ere's a really cool link -- to a project-oriented blog featuring several artists' contributions to a jewelry charm swap. Check it out! Great use of found objects, collage, tiny little bottles, etching, stamping, etc.

Just Simply Charming

I like the way each artist explains their techniques. And the finished charm bracelet (at the top of the page) looks amazing! Power in numbers, I suppose. 8-)

visitors since July 06, 2006!

It occurred to me there might be one or two isolated folks out there who don't know the wonders of vintage nailhead beads. I know -- shocking!

Cause I use them ALL THE TIME in bead embroidery? Why? They're sparkly, interesting, unusual, and (shhh! this is a secret!) they take up a lot of space compared to those dang teeny tiny seed beads.

Here's a little something I've been working up this weekend... the silver faceted and round summer green beads are nailheads -- flat on the bottom, domed or faceted on top, with one or two holes running through 'em.

Quiet now, the hand is talking... "Nailheads" is just one word for these funky beautiful beauties. Some call them "sew-ons" and in the old vintage/antique magazines they just call 'em beads. They were manufactured in Europe (especially Czechoslovakia) for the fashion industry and today most of what we have access to here in the States comes out of old factories on the East Coast, esp. NYC and sometimes Providence. I scrounge the country for them, clawing my way through crowds of innocent bead shoppers to get to new colors and stashes. And I just happen to have some up for auction this week...

visitors since July 06, 2006!

Here are a couple new "faux enamels" shrink art earrings...

Interesting change of palette for me, as I usually do these in metallics. Hmmmm. Must be spring! More fun to make than they are to scan. hehe ;-) Anyway...I'll be bringing these out to Bead Expo...which I'm almost packed for! (3 suitcases -- 2 large and 1 medium )

See you in Oakland???        WOOHOOooo!

visitors since July 06, 2006!