Art Jewelry Elements: Earring Challenge Art Beads

Some of you may have questions as to what is an artisan bead or component for our year-long Earring Challenge. Art beads are beads or components that are made by hand by individuals one at a time, in their own artistic expression. Art beads are not beads from hobby stores that are called lampwork, for example. Those are mass-produced. Neither are the "ceramic" beads you can find at hobby stores. Art beads tend to be sold by the individual who actually made them, although many stores carry art beads made by individuals.

I thought I'd give you a few examples, and it's not bad eye-candy either! The media may be clay, metal, glass, etc.