I’m making some more of my fabric stuffed hearts, but this year, I’m going to add beads!  Here are the instructions for them, on my mixed media art blog.

So what are you making?

You can either post your answer here in the comments, or even better, send me an email with your a list of what you’re making, a link to your site or blog, and a picture of your work if you can…even if it’s in process! Send it to cyndi @ b5Media.com (remove the spaces), and put J&B gifts in the subject line.

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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 I love the people. Sometimes that’s good enough.

How about you?  If doing shows is important to your income, can you imagine doing one that you knew would be a selling bust?  You can leave your comments here, or if you’d like to share a picture of your show booth and a link to your site, email me with the details at cyndi @ b5Media.com (remove the spaces).

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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.

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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 with forever, the itch to move on starts up again 

How about you?  You can send me an image to post along with your name, website link, and an explanation of your signature piece if you’d like.  I’d love to be able to share it with everyone.  Email me at cyndi @ b5Media.com (remove the spaces).

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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 do allow the current styles and colors to suggest ideas to me.  I don’t want to be foolish about what I make, because I do want it to appeal to SOMEONE.  But not necessarily to everyone.  If earrings are all short one season, I’ll make some like that, but I’ll probably also make some that are long for the folks who like them long and who don’t care what fashion says

Here are some longer earrings I made for myself back when the trend was towards teeny:

How about you?  How does fashion connect with your work?  If you’d like to share a piece of your work that either illustrates or anti-illustrates a trend, please feel free to email it to me along with your link and your explanation, and I’ll share it with everyone.  Send it to cyndi @ b5Media.com (remove the spaces).

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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 I plan to be teaching at various events and stores in the near future!

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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…

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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 holding several of her treasures from the sea which include a large beaded bead from The Bead Goes On, a lampwork bead from JavaBead, sea glass in green and cobalt from Ecstasea, a “flame” charm from Mamacita Beadworks which reminds me of ocean waves, and various Bali silver. Blues and greens from the ribbon make up the length of the piece which is held together with a handmade sterling S hook. This piece reminds of the tale about the beautiful mermaid’s song luring seamen into the deep blue.

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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 were inspired by the waves of the inspiration painting. I love wearing it, it really makes a statement, and I think it’s a good example of how seed beaders can incorporate the work of other artists into their work.

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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.

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