This 'n That 3/28/14

Today I'm doing another "This 'n That" post, sharing bits of news!
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First, I'd like to show you a few packages that arrived in my mail yesterday.   I used to do this more before I became such a bead-hoarder and packages of beautiful beads started arriving more regularly at my door!   Still, I should do this more!  

This week I had the very good fortune to win a focal bead from Judith Billig, owner of Icarus Beads.   I love Judith's work and have purchased a few sets from her.   This is the bead I won:

Lovely lentil lampwork bead from Judith Billig!

Isn't that a beaut?!   I'm seldom so lucky and am so grateful I was this time!  Thank you, Judith!

I also managed to snatch up these beads from Genea Crivello-Knable, who sells her handmade lampwork glass beads, mixed-media jewelry and art at Genea Beads.   Genea actually lives very near me, and I'm looking forward to meeting her soon!    I've been wanting to get some of her beads for the longest time.  This week, she had some beads she was selling on her FB site and I jumped at the chance to get this lovely set in this soft matte teal:

The beads are up-front-and-center and even lovelier in person.
I couldn't help including this photo of all the items she sent though.
In addition to amazing lampwork,
Genea has her product marketing act together too--
very impressive packaging!

A couple more lampwork pieces I'm so happy to have acquired arrived last week:

I've so long admired the unique lampwork of Donna Millard, and I'm happy to say I'm now the proud owner of my first beads from her!

I managed to claim these on Facebook, before they made it to her Etsy store!  A beautiful pair from Donna Milliard! 

And for some "knock your socks off" color, check out these lovelies:

I'd like to say these beads have my favorite colors,
but I think you could have any favorite colors
and find them in this cheerful set
from "Glass by Leese!"
Yummy!

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Now, in other news....

I finally managed to wrangle me a copy of "Step by Step Wire Jewelry" for April/May 2014!  It's the special "Annual Artisan Showcase" edition and I have two copper pieces published on p. 9!  



I'm just showing my corner of a page here, hoping not to get myself in trouble, but there are so many bead designers in this issue I truly admire! I couldn't imagine myself appearing beside them.  I was honored!

(Copyrighted material)

Isn't that amazing photography? 

The photos of each artisans' beads just seem to pop off the page!

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And finally, just want to let you know I added a batch of "Altered Metal Components" to my store during the night!   Some have already been snatched up!   If you enjoy the metals, you might want to take a look and these and other items! 

New shapes and colors!

(Turquoise fans, bottom right, sold)

Watch for sizes on leaves (small, medium, large) 

as well as color (green/coral or green/ivory).

The largest size is green/coral/ivory.

They are all being sold as pairs this time,

but you can leave me a note at the store if you would

prefer only one of the large ones for a pendant.

(Medium is sold out.)

There are also dragonflies
and butterflies in two sizes each!

Many thanks!  Hope you've enjoyed your visit!  Have a great weekend!

~Sharyl

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Image Credits:

newspaper:
http://www.wpclipart.com/household/entertainment/newspaper/newspaper.jpg

Bead photos by Sharyl

Magazine corner page-- photo of magazine page taken by Sharyl.
See this page for Step by Step magazine purchase info.

Altered metals new in store, photos by Sharyl.

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Seed Bead & Metal Blog Hop Sign-up!

Announcing the 

Seed Bead & Metal Blog Hop!

Hosted by Sharyl's Jewelry &

Featuring the beaded work of 

*Shirley Moore!*

There is a smaller version to the right of page. 

Please feel free to copy to your your blog or Facebook and share!   Thanks!

This Fall, I've partnered with Shirley Moore to host the "Seed Bead and Metal Blog Hop!" Shirley is a seed bead artist and the author of the "Beads and Bread" blog! 

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while, know that I'm in awe of those who practice this particular art form.  I welcome this opportunity for us all, whether we normally create seed bead jewelry or not, to design using a small piece made by Shirley!    (And if that was not challenge enough, we're combining that with some metal components my me, to see what you come up with!  I'm looking forward to some very creative responses to this challenge!)

Blog Hop Basics:

• This is a small blog hop, open to 10 participants. (Shirley and I will participate, but are not included in the 10 openings mentioned.   These are just for YOU!)   
• The reveal date is Sat., 10/19/13.  (That means we need to be ready to launch our pages by Friday, 10/18/13, 11:30pm Central time.)    
• You do NOT have to have your own blog!  Anyone wanting to participate who doesn't have a blog is welcome to send me the photos and text they want posted  2 days prior and I'll put on my blog the day of the reveal.
• Although the packets contain pieces of seed bead work, and while we certainly welcome others who do bead embroidery, crochet, etc., it is not at all required.   Designers simply need to integrate these pieces into their jewelry designs in some way.

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Packet Details:

• Component packets contain handmade items from both Shirley Moore and myself.   Each packet is US$18 plus S/H. (S/H within the U.S. is $2.50. Kansans must also pay sales tax.   I will ship to other countries, but postage is significantly higher and packages can be delayed. Please consider whether is it is likely you would receive the packet in time to participate if you volunteer.  Many thanks!)
• Each packet is unique, but contains 4 types of things:

#1: 1-2 beaded items handmade by Shirley

It's difficult to estimate size, but most of the pieces are approximately 1" x 1".  

This photo shows 4 examples.  

The top two items are individual pieces.  

The bottom examples are a bit smaller and 2 pieces each.

#2:   1-2 handmade metal components by Sharyl.

Round pieces shown average around 3/4 inch.  But some are larger, some smaller.  

Other pieces are larger and rectangular.

In each case, the items sent could be used in a variety of design functions. (Examples: you may have 2 of something and could use them as earrings, in a necklace, or a bracelet design. You may have a piece you could use as a pendant or a clasp or a bracelet focal! The items sent are not clearly defined in their function. All the more fun for you!)

#3:  There will also be an additional metal item(s)

 made by Sharyl...

...that may be 1 or more handmade metal components, altered metal components, or wire components or findings. (For example:   That might be bead caps or components I've purchased pre-shaped then added patina, a necklace or bracelet clasp I've made from wire, handmade ear wires, a bail, an item that could be used as a dangle or pendant, etc.)  All these items have a hand-made touch to them though!

#4:   Small surprise packet...

...with additional items, just in case you would like a little more inspiration to get you started!

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Design Guidelines:

IMPORTANT STUFF!

You are only required to use one of the seed bead pieces from our featured artist, Shirley Moore, for the reveal.   If you can also use some of the metal pieces in the same or other jewelry designs, that would be highly encouraged!    All the rest is totally up to you.   It is not necessary to use everything or to use items in the surprise packet.   I would just as soon see your own inspired designs!    The packet is just a "thank you" and in case you like any inspiration it sends your way!  

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Sign-ups:

(MORE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF!)

We're taking the first 10 who sign up this time, so don't delay!   

--To sign up, please leave a comment on this blog post indicating you want to be a part of the challenge. 

--Leave me your  name, your blog name, your blog address (or an indication you want to appear on my blog instead).      Having a way to contact you always comes in handy too--whatever works best for you (a Facebook name, email address, store URL, etc.) 

--This will be considered a commitment that you plan to purchase the packet and be a part of the reveal.

**Once I have 10 volunteer participants, I'll announce them on the blog.   (Keep watching!  I will make an announcement by Sept. 16th at the latest, even if we don't have 10.) At the time I make the announcement, I will also put the packets for sale in my store, reserved in your name.   A link and instructions will follow at that time.    (Participants will have one week to purchase.   Any packet left unsold after one week will be offered to the next person waiting in line.)

Each set is one-of-a-kind.  The packages are already boxed.  Each contestant will purchase their package but the precise contents will be a surprise.  I've put them together in ways that I would love to get anyone of them...and hope you feel the same!  Boxes will be randomly assigned to participants, including myself!  :-)

  

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BONUS!  An Extra Opportunity:

We believe there will be an opportunity for participants to submit your designs to the online magazine Bead Chat published monthly in connection with Artisan Whimsy, edited by Melinda Orr.   The deadline for entries is Oct. 22 to be considered for the November 2013 issue.   We'll confirm that and share more details in the near future.   Participation is not required, but it's a great opportunity!  

My thanks to my co-host for this Challenge and Blog-Hop, Shirley Moore!   And my thanks to all of you!   

Please help us spread the word by sharing on your blogs and/or Facebook!   

I hope that many of you (10 at least) will be eager to participate!     Let the fun begin!  

~Sharyl

P.S.  I'm certain to have left out some detail.  If you have questions, please ask!

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Graphic Credits:

Photo of bead work by Shirley Moore.

Photos of metal work and findings by Sharyl.

Question Mark:  http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/alphabets_numbers/bronze/.cache/bronze_question_mark.png

Checklist:  http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/checkmarks/.cache/checklist.png

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"Bead Chat" Magazine Feature & More New Summer Jewelry

I was honored to be featured in this month's just-released  Bead Chat online magazine! 

To see the article, click here

Then click the right arrow on the screen 

until you get to pages 7-10.

I was interviewed by Natalie McKenna and asked to submit photographs of my work on a beach-theme.  While I had quite a few pieces already in my store, I couldn't help but take this opportunity to design some new ones too!  

Most of those I submitted ended up in the magazine, but there were more than they could include.  So I thought I would show the others here!   I designed a few more pieces after the submission date, and I'm including those here too.

One thing I love about creating more beach jewelry is that it gives me a good reason to use more aqua!  Aqua is probably my all-time favorite color for jewelry design, so how much more fun could I have!

Sparkling Waters Lampwork and Chrystal Earrings

"Turquoise Swirl Sparkle" Lampwork by SueBeads

Wirework by Sharyl:  (Sterling Silver Filled with White Brass), Faceted Czech crystals,

and encased glass seed beads.

Metallic Fins Lampwork and Copper Earrings

"Psyche Luster" Lampwork Beads by Taneres.  (aka Serena's Beadery)

Handmade copper components by Sharyl.

Orange and Purple Summer Fun Earrings

When I first saw these yellow-orange and purple lampwork beads they reminded me of the colorful blow-up innertube toys kids often play with in the pool or beach!  

Those inspiring beads are by SharplineDesigns.  

Though it wasn't intentional, I think the finished product looks a bit like swimmers 

bobbing in the waves with their inflatable swim toys!

Japanese Art Waves Altered Brass Components Navy

Altered brass components.   

There is a pair of these featured in "Bead Chat" but with different colors.

This pair is light blue and navy.

Red, White, and Blue Lampwork and Ceramic Necklace

I designed this necklace especially for Independence Day, 

but it is certainly fitting year round!

Beads from Inspire Glass Studio, Eclectic Prairie,and Taneres.

Sterling silver chain.

I describe this one as "quality casual."

I hope you'll take a good cover-to-cover look at "Bead Chat," the monthly online magazine from Artisan Whimsy.   There are many talented people's work represented there.   Please share with us if you have something in this month's issue! 

Happy Summer to you all!   

~Sharyl

P.S.  I've just listed all jewelry and components from Bead Chat and this blog entry in my store if you want a closer look!   Sale info below!



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Photo Credits:

Cover of July 2013 Bead Chat magazine, used by permission of editor, Melinda Orr.

Sea Shell on Beach:  http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/aquatic/shell_and_shellfish/Whelk_on_beach.jpg

Jewelry photos by Sharyl, 2013.

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Independence Day sale!

Get 15% off all items 

at Sharyl's Jewelry on Artfire!

Good through 7/7/2013.

Must use coupon code at checkout:  

 INDEPENDENCE15

Only one coupon code may be used at a time, 

but this code is good for all jewelry and components purchased.

You may share this code with others.

You may use the code as many times as you like during the sale period.

Thank you, and have a happy 4th!

***Please sign up for my 

Sharyl's Jewelry Facebook page

to keep current on sales and promotions! ***

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5x5 Follow-up and Prize Winner Announcement!

Thanks to all of you who visited my blog and the other participant's blogs to get the behind-the-scenes look of our "5x5" Beat Chat metal testing!  I know it was a lot of reading but I hope you enjoyed seeing how we experimented repeatedly, how we cumulatively hammered, soldered, cut, glued,  tied, twisted, wired, punched, painted, patinated, bent, beaded, bejeweled, and more these pieces of metal!   


At the bottom of my last blog post was a Give-away offer!  Hope you made it that far!  All you had to do was leave a comment regarding the 5x5 event to be entered.  Hopefully you also left a way for me to reach you if you win!    The names of those leaving comments went into the drawing and the winner was  randomly selected by a random-number-generator.   

Before I announce the winner, I have to tell you, that it was difficult to quit fiddling with the jewelry even after we submitted the items for publication in the Bead Chat Magazine!   At the end, I asked the advice of my co-designers on several pieces and have been working on some of the suggestions I received.   

Sometimes it has been  difficult to know if I would have been better to have stopped 5 steps back or whether I needed to go 5 steps further.  Sometimes it depends on taste.  Sometimes it's just good design. One thing was for certain, I had one piece stuck between 2 worlds and felt I had to move it out of that state!   

I'll show you what I mean, and I hope you like the end result, because this will be the give-away gift.

You may recall this piece.   The top copper piece, without the stampings, was what we were given.  This started out as one of my favorites and, after a long struggle, I think I've finally made my peace with it again! 

At the start, I made the brass piece to go with it and stamped designs in both pieces.   Now many of you know, I have a love-hate affair with bright shiny metals.  Mostly I love them, but I know they don't easily stay that way.  They age and darken,  so aging the metals is more popular, and I like that too.   What happened to this piece was that it was a victim of my indecision!  

I decided to age the copper piece and add some green and blue color to it.   And suddenly I realized that between my metal and wire, I had silver, copper, and brass  in both bright and antiqued finishes.   And then it got worse before it got better. I made attempts to lessen the brightness of the brass. (I'm telling you the brass was so bright, I kept getting a reflection of myself with the camera when I tried photographing the necklace for the blog!)   

But once I tamed the brass, then the shiny silver stood out like it didn't belong.   So finally, it took it all apart... one more time...  

Applied more patina colors to the brass piece.  Removed all the silver wire work at the top, the dangles and the clasp.   I replaced the shiny silver clasp with a darker handmade  copper one. The dangles I replaced with  green beads with an aged look (stone, glass rondelles, glass picasso daggers, and brass accent beads).    It's a long way from where I started, but to me it feels like all the parts come from the same time period now, though a much more ancient one.  

I hope you like it.   And I hope the winner does too:

Kathy Lindemer

(If not, Kathy, you are welcome to change it in any way!  That's what this project was all about from the beginning!) :-)

Thank you all for participating and for your support!

~Sharyl

P.S.  Thanks once more to Heather Kelly Martson, Melinda Orr, Alicia Marinache, and the other 4 Testers!
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Images:

All images are photographs taken by Sharyl with exception of the ticket graphic:

http://www.wpclipart.com/recreation/entertainment/tickets/.cache/movie_tickets_admit_one.png

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1 question survey + tip about Monday's special event!

I have a quick survey for you  today!   I would greatly appreciate your feedback.   I'm starting to do some paid marketing and trying to decide how/where my time and money are best spent.  You can help me with your input!    (There is only one question and it's multiple choice, so it's really quick!)

Click here to take survey 

If you have any comments from your own experiences about marketing and paid advertisements, please send me a note or include in the comment section.  I'll be very grateful!

Also, please check in tomorrow!   I was one of the "5x5 Tester Group" in the May 2013 issue of Artisan Whimsy Bead Chat Magazine  and the results have been published!  (Pages 21-26 if you want a sneak peak!)  You can click below...



I'll show you more details on how the metal pieces arrived, what I did to them, and used them in my designs!   We all had a great time, and hope you will enjoy our mini blog hop Monday!

I'll give away one of the pieces to one of our blog participants, so come back for details!
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Graphic Credits:

http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/checkmarks/checkmarks_3/.cache/checkbox_checked.png

http://www.wpclipart.com/education/kids/students/.cache/student_writing.png

Bead Chat magazine copyrighted by Melinda Orr. 2013
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Oh, wa-hoo!

As you can see, I'm pretty excited!   The March/April 2013 issue of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine is out and while I knew some of my components were going to appear in it,...well, I'm just extra-hyped all over again!   Perhaps at some point this becomes less of a big deal, (really?) but since this is just my 2nd jewelry publication, I'm excited.   My thanks to Denise Peck, Editor-in-Chief!

And I'm extra-excited when I see the names of those appearing in this Artisan Showcase of Components!     People I now "know" through their publications, blogs, Facebook pages, discussions on Creative Bead Chat, and participation on Artisan Whimsy!   Stores I buy beads from!  People I converse with!   (And the few I didn't know well, I immediately set out to meet and explore what they make!)  

Below is the list with links to their stores:

• White Clover Kiln
• Sharyl's Jewelry     <--Yes, of course, that'd be me!
• Shaterra Clay Studio
• Cecily Maples
• LadyBrook Beads
• Artisan Accents
• Jennifer Davies-Reazor
• Sparkling Waters Studio
• Sue Beads
• Marti's Buttons-n-Beads
• Elaine Ray Ornamentea
• Joan Miller Procelain
• Grubbi
• Blueberribeads
• Off Center Productions
• Phyllis Dintenfass
• Kristi Bowman Design
• GogoSheBogo Design
• My Bead Therapy

Now all this got me to thinking, "EEKS!   I should be adding new components to the store!"  So I got busy  working on those.   Of course they can't be made in a day.  The layers of patina and sealant require drying time.   But I'll give you a  "sneak peak" of one of the batches of work in progress and a few new designs on the way for spring!  

Coming soon to Sharyl's Jewelry 

in the following sections:

Handmade Components and

Altered Components

Many more new raw brass designs have just arrived awaiting to be transformed and an order of copper sheet metal I've been long-awaiting should arrive tomorrow!  So there will be more original components too!   (And a special someone has a special order I'll get busy on then too!)

Hope you all enjoy visiting and shopping for new beads and components!    

Happy Spring!

~Sharyl

P.S.  The beads and components are terrific and so are the photographs and layout!   (Thanks to the contributors and the Interweave publishers and editors!)
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Graphics Credits:

Excited girl: http://www.wpclipart.com/people/faces/girl_faces/face_and_body/excited_girl.jpg

Component photo by Sharyl, 3/13
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CBC Site Admin Appreciation Day!

The Creative Bead Chat Group on Facebook, otherwise known as "CBC," is holding a Site Administrator Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 8.

This group began just a few months ago and has quickly grown to over 1,000 members.   

I find it's the kind of place where I can:

• Ask a question about how to do something without worrying I'll be put down, even though I am surrounded by experts.   
• Find out about what tools are needed for various types of bead-making and metal work.
• Learn how to take better photographs.
• Show jewelry and get feedback.
• Have the opportunity to meet and interact with others who make jewelry.
• Have the chance to help and be helped by others' knowledge.
• Live a little, laugh a lot!

I feel supported and encouraged by our administrators and fellow members.  I learn from them.  And as a result, what I do changes and improves.  

So today, I'd like to thank the following people, the administrators of the CBC group:

Marla James
Marla's Mud

Melinda Orr 
Orrtec

Karen Totten 
Starry Road Studio

Marla Gibson
Spice Box Designs

Keirsten Giles
Lune Designs

Please join me in thanking these individuals for their many contributions.  If you make jewelry or beads, I would invite you to join the CBC group on Facebook!

Sharyl ~ Sharyl's Jewelry

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Good job:  http://www.wpclipart.com/education/awards/glossy_ribbon/.cache/glossy_ribbon_blue_good_job.png

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