Each
week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio,
creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our
readers and hope you’ll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
Linda Landig is our very lucky winner this week and will receive a Peace Bird Pendant from Gaea. Linda send Gaea an email and she will get that right out to you!
Inside the Humblebeads Studio:
Welcome, welcome – please ignore the beads scattered over all the table from late night creative sessions, the pile of containers and boxes from my recent shows and that mound of paper work surrounding my desk that needs to be filed away and taken care of before the New Year. It’s a few days before Christmas and like most creatives who own their own business, it gets a little hairy trying to juggle business, celebrating the holidays and making time for family.
I have had a few things happen this year that have made me slow down. It’s been a year of trials. And right looking at my self-imposed to do list and what is really important to me, I’d decided to stop right now with unrealistic expectations. And I give you permission to do the same. Take a few days off, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. Spend time with family and not making things. You can do it. Put down those pliers and step away from the table.
Here on the ABS we are going to take a break for a few days and offer you a review of the Best of the ABS from 2013. This is my last holiday tutorial, the 12 Days of Christmas have become a scant 6 Days of Christmas. But I know you’d rather see me spending time with my family than toiling away at tutorials, because I’d wish the same for you!
Rustic Bird Ornament
Supplies:
Bird Pendant – Lipstick Ranch
Tree House Bead – Humblebeads
Waxed Irish Linen
8 glass size 11/0 seed beads
6mm brass spacer
(Resources: Bird, linen and seed beads: Lima Beads. House: Humblebeads. Spacer: Hobby Lobby.)
3. One on strand leave a 1/4″ gap and tie a knot, slide on a seed bead and tie another knot. Repeat with two seed beads on each strand, staggering the knots and beads.
4. Tie all four strands in a large knot at the top, trim cord if needed.
The Art Bead Scene is planning out 2014 – tell me what would you like to see on the ABS in the coming year? We’ll choose one commenter next week to win a $25 gift certificate from Humblebeads.com.
Lisa Caryl
December 21, 2013 at 1:28 amInterviews with both seasoned and up and coming jewelry artists and bead makers. I also love your tutorials, I hope to see those continue. Thanks to all of you at Art Bead Scene for all you do all year long 🙂
Erin S
December 21, 2013 at 1:54 amI most like to see the different art beads people create, and of course, hand-made jewelry that incorporates them. Love ABS–keep it coming!
Mitzie Crider
December 21, 2013 at 2:53 amThank you for the tutorial! I would like to see tutorials on how to make beads with polymer clay and also beads with fiber. Thanks for the chance to win!
Karen Wise
December 21, 2013 at 4:37 amThe tutorials are inspiring. I would like to see DIY tutorials on a variety of bead making techniques including "found objects" and/or reclaimed materials. I also would love to see the use of beads in home decor projects, fabric, knitting or crocheting projects.
Kathy Lindemer
December 21, 2013 at 11:28 amI would love to see ABS monthly challenges continue,. I love the polymer clay tutorials. The ornament challenge wad terrific. You all do a wonderful job. Happy holidays!
Angi
December 21, 2013 at 11:31 amI have learned so much from your site! I would like to see more tutorials for both beads of all kinds and jewelry. ABS rocks! Happy Holidays!
Angi Mullis [email protected]
LiliKrist
December 21, 2013 at 11:35 amWant to meet more handmade artist from around the globe =)
Cory Tompkins
December 21, 2013 at 5:30 pmI love learning about bead makers and seeing their process. I love tutorials too! Any time we can win art beads is awesome! This is a great site for inspiration.
Linda
December 22, 2013 at 12:53 pmI just read this post and found out that I'm the winner of Gaea's bird pendant. Whoot-whoot. A big thank you to Gaea and ABS!!!
I love reading your blog and I especially enjoy the tutorials. I'm experimenting a little with polymer clay, so I'm interested in learning more about painting, chalking, dying etc. the surface of PC beads and pendants.
Jean
December 22, 2013 at 9:35 pmHi! I am always up for good tutorials from your wonderful contributors. and I also love to see collaborative challenge work displayed as well, when two or more top designers work with the same beads and show what they have designed! xox jean
Beth M
December 24, 2013 at 1:26 amI love the tutorials and would love to see more bead tutorials, especially polymer clay ones. I also like to find out what artists use for inspiration for their designs.
Manola Maria
December 24, 2013 at 7:17 pmI would like to see tutorials on the process of making all the beautiful artbeads that we see on the blog. Happy holidays to everybody!
Shaiha
December 27, 2013 at 11:09 pmI think that my favorite part is the monthly challenges so please keep those going. Otherwise I enjoy the tutorials and the bead porn.