Saturday, August 30, 2008

Meet Anna Neff (arosebyname)

Bead Art Originals welcomes Anna Neff! Anna's Etsy shop, where she sells original beadwoven art pieces (both jewelry and home decor), is called ARoseByName. Her shop name is a tribute to both the Shakespeare quote and her mother, who was her biggest supporter and salesperson.

Anna is an artist, a wife, and the mother of two teenage daughters with whom she first began beading over a decade ago.
Through the years, the beads have gotten smaller and the designs more intricate; and although her daughters no longer bead, they do enjoy wearing their mother's creations.

In addition to running her Etsy shop, Anna works at a donut shop in the "real world." Inspired by nature - the ocean, water, and sky - she enjoys beading and finds it to be good therapy for stress.

Anna and one of her daughters recently paid tribute to her mother and her mother-in-law by participating in the annual walk/run for OROC (OutRun Ovarian Cancer). OROC's goal is to raise awareness about the disease and to help researchers develop an early detection test.

If you subscribe to Step-by-Step Beads, or if you happened to pick up the July/August issue in your local store or newsstand, you would have seen Anna's Geometric Gemtones even-count peyote bracelet featured in the magazine.

Check out Anna's blog, A Rose By Name, and her flickr photostream to see more of her work. You're also invited to visit Anna's Etsy shop, A Rose By Name, to see her current listings. Here's a sampling of the lovely pieces you'll find there.




Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Meet Morwyn Dow (AnotherCountry)

Bead Art Originals welcomes Morwyn Dow! Morwyn is the artist behind the Etsy shop called AnotherCountry, where you'll find quality hand-fashioned objects of art, wearable and otherwise, of singular beauty and unique design.

Morwyn's love of craft began when she was very young. She loved her Barbie doll and taught herself to sew, knit, and crochet when she was only 12 years old so she could make clothes for her. During high school Morwyn took advanced tailoring classes and worked for awhile as a seamstress. She taught herself embroidery and needlepoint, paper arts, and book making. Morwyn then took up wire wrapping, jewelry making, and eventually beadwork about 14 years ago.

She considers herself blessed with the ability to read directions and teach herself just about anything from a book. Even after years of creating art and crafting in a variety of mediums, Morwyn says she learns something new every day.

Morwyn's first craft fair was 12 years ago, and she says she had so much fun that she just couldn't stop. In addition to her Etsy shop, which has been in business for just over two years, Morwyn owns and operates a used bookstore with her life partner, Asa. They share their apartment above the store with two very personable tabby cats.

When asked to describe herself in ten words or less, Morwyn said she is a reader, an explorer, curious, open, happy, chubby, non-musical, obsessive, driven, and friendly. She's traveled extensively, seeing and learning many things; and she says she still has a great deal to see and learn. Morwyn believes that life is a journey filled with amazing teachers at each step, and all that is required is the wit to recognize them.

In addition to AnotherCountry, Morwyn operates a second Etsy shop called DeStashios, where she lists clearance items. You can also visit Morwyn at her personal website, AnotherCountry BeadWorks; at her blog; and on flickr at morwynskya's photostream.

Here's just a sampling of the beautiful creations you can find in Morwyn's Etsy shop:


Monday, August 25, 2008

BAO Items of the Week (Aug 25 - 31)

BAO members have put together a wonderful selection of Items of the Week for you to enjoy this last week of August!



SalamanderHouse presents Autumn Breeze Freeform Peyote Bracelet.




Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



CieloDesign presents Gray Glimmer bracelet


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



thebeadedlily presents hana-bi cuff


Receive a gift when you purchase this.



MAKUstudio presents Spider Web Raku Ceramic Pendant


Receive a free pair of freshwater pearl and copper wire earrings when you purchase this.



dawnchastain presents Aqua Beadwoven Choker


Receive a free pair of matching earrings and free shipping when you purchase this.



Malodora presents Iridescent Wings Bracelet


Receive a free handmade "carnival bead" when you purchase this.



SmadarsTreasure presents Sparkling Bracelet with a Beadwoven Button


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



thejadedog presents Trials A Freeform Peyote Stitch Bracelet


Receive a surprise gift and free shipping when you purchase this.



arosebyname presents Blue Moon - Tealight Holder


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



time2cre8 presents A Passion for Purple - Beadwoven Necklace with Removable Fringed Pendant


Receive $20 off the regular price when you purchase this.



MistyRidgeBeads presents Black and Gold Beadwoven Bracelet


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



SandFibers presents If You Love Copper Like I Love Copper Peyote Cuff Bracelet


Receive a free matching beaded bead choker when you purchase this.



Watch for new BAO Items of the Week next Monday!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Meet Patrizia Tager (triz)

Bead Art Originals welcomes Patrizia (Triz) Tager! Her Etsy shop, triz, is where you'll find handmade unique beaded wearable art. Triz creates modern jewelry using ancient techniques, for the confident, stylish, modern woman.

Triz began her beading obsession when she was very young, making name bracelets on her handmade cardboard loom box, giving them as gifts to friends and family, and even selling them on the beaches and sidewalks in Forte dei Marmi (Italy) with her friend. Somehow the beads and the hobby were lost when her family moved from Italy to England, but she's found them, and her passion, again.

After graduating from college with a BA Hons in Fashion Design, Triz pursued a variety of artistic avenues until she [re]discovered the world of beadweaving. Entering the beading world has been a wonderful experience for her.

Patrizia now lives and beadweaves in Israel, where she creates original pieces and also enjoys teaching her art to others. Her pieces are inspired by ancient civilizations, old artefacts, and nature. Triz finds inspiration in all textures, colors and matter, whether organic, industrial, modern or ancient; but most of all she is inspired by the infinite possibilities of creating with those tiny glass beads.

When asked to describe herself in ten words or phrases, Triz' response was: fun, creative, sensitive, a bit eccentric, caring, passionate, mother, shy, stubborn, and realistic. When you look at her work, I'm sure you'll agree that "talented and artistic" should be added to that list!

You can see more of Triz' gorgeous creations in her flickr photostream, and read about her beading obsession in her blog, aptly titled Beading Mania.

Visit Triz' Etsy shop to see some of her newest creations (and you can even pick up some of her 2007 collection at a reduced price while you're there!):



Monday, August 18, 2008

BAO Items of the Week (Aug 18-24)

BAO members have put together another list of Items of the Week for you to enjoy!




Receive a pair of matching "Merry Widow Earrings" worth $35 for free when you purchase this. Please mention BAO in the Notes to Seller.


thejadedog presents Fringe Ring with Peyote Base Red, Orange, and Purple




Receive free shipping when you purchase this.


SmadarsTreasure presents Red Drops Cuff Bracelet OOAK


Receive a 30% discount on a matching necklace when you purchase this. Please send a message to seller prior to purchase.


MistyRidgeBeads presents Bead and Crystal Spiral Necklace on Silk Cord


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.


juiceglass presents Falling Water Charm Bracelet


Receive free shipping when you purchase this sale priced item.


thebeadedlily presents fish stories cuff


Receive a free earcuff when you purchase this.


time2cre8 presents Pennies and Pearls - Oglala Beadwoven Bracelet


Receive a free pair of matching earrings when you purchase this.


SandFibers presents Wear the Caribbean on Your Neck Beadwoven Pendant and Choker


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.


LisaPetersArt presents Sunshine Love - Ceramic Heart Bead Bracelet


Receive a matching Heart Bead Ring valued at $13.50 for free when you purchase this. Use the secret code "BAO Item of the Week" in the Notes to Seller to be eligible.



Watch for new BAO Items of the Week next Monday!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Meet Smadar Grossman (SmadarsTreasure)

Bead Art Originals welcomes Smadar Grossman! Smadar is the jewelry artist behind SmadarsTreasure, where you'll find her mostly one-of-a-kind beadwoven and embroidered designs.

It's hard to believe that Smadar began beadweaving just over two years ago. The bracelet shown here was her very first freeform design, created in late 2007.

Before starting to create with beads, Smadar's main artistic expression was through painting and sculpting. She continues to paint and sculpt, but instead of paint and clay she uses colorful beads to create the images that are in her mind. Her inspiration comes from everything that surrounds her and from the beads themselves. While her favorite medium is beadweaving, she also likes to create embroidered and wire-worked elements and combine them in her work.


Smadar is a self-taught beadweaver who now teaches the basics of beadweaving at private workshops in Israel. Beadweaving has become a major part of her life, and she spends most of her days in bead-related occupations. She
describes herself as a "beadaholic" who has no intention to rehabilitate. One of her designs is scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of Bead and Button magazine.

You can see more of her beautiful work in Smadar's flickr photostream, and you can read about her creative process on her blog, Smadar's Treasure.

Be sure to visit her Etsy shop, SmadarsTreasure, to see her newest designs!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Meet Amy Kinsch (AKDlampwork)

Bead Art Originals welcomes Amy Kinsch! Amy is the artist behind AKDlampwork, where you'll find beautiful lampwork beads that Amy says she creates in her "spare" time.

Amy's glass addiction began a few years ago when, after seeing her drool all over the pretty beads and gorgeous colors she found online, her husband Wally bought her a torch so she could make them herself.

A self-described animal lover, Amy lives in California surrounded by cats and lots of other critters. You can read all about Amy, Wally, their critters, and their business(es) on The Chatterbox.

In addition to managing her Etsy shop and making lampworked beads, Amy and Wally own a rubber stamp company called Beeswax.
Visit Amy's Etsy shop, AKDlampwork, to see more of her bead artistry.



After you've finished drooling over Amy's work, stop back here to wish her a happy birthday! It's only a couple of days away, but I'm sure she won't mind receiving an early greeting or two.

Monday, August 11, 2008

BAO Items of the Week (Aug 11 - 17)

It's Monday, which means it's time to announce the
Bead Art Originals Items of the Week!


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



thebeadedlily presents hamunaptra cuff.

Receive a free pair of simplicity earrings when you purchase this.



thejadedog presents Perpetual Darkness A Fringe Beaded Bead

Receive free first class shipping with delivery confirmation and a surprise gift when you purchase this.



SmadarsTreasure presents Antique-Gold and Greens Bracelet


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



CieloDesign presents Sand Spiral Necklace


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



MAKUstudio presents Ring of Fire

Receive a free pair of matching earrings when you purchase this. Enter BAOIOTW in Notes to Seller.



malodora presents Nudibranch Ornament - Wrist or Ankle


Receive a surprise gift when you purchase this.



arosebyname presents Linked to the Sea Necklace


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.



time2cre8 presents Limeade Orange Swirl - Peyote Beadwoven Bracelet

Receive a free matching triangle pendant when you purchase this.



SandFibers presents Hot 3x3x3 Anything Goes Peyote Bracelet

Receive a free matching pendant when you purchase this.



Naftali presents Snow Geese Pendant


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.




Stay tuned for next week's BAO Items of the Week!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Meet Marianne Kasparian (MAKUstudio)

Bead Art Originals welcomes Marianne Kasparian! Mak (she said we could call her that) is the artist behind MAKUstudio; and she specializes in funky, down to earth, eclectic ceramic raku beads, pendants and jewelry.


Mak, who currently resides in Arizona, is of Armenian heritage and grew up on the East coast. Inspired by the cultures of the world, she loves anything down to earth, funky, and eclectic. Mak's work with clay began in the early 1980s, but it wasn't intil 2001 that she first fell in love with raku pottery. Her main focus has been on raku beads and pendants for her own jewelry creations and for creations by other jewelry designers. Mak says she's inspired when people love what she does and when one of her pieces evokes a feeling of inner peace and beauty for them.

When asked to tell us ten things that would give us more insight into her as an artist, Mak gave is this list. It's as varied as her raku pieces!

1. Genuinely kind and caring
2. A loving mom and wife
3. Funky, down to earth, eclectic
4. Armenian
5. I love a good party, the theatre and concerts
6. An ex bartender
7. I love sushi and green tea and I’m a coffee fiend
8. Love meeting cool people and hearing their stories
9. Drove across country by myself
10. I’ve lived in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, California, Hawaii and Arizona

You can see more of Mak's work on her personal website, www.MAKUstudio.com (where you can also sign up for her mailing list to receive word of special sales events. To get a look at more of her raku work, check out Mak's flickr photostream and her blog.

Last, but not least, here's a sampling of wares from the MAKUstudio Etsy shop:



Monday, August 4, 2008

BAO Items of the Week (Aug 4 - Aug 10)

Bead Art Originals is introducing a new feature: BAO Items of the Week.

Starting today, every Monday we will highlight a select group of creations by our Bead Art Originals members. Look closely: some of these have great offers associated with them!

BAO Items of the Week (Aug 4 - Aug 10)



arosebyname presents Moonlight and Shadows Necklace


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.




CieloDesign presents Summer and Sun Necklace


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.




MAKUstudio presents Avocado Pearl...Raku Pendant...Raku Jewelry


Receive a free pair of earrings when you purchase this and mention the BAO blog in the Notes to Seller.




MistyRidgeBeads presents Sapphire Blue Bracelet with Dichroic Bead Embellishment






Naftali presents Aztec Two Step


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.




SalamanderHouse presents Poseidon's Deep






SandFibers presents Art Deco Cuff: Purple Medallions on Copper


Receive a free matching pendant when you purchase this.




SmadarsTreasure presents Natural Stones, Quartz Bead and Beadwoven Necklace


Receive free shipping when you purchase this.




thebeadedlily presents Ocean of Storms Cuff


Receive a free pair of handformed sterling hoops when you purchase this.




time2cre8 presents Yellow Windowleaf - Peyote Beadwoven Bracelet / Cuff


Receive a free matching pendant ($24 value) when you purchase this.




Triz presents Purple Graces


Receive free registered shipping to anywhere in the world when you purchase over $100 and mention BAO in the Notes to Seller.

Stay tuned for next week's BAO Items of the Week!