Club Creative Studio has been a busy place.  I have had a great time working with my mixed metal recently.  Discovering how and what I want to create by meshing layered metals in a cold connection (rivet technique) is a fun challenge. Of course, I wish to also incorporate my hand-made beads as well.

I have been working with 24-guage sheet metals. I have found that to be the most beloved thickness to design and make my jewelry with.  My studio is quite noisy when I decide to texture my metal pieces because I am hammering and pounding.  I have a new textured hammer that is double-sided and has interchangeable ends for making interesting designs.  And I also use my chasing hammer as a multi-purpose hammer for smoothing and doming, shaping and riveting. The ball-peen hammer is my main punching tool and I love the surface texture I can pound using this type hammer.

Recently to incorporate my hand-rolled clay beads, I create a pendant using mixed metals and a cold connection, then add Club Creative Studio one-of-a-kind beads to the art.  What a great combination.  To see more, be sure to check on the Facebook page and online. I will be adding sneak peek photographs and items available for in those particular venues.

http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

I will be taking photos of my metal working tools at some point and use them as a blog topic. Would that be of interest to you? Let me know what other tools of my trade you would like to learn more about.  Be creative every day!

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Club Creative Studio hand-made wire bracelet.

Turquoise bracelet hand-twisted wire from Club Creative Studio.

Club Creative Studio speaks often about creativity. Here on the blog, you will find inspiration from art, project ideas, and other helpful information stemming from creativity. Today is no different in that I am sharing a short story from the spark of creativity that comes from the opportunity to collaborate and brain-storm.

I attended a networking event a few months ago and there, I met very interesting business people. Among all of them, I met a lady who had a common thread with me. We both shared the love and passion for beads. She was also designing jewelry so needless to say we had much to talk about. What began from a single common friendship fostered a bond through beading. As we connected via other social media methods, we learned more about each other. We planned an outing together to a local bead store that was going out of business. It was there that we spent several hours looking and speaking about beads as well as shopping for beads. It was really a fun time to spend time with someone with a shared enthusiasm for beads and supplies. We are now “beading buddies”.

My beading buddy bought a bracelet (say that three times fast). The wire bracelet was a store sample from one of their classes. When we looked at it we thought the same thing. We both had wondered how it was made, and if we could figure it out by closer examination, since there was not a way to get instruction from the store that was going out of business. We both had mentioned that we had wanted to try to create something similar but had not taken instruction on the technique. We thought that we could make them ourselves. We ended up splitting the cost of the bracelet and I took it home to dissect so we could recreate it later.

After meeting for a brain-storming session, we combined our creative time, and collaborated with our supplies to make our own versions of the same bracelet. Turns out the pattern was a good starting point for us to springboard into our own style and wire-wrapping techniques. Our skill levels were expanding together and we were inspiring to each other. That is what I am thankful for today, the opportunity to connect and support the creative drive of a fellow artist. Can you think of someone you have merged talents with or have benefitted from bouncing ideas off of? Do tell how it was a positive impact for you.

I am now getting comfortable with the technique and my materials. I will soon be able to offer these hand-made bracelets online for others to enjoy and purchase http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Feel free to “like” Club Creative Studio on Facebook. You can see a “Sneak Peek” from time to time of a fresh design on the Club Creative Studio Facebook page at http://www/facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

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Remember how thrilled I was when I wrote about the empty bullet shells that I received from visiting my friend? Janet brought to me many more spent bullets and encouraged me to keep creating from them.  She recently introduced me to the supply source and he told me a few interesting things that I will also share with you here on the blog.

Using empty bullet shells, I created fun recycled art.

Club Creative Studio Bullet Shell Jewelry Art.

Mr. Dan Buckley is a retired police officer. In 1990, Mr. Buckley retired from the Montgomery County Police Department after thirty-three years of dedicated service. He told me about when the force was making a transition from 38 calabar revolvers to the now used 9 millimeter weapons.  “The “bad guys” had more powerful weapons than they did.” So, the transition began. While they needed to train with the new guns, they had to shoot many rounds to get comfortable with the use and power.  They trained weekly and shot many rounds. Mr. Buckley estimates that the hundred men probably fired around 500 rounds each when they were first making the change-over. Times that by 100 officers and that equals 50,000 empty cases!  Dan collected the shells from the ground initially because he planned on reloading them. He did not get around to it.  For nearly 25 years, they remained in a 5 gallon bucket in a corner of his garage. I could not wait to make my artful transformations and I continue to dream up new items that I can incorporate the empty shells into.

Mini bead flowers on wires are ready to be cut for the Club Creative Studio Bullet Shell Vase Pendants.

Club Creative Studio bullet Vase Art.

When Janet told Mr. Buckley about me and the art that I created from her police officer son’s empty gun shells, he offered to give me the bucket so that I could do more creative art! so, whenever I create another item using the shells, I thank the kind heart of Dan for being my generous supply source. It was great timing and great luck to feel blessed with bullets!

Club Creative Studio Bullet Shell Key Rings

I am allowing my mind to wander and expand on other ideas and ways that I can utilize these shells creatively? I have a few creations in the works. If you have any suggestions as to a different way I can use these bullet shells as a new pendant or in a new item, please share your vision. I have a lot of shells to use up! Thank you for sharing your ideas with me.

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Club Creative Studio Jewelry Art.

This post highlights an interesting recent creation.  It may have started out as ”trash” but, I am happy that I can refer to it as “treasure” now.  I spent time visiting an interesting person and in the mist of one of our conversations she quickly swept away the empty gun shells from a desk top to throw away. Her son, a police officer had the discarded shells from his training. Who knew that being tidy in front of me would make her change gears and not toss the trash.

I asked her if I could have the empty shells because I had an idea to drill a hole through it and somehow make an interesting pendant.  She agreed to share them with a smile and a bit of confusion. It was hard for her to imagine that I could really use them for something artful.  I had ideas in my mind, and I could not wait to show her the results.

Needless to say, I found a way to be creative with the empty shells.

Mixed with a combination of beads, metal wire, crystals, sequins and charms, these bullet shell casings are made to be one-of-a-kind, unique pendants hanging from a simple chain.

Club Creative Studio bullet pendants are one-of-a-kind creations.

These creations will be available online after a brief introduction at a four-day holiday craft fair the first week of November, 2012 in Rockledge, PA.

Club Creative Studio Bullet shell jewelry art.

Please bookmark us and visit us online for the latest creative creations. Our creativity is Art That Sets You Apart! http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Artist: Veronica Campos-Hallstrom

My Thankfulness Challenge continues, and I continue to document at least one thing during the day that I am thankful for.  Sometimes it relates to art specifically, other times not. Today, is one of those days that my thankfulness relates to my art.

Being artful tends to be a big part of my day since it is also my job to create art on demand. Last night, I heard a news story that stuck in my mind and today it helped prompt my thankfulness in this blog post.  Today’s post tells a story of thankfulness for my hands.

My workplace: Club Creative Studio, is packed with many different supplies and needed tools. There is one element that makes my art creations easy that is often over-looked and taken for granted. Today, I express my thankfulness for the constant use of my HANDS, specifically my fingers as functioning tools that I need daily to make artful creations.

I use my hands daily to create one-of-a-kind artful items.

The news feature that gave me this blog prompt was reported and started out by telling the story of a few men who were enjoying a fishing trip together. When one caught a large fish, there was also a surprise attached. Upon further observation, they discovered that the fish had an unexpected object in his jaws along with the line and hook. Much to their dismay, they discovered that it was a human finger! My first reaction was “eeewww” and I then wondered how quickly the question of who it belonged to could be solved.

As the story continued, they found the man who the finger belonged to. It seems that two months prior, he had lost his fingers in a water sport related accident in the same body of water where the fisherman initially were. Those who had analyzed the finger apparently asked him if he wanted it returned to him. He answered, “Why would I want a two-month old dead finger?” He declined to take it back.

This brought to my mind that this person had moved-on and had adapted to his new method of living his life. He had no use for a finger that would not be of use to him. How often do we take for granted elements in our life that we use on a daily basis?  I think geez, without my eyesight or hands, how would I make beads? I don’t know that answer for sure. But, I am grateful and appreciative of the hands, my main working tool that I use everyday in my creations.

Today, I am especially thankful for my HANDS. For, it is from them that I am able to create and express myself. Making beads, jewelry and art with my hands are at the core of sharing creations with you. It gives me pride to be able to create unique items and share them with you as no one else can because they are made only from one pair of hands…mine.

HAND-made beads from Club Creative Studio

Thank you for wearing and sharing Club Creative Studio Art. HAND-made Art That Sets You Apart!

To view more hand-made items, please visit the changing inventory at:

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Club Creative Studio Art and bold suede cord strands.

Today, Club Creative Studio stops to be thankful for three words and the implications it brings to the fashion world. Choice, chance and change.

Choices

It is great news to know that hand-made art can be both unique and affordable. You are able to realize that when you wear something created from Club Creative Studio, you are the only one in the entire world that owns it.  When you wear something hand-made and one-of-a-kind, you express yourself as being an individual and special.  We are happy to offer a variety of choices online and take pride in knowing that nothing is ever made in duplicate.  The choice is yours to be different and supportive of the arts and art created by hand. Make a choice to express yourself creatively.

Chances

Chances are you will notice that suede is going to be popular in shoes and maybe elsewhere. I have created several simple necklaces that have colored suede cords as the strands so that is right on target for the Fall fashion season already.  The color cobalt blue is said to be popular as well as glitter and sparkle (yeah).  While you will still see and enjoy tone-on-tone items, statement pieces and men’s wear inspired looks will spill into women’s accessories.  How will you take a chance in your Fall fashion statements?  Dare to be different! Take a chance, show your creative side.

This Fall season: you’ll notice tassels, Oxford flat shoes, leopard and wing-tipped shoes, and colored toe caps, the chunky look and to me the most exciting: patterns and bold colors!

Bright colors are great for summer and fall if combined with other accessories that can compliment the boldness.

Changes

What changes will you be inspired to make?  Will you embrace the glitter and sequins trend?  Will you explore and appreciate the colors and patterns in new items?  As far as making beads that relate to the new trends, I am pleased and excited to see more contrasting colors and floral and geometric graphics around us. I look forward to coordinating Art That Sets You Apart with fashion-forward movements. Make a change from being ordinary to extraordinary, strut your creative stuff!

image:wowshoes580warcraftshoes

You might notice how things I look at can inspire bead-making for me. Do you see any similar qualities in the shoes above and the rectangle bamboo beads pictured here? Like changing your shoes, adding bright and bold colors to your wardrobe could be the jumpstart you need to meet and greet the new trend.  I remain thankful that our items lend well to standing out and offering unique and varied choices of art.

Color and texture combine for an interesting look for Fall.

Have fun as you attempt to use your creativity and make choices, take a chance, and allow the changes to be an extended expression of your style.  I’d love to help by suggesting that Club Creative Studio creations are as unique as you are.  Club Creative Studio Art found at http://www.clubcreativestudio.com offers you a wide choice of hand-made creations, gives you the chance to visit over and over again and purchase online at your convience, as well as shares in the excitement that our art can change your appearance in an affordable manner through its hand-crafted artistic designs.

Thank you for wearing and sharing Club Creative Studio Art

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Club Creative Studio continues to take part in the Gratitude Project 2012, by posting publicly for 90 days something that I am thankful for. On the days that I blog, I am posting about how something with the creativity theme touches my life in thankfulness.  Today is the 4th post that coincides with this blog.

Special identification/informational tags for Club Creative Studio Art located at the Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA

It is with gratitude that I have had an opportunity to display and sell art in a new venue.  Last week, I prepared Club Creative Studio hand-made art to be included with other talented artist’s work within the Abington Art Center’s Gallery Gift Shop shelves.  Laura Burnham, Executive Director of Abington Art Center accepted work and will arrange a space for it to be available to the public for purchase.

Laura preparing to display Club Creative Studio Art at the Abington Art Center.

One-of-a-kind, hand-made pendant from Club Creative Studio.

There are several reasons that warrant my excitement and thankfulness.  I am thrilled to be located in a new area where art and artists are appreciated by many.  I feel that this door has been opened to me so that others can readily see up close and personal what I do when I create Art That Sets You Apart. It is great to have many more local eyes fixed upon what I love to create.

Club Creative Studio hand-made pendant.

Being part of an atmosphere that is a constant support for artists is a blessing.  It is motivating and inspiring to reach higher on a creative level.

Abington Art Center 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA

I am pleased to offer one-of-a-kind, hand-made art in a variety of venues, especially at the Abington Art Center but, as always online at:

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

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Club Creative Studio’s Handmade wire art necklace.

Yesterday’s post from Club Creative Studio shared a few challenges of the latest wire worked project.  Any single day can be filled with obstacles if you are trying a creative project for a first time or have been away from a technique for any duration of time.  Today’s Feature Friday post will share a few successes from the challenges of working with wire in a new way.

Wire art from Club Creative Studio.

Basicly, when I sat to create these necklaces, I wanted to have the feeling and look of the technique of chain maille but, not all of the complicated segments. That look combines individual loops in a maze-like pattern repeated over and over that link together.  This did the trick for me because for one, I did not get a headache or confused too often and for the second reason, I was able to duplicate the method using a variation of technique.

Colored wire art from Club Creative Studio.

Today, I am thankful for variety at the design table, especially the variety of wire.

Wire lends itself to change.  Wire has different levels of strength and durability, it has a range in gauge (thickness), presents itself in suitable qualities, and it  is offered in a variety of colors as well. It is a wonderful to experiment with. When I wrap in wire, it also looks wonderful to mix silver, gold or copper wires together. I love working with wire. Does it show?

Handmade art from http;//www.clubcreativestudio.com

Please “Like” our artistic expressions at the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio.com

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Multi-Strand Art From Club Creative Studio.

Black and white “Tube Bead” from Club Creative Studio
http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Club Creative Studio is no doubt in love with creating art items using bright and vivid color combinations.  However, this does not mean that anything created in neutrals of black and white are tossed to the side.  NOOOOO, far from that idea.  I also create using black and white in polymer clay and glass.

Hand-made bracelet by Club Creative Studio. http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

I love creating in black and white because of the contrast it lends us visually.  Black happens to be my “favorite color” so, to combine black with any other color is always aesthetically pleasing  to me.  I use black to define and separate areas.  The outlines become just as important that the other elements in my clay bead designs.

Club Creative Studio creates one-of-a-kind art. This is a hand-made necklace featuring a hand-designed black and white crystal pendant with unique elements.

The stark contrast when using black and white draw our eyes into focus of the division of shape and that seems to attract and keep our attention.

Club Creative Studio creates black and white beads for high contrast focal beads.

I am blogging about black and white today because it is “Cow Appreciation Day” today.  Being from the midwest, cows are pretty important.  I will celebrate them today by creating more black and white beads to match the common milk cow, and the abilities of black and white in art to stand out from the ordinary.  Do you like black and white contrast colors together?  What do you like about black and white accessories?

Club Creative Studio Black and White hand-made cuff bracelet.

Club Creative Studio guitar pic earrings. The black and white contrast is what I love in this design.

The next time you see someone wearing items that are designed in black and white, try to determine why you are drawn to that combination.  They are striking for sure.