Happy Monday! And it’s a new month. Welcome March – I am hoping for sunshine and a few flowers starting to peep through, maybe not so much warmth but longer days and more light. Today, the sun is shining and the sky is blue, and I’m planning on going for a little walk once I’ve finished writing this post, get some air into my lungs.
A new month also means a new theme! This month is stringing materials – particularly those which are either artisan-made or -altered. I have a few lovely things to share with you today. I would love it if you could share some links in the comments below too! I know there is such a wealth of talent out there that I don’t know about – I want to share all of those artists and resources here too so we can all enjoy them.
First up, Claire Braunbarth of Smitten Beads. She hand-dyes this beautiful chiffon silk ribbon. She works in relatively small batches so once each colour lot is gone, it may be gone for ever! Here’s just a few of her colour lots:
Sea Breeze
Almost Aubergine
Light Periwinkle
And there are many more over at Smitten!
Next up, one of my all-time favourite jewellery and component artisans – Patina Queen. When I went on holiday to California last year, we met up several times and it was so fantastic to meet someone whose components I’d been working with for so long. We had lots of laughs, particularly over British-English and American-English language differences. I’m sure some of you will know some of those funny words that mean one thing over here with me and another over the pond!
She has a huge range of different components available – here is some of her beautiful antiqued brass chain, Fancy Figaro:
My personal favourite, the Round Snake Chain:
And Psst! If you shop over at PQ’s website rather than her etsy shop, she’s got a sweet 10% off coupon code! Hop over to her front page to check it out.
Lastly, little old me! I have hand-finished and sealed antiqued copper wire available over at my supplies shop at The Curious Bead Shop. I’ve been offering this for about a month or so now and I’m so pleased with how popular it’s been. I know myself how nice it is to work with the real deal – pure copper rather than plated wire, and I’m glad other people feel the same.
Have a great week! Here are the Bead Blogger Links:
Andrew hosted a Design Challenge on his blog! “Radiant Orchid” was the theme! Come check out what all the participants made in the blog hop!
Jean writes a poem about (what else?) jewelry making as she participates in a fun 30 word blog hop created by Erin Prais-Hintz
Ever been to sunny Beadland? Lisa shares details of her recent trip…Is this the real life or is this just fantasy?
Eileen set out to make a set of jewelry for Valentine’s Day. When she went to her red bead stash, her eyes locked on some beautiful red carved cinnabar beads just perfect for the design she had in mind anyway!
Cyndi is struggling to keep up with the Bead Journal Project this year, but that’s probably because she decided to do much bigger pieces!
An iron is used for everyday house chores, but it is also an important tool for many needlework crafters. Find out how you can win an awesome new Hamilton Beach Durathon irong.
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.
Ellen Lambrix
March 3, 2014 at 3:05 pmPQ is also my favorite.
Her components are of high quality and her service is impeccable!
Ellen Lambrix
March 3, 2014 at 3:06 pmSame for Smitten Beads of course! =:)
Maneki
March 3, 2014 at 5:04 pmLovely! As for tips, I've got two. First, I love the "speckled" or spotted ribbons from this seller: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Quintess Many sell hand-dyed ribbons, but I find the speckled ones to be a bit more unusual — lovely and unique.
For more hand-dyed goodies, check out e.g. Stef Francis (stef-francis.co.uk) and especially the medium braided silk and viscose gimp for stringing. The rest of the range is fab too, both for jewellery making and embroidery/fibre art. (Other good makers of hand-dyed mixed fibres include Oliver Twists and Tentakulum).
SmittenBeads
March 3, 2014 at 6:39 pmHi Rebecca, Thanks so much for sharing my chiffon, I can't wait for the warmer weather so that I can get dyeing again. I know one day I will get my Aubergine to really look like Aubergine! Looooove your wire btw. 🙂 Best wishes, Claire x
Ann Schroeder
March 4, 2014 at 7:56 amI love this month's theme! One of my favorites is Miss Fickle Media: https://www.etsy.com/shop/missficklemedia. Shannon German's beautiful chain in patinas such as saffron and paprika just make any design better. And in the last year she's added some beautiful weavings by Marie Dodd that add great texture to designs.
TesoriTrovati
March 4, 2014 at 5:22 pmTotally mad for the colors of the hand dyed silk shibori ribbon that is popping up. (In fact, I have a sample of some from this vendor that I have to come up with a brilliant idea for that matches the beauty of this stuff!) Lisa Kan is selling it in her Aria Design Studio shop. Check it out! https://www.etsy.com/shop/AriaDesignStudio?section_id=13138995
Also, I am crushing on the Amy Butler designs in ribbon that I am seeing. Love the jacquard ornate patterns and the bright colors. Just search for Amy Butler Ribbon and you will see what I am talking about! Enjoy the day. Erin
TesoriTrovati
March 4, 2014 at 5:37 pmFound another ribbon that is totally crushworthy. Marbled silk dupioni. Dreamy! https://www.etsy.com/listing/127286447/marbled-silk-ribbon-variety?ref=related-0
Enjoy the day! Erin
Gigi Harlan
March 4, 2014 at 9:13 pmLOVE the dyed ribbon and the chains!
Gigi @ Old World Patina