Fabulous textile woodcuts

These were one of my first finds in Tucson - fabric wood cuts. In Asia these woodcuts are used for printing on fabrics and paper, but as soon as I saw them I thought what great texture they would be for PMC. Can't wait to try them. I'll post pictures as soon as I make something

Tucson Gem and Jewelry Shows 2009

I wanted to post every day while I was at the gem and jewelry shows, but there was never enough time in the day. This is a sunset photo from my front porch. My husband and I own a home in Tucson where we plan to retire one day. I gather all of my bead inspiration when I visit there.

The shows this year were down both in attendance and vendors. I shared a booth at the Whole Bead Show and even though my sales were down slightly I was happy. I would have gone out there to shop anyway. The best part of the trip is to share some time and inspiration with some very dear "beady" friends. We met years ago at one conference or another, and we try to get together once or twice a year. Mickey named us the "Bodacious Bead Buddies". Well, we had a blast.

I'm sorting out all of my purchases. Stayed tuned for some pictures of great finds

Happy Valentine

My husband never forgets Valentine's Day. I even got the flowers a few days early as I was heading out to the Philadelphia buyer's Market Show and wasn't due home until late afternoon on Valentine's Day. But as you can see they still look great - and so does my hubby of 34 years. And I am mighty pleased with them. The color - lilac - is awesome. Never saw roses quite this color before. It's really MY color!

On the other hand the Buyer's Market needs a new name this year as I'm not sure a lot of buying was happening. The registered atendees were way down. But to be fair there was some buying going on and I'm sure there are many happy vendors.

I was juried into the ISGB - International Society of Glass Beadmakers - booth. There were 12 of us exhibiting. The work looked awesome. The booth was great. But the traffic was way down according to one artist who was there last year too; and sales suffered. It's sometimes hard for new artists to weather times like this. You always wonder "was it just my stuff they didn't like?" But a friend and I were talking this morning and we decided this is the year to build up your inventory, try new techniques, and hang in there.

When I was in Philadelphia I stayed at the Marriott as it was close to the convention center. This sign in one of their jewelry stores sums it up.... I was tempted to buy something at those prices, but they were closed...............

Happpy New Year 2009

Wow, I'm a little late getting started with blogging routinely for 2009. - one of my resolutions. But I have been super busy. I got juried into the Buyer's Market Show (aka the Rosen show)through the ISGB and have been working like mad to get my samples made and sent. The deadline was January 15th.


I decided that I wanted a consistent body of work; and this line of jewelry needed to include my lampworked beads. Lately I have been making a lot of hollow beads. Some of them turned out a little wonky, but the shape reminded me of the organic shapes of baroque Tahitian pearls (which I love!). So I decided to base my line on this shape. I also decided that the beads should be etched because I love the softness to the touch that etching creates. So here is the result...

Designing a cohesive line of jewelry earmarked for wholesale sales with several price points was also challenging. Also I had to keep in mind that if this line actually generated sales I would have to be making the pieces routinely. So after weeks of development... here is the result

I'm fairly happy with the result, but have already noted pieces that need tweeking. Now I have to begin designing the 2010 line...

Let me know what you think...................

Desert Collage

I have been cleaning up my computer over the long Thanksgiving Hoilday. Put together this collage....beads, inspiration, cool photos...

Selling beads and jewelry

I sell my beads and jewelry in a variety of places:online, galleries, and shows. I really like doing shows as I like the one on one contact with my clients. You also learn about your beads and jewelry even from the people who do not purchase anything. I decided to stop doing outdoor art festivals last year. First I lost my helper (my daughter) when she moved. Then last year my tent self destructed; plus it is just too hard to do an outdoor show when you have to set up all by yourself. And you never know what Mother Nature has install for show day! So the shows I do now are bead shows and trunk shows. I don't do a ton of shows just 4 - 5 a year so it is important to choose the shows wisely.

I just returned from a show which made me realize how important it is to do you homework before trying a show. This show was in a new venue, so I really didn't have the option to go once before applying to be a vendor. But the location seemed good so I applied. Boy was I disappointed. The lighting in the room was awful - better suited for a romantic dinner out instead of selling glass beads. I did bring a few of my spotlights, but they are only effective given that there is adequate room lighting to begin with. To compond the issue there were electrical issues throughout the show causing the vendor lights to flicker and go on and off.... all day. Major migraine situation!

So what do you do in a situation like this? It made me realize that as vendors we really have no recourse except of course, not to go back. I complained to management of the show before it even opened, but they did nothing. Other vendors were complaining, but more to each other than to the show promoter. The clients were frustated. They wanted to buy, but couldn't see the products well. So bummer.. long trip....stress, disappoinment. But as always, the beaders I did meet are wonderful people as usual. I sold a few beads, and oh yeah.. I got to visit with my daughter.

Artifact Beads

I have a love hate relationship with my artifact beads. I love them, customers love them; but they are complicated to make. I just made 30 beads for my upcoming show in Bellevue, WA, but only 12 survived the many firings to my satisfaction. But I learn a lot every time I make a batch. And I have started to keep a notebook so I don't make the same mistakes. I do think my kiln is firing a little hot so I really need to adjust for that next time.



I did get a beautiful bead from this batch. and it gave me inspiration on a few variations to make after Thanksgiving. Here is a picture.

After I create and anneal the lampworked bead, I apply the PMC and fire the bead again. I sometimes have 4 to 5 firings before the PMC is just right. You have to calculate and allow for the shrinkage of the metal clay. Too tight - the bead might crack; too loose - the silver doesn't bond with the glass. too hot of a kiln and the glass slumps. And on and on. This bead was put into a liver of sulphur bath and the resulting colors are just amazing. The other thing that happended with this bead is that the PMC fumed in the kiln and changed the color of the glass bead. Very cool!