Art dolls always look better if there is beading involved, and with that in mind, I’d like to make you aware of another call for entries and submissions that is currently out there!

Art Doll Quarterly is having a special challenge for their next issue: Wooden Dolls.
Wood is one of the earliest known materials used to make dolls because it was easy to carve, sturdy and unbreakable. Most were symbolic and ceremonial figures, often of a religious nature. According to the doll category guidelines set by United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC), the type of doll is determined by the content of the doll’s head. Thus, a wood doll always has a wooden head regardless of the types of materials used in the body construction. With that in mind, we challenge you to create wood dolls and send us your submissions. Deadline for artwork to be received: December 15, 2009.

Submission information

A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for this exciting publication. The special theme for the next issue will be Patches and Pins!
Deadline for artwork to be received: December 15, 2009. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · …read more

My usual style with optical lenses is to adhere an image to the back, showing through the front of the lens, and to hang dangles from the bottom and/or adhere bits and bobs to the front.   A little while ago though, a lovely woman named Teresa, who bought some optical lenses from me, showed me a link to another really fun way to decorate and wear these little treasures.

Optical lens with image
The DIY network has a video showing you how to use glass paints to create swirled baubles that resemble stained glass.  I’m not crazy about the recommendation to bend …read more

Yay for Cindy Lietz! Lucky number 69 is the winner of the book Ancient Modern!!

Totally Creative magazine is a relative newcomer on the scene, but I think it already shows a lot of promise.  The sample issue that I saw contained articles by several artists whose work I know and love, including the fabulous Barbara Matthiessen, who wrote an extensive tutorial on creating multi-layered surface design effects on fabric.  I also found an article by my friend Beth Wheeler, who shared a felting project.

So what you’ll find are professional designers, whose names you’ll know from other magazines and books, who’ve created projects in all different media and for all different skill levels.  Sound interesting?
There …read more

Twice each year, Crystallized Swarovski Elements comes out with new colors and shapes innovations. The Fall/Winter 2010-2011 selection has just been released for your viewing pleasure. If you sign up with Fire Mountain Gems for their newsletter, you’ll know as soon as these are ready for ordering!  Visit this link to see more details about the new collection, and to find links to previous seasons.

Here’s what FMG has to say about the new colors and shapes:
* Cyclamen Opal – a color-play of amethyst purple and baby pink shades with an underlying opalescence
* Greige – a smoky, subtle color …read more

If you’ve got your own jewelry or beading business, you’ve probably felt the pressure to get in on some of the social media networks.  We know that sites like Twitter and Facebook can be used to promote your work and can help you with increased sales and recognition.
They can also be an enormous time suck.
To make sure that your tweeting time is productive, Donna Scott on OnlineCollege has written an article called 100 Twitter Tips and Tools to Stay on Top of Your Field.
Nicolette Tallmadge has a audio program on BlogTalkRadio that covers Social Networking Tips for Artists too.

Jean Campbell:
Jean describes what it’s like to edit someone’s book and shares her thoughts on Marcia DeCoster’s latest, Beaded Opulence.

Jewelry & Beading
I am giving away a copy of Ronna Sarvas Weltman’s unique polymer clay book called “Ancient Modern”. Come and get in on this contest!
Snap out of it Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean is amazed by the treasures you find in Cynthia Thornton’s spectacular wonder of a book, Enchanted Adornments!
Strands of Beads
Melissa trys out Friendly Plastic (and likes the results).
A Bead A Day
It’s Arts & Crafts Week on …read more

Project Runway, Season 6, Episode 12: The Art of Fashion! Who’s the winner this week and who is “auf”?

Lesson for the week: Don’t be smug or catty…it’s not attractive.

Artist: Nancy Peterson
Location: The Poconos, Pennsylvania

Website & Blog:
Patterns of my designs
Beading Blog

Nancy, how do you describe your work?
I think that my first love of style of beading is beadweaving. I love to learn new stitches and then take them, create and explore new possibilities. There are some that I find myself coming back to, like the various forms of peyote.

What is your creative process like?
Having two sons, my creative process can be quite chaotic. I may have an idea for a piece but then I only get to work on it in small spurts between …read more