Resolutions Meet Solutions

13 Jan

 

img_3713The new year is off to a wonderfully creative start for Club Creative Studio.  I have taken time to reflect and redirect. I am excited about little changes as resolutions meet solutions.

Important goals involve ways I can be strategic about creative productivity. Perhaps you have the same desire? Do you want to find ways to be expressive and creative more effectively? Have you resolved this year to be the year of creative productivity?

Today, I offer five tips for making this new year more creatively productive.

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  1. PLAN TONIGHT 
  2. SHORT TO-DO LIST
  3. INSPIRE
  4. SET LIMITS
  5. JUST STOP

PLAN TONIGHT.  Making notes and filling out a planner the night before for the activities of the next day may make you feel less rushed. You will know your goals ahead of time. No time is used up to decide what to do, your plan of the day is right in front of you ready.  The task at hand is ready to be started.

SHORT TO-DO LIST. If you have a single word or short to-do list, you may be more productive in the end. Why make a long list of tasks and have an unfinished to-do list because you ran out of time during the day?

INSPIRE yourself. When you need a spark or rejuvenation, I like the idea of taking a walk. Write down ideas and use the time for group or solo brainstorming.

SET LIMITS. Quitting is an choice. Do you know when to quit? Sometimes stopping work is not project failing. Knowing when to step away when you are no longer adding value to your task or project is productive. Not to be confused with procrastinating; which is counter-productive.  Knowing when to take a break after starting can lead to a fresher restart.

JUST STOP. In order to be productive, you need to learn how to stop whatever does not make you productive in the first place. Making a “Stop-doing” list will give reminders about what you should not be doing says, Jocelyn K. Glei, author. List at least ten things that you commit to not doing in 2017. That list may be causing you to not focus on your best works.

This is hopefully a good start for getting the most out of your creative day. Will any of these points work well for your productivity efforts?  Can you add to the list?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low Cost Idea- Spray Your Way To Improvement

5 Mar

Club Creative Studio blog

Club Creative Studio loves to share creative low-cost ideas on Two-Cent Tuesday.  Today, the blog has a focus on an inexpensive project that will improve or change your world with the use of spray paint.

If you want a dramatic look in lighting, consider spray-painting your fixture black.  I recently took this photo of a beautiful crystal chandelier at The Union League in Philadelphia.  I thought while admiring it that this look could be replicated easily and cheaply with black spray paint.  If however, you have a metal light fixture or anything made from galvanized steel, there are considerations for paints.  Galvanized steel is a metal for example that is difficult to paint.  So, knowing the material you are working with first and foremost is important so that you are not wasting your time or money in your creative process. Check the can labels to recognize the best spray can type for your projects.

Getting back to Galvanized steel for example, that material cannot be painted with normal alkyd-based paints, which almost all spray paints are based. It is suggested that if there is any “alkyd…” don’t even think about using it on your steel project.  Looking on the aisle shelf, the brand “Rust-o-leum” does put on the back of their spray paint cans a warning not to use their spray paint on galvanized steel.  However, beware that most spray paint companies do not include this warning.

So what makes that metal so difficult? It is steel that has a zinc coating to increase the steels corrosion (rust) resistance.  It’s “hot-dip galvanization” is a process that makes it similar to steel with large visible grains. Using spray paint to other materials is not as difficult to choose.

Need ideas on what to spray in your home for a new creative twist? How about these suggestions: cabinet knobs and other fixture handles, frames for photos or mirrors, light switch plates, file cabinets or storage furniture, light fixtures, lamps, chandeliers, candle holders, appliances, radiators, steam risers, and even plastic, wood, wicker, and metal furniture.

A pro of using spray paint over brush application paints is that spray paint creates a smooth surface as opposed to brushing on paint. Faux textures like stone and granite as well as unique finishes like a clear coating and metallic are available for your experimentation. Suggested tips for great results are on all can labels.  You may need to gain extra supplies and endure additional steps besides a quick spray. Primer, sanding, or wire-brushing may be needed, depending on the object and the paint. So while this process can be low-cost, it does have a small percentage of cost associated with it depending on the size of your project and the type of spray paint you require.

No matter if you are making a cosmetic change or improving a home item like a flaking barbecue grill, spray paint is a great option to a quick change or improvement. Using spray paint for an improvement is a low-cost idea that can help in a creative improvement solution.  Let us know if you have used spray paint in a recent project. Taking a before and after photograph can be helpful to appreciate how far a project has come.
                              
                              
                           
                         

Putting It Together- Cold Connections

3 Mar

Club Creative Studio- Cold connection art

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!

 

 

 

Learn How Jewelry Can Make Your Life Better

28 Feb

standard storage box for jewelry. Do you have something like this?

standard storage box for jewelry. Do you have something like this?

Club Creative Studio enjoys sharing creative knowledge that you can use or pass along. In today’s TNT (This-N-That) blog post, you can look no further than the jewelry box on your dresser for the answer to a better life.  Well…sort of. Here is a question: How can your jewelry make your life better?

At first glance of our jewelry hidden within the standard storage box designated the “jewelry box”, you may seem frustrated at disorganization.  Maybe your container is too small for your collection, maybe the dividing spaces are not adequate to separate or display the jewelry you own. Another problem with your storage may be your actual items you are holding on to.  Do you have lost or broken jewelry sections, tangled chains, or out of fashion creations? 

It may seem difficult to appreciate knowing that life can be made better by simply displaying your jewelry in healthier ways. You can be quite innovative in how you do this. In this respect, your jewelry has a link to making your life better.  Your life can be more orderly and your possessions more valued if you have a means to care for the jewelry you own using proper storage. After all, was not this the thinking methodology of “Santa” who gifted you the pink ballerina musical box for your plastic necklace?

Did you own a wind up musical ballerina jewelry box?

Did you own a wind up musical ballerina jewelry box?

 I really should practice what I am preaching here. I personally have a mixture of ways that I refer to as my “jewelry organization”.  Some of my fine gems are stored in their original boxes and placed in a safe.  Other jewelry items that I own are displayed on hooks, smaller elements are placed in a traditional jewelry box and yet other creations are organized in small, clear, stackable bins with handles that are easily ready to view when I have to travel, or relocate.

No matter if you store in a standard table top box, in free-standing legged armoires, in a closet organizer pouch, or on some type of rack, caring for your jewelry and having access to it easily is the key to experiencing storage happiness with your jewelry.

To properly store for in-home, short-term, I suggest using a hooked display rack, ladder-type or screen-hole system with holes for earrings, box or plate that is placed in a room where you have an adequate landing spot to return to again and again. Being able to quickly see and review your jewelry choices is important for the items that you wear most often. If you make a habit of returning and neatly replacing jewelry in the same spot your life will be better as you will not waste time finding what you need. Your treasures will not be lost and they will last longer from the tender loving care and respect. A great “go-to” spot will serve you well in jewelry organization.

Found at: overstock.com for something like $130. Found at: overstock.com for something like $130.

There is a wonderful product I learned about from a home shopping show that seems to be every girl’s dream jewelry case. It was a rectangular box that opened up on one hinged side and attached to the back of any door.  It was framed out and had a mirror on the front.  How wonderful is that? Fun and function…I LOVE IT! This type of jewelry storage unit could be considered both temporary and permanent because of its size and depending on the location you place it.  It was designed with many specific compartments. The areas had distinct places for bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, even scarves and belts. It had a secure hanging device that was over-the-door, so no nails were required for its installation.

So, with these few helpful tips in mind, maybe you can make your life better by making a special place for your jewelry. Happy shopping and organizing.  Be sure to stop by the blog again for creative information you can learn and share. We’d love to hear your conventional and non-traditional methods for storing your jewelry because you never know who may need the suggestions and help.  Thank you.

Michelangelo- A Constant Learner

27 Feb

Image credit: abcgallery.com

Image credit: abcgallery.com

Club Creative Studio- Creativity QuoteLearning is continual and constant and creative learning is an individual  journey.  What can we learn from the above quote from the great Michelangelo?  Whether you are an emerging leader or artist. If you are a seasoned veteran at your craft, there’s always more to learn and new ways to grow within that field . At 87 years old, Michelangelo said it well: Ancora imparo (“I’m still learning).

Club Creative Studio appreciates the learning curve and supports curious minds in pursuit of creative knowledge.  Like Michelangelo,  the continual association with learning can be a passion and a reality to get the know=how to become better at something. Learning opens doors to growth and opportunity.  What do you think that Michelangelo at age 87 meant when he said “I am still learning.”  Do you think that he meant to express that he did not know it all? Did he perhaps imply that there is so much to learn about so many topics in the span of a lifetime?

Thinking about this quote today, what do you think this quote would mean to you if you were near the age of 87 versus now at the age you are now? 

This quote is great for many reasons if you ask me. It gives me a sense of wonder that the love of learning is a gift at any age, as well as a part of our life at any stage.  We simply can’t know or experience everything in our life-time.  We are in a constant revolution of thoughts and learning episodes.  We learn from our own life and from each other’s journey. We face trial and error daily and we are on a vicious cycle to catch up with the new as we hold onto and learn from the past.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, known commonly as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance Artist: sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted unparalleled influences on the development of Western art.

This quote comes to mind for me whenever I attempt a new skill and I have much to learn.  Although we look at the list of talents Michelangelo shared with us, he had to have known that with each of his creative jumps, came a humbling thought that it was all  a learning process. 

My life and creative offerings take on a personal spin from what others have done on as well.  Each creative process brings me to the realization that I can be comfortable with my level of expertise but, I can also take notice that with each topic at hand, I have opportunities to learn even more.  Taking time as an example, to attend more art classes, workshops, seminars, teleseminars and hands-on lessons, I have gained a newfound love for learning once again.  I can take time to slow down for instruction from others.  I don’t have to learn it all by myself.  In this same light as Michelangelo, I can say today that I too am still learning. Still learning new techniques, skills, people, traits, still learning about history, present day events, creative expressions, and still learning the best way to learn.

As your learning adventure marches on, what can you share about the level of excitement of continual learning?  Share your comments below, we’d love to hear about your challenges, and success stories about learning something new that helped you grow creatively.

Let There Be Light

25 Feb

Inspired by Lights

Inspired by Lights

Let there be light…and light fixtures.  Club Creative Studio dedicated a few more intense glances towards beautiful light fixtures recently at The Union League in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Glowing and glamorous,  these fixtures showed traces of their utter radiance and historical pasts.  They are displayed with care with historical reference fitting the building’s  era.

Is there a wonder why I find these to be so interesting? No matter if it was a glowing glass globe, a candle stick style or a massive crystal chandelier, all are beautiful while they are lit as well as unlit.  I see more than a glow when I look upward to the ceilings, I notice form, shape and texture. The workmanship, and design elements make these creations hanging works of art. And when I stand directly under a light fixture, well the perspective is breathtaking as well.

The next time you flip a switch at home or in a more public place. Take time to look up.  What do you see? Let there be light, a light fixture that you can appreciate for its aesthetic or historical value. Let there be a light for you to appreciate and admire.

Feature Friday-Inspired by Wood

22 Feb

Club Creative Studio: Petrovich-Cheney art

Club Creative Studio’s Feature Friday blog post: Inspired by wood.

Club Creative Studio Feature Friday: LPetrovich-CheneyWelcome to Club Creative Studio’s Feature Friday post.  This week, I was inspired by wood. The Asbury Park, New Jersey Artist: Laura Petrovich-Cheney creates in mixed media and her work is part of a solo series at the Abington Art Center.

I can appreciate her love of texture and creations from found wood items. Gathering her art supplies from her daily walks and traveling adventures, Laura uses reclaimed wood pieces in a creative quilt-like way.  Making small alterations to the wood she adds depth.  You may find wood intentionally burned, impressed, sawed, pierced, or hacked not to mention processes such as casting or cleaving.

I immediately thought of the “crazy quilt” pattern when I first laid eyes on the irregular grid organized wood scraps.  Her raised surfaces put dimension to that same material quality of a hand-made quilt. The recent tragic weather activity on the east coast has washed up interesting wood scrap treasures for Laura to consider in her art creations.  So, if you are venturing out along the coastline for a walk, you may find this MFA holder in Studio Art, MS in Fashion Art, and BA in Fine Arts artist walking along side you.  She will be the one gathering interesting scraps of found wood.

It seems upon looking closely to her art, she combines wood pieces from random finds and original objects. I was inspired to create future beads with similar random patterns and color combinations. Do you see the square with brown, sky blue and pumpkin orange colors in the first photo for example?  I’d love to replicate that feeling in a few beads.  Stay tuned as I attempt to incorporate the pattern or color choice into hand-rolled clay beads soon. You know that I will post pictures of my finished project here on the blog and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio.  Thanks for stopping by and admiring this found art.  Your comments are always welcome, especially if this technique strikes interest.

Sharing Bead Soup

17 Feb

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Portion of the Bead Soup I sent to my beading challenge partner Susan,

Club Creative Studio is taking part in the Bead Soup Challenge #7.  It will be fun sharing Bead Soup.

Please review past posts regarding the details of this wonderful sharing and creating challenge for those making hand-made beads and jewelry from them. Since the arrival of my beads from my bead exchange partner, Susan I have had time to simmer the ideas I have and will soon begin my creative thought process and my design using the beads she sent me last week.  I am looking forward to the creative growth.

I have not gotten official word that my box has indeed arrived to New Hampshire however, it has had adequate time. With that in mind, I would like to go ahead and share what I included in my package of fun. The idea of sharing is to highlight some of your own hand-made beads and pair them with interesting items that can be utilized in a creative challenge for the artist on the receiving end to express in their own style.  Lori Anderson is the host and brain-child behind the organization of this particular bead challenge.  It is perfect “soup” , warming my soul on a cold winter day for me living in Philadelphia.  I welcome the challenge.

I included a variety of supplies and I hope she is inspired to do something fun and add her own components if she desires as well. I included items of stone, Czech glass, hand-rolled clay beads, hand-twisted wire worked beads, seed beads, ceramic, rhinestone and metal charm elements just to name a few.

Perhaps she will blog about her experience. I plan to document my creative journey on the Club Creative Studio Facebook page with photos and within this blogging platform. I am happy to share the experience of the creative thought process and creative expression of this beading challenge by sharing my Bead Soup Challenges.

It is my hope that you find the steps that I take interesting and keep in touch as I share the trials and tribulations of this beading challenge. Please check back for future posts on this topic here and on the page: http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

Club Creative Studio Bead Soup Challenge 7 IMG_8220 IMG_8221 IMG_8222 IMG_8223 IMG_8227 IMG_8233

The Bead Soup Challenge

11 Feb

BSBP7-beaders

Club Creative Studio is one of over 500 participants in the 7th Bead Challenge and Blog Party. Wonderful artists, wonderful talents, wonderful art, wonderful blogs and wonderful opportunity to learn about beads and beading.

Good Luck to all who are creating with beads for the love of art.

What would be reasons why someone would desire to participate in a bead challenge?

1. Taking part in a bead challenge is a creative growth step. Anyone who takes part in a bead challenge has a will to grow creatively.

2. Taking part in a bead challenge allows you to discover the power you have within to create with unknown factors and become successful from that.

3. A beading challenge brings together like-minded persons who create and design items using beads. They also bring together friendships with common grounds.

4. Taking part in a bead challenge is a welcome challenge for many to become aware of talents of others who are creating hand-made beads and items from them.

Here is a list of those who are participating within the 2013 creative journey alongside of me. I am happy that so many are inspiring and expressing with art. Thank you in advance to anyone from this list who stops by this blog to visit, or who follow my creativity on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio and who take time to browse or order from the Club Creative Studio website at http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Alicia Marinache
Adlinah Kamsir
Agata Grygiel
Agi Kiss
Alenka Obid
Ali McCarthy
Alice Craddick
Alison Sachs
Amanda Tibbetts
Amber Dawn Goldish
Amy Severino
Amy Sims
Ana Cravidao
Ana Krepel
Andra Marasteanu
Andra Weber
Andrea Glick
Andrea Trank
Andria Poole
Angela Perkins
Anitra Gordy Boyers
Anja Schultz
Ann Sherwood
Anna Nordeman
Annette Rivers
Annita Wilson
Anu Tuppurainen
April Grinaway
Arlene Dean
Astrid Boyce
Audrey Bélanger
B.R.Kuhlman
Barb Fernald
Barb Solem
Barbara Bechtel
Barbara Mason
Becky Pancake
Beti Horvath
Betty James Hoppensteadt
Bev Breisinger
Billi RS Rothove
Birgit Klughardt
Birgitta Lejonklou
Bobbie Rafferty
Bonnie Coursolle
Brandi Burdick
Brandy Thomason McNair
Breana Fry
Brenda Sigafoos
Brenda Sue Lansdowne
Bridget Torres
Candida Castleberry
Carmen Lau
Carol Dee Myers
Carol Dillman
Carol Wilson
Caroline Dewison
Carolyn Chenault
Carolyn Gebert
Carolyn Lawson
Caron Reid
Cassi Paslick
Cassie Donlen
Catharine Temaluru
Catherine King
Catherine Turrell
Cathy Jakicic
Cece Cormier
Chandra Merod
Charlene Jacka
Cheri Reed
Cherrie Fick
Cherrie Warzocha
Cheryl Brown
Cheryl Dunham
Cheryl Foiles
Cheryl Gangle
Cheryl McCloud
Chris Eisenberg
Chris White
Christa Murphy
Christina Hickman
Christina Miles
Christina Stofmeel
Christine Hansen
Christine Murrow
Christine Stonefield
Cilla Watkins
Cindy Cima Edwards
Cindy Ritchie
Cindy Wilson
Claire Lockwood
Clare Etheridge
Colleen Vinthagen
Cory Tompkins
Cris Peacock
Crystal Thain
Cynthia Abner
Cynthia Riggs
Dagmar Liebisch
Dana Fowler
Dana Hickey
Dana James
Danielle Kelley
Darlene Fortier
Deana Hager
Deanna Cox
Deb Brooks
Deb Fortin
Debbie Rasmussen
Debi Levine
Deborah Read
Debra Behrends
Dee Elgie
Denielle Hagerman
Denise McCabe
Denise Milward
Diah Anggreni
Diana Frey
Diana Gonzalez
Diana Welte
Diane Valasek
Dini Bruinsma
Dita Basu
DiYana Alcalde
Dolores Raml
Donetta Farrington
Donna Millard
Doris Stumpf
Dorota Żerańska
Dot Lewallwn
Duane Clark
Dyanne Cantrell
Elaine Robitaille
Eleanor Burian-Mohr
Elisabeth Auld
Elizabeth Bunn
Elizabeth Drake
Elizabeth Jones
Elizabeth Owens Dwy
Elizabeth Stolarczyk
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Ema Kilroy
Emily Greer
Emma Todd
Enikö Fabian
Erin Grant
Erin Guest
Erin Kenny
Eva Kovacs
Eva Sherman
Evelyn Duberry
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Fay Wolfenden
Francesca Watson
Francy Inman
Gen Smith
Gina Hockett
Ginger Bishop
Ginger Davis Allman
Giorgia Rossini
Gloria Allen
Grace Rotenberg
Gretchen Nation
Hajer Waheed
Hannah Annear
Hannah Rosner
Heather Davis
Heather Marston
Heather Otto
Heather Powers
Heidi Kingman
Hope Smitherman
Ildiko Jarai
Ilenia Ruzza
Ilona Hegedűs
Ine Vande Cappelle
Inge von Roos
Ingrid McCue
Iveth Caruso
Jackie Locantore
Jackie Ryan
Jacqueline Keller
Jacqueline Marchant
Jan Petek
Jane Pranata Lim
Janeen Sorensen
Jane-Michael Stallings
Janine Lucas
Jasvanti Patel
Jayashree Paramesh
Jayne Capps
Jean Peter
Jean Wells
Jean Yates
Jeanne Steck
Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
Jennifer Cabic
Jennifer Cameron
Jennifer Davis
Jennifer LaVite
Jennifer Reno
Jennifer Tough
Jennifer VanBenschoten
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Kyrlach
Jenny Robledo
Jenny Vidberg
Jessica Brower
Jessica Klaaren
Jill MacKay
JJ Jacobs
Joan Williams
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Joanna Matuszczyk
Joanne Tinley
Jodie Marshall
Johanna Rhodes Nash
Joyce Becker
Judith Johnston
Judy Riggs
Judy Riley
Judy Robinson
JuLee Wolfe
Juli Cannon
Julia Gerlach
Julie Anne Leggett
Julie Bowen
Julie Panusis
June Butt
K Hutchinson
Karen Martinez
Karen Mitchell
Karen Vincent
Karen Williams
Kari Asbury
Karin King
Karin Slaton
Karin von Hoeren
Karla Morgan
Karyn Bonfiglio
Kat Barron Miller
Kat Douglas
Kate Dufour
Kate Mulligan
Kate Richbourg
Kathleen Gallant
Kathleen Lange Klik
Kathrin Lembke
Kathy Lindemer
Kathy Stemke
Katie Nielsen-Nunez
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic
Katy Heider
Kay Bolton
Kay Thomerson
Kayla Potega
Kelley Fogle
Kelli Jacobson
Kelly Patterson
Kelly Ramstack
Keren Panthaki
Kiersten Kern
Kim Hora
Kim Houston
Kim Sparks
Kimberly Idalski
Kirsi Loponen
Klaudete Koon
Klaudia Tóth
Krafty Max
Kris Lanae Binsfeld
Krista French
Krista Quantrill
Kristen Stevens
Kristi Harrison
Kristin Oppold
Kristina Hahn Eleniak
Kristina Johansson
Kumi Fisher
Kym Hunter
Lana Kinney
Laney Mead
Lara Lutrick
Laren Dee Barton
Laura Bracken
Laura Demoya
Laura Guenther
Lauren Fenty
Lauren Potts
Laurie Hanna
Laurie Keefe-Cecere
Laurie Vyselaar
Lea Avroch
Leah Curtis
Leah Tees
Leanne Loftus
Lee Anne Messerschmidt
Lena Adams
Lennis Carrier
Lesley Watt
Leslie Schenkel
Leslie Wayment
LiliKrist
Linda Anderson
Linda Djokic
Linda Kropp
Linda Murphy
Linda Newnham
Linda Sadler
Linda Younkman
Lisa Boucher
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Liddy
Lisa Suver
Liz DeLuca
Liz Engriser
Lizzie Clarke
Lola Surwillo
Lora Bright
Lorelle McIntyre
Loretta Carstensen
Lori Anderson
Lori Bergmann
Lori Bowring Michaud
Lori Finney
Lori Lochner
Lori Poppe
Lori Schneider
Lucie Bouvier
Lupe Meter
Lyn Foley
Lynn Jobber
Maddison Langford
Magdalena Sikora
Malin de Koning
Mallory Hoffman
Mandi Effron
Marcella Austenfeld
Marcia Dunne
Marcy Lamberson
Margareta Saari
Maria Clark
Maria Rosa Sharrow
Marianna Boylan
Marianne Baxter
Marie Covert
Marina Dobrynina
Marina Kosovic
Marion Simmons
Marita Suominen
Marjolein Trewavas
Marsela Schroth
Martha Aleo
Marti Conrad
Mary Ellen Merrigan
Mary Ellen Parker
Mary Govaars
Mary Harding
Mary K McGraw
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Maybeline Tay
Mea-B. Uebler
Megan Milliken
Melissa Meman
Melissa Mesara
Melissa Trudinger
Menka Gupta
Merja Sundström
Merja Syrjämäki
Michaela Pabeschitz
Michelle Buettner
Michelle Escano
Michelle Tucker
Michelle Wigginton
Milla Hope
Mimi Gardner
Miranda Ackerely
Mischelle Fanucchi
Molly Alexander
Monica Phillips
Mowse Doyle
Mrs M Makes
Nan Emmett
Nan Smith
Nancy Boylan
Nancy Dale
Natalie Davidson
Natalie Moten
Natascha Marty
Nikki Banham-Hall
Niky Sayers
Noemi Baena
Norma Turvey
Pam Chesbro
Pam DeBoer
Pam Farren
Pam Hurst
Pam Sandy
Pam Traub
Pamela Gangler
Pat Haight
Patina Queen
Patricia Buchanan
Patricia Johnson
Patti Pruhs
Patty Miller
Paula Hisel
Peggy Gabrielson
Penny Houghton
Penny Mills
Perri Jackson
Pia Kaven
Rachel Baron
Rachel Stanley
Rachel Van-Walsh
Rain Hannah
Rana Wilson
Rebecca Anderson
Rebecca Sirevaag
Regina Santerre
Regina Wood
Renetha Stanziano
Robin Reed
Rochelle Brisson
Rosanagh Watson
Rose Johnson
Rose Rushbrooke
Rosemary Cheslock
Rossana De Gaspari
Roxanne Blanc
Ruth Szapa
Sabine Dittrich
Sally Russick
Sam Waghorn
Sandi James
Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff
Sandra Pendragon
Sandra Wollberg
Sandra Young
Sandy Richardson
Sarah Goode
Sarah Singer
Sarah Small
Sarah Strover
Shai Williams
Shalini Austin
Shannon Hicks
Shari Replogle
Sharon Palac
Sheila Daniels
Sheila Davis
Sherri Stokey
Sherry Baun
Sheryl Stephens
Shiraz Biggie
Shirley Moore
Sierra Barrett
Silke Gröber
Silvia Sernicola
Siobhán Keogh
Skylar Bre’z
Solange Collin
Sonya Stille
Staci Smith
Stacie Florer
Stacy Alderson
Stacy Pomerleau
Stefanie Teufel
Stephanie Haussler
Stephanie LaRosa
Stephanie Stamper
Stephanie Weiss
Sue Burleigh
Sue Hamel
Sue Rennie
Sumi Rani
Susan Bowie
Susan Kelly
Susan Kennedy
Susan McClelland
Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Susan Sheehan
Susanna Lehto
Suse Stelljes
Susie Hibdon
Suzann Sladcik Wilson
Suzanne Fragiacomo
Suzette Bentley
Tamera Norris
Tammi Sloan
Tammie Everly
Tania Hagen
Tania Spivey
Tanya Goodwin
Tanya Wiles
Tara Plote
Tari Kahrs
Terri G.
Terry Carter
Terry Matuszyk
Theresa Buchle
Theresa Frank
Tiffany Smith
Tina Bosh
Tina Holden
Tina Noonan
Toltec Jewels
Tracey Nanstad
Tracie Dean
Tracy Bell
Tracy Choy
Tracy Kruse
Tracy Stillman
Valerie Norton
Veralynne Malone
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom
Vicki Holliday

 

Special Arrival: Box of Beautiful Beads

9 Feb

Hand-made Glass BeadsBead Soup 7 Challenge Beads 

Club Creative Studio’s post today highlights the special delivery from the mail this afternoon. My special arrival came today, it was a box of beautiful beads. The beads in my photograph were sent to me specifically for the Bead Challenge called:  Bead Soup Challenge & Blog Party, #7.

Susan Sheehan is my Bead Soup Bead Challenge Buddy.  We were paired from over 500 participants in Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup and Blog Party Challenge. She is from New Hampshire and works primarily in glass, creating wonderful beads, many with the floral motif theme (which is right up my alley). We exchanged boxes and I received mine today! She should get the box that I sent her by Monday.

The excitement starts to build the minute you are assigned your bead partner’s name and location. I had a chance to look on Susan’s website and read a few blogs once I knew she was assigned to me.  With exchanged contact information we are able to keep track and communicate along our creative journey.  It is wonderful that we have put together totally different packages to inspire each other.  She creates in her studio and can be found selling her art at: http://www.susansheehan.etsy.com  The challenge aspect comes next as we sit in front of the bead stash wondering what to create and how to use the elements in front of us.  I anticipate using a few of my own items as well, but, the majority of the supplies will come from the pile she has gifted me.

 What’s in her shared treasure box?

 

Admiring this selection, the first impression that I had was she has a great sense of color. The combinations are wonderful and I am inspired to create starting with a good color palate in front of me from the get-go. She included an array in styles of beads which will certainly make for an eclectic feel of whatever I end up creating from this collection of bead types. I am faced with working with a variety of shapes, sizes and weights of beads and that is a challenge unto itself.  I am not afraid of mixing metals so the copper-colored chain and the silver clasp and bead caps don’t frighten me.

Susan has challenged me to basically create using pink, turquoise, and brown. There are many larger beads all of which can combine to become focal beads or serve as a focal bead all alone. The obvious choice is using the large amber-colored glass round as the main focal bead.  It made me think immediately of using it as part of a center tassel, at first glance so I will see if that changes when I hit the design table or not.

The tube beads dotted with mini-seed beads and floral theme motif are about one inch long, there are four of those. Two brown rounds are not identical but have been made with the same feel. She included six interesting pink glass mosaic feel beads that shimmer in the light, those are cool as well.  With an interesting mixture of tiny crystals and Lucite, I can  imagine using them as little accents of color and dangle beads right now at first glance.

The highlight of her box are of course her hand-made glass floral beads. She has included ten for me to use in my creation.  They are dotted with spots of turquoise, pink, brown, orange and a little bit of purple. Wonderful!

After I let my  “soup” simmer overnight, I will think about what I want to create and then sit down and design, arrange and question.  I plan to document my creative thought process and share the development of my special arrival…my box of beautiful beads. Be sure to visit this blog again as well as the Club Creative Studio Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio for updates on my beading challenge process.