Project Runway, Season 6, Episode 13: Finale, part 2! Lesson for the week: “Details create the big picture.”  ~ Sanford I. Weill [Read more] [Read more]

Artist: Jean Hutter Business name: Totally Twisted Location: Lakewood, NJ and Lake Ariel, PA Websites & Blogs: Jean Hutter Jean Hutter Beads blog Totally Twisted etsy shop Totally Twisted 1000 markets shop Jean, how do you describe your work? My work is constantly evolving and changing. I would describe it as eclectic – a little of this and a little of that.  I enjoy beadweaving, bead embroidery, stringing and wire work.  I started with wire hence the name Totally Twisted. I don’t work with wire as much any more but I think the name still fits me. I see my work evolving to include more natural and found objects – I would also like to start using fabric in my jewelry. What is your creative process like? Well I usually work on one... [Read more]

The good folks at Artbeads are one of the suppliers who  occasionally send me different beads, pendants, and other products to allow me to create projects to share with all of you.  Now they’re offering a wonderful special that you can take advantage of directly!  From now until December 31, 2009, Artbeads is offering 10% off any order if you will use the special coupon code that I’ve got posted below. Since shipping is always free in the U.S. and is only $1 to Canada, this special offer is really worthwhile.  Artbeads has a wide selection of beads, findings, and other jewelry making supplies available on their website.  No minimum purchase is required to use this offer! 10% off coupon code: SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424 expires 12/31/09 [Read more]

Aida Chemicals, the folks who brough us silver Art Clay, have thrown their collective hats into the ring, introducing a new copper clay with a simpler firing schedule, less shrinkage, and NO MESSY CARBON NEEDED for firing!! I am thrilled to hear it.  I love the CopprClay that I’ve worked with, but it will be lovely to have one that’s a bit easier to fire.  Even as we speak, artists in the UK are testing it out and tweaking the instructions for its use.  They’re also experimenting with torch firing, something that is impossible with CopprClay.  One downside is that it cannot be used in conjunction with silver clay…they will contaminate each other, even by using shared tools.  I’m sure there will be ways around... [Read more]

Using the cute little beaded flowers that I showed you a couple weeks agao, plus a few more styles, I fashioned a floral necklace that I named for my mother: RuthAnn’s Garden. RuthAnn has an absolutely magic touch with flowers of all types, and her garden is always a riot of colors from the earliest spring to the lastest fall. The focal flower on the top of the piece is styled after a hibiscus, modified slightly (but only slightly!) from the excellent instructions given by Kerrie Slade in the April 2009 issue of Bead&Button Magazine. For my general instructions on bead embroidery, please check Bead Embroidery Techniques. Step by step instructions for RuthAnn’s Garden: [Read more]