On Crafting, Creating, and Marriage

I've been spreading my wings and trying different crafts, non-jewelry things. One thing I really like to do is put together digital designs. I don't really like to create the files, so much. (That's really weird for me. I'm the baker who wants to grow her own grains, pummel the dough to death by hand, and recreate the recipe every single time.) Oh, sorry. Where was I? I like to make digital pictures. This week I put these two together:


 

 Please don't download them, but  you can purchase them here or here. Thank you!


I've also been making wreaths, not such an exciting thing since everybody makes them. But I never have! I found out I *really* like making them:


 

The yellow one is actually hanging on my front door at this very moment. Here's another. Can you tell I love color?

So what is the problem with trying all these things? For one, I don't have enough time for a zillion projects. Nor do I have the room, especially since I don't know how to clean up after myself. Another problem is that hubby thinks I should stick to one thing. Probably because....I don't clean up my little piles of beads, snips of scrap paper, and umm.

There's paint on our new footstool.

And you know, you can say "no man is gonna tell me what to do " or whatever but the fact is he lives in the house too. And he has an itty bit of say in what goes on.

I could just tell him that "CRAFTS" is one great big category. It encompasses everything.

Here's the biggie. I would really love to have a signature style, or product, or SOMETHING. Right now I am a dabbler. I dabble here and there and never actually become "she makes awesome art dolls" (or paintings, or doodles).

I guess it takes all this dabbling to find the thing you love.

One thing I love is oil painting, and another is playing the piano. So I'm trying to put more of those into my life. And I am trying to listen to myself before/during/after I create: Is it deeply satisfying? Did I get to exercise my "creativity muscle" enough?

I think I create for the sake of the process, not really for the end result. I do it because I love the doing. And I feel almost embarrassed when people gasp and say how did you ever make that. I do it because it's inside of me.

So I'm wondering, fellow crafters --is that how it is for you too?

And how did you find your "style"? Was it by constantly practicing it? Did you know it when you found it? Did you develop it, consciously and on purpose? Readers, let me know! And if you'd like to guest blog about it tell me that too, cuz I bet I'm not the only one wondering.

Lovin' Me Some Bead Soup (Tutorial)

Making Bead Soup

I love the term bead soup, because it just exactly describes what we beaders do. We throw in different sizes, shapes, and colors of beads until they become the right mixture for the project at hand. 

It’s not simple, though; you have to have “highlights” and “shadows” just as if you were painting a picture. That goes double if you have an item in mind you want to bead around.

Here’s mine

You generally want about 3 colors in your soup, and then several variations of each color. Here's what I had to start with. The light green beads are size 11 matte seed beads. The darker ones are also 11s, and the aqua beads with the clear around them are called color-lined, so they'd be something like "aqua-lined crystal size 8".

Below are some other beads (they are in the box, but I pulled them out so you could see). These are all larger than seed beads, maybe 6 mm for the sandstone and 8 for the unakite. The shiny polished stones are aventurine, and I don't know what the others are!

Below are more seed beads that went into the mix. I thought that a burnt umber or rootbeer shade would match the "tree" in the center of my focal bead. (Doesn't it look like a tree?)

All 3 of the beads to the left are called rootbeer color, but the styles are different so I wanted you to see them. The leftmost box is size 6 "transparent rainbow matte rootbeer." The next box is called glass transparent rootbeer. They're straight-up brown, no rainbow coating. The 3rd box is silver-lined and they're size 8. The box on the right is size 15, teeny tiny beads. They have a metallic coating. 

As you can tell, Root Beer is a color I use a lot! It goes easily with greens, coral/orange, or pretty much anything on the warm side of the color  wheel.

 I chose dark green, brown/red, and lighter green as my main colors. Sometimes you need to add the color that's across the color wheel from the main color; that will help create the right soup.

And here’s the bead soup as I made it:

Think of your main color as the medium shade. You want some lighter ones for highlights, and some darker shadow colors. You'll also like it better with different textures, shapes, etc.

I'm feeling a little limited because I made a resolution this year to use what I already have. 

See the strand of light (almost lime) green beads off to the right? They, and the bigger beads the same color that are already in the soup, are too light.

Above: I tried adding more dark beads to offset the light color, but it still wasn't working.

You wouldn't think gray could work, but it looks like a neutral against the darker beaded cabochon. I put those in.  Finally I removed the bigger green ones, must've been after the photo shoot.

Here’s the final outcome of the soup:

Those unakite beads are just right with this mix! So glad I had them!

And I’ll post the finished project….errr…..soon! Sometimes I make up the mix but it takes me ages to get the whole thing completed. 
Enjoy making your own bead soup. 

The TN Beader is now happily ensconced in Florida, but somehow the FL Beader just doesn't have the same ring. 

Why I Switched to The Craft Star, and Why You Should Too

When I started out selling my jewelry online, I built my own website. But pretty soon I found Etsy, and I eventually let my site go in favor of selling on Etsy. It's a venue with 850,000 other crafters, and I thought there would be power in numbers. Apparently a lot of other sellers felt that way too.

I tried a couple of other sites: Ruby Lane had a creative branch, but I never had sales there. Same thing with Artfire. So it dwindled down to my Facebook page and Etsy.

Etsy has some rather serious pervasive problems. The company, for whatever reason doesn't seem to like sellers communicating too much with each other. They shut down the chat feature in 2011. They allow users to post on a public board, but randomly shut down the conversations. They don't allow disparaging remarks, which is apparently any question about the business or its practices.

Since shutting down chat, Etsy allows sellers to communicate, in a fashion through their BNS and BNRs. Those are not for explaining in detail in this article, but basically they’re about sellers selling products to each other and giving each other feedback. So it looks like you have sales. I did some number crunching and testing by going in them daily for a few months, then off for some months. I found no change in my sales or rank, except for one new team that asked members to ‘favorite’ each other’s items and the members, for whatever reason, actually did it. Like crazy. During that short (2 or 3 week) run I managed two random sales to buyers who found me without knowing me or being members of my TPJ Facebook page.

From the beginning, Etsy has touted itself, and become popular as a handcrafter’s venue. This page on Etsy explains the requirement for a seller: you must present supplies, vintage, or handmade items for sale. Yet the problem of finding resellers rather than handcrafters on Etsy continues to this day; they are often pointed out (by other sellers) and documented (because you can find their items on huge catalog sites at wholesale pricing). The company's sheer resistance to removing the resellers leave true crafters with a bad taste in their collective mouths, believing that for Etsy it's all about the money, not the rules. Not to mention that we can't compete. Why would you purchase my $35 hand beaded necklace when you can buy one from China for $9? 

In fact Etsy recently added a partnership level where the seller can outsource at least part of their work to a factory. As an aside, I found it quite humorous when I applied to do this with my t-shirt designs, and I was one of the ones flagged for 'proof' that I handmade the designs. My shirts are most clearly handiwork, probably not even saleable.(see them in this post) Yet perform nearly any search on Etsy and you will find hundreds of factory creations.

In 2013 I discovered The Craft Star (http://www.thecraftstar.com/). I felt like I had come home. At The Craft Star there are a few hundred sellers, but somehow the staff makes me feel like I am the chosen favorite. The owner, Bethan Davies, spends hours and hours every week finding new ways to promote us. She’s very transparent with her efforts, which not only informs but causes sellers to be extremely supportive.

"Buying from small businesses helps families directly." ----Bethan Davies, The Craft Star

The Craft Star features live shows on Monday and Thursday. They may be informational, educational, live sales or just fun. Sellers are mainly the attendees, and through our participation in the live shows we get to know one another.

There are Click to Buy videos, and videos that market products for the sellers right on the site. Here's an example:

All this works together to promote SMALL businesses --there are NO resellers at The Craft Star. We as sellers feel--and appreciate-- their 100% backing. And I love their last line:

"Please keep in mind, buying from small businesses helps families directly."

If you are a buyer and not a seller, all this may seem trite to you. But it's the difference between supporting small business and not. Etsy is a huge, multi-million dollar business. When you purchase (unknowingly, I realize) from their resellers you are perpetuating the lie. When you take your business to The Craft Star you know that you are buying from a small business.

I know this post sounds fairly salesy but I assure you it's not intentional. I simply love 'living' at The Craft Star. Find out for yourself. Become a member(it's free) and try out the forum and chat tools. You will find a helpful community -- no attitude; no bad vibes. When you're done, don’t forget to join us as a seller!

My Jewelry Shop at The Craft Star ThePerfectJewel4U

My Digital Design Shop at The Craft Star Digi Doodads

New Bird Parrot T Shirt Designs

I've gotten crazy about birds since I moved to Florida, so I've designed a few bird T shirts. I drew and painted the designs and uploaded them to the company for printing. Click the shirt to visit the store. I have designed them through Skreened, so that people can select their own shirt style/size. Do you have a preferred place to purchase hand-designed T shirts? If so please make a suggestion. I'm very new at this.

You can see some of my birds at http://gouldiangardens.com/our-birds.html

And this is our parrot, Ernie:

Thanks for looking!

New jewelry this month...... Necklace, Handmade - featuring handblown glass beads, Czech glass beads, crystals, and Cat's eye beads. 20" long. $35

Stretch wire bracelet made with Crystals and more Crystals! Plenty of bling, hard to photograph. $15

Another Stretch wrap bracelet, this one made with Cherry "Red Ruby" gemstone beads and white Czech glass beads. $15.

Handmade Necklace, hangs longer at 30". Unakite natural beads interspersed with vintage pearls, giving it a soft, feminine glow. $35.

See something you like? Message me!

Browse my shop.

A few new items in my etsy shop today.......

Hello, I really do have some jewelry to show y'all..fun beaded bracelets and a couple of fall necklaces I'm really excited over...but tonight I wanted to share what I"ve been working on: My new website and my new blog. Like, follow, join, whatever you want to do!

New notecards, minicards, necklaces

Good Sunday afternoon! What are you thankful for today? I am thankful for my family and the ability to work on my art, which I love. Today I have some new items to post in The Perfect Jewel 4U. Mini notecards, 3X3. I stamped them with tiny dogs. Aren't they darling?

And this card goes into the shop but also into a challenge at the Papercraftingstar. The theme is "girly". I can do girly!

And I have 2 simple necklaces, FISH charms (y'all know how I love my fishies) beaded with silver and blue / silver and green beads.

Not Jewelry but more Art

OK I admit it. I haven't been showing you jewelry because, umm, there isn't anything to show. I actually believe it's a vision issue; it seems like if I do small beading and then school work, my eyes are way fatigued. Also I find myself looking UNDER my glasses a lot! And they're bifocals!

So those are my excuses. In the meantime, I doodled another pic, this time for The Bright Owl's challenge #20. Warning: If you start doing these, they are very addictive.

It desperately needs some shading. I may update with changes later.

Using blogger, pictures, and iPad

Wow what a lot of trouble I went thru last week trying to upload a picture of my work via the iPad. First I worked in blogger, but I guess it is flash-based because it seemed I couldn't click the buttons (SAVE, PUBLISH, PREVIEW). So off to Google the various apps that work with it. It seemed to be between blogsy and blogpress, according to CNET, until I found a 3rd or 4th page post recommending Pages. At $9.99, it's twice the price (and I despise paying much for apps) but OK. I thought I had picked a good app, but decided to go ahead through the picture process before actually purchasing Pages. I was doing just one short post on one blog, after all. I had to write out my own html (remember, I couldn't click the link or photo button). Then it informed me I couldn't upload a picture from my library. Back to Google to try to find an app that also would help me get the pics up. So now I have decided to buy 2 apps: Pages ($9.99) and flickstackr ($1.99). I installed flickstackr with no problem and easily created an accounted & uploaded a picture. Flickstackr is destined to be a favorite. Then I went back to the app store to try Pages. No good; it said I don't have the right operating system. Apparently, my first-run iPad has become obsolete already. Sigh. You know, I really was hoping to hang onto it til it fell apart; I didn't want it controlled by obsolete OS. For now, I'll just blog from the desktop. Please leave a comment if you've had similar problems.

Celtic Knot Doodle Challenge

I drew this doodle art for a challenge at Creative Doodling. I just got back from the mountains, so I wanted to incorporate some outdoor color... A little became a lot... Enjoy!

Handmade notecards and tags

I've gone a little card crazy lately; adding quite a few notecards to the shop. I'm putting them in The Perfect Jewel 4U. Here's a sampling:

Wedding Banner With Many Layers and Options

So -- daughter Holly needed a banner for her friend's wedding, and I offered to make one. Many trips to the craft store later -- here's what I came up with.

It says Alicia's bridal bash, but I realized I have a bunch of ways to do letters, really, so it could say anything you could dream up. The crown and ring (left end and 3rd) are popped out with pop dots for a 3-D effect, and everything is all blinged up with glitter, flowers, and tulle/ribbon. All in all I was happy with it ANNNND I have decided to start selling them in my etsy shop.

You could pick your own colors -- this one's chocolate and blue with some pink. The cool thing is there are matching crowns, rings, lingerie, and boxes to match, in bigger sizes so that you can use them for centerpieces. Since I was flying, I cut them out but gave them to Holly and said "You're an engineer. Figure out how to assemble them."

Here are some close-up shots:

What I am Thankful For

Another blog I just read suggested posting what we're thankful for on Sundays!

 Today I am thankful that I've been able to "play" (use my cricut and make some tags for my daughter, who's throwing a bridal shower).






And I couldn't resist making a card, with a matching envelope:

I am thankful for my dogs --That's the oldest one in here at my feet chilling right now. :)
 the 2 older ones are 10 and nearly 13….   Getting older but still getting around.

 I'm thankful for family, friends, and that God uses me occasionally for tasks. I feel like He is testing me & my husband both right now -- may He find us both as faithful as He wants us to be. What are you thankful for?

What I've been doing lately...

I have 3 projects I've been working on. One is an onyx piece that I"ve beaded around and now I'm making a necklace for it. I want this one to be a little different from my others so it's taking awhile. I also have an agate teardrop that I beaded around but haven't put the fringe on yet. You will see those in a few days. Then I got this book: It is so awesome. If you've read my posts, you know how I love beading beads. So I've done 2 so far. The first one looked like a blob. The 2nd was a little rounder but it seems....twisted at the ends or something. The book is wonderful, the instructions are clear. It's just operator error and NO you don't get to see them.

 In the interest of being more transparent (less private), I wanted to share my new Planted Tank blog with you. It's all about my aquarium. If you've never seen a planted tank you should google them. They're awesome and inspire all sorts of creativity.

I'm listening to the Beatles today. I downloaded their album "1." Very cool. What's even more fun? I know all the words. :)

Wordless Wednesday

I bought a "cave" for the DOG. Dog, dog, dog. Here is the CAT in it, daring the dog (the white furry blob) to try to come in.

What's new in the studio

This handmade beadwoven and gemstone necklace is my newest piece. I used agate and rose quartz first, weaving frames around them in colors that set off the stones. Then I created a necklace from seed beads and pearls, Czech glass beads, and more. When it was nearly done, I stitched the agate and quartz pieces into the piece. I then wove many more rows to hold them into the design. Fun! :D

It's for sale in my Ruby Plaza shop. Thanks for looking.

Giving Away a Handmade Beaded Bracelet

Wow. My Facebook page is up to 100 fans. I'm thrilled!!!  I am going to give away a bracelet to celebrate. Not just any bracelet either - I wanted to pick a special one. This is a brand new bracelet. It hasn't been for sale in the online shop....I just got it made.  Because it's the holidays and I want to give everyone time to get in on the game, I'll keep this open for one week. Next Thursday is the drawing; here's what you need to do. Visit my shop's Facebook page and make a comment under the post about the giveaway. I'll use a random number generator to pick the post that wins.

Here's the bracelet:

It is made from Swarovski crystals in 2 shades -- green and clear. Thesilver-plated pewter clasp and the focal flower both have tiny crystals on them too. Please visit my page and enter the contest! :)