Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Luna Park Bracelet


Luna Park Bracelet
Originally uploaded by HollysFollyGlass
My entry for February's Art Bead Scene.

The focal bead is large round flower with red stamen dots.

The bracelet is crocheted with Czech glass flowers, seed beads and drops.

Inspired by the painting Luna Park by Vestie Davis

Got Bead Crochet? Can Travel!

Yesterday was my fur baby's birthday and I wanted her to get to spend a large chunk of time beside a creek. And since I'm leaving town well before my Art Bead Scene entry is due (I'm usually the last to post!), I have a lot of "giterdone" going on around here.

So I coiled up the crochet that is the basis of my project this month and threw it in my backpack. I wished I still had some rollers around from the days when I thought I could make my hair submit to my will because, the BeadWrangler says that coiling threaded bead crochet around a roller makes a secure way to carry a project. But I gave up on hair submission a good decade ago, so I simply coiled the threaded beads around the spool of thread and added it all to my backpack along with some water, dried pineapple and my camera.

It would have been a blissful way to crochet, sitting by a babbling brook, watching the pupster enjoy her favorite place on earth and creating something pretty. But life rarely goes as planned...
Oh, I found that picturesque spot all right. I settled in on a boulder and pulled out my crochet while Mabel Lou played.

And then, the "if onlys" started.... If only we knew the trail head would have been washed out, making me climb on hands and knees up a rock face to reach the road.... If only I hadn't been bit by a spider days ago, making my leg swell and be super sensitive to the point I don't notice things I should.... If only I had noticed my backpack had a hole in it! If only my crochet needle hadn't been lost ...somewhere!

So I sat there anxious to get home...plotting the best path to the fabric store for a new needle! I took a deep breath and reminded myself that the day and the outing was not about ME. I wanted the pup to have some extended play time and she got just that.

I still think bead crochet is a great take-along project. Just put that needle in a bag before you put it in your bag!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tuesday Treasury Trove

I thought I would share two fantastic treasuries I found myself in over on Etsy.

Donna of PrimaDonnaBeads Featured my Pink Playthings in her Divalicious treasury, expiring tonight. All Pinks!!!


This is one of my favorites from Donna. She calls it Death by Chocolate. I call it Death to the Diet! I've seen this piece in person and it's so fabulous!!!


And Janel of Janel Dudley Beads put My Envious Heart Aventurine set in her Fire Divas Team Treasury, expiring tomorrow morning.


Janel is having a ridiculous sale right now... I told her she's practically giving her beads away. This large focal is nine bucks!!!
Check out these fabulous treasuries before they are all gone!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Quilt Failure

I have NOTHING beady to say today... I'm in the middle of five different projects and nothing at the "sharing" stage yet!

So... I thought I would regale you with a witty story... I was reading EmaK's blog on quilts and how that passion appears in her lampwork and remembered why quilting is one of few handcrafts at which I'm a total failure.

When I was working on Carol Duvall and Simply Quilts was shooting next door and we were all sharing offices, I decided I had to learn! After some discussion with the ladies on that show, it was determined that Japanese fabrics were what really struck a cord in me. I loved the watercolor feel and the hint of metallic. And they recommended a Japanese fabric store in West L.A.

Still not sure, I stopped into the store on a Saturday, fell in love with a log cabin style quilt that had big six inch wide logs. That quilt made me sign up for a class and I bought fabric based on what the shop owner told me.... that the log cabin quilt was great for a beginner.

I returned a few weeks later, sewing machine and my stash of fabrics in tow. The shop owner set me up at a table and told me to start cutting all that fabric into little one inch strips. HUH???? How's one inch strips going to turn into that large panel quilt on the wall??? While I sat there confused and staring back and forth from my fabric to the quilt, she got on the phone. 20 minutes go by.

She strolls by me, still on the phone and YELLS at me to START CUTTING!!! Still not understanding and her still on the phone, I decided that if she wanted me to cut such small pieces I would BUY more fabric to make whatever quilt she wanted me to make.

And then, the shop owner turned into some kind of Nazi! Still on the phone, she starts yelling again, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???? SIT DOWN AND CUT!!! CUT FABRIC NOW!"

I had had enough and no longer cared that she was on the phone. I told her I don't understand. She does not hang up but comes over and again tells me to cut small strips. I explained... A few weeks ago, when I bought my fabric....etc.

She tells me "That quilt no beginner quilt. CUT NOW!"

I tell her I would rather buy different fabric. This was not the class I was promised and I got up again to browse.

She started yelling at me to get out!!! "YOU LEAVE NOW!"

"REFUND NOW!"

She keeps yelling but as I'm packing up my sewing machine tells me she will refund 1/2. I said nothing but I went outside and called my credit card company. I got all my money back...except for the fabric.

And I never ever wanted to make a quilt after that! And YES, I told all the ladies at Simply Quilts what happened! None of them would shop there after the incident!

P.S. The Nazi Quilt shop went out of business

Thursday, February 18, 2010

End of the Sale

Our first Team sale for the Fire Divas has wrapped up on Etsy.

I was so amazed to have my first ever sale with under 10 views!!!I can do remakes on these is anyone is interested.

And I have a 30% off sale going on til tomorrow on AF. I'll just call it my "bad mood" sale and leave it at that. See studio announcement and ArtFire blog for more details.

I'm busy prepping for my part two of my Wire Wrap Extravganza at Glendale College this weekend. I will be teaching Wire Wrapped Rings (3 of them!) and Advanced Wire Wrap where we learn to make all kinds of wire components and put them all together into a bracelet. Should be fun!

Hope you have a lovely weekend and I will see you back HERE on Monday.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

It's a Carnival!!!

Some of you may have thought this post was a little unusual for me. It's true'; it was. That's because it was part of the Art Bead Scene's Blog Carnival!

A while back fellow lampworker, Cindy Gimbrone, asked if any of the regular readers of the Art Bead Scene were interested in blogging on a theme. Many of us were...so many that we only have to blog every other month.

I found myself part of a group of extremely talented art bead makers from variety of mediums! And I'm thrilled that a fellow Fire Diva, Janel Dudley will be blogging with us. Janel is a really talented lady, creative and contemplative. She, like me, maintains multiple blogs! Janel will be writing on the months that I'm off and I'm really looking forward to her contributions.

This month's theme is on beginnings. There are so many talented writers and bead artists in this group and I hope you will take the time to read what they have to say. Go for a fun carnival ride!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

One World, One Heart Winner

We have a winner! Rosa has won my purple and blue heart:

Rosa writes about life in Nashville and takes really nice pictures!

You can read more about this year's event on our host site:
Photo

Monday, February 15, 2010

Meet the Fire Diva of the Month - Lauren Mazursky

Well, I had hoped to be telling you about the winner of the One World, One Heart Prize today but... I haven't heard from her. So...We improvise.

Our Fire Diva of February is Lauren May Mazursky of Maybeads. I wanted to share Lauren's answers to the 10 Things about Glass Interview with all of you.




What attracted you to glass?

I love the uniqueness of it. I like the fact that no two beads are exactly the same when it comes to artisan-made lampwork beads.


Many glass artists have training in other art mediums. Do you?

Um, none.

Describe the first bead you made that you were really proud of? Are you still proud of it now? (Please send a photo if you have one.)

The first bead I was really proud of was a penguin bead – my kids recognized it as a penguin! That has to be good!


What inspires you?

Cartoons. Animals. My kids come up with some wild ideas, which can be inspiring, or downright ridiculous. I like crazy colors, too.

Do you have a plan when you sit down to torch? Do you sketch beads or have photos around for reference?

No sketches, I can’t draw. Sometimes I have a list of beads I have to finish (if they’re custom beads) or I’d like to make (usually turtles and dogs). But I basically wing it if I’m just making beads to list in my shop.

Photography seems to be a key element for any glass artist. What type of camera / lightbox set up do you use?

I use my husband’s camera, which is a Canon 5D 100mm with a macro lens. We have a light box and there are three lights around it. One on either side and one in the back.



If the issue of finances (i.e. will it sell?) were of no consequence, what would you spend your time making?

Turtles and dogs.


What kind of jewelry do you wear? Everyday vs. out on the town?

I wear my wedding band, a watch and usually earrings. Sometimes I wear a necklace with a bead on it that I made, but not as much as I probably should.
What is the one skill you wish came easier to you?

Scrolling, or anything with stringers or twisties.


What do you love about marketing your business? What’s the hardest part of marketing it?

I actually enjoy marketing online. I’m not much of a salesperson in-person, but I enjoy writing, so I like to promote through my writing. I have a bead blog where I write about lampworking, and I love to promote my fellow fire divas. I love sharing a great find with other people.





Lauren's EtsyLauren's TwitterMayBeads Blog
Maybeads on FlickrMaybead's Facebook Fan Page


All the Fire Divas would have to agree with that. Lauren is always cheering each of us on and promoting our work!


You can read Lauren's first interview HERE and her most recent one HERE. Please check the Fire Divas Blog on 2/22 for the last interview.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Huge Team Sale on Etsy!!!

Come in!!! Let me entice you with chocolates!!! Stay a while won't you???

The Fire Divas are having a sale to celebrate our new team status on Etsy. That's right, the Divas have made it official and are now an Etsy TEAM!!! (Go Divas! Go Divas!)

Individual team members will be offering a variety of discounts or free shipping from their shops. Search "Fire Divas Sale" to find items on sale in participating shops from February 11- 17. After the sale, we hope you will continue to search "Fire Divas Team" for quality lampwork beads, jewelry and accessories.

Let's go shopping!

1. LA Jewelry Designs - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
2. Lutrick - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
3. Hollys Folly Glass - 20% all items in my Etsy shop
4. Tease Beads - 15% off all lampwork in her Etsy and artfire shops (artfire shop discount will be given as a refund)
5. Janel Dudley Beads - 15% off all items on Etsy, additional 10% off to returning customers
6. Something New 4 U - 20% off all items in her Etsy shop
7. Rivers Edge Glass - 15% off beads in her Etsy and ArtFire shops
8. Vedas Beads - 15% off in her Etsy shop (excluding squares)
9. MayBeads - Free Shipping on everything in her Etsy shop
10. Giapet - 20% off loose beads in her Etsy shop (jewelry,supplies not incl.)
11. Glasstastic Treasures - 15% off all items in her Etsy shop
12. Ema Kaye - 15% off all items in her Etsy shop
13. Dorset Hill Beads - Free shipping on everything in her Etsy shop

WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!! It's a rockin' SALE!!! LET'S GO SHOPPING!!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Winter Monet - Revolution in Progress


Winter Monet
Originally uploaded by HollysFollyGlass
January's inspiration painting was cold, wintry scene called The Magpie by Claude Monet. I knew right away I would attempt one of those fantastic tree beads... but I wanted a cold, translucent feeling.


I made the bead and etched it. I found some of the new colored beading wires in shades of blue and some delicate blue opals. I had always wanted to try a design that allowed some of the beads to float and move around on the beading wire. I used crimps and crimp covers to act as "stops" for the opals. A Bali silver clasp and 10mm sterling balls balance out the design.


I wire wrapped the focal art bead in 18 gauge sterling with a rosette bottom.

This was also my entry into the January Challenge for the Fire Divas. I came in 2nd place. Congrats to Lauren of Maybeads on her first place win!



Winter Monet
Originally uploaded by HollysFollyGlass
As a special, limited time offer, I am going to place a check out button here on the blog for $30 dollars OFF the list price of this necklace, provided you check out through Revolution Money Exchange. This is the only free way for vendors like myself to receive money. Other online payment systems and credit card processors take a nice chunk of artisans hard earned money and this is my way of educating the public and other artisans about this fantastic service!

So there are two buttons there: One for RME ($65.00) and one for PP at full retail (95.00)! Let's see what happens!


Buy Now using Revolution MoneyExchange









Tuesday, February 9, 2010

More New Stuff

New on Holly's Folly: A Red White & Blue floral set - cause summer is right around the corner!

A silvered ivory / chalcedony combo with olive shaped beads and a heart focal this is just stunning in person!


A spring mini set:

And some Greek Easter eggs... cause, yes, it's time to start thinking of that too!



I also got one new focal listed. This is so pretty!!



Monday, February 8, 2010

New Stuffs

Whew! I've been so busy working on custom projects for my students / upcoming classes and for my 25th reunion of my sorority, I have not listed anything new ALL YEAR! But I did get some beads up Friday!

New on Artfire:

First, My "playthings" series. I love playing with the beads I wear and these first two sets were made with that in mind! I include a friction clasp chain with these sets so they are ready to wear!


Pink Playthings Big Hole Bead Heart & Flower Set



Purple Playthings Mini Big Hole Bead set

The Rusted Key to My Heart






The Prince's Rose


Check back here tomorrow and I'll show off the new beads on the Folly site. Hoping to get some news ones up there today!






Thursday, February 4, 2010

Seeds

Where does creativity begin? Where do the seeds of a new ideas grow from? I have students tell me all the time that they are not creative. And I'm pretty quick to tell them that's just not true. Creativity, like that seed in the garden, needs to be nurtured in order to grow.

Every artist I know sees the world a little bit differently...but really, isn't it just that they take the time to really SEE it???

I spent an hour this afternoon on the shores of the flooded creek near my house. I was absolutely fascinated by the fast moving water and how it would get ahead of itself causing up to 20 swells to grow two - three feet high before the water on top of those swells would actually start to flow backwards and then spill over and cause a wake out into the shallower parts. Once some of that water was released into the wake, all those swells would simply disappear.

I have no idea where that bit of knowledge and understanding will appear again. A painting? A bead? A short story? I'm not certain, but I know it will come out somewhere...

The truth is, we are all creative beings and the seeds of new ideas are born all the time, often subconsciously. You see a beautiful flower on a walk and you end up trying to sculpt it.

You realize that new bead you made is a dead ringer for the pattern on a pretty dress you saw last week.
Creativity is waiting for you to begin to take notice, pay attention, listen to your inner voice. It's waiting... for you.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

New Artfire Goodies

I got nothing today... I'm in the middle of unpacking from my big wire wrap extravaganza this past weekend and starting prep for my cookie classes this coming one....

But I did manage to get a few things up on Artfire:





You know how I love my silvered ivory!!!

And... I should mention also have up all the rubber stamp images designed for jewelry making. They have always been available on my rubber stamp site but I put them in both Artfire and Etsy for convenience. This is one of the sets of ladies for domino art:


I also have sets made for working with PMC... Thanks for L@@king!!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Treasury Love

I found myself in THREE treasuries this week and thought I should share the love!

Katarzynna placed my Blue Gal heart in her Sensible treasury

Her shop is full of elegant treasures such as this organza roseball necklace /wristlet.

And with Valentine's fast approaching, my Whole Lotta Love Big Hole Pair is featured in TWO treasuries!!! Maybe they will find a home!!!

My friend Janel Dudley placed them in the most awesome treasury of fellow Fire Divas called Hearts of Glass! Aren't all these gals so talented???!!!??

Janel makes glorious cased silver wonders in her bead shop! This dots and swirls necklace is stunning!

The other treasury featuring my Whole Lotta Love Duo is this Valentine Hearts by Nikifashion


Nikifashion has all kinds of unique knitted goodies in her shop! I love this wool lace shawl!

Check out all these treasuries before they are gone (in a day or two)! And be sure to visit the shops of these fantastic artisans!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Fire Divas January Challenge

In honor of the blue moons this month, The Fire Divas are holding a January Blues Challenge! You can see big pictures of the entries below, then vote for your favorite on the Fire Diva Blog! The voting will be open for one week, and will end on February 7. Please go vote!

Entry #1

Entry #2

Entry #3

Entry #4

Entry #5

Entry #6


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