Bead Trends & A Give Away!

My first published piece of jewelry came out in this months Bead Trends. I'm sort of tickled pink, especially because I don't really think of my self as a jewelry maker. But they had a call for jewelry made with art beads and I thought, what the heck. I make beads. Might as well give it a try.

This is the piece that was published. It's got one of my porcelain and bronze branch toggle clasps. It was quite exciting to see how it was photographed in Bead Trends. I love the beautiful photographs in that magazine. The staging and lighting is always superb.

So to celebrate, I'm having a giveaway! I've got a copy of the October issue of Bead Trends that really needs a home and I've got one toggle clasp like the one on my bracelet to go with it. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by Sunday at midnight. I'll mail this out anywhere in the world that the USPS goes. I'll get out the ole random number generator and announce a winner on Monday. And if I can't get that to work I'll have Alice pick a name from her dog dish. She loves paper. She'd love to pick a name.

And if one give away on a Monday isn't enough. Check this one out.

Mary Jane is celebrating her birthday today by giving away this beautiful pair of earings at Love My Art Jewelry. I want these for myself, but it will be OK if you win. So go check them out here.  I love Mary Jane's work!  You can see more on her blog and I highly recommend following her if you don't already. Not only does she make beautiful jewelry using her own hand made components, she writes about her thoughts and inspiration in a beautiful way as well.

Happy Birthday MJ!!!!!

I'm heading back into the studio to finish up a few bits and pieces. But after that I am settling down to an evening catching up on all of your blogs.  Thanks for stopping by!

Thank You, Kelly, Cindy, and Marie

It's been a very rewarding summer for me. Three very talented jewelry designers had pieces featured in four different magazines with my little beads in them.  Let me show you what they designed just in case you missed them.

First up, Kelly of Silver Parrot.

Kelly designed this necklace using one of my barnacle pendants that was featured in the summer Stringing. Isn't it lovely? Kelly and I shared a first here. It was her first publication in Stringing and mine too.

But that's not all.

Kelly designed yet another beautiful piece that uses one of my bronze pieces. This was just published in the fall issue of Stringing.  Kelly recently told me that she sometimes has difficulty keeping designs with art beads simple enough to highlight the art beads. Well I think she's done a fine job of creating beautiful cohesive designs in these two necklaces. Thanks, Kelly!

Next up Marie of Skye Jewels

Marie used my big puffy porcelain lentil as a focal in this beautiful bracelet published in the July Bead Trends. This one even made it to the photographers pick on their blog. I am so pleased that Marie chose to use one of my beads in her design. You see, Marie has had a goal to be featured designer in Bead Trends and this was the issue where she acheived that goal. Congratulations! I feel very honoured that you thought one of my beads was special enough to be included with the designs in this very special issue.

And last but certainly not least, Cindy at Sweet Bead.

This little birdie flew all the way to England in Cindy's Fly Free necklace. This was a very special occasion. Cindy is the first American designer to be published in Beads and Beyond. And she even made the cover! I am always in awe of Cindy's use of metals and wire and this is necklace is no exception. Thank you Cindy for giving that little birdie such a beautiful home.

You know, I am really very grateful that these designers used my beads in their designs. Sure the publication and exposure is nice for me and I am thankful for that. But the thing I take most to heart is that these designers felt inspired enough by my little humble offerings to design beautiful jewelry with them  Thank you!

all jewelry photos were taken by the designers. thank you for sharing them.

Beads 2010

Yesterday was pretty exciting for me when the postie brought me a copy of Beads 2010. I knew at least one of my little pieces was in there but I didn't know which pieces were selected. Worse, I couldn't remember just what I had submitted. January seems so long ago. So it was quite a treat to see my work included in four sections. So many talented bead artists out there and it is a pleasure to see my humble little beads along side of these gifted people.

Now it's back to the studio. I have my first ever bead show coming up May 1st. I have a huge pile of beads to clean up and put into the first firing tonight. The only ones done are in that little cup. But there's no pressure. I've got an entire 8 days to get ready.