From Flower to Jewelry

I just recently found out that I was accepted to the ISGB's 3 x 2 Exhibit.  The premise is that the glass artist submits a bead to a jury.  If accepted, then the beadmaker makes a total of three similar ones that get sent on to a Washington state metal jewelry artist  who will then make each of the three beads into jewelry.  One will go on exhibit for our Gathering in Bellevue WA this summer, and then each of the artists receive one of the final design.

I love this type of collaboration.  Usually I am making custom pieces or for myself, so I don't have to give up all control of the final item.  But you know, sometimes you find such wonderful combinations that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

I tried to pick colors that would go well with a variety of metals.  I know that some are so expensive, so I wanted colors that could look luscious with ...oh maybe copper or something else.  The affordable kind.  And although the bee is sculptural (and yes, he does have two wings, but a funny angle of the photo makes it look otherwise.), he is protected with the petals that I made a little thicker than usual.

And I was careful to make a very flat bottom for this as well.  I am not experienced in setting beads, but I thought that between having a 1/16 hole as well as a flat bottom, the metal crafter had more options for attaching them.

If you make beads for bezels, what are some tricks that you don't mind passing along?  I just shared my thinking, but I bet there are more angles for attacking this than what I thought of.  Let us all know.  And hope you had a nice weekend...

Call For Artists ~ Anyone Interested?

I received this Call for Submissions and thought I'd pass it on to all of you...

Making It: The Art of Contemporary Craft

(Swainsboro, GA) Gallery RFD seeks submissions for it upcoming exhibition titled
Contemporary Craft.

While the Industrial Revolution may have worked wonders for the production process in terms of output and standardization, it has arguably written the creatorial's role out of the process. As machines replace humans or minimize their necessity in ever more labor fields, we are witnessing nostalgia for the return of a human element, lest automation render us obsolete. Though few are clamoring to give up their tools of convenience, individuation and uniqueness are now novelties as witnessed in the rising popularity of mass-customization. Gallery RFD seeks submissions of work in any media that project evidence of a human hand or craftsmanship.

Submission deadline: Thursday, Oct. 31, 2008, 4 p.m. (EST)
Jurors: Christy Petterson and Shannon Mulkey, co-founders of the Indie Craft Experience in Atlanta, GA.

Exhibition runs Dec. 13, 2008 - Jan. 3, 2009
Opening Reception: Dec. 13, 2008, 5-8 p.m.

Further details and prospectus available on the Gallery RFD website: www.galleryrfd.org