Write it down

Hello again everyone,

I was invited by a friend to go and see Art Prize 2012 in Grand Rapids Michigan yesterday.

I had a great time and saw many wonderful pieces of art, and some not sure what they are pieces. But everyone is entitled to their idea of art and that goes for making jewelry too.  It is a way to express yourself.  And the good thing is we can be inspired by others artwork and I may inspire someone elses artwork. After viewing those pieces I just wanted to come home and create something.  Don't you just love that feeling?

I love to create.  And I have tried many different things.  Jewelry making is my favorite so far and there are so many ways to create jewelry. I seem to jump between stringing and stitching, but there is also working with wire, clay and many other types of jewelry.  Many of which I haven't tried yet - maybe one day.

So at Art Prize, many of the artist had photos of the process of making their art and/or explanations to what they were feeling and trying to express. That could go to jewelry making too, since our jewelry choices usually express something about us or the wearer if it was something purchased.

So here is a handy tip - write down what supplies you use for a project when you are making it and include a photo if you can.   I have found this out from experience.  See I have lost two  different pairs of earrings that I loved (they're together somewhere) one I had a photo of and other I am gonna have to go by memory.  It is much easier to write it down when working on it then having to figure out exactly what color or size was used. Since I started to make a few pieces to sell, I went back and wrote all my supplies down.  Then when I go to recreate it or is inspired to make another similar or coordinating project I don't have to guess - I just look it up in my recipe book (for lack of a better term). It has already come in handy, especially if the original project was a gift that you made for someone or a favorite pair of earrings that you have lost (I am still bummed about that). Sometimes its hard to determine sizes or even color when looking  a photo. At least I think so.

Beadin' Mon! has prepared many classes of various mediums.  A few deal with wire, or stitching or even jump rings and beads.  Click on this link www.beadinmon.com/Classes.htm to see what featured classes on on the roster for the month of October.  Remember even if you don't make jewelry there is always a good variety of finished pieces for you to choose from or you may even have special pieces hand crafted just for you.   That always makes you feel special.

Well off to another week of work and play.  And until next time, be inspired and Happy Beadin'

Fall Inspiration

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a little while, but have you ever had those chunks of time where it seems hardly anything goes right.  Well, that was happening with me.  It's been crazy, but I think things are returning to normal.  At least I hope it is.

Okay, here goes it.  This is the post I owe you from last saturday.

Inspiration can come from anywhere.  Here is a project that I made for my Mother in Law a few years ago for Mother's Day.  I know she loves Victorian things and Fall is her favorite time of the year. The autumn colors were the colors she used when she got married. And every year Autumn is the time she likes to take a vacation, especially here in Michigan which is known for its Fall colors.  It really is a beautiful time of year.  So as you can see I was inspired by her love of the fall colors and her love of victorian things.

This is the first time I had ever done this kind of project and it turned out pretty good.  I believe I did a ladder stitch and then added seed beads in between the crystals to add a bit of sparkle to it.  As you can see I tried very hard to not make a pattern, so you get the feel of the many colors of the leaves like they were lying on the ground. I am very happy with how it turned out.  I will try to make another one, I just hope it turns out just as well. 

  

Remember anything can be an inspiration. Maybe you will be inspired by the creamy caramel that was drizzled over a bright red apple or the pinks and purple of an evening sunset - wherever it may be it's up to you to find it.

Once you figure out your inspiration, stop by Beadin' Mon to pick up any supplies that you might need.  Or stop by the online shop at www.beadinmon.com. 

With that I wish you all a good week and I'll see you in a few days when I get myself back on schedule.  I hate to let you down, so until then Happy Beadin'  

Save the Broken

Hello Again,

I have been so busy, and I'm not even going to school now.  If you stopped by yesterday, I am sorry I missed you.

Friday morning I got up and was finishing my outfit with all my sparkly things when my inexpensive bracelet broke and beads hit the floor.  I was sad, although the bracelet was only $3 when I bought it I just loved the way they sparkled in the light.  And it went with my outfit really well.  Needless to say I cleaned up what I could find, I think I only lost a few, and tucked them away.

So here is my tip for this weekend. If you ever have a broken piece of jewelry--Save it.  You may be able to use it, or pieces of it in another project. If you don't plan on getting it fixed or you aren't into making jewelry, you can donate or sell them to people who do.  I am into recycling, in fact I have made projects using these pieces.  And I have more pieces that are sitting waiting for their debut as a new piece of jewelry.  All my friends and coworkers know I make jewelry and have given me some of their pieces.  And I thank them kindly, I even show them what I have made using their donation when I have used them.  It's fun.

So here are some photos.  The green one below is the one that I broke this week.
The cross necklace uses silver spacer beads that were given to me by a friend/coworker.  They were originally from a broken beaded watch.  Don't they just look lovely here, complimenting the silver used within the necklace.  And I even used some short pieces of salvaged wire to make the dangles that are sitting on the cross.

 

So the next time a piece of jewelry breaks, make sure to save it and use it in a future project.  If you need beads to go with your salvaged beads, stop by Beadin' Mon!  and they'll be happy to help you pick out the perfect compliment to your piece.  Remember, if you can't make it into the shop you can check out our online store at www.beadinmon.com.

Thanks for reading, have a great week and until next time, Happy Beadin!

Something New

Hello Again Everyone,

Sorry this is a day late.  I can't believe summer has ended, pool parties are coming to a close and school has begun. But for my last weekend of summer, Labor Day Weekend, my family and I went up north to walk the Mackinac Bridge.

We drove up on Sunday afternoon so we could drop by some of our favorite places. One of which is "The Cross in the Woods", here is the link www.crossinthewoods.com in case you want to check it out.  It is great thing to see, it is very large, beautiful and peaceful in all ways.  It stands out in the open air.  There is also an indoor sanctuary for wetter weather.  In addition visitors can stop by the souvenir shop and purchase any keepsake or religious item you may need.

For years I have been making jewelry as gifts for members of my family.  Recently, I have been wondering what kinds of different items I can make for them other than the usual earring, necklace, bracelet, etc.  Well, my step-mom is Catholic, so I have been thinking about making her a rosary.  After visiting the gift shop at the "Cross in the Woods" and seeing all the different Rosarys. They had many different kinds that used crystals, pearls, the usual size, and bigger ones too that could be used on a casket or to hang on a wall, and there was even smaller ones to hang in your car. So after seeing in person all the different ways a rosary could be, I have decided that I will make one for her.  She knows I was thinking about it for a time now (basically because I have been asking questions).

One day while shopping at Beadin' Mon! (www.beadinmon.com) I purchased the center medal piece to begin my new project.  Sometimes it takes me awhile to put just the right elements together for a project.  So at the moment the metal sets by itself waiting for the remaining pieces to be purchased. 

I hope my trip up north and decision to try something new has inspired you to also try something new.  And to be inspired by places that you visit and are important to you.  Until next time I hope you have a great week and happy beadin'. 

Project Frustration

Hello Everyone,

Well this week I am going to be short and to the point since I don't have a lot of time this morning.  Holiday weekend parties and my very own Birthday party.  Well, I am turning a year older this weekend, but I certainly don't feel like it.  Okay, sometimes I do, but that's part of life right?

I was reading a book about creativity and how to spark new ideas and I found a tip that would be helpful in everyday life.  That is if you don't already do this.  You know how you get working on a project and then something happens, wether you made a mistake, can't figure out how to solve a design problem or have a horrible knot that you just can't get out. Well, if you'll like me, you get super frustrated.

To calm the nerves, step away from your project whatever it might be and let it sit for a while, an hour or even overnight.  When you come back to it later, you will be refreshed, calm and hopefully able to see a solution to your problem.  I have actually done this, and it does help.  And then I wonder, why didn't I see the solution before?

But if you do run into a problem you just can't seem to solve, feel free to stop by Beadin' Mon if your in the area (Flint, MI that is).  I'm sure the staff would be willing to help you solve your problem.  And remember they also carry some finished pieces too. But, if you can't stop by the store, feel free to shop our online store at www.beadinmon.com.

Okay, I have to go, have a wonderful holiday weekend.  Be safe and until next time, happy beadin'