Welcome to Studio Saturday! 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.
This weeks winner is commenter My Life Under the Bus! Congratulations!!
You have won a lampwork glass button from Kelley’s Beads compliments of Lorelei Eurto. (P.S. check out Kelley’s awesome new lampwork headpins!)
Please forward an email to Lorelei with your email address so she can send your bead to you!
Welcome to the Humblebeads Studio this morning. So while I’ve been busy making beads and filling orders I have been brainstorming new bead ideas. You see, my little nutty muse shows up whenever I have a massive deadline. I think it’s a form of procrastination, so I try to reign her in with the sketchbook when time won’t allow a beadmaking tangent!
I’m not doing a holiday market this year so I’m determined to make up the sales through my Etsy shop and I have been following along with Etsy’s Holiday Bootcamp. (Week 1 & 2, in case you want to join along.)
This year I will have a line of jewelry, ornaments and holiday beads. You can see some of the bead designs in the sketchbook page above. I’m loving the dove, elf, snowflake pendant and toggle and the little evergreen pendants. I like holiday things that could cover a range of holidays and have a life through the winter season. Even the elf is earthy enough he could just be an gnome wearing a green shirt – you know, changin’ it up for the day.
Would you like to follow along with the Etsy Holiday Bootcamp here on the ABS? I will blog about tips and ideas each Thursday relating to that week’s assignment. And you can leave a comment sharing your progress and support each other. What do you think?
Alice
October 2, 2010 at 2:30 pmHeather, I love your holiday beads and pendants! You amaze me with your ability to brainstorm, get it on paper, and turn it into the real deal. And that etched snowflake pendant is just gorgeous!
Though I don't create 'holiday' pieces, I do like to take advantage of the selling season by attending a couple shows. Unfortunately I was too late to get into any holiday markets, but I'm still trying to wrangle up a home show, plus I'll have the First Friday events at a gallery for Nov. and Dec. Let's hope people are in a buying mood!
I'd love to win one of those sweet dove beads.
My Life Under the Bus
October 2, 2010 at 2:44 pmOh my – YEAH !!! What a great way to start the weekend – Thanks so much : D Patty
Gardanne
October 2, 2010 at 2:58 pmThanks Heather I just signed up for the newsletter.
Gail.w.
October 2, 2010 at 4:00 pmHeather,that is a beautiful snowflake pendant.I wish you would write a book with your wonderful creations in it.I keep waiting&hoping.Yes,I'd be interested in the newsletter.I plan to sign up.No,not thinking about Christmas,yet.I can't find the spirit and hope artbeads ill kick-start me.
Erin Strother
October 2, 2010 at 4:03 pmI typically start working on holiday gifts in july and august. They are usually my slowest months work wise, followed by a huge onslaught of work in Sept-Dec. I've learned if I don't get it done when I'm slow in the summer, it will be a nightmare to try to get done in the fall. This year I did not have my typical slowdown in the summer months, so now I'm basically screwed. nothing is done. sigh.
those little doves are totally cute, though!
Erin S
Imaginative Jewelry
October 2, 2010 at 4:04 pmI have started thinking about the holidays. I will hopefully manage to do a jewelry party.
Paige
October 2, 2010 at 4:32 pmWhat wonderful new pieces, Heather! I know where I'll be shopping for holiday supplies!
And yes, I'm thinking about holiday/winter designs! For a few weeks now…I've been coming up with a few new designs and products to offer this season.
And those doves are gorgeous.
For My Sweet Daughter
October 2, 2010 at 5:03 pmI have already started thinking about the holidays. I have decided to offer home jewelry parties and have booked my first one for mid October.
I signed up for the newsletter too so thanks for spreading the news and ideas.
I love your beads and would love to win so count me in!!!
Shannon
TesoriTrovati
October 2, 2010 at 5:41 pmI love your sketchbook. I do that from time to time with ideas for jewelry. I love seeing how you think. I am not creating so much for the holidays as creating to have things to sell for them. And I am working on my Working Artist Initiative plan but that is a long term project. I would love to hear more about the Etsy bootcamp because I know I am not using Etsy yet to the full extent that I could (that pesky time again). Thanks for showing us what is coming next for Humblebeads!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
SummersStudio
October 2, 2010 at 7:03 pmI started thinking about holiday design back in June. Other than a couple of prototypes, I've gotten nothing else done. So maybe I better join you in a holiday boot camp 🙂 I think it's a great idea. Oh, and funny thing that muse. Mine is a little prankster too, popping in just when I have the least amount of time to play.
Sabine
October 2, 2010 at 9:47 pmNo, not thinking about the holidays. We are going to have a low key Christmas this year, just enjoying family. I tend not to make "themed" jewelry. I think the bootcamp sounds like an interesting idea.
Ann
http://mycriticaleye.com
Suz
October 3, 2010 at 2:35 amI would be interested in knowing more about it and would strongly consider it, if I think it would get me going!!! I have a home show in December and am going to Silver Bella in November. I want to be able to spend time on both!
Suz
http://katsuijewelry.blogspot.com
rosebud101
October 3, 2010 at 2:47 amYour ornaments are beautiful! I hope I win one of your doves! Yes, I've been working on ornaments, too!
MoonRae
October 3, 2010 at 4:54 pmTrying to get into the whole holiday mindset thing….it's hard when it's still 90 degrees outside.
This may be the little jumpstart I need (sounds much better than a boot in the butt,wouldn't you agree??)
THANKS!!
~Sharon~
Linda Landig
October 4, 2010 at 12:04 amYes, I'm definitely thinking about the holidays! I'm applying for a juried show that will take place in early Dec. The application is due on the 15th of Oct. One of the bracelets I am submitting with the application has one of your Tiger Lily beads in it!
I would love to follow along with the Holiday boot camp. Count me in!
btw, I really love the etched pendant!
Malin de Koning
October 4, 2010 at 9:19 amNot really! But I should, shouldn't I. I have always envied people who are well ahead in time with such things. I am never … sigh
Malin de Koning
October 4, 2010 at 9:21 amForgot to mention – I looooooove the white dove. So cute!
CreekHiker / HollysFolly
October 4, 2010 at 8:03 pmOh yes! I've been making Halloween Beads for months and am just starting to list some Christmas beads!