Findings Worth Finding: Clasps

There seems to be a buzz with art bead clasps, so I thought I'd feature another round up of them here on the ABS.

I found Amanda Davie through that intrepid bead scout, Lorelei. How does she discover such amazing finds? And yeah that she shares them with us. Here is a resin clasp with a crow.

Carrying on with the bird theme is this awesome pewter owl clasp from Green Girl Studios via the Beadlady on Etsy. I love that branch toggle, wish I had a million of just those!

Melanie from Earthenwood Studio has been experimenting with new designs. I'm smitten with the timber pendants. I could see this as a clasp. Just add one of these branch toggles from Nunn over at Bello Modo.

LeAnn at Summers Studio has created Victorian inspired key toggle bars - works for steampunk or more floral themed designs.

And now let's get into some clasps for seafaring jewelry designers. Lynn Davis has this wonderfully rustic looking hook clasp, it has a nautical vibe don't you think?

And speaking of beachcombers, here is a starfish toggle pendant from Humblebeads, yes - that's me!

And finally, maybe you are feeling a little DIY-ish today and want to customize your own clasp. Miss Fickle Media is offering these new bezel clasps, fill them up with your favorite image and resin. I've been eyeing them thinking some polymer clay belongs in there!

From the Beadmaker

From One Little Piece of Coral

This is a piece of coral my son found on the beach in Florida in 2007. It is an extraordinary piece of coral in that it reminds me of that precious time and floods me with wonderful memories each time I look at it. I remember the feeling of contentment and peace of mind seeing my family enjoy the sand, sun and ocean.

I first used it to create a mold. Something I do with almost every 3D trinket I own cause you never know what is going to make a really cool clay thing-a-ma-bober.

From that mold I created this simple but unique pendant;

But I also found that by just using the top section of the coral I could create this very interesting crackle effect in beads;

The sides of the coral added a nice texture to the edge of these clay discs;

And the back of the coral creates this texture;

I am thrilled to get so many uses out of one item! It has opened my eyes to looking at every little object with potential for so much more. A change of position and color of paint and I have a seemingly endless way to decorate polymer clay art beads!

Much Love & Respect,
Shannon
missficklemedia.com

Handmade Goodness

Paper, recycled glass and trees - sounds good to me for summer designs. Match them up with your favorite art beads.

1. Sea glass beads by 808Sunshine. 2. Oak tree branch wood buttons by OurAka. 3. Poetry paper beads by artspell. 4. Recycle glass wine bottle pendant by bottlehood. 5. Recycle africa glass beads by jNicLoft. 6. Sour Candy rolled paper beads by LandL.

Top 10 Bead Show Tips

As I prepare for Bead & Button and having my first booth this year, I'm also making a strategy for my shopping experience. I thought I'd share a few tips with you that I learned from last year.

1. Have a budget - I know I just heard someone laugh, but seriously unless money is no object you can get into major trouble without a budget.

2. Have a list - make a list of materials or projects supplies you are planning to hunt down.

3. Have a plan - make a list of the beadmakers or shops you have to visit

3. A good pair of shoes - seriously, it's a lot of walking.

4. A good friend - to help you stay out of trouble and to share your best treasures.

5. Have a strategy - buy your art beads and rare finds the first day. Look for deals the second day.

6. Impulses are not your friend - ask yourself: can I order this at home or will it add too much bulk to my suitcases if I'm flying.

7. Replenish - have water, you really will need it.

8. Bring business cards - this is a great time to network.

9. Bring a camera - you'll want pictures of you and your new friends and photos from the show.

10. Be kind to yourself - let's face it #1 will be blown the first day unless you have super human bead buying powers. Bring a credit card or have a back up funds for your travel expenses.

Bead Cap Tutorial

I've created a video tutorial showing how to make your own bead caps. They are so easy, you can whip up tons of them in no time flat!

Check out Ornamentea for the 1/2" brass disks, earwires and chain used in the earrings. Earrings shown with polymer clay branch disks from Humblebeads.

Tools you'll need: bench block, ball peen hammer, 2-hole punch, doming block & punches.
Optional: brass texturing plates, Phillip's head screwdriver, silver/black solution, steel wood.

Here is the direct link to the video. Feel free to share it!

Findings Worth Finding - Vintaj Fastenables & Arte Metal

Have you seen the new pieces from Vintaj? Jess sent me a little sample pack and I haven't had time to create with them, but they are on my to-do list. I LOVE them!!!

First, the Arte Metal is blackened brass like a gunmetal finish. It's so very elegant and beautiful. I'm loving this ribbon slider, it's going to make a great pendant.

Check out the tiny key:

Fastenables are a new line that cross over into the altered art and craft market, although they make awesome findings too.

I want these ferns for earrings!

Vintaj sells wholesale, but here is a link of their online retailers.

Designer of the Week - Sandra York

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. This week's featured designer is Sandra York.

ABS editor Heather Powers of Humblebeads says of Elizabeth's Almond Branch necklace:
"I am amazed at the design, it's so creative and unusual. I love how the art beads capture the painting perfectly. I hope to see more of Sandra's work online soon!"

A detail of the ceramic art beads.

You can see more of Elizabeth's work on her facebook profile.

Studio Saturday - Humblebeads

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This week's winner is Blanche and Guy! Congratulations! You have won a pair of wood and ceramic earrings from Lorelei Eurto. Send Lorelei your address and she will get your prize right out to you.

I actually get to show off my studio today! We are having a resin play day in my studio. This is one of the many rewards of taking the time to actually clean up a bead cave - you can have friends over without dying of embarrassment.

So what made me snap and decide to clean up my bead mess, that looked like this just two weeks ago?

You are seeing the picture right? Is there really any question as to why? I am one of those create-in-the-clutter kind of gals. But it wasn't working for me any longer. I was losing things, buying things over that I already had and for crying out loud there are only so many places one can pile things.

I had to have incentives:
1. I wanted to create a more inspiring space.
2. I had company coming to stay and this doubles as the guest room.
3. I promised myself to submit my photos to Studios magazine when it was done.

How did I do it?
1. Cried and complained.
2. Worked one corner at a time.
3. Threw away, gave away and packed away the clutter.
4. Cried and complained.
5. Told people what I was doing so I couldn't just stop.
6. Stopped crying and complaining and just plowed through until the room was done. It took about a week to organize 5 years of clutter and beady mess.

What is the most important part of my studio makeover? It was organizing my room so that I can work more productively.
1. Everything I need and use on a daily basis is within arms reach.
2. Everything is clearly labeled and has a place.
3. It's super easy to pick things up as soon as I'm done.
4. I have many trays that can stack up to hold projects that are in progress.

Is it working? Yep, a week later and I'm still picking up as soon as I finish a project. The table is clear and ready for the next round. I've made jewelry and beads all week and had company. What do you know - old dogs can learn new tricks or is it that wild beads can be tamed?

What is one thing in your creative space that you can not live without? Leave a comment for a chance to win a grab bag from my Etsy shop.

Written by Heather Powers, www.humblebeads.com.

The Trendy Bead - Turquoise Color Challenge

Need a little inspiration for the Turquoise Color Challenge? Here is a Trendy Bead Report featuring this year's hottest color and the custom color palette that Margie Deeb created for our challenge. The deadline is April 1st, so get those beads out this weekend and enter!

Teal dogwood bead by Humblebeads, Knurled Round Chain from Ornamentea and Watercolor Swirl lampwork beads by BlueSeraphim.

Ocean Blue Chain by MissFickleMedia, Yellow Circles by Jangles and Lavender Sparklies glass beads by Erica Beads.

A water lily brass toggle from Vintaj via Bello Modo, Aqua Azure Leaf Square Tile by Lynn Davis and Pink and Violet Double Dips by Cindy Gimbrone.

Czech firepolished glass from MountainShadowDesigns, large flower button by Creative Impressions in Clay and Kiss in the Garden disk bead from Humblebeads.

Click on the links above to go directly to the items shown.

Want more inspiration? Check out Lorelei's blog with her picks for this color scheme.

Findings Worth Finding: Bead Cap Flowers

Turn a petal bead cap into a blooming flower with just a few quick steps.

You'll need: a bead cap, a 6mm round bead, a 3mm bead and a 1" headpin.

Tools: bench block, hammer, round nose pliers, wire cutters.

Step 1. Push the 6mm bead into the bead cap to spread out the petals a little. Remove the bead.

Step 2. Place petal side down on a bench block, hammer gently to spread out the petals more.

Step 3. Attach the 3mm bead to the center of the bead cap with a headpin. Trim wire and form a loop.

Necklace featuring a Jade Scott pendant and lime branch disk beads from Humblebeads.

Happy Saint Patrick

Happy Saint Patrick's Carnival Bloggers' Day! Well, ok, that's not the official name for today's celebration but we are celebrating the green and today IS the monthly ABS Carnival Bloggers' post!

Mary Lou opens this month's Carnival Blog by asking a few of her bead and jewelry making pals a question, "What fuels your passion?" - a question that our ABS Carnival Bloggers answer very eloquently for us this month. Let's take a look at what our bloggers have to say.....

Cindy Wimmer shares her passion for wire and how it all started. Cindy's earlier efforts include the lovely spinner pendants below.

Like Cindy, Sharon found her passion in a spool of wire and a set of tools.

Mary Ellen experience is free spirited and she has written a fun post this month explaining how play lead her to discover her passion.

Mary Jo and Erin approach their art in a different way. They write thoughtful blogs - deep reflection and quotes are characteristic of each post. This month, Erin tell us how beads quickly became a passion for her. While Mary Jo weaves quotes and pictures of her inspired jewelry to define passion.

Some artists explore by jumping in and making things. Janel Dudley gets to the torch and has many misfires but it doesn't discourage her. It fuels her passion. Anyone can see that when they see her lovely "Raw Experience" necklace (below).

The same is true of our own Island Girl who quizzes her husband and then realizes she is passionate about her flower garden beads (below).

Passion is defined by who you are - what you do or what you create. So let's ask Mary Lou question to our dear ABS readers, "What fuels YOUR passion?"

(Thank you to all the wonderful ABS Carnival Bloggers for their posts and inspiration!) written by Cindy Gimbrone.

Random Beadiness!

Some random bead related things to check out today:

Win a whole box of free beads: Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads

Get listed on the Vintaj Designer's page

Have fun at Bead Fest

Enter Bead & Button's Bead Dreams Contest

Take the Art Bead Scene's Color Challenge

Featured Designer of the Week - Maryellen at Beetreebyme

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. This week's featured designer is Maryellen at Beetreebyme for this imaginative, colorful and unique necklace with beautiful fibers and interesting charms. It works so well with the facinating Chagall picture that is the challenge inspiration this month.

You can see her description of her inspiration on her blog, and her ideas about keeping things in balance like the juggler in the painting.

ABS editor Lynn Davis says of this unique and interactive necklace "the colors mirror the painting and the spirit of the juggler with wings and clock face are wonderfully captured here. Love the use of polymer clay, too!"

You can see more of Maryellen's work on her Flickr page.

Hint: More to Love

Beth from Hint let me know last week that she is now offering her charms in sterling silver as her business has been growing by leaps and bounds this past year. You can read about them on her blog, which is always so thoughtful and see them in her etsy shop.

Design Custom Earring Cards

You don't have to be a graphic designer or even hire one to create professional looking earring cards that you can easily customize with your own images! The answer - Zazzle!

Here you'll find a great selection of earring cards created by designers and artists. I created 3 different styles playing around with the idea and you can customize them with your own image, text and colors.

When you find a design you like, click on it. Under the product image will be a button that says "Customize It". Click that button and you'll get to a page that looks like the one above. Where I've circled the area, you'll find the buttons to customize the design. To change the image, click "change image." You can make the image larger or smaller and move it around.* Do the same to change the text. You can also change the text and background colors to match your brand.

*If there is a yellow caution sign on your image, the print quality is too low and you'll need to pick a bigger original image.

When you have the design you like, purchase and you are done. Shipping starts at $4.00!

You'll have to punch or drill the holes. Check out Jen's quick tip for that!

It really is that easy.

Find Earring Cards:

Earring Cards from Heather Powers

Search for Earring Cards from other Zazzle designers

Material Connection Disclosure from Heather Powers:

I have a material connection to Zazzle. Some of the links above are my affiliate links and I will earn a commission on purchases made via these links.

Friday Finds with Lorelei: Bezels

Click the image above to take you to the Etsy Treasury!

With all of the hype going on right now making resin components, I wanted to compile some

amazing Bezels that I found on Etsy. I created a nice little Treasury to showcase them

all! Have fun shopping! And be sure to show us what you make if you use any of them!

Re-Discovery: Studio Saturday with Cindy Gimbrone

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

Last week's winner is Theresa Buchle/Bead-Mused ! Congratulations! You have won a set of Lynn's pewter charms Send an email to Lynn and she will get them right out to you.

Welcome to the Studio of Cindy Gimbrone!



Step a little closer to my workbench. I've got alot to show you today! This week I blogged about picking up the pastels and drawing. I didn't have any real drawing tools and I wanted to sketch out a design using a set of the Turquoise glass links and double dips. I took my new pastel pencils and charcoal and got to work.

Take a virtual look over my shoulder and see how my design began and ended.

Voila! My completed necklace entitled, "Smokey Blues." I can't tell you how much I enjoyed drawing and coloring the design! The investment in my first set of drawing tools was worth every penny! So that leads me to today's question:

Have you re-discovered a skill, talent or simply something you used to enjoy? Share your story with me and you'll be entered to win a set of the transparent Turquoise Links and Double Dips.

I look forward to reading what YOU'VE rediscovered!