I have a page on Bead Arts that I add to from time to time. It list the books that I consider to be the best of the best in many different beading and jewelry making categories. It’s called simply The Library!
Technique Tuesday!
PMC and Art Clay Silver
An online manual for success with the new precious metal clays.
Making metal beads
Register with the ArtJewelry site and receive a free download of Nanz Aalund’s tutorial.
Metal clay lenses at Squidoo
The very best informational and instructional lenses you’ll find anywhere.
The Art of Metal Clay by Sherri Haab
Artist and instructor Sherri Haab demonstrates metal clay’s remarkable versatility, showing how it can be textured, molded, carved, and sculpted to create gorgeous beads.
Metal Clay Magic by Nana Mizushima
Packed with color photos showing each step of working with metal clay. Covers more than just beads, but has lots of techniques that can be used in making beads.
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
Make Art Monday!
Here’s one of the pieces that I made with the silver Art Clay maple leaves that I showed you last week 
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media, silver-art-clay
Art Bead Scene
Cindy tells us about how she has merged some of her favorite obsessions (beads, books, and blogging) in her new Bead Lit Blog
Bead Arts
Bead Arts brings you another artist profile, this time of Olivia Competente’s gorgeous mixed media jewelry.
Katie’s Beading Blog
Check out this idea for a fun, versatile necklace and bracelet set using gemstones and Swarovski crystals.
Naughty Secretary Club
In her quest for continuing education in the business world Jen attended a Women in Command breakfast where the key not speaker was jewelry designer Kendra Scott. Read the recap with oodles of tips on running a successful business.
PearlEsq.
Robin’s got more frames to show off from the recent Ranger U class and some tips and techniques on how to work with your stamps!
The Impatient Blogger
Did Margot finish spinning her daunting straw pile before her tropical getaway? Click here to find out and to read about the Swarovski Tucson Event this year!
Altered Couture
A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for the third volume of this exciting publication. Chapters will include Skirts & Dresses, Pants & Overalls, Jackets & Vests, Shirts & Tops, Children’s Wear, Sassy Shoes, and Accessories.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Dec 15, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Altered Couture · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653
bead-embroidery, calls-for-entries, handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
Dori’s work is different from any other you’ll ever see. At first glance it seems like bead embroidery, but her style and technique is truly unique. Visit Dazzle & Shimmer and see for yourself. From her website:
“While living in Paris, Dori started creating an original line of jewelry and fashion accessories, made in a needle work technique that is similar to the traditional “passementrie”. Back home, she set up her design studio in Tel-Aviv, some twenty years ago.
From here on, Dori developed and expanded her line of accessories and jewelry with an original, fashion oriented, but personal touch. Dori’s creations, referred to by some as “Modern Decadence”, present scene stealing pieces as well as classic designs. The collection is made in small, often changing series and includes one-off and limited edition creations.”
Other posts on bead embroidery:
Betsy Youngquist
handmade-beaded-jewelry, beads, beading, mixed-media, wearable-art
Technique Tuesday!
The leaves that I showed you yesterday are really easy to make, but take quite a bit of time. Plan to do them when you’ve got other projects going on so that you don’t have to sit around waiting for the silver to dry.
Make Art Monday!
Art Clay is one of the two brands of fine silver metal clay available in the United States. At least I think it’s only two! I got mine from Rings & Things.
Art Bead Scene
Stop by Art Bead Scene this week to see the winner of the October challenge and the theme and prizes for the November challenge. We are sure it will “wake up” your creativity!
Bead Arts
Never throw anything out! Not even Chinese fortunes…
Jewelry and Beading Blog
Is it a trick or a treat? If you are passing out these beaded Halloween cards discovered by Tammy over at the Jewelry and Beading Blog, more than likely your friends will think they are the perfect treat this year. Plus, no calories or cavities!
Katie’s Beading Blog
Are you selling the jewelry you make? Katie compiled a list of links to articles that are full of helpful tips and info. Check them out or just add yours to the list.
PearlEsq.
Robin’s added another Technique of the Week, showing some fun ideas with Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Embossing Powders and Color Wash, all products that work as wonderfully on paper as for mixed media jewelry designs!
Savvy Crafter
Not sure what to do with that handful of cloisonne beads? Head over to Candie’s blog for some inspiration!
Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean just keeps loving to make those crazy little spiral seed bead bracelets. This one has a funny name!
Stitch Austin / Naughty Secretary Club
Jen writes for several blogs, one of which is for the Stitch Fashion Show and Indie Craft Bazaar that she produces. Stitch is Nov 10th at the Austin Convention Center and Jen blogged a roundup of all the amazing jewelry designers you will find at the show!
The Impatient Blogger
Got a restless streak a mile wide? Enjoy Margot’s musings on how she’s turned her ‘creative adhd ‘into a career. Impatient? Well, yes!
Artist: Olivia Competente
Business name: Jewels By Olivia
Location: San Francisco
Website:
Jewels By Olivia
Olivia, how do you describe your work?
I have always loved sparkle and color. I started out with beads and they have always been my first love. What I do now is and extension of my bead work. I love the art nouveau movement and Egyptian adornments.
What is your creative process like?
Sometimes I render a piece, but mostly I like looking at what I have and what will fit with it. I work very organically - it cannot be forced, it will work itself out and be or not. Then I show the design to my mom and she has a great eye and gets me to finish a piece.
What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
When I was 9ish I lusted after a pair of earrings at Macy’s and my mom wouldn’t buy them for me. Instead she took me to the oldest bead shop in San Francisco and bought me beads and started my life long passion for jewelry. Then in 2001, the industry I worked in got hit bad by 9-11 so my mom told me to go back to jewelry and I started my formal training on metal fabrication. I am now a PMC certified artisan, teach enameling, fused glass and bead work at the Sharon Art Studio in San Francisco.
Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
My original Cress kiln.
What inspires you to create?
The light as it plays across the ocean or trees of Golden gate park, new colors in beads.
What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
The fact that great work is giving life to an idea, and collaborating with my mom.
What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Practice, practice , practice, and have fun in the end.
What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Cooking for my family and my pets (4 cats and 2 dogs).
What are some of your other favorite things?
I love a good hamburger, read fairy tales, and right now I love a blue-based red color!
Other profiles of mixed media artists:
Wendy Van Camp
Leah Hitchcock-Ybarra
artist-profile, beads, beading, handmade-jewelry, PMC, creativity, designing
handmade-beaded-jewelry, wearable-art, beads, beading, jewelry, mixed-media
Come on a journey through a bead and jewelry wonderland, where no item is considered too strange to use in making something...especially if that item has a hole in it! All types of beads are welcomed and cherished here, and no techniques are off-limits. You'll be amazed and inspired by the beadwork that is being done today!
Bead Arts Author(s)
» Cyndi-Lavin
