by Barbara | Aug 19, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Found Objects, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Seed Beads, Techniques, Tutorials
While vacationing in California over the past two weeks, I did find some time to work on a beading project and that was something I hadn’t done in a while. But I also found time to stop in an antique store in Paso Robles and look what I found! These crystals, rocks,...
by Barbara | Jan 22, 2017 | An Aside, Beads and Materials, Components, Delica beads, Found Objects, Gemstones, Materials and Supplies, Seed Beads
This is a stash of goodies I purchased previously at the Bead&Button show. I’ve just received a list of the floor show exhibitors for the 2017 show and I’m looking forward to seeing their wares this year! The floor show opens on June 8 for show...
by Barbara | Jan 16, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bronze, Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tutorials
Although the tutorial for this design has been available, it’s been a while since the “Tide Pool” Cuff beading kit has been listed in my shop. I had run out of the bronze metal clay seashell components that are so integral as focal embellishments in...
by Barbara | Jan 6, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Cabochons and Gemstones, Classes, Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Sterling Silver, Techniques
Registration is open for the 2017 Bead&Button show. I’ve been perusing the class catalog and there are several classes I’d consider taking if time and money were no object. I would definitely take Celie Fago’s Master Class, but the cost would be...
by Barbara | Mar 30, 2016 | An Aside, Beading, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Delica beads, Found Objects, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Uncategorized
I’m running out of storage for my many beads, components, found objects, and other craft supplies. I already have a large draw dedicated to Delicas, and another filled with blocks of polymer clay, but with all the Toho seed beads I’ve ordered lately,...
by Barbara | Oct 7, 2015 | An Aside, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind
I can cross this project off my “to do” list. In spite of my little helpers who were constantly jumping up on my work table and playing with loose seashells, I’ve managed to finish the mirror repair in fairly short time. I’m pleased with the...
by Barbara | Oct 4, 2015 | An Aside, At the Bench, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Painted Furniture, Techniques
At the moment I have several projects in various states of completion…a bead embroidered cuff that I started last February, a pair of heart earrings, and some beaded beads to name a few. But for the past few days, I’ve been working on the mirror that attaches to the...
by Barbara | Jul 27, 2015 | An Aside, At the Bench, Beads and Materials, Components, Embellishments, Equipment, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
If you’ve been following my blog, you probably know that I never throw anything away that can be reused or repurposed. Here are four ideas that may be helpful to you… For optimum performance, it’s important to keep tools sharp and if you create jewelry and use...
by Barbara | Jun 27, 2015 | Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind
Why? Because it is so expensive! When the price of silver skyrocketed several years ago, a lot of jewelry artists started to use bronze and copper in wire and sheet form instead of silver. Thankfully, the price of silver has recently come down making it more...
by Barbara | Jun 6, 2015 | Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
I’ve just finished a somewhat ambitious project…a very large pendant measuring 65mm in width by 130mm in length. The substantial disk swings from a length of forged 12 gauge sterling silver wire on a matching neck ring. A spiral of textured silver wire on...
