Saturday, January 31, 2009

thejadedog's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, thejadedog tells us about hers, in her own words:

I was very disciplined when making this piece. I scheduled time every day for a month to complete it by a self-imposed deadline. I had no set idea what the finished purse would look like, and just let it grow as I stitched. With this work I taught myself herringbone for the strap covering, and the peacock itself was my first attempt at embroidery.



I completed this piece in October 2005 and it was a finalist in Bead Dreams 2006. It sold September 2008.

Friday, January 30, 2009

LisaPetersArt's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, LisaPetersArt tells us about hers, in her own words:

"Beauty in the Wounds", sometimes called "There's Beauty in Her Wounds" is a Raku Fired Ceramic Sculpture with Gold leaf and Brass Mesh. After creating this sculpture in raw clay and before it was bisque fired (1st firing) I intentionally broke it into pieces because I wanted to reassemble it afterward to convey a message of "putting back the pieces". I believe it is the first time my artwork was premeditated or it is the first time it ever "felt like my artwork was premeditated" as I usually I sit down with my materials and I experiment until something starts coming to life within my hands and then I just let my imagination run with it.
 


The process of putting the pieces back together was a very difficult task because earths clay has "memory" and will always go back or turn the way it was torn or broken before it was fired, regardless of how much you try to work "that memory" out of it. That task in itself represented how difficult it is for us to put back the pieces in our life so that we can begin to be whole again. The similarity between memories, holding us back - making it harder to put our lives back in order and memory making it difficult to assemble this piece was so powerful and when I realized I could join them, not perfect like before, but joined nonetheless it became clear that once we begin to embrace what mistakes and tragedy we have had in our lives we can begin to see the light or the positive and begin to heal.  

My feelings about Beauty in The Wounds are written on the back side of this sculpture so that she never goes anywhere without them.


Thursday, January 29, 2009

triz's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, triz tells us about hers, in her own words:

Miriam's Jewels Choker is a bead-embroidered pendant created using matte gold Czech bugles and seed beads, metallic purple and gold Japanese seed beads, gold glass pearls, ruby red and velvet purple Swarovski crystals beaded around two genuine amethyst cabochons. The pendant hangs from a gorgeous supple gold bead-crocheted choker.

Although I'm proud of all my creations, I tend to fall in love with the piece I'm currently working on. Miriam's Jewel is my latest creation and I'm particularly pleased with how it turned out because when I started beading around the amethyst cabochons I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with them. All I knew was that it would be in matt gold. Once I started bead-embroidering around the cabochons, it started to speak to me. I found myself in an almost frenzy, as I started to envision the finished piece and I wanted to see it finished. Each step almost dictated (in my mind) what would happen next, and once the pendant part was finished, the challenge of creating the perfect necklace for it arose. I remembered this gorgeous blood red cord in my stash, which I use for bead-crocheting. The combination of the matte gold beads crocheted with the blood red cord just poking through the gold beads to form a luscious supple choker was just the icing on the cake for this piece. I love how the design developed and how all the elements of this piece fit together perfectly, and although it took me 3 full day (averaging 10 hours/day) the work was effortless and enjoyable. This piece feels and looks rich and majestic, yet modern and wearable. I could not be happier with the way it turned out!


Wednesday, January 28, 2009

humblebeads' Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, humblebeads tells us about hers, in her own words:


I created these beads from a real sea urchin that I picked up in a little shop called Mermaid Pier. I love all things related to the beach and sea.

When I created these beads it was to hold on to the memories of the ocean from our Bead Cruises. Whether it was snorkeling in Cozumel, swimming with sting rays in the Grand Caymen Islands or just sitting under a beach umbrella while the waves lapped at our feet in Costa Maya, each encounter with the ocean is a jewel that I treasure. Each time I create these beads I'm transported back to those times. It's a little bit of summer to wear during these cold and deary months.


My sea urchin bead can be seen in the first issue of Bead Star magazine. To see more design ideas using this bead visit my blog.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

BeadsandWeaves' Proudest Creations

MistryRidgeBeads is now selling her bead art in her BeadsandWeaves store, in case you were wondering about the new name.

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, BeadsandWeaves tells us about hers, in her own words:

We all love the things we create with our own hands, so it has been difficult to choose a favorite. I keep returning to this triple spiral bracelet. My inspiration for this bracelet began with the vermeil tulip caps that I purchased on a whim -- without having a clue how I would use them!

They stayed in my stash until the following Spring. There in my garden, the tulips bloomed alongside their tall twisting and spiraling leaves. This spiral bracelet was born from that vision! The colors I selected include the greens and yellows of Spring, and also colors that I associate with Autumn -- bronze and dark raspberry purples. Many pleasant hours where spent weaving the bracelet, the tiny beaded bead accents, and the beaded covers for the magnetic clasp. In writing “many pleasant hours” above, I realize why I chose this bracelet as my favorite. There were no “arghh” moments while I wove this bracelet! It was as if it wanted to be made. Love that when it happens!


Looking inside my personal jewelry box, I find that there are two pieces of beadwoven jewelry that I wear time and again. Both of them are spirals. A single spiral necklace and a spiral necklace that converts into a wrapped bracelet. The triple spiral bracelet now graces the wrist of a fellow Etsian who loves beadweaving, so writing this is inspiring me to create another triple spiral! What colors will I choose … perhaps winter whites with crystals and silver reflecting the snow and ice or perhaps the rich browns, tans, and pale sage greens of the winter trees covered in lichen? What colors would you choose?

Monday, January 26, 2009

BAO Items of the Week (Jan 26 - Feb 1)

This week, twelve BAO members are offering special deals on BAO Items of the Week.  Be sure to check for the details below.

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (1/26 - 2/1)


Receive

5% off and free shipping

when you purchase this necklace.


Receive

a free pair of matching earrings

when you purchase this bracelet.


Receive

free USA or Canada shipping

when you purchase these beads.


Receive

free shipping and a bead of juiceglass's choice

when you purchase these earrings.


Receive

free shipping or a free baby lizard with local pick up

when you purchase these earrings.


Receive

free shipping

when you purchase this cuff.


Receive

free shipping and a surprise gift

when you purchase this pendant.


Receive

5% off and free shipping

when you purhcase this choker.


Receive

free shipping and a free gift

when you purchase this pendant.


Receive

free shipping

when you purchase this necklace.


Receive

free shipping

when you purchase this bead.


Receive

free shipping and a beaded peyote band ring

when you purchase this necklace. 





Be sure to check back here next Monday for an all new set of BAO Items of the Week.

And come back tomorrow for the next post in a series of features on our favorite creations!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

MAKUstudio's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, MAKUstudio tells us about hers, in her own words:

This raku pendant which I created is one that makes me most proud! It definitely speaks to me.

The raku glaze colors came out just right in the firing…the kiln gods were definitely smiling! It makes me proud to know that it will be featured in a local Arizona subscriber section in Vogue, Lucky and Allure magazines in March. It makes me proud to know that the photograph that I took accentuated the qualities of the piece so well. It also brings me much joy to know that it was purchased by someone who appreciates my work and will enjoy it for years to come. That is when I am truly inspired.  



Saturday, January 24, 2009

Naftali's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, Naftali tells us about hers, in her own words:

A number of years ago, a friend gave me a rattlesnake glass eye when she heard I wanted to incorporate it into my work. The eye was the focal point of the whole necklace and I built everything around it. I wanted to combine sterling silver, seed beads, polymer clay and grout. This necklace was the culmination of that.

I thought it would be fun to make "sections" using different palettes and patterns within the bead crochet. When I made the bail for the necklace, I wanted to add color. I had just begun working with polymer clay and decided I would tube set it with that material. And when I played with sheets of mokume gane and various colors, I knew these colors and patterns were just what I needed. And to tie the necklace in with the pendant, I also inlaid some size 8 seed beads.  
 
So it's a smorgasbord or stuff! It's one of the pieces I could never part with. For those who might just want to add glass eyes into their work, I did a quick google search on reptilian glass eyes. This is one of the sites that came up: http://glasseyes.com. There are some pretty funky eyes there. They say these are ideal for a fox: http://glasseyes.com/cgi-bin/products.pl?ref=mammal&productcode=300ES. Oh my, I might just have to get me a few!


Friday, January 23, 2009

SmadarsTreasure's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, SmadarsTreasure tells us about hers, in her own words:


This is the first freeform necklace I made. I had so much fun creating it. I picked some beads of different kinds and let myself beadweave rather fast, without any other preparations or planning…

It was just the enjoyment of free beadweaving for me and I really liked how the necklace turned out. I was also so happy when this necklace was sold, because it was the first sale I had in my newborn Etsy shop!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

thebeadedlily's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, thebeadedlily tells us about hers, in her own words:

The herringbone in Barbary Coast is woven in 8 shades of Miyuki gunmetal, steel, charcoal and grey. The beadwork is almost all you feel when the piece is worn.

All of the teeth are fossils so no sharks were harmed in the making of this cuff. The gorgeous mako tooth is gem-polished and just over 2 inches (5.5cm) long. The 8 bull teeth are about an inch (2.5cm). All metal is sterling.

Why this one? I think because I loved the process as much as the outcome and because it was so educational. I learned much about sharks, teeth and fossils-- and I love to learn.

It was pretty frustrationless too. I had the idea, but was unsure how to execute it, still everything went pretty smoothly once I started to work. So I have only good memories of this one!

It's also one of my more unique creations and extremely bold.

And it turned out so beautifully.


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

SalamanderHouse's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, SalamanderHouse tells us about hers, in her own words:


Callisto is a peyote stitch sculpture in two parts which measures about 3" in every direction.



I named her Callisto because she reminds me of the story of the mother who turned into a bear, and because I was thinking of the way parenting works as I was beading her. It's a letting go and a realization that the spin-off is more ruffled, more intricate, more beautiful than the self. The mother bear is a little lumpy and much more malleable than the little one, who is stiffer and sees things in stark contrast. This piece is about the journey that parenthood is, especially the parenting of teenagers. There was also a lot of anthropomorphizing going on as I worked on this piece.

The weaving process was also interesting because I had a very definite vision in mind. Generally, I work to a theme or a broad idea. Working with a set aim required me to push myself through some interesting conundrums of thread and tension. The palette is earthy, rocky and bearish with glints of metal that enhance the edges and the fluted ruffles. The metal also serves to make some boundaries within the larger piece, and to create a degree of relatedness between the two. The cub piece has a much more playful feel than the mother piece.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Malodora's Proudest Creation

We've asked our Bead Art Original members to tell us about their "proudest creations." In this post, Malodora tells us about hers, in her own words:


The bracelet depicted here may not be my proudest creation, but it is the best piece I’ve ever made from an accumulation of mistakes.



I attempted to coat the individual polymer clay beads with a mixture that would give them a “fresco”-type surface. While following the somewhat detailed and unusual instructions led me to a reasonable end point, the beads were--to my overly critical eye--pretty “fugly”. After chipping off the coating, and trying again, I was still unhappy with the result. I chipped the coating off again and discovered a myriad of tiny cracks in the beads. I was crestfallen. I toyed with the idea of covering the ruined beads with a veneer of colorful polymer, but I had spent so much time on these wretched beads that would probably end up in the “junk jar”, that I decided against wasting any more time.

I had already discarded some of the beads when it occurred to me that I might be able to use the unusual crazing to my advantage. After antiquing the first piece, I knew I had my solution. The resulting bracelet is one I am quite proud of. I’ve tried to make polymer crack like this ever since, and have failed to produce even one tiny crack. Someday I might try to repeat the process, but it is so labor-intensive and far down my list . . . . let’s just say, don’t hold your breath.

This process of working through and from my mistakes has taught me more about creativity than any other exercise I’ve ever done. It has also honed my critical eye, and probably taught me dozens of other lessons as well.

Monday, January 19, 2009

BAO Items of the Week (1/19-1/25)

On this Martin Luther King holiday in the United States, Bead Art Originals members present ten items of the week with some pretty great specials associated with them. Check out the details below.

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (1/19-1/25)



SmadarsTreasure presents Ruffled Garland Peyote Bracelet.

Receive
5% off and free shipping
when you purchase this bracelet.


time2cre8 presents Lisa's Heart - Herringbone Bracelet with Stoneware Button.

Receive
free shipping on your entire order
when you purchase this bracelet.


SalamanderHouse presents Got the Blues Lampwork Bead and Sterling Silver Bracelet.

Receive
free shipping or free plate of fudge with local pick-up
when you purchase this bracelet.


LisaPetersArt presents Handmade Ceramic Set of 3 Stoneware Beads in Pink.

Receive
free shipping to the USA and Canada
when you purchase these beads.


CieloDesign presents Resonant Rose Necklace.

Receive
free shipping
when you purchase this necklace.


Malodora presents Valentine Mokume Gane Bracelet.

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


thebeadedlily presents fish stories cuff.

Receive
free shipping
when you purchase this cuff.


triz presents Turquoise Delight Cuff.

Receive
10% and free shipping
when you purchase this cuff.


MAKUstudio presents Raku Bead Set of 6...number 1.

Receive
free shipping and a surprise gift
when you purchase these beads.


SandFibers presents Youthful Fancy Necklace with Raku Focal and Bead Embroidery.

Receive
free shipping and a heart button by Lisa Peters
when you purchase this necklace.


Be sure to check back here next Monday for an all new set of BAO Items of the Week.

And come back tomorrow for the first in a series of features on our favorite creations!

Monday, January 12, 2009

BAO Items of the Week (Jan 12-18)

This week finds us with 10 beautiful BAO Items of the Week, each with a deal of some sort attached to it. You can see the details below.

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (1/12-1/18)




SmadarsTreasure presents Peyote Bracelet with Beautiful Texture

Receive
5% off
and free shipping
when you purchase this bracelet


MAKUstudio presents Large Raku Fired Ceramic Button or Bead

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


SalamanderHouse presents Bee Cup Tiny Beadwoven Vessel

Receive
free shipping
or free homemade dessert of your choice with local pickup
when you purchase this vessel.


triz presents Picture Framed - Pendant

Receive
5% off
and free shipping
when you purchase this pendant.


thebeadedlily presents hamunaptra cuff

Receive
a $15 gift certificate to thebeadedlily
when you purchase this cuff.


Naftali presents Sun Peering Through Reversible Bead

Receive
free shipping
when you purchase this bead.


Malodora presents Polymer Clay Moth Cabochon

Receive
a $10 discount on any other cabochon at Malodora
and free shipping
when you purchase this cabochon.


LisaPetersArt presents SET OF THREE - CAST PORCELAIN BEADS IN PINK AND BLUE

Receive
free US and Canada shipping
when you purchase these beads.


time2cre8 presents Black and Blue - Beadwoven Peyote Cuff

Receive
a pair of matching earrings ($18 value) as time2cre8's gift
when you purchase this cuff.


SandFibers presents Flying Geese Peyote Triangle Bracelet

Receive
free shipping
and a matching ring
(leave ring size in Notes to Seller)
when you purchase this bracelet.



Be sure to check back here next Monday for an all new set of BAO Items of the Week.

Monday, January 5, 2009

BAO Items of the Week (1/5-1/11)

Bead Art Originals members are greeting the first full week of the new year with 12 fantastic specials on Items of the Week.

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (1/5-1/11)



LisaPetersArt presents Set of Three Stoneware Cabochons in assorted Colors



Receive
a FREE Surprise Cabochon
when you purchase these cabochons.



MAKUstudio presents Eye of the Storm Raku Pendant or Focal Bead



Receive
free shipping
and a surprise gift

when you purchase this pendant.



SmadarsTreasure presents Saraguro Hojas Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals



Receive
5% off
and free shipping

when you purchase this bracelet.



SalamanderHouse presents Atomic Geometric Peyote Stitch Beaded Cuff Bracelet



Receive
free shipping
or a free baby bearded dragon with local pickup

when you purchase this cuff.



arosebyname presents Swirling Silver Necklace



Receive
free shipping
when you purchase this necklace.



triz presents Midsummer Nights Dream



Receive
5% off
and free shipping

when you purchase this necklace.



thebeadedlily presents hands against time cuff



Receive
a $15 gift certificate
when you purchase this cuff.



MistyRidgeBeads presents Bead and Crystal Spiral Necklace on Silk Cord



Receive
free shipping
when you purchase this necklace.



Malodora presents Calliphorid Cabochon



Receive
free shipping
and a free pair of earrings

when you purchase this cabochon.



time2cre8 presents Polychromatic - Peyote Beadwoven Bracelet / Cuff



Receive
the matching pendant free
when you purchase this cuff.



CieloDesign presents Faery's Mirage Necklace



Receive
free shipping
when you purchase this necklace.



SandFibers presents A White Tie Affair Night Peyote Cuff Bracelet



Receive
free shipping
and matching band ring

(leave ring size in Notes to Seller)
when you purchase this cuff.



Be sure to check back here next Monday for a new collection of Bead Art Originals Items of the Week!