Eye Spy Eye Candy

This month I am hosting the Eye theme Component of the Month challenge. I hope some of you will join us in creating for the reveal, and the rest of you will tune in at the end of March to see how everyone has been inspired by the mystical orbs we call eyes.

Why eyes?  Well, when I started beading (and collecting beads), some of my first favorite beads were lampwork "pimple" beads...my mom's term for bumpy.  After awhile, I realized that these beads have a rich history dating way back to the very first glass beads ever created.  Spotted, dotted, and bumpy beads were made in emulation of an eye, and worn as amulets of protection against the "evil eye".  The eye has been a symbol incorporated into so many cultures and religions through out our history, it is almost as pervasive as beads themselves!  As a bead history buff, this just delights me!  You might think of the "evil eye" as an obsolete phrase, or something that people just don't believe in anymore.  To make this concept relatable for myself, I think of the "evil eye"  as "negative self talk" - that cycle of reliving things that didn't go right, bad feelings, or even anxiety and depression.  If you think of the eye as a symbolic reminder to give yourself a break, that nobody is perfect, but that you are looking out for your own health and well being, you are embracing the intent of these protective amulets.

Today I thought I would share a bit of eye candy with you, from my own collection (read as Hoard).  I hope you enjoy, and are as inspired as I am!  I can't wait to play with all this and see where the eyes take me!

Czech glass eye cabochons, both vintage and modern (all from TeapotsandTelephones).  Multi eye bead, tiny eye beads, and funny face bead, all India lampwork (all have been in my stash for years).  Various other vintage glass eye cabs, unknown origin.  Peruvian ceramic eyes...OMG why do I have SO MANY of these!?!?!

Large Turkish Nazar eye - about 5 inches across, I got this years ago from a bead store I worked at.  Amulet necklace by me, small Nazar (gift from a friend's trip to Turkey) with vintage metal "eye ball" charms, on an enameled Nazar chain.  Can I have 100 more feet of this please?

Lampwork eyes by Knoxville artist Jo Marie of the Smoky Mountain Firecrackers Lampwork Guild. Dragon Eye tiles by Jan Onipenco.  Pewter eye from Turkey, Bronze and spinel eye coin and hamsa by Cynthia Thornton/Green Girl Studios, green patina copper Greek Mykonos eye, Create Milagro pendant by Jenny Davies Reazor.

When I first got that pewter eye from Turkey, I made a silicone mold of it and pulled a few polymer clay cabs...they are so much fun to decorate with metallic and iridescent powders.  This necklace is the result of one of the finished cabs - I love how the matte beads make a bed that the eye really shines out of, and the blue "eyelashes" pull in the blue of the necklace spacers.  Man, I really want to make more necklaces like this now!

There are so many awesome art bead and component options out there that haven't made it into my collection yet.  Here is just a small sampling:

Tascidesigns, JanelDudleyBeads, Karenelmquist, aStudiobytheSea, TinkerTiles, Jeniferlake, TurnerRoweGlassArt, PowersArtStudio, Fionaskissfan.

Fantastic wheel thrown ceramic eyes by Kristie of Artisan Clay on Etsy and Facebook.  These are available Made to Order, and aren't they fabulous?  Handcast pewter charm pairs by Inviciti.

Thependantemporium, TheSpiritTreasures, SoulSilver, NaOsGlass, beadfreaky, oscarcrow.  

Eye hope this has inspired your muse!  Thanks for Looking!   

Different Directions and Changing Focus

Mixed media art by Lesley Watt - wet/needle felting, bead embellishment, ceramics and polymer clay

Before writing this post, I happened to notice we have written more than 1200 blog posts over the course of nearly four years. I have to commend my team, both past and present members who have written some pretty incredible posts in that time. As with anything else, it is time for Art Jewelry Elements to grow and change because the people behind Art Jewelry Elements are growing and changing.

Mixed media doll by Caroline Dewison

For quite a while we have felt limited by the need to keep content strictly related to handcrafted jewelry and components. Many of us are branching out into different spheres - some are closely related to how we work in components and jewelry, others are completely different.

Collaged mixed media ceramic sculpture in progress by Jenny Davies-Reazor

However, there's no chance we will be alienating you - our loyal readers. Handcrafted jewelry components will still be a big focus going forward, but we'll add a liberal sprinkling of our work in other more diverse mediums or on a larger scale. Hopefully this shift in focus will keep things more interesting for everyone.

Piece by Niky representing the characters of her children

We will still continue our monthly challenges as long as it is relevant because we love to participate in our own challenges and hope our readers do too. (Don't forget about our current March themed design challenge open to ALL component makers and jewelry designers!)

Ceramic sheep by Lesley Watt

We are also feeling limited by the Blogger format and will be moving to a Word Press format in the next couple months. Don't worry though. There will be ample warning and a kick-off event when we make the big move.

Needle felted pieces by Kristen Stevens

And another big bombshell - especially because we go by the acronym of AJE and have been known as Art Jewelry Elements for four years. We will be changing the name to Art Elements. We needed the name to grow with our expanded focus.

Ceramic sculpture by Caroline Dewison

Because we all work for free, the move will take a bit of work. However, the writers are chomping at the bit to start expanding their writing to include all these additional artistic pursuits that have evolved, so maybe you have already started to notice a more diverse focus on this blog. Maybe not. But we wanted to let you know what is going on and what is coming up.

As with all change, it may be bumpy at first, but we will get through it and continue to deliver interesting quality content you enjoy reading.

Bead Embroidered wall hanging by Jenny Davies-Reazor

When Inspiration Strikes...

When inspiration strikes, it apparently happens all at once!

Haiti, Bead Cruise 2015

I've been in a creative drought for quite some time but apparently with Bead Cruise 2016 creeping up on me, the inspiration faerie has decided to return.

Left: Chunky tropical necklace  Right: Batik factory, St. Kitts

It seems that with the need to have some tropical accessories, I suddenly found myself inspired again! It all started with that big, chunky polymer focal from ArtyBecca. It reminded me of my trip to St. Kitts last year and the beautiful batik factory. Thanks to my recent studio upgrade, I was able to easily locate lots of beads that would coordinate nicely. 

Left: Driftwood necklace  Right: Bermuda

Back in July, I took a trip to Bermuda with my husband to celebrate our anniversary.  As I was going through my bead collection I came upon this strand of painted driftwood from Nature Scavenger and they reminded me of the gorgeous beaches in Bermuda.  Turns out, they matched perfectly with some wood chain I had from Priscilla Beads.  A little wire and some waxed linen and BOOM, another tropical necklace complete!

Wood and bone necklace

The final of the cruise-inspired pieces came about on its own.  As I was sorting through my collection choosing beads for the other necklaces, I pulled some of these beads out and made a pile. After playing around and moving beads here and there, the full necklace came together.

Beach Treasure Necklace

I'm very excited about this necklace!  Back in November when I was attending the bead retreat with Jenny and Sue, I found this green sea pebble while beachcombing.   Jenny took it home with her and then set it in a fabulous copper bezel.  I paired it with some prehnite nuggets, czech glass and a drilled river stone.

Purple and green bowlerite pendant

It isn't just simple, beaded jewelry inspiration that is back!  I've also been working on bead embroidery again!  One of the promises I made to myself this year was to buy less beads and use more of what I already have.  I selected this bowlerite (bowling ball) cabochon by David Rowland and used all beads I had in my stash.  In fact, the silver and large purple beads came from the 2015 Bead Cruise goody bags!

As soon as I finished this pendant, I started selecting cabochons and beads for my next several projects.

Greenman Pendant/Brooch

This is my most recently finished piece.  The polymer cabochon is from Jenny.  I sewed a pinback with attached bail on to the back to make it a more versatile piece.  

Seashell pendant in progress

Here's what I'm currently working on.  This is my first time using a real shell (found on a prior cruise) in my bead embroidery.  I'm hoping to put shell or coral fringe around the outside as I've never done that before.  Lots of learning going on!

Now I just need to get myself back in the ceramic studio and start making beads again.  Baby steps.

Have you been struck by the inspiration faerie recently?

Confessions of an ADD Artist

For a very long time I was all about the beads.  I am not complaining but there were those times when the beads weren't working for me and I stalled.  I thought it was because I needed a studio.

I love having this studio now but it is not turning out to be what I planned and that is perfectly fine because in the past few months I have been exploring other artistic avenues and I am enjoying it so much but.............

How do I make all of these a part of my life without letting any one of them get put aside?  I didn't want to have to always put one away just to work on something else.  I know some of you may not be able to use my plan but it may give you ideas of your own.

I created stations for each of my passions or rather the stations presented themselves to me.  First up is beading which is still a very important part of my artistic life.  I found that I love my studio for storing and picking out the beads but when it came to actually beading at the desk it just didn't feel right so I went back to the best little space on the couch. That is also where I have my OTTlite which some of you know is essential for tiny beads.

Under my tray is my tool box with all my needles, scissors, thread and thread burner.  All I need to do is pick a project and put it on my tray and it is always ready to pick up.

Tucked away along the side is a small quilt and a cross stitch project for those times either my eyes are too tired for the tiny beads or as I am sure has happened to you something is not working and you come to the point you just need to put it down.

What I found is that I needed the studio desk for is felting.  You have heard me talk about how much I have enjoyed starting this and I found that I need the desk for concentration and minimal distractions to prevent stabbing myself.  I really didn't think I would enjoy working at a desk so much and having it in front of the window is refreshing.

My ever growing gang is always there to encourage me to be creative.

I have taken my artistic journey a bit farther than I thought I ever would and took a class on Primitive Rug Hooking which is a primarily North American craft that began in the 1800's.  Here is the class project.

What I immediately fell in love with is the freedom you have in creating your personal rug.  Here is my finished (except for the binding) rug.

I knew going into this project that the flowers were just not something I wanted to do so with help from our amazing teacher Deb we created trees for me.  I love it but, with the frame and supplies needed there was no room for this to stay in the living room.

A funny thing happened when we had that snowstorm a couple of weeks ago.  My husband was working from home and actually enjoys my company while he is working down stairs so that is where I now have my rug hooking station.

A couple of Christmas's ago my daughter gave me this tote when I was attempting to do shows with my jewelry but that did not work out.  It works great for storing all the supplies needed for hooking and I can take it back and forth to class.  Oh and it keeps the kitty from stealing all my wool strips too!

As you can see I do flit from one to another easily and now it is not a time consuming challenge to put one away just to work on another.  Have you had this issue?  Did my tips help?  Let me know!