My Birthday Gift

Hey Hey,
First of all here is what I painted yesterday in my folk art class. We did pet portraits. It's Otis, I had to put a tennis ball in the painting because that is his passion in life. We had to ban balls from the house because he loves to fetch so much. It's painted on a cabinet door and I put glass bobbles, washers, and bottle caps around the edges for fun. I am having so much fun.

I am also super excited because I ordered my birthday gift yesterday. I ordered a bunch of tools to set up a mini metalsmithing station inn my studio. I got some cutters, a dapping block, a center punch, a tube cutter, a torch, and some more. Actually I can't remember everything I bought. Once I get it I will take a photo of my setup. I got a great little wooden table which I am going to convert into a workbench. I would have loved to have bought a workbench but then I would have been able to buy any tools. I can't wait to get it and get started. I have lots of ideas in my head for mixed media beads and of course I want to get started on them now.

Have a great day....Jennifer

Flowers...come on spring

Where flowers bloom so does hope.
- Lady Bird Johnson

Hi all, oh gosh I have a really bad case of spring fever. We had a warm day last week and that was all it took. I am sooo ready for warm sunny days and green grass and flowers. It's funny because I have found myself all winter working on flower beads. I have some new ideas in my head that I have been getting out. You'll have to wait to see them, they are still in the works. But for now I just felt like putting a nice springy picture up. This picture makes me happy.

Jennifer Jangles

Happy Monday

Happy Monday...

How's everyone doing out there? I am itching to get to it today. I have loads of things on my list. Most of it has to do with the Buyers Market of American Craft. I leave in three weeks for it. Eeek! I don't even have all of my jewelry made for it. I did a post about my line Saturday at the Art Bead Scene.

And speaking of the Art Bead Scene...

From the results of my survey, probably half of my blog readers didn't know I was an editor at the Art Bead Scene blog. So today I thought I would give you some links to some past posts I have done there. Just in case you want to check them out.

My Favorite Craft Business Books here

Need a business plan? How to get started here

Do I need a hang tag? here

Make your own earring cards here

Ten Dollar Tuesday project here

A tour of my studio here

I post at least once a week on the blog so I will try to do better at keeping you informed of what going on at the blog. There are loads of contests and challenges there too. You might want to check it out.

Have a great day, Jennifer

Bead Surfin'

About.com Jewelry Making
How are your 2009 jewelry resolutions going so far? Are you staying focused? Take this quick poll and see the results tabulated so far. .

Art Bead Scene
Have a few art bead pieces you'd like to enter in a contest? ABS has a list of the current competitions accepting entries.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi makes a fun denim ribbon corsage in under 30 minutes!

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
A double dose of Divali Glass Jewelry: The Winter Sale starts on Saturday! And Carter is now selling her loose beads on Bead Trust.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Jennifer shows off her new packaging for some of her beads.

Jewelry & Beading
Jamee Jones shares her gorgeous Hawaii-inspired jewelry!

Snap Out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean flips for a jewelry book inspired by the Impressionists!

Strands of Beads
Melissa gets inspired by a quote from Pascal.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew talks about and shares a little bit about his obsession with opalescent glass. Get a sneak-peek at his horde!

Survey Results

Good Day...
So the other night I spent a great deal of time going through my survey results. It was really great for so many of you to take the time to fill it out. I am taking this information seriously. The results have shown that some of my ideas for the new year are going to work out nicely with what you would like to see more of. I am still finalizing some plans for some of the fun stuff and as I soon as I get my ideas gelled I will let you know about it.

One result that I wasn't planning on was that overwhelmingly, everyone wants more choices on Etsy. Some customers would also like to see more finished jewelry. I am going to get started on those two requests right away.

I have been planning an audit of my website...I am taking your suggestions about hole directions, sizing, etc. Unfortunately, web site maintenance takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r. It will be awhile before you see the results.

Everyone out there have a great weekend.....
Jennifer

It's My Birthday! (you get free beads)

Hey Hey...yep, it's my birthday today. The older I get the less exciting they are, but none the less I will celebrate today. Remember a long time ago when I promised pictures of my felt food? Well here's a cupcake I made. It's a fun little project but I have to admit, I have moved on to other crafty things for now. My birthday present from my fam was a folk art painting class. I started last week and it is so much fun. I collect folk art and I love to make it but I never seem to have the time. I found a class at the local art center. I know you're thinking isn't folk art self taught? It is but it's so nice to have a wonderful teacher to gather supplies and found objects. Plus there are other students who all like folk art as much as I do. So the cow was my first painting last week. This week I made the fish and the houses. The fish is a fan blade and the houses are painted on metal boxes I found at a thrift shop. Next week we are doing pet portraits...I'll show you when I am finished.

So you saw the free beads in my post title didn't you? Well here's the scoop. Starting today and running through this Sunday the 25th I will send you one of my new bead promos with any purchase. You can purchase through either the website or my Etsy store. Happy Shopping!

Promo Packaging

Good morning...
Before I get started on this post, I have to say I was glued to the inauguration yesterday. It was fabulous and it feels good to have a new president. Wasn't Aretha's hat the best? I think I was drooling as she sung, I liked it so much. I wish I could pull something off like that.

I was asked to be a sponsor for the Bead Cruise 2009. I was honored to be asked, plus it just sounded like fun. There are seventy people going on this cruise and they will be taking classes and doing fun bead things while on a cruise. Sounds like heaven to me. Too bad it's already sold out, but you can get your name on a list for next year. Anyway, the seventy participants get a goody bag when they arrive. I am sending beads but as you know beads are small and I didn't want them to get lost. My solution was to have these postcards printed up. They have a spot in the middle where the actual bead hangs, the back has my contact information, and then they are in cellophane envelopes. I am really happy with how they turned out. I think I am going to get more printed up for future use. I just thought I would share them with you.

Bead Surfin

Strands of Beads: Give your found-object jewelry a new twist by using cute Japanese trinkets.

Jewelry & Beading: Stamping and beads? The best of both worlds!

Jennifer Jangles Blog: Jennifer shows off what's new for Valentine's Day at Jangles.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry: Carter looks back at Divali Glass Jewerlry designs come and gone, and sees the similarities in her creative style over time.

Carmi's Art/Life: Carmi stuffs some yo yos to make a fabulously light necklace!

Bead&Button magazine: Ann Dee, editor of Bead&Button Magazine, invites beaders to enter the Bead Dreams competition.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts: Barbe reviews Junk to Jewelry & Vintage Redux books .

Art Bead Scene: Do you have a book inside you but not sure you could work with an editor?

About.com Jewelry Making: Jazz up a necklace with a unique focal point or add it to a simple chain for an instant necklace.

Happy Friday!

Etsy Buy Handmade Jangles

Hey Hey...It's Friday. I don't know about you but here it is cold! We had to bundle up at the bus stop this morning. I know a lot of the country is freezing right now, so if you are I hope you stay warm. I can't say much this morning because I have lots of work to do today. I have making and glazing to do, but i have to let the space heater in my glaze studio warm it up before I get out there. Brr. I did get more hearts up on the Etsy store yesterday, they disappeared fast Wednesday.

I am off to work...
Jennifer

I'm Seeing Red

I'm Seeing red, and pink, and white. Yep, it's getting to be that time. Have you been shopping lately? It's everywhere, and I am having to hold myself back from buying chocolate. It's only going to get worse because Easter will be next and then they have Cadbury eggs and malted milk balls. Oh, there goes the diet.

But back to Valentine's day...My website is chocked full of Hearts and more. I thought I would get some links up so you can see it all in one place. It's sometime hard to know what all I have on that site. By the way, if you think I have too much or too little on my site, please take my survey and let me know.

Here we go, let start with all the heart beads....
These come in small or large and in all the Valentine colors.

Heart Bezels, I did a project in yesterdays post with this cute little thing.

Heart Charms, perfect for earrings or a small pendant

Bead Pairs


Hoops

Holiday Pearls, Christmas isn't the only holiday...

Disc beads are great for spacer and adding a bit of color where you need it.

My new heart pendants, lots of them...

Tube Beads, Here is a Valentines necklace made with them.

Valentines Glass Bead Mix, red, pink, and white glass beads

Word Beads





Happy Valentine's Day

Valentines Day is Coming

It's coming! It's officially a month away from today. I am sending out a newsletter today with a new Valentine's project. I promised a few different pendant versions and here they are. Check out my new Heart Pendant on the website.
This pendant is a bezel I filled with red and white glitter and a heart candy. I got the heart candies on Etsy in this cute little shop called Layer Cake Shop. They have all kinds of things to fill your bezels with, plus they make me want to bake something.

I also am asking anyone who has made a purchase from me to take my survey. I am still making out my 2009 goals and I want to hear from you about your experience with Jangles. It's short, only ten questions. Thank you Thank you...I appreciate you taking the time to fill it out.

Have a great day,
Jennifer

Reminder

Good Morning...just a friendly reminder, today is the first day of registration for Bead and Button Classes. They open at noon. You can see my earlier post here with the descriptions. Here is a link to the Show website. Hope to see you there!
Jennifer

Valentines Day

Hey Hey...

This is actually a picture from last year with all my different heart beads, but I thought I would use it since I haven't photographed the new stuff yet. If all goes well and I think it should, a new Valentines newsletter will arrive in your in box. Make sure you sign up on my website if you don't get them.

I have been working on some new heart beads and projects using them. I am digging designing with them. I hope you will like them too.

Well I am off to work on them now....
Talk to you soon,
Jennifer

Bead Surfin

About.com Jewelry Making
Since many of us are trying to get our jewelry studios organized this year, Tammy collected some excellent ideas to help out jewelry designers and crafters of all kinds.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene's January Challenge is Inspired by Irises. Enter a piece of jewelry and win free beads.

Art Jewelry Magazine
Jill's teaching at a retreat; check out the information.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a short demo using the new Sticky Back canvas.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
Carter looks forward to the exciting year ahead and shares some photos from her time away from beads.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Gather some New Years inspiration from the Jangles Blog.

Jewelry & Beading
Gather some New Years inspiration from the Jangles Blog.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Book Review from Jean: Add some sparkle to your New Year with Crystal Chic, a super pretty book by Debbi Simon

Strands of Beads
Looking for new shopping opportunities? Melissa suggests visiting your local rock shop!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew creates a buying guide of skull related beads and pendants.

What's on Tap?

Morning y'all

Check out my new beads! Gosh I love bead shows, they are so much fun. I went to a wholesale show in Asheville on Tuesday. If you haven't been to Asheville, you should. I love that town. I had lunch at my favorite restaurant, Salsa's and then had to get chocolates at The Chocolate Fetish, so yummy. It was rainy or I would have done more shopping, they have great stores.

I am getting ready for the Buyers Market. If you don't know much about it. It's a wholesale only craft market. Shops and galleries come from all over the country to place orders for their stores. I have been doing the show for six years now selling my line of jewelry. Well it's next month and I always like to have a few new designs for the show. I also have to get them photographed and into a catalog. It's a lot of work to get ready for this show but it's a lot of fun once I am there.

It's also tax time. I try my hardest to get my taxes done in January. Spring is when things really start getting busy around the Jangles studio and I don't work well under pressure. Therefore, I have to get my taxes done early. I started sorting recipts yesterday. I swore I was going to clean my studio but I think it might be even messier now with all of the paper piles.

I really like this time of year. I like to look back over what I have accomplished and what I am looking forward to achieving in the next year. I am such a planner, I can't help myself.

What are you working on for the new year? Got any good goals in mind?

Classes

Hey there, I just received my Bead and Button Class Brochure in the mail. I love looking through that book, there are so many great classes being offered. It also reminded me I should announce some of the classes that I will be teaching this year.

Before I give you the list of classes at Bead and Button, I will be teaching a two day workshop in Miami again this year. Last year this workshop was so much fun. I am sure this year will be just as much fun. They are a great group of beaders and I have added some new things to the class, including raku!

Ceramic Vessels and Rattles and an Intro to Raku

Date: Sat and Sun, April 18 - 19, 2009, 10 AM to 4 PM

Description: We are taking ceramic bead making to the next level to create vessels & rattles. Students will learn basic ceramic bead shapes as well as how to create hollow forms: vessels or rattles. For those who didn’t take the 2008 class, the focus will be on basic bead shapes. But, don’t worry, the 2008 class is not a prerequisite and the required kit includes all materials for bead making! In addition, all students will get an introduction to raku, with an opportunity to complete one pendant.

You can see more information here at the South Florida Jewelry Arts Guild.

Here are the Bead and Button Classes....
There are several more this year because I know last year the first sold out so quickly, we wanted to make sure everyone could fit it in their schedule this year.

I have a two day ceramic bead making workshop.

Making Ceramic Beads, Components, and Findings

Description
Come learn the techniques of ceramic bead making from the author of “Ceramic Bead Jewelry.” In this fun class, you will learn everything you need to know about making, glazing, and firing your own ceramic beads. Students will learn how embedded wire is used for making components and findings as well as beads. Class will focus on making the basic shapes, links, components, hollow beads, and pendants. Different decorating techniques will be discussed. Past students have completed as many as 30-100 beads in class.

Making Ceramic Beads and Vessels

Description
This fun class is taught by the author of “Ceramic Bead Making.” The class will focus on the basics of ceramic bead and vessel making. Learn to make basic ceramic bead shapes and pendants. Also learn vessel-making techniques for making rattle beads, miniature amphoras, and more. Learn to decorate the beads in class using underglazes and glazes.

Ceramic Bead Making

Description
Come learn the technique of ceramic bead making in this class. This fun class is taught by the artist and author of “Ceramic Bead Making.” Students will learn to make basic bead shapes, pendants, and components. Students will decorate the beads in class using underglazes and glazes. Additional session offered Sunday, June 7 (B09325).

Kilns 101

Description
Have a kiln but are afraid to use it? Thinking about buying a kiln and not sure which one to buy? This is the class for you. Many kilns can be used for ceramics, glass, and metal clay. Students will learn which kilns are best for each media. There will be demonstrations on loading and firing ceramic beads, glass fusing, and firing metal clay. We will go over sample firing schedules for all three medias. There will also be an extensive question-and-answer session, so students are encouraged to bring their kiln manuals to class.

As always please e-mail me if you have any questions about the classes. I am always happy to help you choose the right class or answer questions about them. Registration for the Miami workshop is in progress right now. The Bead and Button Classes open on January 13th for registration.

Have a great day, Jennifer

My Holiday Break

Seagull Footprints



Hey Hey, It's good to be back! I can say that because I had a really nice break. I had a nice visit with our families, a camping trip to Florida to enjoy some warm weather, and I got to paint my living room! Now I am itching to get back at it. Hope everyone out there got to have a bit of a break too. Of course when you take a break or at least when I take a break....It gives me time to think about all the new things I want to do. I have a list a mile ling of things to do. I have some new bead and jewelry ideas bouncing around in my head, plus there taxes to be done, orders to ship, and on and on. I feel a big list coming on. I love to make lists and check things off. Jangles has a board meeting once a month. I go to the local coffee shop and sit and make lists. List of what I need to do, want to do. and lists of goals. I get better thinking in when my computer isn't near to drag me in to working. Yes, Jangles, 9which is just me), has board meetings, I also have a Christmas party. Hey! who says you can't?

So my post may be a bit scattered brained today but that's because I am too. I will be back with better things to say later....Just wanted to say hello for now.

Have a great Day and a Happy New Year!
Jennifer