Welcome

This blog is intended to document my journey into the world of handmade artisan lampwork beads.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

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.




Sunday, August 12, 2012

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.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

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.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

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
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
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
Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life
Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
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
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 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
Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This
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
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
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
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
Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux
Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily
Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau

Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

Sunday, July 15, 2012

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. 

Thursday, July 5, 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.

Friday, June 29, 2012

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.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9Kts3XVefq5Dl3NZXw6SJwlx8Pbr6y03DEBvSALo2keHMfp4ae1Tdp-b4EdrGTmrq4-xPigHaNhuAm4SHjw7is8OOXGqqxbP3b0vn6fmZWtczoFiurCblEUmDeZg6YJoJfsSaNbWQDbq/s1600/BSBP6-Lori.jpg
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.  

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

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. 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

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.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

I Love Key Necklaces

















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