Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop

Hey, Hey,

Today is the hop ! For those of you who are just tuning in, Art Bead Scene has organized an ornament blog hop. Below you will find a list if links. Start at the top and start clicking, each link will take you to a handmade ornament made with art beads.

Here is my Poinsettia Ornament. You might recognize the poinsettia as one of my holiday pendants. It has a loop on each side for stringing. I took advantage of these loops for the arched hanger. I used 24 gauge red craft wire and some assorted red, white, and green beads. I started at one loop and twisted the wire to secure it. From there I started weaving, twisting, and adding beads. I used a couple of pieces of wire so I could get some cute spirals along the way. It was super easy. I think it would be just as cute at your desk or on your wall if you didn't feel like hanging it on a tree. You could make the arch a bit longer and hang it off a doorknob.

I added some poinsettia pendants to the Etsy shop this morning. I made sure to include all of the supplies for the ornament so it's a one stop shop. I even made the mini kits a special price for today...just in honor of the blog hop fun.

I hope you enjoy hopping around all day, I know I can't wait to see what everyone has made. Make sure you stop by the blog this weekend for my special open house sale. Starting Thursday and running through Saturday there will be lots going on.

Happy Hopping!

The blog hop participants:

Art Bead Scene

Creative Impressions in Clay

Diva Designs

Elysian Studios

Fab Fibers

For the Love of Beads

Humblebeads

Island Girl's Insights

Jangles

Jeannie's Blog

Lampwork Diva/Cindy Gimbrone

Mary Harding

Michelle Mach

Spirit Rattles

Wondrous Strange Designs

Etsy Jangles

Luna Park Beads

Hi there, I mentioned last week that Art Bead Scene was having a design challenge. It was my month to choose the painting we would all create jewelry from and I chose Luna Park by Vestie Davis. You all know I am in love with folk art so of course I would choose a piece for the challenge. After choosing the painting I decided to challenge myself and come up with a bead that was similar to the pinwheels in the painting. That is my favorite part of the painting. These beads are the result. I have added some sets to the Etsy shop, they are all a little different so check them out here.
Have a good one,

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

Flash Back Tuesday? Holiday Ornaments

Ooops! I completely forgot about Flash back Friday. We have had sick kids and then fall break, I just got sidetracked with all that was going on. I declare today Flash Back Tuesday and I will get back to my regular posting this week, I promise.

Since I was so late on blogging this week, it's a bonus day. We have started a new feature at Art Bead Scene and it's called Ten Dollar Tuesday. Every week we will be featuring a project featuring art beads that costs less than ten dollars to make. Can't beat that, can you? Today it's a fun little pendant from yours truly, so go check it out.



Holiday Ornaments Instructions:

• 1 large ceramic focal bead
  
• 4-6 accent beads
• 1 charm to coordinate
• 12" 18 gauge sterling or aluminum wire
• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• wire cutters

Instructions:

1. Begin by laying out the beads the way you would like them in the wire.
2. Grab the end of the with in the tip of the round nose pliers. Turn the wire to make a small loop, keep turning the wire to make a large loop spiraling out. This will be the hook.
3. String all of the beads onto the wire, excluding the charm. Remember to string the top bead first and continue down the beads you have laid out.
4. Once the beads are strung, make a simple wire loop to finish of the wire. Before closing the loop string the charm onto the loop.

Go hang those ornaments, you're done!

New Etsy Items

It's about time I got some new things up on Etsy! With the big studio redo, I didn't have much time for any of the extra business stuff last week. If I wasn't painting beads, I was painting walls. Now that I am in my new place and ready to work, I could get some new beads up today. I am still going to be putting more up over the next week and I will let y'all know when that happens. I also have added some jewelry. This is just the beginning, I am designing away and will be adding more original, one of a kind pieces all fall.

Tomorrow is my Studio Saturday at Art Bead Scene, be sure to stop by and see what I have been working on. If you leave a comment, you have a chance to win some of my Halloween beads.

Happy Friday!
Jennifer

Art Bead Scene

Good morning,

I don't know if you know but I am officially a writer of the Art Bead Scene Blog. I was pretty honored when they asked me to join. Just in case you don't know about Art Bead Scene, it's a blog dedicated to promoting the use of Art Beads. It's a really great source for anyone who makes jewelry. There are designer and bead maker interviews, business help, color trends, and more. Every month there is a theme and anyone who has designed a project fitting their theme can put their design up on flickr. If you contribute a design you are in the drawing for a really great prize. Plus the photos are are loaded with inspiration. It's a lot of fun. This months theme is Filigree and you can got to the Art Bead Scene Blog to see more about it.

Have a great day,
Jennifer