Russian Spiral aka net tube

I have played with Inkscape and find it is easier than Illustrator in some respects. (definitely cheaper! at free)
Here is a quick diagram of the weave I used for the necklace in my previous post.

The beading pattern is two 11°, one accent bead. For the portion with the Swarovski 5301’s, the Swarovski is where the step-up is made. This reinforces the crystal. I use nymo D doubled, a personal preference.

Any questions, I’ll be more than happy to answer!

Valerie

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Completed Murano…

I’ve completed the design inspired by the Murano Bead from Artbeads.com.

It is opera length, 17 inches. I am delighted the way it hangs and how comfortable the piece is.
I’ve used what is called russian spiral stitch, also known as a modified circular or tube net stitch.

The sparkly portion has Swarovski 4mm 5301 in red topaz with dark amber drops and japanese 11°s.

It becomes an extremely flexible tube. For strength a length of beading wire has pulled the whole piece together.

I’ve downloaded and am in the process of learning a vector program. It promises to be a bit easier than Adobe’s Illustrator (so far it is!). As soon as this is mastered I will post the directions for the stitch I used. It is a wonderful stitch. If you have the White Russian beading book, instructions are there, albeit in Cyrillic.

Valerie

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more thoughts on Inspiration

I have always admired the glass work of the Murano artists and as a member of  Artbeads.com Bloggers I received this absolutely breathtaking showstopper:
When viewing this online I had thought of pairings with polymer pieces. Wrong. The bead demands to be not only a focal piece…it must stand alone.

 
This is what is sitting in my studio this morning. I am not sure if the drop design works best for this bead or an inline design.
Stay tuned…

When visiting Artbeads be sure to take a peak at the Russian artistry…masterful!

Valerie

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Inspiration Sources

 

 

 

 

Recently I received a copy of Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay + Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman.

Each of us has different criteria for a great book. Ronna makes this one work for me with her opening chapters. The information there is more than worth the purchase price. The projects are icing. After devouring every page I had fresh design ideas…Thank You Ronna!

Here are a few that are a direct result: 


From my BlownPolymer line, those

 

bowl shaped beads are a result of Ancient Modern’s influence. On either end and between I have beaded beads.  The beading wire is strung through extruded polymer tube beads. 
 

 

The center round bead is substantial in size. About 1 1/2 inches. Hollow!





This one features a wonderful cone assortment under the ‘cap’. (Mycology influences.)




As promised I have also been playing with grays:
Four feet! of hollow round BlownPolymer!
(what am I going to do with it you ask? well if no one comes pounding on my addy, I will break it down to more reasonable designs. for now it was just too much of a riot not to create and share!)

 

 

 

Wearabl

e grays

!!!
Soon to be seen at a link near you…




Valerie

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BEADSTAR 2009

The finalists are chosen! And the voting has started. The link for voting: BEADSTAR 2009 .

As previously mentioned, I entered three pieces. Two of my designs are finalists! I urge everyone to please vote! Vote for me! The competition is really something this year. I am surprised my pieces were chosen. The voting closes the end of the month.

Good luck to all finalists. Bravo to all who entered.

 

Valerie

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Definitive Definition: Artist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shock of realization hit this morning when, yet again, I acquiesced to  the societal need of showering. Five minutes after I should have clocked in I turned on the water…habitual tardiness. (Reuven, if you are reading this…do as I say, not as I do. Love, Mom ps. better yet…don’t read any further!) (Boss, if you are reading this…ummm, ah, well couldn’t find the car…or…)

Definition of an artist is an inner state. Not every artist is an acclaimed artist. Not every artist is recognized.

Here then are those clues to the true artist:

  

It’s been three days (or is it four) since showering/bathing. Finally you begrudge the time.

   

Sleep am. The alarm is set for two hours before leaving for work. Enough time to finish that item from last night. Research the thought not quite finished yesterday. Ahh, what about the new ‘something’ percolating around the edges of the mind, squeeze that in. Oops, forgot the coffee. Note to self…consider resetting the alarm to allow an extra 30 mins more in the am, late to work again.
   
Sleep pm. Goal: to be in bed by midnight. To be well-rested (with that AM alarm set for 6am) 11PM is optimal, just not realistic. OK. Trick self…projects that can be done while in bed at bedside…a lure that has developed permanence and a bit of dust. Reality check: 2am and another night that sleep will steal 4 hours from the day.
   
  Food. Staples become fruit, vegetables and bread. No cooking needed. Can be eaten in the studio out of hand. Friends start cooking for you. Last they looked the fridge was full of creative supplies. One shelf for edibles…barely. They think you may have ‘food issues’.  
 
While at work you are really in the studio. At the end of the work day, straight home. Errands? Avoided. Wait till the kids come home from college, errands will keep them busy!     

   Housekeeping. Easy…hire someone!  

    A special program is aired. It is on. It is inches from you. You forget to ‘look’.

Family is home. Holidays. Wonders if anything ‘special’ is planned. Hmm, maybe is the answer. You look up, 3am, the day, evening and night have passed blissfully in the studio. Guiltily loved ones are tucked in (mentally) on your way to catch a few of those demanding nods.

As artists we sacrifice everything for the sake of our art. When my children were small I sacrificed my art for them. I left an Art Major to pursue a Science Major with minors in English and Biology to assure work stability.
Today my art comes first.   

Am I selfish? There is “Art is a jealous mistress.” It is a relationship to which I am committed, enslaved, resigned, addicted, devoted, empowered.
I couldn’t ask for more.

Valerie

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Workspaces

Tonight, just before deciding I had better get some sleep, I looked (and saw) my work top…

 

and what’s on your table????

Valerie

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New format

As you can see, I’ve changed the template for the blog. I lost a couple of widgets. One of them being the links to some of the wonderful places to visit I’ve found in my ether world travels. As I rediscover those gems, and find new ones, my list will grow. The best part is the bar across the top with links to posts that seem to get the most interest. Makes ‘em easier to find!

I am getting botox Thursday! The bad news is that the surgeon is not applying the venom to a visible site… how bizarre. And what a waste.

Anyone looking for website (or blog) behind-the-scenes excellence…I must recommend Pish Posh Design. Very easy to work with! They are a design studio that truly listens to your artistic views. The best part is the monthly plan for updates. Extremely reasonable. How does it work for me? Major updates I ask PishPosh to perform. Tweaks I manage on my own. E.g., this format change Roy uploaded the new template. I then went in and changed the colors and rearranged the widgets layout. I did lose a couple of items that I had to hand code and the margin numbers were off for some reason. I fiddled and voila…what you see!

The best part? If I really muck it up, Roy and Jennifer are there to put it right!

Jennifer Teichman was the one who designed the layout of my website. I has thought of neutral colors, she suggested the vibrant colors…and so right! I found the graphics, Jennifer adapted the art. Wonderful to work with.

The initial investment is worth every penny! Thank you Roy and Jennifer.

Valerie

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