Free Issue of Stringing Magazine August 15, 2009

Stringing

If you’ve never seen Stringing Magazine, you’re missing out on a lot of great eye candy. I didn’t even know that it was available by subscription until I received Beading Daily’s latest newsletter. I’d always thought that these were special issues.

If you love to drool over juicy beads and tempting jewelry, you’ll appreciate the 80+ projects in each issue. Best of all, each can be made using easy wirework and stringing techniques and all instructions and resources are included. At a 31% savings over the newsstand price, the projects cost subscribers about 6 cents each. That’s a lot of inspiration for your buck. Try it risk-free. Just click on the photo to subscribe.

Be creative and be blessed,
Parthena

Don’t forget about the Vintage Challenge for Anyone. Deadline is September 1st:

Latest Free Projects and Contests

Never Worry About Money Again

jewelry making,beading,jewelry projects,stringing magazine,handmade,design,fashion

Strange Beadfellows August 14, 2009

This post is inspired by Tammy Powley, About.com's Jewelry Making Site Editor. Her recent newsletter focuses on unusual combinations in jewelry design and I remember making quite a few of those. In fact, the majority of my jewelry involves unusual combinations like polymer clay and wire, or polymer clay and semi-precious gemstones, or polymer clay with pearls or glass beads. I think the only exception is copper. I usually pair it with semi-precious gemstones or earthy beads because it really doesn’t look great with everything. I made a pair of earrings a while ago combining shells and swarovski crystals that I love and get a lot of compliments on. I don’t have a photo but I might try to take one and add it later. The shells themselves were unusual.

Fashion has always been about breaking the rules. I’ve had a few friends over the years who had a knack for combining things you’d never think to put together and always look great. This makes me wonder if edgy combinations come from actual designers or if they swipe them from people on the street.

I remember a time growing up when the strange color combination of yellow and purple became popular. My aunt loved it so much that everything in her house was yellow and purple! And the members of the Red Hat Society always look amazing in their defiant red and purple hats and outfits.

It’s been said that in order to break the rules you first have to know what they are, but I think the bottom line in handcrafted jewelry is the end result. You’ll know if a piece looks beautifully unique or if it looks like ca-ca, so do the “rules” really matter?

A few years ago, I made a piece that I thought was fabulous. While it got some attention on my table at a craft fair, it wasn’t selling.  At the end of the fair one of the vendors came up to me and said that she just had to have it – and I knew that the piece definitely suited her. So, sometimes when we create something a little funky it’s because it’s meant for that one special person.

Have you created any strange beadfellows? Please discuss, and feel free to post photos as well.

Here are some examples of unique combinations from Tammy Powley, although I don’t think they’re all that strange……

• Bamboo and Crystal Earrings
• Vintage Ribbon and Flower Bead Necklace
• Crochet Flowers, Pearls and Crystal
• Fiber, Bead and Copper Metal Earrings

Be creative and be blessed,

Parthena

What If You Had An Income That Allowed You All The Time In The World To Create?

jewelry making,beading,etsy,earrings,fashion jewelry,fashion,design,red hat society

Hair Jewelry Idea August 9, 2009

EZ Combs

Those closest to me know that I’m working toward meeting my goal of letting my hair grow to my waist, something I’ve always wanted to do but never have.  I’ve been at it for about two and a half years, I think, and have about four more inches to go.  It’s about a half inch past my bra strap now and I think I’ll make it.  I love being able to just tie it up when I’m running late or don’t feel up to messing with it. When my hair is short, it needs to be “done” every day, and I put in an awful lot of work to make it look “natural.”

When I was experimenting with jaw clips, I found that different styles of clips make your hair do different things, so I was intrigued by the EZ Combs commercial and bought a set. EZ Combs are two hair combs decorated with beads and joined by a criss-crossed web of elastic beaded thread.  The first one I bought broke the second day I had it. One of the elastic threads came loose from the comb, sending little beads flying all over the bathroom.  I was willing to give them another chance because when I examined them, I realized that they’d be easy to make but that making them durable would be a challenge. I exchanged them for another set. It seemed to me that they should have secured each end of the thread with a drop of glue and I planned to do that myself.  I never did bother, and I’ve used one at least twenty times without it breaking.  Once you get the hang of using them, they’re less likely to break. The comb teeth do, however, bend and the threads and beads get tangled up, so I don’t recommend them for daily use.  You can re-adjust them but they’re never quite the same. The combs give a ponytail a unique twist and they really hold a French twist nicely.  They’re light and less cumbersome than jaw clips.

Of course, the handcrafter’s mind sees something like this and begins to figure out how it can make and design a better one.  Most beginning level jewelry makers can easily learn how to make similar combs by simply studying one.  I ran across this free project on the eeBeads.com website and thought that it might be helpful to get you started.  They’re really cute, so you might just want to make a set of these, too.

Misty Tanzanite Hair Combs

Click on the image to go to the free projects area of the site.  I realize that some of the recommended materials are discontinued (so just let WordPress accuse me of using this blog to promote affiliate programs again, LOL) but I’m sure that you have a trunk or toolbox or plastic container or coffee can full of thousands of other possibilities like I do!

I’m sure that there are instructions for a complete set of combs similar to EZ Combs out there somewhere, and I will post them when I find them.

BTW, I have no affiliation with eeBeads.com other than their being one of my favorite suppliers due to their generosity in providing free projects. I’ve also used them as an example of how to increase your business by treating your customers right in another post.  Their newsletter and blog are further models for aspiring entrepreneurs.  Their newsletter is one of the very few that I open and actually read – and it usually gets me to visit their site and look around some more.  I’m not an affiliate with BeadingDaily.com, either. It’s just a great comprehensive site with almost all the information you’ll ever need to help you in your jewelry making business. Of course, I want my blog to be read and my intention is to provide helpful information that makes my readers want to subscribe to my blog.

 

I’ve been cross-posting and frequently updating my Squidoo lens,

Making Wire Sculpted Jewelry

I’ve just added a module where you can add your own free jewelry projects or other helpful resources for jewelry makers. Please visit and add your link. If you add your site, it’s doubly beneficial to sign up and rank the lens because this makes it more visible in the search engines – and that’s free advertising for you!

Don’t forget about your chance to win a $100 gift certificate or a bag of vintage goodies from eeBeads.com in the  Vintage Challenge For Anyone. The deadline for the contest is September 1st.

Have a creative and restful weekend.  Be well and be blessed,

Parthena

handmade,crafts,arts and crafts,jewelry making,how to,diy,hair styles,fashion,accessories

Earrings, Earrings and More Earrings August 6, 2009

Japanese Cascade Earrings With Pearls

I ran across these adorable earrings in my quest to bring you the best free jewelry making projects. This project is from Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques by Terry Taylor and Dylon Whyte
and I found it on the Jewelry Making site at Bellaonline.com. I’m sure that the editor got the author’s permission based on my personal experience as editor of the Dreams Site. I know that the site owner would not allow an editor to post a project without permission. The new editor of the Dreams site has kept some of my articles with my permission and she’s doing a great job, so please give her some support as well.

The article brings up the question as to what the correct spelling of Chain Maille is. I suppose if Chain Mail was approved for a published book, both may be acceptable.

These earrings are beautifully light and delicate and would look great with the right outfit at work, with your jeans for a night out and would make some amazing bellydance jewelry! You could substitute any type of gemstone or bead for the pearls or use different sizes or tones in jump rings (hmm…I’m thinking copper) and really create a fabulous piece. Get the instructions by clicking on the photo or by buying the book or checking it out from your local library


Next, Jean Campbell’s blog at Beading Daily has a great post about Creating The Perfect Gift Earrings, very timely with the holidays coming up. I like Jean because when I sent her a question to be answered in her column at The Bead Bugle, she actually answered it! And she’s provided some great advice and projects as long as I’ve been following her; around four years now, I think.

Creating The Perfect Gift Earrings

There’s only a little less than five months left ’til the holidays – and if you’re doing craft fairs, you’d better have a huge trunk full to show by late September, so get crackin’ on those dangles!

On another note, please check out this article I wrote for the local paper, a great tribute to a great lady: The Wagoner Tribune. This one was a freebie, but they offered me another assignment and I’m so excited!

Be well and be blessed,
Parthena

What If You Could Make Enough Money To Work On Your Jewelry All Day?

wire jewelry,beading,earrings,handcrafted jewelry,handmade jewelry.fashion,accessories

Free Wire Ring Projects August 3, 2009

Curly Wire And Bead Ring

None of these get me terribly excited, but if you’re thinking about learning to make rings or just starting out, they could be quite helpful. I just got my long-coveted ring mandrel at the June GemFaire show, so I’m just beginning as well. Tammy Powley does a great job of running the jewelry making site at About.com. I was rarely stuck for ideas when I was the Dreams site editor at Bellaonline.com but I’m sure that coming up with fresh new jewelry projects has got to be quite a challenge.

This quick “Curly Wire and Bead Ring” (pictured) uses just a little wire and a bead and is pretty easy to make. On the site, Tammy shows two variations, one with a hematite bead and the other with a smaller ceramic bead.

Well, fooey – the leather on my favorite necklace just broke! I didn’t make this one, I bought it from a fellow vendor at a fair. It’s a chunk of turquoise with a coral bead. I’ve been wearing it in the shower and sleeping with it on for about three months. It’s pretty thick gauge leather so I’m surprised. Guess I get to re-make it now and put my own stamp on it.

Back to making wire rings – here’s the link to a few more simple wire ring projects from About.com

Wire Ring Projects

I also got a bracelet mandrel at GemFaire, so stay tuned for bracelet projects.  Please visit my Squidoo lens, Learn To Make Wire Sculpted Jewelry for links to more great free tutorials, suppliers and more.

Be Creative and Be Blessed,

Parthena

What If You Could Make Enough Money To Work On Your Jewelry All Day?

wire jewelry,beading,earrings,step by step wire jewelry,craft competitions,contests

BeadBabe.com Announces New Free Projects Site August 1, 2009

This is exciting! I’ve been reading The Bead Bugle online magazine, published by BeadBugle.com for a few years now.  This excellent e-zine was free at first and then went to paid subscription memberships. A limited amount of information was still available to everyone.  I just got an e-mail announcing that they are building an archive site making their articles available to the general public at no charge! Here’s the link BeadBabe.com

If you want to download a printable PDF copy of the article there is a $1.00 fee, projects are $2.99.  Premium members can download them for free.  Pretty reasonable.

So, if you’ve never read The Bead Bugle you can catch up. They’re adding new articles daily, so sign up for a free – or premium – subscription for updates.

BTW, I’ve ordered pewter charms from the site and am very happy with the service and quality.

Happy Creating!

Be blessed,

Parthena

Find more resources for your creative soul at The Dreams and Visions Shoppe

wire jewelry,beading,earrings,step by step wire jewelry,craft competitions,contests

Latest Free Jewelry Projects and Contests August 1, 2009

Free Project Idea From eebeads.com

 
I’m also updating my Squidoo lens on Making Wire Sculpted Jewelry frequently with contests and freebies.

Newest Jewelry Making Contest – Vintage Challenge for Anyone. Enter to win $100 gift certificate for a package of vintage charms and findings

Make anything you want using vintage brass items and beads from eebeads.com. Your creation can contain anything from eebeads.com plus vintage items. First place winner gets the gift certificate and second place receives a package of vintage brass findimgs. Deadline is September 1st. Click here for complete details. Join the eebeads.com mailing list to keep up with weekly bonuses and specials.

Beading Daily.com keeps an ongoing blog of contests and design challenges . Click Here to see the list of upcoming events.

If you join Beading Daily today, you’ll receive “How To Make Earrings – 5 Free Jewelry Projects.” The site is sponsored by Interweave Press, publishers of hundreds of beautiful and helpful books on the creative arts as well as my favorite magazine, Step By Step Wire Jewelry. I just got my hands on the Summer 2009 issue and it rocks! More discussion on that later.

Have a wonderful weekend. If it’s too hot where you are, you might want to think about playing with clay. Go here to be inspired: Creating Polymer Clay Artist Dolls

wire jewelry,beading,earrings,step by step wire jewelry,craft competitions,contests

Miss Come And Go As She Pleases July 31, 2009

I’m in awe that this blog has been viewed today after being neglected for so long for various reasons. Health has been an ongoing issue and things are a bit precarious right now, but with no insurance, there are no answers. My doc has gotten me on to a waiting list for a free colonoscopy but the program is out of money. They will hopefully receive funding in August. In the meantime, I’m in a fair, sometimes severe, amount of pain on a daily basis in addition to the chronic stuff I’ve been living with for 20 years. It doesn’t respond to anything and she doesn’t have a clue what to give me without further testing. The possibilities are an ulcer, ulcerative colitis, polyps or colon cancer.  I’m determined to hang in there. While I’d love to be free of this body, I’ve realized that I have a lot to live for.  I’ve chosen to accept my chronic conditions and adapt my life to them. The universe finally seems to be supporting me in this. The good news is that my bloodwork came back okay. Last year my cell count was off and they were looking at leukemia. My cholesterol was also high and it’s great now.  That might have something to do with taking omega-3 fish oils for the past year. My Lab-Shepherd takes it with me, it’s hilarious. She loves it!

I also owe WordPress a huge thank you. I didn’t know until yesterday that they had suspended my blog because I violated their TOS. They didn’t have to, but they’ve allowed me to clean up my act and keep my blog. I’ve recently found my a way that I can have an income and have time for my writing and art, so my plan is to get a paid blog in the near future for that business. Due to their kindness, WordPress is my number one choice.

I’m also glad it happened because I’ve wanted to clean this one up for a long time. It did get messy while I was on my “do what you love and the money will follow” quest. I do believe I’ve found the right direction and I want to do everything right, including repaying people who have helped me along the way and paying it forward to someone else.

So, the focus of this blog hasn’t really changed much. It’s just going to be more organized and truly focused on bringing you news and resources in the areas of wire and bead jewelry, polymer clay and empowerment in small business. I’m sure that I won’t be able to stay completely away from throwing in a few rants and personal reflections but I’ll keep ‘em to a minimum.

I’ll add a fresh post tomorrow on the latest in jewelry making contests. In the meantime, please visit my Squidoo, which I’m also updating frequently:

Making Wire Sculpted Jewelry

These new lenses could use some attention, if you’d be so kind. I donate 65% of any revenue on my lenses to various charities. Thus far, neither of us has received much. These things have to be promoted constantly to stay up there in the rankings! The good news is that all 12 of them are above 100,000 in the rankings, none below 70,000 in fact – pretty good for a site that has over 800,000 lenses.

They really need stars and you have to do a quick registration process to be able to rate them. Here’s the signup link: Become A Lensmaster. No, you don’t have to become a lensmaster but if you ever decide to, you’re all set!

Here are the newest and most recently updated lenses:

Deadly Medical Mistakes – The Safe Patient Project

Aging Pet Owners

Is Marriage Outdated? Fun Polls

Celebrity Deaths & The Media (inspired by Michael Jackson)Adult Attachment Disorder

Best Bellydance DVDs, Ever

Thank you so much. Today, I am so grateful for so many second chances.

If you’re curious or interested in my new venture, check out the RSS feed from my other blog, “Found My Niche” in the sidebar. I am very, very excited about it!

Be Blessed,
Parthena

creativity,blogging,wire working,jewelry,wire wrapping,health and wellness,home based business,business opportunity,health care debate

New Developments At FuzzB April 17, 2009

FuzzB, formerly Blue Fuzzy Slippers, is changing the social selling planet! It’s the new way to shop, sell and create without limits. For more information, please refer to this post:

Great New Places To Market Your Handmade Goods.

FuzzB has just announced that the Groups and Forums features are ready to use.  Join the ones that interest you and create the ones you’d like to see. 

Join today for free and find out how to make money from your profile, advertising and more! 

 Related Articles:

Lights, Cameras, Auctions! Photographing Jewelry and Art For Online Auctions

Learn To Make Wire Sculpted Jewelry

Creating Polymer Clay Artist Dolls

The Fairy Society Social Network and Marketplace

Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry - The Complete Guide To Turning Your Passion Into Profit

 

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Polymer Clay Fairy and Doll Artists April 15, 2009

Fire Goddess Polymer Clay Sculpture by Parthena Black

2008 Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Fairy by Parthena Black

I’ve been fascinated with polymer clay artist dolls and fairies for years and never thought that I would be making them! I have a long way to go, but I’m getting better thanks to the support of other artists and the resources they’ve made available. The dolls I created in my early work had no faces, and for some reason always had ginormous breasts no matter what my intention was. A friend jokingly named them “boobdahs” because he said they looked like female Buddhas!

 

When I learned what Squidoo was and was inspired to write my first lens, I chose to write on  creating polymer clay artist dolls.  My intention was to share my learning experience and the resources I’m finding along the way that have helped me improve so much:

The Fairy Society Social Network and Marketplace was my choice for my second lens. My intention is to repay the creator of the network, Sherri Forrester-Baldy, creator of the new FuzzB, and all of the artists who had been so kind and supportive to me.  One can spend hours on the site just looking at thousands of photos of polymer clay dolls, jewelry and more as well as paintings and a variety of fantasy art in many mediums.

2008 Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Fairy Close-Up

 

Creating Polymer Clay Artist Dolls

 

 

 

Squidoo gives lensmasters the opportunity to earn extra money by adding various feeds to their lenses.  I chose to link both of these lenses to polymer clay artist dolls and supplies on eBay.  If you are an artist or supplier, it’s worth your while to visit and link to these lenses, since your work may very well appear on them when you have a listing.  The eBay listings on my lenses rotate 24/7.  And, if you’re already a member of The Fairy Society, the lens contains an RSS feed to all of the blogs on the site. Many artists post photos of their work in their blogs, so they’re already getting more exposure. The additional clicks and links to my lenses will also serve to increase your visibility on the web and in the search engines.  If your site is relevant, leave a comment at Squidoo with your link and I’ll add it.

Writing your own Squidoo lens will also benefit your business. Your lens can be on any topic at all that you have some knowledge and expertise in.  You can then add links to your business, RSS feeds from your websites and blogs and more.  Sign up here:

Squidoo Lensmaster Registration

 When you complete your lens, let me know and we’ll exchange links.  Squidoo claims that the more lenses you have, the more successful you’ll be, so I now have ten!  Here are a few you may be interested in:

• Learn To Make Wire Sculpted Jewelry
• Photographing Jewelry and Art for Online Auctions
• Deadly Medical Mistakes
• The Statute of Limitations Blocks Back Surgery Malpractice Lawsuits
• Helping Aging Owners and Their Pets

If you’re already a lensmaster and have a lens or two, please include the link in your comment on Squidoo and I’ll return the favor.

 Thanks for reading, and be well and be blessed!

Please visit today’s post in Parthena Black – The Other Side:

You Cannot Do A Kindness Too Soon

Pre-Order Now for $15.63 and save 32 percent ($7.36) over publisher’s list price of $22.99!  Release Date: May 1, 2009

Sculpting Mythical Creatures out of Polymer Clay: Making a Gnome, Pixie, Halfling, Fairy, Mermaid, Gorgon Vampire, Griffin, Sphinx, Unicorn, Centaur, Leviathan, and Dragon!

 

Related Post:

Great New Places To Market Your Handmade Goods 

 

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