As 2012 Comes to a close.....

2012 is about to end and as I sit and reflect on all the lessons I have learned this year, all the advancements I have made in Bead Embroidery and Chainmaille, I cannot but just be amazed at how far
I have come this year.  It has been a learning experience to say the least.  I have made great friends, worked with some outstanding Bead Artists.  What more could a person ask for?

I have learned this year that marketing my beadwork is just as labor intensive as making those wonderful creations.  I did complete the setting up of my ETSY Site, came up with an acceptable inventory method to
maintain what I have in stock to math with the photographs for marketing.  I have taken Bead Embroidery to the next level and know that I shall always be enamoured with it.  I love chainmaille and will continue to explore my advancement in Chainmaille.

I did find an interesting article in the new February 2013 issue written by Stacy Werkheiser called " LOVE
Hurts".  It referenced Sherry Serafini, Diane Fitzgerald and others on how they feel about Bead Artists copying their work which is copywritten.  Sherry said it in a very understandable fashion " as always".

" Now, we all know why those people do it:  Beaders love Sherry's hot, hip statement pieces!  And of course, there's nothing wrong with making a Sherry Serafini piece for your own personal enjoyment or to give as a gift.  But when Sherry's adoring fams sell her work, it's not love that's communicated.

"It angers me and hurts!" she says.  " When an artist spends hours, days, or months creating a design or instructions and you see someone else take the credit, it is very hurtful.  Not only emotionally, but it takes food out of the mouths of my family.  This is what I do.  I have not other source of income. "

Which is why selling a piece, even if it's labeled " designed by Sherry Serafini" just isn't enough for her.  " I don't give permission for the resale of my art in any form " Sherry notes.

But the beautiful thing about Sherry is that she believes in us: " If you like beading and creating jewelry, why borrow someone else's work? " she says.  " Do your own thing, and be respectful of the people who have spent hours creating what you can take in a moment.  Give yourself more credit, and sit down and create".

I realized that my two (2 ) Sherry Serafini pieces and my Heidi piece had to go inactive on ETSY.  It would be a violation of their copywright.  WOW!  A total awakening.  I learned incredible new techniques from these artists.  It's time to put these new talents to work on my own designs.

Tomorrow I will load my final " Teapot Doll " that I just completed for Deej " Debra Peck" and a photo of my Shoe Doll Form called " Galadriel- A walk in the woods " which will mail on Wednesday.

2013 will be even better.

A tiny reveal from the Holiday Bling Blog Hop

As you know in a previous post, we had the " Holiday Bling Blog Hop" and my partner was Marlene Cupo, a Polymer Clay Artist.  I had asked for Christmas Polymer Cabochons for Bead Embroidery.......  well, here is a tiny hint and yes, I used all three cabochons in one piece. 

This will be the center tab on a collar.......See Marlene, they came out famously.


And just a note, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday, and Ms. Brianna Grace wishes
you the best for 2013.  Mom put the Christmas Collar on after her grooming.  Yep, she was happy :)

Preparing for the Holidays at the office

Happy Holidays ! 

As always, I made the gifts for my work mates..... nothing better than 12 Helms Weave Bracelets, 1 Byzantine in Stainless Steel and a Patridge in a Pear Tree......  Oh!  And of course lovely earring assortments.  Everyone just loved their gifts which makes my Holiday's special.

I launched my ETSY site, I've loaded twenty, sold one and still have quite a few items to load onto the site.......I finally got organized with a wonderful Inventory System with detail and correlated all
photographs with the Inventory numbers. 

For 2013.  A better presence in photography and the photography of my bead embroidery.. 

Reveal Time for the Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2

That day has finally arrived..... the reveal for the " Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 ".  My exchange partner was Marlene Cupo and it was greatly entertaining to catch up with each other as Marlene is a Polymer Artist and I am a bead weaver.  But who would not enjoy a Holiday project?  I had just finished up a few Right Angle Weave Cuff patterns in Christmas theme's and Marlene was enchanting in her acceptance of a " Blingy Holiday " project.  Size of wrist was gathered and then after laying out the
components....

The beginning

So after a few runs in RAW and working out the first few rows, I was off.  Pattern is above to
the right.  As I was coming to the end, I realized how wonderful this bracelet was.  Sorry Marlene,
I am making another just for myself.

And her is my charming Christmas Tree cuff bracelet for Marlene Cupo:

I have heard from Marlene after she recieved it and she loved it, but I'll let her tell you on her blog.
In return I recieved ( 3 ) lovely Red, White and Green Polymer Cab's which are now set to Lacey's Stiff Stuff and Bead Embroidery has begun.  I promise Marlene that photo's will post as she is under construction.

Now spend a few moments and visit all the ladies who have participated in this wonderful Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2:

        1        Shelley Graham Turner   www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

         2        Marlene Cupo www.amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

         3        Sandra McGriff www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca

         4        Ginger Bishop www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

         5        Tammie Everly www.ttedesigns.blogspot.com

         6        Dyanne Everett-Cantrell www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com

         7        Mary Howell Govaars www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com

         8        Debbie Rasmussen www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca

         9        Shirley Moore www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com

       10        Jo-Ann Woolverton www.itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca

       11        Chandra Merod www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
       12        Renetha Stanziano www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

       13        Kelley Fogle www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
       14        Gina Hockett www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com

       15        Elaine Ray  http://elaineray.blogspot.com/

       16        Melinda Abrahamson http://www.firstreetcrafts.com

       17        Heather Otto http://www.thecrafthopper.com

       18        Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca

       19        Catherine King. http://Catherines-musings.blogspot.com  ( You are here )

       20        Tiffany Smith : http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com/

       21        Anitra Gordy  www.leelucreations.blogspot.com

       22        Miranda Ackerley http://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
       23        Sonya Stille http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com

       24        Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
       25       Toltec Jewels http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Beading Babes Reveal 7

Today is Reveal 7 day and we are enjoying each person's interpretation of the projects selected for Reveal 7:

REVEAL DATE FOR PROJECT 7 IS: SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER 2012

1. Enchanted Rivoli Earrings by Csilla Csirmaz

(Beadwork - August/September 2012 - page 51)

Techniques: Tubular peyote, ladder stitch, tubular herringbone and square stitch

Project Level: Intermediate

Designer's site: http://shila-bead.blogspot.com.au/

Here is my interpretation:

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2. Roller Beads necklace by Cathy Lampole

(Bead and Button - October 2012 - page 66)

Techniques: Beadweaving and herringbone

Project Level: Beginner

Designer's site: http://cathysbeadwork.blogspot.com.au/

My Interpretation:  I finished the Roller Beads in mulitple Colorways but I am currently working on
the Herringbone Rope.

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3. Scalloped Pearl bracelet by Angelle Procopio

(Bead and Button - October 2012 - page 24)

Techniques: Ladder stitch

Project Level:  Beginner

My interpretation:

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4. Gothic Butterfly bracelet by Mikki Ferrugiaro

(Beadwork - December 2010/January 2011 - page 66)

Also available at http://www.interweavestore.com/Beading/Projects/Gothic-Butterfly-Bracelet.html

Techniques: Peyote

Project Level: Intermediate

Designer's site: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/mikkiferrugiarodesigns

For Gothic Butterfly, I didnt' take this challenge.....but might in the future.....

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REVEAL DATE FOR PROJECT 7 IS: SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER 2012

Stay tuned for two Blog Reveals

Stay tuned for two Blog Reveals.....Beading Babes for Project No: 6 and the Holiday Bling Blog Hop .....