Beads for Blog by Preciosa - January's Packages

Will you just look at these bead packages from Preciosa???

I'm *drooling* over these two:

CONSONANCE

and

MODESTY 

Look at what they are sending four lucky beaders:

Preciosa Flicker Photos - January

Don't you just LOVE these ??!!

Betty Stephan shares a thought on change

Betty Stephan not only produces amazingly inspirational bead embroidery pieces, her attitude for her art is SPOT ON !!

Read the story, its not long - and she'll inspire you too !!


Betty Stephan Beadwork:  To change or not to change

Preciosa Beads For Blog Winner - Jennifer VanBenschoten

Recently, a friend of mine, Jennifer Van Benschoten (you know her as the editor of Beading Daily) was chosen as a recipient of Preciosa's Beads for Blog Post program.

Each month, Preciosa chooses a few recipients to receive a box with 1000 grams of their czech beads in it !!

YES - 1000 GRAMS !!!

Who can't party on that?

Check out what Jennifer started to play with first...
She blogged about it today at Beading Daily.

I'll give you a hint - its a bead... it has TWO holes

Beading Daily Blog Post

On a separate note - Cross your fingers - I've applied to Preciosa for the Beads for Blog Program & sincerely hope I get the opportunity to play with their great beads !   I'm loving the color combinations they are packaging up!

BOOK REVIEW: Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop by Mary Hettmansperger

The new year is the perfect opportunity to renew my interest in metal and wirework.
I've been so absolutely focused on seed bead weaving for the last few years, that I've set aside all of my metal tools.
Last year, Bead and Glass Boutique hosted a demonstration for our local bead society using the Vintaj Big Kick machine.  We embossed lots of metal blanks, used hole punching pliers to punch holes in the blanks, and connectd them together, adding beads & embellishments.  It was a blast!!
This month, Jessica, our resident metal smith, is teaching the session at the Boutique!!

Since my interest in metals is being rekindled, I've picked up a few books to review.

"Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop" by Mary Hettmansperger
Combining sheet, clay, mesh, wire and more
Published by Lark Books

This book is a really great resource for those interested in the various types of metal clay.  While she does cover basic sheet metal techniques such as forming, annealing, patinas, and soldering, there is a strong focus on metal clay techniques, tips, and tricks!!

Mary goes into quite a bit of detail in her Equipment and Tools chapter, sixteen pages to be exact.  It's the most comprehensive detail on tools I've seen from most metal focused books for jewelry.  Bear in mind, however my point of reference is of a beader, so I'm sure there are others out there that I haven't been exposed to.

I think this is a fabulous resource for anyone seeking to get started with metal clay.
She details silver clay, bronze clay, and copper clay.

The projects are just fabulous, and if I ever try my hand at metal clay, I would want to make an attempt at the "Perforation Pendant" on page 84.

Oh My Neglected Blog

Here you sit - patiently waiting... my neglected blog.

I haven't forgotten you, I've just been so SO busy between working very hard in the new location for Bead & Glass Boutique and my full time job was quite busy in 2012.

I managed to escape town, not once - but THREE times !!
Wisconsin
San Diego
and a road trip to Georgia.

Looking forward to a great 2013 !!

And more blog posts....
I've got TONS of book reviews to get caught up on.

For now... 1am says I have to get some sleep.

*nite!*