More About DeFindings

Do you notice anything special about these pieces of jewelry? I mean, other than the fact they are all bright and colorful. Not a single one of them contains a commercial finding. Okay, the chain is available commercially, but that is besides the point, I don't consider chain a finding. Look close and you'll see that all the clasps are handmade, all the links are handmade, and if I had a photo of earrings anywhere in my 261 pages of photos on Flickr you would see that all the ear wires I make are handmade as well. I truly couldn't be more excited about my new class DeFindings: Detailing Your Designs at ArtBliss (coming up in September!), because I will be teaching you all about adding these kind of handmade details to your own jewelry creations.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you exactly the kind of things I'll be showing you over the course of our 3 evening hours together...

• Clasps - hooks, s clasps, and two kinds of toggles
• Ear Wires - classic fish hook, french style, and hoops
• Extras - jump rings, headpins, dolled up wrapped loops, and easy s links

We'll spend about an hour on each of the topics, so the pace will be quick, but you will be learning a ton of information and I hope to be sending you back to your hotel rooms with a collection of your own handmade samples to begin using in your own designs.

Making your own findings saves you money, gives your pieces a more unique look, and is just one way you can begin to really set yourself apart from the massive ocean of jewelry designers out there. If you can make it to Washington DC on September 25, you are gonna LOVE this class!! Be sure to check out the supply list, I think everything you need is probably already in your jewelry studio (or toolbox).

As an added incentive, Cindy and Jeanette (ArtBliss Organizers) are waving the registration fee of $40 for students that will only be taking an evening class. If you are taking multiple classes throughout the event, the registration fee still applies. So that means, just $65 and you are going to be on your way to creating beautiful jewelry findings!!

I hope to see you there!!

PS... remember too... if you want to learn how to take your jewelry photos to the next level and learn to take photos like the ones shared in this post, I am teaching Snaptastic at ArtBliss on the 25th as well!! Come spend the entire day with me and by the end of the day, not only will you have loads of new things to add to your jewelry, you'll know how to take awesome photos of it as well. 

PPS... so many awesome things are happening behind the scenes in regards to my Snaptastic class. You really aren't going to want to miss this.

Twisted Tuesdays - TV Appearances

I am combining Random Monday & Twisted Tuesdays into one post this week!


:: I drove to Cleveland OH Sunday afternoon to shoot another appearance on Beads Baubles and Jewels.
:: I ordered room service and watched The Princess Diaries on cable. I also treated myself to a piece of chocolate cake that ended up being the size of a football.
:: I brought the cake home for the kids :)
:: I didn't sleep a wink, can you tell?
:: Confession: coffee is my friend again.



:: I got to hang out back stage with three fabulous ladies. Katie Hacker (the new host!), Candie Cooper, and Susan Lenart Kazmer.
:: I was a big girl and dressed myself this year. Both the knit shell in dark teal and the gray wrap were found at TJ Maxx, cheap. (Remember picking my outfit last year?)
:: And my stars, my hair has grown! Check out details from last year's taping HERE and HERE
:: It was such a delight to see all the projects that will be shown this season and peek at the things people are working on. I even got to see Susan's new Industrial Chic line in person.



:: Yes, there really is an "on air" light that goes on.
:: Thankfully, my nerves weren't terrible this time around. I just got flutters when I was setting up my stuff on set.
:: I did what is called a Show & Tell segment rather than a Demo, and it was 7mins 15secs.
:: New to wireworking and wondering what wire is good for which jewelry application? Tune into Season 1300, Episode 11 to have all your questions answered!
:: I consider 13 my lucky number.




:: The make-up artist, Karen, is a miracle worker. Unfortunately, I am wicked allergic and was halfway to hives about 20mins after getting dolled up.
:: Season 1400 will be filming in December, and I really really hope to be invited back again. Wouldn't I make a fab-regularly-appearing-wire-guru? LOL.
:: Lots of hugs went round when it was time to head home. Even though this was the first time meeting Katie, it was like we have always known each other!
:: The drive home was uneventful as I listened to Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse on CD.
:: I was happy to see my family when I got home, but really should NOT have checked my email. That, as they say, is a story for another day though.

Exciting Announcement:: ArtBliss Workshops

I am so excited to be making this announcement. ArtBliss: The Inaugural Event is taking place September 24-26th 2010 AND I WILL BE THERE TEACHING!! Two of my favorite beading ladies, my very good friend Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio and Jeanette Blix Ryan of Fundametals, saw a need, had a vision, and have been working together to make that dream come true. I get to be part of that dream and I couldn't be more honored. Both these ladies live in the Washington DC area and they found that there was a complete lack of national caliber workshops in their area. So, why not create their own workshops and weekend of activities. That is when ArtBliss was born!!

I know you may be thinking "Kerry, you teach all the time now, why are you getting so excited about this one?" Well, you really should be the excited for this because I am going to teach something extra special at this event. Wait for it... LAMPWORKING!! Yes, yes, you heard me right. I am teaching lampworking at ArtBliss in September. I have had so many emails asking when and if I would ever be teaching lampworking. I am so so excited to finally get to shout YES!! Check out all the details about my class, K.reating A.rt B.eads - Intro to Lampworking, at the ArtBliss website. That is my Saturday workshop, for Sunday I have some wire working fun planed for everyone: Bang-A-Rang, a day devoted to creating awesome wire bangles.

Of course, I am not the only instructor that will be there. This is a star packed event, I tell ya. Also teaching is the amazing Deryn Mentock, the fantastic Melissa Manley, and the creative Lesley Venable. This is not only a jewelry workshop weekend, but mixed media art as well!! Truly, something for everyone. It is going to be a weekend you don't want to miss. Cindy and Jeanette have booked an awesome venue with super room rates and free shuttle service from the local airport, lunch is even included with the workshops!! Registration will open on June 13th, and I know spots are going to fill up fast! Don't worry, I will give you reminders :)

I hope you are as excited as I am about this. I can't wait for September to get here!! (Mind you, this isn't the big secret project. Sorry!) NOW, we need to get the word out about ArtBliss. Cindy and Jeanette are having a fantastic giveaway on her blog to celebrate the announcement. Pop over and check out all the goodies you could win and leave a comment to enter and/or tweet about it and/or facebook about it.

A Bang A Rang Day

I don't know what it is about my kids being home sick, but it really lites a fire under my butt and gets me into the studio. I think it had to do with cartoons. Cartoons drive me crazy! Naturally, the first thing a sick kido does is waddle over to the couch with a blanket in hand and flips on cartoons. It makes me want to flee the room though, lol. I can only stand watching Barbie Presents Thumbelina so many times.

My mental torture is your gain though! It really makes me productive. I spent hours yesterday going back and forth from the studio to the living room, living room to the studio working on these delightful bangles. I would make a set while downstairs, bring it up to show Lauren and check on her, have a tea party, go back downstairs to work harden them in the tumbler, come up to polish and photograph them, post them on FLICKR and Facebook for all my friends to see, then start the process all over again with another set. I was able to squeak out two sets with six bangles total though out the day. Plus I finished up a project made with crystals that was a special request from an editor.

These little diddies caused a bit of a frenzy on FB yesterday too. As soon as I posted them, I was getting comments, and private messages, and instant messages. I appreciate all the love! For those that are wondering, no, I am not taking orders on these, but you can get "dibs" on the next set. Meaning, there is a waiting list, and if you want on it, just let me know. I will let you know when there is a new set ready. The prices range from $65-$95 (for a set of three) depending on the amount of sterling, how complicated the wrapping is, and the style/number of beads. Speaking of complicated wrapping... did you see that amazing two tone wrapping?!? Yeah, I am not giving up that secret yet, so don't ask, LOL. I will tell you this little goodie... the colored copper wire I use doesn't oxidize!! So, you can do really cool layered wrapping, oxidize it, then polish the sterling, and the color will stay just as lovely as when you started.

Twisted Tuesdays - Some FAQs

Don't forget! There is still time to enter Cindy Wimmer's give away of Totally Twisted!! Hope on over and leave a comment to enter, and there are way to get extra entries too. She will draw the winner tomorrow!! I am having so much fun reading all your comments on her blog. Y'all are sooo wonderful to me :)

For today's Twisted Tuesday, I thought I would touch on a few of the frequently asked questions I have been getting in my inbox. Or rather, they aren't frequently asked. They are the questions that have popped up and I thought more than one of you might like the answer to. Let's get on with it, shall we?

Q1: Kerry, the book looks great, how much did it cost you to make?
A1: Funny FAQ to start with huh? Well, this really is the most asked question and it mostly comes from people I see in person, like family members. Apparently, they all think I self-published the book, but nope! Interweave is my publisher, and they paid me to write, I didn't have to pay them to publish it. For those interested in publishing, I received an advance against royalties. Which means, I have already been paid everything I will be paid and won't receive additional royalties until/if there is a second printing.

Q2: Will the coating rub off on that colored wire you use?
A2: Unfortunately, I can't give you a direct answer on this one. There are really too many variables to answer. But, more often than not, if you aren't treating your jewelry respectfully, it is going to wear off. What do I mean by respectfully? You are creating ART JEWELRY and your jewelry should be treated with care and worn with love. It should not be left in the bottom of your purse with your keys and cell phone. The coating is very durable though, and I have found that if I am mindful of how hard I am tooling it, and I don't have something abrasive rubbing directly on the wire, it folds up just dandy.

Q3: Can you hammer the colored wire?
A3: YES! And I tested this!! Keep your hits true and it can be done. I would practice it first though. Make a test link, hammer it, see what happens, and go from there.

Q4: Can the wire be put through a rolling mill?
A4: I actually had to look up what a rolling mill is for this one (thanks Dee!). Now that I know that a mill is for flattening wire into a sheet, I would say no, you can't put it in a rolling mill. I don't think that the coating would hold up to being stretched like that. But hey, I could be wrong. Test it out! But for the average beader, you do not need a rolling mill. (and the fact that the cheapest on I saw was $295 makes me thankful I don't need one.)

Q5: Are those really your hands in the photos?
A5: Yes, and I had a manicure... only the second one I have ever had in my life, LOL. And thanks to the amazing Joe Coca for making the step by step shots look so fantastic.

Q6: Have you ever had trouble with your colored wire fading?
A6: Personally, no. I have, on a rare occasion, received a random spool of wire that wasn't consistently colored. Actually, it was only once, and it was a spool of lavender. I actually really loved that spool, I liked the effect that the discolored spots gave to my coils. But overall, no, I haven't had any fading. I would say, keep your wire stored in a toolbox or something where it can be hidden from direct sun when it isn't in use and that way, if you are worried about fading, it is less likely to happen.

Q7: When is book 2 coming out?
A7: Ummm, I dunno. LOL. I am still riding the high from this book and am really looking forward to teaching the projects and techniques in it over the coming year. I have a couple of ideas rolling around in my head for book two that I am really excited about though. So I am slowly, SLOWLY I say!, starting to work on a proposal for book two. You all will be the first to know if it is a go. If you keep buying up all the copies of Totally Twisted, there is a much better chance it will happen sooner rather than later. :)

If you have questions you would like me to answer in the next Twisted Tuesday FAQ, send me an email and I will add it to the list of Qs for the next FAQ post!

Browsing Over Morning Coffee

Yesterday was such a nutty day. Just plain hectic and hectic doesn't sit well with me. I am happier in a lazy day. Well, lazy sometimes... I am really really happy in a day that flies by while doing something I love. But then, aren't we all. Thankfully, today isn't an over scheduled day like yesterday. I do have a few must-get-done things, but other then that, the day is open. I started it at the dining room table, with coffee in my favorite mug, and a fresh copy of 101 Wire Earrings.

It was released to bookstore shelves on Aug 1st and I have been stalking the Barnes & Noble website waiting for it to read "In Stock" for my zip code. Why didn't I just pre-order it? There is just something about walking into an honest to goodness bookstore and seeing it there on the shelf with all the other books. You might remember my reaction this time last year when I discovered Wire Style by accident. This time, I had Lauren and Andrew with me to help find it. Lucky for us, there was one still in stock.

As an aside, I must say, strange things are happening at my local B&N stores. I went to the one in my town and one just one town over (Rochester has several of them) and the "craft" section where the jewelry books are held has gotten very. very. small. Where I used to see 4-5 copies of a book, I am only seeing 1-2. And where there used to be 6 shelves for jewelry, there are now only 3. Anyone else seeing this? Is it just a sign of the times? Hmmmm...

Anyway, I am babbling. What I really wanted to talk about today is the earring deliciousness that is ooozing out of this book. Over my morning coffee, I went page by page checking out all 101 earrings. Denise has really out done herself, the inspiration in here is FANTASTIC. If I am totally honest, although I am a contributor (seven designs in the book are mine), I really struggle with making earrings. There have actually been shows where I didn't make a single pair to sell. I like earrings to be unique and sometimes unique earrings ideas can be hard to come by. I think this book is exactly what everyone needs to keep the 'unique' ideas flowing. There are just so many possibilities that can come from these examples. You can make one of the pairs in the book... totally love them... and then think "what if I do this..." or "what if I do that...". Now do that for every pair in the book and you are going to have hundreds of designs to make.

*sigh* earrings

Actually, I have an earring challenge coming up. Next week is my friend Lindsey's birthday. We always exchange handmade gifts (remember her birthday is my half birthday and thus, vice versa) and this year, she requested some handmade earrings to add to her collection. With this book now in my hands to spur on new ideas... I think I can handle that.

Ring-A-Ling-A-Lings

Helloooo...

You guys remember the book Wire Style that I contributed on last year? Follow the link and scroll down and check out the last page of the "preview". You can see my "Ring A Ling" design on the back cover. It isn't on the back cover of the book sstore shelf copies but it is there online. Out of the blue, this design popped back in my head and I decided I had to do a few for this week's show.

I decided to have fun and do them up in BRIGHTS! Lots of brights! You know what is great about these? They fit any one. If you think it is too long, squeeze together those coil and you can shrink these up at least an inch. If you need something a little longer, pull those coils out and you can add length. Cool huh?

I am very excited to have met my goal of 30 new pieces fof this week's trunk show. Actually, I passed the goal! I am taking 32 pieces in this afternoon. Everything has been polished and tagged. Today is the day that I will drop things off to the gallery so they can input it all into their system. One of the nice things about this show is that I don't have to handle the transactions. They do it all! It does mean I have to give them a huge percentage of the sale price, but it all benefits the museum so that is good.

As a reminder: the show starts THURSDAY June 11th and I will be there from 6-9pm. I will be there FRIDAY from noon - 4pm. And again on SATURDAY from 10-4pm! I hope to see lots of you there.

Let's Take A Ride...

What kind of ride? A Ferris Wheel Ride!



Oh how I love what-if-I-do-that ideas! On Sunday when I was working on the custom necklace I showed earlier this week, I was building up layers to make the cool hollows when I though... what if I do just that? See, I had the idea in my head that I would be creating those big coils of wire... so I wondered, what if I only made half a hollow, and "capped" the big coils?

What is half a hollow, you ask? The way I build a hollow is from a tutorial in one of Corina Tettinger's booklets by Jill Symons. Essentially, I build up two discs on a mandrel and slowly add rings of glass until they touch somewhere in the middle. So I was thinking... what if I built up a disc and it didn't meet something in the middle? What if it was just a sorta cupped disc?



That got my mind really whirling. Then, "what if I make them all different colors" started running in my head. I worked on these beads Tuesday and just went crazy. I pulled stringers and twisties... I grabbed one of every color for a whole rainbow of rods on my desk. It was FANTASTIC!! It was exactly the creative outlet I needed after a wild week home with the kids.



As I built the necklace and twirled the wire, the capped coils reminded me of Ferris Wheel Carts... Like These. (Only mine are way more colorful.) I am thrilled with how it turned out, though I think I want to made a few more and make the coils go a little farther around the neckline. When you hold it in your hards, it is so slinky, I love the way it moves.

What I find awesome about the creative mood I am in right now is that ideas keep building on each other. As I was making this side winded discs, I thought... okay what if I make hollows now? So the idea kinda went ful circle. Hollows... lead to discs... lead back to hollows. I thought, what if I layer the colors into a wild colored hollow?!? You gotta be careful when using opaque color in hollow forms, it isn't as "stiff" as transparent glass and becomes much more soupy when molten, which leads to colapsing hollows. I was patient and things seemed to come together.



I want to experiment more with color combinations for these. I am so so with some and extrememly psyched about others. This is the "Funny Hollow" lariat! I know you all are going to be asking about that blue chain!! Well, I have been wanting to add even more color to my work. I knew colored chain was out there and I did a little research. Basically, there are three types of colored chain... plastic (YUCK!), anodized (like the colored wire I use), or enameled. This chain is the later. Enameled chain isn't made anymore so the only way to find it is in vintage form. I love it! Enamel is essentially powedered glass, so the colors I have found work beautifully with my work. I have several sketches with design ideas for this lovely new finding of mine. But we can't put my whole line of jewelry for the summer in a single post.

Springs In Action

Oh My Stars... what a fantastic weekend. Compared to the week I had last, this weekend was worlds better. The weather was spectacular, the kids behaved, I got to work in the studio, and went thrifting, and did I mention, the kids behaved. :) I got a ton done that needed getting done. We worked in the gardens (front yard and veggie... more on that soon) and I was able to clean the studio. *sigh* It really was just dreamy. The kids are off today too. Some nonsense about not using any snow days (this winter with our record snowfall, insert eyes rolling here) so they have today off. Keep your fingers crossed that today goes as well as the past two!!

One of the things I needed to work on the past few days was this necklace. It is a semi custom piece. I say "semi" because other then they fac that I was asked to make a necklace, I had a blank slate. So it isn't custom in the way that was asked to use certain colors or a certain design... it just needed to be a necklace. It is for a member of The Gallery Council to wear to the Glass Gala on Friday night! What an honor it was to be asked to create something for such a special night. I have been hemming and hawwing over what to do for weeks now. Nothing like leaving things to the last minute to kick out something cool. We all perform better under stress, don't ya think?

I am kinda at a loss for what to name it. I was thinking "Spring Into Action" but that sounds a little corny to me. I like clever over corny when it comes to naming things. Anywho... the necklace has nine hollow beads with six hollow wire beads. These are made kinda like the wire coils in my "Temporarily" necklaces that were in WireStyle, but with a few more steps and twice the length of wire. They are as big, if not bigger then the glass beads. I really like 'em. As I was making the hollows, I had one of those "well, what if I do this?" ideas. I can't wait to get started on that design. Oh and look... I chopped my hair off again.



Oh, and if you ever wondered why I say Oh My Stars... it is from watching this Bugs Bunny Cartoon about a million times as a kid. Gotta love YouTube... the original cartoon is a lot longer, but this is the best part.

Just Because

Would ya take a look at that... I made something. Something bead related. LOL. I don't have much time in the studio this week. What with the kids being home and having to constantly referee their bickering, I don't get much time to stow away and bead. BUT, thank the heavens for my MOM!! She signed the kids up for Splash Week at the YMCA. So I get an hour each day to get a little done. I spent yesterday's hour making these little doodads.

Aren't they sweet? Nothing wild and crazy... just sweet and simple, playful pops of color. Perfect for the coming months of funner necklines and ponytails (if your hair is so inclined). The great thing? They were all made from beads I had just wasting away on my desk. Alone... they would have sat there for a while then eventually gotten sent to the bad bead jar... or the jar I take to shows to let people play with beads. Together though... they work. One happened to roll near another one and I liked it. So grabbed another one and liked it too. I think my beads watch out for each other. They know when they should have a fate better than the bad bead jar and they roll around my desk seeking each other out. Till... they find their little beady matches made in heaven and get made into doodads.

I will send today's hour of solitude posting these little numbers on my website. I hope you'll scoop em up. They need loving homes. While you are waiting for them to be posted... click on over to my FLICKR gallery and you can see close ups of each one. OH, and I ordered up new chains (snake chains and bead chains)... in my opinion they are the best chains to show these off on. They won't be here until Friday, but let me know if ya want one! Otherwise, they should easily pop onto any chain ya got.



Anyone else have projects like these? Doodads you come up with by chance? I would love to see!!
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The pendants are posted!! CHECK THEM OUT!

Sunny Yellow

It is a very rare thing to find a Sunday post here on the blog. I couldn't wait till tomorrow though. I had a freaking awesome hollow making day on the torch yesterday. This being in the studio everyday thing has really had it's benefits. I am lovin' it.

I am at a total loss for what to name this new creation. When I came up from the studio with it on, it made Ron say "wow". I am thinking "Sunshine Daisies" but that is kinda corny. I can't help it though. Every time I see something yellow the phrase "sunshine, daisies, bottom, mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow" from Harry Potter runs through my head. Something needs to be named that so I can stop having that stuck in my head, LOL.

Okay, so this piece might end up being submitted to something special. There is an exhibit coming to the Memorial Art Gallery called Glass Wear. While the show is running, glass artist from The Gallery Store will be having trunk shows at the museum. (more info on my trunk show at a later date). The Gallery Council is asking that the trunk show artists donate a piece to be auctioned to benefit the museum. The aution pieces will be on display during the Glass Wear exhibit up through the night of the Glass Gala on May 1st. I have been told that you'll be able to bid online too!! How cool is that?!? I wanted to design something wowie and zowie that could hold it's own with the types of pieces that will be on display in the exhibit. This might just be "the one". Ron is thinking it is just too good to give away... I would love to hear your thoughts!!

OH!! I almost forgot... there is gonna be a Bead Box Update tomorrow!! Stay Tuned!!

I Got Goose Bumps

You know what? Last week, I never told you about my extra special birthday present!! I try not to play favorites with gifts. I really love them all. But this year, my sister Bonnie, totally blew everyone out of the water!! She got us two tickets to see "Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street" on stage at Geva, here in Rochester.

I am sure you all have heard of it. It was the gore fest musical of 2007 with Johnny Depp. From what Bonnie has told me, it was a play long before it became a movie. And it was what they called a "penny dreadful" in the 1800's. (a story you could buy for a penny) The show was last night!!





Our seats were fantastic, seventh row center. The theater is very small and intimate. I don't think the place holds more then a couple 100 people. The opening song gave me goose bumps. And the second song did too. The production played out just like the movie with a few extra songs and many of the songs longer then the movie too. The costumes... fantastic... the sets... super cool... the special effects (throat cutting)... looked very real. I just loved the whole thing. Well, not the whole thing. The actor plying Anthony had a funky way of singing the word "you" that was totally distracting me. It was freaking me out.



Okay... so that was my Sunday night. These photos today are from my Friday afternoon. I finally, finally, got to do some work. This is "Token Of Chance", a new mixed media piece by yours truly. I have another one to share one day this week too. I would love to hear your thoughts!! I tried some new things, adding text and resin. The size is 5x7 and I worked on a traditional mounted canvas. I love the dark rich blues and purples in this.



Here is to getting back to normal this week!