You can imagine my surprise when the first piece I submitted to Bead-It Today was selected for the April cover! I know this is a short post and I’ve gotten quite sporadic with my blog, but I just wanted to share and encourage all of you to keep pushing towards your goals!
Have you ever experienced a moment that changed the way you design? I had a moment like that in the Spring of 2011 when I discovered Jewelry Affaire magazine. I hate to really even call it a magazine since it’s much more like a quarterly book. The photographs overwhelmed me. The techniques I saw were different from anything I’d ever imagined. Because of the talented artists featured as well as the efforts of the magazine staff, my mind was opened to a whole new world of jewelry design.
Before picking up this issue (which I’ve probably read dozens of times since) I didn’t realize I was limiting myself by only using new jewelry components. Once I realized that almost anything could be considered jewelry making media, the possibilities seemed endless. A large portion of my designs now incorporate vintage jewelry or findings or found objects. After discovering Jewelry Affaire, I bought both previous back issues (the magazine was new and only published twice a year at that point, but now it’s quarterly) and also bought up the past few years of its sister publication Belle Armoire Jewelry and I’ve bought every issue of both magazine since.
I’m very proud to announce that I will get to join the artists I admire when some of my designs are featured in the next few issues of Jewelry Affaire. Even if you’ve never made jewelry before, I encourage you to check out the Winter issue on sale January 1st. Not only will you get to see some of my work, you’re sure to be inspired in your own creative journey. To see more of my work in the meantime, visit my etsy shop StrandedInTheCity.
June is here and that means cookouts and lots of weekends soaking up the sun poolside, or if you’re like me, balancing the jewelry-making madness inside with spending time outside. While most of the jewelry work I do would be difficult to take outdoors, the following idea is a pretty easy one to work on anywhere. Last night I made four wire-wrapped bracelets and covered them in tons of colorful glass beads. These bracelets only require 2 materials (beads and wire), a pair of round-nose pliers, and a pair of wire cutters. I love to take my bead soup bowl, sit on the couch, and make these while I watch tv. They’d also be easy to make while sitting outside by the pool!
I learned this technique from Joanna Hanna, owner of Crescent Moon Beads in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (you MUST stop in and visit her if you’re in the area) http://www.crescentmoonbeads.net/. I may add a tutorial in the future to share the technique with you, but for now enjoy the photos and visit my shop on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/strandedinthecity to purchase one 🙂
Stranded In The City 