Sand Fibers

2012-02-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

What do sharks and business have in common? They die if they don't keep moving.

Photo credit: cotaro70s

whale shark

I may have had my doubts about that until last summer but then my own story showed me how apt the analogy really is. Sand Fibers came to what felt like a screeching halt when the slipped disc in my neck decided it was a good idea to pinch on a nerve, making it difficult - sometimes even impossible - for me to bead. Because I couldn't bead, I couldn't publish new patterns - because I stubbornly refused publish a pattern before it had been beaded, beaded by me, myself, and I. Because I couldn't bead, I had to pull most of my made-to-order listings out of the shop.

What had started out as a banner year for the business, far surpassing all goals I had set for it in the first seven months by exceeding the sales for all of 2009, ended up with what sounded like a whimper to my ears, barely making 85% of 2010's sales. A healthy business is supposed to grow, not shrink.

Talk about depressing. I learned an important lesson from this: entirely too much of my self-image had been vested in Sand Fibers' success. It's great when Sand Fibers can bring joy into my life, but I cannot and will not allow it to "bring me down."

My neck has slowly been improving (I see a neurosurgeon in two weeks to discuss permanent solutions), and my January sales actually exceeded those of last July when the "fall" started. I'm hoping t this means Sand Fibers is moving again!

I have a two-part business: I am designer who sells her patterns(/kits?) and I am a bead artist who sells her jewelry. I have never stopped designing, but I find myself unable to publish new patterns because, in bad times, I am physically unable to bead the prototype or paradoxically, in good times, I don't have the time to bead them because I have too many jewelry orders to get out.

The pattern part of my business is most definitely my greater source of revenue. The beading part of the business, on the other hand, is most certainly my greater source of joy. (We will not discuss the actual "business" part of my business. Let's just say that I'm very thankful that I do have strong left-brain tendencies, esp. for an artist.)

Having a two part business means that I have two different customers with different needs. First, there are the lovely beaders who buy my patterns. They want patterns that are a joy (sometimes a challenge) to bead. They are attracted to the graphic nature of my designs. Second, there are those who come to Sand Fibers looking to buy jewelry. These customers are often attracted to quite different designs than are beaders.

And this is where my dilemma (for lack of a better word) begins: Do I spend the limited time and energy that I have on beading up my designs for patterns - so that I can offer beaders the new products they crave- or do I spend that time creating pieces that my jewelry-buying customers will enjoy and buy. My best-selling patterns are (with a few exceptions, notably the Ripples and Corrugated pieces) NOT my best-selling jewelry pieces. This past year has shown me that I can no longer do both. But I am not willing to relinquish either aspect of Sand Fibers. Nope. I wanna have my cake and eat it to.

Many designers figured this out some time ago: they have bead fairies or bead angels or test beaders. I tend to have to learn my lessons the hard way, on my own. Several wonderful friends and customers have offered for some time to help me with this task, but I stubbornly declined believing that I had to it all myself. Turns out, I was wrong. So...that explains why I now have a handful of talented Sand Fibers Beta Beaders working on beading up patterns that have been languishing away in my pattern program for a very long time. Why am I explaining this again, you may ask. Because I don't know that I shared enough of the WHY of this change with you when I showed you Hearts Play earlier in the week. I think this will be a positive change for both me and my beading customers. I hope you agree.

So that's a good change. A change that will effect my jewelry-buying customers is also in the works. For the last year I have offered free domestic and international shipping for everything but my bead kits. Last night, I placed an order for more jewelry boxes (which I buy in bulk) and was startled to realize that in packaging alone - jewelry box, extra cotton liner, ribbon, mailer, tape, ink, paper - I am spending considerably more than I had let myself assume. The prices for everything have gone up, including actual postage.

And so, it is with regret, that I will begin charging for shipping again, effective Monday morning. I didn't want you to be surprised. I could have just increased the item prices by that amount, but that didn't seem right.

Thank you for rambling through this post with me.

Have a wonderful weekend. Be well and get going!

It's been over a week...

2012-02-10T14:02:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's been over a week since I received the great news and I still haven't blogged about it. What's wrong with me? (I'd prefer you not answer that, btw.)

Last Wednesday I received notice from Lark Jewelry and Beading that all three of my submissions for their Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry: Photographs of Beautiful Contemporary Beadwork (500 Series) had been accepted. I was so excited that I forgot to blog about it.

I haven't seen a book in Lark's 500 Series yet that I haven't loved...so this has me on the proverbial top of my world. Not only is it my first appearance in a beading book, it is in a book that has already made it to the top spot on Amazon.com's jewelry and beading bestseller lists this morning...six months before its official release.

Even more exciting for everyone is that the pre-order price is now a very affordable $16.30, instead of the listed price of $27.95. That's quite a deal on what promises to be an excellent publication.

Be well and get going, my friends!

Introducing Hearts Play - Just in time for Valentine's!

2012-02-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hi there! :) I'm excited today, not just because I have a new design to share with you but also - and more importantly - because I've made some changes to how I get patterns for my designs published.So, here's "Hearts Play":

Since my first published pattern, I have been determined NOT to publish patterns that haven't been beadwoven "into reality" to test both the flow of the graph and verify that the bead colors actually do work together well on more than the computer screen graphic generated in a pattern program. Until now, I have always been the one to "test" the pattern.

As you can see on the above photograph, I did not bead the pictured cuff. I designed and graphed the pattern. The lovely Alicia M. Hartley - the first Sand Fibers Beta Beader - beaded it up with beads I provided and then sent the beaded piece to me for photographs (after which I returned the cuff to her). It worked without a hitch and with fantastic results,

The Sand Fibers Beta Beaders will now allow me to publish the patterns I do not have the time (or physical wherewithal) to bead myself, making my patterns available to you much sooner and taking a huge weight off my aching shoulders. Sometimes a change in a business model is a very positive move.

The pattern for Hearts Play is now available in my Etsy shop:

I'm publishing it as a "for personal/commercial use" edition, but at a cost much closer to my "for personal use only" editions. Take a look! ;) There's still time to make this for your Valentine's Date next week!

Be well and get going!

Artisan Clay Design Team - January Challenge

2012-01-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when Kristie announced that she was bringing the Artisan Clay Design Team back for a few more challenges this year. For January, she decided to surprise us. Each team member was sent one of these beautiful beads.

Beads and Photography by Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay.

I figured I could work well with anything but those sweet little hearts but was, to be honest, thrilled to receive the donut in the lower left corner.

I pulled out the colors I wanted to work with from - sit down, Sand Fibers is working with what might qualify as bling! - my stash of fire polished beads and then added supporting seed beads to pull everything together. Reversing my usual working order (focal, THEN rope) because I had no clue what treatment I would give the donut itself, I created a (spiral) tubular right-angle-weave rope with a magnetic closure. Then, yesterday morning, I was forced to make a decision. Rather than go with "only" a bail, I decided to bead the donut a bezel with more of those fire polished beauties. Only after that did I add the equally blingy bail.


Necklace and Photograph by Carol Dean Sharpe of Sand Fibers. All rights reserved.

This necklace refuses to photograph well (read: the photographer doesn't know what she's doing) and this is as good a photograph as I could get last night. I'll try for some better ones before I list this. It also does not have a name yet...but I think "Spring" needs be in there somewhere, don't you?

Update: New photos.

And it just occurred to me how much fun the new necklace would be when worn with this older Sand Fibers design:

I'm excited to see what the rest of the team created this time around. Click the picture links ot see what our design team has made with this month's challenge beads!

Be well and get going!

It's my Birthday and I'll give if I want to

2012-01-19T11:37:00.002-07:00

51? I always thought I'd feel old by the time I got here. Silly me! Terry and I still flirt and joke around like teenagers. Growing older (rather than old) is pretty fantastic when you have a wonderful partner in the journey. I'm a very lucky woman.

To celebrate, I thought I'd do something for you:

For the next week (yes, week), more specifically until midnight Eastern Time on Thursday January 26, you get a free pattern of equal or lesser value for every "for personal use only" edition you purchase in my Etsy shop. Don't put the free pattern(s) in your shopping cart, please - just let me know during check out what I should send you.

And what's a post without a photo? Hard to believe this was taken 33 years ago today, on my 18th birthday...

Be well and get going and remember to celebrate ALL the days you get!

The "©" Word

2012-01-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, Beki Haley of Whimbeads.com published an insightful, informative blog post on one of my favorite subjects: copyright. She has given me permission to share this post with you here.

Copyright? Again?

I hate the phrase, “Beating a Dead Horse”. It sounds horrid. But it really is apropos for copyrightissues. For those of us who have beenonline for several years, and/or those of us who have needed to discuss or dealwith issues pertaining to copyright and beadwork, it really feels like you are “Beatinga Dead Horse”. You speak your mind time and time again, offer links, give examples…but it seems to fallon deaf ears all too often.
But….there are so many reasons why the topic needs to bediscussed again and again.
The main reason? Becausepeople continue to steal others artwork, designs, images, instructions, ideasand claim them as their own. Or theywill use another’s artwork and just not bother to credit them for it. Why credit someone? Well, aside from the common sense theory thatmentioning someone when you’ve used something they have designed will then gettheir name out there…that maybe the viewer might think, “Hey! I really like this persons designs, I think I’llgo purchase a pattern from them, too”. There is also the notion that when you credit someone you are beingconsiderate. I know, I know….manners,what a bore! They seem to be taking aswift exit stage left along with compassion, understanding, consideration and ethics.
Another reason to continually discuss the issue of copyrightis that there are still people who question it. They truly do not understand the concept. Maybe they interpret the law in such a waythat it becomes confusing for them. Maybe they want it to lean in their favor and so they intentionallyinterpret it how it suits them best. Ormaybe they don’t give a rats a$$. Hereis where I would have included the link to the copyright office. But since there is the excuse that thelegalese makes no sense, why bother.
It really is rather simple. Did you design that pattern independent of seeing it elsewhere? If not, it is not yours. No matter how much of it you change,regardless of any percentage, color changes, bead size changes, focal pointchanges, etc., etc., etc. changes…it is NOT yours. And if it is not yours you do not have theright to claim it as yours. It isillegal under the copyright law for you to do so…but even more, it is ethicallywrong for you to do this to a fellow beader. (PS...this blog post is not about coincidence, nor should coincidence be used as an excuse for you to be unethical. That is a different topic.)
Did you buy the pattern from a designer? See it in a magazine? Find it online? Purchase a kit? If so, regardless of what you do to this itemit belongs to the original designer. Youhave both a legal and moral obligation to not claim it as your own.
You could make those changes you want to make, but then yousimply mention that this item was inspired by So-n-So’s, Fancy Beaded Widget. There now…that didn’t hurt so badly, didit? Actually, if you stop and letyourself feel inside you’ll see that it actually felt good. You were a good person. And you helped out a fellow artisan by givingthem the credit they earned. And you setan example for your kids, friends and associates by just making a really simplegesture. Wow…you should be proud ofyourself for being such an honest and caring human.
The last reason for continually discussing this issue? Newbies. They happen every day. Thankgoodness! They are a wonderful group ofpeople, fresh, excited, eager to learn. Everythingbeady is amazing for them. I getenergized just being around a newbie. Their excitement flows over in abundance and I get to feel some of it,too. However, the newbie can also beclueless. A simple mention that thereare copyright issues involved with the patterns/designs they are learning frommany times does not make a big enough impact on the newbie. Their heads are in the clouds due to thelevel of excitement they are feeling about all those sparkly beads and theirnewfound joy in what they can create with them that you pretty much sound likea Charlie Brown teacher when you start blathering on about copyrightissues. But don’t back off. Keep teaching them. As with all things in life, there is more than one side. The newbie mustaccept the fact that there are issues regarding copyright that they will alsoneed to take the time to learn about. And if you are the one dealing with that newbie, it is your obligationto help them learn it.
So why am I beating this horse again? Because I experience copyright infringement often,either in my store, or through email, or I see it online when I’mbrowsing. Today I felt the need to bringit up again because I got an email from a newbie beader. She was so excited about what she justfinished beading. She was also cluelessthat just because she was the one to put the beads on the thread she was notthe original designer. She was thebeader. The designer of the pattern wasnever mentioned. I did my best to helpher understand that she gets even more kudos from me (and others) when shetakes just a moment to acknowledge the originator of the design when possible.Her original reply was simply, “Why?” After a few more emails I am happy to say that she understands now.
Oh, by the way…the design she beaded was mine. She didn’t notice the name from the magazinearticle. I'm thinking next time she'll look for the name. =o)

This is a subject I hope to discuss more in the coming weeks and months, with some examples of what is and what is not a violation of copyright.

Be well and get going, my friends! And, thank you, Beki, for writing that post and for giving me permission to reprint it here!

Bead Soup Blog Party Sign Up has begun!

2012-01-07T10:49:00.003-07:00

For the past two years I have been admiring Lori Anderson's amazing Bead Soup Blog Parties. This year, I decided to put my name in the hat. Registration for the lottery (participation is limited to 200) is January 7-9, so don't miss out on a chance to party. And, yes, this is open to international beaders! :D

That's the end of our Public Service Announcement.

Be well and get going! :D

A New Winner, A New Pattern, and New Year's Wishes

2011-12-31T15:50:00.001-07:00

First things first: We had 38 comments on the post for this wonderful set of Lark Studio Series books.

The trusty random number generator chose #33

Who is

Congratulations, Bek! I have her address so she won't have to get in touch with me. Her books will go out on Tuesday.

This morning, I was contacted by someone whose daughter wants her to bead a wide chevron cuff for her. She felt that my zig-zag patterns were as close as she could find on Etsy, until I told her about my Offset Chevron design and that I would be happy to publish the pattern for her... How nice to be able to end 2011 - my least productive year in the last several - with a new publication. Now available on Etsy:

It was fun to read about your holiday traditions and New Year's resolutions in the comments to my last post. I no longer make New Year's resolutions. Instead, I try to make the change when I recognize the need for it. One of the biggest changes I made to my life occurred several years ago, and I must admit to falling short of my goal on some days, but it is something I try to apply to every day: be thankful. It's not so much a matter of whom I am thankful to but what I am thankful for. By recognizing and acknowledging (usually on Facebook) the good in a day, in a situation, in a moment, I try to keep my focus on the positive. It would be easy to focus on the bad and to update the list of all the things that go wrong, have gone wrong, could go wrong, might go wrong, will go wrong, just plain old ARE WRONG. Yup, that would be easy.

As the first few decades of my life taught me, however, that approach - at least for me - is depressive and destructive. And so I CHOOSE, consciously and deliberately (but without putting on rose-colored glasses), to focus on what is good, right, and makes me happy. Bad things still happen, of course, and I certainly don't ignore them, but life is now a good thing; it is something to be honored, cherished, appreciated.

And so my New Year's wish for you is that you see the good, the positive, the beautiful in life. The bad, the negative, the ugly aren't going away...but we don't have to give them control.

Be well! And thank you for being part of the good things in my life. :)

Lark Studio Series: Wonderful Stocking Stuffers and a New Year's Prize

2011-12-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

I received a package from Lark Crafts last week but was so busy with other things that I put it aside without opening it. Forgive me, please? But if you're out shopping today or tomorrow and still need a stocking stuffer for a friend or something to give yourself cheer, please take a look at these wonderful small (5.25"x5.25") treasures that make up the Lark Studio Series collection: Art Tiles, Handmade Books, Chairs, Tables, Ceramic Sculptures, Handmade Dolls, Earrings, and Pendants.

Each and every one of these little volumes contains a large impact of beauty. These are similar to the 500 Series, but in smaller dosage. I love them! For their size. For their simplicity. For their contents. And you and your friends will as well.

And because Lark was kind enough to send me not only my review copies but an extra set to share with you, my friends, I can treat one of you to your own complete set while keeping one for myself! :) What a great Christmas gift for me and, I hope, great New Year's present for a lucky reader! I will gladly mail these anywhere. (n.b.: I have not received any compensation from Lark for my reviews.)

So, leave a comment here, sharing your favorite New Year's tradition or one of your resolutions for 2012. Deadline for entering is midnight (Eastern Time) on Friday, December 30th. I will announce the winner on New Year's Eve Day. To collect your prize, you will have to check back here by January 4th ... which is the deadline for you to contact me with your mailing information. I will draw an alternate name if I don't hear from you by then. ;) (This way, you don't have to leave your email or store address here, just your name...and I don't have to worry about trying to find you.)

We had a little snow earlier today, but now it's just cold. The system that has closed down interstate highways in other parts of New Mexico has spared us. For that I am thankful.

Be well!
Be safe!
Celebrate with joy!

2011-12-15T10:40:00.001-07:00

Today's the day. ;) After going through and deleting duplicate entries, I was left with 506 (yikes!) comments. Our friendly random number generator did the selection from there:

The 225th comment, starting with those left on Day One of the hop, is this one:

I will get in touch with her this morning with the (what I hope is) good news and to get her mailing address so that I can ship the box out tomorrow. Congratulations, Cynthia!

Thank you so much to all of you who participated in our Share the Love Blog Hop. And thank you, Marcia DeCoster, for inviting me to join!

I'm off to bead now... Happy Thursday! Be well. Get going.

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - The Finale

2011-12-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

It's time to put the last item in my "mixed bag" and tie it with a big old ribbon. :) Because I'm late with my post, I will give you until midnight Eastern Time to comment. I'll pick the winner when I get up tomorrow morning. I think I may have one of the pups help me with this. And then I'll post an announcement here.

Almost two years ago, I added this gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous (and fun!) cabochon to my extensive Lisa Peters Art collection/stash/obsession:

This morning, I spent some super fun time pulling out items for a kit for you to create something spectacular. I wouldn't expect anyone to use everything, so don't fret. Of course you don't have to include any of these things; you could just go into your own stash to play with Lisa's cab. The kit includes:

Lisa Peters Art stoneware cabochon
Nicole's Beadwright Bead Backing
ultra suede
leather
15/o, 11/o, and 8/o seed beads in oranges, blues/teals, and lavender
gemstone chips in amethyst and citrine
two ribbon chokers

Your mission, should you accept it, is to leave me a comment here (be sure there is a way for me to contact you: email, etsy/artfire store name, blog, FB page) to enter to win the "mixed bag" of things I love. Don't forget to leave your comment on each of the previous seven posts as well. You can have a total of eight chances to win.

I can't wait to find out where this bag will go...

Be well! Good Luck! And thank you for hopping along with us this past week. :D

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - Day Seven

2011-12-13T12:28:00.002-07:00

Originally this was going to be the last day of the hop, but since I won't be drawing and announcing the winner until December 15 (Thursday), I will turn this into an 8-day affair. I know, I know, the 12 Days of Christmas would be a perfect thing, but I do want to keep some of my stash for myself. I'm selfish that way.

Tomorrow will be a grand finale of sorts, but I think today is pretty special as well: A set of Wisconsin Trade Beads by the talented Harold Williams Cooney, the driving force and talent behind The American Trade Bead. These glorious colors should manage to get anyone in a brighter mood.

These beads are large - each about 25mm in diameter. :) I've acquired a small collection of Harold's beads over the last year or so and love them all. One of these days/weeks/months/years, I might actually get to use one in a project. In the meantime, it's like having a mini The American Trade Bead gallery in my own home.

For some of us blog hop hosts, this is the last day of the hop; for some, it isn't. Be sure to check each member's set of rules and deadlines:

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Here at Sand Fibers, the idea is to leave a comment below (be sure there is a way for me to contact you: email, etsy/artfire store name, blog, FB page). Only one comment per blog post per person, please. BUT you can comment on each day's blog post for multiple entries.
I will close the giveaway for entries tomorrow evening at 10pm. I will announce the winner of this big old "mixed bag" of goodies on Thursday.

Since so many of you commented on yesterday's weather photograph, I took another one for you this morning, which was rainy and cold...but with glimpses of gorgeous blue skies. This is the northeast corner of my backyard. When we moved in over a decade ago, those hedges were manicured...we've let them go wild (they are 8-10' high) and the birds love them. An entire flock of red wing black birds overnights there throughout the winter and spring months.

Stay warm. Be well. And get hopping! ;D

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - Day Six

2011-12-12T10:07:00.003-07:00

It's Monday. It's overcast (which is unusual here), but at least it's not as cold as it was about a week ago when I took this photograph (which happens to have made it to ABC7 Storm TRACK WEATHER PIC OF THE WEEK status yesterday)

Two of the three dogs actually slept in their dog houses last night. That means that Terry and I slept better. ;) Not that I don't love my dogs...

Marcia DeCoster named this the Sharing the Love blog hop. That means that I should share some things I really really love. And I will. Doubt me?

Today, I am adding 30 grams of my absolute favorite precious-metal plated Delicas to the "mixed bag": Ten grams each of DB0031 (24 karat gold-plated), DB0038 (palladium-plated), and DB0551 (sterling silver-plated).

I love looking at these beads, working with these beads, wearing these beads in finished pieces. You will too. For now, stop by all seven of our blogs during the hop:

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - Day Five

2011-12-11T10:07:00.001-07:00

I went into mild shock today when I realized that Christmas is only two weeks away. If you win my "mixed bag" and live in the United States, however, you will definitely get your prize in time to add it under your tree. If you are "international" and win, it could take as long as a month or as little as a few days for the package to get to you; it will be up to the whims of the postal gods.

Speaking of international, today's addition to the bag is by the Japanese beader Kumiko Mizuna Ito: Beadweaving Brilliance.

Wonder what I will add next? ;) Find out tomorrow!

In the meantime, remember to stop by all seven of our blogs during the hop:

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - Day Four

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've had a heck of time deciding what to add to our "mixed bag" today. We never add things to our stashes with the thought of letting go of them in the future, unless it's as part of a new creation. Sadly, my stash far outreaches any future beading dreams I have...and yet I keep adding...so there is much for me to choose from.

I'm fortunate to belong to Bead Art Originals, an Etsy team of incredibly talented beadweavers and bead artists. This blog hop seems like an opportune time to introduce you to some of their work, and so I will include the following in my giveaway:

This beautiful lampwork "Lickable Lentil Focal Bead" by Fire-n-Sand:

This polymer clay "Teal Willow Cuff Bracelet Bead" by Humblebeads:

I'll add more BAO goodies before this hop is over. In the meantime, remember to stop by all seven of our blogs during the hop:

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - Day Three

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is like Christmas shopping in my stash for my favorite beaders! I'm having fun putting this "mixed bag" together for you. Remember, you can enter on all seven of these blogs for the giveaways the authors are offering:

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Each of us is having one or more giveaways over the course of a week. Each of us has her own rules for entering her giveaway.

Here at Sand Fibers, the idea is to leave a comment below (be sure there is a way for me to contact you: email, etsy/artfire store name, blog, FB page). Only one comment per blog post per person, please. BUT you can comment on each day's blog post for multiple entries.

Today's addition to the "mixed bag" really represents the idea of "sharing the love" in a way I have seen beaders do time and time again. About this time last year, a much-loved and respected artist was faced with a scary medical situation, and the frightening bills that go along with those things. Many in the beading community found ways to raise money to assist him in his - successful! - fight. Kelli Burns at The Hole Bead Shoppe came up with a beautiful idea: she put together a few very special (limited edition!) challenge kits, valued at $40, and sold them for $25...passing all proceeds on to our friend. They sold out almost instantly and I was lucky to grab up two of them at the time. I'm ashamed to say I have not worked with either one yet...and they are just too full of possibility and beautiful beads to not be used. So the lucky winner of my giveaway will receive, among several other goodies, this kit:

In keeping with the spirit in which this kit was originally created, I think it would be most wonderful if the winner were to use it to make a gift for someone who needs something that is all about love or as a way to raise funds for someone/some organization to which they have a meaningful connection. Things like these kits are meant to be passed forward.

Now hop along! Be well!

Blog Hop: Sharing the Love - Day Two

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have you started hopping these blogs yet?

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Each of us is having one or more giveaways over the course of the next week. Each of us has her own rules for entering her giveaway.

Here at Sand Fibers, the idea is to leave a comment below (be sure there is a way for me to contact you: email, etsy/artfire store name, blog, FB page). Only one comment per blog post per person, please. BUT you can comment on each day's blog post for multiple entries.

Today I am adding the following to my "mixed bag" giveaway: Crochet Jewelry by Waejong Kim and Anna Pulvermakher. I've had this book for a few years, but this copy really is "like new." :)

Wonder what I'll add tomorrow... ;)

Now go hop hop hop! Be well!

Blog Hop - Sharing the Love - Day One

2011-12-07T09:44:00.001-07:00

This post was supposed to go up first thing this morning, but my computer and I were not getting along at the time. There's nothing like being late for a date, especially when it's with six other artists. I apologize to them and to you for my tardiness! The seven of us, see below, are having a special blog hop for the next week:

Beverly Gilbert
Val Hebert
Jeannette Cook
Carol Dean Sharpe
Marcia DeCoster
Cynthia Deis
Lori Anderson

Each of us will have a giveaway of some sort on our blog, each of us will announce the winner on December 15th, each of us has her own rules for her giveaway. So be sure to hop along the list above and enter, enter, enter. Good luck!

Because my audience (yes, that would be YOU) are such a mixed bag, I've decided to create a "mixed bag" of things for you over the next few days, adding a little and blogging about it each day. The very first thing to go into this bag is my Endless Blooming Tide Pendant:

By the time this hop is over, the bag will be filled with some jewelry, a bead or two, a book or two, and some other surprises. I will gladly ship this overseas to a lucky winner, using regular airmail.

How do I enter?, you ask. Easy as pie: Just leave a comment below (be sure there is a way for me to contact you: email, etsy/artfire store name, blog, FB page). Only one comment per blog post per person, please. BUT you can comment on each day's blog post for multiple entries.

Now go hop along and be well!

Artisan Clay Fall Fashion Show Blog Hop

2011-10-28T11:58:00.001-06:00

Project Runway has nothing on what you are about to see! A heretofore unmatched collection of designs using Artisan Clay creations!

In lieu of the regularly scheduled monthly Artisan Clay Design Team Challenge, we are staging an Artisan Clay Fall Fashion Show, in the form of a blog hop, each blog providing its own runway.

Make sure to visit all the blogs! Because then you can stop back at Artisan Clay Blog and leave a comment (just one please) and let us know what your favorite design or component was. You are then entered for a surprise giveaway~ the talented StaciLouise will be sharing one of her Artisan Clay components with one lucky winner. Giveaway ends at the end of the day (Friday, October 28th)! Like always, please make sure you leave an email or you have one linked to your blog to qualify.

Most of all~ have fun hopping!!!!!!

My own part of this show will start out with a new Sand Fibers/Artisan Clay creation. My neck/shoulder/arm issues are back to where they were this summer and so I haven't been able to create a rope for this, but I think I will try both a simple beaded rope and a fiber one, once I'm able to.

I've had this gorgeous stoneware donut by Kristie in my stash for some time and it called to me when I went looking for inspiration this week.

It is reversible! And so I created one of my triangle bails and embellished it on both sides. I love the colors, textures, and shapes in this pendant, which I have not named yet.

And here are most (if not all) of my other collaborations with Kristie, many of which are currently at the Bead & Glass Boutique in Pitman, New Jersey.

Wear the Caribbean

Some pendants I created for Kristie to use at her bead shows:

Christmas Present

Every Sky has a Silver Lining

Hessonite Ice

Bronze Age


Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Lemon and Chocolate Confection

Promises of Spring

Red White and Blue

Blue Moon

Harvest Moon

The Citrus Springs

Bronze Age Revisted

untitled

Copper Bloom and Leaf

And here are my submissions for the Artisan Clay Design Team Challenges we've had so far:

Transitions

Summer Meadow

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire

untitled

Ridged Transitions

Wow...that was a longer list than I thought it would be. ;) Please hop on over to the Artisan Clay blog and follow the blog hop links for this Artisan Clay Fall Fashion Show. (Remember to leave a comment with your favorite component/piece in the show on that blog, not here.)

Happy Friday! Be well and get going!

And the winners are...

2011-10-25T12:13:00.000-06:00

We had 48 eligible comments for this latest GiveAway drawing. Thank you!

First, I used FireShot to capture the entire page of comments and numbered them 1-48 using MS Paint. Then I had my trusty random number generato r pick eleven numbers between 1 and 110. In the order they were picked, I assigned the prizes to the comment number. In the event that someone left no way for me to contact them (by having the blogger profile be private, for instance) and I did not know them, I went to the next number. In the event that two comments by the same person were picked (as happened several times), I went to the next number for the second (lesser) of the prizes. Is that clear as mud? ;o

Here are the results:

I will notify the winners in person this afternoon. Congratulations.

Be well and get going!

Help me celebrate! And, perhaps, win something!

2011-10-20T10:43:00.003-06:00

At the end of August, I had my 3000th sale on Etsy. Wow. This morning, I saw the 3,100th. I think a Sand Fibers GiveAway is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overdue. This time, I have two "grand prizes." And I will gladly ship these anywhere in the world, so please enter, my international friends!

The first is a custom-made Totally Architecture cuff in the colors of your choice.

The second grand prize consists of three - because we are celebrating THREE thousand, of course - gorgeous beads by three of my favorite artists:

From MAKUstudio:

From LisaPetersArt:

From ArtisanClay:

I will also have my trusty random number generator draw 10 names for $15 Sand Fibers Gift Certificates (enough for two patterns - the 3 for 2 program will NOT apply here, however).

The winners can use these gift certificates in my Etsy store or to order a custom item. Or, because I will make the gift certificate transferable and without expiration date, you can give the certificate as a gift.

The "Rules"

To enter the drawing for these prizes, you can do one or more of the following. Please note that to take full advantage of these you must leave a separate comment for each.

Leave a comment here telling me how you would describe Sand Fibers to someone who hasn't seen my work. (No one said you wouldn't have to work for this! lol)
Blog about this give away and leave a comment here with a link to your blog post.
Twitter about this give away and leave a comment here letting me know you did. Be sure to reference @SandFibersRedux in your tweet.
Link to this post on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me you know you did. Be sure to use the @Sand Fibers tag in your post (it will show up on my fan page wall)

Please leave your email or your etsy/ArtFire store name or something in the comment as well so that I have a way of contacting you in case you win.

If you do all four of these things, you will leave four separate comments and have four separate chances to win. You could, of course, choose to just do one of the four, or two, or three...and that's okay as well. Just enter!

Entries/comments must be made by midnight on Monday, October 24. I will use my trusty random number generator to determine the winners on Tuesday and will announce the winner on this blog later that day.

Good luck! Now be well and get going (but only after you leave your comment)!

COLORED Fireline

2011-10-08T11:07:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago, my buddy Jennifer VanBenschoten let the cat out of its proverbial bag in her Beading Daily blog post: Fireline is available in colors!

No way, right? Way! LOL

Kelley Darcangelo, the owner of Sparkle Spot Bead Shop, has worked with a chemical engineer to add after-market dye to 6# Fireline. For now, she is making 50 yard spools available in grape, hyacinth, chestnut brown, azure blue, teal, cherry blossom, periwinkle, and goldenrod. I splurged and ordered an 8-pack (saving 10%), but you can order the colors individually...or even get a sampler of all 8 (5 yards of each) for $20.

Last night I finished the first piece using this new "toy": a made-to-order New Mexico Skies cuff.

It's nice, as I knew it would be. And for those of you who love all the benefits of Fireline but have stayed with other threads because of the color issue, this might well be your perfect solution. In my case, I bead most of my simple flat peyote pieces using 4# which I buy in huge spools of 1,000 or 1,500 yards. And I've never been uncomfortable with "only" having crystal and smoke available to me. My piecing thread for quilting was always a neutral grey or taupe.

That said, I will be using my colored Fireline collection for projects like my Blooming Beads

Totally Architecture

and the new bangles

...all projects in which the thread can take on a more prominent role.

And that's all from Sand Fibers for now. Be well and get going, my friends!

September Artisan Clay Design Team Challenge - Ridged Transitions

2011-10-04T17:15:00.000-06:00

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date. Four days late, to be exact.

The reveal for last month's Artisan Design Team Challenge was last Friday. I began work on my piece in what I was sure was ample time to finish. I wasn't just sure: I was positive.

Kristie gave us an abundance of gorgeous buttons to choose from this time around, but I was immediately drawn to the larger of the two "ridged" bronze and aqua buttons left of center. They all were so very tempting, however...and just wait until you see what my team members made with some of them!

I saw this that button and was convinced I had the perfect beads for it. I knew I wanted to revisit the Transitions design I had used for the first team challenge. In case you didn't remember...

This time, however, I was going to let the button dictate a big change: the new Transitions cuff - like the button - has ridges:

It is, appropriately therefore, called Ridged Transitions. It is also constructed in 3-drop peyote to make the embellishing process a little easier (or so I thought) and make it easier to "line up" the ridges in the button with those in the beading..

I made three one inch attempts to start this with blue and bronze beads. The first blues were too green; the second to bright, and the third came from a different reality (or so it seemed). They all looked like good matches while still in their containers. It's a lesson I seem to have to repeat on a regular basis: beads in tubes/bags/boxes do not necessarily look the same as they will once beaded up. Colors and color relations can change dramatically.

Okay, so I'll go with two tones of bronze: a matte background and metallic bronze for the "ridges." Oh...but that just didn't have enough life to it. Thank goodness I located some topaz lined aqua beads that REALLY support Kristie's button the way it deserves to be supported. I am now quite pleased with the results...even if the beading took so much longer than anticipated.

Here are some more views of the cuff:

Before you go on with your day, please take a look at what the other members created with their buttons. As always, these artist impress!

Now, be well and get going!

The Bangles!!!!

2011-09-27T16:02:00.000-06:00

I know I made some silly promise last month about updating you on the happenings at Sand Fibers. And, silly you!, you probably believed me. Sorry.

Because of some issues with my neck and lower back, I have had to change how I sit when I bead. It used to be that I sat at the edge of my big easy chair, hunched over the huge ottoman that had my work tray on it, while my elbows rested on my knees. Please don't try to visualize that; it didn't make for a pretty picture. It made for some marathon beading sessions.

Well, now I sit in my new Stressless chair (oh yeah!) and keep the work tray on my lap. Trying to move my eyes more and my head less. That makes working from patterns a little more difficult and definitely a lot more time consuming. For a while there, I was not doing any major work from patterns, but I couldn't not bead. Nope, not beading was just not an option. It would make for a very miserable Carol Dean.

The result is a new line of pieces that don't require my looking at anything but the beads on my tray and the work in my hands: Ribbed Peyote BANGLES!!!! I love making these, I love wearing these, and I hope you will like them as well.

What inspired them? The cuffs on my favorite sweaters. ;)

Steel on Steel Ribbed Peyote Bangle / Bracelet (2594) - A Sand Fibers Creation

Gold on Bronze Ribbed Peyote Bangle / Bracelet (2595) - A Sand Fibers Creation

Capri-ciously Blue Ribbed Peyote Bangle / Bracelet (2596) - A Sand Fibers Creation

Turquoise Checkered Ribbed Peyote Bangle / Bracelet (2597) - A Sand Fibers Creation

The Candy Bar Trio - Ribbed Peyote Bangle / Bracelet Set in Bronze and Brown (2599) - A Sand Fibers Creation

And there's this one which my mom purchased before she left on her latest cruise trip:

And so, there you have it. Bangles at Sand Fibers! Yes, there will be a tutorial/pattern. No, I do not know when. ;)

Be well and get going, my friends! Thank you for your patience with me and my blogging these last few months. ;)

A Television Appearance

2011-08-28T09:59:00.000-06:00

Well, kind of. Our local ABC affililate (KVIA) has a Storm Track Weather Pic of the Week feature. This week, a photo I submitted was chosen:

And here's the original:

I told you I wouldn't make you wait 2 months for another post. ;)

Be well and get going! (And to my friends in the Northeast: I hope Irene was/is kind to you!)

Artisan Clay Design Team Challenge: August

2011-08-27T14:00:00.000-06:00

I have been a bad, very bad blogger. But I do have an excuse: a pinched nerve in my neck has put severe limitations on how much time I can spend on the computer...and, worse, how much time I can spend on beading. For a few weeks, I really couldn't do much at all of either, which is why I didn't participate in the July Challenge for the Artisan Clay Design Team. But things seem to be improving (or I'm just getting used to this particular level of pain, who knows) and so I was able to keep my promise to participate in this month's challenge. Wouldn't you know it, however, that I'm a day late with my "reveal." LOL Oh well.

When I received this month's bead from the talented Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay, I was taken aback a little: it was a three loop connector bead. Beautiful, but really not the kind of bead I work with. This translated into a real challenge for me. I came up with several design concepts (some of which I may yet pursue), but most were not possible for me because they involved making ndebele ropes which are especially difficult for me with this neck/shoulder/arm problem I'm having.

I used the beautiful crescent-shaped connector bead in the clasp/focal for a relatively simple right-angle-weave cuff.

I'm pretty happy with the result, although I think that the "swirl" hook part of the clasp would look better in a warm metal than it does in sterling.

The rest of the Design Team came up with some great creations. You can see them in detail by following the links below.

Earlier in the week, the Beading Daily blog featured an interview with me by my friend Jennifer Van Benschoten (online editor of Beading Daily and the talented artist behind VanBeads).

There is much to report from the last two months, but today is not the day. BUT I do want you to know that I have permanently extended my "3 for 2" Program to include ALL Sand Fibers patterns: "for personal use only" as well as "for personal AND commercial use." The store listings do not reflect this yet. I just haven't been able to find the "umpf" needed to do all that editing yet.

One more thing before I leave: Cosmic Collar is now available in my Etsy Shop, in case you want a spectacular piece to wear New Year's Eve! :)

Be well and get going, my friends! I promise to take less than two months for my next update. ;)

Artisan Clay Design Team Challenge: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire

2011-06-24T09:54:00.000-06:00

This month, the talented Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay chose her smoke fired beads for us to use in the challenge. These are the gorgeous beads from which the team members got to choose:

Because I already have such an extensive collection of her smoke fired beads, we decided that I would go with something from my own stash before she even showed these choices (now I just lust after every single one of them!).

If you've been following the news at all, you probably know that Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas have been plagued by large wild fires these past few weeks. Hundreds of miles away from the fires in southern Arizona, we have smelled and seen the smoke as far east as here in Anthony, at the New Mexico border with Texas. Smoke and the fire that it inevitably comes from have been on my mind a lot lately.

The idea behind these challenges is to do something we haven't done before. Well, I had been collecting but had not yet used several of her gorgeous large (1.75 long and 1" "thick") barrel beads.

And I've been wanting to play with fiber again, not having done so in almost a year. So I got out the beads and took them to my extensive yarn stash and found the perfect Japanese cotton/cashmere blend in an earthy color way. I wanted a thick rope for the 12mm holes in these beads, so I crocheted the entire 80 meter skein into a long chain, which I then used to create a kumihimo braid.

I had originally intended to use only one bead, but it just looked so very lonely on its own. I'm glad that I switched to a double stranded design.

For me the trickiest part of working with kumihimo ropes is always how to finish them. I'm not a huge fan of glue and I prefer beaded closures to pre-made ones (although I do have some wonderful metal and ceramic end caps in my stash), so my natural inclination is to bead those finishing touches.

And so we come to fire part of this piece: I used Japanese matte bronze seed beads and Czech dark bronze FIRE polished beads to create both the end caps and the closure for this. It won't show unless you have short hair or wear your hair in an up-do or pony tail, but you'll always know that added sparkle is there. ;)

How does it close? You see that middle section there? That's made up of two separate rectangles that are connected with sew on snaps (which right angle weave seems especially designed for, btw). The snaps are completely hidden from view. And while the closure is a bit more on the "bling side" than the focals, there is nothing delicate or light about it. In visual weight it provides the perfect, if surprising, counterpoint to the rustic smoke fired focals.

One of the best parts of these challenges is that we get to see what other designers have created using similar starting points. Click the individual pictures to be taken to the designer's blog entry for this challenge:

I'll have this piece available in my Etsy store by the end of the day, in case you are interested. ;)

I have lots to catch you up on - I realize I've been a horrible blogger this past month - but that will have to wait for later. In the meantime, be well and get going, my friends! :D

Artisan Clay Design Team Challenge: Summer Meadow

2011-05-27T11:22:00.001-06:00

This month, Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay decided to surprise us with our beads. Mine was the second from the right in the top row.

The blue glass surrounded by the green stoneware instantly made me think of a cool refreshing pond in the middle of a summer meadow. And so I went with that idea. Think of the white beads as the daisies in that meadow.

I don't often use right angle weave, but decided that I wanted a less "dense" bezel than one done with only peyote would result in. This is a mix; the inner rows on both the front and the back are done with peyote. I intentionally distorted the bezel into a more oval form to show more of green stoneware.

And since the cab was set with RAW, it only seemed right (pun intended) that the band be done with it as well. I had fun playing with the number of beads in the stitch in both the bezel and the band. Oh, and your eyes do not deceive you: this was created with size 15/o and 14/o beads. I felt a little crazy that day.

The closure is a simple vintage (from my grandmother's sewing kit - so at least 30 years old!) hook and for the "eye" I used the string of beads that keeps the bezel in its distorted form, all hidden on the back side of the Kristie's beautiful cab. I might as well show you, right?

The bracelet will fit best on a 6.5" wrist. It will be a little snug, but that will allow the focal to stay on top of the wrist.

The best part of belonging to this Artisan Clay Design team is seeing all the different ways in which the other artists incorporate Kristie's beads into their work.

I can't wait to see what Kristie has planned for June!

I hope you have a wonderful Friday. Be well and get going...

More Fun with Triangle Beads and Delicas

2011-05-24T16:30:00.000-06:00

The hardest thing about my newest design was coming up with a name: Bowed Hearts. I had so much fun working this up. I love the colors and am excited about the new pattern, which gives more of a "bow" than my Ripples or Corrugated designs do.

I'll issue the pattern for this, but I won't make promises as to when just yet. I have a long "to do" list, including beading some ordered pieces in the next week or so.

Be well and get going! ;)

New Cuff, New Pattern

2011-05-22T13:27:00.000-06:00

By now you've figured out that I enjoy mixing cylinder beads with Toho triangles. The corrugated texture that I've created with this mix begs for an overlying pattern. I've been wanting to try a two-color, rather simple geometric twist to this for a while, and the perfect beads for that arrived last week. Introducing Corrugated Sawtooth, this one in white-lined aqua and matte metallic plum beads:

Aren't the colors just glorious! :D

The only other thing I've accomplished this weekend is to publish the pattern for Catherine's Braid:

Don't let the elegant original scare you off. This would be so much fun in many different color schemes:

I almost forgot! I did bring the Simplicity Bracelets back into my shop:

And I've added a new "Peyote on a String" piece to the line (or is that lime?) up.

And that really is it for this weekend at Sand Fibers. I hope you are having a lovely day. Be well and get going! ;)

More New Ripples, Kits?, and Some Cuffs Come Home Again

2011-05-19T10:26:00.000-06:00

I've been wanting to see what Toho's Aiko beads were like to work with and this new Large Gothic Ripples Peyote Cuff presented the perfect opportunity.

I can't believe how absolutely perfect these beads are. If they weren't so very expensive, I would be tempted to switch. For now, however, I will use them only for some of my cylinder and triangle mix cuffs.

I'm thinking of offering some of my Ripples cuffs in kit form. Any preferences/requests for which I should put together first?

Large Forest Ripples

Large Regal Ripples

Large Black Ripples

Large Silver Ripples

Large Olivine Ripples

Large Chartreuse Ripples

Large Cosmos Ripples

Large Tangerine Ripples

Large Golden Ripples

Some pieces that have been absent from my Etsy store - while they were in a different online venue - are now back.

Corrugated Steel Peyote Cuff

Dissections in Green and Silver Peyote Cuff

Cubism Diamonds Peyote Cuff

Modern Bargello Hearts Peyote Cuff

Cubism Diamonds Peyote Cuff in Your Custom Color Palette

Modern Bargello Hearts Cuff in Your Custom Color Palette

Catherine's Braid Peyote Cuff

And now that you have had your absolute fill of Sand Fibers cuffs, be well and get going, my friends. ;)

Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers

2011-05-18T21:28:00.000-06:00

I like to take Wednesdays to thank the curators who have chosen Sand Fibers creations for their treasuries in the last week. Please visit these shops...and if you end up buying something, tell them Sand Fibers sent you ;)

Hot Pink Flower Brooch - Vintage

WestcoastKnittery

Sterling Silver 'Two of us' Name tag with birthstone, personalized hand stamped necklace

IntentionallyMe

handmade Silver Box Tibetan Prayer Wheel Pendant on hand-dyed varigated purple sik ribbon

indigobjects

Vintage Poker Chip Pendant

kathylambertdesigns

Handmade Polymer Clay Bracelet

AngelaDesign

Bracelet in magnificent turquoise and bronze color

PerlaCohenSkally

E reader Pocket for Kindle or Nook - Beautiful Batik Print

AngelinaInspirations

Audrey Blossom Wedding Bobbies Hair Pin Set of Three

storytale

FLORAL / Dragonfly- Yellow Enamel Sunflower with Dragonfly Picture Pendant

artpassionsdesign

Waterfall Button and Bead Pendant

buttonsoupjewelry

Red Buttons Necklace

AngelaDesign

forge-- beaded gemstone necklace-- sponge coral, red agate, carnelian & african brass

thebeadedlily

OOAK Come Soar with Me Quantum Steampunk Jewelry Box

RavensCrafts

I hope you had a good Wednesday, my friends. Be well and get going!

More New Pieces

2011-05-17T10:24:00.000-06:00

Well, I finished that Large Golden Ripples cuff I mentioned yesterday afternoon. I love how it turned out!

What I completely forgot to tell you about in yesterday's posts are some Blooming Bead variations I have been playing with.

The first is a Blooming Fish Bead that just demanded to be made:

The second was my entry into the latest Bead Art Originals Color Challenge, an idea I've had since shortly after I came up with the original Blooming Bead. As is so often the case with me, however, I got side-tracked and didn't bead this into reality until last week:

Blooming BonBon in Sunset Colors Pendant

You can see the photograph that inspired the colors for it as well as these other four entries on the BAO blog:

The pattern for the Large Golden Ripples can be found in 3 for 2 Program - Ripples Large and Small Peyote Cuffs - For Personal Use Only PDF Pattern.

The patterns for both of the new Blooming Bead variations will be included in Blooming Beads Volume Two, publication date to be announced.

Happy Tuesday! Be well and get going!

Busy at Sand Fibers: New Cuffs, New Patterns

2011-05-16T10:50:00.000-06:00

I've been too busy to blog? Can that be?

A little more than a week ago, I started work on the (long-ago promised) step-by-step tutorial for the Serendipity cuff, using my thermal weave:

Have you ever tried creating or following step-by-step photographs with BLACK beads? Not an easy or rewarding task, so I decided that I had to photograph the progress with a new cuff. And since I was starting from scratch, why not use some really large (say 8s) delicas to illustrate the process? That is how I ended up with the Chunky Serendipity in Bronze piece:

As you can see, I decided that this could be made as a cuff with clasps rather than "just" as the original bangle. I'm still "photo shopping" the photographs for the tutorial, but hope to have it released some time this week. I will be sure to let you know. ;)

I managed to finish and mail out the original Sparkly Raspberry cuff and have since relisted it as a made-to-order selection in the store:

At 2" wide, it is a pretty substantial cuff, but I would be happy to make one to your specifications using the same bead soup (pricing would be adjusted accordingly). Just let me know. ;)

A customer ordered a Large Chartreuse Ripples cuff which gave me occasion to go looking through my Toho triangles stash. A few days later, I found myself with a little time in my schedule and this is the result: Large Cosmos Ripples

I do love beading this design (so much so that I a currently have a Large Gold Ripples on my bead mat, which I hope to have listed tomorrow!).

Once I had indulged in my little (okay Large!) ripples fix, I had to get back to the stack of patterns that are waiting to come into beaded reality. I wanted to work on something that wasn't complicated - not that my designs ever really are - , so I went with Going Dotty.

Going Dotty in the Spring Time Peyote Cuff

And then came the weekend and the listing of patterns! Yes, patterns! All in both "for personal use only" and "for personal and commercial use" editions. (And remember, these are also all available as "teaching packages" - just contact me for more information.) Most of these were for older designs for which customers have requested the patterns. Here it goes:

I believe I mentioned that I have been busy...

Back to work now. I hope you have a wonderful Monday! Be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers

2011-05-11T10:58:00.000-06:00

Black Canyon Shea Butter Soap for Him

adriannesoapshack

cute mini bow

mamitabella93

Natural Holey Stones Odin Stone Hag Stone

WaveSong

MADELINE necklace...cream or white flower girl special occasion necklace

DeannasTreasures

Melville. Happy Whale Adjustable Ring.

amaniworks

Woven Pearls Rockstar Necklace-- Berry, Black, Silver and White

JennieClaire

White Paper Crystal and Driftwood Mobile

ThingsTogether

Turquoise, light blue and white abstract pendant

sdjjewellery

PDF Instructions for Freeform Bracelets

JadeDogBeads

Multi Layer Chain Necklace

iscreamdesign

Verdigris Patina Blazing Sun earrings : 15% off sale

CobblestoneAvenue

Blue Jasper and Turquoise Bracelet

NyeDesigns

I LOVE SHOPPING BAG

LiveFashion

SUMMER SALE 20% OFF: Turquoise necklace in red and brown linen threads nr. 144

ifatcreations

WHITE DOILY Unique Tatting 9in/23cm

FairyTattingAndTings

Polymer Clay Stripe Barrette

AngelaDesign

Handmade Polymer Clay Bangle Bracelet

AngelaDesign

Have a wonderful Wednesday, my friends! Be well and get going! :D

Mother's Day Pattern Sale - Buy One, Get One

2011-05-06T17:15:00.000-06:00

Is your mom a beadweaver? Are you? In honor of this weekend's celebration of our moms, I am having a

Buy One, Get One

sale on all of my "for personal use only" patterns in the Etsy store. Just purchase and pay for one pattern and leave the name of your free pattern in the Notes to Seller at checkout. Please don't put your free pattern(s) in the shopping cart, because I would have to pay fees on those. Thank you!!!

And just to give this post a little visual interest, here's a peek at my latest "in progress" piece: Sparkly Raspberry, a 2" wide cuff that is a custom order. The customer chose the delica colors, and I am thrilled with the rich bead combination:

I did nothing to these photos other than crop them. The beads look quite different depending on the angle you view them at and the light. I should have this ready to photograph and list tomorrow. I believe it will become a Sand Fibers "made to order" option as well.

Have a wonderful Friday evening. Be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers

2011-05-04T10:37:00.000-06:00

Northern Collection Earrings--Turquoise Blue

eastwestsouthnorth

Turquoise Felted Wrist Cuff

zamirte

Aqua and White Glass Matte Finish Beads 12 mm 17 Beads

shoppingforbeads

Turquoise Delight- Peyote Stitch Cuff -LAB4

Lynn1976

Okeanos Hand Embroidered Cuff -LAB3

Lynn1976

Hair Fork 5 Prong Birdseye Maple Wood with Steampunk works Hairfork

grahtoestudio

Polaroid One Step Express Camera

TagSaleFinds

FullMoon Love - 8.5 x 11 Archival Print

shellieartist

Sun Kissed - Original Fabric on Wood

shellieartist

Northern Collection Earring---- Indicolite

eastwestsouthnorth

Dawn Chorus Brooch

LittleCanaryBird

Summer necklace in blue nr. 167

ifatcreations

Be well and get going on this first Wednesday in - can you believe it's already!? - MAY, my friends! :D

Odd Count Peyote a la Sand Fibers - A Quickie Step-by-Step

2011-05-03T17:21:00.000-06:00

I published this step-by-step tutorial for odd count peyote on my Facebook fan page today, but then it occurred to me that a lot of you may not be on Facebook or, if you are, may not be fans of my page. So here it goes:

String on the beads for your 1st and 2nd row and stitch all but the last bead in your third row.

Rather than go in and through only one bead at the end, go through the last two beads (or bead stacks if you are working more than 1-drop).

Your 3rd row will be missing its last bead. Let's fix that.

Pick up the last bead (or bead stack, be sure to go in reverse order) and go through the two beads shown in the photo.

Now you will do a "U-turn," creating the second half of an X with your thread path and coming out the first bead of row one.

Please note that this "U-turn" is only used in for Row 3 (although it is this turn that is often used in other directions). The "U-turn" for future rows, as shown, later in these photos, is what makes this "a la Sand Fibers."

Your thread is still not where you need it to be to continue beading, so...

Go through the last bead of Row 3 and turn your work

You are now ready to bead Row 4.

At the end of "regular" rows, I add one simple step to allow for equal thread passes at the end of all rows. This keeps your work from "bowing" to one side in the final product, allowing for the same thread tension on both sides. Without this, the "regular" end has more give if you don't bead with super tight tension.

I take my need through the bead immediately below the one I just came out of.

And then I take another quick "U-turn" and am back where I started, and turn my work.

This is the "U-turn" you will use for the "odd" rows from here on in.

When you add the last bead of your row, you only go through the one bead in the preceding row, as shown.

Then you take your needle through the two rows below it, as shown.

Your thread still isn't where you need it to be...

so take it through the last bead of your row and turn.

And, as they would say in England, carry on...

And that's all for today. Be well and get going, but please come back tomorrow for some Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers.

Transitions in Bronze and Steel

2011-04-29T06:30:00.002-06:00

A few months ago I drafted what I think is pretty dog-gone cool pattern: Transitions. As is sadly so often the case for me nowadays, the pattern languished in my virtual pattern drawer because there was always something more pressing to be beaded.

Well that changed when this month's Artisan Clay Design Team challenge bead arrived, the button on the bottom right:

I knew that Transitions would provide the perfect backdrop for this:

Please visit these links to see everything the Artisan Clay Design Team created for this month's challenge!

Be well and get going!

Time for a Fiesta!

2011-04-28T19:33:00.000-06:00

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, which means it's time for a fiesta. Truth be told, the New Mexy Etsy's April Design Challenge theme is Cinco de Mayo, so I decided it was time for a Fiesta cuff at Sand Fibers.

All the challenge entries will be featured on the team's blog starting on May 1st. You'll even have a few days to vote on your favorite. ;)

And, before you ask, yes, there will be a pattern for this in the near future. Now, be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers and Hummingbirds

2011-04-27T16:38:00.000-06:00

I want to take Wednesdays to thank the curators who have chosen Sand Fibers creations for their treasuries in the last week. Please visit these shops...and if you end up buying something, tell them Sand Fibers sent you ;)

Ocean Architecture --OOAK Bracelet--

SkyeTrinity

Vintage Ceramic Owl Bell

BoomerangTrash

1980s Wood Trivet from India, Thick, Hand Carved, Useful

HamiltonBay

Flying Swallow Bowl

terraworks

Bb is for bird print

mysimplicitydesigns

Thunderbird Mosaic Tray

trumosaics

I'm not quite sure how this managed to end up with another bird theme... Perhaps it's because I'm spending time feeding this season's hummingbird visitors. The wonderful tiny birds have been around for about a month now, but these are the first photos of the year.

Be well and get going, my friends!

And the new owner of Creating Glass Beads is...

2011-04-27T10:32:00.000-06:00

The drawing for my review copy of Creating Glass Beads closed at midnight.

This morning, I used my trusy Random Number Generator to select which of the eligible 16 comments (I deleted duplicates and those that came in after the deadline) was the "lucky number":

And the winner is....drumroll, please:

Congratulations to Mia Denman of Beady Chick on Etsy! I will contact Mia privately for her mailing address and get her new book out to her asap (well, as soon as possible as good old media mail will get it to her).

Come back later today for my Wednesday Window Shopping post, please. ;)

Eyes of the Circle - Pattern Published!

2011-04-20T15:37:00.000-06:00

Well that didn't take too terribly long now, did it? Only nine days after I first revealed the new design, I have the pattern published and listed on Etsy. ;)

Eyes of the Circle Peyote Cuff - For Personal Use Only PDF Pattern

I am really looking forward to seeing what colors people bead this up in. I encourage those who buy and bead my patterns to send me photographs of your results so that I can share them on the Sand Fibers Facebook page. (If you "like" that page already, you can post the photos yourself, by the way.) It's always so much fun to see your work!

I hope midweek is being good to you! Now be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers

2011-04-20T10:20:00.000-06:00

Bird Song in Purple - a quilt

harvestcrafts

Penguin Party Invitation Set of 20

RootDown

BIRD / EAGLE- Beautiful Pewter Eagle Pendant

artpassionsdesign

Quilted Owl Notecards

Emmakat

Birds of a Feather - 19x22 Original Acrylic Painting - Brown and Black

justlouisdesigns

Glass Leaf Necklace - Nature in the City Collection

UrbanRevisions

Green Earth - Lampwork Glass Beads - SRA

PoetsTorchLampwork

PCP3926 - Polymer Clay Pendant

trinitydj

Vintage Owl Figurine (Mother's Day Idea)

BoomerangTrash

Four Utility Poles on Refashioned Necktie

MadrigalEmbroidery

30 Pheasant Feathers in Brown, Black, and White

emilyriley

I think I did pretty good trying to follow a "birdie" theme for this little outing, with only two or three little strays into "nature" or green. ;o hehe (The birds ARE on those poles; you just don't see them!)

Be well and get going!

Creating Glass Beads - A Review and GiveAway

2011-04-19T14:22:00.001-06:00

I don't make beads (unless you count the blooming bead). I definitely don't make glass beads. So how did I end up with a copy of Creating Glass Beads by Jeri L.Warhaftig? Well, the powers that be at Lark Publishing thought it would be a good volume for me to review. Were they right?

While I am endlessly fascinated by the beauty that can be achieved by artists who melt glass to create beads...and I even have one or two (or thirty) of these beads in my stash just waiting for me to use them in a design...I am illogically terrified of the flame these artists use in the process. I hated having to light the burners on my old gas stove. I can't imagine wanting to be in the same room as someone using a torch, much less wanting to use one myself.

Warhaftig, whose first book Glass Bead Workshop was published by Lark in 2008, has created a ten-project workshop for intermediate level beadmakers. Nine of these projects are shown on the cover of the book. Not pictured on the cover are these cane beads featured in Session 6 of the workshop:

Each session/chapter in the book provides detailed instruction lists and excellent, clear step-by-step process photographs in addition to lengthy process descriptions to guide the beadmaker along. Interspersed throughout are little highlighted "workshop wisdom" clips that provide just that: workshop wisdom, lessons learned by the author that she shares just as she would in a real workshop environment. Also included is a section on "The Basics": Tools and Materials, Annealing, Safety, and How to Use This Book. Two detailed appendices on Mirroring with Silver and Working with Resin provide detailed special technique information needed for two of the projects.

My favorite aspect of the book is that Warhaftig enrolled ten beadmakers in this workshop to test each project before publication. Better yet - she shares the project testers' results with you. Her reasons for this approach are best detailed by Warhaftig herself in the introduction:

I've witnessed the birth of many beautiful beads that stand on the shoulders of the original project. The project bead is, after all, primarily a teaching device -- a combination of materials and techniques that results in a bead. What's fascinating is to watch where students take it. I wanted to show you the work of your fellow students, the creative and inspiring paths they take. I wanted this book to embody the interactive dialogue of my studio classroom, and not be just a static lecture from me to you. Out of this desire to share my "classroom" with my "book" students, the concept of project testers was born.

The most varied interpretations of one of the project beads (at least for this uneducated eye) can probably be found in Session 2, where the "Cheery Little Guy," for instance, turned into this pirate under Emma Mullins' torch.

Pirate beads by Emma Mullins

At first glance a far cry from Warhaftig's Cheery Little Guy family of beads, but using many of the same techniques.

Cherry Guy's Family beads by Jeri L. Warhaftig

The author also includes galleries after each session with photographs of beads created by other artists, applying techniques, materials, and/or styles similar to those used in the project. I will admit to not caring for the Cheery Little Guy beads or any of those created by the test beaders - just not my style, that's all - but I did fall deeply in love with these face beads by Cathy A. Lybarger

Untitled, 2007. by Cathy A. Lybarger

The most fascinating project for me was the End-of-Day Bead in Session 10. I marveled at the complexity and variety of techniques and materials that went into creating this bead:

And then, once again, I went to the gallery page for the session and found myself completely enchanted by this bead by Corina Tettinger:

Pink Quark, 2010, by Corina Tettinger

I do not now, nor do I suspect that I ever will, make glass beads. (Working with open flames is just what we used to call "a killer concern" in project re-engineering.) But after reading this book I have a much better appreciation of the level of workmanship that goes into creating these small works of art.

There is no reason for this book to stay in my library when it could provide so much more (useful) fun for one of my friends, and so I'm going to give this away to one lucky reader. Here's how you could win my copy:

Leave a comment here (be sure there is a way for me to contact you, please!) before midnight on Tuesday, April 26. I will using my trusty random number generator to select the winner and will post the name here on Wednesday, April 27. International entries are welcome; it's the least I can do when Lark has been so generous.

Only one of you can win this book from the drawing, however, and so you should know that you can purchase your own copy online and in book stores. You should also know that while I did receive a complimentary copy of this book (the one I am giving away to a lucky winner) from Lark Jewelry & Beading, I did not receive compensation for this review.

Be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping on Thursday (again...eek!)

2011-04-14T16:15:00.000-06:00

Once again, I'm completely confused about what day of the week (even what month for that matter) it is. This time, I have to blame it entirely on spending hours upon hours sifting through paperwork and spreadsheets and and and to prepare our taxes. So...

I want to take Wednesdays to thank the curators who have chosen Sand Fibers creations for their treasuries in the last week. Please visit these shops...and if you end up buying something, tell them Sand Fibers sent you ;)

The Moon Through my Window- Original Fabric on Wood art

shellieartist

Haute Couture I am not a halter top, I am jewelry lace and chain harness

thisilk

Denim And Lace - Cuff Bracelet - Arm Warmer - Bracer

dmtgun3

Burgandy-Navy Wall Hanging / Baby Blanket / Table Topper 32 " x 32 "

TessieTextile

Steampunk Ring, Vintage Gruen Watch Rectangular Movement - Blue

inspiredbyelizabeth

Garnet Red Oversized Batwing Shrug Cardigan -Ready to Ship-

MoonHalo

Large Mosaic Still Life

mosaicartgirl

Burgundy Impressive Necklace

AngelaDesign

And that's all for today. I hope to be back amongst the sane by midnight on Monday (tax filing deadline) or sooner. Be well and get going.

Eyes of the Circle

2011-04-11T06:59:00.000-06:00

On Friday, I mentioned that I was working on a new design. I had hoped to finish and list the cuff by Saturday. Oh well. Those "best laid plans" bit me in the behind again! I should learn not to make promises about things like this.

I finished Eyes o f the Circle last night and listed it in my Etsy shop first thing this morning:

And, yes, there will be a pattern. I am not making any promises about when, however. I've learned my lesson!

I will be working on our taxes for the next few days. ugh. I hope you have more fun projects on your plate. Be well and get going!

Duet in Silver and Gold - Pattern Published, at Last!

2011-04-09T19:36:00.000-06:00

You may remember this design in its various incarnations over the years:

and most recently as Duet in Silver and Gold

I've had several requests for the pattern but never actually did anything about that until today. As of this evening, Duet in Silver and Gold is available as both "for personal use only" and "for personal and commercial use" editions. The pattern file includes complete graphs and word charts for the cuff in three different widths: 1", 1.25", and 1.7"

The winds today have been horrendous. Our property resembles a sand lot. But this too shall pass and tomorrow promises to be a beautiful Spring day. I hope you are able to enjoy your weekend.

Be well and get going!

BAO Item of the Week

2011-04-08T12:21:00.000-06:00

Since my 3 for 2 Program on "for personal use only" patterns is permanent, it doesn't really qualify as a special. Would you agree? Well, in that case it has been a while since I've had a special on my patterns.

This one's big. At least I think it's big. My Bead Art Originals Item of the Week is all of my "for personal use only" patterns: Valid only between now and midnight on Thursday and not to be used in conjunction with the "3 for 2" program or any other Sand Fibers special: Purchase any "for personal use only" pattern(s) and leave "BAO IOTW" in the Notes to Seller, and I will upgrade your pattern to the "for personal and commercial use edition." Yup. You read right. Just look at all the patterns you can choose from....

And you can find details on these other BAO Items of the Week on the Bead Art Originals blog:

Have a wonderful FRIDAY!!! I'm working on a new cuff design I hope to be able to show you tomorrow. Be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping with Sand Fibers

2011-04-06T09:50:00.000-06:00

Elk Leather Braid Barrette Set

LeatherAndBraid

Vintage Brazil Wood Fish Trivet

fifthseason

Rich Brown Teardrop Pendat with Sterling Silver Chain - "Fine Ale"

boinne

Ravenna Red Bowl handpainted fused glass

localcolorist

Painted Canvas Pillow

BarefootOriginals

metal guitar pick necklace - jailhouse rock

kahlaw

Tree of Love Wedding Invitations

pixelpaper

Argyle and Leather Baby and Toddler T-strap Peeptoe Shoes

liddyslilbows

SALE - Mountain Stream - Original Fabric on Wood art

shellieartist

Twig Bound Journal

halfhitch

earth girl-- copper and reclaimed wood bead anklet-- handmade by thebeadedlily on etsy

thebeadedlily

Follow Your Dreams 8X10 - Fine Art Photography, wall art, home decor, affordable art, path, japan, stones

aldari

Shaunna Peach Moonstone & Sterling Silver Necklace - Free Shipping

LilaClareJewelry

Dark Amber and Blue Vase

CenteredClayWorks

Shredded Scarf No. 3 - Many Colors Available - Made to Order.

UrbanRevisions

I hope your Wednesday is a lovely. Now be well and get going, my friends!

BAO Item of the Week

2011-04-01T17:07:00.000-06:00

This week I've chosen a cuff that is near and dear to my quilting background for my Bead Art Originals Item of the Week:

Cathedral Windows in Turquoise, Black, and Violet Peyote Cuff (2495)

Purchase this before midnight on Thursday AND mention "BAO IOTW" in the Notes to Seller at checkout and I will include a special gift with your package.

You can find details on these other five BAO Items of the Week on the team's blog:

Be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping (on Thursday)

2011-03-31T06:14:00.000-06:00

When I went to bed last night, I knew I had neglected to do something I should have, but could not for the life of me figure out what that something was. This morning it struck me: Wednesday Window Shopping! Oops.

I want to take Wednesdays to thank the curators who have chosen Sand Fibers creations for their treasuries in the last week. Please visit these shops...and if you end up buying something, tell them Sand Fibers sent you ;)

Shabby Chic Style Fabric Gift Tags Wedding Favors

tootsytwo

Guitar Embroidered Towel

topc

Robins Egg Soap Set

chefsbrand

Earrings-sterlingsilver

ligiarocha

Paper Mache Face Mask/Venetian

deesdreammasks

African muse necklace

DafnaYaromDesign

Swarovski Crystal and Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace - 20% off use code "STARTUP"

CypressAndSage

Handmade Gold Turquoise Beaded Satellite Earrings

windyriver

light taupe - camel hand-knitted beanie - women and men wool snow hat

IreneBau

Custom single pattern 5 letter word of your choice

lilwordtoldme

Hemp tow - ornamented zipper pouch

colettecolor

Garden Hydrangea Tea coasters - Handmade - Free shipping

AmuAndPriShop

Vintage Globe Replogle

glasspanic

Spirelli Embellishments - handmade

karenirene

Patchwork Tote

stormeejean

And that's it for this "pretend Wednesday morning" in March. Be well and get going!

A Mini Celebration or In Vino Veritas

2011-03-30T17:28:00.000-06:00

It happened on Monday. I had the 2,500th sale in the Sand Fibers etsy store. Wow. Wow. Wow. To celebrate, I thought we might share a bottle of wine. :)

I came up with this "in vino veritas" pattern sometime last year but never got around to beading it. I hope you enjoy it as a little "thank you" from me to you, my wonderful friends and fans without whom Sand Fibers would not be possible. Thank you!

By printing this pattern, you agree to the following conditions:

to credit either Sand Fibers or Carol Dean Sharpe with the design (or, if you modify the pattern with the inspiration for the design) in any listing/photograph/posting;
to sell any work made and sold from the pattern ONLY if you yourself hand-created the piece (in other words, no mass production);
to NOT resell or distribute the pattern - if your friends are interested, just give them the link to this blog post.

The gift of this pattern to you in no way implies purchase or transfer of the copyright, which shall remain with Sand Fibers/Carol Dean Sharpe. Thank you for supporting your pattern designer's rights.

As shown and woven with size 11 delica beads, the pattern results in a beaded band that is approximately 1.4" wide and 4.25" long. To reach your desired length for a cuff, just add an equal number of rows of the background color on either end of this. The colors you use for this are entirely up to you.

Now be well and get going!

Artisan Clay Design Team

2011-03-29T09:50:00.001-06:00

When Kristie of Artisan Clay announced that she was taking applications for an Artisan Clay Design Team last week, I jumped on the chance! Yesterday I found out that I'm one of the six lucky members chosen for the "core team." I love that we all have such different styles. This is going to be fun.

A different guest designer will join us every month. Kristie will send us our challenge bead(s) at the beginning of the month and will then reveal our creations on her blog on the last Friday of the month. We got to pick our first beads. Mine is the button on the bottom left in this photo.

Don't you just love the new metallic bronze glaze she used in these?! This is going to be fun!

As you can see below, Kristie and I already have a great history of collaborations. I look forward to this new chapter.

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm happy about this.

Be well and get going!

BAO Color Challenge Results

2011-03-28T10:18:00.000-06:00

I have admired the works of Jeannie Paske of Etsy's obsoleteworld for several years now. I love her color palettes and the mysterious/curious subject matter and so it was with great pleasure that I embarked on the latest Bead Art Originals Color Challenge: to use colors found in the palette for

Let Me Tell You a Story

I have already shared my entry with you, but just as a reminder - and to now put it into the context of the challenge - here is my Copper Bloom and Leaf Pendant:

And here are all the challenge entries in one beautiful mosaic, as always created by Janice Abarbanel of Naftali who coordinates these challenges.

1. Malodora 2. SmadarsTreasure 3. time2cre8 4. SandFibers 5. Naftali

I'll be back later today, or perhaps tomorrow, with a special announcement about (another!) new project I've been selected for. Stay tuned. In the meantime, have a wonderful Monday and

Be well and get going!

Two New Pieces and My BAO Item of the Week

2011-03-26T18:16:00.000-06:00

I actually beaded two completely new pieces this past week, for a change. I wish I were a more prolific designer and beader, but it is what is. At least for right now.

First, a completely new take on my favorite bail for donuts. Yes, it's the old folded over wonky square, but I made it with 3mm bugles (which I used for the very first time, if you can believe that) which give the bail a wonderfully elongated silhouette. And then I decided to accentuate the length by adding some beading to turn the sides into diamond shapes that remind me of long delicate leaves. The donut, in case you didn't recognize her work immediately, is another wonderful smoked-fired beauty by Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay.

Copper Bloom and Leaf Pendant (2564)

The almost yard-long silk ribbon by Jamn Glass lets you tie this to whatever length you prefer, depending on the neckline of your top.

And while we were on the simple yet elegant theme (and my eyes weren't cooperating with reading patter graphs), I created this first in a new line of Sand Fibers cuffs: The Stripes

The Stripes - Gold and Sea Opal Peyote Cuff (2565)

For the Bead Art Originals Items of the Week, however, I chose an older piece, one that features yet another focal by Artisan Clay. Yes, I do love her beads. :)

Lemon and Chocolate Confection (2421)

Use the coupon code "PEYOTE" at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your entire order.

To see details on these other BAO Items of the Week, visit the team's blog:

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Be well and get going!

And the winner is...

2011-03-25T08:37:00.000-06:00

It's time to announce who will be receiving this wonderful book - Vintage Jewelry Design by Caroline Cox:

We had 33 comments on Monday's post. My ever-so-trusty randon number generator pulled 29 out of its hat:

The 29th comment left belongs to Anna, whom I will contact privately today to get her mailing address:

Congratulations, Anna!

For the rest of you, here's some eye candy courtesy of Mother Nature as a thank you for stopping by the blog today!

The commercial pecan orchard that neighbors my property, under flood irrigation.

Be well and get going!

Wednesday Window Shopping

2011-03-23T18:32:00.000-06:00

pre orthodintics tiki head, ooak sculpture

dancesippydance

Two sided cable hat

athenaknits

On the Fringe Earrings with Silver-Plated Chain

tangopig

transparent long charm necklace

demetgun3

Sterling Silver .925 Necklace BiB Choker Aventurine Green Vintage Victorian Style Large

Blitzrider

Gift Pack of Three (3) Basic Zipper Pouches in Black White and Goldenrod

handmadetherapy

Dark Blue Gray Pom Pom Poncho, Gift for her Gift under 100, euroweeksale,etsyeuro,europe,euroweek

bysweetmom

Black and White - The Snail's house - wool appliqued key rings

colettecolor

Vintage Black Pearl with Aurora Borealis Glass Choker Necklace FREE Shipping

Vanityfare

Tuxedo Blingy Piggie Bow Clips- Wedding, Boutique, Special Occasion

bloomandbling

M I D N I G H T - Black Fabric Flower Hair Clip

twistedflowers

Winter in Tahiti handspun yarn

coolclimates

Tropical Hair Pin Clips For Wedding Or Added Color White Beach With FREE SHIPPING Custom Order

Amandasfinerthings

Gemini North Pin III

walrustusk

I hope you enjoyed our little virtual shopping trip! Now be well and get going!

Information for Collectors...Inspiration for Designers

2011-03-21T13:27:00.000-06:00

A little over a week ago, the UPS man came by with a package I hadn't ordered. What's this? I ran (oh, okay, did my usual crawl but really WANTED to run) into the house with it. Put on my glasses (can't read a thing without them anymore, including billboards!) and read the return address. THAT made me tear into the package as if it were Christmas morning.

When I get a book like Vintage Jewelry Design: Classics to Collect & Wear in my hot little hands, I'm like a child with a picture book (back to Christmas morning here?): I have to leaf through it quickly, glancing over every page as fast as possible, trying to absorb it all. I'm like my husband at a fancy brunch buffet, surveying the offerings on all the tables, eyeing everything and taking in the smells (and the hints of tastes), all in under a minute. Silly, I know, but it left me knowing I would go back and linger over each delectable item on this particular jewelry buffet.

Enough with the poor analogies, Carol Dean! What's this about?

This book - a history of the evolution of jewelry trends over the last 100 years- is written by Caroline Cox. Sadly ignorant of the fashion industry and important names associated with it, I don't think I had ever heard her name before. The book sleeve tells me that Cox, "visiting professor at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, is a leading fashion authority whose work explores the relations between fashion, beauty and culture. A lecturer and broadcaster, she is also a cultural trends advisor at Sassoon." I had to google her for more information because, for whatever idiosyncratic reason, I wanted to get a better sense of her. I found this video clip featuring her.

And I also discovered a wonderful 2009 interview with her about another one of her books - How to be Adored: A Girl's Guide to Hollywood Glamour. Both the video clip and the interview made me actually LIKE her. That, in turn, has made my experience with this book that much more delightful.

Cox describes her book best in her introduction: "The book charts over 100 years of jewelry history and is a celebration of the best designers and houses of fine jewelry through to key costume jewelry manufacturers and the most exciting of the craft and avant-garde. The result? A luscious tome chock-full of the visual tools needed to identify each significant style and designer, and to help you know in which direction your collecting passion lies."

The heart of Vintage Jewelry Design is organized by decade (although the first and last cover more than one decade) with wonderfully inviting titles like "Divinely Decadent," "F for Fake," and "The Power and the Glory." Each chapter is then further divided into sections on everything from a prevailing style of the decade, a favorite gem, a type of adornment, a designer. Just to give you an example of this anything-but-dreary form of "organization," these are the sections in the "1950s: Mid-Century Sparkle":

French Figurative Jewelry
Jean Schlumberger and Tiffany's
Opulent Nostalgia: The Influence of Christian Dior
The Triple Row of Pearls
Swarowski Crystals (ah, I see I gotcha with that one!)
The Etiquette of Jewelry
The Charm Bracelet
Scandinavian Modernism

An English teacher might object to how Cox has organized her sections, but no drooling (oh yes, drooling; you'll see why in a sec) reader will utter a word of discontent. Unlike the history books of our youth, this is not parchment-dry reading. The amazing photographs are accompanied by Cox's interesting, well-written, and well-thought-out prose.

From the "Jewelry as Art" section of the book. George Jensen (1866-1935) was one of the new band of artist-craftsmen who transformed jewelry design in the early twentieth century. This brooch of sterling silver, set with amber, malachite and chrysopase, 1904, is an example of Jensen's rejection of historicism.

In the "Jewelry as Art" section from which the photo above is taken, she shares how designers of the Arts and Crafts movement insisted that "art didn't have to have a gallery wall; it could be small scale, fashionable and exquisite, taking the form of a beautiful parure of shimmering opals or a brooch fashioned into a moonstone-bedecked femme fatale. For these designers, the aesthetics of an object were considered more important than the instric value of the materials used, so in Art Nouveau design in particular, semiprecious stones like amethyst, citrine, peridot and freshwater pearls can be seen in abundance."

Vintage Jewelry Design is an informative, fascinating, and rewarding read. I know its intended audience is the collector and wearer of jewelry, but I am positive that this book is equally (if not more) valuable for the designers amongst us, designers of strung and beadwoven creations alike. The book can provide context for our own creations.

From the "Swarovski Crystals" section. Model Suzy Parker wearing a faux moonstone necklace and earrings by Miriam Haskell, whose trademark delicate floral style has been put to one side in favor of a couture-inspired, 1950s opulence.

I can think of at least three (whom am I trying to kid - make that ten!) of my designing friends who would go into creative over-drive with just one look at this brilliant necklace by Miriam Haskell. I myself am mesmerized by several of the Modernist pieces in the chapter on the 1920s (nope, not sharing). And I must also admit to having day dreams about these rings since I first glimpsed the photograph in the "Catwalk Collaborators" section of the last chapter:

A group of Luna rings by Shaun Leane in white gold, moonstone, and pave-set silver diamonds; and amethyst and purple set in white gold. These sculptural pieces echo the contours and luminous light of the moon.

The last section of the book consists of a Shopping & Collecting Guide that includes not only tips on buying and caring for jewelry but also an extensive list of sources for viewing and purchasing jewelry. Exploring all the links to websites alone could keep you busy for months.

When Lark, publishers of the 500 Series as well as the out-of-the-ballpark! Beadweaving Master Class Series, asked if I would be one of their online reviewers, I fully expected to have giveaways of every book they sent me. The thought of having to part with this book, however, really saddened me. Well, the great folks at Lark Jewelry & Beading sent me an extra copy when they heard that!

Leave a comment here (be sure there is a way for me to contact you, please!) before midnight on Thursday, March 24.. I will using my trusty random number generator to select the winner and will post the name here on Friday, March 25. International entries are welcome; it's the least I can do when Lark has been so generous.

Only one of you can win this book from the drawing, however, and so you should know that you can purchase your own copy online and in book stores. You should also know that while I did receive a complimentary copy for review (and one for the giveaway) from Lark Jewelry & Beading, I did not receive compensation for this review.

Now, be well and get going. I'm going to spend a bit more time with my copy of this book, which - in case you haven't figured it out by now - I LOVE! ;)

What Art Copyrights and Sandwiches Have in Common

2011-03-20T12:50:00.001-06:00

Tara Reed of Tara Reed Designs posted this informative video on YouTube today. I asked and received permission to share it with you. She explains why it is not okay to just use an artist's work (this would include patterns) without her permission.

While I"m here and we are on the subject of respecting copyright, I want to take the opportunity to say that I have encountered far fewer copyright thefts of my own work in the last year than I used to.

And for that I want to thank all of you!

My work is so much more rewarding when I don't feel like I'm putting hours and days into creating something that might end up being stolen.

And here's a taste of early Spring in southern New Mexico for you: a butterfly resting in one of my large globe willows:

Now be well and get going!