Masaya, Goddess of Volcanoes

The Battle of the Beadsmith 2013 is well underway; there is an eclectic mix of styles and skill sets represented so far. If you want to follow the action, click here. At the top of the page is a "photos" link which, if you click it, will take you to the albums of each battle.  This year, the public is welcome to vote. If you would like to vote, click the "files" link and look for the document outlining the steps.

Now that my battle is published, finally, I can show photos here.

"Masaya" (Goddess of Volcanoes)

 My piece began with the creation of the yellow polymer clay cabochons. When I use the "inside out bead" or "Natasha" bead technique, the final result is a random, mysterious surprise.  In this case, I cleaned up my work table after a particularly productive day and used the leftover clay scraps to make some cabs.  When I opened the resulting log of patterned clay, my reaction was, "OMG, I need to save these for my Battle piece!"  (The two on the bottom of the finished necklace.)

Rich, vibrant texture and color was a great starting point. When it came to design, there was a lot to consider. I wanted to add a new skill and the bead-embroidered collar on a brass blank was something I've been meaning to try for a couple of years. I stitched down row-after-row, layer-upon-layer to create the final richly textured collar.

As I began embellishing the two clay cabs, it became obvious that this necklace wanted DRAMA: color... sparkle... texture... the thing practically screamed, "Gimme!" When that section was complete, my plan was to connect it to the collar and call it done.  My dear friend, Mikkey, looked at it and told me it was "very nice, but it won't have a chance at winning... not big enough". Nice. NICE?!? I wasn't going for "nice" here. I wanted to do something epic, something that would rival anything I've done to date. Clearly, it was time to go back to the studio and try to make some more cabs - a difficult thing to do when using a scrap technique. I did my best and came up with some similar pieces which matched well.

In a previous post, I referenced how the individual components didn't fit together properly when they were ready for assembly. I love the final configuration. The first piece is now at the bottom, the new cabs seem to soar from the top and follow the lines of the wearer's collarbones perfectly. Normally, the brass collar blank would have enough tension in it to hold the necklace in place without a clasp. But the final piece was so heavy that it slid right off my neck! I added a pretty handmade clasp at the back with a gold-filled hook and it looks lovely from the back.

 When the neck piece was finished, I still had time left and a couple of the yellow cabs were yet unused.  I went ahead and made a matching cuff and hair accessory. The hair comb was another thing I've been meaning to try for a while now.

All told, a huge quantity of supplies and 250 hours of time were consumed in the process of creating this project.

There were some good lessons for me here:

• Bigger can be better
• Don't give up if the original plan goes awry
• Test your limits. You don't know what you are capable of if you don't try.

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I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a number of people who helped me get through this project:

• Sherry Serafini and Heidi Kummli for the outstanding instructions for covering a brass collar in their book, The Art of Bead Embroidery
• Steven Weiss, from The Beadsmith, for inviting me to participate in the contest
• Mikkey Tarantino for her enthusiastic input and suggestions; I still have her footprints on my backside from when she convinced me to go huge!
• Rebecca McElroy, Jack Jitsu, and Jenn Ryan of Dr Cowlick's Photography in Raleigh, NC for the gorgeous photos. You guys rock!
• and (I saved the best for last) my darling Marble Man, who has had to listen to me talk about this thing for months and never asked me to stop. Thank you!!!

Now... what's next on my bead tray?

copyright 2013 Shibori Girl

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the contest to name my newest collection of clay jewelry is (drumroll please):

Tameka from Tea And Honey Bread

Her contribution to the name pool is Morrocane Magic. I love this... a play on words and it's catchy. Thanks to everyone who participated.


copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

We Have a Winner!

And the winner of the Mad Hatter Tea Party necklace contest is....

Snap, of Tales From The Twisty Lane (It's on it's way to you as I type.) Be sure to stop by her blog and swoon over the beautiful photos she posts.

Thank you to all who left comments here for the contest. I hope you'll stop by again soon.

copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

200th Post Contest Winner

I dipped my hand into the hat and pulled out a name for my 200th post giveaway contest. *drumroll please...* The winner is:

Lori Vliegen of Elvie Studio

Thank you to everyone who participated and left comments. Here's to another 200.

copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

200th Blog Post Coming Up!

Marble Man might argue but... I can't believe I had enough to say to fill nearly 200 posts. Today's post is number 199. So, to celebrate, I'm starting a giveaway contest. To participate, just leave a comment on this post (be SURE to leave contact info if you aren't a blogger!) and on March 15th, I'll draw a name out of a hat. The lucky winner will receive this necklace:

The pendant is a slice of one of my polymer clay kaleidoscope canes. The slice was baked, then sanded, buffed, and polished with an acrylic coating to protect it from skin contact. The finished size of the pendant is 1.125 inches wide and 1.25 inches long.

I've taken many small slices of a bullseye cane and marched them around the edge for interest.

The necklace is made from antiqued brass chain and Czech fire-polished crystals with sweet little brass bead caps. The finishing touch is a brass-toned "S" clasp.

The necklace is 18" long, but if the winner wants it longer, I can do that. We'll tawk.

Be sure to spread the word - the winner need not be a regular reader. I'm so happy to have kept this blog going for so long, I want to share my joy.



copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

One World One Heart Winners

My studio elves have made the random drawings for my giveaway prizes and we have some winners to announce:

Astrid Maclean of Astrid's Artistic Efforts
Robin of Around the Island
Betty Boogie

You three have each won a pair of these earrings:

Sharon of Shardon Exclusives has won this pair of earrings:

Nicole Campanella of Beadwright is the winner of this pair of earrings:

Turn Left At The Pigs won this pair of earrings:

Thanks to everyone who participated in this event, and for all of you who left comments for me. I look forward to visiting your blogs in the near future to see what you all are up to.


copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

Winning Announcement

It's time to announce the winners for the One World One Heart giveaway contest! *Drumroll*

Hooray! Enzie at World Market Portraits is the lucky winner of my blue silk ribbon-embroidered picture frame.

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And Christine of Du Buh Du Designs won the Agate and Sterling silver earrings.

Congratulations to you both. Send me your snail mail addresses and I'll send out your prizes as soon as I can.

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Thanks to all who commented on my entry. I've made many new friends and I'm going to be spending a lot more time in Blogland from now on, that's for sure!

One World, One Heart

To all of you who have commented on this post:

I am overwhelmed by the reaction I have received with this giveaway. As of 11:30 AM on February 11th, comments are closed for these prizes. It's going to take me all day to pick the winners from the nearly 600 comments you have all left!

Thank you so much, and I hope you will come back again for a visit. I'll keep the cookie jar full.

Kate

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Be still, my heart… One World One Heart is Here! We’ve been thinking about it for weeks and weeks, and now, here you are!

I’ve been writing my blog since early 2005. I had some false starts, but finally found my groove last year. Things I love about blogging: the spontaneity, the freedom, and the friendships I’ve formed with people I probably would never have met otherwise. This blog-wide celebration is a fabulous chance to increase my sphere of friends and I embrace it. If you want to know more about this event, please click on the logo above.

My participation includes two (count ‘em: TWO) giveaways - one for two lucky customers! They are:

1) a handmade, silk ribbon embroidered picture frame

The frame is 5” x 7”, is covered with a lovely pale blue rayon/acetate moiré faille, and has an acetate insert to protect your photo.

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2) My other giveaway is a pair of my handmade earrings

These earrings have sterling silver filigree ear wires, agate stones, sterling silver bead caps, and freshwater pearls. They are approximately 1.5 inches long.

They will arrive packaged on a small earring card featuring a copy one of my own sketches:

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To qualify for these giveaways,
1) you do not need to be an active blogger
2) please leave a comment here on this post (and this post only please)
3) be sure to include contact information, preferably an email address or link to your own blog.
4) if you have a preference for either one of the two giveaway items, please specify in your comment which one you would like. I'll have two hats ready and toss your name into the appropriate one of your choosing. If not, then I'll surprise you when your name is picked.
5) you do not have be participate in One World, One Heart. Just the act of stopping by and commenting qualifies you for the drawing.

The drawing will be on February 12, when two lucky people’s names will be drawn out of the hat.

Meanwhile, grab a cookie, and stay awhile to say “hello” to the other visitors…

Another Giveaway

On Saturday, August 9th, I'm being featured on the blog, Handmade Showcase , which includes an earring giveaway. There are contest rules which you can find there (the drawing will take place on August 23rd at midnight). Please do participate in the contest - I want these little beauties to go to a loving home.

Materials:

Stacked vintage frosted white and lavender Lucite flower beads
Stacked antiqued brass bead caps
Swarovski crystals and sugalite rondelles
**Antiqued brass ear wires - will change to gold-filled if desired

Retail value $17.50

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This week my time was consumed with retaking a bunch of photos with my spiffy new light box. I've found that black poster board makes a GREAT back sweep. With the bright lights it comes out a soft slate gray and shows off work to great advantage.

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Part 2:

OK, OK, check this out you guys! I got some new toys in the form of acrylic risers in black and white. Look how FREAKING AWESOME these pictures came out!!

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If I'm not careful, people are going to think I hired a professional photographer for these. I'm really liking this light box!

And the Winners Are...

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I've just completed the name-drawing for the pink flower earrings giveaway contest and we have some winners: (drumroll please... and perhaps a flourish of trumpets)

somepinkflowers

Fete et Fleur

Rochambeau

Congratulations All! What I need from you now is your snail mail addresses so these little beauties can start their adventures.

Thanks to all who participated.

1:00PM Follow-up:

I thank all of you for getting your mailing info to me so super-quick! I'm sending them this afternoon.

Be sure to tell all your friends where you got the earrings when they "ooh" and "ahh" over them!

It's Party Day!

I just snuck around the garden gate to peek at Vanessa's party preparations only to find she's all set up and full-out spectacularly wild over there. Happy 200th post, Vanessa! I had hoped to have something a little lavish to celebrate the occasion, but, alas, managed only a small tea party. I look forward to seeing all who feel like having a cookie and slurping a cup of tea (make mine iced, please - it's HOT here!) to celebrate Vanessa. (This is a wild party; slurping is allowed.)

First off - I apologize for some of the photography. My camera just had to pick this week to die, forcing me to borrow a video camera which did not take very good stills. The food is much better tasting than it looks, I promise!

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I made some blueberry corn muffins. Delicious!

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I picked out my frilliest tea pot - the one with the bas relief roses all over it.

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And I put out the pretty decorated sugar cubes that Sis-in-law Paula Mandel gave me.

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My little leather friend, Roo is sporting her favorite garden party hat, waiting for y'all to help yourself to some treats , and wants to hear about your day.

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My own favorite garden hat with my handmade vintage ribbon cabbage roses and tulle.

And here's a surprise: I'm giving one pair of these handmade earrings to three randomly picked people who leave comments today! Yay! I will put your names into my fab garden hat and pick three winners on Monday morning. I'll advertise the winners here and leave you a note on your blogsite Monday afternoon. Cross your fingers!

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So, come on in, set a while, have some nibbles and celebrate Vanessa's special day.