Artist: Doug Frates
Website: Doug Frates
Usually I profile glass artists who make wearables on this site, but I had to make an exception for Doug, because as you’ll see, his work is exceptional in every way! I think you’ll really enjoy reading what he has to say about his artwork, his process, and his business tips!  He stresses how much hard work goes into building a successful business, and that is true in any creative field.

Doug, how did you decide to simply use your name for your business?
I picked the name of the business because as a High End artist …read more

I’m finished, I’m finished, I’m finished!!!  And I wasn’t late in finishing, just in posting about it 
Bead Journal Project for 2008 – 2009 is officially finished!  We’ll be starting up again for our third year in January 2010. I’ll make sure I post about it when I have more news…it would be fabulous to have more folks join in!
Each month, I chose a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and used a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me.   Here is my …read more

Bottled Up Designs by Laura Bergman is a remarkable line of jewelry made from antique glass and bottles reclaimed from antique bottle dumps throughout natural wooded habitats and rural farmlands. This is done in an effort to help the environment and protect wildlife by removing this hazard. It is a truly unique way to preserve the past while helping the future.

Each piece is handmade from this antique glass and comes with “The Story of the Glass” detailing what the glass was originally and the age of the piece and mounted on recycled card stock. Most of the pieces are created …read more

Glass artist: Kerri Lawnsby
FOXY Fusions
Kerri Lawnsby is  a designer of fused glass dichroic jewelry and personal accessories from Austin Texas.  She creates a line called FOXY Fusions that includes both wearables and non-wearables.  For personal adornment, Kerri makes pendants, earrings, adjustable rings, bracelets, cufflinks, and belt buckles.  She also creates business card cases, money clips, pill boxes, and wine charms called FOXY Charms.

Kerri writes about her wearable line:
As a designer, what appeals to me and has driven the look of FOXY Fusions is clean-line contemporary design with bold contrasting colors, striking patterns, and …read more

I’m a day late, but not a dollar short, on reporting about my July BJP piece! It was done in plenty of time, but I just couldn’t seem to get around to photographing it…lazy girl!
Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for July, which is the second piece in the Summer group (June, July, August).  By this time next month, the entire project should be …read more

I’ve started on the last season of my BJP pieces!   Three full seasons are complete, and now I’ve got the first one for the summer group (June, July, and August) finished.  Yay!
Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for June:
Psalm 92:4
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands

Here are the three completed sets: Autumn, Winter, and Spring

My previous pieces for the Bead …read more

Another month gone, and another BJP piece finished!  Three full seasons are complete now as well, and I’ve only got the three pieces for summer left to do.
Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for May:

Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Here are the three completed sets: Autumn, Winter, and Spring

My previous pieces for the Bead Journal Project
Information about the Bead Journal …read more

The Bead & Button Show is almost upon us!   Although most people who are going have already made their plans, perhaps this is the first time you’re hearing about it.  Or maybe you have changed your schedule recently, and you’re wondering if it’s too late.

The answer is NO!  You can still go, but you’ve got to make your plans NOW!!  The show starts on May 31, so visit the link above and see what classes are still available.  If you just want to go for the socializing and shopping, there’s all the info you need at that link too.
Anyone going …read more

Make Art Monday!
I’ve been experimenting with some elevated beadwork, a very different style to what I normally do. I learned this particular style of raising the work from Nancy Eha, and it’s opened up some new avenues of exploration for me. Here’s a detail:

It’s not too appropriate for most clothing, since the “petals” are only hooked down in three spots…it would be too easy to snag them on something and rip the whole thing out! But it’s a fun application for quilting

As usual, I am stuck with no name for this piece.  I’m not entirely happy with …read more

OK, I have a morbid fascination, a love-hate relationship with the skull form.  I have never had any desire to make anything like these, but maybe that’s part of the reason that I think they are so…well, amazing would be a good word.   Amy Sarkisian has been messing around with the form for a long time.  Check out the full display of gorgeous jeweled skulls on the link above, or visit with Amy on her blog, Who Killed Bambi?  Be warned, the art on Amy’s blog isn’t pretty!