. A wow piece for that special someone. <strong><em> $3495.</em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ctgMRve5Sa1GXvSOqVuiOGNsryw49wvL8jf_AynRW8R-vjVMYQ5D8lRPaX20YJK_pxN-ZyqQQ_oAXUfo3vVMghMTNJY8h2CjNjCuIBUnxlYnB0uY1R8kX2mfNGXi9y6gEqCNkXRgv7s/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ctgMRve5Sa1GXvSOqVuiOGNsryw49wvL8jf_AynRW8R-vjVMYQ5D8lRPaX20YJK_pxN-ZyqQQ_oAXUfo3vVMghMTNJY8h2CjNjCuIBUnxlYnB0uY1R8kX2mfNGXi9y6gEqCNkXRgv7s/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoC0pftaOMv9tLr4yNbzx_1w3Y2a55iWi3Yr4YD6ppqGab14t2NatoIy1MlnYOHFFHG7TtX24gRfxdLTIlCLxl0n87m3Libist_XV2ksiD1c7guZUP_Meo7QOIJb866hTHzvX1REJA4w/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoC0pftaOMv9tLr4yNbzx_1w3Y2a55iWi3Yr4YD6ppqGab14t2NatoIy1MlnYOHFFHG7TtX24gRfxdLTIlCLxl0n87m3Libist_XV2ksiD1c7guZUP_Meo7QOIJb866hTHzvX1REJA4w/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /> Beautiful 18k .39carat Aquamarine pendant with diamond halo makes a wonderful Birthday or Anniversary present. <strong><em>$799.</em></strong><br /><br />14k Aquamarine & diamond drop earrings with easy to wear leverback feature. <strong><em>$999</em></strong>.<br /> </div></div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-38163814363729104712014-02-19T06:44:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:52:55.856-08:00Pendants with Pizazz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOXh-q6PSRPJXph6xEWFsnIgjmjfRMsqEv0a1VUH4mKxqz66smB1QDlDELR6fE-8wO6B3z7BvwenWLKPWewt-LUwjA5nuJSYtlilrEXbIJk4KTjH1imprciynDX8oYVTglsRXes7xSvo/s1600/1235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOXh-q6PSRPJXph6xEWFsnIgjmjfRMsqEv0a1VUH4mKxqz66smB1QDlDELR6fE-8wO6B3z7BvwenWLKPWewt-LUwjA5nuJSYtlilrEXbIJk4KTjH1imprciynDX8oYVTglsRXes7xSvo/s1600/1235.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful round diamond with diamond halo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">$849.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvZIoKsbT8HjJVj3bac1ac06DXWehL_FHFYH41xGvPWiqdlxl3896pR72C1vgio5MK0LKhWfQ3PZKe6f-kt2aX_xmbnEvBQPvXoYQgri1WCFZYE8XoWkbsdylTJIc_HgHEJ1vuq6Zqas/s1600/Pizazz!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvZIoKsbT8HjJVj3bac1ac06DXWehL_FHFYH41xGvPWiqdlxl3896pR72C1vgio5MK0LKhWfQ3PZKe6f-kt2aX_xmbnEvBQPvXoYQgri1WCFZYE8XoWkbsdylTJIc_HgHEJ1vuq6Zqas/s1600/Pizazz!.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lovely marquise diamond with diamond halo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> $1995.</div><br />beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-33453536401630453132014-02-19T03:46:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.813-08:00Artist Interview - Keith Lo Bue!<div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview by Karen McGovern</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">All images courtesy and property of Keith Lo Bue</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVHNM1aagCu-BnJUKsV6q1e0KPOsPPkiSgLxR-t0P3aPZX99GRML755OQq7NC2IBKklW9dnGrgiOw3ht_dNi6q9q8H9vQe2iuv3gL3yhz55vzV1OM7TWBGK5j1Gh7lei8-7RM8b9vnpZZ/s1600/klb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVHNM1aagCu-BnJUKsV6q1e0KPOsPPkiSgLxR-t0P3aPZX99GRML755OQq7NC2IBKklW9dnGrgiOw3ht_dNi6q9q8H9vQe2iuv3gL3yhz55vzV1OM7TWBGK5j1Gh7lei8-7RM8b9vnpZZ/s1600/klb.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a geeked out fan of so many amazing artists and jewelry designers. I follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and more. One of my all-time top ten favorite jewelry designers/artists is <a href="http://www.lobue-art.com/" target="_blank">Keith Lo Bue</a>. Keith is a master when it comes to combining unusual elements and materials to create stunning works of truly wearable art. He is totally fearless when it comes to design, and I am thrilled and grateful he took time for us here at LMAJ to answer a few questions and share some insights. So...here we go!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> <span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For those that don’t know you, please tell us a little about yourself (where you live, how long you have been an artist, affiliations if you want, a bit about your home life)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> I've made my home in Sydney, Australia for 14 years now, but my creative journey began in Connecticut where I grew up. Ever since I was about nine years old I've known that I wanted to be an artist in some form or another, and I followed that path ever since then. Drawing was always my first love as a kid, and it eventually led to me becoming a freelance illustrator out of art school (SUNY Purchase in New York). Two summers as a security guard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York fed a love for art made from found materials, and in 1988 I started toying around by gathering junk and working with it. I immediately fell in love with it and as the years went by, left my illustration career behind to work in 3-D full-time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> How would you classify (if you can) your work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mixed media?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assemblage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you call it?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>KLB:</strong> I've always disliked the word assemblage. I think of what I make as objects, wearable and not. For many years it was a bit frustrating when someone asked me what I did for a living; I would fish around saying that I do jewelry - but it's like sculpture - and I don't use precious materials, blah blah blah blah. And then about 10 years ago I invented the perfect tongue-in-cheek word for what I do: "Stuffsmith". Whereas most jewelers classify themselves as metalsmiths because of the material they work with primarily, I realized that my palette is <i>stuff</i> <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span> anything and everything. The word stuck and I feel really comfortable with it now.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtCFQCBG8c_lX6r7f7FLqvh7kifcHl9MexHmxmBUyfYdANHEJh-WtqQbcCCkGyMRXPB9Z311wvLkpd5DJFPaJeHMJT1hgHjI0cAPaXpkiP2EniASUTX9duAtd-m2iU6tXmFPGW5_g4BSu/s1600/Desktop21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtCFQCBG8c_lX6r7f7FLqvh7kifcHl9MexHmxmBUyfYdANHEJh-WtqQbcCCkGyMRXPB9Z311wvLkpd5DJFPaJeHMJT1hgHjI0cAPaXpkiP2EniASUTX9duAtd-m2iU6tXmFPGW5_g4BSu/s1600/Desktop21.jpg" height="192" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of Keith's stunnig works, including one of my personal favorites--<br />a ring made from the handle of a porcelain cup!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>L</strong></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>MAJ:</strong> The elements you use in your designs are unusual to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you find them, and what would you say is one of the most unusual <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“</span>things<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span>you have incorporated into a jewelry design?</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>KLB:</strong> I like to think my materials find <i>me!</i> As I walk around out there in the world, things will fall into view that stop me, and there's a spark I can't explain that makes me take it back to the studio. It climbs into a box or a drawer or sits on the shelf and waits patiently - sometimes for 25 years - before it's called into action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I have 'junk angels' all over the world who like to send me things. Someone will spot an object that makes them think of me and they send it and it's always a delightful surprise. I've gotten a lot of exquisite objects that way over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question of the most unusual object I've used is a really difficult one, because <i>so many</i> of my pieces have very odd things in them. Many many pieces, for instance, use insect specimens in them <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span> some of them quite extraordinary insects. Some of the organic objects that I use people can find a bit disturbing, but nothing I use strikes me that way. For example, I've just finished creating a neckpiece for my daughter's 16th birthday that incorporates her baby teeth, so she can walk around with that history on her chest. People can be very funny about teeth in a piece of jewelry, and I get that, but I also think teeth are like little jewels <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span> they're even enameled!</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsCc2mKzMcyC7ICzowapTeW8UOC680o33-S8jEHNEDVNRk0n5YSchgG66eWU9OW-Ps4Jm3aj7FC10bV8a4hu6AD75WIjEy_0fsKnm2Z-aCjShwP5nClzsS4AREYwqgpdWJa_6k4MPQtFy/s1600/Desktop20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsCc2mKzMcyC7ICzowapTeW8UOC680o33-S8jEHNEDVNRk0n5YSchgG66eWU9OW-Ps4Jm3aj7FC10bV8a4hu6AD75WIjEy_0fsKnm2Z-aCjShwP5nClzsS4AREYwqgpdWJa_6k4MPQtFy/s1600/Desktop20.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith's lovely daughter Mira wearing the amazing necklace he created for her.<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> Can you give us a glimpse into your <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“</span>process<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When looking at a rusted spur or antique silver flatware, is there a process you go through to create a design?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’</span>s the spark?</span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>KLB:</strong> The first object I pick up to use is the spark -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I spend time with that object, holding it and studying it, until I'm ready to start bringing other objects to it, at which time it's a delightful process of mixing and matching until my first connection takes place. The piece then grows organically outward, completely intuitively, until the finish. One of the nicest things is that I'm always as surprised as anyone else by my pieces when they're done. I think I've established a way to work almost subconsciously, under the radar, so that my brain doesn't get in the way of what I'm making.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> I notice you often incorporate soil and organic materials into your design, which intrigues me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there significance behind this? </span></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1Ha9rOXjWol1RleuEFhav7lfAucs26sL9cnJ1ICfYfuK5Q2qHSh4VE9w83l-Zt4fq3hQABVcOXLPgB6WqPpdrcaLSx3qZmVM535oDfaGlR-9VKkdiybXdF3M4stsTSKDzXfy7gsFEuiB/s1600/klb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1Ha9rOXjWol1RleuEFhav7lfAucs26sL9cnJ1ICfYfuK5Q2qHSh4VE9w83l-Zt4fq3hQABVcOXLPgB6WqPpdrcaLSx3qZmVM535oDfaGlR-9VKkdiybXdF3M4stsTSKDzXfy7gsFEuiB/s1600/klb11.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of the neck piece "Endure"</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>KLB:</strong> Many of the materials around us that are of organic origin are so incredible and so texturally<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fascinating that it seems the most natural thing in the world to use them. My use of soil has a different purpose, however. The soil is put into the cracks and crevices of the work, to visually tie the elements together and give it the appearance of having been that way for a very long time.</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> You obviously have a deep love of antiquities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you discuss why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that mean in your jewelry creations?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> I've been a museum junkie my whole life. I used to wonder the halls of Yale's Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut when I was a kid and I would never tire of the atmosphere in there. And it's not only the old objects that intrigue me <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span>it's man's compulsion to <i>present</i> these objects and harness their world <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span><i>that</i> is the impulse that keeps me returning to old materials. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Another thing about using genuinely old objects is that these things have outlived mostly everyone who would have been around when it was new. This packs that object with a lifetime of history, but it also removes it from our present-day reality in a very potent way, and it enters the world of myth. It's in that world that my pieces can assume the dreamlikee quality that I'm after.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> You travel the world teaching and offer some wonderful online resources. What you do you enjoy most about teaching, and what do you enjoy least?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> Whether I'm teaching in a classroom or online, it's a passion for me to share all of the things I'm so excited about in making art. I know that anyone who opens themselves to creating can do it and do it well. I feel that one of my gifts is to be able to lay things out in a very easy to understand and contextual way, so that people not only learn how to do something but why they're doing it. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't really name a single thing I <i>don't</i> like about teaching <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span>yes, it takes me out of the studio so I can't make work during that time. But what I get in that time out of the studio is a tremendous jolt of inspiration from my students, so that when I get back to Studio Stuffsmith I am raring to go and parlay that excitement into new work.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBAS66-adwwDcuxnMrN6BocvLy2iCAuu0sRLL0epUhcdGUNrai0GBYTczGNiRCDMoXkdEE-HwLLc-Y-TiggJiMFGj3jNBogfc0iTge5yDsIuL6dueGXK5XWpY9r_O7amckY83QJYZzcfg/s1600/klb13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBAS66-adwwDcuxnMrN6BocvLy2iCAuu0sRLL0epUhcdGUNrai0GBYTczGNiRCDMoXkdEE-HwLLc-Y-TiggJiMFGj3jNBogfc0iTge5yDsIuL6dueGXK5XWpY9r_O7amckY83QJYZzcfg/s1600/klb13.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Four, and What they Did"<br />This amazing design incorporates a 19th-century<br />emboridered Masonic ceremonial sash</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> When I look at your work and website, I imagine a sort of mad scientist/genius type person behind the curtain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, when I see you online in videos (bear in mind, we<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’</span>ve never met, so forgive any assumptions) I see you seem to have a really fun and goofy personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there an alter ego that creates the elaborate StuffSmith designs?</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> This question may have been answered earlier, when I was talking about how intuitive the process of making is for me. I really give myself up to my creative process when I'm in the studio, and the result can sometimes surprise me, but the consistency over the years has shown me that this is a big side of my personality. Of course there's a tremendous amount of myself in this work, but it can't be all of what I am. I love living, I love being a dad and partner, I love to teach and to meet others with similar hopes and dreams.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> What artists out there influence you, are your favorites, and why?</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> There have been many artists over the years that have been very influential: <a href="http://www.josephcornellbox.com/" target="_blank">JosephCornell</a> and <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/kurt-schwitters-1912" target="_blank">Kurt Schwitters</a> when I was starting out, the Brothers Quay also early on in my career, all for their very particular and subtle use of found objects in their work. More recently <a href="http://www.calder.org/" target="_blank">Alexander Calder</a> and his mind blowing mobiles have captivated my brain and made me run off in that direction as well. I think it's telling that I'm not looking to other jewelers for inspiration per se, because I don't feel that what I make is jewelry in the traditional sense.</span></span> </div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a day-to-day basis by far the most influential artists on my own work are musicians. I am a voracious music lover, and I practically never work without music playing. Whatever the music may be, it can't help but have an effect on what my hands and mind are doing and the decisions being made. The music of <a href="http://www.stevereich.com/" target="_blank">Steve Reich</a>, for example, has actively been with me since way back in high school and has influenced my work immeasurably.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ve had the wonderful experience of success as a (what I call) non-traditional jewelry designer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your most treasured accomplishment to date?</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> I can't think of anything more exciting then for my work to be held in an important museum collection. I am truly lucky to have work in many museums, particularly the Smithsonian in Washington, in the <a href="http://americanart.si.edu/" target="_blank">National Museum of American Art</a>, and in the MADMuseum, which is the <a href="http://www.madmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Museum of Arts & Design</a> in New York City. The irony doesn't escape me that so many of my pieces mimic museum display, so to see those pieces displayed in museums is a little bit like a hall of mirrors, and a delightful reinforcement of my aesthetic interests. I also love the idea that people will be able to view my work publicly way after I'm gone. That's humbling.</span></span><br /> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> Okay, for something completely different, what<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’</span>s up with the vintage hat stuff?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see you have recently begun a page dedicated to men's vintage caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you always been a fan of the vintage lid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you collect?</span></span><br /> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v8r2Ms5do2gI7Bc1tjf9frzysMScCzjg9VU18SO7EiIQx9ETAWWZcIV7fK5k5iZV7xscUqR64Ik607fmE0vXuauY2W1TvLxgHI3TEZcbCjXK4dGG0Pvd1DcgelQ8q4NAk_aJkHcoVN2E/s1600/klb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v8r2Ms5do2gI7Bc1tjf9frzysMScCzjg9VU18SO7EiIQx9ETAWWZcIV7fK5k5iZV7xscUqR64Ik607fmE0vXuauY2W1TvLxgHI3TEZcbCjXK4dGG0Pvd1DcgelQ8q4NAk_aJkHcoVN2E/s1600/klb.jpg" height="200" width="192" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> As my partner Irena will often say, I don't do hobbies halfway. I've worn hats continuously since 1990 when I shaved my head and never grew it back. Mostly fedoras, beanies and such. But about a year ago I discovered that there are rare surviving caps from the early 20th century and started collecting them to wear. As my collection grew bigger and bigger, I began to realize that I need to rotate them and that's how <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vintagecapsformen" target="_blank">The Well-Dressed Head</a> was born. I really find it amazing that 100 years ago - heck, 60 years ago - every single man and boy wore a hat or cap every single day, and yet there is very little information about these things now. And the style of these things is <i>so much more beautiful</i>than what you can buy new. They just look really cool and contemporary, and I just want more guys wearing them in the world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>LMAJ:</strong> Finally, what words of advice do you have for struggling artists out there in the world?</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>KLB:</strong> My biggest piece of advice to any artist who feels like they're struggling, trying to move forward: <b>Show your work</b> <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">–</span> get it seen, on any wall, in any display case, blog, website, anywhere. The more eyes that are laid on it, the greater your opportunities will be. If it doesn't get seen, nothing can happen with it. If I hadn't shown a few little bits of jewelry in a local shop in southwestern Connecticut, I might still be an illustrator today. It was that black & white for me.</span></span></span></span></div></span><br /><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Our heartfelt thanks to Keith for letting us take a peek behind his creative curtain, so to speak. For more images of Keith's work, his teaching schedule and more, please visit his amazing <a href="http://www.lobue-art.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and <a href="http://www.keithlobue.com/category/jewelry" target="_blank">online shop</a>, follow him on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/keith.lobue" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and read his insightful <a href="http://keithlobue.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">blog</a>! Now, go create some thing AMAZING!</em></span></span></div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-24491890837449090662014-02-18T03:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.825-08:00Technology - Friend or Foe? By Karen McGovern<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We live in a digital age. We hover online via computer or hand-held device nearly constantly. We have almost instant access to a sea of information, 24/7. You are online right now to read this blog, whether it is on your laptop, desktop. tablet or smartphone. I know I am a fan of gadgetry--quietly lusting after the newest iPad (iPhone not so much--I am a Samsung phone fan), and am drooling over the recent Office Depot commercial that features THAT UNBELIEVABLE BLUETOOTH LAZER KEYBOARD AND THE TEENY-TINY PROJECTOR!!! Yes, I am all over that stuff, whether I need it or not. I just WANT IT SO BAD!</span></div><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5RMk12Oqtxk" width="459"></iframe></center><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mighty Internet and Google Machine are no longer references used occasionally, they have become an integral part of our lives. I know I rely on these tools of technology on a daily basis. Heck, I just checked on Google to make sure I spelled "technology" correctly! (which I did not. I stuck a "k" in there for no apparent reason. I suck at spelling) Whether used for mundane reasons or as a teaching tool, the digital world is just that...a tool. How you use it is up to you (Seriously, how many cat videos have you watched today?). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you think of the Internet as a soul stealing time vampire or gateway to nirvana, it has transformed our lives without question. The word "Frenemy" comes to mind--"refering to either an enemy pretending to be a friend or someone who really is a friend but is also a rival. The term is used to describe personal, geopolitical, and commercial relationships both among individuals and groups or institutions."</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I just got that from Wikipedia, which I looked up via Google. See???????</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have written about how YouTube has helped me IMMENSELY through the availability of instructional jewelry design videos and tutorials. You can find a video for just about any technique you can think of, all free for the viewing. I learned fold-forming, simple soldering, riveting, and SO MUCH MORE all courtesy of YouTube and the generous artists that post videos free of charge. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many of your supplies are purchased online? Can you imagine <em>not</em> being able to purchase online? I doubt it. The virtual world is here to stay and most of us would not be able to do the work we do without it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, on to selling. Online storefronts like Etsy, Artfire and more (plus Facebook and individual websites) are the only way many of us sell our works, besides out of our homes or the occassional local art show. (Applause to you that make your work full-time and travel to art shows around the country, etc.). And when we are at those art shows (which we applied to enter via online application) we use our smartphones and apps like Square and PayPal to accept payments. As a marketing tool the Internet is vital. Period.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01WU2zAOMvTvrAJEn4L4JLLSdb4JZmGjsHKpF1WS62ru4vk6ffe20B1aJD4dQQU_3IVAYj6QKDrSv3FvA4yzZx5ZxrJ5aAraBLsPRdA9iN7boJ-4fkGvWyB1AvNkcxBxd-hv06PitoQIe/s1600/square.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01WU2zAOMvTvrAJEn4L4JLLSdb4JZmGjsHKpF1WS62ru4vk6ffe20B1aJD4dQQU_3IVAYj6QKDrSv3FvA4yzZx5ZxrJ5aAraBLsPRdA9iN7boJ-4fkGvWyB1AvNkcxBxd-hv06PitoQIe/s1600/square.png" height="185" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how do we best harness this technology in our trade? First of all, LEARN HOW TO USE IT. A few of my good friends who are artists are still balking at using selling tools like <a href="http://www.squareup.com/" target="_blank">Square</a> and online storefronts. I am in the process of walking them through some of this and strongly suggest everyone become 100% comfortable with handling online transactions. These tools are the bare bones of business, and you can't ignore them or expect your clients to work around your reluctance to use them. Now-a-days there really is no excuse for not being able to accept a credit card, anywhere, anytime, using nothing but your smartphone. All of these online resources offer in-depth online tutorials that walk you through every step of the process. You do not have to be a computer geek to do this, I swear. Just go to the website and follow along. I use Square and love it, and Square as relatively recently launched its own online selling platform, <a href="https://squareup.com/sell-online" target="_blank">Square Market</a>. I'm looking into that... </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Speaking of online storefronts...it's not that hard to set up your own, you know. I decided to do that since Etsy and I are on a "break" (It's complicated, I found out Etsy has been cheating on me with overseas re-sellers. We're in couples therapy, but I'm not sure we can ever truly trust each other again...sigh). I set up my own <a href="http://www.beadkeepers.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and shop through <a href="http://wix.com/" target="_blank">Wix</a>, and am very happy with the results. Yes, it costs a bit more, and yes, you need to be a bit web savvy. But, the site is very, VERY easy to use with tons of instructional pages and videos, as well as tons of storefronts and themes to choose. All the hard work is done for you--you just choose the look you like and go! Sets up with a PayPal account for sales, or you can use Wix's own marketing platform.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6YGbTM2GWr7eKfLqsKQsd2HV0bFyWfhnDeGWEhM0bY_DjyFnKgzLCj5P42B_khp2-txWkatuznFs7gfwCArp7qAn6hnEr0XC2FH7xvmn5LF5Q_PBcQty96rfhNWX_eEWMe_0dosj_vT0/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+2172014+83624+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6YGbTM2GWr7eKfLqsKQsd2HV0bFyWfhnDeGWEhM0bY_DjyFnKgzLCj5P42B_khp2-txWkatuznFs7gfwCArp7qAn6hnEr0XC2FH7xvmn5LF5Q_PBcQty96rfhNWX_eEWMe_0dosj_vT0/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+2172014+83624+AM.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond buying and selling, the Internet is also a source of endless inspiration. I can't imagine not being able to reference favorite artists, view current works and exhibits I am interested in, and having access to a BAJILLION images. Pintrest, anyone? All my favorite magazines have online versions, all jam-packed with drool worthy designs and insightful articles. THERE IS SO MUCH OUT THERE!!! I am inspired every time I am on Facebook by the works artists I follow are creating, and I use Facebook to show my own work and am ETERNALLY GRATFUL for the feedback I get. I recently got a "like" on one of my designs from <a href="http://www.rsalley.com/" target="_blank">Richard Salley</a>. <em>RICHARD SALLEY</em>!!! I am such a fan of his that when I saw the "like" I got goosebumps. FOR REAL. (Yes, I am a nerd. Deal with it)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsqElnV3RLd7Wo_6EzVTSBPuJrvXwNwBnk95o7DZlVBnHFzngiGZWgTJ4a5fDdqpCFmiJIYOBeop1NUHsbbH8uefiwy43h3jOe_ZxA-tgNRwYOC3opMteO92oc3R9HFpNSY_I-EM5mlNT/s1600/rsalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsqElnV3RLd7Wo_6EzVTSBPuJrvXwNwBnk95o7DZlVBnHFzngiGZWgTJ4a5fDdqpCFmiJIYOBeop1NUHsbbH8uefiwy43h3jOe_ZxA-tgNRwYOC3opMteO92oc3R9HFpNSY_I-EM5mlNT/s1600/rsalley.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Richard's delicious designs...sigh.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if you hate the 'Net, your computer can be a vital tool to store information. I photograph all of my work using my smartphone. I then download all of that to my computer so I have a record of what I am working on as well as access to past designs. Just going through that can be an inspiring (and mortifying) adventure. Sometimes I will stumble across an old design I had totally forgotten about and become inspired to revisit it. I also look at some of my first works and cringe a bit, but still am very proud of how far I have come. Everyone should photograph their work and keep these images for reference!!! Then display them on a wall using the AMAZING TEENY-TINY PROJECTOR FROM OFFICE DEPOT. Ahem, I digress....</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of design--a tablet is now a WONDERFUL design tool. Currently I am obsessing over the Apple "<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paper-by-fiftythree/id506003812?mt=8" target="_blank">Paper</a>" app and the electronic pencil/stylus 53 that works with it. My iPad is too old and doesn not work with the <a href="http://www.fiftythree.com/" target="_blank">53</a>, and IT'S DRIVING ME INSANE. If you like to sketch out your design ideas on the fly, a tablet is for you. I sketch ideas quite a bit, but don't always have the appropriate pen and paper handy when the muse stikes me. That is why so many scraps of envelopes, lined note pad paper, napkins, etc, end up strewn all over the place with ideas scrawled on them. With one of the bazillion art apps available, a tablet and stylus (or your finger), you can sketch like mad, save, and viola! You have an easy reference. Take a peek at the cool stuff <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kartott" target="_blank">Karen Totten</a> of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/starryroadstudio" target="_blank">Starry Road Studio</a> is creating with Paper. A fantastic way to sketch your ideas and connect instantly with your computer...Like Etch-A-Sketch on MASSIVE STEROIDS. (Sue me, I'm old).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn6tT4NLXPHKY51zAZnpv6Tk1pEtk6vyvIjPZwDxirQJ5LmNdw5zeHtJwFAj4XwpcKhoEDr9-wIwtlcCsRm7YgCQjzRy_MezlqPmiEz0PnZ44Cij1sLCIUe4CDhPIElAst2Nan4DGUgjL/s1600/kt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn6tT4NLXPHKY51zAZnpv6Tk1pEtk6vyvIjPZwDxirQJ5LmNdw5zeHtJwFAj4XwpcKhoEDr9-wIwtlcCsRm7YgCQjzRy_MezlqPmiEz0PnZ44Cij1sLCIUe4CDhPIElAst2Nan4DGUgjL/s1600/kt.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not all of us can afford the newest tablet or gadget, but we all use smartphones and computers, and many of these apps and programs are available (inexpensively or even FREE) for both. Bottom line, when we discuss the tools of our trade, the Internet, smartphones, computers and tablets all have to be included in one form or another. And just like all the other tools we need, we must become proficient in the proper use of ALL OF THEM. Who doesn't love a new tool??? So, go out there and play with all the tools available and create something WONDERFUL!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">I just finished the pendant shown here, inspired by a spectacular work by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/linda.ladurner" target="_blank">Linda Ladurner</a> I saw on Facebook. Now available in my <a href="http://www.beadkeepers.com/#!necklaces/c5ov" target="_blank">online shop</a>!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0rIf-UGa_yuZe1Bir50H-5MyOJOrOH4tHw3-SRBQD0-Lf1HguDmjbNouAJJYcxc944zNLtaHuWWwKnC2W15YhtmtQm8LZR3Q95P-uVSK1BMjGxATX85H2RfJV_ACcB3uTvAg9OXCqpPZ/s1600/ebb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0rIf-UGa_yuZe1Bir50H-5MyOJOrOH4tHw3-SRBQD0-Lf1HguDmjbNouAJJYcxc944zNLtaHuWWwKnC2W15YhtmtQm8LZR3Q95P-uVSK1BMjGxATX85H2RfJV_ACcB3uTvAg9OXCqpPZ/s1600/ebb.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Update - I just got an updated Ipad and Pencil for Valentine's Day!!!!!! So, I am completely obsessed with the app and gadget. If you don't hear from me ever again, I am in my bedroom doodling like mad. Please send in the occasional pizza....</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I_6_8hVLIv52TPvzcBQToUTgyNp-ilaBd3174kppUa2v3DwLGQjxWuQZbJckOB6O71yJBVHde0H5cjuZj8ls88KjpDG2VZuFxY8ERsnbxImch5fZ6hD8XQCXKHizthrBo1RHp9wi-cac/s1600/paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I_6_8hVLIv52TPvzcBQToUTgyNp-ilaBd3174kppUa2v3DwLGQjxWuQZbJckOB6O71yJBVHde0H5cjuZj8ls88KjpDG2VZuFxY8ERsnbxImch5fZ6hD8XQCXKHizthrBo1RHp9wi-cac/s1600/paper.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></div> </div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-36715234298729815712014-02-17T03:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:46:16.833-08:00boot camp - asymmetry in earring design<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mary jane dodd</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIrhpagKcCIs1gESag5DtxyW9Q0Hq_vditCJMOL6wCQuoH7mwIT0mPvEIqwtUW-CnxGiPFfgHJkcoVQT31xaJuOzI1BlF78xKdl-UF9w3pekpWBwg1isQVfSRlnLa6rdsXUViukYZU2r7/s1600/IMG_2148-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIrhpagKcCIs1gESag5DtxyW9Q0Hq_vditCJMOL6wCQuoH7mwIT0mPvEIqwtUW-CnxGiPFfgHJkcoVQT31xaJuOzI1BlF78xKdl-UF9w3pekpWBwg1isQVfSRlnLa6rdsXUViukYZU2r7/s1600/IMG_2148-001.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/mairedodd">mjd</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">creating asymmetry in earrings can add great interest. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there are different ways to achieve this effect - </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can use the same beads/elements and arrange them differently on each one - </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or you can strike your balance with beads of similar size, 'weight' and color. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when i am working this way in necklaces or earrings, i tend to view my work as if there is an 'x' present - checking to see if there is balance across the work and from top to bottom, side to side. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the first pair of earrings i merely switched the arrangement of the turquoise and amber. subtle asymmetry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here, the ever inventive fanci shows how to create balance across the set. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/025/0/5405515/il_570xN.552263672_oq9h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/025/0/5405515/il_570xN.552263672_oq9h.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/fancifuldevices">fanciful devices</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she keeps the structure and size of the earrings similar but switches up her beads in terms of color and/or shape.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5124001/il_570xN.324437065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5124001/il_570xN.324437065.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/stacilouise">stacilouise</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in this pair by our own staci, she kept her color scheme and scale consistent, but created interest with different shapes of beads and switching the arrangement of the discs from top to bottom. when viewed side by side, you can see how there is balance across the set when you are looking at it as an 'x'.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ks8mZR0Q2e9nlYz1qptfGykF1u6DBop9vLs3OkVC6lgvmOnvTvuQeGYbclXSrwaqvV7vQmvYcF3GdfaIJnmZjD7OagkBE_JBK8IWG_q6-KiVoza61ReqT3AqxpYNgEPDF0buFi2NxLjI/s1600/foldformed+earrings+and+beach+sky+earrings+005-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ks8mZR0Q2e9nlYz1qptfGykF1u6DBop9vLs3OkVC6lgvmOnvTvuQeGYbclXSrwaqvV7vQmvYcF3GdfaIJnmZjD7OagkBE_JBK8IWG_q6-KiVoza61ReqT3AqxpYNgEPDF0buFi2NxLjI/s1600/foldformed+earrings+and+beach+sky+earrings+005-1.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mjd</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all of the same components were used in this example - i just changed the orientation of the accent beads from horizontal to vertical. the scale, color and shape are consistent. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/017/0/6457843/il_570xN.497714160_1bma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/017/0/6457843/il_570xN.497714160_1bma.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/150215052/tribal-gypsy-dangle-earrings-with">kate buxton - quisnam</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i love how the eye moves in this pair - kate has balanced them across the set, keeping scale and color consistent, she plays beautifully with shapes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-sFN5o7meOlGOZ8Sv0DWBuIoLMU2EwthxTW1aGTY8YsOlGTGLV5xKRircYcsW-xUAMfRGIp829CQh0AV2geG49bt5DX50T93hJZZagDtVcNNFwaSkusCKRByGQ4EmEeF9xWRCP5mnQwn/s1600/IMG_9880-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-sFN5o7meOlGOZ8Sv0DWBuIoLMU2EwthxTW1aGTY8YsOlGTGLV5xKRircYcsW-xUAMfRGIp829CQh0AV2geG49bt5DX50T93hJZZagDtVcNNFwaSkusCKRByGQ4EmEeF9xWRCP5mnQwn/s1600/IMG_9880-001.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mjd</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here i have played with the negative space on the left by filling it with chain and beads. on the right, a bead from the same set is used, but i have left the negative space open. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cmstatic1.com/9646/c/sterling-silver-asymmetrical-earrings-with-oxidize--UDU2Ny05NjQ2LjEyNjIzOQ==.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cmstatic1.com/9646/c/sterling-silver-asymmetrical-earrings-with-oxidize--UDU2Ny05NjQ2LjEyNjIzOQ==.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.custommade.com/sterling-silver-asymmetrical-earrings-with-oxidize/by/Janiskermandesign/">janis kerman</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this is a gorgeous example of asymmetry in earring design - color, overall shape and size are consistent. here the balance is more in the form of triangles - top and bottom of left related to center of right and vice versa. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">------------------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i wanted to add some thoughts re: designing necklaces. i agree completely with the other women in the group about how weight is crucial. a necklace that stuns flat on your work table but slides all around your neck is not a successful design. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">developing an asymmetrical way of thinking isn't always easy. some people take right to it, others find it to be more challenging. if you are finding it hard to do, remember, even throwing in one bead of a different color or shape (with a similar relative scale) on one side of the design creates asymmetry. it does not have to be complex. it can be, but doesn't have to be. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVAoBchJmEJgtnm50tkBoratos3iqsF96SbN9U-gl0NSamv_fs19jtUjoalU8Ftyu_sdjslyAxDyg111WHOY1x6yNjemvPaJ8eIpKn7dED7m8wXUjvr1fz7zLX6kPT3bzVH5yuCHek4G8/s1600/IMG_2253-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVAoBchJmEJgtnm50tkBoratos3iqsF96SbN9U-gl0NSamv_fs19jtUjoalU8Ftyu_sdjslyAxDyg111WHOY1x6yNjemvPaJ8eIpKn7dED7m8wXUjvr1fz7zLX6kPT3bzVH5yuCHek4G8/s1600/IMG_2253-001.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mjd</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in my fiber necklaces, if you look closely, you can see that the neck piece has 4 different sections - all in the same color scheme. closest to the pouch, i have used threads with strung beads on one side and linen with accent beads of the same sort stitched to it on the right. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so have fun - whether your version of asymmetry is bold or subtle, it adds much interest to designs and helps you to define your own look. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994438250898991772.post-47150965291227120632014-02-15T10:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T04:44:16.294-08:00Color Block Swarovski Cluster Earrings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4wqdjG0ae7SwbAgMe3yiP9WIoZlF_J6EP4LoqIFgZlMmgJdS_yWRIEbJFzCl1G3GTshZD4xgzl5y3uXLRax1LDBSa-0Yp3VfdxO-E39B1WdECnpB5RXCejt6-0jzhbk9awDF97Zx32w/s1600/IMG_9693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4wqdjG0ae7SwbAgMe3yiP9WIoZlF_J6EP4LoqIFgZlMmgJdS_yWRIEbJFzCl1G3GTshZD4xgzl5y3uXLRax1LDBSa-0Yp3VfdxO-E39B1WdECnpB5RXCejt6-0jzhbk9awDF97Zx32w/s400/IMG_9693.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGzbfjE6WrDvxWp3UWK0fFRbov2IWH8mDBIWeqOmlrQ7PNbos1DUqsBC_rk1IW0FLD8KxYfQOvcT7_8bh4x5hC6MoHPF64gwCaXXRoGnqQP_WD3WrBDtF8XIDV771WTCkWzmPbvVP_W4/s1600/IMG_9683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGzbfjE6WrDvxWp3UWK0fFRbov2IWH8mDBIWeqOmlrQ7PNbos1DUqsBC_rk1IW0FLD8KxYfQOvcT7_8bh4x5hC6MoHPF64gwCaXXRoGnqQP_WD3WrBDtF8XIDV771WTCkWzmPbvVP_W4/s400/IMG_9683.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDIWh1OSia6BZbntWigY3xqK7ap8MbFck_A3xRZ_7oq4ZPGQPq0jpQxD4_2IVuMNV0QdZPRzktcuV8Yl0MAtKoX9v_2sWW0941ldXQGVPIqzrOPZsMhDj5LfogbVtvjMyEesLVP6lBN8/s1600/IMG_9682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDIWh1OSia6BZbntWigY3xqK7ap8MbFck_A3xRZ_7oq4ZPGQPq0jpQxD4_2IVuMNV0QdZPRzktcuV8Yl0MAtKoX9v_2sWW0941ldXQGVPIqzrOPZsMhDj5LfogbVtvjMyEesLVP6lBN8/s400/IMG_9682.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq_0Hs9IEjEKXupGL1G3AVFS2Xs6ihdAaAFbPue6ixH-F1w8vdPNMCsZpWDYVWBDWtSwVZ7XaScpZbsndgxpD6vutHOKoMZNdpEviocdSwXxBWZC0x0b3WT-6v536c5RYhUAD4RFYhxM/s1600/IMG_9694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq_0Hs9IEjEKXupGL1G3AVFS2Xs6ihdAaAFbPue6ixH-F1w8vdPNMCsZpWDYVWBDWtSwVZ7XaScpZbsndgxpD6vutHOKoMZNdpEviocdSwXxBWZC0x0b3WT-6v536c5RYhUAD4RFYhxM/s400/IMG_9694.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> <b>Royal Jewels</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>14K Gold-filled Earrings </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Swarovski Crystals</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Only Pair* <br />Sold, and flying to Maryland! Thank you Piyumi!</span></i></div><i></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIIgncM5Nd17Zurs1ke_X2u5hFZ3zPgghJl6HAEo1wTG1mWhaHVUnUuCbMJNWqtsboF6n9XwGlaZmfF0k7PtB6TnS2mbmtJrOQZVcWa0wgsuBKz2pMZlh3-8F-StpwX7DjGlgUMrP8qE/s1600/IMG_9696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIIgncM5Nd17Zurs1ke_X2u5hFZ3zPgghJl6HAEo1wTG1mWhaHVUnUuCbMJNWqtsboF6n9XwGlaZmfF0k7PtB6TnS2mbmtJrOQZVcWa0wgsuBKz2pMZlh3-8F-StpwX7DjGlgUMrP8qE/s400/IMG_9696.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRe95ZJ8UTKt-7ukm0TPm1CQHD-Ll0vfobmKqb44_OSGYflTyw2_zdEOOrKul2JF5o_vPtpKwK75LlADeDtQxyMS0qvR8WvYGEUJK_QPlk0ichZ1_xpVLrHDuogjlV8OOXR3pGsLkaUU/s1600/IMG_9697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRe95ZJ8UTKt-7ukm0TPm1CQHD-Ll0vfobmKqb44_OSGYflTyw2_zdEOOrKul2JF5o_vPtpKwK75LlADeDtQxyMS0qvR8WvYGEUJK_QPlk0ichZ1_xpVLrHDuogjlV8OOXR3pGsLkaUU/s400/IMG_9697.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Color Block Clusters</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>14K Gold-filled Earrings</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Swarovski Crystals</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Only Pair*</span><br />$30</i><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top"><i><input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="XXQXL52XJMVDY" /><input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="http://www.dskjewelry.com/btn_cart.png" type="image" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></i></form><i></i></div>beauty wurz dersyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05221115406292040181noreply@blogger.com0