New Beads

I have been working on some new beads AND new jewelry. Now I know I use the word excited a lot on this blog, but it's because I blog about things I am excited about. Today is no exception. For the first time in forever, I am working with new glazes. That's always a challenge but these babies are so springy and I am loving what's coming out of the kiln. I'll do my best to take a sneak peek photo soon. I'm just not completely ready to debut them, I want to have all of the kinks worked out.

Stay tuned...

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Drop Earrings

Hello and Happy Friday!

Just wanted to "drop" in for a quick hello and show you my drop earrings. If you received my newsletter yesterday you saw the new O pendant and wire wrapping tutorial. These are my earrings to match. I have been wearing these a lot since I made them. I am thinking I will need a few more pairs in other colors.


Have a great weekend,

Bathroom Re-do and a Sneak Peek

Howdy!

We here at the Heynen house are down to our last rooms that are still "builder beige". We have been slowly working on out family room all winter(pictures coming soon). But now that it's spring we usually go outside and work on the garden and porch area. We have a plan for the bathroom so we decided to squeeze in one last indoor home improvment project. I wanted to take some before pictures but I ran to the grocery store and when I returned Nik had already started taping. I guess you just get to see the basics here.

We got a snazzy red paint for the walls and sanded and painted the cabinets a nice black. We used milk paint, I love that stuff. Nik would probably give me a hard time here, I am saying "we", but really he did all the painting, my work comes next.

It will probably be a few weeks before my part is ready, so check back in later for progress.

On to another subject here.... I am working on a newsletter today that will go out later this week. First of all, if your not signed up, go here and get on the list. There's going to be a coupon for newsletter receivers only. Tempting eh? Here's a little sneak peek of what's coming.

Have a great day!

Beads and Quilts

Hi y'all, I didn't really have much to say in my post today. That rarely happens, but I miss you and wanted to blog. So..... lots of making and glazing going on today. I have a nice pile of orders that are taking top priority today. I also have this big list of new beads I want to make.

Let's see what is happening here...

I spent the weekend at my local quilt show, it was a lot of fun seeing friends and meeting new people. I also got the chance to tell a lot of people about the gallery. It was fun to hear how excited people were. Oh, and I have a picture...

I also added some fun little bead sets to the Etsy shop last night. I like these little sets of threes a lot. Maybe a pendant and earrings or a swing necklace?

I feel lots of jewelry making coming on...I think the spring weather is inspiring me..I am exploding with ideas.

Talk to ya soon!

Sneak Peek and Dates

Good day!

I want to apologize for my absence....in setting up the studio there have been some technical difficulties. Nik and I, well really Nik is still trying to get the computer up and running at the studio. It shouldn't be too long and I will be back to blogging and e-mailing.

Things are super busy around here. I have several big orders that I am trying to get out before the holidays. Another reason for my absence....

I thought I would give you a sneak peek of some new work. I am working on some new beads and kits for January. This is all you get for now, come back in January for more. I can't wait to show you, I think you will like it.

As for the rest of this year....here are the dates you need to know. Last day for website orders is December 17th, that's this Friday! Wow! Etsy orders can be placed all the way until December 21st. If you're placing an order late and you want it in time for Christmas, you might have to pay some extra shipping. I will e-mail you if that is necessary.

Jangles will then be closed from December 23rd- January 2nd for the holidays. I need a break after the year I have had!

I promise to post more studio photos as soon as the computer is up and running.

Have a great day,
Jennifer

Goody Jars

I just had to share the Holiday Project with everyone. It is so simple but I think they are stinkin adorable. These good be gifts for anyone. The pickled okra and peppers for my dad...I canned an entire case of it for his birthday present in July! The gumballs for my little guys and the chocolate for the baby sitter. The tags are up in the Etsy shop as well as my website and beside that you just need a jar and some ribbon , fabric, or felt. I used double sided tape to make sure the fabric stayed where it needed to be and the ribbons and cord were secured with a bow in the back.

Enjoy!

P.S. I just added a ton of new things to the Etsy shop today!

Etsy Jangles

Lots To Do

Hey, Hey! If I am a bit non existent in blog land this week be sure I am still around. I leave for Bead and Button in a week and a half. There are so many things to do, like make more of those cute little bird house pendants above. Today is the day for that, and starfish, and flowers. I will do my best to get some up on Etsy before I leave.

Last week was Quilt Market also. I didn't go this time because I just have my fabric designs on paper. But this October I will be traveling to the show in Houston to exhibit. I will be showing off my fabrics and buttons to the quilt world. I am anxiously waiting to hear what everyone thought of my fabric. I will also be reading lots of blogs this week to see all of the great new fabric from other designers that debuted this week also. So much fun! By the way, I will have my fabic book at the Bead and Button show so if you want to see them in person, just ask when you stop by the booth.

Okay, got to make some pancakes for one of the little guys before I head out to the studio....

Have a great day,

Give Away Friday

Hey! Hey! It's give away Friday again. I took a few weeks off. I can't say that was my plan I think those Fridays just sneaked up on me. Leave me a comment for this post and you will be entered to win a woodland snail bead. He is a one of a kind because he has a hole. My snails are usually charms. I think he's pretty darn cute and almost hate to part with him. I am sure he will scoot on to a good home. You can post a comment until Monday morning when I will pick a random winner. I can't give you an actual ending time but it will be once the boys are on the bus and I am sitting at my computer drinking my morning mocha. I am so official. :)

Let's see there are so many things going on in the Jangles studio right now, there is just a buzz about the place. It's so exciting that my fabric is available for order now. This also means that my buttons are being ordered by quilt shops too. I am in full speed production right now. I have a humongous kiln being loaded today with all sorts of stuff. I can't believe it but I think I will have almost everything in stock on my website after today. There are just a few items left to make. Wohoo! I didn't think that was really possible. I also have some new birdies in the kiln. All different colors, I can't wait to see them all together. One more thing and then I will stop....I also just placed an order for some new stamps. I am super excited to get them. I make my texture pendants with stamps that I hand draw. I drew out some new designs and am having them made as we speak. It will still be a few weeks before I can even start making things with them, but I am sure you will here about it when I do. The ideas are churning in my head. Whew! That was exhausting just telling you about it all.

Before I go and let you start leaving your comments, I thought I should mention again, my Bead and Button classes. I can't believe it's only six weeks away(or close to that). I am teaching a bunch of ceramic bead making classes and a jewelry making class. It's always a good time. So if you were thinking about signing up now is the time. I really hope to see you there. I love when I get to spend the day with someone that I have talked to online, it's fun!

Alrighty, get to commenting, and I will be back here on Monday, mocha in hand, to let you know who the winner is.

Have a great weekend,

New Beads!

Flower Vine

Good Morning!

I woke up again Saturday morning and had new beads in my head . I hope this is a trend that continues. Here are a few of the new things, you can see them all here at the website. I will have something made up for tomorrow with these new components. I have lots of ideas but need to find the time, you know how that goes.

I have a big week coming up and I am trying to prepare for it now. My studio is continuing to leak but we have found the man to fix our problem! Wahoo! Jangles will be dry soon. But to get to a drier state, I have to move everything out of my studio. Yep...everything. They will be jackhammering a drainage ditch and more. It's going to be messy and take at least a week. I am in the planning stages of where everything is going to go into the house, what I will be working on, etc. I am trying to come up with work stations around the house. I am a planner, it's genetic(thanks mom), so I am probably overly obsessing. I hate to loose things and I know this move will loose things. I have already lost my notebook this morning and I need it to plan. What a mess!

Any who...the good news is this. I have to paint the floor and walls again in parts, this is giving me the opportunity to change things if I would like. So I am dreaming up new layouts and colors. I am planning(there I go again) to take it slow moving things back in so I can get it just the way I want it. I really don't ever want to move things again.

Disco Hoop

Flower Link

By the way, don't forget there is free shipping all month at the Jangles website.

Everybody have a good day!

What's New

Hey, Hey,

These are the new beads I was working on last weekend. I am really happy with the way the turned out.

This is how it all started. It was beautiful outside and Birkley wanted to make clay animals. We sat out in our back porch and played with clay. I have been thinking about snails quite a bit lately, I am not sure why, but they just keep popping my head. I took that as a sign and I thought I would work on some snail beads while Birk was playing. Well, I think my snail turned out pretty cute and I thought he needed some wood land friends. I looked around because I live in the woods and Birk and I came up with more and more things I could make to go with my snail. Hence the woodland bead collection was born. It was a challenge to glaze them because they would usually be beads that would be more earthy and muted in color. But come on.... I don't make beads like that! So I painted them up in bright colors and put as many polka dots and stripes as I could on them. I think the owls are my favorite. I am working on a project with him for my upcoming newsletter as we speak. So what do you think?

Birkley had more suggestions like slugs and snakes but I didn't think anyone would want slug charms.

And about my picture at the top. I found that sweet little patch of fuzzy moss in the woods, I new before I even had the beads out if the kiln that I had to photograph them on that. I had to lay down in mud to get that picture but I think it was worth it. I just hope the neighbors weren't watching me. Oh, the glamorous life of an artist.

Have a great day,
Jennifer

Hearts Have Arrived

They are up! I just listed a bunch of new hearts up in my Etsy shop. I am super excited about them. I have a lot of red and pink, but I couldn't resist making some bright colors. Some of the beads I wanted to keep for myself and I am still thinking about holding onto them, but I listed for now. Scroll down to see some more....

So Valentiny (is that a word?)

Who says hearts have to be red?

Textures and Polka Dots

Have a great Day,

New Link Beads

Hello,
I just added some new links to my website. I thought I would show you what I made with them. This is a necklace with objects and my new links. I have started making them smaller than the original links I have always made. These measure about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. The small size makes them very versatile. I have used them in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
You can see them here on the website.
Have a great day,
Jennifer

Etsy Buy Handmade Jangles

New Stuff all Around

Good evening...

I haven't been getting around to posting in the mornings like I usually do, but better late than never. So I finally sucked it up and bought Photoshop. I have needed it for about ten years now but I never wanted to pay the big price tag. I finally got it last week and I have to say I am addicted. It's hard to learn all of the steps and options but oh it's fun. I made a new banner for my blog above and a banner for mt Etsy shop.

The big disc at the top of this post is also new too. I just added it to my website. I just had a project in Creative Jewelry with one of these discs used as a pendant. They will also be featured in a project in another publication next month...but more of that later. Anywho I love working with them. I have done a bunch of crafty projects and sewing projects with them too. As soon as I can get things photographed I will get my projects up here on the blog.

Also as we are speaking of new things, I just added these super cute links to my Etsy store. I made some earrings with them that I have been wearing ever since, once again no photo until later, sorry. This is the problem with posting in the evenings, it's too dark to take pictures. But I will get them up soon. I am liking these links so much, I am thinking of adding them to the website too. I can think of so many possibilities for them.

That's it for this evenings post, I have to get back to watching Wipeout with my boys. It's our favorite show....

Jennifer

Last Day for Etsy Orders and New Beads!

Hey, Hey...
I am just finishing up some last minute things before I take a studio break...I just got these new beads out of the kiln and I couldn't wait to show them off. I am super excited how they turned out.

Etsy Buy Handmade Jangles

As you know Jangles is taking a summer break for a couple of weeks. I just wanted to remind you that if you need something soon from the Etsy store today(until midnight) is the last day to order and still have it shipped. I will be back to the studio on July 20th. Keep checking the blog while I am away, I will still have posts regularly.

New Beads

Just in case you missed my last newsletter, I have added some new disc beads to my website. You can find them here. These are the same beads that I use to make the beads charm bracelet I showed in yesterday's post.

It's about time...

I unloaded my kiln and got lots of great beads out of it. I spent almost the entire day yesterday getting my Etsy store filled up. That's where the title of this post came from "it's about time", because my Etsy shop has been pretty empty for awhile. But it's filled again and I plan to add even more over the next week. The Creative Celebration is next Wednesday, one week away! I am preparing a reminder newsletter right now, I will post the details tomorrow about the hours etc, tomorrow.
Have a great day, Jennifer

Hot Kiln

Good morning!
I am anxiously waiting for my kiln to cool down. I have loads of new stuff in it. I can't wait to see whats in there. I am hoping to get some of new beads up on Etsy, I know my store has been a bit empty. I am working on it and my goal is to get it filled up this week. So the kiln has to cool down to 175 and then I can open it. It will still be warm but I can handle pretty hot stuff after all these years of firing kilns. When we got to restaurants and they hand me a hot plate with gloves on and I take it from them. The waiter always freaks out, it's always fun.

Okay so here are some links for now...stay tuned for new beads
Jennifer

About.com Jewelry Making
Jewelry and taxes, ick! But maybe these tips will help you navigate through this beader's nightmare.

Art Bead Scene
We all need a little bit more organization. Here's a nifty organizer for your tools.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe talks about her love of Egyptian Jewelry

Bead&Button magazine
Lesley shares tips on getting organized from her and the staff

Carmi's Art/Life
Carmi prints her favorite images onto cotton to create a new fiber necklace.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Katie Hacker designed a fabulous necklace using some of Jennifer's pinwheel beads.

Jewelry & Beading
We've been concentrating on organic materials for jewelry making this month, and Cyndi has rounded up a few of her projects that fall into that category!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Come read Jean's review of this super new book by Kim Gover: Designing Jewelry with semiprecious beads!

Strands of Beads
Melissa discusses shopping opportunities for unusual stone-wrapped chain

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Finding inspiration in an unlikely place, Andrew creates a necklace based on a Jell-o dessert.

New Beads

Hey Hey, I know I said I wasn't going to post my holiday projects on my blog, but today I just couldn't help myself. I love these little holly leaf charms and balls. I just added the beads to the website and the kits for these two pieces too. Don't they get you thinking about the Holidays? Maybe a little?

Have a great day,
Jennifer

Harvest Moon

Hey there! Did you see the moon last night. Oh it was pretty, it was the harvest moon. I took this photo on my way back from the bus stop this morning. It was huge and yes, still dark out. Not for long we change our clocks in a few weeks, then it will be sunny at the bus stop, but we have to trade that for dark at dinner time. Yuck, it gets really depressing when it's pitch black and you haven't had dinner. I am sure that's why we have so many Christmas lights. It's the only thing that's good about it getting dark so early, we have longer to enjoy them in the evenings. Aaaa! Christmas lights, I love em.

Oh and above is a cute little house and "Home Sweet Home" beads that I just added to my website. I did make a necklace with them already and now I want to make a cute little bracelet. I think it would be great for a realtor gift. I also have some other projects in mind, I need to get working on them.

I have a huge load of beads in getting to go into the kiln today, if you placed and order recently, they are going out tomorrow. Sorry about the wait...sick kids and fall break slowed me down.

Have a great day,
Jennifer

New Beads

Good Afternoon all,

Whew, what a day. Wednesdays are always hectic for me now that the Ten Holiday projects are going out weekly. I have been making orders, designing projects, shipping orders, etc. Because of this, I don't get to my blogging as much as I would like too. But I made it here today to blog. Above is a Holiday necklace to get you in the mood. I have some other pieces I would liked to have photographed but darn it, it's raining. It's great it's raining since we haven't had a good amount since August, but it throws me off. I take all of my photos outside for the bright sunlight. I did manage to get a few things up on Etsy today but I am not happy with my rainy day photographs so tomorrow, if it's not raining I will re shoot them.

About the necklace...

This necklace is jammed packed with holiday beads. You might notice there are some new designs in there. I have added poinsettias, candy canes, Santa hats, and more to the website for the season.

It's back to work for me.....
Have a great day,
Jennifer