Beadblogger's Sunday

It was a beautiful weekend here in Minneapolis. I KNEW we'd eventually have Indian summer! Joe, Emma and I went for a hike in the local prairie nature reserve.


Emma was so cute, like a jubilant little foal, jumping, racing, and tackling. It's so fun to see a preteen set down the cell phone and let loose a little.


Emma and Joe are so sweet together. There's something very special about the bond between a father and a daughter, isn't there?


The trees are bare now, so the trunks looked absolutely stunning against the blue sky. We were trying to identify this white-trunked tree stand. They aren't birch because the leaves are maple-like. Anyone know what it is?


As we walked, I'd see a lone tree and feel compelled to stop. These single, now-dormant living things prepared to withstand our ridiculous winters always strike me as powerful.


It was also Joe's birthday, and in a fluke of scheduling, I ended up making two gluten-free, dairy-free birthday cakes for him. Here was Friday night's concoction, which was a huge hit with the family. It has very low sugar content and they ended up eating the leftovers for breakfast on Saturday morning.


Jean's GF/DF Berry Custard Tart

Prepare this GF pie crust or use another type of crust. Press it into a greased springform pan and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Whip together:
3 T DF cream cheese
2 T DF sour cream
2 t sugar or agave
1 egg

Pour the custard mixture onto the hot crust and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Combine:
1 c mixed berries
1/2 c fruit juice
2 T arrowroot powder or cornstarch
1 T sugar or agave

Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly until the sauce just thickens. Set aside to cool.

Pour the fruit sauce over the custard. Garnish with additional berries. Once everything is completely cool, remove the edges of the springform pan to serve.

Here was Saturday night's birthday cake, a GF Banana Cake with Truffle Sauce:


For this one, I actually followed a recipe, a novelty for me. I switched it up a bit by substituting DF sour cream, then melted truffles over the top and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. This one is obviously a lot more decadent than Friday night's celebratory food item, but as well-received.

It was a great weekend, but now I need to buckle down and prepare for my upcoming classes at Ladybug Beads in St. Louis. Hoping the weather holds for my drive down!

Looking for some beaderly inspiration? Check out what my beadblogging pals have been up to:

A Bead A Day
It's Arts & Crafts Week on Lisa's A-Bead-A-Day Blog! A different craft product is featured each day with ideas for incorporating them into jewelry pieces. Stop by and share your ideas!

About.com Jewelry Making
Make it merry with holiday jewelry and crafting ideas.

Art Bead Scene
An Art Bead Scene first - the December sponsors collaborate on a special set of art beads for the December monthly challenge prize!

Barbe Saint John - New Treasures from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe is the last link in a Necklace Round Robin, Check out the finished pieces!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses a leather button to make a wearable collage.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
Cindy has developed a new line of jewelry to remind us all to live life slowly and enjoy what we have. First in the series is "Grounded."

Jean Campbell
Jean describes what it's like to edit someone's book and shares her thoughts on Marcia DeCoster's latest, Beaded Opulence.

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi is giving away a copy of Ronna Sarvas Weltman’s unique polymer clay book called "Ancient Modern". Come and get in on this contest!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Liver of Sulfur is finally in Lorelei's repertoire of jewelry techniques.

Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!
jean is amazed by the treasures you find in Cynthia Thornton's spectacular wonder of a book, Enchanted Adornments!

Strands of Beads
Melissa trys out Friendly Plastic (and likes the results).

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew adds new pieces from Hawaiian artist, Candice Wakumoto, to his shop.

Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence

My job puts me in close contact with lots of creative people. When I edit a book for one of these people, my task is really to act as the doula, or midwife, to see that the book gets born in one perfectly formed piece. I don't know if you've ever given birth or been in attendance before, but it's an incredible experience, filled with equal amounts of drama and joy. Giving birth to a book has many of the same qualities, and I've been so lucky to be around for the arrival of many, many book births.

Like a real baby's birth, helping give birth to a book is very emotional. I see authors when they are at the height of their genius, but often at their most vulnerable. It's during this time that I often make very close bonds to these authors, and I'm so grateful to count many of them as friends.

Editing Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence was no different. I didn't know Marcia that well beforehand--she was just one of those big-name teachers that I'd always dreamed of crossing paths with. So when I was asked to work on her book, I was thrilled. Working with Marcia on her book was a delight, and we became fast friends.


I'll be honest, though. When I was first asked to do this book, I wasn't too excited about the subject matter: right-angle weave. I hated that stitch and avoided it like the plague. But when I dove in to start helping Marcia shape the words and refine the instructions, I was flabbergasted. Marcia's projects, instructions, and illustrations make right-angle weave actually fun. In the book, she gives us a flavor of the stitch with easy projects like Spun Glass and Abacus, then builds slowly to show us different ways to open up, sculpt, embellish, and combine techniques in projects like Amphora and Quetzal.

When editing a book like this, you really get into an author's creative mind, and I found that Marcia's mind for jewelry construction is superb...just plain smart. I'll give you an example: When I'm working on an editing job I usually tackle one project first thing in the morning while my brain is still fresh. Some pieces take a few hours, some take all day. When I was editing Marcia's book, I woke up one morning with lots of energy decided to pick out the most gnarly-looking piece in the box. It was a bracelet called Fanfare, an accordion-like number that undulates with sparkling crystal ribs. As I began to read Marcia's instructions, I audibly yelped with delight! This project is very straightforward and relatively easy. It's the way Marcia combines the elements that make it look so complicated, and as far as I'm concerned, that's just pure genius.

Beaded Opulence has been out for a while now and has consistently been at the top of the Amazon jewelry-making charts. I know the book is doing well and Marcia doesn't need too much help promoting it, but I wanted to underscore that this is a great book for any beadweaver to add to their shelves. If you've been on the fence about getting it, just do it, especially if you hate right-angle weave like I did. Because of Marcia, I use the technique all the time now. Thanks, my good friend!

Beadblogger's Sunday

My head and the sky have been in consort today.


A wall of swirling gray clouds with brief respites of clear blue. I know the rain/snow will come, but afterward the clouds will clear and it'll be blue skies up above.

For me, this swirly-head condition is definitely part of the creative process. Those tumbling, misty thoughts, though sometimes confusing and uncomfortable, are important building blocks to getting things done, whether it's for designing a new piece for The Book (sneak peek!):


Or just getting the motivation to rake the yard...both of which were on the docket today.

What kind of sky does your creative process look like? Fluffy white clouds? Blazing streaks of color in a blistering sunrise or sunset? Thunderheads? Please share, since I know I'm not the only one with my head in the clouds.

While you're pondering that, check out what the Beadbloggers have been up to this week. Such an amazing, creative group!

A Bead A Day
Looking for a great way to commemorate a special moment or gift? Design a piece of jewelry!

About.com Jewelry Making
It's like Wal-Mart, only you want to be there in this virutal tour of Shipwreck Beads.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene is having a book fair. Read up on your favorites!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has finally discovered how great polymer clay is.

Cindy Gimbrone aka the Lampwork Diva
Not thinking about your holiday gift list yet? Cindy helps get you started with a Knot Ready for Prime Time Lucky Knots and Friends Projects so you can get started now!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shares her final Crystal Week necklace... a piece she calls Woodland Mermaid

Jewelry & Beading
Krystal Backer, beading artist, shares her creative inspirations with Cyndi.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Have you been following Lorelei's Necklace Round Robin? Come take a look at the finished pieces!

Snap Out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews a delightful book by the editor of BeadStyle: Cathy Jakicic

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her favorite necklace created for Cynthia Thornton's Enchanted Adornments and winner in the metal clay category of the British Bead Awards

Hallowed Eve

It's no big secret what my favorite holiday is...


But my love of Halloween isn't about the spookiness or candy or even the costumes (although dressing up is pretty high on the list). For me, this Autumn-to-Winter time of year, which coincides with the Mexican celebration Dios de los Muertos is an extremely healthy, spiritual period. It's a time we're reminded that the burgeoning life of Summer and harvest of Fall must end, but that Spring will come again... It's a beautiful metaphor for our lives. A great time to not only honor the dead and feel their presence, but also acknowledge the basic human tenet "You can't take it with you."


The frippery, trimmings, and general stuff we own, want, and pine for will still be here when we're gone. All we really have is what's inside, you know? What we've experienced in our own lives and how we've been a part in others' lives...


Sculptures like this one (photo by Tomascastelazo) are so poignant to me. They depict Las Catrinas, or high society women. The costume, flowers, and bones are all that's left, you know? Her spirit doesn't have anything to do with all that pretty stuff, but boy, she probably worked hard her whole life trying to get it. A great reminder for all of us as we work ourselves ragged, wanting more and more...


In the Latin tradition, I usually put together a little arrangement on my shelf this week honoring the people in my life who've moved on. I place their photos and maybe a bauble or two that reminds me of them. People like my mom and dad....


And my brother...


The practice feels pretty powerful. I'd highly recommend it, no matter what your spiritual bent.

It's a great time of year, but I'm not contemplative 24/7, of course--I completely celebrate the all-out goofiness of Halloween. We usually have a rousing pumpkin-carving party and we go all-out with zombies sitting on the front porch, ghosts in the trees, and terrifying music blaring. So dramatic and fun!

Halloween is just about the only time of year that I'm interested in holiday-themed jewelry. You might want to check out my Beading Daily blog on Vampire Couture, which I find pretty interesting (a nice tie-in to Steampunk, actually!). Other bits and pieces I'm loving right now? Check out these fabulous charms from Green Girl Studios. I'm such a sucker for these folk-style skulls, and I adore how the heart looks like a mad scientist made it...


And wow! Look at these eyeball beads from Nightside Studios. Don't they make your mind reel with ideas?


Ralph McCaskey, the mad genius behind Nightside also sent me these eyeball posts. They come in a wide range of colors and shapes. Can't you just see them embedded into
a polymer clay sculpture or incorporated into a beadwoven/strung piece? Definitely check out the Nightside Gallery for some great ideas.


I can't go without sharing these wonderfully whimsical Memento Mori pendants from Earthenwood Studio. They are so like Mexican calaveras de azucar and hit right at the heart of my love of this time of year! Well done, Melanie!


Do you have the same love of this time of year that I do? How do you celebrate? What's your favorite part? What will be your costume? Going to a party? I'm dying to know!

Beadblogger's Sunday

Emma and I headed over to the Fall Twin Cities Bead Bazaar today. Thank goodness our city has such a great bead show! Thanks go to Doris Coghill, the super-duper show organizer!


I love seeing everyone at these shows, and every once in a while I run into a totally unexpected person. Today it was none other than Robin Atkins! Robin lives in Washington state, but is out this way to be with family. I haven't seen her in years, so it was a special treat to catch up.


After the financial report I received from the House of Campbell's CFO yesterday, I promised myself I'd be good and not spend any money at this show. Sound familiar? Ugh. I'm so weak when it comes to the shiny stuff... First off, I just had to have these beautiful vintage buttons from Doris. Wish you could see the real ones--the bottom one has a beautiful hot pink reflection.


Also couldn't resist this gorgeous brass flower from Glass Garden. I'm hoping to use it in a new constructed piece I've been putzing with.


Speaking of construction, I laid down a load of jing I don't have at Beadbury, which is one of my absolutely favorite stops at the Bead Bazaar. Among other flotsam and jetsam, I set myself up for soldering, like Jackie's doing here.


I did a lot of silver soldering at SMCDAA, but I haven't done this soldering-gun type of construction since high school, and there's more times than I can count lately that I've wanted to connect metal to metal. So I broke down and got the whole set up. Here's a snap of my pusher, Tam Helmin. What a friendly, helpful person! (Oh, and check out her etsy site! Some really fun stuff there...)


Well, it's Sunday, which means, as promised, I deliver a great list of links from my bead blogging buddies. Here you go...enjoy!

A Bead A Day
Does a simple design equal a "Zen" experience? Lisa would love to hear your thoughts on when simple designs are able to make an impact.

About.com Jewelry Making
After posting a new jewelry book review for a very cool mixed media book, Tammy is looking a head to other reviews coming up very soon.

Art Bead Scene
You've heard of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? Well, this Sisterhood shares bracelets.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe gets tangled up with Chain Style book review

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi decided to finally use her bead stash from Paris.

Cindy Gimbrone aka the Lampwork Diva
Cindy's got some new findings from Ornamentea. What's she going to make with them?

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
The inspiration for Melanie's Machinery of Nature necklace comes from science, steampunk, and nature.

Jewelry & Beading
Little beaded flowers are addictive to make, and before you know it, you've got enough for a complete necklace!

Katie's Beading Blog
Check out Katie's ideas on making your old beads new again- and make some affordable gifts along the way!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Better get on board, Lorelei is having the last of the Enchanted Adornments giveaways. Leave a comment to play!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean has a little Boo power going on for her in this hand made Halloween bracelet!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off metal clay goodies from Rings & Things

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew revisits a bracelet design and creates six others.

The Creative Process can be a Chore

I've been spending a lot of time this week designing what I'm hoping will be a pair of very elaborate, draping, sparkly earrings for The Book, but the earrings still aren't finished. You'd think, "Hey--a pair of earrings? Easy." But I've easily made 5 attempts at them already, and still haven't had success.

The creative process is a tricky one, isn't it? And ever so time-consuming with beads. Here's a quick overview of my battle:

Here are the components I started with:(from left) a very thin 6mm foil-backed crystal triangular stone (#4722); an 11.5mm foil-backed crystal chaton (#1028/SS50); and a very thin 8x4.8mm foil-backed topaz drop stone (#4300).


I felt compelled to bezel those tiny crystal fancy stones with size 15 seed beads, so I tried doing so with some pretty rhodium beads from Virginia and Carol. I figured out the complicated bezeling for the shape, but realized I didn't like how the seed bead color washed out the crystal brilliance. Plus, the metallic plating on these beads are just a micro millimeter too thick, making it look slightly bulky.


So I went with a more neutral antique-gold lined seed bead and played with the pattern a bit to get a tighter fit. Here's one attempt at a more stream-lined backing. (Didn't work.)


Finally came up with a pattern that looked tighter, but unfortunately I feel the crystals in this version overpower the beadwork. I also realized the rounded seed beads are part of the problem in making the bezel look messier than it should.


Out came the size 15 Delicas in a gold-lined version. Right bead. Right color. The bezels definitely look more clean.


Bezeling the chatons came next. I really wanted to try something different, copying a technique I'd come up with for smaller chatons in a different project in The Book, but this attempt failed because the larger chatons are so thick.


Ended up with the tried-and-true right-angle-weave-to-peyote-stitch transition to make these. They are nice and tight and fully covered on the back so the sharp chaton point won't hit the neck while the earrings are worn...


So now on to bezelling those itty bitty drops. Here's my first attempt at a cup.


I'm realizing quite quickly that bezeling these suckers may be impossible. I'll give it another whirl or two, but may need to change course and use a drop with a hole in it instead...we'll see!

So that comprises about 10 hours of design work with no finished project to speak of. Lots of learning, though, and a couple of pretty nice components that employ some unusual materials.

Am I the only one who works like this? You know...stitching up the whole thing before realizing it needs a major change? Or do you see everything clearly right away? If the latter's the case, please tell me your secret!

Beadbloggers Sunday

The snow and freezing temperatures in Minnesota the last few weeks have left us all hoping for an Indian Summer around here. Okay, okay, I know...snowball's chance... But today it's 45 degrees, sunny, and the fall colors are brilliant against the blue sky.


There's nothing like a sunny day to perk up my spirits, and a walk through the yard to pick up leaves makes me feel like a kid again.


Aren't these leaves just beautiful? They're from the maple tree outside my bedroom window. I love how the reds and golds stream into the room when the sun hits the tree just right. When I set the leaves against the white backdrop to shoot them I realized how important the black is in setting off the bright colors. What a wonderful color lesson for today!


Speaking of color lessons, have you checked out Margie Deeb's Fall 2009 Color Report for Bead & Jewelry Designers? Margie, a color master, has done yet another fantastic job with this one. Her report uses Pantone's fall fashion color report as its base, then builds from there by suggesting Delica and Swarovski colors to help us jewelry-makers stay on top of fashion forecasts and trends.


So now it's back to the bench for me. I'm currently working on a cuff for The Book, struggling a bit with these fabulous crystal rivets, but loving how they look pierced into the metallic vinyl. (Have I ever worked so hard making designs for a book? Nope. Have I ever had so much fun doing it? Nope!)

It's Sunday, so I know you'll want to know what my blogging buddies are up to. Here's the list...enjoy the day!

A Bead A Day
Do you have a distinctive style or do you go where the wind blows you? Lisa would love to hear about your design process.

About.com Jewelry Making
Fall is in the air, at least in some areas of the world, so it is time to think about making fall jewelry.

Art Bead Scene
ABS shares a motherlode of giveaways for October.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe gets a mini artpiece from Artbeads.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi makes some resin filled embellishments quickly!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
There's a new addition to the Heartz n Skullz Family. Come check out the new Skully Bowz!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie heats things up with some fire inspired crystal and porcelain beads in her newest necklace from her Art Beads crystal week

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi shares the instructions for a special necklace that she made for a friend, called "The Fourth Day of Creation"

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lampwork glass beads always end up in Lorelei's work, and she passes on links to one of her favorites!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is wowed by the plethora of activities a beader can find this weekend, both online at Earthenwood Studio and also at the supergreat classic, Soft Flex Glass Art and Bead Festivals!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shares her new work, "Natural Selection", that placed Second in the Necklace category of the Bead Arts Award 2009

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
See what Andrew whipped up when he sat down in the studio after a dry spell.