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.
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This week our winner is Susan Lloyd, Congratulations!
You have won you very own one-of-a-kind Snowflake Pendant from Erin’s Simple Truths range.
You have won you very own one-of-a-kind Snowflake Pendant from Erin’s Simple Truths range.
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This week we visit the studio of Rebecca Anderson of Songbeads.
It’s been a little quiet on the Songbeads Studio front this past week. I am up in Edinburgh (Scotland) staying with my Mum, enjoying a little peace and quiet after a manic December. And November, October…….things never stop! Except that thankfully, they have now, for at least a short while. So I thought I’d show you a few of the things I’ve been up to over the past few weeks.
I had several craft fairs/events during November and December – 4 in November and 3 in December. The last one – on the 22nd December – saw us travelling down to London, for a show at Old Spitalfields Market. It’s famous for its markets, so I was excited to go down – and despite it being quieter than the regulars there expected, it was a good day for me.
I am always very interested in the psychology of those buying at such events – how people shop and why – and round about Christmas is always interesting to me. I know that I usually find myself shopping in a mad panic on Christmas Eve, aware that I am woefully behind as usual! But there wasn’t too much of that going on in Spitalfields. There were a lot of men buying, asking advice, unsure as to which ear wires, what length etc to go for. It’s nice to chat to folk and try and advise them as to what’s best for them to treat their partner with. And I always take a full compliment of tools and materials with me to craft shows, they are always needed for resizing, switching metals of ear wires, exchanging clasps etc.
It was my last show for a while as I am taking a step back from shows for the beginning of next year. I have a few ideas marinading in the background for where Songbeads should go next, and I want to take the time to really focus on these. Expanding my range of bricks and mortar stockists, working on new skills (enamelling, silver- and copper-smithing), developing my own range of findings. In the hope of clearing some inventory and sending some pretty jewels off to new homes, I am currently offering 20% off in my jewellery shop – use coupon code HAPPY13 to take 20% off all purchases until 6th January.
Another new venture that has recently sprung from Songbeads, is my new supplies shop – The Curious Bead Shop. Currently stocking designer czech glass, and gorgeous Irish waxed linen cord in a myriad of colours.
A small selection of the goodies on offer!
I hope that 2013 will see this grow in size and range, and also see it include some of my very own art beads and components! I have a lot of work to do but I am able and willing. So watch this space! The Curious Bead Shop has been going for just over a month now and I am thrilled with how it is going so far. Although I’m based in the UK, I ship parcels worldwide and it’s such a treat to think of these beautiful beads and cord, hand selected by myself, are flying off to pastures new to become part of beautiful new designs.
As a celebration of Christmas/my first month in business/the upcoming new year, I am having a small sale in Curious – I am offering 12% off until the 2nd January – (celebrating the end of 2012….get it?!) – simply use coupon code CURIOUS12 at the check out. Czech glass and linen cord are my two favourite materials to combine with art beads, and what better way to begin the new year than with new beads? 🙂
I am also offering one lucky commenter a goodie bag from The Curious Bead Shop worth $20. To enter, just leave a comment telling us – what are some of your bead-orientated hopes and dreams for the year ahead?
Wishing you all the best for 2013, and as we say in Scotland, have a Happy Hogmanay!
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. 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.
Erin S
December 29, 2012 at 6:00 pmI'm hoping this new year to get my studio organized and cleaned up–new cabinets, looking professional. NOT the horrible embarrassing eyesore it has been for years.
Alice Howe
December 29, 2012 at 6:06 pmLovely, lovely beads and jewelry. I am going to spend time working with fiber, knotting and macrame this winter.
Alice
NickyAnn
December 29, 2012 at 6:21 pmAs someone who spent most of 2012 learning basic techniques and discovering a new love which is fast becoming an addiction to beads, I look forward to developing my own style and making more individual pieces, experimenting more with different textures,shapes and colours and I'll be totally honest, in 2013 I'm looking forward to lots more bead shopping so I can pounce on the postman even more as he brings me little jiffy bags full of complete and utter joy.
Stepha
December 29, 2012 at 6:27 pmIn 2013, I hope to get my studio cleaned out and get some new handmade beads and components. I am going to try and perfect polymer clay beads. And work on my basic skills.
Beautiful beads!!
Cheryl Roe
December 29, 2012 at 7:40 pmI hope to master some new techniques in glass such as hollows. I also am going to try PMC and maybe torch fired enamels to go with them.
Claire Lockwood
December 29, 2012 at 8:06 pmI have bags of things planned – I don't know where to start. Definitely developing some new polymer designs and skills. I can't wait to see your own art beads and components, Rebecca. Will they be enamelled? Will be fab to get touch-fired pieces on this side of the pond!
Cilla Watkins
December 29, 2012 at 8:34 pmGreat shops and ideas for the new year. I don't know what 2013 will bring. Maybe a few more shows.
Cilla
http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Jean
December 29, 2012 at 8:36 pmHow great to hear about a successfully expanding business. My beady aim for 2013 is to look at ways I can turn an enjoyable hobby into an equally enjoyable money making venture
Lola
December 29, 2012 at 8:43 pmMy main goal for the year is to only spend money on art beads. My glass/gemstone/crystal/seed bead inventory is quite extensive and in need of some beautifully unique beads to rally around. I also hope to do more shows at the end of 2013 with a booth set up as beautiful as yours!
Lynda
December 29, 2012 at 9:26 pmHi, Rebecca… Best wishes for your new bead shop and the new year! I'm looking forward to taking some jewelry classes this year. Haven't taken any in a couple of years and I'm itching to learn something new. I start one in January learning to make bezels and set stones and lost wax casting a ring. Yippee!
Kathy Lindemer
December 29, 2012 at 9:29 pmYour beads and jewelry are beautiful.
artistic rejuvenations
December 29, 2012 at 9:46 pmmy dream this coming year would be to find that one amazing bead strand at a thrift store, combine it with something unusual and recycled and then treasure it forever. xoxo happy new year!
Kym Hunter Designs
December 29, 2012 at 9:53 pmI hoping that in 2013 I'll find more time to spend on being creative, taking some classes and learning new techniques.
Alice
December 29, 2012 at 10:37 pmI just love your display!!!
As for my plans for my biz in the new year, I hope to learn a few new skills in terms of cold connections, host a few home shows, and submit pieces to magazines. This year was not so good in terms of sales and I hope to improve in this area by trying etsy and hosting online parties.
Wishing all my beanding buddies a year of success, peace, and joy!
cindy
December 29, 2012 at 11:11 pmI enjoyed reading your post. I share many of the same goals for the new year as you do. I'm making a list of all the shows that I want to apply to this year and hoping to get into more in 2013. I am also learning new techniques for my jewelry business.
Renetha
December 30, 2012 at 12:30 amWell, I hope to put more than one item in my Etsy shop.
Joanna-Gloria
December 30, 2012 at 2:19 amTo learn some new techniques and experiment more!
Joanna-Gloria, [email protected]
Zaharoula
December 30, 2012 at 2:19 amI want to start with bead weaving, it kinda intimidates me
🙂
Happy new year to all!
Zaharoula
[email protected]
Despina
December 30, 2012 at 2:22 amI love Rebecca's work so much, and also The Curious Bed Shop!
My bead related wish is more experimenting outside my "comfort zone" and using cord and knotting much much more, because I recently discovered its amazing possibilities!
DESPINA
[email protected]
Meadowland Designs
December 30, 2012 at 3:32 amI can definitely agree with Erin's comment about her bead area, I got interrupted while tidying mine & it looks terrible.
I also am going to try working with more artist beads in my designs & have some other experiments in mind as well.
Happy New Year to you as well!
~ Catherine
Sharyl
December 30, 2012 at 7:24 amI enjoyed hearing your thinking about your customers! I'm also loving those Czech crystals! I love working with them also! I'll have to go check out your shop! Thanks for sharing! ~Sharyl
Divya N
December 30, 2012 at 1:03 pmI am trying to get into metal work and alternate material beads. That should be my first for atleast the first part of the year
Islandgirl
December 30, 2012 at 2:35 pmNew years resolution more time on the torch and making components & less time playing on the computer.
Lynne
Mackin-Art
December 30, 2012 at 2:44 pmMy studio area is finally organized but is not yet an attractive place to spend time in – need to work on that!
Becky Pancake
December 30, 2012 at 3:46 pmI am planning to expand my metalworking skills this year I bought a disc cutter, dapping punch set, alcohol ink, & patina with Christmas money from Mom. I am considering a big kick embossing machine. I would also like to take an enameling class. good luck on your new shop.
Klassy Joolz
December 30, 2012 at 6:39 pmI'm hoping to get my Muse back…she's been gone for a while.
Hoping to have a place/space where I actually can create.
I'm working on some ideas for components.
Happy New Year to Everyone!
indigo heart
December 30, 2012 at 10:23 pmmy intentions for this year are to set up my studio and get some work published! 😉
Shaiha
December 31, 2012 at 2:46 amI signed up to make one piece a week on Facebook. Hopefully this will have me ready with enough stock for my first show.
Rosalynn
December 31, 2012 at 8:41 pmI am determined to actually sell items from my etsy shop and not just buy, buy, buy. I also want desperately to learn to solder jewelry so whether I am lucky enough to take a class or just attempt it following some books and online videos- please cross your fingers that I do not set my kitchen ablaze!
Kristi Jaro
January 1, 2013 at 9:21 pmI hope to bead more…I have gotten out of the habit of beading by just being too tired to try to find time…