Giveaway Winners of the October Component of the Month Design Challenge

I accidentally pulled 3 names for the giveaway, and since I have a few extras that I will be listing for sale later this afternoon, I decided to send out 3 sugar skulls to 3 guest designers. And the winners are: Karin Grosset Grange, Staci Louise Smith, and Solange Collin. Congratulations!

I still need to take photos of the sugar skulls available before I can list them, but they will be up later today. Anyone who purchases a sugar skull can also participate in the component of the month blog hop on October 30th. 

October Component of the Month - Sugar Skulls

It's my turn to host the AJE component of the month challenge for October. October might be my favorite month of the year because I just love the colors of autumn, Halloween is my favorite holiday, the brisk fresh air, starting up the fireplace again, roasting marshmallows in the fire pit outside, sweaters, doing the final yard clean-up and getting a break from weeding for several months....HA!

So when I was considering what I would offer as the COM, I considered several options. I have a new black kitten in my family to match the black cat we already have. So beads with 2 black cats...very Halloween-ish. I considered an autumn tree so I could kill two birds with one stone and use it for the tree challenge a couple days ago. However, ultimately, I decided I wanted to try my hand at making sugar skulls. There are some beadmakers who create masterpieces of extremely elaborate sugar skulls and they are AMAZING! I am not good at detail because my patience level is pretty low. So I went for a more "primitive" folk art style sugar skulls.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED 

I will be selecting two readers to participate in the design challenge (READ DETAILS BELOW!!!) along with several members of the Art Jewelry Elements team. If you'd like the chance to play along with us here's what you need to know...

• I will give away two sugar skull beads of my choice to two winners selected randomly from those who leave a comment on this post. Please note: your comment must include your email and blog addresses so we can contact you should you win. Comments lacking this info will not be considered.

• Please only leave a comment if you can can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.

• The names of the two winners will be announced on Tuesday October 4th.

• the giveaway is open to participants from all countries but please be aware, components will be mailed from the US and international postage can take up to 3 weeks.
• The blog reveal will take place on Sunday October 30th.

Good luck! And happy beading. 

When Your Muse Takes an Extended Vacation without your Permission

Big plans. That's what I had for the year. Except I've spent a good chunk of the year stuck. As in, my muse went on vacation without turning in a vacation request or bothering to return.  Except it's been worse than that. In the past, when I couldn't torch my way out of a wet paper bag, I could switch gears for a while: wire work, chainmaille, knitting, or SOMETHING. My hands were always busy while watching tv, in the car, etc. However, soon after the dawn of 2016, I lost the desire to do anything creative. I didn't have the drive to keep my hands busy, which is completely outside the norm. I was (still am) taking a yearlong online class in mixed media and didn't feel like trying any of the new techniques because once I got everything assembled, it was too much bother to actually MAKE something. 

This was all so far outside my norm, and I almost didn't even care that it was happening. Until I did. And then I knew I needed to make some changes. 

Maybe you have experienced something similar? The following are some of the steps I've taken to try to lure my muse home. 

"Art" journaling

Ok...there is absolutely nothing artistic or even mildly appealing for what I'm labeling as art journaling. However, I'm not exactly sure what one calls this...thing...I'm doing. Nearly one year ago I explained my planning and organization system, which includes a bullet journal. I still use this as my go to for to do lists, planning, tracking, and more. Over the summer I decided to start journaling in it too, even though I hate to journal. It's a super simple basic journaling. It may be a couple sentences, a word, or even a couple pages. It is whatever I need it to be so I don't forget every single thing that happens in my life, but also so it is a manageable task to accomplish each day. However, it's blah. And the daily calendar and to do lists are blah. Around the same time I was doing some reading about how important it is to just play without expectation and keep a super basic art supply in a location where you will journal and paint or draw. 

As you can probably guess by now, if something isn't easily accessible, I lose interest quickly. So I decided to accomplish two tasks and use the bullet journal as my "art" journal too. So now I use a waterproof Sakura Pigma Micron 05 marker to do all my writing. I keep a travel set of Winsor Newton watercolors and a couple water brushes pre-filled with water on my nightstand so it's easy to access last thing at night or first thing in the morning. 

Just so you understand, there is no thought involved. I pick a color that appeals to me and just start making marks. I have had zero contact with watercolor paints since I was in elementary school, so I mostly play with the colors and how they run together, intensity of color, etc. It isn't pretty. It doesn't make sense (usually). I just let go. If I were to try to sketch in this journal rather than just mess with color, I would feel too much pressure. This process I've adapted requires exactly 0% pressure on myself to make it look good. And I also don't worry whether all the words can be read afterwards. The fact is, my handwriting is atrocious anyway. 

Finish WIPs

There are so many unfinished projects in several different media laying around my studio and home. Sometimes I feel guilt about starting something new when I have so many others to finish. So I've started making my way through them. Interestingly I've discovered I love to do bead embroidery until it's time to finish the project. Then it just gets too tedious for words. This may explain why I finally just stopped doing bead embroidery altogether...I had about 6 projects in different stages of completion. 

For example, here's a cab by Caroline Dewison that I finished everything but a way to hang it as a pendant. It's gorgeous and I love it so much I don't know if I could sell it. However, until about two weeks ago, it was a very pretty dust collector because there was no way to wear it. 

This was the first WIP I tackled in an effort to restart my creativity. As you can see below, I created this copper bail contraption that I sewed to the back of the cab, and will attach to a weathered brown leather cord. 

The next project I decided to tackle is this gorgeous ammonite cab by Lesley Watt. Below you can see what it looked like January 31st when I took a photo of it for the Use Your Stash challenge. It continued to look like this until September 5th. 

I worked on several unfinished projects over the Labor Day weekend, and the ammonite now looks like the photo below. I didn't have additional beads or ultrasuede with me to progress any further, but I'm still happy with getting closer to being done. 

I think I've decided to add a row of the Czech glass beads in the photo below, then finish it off. 

I could show SO MANY unfinished projects, but thought I'd show this gorgeous donut by Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay. I had this thing glued onto the stiff stuff fabric for MONTHS and never added a single bead to it until Labor Day weekend. I literally forced myself to sit and bead even though I didn't feel like it. However, as I worked, I could feel the excitement for the craft coming back. 

As I mentioned previously, I love to knit. It is definitely something I do in waves, often knitting obsessively for a while, then not knitting for months. Again, I have a ridiculous number of unfinished projects that feel like they are weighing me down. For example, the wrap in the photo below? I've picked it up off and on for the last SIX YEARS!!!! I finally finished it except for adding the buttons. To be fair, I had planned on using different Lisa Peters handmade buttons, but they didn't work. So I'm considering these instead, also made by Lisa Peters. 

These socks? They were completely finished except for grafting the toe of one sock and weaving in the ends. Why do I procrastinate the final details of a project? I drive myself nuts! And I also keep myself from the enjoyable process of digging into the next project. 

A Clean Studio

I totally should have taken a before photo. My jewelry making area was piled high with tools, supplies, findings, mangled wire, garbage, new art beads, etc. just a few days ago. When I find myself avoiding the studio because the idea of working in the mess is too much for me to bear, it's time to clean. Now you can see counter space AND the beading board thing that I mostly use to store small bits and pieces. Whenever there is a clear space, I want to make a creative mess again. 

Keep a Visual Record

This one might be a bit outside the box. Let's say you have 1 hour to create 5 days a week. That's it. Take a photo of what you made that day. Post it to Instagram or Facebook or wherever you want to share it. At the end of a week, a month, a year, you can see how much you have actually accomplished with what felt like very little time available. 

About a year ago I discovered Chatbooks, which is a super easy app to use. Basically you download it to your phone and it uploads photos from whichever source you choose, like your phone, Instagram, or Facebook. You select which photos, pay, then they print it. I've ordered two of these books so far and they are fantastic! 

I started the beginning of 2016 with the intention of doing a single photo each day. Except eh, I decided to break that rule because it's my Instagram account and my favorite method of journaling. Each chatbook can have up to 366 images. Because there are some days I post more than one photo to Instagram, I had the first half of 2016 printed as soon as June was over. I keep it out in the living room and just about everyone who comes over looks through it. 

Seeing my photos printed in this album got me thinking about how having a hard copy visual record of one's work could provide motivation and inspiration for those days when it feels like drudgery. 

Community

Do not underestimate the power of spending time with your people. If you haven't read Lesley's blog post about art camp yet, do yourself a favor and read it and also the one she wrote last year about her visit. I know when I am able to spend time with creative people, I leave with more energy and ideas and passion than before. I haven't taken the time to benefit from community in quite a while and that is next on my creativity reboot list.

What are some of your favorite tricks for pulling yourself out of a creative slump? 

Headpin Challenge Reveal

Headpins by Jen Cameron

Today is the big reveal! Each person who accepted this challenge was to make headpins and/or design something using headpins. This was a popular challenge as we had lots of people sign up. The names below are clickable links, so please click them, see what each person created, and don't forget to leave a comment!

Guests:

Alison Herrington
Renetha Stanziano
Karin Grosset Grange
Gloria Allen
Deb Fortin
Cate van Alphen
Mona Arnott
Shai Williams
Sarajo Wentling
Kathy Lindemer
Solange Collin
Brooke Bock
Melissa Meman
Patricia Handschuh
Tammy Adams
Melissa Trudinger

AJE Team Members:

Caroline Dewison
Lesley Watt
Cathy Mendola
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Susan Kennedy
Laney Mead
Diana Ptaszynski
Lindsay Starr
Niky Sayers

Headpin Tutorial Round-Up

As part of our August art headpin design challenge (click the link for more details), I thought it might help to do a round-up of some of the tutorials we have written over the years here at AJE that utilize art headpins. Any of these tutorials can be altered into something different...the earring tutorial doesn't have to be earrings. It could be a pendant. I know when I make headpins, I try to make the wire pretty long so the designer has more options.

Just a couple weeks ago Sue shared this earring tutorial using her cute flower headpins:

Last month Sue shared her flower disc bead earring tutorial which includes an option for using art headpins:

In this 2-for-1 things to do with headpins tutorial, Caroline shows how she made a ring and a link with a headpin.

In her tutorial Simple Headpin on Headpin Earrings, Niky shares an elegant way to use art headpins:

Sue shares tips on mixing and matching headpins with beads to make earring stacks.

Caroline shares a tutorial on how to use headpins to make some funky leather bangles.

I share a basic funky wire wrapping technique for headpins that takes longer to describe than to actually complete. I've used this technique for earrings and pendants and it always looks great.

Hopefully something here sparks your imagination! Have fun creating with headpins and don't forget to join in the challenge for the month of August.

August Design Challenge - Art Headpins!

New headpin design by Jen Cameron

We interrupt our regularly scheduled component of the month challenge schedule to try something new for the month of August....a headpin challenge. But not just any kind of run of the mill headpin. We're talking fancy schmancy art headpins. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making art headpins? Or maybe you have several in your stash that you haven't used because you're saving them for a special occasion? Well, dust those puppies off because that special occasion is now.

Headpins by Sue Kennedy. Click photo to see the Etsy listing

What is an art headpin? 

Well...it's a headpin that is handcrafted by an artisan, has been manipulated in a manner that is more than just a ball end, and has the potential to be the centerpiece of a creation rather than just playing a supporting roll.

Headpins by Jen Cameron. Click link to see the listing on her website

What is the challenge?

To create your own art headpin component and/or to use one or more art headpins in a finished piece of jewelry or other creation. Headpins used can be purchased from any artisan.

Headpins by Sue Kennedy. Click the link to see the Etsy listing

Who can participate in this challenge? 

Component designers and jewelry designers, mixed media artists or anyone else who can dream up an art headpin design or a creation using an art headpin.

Headpins by Lesley Watt from several years ago. 

How do I sign up?

1. make sure you have a blog.
2. Email jennifer.glassaddictions @ gmail . com (remove spaces) by August 27th.

When is the reveal and blog hop?

August 30, 2016

This should be a really fun challenge, you should definitely join in!

I was a fan of lampwork long before I was a lampworker

And before I was a fan of lampwork, I was a fan of glass in general. But let me back up a bit.

In the summer of 2000,  as part of the continuation of my husband's training, we had just moved from a 3 bedroom house in North Carolina that I loved, and a job that was my favorite I had ever had, to a 2 bedroom townhouse in Cincinnati with a 2 year old and a job that was my least favorite ever (I'm still on "maternity leave" from that job...ok just kidding. I went back PRN temporarily after my daughter was born in 2001. Then I outright quit because it sucked so bad.) Anyway, I ended up taking a class in making a stained glass panel a few months after we moved there so I could get out of the house, create something, and maybe meet new people.

I didn't really make friends there because they weren't serious enough about glass(!), but I did become completely obsessed with everything glass. I began taking every class available in the area, including fusing classes. I read books and everything I could find online. Eventually I discovered lampworking and desperately wanted to try that. However, I had a couple hurdles to overcome in order to have a set-up in my house. In the meantime we moved again and I began collecting other people's lampwork beads. Once I finally had my own set up, I stopped doing all other forms of glass and concentrated on beadmaking because I loved the process so much. I have a TON of other artists' beads and continue to collect them. I keep them on a shelf in my studio to admire and aspire to.

I thought it might be fun to share a few of my favorite glass art beads. Trust me when I tell you this is just a small representation of what I have. In addition, I took short videos (the longest is about 15 seconds) of some of the beads so you can get a better idea of WHY they are so amazing. It's the closest thing to seeing them in person, although still not completely accurate.

First up is a goddess bead by Kate Fowle Meleney.  Kate's class "Is this glass?" was one of the first classes I ever took, and is where I purchased this bead from her. I learned so much from her, especially about experimentation and being relaxed about the process. This goddess reminds me a bit of the Venus of Willendorf, which I only just learned about a year ago in Art History class. Kate's goddess has an electroformed necklace and a surface texture as a result of enamels.

Here's a still photo of the goddess bead:

Next up is one of my favorites because it is part alien, part elephant (alienphant), who is covered in flames, and making a bead. What's not to love? The name the artist goes by is Plum Loco, and unfortunately I cannot find a website link for you. A Facebook friend mentioned Loco is no longer working in soft glass and is currently doing functional borosilicate glass pieces. 

Another artist I took a class from is Kerri Fuhr. Her work is unbelievable! I bought this bead and also a dragonfly bead during the class. I learned some interesting tips from Kerri, even if her style isn't really my style of working. I appreciate learning from others because it only enhances my own work. 

And here's a photo of of it sitting in my hand.

This next bead is actually my most recent acquisition. Translation: Lydia is still making beads similar to this. The depth is amazing and this is a bead I might actually consider wearing because it's so stunning. While she does have a website, I recommend visiting her Facebook page and liking it. 

A still photo of this bead:

I adore the meanie beads by Patty Lakinsmith. So much personality that I had to have one for myself. 

The next artist is very special. She will tell you she is "not a bead maker," but she could've fooled me... I own several beads and small fused pieces by Melodie, and she is crazy awesome and perfectionist. 

Lisa Atchison was one of my very first bead buddies. She is probably the nicest person I've ever known, but she's also pretty darn amazing at making beads. Her electroforming is perfection, so delicate and artistic.

I own several Michael Barley beads. I'm not quite sure how I acquired so many. I know I bought a couple and maybe won a couple during classes....anyway, here's one of them. Michael's class is awesome. He is super laid back and down to earth and very generous with his techniques and recipes and how to get glass to do some super cool things. He also reminds me of  my Uncle Pete. 

Apparently I mostly collect beads from people I've taken classes with....I purchased this bead during a two day class with Andrea Guarino-Slemmons several years ago. Another amazing class with another amazing teacher. Someday I hope to take a class with her at her home studio in Port Townsend....someday. Her beads have so many layers with things to see below the surface. 

About ten years ago, a small group of women did a miniature retreat down in Orlando, Florida. One of the women (Melodie Triche), donated the use of her points to rent a Disney condo that fit all of us. Kim Vredenberg made each of us one of these electroformed dichroic Mickey beads to commemorate the retreat. The dichro is like the fireworks that are set off in the parks each night.

The next bead is one I won by guessing who it's supposed to represent (the one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater) created early in the bead making career of Rebecca McGlynn, which sadly seems to have ended at some point. She was also part of the small group of women who did the retreat in Orlando, Florida. I own several beads by her, this one just happens to be my favorite because it's so silly.

Next up is this vignette by Jennifer Geldard. I own a few of her beads, but this is my absolute favorite. The birds do come off the driftwood, and feathers come out if I ever wanted to break it up and make something with the birds. But that will never happen. 

I always gave my daughter a hard time because she would make such a fuss over Lauren's beads. She probably owns more of Lauren's beads than mine. And mine she keeps giving back to me because she doesn't like them any more (DUH! I made those things in my first couple weeks of lampworking!) Anyway, I bought this one for myself because I just love pirates and this little guy's peg leg. 

And the last bead from my collection that I'm going to share is by the super talented and super cute JC Herrell. When I took a class with her, she looked like Pippi Longstocking. I just love her use of enamels, especially in rainbow colors. Because RAINBOW!!!! Her techniques are the ones I think about trying in various methods when I dream about making beads. 

So that's it...a few of my favorites from my private glass bead collection. This is maybe half of the glass bead collection? Maybe less than half...However, when it comes to art beads in general, I am a definite hoarder. I've even gone as far as to ask my friends to stop sending me new beads until I use up some that I have. Maybe next time I'll share some of the collection.