Question of the Month: Would you ever do an art show where you knew you wouldn’t sell anything?

Recently, I did exactly that!
Our town has been holding an arts fest for a couple of years now, called Art Smart. Local artists, musicians, teachers, and organizations are invited to participate. It’s the only “show” that I do anymore, and even though I sell very little (sometimes nothing) at it, I still like to get out there once a year and hear what people are thinking.
Why do a show that you know doesn’t cater to your target audience? I love my town and …read more

Sara Bayles, owner of BeAdmired, says that this is the style that she wants to become known for.  Isn’t this gorgeous?
Sara writes:
I’ve made a number of these – starting with prototypes – and each one comes out different and more beautiful (to my way of thinking) than the one before.

The Question of the Month for October:
What are your signature pieces or something you are known for?  How did they come into being?

I guess I’m best known for not making the same piece twice!  A lot of that comes from being an educator at heart: I was an English professor for 10 years.  When I shifted my focus entirely to the art side, I knew that I didn’t want to end up back in a classroom, but I still wanted to help other people on their own journey.  Just when I think I’ve found a style that I could stick …read more

Question of the month: Do you pay attention to trends and follow fashion?  How much?  To what extent do you allow trends to shape your work?

I happen to pay attention is a very general way.  I’m actually much more interested in seasonal color palettes than I am in exact styles of clothing and jewelry that’s being shown, but I don’t rule out allowing current fashion to inspire some of my work.
Mostly, that’s the way it seems to work: it’s not really that I design pieces to suit the current trends or to slavishly follow what others are showing, but I …read more

Question of the Month: What’s the best thing you’ve made so far this summer?
Check out this amazing polymer clay pendant made by Laurel Steven!  And you can keep up with her class schedule by checking out her blog.
Rue’s Daftique blog
Rueschka by Laurel Steven

Laurel writes:
Here’s my favorite piece from this summer. It’s a hinged polymer clay locket, with a beaded and wireworked necklace. Some of the beads match the locket in polymer clay, and the others are marble beads from Firemountain Gems. I’ve also used Gun Metal wire from Artistic Wire. It’s one of a series of classes that …read more

Question of the Month: What’s the best thing you’ve made so far this summer?
Look at this lovely bracelet made by Mary Jane Doddl!
www.mairedodd.etsy.com
www.mairedodd.blogspot.com
Mary Jane writes:
Called ‘true to your nature’ … there is a green girl studios dragon egg bead worked into the design… It was a reference to anne mccaffrey’s ‘dragon rider’ series… This piece was especially meaningful for me because of the art beads used to make it… One of my favorite lampwork glass bead makers even created some beads to resemble stone…

Question of the Month: What’s the best thing you’ve made so far this summer?
Here’s another great piece that was inspired by the Art Bead Scene’s summer challenge, this one made by Leslie Zabel!
http://beimondi-leslie.blogspot.com/
Leslie writes:
I had loads of fun making this piece for the Art Bead Scene August challenge. Working with ribbon is so easy but adds so much color and style. This piece didn’t take long to make but I’m so happy with the results and the combination of pieces from several different artists. The sexy mermaid from Green Girl Studios is the star, of course. She’s …read more

Question of the Month: What’s the best thing you’ve made so far this summer?
This wonderful bead embroidered pendent was made by Marcie Abney for the Art Bead Scene’s summer challenge!
http://labellajoya.blogspot.com/
Marcie writes:
I think my favorite thing that I have created this summer is this bead embroidered pendant that I call Sea Scallops. It was created in response to the Art Bead Scene Challenge, and it also ended up being featured on the blog as the design of the week! The center was created using a glass and clay cabochon from Kristie Roeder at Artisan Clay and the scallops on the edge …read more

Question of the Month: What’s the best thing you’ve made so far this summer?
Look at this gorgeous pearl necklace, made by Lorraine Coetzee!
www.trinitydj.blogspot.com
http://trinitydj.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/trinitydj
Lorraine writes:
Here is a necklace that I love. I worked up so fast, I love the bling and classy look of pearls, and the embellishments makes it looks like a necklace for a queen.

Question of the Month: What’s the best thing you’ve made so far this summer?
A beautiful bead and chain necklace, made by Breanna Hite!
Flickr photo album
Breanna writes:
This necklace always makes me feel like a princess when I wear it.