NEW BEADS & OTHER NEWS

Not a very enticing title, "New Beads and other News".  But I do have new beads!  

My bead Buddie, Donna Struthers, (many of you may know Donna as we have always done the San Diego Bead Bazaar together.) has decided that her days of doing bead shows are over! (I still hope to convince her to join me once in awhile.)

Getting ready for a show can be stressful. We often feel like we shouldn't work in the garden or have coffee with girlfriends. We feel like we should make beads instead. We can never have enough beads and jewelry.  

While Donna has decided to only make beads when she feels like it I have inherited her beads!  We have a similar style but yet different.  I love to use her beads so why not just buy all of her beads? That is what I did!  It is a win win for both of us!  I now have more beads! 

I want to share them with you. 

 
Most of them are hollow beads in browns, golds, white, and green.  They all have a mat finish.

 

 

Here are some fun focal beads with an unusual shape, color and texture.  

Aren't they great? I can't wait to use them in my jewelry designs. If you are interested in any of these beads, let me know.  I will be putting some of the beads on my etsy store but not until September. 

My retail studio in Spanish Village Art Center has been stocked with new beads and new jewelry. If you are looking for something special or just looking be sure to check out Studio 9.  Hours are 11am to 4pm every day.

Take care!  Thanks!

           Simple necklace with dichro nugget; torch fired enamel  leaves and open cog as bail.

Monday Musings

I have been so tired lately which makes me so lazy. I guess I don't have to have an excuse to be lazy but I feel like I should be doing something constructive. Ha! Do you have days like this?

Well, I got off my butt and took photos of parts and beads that I have acquired and made lately.

First up are the things I acquired at the Pasadena Bead & Design Show a couple of weeks ago. I traded with some wonderful artists that were near me. I keep looking at the stash and my head is still spinning with ideas for using them. Do you have any ideas for them?

Gail Crosman Moore

Gail has some wonderful bead components. Brass stampings, bass bead caps and Lucite bead caps.  She torch fires some of the brass stampings with enamel. 

 

Joanne Zekowski

Joanne makes all sorts of wonderful beads. These are different from most of her tribal collections. I envision these as components for earrings with my torch fired enamel or glass beads. I can't wait to play with them.

Patricia Healey

Patricia Healey was behind me and what a hoot she is!  She was a great person to have around for 4 days. No dull time with her!  She makes these beautiful copper beads and findings. She designs them and has them made in Mexico. My plan is to use them with my torch fired enamel beads. I got beads, dangles and more!



XAZ Bead Company/Amy & Daniel Mealey

Another fun stash of beads and pendants!  These are from XAZ Bead Company. They are raku beads. They make each bead, fires them, then glazes and fires again. It is the last firing that it is done with paper that brings out the beautiful raku!  They are nice and light and will make wonderful pieces! 

Just to prove I have been doing something...... here are some of my heart beads. Since Valentine's Day is around the corner I thought I should stock up on some of my favorite hearts. I never get tired of making these.

I am part of a jewelry group that meets once a month. This month we played with the hydraulic press. I guess I am still thinking of hearts for Valentine's Day as I cut out these hearts and shaped them.  I thought the little hearts would be nice earrings. 
 

And lastly,here are some components that I have been playing with in aluminum wire. You may have seen the necklace I did with aluminum wire work that was polished to look like silver. I purchased some more 14g aluminum wire that is stiffer and darker. I like to work it better as it doesn't get marks so easily. I hammered it and then tumbled it. It didn't get as shiny as the last batch. It looks oxidized.  You can see the piece in the middle and the one below that haven't been tumbled.  I like it and you will probably start to see it in some of my jewelry. Much lighter than silver and of course more affordable.  I am not going to stop using sterling silver but I want to be able to offer a range of price points for my jewelry designs.  What do you think of the aluminum? Would you use it?

CYBER MONDAY SALE STARTS NOW!!!

In appreciation of you, I am having a Cyber Monday sale on all of my "torch fired enamel beads" listed in my etsy store. It starts NOW and goes through Monday, Nov. 25th. 20% off all the beads listed!  Use the coupon code ARTBEADS20. 

I am doing this sale in conjunction with the ladies at Love My Art Jewelry. Visit their site at http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com.

I am exhausted listing so many beads. Lucky for me, my husband Steve, took the photos. That made it a lot easier!  I had hoped to list some glass beads and jewelry but just ran out of time. I will let you know when I post them. 

Here is a teaser of some of the beads I posted. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT AT MY STUDIO IN SPANISH VILLAGE ART CENTER NEXT WEEK. 

 

 

 

TWO CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENTS!

Thank you for supporting me over the years in my adventure in beads and jewelry.

As you know, I am in love with beads and making jewelry. You have helped me with my addiction and me with yours!

To say a proper "Thank You!" I have two special events designed just for you.  

 

 Sunday, Dec. 2nd - 3:30 to 5:30 - Customer Apprciation Evening

 

I am hosting, along with my 4 studio partners, an afternoon/evening at studio 9 in Balboa Park.  This is an opportunity to meet my studio partners and learn about how they create their work.  We will have refreshments as you look at our special new one-of-a-kind items. A 10% discount will be given on all purchases during the event. 

I always enjoy seeing you and catching up so even if you aren't ready to start holiday shopping, stop in for ideas and good conversation!  I have a special gift for you to say "Thank You!"  See below for more info on the event at studio 9. 

Monday, Nov. 26th - Customer Appreciation Day - 20% off my listings on Etsy

 

As another "thank you" I am offering 20% off all purchases at my etsy store on Monday, Nov.  26th.  Use the coupon code, ARTBEADS20, at checkout to receive 20% off. The coupon is good all day on Monday, Nov. 26th.  I will list my new "torch fired enamel" beads and components; lampwork glass beads; and jewelry. 

 

I am doing this sale in conjunction with the ladies at Love My Art Jewelry, who are also independent artists. Check out their site to see a list of wonderful artists. http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com





Directions: Studio 9 is located in Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park in San Diego. We are between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego History Museum, just off Park Blvd on Village Place.

 Necklace made by Erin at Beadology Bead Store

 

Whimsical blue/green earring made with
lampwork glass beads & torch fired enamel beads;

Ball Earrings - made with red/purple
 "torch fired enamel" beads

 

Its a Blue Day earrings - made with lampwork glass beads
and "torch fired enamel" beads

Funky Cluster Necklace
Made with lampwork glass beads & "torch fired enamel" beads

"Torch Fired Enamel" Beads

TRUNK SHOW THIS SATURDAY - NOV. 10TH

Greetings from Bead Land!

Do you know what Torch Fired Enamel Beads are?

 

 

Stop by BEADOLOGY BEAD COMPANY this Saturday to see what these NEW beads are all about! 

WHERE:      BEADOLOGY BEAD COMPANY

16085 Goldenwest

Huntington Beach, CA

www.beadology.net

(714) 841-8242

                 WHEN:       Saturday, Nov, 10^th  10am to 4pm

Ok, here is the scoop on my new beads! The beads are metal. I start by putting a mandrel through the bead hole and then heat them up in my torch. (The same torch that I use to make my glass beads.) I dip the hot bead in a powdered glass, enamel, and put back in the flame to melt. I add about 2 or 3 coats. 

Since the price of silver has increased over the last couple of years, I have been looking for a less expensive alternative to silver beads and dangles for my jewelry designs. I found it with these enameled beads. I still get to sit at my torch and make beads. The color palette for the “torch fired enamel beads” is the same as my glass beads so I make complimentary glass beads. How less expensive do you ask?

The torch fired beads are priced at $6 to $3!

Here are some samples of my jewelry designs using these new beads. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Jan

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

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

Discount Admission Coupon for Bead Bazaar

Admission is $3 but here is a coupon for $1 off admission. Click HERE for the coupon.


Thanks!


Jan

Summer News

Well, it has happened again. I had intentions of updating my website once a week and before I know it, a month has gone by! Summer is a busy time for me as we spend a lot of time at our cabin in the Eastern Sierras.  In between I am working at Studio 9 at Spanish Village, making beads and jewelry and taking classes.  This may be a long post so I hope you won't be too bored. You can just scroll through to see the photos! LOL! Here goes.....

My Granddaughter, Juniper, had her "promotion to 6th grade". Interesting how schools now have all sorts of awards and make big productions going from elementary to middle school.  But isn't Juni cute?  It looks like she is crossing her eyes!!! LOL! I will have to ask her about that.

I have been having a wonderful time going on hikes this year. Since I had my hip replaced in January I can now walk, climb, and do more walking. It is fabulous! One of the  lakes in Mammoth, Horseshoe Lake, is like a dog beach. My dogs, Aggie and Lilly, and I try to go there often so they can run and I can get some exercise too. Here are some photos of the lake and us walking around it. The lake is down this year due to below normal snow fall.

This was my first time in Mammoth Lakes, CA for the 4th of July. We sat on the edge of the street and watched the parade.  Lots of horses which are my favorites.  Afterwards, there was a concert in the park and an art festival.  The weather was wonderful, in the 70's, my favorite temp. 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I would be taking a class with Diana Frey, a mixed media artist. This class was my introduction into this type of jewelry and I have fallen in love! The class was held at her studio in San Luis Obispo.  SLO for short. I fell in love with SLO. Very laid back and just beautiful. The downtown has all sorts of restaurants, bars and cool stores. I could have spent three days just exploring the downtown.  Here are some photos of the class, her studio and the class projects.  

BRIAR ROSE

From left to right: Jan Petek, Diana Salvucci-Smith, Julie Strohlman, Charlene Gray

From left to right: Jody Cottrell, Vickie Orlando, Sandy Navarro, Cecelia Alvarado, Terry San Filippo, Brigitte Willse

I am in the center back. Diana Frey is in the middle in the back top a long necklace.

Class sample - Bird in Hand

No I haven't finished mine yet! 

As you can see from the projects, we used vintage jewelry pieces along with some doll parts and a soldering iron. All new to me! 

Here is photo from the class I took with Diane Cook in Coronado, CA.  The workshop was put on by Vivi Magoo with Barb Solem.  Check them out! Barb does wonderful workshops! I actually finished the projects in class but don't have any photos of them, sigh...... I tried to take photos with my phone today but they are just not good enough. ( My photo area is piled with enamels right now!) If you go to Diane's website you will see the two projects, "Heart Strings" and "Window to my Heart" along with projects she will be teaching in new workshops. Diane also does mixed media art and I just love it!   Totally different from the jewelry I usually make. I have been looking for awhile for alternatives to sterling silver as the price of sterling has gone so high. I don't want to raise my prices but I also don't want to risk quality. The mixed media art may give me what I am looking for.  I am hoping to hone my skills and include my beads in some pieces. As I get more into it you will be hearing and seeing more! 

In the meantime, I am still working on glass beads, sterling silver jewelry AND torch fired enamel beads.  I am in also love with making the torch fired beads and using them to make fun and whimsical pieces with my glass beads. You may have seen some of the earrings at the last Art Glass Guild Patio Show or on my Etsy site.  Here are a couple of photos. 

In two weeks is the San Diego Bead Society's Annual Bead Bazaar. Aug. 4th & 5th.

San Diego Bead Society Bead Bazaar

Saturday and Sunday Aug. 4th & 5th, 2012

10am to 6mp Saturday

10am to 5pm Sunday

Scottish Rite Center

Mission Valley, San Diego, CA

 Here is a sample of what I will have at the bazaar this year. I am excited to show you all the torch fired enamel beads and how they can be used. Stop by, it is always fun to catch up! 

If you have any questions on anything you see here, just let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

Jan