Bead Art

I found this cool site:
BeadArtists.org
If you are looking for inspiration, that be the place. The glass artists are awesome. Check out this gallery if you don't believe me:
The Glass Turtle

I'd also like to mention this bead artist and her website, Jessica Beels. I did an informal e.mail interview with her a few months ago, and this is what she had to say about beading and the art community in NYC.

I am originally from New York City, but I've been living in Washington,
DC, for the past 20 years. I have had some sort of craft business
(knitting, strung beaded jewelry, beadweaving, handmade paper) at least
part-time since I got out of college. About 12 years ago, when I was
doing more soldering and silver work, I tried having a studio outside
my home for a while, for safety reasons. But, in addition to it
costing a bit more than I really could afford, I found it difficult to
make the time to get to the studio and then stay long enough to get
"real" work done. So, I made sure that, when we moved into a larger
house, I had room for an in-home studio. It's not very big (maybe 8' x
10'?) but I have lined it with shelves all the way up to the ceiling on
three sides and I have three narrow 6-foot worktables to spread all of
my projects out on.

These days, I do mostly sculptural beadwork - hollow-formed 3D pieces,
mostly jewelry) and sell it at juried craft shows on the East Coast and
in a few galleries. I have been trying to enter more juried
competitions and group shows, in an effort to gain visibility without
having to spend an entire weekend on my feet, selling my wares (and not
making stuff!).

Re. the art vs. craft question. It's been on my mind for decades. I
was an art history student in college (focused on 17th-century Dutch
painting) and I got a masters in Early American Culture (decorative
arts, focusing on an Arts and Crafts era jeweler) at the Winterthur
Museum in Delaware. The line between art and craft is a very fuzzy one
and nowadays seems to be linked more to the market and visibility than
to the stuff itself. "Art" is used as a tag for something that is
considered so "good" that one needn't use it, you could just look at
it. Or, if something is made with a traditional craft technique, but
with a narrative or other "hook."

In the world of craft shows, yes, crafts are taken very seriously. But
at things like the SOFA (sculptural objects and functional art) shows,
I wonder whether they are trying too hard to differentiate themselves
from what they are - craft. Or why not just acll is "Art" and deal
with the competition? It all comes down to what the buyer wants it to
be, I think. When I call my work sculpture, certain people perk up,
even when it's jewelry. It's as though knowing that there is a
(wink-wink) difference makes you smarter or more in touch and savvy and
therefore you can raise your price or change the label or get more
credit for the same piece of work.

That said, I think that people who respect crafts as well made, usually
functional pieces get more LASTING respect than people who like your
work as ART. The attachment has to do with the piece and the process,
not just the effect. But that's a pretty sweeping statement.

Ultimately, the respect question comes down to whether you respect your
own work for what it is, regardless of what you call it. My work is
simply not narrative and is rarely considered "art" by people who
distinguish between the two. My work is about the process and the
material, and that's why I like it. For most people, that makes it
craft (especially since it's 99% functional), but I don't deny that
it's art in my world and share pdf.

And my Dad would agree. As a representational painter in an
abstract-heavy popular art world, he is crafting paintings and painting
because he likes to produce something that looks like what it is. He
is not painting in order to make a statement about the world, really.
He's honing a skill and hoping to present a picture, an idea, that
someone connects to for their own reasons (not to put words in his
mouth).

Unrelated topic:

I'd also like to take a moment and bitch about Etsy. I haven't made a sale to ship since the 3rd. And I'm getting nervous, and a little upset. I've heard through the forums that they are doing no advertising. Since joining the Etsy community, I have spent quite a bit in fees, and I'd like to see a little effort on their part to find BUYERS, NOT MORE SELLERS.

New Venue

My work is now shown at The Dundee Gallery, located at 4915 Underwood, in the heart of Dundee, Omaha, Nebraska! I'm excited, but have some reservations...Will I be targeting the same audience as the Joslyn gift shop? Is consigning work really the direction I want to go in? I think it might be the mood I'm in. I have had a burst of creativity since completing the bra and belt ensemble. I don't want to have a regular job, all I want to do is create. It could be that I had a 2 year old toddle up to me and ask me if I am a fucking bitch.ultra pure urine oz I'm tired of retail.

Pink

This is what I'm currently working on. A freeform peyote stitch bracelet with big lampwork beads by Christina Barton. I like to work with colors I normally don't (i.e. pink) to flex the ol' creative muscles.

The Tropics

This is my lastest addition on Etsy. It's winter here in the Midwest,
but somewhere it's balmy and tropical.

Lately, I've been in a bit of a funk bead-wise. Gasp!
Collage work, and in particular creating ACEOs, is the rut buster for me.
I've been on the hunt for inspiration. Check out Brandie Butcher-Isley

Storytelling in imagery at it's finest!

ACEO Artist Spotlight

Fellow Etsy artist stevenspat has some seriously awesome ACEOs. I like her style (and am anxiously awaiting my two cards).

New colors

My day job is buyer at a large bead store in Omaha, Nebraska. The updated Miyuki seed bead catalog came out two weeks ago and I received the NEW COLORS in all sizes. I'm super stoked. These are the ones that came home with me.

More gold tones than I normally work with, but I was drawn to them...

My brother and sister-in-law gave me a gift certificate to the lapidary shop in town. I am very excited. Thinking a new bead embroidered piece for myself. Something in blues. Something in an organic shape.

Still working on my large, very pink, freeform bracelet. As soon as I get done fiddling with this blog, I WILL finish that bracelet. Tonight.

Peek in

I thought I would show off my work area. Right now it's at the most disorganized it's ever been. I have got many projects in the planning stages, and two or three that have been started...


I am working on another Goth Valentine Day fringe bracelet. I should have this up on Etsy later tonight.

Baby Needs a New Pair of Boxing Gloves

Well, I'm hoping to sell a few pieces this week. I'm in need of new boxing gloves. Not only have they torn at the seams, but I somehow got a weird bruise on the back of my right hand. For a beader, and all around maker of "things," hands are darned important.

Anyway, I finished another "Goth Valentine's fringe bracelet" tonight, and worked a little more on the pink freeform bracelet. I got caught up in reading forum posts on Etsy, so I didn't get quite as far as I'd hoped. I DID get my paper craft and soldering corner of my studio cleaned up. (That part of my studio also doubles as a kitchen. I do most of my cooking and eating at my boyfriend's place, freeing up valuable work space! And it has been a wonder for my diet, since all the food is 2 blocks away.) And I took pics of my scarves and pants to list on Etsy. I have decided not to work in that direction, so the pieces that are up are the last of my interest in knitting and pant making.

New ideas (atleast to me they are!)

I finished my pink freeform peyote stitch bracelet (finally), and it turned out beautifully. I will be listing it on Etsy in a week or so. Any interested souls may contact me at thejadedog@yahoo.com. It ain't cheap.



In the meantime, I have had a few ideas for new pendants. I pulled out some mokume gane slabs of polymer clay I had created this past summer, and played around with some new bails with backing attachments we received at the shop. Here's the first:



I made a few "quilted" leaves last night. I'm layering papers, fabrics, and leather, stitching them together. I need a punch to attach eyelets, and they will be ready to hang. I may do that tomorrow, and get a pic up. I have an idea for a freeform neckpiece using the new beads I purchased last week.

I am not sure where this sudden burst of creativity has come from. I have felt stagnant for...I don't know how long. Yesterday I pulled out Self-Promotion for the Creative Person by Lee Silber. I read it through over a year ago. Didn't do much with the information. Maybe I just wasn't ready to do what needs to be done. And now I am?

Bead boys DO wear the most interesting pants.

I'm back from a fast and furious buying trip to Tucson. I buy for the store, and for myself. I didn't spend nearly as much as I did last year, but did find some treasures. I will try to get a descent picture of my bead booty. Some things I had to purchase a hank of, or a full bag of. Since I do OOAK works, I don't like to continuously use the same ingredients. I'll be listing several vintage lots on Etsy, and I may get back to Ebay.

To be honest, I haven't been selling much on Etsy in the last couple of weeks. I'm wondering if that's the place I need to be spending so much effort. Ah, but then where? I'm investigating other options and possibilities.

I got so many GREAT IDEAS in Tucson. Now it's finding the time to implement them all. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I guess I should explain the title of my post. Or not. Instead, take a peek at some vintage cabs I'll be posting to Etsy in the next couple of days (20 for $5):

An extra day off from work does my brain good

It snowed quite a bit Monday night into Tuesday this week, so I took a personal day. I didn't really feel like driving the 60 miles to work in the muck. That extra day was just what I needed to get crackin' on new projects, get others finished up, and some others went back to the drawing board. :) Speaking of set aside projects, I'm almost finished with my belly dance bra top! I have a line of beading to do around the edging of one cup, attach the straps, and make a center bead tassel. I will have it done Saturday- with awesome pics!

Another venue to sell handcrafted items, Lov.li!
I just signed up and listed one item at my new shop.

It's FINALLY done!

Yoohoo! I have finally completed the belly dance bra top I've been working on for a little over a year. I had some problems with the straps, coming up with a comfortable yet strong tie was tricky...but I solved the dilemma with ribbons sewn on the sides and I left the silky scarves extra long so it can be tied into a flirty bow in back.

And a belt to match!

So, I've taken apart a section that was bugging me. A small set-back.
I tried a forum post to raise some money so I can stay home a couple of days. My patrons thus far:
AnotherCountry and PrairieLuxe. Check out their sites, linked to the right!

Vintage Lovlies

Just a reminder that I have vintage cabochons listed on Etsy, and I also have vintage Belgian sequins listed on Ebay. I've been very frustrated with Etsy, and may start listing my supplies on eBay as those items come up for renewal on Etsy.

I'm (almost) done!

Here's a progress update for my bellydance belt.
The surface embellishment has been completed. I will be backing the piece with leather and beading the edges, beginning Saturday. So, I should be completely done on Wednesday. Yippee!! Here's pics:




Oh, and I SCHEDULED time to work on PMC this week! I completed three charms, and am working on a vessel, a set of beads, a seed pod, and a large bisque blank bead. Check at my lov.li shop to see pics of the finished pieces.

Belt Completed!

It's true! I have finally finished my bead embroidered belt. I'll try taking some descent pictures in the next couple of days, sunny days permitting. I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted...

And on to the next project!

At International Bead Market this weekend, myself and another instructor will be demoing the latest products and techniques throughout the day. We are also having a balloon pop sale. Don't forget the Bead Bazaar is also happening this Saturday at Westside Community Center, just up 108th Street at Grover. Good times and great beads to be had!

Exciting news

Both "Mrs. Peacock, in the Atelier, with a String of Pearls" and "Belly Dancer's Bra and Belt Ensemble" have been juried into Bead and Button's Bead Dreams 2007 bead competition! I'm really excited and am hoping I win because I'd really like a kiln and nice Lindstrom tools. So, if you are going, please vote me People's Choice. Ha!

I have been fooling a bit with wire again, and this bangle is my latest offering. My hands get tired wrapping the wire, but the results are so worth it.

Shipping and Receiving

I'm packing up my treasures to send to Bead and Button. How nerve wracking. I'm still waiting to hear from my insurance agent. That, too, is nerve wracking.

I got my Federal Tax Return yesterday. That made me happy. And I promptly mailed a chunk of that to my credit card. And with the scrapings a bought a couple of new workout hoodies at the Lady Footlocker, where everything was 70% off. Deal.

Today, I'm working on PMC beads and firing them tomorrow, so I should be listing those Sunday on Etsy. I have sold all the beads I have made, but the charms and large beads are not moving. Gotta figure out where my peeps are!

My nephew

This is Charlie, and he is the cutest kid ever on the face of this planet Earth.

Poll

Is my mom the only one reading my blog?

Freaking Out

I have gone to part time status at my day job, so I can focus on my art-to-wear business. I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't scared. And nervous. And a little wigged out. I have decided to do two more art/craft shows this year (yuck), and I am working on dates for a trunk show at Dundee Gallery (sweet!). I have much work to do, but I'm taking it slow and steady. I made several lists this weekend. Things I'd like to have done for the trunk show, ideas for presentations, new works. I have some ideas for repurposed clothing, too. I'm trying to put the whole Bead and Button show out of my head. It's not helping me focus :)

So...you'll be seeing new works here in the next month, and details on my next Big Project.

Catching up

I went to an auction yesterday. It was only my second auction, and it was great fun! Don had to leave for a gig, so I toughed it out alone. I was waiting for a flat of buttons to come up...and it was almost THE LAST ITEM!!! So, needless to say, I left my arm in the air when it came up for bidding...I got some beautiful buttons, and there were some vintage Swarovski bits floating in there, too. I have a couple of items up on Ebay from that lot...Two navy Navy buttons, some vintage Czech, a railroad button. Check it out if you are so inclined: the_jade_dog

I'll list more items when I'm back from vacation.
Yes, you heard it right. I leave for the beautiful NW tomorrow night. Taking a much needed break. I'm in a funk... Etsy sales have become so far and few between. A little disheartening, and couldn't come at a worse time; when I go to part-time regular work. I spend quite a bit on fees each month, and last month was no exception. Where is everybody?

Uber-Bummed

I didn't even place at Bead Dreams. I'm super disappointed.

More Ebay Listings

I've listed some more buttons on Ebay. Here's a cool example:





The Jade Dog Ebay Listing

"New" Vintage Cabs and Buttons

I've listed a ton of cabs and buttons, both on Ebay and Etsy. I've had a great time looking for beautiful pieces to offer creative souls. I've become a bit of a button freak in the last couple of weeks. I will try and post some pics up of a few buttons that I may well frame, they are such incredible miniature piece of art.

I have been working on a crocheted rope. I started it on vacation, and am close to the end. I have decided to make some beaded beads to hang on the ends a la lariat.



It's really hot here in Iowa; mid-nineties with really high humidity. Ugh. And it's only the beginning of summer.