Signed Book Giveaway – Beading With World Beads

Photo and book courtesy of Lark Books

Beads and jewelry making mean so much to me and I love learning more about the origins and history of beads.  I also love seeing the varied designs other jewelry makers come up with and learning new techniques.  I’d love to share some of that knowledge and learning with you and invite you to participate in a signed book giveaway.  The book is “Beading With World Beads” by Ray Hemachandra and is published by Lark Books.  It is a beautiful book that shares so much information about beads of the world.  The projects are beautiful, the instructions clear and easy to follow.  It also shares tips – I’ve already found a tip about darkening brass useful.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment in this blog post or direct message me on Twitter @thebeadddreamer and mention the giveaway.  Be sure to include a valid email address so I can notify you if you win and get your mailing address.  The winner will be picked Friday 11/13/09 at 7:00pm EST.

When I got the book, I was so excited to try one of the projects so I could share it with you in this blog post.  I flipped through the book, putting sticky notes on the projects I was interested in.  After eight or nine stickies, I told myself – you can’t pick any more, you have to narrow it down.  It was hard, but I did.  I made this necklace, my interpretation of a design by Karen J. Lauseng.  I can’t wait to try some of the other projects.

Please stay tuned.  I have two other beautiful jewelry making books from Lark Books to give away over the coming weeks.

 

Buy Handmade

As someone who makes handcrafted items, I appreciate the time and care that most artisans put into their work.  I enjoy adorning myself and my home with lovely handcrafted items whenever I can.

This winter, I really wanted a cowl or scarf to wear with turtlenecks.  I purchased this one from Knitting Guru who made it in these colors at my request.  I will enjoy wearing it and appreciate having something beautiful that was made just for me.

 

Tagging & Bagging

I am very fortunate to have my jewelry in three stores, all of whom have great people that have treated my very well.  I work very hard to do the same – to select items I feel will appeal to their clientele, to keep my jewelry well-stocked, to swap out items when needed and keep my inventory looking fresh.

Part of the process of getting jewelry ready is what I call “tagging and bagging”.  That is putting price tags on necklaces and bracelets, putting earrings on cards, and making sure I have an inventory sheet with a digital photo of each item.

Over the years, the store managers and owners have appreciated the care I put into the relationship with them and I am truly honored that they allow my jewelry to take precious space in their stores.  Tonight I am tagging and bagging items for one of the stores.  Whether a lot has sold or only a little since my last visit, I try to stay on schedule with visiting each store and keeping everything looking great.

 

Hammering out the Details

If you’ve read my blog, you know that I am exploring and learning to work with metal.  I’ve learned how to solder and am also learning to work with many tools including hammers.

I can remember picking up a tool catalog, seeing all of the hammers and wondering how in the world does anyone know what to do with all of these?  How wonderful to learn and to use my hands and tools to shape and form metal.  I love it.

These earrings were made by forming a circle out of sterling silver wire, soldering it, and then flattening and texturing it with a chasing hammer.

 

Copper Leaves

For quite some time now, I have been fascinated by the  leaf motif.  When I am on the phone and doodle absentmindedly, I usually doodle leaves or scrolls.

My doodles have turned to thoughts of jewelry made of metal leaves.  It is important to me that the leaves have some veining and dimension.  These are my practice leaves I’ve used to determine the best way to texture and shape them so they are not just lifeless and flat.

When I am working out a piece or technique, I work in copper.  It is so much less expensive than silver, giving me the freedom to make mistakes – so necessary while learning.  Once I have the technical aspects worked out, I then transition to silver and make finished jewelry.  It will be interesting to see where my original doodles take me.

 

Glorious Yellow

All of a sudden this past week, the leaves changed.  Almost overnight it seemed.  However, it was overcast and rainy most of the week and I couldn’t wait for a sunny day to just enjoy the colors.

Today was that day and this is the view as I stand in my back yard and look up.

Just glorious!

 

To all who voted…

especially for the first time – let this not be the last.  Whoever you are, wherever you stand – participate and be counted.

I heard stories of people in their 70’s and 80’s voting for the very first time in this election.  I cannot imagine all that those people have seen in their lifetimes and can only guess at what compelled them to vote now.  I can only say I am glad their voice was heard, glad their vote was counted, and glad they felt compelled to be a part of the democratic process at this time. 

How I wish the polls were this crowded each and every time – whether for local, state, or national officials – people, we need to stand up and speak.  Each vote matters.

 

Nesting

We are doing some landscape design – wanting more plants, more softness, more life – and came across this birds nest.  Birds nests are just plain amazing.  You can just imagine the bird – fretting about to find the perfect materials, working so diligently to weave it together, fussing, adjusting, trying to make everything just right.

It might be hard to see, but there is a tiny scrap of pink ribbon woven into the nest.  I can relate to a lady wanting a little something pretty in the nest.

 

From idea…

to reality, can be quite a journey.  I have always wanted to learn to do metalwork and have had my share of ups and downs.  Anyone who read A Torch is a Girl’s Best Friend knows I’ve had my share of struggle with it.   I’ve gone from scared to light the torch, to daring to try a fairly complex piece for my skill level. 

I had a couple of lovely stones that inspired this piece.  Taking my cue from them, I created the sketch you see above.  Ambitious, yes - but sometimes you have to go for it.  And so I did.  Some things went well, others not so well.  I stayed determined and I am almost there.  The further I go, the more I have invested and the more I have to lose.  I have to set that aside and work from a place of confidence. 

 

Ribbon Cutting

   

Today I attended the ribbon cutting of the Downing-Gross Cultural Art Center in Newport News, VA.  It is a beautiful building with a theatre, art galleries, and rooms equipped for music and dance.  How wonderful for the community to have such a place where people’s lives can be enriched by the arts.  The theatre is named after Ella Fitzgerald, Newport News native.  An adjoining street was also dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald today.