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.
Last weeks winner is Gail W.. Congratulations you’ve one of Cindy’s Double Dips in Ivory. Send Cindy an e-mail and she will get it right out to you.
Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2010? I always like January for lots of reasons, first of all it’s my slow time of the year for business. This means I actually have time to experiment and try all those projects I have been wanting to get to all year. Second, It’s time to clean out and third, we get to plan out a new year.
In January, I tweak my jewelry line. I like to take my best sellers, get rid of my least popular items, and then design some new work. The Buyers Market of American Craft is next month. I will be there wholesaling my jewelry. I have already shipped my booth display off to the Market and now it’s time to get all the jewelry finished up.
Another thing I do in January is have a big studio clean out. Things can pile up in here over the year and especially the holidays. I am ordering supplies for my jewelry and my bead mixes. When I clean up I can easily figure out what I need to order. As a result of my big cleaning spree I have a annual sale. It’s call the Jangles Studio Clean Out Sale and it’s going now.
Lastly, I am working on new beads for Valentines day. You guys here at the Art Bead Scene are getting a sneak peek. I am going to put them up in the Etsy shop and blog about them next week, none of the Jangles Blog readers have seen these yet.
My question for the week is this, What is something new you would like to try in 2010?
Leave me a comment here and a commenter will be randomly chosen to win one of my heart pendants.
Happy Saturday!
Jennifer Heynen
Jangles
bellajoya
January 16, 2010 at 12:54 pmI have been reading Enchanted Adornments, and the resin chapter has really begun to interest me. I don't know how difficult it is to actually do resin, but I think I would like to give it a try sometime this year. Maybe a lazy summer day project.
*~tabby~* crooked heart art
January 16, 2010 at 1:03 pmhi jennifer
the something new i would like to do is be braver in my beading-colors shapes and stitches-and not to get frustrated when i am trying something new and it doesn't work out the first time just keep trying 🙂
and picking up a color wheel so that my work is a bit more cohesive
enjoy your day
tabby
http://www.crookedheartart.blogspot.com
Spirited Earth
January 16, 2010 at 1:23 pmOh i can't believe Valentine's Day will be here in such a short time. This new year many of my art/craft friends are talking about reinventing themselves..Me too.
I want to start incorporating more texture and mixing metals in my jewelry.
m.e.
January 16, 2010 at 2:28 pmGosh,I'd really love to be entered in the weekly drawing.But, I just don't have time to leave a comment,Gotta hurry on over to Jangles BIG $ale right now ,while the pickins are good !!!
😀 m.e.
Alice
January 16, 2010 at 2:44 pmBest of luck at the Buyers Market! I've never been to anything like that and I'll bet its fun.
Your Valentine beads are sweet! I like that they are all different colors, not just pink or red.
For the new year I have so many things I want to try, but with such a small budget I have to choose something that does not require a lot of tools and supplies. I think I will be trying resin this year, but would also like to get better at working with wire and cold connections.
Pixybug Designs
January 16, 2010 at 2:45 pmI am taking a silversmithing class, which is WAY outside my comfort zone. I am also doing a destash for the first time (once I get to it)! Lovely hearts!
WondrousStrange
January 16, 2010 at 3:18 pmLovely, lovely work. Please enter my name to win one of your heart pendants:)
[email protected]
Gail W.
January 16, 2010 at 3:36 pmYes,I'd like to work with resin more.I've only stuck my toe in so far,I want to devote more time exploring it's depths'.
Kirsten
January 16, 2010 at 4:09 pmYour Valentine beads are so pretty! Colorful and creative. Someday, I would LOVE to have a kiln and go all out with clay…. but this year I'm hoping to try my hand at creating my own polymer beads and pendants. There are some amazing techniques I'd like to try out……Donna Kato is an inspiration.
All the best to you with your artistic pursuits this year Jennifer!
peacockfairy
January 16, 2010 at 4:14 pmI would like to try PMC clay – and I have signed up for a class in February!
I LOVE color!
January 16, 2010 at 4:14 pmI love color. Your valentine beads are delightful. In 2010 I would like to experment with more fused glass. I did some last year. but I would like to be alittle more adventusome
Be Blesses
EmandaJ
January 16, 2010 at 4:49 pmHi Jennifer, great heart pendants! What I'd like to try this year is precious metal clay. I bought a book about it yesterday at Barnes and Noble. I don't have a kiln or a torch, but I'd like to give it a try at my gas stove. My fingers are just itching to give it a try.
Emanda
artymeziaATyahooDOTcom
http://www.ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com
Sue
January 16, 2010 at 6:39 pmJennifer, the hearts are wonderful, hope I am the lucky winner.
Kristin Yates
January 16, 2010 at 7:01 pmHi, I've always been into scraping and beading but this year I want to learn to knit! Its something I wish my grandmother had taught me while she was still around. So this year I want to learn to knit, so by Christmas I can make scarfs and hats for gifts. I think my family is over getting scrapbooks and they all have a ton of homemade jewelry! I've been a silent reader of your blog for over a year, and I LOVE it, but it was one of my resolutions to become more involved in everything I do.
~Kristin
[email protected]
Pretty Things
January 16, 2010 at 8:12 pmLOOOOOVE your work! So happy!
Luthvian
January 16, 2010 at 9:02 pmI would love to try making some of my own beads and findings, perhaps with polymer clay. we'll see!
hope your 2010 is awesome!
Jen
beadphoria
January 16, 2010 at 10:24 pmJennifer,
Love the new hearts! They are so vibrant!
This year is going to be a "hot" year for me. I am taking a class in soldering and some different ways to use a butane torch. Looking forward to trying these new techniques!
In Beads and Happiness,
Suzann Sladcik Wilson
sandi m
January 16, 2010 at 10:25 pmCan't wait for the newsletter – hearts are cute!
Ilove fine silver and PMC and want to do more with this media this year, especially when Kate McKinnon's new book comes out – that's my plan!
Brenda Bliss
January 17, 2010 at 1:00 amOh–I want to try enameling…….with a torch. When I was 18 I had a kiln and I would travel around to the elementary schools in the area teaching children enameling–
but I don't have a kiln anymore and love the roughness of the torch enameling–so this is my wish for 2010!
Lucid Moon Studio
January 17, 2010 at 1:22 amI want to try PMC – starting a class on it Feb. 3rd. And I want to learn to solder, make bezels and fill them with resin. I love Valentine's Day and all the lovely heart charms and pendants that people make!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Lisa
rosebud101
January 17, 2010 at 1:26 amA new approach to metal work to combine with my beads!
TesoriTrovati
January 17, 2010 at 3:47 amGreat question!
I would love to give Etsy a try. But I am a bit daunted by it. But that is my plan, by the end of the first quarter! I better get busy!
I am also trying to put a proposal together for an art gallery exhibit. I head to the meeting tomorrow to put my feelers out there. If it works, I will be designing for this special showcase of my work for April-May.
Love the hearts!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Sabine
January 17, 2010 at 6:31 amRight now I am trying Right Angle Weave. I have been beading a long time and never tried it before! I know, impossible! It is taking longer than I thought, but it is fluid and wonderful.
Ann
Connie
January 17, 2010 at 7:34 amfine torch work with a micro propane and oxygen torch….for some reason it scares me……..
Susanm
January 17, 2010 at 12:52 pmI would like to try selling at a couple of craft shows. My son has asked me to make and sell some of my jewellery to raise money for our local children's hospital – his favourite charitable cause. I think we have some unique designs but a bit risky and will require me to be very organized – can't start in Sept! I bought lots of lovely pieces in the Blowout sale but always have roomin my supply box for one more Jangles piece.
Susan
mairedodd
January 17, 2010 at 1:16 pmmica, and classes… have never taken classes before so i am excited to be doing that!
your work brings me such joy… cannot wait to see those hearts… i would tell you how much i love the one in the front right, but there are so many others! they are all great~
Right Turn ArtWerks
January 17, 2010 at 2:02 pmHey Jennifer!
I'd like to try and mix it all up. Take the lampwork, the clay, the silver and figure out a great way to put it together. I'd like to get some steel in there but I'm just not sure how – YET!
Great work – love it.
Sharon
:-) MaryLou
January 17, 2010 at 3:41 pmI'm dying to try all sorts of new things this year. My first really new thing is that I'm signing up for a ceramic class! It's just kind of an intro thing, and it's only a week away, but I'm already sketching ideas I want to try. 🙂
Jenny J-V
January 17, 2010 at 4:30 pmI'm going to go for some fire this year! Okay, maybe just some heat…I want to be able to solder some little foiled glass frames. Plus, I really want to be able to melt my own headpin ends. 🙂 Have tiny torch…will travel. Thanks! jen
thecolorofdreams
January 17, 2010 at 4:34 pmLove the heart beads! I received two books for Christmas on wire working and will be trying to use that with my polymer clay beads.
Patti
January 18, 2010 at 1:27 pmYour hearts are very pretty and colorful. I'm working on a more eclectic look.
Mel Mel
January 18, 2010 at 3:16 pmI think I might take a PMC class Or some seed beading classes. Mel
Jennifer Jangles
January 19, 2010 at 12:42 amWow! All sorts of fun things were mentioned. I see lots of people trying resin. It's lots of fun, maybe we'll see some show up in the Art Bead Scene Design Challenges this year.
Thanks for your comments
Jennifer Jangles
January 19, 2010 at 12:44 amKristin,
I have always wanted to learn to knit too. My mom knits and she tried to teach me. She is left handed and I am right handed so it didn't work out very well. I also don't follow directions well and I think you have to read patterns. I think my knitting would turn out in knots!
Jennifer
Jennifer Jangles
January 19, 2010 at 12:44 amHearts will be up tomorrow in the Etsy shop and some will be online. Thanks everyone about your nice comments. I am glad you like them.
Jennifer
Jennifer Jangles
January 19, 2010 at 12:47 amI guess I will comment on what I would like to try new this year….more mixed media work. I want to carve out more time to experiment with combining materials.
Thanks for all your comments, I hope to get to hear how your new try's go.
Jennifer
quiltingjewel39
January 20, 2010 at 3:46 pmI love the color of your hearts and would love to be entered in the contest. I am taking a PMC class in Feb. and would like to try riveting and maybe some resin work.
Valerie C. of clinejewels.etsy.com
January 20, 2010 at 7:17 pmActualy I am already doing it. I have placed an order for new equipment and it should be he today, hopefully. And then I can get started in makeing my new design of Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold Filled Birthstone rings for my spring booth witch starts Apirl 3rd. I want to make at least 10 of each to start out with. They will be priced out at $20.00 to $25.00 per ring. They don't take long to make so I could make them quick and easy while at my booth when I have a lull (fat chance). So I guess I will just come home and make more if they go over well and then I will put them up on my site as well. By the way if you have not checked out my site you might want to jump over and take a quik peek then let me know what you think or if there is anything I might do better. It is brand new after all.
Valerie C. of clinejewel.etsy.com
January 20, 2010 at 7:19 pmSorry I for got to put up my URL. here it is for anyone who would like to see my site.