Painting the Beads

I have finally had some time in the studio to make and paint some beads.  I am still not up to full production, as my shoulders are still bugging me on and off.  But I am very happy to have had the time I did.  

I never get tired of seeing how the beads transform as I paint them.

From naked white polymer

To, painted with the first layer

Then they get antiqued and rustic'd them up a bit.....I LOVE this part

The above picture, the bottom / front pile is done, the rear pile is waiting to be transformed!

However, my absolute favorite part is the crackle.  I never ever get tired of seeing how this just takes them to the next level!

I just got done listing new beads in the shop!  It is not a lot, so grab them while you can!

http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/store

I also have a tutorial available for my painting techniques available in my etsy shop.

www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com

Thank you for stopping by. 

Gone Fishing.............

Finally got to making some fun beads again.  Still working in smaller batches, but I am working, so that is good.

These fish were begging to be made.  I had a blast with the textures on the, each one is totally handformed using various tools for texture.  I made both flat tribal focal style ones, 

and long round sardines.

They are currently in the shop, I didn't make too many, but what I have is in there.  I will hopefully be making more this week after taxes are done!

www.stacilouiseoriginals.com 

Therapy

Well, despite my shoulder injury, and the pain, I decided to get back into the studio to do a bit of polymer clay. (I have a damaged rotator cuff and tendonitis from that.)

I have been in SUCH A FUNK since I haven't been able to just go in there and do what I want to.  I have so many ideas, yet I am desperately trying to rest my arm.  I never realized how much creating things is a therapy for me.

I was able to do a couple of batches of metal clay last week, and that was really nice, and didn't hurt my shoulder at all.

(made these fun Rune'd Hearts- hearts with Runes on them, each having their own meaning.  They are in the shop now)

http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/store

Polymer requires a bit more movement though, so I wasn't sure how it would go.  However, I have been going nuts, absolutely nuts, not being able to create all the things I am dying to!  My sketch book is sooooo full right now.

So, I have been wanting to make more doodle beads.  Especially after Ginger's (the Blue Bottle Tree) wonderful post (find it here) about the best  pens to use on polymer clay.  So I bought a bunch of different sizes of the Pitt Markers that she recommended. 

So I dug into my polymer and got to work.

I cannot wait until these are done and I can play!!!

So, on and off I got to spend the day in the studio.  This is cooking now, and it makes me sooo happy.

I also figure some ways to roll the clay that doesn't make me use my shoulder at all.  I am learning to take it easy.  I am a slow learner, but I am getting there!

I feel like a million bucks right now.  I am sure it will be short lived, but making things really is good for the soul.  I needed that.

It really is the little things...............

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.  

This is what I'm dealin with People.............

I feel so far behind.  After Beadfest, I had two days to get the kids all they needed for school, and then two days to pack and leave again for a long weekend away with the family.

I am finally unpacking stuff.  But none of it is business related.  Right now, the studio is so bad, I can't even go in.  I laugh, cause its all I can do.  In order to really capture the chaos, I made a nice little video of it.
The phone rings in the video- with 3 kids, I already did 4 other takes....then the phone rings.  so I left it, its better then "MOM!!!!" and lego men fighting.  

So there you go.  I promise, a fun blog about Beadfest with lots of pictures is coming up.  And listing of beads too.............

Tomorrow, I tackle this monster!

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!!



Happy Days: Full and Exciting

There are some very exciting things going on around here.

First of all, I have enough people signed up for my class at Beadfest Philly in August, so it will not get canceled.  WE ARE ON!

There is still plenty of room too!  So if you want to sign up, or need details, you can find them here.

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

I have begun production for Beadfest, and I am just at the beginning stages of bead making.  I really wanted to try something new this year, so I added some cabs to my inventory.  I must say, I really love making them, and went for a very 3-d effect.  They have a lot of dimension to them.  My daughter said they looked like Mountains.  So I started calling them Mountain Cabs.  I also happened to be watching a documentary on the Incan People, and got to see some of their large mountain drawings- do it seemed fitting.

I sent one to Nikki Z of Love Root in hopes she would play around with it.

Well, she did just that, and I love what she did with it.

She calls it a whelk shell, and I agree, it definitely has that sea shell feel. I love the beach, so those shapes and forms definitely sneak into my work!

You can see what Nikki is up to on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/LoveRootArtisanJewelry

Or shop her wonderful designs on etsy

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveRoot

On Polymer Clay Daily, Margrit Bohmer was feature for her beads (her beads are soooo fun).  I didn't even realize she was using the technique from my tutorial that she bought.  I love how she married the new technique with her classic style.  Makes me happy to see so many people having fun with crackle glaze technique. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/195139904/artisantribal-statement-earrings?ref=shop_home_active_19

https://www.etsy.com/listing/175876241/painting-polymer-tutorial-the-crackle

You know, other then that, I am just making beads, trying to have a summer social life with family, friends and the kids, and working on tutorials, submissions, blogs and paperwork.  That is all!  lol!

Thanks for popping in and seeing what's new in my world.  I will hopefully be putting new beads and jewelry in the shop next week!  so stay tuned..............



Some Exciting Things Going on Around here

I am wrapping up listing a round of my newest style polymer beads- carved beads with color.

 

I first fell in love with carving beads in black, but have since moved on to adding color to them, and loving the results.

 

you can pick some up here www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com

 

The other news is that the voting for the Peoples Choice awards in the Bead Dreams competition has begun.  To cast you vote, use this link

http://apps.kalmbach.com/survey/default.aspx?sid=2289&auth=gXZJ0LQrPm

 

If you want to vote for me, my pieces are Sea Swept

 

 and Zen Circles. 

 

If you follow the link, and scroll down through the pictures, they are a little over halfway down.  They are named, but there are no artist names applied to the pictures. 

 

So that is what is new and exciting with me. 

 

I hope you all have a great memorial day weekend!

Thanks as always for your support!

 



 

 

 



Polymer Clay Articles

I finally got around to writing submissions for magazines again.  I didn't do much this year at all.  However, the Summer issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry is soon to hit stands and I have two articles in there.

I had a lot of people ask me to do a tutorial on my translucent polymer earrings with wire embedded in them.  Well, that is one of the articles in there.

The other one is my Scratch the Surface Earrings, which shares how I make the scratch off beads everyone was asking about.

So there you have it, two polymer clay secrets in one magazine.

And of course, that is not all, its a packed magazine full of techniques and inspiration in all mediums, as always.

You can order it here from Stampington and Company.

http://stampington.com/whats-new-coming-soon/Belle-Armoire-Jewelry-Summer-2014

If you are interested in submitting to magazines, I did a post over at Love my Art Jewelry today with some tips and links to get you started.  You can check that out here.

http://www.lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-published.html

Please feel free to discuss and share tips for submitting to magazines, or ask questions on LMAJ's facebook page.  

https://www.facebook.com/lovemyartjewelry