Bead Trends March magazine feature

My second Bead Trends feature for 2012 is up and running!  I'm so excited that I can say that.  If you missed my post about my February feature, check it out right here.

As always, I got my two free copies of the magazine.

I also got another $20 gift certificate.  Believe it or not, I haven't spent any of these yet.  I need to make some online soon to do a big bead shopping spree at Fire Mountain.  For anyone wondering, I already checked with the site about using multiple gift certificates for a single order, and you can use 5 at one time.

I was pleased see with the feature that they actually photographed my whole item instead of just taking a couple artistic shots of it.  Anyone interested in making this project will have a decent shot at it.  They also clearly didn't have any better idea than I did how to capture this color palette very accurately.

This piece is now available right here in my Etsy shop.

I have revisited different variations of this color combination a few times over the years.  I'm sure that I'm not done with it yet.  These first two pieces are available in my shop.  Click on the photos to go to the listings.

In the comment section of my last Bead Trends feature post, Edi shared a great tip about submitting ideas to magazines:
Magazines are generally looking for ideas 3-6 months ahead of the current trends and season.  When you submit ideas, you should be in this mind frame, too.
Thanks Edi!

Any other tips about magazine submissions?  Share them in the comments!

I am included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday - 3/9/2012.

Bead Trends February magazine feature

I have the privilege of starting 2012 with two features in Bead Trends magazine!  I am especially honored because Bead Trends is featuring a lot beadweaving in 2012.  Some of you may remember that I had my first feature with the magazine this time last year.  They were apparently impressed enough that they remembered my work and contacted me to see if I had any new designs to submit.  I sent about eight ideas to them, two of which they picked for early 2012 issues.  Talk about an ego boost!

Bead Trends featured artists always receive two free copies of the magazine.

I'll be honest: I don't love their featured photos.  The lighting and props are good, but the photos are very artsy.  That's fine for a feature that doesn't include a tutorial.  However, theoretically people should be able to make their own versions of these pieces based on the photos and written directions.  The photos make this process tough because they don't do a great job showing the pieces in their entirety.  However, the photos are still high quality, and it's always interesting to see how other people will photograph your work.  Hopefully my written directions are enough to get people there.

You don't receive any money for being featured, but you do get a $20 gift certificate to Fire Mountain Gems.  That's even better, right?  They definitely know what will appeal to their artists.

 

This piece is now available right here in my Etsy shop.

I really love this color combination.  It's a very unique neutral.  I used a similar palette for these earrings.  I also used a similar palette for my piece that will be featured in the March 2012 issue.  It includes one of Kristie's ceramic donuts.  I'll have more information about that when it's released.

For those of you who have also had magazine or similar features, do you have any advice for those who are interested in getting started with this pursuit?

Newest Articles:

Ribbon Storage Solutions: Craft Ideas for Boxes, Organizers, and More

March Holidays and Special Days: Elementary Classroom Activities, Ideas, and Lesson Plans

Looking for older articles?  Click here!

Where I linked up today:

new book recommendations, Etsy shop to check out, and a sneak peak

I found two new crafty books at the library last week that caught my interest. They are The Button Maker: 30 Great Techniques and 35 Stylish Projects by Sarah Beaman and Beader's Stash: Designs from America's Favorite Bead Shops by Laura Leavaas. My major complaint about both books is that there are not enough pictures of the steps for the projects. The finished project pictures are great, but for those of who are beginners at either skill, that's really not enough. There are a lot of good ideas in both books, though. I think that with some trial and error, I could attempt at least a few projects from each book.

There is one project from Beader's Stash from the owner of Bead in Hand, which is the bead store that I grew up going to (when I did much less complex projects than I do now) and still frequent on occasion when I'm back in the Chicago area. I thought that was pretty neat!

I came across a new Etsy shop through someone else's blog this weekend that I think everyone should check out: macaroll (another special education teacher!). She sells homemade ceramic beads, buttons, and pendants for very reasonable prices. These are just two of my favorites items from her shop

Wrap it Up...

Feelin' Blue

Finally, here's a sneak peak of my newest embellished square stitch cuff that I finished this weekend. :)

And here's a little bonus: a picture of Angel that I took after I'd finished my latest round of jewelry pictures. We rearranged the living room a little last week because we got a few new pieces of furniture from IKEA. We moved one lamp next to the couch, and Angel decided that would be a good place to hang out today. :) I may post pictures of the living room rearrangement sometime, too.

leafy feature number 8

I can't believe that I haven't done one of these since January! Enjoy!

That Vintage Leafy Vine - Pendant Necklace - Tasmanian Myrtle by sophiehillartist

Swirl Leaf - Dark silver plated Swirl leaf charm necklace by earringsnation

Catalpa Leaf Bowl Set Porcelain and Stoneware by AquarianPotteryWorks

Fiery Maple - Square Pendant by auberrygirl

Little Evergreen Oak Leaf 1 by Carapace

Large Fancy Glass Leaf Pendant - Red and Gold With Silver Foil - 40mm - 1800 by LeCotillon

Antiqued Brass Leaves Filigree by pignkitty

Entrecard features

Here is one of my current favorite items from Sharla (BeadedTail) who was one of my February Top Droppers. These multicolored beads are awesome!

Graffiti - Multi-colored Polymer Clay and Purple Swarovski Beaded Sterling Silver Earrings

And as promised, here are the Top 10 blogs that my Entrecard ads got the most clicks on. I highly recommend checking out all of these blogs. Many of these ladies also have wonderful Etsy shops. Please check them out as well.

1) Melissa Jewelry and Gem Blog
2) Just a Little Zizzy
3) Three Fates Design - Beaded Jewelry
4) Dashery Jewelry
5) Lenox Knits
6) Scarbrough Seashells
7) Behind the Bit
8) Split Rock Ranch
9) My Owl Barn
10) Nico Designs

one of the most underrated colors

I like almost every color. Since I seriously got into making jewelry almost two years ago, I've experimented with a lot of colors and started wearing a lot of colors that I never thought I would. There are several colors that I think are underrated. Lime is one of them. I got these awesome lime beads when I was back in Chicago over Presidents' Day weekend.


Since I'm sure that everyone could use a refreshing spring color this time of year, I thought it would be fun to do a little lime feature.

Spring Fairy Wrist Warmers by koopdegrace

large olive, lime, vintage glass wire wrapped teardrop pendant and necklace by bethtastic

NEARLY SPRING....Free Shipping by blueseraphim

Green Apples (handmade buttons set of 6) by TessaAnn

peridot . drop . necklace by sleepymoondesign

turquoise and red

I finished another pair of earrings this week. I still have two more substantial projects in the works. I don't know why I haven't had more passion for them this past week. Getting everything fixed at home and working on my last 6 master's credits has zapped more out of me than I realized it would I guess. It hasn't helped that my hands have been more chapped and sore from the dry weather than usual lately or that I've been a little discouraged about my lack of Etsy sales (I haven't had one since Thanksgiving).

I'm planning to photograph the new earrings tomorrow, and hopefully I'll make progress on at least one other project over the weekend. For now, I'm going to share a few items in one of my favorite color combinations: turquoise and red!

Puzzled - Bold Peyote Cuff (2902) by time2cre8

Abstract Southwestern Peyote Cuff (2009) by SandFibers

Felt and Button Pendant - Slushie Mash Up by PoorRobin

the piece that inspired this feature:
Coral Lagoon - Cuff by triz

Turquoise and Red Felted Beads by StemellinaSupplies

Frida Kahlo's Earrings by LaPerLaA

red and turquoise by papernclay

and finally one of my own:
turquoise and red fringed peyote cuff

EtsyBlogger February Featured Seller

The EtsyBlogger February Featured Seller is TiLTCreations! She has two Etsy shops: TiLTcreations and tilttoo. She also has two blogs: tiltcreations and tiltcreationstoo. Fun stuff! The items that I've selected to feature here are from her TiLTcreations shop.

I think that this first item is my favorite from her current selection.
Mollie Clutch in Chocolate Jewel Mobile by Alexander Henry

I love this, too, though!
Casual Backpack in Chocolate Squares

And one more just for fun! Because this is a fun item.
Wristlet Pouch in Patchy Print

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here's one final Valentine's Day item for the occasion. I love the buttons on it. :)

Sign of Love by CardBlanc

Please put your vote in for the current EBW Challenge if you haven't already! One more day! http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

quick news and a random feature

Two out of the three things that went wrong with the week have been resolved now and the last thing is on its way to being resolved so I'm feeling much better than I was the last time I posted. A couple other neat things have happened over the past two days, too. The first was that Art Beads included my pink/red rock garden bracelet in their Valentine's Day Blogger Gallery of Designs on Facebook! The second was the I sold the leafy series - modern in person last night. :) This was my first sale since Thanksgiving!

I was really torn between doing a leafy feature or a random feature tonight. I decided to go with a random feature this time. Here are a few of my newly favorited items on Etsy. Enjoy!

Retro TURQUOISE and BROWN BEAD SET by visart

Sterling Silver Champagne Crystal Pearl and Antique Glass Button Charm Bracelet by MrsGibson

Coral Seas Beadwoven Bracelet - Tropics Series by littlestonedesign

FUNKY NUGGETS....Free Shipping by blueseraphim

Owl iPhone/Touch Cozy by AlyssaLyn

St. Croix Lush Tropical Bracelet by PacificJewelryDesign

Cute Silver Hoop Earrings by KayKaysBowTique