Rebirth of the Sun - Winter Design Challenge reveal.

Well it's seems like an awfully long time since we launched this way back in late November but finally, It's time for the reveal of our design challenge inspired by our einter solstice theme of the rebirth of the sun. If you missed the original post for this you can find out more here. 

Despite the chaos that is December and the holiday season we have wonderful designs from the AJE teams and guest designers to inspire you - just click on the blog links below to start hopping.

Enjoy!

Guest Designers

Melissa Trudinger

Lennis Carrier

Linds Newnham

Tammy Adams
Sherri Hartman-Stokey
Kathy Lindemer

E B Beads and Metalwork

AJE Team

Lindsay

Jennifer Cameron

Sue Kennedy

Niky Sayers

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Lesley Watt

Caroline Dewison

2015 Wrap up

WOW another year has passed already.  I know we all wonder where the time goes.  I discovered much of  the time went to beading this year as I was thinking of what to post about this week.

At first I wondered if there would be enough to post because I did not feel I was as productive this year but then as I began to gather pictures I was quite surprised.  I have been so challenged by my team mates and the plethora of new beads that came out it was quite a good year.

The year started out with a bang when we had a Use Your Stash Challenge.  It must have been a pretty uneventful month around here because here is what I was able to finish.

And as always my teammates challenge me with the Component of the month challenges.

I love getting so much inspiration.

I also told you it was the year of new beads and I did have the opportunity to play with quite a few.  Here are halfmoons and kheops.

I was even able to share a couple of tutorials with you.  One for the BiBo Buttons with the 4mm button beads you can find here and the other for the Crescent Flowers using Czechmate 2hole crescents you can find here.

There were also times I set out to challenge myself by going way out of my comfort zone.

I really like what happened with these pieces.

I also set a challenge to finish those unfinished projects.  While I am happy with what I did finish, I added one or two more to the still existing pile.  Isn't that always the way.

Then there were a few that just called me to make them.

And last but not least at all there were the new stitches I learned this year.

On the left is Hubble Stitch and on the right is Honeycomb stitch.

So as you can see looking back I did accomplish quite a bit.  For the most part I am really happy with the results and I am looking forward to seeing where this new year takes me.  Happy New Year to you all and let me know what goals you accomplished in 2015.

New Year, New Medium: Polymer Clay

For various and assorted reasons, I haven't made glass beads in a few months now.  I thought I'd start the year out with something new, to get my creativity flowing!

Polymer isn't necessarily new to me - I have taken two classes with Christine Damm at ArtBLISS and have enjoyed them very much!  Below are some beads I made in the latest class I took with her, in September.

However, I have such limited space and have spent so much time getting ready for Bead Fest, etc., that I just never gave the polymer and everything else that goes with it much attention.

Some raw beads that I just made last night, for earrings.  I actually used a lampwork tool to make the spirals!  See - always thinking, always saving some money!

Below are some beads I made at the cooked and antiqued stage.  The ammonite pattern is also from a lampwork tool I have!  It's very easy to use these tools to press the designs into the beads.  Anything can be a tool if you think about it!

These beads have all been colored with either alcohol inks (the earring pair) or artists crayons.  They are waiting to be sealed and listed in my etsy store. 

Although I've never considered myself an "artist" and came to making glass beads in a completely different way than the artist major in college, I do like playing with colors and pencils and using my hands to really get into this medium.

 I'm hoping that this exploration will make me want to go back to glass beads, or show me a new path!

What new artistic mediums are you trying this new year?  Are you enjoying your experience?  Does it make you want to go back to your old medium, or continue to explore different mediums?

Susan Kennedy
SueBeads

2013 and Beyond!!!

Hard to believe 2013 is coming to an end very soon!!

The technique I played with in 2013 is not really a technique but a medium. I have been wanting to jump in to Polymer clay for a couple of years, I finally did it this year.

I started with mostly painting these flowers and starfish.

then moved on to mixing color combinations
 and of course I had to start using Ammonite and Sea Urchin
 textures which have been a favorite of mine using PMC since I began in 2008.

Had fun with my Wonky Bead Blog hop!

Wonky Bead Blog Hop REVEAL

I can't say I have anything specific I want to learn in 2014,

 I just want to continue expanding my Polymer Clay techniques and continue working with Copper.

I want to play more with my own textures using

 Scratch Foam

 Photo Polymer Plates

 and my Sillhouette Cameo Machine.

Thank you all for coming along on this ride with me and I hope to continue with the fun in 2014!

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Artfire

Top Posts of 2012

Well, happy new year! It's officially 2013 and we are still putting our heads together to come up with some new and fun ways to bring you more (and more!) Art Jewelry Elements - you'll be hearing about them over the next few weeks.

In the meantime, we thought it would be fun to take a look at Art Jewelry Elements' first year, and see what you guys found most interesting. In reverse order, the top five posts of 2012 were...

#5: Book Review and Giveaway-Irina's Inspirations for Jewelry

Jen Cameron reviews Kalmback Books' Irina's Inspirations for Jewelry and shows off earrings she made using some of the principles in the book.

#4: The Price of Lampwork

Jen Cameron writes a thought-provoking post about pricing handmade work - in this case, lampwork beads.

#3: FiberWire and a Fiber Studio Tour

Karen Totten introduces us to FiberWire, an innovative wire and fiber product, and gives us a tour of her daughter's studi, where FiberWire is created.

#2: Polymer Clay Silverware Textured Beads

Rebecca Payne shares a fun and easy technique for texturing polymer clay beads using old silverware handles.

And the #1 post of 2012 was......

Art Jewelry Elements Debut

A quick introduction to the original AJE team when the blog launched last April. While some of the team members have changed in the eight months since we launched, the vision remains the same:

Our goal is to build a community of people who love art jewelry, love making art jewelry, who aspire to make art jewelry, and to those who just like looking at pretty pictures. We will focus on building your art jewelry business, getting published, challenging you to stretch yourself and flex that creative muscle, lots of tutorials, tool and product reviews, studio organization, giveaways, news, trends, and so much more.

We have so many exciting things planned for this year! We hope you'll come along for the ride - and on behalf of the entire AJE team, we wish you a very happy new year!

Until next time -

Labyrinths revealed - December Component of the Month.

       Hello everyone! I hope the Holidays are treating you well, filled with frolic, fun and family. And now we are at the end of a year, turning the page onto another filled with possibilities and potential. As the labyrinth is a symbol for a journey - whether it be real or metaphor - I felt it was a great symbol to end. And to begin on.

Please join me in taking a look at the creations of these diverse and talented women.

  And Happy New Year! 

This months guests of honor:
Emma Todd
Lee Koopman
Jess Green


And participating AJE team members:
Jen Cameron 
Kristi Bowman
Diana Ptaszynski
Kristen Stevens
Lesley Watt
Francesca Watson
Melissa Meman
Jo Tinley
Linda Landig
Sue Kennedy
Jenny Davies-Reazor, your hostess 

Jenny

www..jdaviesreazor.com

Words....

2013 is just a few short days away.  Another year almost gone. Many of us are reflecting on the good and bad of 2012, but are also looking forward and forming a plan to make our 2013 the best year ever.  A few years ago, bloggers all over the art jewelry community started choosing a "word of the year"...one, all-encompassing word, instead of all the resolutions that tend to get forgotten after a month or two.

I thought it would be fun to ask my fellow AJE contributors about their word choices for 2013. Several of us had already thought about it...

Kristi likes balance and prioritize..."be able to figure out the important things and let the rest go!"

Jen's word is freedom...from fear, guilt, to create when and what she wants...that's a great choice!

Lesley chose balance...another great word!  She wants to ensure everything gets the attention it deserves and still have flexibility for the unforeseen.

Karen mentioned exploration and fearless...I think those go hand in hand!

Joanne wants to remember to relax!  She wants to "make time to enjoy the blessings in life and have fun creating..."

Linda expressed her desire for openness..."open to explore new skills and experiences".

Francesca wants to be intentional...she wants to develop positive discipline by setting measurable goals.

As for me, I changed my word every time I read someone else's answer! Last year, my word was de-clutter...my home, studio, life, thoughts...I can't say I was that successful. I believe it was my lack of focus.  Eureka...focus!  I have so many incomplete projects laying on my work table.  2013 is going to be the year for me to focus on what I have to do and maintain that focus until the task is complete, be it new jewelry projects or folding laundry!

So, how about you?  Have you chosen a word for 2013? Let us know!  No matter what your word, we here at Art Jewelry Elements wish you the very best 2013 you can possibly have!

Melissa Meman
Melismatic Art Jewelry
Art. Life. Love