Customer Inspired Learning

I have said this before many times, the people that I am closest to provided unlimited ideas and opportunities for learning.  They push me to try things that I NEVER would have tried.  Making a pig bead would never have been on my list of things to try. But with each opportunity you learn different skills and assess your limitations.  I actually think he is kind of cute for a first try.  He is a little small but that can be adjusted.  My niece has requested this bead to be made into a pendant for her cousin. For some reason they give each other pig related items at Christmas.  She says she was struggling to find something new.  I hope this is close to what she had in mind.

I was also asked to make pendants this year for the Chicken Festival, now that was a challenge.  After many, many failures, I think I did OK. All of them sold even one that I thought I might keep for myself and wear once a year at Chicken Festival time.  All I have left are the many failures.  I wore everyone out getting their opinions, which I really appreciate their patience and honesty.  Sadly I didn't think they would sell and didn't take a picture.  London Downtown did though and posted it to facebook.  They bought 5 of them. 

 

They also posted a picture of our Miata carrying one of  the wooden chickens back to Hazel Green to

be decorated for the contest.  London Downtown really works hard to make this event eggciting.

Pigs and Chickens go figure.

Shaker Village Art Fair August 3rd and 4th

Danny and I had a booth at the Shaker Village Art Fair this year.  It is a jurried Art fair.  The first year I applied, I applied late and they already had too many jewelry artists.  So I was thrilled to be accepted this year.  The weather was of course very hot and humid, and threatened to storm all weekend.  The rain though for the most part held off, and went around us.  Lucky us, it did though leave a very humid situation.  I can't not remember sweating that much. It was all worth it though.  I got lots of feed back on my new designs and the customers were wonderful.  We were very busy Saturday morning and from there it was slow but not boring. I had changed quite a few things that I am very pleased with.  New table cloths, tags, shutters, and business cards.  I think I need a new sign to match though.  We learned a lot about outside shows but all in all we were pretty prepared. Danny took some booth pictures for me.

Both Danny and I would love to do this show again.  Interesting tid bit, I sold all of the olive green pieces that I had and all of the copper earrings that I had.  Go figure.

Bead Soup Blog Party 2nd Reveal

Today is the reveal for the second group of artists. To be honest I just barely got through the first group.  Can't wait to start on the second group of exciting designs.  Such a variety of talent. Just follow this link and the new designs are half way down. 
http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html

If you love a design make sure to leave a comment, it really helps the artist to know what you thought about the design.

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

 This is the wonderful ingredients that I was provided from Cory Celaya.  I really wanted the focal to not be overshadowed by the rest of the necklace.  I also wanted to wear this, and I don't wear a lot of browns, so I wanted to bring out the hint of aqua blue in the painting.  I loved all the components and am glad that I have some left to maybe come up with a pair of earrings to go with the necklace.  I hope I have done this focal justice.  It has a special personal story to it's creation.  Thanks Cory for trusting me with it.

Please visit Cory's blog and see what she created with my lampwork beads.  This is just the first reveal out of three in this event.  Please visit all of the participants, it is so exciting to see what they have created.  We are all so different.  Thanks again to Lori Anderson for hosting this event and you can visit her blog to see the links to everyone of the participants or see the list of this reveal below.  There is three reveals since there were over 400 participants.

 Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com

Alice Craddick,  Alice's Beads and Baubles

Alicia Marinache,  All The Pretty Things

Amanda Tibbetts,  Amanda Made

Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul

Annita Wilson,  AW Jewelry

Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

Birgitta Lejonklou,  Create With Spirit   

Candida Castleberry,    Spinning Spun Sugar

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle

Cheri Reed,  Creative Designs by Cheri

Cheryl McCloud,  One Thing Leads to Another

Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry

Christine Hendrickson,  Clamworks

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream

Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs

Cris Peacock, Cris' Page

Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things

Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers

Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru

Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

Dana Lang, Tumblestone Handmakery

Debbie Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs

Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things

Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close

Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto Jewelry

Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

Ilenia Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded and Painted Jewelry

Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life

Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

Jean A. Well, Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Jean Yates, Snap Out of It Jean! There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads

Jennifer VanBenschoten,  Jewelry, Art and Life

Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design

Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me

Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry

Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston

Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead

K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch

Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch

Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles

Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio

Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe

Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon

Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly

Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade

Kim Ballor, Vitamin C... A Daily Dose of Creativity

Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat

Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut

Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork

Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist

Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox

Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny

Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess

Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings

Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This

Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land

Lori Poppe, Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio

Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design

Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry

Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog

Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads

Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio

Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions

Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps

Mowse Doyle, HoCArt

Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles - Spirited Earth

Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs

Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart

Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs

Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft

Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink

Patricia Johnson, Patricia L. Johnson Glass Art

Patti Vanderbloemen, My Addictions ... Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky

Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media

Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks

Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance

Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs

Sue Hamel, The Bottle Cork and Crystal

Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

Szarka, Magpie Gemstones

Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily

Tania Tebbit, Glass, Craft, & Artful Goodness

Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau

Tina Bosh, Every Good and Perfect Gift

Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash

Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

Bead Soup Ingredients Part 2

This is what I sent Cory.  I always struggle with these decisions.  She and I corresponded prior to me sending the package.  She stated she struggled with pastels (pink in particular) and white.  I settled on this group because of the ivory as a neutral (not white) which I thought reminded me of the sand, and the aqua and purple shades that reminded me of the southwest.  Cory lives in AZ, although I am not sure of her terrain, this reminded me of the AZ I have seen.  The heart is one of those pieces that I had saved back with the intent of making something for myself.  It seemed like the perfect focal to send to my partner.  I always try to send a grouping that has a piece of what I like or what I would wear.  It is fun to see what they make out of it, since I already have a vague vision of what I would make for myself.  I sent copper accents and a copper clasp (that I made) to go with it.  Usually I send a store bought clasp, but this time I felt like she would appreciate it more if I made the clasp, even if it was a fairly simple style. 

Cory is such a talented artist, I can't wait to see what she does with my ingredients.  I have a one day art show the day of the reveal, so I will have to try to view it from my phone. Please visit her blog (Art with Moxie) to see what she will cook up.

If you know me, I work best under pressure.  Last minute Annie, I guess you could call me.  But I was so excited about the ingredients that Cory sent to me that I have already completed my necklace and love it. All that is left to do is take my pictures and schedule my post for the reveal date of July 28, 2012. 

Bead Soup Ingredients

I have received my Bead Soup ingredients from  Cory Celaya.  She sent the most wonderful pendant and clasp,  She also sent some complimentary items to go with them.  With the previous Bead Soup Parties that I have been a participant in, my partners were overly generous. This in turn tended to just cripple my creative juices.  I think Cory sent me just the right amount of items that sparked all kinds of ideas.  Sounds weird to not want a lot of gorgeous components, doesn't it.  But it is true, it seems that it just creates a creative block for me.  I can not get over the feeling that I have to use all of the components, even though you only have to use the focal and the clasp. 

The focal was developed by Cory through a personal family loss.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  Cory is so talented.  I could never paint anything, let alone such a lovely bird.  I love the clasp and accessory beads, I would definitely have bought them if I had a bead store in town.  I am excited to be able to design with Cory's ingredients, I hope I can do them justice.

She should receive mine today.  I was inspired by where she lives. The colors just seemed to go with Arizona.

TOUR SEKY Appalachian Craft Fair

I have been working feverishly for this one day event on Saturday, June 30, 2012.  I never seem to get everything done that I envision.  One thing that worries me is that I have not heard anything from the organizers since I sent in my application, but then I tend to live in a vacumn sometimes.  Hoping for a good turnout, especially since it is so HOT right now.  It has been over 100 deg for several days now.  This show is inside the Rural Center for Development in Somerset, thank goodness.  Here are a few of the new pieces that I have made: 

 

Dogwood Blossom Necklace

 

                                                              Antique Heart Necklace

                                                                    New Bracelet Style

                                                               I love this new glass.

                                               Inspired by an outfit my daughter was wearing.

                                 This is etched and I love the olive green and ivory combination.

Let me know what you think.

6th Bead Soup Blog Party

My Partner for the event is:

Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

I am so excited to have such a talented artist as my partner.  Check out her blog. This is the third Bead Soup Blog Party that I have participated in and they are such fun.  My reveal date is 7/28 so I better get hopping, beads go out on 7/2/12.  

State Conference for Teachers Sorority

Just got through with a 2 day show at a local hotel.  It really was not what I was expecting.  Sometimes you just have to live and learn. I sold everything I was going to sell in the first 10 minutes of the show. Some of the other artists did well but my location in the room was not the best.  The room being overcrowded did not help either.  This type venue may not be for me although teachers have been my best customers.

This is a necklace that I have made as a gift.  I really love it, I hope it is what she had envisioned.

I may make another one of these for me.  I enjoy the bubbles that the brass shavings make in the beads.  I have a pair of earrings out of these beads and wear them a lot.


Sorry I have been neglectful in posting.  I just get overwhelmed at times.  Trying to plan what shows to do this year and I have applied to the Kentucky Crafted program this year which requires a fair amount of effort,  I hope it will be worth it. 

Studio Revamp

Torch, kiln and concentrators

New bead bench, the bead racks that my husband made to hold the plastic bead boxes, fit perfectly under the new bench.

Old bench, new metal bench.

A picture from the doorway. This really is a wonderful space and I never get tired of it. I really am so lucky. I have a very supportive husband that has made this new space possible. So many lampwork artists have to deal with weather when making beads and I have both heat and air conditioning.

I Love Key Necklaces

I thought I would post
all of the pictures in one spot. A year in Keys.