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Saturday, August 25, 2012

INSPIRATION

Lately I have been thinking a lot about where I draw my inspiration for my beads and jewelry. I want a statement that describes my work in just a few words. I am having a lot of trouble doing just that. When I read where an artist gets their inspiration they talk about nature, the ocean, the desert or even recycled products. Me, I like color! I am always seeing colors that I can use in my beads. One day I was driving by a Taco Bell and I noticed their color scheme on the building. Mustard, clay tile, purple, olive green and khaki. I kept repeating the colors in my head till I got home. I made some really fun beads with those colors! I have a jewelry collection I call "Out of Africa". The colors are khaki, black, ivory, mustard, red roof tile, brown, and coral. I used patterns that I saw on fabric. Unfortunately, the patterns were very hard to put on a small bead! LOL! I am drawn to bright colors usually. I love the bold colors of Mexican decor and the soft colors of French Country. Do they compete with each other? How can I describe that?

Where do you get your inspirations? You may do art, interior decoration or just admire the work of others. But you too are inspired by things around you. Do you look at magazines? What kind? I tend to look mostly at the jewelry magazines; Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Bead and Button, Art Jewelry, Lapidary Jewelry Artist, and Belle Armoire Jewelry.  My latest favorites are Jewelry Affaire, Somerset Studios, and Where Women Create. They are all published by Stampington & Company.  For me they are showing all sorts of things other than just jewelry which I have found refreshing.  Do you subscribe to newsletters or blogs? I subscribe to toooo many! But I really enjoy reading and sometimes just looking at the photos. Lately I have enjoyed three newsletters I get from Interweave Publications; Cloth, Paper & Scissors, Jewelry Making Daily, and Beading Daily.  They have lots of photos which I like and great tips for all sorts of crafts.  Even if it isn't a craft I do I have found lots of inspirations from them.  Plus of course I have purchased some great digital project sheets and magazines.  (I am getting rid of my stacks of magazines all over the house to getting only digital magazines. ) Purchasing their products is probably the main purpose of their newsletters BUT I really do get inspirations without purchasing anything.   Most of the time anyway! LOL! I would love to know about places you go for inspirations. Please post in comments below. I am always open for new inspirations. Thanks!

OK, I have babbled long enough so are you ready for some photos. Maybe I have already lost you and I should have put them up front.  Oh well!

I got a new photo set up. I am still working on getting the lighting correct but here are some photos of my torch fired enamel beads and jewelry.
 
 
Large Cones enameled with sky, bitter & tequila slush;
They make a great pair of earrings just as they are.
 
Steel wire wrapped into a heart & enameled in sky, tequila slush & marigold.
Wire wrapped with squiggles (double balled headpins)
Hearts; enameled in sky, tequila slush & bitter.
I think these would make great earrings or dangles for a necklace or bracelet.
 
 Another version of hearts.
Earrings - Purple bead caps with purple crystals.
 
Enameled bead caps; colors sky, bitter and tequila slush;
 
English Garden Dangle Necklace - colors foxglove, marigold, lavender

Thursday, August 9, 2012

THANK YOU!

I want to thank you all for coming to the Bead Bazaar this past weekend! And for purchasing my beads!  I appreciate your support of my work so much! It was great to see that you liked my new "torch fired enameled" beads! The best part of the bazaar is seeing everyone and catching up! I also love to look at other artist's wares and purchasing some new things for myself! Don't forget to let me know how they work for you and send photos of what you make with them.

I am in town for another week before we escape this heat for the mountains.  I am working on custom orders, making beads and ordering supplies.  I plan on posting some of my glass beads and the torch fired enamel beads on etsy before I leave. I will send out an e-mail to let you know when I do.  If you have any requests, let me know!

If you want to be on my e-mail list, send me an e-mail at jpetek@cox.net

Thanks again! 

Jan

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

REMINDER - BEAD BAZAAR THIS WEEKEND!

I am busily making beads and jewelry samples for this weekend's San Diego Bead Society's Annual Bead Bazaar.  It is always the first weekend in August. Yikes!  August already!  Kids will be going back to school soon which means the summer will be over soon. When I lived in Minnesota that meant State Fair time.  Here in San Diego our county fair is in July.  I miss the Minnesota State Fair.  But let's get back to BEADS! 

Where:  Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley, San Diego
When:  Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 4th & 5th
Time:  Saturday 10am to 6pm - Sunday 10am to 5pm

If you mention this message you will get 10% off your purchase from me at the Bead Bazaar! 

Thanks for stopping and I hope to see you this weekend! 

Sample of my new "torch fired" enamel beads!