My resolution for this week is to comment on more blog posts. Sometimes I read the blogs I subscribe to and just ASSUME that because these are all fabulously talented people who are mainly well known and established within the niche of beady-worldness that another randomer commenting on their blogs isn't something they'd want. Then I remember we're all people and everyone likes comments :o) I don't comment enough when I'm blown away by something or have an opinion on a post. I should do it more.
I couldn't do a blog list without mentioning A Bead In Time, the blog from www.madcowbeads.com, partially because I work on a freelance basis for them but mainly because they are a super source of low-cost and very cool beads and findings here in the UK. The picture is of glass ready to go into one of their fabulous hotpot microwave kilns - amazing fused glass jewellery from the comfort of your own kitchen!
Earthenwood Studios
The blog from the supremely talented Melanie at Earthenwood Studios. This is probably the blog I read that I've been following the longest - I first started reading a good couple of years back when Melanie was developing and researching her line of Steampunk ceramic beads and components. I love her style and her vision and have a gorgeous rainbow pendant from her that I really must incorporate into something at some point soon! More of Melanie's components are available in her etsy store and on the Earthenwood website.
Jennifer Jangles
Jennifer is another very talented - but very different to Melanie at Earthenwood - ceramic artist with the added bonus of designing fabrics and ribbons in her own very unique style. I love this blog because its so much FUN. The bright colours and designs really appeal and looking at Jennifer's posts always makes me smile. I'm also insanely jealous of her studio space which is amazing! Jennifer's beautiful beads, components and some of her ribbons and fabrics are available in her Jangles etsy shop.
Missficklemedia
I've literally only discovered this blog from Shannon LeVart in the last week and promptly spent about 3+ hours reading all the back posts and marvelling at the pictures of her work. Shannon creates the most extraordinary aged-metal pieces with patinas to cover all the colours of the rainbow (she has her own line in patnia colours as well and I want some! Next time I have some spare cash, that's where I'm going :o). More than that her personality and outlook on life really shine through her blog making it an absolute delight to read. Missficklemedia's etsy shop is here (currently closed for a short period but due back later this month!).
Sigaliot Designs
This blog features the most amazing polymer clay beads from Sagit at Sagaliot designs. The colours and contrasts are just amazing and I fell in love with Sagit's beads when I saw them. they have a wonderful psychadelic feel to the patterning and colour use. This is another on my list of absolutely must-own-some! Go look at the pretties - you won't be disappointed. You can find Sigaliot Designs etsy shop right here!
Daily Dialogue... with Jess from Vintaj is always absolutely stunning. I love Vintaj components and Jess is one of their fabulously talented designers. It's always both fun and inspiring to see what's going on in the Vintaj studios. Its also the home of the Vintaj monthly challenge which I've entered for the first time this month!
Sea of Glass
Blog from Melissa Rediger of Sea of Glass. I saw Melissa's beads online and against my usually mantra of 'look don't buy PLEASE look don't buy' had a very weak moment and went shopping in her fabulous store. Her beads arrived to me from the USA in an impressively short span of time and they are STUNNING. Absolutely gorgeous and I don't regret my little splurge in the slightest - all I'm concerned about is my ability to do them justice in the jewellery I make. Go look, they will knock you out!
Finally Good Quill Hunting is an absolutely stunning blog on jewellery seed bead weaving/embroidery. I am constantly stunned by the level of detail and brilliant mixes of colours and bead sizes in these designs and eagerly await new posts detailing the latest works and works-in-progress. She's amazingly talented, I could look at these pieces for hours.
Take care,
Stephie x
2 comments:
Dear Miss Stephie-
You are right. Bloggers live for comments! I had to come and find you after reading your comment on the ABS post about pricing, as I totally agree with you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the subject!
I follow a lot of the same blogs that you do. Melanie and Jennifer are actually treasured friends of mine. And while their esthetics are totally different (and each reflective of their personalities too!) they are delightful people with hearts of gold. I will check out the other blogs you mentioned as well.
You make beautiful jewelry too!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Hi Erin
Thanks for stopping by! Just checked out who you are and recognise both your name and your work so am feeling mildly honoured :o)
Pricing IS an iffy one. I do admit to not always making what I would like to be making as a result of it. I have 'play' jewellery time - which gets the hours and the intricacies and frequently never goes on sale (mainly because I'm a new-technique junkie - I like trying new things but that doesn't mean I'll deem new things good enough to sell) and then I have retail jewellery which ranges from mass-produced, nothing-to-do-with-me through to medium effort - bout 3 hours make time on a repeatable piece is my maximum (takes longer to design (usually about an extra hour or two) - so I'll only aim at something that length for resale if I can make multiples - 3 of something tends to be my minimum).
Occasionally I have self doubt about my methods and my chosen products for the making a living part of my work but it really does come down to pragmatism given the markets I can effectively reach with my skillset. I don't rule out what I'd term 'artistic jewellery' as something I can and will do - I just save it for magazines, competitions and 'design ideas' work I do for other companies for the most part.
Gosh, I appear to have rambled for far longer than expected...! I'm quite bad for that ^_^. Again, thanks for stopping by :o)
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