Stay Tuned!

I have just received some fabulous news that one of you, dear readers, will be the recipient of ….

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out on a limb

The last post generated a bit of conversation and a request. I am going to try to meet Ronna’s request here.

Ronna Sarvas Weltman wrote:
Hi all. I write for a jewelry magazine, and I'm always very interested to hear what works for you and what doesn't. I understand what you're talking about (I'm a consumer too) but would love to hear more specifics if you're able to capture them. I know it's hard -- I love it when I see stuff that makes me gasp, get annoyed when it's trite and boring, but how to articulate what works for me? Hard! And of course what appeals to each of us is quite varied.

Okay. I’ll start with the first beading magazine I subscribed to, Bead & Button. (btw, all of this comment will relate to the last issue received) The cover shows good use of bugle beads which is nice to see. Bugles are a great components and good designs with these bits of glass tubes are rare. The sushi platter is fantastic. It is offered as a subscriber download, not a magazine feature (go figure). The reviews on p11 are for two books that have been out for quite some time, something more timely (and not already in my library) would have been more to my liking. I enjoyed the bead knitting. The rivolis seem more of the same (p23) to be found just about everywhere. The beaded dahlia is interesting and a good technique article for those who do not yet have the technique in their library. The chain maille article  repeats common designs and opening and closing jump rings. The sculptural peyote bow on p46 is wonderful, but how many bows can one stitch or would one without giving credit to the author. The earrings on p51 are nice, nothing special. As with the cuff on p54. The netted bracelet on p58 is a common design I’ve seen in my browsing. The color choices here are great and festive. On p62 is metal clay. I have resisted the draw of the metal clays (not hard to do..can’t afford them!).
The turkish crochet is a technique I have seen before with  finer designs. If this had been my first exposure to the technique I would not give it a second thought. I have seen examples I find more pleasing. P76 more gold and crystals. The polymer clay article is a clumsy, awkward piece. Fire Mountain’s ad is great as usual!

BeadStyle  has a contest on the front page to win a kit for the featured necklace. The components are great. The necklace leaves me neutral. Artbeads.com ad on the inside cover is great. And I enjoy the atmosphere of the Jablonex ads. The coiled bead caps on p28 are very well done, the technique is in just about everyone of my wire books. The zipper hearts on p70 is really something out-of-the-ordinary. Another design by the same author on p74 is average wire wrap and left me wondering its inclusion.Wire mesh ribbon is used on p80. While the designs leave me cold, the explanations and tips are useful.  There was little else to comment on in this issue.


Art Jewelry seems to be constantly changing. The News and Announcements always has something interesting for me. This time it was the reference to Arthur Smith’s work and the exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. (click on the link, you can purchase a catalogue).
The business end of art is given room in the magazine (a plus). I enjoy this magazine. Many of the techniques I use with clay. Or translate them to base metals to use with clay. The lapidary articles may not be the most useful in terms of stone finishing (I do not plan on cutting and polishing stones) They do give me plenty of design ideas. Stone patterns and shapes. Did you know that the 5-minute epoxy many of have on hand is a resin? And can be used for resin designs before we decide to splurge on epoxy resins specifically formulated for artisan needs? Who’d a thought? Art Jewelry on p56! This is one magazine I still pour over.
Beadwork  is a magazine that wows then gets you saying but… The designs are stunning, the elements repetitive. p40 is a hank of twisted charlottes with a bezeled drop. The designer of the year on p48, I found overdone. Designer of the year p52 is a simple right angle weave that is a first raw for many beaders (it was mine!). Yet another designer of the year on p57 and one more on p60. Maybe they are hedging their bets, one will be a hit? The article on David Chatt is interesting and I always enjoy seeing samples of his work.P68 has a cuff with a closure I have used and like and textured sequins I’ve not seen before (I like). The last few projects are a bit of a reach. Everything gets a fancy bezel today. Throw in a bit of crystal and it is a winner.
Interweave seems to be doing a bit of reorganization. They have discontinued one magazine and have a lot more online content. Possibly recognizing  their own repetitiveness.

I stopped  the Crafts Report. Last month I received a complimentary copy since FMG used some of my work in an ad. (inside back cover, thanks for asking). Why stop? The articles became repetitive. After a couple of years I found myself not even leafing thru. And seeing the magazine again, I have not changed my opinion. While I did enjoy the feature articles on the different artist groups, it was not enough to justify subscribing.
I have not renewed Step by Step Wire. Bead Unique is hit or miss. (I don’t have current issues to go thru page by page for you.)
So, you ask, what do I look for in a magazine. I want to see something fresh. I want the techniques to be ones that are not easily sourced. Designs should show alternatives. If jewelry, the pieces should be wearable (comfortable and nothing to snag). 
Next I have a question. How are designers found? Seems some of the publications use the same designers over and over. Do publications encourage new designers? Looking at the guidelines for submissions many are overwhelmed. (me included!) What would happen if magazines actively recruited new ‘talent’? I’ve seen some delightful designs browsing the world in my comfortable chair.

Valerie
who hopes Ronna has a bit of info she can use!!

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Is it just me?

I subscribe to many bead, wire and art publications. I am also adding a year to my age, yearly.
In the last year I have not renewed my subscription to several. Reason? I find the styles to be either juvenile or garish. I can no longer find the understated elegance I enjoy. Ornament has stayed true. My other magazines feature designs that are ‘familiar’. I have seen them before. Either in total or in elements and the bits are reworked.
The proliferation of books, magazines, ezines, websites, blogs dvd’s (have I missed anything) have made every technique available to everyone. For that I am in awe and quite happy. This mass explosion in print and visual media seems to have exhausted the ‘acceptable’ designs for publication. I am ‘jaded’. And many times hesitate to share the work I complete. I am not mainstream by any means and do not have the grace to respond to comments well.
With the constant intrusion of the outside into our studios it becomes difficult to allow our voice to sing alone and true. We tend to look to trends and want to meet what others ‘want’.
Who decides trends and the season’s colors? Is it not the designers of an industry? What would happen if I closed my computer, closed the door to my studio (myself inside) and sat for a week or month? Designed what I wanted, in the colors I want? No magazines to ‘encourage’ a certain element. Just my own creativity?
I wish!
I often find myself spending hours just looking at and reading other’s art. Enjoyable, not very productive. If I find a design I like, I make it a point not to go in that direction. Why? Fear of copying and non-originality. Better not to have spent the time surfing and just work!
 

Currently in process

     A knitted coat in a polar weight roving for me.   
    The scepter I mentioned earlier. It is just  about finished!
    

A surprise package from Artbeads.com with champagne cz’s!!

 

 

   knitted socks for a friend’s son (he won’t wear socks so I’m knitting some fun green ones in a beautiful wool!)

hooded cardigan for my son.

Let’s get back to the beginning. I am getting a year older, yearly. I started knitting this summer. Designs are becoming juvenile.

I think I am in trouble…
Valerie

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new releases

Prolific Interweave Press is at it again! I’ve received review copies and oh my!

I was not prepared to so thoroughly enjoy Cynthia Thornton’s writing. Her illustrations and prose are entertaining and fodder for the imagination. The materials include metal clay, wire, resin, polymer clay and mixed media.  The ‘enchantments’ are not overly sugary, refreshing in fact.

Chain.

What can be done with chain that has not already been done? Ask Jane Dickerson. Simple, clean designs.

Some ideas for those chain bits sitting in my jewelry drawer I cannot just toss.

From Germany I finally received Bettina Welker’s book. I adore her work. Published as beadworx, Bettina pushes the envelop of polymer clay. Many of the techniques will be recognized, many not as they are original and published here for the first time. There are translations offered in English, Spanish and French.

I have the English translation and it is very well done. The translation is sent as a pdf to accompany the book in German.

Well done Bettina!!

Valerie

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It’s magic

After a trying week I decided to take a class.
Taking a class means more than learning the subject/skill being taught. It is an opportunity to get away from stressors and to meet new people with interests in kind.
Last Sunday I called and that same evening I went to a class at Brooklyn General. They offer many classes in fiber arts. I am learning to knit two socks at once.

 

This technique is called the ‘magic loop’ and this is the first pair of socks I have attempted. I was shopping for wool socks the other day, ahem, have you seen the prices?? These will have cost about $3 for the wool and the enjoyment of the process, priceless.

Least thoughts of clay neglect are being entertained:
I am working on a scepter for a special presentation. Here is a sneak peek at some of the components.

The staff part is over a paper armature wrapped with tape. The ball shape at the end is hollow and slipped over the end. That gold orb is also hollow and will be attached. I plan some leaf like-shaped appendages around the globe to make more scepter-like. Along the spirals of clay, nestled in the grooves will be 24k seed beads. The small ball is embellished with Swarovski’s. Embellishment of the gold orb and appendages will be substantial, just have not decided what yet.

Valerie

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Kool-Aid

Here are the pictures I promised. Kool-Aid overdyed wool.

 

Laceweight. That bubblegum pink wool in the bottom of the pic is how this skein started. I used 3 different flavors of Kool-aid for the rich purple and blues.

Laceweight. The lacy chartreuse in the background is how this skein began. What an improvement! Two flavors of Kool-Aid.

These were my first attempts. I had purchased quite a bit of this fingeringweight variegated yarn. When it arrived I did not care for how bland it looked, the balls with the bands are the original color. So I thought the Kool-Aid was worth a try. If it did not work, I was not loosing anything. Not only am I delighted with the colors, the process seems to have added some sheen to the fibers. I used varying combinations  of four flavors.

For those who may ask, I tried this both on skeins and on balls. It works. The balls simply take longer to dry.

I am currently knitting a shawl in some of that bubblegum pink with a strand of cobweb mohair from ColourMart. The mohair being very fine and me not wanting to risk a tangled mess, I am going to do a Kool-Aid dye after the knitting.
I found the cheapest source of Kool-Aid to be Amazon (yup!).

Valerie

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