I have been toying with the idea of having a weekly artisan feature on my blog. I'm in the process of making up the questions. So I'm putting it out there. Who wants to be featured? It doesn't matter where you sell. Send me a message through here or Artfire and I will send you the questions. I'm JewerlybyDesiree on artfire.
Thanks,
Desiree
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I won the Artfire Treasure Hunt!
So, most if not all of my fellow Artfire sellers know about the treasure hunt that Moonstone put together. For those who don't there the gist of it was that there was a list of 35 questions that needed to be answered. The answers could be found by browsing through the participating artisan studios, there were 18 participating studios. You filled out the form and submitted it. The winner got $50 to spend in any of the participating studios. It was free to participate.
I happened to get the highest score, I got a 34. Technically I didn't get a question wrong, I got partial credit on 2 questions. There were 14 participants, including myself. The scores ranged from a 28 to 33 not including my 34.
I really had a great time trying to find the answers for all of the questions. There were only 2 questions that I had a tough time with. I'm thinking about being a participating studio next time.
Here's the items that I bought from 3 extremely talented artisans.
From Pirate Pixie http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=17218
From Catinalife http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=48453
From Roseange http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=52956
Artfire has been a really wonderful community to belong to. It doesn't matter if you are verified or not, we are all on an even playing field. The Admin are great and are always in the forums and around to answer all of our questions. They also practically live on twitter. I'm not quite sure if some of them sleep. I do know that the pres, John does have dinner with the wife and kids as often as he can. Good for you John!
I happened to get the highest score, I got a 34. Technically I didn't get a question wrong, I got partial credit on 2 questions. There were 14 participants, including myself. The scores ranged from a 28 to 33 not including my 34.
I really had a great time trying to find the answers for all of the questions. There were only 2 questions that I had a tough time with. I'm thinking about being a participating studio next time.
Here's the items that I bought from 3 extremely talented artisans.
From Pirate Pixie http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=17218
From Catinalife http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=48453
From Roseange http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=52956
Artfire has been a really wonderful community to belong to. It doesn't matter if you are verified or not, we are all on an even playing field. The Admin are great and are always in the forums and around to answer all of our questions. They also practically live on twitter. I'm not quite sure if some of them sleep. I do know that the pres, John does have dinner with the wife and kids as often as he can. Good for you John!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
How to Make a Multi-Strand Seed bead Necklace with only one length of Thread
I always seem to struggle with bead tips. Whenever I try it never seems to work out. Wire can be used but I really like the flexibility of thread or Fireline. There are numerous tutorials out there but none of them really clicked with me so I decided to try something different and see if it worked and it did.
First a little background on this one. I have my cousin’s wedding coming up in early March. Technically I’m the matron of honor but since they are having a civil ceremony I’m a witness. And that lead me to need to buy a new dress. I found the fabulous long dress that’s kind of black on one side and kind of red on the other and the colors merge in the center of the dress. Well now I need some jewelry to go with it. The idea for this set that I made came to me when I was in a team meeting at work.
Here’s what you need
- beading needle of your choice
- Scissors
- 6 tubes of seed beads (I used 6/0 but you could use whatever size you want), pick whatever colors you want. I used foil lined red, a silvery metallic, matte red, matte black and metallic silver
- 2 bead cones, whatever style you choose, mine are plain silver
- 2 – 10mm round beads (you could use a different size or even bicones or round ovals)
- 2 – eye pins (mine are about 2.5”)
- Clasp of your choosing
- 2 jump rings
- Fireline (or beading thread of your choice) I used 6lb test crystal
Start with about 3 ½ yards of fireline. Thread your needle then, leaving about a 6-8” tail tie a surgeon’s knot around the loop on the eye pin.
Thread the 10mm round bead snugging it up against the eye pin.
Thread on the seed beads. You can mix the colors or have separate colors in each strand.
Once you have gotten about to the length that you want your necklace to be (you will be adding anywhere from 1” to 2” with the cones and clasp so keep that in mind) thread on the other 10mm round bead tight to the strand of seed beads. Tie it off with another surgeon’s knot through the eye in the other pin making sure that there’s no slack between the strand of beads, 10mm bead or the eye pin. The cones hide the yucky part of the eye pin with all of your threads and knots so you can be a bit messy.
Run your needle back through the round bead and all the way through it.
String on another length of seed beads at about the same length as before and back up through the other round bead. Tie another surgeons knot making sure that there’s no slack in your strand.
Repeat this until you have as many strands as you want.
To finish the thread tie off another surgeon’s knot on each end and trim your thread. You can also add a dab of glue to each end where all of the knots meet.
To add the clasp string one of the bead cones over the eye pin tight to the round bead.
You can add a small bead to this end or leave it plain like I did. Finish off the pin with a wrapped loop. Repeat for the other end of the piece.
Attach a jump ring on each of the wrapped loops you made and add your clasp and voila! You have your multi strand necklace!
Here’s some pictures of my finished necklace and bracelet for my cousin’s wedding.
You can also see this article on Artdaily on Artfire here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Art_Daily2&op=viewarticle&adaid=360
First a little background on this one. I have my cousin’s wedding coming up in early March. Technically I’m the matron of honor but since they are having a civil ceremony I’m a witness. And that lead me to need to buy a new dress. I found the fabulous long dress that’s kind of black on one side and kind of red on the other and the colors merge in the center of the dress. Well now I need some jewelry to go with it. The idea for this set that I made came to me when I was in a team meeting at work.
Here’s what you need
- beading needle of your choice
- Scissors
- 6 tubes of seed beads (I used 6/0 but you could use whatever size you want), pick whatever colors you want. I used foil lined red, a silvery metallic, matte red, matte black and metallic silver
- 2 bead cones, whatever style you choose, mine are plain silver
- 2 – 10mm round beads (you could use a different size or even bicones or round ovals)
- 2 – eye pins (mine are about 2.5”)
- Clasp of your choosing
- 2 jump rings
- Fireline (or beading thread of your choice) I used 6lb test crystal
Start with about 3 ½ yards of fireline. Thread your needle then, leaving about a 6-8” tail tie a surgeon’s knot around the loop on the eye pin.
Thread the 10mm round bead snugging it up against the eye pin.
Thread on the seed beads. You can mix the colors or have separate colors in each strand.
Once you have gotten about to the length that you want your necklace to be (you will be adding anywhere from 1” to 2” with the cones and clasp so keep that in mind) thread on the other 10mm round bead tight to the strand of seed beads. Tie it off with another surgeon’s knot through the eye in the other pin making sure that there’s no slack between the strand of beads, 10mm bead or the eye pin. The cones hide the yucky part of the eye pin with all of your threads and knots so you can be a bit messy.
Run your needle back through the round bead and all the way through it.
String on another length of seed beads at about the same length as before and back up through the other round bead. Tie another surgeons knot making sure that there’s no slack in your strand.
Repeat this until you have as many strands as you want.
To finish the thread tie off another surgeon’s knot on each end and trim your thread. You can also add a dab of glue to each end where all of the knots meet.
To add the clasp string one of the bead cones over the eye pin tight to the round bead.
You can add a small bead to this end or leave it plain like I did. Finish off the pin with a wrapped loop. Repeat for the other end of the piece.
Attach a jump ring on each of the wrapped loops you made and add your clasp and voila! You have your multi strand necklace!
Here’s some pictures of my finished necklace and bracelet for my cousin’s wedding.
You can also see this article on Artdaily on Artfire here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Art_Daily2&op=viewarticle&adaid=360
Monday, February 16, 2009
I won a Lemonade Award
My wonderful friend LibertyDoll nominated me for a Lemonade Award. I hope LibertyDoll doesn't mind I stole her version of the rules from her blog.... the rules are quite simple.
1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2.Nominate at least 5 - 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.
This wonderful honor is now given to the following bloggers: GemsbyJeri, JStoneCreations, PicardCreative, DJStoreRoom, and DesignsbyLaurie . All these talented ladies have inspired me in one way or another. I enjoy following their blogs and seeing what they are up to.
Monday, February 9, 2009
One of my fellow Artfire Artisans is having a giveaway
There's this really great chainmaille artisan on Artfire that is having a giveaway for her 3-year etsy anniversary. Red Panda has amazing things in her shop.
You have many ways to enter.
1. One Entry. Comment on this blog post with a link to your favorite item from my etsy shop.2. One Entry. Write a blog post about this contest and comment with a perma link.3. One Entry. Tweet about this contest. Link to the exact tweet in the comment, not just your twitter account. You can do this one once per day!4. Three Entries. Each item you purchase from any of my shops will get you three entries into the contest. Make sure you comment with a link to the item you bought so you get your entries!
Here's the link to the contest. http://www.redpandajewelry.com/blogs/the-maille-blog/773432-3-year-etsyversary-giveaway?comment=88762
You have many ways to enter.
1. One Entry. Comment on this blog post with a link to your favorite item from my etsy shop.2. One Entry. Write a blog post about this contest and comment with a perma link.3. One Entry. Tweet about this contest. Link to the exact tweet in the comment, not just your twitter account. You can do this one once per day!4. Three Entries. Each item you purchase from any of my shops will get you three entries into the contest. Make sure you comment with a link to the item you bought so you get your entries!
Here's the link to the contest. http://www.redpandajewelry.com/blogs/the-maille-blog/773432-3-year-etsyversary-giveaway?comment=88762
Thursday, February 5, 2009
I had my first sale in my Shop Handmade Store!
So, everyone remember the Bead Unique ad screw up? Well the editor that is my contact over there is doing everything that she can to make it up to me.
Currently I'm on the front page with my store being the 1 that they feature from time to time.
See it here http://www.shophandmade.com/
Well, I haven't really been all that pleased with my shop over there because I really do like artfire better but I'm keeping the store open for the exposure. I get this email a bit ago Notification of Payment Received. I look at my sold products on on AF site, not there.... Ok, so I check my SH site. Well look at that, I've sold 2 pairs of earrings. Woo Hoo! I go to paypal to double check to make sure that the payment is actually there, it is, good.
Maybe this BU mag screw up will be a good thing for me in the end.
Here's some pics of the earrings that I sold.
Currently I'm on the front page with my store being the 1 that they feature from time to time.
See it here http://www.shophandmade.com/
Well, I haven't really been all that pleased with my shop over there because I really do like artfire better but I'm keeping the store open for the exposure. I get this email a bit ago Notification of Payment Received. I look at my sold products on on AF site, not there.... Ok, so I check my SH site. Well look at that, I've sold 2 pairs of earrings. Woo Hoo! I go to paypal to double check to make sure that the payment is actually there, it is, good.
Maybe this BU mag screw up will be a good thing for me in the end.
Here's some pics of the earrings that I sold.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Got some bad news today...
So, some of you know that I am trying to pass my architecture tests to become licensed. I took what I was hoping were my last two in mid January. Well, I got my results back. Out of my 2 re-takes I passed one of the two. Not thinking it's all that bad are you? Well it is and here's why. If you fail a section of the ARE then you have to wait 6 months before re-taking that section. As if that wasn't bad enough they are transitioning the format of the exam so it's currently 9 sections and they are making it 7 sections. And the test that I just passed is combined with the one that I didn't so I get to re-do the whole damn thing again in July. This really does not sit well with me. That and the fact that I'm quite upset about the whole thing.
Today has not been a good day.
Today has not been a good day.
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