Red

When you think of red, many think of love, confidence, power, happiness, excitement, vibrancy, strength, as well as anger.  While this color stirs up many emotions, it is one that calls attention to itself and has always been beloved.  Think Christmas, Valentines Day, 4th of July, etc.  It combines beautifully with many other colors and has such a range of hues.  Lets pay tribute to the top of the rainbow...

princesspumps.etsy.com, elementtiles.etsy.com, rainnua.etsy.com

I love the instant recognition of the ruby slipper.  I think of family movie nights and my husband talking about the days when he was little and afraid of the flying monkeys.   The hearts are just fun and creative.  The color is so cheerful.  The elephant took me by surprise and that's why I like it so much.  Totally unexpected. 

Halflighthoneystudio.etsy.com, NellsEmbroidery.etsy.com, tickytackyhandmade.etsy.com

I love carved work, so I also picked this floral paisley necklace.  It is intricate and original.  These textile beads are so textural.  The color is earthy and they look like they have a history.  The bracelet looks vintage to me and has a much less earthy, and creative element--it says strength to me with its sharp geometric lines. 

Here are some of my own red creations:

One of my top favorite Birdie Clasps of all times.

Loved the lotus charms.

The bamboo was so rich.

How does red make you feel? What are your favorite red pieces? 
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

New Bead Concepts

I'm interested in innovation techniques and designs in ceramic beads (or beads in general).  So, to this end, I've been experimenting a little.  I made this set of faceted daisy beads.  These were made from white ceramic earthenware clay which was cut, glazed, and then I added designs to just a few of the facets.  I love how they turned out, so I'll be dong a collection of them (different colors and designs) to sell in my etsy shop.   Check them out:

Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Sweet Bird Necklaces - New Collection

For some reason I have a fascination with the aesthetics of birds used in art and jewelry.  I've used birds as the basis for many of my clasps and I've decided to use the same bird design as pendants for simple everyday necklaces.  So, here's a start to my new collection of classic bird necklaces.

Each of these necklaces features a ceramic bird made from white earthenware ceramic clay.  I then fired the bird, glazed it, and applied a permanent design to the top.  I love the addition of these designs--I think they make the necklaces so much more unique.  Finally, I added coordinating beads on each side of the bird and hung them from 17" silver plated chain.  While I love elaborate jewelry designs, I wanted these pieces to be the perfect quiet accent to a casual outfit.  I am listing these in my finished jewelry shop, www.shookaloot.etsy.com.  Check them out:

What are some of your favorite classic/simple designs?
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Bohemian Inspired Jewelry Book Review and Inspiration

My first learned about Lorelei Eurto last year when apparently she was gifted one of my clasps and she used it in a jewelry design.  I never saw the design, but apparently she posted it to a website or two and all of the sudden I had a large influx of business in my etsy shop for a few days--Thank you Lorelei!  After that, I started keeping my eyes out for her jewelry and I, like many others, have become captivated by her innovative and somewhat whimsical jewelry designs.  That is when I learned about this book that she coauthored with talented jewelry artist, Erin Siegel, titled, "Bohemian Inspired Jewelry".  I knew that I wanted it eventually, so when I got a Barnes and Noble gift card for Christmas, I spent it on this book. 

I've read a ton of jewelry books and I found this one different than the others.  First, I didn't know until I started following Lorelei, that I really like bohemian style jewelry.  I used to think it was hippie-ish, but many of these designs are current, asymmetrical yet balanced, and have interesting color schemes.  While the designs are cool, what I liked most was the in depth introduction to textiles used in jewelry making.  This book is really helpful in explaining which fibers are most common in jewelry making, how to incorporate them into your design, the characteristics of each, and how to care for them.  I have never seen a book look so closely at this.  I have some experience with sewing, so I am familiar with many of these fabrics/ribbons, but this book expanded my jewelry design possibilities.  The night after I read the book for the first time, I couldn't sleep with all of the designs dancing around in my head. 


So, I decided to dive in and I purchased a hank of recycled sari silk from www.PhoenixFarmFiber.etsy.com.  When I got it, my my, it was so beautiful I could've rolled around on it.  :)  I love all things from India, so it wasn't hard to be blown away by how beautiful and vibrant these strips were.  They were pretty cheap too!  My hank was $12.50 + shipping, and I think I could make 50-100 pieces with this one grouping. 


Here is my first attempt at using sari silk in a jewelry design.  I thought I'd start with a basic three strand piece which used the red sari silk as a background instead of the main component.  This piece features one of my handmade ceramic jewelry connectors.  I really love how the whole thing turned out and I don't think I'd be quite so timid with the silk in the future. 

So, in conclusion, buy the book, Bohemian Inspired Jewelry, buy some luscious fibers, and let them inspire you. 

Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Art Bead Scene Artist Uses My Clasp!!! Yay!!!

I love the ArtBeadScene.blogspot.com blog and I keep tabs on their monthly challenges since there are so many talented jewelry artists that show their innovative designs there.  About 2 Sundays ago, they featured a beautiful bracelet made by Le Clair Rose Designs (photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/49076206@N07/).

Here is the featured bracelet:

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/49076206@N07/8704982148/in/photostream


I love the design--just love it.  I also love that I recognized the clasp as one that I made and sold a while back.  I had no idea that it would be used for this, and it was an exciting surprise.  Make sure to check out this artist's other work, and also check out Art Bead Scene--it's a happening place.  :)

Happy Creating!
--Kathy

New 1 to 3 Ceramic Jewelry Connectors

Okay, so many of you know that I already love making jewelry connectors out of ceramics.  Here is the newest set of 1 to 3 jewelry connectors that I pulled out of the kiln.  These were all made with earthenware ceramic clay which was glazed clear (looks white) and had designs fired onto them.  I'm still deciding which sets I will make into chandelier earrings, which I will use for bracelets or necklaces, and which I will sell as is on my etsy site, www.pajegoarthouse.etsy.com.  I'll post pictures of the creations I make.  I love the colors.  You could do so much with these. 

Here they are:

What have you been working on?  Do you love connectors like I do?  We'd love to see pictures!
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

France - Destination Inspiration Jewelry

http://europeantrips.org

Perhaps no building in the world is more recognizable than the Eifel Tower.  As the main icon of France it stands about 1,050 feet tall and was built to be the entrance to the 1889 World Fair.  I recently tried to make mini Eifel Towers with some of my art students, so that is why I am picking France for today's Destination Inspiration Jewelry theme.  Besides the amazing Eifel Tower, when you think of France, you think of romance, couture, historical royal opulence, highly embellished furniture, art, and people with big noses (just kidding--although there is Gerard Depardieu...). What an amazing history.  While my father lived in France for two years, I've never been there.  So, I'll have to go there with my jewelry.

French jewelry inspiration: fleur de lis, black and white, much embellishment. glitz, clocks, french writing

France Inspired Etsy Finds: 

BluMudd.etsy.com, Luxina.etsy.com, SilverTrumpetJewelry.etsy.com

My French Inspired Fashions and Components:

Shookaloot.etsy.com

shookaloot.etsy.com

PajegoArtHouse.etsy.com

PajegoArtHouse.etsy.com

France is such a fun theme.  I think I'll have to do some carving and come up with some new French themed art beads.  I'd love to see some of your France-inspired jewelry.  Please send pics!
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Favorite Etsy Stores for Basics

Today I wanted to show some of my favorite etsy stores for basic jewelry components--the kinds of things that are essential and help with the structure a little more than the design of your pieces.

First, there is www.yadanabeads.etsy.com
This shop is fantastic for anything you need from earring hooks to clasps to chain.  They also have a variety of mass produced charms, beads, and other fun things.  Here are some examples of their products:

 

 I really like to get filligree components from www.akaLulaBeads.etsy.com.  I've found some really pretty things there for good prices.  They also have some fun flowers too.  Here are some things from this shop:





If you want to be a little more exotic, I like www.Olay.etsy.com.  Located in Europe, the shop owner is able to get some things that are a little more difficult to find here in the states.  I particularly like her focal components for necklaces.  Here are some examples:



Finally, www.supplydiva.etsy.com has great metal basics.  They have fun stamped metal sheets, metal coins, and so much more.  Many of the things in this shop are ideal for enameling too.  I hope to get proficient at that sometime soon.  I love to browse this shop.  Here are some examples...



I hope you've enjoyed our journey of jewelry basics and where to find them.  What are some of your favorite sources for basics?
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

May Challenge Necklace - ABS

I am a loyal follower of this fantastic site called ArtBeadScene.blogspot.com.  In this site, we learn all about artists creating fantastic art beads and the creations that can be made with art beads.  Every month this blog issues a challenge based on an inspiration piece of art.  Using an art bead, you can create a piece inspired by the art and show it on the ABS site.  Here is the inspiration painting for May 2013.  It was painted by Ambrosius Bosschaert.

I made a necklace inspired by the colors, organic shapes, and rustic feel.  Here it is:

I used my own ceramic art beads, various findings from etsy and ebay, and the cord is nylon, which I also got online.  I love how it turned out.

What have you been working on?  I'd love to see your latest pieces.  Pics please!
Happy Creating,
Kathy