January challenge: Buried Treasure

Buried Treasure aka "Use your stash!"

Dig into the treasure you have been hoarding... 

We all have one. Call it a treasure, or a bead stash. Call it loot or inventory. It most likely does NOT look like this: 

Keeping your beads safe? Paranoid? 

It probably looks more like this: 

ONE of my 4 artist bead treasure boxes. Can you spot all the pieces by AJE team mates? LOL

What could be better than starting the year off right with new creative ideas? Using a treasures bead or component! Last year we started what may become a tradition here at Art Jewelry Elements - the "Use your Stash" challenge. (Granted, thats not a very poetic name, but it gets right to the point.)

Here is how it works: 

• Gather your beads and components by any and all of your favorite artisan bead makers. 
• Fondle. Think. Plan. Design. Dream. 
• Create! 
• Sign up here! Leave a comment with your name AND your blog address. 
• Blog! Buried treasure reveal date is January 31st 2016. 

**Please — only leave a comment if you can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.
**Pull out those pieces you love from your stash and ENJOY them. What are you saving them for? 
** This Buried Treasure challenge is NOT limited to AJE artists - but we DO love you see what you create with our creations. 

Until then - Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Happy Creating!

We interrupt out regularly scheduled posts....

... because we are nearing a milestone!

Our Facebook page "Art Jewelry Elements" is hovering at 1993 "likes"! To mark this milestone and thank all of our loyal readers, old and new... we are planning a giveaway. The numbers snuck up on us a bit - what with BeadFest, classes, travel, new jobs... its been a busy summer amongst the team.

So - without further ado: 

Facebook 2000 followers giveaway prize bundle!

We gathered pieces from nearly all the team members! I'm sure you will recognize individual artists work here. This ONE prize bundle will go to ONE winner. Its a true treasure.

How does it work? Watch this space! When we DO hit 2000 there will be a giveaway post. Then and only then will comments enter you to win. Today? We're just teasing you!

Don't forget! 

Tomorrow is the COM reveal with Linda's fall oak and acorn!
Friday is the launch of our latest Theme challenge!

Stay tuned!
Until then...
Jenny and the AJE team.

Freeform Friday: Black, small, and cyber

The title refers to this weekend of course.
Black Friday.
Small Business Saturday.
Cyber Monday.

And I will be the first to agree that it is of utmost importance to shop local, support artists and craftspeople, and yet honor family and give thanks before the shopping commences.

So I have a three part post for you - inspired by these three days.
Warning: this may be seen as less than serious and a bit irreverent. You have been warned.

Black Friday:  

Special delivery

I admit that after T-day I really get revved up for the rest of the holidays. I start listening to the music, I decorate for Solstice, and winter in general, if you must know. And I make lists and check them, twice, three times...

I am an artist. I make many of the gifts I give. So by NOW if I don't have an idea, haven't started, I panic a little. Add to that that I have to ship things to my family - all scattered across the States... you feeling the panic yet? My plan for Black Friday is to prep for a show I have Sunday (Shop local! Shop handmade!) and start work on presents!!!

If so much of Black Friday is getting more for less, deals, steals, and bargains... I wanted to do the opposite and show you pieces that are more. For more to be sure... but wouldn't you be happy with these in your stocking? ( realistically - some yes. Others... not until after I win the lottery...)

Small Business Saturday: 

I would be remiss if I did not mention sales currently happening at AJE members shops, including mine. And many other small business/sole proprietors I know... 

• Susan Kennedy Www.suebeads.etsy.com BLACKFRIDAY - 20% off now until Monday
• -Diana Ptaszynski https://www.etsy.com/shop/suburbangirlbeads GOBBLE13 - 20% off Fri - Mon. 
• -Kristi Bowman-Gruel https://www.etsy.com/shop/KristiBowmanDesign THANKYOU20 - 20% - Th - Mon. 
• -Karen Totten http://www.ktotten.etsy.com/ STARRY30 - 30% Fri - Mon. 
• http://www.woolywireetc.etsy.com/ WOOLY30 - 30% Fri - Mon.
• -Linda Landig https://www.etsy.com/shop/LindaLandigJewelryTHANKS2013 - 20% off Th - Mon.  http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/LindaLandigJewelry
• -Melissa Allford Meman http://melismaticartjewelry.etsy.com/MELISMATIC - 20% off Th - Mon. 
• -Jenny Davies-Reazor https://www.etsy.com/shop/jdaviesreazorGOBBLE13 -20% Fri - Mon
• -Lesley Watt www.theaelements.etsy.com THEA20 - 20% off Fri - Mon. www.theajewellery.etsy.com THEA20 - 20% off Fri - Mon.
• Rebekah Payne  https://www.etsy.com/shop/treewingsstudio  THANKYOU2013 20% off TH - Mon. 
• Caroline Dewison - Blueberri Beads - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/blueberribeads BLUE20 20% off Fri - Mon. 

And I have to mention other friends and "family" having sales... my good friend Marsha who contributes to "Love my Art Jewelry" blog was compiling a list as well!

Cyber Monday: 

Cybermen. I am not going to argue. Resistance is futile - oh wrong Universe....

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the art of giving! Don't let the commercialism taint the true spirit of the upcoming holidays!

Jenny www.jdaviesreazor.com

June Component of the Month Reveal!

What a whirlwind this month has been! I have been up to my elbows in clay - teaching an intensive pottery "camp" for teens and young ones. Whew! I hope to settle in and make a few pretties for Beadfest Philadelphia before too long!

Are you ready to see what the team and our special guests have created?

This is what I made:

And away we go: 

Guest artists: 

Leah - http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com

Elisabeth - http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com

Jean - http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com

Sarajo - http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

The AJE Team

Jennifer Cameron -  http://glassaddictions.com/
Jenny Davies-Reazor  -  http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog (that would be me)
Susan Kennedy  -  http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/
Linda Landig -   http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/
Melissa Meman   -  http://melissameman.blogspot.com/
Rebekah Payne  -  http://www.treewingsstudio.com/
Jo Tinley  -   http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/
Lesley Watt  -   http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/
Francesca Watson  - http://www.francescawatson.com
Diana Ptaszynski   - http://www.vintagebluestudio.typepad.com/
Kristi Bowman -  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com
Kristen Stevens  - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

I am thrilled to have so many people trying these "organic ceramic" charms! I cannot wait to take a look! Thanks to one and all for participating in the AJE Component of the Month this month!

Jenny 

www.jdaviesreazor.com