Art Jewellery Elements October Monthly Challenge Reveal

I must confess that when I saw that the Art Jewellery Elements Blog theme for the month was Ravens I couldn't believe how nicely it followed on from the Art Bead Scene theme I blogged about here: http://earth-shinedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-max=2015-10-27T12:07:00Z&max-results=1&start=2&by-date=false. Having just made some 'wing beads' for that challenge it seems a easy progression to make some Raven Wing headpins, so that's what I did and here they are:

I made them using Metallic Black glass, this is a challenging glass to use and can produce a fantastic metallic iridescent sheen to it but very hard to control so each headpin has a slightly different finish to it.

I then went on to make this necklace.

I used 2 of the Raven Wing headpins I made and wire wrapped them to this metallic black ring that I had made some time ago. I also made a Raven's tail and added this to the bottom of the ring. I thread black ribbon through some chain because it reminded me of the silky coat of the birds.

I have to admit I don't like the necklace very much, maybe because it is definitely something I wouldn't wear. I would have like to have re-made it but unfortunately I ran out of time to have another go. What do you think, do you like it?

I've put some of the Raven Wing headpins for sale in my Etsy store. Raven Wing Headpin

I also have some other metallic black headpins for sale in the form of leaves. Metallic Black Leaf headpins

and this is the first of a earring inspiration pack I have put together to sell. Metallic black inspiration pack

Don't forget to have a look around the other blog reveals to see what everyone else has made.

Art Jewelry Elements Team:
Lesley Watt
Linda Landig
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Phantasm Creations
Caroline Dewison
Niky Sayers


Guest Bloggers:
An Ordinary Miracle Day
Michelle McEnroe
Sarajo Wentling
The Copper Cat
The Paisley Lizard
The Heidi Challenge
Heidi Kingman

Thanks for looking.

Linda x

Earthshine Beads Shop Update for Halloween

The picture says it all really. I have been working hard on some new stock and will be having a shop update tomorrow.

There will be new headpins, toggle clasps, some beads including earring pairs and more.

Here is the link to my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Earthshinebeads

Thanks for looking.

Linda x

Featured on the Art Bead Scene Blog

I'm so excited. Yesterday I popped along for a read of the Art Bead Scene Blog and was a surprise I got when I saw my 'Midnight Wing' necklace featured as the 'Perfect Pairings'. http://artbeadscene.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/perfect-pairings-earthshine-designs.html

Erin Prais-Hintz waxed lyrical about my necklace in a way I find it hard to do. Please pop on over and have a read.

It's so nice when hard work is rewarded with some recognition.

Thanks for looking.

Linda x

Featured in Learn to Make Bead Jewellery by Lynn Davy

My forum buddy Lynn Davy of Lynn Davy Beadwork makes and sells the most fabulous beaded jewellery and tutorials from her Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/nemeton

Here is an example of one of her fabulous necklaces: Rose Garden Collar which she makes to order.

Back in March she was so happy to announce that she had been accepted to write a book. An introduction to stringing and wirework. Here is her blog post about it: http://lynndavybeadwork.co.uk/?p=540

I contacted Lynn and asked if there was anything I could do to contribute to the book and we agreed that I would send her this toggle clasp.

Well, the months went by and we didn't hear much from Lynn - she was busy beavering away on her book. Can you imagine all the hard work that must have gone on to make this book happen? She blogged about what she had been up to: http://lynndavybeadwork.co.uk/?p=557

Finally it is available for pre-order on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learn-Make-Bead-Jewellery-Fabulous/dp/1782213392 it won't be available to buy in December but the publishers let Lynn have a copy - doesn't she look happy?

She has been allowed to share a few images from the book and this is the bracelet that she made with my toggle clasp - so excited!

Photo by Phil Wilkins, copyright Quarto plc.

Isn't it beautiful! She has matched the beads perfectly.

This is what she wrote about it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/120946454595624/photos/a.122750584415211.15592.120946454595624/1100009466689313/?type=3&theater

I really love this 'light orange' Czech seed bead colour. Not sure whether it's really a light orange or a deep yellow... Anyway it was perfect for 'Marigold', a bracelet from ‪#‎lynnsbeadybook‬ inspired by this lovely spotty dotty lampie clasp by Linda Newnham aka Earthshine Lampwork Beads and Jewellery Design

 I'd like to thank Lynn for giving me the opportunity to have a small place in her book. Good luck with it Lynn, I wish you great success.

Thanks for looking.

Linda x

Art Bead Scene October Monthly Challenge

So I did it! Yesterday I posted about how I had decided not to make jewellery any more but that I missed it. I had some inspiration to do the October Monthly Challenge over on the Art Bead Scene Blog. I've also done some experimenting with different layout and backgrounds after reading a fab blog post the other day that I can't find now - sorry. I found some cheap tatty books in a charity shop to play with.

Here is the necklace I made 'Midnight Wing'.  I hope you like it.

 

Which background do you like best?

I selected some Czech glass, ceramic beads, peanuts, yummy freshwater pearls, sari silk, Vintaj brass and chain all from Smitten Beads (my go to place for beads and findings). I used the headpin and ring bead that I made the other day and also layer up a vintaj brass flower with one of my lampwork daisies that I had in my stash and a little bead cap to complete the look. The sari silk was woven through the chain, I love this look and used to use it a lot in my designs.

It's now available for sale in my webstore: http://www.earth-shine.co.uk/product/midnight-wing-handmade-artisan-necklace
I also made a pair of earrings. I had this pair of gold wings that I thought were perfect for the theme. I painted them with orange and green patina and then teamed them together with a pair of my own lampwork beads. Finished off with a pair of Czech glass beads wire wrapped onto brass earwires.

They are available for sale here: http://www.earth-shine.co.uk/product/terracotta-and-green-wing-earring-pair

I was also inspired to have a go at making a couple of pairs of headpins in transparent amber and green. Shaped in the flame to resemble wings.

They are available for sale in my Etsy store. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Earthshinebeads

Thanks for looking.

Linda x

I miss making jewellery!

I hadn't made any jewellery for a while because I was too busy making beads to sell in my Etsy store. It's a lot easier to photograph and sell beads than it is to sell jewellery.

I sell a few bits and pieces in a local gallery and last year I did the local shows. I didn't do too badly but I wouldn't call it a rip-roaring success. I can't say I haven't sold well online because although I have a few bits and pieces for sale on my Website and in my Etsy store I haven't really spent the time pushing it which I really should as I have lots of jewellery sitting around doing nothing (apart from being worn by me occasionally!)

It also means I have to have a fairly large inventory of jewellery supplies to draw from. So a few months ago I decided I wasn't going to make jewellery any more other than my statement necklaces for competitions. I do eventually want to have a range of jewellery to sell that is 'mine' to sell in high end galleries but I am not ready for that yet.

BUT I MISS IT!

A couple of times I have pulled out a few bits and pieces and then thought, no this is taking up too much time get back on that torch! and I've put it aside again. Then a few days ago I was reading the Art Bead Scene Blog about the October Monthly Challenge. I can't say I was inspired to immediately go to my jewellery table and start making something for it but when I was torching I made a couple of pieces that reminded me of the challenge picture.

This is the picture, it's Ma'at from the Tomb of Queen Nerfertari.

and these are the two pieces that I created

Does the headpin remind you of a wing? It does me.

Last night I couldn't resist going into my stash and pulling out these pieces

I selected these pieces from memory, I didn't have the picture in front of me. Now I look at the picture again I see that there is a more yellow and also a touch grey in the wings and some terracotta too as you can see in these colour palettes picked out by Heather Powers. http://artbeadscene.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/october-challenge-color-palettes.html

 

This is how I start making a piece of jewellery. I pull pieces from my stash, look at them for a while and then take some pieces away until I get the look I am after and then I start assembling the piece.

Having gone back to my stash after looking at the picture again I have pulled out some other colours. I printed out the picture for reference and the grey actually looks a bit green in my printout. I have some pieces in that shade which inspire me and also the terracotta colours so I may come up with a few different designs or I may decide I shouldn't be doing this and put it all away again. Watch this space to see what happens.

All the entries will be posted on the Pinterest Board here: https://www.pinterest.com/artbeadscene/beads-monthly-challenge-entries/

Thanks for looking.

Linda x