Studio Saturday with Jennifer Heynen

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.




Last weeks winner is BeadRoe . Congratulations you've won one of her stamped metal pendants! Send Cindy an e-mail and she will get it right out to you.

Hi there,
This is not a good time for me to have a Studio Saturday post. I hate to show you what is going on in my studio. It's an absolute disaster. Most of it is my lack of organization. I do my best, but I have a lot of different projects going on so things don't always get put back where they should. Now I have some problem areas. Let me show you...

Trays of beads are stacked up wherever there is a spot. Oh my gosh...look at my bead table! I am so embarrassed!

Shelves that hold waaaay to many different things.


Now I have to say those are my actual problem areas. This picture below is my gallery space. It's a wreck as well, but this is by choice. I have decided to expand the store area. My bead studio used to be at the back of the store but I am moving it to the other end of the studio and taking up all of the front with the store.


Summer is a great time for me to catch up on everything I didn't get to in the spring. I can re-group and get organized before the holidays. So that's what I am up to, I am knee deep in organizing.

I have to admit, I like planning and preparing so this studio clean up is kind of fun. I promise on my next Studio Saturday I will be able to show you a very organized studio.



My question of the week is an easy one....is your studio organized?

Leave me an answer in the comments and you will be entered to win some of my flower stackers.

Happy Saturday,
Jennifer Jangles

Studio Saturday With Lynn Davis Linked in Chains

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process, or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive, we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is Lesley Watt at THEAJewellery. Congratulations! 

You won a cuff connector from Heather Powers at Humblebeads! Send Heather an e-mail with your address and she'll send out your fantastic cuff bead to inspire your next design.

This week we are in the studio of Lynn Davis, who is doing some reading and admiring old techniques to be used in new ways:

It's summertime, and it's hot, so it's a great time to sip something cool and do some summer reading in a lawn chair under an umbrella. Some folks like to read light fiction at the beach. For me, it's much more fun to do some reading about new and different ways to use an old jewelry technique.

This book was reviewed last fall here on the Art Bead Scene Blog, a bit before the book was published. This fascinating book, Chain and Bead Jewelry - Geometric Connections, is written by Scott David Plumlee, and published by Watson-Guptill Publications.  He has written others on the same topic, and also has some tutorials on his site. Check those out, too, if you want to try some simple chain maille techniques, to satisfy your curiosity about the age-old methods of using jump ring links to create wonderful shapes and forms.

I have used some of these great old techniques myself, to create chains and generate links that combine with my cast pewter pieces for necklaces or bracelets. The chain maille works well with lampwork beads and other types of art beads, to give either a contemporary, modern look, or a more vintage, antique slant, depending on how the jump ring links are combined.

In the heat of the summertime, it's nice to sit indoors beside a fan where it's cool, with some jewelry pliers in each hand, creating wearable and beautiful chain from wire and jump ring links. 

If you'd like to win a copy of the book to get started on your own version of chain and links, answer the question below by posting a comment here, you might be the one selected to win this book for your summertime reading!

" What's your favorite summertime jewelry making activity? Do you tone things down when the temperatures go up? Do you take projects with you on vacation, or do you take a vacation from your projects? Are you an armchair jewelry artist when it's hot, or do you dive even deeper into your creativity when the days are long and slow in the summertime?" 

Do tell, you might win a copy of this interesting book for your jewelry library!

Posted by Lynn Davis, who finds it easier to read than to bead in the hot, hot summertime!

Studio Saturday with Humblebeads

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process, or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive, we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is ArtZHodgePodge. Congratulations!

You have won a healthy helping of Bead Soup from Lori Anderson! Send Lori an e-mail with your address and she'll send out your yummy collection of beads.

And now it's time to join me in the Humblebeads Studio:

I was away from my studio for awhile after the Bead & Button show, enjoying a much needed vacation.  These were the last things from my crazy bead making frenzy the week or so before the show - cuff bracelet connectors.  This is the Garden series.  I also created a Willow series and a few Sea cuffs that will be available next week. 

These whip up so quickly and wear so well. You can wire-wrap these or use large jump rings to attach them to a chain or beads.


To ease back into creating after the post-travel funk, I've joined in the Muffin Tin Jewelry Challenge.  I've finished 4 pieces so far and then decided umm, let's try more pendants and chain so I can have 12 pieces done by Monday. 

12 pieces in a week may seem like a lot, but I see that some of you have risen to the challenge and finished already!  Even if you start today, if you make 4 pieces a day you could finish by Monday night. 

That's something I do when I set big goals for myself - like writing a book or preparing for a national Bead Show or creating 12 pieces in a week -  I break the goal down into actionable steps to complete each day or within an allotted time frame.  Grand goals can be completely overwhelming, Like getting ready for Bead & Button, I created over 800 beads in 8 weeks.  That seems crazy, but I broke it down to 100 beads a week - then down to 20 beads for 5 days a week - way more doable than creating 800 beads!

My tips for meeting your goals:

1. Create a goal, write it down and give yourself a deadline.

It's not a goal if it doesn't have a deadline and writing it down has all sorts of scary, life-affirming power when it comes to reaching for something you really want.

2. Break your goal down into it's smallest tasks - no matter how small a step, write it down and give it a deadline. 

Using a wall calendar or dry erase board, write down your steps on the dates you will work on them and then get rid excuses and fears and focus on that task for each day.  Even if you can only devote 15 minutes to your goals, you'll be surprised what working consistently on a project will result in over a weeks.

3. Plan a reward for when you meet your goal - maybe it's a day at the beach or a shopping trip. 

Whatever will motivate you, promise yourself that treat when you meet your goal.

4. Stay accountable.

Share your goal with someone who will keep you on track or if you don't have that support system share your journey on your blog.  Having your peers encourage you and not wanting to let them down can be a great motivator.
What is a goal you are currently working on or would like to start working toward? 
For me, it's my next book proposal.  No goal is too small or too big - we are all on our own path and have different needs for our jewelry businesses and hobbies.  Share it with me in the comments below and one random winner will be drawn to win one of my new cuff connectors. 

Studio Saturday with Lori Anderson

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process, or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive, we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is BeadRoe. Congratulations!

You have won a bag of goodies from Erin Prais-Hintz!

Send Erin an e-mail with your address and she will send you those treasures!

This has been a hectic week here in my studio!  I went to the Bead and Button Show (brought lots of goodies back in case you want to try for the Big Bead Giveaway!), met with my book editor, did a video interview for promotional purposes down the road, met a million wonderful people, and did a bit of damage to a credit card I'd just paid off.  But I was good, actually, compared to some years.

Needless to say, my beading table and lampwork studio are either piled up with clutter or getting dusty.  I'm behind.  Soooo behind.  I feel like the White Rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland" .... "Late, late, for a very important date!"

source

When I have so many things piled up and a ton of deadlines due, I tend to get, shall we say, frazzled.  The running-down-the-street-waving-my-hands-over-my-head-screaming type of frazzled.  So I've learned to set aside the deadlines, if only for an hour or two, and do something that gives my mind a break.

Two things sooth this savage beast, and one actually helps me get the pile on the workbench under control.

One:  I sort beads.

It's SO cathartic for me to pull out a box of beads and sort.  Beads in too large a baggie get poured into a smaller baggie.  Ahhhhh, there.  Nice and tidy.  Beads that are rolling all over the table, driving me (and the cats) mad, I scoop up and corral into their proper spaces.  My mind can just drift, and I actually feel like I'm accomplishing something without having to think and plan and design and create and, and ..... and.

my bead storage cabinet

Another thing I do when my brain is on overload and I need a mental break is make earrings.  I sell a ton of earrings at craft shows and always try to keep at least 200 or so pairs on hand, so days when I'm overwhelmed are deemed Earring Days.

This time of year, believe it or not, I start preparing for holiday earrings.  My show season starts in mid-October, and patrons expect to see those snowflakes, so out comes the ho-ho-ho and away I go!

beads by Moonraker Lampwerks

I think we all have days when we're just completely overwhelmed with Life.  Life has a way of sneaking up on us and yelling, "BOO!" in our ear just when we've thought things had settled down.  It's always good to have a backup plan, and these are just two of mine.  Depending upon the day, my backup plan could be a nap and a box of chocolates, but then, that would have been a short and boring blog post, now, wouldn't it?

So here's my question to you -- what is your favorite way to recharge your batteries when you're overwhelmed with being a jewelry designer?

 

Answer this question in a comment below, and a winner will be drawn at random next Saturday.  The winner will receive a nice healthy helping of my Bead Soup, styled to your favorite color palette.  Mmm, soup is good food!

Lori Anderson writes the blog Pretty Things and creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party. 

Studio Saturday with Erin Prais-Hintz

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is lunedreams. Congratulations!
You have won your own custom colored Sea Gypsy Jewel Pendant from MissFickleMedia!

Send Shannon an e-mail with your address and she will create that just for you in her little outdoor studio.

This week we visit the studio of Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry.

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Greetings from the Bead and Button show!
 
I am not actually in my studio, but attending the biggest consumer bead show in the world! If you haven't heard that the Bead and Button show is going on right now in Milwaukee you must be living under a rock.

There are over 600 bead and jewelry classes over the course of the week and I usually take one...or four!
But this year I blew my training wad on a class in D.C. for ArtBliss with Stephanie Lee (so totally worth it!)... so I need to find something else to do with my time... and money! (But somehow I don't think that will be a problem!)

{Experiments in using the E3 etching system with Sherri Haab, 2010
I highly recommend Sherri as an instructor!}

Last year I took two all day classes with Sherri Haab, so it was like having her all to myself for two full days, and the year before that I took four smaller classes to learn everything from etching to PMC. I highly recommend classes if you can take them, especially multiple day ones like the year I took Susan Lenart Kazmer's class the first year she introduced Ice Resin...and sat next to Jennifer Heynen of Jangles! I know I will miss taking classes, but this year I am only going with the intention of shopping, oogling, and connecting with people. With over 370 exhibitors I am sure that I will find a few things that I can't live without: precious gems, pearls, chain, fiber, tools, beading supplies and of course, art beads!

{The Jangles booth is always a sunny place filled with bright pops of color. Hey! That's Jennifer in there!}

 

My very favorite aisles are the ones where all the art bead artists hang out. Some of our very own editors will be there along with many of your favorites.

{Just one of the art bead artist aisles at the Bead & Button show}

Walking through the doors of the Bead and Button show is like coming home for me. All my bead freak peeps in one place! My family and friends just don't get my obsession and can't talk about it with me without their eyes glazing over and their mind wandering, but the Bead & Button show (or any show for that matter) is like the Mothership landing. Everywhere you look there is a new friend waiting for you to discover.

{Last year I was surprised to find Heather Trudeau, the PeacockFairy who found me at Heather's booth! She is just the sweetest, most lovely girl. I hope to meet her newest and best project, Baby Richard this year!}

 

Through all the blogging that I have done over the past few years, I have connected with so many great people online. But there is nothing quite like walking down that aisle and seeing in person the artists that I have come to 'know' through their blogs, websites, tutorials and beads. Connecting with the bead peeps in person is the best part for me, whether it is in their booth, passing in an aisle or sitting next to them in a class.  They are real people, just like me but I still get a bit starstruck when I am talking to them. I won't lie... it sort of freaked me out last year when people were coming up to me in the aisles saying that they know me, they follow me, they have watched my work evolve from afar. I was flattered, but more than that I was delighted to put a face with a name. I expect there will be more of the same this year.

{Me and my best bead buddy Heather Powers in 2009, the first year we met and bonded at Bead and Button. Can you believe she trusted me to pick her up at the airport and stay together having never met me?! That is bead peep love, I tell ya!}

 

I hope that if you are coming to the Bead and Button show that you will stop by the Humblebeads booth 1212 and say hello to me and Heather! We would love to meet you!
 
Of course, I will be wearing my favorite jewlery pieces, and the first thing that beaders do when they meet a fellow beader is walk up and fondle your jewelry.... then they look you in the eyes and say hello! I always find it funny to get the 'beader's handshake' when I am at these things. That is the funniest thing, but you make an instant connection over jewelry which is too cool!

{Lisa Peters Art - each one is different!}

 

Since I am shopping 'til I drop this year, I am going to set aside a little bunch of goodies just for one lucky random commenter. I can't share with you what it is, as I am doing the shopping right now! But I promise it will be chock full of goodies that I hand picked just for you!

{Not quite sure whose booth this was from 2010, but that gives you an idea of the sort of things I will be stocking up on! Have I mentioned there are over 370 booths to choose from?!}

Just leave your answers for a chance:
 
If you were to attend the Bead and Button show, would you rather spend your time and money taking classes or buying beads?
If you would like to take classes, what kind of classes would you take?
If you would like to buy beads, what sorts of beads would you be looking for?
 
Enjoy the day!
 

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com.

Studio Saturday with Shannon LeVart

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is commenter #6; ALICE!. Congratulations! You have won a set of Rose & Bird Buttons from Tari with Creative Impressions in Clay!

Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will have these shipped out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Shannon LeVart at 

missficklemedia.com.

I am now posting to you from Florida!

 I am crazy busy setting up a work studio and fulfilling a few projects I committed to before moving, but we are settling in nicely. Visiting the ocean daily, signing the kiddos up for summer camps, making new friends and setting up a new work schedule. 

It is chaotic but thrilling! As if going through the mundane task of daily living is somehow transformed by the sound of pounding waves.

I would love to share my new work space with you;

Yep! I work outside!

I am usually up by 7 am; I oversee the kids during their morning chores and help them get ready for their various activities. I then walk to the BEACH, where I collect lots of sea offerings before heading home to start on whatever orders are waiting for me at the pool side work bench. 

Why, you could call me Captain Contentment, I am so happy right now!

Here is the view I work under in my atrium;

It is always like this. I think it has rained a total of 4 times since we have moved here.

Absolutely heavenly blue skies!

In addition to filling orders, I have been working on a new collection to present to a local shop. Inspired by artist Anahata Katkin's bohemian like girls, with their big hoop-de earrings, lush flowers and vibrant swirling colors!

Using patinas to add bold color to big metal discs that are then embellished with chain, beads and charms has been so much fun. I let go while creating this collection, the larger the metal, the more wildly satisfied I was! The longer the chain, the louder the jangle!

Even if the shop they are intended for doesn't accept them, I have had a great time trying on this new Lux Boho trend.

So what new thing has taken over your creative endeavors?

Have you surprised yourself with a new source of inspiration or are you remaining steady and true to what is near and dear to your heart? 

If you leave a comment on this post before next Saturday, you will be entered into a drawing to possibly win;

Your own custom colored Sea Gypsy Jewel Pendant!

These specially textured pendants are the perfect size to stack art beads in front of or dangle from the top. I would love to make you one next week if you want to participate in commenting. 

Thank you for visiting my Studio Saturday post!

Much Love & Respect,

Shannon

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Creative Impressions In Clay

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is Susan Z. Congratulations! You have won a set of beads from Jennifer Heynen of Jangles. 

Send Jennifer an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Tari Sasser at 

Creative Impressions In Clay.

Good Saturday Morning! Life is crazy as usual. A little crazier getting ready for a graduation party for my son in a week. Guess who's doing home repairs? OK, me. I haven't been doing much in the studio. Above is my backsplash on a budget. I'm not quite done, it has to be sealed and all the outlet covers need to be put back. 

I used 6"x6" squares of heavy scrapbook paper and Modge Podged them to the wall in a random pattern. It turned out pretty cool and I love it. Bright colors and fun patterns for my kitchen.

These are new designs I created in March for one of my favorite customers, Lucy at the The Cheshire Cat in Montpelier, Vermont. Yes, I love Lucy!
These were for her spring clothing line. Now I have the Birds and Bees and everything is Rosie.

The large rice beads above were originally shown in a Studio Saturday in October. I had a necklace planned for these beads but a different idea came about. The dotted beads were made with loops and attached to the striped bead for a great pattern contrast. A splash of color was added with the anodized aluminum rings. Voila an extra fun pair of dangle earrings.

My question today is:
What have you put on hold while you do something else? 
Or, what would you rather be doing?

Leave a comment answering the question and you could win the 2 Rose Buttons and Bird Button.

Feeling Sassy as usual!
Tari Sasser
Creative Impressions In Clay

Studio Saturday with Jennifer Jangles

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner. Congratulations Alice, you won an Ally bead from Cindy.
Hi everyone! Spring is my busiest time of the year....let me show you a little of what I have been working on since my last Studio Saturday post.

A project for Quilts and More magazine.

Made some more drop pairs for these earrings.

Built a bench.

Worked on re-arranging the store.

I've been making lots of beads like these for Bead and Button.

I just got back from Quilt Market.

It's been a wild and super month. I am looking forward to Bead and Button in a few weeks. I always love to reconnect with all of my bead friends. I wish it was more than once a year. I am having a great time working on some new kits and beads for the show. Will you be there?

That happens to be my question for the week. Leave me a comment letting me know if you plan to be at the show. One person who comments will be randomly chosen to win a set of Jangles Beads. If you will be at Bead and Button this year, please stop by booth 1103 and say hi.

Happy Saturday!

Studio Saturday with Lynn Davis in a Blue Spring Bouquet

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

The winner this week is Mimi Gardner of Other Curiosities - Congratulations, you have won a pair of Heather Powers' fantastic headpins. Email Heather with your address, and she will send those out to you.

This week, we are visiting with Lynn Davis in her studio, where she's showing how her muse gifted her with flowers.

Here I am in the studio, putting together a jewelry piece from an assortment of pewter emblems, wire and hand dyed costume pearls.  And for fun, here's a little peek at my organization in the roll top desk I've been using recently as my jewelry bench. 

So, what's new in the studio?

For a long time, I've loved the look of enameled color on medals and medallions.

I racked my brain for ways to get more sparkle, bling and color on the pewter reproductions I've been making. I wanted the color to remain authentic to the faux antique look I like so much.  Like glass enamel that's fused onto metal, allowing the light to bounce on the metal and pass back through the color, giving it that glowing, sparking rich color.

I wanted to replicate that look with pewter, to create faux antiques with that same shiny, colorful look.

The real antique french medal this replica was cast from was loaned to me some time ago by a friend, and I like the way it looks in plain patinaed pewter. But I wanted to give it that bright red bling that you see on real, old antique medals.

How, oh how, to get there?

I experimented, tried various things to reproduce that enameled glow.

I kept trying, playing around with color, and finally landed on something that I like. 

Then, I had to experiment with charm shapes, to see how I could also apply color to them.

This floral basket charm has a turquoise faux enamel look to the flowers - does look old and antique to you? 

I'm pleased with the results, and can't wait for  it to be made up into a very vintage, antique looking design! With two holes at the top and one at the bottom of the basket, I tried to make this blue floral basket easy to design with, to create a wearable design when it's all finished.

So, if you answer this question, reply in a comment to this post, you will have a chance to be the winner of the turquoise flower basket charm.

Have you had any brainstorms lately, or has an experiment with some new technique paid off? Are you struggling with an idea or image in your mind's eye, not quite getting the results you wanted - or has your muse smiled on you and granted some of your design wishes and desires?

Do share your story of struggle, success or frustration - you'd be surprised to learn how sometimes it comes hard, and sometimes it seems to come easily! Why do you think that is, I wonder?

Questions posed by Lynn Davis, who needs a new necklace to wear this weekend, better get stringing!

Studio Saturday - Humblebeads

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

We have three winners this week: moonlightfantaseas, rosebud101, For My Sweet Daughter!

Congratulations! You have won etched copper tags from Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati!

Send Erin an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

Now let's head on over to the

Humblebeads Studio...

There are 34 days until the Bead & Button show.

My life is consumed with this countdown at the moment...

I'm working on new beads that will hopefully dazzle - like the headpins above.

Making piles and piles of things.  I press beads at night while we watch movies.  We've watched entire series over the last few weeks.  This is one of many trays.

Or like last night, I don't go to bed until 2am because inspiration struck at 11pm.

These are pendants with vintage images - I'm all over bicycles, umbrellas, beehives, birds, foxes, butterflies & nests.  They aren't quite done, I'm going to play around with some antique finishes and I think I'll try some in sepia tones as well.  I also have some sketches to do some tiny watercolors and use them for pendants too. 

Despite these little bits of squirrelling away, I'm far from being ready.   Preparing for Bead & Button is a Herculean task that must be mixed in with already packed days.  But no matter what, I will be ready by June 7th - car packed and heading up the road! 

So two questions - what type of vintage image would you like to see in a pendant and most importantly - will you be at Bead & Button this year? 

If so, mark booth #1212 as one to stop by and say hello to me!

This week's prize is a pair of my new headpins, leave a comment for a chance to win.