Mom Followup + "This and That" About Components

Thank you, my dear friends, who took the time to read my last post, "Remembering Mom's Birthday"  and the previous one I linked to, "Making Jewelry for Seniors with Special Needs."   The responses that came in warmed my heart.     Hopefully it's clear that my mom was very special to me and had an influence on my love of jewelry.    I was all about my bracelets and necklaces and rings by at least the age 2-3.   I have photos to prove it and stories abound!

I'll be posting another blog entry soon that will have another connection to my mom, so maybe now you will feel like you know a bit more about her when you read the coming entry.

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In the meantime, I've been working the last day or two on adding more handmade and hand-altered components to Sharyl's Jewelry.

I keep throwing those terms around but I'm unsure if people know what I mean when use them.  So briefly, here is the difference.

1) When I create a component such as a bail, clasp, pendant, or earring dangles by hand, my own original design, then I refer to those as "hand-made."    

Examples would be these earring dangles:

brass and copper textured and domed pieces

or...

Ancient Native Sun Image Copper Pendant

Purple and turquoise diamond copper components

Large copper components for earrings or pendants

From time to time, I also have a few findings in this section:   earwires, eyepins, headpins, and beadcaps I've made by hand.

2) When I take a piece of metal, most commonly a raw brass stamping, and alter it with patina, I refer to that as "hand-altered."   I didn't make the piece from scratch, I purchased it from a supply store and changed it's appearance.

A few examples of these would be:  

Pale blue-aqua large brass leaf components and beadcaps

Plum Silver Flower Dangles and Beadcaps

Blackened Brass Earring Dangles and Beadcaps

And then there are these....      Every once in a while, I hit one and can't decide what category to put it in!    I've been putting these into the "handmade" section, but thinking recently they should go in "hand altered."   They are unique in that they contain a handmade component (typically pottery) by a bead artist (whose name I mention in the description and tags),  then I've added a metal or wire addition to turn it into to something new.  

Artisan made pottery and twisted copper wire toggle

 Pottery piece by Cindy Kovar of "Captured Moments."

Cinnamon Roll Button and Copper Component

 Brown swirl clay button handmade by "'Fey Designs"

So they are handmade, but not all parts were made by me.   See my dilemma?    What's your opinion on category placement?

And while I'm seeking advice,... I'd like to say that I've gotten 3 suggestions for colors for various altered components in the last few days--some here and some on Facebook!    I can't thank you enough for that type of feedback!    Please continue to let me know what you think or if you have special requests regarding components.    

I still love making jewelry, but I'm also enjoying learning more about metalwork and sharing my components with you and other jewelry designers.   So it's vital I hear what kinds of things you are seeking!  The more feedback, the better!

As always, I greatly appreciate your ongoing support!   

Hope you have a happy Friday!   See you back here Saturday, I hope!

~Sharyl

• Graphics made from Colorbok punch-out kit then scanned. Visit www.Colorbok.com for more information.

• Jewelry components and photos by Sharyl.

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Remembering Mom's Birthday

I've been thinking a lot about my mom again recently.  Of course she is never far from my memory (and the same for my dad), but today, Jan. 7, would have been her birthday so she's nestled in my heart close again.   She passed away 3 years ago, at the age of 85.  

Two years ago, we did a series on this blog about creating jewelry for a special purpose with guest writers, and my piece ended up being a sort of tribute to my mom.

So in memory, I thought I'd share that entry about Mom again today.  

Comments, Raw Brass, and Goldilocks...

I love hearing from you all and reading your comments.  I was recently flattered that Shirley Moore, author of the  "Beads and Bread" Blog, made this comment on my last post:  "I wish I could've seen that brass flower before you started, I bet it was such a huge contrast...."

Well, it just so happens that the raw brass flower pendant came from a packet of 4, and was the first one I tried.  

So thanks for speaking up, Shirley!  Here is a comparison photo for you and anyone else who is interested!

** Does anyone have color suggestions 

for the other 3 flowers?! **

I should do more of showing my works in progress.  

I did take these two as I was making the necklace:

I was planning to add some black stone beads, 

but decided it seemed too crowded.

Then I played with omitting the red beads, 

but decided they should go in!  

It was a bit like 

"Goldilocks and the Three Bears."

There was a lot of experimenting 

to get to the feel of

"just right!"

The necklace was done for the Art Bead Scene Dec 2012 challenge.  You can click here to take a look and read more about it if you missed my last post.

You may also want to take a look at the ABS Blog Tour for this event that was prepared by Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati.   You'll be able to quickly see all the fantastic entries and read a brief description.   I think we were all duly inspired by this piece of art! 

Sleeping Beauty by Erté, 1983

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to join and read my blog this year, those who have left comments and suggestions, participated in give-aways and challenges, and shared in so many ways!  It means so much to me that you are here!

Happy New Year 2013 to each of you!  I'm excited for this new year and sharing it with you!

~Sharyl

Sharyl's Jewelry   

(Reminder:   Jan. 2 is last day of holiday sale!  

Components are included!)

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ABS Monthly Challenge - Dec 2012 - Reveal

When I saw this painting on the Art Bead Scene December challenge webpage, I fell in love with it! The colors, fluidity, movement, shapes.... Ah, beautiful! I decided I really wanted to interact with this art in creating my own piece of jewelry.

Sleeping Beauty by Erté, 1983

I started by shopping for every bead I could find that might make a good focal artbead, mostly lovely lampwork in the swirling colors shown above, but I couldn't make up my mind--too many lovely choices!   I looked through my stash of artbeads and non-art beads to see what I could use to supplement the lampwork and wasn't finding what I wanted.   In the end, I found instead a raw brass flower pendant in my stash that I altered with patinas to obtain the color and look I wanted in my focal.    The petals in the flower remind me of the movement in the swirls of the dress as it mounds up with snow.

I supplemented this with some of my very favorite pottery beads I've been saving made by Natalie Pappas.   The red for "Sleeping Beauty's" dress, and the blue flowers to represent the snowflake flowers hanging from the limbs above her in the painting.

There are also small beads of blue, black and white scattered among these, and twisted black wire to represent additional hanging twigs with snow. All hang from two sizes of darkened chain.

Thank you, ABS, for such an inspiring December choice!

Currently onsale at Sharyl's Jewelry

A note about Natalie:    

She is in the process of consolidating stores, so you can currently find her in two locations!

NKP Designs is where all her pottery and beads will soon be located!   Notice the lovely cups added in addition to beads!

NKP Beads is where she has had her bead shop.  Everything in THIS store  is at 50% off until the beads are gone or are moved to the new store.    There are still beautiful beads there, so be sure to visit there as well!  Make sure you use the Coupon Code:    BEADSALE50!


My thanks to Natalie for the beautiful beads used in this necklace!

Sharyl ~ Sharyl's Jewelry

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Holiday Greetings and Winners!

Happy Holidays to all!   

I have so much I'd like to say to you, but I'll try to keep it simple and short so you can get back to your holiday fun, whatever you may be doing!

We have several winners to announce!

1) The winner of the Tumblestone Studios / Sharyl's Jewelry drawing is...  Anne Watson!

Anne wins this charming, Victorian, go-with-everything necklace (left photo) by Dana Lang and an assortment of handmade and hand-altered components by me (right photo).

The drawing was held on Dana's  "Tumblestone Handmakery" blog 

in connection my feature on Dana.

2)  In conjunction with the feature on Marti Conrad, bead artisan and owner of "Marti's Buttons-n-Beads," there was a drawing to win a sampling of Marti's beads.   

  

So many of you tried so hard, I wish I could have shared with all of you!   But the winner is ...  Shaiha Williams.  

3)   Finally, the winner of the redrawing for the  Artisan Whimsy holiday event  is...Tammie Tusher Everly from TTE Designs!

The gifts are the Art Deco-inspired necklace and earrings I designed for a recent jewelry History Challenge.  

 (The red stained glass pendants are from the Etsy shop, Very Pretty Things.   

And a little plug for Tracy Matthews, owner of that shop.  

She's having a 40% off sale Dec. 24-27!  

She has also opened a new store just for her

 glass cabochons called "I have Glass Stones.")

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As for the rest, well, it can wait for later.  We'll be wrapping up this year.  Planning for next  year.  And trying to catch up in between!    

The most important thing is that you each have a very happy, safe, and peaceful holiday!   Thanks for your support.   Joyful wishes sent to you!    ~Sharyl

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And from Sharyl's Jewelry a reminder:

LAST SALE OF THE YEAR! EVERYTHING IS 10% OFF! That includes sale and clearance items previously marked down 30-50%! Selling at or below cost! Don't miss out! Hope you find that special something you've been waiting for! Sale ends SOON! (No coupon needed for this sale. Prices are already marked down!)
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Dana Lang and "Tumblestone!"

I promised you another blog entry on a jewelry artist this week, 

and another give-away...

 and you shall have both!  :-)   

**Double-give away details at bottom of page!**

                 Acorn Necklace by Dana Lang

To me, she is quite a rising star.   She's "crafty" in the very best since of that word, meaning I find so much that she does very artistic!   And while she's a wonderful jewelry designer, she has a variety of artistic talents she pursues.  (We'll talk about that more in the future!)   I always find that impressive as I struggle with jewelry making alone!

For today though, we'll focus on her jewelry!.....



Dana Lang is from Mission, British Columbia, Canada.   She is the owner of a wonderful new online store on Etsy called "Tumblestone."     



I first really became aware of Dana when she won a gift certificate  from my store.   She didn't collect immediately because, as she explained, she was busy setting up a new online store of her own.  I knew Dana had a blog called  "Tumblestone Handmakery."   Something about that name made me wonder what this new store would be like and what would be sold there! 

As soon as I started seeing her work, I loved it!   

Wire Wrapped Flower Filigree Necklace -

 Hand Blackened Brass, Copper chain, 

Picasso Czech Glass Briolette

Key jewelry has been very popular this year.  I find Dana's "Key Hole Earrings" and "Cluster Necklace"  fun variations on the theme!

Key Hole Earrings - Green Flower Dangles

               Cluster Necklace

The more I see of Dana's jewelry, the more I like!  The black or darkened metals, the simplicity, the uniqueness.   

                                Greek Mythology -

                               Calypso By the Sea Necklace 

Dana has a style all her own she seems to have had right from the start!    Very impressive!

Please visit and learn more about Dana through her blog, "Tumblestone Handmakery," and on Facebook, and Twitter!    You'll see even more of what makes me admire her so!

And enjoy Free Shipping Worldwide at "Tumblestone" until January 1st 2013!! Just use coupon code FREESHIP at checkout! ~Sharyl

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P.S.   Dana and I have teamed-up for a give-away!   She is giving away a lovely necklace and I'm giving away a set of my hand-made and hand-altered components.  
**The signup for both are on Dana's blog!**   
The event has begun!  

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Graphic Credits:

All photographs  used in this entry are the property of Dana Lang and used with her permission.

Red arrow graphic:  http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/arrows/arrow_curved/.cache/arrow_curved_attention_red.png

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Marti Conrad: Artisan Button and Bead Maker

When I first started using art beads, I went for lampwork.  Lampwork was what an art bead meant to me.  Over the past year or so, I've learned that (much as I still love handmade lampwork beads, and oh I do!),... there are many other art beads I love too:  pottery, enamel, metal, cast metal, mixed media, and so on.  

For oh-so-many months now, I've been particularly loving to work with pottery beads--from mud, to ceramics, to all sorts of clay--I love these beads, their unique colors, textures, and shapes.   Just by talking with artisans, I've learned a bit about the process and the time it takes to make these beads, and it's so impressive to me!

Included are some of the first beads I bought from Marti Conrad. 

Some I've ordered more than once!  

I've used quite a few of them, 

but also like to keep some on hand too!

One of my first-found and favorite bead artists in this medium is Marti Conrad of Marti's Buttons-n-Beads on Etsy.  She sells beads that are made from stoneware clay and fit my designs so well.  And she is constantly creating new designs.   I no more place my order than she comes out with something else I want!

So I thought I would show you just a few of the purchases I've made from her shop, what I've made from some of her beads, and some of her newest items listed!    We'll also hear from Marti herself!   (There is so much to share, I promise it pays to read all the way through!) 

Not long after I started buying beads from Marti, a custom order cometh our way...  I admired her horse pendants and cuffs and thought I might know others who would also.  Out of that came a custom order for 4 pieces of jewelry involving Marti's horse pendants and cuffs, along with her beads!   (I found them a dream to design with and the customer was very happy!)

On the left is one of the bracelets made from one of her horse cuffs and 2 of her cone-shaped pottery beads.   (I don't know why, but I think of these beads as "kernel" beads--like corn kernels!  I've hinted I think these should be renamed to fit with my memory of their name!)

On the right is a pair of earrings I made to sell using her crater beads which I matched with copper snowflakes.  In the end, I liked them so much I kept them for myself, and have been wearing them all season!

I mentioned I like to keep some of Marti's beads in my stash... here is most of my current batch. 

A lovely fern pendant, another horse pendant, beads mostly in subtle, earthy tones, but you'll also find some cherry-like red and some coral cone-shaped beads among others.  I also have some of Marti's buttons, which didn't make it into this photo.

Marti lives in a small town in rural West Virginia. I've often wondered how she started making beads, and so I asked and she was kind enough to share her story:  

"I have done crafty things all my life as my mom started me out embroidering at the age of ten, crochet at 11 and then I started making polymer buttons and started in ceramic clay about eight years ago in order to have the fun money to buy vintage clothing buttons. My husband wanted me to collect buttons instead of dishes because they wouldn't take up too much room in the house...little did we know...lol.

Since then, I started in beads and making small jewelry components which opened the world to me. I have mailed pieces literally all over the world, Australia, Hong Kong, Europe, The Netherlands, Canada and all over the United States. The internet and online selling has really opened up my little world and I am so appreciative. It is so exciting to send my things here and there and see what people do with them. I thank you all!"

And thank YOU, Marti!

Now please join me for a look at some of my favorite beads currently in Marti's shop:

These new "Spindle Bead Caps" are delightful! 

While I'm sitting around dreaming about using them, "our own" Jean A. Wells (don't you like how I claim people?!)...

who participated in our latest Challenge, has beat me to using them!   (Click on Jean's name to link to a sample of her work using some of these beads!)  They look fantastic!  They come in a variety of colors and textures. I just must try some of those soon!   

 I love the shapes of these "Four Cone Shaped Handmade Beads."

I have some of these beads in melon, and some round beads in this color and finish!  How could I not love these?! 

BRAND NEW!  Aren't these "Turquoise Rose Beads" a lovely color, shape, and texture?!

As well as her beads and horses, Marti has been making owl pendants way before there was an owl challenge!

Owl Connector  

Owl Connector   

They are cute beyond words!

Marti is an animal lover and you will find that reflected in her work.  There are dog and cat paw prints, fish, turtles, and more!

Fishy Fishy Pendant

You'll also find beads and pendants inspired by trees and ferns.  (There's a sample fern in my stash photo above!)

And finally, another bit of nature headed our way soon...

Hexagon Pendant and Charms

Thank you to Marti for letting us take a peek into your shop, sharing your history and motivation for bead-making, and for all the wonderful beads you make and share with us!

Now, to the rest of you,

please visit Marti's Buttons-n-Beads shop on Etsy

and her blog, where you'll find the "newest of the new" designs!

Oh what treats await you there!   

~Sharyl

P.S.  I told you it would pay to read all the way through!   In addition to learning more about Marti, we'll have a give-away!

 Share this page on your blog, FB, or Twitter account, 

then leave me a message you've done so with the link.   

I'll draw a name and share a few beads 

with the winner 

from my lovely "Marti stash!"

Good luck to all!

Photographs from Marti's shop are used here by permission.

Photographs of completed projects were taken by Sharyl

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