What a Year! 2014 you were a good one!

Happy 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought this was pretty fantastic!!!

As we move into the new year, I took some time to review this crazy hectic 2014......

What a year for Staci Louise Originals. It was REALLY really busy.  It’s no wonder I am beat now, and ready to take some time off to clean up the studio- it is trashed, and there is a lot of de-stashing that needs to be done.  I also hope to spend some winter time painting, and playing with my new encaustics (a christmas gift from last year that I haven't even touched)!

  

Looking back over this past year, I realize just how much I have to be thankful for.

I had quite a few firsts this year, which made it wonderful, and fun, and exciting!  

First, I got a magazine cover in the Spring, which was am awesome feeling to see my piece so big on the cover.

Won first and second place for Polymer in the Bead Dreams Competition- by Bead and Button (my first time ever entering, I am still reeling from that one!)

Sea Swept First Place Polymer Bead Dreams 2014

Zen Circles Second Place Bead Dreams Polymer 2014

I published my first tutorial on my own (not in a magazine)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/175876241/painting-polymer-tutorial-the-crackle?ref=shop_home_active_1

(I really enjoyed publishing a tutorial, and plan to do another one this year.  It's been a great experience.)

And I taught a class at Beadfest. Wow- did I love teaching!!  The preparation was pretty intense, but now that I have done it, planning will be a little easier, since I know what to expect a bit more.  

Student work from the class!

I will be teaching again at Spring Bead Fest and August Bead Fest in Philly.

(you can view the classes here by following the link and selecting Staci Smith in the instructor box)

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/105619/SpringWorkshopRegistration

Last but not least, I was an artist at Bethlehem House Gallery for their second show.  What an honor, this gallery is stunning, and the artists are top notch.  I was the first to have jewelry in there during a show- all I can say is wow.  To have my work among such wonderful artists was just an amazing experience.

This year has just been packed with new things and wonderful experiences.  In looking back, I see that I really let go of many of my fears, and self doubt in 2014.  I just went for it.  I finally, began to feel comfortable in my skin, in my art, in who I am as a designer and a person.  There was acceptance of me, by me, and I stopped thinking I should be doing things differently, or running things another way, and just embraced where I was at this moment.  It was a bit of a blur, but it felt good too.

On a personal note, there were some really tough times throughout 2014....yet, I think even they have allowed me to know myself better, and to grow, I hope they have anyhow.  I hope I always continue to learn, and improve on me...as a person.

I am so thankful for the progress, so thankful  for regular customers who make this possible……..for friends who are endless encouragement, support and advice…….and for my family, who I work so hard for and who support me in my odd hours and weekend shows.

I am not sure what lays in store next year for Staci Louise Originals.  I will definitely be teaching again, vending at Beadfest, and making more jewelry for shows through the year.  I have many new ideas floating around my brain, we will see what comes of them!

There is no Berks Bead Bazaar to prepare for this year, so I think some fellow bead artists are going to do an online show- working on details.  This free time (lol- I joke, what is that?) will also allow me to work on magazine submissions , tutorials and classes.

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has come with me on this long journey.  May I have more great years and new directions in the future, and I hope you come with me as well.

Happy Holidays!  May you be blessed, may you find peace, and joy in all you do.

Today is the LAST day to use code holiday20 and save 20% in my online shop.  www.stacilouiseoriginals.com

If you are local, my work will be on display at Bethlehem House Gallery until the shows closing this Saturday, come on out Saturday 6-9pm for a last look before the gallery makes an entire transformation!  

I wish you all much love, happiness and kindness in 2015.  

Sugar Skulls for Bead Fest

I told people at Berks Bead Bazaar that I would have more of my bronze Sugar Skulls for Beadfest in August- and it looks like I will! 

my first sugar skull piece!

I think I am only going to get about a dozen made, and there may be some loss in the batches, as they are prone to crack.  I can work with most of the cracks along the edge, but sometimes they crack on the face and its just too hard to repair.  If all goes well, I should have 10-12 skulls for sale. 

Here is the first batch right out of the kiln, with a brief cleaning.  They still need a tumble, antique bath, then they need to get riveted to a copper backing. 

 sugar skulls out of the kiln this morning

Making them is a multi stage process, at first I have to work quickly, to get all the designs in while its a certain "mid-dry" and then they need to dry for days as I add slip to the backside to help prevent cracking.  I am so thrilled with the results though!  Its worth the wait!

Please stop by booth #371 if you are coming to BeadFest- I promise to have all kinds of new goodies for you to fondle !!!!

And remember to print and use this coupon to save $10 at the door!!!!

Just click and save this picture and print it out on your computer- print a few for your friends too!

I also got to do a trial run of my Painted Polymer Fossil Talisman class yesterday. 

These are samples of what I am teaching- making these polymer focals and beads, painting them to look old and organic, and then making them into this necklace

It was amazing.  I will be blogging about that next week on LMAJ- but for now, I want to show off what the ladies made....................

Here are some of the extra beads they got to make, since we had all day and it was only the 4 of us

And here are the finished pieces they made.  It was amazing to see them come full circle at the end of the day. 

I think I am really going to love teaching. I have taught small groups before, and did a ton of training at my old job....and I always loved the interaction I got to have with people.  So I am really looking forward to teaching at BeadFest!

You can sign up for my class here if you are interested

https://www.etouches.com/ehome/79000/StaciSmith

I promise we will have a great time!!