Sometimes I need a push..............

When Jen Cameron of Art Elements posted this months Bead of the Month, and it was one of her glass sugar skulls, you know I commented on that blog in hopes to win one.  

I mean, looks at how fun these are!

Each month, one of their artists make a bead, and each member, plus a couple lucky readers, get one of the beads, and then they create something with them.

I haven't really had a chance to do that in awhile (to create with something that I did not purchase), and you know what, once in awhile I need that push.

Now, I buy and use a lot of different components.  But when I am making and / or hand picking my components, they are all very much my style, and something I can see right away in my jewelry.  Once in awhile, I like to have something given to me, something that challenges me to think a little more about the design.

It's no secret I love sugar skulls- and Jen sent me a delightful one.  It is however, bright.  Like sugar skulls usually are.  And I didn't really want a bright finished piece.  So it took me some time to figure out how to maintain the color pops, but tone it down, so it still looks like something I'd make- old and a bit gritty.

I love a good challenge and push now and again.

I began to pick beads that matched the colors in the skull, but were earthy.  At first the layout had some polymer beads in it, but it quickly changed to all / mostly gemstones.

I decided to wrap the skull in wire.  Putting antiqued copper wire around something bright immediately tones down the brightness.  So I started there.  

Since the hole is vertical, I could not do one of my chunky classic chokers.  So, it needed to be the dangle, or part of a dangle.  I kinda saw that would have to be the layout from the start.

Well, after much fiddling and doing and un-doing, I am so freakin happy with how it turned out.  I honestly didn't think I'd love it.  As I added elements, I wasn't sure they would work (like those seed beads).........but they did.  It all came together quite nicely.  It is heavy with all those large gemstones and heavy wire (16-18g) and the extra chain, but it lays perfect and is oh so comfy to wear.

I think I need to make some more like this, one one art bead shown off among many large gemstones.  

I am so thankful I got to be a part of this challenge.  I needed that little push.  Something a little different and fun came out of it- and that is what it is all about.

Now hop over to these other blogs and see what everyone else made with their pieces!

Guest Designers

Staci Louise SmithKarin Grosset GrangeSolange Collin

Art Elements Team

Caroline DewisonSusan KennedyLaney MeadClaire FabianDiana PtaszynskiJenny Davies-ReazorCathy Spivey MendolaLindsay StarrNiky SayersLesley WattCooky SchockJen Cameron 

Limited Edition Shine On Necklace Kits- Available Today

Genea of Genea Beads and I are finally offering our limited edition necklace kits for sale.  They were featured recently in Step by Step Wire.  

sample of the finished necklace

We had a blast creating these together.  They feature great combinations of purple and pinks.  We both just created beads in this color scheme, and then combined them into kits.  Each one is totally unique from the next!  So even though you are buying a kit, your's will not be like any of the others.  We had them briefly at Bead Fest last year, there are 8 kits available for purchase.

You can purchase your kit here

http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/store

If you want to see what else Genea is up to you can find her website here

 http://geneabeads.indiemade.com/

and check out what Staci has been doing here

www.stacilouiseoriginals.com 

We hope you enjoy them!!!!  And remember, when they are gone, they are gone.

Reflections of BeadFest...it was so much more then I thought

I think I have been avoiding writing about Bead Fest, because I am not ready for it to truly be over.  It was so much more then just a show, it was so much more then just being with friends, it was so much more then just a goal met.

 

We were sooooo thrilled when we were there, and ready for business- a dream come true!

 

 

I feel like something came full circle last weekend.  I felt like this was a place a belonged in more ways then just selling beads.  These ladies, my friends, they mean a lot to me.  They are my inspirations, they are my laughter, they are my encouragement, and oh my gosh, are they fun to be around!

 

I think meeting Genea and Ricky was a huge part of all I am feeling.  Genea and I met through Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog party a couple years ago.  I truly hope she knows what that hop has meant to so many people (like us!!!)

 

Lori Anderson made it to Bead Fest, and it was cool to get our pic taken all together, since we may not have met if it weren't for her.  She is such a sweet person.  I wish we had more time to hang out!

 

 

 

 

Anyhow, we completely fell in love with each others beads- though we were not even partners in the swap.  She contacted me, or me her, I don't quite recall, but we quickly became friends, and swapped beads, and the rest was history. 

 

 

These were the beads I fell in love with!!!!  And her desert serpent hearts- and then I asked if she could make them even BIGGER!  and she did.

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/127775399?

 

Soon after we traded, Genea thought we should do collaborative sets of our beads, and she took off running with that project....I could hardly keep up.  This girl is intense, and has ideas non stop.  She is so deliberate in all she puts out to the world, and I really admire that about her, because I- well, am a bit more laid back ( cattle prod may be needed ....lol).  So, we compliment each other, in many ways.

 

 

These were some of our collaborative sets

 

When we decided to do Bead Fest together it was a huge decision for us, especially her, since she had to come from Kansas!  I think towards the end of the preparation for the show we were talking on the phone at least twice a day.  Sometimes for hours.  Sooo much planning had to happen for them to get here, for me to be able to leave for four days.  We both had life throw us some curve balls before the show, and yet, we did it.

 

The very early morning that Ricky and Genea showed up at my house (they had just driven straight through- something like 20 hours!), just felt like family coming home.  I don't know how else to say it.  I don't think it was awkward at all.  Justin, Ricky, Genea the kids and I just all clicked.  What a wonderful feeling.  The kids couldn't wait to meet Genea- since they heard so much about her, and they weren't here long before the kids were fighting over who got to sit next to Ricky next!

 

Ricky, Genea, Collin and Julia

 Justin, Ricky Genea and Aiden

 

 

I am honored to have found such a great friend online, and that we took this on together.  We rocked it.  It was a great time and we can't wait to do it again next year.

 

Sorry to get all sobby like, but this was huge for me.  There are some days I feel like people just don't take time to care for each other anymore in this world.  Days I lose faith in humanity.  Days I hear of people doing awful things to others.....or taking advantage of peoples kindness.  But weekends like Bead Fest, they erase all that doubt.  There are no friends like artists.  Everyone one of them holds a special place in my heart, and I miss them dearly.

I promise tomorrow I will write a blog about the whole process, cause it was really amazing.  But I had to get my heart our here first. 

We had a great time together!

 

 

 

Tomorrow I will blog about details, the schedule, the set up, how it ran, the friends, the customers, the new friends.....it was all so amazing.

 

Sweet Dreams my friends!  I am off to bed.  

It's Time! Collaborative Sets are Available!

I am so happy that finally, the sets Genea and I have been working together on, are available in our shops!  Please stop by and take a look.  These are limited edition sets and will not be made again.  Each one is completely unique too, so there is really only ONE of each set!

 Artisan Accents by Staci Louise

 

Genea Beads

Update!!!!  I am sold out of the Harvest / Rainbow sets.  If you want one, you better head to Genea's shop before they are all gone!
 

 

Don't forget to check BOTH shops- Genea has 12 sets and I only have 10!  So check them all before you decide- each is totally unique!

Artisan Accents by Staci Louise

Genea Beads

'Tis the Season

No, not THAT season silly, not just yet anyway.  Germ season, art show season, busy busy busy season!

 

I have been pretty absent from my blog, just no spare time. I am going to try to catch up on what I have been doing, and will be doing in one big post.....so please bear with me.

 

So, with three kids and the start of school, in the last week, Julia had a tummy bug one night and a fever the next day, Collin (littlest) had a good boogery cold all last week.  My big show, the Doylestown Arts Festival was last weekend, and friday night, the night before, collin woke up with a 102 fever and a REALLY croupy cough.  Saturday night my eldest who has asthma woke on and off all night with a croupy cough needing his neb treatments.  So needless to say, it has been NOT enough sleep for me, with lots going on.

 

Thankfully, although it has been crazy, no one is seriously ill.  Lots of on and off fevers, and boogers and coughs, but everyone is well enough to play and eat, so in my book, thats good.  Julia did end up going to the ER last night, her turn with croup, but it was REALLY bad.  I have kids with asthma, and I know croup all too well, and she could barely breathe.  They fixed her up and she is good as new!  She even thanked me for taking her there so they could help her breathe better.  Isn't she a doll? 

 

I got to do my show, which was up in the air for awhile, not knowing what illnesses in the home would bring.  That was a HUGE relief, and I couldn't have done it with out my dad and hubby helping me at my show and with the kids (they took turns, one came with while the other watched the kids, and then swapped). 

 

I did manage to make some new stuff for the show, but I sold alot.  I still need to make more for my show next weekend, and for my shop I have jewelry in.  Here are some pics from Doylestown.  I didn't even get one of my whole booth. I was so tired and out of it all weekend.

 

This is the front corner of my booth, I am usually behind here working on more jewelry and keeping busy.

This is the part of the "counter" where I can talk to customers and bag up their goodies.  I leave room for them to set down their things in front of the display and room behind for me to work.

 

 

Here is the other side of the pic above, moving toward the back of the tent.

 

Then in the back I have two more sets of shelves set up, and trays with jewelry in them setting on the table below the shelves.  I didn't have near as many as I normally do, and kept having to take away displays through the show. It was kinda a relief to not take as much inventory, and still have a good show.  Less pressure on me for next time.  (do you see that blue sky????  we had a wonderful weekend weather wise!)

 

The best part of the weekend, is that everyone loved my new Artfully Adjustable Necklaces.  I love making them, so I am happy they went over well.  I sold every one of them I made for the show, and kept making more while I was there, and selling them too.  Here are some on the display at the show.

Here are some pics of the stuff I made for the show.  I posed them on facebook, but never got a blog up on here like I wanted to.

 

These are the adjustable necklaces up close...................................

 

I absolutely loved the one below.  It's a Marsha Neal donut, a drilled crystal, and a fossil stone with sea glass on top and on the dangle.  You can either wear them shorter with a long chain dangle, or attach the chain at the bottom and wear them like a big chunky long pendant.

And keeping with the greys and earth tones, this was my next love......................................

 I had that Lisa Peters Art Heart forever, waiting for the perfect fit.  Paired it with an Artisan Clay smoke fired donut, some pearls, voila!

 

Here are some more I made. 

And last but not least, my long, necklace, "The Traveler"  I worked really hard on this piece after challenging myself to make some longer necklaces this season.  I was thrilled with how it turned out and it sold almost right away to the perfect person!!!!!!

I really enjoyed the show, seeing lots of my regular customers again, talking with my vendor friends and getting some fresh (non-germy) air!  Doylestown Arts Festival is a great show with many really wonderful artists.  They pick high quality stuff, and I love that I get to be a part of it each year!

 

On to future news- I will be listing some misc. beads and components in my shop in the next couple days, and by the end of the week Genea and I will be launching our limited edition collab sets!    Here is a sample, though each set is completely different.  (5 sets in each color scheme, each unique beads)

 

Here is one of the sets that will be for sale in my shop by weeks end, and a couple sample pics of what you can do with these sets.  Use them all together, or break them up and use bits and pieces.

I will do an official blog post with links as soon as they are available in our shops!  Hope you are well, and germ free my friends!