Bead Table Wednesday

This is my first time participating in BTW.  What took me so long?  Two reasons actually.  First, Wednesdays are not usually a day that I get to sit at my bead table.  My son has a minimum of two, sometimes three therapy appointments and by the time I get a chance to get into my studio Wednesday is almost done.  What makes today different though, is that I'm actually writing this on Tuesday night and scheduling it for the morning.   What can I say, I'm a cheater. ;-)  The other reason is that my bead table usually looks like a tornado hit it.  I have noticed lately however, that I am not the only one with a bead table that's not exactly artfully arranged.  That being said, I'm not actually going to show you my bead table(s) today because as I write this it's getting too dark to take a good picture so I will move some of what is on my table to my light tent.

Here is a piece that I've been working on.  I've been experimenting with waxed linen lately.  So far I haven't produced anything that I'm thrilled with but I keep trying.  I found this pendant at Michaels on the weekend and thought it would work well with the tan waxed linen I had sitting on my table. 

Work in Progress

Ceramic beads by Shaterra Clay Studio

Here are a couple of pendants that I bought recently.  I'm just waiting for some matching gemstone beads that I bought to arrive in the mail.  I'm hoping to whip these up into necklaces soon.

Pendants

Pendants by The Classic Bead and Shaterra Clay Studio

I also purchased a new photo prop this week.  A nice big cup and saucer.  All of my photo props are white and I thought this would be a nice fit. 

Photo Prop

Makes me feel like a latte...

I've already used it for a few photos.

Damselfly Earrings by Lisalu Jewels

Available in my Etsy store.

Check out the BTW flickr group to see what everyone else has on their table!

BTW Flickr Group

Happy Tuesday, I mean Wednesday everyone! ;-)

March Blahs

It happens to me every year around this time.  The warm coziness of the holidays is over, spring is yet to begin and I get the blahs.  I look out at the dark gloomy skies (I live in Vancouver where it's often dark and gloomy) and my body and mind just ache for light.  I crave the feeling of bare feet, bare shoulders and sun on my skin.  I feel like I wake up in the spring and then come alive in the summer.  Late winter feels like something to get through. 

The View from Here

photo taken from my living room

In the winter I wear pants and sweaters (blah) but in the summer I wear outfits with matching jewelry not smothered by a heavy winter coat.  In the winter I eat apples harvested in the fall, but in the summer I get to savour the bright juiciness of fresh strawberries and peaches. I can almost taste that sweet nectar on my tongue just thinking about it.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate winter.  Sometimes nothing feels better than watching falling snow while sipping a cup of hot cocoa, but by this time of year, winter feels stale.  Like it has overstayed its welcome.  The trees are just waiting for a sliver of sunshine to burst forth with their blossoms and I too am waiting to burst forth with my creative blooms.  When winter has dropped its last icy rain drop, the city around me begins to spring to life. 

And when those first rays fall on me I will rub the sleep out of my eyes and stretch my limbs.  I will pop my head out of the cave I've been hibernating in and breathe in the sweet fresh air. 

I will savour the months ahead.  I will play outside.  I will wear pretty clothes, I will create pretty things and soak up all the sunshine and fun that spring and summer has to offer.

Until my body craves the crisp cool air of autumn...

Are you...

A wallflower?

Wallflower Necklace by Lisalu Jewels

Pendant by The Classic Bead

Or Loud and Proud?

Loud and Proud by Lisalu Jewels

Pendant by Shaterra Clay Studio, Ceramic beads by Lisalu Jewels and Golem Studio

Maybe you're a bit of both like me? :-)

Have a great day!

Tutorial- Adding Signatures to your Blog Posts

Hi Everyone,

I have had several requests to share how I created the signature on the bottom of my posts and I'm happy to share!  This is my first time creating any kind of tutorial so bear with me and please let me know if this makes sense. :-)

Here's my signature:


Cute huh?

Here's how you can make one for yourself.  First either click on my signature or go to My Live Signature.

1. Click on "Click Here to Start".  Ignore all the stuff on the bottom of the screen.
2. Then click on Create a New Signature "Using the Signature Creation Wizard".
3. Enter your name.  Since there seems to be a lot of beaders named Lisa I decided to go with "Lisa G". ;-)
4. Choose your font.  There are 120 to choose from.  Once you've chosen click "Next Step".
5. Choose your size.  Mine is size 5.
6. Now you can select your color and background color.  Just highlight the letters in the box and a color picker will pop up.  I kept mine black and white but you can coordinate your signature to match your blog.
7. Choose your slope.  This can really add to the handwritten signature look depending on the font you chose.
8. Now your signature is ready!  But how do you use it?  First you need to get the HTML code for your signature.  Click on "Want to use this signature?".
9. Then click on "Generate HTML Code".
10.  Now click on "Generate a code for my handwritten signature".
11. Highlight your code and copy it.  I pasted mine into a Word doc and saved it on my desktop for easy access later.
12. Now, when you've finished writing your blog post, click "Edit HTML".
13. Paste your HTML code signature at the bottom of your post.  When you click back to "Compose" you can move it around.

Here's the one I created while writing this:


I hope that makes sense. :-)  Feel free to message me with any questions.

Have a great day!


(I had to try this font) :-)

PS: I know this works in blogger but I'm not sure how it would work in other blogging programs.

I think I have a soup hangover...

Whew! That was quite the party! I was feeling a little hungover but went back for more. Nothing like a little hair of the dog that bit you... right?  

I'm still working my way through all the blogs.  I think I have now viewed 140 of 210 blogs.  If you're looking for my Bead Soup Reveal, it's one post down. :-)

My strategy for visiting all the party goers?  I broke them into blocks of 10, I covered my own block of 10 first and then hopped all over the place (in groups of 10) in no particular order.  Being in the middle section (at #140) I know these people have not gotten as many visitors as those at the beginning and the end of the list. 

What I have gained from this experience: 

-First, I have gained blog followers.  Welcome everyone!
-Second, I have found many new blogs to follow!  Talk about eye candy!
-I have also found many new bead makers who make me feel the need to hide my wallet. ;-) Drool!!
-I have gained a huge amount of inspiration!  If checking out 210 gorgeous pieces of jewelry doesn't inspire you, nothing will.
-I have gained some great new ideas for my own blog!  Check out my new signature on the bottom of my posts.  This cool idea came from this blog hop.
-I have gained an enormous amount of respect for people who organize blog hops.  My goodness, that must have been a lot of work!
-And last but not least, I have gained a big ego boost from all the lovely comments that were left on my blog. :-)

Thank you so much everyone!

I also wanted to share a photo of what came out of my kiln on Saturday morning!  I've been dying to share but wanted to hold off for a bit to let the dust settle from the party.

My Second Glaze Firing

I'm going to get back to blog hopping.  My goal is to visit and leave a comment on every single one.

Have a great day!

Art (Bead) Education

I had an epiphany around 11pm last night and a sudden urge to re-work my website's homepage. Out of the blue I realized that my customer's may not have the same understanding or appreciation (gasp!) for artisan crafted beads as I do. The words lampwork, ceramic or polymer clay might not mean all that much to them. Could this be effecting my jewelry sales? Perhaps they don't realize how special these little works of art are?

I sometimes forget that the rest of the world doesn't always think the way I do. Just because I go gaga over a sparkly little lampwork wonder doesn't mean everyone else does. I felt at that late hour, that it was my job to share my passion and to explain how much work goes into each and every special little bead.

Art Beads by Loupiac De Gatteville, uvanomos, Golem Studios, Round Rabbit, Shaterra Clay Studios, Jade Scott, Radiant Mind, Lisalu Jewels and Josephine Wadman

Here is the explanation of Art Beads that can now be found on my website.

About Art Beads
Art Beads are any bead, pendant or component that has been handcrafted by a skilled artisan. These can include glass lampwork beads, ceramic beads and polymer clay beads.

Lampwork beads are handmade one at a time by melting colorful glass rods in a flame and wrapping the molten glass around a metal mandrel. Each bead is then annealed in a kiln, cooling them gradually to room temperature creating a strong and durable bead. I buy lampwork beads from artisans all over the world and am always looking for new and exciting creations to use in my jewelry.

Ceramic beads and pendants are very popular and I use them regularly in my jewelry designs. I purchase ceramic beads from skilled artisans in Canada and the US and have also started making them myself! They are created by hand sculpting beads and pendants from clay and then firing them in a kiln to create bisque ware. Each bead is then hand painted with a variety of glazes and then fired once again in a kiln to create a smooth, glassy finish. I only buy and make ceramic beads that are non-toxic and food safe.

Polymer clay beads and pendants are made with a type of plastic clay that can be fired to maturity in a home oven. Polymer clay comes in a wide variety of colors and skilled artisans can shape and sculpt this clay to create an endless amount of effects.

Other artisan crafted items used in my jewelry include hand patinaed metals, hand-dyed silk ribbons, hand forged and soldered pendants, metal clay charms and beads as well as resin filled bezels. The time, effort and skill that goes into these handcrafted materials allow me, the jewelry artisan to create truly special and unique pieces of jewelry that you wont find in any store.

Jewelry made with Art Beads will always be a little more expensive than jewelry made with commercial beads because of the time and effort that goes into making each bead. To offset these costs I combine my Art Beads with commercial beads and stones for most pieces. The more Art Beads found in one piece, the more expensive the piece will usually be. The satisfaction of wearing a piece of Art Jewelry that has been crafted by several different artisans more than makes up for the slightly higher cost.

I hope that by sharing the love my customer's will realize how special handcrafted jewelry is, particularly if that jewelry contains handcrafted beads and components.

On a side note: I opened my kiln this morning to a perfectly baked batch of bisque. This attempt was MUCH better than my first attempt. I can't wait to glaze these babies! I'm thinking shades of pink, orange and purple!

On another side note: Don't forget to tune in this Saturday, Feb 26 for the Bead Soup Blog Party! Myself and 209 other party goers are getting ready to share our delicious creations. I can't wait!

Happy beading everyone,


PS: I went into blogger to fix one tiny typo and my entire post got messed up. Weird. I tried to fix it but if it looks a little weird I apologize. :-)

And the winner is...

I'm pleased to announce the winner of the "just the way you are" bracelet is lucky number 7, Michelle G!! Congratulations Michelle! Please contact me with your address so I can mail your bracelet to you. :-)

Michelle's comment was number 7 after subtracting my own comments and a duplicate.

Thanks to everyone who posted a comment. I know it can be hard to give ourselves a pat on the back sometimes but I really enjoyed reading everyone's positive words about themselves. They really warmed my heart. :-)

Enjoy your bracelet Michelle!

Have a great day everyone!