Long Time no Beads

by Staci Louise Smith

I know this blog has been vacant for sometime now.  Life gets in the way like that at times.  However, it has been calling me back. I miss blogging about my creative life.  I miss that interaction with everyone, because you know what?  We inspire each other!  

I am prepping for Bead Fest Philly again, and have been hitting the polymer clay after a bit of a hiatus.  I am both intimidated and excited.  This year I have some new work that mixes polymer clay with two part epoxy resin and crystals- I must say, I am loving these so much!  

Dragon Eye bead / polymer clay, epoxy resin, crystals, paint, other mixed media stuff

Due to life's complexities, I know I am not going to have the amount of beads I like to at Bead Fest this year.  I do know I will have enough.  I used to freak out and work 16 hours days prepping for this show making everything I know how to.  This year, I am focusing on making what my heart is telling me to, rather than what I think others would want to buy.  I am listening to my intuition.  I will have a table full of unique items for sale in addition to my beads, like I have in the past.  I will have my jewelry, ceramic offering bowls and other things.   

You can find all that event info here on my Facebook page.  Please follow it if you have not in the past.  It is the best place to keep up with where I will be and what is going on in my creative world.

I also recently finished converting y Gold Rush class I did for Craft Art EDU into a PDF file you can purchase in my shop.  I was so very sad to see Craft Art EDU disband, but I am thankful they gave us our classes.  The tutorial is an entire class in one!  You learn to form the polymer clay beads, do the faux gold, cure and paint them with a crackle to make them look like stone, and then it even gives complete instructions to make two different necklaces.  You can purchase that here if you are interested in learning some techniques.  The best part is that this class is so full of different techniques and tips, you can use them many different ways.  I really believe this class can take you on a creative journey to new places! 

Well guys, it feels good to be back!  I am hoping to also do some posts to highlight some of the wonderful tutorials we have on this blog.  Click the tutorial link above to see a list of all the wonderful tips and designs posted by various artists over the years.  

Fall Designs: Inspired by the Sea and Nature

I had a really great time designing pieces for my last show of the year, and for the Bethlehem House Gallery, which is having its winter show, and I am honored to be the jewelry portion of it!

The gallery show opens this Friday in Bethlehem, so come on out!  Openings are a great time to have a drink and snack, get the first peek at the new work and meet the artists.  

Here are some of my favorite new pieces I made.

These, were heavily inspired by the sea, and my love of beach combing.  You can read all about my fall beach adventures here, and there is also a sea glass wrapping tutorial.  (we found a TON of really cool bones and sea glass while beach combing)

(this is just a portion of it all)

These pieces are made using sea glass, fossils and some have my polymer focals.  I really enjoy making pieces that resemble my pile of goodies from the beach, but with better composition and wear- ability!

I also made my stone like pieces, some of my favorite traditional wire wrapped chokers.....my classic style as I call it

You know I could NOT do a show so close to Halloween and Dia de los Muertos without making some Sugar Skull pieces

And then there were the other pieces, many fall inspired, some just my new wire bar choker style, that I use to dress up a focal bead or pendant.  

and last but not least, I made new bracelets, which I adore!!!!  I kept one for myself and have been wearing it non-stop.  They are very very comfortable!

Whew!  That was a lot of eye candy!  Anyhow, I am done making jewelry for a little bit.  I need to do my class proposals this week.  Then I do plan to spend a week making rings and earrings for the gallery and for the holidays.  busy busy busy!

If you are interested in any of these pieces, they are all pictured in my photo's on my facebook page.  Just comment on the photo AND send me a message through my business page, and I will let you know the price and if its available.

You can always find my beads and jewelry here on my website as well (just not all jewelry is listed)
http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/store

thanks!!!!