Beadmask

Hera's Cuffs

2012-02-17T17:05:00.000-08:00

Leather peacock cuff - in my Etsy shop

I'm still having loads of fun with my leather peacock feather designs. Shown here are two new leather cuff bracelets featuring carved peacock feather designs with real body feather accents. They're embellished with vintage glass cabochons and fine seed beadwork.

The one to the left is done in an emerald green, and the overall design is a tad simpler. The one below is done in a shimmering olive green, with more elaborate shaping and beadwork. Both close with button loop closures, so they'll stretch from about 6.5" - 7.5".

Hera's Cuff - to be listed soon

There are a few more peacock designs on my work table right now. I'm excited to see how they'll turn out. Hopefully I can squeeze in some studio time and get them finished up soon!

As with all of my peacock themed items, a portion of every sale will be donated to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in memory of Mahala.

The Art of the Mask

2012-02-15T19:01:00.000-08:00

I had the good fortune to meet Cyndy Salisbury of The Art of the Mask while vending at FaerieCon West this past weekend. Typically, I wouldn't call it "good fortune" to have my booth directly beside that of another mask maker, but she is special. Not only does she do exceptional work, she seems like a genuinely kind and interesting person. I really enjoyed meeting her.

Cyndy's masks are very labor intensive. She creates her own molds by creating life casts of her family members, and she uses these molds to create elaborate designs in paper mache. She has spent a good deal of time researching traditional Venetian mask making techniques, and the influence is very evident in her work.

Many of her masks look as though they came directly from Italy, while others suggest characters from Greek mythology. Other styles, like the "Autumn Winds" mask to the left, hint at her Northwest roots. This one is constructed with intricate layers upon layers of handcrafted paper leaves, blended with earthy feathers. The photos are nice, but they only scratch the surface -- her masks are rich in detail, and absolutely stunning

During the event, Cyndy gave a demonstration on the life casting process. The workshop was very informative, and it really illustrated how much thought and effort goes in to her work. Her lighthearted banter with her son and husband helped to make it very entertaining as well.

I've never tried life casting, though I've always wanted to learn how it's done. It looks like it will take a fair bit of experimentation to get it down, but I think it will really help me to improve my mask designs. With that said, I'm deeply grateful that she was so generous with her knowledge!

You can see more of Cyndy's work at her Etsy shop, and you can also "like" her on facebook to keep up with her new work and upcoming shows.

Further evolution...

2012-02-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

leather leaf earrings 2009

I'm not doing the "inspiration Wednesday" thing today, cause I'm just not feeling it at the moment*.

Instead, I'd like to reflect on some design progress that a friend recently pointed out. In 2009, I started playing with a new (to me) earring style that makes use of some of my smaller leather scraps. There were several styles of leaves, and of course, lots of feathers -- especially raven feathers (if you scroll through this blog, you may notice that I have a thing for corvids ;). These were accented with mixed metal wire, Swarovski crystals, and assorted gem stones. I debated whether or not to add real feathers.

blue jay earrings 2009

When I created their facebook photo album, I asked my fans if they were "Good, Bad or Ugly?" -- which hints at how unsure I was about the style. They were well received, and I kept playing with the designs. These were somewhat tricky at first because I'd never really done such small leather projects. They're simple enough to make, but working with leather at this scale was new and challenging for me; in addition, I've never been much of a wireworker. There are people who can do amazing things with wire, but I am not one of them. My knowledge and experience with that type of jewelry design is limited to the most basic skills.

peacock earrings 2011

I've continued to play with this style over time, and I suspect that I'll continue to do so. They're admittedly simple designs, but I think the little projects tend to be the ones that build your skills the most (see this earlier post on formative work). There are many artisans who claim that every single piece they make is a one of a kind design. That is admirable -- though I always wonder if they are actually selling their work as a substantial portion of their income. As a working artist, it seems like it would be incredibly challenging not to repeat designs, and still create enough to support oneself. But I'm getting off track -- my point is that I actually find value in revisiting designs. It helps me to hone my skills and also gives me a yardstick for progress.

raven earrings 2012

The current variations are still not exactly what I saw in my mind's eye when I began making these; I hope there will be more permutations as time goes on. Still, it's nice to contrast then and now. I often get restless or frustrated because my "creative vision" is usually far ahead of my actual skills. This is probably a good thing in that it keeps me striving -- but sometimes it leads to feeling impatient or being hard on myself. When I can stop long enough to notice progress, it motivates me to keep exploring.

* As to the "Inspiration Wednesday" posts, I think they'll become a bi-weekly thing. It's a fun theme that challenges me to think about what inspires me, and having a "prompt" does get me to blog more. I love being able to share these things, and to promote other artists and creative spirits -- but it's starting to make me feel pressured and I don't like that. Every other week seems more balanced and comfortable for me :)

Art from the ashes...

2012-02-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

HDNet - "Art From The Ashes: Detroit's Heidelberg Project" from Tilapia Film on Vimeo.

The Circus Project

2012-01-25T17:19:00.000-08:00

photo © Michelle Bates

Last year, one of my friends posted on facebook about The Circus Project , encouraging folks to contribute to the group's Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their annual show. When I read about their mission to help homeless kids through circus arts, I was blown away! What a creative and beautiful way to empower young people to change their lives. I decided to donate a few bucks, and also volunteered to create some headpieces for their December 2011 production.

We'd really hoped to drive down and see the show, but the timing just didn't work out for us. Still, I've been keeping up with the project via their facebook fan page, and I was excited when they announced that their org has been featured in an episode of the TV documentary series "Turning Point". This is a 24 minute segment about how the project started, and what it does to help homeless youth get off the ground. It's an absolutely inspiring story - please consider taking the time to watch it!

Dont trust people with neat yards...

2012-01-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

the side yard at the House of Joy Bordello Boutique

This morning as I was musing about what inspires me, my thoughts turned (once again) to Jerome, AZ. Obviously, I love that town -- it has such spectacular vistas, interesting buildings, colorful history and quirky galleries. When I visited last February, I was very drawn to one place in particular, the House of Joy. The owners have created a whimsical assemblage of curiosities and "junque" along the balconies, patio and yard (not to mention the amazing collection of vintage goodies that they have in their gallery! Words fail, just go). It is beautiful and bizarre, and a perfect example of the kind of found art that I envision in and around that dream house that I keep yammering about.

front patio at the House of Joy in Jerome AZ

When we passed back through in November, I had to show this place to Robb. As we giggled and wondered about the various piles of "trash" and treasure, an older gentleman emerged from the house. R took that opportunity to ask the man about his yard. His reply was so awesome that I had to write it down. I wasn't able to do so straight away, so I'll give you the disclaimer that this is paraphrased (and Mr. Dempsey, if you ever read this, I hope you will forgive me if I've bungled your words) hopefully I managed to capture the essence:

meeting this man was one of the highlights of our trip

"I don't trust people who keep neat yards. You've gotta have some individuality. People live in these places where they want to tell you how tall your house can be and what colors you're supposed to paint it, and it makes them small. When you live in a place where everything looks the same, everyone starts to think the same too. Soon, you just stop living cause you're so busy worrying about who has a bigger car or a better house."

He talked at length about the value of individuality, and also about the importance of knowing your heritage. He is proud to be of Mexican descent, which is one of the reasons that he has an ornate shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe on his front balcony. He gave us a wry smile and told us that he wanted "to be sure to remind everyone who was here first".

Lady Guadalupe presides over the balcony

We chatted with Mr. Dempsey for some time while he gave us an impromptu tour of the town. I was honored when he went back to his yard and brought me out a handful of crystals and iron slag from the old mine. I used them to build a tiny shrine on my desk, to remind me that one day, I'll have crazy art gardens too :)

He's an excellent storyteller and a pretty deep guy; we felt very fortunate to have bumped into him. So when I thought about an inspirational subject to write about today, I remembered this fabulous yard and its owner. What a character -- I can only hope to be that cool when I grow up!

Shifting Focus

2012-01-14T09:23:00.000-08:00

Snow Queen headdress - 2012

I've mentioned in previous posts that my beads have really been calling to me. I'd love to listen, but I never seem to have the time or resources to really explore this. That's why I'm stepping back from commissions right now; I really want to clear out some time to follow my muse.

While I do enjoy the type of work that I've been doing, it feels like I have fallen into a cycle of creating easier, smaller, "safer" stuff -- either because that's all that I've got time for, or because I know that it will sell. That last bit may sound shallow, but let's get real -- I'm blessed to be able to do what I love for a living, but it IS still work. This is how the bills get paid, so I often feel pressured to create the smaller "bread and butter" items that satisfy my creditors, rather than the time intensive pieces that satisfy my soul.

Amber necklace - 2001

For a frame of reference, the headdress above is probably one of the most elaborate pieces that I've completed in the past several months. It's lovely, and I'm quite proud of it; however, it's still not a huge time investment compared to my beaded pieces. It probably took twice as much time for me to create the necklace at the left -- which is still not that elaborate in the realm of beadwork! In both cases, the significant creation time requires a greater price tag than most of my work. While they'll certainly sell eventually (in fact, the necklace already has) I typically do not sell pieces like these every day. Thus you can see how I've fallen into this cycle of creating more "bread and butter" work, and less of the deeper work that really fuels me creatively.

I'd really like to change that in the year ahead, but I'm not entirely sure how to do that. The cold hard truth is that no matter how loudly my muse calls, my responsibilities remain. So how do I create this shift in focus? Do I take out loans (not really an option), pray for a generous benefactor, or simply take a huge leap of faith?

For several years now, I've been sketching very elaborate designs which would incorporate several of the skills that I've developed over the last 20 odd years, and also challenge me to develop new ones. While I used to fantasize about having the time to work on these ideas, now I am feeling like I need to. Part of this drive is simply my creative force aching to stretch and grow, and part of it is the need to go deeper and develop greater patience and focus (qualities I am seeing the need for in other areas of my life). I can see and feel this goal very clearly, but I can't yet see how to actualize it. Any suggestions?

A house in the trees...

2012-01-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

photo via http://www.treehouseworkshop.com

Yeah, yeah, I know it's supposed to be Wednesday Inspiration, but it's been a busy week so here's a little Friday inspiration instead. At right is an amazing tree house from the folks at TreeHouse Workshop. I was delighted to find this site, because I have always wanted a treehouse. And when I say "always", I mean STILL. R laughs at me when I tell him this, because apparently he thinks I'm too old for such things, but my dream house -- the one that I visualize happily and often -- definitely has a treehouse. I'm stoked to see that there are plenty of other "grown ups" who feel the same! :)

Taking a break from commissions...

2012-01-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

I've decided to take a break from custom work. At this point, I'm still undecided as to how long of a break it will be -- the only thing that is certain is that I need to do this. Most of last year was spent making what other people wanted me to, and by the end of the year I was having a really hard time keeping up with all the deadlines and expectations. While I'm very grateful (honored, even!) that so many people trust me with their ideas, my muse is really aching to do her own thing for a bit. In addition, I'm back in school this quarter so I won't have as much time for creative work. As such, what little studio time I do have will be guarded preciously.

This is not a permanent choice -- I just need some time to recharge my creative batteries so that I can continue to love what I do for a living. The only exceptions that I will make will be for custom orders that I have already discussed and agreed to accept. If we have already negotiated your piece, I will of course honor that -- otherwise, please check back in a few months to commission custom work. In the meantime, please keep an eye on my website and Etsy shop -- I'm hopeful that this choice will help my work to grow, and that I'll have lots of new and exciting designs to show for it! :)

Wings and Things

2012-01-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

beetle wing earrings with vintage cabs & peacock feathers

I purchased these shimmering green elytra early last year, not entirely sure if I'd be able to use them. They're incredibly beautiful, but the whole "dead bug" aspect kinda squicks me out a bit -- and yes, I do appreciate the irony of that statement, considering that I often play with dead things (leather, feathers, bones). It didn't take long to overcome my aversion to bugs, though. These beetle wings are absolutely stunning and they've been calling to me for months.

Ultimately, time was my biggest hurdle in working with these. I found myself so consumed with deadlines and custom orders, that I never really had free time to explore my ideas for these new and exciting materials. Fortunately, I did carve out a little bit of time at the end of the year just to make something that I wanted to -- and it felt great! These earrings are the result. I am currently working on a collar to match -- will post photos when it's completed.

Raina's Ravens

2012-01-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

"Raven Night" by Raina Gentry

Got back in to town late last night, and I've been a zombie all day. So much so, that I nearly forgot about the fact that I'm trying to make a habit of these "Inspiration Wednesday" posts. Fortunately, I remembered at the 11th hour, and it didn't take very long to find something inspiring to write about...

We recently purchased a new print by Raina Gentry. It is similar to the raven shown at left, but not identical. I saw these prints for the first time when I visited Jerome last winter, and they really stuck with me. When we visited again in fall, I made sure to stop and get one.

I was pleased to find that my partner likes Gentry's work as well -- in fact, we had a hard time narrowing it down to just one print. While I'm in love with the ravens and women that she does, he's very drawn to her heads and faces. We'll definitely be buying more of her work in the future. In the meantime, I "liked" her fan page on facebook so that I can enjoy updates of her new work.

Wednesday Inspiration...

2011-12-28T10:36:00.000-08:00

via simondale.net

In an effort to make blogging more of a habit, I'm going to try something new in the coming year. On Wednesdays, I'll share images and ideas that inspire me. Ideally, I will do this every Wednesday -- but we'll see how that goes ;) Hopefully, this will remind me to update more often, and also allow me to promote other artists and dreamers.

So without further ado, my first "inspiration" post features an earth friendly home in Wales. It was built by Simon Dale and his father in law. Not only is this home beautiful, unique and magical looking (very Hobbit-like, no?), it was built in a very low impact fashion, with the utmost respect for the environment.

via simondale.net

The interior is just amazing, with its skylights and twisted wood rails. It looks like something out of a fantasy tale, but the construction methods reflect very real and contemporary values such as permaculture and sustainability.

This home was build on a particularly modest budget, using materials and techniques that are readily accessible to most people. The house harnesses solar power and rainwater, and does not rely on fossil fuels. It is a creative and wondrous example of what can be done to provide low cost, eco friendly housing.

Thank you for understanding...

2011-12-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

via http://pearleden.deviantart.com/

This little gem has been floating around Facebook recently. I shared it on my fan page, but I'd like to elaborate on the concept a bit...

Sometimes I'm surprised by the random people that write asking for (deep!) discounts, even though we've never met. I'm tempted to reply sarcastically, and ask them to give me the equivalent of half a day's work too -- you know, just because.

Similarly, I'm puzzled when folks ask for -- or even demand -- patterns and detailed construction information. While I don't mind sharing certain tips with friends or peers, I'm not in the habit of giving my business away to strangers.

Worse yet are the ones who just take without asking -- this year alone, I've caught three different "artists" selling direct (and bad!) knockoffs of my original designs. Not only did these people duplicate my original works, but they opted to sell in the same venues that I do and undercut me! I swear, that is the mark of the copycat -- they always seem to sell their reproductions for less than the original. I suspect it's because they know what they've done, and feel ashamed -- but that's an entirely different rant, so I'll save it for another post. Bottom line: when you take something off of a store shelf without paying, it's called stealing; please don't kid yourself -- helping yourself to my hard work is no different.

My point is that many people do not seem to value creative work. There's an expectation that it's easy or effortless, or that it's some sort of cute little hobby and not a real job. If you believe that crap, please allow me to disabuse you of your misconceptions -- I work my ass off! For reals. I have invested decades into learning my craft, honing my skills, and developing original products. I've also poured an amazing amount of money into tools and supplies. In addition, I devote countless hours to "invisible" tasks such as SEO, photography, writing copy and so forth. This is my livelihood -- what I do to pay my bills.

via the talented Valorie Wilson of http://www.valoriewilson.com/

As this sketch illustrates, professional artists also generate a host of business expenses in the course of creating and selling their work. My pricing is structured to cover such expenses and provide a livable wage. So when you ask me for discounts, tips and freebies, you aren't asking for an intangible bit off fluff that I dreamed up in my "spare time"; you are asking me to work for free. I might like you better if you at least offered me a trade -- how about a free meal at your restaurant, a one hour massage, free teeth cleaning, or whatever it is that you do to support yourself?

I try to be generous with my work by offering sales throughout the year. I also donate a lot of my creations to charity, trade with other artisans, give to friends and family (and even the occasional stranger who touches my heart); but I don't simply give my work away to everyone off the street. Can you think of any sustainable business that does? I apologize if this post sounds ranty or bitter -- but I see so many of these rude "requests" and outright thefts that it's hard not to get that way. I'll back away from the soapbox and leave you with this request: please approach me (and my work) with the same basic courtesy that you would show any other professional.

On Winter's Glistening Wings

2011-12-21T19:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a preview of the new winter-themed exhibit from the FAE Team. My little screen shot is just the tip of the iceberg ... please go visit the exhibition page to see more beautiful winter selections from the Fantasy Artists of Etsy!

Handmade Holiday Gifts Part Four

2011-12-19T15:36:00.000-08:00

This series about handmade holiday gifts has been a lot of fun to write. I really like being able to promote other independent artists, and it's been so nice to hear from others with similar ideals. I actually have three more posts drafted for this series, but I think I am going to stop early. Not because anyone offended me, or anything silly like that. It's just that between holiday planning and orders and year end business tasks, I'm very pressed for time.

I'm also starting to feel a bit bombarded by commercials and the pervasive pressure to shop, shop, SHOP! That intensely commercial aspect of our culture can be really overwhelming for me (and judging by the other shoppers that I encountered today, I'm not the only one feeling that way). So rather than contribute to all of the commercialism and holiday pressure, I'm going to slow down and shift my focus.

Again, it has been my pleasure to promote my fellow artisans; and I do hope that my posts inspired you to buy handmade, buy local, or make your own special gifts this year. There are so many more talented artists that I could showcase (and I am brainstorming on ways to do this all year long) but for today, I'd like to share a very different kind of gift guide:

"To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."

~ Oren Arnold

Many thanks to my friend Talia for sharing this with me at the exact moment that I needed to hear it <3

Handmade Holiday Gifts 3 - Jewelry

2011-12-11T11:55:00.000-08:00


leather peacock feather earrings

For this installment of my handmade holiday gifts series I'm going to focus on jewelry. It is such a time tested gift idea - we all love to adorn ourselves, and there's a nice range of price points. Jewelry is great for stocking stuffers (like my peacock earrings to the left) and also as a more elaborate gift for someone special

Whatever you choose, I hope that you'll avoid the big chain stores (where everything looks the same) and consider buying from independent artists instead. This list includes a few of my favorites from Etsy. Their styles range widely, but the common denominator is that these are individual craftsmen (and women) who create original, quality work.

beaded bracelet by Beadware

Beadware creates handcrafted gifts & fine beaded jewelry made with glass beads, crystals, stones, pearls, sterling silver, pewter, copper, brass & silver or gold plate. Affordable enough to wear a different piece everyday.

Her designs reflect a juxtaposition of left and right brain. She likes organization, order and details. She loves color, combining it in surprising mixes or staying within a color family. Her work is colorful, delicate, tasteful, understated and simple.

beaded necklace by Blazin' Beads

Jenny of BlazinBeads says this of her work: “I strive to create unique pieces. I get my inspiration for my creations from colors I see in nature. I am always thinking of new ideas and feel most satisfied with my work when I can put the many ideas I have into a new and unique piece. My true passion is seed bead work and it is crucial to me to follow my own style. I have been beading for 20+ years now and my creations are meant to stand the test of time.”

tribal skull necklace by Erthe Fae

Erthe Fae is your source for handmade fantasy jewelry, steampunk jewelry and tribal jewelry. She makes beaded necklaces, crystal bracelets, unique anklets, chandelier earrings and more. Every item is one-of-a-kind and handmade in Arizona with a dazzling variety of beads.

Her handmade jewelry draws on her love of fantasy, faerie lore, tribal belly dance and the steampunk subculture. She designs with these passions in mind, always striving to create something that is equally at home with a costume or day-to-day wear.

wire wrapped bracelet by Faerie Kat

Faerie Kat's Dream Faire wares are handmade necklaces and chokers, bracelets and cuffs, rings and earrings, tarot bags and pixie pouches, faerie stars, handcrafted books and folders with jeweled pens, tiny crocheted bowls and baskets, and other trinkets and treasures shaped from the ethereal gossamer of Kat’s dreams.

She is inspired by the magic of nature, mythology and legends, fantasy and folklore, fairy tales and faeries, all living in a world overlooked or unseen by most.

deer necklace by Heidi Kummli

Heidi Kummli's beadwork is an expression of herself, and her feelings for our Mother Earth and the creatures upon her. Through researching Native American beadwork techniques and trial and error, her work has continually evolved. Heidi started working with beads in 1975 and remembers making jewelry even as a young child. Heidi's great grandmother was a Chippewa Indian that did beadwork for Vaudeville. Heidi feels this gift was passed down to her. She currently lives on 12 acres west of Boulder, Colorado with her husband Gregg, and their son Benjamin age 15. Their home is totally off the grid. The sun and a back up generator is all they need to power their home. Heidi has won numerous design awards throughout her career. She hopes that through her work she can share the beauty that surrounds her.

JG Beaded Jewelry offers handcrafted beaded jewelry and unique gifts including beaded earrings, bracelets, necklaces, crystal sun catchers, rear view mirror car decorations, beaded bookmarks, real bug necklaces, insect key chains and Lovin Life stickers.

She loves beads & gemstones and started creating jewelry when she was very young. They say, if you love something - stick with it, well... she has stuck with it (for decades).

necklace by Rainwater Studios

Rainwater Studios explains: "Each piece I make is unique and enchanted. From faeries who frolic and play to butterflies in flight. I like to use vintage jewelry pieces and precious stones to mesmerize the eye. Each piece has a story to add a personal touch. From the Celtic highlands to the romantic times of the Regency Era. You are sure to find a special piece that you will soon want to call your own."

earrings by Seattle Chic

Seattle Chic is a 1-woman artisan business, creating handmade jewelry & jewelry-quality accessories for boutiques, online, & local customers.

She says: "I can't imagine a life without passion. Making imaginative, original jewelry & photographing it keep me busy all day & up half the night. When I do sleep, I dream up new designs & can't wait to get up to make them real. I hope you find something here that you love & sense the joy I felt when creating it!"

ancient eye bracelet by Splendid Fish

Splendid Fish says “Each piece of high quality handcrafted jewelry from Splendid Fish Studio is based on original designs imagined and hand tooled by B. de Corbin.

You won't find pieces like these made by anyone else, or sold anywhere else in the world. I work with copper, brass, and silver using a variety of ancient techniques such as forging and enamelling. My work is derived from the work of the ancient metalsmiths, but is still contemporary, and is designed and constructed to please the discriminating collector. This is not just costume jewelry - each piece is an original, quality piece of art!”

ear cuff by Thyme2Dream

Thyme 2 Dream states: “I create jewelry for Fae & Elven folk and have recently discovered that mortals like it too...in my shop you will find unusual jewelry items~ ear cuffs, bohemian wraps (ear wraps), arm cuffs, tiaras, circlets, hair vines combs & twirls, rainbows and other fairy accouterments.

Fantasy, Medieval and Renaissance wedding jewelry is also a specialty of mine...I would love to work with you to create something unique for YOUR special day!”

thistle ring by Winged Lion

Winged Lion says that they’re “an artistic family - Natalia, Sergey, and our teenage son Lev. In our etsy store you can see Jewelry made by Sergey and original hand-pulled prints by Natalia and Lev.

Having an extensive fine art background, Sergey combines deep knowledge of art history, refined taste, vivid imagination, and the ability to turn his artistic fantasies and inspirations into accurate and realistic renderings. Some of Sergey's jewelry pieces are designed by himself, some by me [Natalia]. Our creative collaboration resulted in producing jewelry which can be truly called wearable art.“

filigree earrings by 1000 Dragonflies

1000 Dragonflies creates exquisite vintage inspired filigree jewelry, using components from her extensive collection of vintage and antique rhinestones. She has an excellent eye for line and color, and her work is particularly drool-worthy!

These artists' work may or may not be to your taste. Of course, I hope that you will love their work as much as I do, and choose to support them ... but if you don't, please consider doing your holiday shopping with other independent artists on Etsy, or at local craft fairs.

Random Favorites

2011-11-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

I was organizing photos and came across some from Halloween. These are posted in the costume contest album , but I feel like sharing them here too.

I love this one -- the headdress looks awesome with her beautiful wavy hair. I love the fall leaves all around, and way that she stands out against them. I was pleased to hear that she loved these pieces.

This one rocks my socks because his expression perfectly matches the personality that I imagine for these little imp masks -- sly, mischievous and well, impish. Maybe even contagious. At least, I busted out in a huge grin the first time that I saw this photo.

That's all. No long monologues today -- just wanted to share stuff that made me smile :)

Handmade Holiday Gifts Part Deux ~ DIY Supplies (or Gifts For Your Bead Babe)

2011-11-16T12:06:00.000-08:00

In my previous post, I stressed the importance of stepping back from the media pressure to CONSUME during the holiday season, and I urged people to focus on finding more meaningful and affordable gifts. In that post -- and the subsequent comments -- we discussed the value in buying handmade and local. In the coming weeks I hope to share cool finds from some of my favorite artists, tinkers and makers (and I would love it if you would share your favorites too!); but first, I'd like to encourage some old fashioned DIY...

As I've mentioned before, creating beadwork is soothing and meditative. If you opt to make your own gifts, your recipient will not only have a lovely and meaningful gift that was handcrafted by you; but you may de-stress a bit in the process of creating that gift! Win, win -- right? I'd like to enable ... I mean, assist you with that goal. Below, you'll find a few of my favorite beady businesses. These are woman owned small businesses, run by people who actually bead (the latter may sound funny, but I assure you that this is becoming increasingly rare)! They are passionate about their products, and they add beauty to the world not only through their wares, but through their spirits. Each one is worthy of your support, and you can feel good about supporting small businesses and amazing individuals in one swell foop. I am including their locations, in case you'd like to take it a step further, and buy locally:

Beyond Beadery's infamous wall-o-crystal!

Beyond Beadery is owned by Betcey Ventrella and her sweetheart of a man, Mark. They are based out of Rollinsville, Colorado.

Miz Betcey is the undisputed queen of Swarovski crystal. She carries these sparkly confections in every imaginable color, size and shape. She also carries an impressive selection of Japanese seed beads, as well as those super special heavy metal seed beads. Scrumptious stuff! You should have no problem finding gorgeous supplies here -- or perhaps a gift certificate for your favorite beader?

photo via whimbeads.com

Another excellent source for seed beads is Out on a Whim , which is located in Cotati, CA. Out on a Whim is owned by Beki and Shawn Haley, who are absolutely beautiful people! Their shop has been family owned and operated since it opened in ... sheesh, at least the early 90's? Beki is a talented bead artist and instructor so she definitely knows her stuff! Her staff is equally knowledgeable, and their prices are highly competitive.

Beki recently taught at the popular BABE show, and she is scheduled to teach again at the Bead and Button show in Summer of 2012. She designs original patterns, which she offers as kits (complete with materials and instructions). If you're looking for projects to make as gifts, or even just gifts for the bead addict on your list, you should definitely visit her kits page.

Those of you in the midwest might prefer to pay a visit to Stormcloud Trading (AKA "Beadstorm"), which is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stormcloud was opened in 1987 by the fabulous Sandi Graves. Her shop focuses on traditional and contemporary beading supplies, as well as leatherworking and metal supplies. Sandi is an accomplished beadworker, and she also works with enamel and metal.

Amazing work by Julia S. Pretl

If you're looking for easy gifts, why not try a book, pattern or bead kit? As I mentioned above, these are great stress-free projects because they simplify the design process -- and they make excellent gifts for bead fanatics! If you want to go this route, I have some great recommendations for you. First, I suggest books or patterns by the intensely talented Julia S. Pretl of Baltimore, MD. I've gushed extensively on this blog about Julia and her work (seriously, just check my tags to the right) so I will keep this suggestion simple: Julia is amazing. Go check her out!

BQ squares designed by Charley

Another bead designer that I love is Charlene Hughes, AKA "Beady Boop" of Arcata, CA. She was one of the first designers to start publishing pattern books, and she remains one of the most prolific and innovative designers of intricate peyote patterns. Charley no longer maintains her own website, but you can still find many of her books and patterns at Rita's site.

Charley only beaded one of the 9/11 Bead Quilt squares on the panel to the right, but the other 3 squares were created using her designs. As you can see, she has an excellent eye for line and color.

Sparkly Wheels by Nikia Angel

Another great source for bead kits and patterns is Buy the Kit, which is owned by Nikia Angel of Albuquerque NM. The site features a wealth of Nikia's beautiful bead designs, along with many other talented designers' work. At this point, BTK represents over 20 well known bead instructors, many of whom teach at high profile shows such as Bead Fest and Bead and Button. Their designs reflect a wide array of styles and skill levels, so you're sure to find something that suits your needs.

You'll find complete bead kits with materials and instructions, or you can choose from their "Beadless Kits" (AKA patterns) for necklaces, bracelets, bags, earrings, dolls, hair wear and more.

vintage glass cabs from Treefrog Beads

Last but not least, I'd like to give a little plug for my own virtual bead store, Treefrog Beads! I'm based out of Seattle, WA, and my focus is on vintage and antique beads and cabochons. I've been collecting old and unusual beads since the 1980's, and I especially love glass cabochons, Swarovski crystal and antique micro seed beads. You can find my complete selection at my website, which is linked above -- or you can peruse my listings over on Etsy. One caveat about ordering from me right now, though -- I'll be on the road from mid November through early December, so if you order during that time, there will be a slight delay in shipping.

So there you have it! If you love beads -- or if you love someone who loves beads -- you have a wealth of choices for great supplies and/or gifts! Again, each of the small businesses listed above is owned and operated by a wonderful woman. If your holiday list includes beads or beading supplies, I strongly encourage you to support one of these shops!

Handmade Holiday Gifts ~ Part 1

2011-11-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

Last year around the holidays, I made a big deal about the importance of supporting independent artists and local small businesses. I recently posted on my facebook fan page about my intent to do the same this year. My goal is to promote independent artists and businesses (including my own).

One reason that I am so passionate about this is that your purchase from a big box store is really just a drop in the bucket of their profit margin; while your support of an independent artist actually has a powerful impact on the life of an individual! Buying handmade also benefits you and your intended recipient, in that you're choosing to give something unique -- which (at least in my book) is wonderful and special.

"Y is for Yule" via http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBalivet

Another reason that I'm so vocal about this is that there were several years when the holidays were really really stressful for me. I made myself crazy and spent far more than I could afford, trying to make everything perfect -- and by the time the holidays arrived I was uptight, angsty and disappointed. It occurred to me that the reason for this was that I had become a very well trained consumer -- and in the process, I lost sight of the things that really make the holidays magical and special for me. Sappy as it sounds, those things are family, love, comfort, and taking time to relax and reflect on the year behind me. For the past 4 years I've made a concerted effort to focus on those aspects of the holidays, and it has made a tremendous difference in my stress level and satisfaction! I'd like to share that serenity with you.

Our consumer culture is so driven by the media push to "buy, buy buy" and to "act quickly!" and "don't miss that super gonzo mega sale!" that we actually think that we have to do these things in order to express our love to our family and friends! Really, we don't. Black Friday is a media construct and we can opt out, or at least seek meaningful alternatives. We can choose to do things with the folks we love and we can make things for them; if you're not the crafty sort or you don't have time to make things, then please consider doing your gift shopping with independent artists!

Tree topper via http://www.etsy.com/shop/faeryspellcreations

In the coming weeks I'll showcase handmade items that I love, in the hopes that you'll support these amazing artists too -- or at least feel inspired to support other artists and small businesses. I'm also going to spotlight special treats that you can give or do for yourself, because self care is SO important this time of year! Hopefully, I can do this in a way that is tasteful and low key; it is not my intent to bombard you with more pressure to consume. I simply want to offer positive alternatives that I hope will help you to create a more serene and meaningful holiday season.

Dia de los muertos

2011-11-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

My mother is Mexican and Spanish, and I grew up in Los Angeles, a city that is steeped in Latino culture. My abuella came from Mexico to America in a covered wagon in 1918, and my daughter and I had the good fortune to hear this story from her directly. Despite all that, my own upbringing was pretty American. My family still continues our tradition of making turkey tamales on Thanksgiving, which we've done since I was a little girl. I love Sandra Cisneros because her writing captures the feeling of my family in such a poetic and sentimental way, and I can speak Spanglish at a toddler level. That's about as Mexican as I get.

source: www.pgmuseum.org

Similarly, my father was Native American (Cheyenne-Arapaho) and ??. He identified with his Native roots, and drew most of his spiritual and ethical principles from that. You know, the idea that "we are all connected" and we should walk in balance and with respect for mother earth. I don't mean to cheapen those ideals with buzzwords and catch phrases -- I'm just trying to convey the concept quickly. My dad's art and ideals were deeply influenced by his Indian heritage. He passed that along to me to some degree, by taking me to pow wows and teaching me what he believed in; but I didn't grow up on a reservation or anything. I grew up roller skating along the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice ;)

These cultures are certainly a part of me, they reflect my family and my history. They have colored my perspective, and helped to shape my thinking; but I didn't really live them the way a first generation Indian or Mexican person would. As such I view them as my heritage, rather than my culture -- if that distinction makes any sense.

There are aspects of each that resonate with me. Little fragments that I like to keep alive in my own way, however diluted. For example, my dad's people had a great reverence for life. When they hunted, they took only what was needed, and made an offering to the spirit of the animal to express gratitude for the nourishment and sustenance it provided. Their respect for that animal's life motivated them to use every part of the body. In keeping with this, I smudge every hide that I use in my leatherwork with sage, and silly as it may sound, I thank that cow for the sustenance (income) it provides. I do my best to use every scrap, so that nothing is wasted.

source: www.greenhouseexpress.com

My mom's ancestors have a beautiful way of viewing death. Every year in Mexico (and much of California ;) the people celebrate Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. It is not as morbid as it might sound. Rather than mourning the death of loved ones who have passed, this holiday (which actually spans two days) is intended to celebrate, honor and remember those who have passed. I've always appreciated this holiday, for that sentiment and also for the beautiful artwork that it inspires.

This year, it is especially important to me, as I've lost several friends and family recently. Most notably, my father. Even though we knew it was coming, it still hit me pretty hard. We did not have a perfect relationship -- in fact, we butted heads a lot -- but I always loved and respected him. I've been doing DotD inspired stuff for some time, but even more so over the past year. Silly as it may sound, it has helped me to work through my grief for my dad and to focus on the positive. It reminds me to honor what he taught me, and to value the aspects of him that live on in me and in my daughter.

I am going to go out and grab some marigolds and candles today, so that I can create a special altar in his memory. I'll add pictures of him and sage that he picked, along with photos and mementos of my grandparents and my friend Mahala, who died of cancer last fall. I'll spare you the full roster (suffice to say that it is long) but know that it reflects much love for many wonderful people who have added to my life. Meanwhile, I've created this virtual altar over on Etsy. My online ofrenda:

Season's close...

2011-11-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a great Halloween season! I know it sounds weird to call it a "season" since Halloween is really just a "day" -- but I prepare for this far in advance, so it feels like a full season to me.

This year, I got to work with some of the coolest customers ! I also learned a lot. I've been doing this for well over a decade now, and there have been quite a few years where Halloween kicked my ass and totally wrecked my hands, too. I love the flurry of sales, but it's still harsh when I'm bandaging my wrists and alternating heat and ice packs on my hands by the end of October; and of course, my family doesn't enjoy seeing me babbling incoherently amidst a pile of leather scraps and glitter. They may find it amusing, but they don't enjoy it. I guess I can get a little mean...

With that said, I was determined to pace myself this year. For the most part, I think I did a pretty good job -- as evidenced by the fact that I am even capable of writing this. There's still room for improvement, and I see several things that I can do differently next year. So there was a learning curve, but it wasn't as steep as years past. I'm extremely happy about that.

My customers were amazingly positive, patient and encouraging, and I cannot express my gratitude enough. The closest I can come is to offer you all a 15% discount off all orders in my Etsy shop from now through Friday, November 4th, 2011. To take advantage of this offer, simply use the code "thankyou" at check out.

I've posted a few of my awesome customers' costumes here. If you'd like to see more, please visit my 2011 Virtual Costume Contest on facebook (don't forget to vote for your favorites by "liking" them!)

Now that Halloween is over, I think I'll take a brief respite from mask making so that I can focus on hair accessories and beaded jewelry. My beads have been calling to me for months now, and I'm more than ready to listen. Beadwork is slow and meditative -- perfect for winter, and for unwinding after the bustle of Halloween madness.

Gypsy Moon Art Studio Giveaway!

2011-10-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Gypsy Moon Art Studio is holding a giveaway for the pieces pictured at left. Her wirework is absolutely amazing, so it's definitely worth a few minutes to enter. Contest ends tomorrow (Saturday, October 29th) so if you're interested in participating, you should hurry over to her blog and check out the entry rules!

Contest Rules Updated!

2011-10-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note about my 2011 virtual costume contest -- I've opted to change the rules just a tiny bit. Originally, I had set the end date for voting as November 15th, 2011 -- I have shortened it by one week, and set a new end date of November 7th, 2011.

Why? Because I really don't think you'll need 2 full weeks to vote. Also, because time is of the essence! I am hitting the road for 2 weeks as of November 18th. It occurred to me that the winner might like to use the store credit toward holiday gifts, in which case, I'd like to accommodate them sooner rather than later. Thanks for your understanding, and I do hope you'll participate!

Leaf Piles

2011-10-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

There are little piles of leather leaves all over my studio right now. Oak leaves, maple leaves, sycamore and even a few fairy and elf leaves ... all in a riot of autumn color.

Eventually they'll be fashioned into hair accessories, such as hair slides, barrettes, clips and pins. Most likely, I won't be able to work on these too much until November. "Mask season" is going full tilt right now, so (almost) all of my energy is going toward mask and costume design.

In truth, I probably should not have been working on leaves at all. If I were a more disciplined artisan, I would focus exclusively on masks this time of year ... but I do love these little leaves, and it's hard to resist making them when there's so much inspiration around me!

Midnight Dark and Dreary

2011-10-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

The new FAE Team exhibition is live -- in keeping with the season, the theme is "Midnight Dark and Dreary". The selections are dark, spooky and elegant -- go check it out!

Fall Flurries

2011-09-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

My world has been crazy busy for the last few weeks! The pace is intense, but I am grateful for it --- and for the most part, I actually enjoy it. Over the years, I have had to learn to pace myself... while a truly bustling Halloween season is great for my wallet, it can be murder on my hands and my stress level. So despite the flurry of activity, I am trying to be conscious to take time out to relax and take care of myself too.

Today is a movie day with my sweetie, and if I can talk him into it, maybe a drive to the country to enjoy the fall colors. I'd love to say that I'll take the whole day off, but that's unlikely. There are a few custom orders that I'd like to peck at, as well as some fun designs that I want to play with... More bat wings, more sugar skulls, and another variation on the headdress pictured here. Yeah, that's a slow day at Casa de Beadmask this time of year ;)

Oh! And I've also created a new Artfire shop, just to check out what that venue is like. I don't have a whole lot listed there yet, but I'll probably add more stuff in the coming week. Cause y'know, I just don't have enough on my plate already :P

10th Anniversary

2011-09-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

This picture shows 4 of the 576 beaded squares that comprise the 9/11 Bead Quilt Project that I was so blessed to be a part of. The square in the lower right corner was my (then 8 year old) daughter's first piece of bead embroidery. Her square, like all of the others, measures 3 inches high by 3 inches wide. By itself, it's a small token -- but collectively, these quilts measure approximately 9 ft by 9 ft. That's 81 square feet of tiny little beads, woven by people from around the world; woven by people who felt compelled to share their grief, love and hope in response to those tragic events.

The quilts are now in the collection of the National September 11th Museum and Memorial at the World Trade Center site in Manhattan. A few people have asked me if the quilts will be displayed publicly today. Unfortunately, they will not. I misunderstood and thought that the museum would have its grand opening today, but in actuality, the memorial is the only portion that will open this year. The museum will open next year (2012). Until then, you can enjoy these beautiful and healing works in our online gallery. I encourage you to take a moment to view the project today. Remember what happened, pray for the families and survivors, and hope for healing.

Virtual Costume Contest!

2011-09-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

photo © JLHaberman 2011

Autumn is my favorite season. I love the changing light, the changing leaves, and the glorious colors of fall. I also love the fact that my business kicks into hyperdrive this time of year.

The pace can get a little (read: incredibly) intense, but I really enjoy it. My customers are amazingly creative people, and I have so much fun helping them to actualize their costuming ideas! Every year, I am blown away by the bizarre, clever, beautiful and amusing ways that people incorporate my masks into their costumes. In doing so, they create new persona (or reveal hidden ones) tell stories and incite mischief. Simply put, they create magic :)

This year, I thought it would be fun to share a bit of that magic, so I'm celebrating my incredible customers with a virtual costume contest. The winning contestant will receive a $50 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. You can enter any time from October 1st - 31st, and the winner will be announced on November 15th. Hop on over to my website for entry details -- and please consider joining in my little celebration! :)

Finished my BFAC project!

2011-08-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is my second year participating in the Beading for a Cure project. I had all sorts of elaborate ideas, such as a beaded leather purse, an ornate headdress, or possibly another mask; but when it came down to it, I was in too much of a time crunch to be able to do any of those ideas justice. In the end, I decided to keep it simple.

The end result is the 5th bead embroidered filigree cuff in what will be a series of 6 (cause I only have one more of these filigrees left ;). I will probably continue to play with this style, since I really enjoy it ... but as the components change, so will the overall look.

I really like this year's colors -- they're sort of a mix of earthy and watery tones. To me, this blend feels playful, yet grounded. Interestingly enough, I use a lot of these colors in my work -- but not typically together in the same project. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they work together

As to the shapes, I really loved the matte metallic swirly bugles -- which is saying a lot, since I'm not much of a fan of bugle beads. I also really liked the Swarovski "lochrosen" (sequins, basically) that were included, but I was not as fond of the cubes or long magatamas. They were maybe just a bit too angular/odd shaped for my style of bead embroidery. Then again, I bet the geometric mathy types just ate them up! ;)

It was fun to play with colors and shapes that I might not have chosen on my own. I do wish that I'd used them in a way that pushed my limits a bit more, but again, there was that whole time crunch issue. As it stands, I'm satisfied that I was able to complete something for this special charity. I do hope it helps to generate a bit of attention and funding for this worthwhile cause!

Little Fever

2011-08-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

The giveaway that I did with Aquariann was a very positive experience for me. It generated some nice exposure for my Etsy shop, and the comments helped to give me a sense of which items people are drawn to. I really enjoyed participating in this, and will gladly do it again in the future.

photo © Little Fever

The winner of this giveaway is a photographer and jewelry designer with an Etsy shop of her own. Little Fever uses vintage Swarovski components in her jewelry designs -- a woman after my own heart! Her photos are also quite lovely -- little nature vignettes that make even the simplest of things seem wonderful and amazing. You can see more of her work on Facebook and in her Etsy shop.

Giveaway ends soon!

2011-08-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

Aquariann is hosting a blog giveaway and the winner gets a $30 gift card to my Etsy shop. The giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 15, 2011. That's tomorrow, folks!

If you'd like to enter for a chance to win, please hop on over to her blog and follow the instructions. Multiple entries are allowed, and it's super easy. Thanks, and good luck!

Siren Song

2011-08-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Fae Team has just posted their newest exhibition! It's a gorgeous collection of mermaids, seashells and other watery beauties that celebrates the current theme, "Siren Song".

The exhibit includes original art prints, costume items, jewelry and accessories. Some of the pieces are silly and whimsical, while others are absolutely elegant ... go check it out!

Sunshine beckons

2011-08-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

So that "nasty head cold"? It may have morphed into bronchitis... On the plus side, the doctor has me on a treatment plan. I'm doing my best to be patient/gentle with myself while I heal, and to get as much creative time in as I can. I kind of need to be creative right now -- it keeps me from climbing the walls and helps me to stay positive.

Three weeks is a long time to be sick, especially when we're finally starting to get a bit of summer sun! I'm hoping it will stick around long enough for me to be able to get out and enjoy it. In keeping with that wish, here's a sunshine sugar skull mask that I recently finished :)

Handmade Giveaway hosted by Aquariann

2011-08-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

When Kristin of Aquariann mentioned that she was seeking new artists to participate in her blog giveaways, I jumped at the chance. Starting today, she is hosting a giveaway for a $30 gift card for my shop.

The deadline is August 15th, so if you'd like to participate please visit The Art and Tree Chatter of Aquariann for details on how to enter!

Oregon Country Fair

2011-07-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

I went down to Oregon in early July to visit with old friends, and to work in their booth at the Oregon Country Fair. The weather was perfect, and the event was absolutely lovely. The Pacific Northwest is stunning in the summertime.

The morning that I headed home, we had a good downpour (which is not too bad, considering that we enjoyed a full 6 days of sunshine). By the time I got back to Seattle, I had a nasty head cold, which is still lingering two weeks later. So I'm a bit sluggish, and running very behind on email and custom work. (If you are one of the people who's been affected by this, please bear with me -- I'm doing my best to get healthy and caught up quickly!)

As terrible as that must sound, I assure you that the trip was well worth it. The OCF is an amazing gathering of artists, musicians, dreamers and doers. I've attended this event a handful of times over the past 22 years, and it is always a memorable experience... this time was certainly no exception.

I deeply enjoyed the performances, art and ideals that were reflected there, but the very best part (for me) was the chance to reconnect with people that I love! Even though my body is still paying for this trip, it was so good for my soul. I would do it again in a heartbeat :)

I'd try to expand on that concept, but as I mentioned above, I'm still moving slowly and trying to get caught up. Hopefully these pictures (courtesy of my amazingly talented friend, Alyson) will give you a good sense of what a magical experience it was!

This fellow was sitting in a shady spot between the trees, just off of one of the paths. The image was taken moments after he gave a reading for, and bestowed a magic rock upon a young girl.

Many of the attendees wore extravagant costumes. This group of raven people randomly mingled amongst (and heckled ;) the crowd.

I was pleasantly surprised to spot this gal, wearing one of my fairy masks. She makes it look great, doesn't she? I was so happy that Aly was there to get this shot :)

Adventures in Negative Space

2011-06-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I'm still on a cuff kick. I've made a couple new ones since my last cuff post, and I have more in the works. Not that I'm cranking them out or anything. If you've ever done beadwork, you know -- it is simply impossible to "crank out" quality beadwork.

These are a bit simpler than my filigree cuffs. I've been using them to explore my aversion to negative space. To be clear, it's not that I dislike negative space... it's just that when I get in the beading groove, sometimes it's hard to stop myself from filling everything up with color and texture.

So I'm consciously trying to leave some open space with these. It amuses me to notice how challenging that can be. It takes conscious effort for me not to bead every square inch of the cuff!

I suppose that I'm improving, though. This brown and green cuff is my second attempt at deliberate open space. The smaller purple & teal cuff below was my first try, and as you can see, the ends are really the only areas that leave any open space.

The one that I'm still working on is primarily open space, with just a beaded focal and edging. I like it, but I've got the nagging feeling that it isn't finished. Once I complete the edging, I'll post a picture here and on my facebook fan page. It might be interesting to see what kind of response it gets. Maybe that sense that's it's incomplete is just a manifestation of my compulsive desire to bead everything? ;)

Raven Steals the Light

2011-06-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

The northwest native tribes have many myths about the raven, and how he brought light to the people. In some variations it's the sun and in others it's the moon -- this one includes the stars, fresh water and fire too.

Since it's the summer solstice (the longest and lightest day of the year) and since I love ravens, I made these little raven feather earrings today. The feathers are made of leather, and all of the wire and earwires are sterling. The stones include rainbow obsidian, gray moonstone and rutilated quartz - all of which have fun play of light effects.

New Fae Team Exhibition

2011-06-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Fae Team has just listed their new exhibition, Return to Renaissance, which includes a stunning selection from this talented team of fantasy artists.

Weekend Celebration Sale!

2011-06-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

Guess what? My brilliant, beautiful daughter is graduating this weekend!

To celebrate, I am offering a 15% discount on all items in my Etsy shop just enter the coupon code "graduation" when you check out.

I want to get her a grad gift that is as awesome as she is, so please shop till you drop! :)

Bead Embroidered Filigree Cuff #4

2011-06-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

Filigree Cuff #4

I've just completed the fourth cuff bracelet in this series, and I think it is my favorite thus far! Like the others, it centers around a vintage brass filigree, which is encrusted with vintage west German glass stones, Swarovski crystal, fire polish and Japanese glass seed beads. The inside of the cuff and the centerpiece are lined with periwinkle colored ultrasuede, and the outer edges of the bracelet showcase metallic bronze leather.

The colors include matte metallic shades of peacock, olive-y bronze, purple and metallic bronze.

Filigree Cuff #3

I never really set out to make a "series" of these. I made the first one in 2008, at a point when I was using a lot of these old filigrees in my beadwork (I've also done barrettes and necklaces in this style). I really liked it, and the response from my customers was extremely positive. People started commissioning me to make them in specific color schemes.

Obviously, these are variations on a theme - but each one has a different color scheme, and utilizes a unique combination of vintage glass beads and stones from my collection. So they're of the same family, but each has its own character.

Filigree Cuff #3

As I mentioned in my previous post, beadwork tends to be very meditative for me. As such, I often lose my sense of time when I am beading. I hadn't been charging too much for these, because it seemed like they work up so quickly (in as much as beadwork ever works up quickly).

I made a point to log my working time on this last one, and I was quite surprised by how long it actually took! To be fair, I think #4 took longer than the others (I did quite a bit of "rippit" stitch ;) but all the same, I realized that these pieces have a much greater time investment than I'd originally thought!

This newest variant is listed in my Etsy shop, and when I get a spare moment I will add it to my website as well.

Sadly, I only have a few more of these filigrees left, so I won't be able to make many more of these cuffs. Bums me out, since I am really enjoying this series. I suppose that's a good thing though - it ensures that it will be a limited edition series.

And of course, if I really want to continue with this style after I've used all of the brass that I have, I can probably find some more old brass pieces. Doubt I'll find more of the same style, so the new cuffs will have different shaping ... but that's a good thing :)

Fast times...

2011-06-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Life is moving at high velocity this week; things are going well, it's just very very busy. School projects, show dates, family visiting -- and most importantly, my daughter's graduation!! I'm so proud of her, and I really want her celebration to be special. To that end, I just might be making myself a little nuts...

Despite the kinetic pace, I've been able to get a bit of creative work in. I'm playing with a new style of hair wear -- funky beaded and feathered leather hair forks (say that 10 times fast! ;) as well as a handful of other new hair toys that I hope to unveil soon. My dream goal is to get to the point where I have something for all hair types.

I've also been getting a bit more beading time in, which is something that I've really needed. As much as I love mask making (and leatherwork in general), beadwork satisfies me on an entirely different level. Even my most elaborate leather pieces work up quickly compared to beadwork. With my crazy schedule, I don't get nearly as much studio time as I'd like, and it's so gratifying to be able to actually complete something. If you've ever done beadwork, you know that it just doesn't give you that kind of instant gratification! It's a very slooow art form -- but also very soothing and very meditative. Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to it right now? Maybe it's what my heart needs in order to find a little stillness in the midst of all the movement in my life.

My other big creative project lately has been to finish off the website overhaul. Go check it out! I still have a few more tweaks to make, and plenty of content to add ... but I'm pleased to finally have the basic framework up there :)

One week till Punk Rock Flea Market

2011-05-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is such a fun event, and the proceeds go to a great cause. We'll be vending there again, and I'll have some cool new hair accessories. Swing by and say hi! http://www.punkrockfleamarketseattle.com

My top 7 tips for selling on Etsy

2011-05-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Over the years, many people have asked me for tips for selling online. While I’m certainly not an expert, I have learned a few things along the way. I made this list because I kept hearing the same questions -- hopefully my experience (and many, many mistakes) will be helpful to my friends who are just starting out.

For a bit of background info, I started selling on eBay in the mid 90’s. For many years that enabled me to be a stay at home mom while still earning a livable wage. That was before they started changing their policies (and fees!) like crazy – these days, I find that I prefer selling on Etsy. To be fair, I haven’t sold on eBay in a few years – so I may want to check back and see what it’s like these days – but generally speaking, I find that Etsy’s fees are more affordable and it has a stronger, warmer sense of community. In addition, Etsy customers seem to be more appreciative of hand crafted work, as opposed to many of the eBay bidders who seem to be willing to overlook quality in favor of a “bargain”.

YMMV, and depending on your product and/or personality you may find that you prefer selling on one of the many other venues, such as eBay, Artfire, Dawanda. Some of these tips will probably translate to those venues, but they’re primarily geared toward Etsy, since that’s the venue that I like and am most familiar with right now. So without further ado, here are my top 7 tips for selling on Etsy:

1) Learn to take great photos: I don't feel that my photos are "great" yet -- but I've definitely improved and I can see a direct result in my sales. Whenever possible, use all 5 photo spots, and try to show the piece from all angles. If you can, include some close ups/detail shots as well. People can't touch your work online, so you have to bring those details to them through the images that you provide. Simply put, you should always strive to provide excellent pictures. If you don't know how to take excellent photos, it's well worth the effort to learn. Here are a few links that I'm finding helpful in my quest to build better photography skills:

Small Object Photography

A great post about using a light box
Etsy's Guide to Photography
The Beginner's Guide to Product Photography
(I purchased that last one & felt that it was well worth the price)

You could also just skip the above & enlist the help of a talented photographer friend, but I feel that there's value in knowing how to do things by and for yourself ;)

2) List often: After my first attempt to sell my artwork on Etsy, I almost gave up. I listed 6-8 items all on the same day and then waited for them to sell, wondering why nobody seemed to notice them. I sold maybe one or two items over a four month period, and it was so disappointing that I didn't try again until nearly 2 years later.

My second time around, I spaced out my listings and listed one or two items a day over the course of a couple weeks. I added new items to my shop as often as possible, and if I didn't have anything new, I "renewed" older listings so that I would always have something coming up in that first page or so when people search for the types of products that I sell (it only costs 20¢ to renew an item on Etsy, which is cheap advertising IMO). I saw a tremendous difference when I did it that way. Since then, I’ve made an effort to list as often as I can -- which is still not as often as I’d like ;)

At the risk of beating a dead horse: I see a huge difference in my sales when I am listing frequently, compared to times when I am not able to list as often.

3) Use clear and detailed titles and descriptions: So often, I see people trying to get artsy with titles like “Blue Journey” – and while that’s just fine for an item that’s displayed in a local coffee house where the customer can see the item and make the connection between the product and its title, it just doesn’t play as well in an online search. The reason that I say this is that it does not tell the person what the product is (“Blue Journey” could just as easily be the name of a shirt, a painting, or a pitcher) and customers are probably unlikely to search for abstract titles like this. Instead, think of keywords that shoppers might use if they were trying to find products like yours, and work those into your title. You don’t have to forego your creative title completely, but try working in some concrete information that will help potential buyers to find your products. For example, “Blue Lagoon - A Hand Painted Silk Tank Dress in Aqua and Cobalt - Size Small” gives the reader far more detail, and is more likely to be picked up in a search.

When it comes to item descriptions, it’s definitely a good idea to try and be succinct – but make sure that you’re including all of the pertinent details! As I said earlier, it's important to remember that the viewer cannot hold or see your wares -- you have to bring the details to them through excellent pictures and detailed descriptions. Don’t assume that the viewer is already knowledgeable about your product. Educate them a bit by including a brief background on how it is made as well as the materials that you use. Other important details include size, fit (if applicable) color and texture. You might also want to mention if it is a one of a kind item, or something that you can re-create in other colors and sizes.

4) Follow YOUR heart: It might be tempting to find another seller whose style or success you admire, and simply try to imitate them; but really, such behavior is quite hurtful. Knock offs often flood the market and undercut the original artist; but even if copying another seller does not hurt their business, it will hurt you. Why? Because stifling your own individuality and creative expression in order to mimic someone else simply isn't conducive to inspiration or joy. And while those terms may sound flighty and flowery, they do hold value -- after all, most artists create because they love to. Because they need to. It's an important part of how we experience and process life. You can't get to that if you don't trust in your own creative voice.

Unfortunately, there is no blueprint, no cookie cutter method for success with creative work -- so there's no point in trying to follow in someone else's footsteps. It is helpful to notice how others market and promote, but reproducing another artist's product line is unlikely to reproduce their success. You just have to tune in to your own muse, and have the courage to forge your own creative path. I know that sounds esoteric and vague, but please trust me on this one. Respect yourself enough to be yourself -- it will shine through in your work, and in turn, in the way that others respond to your work.

5) Check out the competition: I know, I know -- I just told you to tune into yourself, and now I'm telling you to look around at everyone else. It's not as contradictory as it sounds. It’s a good idea to look up from your workbench now and again to see what else is going on in your little niche. Pay attention to listings for similar items. Be respectful of course, but try to notice what’s happening in your field. I find this helpful on several levels...

One is that it give me a reality check on my pricing. Just to be clear, I follow a set pricing formula that ensures that I’m getting paid for my time and covering my business expenses. Many people who sell online are hobbyists or just looking for side income, so I'd never just blindly follow another's pricing. Still, I do like to make sure that my prices are not unusually high (or low!) compared to similar items of comparable quality.

Studying the market can be a great way to spot trends (is that an up-and-coming style, or a niche that is quickly becoming over saturated?) and it also helps me to notice the details that can separate me from the herd. For example, a lot of mask makers use pre-fab beadwork that can be bought by the yard. While it's pretty enough at first glance, that stuff is mass produced in third world countries using inferior quality beads and questionable labor practices. It's not my intent to be rude or put down their work; but I can use these differences to talk mine up! For example, I could make a point to mention the rarity and quality of the beads that I use, along with the fact that I hand sew all of my original bead embellishments. Some customers won’t care about details such as this, but many do. That being said, studying the competition can help you to illuminate the details that set your work apart.

6) Join a street team: I joined a local Etsy street team for Seattle artists, and it's been a huge help. From what I hear, this group is bigger and more active than most -- but I would still recommend joining your local group even if it is small. It can be so empowering to network with supportive people in your area -- my group has taught me about local shows, credit card processing companies, community events, SEO tricks and much, much more. I also belong to a street team for Fantasy artists, which is very fun. While I connect with the EtsyRAIN people on general topics and local events, the Fae Team people share similar inspirations and creative focus. I've never been a "joiner" but I feel like I get a lot out of these communities. These groups inspire and inform me in ways that my friends and family cannot, and that comradery really helps to keep me focused and motivated about my business. Self employment can be very isolating, and it really helps to connect with like- minded people with similar goals. The teams are free, and most let you participate as little or as much as you want. I’ve met some really nice people and learned SO much! You can look over the list of teams here: www.etsy.com/teams

7) Etsy Newsletters: I signed up to receive email updates for a couple of the Etsy blogs that are aimed at sellers. I don’t always have time to read or implement everything they send, but they often have great advice on topics like product photography, SEO optimization, goal setting, marketing and more. They have several blogs to choose from, depending on your interests. Personally I would recommend "Etsy Success" and "Etsy Finds". You can find more here: www.etsy.com/mailinglist/

So there's my list. It's not an exhaustive resource, but hopefully it's a good starting point. My learning curve has been pretty steep, so I'd love it if this info can make it a little easier for others. If you find something here that is useful, I’d love to hear about it. By the same token, I'm still learning and striving to improve, so if you have any great advice to share about Etsy, I would love to hear it!

When life hands you lemons...

2011-05-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

"When life hands you lemons, say -- I like lemons, what else you got?"
~ Henry Rollins

I'm back from my trip to sunny southern California. It was beautiful, and I had a wonderful time with my friends. The show that I was planning to do did not pan out as expected .... apparently, there were permit issues and the event was cancelled moments after we arrived to set up. I was beyond let down, as I'm not really in the position to take extended vacations like that unless they're working vacations. In addition, this event took place on Mother's Day weekend, which is typically a big day for craft shows and festivals. With that said, this last minute cancellation translated to a pretty big loss for me.

Village Grind, Wrightwood CA

Fortunately, my hosts have connections! Allison creates wonderful handcrafted soap and polymer clay jewelry, which she sells at a local coffee house called The Village Grind. She gave them a call to see if they'd let a few of the displaced vendors set up our wares on their deck, and they graciously agreed. It just so happened that they had an event planned for that day -- their "Hedonist Days" event, which was a full on toga party.

They had singers and bands, and even a bellydancer. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and the friendly, tight knit community showed up in full force. I had a few good sales (which at least helped me to recoup a portion of my travel expenses) and I met so many great people! Seriously, I cannot say enough about our kind hosts Greg and Linda, or about the people of Wrightwood. It is a beautiful town with a friendly, vibrant community. If you're ever in the area, I strongly encourage you to stop by and check it out for yourself ; and if you do, be sure to pop in to the Village Grind -- they have fun events and music all the time.

As you can tell, I quickly fell in love with this beautiful mountain town and the awesome people who live there. I'm considering heading back down in July for their Mountaineer Days Festival. I'm undecided at the moment, but the event that I'd originally gone down for has been relocated and rescheduled around the same time, so it could work out. I would certainly welcome the chance to visit this town again.

California I'm Coming Home...

2011-04-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

"Day of the Deadheads" Calavera Mask

Hopping on a plane tomorrow to go visit one of my oldest friends down in southern California. Kim and her daughter are crafty too -- Kim makes beaded jewelry and really cool wine bottle decor, and Alli does a little bit of everything (poly clay, gourds, henna, soap making) -- so we're going to share a booth at one of the local festivalson Mother's Day weekend. The show is called "Dead on the Mountain" and it's a great big hippie fest with tons of Grateful Dead cover/inspired bands.

I've been beading a lot the past week or two, which is a nice change of pace since I've been so focused on leatherwork for the last several months. So I'll have plenty of beaded jewelry for this event, as well as a good selection of leather barrettes, fascinators and hair slides. Not sure how well the masks will do, but I'm bringing a bunch for good measure. Hopefully, we'll do well there as I'd love to have a reason to visit more often. I miss the sunshine, the redwoods, the ocean and mostly, my peeps. I'm very excited for a chance to see them!

Spring Wings

2011-04-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pictures from our photo shoot last month:

sculpted leather fairy wings and crown

April happenings at Beadmask

2011-04-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've got a lot going on this month! Some of the highlights include the Beading for a Cure Charity auctions, a gorgeous new Fae Team Exhibit, vending at the Spring Fairy Festival in Auburn and of course, more school. Reading it back to myself, that list doesn't look anywhere near as big as it feels... but regardless of how it looks, it's enough to keep me hopping. Hopefully, some of this will be interesting and exciting to you as well :)

This year's Beading for a Cure auctions have been live for a couple of weeks now. There are several lovely item listings ending tonight, including a gorgeous bracelet made by my friend Nikia Angel, a beautiful beaded mask, an incredible beaded dragonfly wand and so much more!

The mask that I donated (pictured above) has been listed today, and the auction will end on 4/18. In case you're not familiar with this charity, Beading for a Cure is an annual art challenge and fundraiser. Participating bead artists each purchase an identical kit and create something with the materials. They can create anything they choose, as long as they follow the same ground rules. Starting in March, the items are auctioned off and the proceeds are donated to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Association in memory of bead artist Layne Shilling, who lost her battle with colorectal cancer in November of 2002. It is an amazing gift of love and talent. This year's participating artists went all out, so please visit BFAC's eBay page and show them some love.

Annnddd, the new Fantasy Artists of Etsy (or Fae Team) exhibition is live! These exhibitions showcase the artwork of the team's talented members, and they're a real feast for the eyes. The theme for the current exhibition is "Faeries, Elves and Pixies, Oh My!", and it is truly fabulous. Please take a moment to visit the site, and tell them that I sent you!

Last, but certainly not least, we will be vending at the Spring Fairy Festival in Auburn WA this coming Saturday, April 16th. The event takes place at the Green River Community College in Auburn WA -- please visit the website for details and directions (cause I assure you that you never want to get your driving directions from me ;) Besides an impressive array of talented vendors to shop from, there will be fun workshops, exciting performers, a kid's corner and a costume contest! It promises to be a fun show -- hope to see you there!

Vampire's Masquerade Ball

2011-03-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

one of my painted domino masks

We traveled down to Portland Oregon this weekend to vend at the 9th annual Vampire's Masquerade Ball. It was a fabulous experience -- despite the fact that I had a raging migraine the entire evening, we had a blast! The show's producer, Lady Raven really goes all out to create an elegant event. Her careful planning and attention to detail are evident everywhere you turn.

The crowd was amazingly well dressed, colorful and friendly. I foolishly forgot to bring my good camera, so I've only got these blurry camera phone photos to share. Sorry about that, folks! Hopefully they at least hint at the elegant characters and vibrant costumes at this event.

one of my "Fae" masks

Oh! And I got to meet my fellow Fae Team member, Susan Tooker (of Susan Tooker's Spinning Castle). I have long admired her amazing jewelry and costume design skills, so it was a real treat to see them in person. I wish I'd taken a photo of her (the vampire pirate to the left is not Susan) but the aforementioned migraine really put a damper on my thinking/social skills. So, for now you'll miss out on photos of Susan as a dark and mysterious faerie queen; however, we had such a great time at this show that I hope to make it down for more Oregon costume events. Maybe I'll get another chance to connect with her and share some photos on this blog -- in the meantime, do check out her store link above. You will not be dissapointed!

red and black "Imp" mask

Another very talented artisan that I met at this event was Laura of Taken by the Sky. She creates exquisite corsets and fantasy clothing. In getting ready for this show, I realized that R & I are in desperate need of new costumes! When we quit smoking, we both gained an absurd amount of weight and nothing fits anymore ... I am working on losing the extra pounds, but of course it's a slow process. I think I will set aside money for one of her cutaway pirate dresses (or a fancy coat?) so that I can reward myself when I've made some progress toward weight loss goals.

"Cat" mask

As fate would have it, I was set up close to Cindy of Portland's Mystique Artisan Gallery. She and I had traded a few emails before the show, to discuss whether my work would be a good fit for her gallery. Almost as soon as we met, we realized that it certainly seems like a good fit! Robb and I stopped by the gallery the next morning on our way out of town, to check out the space and deliver a selection of masks. She's got a great eye for quality, and she represents some of the most talented mask artists in the US. I am thrilled to have my work included there, and I hope you'll stop by and say hi if you ever find yourself in the Portland area!

Day Trip and Daydreams of Jerome AZ

2011-02-19T11:55:00.000-08:00

"House of Joy" Bordello Boutique

I recently took a road trip through Arizona. One of my favorite stops (besides the Bead Museum) was the town of Jerome. It's an old mining town, build along the cliffs overlooking Sedona and the Verde Valley. The town has a colorful history. In its heyday it was a bustling mining town, and a hotbed for drinking, gambling, gun fights and brothels (that's the "Reader's Digest" version -- you can read more here and here ;).

balcony at the House of Joy

Around the time of the Great Depression, the mine was nearly tapped out and ore prices dropped dramatically, so people began leaving in great numbers -- in the 1920's, the town's population dropped to a whopping 50 people. In 1952 the mine officially closed down, leaving Jerome a ghost town.

Connor Hotel

It was rediscovered in the late 60's by a group of "counterculture artists" (hippie freaks?) who moved in and began to restore the old buildings. They revitalized the town, and over the years it became a haven for artists, writers and musicians. These days it's a little touristy, but not obnoxiously so. The quirky town is filled with great galleries filled with original art and craft. It's a beautiful place with a funky, colorful vibe -- an old west gambling town turned artists' haven.

We only spent a few hours there this time, but that was more than enough time for me to fall in love with the place. I moved away from Arizona over 15 years ago, and despite the fact that I still have family there, I've never really wanted to move back. This visit to Jerome made me re-think that. I doubt I'll be moving back to the southwest any time soon, but if I did, this is where I'd want to be. I'd love to open a quirky gallery/bead shop in one of the funky old (haunted?) buildings, and enjoy the panoramic view of the sunset over the Verde Valley every day.

9/11 Bead Quilts are Finally Home!

2011-02-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

In November of last year I wrote a post about the 9/11 Bead Quilt Project, explaining that we needed help getting the quilts to their final home at the National September 11th Museum in Manhattan. Between coordinating, creating, exhibiting and finding a home for the quilts, our team has spent nearly a decade on this project! As much as I have loved (and learned from) being a part of it, I really wanted to send it home to the museum by the end of 2010.

Shortly after I wrote that post, the museum contacted me to let me know that they might have some funding available to cover shipping costs. Serendipity? Possibly -- but sometimes I suspect that there are angels watching over this project. We've been blessed with an incredible amount of "luck" along the way, and this was no exception.

I didn't post anything at the time, since they weren't sure if they could do it and I was afraid to "jinx" it. Fortunately, the only setback we encountered was a delay in shipping due to the winter snowstorms on the east coast. In the grand scheme of things, that is no big deal. The quilts arrived in New York at the end of January.

As you can see in these photos, the shipping crates have seen many miles -- how I wish we'd thought to add stickers from all of the places they've traveled, like you see on the old steamer trunks! My dad reinforced them to ensure that they could make this final trip; despite their tattered appearance, they arrived safe and sound.

This has been an incredibly beautiful effort to be a part of, and I'm thrilled that we were able to see it through and secure such perfect placement.

It was truly a collaborative effort, made possible with the help of many many hands. As such, it would be impossible to name and thank everyone, but please know that we are very grateful to every single one of you! I would like to give special mention to Rosa Meyer and Julia Pretl for their exceptional dedication.

The 9/11 Museum and Memorial are being constructed at the WTC site in Manhattan. I believe the museum will open by or before the ten year anniversary of the attacks, which is this September. If you get the chance, please stop by and blow the quilts a kiss for me.

A Quick Hello

2011-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Oh hi, sleepy blog! I still think about you from time to time, but I'm taking a full course load again this quarter so "thinking about it" is about the best I can do right now. Won't be taking as many classes come Spring, so hopefully I'll be able to pay more attention to this blog then.

Until then, please enjoy these photos from a recent road trip to the Skagit Valley. We went up to the Cascades to check out the bald eagle migration, and while we were there we also discovered huge flocks of migrating swans. Gorgeous, aren't they?

Beads of Courage

2010-12-28T07:56:00.000-08:00


A collection of artisan glass beads via the BOC blog

Sometimes this world can be a pretty dark place, but in spite of all the sadness and the ugliness that barrages us on the evening news, there are people out there doing amazing things. A light in the darkness, if you will... The folks at Beads of Courage are an excellent example of this. They have created an "Arts in Medicine" program that strives to provide comfort and aid to children and families coping with childhood cancer.

I fear that my attempt to explain this powerful program would only fall short. Instead, I invite you to watch this news clip featuring the founder and the families who benefit. It's a compelling project worth getting behind. I encourage you to donate, or consider buying something from their online artists gallery.

Etsy Treasuries

2010-12-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

"It's not easy being green" Treasury by HandKnitsByMellissa

In case you're not familiar with Etsy treasuries, I should probably explain that these are little groupings of shop items, which are collected (or "curated") by Etsy members. They are lots of fun, and usually quite beautiful. Some people create these collections based on color or theme, others use them as a sort of virtual storytelling. These treasuries fascinate and amuse me in the way that they function as sort of a lens into the collector's imagination.

When I first learned that my work was being featured in Etsy treasuries, I would take a screen shot and post it here on my blog, along with a link to the curator's shop. I also liked to include links to some of the other featured artists. It just seemed like a good way to say thanks, and to give a little bit back.


"Cinnamon & Spice" by Amanda23

In the past it was sort of a coup to land a treasury, because Etsy could only showcase a limited number of them. So in order for a treasury to be posted, the curator would have to have excellent timing and incredible patience in order to snag that perfect window of opportunity to get their treasury on the site. This changed several months back, when Etsy opened up their "Treasury East" feature (don't ask me why they call it that -- perhaps a more experienced seller can shed some insight). Treasury East allows for unlimited treasuries, so there is no more waiting and pouncing on the perfect opportunity.

The obvious upshot of this is that it's a lot easier to get a treasury. A more seasoned seller explained that this has a down side in that treasuries are no longer as exclusive. She feels that in the past, her treasuries used to generate a lot more views and sales for the featured artists, but with so many treasuries out there now they just do not get as many views. I can see (and even agree with) the logic in this, but it does not kill my joy for treasuries ...

"If you love me..." by me

They still fascinate me, and I still feel honored (and grateful) when my work is included. I'm not sure if they generate more sales, but at very least it lets me know that people do appreciate my work, which I find motivating and encouraging. However, I seem to get featured a lot more now which makes it harder to keep up. Plus, if I posted them all on my blog it would be nothing but treasuries, which would be rather dull. Another seller, Orglamix showed me a simple solution -- she features treasury screenshots in an album on her Facebook fan page, along with links back to the curator's shop. Since late October, I have shamelessly copied this idea on my own fan page.

I kind of petered out on this in mid-November, simply because my world got very very busy. I was finally able to catch up this morning, and I've added 45 new treasuries (some of which are showcased in this post) in my Facebook album. These are the treasuries which have featured my work - along with a few that I have curated myself - since I slacked off. A few of these treasuries now have blank spots where items have sold, simply because I waited so long to get the screenshot. Hopefully, I'll do a better job of staying on top of these in the coming year --- silly as it is, I really do appreciate the inclusions and I take pleasure in this small gesture of gratitude.

Many thanks,
~Andrea

Punk Rock Flea Market this Saturday

2010-12-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

From the folks at PRFM:

"Hey! The Punk Rock Flea Market is only 26 hours away! Don't miss your best chance all year to drink beer and buy presents! Plus we got music! And chili dogs! And that strangely pale guy in the corner who sells only Vampire-themed pez dispensers! Tell your friends and neighbors..."

We'll be vending there -- come say hi!

Treefrog Beads is live!!

2010-12-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

Bead embroidery over hand felted wool by Andrea Adams

I realized this morning that I made this announcement on my Facebook fan page, but I did not cross post the information here: My vintage bead and cameo website is live!! As I mentioned in this post, the vintage cameo site has been in the works for quite some time, and it feels so good to finally have it open to the public (thank you again, Julia!). I still have many more products to add (tons of vintage and antique seed beads, as well as more cabs, Swarovski and old nailheads & sew-on's) but for the sake of my sanity, those products will be added slowly over time. Even with so much to add, there's a lot of great stuff there, so go have a look around - you're sure to find something to tempt your inner magpie! And while you're there, please check out the customer gallery. I am blessed with some amazingly talented friends and customers, and I'm sure you'll enjoy their incredible artwork.

Next up? My original site, Beadmask is getting a complete overhaul. Now that the vintage jewelry supplies have their own site, I can turn the Beadmask site into a portfolio of the things that I make. At the moment, it just has a few items and it funnels you to my Etsy shop, but that's just a stopgap while I work on the new and improved version. Hopefully, I can complete that before the New Year -- wish me (good) luck!

Please help the 9/11 Bead Quilt Project!

2010-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Photo by Julia Pretl

Hey folks, I need your help! The 9/11 Bead Quilt Project is my artistic baby. It is an amazingly touching and beautiful work of collaborative art from around the world. Don't just take my word for it, please take 5 minutes out of your day and go visit the gallery pages via the link above...

These quilts have been accepted into the permanent collection of the National September 11th Museum and Memorial, which is being built on the World Trade Center site in Manhattan. Here's the catch -- the completed project is comprised of nearly 300 lbs of glass beads ... so shipping ain't cheap. Fed Ex (or UPS) will charge about $500 for ground service, and it looks like we may have resources for about half of that already.

photo by Julia Pretl

We need to raise another $250 by the end of the year, to get this project shipped to its final home at the museum. Over the years, we have done some crazy fundraisers -- and yes, even begged from the Bead Community -- to get the quilts what they needed. Now that it is nearly a decade after the attacks, and there are so many other cool beady projects going on, fundraising is a lot harder. People seem to have lost interest, and also, there are a lot of other (worthy) groups out there vying for the same donations.

Frankly, I just don't have the ability to devote the insane amounts of time that I used to, and just this once, I'd like to retain a little dignity along the way (yes, I realize I may have blown that by writing this post ;) . I need some creative ideas for how to make this happen WITHOUT burning the candle at both ends, begging like an idiot, or getting frustrated and dipping into my own pocket as I have in the past.

Photo by Julia Pretl

We have considered a Facebook fundraising campaign, in hopes that word will travel quickly ... but I'm hesitant to create a "fan page" for something that will ideally be out of our hands within a few months. We have also considered doing Ebay auctions for the last 9 books (limited edition -- we will not be printing more). Unfortunately, the last time I did an Ebay fundraiser the results were kinda sad ... so I have some hesitancy on that one too. Plus, I worry that we Americans are so inundated with consumer marketing this time of year, that people will just feel overwhelmed or be unresponsive. Still, in the face of all of these obstacles, there has to be a solution. If you have ideas or suggestions for a simple and creative way to raise the needed funds to get these quilts shipped to their proper home, please let me know!

A light at the end of the tunnel

2010-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

Gypsy Fortune Teller Pin by Mary Tafoya

Now that my mask making mayhem has quieted down a bit, I've been able to turn my attention back to completing the vintage bead & cameo site. Building this site has been a labor of love on so many levels. First and foremost, I really hate coding. I'm not a dumb girl by any stretch of the imagination, but HTML, CSS, java and the like just make my eyes glaze over. Add to that a litany of computer woes that has been almost laughable -- at least, if you have a very dark sense of humor. And let's not forget the sheer minutiae of researching, photographing, editing and describing thousands upon thousands of itsy bitsy beads; plus the agony of having all of that data lost in a computer crash shortly before I was ready to launch. I'll stop before this rant reaches the point of no return, and simply say that it's been a long road. A very long, dark road...

Beaded Vessel by Julia S. Pretl

The past three weeks have found me alternately re-counting every bead, cabochon and rhinestone that I carry -- or holed up at the keyboard, with my eyes glazed over and a litany of expletives frothing from my lips. During this time I have avoided friends and family, not only because I can't afford to get distracted, but because I'm just not fit for human consumption when I do this type of work. I expected today to be more of the same, but guess what? I had a paradigm shift! As I worked on the site I was reminded (yet again) of how grateful I am to my talented, beautiful and inspiring friend Julia Pretl, who designed my adorable new bead site. Yes, I am gushing and no, it is not over the top. As painful as this process has been, my agony would have been tenfold if it weren't for her help. So a million thank you's, Miz Julia. I appreciate you more than I can say.

Vintage Style Filigree Bracelet from A Mon Seul Desir

Also, I was able to complete the preliminary work of loading and coding all of the product, and move on to something surprisingly fun: building the customer gallery! The images scattered throughout this post reflect the work of a few of my fabulous clients and beady friends (simply click on the captions to visit their sites). As I looked through these images, I was reminded of the creative and inspiring people that I'm able to connect with in the course of my work. It may sound silly, but beads have brought many beautiful friendships into my life. Somewhere in the midst of my CSS induced psychopathy, I realized how very grateful I am to do what I love for a living ... yes, even if it means that sometimes, I have to write code. There's a light at the end of this tunnel. The site is (knock on wood!) almost ready, and I'm feeling particularly grateful for my amazing friends, talented customers, and good fortune.

Canterbury Faire - November 6th

2010-11-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

Saint Dunstan's Canterbury Faire is this Saturday, November 6th from 9:30 - 3:00 pm at 722 N. 145th St. - Shoreline WA 98133.

This community event features a variety of local vendors. It's a great chance to take care of some early holiday shopping, and support local artists. We'll be downstairs in room 5 - please stop by and say hi!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

I am deeply grateful for the support of my customers, family and friends, who have helped to make this another wonderful mask making season! It makes me realize how very blessed I am, so I'd like to pay a little bit of that positive energy forward...

The last mask that I created this Halloween was this "Day of the Deadheads" calavera skull mask, which I'm going to donate (along with a couple of others) to be auctioned off at EPIC's Annual Dinner and Celebration. The proceeds will go to their campaign to help save the old growth redwoods in Richardson Grove. Fellow treehuggers can check it out on Friday, November 5th 2010 at the Mateel Community Center in Redway, California.

Madness takes its toll...

2010-10-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

It's exactly one week till Halloween (home stretch!) and I'm definitely feeling the effect of the last 2.5 months of non-stop mask making. As this photo suggests, my studio is feeling it too! I typically work within a certain degree of controlled chaos, but at this point in time, any semblance of "control" is long gone ... my workspace is just flat out chaos. I had to clear a path just to get this shot.

That said, I've decided to slow down a bit. We'd considered setting up at the Fremont Sunday Market today, but it was pouring rain this morning and R is just getting over that flu bug. So instead of doing the show, I'll get my studio in order and put finishing touches on a few custom orders.

If I have time and energy, I may mess around with those dark faerie wings that have been sitting on my worktable for the last few months ... or possibly the sugar skulls that I started, but haven't had time to complete. There's also a raven queen mask that's just begging for final details.

Yeah, this is my idea of "taking it easy". Fortunately, I love what I do so the majority of today's to do list is relaxing and enjoyable ... well, except for the cleaning up part :P

EtsyRAIN's Pre-Holiday Show at the Intiman Theatre

2010-10-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Seattleites, I'd like to encourage you to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather today ... if the weathermen are right, it's quite possibly the last of the season. I've been curled up on the couch with a flu bug all weekend (Grrrr!) but if I could move, I'd be visiting the EtsyRAIN pre-holiday craft show at the Intiman Theater.

It runs from 11am - 5pm today, and it's a great way to support local artists and get a jump start on your holiday shopping! The first 50 shoppers will receive free "swag" bags stuffed with goodies, treats and samples from some of the over 850 etsyRAIN member artists and craft makers residing in the greater Puget Sound area.

A peacock, proper...

2010-10-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

These leather peacock feathers are destined to become pins, fascinators and barrettes. I haven't decided yet if I'll add bead and/or feather work. I'll probably try a few that way, and leave the rest plain -- insomuch as a peacock feather of any type could ever be considered "plain".

This series was inspired by the passing of an old friend, whose symbol was a peacock. I made several to give to her friends and loved ones, and the ones pictured here will (eventually) be finished and sold. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in memory of Mahala.

Evolution...

2010-09-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

I was recently searching through some old files, and I came across this picture (to the left) of one of my imp masks. It may be my original prototype, which I created around 2001.

The reason it caught my attention is that I still

create this style of mask today. The picture at the right shows the current version. I've made some minor modifications to the original pattern, such as lengthening the tips and horns, and rounding out the cheek area at the bottom - but for the most part, the pattern is still the same. I think the biggest changes are in the intangible factors, like time and skill.

In the 8 or 9 years that I've been making this particular styleof mask, I've honed my skills and learned better techniques for shaping and coloring. In addition, I've had the benefit of a few mistakes along the way, which have taught me which paints and sealants to use. It may not have felt "beneficial" at the time (woe, what a painful lesson when I learned that a popular leather sealant has the unfortunate side effect of cracking and flaking after about 2-3 years!) but the knowledge has really helped me to improve the quality of my work.

I still have much to learn, and I view my work as a constant process of experimentation and evolution ... which includes plenty of mistakes. Still, it's nice to be able to look back and realize that I've made a bit of progress along the way. Here's hoping that my work will continue to improve and evolve over time.

Rainbows and Sunshine...

2010-09-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

While my photography skills are (still) in need of improvement, I had fun with this one ... adventures with negative space. I'd love to pretend that the little sun shape in the center was an intentional effect, but honestly? I had a small working area, and I was trying to fit as many masks as possible into a tiny space. I was pleasantly surprised with the results, and I may try a do-over at some point when I have better light to work with.

This is the first year that I'll be making these basic little leather masks available for sale. I used to think that they were too simple to sell as is, but I've had many requests from DIY folks so I'll see what happens.

I usually use these little half masks as bases or building blocks for more elaborate pieces. Sometimes I simply paint them, as you can see with this little rose gold and tourmaline colored mask. The pattern is a simple free form floral & sunburst design in burgundy and tourmaline green, and it's been accented with vintage Swarovski crystals.

Another way that I like to decorate these simpler masks is to embellish them with sculpted leather shapes, like the little flowers shown in this "Skyblossom" mask (my take on a spring sky as seen through the branches of a cherry tree)

My all time favorite use for these masks is as a base for elaborate beadwork. I really hope to find some time to work on a few of these heavily beaded masks this fall. Fortunately, I now have a whole bunch of bases ready and waiting!

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9/11 Memorial Bead Art

2010-09-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

In response to the tragic events of 9/11/01, I became a part of The Bead Quilt Project, which is an international collaborative art memorial project that was designed to offer hope and healing to all whose lives were changed on that day. When we started out, I could not have imagined how this project would snowball or how it would change my life. In the nine years since, I have learned so much about the healing properties of art and also about the beauty and resilience of the human spirit!

We invited people to express their feelings in 3" x 3" beaded squares, and we were stunned to receive nearly 600 beaded squares from around the globe! These tiny works of art were sewn together to create "quilts" that reflect the full spectrum of emotions and responses that rang out around the world.

The quilts spent nearly seven years traveling around the US on exhibit before we were able to find the perfect home for them. They have been accepted into the permanent collection of the National September 11th Museum and Memorial at the World Trade Center Site. We are in the final phase now, just trying to raise the funds to transport them to their final home in NY. I invite you to visit the 9/11 Bead Quilt galleries today, to enjoy the beautiful sentiments contained in this truly special work of art.
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What adults can learn from kids

2010-06-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

First, I should say that I absolutely love "Ted Talks". Their free videos showcase brief talks by remarkable people - every one that I have seen has challenged, intrigued, educated or inspired me. One of my very favorite Ted Talks is this video by 12 year old Adora Svitak, who eloquently explains why the world needs more childish thinking:

Her intelligence, enthusiasm and wisdom give me hope!

Heading into the Last week of Beading For A Cure Auctions!

2010-04-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Are you familiar with Beading for a Cure? It is - in my opinion- one of the coolest bead charities out there, and so very worthy of your support. Each year, I am amazed by the innovative beadwork that these artists create, and also by the love and commitment that the board members devote to making this happen. A fun aspect of this annual fundraiser is that you are able contribute to a very worthy cause AND potentially win a beautiful piece of bead art for doing so. Win-win, right?

If you'd like more info about this organization and its mission, you can click the link above, or scroll down for a description that I borrowed from their "About Us" page. If you trust me that this is an awesome organization that needs your support and you want to check out the super cool bead art RIGHT NOW, you should click here for a link to their current auctions. Please keep in mind that the current auctions end on May 2nd, and the final round of auctions for this year's challenge will end on May 7th, 2010.

"Psychedelic Jellyfish" necklace by AJ Reardon

More about Beading for a Cure:

Layne's Legacy is an annual beading challenge dedicated to raising money for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Association in honor of our friend Layne Shilling, who lost her battle with colorectal cancer in November 2002. The premise of the challenge is simple: participants purchase a kit which contains a variety of beads. Each kit is identical. At least one of each bead type must be used in the finished project and the beader can only add one other type of bead to the project (but as many non-bead items as they wish). The completed works are as varied as the beaders who created them. In the past we have had jewelry, sculptural work, and decorative items.

When the projects are all finished, they are auctioned off on eBay and all of the proceeds (minus operating costs) go to the NCCRA, donated in Layne's name. This is our way of honoring the memory of a wonderful beader and good friend. Even those who never had the chance to meet Layne have joined into our cause. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to use your artwork to help find a cure for something as insidious and devastating as cancer.

Our goal with Layne's Legacy is three-fold. First, we want to keep Layne's memory and spirit alive in all of us. Second, we want to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the need to fund research to find a cure for it. Third, we want to raise awareness of beadwork as a serious artform, and beaders as artists with skill and heart. As well, we all want to have fun with this! While we're doing this for a serious reason, we all love to bead, and it's a great challenge working with beads that someone else has picked out. It's very rewarding to see the various projects take shape. Usually, no two projects are anywhere near alike even though we all have the same beads!

Bold and Beautiful Butterflies - Treasury

2010-04-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

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I don't have a whole lot of time to post today, but I do want to convey my thanks to Javagirls for including me in this beautiful treasury of butterfly themed items. It's bright, colorful and oh-so-springy. Be sure to check it out before it expires, and take a moment to peek at Javagirls awesome journals & notebooks too!

"May Weather" and "Whispers in the Woods"

2010-04-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I learned that one of my masks was included in this "May Weather" treasury. I love the balance of soft grays and blues in this one, and the selections are wonderful. A few of the items that really grabbed my eye are the Irish proverb calligraphy book by Cindyyount, these beautiful letterpress printed coasters from FullCirclePress, and this photocard set featuring blossoming trees by JulieWebb.

This treasury was curated by Ranzangel, who creates "fine art and funky craft". Her work is joyful, colorful and generally awesome. She's got everything from whimsical jewelry to trippy polymer clay sculptures to paintings. Please take a moment to check it out!

Annnd, last night I got inspired to curate a treasury too! I've never tried this before, so it was pretty fun (and a wee bit frustrating) to learn how it's done. My selections were quite varied, so it was difficult to think of a name that would "fit" with everything, but I settled on "Whispers in the Woods" because each of these images looks as though it belongs in a quiet forest. The only exception to that woodsy theme is this "Calm Cup" by AdrienArt - which is evocative of the way that I feel after a good walk in the woods.

I featured a few faeries - like this gorgeous print by RenaeLeaTaylor - and several birds, including this stellar print of ravens and a tree spirit by TommyDaceos. There are also a couple of beautiful butterfly themed pieces, and a liberal dose of trees, leaves and branches.

I enjoyed putting this together, and I may try it again in the future since I dig the whole treasury thing so much. They're such beautiful and interesting collections, and it's also a fun and simple way for artists to support and encourage one another.

EtsyRain's Spring Craft Show

2010-04-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

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Please stop by and visit me at EtsyRain's spring craft show at the Intiman Theatre on May 8th. It's the day before Mother's Day, and you're sure to find some great gifts for Mom - and yourself! Check out the press release for more info:

SEATTLE, April 22, 2010 – EtsyRAIN announced today that it will host its second annual Spring Craft Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

The EtsyRAIN Spring Craft Show will be held in the lobby and the fountain courtyard at the beautiful Intiman Theatre, located at 201 Mercer Street in Seattle.

Arrive early for swag bags:

The first 50 customers through the door will receive free swag bags full of handcrafted items by Seattle-area artists.

Support local artisans and crafters:

Choosing to support our area’s small businesses helps in so many ways! Buying local is more than just the hottest trend. From reducing your carbon footprint to keeping your hard-earned dollars right here in Seattle, purchasing locally produced items benefits our city and our planet!

Spring Craft Show benefits local charity:

In the spirit of keeping it local, EtsyRAIN has chosen a Seattle-based charitable organization to support at its spring craft show.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is a group that strives to create “a world without HIV or AIDS, where every person living with illness is treated with dignity and respect.”

Representatives from Lifelong AIDS Alliance will be at the show, sharing information about their organization, selling raffle tickets for gift baskets filled with EtsyRAIN member merchandise, and collecting donations of canned food.

Admission to the event will be a suggested donation of $1 that will go directly to Lifelong AIDS Alliance or a canned food donation for their meal delivery program.

About EtsyRAIN:

EtsyRAIN is a local collective of over 700 artisans and craft makers from all over the Puget Sound region who operate online shops on the international handcrafted shopping site called Etsy (etsy.com). EtsyRAIN's mission is to create a local creative community that nurtures, supports and educates artists who currently have or are interested in opening their own independent e-commerce shops on Etsy.

The group’s website features an event calendar of local craft-related events that is quickly becoming the "go-to" place to find out about crafty happenings in the Seattle area. Check it out to learn about all things crafty going on locally, such as classes, shows, application deadlines, networking events and more. You can even create an account and post your own crafty events!
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Spring things...

2010-04-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, I admit it ... I am a bad blogger. I try, but as I mentioned at the end of last year, when I'm in school it can be pretty tough to find the time to post here. Spring quarter began a few weeks ago, as evidenced by the tumbleweeds blowing through this blog. On the plus side, I am taking fewer classes this time around. Last quarter I took a very full course load, and while I really enjoyed the classes, I found that it put quite a damper on my creative time. I also realized that my creative time is necessary, not only for my business, but for my sanity. So, a moderate course load should afford me more time to focus on being creative, gearing up for the upcoming show/festival season, and maybe even listing a few things on Etsy again.

Speaking of which, I got an Etsy convo yesterday letting me know that one of my little leaf barrettes has been featured in this sweet little "Leaf" treasury, which was curated by
NutfieldWeaver. It's a precious reminder of spring, and the beauty of simple things. Look at how many artists were inspired by the quiet beauty of leaves!

There are lots of great items in this treasury, but a couple of my personal favorites include this goat's milk maple leaf soap which was made by Lost River Rags, as well as this stone ware oak leaf trio from Lynn Cardwell Pottery. I'm inspired by this collection of goodies, and I'm always thrilled when my work is included in a treasury ... makes me feel like maybe I'm doing something right, and I oughta keep trying ;o)

Thank you NutfieldWeaver, for including my little leaf barrette in your beautiful treasury! I have a lot of fun making these hairsticks, and having them noticed like this makes me want to take advantage of my new found studio time, and make a few more!
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I Heart Handmade Gift Show

2010-02-03T17:45:00.001-08:00

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I'm getting ready to head out for a short vacation, but I wanted to let my Seattleite friends know about the I <3 Handmade Artisan Gift Show going on this Saturday (February 6th, 2010) from 1:00pm - 6:00 pm at East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue.

The show will be held in Spring Hall, in the education building on the church’s campus, which is located at 12700 SE 32nd Street in Bellevue. Free parking is available in the church parking lot, as well as along the neighboring streets. Handicapped parking and access are also available.

This event is being put on by one of the members of the local arts group that I mentioned before, EtsyRain. This is a powerhouse group of talented artists, so you'll definitely find some cool stuff. If I hadn't already made vacation plans, I would certainly be selling there this weekend.

A portion of the booth fees paid by each artist will be donated to Eastside Domestic Violence Program, (EDVP) an organization that has been providing domestic violence services since 1982. Please get out and support this event - it'll keep your valentine happy, support local artists and contribute to an important community resource, in one fell swoop ;o)
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FP Anyone?

2010-01-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

Woot – my work was included in another treasury!

As much as I enjoy it when someone chooses to feature my work, I think that one of my favorite things about these treasuries is simply seeing how (and why) different people make their selections…

Some of the treasuries that I've seen combine items that I'd never imagine together, but they totally work (like this one, which includes items found using the search term "wicked"). Others connect diverse works by using themes or colors.

This treasury is in the latter group - the curator (Flahwiz) selected items done in soft lavender. I love her choices - the pieces in this collection blend and compliment each other nicely,but they still stand out as separate and unique works.

Thanks Flahwiz! I really appreciate that you included my work, and I hope this act of consideration comes back to you tenfold.

Blasts from the past...

2010-01-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

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Over the past year, I've had the pleasure of reconnecting with a group of old deadhead friends that I used to be very close to. This community was colorful and eclectic, and I learned so much from them. Being a bunch of hippies they naturally loved beads, so I also learned a lot about beading. In fact, I would say that some of the best beadwork I've ever seen came out of the the deadhead parking lot scene.

My fascination with cabochon beading - and also my love for antique microbeads - probably began during my deadhead years. I'd been doing beadwork, and even collecting beads before I got into the Grateful Dead, but those years really fueled my interest. I was exposed to the work of talented bead artists like Nome May, and of course, selling my work was a great way to support my gypsy lifestyle.

A few of my friends still have some of the pieces that I used to sell to fund my travels. I was delighted when they shared pictures of these older pieces with me. This one belongs to my beautiful friend Janna, who grew up to be an inspiring yoga teacher. It was made in 1989, and it features a large chrysacolla cabochon with a small (I think) raw emerald cab below it. The blue-green stones are tourmaline, and the quartz crystal at the bottom used to be a much longer, crossed/double terminated point, but it broke at some point over the last 20 years.

This barrette belongs to another amazing old friend, Hollie Rose - Java Goddess and owner of Klekolo Coffee in Middletown, CT. It was made in 1988, and it features 3 teensy opal cabs and 1 aquamarine cab set with size 18/o vintage micro seed beads. The funny thing is - I remember exactly where I was and who I was with when I made this (I still have some of the beads from this dye lot!)

Seeing these pictures reminded me of just how long I've been creating beadwork. It's interesting to me that even though I've learned many different techniques over the years, I am still drawn to the same types of materials; such as cabochons and vintage beads. This picture of me beading was taken when I was about 15 or 16 (gotta love that goofy Guatemalan shirt! ;o) Who knew that my love for beadwork would last a lifetime, and ultimately play such an important role in my life?!
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My thoughts on SoopSee

2010-01-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

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People keep asking me about the new look of my website and what I think about the company that I used for it, SoopSee. I thought I'd do a review of the service here, so that I can answer everyone in one shot ;o)

First, let me give you a little bit of background info on my site and what I'm trying to achieve with it: I launched beadmask.com in 2002 (prior to this I had free sites which just looked ugly and unprofessional) . My friend Julia helped me by creating a simple template so that I could learn some basic HTML and put my site together. The site featured my masks and beadwork, along with a small sampler of the vintage beads and cabochons that I collect and sell. But my pictures were lousy and it wasn't very easy for people to find what they wanted.

I realized that I would probably do better with two separate sites - one for the beads and one for my work. This time I just hired Julia to design it for me - as you can see by her site, her web design skills are far superior to mine. The site that she designed for my beads is gorgeous ( it'll go live soon, I'm just finishing off the product listings) but I realized that the moment I launch this beautiful bead site, it will outclass and out-date my original site. So instead of simply creating one site, I was suddenly scrambling to finish the bead site AND overhaul the mask site. I was toying with some basic design ideas for the mask site (color scheme, background, layout) but it would a lot of time to complete, in addition to the work needed for the bead site. I was beyond overwhelmed...

Then I discovered SoopSee which is a tool that serves to integrate all aspects of your web presence (such as an Etsy shop, blog, twitter) into one cohesive website. It's in beta, so you can use this service for free or opt for a "premium" membership for a whopping $5/mo. I chose the latter, as it seemed to offer more design options. The design process only took about an hour or so - I used the background & colors that I'd already been working with for my site and blog, and it just pulled all of the content from my Etsy shop.

The completed website was hosted on Soopsee (you can see it here) and it looked pretty cool there - but when I uploaded the code to my own site, it looked awful. All of the customization that I'd done was lost, and it had a generic look that I absolutely hated. Fortunately, I know just enough CSS that I was able to tweak the code to my liking ... no idea if SoopSee allows this, but if it's going on my domain it's gonna look the way that I want it to! The end result is what you see now - which is more attractive and functional than what I had before.

I really like Etsy, but it is NOT the sum of my business and I don't just want a website that funnels people to my Etsy shops. In that regard, SoopSee is not ideal for my needs. However, it is an excellent band aid until I'm able to launch the bead supply site and overhaul the beadwork & mask site. The color scheme and background are similar enough to what I have designed that I should be able to transition to my own code pretty seamlessly when I am ready. It affords me some much needed breathing room :)

Bottom line, I think it's a great deal for the price. It's not perfect ... If you're hoping for a website that offers much more content than your Etsy store, or one that allows your customers to purchase directly from you, you will probably be disappointed. Also, I found the templates to be sort of boring - their prefab color schemes looked a bit generic to me. That said it is probably ideal for folks who don't have a website yet and only sell through Etsy. I think they will even host and help you register your own domain name (looks to be around $15/year, but I didn't really explore this). All told, it's a quick, easy and affordable way to build an instant web presence - like an online business card. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to set up a simple site with minimal hassle.
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Bead Embroidered Holiday Card

2010-01-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post this earlier ... It's the image that I used for my Christmas - Solstice - Hanukkah - Kwanza- holiday cards last year. They weren't mailed till New Year's Eve (I blame the flu bug that had a death grip on me for most of Dec.) but I know that the recipients felt the love and intent behind them, so I'm okay with that.

At first, I was less than thrilled with my dove (I think she looks a little more like a hummingbird ;) but now I like her in spite - and because - of her imperfections. I may even make this an annual tradition .

Talent in Turquoise!

2010-01-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

I'm writing on the fly here ... but I wanted to mention two things:

Thing one: the Etsy rain treasury that I posted about yesterday? It made the front page! Maybe it's a little silly, but I was excited/happy about it :)

Thing two: I found out that my beadwork was featured in another treasury today. This treasury features a gorgeous collection of seedbead work and polyclay in turquoise hues.

Thank you, Dreambeadweaver for including my barrette in this beautiful collection! :)

Love is in the air

2010-01-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

Over the last 6 months I've started listing more of my work on Etsy . As a frustrated eBay veteran, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Etsy community. I've met some of the coolest customers there, and I've been very impressed by the way that the sellers seem to support one another.

I've often wished that I could find that kind of creative community in real life... So I was delighted to learned about a "team" of local artists called Team EtsyRain. It's a Seattle based group of Etsy sellers that aims to support each other locally and virtually. I recently joined, and I'm excited to be a part of it.

This treasury showcases the work of this talented and diverse group of artists. Check out the hip, eco-friendly clothing at RevivalInk, and the original upcycled cuffs at TrilbyMade. If it weren't for this treasury I might not have discovered Nikki Wheeler's gorgeous fiber art, or SilentGoddess' original jewelry designs.

I encourage you to explore the featured artists' shops. Maybe you'll find the perfect Valentine's day gift - or even something special for yourself. Many thanks to onawhimm , who curated this fabulous collection!

A Fantastical Winter Wonderland Treasury

2009-12-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

One of my masks was featured in this stunning winter treasury. It's filled with fantasy themed items in wintery shades of blue and white. What perfect timing, since it's the winter solstice!

Everything is really lovely, and it was hard to pick favorites. Some of the items that really caught my eye include the Snow Crystals Wall Quilt by threadsofmagique, and the Ice Dragon Pendant by flyttamouse. The colors in this Pegasus and Unicorn print were so spectacular that I had to check out delarenaissance's shop - she does beautiful work!

The treasury was curated by merigreenleaf, who creates fantasy inspired art and accessories. Please stop by and take a look at her wonderful things.

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Holiday Shipping and Gift Certificates!

2009-12-18T16:17:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder ~ the USPS says that if you want your packages to arrive by December 25th, they should be shipped by December 21st (which is also the winter Solstice).

If you'd like to avoid shipping and shopping hassles all together, gift cards are a great way to go. They allow your loved ones to choose just what they want, and best of all it spares you from dealing with crowded malls and congested traffic. I'm now offering these in both of my Etsy shops.

You can print them at home (once you've paid of course ;o) or if you prefer, I can personalize and mail it for you... Did I mention that I'm a calligrapher?

These are available in multiple denominations in my mask & jewelry shop, which showcases one of a kind beaded jewelry and original leather masks... Aannd, you guessed it! You can also find gift certificates in my bead and jewelry supply shop, Treefrog Beads, which focuses on vintage and unusual materials. This is an awesome gift for your favorite bead addict :)

Whatever you choose (and however you celebrate) I hope that you find a way to avoid the stress, and enjoy some time with the people you love!
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Facebook Fan Page

2009-12-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get so busy that it's hard for me to find time to blog. I'm done with school for a few weeks - hence the flurry of recent posts - but once classes resume, this blog may get pretty quiet again. I recently created a "fan page" on Facebook, which I'll probably use more often during the school year simply because it's conducive to brief posts (even with a full course load, I can probably eek out a line or two ;o) . If you'd like to keep up with my work, please "fan" my page: http://www.facebook.com/Beadmask.originals . I will still post here now and again, but the facebook page will probably be updated more often.
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Precious Things

2009-12-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning out my studio recently, and it struck me that I tend to collect - and cherish - the oddest things. I have saved every little note or scribble my daughter has given me over the years, along with pebbles, feathers, sticks, bones and other random mementos. As I tidied up, I arranged some of these things into more contained groupings. This one is my favorite:

The abandoned nest came from good friends - they came across it doing yard work and they saved it for me, knowing that I would love it.

The little white stones were collected over a decade ago, when I lived on the beach. My daughter and I loved to go beach combing with the neighborhood kids. They would pick a different color of rocks and shells to collect each day, and we'd bring them all back to my house and put them in clear glass jars, which we lined along the long stone wall between my yard and the beach. When we moved out, I saved this small handful of white pebbles to remind me of how much fun we had.

Friends of ours have an old family cabin out on Whidbey Island where they hold an annual camp out, which is where Robb and I met. We found this feather on the beach that weekend.

The rose petals are from one of the first rose bouquets he ever gave me.

The little dove skull is particularly special to me. I've always found beauty in the antlers and skulls that I find while hiking. A few years ago, I (very randomly) told Robb that I thought birds have the most beautiful skulls of any animal, and I wished that I would find one some day. Later that week, I was hiking in my favorite city park and I stopped to catch my breath. I noticed some owl scat at my feet, and a little voice inside my head said "maybe it's in there?" I laughed at myself for being so ridiculous, but some hopeful part of me kicked it with my toe just in case. Out tumbled this perfectly clean and intact mourning dove skull! Whenever I see it, I am reminded that sometimes the universe grants our wishes.

Those are the stories behind this little collection. Most people will see an old pile of worthless tidbits ... I see symbols of time spent with family and friends, precious reminders of childhood innocence, memories of falling in love, and proof that dreams and wishes (even really silly ones) can come true.
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Review of Artbeads.com

2009-12-12T11:54:00.001-08:00

A few months back, I invited to participate in the Artbeads.com “Beaders Who Blog” program. I was hesitant because I don’t blog very frequently and also because I didn’t want to feel like some sort of phony spokesperson. I was encouraged to be 100% honest about my experience, and to write the review in my own time. This made me feel a lot more comfortable, so I agreed to try it.

First, they asked me to select up to $35 worth of beads. As I made my choices, it occurred to me that since I focus primarily on vintage crystal, I haven’t seen or tried many of the newer styles of Swarovski crystals (and man, have I been missing out!). In addition, I was thrilled by how far that $35 went – I got an excellent variety of new sparklies to play with! One of my favorite items was this Swarovski filigree piece (I actually picked two – the gold toned piece, and one in rhodium plate/Montana blue that it is equally stunning) and I was eager to see how it would play in a mask design.

My elaborately beaded masks have always been some of my most popular styles, but all of that seed beadwork is extremely time consuming so those are also some of my most expensive masks. I’ve spent years trying to come up with a more affordable version that will maintain the same level of opulence and quality. I think the filigree – along with these graduated pendants – provided just that. It might be a touch simpler than I was going for, but it’s a good starting point. What do you think? I’ll be using the other filigree on a slightly more elaborate mask, and the stunning crystal beads below have been set aside for a very intricate mask (which I’ll post pictures of, when and if I ever complete it! ;o)

All in all, I was very pleased with the products, and with the opportunity to experiment with materials that I might not have tried otherwise. I did not pay for the crystals that I’ve reviewed here (nor was I paid to write this review) but based on this experience, I was happy to place a "real" order with Artbeads.

Last but not least, I was given a discount card to share with my readers. To take advantage of this, simply place and order with them before New Year’s Eve and enter the coupon code: SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424 at checkout and you will receive 10% off of your order .

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Cobalt Holiday Treasury

2009-12-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

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I'm a little behind in posting about this treasury (forgive me, it was posted while I was working on my finals!). It's expired now, but I at least wanted to post this screenshot so you can see how lovely it was.

This shade of blue is such a dramatic color, and so perfect for the season. All of the selections are wonderful, too - my favorites include the goose feather headband and that striking cobalt brooch sitting just to the left of my mask.

It was curated by Paleodeux, who obviously has a great eye for color and texture. Please take a moment to visit her Etsy shop, which features beautiful repurposed vintage jewelry.

Thanking our Veterans

2009-11-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

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Many of the social networking sites have a meme going around right now, that encourages people to list what they are thankful for during the entire month of November, rather than just for one day (Thanksgiving). I'm doing this privately, in my paper journal, but I may share some of these things here ... if I remember ... and if I have time. This one is important enough to me that I'd like to post it publicly:

I'm thankful for the warriors in my family, and for the efforts they've made and the risks they've taken so that I can be free. My stepdad Tom (Vietnam) my partner Robb (Desert Storm) my cousin Jeff (Gulf War) and Robb's brother Shawn (on his way back to Afghanistan now). I disagree with the politics of war, but I respect our warriors.
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More Treasuries!

2009-10-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

With Halloween around the corner (this Saturday!) more and more people have been including my masks in their treasuries. Last night I was notified of two more. I'm so appreciative, and I wanted to mention them here...

Masquerade, Paper Faces on Parade...

This treasury features a stunning collection of masks and costume wear. I'm always amazed by the way that artists working with the same theme or medium can still produce such diverse works. Among my favorites here include the Grackle mask by Effigymasks (it looks like a character from the Dark Crystal!) and the mermaid mask by Faerywhere.

The curator of this treasury was Spiderlegz . Please take a moment to check out her pottery, which ranges from whimsical to earthy and elegant.

Found using the search term "Wicked"...

This treasury collection is particularly clever -it features items found using the search term wicked. The end result is a truly eclectic collection of strangely cool and unusual things. I typically find at least one or two favorites in every treasury ... this time, it's hard to find anything that I DONT love. Broomchick's handmade brooms are now on my favorite's list, along with Mantawave's shop (responsible for the carraige house photo).

Many thanks to Cindylouwho2 for including my crone mask! Please visit her Etsy shop, which specializes in wirework jewelry featuring natural elements...

Featured on Etsy Lounge

2009-10-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

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Two of my masks were featured today on Etsy Lounge, a blog by fiber artist Andria Senini. You can check out some of her lovely work at Katsara Yarns (I'm particularly drawn to the relic circle pins).

Thank you Andria!
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Masquerade Party Treasury

2009-10-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

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GoodLookinTreasures was kind enough to include my black and white faerie mask in this gorgeous masquerade treasury (thanks, GoodLookin! ;o) This one features another gorgeous birch bark mask by ladyinthetower and these precious masquerade nesting dolls. Lots of other cool stuff there, so be sure to stop by & take a peek before it's gone!

It bears mention that I do realize that my last few posts have simply been Etsy treasuries. I hope my readers (if I even have readers?) don't feel like I'm "copping out" by posting these instead of bigger, wordier posts. I post them because I really do appreciate them, and I want to promote the kind curators and talented artists involved. I also do it to remind myself. It's a wonderful ego-boo to be included in these, and sometimes I need that. In a way, I'm collecting these treasuries as a reminder, or encouragement to keep on doing what I love.
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MASKerade Party Treasury on Etsy

2009-10-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

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I'm always honored when someone includes my work in an Etsy treasury ... and I'm especially thrilled with t h i s one. The curator ( folkartbydonna ) has such a great eye!

All of the choices are whimsical, wonderful and inspiring. Check out that awesome birch bark mask, or the adorable Buho mask by ccaspia. I also fell in love with this Black Crow Farm print by the curator, Donna Atkins.

Once again, some really great stuff. I'm grateful to have my work included alongside these other artists. I say this every time, but it's true -- these treasuries always brighten my day :)

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Green Vert Treasury on Etsy

2009-09-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to SilverCollection for including my Spriteling mask in your beautif ul t reasur y today!

There's lots to love in this treasury -- that gorgeous photo of the light through the trees, the dish with the lotus on it (this artist, yogagoat, makes awesome mugs, too!), the wallhanging, and green apple soap that I can practically smell.

Such a wonderful treat to wake up to :)

Mask Ball Treasury on Etsy :)

2009-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

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I opened an Etsy account a while back, hoping it would be a positive place to share my artwork ... but between going back to school, and trying to get my bead business situated, I was never able to devote much energy to that shop. Instead, I found myself focused on family, school, and selling beads.

I was able to direct a little bit of energy into my Etsy supply shop , which was enough to give me a sense of the Etsy community. It's so much more affordable and enjoyable than that other place! There are some incredibly talented artists, and people are generally supportive and friendly. I love being able to see the beautiful things that people create with the beads that I sell, and I really wanted to showcase some of my own work there, too.

Since summer rolled around, I've managed to carve out a bit more studio time (go me!). Over the weekend I photographed and listed a few things in my long neglected art shop. Lo and behold, someone spotted one of my masks and included it in their treasury, "A Mask Ball"

Thank you, Ametista! I'm so flattered, and it really encourages me to complete and list more pieces. You made my day :)

Art, Culture & Respect

2009-07-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

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Hey artsy/creative people,

I'd love to hear how you integrate cultural ideas into your work and if you have any thoughts on how to do this respectfully. I ask because there's a concept/imagery from another culture that really resonates with me right now, and I'd like to explore it in my work. However, it's a pretty deep/sacred thing and I don't want to "cheapen" it.

Sometimes I see people imitate (or even just appropriate) my dad's culture and it makes me feel angry and embarassed for them. My ancestors' spiritual values have evolved over many (many) generations -- some people dedicate their whole lives to learning and living these ideals. For example, dancers in the sundance ceremony often carry scars which reflect tremendous sacrifice and commitment to their community. So when some rich kid from the big city goes and gets scarification done in a nice sterile studio -- as opposed to learning about the customs, making the corresponding sacrifices, and you know, actually DOING THE DANCE -- it kind of belittles the whole thing (even if that's not the intent). That said, I certainly don't want to approach someone else's beliefs in a superficial or irreverent way.

By the same token, we don't live in a vacuum. Most of us are exposed to, and even influenced by other cultures on a daily basis. The term "culture" speaks to a community's history, ideology, spirituality, music and art (and food! although that kind of falls under the "art" category in my book ;o) . These are all wonderful things to enjoy and explore -- so why hoard them? Hopefully, sharing and understanding each others' cultures offers humanity a way to connect and work together for a better world.

So my questions are, how do you approach the use of cultural ideals or symbolism in YOUR art? Do you strive for authenticity or loose interpretation? Do you let it inspire you but create your own thang, or?? Do you study the subject extensively, or just explore what it means to you? How do you walk that fine line of drawing inspiration without appropriating?

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Good News for the Bead Museum

2009-05-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

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Just a quick follow up to my recent posts about the fundraising efforts for the Bead Museum of Arizona -- as of May 1st, the museum had raised $67,000. As a result, the board has decided not to close the doors! They're not out of the woods just yet, but it means there is time and hope -- both of which are precious. You can read more about it at the Bead Museum AZ website. Phoenix area residents, please take note of the upcoming fundraiser on May 28th.

I'd also like to thank the people who bid on the benefit auctions that I listed for the museum last month - I really appreciate your support! The Bead Museum of AZ has recently signed up for eBay's Giving Works program, so please consider listing or bidding on a few of these auctions too! If the Bead Community pulls together on this one, we can ensure that there will be a Bead Museum for future generations to enjoy.
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Thinking Green...

2009-05-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

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In our household, we try to think green. We recycle as much as possible, minimize our use of plastic bags, and we choose eco-friendly products when they're available. What does this have to do with beads? Well, I'd like to be able to apply these same values to my craft -- but as most beadworkers know, beads and plastic are pretty darn connected.

If you use or collect beads, your world is probably brimming with plastic baggies, plastic vials, plastic flip top boxes, plastic tackle boxes and more. It may not seem like much, but it all adds up. Honestly, I'm appalled by how many ziplock baggies I use for my little bead business! I've tried to think of alternatives, but it's challenging because beaders obviously need some kind of storage. And, most bead
addicts
enthusuasts end up collecting so many types of beads that see through packaging is a must. In addition, plastic has become an industry norm -- would I lose customers if I moved to a different type of packaging?

I could go on and on, but I won't because Beki Haley from Out on a Whim has already written an eloquent and thoughtful post on the subject on her blog. I encourage you to head on over and check it out. I suspect that she and I are not the only ones who've considered this. It would be great to see some discussion on this topic, and to hear other people's tricks and ideas for "green" beading practices!