do you see what I see?

l a c e
The final stimulus for my learning to knit was all the beautiful lace currently on the web and in publications. An innocent post over the summer led me to discover how much I did not know. I set out to learn to knit. Along the way I have knitted a sweater, two hats, a muffler, gloves, socks and a couple of scarves.
The very first piece I cast on 30 stitches and what was supposed to be an easy, straight knit became a growing knit. I bound off 90 stitches!
I now can recognize what stitches are on my needles!!! And that bit of lace? My very first! I am so happy!!
The yarn is delicious, 70% silk and 30% cashmere. I have just the single hank and plan on a thin length to wrap around my neck to feel that sinuous softness.
And, yes, I know there are two very obvious ‘unusual thread paths’ showing. Remember that stitcher who wove the names of the aristocracy into her fabric during the French Revolution? Bet her piece had some unusual paths!

Valerie

Read more...

we have a winner!

Kathi Briefer-Gose of

Dragonsglass.com states “the hunt was awesome!” and found quite a list of the Artbead bloggers. Kathi enjoy the gift from Artbeads.com. The selection is wonderful. Shipping free! And the site is super easy to navigate.

I finished my first pair of mittens, a double layered wool hat and working on an extra thick scarf. All for my grown son who has to wait in the cold mornings for his ride to work. Yep, I’m knitting! Never thought I would figure it out.

Enjoy the holidays and look for my new and improved blog and website to arrive in the new year.

Valerie

Read more...

wish lists

Do you fill in wish lists? I have one at Amazon that is just plain stupid (great word that). It is several pages long and Amazon keeps notifying me of the price changes. As if I could find the funds.
I  don’t just wish. Unfortunately I buy.
Recently my ‘order shipped’ and I finally received Knit Kimono by Vicki Square that has been on the list since publication.  It first caught my eye before I learned to knit. The designs begged for me to translate them to crochet. Then I learned to knit. There is not one pattern I do not want on my needles. These are wonderful for showing off knitting and stitch patterns. And easy to wear! My clothes must be comfortable and stylish (most everything I wear is an Eileen Fisher knit!), these are.
It is published by Interweave, the layout is comfortable. The book design familiar and clear. And now it is mine.

And have you seen? Sharilyn Miller has done her magic again. Contemporary Copper Jewelry is wire work with copper. The step-by-step basics for wire work are great. The photos are clear. I enjoyed her Bead on a Wire and honed my skills with this guidance.  One design concept I am partial to are the fibulas. These are great and can be used is so many ways. I have fashioned one into a bracelet clasp!
I only wonder the need to repeat the info. Are not copper wire and silver wire shaped in the same manner with the same tools and movements? Nonetheless, I welcome the addition to my library. Check out p77, fabulous!


Valerie

Read more...

printing on polymer

Yesterday’s post elicited an email from Maureen with a link to her instructions for printing directly to polymer clay. It is different than what I tried and looks like a fun alternative.

While there I visited her wallet tutorial which I found fascinating. A wonderful gift idea. The interior is fabric or paper and clear instructions for a hinge are provided. Templates and extensive directions!

Have fun,

Valerie

Read more...

Seasonal Games Update

Dave Robertson of Rings & Things dropped me a note and a link to R&T’s Blog Partners program. The program has a nice twist

 

 

You can submit your name and your blog, for a drawing we’re holding quarterly.  The winner gets to be a “guest” Blog Partner for 3 months!  (That’s 3 monthly goodie packs!)

   

The other bit I found lovely “Blog Partners have also been known to give away the products as prizes in a contest at their blogs. “
Remember those glittery, flashy, wonderful cubic zirconia I received from Artbeads.com? Some one of you game players is going to receive a package of 5. (The rest, greedy me is keeping!)(or may not…keep tuned.)

The one to receive this special must simply play the game. That’s it.

 

Valerie

Read more...

borrowing techniques

Polymer clay is the most adaptive, permutable (to borrow a term) art material I have used. The substance is limited only by the user. Fascinating.
Last month I tried something. A super thin sheet of Ultra Light, a feat in itself, the material dislikes being rolled thin. Cured at relatively high temp for an hour. Result? A sheet resembling paper which I then ran thru my printer. It took about a week for the ink to dry to permanent status. I had some smudging, think I’ll decrease the ink saturation next.
These are WWI and WWII posters. Something about women and war and this time of year. I served 12 years in the Naval Reserve and was disappointed when my health made me no longer eligible even for the Reserves.
I do not usually agree with whatever military ‘thing’ is considered worth sacrificing lives for. In my capacity in the medical unit that is not an issue. I get to put on the bandaids.

I, for one, am very thankful there are men and women who enlist. If not for them we would be faced with a draft. I lived thru those years and they were horrid. I guess what I am trying to say, is remember our service men and women. They may have chosen to put themselves in harms ways. If they had not, it would be others who have no stomach for it against their will.

I digressed.

Borrowing Techniques

---

Polymer clay lends itself to just about any technique and process. Above I treated it like paper. In The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques  Vanetta Seecharran hits briefly on: metal and wire; plastic and rubber; fabric, fibers, and leather; paper and pulp; wood; ceramic; glass; concrete; casting. There is a wonderful chapter on tools (I adore tools). And the art!

There is enough fodder here for the polymer clay artist to be very busy for a very long time. Every time I open this book I have an ‘eureka!” moment. And while I would not call it a true encyclopedia, it is as close as I would care to get for a while. Where ever would I find the time for even more info???

Valerie

Read more...

Seasonal Games

…and more thoughts on publishing.

---

Most periodicals try to fill many shoes; technique, editorial, tips, resource, review, gallery, biography. One or two find a niche to fill, Ornament comes to mind. The competition seems to be coming from the digital arena. Print publications have rushed to snag that corner also. It is mind-boggling what is available on-line.
Most of each magazines content (those that have web sites) can now be purchased as downloads. (A couple of my fiber magazines offer a digital subscription!) But (yep, here it is!) have you visited any of the on-line suppliers lately?

I am going to address only a couple, and please do not think these are the only ones that provide these services. The list is a long one (and I’m lazy).
Fire Mountain Gems has project instructions on the site. A fantastic gallery for design ideas, a free catalog full of ideas, ongoing contests that are easy to enter! Designer profiles to read. Talk about getting published…try a contest.
Rings & Things has an eclectic feel, fun to visit. Also has contests, lots of design and instructions. The catalog is not quite as hefty as the FMG one, still a delight.
SoftFlex is a company most of us know for their beading wires. Like the others their web presence is strong, with tutorials, galleries and contests. Even stronger is their presentation at beading shows. I always make it a point to visit their display, the deep discounts on stones and supplies (at fantastic quality) must be seen.

I am a member of the blogging team of Artbeads.com. Artbeads seems to gone a step further in soliciting designers to feature their products. The program is a win/win. Designers have an opportunity to try a product they would not necessarily use for whatever reason (in my case it usually is cost). Artbeads has a showcase for a product they chose to feature.
This month Artbeads chose to feature cubic zirconia!!!

I was given a choice of color:

 

Yes, I am partial to warm colors. Are these not absolutely stunning?? CZ’s can you just imagine the sparkle. Swarovski hide your face!!!
And now that bit ’o surprise I had alluded to. (It pays to read thru to the end). 
Artbeads.com has given each of their blog team members a $25 Gift Certificate to award!!!

I have decided on a quirky bit of tomfoolery. There are quite a few of us who blog for Artbeads. And there exists a list. Your job, should you decide to accept it, is to find the list, find us. Leave a message on each blog you find with the quote below included.

RULES:

  find blogs
  enter this quote on each blog found:

“sent here on a marvelous surf via http://valerieaharoni.com”

  collect all the addys
  leave me a message with the list of addys
  complete your mission by December 13th   (one week from today)
  If you need to update your list, please just leave a new message with all the addys you have found!

  General info: The other bloggers are not aware of what I have done (oops!). Let’s have some fun and increase their traffic and seasonal joy!.

And dear readers, for some added spice:

Artbeads has some additional winning opportunities on Facebook.

btw, you do know Artbeads shipping is always free for domestic customers and $1 to Canada!

 

In this case I will not be a woman of my word! The winner of my little competition will be the one who leaves the most messages at the greatest number of member blogs. Ahhh…look out. I got a little sneaky stuff up my sleeves.

Valerie

Read more...

photog

A little plug for the excellent photographer who took my photos last year for Bead Star, Megan Greenlee has entered some of her wedding portraits in an online competition.

Please take a look, and if so inclined…VOTE!!!

Even the bloopers were great!!
 

Valerie

Read more...

Scepter

I’ve finished the scepter!

View Full Album

I took a picture of me in a mirror to give an idea of dimensions. The large ball at the top and the smaller one on the bottom are both hollow. This thing is not as heavy as it looks! I rolled a piece of thin poster board (tag as it is called in NY) and wrapped it with paper tape for an armature. The two colors are extruded strips, with a bit of curve. The gold beads nestle in the slight fold.
The tricky part was getting the three parts of the top to stay together. Part one, the hollow gold ball. Part two, the surround. Part three, the staff. In the end I used plumber’s putty and drilled thru all three parts to insert a support wire.
After a couple of days curing I drilled a hole and passed thru a wire to suspend the accent strands.
The scepter will fulfill its mission in the spring.

Valerie

Read more...

Bead Star winners announced

2009’s Bead Star is Sue Sater for this festive piece:

 

Can you just picture this on a high matte turtle neck? Ultra chic.
I looked everywhere for an email for Sue, even tried calling the store she worked at…she has since moved from FL to NJ. Ahhh…much like those big lotto winners, Sue is keeping quite a low profile.
Much congratulations to you Sue. It is exhilarating  and a bit ‘wha, me?’. Enjoy. It does not wear off!

I am passing the scepter. It is your turn to be royalty for a year.

Valerie (2008’s Bead Star …omg, I just about went for the abbreviation of BS. ha on me!)

Read more...