August: Beadfest Prep and End of the Summer Fun

Beadfest is always a marathon to prepare for.  So many beads to make.  I started late this year, due to a million little things......it has been that kind of year for me.  

(I am in booth 572B this year, so come and find me, at the back end of artisan alley! Coupon for $5 admission at the end of post)

Anyhow, it is now only 3 days away and I think I will be ready!  It has been a blur of beads and painting and sealing and pricing and putting together kits!  Here is a peek at all I have done in the last 4 weeks............

making the beads

Painting (and crackling and sealing) the beads, which required some extra organization

and there was carving to be done.....

Set had to get tied together...........................

trays had to be arranged..........................

there was bronz clay that got made, fired, antiqued, polished and sealed......

Practicing my set up

first run

still working on it- it needed the shelves for more space, I like having lots of jewelry samples

Plus, my table is on an end, so I needed the right side to also be a "front" for people coming from that direction.  I think I got it mostly worked out now (I will have a sign up and a drape over the busy table cloth as well)

I finally have arranged trays of finished beads (they just need pricing, which will take the last two days I have)

I am teaching a class on Sunday as well, my Gypsy Wire Choker class

...........so there were kits to make!!!!

and lots and lots of wire to anneal (I used my gas stove ILO my torch and wow what a time saver!!!)

and then there was packaging them and labeling them, which I had help with............

AND, in the last 4 weeks, I have also found time to join the family with a couple day trips to the shore

and some time at Musikfest enjoying great music and friends

selfie with my brother 

I really cannot believe all I have done in the last 4 weeks.  I am going to need a vacation (and sleep)

(my September is never easy either!  It's catch up, tutorials, an anniversary- and three kid birthdays- plus getting in the groove with school starting- I will take a weekend for me in October!)

Even the kids have gotten the bead bug and dug out their beads to make jewelry the other day!

Anyhow, I hope you can come and see me at Beadfest Booth 572B- Artisan Alley, in the back.  I will be in a booth / corner with Marsha Neal Studio, Nikki Thornburg Studios and Diane Hawkey.  It will be so much fun!

Here is a discount coupon, just save it to your computer and print out to get in for only $5.  Feel free to share it too!

Oh yeah- one more thing-

I moved my Painted Polymer tutorial from etsy to my own Indiemade shop.  So if you want to purchase it, you can purchase it here now!

Meet Marie

I have decided to do some interviews with fellow bead and jewelry artists on my blog.  I love getting to know these ladies and thought you may too! 

Today, meet Marie-Noel-Voyer-Cramp of Skye Jewels and More Skye Jewels.


1.  Marie, when did you start making jewelry?

I picked up my first bead working at Pier1 fixing their imported jewelry almost 3 and a half years ago. I was fascinated by it and thought I could do better than all the stuff that was falling apart at the store. So I bought a few beads and went for it!

 2. You have a very distinct style. When do you think you realized what your design style was?

After I discovered Vintaj I realized my style needed to be romantic and vintage with a flair for anything else that might pop into my head! I needed to let the dark metals talk to me and then you add in Art beads and I was done for!

 3. So what is it that made you go from jewelry making, to creating you tiles?

I was looking for different pendants that had images. Something a little rustic, but lightweight and specifically nature inspired. I could not find any anywhere, I looked for a few months and gave up. I decided to just make something myself! I had seen all the PDF downloads on Etsy, with all their colourful images and fell in love. I just had to find a way to make something that suited my style and fulfilled what I was looking for. After a little searching for the right tools and perfect finishes, I started making and selling my wood tiles! I never thought they would do so well! 

 4. What does ephemera mean, And how did you come up with using ephemera as your description?

Ephemera is in partial definition "Things that were printed and intended for one use or short term use" but it is also used to define images of the past. So I guess in reality not all my images fit into that description, but most would. I use images that are copyright free and have been around for a long time. Vintage images in a sense. Small parts of the past. This helps me define the vintage feel I try to put forth.

 5. What makes your tiles unique? And how to keep them fresh and evolving?

My tiles are unique because of the finishes I use. Some have tried to copy them, but luckily have not succeeded in imitating the very smooth silky finish I have developed for mine. I have also started to bring in images that are exclusive to me. Things you will not find anywhere else or from anyone else. This is a much more costly venture, but will keep my customers happy knowing that what they buy is not going to be mass produced. I have recently started a line of hand tinted tiles. These pendants and charms have unique colour finishes that can not be repeated, making each tile completely one of a kind! The background images may pop up again, but the colours will always be different.

 6. Have you been inspired by any other jewelry or bead designers out there? If so, who and why?

My very first designer inspirations were Erin Prais-Hintz and Kelly Morgan. I had bought my first issue of Bead Trends Magazine and poured over it's pages for days! These two designers, through their art, helped me discover my own. The first Art Bead designers that inspired me were Susan Kennedy and LeAnn Weih. I won a gorgeous set of lampwork beads on Susan's blog, quickly added to that with a purchase and became a member on Etsy thanks to my good friend Sue. LeAnn was a lucky discovery, I wish I could remember where, and I was lost after seeing her beautiful creations. They were the very first two artisans I ever bought from and I have not regretted a single purchase since then! 

 7. What is the greatest part of selling your handmade goods?

There are so many reasons that selling my pieces to others is so fulfilling. First, the amazing rush of joy it gives me that someone loves my work. Second, being able to create more, knowing that these little pieces of me will be loved. Third, just being able to create! It's a real need! Working with my hands is therapeutic in more ways than I can count. I still think that seeing a smile on someones face when they leave with a new treasure is still the best part though. What a sense of completeness, like my reason for living has come full circle, with every single happy customer!
~They say that if you love what you do you have never worked a day in your life, that might just be true, except I still hate paperwork and anything to do with taxes! lol
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What a great interview!  I personally love watching artists evolve, and think the direction that Marie is going is wonderful!  You can check out her work by clicking the photos, they take you directly to that item in her shop.


Here is a quote Marie has on her facebook page that I just love!

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive and do that! Because what the world needs are people who have come alive!" -Harold Whitman-

Thanks Marie for sharing with us today! 

Maire also made some Alice ephermera for our blog hop.  Aren't they great?  If you still want to join the hop, I will keep sign ups open until June 4th.  After that point I can't promise to be able to add anyone!  Email me if you are interested with ALICE in the subject line, and give me your email and blog URL.  Thanks!  staci.louise@hotmail.com

Photo's are all linked to the items in Marie's shops.  All photos and rights property of Skye Jewels.

These are just a sampling of the wonderful tiles you can find at More Skye Jewels.  I am going Alice shopping now!  Just love these- seeing my favorite characters on tiles, that I can use in jewelry.  Love it.