Honored by Artful Blogging

Last week, something very special arrived in my mail.

Back in October, while I was going through an extremely difficult time here at home, I received an email that truly lit my heart up with honor. Jennifer Jackson, one of the editors of Stampington & Company's Artful Blogging, invited me to write a piece for an upcoming issue of what I consider to be one of my most favorite publications ever. I have been devouring the deliciousness this magazine has to offer for years now and I couldn't believe that my snippet of the cyber world was being asked to take part.

I remember the afternoon I set to writing my contribution. Knowing what wonderful words other contributors share in their articles, I levied some pretty heavy pressure on myself. I stared at a blank screen for countless moments that easily became an hour. I would start typing and quickly hit the backspace button. I would have a flash of a sentence and then it would be gone. I just couldn't put my finger on how I was going to take all my love and affection for my blog and translate it into a written piece for the masses. No simple what-blogging-means-to-me-thing would do. I knew from the beginning what I wanted to write about, though. Over the years, through writing and sharing here on this blog, I think I have been able to get to know and understand myself in a way that wouldn't have otherwise happened without it. I wanted to write about discovering the multiple sides to my personality that I have been given a voice outside my head in posts here. Namely, Kerry & Carrie. Finally, I took a deep breath and decided to tell a story.

Though I remember the day being bright and crisp, I got completely lost in the story I wrote about a rainy day in my basement studio. The hour I spent writing about a full day left me feeling like that full day had actually just passed. Exhausted, but proud, I sent the finished piece off to Jennifer and have been waiting to see the pages in print ever since. Last week, it arrived and it is beautiful.

Slowly, I am reading my way through the other pieces. I find myself in such fine company. I do have to laugh at myself a bit. I find it all rather ironic. The piece I wrote is about my home studio, and as I mentioned, it was written in October. Just a month and a half later, I had a million and one reasons why I wanted to more out of that place and into my new studio. I talk in the article about how my home studio was "mine all mine" and how it made me feel to be in it. And it truly made me feel that, but oh, there was the flip side too. You can be sure, I will keep my Artful Blogging article as a remembrance of the old place.

If you are new to my blog after finding me in Artful Blogging... welcome! If you aren't... thanks for visiting again and sharing so many posts with me. Now it is time to venture down to the basement for another reason... I need to go for a run.

Did You See?

I told you I wouldn't send you out to buy anymore magazines until Fall but I didn't tell ya I wouldn't send you to buy another book!! Yep, I am in another one. Check out Kalmbach's latest Creative Beading Vol.4.

Creative Beading is a collection of the "Best Of Bead & Button Magazine" and my bracelet that was in the Dec 2007 issue was selected for the book. It is beautiful, hard cover, coffee table style book with tons of projects, photos, and the instructions to make them all.

Also, my post on Making Felt Beads will be on Watch Me Create later today. Pop over and check it out!!

Lickety Split Super Quick Beads - Round 1

For those of you wondering... round one is ready and will be mailed out on Monday!! Aren't they perdy? I love the colors!!

Did I Mention...

... that I have a couple of Projects in Creative Jewelry? I looked through the last few weeks of posts, and yeah, I think I forgot to mention that I am in CJ. It is on news stands now!! Grab it. There are tons of inspiring projects. It is just dripping with ideas.

I promise, I won't send you out to buy more magazines again until the Fall. LOL. One of my glass bead friends that works in a bead shop commented that I am in every magazine on the shelves right now. I told her it is really only three and I have plenty more bead world out there to conquer. HA!

I would love to hear from you all the kinds of tutorials you would like to see from me. I tend to hold back on submitting things more regularly. I have this idea that something has to be really really original it be in print. So things just straight stung, I don't send in. But then mags like Stringing are primarily straight strung projects... and there are always great ideas for twists to take on basic stringing. There is always more wire up my sleeve too.

(edited to add) I have had a few comments about my "straight stringing" comment. So I wanted to come back and add some more to that statement to better explain myself. *I* have been feeling lately that I need to work on submitting things more to magazines. I know I am in a bunch right now, but I went a good nine months before that not in any. In my mind, I have the silly idea that everything *I* submit needs to be wirey and wild designs. I think people don't want to see "straight strung" things from me. BUT, there are a bunch of magazines out there made up of nothing but strung projects and they are VERY inspiring. Some people think stringing isn't original, but my point is that it can be.

I do apologise if I offended anyone. That wasn't my intention at all. I was writing that on a whim and should have taken more time to better explain myself. Stringing can be awesome!

Beadwork Magazine Page 14

Almost two years ago I asked to be added to the wait list of bead makers featured in Beadwork magazine's "The Challenge". My time has finally come!! Check out the latest issue (Aug/Sept) on news stands to see SEVEN designs created by FOUR different designers using the beads above.

I made these beads back in February. In fact, I mailed them out on my birthday. I went with what I thought would be a different kind of summery beach combination of colors. I used ink blue, lavender, denim blue, turquoise, and swirled it all up with stormy gray. I was very into stripes and dots. I think the stripes are very "navy-ish" and the dots are very "under the sea". It works!

And the projects! They turned out so cool!! They all use seed beads, something I very very rarely see my beads paired with. They really are all too cool to pick a favorite.

Lickety Split Super Quick Beads

(rings modeled by the lovely Lindsey... back in February when I wrote the article. forgive her winter ravaged skin. and she has tiny hands, that's why the rings look HUGE!)

The emails are rolling in like crazy since the release of the summer issue of Step By Step Wire. Everyone wants to know "where do you get those beads!?!" Those of you familiar with my work already know that answer to that one... I make the beads! I bet you are wondering if you can place an order to get beads to try this project out for yourself.

The answer is YES!!

For a limited time, I am going to be accepting orders for the "Lickety Split Super Quick" beads. The cost is $15 p/bead and the size of them is approximately 1 - 1 1/4 inch across. Shipping will be $3.50.

A couple of ground rules since I don't usually do orders like this. 1) You can pick the shape of your beads. (circle, square, triangle, ruffle) 2) and you can suggest the colors, BUT, I reserve the right to creative control over the color combinations. (Please don't tell me you want a green bead with a blue edge and pink dots... I'll get bored and I won't want to make them anymore.) 3) Turn around time is going to be about two weeks (unless I get more orders than I can handle, at which point I will tell you if it will be longer.)

If you can live with those rules, all you need to do to place an order is send me an email! Kerry (at) kabsconcepts (dot) com. I will respond and confirm your order. Then, I will send an invoice via Paypal. Once payment is received it holds your place in line to have the order filled. I will send you a photo of your finished beads before I mail them so you know just what to expect!!

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful response to this project!! Happy Beading!

Ho Hum to HOT DANG!!!

Lookie what just showed up in my inbox!! What an unexpected surprise! There I was, just readin' my emails, browsing today's "Beading Daily" message, when BOOM!! Right there at the bottom of the email was an pre-order message for the summer issue of Step By Step Wire.

That's me on the cover!! Okay, not me, but my project!! They are "Licky Split Super Quick" cocktail rings. Go pre-order your copy now... these are so much fun to make.

Hot Off The Press

I had a pleasent surprise in the mail the other day . I was flipping through the latest issue of Stringing Magazine and discovered that the beads I sent to them last winter for their "Beads To Buy" spot were used in a bracelet in the current issue.

The thing I like about Stringing is all different designs they share doing such a basic thing like stringing. Very Cool. There are loads of necklaces to inspire your own designs... with earrings and bracelets too.

Making Headlines!

The front page of the LIVING section of this morning's newspaper has me in the "Artist Spotlight"! For those outside of Rochester, or who can't get a copy of The Democrat and Chronicle, you can see the article HERE!

YOO HOO!! I am thrilled to be showcased in the paper!

More to come tomorrow. For now, I am totally beat.

Shoot Review

I have a few more "photoshoot" photos to share. My friend Lindsey was with me for moral support and encouragement yesterday. She brought her camera and took some photos along side the professional. I think her photos turned out just as nice. I asked Carlos, the photographer, if I could see which photos would be used in the article, or have a copy sent and unfortunately he said no. Copyright issues and such. That made me that much more thankfully that Lindsey brought her camera!! Otherwise I would have nothing to show you!

Can I just say, I hate having my picture taken. I mean, I like it taken once in a while. Candids with friends, family photos on vacation, and of course, the jewelry modeling shots I take for the blog here (yeah, right). I am far from a poser. I don't know what to do with myself. I don't think I am photogenic in the least. And personally, I think I have gowls like my Mom's English bulldog in most every picture taken. So, Lindsey can a test to me saying under my breath "I feel so stupid".

I am really happy with how the photos came out from yesterday though. The professional's angle was a bit different from Lindsey's but, the final result was something close to the photo below. See, I still have a really really sunny spot on my desk, lol. But under these circumstances, it made for a great lighting effect.



And now, it is my turn to return the support and encouragement favor to my dear friend. Lindsey has an Etsy shop called "A Crunchy Life" and she just updated it this week!! She's made some really awesome patchwork scraves from recycled fabrics and hand embroidered some very cute totes. I am in love with this scarf. The colors are fabulous. Go show her some support!

Blog Lift

Okay, it obvious, so why make it a post, lol... but oh well. Here goes... I gave the blog a little face lift yesterday. The three column layout was starting to feel too busy. I like this better... at least for now. I get bored easy, lol, so it'll probably change again!!

I also added another magazine icon to the new right sidebar. The latest and greatest is the new Easy Wire Jewelry. It is a once a year publication and it doesn't come with your standard subscriptions. If ya want it, ya gotta order it (or pick it up at JoAnn Fabrics with your 40% off coupon!). I have two pieces in this one. One of them you can see in the preview photo when you click on the link. I'll let the other be a surprise until the magazine is actually on the news stands.

From the weekend... Saturday's wedding was nice. The ceremony was beautiful and Chelsey was breath taking. I am very happy for the lovely couple. We decided to sneak out of the reception early, grabbed some Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and watched an X-Files at home. It is so rare that the kids aren't with us. It was fabulous to sit in the quiet of the house, just us.

Sunday was another football game day for Jacob. GO WARRIORS!! His team is now 3-0, YOO HOO!! The have great momentum going into next week's game against Pittsford, who is arguable the best team in the league. (Look at me talkin' like a proud sports Momma.) Before the game we did a bunch of around the house stuff. Ron installed a ceiling fan, go Ronnie! And I rearranged the living room. *sigh* Just another crazy family weekend.

I am so looking forward to my "alone" time today. My torch is calling!!

Are You Following Me?

Blogger added a new tool for the sidebar. I put it over on the left there. Scroll down a bit. It looks to be the latest and greatest way to network in the blog world. You can sign up (even anonymously it you want) by clicking on "Follow This Blog". Another little window pops up, you click "Follow publicly" or "Follow anonymously" and press the bright orange "FOLLOW" button. Then... your little picture is in the box there. People will come to my blog, see you, click you, and then find your blog about what you do. See networking, it is all good. Plus, you've probably noticed that I don't have a "blog list" on my sidebar. This is your way to get your blog listed.

Enough of that though... I have another design to show you.


It is another "reject" for that book project, lol. Did you guys know I get rejected this much, LOL? Don't worry though, it doesn't get to me. The 5 pieces picked are gonna be FANTASTIC!! This piece is called "Bridesmaid's Bouquet". The minute I put it on, I said "a bridesmaid would wear this". It is very different from what I usually do. The theme of the book has been challenging. (I am not going to go into details, don't even try to get it out of me.) The thing I like about this necklace is (like I seem to always say) is the movement. Those Swarovski dangles move!! They slide through the wrapped loops and the base chain. It is definitely a fiddle with necklace. So while you are standing there, at the alter, in your taffeta never-gonna-wear-it-again-but-the-bride-thinks-you-could dress, you can fidget and play with your necklace. Fun, huh?

Yeah, I am so gonna take it apart.

Industructible Bubble

I am in a bubble. And, that bubble is industructible. No one is goona bust my bubble. My bubble is so strong that it is a multi-tasking bubble. My bubble is keeping the cold germs, that ALL THREE of my kids have, far away from me. My bubble is keeping me focused on getting an important deadline met by the end of the week. My bubble is slightly rose colored thanks to some good news I got yesterday (that I can't share yet). And I plan to be in my bubble until the end of the week.

Here is a little sneak peak inside my bubble...


The deadline my bubble is protecting might just have a little sumptin sumptin to do with earrings. And please excuse the bead poo, cleaning the bead release is first on today's bubble to-do list.

Supporting The Arts

Edit to say: THE BEADS ARE UP!! Go check them out!!
_________________

First - THERE WILL BE A MINI BEAD BOX UPDATE TODAY!! When I am done with this post, I'll be cleaning, photographing, editing images, and posting a small batch of beads. I had hoped to spend a few hours on beads yesterday to have more to offer, but those efforts were thwarted.

I really like the word thwarted. When a plan has a wrench thrown into it so it doesn't go how it should, it was "thwarted". I even like saying that word. Thwarted. The th tickles your lips. LOL.

Anyway... why my plan was thwarted. I got a call from a member of the Gallery Council at the Memorial Art Gallery yesterday. She said she had been trying to get a hold of me all morning! (New house, new phone number, I thought I had updated them on that.) She called to see if I would be interested in doing an interview with someone from Rochester Magazine about the November Fine Craft Show at the gallery. OF COURSE I WOULD!! She said it would be via the phone, that works for me and it would be that afternoon. I said, great! and that after 12:30 would be awesome since all the kids would be at school and I could give her all my attention.

I had planned to make beads, but I didn't think it would be good to have a concentrator running, torch blowing, and fans fanning while talking on the phone. So I opted to read email and play scrabble on Facebook to pass the time. (I know, I should have been working on the EIGHT tutorials I have due next Friday.) I was really kinda nervous about the whole thing. I didn't know what to expect. I have never been interviewed before. What would they ask? Could I sound intelligent and articulate? I had my stomach doing flip flops and for no reason, cause things went fine. And I really should have made beads because I didn't end up getting the phone call when I thought I would.

Melissa, the writer, called around 9:00pm to have our chat. She said she loves blogs, so if you are here... Hey, Melissa! Anyway, I don't want to spill any beans about what we talked about. I'll leave that a mystery to be revealed in her article. But it was a good conversation, I think. I hope I represented the caliber of artists that will be presenting at this fantastic show well. I truly am honored to be among them. The Fine Craft Show is like nothing you'll find anywhere else in Rochester. You'd have to go to Toronto, Chicago, or NYC to find anything close to it. One of the exciting things for me, as an artist, is that I won't be lost in a sea of crappy crafters (you know the ones I mean... scarecrows on wooden sticks? come on) at this show. Only 40 artists are selected!!

Okay, enough gushing about being in the show... I'll leave that to the Rochester Magazine article. Besides, I have photos that need taking and beads that need posting. Check back soon!

Quickies

I have a couple of quick things I want to pass on before I head out to our annual family reunion today.

1) My torch is finally here... YEAH!! It had been left set up at the old house all this time, in hopes I could sneak away and make beads. (never happened) My relay on my kiln going didn't allow that. But now the kiln is fixed... so I hope to be making beads, fingers crossed, by the end of the week. On my Hot Head torch for now though, as I still need to set up the ventilation hood, hoses and electric for the oxygen/propane torch. If only my work bench would shrink 4 inches and come in the door. Grrr.

2) My friend/business-ship with JOOLZ is continuing to flourish! Check out this GREAT ARTICLE in Canandaigua's Daily Messenger. Your's truly gets a little nod in it... but more importantly, you get to find out more about that awesome shop, the owner Francie, and the artists that are featured there. OH, and Francie has finally started a blog! Go to www.shopjoolz.blogspot.com. If you have ever wondered what it would be like running a high end jewelry store you'll have to tune in. She talks about the shop, she talks about the artists... she talks about getting her laundry done... it works.

3) EEEEKKKK!! I am so proud of this next one and I really am leaving the BEST for last. My good friend and one time student, Cindy, over at sweet bead studio, has been published!! And not once, but twice. YOO HOO CINDY!! You can find her "Heartstrings" necklace in the latest issue of Step By Step Wire and you'll find her "Front & Center" bangle (made with beads by me) in the latest issue of The Annealer. And looky, the bangle made the COVER! I am just so excited to see one of my students getting published. I am one proud wire Momma. I knew she could do it. To top it off, Cindy has finally added some gorgeous new jewelry to her website. And most of the pieces are sort of beach themed/inspired. Go find yourself a beautiful summer keepsake.

And that is all for the links today... that should keep you busy for a while.

Why Didn't I Think Of That

First, Thank You. Thank you for the wonderfully warm and thoughtful comments and emails from yesterday's frustration post. I think having to slow down these past couple of weeks has given me more time to be nostalgic and reflective. I am one of those "learn from the past" kind of thinkers, so remembering to me is important. If I am mindful of how I have lived my life, then the things I don't want to relive won't happen again. Or at least that is my theory. LOL.

I have to say, I was a little taken back by your comments about my strength. Most days when I am writing this blog, I am sitting at my dining room table with a cup of coffee. I feel like I am sitting with a good friend. Some days the talks over coffee are light and carefree. Other days they are a bit deeper. All make us grow closer as friends. Silly to be friends with people you don't even know are out there, lol... but it works. Anyway, I don't write what I do to hear how awesome someone thinks I am. I just write what is on my mind and it is easy to share. I am honored you think I am so strong.

But, enough of the sappiness for one day. Today is a new day and I am full of some new energy! I am finally to the "get to move things in" part of the studio prep!! I put my desk up and started unloading the first box the other day. Then I got pulled in a million directions... then I painted the shed yesterday (see photos: it's yellow and Lauren helped). Today though, the rest of the boxes are getting opened up and things are getting unpacked!!

Several people mentioned my Hot Head torch yesterday. It is a torch that runs on small 1lb cylinders of MAPP gas rather then my heavy duty oxygen/propane torch. I had a "why didn't I think of that" light bulb moment! OF COURSE I could use the HOT HEAD!! But then... something I forgot to mention. Remember week before last when I mentioned I might get some torch time at the old house? Well, I got the time... but when I turned on the kiln it didn't heat up. The relay is out and I need to get the replacement part. That's another thing that will get done today. And hopefully I can get some torch time in by the weekend. YOO HOO!!!

And in additional exciting news... I had a late evening email last night from one of my magazine editors. She would like some projects for another up coming book!! So that is TWO new books I am working on projects for. How exciting is that?!? I can't wait.

A Little Alcove

To the left of the fireplace in my dining room, there is a doorway. It is the start of a hallway in which you'll find the boys' rooms, the twisted stairs, the yellow bathroom, and this little nook. I am calling it "The Alcove". I love little spots like this in my house!! I bet brandy new houses don't have this kind of character. (Hey Cindy, see if your builder can make an alcove for you.)

Anyway... I couldn't leave it empty. The rather rickety old table is from a garage sale on Park Ave that Ron went to about 10 years ago. It was a great $5 find. The old, very heavy, antique mirror will need to be moved. Were I to hang it on the wall, I would have a lovely view of my chest, but would be needing to bend down to check my hair. LOL.

I am thinking I should paint this little alcove a color. Maybe tangerine... OH, or I could paint the side walls of it a color and leave the back wall white. There is an idea! I already know the picture I'll hang instead of the mirror. It is a painting of John Sloan that I did in high school. I think it is only fitting that he watch over the boys.

Okay... in beady related things... yesterday is was invited to be a contributor on a new book!! YOO HOO!!! The details aren't set in stone. I don't know publication dates or anything. But I do have a deadline and I will be coming up with 5 projects for it. I think you'll find the subject matter rather interesting. I let you know more details as I have them. It is all very exciting. It brings me that much closer to being able to get my own book published!! Which by the way, I have written the forward on, the "basics", the "tool talk" and 13 of 26 projects for!! I am definitely going to take advantage of this torch hiatus to get those last 13 projects written and start shopping for a publisher.

Oh... the toggle beads in the new project shown in Creative Jewelry... the emails have started coming in asking about the focal beads and how to order them. There is a small, very slight, chance that I may go to the old house and spend a few hours torching. My desk isn't fully packed so I could sneak out just a couple of focals. BUT, it is only a maybe, I can't promise. If I don't get to it, you can bet that a big batch of those beads will be first on my list to do when the torch is set up. And I will be sharing the tutorial for the "t" bar part of the clasp very soon. I thought I would get it in at the end of last week, but it just didn't happen. Oh well...

A Couple Of Cool Things!

First, there is now a button on Interweave's website that allows you to "flip through" Wire Style. It is very cool! And check out who is on the back cover!! Yep, bottom left is one of my designs.

I also saw today that when you visit the Beading Daily Project Store, my Berry Wine Bracelet is one of the "Best Sellers"!! How cool is that?!?! I added links on the left so it is easy to find what projects are available. :)

Wire Style Preview!

Look what I found hiding in a link in a Beading Daily email!!! I have been waiting for this for over a year!!!

Check out Wire Style, available for pre-purchase on Amazon.

Here is the book description:

Featuring original ideas from top jewelry designers, this collection covers a range of contemporary and stylish projects, such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and pendants. Beginning with a primer on basic tools and techniques and covering fundamental wire-working skills in detail, including wire-wrapping, weaving, coiling, chain-making, hammering, texturing, and oxidizing, this guide helps jewelry makers of all skills levels develop a range of talents. Each project includes a comprehensive materials list and step-by-step instructions that guide crafters through a variety of projects, including wrapping found objects with wire, making chain mail, creating spirals, straightening wire, making jump rings and ear wires, and creating clasps. Constructed with many different materials—from precious metals to plated and colored wire—these striking creations are a mix of funky and fabulous wire designs combined with stones, beads, and cords to create an interesting and eclectic jewelry collection.

I have 6 projects in the book!! I can't wait to get my copy and pour over the pages. I wrote the projects Winter 07. I can hardly remember what they look like. It will be interesting to see how they blend in with the other projects. I am hoping with this being published now, I can get more feedback about my own book. I want to see my name on the cover of one of those some day!!

Snagged - Necklace

I paused in my flurry of cleaning yesterday to make a few (much needed) beads. I was asked by a magazine if I could make a necklace version of my "Snagged" bracelet. "Of course I can," I told them. I need to get this in the mail today!! And I will let you know the details of which publication when the time gets closer. For now, I am keeping it on the down low.

I am glad I slowed down to work on this. I really like the loopiness of the seed beaded strands. I like that it has a POP of contrasting color (the lime green). The flower shape of the bead is too cute. The length really works and I think it'll look great with t-shirts/tank tops in the summer. See, it has loads of things going for it.

Seeing it in this photo also gave me an idea for another variation on it. I'll let you know how that turns out!