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We are super excited about all the new challenges and look forward to welcoming you at our new digs!
Don't worry, all your favorite Art Bead Scene posts are now on on our new site.
Everyone knows that if you are going to wear a ballgown that you will twirl and twirl in it all night long, reveling in the swishing and sashaying! That is what drew me to this beautiful necklace that Ann Schroeder made. Those sari silks in the artsy handmade tassel have the same effect as those swishy skirts! All the rich colors of their attire is represented in the drops of glass from MayaHoney and Leah Kelly, and the deep dark forest represented in the long strand of black glass beads. I also love the attention to detail in the little bit of rhinestone bling peeking out from the silks, as every princess needs her bling!
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Stay tuned for information coming soon on our revamped website!
I See The Moon And The Moon Sees Me...
Hello from the worktable of The Earring Whisperer...errr, Loralee!
It's late Summer and my mind is already drifting off to my favorite season of Autumn. I love the colors and the night magic of it all!
The two featured rustic moon charms are by Terri DelSignore of Artisticaos. I've fallen completely for her work, it's charming, warm and rustically elegant!
I wanted to keep the focus on the crescent shape of the moons, so decided to wire-wrap very pale yellow crystals around the frame. It makes an interesting pattern, yet doesn't overpower the focal. The wire loops were on the larger side with a nice area to work with, so I was able to add charms, too! For a little night magic, I used petite, decorative, eye charms by Inviciti.
I had purchased a second pair of crescent moons and at first I was going to build a frame loop but thought...nah, let's put them upright! I really wanted this pair to have a primitive vibe and keep them simple. I made some over sized ear-wires with larger loops not only for a more prominent appearance, but also so the moons would move freely. For the dangling charms I hammered the wire at the ends keeping it rustic. I stacked some bright gold plated hematite and also added these amazing polymer rounds by Marina Rios of Fancifuldevices. Those little polymer beads are wonders unto themselves and complimented the design amazingly.
One of my favorite things to do in jewelry design, is to bring unexpected shapes and patterns together. My worktable is purposely cluttered with just about every material and type of bead. Organized chaos. I must try out dozens upon dozens of shapes until that little voice in my head says "yessss".
I usually start with one piece that I'm particularly fond of. For the pair of earrings below, it was the vintage faceted crystals at the bottom. They are little stunners in person. I suppose I would need to shoot a video to capture the full prism of color they give off. I haven't run across this shape/size very often and frankly, I don't remember where or when I got them!
I used little moons, again, by Inviciti. They were the perfect proportion and size. The gold is warm and the scratched rustic texture is a nice contrast to the perfectly, perfect, crystals.
Lastly, and I can't explain it, but I love, loveee these little plastic hand-dyed puffs with the other two. I think it lends a softness and a bit of mystery. Each bead completely wonderful on their own, yet together, magic.
It is always an honor and a pleasure to share my work with you and I'm thrilled that you stopped by to have a peek! Until next time!
Very truly yours,
Loralee xo
Loralee Kolton Jewerly
Are you heading to BeadFest in Philadelphia next weekend? I'm busy working on some last minute creations, can't wait to share them! You can find two of the Art Bead Scene contributors at the show this year. I'm so excited about returning to BeadFest. I'll be bringing tons of new work!
Fellow ABS team member Ashley Bonney from Summer Wind Art will be debuting at BeadFest this year. I can't wait to meet Ashley and shop for her beads!
Be sure to stop and visit William and Andrew from Allegory Gallery. We love having them as an Art Bead Scene sponsor. You'll always find something for your next project at their booth!
Walking into a big bead show like BeadFest can be overwhelming for newbies and old pros alike. Here are my top 10 tips for getting the most out of a bead show.
- Head to the booths with limited selections and one-of-a-kind items first for the best selection.
- Artisan's Alley at BeadFest would be my first stop.
2. Get social before the show!
- Check out the Facebook or Instagram accounts of your favorite vendors to see what they are bringing to the show.
- Follow BeadFest on FB & Instagram to discover new vendors.
3. Stop by Candie Cooper's Tailgate Party before the show opens for exclusive specials!
4. Save on non-bead expenses like the show entrance fee. Here is a coupon for you to print out.
5. Test drive specialty tools at the show to try them out!
- Decide beforehand if you are going to budget for larger purchases like tools or if you'll go home and order them.
- Take advantage of show specials to save on larger purchases.
6. Bring your sales tax license and take advantage of deeper discounts on beads you buy in larger quantities.
- Before the show print out your business info and sales tax number on mailing labels to speed up the check out process at wholesale vendors.
- Don't have a sales tax license? Pair up with the friend to shop at booths that offer discounts on larger quantities.
7. Take breaks during the show. You'll make better choices if you aren't worn out!
- Mix up shopping with visiting with friends. Check out demos and make & takes at the show to pace yourself.
8. Shop for stones at the show. There is nothing like being able to pick out the perfect stands in person!
9. Before the show take a good look at your bead inventory.
- Take photos of your current art bead collection to help you shop the show for coordinating beads.
- Download a few color palettes or design challenges to use a shopping guide. Narrow down your choices while you shop for focal beads and coordinates so they are more likely to get used after you get home from the show!
10. Stock up on rare finds! If you find something you really love at the show, find out if you can purchase more online later. If not, stock up at the show. There is nothing worse than finding a great bead you love to use in your designs and not being able to get more after it's gone!
We have two very talented artists as our wonderful sponsor for the August Challenge. We will have 2 Lucky Winners this Month!
Andrew Thornton of Allegory Gallery creates handmade jewelry, jewelry components and unique art at his studio in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
"We are a creative space that's one part bead store, one part jewelry boutique, one part fine art gallery, and one part gift shop. The aim of Allegory Gallery is to promote artisan craftspeople, inspire the community to explore their creativity, and act as a focal point for classes and artistic education in the area."
Andrew is donating in everything pictured above valued over $50 which is composed of Czech Glass, vintage plastic, blue tiger eye, chocolate jasper, Marsha Neal cabochon, vintage seed beads, and waxed linen.
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Ashley Bonney creates handmade wood beads by woodburning the design and handpainting each one. Ashley is also a jewelry designer and accepts custom orders.
All of this fabulous creativity happens in her Lynchburg Virginia studio.
Ashley is donating beads and components valued over $50.
Twelve Princesses on the way to the Dance by Kay Nieslen
New instructions on where to submit photos of your wonderful Jewelry and Bead creations will be coming soon!!
This Month's art has many different elements that can be used for inspiration: female form, couture, trees, night, peaches, pinks, and high contrast.
We can't wait to see where your creativity takes you with the art for this month's challenge!
**IMPORTANT** Please remember to put AUG ABS in the title or tag of your submission(s). Details for where to post your entries are coming soon.
Provide us with the artist of the Art Beads used and we always love to know all the materials you used.
***Art Beads MUST be used in your entry.***
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