Along with the Artist exchange I also have another idea brewing. It is nothing new - just putting a different twist on it.
If you have ever heard of Everyday Matters, this idea is based on that. Everyday Matters is a challenge to do something creative everyday. The group focus is on drawing and creating illustrated journals. 365 topics are presented and you draw the topic and then post a link in their group and share it with everyone.
Why can't beaders do this?!?!
What I want to do is challenge you to create one item a week. (making beaded items everyday can get overwhelming) I will have 52 themes/topics presented, along with pictures to help encourage your imagination. I will have a flickr/photobucket, some kind of account set up for you to post to with a brief description of your piece and how you gathered your inspiration.
Once a week I will go thru them and feature on my blog several of the pieces and give one artist a 'spotlight'.
There will be more I am sure, this is just the initial brain dump - I would love to set up something where the designer agrees that if the item created in the challenge sells, that money is donated to a charity, but deciding on a charity, or a group of charities to choose from is difficult. Or judging for prizes - you see where I am going.
I will have a rough draft up on Tues next and start spreading the word then.
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What Was I Thinking!!
I have been at this a long time! 20 years in fact. I have had a lot of fun over the years and had my share of recognition when this medium ...
Artist Exchange - grassroots
Last nite I was talking to Dawno and shared and idea I have with her. She seemed to think it was a good one, so I am now trying to find my words and pass it along to you.
The idea is an Artist Exchange.
This is what I would like to see happen. I want a community support group of artists that encourage and cross promote other artists. For example, when I make a sale, I include a thank you card with the order. The card is made by a local artist, SooBoo. She is helping me create that personal touch with her cards, that I would not have had on my own - cross promotion. A cross promotion outside of your craft. We all see the badges, buy local, buy hand made, this is one avenue to make it happen.
There are some stipulations to this exchange - you have to have a blog, you have to have a store. The whole point of this exchange is to review a product that you have received in exchange for one of your products. You blogging about your 'gift' is a way to showcase what you have just received. Then review it, and point others to this artists site in the hopes of helping to raise awareness of a new artist and the ultimate goal, to create sales.
There will have to be a dollar amount minimum and maximum set as well. This is not your retail price but your initial building cost for the item. It wouldn't be fair to exchange your $30 piece for someones $3. So I may set up categories that you can choose to participate in - $10 and under, $10 - $20, and $20 - $30, or I may just set a concrete dollar amount and move on from there.
I am hoping we can do this 4 times a year, and set up a theme for each exchange.
Leave me a comment if you want to participate, talk about it, tweet about it. The more that participate, the more fun we will have.
The idea is an Artist Exchange.
This is what I would like to see happen. I want a community support group of artists that encourage and cross promote other artists. For example, when I make a sale, I include a thank you card with the order. The card is made by a local artist, SooBoo. She is helping me create that personal touch with her cards, that I would not have had on my own - cross promotion. A cross promotion outside of your craft. We all see the badges, buy local, buy hand made, this is one avenue to make it happen.
There are some stipulations to this exchange - you have to have a blog, you have to have a store. The whole point of this exchange is to review a product that you have received in exchange for one of your products. You blogging about your 'gift' is a way to showcase what you have just received. Then review it, and point others to this artists site in the hopes of helping to raise awareness of a new artist and the ultimate goal, to create sales.
There will have to be a dollar amount minimum and maximum set as well. This is not your retail price but your initial building cost for the item. It wouldn't be fair to exchange your $30 piece for someones $3. So I may set up categories that you can choose to participate in - $10 and under, $10 - $20, and $20 - $30, or I may just set a concrete dollar amount and move on from there.
I am hoping we can do this 4 times a year, and set up a theme for each exchange.
Leave me a comment if you want to participate, talk about it, tweet about it. The more that participate, the more fun we will have.
My Matisse - Revisited Redux
One of last months blog posts - My Matisse - was the ArtBeads Blogger group entry. The blogger group was given a choice of hand painted pendants. Artist Masterpiece Pendants. A glorious selection of hand painted pendants by Russian artisan reflecting such greats as Mucha, Picasso and yes, Matisse.
Browsing this selection was a tough one. They are all beautiful, no, stunning. To know the work that goes into these mini masterpieces and then to see the quality, is breathtaking.
Saying that, when I received my pendant, I wanted to do it justice as well. I wanted to include my blue lady in a necklace that was as elegant and stunning as her.
Here is a list of the components to refresh your memory -
30x40mm Rectangle Black Onyx Matisse - Blue Nude - ArtBeads
White jade roundells - Sedona Stones
Faceted black crystal roundells - Firemountain Gems
Lapis roundells - O'Mega Gems
6mm blackstone - Firemountain Gems
Silver plated Oval Link Chain - ArtBeads
Silver plated 3 Strand + 3 Link Chain - ArtBeads
And here is the original:
I was thrilled with it..........for a while. I admit, I am fickle. I wore it once and hung it up. As much as I liked it, it just wasn't me. I don't know what I was thinking. I don't know why I didn't make it for me, for how I feel, make it to reflect my interpretation of the beautiful blue lady.
I needed to make it for me, because this is a piece I am planning on keeping. This isn't something I had planned on selling. Granted the cost of the pendant was given to me, it wasn't a cost that I would have to recoup, but in the same breath, if I did sell it, and got an order for another one, I more than likely would not make my money back on it. It isn't that the pendant is too much - it is beautifully hand painted and the quality is exquisite, I just feel it is something that I would work with more as a gift than as something for my inventory.
This morning I did just that - I reconstructed the piece for me. I kept the original layer of jade and lapis, and removed the rest. I made a strand of seed beads and blackstone, and a strand of lapis chips, citrine and snowflake obsidian, braided them all, put the clasp in the front and added the Matisse.
Here is the redux, and she is a keeper
*whew* That is so much more comfortable!
Browsing this selection was a tough one. They are all beautiful, no, stunning. To know the work that goes into these mini masterpieces and then to see the quality, is breathtaking.
Saying that, when I received my pendant, I wanted to do it justice as well. I wanted to include my blue lady in a necklace that was as elegant and stunning as her.
Here is a list of the components to refresh your memory -
30x40mm Rectangle Black Onyx Matisse - Blue Nude - ArtBeads
White jade roundells - Sedona Stones
Faceted black crystal roundells - Firemountain Gems
Lapis roundells - O'Mega Gems
6mm blackstone - Firemountain Gems
Silver plated Oval Link Chain - ArtBeads
Silver plated 3 Strand + 3 Link Chain - ArtBeads
And here is the original:
I was thrilled with it..........for a while. I admit, I am fickle. I wore it once and hung it up. As much as I liked it, it just wasn't me. I don't know what I was thinking. I don't know why I didn't make it for me, for how I feel, make it to reflect my interpretation of the beautiful blue lady.
I needed to make it for me, because this is a piece I am planning on keeping. This isn't something I had planned on selling. Granted the cost of the pendant was given to me, it wasn't a cost that I would have to recoup, but in the same breath, if I did sell it, and got an order for another one, I more than likely would not make my money back on it. It isn't that the pendant is too much - it is beautifully hand painted and the quality is exquisite, I just feel it is something that I would work with more as a gift than as something for my inventory.
This morning I did just that - I reconstructed the piece for me. I kept the original layer of jade and lapis, and removed the rest. I made a strand of seed beads and blackstone, and a strand of lapis chips, citrine and snowflake obsidian, braided them all, put the clasp in the front and added the Matisse.
Here is the redux, and she is a keeper
*whew* That is so much more comfortable!
Fashion show and 'Purpose Pendants'
The last couple of weeks I have been focusing on getting inventory up for the show I did on Saturday. Now that it is done, I start work on making pieces for a fashion show at the end of the month. I want the pieces to be a great accessory, but also make a statement. I began to sort through my beads and categorize them out into groups so I can begin building.
I found this and squealed, how can I go wrong with this!! I am really excited about this one in particular. Last month I placed an order to Rings & Things to get components for a special order. While I was shopping for the pieces parts I found this Chevron Glass Bead, 30mm Round. It makes my heart happy. It was on closeout, I couldn't let it go and take a chance of it not being here when I 'got around to shopping for myself'. So I snagged it up. and boy howdy am I pleased!
I couldn't say no. I love it so!!!
Here is a better picture to give you an idea of the size of this baby - Look how beautiful!!!
I paired it up with this great bead assortment, since I had a blast working with the bead assortment that was sent as part of the blogger challenge. I have an idea in my head, off center, and multi stranded of course :) I should have it ready to go in a couple of days.
I have started making what I call "Purpose Pendants" The pendants are themed by the quality of the stones. I didn't want to call them talismans because that word carries so much baggage. I wanted to make a line of pendants that served a purpose. When you wear them you are aware of the theme intended for that pendant, and hopefully that pendant will make you aware of those qualities and help you through your day.
Peace in the Wend
Laboradorite - peace
Turquoise - peace
Citrine - peace
Moonstone - peace
Love in Abundance
Amethyst- eases money issues and leads to abundance
Carnelian - good luck
Pearl - faith
Garnet - love
Citrine - success
Off to put more stuff up on the site.
Till tomorrow kids!
I found this and squealed, how can I go wrong with this!! I am really excited about this one in particular. Last month I placed an order to Rings & Things to get components for a special order. While I was shopping for the pieces parts I found this Chevron Glass Bead, 30mm Round. It makes my heart happy. It was on closeout, I couldn't let it go and take a chance of it not being here when I 'got around to shopping for myself'. So I snagged it up. and boy howdy am I pleased!
I couldn't say no. I love it so!!!
Here is a better picture to give you an idea of the size of this baby - Look how beautiful!!!
I paired it up with this great bead assortment, since I had a blast working with the bead assortment that was sent as part of the blogger challenge. I have an idea in my head, off center, and multi stranded of course :) I should have it ready to go in a couple of days.
I have started making what I call "Purpose Pendants" The pendants are themed by the quality of the stones. I didn't want to call them talismans because that word carries so much baggage. I wanted to make a line of pendants that served a purpose. When you wear them you are aware of the theme intended for that pendant, and hopefully that pendant will make you aware of those qualities and help you through your day.
Peace in the Wend
Laboradorite - peace
Turquoise - peace
Citrine - peace
Moonstone - peace
Love in Abundance
Amethyst- eases money issues and leads to abundance
Carnelian - good luck
Pearl - faith
Garnet - love
Citrine - success
Off to put more stuff up on the site.
Till tomorrow kids!
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